I had ridiculously high expectations for this book. I loved the first two in the series and have been so eager for Max’s story. Y’all! This book exceeI had ridiculously high expectations for this book. I loved the first two in the series and have been so eager for Max’s story. Y’all! This book exceeded all of my ridiculously high expectations! I loved it so much!
Max and Sloan have history. A complicated past. Things did not end well between these former friends and business partners. They’re back in each other’s lives now that Sloane is in Groomsport looking after her teenage niece Ivy. While her niece’s parents are away, they rented a garage apartment for Sloane and Ivy to stay in. The garage apartment on Max’s property! Sparks fly from the very beginning, and I was so there for it! Their banter was great! They had me laughing and smiling all throughout the book.
Ivy was a very likable character. Even though she could be a bit impulsive at times, she had a good head on her shoulders. I loved the supportive and loving bond between her and Sloane. And I was very intrigued by the mystery of trying to find her biological father.
I was glad to get closure to Fiona’s story. I was rooting for things to work out for her.
I also enjoyed the mystery behind the missing tiara.
This was such a great second chance, enemies to more romance. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’d definitely recommend reading the series in order, though. While Max and Sloane’s romance stands alone, there are threads from the first two books that are tied up here.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
Claire lands a spot on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, but things take a nasty turn when a fellow contestant is murdered.
I love baking shows, in partiClaire lands a spot on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, but things take a nasty turn when a fellow contestant is murdered.
I love baking shows, in particular The Great British Baking Show, which this book's competition takes inspiration from. I thought it was a really fun idea for a novel. Add in a mystery, and I was doubly intrigued.
I will say that it had a bit of a slow start. Once the mystery began, though, things picked up, and while I did have a little trouble connecting to the story, I ended up enjoying it.
The baking scenes were fun and made me so hungry! And I liked Jonny. He was a classic but lovable grump.
I loved the setting of Blackfirth Park and was very intrigued by the history of the manor. Though, I wish that history would’ve been explored a little more in depth, along with the legend of the murder of Lady Coburn.
The mystery was intriguing. The "who" was fairly obvious, but the "why" surprised me. If you're looking for a sweet cozy mystery, give this book a try. It's the start of a series, and I'm curious to see where that will lead.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
This middle grade mystery was a ton of fun! It’s full of wonderful characters and features a puzzling mystery set in the charming town of Sassafras SpThis middle grade mystery was a ton of fun! It’s full of wonderful characters and features a puzzling mystery set in the charming town of Sassafras Springs. One of my favorite parts was all the Edgar Allan Poe references and quotes! So clever!
The characters were wonderfully weird and quirky. Raven was likable, if a little hardheaded. I appreciated her curiosity and her love of all things science. Her friends were also very likable. Cosmina, her best friend who talks to ghosts; Miles, the new boy in town; and Eric, who’s great with research. I enjoyed seeing them all team up and use their unique skills to try to solve the mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, I thought it was really good. They found a mummy at Moonrise Manor, which might have a connection to the mysterious death of Raven’s mother. I had my suspicions about who the guilty party was and why they did it, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until the reveal.
I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more books following this group of mystery-solving friends.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
I always look forward to a new book from Sarah Sundin. Nobody does WWII romance quite like her! This story was great! While it took me a little bit toI always look forward to a new book from Sarah Sundin. Nobody does WWII romance quite like her! This story was great! While it took me a little bit to get into, it wasn't long before I was completely invested and wondering what was going to happen next.
To escape the Nazis, Cilla decided to become a Nazi spy. It was quite the bold plan, though things didn’t exactly go the way Cilla expected. I will say that Cilla wasn’t the most likable character in the beginning, but I loved seeing her journey and watching her continual growth, and by the end, I did end up really liking her.
Lachlan was a fastidious and serious rule follower. He was the complete opposite of Cilla. They got off to a very rocky start, but I loved their banter. And, despite their differences, they made a great team.
