The Case of the Body on the Orient Express by Kelly Oliver - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: The Detection Club #2

Publication Date: 14^th July 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227744805-the-case-of-the-body-on-the-orient-express

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Nice!

Book Blurb:

Paris, 1928: Agatha Christie and fellow writer Dorothy L Sayers board the Orient Express, bound for Constantinople. Christie in particular is looking forward to a break from recent dispiriting events in both her work and private life – the finalisation of her divorce from her philanderous husband Archie, and the miserly reception of her latest book.

But before the duo can settle in to enjoy the luxuries of their first-class journey, their journey is derailed when a fellow guest drops dead during the dinner service. And as the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself a prime suspect in his murder.

As the train hurtles East, Sayers’ resourceful assistant Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate a maze of suspects. But with each passing mile, the stakes rise, and when another body is discovered, their search to find the killer before they reach their destination becomes increasingly complicated.

Can Eliza and Theo stay one step ahead, crack the mystery and clear Dorothy’s name? Or will this be one journey too far for the amateur sleuths?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in third-person POVs of Eliza and Theo.

This is the second book in the new series, which has real-life characters and fictional ones. While the mystery is standalone, I think reading the previous book would help establish the base for character interactions.

The book takes a time leap, which I did not expect, especially since the previous one ended on a cliffhanger. Moreover, that element seems to have been brushed aside with just a little mention! Maybe it will be taken up in the coming books.

It’s a small book, so I could finish it in a single sitting. The mystery is cozy but with some high stakes, as international criminals and MI5 seem to be involved. There are enough twists to keep you hooked.

Dorothy and Agatha are good at what they do, though we must remember that the book belongs to Eliza, who is a bit too competent and a one-woman show. While I love competent heroines, I like them better when they are sensible. Eliza seems to be multitalented, with the only character flaw being too forceful and an utter lack of ability to see that Theo loves her when the guy is pretty much holding a banner you could see from the moon!

In theory, I like the contrast between Eliza and Theo’s characters. He is the softer one, someone who faints at the sight of blood and is a struggling writer.  He has a good brain but spends much time thinking about Eliza. After a point, I wanted him to stop it and focus on himself.

The setting of the Orient Express and other places is well done. The descriptions are just enough to visualize the details without slowing down the plot.

Don’t skip the author’s note at the end. It’s informative. I like how the author was extra careful and added a large spoiler tag with the note. She discusses a few important events in the book based on real incidents.

To summarize, The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is a decent continuation of the series and works as a light read between intense works. I’m hopeful it’ll get better, so let’s wait and see what happens next.

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 – Kelly Oliver

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning, bestselling author of three mysteries series: The Jessica James Mysteries, The Pet Detective Mysteries, and the historical cozies The Fiona Figg Mysteries, set in WW1. She is also the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @KellyOliverAuthor

Twitter: @KellyOliverBook

Instagram: @kellyoliverbooks

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

Bookbub profile: @KellyOliverBook

***

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

The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th July 2025 

Genre: Women’s Fiction

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming and hopeful 

Becky Thorne cannot afford to stop or slow down. Who cares about burnout when she has to climb up the ladder while handling her mother’s meddling? However, when she is signed off and asked to get some rest, Becky doesn’t know what to do. She learns about the café she inherited from her great-aunt and flies to France. 

Becky’s plan is clear. Sell the café. But the tenant is not willing to budge. She flies to France for a show, but the trip brings forth a visit to the past, a meeting with the handsome tenant, and interactions with the villagers. Maybe it’s time for Becky to sit and think about what she wants. 

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

My Thoughts: 

This is proper women’s fiction with a sprinkling of romance. The book is about finding oneself, prioritizing relationships over jobs, and not being afraid to do something different. 

The FMC is flawed and realistic. She can be annoying, which is exactly how she should be. This is the story of her character growth. At the same time, there’s nothing too deep or complex about it. 

The tone and quick pacing work well to make this a light yet heartwarming read. If you want philosophical explorations, this is not for you. But if you want feel-good fiction with characters who realize some valuable lessons, pick this up. 

Amber is my favorite character. She is such a wonderful bestie! I felt sad for her quite a few times, seeing how the FMC takes her for granted and acts selfishly. Still, it aligns with the arc and is done realistically. Can’t complain! 

The side characters (including the love interest) are okay. He is a decent guy, one who is not afraid to hold a mirror or tell the truth to the FMC. Still, he is compassionate and kind. 

Since romance is not the central plot, there isn’t enough development or connection for readers to root for. So, when it happens, it feels formulaic rather than organic. 

The book discusses the pressure of corporate culture, security vs. freedom, success vs. happiness, etc., and whether one should come at the cost of the other. It makes valid points about how a person can choose to take risks only when they have financial security to cushion them. After all, you have to pay the bills every month, like it or not! 

To summarize, The Village Cafe in the Loire is a heartwarming book well suited for a weekend read or when you want something thoughtful yet light. It’s a small book and can be completed in a couple of hours. 

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

#NetGalley #TheVillageCafeInTheLoire

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen - Book Review

Series: Hart and Mercy #3

Publication Date: 08th July 2025 

Genre: Fantasy Romance 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Had some fun moments! 

Rosie Fox, the immortal demigod, had been patrolling Tanria for decades, but there are only so many times she can die and be born again before the newness wears off! When it happens yet again in a portal, the portal’s inventor, a grumpy Dr Adam Lee, arrives to repair the damage. 

However, the portal breakdown and the duo ends up stuck in the Mist by a thorny plant. With nothing much to do, Rosie realizes that their personal histories are tangled. Maybe they can find a way to fix the issues while also ensuring they don’t end up stuck in the Mist forever. 

The story comes in Rosie’s third-person POV (mostly). 

My Thoughts: 

I was rather excited to read this one since Rosie is a demigod and all that. Of course, I hoped for the Ducker & Zeddie subplot too, since I was rooting for them from the first. 

There’s a time leap between the previous books and this one. It makes sense once you delve a little into the story. 

The FMC is a tall, curvy, and loud character, an immortal demigod who is more than a century and a half old but with the personality of someone in their twenties. I like her quirkiness, though it sometimes feels forced. The repetition about 'soft intimates' did get boring. 

The MMC is a short, composed, and efficient inventor with an interesting backstory. This reveal was my favorite part of the book. And it was well-written. 

The last quarter is the strongest, where quite a few adventures take place. The setting and the old gods come alive in this section. Compared to this, the rest of it feels a little bland despite the sprinkling of OOT humor and a heavy dose of profanity. 

For those eager to know about Duckers and Z, yes, they have a subplot. It could have been better, though! Two very important developments happen off-page since the book is from the FMC’s POV, and she is not present during those events. This diluted the impact. I was looking forward to their scenes. 

We meet the dragons again! The scenes with the pink dragons that chirp like birds and sneeze sparkling goo are always a treat. Can I ride a dragon, too, please? 

Meeting the side characters again is one reason I like the standalone series. They have tiny roles, enough to make series readers happy, but not enough to confuse someone picking the book at random.  

The romance is where things get a bit off. It is both insta-love and slow-burn. I appreciate the theme chosen – height differences in couples, where the woman is much taller than her guy (the FMC is 6’5”). You can see this on the cover too! 

The pacing is slow, as it is in this series. However, combined with the repetition, it doesn’t have the same impact as the first book. The setting also doesn’t stand out any longer until the last quarter, when it comes alive. 

There’s an epilogue of sorts, which is good. The book has many moments. I would be lying if I said I didn’t laugh. I did! I laughed, chuckled, and snorted many times, even when I rolled my eyes. 

To summarize, The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is a slow-paced but entertaining read. While the book has some flaws, it should still leave you with a smile. Rounded up the rating as I enjoyed it. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheUndercuttingOfRosieAndAdam

Annapurna's Bounty: Indian Food Legends Retold by Veena Gokhale - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st July 2025

Genre: Short Story Anthology, Food

2.5 Stars

One Liner: Sadly, nope!

This is a collection of stories that explore food in various forms. It combines stories from Indian history, real, mythological, and fictional, where food plays a role in the plot. Some stories are set in the contemporary period.

My Thoughts:

Annapurna is the Goddess of Food and Nourishment, an avatar of Goddess Parvati (Shiva’s consort). We have a shloka we recite thanking Annapurna for providing us with food before the start of every meal.

