Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

This is the story of two people who most definitely are not looking for love, especially not with each other. Maggie thinks that Aiden is her son's age while he thinks she's his mother's. It's a bit of a coincidence that they think that but not an unthinkable stretch. As the two spend more time together on an online role-playing game, they become friends. When Aiden hurts his ankle, they meet in person and realize they are about the same age. Love isn't instant, but as the two get to know each other, as they listen and grow (loved this!), they figure out they might want more from each other than merely friendship.

Four stars

This book came out July 1, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle

Opinions are my own

Not My Kind of Hero by Pippa Grant

Maisey was one of the stars on a D-list home improvement show. Her ex-husband was the other. She knew more about home repairs but was content to be the comedic partner. The ex wanted a bigger star and divorced her so now she's on her own except for her daughter, Junie. If that wasn't bad enough, Maisey's mother was the head of a Ponzi scheme and their names became mud in their home town so Maisey has moved them both to Wyoming. The book opens with them confronting a bear (Earl) and accidentally scaring a man off his horse. 

Flint isn't excited about his new landlord. She never came to visit her uncle and she is a dilettante who is telling him he can't run his after-school program on her property. He'd rather not deal with her at all and wishes that her uncle had finally changed his will to leave his property to the town like he had always said he would.

There are definitely misunderstandings between the two but after some time (and some heated stolen moments that they each assure each other they shouldn't be taking), they figure out they might be perfect for each other. 

I loved getting to see Maisey figure out her new life. I never quite warmed to Flint but I could see why she would. If you like Grant, you will enjoy this book.

Four stars
This book came out August 15, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

A great read where the heroine is truly curvy (not some 5'9-and-150-pounds-curvy-my-ass heroine) The hero is still the classic TDH (tall, dark and handsome) but Minerva (Min) doesn't even believe in love. She has her two best friends and her beloved sister, so what more does she need out of life? Well, she's still dating, but the last guy broke up with her, accusing her of being frigid, then turning around and trying to bet Calvin (Cal) Morrisey ten thousand dollars that Cal can't get her into bed within a month. Cal doesn't take the bet, but nobody seems to believe him.

Min overhears the conversation and decides that she'll teach Cal a lesson by going out to dinner with him and then unceremoniously walking out. The two have some major obstacles including both sets of parents (Min's mom is convinced she's fat, Cal's parents think he's dumb) that have given them hideous insecurities. 

It's a romance so of course there is a HEA, but I LOVE the fact that they don't actually have kids. Every other happily ever after has kids somewhere in the picture and that just isn't actually everyone's cup of tea so this is a refreshing change of pace.

Four stars
This book came out January 1, 2004

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited (came with ebook)

Opinions are my own

A Matter of Loyalty by Anselm Audley, Elizabeth Edmonson

Hugo, Georgia, and Freya are back for a last adventure. This book was not quite as good which is explained at the end of the story. 

One of the scientists at the "Atomic" has gone missing. It is assumed that he is the one that was leaking scientific information which makes Sir Bernard very happy as he can close out that mystery with a sigh. At least, he could until the man's body shows up with a single gunshot wound in the neck. And Georgia and Polly are the ones to find him which shakes everyone up. 
Old favorites are included in this story. 
Saul Ingram is once again in hot water - he seems to be the easy target to point at for any number of sins
Uncle Leo-the priest and former spy
Aunt Priscilla- still managing  but lovable
New characters
Jarret - in from the Home Defense, was the best man at Freya's aborted wedding
Dr. Arpad Barandy - defecting Hungarian scientist staying at the castle
This was a good series and I liked how Edmonson was building on each successive story. I'm sad that we won't get to see the final stories. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out October 19, 2017

Follows A Question of Inheritance

Borrowed as Kindle audiobook

Opinions are my own

A Question of Inheritance by Elizabeth Edmondson

The second in a trio of books, we again see Hugo, a secret agent for the crown, his young teen sister Georgia, and Freya, the cousin of a newly discovered earl. But there's a problem with this earl, it seems like somebody is trying to kill him. This is not exciting for him, nor for his two daughters who have also traveled from America. 

It's Christmas, which is going to be a hard one this year since the earl was only recently discovered to be the heir and his half-sister, who expected to inherit, is less than happy to welcome a new sibling to the family. 

There are family tensions, stolen paintings, and a body that ends up in the family hothouse. It's a lot but it built off the first book nicely. You don't have to have read the first book but it really wouldn't be as enjoyable.

Four stars

This book came out October 27, 2015

Follows A Man of Some Repute

Followed by A Matter of Loyalty

Borrowed from Kindle; listened as audiobook

Opinions are my own

A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson

Hugo Hawkworth very much feels the effects of his leg wound. Now he can't serve in the army and his official story has to be that it was a bicycle accident. He's been picked up by another department but still chafes at riding a desk. At least he gets to spend time with his young sister, thirteen-year-old Georgia, the only family he has left in the world. 

They've come to Selchester Castle, the site of the mysterious disappearance of the last earl almost seven years ago. The earl seems to be a man that few people have missed, including his daughter who is counting down the days until he can be declared dead and she can be wealthy. Her cousin, the earl's niece Freya, is the only family who still lives at the castle. 

When a skeleton is discovered under some pavers, everyone is shocked. But are they really? Because many of the same people who were at the party where the earl disappeared are still in the picture.

This was a good start to a series and I enjoyed it.

Four stars

This book came out July 1, 2015

Followed by A Question of Inheritance

Borrowed from Kindle; listened as audiobook

Opinions are my own