REVIEW: A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

Title: A Christmas Candy Killing (Killer Chocolate #1)
Author: Christina Romeril
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: October 2022
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Their chocolates are to die for—but things aren’t so sweet when a real killer comes to town, in this debut mystery perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs.

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.

The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two suspects: Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects—townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane.

When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year—and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

My Thoughts: A cute start to a series that features a bookshop that sells only mysteries and chocolates named after poisons as the backdrop is something that immediately piqued my interest. Alex and her identical twin sister, Hanna, own and operate Murder and Mayhem and it’s Christmas time in their small Montana village. When Alex is told by one of her elderly friends that there is a murderer hiding in their village and wants Alex to watch the true crime episode proving it, Alex goes over to her home and no surprise finds her body. The bad news is that Alex somehow ends up on the sheriff’s radar as a potential suspect.

I don’t read cozy mysteries looking for riveting or intense stories that pull the rug out from under me with jaw dropping suspense and surprise. Most cozy mysteries are fairly predictable and easy to suss out who the villain is. However, this one did surprise me with not only the identity of the killer but the lengths this person was willing to go to hide their tracks. I also have come to accept that the main characters in cozies put themselves in danger due to their investigating and I felt the usual frustration with Alex continuing to do so, even after she is specifically told to back off. Of course, if she had backed off, she may have well been arrested as the sheriff in this community seemed to be doing literally nothing to solve the crime.

I loved the atmosphere of this story. The village has a lot of charm and the bookstore gave me wonderful vibes. I also loved that the chocolates are all named after a type of poison and Alex’s dog is named Watson. There is definitely a lot to enjoy here and I look forward to what Alex and Hanna get into next.

My Final Verdict: I recommend this to fans of cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme. The charm of the bookstore and the village will draw you in as you tag along with Alex on her adventure.

Thank you to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: All About Us by Tom Ellen

Title: All About Us
Author: Tom Ellen
Narrator: Michael Fox
Publisher: Harper 360 | HQ
Publication Date: October 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN

Description: If you could turn back the clock, would you choose a different life?

Ben’s always loved the month of December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. And then his old friend Alice gets back in touch. Ben’s always thought of Alice as the one that got away, and he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago?

He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?

All About Us is a captivating novel of heartbreak and loss, friendship and hope – and how the choices we make throughout our lives will shape our destiny.

My Thoughts: In all honesty, most of us have been exactly where Benjamin is. At a crossroads in life, things not going quite as well as we expect or wished and we find ourselves wondering what we would do if given a chance to do it all over. Tagging along with Benjamin as he explores his past, facing the same choices and deciding if he will make the same decisions was both enlightening and scary. Some things, like his mother’s death, he wishes he could change, have more time with her.

I loved this story and the Christmas Carol vibes it gives. Visiting the Christmases of your past, present and future is one thing but trying to figure out if you are living the life you are meant to and what needs to change is another matter entirely. I loved traveling back in time with Benjamin to relive his first meeting Daphne, seeing their relationship develop, his frustration with his writing career, his close relationship with his mother. There were so many poignant moments that had me in tears as well as laughing out loud. I also loved witnessing Benjamin grow and evolve from someone who initially comes off quite selfish and dissatisfied with his life to someone who learns how important our choices and decisions are.

This is my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more of his work. The story flows smoothly and though there is so much happening, I was easily drawn in and anxious to know what would happen next and if Benjamin would ever make it back to the present. I paired the reading of this book with the audio format narrated by Michael Fox, which was delivered with amazing clarity and emotion.

My Final Verdict: My biggest takeaway from this book is that our lives are shaped by our decisions and choices. If we don’t like the life we’re living, we can change it. I find that to be so empowering and we don’t have to travel back in time to realize that. I highly recommend this book to everyone in the hopes they, too, will come to that realization before they become mired down in misery as our friend Ben was.

Thank you to the publisher, Harper 360 | HQ, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey

Title: Window Shopping
Author: Tessa Bailey
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: December 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin. Stella is standing alone outside a famous department store, when a charming man asks her opinion on the décor.

