Spring Influencer Book Recommendations

Not sure which story to kick off your spring 2026 reading list with? Take a rec from one of our influencers! Read on for their fresh, feel-good spring book picks.

Willow (they/them) @bibliowillow recommends Ruinous Ends by I. V. Marie

Willow’s Review:

“It’s difficult to word how much I loved this and how many emotions this book made me feel. I was so happy with the ending. Each character got the ending that made most sense for their arc. I sobbed for a solid hour but 10/10 was absolutely worth it. I cannot wait to read anything else I.V. Marie writes!”

Follow Willow:

Instagram: @bibliowillow 

Threads: @bibliowillow 

Read Ruinous Ends:

Ruinous Ends

Ruinous Ends

By I. V. Marie

Coming 07.14.26

The future of Blackwood Academy—and the entire afterlife—is at stake in the must-read sequel to the viral dark fantasy sensation Immortal Consequences.

This stunning hardcover edition features gorgeous, flower-patterned sprayed edges, colored endpapers, and an exclusive foil-stamped case!

The Decennial is over, but for the students of Blackwood Academy, the fight for the afterlife has just begun.

The infamous school was hiding more secrets—and lies—than any of the Decennial’s participants could have imagined. And there’s still so much that remains buried beneath its ancient foundations. Now the future of the academy, and all the souls within it, rests in the hands of six former pupils:

The charmer and the golden boy . . .
The traitor and the girl desperate to save her . . .
The Chosen One and the one who would choose her over and over again . . .

Any of them could be the hero the afterlife needs . . . or the villain who will destroy it for good. Because the truth is, Blackwood’s biggest secret has yet to come to light—and when it does, it will shake the institution to its core.

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Brittany (she/her) @bookish.millennial recommends Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

Brittany’s Review:

“This book perfectly illustrates the unbridled awe and delight of a carnival, and presents you with everything you’d imagine a magical carnival would be. The setting is lush, descriptive, exciting and FUN! The main characters were easy to root for, both for their individual motivations and their second-chance romance. I loved how Montoya weaved in the mystery and balances such high-stakes in the third act—she really is the star of the show.”

Follow Brittany:

Instagram: @bookish.millennial 

Threads: @bookish.millennial 

TikTok: @bookishmillennial 

Bluesky: @bookishmillennial

Read Carnival Fantastico:

Carnival Fantástico

Carnival Fantástico

By Angela Montoya

“Witty, charming, and a little sinister, this is a real showstopper.” —Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Starlight

An unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that the carnival is more sinister than it appears.

Welcome to the Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, and the perfect haven for a runaway. Using her tricks and razor-sharp wit, Esmeralda becomes the carnival’s resident fortune-teller, aiming for the lead role in the Big Top Show. Success would mean freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army.

Ignacio has defected from the army and is on the hunt for evidence of his father’s corruption. But the last thing he expects to find on his father’s trail of lies is the only girl he’s ever loved, spinning false fortunes at a traveling carnival.

Perhaps fortune has thrown them together for a reason. They strike a deal: she’ll help him expose his father if he helps her secure the main act. But old feelings don’t die easily, and the commander’s secret isn’t the only thing they’ll need to confront.

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Kelly (she/her) @spaceonthebookcase recommends I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill

Kelly’s Review:

“When I tell you this is one of the best books I’ve ever read, I’m not kidding. Pryce is a college journalism student and is inspired to start an investigative podcast about a string of murders that rocked his small, sleepy town. The small town is its own ecosystem of corruption and seeing how Pryce takes it down piece by piece was enjoyable to read. I loved how the ending cleaned up all the loose ends and left nothing unfinished.”

Follow Kelly:

Instagram: @spaceonthebookcase

Threads: @spaceonthebookcase 

TikTok: @spaceonthebookcase 

Read I Don’t Wish You Well:

I Don't Wish You Well

I Don't Wish You Well

By Jumata Emill

A teen investigative podcaster decides to dig into the truth behind a grisly murder spree that rocked his hometown five years ago, but soon discovers that this cold case is still hiding deadly secrets—in this chilling thriller perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Five years ago, the infamous Trojan murders turned the small town of Moss Pointe, Louisiana into a living nightmare. Four teen boys—all star players on Moss Pointe High’s football team—were murdered one after the other by a Trojan-mask wearing killer.

Eventually, the murderer was unmasked. But the community has never forgotten—and some folks in town still wonder whether the police got it right.

Eighteen-year-old Pryce Cummings is one of them. An aspiring journalist, Pryce is pretty sure he just stumbled upon evidence that throws the killer’s guilt into question. It’s the perfect story for his own podcast, and a reason to go back to the hometown he’s avoided since coming to terms with his sexuality while at college.

But in Moss Pointe, digging into the past is anything but welcome. There’s so much more to what happened there five years ago, and Pryce is ready to crack it all wide open . . . if he lives to tell the tale.

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Candace (she/her) @thebookandbubble recommends Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn

Candace’s Review:

“Stolen Midnights completely kept me on my toes. The story is packed with twists that flip everything the characters think they know. The discoveries and plot twists were so fun, and every reveal made the story even more interesting. And the cliff-hanger?? I need the next book immediately.”

Follow Candace:

Instagram: @thebookandbubble

Read Stolen Midnights

Stolen Midnights

Stolen Midnights

By Katherine Quinn

The first in a new magical young adult romantasy duology from the bestselling author of To Kill a Shadow. A palace darling and a thief join forces after he unwittingly steals a necklace with the power to change their world forever.

In the city of Andalay, the ruling Fates bestow gifts among society’s most favored. When Damien, a cold and hardened thief, is hired to steal one of those gifts—meant for the “princess” of Ward One, Wren Hayes—he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets.

The gift? A locket containing his own photograph.

Once the locket is opened, hidden truths unravel, shedding light on the ruthless ways of the upper class. Yearning for the three Fates and the magical gifts they bestow, the lords of Andalay will go to any length to keep their power—including murder.

Brought together by destiny, and fighting a dangerous temptation that’s becoming harder to resist, Wren and Damien navigate a seedy world where the truth can destroy not only their lives, but the city itself.

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Paige @pagesforpaige recommends Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen

Paige’s Review:

“This book was such a good mix of creepy supernatural vibes and family bonding. It was suspenseful and emotional, but also had a really fun mystery. This was such a great read!!”

Follow Paige:

Instagram: @pagesforpaige 

Read Twin Tides

Twin Tides

Twin Tides

By Hien Nguyen

Long-lost twin sisters unravel the mystery behind their mother’s disappearance and face the family betrayal that ultimately separated them in this breathtaking speculative young adult thriller.

Heiress and influencer Caliste Ha lives a glamorous life in an LA high rise, her perfectly curated social media feed hiding the cracks in her family. Across the country, Aria Nguyen is barely surviving as a freshman and academic scammer at Georgetown University. They have never met.

That changes with one unexpected and grim phone call. Their long-missing mother has been found dead in Les Eaux, Minnesota. Upon arrival in the sleepy town, Caliste and Aria discover another shocker—they are identical twins.

Ready to unearth the secrets that led to their mother’s death and their separation, they start looking for answers. But a vengeful ghost is haunting the waters, and an unknown enemy is watching their every move.

Can Aria and Caliste unravel all the sinister mysteries of Les Eaux, or will the town’s deadly secrets ultimately drag them under?

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Did you enjoy our spring influencer book recommendations? Discover more book recs here and get social with us at @getunderlined! Interested in becoming one of our influencers? Find out more about our influencer program here.

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