REVIEW: Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass

Title: Tailing a Tabby (Bookmobile Cat Mystery #2)
Author: Laurie Cass
Narrator: Erin Bennett
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: July 2014
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: In the bookmobile, librarian Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, roll out great summer reads to folks all over the lake town of Chilson, Michigan. And when real-life drama turns deadly, Minnie makes sure justice is never overdue.

The bookmobile is making its usual rounds when Minnie and Eddie are flagged down by a woman in distress. The woman’s husband, a famous artist, needs emergency medical care. After getting him into the bookmobile, Minnie races the man to the hospital in time…but his bad luck has only just begun.

After disappearing from the hospital, the artist is discovered slumped over the body of a murdered woman. Minnie knows that her new friend didn’t commit the crime, but the evidence paints an unflattering picture. Now this librarian and her furry friend have to put the investigation in high gear and catch the real killer before someone else checks out.

My Thoughts: Although the story was fairly predictable and didn’t keep me riveted, I loved the premise: a librarian and her rescue cat travel by bookmobile, deliver books to the community, and solve crimes along the way. As the second installment in a fourteen-book series, this adventure leaves Minnie and Eddie with plenty more ahead of them.

I like Minnie and Eddie and enjoyed their banter. I’m convinced that Eddie understands English, even though he can’t speak it. I paired the print book with the audiobook narrated by Erin Bennett. While the narration of Eddie’s mrrr began to grate on my nerves, I otherwise enjoyed Bennett’s performance. I’m not sure I’ll finish the entire series, but I’m committed to reading the first eight books.

My Final Verdict: A charming, cat-filled cozy mystery with an appealing bookmobile premise and likable leads. Although the plot was predictable and the audiobook’s repeated mrrr became distracting, Minnie and Eddie’s banter made this an enjoyable read—and one worth continuing with the series.

REVIEW: The Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club by Lynsey James

Title: The Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club (Luna Bay #2)
Author: Lynsey James
Publisher: HQ Digital
Publication Date: August 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN

Description: The perfect summer romance for a sunny afternoon and a picnic in the park.

Emily Reed is having a bad day. Her mother has just dropped a devastating bombshell—the dad she’s known and loved for twenty-five years isn’t her biological father!

Desperately in need of answers, Emily heads to Luna Bay covering her personal quest up as a work trip to Sunflower Cottage B&B.

Setting up the ‘Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club’ should be a great way to meet the locals and maybe even find out who her father is. The only problem is brooding and insanely gorgeous, Noah, who is determined to make Emily’s stay perfectly uncomfortable.

Discovering the truth after all these years was never going to be simple, but Emily will stop at nothing to uncover her past… even if her heart is getting in the way!

My Thoughts: The Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club by Lynsey James is the second book in the Luna Bay series. Although I enjoyed it, it did not engage me as much as the first book.

Emily’s indecision—both about securing the purchase of Sunflower Cottage for her job and about searching for her biological father—was frustrating. The breakfast club also felt like an afterthought; I wish the story had spent more time developing that part of the premise.

I enjoyed meeting Noah and Rose, and the subplot involving Noah’s mother was interesting. However, that storyline also needed more development.

I also struggled with Emily’s relationship with Diane. Their dynamic shifted dramatically before Diane discovered Emily’s identity, again after the truth came out, and once more at the end. The constant back-and-forth between them—and between Emily and Noah—was difficult to follow.

One book remains in the series, centered on one of the girls who attends the breakfast club. I plan to read it to finish the series, and I hope it draws me in more than this installment did.

My Final Verdict: Recommended for readers who enjoy gentle, character-driven contemporary romance, inviting small-town settings, and family-secrets storylines. While the underdeveloped breakfast club premise, uneven relationship dynamics, and Emily’s prolonged indecision kept it from being as engaging as the first book, fans of the Luna Bay series should still find this a pleasant continuation worth reading.

REVIEW: Stone Broke Heiress by Danielle Owen-Jones

Title: Stone Broke Heiress
Author: Danielle Owen-Jones
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 2022
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Six months ago, I was the heiress to a soup empire worth millions. Now, I’m standing in a giant dumpster.

Bella Whittington’s caviar-and-Cristal life comes crashing down when she walks in on her fiancé and best friend tangled up in page 34 of the Kama Sutra, limbs everywhere. But her plan to dull the pain with Daddy’s credit card is totalled by the news that they’ve lost the family business. Suddenly Bella’s both single and completely broke.

Shivering in her dingy new studio apartment after a traumatic incident with a homemade turmeric face mask (Hello Tangerina Jolie!), Bella realizes she must pull up her Gucci socks and get a job, fast. But Dan, the gorgeous grumpy owner of the local soup kitchen, hates the Whittingtons, so a teensy lie about her surname gets Bella through the door, and set loose on the stove… Minestrone with a side of melted spatula, anyone?

When Bella’s ex returns with a golden ticket back to her glitzy old life, should she accept? Because that would mean no more box wine and frozen pizza nights with Dan. No more singalongs to the crackly kitchen radio. No more my-heart-is-as-melted-as-that-spatula moments when he finally cracks a reluctant smile… But if Dan finds out the truth about who she really is, will she even have the choice?

My Thoughts: When Bella Whittington first appears, she inspires little empathy or sympathy. She is not a bad person, but she is unmistakably a product of her environment: wealthy, spoiled, and entitled. As she celebrates her engagement to Francis, the son of her father’s business partner, everything in her world seems golden. Her extravagant purchases are covered without a second thought; whether she needs another Hermès bag or pair of Jimmy Choo strappy sandals—and what they cost—never crosses her mind. She has no understanding of how the other half lives or how less fortunate people navigate everyday struggles.

In the blink of an eye, Bella’s perfect life comes crashing down. She catches Francis with her best friend, and her father is ousted as CEO of the family soup business, which has been in the Whittington family for generations. Suddenly, Bella is single, broke, and homeless.

It may sound depressing, but this upheaval is exactly what Bella needs. After an embarrassing visit to the job center, she realizes she must keep her true identity quiet. Her new neighbor connects her with Dan, who runs the local soup kitchen and needs help with cooking and cleaning.

This is where the story became truly engaging for me. Bella has no cleaning experience, and soup is the only food she can make that comes close to being edible. Despite several false starts, her determination and eagerness to prove herself begin to pay off. She discovers that she genuinely enjoys both her work at the soup kitchen and the people she meets there.

Complicating matters, Bella learns that Dan despises her family and the company that bears its name. Her small lie about her identity and background is now waiting to unravel.

This book made me laugh, frustrated me, and tugged at my emotions as Bella began to understand the real world and chose to make a difference in people’s lives. The supporting cast—Bella’s parents and neighbor, Dan’s grandmother, and Dan’s dog, Herbie—adds welcome depth, warmth, and humor to the story.

My Final Verdict: Stone Broke Heiress is a funny, warmhearted story about losing everything and discovering what truly matters. Bella’s transformation from a sheltered heiress into someone determined to build a meaningful life gives the novel its heart, while the lively supporting cast and slow-building romance keep the journey entertaining. Readers who enjoy uplifting women’s fiction filled with humor, personal growth, and a satisfying fresh start should find plenty to love here.

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

REVIEW: What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter

Title: What I Like About You
Author: Marisa Kanter
Narrator: Dara Rosenberg
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing
Publication Date: April 2020
Genre: Teens / Young Adult
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Can a love triangle have only two people in it? Online, it can... but in the real world, it's more complicated. In this debut novel Marisa Kanter explores what happens when internet friends turn into IRL crushes.

There are a million things that Halle Levitt likes about her online best friend, Nash.

He’s an incredibly talented graphic novelist. He loves books almost as much as she does. And she never has to deal with the awkwardness of seeing him in real life. They can talk about anything…

Except who she really is.

Because online, Halle isn’t Halle—she’s Kels, the enigmatically cool creator of One True Pastry, a YA book blog that pairs epic custom cupcakes with covers and reviews. Kels has everything Halle doesn’t: friends, a growing platform, tons of confidence, and Nash.

That is, until Halle arrives to spend senior year in Gramps’s small town and finds herself face-to-face with real, human, not-behind-a-screen Nash. Nash, who is somehow everywhere she goes—in her classes, at the bakery, even at synagogue.

Nash who has no idea she’s actually Kels.

If Halle tells him who she is, it will ruin the non-awkward magic of their digital friendship. Not telling him though, means it can never be anything more. Because while she starts to fall for Nash as Halle…he’s in love with Kels.

