April 2025 Book Releases
I am so excited to bring you the April 2025 book releases. Choosing from so many books can seem daunting, so I included only the books that Kirsten and I cannot wait to read.
Every month, Kirsten and I scour the internet to find the books we are most excited to read. We look through publishers’ lists, our personal lists of advanced reader copies (ARCs), as well as a few other sources months in advance! If you are looking for March 2025 book releases, you can check them out here.
From this list of hundreds of books, we look through the picks and decide our most anticipated books for the month. April 2025 book releases look amazing- it was hard to narrow down the choices. I have divided the books by genre to help you decide which books to add to your TBR! If you are looking for more tips on how to choose your next book, check out the information below. I am happy to help with that as well.
Most Anticipated Books for April 2025
Most Anticipated Fiction
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner – Click here for a book description
Most Anticipated Historical Fiction
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick – Click here for a book description and more books in this category
Most Anticipated Fantasy
The Sirens by Emilia Hart – Click here for a book description and more books in the category
Most Anticipated Thriller /Mystery
This is not a Game by Kelly Mulen – Click here for a book description and more books in the category
Most Anticipated Romance
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez – Click here for a book description and more books in the category
Most Anticipated Nonfiction
Adventures in the Louvre by Elaine Sciolino – Click here for a description of the book and more books in this category
Most Anticipated Young Adult
Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick – Click here for a description of the book and more books in this category
*April 2025 Book Releases Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
Fiction Book Releases: April 2025
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
More info: Dual-Timeline
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Cassie and Zoe Grossberg are sisters who are only a year apart in age, but could not be more different. Cassie is a brilliant musical prodigy who wants to remain hidden and Zoe wants nothing more than the fame and glamour of stardom. The sisters are discovered at a battle of the bands and soon become the pop band The Griffin Sisters. But after only a year, they split up under mysterious circumstances.
Now, it’s been 20 years and Zoe’s daughter, Cherry, is determined to discover why the band broke up and why her mom will not talk about her past with the band or her sister. Can she track down Cassie in Alaska and get answers?
Trigger Warnings
Sexual assault (not graphic)
Why Jackie loves it
I love the references to 1990s pop music and would love nothing more than a playlist to go with the book. The characters are rich and flawed, and I love how to story develops as we uncover the reasons the band broke up.
Find this book in: Books About Music and Bands / Books With Neurodivergent Characters (*Not explicitly stated by implied)
Favorite Daughter
Author: Morgan Dick
Genre: Fiction
Release Date: April 29, 2025
More info: Debut Author
Plot
Mickey and Arlo are half-sisters who have never met. Mickey’s father abandoned her and her mother years ago. She has resented him ever since. Arlo adored her father. When their father dies, Mickey is shocked that she inherited everything with the stipulation that she go to therapy to receive the large sum of money. The catch? Arlo is the therapist who is desperate to understand why her father cut her out of his will. I cannot wait to read this pick from the April 2025 book releases from a debut author.
The Road to Tender Hearts
Author: Annie Harnett
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
More info: author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals
Age Range: 18+
Plot
PJ Halliday won a million dollars in the lottery and has done nothing since other than sit in the bar and mourn his bad luck- and he has had his fair share. He lost a daughter, had a terrible divorce, and his health is steadily declining (which is not helped by the fact that he is an alcoholic). To top it off, his ex-wife is marrying his best friend, and they are headed to Alaska for four months- alone.
When PJ sees an obituary of his old rival, he decides to head to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community across the country to win back his high school first crush. It just so happens that he is now the guardian of two young orphans and a cat who can predict death. Oh, and did I mention that he cannot drive because he had his license revoked after his last DUI? Enter his daughter as the driver!
Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent, murder, suicide, drug use
Why Jackie loves it
Although this book deals with a lot of serious topics, it does it in a way that is heartwarming and funny. I laughed my way through this book, which is a series of one disaster after another. On the surface, this book should not work; however, it is a literary wonder. I absolutely loved this poignant, wonderful book. It is one of my favorites of the year, and you will hear me talk about it!
