Read Receipts #1 📚

Everything I read in March + new releases to look forward to in April

Hiiiii friends! I’m bringing back an old staple but with a new twist.

Introducing: Read Receipts, a monthly round-up of what I read, what I loved (okay and maybe didn’t…), and what books I’m looking forward to in the month ahead.

Deep End 🏊 by Ali Hazelwood

Okay, you know I’m a huge romance reader… but this was my first Ali Hazelwood book, I know, I know! Her books are beloved in the romance community.

For some reason, I wasn’t super excited about a STEM focused romance? I dunno, I majored in theater, science scares me…

Anyway… I was excited to dive in [you’ll get the pun in a second] to this book about a college diver and swimmer having a steamy, somewhat kinky relationship.

This book was highly hyped, and I ended up thinking it was… fine. Something about their relationship dynamic, even outside the bedroom, felt off-putting and didn’t click to me. It wasn’t my jam, but maybe it will be yours.

Order now on Bookshop.org

The Three Lives of Cate Kate 👀 by Kate Fagan

After seeing a friend RAVE that this was the best book she had read in a minute, I was very intrigued. I don’t know if I’d give it that level of praise, but it was very very good… and a great book to bust a slump if you’re struggling.

It reminded me a bit of Evelyn Hugo — a famous person, lots of secrets, many lives lived — but with a bit more of a shocking reveal.

As someone who is a weenie when it comes to thrillers, I love a book that can build suspense but won’t give me nightmares. This is that kind of book. You’ll want to tear through it because you just want to find out what really happened.

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The Love We Found 🫶 by Jill Santopolo

When I read The Light We Lost it absolutely WRECKED me. I have distinct memories of ugly crying over that book in my old apartment.

This book takes place 10 years later as the main character, Lucy, is still reeling from the events of the first book.

I’m always a sucker for Jill Santopolo’s writing. Her chapters are short and compulsively readable.

I liked this book, but didn’t love it the same way I did the first book.

If you’re a big fan of The Light We Lost, though, I think it’s worth the read and catching up with the characters.

Order now on Bookshop.org

One Golden Summer 💛 by Carley Fortune

Comes out 5/6/25

Did I book a vacation so I specifically read my advanced copy of this book at the beach… uhhh maybe.

Carley Fortune’s first book, Every Summer After, is one of my all time favorties. It’s always the romance I recommend if someone is new to the genre or just wants something amazing to read on vacation.

I was a bit apprehensive when I heard this book would center around the older brother from that book. But oh, it DELIVERED.

While it’s very different from ESA, it still hit all the emotional notes. I legit found myself crying on the beach at certain moments.

You don’t *need* to have read ESA, it stands alone on it’s own, but I do think it makes the experience so much more special. Plus you should read that book anyway, it’s amazing.

Trust me when I say you’re going to want to read this. Go preorder it now.

Order now on Bookshop.org

It’s a Love Story 🌊 by Annabel Monaghan

Comes out 5/27/25

Annabel Monaghan continues to write some of my favorite romances of all time. This one is about a former child star who has since left acting, but is on a mission to get her first movie green-lit as a producer. On this mission she ends up having to team up with a guy she hates… but she ends up realizing he’s not that bad.

Even thought I was not a former child star (although let’s be real, this theater girl wishes she was…) I found myself deeply relating to the main character Jane and her journey to figure out who she is outside this character. I also found the love interest to be oh so swoony and loved his loud family that we spent a lot of time with.

Order now on Bookshop.org

Totally and Completely Fine 🙃 by Elissa Sussman

Comes out 7/8/25

Elissa Sussman’s book Funny You Should Ask continues to be one of my favorite romances. This book follows the older sister of one of those characters.

This book follows Lauren, a newly widowed mother to a teenager. It starts off with a quick fling with one of her brother’s co-stars, but then turns into something more.

There were a lot of elements I enjoyed about this one — it’s a really touching story about grief, motherhood, and siblings. It also had a dual timeline which i always LOVE. But in the end I liked this one, but didn’t love it as much as other books from Elissa Sussman.

One thing I’ve always loved about her books is the Jewish representation. While Chani from the first book is present and Jewish-ness is mentioned, it just felt off and kind of shoehorned in there.

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Woke Up Like This 🎓 by Amy Lea

This book is 13 Going on 30 meets Never Have I Ever. While that alone should tell you you *need* to read this, i’ll tell you more…

I adored this book about an overachieving high schooler, Charlottes, who is on the brink of graduating who wakes up one day 30 years old. And it turns out in the future she’s madly in love with the guy she absolutely hates.

As someone that was, uh, intense growing up and so so so concerned about having a perfect 5-year plan, I deeply related to Charlotte. This book was sooo nostalgic and I found myself a bit weepy at the end.

Order now on Bookshop.org

What’s On My Radar for April: