The Design of Us by Sajni Patel

Bhanu and Sunny are known at work for having a somewhat tempestuous relationship. There are even bets placed on who will explode in meetings first. Well, not explode, they're professional after all. 

But now they're on vacation at the same time. And at the same resort. Which is what allows Bhanu to overhear Sunny's ex-girlfriend being an absolute jerk to him. Bhanu doesn't like other Sunny but this woman is absolutely being ridiculous. So she steps in and defends Sunny? But what gives her that right? Well, she's his new girlfriend, of course. Oy vey. Suddenly, the two are having to appear to actually enjoy each other's company. 

Like most romances, this does mean that they are in close confines and that they are going to fall in love. But the journey on this one is fun. I did like that Bhanu had social anxiety but it felt like more of a plot point than an actual aspect of her character. Other than that, I liked both Bhanu and Sunny as characters and enjoyed the book. 

Four stars

This book comes out July 16, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

An Assassination on the Agenda by T. E. Kinsey

Harry Featherstonehaugh has once again pulled his sister, Lady Hardcastle, and her lady's maid, Florence, into the affairs of the British Government. A gentleman has been killed and he needs them to step in and figure out why. But that is just the beginning of a mystery that will have them racing around London, trying to stop an assassination. As they try to prevent this from happening, they will have to deal with bureaucrats as well as men who don't believe they should be doing this job. 

An okay addition to the series but I can't pinpoint why this one didn't flow as well. I think it felt like there were some storylines just talked on to bulk up the book. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out May 21, 2024

Follows A Fire at the Exhibition

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer

Opinions are my own

The Cornish Campsite Murder by Fiona Leitch

Jodi and Nate are having a bit of a busman's holiday. They're off to a music festival  but they'll be slinging pies in a food truck for a friend who is missing the festival in order to go to his daughter's wedding. Also at the festival are most of a band that Jodi recognizes. Somewhat belatedly as she had actually catered for two of them recently. And this was a band she LOVED in her twenties. 

It turns out they are performing, but not the whole band. The lead singer won't be performing with them. But when Jodi is sneaking a pee in the VIP tent, she overhears the lead singer having an argument with some of the current band members. When he turns up dead later, she is left wondering who could have committed the crime.

If you've read this particular series, you will enjoy this book. If you haven't read this series before, I don't think it's particularly needed. 

Four stars

This book came out June 28, 2024

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #7

Follows a Cornish Seaside Murder

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

With This Ring by Amanda Quick

Beatrice Poole's uncle, who was supposed to provide a dowry for her cousin but he died in a brothel right after supposedly purchasing a pair of mythic rings. She appeals for help from Leo Drake, who knows a few things about myths since his family has always been known as the "Mad Earls of Monkton." Together they look through the slums and brothels of London whilst falling in love. Not my favorite Amanda Quick but one of the better ones.

Three stars

This book came out in 1998

Vanza #1

Followed by I Thee Wed

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station by Dorothy Gilman

Mrs. Pollifax is on the road again. This time she's joining a tour group in China. Someone on that tour is a CIA agent and she is to help that agent find a labor camp. In that labor camp is someone who is going to be able to help them with more information. All Mrs. Pollifax needs to do is find a barber who can help her get to the camp. Of course, that is not all she does.
She is going to be going by herself since new husband Cyrus is in Africa but she is ready to go. In addition to her studies into various religions, she also did a report on China in grade school so she knows quite a bit about the country.
We get a bit more into psychic abilities in this book. It makes sense based on Gilman's other series and the fact that the CIA really was looking into psychic abilities around this time. Maybe a little more jaundice view from more recent times (depending on what you believe).

Three stars

This book came out in 1983

Follows Mrs. Pollifax on Safari

Followed by Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason

The fairies are messing with Rory's life again. It's been two years since the last book closed and Rory Thorne is happy being a space pirate with Thorsdottir, Zhang, and Jaed. She hasn't seen either Gritt nor Rupert nor Ivor. But that's who the fairy has appeared to. Specifically to Ivor. Specifically fairy #3. They are warning of impending war and telling them 

that the Multiverse will fall if they don't take action soon. 

Before Rupert and Gritt can catch up with Rory and team, they encounter a ship that is dead, something that is nearly impossible. And in that ship is something that could kill a world and keep it dead.

I would not read this book without having read the first in the series. But this is a fun series and worth reading both books. Eason has a way of handwaving and saying things like: and there was a big battle but we don't need to talk about that as though this is a historical story that took place long, long ago. 

Four stars

This book came out October 27, 2020

Follows How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Evie Sage lost her mother and brother in a tragic accident so now the only ones left are she, her younger sister, and their ailing father. When she loses her job, it could be catastrophic for their family. But she does find employment again quickly. Too bad it's with The Villain. But as she works with him more and more, she starts to wonder, really, what makes him so villainous? 

There are also a cast of other characters working there and, while Evie establishes herself as orderly and imperious, she makes friends as well as enemies at work. 

It took me awhile to get into this book but the characters grew on me, the plot was fun, and now I can't wait for the next book.

Four stars
This book came out August 29, 2023

Assistant to the Villain #1

Followed by Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own