Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Josh and Hazel knew each other in college. Well, sort of. She puked on his shoes and he TA'd her anatomy class. She decides that they will be BFFs. But then they lost touch for seven years.

Hazel is trying to stay cool at a party full of teachers that she wants to work with when she announces that Josh has seen her boobs. To the entire party. Luckily, he rolls with it. And so do the teachers (though it doesn't hurt that her best friend (Josh's sister) is one of them and that the sister's husband is the principal).  

Told in alternating first person, this book walks us through the summer and to the end of the year as Josh and Hazel go from friends, to dating buddies, to dating, to love.

It was an okay book. I didn't love the ending and Hazel was a little too "too" for me but I think regular Lauren readers will not be too upset. And on a reread, I really liked this book. Yes, Hazel was still a manic-pixie-dream-girl but she is also really aware of herself and how she moves through life which was really refreshing. 

Three stars (bumped to three and a half on re-read)
This book came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Impostor's Lure by Carla Neggers

Tamara McDermott is supposed to meet her daughter for her 21st birthday. When Tamara doesn't show, her daughter isn't worried (as a federal prosecutor, she is often absent from family dinners), but Yank, Colin, and Emma are. Trying to find her leads to an increasingly odd puzzle as someone connected to her is found near death and another man has disappeared. Personal bonds are tested beyond all belief in this addition to Sharpe and Donovan.

A sad book (which marks it down for me at this point in my life) but most readers of the series will enjoy it.

Three stars
This book came out August 21
Followed by Rival's Break
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Big Nate Goes Bananas! by Lincoln Peirce

This summer, a question for the ages is answered, when is the best time to eat a banana? Nate certainly has an opinion in this book. He also interacts with many of our favorite characters; Kim, Chester, School Picture Guy, and Artur. One person who is out for a bit is social studies teacher Mrs. Godfrey. Nate is delighted until he finds out who the substitute teacher is...

This book comes out September 18
Four and a half stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Impertinent Miss Templeton by Lynn Messina

It's 3 o'clock in the morning. Tuppence Templeton is bemused to find the Harlow Hoyden and her twin sister in Tuppence's bedroom. It seems that they need her help. It's a little far-fetched but leads to a delightful story of the very plain Tuppence finding her way back into the realm of the Earl of Gage. Although, it's not as if he even remembers her from their first meeting.
Nicholas Perceval doesn't remember her. He knows that someone interfered with his sister and a fortune hunger but he straightened out that miss in no time. He knows what he knows and what he knows is always, always correct. Yet, dealing with Tuppence Templeton is teaching him exactly how wrong he can be; about the way that inventions work, what women can do, how well he can run off a fortune hunter, and exactly how plain Tuppence is.
The story was a little thin but the writing is as entertaining as always. Ms. Messina writes the type of romance novel that helped me get nearly perfect on my SAT reading scores.

Four stars
This book came out August 30
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

How (Not) to Marry a Duke by Felicia Kingsley

Jemma Pears doesn't want to marry a duke, not even to inherit her grandmother's fortune... how much is that fortune... er, maybe she'll think about it.
Ashford is new to being the Duke of Burlingham. Too bad his title came with such crippling debts. Luckily, his lawyer and Jemma's are the same person and he sees a way for both Ashford and Jemma to get what they want. And maybe even what they need.
Told in alternating first person, this was a fast read and the perfect fluff to help me get through a rather difficult time. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Kingsley.

Four stars
This book came out August 21
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon

Jill Gardner and her friends are spending Halloween in the local haunted house. Four couples, all ready to see a ghost. But, why is there a ghost there and could this be a mystery too old for Jill to solve?

I usually like this series (or any series by Lynn Cahoon) but this one just didn't come together for me. Too much plot packed into a short story made it hard to understand.

Two stars
This came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver

Amory Ames has always thought that Gerard and Georgina Holloway were the epitome of romance. They have always seemed to be in love with each other. Which is why she's surprised that Gerard is cheating on his wife with the young actress in his latest play. And that Gerard is asking her and Milo for help with the young woman, Flora Bell, who is receiving threatening letters. Amory is not really interested but she meets with the actress who brushes off the threats. But opening night, Amory is the one to discover a body. She and Milo will have to work fast to figure out who the murderer is.
I liked this book. The ending wasn't my favorite but it was interesting and that's sometimes better.

Four stars
Followed by A Dangerous Engagement
This book came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley