Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 12

The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi, Cat Anderson (Translator) - Book Review

Series: Meals to Remember at the Chibineko Kitchen #1

Publication Date: 04th Feb 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Magic Realism, Drama 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Sad but heartwarming 

In a remote seaside town in Uchibo (near Tokyo), there’s a tiny restaurant that serves remembrance meals. The specialty of this place is that a person who lost their loved ones can meet them one last time during the meal. 

How does this place help people, including the owner? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters. 

My Thoughts: 

This is another feel-good Japanese fiction with a touch of magic realism. The book has three inter-connecting stories. The recipe for the special dish in each story is provided at the end of the section. 

After enjoying Full Moon Coffee Shop, I was eager to read something along the same lines. This is a bit heavier as it deals with death and mourning. However, the vibe is the same – mellow, soothing, reflective, and hopeful. 

Though there’s a cat (a kitten), I felt it was more of a prop. Yeah, the kitten was a cutie but doesn’t have an active role as such. It just walks around and meows. Maybe there will be more of the cute kitten in the subsequent books. 

All three stories are distinct and deal with characters of different ages (which gives us a wide spectrum of backstories and emotions). 

I like how we also get the backstory about the restaurant and sweet Kai. I particularly like how the book ends. It works as a standalone, though I am delighted there will be more books in the series. It would be lovely to see Kai and Kotoko’s characters grow. 

The setting is atmospheric and adds to the impact. We also get some information about the region, the past and the present, so there's something to learn as well.

To summarize, The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen is a bittersweet and heartwarming book about finding solace and moving on after losing a loved one. It shows there’s hope and more to life than grief. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley

The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao - Book Review

Series: The Divine Dancers Duology #1 (Cliffhanger)

Publication Date: 21st Jan 2025

Genre: Hindu Puranic Retelling

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Full stars for the Shiva chapter

Meneka is one of the apsaras of Indra’s court and apowerful weapon. Her power is the art of seduction – to use dance and illusionto defeat Indra’s enemies and prevent heaven from losing its magic. However,Meneka no longer wants to do this. She wants to stay in Amaravathi, Indra’skingdom, and use her talents there.

However, Indra offers her a deal – seduce Kaushikaand prove her devotion to Amaravthi to get what she wants. Meneka agreesknowing the new mission is near impossible. Kaushika may have become a sage buthe was a well-feared Kshatriya with warrior instincts. By channeling the sameintensity, he became a sage with tremendous magic intent on waging waragainst Indra.

Will Meneka be successful in her mission or will sheget more than what she bargained for and at what cost?

The story comes in Meneka’s first-person POV in thepresent tense.

My Thoughts:

Though I’m wary of retellings exploring HinduPuranic and Ithihasic stories, I did want to try this after someone recommendedthe author’s previous books. The lower rating scared and worried me. NGL, Ipostponed this to read closer to the pub date as I didn’t want a repeat ofKaikeyi.

Patel’s Kaikeyi is nothing more than a distorted andcolonized take on something sacred to my culture. All those comparing Legend ofMeneka to that nonsense in a perfumed package have absolutely missed all thenuances that make this a Hindu book. The sad state is that even the officialpromotion does it!

Moreover, marketing this book using popular tropeshas done it a disservice. I know, readers need a checklist these days; the tagsare important; the comparisons are important; even more than the book itself.But, a book is much more than its tropes.

Enemies to lovers, romantasy, cozy fantasy, spicy,et al… well, the tags are right but only if you know the core context. Otherwise,these won’t make sense or feel incorrect.

Legend of Meneka is not just lust, seduction, orspice. It is an exploration of sringara and Kama at physical, emotional,spiritual, and cosmic levels. It is the celebration of the union of divinemasculine and divine feminine without which this universe wouldn’t exist. Whenit talks of Shiva and Shakti in terms of lingam and yoni, it transcends themortal desire for flesh and sexual gratification. It is the pulsing life thatensures the universe thrums with neverending energy to preventself-destruction. Without the union of Shiva and Shakti, there is no life, noprana, no jeeva, and no prakriti. Love is too small a word to encompass therelationship of Shiva and Shakti. They are two halves of a whole, theArdhanareeshwara, the perfect balance of divine masculine and divinefeminine. 

