Snow This is Love by Christina Lauren; Julie Murphy; Jasmine Guillory; Zoraida Córdova; Jesse Q. Sutanto

Deck the Heels by Julie Murphy

It didn't take me long to realize that this was a follow up to a book I hadn't read. It looks like it's called, "If the Shoe Fits." Henry and Cindy were the end game of a reality show called Before Midnight. Now,w they're just living their lives. Are trying to, anyway. Because they were a big hit, they've got a big following of people who want to see where the two of them end up. Hopefully marriage. So, they decide to go for it; and for the wedding to be filmed. But the course of true love never does run smooth. and Henry seems really distracted. Is this really waht they both want?

Three stars

Beauty and the Baking Battle by Jasmine Guillory

Another postscript novella. I had read the book this follows, "By the Book," four years ago and remembered most of the story. In this story, Izzy and Beau have been invited to be on a last-minute bake-off-type show but for celebrities at Christmas. Beau has even offered to let them set up the baking tent in his back yard. 

Four stars

Siren in the Snow by Zoraida Cordova

Singer-songwriter Eric Reyes just wants to make his way to his woman. He's having to go through snow, blizzards, and missed planes to find her. 

Ariel is looking forward to seeing Ariel. She was also a pop star but part of a family group that has since disbanded. She has no idea that her beloved is assembling her friends and family so that he can propose. 

I hadn't read the first book but now feel like I should. 

Three stars 

Best (New Year's) Day Ever by Christina Lauren

Following a trend, I had not read this book but this is the only story that I feel would have benefitted from reading the previous story. Ren is a manic pixie farm girl who met straitlaced Edward when she was finally allowed out into the world. Lots of information followed, most of which is recapped in this book. They are looking for their perfect New Year's Day but, novel, lots of things pop up to destroy what they are hoping to achieve.

Love Christina Lauren, this one wasn't for me.

Two stars

Dreaming of a Perfect Lunar New Year by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Mulan's finally stepped into the role of CEO after her father stepped down. We're invited along on her first day when she's meeting with Dina Foster, well-known in their area for helping women-run businesses succeed. Mulan really wants her acquisition company to be a part of that. And Dina will be attending Mulan's company Lunar New Year party. But everything seems to be going wrong. 
Will she survive the stress and win Dina's business? 

Not so much on building onto the romance though her beau, Shang, is featured as a supportive partner with an option for a future. 

Three stars

This book comes out October 13, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A

After solving her first murder, Vera Wong is riding high. She has her found family and her son is dating a detective. Vera's even calling the detective her daughter-in-law (but she doesn't need to know that.) However, she really could use some more excitement in her life. Falling for a scammer isn't exactly what she had in mind. 

This sets off a chain of events that leads to her befriending a young woman with a mysterious past. One that includes a link to a relatively well-known influencer who recently died. So Vera is determined to not only discover what happened to the influencer but to help the young lady.

This was a fine story but there were a LOT of people since it seemed like everyone in the original came back with a whole slate of new characters as well.

Three and a half stars

Vera Wong #2

Follows Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Followed by Vera Wong's Vacation Hacks for Catching a Killer

This book came out April 1, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Honeymoons are supposed to be a time to relax and get to spend time with your new partner, right? So why is Meddy so stressed? Could it be because she is introducing her husband to the full extended family (close to 80 people)? Well, that could be a big part of it. It could also be the (purported) mob boss who has accidentally handed out a gift to the wrong person, but he's not quite sure who got the red envelope meant for his business rival. And, when they don't show up with the right gift, something very valuable to Meddy is held instead.
Still a crash of craziness and I think regular readers will enjoy the mayhem.

Four stars

This book comes out March 26, 2024

Follows Four Aunties and a Wedding

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera Wong is an older woman who has lost touch with her son as well as the larger world, though she would argue against that since she keeps up on the lingo and surfs the internet to search for the latest trend. She runs her tea shop (Vera Wang's (not a spelling error on my part) World-Famous Teahouse) and sends her son a wall of text but no one seems to respond except her one regular customer. She does the same thing every day and feels some tiredness but isn't sure how to get off the treadmill. Until she's violently shaken by the discovery of a dead body, that of Marshall Chen, in her shop. 

An inveterate watcher of crime shows, Vera knows just what to do. She pats down the body, draws a chalk outline, then calls the police. While waiting, she tidies the shop and makes the police tea. She doesn't understand why they are so upset with her, nor why they get so annoyed at her asking if they want a drink. She made her best tea, one that will help them think clearly. 

Well. She's going to find out what is going on and puts out an obituary for the body. From that come three people: the man's wife, his twin, a mysterious young man claiming to be a reporter, and a young woman who puts out true crime podcasts (although that also seems suspect as Marshall's death was declared a suicide).

Vera bulldozes into these characters lives and we get to see them come together to solve the mystery of why Marshall died. A bonus? Vera gets to spend a little time with her son as well.

Sometimes it can get a little much with alternating view points but Sutanto handles it wonderfully providing glimpses into a number of characters without losing pacing. I'm really hoping there is another book in the series and that it shows Vera and Gladys (the old woman in the other hospital bed) becoming friends. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out March 14, 2023

Vera Wong #1

Followed by Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

I heard about this book on a couple of different podcasts and saw that it was available in NetGalley. I was attracted by the idea of a large and meddling family of women all working to help the youngest of them (and the only girl in her generation) after she accidentally kills a man. Also, a look at the intricacies of a now American family who came from Chinese-Indonesian roots. And those parts I really liked. I also liked the story of Meddy getting to reconnect with her college romance (which we see growing and exploding in flashback chapters; not my favorite plot device). However, my anxiety spiked just a little too high at seeing the body being moved around and the family nearly being discovered.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out April 27th, 2021

Followed by Four Aunties and a Wedding

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own