Tag: romancereads

Book Review: Sisters Before Misters by Amelia Diane Coombs

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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The Finch sisters are back in the second installment of this delightfully chaotic series, Sisters Before Misters.

Maeve has officially had enough murder and mayhem to last a lifetime, so when a call from Eliana pulls the sisters right back into another crime scene, she is less than thrilled. She’s also horrified that somehow poor Leo gets dragged back into the chaos too.

Eliana’s estranged husband Chad has gone missing, and the state of his condo points toward a very messy ending. Unfortunately for Eliana, the evidence also seems to point directly at her. Honestly? Even Maeve and Aunt Lindy aren’t entirely convinced she didn’t do it considering Chad has been dragging out their divorce for ages.

But the deeper Remi digs into Chad’s disappearance, the more tangled everything becomes. One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be Remi’s anxious overthinking brain trying to piece together the mystery in real time. It feels relatable, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt all at once.
I also really love that the sisters are still figuring each other out. Their relationship continues to evolve naturally and watching them slowly learn how to trust and support one another remains the heart of the series for me.

And that ending twist? Absolutely delightful.

This series continues to balance humor, family chaos, mystery, and heart so well. If you enjoy series like Finlay Donovan, Stephanie Plum, Sunshine Vickram, or generally love humorous mysteries with quirky characters and messy family dynamics, you’ll absolutely want to pick this one up.
While this could technically be read as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend starting with book one first so you can fully appreciate the sister dynamics and character growth throughout the series.

I was, however, highly disappointed that there were no magic mushrooms in this book this time around.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

And make sure you check out the book that started it all, Drop Dead Sisters.

Book Review: This Weekend Doesn’t End Well For Anyone by Catherine Mack

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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Bestselling novelist Eleanor Dash is expecting a lot of things when she agrees to attend a murder mystery writers conference in the Bahamas. What she isn’t expecting is a dead body in her hotel room.

But honestly… at this point, she probably should.

Once again, what seems like a coincidence quickly starts to feel like something more intentional. Is someone actually targeting Eleanor? Or could it be someone close to her? Connor, Oliver, Harper—and yes, even stalker Karen—are all back in the mix, which makes the suspect pool both familiar and chaotic.

We also get a return of several characters from earlier books, with ongoing storylines tied to past events. This one really builds on the previous books, so I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone. You’ll get a lot more out of it if you’ve read the first two.

Without giving too much away, things escalate quickly. There’s a storm warning, the island is evacuated, and our group decides to stay behind after signing away any liability. So now we have a full-on closed-circle mystery, but instead of a single house or mansion, it’s an entire island.

And yes… the bodies do start piling up.

As the group gets smaller, the tension ramps up, and the suspect list becomes more focused. There’s also someone from a previous book who returns with unfinished business, which adds another layer to the mystery and raises the stakes.

I listened to this one on audio and would absolutely recommend that format. The narration works especially well with the author’s style, particularly with the footnotes and moments that break the fourth wall. That kind of storytelling can feel forced if it’s not done well, but here it’s clever and intentional.

This is another twisty, fun installment in the series. It definitely feels like a nod to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, which is one of my favorites. You can really see that influence in the isolated setting and the steadily shrinking cast.

Overall, I love this series for its mix of humor, chaos, and mystery. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers a satisfying twist at the end. This book also ties back nicely to earlier storylines and expands the world in a meaningful way.

If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan series or other lighter, character-driven mysteries, this is definitely worth picking up.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Check out the other titles in The Vacation Mysteries Series:

Book One: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

Book Two: No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

Thank you to Catherine Mack, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ALC & ARC copy of this book. 

Book Review: Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coons

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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What do you get when you throw together three sisters who can barely tolerate each other, parents who are perpetually stoned and desperately trying to force family bonding, a handful of kooky side characters, and a dead body?

Pure chaos.

Oh, and add in a hunky park ranger and a nosy detective, and you’ve got Drop Dead Sisters.

