By Anais Aguilera, Katie Norris and Sophie Poirier
Amazon
For readers who can’t get enough of Leigh Bardugo’s magical fantasy worlds and captivating characters, The Familiar is a perfect choice. Luzia Cotado spends her days working menial labour as a servant for a noble family. However, magic lurks beneath her unassuming nature. When numerous parties discover this hidden magic, Luzia is caught up in a war of interests, with people looking to take advantage of her skills from all sides.
Another fan-favourite author hits the Amazon charts. Emily Henry’s Funny Story is proving to be another hit with a fun opposites-attract fake-dating romance. Daphne is coming out of a messy breakup with her fiancé Peter. She’s left on her own, that is until she meets Miles Nowak. Miles is worlds away from Daphne in demeanour and also happens to be Peter’s new fiancée’s ex. As the two are forced together as roommates, their avoidance grows into a plan that may just grow into a romance.
WHSmith
Beth O’Leary’s most recent publication The Wake-Up Call might be the one to kickstart your summer reading binge. Work rivals Izzy and Lucas have been permanently separated on the rota. But when it looks like the hotel is in trouble, it’s up to them to find a way to work together. It’s either toleration or termination. Which one will they choose?
If enemies-to-lovers is your type on paper then Jenny Colgan’s novel The Summer Skies might be for you. When Morag suddenly finds herself trapped on a remote Scottish island, after some bad weather forces her to crash land, she thinks she is all alone. That is until she meets broody and reclusive Gregor. Without knowing how long it will take for help to arrive, will the polar opposite pair find a way to get along?
Waterstones
Waterstones Fiction and Irish Book of the Month April 2024 Close to Home by Michael Magee is a current Waterstones Bestseller. A poignant and personal account of how young men choose who they want to become, this novel explores themes of trauma, class and masculinity in post-conflict Belfast.
Japanese cult classic Butter by Asako Yuzuki has been capturing the attention of many this month. Inspired by a true story, this is a novel about a chef serial killer and the detective who will stop at nothing to find the truth. An eccentric story of love, pleasure, obsession and misogyny, Butter is sure to capture your attention.
Social Media
Excitement has started building this month following Rebecca Yarros’ announcement that Onyx Storm will be released January 2025. If the first two books in the series, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, left you wanting more it's time to get excited.
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter has also been gaining popularity on BookTok this month. Following the story of a Jewish family determined to survive the horrors of the Second World War and reunite, Hunter’s novel is one of hope, determination and love.
Noteworthy Author
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is this week’s noteworthy author. She is a New York Times Bestselling British author. She was awarded the NAACP Image Award for her young adult novel Ace of Spades. Much of her work, including Ace of Spades, uses dark academia and school life as a backdrop to dissect power, racism and queer love.
Faridah’s latest young adult novel, Where Sleeping Girls Lie, follows a girl named Sade Hussein as she enters a new boarding school. When her new roommate disappears, it may seem like Sade’s misfortune has reached its limit. But as she’s drawn in by a group of mysterious girls who are favoured throughout the school, her troubles only grow. As she digs deeper, she learns that all is not as it seems at her new school.