Audiobook Review: How It Ends by Rachel Howzell Hall

Author: Rachel Howzell Hall

Narrator: Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Title: How It Ends

Genre: Mystery/Thriler, Contemporary, Novella

Format: Audiobook 

Published: March 25, 2021

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Marti Greenwood has just moved into a brand-new home after a bitter divorce from her husband Emery, and while she’s still not quite done with him—of course, some of her most cherished possessions are nowhere to be found once she unpacks her things—a fresh start in a beautiful LA neighborhood is exactly what she needs.

But days after her arrival, Marti is attacked in her home. She's found shaken and beaten, and her neighbors immediately call the police. She never saw the face of her attacker, so there is little to go on as detectives open an investigation—but Marti will do whatever it takes to find her assailant.

Review:

Randomly found this little one, so why not? I needed something short and something thriller-y. 

Here, we follow Marti, who has just moved into a new home after a bitter divorce from her husband, Emery. She wants to be done with him, but he took some of her most cherished possessions. Days after she moved in, Marti is attacked and left shaken and beaten. She never saw the face of her attacker, and her ex has a strong alibi. There is little to go on, and the detectives have pretty much given up. Marti will do whatever it takes to find her assailant so she can finally have peace. 

This was a quick listen, and I was thankful. I needed something quick. 

Poor Marti.. I just want her to be happy and safe. 

Her ex is an ass. 

The one neighbor is a creep. 

Her one friend pissed me off. 

The mystery/thriller was intense but slightly predictable. HOWEVER, the resolution was great. It was good. I literally smiled. *clap*

Narration was good. She did a fine job overall. A lot of the women's voices sounded a bit familiar, so you have to pay attention.

All-in-all, this was good and intense. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #29

 

Book Review: The Chase by Elle Kennedy

Author: Elle Kennedy

Title: The Chase

Series: Briar U #1

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

Format: ebook

Pages: 374

Published:  August 4, 2018

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother.

And that his best friend has a crush on me.

And that I just moved in with them.

Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates?

I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fitzy has made it clear he’s not interested in me, even though the sparks between us are liable to burn our house down. I’m not the kind of girl who chases after a man, though, and I’m not about to start. I’ve got my hands full dealing with a new school, a sleazy professor, and an uncertain future. So if my sexy brooding roomie wises up and realizes what he’s missing?

He knows where to find me.

Review:

I had a couple of people recommend this book, and it was available at the library (after waiting in line for a couple of weeks). Why not? Love hockey romances! This is technically a spin-off (methinks) from a different series. I still need to read that series. One day!!!!!!

Here we follow Fitz and Summer. The two couldn't be more different. Summer loves fashion and tries to look at the positives in life. She messed up big, but she has been given a second chance! Fitz is a grumpy and gruff hockey player. There is a spark between them, but she overheard him calling her superficial and just "fluff". She won't chase a man, so she'll just have to ignore him even though he is one of her roommates. 

This started off......meh. I struggled the first 50 pages-ish. I don't want to say it but I can't think of a better word(s)...it was so awkward and cringey. Some of the dialogue made me roll my eyes and made me appreciate not being in my early 20s. However, things leveled out and did get better. I think the author stopped trying so hard to sound like a college kid.

I didn't like Fitz or Summer at first either, but I warmed up to them once we got past the surface-level. Still found them mid by the end. Eh. I think they are side characters in the original series, so maybe I would've liked them more there? Mmmmm. I finally got the first book from the original series from the library, so we shall see. 

I also didn't buy Summer's insta-friendship with Bee. I warmed up too that as we went along. But it still felt so sudden.

But yeah. This was entertaining enough, and it did keep me up one night, so that's a plus? It all felt......shallow? Don't get me wrong, I like a carefree romance, but the author tried to make this deep, but it just didn't strike. Maybe I am getting too old for college romances. 

Overall, 3 stars from me. It was entertaining enough, and I ended up warming up to our mains. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #15

Books and Reviews: The Pumpkin Spice Spell by Erin Branscom

Author: Erin Branscom

Title: The Pumpkin Spice Spell

Series: Wisteria Cove #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal

Format: Ebook

Pages: 326

Published: September 10, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

In Wisteria Cove, love is messy, magic is real, and pumpkin spice fixes almost everything… almost.