My Thoughts: Several things surprised me about this book. First, it is the author’s debut novel. Kudos to Marisa Kanter for crafting such a polished, engaging story—it reads like the work of an author with several published titles to her credit.

I was also struck by the premise. In a world where anyone can create an entirely different identity online, this is the first book I’ve read in which a character’s online persona differs so dramatically from her real-life self—and the two identities are on the verge of colliding. It’s a compelling trope I would love to see explored more often.

From the outset, the reader knows chaos will erupt when the truth about Kels’ identity comes to light. It is easy to judge Halle and insist that she should have told the truth immediately. However, the author gives us a front-row seat to how difficult such openness can be for someone who is highly introverted in real life.

Although I don’t agree with keeping secrets, I understood and empathized with Halle’s desire to protect parts of herself, especially because the internet can be a hateful place. Her reluctance to benefit from the success her grandmother built also made sense. Wanting to know whether her content could succeed on its own—without people knowing who her grandmother was—is a valid concern.

I was also surprised that Halle had virtually no face-to-face friendships. Moving to Connecticut and meeting Nash in person would be overwhelming enough, but he also comes with an established circle of friends that Halle must learn to navigate.

The biggest surprise was how much I loved this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began, but the author quickly drew me in by showing how distinct Halle and Kels are—and how much they still have in common.

I especially enjoyed the different friendship dynamics Halle experiences, both online and in person. I also loved her banter and chemistry with Nash. How he failed to recognize her sooner is beyond me, but perhaps that is the point: we all spend so much time in our own heads that what is right in front of us is not always easy to see.

My Final Verdict: What I Like About You is a thoughtful, charming debut that explores online identity, vulnerability, friendship, and first love with warmth and insight. Halle’s choices may be frustrating at times, but her fears feel genuine, and her journey toward honesty gives the story emotional depth.

With engaging characters, lively banter, and a fresh take on the complications of digital relationships, this is an easy recommendation for readers who enjoy heartfelt young adult contemporary romance.

Thank you to the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: If I Can Make It Here by Jamie Rose

Title: If I Can Make It Here
Author: Jamie Rose
Narrator: Stefanie Kay
Publisher: Jamie Rose
Publication Date: April 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Is it too late for coffee or too early for wine? That’s a question Madeline Burke has come to ask herself all too often. She needs a change, and a big one at that.

Coming into her late 20s, she finally finds the courage to pull herself out of a boring 9-to-5 life in Texas and launch the exciting new career she’s always dreamed about. Thanks to a little chutzpah and some quick thinking, she has landed an internship working in film publicity in New York City. It’s her favorite city in the world, concrete jungle where dreams are made…or crushed. The prospect is both exciting and intimidating for a woman with an ambitious work ethic and a pesky anxiety problem. What could possibly go wrong?

As Madeline goes behind the velvet ropes of movie premieres and celebrity press tours, she finds out what really happens after the cameras flash. Navigating her way through splashy scandals, inflated egos, romantic entanglements, and impossible office demands has her catching her breath behind one too many bathroom stall doors.

The hectic and fast-paced reality that is her new life has her questioning whether or not she has what it takes to stick it out. She decides it is up to her and her alone to make it in New York City.

As the saying goes, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere…right?

My Thoughts: If you enjoy stories about people stepping beyond their comfort zones to pursue their dreams—especially underdog triumphs filled with pop-culture references and plenty of emotion—this book is for you. Madeline Burke dreams of working in the movie industry, so when she is offered an internship at a New York City film production company, she cannot say no. It is her chance to get a foot in the door and open the way to future opportunities.

I liked Madeline immediately and admired her courage in stepping into the unknown. The internship offers an inside look at film publicity and, she hopes, a path to a permanent role as a publicist. First, she must complete the program while balancing the demands of a new job with her anxiety. I loved Maddie’s determination not only to succeed professionally, but also to build a new life in the Big Apple—where romance may be waiting just around the corner.

I enjoyed seeing the work that begins after filming wraps and the publicity campaign takes over. Maddie’s growing friendships and sense of solidarity add warmth as she learns the ropes, while her chemistry with Drake brings a compelling romantic spark. The story also explores potentially triggering topics, but the author weaves them naturally into the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance.

