Pam
I want to thank Grove Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Winter Stories. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Winter Stories is the second book I've read by Ingvild H. Rishøi. She is a master at writing books that reveal the gritty side of life without leaving the reader feeling that all hope is lost. Set in winter, these three stories showcase situations where grit, determination, and a little compassion can go a long way.
Each story is a quick snapshot of a day in the main character's life. Sure, some flashbacks highlight how they found themselves in the situation, but each story unfolds over a few hours. A mom struggling to buy a basic necessity for her daughter. A man trying to adjust to life outside of prison. A teen fighting to keep her family together. You will find yourself wishing you could help each one.
My only issue with the book is the ending of the last story. While the ending of the other two is vague, you still get the gist of what happens. But with the last story, you're left wondering and hoping it all works out in the end.
While the first story is definitely set around Christmas, the others are only set in winter. This isn't a cozy, heartwarming holiday read. This is a glimpse at life that many chose not to see.
I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Secret Nights and Northern Lights. All opinions presented here are my own.
4.5 rounded to 5
I wanted to read this book because of the setting. Iceland is a location I have always wanted to visit, and reading Secret Nights and Northern Lights has made me want to go even more. The descriptions of the landscape help make it easier to imagine what they look like in real life. I will admit, there were parts, though, that didn't feel real, like Oliver had never seen Iceland outside of photos. So, imagine my surprise when I read the author's notes and she explains that the trip Mona and Ben take is very similar to one she took with her partner.
Mona and Ben have known each other since they were kids. Starting as friends in kindergarten, and becoming more as they grew older. They have a lot of history between them. But then he suddenly broke her heart and disappeared from her life. Fourteen years later, he reappeared at her office after she had been offered a dream project. Then they find themself on a trip to Iceland for work.
Throughout their trip, communication has been their most significant issue. Whether it was about their past, or even the reason they're on the trip. Ben kept trying to talk about their past, and Mona kept saying no. Girl, why not? How are you supposed to move ahead if you can't understand the past? And what about being truthful about the reason for the trip? Another stumbling block in the communication is Mona's limited or absent communication with her family.
Overall, Secret Nights and Northern Lights is a fun read and a great glimpse into Iceland. There are some intense and intimate scenes, so consider those if you're interested in reading Secret Nights and Northern Lights. It is a fun read, and I believe it's a book that most people would enjoy.
I want to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Death at the Door. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Death at the Door is the second book in the Ruby and Cordelia mystery series. What makes this cozy mystery series stand out is the fact that one of the characters is actually a ghost. That's right, a ghost! This makes for an unusual investigation.
The book is told from both Ruby and Cordelia's points of view. There's no need to worry, as each chapter is labeled at the beginning. It's pretty interesting to see things from Cordelia's point of view, as she can perceive them but struggles to interact with the living people around her. I've enjoyed watching how she and Ruby work together to communicate.
While the death in the book is resolved, it does raise more questions. The overarching mystery remains unresolved, although that isn't a huge surprise. Why would Blacke want to solve the mystery that ties everything together?
Overall, Blacke's writing style is a bit hard to get into unless you have the time to really focus on reading. I guess what I'm trying to say is this isn't the easiest of cozy mysteries to read, at least in the beginning. Once you get the rhythm, it's easy to read.
I must say that this is one of the few cozy mystery series I would recommend starting from the beginning. The first book in the series, A New Lease on Death, was released in October 2024 and should be readily available.
I want to thank Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Ex-Boyfriend's Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
4.5 Rounded to 5
The Ex-Boyfriend's Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee is based on Saki Kawashiro's actual experiences. While working in a cafe, her story came to the attention of Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
The book is around 300 pages long and contains only eight chapters. As there are so few chapters, each one is over 30 pages in length. While that may feel long, the chapters are all quick and easy reads. Even better, each chapter concludes with a recipe.
Each chapter focuses on a different character trying to find closure or healing with a particular relationship. Not all of the relationships are romance-based. In the end, each chapter discusses the focal character and untying their emotional knots.
Overall, if you've enjoyed reading other cozy Japanese fiction, including The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, you will enjoy reading The Ex-Boyfriend's Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Big Mess in Texas. All opinions presented here are my own.
I was interested in reading this book from the moment I first learned about it. Why? Because I love learning about sports history, especially football and the NFL. And I have never heard the story of the 1952 Dallas Texans.
A Big Mess in Texas feels like an appropriate title for this story. But it could also be titled the Big Scheme of Bert Bell and the NFL. I am not saying that Giles Miller was innocent in his failings. But he was pretty naive about what was needed to be a successful team owner. He didn't surround himself with people who would help him succeed.
