A Haunted History of Women, by Leanna Hieber and Andrea James

A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

Sigh. Another book that I thought would be interesting because I love ghost stories and history and a well told tale. Plus, spooky season is here, so yay!

But this book was anything but well told. It was dry, boring and highly judgemental. It felt like the driest of college course lectures on Women's Studies. Apparently the authors give ghost tours. Those must be just a ton of fun! Or not.

Did not finish.

Also absolutely stunned that Amazon has limited who can review this book to Verified Purchases "Amazon has noticed unusual reviewing activity on this product. Due to this activity, we have limited this product to verified purchase reviews." Apparently multiple poor reviews are unusual? So yeah, no Amazon review for this one.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Gently Haunted, by Corrine Kenner

Gently Haunted: True Stories from the Haunted Antique Shop by Corrine Kenner 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

Honestly, this was not at all what I thought it would be. I read this, "Unlike a typical collection of ghost stories, Gently Haunted recounts uplifting and inspiring spiritual encounters," and thought it sounded interesting. What it was was boring. I couldn't get through it. The worst thing about it, it was just one big advertisement for the author's antique shop.

Did not finish. Not a good start to spooky season :(

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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Steeped to Death, by Gretchen Rue

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue 

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

Book 1 in a new series.

A good start to a new series. It was a fast, fun read. I really like Phoebe, and of course, Bob the Cat is adorable. It was a bit formulaic, but I kind of expect that from the first book in a series, introducing us to the characters. MC and her cat, local nemesis, helpful neighbors and of course the love interest. But the touch of magic made it more fun, and though I'm more of a coffee fan than a tea fan, the teas and recipes sounded wonderful.

I'm looking forward to more in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Bound by Murder, by Laura Gail Black

Bound by Murder by Laura Gail Black 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, left unfinished.

Book 3 in the series.

I gave all three books in the series a try, and I still don't really care for Jenna. This series just isn't for me. It's too bad, because I do love a good bookshop mystery, but I just couldn't stay interested in this series. No more for me.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake, by Mazey Eddings

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

The premise sounded cute, but the book itself just wasn't for me. I didn't like Lizzie, at all. I know people with ADHD, and yes, it sucks, but Lizzie uses it as an excuse for EVERYTHING instead of trying to do something, anything about it. Yes, it's exhausting, but you still have to take responsibility for your actions instead of just passing it off as, "Oops, I have ADHD."

And in the wake of the Roe v Wade reversal, Rake's attitude feels icky and the whole, "Lizzie is the good girl who chose to keep her baby vs. the Evil Ex who had an abortion," really didn't sit well. STOP SHAMING WOMEN FOR MAKING THEIR OWN CHOICES!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Vacation to Die For, by Lynn Cahoon

A Vacation to Die For by Lynn Cahoon 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 14 in the series.

Not my favorite in the series. It felt very slow moving to me, and frankly, I am sick of the mayor and his get rich quick schemes that always seem to come at Jill's expense, and Aunt Jackie has gone from a helpful, likeable character to really annoying and overbearing with all of her workplace rules.

I'm 14 books in, and I love South Cove, but this series has definitely moved to my "library only" list (or NetGalley, if possible).

Speaking of which....

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Colorful Scheme, by Krista Davis

A Colorful Scheme by Krista Davis 

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

Book 4 in this series.

I'm a big fan of Krista Davis, and this series is a fun one. That said, this book was not my favorite. It just had too much going on and too many suspects. And frankly, there have been a lot of cozies with weddings lately and I'm getting bored. But that's a me problem, not the book's.

The other thing that bothered me a bit was Jackie's behavior. Here she is, remarrying Professor Maxwell, but keeping secrets from him and everyone else.

In the end, I enjoyed it and I look forward to more.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Other Birds, by Sarah Addison Allen

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

I've enjoyed every book by Sarah Addison Allen, but this one was absolutely my least favorite of the bunch.