What really made this work for me was the family dynamic. I found pieces of myself in all three sisters in different ways: Remy’s people-pleasing tendencies, Eliana’s need to force everything into “fine,” and Maeve’s inability to return a text message to save her life.

I loved watching the sisters slowly reconnect and grow together throughout the story, especially seeing Remy learn to love her family for exactly who they are instead of who she wishes they’d be.

This was funny, heartfelt, weird in the best way, and such an entertaining read. I absolutely cannot wait to dive into book two. If you love Finley Donovan, Stephanie Plum or Riley Thorn, you’ll love the Finch Sisters.

Also… as a Phan, I loved the subtle Phish reference. I won’t spoil it, but definitely keep your eyes peeled 👀

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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Picture this: you’re on a book tour through Italy, soaking in the charm of six picturesque cities, indulging in gelato and Aperol spritz, and relishing the company of fellow authors and die-hard fans. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for author Eleanor Wilde, it’s more of a high-stakes nightmare with literary rivals, a con man ex, and, oh yes, death. 

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack takes readers on a wildly fun ride, and it’s anything but your typical cozy mystery. With its snarky, witty protagonist, inside jokes about the publishing world, and the thrill of a whodunit, this novel makes for a laugh-out-loud read that fans of twisty mysteries and meta-humor will absolutely devour.

The story kicks off with Eleanor Wilde’s ambitious agenda: complete her latest novel (the tenth in her Vacation Mysteries series), embark on a whirlwind book tour across Italy, and kill off her main character, Connor Smith. Not much to ask, right? Except that Eleanor’s inspiration for Connor, suspects someone is genuinely out to kill him. And if that wasn’t enough, a body soon turns up in their traveling literary group, setting off a domino effect of secrets, suspicions, and betrayals. 

Eleanor must balance her book deadlines with real-life detective work, sorting through a colorful cast of authors, agents, and obsessive fans. With each Italian city comes a new twist, and Eleanor’s to-do list grows longer: solve the murder, dodge her ex Oliver (who shows up at the worst possible moments), keep her literary rivals at bay, and figure out who’s really behind the mayhem. 

This novel brilliantly breaks the fourth wall, letting Eleanor not only narrate her story but also chat directly with readers (footnotes and all)! It’s like having a lively conversation with a friend who isn’t afraid to let you in on the messy, hilarious parts of her job as a writer.  Her cheeky self-awareness, paired with razor-sharp wit, makes for a refreshingly original tone. 

If you’re a fan of snappy dialogue and unconventional characters, Eleanor’s one to remember. She’s a little chaotic, brutally honest, and endlessly opinionated, which adds a fun edge to the story. Her dynamic with her ex Oliver adds extra spice, and her deep reliance on her younger sister Harper (who, though a little overshadowed, plays the grounded assistant to Eleanor’s whirlwind) rounds out the cast in a quirky way.

While the book’s ensemble of suspects can get a bit overwhelming, each one brings something fresh to the story, and even the more aggravating personalities contribute to the chaotic fun. Though it’s hard to get attached to any of them (perhaps intentionally), this motley crew of characters, annoying quirks and all—adds to the atmosphere. 

The audiobook narration by Elizabeth Evans deserves special praise. Evans captures Eleanor’s voice to perfection, bringing out her snark, frustration, and subtle vulnerability in a way that enhances the reading experience. If you’re an audiobook fan, this is one to add to your list.

So grab a gelato, settle in, and prepare to laugh, gasp, and cheer as Eleanor brings the mystery to life—one Italian city at a time. On sale now, you can grab your copy here. 

Thank you to the author, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. 

Plot Twist by Carmen Sereno

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️🌶️/5

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💖 Enemies to Lovers

💖 Opposites Attract

💖 Forced Proximity

💖 Workplace Romance

💖 Slow Burn

Plot Twist launches today! It’s a fast-paced rom-com packed with some of my favorite tropes!

