Rocky Road by Bob Mayer

If you are expecting this to be a continuation of the Rocky Start series, it is. To an extent. This is very much an instrospectie journey for Max to heal himself (as much as he can) from the pyschological toll his job took on him. His goal is to finish the Appalachain Trail, but his friends and family have added an additional goal of getting out of his own head by talking to at least one person every day.

It's a little corny but it really works for Max and he saves a bunch of people along the way. 

Three and a half  stars

Rocky Start #3.5

Follows Honey Pot Plot

This book came out March 17 2,026

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Hiding in the Bathroom by Morra Aarons-Mele

I can't quite put a finger on why this book didn't resonate with me more. Maybe because it's more of an introvert's guide to navigating the corporate world (as opposed to the regular world). Maybe the audiobook was not the best way to consume this information. Maybe it was that parts of it felt tone deaf; the author was very lucky in her resources but didn't seem to factor that in to her success. I think a large part is that the title and description make it seem like something it is not. If it were marketed as a book to help introverts network, that might have better set expectations. 

Three stars

This book came out September 26, 2017

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Honey Pot Plot by Bob Mayer, Jennifer Crusie with narrators Eric G. Dove, Cris Dukehart

How can there be even more dead bodies in Rocky Start? Weren't there enough in the first two books? Yes, this is a town with a higher number than average of former asssassins. But most have been retired long enough that no one should be after them any more. But now there are two attempts on the women in the town. 

At the same time there are kilings in town, someone tries to take Max out while he's just trying to finish the Appalachian Trail. Are the attacks connected or is something else going on? And will peace ever come to Rocky Start?

A fun series that seems like it is wrapping up. It's fast, fun, and fluffy but gave me something to listen to. 

Four stars

Rocky Start #3

Follows Very Nice Funerals

Followed by Rocky Road

This book came out March 20, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

The Cherkley Court Conundrum by Benedict Brown

Marcus is just about to declare himself to Bella when a face from his past appears. His romantic past. Which I was frankly surprised about since I had the impression that he was not very good with women. Well, Nerea needs help. A maid in the house she works for was attacked and nearly killed. She has read that Marius and Bella solve mysteries and hopes that they can come help her. 

There are strange things happening at Lord and Lady Sheridan's house. He is mostly absent, the children are beyond spoiled, and she is hosting a number of artists. Not everyone is who they seem to be and suspicion has settled on an absent gardenr, Nerea's new love. 

Four stars

Marius Quin Mystery #7

Follows The Holly Village Murders

This book came out July 17, 2026

ARC kindly provided Storm Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Our Marriage Is Murder by Carol Goodman

After twenty years and as many co-written mystery novels, Thea is ready to get out. Both out of her marriage and out of writing. The convention they're traveling to will be their last. But that doesn't mean she wants their lives to end. And there are an awful lot of people dying at the beautiful Casstelarosa. Suspiciously dying in the ways and order that Thea and her husband put in their first mystery. 

The local inspector seems inordinately suspicious of Thea so she's going to have to some sleuthing on her own to try and figure out what is going on.

I appreciated that Thea didn't immediately become a super sleuth just because she was a mystery writer. Parts of the plot were a little heavy handed for my tastes and Thea was a little too self-righteous. Overall, I finished the book and enjoyed the ties to Agatha Christie. I also really enjoyed Goodman's characterizations of fervent book fans and laughed out loud over a line about not crossing book club ladies. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out July 21, 2026

ARC kindly provided as ebook by William Morrow and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Lady Jewel Diviner by Rosalie Oaks

Lady Elinor Avely has a gift. Unfortunately, that gift has made it appear that she is a jewel thief. While she would have preferred to stay in London and brave the gossip, her mother thought it best that they retire to the country to let the rumors die down. Fortunately, Elinor had one friend left who was willing to ask her father to loan them a cottage. Unfortunately, it is just a stone's throw from Lord Beresford's family estate; he had stepped up and offered to sae her name by prettending to be engaged, but Elinor had quickly dismissed that claim. 

In the country, she's thinking she might be safe to use her gift to look for a cache of jewels. And she might learn even more about her Discernment from the little vampiri, Miss Andreda Zooth who just fluttered into her window. 

I had read some books in the series that followed this one. They are fast, fun, and fluffy with a world that is fairly well-developed, even in this first book. 

Four stars

Lady Diviner #1

Followed by 

This book was re-released July 11, 2026

Opinions are my own

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

Oh noes! Eve's best friend Mavis has been found standing over a dead body. The body just happens to be that of the woman who threatened Mavis' current luvr. The woman was supposed to model Leonardo's clothes but she threw a tantrum when he started dating Mavis.

Eve has to not only work on clearing Mavis and Leonardo but also getting prepped for her marriage to the gorgeous and mysterious Roarke.
Peabody gets her first love interest in Illegals cop, Castro.
Fun read.

Four stars

In Death #3

Follows Glory in Death

Followed by Rapture in Death

This book comes out September 8, 2026

Ebook ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own