It’s a tragedy in tinsel, she says, unable to lie. Then he asks for a better idea, with a twinkle in his eye. She didn’t know he owned the place, when he put her on the spot, and now she’s working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot.

But as a down-on-her-luck girl with a difficult past, Stella knows how to make a good opportunity last. So she gives it her all, working without stopping. Trying to resist temptation because she’s just window shopping.

My Thoughts: This book was very enjoyable, making me laugh out loud and cry several times. I don’t recall reading a story where the main female character has a criminal record and it worked so well here. This opposites attract storyline plays well alongside Stella’s guilt and self-loathing about her past. I loved that she is trying really hard to change who she used to be and doesn’t want special treatment. She wants to earn redemption on her own merits to prove to herself she is worthy.

Aiden knows the importance of wanting and needing to prove himself. He has been trying to get his father and grandmother’s approval his whole life even though they continue to treat him with distant acknowledgement. He sees himself in Stella, I think, and she intrigues him. I loved their chemistry and how they interact with one another.

This book has a lot of sizzle so I recommend the book format. If you are a fan of audio, wear earbuds as some of the content will raise eyebrows.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy snow melting shenanigans around the Christmas tree that will make Santa blush.

REVIEW: 25 Days 'til Christmas by Poppy Alexander

Title: 25 Days ‘til Christmas
Author: Poppy Alexander
Narrator: Helen Keeley
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: October 2019
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: In this heartwarming, feel-good holiday novel, one woman needs to find a little inspiration in the 25 days leading up to Christmas to help her remember the magic of the season and the magic of falling in love—perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Josie Silver.

Kate Potter used to love Christmas. A few years ago, she would have been wrapping her presents in September and baking mince pies on Halloween, counting down the days and hours to Christmas. But that was before Kate’s husband left for the army and never came home. Now she can hardly stand December at all.

Kate can’t deny she’s lonely, yet she doesn’t think she’s ready for romance. She knows that her son, Jack, needs a Christmas to remember—just like Kate needs a miracle to help her finally move forward with her life. So she’s decided if there isn’t a miracle on its way, she’ll just have to make her own.

As Kate’s advent countdown to the best Christmas ever begins, she soon realizes that even with the best laid plans, you can’t plan for the unexpected. For when the path of the loneliest woman in town crosses with that of the loneliest man, these two destined hearts might find a way to save the holiday for both of them.

My Thoughts: I really liked this story, but if your Christmas themed reading preferences run toward the fun, whimsical side of Christmas, this may not be the book you should grab first. Despite the cover leading me to believe this is a fun and cute story, there are a lot of heavy soul-crushing tropes within the pages that might trigger some readers.

At the center of the story is Kate. A young widow trying to give her six year old son a Christmas to remember. Romance really isn’t at the center of the story as the story centers more on this woman coping with the death of her husband and trying to make ends meet working for a department store and assigned to sell Christmas trees while wearing a skimpy elf costume. I have a good idea how depressing and miserable this job is for Kate as it was depressing to me seeing her putting on her happy face while enduring rude customers and a creep of a boss.

Meanwhile, her son is struggling in school and the powers that be want to expel him from the public school and send him to a remedial school, which appears to be nothing short of a detention center for juvenile delinquents. Kate cannot afford the private school he would thrive at and the town council doesn’t appear inclined to make an exception for Jack and waive the fees. I felt so bad for Kate. Her son is not a troublemaker but having lost his father, he would benefit from quality one on one attention from a teacher that actually cares.

She meets Dan while selling trees, though they don’t know each other’s name. He refers to her as the Christmas Tree Girl. He’s struggling with his own losses, mourning the deaths of his parents and sister all in a two year period. He tries to stay busy and volunteers his free time at a crisis call center hoping to be the lifeline of compassion and empathy for those struggling. Kate and Dan could both use a magical Christmas.

I got pulled into this story despite the sadness and loneliness both of these characters struggle with because I just had to know how it would all turn out, believing that Christmas is the time for miracles and the good guys don’t always finish last.

