The Accidental Newlywed Game by Jaci Burton

We've sort of seen in previous books in the series that Honor Bellini was probably going to end up with her sister's ex-fiancee, Owen Stone. And, while that's a setup that I don't usually enjoy, I really like Burton's writing and thought she might be one of the authors that could pull it off. I really wish that there hadn't been so much secrecy. Also, the big ending was So Very Public. 

Honor is in Vegas for a conference. Surprisingly, Owen is at the same hotel. After a night out together, they wake up married. The chemistry is undeniable (at least to them; it took me a longer to buy in) and they decide to keep dating, but secretly until it becomes clear that it might be a longer term relationship that either thought. 

Three stars

Follows The Engagement Arrangement

This book comes out June 29th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Frances and George have finally reached their wedding date. Which is grand because Frances is beyond ready to not have her mother underfoot. Sure, two families that are invited the wedding are close to mortal enemies but one of the gentleman can't come anyway. And Frances wants her brother Alonzo ("Lon") to have the chance to court Madeline Connor, the daughter of one of the men and the stepdaughter of Frances's good friend Willa. 

During the reception, Frances and George have photographs taken and, while posing by a window, see many people cross from their house to Mr. Connor's. It's just bad luck that Lon is the one founds standing over Mr. Connor's dead body. And, oops, he's holding the murder weapon

Putting off their wedding trip, Frances and George work swiftly to see if they can uncover the real killer before Lon is put away for murder. Complicating matters is Frances's mother who seems to have some secrets of her own.

A good addition to the series. You can jump in here but I do recommend going back to the beginning and getting to know the characters.

Four stars

This book comes out June 28, 2022

Follows A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder

Followed by A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder 

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Unmatchmakers by Jackie Lau

I unfortunately read this one after another Lau book which I thoroughly enjoyed and this one suffered in comparison. I'm not sure if it's because it took so long for the romance to really begin or because we never really got to know the main character because she spent so much time describing other people but I didn't really click with this book. 

Leora grew up with a number of aunties. Women who, like her mother, were disappointed by love. Now they are all gathering for a summer vacation together again but as adults. And Leora is discovering that Neil grew up to be a fine man indeed. All might be peachy except that both her mother and Neil's are actively working to keep them apart.

Three stars

This book come out June 28, 2022

ARC kindly provided by Kobo Originals and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

Applying to work at the company that makes her favorite card game is Reggie Johnson's dream. She is startled to learn that the ad was not actually for her card game, it is to be an actual familiar for a practicing witch. In fact, she doesn't believe that is what is happening at all. Because magic isn't real. Is it? Either way, she's got a place to live an a salary is beyond any expectation she thought she could ever have. 

Ben Magnus knows magic is real. He's been practicing it for almost 500 years after all. And he's seen so many familiars come and go in his aunt's life; Reggie is just... ugh. Why is she even here if she doesn't believe in magic? 

When Ben's aunt is put under a hex, Reggie will have to figure out whether or not she's ready to step into an alternate world and broaden her own horizons, which is something she's found hard in the past. Though it is made a little easier by the fact that Ben is sure easy on the eyes..

This was a really cute start to a series. There were some info dumps but they were woven into the story well. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Four stars

This book came out April 19, 2022

Followed by What the Hex

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries

Lady Diana Harper has been left in a hard place. Yes, she's the daughter of an earl but her mother has very publicly run away with another man and her father divorced her. She and her sisters are now highly suspect. Luckily, her oldest sister is married but her younger sister's fiance has unceremoniously cut ties. Their father doesn't seem to care about them at all. It seems it will be up to her sisters to figure out how to save themselves. And an idea, given by a mysterious lady at a ball, has them creating Elegant Occasions, a company that will help usher young debutantes through their season. 

It is that business that brings the Duke of Grenwood, Geoffrey Brookhouse, into her sphere. He has only recently discovered that he is a duke. He really is not happy about it; he has trained to be a civil engineer and that is what he wants to do. But he has a younger sister that he loves and he wants her to be happy. So Elegant Occasions and the infuriating Diana it is. 

The two are immediately at loggerheads but their attraction soon overcomes it. There are a couple more bumps but they most find their way to true love.

This was an okay book but felt sort of shallow, especially in comparison to other Jeffries novels. I suspect it is because there was so much set up with this being the first book of the series.

Three stars

This book came out May 24, 2022

Followed by What Happens in the Ballroom

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty

I heard about this book on the Book Riot podcast and thought the premise was intriguing. Six clones wake up in space. All of their previous bodies are either dead or close to it. Now they have to find out what happened.
The narrator is third person omniscient and hops around from character to character though we mostly hang out with Maria Arena. As the clones recover their memories, the reader gets to learn more about their lives. 
A back and forth between past and present isn't my favorite narrative device and I thought the ended wrapped up a bit too tightly but I highly enjoyed the book

Four and a half stars

This book came out January 31, 2017

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

A Most Unusual Duke by Susanna Allen

Beatrice, Marchioness of Castleton, was married to a very old man at a young age. What made the marriage even worse? The dude was a shifter and scared the ever loving stockings right off of her. But he's dead now and she's free to do whatever she wants. Well, sort of. She's just been informed by the Prince Regent that she must marry again and to another shifter. 

Arthur Humphries, Duke of Osborn, isn't any happier about the marriage than Beatrice is. In fact, he's down right grumpy about it. Beatrice just doesn't smell like anything. How is he supposed to accept her as his true mate?

His staff, on the other hand, is happy to help. Even though he hasn't been there in years, after the death of his father, they are happy to see him, even if they are all a lot older. 

Still as zany as the first book and I flew through it as well. The zany worked a little less well in this second book but I'm still enjoying the series.

Three and a half stars

This book came out December 28, 2021

Follows A Wolf in Duke's Clothing

Followed by A Duke at the Door

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own