Funny Story

Title: Funny Story
Author: Emily Henry
Published: April 23, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 395 Pages
Genre: Romance
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Some people are natural storytellers.

Blurb: Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

My Opinion: This is my first Emily Henry -- and yes --I fell for the hype. The meet-cute and romance are the same formula as many others in this genre.

What begins with possibly the worst day of Daphne’s life slowly evolves with her spinning into her own personal depths of hell, only to be new roommates with ex-finance's (Peter) new girlfriend's (Petra), ex-boyfriend (Miles) (yes, that takes a minute to sort out).

Miles is attractive and smells good. He gets her. Anymore tropes we could throw in there?

The last chapter in the book was one too many. I like how the previous chapter ended and allowed the reader to dream up possibilities, but no, the author had to go one step too far.

Not a keep-on-my-shelf book.

Coaching Fire

Title: Coaching Fire
Author: Victoria Laurie
Published: November 28, 2023 by Kensington Cozies
Format: Kindle, 307 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Life Coach Mystery #5

First Sentence: “Now will you call him?” Gilley pleaded.

Blurb: Gilley’s whirlwind romance with creative director Stuart Jacobs began in Paris, where Stuart was sourcing fabric for the world-renowned Texas Rose Festival, which he is heading-up for the first time. The festival is nothing short of spectacular, bringing in half a million people (and their wallets) to see the artistic displays, and exquisite gowns and jewels worn by the Rose Queen and her court. Stuart and his crew seem to have it all under control. But the night Cat arrives in Texas, someone is shot in cold blood, and a member of Stuart’s staff is named the prime suspect! The Rose Festival is too important to the city’s economy to cancel, so while Stuart scrambles to prevent the festival from derailing, Cat and Gilley launch their own investigation into the murder. With a parade of potential suspects to parse, and an even longer list of motives, they bring in East Hampton Police Detective Steve Shepherd to help. As rumors of arson, burglary, and professional sabotage swirl around the already fraught festival planning; Cat and her team immerse themselves in the cutthroat pageantry to identify the killer, who has already picked their next victim. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: Victoria Laurie’s latest work has a distinct flavor, setting it apart from previous entries in the Cat and Gilley series. Not only has she swapped the roles of the duo, but she has also woven in social commentary. Laurie fearlessly calls out brutality and discrimination within Texas law enforcement, and though not calling out for change, is making her readers aware of its existence. There is also an in-depth narrative of psychics. Laurie, a professional psychic, takes her time defending their abilities and existence.

Gilley, once the skittish Scooby-do personality, now is the beacon of reason. Meanwhile, Cat—usually steadfast and confident—finds herself wavering, adding l a new layer to their enduring friendship.

Early on, a murder sets the stage for the investigation. Yet, as we move from scene to scene, we find ourselves entangled in multiple storylines. This web of narratives, while occasionally overly descriptive, maintains a smooth flow.

From a previous mention on Laurie’s podcast, this appears to be the last we will see, for a while at least, of the Cat and Gilley saga. The author has her eye on fresh horizons and has mentioned new material. “See No Evil,” an addition to the A Psychic Eye Mystery series, is out now, and the upcoming fall release of “A Trinket for the Taking.”

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Title: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Author: Heather Fawcett
Published: January 10, 2023 by Del Rey
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 317 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Emily Wilde #1

First Sentence: Shadow is not at all happy with me.

Blurb: Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

My Opinion: “Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries” by Heather Fawcett offers a curious blend of quirkiness and academia. For some readers, the use of footnotes, while attempting to evoke Emily Wilde’s field notes, may feel unusual and disrupt the narrative flow.

The book is reminiscent of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series in that the main characters combine their exploration and banter with a side of mystery. Wendell’s laugh-out-loud humor adds an entertaining touch, although his quips arrive too late to capture your initial interest.

Early in the book, I switched from print to the audiobook instead of wall-banging it. After sitting with this book for a while, I realized that Emily and the Faerie folk didn’t capture my interest or imagination.

The Mystery Guest

Title: The Mystery Guest
Author: Nita Prose
Published: November 28, 2023 by Ballantine Books
Format: 293 pages, Hardcover
Genre: Amatuer Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Molly the Maid #2

First Sentence: Prologue: My gran once told me a story about a maid, a rat, and a spoon.

Blurb: Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tea room floor.

When Detective Stark, Molly's old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know who killed J.D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?

As the case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery post-haste. If there's one thing Molly knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don't stay buried forever. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: A delightful read that earns a solid rating for its charming blend of innocence and intrigue. Set in the grandeur of the Regency Grand Hotel, the city and year remain a mystery, much like the plot itself, which cleverly unfolds through a mix of past and present narratives. Prose’s protagonist, Molly, is refreshingly naive, her quirks endearing as they are portrayed through her unique interpretation, spelling, and rich vocabulary.

The story references old television shows reminiscent of reruns Molly once shared with her grandmother, adding a touch of nostalgia.

As a sequel, “The Mystery Guest” stands strong, providing enough backstory to welcome new readers without confusion. The significant time gap between this and the previous book suggests a new chapter in Molly’s life, inviting readers to unravel the ongoings at this 5-star hotel anew.

Prose’s narrative is a testament to her skillful storytelling, making “The Mystery Guest” a compelling continuation of a beloved series.

Love, Theoretically

Title: Love, Theoretically
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Published: June 13, 2023 by Little Brown Books
Format: Kindle, paperbac, and 389 Pages
Genre: Romance

First Sentence: Prologue: In my life I have experienced regret, embarrassment, maybe even a touch of agony.

Blurb: The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.

Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?

My Opinion: As someone who doesn’t typically delve into this genre, I found that the book began and ended where I assumed it would; I just didn’t realize I would be in for a humorous and spicy ride. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised. The novel weaves together self-actualization and humor, creating a captivating narrative. Elsie’s journey of self-discovery will resonate with readers, and the witty banter between her and Jack adds a lovable layer to the story. Hazelwood’s portrayal of women in STEM and academics is enlightening. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself rooting for the characters and their romance.

Not sure if the Love Hypothesis is a series or just interconnected books.

Village in the Dark

Title: Village in the Dark
Author: Iris Yamashita
Published: Kindle, Hardcover 288 pages
Format: February 13, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Cara Kennedy #2

First Sentence: The frigid wind whipped up eager snow eddies off the knolls of the cemetery ground in South Anchorage.

Blurb: On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.

Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.

My Opinion: Village in the Dark captures the reader’s attention from the very start. The brisk pacing makes it a perfect quick read, and the narrative is skillfully crafted to keep the pages turning. Yamashita’s storytelling shines through with an intriguing twist that adds depth to the plot. The decision to limit scenes at the Davidson Condos in Point Mettier is a clever move, allowing the characters to explore new horizons and maintain a fresh perspective. The character of Cara is particularly well-developed, with a backstory that unfolds across the series. This book is a commendable addition to the series, offering a satisfying blend of mystery and character development.

An Inheritance of Magic

Title: An Inheritance of Magic
Author: Benedict Jacka
Published: October 10, 2023 by Ace
Format: Kindle 336 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Inheritance of Magic #1

First Sentence: There was a strange car at the end of my road.

Blurb: Wealth, education, resources—some people seem to exist in a glittering world on a different plane from the rest of us. Almost as if by…magic.

Stephen Oakwood knows there’s a magical world hidden from view. Before his father disappeared, he taught Stephen how to create and use sigls to channel power. But unlocking the full potential of drucraft takes money, power, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum-wage job and a cat.

When a chance meeting leads to Stephen’s skill being recognized by a member of Ashford House, everything changes. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and powerful by hoarding their knowledge, and for a brief moment it seems as though all of that is about to be offered to Stephen.

But this isn’t that kind of story.

Ashford House have no more interest in sharing their privileges with Stephen than they do with anyone else. What they are interested in is increasing their own power, and now Stephen’s been thrust into a world he doesn’t understand. To survive he’ll have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game.

My Opinion: Benedict Jacka lets the reader know ahead of time that he hopes to be writing this series over the next ten years, so I prepared myself for world-building, lots of characters, and a heavy dose of atmosphere. I wasn’t disappointed. Surprisingly, this turned into a fast read for me, and considering that I am just beginning my foray into this genre, I was glad I had taken a chance.

An absorbing narrative that blurs the edges of reality with the magical. The super-rich -- think Succession, but with wizards -- where rules are crafted, fortunes hang in the balance, and people are destroyed. To that, add in an outside relative trying to make his way in their world using his own set of rules.

Cat-loving Stephen Oakwood, abandoned by his mother and a father who walked out of his life when he turned 18, stumbles into the Ashford House power struggle. Money, control, and secrets drive the next generation of Ashfords as they use magic for their dirty deeds. With their magic, they can manipulate portfolios and bodies of water to their advantage and in so doing, parlay that into becoming the next head of Ashford House, unless Stephen can stop them.

Jacka weaves a captivating narrative that drips with intensity and has you questioning who to trust. So, grab your tea, settle in, and step into a hidden world as you follow Stephen as he opens doors, meets curious characters, and has some big decisions to make.

Book #2, An Instruction in Shadow, has a tentative release date of October 2024.

Death at Lovers' Leap

Title: Death at Lovers' Leap
Author: Catherine Coles
Published: February 16, 2024 by Boldwood Books
Format: Kindle, 280 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Martha Miller #3

First Sentence: February 1948. I didn’t expect to receive a card, not really.

Blurb: As Valentine's Day rolls around, Martha Miller finds herself unusually melancholy at the state of her own love life. With husband Stan still missing and with her growing feelings for Vicar Luke still shrouded in secrecy, there’s only one place Martha can go - famous local beauty spot, Lovers' Leap.

Legend has it that those with a broken heart throw themselves off the bridge that spans the river, but Martha is certainly not about to do such a thing! But it looks like someone else has had other ideas….

Because there in the river, Martha finds a body. But is this misadventure, a moment of lovesick madness, or is foul play afoot?

Martha knows one thing…the villagers of Westleham have another crime to solve!

My Opinion: This book was a letdown for me. The book’s pacing didn’t quite capture my attention and the last 20% was the saving grace since the journey to get there isn’t engaging. I am hesitant about continuing with this series since this experience wasn’t enjoyable. Perhaps the next book might offer a more engaging narrative that will keep me hooked from start to finish.

I am not sure if I will continue with the Martha Miller series. It is always a difficult decision if a series is the right fit or if there is just one bad book. Now, I must decide if it is time to explore new authors and series that better align with my changing reading preferences.

