The Lost Night by Jayne Castle

Rachel grew up in a sort of New Age commune but escaped to the "real" world. She discovered quickly that life wasn't really for her either so she went back to Rainbow Island. There are dark things happening on Rainbow Island, including Rachel losing 12 hours of her life. And Harry Sebastian showing up. 

The great-grandson of a pirate, Harry's talent comes from the dark end of the spectrum. That can make him pretty scary. Which means, despite his attraction to Rachel, he's probably not going to act on it. But he still needs her help since she's the key to unlocking the strange things that are going on in the Preserve.

Three stars

This book came out September 4, 2012

Rainshadow #1, Ghost Hunters #9

Follows Canyons of Night

Followed by Deception Cove

Hard copy of mine

Opinions are my own

Pippi Longstocking Astrid Lindgren, narrator Esther Benson

Is there anyone more endearing than this redheaded child? I remember giggling to beat the bands while reading this series as a child. She was just so... out there. I always wished that I had friends who scrubbed the floor with brushes on their feet and hid wonderful gifts for me to find. Sigh. Someday...

Although, listening to it as an adult, there is something a little more startling about nine-year-old child who lives by herself and lies incessantly though the book is still fun. 

Four stars

This book came out in 1945

Pippi Longstocking #1

Followed by Pippi Goes on Board

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson

Paulson was deep into the Rejuvenate multi-level marketing (MLM.) She was one of the few people who actually made it to the top of the heap. And yet, it was a harder place to be than she thought. Paulson can give firsthand examples of the mean-girl culture that tends to proliferate. Women are drawn to a chance to make money and make friends. But, as Paulson outlines, that is not what happens behind the scenes. She compares the methods of MLMs to cults and shows how the methods tend to overlap.

Each chapter is preceded by a quote from another person who has been burned by joining an MLM. 

Four stars

This book came out May 30, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

In previous books in the series, we learned that Ava Rodriguez was unceremoniously dumped by her husband. When this book opens, the divorce has finally gone through and Ava is ready to turn her life around. To do that, she's going to get dressed up and go out, rather than staying in her room. She's not going to order rose; she's an all new Ava. At the bar is the owner of the hotel, Roman Vasquez and he is intrigued. 

The two start a relationship. Well, Roman is interested in it building into a relationship. Ava just wants it to be physical. See, her family is incredibly overbearing and she doesn't want a repeat of what she went through with her ex. Which is a valid concern. Mostly. Ava is sort of spineless. And Daria gives her really good reasons for being so, but I wasn't entirely convinced that she had made the changes needed and I was really annoyed that SO MANY people told Roman to let Ava handle her own problems and he... didn't. He just decided not to listen to any of them. 

Most of the book -- so delightful. Ending -- squishy. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out September 14th, 2021

Follows A Lot Like Adios

ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Nefarious Nights of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garrity

Hayley and Montague are back and they’re heading to the pocket universe of Willowweep. Cuthbert was hit on the head with a message in a bottle. Another universe needs help. So they open a rift. And 5 people and a dog walk through. But who are these people and why can they change Willowweep at will?

Some really neat world building in this one, including how/why Willowweep exists and how Hayley controls the narrative.

Four stars

Willowweep Manor #2

This book comes out August 12, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Simon and Schuster's Children Publishing, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews

Meg is enjoying an afternoon at her brother’s house when it’s interrupted. Not by the backhoe, that noise is expected. Rather, it’s the lack of noise. A skeleton has been uncovered.
Even though her family is, of course, helping uncover the whole skeleton, Meg is also dealing with housing dogs that are up for adoption until the Mutt March takes place in a few days. It’s a major adoption event and, while there are plenty of volunteers, they are also having to deal with the worry that someone may be trying to adopt a dog for nefarious purposes. 

As usual, a lot going on but Meg manages it all with aplomb if not always with dignity. A lot of call backs to previous books in the series, especially since they are dealing with a skeleton that may be linked to the Pruitts. I don't think you need to have read previous books in the series to understand them all but reading and re-reading this series is always a delight, especially when Bernadette Dunne is narrating. 

Four stars

Meg Langslow #37

This book comes out August 5, 2025

Follows Rockin' Around the Chickadee

Followed by Five Golden Wings

ARC (both ebook and audiobook) kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais

This was an interesting story that I probably would have enjoyed more as an ebook or hard copy. There are a number of puzzles in this book that would have been good to see. There is a website but my library book was returned before I could combine the two.

I also was not expecting the fantasy elements that came into the book. There are a lot of moving parts and the chapters switch around points of view so it's a lot to keep up with. The base story is that Destiny Whipp is invited to an island to become an archivist for a reclusive family who are actually wizards fighting for power.

Three stars

This book came out June 10, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own