April is another month packed with books I’m very excited to read, and obviously some of these will spill over into my May reading. I have lots of genres to choose from too, so mood reading shouldn’t be a problem. Here are my “hopeful” reads this month:
Starting off with four of my most anticipated books of the month: When the Wolf Comes Homes by Nat Cassidy is getting a lot of rave reviews, so I’ll admit I have high hopes for it. We’ll see…
Ronald Malfi is one of my go-to authors, and his latest sounds fantastic. Senseless is a horror/thriller set in Los Angeles, and you all know how I love that setting:-)
I always get excited for a new Chuck Wendig book, and The Staircase in the Woods sounds weird but fantastic.
I’ve been seeing rave reviews already for A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Brown, and I hope to dive in soon.
Polybius by Collin Armstrong is being called Stranger Things meets The Walking Dead, and I’m intrigued!
I’ve already read When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory, and I enjoyed it a lot! Look for my review this Thursday.
The Ghost Woods by C.J. Cooke. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin. I’m really excited to start this horror story about a monster orchid that wants to eat a flower shop employee. Now you want to read it too, right? 
City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley. This fantasy sounds magical, and I love both authors, so I’m curious to see what they do together.
Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes. I love a good horror/sci-fi, and Barnes never disappoints!
I loved Emilia Hart’s last book so I’m hoping The Sirens is just as good.
The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide. This queer, Regency England fantasy sounds fantastic!
This will be my first Olivie Blake book, and I’m very curious to check out Gifted and Talented.
I’m a big fan of Ai Jiang, and I’m so glad she has a new book out this month! A Palace Near the Wind has some mixed reviews, which makes me a little nervous, but I’m going to give it a try.
Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff is another book with mixed reviews. This is probably lower on my “must read” list, so we’ll see if I get to it.
The Last Session by Julia Bartz. I enjoyed Bartz’s The Writing Retreat and I wanted to read more of her work. This is a locked room mystery that takes place in New Mexico.
Don’t Sleep With the Dead by Nghi Vo. This is a companion novella to The Chosen and the Beautiful which is why I requested it. I really enjoyed that book, so we’ll see how this goes!
The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton. This appears to be a sequel, although I haven’t read the first book. But I believe it can be read as a stand alone. It sounds so good!
Finally, I hope to read The Shivers Collection, which consists of five short stories by big names in horror: Jackknife by Joe Hill, The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones, The Blanks by Grady Hendrix, Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward, and Letter Slot by Owen King.
Hope you have a great April. So many of these look amazing. I already want to read A Drop of Corruption even though I still haven’t read the first book yet. I really need to get on with it. The new one from Malfi sounds good too
I’m so excited for Malfi’s book! And you will love the Robert Jackson Bennett series, I think.
How many amazing titles! It looks like you have an exciting month ahead of you!! And we share three titles: A Drop of Corruption, The Gentleman and His Vowsmith and Direct Descendant! I am really excited for all of them!! Let’s hope we will both read and love them!!
I hope we love all of them!
I have read the Ghost Woods it is a wonderful read and a very different storyline.
So great to hear that! Thanks for letting me know, I hope to make it a priority this month.
Wow April looks jam packed for you book wise. What fantastic choices you have to pick from as well. I meant to catch up before Drop Of Corruption came out but apparently that plan went wrong I can’t wait to see what you think of Ghost Woods and am very curious to hear what Eat The Ones You Love is like too. The Gentleman & His Vowsmith really intrigues me too. And I hope your first Olivie Blake book goes well.
Thank you Charlotte! There really are so many good choices this month:-)
Oh oh, another one by Langmead! Enjoy!
My April TBR is mostly mystery at this point, but who knows how it can evolve?: https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/04/01/the-top-7-books-to-read-in-april-2025/
It’s exciting to see another book by him so quickly after the last one:-)
Nice, you got an arc of the new India Holton book?! I wish Berkley would grant me a yea every now & then!! Enjoy!
I’ve heard Berkley is stubborn when it comes to approvals, sorry about that!
Wow, so much to look forward to! I’m planning to read The Sirens and City of All Seasons, and I’ll be curious to hear more about all of these — but especially When We Were Real and The Staircase in the Woods. Enjoy!
They all sound so good, I wish I had time for all of them…
I’m one of those rave reviews for A Drop of Corruption. I might like Direct Descendent or the Last Session.
Anne – Books of My Heart
I just saw a 5 star review for Direct Descendant, so I hope to pick it up soon.
I hope you will love them all Tammy!
Thanks Sophie!
Hope you enjoy all your reads!
Thanks Stormi!
Looks like lots of good books are coming out this month!
There are so many, maybe TOO many lol.
I hope to get to A Drop of Corruption too. After I’ve finally read A Tainted Cup this month too haha.
I’ve been seeing lots of five star reviews, so I’m excited:-)
I enjoyed Wendig’s book a lot (in all its gory darkness LOL). Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about When We Were Real. I’m still not sure if it’s up my alley or not – it will probably depend on its level of absurdism…
“and obviously some of these will spill over into my May reading”
Well, since there are 29 books in total, I guess it’s a safe bet ;D. Good luck!
I can’t wait to start the Wendig book! Maybe next week…
Soo many good books! I’m reading When the Wolf Comes Home right now and am having a great time with it. Also very excited for The Staircase in the Woods! I love LA settings too, so I may have to check out Senseless. I think I’m looking forward to just about all of these, so I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts on them!
I’m reading When the Wolf Comes Home too! It’s crazy, although I have no idea where it’s going.
April is drowning in new releases. I see some familiar ones. I am reading Direct Descendent currently. I have to admit, it’s extremely odd and hard to get into but I can’t stop reading it because I’m so confused but enjoying it. Makes a lot of sense huh?
You’ve made me so curious about Direct Descendant!
I think I’m most curious about The Staircase in the Woods. I’ve had really good luck with Chuck Wendig so far.
I’m so glad April is kind of horror heavy. I’ve been getting a bit burned out on romantasy and looking forward to some dark reads this month!