Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen - Book Review

Series: The Kings #1

Publication Date: 20th May 2025

Genre: Contemporary Small Town Romance 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: This was good! 

Ruby, a shy small-town librarian, decided to hire an escort to get over her fear of intimacy without the risk of heartbreak. However, instead of a dating coach, Ruby’s childhood neighbor and pro football player, Griffin King, arrived. He was not the escort, but she didn’t know that! 

As if the embarrassing mix-up wasn’t enough, Ruby stumbles across Griffin everywhere in their little town. He is more than happy to help her, but with their closeness increasing, Ruby has much to think about. 

The story comes in Ruby and Griffin’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is my first book by the author. Turns out, this is also the first in a new series, so I intend to read the others. 

The pacing is slow, but it doesn’t feel boring. We get enough backstory and depth for the characters to be more than their physical appearances, though there are many references to how hot they look. Note that the characters start as clichés but gradually show they can do much better than that. 

The MCs are easy to like. They are smart, sweet, and have their issues to deal with. They inevitably help each other grow, which comes across well as the story progresses. The chemistry is great, too, so it’s not long before we root for them. 

There’s enough humor to make the readers laugh or chuckle. This balances the somber elements, especially the scenes dealing with health issues. 

The side characters need a special mention. I liked Lauren right away. Wasn’t sure about Marcus, but he proved himself. Don’t be tricked by his OTT act. He is a sweet guy. 

My favorite part has to be these hunky football players sighing over classic romances like Pride and Prejudice. How they react to the hand flex by Darcy is adorable! 

The book is spicy, probably 4 or more. There’s some dirty talk, but not a lot. However, the story doesn’t feel rushed. There is enough time for feelings to develop. 

We have not one but two epilogues. I love it when authors do this. A regular epilogue is great, but when it is followed by an extended one, it is a double bonus. 

To summarize, Lessons in Heartbreak is a heartwarming, entertaining, and delightful romance set in a small town. Bring on the next book! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #LessonsInHeartbreak

The Roommate Experiment by Camilla Isley - Book Review

Series: Funny Feelings #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 27th May 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223606076-the-roommate-experiment

Genre: Contemporary Romance

3 Stars

One Liner: Some nice moments

Book Blurb:

Could there be room for attraction?

Hunter has secretly been in love with her best friend’s brother, Dylan, for years, despite barely registering as a blip on his radar. She’s not even in the friend zone—more like the friend zone adjacent. But her luck is about to change: Dylan is taking over her spare room, and she's being promoted to roommate. Could this be the moment Dylan finally notices her?

Not so fast. When Dylan moves in, he carries more than just boxes—he brings complications. Suddenly, the dream of living under the same roof turns into a daily struggle. Dylan is off-limits, for reasons Hunter couldn’t have anticipated, and the closer they get, the harder it becomes to ignore her feelings.

But Hunter’s determined to keep her heart in check—no matter how difficult the task. She just has to avoid ogling him in a towel. Definitely don’t imagine what’s under the towel. And try not to swoon when he bakes cookies.

But after he saves her from a terrible date and they’re forced to share a sofa bed at his parents’ house, her emotions reach a breaking point. She’ll have to either move on or move out. Will she tell him the truth—or lose him forever?

The Roommate Experiment is a roommates-to-lovers, forced proximity, STEMinist rom-com perfect for fans of Lynn Painter, Sarah Adams, and Abby Jimenez.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Hunter and Dylan’s first-person POVs.

Though the book can be a standalone, I would recommend reading book #2 first. Even better if you start at the beginning (I didn’t). But I read the previous book (If the Ring Fits), and it helped. That’s because the events in both books take place at the same time. Seeing Hunter and Dylan from Rowena and Adrian’s POVs first makes this book less awkward.

It’s interesting to revisit a few scenes from the previous book from other POVs. I like such experiments (another reason I recommend reading book #2 first).

This is my fourth book by the author. While I had minor issues with the previous three, I happily rounded up the rating to 4 stars. Unfortunately, this is the weakest one so far.

Firstly, there’s no denying the touches of humor in the narration. The writing style is light even when it deals with serious issues like dyslexia and endometriosis. This prevents the story from feeling too heavy or overwhelming.

Hunter’s crush/ obsession with Dylan feels authentic. It is painfully embarrassing at times, but that’s exactly the point. It was supposed to be that way, given she harbored feelings and spun fantasies for over a decade. Her reluctance, jealousy, anger, frustration, hopelessness, etc., come out very well.

Dylan started decent but then got on my nerves. I tried to be patient and see things from his perspective, but there’s a thin line between being good and being a coward. Despite his other noteworthy qualities, he didn’t impress me. The break-up scene was crucial for his character arc, and it was messed up big time.

