As flowers bloomed this April, so did a plethora of new books, each offering an escape into worlds both familiar and astonishingly new. This article presents the 10 Most popular books published in April 2024, showcasing a rich diversity in themes and storytelling styles. These titles not only topped sales charts but also captured the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide.
10 Most popular books published in April 2024
Funny Story: By Emily Henry
Daphne’s life takes a turn for the dramatic when she finds herself abandoned in Waning Bay, Michigan, having followed her fiancé Peter, who ends up falling for his childhood friend Petra instead. Stranded but determined, Daphne lands a dream job as a children’s librarian, though it barely covers her expenses. In an unexpected twist, she proposes to become roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles, who is as disheveled and chaotic as Daphne is meticulous and reserved. Despite their differences, they share a common bond of betrayal and a lack of close friends or family in town, setting the stage for an intriguing cohabitation.
As Daphne and Miles navigate their new living arrangement, they maintain a careful distance until shared heartaches over music and misfortune draw them together. They soon hatch a plan to salvage their summer by posting misleading photos of their adventures to spin their situation in a whimsically misleading light. This facade of fun and freedom is just a ruse—or so Daphne tells herself. But as the summer deepens, so does their connection, challenging Daphne’s resolve not to fall for Miles, whose ties to her past are just as complicated as the emotions she’s learning to navigate.
Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3): By Abby Jimenez
Justin’s unusual romantic curse has become the talk of the internet after a Reddit thread exposed that every woman he dates finds their true love immediately after their breakup. When another woman with a similar curse contacts him, they concoct a whimsical plan to date and subsequently break up, hoping their combined misfortunes will neutralize each other and pave the way to finding their own soul mates. Despite the absurdity, the plan holds a promise of a happy resolution for both.
Meanwhile, Emma, a traveling nurse, unexpectedly lands her next assignment in Minnesota. Along with her best friend, she jumps at the chance to date Justin, especially with the sweetener of renting a charming cottage on a secluded island in Lake Minnetonka. Intended as a brief summer romance, their arrangement grows complicated when Emma’s difficult mother arrives, and Justin becomes the guardian to his three younger siblings. Amid these unforeseen responsibilities, Emma and Justin find themselves developing genuine feelings for each other, suggesting that perhaps fate might have a different plan in store for them, potentially making them the perfect match against all odds.
The Familiar: By Leigh Bardugo
In the bustling yet modest backdrop of Madrid’s new capital, Luzia Cotado, a lowly servant, ekes out her existence in the confines of a shabby house and street, resorting to small magical tricks to alleviate the drudgery of her life. Her mundane existence takes a dramatic turn when her cunning mistress uncovers Luzia’s hidden talent for performing minor miracles. Seizing the opportunity, the mistress forces Luzia to utilize her magical abilities to elevate the family’s standing amongst the upper echelons of society, initially entertaining them but unknowingly setting Luzia on a treacherous path.
Luzia’s talents soon catch the attention of Antonio Pérez, the fallen secretary to the king, who is still grappling with the recent humiliating defeat of the Spanish armada by England. In a desperate bid to restore his favor with the king, Pérez sees Luzia as a pivotal asset in gaining an upper hand in the ongoing conflict against England. As Luzia delves deeper into a realm filled with seers, alchemists, and charlatans, she must navigate a perilous line where magic and science blur, and her Jewish heritage threatens to attract the deadly gaze of the Inquisition. With danger mounting, her only hope may lie in the unlikely alliance with Guillén Santangel, a jaded immortal with his own lethal secrets.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price: By Holly Jackson
Eighteen-year-old Bel has spent her entire life overshadowed by the enigma of her mother, Rachel Price’s, disappearance when she was just two years old. The only witness to the event, Bel retains no memory of what occurred, and Rachel has long been presumed dead. Bel’s yearning for closure and a return to normalcy faces a major upheaval when her family agrees to participate in a true crime documentary about Rachel’s vanishing. This decision thrusts the unresolved mystery back into the limelight, much to Bel’s dismay.
The situation takes a shocking turn when Rachel unexpectedly reappears, throwing Bel’s life into chaos once more. Rachel brings with her an extraordinary tale of her years missing—a story so far-fetched that Bel struggles to believe its authenticity. Doubts loom large as Bel grapples with the implications of her mother’s story and her sudden return. Is Rachel telling the truth, or is there a more sinister reason behind her disappearance and dramatic reappearance? With the documentary’s cameras still capturing every moment, Bel is compelled to unravel the truth about her mother’s past, confronting terrifying revelations about who her family really is. This thrilling narrative is another masterpiece from acclaimed author Holly Jackson, exploring deep-seated fears and the profound impact of discovering unsettling truths within one’s own family.
Wild Love (Rose Hill, #1): By Elsie Silver
Ford Grant, celebrated as the World’s Hottest Billionaire by Forbes, finds his glamorous life taking an unexpected turn as he attempts to evade the relentless press and pursue his passion for music by opening a recording studio in the quaint town of Rose Hill. However, his plans are abruptly interrupted when he encounters a young girl who startlingly claims to be his daughter. This revelation thrusts Ford into the uncharted territory of fatherhood, compelling him to juggle the demands of his business ambitions with the challenges of parenting a twelve-year-old girl who is anything but easy to please. Amidst these personal upheavals, Ford struggles to maintain a professional distance from Rosie Belmont, his best friend’s sister, who has recently returned to Rose Hill in a whirlwind of beauty and chaos.
