Tag: fiction

A New Lease on Death (Supernatural Mysteries: Book 1) by Olivia Blacke

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: October 29th, 2024

Genre: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Ghosts, Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Contemporary, Adult

Series: Supernatural Mysteries

A New Lease on Death—Book 1

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this darkly funny supernatural mystery about an unlikely crime-solving duo that launches a commercial, unique, and genre-blending series, death is only the beginning.

Ruby Young’s new Boston apartment comes with all the usual perks. Windows facing the brick wall of the next-door building. Heat that barely works. A malfunctioning buzzer. Noisy neighbors. A dead body on the sidewalk outside. And of course, a ghost.

Since Cordelia Graves died in her apartment a few months ago, she’s kept up her residency, despite being bored out of her (non-tangible) skull and frustrated by her new roommate. When her across-the-hall neighbor, Jake Macintyre, is shot and killed in an apparent mugging gone wrong outside their building, Cordelia is convinced there’s more to it and is determined to bring his killer to justice.

Unfortunately, Cordelia, being dead herself, can’t solve the mystery alone. She has to enlist the help of the obnoxiously perky, living tenant of her apartment. Ruby is twenty, annoying, and has never met a houseplant she couldn’t kill. But she also can do everything Cordelia can’t, from interviewing suspects to researching Jake on the library computers that go up in a puff of smoke if Cordelia gets too close. The roommates form an unlikely friendship as they get closer to the truth about Jake’s death…and maybe other dangerous secrets as well.

First Line:

I didn’t know how long I saw cross-legged in the snow, waiting for the dead man crumpled on the ground in front of my building to wake up.

Important details about A New Lease on Death

Pace: Fast

POV: 1st person (Cordelia and Ruby)

Content/Trigger Guidance: A New Lease on Death contains themes that include suicide, cheating, infidelity, domestic abuse, domestic violence, alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, blood, body horror, dead bodies, physical injuries, death, grief, loss depiction, gun violence, murder, attempted murder, and physical assault. Please read carefully if you are triggered by any of these.

Language: A New Lease on Death contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is mild sexual content in A New Lease on Death.

Setting: A New Lease on Death is set in Boston, Massachusetts.

My Review

The main storyline of A New Lease on Death was exciting and well-written. It is split into two POVs (Cordelia and Ruby) and then further divided into two separate storylines (Jake’s murder and Cordelia’s suicide).

The storyline of Jake’s murder was interesting. First off, I liked how Cordelia was first on the scene and waited for Jake to wake up (for lack of a better word). When that goes sideways, Cordelia returns to her apartment and Ruby. I liked how Cordelia revealed herself to Ruby (she was worried about her last living plant) and how they started investigating Jake’s death together. Ruby had me chuckling throughout the book as she struggled to communicate with a ghost and not look insane.

The storyline that involved Cordelia and her death was sad. The author deliberately kept the facts of her suicide few and far between. There was an acknowledgment that her drinking was a little much and that it could have been a factor in her death. Then, the author puts a neat spin on that angle and sends the storyline in a different direction.

Both mystery angles were well written. I was shocked at who killed Jake and the reason why. Everything said about the guy up until the reveal contradicted it. I also want to give Ruby kudos for bravery because I know I would have freaked out. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, I was surprised by the twist the author put on Cordelia’s death.

The end of A New Lease on Death was mixed for me. I loved that the author could wrap up the storyline with Jake. However, she left Cordelia’s storyline open, and I was slightly frustrated at how it was left. That frustration made me want to read the second book, so it worked.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Kristyn J. Miller for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Given Our History. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin

Date of publication: October 29th, 2024

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult, Chick Lit

Publication Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

A hilarious and heartfelt rom-com about having it all, slowing down to see the big picture, and finding out that the person you least expect could be your perfect fit

Josephine Davis has spent her entire twenties building Revenant: a fashion brand headquartered in downtown Austin. When her biggest investor orders Josie to hire a consultant, the last person she expects to be working with is Will Grant – the twin brother of Josie’s ex best friend.

Sure, Will and Josie may have shared one mistake of a kiss during senior spring break nine years ago, but they’ve never been friends. She remembers him as moody; he always thought of her as shallow. Romance isn’t on the table for either of them until they blink, and realize there’s a reason they can’t stay away from each other.

But there’s Will’s sister to consider – whom Josie hasn’t spoken with since their falling out – not to mention, Will and Josie live seventeen hundred miles apart. And it’s not like she has time for a boyfriend anyway when she’s an overworked CEO. As Josie’s burnout looms while she falls deeper and harder for Will, she contends with the fact that eventually, she’ll have to make a choice: stay alone to be productive, or slow down to be in love.

First Line:

Do you ever wonder what happened to the girl who peaked in high school?

Important details about Perfect Fit

Pace: Medium

POV: 1st person (Josie)

Content/Trigger Guidance: Perfect Fit contains themes such as death, infidelity, grief, bullying, and a car accident. Please read carefully if these trigger you.

Language: Perfect Fit contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is moderate sexual content in Perfect Fit.

Setting: Perfect Fit is mainly set in Austin, Texas, but there are also chapters set in Tennessee (Nashville), Peru (Arequipa), and Spain (Barcelona).

My Review

When I read the blurb for Perfect Fit, I was immediately interested. From what I read in the blurb, this book hit all my wants for a romance. So, I accepted the widget and jumped into reading. I am happy to say that this book was a great read.

The main storyline of Perfect Fit is centered on Josie. Josie is a twentysomething fashion designer who has built her brand up on social media and is looking to open a brick-and-mortar store. When her leading investor hires a consulting firm, Josie is all for it until she realizes who she will work with – Will Grant, the twin brother of her high school ex-best friend Zoe. Still hurting from how her friendship with Zoe ended, Josie keeps him at arm’s length. But that lasts all of a minute because everything Josie has worked so hard for is about to go up in flames. Through it all, Will is at her side. Can Josie see what she has before her, or will she let it go?

I liked Josie. To this day, she remains one of the realest characters that I have read. Take, for instance, her battle with social media. Josie put herself in exile from all sites because of the cyberbullying she endured in the early years of her business and the impact it had on her mental health. I also like that she wasn’t made out to be a superwoman CEO. Instead, as the book went on, she got progressively more and more burnt out, and I liked how the author chose to have her remedy it.

I liked Will and thought he was perfect for Josie. Initially, I thought he would be a Finance Bro (and wasn’t surprised when he admitted that he was), but that assumption was thrown out the window shortly after the book began. Will went above and beyond for Josie, both personally and professionally. He even began to mend the friendship between Josie and Zoe.

The friendship between Josie and Zoe and how it ended are a vast part of the book. The author didn’t come right out and say what happened that night at the beach. Instead, she teased it, and I was stunned when the whole story came out. That night had so much trauma, assumptions, and communication issues and it broke my heart.

The storyline with the business was interesting, but it didn’t hold my attention. I was more interested in Josie, Will, and their slow-burn romance than reading about investors and opening stores. I liked the trip that Will and Josie took to Peru and Spain. The Peru trip (and the stomach bug they both caught) broke down the last walls between Will and Josie.

There was a secondary storyline involving Josie and her current best friend. It was the only time I didn’t like Josie. Instead of confronting her best friend over something that was said while drunk, Josie stewed on it. And when everything (including the news that her best friend was supposed to tell her in private) exploded, it wasn’t very good. Thankfully, Josie’s current best friend didn’t do her dirty like Zoe and instead talked to Josie about what was happening.

The romance between Will and Josie was a slow burn, and I loved it. There was a lot of sighing, looking at lips, and sexual chemistry that was through the roof. So, when they finally had sex, I was like, “Finally.” And then, it was a wait for Josie to realize her feelings for Will (his feelings were very apparent from the get-go).

The end of Perfect Fit was perfect. I liked how the author wrapped everything up and gave Josie the closure she needed with Zoe and the HEA she deserved with Will.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Clare Gilmore for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Perfect Fit. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Perfect Fit, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Clare Gilmore:

If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin

Date of Publication: October 15th, 2024

Genre: Romance, Horror, Paranormal, Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Halloween, Adult Fiction

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

An enemies to lovers romance with a spooky twist where two feuding writers end up on a writers retreat together at a haunted castle in Scotland

It’s been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she’s a publishing pariah and hasn’t been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.

Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,” as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.

But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they’re stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and… maybe they shouldn’t have been enemies at all? But if they can’t stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.

Full of spooky chills and even more sexy thrills, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is the funny, fast-paced romp romance readers have been waiting for!

First Line:

Pen wondered how drunk she must have been when she accepted this invitation.

Important details about If I Stopped Haunting You

Pace: Medium

POV: 3rd person (Pen and Neil)

Content/Trigger Guidance: If I Stopped Haunting You contains content that includes death, gore, injury, injury detail, racism, violence, blood, grief, alcohol, drug use, anxiety, body horror, and gaslighting. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.

Language: If I Stopped Haunting You contains moderate swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is explicit sexual content in If I Stopped Haunting You.

Setting: If I Stopped Haunting You is set in present-day Scotland.

My Review:

When I saw the cover for If I Stopped Haunting You, I immediately wanted to read it. The cover’s illustration was terrific. Then I read the blurb, and my interest was caught even more. There is nothing like an enemies-to-lovers, forced romantic romance with a dash of horror and supernatural to curl up on the couch and read. But now that I have read it, I am a little disappointed.

The main storyline of If I Stopped Haunting You centers on Penelope (Pen) Skinner, Neil Storm, and the events at the writer’s retreat in Scotland. While I did find parts of the storyline engaging, I could not get invested in it for the most part.

The main characters and their relationship made me “meh” about the book. Pen did a number on Neil emotionally. She was just plain nasty to him for 85% of the book. Pen also blamed Neil for being blacklisted in the publishing community when it was her actions (throwing a book at Neil’s head and injuring him) that caused the blacklist. Because of that, I couldn’t wrap my head around her change of feelings for him. It was lightning quick and seemed almost forced.

I did like Neil and felt awful for him. He was suffering from a significant case of writer’s block, which was brought on by Pen’s actions at the conference. So, as with Pen, I didn’t quite agree, or like that, his feelings went straight to lust when he saw her. Again, it seemed forced.

I did like the paranormal angle. If the author had stayed more focused on the story of who the ghost was and why she was haunting the castle, I would have been more invested in the book. But I didn’t like that certain elements were left unfinished, like how the ghost was related to Pen.

The romance angle was a huge part of the book. I felt that the romance between Pen and Neil was forced and unrealistic. They went from hating each other to banging like bunnies within two chapters. In between, Pen kept up her gaslighting and abusive nature towards Neil. It all left a terrible taste in my mouth. Now, saying that there were some pretty hot and explicit sex scenes. I also did get a giggle over Pen busting in on Daniela while she was sexting with her girlfriend over Facetime.

Other elements were enjoyable, but they could not quite overcome what I didn’t like in this book. The author did a great job of showing how nondiverse the publishing industry was. She also created some memorable secondary characters I wished had more page time in the book.

The end of If I Stopped Haunting You was anticlimactic. I was expecting the author to end on a happy, right-now note. Instead, she fast-forwards a year later, and things are still happy for Pen and Neil.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Colby Wilkens for allowing me to read and review this Arc of If I Stopped Haunting You. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to If I Stopped Haunting You, then you will enjoy these books:

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin

Date of publication: October 15th, 2024

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fiction

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Erin Hahn’s latest cozy, swoony romance, Maren Laughlin has been fishing her whole life, but she’s finally ready to be caught.

At thirty-three, Maren Laughlin’s just turned down her boyfriend’s proposal, walked away from her decade-long position as a park ranger, and returned to her childhood playground in Northern Wisconsin to accept her inheritance: a decrepit waterfront bait shop. After a lifetime of letting things happen to her, she’s ready to start making her own moves, even if everyone else thinks she’s making the wrong ones. Well, not everyone—at least the local heartstopper and resort owner is on her side.

Josiah Cole has made some missteps in his life, but he’s proud of what he has: two awesome kids and the keys to the kind of getaway spot that has families coming back every summer– their up north home away from home. After his marriage dissolved, leaving him a single dad, he feels he’s the last person to judge Maren for her recent transformation (even if his best friend, her brother, wants him to feel otherwise). Besides, he genuinely likes having her around. She’s a breath of fresh air, his kids adore her (not to mention her dog, Rogers), and it doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful.

Things between Maren and Joe are easy. So easy, they’re fully immersed in the middle before they even decide to begin. It’s not a question of should they, but rather can they make it last? Are things too easy, or is this just how real love works? In Erin Hahn’s heartwarmingly sexy Catch and Keep, Maren and Joe have to be brave enough to find out.

First Line:

“Happy birthday, sunshine!”

Important details about Catch and Keep

Pace: Medium

POV: 1st person (Maren, Joe)

Content/Trigger Guidance: Catch and Keep contains themes that include ableism, stalking, alcohol, cyberbullying, slut-shaming, abandonment, and child abuse. Please read carefully if these trigger you.

Language: Catch and Keep contains moderate swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is moderate sexual content in Catch and Keep.

Setting: Catch and Keep is set in Wisconsin.

My Review

When I read the blurb for Catch and Keep, I was a little “meh” about it. But I have read a couple of books by Erin Hahn before and decided to give it a go. Well, wasn’t I surprised when I realized this book takes place in the same universe as Built to Last and Friends Don’t Fall in Love. Once I realized that, I started to enjoy the book.

The main storyline of Catch and Keep is split between Maren and Joe. The storyline does merge a little after the middle of the book (when Maren and Joe hook up). This book was well written and well fleshed out, with characters I loved (and one I couldn’t stand).

The storyline with Maren was a little rough to read. Maren had found fame as a YouTuber in her late teens/early twenties. Her channel was dedicated to fishing (the name Musky Maren did give me a giggle), which was her passion. She shut the channel down when a viewer started to cyberstalk her. She turned her knowledge of nature (and fishing) into a career as a park ranger. She put that career on hold after ten years when her boyfriend (and soon-to-be supervisor) proposed in public and made her throw up on his feet. She took off to upper Wisconsin, where she spent summers with her family at a resort, and where a family friend left her his bait shop when he died. The rest of her storyline centers on Maren coming to terms with her life and figuring out what she will do next. Joe and his kids are a massive part of her life from the second chapter on, and they factor in her decisions towards the end of the book.

The storyline with Joe was just as challenging to read as Maren’s was. Joe is ex-military, divorced, and has physical custody of his two children (Anders and Lucy), one who has autism. Joe’s ex-wife took off shortly after Lucy’s autism diagnosis and blamed everything on Joe (the end of the marriage, the autism diagnosis). Joe knows Maren from her summers at his parents’ resort, and he now manages. The rest of his storyline focuses on his daily life with his kids (and how much routine and therapy are needed for a small child with autism) and his reconnection with Maren.

The book didn’t start to pick up until Maren and Joe started dating, which only happened a little after halfway through. The build-up to their relationship was excellent. I loved how good Maren was with the kids and how she bonded with them. I also liked that she didn’t exactly fight her feelings for Joe. As for Joe, he was a little more cautious with Maren because his ex put him through the wringer.

I do want to address Joe’s ex-wife. Honestly, I didn’t like her from the minute she was talked about. I get that she raised the kids alone while he was serving overseas, but it didn’t excuse her taking off when he got back (and after Lucy’s diagnosis). The more she appeared in the book, the more I disliked her. She ignored everything Joe told her about Lucy and chalked it up to her being “difficult.” The culmination of that secondary storyline made me see red. I loved that Maren didn’t hold back when confronting Joe’s ex when they got to the hotel and saw how Lucy was being treated.

I also want to address Maren’s brother, Liam. Not to mince words, but he was an emotionally abusive, manipulative asshole who got his ass served to him by his wife and Joe. I’ll leave it.

I loved watching Maren grow into herself throughout the book. The only time I was iffy (and at one point, scared) for her was when she realized that her cyberstalker from years ago lived in the same town she did. Other than that, I loved seeing her grow into herself and find joy in doing what she loved (fishing).

I loved the romance in Catch and Burn. It wasn’t quite a slow burn, but it wasn’t lightning fast either. It was comfortably in the middle and believable. I also liked that while there was a chapter or two where Maren needed to take a break from Joe (to reevaluate her priorities and goals), there was never a breakup.

I loved the end of Catch and Keep. I liked how everything smoothed out for Joe and Maren. And, of course, that last chapter was excellent. I loved that they got a very much-needed HEA.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Erin Hahn for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Catch and Keep. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Catch and Keep, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Erin Hahn

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey

Date of publication: September 17th, 2024

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Lesbian, Queer, LGBT, Adult, Gothic, Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | Kobo | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

A sharp-tongued folklorist must pair up with her academic rival to solve their mentor’s murder in this lush and enthralling sapphic fantasy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic.

Lorelei Kaskel, a folklorist with a quick temper and an even quicker wit, is on an expedition with six eccentric nobles in search of a fabled spring. The magical spring promises untold power, which the king wants to harness to secure his reign of the embattled country of Brunnestaad. Lorelei is determined to use this opportunity to prove herself and make her wildest, most impossible dream come true: to become a naturalist, able to travel freely to lands she’s only ever read about.

The expedition gets off to a harrowing start when its leader—Lorelei’s beloved mentor—is murdered in her quarters aboard their ship. The suspects are her five remaining expedition mates, each with their own motive. The only person Lorelei knows must be innocent is her longtime academic rival, the insufferably gallant and maddeningly beautiful Sylvia von Wolff. Now in charge of the expedition, Lorelei must find the spring before the murderer strikes again—and a coup begins in earnest.

But there are other dangers lurking in the dark: forests that rearrange themselves at night, rivers with slumbering dragons waiting beneath the water, and shapeshifting beasts out for blood.

As Lorelei and Sylvia grudgingly work together to uncover the truth—and resist their growing feelings for one another—they discover that their professor had secrets of her own. Secrets that make Lorelei question whether justice is worth pursuing, or if this kingdom is worth saving at all.

First Line:

Sylvia was in the river again. Lorelei didn’t need to see her to be certain of it.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Alison Saft

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pace of A Dark and Drowning Tide alternated between slow and medium.

POV: A Dark and Drowning Tide is told from Lorelei’s 3rd person POV.

Trigger/Content Warning: A Dark and Drowning Tide has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

  • Death
  • Murder
  • Antisemitism
  • Eugenics
  • Colonization
  • Grief
  • Loss of Sibling
  • Blood & Gore
  • Violence
  • Dead Body
  • Injury Detail
  • Drowning
  • Drugging
  • Fire
  • Vomit
  • Alcohol Consumption

Sexual Content: There are sexual situations in A Dark and Drowning Tide. They are not graphic.

Language: There is mild swearing in A Dark and Drowning Tide. There is also language used that could be considered offensive to people.

Setting:  A Dark and Drowning Tide is set in Brunnestaad, Albe, Ebul, and The Vanishing Isle.

Age Range: I recommend A Dark and Drowning Tide to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Lorelei is a folklorist who is the cohead of an expedition to find a fabled spring for the king of her wartorn country. As the expedition starts, her beloved mentor is killed, leaving her in charge. That enrages other party members until they are reminded why they are there. Lorelei is desperate to find the spring before her fellow expedition members make good on their threats to kill her. But she soon discovers there is more to the expedition than finding the spring. And that includes the tentative partnership with Sylvia von Wolff. Can Lorelei find the spring before they decide to kill her? Will she be able to prove herself to the king?

Main Characters:

Lorelei Kaskel (folklorist)—Lorelei was a tough character to like. She presented as very defensive and had an acid tongue on her. But, as the book went on, I began to see why Lorelei was the way she was. The hatred that she dealt with from certain party members was awful. She was on edge the entire time. However, her character started softening when Ludwig got cursed, and I liked her by the end of the book.

Sylvia von Wolff (naturalist)—I liked Sylvia but found her almost too naive. She acknowledged her friends’ faults, but at the same time, she protected them. I got very frustrated with her during the last half of the book. Even in danger, she still believed that her friends would do no harm. But, she did rise to the occasion during the critical battle scene.

Johann zu Wittelsbach (medic)—II couldn’t stand Johann, but at the same time, I pitied him. He was molded into what he was by his abusive father. In some parts of the book, the author conveyed that a part of him hated what he became. His death was one of the more gruesome ones in the book.

Heike van der Kaas (astronomer and navigator)—Heike came across as someone you didn’t want to mess with. But, as the book went on, she mellowed out. I figured out that she was all bark and no bite.

Adelheid de Mohl (thaumatologist)—Besides Ludwig, she was the kindest on the boat to Lorelei. So, when things went sideways, I was shocked at her role.

Ludwig von Meyer (botanist)—I liked him and wished he had more page time. But, the author took him out fairly early in the book.

My review:

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a wonderfully dark fantasy lesbian romance. When I read the synopsis on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read this book. So, I wished for it and was thrilled when I got the email that my wish was granted.

The main storyline of A Dark and Drowning Tide centers entirely on Lorelei and the journey to find the Ursprung. This storyline was wonderfully written. Lorelei and the team have to make trips that are intense and strange. They have to contend with dragons, mermaid-like creatures, forests that move, curses, and other obstacles. Those obstacles also include what they feel towards each other, whether hate or love.

The fantasy angle of the book was perfect. I enjoyed reading about how the magic works in this work, the different magical beings portrayed, and the various lands that they traveled through. I enjoyed that the magic wasn’t all sunshine and roses but had a darker element.

The romance angle was all right. It may be overshadowed by everything else that is going on in the book. It also seemed forced in some sections. But, overall, I enjoyed seeing Lorelei and Sylvia fall in love.

The mystery angle was interesting. I thought I had figured out who killed Ziegler. I wasn’t wrong; there was more to that than what the author initially let on. I was shocked when Lorelei figured it out in the middle of the book.

The end of A Dark and Drowning Tide was heartbreaking but enlightening. I liked that there was a HEA for Lorelei and Sylvia. The last chapters, detailing life after the expedition, were what I thought they would be. I was surprised by what was asked and the reaction it got.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey, NetGalley, and Allison Saft for allowing me to read this ARC of A Dark and Drowning Tide. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to A Dark and Drowning Tide, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Allison Saft

Fall for Him by Andie Burke

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin

Date of publication: September 3rd, 2024

Genre: Romance, Queer, Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Fiction, MM Romance, Contemporary Romance, Gay

Publication Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Fall for Him by Andie Burke, seven-hundred-fifty square feet isn’t enough for the home-renovation-fueled hatred and the building sexual tension.

Dylan Gallagher’s hot neighbor loathed him from the second he moved in, and causing a flood, falling through the floor, and landing directly onto that same neighbor’s bed probably means that’s unlikely to change. The poorly timed “It’s Raining Men” joke didn’t help.

Meanwhile, ER nurse Derek Chang’s life is a literal when-rains-it-pours nightmare. A man he hates dropped into his life along with an astronomically expensive problem originating from Derek’s own apartment’s plumbing. Also, the local HOA tyrant has been sniffing around trying to fine him for his extended, illicit banned breed dog-sitting.

Since Dylan also wants to keep the catastrophe quiet, he offers to fix the damage himself. Dylan’s sure he’s not Derek’s type, so he focuses all his ADHD hyper fixation energy on getting the repair job done as quickly as possible―avoiding doing anything stupid like acting on his very inconvenient crush. Meanwhile Derek tries to ignore that the tattooed nerd sleeping on the couch is surprisingly witty, smart, and kind, despite the long-term grudge Derek’s been holding against him. But will squeezing all their emotional baggage plus a dog into a tiny one-bedroom apartment be a major disaster…or just prove they’re made for each other?

Fall for Him combines banter, hijinks, and heart in a story of finding out what it means to fix things after your life crumbles.

First Line:

The only warning had been a millisecond of ominous crunching before the kitchen floor collapsed beneath Dylan Gallagher’s feet.

Important details about Fall for Him

Pace: Medium

POV: 3rd person (Dylan, Derek)

Content/Trigger Guidance: Fall for Him contains themes that include alcoholism, death, homophobia, death of a parent, workplace violence, anxiety, anxiety attacks, blood, physical injuries, grief, physical assault, and bullying. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.

Language: Fall for Him contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is moderately graphic sexual content in Fall for Him.

Setting: Fall for Him is set in Frederick, Maryland.

My Review:

When I got the invite for Fall for Him, I was excited to read it. I had read Fly with Me and enjoyed Olive and Stella’s romance, so I was giddy when I realized that this was Derek’s romance. Derek was one of my favorite secondary characters in Fly with Me, and I was hoping he would get his own book.

While these books are technically not in a series, I recommend reading Fly with Me before reading Fall for Him. That first book gives a lot of background about Derek (which should have been my first clue there would be a book 2). The author goes over everything rather quickly in Fall for Him. However, the nuances and relationships are fully explained in Fly with Me.

The main storyline of Fall for Him centers around Dylan and Derek and their romance. The book literally begins with Dylan falling through the floor onto Derek’s bed and taking off from there. I found the storyline to be well-written, funny, and often sad.

The romance angle of Fall for Him was slow. While Dylan and Derek had feelings for each other, some major misunderstandings kept popping up. The most major one (and the one that broke my heart) was Dylan and Derek’s relationship with Olive’s deceased brother. That relationship and what Derek thought he knew about it almost derailed Dylan and Derek’s romance. Besides that, it was fun to see a relationship that was true to life.

Dylan’s mental health issues were also a considerable part of the book. As the mother of a daughter who has severe ADHD, I applaud the author for her true-to-life depiction of ADHD. Everything that Dylan experienced in the book mirrored things that my daughter has experienced. It was refreshing to read a book where ADHD wasn’t demonized or put down.

A secondary storyline runs throughout the book involving a nosey HOA president. I couldn’t believe her audacity and the power trip she was on because of that title. I will give a small snippet of what Carol did:

  • Tried to tell Derek that renovating an apartment was against HOA rules (it wasn’t)
  • Broke into Derek’s apartment with a spare key given to her (it was in case of an emergency)
  • Tried to have Dylan’s younger sister arrested for breaking and entering.
  • And my favorite
  • Accused Dylan of making porn in his apartment.

And that isn’t even all of it. Carol made me mad and even more determined not to end up in a building or house with an HOA.

The author also touches upon workplace violence (Dylan is an ER nurse) and sibling bullying (his father and brothers mercilessly bully Dylan). It is essential to understand that both happen, but only workplace violence gets any attention if brought up. Seeing how Dylan was treated by his father and brothers was heartbreaking.

