7 Books About Pulling Pranks to Read On April Fools’ Day
This is a significant day! It’s the start of a new month, spring is in the air, it’s Easter Monday (for those who celebrate), and it’s April Fools’ Day! I had so many options of things to write about today that I had trouble narrowing it down, but one rose to the top: pranks and pranksters. Whether you love, hate, or are vaguely annoyed by April Fools’ Day pranks and hoaxes, you’re likely to run across at least one today.
These books cover the good, the bad, and the deadly of pranks. There are romance novels where people fall in love through pulling pranks on each other, their mutual animosity reluctantly turning into something sweeter. On the other hand, an “innocent” prank can also get out of hand, which we’ll see in a few prank-themed thrillers and horror novels.
We’ll get to see the hilarity and horrors of pranks in these stories, but I hope today brings you only jokes that bring a smile to your face — you might spot one among Book Riot’s posts out today — and nothing that edges towards the inconvenient (or even dangerous) end of the pranking spectrum. Just remember, before you share any surprising news stories today, take a moment to double-check your calendar.
Now, let’s get into the highs and lows of pranking!
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
As Naomi and Nicholas’s wedding approaches, they both realize they want out. The catch is that whoever calls it off will have to foot the considerable bill. Now, they’re in an escalating prank war to try to push the other one past their limits. But this turns out to be a lot of fun, and they’re more relaxed and authentic around each other than ever before. Will they fall back in love before their wedding date? This is a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance!
The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu
For a very different take on the theme, Remy and Elise used to be best friends — soulmates. Elise was the master of pranks and calculated revenge. But now, Remy’s boyfriend Jack is dead — and Elise pulled the trigger. Now Remy has to reconsider everything she thought she knew about Elise and their relationship. This is a great option for completing task #23 of the 2024 Read Harder Challenge as a “whydunit” mystery/thriller!
To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
In this “Regency romp,” two estranged spouses find new heat in a hoax war. Violet and James have been married for five years, but they’ve barely spoken for the last four, after a nasty argument. Still, when Violet learns James has been injured by being thrown from a horse, she rushes to his side…to find that he’s having a great time at an inn, completely uninjured. To get revenge, she feigns an illness of her own. Now the two of them are going to more extreme lengths to fake injuries and illnesses, including hiring actors to play doctors. But just like Naomi and Nicholas, this war might just end up bringing them closer together.
Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi
Parvin is a “bassoon-playing, frizzy-haired, Cheeto-eating” prankster at heart, and she thinks she has found her match in a summer romance with a boy who pulls pranks with her. When he dumps her on the first day of high school, though, she decides to make herself over completely — looks and personality — to get the hottest guy in school to ask her to prom. It’s the perfect revenge…except that she can’t keep her real self suppressed for long.
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
When Max convinced his brother to leave his fiancée at the alter, he never thought he’d end up having to work with the jilted wedding planner (!) on the biggest contract of his career. Lina knows Max ruined her wedding, and although she’s just as invested in making this presentation perfect, that won’t stop her from getting revenge whenever the opportunity arises to embarrass Max.
The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
For Rachel, horror movies are her comfort watches. They have clear rules to follow, unlike the social scene at the new Manhattan prep school she’s attending. When she plays a prank inspired by a favorite horror film, she’s invited to join the Mary Shelley Club: a secret society of students that does Fear Tests. Playing these elaborate pranks empowers Rachel, but they just keep escalating…
Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare
There’s not much to do in Kettle Springs. Once, the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory was the heart of the town, but now that it’s shut down, teenagers keep themselves occupied by pranking the adults and filming their reactions to put online. Frendo, Baypen’s clown mascot, is tired of their disrespect and starts hunting down kids. But who’s behind the mask?
Looking for more? Check out these prank romance books and YA books about pranksters.
How do you feel about April Fools’ Day? Let’s chat in the comments!
Check out all the previous 2024 Read Harder posts here!
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