April 2023 Book Releases

The Soulmate / Sally Hepworth

Thriller / Mystery

Publication Date: April 4, 2023

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Any thriller that takes place in a small coastal town is a sure read for me. The premise of this story needs very little explaining to draw you in: Gabe and Pippa live in their dream cottage, near a cliff! Gabe has invested himself in talking down desperate individuals who come to the cliff with the intention to end their life.

One victim doesn't make it and the secrets begin to unfold - Pippa begins to question things. Will this be the perfect concoction of deceit and realization that Pippa may not have known Gabe, truly?

I plan to post up with this thriller on a rainy day and devour it like my morning coffee.

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The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder / David Grann

True Crime / Murder / Non-Fiction

Publication Date: April 18, 2023

Publisher: Doubleday Books

I want to begin by acknowledging that the cover is what drew me in. From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon comes another historical story about a group of sailors that washed up on the shores of Brazil, near death. Surviving over a year on a self-made craft, were these sailors the champions they appeared to be?

Accusations are cast when 6 months later 3 more sailors from wash up, each group telling a very different tale of the events leading up to their survival. Now facing a court of martial the two groups of sailors face death once again if found guilty of charges - murder, tyranny, and rebellion are all on the table.

Based on events that took place after a British ship, the Wager left the ports of England and wrecked near an uninhabited island, leaving the crew stranded and desperate to survive.

This will be a new take on true crime and historical fiction for me, but the early reviews show a promising account of the real-life events that took place in the 1700s to the crew of the Wager. At 352 pages, I anticipate many jaw-dropping moments as Grann details the extremes this crew was faced with and ultimately what took place on that island.

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You Shouldn't Have Come Here / Jeneva Rose

Thriller / Mystery

Publication Date: April 25, 2023

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

I first discovered Jeneva Rose last year when I came across her book One of Us is Dead and I was hooked - I love multiple perspectives and a plot that keeps me on the edge of my seat! I attribute my enjoyment of audiobooks to One of Us is Dead and I have never looked back.

Jeneva Rose's new book is said to be a thrill ride and I'm here for it! Following Grace Evans who decides to escape her busy city life by booking an Airbnb on a ranch out in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. What can go wrong? Grace takes to the owner during her stay - but as they get closer, something doesn't feel right, but for who?

I'm anticipating some horror vibes, a crazy twist or two, or maybe more?! I'm intrigued by the realism and problematic scenario from both perspectives - being so far from home and having a stranger in your home. Do you really know what you're getting yourself into or who you're letting in?

I think this one will be a quick read - because I doubt I'll be able to put it down!

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A Sleight of Shadows (The Unseen World #2) / Kat Howard

Fantasy / Science Fiction Fantasy / Urban Fantasy

Publication Date: April 25, 2023

Publisher: Gallery Books

Have you ever made the decision to start a series based solely on the discovery that a new book is being published for that series? I absolutely have and this is one of those decisions.

The second book in Kat Howard's Unseen World series will be released next month, almost 6 years after the release of An Unkindness of Magicians. I admired the cover art for the first installment and the premise was intriguing - but like many other books it just fell further down my TBR list. Knowing this world of magic Kat Howard has built is continuing has rekindled my excitement to start this series and the blurb from Neil Gaiman sealed the deal.

Following the events in An Unkindness of Magicians, Sydney is left with little to none of her magic and faced with dire circumstances, the House of Shadows is desperate to return to power. What will Sydney have to sacrifice this time to keep the dark magicians from rebuilding and will she be successful once again?

With New York as the backdrop - I'm hopeful for some epic world-building, unfavorable characters that radiate evil, and a wild ride. If you've read Kat Howard's first installment, what did you think? Will you be continuing on with A Sleight of Shadows? Check back for a double review and share your thoughts!

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