April TBR Planning

New month, new semi-planned TBR.


The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 From Taylor Jenkins Reid comes an unforgettable and sweeping novel about one classic film actress’s relentless rise to the top—the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds through the decades—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Filled with emotional insight and written with Reid’s signature talent, this is a fascinating journey through the splendor of Old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it takes—to face the truth.

This is a bit of a departure from her usual kind of novel, but TJR has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This may not be like her previous books but I am very excited about this -- Old Hollywood vibes and messy love lives sound pretty good to me!
 

The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olsen -- this is one I admit I wasn't too interested in at first. The title, cover, and description all sound pretty damn generic. But this is already gathering some good buzz and movie deals so I figured I might as well accept the ARC.

Romancing The Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney -- this is a YA contemporary that I picked up from edelweiss based purely on how cute it seems, the illustrated cover, and how it feels like a YA version of The Royal We. I am 100% here for both of those things.

Queer, There, And Everywhere by Sarah Prager -- after reading and loving Rejected Princesses earlier this year, I am reminded how much I enjoy reading nonfiction. This book is the "first-ever LGBTQ history book for young adults" and it sounds fantastic.

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

From acclaimed author Emery Lord comes a vibrant, compelling story of love, loss, faith, and friendship.

Lucy Hansson was ready for a perfect summer with her boyfriend, working at her childhood Bible camp on the lake. But when her mom’s cancer reappears, Lucy falters—in faith, in love, and in her ability to cope. When her boyfriend “pauses” their relationship and her summer job switches to a different camp—one for troubled kids—Lucy isn’t sure how much more she can handle. Attempting to accept a new normal, Lucy slowly regains footing among her vibrant, diverse coworkers, Sundays with her mom, and a crush on a fellow counselor. But when long-hidden family secrets emerge, can Lucy set aside her problems and discover what grace really means?

Emotionally-charged and unforgettable, Emery Lord’s storytelling shines with the promise of new love and true friendship, even in the face of life’s biggest challenges.

I've really grown to love Emery Lord's books. I think they've only gotten better as she goes, which makes me excited to dive into this, her newest!