Not really sure how to classify Olivia. Clingy? Dense? Optimistic? No idea!

There are some spicy scenes towards the end, though it’s a fade-to-black and a closed door. The last quarter rather ups the sexiness, which wasn’t necessary, but okay!

Since this is the last book of the series, we get a combined epilogue. I like it a lot. It has happy developments and leaves one element on a hopeful note; the right way to conclude this series.

To summarize, The Roommate Experiment is a steady-paced and lighthearted romance that touches upon a couple of health issues (lightly). While it is not my favorite (Adrian is still the winner), I will continue to enjoy more books by the author.

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 – Camilla Isley

Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @CamillaIsley

Twitter: @camillaisley

Instagram: @camillaisley

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

Bookbub Profile:@CamillaIsley

***

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

All the Perfect Days by Michael Thompson - Book Review

Publication Date: 20th May 2025

Genre: General Fiction 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Nice! 

Charlie Knight is a family doctor in his late thirties. He has a fixed routine and the same clients he’d been seeing since he was a child. However, Charlie has a secret plan to escape and live the life he wants, even if Genevieve Longstaff, the woman he wanted, has long since left the town.  

However, Genevieve is back. Suddenly, Charlie realizes he has gained a new gift. He can see exactly how many days are left in the lives of his visitors/ patients. Charlie thinks he could use his gift to help his patients, but every gift comes with a price. What if there are things he would rather not know? 

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

My Thoughts: 

Should I tag this general fiction or men’s fiction? Either works, I guess. 

The story starts with the MC gaining his gift unexpectedly and goes on from there. He is an easy guy to like. A friendly, sweet, and dedicated doctor whose life feels too structured and safe. He is also lonely. 

While there is some ‘romance’, it is not a love story or a romcom. So if you go in expecting it to be heavy on this element, you will be disappointed. Moreover, there isn’t much chemistry between Charlie and Gen as such. They’d make good friends, though. 

The book deals with themes like guilt, decisions, wanting a second chance, life, death, etc. Naturally, death is a bigger theme, so it does occur more than once. 

Characters like MaryAnn, Gen, Lorraine, etc., had potential, but it seems to be barely explored. In fact, it’s the same for the entire book. The whole narration has a slow and mellow tone. Quite a few topics are touched upon, but none are given full attention. 

The concept of seeing the numbers is intriguing. We get a probable explanation, which is not perfect since even the characters don’t know. This may not appeal to some readers, but it aligns with the book’s tone. 

The ending is hopeful and a tad bittersweet. I guess I can call it an open-ish ending since some issues are never discussed. Still, the book feels complete, so it is not vague or random.  

To summarize, All the Perfect Days offers quite a bit to think about, but doesn’t delve deep into any of those. The pacing is slow, so plan accordingly. 

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

#NetGalley #AllThePerfectDays

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark - Book Review

Publication Date: 03rd June 2025 

Genre: Suspense Thriller 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting! 

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont hid the truth about her father. He was the famous horror author Vincent Taylor, who also happened to be a suspect in his sibling’s brutal death. When Olivia reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite her father’s last book, she doesn’t realize she will have to face her past and the darkness that comes with it. 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Olivia (more %), Poppy, and Vincent. 

My Thoughts: 

Firstly, that cover deserves a special mention. I admit to grabbing the book more for the cover than the premise. Of course, I previously enjoyed one of the author’s books, so that was a factor too. 

The pacing is great in the first-half. There’s a short note about the setting, which should help readers familiar with the region to understand the changes the author made.  

The story starts with a bang. Nothing like murder and secrets to keep people of all ages gossiping for decades! 

Emotions like resentment, frustration, anger, helplessness, caution, worry, etc., freely flow on the pages. It’s easy to feel for the FMC and root for her success. 

The second half has more reveals about the past (naturally), so the pacing dips a little. Also, there are times when the plot seems to go nowhere. I think this is deliberate as the narration is in the first-person and shows how the FMC struggles with the events. 

Some of the side characters are surprisingly good. Jack and Poppy, especially! There isn’t much character development, but that’s not what this genre is about. We get the thrills, though you can guess a few reveals. 

Still, I like that the FMC doesn’t drink herself into oblivion from start to finish. She’s got a brain and does her best to use it. She actually listens to good advice, so that’s even better! Someone else seems to have taken that role, though it is thankfully off-page. 

Another reason I enjoyed the book was the ending. Unlike the current trend of ‘twisty’ last chapters that add carter-sized plot holes to the story, this one has a more balanced ending. It could be a bit tame for thriller fans, but I approve of it. 

