JELL-O Girls by Allie Rowbottom

I heard about this book on a couple of different book podcasts and was delighted to see that it was still available as an ARC on NetGalley. I immediately started reading it and then... about a month passed. This book just didn't capture me like I thought it would. A history of the family behind Jello, one that is cursed? Cool. But, tbh, even with the Jello hook, this book just didn't capture my imagination. I did slog through it but it took a long time.

Two stars
This book came out July 24
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Father Christmas and Me by Matt Haig

I think I would have liked this book more had I known that it was part of a series. I felt like I was dumped into the middle of the story of Amelia, a human in Elfhelm. She is trying to navigate a world in which she really doesn't feel like she belongs. And there are definitely elves who would rather see her gone. Then, the Easter Bunny gets involved....

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Snoopy: Boogie Down! by Charles M. Schulz

I did not know there were so many strips where the cat next door took swipes at Snoopy's dog house. There are also touches of baseball, Lucy and Schroeder, and all of the favorite Peanuts characters. A lovely series of strips.

Four stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

Thomas knocks another Charlotte Holmes story out of the park. I didn't love every beat but it was an entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Charlotte and Mrs. Watson are at Lord Ingram's country estate. Well, the town just outside it. Charlotte is there hoping to be taken up on her proposition.
Unfortunately, a nearby house part has relocated to Lord Ingram's with two of society's most notorious gossips. And they, along with Charlotte's sister Livia are the ones to discovery Lady Ingram dead in the ice house. Though Treadles is one of the people investigating the case, his boss seems hellbent on making sure Ingram is hanged for the crime.
Another good addition to the series. I wish we had seen a little more of Charlotte's quirks but overall a pleasant read.

Four stars
This book came out September 2
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Gift of Bones by Carolyn Haines

Cece Dee Falcon is one of Sarah Booth's dearest friends. So, when her cousin is kidnapped, Sarah's willing to do anything, even hide her involvement from Coleman. Their relationship is pretty strong right now and she doesn't want to mess it up... but it's Cece. And her pregnant cousin.
I really enjoyed that Christmas was woven into the story but not super in your face. A nice addition to the series.

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Touch the Sky by Kari Cole

Vaughn defies the rules of weres. He the offspring of a wolf shifter and an eagle shifter, a rare double-were. Even his own pack doesn't completely accept him.
Hannah's on the run from some very bad dudes. She's only in Montana to talk to her cousin Jessie about how to control the psychometric talent that is suddenly causing her to have seizures despite the blocks she's had in place since her childhood. But there's some bad dudes experimenting on the weres and they're bringing the fight to Vaughn's back yard.
I really liked this book. Even though it was the second in the series, I didn't feel like I missed any of the world building.

Four stars
This book came out September 24
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas by Maisey Yates

McKenna Tate isn't looking for a handout. She's looking for her family. That's the only reason she's in Gold Valley. Her mother died when she was young, McKenna grew up in foster homes. She's recently found her birth certificate and it seems that she might have some blood relatives in the Valley.
Grant Dodge is known for one thing. He married his high school sweetheart even knowing that she was going to die. He loved; he lost and on one lets him forget it. Except that McKenna doesn't know who he is. The look in her eyes is different. It may be a fling... but it may be something more.
This one was not my favorite Yates book and the short story with this one (Chloe's and Tanner, step siblings decided to take their family relationship to the next level) was about two and a half stars for me.
I am ready for Beatrix and Dane to get together but I have to admit I am a little nervous about it as well. Will be interesting to see how it happens.

Three stars
This book came out September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley