Book Review: Kirkyards and Kindness by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Title: Kirkyards & Kindness

Series: A Rip Through Time #4.5

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 304

Published:  December 2, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A year ago, twenty-first-century detective Mallory found herself in 1869 Edinburgh, in the body of Catriona Mitchell, a housemade working for Dr. Duncan Gray, pioneer in forensic science. Shortly after she arrived, she made the unfortunate acquaintence of Catriona’s former criminal mentor, Davina, an entanglement that nearly got Mallory killed. Now she’s about to meet Davina again.

Greyfriars Bobby has disappeared. The little terrier is already a legend, and Davina has made a tidy living showing him off on graveyard tours…while picking the pockets of her guests. When the elderly dog vanishes, Davina calls in a favor from her old student. Mallory agrees to help find Bobby in return for the one thing she’s been unable to get from Davina—the mysterious Catriona’s life story.

Review:

Yayyy. I love this series. This wasn't at my library, so I had to buy it. Not complaining! I couldn't wait for my library to get it. Too impatient ya know? Long-term plan is to buy the whole series anyway.

Greyfriars Bobby has vanished. The little terrier is famous. Davina, someone from Mallory's body's past has been making a profit from guided tours. When the dog vanishes, Davina calls on Mallory to help find him. Mallory and Grey agree to take on the case... for information about Catriona's life story. 

Why did this take me so long to finish? I kept getting distracted by my other reads. And then I would have to start this all over because I would forget what was happening. Whoopsies. 

This was still nice overall, but I felt like....I didn't really care about learning about Catriona. Yes, sad story when we learn, but she was a bad guy at the end of it all still. She did bad things to people, so I guess I don't care. I'm glad Mallory took over her body to do some good. 

I did like our mystery. Bobby!!!!

But yes, this wasn't my favorite, but I still liked it overall. 

3 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone

Author: Cara Bastone

Narrator: Luci Christian & Neil Hellegers
Title: Call Me Maybe

Series: Love Lines #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Humor
Format: Audiobook
Published:  October 20, 2020
Where I Got It: Audible 

Summary: 

Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth… when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward…. in an adorable way.

And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.

And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he trouble shoots my website.

And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).

And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people fall in love at first talk.

Because I’m falling… hard.

Review:

Been meaning to listen to this little guy, but it kept falling to the back burner for some reason. Finally grabbed it and started it

Vera and Cal are meant for each other, but it will take tech issues and hours on hold before they finally talk. The universe has a funny way of putting people in each other's lives. They connect right away, and the sparks fly....on the phone, of course. 

This was a quick listen. Not super long, and I got this done really quick because I couldn't stop listening. I had so much fun.

Loved the conversations and the talking and them getting to know each other. It was all very sweet. This is extremely clean and sweet. I loved being a fly on the wall for their conversations. It was done well. 

My issue is the ending. The solutions were too quick and clean. I also wanted to see them interact in person more. We needed that to solidify their love. Maybe we'll see them around in book 2 since it is about her brother. We shall see....I have book 2 downloaded and ready to go. 

But yes. Cute. Sweet. I wanted more in-person interaction though, to LOVE this. 

I'll give it a 4. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #21

Reading Challenges Update (March - May)

We are..............................

Let's see how we are doing. 

Goodreads - 54/144. Eeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Soon to be 55. I'm nearly done with this current audio.

2026 Romance Reading Bingo Challenge - 15/25 (full sheet). 10 away from a full sheet!

Library Love Challenge - 14/48. Doing okay-ish!

Audiobook Challenge - 20/50. Made some headway after a slow start! 

Best of May

Bye May! Hello June!!!

Here are our faves for May. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - I Who Have Never Known Men by Jaqueline Harpman

"Omg fantastic!"

Carole -  Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

"Loved it!!!! Loving this series!!!!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  The Sheep Detectives (2026)

"Adorable and so good!"

Blodeuedd - Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)

"I had forgotten that this came out last year so I watched it."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Maxima (s2) , Running Point (s2) , Mentalist (s2 - 3) , & Elsbeth (s2)

"Maxima s2, Running Point s2, Mentalist s2 and 3 and Elsbeth s2. I was busy!"

Carole - Outlander (s6-7) & Victoria (s1-2)

"Outlander is good. Am I ready for the last season? No. And thanks to a friend I am rewatching Victoria. I forgot how good this was."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick - "Amazing!"

B's pick - "Cute!"