Setting the Table by Danny Meyer

I had had this book recommended to me in a couple of different ways and had one copy which I gave away and then another that sat on my TBR for a few years. Finally, I picked it up and realized why people were recommending this book. It did take awhile because this book was more memoir than I realized and I thought it was more about business. It does get there but it is woven in. What finally hooked me was a quote on page 65, "Service is a monologue... Hospitality is a dialogue." 

Meyer gives some other great ideas like looking for an employee that is a 51 percenter - someone whose skills re 51% emotional hospitality and 49% technical excellence. These people have five core skills that he divides out as optimistic warmth, a thirst for learning, a natural tendency to work as well as it can be done, a connection to how other people feel, and an understanding of what makes people tick. On that last one he also tacks on a natural inclination to do the right thing. 

Meyer talks about the the many people who have helped him develop his restaurants as well as his philosophy. One bit that he took from a mentor, Erika Andersen, is that people would far rather be heard than agreed with.

There is a lovely section on traits that his team looked for when hiring managers. There are nine in total and I think I'm going to be trying to hit at least one of these every week until the rest of the year:  infectious attitude, self-awareness, charitable assumption (assume the best), long-term view of success, sense of abundance, trust, approving patience and tough love, not feeling threatened by others, and character. 

The last thing that really resonated with me were the five As for effectively addressing mistakes. I've seen them in various aspects but not necessarily all in one place. He talks about awareness (knowing that the mistake happened), acknowledgement (letting people know that you have had mistakes), apology (in the AHLEI GSG, this is 'Recovery'), action (fixing it if possible; letting people know what you are doing), and additional generosity (extra action if people have been good sports).

Four stars

This book came out October 1, 2006

Hard copy of mine

Opinions are my own

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

The title and cover of this book were very intriguing. And a description that makes this sound like "Leverage" but set in the 1920s with some fantasy aspects? Yes, please.

Clara Johnson is pretty well-known around some neighborhoods in 1920s New York. She can talk to people on the other side and help make deals for those in our realm. But something strange is happening in this world. People are not quite themselves and they are disappearing. This may or may not be connected to a ring that a powerful entity would like Clara to steal. It may mean that she no longer has to carry a debt to this entity. But she is not the only person trying to get the ring and she may have to work with others, including a handsome, enhanced musician; a former circus freak; a man who wears many faces; and a man who can change memories.

I really enjoyed this story though some parts didn't quite make sense but I really look forward to Penelope's next book.

Four stars

This book came out August 9, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

Lana Rubicon has gotten used to running her own life as a tight ship. As a powerful real estate agent in LA, she knows that she is at the top of her game. So she's left wondering why she can't quite pick herself up off the floor. When she finds out the answer is brain tumors, she does the unthinkable... she calls her daughter Beth for help.

Almost six months later, Lana is still living with Beth and Beth's daughter Jacqueline (Jack.) This is not the kind of life that she likes to have. She feels weak, she has nothing to do, and no one seems to respect her. So when fifteen-year-old Jack finds a dead body on a kayak tour that she's guiding, Lana springs into action to ensure that the detectives don't look at her granddaughter as a suspect. Plus, it reminds her of the times that she and Beth used to tuck in and watch Columbo on their mother-daughter murder nights.

It took me a bit to get into this book as the beginning didn't quite go in line with what I thought the description had said but I got pulled in and zoomed right through.

Four stars

This book came out September 5, 2023

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

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

Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux

When Miss Edi (short for Edilean) leaves Jocelyn Minton a house, she's shocked. She has never even heard of the town of Edilean and she thought Miss Edi shared everything. Joce grew up with a handyman father who's a little... earthier (not all handymen are unenlightened, not sure why this is supposed to be such a big "social class" difference.) Her mother was genteel so when her mother dies and Joce is left with her father and then her biker stepmom and two bitchy stepsisters, her time with Miss Edi comes as a great relief. The greater shock is that Miss Edi, known (at least to Jocelyn) to be a great prognosticator of relationships (though the example in the book seems to be "I knew they wouldn't last," which, arguably, anyone could say) has told her that the perfect man for her, Ramsay, is in Edilean.