With food and Indian stories mentioned in the blurb, I knew I had to read this collection. The blurb ends with the sentence, ‘Expertly blending ancient and modern, mystic and mundane, East and West, these delectable tales will banish negativity, to entertain and inspire in equal measure.’

Well, how can I resist something that banishes negativity and promises to entertain? I should have resisted!

The title is Hindu, the tagline says Indian Food: Legends Retold. However, the book leans heavily towards the invaders. Why have so many invaders when there are enough legends about food in Hinduism? And for stories that have Hindu characters, it’s all about giving free gyan. A typical colonial framework, and I’m sick of it.

The book starts with an author’s note about the inspiration and theme for the book. Even that didn’t prepare me for the contents.

As I prefer to do with anthologies, I rated each story after reading it and edited it at the end for typos. This collection has ten stories, each followed by a vegetarian recipe mentioned in it. Of course, I won’t disclose the names of the recipes shared.

I like that each story starts with the character list.

Land of Milk and Sugar – 3.5 Stars 

This is about the Zoroastrians who fled to India when their country was invaded by the Arabs. If you know this story, you would have guessed the central plot based on the title. Here, it has a proper arc and a storyteller sharing the details with the reader. While the story is emotional, the narrative style could have been stronger.

Parvati Bai and the Bandits – 3 Stars

What does Parvati Bai do when she hears the news of the fearsome bandits attacking her village? This is a story of ‘thinking outside the box’ that also touches a bit upon human emotions. I wish it were a wee bit longer.

The Emperor Who Loved Mangoes – 2.5 Stars

As you can guess, this story is about Akbar and Birbal. I enjoyed many of these tales as comics, TV shows, etc., so I knew what to expect. However, the narration was disappointing. I just didn’t feel the vibe. The dialogue felt mechanical and bland.

If you want a lighthearted version of Akbar and Birbal, see if you can find the episodes of Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal, which aired on Big Magic a few years ago.

Three Grains of Mustard – 3.5 Stars

This is the story of a mother’s grief. A different version of the story was used in a Telugu movie, so I figured out the plot soon. Once again, the narration feels surface-level for what could have been an intense story. Still, it manages to stir some emotions in the reader.

Annapurna’s Soup Kitchen – 1.5 Stars

Oh, boy! This should have been my favorite story in the book, but the result was the opposite. This is one about Parvati and her avatar, Annapurna. It is presented as a story-in-story, something a mother reads to her child. Now, would a children’s story (not even MG) mention lovemaking, even if it is between gods? I don’t think so.

Moreover, the Kichadi mentioned here is a modern version. Kichadi is a satvik dish, meaning it doesn’t have onion and garlic. It is also a softer dish, comfort food cooked when someone is ill or recovering. You don’t dump a whole lot of spices into it. The idea of Kichadi is to feed a person something substantial but easy to digest.

Interlude

Not rating this as it provides some snippets about the word ‘curry’ and such, some of which are taken from Wikipedia. *eye roll*

Do the Right Thing – 2.5 Stars

A typical story about a caste and a Sikh guru enlightening a Hindu about being a good human, yada yada. Something the West will love. I’d have liked it better if there had been some nuance or proper character development instead of a bland recital.

The Fisherman and the Sorceress – 2.5 Stars

What happens when an unlucky fisherman gets help from a woman performing black magic to turn the tide for the better? NGL, this one had a heck of a premise and could have been so darn atmospheric. But, sadly, it is not. I’m not sure why the focus shifted from the main character to a side character.

Chef William and Captain Tyrant – 2 Stars

Well, based on the title, you can guess it is about the British Colonizers in India. The beginning was quite interesting. But when it ended, I couldn’t figure out what the story’s purpose or intent was. What was I supposed to take from it?

The Cries of Animals – 2 Stars

This story features Krishna and his cousin, someone I haven’t read about until now. I do know about the famous Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, where paal payasam is offered as prasad to Krishna. Though I’m not from Kerala, I know that in the South, we don’t use Basmati rice for prasadam. We use locally-grown rice (each state has its own type of rice, some have more than one).

