April 2026 Book Releases I'm Excited For!

 

As always, no one has asked for my opinion, however here it is anyway! This is a list of books releasing in April 2026 that I am really looking forward to 😊

I'll give a little into why I am looking forward to each and a link to check out the book yourself if you are interested too.

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The Ending Writes Itself - Evelyn Clarke

This novel is giving 'How to Survive a Horror Story' but make it a competition and not just survival. I love random people, invited to places to compete for riches or their lives. Add in a locked door mystery and I am hooked.

It's also the collaborative effort of V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke under the pen-name Evelyn Clarke. I'm so excited to get my hands on this book!

Check it out for yourself below! * These are Affiliate Links *

Amazon - https://amzn.to/4aY1wfH

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Japanese Gothic - Kylie Lee Baker

Just the title alone is enough to make me want this book. Pair it with this cover and I am sold. Pretty much everything about this novel sounds perfect to me and really I'm just going to let that Chuck Wendig blurbed it, and this official tagline sink its teeth in further.

In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.

Check it out for yourself below! * These are Affiliate Links *

Amazon - https://amzn.to/4aKImuW

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Molka - Monika Kim

Give me creepy men videotaping women with hidden cameras and posting it online for all to see. Then throw in one of those women who is NOT going to be a victim to the horrific exploitation they're experiencing. Apparently there's political commentary and supernatural elements too? I hope one of these men gets ripped apart.

Check it out for yourself below! * These are Affiliate Links *

Amazon - https://amzn.to/4rDQLFs

A King's Trust - S. E. McPherson // Book Review

     

A King's Trust
S.E. McPherson || Publication Date - 24.03.2025

Every mistake I've made was worth it for this.

Fantasy | Romance | LGBTQIA+

Beau is a Prince, the spare, the one who was never meant to be King. Beau's older brother Char was a model Prince and would soon make a model King. His beautiful Queen by his side and competently ruling the land as it should be. This was all until Char died. Beau's life came to a shattering halt. He has lost his brother, he has lost his freedom and he has lost his family's respect.

What comes now is Beau picking up the pieces to a kingdom which is under siege, supposed hidden magical artifacts have been stolen and may be in the enemies hands, and worst of all he has to marry. The biggest roadblock is that Beau is in love with his excruciatingly loyal personal guard Elias. Becoming a King when he was never supposed to couldn't be more difficult when the lives of the ones he loves are on the line.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to the author for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

In respect to this novel, I had a very good time. It took a little while to get into the swing of things, as it was painfully obvious that the main character Beau was insatiably in love with his guard Elias. To a point where the comments were getting on my nerves with how frequent they were. I get it Beau, your guard is a hot piece of ass and you want to ride him home through the sunset. As the book went on and the story started to gain momentum, the comments prevailed but were less irritating.

What I did love about this book was the integration of polygamy. Whether it is, or can be, an accurate representation of relationships under that umbrella I would have absolutely no clue. However, the nonchalant nature of Penny coming into the picture and accepting that Beau was in love with Elias before she was even an option was randomly wholesome? If only the real world could have the same level of tolerance and understanding as the newly crowned Queen of this novel.

I'm hoping the sequel broadens the world more and integrates the political nature which was shadowed in this story. I love a political structure within a Fantasy setting and would love to see it expanded and brought to the forefront. There is also an entire magic structure that was touched on during the novel which I also can't wait to have fully explained.

McPherson's writing was honestly very good! The characters felt very fleshed out and I loved how they communicated with each other. Banter between the characters felt natural in my opinion, however, the interactions with Penny's little sister felt very 'modern' compared to how everyone else was communicating. Almost like she had a smartphone and was on TikTok, while everyone else wasn't. I wish more time was put into the descriptions of the environment. Theatre of the mind really took the wheel here as a lot of it was briefly glossed over. The characters were so crisp, their setting almost felt like a blurred background.

Overall Thoughts

As this is the first experience I've had with McPherson as an author, I am delighted to be pleasantly surprised. The novel was very well paced and definitely didn't feel too long or too short for the story it wanted to tell. I loved the characters, especially after the half way point when all the mystery and intrigue finally cleared. The magic system has me wanting to continue the series and I'm very grateful to have been given a copy of the 2nd novel by the author to dive straight into.

