April New Releases

There’s something extra special about the start of a new month — especially when it means a fresh crop of page-turning reads is on the horizon. And let’s just say: April 2025 is delivering the literary goods.

At Once Upon a Book Club, our team is always reading, swooning, gasping, and passing around books faster than you can say “just one more chapter.” While not all of these titles will appear in our book boxes (though we did pick one that we couldn’t resist!), we couldn’t help but share what’s caught our book-loving eyes this month.

From dazzling romantasy to haunting horror, high-stakes family drama to magical mythology, this list has something for every kind of reader. So grab your TBR journal (or open that ever-growing note on your phone) because here’s what we’re adding to our carts and countdowns this April.

 

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry 

Release Date: April 22nd, 2025

Emily Henry does it again and, yes, probably with some irresistible romantic tension. Two writers are vying to tell the life story of an elusive, legendary woman... and also maybe falling for each other in the process. Set on a dreamy island with layered secrets and a heroine full of plot twists, this one’s already screaming summer beach read energy… but we’re getting an early start.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart 

Release Date: April 1st, 2025

Sisters. Secrets. Sirens. This time-hopping novel blends historical fiction, mythology, and the kind of coastal magic that will make you want to listen for voices in the waves. We’re hooked on the dual narrative between Lucy in 2019 and Mary and Eliza in 1800, and the way their stories intertwine across centuries is nothing short of spellbinding.

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith 

Release Date: April 8th, 2025

Fake dating. Deadly games. A glamorous Italian palace with a portal to actual Hell? Say no more. Enchantra serves up all the romantic tension and magical peril we crave, with a feisty heroine and a brooding love interest who can't decide if they want to kiss or kill each other. Romantasy fans, this one is a must.

Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake 

Release Date: April 1st, 2025

Imagine Succession, but make it magical. Three wildly gifted siblings (telepathic, electrokinetic — you know, the usual) battle grief, each other, and a legacy bigger than all of them combined. If family dysfunction wrapped in dark humor and supernatural flair is your jam, get this on your list, stat.

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig 

Release Date: April 29th, 2025

We love a creepy, can't-look-away mystery—and this one? It’s giving serious Stranger Things energy. A staircase to nowhere, a friend who disappears, and a decades-later return to uncover the truth? Yes please. This one’s for all our thriller lovers who like their books eerie and unforgettable.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez 

Release Date: April 1st, 2025

The latest release from Abby Jimenez, featured in our “Miles of Memories” box! This pre-order box was so popular that it sold out in no time. Make sure you subscribe to our mailing list so you never miss out again!

Vet meets girl. Girl proves he’s not as charming as he looks. Sparks fly anyway. This love story packs a perfect balance of humor, heart, and heartbreak—and it’s the kind of book you feel in your chest. We chose this one for a reason, and we can’t wait for you to experience it through our signature page-numbered surprises.

 

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner 

Release Date: April 29th, 2025

Witchcraft, sunken treasure, and a centuries-old curse? Set on the stunning Amalfi Coast, this historical fantasy has dual timelines, rich female characters, and a storyline soaked in salt, secrets, and sorcery. Trust us—you’ll want to dive right in.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

Release Date: April 22nd, 2025

Housewives in the 1960s form a book club that turns into something far more powerful — friendship, feminism, and a touch of rebellion. We adored the warmth, wit, and deep emotional core of this story. For fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this is a hug in book form.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker

Release Date: April 29th, 2025

A horror novel that bites—literally and emotionally. Crime scene cleanup, hungry ghosts, and trauma you can’t disinfect. Kylie Lee Baker is delivering dark, visceral storytelling with cultural depth and lyrical intensity. Not for the faint of heart, but unforgettable for those brave enough to read it.

Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine

Release Date: April 20th, 2025

When a canceled romance author flees to Alaska to write her first murder mystery, she definitely doesn’t expect to fall into her own rom-com. Think forced proximity, rugged wilderness, and reluctant love. It’s charming, smart, and the perfect mix of cozy and chaos.

The Hallow Hunt by Margie Fuston

Release Date: April 1st, 2025

Vampires, witches, and a desperate quest to save a sister. A follow-up to The Revenant Games, which was featured in our April 2024 YA Box, this sequel ramps up the danger and emotional tension. If you love morally gray love interests and magical forests filled with danger, this book is calling your name.

Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: April 15th, 2025

Set in the world of Shatter Me, this spinoff is packed with action, emotion, and a brand-new enemies-to-lovers pairing that’s as electric as ever. Fans of Juliette and Warner, you’re going to love following James and Rosabelle into the heart of the new rebellion.

Conclusion

So there you have it — the April releases we can’t wait to get our hands on! Whether you’re a romantasy reader, a horror devotee, a historical fiction lover, or a sucker for a twisty mystery, this month has something for you.

And while these aren’t all featured in our boxes, you can bet the OUABC team will be reading right alongside you, probably with sticky notes, snacks, and squeals of excitement. 📚💖

Happy reading — and don’t forget to check out our Adult and YA subscription boxes for more immersive, gift-filled reading adventures!