It’s Been A While // April Wrap-Up
Well, it’s been a while since I reviewed a book. Apologies, it has taken so long. I was going to do a long post with the last 3 months. But it was already at a 15-minute read time for April alone.
I have split them, and hopefully all the last 3 months will be up this week!
Finding Love In Ivy Falls by Amy True
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Small Town Romance
Pages: 336
Spice: Moderate
Format: Paperback & Audio (Dual Read)
Book Synopsis:
“What if choosing love means breaking a family?
Tessa is struggling to run her mother’s beloved book shop, and the business is failing. At least she has her dear friend (and accidental heartthrob) Manny to support her. As single parents, they understand each other. But their friendship is too important for Tessa to give in to the chemistry between them.
With the sudden success of his home renovation show, Manny is appalled to discover how much the internet knows about him. As he navigates his new and strange life, his feelings for Tessa only grow. Especially when he helps her refurbish the bookshop.
But when Tessa’s ex-husband returns to Ivy Falls, she must make a decision. Should she follow her heart, or does she owe it to her girls to fix their family?”
Spoiler-Free Review
As a sequel, I loved seeing more of Ivy Falls beyond the main romance. With the community feeling even fuller and more lived in this time around.
One of my favourite aspects was that both Tessa and Manny are single parents. That’s a dynamic I don’t often come across in romance, and it was handled so well. Rather than simply mentioning their children, the story explores how parenting shapes their everyday lives. From juggling responsibilities to supporting children of different ages through life’s milestones and surprises. It made the romance feel authentic and grounded.
I’m genuinely surprised this series doesn’t have more reviews. It’s the perfect small-town romance series. Each book works as a standalone, but reading them together lets you appreciate the growing community and familiar faces. I cannot wait to revisit with book three. 4 Stars.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• I knew Tessa’s ex was a creep from the beginning, and unfortunately I was right. His constant attempts to control her, his refusal to respect boundaries, his manipulation, turning up when he wasn’t wanted, and acting as though he still had a say in her life made my skin crawl. It was a very realistic portrayal of someone trying to maintain control after a relationship has ended.
• I loved how Manny handled the situation. He was protective without trying to take over. He stood beside Tessa, supported her, and stepped in when needed, but he never spoke for her or took away her agency. She was able to stand up for herself, and Manny respected that while making it clear she wasn’t facing everything alone.
• And that Piper and Ford moment! The chemistry was undeniable. It was the perfect tease for book three, and I already can’t wait to see their story unfold.
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
Genre: Literary Fiction, Crime and Mystery
Tropes: Amateur Detectives, Coming of Age and Secret In A Community
Pages: 456
Spice: None
Format: Hardback & Audio (Dual Read)
Book Synopsis:
“Yorkshire, 1979. Margaret Thatcher is in power, drainpipe jeans are in, and Miv is convinced her dad wants to move the family Down South. All because of the recent local murders.
Leaving Yorkshire and her best friend, Sharon, isn’t an option. Regardless of the dangers outside or the heavy silence that has filled her home since her mother stopped talking. Miv believes that if she can just solve the case of the disappearing women, her family won’t have to leave.
Together, Miv and Sharon start a list of every suspicious person and event on their street. But their amateur investigation quickly uncovers far more secrets than they bargained for. Exposing hidden truths within their neighbourhood, their families, and their own friendship.
Ultimately, Miv realises the most dangerous mystery she needs to solve might be the one closest to home.”
Spoiler-Free Review
I absolutely loved The List of Suspicious Things. Going in, I expected more of an amateur sleuth mystery based on the synopsis. But what I found was an incredibly moving coming-of-age story. It completely exceeded my expectations.
While there is a mystery running through the novel, I felt the real focus was on the characters. How their lives, relationships and perspectives evolve. Every chapter adds depth to the people around Miv, yet the story always returns to her journey as she slowly begins to understand the complexities of the adult world.
One of my favourite aspects was Miv’s friendship with Sharon. Their adventures brought such a wonderful sense of childhood nostalgia. Although I didn’t grow up in Yorkshire, I have northern ancestry. So hearing familiar slang and expressions instantly transported me back.
