Miss Ivy Cavendale becomes a headmistress at an orphanage. One night, she deals with an intruder, relieved that the fear that had gripped her for years hasn’t stopped her from saving her charges. Soon, it’s clear that she and her charges are the next target of The Devil’s Sons.
Commissioner Edward Worthington owes the head of The Queen’s Deadly Damsels. So, he agrees to watch her latest ward, Ivy. It doesn’t take long to realize that he is attracted to her. But Ivy has childhood trauma, and danger surrounds them.
Can they identify the criminal and make their happy ever after?
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Ivy and Edward.
My Thoughts:
This is the fourth book in the series and works as a standalone with possible minor spoilers for the previous ones. I read the first and second, so I have an idea about the mystery/ overarching plot.
This is predominantly a romance despite the threat of an intruder and a dangerous gang lurking about. The gang hasn’t been dismantled yet, safe to say there will be more books in the series.
We met Ivy in the previous books, though I’m not sure about the Commissioner. The events related to her family occur in book #1. In book #2, there are hints about her trauma. Here, we get more information.
Though the romance is made to seem like it is not insta-love, it actually is. Still, I appreciate the attempt and the conversations that take place as Ivy learns to overcome her fears. That said, it is a spicy (4) book with open-door scenes.
The first chapter can be a hit or a miss. That’s because it clearly shows the FMC’s character – someone who has always thought of herself as weak. Her inner monologue can be a bit grating, but she proves herself with her actions.
The MMC is okay, kinda stereotypical, but he does the job. We get more than a glimpse into the Duchess’s past through him, so that’s good.
A couple of kids shine despite the limited page space. I'd be happy to meet them in the subsequent books.
The mystery is lackluster, TBH. The villains were too apparent the moment they were introduced. But then, this is not a mystery read but a romance with a touch of danger.
There is an epilogue that doesn’t really give us much except a wee bit of info about the side characters.
To summarize, A Most Unlikely Lady is a quick and easy read despite the triggers and the hints of danger. Let’s see what happens in the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have another case to solve!
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel stood tall among the rolling hills outside Gaborone, overlooking the Botswana landscape. The spacious rooms and friendly staff offer a place to stay for weary travelers. However, something is going on in the hotel as a series of misfortunes threaten its reputation. From mysterious disappearances of items to food poisoning and other threats, something or someone is determined to cause chaos.
It’s up to Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi to find out what’s happening and why. On the side, one of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni’s most important clients is making an expensive automobile purchase and is determined to keep it a secret from his wife.
The story comes in the third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is the 25th book in the series, but it can work as a standalone. Of course, we cannot track the progress in the main characters’ personal lives, but we get some info, which is enough.
As always, these books aren’t soft, cozy, and warm. There are mysteries, but not the murder kind. It is simpler stuff with a bunch of philosophical musings thrown in.
There’s some humor and irony, but even that’s mellow. No laugh-out-loud moments or terrifying scenes. It’s all softie, softie.
Food and love for Botswana are recurring themes. I picked this book for the prompt because I know the series discusses the African social issues without a savior complex or resorting to the ‘poor country’ trope. The characters are proud of how far they’d come after being plundered by colonizers and know the journey continues forever.
A couple of quotes I liked:
“They are often cooler in the hot weather than these modern houses made of breeze blocks. Cement can get hot, and a tin roof draws the heat in like a magnet. Thatch is what you need, Mma Ramotswe, to stay cool. And a floor of stamped-down cattle dung is a very good floor if you want to escape the heat outside.”
In India, too, we traditionally used thatch and cow dung (still do) until the so-called progressives turned their noses at them.
“People give their children such odd names, forgetting that the poor child is going to have to live with it for the rest of his life.”
To paraphrase someone from Reddit: You are naming a human, not a doll. Be sensible!
To summarize, The Great Hippopotamus Hotel is a lighthearted, interesting, and thoughtful book. While the characters tend to go off tangent often, they are good people. And sometimes, that matters more!
Mickey Teasdale loves her quaint curiosity shop on Ever After Street. It’s magical and full of treasures waiting to be found by customers. Lately, the magic has dimmed, and the charming shop feels cluttered.
Ren Montague, single dad to a teen daughter, Ava, doesn’t believe in magic and nonsense. But he will do anything to see his sulking daughter smile again. Meeting Mickey makes him cautiously hopeful.
When Ava finds a secret diary that may have belonged to a mermaid and tries to investigate it with Mickey, Ren is torn between supporting his daughter and shielding her from disappointment.