Yellowface

Title: Yellowface
Author: R.F. Kuang
Published: May 16, 2023 by William Morrow
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Fiction

First Sentence: The night I watch Athena Liu die, we’re celebrating her TV deal with Netflix

Blurb: Athena Liu is a literary darling and June Hayward is literally nobody.

White lies... When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name Juniper Song.

Dark humour... But as evidence threatens June’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

Deadly consequences... What happens next is entirely everyone else’s fault.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: So many layers. So many emotions. Makes the reader reevaluate publishing, reviews, and the soul-wrenching waves an author goes through.

An intense and thought-provoking novel that rips open the complexities of racial diversity in the publishing industry. With layers of snark, passion, and bitter ridicule, Kuang weaves a narrative that explores the impact of faceless social media and the costs authors must pay to be seen and heard.

A Grave Robbery

Title: A Grave Robbery
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Published: March 12, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Audio/Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Veronica Speedwell #9

First Sentence: London, October 1889. “I draw the line at monkeys”, Stoker said with considerable severity.

Blurb: Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why?

Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors? (GoodReads)

My Opinion: I enjoy this series but for me this book was a struggle. The first half unfolded at a glacial pace, leaving me moving back and forth between the written version and the audiobook. Desperate to rekindle my interest, I even cranked up the audiobook speed to 1.5x. But it wasn’t until the halfway mark that the narrative finally captured me.

Where the story truly shines is in its humor and banter. As the plot thickens, Veronica and Stoker—our dynamic duo—take center stage. Their chemistry, lukewarm in the first half of the book, now erupts into a delightful dance of wit and revelations. The number of characters initially exhausted me, but then came the twist—a surprise that blindsided me. There’s nothing quite like that “I didn’t see that coming” moment to refresh a reader.

Veronica and Stoker, in their own ways, peel back layers. Their relationship evolves, each revelation a stepping stone toward deeper understanding. It’s an ideal progression, one that keeps readers invested.

For those just embarking on the Speedwell journey: Start from the beginning. Deanna Raybourn weaves Veronica’s and Stoker’s backstories, but the original accounts hold treasures that can’t be fully conveyed in subsequent books.

Rental Person Who Does Nothing

Title: Rental Person Who Does Nothing
Author: Shoji Morimoto
Published: July 6, 2023 by Picador
Format: Kindle, 160 pages
Genre: Memoir

First Sentence: Forward: I’m starting a service called Do-nothing Rental. It is available for any situation in which all you want is a person to be there.

Blurb: Shoji Morimoto was constantly being told by his boss, "It makes no difference whether you’re here or not," and that his presence contributed nothing to the company. Morimoto began to wonder whether a person who "does nothing" could still have actual value and a place in the world. Perhaps he could turn "doing nothing" into a service? With one tweet, Rental Person was born.

Rental Person is dependable, nonjudgmental and committed to remaining a stranger, and the curious encounters he shares are revelatory about both Japanese society and human psychology.

My Opinion: I’ll admit the title is what drew me to this book. Then I read the description and my curiosity took over.

This short book is a thought-provoking memoir that explores the value of human connection and the meaning of doing nothing. Morimoto shares his unique experiences as a rental person who does nothing that would involve work in any form, be it physical or research, for his clients, but in turn provides them with comfort, companionship, and insight.

An uplifting and thought-provoking read that I may find myself returning to from time to time.

The Boy Who Cried Bear

Title: The Boy Who Cried Bear
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: February 20, 2024 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover339 Pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Haven's Rock #2

First Sentence: Prologue. Max. “We’re being stalked,” Max whispers to his big brother. “I think it’s a bear.”

Blurb: Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.

When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: The Boy Who Cried Bear left me disappointed. Despite the intriguing premise, the execution fell flat. Kelley Armstrong’s attempt to blend the expected mystery with the police procedural didn’t quite hit the mark. The characters lacked depth, the reasoning was out of nowhere, and the reader was left with an unsatisfying conclusion.

I craved more substance, energy, even Mathis’ humor. Unfortunately, the novel failed to deliver on any of the points that have been present in Armstrong’s previous books. Overall, a missed opportunity.

The Frozen River

Title: The Frozen River
Author: Ariel Lawhon
Published: December 5, 2023 by Doubleday
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 432 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

First Sentence: The body floats downstream.

Blurb: Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.

Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.

Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

My Opinion: After a slow start with too many characters to keep straight, the Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon turns into a captivating fact-based historical mystery that immerses the reader in the life and times of Martha Ballard, a true-to-life gutsy and clever midwife who solved a murder in 18th-century Maine. Lawhon used her little-known story to expertly weave fact and fiction, creating a rich and authentic portrait of a remarkable woman who defied the norms of her society and left a lasting legacy.

A legacy that not only included the delivering of over 1,000 births without losing a single mother to being the great-aunt of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, and also being the great-great-grandmother of Mary Hobart, one of the first female physicians in the United States.

The Fatal Folio

Title: The Fatal Folio
Author: Elizabeth Penney
Published: October 24, 2023 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Format: Kindle, 320 pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: The Cambridge Bookshop Series #3

First Sentence: November had arrived in Cambridge, bringing with it crisp, cool air, the emergence of mufflers and wool coats from closets and -- new to me, as an ex-pat American -- Guy Fawkes day.

