REVIEW: One Hundred Lights by Chrissy Hopewell

Title: One Hundred Lights
Author: Chrissy Hopewell
Publisher: Fox Hollow Publishing LLC
Publication Date: November 2024
Genre: Christmas Holiday / Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN

Description: One school dance. Two single parents who should stay away from each other. A magical holiday hunt for one hundred boxes of fairy lights for their kids’ school dance that makes falling in love inevitable.

Britt
There are few worse things than developing feelings for your best friend’s husband. I tried to do the right thing and step away from both of them, but they got divorced anyway. That’s definitely one of those worse things. And now Adrian’s at my front door, insisting on helping me decorate for the kids’ holiday dance. And I still want him. I also still want to make up with my best friend, but I’m afraid it’s all unforgivable.

Adrian
I know I should stay away from my ex-wife’s ex-best friend. Britt doesn’t want to see me. She pushed us away six months ago, but things still ended in divorce. Now I’m trying to get it together as a single dad, and I keep running into Britt at school events. I want to smooth things over with her. Britt won’t talk to me, but she needs help with the school dance, so if I just show up at the planning meeting, she won’t be able to say no. What could go wrong with this plan?

This is a prequel novella to the completed Hart Sisters If We Pretend, Unless It's You, and Since We're Here. If you read One Hundred Lights first, prepare yourself to despise Britt & Adrian in If We Pretend!

My Thoughts: I didn’t realize that this story is part of the author’s Hart Sisters series, which I have not read any of. Normally, this would put me off reading this book because I don’t enjoy feeling like I’m coming into the story where previous events from the other books are alluded to. Though this does happen in this story, I decided to overlook it and I’m glad I did because the story was enjoyable and learning that I might actually hate Britt and Adrian if I read the other stories, I probably won’t read them because I actually liked Britt and Adrian a lot.

I don’t think developing feelings for your best friend’s husband is ever a good idea but the way Britt and Adrian dealt with it was likely the only way, however, their feelings ran so much deeper and even though Britt tried to do the admirable thing and stay away from them, Adrian and his wife got divorced anyway. My only issue with this story was Britt’s desire to get her friendship with Adrian’s ex-wife back. I think Britt is asking for the impossible, especially when Reese finds out that Britt and Adrian do get together.

This book moves pretty fast with each chapter alternating between Britt and Adrian’s perception, which I really enjoy. I thought the characters were easy to relate to and it was easy to see how their friendship could begin to blossom into something more and it was quite sweet to witness.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this story is a good addition to the Christmas reading list. I recommend it to readers who enjoy Christmas themes, forbidden love and second chance tropes.

Thank you to the publisher, Fox Hollow Publishing LLC, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: All by My Elf by Olivia Dade

Title: All by My Elf (Under The Mistletoe Collection #3)
Author: Olivia Dade
Narrator: Andi Arndt
Publisher: Amazon
Publication Date: November 2024
Genre: Christmas Holiday / Contemporary Romance

Description: Secret crushes, spicy Christmas treats, heinous holiday traffic, and a fateful snowstorm bring good friends together in a funny, heartfelt short story by bestselling author Olivia Dade.

Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long…

Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

My Thoughts: Another disappointing offering in this series that I thought would deliver more Christmas whimsy, charm and humor. Instead, this story brings us Nina and William, two professors moonlighting when they get stuck in a blizzard. Nina has been attracted to William since he began working with her but Nina thinks he and her best friend are a thing. Unbeknownst to Nina, William is attracted to her, but neither one has the courage to speak up. Then in the blink of an eye, they are all over each other. It felt forced and unrealistic, no relationship or character development.

My Final Verdict: A lot of miscommunication and assumptions and misunderstandings make this a book I cannot fully recommend. The plot dragged and the characters felt like cardboard. The narration by Andi Arndt was good but not even she could turn it around for me.

REVEW: Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

Title: Merry Ever After (Under The Mistletoe Collection #2)
Author: Tessa Bailey
Narrator: Summer Morton, Connor Crais
Publisher: Amazon
Publication Date: November 2024
Genre: Christmas Holiday / Contemporary Romance

Description: A single mother working in a thrift store. A gentle giant farmer who can’t find jeans that fit. When opposites attract, they find themselves making alterations in more ways than one in this smoking-hot short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.

Tessa Bailey’s Merry Ever After is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

My Thoughts: Though the cover is absolutely adorable, this was just an OK read for me, it was too explicit and not funny enough. I liked Evie and Luke and their introductory scenes about him not being able to find a pair of jeans that fit his hulking frame were amusing but the story just never maintained any of the humor I am looking for in this series. This author is new to me but I have a couple of her other titles waiting on my shelf to be read. Due to the explicit content, go with the e-book or make sure you have earbuds on if you choose to listen to this.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this book had some amusing and sweet moments, but not enough for me to fully recommend this book.

REVIEW: Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

Title: Cruel Winter with You (Under the Mistletoe Collection #1)
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Narrator: Vivienne LaRue
Publisher: Brilliance Publishing
Publication Date: November 2024
Genre: Christmas Holiday / Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: For two former childhood friends, a blustery winter storm stirs some frosty—and scorching—memories in a delightful short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

Ali Hazelwood’s Cruel Winter with You is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

My Thoughts: This is a great choice to add to the Christmas reading list this year if you are looking for more spice and less whimsy. Cruel Winter with You by new to me author Ali Hazelwood is a short story but packs a lot of pizazz. This is the first book in a series but each book can be read as a standalone. The audio performance by Vivienne LaRue was fantastic.