Luke is a grumpy Gus who seems to be hiding a lot. A LOT. But he likes Joce. Is it because she's meant for his cousin Ramsay or just because of her? Who can tell?.

Really two and a half stars but I keep re-reading (PURE fluff) so I rounded up.

Three stars

This book came out March 31, 2009

Followed by Days of Gold

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson

I assume that both Peg and Rose have appeared in Berenson's other series as there are references to both of them having helped solve other mysteries. But in this book, the two are working together, maybe for the first time in decades. Rose wasn't sure about Peg when she married Rose's brother and she made a scene that ensured the two wouldn't have a good relationship. Years later, her brother is dead and Rose is feeling penitent so she invites Peg to a bridge club. We get to meet all of the the other members along with Peg and Rose. It is one of their bridge club that gets murdered in this book. While the police (including a detective that Peg knows and trusts) are investigating, Peg is still going to poke her nose in. That leads to some danger for them both and Peg may not be able to stick around to take care of her prized poodles.

Four stars

This book came out August 20, 2022

Followed by Peg and Rose Stir up Trouble

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

This is the story of two people who most definitely are not looking for love, especially not with each other. Maggie thinks that Aiden is her son's age while he thinks she's his mother's. It's a bit of a coincidence that they think that but not an unthinkable stretch. As the two spend more time together on an online role-playing game, they become friends. When Aiden hurts his ankle, they meet in person and realize they are about the same age. Love isn't instant, but as the two get to know each other, as they listen and grow (loved this!), they figure out they might want more from each other than merely friendship.

Four stars

This book came out July 1, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle

Opinions are my own

Murder at the Manor by Catherine Coles

Evelyn and Tommy very much remind me of Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence: young, adventurous, newly married. This Tommy is the nephew of an earl and they are visiting the family to pay their respects and figure out their next steps. A big hitch in their plans occurs when the earl dies. Having been a police detective (Tommy) and worked for the police force (Evelyn), the two realize that the men assigned to this case are not doing their job well. So they decide to investigate.

If you like stories that are fairly clued, this is not going to be a book you enjoy but it is a quick and fun read and sets up these two characters nicely.

Four stars

This book came out July 31, 2020

Followed by Murder at the Village Fete

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle

Opinions are my own

Not My Kind of Hero by Pippa Grant

Maisey was one of the stars on a D-list home improvement show. Her ex-husband was the other. She knew more about home repairs but was content to be the comedic partner. The ex wanted a bigger star and divorced her so now she's on her own except for her daughter, Junie. If that wasn't bad enough, Maisey's mother was the head of a Ponzi scheme and their names became mud in their home town so Maisey has moved them both to Wyoming. The book opens with them confronting a bear (Earl) and accidentally scaring a man off his horse. 

Flint isn't excited about his new landlord. She never came to visit her uncle and she is a dilettante who is telling him he can't run his after-school program on her property. He'd rather not deal with her at all and wishes that her uncle had finally changed his will to leave his property to the town like he had always said he would.

There are definitely misunderstandings between the two but after some time (and some heated stolen moments that they each assure each other they shouldn't be taking), they figure out they might be perfect for each other. 

I loved getting to see Maisey figure out her new life. I never quite warmed to Flint but I could see why she would. If you like Grant, you will enjoy this book.

Four stars
This book came out August 15, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Chaos Terminal by Mur Lafferty

Mrs. Brown is leaving Eternity for a few days and leaving Mallory in charge. This shouldn't be a big deal but there is a delegation of humans, including the new ambassador who are arriving soon. 

The station has been unsettled and Mrs. Brown is hoping to fix that, but things get worse before they get better including the fact that Mallory knows several of the people who have arrived on this ship and, where there are coincidences for Mallory, there is usually murder.

Her best friend from high school, Amy, and Amy's twin brother Parker are among the group. However, it takes Mallory quite some time to remember Parker at all. Their older brother Reggie and his husband Max are there as well as is Oscar Daye, a basketball coach at North Carolina (where the rest of them are from as well) who also runs a gossip blog. Oh, and of course, Jessica, the new ambassador who seems to know quite a bit about Xan and Mallory.

The story does get  a bit convoluted but so was the first. It's still highly enjoyable and, especially if you loved the first book, you should read this one.

