I’m back after having to take a bit of a blogging break recently due to work commitments having been a bit hectic. So here’s an extremely belated and long round up of my March and April reads. I managed to tick some more books off my initial to read list plan for the year, but also picked up some new books through the Audible 241 sales. March and April were decent reading, or should I say listening, months as I was busy crocheting most evenings trying to finish a pattern test, or often out and about getting my steps in with my spaniel Maya. Thus, I spent a lot of time primarily listening to audiobooks over reading physical hard copies. I only picked up one actual book and it took me 2 whole months to complete! So my goal for the next two months is to pick up more physical books!

Here’s what I’ve read so far and what I thought:

1. The Outrun: A Memoir – by Amy Liptrot (audiobook)

3 STARS: Having seen the trailer to the movie of this book released late last year and being intrigued by it, I wanted to read the book first, before watching the adaptation. There are some beautiful depictions of rural life on the Orkney Islands and vivid descriptions of finding solace in nature. However, Liptrot’s narrative as she navigates her road to recovery from addiction, jumps backwards and forwards too much for my liking and with a lack of intrigue and fluidity becomes a bit boring to listen to. I wanted to like it, but it sadly wasn’t for me.

2. Disorder – by Rokia (audiobook)

4 STARS: I didn’t know what to expect from this book’s blurb and it took me a very long time to get into it. The fairytale element of the story was extremely confusing and almost made me want to quit at times as it was so odd; but I rarely give up on a book and I’m glad I didn’t. Once it clicked, I realised just how much I rated this book. It’s not an easy read, but an insightful rollercoaster of feeling. It’s filled with equal parts despair and hope; it’s dark but also beautiful. A story friendship and resilience and overcoming one’s demons.

*Please note: this book includes descriptions of mental illness, death, child abuse, violence, domestic violence, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, miscarriage and substance abuse.

3. The Married Man – by K.L. Slater (audiobook)

3.5 STARS: A mysterious weave of points of view that kept me guessing until the end. Well narrated with good intrigue and an exciting enough narrative. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t grip me as much as Colleen Hoovers Verity which I read the month before, son it’s only getting a 3.5 stars from me. Not a bad easy read to switch off though.

4. The Crimson Moth (Crimson Moth, #1) – by Kristen Ciccarelli (audiobook)

4 STARS: I think I struggled with the first chapter or so but it didn’t take long after that too get hooked. Who doesn’t love a good old enemy to lover’s plot. It’s an easy story to follow and rather predictable when it comes to the romance side of things, but that doesn’t deter from it being an enjoyable read which has you rooting for the protagonists to figure things out. Although elements were predictable there were some unexpected surprises that kept things interesting and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next book now.

5. When The Moon Hatched (Moonfall, #1) – by Sarah A. Parker (audiobook)

Raeve’s job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught. When a renowned bounty hunter is employed by The Crown to capture a member of the Ath, Raeve’s world is turned upside down. Blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles – a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. Only death will set her free.

Crushed beneath a mourning weight, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to assuage the never-ebbing ache in his chest, his hunt for a moonshard lures him into the belly of Gore’s notorious prison where he stumbles upon something that rips apart his perception of reality. A shackled miracle with eyes full of rage and blood on her hands.

The echo of the past sings louder than the Creators themselves, and even Raeve can’t ignore the truths blaring at her from a warmer, happier time. However. There’s more to this song than meets the eye, and some truths …They’re too poisonous to swallow.”

2.5 STARS: After seeing this book mentioned multiple times across BookTok, I finally went ahead and purchased it without even listening to a sample – big mistake. The narrator just didn’t do it for me, which made an already difficult story even harder to get through. I continually felt lost and like I was missing parts of the story. I had no idea what moonplumes, saber… or various other creatures where and was only able to hazard a guess due to the fact that the word dragon is mentioned like once? A map or index of creatures etc would dreally be helpful and I’m assuming physical copies had these additions.   

It’s also the first time I kind of caught myself drifting occasionally whilst listening and thus feeling even more lost because of it. The whole experience was sadly such a let down and a real struggle to finish.

However, saying that, I do feel like it had potential and that it essentially wasn’t made to be an audiobook. Had I picked it up as an actual hard copy I think I would have enjoyed it more as I’d have been able to skip back easier and go over areas, I felt unsure of.  

6. A Touch Of Darkness (Hades & Persephone, #1) – by St. Clair Scarlette (audiobook)

“Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shrivelled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes however when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.

Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favourite bets are rumoured to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can’t resist.

After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows―a love that is both captivating and forbidden.”

 4 STARS: Another good romantasy, even if predictable. I love romantasies for their usual easy escapism and thus they also tend to receive quite high scores for me. A Touch Of Darkness had a decent plot and good character chemistry but we’ll see how the story continues over 3 books.

7. Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) – by Tahereh Mafi(book)

“It should have taken Juliette a single touch to kill Warner. But his mysterious immunity to her deadly power has left her shaken, wondering why her ultimate defence mechanism failed against the person she most needs protection from.

She and Adam were able to escape Warner’s clutches and join up with a group of rebels, many of whom have powers of their own. Juliette will finally be able to actively fight against The Reestablishment and try to fix her broken world. And perhaps these new allies can help her shed light on the secret behind Adam’s—and Warner’s—immunity to her killer skin.”

3.5 STARS: I was going to give this book 3 stars originally, same as the first in the series, as it took me forever to finish due to the start of this book just being a bit meh, however, it was the ending of the book that upped my rating in the end. I feel like characters and their development were just a bit slow and uninteresting; that is until Warner came into play towards the end of the book. I’m most intrigued by his and Juliette’s interactions and am looking forward to seeing how their story develops.

Have you read any of these? If so, what were your thoughts – I’d love to know. Also, if you want to stay up to date with my current reads why not give me a follow on Goodreads – I love seeing what everyone else is reading too!