Welcome to the latest edition of My Favourite Reads, the regular series where I share the books I adored over the past month and get gorgeous book people like you to share yours.

April was such a romantic month. Nothing like some sighworthy romance to put pep into your step and a song in your heart, and I read some absolute beauties. There were others—a horror, a couple of short stories, a thriller and a sci-fi—but they didn’t hit the spot the way the romances did.

In no particular order, here are my April favourite reads.

A Ladies Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin

Irwin’s A Ladies Guide to Fortune Hunting was my favourite read of November 2023 (you can read my thoughts on that here) and there was no question I’d be reading her next. That book had all the feels.

A Ladies Guide to Scandal proved to be just as funny and emotional, possibly even more (although time between reading the books makes that hard to judge). The premise was fabulous: after a miserable marriage, newly widowed Eliza is bequeathed a fortune that is hers to do with what she likes, but with one caveat: she must maintain a spotless reputation, with not even a whiff of scandal.

With a fortune, comes fortune hunters, as well as past loves, scheming families and social climbers. Finding freedom and staying out of trouble might prove harder than Eliza thinks.

Witty, emotional and gorgeous fun and characters that surprise you and you can’t help cheering (and sometimes booing) for.

I’ll definitely be reading Irwin’s next.

Marrying Off Morgan McBride by Amy Barry

Marrying Off Morgan McBride is book two in the McBrides of Montana series and now I can’t wait for the third!

Honestly, I found it very hard to imagine that any book could match book one, Kit McBride Gets a Wife (my comments about that here), but Amy Barry has managed to do it with Marrying Off Morgan McBride. So. Much. Fun.

Junebug, the McBride boys’ scheming little sister is at it again, this time trying to marry off eldest brother Morgan who most definitely does not want to marry anyone. Years of raising his siblings has taken its toll and all he wants is to hit the trail again and find some peace. Junebug has other ideas.

This series is hilarious and heartwarming and romantic and just gorgeous. With Marrying Off Morgan McBride, Amy Barry has cemented herself as an auto-buy for me.

Bring on the next McBride!

Ring for an Heir by Annie West

Another excellent, emotional and passionate romance from Annie West.

I really enjoyed Ring for an Heir. I found the hero and especially the heroine’s backstories quite dark, which appealed to my gothic loving heart, and made their happy ever afters even more uplifting.

Portia and Lex had once been teenaged lovers, only to be ripped apart, both believing one had betrayed the other. When a chance meeting brings them together, they find their trust may be long gone but their attraction remains electric. An attraction that has consequences.

Gorgeous writing, wonderful characters, and perfect passion, Annie West is a master of the genre, as you’d expect for an author with 60+ published romance novels to her name.

Ring for an Heir rates alongside Annie’s best.

The Venice Reunion Arrangement by Michelle Douglas

Another sigh-worthy romance from Michelle Douglas, with expertly drawn characters, a gorgeous Venice setting, and a manipulative, dying grandpa who just might be wiser than the hero and heroine realise.

The highlight of The Venice Reunion Arrangement for me was Hallie. What a brilliant heroine. She’s kind, talented and strong. The way she managed difficult situations and stood up for herself had me cheering. And sometimes laughing, as in one memorable scene when she lets hero Lucas know in no uncertain terms exactly what a twit he’s being.

Given the couple’s past, the fake fiancé plot was hugely entertaining. How on earth did they ever think they could pull that off? But watching Hallie and Lucas deal with their burgeoning attraction while still laden with their history was what made the story so compelling.

Excellent.

What book recommendations do you have this month? Share away!