Find this book in: Books About Addiction
Plot
Duc is the founder of a chain of sandwich shops around the country. He has 5 estranged adult children and a wife he has not seen in years. When he decides to retire, he gives conditions to his children. His four daughters must revitalize failing shops within a year, but his only son will inherit everything if he gets married. The catch? Whoever does it first wins the whole inheritance
But the store each sibling is given unlocks bigger mysteries, and soon, everyone will learn the real reasons for this bazaar scheme and the secrets their mother and father kept hidden.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Hate Crimes
Why Kirsten loves it
I love a sibling drama, but I was not expecting to fall in love with this story so deeply. I didn’t want it to end. I loved each sibling’s journey. I loved learning the back story between Duc and Evelyn…and I craved a Bánh Mì the entire time! Gifted by Simon & Schuster & Simon & Schuster Audio
Find this book in: Sibling Books / Books About Food / Best Beach Reads 2025
Fun for the Whole Family
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude Endicott are formerly inseparable siblings who have not spoken in years. When Jude, a famous actress, sends her siblings a text message, they gather together in a small town in North Dakota under one roof to mend fences and catch up. Each of them is struggling in their own way, and the secrets Jude plans to tell could change everything.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Parent
Why Kirsten loves it
As one of 4 siblings, I will also be in for a sibling drama story. I just think there is something so special and unique about stories that feature adult siblings under one roof, working out their problems. I enjoyed the character development of each sibling and how they healed their relationships with their siblings too. #gifted by Ballantine Books
Find this book in: Books About Siblings
Historical Fiction: April 2025 Book Releases
The Book Club for Troublesome Women
Author: Marie Bostwick
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Ficiton
Age Range: 16+
Plot
It is 1960, and Margaret Ryan seems to have it all. But the house, husband, three kids, and prestigious neighborhood don’t feel like enough for her or her friends Viv and Bitsy. Margaret decides to start a book club as an excuse to meet their newest neighbor, Charlotte, and soon they discover that they want more from the life they have been told is the American dream.
Why Kirsten loves it
Women supporting other women is always a theme I love to see in literature. In a time when a woman couldn’t open her own checking account without her husband’s permission, that theme is crucial for each of these women. As they individually deal with stepping into the limelight and out of the shadows, collectively they support and uplift each other when each stumbles.
I loved the peek into the past and comparing it to how far we’ve come as a country towards women’s rights (a trend I hope doesn’t backslide.) The friendships, drama, and descriptions in this story kept me riveted. It’s one of my favorite books of the year for sure!
Why Jackie loves it
I could not wait to read this book and it did not disappoint me. I loved the relationship between the women and I love the fact that their relationship starts with a book club. It is uplifting to see positive and supportive female relationships. I have been loving historical fiction novels this year and this one is a must-read. The audiobook version of this book was a delight to listen to #gifted
Find this book in: Books about Friendship / Books Set in the 1960s / Best Beach Reads 2025
The Traitor of Sherwood Forest
Author: Amy S. Kaufman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Plot
Kirsten and I cannot wait to read this reimagining of Robin Hood told through the eyes of one of his spies! Jane is a peasant girl who is forced from her home and with the help of Robin Hood, begins working in the home of the Lord of the Greenwood. As Robin Hood becomes more dangerous, Jane suspects that he may care more about himself than helping the poor. When Jane is implicated in a murder, she realizes that she is more than a pawn in a game between nobles and thieves.
The Library of Lost Dollhouses
Author: Elise Hooper
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Tildy Barrows is the head curator of an archival library in San Francisco. When she learns that the library is on the verge of bankruptcy, she is determined to do something to save the library. And then inspiration strikes when she discovers two beautiful dollhouses. She believes if she can find out more about their history and the mystery behind them, they might become a moneymaking exhibit for the museum.
The story then flashes back to Cora Hale and her story, set on the cusp of WWI when she’s starting her journey to become a premier minaturist to the aristocrats of Europe.
The journey spans across time and the globe as Cora’s artist life flourishes and Tildy looks for answers. Belle Époque Paris, the English countryside during wartime, and Walt Disney’s studios in the 1950s are just some of the places you’ll explore while reading this story.
Why Kirsten loves it
I ADORED this unique novel and its female protagonists. I was as connected with Tildy’s search for answers as I was with Cora’s quest to follow her passion. There are love stories in both timelines that feel authentic and add layers to the novel in a natural way. I was sad to turn the last page of this book, but I know I’ll be recommending it for years to come! #Gifted by Harper Audio
Find this book in: Best Historical Fiction Novels
Plot
A peasant boy named Lambert Simnel discovers he’s not just John Collan, water-fetcher extraordinaire, but a secret heir to the throne. Along the way, he teams up with Joan, an Irish girl who is a political genius with murderous tendencies. This pick from the April 2025 book releases is inspired by the figurehead of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion.
Fantasy/ Sci-fi: Most Anticipated for April 2025
The Sirens
Author: Emilia Hart
Year: 2025
Genre: Magical Realism
More info: New York Times bestselling author of Weyward
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This story is told in three timelines. In 2019, Lucy wakes up from a sleepwalking episode and finds herself strangling her ex. She panics and flees to her older sister’s house, but Jess is nowhere to be seen when she arrives. Searching for answers about her dream and her sister’s whereabouts, Lucy begins to read her sister’s diary. The story is also told from Jess’s POV in 1999 through her diary entries.
In 1800 twin sisters, Mary and Eliza, are forced into a convict ship bound for Australia. The further out the sea they go, the more they feel the call of the water.
Trigger Warnings
Abuse (not graphic)
Why Jackie loves it
The multiple timelines of this story worked to further the plot and kept me turning the pages. I never once felt confused about which timeline I was reading. Hart does an amazing job and portraying relationships. I loved Mary and Eliza, and the relationship between Lucy and Jess is complex and full.
Find this book in: Books About Sisters / April 2025 Book Releases
The Amalfi Curse
Author: Sarah Penner
Genre: Historical Magical Realism
Release Date: April 29, 2025
More info: Bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary
Plot
This fantasy from the April 2025 book releases is perfect for our list of books set in Italy! Haven Ambrose is a nautical archeologist investigating shipwrecks along the Amalfi coast. She is also secretly looking for a treasure her father saw before he died. When Positano begins to experience an unusual amount of bad luck and misfortune, Haven realizes that it may be cursed. She must uncover the truth before the coast is destroyed forever.
Gifted and Talented
Author: Olivie Blake
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: April 1, 2025
More info: Bestselling author of The Atlas Six
Plot
Thayer Wren was the CEO of Wrenfare Magitech, the father of modern technology. Each of his three children think they should inherit the Wrenfare throne. They are telepathically and electrokinetically gifted and they all have a good reason for needing the money and the prestige. Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh will stop at nothing to get what they deserve.
Scorched Skies
Author: E.J. Mellow
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: April 15, 2025
More info: Book 1 of 2
Plot
This is the first book in a duology that is inspired by the myth of Icarus and is perfect for our list of Mythology Books. Tanwen is the child of a forbidden union in a world divided into the Volari, the winged rulers, and the earthbound SĂĽra. Now, in order to save her father who is a prisoner, she must go to the royal court of the Volari disguised as a servant. When she meets the crown prince, Zolya, their forbidden relationship will test their loyalty.
Thrillers and Mysteries for April 2025
This is Not a Game
Author: Kelly Mullen
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: April 8, 2025
More info: Debut Author
Plot
This locked room mystery from the April 2025 book releases is on Kirsten’s TBR and I cannot wait to get my hands on it as well. Addie is getting over a bad breakup after her boyfriend dumped her and cut her out of the deal for a video game they made together. When her grandmother, Mimi, gets an invitation from Jane Ireland to attend a charity auction, it is the perfect excuse to have Addie join her. When they get caught in a storm, and everyone is trapped at the mansion, no one is worried until Jane’s body turns up. Mimi and Addie now must rely on their skills to ensure they are not the next victims.
Murder at Gulls Nest
Author: Jess Kidd
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Mystery
More info: Nora Breen Investigates #1
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Nora Breen was a nun who kept in touch with her former novice through letters. When the letters stop arriving, Nora is worried and heads to the Gulls Nest Hotel in Kent. Soon, there are murders left and right, and Nora has to confront her past while trying to solve the mystery of where her friend went.
