Category: Adult Fiction Reviews

REVIEW: The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

REVIEW: The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

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

Florence Day is a ghostwriter for a best-selling romance novelist. But since her big break up a year ago, she has struggled with the happily-ever-after world of romance. She thought maybe, with a new editor, she could convince her publisher to let “Ann Nichols” try something different. No dice. Benji Andor, the editor, said the book was due on schedule – the day after their meeting.

Later that night, Florence ran into her ex, ran into Benji, KISSED Benji, and then found out her father died. Any thought of finishing the book flew out of her head as she returned to Marimont – to her family, to the family funeral home, and to the ghosts.

Florence and her father were able to see ghosts. And it’s a power that only caused trouble for Florence as a teen. But when Florence sees the ghost of Benji in Mairmont, she can’t ignore her gift any more.

Review

This was delightful! I loved all of it – the characters, the writerly bits, the romance, the family drama. All of it!

Ultimately this feels like Florence’s journey back to herself – after her breakup, after writer’s block, after fleeing her family and her home. And her journey is supremely satisfying! The romance was a happy extra to a great character story.

I have loved Ashley Poston’s YA work since I first read Geekerella. This is a slight departure as it is an adult romance instead of a young adult book, but it is easily as good as her other stories. Contemporary romance fans, paranormal romance fans, and Poston fans should absolutely check this book out! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Austin//His Amish Sweetheart by Jennifer Beckstrand

REVIEW: Austin//His Amish Sweetheart by Jennifer Beckstrand

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Alfie and Benji Petersheim have been working to get their three older brothers married and out of the house. They helped Andrew (♥♥♥♥♥) and Abraham find true love and now they just need Austin in love so all of the older boys will move out of the house and the twins can move out of the cellar and back into a room.  But Austin could be their hardest project yet.

Benji is convinced Austin is in love with his best friend, Hannah Yutzy. Alfie thinks they should get Austin interested in Priscilla Lambright who works at the library. With the twins at odds, they decide to work their own agendas – alone. May the best man win.

Review

This was a lovely wrap up to the Petersheim Brothers trilogy!

I’ve been a fan of this series from the start. This book, originally titled Austin, was supposed to release in the summer of 2020. And then Covid. And while the publisher waited for the right time to release it, they also determined that the book might sell better with an Amish woman on the cover. So this is the new cover and the new title. While I had no issues with the other titles and covers, I’m just happy to finally see how the series ended. It was a satisfying resolution.

I have to be honest, though. Austin is a hot mess in this book. I can’t say for sure who I grumbled about more – Austin or “Scilla.” She was obnoxious, and he was an idiot a lot of the time. It never got to the point where I thought about giving up on the book, but they were truly a mess. The twins and Hannah and some of the other events of the book helped balance out Austin’s moments.

I think my annoyance is part of what made things so awesome in the end, though. I loved the resolution here. Alfie and Benji really stole the show in this book. And the extra help they recruit for their quest was an added delight!

Newcomers can start here without too much trouble. There are pieces of the story with the larger community – and the twins’ quest to get out of the cellar – that play out in Andrew, Abraham, and the Honeybee Sisters books. And reading those will fill in around this story, but I think new readers can get along without those details to start. But I highly recommend the books in both series, so you should be sure to check them all out in the end.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman

REVIEW: A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book releases next week on June 28th.]

Summary

Frances can’t wait until her wedding day. Not only so she can begin her life with George, but also to escape her mother’s meddling and battles over guest lists, seating charts, and feuding aristocrats.

But before Frances and George can escape on their wedding trip, her brother is arrested for the murder of one of those feuding aristocrats. Alonzo may have been found with the murder weapon, but the man had plenty of enemies. And the path between the man’s home and the wedding reception site was well travelled over the course of the day. Frances and George will have to team up again to find the truth before they miss out on their entire honeymoon.

Review

What a great mystery! This one is super twisty, so it kept me guessing all the way through. The pacing was great – I never felt like things were dragging. As Frances and George investigated, there were new clues discovered, more questions raised, and a different suspect to consider. The mystery was highly satisfying!

I was as over Frances’ family as she was in the book. The author does a great job of making them a pain without making the reader miserable. There were lots of lovely Frances and George moments to offset her family as well as moments with some of the other series regulars.

Other than tracking the various relationships, I think newcomers could start this series here without any major difficulty. While I love the journey Frances and George have been on, I don’t think readers have to know all the backstory to follow the action here. But I’ve loved all 5 books in this series so far – and I hope there will be many more! I recommend these for historical fiction fans as well as mystery lovers. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

REVIEW: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Donovan Dell – pro football player, baker, and part owner of Sugar Blitz, a San Diego cupcake store. The store is Donovan’s dream – and his back up plan for life after football. But sagging sales are putting his dream in jeopardy. So he lets the sassy customer get to him as he tries to defend his store.