Willa Maren has a bookstore café, two meddling sisters, a witchy mother who swears by candle spells… and a big Tate Holloway is back in town.

Her first love. Her heartbreak. The boy next door, who left, is now back, looking entirely too hot in flannel.

The whole town is matchmaking, her sisters are firmly on Team Tate, and even their mother, Lilith Maren seems to stir up a love spell or two.

But this time, Willa’s determined to protect her heart, even if it takes every ounce of magic she’s got.

For readers who believe in second chances… and a little small-town magic.

Review:

Grabbed this because of the cover and it was labeled as a Halloween romance which I wanted and needed in my life. 

Here we follow Willa and Tate. Tate was Willa's first love and her first heartbreak. When he left, she decided love may not be for her. She only needs her bookstore cafe and her family even if they like to meddle. Years later....Tate is back. And it will take all her willpower and magic power to protect her heart. 

Was there magic? Sure. It was so limited it didn't feel like a paranormal/witchy book at all. We needed more. 

Also, we needed more Halloween-ness. It was there but again...lacking. 

I also didn't buy the chemistry between Willa and Tate. Sure it was there...but we needed more. 

This was entertaining overall, don't get it twisted....but it needed more of everything. It was light on everything. 

All-in-all, I'll give this 3 stars. Not bad. Loved the town and the characters, but it simply needed more on a lot of things.

 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #30

- Romance Reading #24 (Non-Xmas setting)

Book Review: The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler

Author: Lyn Liao Butler

Title: The Fourth Daughter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 280

Published: August 1, 2025

Where I got It: Amazon

Summary: 

In Taiwan, the bond between grandmother and granddaughter opens up a healing world for them both in an inspiring family saga about the comfort of food, untold histories, and indomitable mother love.

Chef Liv Kuo’s star is on the rise…until a traumatic incident leaves her emotionally unable to venture outside her Manhattan apartment. But an unexpected reason to break free comes from Ah-Ma, Liv’s beloved grandmother in Taiwan. Ah-Ma needs Liv’s help in finding her fourth daughter, taken from her when the girl was an infant. After all these years, it seems impossible. It’s also a Ah-Ma’s fourth daughter is an aunt Liv never even knew existed.

After landing in Taiwan, Liv hears the heartbreaking story of her grandmother’s plight in a country once under martial law, of choices made for her, and of the hopeful search for a lost girl that has endured for more than sixty years. Like the enriching food and traditions that bind Liv and Ah-Ma, their journey for answers brings them together.

And it’s a quest that turns up both a precious old cookbook and a tale of fatal betrayal that shakes everything Liv believed about her family—revelations that could also give her the courage to face the trauma she left behind.

Review:

A member of my Twitch community (if you're curious, my name on Twitch is Carole_Rae) picked this book for me to read. I was instantly curious when I read the summary because I love books like this!!

The story follows Liv and her grandmother. Liv went through a terrible tragedy and can't get out of her house because of the fear. However, everything changes when she speaks to her grandma who is convinced she seen her missing daughter at the store. It has been decades since grandma had last seen her daughter, but she believes it is her. Years previous, her fourth daughter was taken away from her because of a superstition that the number 4 is a bad luck number. To help her beloved grandma, Liv forces herself to fly out to help find this woman.

This hit me so hard especially near the end. I was in tears. Happy and sad tears. So many years wasted because of the mistakes of people in the past. 

I loved following along with the current POV and the past POVs. It made me sad seeing how people had good intentions and some not so good bring such sadness to everyone. Yes, there was happiness and joy, but so much could've been avoided. 

Gah! Grandma's husband was a rat bastard! *shakes fist* Bad man.

There was a sprinkle of romance between Liv and Simon. I didn't really think it was needed, but it was lovely seeing Liv finally find peace again and he helped her. It didn't overtake the story (thankfully) but the love was wildly quick.

The ending was lovely. I loved how it ended SO much. That letter? GAH! Beautiful. 