I didn’t really know much about Scotland during the war, so that was fascinating to read about. I also enjoyed reading about all the spycraft. The invisible ink, the coded messages, the double crosses. It was all so exciting!
If you’re looking for an inspirational WWII romance that’s full of intrigue, grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
I love books about books. And I love reading about characters who love reading. So this book was sure to be a winner! It had me laughing in spots and I love books about books. And I love reading about characters who love reading. So this book was sure to be a winner! It had me laughing in spots and crying in others.
I liked Tai and Evangeline. At first glance, they seemed like complete opposites, but they had more in common than first thought. Plus, they were just flat-out great together. And I loved that we got both of their POVs.
I liked that Tai wasn’t the stereotypical bad boy. And I thought it was really cool that he was a tattoo artist. And while I did feel like he was a little unrealistically perfect, I liked him a lot.
I like that this book tackled serious subjects in the midst of the humor. It felt very balanced. I really appreciated the light it shined on alopecia. I knew a little about the autoimmune disease, but I appreciated learning more.
If you’re looking for a humorous and heartfelt romance, give this book a try! I’m excited that it’s the beginning of a series. I can’t wait for the next one.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
What a fascinating story! Elizabeth Camden never fails to impress, and this latest release of hers just might be my favorite one yet!
It was really intWhat a fascinating story! Elizabeth Camden never fails to impress, and this latest release of hers just might be my favorite one yet!
It was really interesting to read about Germany right before and at the beginning of World War I. It was especially interesting getting a peek at it from the viewpoint of American diplomats and the ambassador working at the embassy in Berlin. It was a delicate balance to try to remain neutral during that time, and it was interesting to see how that neutrality was maintained.
I always learn something new when I read an Elizabeth Camden book. I had never wondered what it would’ve been like to work as a diplomat, let alone to be one in a country where war has just broken out, but this book has sparked an interest in me that makes me want to learn more. I love when a fictional book can do that.
I liked Inga right from the start. Her sense of joy was contagious! I loved how she could find something good in almost every situation. I also really liked Benedict. He was serious and a grump, but there was something so endearing and lovable about him. They couldn’t have been more different, and while they didn’t always get along, they made a great team.
If you’re a fan of romantic historical fiction, grab a copy of this book. You’ll love it! I can’t recommend it highly enough!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
I’m really enjoying this series! This second installment was so much fun!
This book features a light cozy mystery with no murder. RaeLyn’s best friend I’m really enjoying this series! This second installment was so much fun!
This book features a light cozy mystery with no murder. RaeLyn’s best friend Tasha is renovating a house that she hopes to turn into a vacation rental, but after multiple attempts of sabotage, it appears as though someone doesn’t want her to do that.
There were plenty of suspects. I didn’t figure it out until right before the reveal, and even then there were still a couple of things that surprised me in the end.
I loved the wonderful cast of characters. They were all so amusing, especially Aunt Bessie Mae. She’s a hoot!
I loved the small-town setting. It reminded me of the town where my great-grandparents lived. Speaking of, there was a sweet nostalgia to this story. Even though it takes place in contemporary times, it reminded me of simpler days, which I really enjoyed.
Even though this is the second book in the series, it can easily stand alone. If you’re looking for a lighter cozy mystery with small-town vibes and sweet characters, grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next one!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion. ...more
Haunting and atmospheric, this chilling tale gripped me and still hasn’t let go. I was completely captivated and flew through the pages as fast as I cHaunting and atmospheric, this chilling tale gripped me and still hasn’t let go. I was completely captivated and flew through the pages as fast as I could.
I liked Sahara and really felt for her. She had a lot of regrets and blamed herself for her father’s death. But I thought she had a good heart and acted like a typical teenager. I loved her creativity and the way she told her stories. I liked seeing the genuine friendship between her and Cadence, and I loved the relationship she had with her Grams.
I really enjoyed the writing style. There was something so authentic about it. And I loved the almost eerie quality to it. The story really came to life.
