Murder by Firelight by Merryn Allingham - Book Review

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #12

Publication Date: 04th Sep 2025

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0F6Y558JXsocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232435224-murder-by-firelight

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: Good!

Book Blurb:

No one can hold a candle to amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington as they ask the burning question… Who is the killer walking the cobbled streets of their historic little town?

Sussex, November 1959: There’s a chill in the air at the Lewes bonfire celebration. Carnival floats fill the narrow streets, fireworks crackle overhead, and Flora and Jack feel the heat of the burning torches lining the streets. But when Trevor French, chief of the Grove Bonfire Society, tumbles from his parade float, they know something is afoot. Trevor didn’t just fall – and amidst the crowds, his killer slips away through the smoke-filled night.

But who would want the respected Trevor dead? As Flora and Jack question the vying bonfire societies, they find a surprisingly competitive underbelly at play. Did Edwin Brooker, former chairman, stoke the flames of rivalry too far? Or are the tears of the victim’s friend, Leo Nelson, faked to keep himself safe?

Just as the sleuths believe they’ve figured it out, the body of a key suspect in the case is found dead on their hearth rug, and Flora and Jack realise that no one is safe – including themselves. Together, can they smoke the murderer out? Or will their chances of survival go up in flames?

A completely addictive and absolutely charming cozy mystery novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs.

So, we are in the twelfth book of the series. The story can work as a standalone, though you might enjoy it more if you read at least a couple of earlier books.

After complaining about the FMC’s overenthusiasm in the previous books, it’s a relief to see her reluctant to take on a new case in this one. Of course, it’s the MMC who has the itch to know what happened. That said, they solve it together, as they often do, so all is good.

November’s winter plays a good role in the story and elevates the plot as well as the setting. The descriptions of the bonfire night, the costumes, etc., are well done without slowing the narration.

The mystery is quite interesting, with some twists and turns and a few red herrings. I did figure out who the killer was and the reason for it. Easy, since all the clues are provided to the reader. We are not kept in the dark to maintain suspense.  

As always, the side characters add extra charm to the story by appearing a few times here and there. Not a lot of developments in that area, but there are a few. Though the FMC’s clinginess to the past could create some trouble for the couple in the future.

I think I can guess what the next case is likely to be. Let’s see if I’ll be right!

To summarize, Murder in Firelight is a quick cozy mystery that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It’s a small book and can be finished in a couple of sittings.

Thank you, Sarah, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas, and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cozy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

Follow the Author:

Website: https://merrynallingham.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here:  https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour for #MurderbyFirelight by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

Sign up for all the best Bookouture deals: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Is This Real or Just Pretend? by Emily Sullivan - Book Review

Series: Untitled (#2) 

Publication Date: 09th Sep 2025 

Genre: Historical Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Better than book one 

Alexandra Atkinson (Alex) is a master of business and has spent all her life helping her father with their company. However, none of her talents is of use if she cannot win the approval of the board. It doesn’t help that she has no time or inclination for parties and balls. She never really fit. 

Lucien Taylor is the son of a coachman and a childhood friend of the Atkinson girls. He had always crushed on Winifred, who treated him like a little playmate. Years later, he is back from Paris after a failed business. 

Alex offers a simple proposition – a fake courtship for her to secure the board vote and him to get investment for a new business. It seems easy enough until they realize love could complicate things. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Though I didn’t much enjoy the previous book (Duchess Material), I knew I would read this one. I liked Alex in that and liked her even more in this book. It is sad that no one really seems to see her and try to understand her. 

The MMC is nice enough, not a complete idiot, but I didn’t like that he hurt the FMC more than once. He does apologize, yet it doesn’t seem enough. 

The danger elements are pretty much non-existent until the last quarter, so much so that I totally forgot the track until the Inspector walked in. 

The FMC’s sisters have substantial roles, though, as before, I wasn’t much impressed by them. Book three will certainly be interesting, given who it will have as the main leads. 

Historical romance is changing, which is nice in a way. We have the reverse age gap and virgin hero tropes in this one. There is spice (2.5 maybe), which is not great. You can skim through. 

The pacing is solid. I like that it keeps a steady momentum and doesn’t slacken at any point, even when the characters are being idiots. It made me finish the book faster! 

This could have been a proper 4-star if the lead couple had a proper and heartfelt conversation, at least at the end. They patch up and all, but where is the conversation where they sort things out? 

To summarize, Is This Real or Just Pretend? is a fast-paced and entertaining read for a lazy afternoon. You can finish it in three hours or so. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC.

#NetGalley #IsThisRealorJustPretend

A Promise of Forever by Sheryl Lister - Book Review

Series: Firefly Lake #3 

Publication Date: 19th August 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fic 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Low-stakes and sweet

Terri Rhodes and her husband had a whirlwind marriage and moved to Firefly Lake. As time passed, Jon’s legal practice and Terri’s work as an ER nurse made them guests in their own home. Terri yearns to connect with Jon as before work, and an unexpected tragedy changed their lives. 