Jada Townsend-Matthews – reality TV star, and target of vicious hate after turning down a marriage proposal on the show My One and Only. Jada only goes into Sugar Blitz because her best friend loves their cupcakes. She doesn’t intend to get into a verbal battle with the sexy staff member. Her day only goes downhill from there, ending with a summons to her grandmother’s office to talk about her “future” and lack of direction in life.

In order for Jada to access her trust fund when she turns 26, her grandmother is requiring her to work a consistent job – and she’s convinced one of her football players to hire Jada. Now Donovan and Jada are thrown together again. But when a reporter shows up at Sugar Blitz and pressures Jada on why she turned down the marriage proposal on TV, Jada panics and says it’s because she is in love with Donovan. And the kiss she springs on him goes viral.

Review

This was excellent! If I wasn’t laughing at something out loud, I had a big grin on my face. This was delightful! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, so I was already sold with that part of the story. But the slowly thawing animosity between the main characters was perfectly paced and so satisfying. The dual perspective storytelling gives the reader all the insights about the characters’ thoughts and feelings while still letting the action unfold over time. The chemistry between the two main characters was fantastic, too.

I also loved the dynamic with Donovan and his business partners. I had my fingers crossed all the way through that this would turn out to be just the first book in a series focused on those three men. Judging by the end of this, my wish is coming true. Don’t miss this fun, steamy romance! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Gatekeeper by James Byrne

REVIEW: The Gatekeeper by James Byrne

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Dex has retired to California. He plays in bar bands when he finds one he clicks with. And he did. That’s how he got the comped room at the Hotel Tremaine. It was supposed to be a relaxed night in a luxury room. But then he spotted the sniper.

Thwarting the kidnapping plot is almost easy compared to what’s next. The near-victim is a hugely influential person in a multi-national corporation. And she’s been investigating some questionable things at her company. But that just means she’s angered people who are willing to do anything to see their scheme come to fruition.

Review

Fans of Baldacci and Hurwitz should not miss The Gatekeeper. I got a kick out of Dex as the hero. He’s tough and smart and makes do much of the time with whatever’s at hand. And he makes hash of the bad guy plans along the way. It was enjoyable to read!

The scheme is contemporary – the author anchors the story so it could happen today. He mentions American politics from the last 6 years as well as making a passing reference to the pandemic. The scheme is also intricate, making for a meaty story. The pacing is well done. I never felt like things were dragging or being drawn out or that the plot points were unnecessarily convoluted. This is more violent and gruesome at times – along the lines of Jack Reacher or Orphan X – than what I usually read. But fans of thrillers like those I mentioned should find a lot here to enjoy. (Language, references to sex, references to sexual assault, violence, suicide)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!

REVIEW: Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe

REVIEW: Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

After helping the FBI put her husband in jail – and dodging a couple attempts on her life – Mia has bought a marina in Maine with big plans to start over, fresh.

On the plus side, the lake is gorgeous, and she’s already made a couple of friends. On the down side, though, the marina is in horrible shape, the town hates her because they think she destroyed a prized landmark, Mia’s already had to break out her lockpicks despite saying she would live her new life on the straight and narrow, and one of her new friends is a murder suspect.

Review

What a fun, unusual “cozy” mystery! I got such a kick out of this!

Mia is fantastic. She’s got a fun, sassy voice I loved. But I was also touched by the push and pull she feels about her “old” life. She longs to leave the crime-adjacent life she’s always known. But her experiences also help her stay alive and help her try to keep her friend out of jail. I also loved how much she appreciated the women in her new life.

There’s a lot to love here for mystery fans. This is twisty and layered. I really enjoyed the journey to the resolution. The hot Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), and a fantastic feline sidekick round out the terrific cast in this book. And I can’t wait to read more. Book 2, Top Notch, is scheduled to release this fall. I’ll be picking that one up for sure.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Thriller writer Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertie are staying in a rustic cabin Tess inherited. It’s what Tess needs to get away and get some writing done. It’s what both of them need to recover from Tess’s recent divorce. But before they ever get inside the cabin, explosions shake the property. And dead fish – and human body parts – rain down.

Tess is fascinated by the local sheriff who is so much like the main character in her books. So she tries to keep an eye on the investigation. But the case starts to get more dangerous – and then Tess’s ex shows up and insists it’s too dangerous for Gertie to stay with her mother.

But before long the case leaves Tess wondering if she can trust any of her new friends in this town. Someone here is up to no good.

Review

This was outstanding! I loved all of it – the thriller writer bits, the parallels between the sheriff and the book character, the relationship between Tess and Gertie, the quirky townspeople, and the twisty mystery. This was a perfect read for me. A start- to-finish-in-the-wee-hours-of-the-night read. I can’t wait for book 2, On Spine of Death, to release in November. It’s a must-read for me. You can see some of my reviews for the author’s other books published under the name Lucy Gilmore here.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Adult Assembly Required by Abby Waxman

REVIEW: Adult Assembly Required by Abby Waxman

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

Laura is new in town and trying to get settled before starting grad school when her apartment building burns down leaving her alone in a strange city with no where to live and the clothes on her back. And wet clothes at that since she got caught in a downpour.

She finds herself at Knight’s, an independent bookstore where the staff take her in, helping her get warm and dry – and finding her a place to live.

As Laura gets to know her new housemates and friends, she starts to feel like she might find a “home” in LA. But her past – and her family – keep trying to drag her back to where she’s been

Review

I read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill a few years ago, and I completely fell in love – with the character, the story, and the writer. While I knew this was by the same author, I didn’t realized when I picked this up that I would be going back to this community and the characters I loved. What a treat!

While this is Laura’s story, there are threads woven in about the others living at the house with her. I was impressed with the author’s ability to build such a broad story while never losing the ultimate focus on Laura.

This is a romance, but it’s also a story of friendship, second chances, mental health, adulthood and independence, and so many other things. And I enjoyed every bit of it.

Aside from the fantastic cast of characters here, I loved this book for the humor. I laughed often – and loudly. One scene even left me cackling, with tears rolling down my face. It was a delight to spend a few hours with this collection of folks.

You don’t have to have read Nina to enjoy this, but I highly recommend you read both books, in any order. (Language, PTSD)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep

REVIEW: Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Gemma Ripley is still licking her wounds after her last encounter with the Morricones when she is thrown back into their company at the annual Trade Summit. All of the royal families are there – the Ripleys, the ogre morphs, the dragon morphs, and the Mortans led by Gemma’s biggest enemy, Maeven Morricone.

At first blush, the Summit is a way for Gemma to do some spying. Maybe she can finish what she started in Morta and find out what Maeven’s son, Milo, is up to. But before Gemma can do much more than scheme, Maeven throws a wrench into the Summit that could destabilize their whole continent – or even get Gemma killed.

Review

I blitzed through this in one sitting and it left me dazed – and eager to read it again.

Gemma is in excellent form here. She is growing into her role as a princess and a spy. And as people take her more seriously, she thrives. Things between Gemma and Leo heat up in this book – and I was here for it. The interplay between them tickled me. The author does a great job of building both the romance and the intricate political plot of the series.

There are so many great developments here from book 1, Capture the Crown. But Estep isn’t out of surprises. Two of my big questions from book 1 are still waiting for full reveals – and I love it. She is doing a masterful job of telling a full, compelling story while still keeping me guessing. I can’t wait for Book 3, Conquer the Kingdom, out next spring.

The books in this Gargoyle Queen series build on each other, so they really have to be read in order. While I also think it helps to have read the Crown of Shards series first (it’s so AMAZING!), I think readers could follow Gemma’s story without it. But Kill the Queen (♥♥♥♥♥), Protect the Prince (♥♥♥♥½), and Crush the King  really help develop the world here as well as context for Gemma’s story.

Whatever order you read these in, fans of romantic fantasy should absolutely check out this whole line of books! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Claws for Suspicion by Deborah Blake

REVIEW: Claws for Suspicion by Deborah Blake

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. This book releases next week, on May 3, 2022.]

Summary

Just as Kari is reflecting on the journey that brought her to win the lottery and buy a pet rescue, her contentment is shattered by the arrival of her ex. Charlie has heard about Kari’s winnings and brings the unwelcome news that their divorce was never finalized. He believes that means he’s entitled to half. But he’s willing to settle for taking the rescue – and the land it sits on – for one of his development schemes.

When Charlie is killed, Kari’s relief that he can’t take her dream away from her is short lived when she becomes the primary murder suspect.

Review

I loved book one in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series, Furbidden Fatality, and then somehow missed out on reading book 2, Doggone Deadly, before I heard about this third book. I had hoped to read 2 before 3, but my timing didn’t quite work out. But it didn’t matter. I was able to fall right back into the people and setting without issue – and I enjoyed this book in the series too!

The characters here are fun, both the humans and the animals, and the mystery was great. I puzzled out a lot of it for myself, but there was one piece that caught me so off guard I exclaimed out loud. I loved having both the satisfaction of solving the mystery AND an unexpected surprise at the same time.

Cozy fans should not miss this series! It has all the great hallmarks of the genre – a likable protagonist; a clever hook/setting; an enjoyable community around the main character; and solidly plotted, satisfying mysteries. While the plots of books 1 and 2 are mentioned, I don’t think newcomers will feel like they can’t track this story without going back to the beginning. But I do think if you start here you will enjoy it so much you will want to go back and pick up the previous two books!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read