April 2025 Book Review

It’s BOOK REVIEW DAY!!

Woohoo!

I read SIX books this month and spoiler alert, I LOVED THEM ALL.  There isn’t a bad apple in the bunch 😉 .

Guess what else it is today?!  It’s TRAVEL TUESDAY, and today, I’m sharing our weekend on Nantucket for the DAFFODIL FESTIVAL.  You can check all of those details out today HERE too.

PLUS…

…today is my sweet sister-in-law’s birthday 🙂 .  I have always and will always say this about Catherine, she is S-W-E-E-T to her very core.  She is just truly the kindest, most thoughtful, intentional person I know.  Happy birthday, Catherine!  I love YOU!

TRAVEL + BOOKS + A BIRTHDAY…that’s a great Tuesday!

Okay, grab your coffee and settle in.  My Kindle is a buzz with new books being dropped right now.  In my opinion, between now and June, the best books of the year are released.  My book-loving heart is so happy to have so many new reads.

This month, I have historical fiction, a women’s wellness book, a memoir, two different chick lits (both set in gorgeous locations), and a book about a band.

Let’s go!

Book #1:

This was our APRIL BOOK CLUB read.  If you have already read it/don’t care about “spoilers”/want to read our thoughts and opinions of it from the book club, click HERE.

Here is my “spoiler-free” review: I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I gave One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter FIVE STARS this month in my Book Club review.  The only thing I didn’t love about it?  It ended too soon.  I could have taken more chapters (or even a sequel!).  It was a book I just did not want to put down.

Set in Italy during World War II, this historical fiction is about two Jewish women, the very best of friends, navigating life as the Nazis begin to overtake their country.  They’re both caught between helping others, helping themselves, and helping each other.  Forced to separate, one of the friends is tasked with not only avoiding being caught by the Nazis but also caring for the small son of the other friend.  It is a fast paced, edge of your seat, WWII book about survival, keeping hope alive, true friendship, and bravery.

I think it’s so valuable to read books about this time in history.  I truly loved this novel.  I hope you all read it too!

This next book is super dear to my heart…

Book #2:

…because one of my favorite friends is the author!

You guys, I hope you all read The France Dance by Lauren Palmer too!

My neighbor and dear friend shared with me about two years ago her desire to write a novel and well, she did it!  Not only did she write a novel, she wrote a really fantastic novel.  I had the privilege of reading this book in August before it was published, and then this month, I bought myself a copy and read it again.

Friends, I loved it just as much (if not more!) the second time around.

Set in Paris and Provence, this novel is about a professional ballerina from Boston who needs to escape life for a bit and regroup.  Where does she go on a whim?  Back to her grandmother’s home in Provence, France.  Her grandmother has passed, and the home is now an inn.  If you love charming characters, quaint settings, delicious food descriptions, cozy inns, and all of the quintessential French details that make you want to grab your passport and head straight there, this book is for you.

Lauren personally went to Provence twice while writing this book in order to capture the essence and charm of the area, the food, the culture and the details.  You will love these characters and with every page, you’ll smell the lavender as you’re transported to Provence.

I rarely read one book twice, but it was a joy and privilege to read this one a second time.  Well done, friend!  WELL DONE!  I am just so proud of you!

Book #3:

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner

Okay, I was a little nervous about this novel (as I didn’t enjoy her last few), but I honestly liked it.  Did I LOVE it?  No.  Was I entertained?  Yes.

This novel toggles back and forth between perspectives of several different characters and the early aughts and present day.  It’s about two very different sisters who, at one time, were the lead singers of a VERY popular band.  Fast forward two decades, and their music is still very relevant (thanks to Netflix), and yet, the sisters aren’t speaking and one band member is dead…and a daughter/niece is trying to sort it all out.