I enjoyed the folktales and ghost stories. I was familiar with a couple of them, but they took some surprising turns. They were chilling! I got goosebumps on numerous occasions.
There was a brilliant twist that I didn’t see coming, even though I probably should have. It ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger, which has me so anxious for the next book. It can’t come out soon enough! I absolutely loved this spooky tale and would give it more than five stars if I could. I highly, highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
I've been looking forward to this book, and it did not disappoint. This whole series has kept me on the edge of my seat, but this one is my favorite. I've been looking forward to this book, and it did not disappoint. This whole series has kept me on the edge of my seat, but this one is my favorite. I was invested from the very first paragraph and could hardly set the book down to tend to other things. I finished it in record time. It was intriguing and suspenseful the whole way through.
I really liked Jenna and Max. They made a great team as they worked together to solve the baffling crimes going on around town. There were some things they had to work through, but I was rooting them on the whole time.
It was really interesting (and infuriating) hearing about what happened when the dam was built and the trouble it caused and might still be causing twenty years later. The tension and intrigue kept rising as the story progressed and had me turning the pages as fast as possible, eager to discover the outcome.
This was a fantastic romantic suspense that had a dash of psychological thriller thrown into the mix. I highly recommend it! Even though it's book three in the series, it stands alone perfectly fine.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
I loved this book so much! I’ve always been interested in archaeology, so when you combine that with an intriguing mystery, characters you can root foI loved this book so much! I’ve always been interested in archaeology, so when you combine that with an intriguing mystery, characters you can root for, a swoony romance, settings that come to life, a strong message of faith, and Michelle Griep’s stellar writing, you’re sure to have a winner on your hands. And this story was most definitely a winner! It’s one of my favorite reads of the year.
I was hooked from the very first line and couldn’t read fast enough. Ami and Edmund had amazing chemistry, and their banter was hilarious. They were so great together! There was a lot of humor in this book, which surprised me. I laughed out loud several times. Not to say this was all laughs. It wasn’t. It dealt with some serious issues as well, but I loved the mix of the two.
This is exactly the kind of book I always crave more of. I highly, highly recommend it! I was already a big fan of the author, but this made me even more so. I can’t wait for the next release!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
This story was an absolute delight, brimming full of Christmas spirit. It swept me away to Edwardian England during Christmastime. I felt like I was rThis story was an absolute delight, brimming full of Christmas spirit. It swept me away to Edwardian England during Christmastime. I felt like I was right there in the midst of it all and I loved every minute of it.
Although Mariah and Cyril were childhood friends, time and distance separated them, making them feel almost like strangers when they met again. I loved watching them reconnect and get to know each other again. They were both so easy to like, and I was rooting for them.
Plumford Manor was a character all its own. It was such a beautiful place full of wonder and cheer.
There was a whimsy about this book that I absolutely adored. Not to say that it was all fun and games, but I appreciated the balance between the practical and the whimsy. I think as we get older, we can sometimes lose our sense of wonder, so I loved the reminder that there’s an important place for that too. It's no fun being serious all the time.
This book was full of an infectious joy, I couldn’t help but smile my way through it. It’s the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion. ...more
This fantastic collection features fast-paced and exciting stories from three of my favorite suspense authors. Sometimes novellas can feel rushed and This fantastic collection features fast-paced and exciting stories from three of my favorite suspense authors. Sometimes novellas can feel rushed and leave me unsatisfied, but that was not the case here. These stories were jam-packed full of everything I love in a romantic suspense. I loved all three of them.
In the Dark by Lynette Eason I was hooked from the very first page. I liked Steph and Tate together. They had great chemistry right from the start, and I enjoyed watching them work together to try and solve the mystery surrounding her friend’s murder. There was so much intrigue! I couldn’t read fast enough. I could hardly catch my breath during the climactic ending. And that twist left me reeling! So good!
Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn This story was suspenseful and full of danger. I was really rooting for Cassie and Donovan to work through their issues because they were so good for each other. I thought Cassie’s dislike of confrontation was relatable, especially after what had happened to her. I loved to see so much character growth packed into this novella. I also thought that the Hatfield and McCoy-esque feud added a really interesting aspect to the story.
Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters This was an intense and action-packed story that gripped me from the very beginning and didn’t let go until the very end. I instantly liked Lahela and Briggs and was eager to see them go from friends to more. They had amazing chemistry! The danger started off kinda slow, but it kept ramping up until I could hardly catch my breath. I was so worried for Lahela. There was one point near the end where I could hardly read fast enough. My anxiety was at an all-time high. There were a couple of moments that sent chills down my spine.
If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat, heart-pounding romantic suspense, grab a copy of this book! You won't be disappointed. Even though these stories are connected to the authors’ series, they standalone perfectly fine.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
Jaime Jo Wright never fails to impress. This was another hauntingly beautiful story full of spine-chilling moments and a hope-filled message.
This dualJaime Jo Wright never fails to impress. This was another hauntingly beautiful story full of spine-chilling moments and a hope-filled message.
This dual timeline takes place at Müllerian Manor in 1921 with Marian Arnold one year into prohibition and the present day with Remy Shaw.
The Arnold family's fortunes took a turn for the worse when prohibition became law. After the bankruptcy of the family's brewery and the death of her parents, the only thing left for Marian is their summer home, staffed with only a few remaining servants. Ghostly visions haunt her, and butterflies become an ominous portent of doom as a killer strikes.
In the present day, Remy is a biographer’s assistant staying at Müllerian Manor, helping to research Marian’s mysterious life and the elusive serial killer, the Butterfly Butcher. But danger is around every corner, and it’s not long before Remy is being targeted in the same way that the Butterfly Butcher’s victims were.
I was so invested in the mysteries and was completely surprised by the turn of events. I thought I had it all figured out several times, but nope! I didn’t see it coming until right before the reveals!
I enjoyed both timelines equally. I usually prefer one over the other, but not this time. They were both equally compelling. I enjoyed the characters from both times. And it was really interesting to see the connections and parallels between the two.
Elton, the biographer, was a hoot! I loved the bond he and Remy had. Their conversations and banter made me laugh several times.
I appreciated the way mental illness was handled. It's an important topic, and the author treated it with respect and dignity.
I can't say enough good things about this book. Jaime Jo Wright is a master in this genre, and she keeps upping the ante with each book. I love how she always weaves a strong Christian message into her spooky tales. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
What a delightful Christmas story! I loved every second of this sweet second-chance romance.
I really liked Bebe and Jahleel. They had amazing chemistrWhat a delightful Christmas story! I loved every second of this sweet second-chance romance.
I really liked Bebe and Jahleel. They had amazing chemistry, but they also had history. There were some unresolved issues that they still needed to work out. I was rooting so hard for them!
Jahleel and his dad had a big falling out when he left home years ago. There was a lot of hurt and resentment built up, but I was hoping they could get past all that and reconcile.
This book was a lot of fun, but it also had a lot of depth. I loved the strong message of faith that was woven so seamlessly throughout the pages. If you’re looking for a heartwarming Christmas romance, I highly, highly recommend this story. It was a breath of fresh air and just what I needed during a stressful time.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more
Oh my goodness, this is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the story. I got goosOh my goodness, this is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the story. I got goosebumps several times and was holding my breath through many intense scenes. I was so anxious to find out what happened next. There were many twists and turns, most of which I never saw coming. I was constantly surprised by the turn of events.
Alex is autistic, and I thought the author did a wonderful job of realistically portraying her. She was relatable and easy to like. She faced some seriously daunting and dangerous things with bravery and tenacity.
This was a mind-bending thrill ride. I suspected everybody at one point or another. I didn’t know who to trust. When the reveal came, I was shocked. If you’re a fan of this genre, don’t miss this book. It's a must read. I’m looking forward to more psychological thrillers from this author.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion....more