Witch Me Luck by Amanda M. Lee

I never had an arch enemy in high school but Bay Winchester sure did. Like most fictional high school nemeses, Lilah Stevens is beautiful, popular, and mean. Really and truly mean. And Bay was her favorite victim. And still is. Because Lilah is back in town and she's set her sights on Bay and on Bay's man, Landon. She's not even subtle about it, immediately sidling up to Landon soon after someone robs the local bank. Landon's not having it and, in fact, is too busy reaming out Bay because she ran to the shots rather than away from them.
It was really nice to see how much Bay really did trust Landon. Although, she did wobble quite a bit on the trust issues, especially when it comes down to reporting the evidence that points to her cousin Clove's beau, Sam, as the bank robber. Even when it means that Clove is no longer talking to Bay.
There was a little too much drama in this one for me but I do love that the women are finding their HEAs without losing too much of themselves.

 
Three stars
This book came out May 1st, 2015

Follows Something to Witch About

Followed by Life's a Witch

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Something to Witch About by Amanda M. Lee

Bay Winchester's life is never easy but these days seem unnecessarily complicated. Right now, her father is building an inn with his two ex-brothers-in-law that is going up against her mother and her mother's sisters business, her cousin Clove is sneaking around doing who knows what, her boyfriend Landon's family is in town visiting and his mother doesn't really seem to approve of her, her great aunt Tillie is growing pot and her new greenhouse just dug up a set of bones, when Bay goes down with Landon and the police chief to see what is going on, a poltergeist shoots right through her. The remains are identified fairly quickly and Tillie seems to be a viable suspect for the death. As Bay tries to clear her great-aunt Tillie's name, she is also working not to alienate Landon's mother completely nor let his family see exactly how different her family is.

There was a lot of movement forward for Bay as well as her two cousins in this book which was highly enjoyable. 

Four stars

This book came out October 17th, 2014

Follows Witching on a Star

Followed by Witch Me Luck

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Love at First Hate by A.R. Casella

In previous books in the series, we were introduced to the Bad Luck Club. This was for the people who seemed to have more bad luck than good but who were actively working to make a change. Blue, a previous heroine, even graduated. But it seems that one of the members has written a book about the club claiming that she founded it. And new Bad Luck Clubs are popping up all over. But was she really the inspiration?

Molly O'Shea is ready to jump-start her career. She's just lost her job at a dating blog site and is back in Asheville to watch her sister's dogs while her sister is on a babymoon. What else does she have to do? But this reveal about the BLC might get her going in a different direction, more in line with what she wants to do. Too bad that researching the club might ruin what could have been a great relationship with Caleb "Cal" Reynolds. Because picking at the secrets of the club mean picking at the secrets of Cal's past. And he doesn't want those secrets to resurface.

I really liked that Molly came clean with Cal early in the book. I was getting some definite squick from the idea that she might lie to him about why she was getting in touch.

Four stars

This book came out August 12th, 2021

Follows Luck of the Draw (Asheville Brewery series)

Followed by Jingle Bell Hell

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Hidden Miles by Claire Kingsley

Leo Miles hasn't left his family's property in three years. Not since he came back from the war scarred down one side of his body and with PTSD that confines him to the vineyard. His solace is his online gaming where he hangs out with his friend Gigz (short for giggles.) Hearing her voice just makes him feel good. When he hears her voice at a wedding on the family property, he's astonished. But he can't show her his physical self.

Hannah Tate knows she needs to leave her relationship but she's terrified that her abusive boyfriend will hurt her when she does (TW for physical harm). She is shocked to have a moment with a stranger at her boyfriend's cousin's wedding but intrigued. When she finds out the man is her online gaming buddy, Badger, she's shocked. But it turns out to be a blessing because he ends up being the only one she can call when her boyfriend does put her in the hospital. She ends up staying with him and eventually falling in love. Well, lust for sure. But he doesn't seem to feel the same. Or maybe he can't. But their feelings are about to be crystallized because the storyline involving Leo's father that has run through all four books in the series is about to come to a head.

This was some serious relationship whiplash in this book. If you don't like the h/h to have a relationship at the beginning of a book, this book will not be for you. Hannah's boyfriend is defintely an asshat but she doesn't get rid of him for well into the book. And there were so many Big Misunderstandings at the end... it just kept going. 

Three stars

This book came out March 22nd, 2019

Follows Reckless Miles

Followed by Gaining Miles

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Lady Sesily Talbot is well-known in the ton. She cut a swath with her four sisters as the daughters of a coal merchant. Now, her sisters are all married off while Sesily uses her time working with a group of women to take down unscrupulous men. Is it dangerous? Yes. But she feels strong that it is the right thing to do. Would she love to get married? Maybe. But there is only one man who holds her interest. 

Caleb Calhoun is an American in business with Sesily's sister Sera. He has just returned to England after two years away. He was most definitely avoiding Sesily. But now he's back to help Sera and their business partner Fetu while she gives birth. He knows that his past will cause a problem but he just can't stay away from Sesily. And when his past crosses with her present, it may mean that he will never see her again.

MacLean has written another amazing novel. I thought that the wrap up was a little too swift but the book was otherwise enjoyable. Sesily was capable and Caleb recognized that. I am very hopeful that Lady Imogen, resident chemist, will get a story with Bow Street Runner Thomas Peck. 

Four stars

This book comes out August 24th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly

Trying to resurrect her hometown, Kate Hamilton is really feeling the weight of her own expectations. They have the Barton house and a chunk of money to refurbish it, but how will she find contractors? Will it be enough? 

She finds a contractor, Morgan, who seems like he will be good at the job but the day that he's inspecting the house, they find a body, more of a skeleton really, walled up in the kitchen of the Barton house. He obviously died in the 1800s so it's not of great concern but it is still curious. 

Katie is also dealing with Steve, one of Morgan's contractors who seems to have an ulterior motive for working on the house, as well as balancing her burgeoning relationship with Joshua, who seems to be distancing himself somewhat.

Then, another body is found in the house and this time it's someone that Kate knows. Of course, being a cozy, it is someone who totally deserves it. But that doesn't mean that it isn't disconcerting. And a little worrying.

The mystery in this one is not quite as tight as previous books in the series. Also, the ending was a bit abrupt, especially with a time jump that didn't make sense to me.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out August 24th, 2021
Follows Killer in the Carriage House
ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Now You See Her by Linda Howard

Sweeney is an artist. She's happy without a man in her life, just her art. But her life is changing. She's painting murder scenes, scenes that she has no possible way of knowing. And all of a sudden, she's not only noticing men, she's attracting them. 

Richard Worth is the husband of her gallery's owner. He's been trying to divorce her for over a year but it's slow going. He doesn't really care. She's after his money, 'cause he's rich. He's also not as refined as she'd've liked. But Sweeney likes him fine and he's the only one who can warm her from the debilitating cold that takes over after she's painted.

This is definitely a nineties romance with the sweet heroine and forceful hero. A little too forceful but still a nostalgic read. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 25th, 1998

Hard copy I didn't keep

Opinions are my own