Devi Nair

This is a vintage mystery powered by friendship-first stakes and a protagonist who isn’t content to just sit pretty while her world unravels. Piper Sail is all sharp edges and stubborn hope. Her loyalty to Lydia is the true compass guiding the story. Watching her charge through mob territory and navigating social expectations showcases the book at its best. Mariano Cassano is another highlight mixing forward-thinking charm with perfect 1920s grit. His approach makes those investigative moments fizz, even when Piper’s stubbornness threatens to slow him down.

That said, I have to admit three-quarters in, the pacing lost its snap. The search for Lydia started to circle the same set of unlikely suspects and hidden doors. Somewhere around 65%, I found myself wishing the narrative had tightened up instead of making Piper (and me) retrace so many suspects and situations. There’s so much promise in the heart of the story, but it could have reached its conclusion with a little less meandering.

I dove into Tea with Jam and Dread craving Vicki Delaney’s signature cozy vibes, and oh, did it deliver! Lily, Bernie, and Rose trading their Cape Cod tearoom for a London estate felt like stepping into the heart of their England-inspired dreams. The setting sparkled, think grand manors and proper tea times, making every page feel like a warm hug from a British granny. The mystery was engaging, with a satisfying conclusion that tied up the chaos neatly, leaving me smiling.

Delany’s knack for quirky characters shone, but oof, the Frockmorton family tree was a tangle! Even with a character list, I struggled to keep everyone straight and eventually just rode the story’s flow. The pacing was steady, though the crowded cast slowed me down a bit. Still, the transatlantic charm and Lily’s sleuthing kept me hooked.

One of the best books I’ve read. Ever!

Jo Nichols has taken a familiar setup (a tight-knit group of neighbors, a cozy coastal setting, and a sudden murder) and turned it into something truly special and unique. This isn’t just a quirky mystery; it’s heartfelt, emotionally rich, and beautifully layered.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. I told myself I’d listen to just a little before getting back to work, but hours later, I was still going. Not once did I feel the urge to skip ahead or take a break. Every moment in this story had weight, charm, or purpose (sometimes all three).

The characters are messy, complicated, and real, and the way their lives intersected made my heart ache in the best possible way. There’s humor, grief, love, chaos, and, above all, a sense of found family that stayed with me long after I finished.

And can we talk about the narration? Megan Price absolutely nailed it. Her performance gave every character depth and personality, making the audiobook a completely immersive experience.

I still can’t believe this is Jo Nichols’ debut. The writing is sharp, tender, and confident. I didn’t want the story to end. I kept hoping for one more chapter, one more conversation, one more moment with these characters.

The ARC was an absolute gift. Thank you, NetGalley. I can’t wait for everyone to meet the residents of Marigold Cottages when this gem comes out in August.

I’m a huge fan of Vicki Delaney’s A Year-Round Christmas Mystery series and love spending time with the Wilkinson family: Merry, Matterhorn (or Mattie, the dog), Noel, Vicky, Alan, Dt. Diane Simmonds, and Mrs. Mabel D’Angelo.

One of my favorite moments in this book, and in all of the other books in the series, was seeing how Detective. Diane Simmonds treats Matterhorn, and how Mattie absolutely melts under her attention. The affection between them in every book makes this series so warm and real. Also, the line (or similar in other books) “I know my dad isn’t Santa Claus. But sometimes, I wonder,” really gives me goosebumps. It makes me believe in Christmas all over again, even at almost 40!

That said, O Deadly Night felt a bit underwhelming. The mystery mostly happens to Mrs. D’Angelo rather than through Merry’s sleuthing, with Merry having very little detective work except a few moments. The investigation really picks up whenever Mrs. D’Angelo is on the scene. While this fits the story’s focus, it felt like it would have worked better if the story were told from her point of view.

Still, I enjoyed the relaxed, feel-good vibe of hanging out with Merry’s family without the usual danger or tension . Overall, this story could have been a novella from Mrs. D’Angelo’s POV, but as a novel, it still offers a cozy atmosphere I love in this series.

This might be the first love story I've ever read where nothing sad happens between the couple. And honestly? It was refreshing.

Abby Jimenez delivers a romance that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and sinking into something safe, kind, and quietly beautiful. From the moment Samantha and Xavier meet (at a vet's office, with a tiny kitten in the mix — I mean, come on), their chemistry is instant. There's banter, attraction, and genuine emotional connection from the start.

And then... nothing bad happens.

Yes, there's the issue of long distance. But no dramatic misunderstanding. No delayed confessions that spiral into arguments. The transparency both of them share, the real-life conversations they have, the safe space they hold for each other — maybe a bit too perfect — but honestly, so good to listen to. The emotional maturity between these two makes this book feel like a breath of fresh air.

And can we talk about the narration? Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter brought the characters to life so naturally. Their voices held every quiet feeling, every vulnerable moment, and every playful spark just right.

This next line will probably give it away — I am not a regular romance reader. One thing I really appreciated in this book was the very limited sex scenes, which I could fly over. The rest was just chemistry, connection, and care. (More of this, please!!)

I picked this up as part of the Goodreads Summer Chart-toppers Challenge, and I'm so glad I did. It might be a little idealistic, but sometimes, that's exactly what we need.

DNF at 11%

The narrator is so bland, I could have used autoread and could have felt more engaged.

With this book, I didn't even follow the rule of at least 20% before calling it quits. Couldn't bear to hear her voice any more.

DNF

Why did I read this book? It's so random with the MC going through random rules in life that he's just aceepting... just because..

nothing made sense. After 18% (2 hours and 15 mins) into the audiobook of 10 hours, I had no clue what was happening in the story.

DNF

10% in and I couldnt relate to the book at all. I know it's satire but something has to be engaging. Enabling is not a trait I am fond of reading/listening to.

I'm not giving a star rating as I might not be the right audience for the book, and hence couldn't relate to it.

Read as a part of July Goodreads Challenge - Acclaimed Titles