Blurb: After moving to Cambridge, England, Molly Kimball has found a lot to love, including—of course—her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe-Manuscripts and Folios. And though she’s not quite ready to use the “L” word when it comes to her boyfriend Kieran, she’s definitely fallen for his intimidating family’s library.

His family is paying her handsomely for an updated catalog when Molly discovers the original manuscript of a Gothic novel, A Fatal Folio by the pseudonymous Selwyn Scott. Kieran’s cousin Oliver, a professor specializing in Gothic literature, is eager to publish a paper on the mystery—especially because a troublesome student, Thad, is threatening to file a complaint against him and prevent his long-awaited promotion.

On Guy Fawkes Night, Molly, Kieran, and her friends set out to enjoy the costumes, fireworks, and fun—at least until a stray firework starts a panic, and the group stumbles upon a prone body, their face covered by a mask. It’s Thad, and he’s been stabbed to death.

It soon becomes clear Oliver isn’t the only one with a motive, and Molly must once again put on a few masks of her own to sleuth out Thad’s killer, prove Oliver’s innocence, and discover what Selwyn’s novel might have to do with this most atmospheric mystery. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: A book, within a book, within a book. The latest edition to the Cambridge Bookshop series by Elizabeth Penney. Set in Cambridge, England, among the historical colleges, Molly Kimball, a bookshop owner, stumbles upon a Gothic manuscript and opens the door to murder and a long-buried secret.

The author weaves together mystery, family legacies, and murder while drawing the reader into the dark atmosphere and showing how the multiple storylines weave in a journey to uncover the truth behind the ancient folio.

Forests, Fishing & Forgery

Title: Forests, Fishing & Forgery
Author: Tonya Kappes
Published: July 31, 2018 by Tonya Kappes Books
Format: Kindle, 174 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: Campter & Criminals #3

First Sentence: “Welcome to Happy Trails Campground and to our party.”

Blurb: It's Labor Day weekend in Normal, and if you know anything about camping and RVing, you know it's one of the busiest times of the year. Unfortunately, Daniel Boone National Park is in danger of being closed due to a drought and local businesses are scrambling for ideas to survive a possible shutdown.

Happy Trails Campground is at the center of a murder in which campers as well locals are suspects. It looks likely that a local resident is responsible for the dastardly deed since the victim is the one person who had the power to shut down the national park, which would be devastating to Normal’s small businesses.

My Opinion: The perfect series to jump in and out of between other books. Full of southern charm and lovable characters. Camper & Criminals is a quirky and cozy series set in the charming small town of Normal, Tennessee and the Happy Trails Campground located in the Daniel Boone National Park.

Unfortunately, this outing was slow and then suddenly it was over. For me, the novella needed less middle rambling and more in the conclusion so the tying up wasn’t so abrupt. That doesn’t mean I won’t go back and read the next in the series since everyone needs a little Mae West in their lives.

What Harms You

Title: What Harms You
Author: Lisa Black
Published: July 25, 2023 by Kensington
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 320 Pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Locard #2

First Sentence: Ellie Carr waved her brand-new keycard at the mounted sensor a second time. Still nothing.

Blurb: What happens when a serial killer goes to CSI school?

The Locard Institute is a state-of-the-art forensic research center where experts from around the world come together to confront and solve the world’s most challenging and perplexing crimes. When Dr. Ellie Carr arrives for her first day as an instructor at the prestigious facility, the buildings glimmer amid the brilliant fall foliage on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. But within hours a colleague, Dr. Barbara Wright, is found dead on the floor of a supply closet. Her death appears to be an accident—but Ellie and her new supervisor, Dr. Rachael Davies, suspect a more sinister explanation.

A young woman attending a professional training program then disappears, only to be found in a gruesome tableau. Other than their link to the Institute, there seems to be no connection between the student and Dr. Wright. Although forensic traces are elusive, Ellie and Rachael are determined to find the bizarre link between the violent and diverse deaths.

As reporters shatter the privacy of Ellie’s new workplace, she searches old files and finds evidence of a crime that feels much too personal. But who, among those dedicated to justice, could be the threat? No matter how skilled she and Rachael may be in uncovering the truth, they may not be able to prevent a well-schooled killer from striking again.

My Opinion: I had a hard time getting into this book. The previous book, ‘Red Flags’ was published more than a year ago, and the reader could have benefited from a paragraph or two refresher at the beginning instead of a couple of chapters in.

Read the first third, skimmed the middle, and read the final third. This series is dependent on what you came for. Very high in the science parts, low on the mystery, and the conclusion gathered the bits and parts along the way.

The who in ‘What Harms You’ was obvious from the beginning. The ‘why’ was the basic serial killer stuff.

The Crown's Fate

Title: The Crown's Fate
Author: Evelyn Skye
Published: May 16, 2017 by Balzer + Bray
Format: Hardcover, 425 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Series: The Crown's Game #2

First Sentence: Vika Andreyeva was a confluence of minuscule bubbles, streaming through the wintry dusk.

Blurb: Russia is on the brink of great change. Pasha’s coronation approaches, and Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult—and dangerous—than she ever expected.

Pasha is grappling with his own problems—his legitimacy is in doubt, the girl he loves loathes him, and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges—and with the magic in Russia growing rapidly—Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom.

For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. Although he just managed to escape death, Nikolai remains alone, a shadow hidden in a not-quite-real world of his own creation. But when he’s given a second chance at life—tied to a dark price—Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world.