Rosie Belmont’s return to Rose Hill is as tumultuous as it is unexpected. Her arrival and subsequent plea for employment swiftly secure her a position in Ford’s studio, setting the stage for a complex relationship defined by fierce verbal clashes that serve as a provocative prelude to undeniable attraction. Despite Ford’s stern resolve to keep Rosie at bay, the tension between them escalates, blurring the lines of propriety with every charged exchange. Ford is painfully aware that a romantic entanglement with Rosie is a line he should not cross, yet the difference between what he should avoid and what he might actually do becomes increasingly murky, promising complications in both his personal and professional life.
The Rule Book: By Sarah Adams
Nora Mackenzie, newly minted as a full-time sports agent, faces a daunting challenge as she steps into her new role with her first client, Derek Pender, a famous NFL tight end. However, their past complicates matters; Derek is not only a prominent athlete but also Nora’s ex-boyfriend from college, where their breakup left a bitter taste. Now, as Nora’s career hangs in the balance, Derek harbors a grudge against her, making her job even more difficult as he becomes her first major test in her professional world.
In an intriguing twist of fate, Derek decides to play a game of revenge to make Nora’s professional journey a living hell as payback for breaking his heart years ago. He agrees to let her represent him, only to turn the tables on her with a series of challenges. However, Nora is not one to back down easily and starts plotting her own counter-moves. This tense dynamic takes a dramatic turn during a spontaneous night in Las Vegas, leading them to wake up married the next morning. Suddenly, their past strategies are thrown out, and they must navigate this unexpected marriage that might just be the key to salvaging both their careers and possibly rekindling their old flame.
King of Sloth (Kings of Sin, #4): By Ana Huang
Xavier Castillo, a charming and affluent heir, navigates life with both privilege and indifference towards inheriting his family’s empire, much to his father’s disappointment. Although women frequently seek his attention, his publicist remains notably immune to his allure. Xavier delights in teasing her, but an unexpected tragedy unexpectedly binds them closer, compelling him to confront his future and the emotions he harbors for the one woman seemingly resistant to his charms.
Sloane Kensington, on the other hand, epitomizes professionalism and ambition as a top-tier publicist. She finds herself perpetually challenged and intrigued by Xavier, her client, whose carefree demeanor and irresistible dimples constantly test her resolve. Despite the rapid pace of her heartbeat and his surprising depth beyond his party-boy facade, she is determined to maintain professional boundaries. However, as they interact more intensely, she struggles with the growing realization that Xavier might be more than just a client to her.
Home Is Where the Bodies Are: By Jeneva Rose
Following the death of their mother, three estranged siblings—Beth, Nicole, and Michael—reunite in their small Wisconsin hometown to sort through her estate. Beth, the eldest, has remained at home, dedicating her life to caring for her mother until her passing. Nicole, caught in the throes of a serious drug addiction, has been distant from the family, while Michael, the youngest, moved out of state and cut ties with the family after their father deserted them seven years ago.
As they sift through their parents’ possessions, the siblings discover a collection of old home videos. These tapes provide a brief respite as they reminisce over happier times. However, their nostalgia is abruptly interrupted when they uncover a disturbing VHS tape from 1999. The video shockingly displays their father covered in blood and a dead body, followed by a pact between their parents to dispose of it. The tape ends abruptly, leaving Beth, Nicole, and Michael with a haunting decision: whether to dig deeper into this chilling mystery or to let their mother’s dark secret remain buried with her.
Darling Girls: By Sally Hepworth
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia grew up under the guardianship of Miss Fairchild after being rescued from personal tragedies. Raised on a picturesque farming estate, they were often reminded of their fortunate circumstances, yet their upbringing was far from the idyllic fairy tale others imagined. Miss Fairchild, their foster mother, enforced strict rules and displayed unpredictable behaviors, making it clear that she was not to be defied. The sisters eventually escaped her control in a desperate bid for freedom, but even in her absence, Miss Fairchild’s presence loomed over them like a shadow.
Years later, the discovery of a body beneath their childhood home brings the past crashing back, as the sisters are suddenly placed in the limelight either as key witnesses or potential suspects. This gripping narrative weaves together themes of sisterhood, secrecy, love, and murder, all expertly crafted by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth. The story challenges the notion of luck and explores the haunting impact of past traumas on the present, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.
She’s Not Sorry: By Mary Kubica
In the gripping thriller, Meghan Michaels, an ICU nurse and single mother, stumbles upon the mysterious and alarming past of her comatose patient, Caitlin. Balancing her demanding job and raising a teenage daughter, Meghan’s routine is upended when Caitlin is admitted with a severe brain injury after a harrowing fall from a bridge onto train tracks. The incident, initially believed to be a desperate jump, takes a sinister turn with the revelation from a witness that Caitlin may have been pushed, raising terrifying questions about the perpetrator and their motives.
As Meghan delves deeper into the case, her professional detachment begins to wane, dangerously intertwining her life with that of Caitlin and her family. Her involvement grows until it’s alarmingly personal, culminating in the horrifying realization that she and her own daughter are now targets. This chilling narrative weaves a tale of suspense, pushing the boundaries of trust and fear, and illustrating the perilous consequences of getting too close to a dark truth hidden beneath the surface.
Also Read: Most Anticipated Debut Books of May 2024