Soon, Ren and Mickey realize that real life and magic can co-exist, but if they are brave enough to take the step.
The story comes in Mickey’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is the fifth book in the standalone Ever After Street Series. Though we see some couples from the previous books, this works well as a standalone read. Of course, I recommend reading the other books because they are all beautiful.
As a fan of the author's works, I tend to have high expectations of her. Why not? I know she can write!
Like the other books, this one also deals with important topics. Here we have parental death, broken marriage, being a single dad, a young teen’s struggle with the changes in her life, a woman’s desire to surround herself with material things to avoid reality, etc.
I could empathize with the FMC even when I knew her shop was a high-risk accident zone. No matter how much I de-clutter, the shelves tend to look the same, so yeah, it happens! She is a sweetheart, and I love her optimism and hope. Her determination to believe in magic is noteworthy. I try too, though my cynical side doesn’t stay silent for long!
Naturally, I could easily understand the MMC’s perspective too. Yeah, he was rude and prickly, but he could be just as sweet if he allowed himself to be. Then, he had to go and make a mess of it (more on this later).
Ava, the MMC’s thirteen-year-old, was a delight most of the book. She is a teen, through and through, so I could see her outburst making sense to her. I didn’t mind it much as it aligned with her arc until then.
We get snippets from the diary, which read like actual diary entries – thoughts, frantic scribbling, raw emotions, and random bits of information. Yay for this! However, the dialogues in this book felt lengthier somehow. Not a big deal, though.
As always, it’s heartwarming to read the lovey-dovey scenes between the main characters. It seems like the author thought much about Rosh’s reactions to the touchy-feely scenes; she used the same term twice in the book! Haha… :P Of course, I loveeee these scenes the best, and those hugs! Find a partner who hugs you like you are their everything!
Now, we come to the dreaded third-act breakup. I knew it would happen, but man, if I could punch him, I would have. I was rather rooting for Lissa to do it for me… didn’t she? Read to find out.
The resolution came a bit too quickly, I think. While it still made me teary-eyed, I wanted a little more groveling. The FMC doesn’t make it easy, which I appreciate. Still, make him repent more (I hold grudges for a long time, if you haven’t figured out by now, lol).
I found it surprising that they don’t get much dragon fruit in the UK. Thanks to social media, it became so famous in India that we find it at the makeshift stalls on the street corners. Farmers have successfully cultivated dragon fruit locally and are getting good results! Though I’m not a fan of it.
The ending is sweet, of course. There’s no epilogue, but there will be another (last… sniffle) book in the series, so we are likely to get a wee update on them if nothing else.
To summarize, Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop is not as magical as the other books in the series, but still creates a lovely, cozy feeling in the heart. The romance is clean, comforting, warm, and like a hearty cup of hot chocolate with extra sprinkles.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Meg Bryan, aka Lana Lord, is a household name after her hit TV show and her relationship with Hollywood’s latest heartthrob. However, her perfect life comes at a great cost. After a small breakdown on her thirtieth birthday, Meg goes on an impromptu trip to Ireland, that one place she and her best friend Aimee wanted to visit. An accident claimed Aimee’s life a decade ago, and now Meg makes the trip alone.
However, Meg seemed to have traveled into an alternative universe where she is not a celebrity. The hot bartender is apparently her ex, and her bestie, Aimee, is alive but not talking to her for some reason. Now, Meg has to figure out how and why she broke up with her ex and what happened between her and Aimee. As she navigates through her new life, Meg realizes what she remembers about her past isn’t the complete truth. And soon, she has to decide on her future.
The story comes in Meg’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Firstly, I’d tag this women’s fiction or contemporary fiction with a touch of romance. The focal point of the book is Meg’s acceptance of the past and her growth in the present.
The book starts with a prologue that gives us an insight into the MC’s relationship with her bestie. Then, we jump to the present timeline.
I like the sliding doors/ alternative setting that occurs pretty soon. No need to wait for it to happen. This gives the MC and us enough time to get used to the shift, dig through the past, and peel her character’s layers.
The side characters, especially Kiera and Cillian, are terrific. They brighten up the story when it starts to feel repetitive. The bestie, Aimee, is interesting, though I wish to know more about her.
The first-person POV works for the plot. It has dry humor and a bit of forced humor as well. The first is good, the latter isn’t, but the overall effect is nice. The MC has enough flaws, but is also a nice person, which we can see in her voice. However, it also feels quite YAish, even though she is 30. Maybe because the author is a YA writer, and this is her first adult novel.