Though the author uses the word lust in the story,she switches to the actual term in her note –Kama. Lust doesn’t define Kama asit is only a part of it. Kama is one of the Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama,and Moksha) and a part of our lives. We have only reduced their true meaningswith our incorrect translations to English. Lust might be a sin but Kama isnecessary and has to be balanced with Dharma and Artha to travel the path toMoksha (Artha and Kama have to be discarded at the appropriate stage).Kama is not limited to physical and material aspects; it never has been.

When something so intricate and integral to Hinduismis removed from its framework, the result is a diluted and surface-levelnarrative that limits the story to the physical realm. Those unfamiliar withthe core details miss out on the nuance; it doesn’t exist for them. It’s muchlike how yoga became a billion-dollar industry of stretching exercises withfancy and exotic names. It has no soul. Similarly, when the Hindu framework isremoved/ ignored/ avoided, this book ends up as a weak YA story of a whinyheroine and a grumpy hero. 

Before I dive into the details, let me share a shortversion of the original. This isn’t an individual story but is mentioned indifferent places as a part of the backstory.

Summary of the Original

Meneka is one of the three celestial apsaras –Rambha, Urvashi, and Meneka. They live in Indra’s kingdom (heaven with acapital city named Amaravati) and dance in his court for entertainment (theirsand others). They are also spies and seducers whenever necessary.

Kaushika aka Vishwamitra is a king who left hisKshatriya dharma to become the best rishi in the world. He wanted to becomeBrahmarishi (think of it as a topmost title) and be called this byVashishta. Kaushika as a king once visited Vashishta’s ashram, and somethinghappened. This makes him determined to be the greatest rishi (never mindthat the concept of being a rishi is to denounce such traits, somethinghe learns after a long time). He attains a higher state through penance butloses it when he helps a king called Trishanku by creating an exclusive heavenfor him. He starts fresh again and wants to show Indra and others what he iscapable of.

Indra isn’t going to sit idle, right? He sendsMeneka to disrupt Kaushika’s penance. If Kaushika had really given up worldlypleasures, he wouldn’t be swayed and might become worthy of the title he seeks.If not, well…

Meneka goes to seduce Kaushika and the result istheir baby girl Shakuntala. Meneka leaves the newborn outside Rishi Kanva’sashram and returns to heaven. Kaushika starts his tapasya once again, finallyproves his worth, and becomes Vishwamitra the Brahmarishi.

The cookie-cutter version makes it seem likeKaushika and Meneka had a one-nighter or a fling. However, it was likely to bean affair that lasted a solid few months or years that ended with Meneka’spregnancy/ Shakuntala’s birth.

The second half dealing with Indra sending Meneka toKaushika is provided as a backstory in Shakuntala’s story in the Mahabharata(Adi Parva). The first half can be found in the Ramayana.

The author took different versions of this story andused creative liberties to spin a tale of magic, love, lust, seduction, andpower strongly rooted in Hinduism.

While her MMC retained the core traits of Kaushika,she gave her own spin to Meneka (which is where I believe things went a bitsouth).

Characters

Kaushika is a Kshatriya turned Brahmin. The blend ofboth has given him an advantage and a disadvantage. I don’t use the terms inthe ‘caste’ sense. Not even varna or jati. I talk of them as gunas (personalitytraits). A Kshatriya is a warrior born and trained to protect, rule, govern,and spends most of his years as a grihasta (a married man). A Brahmin is leanerborn and trained to study, acquire knowledge, gain wisdom, and attain a balanceof mind that prevents partiality, pride, anger, and grief. It’s a life-longtapasya to constantly improve oneself; not for accolades but for the peace feltwhen one separates themselves from the rest of the world.

Those who know Vishwamitra (even the movies/ TVversion should be enough) can easily see Kaushika. The aloof grumpy herowith a temper is not an archetype. It is him. It is who he is, and hasalways been. The author retained his essence perfectly. I had zero issues visualizinghim as I read the book.

She did the same for Indra – who can be a hero, villain,or both. He is a complicated deva with an abundance of grey shades. After all,he is my god even if he is not my God. Rambha is much like how I expectan apsara to be.

I think the issue lies with Meneka’scharacterization. Since we don’t get much information about her, the authorcreated someone vulnerable and naïve possibly to showcase her growth. A greatidea. However, the execution makes her sound whiny at times. While I can seeher conflict, I don’t think it makes much sense when you ignore the Hinduframework. She pales as a new adult who whines and cries and cannot decide whatto do. But within the framework, she presents the conflict of dharma. I thinkusing the word loyalty in place of devotion for Indra might have helped.

Themes  

The book deals with many themes like loyalty, love,friendships, devotion, dharma, etc. The core of it is finding oneself. Iwouldn’t have minded if Meneka found herself earlier than she did. I preferstrong FMCs, so there have been instances when I wanted to shake sense intoher. Still, when it happened, it was beautiful. Diversity is another theme thatblends with everything else. The devas would hardly bother with the genderrules humans like to define! They accept everything as natural. Beautiful!

The book has spice but only around 2.5. That may notbe enough for those who want a spice romantasy. It works for me as I can seethe elements of sringara rasa, which is integral to my culture. It is one ofthe nava rasas (nine flavors, to put it loosely). It blends romance,love, lust, desire, seduction, sensuality, and erotica but is a lot more thanthese. English really doesn’t do justice to the word. There’s no exacttranslation. For an apsara, sringara is in every fiber of her being. She is it.In the book, their interactions are a heady blend of everything with a gooddose of vulnerability. Maybe more spice might have helped but it is notnecessary. What we get here is a slow dance where every move is full oferoticism that stems from genuine feelings.

World-building and Magic System

The world-building is also Hindu. It is colorful,vibrant, rich, and full of life. Be it Amaravati or Kaushika’s ashram, opulenceor earthiness, everything is inherent to my culture. Even though the choice ofkurta-pajama as costumes took a while to get used to, the saris, jewelry,topknots, dhoti, etc., are familiar and comforting.

I love the use of scents to describe the characters.I could feel and smell them. Star anise for Rambha – what a choice! Potent andspicy, exciting and mysterious, and a touch of sweetness with a bite that candraw blood; most importantly, best in small quantities or it will overpower thedish.

Magic is inherent to our essence. It is the pranathat keeps us hoping and living. In the book, magic comes from prana (thesource of life). It is represented by the elements (fire, wind, water,and earth), the pancha bhootas that sustain life.

While it may seem silly for ‘love’ to be the key, itis apt. It is the truth. For an apsara, it is the most vital differentiatingfactor. The key couldn’t have been anything else. Nothing would make senseother than love. It is this love that resulted in the birth of Shakuntala.

I could easily visualize every scene in the book, beit the setting, the intimacy, the dance, or the magic. It helps that I knowwhat a Kalpavriksha is or what Sri Yantra looks like. Not being familiar withthese elements will make a difference to your reading experience.

Shiva and Ending

I’m not a crier when I read books. I read too manywords a day for them to touch my heart. So, when a book makes me teary-eyed, Igive it grace marks. But this made me cry; not for the characters, though. I wasa little annoyed by Meneka by then.

The tears had everything to do with Shiva in thatone chapter. The tears are a response to the beauty of love for Shiva. Theauthor must be a Shiv bhakt. You cannot fake bhakti like this (at least Ithink it cannot be). Words carry intentions that seep through at somepoint. All I feel here is love and devotion that comes from deep trust; notsomething we are expected to display but something that’s a part of our soul. Ican only pray I’m right. If book two proves me otherwise, it’ll be a lesson Ihave to learn.

The ending is open since the whole thing willconclude in the sequel. Meneka has decent growth, so I hope it sustains andincreases in the next book instead of crashing to zero and starting again. Thestakes are high, and I prefer we have a heroine capable of more transparencyand self-reflection. Don’t turn her into a new adult again. Let her continue tobloom. And… give us a beautiful chapter with Shakti.

To summarize, The Legend of Meneka is an unapologeticallyHindu story filled with symbolism from my culture. Not many will understand thenuances. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s a glossary at the beginning (a great idea)and the final version will have a map as well. Don’t miss the author’s note. Itmight help understand the book a little more (if you couldn’t).

Thank you, NetGalley, and Harper Voyager, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheLegendOfMeneka 

Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Jan 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

3 Stars 

One Liner: heartwarming, but didn’t like the ending 

Emmie Brown knew her mum, Nellie Brown, adopted her as a baby and gave her the best life she could. Now, two years after Nellie’s death, Emmie is begging to feel the burnout of the routine she still follows. Running Parsley Pasties at the airport with the same menu and no inclination for a social life starts to weigh her down. 

