Not That Duke by Eloisa James

Lady Stella Corsham is short and freckled, not exactly a diamond of the first water. But she has a large dowry so she doesn't lack for suitors. She mostly tends to play chess with Sylvester Parnell, the Duke of Huntington and hang out with her friends.
Sylvester is in love with the most elegant young woman of the season (and heroine of book 2 in this series). Or so he tells himself. But he has these annoying... feelings... for Stella. Of course, because his mother declares she is the woman for him, he's going to push back against that but he eventually realizes that he would be happiest with Stella. Now he just has to convince her.
I liked that the characters mostly communicated pretty well. Sylvester definitely had some missteps at the end of the book but it was overall an enjoyable read.

Would-Be Wallflowers #3

Four stars

Follows The Reluctant Countess

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Random in Death by J. D. Robb

A young girl is attending an under 21 concert at a local club. Someone elbows her harshly, but it's the needle stick masked by the movement that kills her. She ends up dying in the arms of the lead singer.

In the way of things in the "In Death" books, that lead singer is Jake, amour of Eve Dallas's friend, Nadine. He is able to get ahold of Eve so that she becomes entwined in the story. The bigger problem of this story that this girl is only the first. Someone out there is targeting teens but there is no discernible connection between the victims. 

It will be up to Dallas and Peabody to figure out what is going on before the killer takes any more lives.

This is one of the Dallas stories where we see the point of view of the killer so we know a little more than Dallas does. There are also a number of characters from past stories and they are becoming more and more entwined as the Dallas stories go on. A few too many people (felt like some were shoehorned in) but a solid addition to the In Death series.

In Death #58

Four stars

This book comes out January 23, 2024

Follows Payback in Death

Followed by Passions in Death

ARC kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Libby February 2024

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker very nearly declared themselves in the last book. But they were interrupted by Stoker's brother, Tiberius. After that, Veronica fled halfway around the world for six months, afraid of her feelings (whether or not she'll admit that to herself). She's barely back when Tiberius lures her to a remote island, to  a house party in a castle with promises of the larvae of a rare butterfly. Veronica knows he has ulterior motives but she's willing to do what it takes to get the butterfly. And maybe to tweak Stoker's nose a bit as she poses as Tiberius' fiancée. 

But it is even more mysterious than it first appears. Three years ago, a woman disappeared on her wedding day and the family has been in hiding ever since. This house party is their first toe into coming back into society. But a seance brings a ghost back to life and old secretes rise again.

The story was fine but the real draw for me was the growth for Veronica. A bit for Stoker as well but their story moved enough to be an enjoyable read.

Four stars

This book came out March 12, 2019

Follows A Treacherous Curse

Followed by A Murderous Relation

Opinions are my own

The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

Though this is the second book in a series, there is not much overlap with the book before and stands alone nicely. In this book, we are following Talia (one of three presenters on the Lost Night podcast.) She has been given a tip from a woman named Phoebe who purports to have a list of other people who have been experimented on. But when Talia shows up at the cabin, no Phoebe. But there is a Luke Rand and he also wants the list. In fact, he tries to hold Talia psychically to see if she knows where the list is. Talia manages to break free and also manages to find a pendant that she knows will lead her to Phoebe.

The search will take she and Luke to a San Juan island where they will have to pretend to be a couple. They go under the guise of attending a meditation retreat but they aren't interested. Luckily, the retreat is just a cover for some more nefarious happenings. 

Like usual, there are a LOT of things happening in this story. And you think you get to the end but then there's another end. And another. This book didn't sound as much like Krentz as she has added some current-ish phrases. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out January 9, 2024

Follows Sleep No More

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Libby March 2024

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

48 hours of listening. 48. hours. It was a very interesting read and really inclusive of all of Streisand's work which, as most of us know, is extensive. I did finish the whole book before it needed to be returned to the library but it did start to drag a bit. In an effort to include everyone she worked with, Streisand name drops everyone. Ev. Er. Y. One. So many names. A really interesting look at her life from her side and most of the stories, especially those that set her up to look like a high strung diva are shown to have been untrue. Like so many women, she was vilified to make others look good. 

Four stars

This book came out November 7, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

We finally get to meet the elusive Caroline, the woman who done Stoker wrong. And with his best friend. Whom she then married. Who is now missing. Who is accused of stealing a valuable diadem from an Egyptian dig site. And Stoker and Veronica have been asked to investigate. Of course, Veronica is ready to charge toward danger and drag Stoker behind with her.

A lovely addition to the series. We get a great peek into Stoker's past and a bit of an explanation as to how his character has been built.

Four stars

This book came out January 16, 2018

Follows A Perilous Undertaking

Followed by A Dangerous Collaboration

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

I would love more romance stories where a guy and a girl could just be friends. No love or romance or simmering feelings, just friends. This is not that book. And I knew that going in but was still somehow disappointed because Gemma was so happy to have Dax as her friend. Their story was a good one, with a spell from a book and some magical hand waving having Gemma going back in time to not having dated the man who just broke her heart (or at least bruised her pride.) But that means that she and Dax never met. And, while it seems perfect at first, Gemma finds out toward the end that pulling on one thread might change the tapestry. And she has to make some decisions about what is going to be best not only for her, but for Dax as well.

