Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh

Elizabeth, Lady Overfield had a horrible marriage. Her husband abused her to the point that her family actually not only took her in, they kept her. Something unheard of in their time. But she's relatively happy where she is. In her mid-thirties, she can't ask for much more.
Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, is twenty-six. And he decides to use the holiday house party to start looking for a wife. He's known Elizabeth from previous parties and has always been inspired by her quite confidence. She may not be a raging beauty but she is striking and has a pull. When circumstances make it so that they are sort of forced into marriage, he's not upset.
In most Balogh stories, I feel like there is so much character development, which we do see here, and so much romance building, which I missed.

Three stars
This book came out November 27
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

The Duke That I Marry by Cathy Maxwell

Willa Reverly won the most points in a game with her friends when the Duke of Camberly proposed marriage. But she hasn't seen the man since and she's ready to call off the marriage so she sends him a note.
That note sends Matthew Addison into a panic. He needs her money. The ducal estate should be very much more profitable than it is but it is actually deep in debt. In meeting with Willa again, Matthew realizes that there might be more to his soon-to-be-bride than he had thought, even more than he had hoped for.
A little thin on the "loss of money" plot line but otherwise a good book.

Four stars
This book came out November 27
ARC kindly provided by Edelweiss; Opinions are my own

Killalot by Cindy Brown

Ivy Meadows is in the audience for a Renaissance Faire with her boyfriend, her brother, and her brother's girlfriend. She's delighted to learn that her friend Riley is also there; he's participating in the jousting tournament against the man who used to be his mentor. But the time comes for the bout, Riley is not the opponent who walks onto the field and his mentor is the one who ends up dead.
An okay addition to the series but didn't capture me as much as earlier books. Still looking forward to the next one in the series.

Three stars
This book came out November 6
ARC kindly provided by Edelweiss; Opinion is my own

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

We're back with Holly White at her family's Christmas Tree Farm one year after the last book. She's settled into town nicely and is still dating the local law man. It's too bad her best friend Caroline's life isn't so settled. She went out with a jerk in order to make her parents happy then very publicly argued with the man. The day before he turned up dead outside Caroline's store.
Now Holly's trying to figure out who killed the man (it's a mystery, he had no shortage of enemies) before they can get to her.
At the beginning of the story, we learn that it's a year later. That makes sense for the series but the time jump was rough. There was a lot that went on in the year that wasn't explained. The end also went a bit off the rails for me. If you don't mind an unexpected burst of magical realism, you won't mind it though.

Three stars (barely)
This book came out November 23
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Merrily Ever After: A Novella by Jenny Holiday

Elise and Jay are perfect for each other. He doesn't want kids and she can't have any. Except, despite all the odds, Elise is pregnant. And she's terrified about what that's going to mean for their relationship.
Jay doesn't know what's going on but he knows that something is up. His normally loving wife isn't responding the way she normally does. How will he react to the news?
I wish that this had been longer. Elise and Jay were presented as a couple at the beginning of the series so we don't know either's back story very well (maybe they were in a different series?) and that would have helped tremendously with this story. I'm still very much looking forward to finding out what is going on with their model friend, Gia.

Three stars
This novella comes out December 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; opinion is my own

The Lady Travelers Guide to Deception with an Unlikely Earl by Victoria Alexander

Sidney Honeywell has become known as the Queen of the Desert from her writings about traveling in Egypt. Too bad she's never been. But Harry Armstrong has and he's not impressed. He believes that she is just out to trick everyone in the ton. So he challenges her to a trip in a series of letter using his

newly minted title. However, he says that he's going to send his "nephew" Harry along. Also going, a reporter to make sure that everything is on the up and up as well as the founders of the Lady Travelers Society. And, dang, do those old ladies make the book fun. Yes, they're a little plot-moppet-ish but overall just a fun read and a wonderful addition to the series.

Four stars
This book came out November 20
Followed by The Lady Travelers Guide to Happily Ever After
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

The Laws of Brand Storytelling by Ekaterina Walter and Jessica Gioglio

This book walks you through how you can develop your own brand and then use that brand to make sure that your customers know who you are so they can be satisfied.
I requested this book from NetGalley because, even though I don't have a company, I feel like building my personal brand will help me in my day-to-day. And this book really delivered.

Four Stars
This book came out November 2
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

Catalina just wants her sister's wedding to go smoothly. So when her soon-to-be-brother-in-law's mother summons her, Catalina goes. It turns out a family heirloom has been stolen and the only person who could have taken it has to be a family member.
This means that Catalina will have to unleash the power that she's kept under wraps since she was a child. It is a power that she hates to use but she'll do anything for Nevada.
A nice novella and quick read.