Jamie and Marc have known each other all their lives. Jamie is Marc’s sister’s best friend and Marc has been in love with her since he was fifteen. When Marc decided the time was right to declare his feelings, Jamie shot him down and wasn’t very gentle or kind about it. Now, months later, Jamie is at his parent’s front door to borrow a copper pan for her Dad’s Christmas ham. A very timely blizzard traps her there with Marc and they have nothing but time between them to clear the air and start asking and answering some long awaited questions.

I really liked Jamie and Marc and though their conflict boiled down to a stupid misunderstanding, I liked that they were willing to address it before years and years went by like so many stories with this plot device do. This story switches between the past and present flawlessly to give the reader a close up view of what transpired throughout their lives, which I really enjoyed.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this story was really good. This entire series offers up the heated side of Christmas instead of the cute and whimsical so the mandatory hot chocolate may need to be iced when reading. I highly recommend this book to readers who love Christmas themes and spicy romance.

REVIEW: The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart

Title: The Plight Before Christmas
Author: Kate Stewart
Narrator: Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell
Publisher: Podium Audio
Publication Date: October 2022
Genre: Christmas Holiday / Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown. And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.

When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.

Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.

Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.

I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.

I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.

I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.

I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.

I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.

Fa la la la la, la FML.

My Thoughts: OK, here’s the thing. The description of this book would lead one, OK me, to believe this story is a hilarious, laugh until you cry book and it is. It’s also sad, tragic and sentimental. First of all, I loved the entire Collins family and I seriously want to do Christmas with them, in the snow with all the trimmings. I was easily able to grasp how close knit this family is, but also how dysfunctional they are as individuals. You know, normal people.

Our protagonist, Whitney, is the youngest of three and adored aunt to her nieces and nephews. She has a close bond with her siblings and their spouses and has a good relationship with her parents who are a riot. She never married or had children and never followed the dreams she had or tackled her birthday bucket list. Prior to arriving at the cabin, Whitney has had one mishap after another, so she’s running really low on Christmas cheer.

Eli is Whitney’s college sweetheart. They dated for eight months over seventeen years ago and Eli abruptly ended it without any valid reason and broke Whitney’s heart. It’s a safe assumption to say she never really got over it, so imagine her shock, dismay and horror when Eli shows up for the family Christmas with her brother and his family!

The shenanigans that ensue throughout this book were fantastic, not just for Whitney and Eli, but for the rest of the family. These secondary characters quickly worked their way into the story so fully that I sometimes forgot this was supposed to be about Whitney and Eli.

The story moves at a wonderful pace and I was on pins and needles at what would happen next. I loved Whitney and Eli as a couple as well as individually and though I knew these two would find their way back together, I was shocked when Eli finally confesses to Whitney why he broke her heart. This story will make you feel all the feels so keep a box of tissues handy. The author does a brilliant job of creating a story that pulls the reader into the lives of these amazing characters and I hope she writes more Christmas themed stories, especially involving these characters. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell. They brought not only the personalities of the characters to life but their feelings and emotions were performed so expertly, I felt like I was in the room with them.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a wonderful addition to the Christmas reading list for this year. The joy of the season and love this family has for one another is keenly felt in this story despite the baggage these characters are carrying. I highly recommend this story to readers who love stories with a Christmas theme complete with lots of snow, forgiveness and second chances. Prop those fuzzy socked feet up, grab some nog and celebrate the season with this book.

REVIEW: Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews

Title: Holiday Hideaway
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Publication Date: October 2024
Genre: Christmas Holiday / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Tilly Farriday isn’t feeling very jolly this season. Recently divorced and broke, she’s squatting in one of her rental agency’s properties until her new home is ready. The sprinkles on top of the burnt Christmas cookie that is her life. The new owner shows up early, forcing Tilly to hide in the attic to save her job…and what remains of her dignity.

George Holloway is here to sell his granduncle’s house—and to reconsider whether he and his fiancée are right for each other. Amid home repairs, George notices strange noises and missing food, but as much as he gets his rental agent on the phone, Tilly dodges every invitation to meet. He’s sure that someone’s here with him, and it’s certainly not the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future.

As Tilly and George circle each other, they both wonder where their lives are headed and if, maybe, meeting each other is just the Christmas miracle they need.

My Thoughts: The Christmas Season is so busy that it’s the only time of the year that I don’t mind short stories. In fact, I make a point of looking for the shorter Christmas themes. They are wonderful for adding festive cheer to what can be a very stressful and anxiety ridden time. Holiday Hideaway by the very talented Mary Kay Andrews hits the mark for readers looking for a little escape from the frenzy of holiday.

Tilly and George were wonderful characters and Tilly’s dog, Smoosh, was a little bit of a scene stealer, but I love stories that feature dogs or cats prominently so even better. Tilly has been evicted from her apartment because of Smoosh (what a Scrooge!) and her new apartment won’t be ready until after the holiday. With absolutely nowhere else to go and no money for a hotel because of the deposits she had to pay on her new place, Tilly is squatting in one of the vacant properties her employer manages. No big deal, right? It won’t hurt anyone.

George and his siblings and cousin have inherited this house from their Great-Uncle Gus who is not so great and probably knew Tilly’s landlord on a first name basis. George arrives from Boston to assess the house and what needs to be done to make it sale ready, unaware that Tilly is hiding out in the attic. What ensues is so much fun and I thought these two were a hoot. The awesome thing is that they already know each other from high school but don’t realize right away. Unforeseen events force Tilly out of hiding and she’s worried that George will have her arrested for squatting and she will be fired and homeless for real, but I absolutely loved how this all played out.

This story is really short and can be read in a couple of hours. The pace is pretty fast but the reader will have no problem keeping up and will likely be surprised when it’s all over. I would love to see this author revisit Tilly, George and Smoosh in the future.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers who love Christmas themes, lots of snow, festive cheer and dogs. Squatting in vacant houses is not recommended but putting on fuzzy socks and sipping eggnog by the fireplace while reading this book is a must.

Thank you to the publisher, Amazon Original Stories, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Married by Midnight by Talli Roland

Title: Married by Midnight
Author: Talli Roland
Publisher: Notting Hill Press
Publication Date: November 2014
Genre: Chick Lit / Christmas Holiday / Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: Christmas is coming . . . and so is the biggest day of Kate’s life.

While choosing a vintage dress for her Christmas Eve wedding, Kate finds a cryptic note pinned to the inside of a 1930s gown. As doubts about her own ceremony loom, Kate is determined to track down the dress’ owner and determine what became of her – and the marriage.

Will Kate find the answers she’s seeking to propel her down the aisle, or will her discovery prompt her to call off the wedding for good?

My Thoughts: If you are looking for a short but heartwarming Christmas story, then look no further! Married by Midnight by Talli Roland gave me all the feels! Getting married is a big decision and not one to be taken lightly. One should always learn to listen to their instincts and trust their gut and not place their fate and future in the hands of fortune tellers or astrology charts. Everyone, including her mother, is telling Kate that marrying Tim is the right thing to do, that he’s perfect for her, but Kate is wondering if that’s true. She’s experiencing major doubts but really wants to believe the opinions of others.

While wedding dress shopping, Kate finds a vintage 1930’s wedding dress that fits her perfectly and appears to have been waiting just for her. After she gets the dress home, Kate discovers a handwritten note attached to the dress wishing her the best of luck. This compels Kate on a journey to track down the writer of the note and learn of that woman’s journey because Kate thinks if that woman had a long and happy marriage, then Kate will too. I know, it doesn’t make sense to put the fate of one’s life in the hands of a woman who previously owned a wedding dress and assuming that if her life turned out beautifully, so will Kate’s. Like Kate, I was completely enthralled by the dress and had to know about the woman who owned it all those years ago.

The result is so much more than I was expecting and it completely blew me away. I liked Kate and admired her courage to ask the tough questions instead of going through blindly hoping that she’s making the right decision. I wish the book had been a little bit longer because I would love to know what happens next, but the author leaves it open ended so the reader can draw their own conclusions.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I loved this story and though it was very short, it packed quite a punch in the emotions. I highly recommend this book to fans of Christmas themed stories that are brimming with romance, second chances and forgiveness.

REVIEW: A Holiday to Remember by Susanne O'Leary

Title: A Holiday to Remember (Maddy and Leanne #2)
Author: Susanne O’Leary
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: August 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: A side-splittingly funny summer read about two best friends who decide to take a chance and travel the world, finding themselves – and finding love – along the way!

Until a few weeks ago, Leanne was a thirty-something who lived with her mother. And yes, she still slept under her Barbie bedspread.

Until recently, Maddy was married to a man whose golf club got more action than she did.

But not anymore.

Leanne and Maddy (and their miniature poodle Bridget) have packed their suitcases and bid goodbye to their dreary lives for the summer. After winding along Italy’s sun-dappled Adriatic Coast in a shiny red convertible, sailing around Croatia’s gorgeous Dalmatian Islands awaits them.

Days splashing around in sparkling turquoise waters and wine-fueled nights under the stars are every girl’s dream. But with a devilishly handsome Italian on board, old flames to get over and holiday flings to contend with, there’s plenty of drama ahoy. One thing’s for certain, Leanne and Maddy’s trip promises to be a holiday to remember…

My Thoughts: When we said goodbye to Maddy and Leanne at the end of The Road Trip, they were preparing for their next leg of their summer adventure, cruising the Dalmatian Islands. This story picks up practically right after the last book ends, so I recommend you read the first book before this one as you don’t want to miss the excitement of not only winning the lottery but the fun they have.

This story introduces new characters who bring some interesting depth to the story and though I was curious about all of these people going on the cruise with our lottery winners, I was more interested in what would happen between Maddy and Leanne when their holiday was over and it was time to go home. What would they do? Maddy and Leanne’s father, Erik, were in the start of something resembling a relationship in the last book and I was curious about whether that would continue and if Leanne would take her father up on his offer to take over his perfume company and whether there was love on the horizon for her. This book ties up all the loose threads for me and then some.

I loved the detail and the obvious research the author did on the various locales Maddy and Leanne visit in this book. I have never been to Florence or Croatia, but thanks to the author, the reader will feel like they are there. I think I gained ten pounds visualizing all of the succulent food they consume on this holiday as well. I don’t know if there will be another book in this series but it would be wonderful to tag along with Maddy to Australia to visit her daughter.

I really enjoyed getting to know Maddy and Leanne better. These characters were very easy to relate to and like and it was nice to see that winning a bunch of money didn’t change who they were at their core.

My Final Verdict: Living vicariously through Maddy and Leanne while they are on their lottery financed holiday has been a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this book to readers who like exotic locales and stories that feature characters who aren’t afraid to live their best life.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Bring Her Home by S.A. Dunphy

Title: Bring Her Home (Boyle and Keneally #1)
Author: S.A. Dunphy
Narrator: Shelley Atkinson
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Publication Date: September 2021
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Blonde hair so bright it almost glows. Eyes wide – green, like her father’s. She thought she had her whole life ahead of her. Will she ever see her family again?