This isn’t your edge-of-the-seat thriller or a high-tension suspense novel. It’s got a mystery, some thrills, a bit of drama, many lies and secrets, and a conclusion that manages to bring everything together. Predictable, but no big deal.  

To summarize, The Ghostwriter is an interesting book with a bit of everything to keep your entertained for a while. The writing style is easy and keeps the dark elements contained despite the triggers. 

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheGhostwriter

***

TW: Mentions of animal death, mention of rape, mentions of abortion, mention/ hints of pedophilia, alcoholism, drug abuse, parental abandonment, and chronic illness. 

Death at the Highland Loch by Lydia Travers - Book Review

Series: Lady Poppy Proudfoot #1

Publication Date: 19th May 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: It was fun 

1924, Scotland 

Lady Poppy Proudfoot travels to the Highlands for a midsummer party, where a body turns up beside the loch. When Inspector MacKenzie doesn’t seem to take her seriously, Poppy jumps into action and decides to solve the case. 

Of course, another mystery grabs her attention - Lady Constance Balfour, the host, claims her diamond and emerald bracelet is stolen. Are the two events connected? Without more than enough suspects in the house party, Poppy has work cut out for her. 

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

My Thoughts: 

While I didn’t particularly enjoy the first book of The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency series, I liked this better. 

The FMC is an almost 30-year-old rich widow with a university education and some social service during WWI to her name. This makes her quite entitled, which comes across clearly in her thoughts, actions, and reactions. 

You’ll have to be patient initially to get used to the FMC’s attitude. Yeah, she has quite a few flaws. However, these feel realistic and aligned with how the ladies with titles behaved back then. Makes it hard to like her immediately, but good for the character arc. 

There’s a large cast since a house party is going on, and more people pop up in Edinburgh, but I didn’t find it confusing. The key ones are easy enough to track. Gregor, the 14-year-old lad, is a delight to read. He adds a lot of humor and lightness to the story. 

The lady’s maid is a bit annoying, but I think that’s the intention. We also have two dogs, a chihuahua named Ollie and a Lab named Major. Major is the FMC’s dog, so he’ll be a recurring character. Yay! 

Inspector MacKenzie, the prospective love interest, is actually a decent guy. He shows much patience dealing with the FMC’s antics. He’ll need to be patient in the coming books, too! 

The mystery or mysteries, as such, are decent. I like how they don’t go into the tried and tested path but try something different. The reveal is believable, too. 

The characters from the previous series make an entry as both books are set in the same region, and they have overlapping social circles. 

We get enough descriptions of the highlands to imagine the beautiful place without getting distracted from the main plot. This keeps the pacing moderate and steady. 

To summarize, Death at the Highland Loch is a solid start to a new cozy mystery series with yet another female amateur sleuth. As I look forward to the next book, I hope the FMC’s arc shows some growth. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #DeathAtTheHighlandLoch

 

Sanskari Sweetheart by Ananya Devarajan - Book Review

Series: Book #2 (standalone after Kismat Connection) 

Publication Date: 20th May 2025

Genre: YA Romance, Own Voices 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Depends on your expectations 

Raina wants to win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship to prove that dance is a stable career choice. She also wants to show that she and her boyfriend, Aditya, are still the perfect couple despite the current differences between them. However, Aditya breaks up with her, and the choreography for the event is a mess. 

Raina’s hopes for a do-over put her in a time loop where she repeats the same day again and again. Raina has to figure out what went wrong and fix it to fix the issues in her real life. But perfection may not be the only thing required! 

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

My Thoughts: 

Before I start the review, I have to confess to laughing at the title. I like alliterations, but this one is so cheesy! Anyhoo! 

Though the book is presented as a standalone, it is the story of Raina, Madhuri’s younger sister, from Kismat Connection, the author’s debut novel. Reading book one might help familiarize oneself with her character arc and the family dynamics. 

In Kismat Connection, Raina and Aditya are the perfect couple (though they are teenagers). Raina was one of my favorite characters (I liked her more than Madhuri). Here, we see the actual Raina, whose zeal for perfection comes with a ton of insecurities and relationship disasters. 

We get straight to the conflict. The time loop starts early, which means there are eight of them before real life resumes. Luckily, the pacing is quite good. However, this is an advantage and a disadvantage. 

You will like the book more if your focus is on the time loop or Groundhog Day trope, where Raina tries to figure out how to fix the situation. However, you are likely to be disappointed if you want more elements about Indian American communities, families, or even the trending Bollywood dancing trope. That’s because the book is laser-focused on Raina’s character growth, and the other elements take a back seat. They are used only when necessary and discarded afterward. 

Raina’s arc is actually good. She learns a lot thanks to the time loop and understands how and where she went wrong. Aditya shows promise, but since he has been made the perfect boyfriend, there isn’t a chance for much growth. He is easy to like, so no complaints. 

I can also see an improvement in the writing style. This book is less clunky and has a smoother flow. Raina is flawed but not a red flag; something that didn’t work as it was supposed to in Kismat Connection. 

Now, my issue is with the rest of the details. Though it’s a dance competition, we don’t see a lot of it except for some formations and a couple of moves. Given how dance is integral to Raina’s life, using it as more than a foundation would have helped. Then, there’s that competitor who never got exposed for what she did. It doesn’t seem right that she gets away. Then, the roles of Raina’s mother and sister are severely limited when their presence could have enhanced the plot and added another layer to it. We still don’t know what’s troubling Madhuri. 

Though we get some typical competition between aunties and the ‘sanskari’ standards Raina has to deal with, they don’t add much to the plot. It feels superficial and stereotypical. 

While there are a few desi emotions and moments, the book doesn’t, as such, stand out among many others that ride the same wave. It’s just another Western book with Indian characters using a few known tropes. It could have been with any characters from a slightly conservative background, and would have read the same. 

To summarize, Sanskari Sweetheart is a decent sophomore novel dealing with YA romance. It has improved upon certain elements from the previous book, but it has a few issues of its own. Of course, I’d read more by the author. She shows promise and is a work in progress, just as she should be at this stage of her writing career. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #SanskariSweetheart

***

PS: While the cover is cute, I don’t think it is accurate. Raina has long black curly hair (to her waist), and Aditya has thick black waves framing his face.

A Most Parisian Murder by Millicent Binks - Book Review

Series: An Opal Laplume Mystery #1 

Publication Date: 13th May 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A decent debut 

1930, Paris 

Opal Luplume is sent to Paris by her mother to spread their milliner business and supply fashionable hats for the most glamorous cabaret in the city. However, the mysterious death of Valentine Beaumanoir, one of the main leads, creates some trouble. While the police conclude it is an accident, Opal thinks otherwise. Wasn’t there a witness who heard the victim cry out her beau’s name and call for help? Where did he vanish from a locked room? 

When another murder occurs on the stage, Opal is even more determined to find the elusive killer. Maybe Valentine’s death had less to do with her personal life. Can she find the murderer without risking her neck? 

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

My Thoughts: 

Yep, that’s me again, trying a new cozy mystery series. Luckily, this wasn’t too bad. 

The book starts with murder (the best way to begin a mystery), and then we meet the MC. Though the pacing is on the slower side, it doesn’t feel boring. 

The cast is large, but it is to be expected when you have a theatre group of dancers, technicians, and a few others. 

The MC has a black miniature poodle, Napoleon (look at the cutie on the cover). I thought it would be mostly a prop given the size. To an extent, it is, but the teeny doggy can growl! It has a snoopy nose too, so little poodle does sort of help with the sleuthing. Also, who can resist such a squishy dog? 

We get a glimpse into the Parisian life before the Great Depression, as well as touch upon the changing situations in London. Dresses, hats, feathers, dancing, extravagance, etc., are all touched up seamlessly since they are various elements of the plot.  

The mystery is actually good. Just right for the cozy vibe, without being too silly or too dark. The MC is good enough, though I can’t say I like her. Nothing wrong with her, but she has yet to make her mark. Needs time, I guess! 

There’s a potential love interest (it is not the detective, thank you so much for this). I’m curious to see where it would lead. 

To summarize, A Most Parisian Murder is a nice start to a new series. While nothing actually stands out, it is not a boring read either (hence rounding up to 4 stars). I’ll be sure to read the next book or two and hope the MC grows into the character created for her. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AMostParisianMurder

Killer at the County Show by Kate Wells - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Malvern Farm Mystery #5

Publication Date: 13th May 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223338724-killer-at-the-county-show

Genre: Contemporary Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars

One Liner: A good mystery

Book Blurb:

Foul play at the sheep show…

Tensions are high at the Three Counties Show when accusations of cheating add fuel to a longstanding feud. For Jude Gray, whose only hope was to not make a fool of herself showing her Kerry Hill sheep, farming life has never been so dramatic.

When a body is found, belonging to one of the competitors, there is no shortage of suspects. Every sheep farmer in this close-knit community has a motive and beneath their show-ready smiles, they all have something to hide.

Experience has taught Jude that when there’s a murderer at large, nobody is truly safe. And with secrets simmering beneath the surface, this may be her most challenging investigation yet. Can she unearth the truth before it’s too late?

A gripping new installment in the Malvern Farm Mystery series, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, Merryn Allingham, and Faith Martin.

***

My Thoughts:

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

This is the fifth book in the series and can be read as a standalone, except for the sad love track (more on this later).

I read this series to learn something new about current farming practices and difficulties in other countries, namely the UK. It doesn’t shy away from showing the hard work required to run a farm and keep it at least borderline profitable in today’s times. As always, the book scores high marks in this aspect.

The mystery starts well. The dead man is not someone you’d want to be associated with, so it’s no surprise that the list of suspects is long and includes almost everyone who was around him at that time. Binnie makes a grand entry and is as efficient as ever. I liked her from the first book (in fact, I like her more than Jude, the MC).

The topic of discussion here is rewilding – the concept of letting nature take over fields in an attempt to bring back lost animal/ insect species and strengthen the ecosystem again. While it sounds idealistic in theory, the practicalities are different. Not every land is suitable for rewilding. A wrong choice could cause more harm than good and destroy farmlands that are still useful for cultivation.

There are some developments in the personal tracks, and that is where I have a huge issue. I’ve grumbled about Jude’s ‘should I or should I not’ debate with Marco. Here, it gets even worse with deliberate miscommunication and immaturity. Please, act your age and have a proper discussion like adults. I don’t want something like this to put me off a good series. But if this stretches for more books, I will have to rethink my options.

Of course, as always, Jude rushes into danger to solve the case, and this time, she might have gone a bit too far! Still, you can trust her to solve the case. If only she used the same brain to deal with her personal life!

To summarize, Killer at the County Show is a good mystery set in the countryside and deals with quite a few themes. The pacing is on the slower side, as it often is in this series.

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 – Kate Wells

Kate Wells is the author of a number of well-reviewed books for children and is now writing cozy crime set in the Malvern hills, inspired by the farm where she grew up.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @KateWellsPoels

Instagram: @KatePoelsWrites

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

Bookbub Profile: @katewellscrime

***

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

An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack - Book Review

Series: #1 

Publication Date: 09th May 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: It was nice, but dragged a little 

Eight years ago, on the leap day (29th Feb), wedding planner Sophie-Leigh Kirke proposed to her then-boyfriend, who broke her heart. She cut contact with him and moved on with her life. 

Mountaineer Andreas is now back in her life, working for an adventure travel company; the same one with which her destination wedding company has been merged. With Andreas assigned as her guide, Sophie has to search for the perfect local for a destination wedding for the client. 

Thrown together by circumstances, can the two sort out their past and decide their future? Will it be together or apart from one another? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Sophie and Andreas. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, I liked the premise of a second chance romance with a virtual tour of the Italian hills, never mind that I’m not into mountaineering. Imagine wanting to climb a mountain as part of your wedding. Shudder! Good if you like it. Not for me! 

This is quite an angsty book where the tension between the lead couple starts almost at the beginning. Some of it was well done, especially Sophie’s arc. 

We also get a lot of descriptions of the places they hike and explore to finalize the venue for the destination wedding. I did enjoy most of it. Who doesn’t like a virtual tour of a new place? 

There are a few side characters we meet at the beginning, but they don’t have much role to play until the end (not even then, TBH). However, the reason for their presence is hinted at in the epilogue and the acknowledgments. This is apparently the first book in the series. There will be more with the same team, but different couples. 

However, the storyline seems to drag on for a while. The book feels longer than it should have been. There’s also a lot of repetition about the MMC’s opinion about marriage and weddings. 

What made this a 3-star instead of a 4-star was the MMC. Even after reading the book, I couldn’t actually see the reason for his actions (except that he acted like a man-child afraid of emotions and commitment). Maybe his inability to express his feelings is realistic, but he annoyed me quite a lot for the majority of the book. He did manage to pull himself together, though. 

They also go around in circles a lot. Cutting down some of this (and making the book shorter) would have helped a lot and also shown the MMC in a better light. 

The epilogue has nothing to do with this story, so it is more of a teaser for the next one. 

To summarize, An Italian Wedding Adventure is a decent romance with travel, adventure, and some drama. It could have been better, but it does have its moments. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #AnItalianWeddingAdventure

This Thing Called Love by Debbie Howells - Book Review

Publication Date: 05th May 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction  

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: This was sweet 

When Bee loses her job, home, and boyfriend on the same day, she is at her lowest point. It doesn’t help that some guy spilled his coffee on her. However, she finally learns the name of her father, Luke Friday, a musician she has never met. Bee decides to search for him and find out more. 

Alex is the guy who spilled coffee on her. At home, he takes care of his mother, whose memories desert her. In an attempt to help her, Alex wants to find a man called Luke Friday, someone with whom his mother played music once upon a time. 

As Alex and Bee search for the same person, Luke’s nine-year-old daughter is trying to find something or someone to bring her father out of his grief. How will their paths cross? What happens next? 

The story comes in Bee and Alex’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is contemporary fiction and family drama where the lead characters are on their personal quests. Though their paths will eventually interact, it doesn’t happen until the last quarter. 

The book deals with themes like dementia, being a caregiver, emotionally unavailable parent, loss of a partner and parent, loneliness, etc. While these make the story a bit heavy, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

It takes a little time to like Bee. However, her confusion, fears, vulnerabilities, etc., are well-presented. She is hesitant, sad, and ready to give up, much like how people react in similar situations. This elevates her character as the story progresses. 

Alex is a good guy; someone easy to like, pretty much from the first. We can’t help but root for both main leads to find the ray of light in their lives. 

Little Mack is adorable! God, I loved her! My heart broke for her, but she put it together with her childlike wisdom and innocence. The side characters are certainly interesting, and some of them have prominent roles. 

Both main characters have careers related to nature (sort of), though we don’t actively see them at work. There’s a love track for them, which really doesn’t make any impact. It has been left too late and seems like a last-minute patch-up. Either they should have met earlier and shared a part of the journey, or their romance should have gotten a hint only at the end (like a slice-of-life ending). 

Still, the rest of it is rather good, so I’m willing to look over the issues. Also, a certain character I disliked doesn’t have a 360-degree change of heart. There’s no forced ‘family comes first’ nonsense. Here, family is found family. Just the way I like it. 

To summarize, This Thing Called Love is a heartwarming book about finding your people, caring for your loved ones, and the power of music and memories for people with dementia. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #ThisThingCalledLove

A Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie Cathrall - Book Review

Series: The Sunken Archive #2 (Duology; not a standalone)

Publication Date: 06th May 2025

Genre: Fantasy 

 3 Stars 

One Liner: Well… I wish I liked it better 

Sophy and Vyerin, respective siblings of E. and Henerey, finally figured out what had happened. Now, they are on a mission to search and bring back their loved ones. They even discover the elusive Entries. However, before they can succeed, an ancient cosmic threat could destroy everything. 

Will the siblings reunite, and can E. and Henerey have their HEA without any threats looming overhead? 

This is an epistolary novel and comes in a series of letters, journal entries, notes, records, etc. 

My Thoughts: 

This is not a standalone. You have to read the previous book before you get to this. As much as I want to tell you that you should read them together, I won’t. The pacing is so slow that back-to-back such books could put you in a slump. Space books #1 and #2, with a couple of quick reads in between. 

In a way, this book does feel easier to read. However, it is also a chore. There’s a bit of intrigue about what the danger is or what could have happened, but honestly, it takes too long to get to the point. This was okay in the previous book since it set the stage. Here, there isn’t enough plot for a 400-page book, and yet, it feels like I’ve read an 800-page tome. In short, it drones on and on. 

The bits with E. and Henerey are still adorable and made the book more bearable. Scholar 30.ii is also cute in a bumbling way. They brought some much-needed lightness to the narrative. 

Also, imagine a world where being on time for an appointment means they arrive four hours early! Sounds funny until they knock on your door at 4 AM because you planned to meet at 8 AM. Still, the scene made me laugh. 

Since the whole thing is essentially notes, letters, and records, there’s a lot of stream-of-consciousness rambling, which goes overboard in many places. Just because something is fun to write doesn’t make it fun to read. Sorry, I say this as an author myself. 

The mental health rep is wonderfully done. It shows the situations without making it preachy or OTT. There are other themes like the dark side of academia, fear of the unknown, restrictive perspectives, personal prejudices, influence, etc. None of them feel forced, so that’s a good thing. 

I liked meeting the mysterious sea woman again. Wouldn’t have minded if she had more space. 

The world-building is interesting. There are details, though not enough to explain everything. In a way, this is good. The book is a slog as it is. However, I could visualize the domes, the library, the underwater garden, the rooms, etc. No complaints here. 

It takes way too long to get to the Antepelagic insights, the backstory, and stuff. The Predator doesn’t feel the least bit scary either. In a way, it’s good that he isn’t mentioned often. 

The climax and ending are… lackluster… bland and underwhelming. Not that I expected anything big given the tone so far, but what we get is just too weak to make a proper impact. I can see why it ends with that entry. It’s a saving grace for those who enjoyed the book more for E. and Henerey. 

To summarize, A Letter from the Lonesome Shore has a few nice things to offer, but doesn’t give the same experience as the previous book, despite offering a conclusion. 

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

#NetGalley #ALetterFromTheLonesomeShore

The Venice Murders by Merryn Allingham - Book Review

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #11

Publication Date: 09th May 2025

Purchase Link:

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221635256-the-venice-murders

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Time-traveled to Venice in the late 1950s

Book Blurb:

Amateur detective and bookshop owner Flora Steele and her dashing new husband Jack Carrington are finally embarking on the honeymoon of a lifetime. But will gorgeous gondola rides be ruined by their most heart-stopping case ever?

Venice, 1959: As Flora and Jack step onto the beautiful, historic streets of Venice, they vow to put sleuthing aside to finally enjoy their honeymoon. But on their very first sun-soaked morning, whilst enjoying sparkling wine and mouthwatering pastries, they’re interrupted when hotel receptionist, Franco Mancini, is discovered floating face-down in the Grand Canal.

Remembering poor Franco’s kind demeanor when they checked into the Cipriani Hotel, Flora quickly realizes that her honeymoon phase is she must solve the case. She saw a hot-headed restaurant owner arguing with Franco the night he died. Could their mysterious argument have gone too far? Or could it have been Franco’s jilted ex-fiancée, Bianca, who acted so coldly at news of his death? Was it a crime of passion that sent him tumbling into the waters?

When Flora learns from a priest that a priceless painting has disappeared from his church along with his elderly housekeeper, she begins to marry together the clues that will lead her to a dangerous family that will stop at nothing to get their revenge. Will Flora and Jack crack the case before the killer claims another victim? Or will it be ‘death do us part’ for this crime-solving couple?

A completely gripping and totally charming cozy murder mystery novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and J.R. Ellis!

***

My Thoughts:

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

This is the eleventh book in the series and should work as a standalone, though it’ll help to read a couple of previous ones to get an idea about the sleuthing couple.

I wish the official blurbs weren’t so detailed or elaborate. We don’t need to know that much before starting a mystery. I say, read the first paragraph and leave the other two.

This was an interesting book. Firstly, the lead pair is on their honeymoon, a delayed one, too! Naturally, Jack doesn’t want to go around sleuthing and flirting with danger. I admit to empathizing with him more, though he doesn’t hesitate when the time comes.

I normally like Flora's attitude. Her desire for justice is noteworthy, and she’s got the brain for it. Even her hunches tend to be correct most of the time. However, she managed to annoy me a few times here. She needs a full-time job now that her shop has an assistant.

The mysteries are quite good! There are quite a few twists and turns as new information is revealed, and it’s hard to determine who speaks the truth.

Of course, we get a tour of Venice, but from 1959, so it’s more beautiful, less crowded, and has an old-world charm. Though the city has signs of war and destruction, it is relatively less polluted.

And yes, there’s loads of food too. As Jack says, why go to Italy if you don’t enjoy food? Though I’m sad they skipped dessert a few times after the meals. How could you do that? Dessert is compulsory!

The book ends with a potential lead for the next one. There’s a mysterious new entry in Abbeymead, and people are gossiping about him. How is he? Maybe we’ll know in book #12!

To summarize, The Venice Murders is an entertaining read set in a beautiful city. While it does feel a bit formulaic, it is still a decent addition to the series.

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 #TheVeniceMurders by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

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The Swim by Janet Hoggarth - Book Review

Publication Date: 07th May 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223328936-the-swim

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Introspective but too slow and long

Book Blurb:

Cordelia Franks never finishes anything and has spent a lifetime hiding in the shadows.

So, when she decides to train to swim the English Channel, she understands why no one believes she can do it. She doesn’t really believe she can either, but she’s determined to try.

As she strides into the Channel with hours stretching ahead of her, Cordelia swims against every milestone in her life so far. Every failed relationship, every friendship let go, every exam failed, every tricky job she quit. A life lived never giving it her all. Until now.

With every stroke, with every mile, Cordelia knows that this is finally her moment. Because if she keeps this promise to herself, if she doesn’t give up, nothing will ever be the same again.

And waiting in France is an unimagined future and someone who does believe in her…

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Cordelia’s first-person POV with a few random chapters from others’ third-person POVs. 

I was tempted by the premise of a woman with past trauma taking up such a challenge to prove her worth to herself first. Naturally, her past wouldn’t be easy, and as expected, it wasn’t.

The first-person POV does a good job of taking the readers into the MC’s mind and the mess inside it. The narrative style is a bit chaotic initially, but you’ll get used to the pattern. Though I haven’t watched the movies she mentions, I could understand their significance in her life.

The pacing is super slow, which works in the first half. However, the second half feels stretched beyond its limit. Many times, I caught myself looking at the % and wondering when we’ll get to the endpoint. The book could have been 30-40 pages shorter. This would have made the whole concept more effective, too.

There are many hard themes here – fat shaming, dysfunctional families, selfish mothers, toxic relationships, bulimia, body dysmorphia, self-destruction, mental illness, racism, homophobia, AIDS, bullying, generational trauma, and many more.

This is a heavy read, and as more details are revealed, it gets heavier. That’s okay to an extent. It is good to wind the key and keep the reader in a state of suspended tension for the MC. However, over-tightening the key and repeating the pattern after it has been established works in reverse. That’s what happened in the second half. I first thought this would be a 4.5-star read, easily.

The MC is not exactly likable. She is flawed and has a truckload of trauma to process, which she refuses to do. While the swimming does bring some growth in her arc, there isn’t a lot of progress. In a way, this is realistic. People don’t change so quickly after all. But as a reader, it doesn’t feel frustrating. Of course, there were so many instances when I wanted to hug her younger version.

The side characters are decent. Derek/ Desi, the cousin, stands out for being the one person who stood for the MC despite everything. I really liked that guy. David was okay. He tried his best.

We get random third-person POVs from around 45%. While Desi’s POVs were useful and David’s POV was necessary, I can’t say the same for the others. These felt more like a way to provide the missing detail. But we already have too much information!

The book ends on a hopeful note, and we can only hope the MC won’t revert to her self-destructive ways. At least, we won’t know if she does!

To summarize, The Swim is a slow-paced, introspective, and heavy read about coming to terms with one’s past trauma. It is a good book.

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 - Janet Hoggarth

Janet Hoggarth is the number one bestselling author of The Single Mums' Mansion and the highly successful Single Mums' subsequent series. She has worked on a chicken farm, as a bookseller, a children’s book editor, a children’s author, and as a DJ (under the name of Whitney and Britney!). She lives with her family in East Dulwich, London.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @JanetHoggarthAuthor

Twitter: @JanetHAuthor

Instagram: @janet_hoggarth_author

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

Bookbub Profile: @JanetHoggarth1

***

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

A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz - Book Review

Publication Date: 22nd Apr 2025

Genre: General Fiction 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting but drags on forever! 

Goodnight, Kansas

People don’t move to goodnight when everything in their lives is going well. No wonder the entry of Chef Sid Solvang and his family creates curiosity. Sid may not want to cook again ever, but he also doesn’t want to stay in his wife’s childhood hometown. He would find a way to go back to Brooklyn. However, with the local May Day Diner under the threat of being torn down, the citizens will have to work together to save their town. 

The story comes in a series of clippings, diary entries, notes, emails, etc. 

My Thoughts: 

This was an interesting premise, and the epistolary format tempted me. With emails, handwritten notes, journal entries, text messages, and newspaper reports, there is enough variety to mix and match the presentation. 

The book starts with the Solvang family entering Goodnight, a remote town in Kansas that relies on the tire factory to provide livelihood and keep the place alive. Right here, you can guess what’s coming. 

Of course, there are other items on the checklist – small-town bigotry & bigheartedness, family feud, secrets, Christian zealousness, capitalism/ communism/ socialism drama, conspiracy theories, odd-one-out, down-on-the-luck guy saving a town, spunky teenagers, etc. 

While there’s no denying the scattered bits of humor and entertainment, as a package, the book feels underwhelming, like a collection of social topics one has to tick off a list. 

My favorite character is Disco, hands down. No one else can take her place at the top. She made the book a lot more enjoyable. Also, whatever emotions I felt were limited to her. 

I didn’t expect the book to be so slow. By the time I reached 30%, I was tired and like I had read more than half the book, only to realize otherwise. The middle dragged even more. By the last 30%, I was more than ready to skim and finish it as soon as possible. It’s not really hard to guess most of the twists and reveals. They were very much apparent. 

At the end, there’s an interview with the author. Here, she says she could ‘describe a raindrop for three pages’ but... I think this answers why the book feels heavier than it is. It is bloated. Also, the voices aren’t always distinct, and we have many since everyone communicates through emails or notes. 

The ending is open and more like a slice-of-life story, so we don’t get answers to all the questions. This is a bit annoying after having to read so much. I’d have preferred a rounded ending with a little more development, at least for my favorite character. She deserves it! 

There are a few quirky or experimental recipes mentioned, and quite a bit of food given, as it is one of the central themes. I don’t care for the other experiments, but tamosa… well, it sounds interesting, though I won’t be first in line to taste it. 

To summarize, A Town with Half the Lights On sounds intriguing but doesn’t actually present anything new. It’s a decent read if you enjoy such themes, but the writing style can be a hit or a miss. 

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

#NetGalley