I would recommend this if you enjoy medium to fast paced political Fantasy's which integrate magic and LGBTQIA+ relationships. I would also happily recommend this as a stand alone as well. The closure received at the end of the novel felt complete and left it open for readers who want to continue in the series.

** Affiliate Links **

Amazon (Book 1) - https://amzn.to/47EoAz6
Amazon (Book 2) - https://amzn.to/3NttCI0

Innamorata - Ava Reid // Book Review

     

Innamorata
Ava Reid || Publication Date - 17.03.2026

Death ruled, betrayal came and ripped it all away... Agnes will steal it all back.

Historical | Fantasy

Agnes, the ever silent and plotting cousin of Marozia has been tasked with ensuring the marriage of the Mistress of the House of Teeth with the son of the King, Prince Liuprand. She has also been tasked by her late grandmother to bring down the crown and reignite the legacy of her ancestors. As Marozia and Agnes make the journey to the castle, Agnes has everything she needs to begin her task. The secrets of death magic, and the key to restoring her family's honour is within the walls of the grand betrayers castle.

The only thing which poses a threat to her success is the Prince himself. She will stop at nothing to bring her revenge to the crown that took everything from them. But will the crown sweep her off her feet while she's on her path of destruction.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

This would be my second turn around with Ava Reid. The first I had read from her was 'Juniper & Thorn' which I enjoyed, but found the prose way too flowery for my own tastes. As a reader, I appreciate her use of description really setting the dark and gothic vibes her novels are known for. They're immersive and invoke a grotesque style of descriptive writing that is truly beautiful, albeit quite morbid. 'Innamorata' comes through with the same in spades, truly the prose is fantastic.

One issue I feel I have with Ava's novels are her characters. I was hoping it might have been a singular issue with the first book I'd read and it would develop as Ava continued to write and hone her art. But for me, it's hard to describe. I feel there is a glass panel between myself as the reader and the characters of the novel that I cannot break through and make a connection. It's the same feeling I had while also reading 'The Familiar' by Leigh Bardugo. Something about the characters felt inaccessible to me, and the fact this has now happened twice, over two books is making me think Ava's characters are not for me to connect with.

As the story continued, the prose became way too much to deal with. Same as I had felt reading 'Juniper & Thorn', every mundane aspect of the situation and environment does not need a flowery sentence full of description dedicated to it. It is Ava's artistic choice to write this way and I feel it's a polarising style. I personally realise that I am not a fan of it, which after feeling the same way after the first of Ava's novels I read, I am content expressing her writing is beautiful and not writing I enjoy reading.

Overall Thoughts

One of the biggest issues I had with this novel was the marketing. The ending tag line to the blurb is as follows:

For Agnes’s final order is the gravest: She must not fall in love.

I want to stress for anyone going into this, reading that tag line and thinking this is a fantasy romance. Romance is definitely twisted into the book, however it is NOT a romance.

Despite knowing there were going to be dark and gothic themes, as with most Ava Reid works, I would recommend looking up trigger warnings. There are some themes within the novel which I believe were overdone to a point of overshadowing the narrative being told. Especially towards the second half where things get DARK. Gore is also very prevalent, and if that's not something you can't stomach on a good day, with the descriptive nature of Ava's prose this may not be a good pick for you.

However if you don't give a shit about gore and triggers, it was an interesting narrative to be sure.

** Affiliate Links **

Amazon - https://amzn.to/46qgs4N

We Call Them Witches - India-Rose Bower // Book Review

   

We Call Them Witches
India-Rose Bower || Publication Date - 07.04.2026

When they came, almost everyone died. Now they torment those that survived...

Horror | LGBTQIA+

Two years ago, eldritch abominations came from what seemed like nowhere and plunged the modern world into an apocalypse. Now they're looming, salivating and hunting for any surviving people that managed to escape their grasp. Sara and her family can hear their screams in the night, not knowing whether her Ma's pagan inspired wards really are working to keep these 'Witches' at bay. And most importantly, keeping their family safe.

