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!
9 Responses
WooHoo, Cathryn! I’m so chuffed you thought Ring for an Heir one of my best. Happy dancing here. I loved the dark, emotional upheaval of their backstory too.
My pick for the last month was Laura McCluskey’s The Wolf Tree – a mystery set on a remote Scottish island. It takes a while to get going but it’s very atmospheric and keeps you guessing.
I haven’t read any of your recommendations for the month. Michelle Douglas’s latest in Venice is on my radar and I’m about to look for your other reads too.
Ring for an Heir was fabulous, Annie. But I expect no less from you!
Thanks for The Wolf Tree recommendation. I’ve had my eye on that and it was nice to get your endorsement. It just so happens that the ebook is currently on sale, so I’ve grabbed it. Looking forward to it too.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing.
A snowy river summer by Stella Quinn
I bet you had a wonderful time reading that, Michelle!
Thanks for sharing.
Aw, thanks for your kind words about The Venice Reunion Arrangement! So chuffed you enjoyed it. It was a bit of a toughie to write, but the Venice setting had me continually swooning, LOL.
Gah! I so have to get to those Amy Barry’s! Junebug sounds like a delight. I have so many fabulous books competing for my attention on my TBR pile at the moment. Though that’s a nice problem to have.
I did read book 1 in a cosy mystery series by Ashley Weaver that Janette Paul recommended called Murder at the Brightwell, and really enjoyed it (have book 2 on loan from the library). But my highlights of the month was Cupid Country Challenge and Cupid Country Crush. They were both adorable–full of humour and emotion and so warm and fuzzy. Loved them!
That’s interesting to hear Venice Reunion was hard to write, Michelle. To me it flowed beautifully. But maybe that’s the magic of Venice!
Did you see that Seven Brides of Beau McBride is scheduled for release in July? I can’t wait. These books are so cuddly. You definitely need to catch up but totally get you on the so many books front. Seems like for every book I cross off as read on my list, I seem to have bought two to replace it.
Speaking of which, thanks for the Murder at the Brightwell recommendation. That looks great fun. I’ve added it to my wishlist.
Aaaaand THANK YOU SO MUCH for your lovely words re the Cupid Countrys. I’m so chuffed!!!!
Michelle, thanks for the recommendation of Murder at the Brightwell. I just ordered it. Sounds right up my alley.
Cathryn, can’t believe I didn’t reply to your blog. I read it ages ago but it’s been such a busy month, I lost track of it. I loved, loved, loved Annie’s Ring for an Heir. I cried my eyes out over the early version she gave to me. Such an incredibly moving story. I agree – it really is one of her best, and that’s saying something. Did you notice all your books this month were romances? It’s that sort of year, isn’t it?
Like Annie, I loved The Wolf Tree. Great characters and wonderful setting. I hope there’s more books to come in the series. I’m a sucker for an isolated Scottish island story, as you know!
I had a few good romances this month too. I really enjoyed A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston, who wrote one of my faves of the last few years, The Dead Romantics. I don’t think this was QUITE as good as that but it was a lovely read. And I read and just loved the second two Cupid Country books. You really did a wonderful job with that trilogy. I hope you’ve got more in the pipeline.
I’ve also been enjoying Becca Syme’s short books in the Dear Writer series. I’ve read a few of them now. Dear Writer, You Need to Quit; Dear Writer, You’re Doing it Wrong; Dear Writer, You’re Doing it Right; Dear Writer, Are you in Writer’s Block?; Dear Writer, Are You in Burnout? They’re straightforward and smart and I like how she doesn’t think all sizes fit all writers.
Oof, don’t apologise. We can’t get around to everything and while I adore hearing your reading adventures, I’ll forgive you if you don’t comment!
Great to hear you enjoyed both The Wolf Tree and A Novel Love Story. I have both of them on my TBR pile and am now looking forward to both even more. I agree, The Dead Romantics is in a class of its own. That was an extraordinary read. And thank you for the lovely Cupid Country comments!!!! I do have ideas for more, but I think I’ll give myself some recovery from these three for a while before I tackle the next.
Those Becca Syme books are great. I haven’t read the burnout one but I’ve read the others. You Need To Quit was a standout for me. It finally cured me of my guilt over social media (although, to be fair, I still feel a twinge every now and then).
Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing!