June 2021 Rereads

 As always, opinions are my own

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Four stars
This book came out December 4th, 2018
Borrowed as ebook from Libby

All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz

Four stars

This book came out January 7th, 2021

Follows The Vanishing
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 7th, 2014

Gone Gull by Donna Andrews

Meg Langslow #21

This book came out August 1, 2017
Follows Die Like an Eagle
Followed by How the Finch Stole Christmas

How the Finch Stole Christmas! by Donna Andrews

Meg Langslow #22

Three stars

This book came out October 24, 2017

Follows Gone Gull

Followed by Toucan Keep a Secret

Terns of Endearment by Donna Andrews

Meg Langslow #25

Three and a half stars

Follows Lark! The Herald Angels Sing

Followed by Owl Be Home for Christmas
This book comes out August 6th

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Three stars (bumped to three and a half on re-read)
This book came out September 4, 2018

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

How Y'all Doing? by Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan has been a favorite of mine since Ski Patrol and I loved discovering his true personality as he blew up on Instagram. This is a rather short book (~4 hours) but is a joy to hear Leslie read his own stories starting with the show he was on "The Cool Kids" which is where he really learned what Instagram was.

He gives his stories including the time Debbie Reynolds called his mother which almost made me cry, information on his seasons on American Horror Story, meeting Dolly Parton, and more. One of the amazing things is that he worked breaking horses for a number of years before becoming an actor.

Definitely consume this as an audiobook. Hearing it in Jordan's voice is the reason I would give this four and a half stars.

Four and a half stars

This book came out 

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder at Keyhaven Castle by Clara McKenna

I am really enjoying this series in general. Each book takes its time without rushing anything. We don't get to see a LOT of Stella and Lyndy's relationship developing and the backstory on the mystery for this one was a little underdeveloped but it is just a light, cozy mystery that is perfect for beach reading. 

Stella and Lyndy are finally heading toward marriage, the random murders and her father's meddling notwithstanding. The invitations have been sent, the wedding is announced in all the papers, and everyone is starting to come over - even some uninvited guests. 

In the invited category is a family that Stella's father invited because they are influential in Kentucky. Stella was always set up to be the daughter's best friend but the girl didn't treat her very well and that continues to this day with backhanded compliments and little digs that no one else seems to notice. 

For the uninvited guest, there is one rather sinister young man with a pistol and murder on his mind but also Stella's father's brother and his children. It is looking like it will be an interesting gathering but Stella and Lyndy are just ready for one thing, to finally be married. Except that it looks like a murder is going to change their plans...

Four stars
This book comes out  June 29th, 2021
Follows Murder at Blackwater Bend

Followed by Murder at the Majestic Hotel

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones

Can you be elected sheriff if you don't even run? Apparently if you are Sunshine Vicram you can. It's all a part of her parents plot to have her move back home. Hell, they even built a guest house and they never have guests. It's all a little suspicious. For Sunshine, it's the latest in a series of "interesting" things that have happened to her. At least her fourteen-year-old daughter seems amused by it. 

Too bad both of them are going to have hard first days. Sunshine's consists of an escaped prisoner, a woman nearly crashing into her as she stands in the police station, a kidnapped girl who may or may not have had visions of the kidnapping, and a throwback to Sunshine's own muddled past. 

Auri has to go to school where everyone thinks she is a narc, people spray paint her locker, and the mysterious boy that everyone wants to befriend or date seems to have his eyes on her which paints an even bigger target on her back.

We have alternating third person omniscient narrators and that creates a bit of mystery around the past since they hide things, even from themselves. Jones can be very fun but sometimes veers into the territory of "Too Much" for me but this seems like a great start to a new series.

Four stars

This book came out April 7th, 2020

Followed by A Good Day for Chardonnay

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Engagement Arrangement by Jaci Burton

I had enjoyed the first book in this series and thought that the second looked like it might be fun as well and friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Fake relationship is a trope that I don't mind (not catnip; not something I avoid) but it was interesting to me that so little of the book was actually spent with Brenna and Finn actually having to pretend to be in a relationship when it is literally in the title of the book. There are a few chapters where Brenna needs Finn to pretend to be her fiance so that her ex-husband and his new wife (Brenna's high school BFF turned worst enemy) can't gloat. Then there is a larger part where they are moving toward a real relationship with a couple of chapters thrown in for faking the relationship again though that seemed to be mostly for Brenna mending fences. 

Finn Nolan has loved Brenna Bellini ever since he arrived at her family's vineyard after his parents died. Now that she needs a buffer for an upcoming wedding, he's ready to make her see that he can be more than just part of the family. 

Three stars

Follows The Best Man Plan

Followed by The Accidental Newlywed Game

This book comes out June 29th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

His Improper Lady by Candace Camp

We've seen Tom Quick grow up from a street urchin rescued by one of the Morelands to a man who is running a detective agency. When he sees an intruder one night, he's immediately intrigued. She's a woman! But why has she invaded his agency?

Desiree Sullivan and her brothers have worked hard for every penny that they have. Granted, a lot of their pennies came from thievery but they've had a hard life. At least until her oldest brother came back from Australia with a fortune. Now he owns a casino and Desiree uses her talent (an inner eye for lack of a better word) to determine when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. But she and Tom decide to join forces to figure out how her past intersects his. 

As long as most of the other books in this series, this definitely follows the same path and regular readers will enjoy it. I don't think you need to have read the rest of the books in the series but it certainly does help to know who everyone is. 

Three and a half stars

Follows His Wicked Charm

This book comes out June 29th, 2021 

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh

Lydia Tavernor's late husband was not only a charismatic pastor, he was a hero dying to save one of the young boys in their village. Now that he is gone, this man who she loved so deeply that their wedding is one of her happiest memories, she is discovering that she rather likes living on her own. Somewhat scandalously, she bought her own house at the edge of the village not even employing a servant. She grew up with a family of men who were overbearing in their love.

Harry Westcott understands the need to be alone. His family may have lost their titles but the people in the village still respect him as though he were still an earl. When he was younger, he was sunny and open but, after losing his title and serving in the king's army, he became much more serious. Now he just wants to live a quiet life, occasionally visiting his large and rowdy family. But when Lydia makes a tentative overture toward a purely physical relationship, Harry does not want to turn it down. 

Regular Balogh readers will probably enjoy much of the story. I felt some of the conflict didn't quite make sense in this story but otherwise a lovely book.

Three and a half stars
Follows Someone to Romance

Followed by Someone Perfect
This book comes out June 29th, 2021
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I'm having a hard time figure out what I think of this book. I was uncertain about the two characters in the beginning, didn't really like that the reveal of why Olivia doesn't like Thaddeus at first (and it's ridiculously quick resolution), and REALLY thought there was too much drama at the end and Thad was a jerk. This book could have been saved with the elimination of any of the 16 reasons the HEA doesn't happen or the streamlining any of the 212 storylines. If this had just been a forced proximity between an opera singer and a football player, this could have been an amazing book, especially by this author. However, all that being said, SEP is an amazing author and I eventually grew to like Olivia and liked Thad other than his (out of character) ridiculousness  at the end. 

Olivia Shore is a world-famous opera singer. She is the perfect choice for a luxury watch brand. Too bad the man they've chose to be her counterpart is such an amazing jerk. This tour is definitely just adding to the problems heaping on her life that are coming out as physical ailments.

Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens is thirty-six. Not particularly old unless you're a football player. And not particularly galling unless a much younger, much more egotistical player is now the starting quarterback for the Chicago Stars while he is still second string. And now he has to travel with a woman who not only looks down on him, she seems terrified of him. What else is he to do except try to figure out why that is and whether he can't help her figure out her life. 

Three stars
This book comes out June 29th, 2021
Follows First Star I See

Followed by Simply the Best
ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Reread as ebook from Libby February 2023

Submerged by Daniel Lenihan

I heard about this book on the What Should I Read Next podcast. I worked closely with a Park Service museum at the time and it sounded interesting. And it is... to an extent. The stories do start to sort of run together after a bit but if you are interested in underwater archaeology or even underwater cave exploration, this will be a really interesting book for you. If you don't even like to read about small, enclosed spaces, this would not be the book for you.

Three stars

This book came out March 25th, 2002

Hard copy I didn't keep

Opinions are my own

To Sir, with Love by Lauren Layne

I have to admit, I didn't really like the movie You've Got Mail and I was a little squicked by the "To Sir" aspect but I like Lauren Layne a lot and decided to trust the story. I'm glad I did. The romance was probably a three but Gracie's growth and character development were a five. She really grows from following someone else's dreams to figuring out her own. And it's not because she's forced to but because she makes that choice for herself. Sebastian is okay but ends up being the sort of bland Disney prince that Gracie has wanted for her whole life.

Gracie Cooper is running the family business, keeping her father's dream alive. But now she's getting letters from the V. Andrews corporation asking her to give up their rental agreement. But why would she agree to that when she might just start breaking even soon? Besides, it's not like she's got anything going on in her personal life. Except an intriguing guy on this new app that allows for conversation only, no pictures.

Because this book is first-person narration for one character (with some text messages), we really do miss a lot of what is going on in Sebastian's mind. If Gracie hadn't had such growth, I might have minded more but overall my love of character development weighed more in rating this book.

Four stars

This book comes out June 29th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Gallery Books

Opinions are my own

The Third Circle by Amanda Quick

Leona Hewitt is a crystal worker, someone who can use crystals to help people solve their dreams. She has snuck into the house of a high-ranking peer to steal back the Aurora Crystal, an item that has belonged in her family since the 1600s. However, when she finally gets to the room with the crystal, she stumbles over not only a dead body but also Thaddeus Ware, a para-hypnotist who can use his powers to temporarily control other people.

They manage to get out of the house, but not before Thaddeus sets off a poisonous trap and Leona helps to bring him back from a waking nightmare. Thaddeus is also after the crystal, but in order to return it to the Arcane Society, a group of powerful psychics who fear its powers. Unfortunately, they are working against a cabal of the Emerald Table who want to use the crystal to control the world (or some such nonsense).

A lovely tale crafted by Quick who has been uneven in the past few years but has really renewed my interest with the Arcane Society series.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 1st, 2008

Follows Sizzle and Burn

Followed by Running Hot

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout

Rachel Bruner is wealthy so when she reads a book she likes, she buys ten thousand copies and sends one to everyone she knows... and then some. That wouldn't bring her to the door of Nero Wolfe except that the book disparaged the FBI and now they are on her doorstep. And monitoring her phone line. And following her friends, family, and staff. So she's come to retain the great detective to get the FBI off her back. Normally Wolfe wouldn't be interested but it's the start of a new ear and his coffers are empty. And Mrs. Bruner is offering enough to more or less make it through the whole year. But can Nero Wolfe really stop an entire government group? 

Well, eventually, yes. And he'll solve a murder along the way.

This was an okay story but not particularly gripping. Was great for data entry.

Three stars

This book came out October 8th, 1965

Follows A Right to Die

Followed by Death of a Doxy

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Big Nate: Say Good-bye to Dork City by Lincoln Peirce

The cover of this book refers to the storyline where Nate joins the cool kid clique but then discovers that maybe he was better off where he was before. We also get to see favorite running themes and characters like Nate's crush on Jenny, his antipathy toward her boyfriend Artur, a (brief) return of Revenge of the Mollusk, a glimpse of school photography guy, and Nate playing sports.

A great addition to the series and one that shouldn't be missed.

Four stars

This book came out March 17th, 2015

Follows The Crowd Goes Wild

Followed by Welcome to My World

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

State of Affairs by Marie Force

At the end of the last book (even though this kicks off a new series, I guess), Lt. Sam Holland and her husband Nick Cappuano, Vice President of the United States, have gotten a call that the President has died. This throws their world into chaos. Nick had just the week before announced that he didn't want to run for president and now he's being sworn into office. 

For Sam, this is a nightmare. She has her dream job in the police force. Yes, there are always rumors about how she got there (either sleeping with people, riding her father's coattails, or both) but it's not like she wants to climb the ranks. She just wants to be able to work in the streets. But how will that work when no other First Lady has ever held a job before? 

This book was a little less emotionally fraught than others in the series because there was so much going into the world re-building. And I actually enjoyed the book all the more for it. These things happen in people's lives, seismic shifts change how we view the world, and we have to start from where we are. I can't wait to read the next book.

Four stars

This book came out April 20th, 2021

Follows Fatal Accusation

Followed by State of Grace

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout

An incredibly rich man has died and only Nero Wolfe seems to think that it is murder. And is it connected to the disappearance of a Greek engineer? He starts working on finding a client. And it gets even murkier when the police learn that Wolfe is right and that a man who seemingly had no enemies has been killed by an ingenious device.

The case becomes murky and gets twisty and turny. It's much better read as a physical book rather than an audiobook as it did get very confusing even as a book I was re-reading.

Three stars for audio

This book came out October 1934

Followed by 

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews

Meg's parents have always been slightly eccentric and often pick up new hobbies (Meg's dad learning lockpicking has come in handy in more than one book). Now her parents are getting into the hobby of raising and showing roses. There's a lot that goes into the practice and a lot of rules around what kind of roses can be entered into competition. Putting together a show can be time consuming and Meg has been roped into being the lead on this particular flower show. She's having problems finding volunteers and it has quite a bit to do with the fact that she is dealing with Mrs. Winkelson. The woman has graciously allowed the show to be on her property. Well... "gracious" might be an exaggeration. The woman has tried to run the show according to her own rigid standards - standards that very much make it likely that she herself will be the winner. None of what she does makes life any easier for Meg. For instance, Mrs. Winkelson called up many of the competitors and told them only black and white roses (the color scheme of her entire property including all animals) will be shown. 

Because Mrs. Winkelson is so universally reviled, it should come as little surprise to the reader that she is the one targeted for murder. This time, Meg is more of an active sleuth rather than just a busybody or being pushed into it by her family. 

An okay story but not one of my favorites in the series. Mrs. Winkelson is kind of fun and I did like the flipping of some of the solution.

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 21st, 2009

Follows Six Geese A-Slaying

Followed by Stork Raving Mad

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Reread July 2023 as Audible audiobook

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts

 This is definitely my favorite of the Inn Boonsboro series.

Avery MacTavish runs a very successful pizza parlor and is happy with her life. Just because she's had a crush on middle brother Owen Montgomery since she was six and he gave her a bubble gum ring doesn't mean she's actually going to act on it. Except that he suddenly seems to have noticed that she's a woman. They decide that they're mature enough to handle a relationship, even if it might go south. I liked the discussion that they had with not too much beating around the bush, they decide they can handle a relationship and they go for it.

Also, I really liked Owen. He's organized, clear-headed and goes after Avery but is still concerned about her feelings.

Avery is a spitfire who is in charge of her own destiny. She does get a little shaken up when her past comes back but that is cleared up fairly quickly, not drawn out and made into some Big Misunderstanding.

Four stars

This book came out May 1st, 2012

Follows The Next Always

Followed by The Perfect Hope

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Not Quite Dead Enough by Rex Stout

I borrowed this book on a whim and was surprised to find out it was actually two longer novellas. When the first story wrapped up halfway through, I really thought it was a red herring. 

Both stories are set during WWII with the first having Archie return to the brownstone as a major in the army. It seems that Intelligence is in need of Nero Wolfe's skills and he is ignoring their requests. Archie is confident that he can change Wolfe's mind. On his way back to New York, Lily Rowan sits next to him on the plane having figured out his schedule. She wants help for her friend Ann Amory and can't get Wolfe to agree.

The reason that Wolfe didn't agree is because he is "training" in order to join the war. He is working hard to lose weight and get fit so that he can shoot Germans. Archie is shocked to see the great detective so deflated and even further shocked to figure out he can't change Wolfe's mind. So when Ann Amory is murdered, Archie frames himself in order to induce Wolfe to refocus on solving crimes. I didn't exactly get the end but it was an interesting story.

The second story is shortly afterward because Wolfe is now helping the war effort by working with Army Intelligence. He is even (gasp) leaving the brownstone and going to their offices. While there, he has Archie return the prototype of a new kind of grenade that Archie had had in their house. Wolfe, rather understandably, doesn't want it there. And it turns out that he is probably right to be worried since the grenade goes off in the army offices the next day, killing Archie's boss. There is a woman involved who Wolfe actually meets with an almost respects but otherwise it is a book about industrial espionage happening while the war is going on. 

Three stars

This book came out September 7th, 1944

Follows Black Orchids

Followed by The Silent Speaker

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews

Chosen to lead the local holiday parade (at least, it's the "holiday" now that she's in charge), Meg Langslow is wondering why she accepted. Well, she didn't exactly know that she was going to be in charge of everything. So that's why her house is teeming with most of the town of Caerphilly. Or so it seems. And many animals including donkeys, camels, elephants and more. Everything is chaotic and only made more so by the late appearance of Ralph Doleson who is playing Santa Claus. He is someone whom no one in town actually likes but yet somehow has a coveted role in the parade. He also has the temerity to kick Spike. True, the eight-and-a-half pound dog has a tendency to bite but that doesn't mean that he should be treated that way. It's just too bad that Meg's nephew is the one to find him murdered while in costume.

Regular readers will know who the murderer is pretty quickly but this is still worth reading.

Three and a half stars

This book came out October 28th, 2008

Follows Cockatiels at Seven

Followed by Swan for the Money

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread July 2023 as Audible audiobook

Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews

A woman drops off her two-year-old and then disappears.  Makes sense to me.  Okay, not really, but it's still a good story. Dealing with a child is scary but a great way to move along the character development in this series. We got to see Meg start dating Michael, get married, and now starting to consider whether or not she wants kids. This is a great practice run but a little scary since her friend Karen is no where to be found.

Added to that, Meg discovered that Dr. Blake Montgomery, well-known animal activist and TV personality, is actually her biological grandfather in the last book. Now her dad seems to be running around trying to impress his father: storing birds in the attic, helping snakes shed skins in the basement, and just generally being furtive.

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 8th, 2008

Follows The Penguin Who Knew Too Much

Followed by Six Geese A-Slaying 

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread January 2023 as Audible book

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

Beckett Montgomery is working with his two brothers and mother to restore a historic in in downtown Boonsboro which is just down the street from  Clare Brewster's bookstore. Beckett's had a crush on her since high school. Unfortunately, Clare only had eyes for Clint, the man she married and then had three sons with. But then her soldier husband died in the war and Clare moved back to Boonsboro where Beckett began mooning over her again. Okay, just keeping an eye on her.

But he's finally worked up the courage to ask her out.

I am really enjoying this series. The secondary characters (Clare's sons and friends, Beckett's family) are rich and well-developed. Clare's relationship with her sons is awesome, we get to see both the joys and the frustrations of being a parent. We also get to see the beginning of Beckett's relationships as he navigates the murky waters of dating a single parent.

Four stars

This book came out November 1st, 2011

Followed by The Last Boyfriend

Audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm by Dana Simpson and Narrated by Thessaly Lerner, Cortney Wright, Maxwell Glick

This 45 minute story was a quick listen and an interesting new way to consume a Phoebe and Her Unicorn series book. I had read the graphic novel so I'm not sure whether this would have been more confusing if you didn't have that background. I am very sure that you will have want to read at least one of the comic collections so you can keep a hold on some of the names. The narrators were adorable and I really loved the interpretations of each of the characters. Especially the narration of the goblins. It was really fun to see how many different ways "blart!" could be interpreted. 
Phoebe and her unicorn are back (in what I believe is their first audio outing) and the story is as fun as the graphic novel. This time Phoebe and Marigold not only have to deal with Dakota and her goblins but with a serious cold spell and a sudden lack of magic. Marigold and the goblins are able to figure out most of the story but they still have work to do to clear everything up. Through their explorations, they manage to charm the reader as well as help facilitate another human/magical creature pairing. 

Four stars

The audio comes out June 15th, 2021

Borrowed as audiobook from NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

An absolutely fabulous book with deep character development and a beautifully realized world built carefully by Diana Wynne Jones (DWJ).

Sophie is the oldest of three girls. As the oldest, she knows that she is not going to become successful in life. That's just the way it is. And when the Witch of the Waste puts a spell on her, making Sophie appear as an old woman to everyone (even herself), Sophie knows it's time to just give up and go to the castle of the evil Wizard Howl. It's rumored that he eats young girls. But Sophie's not a young girl anymore, so what can it hurt?

Inside the moving castle, Sophie makes herself at home (against the wishes of everyone there). We meet characters like Michael Fisher, Howl's apprentice and Calcifer, the demon who seems to be linked to Howl (though neither seems to want to be linked still). We also find out what happened to Sophie's sisters as well as her (evil?) stepmother.

A fantastic book that just gets better every time I read it. A strong female character whose main flaw in life is that she can't imagine any other way than what "has to be" and comes to realize that she has her own strengths and might just be able to make her own way in the world. And maybe even rescue her handsome prince...

Five stars

This book came out April 1986

Followed by Castle in the Air

Borrowed as audiobook from Cloud Library

Opinions are my own

The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews

Not my favorite in the series but still entertaining.

Meg and Michael have finally gotten to move into their home. Too bad Meg's father is so hell-bent on saving the animals of the Caerphilly zoo since it seems like the owner, Patrick Lanahan, is nowhere to be found. Well, until he turns up in Meg's basement. When her father starts digging a pond for the penguins, he finds the body.

If that's not bad enough, he has told everyone that Meg would be happy to take any animals that they are tired of fostering. Soon her house and barn are filled with wolves, hyenas, lemurs, and more. And Michael seems strangely endeared by the llamas. Add to all of that, Dr. Montgomery is lurking about. He is a big name animal activist who supposedly is in town to help with the zoo or maybe take it over... but it seems like his motives might be a little shadier than what it looks like at first glance.

Three stars

This book came out August 7, 2007

Follows No Nest for the Wicket

Followed by Cockatiels at Seven

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Reread January 2023 as Audible book

No Nest for the Wicket by Donna Andrews

This series continues its greatness.  I love that this book centers around extreme croquet.  I know I've played that way (putting wickets up all over and playing around whatever is in the way) but I didn't know anyone else did.

In this book, Meg has to figure out who killed a little-liked historian whose body she stumbles across as they're playing croquet. The lady's head is bashed in and, though the players all deny knowing her, she finds out that more than one is hiding the truth. Michael, Meg's fiance is not one of the people hiding the truth. He readily tells Meg that the woman, Lindsay, was someone he dated before they got together. Meg is incredibly pragmatic and not at all jealous that Michael dated before they met which I adore about her.

The how is fairly obvious but the who and the why have to be deciphered. Once Meg finds out that Lindsay once worked in the local college and was incredibly vindictive about perceived slights, she realizes that motives range from blackmail to revenge in the killing. 

Four stars

This book came out May 8, 2006

Follows Owls Well that Ends Well

Followed by The Penguin who Knew too Much

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Reread September 2022 as audiobook, Reread January 2023 as Audible book

Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey

Theodore "Teddy" Phillips is excited. She knows that her boyfriend is about to propose. but... he doesn't. In fact, he asks her to move out. Immediately. She moves in with two of her friends who she seems to have dumped in favor of said boyfriend. Now her only joy in life is watching Everett St. James and his puppet show. Yes, it's meant for children but it's uplifting. And he's hot.

