Angel White

I'm always a sucker for a mean girls type of read. I was excited when I was able to receive an ARC of The Fortune Seller. I wanted to love this one more, but overall it was just OK.

I haven't read a book that reads like a drama/mystery, that has background and side information overtaking the actual story. It got to the point I was just skimming every introduction at the start of the chapters because all the blurbs about the tarot cards were boring after a while. You also read about tarot cards within the story itself. It felt oversaturated to me.

I also felt at times there was too much explaining and focusing on all things horse-related. If you pulled all that out, the story itself would be very short. The story itself was ok, but I didn't like some of the ending and outcome.

Even though I wasn't a huge fan overall, those that enjoy tarot cards, readings and all things to do with horses may enjoy this. Just my perspective so if you have this on your list to read, pick it up and see how you land with it.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

I am really enjoying these dark retellings. Who would have thought happy endings for villains would be so fun to read.

This was an interesting read. I really enjoy Sci-Fi and time travel and have not read a story quite like this one. If I was faced with the same dilemma as Maria, I am not sure what I would do. Whew ..

I was a little worried about how the author would close this one out but I worried for nothing. The ending is fantastic.

This is perfect for readers who enjoy time travel mixed with women's fiction. Inkook forward to reading more of this author's work.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

A Study in Black Brew is a fun, cozy Sci-Fi mystery that resides in the same realm as the Colibri Investigation series. In book 3 of that series (The Wenamak Web) we are introduced to the two main characters in this story. I love a good spin-off and thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

I love this author's writing. The characters are fun and have great banter. I also like that the mystery is interesting and keeps you reading. As a retelling, the Sherlock Holmes vibes are on point. Definitely one to put on those bookish radars and grab when it releases on May 22, 2025.

I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

I just can't get over how much fun these are! I really enjoy the logic puzzles and the fun descriptions of the people, murder weapons, and other items for solving the puzzles.

The story itself is enjoyable too and reading it piece-meal while also trying to solve other mysteries within the story before Logico is fun too.

This is perfect for puzzle fans and lovers of mysteries. I sincerely appreciate St. Martin's Press for the review copy.

Dead Woman Walking is the first in the Izzy Santos Mysteries. We are introduced to Officer Santos as she responds to a minor call. She is then assigned to assist Detective Fulton as he is home sick. Things quickly escalate from a missing person, to a disappearance, to something else entirely.

I really enjoyed following Izzy as she navigates being thrown into an acting detective's role. She is thorough, and asks a lot of questions, even some that are a bit out there. I have always enjoyed police procedurals and Izzy kept things interesting. The only thing that bugged me was that sometimes her comments felt a little young for the situation or wasn't what I would expect a cop to say.

The mystery, and the twist at the end, was great. Tia Maggie is a very fun addition to the story and easily my favorite character. I like the aspect she brings to the story and how it all ties together. I'm hoping to see more of her in the other installments.

Overall, a good read and one I recommend. This has cozy mystery vibes as well so perfect for fans of that genre. I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. These opinions are strictly my own.

Ok...this was FUN! I enjoy puzzles. I enjoy reading. I also enjoy mysteries. Put all of them together and it's pure nerdy blissfulness.

I received Murdle, Vol. 1 for my birthday. Once I started, it was hard to put down. I kept wanting to solve the puzzles to get to the next part of the story. The story is entertaining and I LOVED the descriptions of the people, places, weapons, and motives. The humour is on point, at least for me.

Highly recommend this one for those who want reading with a twist. I honestly didn't think I would like this as much as I did. I already have Vol. 2 ready and waiting.

I adored Lenny Marks. This is such a charming read. It starts a little slow, but grows on you. Lenny is a very unique character, full of quirks and habits that make you love her. Her situation, the things she went through, both as a child and adult, is what tethered me to the story and kept me there. Definitely one to put on those bookish radars.

I didn't realize until after I finished this, that this is a debut. I look forward to what else this author writes.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

I really enjoyed Thistlefoot, so when I was given the chance to read this one, I jumped. Sadly, for me, this one just didn't gel.

There were a couple of stories that I enjoyed, with my favorite being the Eternal Staircase. With most though, they just sort of fell off and stopped. I was left more often than not, wondering what happened, than understanding what the author was trying to get across.

Maybe it was meant to be that way? I know other readers enjoyed this book, it just wasn't for me. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Time travel. Family secrets. Murder and mystery. If these phrases appeal to you as they do me, you will love Murder on the Steel Pier.

Imagine going to bed in one time, and waking up in another. Not only that, but waking up as a family member long since passed. Pair that with a murder that could possibly change your family and affect its history and bam folks ... we have a cozy mystery winner.

This was a fun read the entire time. Easy five stars. Tess is a great MC and I adore everything about her, especially her resourcefulness. The story was fun as well and made it hard to put this down. Ah responsibilities why do you plague my want to just read all day.

If you love mysteries in general, but are a cozy mystery fan at heart, definitely grab this one. I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

It took me a while to finish this one since it's two different books in one. I enjoyed both stories but then Nora Roberts so...lol

Well I found my first 2025 favorite. Serenade of Kings is just what this bookish heart needed. I LOVE me a good backstory and man did this deliver. In Prelude of Fire (Book 1 in this series), I fell in love with the characters, their journey and their growth. We got a glimpse of Ragnar and his relationship with Gailea.

With Serenade of Kings, we get to see a much better, clearer picture of that relationship and how things progressed to the evil tyranny we see in Book 1. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and one particular scene had me stunned.

I thoroughly enjoy this author's writing. I love that it's character driven, full of emotion and depth. You can feel the tension and turmoil, not to mention the heartbreak. The action scenes are pretty great too. This is a must read for fans of YA Fantasy. I can't wait for the next book!

I sincerely appreciate the author for this review copy. These opinions are my own.

OK...just wow. What a refreshing and invigorating journey! It has been a while since I have been honored to read and review a book like this. I was captivated from beginning to end, and completely engrossed in the characters and the story.

The best part? The concentration on the characters, their growth as individuals and as a whole, and the the journey they share. I haven't read such a well-rounded book in a long time. I love that I not only got to travel along with the characters, but also got to share in their hurts, triumphs, grief and victories.

This was like sitting down with The Lord of the Rings, while drinking in some Narnia and adding just a splash of Harry Potter. My inner YA was definitely a happy camper.

I read all across the spectrum, but sometimes a break from romance-centered fantasy is needed. This definitely fits the bill for those who want the same, and want a story where the characters' journey, in all aspects, are the focal point.

I highly recommend this one, especially for readers who love action, adventure, found families, character growth and a darker undertone. Be ready for some tears too. There are a couple of parts ... let's just say my heart hurt and I needed tissue ... lots of tissue.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the author for reaching out and sharing this amazing journey with me. These opinions are strictly my own and have not been influenced in any way.