The Mirror by Nora Roberts

We return to the same set of characters as Inheritance. Owen and Sonya had gone through a magic mirror and were in the past, when one of their ancestors was getting married. And they witnessed his bride's death. 

They are quickly brought back to the present day where Sonya's significant other/Owen's best friend, Trey, waits for them with Sony's best friend, Cleo. They are moving further along in finding out how to solve the curse of their family. Sonya's dreams continue but she and Cleo are trying to build good vibes in the house to combat the evil spirit.

There's not a ton that happens in this book that didn't happen in the first book. The plot moves, but a lot of it is the same thing we saw in book one. Cleo and Owen get together in this book and we get to see more interaction with Chef Bree who is a fun character. Nothing ever really drags but there's not a lot that's new either. 

Three stars

Lost Bride Trilogy #2

Follows Inheritance

ARC kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Remain Calm! by Lincoln Peirce

Another knock out of the park for Peirce. I don’t know how there are so many new storylines for Nate even when the overall themes are familiar. We get that most wonderful time of the year, back to school, as well as Halloween, School Picture Guy, and detention. But we also get Nate writing a graphic novel for math, him joining the school newspaper to write and advice column, and getting tripped up by a bad horoscope. And someone very surprising makes an apology.

Four and a half stars

This book came out September 3, 2024

Big Nate #31

Follows This Means War!

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Between a Flock and a Hard Place by Donna Andrews

If you've ever looked up how houses have fared after a makeover show, you'll see that people are often unhappy. Based on what she's hearing through the grapevine, the Smetkamps are going to in the same place. They've won a makeover from Marvelous Mansions but the producer seems shady and the workforce is unsettled. Meanwhile, Meg is just trying to make sure they stay in code. 

Someone seems particularly against the show though (or maybe it's the Smetkamps) because they've gathered up the wild turkeys and released them on the Smetkamps street. There's a fairly amusing bit where an Amazon driver almost gets taken out by the turkeys. He makes it out alive with some help but someone else on the street does not. So, Meg is once again sleuthing a murder mystery. 

This book doesn't have much with Josh and Jamie, nor Michael. We do see any number of other regular characters in this book though and it is a nice addition to the series. 

Four stars

Meg Langslow #35

This book comes out August 6, 2024

Follows Let It Crow, Let It Crow, Let It Crow

Followed by Rockin' around the Chickadee

ARC of ebook kindly provided by MacMillan and Edelweiss

ARC of audiobook kindly provided by MacMillan and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Unicorn Crush by Dana Simpson

Dakota is feeling the brunt of not being popular so she turns to Phoebe for help. Of course, it doesn't last long. Though they are moving ever closer to being... friends. And we also see her with Sam, the older girl she wants to be friends with. 

It turns out Marigold is in therapy, with Tod of all people. We get a lot of discussion in "Rar" (which is nice that Marigold gets her privacy. Then, when Marigold is ready to spend more time with Phoebe, we get to read about Phoebe's comic strip. 

New character Sparkleface McGee makes an appearance. It is a being of pure energy. And we see Marigold talking in another new language. 

Infernus the Unicorn of Death also stops in. 

Five stars

This book comes out May 7, 2024

Phoebe and Her Unicorn #19

Follows Unicorn for a Day

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

10 years ago, Eleanor Dash wrote a bestselling mystery novel. That would be great for many people, but hers came with some drawbacks. First, being an author was her sister's dream; Harper is now Eleanor's assistant. Second, she based her detective on a real man, Connor Smith (used his name and everything), and the story is based on a mystery they solved together. But he's blackmailing her with... something.
In true first-person-narrator mystery fashion, our author may not be telling us the unvarnished truth. Some of it may be lies she's telling us, others may be lies she's telling herself. Either way, she's on a tour celebrating the anniversary with her sister, Connor, his ex-wife (also an author, a biography based on living with Connor), a TikTok influencer who wrote a book stunningly similar to Eleanor's, Connor's ex-partner from their detective agency (who also wrote a book about Connor), Connor's latest fling, and Shek, an author whose book sales are waning. Oh, and there are the paying guests, a BookFace group, including Eleanor's stalker, and a tour guide who doesn't seem to know what she's talking about.
Connor is convinced that someone is trying to kill him, but he's not the one who dies.