Everett is at a crossroads. His show is about to take off but he's feeling like his life might be missing something. A letter from a not-so young audience member changes his life. And when he sees her singing karaoke one night, he is smitten (even not knowing who she is.)

I wish we had seen some more growth from Teddy who is a doormat. I also wish the chapters had been longer as the very short chapters sometimes made for choppy reading. And the last bump in their road is gotten over too quickly. However, this is a charming read with unexpected characters.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 15th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews

Derek Gaunt is trying to figure out his life. He was The Face for the Pack but then his good looks and resonant voice were ruined by silver. He is a werewolf and silver is the one thing that can kill his kind. He's already had a hard life (his father went crazy and basically killed the family so Derek had to kill him) and this doesn't help.

Julie Lennart-Olsen hasn't exactly had an easy life either. Her crush on Derek wasn't changed because his face was ruined. But she's got more important things going on like learning from her adopted grandfather (who is more or less a god) and protecting her adopted mother. And yes, that might mean that she crosses paths with Derek when a madman starts searching for a fallen star, even killing people to get to it.

This was an interesting interstitial but I didn't think it was that great an addition to the Kate Daniels or Aurelia Ryder series.

Three stars

This novella came out December 8th, 2015

Ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

I learned more about owls than I think I ever wanted to know.  However, setting up a murder in the midst of a yard sale? I can see it happening.  People are crazy.

Meg and Michael are organizing all of the junk in the house they recently bought. The Sprocket family let it go for a song because the aunt was a hoarder. But the Sprockets are sticking around to make sure they get their cut of the profit (10% of anything that they sell from the house goes back to the family). Then add the family members who have moved in so they can sell their own materials, or buy anything that's available, and the scads of early birds who can't understand why they can't go in early and you've got more people than Meg is really wanting around. She's just glad that two months of cleaning out the house is about to culminate in no more junk. Dreaming of a life of minimalism, she's not excited to find the body of a particularly nasty antiques dealer in a trunk. 

A fun mystery, very typical of the Andrews series. Meg is an incredibly competent, though reluctant sleuth. She is hesitant in this book to share with the police chief the things she learns though that changes in later books.

Four stars

This book came out March 7th, 2006

Follows We'll Always Have Parrots

Followed by No Nest for the Wicket

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Reread December 2022 as Audible book

We'll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews

This is of my favorites in the Meg Langslow series. There is the right amount of crazy antics and we get out of Caerphilly for a bit. We also get to see more about Michael and especially the cult show that he is currently a character on, "Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle."

In this book, Meg is heading off to a convention based around her boyfriend's television series. During the convention, someone lets loose a bunch of parrots and monkeys ('cause the show is set in the jungle) and the QB (Queen, um, Bee) is murdered. Meg has to figure out who, in a seemingly unending list of characters, wanted to kill this aging B-list star since Michael seems like he could be one of the top suspects.

Four stars

This book came out September 6th, 2002

Follows Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon

Followed by Owls Well that Ends Well

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Reread December 2022 as Audible book

Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz

In the first book of the series, Judson Coppersmith's (biological) brother fell in love with Gwen Frazier's (found family) sister. When Gwen's mentor dies leaving a ghost alleging murder behind, Gwen knows who to call for help. Her sister. And of course her soon-to-be brother-in-law asks his own brother for help. 

Judson just experienced a burn out and isn't sure that he's really healed. But he really liked Gwen and figures, why not. He can at least provide some muscle for the woman who intrigued him until she started viewing him as one of her psychic counseling clients. But maybe that was a misunderstanding and he's going to have some time to figure that out.

It is quite swift that the two fall into bed and then love but Krentz is a good author. This may not be her best book but very few of her books aren't worth reading at all.

Three stars

Follows Copper Beach

This book came out January 9th, 2013

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis

It's bad enough to be in a coma for two months. It gets worse if your whole body is broken and you're used to being an athlete (or at least being in training for a 5k). And it just heaps insult on injury to have your fiance now hooked up with your best friend. 