It just didn't connect with me the way previous books have. It didn't enjoy the characters in this book nearly as much. Maybe because there were so many of them, shoe horned into the story. And so many issues in there as well. From hoarding and mental health issues, to past sexual assault and growing up in a cult, to child neglect. And of course, they all come together in the Dellawisp, and help each other heal?

As multiple other reviewers have said, I felt like this book meandered from character to character, while never really fully developing each one or really combining them all in to one complete story, and then BAM! The last few chapters suddenly things start happening and everyone comes together and it all just fell flat for me.

All in all, it had a few lovely moments and Allen is fantastic at description. I hope this book marks her return to writing and that there will be more from her soon.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Six Feet Deep Dish, by Mindy Quigley

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Did not finish.

First in a new series, but last for me.

I had a really hard time getting in to this book. The main character just wasn't super likeable. Wow, a chef with anger issues? And she actually thinks that is a good thing! Add in that a lot of the descriptions of things (characters' weight and relationships with food, etc.) were really off-putting. Other descriptions were just dumb. I mean, please stop describing the man's lips as "pillowy."

This series is not for me.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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Round Up the Usual Peacocks, by Donna Andrews

Round Up the Usual Peacocks by Donna Andrews 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I really enjoyed it.

Book 31 in the series! (I listened to the audio version)

This is probably one of my favorite cozy series. Ms. Andrews is always good for an engaging, humorous story, and this one was no different. This book is a nod back to where we all started in book 1, with Meg rounding up peacocks for a wedding. While only a brief portion of the book, the peacock scenes had me giggling out loud.

There was a lot going on in this book, and it was fast paced and entertaining, with much of the usual crew and some nice new characters thrown in as well. It's honestly been so much fun watching all of the usual cast grow and evolve. This book can probably be read as a stand alone, but the large cast of characters may confuse at first, and really, go read them all, they're so worth it!

Note: I rarely listen to audio books, most of the time I have voices for characters in my head, and don't care for the narrator's version. But I've quite enjoyed Bernadette Dunne in several books in this series, so when I saw the audio book was available on NetGalley I jumped at it. I'm glad I did, and I'm actually looking at getting more audio books, because it makes the time on my treadmill go awfully fast, haha.

Now I am off to read #32, this year's holiday book. Please keep them coming, Ms. Andrews!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Murder at the Blueberry Festival, by Darci Hannah

Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 3 in the series, and easy to read as a stand alone story.

I really liked this book. Enough that I went back and found the first two in the series to read. What's not to love about living and running a business out of your very own lighthouse?! And it's haunted by a friendly, protective ghost too. I like that Lindsey runs a bakery, and actually seems to spend a lot of her time baking and actually running the business, rather than haring off constantly to snoop, like so many cozy characters.

The story was fast paced and entertaining (I love blueberries too, so it made me hungry, haha). For those that aren't a fan of paranormal mysteries, the ghost is a very small part of the book, and mostly just adds a bit of character. This is absolutely a series I will continue to follow.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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With a Spirit of Vengeance, by Lena Gregory

With a Spirit of Vengeance by Lena Gregory 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I ended up liking it in the end.

Number 7 in the series. Don't start the series here! While there is background in the book, I feel like you at least have to have read book 6 first, since it continues part of that story arc.

This one was just an okay read for me. While I enjoy the main characters most of the time, this one just didn't keep me interested for long. I found myself putting it down and finding something else to do for a while before I could come back to it. I did find myself pretty hooked in the last several chapters though, so I gave it three stars instead of just two.

Cass, Bee and Beast are all good reasons to keep reading, so I will be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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Death by Beach Read, by Eva Gates

Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, almost a DNF.

Book 9 in the series.

Honestly, this was my least favorite of the whole series. It was slow paced, and Lucy was almost unlikable in this one! She was snobby and I got tired of all the "white" lies she told. The storyline was very predictable.

It makes it on to the Read shelf, but barely. I finally skipped to the end just to see if I was correct in my deduction. Yep.

