ShortBookandScribes April 2026 Reads, Book Post and Stats

Posted on 5th May 2026 By Nicola

Welcome to another monthly reading round up, this time for April 2026. Here’s what I read:

Elizabeth and Marilyn by Julie Owen Moylan

A compelling story about Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe, and the lead up to their brief meeting in 1956, the year they both turned 30. I loved this one.

Woodspring by Elizabeth Buchan

This is about three generations of people connected to Woodspring, their ancestral home. It didn’t quite live up to expectations for me, but I still enjoyed the transportation into the past.

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister

An exciting, ‘edge of your seat’ story about a woman whose daughter is kidnapped and held to ransom. One of my favourites by this author.

Dreams Come True at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas

The final instalment in this lovely trilogy about three women courageously forging their own way through life during wartime. Full of warmth and friendship.

The Drowning Place by Sarah Hilary

Dark and compelling first in a new police series with fascinating main characters.

Spring at Flora’s House by Freya North

Second novella in the series set on the Isle of Harris. I had trouble liking the three main characters in this story but as always, the setting is beautiful and there’s a lovely sense of community.

The Restless Sea by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Book 27 in the Morland Dynasty series – the sinking of the Titanic forms a large part of the story, with some of the Morland family being on board the so-called unsinkable ship. The younger generation play their part in history, as do the women fighting for the vote.