2-in-1 Short Story Reviews: The Key Ingredient and The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls

Author: Susan Wiggs

Title: The Key Ingredient

Series: Switchback, Vermont #0.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short story, Novella, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 49

Published: June 14, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Every great love story has a beginning. Annie Rush’s started at a food cart in a vibrant city park. Annie, then a film student, came across a ruggedly handsome, charismatic chef serving up gourmet street food to an ever-growing clientele lining up for his creations. Together, Annie and Martin Harlow conceived The Key Ingredient, a cooking show featuring Martin as the star while Annie handles production.

As they travel to Annie’s Vermont hometown to film their pilot episode, she realizes that she might want to create more than television magic with Martin. But does he feel the same way? The weather is miserable, their shoot is a disaster, and the maple syrup just isn’t flowing. While Annie tries to cling to her vision for their show, she can’t help but wonder if she could be as unlucky in work as she is in love. Is she always destined to stay behind the scenes?

Just as some recipes only come together at the last minute with the addition of a key ingredient, sometimes a single moment can change everything—turning Annie’s life into a cornucopia of good fortune, the feast of her dreams.

Review:

Been itching for some quick stories. So I grabbed this one because of the author and title. I didn't even read the summary. Weeeee. 

Here we follow Annie who is a film student. She meets the rugged and handsome chief named Martin. Together they decide to create a show and they go to Vermont to film the pilot episode. Everything seems to be against them. And now Annie is starting to get feelings for Martin, but she isn't sure he feels the same. However, a single moment can change everything. 

Look at that cover! Nommmmmmy!

As much as I wanted to like this....I just didn't. I didn't connect with any of our mains. I didn't dislike this short, but I just flat out didn't care. I read every page, but I felt like I was zoning out throughout the whole story. 

Annie and Martin wasn't bad or anything. I just...........didn't buy their chemistry. 

I'm curious about book since we get to see more of their journey but I'm not sure. Maybe if I get a fully flushed out story about Annie and Martin I'll care more? Maybe? Mmm. 

All-in-all, I wish I liked this more. But...just not for me. The cover is cute and the writing isn't bad! I like this author! 2 stars.  

 

Favorite Character(s): no one

Least Favorite Character(s): myself for not liking this lol

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #16

Author: Donna Kauffman

Title: The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls

Series: Blue Hollow Falls #1.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story, Novella, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 122

Published: October 31, 2017

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Stevie is thrilled to help her best friend Sunny launch her new greenhouse business in Blue Hollow Falls. Not only does it give her a chance to visit the quaint location, but it's a welcome distraction from Stevie's recent bad luck with men. Just one since Sunny's home is under renovation, Stevie must stay at the local inn, whose amenities feature hunky innkeeper, Noah Tyler.

Noah may be as tempting as her grandmother's famous sweet potato pie, but city-girl Stevie isn't sticking around—and she doesn't do flings. Yet when Noah's chef gets stranded in a Christmas Eve snowstorm, Stevie can't resist pitching in and serving up some of her family's favorite recipes. The magic of a Blue Ridge Christmas is already rekindling Stevie's holiday spirit and making her wonder what else she might...

Review:

Seen this one too on the library app and I realized...I want more Xmas joy. July has been kicking my ass. 

Here we follow Stevie. She is happy to help out her friend launch her new greenhouse business. Not only will this give Stevie a chance to see a small town, but she needs the distraction from her cruddy dating life. Since her friend's house is under renovation, Stevie is forced to stay at the local inn. Noah is the inkeeper and she can't keep her eyes to herself. When Noah's chef gets stranded because of a storm, Stevie steps up to help. 

Didn't realize it was part of a series, because again...I just dove into this without even reading the summary. It worked as a standalone though so I'm happy with that. 

This was cute and cozy and it made me want to go to that inn for Xmas!

Stevie was cute. 

Noah? *fans self*

I do wish this was longer. I wanted more time with the couple. Things happened quickly. 

I may have to go back and read book 1. That is Sunny's story I believe. 

All-in-all, this was cute and cozy and Christmas-y. It was nice. I feel like this would've done well as a full length story. I wanted more of Stevie and Noah. I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

Favorite Character(s): Noah

Least Favorite Character(s): no one I can think of deserved this title. 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #17

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

By: Freida McFadden

Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Daniel Thomas May

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Release date: 07-01-25 by Tantor Audio

Thriller

I did not think it, but this one sure packed a punch! Every time I thought I was right I was proven wrong. Twists and turns and such epic ones. I am really impressed.