This was my first experience reading this author and I hope to read more of her work. I paired the reading of this book with the audiobook narrated by Helen Keeley. Her performance accurately conveyed the emotions of these characters which gave me more understanding of their individual situations.

My Final Verdict: Would I have chosen this book if I had not assumed this book was a light and fun read based on the cover? I don’t know, but I am glad I did. This book is a great reminder that not everyone is full of Christmas Spirt and cheer. Many people struggle during the holidays and seeing a Christmas miracle at work in the lives of Kate, Jack and Dan was very heartwarming.

REVIEW: Stuck on You by Portia MacIntosh

Title: Stuck on You
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Narrator: Karen Cass
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: September 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Could a post-it note really lead to love...?

Sadie doesn't have time for finding love. She's too busy as PA for famous artist Damian Banks. When she's not arranging exhibitions, she's organizing his dry cleaning or dumping his never ending stream of girlfriends.

But when she strikes up an unusual friendship with her desk share buddy, she finds a confidante and a new potential love interest. Problem is, they've never actually met...

With Christmas just around the corner, can Sadie put herself first for a change and find what she's been looking for all along? The brand new romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Zara Stoneley.

My Thoughts: This was a really cute and fun story. I really enjoyed meeting Sadie and Damian and though he comes across as very moody and needy in the beginning, Damian really grew on me. I also loved the idea of sharing post-it notes with someone you have never met in person and how nice it is for Sadie to have someone to commiserate with over their mutual annoyance at their overbearing boss. As the boss’s assistant, Sadie is excluded from the rest of the staff, which I understand but don’t like so having an ally who understands was refreshing.

The story is very predictable but it didn’t matter because it was so adorable and I was enjoying myself thoroughly getting to know these characters. The scenes of Christmas with Sadie’s family were so much fun.

This author continues to provide wonderful stories that make me want to jump in them. I paired the reading of this book with the audiobook narrated by Karen Cass. Her narration was performed very well and gave me more insight into these characters and their personalities.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story if you are looking for a fun book at Christmas time that provides lots of warm fuzzies and laughter.

REVIEW: Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances by Sue Watson

Title: Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances
Author: Sue Watson
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Escape to Devon for blustery walks along the beach, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and proof that miracles really do happen, especially at Christmas.

A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas Day, Chloe’s heart is still in pieces as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings…

It seems Gianni’s new seaside restaurant is in trouble and Chloe must go to Appledore to save the business – and him. Equally famous for his experimental culinary extravaganzas and his explosive temper, Gianni has been really stirring up a sensation with the locals – and not in a good way!

As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe’s calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad soufflé. But will it be enough to save their marriage?

Chloe came to Appledore in search of her Christmas sparkle, but when the snow clears, will she finally find the way back to her husband’s heart?

My Thoughts: If you seek the whimsical and fun side of Christmas themes, look no further than Sue Watson. Her Christmas themed books with the most gorgeous covers are what made this author’s existence known to me. These books will be filled to the brim with all the fuzzy sweater feeling, hot chocolate tummy warming and eggnog toasting joy to be had during the festive season.

This story brings those feelings as well as some heartbreaking ones as I got to meet and tag along with Chloe Callidori and her soon to be ex-husband, Gianni. After fourteen years of marriage, they are headed to divorce but then Chloe receives a call asking for her help in getting her husband’s new restaurant up and running in the coastal town of Appledore, where they spent their honeymoon.

Once I learned that the restaurant is in trouble before it even opens comes as no surprise once I had met Gianni. He’s impossibly rude and insufferable, hurls insults left, right and center and his arrogance is over the top. I was surprised that Chloe agrees to help him. They didn’t separate on friendly terms and the last time Chloe saw Gianni in person, she dumped a glass of wine over his head.

These characters have so much more kept hidden below the surface, their vulnerabilities locked away from the rest of the world. I really loved how they begin to open up to one another and how they laid down their shields and looked at the situation from the other’s point of view. Several times, this story had me in tears at the pain and suffering both of these people went through.