During a routine ward check they find a young girl, about the same age as Sara, soaked and unconscious on the outskirts of their protected borders. Her name is Parsley, she doesn't remember how she got there, and no one in her family trusts her but Sara. That is until one of Sara's younger siblings is taken by one of the 'Witches'. She and Parsley immediately grab their things and attempt to battle the wilds in hopes of retrieving him alive.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

What can I say about a novel that opens with some horror bleeding through the walls and attacking the family innocently cooking their lunch. Immediately captivated my attention and sucked me into the story. It was graphic, gross and descriptive to the point where I kept thinking those things would morph above my own fridge. India-Rose's descriptive prose kept strong through the entire book and it brings me to my next point.

The thing that really hooked me about this book was the atmosphere and writing of the areas the characters found themselves in. I could feel the damp and cold weather of the moors, and when mist was brought in to make everything even creepier I could feel the chill settling in. Whenever a new location is entered, India-Rose never wastes any time reminding the reader how desolate and abandoned the world is. It's a very similar feeling to 'Wild Dark Shore' or 'The Wolf Tree'.

It was a depressing and almost hopeless reading experience. Glimmers of positivity were written within the story, however it was always short lived. Always reminding the characters and the readers that this world was never going to be the same again.

We go a couple of rounds, bouncing ideas back and forth that include sentient trees, cephalopods, and alternate dimensions. By the time we're considering the likelihood of and ancient Orcadian tomb being opened to release vengeful spirits, we're very nearly smiling properly again.

In regards to the characters, I enjoyed their ways of coping with the post apocalyptic setting they were now navigating. One of my favourite things they did together was proposing theories to how the 'Witches' came into being. It must be hard to rationalise something like this happening and the characters inventing stories and theories was really fun to read and explore.

Overall Thoughts

From the very first chapters I found the novel quite interesting. The ending however threw me for a loop! I don't consider myself a particularly smart cookie when it comes to pre-emptively solving the endings of mysteries and thrillers. I tend to shut my brain off and let the story take me where it wants me to go. So when the ending hit, I had no clue that was where this was going. In hindsight I do believe it is quite predictable, and if you're someone who doesn't like predictable endings then this may not be a book for you. However, I had a really good time throughout and I feel it's worth a read regardless of predictability.

** Affiliate Links **

Amazon - https://amzn.to/4kYmijD

March 2026 Book Releases I'm Excited For!

 

No one has asked for my opinion, however here it is anyway! This is a list of books releasing in March 2026 that I am really looking forward to 😊

I'll give a little into why I am looking forward to each and likely have the blurb available and a link to check out the book yourself if you are interested too.

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Innamorata - Ava Reid

I don't know what it is about stories revolving around dark and gloomy magic, but this seems to ooze out the pages. The below is taken from the official blurb and I'm itching to add this to my TBR.

Though she has not spoken a word in seven years, Agnes is the true carrier of the House’s legacy. And she has her orders. She must recapture the secrets of death magic and avenge her family’s fallen honor.

Check it out for yourself below! * These are Affiliate Links *

Amazon - https://amzn.to/46qgs4N

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Everyone in This Bank is a Thief - Benjamin Stevenson

I have been following this series since it began with 'Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone' and this instalment is nothing if not true to the format which has been established over the 3 novels and one novella. A book tour event was held for this novel and I had the pleasure of meeting Benjamin and hearing him discuss this book along with the others within the series. I was able to receive a copy for my collection and have reviewed this book on my blog 😊

My Review for this title is Here!

Check it out for yourself below! * These are Affiliate Links *

Amazon - https://amzn.to/4cbBjMN

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Daughter of Crows - Mark Lawrence

Again with the dark and gloomy nature of the premise and atmosphere. Plus the cover is absolutely stunning!

The Academy’s halls run with blood. The few who survive its decade-long nightmare have been forged on the sands of the Wound Garden. They have learned ancient secrets amid the necrotic fumes of the Bone Garden. They leave its gates as avatars of vengeance, bound to uphold the oldest of laws.

