Lady Avely's Guide to Truth and Magic

An entertaining cozy mystery, cozy fantasy, and slow-burn romance all in one! It was refreshing reading about an attractive matron getting her second chance at romance while re-learning how to be just herself; not mom, not wife, not widow. I felt like I was reading a slower-burn, closed door version of Amanda Quick's historical fantasy romance mysteries. If you like CJ Archer or Deanna Raybourn, you'll be right at home! While this is a spin-off series, you don't have to read the Lady Jewel Diviner to dive into this world. In fact, I've had that book in my TBR for a while and intend to devour it now that I've fallen in love with that heroine's mother.

The interludes were well-done, slowly unfolding a sad romantic past and building the tension in the present. Indeed, this is a very slow-burn. Don't expect anything physical to happen in this book, my guess is we won't get anything until Book 2 or maybe even Book 3. The mystery had twists and turns, and were a good plot device to force the hero and heroine to work together after a long separation.The banter got better as the story moved along and emotional walls broke down between our hero and heroine.

All in all, a fun, cozy, second-chance mystery that promises a satisfying series and I hope a delightful interlude where the slow-burn catches fire.