Now, about the book, it was an interesting story full of anecdotes about the team and their antics. Like most people who have heard the story, I find it too wild to be true. At the end of the book, the author states that the primary source of information was Miller's own diaries. He also used a few other publications to help him tell the story.
Who would I think would enjoy reading A Big Mess In Texas? Anyone who enjoys reading about sports history, social injustices, and racial struggles in the South.
I want to thank Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Final Orbit. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
4.75 rounded to 5
Final Orbit is the third installment in the Apollo Murders series, and it fits in perfectly! Overall, the series reads much like a Tom Clancy novel. Full of intrigue, mystery, and lots of political implications.
Final Orbit takes the readers back to the depths of space, which is something The Defector did not do.
We are reunited with characters we have known and enjoyed, as well as one that we may have even missed from the first book.
Several characters and events in the book are based on real-life. While what happened in the book with these real people may not have been what really happened, it's nice to consider it all plausible. Hadfield includes a guide at the end of the novel that identifies the real people. He also admits that he may have twisted and adjusted timelines to fit the story, rather than accurately recounting what really happened.
Who would I suggest read this book? Do you like action-adventure movies? What about books set in space? Or books that feature political intrigue, especially from the Cold War era? If you answered yes to these questions, you should definitely give Final Orbit a read.
I want to thank Dial Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance. All opinions presented here are my own.
Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance is an excellent look at doing what's right for oneself versus what's right for everyone else. If you could become a doctor and help your community, would you? What if factors outside of your control prevent you from achieving that goal? You suddenly find a way to pursue those dreams, but it can harm those around you. Would you still do it? Even if it means missing out on true love?
Jules is a woman struggling to do right by herself. She loves her community and wants to become a doctor. But circumstances have prevented her from doing so. When she becomes the new owner of valuable property, Jules is torn between doing what's right for her and what's right for everyone else. Jules knows that if she sells, she can afford to go to school. But if she does, eventually none of her friends will be able to afford to live in town.
Reeve is a man searching for his place. He works for a property development company. But is that what he really wants out of life?
There were a couple of minor errors in the book that I noticed. Ironically, one didn't come to my attention until a few hours after I read the passage. It may not be something that others would notice, but there is mention of two professional teams playing in Toronto on the same night. That is an issue as they both play in the same venue. Given the time of year, this would have been acceptable if the author had chosen a different team. The other was something that only a “local” would realize, and overall, did not impact my enjoyment of the book.
I enjoyed the parts where Jules found herself with Kitty when she was 18, and falling in love with two different men. My heart broke a bit when Kitty made her final decision, but you knew that would be her choice all along. And I am happy to say, I figured out who the other two people in those scenes were before being told near the end of the book.
Overall, Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance is a quick and easy read. Although it exceeds 350 pages, you will find yourself finishing it in no time. And when you do, you'll want to go back and revisit West Lake time and again. If you enjoy reading Lynda Cohen Loigman, I believe you will enjoy reading Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance.
I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect when reading Pick a Color. Yes, I read the synopsis, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. Especially when you realize the book covers a single day. More accurately, it's an 8-hour work shift. That's a lot to squeeze into a book this short.
So what did I find when I started reading Pick a Color? A book that examines the life of someone who others may consider invisible. Ning, like the rest of the Susans, is of South Asian descent. While the book never specifies which country they are from, the author is from Laos. Actually, there's not much discussion as to where the book is set, other than a big city.
The Susans are a group of women who work with and for Ning at her nail salon called Susan. Why did she do that? Because she thought it was cheaper and easier to have all the employees share a name. Besides, who other than them really cares?
While we spend the whole day with Ning, we never really get to know her. We learn what she did before working in a nail salon. But we know she's unhappy and untrusting of people. But why? What made her so distrustful of people and her own emotions?
Overall, Pick a Color is an interesting character study. What do we really know about those around us? Are we ever really open and honest, even with those we consider friends?
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of You Make It Feel Like Christmas. All opinions presented here are my own.
4.5 rounded to 5
You Make It Feel Like Christmas is more than just a hockey romance. Sure, Nick is a hockey player, and he falls for Maisie. But there are discussions of mental health, self-worth, self-care, and family dynamics. All of which are great discussions to have in any book.
Another great thing about this book is that the intimate scenes aren't detailed. There are times you know what Nick and Maisie are doing, but Sullivan doesn't go into details. Instead, she focuses on the emotional side of the moment. You find yourself in the character's mind, watching them fall more deeply in love with the other. Even the scenes in the bathroom are clean, and no, that's not a pun!