The end of Fall for Him was perfect, and the epilogue had me laughing and crying. I will never hear “Death to the Patriarchy” again without picturing Dylan’s niece. I am also looking forward to seeing if there will be another book.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Andie Burke for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Fall for Him. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, Translated by Jessie Kirkwood

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books

Date of publication: August 20th, 2024

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Japan, Japanese Literature, Cats, Asia, Asian Literature, Animals, Novels

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this charming and magical novel, inspired by the myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, reminds us that it’s never too late to follow our stars.

In Japan, cats are a symbol of good luck. As the myth goes, if you are kind to them, they’ll one day return the favor. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might just find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon.

This particular coffee shop is like no other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and seemingly appears at random to adrift young people at crucial junctions in their lives.

It’s also run by talking cats.

While customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop partake in cakes and coffees and teas, the cats also consult them on their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and let them know where their lives veered off course.

Because every person who visits the shop has been feeling more than a little lost. And for a down-on-her-luck screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, a hopeful hairstylist and a technologically challenged website designer, the coffee shop’s feline guides will set them back on their fated paths. For there is a very special reason the shop appeared to each of them…

First Line:

It was early April and my apartment windows were wide open.

Important details about The Full Moon Coffee Shop

Pace: Medium

POV: 1st person (Mizuki, Akari), 3rd person (Takashi, Satsuki)

Content/Trigger Guidance: The Full Moon Coffee Shop contains themes of infidelity and death.

Language: The Full Moon Coffee Shop contains no swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is mild sexual content in The Full Moon Coffee Shop.

Setting: The Full Moon Coffee Shop is set in Kyoto, Japan.

My Review

I am a sucker for books that contain cats. Recently, I have also become very interested in reading Japanese literature. So, when I read the blurb for The Full Moon Coffee Shop and saw that it contained cats and Japanese literature, I knew I wanted to read it. And I am glad I did because this book was a cute read and a little strange.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop’s synopsis centers around four individuals (Mizuki, Akari, Satsuki, and Takashi), their current lives, and how they ended up at the coffee shop. The book was very well written, and I had zero issues following the storyline.

I warn that you might wonder how everything is connected (I certainly did wonder). The author does a beautiful job of gradually explaining the connections between the people. The connection between the cafe and the main characters isn’t fully explained until the end of the book.

The main characters were flawed, but not in a way that would ruin the book. The author did have each character have an awakening of sorts, which carried over into the other storylines.

The cats and the astrology made the book. I liked that the cats were named after the planets. I also liked that the author included drawings of each person’s astrology chart. It was nice to see a layout of what each cat (and there were four that gave the main characters TED talks) was talking about. I was able to visualize it. Also, I liked that the author didn’t fundamentally change the cats. Instead, they were furry creatures who stood on their hind legs, did astrology, and served up custom-made coffee/tea/desserts to the shop patrons.

The end of The Full Moon Coffee Shop was interesting. The author shows how the main characters changed because of their interactions at the coffee shop. In addition, the way the main characters met and the good deeds that they did together were explained. I was in tears reading that. They weren’t sad tears but happy tears. I wish I could tell you all more!!

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books, NetGalley, and Mai Mochizuki for allowing me to read and review The Full Moon Coffee Shop. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to The Full Moon Coffee Shop, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Mai Mochizuki

Agony Hill (Franklin Warren: Book 1) by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: August 6th, 2024

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

Series: Franklin Warren

Agony Hill—Book 1

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Set in rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s, Agony Hill is the first novel in a new historical series full of vivid New England atmosphere and the deeply drawn characters that are Sarah Stewart Taylor’s trademark.

In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren’s new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany.

Warren has barely unpacked when he’s called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren’t adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany—from Weber’s enigmatic wife to Warren’s neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows — clearly have secrets they’d like to keep, but Warren can’t tell if the truth about Weber’s death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.

First Line

The day was hot and clear, the sky overhead a thick blue traced here and there with ragged wisps of stringy clouds that reminded Sylvie of the bloody scratches she got when pruning brambles.

Important details about Agony Hill

Pace: Slow but does pick up to medium by the end of the book.

POV: 3rd person (Warren, Alice, and Sylvie)

Series: Agony Hill is the 1st book in the Franklin Warren series.

Content/Trigger Guidance: Agony Hill contains themes that include homelessness, poverty, classism, sexism, misogyny, dubious consent scenario*, adult-minor relationships*, emotional abuse, alcoholism, alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, blood, cancer*, dead bodies, death of a spouse, grief & loss depiction, death of a parent, fire & arson, gun violence, conscription*, war, murder, and animal cruelty. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.

  • Dubious Consent Scenario: Sylvie remembers her first sexual encounter with Hugh. She was pressured into having sex because it was her wedding night.
  • Adult-Minor Relationship: Hugh was thirty-five when he met and married Sylvie, who was in her mid-teens.
  • Cancer: Alice goes and visits a neighbor who is dying of cancer during her investigation into who stole bullets and framed a friend of hers.
  • Conscription: The draft is mentioned at various points during the book. Sylvie interacts with a young man who is a draft dodger.

Language: Agony Hill contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Agony Hill.

Setting: Agony Hill is set in 1965 in Bethany (a fictional city), Vermont.

My Review:

I enjoy reading police procedural novels. I have been reading quite a bit of them, and I am always fascinated by the work and time that goes into solving a case. My fascination grows even more when the book is set in the early days of forensic science. Agony Hill is one of those books.