With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up, and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha must fight—or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves.

My Opinion: Slow start, but the tension builds.

The Crown’s Fate is the sequel to The Crown’s Game, a historical fantasy set in an alternate Russia. The book follows the three main characters, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha, as they face political intrigue, dark magic, and personal dilemmas, all the while, encompassing history, culture, and magical twists.

The characters are well defined with each showing strengths and flaws. The reader will be riding the rollercoaster of identity, power, loyalty, and love, and how, together, they shape the fate of a leader and a nation.

The Crown’s Fate is the conclusion to the duology, with an ending that has you holding your breath and full of hope for Vika, Nikolai, Pasha, Yuliana, and Renata.

I am still new to this genre, so I can’t say if I will stick with it, but I did enjoy this series.

Murder at the Blarney Bash

Title: Murder at the Blarney Bash
Author: Darci Hannah
Published: January 23, 2024 by Kensington
Format: Kindle, 352 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Beacon Bakeshop #5

First Sentence: “Wellington!” My adorable, fluffy Newfoundland dog was still on the groomer’s table as I entered Peggy’s Pet Shop and Pooch Salon.

Blurb: Lindsey is baking up a storm—shamrock sugar cookies, Guinness chocolate cupcakes, Irish soda bread—for the well-timed grand opening of the Irish import gift shop, the Blarney Stone, owned by her boyfriend’s uncle, Finnigan O’Connor, recently relocated from the Emerald Isle.

But it’s Uncle Finn himself who seems full of blarney when he gleefully reveals a pot of real gold he claims he stole from an actual leprechaun. And Finn’s fortune takes a turn for the worse when he’s arrested for the bludgeoning of a small unidentified man dressed as a leprechaun—the murder weapon alleged to be his now-missing shillelagh.

Eccentric Uncle Finn may enjoy believing he’s outwitted a leprechaun, but he would never be so deluded as to clobber one with his walking stick. Now Lindsey will need more than the luck of the Irish to seize a golden opportunity to catch the real killer

My Opinion: A quirky storyline that falls short. Cozy mysteries do not always have depth, but Murder at the Blarney Bash is too superficial and the plotting is repetitious and slow. There is a blend of humor yet the mystery element feels forced and I began to wonder if Darci Hannah had any idea where she was going with the plotting since it culminated in an out of nowhere conclusion.

I have enjoyed the previous book in this series, but I should have DNF’d this one.

Meet Me in the Margins

Title: Meet Me in the Margins
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Published: February 15, 2022 by Thomas Nelson
Format: Kindle, Paperback 309 Pages
Genre: Romance

First Sentence: Prologue: Savannah, Have you made any more progress on that book idea you brought up to me at conference last year?

Blurb: Savannah Cade's dreams are coming true. The Claire Donovan, editor-in-chief of the most successful romance imprint in the country, has requested to see the manuscript Savannah's been secretly writing while working as an editor herself—except at her publishing house, the philosophy is only highbrow works are worth printing and commercial fiction, particularly romance, should be reserved for the lowest level of Dante's inferno. But when Savannah drops her manuscript during a staff meeting and nearly exposes herself to the whole company—including William Pennington, new publisher and son of the romance-despising CEO herself—she races to hide her manuscript in the secret turret room of the old Victorian office.

When she returns, she's dismayed to discover that someone has not only been in her hidden nook but has written notes in the margins—quite critical ones. But when Claire's own reaction turns out to be nearly identical to the scribbled remarks, and worse, Claire announces that Savannah has six weeks to resubmit before she retires, Savannah finds herself forced to seek the help of the shadowy editor after all.

As their notes back and forth start to fill up the pages, however, Savannah finds him not just becoming pivotal to her work but her life. There's no doubt about it. She's falling for her mystery editor. If she only knew who he was.

My Opinion: I remember reading about this book a while back and thought it sounded cute. It has its moments, but also had me shaking my head when a mystery character (which isn’t a mystery) leaves editorial comments on a manuscript Savannah is writing letting her know that her scenes read like a Hallmark movie. Duh, this whole book reads like a Hallmark movie with all the usual tropes. The only parts missing were the returning to a small town and having a dog, but still, it’s a Hallmark movie.

As the story drones on, I found myself checking the page count wondering when it would be over. And just when I thought we hit the final mediocre scenes, Melissa Ferguson added an epilogue. Romance books do not need epilogues. That is the part where the readers design their own happily ever after.

Night Owl

Title: Night Owl
Author: Andrew Mayne
Published: December 1, 2023 by Thomas & Mercer
Format: Kindle, 321 Pages
Genre: Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Trasker #1

First Sentence: Prologue: Her smile was made sincere by her remarkable restraint.

Blurb: After three decades in counterintelligence, Brad Trasker is retired, disillusioned, and dealing with a tragic loss. Spy games are behind him until he attends the launch of a next-generation aircraft. When the project of innovative aerospace CEO Kylie Connor explodes on the tarmac―nearly killing her in the process―Trasker is pulled back into the line of fire.

The mystery of the sabotage quickly deepens. All Kylie’s data has been wiped from the server. One of her engineers has disappeared. A seed investor has died in a suspicious car accident. And a cold-blooded murder raises the stakes even higher.

