Month: August 2022

BOOK NEWS: August 9, 2022

BOOK NEWS: August 9, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s a small release week for me, but both books could be a lot of fun!

Books for Older Kids/Teens

The Daredevils – A stand-alone book from the author of the Mr. Terupt series and the Perfect Score series. During the last summer before middle school, twins Loretta and Waylon and a new friend make a discovery in the woods near their houses.

 

Books for Adults

A Killing in Costumes (Hardcover) – First in a new Hollywood Treasures Mystery series. Former soap opera stars who once were married to keep their sexual orientations a secret are now friends and business partners when they open a movie memorabilia shop. In an effort to keep their shop afloat, they go head to head with the owner of an auction house over an immense collection. But when he’s later murdered, Jay and Cindy are the prime suspects.

 

 

REVIEW: A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford

REVIEW: A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Emma’s newest client in her Friend for Hire business is Kim, a middle-aged woman whose husband left her for a younger woman. Kim’s children have recently “left the nest,” and she is feeling adrift. She reaches out to Emma out of desperation. She needs help finding some things to give her life meaning in this new season.

But when Kim’s ex is found dead, she’s the police’s first suspect. And when Emma inadvertently hands the police evidence against Kim, she becomes their ONLY suspect. And Emma is devastated.

If Emma is going to redeem herself after her mistake, save her new client from wrongful imprisonment, and salvage the burgeoning relationship she had with Deputy Riordan before this murder, she and her friends are going to need to start investigating.

Review

Another fun mystery in this cozy series! I loved the set up – Emma’s new client and the tie in with a murder. Emma continues to develop relationships with all of her clients while she works on Kim’s situation, and it’s all brilliantly woven together and kept in balance.

And then one other mystery, teased mid-book, also starts to swirl together, culminating in a final moment that had me exclaiming “No! I need more!” in the end. I cannot wait to dig into book 3 in the Friend for Hire series so I can see this extra tidbit play out completely!

Newcomers to this series should read these first two books in order just to enjoy the development of Emma’s business here at the start. Overall, I think the romance and character pieces will be more satisfying if read in order, but the mystery definitely stands on its own. I highly recommend this series. Observant readers will catch references to some of the author’s other series. Reading some of those books could be a great way to pass the time while waiting for book 3.

 

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

 

REVIEW: The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon

REVIEW: The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Forever in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

At the end of a successful 15 year reunion, London agrees to have a drink with Drew Sullivan, her high school nemesis. And the drink leads to a few more. Which leads to her spending the night. It was an amazing night, but what was she thinking?!

But when she finds out Drew is in town for work – and that work involves the possible sale of the hospital where she works – her animosity toward him reaches supernova levels.

But she can’t deny that they have chemistry. And she needs to blow off a lot of steam. So while she wants nothing to do with him at the hospital, she’s willing to meet him for a hookup now and again. And again. He’ll be leaving town soon enough, and she’ll be glad to be rid of him when the time comes.

Review

This was a fun, sexy story. A few surprises and a couple with great chemistry made this a nice wrap up to The Boyfriend Project series.

The set up of the hookup plan leads to a chunk of the book devoted to the physical relationship between Drew and London, especially in the early parts of the story. The author makes some creative choices in how she describes their encounters to keep them from falling into something repetitive. Then, as the story develops, extra layers are added to the relationship. While the personal growth Drew and London are working on felt like a lot smaller of a part of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed their journeys, both independently and as they helped each other along the way.

Fans of the series should absolutely pick up this third and final book of the series that launched when London and her new friends were first catfished. Readers who love a steamy “enemies” to lovers story should give this a try as well. I don’t know that you have to read these in order, although it does help to know about the inciting incident that led the women to become friends. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!

BOOK NEWS: August 2, 2022

BOOK NEWS: August 2, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy August! Here’s to another month of new books – here are some of the things releasing this week.

Books for Kids

The Baby-Changing Station – A magical changing station gives an older brother the chance to trade in the new baby for something cool.
Star Trek: The Girl Who Made The Stars – A pictures book licensed by Star Trek Discovery starring a girl based on the character of Michael Burnham.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Invisible (Graphic Novel) – Five Spanish-speaking kids, lumped together to complete their school’s community service, have to decide if it’s more important to help someone in need or to stay invisible. I’ve heard rave reviews of this one!
Hello, Goodbye – It feels like Hailey’s summer is ruined when her parents tell her she has to spend it helping the grandmother she hardly knows. But when tragedy strikes, Hailey  will take what she learned from Gigi and head out on a road trip to solve a family mystery. I’ve requested this one from the library!
How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) – When Astrid discovers her boyfriend is a superhero, it upends her life in ways she couldn’t have imagined. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The King Will Kill You – Book 3 in the Kingdom of Sand and Sky series about a princess in love with a stable boy. I have this series on my wish list!

Books for Adults

Bookish People (Trade Paperback) – A scandal-ridden poet is counting on the one bookstore still willing to host his signing as a way to salvage his career. The shop owner had asked her events coordinator to cancel the signing too, but the coordinator believes the poet could be her biological father, and she’d like to see how things play out when he comes to town. This sounds fantastic!
The Hookup Plan  (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Boyfriend Project series. Dr. London Kelly hooks up with her high school nemesis – just a one time thing – after their reunion with no idea he will be working with her hospital over the next several weeks. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie (Trade Paperback) – A young woman who gave up her dreams to care for her family has the chance to re-live three moments from the road not taken. This is on my library wishlist.
Round Up the Usual Peacocks (Hardcover) – Book 31 in the delightful Meg Langslow series. Kevin, Meg’s nephew, asks her to look into some cold cases when some friends who have a podcast seem to be the target for a murderer connected to one of the cases they have been discussing. I never miss a new Meg Langslow book – I am number 35 on the hold list at the library!
Star Trek: The Genesis Trilogy (Hardcover) – An in-depth look at these well-loved Star Trek movies.