Regina
How do you catch a killer when the list of suspects seems to include everyone and their mother (not literally, but... you know)?
As always, it was a pleasure to spend more time with Ray and Katie (and Muffin) in Dusky Cove. Again, they try to get to the bottom of yet another murder. The number of suspects seems overwhelming at first, but Ray and Katie - with a little help from their friends - chip away at the mystery (no pun intended) to unmask yet another killer.
overall: 3.5/5
Such a fun and lovely story!
I enjoyed following Logan on her French adventure - although IRL I probably would not be brave enough to try everything she had on her culinary list. :D
I'd really love to read more stories in this series!
Less rom-com, more drama.
While it was nice to catch up with Autumn and Tuck after their whirlwind romance in part 1, this story is all about keeping secrets and jumping to conclusions.
More drama and (sorry!) kitsch than the first book, and I missed the lightheartedness and fun.
3.5 / 5 stars
I'm not a huge fan of insta-love stories, but I adore Laura Chapman's writing, and this is a short and sweet read with likeable and slightly quirky characters.
I only wish it would have been longer so I could spend more time with this crew!
Plus, now I want to read the stories of the other band members too... (Pretty please?)
“A Steadier Version of Isaac” might be a more accurate title for this one. There is nothing even remotely steady about Destiny switching from back and forth between the two boys in what seems like every other chapter. Frankly, the girl is starting to give me some serious whiplash.
And as much as I liked Preston in the previous books, and as much as my heart is breaking for him and his family, I'm having trouble understanding what he still sees in Destiny when she's done nothing but hurt him again and again (not intentionally, but still...).
And Hannah's drama is only adding to the overall confusion, though she seems to be the one person least affected by it. (And I still don't know how I feel about that.)
Props to Isaac though, he seems to be doing some growing up, at least, and discovering that spine of his. It's going to be interesting to see how he's going to stand up to his father (again) and his particular brand of intolerance.
I reallyreally liked this one! Especially Sandra and Blair, who made it so very easy for me to root for them. I appreciated that neither of them is perfect and that they own their flaws and foibles, turtles and all... :)
More, please!
Since this is the prequel to Prescription for a Lonely Heart, I did not expect a HEA. But I didn't expect to get something that feels like no ending at all.
I did like Adrian, though I don't quite buy his deep “love” for Kay, when he hardly knows her at all. And that's another thing - sadly, I don't really get to know Kay either.
What a fabulous collection!
I haven't had a chance to read all the stories yet, but I absolutely LOVED “The Last Single Girl”, “The (Not So) Perfect Day”, and “Jesse and the Ice Princess”! Sweet, funny, quirky, and swoon-worthy, these stories are right up my alley. I can't wait to read the other stories in this collection and in the various featured series!
What a wonderful start to the series! I had a blast getting to know the charming small town of Rotheberg and its quirky inhabitants (or rather the other way round?). Living in the land of beer and lederhosen myself, I especially enjoyed all the nods, over the top or blink-and-you'll-miss-it, to all things “Sound of Music” and - pretty much - all things (south) German.
The story is well written, Jamie and Dylan were easy to root for, and I loved getting to know their friends and family members. And now I really want to read Rachel's book. And Rob's book. And... ALL THE BOOKS. Pretty please, with Brezn on top?
4.5 / 5 Fighting-Edelweiss stars
Frankly, I'm getting a bit frustrated with everyone by now. Destiny still can't make up her mind who she wants to be with (still realistic, still relatable, but still frustrating). Isaac seems to be the only one showing some growth and maturity, while Preston still pines for Destiny - who only seems to want to be with him when she's with Isaac.
In addition to that, the fire-and-brimstone brigade at school is doubling down on their intolerance and narrow-mindedness.
It's... exhausting.
But it's good to see that at least Isaac seems to have overcome that particular personal shortcoming.
This is a quick and sweet read.
The blurb drew me in, but I was a bit disappointed that the battle over the taco truck in question was not much of one. First of all, I didn't understand Hadi's problem with it in the first place, and then the perceived problem got resolved super quickly.
