Category: Adult Fiction Reviews

REVIEW: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

REVIEW: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Viv the orc has decided to retire from fighting monsters and securing bounties. She’s (literally) hanging up her sword to open a coffee shop.

Using some old magic, she’s found the perfect spot – and made a few new friends to help her launch her business. But a local protection scam and an old “friend” are putting her shop, her plans, and her new friends in danger. If Viv goes back to her old ways to protect her fresh start, will it ruin all of her work to become a different sort of person and live a different sort of life?

Review

This is a surprisingly low key book for as engrossing as this story is! I was reading this as a print book before bed each night, and I looked forward to getting back to it every evening. I loved the characters and adored the mellow vibes of the coffee shop.

While this “cozy fantasy” is low key, it’s not without tension and danger and conflict. But most of the pages devoted to fleshing out these characters and building this world – and I was invested in all of it. Viv is a great protagonist, sorting out her identity in a new environment with new challenges. And her surrounding cast is a delight!

Fans of this story can pick up the prequel, Bookshops & Bonedust, out now. I snapped it up before I had even finished this book. Looking forward to diving in! (Language, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Fatal First Edition by Jenn McKinlay

REVIEW: Fatal First Edition by Jenn McKinlay

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

While enjoying a train ride home from an archivist convention, Sully and Lindsey get connected to another murder. By the end they will endure a blizzard and a kidnapping as well as discover a valuable book. But the Crafternoon crown help Lindsey, Sully, and local law enforcement save the day.

Review

This was a fun mystery! It was super easy to fall back into the flow with these characters. I loved the mystery on a train angle, although Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect does it “better” in that the whole story takes place on the train. In this, the train is just one of several settings, but it was a fun one. And the other locations helped draw Lindsey and Sully’s usual community into the case. And that’s half the fun of a long-running series like this one. (This is book 14.)

McKinlay does a good job of giving context to the series regulars which I love because I don’t always remember well after a year’s wait between books. But while I think a newcomer could start here, I would recommend reading this series in order. I find it more satisfying. For example, I think I appreciated Lindsey and Sully’s relationship more in this because I’ve watched it develop from the start.

Series fans should enjoy this latest adventure for Lindsey and Sully – don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!

REVIEW: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

REVIEW: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Misery Lark has done her time for her people. She gave her entire childhood to serve Vampyre needs, living with humans as “the collateral.” When her duty was finished, she built her own life in the human world, far from her father and his expectations and demands.

And when he suggests one more sacrifice for “the good of her people,” she can’t say no forcefully or fast enough. But then she discovers this dangerous sacrifice can lead her to the one thing she wants most of all.

So she agrees to marry the Werewolf Alpha – live in his territory, live again as an outsider. Because it might lead to the answers she can’t find anywhere else.

Review

This was outstanding! My first Ali Hazelwood – I totally get what the fuss is about. Once I started this, I didn’t want to put it down. The world building is fantastic! And I loved the mysteries that needed solving. There’s so much here to enjoy.

Paranormal romance fans should not miss this. Everything really was perfect – the characters, the pacing, the HUMOR, the twists, the romance. The ending sets up a possible sequel, and I am here for it! The rest of my Hazelwood books are now at the top of my TBR – I’m looking forward to reading more of her work. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ -= Outstanding!

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival is celebrating their 50th anniversary by traveling by train through the country. Ernie Cunningham is on board with his girlfriend, Juliette, as one of the headliners thanks to the notoriety of his memoir, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

But when someone dies on the train, could it be that Ernie is connected to another murder? Or is it just the wishful thinking of a writer on deadline trying to find his story?

Review

Wow. Another stunner of a mystery from Benjamin Stevenson! I am a huge fan of Ernie’s voice in this series. His self-awareness as the narrator hooked me in book 1, and it’s just as fun here.

I liked this even more than the first book. The secondary characters here are great! And I am a huge fan of this sort of mystery set-up – “strangers” gather at a venue for an event and through a murder you discover secret connections and hidden – or not-so-hidden – motives. And in the end the sleuth reveals the killer. As Ernie promises at the start, this follows all the rules and hits all the beats.

There are some laugh-out-loud moments along with some surprises here. And of course there’s a meaty mystery with a thorough, captivating resolution.

I don’t know that you have to read these in order, but it helps. I would recommend it just because the first book is the basis for Ernie’s presence at this event and is referenced often. If you have already read it – and loved it like I did – you do NOT want to miss this! (Language. TW: Reference to sexual assault.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

REVIEW: The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Dorothy Gibson was the sort of politician everyone knows – no matter where they’re from – even before she ran for president. But after the election, when her run as an Independent split the ticket and the country ended up with “THAT guy,” she’s infamous. Which means it’s the perfect time for her to write her memoir. Thus, the ghostwriter.

The ghostwriter begins work at Dorothy’s home where they are when they hear Dorothy’s neighbor has died. As Dorothy and the ghostwriter had met the woman the day before her death, they go to pay their respects. And they find a curious collection of people as well as a death with more questions than answers.

Review

This was wild! The ghostwriter’s voice in this is spectacular! It’s the first thing I noticed when I started the book. And it continued to shine – and make me laugh – all the way through to the end.

The core cast around Dorothy and the writer was fascinating. I’m curious if they will stay on in the series or if the ghostwriter will move on to another sleuthing partner in the next book.

The mystery itself was twisty from start to finish. I didn’t predict or expect any of the final reveals. The mystery wrap up was stunning. I wanted something different from the book’s overall ending, but that’s just a matter of preference. This is an excellent mystery in the vein of Christie. Fans of the genre should not miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Ladies Re-Write the Rules by Suzanne Allain

REVIEW: The Ladies Re-Write the Rules by Suzanne Allain

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Two unexpected gentlemen callers are widow Diana Boyle’s first clue to the registry. Someone has compiled a booklet listing the wealthy widows and spinsters around London. These are women of means. Second sons and other society men with no fortunes of their own could wed well to one of these ladies.

Maxwell Dean is one such younger son – and the author of the list. He produced it as a service to men like himself to spare them the tragedy of falling in love with a poor girl and having to break off the relationship. Frankly, he’s not really sure why Mrs. Boyle is so angry about the list.

Diana isn’t the only woman angered to find her personal information publicized in such a way. But the women do see a potential silver lining – this gives THEM the power in courting rituals and relationships. And they are going to use that power to re-write the rules their gender has been subjected to for years.

 

Review

This was a fun, low stakes story, perfect for reading on a frigid snowy day (like I did) but also on a sunny beach. I think I enjoyed the female friendships that evolved out of the discovery of the registry even more than the romantic relationship. I loved the main three women and enjoyed watching all of them find love.

There’s only one real “conflict” after the initial one around the registry is sorted out. And that is resolved in a low key, low stakes sort of way. If you are looking to lose yourself in a romantic story for awhile, and you don’t want much angst in your escape, this could be a perfect fit for you.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ – Good +

 

REVIEW: Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza

REVIEW: Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Showing up at the site of a murder was a mistake. Her kid needed a bathroom. The rookie cops hadn’t secured the scene well. But after just a few moments, Andrea Stern had theories about the crime. It was an instinct she had used to help the FBI catch a serial killer. Before.

Kenny starts covering the murder for the local paper. It’s a constant blow to his ego to be working at such a rag. He used to be a “real” reporter. He had won a Pulitzer for heaven’s sake. Before.

Andrea and Kenny knew each other as teens. They left home and found success and notoriety. And then lost it all – the dream careers, the respect, the potential futures. But maybe they each could revisit the lives they left behind – if they can work together to solve this murder.

 

Review

Maybe I should have picked a romance to review for Valentine’s Day, but this was next up on my list, so today’s the day to talk about it! Wow. This is fantastic!

I picked this up because I came across the sequel in the bookstore – The Self-Made Widow. And I rarely start a series in the middle. So I bought this, and it sat on my TBR for ages. But I was in  the mood for a mystery, so I picked this up to try.

For the first quarter of the book, I was absolutely captivated by Andrea and Kenny. They don’t feel like the usual protagonists for a story like this. Andrea’s profiling and observational skills are spooky good. And she and Kenny are both in this “How did I get here”/”Is this my life now?” emotional space, wondering if they’ve left their best days behind them. And that angle to their characters grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.

Then, once the mystery developed, I couldn’t put the book down. I had to see how all the pieces would come together. I enjoyed the twists and layers of this. It’s all brilliant. Mystery fans should not miss this one – I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to dig into book 2.

I would list a trigger warning for marginalized people. There’s racism and homophobia displayed by some of the characters, and it’s ugly at times. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

 

REVIEW: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker

REVIEW: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Petunia DeVere loves her job. But she never imagined being a personal assistant for a young royal-by-marriage to be as… complicated as it’s been. Her charge is a well-intentioned klutz who seems to be a magnet for trouble. And somehow she always ends up in the crosshairs.

One bit of that trouble comes from the tabloids – rumors that he’s having an affair with Pet. So the palace’s solution is to make it look like Pet is already in a relationship – with the bodyguard.

Pet tried to strike up a friendship with the brooding security professional, but she could never crack through his stoic, by-the-book approach to everything. But now they’ll have to figure out how to pretend to be “more than coworkers.” And Pet’s not sure they can ever be convincing at that.

Review

As soon as I realized this was a fake dating story, I bought it. It’s my favorite trope. And in this case it was even more fun than usual because the only people they were lying to was the public and the tabloids. It was theatre more than subterfuge which scaled back a lot of the relational angst that sometimes shows up in fake dating stories.

The angst gap was then filled by all of the ridiculous – and serious – situations their boss kept creating. I laughed SO much! And not just at the wild scenarios. The writing here is just super clever and so funny! I was impressed with the author’s ability to have me cackling one moment and tearing up the next. I had all the feels in this – and I loved it.

I loved the characters in this. It’s exactly the sort of grumpy/sunshine pairing I like – and that’s not a trope I seek out. But here you get point-of-view pieces from both characters so you know what Matthias is really thinking all along. You get to watch them both fall for the other – and it was so fun and sweet.

I don’t love food-based stories, so I skipped book one in this series, Battle Royal. But I had no issues following this without having read book one. I highly recommend this one – it was a fun read! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

REVIEW: The Takedown by Carlie Walker

REVIEW: The Takedown by Carlie Walker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Sydney knows her work for the CIA has kept her away from her family for awhile. But she never expected to have to hear about her little sister’s engagement from the FBI. But Calla is engaged to Johnny Jones, heir to the Jones crime family. And the FBI wants Sydney to go into spy mode at home for Christmas.

Johnny’s best friend – and bodyguard – is an unexpectedly delicious obstacle for her mission. But Sydney will do whatever it takes to protect her sister. If that means she has to seduce the bodyguard, so be it.

Review

This was a fun little Christmas romp! Syd and Nick are great together. Calla and Grandma Ruby are a great supporting cast. The family pieces, including the abandonment of the girls by their father, is well-woven into the story without ever taking the focus off Johnny and Calla.

There are many laugh-out-loud moments here that I enjoyed a lot. The ending was supremely satisfying. And it’s a stand alone romance which means anyone can drop in and pick this one up. While it doesn’t look like a Christmas book, that is the timing for the story, so it was a perfect November read for me (in 2023). But it’s not so Christmas-y that you couldn’t enjoy the story year round.

If you are in the market for a fun, funny romance with organized crime/spy elements, be sure to give this one a try! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

 

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ernie Cunningham is on his way to a “mandatory” family reunion he could really do without. After turning his brother in to police for murder, things in the family have been…. tense. But his brother is about to get out of prison, and everyone is gathering at a remote mountain resort to welcome him home.

But a dead body on the mountain throws a wrench into things. And as the weather worsens and only one inexperienced cop has made it to the resort, Ernie realizes he’ll have to solve the mystery. After all, he writes books to teach writers how to craft mysteries. He even promises the reader he’ll follow all the agreed-upon rules for murder mysteries as he does so!

Review

This. Was. Wild.

So unexpected in a lot of ways for me, which added to a great reading experience with a well-crafted mystery.

As Ernie is the narrator, and the book is written after the events it describes, he’s an especially self-aware narrator. There’s a full set up for the “rules” at the start of the book plus regular references along the way to make sure you never forget. Then there’s the premise that “everyone” in the family has killed someone. So those mini-stories are woven in as well.

There’s the usual features for a mystery like this – the remote location, foul weather, family tension among the key players, and finally a growing list of dead people. I was captivated by the whole thing. I adore books with this sort of set up anyway.

But the resolution? And the surprises along the way? Wow. The extras here really kicked this up a notch. This is the whole package when it comes to plotting!

I didn’t love the characters in this – and I’m not sure I was supposed to – which is what keeps me from giving this 5 stars. But this is really an exceptional read, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I will absolutely be reading book two, Everyone on this Train Is a Suspect, which is scheduled to release later this month. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.