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As winter gives way to spring and the weather finally starts to warm up, I figured it would be a good time to give some spring book recommendations! I compiled a list of books from various genres that felt light or whimsical, or just gave off spring energy.
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter: This one is quite possibly my favorite rom-com of all time. It is hugely popular and for good reason–Liz and Wes are such delightful leads, and Lynn Painter’s writing never lets me down. Liz is a huge fan of rom-coms, but love in real life never seems to reach her expectations. Wes is Liz’s next-door neighbor and worst enemy. She’s disliked him ever since she was young, but now, she needs his help. To make the guy she likes finally notice her, she needs Wes to pretend to date her. But as she spends more time with him, she quickly realizes that he is much more than the boy whom she used to despise. This book is witty and fun, with plenty of banter and tension. But there is also an underlying story about moving through grief, as Liz is struggling to get through senior year without her mom by her side. All in all, this book really just felt like a love letter to the genre (plus it has a great playlist based on Liz and Wes at the back of the book)!
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber: This series is technically a sequel to Stephanie Garber’s previous trilogy, Caraval. However, you do not have to read Caraval to read this series. All I can say about these books is that they are exactly like a fairytale; they are fun, whimsical, and fantastical. The main character, Evangeline, is a naive, sweet girl who believes unrelentingly in the power of love. But when her heart is broken by the man she thought she loved, she goes up to the Magnificent North to try to win the heart of a prince. However, it is not the prince that she finds herself drawn to, but rather a mysterious lord by the name of Jacks. These two are so much fun to read about. Eva is sweet and kind, but knows better than to trust Jacks. And Jacks is sassy and witty, leading to some wonderful banter between the two. These books are honestly the perfect mix of fantasy, whimsy, tragedy, and romance. The world that it takes place in is developed so fascinatingly as you go, and there is a wonderful cast of characters that you meet throughout the story. This series is honestly one of my favorites that I’ve read in recent years–I love it so much.
Cruel Prince by Holly Black: This series is quite possibly the best Fae fantasy that I have ever read. If you like morally gray characters, a strong female protagonist, and an intense, battle-filled journey, this series is for you. It’s more serious than the other books on this list, but there is something about the magic and intrigue that makes it feel like a good book to read in spring. In the book, Jude Duarte and her twin sister, Taryn, were taken to Faerie after their parents were killed. There, they have to find a way to survive as the only two humans in a place filled with all sorts of dangers. Jude is constantly at odds with her classmate, Cardan Greenbriar, the youngest prince of the kingdom, and his clique of despicable friends. But as political tensions start brewing in the kingdom and she becomes entangled in a spy organization, her classmates’ behavior is no longer her biggest problem. She finds out that she may need to team up with Cardan to achieve her goals, and when she does, her perception of him may change forever. This series is the enemies-to-lovers fantasy, and I absolutely recommend it.