Hadi generally has a tendency to make mountains out of molehills, and blows pretty much everly little conflict (if you can even call it that) way out of proportion. It seems Christopher is a way better and more patient person that I would have been in his situation. :)
Overall, I feel a little more history between Hadi and Christopher would have made their almsot insta-connection a bit more believable.
But the story had some funny and some swoony moments, and it made me smile.
Bonus points for the Star Wars reference. :)
3.5/5 Hallmarkish stars
5/5 ALL-THE-FEELS stars
All the cuteness! ALLLLLLLLLLL the feels!
I adore both Maddie and Tanner so much, especially Tanner feels like a kindred spirit, like a brother from another mother...
Just like in the first book in the Troublemakers series, all the characters feel so real - and I appreciate that both Maddie and Tanner are honest to a fault, brave as all get-out, and adorkably awkward.
Now my heart is basically a big puddle of swooned-out goo (while still flailing a bit like Kermit the frog because it doesn't know where to put all those feelings).
Perfectly Played
What an absolutely delightful story!
I adore Flora and Dean - their meet-cute is definitely on the memorable side, they make great friends and an even greater couple.
I also enjoyed M.K. and Clay's romance - and the part they play in their respective BFFs' lives.
Bonus points for Flora's dislike for heels, assorted geeky references, and - last but not least - for Dean's last name being Coulson. ‘Nuff said.
Beautifully Baked
I liked how “Beautifully Baked” started off with Flora and Dean's non-weddings - but from M.K. and Clay's perspective, of course - and continued to show glimpses of already familiar events throughout the story.
I knew I already loved M.K. and Clay before I even started this story, so I was rooting for them from the get-go, even if it was no secret that they'd get their HEA.
But... all those near-misses in the beginning! Gah! :D And I particularly enjoyed the close friendships between M.K. and Flora, and Clay and Dean respectively.
An unexpected yet absolutely delightful crossover with Holly Kerr's Oceanic Dreams story “I Saw Him Standing There” added an extra layer of happy for me. (Perfectly played, Ms. Kerr, so to speak... ;) )
Pleasantly Popped
While Ruthie may not be everyone's cup of tea, she sure is an entertaining heroine, and there is never a dull moment when she's around.
“I'm very good at offending people, even though that's not always my intention.”
With her take-no-prisoners approach to life, the universe, and everything, Ruthie is a force to be reckoned with! And while I found it not always easy to like her - in a way, I can relate to Trev's initial prickly reaction to her - my heart was breaking for her, and I fouond myself enthusiastically rooting for her to go and get her man.
Predictable, routine-loving me found Trev to be a lot more relatable - though he sure had his judgmental and jerky moments, and his own share of hang-ups to overcome.
“Ruthie is a whirlwind; moving at tornado speed and sucking up everything in her path. But I'm not a storm chaser. I don't even like high winds.”
I loved watching these two squabble and banter while they were slowly falling in like (and more) with each other - against their better judgment - and it was fun to reconnect with the usual suspects (Flora and Dean, M.K. and Clay, Adam and Patrick, and, of course, Reuben).
So far the final novel in the DBS series, and after Hope (Harrison / Zelda) my second favorite. I'll admit I have a soft spot in my heart for Sway and his shenanigans, so it was a treat to get a look behind the easygoing facade.
Ryan was an interesting counterpart, and I was curious if (or how) all the somewhat complicated family matters could be resolved.
The only thing that didn't make much sense to me was the Liam sub-plot, but that's probably just me. :)
All in all another great read and a satisfying finale to the series!
Fun collection of short stories about the DBS band members and their families.
I especially liked Carl and Miranda, whose story was my favorite. I'd definitely love to read more about those two!
To be completely honest, even though I've been reading the series in chronological order, THIS was the book I reallyreally wanted to read.
Ever since getting to know Zelda and Harrison in Things That Shine, I wanted to read their story, because I had fallen in love with these two nerds. :)
And I was not disappointed: the story was funny, heart-wrenching, geeky and sweet, and it made this simple nerd very happy.