The pacing is uneven thanks to the repetition in the middle. Maybe some of it was necessary, though I feel this could have been used to add some depth to the bestie’s character.
The ending is more on the line of women’s fiction. It is hopeful and positive, but not fully rounded. Still, it works for the storyline and leaves the reader with a smile (that’s job done right).
Given the premise, there are many references to Hollywood, celebs, movies, and related drama. Not my jam, exactly. If you enjoy this, you might like the book more.
The acknowledgments section at the end was fun to read. The author’s natural style did drip a lot into the main character’s voice, but it worked here.
To summarize, The Other Side of Now is a heartwarming story about grief of losing a loved one, trying to find oneself, making friends (found family), and learning that life goes on.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Eight years ago, Sterling St. John, Duke of Morton, vanished a few hours after his wedding. Since then, Alaina faced the London gossip and society with her head high. She founded the progressive ladies’ reading Society and lived an independent life. When Sterling returned home, Alaina had no intention of accepting him back into her life.
But Sterling has secrets of his own and is on a mission he cannot reveal. Protecting his wife means he has to keep her in the dark. However, even as they realize that they may still have something together, the secrets have to be exposed and the truth revealed.
Will this bring them together or tear them apart?
The story comes in Alaina and Sterling’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
Well, this was an interesting premise and had a solid start. Though the narration was a bit slow, the book began with a bang after the prologue.
The initial bickering and conflict were interesting and gave us both sides of the story. The MMC made many mistakes, though he seemed to acknowledge them all and was determined to try and save his marriage.
I could see the FMC’s side, of course. She had it worse in many ways, and it did make sense for her to hold on to her grudge. It was her armor and served her well so far, so why let it down without a fight?
I appreciate that the spicy scenes started after 60%. That gave them enough time to get used to each other’s presence again.
However, once the main reconciliation was done, we don’t ‘see’ them growing together. The story simply summarizes this. It rather dilutes the chemistry since the whole thing still feels more like lust than love or companionship. At least a couple of scenes with dinner or ball dances would have helped. Also, it needed less of an inner monologue and more of ‘showing’.
Then came the unwanted third-act breakup. Honestly, we didn’t need that here. Instead, the whole thing should have been handled with a bit more maturity on both sides. For someone described as mature, the FMC doesn’t display it much when she could have. Yeah, she has a huge reason not to trust the MMC, but this section could have been better.
There’s an epilogue, which gives us the required HEA. NGL, a couple of side characters were quite interesting. Maybe they are from another series? If so, I might check out their stories.
To summarize, Courting the Duchess is the first book in the series and works as a standalone. It had its moments despite the flaws. I did partly binge on it, so there is enough entertainment if you can bear with some dramatics.
I’m curious enough to want to read the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Vera’s life has been good since solving her first mystery. Her son finally has a girlfriend who is none other than Officer Gray. That doesn’t stop Vera from wishing for another dead body or two. After all, she needs a purpose!
When Vera meets a distressed young woman with a missing friend, she is more than ready to help. Soon, Vera (thanks to her snooping) finds out about the case of a dead influencer who must be the missing man. But the dead man seems to have popped out of nowhere. No one seems to identify him. Why is that? Who is he? What is this case?
Well, Vera is determined to find out!
The story comes in various third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
Well, after quite enjoying the previous book, I was excited to read this one. I also knew what to expect, so the book was more entertaining. While this can work as a standalone, it will be better if you start with the first book.
While the book is pretty lighthearted, the second half, especially the last quarter, gets darker. The narrative style and Vera’s natural talent do add some comic relief, but comparatively, things get a bit grim (don’t skip the author’s note at the end).
I’m not a fan of the influencer trope, but I wanted to read this knowing the author would give us something fun. And, oh boy, does she deliver with Vera’s enthusiasm. Never have I enjoyed a book about influencers as much, and the credit goes to Vera.
Of course, Vera’s ability to collect the lost ones is unparalleled. She is more than happy to adopt countless nieces, nephews, and grandchildren and feed them until they can’t eat a bite more, lol.
All the humor and OTT drama aside, the book highlights some important points about life, loneliness, circumstances, decisions, guilt, faking happiness, etc. I rather liked the conversation in the principal’s office. That’s a very important question from Vera.
The way this ended makes me hopeful there will be another book. Please, please write it!
To summarize, Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) is a humorous cozy mystery dealing with some heavy topics but using a light touch. The book doesn’t take itself seriously most of the time. However, it raises some poignant questions, too!