Such a good book. I for sure recommend it. The romance didn't seem needed, but it was fine overall. It was lovely seeing Liv find some peace after what she went through. I hope she finally gets the therapy she needs. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): grandma and Liv

Least Favorite Character(s): Grandma's husband

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger #26

Audiobook Review: Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

Author: Kristy Boyce

Narrator: Eva Kaminsky

Title: Dungeons and Drama

Series: Dungeons and Drama #1

Genre: Romance, YA, Contemporary

Format: Audiobook

Published:  January 9, 2024

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn't hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!

Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. Crucial to this plan is to bring back her high school’s spring musical, but when Riley takes her mom’s car without permission, she's grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad’s game shop.

Riley can't waste her time working when she has a musical to save, so she convinces Nathan—a nerdy teen employee—to cover her shifts and, in exchange, she’ll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous.

But Riley didn’t realize that meant joining Nathan's Dungeons & Dragons game…or that role playing would be so fun. Soon, Riley starts to think that flirting with Nathan doesn't require as much acting as she would've thought...

Review:

This was picked for book club, plus, I've had my eyes on this so I was excited to see it get selected. Weeee. 

Here we follow Riley who is a teenage drama queen. She loves the stage and loves musicals; she dreams of becoming a stage director one day. However, all that comes crashing down when she takes her mom's car without permission to a show. As punishment, she now has to work after school hours at her dad's game shop. In order to get some of her shifts covered so she can work on the school musical (plus keep her ex from knowing she is single STILL) , she strikes a deal with Nathan. She will help make his crush jealous by flirting with him if he pretends to be her boyfriend when her ex shows up and cover a couple of shifts. He agrees, but she has to join his D&D game. Little will she know that she will fall for D&D and for Nathan.

This was simply adorable. I really enjoyed it and I couldn't stop listening to it. As a girl who loves both musicals and D&D this was such a fun combo and seeing the two worlds come together. LOVE. 

The characters are fun even though Riley's selfishness drove me to insanity sometimes. At the core of it, she is a nice girl....just a typical teen who is obsessed with herself and what she wants. 

Nathan was a sweet boy but again...there were times he was stuck on only what he wanted.

Teens. *rolls eyes*

Even though this was a YA, it didn't feel cringey YA like some of them can. You know what I mean. It felt real and had some depth and it was enjoyable. It was a very cute and sweet. It took a while for these two to become more which worked great for the story. 

The narrator was fantastic. Perfect voices for everyone and her singing was cute. 

But yes, I adored this story. 5 stars from me for sure. 

- Favorite Character(s): Nathan

- Least Favorite Character(s): Paul

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #17

- Library love #9

- Romance Reading #14 (Fake Dating trope)

Book Review: Cookies, Lies, and Homicide by Angela Henry

Author: Angela Henry

Title: Cookies, Lies, and Homicide

Genre: Cozy mystery, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 37

Published: November 17, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

When lonely widow Mercy Davenport finds a lost dog, she has no idea searching for its owner will land her in the middle of a murder mystery, putting her in the crosshairs of a killer and on the radar of a grumpy local police detective.

Review:

Weeee a short murder mystery! And a recipe at the end? Sure!!!

Mercy is a lonely widow who is trying to find some sort of routine after her husband passed a couple of years ago. When a lost dog comes up to her, she vows to find its owner. However, she finds out that the owner was murdered and now Mercy is in the crosshairs of a killer. She tries to work with the local detective who is in charge of the case, but he is grumpy and won't listen to her. 

Dawwwwwwwe this was cute. Yes, I'm aware "cute" is not a great word for a murder mystery, but it really fits in this case. Peaches the dog was adorable and I loved Mercy. I would love more stories of Mercy and Peaches. Doesn't have to be ALL murder mysteries, but they are an epic duo. 

The whodunit was fun. I had my guess (which I was partially right) but I didn't see the twist! Nice!

The ending was good. I loved the connection and now I want more. Wah!

All-in-all, this was a perfect little number for the holiday season. Cute duo....nice twists....and a grumpy detective. Love it.