Why Kirsten likes it
The 1954 setting added a lot to the story. While set in a seaside town, the beach didn’t have much to do with the plot; instead, the converted mansion was at the heart of the mystery. If you are a fan of Maggie Hope or Maisie Dobbs, you’ll enjoy the first in this new mystery series.
Find this book in: Cozy Mystery Books
Plot
“Mother May I” Iverson is a social media mogul whose empire crumbles after her mansion is burned down, killing her newlywed husband. May is famous for commodifying her five interracial daughters and they all harbor resentments and secrets—becoming prime suspects as public scrutiny intensifies. The novel critiques influencer culture while exploring themes of race, gender, family dynamics, and the costs of unmitigated self-display.
How To Seal Your Own Fate
Author: Kristen Perrin
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: April 29, 2025
More info: Castle Knoll Files #2
Plot
Annie Adams is caught in a murder that spans from 1967 to the present day. When a fortune teller named Peony Lane is found dead after speaking with Annie, she realizes she is being framed. What was Peony trying to tell her before she died? In 1967, Frances starts to uncover secrets that hint at lies, betrayal, and even murder. I cannot wait to see how the timelines come together in this pick from the April 2025 book releases.
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man
Author: Jesse Q. Sutano
Year: 2025
Genre: Mystery
More info: Vera Wong #2
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range:15+
Plot
Vera has been living her best life since the body was found in her teahouse. Vera has maintained the relationships with everyone from the first book. Her son even has a girlfriend, officer Selena Gray. Vera is happy to help cat sit at Tilly and Selena’s place, and it’s not her fault that she finds a briefcase filled with cases. Even if she does have to spend 15 minutes picking the lock open.
And if one of those files just happens to be the body of a friend of a troubled young woman, how can she not help everyone and solve the case of his murder? As she investigates further, it seems nobody is telling the truth
Trigger Warnings
Spoiler: physical and emotional abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I felt like I learned so much about Vera in this book, and I love her even more than I did after the first book. This book deals with more serious topics but does so in a sensitive way. #gifted
Find this book in: April 2025 Book Releases
Romance: April 2025 Book Releases
Plot
Xavier Rush is a vet who loves animals, is gorgeous, and seems practically perfect. After one perfect date with Samantha, she realizes that a relationship is impossible because of her family and tried to tell Xavier to remember her as a memory. But forgetting their chemistry is easier said than done.
Great Big Beautiful Life
Author: Emily Henry
Year: 2025
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author, May 2025 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Margaret Ives is an octogenarian who has not been seen in years. She invites two authors to stay with her for a month on a trial basis so she can decide who will write her memoir. Both Alice and Hayden want the job and while Alice is waiting for her big break, Hayden is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and fully expects to be chosen for the job.
Margaret gives Alice and Hayden an NDA so they cannot discuss anything with anybody, including each other. They know that Margaret is lying, but they do not know why. A lot can happen in a month especially when the chemistry between them gets stronger by the day.
Why Jackie likes it
While Emily Henry is known for her beach-read romances, this book is that with a twist. Margaret Ives reminds me of Evelyn Hugo. The reader learns about Margaret’s life in the spotlight and the effects it has on her life and her family. The romance is there, but it is almost secondary to the story Margaret tells. Alice and Hayden are the quintessential grumpy-sunshine pairing, but with a deeper look into both of their stories.
Find this book in: Emily Henry Books Ranked / Books Like Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2025
Plot
Zeke is home to buy his late father’s boat, while Lexi has no time for dating. A one-night stand seems perfect until neither of them tied the boat house to the dock, and they find themselves miles out at sea in the morning. Now, they are stuck together while they try and get back to shore.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love how Zeke and Lexi’s relationship developed throughout their time at sea. Not only were they compatible in a crisis, but their slow-burn chemistry was paced in a way that felt realistic to the situation. I would NOT recommend this book for those afraid of boats, but I think it’s a delightful romance worth throwing in your beach bag this summer! #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Boat Books / Best Beach Reads 2025
The Geographer’s Map to Romance
Author: India Holton
Year: 2025
Genre: Romance
More info: Love’s Academia #2
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Professor Elodie Tarrant and Professor Gabriel Tarrant are experts in magical disasters who have been estranged since shortly after their marriage of convenience. There is one hick up, they both secretly love each other.
When they are both accidentally assigned to a case of magic erupting in a Welsh village unexpectedly, they must come together as a team. Can they solve the mystery of why the magic has gone wonky?
Why Jackie loves it
This is a sweet romance with one spicy moment that makes it perfect for an 18+ audience looking for a romance with a twist of mystery. Even though this is technically the second book in the series, you do not need to have read the first to enjoy it.
Find this book in: Romcozy Books
Nonfiction April 2025 Book Releases
No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson
Author: Gardiner Harris
Genre: Nonfiction
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Plot
This pick from the April 2025 book releases tells the story of one of the most trusted pharmaceutical companies in the world and the lengths it went to to cover up horrific and dangerous products. They lied to cover the link between Johnson’s Baby Powder and cancer and a drug to support cancer patients that increases cancer tumor growth. These are just some of the shocking discoveries Harris made while investigating this company.
Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum
Author: Elaine Sciolino
Genre: Nonfiction
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Plot
This pick from the April 2025 book releases comes from a former New York Times Paris bureau chief. In this book, Sciolino explores one of the world’s most famous museums and Will introduce readers to some of her favorite artwork. These are beloved pieces as well as some more unknown works. It will also reveal some of the secrets of this museum.
Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put
Author: Annie B. Jones
Genre: Memoir
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Plot
This is a debut book from Jones who hosts the popular Front Porch podcast. She is also an independent bookstore owner. In this book, she explored the idea that some of the greatest lives can be lived quietly, in a small-town and that following dreams doesn’t mean moving away.
Best YA April 2025 Book Releases
Run Away with Me
Author: Brian Selznick
Genre: LBGTQ+ YA Romance
Release Date: April 1, 2025
More info: Selznick’s YA Debut
Plot
This pick from the April 2025 book releases is told in Selznick’s signature style of blending illustration and words. Danny is 16 years old and spending the summer in Rome while his mom spends the day working at a museum. Danny spends the days exploring and when he meets Angelo, they explore together. Soon their friendship becomes much more as the boys explore what this means.
Watch Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Genre: Ya Fantasy
Release Date: April 15, 2025
More info: Shatter Me: The New Republic #1
Plot
The gorgeous deluxe edition of this book with a holographic foil jacket and special endpapers is available and it looks stunning! This is the first book in a new series in the Shatter Me world. James Anderson has managed to breach Ark Island (the refuge of The Reestablishment). He is in prison but that is not the point. His brother, Aaron Warner Anderson could never even get in! Roselle Wolff is a trained assassin whose every move is monitored. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance you won’t want to miss.
Plot
This looks like an adorable YA romance from the April 2025 book releases. If To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before met How I Met Your Mother, it would be this book! This is a duology that is about a girl who starts receiving letters from the love of her life writing to her from the future!
More April 2025 Book Releases
We LOVE to support independent bookstores. You can shop our entire list of April 2025 book releases on Bookshop.org
Expert Tips
Looking through 30 books can be daunting if you are trying to add some books to your TBR. Remember that this list is for fun. You may add books to your TBR stack and never read them. That is OK! I have two tips to help narrow down the choices for you.
- If you do not want to look through 30 descriptions, I selected a top pick from each genre. I narrowed it down for you!
- If you have a favorite genre that you like to read, head over to that section and pick from those books.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your most anticipated April 2025 book release?
There are so many books on this list, that it is almost impossible to pick one book I am most excited to read. The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick looks like a fantastic historical fiction. I love Emilia Hart and cannot wait to read The Sirens. This is Not a Game by Kelly Mulen is my most anticipated mystery and The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner is sure to be a fantastic book!
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Epilogue
I hope you love this list of most anticipated April 2025 book releases. If there is a book you want to read and don’t see on this list, please let me know. You can also tell me which books you look forward to reading.
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