To discover who’s pulling the strings behind a dangerous conspiracy, Trasker needs to find a motive. Corporate espionage, revenge, or something he can’t yet see? Targeted by assassins, he finds himself overmatched when he realizes he can’t trust anyone―including Kylie. Too long out of a game he no longer understands, Trasker must adapt or die. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: Theo Cray has always been my favorite Andrew Mayne character, but Brad Trasker is a close second. Well, maybe his mother is second and Brad third, but it’s close. He is unfailingly human and his mother is an interesting onion to peel.

A captivating thriller that thrusts retired spy Trasker into the middle of a deadly conspiracy. The intense plotting, with just-in-time tangents, added to cold-blooded murder, keep readers on edge.

Unexpected twists, gasps, and laughter make this a must-read for fans of espionage and suspense.

Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel

Title: Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel
Author: Jennifer J. Chow
Published: February 20, 2024 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, 320 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Magical Fortune Cookie #1

First Sentence: It only took twenty-eight years and one bad take-out meal to unlock my superpower.

Blurb: Felicity Jin grew up literally hanging onto Mom’s apron strings in their magical bakery in the quaint town of Pixie, California. Her mother’s enchanted baked goods, including puffy pineapple buns and creamy egg tarts, bring instant joy to all who consume them. Felicity has always been hesitant in the kitchen herself after many failed attempts, but a takeout meal gone wrong inspires her to craft some handmade fortune cookies.

They become so popular that Felicity runs out of generic fortunes and starts making her own personalized predictions. When one customer’s ill-fated fortune results in his murder, Felicity’s suspiciously specific fortune has the police focusing on her as the main culprit. Now Felicity must find a way to turn her luck around and get cleared from suspicion.

My Opinion: I was disappointed by this novel written by Lefty Award-nominee, Jennifer J. Chow. The premise sounded promising, but the execution was lacking. The characters were flat, the plot was predictable and full of holes and inconsistencies, and the writing was bland and repetitive. The magical element was interesting but felt forced and inconsistent, and the killer was obvious too early and easily.

Holmes, Marple & Poe

Title: Holmes, Marple & Poe
Author: James Patterson, Brian Sitts
Published: January 8, 2024 by Little, Brown and Company
Format: Kindle, 352 pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Holmes, Margaret & Poe #1

First Sentence: The vacant industrial space that realtor Gretchen Wik was trying to unload was located in a recently gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood called Bushwick.

Blurb: The three detectives make a formidable team, solving a series of seemingly impossible crimes which expose the dark underbelly of the city; from priceless art theft, a high-stakes kidnapping, and a decades-old unsolved murder, to a gruesome subterranean prison, and corruption and bribery at the highest levels of power. But it's not long before their headline-grabbing breakthroughs, unconventional methods - and untraceable pasts - attract the attention of the NYPD and the FBI. After all, it's no surprise that there's a mystery or two to unravel in the city that never sleeps . . . not least, who really are Holmes, Marple and Poe? (Goodreads)

My Opinion: New York City has its fair share of unique personalities, but a trio of mysterious private investigators opens Holmes, Marple & Poe Investigations. Their names evoke legendary detectives and a bit of side-eye, while their pasts remain a mystery.

Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe. Their methodology and headline-making cases attract the attention of NYPD Detective Helene Grey. As she investigates the shadowy newcomers, the echoes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Edgar Allan Poe resonate through the pages. The stakes rise, secrets unravel, and the line blurs between fiction and reality.

“Holmes, Marple & Poe” weaves classic mystery elements with modern-day strategies, promising a thrilling nonlinear ride through multiple storylines.

Fatal First Edition

Title: Fatal First Edition
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Published: February 13, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, 304 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Library Lover's Mystery #14

First Sentence: "How's the windy city?: Nancy Peyton asked.

Blurb: Briar Creek Library director Lindsey Norris and her husband, Sully, are at a popular library conference in Chicago to hear book restoration specialist Brooklyn Wainwright give a keynote address. After the lecture, Lindsey looks under her seat and finds a tote bag containing a first edition of Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train , inscribed to Alfred Hitchcock. Brooklyn determines the novel is one of a kind and quite valuable, so Lindsey and Sully return the book to the conference director, not wanting to stir up any trouble.

But just hours after the pair boards the train back to Connecticut, rumors that the Highsmith novel has gone missing buzz amongst the passengers, and they soon find the conference director murdered in his private compartment. And worse—the murderer planted the book in Lindsey and Sully’s room next door, making them prime suspects. Now, they must uncover the murderer and bring them to the end of their line, before they find themselves booked for a crime they didn’t commit.

My Opinion: Though the story surrounds a missing first edition of Stranger on a Train by Patricia Highsmith with notes from Alfred Hitchcock, Fatal First Edition begins with all the usual characters and feelings of Murder on the Orient Express. This book could have been a closed-room mystery, but Jenn McKinley conveniently brought the train to Briar Creek Station so her friends could be part of the adventure.

The second crack in the story was that Sully had gone missing while delivering groceries to people on the surrounding islands during a blizzard -- in his water taxi. Nope. That didn’t work. Islanders would know to be prepared and not need a last-minute grocery run. That part didn’t sit well with me. But how else could McKinley throw in a subplot?

Is the who-done-it obvious from the beginning? Not necessarily, I had my suspicions, but there was a slight twist and a convoluted explanation. Good thing reliable Robbie was there to re-explain it.