Despite its many heartwarming and humorous moments, this book also tackles difficult topics with great care. Including violence against women, racism, grief and the way fear and media narratives can shape entire communities. So check your warnings. There’s so much I want to say, but it’s definitely a book best experienced with as few spoilers as possible. 4.5 Stars.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• Why did Sharon have to die?! I cried so much. Her death felt like the pivotal moment where Miv truly understands what grief is. Until then, their detective game still carried a sense of childhood innocence, but afterwards Miv is left wrestling with guilt and wondering whether their obsession with suspicious people somehow contributed to everything that happened. It was absolutely heartbreaking.
• I was shocked by several twists throughout the novel, but discovering that Miv’s dad had been having an affair with Sharon’s mum was gut-wrenching. By that point I’d become so invested in Miv and Sharon’s friendship that learning that made everything even more tragic.
• My favourite twist was realising the girls were never really investigating the Yorkshire Ripper at all. Their detective work becomes a way for Miv to process fear, her mum’s illness, and the possibility of losing everything she knows. What begins as a list of suspicious people slowly transforms into a record of the grief, prejudice and hidden secrets within their own community, making the story far more powerful than a traditional mystery.
The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig
Genre: Fantasy / Romance
Tropes: Slowburn, Prophecy & Fate and (a little) Forced Proximity.
Pages: 389
Spice: Low to Moderate
Format: Hardback & Audio (Dual Read)
Book Synopsis:
“Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner.
In her dreams, she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur. Lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures from her dreams.
Just as she and her sister Diviners are near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil’s visions. But when Sybil’s fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is fraught with peril.
Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she’d rather avoid Rodrick’s dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.”
Spoiler-Free Review
The Knight and the Moth was my first Rachel Gillig novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. I quickly found myself enjoying her writing style. Which is lyrical, without becoming difficult to follow. It translated beautifully into the audiobook, creating an immersive listening experience that really enhanced the story.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Gillig crafts a world that feels mysterious, haunting and vividly imagined. All while keeping the world-building descriptive without overwhelming the reader. I never felt lost in long explanations, instead discovering the world naturally alongside the characters.
I also loved the enemies-to-lovers romance between Sybil and Rory. Their sarcastic banter and sharp back-and-forth made every interaction entertaining. Gillig did a fantastic job of slowly peeling back the layers to reveal the feelings growing beneath all the biting remarks. The chemistry felt earned rather than rushed.
The premise itself felt incredibly fresh. While it contains familiar fantasy elements, the way they are woven together creates something distinctive and memorable. Combined with compelling characters and a steady sense of intrigue, this was a fantastic introduction to Gillig’s work. I’m already looking forward to reading the second in this duology. 4 Stars.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• From quite early on, I was convinced the Diviners were being used. The idea of surrendering your identity for ten years, only to supposedly return to normal life afterwards, never quite sat right with me. There always seemed to be something hidden beneath the surface.
• As soon as the Diviners began disappearing, my suspicions only grew stronger. I was convinced they weren’t simply missing—they were being murdered to maintain the illusion surrounding the role of the Diviners and the gods they served.
• I also had a feeling the King knew far more than he was letting on. I suspected he knew the truth about the Omens, and, of course, instead of exposing it, he wanted to claim that power for himself. That motivation felt completely in keeping with his character.
• One of the most fascinating reveals was learning that the Omens had once been human and had built an entire religion around themselves to gain power and maintain control. It adds so many interesting layers to the story and raises thought-provoking questions about faith, authority, and the way belief can be shaped by those in positions of power. I loved that Gillig trusted readers to sit with those ideas rather than spelling everything out.
• I really enjoyed watching all of the clues gradually fall into place. Rather than relying on one huge reveal out of nowhere, the story plants enough hints that, looking back, everything makes sense. It made the mystery satisfying to unravel while still keeping me eager to discover exactly how the truth would come to light.
• That ending has left me desperate for the sequel. There are still so many questions left unanswered, and I can’t wait to see where Gillig takes the story next.
Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 5, 6 & 7 by Kamome Shirahama
Genre: Magic and Fantasy
Tropes: Coming of age, magic school apprentice and found family
Vol 5 Pages: 186
Vol 6 Pages: 166
Vol 7 Pages: 176
Spice: None
Format: Physical Manga
Book Synopsis:
“In a world where magic is ordinary, Coco dreams of becoming a witch. Though everyone insists magicians are born, not made. Ready to abandon her hopes, Coco’s life changes when she encounters Qifrey. A travelling magician with a secret. What she sees challenges everything she thought she knew about magic, and reveals that her dream might not be impossible after all.”
