A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge by Kate Khavari

Saffron and Alexander are going to visit her family. Elizabeth is coming with them. They are on their way because Saffron's grandfather is ill, and the man posing as his doctor is none other than Saffron's archnemesis. 

There's a number of potential pitfalls in this trip. Saffron's family doesn't approve of her, neither do Elizabeth's (her family are neighbors). Alexander and Saffron are hopelessly entangled, and this is his first time meeting her family. 

This adventure is going to be no less thrilling or perilous than others in this series. There was a little much going on with Bill Wyatt, and then a medium, and people rushing all over but the story was generally enjoyable. I would definitely start at the beginning of the series for this one. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 10, 2025

Saffron Everleigh Mysteries #4

Follows A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess

Cath's mother died recently. She's not really sure how to feel about it. They were never very close, her mother having dumped Cath at her paternal grandmother's houseand then disappearing. Well, except for the times that she'd show up, get Cath's hopes up, and then disappear again. That's why Cath is so surprised to find two tickets to a "murder week" in England. It seems her mother set it up for them to go together. But why?
Cath can't cancel the tickets and her support team encourages her to go so she does. She's added to a room with William and Amity. William's husband, an avid birder, has sent him on this week. Amity is a widowed romance writer who is currently blocked and hopes that this week will help spark creative juices.

I enjoyed the characters but wish that this book had picked a genre. There was a side romance that wasn't developed well and it cut into the story of the Cath making new friends and discovering more about her mother. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 10, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Gallery Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Heart of the Sea by Nora Roberts

The third in the Gallagher trilogy. I do really enjoy these books although they are starting to get a wee bit dated. Of course, with the way technology changes these days, most books are going to be dated pretty fast and this book actually holds up pretty well. 

Anyway, the last Gallagher sibling, Darcy, just got back from a trip to Paris. She's always wanted to travel and finally gotten just a snippet of her wish. But when she returns, the construction on the addition to her family pub is underway. And she meets the man in charge of the construction, Trevor Magee. He is everything that she has ever wanted in a man, handsome, kind and rich. And that's a big hang up for him. He wants to buy her and tries to... but as much as she talks about wanting money, she really just wants love.

Four and a half stars

Gallaghers of Ardmore #3

This book came out

Follows Tears of the Moon

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

This book was fine but I think it would have been better as an e- or physical book.. I especially enjoyed Burkeman talking about generosity. He said that, in a moment of generosity, you should just do the thing. If you wait for the moment to pass, you might lose your chance.

Three stars
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinionsa are my own

The Twelve Days of Murder by Andreina Cordani

An homage to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," this book covers a group of seven friends twelve years after the disappearance of their eighth. In university, they were a group who created and enacted murder mystery dinners. Most of them had money so they could go over the top. But one Christmas, the murder became a little too real. At least, most of them think so. They're not entirely sure since a body never turned up. Now, one of their team is trying to get the band back together. 

Charley always felt left out since she was "the poor one," the one accused of stealing a necklace. She's not sure that she wants to go but she's offered money. And since becoming an actress hasn't exactly worked out for her, she's willing to go. This money will let her break up with her boyfriend and get out. So, now she's on her way to Scotland. And we follow Charley's third person point of view through the present day with third person omniscient for the flash backs. 

The story was a little basic and the ending came a bit out of nowhere but, once I got into it, I ran through the ending. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out November 7, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopa

Opinions are my own

Elizabeth Sails by Kristin Owens

Beth Schiff rarely leaves her New York city apartment, preferring to stay inside and complete the ghostwriting she does for politicians. She's working with her therapist on correcting some mental health issues that she's struggling with. All of that comes to a head when her great aunt dies and Beth is suddenly on the hunt for a missing will. If she doesn't, her hideously entitled step cousin will inherit millions of dollars rather than a number of deserving charities. 

She's suddenly having to rush to get her cat taken care of and some good clothes because her aunt was on a luxury cruise ship when she died. Once aboard, she meets a group of characters. She also discovers that the hidden will might be more planned than she originally believed.

This is a very fast and fluffy book. There are mentions of mental health but I felt that it was very hand-wav-y in Beth feeling "better." 

Three and a half stars

This book came out October 8, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts

This second in the series focuses on Sean and Brenna. Sean is a cook and a composer, Brenna is by way of being a handywoman fixing cars and ovens in this book as well as building a nursery and remodeling a hotel. They've known each other forever but have always held themselves back as being "just friends." Well, Brenna's tired of that and she wants a fling to get these inconvenient feelings out of the way. Sean is shocked at first but then realizes that this could be a good thing... until he falls in love. Some misunderstandings occur (her younger sister thinks she's in love with Sean, Sean is pissed that Brenna sends off some of his music to a producer) but they get together in the end thus helping along the second of the three hearts that must be joined in order for Carrick, the fairy prince, and Lady Gwen, a ghost, to be together again.

Three and a half stars

Gallaghers of Ardmore #2

This book came out January 1, 2000
Follows Jewels of the Sun

Followed by Heart of the Sea

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own