Four stars

This book comes out April 30, 2024

The Vacation Mysteries #1

Followed by No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

ARC kindly provided by Minotaur Books and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Snoopy: Beagle Scout Adventures by Charles M. Schulz

Charlie Brown is off to camp. His parents think he'll make friends but he's not so sure. It doesn't start off well with people making fun of his name and finding out that his baseball team is winning without him. 

The next year, Linus goes and also meets Roy. He also has his blanket with him but isn't worried about being teased. Of course, he tells everyone about the Great Pumpkin and gets elected camp president. 

We also get to see Snoopy in the Beagle Scouts and as the various kids apply to NOT go to camp. Of course, Charlie Brown is turned down but he somehow doesn't make it to camp. 

A little more scripture than I remember but still a really enjoyable read.

Four stars

This book comes out April 30, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Andrew McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

This Means War! by Lincoln Peirce

Nate has a new rival. Kyle is trying to claim messiest locker at school. But Nate might just have a few things up his sleeve. Or, you know, in his locker. Lots of touchbacks to previous stories in the series. Two storylines even overlap when Klassic Komix agrees to sponsor Nate's baseball team. Of course, it doesn't go the way that Nate expects when Wayne chooses the name of an unexpected character. 

Four stars

This book comes out March 5, 2024

Big Nate #30

Follows Move it or Lose It!

Followed by Remain Calm

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

I Only Read Murder by Will Ferguson, Ian Ferguson

Miranda Abbott was once Pastor Fran, itinerant pastor solving crimes. Fifteen years later, she can't even get on "Real Has Beens of Hollywood." Her money has run out, her assistant is leaving, and a mysterious postcard has come. Finally. Her husband wants her back. But does he?

When Miranda travels to Happy Rock, she finds Edgar in his shop, selling only mysteries. He is happy but he is sure it's time for them to figure out their relationship. Miranda is not sure they have the same end goal in mind. She decides to stick around, even going out for the local play. 

I have to admit, I really didn't like Miranda. Her lens was very well fleshed out in  its narrow, self-centered focus but it often left me feeling icky. It took me awhile to finish the book but I would definitely be interested in the next one in the series if we get to see some personal growth from the main character. 

Three stars

This book comes out February 27, 2024

Followed by Mystery in the Title

ARC kindly provided by Mira and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Not Your Crush's Cauldron by April Asher

Olive loves her triplets. She does. And she's ecstatic that they've found the loves of their lives. But. Could she maybe catch a break? Chubby, with dirty blond hair that doesn't hold a curl or a color, Olive is generally happy about her life but she really could use a break. Or two. Moving into her crush's apartment isn't exactly the break she was hoping for. However, she's decided to take on the assignment she's given her students and try to stretch her wings. And now that her roommate seems happy to help...

Baxter Donovan is a Guardian Angel but he doesn't much like the position. He likes it even less now that he's been assigned to guard Olive. There are three rules to being a guardian angel: don't tell your Assignment you're their designated guardian, don't get your Assignment Killed, and don't fall in love with your Assignment. Bax has come a little too close for the Guardian Angel Affairs lately and his father isn't pleased. It's just too bad that this latest assignment might find him breaking more than one of the rules. 

Three and a half stars

Supernatural Singles #2

This book comes out February 13, 2024

Follows Not Your Ex's Hexes

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

Opinions are my own

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

I've read all of Hallett's other books and really enjoy her format of a mix of various media. This book includes texting, transcription, and a What'sApp-type app. Supposedly, the reader has opened a safe box with printouts of all of this communication. The story mainly revolves around Amanda Bailey, an author who is focusing on a case that is about eighteen years old, that of a cult whose leader is in jail for killing two people. They also kidnapped a baby who will be turning eighteen this year and a new book could focus around their experiences and the life they now live.

As with Hallett's previous stories, there are layers upon layers and red herrings abound. It got a little too complicated for me in parts but it was overall a lovely read.

Four stars

This book comes out January 23, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Atria Books and Edelweiss

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

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Is it trite to walk in on your fiance having sex with someone else right before the wedding? Yes, but that doesn't mean it's not happening to Sonya. It's just too bad that he takes the breakup badly and that she works with him. So she quits her job and branches out on her own.

Sonya's able to get even a little more space when she finds out that she's inherited a large house from the uncle she never knew she had. It's in Maine and she has to live in it at least 40 weeks for the next three years. Though trepidatious, Sonya's ready to take the leap. It doesn't even take three weeks for her to decide she's going to go for it. It takes a little longer for her to convince her best friend Cleo that she should move there too. 

Roberts is a master and this book just shows it once again. You think you've read books similar to this one -- old ghost angry about life and taking it out on the living; two friends moving to a new place and finding handsome men; playful and adorable dogs. But this book has enough of a twist and some nuances in the characters that make it worth reading to see what happens next. 

Four stars

Lost Bride Trilogy #1

Followed by The Mirror

This book comes out November 21, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Reread as hard copy from the library April 2024

Unicorn for a Day by Dana Simpson

Once again, there are many delights from Phoebe and Marigold as they continue their adventures. We learn about unicorn omens and why booping is considered bad for unicornkind. The two also describe why their friendship works so well and Marigold is assigned some things by Phoebe might make them insecure but it's why they love each other. Also, we get some Freaky Friday action and a book club with Marigold, Todd, and Blartbert. 

Another delightful story. Simpson combines vocabulary words, learning about the world, and whimsy that keeps me reading.

Five stars

This book comes out October 3, 2024

Phoebe and Her Unicorn #18

Follows Punk Rock Unicorn

Followed by Unicorn Crush

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

Three friends have had a book club since their college days. Now (cough) somewhat older, all three are finding themselves at a crossroads. Erica has just discovered something about the father who deserted her when she was just days old; Claudia has lost her job and her boyfriend; Anna's twins are about to leave home and she's not sure what she's going to do with them gone. The three decide that they are going to have their book club anyway 

Hattie, the owner of the hotel is also at something of a crossroads. Her husband, the one who was the driving force behind the Maple Sugar Inn, died two years ago. Now, she's just trying to keep up with extravagant customer requests, her temperamental head chef, and the housekeeper who treats her as though Hattie is an idiot. Someone who doesn't treat her like an idiot? Her next-door neighbor. The one who kissed her at Halloween. Could there be something there? Should she even try?

A lot comes out this Christmas season, some of it surprising, but all of it leaving these ladies in a better spot than they were when they arrived at the inn.

Four stars

This book comes out September 19, 2023

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Payback in Death by J. D. Robb

The first two chapters of this book show us a rare glimpse of Eve and Roarke on vacation. But the relaxed mood is short-lived. The night they return to New York, Eve gets a call from an old friend, one who needs a favor. His mentor is dead and it has been set up to look like a suicide. But there are a number of reasons to believe it is a setup. 

Because the deceased was an IAB (internal affairs) detective, he had many enemies over his long career. So Eve, Peabody, and the team begin the long process of crossing names off. And there are many people who do still bear grudges but just as many who seem to have moved on.

There are some side stories with more being done on Mavis and Peabody's house; one of our side characters getting a promotion; and an IAB cop who seems to have it out for Eve. 

A lovely addition to the series

Four stars

This book comes out September 5, 2023

In Death #57

Follows Encore in Death

Followed by Random in Death

ARC kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Libby September 2023, hard copy from library June 2024

Big Nate: Move It or Lose It! by Lincoln Peirce

We get to see Nate's baseball team celebrate their end of year. He also tries to create a superhero universe (of course, the NCU.) But he does have to go back to school where he discovers that his homeroom teacher is none other than... Mrs. Godfrey. There's also a storyline where Alan changes his line to Nate and Nate W is really not excited. Also not excited, Chad when he and Gina are set up as partners for a school project. But it's Nate to the rescue when he hypnotizes Chad to have a bad personality. Hopefully he'll be able to change him back...