My Final Verdict: If I Can Make It Here is an engaging, heartfelt story about ambition, resilience, and finding the courage to begin again. With a relatable heroine, an intriguing look at film publicity, supportive friendships, and a touch of romance, it offers an enjoyable read for anyone who loves hopeful stories about chasing big dreams despite anxiety and uncertainty.

Thank you to the author, Jamie Rose, for the invitation to read and review this book.

REVIEW: Falling for You by Portia Macintosh

Title: Falling for You (Marram Bay #1)
Author: Portia Macintosh
Narrator: Karen Cass
Publisher: HQ Digital
Publication Date: May 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Lily Holmes is ready for a fresh start. And there’s no better place to begin again than the idyllic seaside town of Marram Bay.

All Lily wants to do is focus on making her new deli a success and ensuring her son’s happiness. Not the postcard creeping out of her handbag, and definitely not finding a new man in her life!

But this isn’t going to be as easy as she first thought. The town is in an uproar about the city girl who’s dared to join them and she’s fighting a battle at every turn.

Perhaps with a little help from the gorgeous cider farmer next door, she may be able to win them over, but her past secrets threaten to ruin everything…

My Thoughts: Falling for You by Portia Macintosh caught my attention when I realized I owned the third book in the Marram Bay series but had not yet read the first two. Since I am determined to read every series in order, this was the perfect opportunity to start at the beginning—and the story’s strong autumn atmosphere made the timing even better.

I loved the setting of Marram Bay and the vivid way Macintosh brings it to life. At first, it seems like the kind of village where everyone knows one another and neighbors readily lend a hand. That impression changes when Lily Holmes and her eight-year-old son, Frankie, move there from London. Lily plans to open and manage a new deli, but the locals make it clear that they are not pleased. Their protests—complete with signs and cow-dung decorations—quickly turn the village’s cold shoulder into open hostility, and even Frankie feels the effects.

Lily soon meets her neighbor Alfie, a cider farmer who understands her situation because he also had to earn the village’s acceptance. I loved their easy rapport and his determination to help Lily win over the town. The supporting characters were equally enjoyable, especially Alfie’s pug, Pugsley.

Although the story is lighthearted, full of laugh-out-loud moments, and populated by appealing characters, it also delivers plenty of drama. The townspeople’s hostility creates ongoing tension, while the arrival of Frankie’s father—a man who has never made an effort to know his son—raises the emotional stakes.

My Final Verdict: Falling for You is a warm, charming read that blends small-town drama, humor, and romance with an inviting autumn atmosphere. Lily’s fresh start, her easy connection with Alfie, and the lively supporting cast kept me invested, even when Marram Bay was not especially welcoming. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy uplifting contemporary romance, close-knit communities, and stories about finding where you belong.

REVIEW: The Art of Being a Vampire by Kate Karyus Quinn

Title: The Art of Being a Vampire
Author: Kate Karyus Quinn
Publisher: Rosen Publishing Group
Publication Date: August 2022
Genre: Fantasy / Teen – Young Adult
Buy the Book: Amazon

Description: With an addict mother and deadbeat dad, Shelby truly hopes that blood does not define her. She discovers a passion for photography, hoping to make something of herself through art. But when her mother dies of an overdose, Shelby finds herself in a dark place. Taken in by her aunt, she rebels in school and turns away from everyone, except a mysterious classmate named Brandt. Shelby doesn't realize that Brandt is a vampire--until it's too late.

Overwhelmed by new cravings for blood, Shelby must decide whether to abandon her values to satisfy her hunger--or fight for the life she's always wanted.

My Thoughts: The premise drew me in quickly, but the story’s short length ultimately left me feeling unfulfilled. I didn’t have enough time to get to know Shelby before the story ended, and too many questions remained unanswered. With more space for character development, this could have been a story I loved.

Brandt also left me unsure of how to interpret him: Is he a villain, or is he, like Shelby, a victim of circumstance?

I was especially intrigued by Shelby’s love of photography and the way she channels her vampirism into her art. Unfortunately, the story does not spend enough time exploring that compelling idea.

My Final Verdict: An intriguing, creatively grounded vampire story with compelling ideas, but its short length leaves the characters and themes underdeveloped. A promising read that would have benefited from greater depth but will still likely appeal to fans of vampires.

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