Three and a half stars

This book came out December 5, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

For those of us who have seen Britney's Instagram, we can tell that this book has been heavily (HEAVILY) edited. Or the ghostwriter was really good at pulling together a coherent narrative from fractured stories. But it is an interesting glimpse into the life of a woman who, the world is slowly discovering, was done wrong by almost everyone around her. While she may not be completely on her feet, that is probably not completely her fault and what happened to her is given context by what was going on in her own mind versus the narrative being built by people who only wanted to make money off of her. We get stories from Star Search, the Mickey Mouse Club years, her marriages, some of her dating life, and her time being pregnant. Getting to see behind the curtain makes her so much more relatable.

Four stars

This book came out October 24, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari

Ugh. This book introduced one of my least favorite tropes: the love triangle. Saffron Everleigh didn't really make any promises to Alexander Ashton before he headed out to the Amazon, so should she really feel guilty for kissing Dr. Michael Lee in the course of an investigation? The man who supports her in her investigation of the deaths of three women, all of whom were sent bouquets of flowers that had messages. And often caused itching and more.

This time, Detective Inspector Green actually asks for her help. And Saffron wants to help. She may be in over her head though. Going undercover in the ton, it may be that her true identity will be exposed and the way of life she has chosen for herself will be threatened.

Three stars

This book came out June 6, 2023

Follows A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

Followed by A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner

If you had the chance, would you make a wish to relive a part of your life? Sadie Thatcher jumps at the opportunity a fortune teller gives her at a New Year's party. The only problem? Right before she jumps back a year, she kisses her brother's best friend and opens up a new potential pathway.

When she wakes up a year ago, Sadie decides that she's not going to speak up. Speaking up is what caused her to lose her fiance and her job. But not speaking up is causing a whole host of other issues. And, like most time travel books, she discovers that her path to happiness was right in front of her nose all along.

Three stars
This book came out December 5, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Yvonne Goes to York by Marion Chesney

The last book in this series isn't as crazy as some of the other books but it does finally wrap up the overarching love story of the former housekeeper, Miss Hannah Pym and Sir George. We also get to see what happened to Hannah's former employer who ran off with a footman. 

True to form for these stories, Hannah is boarding a stagecoach. This time, she is heading to York. Also on the coach are a lovely young Frenchwoman (Yvonne), a nobleman who says he is doing it because he is out of funds (the Marquis of Ware), and a Frenchman who is after Yvonne in order to get to her father.

A satisfying end to the series and Sir George not only finds out that Hannah has been telling the truth about her adventures, he gets to join in.

Three stars

This book came out in 1992

Follows Deborah Goes to Dover

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Not That Fancy by Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire has had a fantastic life. Singing, TV shows, movies, Broadway... the woman does it all and she shares some of that with her readers. The stories aren't particularly deep but they are entertaining. We get to see teh highs of her life as well as the lows. There's not a lot about her personal life, it's mostly about the professional but what is included is all positive. Definitely worth a listen.

Four stars
This book came out October 10, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Deborah Goes to Dover by Marion Chesney

Miss Pym was somewhat disappointed by love in the last book. But she is going to continue her travels. And this particular trip is going to lead her to a fight. One that her footman, Benjamin, is taking part in. But it is this fight that introduces her to Lady Deborah Western. Deborah has grown up with her twin brother and she is more comfortable in pants than in a dress. But her time acting as a man may be coming to an end as she is now nineteen and other people, including their neighbor the Earl of Ashton, are starting to take notice of her as a woman. 

An old enemy pops up in this book but is summarily taken care of. 

An okay addition to the series but I (and I think Chesney) are ready for that last book in the series.

Three stars

This book came out September 1, 1992

Follows Beatrice goes to Brighton

Followed by Yvonne goes to York

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Hike by Lucy Clarke

Four friends go on a vacation together every year. This year, it will be an end of season hike in Norway. Each going for a different reason. Liz, the one with the seemingly picture perfect marriage, is burnt out and this trip marks the beginning of her and her husband's trial separation. Helena, who revels in the life of a single woman, fears that she might be pregnant. Joni is a rock star who is losing control. Maggie ... looks like a young woman who disappeared from the town where their hike is to begin. 

The hike starts well enough but the second day, they lose the path. Then secrets start to come out and their complicated relationships start to become even more so. And that's before they find the caves that will ensure that not all of them are leaving the mountain alive.

If you like Clarke's books, this book will hit the spot. I didn't always see all of the voices as distinct so it did get complicated to listen to but was overall an okay book.

Three stars

This book came out April 27, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Penelope Goes to Portsmouth by M.C. Beaton, Helen Lisanti

This book is absolutely crazy. We still get Miss Pym but she is sort of not interested in matchmaking anyone on the coach to Portsmouth since none seem like they would suit. Yes, there is the painfully naive merchant's daughter, Penelope, and the aristocrat's son who she might normally try to pair but Lord Augustus really is just too dissipated. At least, he seems that way until Penelope begs him to try and save Benjamin, a man who cannot hear or speak but is accused of thievery and is due to be hanged. Augustus steps up and... distracts... the evil Lady Kasey (sp?) to find the broach. Benjamin is freed! But there is more than half the book left. 