Now, my biggest complaint about this novel is that it tries to be Daisy Jones & The Six (by inserting original music and showcasing life of a very successful band) while being not nearly as good as Daisy Jones & The Six (my 3rd favorite book of 2019!).  This novel, while fun to read, was a little cheesier and more unrealistic than Daisy.  I enjoyed both sisters and their perspectives about “what went wrong”.  This book deals with some meatier issues while also maintaining it’s “chick lit” status.  It was a nice balance of fun and serious.

I haven’t loved the last few Weiner books I’ve read, so I consider this novel a big win for me.  It was an entertaining read!

Book #4:

My Good Life in France by Janine Marsh

This memoir was a blog reader recommendation (thank you Kelli!), and I’m so happy that I read it too.

The author, a London based woman in banking, buys a very old and rundown home in Northern France on a whim with her new-ish husband.  Fast forward a few years, and they end up giving up life in the UK to try and make this place their permanent home.   The Francophile AND the Anglophile in me ADORED reading this book.  I found it fascinating to read about her making a home as an expat in another country and how it compared to her own country.

Marsh’s storytelling was both funny and light while also being serious and thoughtful.

She shares everything from figuring out her neighbors to construction in a foreign land (with foreign rules and codes), learning the language, the traditions, making friends, making peace with herself and other relationships…it was just a very thorough and thoughtful look at taking a big risk because life is too short for the “what ifs”.

At the end of the book, she has a chapter where she shares 30 things she has learned since moving to France, and I found that as equally fascinating as the book itself.

From beginning to end, this memoir was charming.  I couldn’t put it down.

Book #5:

The Smart Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer by Jenn Simmons, MD

I first shared this book and gave it its own blog post in January after listening to the author on a podcast episode.  You can read the full blog post about this book HERE.  I have been making my way through the book a little at a time over the last few months, and I officially finished it in April.

I highly, highly recommend it especially if you (or someone you love) have breast cancer or are a breast cancer survivor.  Dr. Simmons has a huge heart for women who are dealing/have dealt with breast cancer and even dedicates entire sections of this book to questions you should ask all of your providers should you be in this situation (so many specific questions and she even shares a printable PDF to take with you to appointments).  She also covers (in great detail) the importance of diet, exercise and sleep and how all three not only play a role in fighting cancer but prevention of other diseases as well.  She’s very thorough while also being very practical and realistic.

I have thought more about my breast health since reading this book than I ever have before.  I absolutely could develop breast cancer in the coming years, and so the reminder/encouragement to be diligent about not just my breast health but my overall health really spoke to me in this book.

If you’re not a reader, you could certainly check out her podcast, Keeping Abreast with Dr. Jenn, as another resource to hopefully empower you to take ownership of your health.

And finally…

Book #6:

Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer

This month was the PERECT time for me to read Thayer’s brand new book set on Nantucket 🙂 .

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again…Thayer’s books are what Hilderbrand’s books used to be.  They’re very light, happy, charming and cozy reads.  They are all just feel good novels.

This novel was quintessential Nantucket in the summer.  A woman in her mid-forties, recently divorced returning with her four kids for their annual summer on the island.  It’s filled with so many amazing island references (they just all make me smile) from beaches to shops, restaurants, clubs, streets…it’s filled with Nantucket charm.  Blythe, the main character, unexpectedly has the attention of two very different men this summer and the story unfolds as she navigates new romances, children, and ex-husband, friends and summertime on her favorite island.

This novel is the perfect beach book.

And that’s our APRIL BOOK REVIEW!

Don’t forget…

To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2022 (all 60 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2023 (all 51 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2024 (all 58 of them), click here.

If you want to stay current on all of the books I’m reading in 2025, THIS PAGE HERE is where I keep the books, authors and reviews each month.

Don’t forget, we would love, love to have you join us in May for our BOOK CLUB!

Next month, we are reading…

…All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett.  We would love to have you read along with us too!

Also, today, I have TRAVEL TUESDAY too!  I am sharing our weekend on Nantucket for the DAFFODIL FESTIVAL.  You can check all of those details out today HERE.

I can’t wait to chat books with you in the comment section today.  Have the best day! xx