The Santa Sleuth by Heather MacAllister

Amanda Donnelly just wants to move to the next level of reporting (the hard stuff! Isn't it always?) but is relegated to fluff. For example, her current assignment of picking a child who will rate the Santas around Houston. She wants a bright child with all their teeth but ends up with Virginia who is missing a tooth and who seems to bedevil her teachers/principal though that was very much a case of Show, not Tell since she doesn't seem unusual except for being fairly precocious and creating a lot of the pivot points for the plot.
Of course, (this is a romance novel, after all) Virginia has a single father, Kirk, who relies on his coterie of assistants to help take care of his daughter but seems to deny it. He also demonstrates questionable decision making when he sends Virginia out on location with Amanda after having met her once (maybe it was twice, but still.)
I did finish the story and if you're looking for something sweet and easy to read, this book will be it. It was just a little too sweet for me.

Two and a half stars

This book came out November 1st, 1994 (this explains a LOT)

Got as a free book from Kindle

Opinions are my own

The Mistletoe Trap by Cindi Madsen

I love a friends-to-lovers story. It is my catnip. And this one starts off really, really well. You've got socially awkward pathologist Julie O'Neill who is definitely not in love with her bestie-for-life QB Gavin Frost. Even if their parents try to throw them together. Every. Single. Time. the two are back in Crytsal Springs for Christmas. Well, Gavin has been sent home by his boss (must read the boss's book, The Wedding Deal) because said boss is a believer in taking time off and resting. Even for a football star. Now Julie and Gavin will be thrown together in every conceivable way by their mothers. And it seems like this is the year that they might start noticing each other.
I liked most of this book. A lot. But the meddling. Oh my gosh. I like a meddling family but one with more of a deft touch. They see proof that Julie and Gavin are in a relationship and jump right into marriage. Who wouldn't that freak out? To be fair, having the family, rather than a protagonist, cause the last Big Misunderstanding is pretty unique. And I did like that the make up scene wasn't a spectacle but fit in with the story.

Three stars

Follows The Wedding Deal

This book comes out November 16th

ARC kindly provided by Entangled Publishing LLC and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Gray's Anatomy Puzzle Book by Dr. Gareth Moore and Dr. Gabrielle M. Finn

 An interesting premise on learning. Each "chapter" (about 3 pages) contains the same things. One page a few paragraphs delving into a specific part of the body listing muscles, bones, tendons, and how things work. These are fairly high level and interesting to read. This page is followed by puzzles that usually have the answers contained in the paragraphs above with a few outliers. The puzzles are actually a fun mix of search a words, Sudoku, matching and more. 

It was a lot to digest. I would HIGHLY recommend buying this book in the physical form as it will be easier to do the puzzles as well as flip back and forth to the answers.

Four stars

This book comes out November 17th

ARC kindly provided White Lion Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Ms. Behave by Cathy Yardley

 In previous books in this series, we knew that Simon, medium-time TV star of a sci-fi series, has some mysterious past in Snoqualmie and that it probably has something to do with the gender-neutral, kick-ass lawyer Mallory and we finally get to find out what it is. 
The two were best buds in high school but when Simon caught feelings, he tried to be super secret and respectful about it because he thought Mallory was a lesbian so he wasn't going to put all of his feelings on her. Which, he probably could have shared some but... teenagers aren't the smartest and I very much respect the "why lose a best friend" question. They did get handsy with each other one night but were yanked apart soon after so never had a chance to follow up.
Years later, Simon still thinks Mallory's hot, especially when she saves his butt from a potentially awkward situation. He is still trying to respect her feelings, even when she is coy (but that seems to have been their relationship in high school also.)
Maybe not the best representation of bisexuality (some things seemed stereotypical but I'm not an expert on the topic) but Mallory was strong and confident in who she was and I enjoyed that about her.

Four stars

Follows What Happens at Con

Followed by Playing Doctor

This book came out July 30th, 2019

Borrowed from Audible Escape

Opinions are my own

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

 There is a reason that this book was being talked about so very much in Romancelandia. A slow burn novel where neither heroine really knows that they love the other is just delightful. Emma can't confess her crush on the main show writer she works for. That's her <i>boss</i>. And Jo Jones, former child star, is far in the closet and more concerned with her career than her love life. Besides, dating her assistant would be inappropriate. But a picture on the red carpet has the tabloids buzzing. Both Jo and Emma's families and friends are telling them that there might be some truth to the matter but neither wants to admit that it might be true for very valid reasons. Throw in a little #MeToo situation that Jo handles like a boss and this is a book that was balm to the soul in the current world situation. 

Four stars
This book came out
Borrowed as an ebook from the library
Opinions are my own

The Shifter Romances The Writer by Kristen Painter

 Roxy St. James just got out of a supremely sucky marriage. She is delighted to move to Nocturne Falls where it is Halloween 365 days a year. And moving next door to a hunky cop and his cute (but bum) younger brother. That can only help her get past her writer's block and keep writing her best-selling shifter-romance series.
Officer Alex Cruz is worried. Roxy St. James doesn't seem to be a tap water drinker. As one of the paranormal people who live in the area, that's a problem because the bespelled water is the reason that more humans don't discover that most of the "characters" in town are real. It is also not very helpful that he seems to be attracted to the woman (plus, she speeds!) But when mysterious packages start appearing on her doorstep, he'll do anything to protect her.

Two stars

Follows A Vampire's Valentine Surprise
Followed by The Dragon Finds Forever

Borrowed as an audiobook from Audible
This novella came out May 24th, 2016
Opinions are my own

Without a Brew by Ellie Alexander

When you're in a tourist town that's based on a Bavarian village, winter is the time to rake in the cash. Sloan Krause and her boss haven't officially opened the B&B that is attached to the microbrewery but a sudden winter storm during a festival means that their rooms are the only place for stranded people to stay. That includes a lovey-dovey couple, four rather entitled young people, and a young woman who seems to be hiding something even though more than one person recognizes her.   And it is the young woman who ends up dead.
This was a solid addition to the Sloan Krause series. There were a few too many suspects and the murder victim's history was a little overcomplicated. I am also sort of curious where the storyline with Sloan's former in-laws and her own past are going.

Three stars
Follows Beyond a Reasonable Stout

Followed by The Cure for What Ales You
This book comes out November 10th
Ebook kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley
Opinions are my own