Check it out for yourself below! * These are Affiliate Links *

Amazon - https://amzn.to/4sdyQGB

Nightshade & Oak - Molly O'Neill // Book Review

  

Nightshade & Oak
Molly O'Neill || Publication Date - 03.02.2026

A delightful tale of unexpected meetings, trust, friendship & what it means to be human

Fantasy | Adventure | Mythology

Mellt is the Goddess of Death. Her task for thousands of years has been to assist the dead and dying towards the afterlife. After a battle between Britons and Romans has left a field full of carnage, she sweeps through the despair with her hounds, pulling souls from their tortured and mortal lives and ushering them away. As she leaves the battlefield, one final scene captures her attention. A woman lay dying with her soul tethered to her body, unable to escape. When Mellt touches the woman's face to coax her soul, the next thing Mellt knows is that she's mortal and comes into contact with Bellis, a princess.

Bellis is the reason why Mellt is no longer a Goddess, and is now trapped within a mortal body. Much to her dismay, she is forced to travel weeks westward to enter the afterlife and by chance regain her Immortality. Bellis on the other hand, wishes to go to the same place, in order to save her sisters life.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

I would like to thank Hachette UK for providing me a copy of this book for review purposes.

I did feel the beginning of this novel was a bit clunky. Being written in first person is not much of an issue, however the profuse use of 'I' at the beginning of each sentence got irritating very quickly. As the story progressed, this became less of an issue and I was able to really sink into Molly's writing style, which I did end up really liking. By about 20% of the way through, it was exactly the kind of Adventure Fantasy which I was hoping for.

Both Mallt and Bellis as characters were unique and fun to get to know. We have snippets sprinkled through the novel of Bellis as she grows up, watching her sister being born and experiences life as a Princess and the next leader of her people. The only excerpt we get regarding Mallt and her duties as a Goddess are within the first couple of chapters. However I feel this provided the perfect amount of context to the book and gave enough of the world building to allude that we are within a historic tale woven with Mythology.

As a decent hook for this book is a journey to the gates of the afterlife, this novel could have blown the travelling portion out significantly longer than it did. I believed that a decent chunk of the 270 pages were going to be the characters travelling. Molly needs an award or something, because this is not even what the book is narratively going to focus on. The afterlife is corrupted, and in danger of being destroyed. This is what the novel is truly about and what a pleasant surprise that was.

What lowered the rating for me in terms of enjoyment was the final stages towards the ending of the book, which felt rushed. A lot was packed into the last 30 or so pages and it was jumping around trying to close off plot lines while also adding in a smaller side possibility at the same time. It didn't harm the narrative overall, but did make the ending appear lightning fast, and I do feel it made the final moments a little less impactful.

Overall Thoughts

What I loved the most about this novel is that it is a STAND ALONE Fantasy! So many lately have been a part of a series and I've been hanging out for a novel I can sit and devour without having to worry about a sequel. Another thing I loved about it was both Mellt and Bellis. Nothing overstayed its welcome and the story moved swiftly and steadily towards the conclusion.

If you're looking for a novel that's easy to read, fun and a Fantasy under 300 pages, please look no further than 'Nightshade & Oak'. It certainly wasn't a perfect read, but it was exactly what I've felt the Fantasy market has been lacking for a very long time and it was a refreshing welcome.

Books & Bewitchment - Isla Jewell // Book Review

 

Books & Bewitchment

 Isla Jewell || Publication Date - 03.02.2026

Inheritance, magic and moving to a town you swore you would never be seen in...

Fiction | Fantasy | Romance

Rhea Wolfe is down on her luck, living pay check to pay check in a dead end job that she's spontaneously made redundant from. She has two younger sisters who are similarly life challenged and Rhea feels a lot of responsibility to be the role model big sister they deserve since their parents passed away.

One boring weekday, Rhea is given the news that her estranged grandmother has died - and she's inherited everything as the oldest direct descendent. Finally things are starting to look up, and this may be the ticket she and her sisters needed to get a boost to their finances and situations.

The only barrier between Rhea and this inheritance is that she has to go back to Arcadia Falls, in which she had promised her late mother she would never do...

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

When I requested this book, I was very excited to read it. It seemed to have all the elements for a cozy style romance that I would be looking for. However, everything in this novel fell flat to me. I don't know whether that was a me issue or an issue for the book overall. The characters were basic and uninteresting, the MMC honestly was kind of weird, and the grandmother was obnoxious to the point of infuriating.

I believe that a lot of this book could have been edited out. Most sentences and passages only added to the word count and nothing valuable to the story as a whole. There was a lot of explaining to the reader, when it was easy enough to decipher what was being alluded to and I do believe the book could have ended perfectly two chapters before it did. It felt like a natural end to the story, and the final two chapters were, again, only adding to the word count and brought nothing new or interesting.

One thing I disagree with in the official blurb is that there is no immediate danger to the town or its residents.

As she gets ever closer to solving the mystery of what exactly is happening, each clue points to Arcadia Falls’ magic hanging in the balance. To keep her new home safe, Rhea must step into her enchanted birth right and harness her newfound powers . . . before it’s too late. - NetGalley & Goodreads

Unfortunately the way this book is being marketed is that it has significantly higher stakes than there is. Nothing has been a glaring issue for the other magical inhabitants or their safety, and Rhea coming to town does not inherently save anything.

There's also the pressing issue of the overly used puns and dad jokes. This was honestly brutal to read through, and made it very difficult for me to power through. I lost count how many times I nearly DNF'd this book because of the forced humour.

Overall Thoughts

I did feel this novel was trying too hard to be a quirky addition to the 'Cozy Fantasy' bandwagon which has been flooding the market recently. I have the same opinions as I did with 'The Baby Dragon Café', there was a lot of content in this novel which I felt did not need to be there and believe this would have been better digested as a novella.

My sentiment stands that if you're a specific fan of these types of books, you may enjoy this one. It's a closed door romance, with little description of spice and features a lot of tropes which have been common within the genre. Throw in a small town where everyone knows everyone and voila, cozy. There's also the benefit of being incredibly low stakes, despite what the blurb may wish you to believe.

The Kiss Quotient - Helen Hoang // Book Review

  

The Kiss Quotient
Helen Hoang || Publication Date - 30.05.2018

An amazing debut romance novel showcasing how logic cannot predict love.

Contemporary | Romance

Stella Lane is a woman who works in STEM, where she loves her job in data analysis. Unfortunately one thing she does not love is physical contact. Diagnosed with Asperger's, Stella never had much luck feeling any enjoyment when with a romantic lover. It always felt like a chore and came with many comparisons which were definitely not very sexy. So, she drafts up a step by step plan from learning to kiss to many other things done behind closed doors, determined to finally enjoy her sex life.

To help her with this plan, Stella contacts an escorting agency to be matched with someone who can guide her through her list. In steps Michael Phan, a gorgeous and patient gentleman. A contract is drawn up and what pursues is a journey of understanding, overcoming barriers and learning to accept differences.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

I thought this was very much an enjoyable read. It had a good amount of spice, the characters communicated (mostly) like adults and I felt a genuine connection between Stella and Michael.

Two big stand outs come to me from this novel. Firstly, Stella has been diagnosed with autism. I don't have anyone in my family or within my friends diagnosed on the spectrum so I learnt a lot from Stella. I feel this was explored in a way which was compassionate and at times quite funny. Normalising neurodiversity is important, which I believe Helen brought a wonderful character in Stella to life.

Secondly, Michael's affection towards Stella was adorable. I loved their interactions, and his patience with Stella while she learns to process her feelings and emotions in a safe and comfortable space was heart warming.

Helen did an amazing job of writing her characters emotions. I truly felt happy, sad, angry and awkward at times which made it easy to connect and invest in the story. Very much looking forward to exploring her other two novels in this series and I can't imagine how those books will make me feel if her writing had gotten better!

Overall Thoughts

If you are in the mood for a light hearted and heart warming romance which explores self acceptance and the challenges of navigating a romantic relationship, I could easily recommend this novel. Especially if you're looking for representative stories told through the lens of someone who is neurodivergent.

It will leave you smiling and happy for a couple that doesn't even exist!