Kari

I think I've read too many books.

I knew who the killer was by page 40. And it's not because the story isn't good or unoriginal or anything, but the mechanics of the books. The formula required to write a book. There was only one reason to include something and that's what gave it away.

Still, I enjoyed reading this and I liked having the perspective of all the different characters wondering what I would do in their shoes.

This was terrible. The characters actions made no sense. Madelyn is cold to Alex because she “has to keep her distance” and then laments the next day that he hasn't contacted her and didn't their two kisses mean anything??

This was painfully boring. Nothing that happened here didn't happen in the first book except maybe one thing. One of the problems is this is still just Sonya's pov. If we got to be in Cleo's head for a while it might break up some of the monotony. But this is just a retelling of the same things, chapter after chapter. Sonya and Cleo work, take a break, let the animals out, go back to work, Clover plays songs, Jack plays with the animals and Dobbs slams doors and rings bells. Then the men come over they talk about the same stuff, “Dobbs can't have this house! It's mine!” They go to bed, wake up at 3 am, go back to bed and the whole routine starts over.

The last chapters of this book had me feeling like screaming. The countdown and feeling of claustrophobia was almost unbearable. The story as a whole though didn't grab me. I didn't understand Ellen's backstory. It didn't add anything to the story. For a locked room mystery, it felt more like we were waiting for people to die instead of trying to figure out why they were dying.

The twists just keep coming and coming and coming! Even without those this would have been a good book. The idea is actually not that far fetched as well. Kind of scary!

I did not care about a single person in this book. The most disappointing thing was Milla's “secret” was so mundane I thought there was something else. Alas, that was not the case.

This could have been so good! Instead, it felt slapsticky and boring. The last few parts felt like nails on a chalkboard.

This left me both feeling hopeless and hopeful. Working at a primary school I'm taking from this some great ideas for things to do for our students and that makes me hopeful. The idea that we would need a certain type of herd immunity to change the course at this point leaves me feeling bereft. But still, I've asked my 11 year old and 18 year old to read this. Small steps, right?

I think I liked this a bit less than The Golden Spoon. Just like that one, this felt like it couldn't decide whether it was a thriller or a cozy mystery. It started strongly, but then felt almost zany near the end.

So very dark, from start to finish.

A sweet, but sad tale.

I know, I know, but I had to complete the series!

There was something missing here, but I think that was on purpose. I'm not sure where Kellerman is going with this series, but this wasn't the strongest installment.

Hoffman's writing is gorgeous. I literally sobbed through the beginning. So much so, I had to put the book down and walk away from it for a bit. However, I felt like there was some missing pieces coming right from Practical Magic and the middle dragged a bit for me. The ending brought me back. Probably my favorite series in a while, though this wasn't my favorite of the 4.

Fine, but a little boring.

I'm a little sad this is the last book (or is it??) in this trilogy. I really liked all three. I laughed out loud a couple of times! Sweet and funny with some great spice!

Awww I really loved this! It lived up to its cozy description. Can't wait to see what happens next!

While I loved visiting the island again, I'm not sure if we needed this. I did like getting more of Arthur's story, but otherwise it just seemed like a repeat of the first book, but with a ridiculous, cartoonish villain.

I can't ignore it anymore. This is just bad writing. Millie is now at least 12 years older than the last book, but she's not gotten any smarter and everything felt so trope-y.

I can't tell if this is supposed to be ridiculous or what, but it was kind of delightful.

I really wanted to like this, but it was hard. Lily was not someone I wanted to root for, but when she kept giving into Sara despite not wanting Sara to win, it made it even worse. And Sara was so terrible it was almost comical.

Fast, but cute. I might read more from this author!

Sweet!

This is not the romance I usually gravitate towards. The dialogue was something to behold.

This was a sweet, funny romance with actually likable characters.