Four stars

This novella came out November 6, 2018

Follows Wildfire

Followed by Sapphire Flames
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Reread July 2022, September 2023

A Birder's Guide to Murder by J.R. Ripley

When a vendor drops out of the American Birding Expo in Philadelphia, the organizer, Phoebe, asks Amy to step in. She doesn't think it's a good idea but it might be that she can spend some alone time with her boyfriend. Even if there are three other people going with them. Including a strangely reluctant Esther.
It starts off bad with their reserved rooms not being available and Amy insulting the VIP, but then it gets worse when said VIP is found dead by none other than Esther who immediately becomes a suspect in his murder.
I had only read one other book in this series and wasn't fully invested in Esther. With this book focusing so much on her, it made it a little less enjoyable for me.

Three stars
This book came out November 13
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Nobody's Sweetheart Now by Maggie Robinson

Was Lady Adelaide "Addie" Compton upset when her husband crashed his newest car into a tree? Well, it would've been better had his companion not have been his current mistress, the last in a string of lovers. And it would have been even better if he had stayed dead instead of coming back as an all too real ghost. And in the middle of her first house party since his death. One where the wife of one of the guests has been murdered.
Also sort of awkward? The childhood friend who seems determined to court her, even though they've never leaned that way before. And her attraction to the detective sent from London.  Inspector Devenand Hunter is the first person in his family born in England and that does produce the requisite prejudices from many of the characters. It stinks to see them but it is true to the time.
Overall a nice historical but with the addition of a ghost. Not sure how the series will continue but will be interested to find out.

This book came out November 13
Three stars
Follows Who's Sorry Now
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Edelweiss; Opinion is my own

Knocked-Up Cinderella by Julie Hammerle

This book was exactly what I thought it would be: fast, fun, and fluffy. A little on the surface, especially in terms of seeing where this was more a romance than a really good friendship, but an incredibly enjoyable read.
As readers, we get to see the back-and-forth first person views of Dr. Erin Sharpe, elementary school principal, and Ian Donovan, globe-trotting venture capitalist. They are both 40 and neither is looking for a relationship. They are good at using condoms (loved the discussion about X-gens and condoms. I've had it with my friends) but something goes wrong and Erin ends up pregnant. They had The Talk before sex and, while both are sure they want to stay out of a relationship, they have ties that may be stronger than their wills.

Four stars
This book came out November 12
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; opinion is my own

Drawn to Sex by Erika Moen, Matthew Nolan

Erika Moen is not only a wonderful artist, she and her husband are great, sex positive people. They test various sex toys and she publishes their reviews  as a coming on her website Oh Joy Sex Toy. This book covers all sorts of topics including gender fluidity, condoms, and sex toys.
IT took me a little to get through it but otherwise an entirely enjoyable book.

Four stars
This book came out November 2
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes

Jane Winston MacGowan is a widow, pregnant, and visiting prisons with her reverend father. She is only trying to make a man on death row feel a little better, she doesn't expect a marriage proposal. Nor does she expect to find out that he's a long-lost duke and about to be rescued from the noose.
Quinn Wentworth (hottie from previous Burrowes books) is beyonad surprised to find out that he's been released. As gentry, no less. But that just means that he can a) rescue the people he's made friends with while in prison, b) find out who put him in jail, and c) take his revenge.
While checking off his list items, Quinn becomes a little less of a hottie while lying and deceiving his wife and family. And his family is a little over the top but I think regular Burrowes readers won't be too disappointed.

Three stars
This book came out November 6
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon

Jill Gardner and her friends are helping out at the local animal shelter for the holidays. One dog in particular, Baby, catches her attention. Baby is an older dog, brought into the shelter when her homeless dog dad died of a heart attack. But Baby has a mystery surrounding her and Jilly wants to figure it out.
A very fast read, this is actually one of the better novellas in the series. Just a touch of magical realism that was a little iffy for my but overall a nice read.

Four stars
This novella came out November 6
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Want Me, Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Another Grayson sibling is about to fall. Isaiah is ready to get married and decides the best way to do that will be to place an ad like his father did for his brother. After all, his brother found someone to love. He instructs his assistant Poppy to make it happen.
Poppy has been in love with Isaiah for years. Even while he was dating her foster sister. Even through all of her time being his assistant. Why won't he look t her? But then he does.
I didnt feel like we ever got to know either Poppy or Isaiah that well. Poppy definitely had issues leftover from being a foster kid but we didn't really get to see her work through them. And I wish we had seen a little more struggle. It all just seemed magically solved by Twu Luv.

This book came out November 6
Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; opinion is my own

The Unsinkable Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon by Aaron Renier

Walker Bean is back with his friends for more adventures. This time, he's looking for treasure and dealing with pirates. With a tough riddle to solve, can he figure out where the treasure is before the bad guys? And why does his friend Genoa seem so involved?
I have to admit that I thought this was a part of a different series when I requested it from NetGalley. But I thought I would read it anyway. It took some time to figure out what was going on as I hadn't read the book before this one. It was okay but took some time to wade through which I wasn't expecting from a comic. Would definitely be a lot of bang for your buck.