Fans of this author will recognize the village of Appledore as the setting for her ice cream series and the characters from those stories are in this story. It’s not mandatory but I recommend reading that series before reading this book. I hope I will see more Christmas themed stories from Sue Watson set in Appledore.

My Final Verdict: No Christmas spirit is complete without a Sue Watson holiday story. I highly recommend everything she writes. If Christmas themes are not your go to, I highly recommend you pick up one of her thrillers. She’s got you covered, either way.

REVIEW: Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

Title: Christmas Presents
Author: Lisa Unger
Publisher: Penzler Publishers
Publication Date: October 2023
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Instead of presents this Christmas, one true crime podcaster is opening up a cold case…

When true crime podcaster Harley Granger drifts into Madeline Martin's bookshop days before Christmas, he seems intent on digging up a past that Madeline would much rather forget.

Granger's work has earned him fame and wealth - and some serious criticism for his various unethical practices. Granger also has a lot of questions about the night Madeline was left for dead, the only surviving victim of killer Evan Handy.

Handy, who also murdered Madeline's best friend and is suspected in the disappearance of two local sisters, has been in jail for a decade. Since then, though, three other young women have gone missing in similar circumstances. Is the true predator still out there somewhere?

As Christmas approaches and a blizzard bears down, Madeline must confront the past to answer questions that have haunted her since that day. Is the truth more terrible than she ever imagined?

Coupling a picturesque, cozy setting with a deeply unsettling and suspenseful plot, Christmas Presents is a chilling seasonal tale that can be enjoyed all year long.

My Thoughts: I was super excited to see Lisa Unger had published a Christmas thriller and though it’s not what most people would call a full-size story, it packs quite the punch and is a fairly quick read. Readers who enjoy some bloodshed underneath the Christmas tree will enjoy this story quite a bit. The Christmas ambience was there as well as the sinister chill in the air.

I really liked Madeline and loved that she owns her own bookstore. After the events that occurred when she was seventeen, she has come a long way trying heal from the trauma of seeing her friend murdered and nearly losing her life as well. She still bears the scars, physical, emotional and psychological from that night but she has worked hard to build a life beyond that and doesn’t want to be defined by that alone.

When Harley Granger shows up out of the blue, Madeline is less than happy. He walks a very fine line ethically and his work as a true crime podcaster has earned him a lot of notoriety, fame and wealth. He is investigating Madeline’s case and wants to interview her.

I liked Madeline right away. I admired her spirit and determination. I had a hard time warming up to Harley. True crime podcasts are rapidly gaining in popularity lately but it just seemed like he was more intent on the ratings this story would give him instead of the lives that were lost and the ones that were damaged.

Adding to the suspense are the women who have gone missing over the last several years. The man who tried to murder Madeline has been sentenced to life without parole for his crimes, so the big question stands out whether he is really innocent or is there a copycat?

The author does an amazing job of building on the tension for the reader and I loved how the story visits both the past and present from Madeline’s point of view as well as the perception of the most recent missing woman. I felt so much anxiety over whether she would be rescued in time and who was behind this. The author doesn’t disappoint with the twists in the story and some big surprises I didn’t see coming.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to fans of this author as well as readers who enjoy thrillers and suspense stories. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

Thank you to the publisher, Penzler Publishers, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Christmas at Silver Falls by Jenny Hale

Title: Christmas at Silver Falls
Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Curl up with this completely enchanting winter romance! A stunning festive read about the joy of Christmas with family, second chances, and finding love under the falling snow. Get cozy and keep some tissues on hand. You’re in for a truly magical story…

White Oaks Inn has always been at the heart of Christmas celebrations for Scarlett Bailey and her family. Her adored gran has owned the rambling, old-fashioned hotel, filled with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate, since Scarlett was a little girl. But now her gran’s home is under threat. And it looks like it could be the Baileys’ last Christmas together there…

Over the holiday season, amidst much-loved festive traditions of baking cookies and decorating the tree, Scarlett throws herself into saving the hotel. When she hears that Charlie Bryant, a handsome, successful property developer, is spending December in Silver Falls, Scarlett is hopeful he might be the answer to their problems.

