Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz

In the first book of the series, Judson Coppersmith's (biological) brother fell in love with Gwen Frazier's (found family) sister. When Gwen's mentor dies leaving a ghost alleging murder behind, Gwen knows who to call for help. Her sister. And of course her soon-to-be brother-in-law asks his own brother for help. 

Judson just experienced a burn out and isn't sure that he's really healed. But he really liked Gwen and figures, why not. He can at least provide some muscle for the woman who intrigued him until she started viewing him as one of her psychic counseling clients. But maybe that was a misunderstanding and he's going to have some time to figure that out.

It is quite swift that the two fall into bed and then love but Krentz is a good author. This may not be her best book but very few of her books aren't worth reading at all.

Three stars

Follows Copper Beach

This book came out January 9th, 2013

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis

It's bad enough to be in a coma for two months. It gets worse if your whole body is broken and you're used to being an athlete (or at least being in training for a 5k). And it just heaps insult on injury to have your fiance now hooked up with your best friend. 

Emma Harris just wants to get away. Her PT isn't going well and now her former BFF and even more former fiance are treating her like she should stay with them. Not going to happen. It's just lucky that her physical therapist, Simon, knows of a place she can live. 

Simon has issues of his own. He wants to be a physical therapist full time but his father, who is recovering from a stroke, expects him to run the family business. Doing so is killing him by inches. Luckily, his new client is keeping him on his toes.

Yes, this is a romance that could potentially cause some squick because... patient and PT? Not really supposed to happen.

Three stars

This book comes out June 8th

(Loosely) Follows The Forever Girl

ARC kindly provided by William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins

This book absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. I wept through most of it even though it used a trope (time hopping) that I usually do not enjoy. It was just a little too woo for me and that brought it down but it was overall a highly enjoyable read. Higgins is usually a romance writer and, while I wouldn't put this book firmly in that category, regular readers won't be disappointed.

Joshua is on the autism spectrum and he knows that he will never find anyone who understands him as well as his wife Lauren. But Lauren is now dead having passed away from an incurable disease that slowly robbed her of her ability to breathe. It was a drawn-out process that hurt them both but also left Lauren enough time to leave Joshua a series of letters to be delivered roughly monthly. She knew that he would have time adapting and she wanted to make sure he had a life after her death. Some of the tasks are small, some are larger, but she hopes that they will help him recognize that there is life after death and that his next great love might have been in front of him all along.

Four stars

This book come out June 8th

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie

A series of short stories involving our favorite Belgian detective. It includes stories like “The Kidnapped Prime Minister,” and “The Adventure of ‘The Western Star.’” Stories are solid and short. Perfect for picking up and putting down if you’re at a point in your life where you only have snatches of time in which to read.

Three and a half stars

Follows The Murder on the Links

Followed by The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

This book came out March 1st, 1924

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews

In this book, Meg Langslow is involved with her brother Rob's burgeoning computer game company . He thinks there is something suspicious going on but he's not sure what. Since Meg recently hammered one of her hands, she isn't working her normal job so she's helping out while trying to figure out what is going on. If they could only keep a temp there long enough to answer the phones but they keep getting scared by the buzzard in the lobby and the pranks by the office workers. Then, one of the techies is killed and Meg has to help keep her brother out of jail.

Not my favorite book in the series but still good. The technology, of course, hasn't aged well but the rest of the story is good.

Three stars

Meg Langslow #4

This book came out September 6th, 2002

Follows Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos

Followed by We'll Always have Parrots

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread December 2022; September 2024 as Audible book

Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews

Meg is caught up in another murder, this time at a historical reenactment where Michael's mother is in charge. It's already a little tense and then a man no one really liked is found dead. He had stolen software from Tad, seems to be getting ready to steal Rob's new game, and is generally upsetting people. So there is no shortage of suspects.

Andrews is still finding her footing with this book but it is a fun read and we start to see Meg and Michael getting closer as well as dealing with some of the obstacles in their way.

Four stars

Meg Langslow #3

This book came out October 12th, 2001

Follows Murder With Puffins 

Followed by Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread May 2022; As Audible book September 2024

The Wishing Star by Susan Hatler

The premise of this book is kind of crazy - ex-wife of rock star becomes soap star - but I thought it sounded light and fun. And a good half of the book is. But there is so much time in setting up Charlie Rockwell and her well-founded fears of being one half of someone famous that there is little time for anything else. Luke is sort of blandly wonderful except when he's a complete jerk. And for the BS that Luke pulls, there is not NEAR enough groveling for him unilaterally deciding to tank the relationship. The beginning of the book was sweet and fun but the ending... it was rough.

Charlie is licking her wounds but is running out of money. When her favorite soap opera offers to pay her at least a year's worth of money to use her house, she jumps at the chance. Her favorite character is an officer played by Luke Montgomery. When she steps in for a missing actor one day, she might just reclaim her dream of becoming a Hollywood star in her own right.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 4th, 2021 (originally published 2016)

ARC kindly provided by Hatco Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own