When bright, beautiful Penny O’Dwyer disappears from Cahirsiveen, a small town in the west of Ireland, the local police scour the narrow streets and muddy hills but find no leads.

Jessie Boyle swore she’d never return to Ireland. But grieving the death of her partner, and the premature end of her London Met career, she can’t say no to the case that holds her homeland in its grip. And it’s not long before Jessie uncovers something everyone else has missed: Penny isn’t the first girl to go missing.

Going back decades, women have been taken from Cahirsiveen, their bodies found on ancient burial mounds. A reference to a little-known Celtic myth buried in her messages convinces Jessie that Penny is the latest victim of the same killer. Folklore can do funny things to a small community in the misty mountains, and Jessie suspects she’s dealing with the most twisted mind of her career.

The eyes of Ireland are on Jessie and her new team, and as the boss turns up the heat, they learn to live and breathe the case. But Jessie is haunted by her own demons, and the cracks are beginning to show.

Time is running out. And just when Jessie thinks she’s found a vital clue linking the victims to a remote farm, she realizes she could be next. Can she piece together the face of evil and save Penny’s life, or will he get to Jessie first?

An absolutely unputdownable mystery thriller with a detective who will stop at nothing to find justice. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Lisa Gardner and Robert Dugoni.

Previously titled Dancing with the Dead.

My Thoughts: Bring Her Home by new to me author S.A. Dunphy is the first book in an intriguing series featuring a criminal behaviorist who returns home to Ireland to assist with a missing persons case. I liked that Jessie wasn’t a detective or investigator, as a lot of police procedurals seem to slot the main character into this role. Instead, Jessie has to delve further into the mind of the killer to figure out the clues to save the victim.

The author does a good job of providing some backstory on not just Jessie but also the victim. It didn’t give me any more empathy for the victim, but it gave me a better understanding of who she is involved with and whether that made any difference to why she was taken. I thought Jessie was a likable character and the introduction of Jessie’s team, Seamus and Terrie brought additional characters I found likable and easy to relate to.

This story includes a lot of detail in Celtic myths and folklore. If you are a fan of that, this book will hold great interest. I found a lot of it confusing, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. There are plenty of suspects to choose from but it took me most of the story to hazard a guess at the identity.

I went with the audio format of this story and the narration was performed wonderfully by Shelley Atkinson. Her Irish dialects and Celtic language were delivered quite well and helped me to visualize the characters better. I would be willing to read more from this author as I am curious to know what Jessie and Seamus encounter next.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a very enjoyable story that I recommend to fans of thrillers, mysteries and police procedurals.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture Audio, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Evie's Year of Taking Chances by Christie Barlow

Title: Evie’s Year of Taking Chances
Author: Christie Barlow
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 2017
Genre: Chick-Lit / Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: It’s Evie’s birthday and the start of a year she’ll never forget. An emotional story of love, friendship and grabbing life by the horns.

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother.

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realize is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past.

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken?

My Thoughts: This was a fantastically heartwarming story about a woman who decides to begin searching for her birth mother after years of struggling to fit in. The wonderful thing about Evie is that you don’t pity her or feel sorry for her in the sense that she’s a train wreck of a character. No, instead, she had a horrible start in life, being abandoned as a baby and going through numerous foster care homes, never feeling like she belonged anywhere and never learning how to read. She is taken in by her last foster mother, Irene, who not only teaches her how to read but instills in her a love of reading and helps her get a job in the same library she works at. Evie changes her last name to Irene’s and considers her more of a mother than she has ever known and their relationship is solid and magical to watch.

On her birthday, after years of always wondering why she was given up and with Irene’s support and encouragement, Evie decides to begin the search to track down her birth mother to hopefully get answers to the questions she has had her entire life. Along the way, she begins building other relationships that also thrive and blossom and opens herself to the possibility that she could also find and receive the love of her life.

I adored Evie. I felt an immediate connection to her and loved that she works in a library and despite the rocky start to her life she has come out very well grounded and balanced. She cares about others and is a good friend and daughter. She is someone I could easily work well with and be friends with. I loved the side story of not only her search for her birth mother, but also the side story of her crush on aspiring author, Noah, and the gift of her favorite author’s newest book by an anonymous benefactor.

All of the supporting characters added so much depth and dimension to the story and I felt connections to them as well. I really loved Irene and the care she gives to Evie is so genuinely displayed, I got misty eyed several times. Evie’s workmate and flatmate, Clara, was a hoot and I would love to see a story for her.

This story moves at a wonderful pace and though I figured out somethings pretty quick, there were still quite a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting and absolutely loved. I really enjoy this author’s work and voice and look forward to reading much more of her work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this is a wonderful read that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy the chick-lit, contemporary romance and women’s fictions genres. Readers who also enjoy stories of friendship, forgiveness and taking steps forward with courage and bravery will also enjoy this one.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere

Title: Pillow Stalk (Mad for Mod Mystery #1)
Author: Diane Vallere
Narrator: Susie Berneis
Publisher: Henery Press
Publication Date: March 2014
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Interior Decorator Madison Night has modeled her life after Doris Day's character in Pillow Talk, but when a killer targets women dressed like the bubbly actress, Madison's signature sixties style places her in the middle of a homicide investigation.