By the end, this could have been a novella. The story contained too much fluff, backstory, and twisty conclusion. By the 14th book in a series, followers already knew a quarter of what was on these pages.

The London Bookshop Affair

Title: The London Bookshop Affair
Author: Louise Fein
Published: January 16, 2024 by William Morrow
Format: Kindle, Paperback 416 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Prologue: Jeannie. London 1942: The air was chocking, thick with a heady mix of cologne, sweat, liquor, and smoke from the hundred Lucky Strikes.

Blurb: London, 1962: The world is teetering on the brink of nuclear war but life must go on. Celia Duchesne longs for a career, but with no means or qualifications, passes her time working at a dusty bookshop. The day a handsome American enters the shop, she thinks she might have found her way out of the monotony. Just as the excitement of a budding relationship engulfs her, a devastating secret draws her into the murky world of espionage.

France, 1942: Nineteen-year-old Anya Moreau was dropped behind enemy lines to aid the resistance, sending messages back home to London via wireless transmitter. When she was cruelly betrayed, evidence of her legacy and the truth of her actions were buried by wartime injustices.

As Celia learns more about Anya—and her unexpected connection to the undercover agent—she becomes increasingly aware of furious efforts, both past and present, to protect state secrets. With her newly formed romance taking a surprising turn and the world on the verge of nuclear annihilation, Celia must risk everything she holds dear, in the name of justice. (Publisher)

My Opinion: Though there are early sparks, the book doesn’t get interesting until the final third. I was hoping that “The London Bookshop Affair” would have grabbed me in the way “The Hidden Child” had, but this novel was missing the fascination that had me turning pages in Louise Fein’s previous book.

Historical fiction that tries to combine romance, mystery, and espionage but fails to deliver any of them in an interesting manner. The plot is slow and the writing is dull and clichéd. Unfortunately, the book should have done more justice to the historical context of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and it wasn’t until the end and the author’s notes that a more fascinating story unfolded.

Weyward

Title: Weyward
Author: Emilia Hart
Published: March 7, 2023 by St. Martin's Press
Format: Hardcover, 329 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy

First Sentence: Prologue. Altha 1619. Ten days they’d held me there. Ten days, with only the stink of my own flesh for company.

Blurb: 2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: I can’t be the only person who wishes there was a family tree spelled out somewhere in this book. Altha, Violet, and Kate. The Weyward women and where they descend from. Their stories overlap and draw the reader in with the very first words on the page.

When I was down to the final 100 pages, I wanted to put the book down. Walk away. I didn’t want it to end. The power of the Weyward women is palpable. They will stay with you. As you fall into the final words, you will want to go back to the beginning to reread their stories and relive the trials that had made them the women they were.

Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena

Title: Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena
Author: Philomena Cunk
Published: September 24, 2024 by Grand Central Publishing
Format: Kindle, Paperback 304 pages
Genre: Comedy
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Preface: When I was asked to write this book, I remember thinking. It was a good feeling.

Blurb: Philomena Cunk is one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st century, and in Cunk on Everything she turns her attention to our biggest why are there so many books? Wouldn't it be better if there was just one? This is that book — an encyclopedia of all human knowledge, delving into not only life's greatest mysteries but our most important political figures and cultural touchstones. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: A collection of short chapters covering various subjects like literature, politics, sports, and love can be read in any order or skipped entirely or skipped if the subject is uninteresting. The book is perfect for reading or listening, or whenever the mood strikes for a good laugh.

Cunk on Everything by Philomena Cunk is written in the style of Cunk’s popular TV documentaries, where she asks absurd questions and makes absurd observations. The book is full of funny and sarcastic humor, as well as some surprising insights and truths. A fun and easy read that will make you laugh out loud and think differently about the world around you.

12 Months to Live

Title: 12 Months to Live
Author: James Patterson and Mike Lupica
Published: September 18, 2023 by Little, Brown and Company
Format: Kindle, 400 Pages
Genre: Legal Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Jane Smith #1

First Sentence: “For the last time,” my client says to me. “I. Did. Not. Kill. Those. People.”

Blurb: Criminal attorney Jane F. Smith, tough as nails, has received a terminal diagnosis and doesn't have much time. Is her own client trying to kill her first?

Her name is Jane Smith. To friends and foes, she's Jane Effing Smith.

Why? Because she's the best criminal defense attorney in the Hamptons—the elite world of New York's rich and infamous. Because she's as good an investigator as she is a lawyer. Because she's tough. She's strong. A competitive athlete who never settles for second place.

As Jane is preparing to defend a high-profile client accused of a triple homicide, she's also hired to revive a cold case—a cluster of unsolved murders.

Then another bombshell lands: a devastating medical diagnosis. Terminal. She’s given twelve months to live.

But first, she has a trial to win. Unless one of her many enemies kills her first. (Goodreads)

My Opinion: This was a twisty ride. I started with the audio and then switched to the book so I could keep track of all the characters.

Criminal defense attorney Jane Smith is in for the ride of her life and possibly the last trial of her career. She had a successful career with a track record of never losing a case. However, everything might change when she meets Rob Jacobson and the roadblocks his case presents. In her heart, she knows he is guilty, but her job is to give the defendant the best defense she can. This man might cost her everything she has fought for, but that is the job, and with her own life sentence hanging in the balance, what does she have to lose?