The Travels of Sanbusak – 2 Stars

This doesn’t even seem like an Indian story. The author’s note at the end says it’s a fictional piece. Maybe they should have kept it for another book. I zoned out a few times despite all the drama in the plot. Go figure!

To summarize, Annapurna's Bounty, while providing some interesting recipes, doesn’t meet expectations. The book (recipes) might appeal to the target audience, though the dry narrative style doesn’t do the stories any favor.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Dundurn Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AnnapurnasBounty

 

 

The Magic of Provence by Alison Roberts - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: A Year in France #3

Publication Date: 05^th July 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219279423-the-magic-of-provence

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Hopeful

Book Blurb:

Sometimes facing your fears can be the start of something wonderful

Fiona Gilchrist has spent years running from her demons. But deciding to take back control, she packs up her life and makes the trip to Provence to be reunited with her sisters. And almost instantly, there is something about La Maisonette which is healing and Fi knows she’s ready for a chance to start again.

When an opportunity arises to work alongside vet Christophe Brabant, Fi, although hesitant cannot resist saying yes. Because immersing herself in what she loves is the ultimate distraction. And while Christophe may be utterly charming, he’s also committed to his job so Fi knows she’s in safe hands. Yet, what starts as a blossoming friendship quickly turns to something deeper. Because for the first time in her life, Fi begins to feel relaxed and completely at ease. Could it be that Christophe’s heart is more like hers than she realises? Or has she allowed him to penetrate the boundaries she always considered unbreachable?

Coming to France took a leap of faith, but in doing so it has allowed these two damaged souls a chance to find each other while Provence works its magic…

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in the third-person POV of different characters.

This is the last book in the series, so it reads more like women’s fiction than a full-length romance. The ‘father’ track runs in parallel with Fiona’s story. Since I read the previous books, I knew what to expect from this.

However, it would be incorrect to call it ‘a dreamy, escapist romance…’. The book has triggers for sexual assault, parental abandonment, and more. Though there are no descriptive scenes, the mood is heavier than what one would expect.

That aside, the book highlights the importance of family support, understanding, love, and friendships. It talks of second chances in life and how one’s worth doesn’t depend on what happened to them.

Given the MCs’ professions, animals, especially donkeys, play a major role in the book. There’s a cute new addition to the donkey family! So adorable!

The setting, once again, is the best part of the book. This time, we explore the nearby forest, the special old train, Menton (a picturesque town), etc. It’s always wonderful to go on such virtual tours.

The romance is indeed mellow, which suits what the characters need. And… there’s no third-act breakup! I was dreading one as it wouldn’t be suited to the story, so you can imagine how happy I was when it didn’t happen. Yay!

We meet little Theo and two other kiddos and their parents (the two couples from the previous books). They have substantial roles, so it would be better to start the series from the first if you want a wholesome experience.

There’s an epilogue that rounds up the book and the series satisfactorily.

To summarize, The Magic of Provence is a hopeful read about second chances, family, friendships, and love. You’ll enjoy it even more if you like donkeys.

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 Roberts

Alison Roberts is the author of over one hundred romance novels with Mills and Boon, and now writes romance and escapist fiction for Boldwood.

Follow the Author:

Twitter: @RobertsAli54060

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

Bookbub Profile: @rosi3

***

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

The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain, Jane Aitken (Translator), Emily Boyce (Translator) - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st July 2025 (first published in March 2014) 

Genre: Social Drama, Contemporary Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting! 

Bookseller Laurent Letellier finds an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. He picks it up, intending to return it to its owner. However, the bag has no contact information, except for a little red notebook where the owner wrote her thoughts. As Laurent reads the book, he feels connected with her and wants to meet her. But he knows neither her name nor her address. Can he find the owner of the red notebook in the large city? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of multiple characters. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the English translation of a French novella. The setting is the beautiful Paris with its cafes, bookstores, and lovely streets, which aren’t devoid of dark elements like thieves. 

The book starts with a graphic mugging incident. If this is a trigger, skim through the first two pages. The rest is fine. 

Though this is a kind of romance, it is not your typical one. I’d rather call it general fiction with a sprinkling of rom. 

Considering the premise of the MMC trying to find the bag’s owner, the book veers into stalking territory at times. That cannot be avoided. However, the author handles it with care and doesn’t make the reader feel uncomfortable. The MMC is aware of how his actions might seem and does his best not to act like a creep. It helps that he is not a bad guy. 

The POV mostly jumps between the FMC and MMC, though we also get a few scenes from other characters. I wish the ARC were better formatted since these changes occur even in the middle of a paragraph, which is confusing and annoying. 

I don’t want to reveal more since this story is best enjoyed without prior knowledge. Go where the book leads you! It’ll be an entertaining ride! 

We also meet two cats and a couple of authors. There are a few discussions about writing and books, too! 

The book ends on a hopeful note. It is a happy ending, of course, but the slice-of-life kind. I like how everything gets rounded up. 

To summarize, The Red Notebook is a short yet sweet, poignant, and heartwarming story. It touches upon various themes and ends on a positive note. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheRedNotebook

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st July 2025

Genre: Romantasy, Cozy 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Insta-lust, peeps! 

Guinevere, the daughter of an ambitious merchant knows she has to marry into a noble house of the Dwendalian Empire and be his obedient wife even if what she wants is a life of adventure and freedom. 

However, when her caravan is attacked by bandits, she is left stranded on Amber Road and has to travel with Oskar, a half-orc who saved her during the attack. Grumpy Oskar has a soft side that intrigues Guinevere. 

Soon, they have to decide where to go on separate paths or fight for their HEA. 

The story comes in Guinevere and Oskar’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

First, let me clarify that I had no idea what Critical Role was supposed to mean. I thought it was some new series or a multi-author series in making a set in the same fantasy world. But… it is a setting from the famous Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) game. If you already know this, good for you. If you are like me, hi-five! 

Since the page count was less than 300, I knew the book wouldn’t have a lot of development. Still, I love that cover, so I had to read this. 

The beginning is quite good in a way that we start right in the middle of the said bandit attack on the FMC. Starting with action is a great choice, though this won’t work for everyone. Some prefer to have a bit of an intro before launching into fights. 

However, we get enough backstory in bits and pieces, which is how I prefer it to pages of info dump. The idea is clear almost right away. The FMC is sheltered, naïve, and pretty much squished under her parents’ thumb. The MMC is poor, hardworking, and Grumpy… yes, with a capital G. 

The magic elements were great, and I really wish they were explored in greater detail. For non-DnD peeps like me, a bit more description of the setting and worldbuilding would have helped (a lot). You can go with the flow, though. 

Insta-lust starts a bit too instantly, though given the page count, I should have expected it. No probs. This could have worked better if the plot was a little more complex. It’s rather thin and straightforward with no real surprises, so the whole thing loses its charm in the second half. It becomes yet another romantasy with smut. 

The ending is as you would expect it from the genre, though it leaves me with some practical questions about livelihood and stuff. Let’s be honest, you can’t survive on air and love for long. 

The FMC has violet-colored eyes, and I rather liked the range of comparisons the author came up with to describe her eye color at different times. From lilac to amethyst, we go from flowers to gemstones. (Mind you, this may annoy some readers but I found it cute.) 

To summarize, Tusk Love is a lighthearted romantic fantasy set in the world of DnD. Despite the uneven pacing, I didn’t find it boring at any point. It could have been better, yes. But it wasn’t bad. 

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

#NetGalley #TuskLove

Matriarchs, Cows and Epic Villains: New and Selected Fables and Poems by Suniti Namjoshi - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Mar 2025

Purchase Link (India): https://www.amazon.in/Matriarchs-Cows-Epic-Villains-Selected/dp/819425339X/

Genre: Short Story Collection

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Interesting!

The book is a collection of short stories, fables, lyrical poems, and observations (commentary) based on Hindu epics. It has several pieces, including abridged versions of her two novellas and two books from the Ravana trilogy – Shupi’s Choices and Kumbh.

The book begins with a foreword about the author, her writing, and storytelling style etc.

The first set is a bunch of fables based on Indian and other folklore. These are short and crisp retellings with a feminist twist. However, unlike most feminist works I’ve read so far, the fables don’t preach or rant. They simply present a different perspective on things. This really cuts down the drama and fluff, leaving the reader to think about what the author wants. It’s an effective storytelling style.

There are some poems scattered between the fables. These have a surreal and abstract vibe despite the brief notes provided by the author. I like how they sound, though I can’t explain them if you were to ask (and before you wonder, I’m a poet too).

It’s amazing how some of these pieces have been written in the 1970s. They do have a timeless quality. The author mentioned P.Lal in one of her notes (he published two of her poems). I’m assuming it’s the same Prof. Purushottama Lal who translated the complete Mahabharata into English in verse. Well, if he gave his approval for her works, I’d be more than happy to read along! 

After the short pieces, we get four novellas of sorts:

• The Conversations of a Cow (abridged)
• The Mothers of Maya Diip (abridged)
• Shupi’s Choices (part of the Ravana trilogy)
• Kumbh (part of the Ravana trilogy)

The Conversations of a Cow is divided into five parts (it has an author’s note and an internal content page). The author, a lesbian and a feminist, takes on the lesbian feminist movement using herself as one of the main characters. The genres are a blend of magic realism and bizarro fiction, if you ask me. There’s no gyan or preaching. Just a confused woman trying to figure out who she is while being thoroughly stressed out by so many definitions, labels, and the behavior styles a person labeled as something should follow.

The Mothers of Maya Diip is divided into three parts and is a take on how things would be in a matriarchal society. Kinda dystopian. There isn’t enough world-building to support the plot, so you need to wing it and go with the flow.

Shupi’s Choices and Kumbh have overlapping content since both belong to the same trilogy (they didn’t include the third book). The stories deal with Shurpanaka and Kumbhakarna (Ravana’s siblings) and how they adjust to a modern-day world. As with most retellings, this one also shoves modern-day caste and empowerment into the bygone era and pretty much eliminates the nuances of the epic. Luckily, these have only a minor role. Most of the plot is set in the future timeline (current-day scenario of sorts), so it has something unique to offer (while also ticking off a checklist). As you can guess, these are my least favorite entries in the book. However, I still chuckled at a few scenes, so all is not lost!

I love how the book has been structured and formatted. It is so neat, with clear author’s notes for sections and internal ToC (table of contents). Jojy Philip did a great job typesetting this book.

To summarize, Matriarchs, Cows and Epic Villains is a collection of poems, fables, and stories with women and feminism as the central theme. Most of them are non-preachy, crisp, and thought-provoking.

My thanks to Blogchatter and Penguin Zubaan for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinions. 

The Girl from Normandy by Rachel Sweasey - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 27^th June 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220707309-the-girl-from-normandy

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Dual Timeline

3 Stars

One Liner: Interesting premise!

Book Blurb:

Paris, 1940: Marie-Claire steps into the Gare de Lyon, not knowing it will be the last time she'll see her husband and son. Fleeing occupied Paris, she travels into the countryside of Normandy and stumbles upon a chateau near Caen and a growing resistance movement. Soon, Marie-Claire finds herself working in a cafe in the quiet village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where she tries to come to terms with all she has lost – but little does she realise that her presence in Normandy will change the course of history…

1998: Half a century later, Esther is returning to the Normandy village she visited as a teenager, seeking a break from her monotonous life. Back then, she'd fallen in love with a rustic farmhouse and the family that lived there – not least the charming eldest son, Jules Joubert. But now, when Esther discovers an old annotated cookbook in the family kitchen, she begins to realise that the place she holds so close to her heart may hide more secrets than even the Jouberts realise...

What stories does the area carry? And could this trip change Esther’s life forever?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Esther, Marie-Claire, and a couple of other characters.

It has been a long time since I read WWII fiction, that too with the popular dual timeline setting. This one sounded good as I could explore another region of France, Normandy.

The premise is solid. There’s no denying that. The alternating chapters for each track also work well to bring some suspense and keep the reader hooked.

However, both timelines have so much going on that neither gets a chance to be fully explored. Everything happens in 4x speed; one event after another.

Though you’ll want to slow down and feel the emotions, the narration (which is mostly ‘telling’) doesn’t give you that chance. We see how the Nazis were, what they did, et al. However, we cannot fully experience what the characters are going through.

The setting is, of course, lovely. I did enjoy the glimpses into the places mentioned. Some of the events in the book are based on real ones. That’s a bonus.

A couple of developments were strange, like an awkward kind. I couldn’t really understand the reasons, TBH. That said, the book ends on a happy/ hopeful note, which I appreciate.

The side characters were lovely, especially the ones from the historical timeline. I liked them all.

To summarize, The Girl from Normandy is a decent read if you want a lighter version of WWII fiction. I finished it sooner than expected, so no complaints.

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 – Rachel Sweasey

Rachel was born to English 10-pound-pom parents in sub-tropical Brisbane, Australia, and when the family moved back to Poole, Dorset, she was just 5 years old. She then grew up against the stunning backdrop of Poole Harbour where she sailed and played on the beaches of Brownsea Island and Studland, and walked across the Purbeck Hills, all of which inspired her imagination and provided the setting of her debut historical fiction novel set in WWII. Since then, Rachel has moved back to Brisbane, Australia.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @RachelSweaseyAuthor

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

Bookbub Profile: @rachelsweaseyauthor

***

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

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 Cornish Winter's Kiss by Jo Bartlett - Book Review

Publication Date: 02^nd July 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230120586-a-cornish-winter-s-kiss

Genre: Contemporary Romance

4 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming

Book Blurb:

It's the most wonderful time of the year...isn't it?

Emily Anderson adores romance—both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more ‘tragic subplot’ than ‘happily-ever-after’). As an audiobook narrator, she spends her days bringing love stories to life, convinced that one day, her own perfect romance will come true.

Jude Cavendish thinks romance is a fairy tale for fools. A crime author with a serious case of writer’s block, he’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love story to his latest novel. He knows murders, mysteries, and mayhem—not grand gestures and stolen kisses.

Desperate for help, Jude reluctantly turns to Emily, whose sunshine personality is the complete opposite of his grumpy cynicism. She’s determined to show him that love is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong. But as Christmas magic sparkles over the Cornish coast, Jude starts to wonder… what if Emily’s right?

Could the festive season bring them both the plot twist they never saw coming?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Emily and Jude’s third-person POVs.

Is it time for Christmas reads? Who cares? I see a book with a snowy cover and title, and I grab it. ;)

I love that the book is dedicated to Emily, the author’s editor. It’s a sweet gesture.

The first chapter could also be a prologue since it shows the FMC’s career growth. This is a good way to share the backstory and establish her character without a ton of info dump.

It is a small book, but it is on the slower side. However, the story doesn’t drag much. It’s not exactly a love story and blends with women’s fic, which works in its favor.

The romance is also a bit of a slow burn and closed door, which again, aligns with the plot. It is a proper cozy read despite a few heavy themes.

As you can guess, the book touches upon the hot topic of the popularity of the romance genre, the disdain against it, etc. It also highlights how the right audiobook narrator can elevate the emotions and take the book to the next level. I read this often in my friends’ reviews.

The MMC is a proper grump, but he manages to show his vulnerability enough for readers not to hate him for some of his comments. He slowly learns, so that’s good.

The FMC is sweet, optimistic, and kind. It’s easy to like her. We are told she’s only five feet and one and a half inches tall. But this aspect doesn’t play into the plotline after the initial mention. Even on the cover, you don’t see this. The guy would have to be 5’3” or so for them to look like that couple (unless the FMC has four-inch heels to walk in the snow). I am someone short (but taller than the FMC), and I prefer for short people's representation to be more than just a mention.

The setting is beautiful, with the added charm of snow and Christmas decorations. The side characters (FMC’s family and friend, MMC’s stepmom, etc.) shine in their limited roles. They are supportive, friendly, and good people.

The dogs, Rufus and Gary, are bonus sprinklers on hot chocolate. They lighten up the mood quite a few times.

To summarize, A Cornish Winter's Kiss is a heartwarming and cozy book about family, friendships, love, and hope. It should make for a good autumn read, too.

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

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About the Author – Jo Bartlett

Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @JoBartlettAuthor

Twitter: @J_B_Writer

Instagram: @jo_bartlett_author

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

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-bartlett

***

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

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