The local detective connects the new crimes to a twenty-year old cold case, and Madison's long-trusted contractor emerges as the leading suspect. As the body count piles up like a stack of plush pillows, Madison uncovers a Soviet spy, a campaign to destroy all Doris Day movies, and six minutes of film that will change her life forever.

My Thoughts: First time reading this author and found the premise of this story absolutely adorable. As a fan of Doris Day, I loved the numerous references to Doris, her movies and the mod style of interior design and fashion.

I liked Madison and found her to be an interesting character. She and Doris Day share a birthday and I would go so far to say she’s Doris’s biggest fan. She is such a loyal fan that she named her puppy ”Rocky” in acknowledgement of one of Doris’s co-stars, Rock Hudson. Unfortunately, not everyone is a fan and Madison discovers that the villain will murder to get what they want. Unfortunately, the victims, like Madison, were all dressed in the Doris Day style. I quickly began to wonder if Madison were the actual target.

This story is well crafted and the visualization I received at the author’s precise and detailed description of the mod style of décor and fashion gave me the feeling I was standing in the room with Madison. The plot moves at a good pace without feeling rushed and I struggled to the end of the story without ever figuring out who the killer was.

I went with the audiobook format for this story and enjoyed the narration performed by Susie Berneis. Her portrayal of each character brought out their personalities flawlessly. I was easily able to connect and relate to Madison and had a lot of empathy for her situation. Madison is like a lot of other cozy heroines who, through chance or fate, finds herself in the killer’s sights, thus needing to be rescued, as it seemed the killer was always two steps of her.

The supporting characters were great, as well. They balanced the story wonderfully. I’m not sure if there is a relationship in store for Madison in the future, but I really enjoyed that the focus was on the murders instead of romance.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I found this to be a really good story that will appeal to cozy mystery fans and if you love Doris Day too, then all the better. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to the publisher, Henery Press, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: It Ends at Midnight by Harriet Tyce

Title: It Ends at Midnight
Author: Harriet Tyce
Narrator: George Weightman; Lucy Paterson; Samara MacLaren
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Publication Date: February 2023
Genre: Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: It's New Year's Eve, and the stage is set for a lavish party in one of Edinburgh's best postcodes. It's a moment for old friends to set the past to rights - and move on. And yet, the celebration fails to materialize.

Because someone at this party is going to die.

Midnight approaches and the countdown begins…and it seems one of the guests doesn't want a resolution.

They want revenge.

But there are many present at the party who might have reasons for seeking revenge, and just as many who have spent their lives trying to outrun it. So who is the killer, and who is the victim?

Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Lucy Foley, It Ends at Midnight will haunt readers long after its stunning finale as it questions what we are willing to say – and believe – to ensure our own peace of mind.

My Thoughts: There is a lot to unpack with this story and when the characters are not likeable, it puts the reader in a precarious position of trying to decide whether anyone is redeemable or should the author just kill them all off. The characters I was prepared to not like turned out to be redeemable after all. This book is an excellent example of how lies can destroy everything around us and we are responsible for not blindly accepting what we are told as truth without verifying it for ourselves.

Sylvie and Tess have been friends since they were schoolgirls. Through Sylvie, Tess met her husband Marcus. Nearly twenty years after their wedding and many years of not speaking to each other, Sylvie and Tess reconnect where Sylvie learns that Tess may have a brain tumor and Marcus has left her. Tess also wants Sylvie’s assistance in putting the past right. There are secrets galore both of these women are keeping and Sylvie, especially, stands to lose everything if the past is revealed.

This story packs quite a punch as it begins with two people falling to their death at a New Year’s Eve party in Edinburgh. The reader knows almost immediately that it’s a man and a woman, but the identity is not revealed until the last twenty minutes of the story. This story requires a lot of patience on the part of the reader as there are many twists and turns, both past and present, leading up to these deaths.

I was able to figure out fairly quickly the intentions of one of the characters but I couldn’t figure out if Tess or Sylvie or both of them were lying and shouldn’t be trusted. I was not able to figure out who died until it was revealed and it left me not only surprised but sad at the waste of life and the damage that secrets can cause.

The plotting was tight and kept me engaged in the story. As more of the past was revealed, the actions of both Tess and Sylvie shocked me. There are some quite graphic and gruesome scenes so reader be warned, if you go with the audiobook format, you might be in for a shock. The narration was performed exceptionally well and illustrated the personalities and emotions of the characters flawlessly. This was my first Harriet Tyce book and I will be looking for more of her work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I found this to be a fantastic story that gives the reader a very edgy and twisty plot, with characters that are multi-layered and not easy to relate to. Readers who don’t mind the absence of a happy ending will find this story riveting.

Thank you to the publisher, HighBridge Audio who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Abby Page by P.A. Laver

Title: Abby Page
Author: P.A. Laver
Publisher: P.A. Laver
Publication Date: August 2017
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Description: Those we love will guide us long after they have gone…

Abby Page, a married mid-30s Gen Y has just had her world turned upside down. Her husband of twelve years has unexpectedly left her for another man – and she has just been made redundant from her ten year position as a senior bookkeeper.

Could it get any worse?

Unfortunately, yes, but help is on its way. Barbara, her mother, has turned up to provide maternal advice in her hour of need. Just one small problem, Barbara passed away two years ago – but now she’s back and talking to Abby from the hall mirror.

Abby would be the first to admit that she was never the perfect daughter. She’s always been too mouthy, too honest, too tall, and has a bump on her nose. And lately she’s developed a really shitty attitude.