Spoiler-Free Review
Volume 5:
Following the events of Volume 4, the stakes continue to rise as Coco and the other apprentices. They have found themselves interrupted during their next magical challenge. While the story keeps building on the mystery surrounding the Brimmed Caps, what I appreciated most was the pacing. Each revelation feels earned, with enough action and quieter character moments to keep the story moving without ever feeling rushed.
This volume also continues to develop Coco as a character. As she becomes more aware of the attention surrounding her abilities, there’s an underlying sense of tension that never really lets up.
I also found myself becoming even more invested in Euini’s storyline. His journey is incredibly emotional, and knowing an anime adaptation is on the way has only made me more excited to see how those moments are brought to life. The manga already conveys so much feeling through both its artwork and storytelling that I can’t wait to experience it in another medium. 5 Stars.
Volume 6:
Volume 6 expands the world of Witch Hat Atelier in the best possible way. As the story moves to the Great Hall, one of the major centres of witch society, the series opens up dramatically. We meet fascinating new characters, gain a better understanding of how witches govern themselves, and begin to appreciate just how vast this magical world really is.
I loved this expansion of the world-building. Rather than feeling overwhelming, every new location, character and piece of lore felt purposeful and added another layer to an already rich setting.
Every volume builds naturally on the last, balancing character development with new mysteries and discoveries. Coco’s experiences also become increasingly thought-provoking as she’s presented with choices that challenge everything she’s learned so far. It left me even more invested in both her journey and the larger questions the series is beginning to explore. 5 Stars.
Volume 7:
Volume 7 begins with preparations for the Silver Eve Festival. Bringing a welcome sense of wonder and celebration to the story. Watching the apprentices create magical displays was both imaginative and charming. Reminding me why I love this series’s approach to magic.
Even with the festive atmosphere, though, there is a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right. The tension quietly builds beneath the surface, making it impossible to completely relax despite all the beautiful moments.
The pacing across these recent volumes has been excellent, with each one adding another piece to the bigger picture without losing sight of the characters. Finally learning more about Qifrey’s past answered questions I’d had for a while, but instead of reassuring me, it left me with an even worse feeling about what’s still to come. If anything, this volume has only made me more desperate to continue the series and discover where everyone’s story leads next. 5 Stars.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• Euini being transformed into a wolf-like beast through forbidden magic was such an emotional moment. It really shows just how horrifying Brimmed Cap spells can be and the devastating consequences they can have. Seeing the damage they can cause has made me even more excited (and nervous!) to see what is coming next.
• I absolutely loved the conversations between Beldaruit and Coco. They really highlight that Coco’s greatest strength is not just learning magic, but the way she thinks about it. She approaches spells differently, questions things, and finds solutions that others wouldn’t consider.
• It also explains why the Brimmed Caps are so interested in her, as they are already creating forbidden spells outside the laws that govern magic, and Coco’s way of thinking could be incredibly valuable to them.
• Qifrey’s increasing pursuit of the Brimmed Caps brings back that feeling of unease around him. We know his reasons are deeply personal, but it raises the question of whether revenge could change him. Is he still firmly on the side of good, or is his obsession starting to push him towards the same dangerous boundaries he fights against?
• I also loved that we finally returned to Coco’s mother’s storyline. It has been such an important part of Coco’s motivation from the beginning, and I’m really hoping that there is still a way to save her.
April’s Reading Stats
As always, putting everything into TheStoryGraph App, I found…
I read 3 books and 3 manga.
A total of 1,709 pages.
100% of the books read were fiction.
Genre-wise, we have fantasy, contemporary and romance. Once again, I don’t see manga as a genre and more as a medium of reading.
My average rating for the month was 4.58. Lower than last month’s.
It says 100% were read in print, which they were, but I did dual-read quite a few of them with the audiobook.
It is fast becoming my favourite way to read.
Because of the last few months merging in my brain, I will post a huge book haul list on June’s Reading Wrap-Up post. And that is my April Wrap-Up!
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As always, thanks for reading…