I was also pleased to see that Agony Hill takes place in Vermont. I can count on one hand the number of books set there in the past year.

Agony Hill is the first book in the Franklin Warren series, but it can also be read as a standalone.

Agony Hill takes place in 1965, and the author mentions the Vietnam War and the draft. The author does explain in her note (at the beginning of the book) that she didn’t use the spelling that most small-town papers used for the war (they separated Vietnam into Viet Nam). She didn’t want to confuse people; I am happy she did that. I am also glad there weren’t too many scenes with anti-war protests (actually, there was a brief scene of a veteran marching against the war in the parade).

The main storyline of Agony Hill is centered on Warren (a recently hired detective from Massachusetts), Sylvie (the wife of the victim), and Alice (an amateur detective who is more than she seems). The book is slow. Usually, I’m not too fond of it when books start and stay slow, but in this case, it worked. It allowed me to digest the clues that Warren uncovers, try to figure out who Alice was and the motive behind Hugh being killed. It took me a long time to read, but I enjoyed it.

I have never read a book in which people were so happy to see someone die. I get that Hugh Weber was unlikable, but to have no one, not even his wife or children, mourn for him was a bit much. Of course, the more Warren uncovered about this unpleasant man, the more I could understand why people felt that way.

I liked the main characters (Warren and Sylvie). Each had a compelling backstory, which added mystery to the main storyline (Warren’s background and everything about Sylvie).

I do want to mention Alice. I loved her. She was the epitome of your busybody, widowed neighbor. However, as the author got into her background, it was surprising to discover that she was so much more. Alice has a lot of layers to her, and I feel that the author isn’t done yet with this character.

The mystery angle was well written. The author kept me on my toes about who killed Hugh and why. I had several suspects on my list but started mentally crossing them off as Warren began talking to people. I was shocked at what happened and even more surprised at what Warren did. But, having thought about it, it was the right call.

The end of Agony Hill was interesting. I liked how the author wrapped everything up, but I also liked how she left a little room for the next book. I have a feeling that Bethany, Vermont, is going to be a hopping place now that Warren is there.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Sarah Stewart Taylor for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Agony Hill. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Agony Hill, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Sarah Stewart Taylor

The Summer Club by Hannah McKinnon

Publisher: Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Date of publication: July 23rd, 2024

Genre: Fiction, Adult Fiction, Womens Fiction

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hannah McKinnon, the acclaimed author of the “charming and warm-hearted” ( PopSugar) The Summer House , returns with a fresh beach read about a group of outsiders threatening the status quo at an exclusive New England beach club.

Mayhaven is the best keep secret in Massachusetts. Tucked between old cedars and a spring-fed lake, the Mayhaven beach club has long been the ultimate escape to understated exclusivity. It’s the place where Darcy Birch is supposed to be experiencing the best summer of her life, but there are a few things standing in her way. Her high-strung mother won’t stop hovering over her, her father is consumed by his job as president of Mayhaven, where she works as a summer camp counselor and things are not as rosy as they seem, and her neurodivergent little brother is struggling to live with a measure of independence not everyone is ready for.

Then there is the matter of the new neighbors. Flick Creevy, his mother, and stepfather have arrived in town, parking their enormous RV, not to mention all-night music and clouds of marijuana, in the Birches’s perfectly landscaped backyard.

Flick is not interested in the perfect summer or the girl next door. Pushed to get a job at Mayhaven by his mother, who had her eyes on a new life for their family, his own eyes have been opened to the ways of the upper crust. Even though Mayhaven prides itself on being an inclusive association of good New England families with good New England values, the fact either you’re on the inside or the outside.

As the heat of summer increases, it’s soon clear that the members of Mayhaven will have to struggle to stay cool in this sharply written and refreshing new novel that is perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Jennifer Weiner.

First Line

He was not a religious man, but the quiet ritual of his morning walk through the empty clubhouse came might close.

Important details about The Summer Club

Pace: Medium

POV: 3rd person (Ned, Darcy, Flick, and one chapter from Adam)

Content/Trigger Guidance: The Summer Club contains themes that include eating disorders, sexual assault, sexual harassment, ableism, bullying, classism, anxiety, depression, alcohol consumption, and alcohol abuse.

Language: The Summer Club contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in The Summer Club.

Setting: The Summer Club is set in Rockwood, Massachusetts

My Review

I don’t know about you guys, but I like it when I read a book set in my state. So, when I saw that The Summer Club was set in Massachusetts (where I grew up and lived until my late 30s), it was a given that I was going to read it. I didn’t even read that blurb-which I don’t recommend doing. Always read the blurb!!

The main storylines of The Summer Club are centered around three people: Ned, Flick, and Darcy. Ned is the manager of an exclusive lakeside country club. Darcy is Ned’s teenage daughter, who is harboring some pretty dark secrets. Flick moved in next door to Ned and Darcy. The storylines with the teenagers were well-written and well-paced.

I liked Flick. He was a good kid who didn’t ask to be moved from Flushing, New York, to rural Massachusetts. His sense of right and wrong came across strongly in the book. And that sense of right and wrong was heightened around Darcy. He could tell that something was wrong, and when he found out what happened to her, he did what any normal human being would do: he punched the idiot in the face. So yes, Flick was my favorite out of the three.

I also liked Darcy, but I pitied her. From the start, I knew that there was something hugely wrong with her. For her to give up a game (golf) that she loved and excelled at on a dime was a huge red flag. Add in all of her risky behaviors, and it was screaming that something traumatic happened. But I was surprised when the author revealed what had happened.

