Pam
I want to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Door-to-Door Bookstore. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: death, domestic abuse, violence
I wasn't sure what to expect when I came across The Door-to-Door Bookstore, but I decided to take a chance. And boy, am I so glad that I did. I'm not sure I can fully explain how this book makes me feel. It starts off feeling cozy and comfortable. Then moves into happy feelings, followed by some sadness, and ends with that cozy feeling. How can you not want to read a book like that?
The Door-to-Door Bookstore was initially published in 2020 in German and is finally available in English. With some translated works, things feel like they got lost along the way. Maybe it's because the translator is doing a direct translation. Or they didn't understand the author's voice. I didn't have that feeling with this book. The translator, Melody Shaw, did a fantastic job!
How City Gate Bookshop, the physical bookstore, is described at the beginning makes you want to find the store to experience it. As for the characters, Carl is a reader's reader. What I mean by that is he knows exactly what someone needs to read. The cast of Carl's regular customers is so deliciously different from each other that it would be easy to tell who they were if you passed them on a walk through town.
If you enjoyed meeting Ove or Arthur Pepper, I feel you would enjoy meeting Carl Kollhoff! Carl would still be a great character to meet if you haven't met the other gentlemen. Quite honestly, The Door-to-Door Bookstore may be one of my favorite books of 2023! Who wouldn't want to be a Book Walker?
3.75 stars rounded up to 4
The story is a little slow to start, but it is enjoyable. While I had my suspect list figured out pretty early, I was surprised by a few things that happened as the story progressed.
The food is yummy sounding, and thankfully there are recipes at the end of the book to help recreate some of the food at home.
I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Murder is a Piece of Cake. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Murder is a Piece of Cake is the second Baker Street Mystery series book. While it is the second book in the series, it doesn't fall victim to the second-book syndrome. That means Murder is a Piece of Cake is just as enjoyable as Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. The characters continue to grow and change. You are still pulled into the overall mystery that is shrouding New Bison. Even better, just as you think you have it figured out, Burns flips the script and negates that option.
Murder is a Piece of Cake takes place a mere three months after the events of Two Parts Sugar. The bakery is undergoing renovations as a result of a fire. But spring is a time for renewal and growth. And that is precisely what Maddy is trying to do when CJ Davenport arrives in town and shakes things up in a negative way.
An adorable side story is that Baby, Maddy's 250-pound English Mastiff, has fallen in love. I mean, how is that not adorable?
Be warned; there are several mentions of baked goods throughout the book, especially Miss Octavia's Soul Cake and thumbprint cookies. The best part is that there are recipes at the book's end so that you can have a slice of Soul Cake yourself.
Like most cozy mysteries I've read, you don't have to read the first book to understand what's going on in the book. That said, it does help you better understand the story's overall arc.
If you enjoy reading food-based cozy mysteries, you will enjoy reading Murder is a Piece of Cake. I, for one, am looking forward to returning to New Bison in the future!
4.5 rounded up to a 5
I want to thank Wattpad WEBTOON BookGroup, W by Wattpad Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Miss Matched. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Miss Matched is a fun read, and I was hooked from the first chapter. And dare I say, one I would love to see adapted! While the story is told using dual POV, it is easy to understand which character we were with as the chapters were labeled.
The first third of the books is relatively PG, with some hand holding and kissing with one word swear word being used a few time. But once Tayla and Simon get to the bedroom, all bets are off. While the scenes are rather steamy, they are brief overall and only occur a few times in the book.
I enjoyed the fact that Tayla and Simon are both in careers that could be considered outside of the gender -norm. Tayla is a veterinarian and Simon is an ER nurse. Yes, I know there are many females that are vets and males that are nurses, but they aren't careers that are normally considered for their gender. There are a few scenes set in their respected workplaces as well.
The story is a romantic comedy, but there are also some serious parts. There are discussions of healthy relationships and mental health. How does one handled the ending of a long-term relationship? Or rejection?
Overall, Miss Matched is a fun read that I feel most people will connect with.
I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Someone Else's Bucket List. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: death, cancer, grief
I'm not sure why I thought Someone Else's Bucket List would be an easy read, especially given the central theme of death and grief. Maybe it's how the synopsis presents the story, and it made it sound like a fun read about someone learning more about her sister and herself. Don't get me wrong, that does happen, and it's just that there is a heavy layer of sadness and grief as well.
Jody's feelings of loss and duty are raw and honest. She feels it's her responsibility to fill the void her sister left and the mountain of bills that resulted from Bree's illness. Jody is an introvert who is happier watching sports than being the center of attention. But her sense of duty guides her to do what is best for the family.
Some characters are exactly what you would picture with a huge corporate social media account on the line (looking at you, Maya). Others could be your neighbor, the person at the grocery store, or anybody you know. While Ryan is a bit over the top, it makes sense, given the fact he's a CEO of an airline. I want to find a store like Hopper's to visit. It's a bar with a grocery store in the back. And with someone who looks like Thor as the owner, I could enjoy a visit or two.
There is bound to be something in Someone Else's Bucket List for everyone: travel, adventure, romance, drama, and hope!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Thomas Nelson-Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Famous for a Living. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Famous for a Living is a look into the life of influencers, especially those that are super popular. It examines the positives and the negatives without being preachy about either. While I know this is a work of fiction, several good points are made in the book about how people use social media.
When readers first meet Cat, she seems to be a bit of a snob and only cares about what image she gives out. Meanwhile, Zaiah seems to hate being in the city and around other people. The more you learn about them, the more you understand their actions. Uncle Terry is a proud uncle, and Peggy is my idol! I want to be like her when I grow up!
While set in the winter, the descriptions of the settings are enough to make you want to visit the National Parks in Montana. Just be prepared to feel the chill and maybe need to snuggle under a couple of blankets to warm up.
Overall, the Famous for a Living is a fun read. As a clean romance, I feel this is a read that people of any age could enjoy reading. This is the second novel written by Melissa Ferguson that I've read, and it won't be the last. If you enjoy exploring new places, I say you should give Famous for a Living a read!
I want to thank Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Late Bloomers. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4
Late Bloomers is the perfect book for the late bloomers of the world. Why? Because it helps you see that you aren't alone in that aspect, but also that it's okay to let go of the past and try new things. And it is also okay to hold onto things from the past as long as you can see how things have changed around you.
Lata is a woman who was pushed into an arranged marriage, as that is how it was done for her family. She had dreams of her own, but she put them away for her family. Now that the kids are older and her parents have both passed away, she is ready to start living for herself. And who can blame her?
Suresh is a man who worked hard to provide for his family. He thought his wife was happy, as he gave her the things she asked for. When she decides she wants a divorce, it's time for him to reconsider his past.
Priya is a woman who has always tried to be the perfect daughter. While she has an established career, she still feels like she's disappointing her parents. Why? Because she doesn't have a family of her own, like so many of her peers. Is it too late for her to find her happiness?
Nikesh has a great career, a lovely wife, and a beautiful baby boy. What's he got to be unhappy about?
While in different places in their lives, the four are all in the same place and trying to figure out what's next!
The story unfolds over a matter of weeks, and it is difficult to follow the timeline as no set-in-stone dates are mentioned, only that it is August. Following along with each perspective is easy, as the chapters switch between characters but are labeled with the name of the person you are following.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan, and hope she writes more fiction.