Four stars

This book comes out August 29, 2023

Follows Nailed It

Followed by This Means War!

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann

This book opens from the view of the house turtle. Someone is dead. Well, at least their toes are pointing up and no lettuce is being proffered.

We then move to third person omniscient with Agnes Sharp. There is just a little too much going on in Agnes's world on the day the book opens. Lilith is dead but they do not want the police; the police come anyway. And their news makes it advantageous to let them know about Lilith. Plus, the new lodger, Charlie, is moving in. 

We know from the beginning that Agnes is an unreliable narrator. She has a loud ringing in her ears and she can't hear during those times. Then there are the moments that she is pulled back into the past. And we actively read her thinking about deceiving the police and refusing to think of bad memories.

There are some other glimpses into other characters, especially Marshall who seems to have some memory issues though he also seems to know the identity of the killer. 

I'm assuming this is going to be set up as a series since we have many hints of each of the characters having pasts in various parts of law enforcement. Plus, we haven't learned nearly enough about new lodger Charlie and her handsome grandson. 

Four stars

This book comes out August 29, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Penguin Random House and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Yoga Inversions by Kat Heagberg Rebar

I really liked this book. The illustrations are really helpful. The writing gives a great idea of not only how to get into the poses but also how to cue them. I could have used just a few more prep poses or ideas of how long to use them to build up to the full inversion but, honestly, you probably need to be able to listen to your own body. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out August 22, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Shambhala Publications, Inc. and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Birder, She Wrote by Donna Andrews

Meg is looking forward to a quiet afternoon in her hammock. Of course, that's not going to happen, she's got too much going on. Some of the new people moving in to Caerphilly have complaints (again) including against Edgar Brockton, the man who has been helping Meg's dad with his bees. Which is interesting because Meg herself has just gotten a new delivery. Her dad has come over to help get the hive set up when her grandmother Cordelia arrives with a journalist in tow. The journalist is following Cordelia around and that's going to include looking for a pre-Civil War graveyard. Too bad they stumble across a dead body.

If you are a regular Andrews reader, you can probably predict most of the beats of this story but that doesn't mean it's unenjoyable. It is a nice addition to the series.

I also got to listen to the audiobook and, as always, Bernadette Dunn only makes the story better. 

Four stars

This book comes out August 1, 2023

Follows Dashing through the Snowbirds

Followed by Let It Crow, Let It Crow, Let It Crow

ARC of ebook kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss

ARC of audiobook kindly provided by NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Big Nate: Next Stop, Superstardom! by Lincoln Peirce

I knew that Big Nate had been turned into a TV show and wondered if this was the book version of that. It is. And, at some point it may be successful to go that way with a comic book but this book... is dark. Like, physically dark. There's a running internet joke about how hard it is to see television and movies these days because the producers make things so dark and I feel like the artists in this book took that to heart. I thought at first it might be a metaphor for being at school because some panels have Nate in his house which is fully lit but I was really overthinking the process. 

There are three stories in the book. The first is a decent one about a baking competition against Jefferson middle school and trying to fake a haunting and Nate's dad dressing up as clown to go to a funeral. 

The second has Nate being pushed into figure skating for gym. He needs a partner to make it work but the only decent skater, Chad (who seems to have a lot of chest hair?) is forbidden from skating by a family curse. 

This one has a subplot with Nate's friends trying to teach his dad how to say no to Nate. 
The third story is Nate's dad trying to find a job which leaves an opening for Nate's band to step into a wedding. 

At the end of each of the stories is a page from the original comic is was based on. And, I feel like a curmudgeon typing this but, the (original) book was better. 

Two and a half stars

This book comes out May 25, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own