But Abby’s bubble of ignorant bliss has burst. The world is not as she thought. From complacency and conformity she is now experiencing the cruel realities of being on her own and unemployed.

Abby Page is willing to tell you her story, warts and all. There could just be a lesson or two in here on how to survive and even thrive in a world of deceit and treachery – and all with a little help from dead people. And then there’s that other thing. Fancy discovering the joys of sex at 35!

My Thoughts: If you are the type of reader that wants to know absolutely nothing about a book before reading, this book will provide some moments of laughter, surprise, tears and a really good story about a woman recovering from divorce and starting over at 35. If you are like me, however, and want to know a little bit about the book and depend on the back cover blurbs, you may go into this book expecting something that the book does not provide. It’s not always a bad thing as unexpected surprises can often turn into blessings. I went into this book expecting a chick-lit story about a woman who after her husband leaves her for another man begins talking to her dead mother in the mirror. I thought that Abby’s dead mother would talk her into all sorts of exciting adventures to get her out of her shell and back into her life. I expected fun and frivolity which is what I come to expect with chick-lit. The dead mother in the mirror is there and though I enjoyed the conversations she and Abby have, it wasn’t central to the story at all.

Instead, Abby is an introverted woman who has spent the last dozen years living the life of a wife and worker. Her dreams haven’t quite turned out the way she expected. She thought that she and her boyfriend, Rodney, would marry and she would have children and life would just flow down the happy tranquil river. Instead, a dozen years later, Rodney dumps her for another man and leaves her high and dry trying to work out how she will be able to afford the mortgage and make ends meet. To add insult to injury, she is terminated by her employer and bookkeeping jobs are harder to find than she expects.

I admired Abby’s strength of will and determination. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she gets busy trying to sort out her finances and secure another position. Even when it appears that there are forces at work to ensure Abby fails, she doesn’t cower, run or admit defeat. She eventually secures a job with a small company that appears to employ just her and her boss. Abby is so busy learning her new job and trying to survive there isn’t much time left at the end of the day for conversations with her deceased mother or adventures.

This author is new to me so I was also taken by surprise at the deft twists and turns this plot unfolds. Just when I start to get comfortable with Abby’s surroundings and situations, the author tosses in an unexpected event that had me wondering how it all would play out. Fortunately, the conclusion was satisfying, without unnecessary cliffhangers.

The author did a fantastic job creating characters that change and grow in realistic situations and life events. The story is well structured and told completely from Abby’s perspective. Though this story was not what I was expecting, I found it to be easy to read and understand. The supporting characters added depth to the story and were interesting.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I enjoyed this story immensely and felt a range of many emotions while reading. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy women’s fiction as well as readers who like stories that surprise you with characters who find strength and survive what life throws at them.

Thank you to the author, P.A. Laver, for the invitation to read and review.

REVIEW: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Title: The Cheat Sheet (The Cheat Sheet #1)
Author: Sarah Adams
Narrator: Renee Dorian, Teddy Hamilton
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: December 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Is it ever too late to leave the friend-zone?

Hi, my name is Bree Camden, and I’m hopelessly in love with my best friend and star quarterback Nathan Donelson (so is half of America, judging by the tabloids and how much the guy dates). The first step is admitting, right? Except, I can never admit it to him because he clearly doesn’t see me that way, and the last thing I want is for things to get weird between us.

Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for us! Everything is exactly how I like it! Yes. Good. (I’m not crying, I’m just peeling an onion.)

Our friendship is going swimmingly until I accidentally spill my beans to a reporter over too much tequila, and now the world seems to think me and Nathan belong together. Oh, and did I mention we have to date publicly for three weeks until after the Super Bowl because we signed a contract with...oops, forgot I can’t tell anyone about that!

Bottom line is, now my best friend is smudging all the lines and acting very un-platonic, and I’m just trying to keep my body from bursting into flames every time he touches me.

How am I going to make it through three weeks of fake dating Nathan without anything changing between us? Especially when it almost-sort-a-kinda seems like he’s fighting for a completely different outcome?

Send help.
XO Bree

My Thoughts: I really wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book as I have never been interested in sports romance. I don’t know why but the idea of one or both of the main characters being athletes have never appealed to me. However, upon learning that Teddy Hamilton was one of the narrators of the story, I didn’t seem to care as much because he is a brilliant narrator that brings the characters and the story to life in vivid display.

Secondly, it doesn’t take long for the reader to fall for both Bree and Nathan. These two characters are too adorable and the only annoying thing about them is that it took them this long to figure out they are crazy for one another and belong together. Really, how wonderful is it to be in love with your best friend and they feel the same? Of course, you need to communicate that with each other and they communicate it loud and clear to their inner monologues, but it takes them a while to get with the program. However, I forgave them because they are adorable.

This is the first book in a series and I’m still on the fence about whether I want to commit to another series. If you saw how many titles I have sitting on my Kindle and iPod, you would totally understand my hesitation. This book is my first by author Sarah Adams. I don’t understand why I haven’t picked up anything by her before as she has a fresh voice and humor that comes through so eloquently.

I also loved meeting all the secondary characters and Nathan’s teammates were hysterical. Let’s just say that when I think of pedicures and football players in the same sentence in the future, I will burst out laughing all over again. Additionally, I liked that this story had depth and substance between the characters outside of the bedroom. When done well, the heightened anticipation of what is simmering between the main characters can be much better than just tossing everything out and jumping between the sheets.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this is a great story to choose if you are looking for something that will increase your heart rate and tickle your funny bone. I highly recommend it to all readers of the contemporary romance and romantic comedy genres because it gives the reader all the warm fuzzies we look for in this genre.

Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Lies We Tell Mothers by Suzy K. Quinn

Title: Lies We Tell Mothers
Author: Suzy K. Quinn
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: August 2019
Genre: Memoir
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Bestselling author of the Bad Mother books Suzy K Quinn reveals the truth behind the lies we tell mothers, one sleepless night at a time.

Suzy and Demi were carefree twenty-somethings. They had fun! They didn’t have responsibilities! And then they decided to have a baby. Goodbye lazy weekends, hello sleepless nights, arguments and an addiction to industrial-strength hot chocolate.

In the midst of this major life change, Suzy discovered that most parenting advice should be taken with a pinch of salt—or ten.

For example:

#1 Lie—Just go with your mother’s instinct. But what if your instinct is telling you to hide under the stairs?

#10 Lie—Your new baby will tell you what it needs. Not if it can’t talk it won’t.

#23 Lie—You should never bribe your children. You will ALWAYS bribe your children.

Follow Suzy on the ultimate make-over—from nervous-wreck new mother to happy families. In this hilarious and refreshingly honest account for parents who prefer the realistic to the utopian, Suzy debunks the myths and takes us all along for the (bumpy) ride.

My Thoughts: Funny and insightful journey of bestselling author Suzy Quinn’s experience into motherhood. The ups and downs are revealed with full disclosure balanced with copious amounts of hot chocolate and whether the author feels she is doing a good job.

I love this author’s voice and her humor is fantastic. I laughed at the parts where Suzy and Demi struggle not only to cope with the challenges of their lives irrevocably changing forever and Suzy’s intake of hot chocolate which appears to be turning into an addiction and empathizing with the struggles of breastfeeding, permanent body changes and dealing with home issues like mold and moving to a new location entirely.

Just when Suzy and Demi have their lives situated into a semblance of normal routine, it’s time to have another baby! The lies mothers are told continue, but ultimately Suzy and Demi get a grasp on managing and come out happy families in the end.

My Final Verdict: I’m not usually a fan of non-fiction or memoirs, but this one was fantastic! This is the first time I have read this author and she is one to be on the lookout for. Her humor had me laughing, almost guffawing until tears rolled down my cheeks. Becoming a parent isn’t a decision one should make lightly and Suzy and Demi find out the hard way. I highly recommend this book to parents for the advice and non-parents for the entertainment.

Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Right Here Waiting for You by Rebecca Pugh

Title: Right Here Waiting for You
Author: Rebecca Pugh
Publisher: Harper Collins UK / HQ Digital
Publication Date: May 2017
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN |

Description: We used to be best friends…

Magda used to be the girl everyone wanted to be – most likely to achieve her every wish. That is until suddenly her perfect life seems to be anything but! Sophia has never regretted her life, sure it isn’t perfect, but being a single mum to a daughter she loves is pretty great. Perhaps she never moved away from home, or got to live out her dreams, but what she has right now isn’t so bad.

That is until an invitation to their school reunion arrives, throwing both their lives into a spin – because these two used to be friends and it might finally be time to face up to that one big mistake that happened all those years ago…

My Thoughts: Right Here Waiting for You by new to me author Rebecca Pugh was an amazing story about friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and acceptance. I found both Sophia and Magda easy to relate to and though I tried really hard to not like Magda, I couldn’t. I admired her determination, spirit, and courage to go home knowing she will likely be met with a hostile welcome. I also admired her willingness to show remorse and apologize without peppering it with a lot of excuses. She takes complete responsibility for the relationships she damaged, not with just her best friend, Sophia, but also with her father.

I also liked Sophia. I understood her anger at Magda, as I certainly felt the same way about her myself. I also liked that she wasn’t hateful and bitter and was willing to take a chance on forgiveness not just to Magda, but also to Tom, her daughter’s father, without being a pushover.

The blossoming romance between Sophia and Michael was a treat to witness too. I was happy to see that there wasn’t a lot of wasted time and big misunderstanding drama to slog through before these two confessed their feelings for one another.

My only disappointment with this story was not having enough closure for Magda. I was happy that she had the courage to address her nightmare of a marriage to Greg, but I was left wondering what would happen down the road.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this story took me through all the emotions and I will be looking for more of this author’s work. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy stories about imperfect people trying to correct their mistakes of the past and not dwell in negativity and bitterness.

Thank you to the publisher, Harper Collins UK / HQ Digital, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Love Connection by Camilla Isley

Title: First Comes Love (First Comes Love #0.5)
Author: Camilla Isley
Narrator: Audra Cook
Publisher: Pink Bloom Press
Publication Date: March 2023
Genre: Chick-Lit / Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Have you ever wondered what might have been?

Gemma Dawson is at the airport, staring at two plane tickets to two different cities. Two different weddings. Two possible futures. She’s at a crossroads.

Be maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding or crash her ex’s?

Gemma’s decision, unknown to her, hinges on a delayed flight and a chance meeting. Now her life is about to go down two parallel tracks—will Gemma fly toward a life with her first love or a future with a man she’s not even met yet?

Love Connection is a feel-good Romantic Comedy about one woman, life’s infinite possibilities, and the destiny that lies beyond two different choices.

My Thoughts: This was such a fun feel-good story about a woman whose life splits and begins running on parallel tracks based on which choice she makes. Go to her best friend’s wedding in Chicago where she is the maid of honor or go to California and crash her ex’s wedding. This story gives the reader a front row seat to see how each decision plays out. I absolutely loved it and both scenarios were interesting to see.