Still to be read are kidnappings, fires, near drownings, murder for hire, a marriage that Miss Pym doesn't believe in, one she does, and a night at the opera for Miss Pym.

I don't know how all of this fit in such a small book and I really can't believe that this book was published but, outside of the parts I was aghast at, I did enjoyed the end of the ride.

Three stars
This book came out January 1, 1992

Follows Belinda Goes to Bath

Followed by Beatrice Goes to Brighton

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Beatrice Goes to Brighton by Marion Chesney

Lady Beatrice is a widow- a happy widow at that. But now her father has promised her in marriage to another brutish man so she decides to travel by coach to Brighton. Hopefully, but the time she comes back, those hopes will have been dashed. She intends to be cold to the other coach passengers but, of course, one of them is Miss Hannah Pym. The others include a dumpy man, a woman with a child, a soldier, and a small woman with big eyes.

At the first stop, a few things happen. Lady Beatrice is taken by a brutish man into another carriage. She says it is of her own free will but Miss Pym is not convinced. Benjamin, her footman who was thought not to have hearing or speech is found to have both. She is left behind but is helped by Lord Alistair.

Miss Pym is at it again though, trying to convince Lord Alistair that Lady Beatrice is not quite the harridan she appears while convincing Lady Beatrice that Lord Alistair is going to be her best choice if she doesn't want to marry the brute. 

A little disappointing because this one isn't nearly as crazy as the last one but still a nice addition to the series. 

I liked that we got more in the way of Miss Pym and her budding relationship with Sir George.

Three stars

This book came out in 1991

Follows Penelope goes to Portsmouth

Followed by Deborah goes to Dover

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Bounty by Janet Evanovich, Steve Hamilton

Kate and Nick are helping the Vatican against a thief coming to steal a priceless ring. The thief makes it past all of their safeguards but then takes something else. While chasing him down, the two discover something startling - the thief is Nick's father.

Tracking him down will take them on a whirlwhind race across the globe to find the other pieces of the map which will lead to $30 billion dollars of gold stolen by the Nazis. The problem? The grandson of one of the men who put the map together is after the information as well. 

We get a few new characters who may end up being recurring in Nick's father and his friends. They remind me very much of Jake (Kate's father) and his friends with their knowledge of life and weaponry. A nice addition.

Four stars

This book came out March 23, 2021

Follows The Big Kahuna

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby and hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Belinda Goes to Bath by M.C. Beaton

Hannah Pym is off on her next adventure, heading to Bath (she can't bring herself to call it "The Bath"). Her group of traveling companions does not at first appear to be as congenial as the last group but she is intrigued by the young lady who is dropped off by carriage with a companion. It seems that Belinda is an heiress but she didn't "take." To try and get out of her own life, she ran away with a footman. It was not the usual story as the footman didn't want to do anything other than help her leave the house but the damage was done. Her aunt and uncle are sending her to Bath to live with her very Methodist great aunt and she has to go by coach as part of her punishment. 

The carriage has an accident and Miss Pym, Belinda, Miss Wimple (the companion), and the quarreling couple, the Judsons, are all put up by the Marquess of Frenton. He has other visitors, the Jordans, who are under the belief that he is going to propose to their daughter Penelope. Having the lovely Belinda in the house does look like it  might cause those plans to derail. 

The first book in this series was a romance. This book has some romance in it but is more fiction than anything else. I have also recently read the third book in this series and that goes completely off the rails.

Three stars
This book came out August 1, 1991

Follows Emily Goes to Exeter

Followed by Penelope Goes to Portsmouth

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Mythos by Stephen Fry

Fry has a habit of creating sentences that make me pause my recording so that I can think about them, mull them over, taste them in my mind’s mouth. In other words, he’s a really good writer. And he has taken that skill to update the myths of Greece into a modern day story book. Over 15 hours of learning about the Gods and their foibles. It starts with the Titans and runs through Zeus and his many, many, many, …  many love affairs as well as the rest of the pantheon of the gods. 

Four and a half stars

This book came out 

Followed by Heroes

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

A friend of Stephen's, Kuldesh , is an antiques dealer. He knows that antique shops are sometimes sites of drug pickups but he'd prefer his not be one of them. Of course, when a gentleman comes in with a box full of heroin, Kuldesh also knows not to refuse. It is this box that will lead to Kuldesh's death and the involvement of the Thursday Murder Club. 

We are introduced to any number of new characters in this book but, if you've read other books in the series, it will not feel overwhelming. There are drug smugglers, antique forgers, a gentleman named Bob (Computer Bob) who helps out when Mervyn falls for an online scam, and a fox that is comes toward Stephen and Elizabeth's apartment every night. There are also a number of deaths including at least one character we've grown to love.

Lots of emotions wrung out in this book. Delightful as always. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out September 19, 2023

Follows The Bullet That Missed

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own