Jon knows his wife is unhappy, and so is he, but he isn’t willing to talk about it. But when Terri left, Jon was desperate to do anything to bring her back and worried if it was too late. With help from his new Supper Club friends, he hopes to win Terri back no matter what. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Terri and Jon. 

My Thoughts: 

When I requested the book, I wasn’t aware that this was the third in a series. Not a problem when I know I’m jumping into a series, but I do like to know it in advance. 

A Table for Two and A Perfect Pairing are the first two books, and it’s clear that I would have enjoyed this more if I had read at least one of them. This book is possibly the last in the series, so it divides the attention between the main couple and the side characters. 

The writing is easy to read, like very easy to read, with light-hearted dialogue and basic descriptions. I could finish the book in 1.5 days, so that tells you something. 

The main characters are likable. They are in love with each other but are going through a tough phase. The MMC has a lot of suppressed trauma to unpack, which he does eventually, since he loves his wife. 

The main side characters were delightful (not a surprise since they featured as leads in the previous books). The others were nice too. In fact, we don’t have villains here. Just some nosy and overbearing people who also learn to tone down by the end. 

Based on the first 50%, this was a 4-star read. However, the plot lost its momentum in the second half. It still had interesting moments, but I felt like it became a bit too easy despite the triggers. 

Food is a strong theme, and there are a couple of recipes at the end for those who want to try. I appreciate this (obviously), though it’s not my kind (doesn’t matter; any food works in books). That said, I’d love a recipe for the 7Up cake. It sounds interesting! I remember there was a trend, maybe, of using soda water in some cakes. Will have to look it up again. 

There’s some open-door romance and spice, but not in detail. Maybe 1.5 on the scale. My favorite is that there’s no unwanted drama. While it does make the book too sweet, it also sticks to the core theme of a couple in love trying to find their way back to each other. It's assuring when the characters confidently state they love their partners with all their hearts and are learning to show it. 

To summarize, A Promise of Forever is a sweet, hopeful, and heartwarming read set in a typical small town where the gossip mill works overtime. Rounding it up since the book made me smile. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #APromiseOfForever

*

TW: premature birth and death of the baby  

Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley - Book Review

Series: The Scottish Charms #1

Publication Date: 26th August 2025

Genre: Small Town Witchy Romance

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Enjoyed it! 

Sloane MacGregor vowed never to return to Briarhaven. But with her 25th birthday approaching (the day witches get their magic), she answers the summons of her grandmother and sisters. She also has a teeny task – to break an ancient curse on their bloodline. 

The town’s mayor, Knox Douglas, worked hard to make the town a safe place for magic folk. He doesn’t want the cursed woman messing things up, even if he had a crush on Sloane long ago. 

But… magic has its own plans! 

The story comes in Sloane's (more %) and Knox’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the first book in the series, so the overarching plot is left open. Also, the book divides its time between romance and setting the stage for the central conflict. You’ll enjoy it more if you are prepared for these two. 

There’s insta-lust, though the characters have known each other in their teens. Since we get only a couple of short references to the past, you should be prepared for insta stuff. Though the rest of the book is cozy, the romance is hot and steamy (3.5+ with many ‘searing kisses’). This combination could have been a bit odd, but I was expecting it based on all that inner monologue. 

Family and relationships, small town communities, and a magical setting (such a beautiful place!) are the highlights of the book. Magic is seamlessly integrated into the plotline. The bond between the sisters is realistic. The grandma is a badass. Totally love her. A few side characters like Raven, Dorothy, Henry, etc., are sweet. I hope Raven gets her own book. 

Do you see a cutesy with blue wings on the cover? That’s Blue, an emberwolf (a cross between a dragon and a werewolf) who loves cheese and flies like a drunken bee. Then, there’s a blind cat named Oswald and a wheelchair bound Highlander coo named Higgs. And… another favourite fantasy creature. You can tell they add a lot of charm to the story. 

The curse is mentioned at many places, though it is dealt with only towards the end. And since this will be a series, there’s only a partial resolution. The next book has to be Lyra’s, and we know who the guy is! 

To summarize, Love's a Witch is a cozy witchy romance that also deals with themes like dysfunctional families, finding one’s roots, overbearing parents, and longing for a place called home. 

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

#NetGalley #LovesAWitch

Murder in Hollywood by Millicent Binks - Book Review

Series: An Opal Laplume Mystery #2

Publication Date: 18th August 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: It was a fun read 

Opal Laplume gets the job of making costumes for Jean Margeaux, the rising star of Hollywood. However, she has a case on her hands when Jean is killed on the set by a gunshot that was supposed to be fake. With everyone having a motive and hiding secrets, it won’t be easy for Opal to get to the bottom of the truth. But she won’t stop until the killer is found! 

