Bringing Down the House by A.R. Casella

We've seen Nicole and gotten glimpses of Damien in earlier books in the series. This fits in the series chronologically, at least I think, a bit before the previously released book because Damien and Nicole were already married and this is the story of them meeting.

Nicole is in HR but she's just a little... off-beat, which can be detrimental in her line of work. But she just accept a new job in a little theater. And the main male actor is HAWT. There is an immediate attraction but the two also cross over when a man Nicole is trailing to prove that he is cheating is also being tailed by Damien. 

As usual in a Casella book, it all goes a little crazy from there but it is a fun ride (as along as you are willing to wildly suspend your disbelief.)

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 10, 2022

Follows Matchmaking Mischief

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

My Not So Wicked Ex-Fiance by Jennifer Peel

I tried reading the first three books in this series and this was the only one I made it completely through. I think I liked it because there was a relationship that was built on since Ryder and Shelby had known each other before. But it was also sort of annoying the whole time I was reading it because so much could have been solved had they just talked to each other. Good Lord.

Shelby and Ryland used to know each other. In fact, they used to be engaged. Until a series of unfortunate events broke them up. 

Now they are living in the same town again and it is possible that they could get back together. If they'd only talk to each other. But they don't. So we get a whole book of misunderstandings and people hiding feelings and thinking they know what the other person wants.

Two and a half stars

This book came out April 12, 2019

Folllows My Not So Wicked Step-Brother

Followed by My Not So Wicked Boss

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Kissing Games by Stefanie London

I hadn't read the first book in this series but I didn't really feel like I needed to. The characters were developed fairly well but I didn't especially love the Big Misunderstanding at the end. I have a feeling it won't bother most romance readers though.

Ryan Bower is back in Kissing Creek in his parents house. Yes, it sucks that he's out with an injury while his MLB team is on their way to winning it all. Yes, it also sucks that he's aging out of this career and a young phenom has stepped into his place. What really sucks at the moment though is listening to his parents... having sex. Just... ew. And their love life has picked up because of a book they're reading in the local library book club. And that's not okay. So he decides to confront the local librarian.

Sloan Rickman has picked Kissing  Creek as a place to finally grow roots. Growing up, her parents moved her all over the world so she never really had a chance to make friends. But she's been in one little town, helping to run the library, and getting to wear all of her nerdy, dinosaur-themed clothes. It's not in her plan to meet someone whose career would take precedence over hers just like her mother's did over her father's. And that just didn't end well, did it? So why even bother? Especially when he's standing in her library blaming her for his parents enjoying a book a little too much. But then they start working together on a float for the local parade and it seems they might have a spark of something that isn't exactly disgust...

Three and a half stars

This book comes out March 21, 2022

Follows Kissing Lessons

ARC kindly provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian

Five years ago, Tempest's mother disappeared during a magical illusion involving water. Their family's magic tricks usually involve water and it has been true that, for the last five generations, the oldest child has died under mysterious circumstances. It is known as the Raj family curse. Lately her life hasn't been so good because her last magic trick went wrong and now life is even worse because her body double (don't call her an assistant), Cassidy, has been found dead, hidden behind a wall in the house her father's construction crew is managing. 

There is a lot going on this story and I really liked the writing but the mystery just got a little too convoluted for me. 

Three and a half stars

This book come out March 22nd, 2022

Follows the The Raven Thief

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Joy in the Morning by P.G. Wodehouse

Edwin, the less-than-helpful Boy Scout, makes another appearance in this book as Bertie and Jeeves are in Steeple Bumpleigh. Jeeves has finally won his bid to be able to go fishing on his break. Bertie is supposed to stay in a separate home but it is burned down on his first day there through Edwin's actions. This is not great as Lord Worplesdon (Edwin's father, also father to the fearsome Florence Craye who once tried to marry and "improve" Bertie) needed that cottage to make some super secret side deal that he doesn't want anyone, ANYONE, to know about. 

More engagement confusion as Florence is affianced to the local police constable who definitely does not look kindly on her former fiance. Also, there is also Xenobia "Nobby" Hopwood who wants to marry a friend of Bertie's before he goes off to write scripts for Hollywood but her uncle (Lord Worpledon) doesn't trust writers.

A mass of confusing stories as usual but still a fun read.

Three stars

This book came out in 1947

Follows The Code of the Woosters

Followed by Jeeves and the Mating Season

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible

Opinion are my own

The Last Eligible Billionaire by Pippa Grant

Begonia is definitely the sunshine character in this book. She is also bordering on manic pixie dream girl as the first time she meets the hero of our book, she is basically naked in his house having fallen for a fake-AirBnB-type scheme.

Hayes is sometimes a little overly grumpy and hard to get to like in this book. He is the reluctant savior of his family's Disney-type film company. His brother, a well-known actor, has always been the golden boy so he can't step in when Hayes's cousin dies leaving a seat open as heir to the throne of the business side of things. He is not at all delighted to find an intruder in his house. Especially one with a dog that he is direly allergic to. But he needs Begonia. His mother keeps throwing women at him, women that he's not particularly interested in, and having Begonia as his fake girlfriend will throw her off. 

I do enjoy Pippa Grant but this particular book was a little too silly with too much time spent on shenanigans and not enough time building a believable relationship between two such opposite characters.

Three stars

This book came out March 3, 2022

Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer

TW: Casual racism

I enjoyed some of the later Hildegarde Withers books and though I might as well start at the beginning. While she is sort of scattershot in figuring out who the killer is,  Ms. Withers does eventually win out in the end. And the final solve is also a little convoluted but it was an okay book to listen to while I drove to and from town.

Miss Withers is a teacher who has moved from Iowa to New York City. She has her class on a trip to the aquarium when a man is killed. With her hat pin, no less. For a spinster teacher, this is more than a little excitement. The police are quick to arrest the man's wife's lover. The wife remains free but is under heavy suspicion. Miss Withers is determined to find the murderer and the inspector on the case is surprisingly willing to let her.

Three stars

This book came out in 1931

Followed by Murder on Wheels

Listened to audibook I bought on Audible

Opinions are my own