April 2023 Book Reviews and Recommendations

It was a GOOD month of reading, yes indeed. Two of the books are more downers and the other two are love stories so regardless of your mood I have a great pick for you. Read my April book reviews below to see what book most appeals to you.

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A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is a predictable, cheesy YA romance but I enjoyed all of the writing about bakery desserts so much I had to give it an extra 1/2 star. I want some Cuban food right now!

Lila has graduated high school and three tragic events have happened in the last few months that have turned her world upside down. Her beloved grandmother died who taught her everything about baking and Lila plans to take over her grandmother’s bakery. Then her boyfriend decided he needs space and she ends up missing her senior prom. Lastly, her best friend surprises Lila with the news that she is going on a missionary trip even though they were supposed to room together at college in a few months.

Lila spirals downward and her family decides to ship her off to England to spend the summer with relatives who own an inn. At first, Lila is completely miserable but predictably she starts enjoying herself by baking in the inn’s kitchen for the guests. She makes friends, in particular with a local boy whose family owns a tea shop. He also has some drama in his life that they bond over.

Will she end up staying in England or will she head back to Miami to continue with her life’s plan?

Hello Beautiful

What a unique and interesting book. Hello Beautiful is a slight take on Little Women that the book addresses head-on.

Four sisters in Chicago are very close growing up. The eldest marries a college basketball player who she thinks she can mold into her ideal man but his mental state might prove more than she can handle.

Then a very dramatic event happens that changes their lives forever. In fact, each sister ends up having a major life event that impacts the family as a whole and how they relate to one another.

The story takes place over numerous decades. The sisters experience regrets and consequences for certain life decisions. Careers, love, children, etc all play parts in the sisters’ lives.

I liked it but the book focuses a lot on depression. Also, some plotlines were very hard to believe. The story is told from numerous characters’ viewpoints but it flows easily.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is not my usual read and the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I don’t think I would reread it but I’m super glad I committed to it. The writing is great and very smart. I listened to the audio version and I think it was genius to use a different voice actor for one part of the book. I literally said “Wow!” after I finished reading it.

Two friends meet as children at a hospital and hang out together playing video games. Over time their friendship ebbs and flows even with numerous years of not seeing each other at all.

In college, the female friend designs a video game she wants her friend’s opinion on. From there they start developing games together eventually owning a gaming company.

The video games are described but you don’t need to be a gamer or know any ways to code to understand the story. There is a “will they won’t they” component in the book.

It’s not a very upbeat book. There are a number of sad and distressing parts. But it was interesting to read about having early success in the gaming industry, a male-female friendship, and a working relationship over multiple decades. I found the ending satisfying.

Nora Goes Off Script

Nora Goes Off Script is a very enjoyable, quick read. If you can get past the extremely implausible premise, this is a cute book perfect for a vacation or beach read.

A single mom is a screenwriter for the romance channel but her narcissistic husband recently left her and their two kids and she has now written a screenplay based on their life. It’s her first to become a major motion picture with mega movie stars.

The film is going to shoot on location at her home for a few days which is exciting. But when the film crew packs up to leave the male lead stays.

Is he going through a breakdown? He claims to need some normalcy in his life and ends up staying a number of weeks. Obviously, there’s going to be a relationship of some sort. Plus, her kids become attached to the famous actor. Will history repeat itself by having another man leave them?

This book is good if you don’t take it too seriously.

Looking for more book reviews? Check out my March Book Recommendations!