The ending is the perfect setup for book number two, ’8 Months More’. Now, we will have to wait until next summer to see where Jane, Jimmy, Rip, and Dr. Ben will go from here.

A Winter in New York

Title: A Winter in New York
Author: Josie Silver
Published: October 3, 2023 by Delacorte Press
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Genre: Romance
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: You know when a high-octane scene in a movie goes slo-mo for dramatic effect, and you hold your breath and ask yourself will the person on the screen leap the burning chasm between high-rise buildings or catch the priceless vase before it shatters into a hundred pieces?

Blurb: A young chef stumbles on a secret family recipe that might lead her to the love—and life—she’s been looking for in this stunning novel.

When Iris decides to move to New York to restart her life, she realizes she underestimated how big the Big Apple really is—all the nostalgic movies set in New York she’d watched with her mom while eating their special secret-recipe gelato didn’t quite do it justice.

But Bobby, Iris’s best friend, isn’t about to let her hide away. He drags her to a famous autumn street fair in Little Italy, and as they walk through the food stalls, a little family-run gelateria catches her eye—could it be the same shop that’s in an old photo of her mother’s?

Curious, Iris returns the next day and meets the handsome Gio, who tells her that the shop is in danger of closing. His uncle, sole keeper of their family’s gelato recipe, is in a coma, so they can’t make more. When Iris samples the last remaining batch, she realizes that their gelato and her gelato are one and the same. But how can she tell them she knows their secret recipe when she’s not sure why Gio’s uncle gave it to her mother in the first place?

Iris offers her services as a chef to help them re-create the flavor and finds herself falling for Gio and his family. But when Gio’s uncle finally wakes up, all of the secrets Iris has been keeping threaten to ruin the new life—and new love—she’s been building all winter long.

My Opinion: What begins strong, bogs down with repetition in the middle, then finishes with tears and laughter.

I’m not usually a romance reader, but there is something about Josie Silver’s books that has me waiting in anticipation of her new releases. My practical side has me typically talking to the book, but I always hold on, knowing that there will be something around the next corner that will draw me back in and make her moments resonate with truth and beauty.

If you aren’t a regular romance reader, Josie Silver just might open you up to the genre and a different way of looking at the sweetness in life.

The Book of Silver Linings

Title: The Book of Silver Linings
Author: Nan Fischer
Published: August 15, 2023 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Paperback 384 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: “Yoga speed dating? You can’t be serious!”

Blurb: Within the margins of an antique book, a timeless love waits for a young woman on the precipice of a terrible mistake in this enthralling new novel from the acclaimed author of Some of It Was Real .

Constance Sparks always says yes …when her capricious best friend needs money; when her boss gives her more responsibility without a raise; and when her boyfriend, Hayden, who is very kind but also secretive, asks her to marry him.

While planning their wedding—and struggling with anxiety about the right course for her future—Constance researches the history of her antique engagement ring and unearths the name of a man who might be connected to it, plus his tragic love story. When she finds a book of letters in her library’s old manuscript section written by the long-dead man, Constance is deeply touched by his words and leaves a note for him confessing her uncertainty and doubts. She’s shocked days later to find a response tucked among the pages.

As the notes continue to arrive, Constance finds herself quickly falling in love with a ghost and putting her real-life relationship in jeopardy. Will a bond based on letters impossibly sent from the past derail her future? Or will Constance discover her voice and risk everything for the chance to somehow connect with her true soul mate?

My Opinion: I would have given up on this book if I hadn't switched to the audio version. Nan Fischer abruptly changes thoughts and sometimes makes statements that are not fully developed, making some parts of the book read like a rough draft. Moreover, when reading the book in one sitting, character and location inconsistencies become more apparent.

Overall, the writing felt stilted only to pull on heartstrings with a discussion on rescuing animals which felt designed to draw the reader back in with a warm feel-good moment. That tactic started to wear thin.

Unfortunately, the book is too long and repetitive and could have used the kindness of a good editor.

The Sentence

Title: The Sentence
Author: Christina Dalcher
Published: August 17, 2023 by HQ
Format: 336 pages, Kindle Edition
Genre: Political Thriller / Dystopian

First Sentence: Death Row Inmate #39384. If I wasn’t going to die, this story would end here.

Blurb: Prosecutor, Justine Boucher has only asked for the death penalty once, in a brutal murder case.

In doing so, she put her own life on the line. Because, if the convicted are later found innocent, the lawyer who requested the execution will be sentenced to death.

Justine had no doubt that the man she sent to the chair was guilty.

Until now.

Presented with evidence that could prove his innocence, Justine must find out the truth before anyone else does.

Her life depends on it.

My Opinion: So disappointing. The premise was good, unfortunately the novel didn’t live up to it.

I have previously enjoyed Christina Dalcher's dystopian novels. Although this novel is listed as a political thriller, it lacked the necessary highs and political writing to keep me engaged. I was expecting more dystopic elements since the premise is -- if an attorney seeks the death penalty and the convicted is later found innocent, the attorney who requested the execution will be sentenced to death.

Sure, Justine was in a bad place when she asked for the death penalty for the crime that Jake Milford was charged with, but she had no idea that everyone surrounding his trial was lying and withholding evidence. Then she reads his journal. What is she going to do now that the truth has been revealed?

Jake’s journal entries were the only spark in this drawn-out book. The rest was a bit meh for me.