This author drafts interesting stories with characters that are so easy to relate to. I liked Gemma immediately and empathized with her situation. She and Jake were each other’s first love but unfortunately things ended badly and now he’s getting married. I understood her need to stop his wedding, but she made a commitment to her best friend to be maid of honor at her wedding which is happening on the same day.

Both choice scenarios played our realistically and I loved that there was no absolute right choice as both came with challenges, repercussions and rewards. I honestly couldn’t decide how I would have chosen in Gemma’s place.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a charming and entertaining read. I highly recommend this story to readers of chick-lit and romantic comedies as well as people who often wonder what would’ve happened had they chosen this over that.

REVIEW: Homecoming by Isabel Ashdown

Title: Homecoming
Author: Isabel Ashdown
Publisher: Orion
Publication Date: November 2022
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Welcome to The Starlings... sun, sea and neighbors to die for.

Security, a sparkling sea view and the best kind of neighbors - The Starlings gated community has it all. Here, doors are left open, children run free, and at the heart of it all is the entrepreneurial Gold Family, who first dreamed up this aspirational vision of 'Dorset's Safest Community'. To the outside world the popular family appears glitteringly blessed... until an idyllic party takes a dark turn and one of their number is found slumped at the foot of the clocktower. Who knows what really happened? And what answers are harbored within the old building, the former Highcap Mother and Baby Home?

My Thoughts: Homecoming by new to me author Isabel Ashdown offered an intriguing story filled with lies, betrayal and deception but unfortunately fell flat for me. I became increasingly frustrated that absolutely nothing of noteworthy importance happened until well past the 50% mark. Instead there were a lot of innuendo and red herrings and I admit, it worked to keep me holding onto hope that something big was about to happen.

When events started to occur, it brought my anticipation level back up, but the ending fell flat for me. The list of suspects were numerous and this story could have gone in a lot of different directions, but the ending felt rushed and didn’t make sense.

I thought the author did a very good job with character building, giving the reader a lot of characters that were easy to empathize with and relate to as well as characters the reader immediately dislikes upon meeting. I also enjoyed the detail the author put into creating this master planned community. I had an excellent visual in my mind’s eye while reading and would have enjoyed being part of a beautiful community like this one. She also gives enough detail of what transpired so many years ago on this property to give the reader a lot of apprehension about the place.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I was disappointed with the direction and outcome of this story, but I enjoyed the author’s skill at character and locale building and am open to reading more of her work. Readers who don’t mind how long a story takes to get going or less than jaw dropping conclusions will likely enjoy this one.

REVIEW: Southern Spirits by Angie Fox

Title: Southern Spirits (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #1)
Author: Angie Fox
Publisher: Moose Island Books
Publication Date: January 2020
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: One simple mistake…
For a girl who is about to lose her family home,
Releases the ghost of a long-dead gangster,
And opens Verity Long’s eyes to a whole new world.

When out of work graphic designer Verity Long accidentally traps a ghost on her property, she’s saddled with more than a supernatural sidekick—she gains the ability see spirits. It leads to an offer she can’t refuse from the town’s bad boy, the brother of her ex and the last man she should ever partner with.

Ellis Wydell is in possession of a stunning historic property haunted by some of Sugarland Tennessee’s finest former citizens. Only some of them are growing restless—and destructive. He hires Verity to put an end to the disturbances. But soon, Verity learns there’s more to the mysterious estate than floating specters, secret passageways, and hidden rooms.

There’s a modern-day mystery afoot, one that hinges on a decades-old murder. Verity isn't above questioning the living, or the dead. But can she discover the truth before the killer finds her?

My Thoughts: Originally published back in 2015, the first three installments of The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries was offered to me. Though I haven’t read this author before, she has been on my radar for a while as this series and her Demon Slayer series are tropes I am typically drawn to.

This was a fun book that had a lot of interesting elements. Woman betrayed by her fiancé is trying to save her grandmother’s home in Tennessee from being foreclosed. She and her pet skunk, Lucy, are trying to make a life for themselves when our heroine, Verity, inadvertently releases a ghost. Not just any ghost, but the ghost of a gangster with a bullet hole in his forehead. As a result, she can now see and speak to other ghosts.

She is soon hired by none other than her ex-fiancé’s brother, Ellis, to rid his home of ghosts who are becoming destructive and ruining his remodeling. Seeing this as a golden opportunity to acquire the funds to save her grandmother’s home, Verity agrees though she and Ellis are nowhere near to being on friendly terms.

Verity soon discovers that some ghosts are still around because they have unfinished business, usually having to do with their own unsolved murder. It isn’t long before Verity and Ellis become targets and they have to act fast if they are going to solve the murder and save not just Ellis’s home, but her grandmother’s.

This was an entertaining start to a series that is currently at fourteen installments. I liked Verity and Ellis and loved, loved, loved that she has a pet skunk. I really hope that Lucy features prominently throughout the rest of the series. Verity and Ellis have quite a bit of chemistry, but that’s as far as it goes in this story, so there is more to develop and explore there. I’m also looking forward to getting to know Frankie, the 1920’s gangster ghost, better and finding out more about his background as well as the other ghosts.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this is a charming start to a series that I will enjoy reading more of. I recommend this story to fans of cozy mysteries as well as stories that feature paranormal elements. Fans of skunks should give this series a go too because she is just too adorable.

Thank you to the publisher, Moose Island Books, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.