Fudge and Jury, by Ellie Alexander

Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

I love the setting for this series, a small Oregon town with a fondness for Shakespeare (and of course the main character is Juliet!).

The mystery and characters are all strong, and I love the Torte crew. My only complaint about the series is Juliet's on again/off again husband, Cruise Ship Casanova Carlos. I'd really like to see that relationship wrapped up, one way or the other. When they are off again, he's just a distraction. Jules seems to have decided that Ashland is where she belongs, so why is C.S.C. Carlos even still an issue? Of course, the end of the book certainly gives a reason for him still being in the picture and I am not sure I like it, but that's all I will say about that so as to not give anything away.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read with fun characters and an interesting plot, and oh yeah! Chocolate! ;)

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley.

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Dead and Breakfast, by Kate Kingsbury

Dead and Breakfast by Kate Kingsbury
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it's an okay book.

This is the first in a new series. And, well, it feels like it. The characters are a bit one-dimensional. This book is also quite formulaic; The hot law enforcement guy (they're always either hot or grumpy with an axe to grind, haha), the animal and of course the haunted B&B. It all left me feeling a bit let down, and as a result it took me longer to read than it really should have, just because I kept putting it down to go do something else.

That said, I do like the premise of the series and hopefully things will get fleshed out a bit more in the next book. But please, Ms. Kingsbury, if you're going to stick to a formula, please DO NOT throw in a competing male. I'm absolutely sick of that trope.

All in all, an okay start to a series with a fun premise, in need of some fleshing out.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.*

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Iced Under, by Barbara Ross

Iced Under by Barbara Ross
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

I have struggled with this series, mostly because I wasn't a huge fan of the way Julia swooped in to "save the day" with her family business in the first book. I did not like her much at all in that book. But I continued to keep reading the series, because I love the location. And Julia is so much better now, and this is the best I have read so far. I am glad I stuck with the series.

It's winter in Maine, and most smart folks have gone south for the winter, but with Julia's sister mere moments away from giving birth to her second child, that's not going to happen for her. Even Julia's boyfriend has headed to Florida on a Guy Trip. So when a mysterious package carrying a family heirloom turns up, Julia jumps at something other than staring at the ever-present snow.

It was a fun, quick read that introduced some interesting new characters while obtaining some long sought answers for Julia's mother.

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