5 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lovely

- Cloak & dagger #24

Book Review: How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

Author: Joanne Kennedy

Title: How to Kiss a Cowboy

Series: Cowboys of Decker Ranch #2

Genre: Western Romance, Contemporary

Format: Paperback

Pages: 539

Published: February 3, 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Summary: 

Between rodeo wins and endorsement deals, Saddle Bronc Champion Brady Caine is living a charmed life. But when he causes an accident that could end a promising barrel racer’s career, he decides that he’s done with loose women and wild rides. All he wants to do is erase his mistake by getting Suze Carlyle back in the saddle.

The last person barrel racer Suze wants to see on her doorstep is the man who ended her rodeo career, but she can’t help admire Brady’s persistence. Sparks fly between them, but when her barn is sabotaged she wonders if he’s really the straight shooter he seems to be…

Review:

I had some issues with book 1 but I was still curious about book 2. I like this family and wanted to see Brady fall in love. 

Here we have Brady and Suze. Both are rodeo populars. After an accident that possibly could end Suze's career, Brady decides that he is done with loos women and wild rides. All he wants to do is help Suze get back in the saddle. Suze doesn't ever want to see Brady again, but there he is.

This had a rocky start for me but I soon could not stop reading. We get to see them hook up and it....lasted forever. I was ready for it to end. After the never-ending scene, things got entertaining. 

Loved Suze but oh.my.goodness was she a stubborn piece of work. I totally understand it once you learn about her parents you get it. Oof. 

Awwwww loved Brady too but I felt so bad for him. He tried so hard but he didn't make some good decisions. Yes, rocky start to their relationship but you can see that they are SO made for each other. It took a lot of work and a lot of talking and some external help. 

This was a complicated relationship but it was worth it. I loved watching them fall from lust, to enemies, to friends, to lovers. This was a book I couldn't put down. 

In the end, the beginning was rough but after a few pages I was able to fully connect and I didn't want to stop reading. I loved this couple even with all their millions of flaws. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Intense

Graphic Novel: Heartstopper V3 by Alice Osema

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 3
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Nick has even found the courage to come out to his mom.

But coming out isn't something that happens just once, and Nick and Charlie try to figure out when to tell their friends that they're dating. Not being out to their classmates gets even harder during a school trip to Paris. As Nick and Charlie's feelings get more serious, they'll need each other more than ever.

Review: 

This series is just so cute so far! I still need to watch the next season of the show. But full steam aheaddddddddd!

Nick and Charlie are finding their groove as a couple. However, coming out isn't easy and isn't something that just happens once. They will struggle to figure out when to tell their friends and family (who don't already know). It gets harder when the school takes a trip to Paris. The city of Love. 

What I love about this is that we do get a couple of side stories, but the main focus is Nick and Charlie. They are adorable and sweet and they deserve each other. 

There is some worry about Charlie by the end of this. Does Charlie have an eating disorder thanks to the year before when he was bullied relentlessly? Ugh poor kid. I do worry that this may throw in unnecessary drama. But we shall see. 

We get to see a little bit of Nick's relationship with some more of his family. F his brother and F that father of his. GRRR. Nick is a gosh dang angel. 

So very sweet and so very easy to read. I'm trying not to devour the series. 

The animation is adorable. 

All-in-all, this series is great. It is so very YA, but not cringey which is a huge bonus. Just a sweet tale of love. 4 stars for this one. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #19

Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper, Volume 2

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 2
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself.

Review: 

Awwww! I have to read more of these. The story and the art is so adorable!

We continue were we left off in V1. I guess a spoiler...but Nick and Charlie are best friends. We left off when they kissed and Nick took off. Charlie has been openly gay for a long time and Nick thought he knew himself...but after meeting Charlie...is there more to himself? 

BE WARNED! Some spoilers are ahead!!

I simply adore Charlie. He is so sweet and kind and really helped Nick. He didn't hold it against Nick for needing sometime to figure out himself. No pressure to make Nick come out. I really loved this. 

We get to see Nick try to figure out himself and his mates. He has some not nice friends (dang popular boys) to deal with. And telling his mom? He is scared. I loved how the scene with his mom was dealt with. It broke a tear to my eye. So sweet. I love his mom! I loved that WHOLE scene. 