While You Make It Feel Like Christmas is a companion to Can't Help Falling in Love, you do not need to read the first to enjoy the second. The only way they are related is that there are a few characters that overlap. Maisie was a side character in Can't Help Falling in Love, and now she's the main. And in all actuality, Maisie has popped up in at least one other of Sullivan's books. Trust me, I will be tracking that one down and probably loving it as much as I've loved all of her other books.
Overall, You Make It Feel Like Christmas will leave you cheering for true love and the magic of Christmas. If you enjoy reading books that feature great chemistry between characters, you will likely enjoy this book. Sullivan has a way of making you fall in love with her settings and her characters.
I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Honey and Heat. All opinions presented here are my own.
Honey and Heat is a companion novel to Sunshine and Spice. But have no fear, you can read this as a standalone. That said, I look forward to reading Sunshine and Spice, as well as any other book Palit releases.
Honey and Heat showcases a woman who knows her worth and is willing to fight for it. It also showcases a man who loves love and will do anything to support those he cares about. If only the two had communicated better, several issues could have been resolved much sooner. That said, if that had happened, the book would have been at least 100 pages shorter. That said, most of Cynthia's issues revolve around her relationship with her parents, rather than Rohit.
There is no wasting time in the book getting to the open-door sex scenes. I believe it was in Chapter 2 or 3. Obviously, with the mention of a one-night stand, you know there's not going to be much of a delay in those scenes. However, you will have to wait a while for more, as Cynthia and Rohit need to focus on their relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Honey and Heat and look forward to reading more from Palit. Who do I think will enjoy reading it? Do you enjoy reading about workplace romances? What about books with strong family connections? Or, ones with sassy leads who learn more about themselves as the book goes on? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should consider reading Honey and Heat.
I want to thank The Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc., Lyons Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Madden & Summerall: How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting. All opinions presented here are my own.
As a kid growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, Madden and Summerall were the voices of my fall. From September through January, every Sunday, my TV was tuned to football. And more often than not, I heard these two men talking about my favorite sport for three hours.
While I loved learning more about Madden and Summerall, their backgrounds made them into the men we all knew and loved; the book was a bit clunky at times. When the author quoted people interviewed for the book, he consistently used the phrase, “when contacted for this book.” Maybe use that phrase at the beginning of the book, or not at all. But it definitely didn't need to be used repeatedly.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with Madden & Summerall. While reading it, I laughed, cried, and definitely smiled! Who do I think would enjoy this book? People like me, who grew up in the 80s and 90s, watched football every week.
I want to thank Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer. All opinions presented here are my own.
4.5 rounded up to 5
CW/TW: death, domestic violence, stalking
Ragnar Jónasson is credited with being the force behind Agatha Christie's books being translated into Icelandic. As such, he finds his way into this book as a brief mention. It was an Easter egg of sorts that made me smile when I read it.
There are three mysteries discussed in this 320-page book. What happened to the mystery writer? How is it connected to events in the past? What happened to Helgi's predecessor? At the end of the book, two of those questions are answered. The way the information is presented at first is a tad confusing; I found myself wondering what one event had to do with the other. But I decided to trust the process. And it worked out in my favor to do so.
There is a subplot that continues from the first book in the series, revolving around domestic violence. It's interesting to see how Jónasson approaches the subject. Without trying to give too much away, I will tell you that Helgi is the victim.
This is the third book I've read by Ragnar Jónasson, and it won't be the last. Who do I think would enjoy reading The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer? As his works are often compared to those of Agatha Christie, I believe anyone who has enjoyed reading her books will also enjoy this one. However, I would recommend starting with Death at the Sanatorium, as it is the first in this series. And there may be some spoilers if you read this one first.
I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library. All opinions presented here are my own.
I will tell you right now that the main reason I wanted to read this book is that it includes Agatha Christie as a character. Books that feature historical figures often pique my interest, as I want to see how the author portrays them. Since I love reading Agatha Christie's books, I also enjoy reading books that feature her.
My biggest issue with the book was in the first third or so, when Tory was stumbling over what to call Mrs. Christie when talking about her to other characters. It kept pulling me out of the book. Yes, I understand her shock and awe at meeting her idol. But her constant stumbling was hard to read. Once she stopped doing that, the book flowed a lot more.
There are several quotes throughout the book from Christie's books, both as chapter headers and in the dialogue. I didn't find them to be spoilers, even though I haven't read all of the books mentioned. And those from the books I have read made me smile.
While I had my suspicions about who the murderer was, it was still a surprise when it was explained. I'm also not 100% sure I believe the murders could have happened in the way described.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library. If you enjoy reading Agatha Christie books, I think you will enjoy reading Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library. I think any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.