Too Sexy For Marriage by Cathie Linz

I had all three of these books when they first came out and they traveled with me for quite a while as I moved around during undrgrad and grad school. I remembered them being fast, fun, and fluffy. I did NOT remember the fairy godmothers. If I read this book today, I'm not sure I'd enjoy it as much but there is a lot of nostalgia and I have to admit to skimming the parts with the godmothers. 

Yep, in the late nineties, Linz wrote three books about triplets that also had three fairy godmothers who are supposed to assign them virtues. Except that these three godmothers are new and accidentally give Jason too much common sense and sex appeal. Now grown up, Jason has been declared one of Chicago's sexiest bachelors. 

Heather is a radio host of a program called "Love on the Rocks." One of her more misogynistic cohosts tells her she knows nothing of love and couldn't even hook Jason enough to make him do things that would be out of the norm like inline skating or kissing her at the top of a ferris wheel. Suddenly, money is exchanging hands among Heather's coworkers and she is feeling dragged along.

Will the fairy godmothers be able to help pull these two soulmates together or will they tear themselves apart?

Three stars

This book came out February 1, 1998

Followed by Too Stubborn to Marry

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

November 2023 Monthly Reread

As always, opinions are my own

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell #1

This book came out September 1, 2015

Followed by A Perilous Undertaking

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

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

My Darling Bride by Ilsa Madden-Mills

When she steals a car, Emmaline Darling is just trying to get away from an abusive boyfriend and a man who is coming on too strong. She left the keys on the tire in good faith not realizing someone else might steal the car. So, when Graham Harlan shows up and demands that she marry him in order to even the scales, Emmaline is aghast. It doesn't help that Graham has bought the bookstore where she works. 

Graham is just trying to help his brother. Though he's a famous football star, he doesn't have the money to help his brother open a gym. But he can get a chunk of money when he marries. A near death experience on the football field has made him more aware of his own mortality. A vision he saw while he was dead makes him wonder if Emmaline was pre-ordained.

I liked this book though the story felt a bit forced in places and Graham was not the best. I'm really hoping for a story with Graham's teammate and Emmaline's sister. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out December 5, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Montlake and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Miss Morton And The Spirits Of The Underworld by Catherine Lloyd

Lady Caroline is happy to have left her family behind and work with her employer, Mrs. Frogerton and her daughter Dorothy, in London. She is, however, worried that Mrs. Frogerton is taking her to see a medium. Lady Caroline does NOT believe in psychics. However, this one is different. And she gives Caroline a note that speaks to Caroline's past. But before she can talk to Madam Lavinia, the woman is murdered.

Once again, Dr. Harris is involved. This time, the police are accusing him of murder. Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are going to help prove his innocence but they have to figure out first why the psychic was killed.

This was a fun little mystery, a lot of fluff and some time that calls for believe suspension but an enjoyable listen.

Three stars

This book came out August 22, 2023

Miss Morton #2

Follows Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

Followed by Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Spotlight Scandal by Stella Bixby

Ellie is settling into her new town. Not everything is going smoothly but she is happy in Cliff Haven. She's even going to have the last line in the Christmas play! If she can manage to get it out, that is. And if the curse doesn't strike. There was a young lady who died (or was murdered, depending on who you talk to) during a play years ago. And there's one that dies in this one as well. 

With star frenemies in town, there is a lot going on. Not all of it made sense but it was an enjoyable book as Ellie tries to figure out who killed one Hollywood starlet and framed another. This is while dealing with discovering a magical cousin and trying to figure out how to use her magical powers.

Three stars

This book came out May 11, 2021

Follows Bowling Blunder

Followed by Tango Trouble

Ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston

If you are one of the people, like me, who wait with baited breath for anything that Laurenston releases, this book will not disappoint. Full of the same antics, the need to completely turn off your disbelief and just enjoy the ride, and the exclamation points (!), this book pairs up another of Max McKilligan's teammates with one of the Malone brothers. Somewhat rigid Tock (time management is NOT just about being on time) might not initially be thought of with the laid back Shay (he's a tiger shifter who owns dogs) but the two actually work really well together. Tock isn't actually as rigid as she appears, she just prefers to have a schedule. Shay isn't lazy, he just doesn't care about most things. But he appreciates Tock's need to be on time as well as how well her personality meshes with his daughter's. Except for the felonies. But Tock does try really hard to keep that from her. 

There are, of course, also old grudges and new characters that come into this book as well as a lot of killing. A LOT of killing. Especially since Tock's grandmother. But we do finally get to know more about what happened with the Malones' father and you can definitely see the beginning of how Laurenston will be able to wrap up this arc in the last book. 

Honey Badger Chronicles #5

Four and a half stars

This book comes out November 8, 2023

Follows Breaking Badger

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Kensington Books

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Audible January 2024