The story comes in Opal’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

After Paris, the FMC is in Hollywood with her miniature black poodle, Napoleon. That little doggy is soon becoming a favorite! Who doesn’t like a pet that looks like a toy with a pom-pom tail? Aww! 

Okay, so the book. 

The Hollywood set from the 1930s comes alive on the pages. The studios and their competitiveness, the place where money wins over ethics, and where no one is a true friend. It’s very well done with the array of characters and the details of backstage working. 

The FMC is a smart pie, sometimes a bit too smart, which leads to more trouble, but usually capable enough. She’s going about making friends, though her backstory says the opposite. Quite a contrast, which explains how she fits better in flashy settings than among the London ton. 

The book should work as a standalone. That said, you’ll meet the guy the FMC has a crush on as well as see another development in the overarching plot dealing with her father. There is enough information to go with the flow. 

Not everything is plausible, and I found a certain event rather strange given her profession, but okay, since it can be explained through the father’s profession. I’m being very vague to avoid spoilers, lol. 

The mystery is decent, easy enough to guess. All clues are right there. The FMC takes some time to connect them, which is expected. 

The pacing was good in the first half or until 65% or so. After that, it seemed to slow down quite a bit. Not sure why it took me more time to read the last section! 

Don’t miss the author’s note! 

To summarize, Murder in Hollywood is an easy and entertaining mystery with some red herrings, clues, drama, and a whole lot of suspects. I’ll be reading the next book since the FMC is easy to like. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderInHollywood

Red Card by Maren Moore - Book Review

Series: Prescott University #1

Publication Date: 12th August 2025

Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Predictable fun 

When British rugby player Cillian “Kill” Cairney gets a permanent red card in London, there’s only one team that’ll take him, an Ivy League school in New Hampshire, even if the players don’t want him around. But he needs this chance to work, to set things right and take care of his younger sister. He has to earn the coach’s respect and impress Rory, the coach’s daughter who lives and breathes rugby. 

Rory grew up loving rugby. This made her an expert, and the team treats her like a bro. The problem is that every other guy also seems to think of her as a wing woman and a bro rather than someone they can date. After a flirting disaster, Rory comes up with an impulsively brilliant plan – Cillian will help her flirt and she’ll help him bond with the teammates. 

What could go wrong? 

The story comes in Rory and Cillian’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

In a way, this is pretty predictable, but that’s not a surprise since most books in the genre are! It has a few flaws, too. On the whole, it’s a fun read if you don’t nit-pick. 

The dual POV is good as we get both their thoughts and see the story progress from their perspectives. Moreover, the voices are distinguishable, which makes it easier to read. 

Though this is a sports romance, it is basically a romance. Sports is there, but only to the extent of a bit of team tussle, mention of practices, and a couple of moves. This could go either way. I don’t mind since rugby is not my game. But if you want to know something useful about the game, you won’t find it here. 

This is a new adult romance, and surprise, surprise, one of those rare books that worked for me to an extent, probably coz it’s pretty lighthearted and the characters are mature enough for their ages. Sure, the FMC has strong pick-me-up vibes, but she doesn’t want to be that. Of course, there’s a backstory, so it doesn’t feel off. 

The MMC is presented as a bad boy but is someone dealing with loads of trauma, grief, and personal shit. He is a grump, but a good guy. I like that he can communicate and goes all in once he decides. Otherwise, which 6’4” guy would be sane enough to think a 5’2” girl has mile-long legs? Dude, our legs can’t even reach the floor if we sit in a bigger chair! 

This is spicy with open-door scenes (4+). It does feel a bit (or lot) awkward if you remember their ages, so it's better to forget/ ignore that, lol. 

You’ll likely need to suspend belief for some stuff. It goes with the territory, I guess. At least, the characters seem to be studying as well and are interested in getting a degree, so that’s something. 

GR shows this is the first in the series. Makes sense. There are a couple of good guys on the team, and then there’s the MMC’s sister (she’s cute). Some of these characters will get their own books, I guess. 

To summarize, Red Card is a lighthearted, steamy romance with some banter, funny scenes, and a bit of heavy themes. It’s low-stakes but maintains the entertainment levels pretty much throughout. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #RedCard

A Merry Irish Christmas by Clodagh Murphy - Book Review

Publication Date: 06th Sep 2025

Genre: Christmas Romance, Contemporary 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Cute! 

Mary decides to fly home to Ireland for Christmas when things end with her boyfriend. Unknown to her, her family plans a similar surprise visit to New York. The result: Mary is home, and her family is in NY. 

