Indulge in your cravings for suspenseful thrills and profound introspection as you explore this curated collection of books. I read them during the months of April and May, and they left an indelible mark on my reading journey. Among them, I have marked my favorite with a heart, signifying its unmissable nature. Feel free to follow the live links provided, allowing these remarkable stories to move you as they did me.

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson: In this poignant and powerful memoir, George M. Johnson reflects on their experiences growing up as a queer Black man. With unflinching honesty and raw vulnerability, Johnson explores themes of identity, sexuality, family, and the complexities of navigating a world that often fails to acknowledge and affirm the diverse experiences of young Black LGBTQ+ individuals.

♥️ Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty: In this intricately woven family drama, the Delaney siblings are brought together when their mother, Joy, goes missing. As secrets from their childhood and present-day struggles come to light, the Delaney children must navigate their complicated relationships, untangle how they feel about their father, and confront the long-lasting effects of family dynamics. Moriarty’s humor sprinkles the story at all the right moments.

Before We Were Strangers by Brenda Novak: In this captivating romantic suspense novel, Sloane McBride returns to her hometown to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance twenty years ago. As Sloane delves into the secrets of the past, she finds herself drawn to Luke, her childhood sweetheart, who is now a local police detective. Together, they must confront the dark secrets that tore them apart and unravel the web of deceit surrounding Sloane’s family.

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin: You will be immersed in the intriguing world of Greta, a woman who transcribes sex therapy sessions as her job. As she meticulously documents the intimate and often complicated stories of others, Greta finds herself drawn to one particular client, Flavia, nicknamed “Big Swiss.” Their connection grows beyond the boundaries of therapy, leading Greta on a transformative journey of self-discovery and exploring the complexities of desire, intimacy, and the blurred lines between personal and professional boundaries. 

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: Set in the vast and unforgiving wilderness of Alaska in the 1970s, this epic tale follows the Allbright family as they seek a fresh start. Ernt, Cora, and their teenage daughter Leni arrive in a remote town hoping to find solace and freedom, but they soon discover that surviving the harsh winter and the isolated community is more challenging than they ever imagined. With themes of love, survival, and the healing power of nature, The Great Alone explores the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.

Memorial: A Novel by Bryan Washington: Set against the backdrop of Houston, this tender and evocative novel explores the complexities of love, family, and cultural identity. Mike and Benson, a couple of young gay men on the verge of a breakup, are forced to navigate their relationship when Mike’s estranged mother arrives from Japan to visit. With equal parts humor and heartache, Memorial delves into the intricacies of human connection and the power of forgiveness.

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson: Claudia’s best friend Monday mysteriously disappears, but nobody else seems to notice or care. Determined to find her, Claudia embarks on a heart-wrenching quest that unravels a web of secrets, lies, and institutional apathy. This powerful young adult novel tackles issues of friendship, identity, and systemic negligence, while raising important questions about the value society places on the lives of marginalized individuals.

Playing Nice by JP Delaney: When Pete and Maddie, an ordinary couple, discover that their two-year-old sons were switched at birth, they are thrust into a harrowing and unpredictable journey to protect their families. In this gripping psychological thriller, Delaney explores the boundaries of trust, the lengths parents will go to for their children, and the chilling consequences of hidden secrets and betrayal.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney: In this gripping psychological thriller, a woman wakes up in a hospital, unable to move or speak, but fully aware of everything happening around her. As her unreliable memories and twisted truths come to light, you are taken on a chilling journey through her mind, uncovering the dark secrets she is desperate to remember and the lies she must confront to survive.

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