A Terribly Nasty Business by Julia Seales - Book Review

Series: Beatrice Steele #2

Publication Date: 24th June 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Mindless fun but with important themes 

After solving a murder (in the previous book), Beatrice Steele feels like things are finally falling into place. She relocated from Swampshire to London with her trusted chaperone, Miss Bolton. Beatrice and Inspector Drake start their detective agency, D.S. Investigations. However, the elusive Sir Huxley is still considered the only real detective in the city. 

When a string of murders put her and her investigating partner in the middle of a mess, Beatrice must survive the threats on their lives, the disturbances in their partnership, the pressure from her mother to marry well, and a lot more! 

The story comes in Beatrice’s third-person POV with snippets like news articles, letters, notes, etc. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, in a way, it’s not different from the previous book. But it becomes a bit darker. I would recommend starting at the beginning. This series is an OTT farcical blend of Austen and Christie’s works. So, you have a P&P-type set-up with a murder mystery. 

The writing style is quirky, satirical, and fun. Maybe not as fun as book one, but it is still good. I laughed out loud many times at the deliberate absurdity of the situation. 

Since the FMC moved from Swampshire to Sweetbriar in London, frogs have been replaced by… flying squirrels. Not as fun, sadly, but deadlier! 

I like the themes, though. Suppression of arts and artists, the noblemen trying to control society with restrictions, banning arts, gender bias, vehemently opposing women’s freedom, etc., are central to the plot. However, the book doesn’t feel preachy or heavy, thanks to the lighthearted writing style. 

The mystery starts on an interesting note. Since it is a cozy book, you can easily figure out the twists and reveals before the main characters. But the pacing is good, so you don’t have to wait long for them to catch up. 

Beatrice seems uncertain and tentative in the new setting. While it aligns with the plot changes, I did miss her spunk from book one. Luckily, she gets back on track towards the end. 

There’s the dreaded love triangle, which wasn’t too bad due to the lingering comic presence. It seems to have been sorted to an extent. I can only hope there won’t be a curveball in the next book. 

That ending is a perfect bait for book #3! I’m so curious about what will happen. As long as there won’t be unwanted complications in the love track, I’ll be eager for the next installment. 

Oh, the comedy quotient is a bit less in the second half as the seriousness increases. I never thought I’d say this, but I miss Mary (we get updates about her, don’t worry)! We still don’t have any explanation, though there are many clues. 

To summarize, A Terribly Nasty Business indeed deals with a terribly nasty business of murders, control, and infuriating men with a generous dose of silliness and fun. Rounding up since it was entertaining. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ATerriblyNastyBusiness

A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander - Book Review

Series: A Secret Bookcase Mystery #6 

Publication Date: 16th June 2025 

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: The finale… 

Annie and Fletcher, the new co-owners of the Secret Bookcase and private investigators, attend the annual book fair in Santa Clara. Their plan is for Annie to finally solve the mystery behind her best friend, Scarlet’s, death all those years ago. However, Annie ends up becoming a part of another case when an industry colleague dies in front of an audience, and it is clearly a murder. 

Can Annie, with help from her friends, solve both cases and come out alive? 

The story comes in Annie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the concluding book in the series. While the first two chapters provide the necessary backstory to make this a standalone, I think readers might enjoy it more if they read at least the previous two books. That shouldn’t take long since these are short books and can be finished in a couple of hours or so. 

Here, the main mystery is about the death at the annual book fair. The other is not a mystery since the FMC figured things out in the previous book. This is more of a confrontation/ conclusion part, but not without risks, of course. 

Technological advancement is the central theme, focusing on the use of tech in the publishing and bookselling industry. Would you like a VR (virtual reality) device that ‘shows’ a book’s setting, characters, story, etc., or do you prefer to imagine it yourself? I fall into the latter category. While VR sounds fun, I don’t want technology to replace my imagination! 

We also get some insight into the cut-throat world of publishing, like how stressful the auctions for popular authors’ manuscripts are, how not everything is ethically done, and so on. 

There are some mentions of coffee and food, too. On that note, can anyone tell me what a progressive Indian restaurant is supposed to mean? I thought most Indian restaurants in the West don’t serve traditional dishes (even if they say they do) like we have them here (and anyone willing to try avocado raita? Not me!).  

Anyhoo, the mystery is solved, and the overarching plot is also handled pretty easily. There’s a bit of danger, but since someone in the FMC’s team is actually sensible, everyone is safe and alive. 

There’s a surprise for series readers at the end. Don’t miss the author’s note (it’s a short one anyway). If you enjoyed the books so far, you’ll be happy with the update. 