As if that’s not enough, the family home is now occupied by a grumpy New Yorker, Evan, who wants nothing to do with her or Christmas. Can the two of them find a way to make Christmas memorable? 

The story comes in Mary’s third-person POV with a few chapters from Evan’s POV (also in the third person). 

My Thoughts: 

This is a short and cute book you can finish in a single sitting. The descriptions are very well done. I could visualize the Irish setting, the weather, and cozy dinners. 

The FMC is easy enough to like. This made the book enjoyable since we get most of the story from her perspective. 

The MMC is a proper grump in the beginning, but he proves himself to be a sweet guy. Just how it should be. I did wish he had more chapters to balance the narrative. 

There are many side characters, though my favorite has to be the mom. She pretty much runs the book, though her scenes are limited. There is also a bit of stereotyping, but given that those characters appear only once throughout the book, I didn’t mind it too much. 

So far, the book seems to be a standalone, which means a subplot has been left open. Maybe there will be another book for that one. It’s not related to the main characters, though. 

Given the timeline, this is no slow burn. It is insta-love. However, I don’t remember them actually saying the word, so that’s something. There’s a teeny bit of spice, but mostly closed door. The banter is fun, which I enjoyed. 

The ending is nice and hopeful, but I do miss not having an epilogue. The only way to make up for it is to complete the subplot in another book. 

To summarize, A Merry Irish Christmas is a lighthearted, cozy, and cute romance with some determined side characters added to the mix. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #AMerryIrishChristmas

Maisie vs the Himalayas by Jack Jackman - Book Review

Series: Masie vs #2 

Publication Date: 14th August 2025 

Genre: Middle Grade Adventure 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Maisie does it again! 

After the excitement in Antarctica, Maisie travels with her dad to the Himalayas to research for a book titled How to Find Buried Treasure. Maisie sure finds the treasure, but also gets into many tussles and attracts unwanted attention as a thief while dodging dangerous explosions. 

Looks like there are many secrets Maisie doesn’t know about. Will Dad tell her about them, or will it be too late by then? 

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

My Thoughts: 

This is the second book in the series, and it will be better if you read the first one. It does work as a standalone, but if you are into proper character development and backstories, read both. And honestly, you’ll love them. 

Since the book is from an eleven-year-old kid’s POV, prepare for it to be filled with vivid imagination, sass, impulsiveness, and recklessness. Don’t look for adult maturity in it, though she can surprise you in unexpected ways. 

The day Maisie would keep her promise would probably be declared an international promise day or something (yeah, not gonna happen). As an adult, there were (many) instances I wanted to shake sense into that kid. I’m sure her dad feels the same. 

Unlike the previous book, this has very few characters and is set in just a couple of nearby locations (the caves and the adjacent hotel). However, this doesn’t restrict entertainment or adventure even a little. You can trust that kid to get into trouble even in the safest place, and an old cave is hardly safe! 

We get a little more detail about her dead mother, which, as you can guess, makes the kiddo super happy. She’s a lonely little girl wanting adventures and to spend more time with her dad, who has a superpower but writes boring books. 

Continuing the pattern, each chapter is titled as some sort of ‘How to…’. There can be some spoilers here, so skip the chapter titles if you are particular. I think kids will enjoy the creativity. 

I love that ‘little fire god’ comment. So cute and aligns with what we’d say! 

Once again, I wish the book had at least two or three illustrations. The ones from the cover could have been divided into individual illustrations and added to the file. 

To summarize, Maisie vs the Himalayas is an entertaining, adventurous, and humorous continuation of the series. Be prepared, as it will give kids many ideas that can give you a headache or high blood pressure, lol. 

Now that I know where the next adventure will be, I can’t wait to read it! 

Thank you, NetGalley and NosyCrow, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #MaisieVstheHimalayas

Love or Your Money Back by Suzy K. Quinn - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 01st July 2025

Purchase Link for Amazon (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Your-Money-Back-funniest-ebook/dp/B0FDBMMZQQ

Purchase Link for Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/Love-Your-Money-Back-funniest-ebook/dp/B0FDBMMZQQ

 Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236605619-love-or-your-money-back

Genre: Contemporary Romance

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Fast-paced

Book Blurb:

Is marriage about love or marketing?

Kat is 34, single and running out of time – she wants to get married before she turns 35, but her fiancé just ditched her for a 21-year-old life coach.

Freddy is a ruthless marketing guru who thinks love is just transactional. He’ll use his marketing genius to make Kat the most sought-after woman in London if she lets him rebrand her struggling company.

With her 35th birthday looming and her love life a disaster, Kat agrees to become Project Marriage.

Can a rebrand king sell happily ever after? Or is love something even the best marketer can't package and promote?

A smart, funny romantic comedy for fans of Emile Henry (Funny Story), Lucy Score, and Ali Hazelwood.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Kat’s first-person POV and Freddy’s third-person POV.

