The Impertinent Miss Templeton by Lynn Messina

It's 3 o'clock in the morning. Tuppence Templeton is bemused to find the Harlow Hoyden and her twin sister in Tuppence's bedroom. It seems that they need her help. It's a little far-fetched but leads to a delightful story of the very plain Tuppence finding her way back into the realm of the Earl of Gage. Although, it's not as if he even remembers her from their first meeting.
Nicholas Perceval doesn't remember her. He knows that someone interfered with his sister and a fortune hunger but he straightened out that miss in no time. He knows what he knows and what he knows is always, always correct. Yet, dealing with Tuppence Templeton is teaching him exactly how wrong he can be; about the way that inventions work, what women can do, how well he can run off a fortune hunter, and exactly how plain Tuppence is.
The story was a little thin but the writing is as entertaining as always. Ms. Messina writes the type of romance novel that helped me get nearly perfect on my SAT reading scores.

Four stars
This book came out August 30
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

How (Not) to Marry a Duke by Felicia Kingsley

Jemma Pears doesn't want to marry a duke, not even to inherit her grandmother's fortune... how much is that fortune... er, maybe she'll think about it.
Ashford is new to being the Duke of Burlingham. Too bad his title came with such crippling debts. Luckily, his lawyer and Jemma's are the same person and he sees a way for both Ashford and Jemma to get what they want. And maybe even what they need.
Told in alternating first person, this was a fast read and the perfect fluff to help me get through a rather difficult time. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Kingsley.

Four stars
This book came out August 21
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon

Jill Gardner and her friends are spending Halloween in the local haunted house. Four couples, all ready to see a ghost. But, why is there a ghost there and could this be a mystery too old for Jill to solve?

I usually like this series (or any series by Lynn Cahoon) but this one just didn't come together for me. Too much plot packed into a short story made it hard to understand.

Two stars
This came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver

Amory Ames has always thought that Gerard and Georgina Holloway were the epitome of romance. They have always seemed to be in love with each other. Which is why she's surprised that Gerard is cheating on his wife with the young actress in his latest play. And that Gerard is asking her and Milo for help with the young woman, Flora Bell, who is receiving threatening letters. Amory is not really interested but she meets with the actress who brushes off the threats. But opening night, Amory is the one to discover a body. She and Milo will have to work fast to figure out who the murderer is.
I liked this book. The ending wasn't my favorite but it was interesting and that's sometimes better.

Four stars
Followed by A Dangerous Engagement
This book came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

One More Moment by Samantha Chase

For the last member of the Band on the Run series, Julian Gray, love has been a slog. The book opens when he dumps his fiancée at the altar, playing the video that shows that she has never really been in the relationship for him or their love.
Dedicated social worker, Charlotte Clark doesn't recognize Julian Gray when he can't pay for his coffee one day at her favorite coffee shop. She just recognizes the symptoms of someone who is in a liminal space and does not want to be there. She strikes up a conversation and helps to start pull him out of the dark space he's been in.
The two will have to figure out how to work around each other. I like that Charlotte sticks to her guns and makes Julian put forth actual emotional effort rather than letting him get away with just buying her forgiveness.

This book comes out September 4
Four stars
ARC Kindly provided by NetGalley
Follows  One More Promise 

Murder at the Mousetrap by Helena Marchmont

Alfie's aunt has died and left him her cottage in Bunburry. He arrives on a cold and rainy night. He also lands in the middle of a mystery. Or, is it? It seems a local man has died. It seems like an accident but there are those in town who aren't so sure, including two of Aunt Augusta's friends. It's up to Alfie and the ladies to figure out what is really going on. Even as they are helping get the annual rendition of "The Mousetrap."
A super-short novel but one that built it's characters out pretty well. There was less of a Christie connection than I expected from the description but aI'm looking forward to the next book.

Four stars
This book comes out September 1
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The premise of this book, a Groundhog Day Agatha Christie murder mystery with a touch of Quantam Leap thrown in, really intrigued me. I like all of those things. But would the author be able to make it work?
A man wakes up without a memory. He seems to be at a house party. It is nineteen years after a similar house party where the young son of a lord was drowned. Soon after, his sister was sent to Paris. This party is ostensibly for her return but it seems that someone has something more insidious in mind. Evelyn Harding is going to die. Our protagonist is "hosted" by various members of the party, one each day. He only has eight "days" to figure out who kills Evelyn Harding or else... I, I have to be honest. I never really did figure out what the absolute consequences were.
It took me awhile to get into the first person narrative. The ending was... how much can I say without giving it away? It wrapped up most of the plot points but it took a lot of effort. It is a good book though and I'm guessing it will be very popular when it comes out.

Four stars
This book comes out September 1