The ending was simply adorable! I can't wait to read V3!!!

The art is adorable and fits the vibes very well. 

I'm loving this series so much. The characters are very sweet. We have a couple meanie weanies that Nick used to be slight friends with. Hopefully they can grow up. 

Giving this a 5 because I can and I will. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #16

Audiobook Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Author: Fredrik Backman

Narrator: Marin Ireland

Title: Anxious People

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published: April 25, 2019

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Looking at real estate isn't usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can't fix up their own marriage. There's a wealthy banker who has been too busy making money to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can't seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment's only bathroom, and you've got the worst group of hostages in the world.

Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in a motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

Humorous, compassionate, and wise, Anxious People is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope—the things that save us, even in the most anxious of times.

Review:

This was selected for book club and it was new to me. Sounds like something I would be entertained by so I was extra excited. 

Here we find ourselves with a huge cast of characters. These people are being held hostage by a bank robber is not at all good at being a bank robber. The captives include a recently retired couple who are avoiding their issues, a wealthy banker who is having regrets, a young couple about to become parents, an 87 year-old lonely lady, a nervous real estate agent, and a mystery man who locked himself in the bathroom. They all have a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, anxiety, and wanting to be rescued from their lives. As the authorities and media surround the premises these allies will set in a motion a chain of events that can change all of their lives. 

This, just like it's characters, was everywhere. We get to learn about all of these characters and their ties. Even two of the main cops on the scene who are father and son.

There is sadness and humor here. Sometimes the humor was sprinkled on a BIT too much for the situation at hand, but it was nice having the humor because life is like that. There is humor even amongst the sadness. However.....there were times I felt awkward because it was a bit too much. 

Everyone here is an idiot, lovable, but an idiot. It was a bit much at times and YES I get why. 

I really, really enjoyed it even with the idiots and the over-sprinkled humor parts. So many amazing life lessons here. This is a people story overall and I really did enjoy it. I'm curious about the TV show. I'm sure I'll watch it now that enjoyed the book. 

Now, I did end up doing the audiobook. Originally I was going to read the ebook, but something made me click audio instead. The narrator was fantastic. Her array of voices was nice and it felt like the majority of everyone had their own voice. A couple sounded similar, but overall, wonderful performance. 

This is for sure a must-read if you like a good people story with a cast of characters. There is a lot of lessons and some humor mixed in. 

I'll stamp this with 4 stars. As I mentioned....sometimes the humor was a touch heavy in parts. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Witty

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #31

Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper Volume 1

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 1
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 288
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner...

Review: 

I watched the TV show a couple years back (I still need to watch season 2 - whoops) and I've been meaning to read the original works. 

Here we follow Charlie and Nick. Charlie is high-strung and an over-thinker. He's been openly gay at his school. Nick is a kind boy who plays rugby. They meet when they are partnered up and a friendship quickly blooms. However....could there be more? 

The story is beautiful and I love these two together. Charlie is adorable and Nick is so dang sweet. 

I also really love the illustrations. So beautiful and impactful. 

Charlie and Nick really need each other and deserve each other. Charlie had a terrible year after coming out and then BEN showed up. Grrrr. Ben is shit. 

This is just so sweet and adorable. 100% recommend. 

5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Adorable

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #15

Book Review: Beagles Love Cupcake Crimes by CA Phipps

Author: CA Phipps

Title: Beagles Love Cupcake Crimes

Series: The Beagle Diner Cozy Mysteries #1

Genre: Cozy mystery, contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 278

Published: September 11, 2021

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Is this Murder, She Baked?

Cooking is all celebrity chef Lyra St. Claire ever wanted to do. Plucked from school and being thrown into the limelight was not the plan. When everything goes wrong, she yearns for her hometown and a simpler life. Where people aren’t pretending to be your friend.

But first, she must find a murderer. Sure, it isn't the wisest thing to do, but since the police have no leads, and Cinnamon the beagle agrees, it's time to sniff out who dislikes Lyra and her friends enough to ruin their lives.