Four stars

This book comes out November 7, 2023

Follows Station Eternity

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

I didn't realize this book was going to be a prequel when I requested it from NetGalley. Usually, prequels are not as good as the first book. And that was still true for this book but it was darn close.

Viv has been injured in battle and is stuck in a sea town until she heals. At first, she is bored out of her mind but she finds a bookshop where the rattkin owner forces a book on her. And, to her surprise, Viv enjoys the book (which we also see on page.) And the next one.

But the reason Viv is stuck in Murk is going to come back to haunt her. A man in gray appears and brings two things of great value with him which will lead great evil to the town. Viv knows she isn't going to stay, but she values the people she's met and wants to help them live. 

Four stars

This book comes out November 7, 2023

Follows Legends & Lattes

ARC kindly provided by Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Ever since her sister Sky died, Sage has been avoiding going home. But now, her job has been made redundant and she has nowhere else to go. Besides, the (literal) ghost of her past is encouraging her to go and mend the fences with their other sister.

It seems that Sage can't keep her mouth shut. She blurts out things that other people would keep quiet and that has caused rifts for her in the past. But she's determined to try and patch up those relationships. She's also interested in maybe getting something going with her boss, Nate, at the plant shop where she immediately gets rehired, having been nicknamed the Plant Whisperer when she worked there in high school. But that is her gift, being able to speak to the plants, know what they are and what they need. Her relationship with Nate may not run smooth as another man from her past, Tennessee Reyes, turns up as well. 

This was fast, fun, and fluffy. Sage may not have been the deepest character and there are some definite plot holes but I really enjoyed this story and am hopeful that we will see some sequels.

Four stars

This book came out September 12, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

I only vaguely remember Fizzy as being a side character in a previous book but, dang, is she hilarious. Thirty-seven years old and a romance writer who has known who she is for most of her life, she is in the middle of a bit of writer's block and some decisions about whether where she is in life is where she wants to be. When she's contacted by a producer who thinks she would be great as a "Bachelorette" type main character on a new show he's developing, her first thought is she doesn't want to do it. But when she overhears a conversation (and only gets the tail end), she decides that she will do the show but only under her terms. To start? She's going to parameters around the men she's going to date (the words cinnamon roll may or may not be included.)

Connor's life is changing whether he wants it to or not. He was happy producing documentaries for a small network but now they want a reality show. He happens to see a news story about the DNADuos and thinks that maybe he could do a dating-type show where the audience chooses the match but they see if they can figure out who among the contestants would have been picked by the algorithm.

The two actually saw each other across a crowded bar and were intrigued. But now they are contractually forbidden from fraternizing with each other. However, the more time they spend together, the more they want to stay together.

I really liked Fizzy. Connor was pretty good too but Fizzy is the kind of person who lives their lives authentically and is just a fun person to know. Maybe a touch too much drama for me but overall an enjoyable read.

Four stars

This book came out May 16, 2023

Follows Soulmate Equation

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown

Marius Quin is a bestselling author. He is now working on "Glimpse of a Blood Moon." Well, he's trying to work on it. The first chapter has been written but he's now struggling with a massive case of writer's block. His publisher won't advance him any more money (he has to be guaranteed of a product, after all) but has invited Marius to a Boxing Day party. 

Outside the office, Marius slips and falls. It is then that his childhood sweetheart, Lady Isabella "Bella" Montague shows up. He falls again - instantly back into love. It's been ten years since they've seen each other. In that time, Marius's father has gone missing, the war happened, and he has slipped into some financial distress. 

With some surprise, he accepts an invitation from her to a party at Everham Hall, where a friend of hers, Cecil Sinclair, a famous actor, is throwing a party on New Year's Eve. He goes and takes his basset hound, Percy, with him. 

Marius realizes almost instantly that this party will be as awkward as all heck. It seems that this Cecil is a diva of the first order becoming childish and petulant when drunk.  His paramour, Poppy, is someone that no one likes.  There is a film director, Anton, and his wife, an actress called Alma. There is also Bella's beau, Gilbert, whom Marius instantly dislikes. Cecil's father, Ross, and Edith, who Marius pegs as Ross's innamorata. 

Marius pulls Bella aside to ask why she invited him to this house. He had hoped to reignite their romance; she says that she wanted to help reignite his imagination. She is more successful than he is at the end. 

Of course, there is a murder and, since the police can't get there, Marius is elected to solve teh crime. As a mystery writer, he is (according to the other characters), the most likely to be able to solve the crime.

I haven't made it to that book yet but it appears that Marius has crossed paths with Lord Edgington, another of Brown's mystery series. If you like that series, I believe that this one will be enjoyable as well. 

Four stars

This book comes out November 3, 2023

Followed by The Hurtwood Village Murders

ARC kindly provided by Storm Publishing

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

The Raven Thief by Gigi Pandian

Tempest Raj is settling back into working for her family's construction company. They've just finished a basement for the newly single Lavinia. She's ready to banish the spirit of her ex-husband, Corbin Colt, the famous mystery writer. He's still alive... at least he is at the beginning of the book. 

Lavinia hires Tempest's friend (?) Sanjay to hold a seance. She invites her book club as well as Tempest. Tempest's grandfather also comes along. It is during the seance that a body lands on the table. But... they are in a locked room. Interestingly, the person the police look at as having the most motive is Tempest's grandfather. So it will be up to her to solve the mystery and get her grandfather out of jail before he can cause any more trouble. 

Four stars

This book came out

Follows Under Lock & Skeleton Key

Followed by A Midnight Puzzle

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Wicked Wisteria by Angela Pepper

Zara Riddle is settling in to being a witch. But something mysterious is happening in Wisteria. First, her wolfy crush and neighbor Chet asks her to keep an eye out for a spirit walker (not that Zara knows what a spirit walker is.) Then, the books in town seem to have words that disappear. Zara and her aunt make up a bookwyrm recipe that returns the words but will also make your skin turn black if you taste it. 

The solution to both turns out to be a surprise connection to the first book. 

Is this book Great Literature? No. Is it fast, fun, fluffy and worth reading? Yes.

Four stars

This book came out September 10, 2016

Follows Wisteria Witches

Followed by Wisteria Wonders

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

The last of a group of friends to find her forever after, Iris Kelly is actually very sure that she doesn't want a forever after. That doesn't mean she doesn't feel a bit lonely. So she goes out to enjoy herself with a one night stand. But... it doesn't go well. 

Stefania (IRL "Stevie") is beyond embarrassed that she ruins an evening with the gorgeous Iris Kelly. She's not sure how this is ever going to work. At least she has her ex-girlfriend's gender-bending "Much Ado About Nothing" to look forward to. But who is the Benedick to her Beatrice? Somehow it's Iris. 

Suddenly the two are agreeing to a fake relationship. Stevie because it means her ex is going to get off her back; for Iris... well, her friends mostly know about it but her family might finally look at her like she's accomplished something. 

A highly enjoyable book and an amazing addition to this series. 

Four stars
This book comes out October 24, 2023

Follows Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail 

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Christmas to Remember by Beverly Jenkins

We're getting a new character in Henry Adams, Kansas. Chef Thornton Webb is moving out of San Francisco to launch the Three Sister restaurant. We also get updates from our favorite characters. Gary Clark and Eleanor "Nori" Price are celebrating their marriage and Mal and Bernadine are the next ones up. Mal's friends aren't convinced this is the right move for him but he is.

This is a nice little book that moves the stories of many of our favorite characters along just a little bit. If you have been reading the series, you will enjoy it. If you haven't been reading the series, I recommend you start from the beginning. 

Four stars

This book comes out October 24, 2023

Follows On the Corner of Hope and Main

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown

Christopher is just trying to make it through his last year of school (he's not sure what he's supposed to do once he graduates) when his grandfather comes to take him out of school. There's been a death and Lord Edgington isn't sure that it was natural. Soon, the two are caught up in the world of the Bright Young Things. Unfortunately, one of the young people that they've befriended also dies, this time it is obviously murder. 

Christopher is starting to mature a little bit from the first few books but is still a bit of a prig and more than a little naive yet. I'm enjoying this slow growing up of our main character. The mystery was a little thin but still an enjoyable story.

Four stars

This book came out March 6, 2022

Follows The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall

Followed by The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own