When they meet, sparks fly between impulsive Scarlett and business-like Charlie – as they both have very different ideas for the future of White Oaks. Scarlett is determined to show him how much White Oaks Inn means to her family and the guests who return there every year and, as they spend more time together, she begins to realize there is more to Charlie than his serious appearance…

But Charlie is struggling with a secret from his own past. Will he be able to face it, or will it stop him from truly opening up and getting close to anyone? And can Scarlett share the true meaning of Christmas with him and save her gran’s beloved hotel along the way?

My Thoughts: A Christmas themed story by Jenny Hale never fails to get me in the festive holiday spirit. Lots of snow, yummy treats, hot chocolate and eggnog are a must and this book delivers all of the Yuletide celebrations.

Scarlett and her family are gathering for what will likely be their last Christmas at White Oaks Inn, where her family has celebrated the holiday all of her life. Started by her grandparents, her grandmother now struggles to run the Inn on her own and is drastically losing money. Scarlett and her family have decided that it’s time to convince her grandmother that the Inn needs to be sold, but finding a buyer who will preserve the original spirit of the Inn looks to be an impossibility. When Scarlett learns that Charlie Bryant is in town, she resolves to meet him and convince him to buy the Inn. Unfortunately, Charlie is wrestling with his own troubles and isn’t very receptive to anyone. I really enjoyed Scarlett’s persistence in getting through to Charlie and getting to know Charlie as the many layers of his personality and life are peeled back.

This was a very heartwarming story and I loved meeting all of the characters in Silver Falls as well as all of Scarlett’s family. This story isn’t just about a family coming together to solve a problem, but it also illustrates the sense of community and togetherness that is found in this little town. It felt like it would be a wonderful place to not just visit but also live.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story to readers who enjoy stories at Christmas time full of the cheer and celebratory spirit that permeates every nook and cranny.

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

REVIEW: A Dog Called Jack by Ivy Pembroke

Title: A Dog Called Jack (Christmas Street #1)
Author: Ivy Pembroke
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: January 2019
Genre: General Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: It’s a winter of joy on Christmas Street . . .

Jack is one lucky dog, adopted by the families of every house on Christmas Street. Or is it the other way around? For Sam, a widower recently returned to London, Jack is Christmas Street’s unofficial welcoming committee. For Sam’s young son, Teddy, the small, scruffy mutt is a much-needed friend.

But Christmas Street isn’t what it used to be. Just ask Bill, the street’s oldest, grumpiest resident. He remembers when everyone knew and looked out for each other. Now, people live side by side, scarcely interacting.

As Sam and Teddy settle in, Jack’s four-legged charm brings the neighbors of Christmas Street closer together. And with the season’s first snow comes a sense of new beginnings. But it will take a small act of kindness to transform Christmas Street into a wonderland of lasting memories . . .

My Thoughts: This was such a heartwarming story and I loved meeting Jack and getting to know all the residents of Christmas Street. The story primarily centers on recently widowed Sam and his young son, Teddy, who move back to London from America. After losing his wife, Sam wants Teddy to grow up around family. Sam notices several things about his new neighborhood. The residents don’t seem to know or interact with one another and Jack, a suspected stray dog, appears to belong to the whole street. Every home provides him with food, snacks and a place to rest his head.

As Sam and Teddy begin to acclimate to their new surroundings, Sam makes several efforts to get to know his neighbors by hosting a barbecue or introducing them to the American Thanksgiving holiday traditional festivities. Sam also has a crush on Teddy’s teacher, Ms. Quinn.

In addition to getting to know Sam and Teddy, the author does a wonderful job of introducing the rest of the people living on this quaint street and giving the reader a good opportunity to get to know them. This is the first book in a series and it would be better to read this series in order.

My Final Verdict: I loved this book and it was an excellent choice to begin my holiday season of reading. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories that focus on relationships and the four-legged fur friends who bring people together.

Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Books, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.