The Prisoner in the Castle by Susan Elia MacNeal

At the end of the last book, Maggie Hope had been sent to Forbidden Island after a mission gone horribly wrong and after the discovery of a major war secret. At the beginning of this book, a society recruit with a penchant for killing is sent to the island as well. Basically, everyone on the island has been sent because they're a broken toy. And it ends up that with an island of broken toys, it can turn into an Agatha Christie mystery very quickly.
I really enjoy Ms. MacNeal's stories and this one did not disappoint.

This book came out August 7
Four stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Racked and Stacked by Lorelei James

Larissa "Riss" Thorpe is a strong-ass woman who is going to find her joy where she can and isn't going to be slut shamed by anyone. Though she might get annoyed by... certain people. Ike Palmer being the one who gets under her skin. And now the truce they've called to help them get through their friends' wedding is off. And then Riss breaks her arm and Ike feels a strange compulsion to rescue her from her brothers.
 I quite liked this book and believe that regular James readers won't be disappointed.

Four stars
This book came out August 7
ARC kindly provided by Net Galley

Down with Love by Kate Meader

First impressions can be crucial and cynical divorce lawyer Max Henderson sure blows his with wedding planner Charlie Love. But sparks still fly and the two have a fling. At least, that's what Charlie assumes. But Max's grinch-y heart has grown a size (he still has a ways before it's three sizes) and wants to explore whether there could be something more there.
Between the two of them, they've seen the extremes of a lot of marriages. They have both had relationships that gave them good reasons not to trust other people. They'll have to work their way past all of that in order find their HEA.
The last Big Misunderstanding was a bit much and I never truly connected with Charlie but this was still a lovely read and a nice start to a new series.


Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley
This book came out August 7th

Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins

Within three paragraphs of starting this book, I knew that Kristan Higgins was probably going to make me cry. It starts with three friends at a fat camp deciding what they would do if they ever became skinny. Sixteen years later, and one of them is dying. Her last wish? That the other two fulfill all of the points on their list.
Marley is a chef. She is amazingly healthy. Except that people always look at her and judge her. Or, that's what she assumes. But she is ready to break out of the rut she's in and go after the man of her dreams. But what if he's not actually the man she needs?
Georgia grew up with a mother and brother who poked and prodded and outright made fun of her size her entire life. It made her have a lot of issues with food and with who she is as a person. She has a father and step-mother and half sisters who love her as does her nephew but her brother is still a jerk.
This book definitely pulled on the heart strings. There was a little too much generalization about "What a Fat Person Thinks" but overall a lovely book.

Four Stars
This book comes out August 7
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Geeky Fab 5 vol. 1: It's Not Rocket Science by Liz Lareau; Lucy Lareau

The book starts with Lucy preparing for a new day at school. It starts off okay, meeting her friend Zara "Zeke" Kumar in line and then discovering that they are in the same pod (desks grouped together). Unfortunately, a monkey bar breaks, Lucy is injured, and it leads the principal to completely shut down the playground during recess. With the help of her new friends, Lucy decides to raise the funds to get a new playground. But the sixth graders don't want the team to succeed; they like having the playground to themselves.
It's a bit cheesy and the "Girl Power" is a little ... unsubtle, but overall an enjoyable read.

Three stars
This book came out July 31
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Toucan Keep a Secret by Donna Andrews

In addition to her regular duties of blacksmithing, being a mother to twins, helping the mayor, Meg Langslow is helping out the Episcopalian priest while she's on bed rest. After a meeting one night, she sees light moving in the columbarium (crypt). When she goes to investigate, one of the most contentious lay officials has been killed and many of the niches destroyed.
Linked to a robbery in the late-80s, this crime will result in more crimes including someone shooting at Meg.
Another great book in the series. Andrews knows how to move the timelines and still keep readers involved without an info dump.

Four stars

This book came out August 7, 2018

Meg Langslow #23

Follows How the Finch Stole Christmas!
Followed by Lark! The Herald Angels Sing

This book comes out August 7
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Reread July 2021, as Audible book December 2023,  November 2024

Dig Deep My Grave by Cheryl Honigford

Charlie is going to the big house. To meet his love's, Vivian Witchell, wealthy family. It's touted as a cottage but... it is not as small as it sounds. Plus, her first lover is there on the scene and seems to be making a play for her. Is that why he apparently ends up dead, stabbed, with Charlie holding the murder weapon?
Viv doesn't even hesitate. Even knowing that her tryout for a Hollywood screenplay is on the line, she's going to stick around and make sure that Charlie's proved innocent.
Regular readers will really enjoy this addition to the series.

Four stars
This book comes out August 7
ARC kindly provided by Edelweiss
Follows Homicide for the Holidays