To summarize, A Body at the Book Fair is the final book in the series and keeps the pacing, plotting, and character development aligned with the previous books. Since the series has been a steady 3.5 stars for me, I think it’s only fair to round up this time. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ABodyAtTheBookFair

No More Yesterdays by Catherine Bybee - Book Review

Series: The Heirs #3 

Publication Date: 17th June 2025

Genre: Romance 

4 Stars 

One Liner: This was good! 

Never did Alex Stone think she would take over her father’s company. But now, as the CEO chair at Stone Enterprises, Alex puts all her energies into rebuilding the empire while dodging the attempts on her life and business, with support from her half-sibling. 

Hawk Bronson is Alex’s bodyguard and determined to protect her. With his own past, he cannot afford to get close to her and increase the risk. However, this is easier said than done with their undeniable chemistry. 

Alex and Hawk have to face their past, their family secrets, and threats to have a future together. 

The story comes in Alex and Hawk’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

After enjoying the previous book in the series, I was excited to read this one, where the story concludes and the loose ends are tied up. 

However, the focus is on Alex (Alexandra), the only single Stone sibling since her brothers now have partners. The FMC is strong, independent, and determined, but as the MMC says, she has zero situational awareness. 

Like the previous book, this one has a steady pace. Though it is 400 pages long, it never feels stretched out or slow. In fact, I finished it in two days flat. 

The MMC is easy to like despite his grumpy exterior. He isn’t afraid to be harsh to make the FMC see the extent of danger she is in. However, he is also very protective and caring.  

There are quite a few twists and developments as the story progresses. We can pretty much guess who the actual culprit is, but that’s okay since this is marketed as romance and not a mystery or suspense. 

The romance track is nice and has a bit of steam. The supporting characters are a highlight and continue to enhance the storyline. The bonding between the siblings and their partners is lovely to read. No unwanted drama here. 

While this still works as a standalone, I think I enjoyed it more since I read at least book #2. The central plot starts in the first book, so if you are particular about details, add all three to your TBR. It won’t take long to finish them anyway! 

There’s an epilogue that nicely rounds up everything and gives a solid ending (HEA) to the entire series. 

To summarize, No More Yesterdays is a fast-paced romance with a good dose of suspense and a touch of danger. It is a worthy entertainer with a bit of everything to keep you hooked. I’ll be sure to read more books by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #NoMoreYesterdays

Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: The Inn on the Lake #1

Publication Date: 20th June 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/MapleTreeLodge

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217965087-coming-home-to-maple-tree-lodge

Genre: Small Town Romance

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Sweet and cozy; low-stakes romance

Book Blurb:

A family and hotel in desperate need of help…

Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success, and following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash-strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cozy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?

Can Lily help Ben and his family find a future together?

And can Ben show Lily that there's more to life than work?

As autumn at Maple Tree Lodge begins to weave its magic spell, perhaps Lily will discover somewhere to finally call home and a reason to stay...

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Lily and Ben’s third-person POVs.

Since I enjoyed the previous series by the author, I was excited to read this one. It is set in the same region, a fictional setting in the UK countryside, close to London. A few characters from the other series make a guest appearance here. Only one of them has a slightly prominent role… Dodgy Del! Yeah, though here, he seems to be less prone to causing trouble.

This is a low-stakes romance with very little angst or drama. If you are into intense love stories, this may not work for you. But if you want something hopeful, lighthearted, and cozy, you will enjoy the book.

The writing is mostly ‘tell’ with very little ‘show’. Also, there’s an infodump right at the beginning (this seems to be the author’s writing style). Still, the book has a good pace. I could finish 70% in a single sitting.

Though we have some heavy themes like the death of a parent, tensions in the family, a heroine with reinforced walls, financial concerns, etc., they don’t feel overwhelming. The feel-good vibes are strong and ensure there’s a sense of hope from start to finish.

Family and friendships are the core of the plot. I loved all members of the Jackson family as well as the friends of the MCs. Two pairs for the next books have been hinted at, and there’s one person left. We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. So, this is also bound to be a four-book series set in the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.

The remote setting of the lodge nestled in the woods with a lake close by and hundreds of ancient trees feels like the best place to be! I enjoyed the descriptions of the interiors of the lodge and the nature around it. Since the story happens over four-six months, we can see the seasonal changes as well.

To summarize, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a cozy and heartwarming story about finding your place in the world and having a supportive family. It works well as a breather between heavier reads.

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Alison Sherlock

Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold village.

