Most Anticipated Books of April 2024

Since I’m only one person, I’m only able to read so much at a relatively upbeat pace. But I can’t resist making my TBR list longer and longer, and paying it forward, so to speak. So here are my most anticipated books of April 2024 (yes, I know I’m a little late).

I almost made the list a Spring/Summer list, but I thought that might be too overwhelming for me and you! I’ve kept the list compact into 5 categories: Romance, Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Horror and Thriller book releases. I hope this list is helpful for you, if you haven’t felt inspired to start a new book.

Give this post a like if you think I should continue this monthly series!

(*) denotes books I’ve already read

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez*
(Pub Date: 4/2)

Okay so I know this one is out already, but I had to add Just for the Summer on the list. This book has been a HIGHLY anticipated book release online. I haven’t been able to escape this book on Instagram (I do follow mostly bookstagrammers and Abby Jimenez, but whatever). Though, some of her books didn’t resonate with me, I still consider Abby Jimenez a must-read. Yours Truly has earned her a lot of good will from me.

This new title, Just for the Summer, has some guest appearances from other characters from Abby Jimenez’s books, Part of Your World, Life’s Too Short and Yours Truly. The story addresses mental health issues and traumas; and features a meet cute that involves Reddit. I would say, if you’re a fan of Life’s Too Short, Just for the Summer is similar in the main characters dealing with family issues and unexpected parenthood, all while falling in love.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
(Pub Date: 4/9)

I was interested in the second chance story, plus it’s about tv writers…my other great love after books is television. A book writer becoming a tv writer and having a screenwriting love interest, I’m in!

Helen and Grant have a history, a tragic accident ties them together but they haven’t seen each other in 13 years. Heather Zhang is a bestselling author and has gained a spot in the writers room for a new TV show based off of her successful YA series. She’s starting over in a new city where no one knows her…except Grant. Grant has moved to LA to escape his past, he’s an up and coming screenwriter. He knew it wasn’t a good idea to take the job in Helen’s writer’s room, but this is an opportunity to develop his own projects, that he couldn’t resist.

Grant is just the same as Helen remembers, and vice versa. But working together is getting messy, Helen’s parents have never forgiven him for what happened and have no idea he’s back in Helen’s life. Can they move past their history for a better present?

The Prospects by KT Hoffman
(Pub Date: 4/9)

Former best friends, turned enemies, turned lovers? I’m intrigued. And it sounds like a fun way to get into the plethora of sports romances coming out (in the era of Swelce). This debut romance novel sounds sweet.

Gene Ionescu is the first openly trans professional baseball player in the minor league. He loves his team, the Beaverton Beavers, and has nearly everything he’s ever dreamt of, until his former teammate and current rival, Luis Estrada, gets traded to the Beavers and throws his carefully planned career off kilter.

Gene and Luis can’t manage a civil conversation off the field or a competent play on it, but eventually they rediscover old chemistry. Soon, Gene has to reconcile the quiet, minor-league-sized life he used to find fulfilling with the major-league dreams Luis inspires.

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton*
(Pub Date: 4/9)

The Kiss Countdown was cute, a perfectionist event planner is at a crossroads in her life. She’s lost her job very publicly, her boyfriend has dumped her, her rent just spiked to unaffordable levels, her mother is chronically ill and keeping her at an arms length (by going on a cross country trip). She quite literally is in a state of transition.

Look at that cover, I had to read this book. More romance books about black love are always welcome. And I figured it would be an easy read, a nice palate cleanser, in case my TBR proved to be heavy and needed some lightness. I basically planned my March TBR out to keep my momentum going, I read this book between The Familiar and One of Us Knows. Great decision on my part!

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
(Pub Date: 4/9)

Hanalei of Tamarind has been exiled from her home after her father stole the egg of a seadragon that was meant for an ailing princess. After years away from home studying seadragons, she encounters a female dragon that offers her the key to returning to Tamarind. Samahtitamahenele (Sam), Hanalei’s childhood friend, is the last prince of Tamarind. His mother, the queen, is ailing and Tamarind is a matriarchal society, so he can never inherit the throne. Sam must make a decision, either marry or find a way to cure his mother’s illness. Hanalei’s return may be the solution to his problem.

This premise sounds predictable, it is a YA book, but I’m hoping for some twists that I can’t possibly see coming. I’m sure the romance aspects of it will hypnotize me, and I’ll love it. But either way, I feel like I’ll be happy with this story – I mean, there are dragons, mythology, romantasy!

