First Place Witch by Danielle Garrett

The day she's hoped for is finally here; Holly is opening her shop! But it's even better, she's been asked to join the reality show for cauldron witches. Of course, one of the contestants just has to be an entitled jerk who runs his assistants off their feet and treats women as if he is God's gift and they can't resist.

Three stars

This book came out July 1, 2021

Follows A Royal Witch

Followed by Sassy Witch

Borrowed as audiobook

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

I can see why this book is very popular. The world building is clear, the characters are crisp and well-defined, and the cover is charming. For whatever reason, I just didn't connect with this book at this time. I think I was expecting more in the romance and this was about creating a found family. 

Mika Moon grew up lonely. Witches become orphans so she was raised by a series of tutors and governesses but she couldn't get attached. As soon as they discovered she had magic, her guardian Posy would erase their memory and shuffle them out the door. The quarterly meetings with other witches is not enough for Mika to create the kinds of bonds she is searching for. Because, of course, too many witches in one place would start to gather attention. 

But when her YouTube channel attracts the attention of the inhabitants at Nowhere house, and Mika discovers that there are three young witches there (as well as a handsome librarian) her world is turned upside down.

Three and a half stars

This book came out August 23, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Royal Witch by Danielle Garrett

New roommate=new troubles. This time, a princess who is under threat is brought to the Beechwood Manor in an attempt to hide her from the unrest in her own kingdom. But someone manages to kidnap her and spirit her away so that even Adam can't smell where she went. 

A little bit of movement on the Holly/Adam front otherwise not much to further the overall arc but I think regular readers will enjoy the book.

Three stars

This book came out June 28, 2019

Follows One Bad Witch

Followed by First Place Witch

Borrowed as audiobook

Opinions are my own

Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna

It's Stella and Lyndy's honeymoon and they've just arrived at the Majestic to discover that the honeymoon suite has been stolen by Horace Wingrove, the eccentric owner of a well-known confectionery and he's handing out chocolate boxes right and left. The happy couple are disappointed but are distracted by... well, the honeymoon. 

Unfortunately, when they wake up, they discover that Mr. Wingrove has suffocated in his room overnight. The room in which they were supposed to have stayed. And his nephew and secretary are both in the hotel and acting strangely. 

The policeman on the case is not very impressed by Stella and Lyndy trying to help. In fact, he doesn't understand why this American woman cares at all. But Stella has connections that the inspector doesn't and she will be the one to ultimately figure out what exactly happened at the Majestic. Oh, and thwart a plot to kill the queen.

There was a lot going on in this book again but it was a fun read nonetheless. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 25, 2022

Follows Murder at Keyhaven Castle

Followed by Murder on Mistletoe Lane

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Spy x Family Vol. 3 by Tatsuya Endo

Loid, Agent Twilight, has put together the appearance of a perfect family so that he can pass under the radar. His wife, Yor, has her own reasons for needing to be under the radar and welcomed the marriage. His "daughter," Anya is trying to be helpful as well, using her telepathic abilities to the best of her power. Currently, they are all trying to get Anya to succeed in school so that she can get closer to the son of a man Loid is trying to take down. However, there is a recent spoke in the wheels as Yor's brother has come to visit and seems to be suspicious of their marriage.

Yor's brother is a creepy dude who seems to be in love with his sister. I'm sure that's the way he's meant to be portrayed, especially as he works for the bad guys and is trying to track down Twilight.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 4, 2020

Follows Vol. 2

Followed by Vol. 4

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau

In Donut Fall In Love, Vivian Liao, banker, met a man she's had a crush on forever, comedian Melvin Lee. That meeting... was awkward as hell. Mel derided her profession and couldn't believe that she would be happy with her life doing something boring for her job while leaving her art on the side. He had done the same and it crushed his soul. 

Now, the two are going to be thrown together as the characters from that book are getting married. Mel is the best man and Vivian is a bridesmaid. 

The relationship between them moves slowly from antagonism, to a sort of friendship, to sex, to love. It is a lovely journey and we get to see a lot of growth from both Mel and Vivian. Not all of the side stories that led to who they are get entirely wrapped up and I kind of like that (life isn't a neat package tied with a bow) but other readers may find that frustrating.

Four stars

This book comes out October 25, 2022

Follows Donut Fall in Love

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

This book is a lot of wacky and requires a LOT of suspended disbelief but, if you can buckle up for the ride, it's awfully fun. 

Amira Patel (actually, Mira) ran away from most of her family, changed her name, and became an upstanding citizen. Of course, not having a "good family" is hindering her matchmaking prospects. In the past two years, she's been out with thirteen men, all introduced to her by Hema Auntie, one of Los Angeles's premier Indian matchmakers. She was accepted because her good friend's mother is a former client of Hema's and vouched for her. She dumped all of the first twelve but now the thirteenth has dumped her. She knows she's not getting any more matches. Not from this matchmaker. Which stinks even worse because the one family member, her aunt, that she was in touch with has just died leaving her alone in the world. Mira is shocked to hear her aunt left a will and even more shocked when the attorney ends up being her first match. The one she dated for six months and then basically ghosted after a short text.

Naveen Desai is shocked to see Mira in his office. He thought they were done for good. He's even more shocked when she is attacked in the parking garage and the attackers take him as well. 

This starts Mira and Naveen off on an adventure that will have them running all over Las Vegas, dodging shady FBI agents, and uncovering Mira's past. There is a lot going on in the book and, if I think about it too closely, there are a lot of thing that were left dangling but I really enjoyed the read. 

Updated to add that the audiobook is absolutely amazing. The narrators are just... perfect. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out October 18, 2022

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook January 2023