If I had to decide on one favorite moment or quote, I'd really be in trouble becaue there are just so many. But this one is definitely one of them:
“Who knew you were the one who would end up seeing what my heart looks like on the inside?”
She swallowed as her chest warmed and it spread slowly to her limbs. “Well,” she whispered. “Just so you know, it's bigger on the inside.”
Not my favorite book in the series, although the story is well written and has likeable characters. Only the MCs fell a bit short for me.
(It's probably just me that I find “sassy”, “feisty”, “adorable” or “spunky” heroines like Greta mostly annoying and exhausting. And Shane is not my favorite hero in this series, either. Trying to impress a girl with his car? Really? Dude...)
PSA: Make sure you have “Ex on the Beach” ready to go...
... if you haven't read it already. While I absolutely loved seeing more of Kim and Blake - especially seeing them fall in like, lust, and love - this prequel broke my heart into tiny little pieces and squished those into a mangled pulp for good measure. There may have been ugly-crying on my part (there totally was ugly-crying...), and it's a good thing I already knew going in that this wouldn't be the end of “Watterpless.”
I haven't had a chance to read all the stories yet, so here's my review for those I've read so far.
“Vision of Love” by Kathryn R. Biel.
What do you get when you put characters from two of my personal 5-stars-reads together, add in a healthy dose of “comedy of errors” and sprinkle some showbiz drama on top? Another 5-star-read that's a whole lot of fun - and has a happy end, of course!
I absolutely loved to see the worlds of The Edison and the Sassy Cats collide! Tabitha and Henderson were so easy to root for, and I enjoyed to reconnect with Grayson, Angie, and Sergei(!), as well.
More, please?
“A Very English Love Story” by Kate O'Keeffe
“Regency layers and Texas heat do not mix well.”
Except, in this cute novella, they do. I already fell in serious like with too-nice-for-her-own-good “Disney Princess” Phoebe and her own “Mr. Bingley” AKA Johnathan when I first met them in “Dating Mr. Darcy,” and I had a lot of fun getting to know these two better.
While this novella doesn't have the comedic energy of Emma and Sebastian's story, I enjoyed it a lot.
Cute and fun quick read!
Although there were some darker and grittier scenes, overall it was a fun story that had some truly funny scenes. The romance was a pretty slow burn, but especially toward the end, there were also some scenes that hit me right in the feels.
Looking forward to reading more by this author!
(Technical side note and not relevant to my rating: In my edition, the chapter headers were counting wrong.)
While I kind of miss Lori as the main character and hobbyist sleuth extraordinaire, Ray and Katie have always been favorites of mine in Dusky Cove, and I'm delighted that they get their own mystery (series?).
Maybe the whodunit isn't the toughest nut to crack, but to me, the Dusky Cove mysteries are more about spending time with old fictional friends anyway. And Gift of Grift gives me just that fix I need. :)
3.5 / 5
Super-cute YA rom-com series with a lot of heart.
This series is giving me all the warm fuzzies and is the perfect read for a blustery, cold winter day (or any other day you crave a feel-good story, really).
I absolutely adore the characters (MCs and supporting cast alike), the stories have just the right amount of drama, and there are lots of funny and swoony moments that make me laugh or happy-sigh, respectively.
Another visit to Dusky Cove, another murder...
Once more, my favorite part of the story is the banter between Ray and his Katie, how comfortable they are with each other, and how they take care of each other.
Though I'll admit that, this time, I struggled with the fact that the victim was someone I had gotten to know (and like) over the last couple of books.
But on the other hand, there was some progress on the storyline with Ray and Katie's grandson Shawn which leaves me cautiously hopeful for the next book(s).
If anyone deserves a HEA, it's Neely - after years of both unrequited love and putting her own life on the back burner for her friends, she deserves some happiness for herself. That it would be a cocky jock-type like Grayson, of all people, to help her find it was... not only a sweet surprise but fabulously entertaining, too.