Third Time Lucky by Aimee Brown - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 22nd July 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221981291-third-time-lucky

Genre: Contemporary Romance

3.5 Stars

One Liner: An escapist read with some laughs and sweet moments

Book Blurb:

Could a blast from the past be the secret ingredient to their future?

Asher Wright has spent his career creating and concocting the perfect dishes and is about to open his very own restaurant. Life is good. His love life, however, is far from cooking! He hasn’t thought about Lucy Gray in years – not since they both graduated, reeling from the shocking loss of her then-boyfriend and his best friend Kris, who tragically died at 18. So when he witnesses the breakdown of her wedding in all its humiliating glory - old wounds and long-buried emotions resurface.

As Lucy lands a right hook on her soon-to-be ex-fiancée in front of their entire wedding party, she has a moment of realization... Love is not on the menu for her! Fate, however, has other plans... A chance twist of events lands Asher as the private chef for Lucy’s spirited grandmother, Mitzi, and what begins as awkward encounters in Mitzi’s Portland mansion soon evolves into a simmering connection she never expected.

As Asher and Lucy work through their past, they discover a bond that feels both familiar and excitingly new.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Lucy and Asher’s first-person POVs.

At the beginning, there’s a short note/ dedication where the author says you get two stories (HEAs) for the price of one. Like a typical middle-class Indian, I was excited for this one plus one offer.

We are right away introduced to the main characters and get a brief gist of their past connection. Most of this is done well. We are supposed to cringe at the primary side character, which happens easily, lol.

The FMC and MMC get two chapters each before a switch in POV. While this is helpful, it was rather hard to distinguish between their voices. They sounded very much alike – nervous, tensed, worried, and stressed.

I appreciate an MMC who looks tall, handsome, et al, and has loads of tattoos that give him a rugged and alpha vibe, but is actually a softie, nervous wreck with an overthinking brain. He is the opposite of cocky. It’s quite refreshing to read such a character. I would have liked it better if his voice were distinguishable from the FMCs.

The connection between the main characters is sweet. Despite all the overthinking, they can communicate well enough. However, the lack of conflict makes it a bit dull compared to the OTTness of the other couple.

Moreover, the secondary couple (the free HEA) gets almost equal space, which puts the main couple at a disadvantage. Though you can clearly see that the MCs have a healthier dynamic, the drama in the secondary track takes over the stage. This can be a hit or a miss. I like how it contrasted their love stories. From a writer’s perspective, I can see why readers love drama and angst. Easy and sweet romance just doesn’t hit the same way, though it has more green flags!

Mitzi is my favorite character. She is a loving, caring, assertive, lively, quirky, and adorable grandmother. The risk of having such a fab side character is that the FMC gets easily shadowed. Since the secondary female character is also more sparkly than the FMC, it causes some issues with the interest levels.

Despite having many laugh-out-loud moments, the book touches upon serious themes like death, dysfunctional families, infidelity, cheating, trust issues, etc. Still, none of these are deep. They aren’t meant to be.

The author’s note at the end is heartfelt.

To summarize, Third Time Lucky is a lighthearted read with some funny and serious moments. It’s pure escapist fiction with characters you can root for.

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 – Aimee Brown

Aimee Brown is a writer of romantic comedies set in Portland, Oregon. She writes closed-door romance (NO sex scenes, light kissing) with humor and crude language. She spends much of her time writing, raising three kids (who are all nearly grown now), binge-watching shows on Netflix, and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house. She's fluent in sarcasm and has been known to utter profanities like she's competing for a medal.

Aimee grew up in Oregon but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty+ years, two of three children, and far too many pets. She is a lot older than she looks, and yes, that is a tattoo across her chest.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @authoraimeebrown

Instagram: @authoraimeeb

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

Bookbub Profile: @AimeeBrown

***

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

 

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Book Review

Publication Date: 15th July 2025 

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Atmospheric, though predictable 

1990s 

Nana Alba’s stories always talked about the witches. Great-granddaughter Minerva spent her life listening to them. It’s no surprise that Minerva chose to graduate in the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, a horror author not known by many. 

When she finds out that the author’s novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story, Minerva is curious. Turns out, Trembley was a student at the same university and became obsessed with her roommate, only to disappear under mysterious circumstances.  

Soon, Minerva finds out common elements in Trembley’s life and her Nana Alba’s stories about the 1900s in Mexico. Looks like the same situation is repeating with her. Can Minerva figure out the next step? 

The story comes in three timelines (1998-Minerva, 1908-Alba, and 1934-Beatrice). Minerva and Alba’s POVs are in the third person, and Beatrice’s is in the first person. 

My Thoughts: 

I read only Gods of Jade and Shadow by the author and enjoyed the atmospheric settings in it. This book promises something good, and it does to a good extent. Don’t expect it to be a mystery or a thriller despite the vibes. It is slow-burn atmospheric horror (of sorts). 

The book is divided into three timelines with three women narrators. Two of them are proper historical, while Minerva’s track is in 1998. Still, the setting gives a nice ‘oldish’ vibe. I like that Minerva and Alba’s tracks have 13 chapters each, and Beatrice’s (Betty) has 7. This evens out the story and sorts it into neat sections.

The timelines are in alternate chapters with clear headings and numbers. Very easy for readers to follow each track without confusion. 

The pacing is quite slow in the first half. It takes a lot of time to establish the setting and the characters. Of course, right away, we know how things are likely to go. I didn’t feel any attempt to hide it or mislead the readers, so I’m guessing it was a deliberate move. 

The mention of the actual witches (type of witches, to be specific) comes rather late. Until then, it’s all hints and vibes. Even afterward, there isn’t much info about them. I could have done with a creepy story or two, like the couple of ones we get in the earliest timeline. 

The main characters are well-defined and are what they seem. There’s no unwanted romance in Minerva’s timeline, which I appreciate. It doesn’t suit her character arc. Though I’m not sure what to think of the Conrad guy. 

The book is informative too, in the sense that I learned a bit about Mexican beliefs as well as life on the university campus as a student-cum-employee. 

The ending is just right, filling the gaps as required and retaining the sense of fear and caution. That said, I would have enjoyed this much more if the dangerous elements/ scenes were a bit more. The horror quotient could have been upped by a level or two. 

To summarize, The Bewitching is an atmospheric slow burn that can give you chills. While some elements could have been better, the narration flows well and can keep you interested from start to finish. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey(Inklore), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheBewitching

Berserk by Tejaswi Priyadarshi - Book Review

Publication Date: 10th March 2025

Genre: Drama, Pulp Horror 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Fast-paced! 

Ramakrishna, a humble teacher, marries his feisty student Nazm. However, their love story is doomed when Nazm is murdered on their wedding night. A desperate Ramakrishna partners with someone called the Coffee Man, whose ruthless methods seem to create more trouble. Can Ramakrishna find justice for Nazm, or will this association with the Coffee Man destroy his soul? 

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

My Thoughts: 

I’ve read the author’s previous book and knew what to expect in terms of gore. I’d say this one probably has less graphic content, but don’t take my word for it. I could be wrong.  

The best part of the book is its pacing. After the initial setup (the first two chapters), the book steadily gains momentum and keeps going. I read it in one sitting since I didn’t want to break the flow. It’s easy enough since the book has fewer than 210 pages. 

Things get squeamish from the very beginning. You can identify your tolerance level after the first chapter. It’ll only get more graphic from there on.  

Since it has multiple first-person POVs, I’d recommend using the chapter titles as clues. I’m sure they were intended to be the same since they worked perfectly as trackers. 

A disadvantage of fast-paced narration is the lack of proper character development or emotional connection. Things happen way too soon for the readers to get used to the idea. This distances us from the events. I’d have preferred for the central ‘love track’ to be explored in detail since everything sort of hinges on it. Given the nature of the relationship, it could have benefited from some space to unfurl a little more organically. 

That said, the book still explores the dark side of humans. It presents how a person can slip and spiral into the abyss and what it does to them and the people around them. This aligns with the characters’ voices and their justifications as they move beyond any chance of redemption. 

You can guess how the plot will go after the first reveal. That’s exactly what happens. This may not work for some readers since it dampens the excitement. However, I prefer things to follow a pattern (and I like being right), rather than have random twists for the sake of it. 

The book is mainly set in two cities, with a couple of scenes in a village. The settings are used just right. They create a good feel of the local culture and vibe without distracting from the plot. 

And yes, Berserk is a more suitable title for the story than ‘We’. The goldfish on the cover smartly represents the characters. 

To summarize, Berserk is a fast-paced pulp horror drama about the dangerous side of humans and what it could do if unleashed without restraint. Despite the flaws, the book is entertaining, that is, if you are squeamish about blood. 

It always makes me happy when the acknowledgement section names my friends!

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.

See the Stars by Eleanor Ray - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 10th July 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228885851-see-the-stars

Genre: Women’s Fiction

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming!

Book Blurb:

Do you ever feel that life isn't going to plan?

When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life - steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city - isn't everything she'd hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn't fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.

Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing, and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother's best friend and Alice's teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?

Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel reminds us all that we need the darkness if we want to see the stars.

***

My Thoughts:

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

This is the second book I read in the same month dealing with burnout in a 30-something career woman. The rest of the plots are vastly different, and both books have handled it well.

The main reason I got the book was because of the stars. If my plans had gone the way I wanted them to, I would have been an astrophysicist. I love space and all things up there in the vast, wide universe. The book does justice to the topic without making it sound like a science show.

The narrative shifts between the past and present. The past comes in installments with the year clearly marked. Though it may seem like you have to calculate the age, there’s no need to do it every time. Once is enough. You can track it from there.

This is a book where almost every character is flawed. They are not evil or villainous. They are just people with flaws, and those who thought it was the right thing at that time. I like that the fiancé is not made to be a bad guy. No need to demean him unnecessarily, right?

The characters are not that deep, but they aren’t shallow either. While we could have gotten more information (especially about Matt), the story works fine with what we know.

It is not romance. It is purely women’s fiction with just a bit of ‘love’ that doesn’t dominate the central plot, not even at the end.

The book also touches on academia and politics, among other topics, especially when you are a woman in STEM. I’m sure you can guess what I’m implying!

Bertie, the 13-year-old, is my favorite. The kid is super smart (but no social cues), which makes him a refreshingly honest buddy as those around him try to be polite and say the right things.

To summarize, See the Stars is a heartwarming and introspective read about life, relationships, passion, and doing what makes one happy (while also bringing an income).

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

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Eleanor Ray

Eleanor Ray is the author of the highly acclaimed novels Everything is Beautiful and The Art of Belonging. She has an MA in English Literature from Edinburgh University and had a career in financial marketing before turning to writing. She lives in London with her husband and three young children.

See the Stars, her new novel, is about reclaiming our dreams and was inspired by her own career change. Her son’s passion for space fuelled her research, and together they visited science museums, planetariums, and observatories around the world. She is currently writing her next novel.

Follow the Author:

Instagram: @eleanorraybooks

Facebook: @eleanorraybooks

TikTok: @eleanorraybooks

X: @eleanorraybooks

***

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

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