Siobhan Harris is an inexperienced romance writer, just trying to make ends meet. Recently ghosted by her boyfriend and stuck in an unaffordable apartment, she’s down to her last shred of sanity and nearly her last dollar when a book offer changes her life.

Marcel Dupont, a narcissistic asshat, ended his phenomenally successful thriller series by killing off its hero in a tantrum. His fans are outraged, and so is his publisher. He’s obsessed with keeping his identity a secret, remaining a faceless author.

Forced onto Twitter, the first thing the social media-naïve Marcel does is start a feud with Siobhan. With her star on the rise and his on the decline, the publisher decides they need to collaborate on a romantic thriller.

Cue the drama. Sparks fly, tensions escalate, and as they get to know each other, they both discover that there’s more to the other than meets the eye. The writing is sharp and witty, and the banter between Siobhan and Marcel is outstanding! Initially, I really, really disliked Marcel, but I eventually grew to love him. Siobhan, however, had my support from the very start! Also…potential 2nd book with Paige and Alex 🤔 🧐

A huge thank you to the author, the publisher Amazon Crossing and NetGalley for sending me this amazing book for my review. It’s on sale now and you can pick up your copy by clicking here.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️🌶️/5

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💖2nd chance

💖High School Sweethearts

💖Enemies to Lovers

💖Opposites Attract

💖Grumpy vs Sunshine

💖Long Distance

Just Some Stupid Love Story was a quick read that I really enjoyed. It’s perfect for the beach or if you need something funny and sexy to read.

Grumpy vs. Sunshine is one of my favorite tropes, and usually, it’s the guy who is grumpy and unavailable. I absolutely love when it’s flipped around!

Meet Molly – she’s emotionally unavailable, with a host of problems she’s working through, including anxiety, depression, and some really deep dad issues. (Her dad sucks.) In a delightful twist, she writes rom-com screenplays and is very successful at it.

Meet Seth – an eternal optimist in search of true love. He’s loyal, funny, and just a tiny bit over the top. All he wants is a family of his own. He’s a divorce lawyer who tries his best to help his clients and their families get through a horrible moment in their lives without causing chaos.

The book spans from when Molly and Seth meet up again at their 15th high school reunion in November 2018 through their 20th in 2023. This is quite a time span for one novel, but I feel it was well done and not rushed. I enjoyed the email and text exchanges we got to read. It’s challenging when the characters are apart for a significant portion of the book, as they are here. But between their correspondence, chance encounters, and planned meetings, it was handled very well.

If you’re a fan of Katherine Center, Abby Jimenez, or Ali Hazelwood, I think you’ll love Katelyn Doyle too. The writing is quick, funny, and flows so well. I also really like dual POV in my romance books, so I was happy we got to bounce between both Molly and Seth. There’s also a great cast of side characters that we get to know and love.

The author Katelyn Doyle writes historical romances under the name Scarlett Peckham, but this is her Rom-Com debut. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

A huge thank you to the author, the publisher Flatiron Press and NetGalley for sending me this amazing book for my review. It’s on sale now and you can pick up your copy by clicking here.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🫑/5

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💖Closed Door Romance

💖Forced Proximity

💖Grumpy vs Sunshine

💖Strangers to Lovers

💖 Workplace Romance

🏠 Hollywood Setting

🚫No spice (hence the bell pepper 😂)

Just finished The Rom-Commers and wow, what a ride. Seriously, the ups and down in this book. I can’t even. Even though I usually read romance books with a lot of spice, I adore Katherine Center’s books. The characters she creates jump off the page and come to life. This was no exception.

Emma is so strong and selfless. I instantly wanted to give her a hug. And I also kind of want to shake her. The poor girl has put her whole life on hold to take care of her dad, blaming herself for his accident and the loss of her mom. I really hate that she was manipulated into working with Charlie. Logan sucks. He’s sneaky and tells half-truths and keeps secrets. Thank goodness he somewhat redeemed himself. But he was a pretty awful friend for a while.

It took me a little bit longer to warm up to Charlie. He’s kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. I have to admit I was pretty nervous about his cough, though. As someone who is familiar with sarcoma and its recurrence, as soon as he started coughing I had to stop myself from skipping ahead to make sure he was okay. It’s sweet how he takes care of his guinea pig. By the end of the book, I had heart eyes for him. 😍

I love this ode to romance and rom-coms and the joy they bring. Hands down one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I would have liked it to be dual POV, but if you check out the audio, you get a little sneak peek into Charlie in one of my favorite scenes (the diving board!!!).

As always, I encourage you to read for yourself and see how you like it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

A huge thank you to the author, the publisher St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for sending me this amazing book for my review. It’s on sale now and you can pick up your copy by clicking here

Still See You Everywhere By Lisa Gardner

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️ 🌶️ /5

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While I do my best to make sure my reviews are spoiler-free, I may inadvertently reveal information that can help you connect plot points. So, here’s my TL;DR spoiler-free review: soild thriller with good twists, reaches a little too far for my liking, villian’s end is a cop out.

Oh man, oh man, my girl Frankie is back! Still See You Everywhere is the third book in Lisa Gardner’s Frankie Elkin series. And if I thought things couldn’t get any worse for Frankie than they did in Wyoming, boy, was I wrong. I highly suggest you go back and read book one, Before She Disappeared and book two One Step Too Far before diving in to Still See You Everywhere

This time around, Frankie is off to an atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, outside of Hawaii. She’s been recruited to find the younger sister of Kaylee Pierson, a condemned serial killer nicknamed The Beautiful Butcher. Leah disappeared 12 years ago while fleeing from an argument Kaylee was having with her then-boyfriend, Sander MacManus. With just weeks until she’s set to be put to death for killing 18 men and feeding them to her pigs, Kaylee has one dying wish: Find her sister.

It turns out that Leah is now MacManus’ ward, living a life of luxury no other 17-year-old girl could dream of. MacManus owns the atoll and is developing it into an eco-friendly resort—the same one Frankie has just been sent to. As in the other books, the cast of characters Frankie makes her family are eccentric, lovable, and just a little shady. One also happens to be an FBI agent deep undercover. I’ll let you guess who, but I called it from the start, just not the reason why they were there.

Chaos ensues when MacManus arrives on the island ahead of schedule with extra security. Turns out The Beautiful Butcher has escaped. Thought she couldn’t find her sister on an atoll in the middle of the ocean, cut off from all communication? Guess you’re wrong. After grievously injuring her attorney, Kaylee has stowed away on the plane and is now on the atoll.

As is typical in the Frankie Elkin books, bloodshed ensues, Frankie gets hot feelings for a hot guy, lots of people die, and Frankie finds the missing person. Out of the 3 books so far, this one was my least favorite as I felt it went a little too far sideways. From Boston to Wyoming to the Pacific is a far distance for Frankie, who doesn’t drive, to travel. I was also hoping that we would see more of a certain fella from Boston, but he doesn’t turn up. Sad face.

I still thought it was a great read, full of twists and turns, and an unpredictable ending that I didn’t call. (But it kind of felt like a cop-out.) I’m once again amazed at Frankie’s ability to maintain her sobriety when faced with certain death, but it felt weird that there are no AA meetings for her to attend, as the previous 2 books relied on them heavily.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

As always, I encourage you to read this book and form your own opinions, just as I have. Thank you to the author Lisa Gardner, the publisher Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book.

Road Queens By MaryJanice Davidson

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5

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Road Queens was my first book by MaryJanice Davidson. While the premise was intriguing, I had a hard time getting into this book. Cassandra, Amanda, and Sidney were best friends once upon a time. With Cass as the driving force, they created OpStar, a way to help people in bad situations. Until everything went wrong and Cass took off. But now, there is a dead body whom no one seems to know, and Cass is back in town. Enter Sean Beane, a PI or a cop—it’s kind of hard to tell, and it isn’t really made clear.

The story is told by switching between the past and present, and while I normally don’t mind this, sometimes the flashback was 5 years ago, other times it was an indistinct time such as “forever ago.” It also wasn’t consistent. I found the banter between the girls to be funny-ish at best and downright annoying at other times. But that’s how it is when you’re an outsider looking in. When you’ve been friends for so long, you develop your own patois and secret language. However, I felt it was a little overdone. One too many pop culture references for me. And it took forever for me to figure out what was going on. I felt like I had missed something for the first 20% of the book. And how many times do we need to mention that Cass likes to eat dinner for breakfast? It became redundant after a while. I also don’t understand how the banter can be so quick but the story could move so slowly.

There is also a romance component to the book between Amanda and Sean Beane. The sexy bits are around the 2.5 peppers range, so I’ll round it up to 3. But it felt a little forced. This book seems like it didn’t know what it wanted to be—a romance? A thriller? Women’s fiction? I would put this in the same category as The Finlay Donovan books, basically a soft thriller.

All of this aside, I did enjoy the book. I found the story interesting and the character of Iris is downright intriguing. Towards the end, Amanda and Sean’s chemistry didn’t seem so forced, which was an improvement. We also left off with Sidney promising to be divorced or widowed, leaving the door open for another book which I look forward to. I found the information about MC clubs and female motorcycle riders interesting. I love that the girls are so badass and independent.

As always, I encourage you to read this book and form your own opinions just as I have. Thank you to the publisher Montlake, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC copy of this book. For all my fellow KU lovers, this book is available in KU to read AND listen! Grab your copy here.

An Acquired Taste By Kelly Cain

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶🌶/5

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“An Acquired Taste” by Kelly Cain* is the first book in a trilogy that introduces us to the Everhart brothers. The story is narrated from the female protagonist’s perspective, Rowan Townsend, who works as a chef in her mother’s restaurant. Rowan dreams of owning her own establishment where she can break free from her mother’s traditional culinary style. Knox Everhart, on the other hand, is the golden boy of the culinary world, poised to take over his father’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Rowan and Knox share a history of rivalry from their culinary school days, where Knox was admitted as a legacy while Rowan struggled to secure her spot.

When Rowan’s family restaurant, Smothered in Love, faces severe challenges, she decides to participate in a cooking contest to save it. Unbeknownst to her, Knox and his family have also entered the competition, reigniting their long-standing rivalry. As the story unfolds, we witness their journey from enemies to friends and ultimately to lovers.

While “An Acquired Taste” is an enjoyable read with quirky characters and a captivating plot, there are some aspects that could have been improved. For instance, the chapters often end on mini cliffhangers, only to jump ahead in time in the next chapter, leaving readers feeling somewhat disoriented. This narrative technique might not appeal to everyone.

Additionally, the incorporation of cute food recipes at the beginning or end of chapters, while endearing, could be seen as filler content. The story might have benefitted from a dual perspective, offering insights into Knox’s thoughts and feelings alongside Rowan’s.

The slow-burning romance between Rowan and Knox doesn’t truly heat up until chapter 19, and some readers may wish for more development in their relationship. The book’s focus on the cooking competition occasionally overshadows the romantic aspects, leaving one craving more from the protagonists’ love story.

All in all, An Acquired Taste is a charming and engaging read that will leave you with an appetite for Southern soul food and the journey of two fierce competitors finding love amidst the heat of the kitchen. It is a solid three-star book that promises entertainment and a craving for something tasty. I can’t wait to try out some of Rowan’s recipes, and read the next book in the series! You can get your copy here.

Tropes hit: Enemies to Lovers, Slow burn

*updated 04/17 to correct the spelling of the author’s last name. dang auto correct!!