I heard great things about the author’s (Probably) The Greatest Love Story Ever Told and had high expectations from this one. Guess that affected my reading experience a bit.

The book has a terrific pace. No denying that. Also, it will keep you hooked from start to finish. I read it in one sitting (and stayed awake longer than I do).

The dual POV, with one in the third-person, is a wonderful choice. Not only do we get both their perspectives, but we also have no confusion about the voice.

Another plus point is that the FMC has Multiple Sclerosis. Relapsing-Remitting MS, to be precise. She can do anything on a good day, but stress and anxiety can screw it up in a few minutes. Living with MS is not easy, and we see clearly how it affects a person physically, psychologically, and emotionally. It has been seamlessly integrated into the plot.

Let’s just say that my liking and disliking of the MCs was like a Sine wave. As the story progresses, more aspects come to light. What we see at the beginning is not what it is. However, what we see in the next few chapters is also not what it is.  

The FMC is a total despo. Cringe-level max. But this is deliberate characterization. Readers are not expected to agree with her always. Rather, we are to see her strengths and flaws and hope that the bulb will ding over her head and enlighten her. It won’t be easy liking her when you want to knock sense into that brain and wonder just how naïve someone of that age can be.

The MMC is okay. Shows promise and stays true to his arc, which means he will also annoy us quite a bit. It’s almost like a contest – who will exasperate the reader more, lol! This should have made me dislike the book, but it had the opposite effect since it was done intentionally.

There’s a QR code in the last quarter for those who want open-door spice. The author got 50-50 votes on whether to include spice in the book. So, she inserted it as an optional choice (kya kya karna padta hai, to keep all readers happy). Of course, I read it, but later, after finishing the book. There’s also an option to sign up and get a bonus epilogue. You know I can’t resist an epilogue!

There are some funny moments too. Despite everything, I can’t say I enjoyed this a lot. It was fun and interesting, but that’s it. I wouldn’t sing praises about it, though.

Maybe if the backstories were a bit more detailed or the characters (especially the FMC) spent more time introspecting the toxic patterns in her life, it would have worked better. That would have changed the genre from rom-com to rom, but methinks it’s worth a shot.

To summarize, Love or Your Money Back is a quick and lighthearted read with some heavy themes that don’t weigh down the plot or narration. It should work as a beach read or an autumn afternoon read.

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

***

Author Bio – Suzy K Quinn

Suzy K Quinn writes romantic comedy / rom com books / cozy mystery and has sold over 1 million books worldwide. She is a bestseller in the UK, US, and Germany and has plans for total world domination with more feel-good books (bestsellers, obviously) in the near future.

Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband Demi and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two, and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author. When she's not writing, she is reading rom coms and cozy mysteries.

Suzy loves her readers and is ALWAYS happy to chat on social media - she's @suzykquinn on all the socials. You can also get a free book at her website: www.suzykquinn.com

Follow the Author:

Facebook: facebook.com/suzykquinnbooks  

Tiktok: @suzykquinn

Instagram: @suzykquinn

Twitter: @suzykquinn

Threads: @suzykquinn

***

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

Will You Stay Another Day? by Samantha Tonge - Book Review

Publication Date: 11th Aug 2025

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Hopeful 

Lili sends her best friend, Em, a knock-knock joke, not expecting a reply. After all, it’s Christmas time and almost a year since her bestie passed away. But someone responds, and Lili suggests a meeting. 

There, she meets a man, a handsome stranger, Dylan, who has also been waiting for someone he’s missing. As they spend more time together, this could be their chance to heal and hope for a happier future. 

The story comes in Lili’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

From the premise, you’ll know that the book deals with grief and mourning. Grieving a loved one is the central premise, so if that’s a trigger, you may want to be careful. That said, the book has some wonderful, heartwarming moments about learning to move on while honouring the dead. 

I liked the cover right away, but I like it better after finishing the story. That little suitcase and the cover have a great significance in the plot. 

It might take some time to get into the flow. Since we get the story from Lili’s POV, we have to remember that it shows her state of mind at that point. In fact, it’s the same throughout. 

I wish we had at least a few chapters from the MMC’s perspective. He’s a sweet guy, but I can’t tell you a lot about him. Feels a bit 2D despite having a proper backstory and description. 

Though it has romance (closed door), the focus is mainly on letting go and moving on. This applies on multiple levels. I like how both main characters’ professions align with the theme. 

Some of the side characters are really good. I like Tommo and Megs right away. Glenda, too, of course. The community vibe is strong, and it brings out the snow-town feel and the seasonal spirit to the forefront. 

The book discusses the Japanese tradition of showing respect to non-living items and honoring them the way we honor humans/ relationships. This reminded me of a video I recently saw on social media, where an old machine (in Japan) is being honoured for the service it provided. 

The book starts a few months before Christmas, though it ends with the holiday season. So, this is not exactly a Christmas story, but it has some elements of it. The ending is hopeful and sweet. 

To summarize, Will You Stay Another Day is a story of friendships, family, found family, relationships, and love. It’s a good read for a cozy autumn noon. 

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

#NetGalley #WillYouStayAnotherDay 

Murder on an Italian Island by T A Williams - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #12

Publication Date: 05^th August 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232029031-murder-on-an-italian-island

Genre: Contemporary Cosy Mystery, Italy 

 4 Stars

One Liner: Mystery and history

Book Blurb:

A holiday island…

When private investigator, Dan Armstrong, and his girlfriend, Anna, are invited to the gorgeous island of Elba for a much-needed break, he jumps at the chance. The thought of sun-drenched shores makes Dan promise Anna he won't “play detective” for a whole week…

A luxury hotel…

Their luxurious hotel, with its wonderful food and picturesque seaside views, seems the perfect escape, especially with Dan's best friend Virgilio and his wife joining them. But the calm shatters with a sinister encounter and a sudden, suspicious death…

A decades old case…

Virgilio's past connection to the victim casts a long shadow, pulling Dan into a decades-old case. But beneath Elba's beauty lie secrets and resentments – the victim was universally hated – but was his death the result of foul play or just a tragic accident?

With his faithful canine companion, Oscar, Dan must unravel the island's mysteries, a task that soon takes a decidedly personal and unsettling turn.

***

My Thoughts:

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

So, the 12th book in the series should work as a standalone. Go ahead and grab them all if you want to read the rest. It’s like going on a virtual tour of Italy.

This time, we travel to Elba, a beautiful island with a history that dates back to the early times. Like many tourist places, the island has both benefited and suffered from becoming a popular location for holidays.

I like how we also learn something about the situation in the region with every book in the series. This time, it talks of how thriving occupations like farming, winery, etc., were replaced by tourism and its adjacent industries. By catering to tourists, many locals lost their family lands and professions and had to adjust. Sadly, this has become a common pattern around the world.

The mystery is nice enough with resolutions we can guess as more clues are revealed. It is still low-stakes, though there are some interesting developments and other departments involved for a while.

Oscar, the adorable black Lab, is his usual best – being cuddled by everyone and fed treats coz he has the best ‘I’m starving’ face. Of course, our dog is also a hero who can save lives.

And food, there’s loads of it. The Italians (like Indians) serve food in generous proportions, so there’s more than enough for the characters and the readers! If only they developed AI that made it possible to grab an ice cream from the book instead of writing a story for me. I can do my writing. Give me food!

To summarize, Murder on an Italian Island is a lighthearted and quick mystery set on a lovely island. It combines history, mystery, and entertainment with ease. The windsurfing scenes were hilarious.

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 – T A Williams

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

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

Bookbub Profile: @trevorwilliams3

***

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

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis - Book Review

Series: Colburn Brothers #1

Publication Date: 05th August 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Establishes the series 

Ryder Colburn is busy running the family businesses and caring for his ailing father. But a chance encounter with Penny compels him to help her and get to know her more. 

Penny has paid the price and is living in a dilapidated house with her grandmother and tween brother, trying to survive on the catering job. She has no time for anything, definitely not love. 

But maybe life has other plans! 

The story comes in Penny and Ryder’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is my first book by the author, and I’ll be happy to read the other books in the series (fingers crossed that the publisher will make them Read Now). 

The plot is pretty thin as the focus is on building the foundation for the series and establishing the main characters (the Colburn brothers and sister). I hope the sister also gets her book. 

That said, the characters are well-developed, layered, and realistic. They have their flaws, but they are good people. They have been through enough trauma and are doing their best to be there for their loved ones. 

As the title suggests, the MMC falls first, and he is pretty open about it. The FMC calls herself a hot mess (more than a few times) and is willing to heal (always a good sign). 

The characters know their flaws and insecurities, so they have meaningful conversations even when there’s a sort of breakup. They talk about things and communicate, making it easy to root for them to be together. 

The toddlers (Abi and Alex) are little tornadoes or wolf cubs (as their mum calls them). Needless to say, the kiddos brighten up the book each time they appear on the page.

A few plot threads have been left open and will presumably be resolved in the later books. I’m curious to know where they’ll lead. 

There’s quite liberal open-door spice (3+) and a generous dose of F-bombs (alpha brothers and all that, I suppose). The banter is pretty good, though. The book has many funny moments despite having a sense of heaviness (due to dark themes like parental abuse, childhood trauma, domestic violence, death, illness, etc.). 

We don’t know about the FMC’s mom, though her grandma and half-brother are sweet. Still, I wish we had a little more backstory about her family. It would have enhanced the plot. 

To summarize, He Falls First is a heartwarming read about finding love, family support, and being there for one another. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #HeFallsFirst

A Scottish Lighthouse Escape by Julie Shackman - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Scottish Escapes #9 (standalone)

Publication Date: 30th July 2025

Purchase Link (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Lighthouse-Escape-lighthouse-armchair-ebook/dp/B0D9PLQ25Y

Purchase Link (UK): https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Lighthouse-Escape-lighthouse-armchair-ebook/dp/B0D9PLQ25Y

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223145780-a-scottish-lighthouse-escape

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Hopeful

Book Blurb:

Get ready to fall in love with the brand new romance in the Scottish Escapes series from bestselling author Julie Shackman.

When romance author Rosie Winters’s own fairytale romance ends with a bang, she’s determined to get away from everything. Packing up her belongings, she sets off for the furthest place she can think of: Scotland.

Rosie spent her summers at her late grandmother’s coastal cottage in the Highlands and knows it’ll be the perfect place to wallow for a while. Even better that there’s a gorgeous lighthouse and dolphins in the bay.

What Rosie didn’t expect was to bump into the new lighthouse keeper, Mitch. Despite her recent heartbreak, Rosie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Mitch. As they spend more time together, is it possible that he needs Rosie every bit as she needs him…

***

My Thoughts:

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

I wondered why the author’s name sounded familiar until I realized I had read another book from this standalone series. Luckily, I like this a bit more than the other one.

The Scottish setting is beautiful, and the lighthouse has a decent role, so the title suits the book. I love the descriptions of Rowan Bay, the sea, the misty pathways, the unexpected storms, etc.

Bronte and Kane, the two adorable dogs, steal the show in many ways. You can see Brontë running on the cover. Cutie, right?

There’s also a subplot of sorts about the FMC’s late grandmother. It was well done, even if the climax was a bit too saccharine (and that comes from someone who likes HEA). Guess it aligns with the genre’s vibe to an extent.

The book touches upon some triggering topics like infidelity, spousal death, death of parents and loved ones, jealousy, confidence issues, etc.

This is again women’s fiction with a touch of romance, like the previous book I read (#7). However, it worked better since I could see a bit of attraction between the main leads, and it brought everything together.

This may not be an issue for everyone, but there are too many characters whose names start with R – Rosie, Recce, Rhea, Ruth… *eyeroll*

To summarize, A Scottish Lighthouse Escape is a hopeful read despite the predictability and a too-sweet ending. It’s pretty fast-paced and can be completed in a couple of sittings.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and One More Chapter (HarperCollins), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Julie Shackman

Julie Shackman is a feel-good romance author from Scotland and is published by the HarperCollins imprint One More Chapter. When not writing or reading, Julie loves to take her Romanian rescue pup Cooper for long walks, working out, watching romcoms, and indulging her love of music. A Scottish Lighthouse Escape is her thirteenth novel.

Follow the Author:

Website: Julie Shackman Author

Twitter/ X: (2) Julie Shackman (@G13Julie) / Twitter

Instagram: Julie Georgina Shackman (@juliegeorginashackman) • Instagram photos and videos

Facebook: (5) Julie Georgina Shackman | Facebook

***

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

The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction Vol 2 by Tarun K. Saint - Book Review

Series: The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction

Publication Date: 20th June 2025

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.in/Hachette-Book-Indian-Detective-Fiction/dp/935731332X

Genre: Mystery Short Story Anthology, Multi-Author

3.53 Stars

One Liner: Pretty decent

The second volume of the Indian Detective Fiction has seventeen stories (some are translated works) with diverse themes, timelines, and topics. It begins with the editor’s note, which details that this volume focuses on police procedurals and historical mysteries. Then, the editor goes on to explain the concepts of both genres by providing brief insights into the stories from the collection.

The independence era, colonial, and post-colonial rule seem to be recurring themes.

As always, I review each story in brief as and when I finish reading it and compile it into a review (like this).

Detective Kanaicharan and the Missing Ship by Rajarshi Das Bhowmik, Arunava Sinha (Translator) – 3.5 Stars

Not a proper police procedural as such, but it has a police detective solving a cold case from the time of British rule. It’s an interesting mystery and will be more entertaining if you know Indian history.

Kama by Vikram Chandra – 2 Stars

This is a bigger story and a part of the author’s Love and Longing in Bombay collection. Apparently, the MC from here (Sartaj) played a prominent role in Sacred Games. As a mystery (since that is the book’s theme), the story is pretty weak with ambiguous implications and some not-so-subtle hate for a certain group. The story would have worked better in the original collection (based on the title). The extended open-door sex scenes add nothing to the mystery element here. (And before some overenthusiastic readers call me a prude, I regularly read 4+ spice and have no issues with it as long as it aligns with the plot.)

A Darkling Plain by Giti Chandra – 4 Stars

This is a short and crisp story with a dark enough twist to be a mystery. Though it emphasizes the caste stereotypes, the execution is tight and noteworthy. Despite having two first-person POVs in a short piece, the voices are distinguishable, and the narrative is taut.

All That Glitters by Swati Kaushal – 4 Stars

I think this police procedural was written for the screen. It has OTT drama and dialogues worthy of a Hindi show. However, the scenes are super easy to visualize from start to finish. The story is entertaining and fast-paced. Technically, it has to be 3.5 stars, but I love the ending, so 4 it is!

The Woman with the Snake Tattoo by Ajay Chowdhury – 4 Stars

Another compact police procedural about murder and theft in a jewelry store (the previous story also deals with a jewelry store). I like that this balances the personal and professional life of the MC very well. The characters are rather pleasing, unlike the ‘disillusioned toxic cop’ drama most authors seem to prefer. For that alone, this gets a higher rating.

When Goyenda Met Daroga by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Debaditya Mukhopadhyay (Translator) – 3.5 Stars

This is a lighthearted drama with no real mystery. I think it’s from a detective series. While it works as a standalone and has some cheeky humor, don’t expect anything more. It’s just a little fun read.

To Be Continued by Vish Dhamija – 4 Stars

How did the policeman die? Set in Nainital, the case has to be solved by a newly minted woman CID officer named Rita. While the case as such is not too complex, the narration (feels like a blend of news report and omnipresent), though it is in the limited third person, somehow works for the plot.

Sound Motive by Salil Desai – 4 Stars

A rather dramatic story with an OTT character, and luckily, there's an almost efficient police officer in charge of the case. It’s a short one but well-written. The gruesome murder may seem odd in the setting, but it fits. Whoever gave the title has the same talent as I do when it comes to naming stories (IYKYK).

The Devil of Delhi by Mahendra Jakhar – 4 Stars

This is a slightly darker story with an efficient and determined Phoolan in the lead role. I liked her immediately, so I enjoyed the story more. Based on the title, you can guess that it shows the dark side of the city. Don’t worry. It only touches the surface, which is enough for this plot.

Bravo! What a Theft by Sharatchandra Sarkar, Shampa Roy (Translator) – 3.5 Stars

This is historical fiction divided into parts narrated by two men. Almost gives Holmes and Watson vibes, but the characters are entirely different. Given the original written date, some of the content feels outdated. But the plotline is timeless.

Ghosts of Partition by Vaseem Khan – 3.5 Stars

I’ve read another short story featuring the same FMC in another anthology. Comparatively, I liked that one better. The title is a spoiler here. There isn’t much of a plot or a mystery. It’s a shorter story, too.

Arsenic and the Shepherd by Nev March – 4 Stars

Another historical police procedural, but set during the British Raj. It’s a simple case… until it is not. I like how it ends. The concluding sentence hits the bullseye. 4 stars just for that.

Sudden Appearances by Anuradha Kumar – 3.5 Stars

A historical mystery about a ghost that wants her story to be written. It has Rudyard Kipling as one of the main side characters. It’s of moderate length and takes some time to set the stage for the mystery. A bit of humor, too. We’ve dealt with the plot before, but the story has an appeal.  

A Convenient Corpse by Madhulika Liddle – 4 Stars

Set in historical Delhi, I think during the British rule, where the Islamic rulers also had power. I like the sleuth in this one. The plot has been done and dusted a few times. The setting and the characters make it interesting.

The Diva’s Last Bow by Arjun Raj Gaind – 3 Stars

Not a bad story! It is well-written. Just that the plot has been reused many times, and I could sniff it the moment the death occurred. The title is suggestive too (who knew so many authors are like me, lol). Oh, this is historical detective fiction.

Murder in the Monsoons by Shashi Warrier – 4 Stars

This is another historical story set a year before Independence. However, the mystery is focused on a family in a little village in Tamil Nadu. It’s a cold case, too. What stands out here is not the event but the reactions to it and how things changed afterward. Something that will leave you thinking for a while.

A Scandal in Punjab by Avtar Singh – 1.5 Stars

Sadly, this is the weakest story in the collection. It felt more like an extract than a proper story. Even the mystery was very lukewarm and uninteresting. Was it included because it was set during the Partition/ Independence era? I zoned out so many times when reading it and had to spend 30 minutes on a handful of pages.

The last story is followed by author bios, where you can find a few titles they’d written and look them up to add more books to your TBR.

To summarize, The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction Vol 2 is an enjoyable collection of detective mysteries primarily from the historical fiction and police procedural subgenres. As with most anthologies, it has some great and not-so-great stories. What you like depends on your preferences.

My thanks to Blogchatter and Hachette India for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.