This series has been very up and down for me, some I have absolutely enjoyed and others just dragged and didn't entertain me at all for various reasons. I keep saying I am done with the series and then one shows up on NetGalley and I request it. Time to stop, for real this time.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Dive Says Cheesecake! by Krista Davis

The Diva Says Cheesecake! by Krista Davis 

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

Book 15 in the series.

Krista Davis rarely fails to deliver, and I always enjoy her books. After 15 books, Sophie and her friends feel like my friends too. This one isn't my favorite in the series, but it's a nice, light-hearted cozy mystery when you just want to read something fun.

And who can resist cheesecake?!

As always, I am already looking forward to the next in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Rip Through Time, by Kelley Armstrong

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First in the series.

I'm honestly torn on this one. I like Kelley Armstrong's books, but this one didn't hold my attention like they normally do. Maybe it was the period setting. It was an okay first book, and I'll probably read the next in the series, but historical mysteries really aren't my thing and combine that with the time travel element, and the whole thing is just off for me. It took a while to get through, just because I could only read for a few pages before some new shiny thing caught my attention.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Buried in a Good Book, by Tamara Berry

Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 1 in a new series.

When I saw the author of this book, I jumped at it, because I love her other series. But I honestly wasn't thrilled with this one. The main character is hard to like and the comparisons of the sheriff to Tess' fictional detective got old fast.

I'll read the next one to see if I like it any better, because I truly do enjoy the author's writing.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions, by Kerry Greenwod

The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions by Kerry Greenwood 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

A collection of Phryne Fisher short stories, including 4 new stories.

I don't usually care for historical cozies, but I am slightly obsessed with the Art Deco period/Roaring 20s, so I love Phryne and have read all the books and seen all the TV shows. I hadn't read any of Ms. Greenwood's short stories before, even though all but 4 had been published previously, so it was all new to me and I loved it.

Phryne Fisher is a strong, smart, independent woman, and yet still warm-hearted and caring, surrounded by found family that I adore.

For me, there wasn't a single bad story in this collection.

I NEED even more Phryne, please!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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'Til Death, Carol J. Perry

'Til Death by Carol J. Perry 

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

Book 12 in the series.

Please do yourself a favor and don't start here. There's just so much going on in this one, it absolutely helps to know how we've gotten here.

It seems like all the couples in all of the series I am reading are getting married recently, which is fine, as long as the mystery is still solid.

The wedding took up a good chunk of the first part of the book, with a little bit of mystery about Aunt Ibby's new tenant.

The second part was devoted to Pete and Lee's trip to the area where Lee's parents died in a plane crash years before, and that's when things picked up and started getting good. A third mystery pops up, involving a hidden pirate treasure.

All in all, it was a good read. I enjoyed the second part more than the first, mostly because that's where the action was.

I will happily continue to read this series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Vanishing Type, by Ellery Adams

The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams 

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

Book 5 in the series.

This has been a favorite series for me, but this is definitely not my favorite in the series. It felt a bit light and fluffy, despite the subject matter, and way too predictable. I do like the fact that Nora and the sheriff are getting closer, but I guess I felt with the Hester/Andrew relationship ups and downs that the whole book feels a bit romance-y with a side of obvious mystery. I like reading romance, too, but when I grab a mystery, if there's a romantic relationship, it should be the side element, not the main feature.

I do hope the series continues, because I truly do love the characters.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Simmering with Resentment, by Daryl Wood Gerber

Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 11 in the series.

I usually love to visit Crystal Cove and the Book Nook, but this is my least favorite book in the series. Maybe it's the wedding theme of the book, but Jenna is rather unpleasant in this installment. And the cast of characters is starting to get a bit out of hand. It doesn't make it more suspenseful for me, it makes it harder to keep track of who is whom. I was getting some of the characters confused and would have to go back and read a bit before I got it straightened out. As a result, this was a slow read for me.

That said, I will continue to read the series as long as it continues.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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