Emma Harris just wants to get away. Her PT isn't going well and now her former BFF and even more former fiance are treating her like she should stay with them. Not going to happen. It's just lucky that her physical therapist, Simon, knows of a place she can live. 

Simon has issues of his own. He wants to be a physical therapist full time but his father, who is recovering from a stroke, expects him to run the family business. Doing so is killing him by inches. Luckily, his new client is keeping him on his toes.

Yes, this is a romance that could potentially cause some squick because... patient and PT? Not really supposed to happen.

Three stars

This book comes out June 8th

(Loosely) Follows The Forever Girl

ARC kindly provided by William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins

This book absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. I wept through most of it even though it used a trope (time hopping) that I usually do not enjoy. It was just a little too woo for me and that brought it down but it was overall a highly enjoyable read. Higgins is usually a romance writer and, while I wouldn't put this book firmly in that category, regular readers won't be disappointed.

Joshua is on the autism spectrum and he knows that he will never find anyone who understands him as well as his wife Lauren. But Lauren is now dead having passed away from an incurable disease that slowly robbed her of her ability to breathe. It was a drawn-out process that hurt them both but also left Lauren enough time to leave Joshua a series of letters to be delivered roughly monthly. She knew that he would have time adapting and she wanted to make sure he had a life after her death. Some of the tasks are small, some are larger, but she hopes that they will help him recognize that there is life after death and that his next great love might have been in front of him all along.

Four stars

This book come out June 8th

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie

A series of short stories involving our favorite Belgian detective. It includes stories like “The Kidnapped Prime Minister,” and “The Adventure of ‘The Western Star.’” Stories are solid and short. Perfect for picking up and putting down if you’re at a point in your life where you only have snatches of time in which to read.

Three and a half stars

Follows The Murder on the Links

Followed by The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

This book came out March 1st, 1924

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews

In this book, Meg Langslow is involved with her brother Rob's burgeoning computer game company . He thinks there is something suspicious going on but he's not sure what. Since Meg recently hammered one of her hands, she isn't working her normal job so she's helping out while trying to figure out what is going on. If they could only keep a temp there long enough to answer the phones but they keep getting scared by the buzzard in the lobby and the pranks by the office workers. Then, one of the techies is killed and Meg has to help keep her brother out of jail.

Not my favorite book in the series but still good. The technology, of course, hasn't aged well but the rest of the story is good.

Three stars

This book came out September 6th, 2002

Follows Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos

Followed by We'll Always have Parrots

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread December 2022 as Audible book

Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews

Meg is caught up in another murder, this time at a historical reenactment where Michael's mother is in charge. It's already a little tense and then a man no one really liked is found dead. He had stolen software from Tad, seems to be getting ready to steal Rob's new game, and is generally upsetting people. So there is no shortage of suspects.

Andrews is still finding her footing with this book but it is a fun read and we start to see Meg and Michael getting closer as well as dealing with some of the obstacles in their way.

Four stars

This book came out October 12th, 2001

Follows Murder With Puffins 

Followed by Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread May 2022

The Wishing Star by Susan Hatler

The premise of this book is kind of crazy - ex-wife of rock star becomes soap star - but I thought it sounded light and fun. And a good half of the book is. But there is so much time in setting up Charlie Rockwell and her well-founded fears of being one half of someone famous that there is little time for anything else. Luke is sort of blandly wonderful except when he's a complete jerk. And for the BS that Luke pulls, there is not NEAR enough groveling for him unilaterally deciding to tank the relationship. The beginning of the book was sweet and fun but the ending... it was rough.

Charlie is licking her wounds but is running out of money. When her favorite soap opera offers to pay her at least a year's worth of money to use her house, she jumps at the chance. Her favorite character is an officer played by Luke Montgomery. When she steps in for a missing actor one day, she might just reclaim her dream of becoming a Hollywood star in her own right.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 4th, 2021 (originally published 2016)

ARC kindly provided by Hatco Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own