Follow the Author:

Twitter: @AlisonSherlock

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonSherlockNews

Bookbub Profile: @AlisonSherlock

***

This has been a stop on the #ComingHomeToMapleTreeLodge blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources). Thanks for stopping by!

Breaking His Law by VH Nicolson - Book Review

Series: Billionaire Hart Boys #1 

Publication Date: 10th June 2025

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Insta lust, but the story gets better 

Arianna wants revenge. She joins the law firm that represented her family’s killer to dig into their secrets and expose their cover-up. Of course, meeting Nathan Hart, head of the firm, puts a small spanner in her plans. 

Nathan Hart doesn’t have time for commitments. However, when his one-night stand walks into the office, he is angry at the deception and excited to get to know her. The chemistry is evident, but what will the truth of her past do to him and their growing closeness? 

The story comes in Ari and Nathan’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

So, the premise makes it clear that the book will have insta lust and a third-act breakup. Since I was prepared for both, I enjoyed this spicy (4 peppers) read for what it was. 

After a prologue from the past, we jump right into the central plot. There is a lot of internal dialogue, which serves the purpose of providing the backstory and maybe adding a bit of depth to the characters. Some of this gets repetitive, but it works in the context. 

The dual POV is easy to track. Though there’s a mention under the chapter head, I didn’t always need to look at it to figure out whose POV it was. The voices were distinct enough. 

The side characters, especially the brothers and the mother (and Joseph too!), were good. The three remaining brothers will get their own books (hopefully soon). They have definite personalities, so no confusion about who is who. 

Despite the spice, the book gives us a few sweet/ adorable scenes. This slows down the whirlwind romance a little bit and establishes a deeper connection between the characters. And oh, this is an age-gap romance (he is 44, she is 29). 

The third-act breakup is done well. It aligns with the central premise and gives a good conclusion. While a particular scene could have been a bit more detailed since it is crucial, the rest is decent. We get an epilogue, too! 

I do wish the FMC’s backstory had more information. A few scenes with her family, etc., would have added more emotional depth to the narrative. 

The dynamics between the Hart brothers are awesome, though. The family clearly loves each other. It adds an extra layer to the story and prevents it from being too shallow. 

Goat yoga? Seriously! The kind of shit West does to traditional indigenous knowledge makes me want to puke all over the billion dollar industry. Not a minus point for the book since it only uses what’s already there in the society. 

To summarize, Breaking His Law is a steady-paced spicy romance with banter, secrets, and drama. It should work well as a light beach read or a buffer between heavy books. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #BreakingHisLaw

Courier of Death by Cara Devlin - Book Review

Series: Spencer & Reid Mysteries #3 

Publication Date: 14th June 2025 

Genre: Historical Mystery (Dark) 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: This is going great! 

1884, London 

It has been months since Leonora Spencer discovered the truth of her family’s death. She’s still struggling to cope with it and keeps her distance from Detective Inspector Jasper Reid. However, when a bomb blast outside the police station kills a young constable and a prominent suffragist is accused of the crime, Leo has to step in. 

Jasper has done his best to accept that Leo wanted space. He used this time to focus on his job. But when she begins to interfere in the last case, he is torn between warning her and helping her. 

As Jasper and Leo hunt for clues, they attract the attention of the most dangerous crime syndicate in London and the East End gang. 

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

After the cliffhanger in the previous book, I knew I had to read this as soon as possible. At the same time, reading this early would mean a long wait for the next one. Sigh! 

As the middle book of the series, this has some fairly important developments. Though there is enough detail provided, I wouldn’t recommend reading this as a standalone. Start with the first book. 

Compared to the previous two, this was a bit slower. However, it doesn’t drag at any point. With two cases and the tussle between the MCs, there’s enough to keep you flipping the pages. 

We get more details about the past, the FMC’s family, and stuff. I like how the delicate balance between their entwined pasts and the present is handled. We can see both their concerns. Neither is wrong, so we’ll be rooting for them. 

As always, the dark side of London, the gang wars, the suffragette movement and the vehement opposition to it, class differences, gender bias, etc., are seamlessly woven into the plot. 

The mysteries are well done with just enough twists for the suspense, but easy enough for readers to guess the culprits. 

The ending is my favorite. After, there’s a good development after waiting all this while. It still ends in a cliffhanger, and there is lots of danger swirling around, but there’s more hope this time. 

To summarize, Courier of Death is a suspenseful and intriguing mystery with danger, threats, gangs, and an intense past looming overhead. The next book will be out in Sep, and I can’t wait to read it! 

Thank you, Book Sirens and the author, for the eARC.