I liked Ned, but he was too wrapped up in work to even see the cracks going through his family. I did like seeing how his life was at work. He had to deal with some of the most moronic, idiotic, self-centered people that I have read to date. He rises to hero status towards the end of the book when he does what any father would have done once he finds out what happened to Darcy.

The end of The Summer Club was almost anticlimactic after everything went down. But, if things had ended differently, I wouldn’t have liked the book as much as I did. I enjoyed the epilogue from Ned, Flick, and Darcy’s perspectives.

Many thanks to Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, NetGalley, and Hannah McKinnon for allowing me to read and review North Side Of The Grass. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to The Summer Club, then you will enjoy these books:

Other Books by Hannah McKinnon

No Road Home by John Fram

Publisher: Atria Books

Date of publication: July 23rd, 2024

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, LGBT, Mystery Thriller, Queer, Paranormal, Adult, Suspense

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

For years, single father Toby Tucker has done his best to keep his sensitive young son, Luca, safe from the bigotry of the world. But when Toby marries Alyssa Wright—the granddaughter of a famed televangelist known for his grandiose, Old Testament preaching—he can’t imagine the world of religion, wealth, and hate that he and Luca are about to enter.

A trip to the Wright family’s compound in sun-scorched Texas soon turns hellish when Toby realizes that Alyssa and the rest of her brood might have some very strange plans for Toby and his son. The situation only grows worse when a freak storm cuts off the roads and the family patriarch is found murdered, stabbed through the heart on the roof of the family’s mansion.

Suspicion immediately turns to Toby, but when his son starts describing a spectral figure in a black suit lurking around the house with unfinished business in mind, Toby realizes this family has more than murder to be afraid of. And as the Wrights close in on Luca, no one is prepared for the lengths Toby will go in the fight to clear his name and protect his son.

First Line:

The knife slides free, the door clicks closed and here, at last, is the rain.

Important details about No Road Home

Pace: Fast

POV: 3rd person (mainly Toby, with a couple of chapters from Luca and Julian’s POV)

Content/Trigger Guidance: No Road Home contains themes that include bullying, classism, conversion therapy, homelessness, incest, pedophilia, grooming, sexual assault, child abuse, cheating, infidelity, addiction, anxiety, depression, dissociation, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, overdose, infertility, pregnancy, blood, gore, chronic illness, dead body, loss of autonomy, medical treatment, physical illness, cancer, death of a parent, death of a sibling, grief, suffocation, confinement, knife violence, murder, attempted murder, physical assault, gun violence, and flood. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.

Language: No Road Home contains explicit swearing and language that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content on page in No Road Home.

Setting: No Road Home is set in Hebron, Texas.

My Review:

When I read the blurb for No Road Home, it caught my attention. I have a strange fascination for evangelical preachers. I don’t know why; they have always fascinated me. Anyway, when I saw that the family of such a preacher was going to be featured, I was super interested to see how messed up they were (and the book didn’t disappoint). With the main character being a man who is parenting a queer child, I was also very interested in seeing how that was going to play into this book. I wasn’t disappointed. No Road Home had me glued to it until the wee hours of the morning.

The main storyline in No Road Home is centered on Toby, his son Luca, and the hellish couple of days he spends with his new wife’s family in Texas. This storyline was twisted. Actually, it was not twisted; it was knotted. Much was happening with and around this family, and the author took his sweet time revealing everything. But the same thing can be applied to Toby. A lot was happening internally with him, and his internal issues added extra depth.

The book gets off to a slow start, but it doesn’t stay slow for long. After Jerome is found killed, everything just snowballs. Throughout the storyline, one surprise after another is revealed, and each reveal explains a little more about Toby and the Wright family. By the end of the book, this storyline was blazing fast.

The relationships in No Road Home did make the book. I liked seeing how the author defined each and changed each relationship. The one that stood out the most to me was Luca and Toby’s relationship. That was pure love. Toby was willing to do whatever it took to shield Luca from bigotry in any form. He was also willing to do whatever it took to make sure that he and Luca left the property. The other relationship that stood out was weirdly Jerome and Cora. I can’t get into that relationship without massive spoilers, but it was similar to Toby and Luca’s….except that Cora did everything for the wrong reasons.

No Road Home is huge on secrets. Every character in this book either had a secret or knew one. I was overwhelmed when the author started revealing everything because it seemed all done simultaneously.

There were quite a few mysteries with some huge twists. The author does a good job of keeping them all under wraps. My biggest one was Willow and her connection to Toby and the Wright family. That was one of the biggest twists in the book. The other twists paled in comparison but still took my breath away.

There is a paranormal angle to the book that interested me. At first, I thought what Luca was talking about was a type of imaginary friend. But the more Luca spoke about it, and what Toby found on the roof, the more I figured out not only who but also what Luca befriended (and, weirdly, who was shielding him from the family).

I have so much more to discuss, but doing so would mean revealing spoilers, and I don’t want to do that.

The end of No Road Home was quick. I liked how the author explained everything and left no storyline open. I rarely end a book like this feeling satisfied, but in this case, I did. Everyone in this book, except the victim, got what they deserved. Why except the victim? He should have been kept alive to face the music with everyone else.

Many thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley, and John Fram for allowing me to read and review this ARC of No Road Home. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to No Road Home, then you will enjoy these books:

Other Books by John Fram