It starts with murder. And it does seem he deserved it. Quinn goes on the run but gets stuck at a creepy motel because of a snowstorm. Only one other guest who lives there all year around, a managed that seems nice and his wife who is spying from their house.

I really can not say too much because I would just spoil it, but wow, well done. I need to read more even she always gives twists like this.

A great one to listen too, those last 1,5 hours, oh they kept me at the edge of my seat and the narrator did an amazing job with all voices and povs. There is also a male narrator that comes in later.

Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime. To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she’s done.

But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night.

Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn’t the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching.

In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She'll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom.

But first, she must survive the night.

Book Review: Yours for the Season by Kate Cochrane

Author: Kate Cochrane

Title: Yours for the Season

Series: Puck Struck #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, LGBT

Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Expected publication October 28, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Making the yuletide gay

JT Cox never quite fit into Hart’s Landing. Playing on the boys’ hockey team and coming out young didn’t help. Now, thanks to an Olympic gold medal, JT’s name is on a sign greeting visitors to her hometown. Her family of artists and creatives still treat her as an odd duck, but elsewhere there’s a warm welcome. Especially from her best friend’s older sister, newly divorced Ali Porter.

Single for the first time since high school, Ali is ready to take the reins of her own life. She’s never had the chance to date another woman, and JT is an irresistible force of nature. When they team up for the town’s holiday contest, cocoa tasting and gingerbread decorating give way to snow-melting chemistry.

If teenage JT thought Ali was the prettiest girl on the planet, adult JT is completely smitten. But JT can’t see herself living in Hart’s Landing again and Ali can’t imagine leaving her job and her newly purchased home. And with Ali’s mom trying to plot a reconciliation with her ex, this holiday season might be bittersweet…or the start of something magical.

Review:

I meant to wait a bit before reading this, but I needed some holiday joy. 

Here we follow Ali and JT. The two have known each other for years. Ali is JT's best friend's older sister. Ali is finally free of her stuck-in High School husband and is ready to move on. JT never quite fit in and always felt like the odd duck out. This has all changed and everyone wants a piece of JT after she won an Olympic gold medal. When they team up to take on the holiday contest, they realize there is a strong chemistry between them. However, JT doesn't ever want to move back to Hart's Landing and Ali can't imagine leaving her job. 

This is technically book 2 of the series, but it did well as a standalone. The first book was about another couple. I totally forgot I wanted to read book 1 first...oh well. This was fine. 

The two had a lot of family stuff to deal with and I felt so bad for them. Screw both of their families (minus Ali's brother). Honestly, I think they both needed therapy because a lot of the hurdles they face were internal. But they were an adorable couple and I adored them soooo much. They deserved all the love!

Don't even get me started on KYLE. >_> Ugh. Such a stereotypical jerk. 

Awwww this made me miss Christmas!!!! I want some hot chocolate now!

I did enjoy this overall, but I did feel that some of the side characters seemed so 2D and in some case pretty stereotypical. 

All-in-all, this was a very sweet romance between two gals who deserved all the love in the world. I loved that couple!!! The side characters needed some fleshing out since they felt so 2D to me. This was adorable and a nice Christmas read. 4 stars from me. 

 

Favorite Character(s): Ali and JT

Least Favorite Character(s): KYLE!

Reading Challenges Update (Year-to-Date)

Happy Mid-July!

Meant to do this at the beginning of June as a half-way there update. But life...and my brain is that of a goldfish so I totally blanked. Let's give a Year-to-Date update! 

Goodreads -  Read 68 out of 140 books. Fell a wee bit behind because of my vacation. Whoops. I'll catch up...I swear. 

Romance Reading Bingo - Full sheet.4 bingos. Nearly have all the boxes checked!!

2025 Library Love Challenge - Winter Semester (1/1 - 4/30). 10/12 books. Failed Winter by 2! Crap. 

- Summer Semester (5/1 - 8/31). 5/12. Not doing too shabby. I'm hoping to go over the 12 so I can "catch" up and make up for failing Winter. 

2025 #Audiobook Challenge - 30/75+ books. Doing okay. 40% done. Not quite at halfway there at this stage in the game. 

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge - 16/16-25 books. reached the minmum!! WEEEE! I'm sure I'll hit the cap ;D

2025 #TBRChallenge - Do the monthly prompts! So far 6 for 6. On track!