Crimes and clues aside, what could be the motive?

Beagle Diner Cozy Mysteries features one clever beagle who owns a celebrity chef and together they discover a talent for the amateur sleuth business.

Review:

Puppies, cupcakes, and crime? Sign me up! Plus it was free ;)

Here we follow celebrity chef Lyra and her sidekick Cinnamon. She loves cooking, but being thrown  into the limelight was not the plan and not everything it cracked up to be. She wants to go back home, but first....there is a murder that needs solving. The police has no leads and nothing is being done. Who hates Lyra and her friends so much to commit murder?? 

Okay. Maybe I need a break from the genre. This is the 3rd one in a row that I have been left feeling super, duper meh. Maybe it's me? Maybe I'm the problem!?!?!?!?

Nothing was necessarily wrong with this. I liked the characters. Loved the puppy. The murder was a decent whodunnit....but I just couldn't care. I only stuck around to see who did the crimes. I felt zero connection with anything or anything MINUS the puppy. I have a soft spot for cute ass animals and Cinnamon was a puppy that stole my heart. 

But yes...this didn't hit the mark, but this is the 3rd one in a row of this genre so I will step away for a bit. Cleanse the palate if you will. 

2 stars from me. Cinnamon gets a whole star!

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Disappointing

Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger - #15

Audiobook Review: Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper

Author: Molly Harper

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi & Teddy Hamilton

Title: Big Witch Energy

Series: Starfall Point #2

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Published: October 19, 2023

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

The lost love that’s always haunted her is about to make an unexpected return....

Caroline Wilton has no time for romance. She’s too busy running her family’s bar to even think about dating. She’s also one of Starfall Point’s resident witches, responsible for keeping the local ghost population in check.

But even the most magical of witches can use a shoulder to lean on, which is what happens when Ben Hoult, the handsome doctor she never quite got over, walks back into her life. Ben is a single dad now, and as he and Caroline reconnect, they discover that they both have a knack for helping and protecting the people near and dear to them.

Soon they’re working together to unravel a centuries-old murder, and Caroline has to face the wrath of angry ghosts...and the uncertainty of opening her heart back up to love. She’s not sure which one is worse. All she knows is that keeping her heart safe will take every ounce of magic she’s got.

Review:

Couldn't resist starting book 2!!! I liked book 1 so much and Harper is always great for relaxing my brain. It's been stressful in the life of Carole lately. 

Okieee here we have Caroline and Ben. Back in the day they were young and in love. However, Caroline let him go so he could go to college and follow his dream. Why not go with him? Well, her family is cursed to remain on the Island. If they are gone over 24 hours they tend to have a little accident and die. Years down the line to the present. Ben is a successful doctor with two kids. He recently divorced his wife and is ready for a quiet life as a small-town doctor so he moves back to his hometown. Caroline has been single and ready to mingle and feeling lost until she falls into a witch coven. Her and her coven help ghost. Ben and Caroline reconnect but nothing is simple especially with a murderous ghost running around.

Ummmmmmmmm where is book 3? I'm ready LOL. 

This was fun. Loved Caroline. Loved Ben. Loved his kids. Loved her coven. I LOOOOOOVE this town. I would def move there in a heartbeat. Ugh Caroline's family made me angry...esp the lazy brothers and her dad. Yes, yes. I get that the one brother died a few years back after tempting the curse, but that is no excuse for making Caroline and the mom do ALL the work at the restaurant/bar. Grieve, yes, but neglecting your responsibilities? No. GAH. 

OOOO and Ben's ex? Screw her. She was a jerk and selfish and mean. Those kids are good kids and deserve a mom like Caroline. 

All the twists were fun!! I loved the mystery of the ghosts and the possible connection between one of the ghosts and Caroline's family's curse. That was nice. 

Loved the ending! It was sweet and it made me need more. 

Great narration as per normal. They do Harper's work justice. 

Mmmmm.....what else?

Always a blast. I would def say read book 1 first. Lots of backstory. 

In the end, I am def loving this series. This one was good. I'll give it 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Fun

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #16

- Romance Reading Challenge #12 (Medical Profession)