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo*
(Pub Date: 4/9)

The Familiar was all about vibes. Luiza Cotado is a fledgling sorceress, hiding her powers and her Jewish heritage while working as a maid in Spain – during the Spanish Inquisition. With a chance to rise in the ranks she joins a magical tournament to gain the Kings favor. Guillén Santángel, is helping Luiza in her treacherous journey to the top. He is an embittered immortal familiar, who has his own motivations and secrets, that could doom them both.

Leigh Bardugo does know how to write an intriguing male lead, The Darkling (Shadow & Bone Series), Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows Duology), Nikolai Lantsov (King of Scars Duology), Darlington (Ninth House Duology (?), my personal fave) and now Santángel. To not spoil anything, since I’ve already read the book. There wasn’t enough of him!

Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
(Pub Date: 4/9)

In Southern Texas, 1999, three generations of Evans women (Ducey, Lenore and Grace) are running their funeral parlor, and have been steadily doing business for the last fifteen years without issue. Until the town gossip’s body is brought in for a regular burial and she rises from the dead instead – looks like vampires have returned to town. Ducey, Lenore, Grace, and Grace’s daughter, Luna, must take up their blades and find out why the vampires have returned. But as unspoken secrets and revelations spill from the past into the present, the Evans family must face that sometimes, the dead aren’t the only things you want to keep buried.

Okay, anyone who knows me, knows I can’t resist vampires. And I’ve been seeing this cover floating around online. I didn’t care much for the title, but the description got me. This is a book for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer girlies (movie, tv and comic book fan over here!). It also, sounds like it might have a touch of Practical Magic to it too, with the multi generational, small town secrets and paranormal high jinks, of it all.

One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole*
(Pub Date: 4/16)

Now here’s another author whose books I will always read, Alyssa Cole! She even changed genres on me, and I’m still following her. If you haven’t yet, please read any of her romance books….her writing is so good that I’m reading her Thrillers!

One of Us Knows was so unique and original. I’m not a Thriller girlie, I think the last Thriller I read before When No One Is Watching (or that I can remember) was Gone Girl. One of Us Knows has changed my perspective…am I about to have a Thriller renaissance!?

I’m worried about spoiling details–so I’ve studied the book description to make sure I don’t reveal any more than the description does.

Ken was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, she’s been dormant for years and wakes up to find she’s about to start a new dream job on an ominous island. It sounds too good to be true, and it is. Much like the title says “one of us knows” and it’s up to Ken (and the reader) to figure out the mystery of her past and present.

Check out my full review next Tuesday, April 16th!

Funny Story by Emily Henry
(Pub Date: 4/23)

Legit, when I re-read the description for this book to sum it up for all of you I got excited about the book all over again. Going to try to do it justice…but I suggest you read the marketing copy through the Bookshop.org link, ’cause it was “chef’s kiss.” Okay, back to the description.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter described their relationship. How they met and moved back to his hometown to start their lives together. Up until the moment he realized he was really in love with his best friend, Petra (side note: okay, I don’t know about this couple’s names – Peter and Petra…).

So now Daphne is stuck in a town where she doesn’t know anyone – but she has her dream job. Unfortunately, the job doesn’t pay enough for her to live without a roommate. Which has led her to propose being roommates with the only person who might understand where she’s coming from, Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Daphne and Miles are exact opposites and mainly avoid each other, until one day, they bond over their shared sorrow and form a plan.

The description, doesn’t say the exact words…but I think I feel some fake dating that leads to romance. Love, love, love!

Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
(Pub Date: 4/30)

Reading One of Us Knows has clearly started something for me. I saw this title and scrolled past at first, but curiosity got me with that title and the cover model. What could this possibly be about with a title like “Missing White Woman” and a black woman on the cover?! I initially thought it was going to thoroughly depress me, something about how missing black women are routinely overlooked. But then I read the description…

A black woman on the last day of her vacation wakes up to find her boyfriend gone and a dead white woman in the living room of their vacation home. And it’s not just any white woman, this white woman’s disappearance has been trending all over social media.

I’m intrigued. And Alyssa Cole said it’s a “propulsive page-turner”! And it also looks like they’re touring together…I’m gonna need to see them at an event.

What are you reading in April? Let me know in the comments.