This book came out October 23
Four stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Calendar Girl by Georgia Beers

Katie Cooper has moved back home to help her mother deal with Katie's father who has early (and fast) onset Alzheimer's. She really needs some more money to help with the mounting medical bills. When her friend tells her about an admin assistant job, she jumps at the chance.
Addison Fairchild doesn't actually want an assistant but her drive to work has created a health crisis that has made her family decide that she HAS to have some help. Even so, it doesn't mean she has to act gracefully. Until Katie calls her out on her manners. The two eventually find a tentative working relationship. And love.
I wish I had remembered that I don't like boss/employee romances before requesting this book from NetGalley. I'm pretty sure people that don't mind that trope will like this book more than I did.

Three stars
This book comes out November 13
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Season to Celebrate by Fern Michaels; Kate Pearce; Donna Kauffman; Priscilla Oliveras

Christmas Homecoming by Fern Michaels
Kevin Matthews is grateful to be back home in Texas after his time in the Air Force. He's trying to figure out his next move but his interest in the town's new surgeon, Kate Stafford, may make the decision easier.
This story was a little hard to follow in places  but I suspect that regular readers of the series would have no problem.

An Unexpected Gift by Kate Pearce
A nice story about an older couple. Bella is helping to plan her son's wedding and Billy is happy to help her get things done. And maybe they might find their own HEA.
I think having read other books in the series would have made this book more understandable but it was a very cute story.

Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls by  Donna Kauffman
Chef Hudson Walker has just finished working a wedding when he sees Moira Brogan being harassed in a bar. He steps in to help even though she's got it handled. They then start to spend a little more time together even though she's a planner to the nth degree while he tends to be a little more free form.
I was so looking forward to this story and... I just didn't feel it. After reading about Moira in the previous book, I was hoping for a little more of her story. But I did appreciate the story of her previous romantic fling not turning into an HEA.

Holiday Homerun by Priscilla Oliveras
Julia Fernandez is sick of hearing about baseball. She just wants to pursue her dreams of a being an event planner in Chicago rather than taking over the family business in Puerto Rico. So why is she getting so distracted by the VIP for her event, former pro baseball player Ben Thomas.
This was a little too sweet for me but I think regular readers will enjoy.

Three stars
This book came out October 30
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Big Book of Female Detectives by Otto Penzler, Editor

Wow. This is a LOT of female detective stories all in one place. Divided mainly by date published, this book includes not only selected short stories but brief biographies of the authors as well. Not all of the authors are women but all of the main characters are. I say main characters advisedly because the last section is labeled "Bad Girls" (which, "girls", really? You couldn't call it Femme Fatales? or Wicked Women?) and includes characters who may not exactly be on the side of angels.
I rarely wish books were shorter but this would have been better served to be in a few volumes. It got long slogging through the stories. And it would have been more interesting with slightly longer biographies. Or biographies of the characters. These were all too brief.

This book was published October 16
Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Everything's Trash, But It's Okay by Phoebe Robinson

Phoebe Robinson is back with more of her observations about life. This time she covers feminism, toxic masculinity and other hard (and some not so hard topics with her trademark humor).
I have to admit, I suspect that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one because of where I am in my own life versus Ms. Robinson's writing. I think that most people will enjoy this book as much as the first.

This book came out October 16
Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley. Opinions are my own

Snowed in for Christmas by Noelle Adams, Zoe York, Samantha Chase

Stranded in the Snow (Holiday Acres, Book 2)  by Noelle Adams

Olivia Holiday's father cheated a man out of his share of some land. His relatives have hated hers ever since. So when she gets stranded with the man in a cottage during a snowstorm with Scott, the one who seems to dislike her the most.
An okay story, but there was a lot of shoehorning in of other characters and stories in this series which causes Scott and Olivia's romance to be not as believable.

A Christmas Rescue (Silver Bell Falls, Book 4) by Samantha Chase

Bailey Walsh is ready to quite her job. Her new boss is an absolute Scrooge and she's tired of it. But then a snowstorm and a litter of puppies let her see her boss in an entirely different light.
An okay story but Ms. Chase's longer works are more enjoyable.

Love on the Edge of Reason (Pine Harbour, Book 8) by Zoe York

Chloe Davis just found out she's pregnant. And when she told the father, Tom Minelli, he reacted.. less than well. But he's recovered. And getting trapped in a remote cabin during a winter storm give him time to convince her of just that.
Again, okay but would have been better in a longer book.

Three stars
This book came out October 23
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own