Ruby, a shy small-town librarian, decided to hire an escort to get over her fear of intimacy without the risk of heartbreak. However, instead of a dating coach, Ruby’s childhood neighbor and pro football player, Griffin King, arrived. He was the escort, but she didn’t know that!
As if the embarrassing mix-up wasn’t enough, Ruby stumbles across Griffin everywhere in their little town. He is more than happy to help her, but with their closeness increasing, Ruby has much to think about.
The story comes in Ruby and Griffin’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author. Turns out, this is also the first in a new series, so I intend to read the others. A character from another series makes an appearance.
The pacing is slow, but it doesn’t feel boring. We get enough backstory and depth for the characters to be more than their physical appearances, though there are many references to how hot they look. Note that the characters start as clichés but gradually show they can do much better than that.
The MCs are easy to like. They are smart, sweet, and have their issues to deal with. They inevitably help each other grow, which comes across well as the story progresses. The chemistry is great, too, so it’s not long before we root for them.
There’s enough humor to make the readers laugh or chuckle. This balances the somber elements, especially the scenes dealing with health issues.
The side characters need a special mention. I liked Lauren right away. Wasn’t sure about Marcus, but he proved himself. Don’t be tricked by his OTT act. He is a sweet guy.
My favorite part has to be these hunky football players sighing over classic romances like Pride and Prejudice. How they react to the hand flex by Darcy is adorable!
The book is spicy, probably 4 or more. There’s some dirty talk, but not a lot. However, the story doesn’t feel rushed. There is enough time for feelings to develop.
We have not one but two epilogues. I love it when authors do this. A regular epilogue is great, but when it is followed by an extended one, it is a double bonus.
To summarize, Lessons in Heartbreak is a heartwarming, entertaining, and delightful romance set in a small town. Bring on the next book!
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Hunter has been secretly in love with Dylan, her best friend’s brother, for eleven years. However, he sees her as his sister’s friend, and she hasn't expressed her interest so far. When both her besties move out of the apartment, Dylan becomes Hunter’s new roommate. This could be her chance, except that he has a casual girlfriend. Hunter tries to move on but ends up on miserable dates.
Dylan knew Hunter was good-looking, but he didn’t expect to feel something more for her. The timing seems to be all wrong, though. Should he break up with his new girlfriend to see where things go with Hunter, or should he play it safe?
The story comes in Hunter and Dylan’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
Though the book can be a standalone, I would recommend reading book #2 first. Even better if you start at the beginning (I didn’t). But I read the previous book (If the Ring Fits), and it helped. That’s because the events in both books take place at the same time. Seeing Hunter and Dylan from Rowena and Adrian’s POVs first makes this book less awkward.
It’s interesting to revisit a few scenes from the previous book from other POVs. I like such experiments (another reason I recommend reading book #2 first).
This is my fourth book by the author. While I had minor issues with the previous three, I happily rounded up the rating to 4 stars. Unfortunately, this is the weakest one so far.
Firstly, there’s no denying the touches of humor in the narration. The writing style is light even when it deals with serious issues like dyslexia and endometriosis. This prevents the story from feeling too heavy or overwhelming.
Hunter’s crush/ obsession with Dylan feels authentic. It is painfully embarrassing at times, but that’s exactly the point. It was supposed to be that way, given she harbored feelings and spun fantasies for over a decade. Her reluctance, jealousy, anger, frustration, hopelessness, etc., come out very well.
Dylan started decent but then got on my nerves. I tried to be patient and see things from his perspective, but there’s a thin line between being good and being a coward. Despite his other noteworthy qualities, he didn’t impress me. The break-up scene was crucial for his character arc, and it was messed up big time.
Not really sure how to classify Olivia. Clingy? Dense? Optimistic? No idea!
There are some spicy scenes towards the end, though it’s a fade-to-black and closed door. The last quarter rather ups the sexiness, which wasn’t necessary, but okay!
Since this is the last book of the series, we get a combined epilogue. I like it a lot. It has happy developments and leaves one element on a hopeful note; the right way to conclude this series.
To summarize, The Roommate Experiment is a steady-paced and lighthearted romance that touches upon a couple of health issues (lightly). While it is not my favorite (Adrian is still the winner), I will continue to enjoy more books by the author.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Charlie Knight is a family doctor in his late thirties. He has a fixed routine and the same clients he’d been seeing since he was a child. However, Charlie has a secret plan to escape and live the life he wants, even if Genevieve Longstaff, the woman he wanted, has long since left the town.
However, Genevieve is back. Suddenly, Charlie realizes he has gained a new gift. He can see exactly how many days are left in the lives of his visitors/ patients. Charlie thinks he could use his gift to help his patients, but every gift comes with a price. What if there are things he would rather not know?
The story comes in Charlie’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Should I tag this general fiction or men’s fiction? Either works, I guess.
The story starts with the MC gaining his gift unexpectedly and goes on from there. He is an easy guy to like. A friendly, sweet, and dedicated doctor whose life feels too structured and safe. He is also lonely.
While there is some ‘romance’, it is not a love story or a romcom. So if you go in expecting it to be heavy on this element, you will be disappointed. Moreover, there isn’t much chemistry between Charlie and Gen as such. They’d make good friends, though.
The book deals with themes like guilt, decisions, wanting a second chance, life, death, etc. Naturally, death is a bigger theme, so it does occur more than once.
Characters like MaryAnn, Gen, Lorraine, etc., had potential, but it seems to be barely explored. In fact, it’s the same for the entire book. The whole narration has a slow and mellow tone. Quite a few topics are touched upon, but none are given full attention.
The concept of seeing the numbers is intriguing. We get a probable explanation, which is not perfect since even the characters don’t know. This may not appeal to some readers, but it aligns with the book’s tone.
The ending is hopeful and a tad bittersweet. I guess I can call it an open-ish ending since some issues are never discussed. Still, the book feels complete, so it is not vague or random.
To summarize, All the Perfect Days offers quite a bit to think about, but doesn’t delve deep into any of those. The pacing is slow, so plan accordingly.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Belladonna Blackthorn is burnt out. Between saving Lunar Books and concealing her witchcraft, she has no time or inclination to perfect her magic. However, she gets summoned by the coven on her 30th birthday to prove her worth as a witch.
With little time to work, Belle needs all the help from her family, mentor, and a handsome watchman sworn to protect her. She has to prove herself somehow.
The story comes in Belle’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Imagine my delight when a friend (Rosh) said Berkeley made one of their books, Read Now. Though this was released last year, getting an ARC from the publisher is a big deal (for us from non-Western regions). Now, I wonder if I should have been less excited. This rating isn’t going to help my chances! *sniffle*
Right! So, about the book…
Cozy fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and if it has witches, even better! The premise is terrific, too. There are hints of danger, romance with a brooding hero, and a thirty-year-old book-loving witch learning to use her powers correctly.
What we get is a walking contradiction in the FMC. The only saving grace is that the POV is her third-person instead of first. That would have been a disaster.
Belle starts as a literal pushover, a doormat with confidence issues. Okay, fine. Her growth will be the arc. Nope. She has no issues being snarky and rude with random strangers and just about every other witch she meets. Think about it. You’re told you have to clear a test to keep your magic. You go there and act like a bratty celeb, all because you didn’t bother to prepare for the test.
Also, she has no reason not to ask for help. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t understand why she is such a meek mouse when someone treats her like dirt, but swipes at others who are just there. What weird wiring is this?
She is told she is good at magic and is worthy of it. Nope, I don’t see it. Heck, take it from her and give it to me. I’ve been hoping for years that someone would tell me I have magic and it’s time to activate it.
What we are told and what we see are almost always the opposite with the FMC. She has no reason to be the way she is. It would have made sense if her backstory supported this. But there’s nothing there. Maybe being a 30-year-old with the maturity of a 13-year-old is a flex (mind you, I know better-behaved teens in real life). Sadly, not my jam.
The uneven pacing didn’t help, but the book got faster in the second half, so I’m willing to let this go. I saved a reading day, thankfully. That said, scenes that need time are over in a blink, and the ones that can be summarized drag on.
There is quite a lot of description. Some of it is good. The rest is just fluff. The book could… should have been trimmed by 50 pages.
The theme selection is good – self-love, self-confidence, family, relationships, believing in magic inside you, etc. However, the presentation is patchy and underwhelming.
And oh, there is no romance. I mean, there are traces of it, but I can’t even call it a slow burn. No real chemistry. Or, maybe I didn’t want to see it since I couldn’t understand why the guy liked her. Nothing endearing about her, if you ask me.
Those extra 0.5 stars are for the mentor. He saved the book in many ways. When I thought it would go downhill, he kept it alive despite the FMC’s attempts to sabotage it often. The mother was good, too. The bestie was a bit OTT, but at least her arc was steady and her heart was in the right place!
To summarize, Rewitched has a good premise and some worthy bare bones, but the execution and the characterization (especially the FMC) are erratic and inconsistent. This needs some depth for the themes to matter.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkeley (Ace), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.