An impulsive decision reveals a box in her mother’s wardrobe and a stack of letters from someone named G from Siskin. Emmie does the unexpected and travels to the Isle of Siskin, a beautiful island with around three thousand population. Pip Hawkins, the handsome agriculture student, and her crush may also be a reason for this trip, but Emmie wants to find out who G is. 

Can this trip help Emmie find her true self as well as some answers? 

The story comes in Emmie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is my first book by the author. I quite enjoyed most of it, especially the descriptions of the island and Emmie’s growth up to a point. 

Though there’s some crushing and romance, this is not a love story. It is women’s fiction focusing on the MC making changes to her routine and learning to be herself. 

Despite the rigidity and routine, there’s no denying that Emmie’s mum loved her. It’s evident throughout the book (and there’s a valid reason for why she became this way). 

The way the letters were incorporated into the narration is beautiful and just right. The letters are spaced apart and provide character backstories and support the plot. 

Some of the side characters are cool. I just love the kids and their diverse personalities. We also see how not everyone being nice to someone is a good person and vice-versa. 

There’s a sort of mystery where the FMC is targeted by someone with a grudge. This blows up quite a bit, and therein lies my problem. 

The last 20% covers months of progress, while the first 80% deals with a couple of weeks. This doesn’t really help, but okay. I can see why it was necessary. 

However, the last chapter doesn’t sit right with me. It’s like all of Emmie’s growth has been overshadowed by a side character. Where is consent? What about setting boundaries? What about letting someone make up their mind even if it took them a few months? Ridiculous! 

This might have still worked if the drama wasn’t exaggerated in the middle. Acting like nothing’s happened after that level of unhingedness is insanity. How would she even feel safe with them? How to trust someone like that? 

The rating was close to 4 stars, but the way we reached the conclusion, I cannot rate it more than 3. I’m surprised no one (until now) found it odd. I love HEA more than anything else, but not like this. It needs to be better. And there’s no epilogue either, so we don’t know how they handled it afterward. 

To summarize, Have I Told You Lately has a lovely premise and some good themes to think about, but it left me dissatisfied with how the issue was handled at the end. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #HaveIToldYouLately

The Storyteller's Daughter by Victoria Scott - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 15th Jan 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/storytellersdaughter

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214046937-the-storyteller-s-daughter

Genre: Mystery, Drama, Dual Timeline

3.8 stars

One Liner: A bit slow but poignant

Book Blurb:

A secret buried for decades… A storythat will change everything.

1940: Whentwenty-one-year-old Nita Bineham is offered the chance of independence, awayfrom the high walls of her family’s Surrey estate, she grasps it with bothhands. But her new role at a local newspaper coincides with the emergence of asinister rumor in their quiet village: that there is a traitor in their midst.Nita is determined to prove herself by uncovering the truth, but is sheprepared for revelations that could change her life forever?

2008: Following thedeath of her great aunt, Beth flees London for the privacy of rural Surrey.Within the confines of her family’s dilapidated manor house, she hides from thedual wreckage of her career and her marriage. But when her aunt’s dying wordslead her to a stack of old newspaper articles, Beth finds herself drawn into adecades-old mystery: about a long-buried secret, and an enemy dangerously closeto home.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in the third-person POV of Beth (inpresent tense) and Nita (also in present tense) in alternating chapters.

The prologue provides a great hook and hints at thedanger we’ll read about. However, it turns out to be a snippet from one of thelater chapters. While I like prologues, I want them to add extra value to theplot and not repeat an existing element. That means, a certain reveal isexposed right on the first page.

The first 25% is slow as the foundation isestablished in both timelines. Thankfully, the pace picks up a little after 30%or so. The alternating chapters ensure we get enough information in bothtimelines. It does feel a little strange to read the past track in the presenttense but okay. Not a deal breaker.

For a change, I liked both timelines well. Thecharacters are flawed but not annoying. They make mistakes but are willing tolearn and do what’s right for their future. I also like the parallels betweenNita and Beth’s arcs though the situations are different. We can still see thesimilarities, though.

The parents in this book are ugh! The sidecharacters are good; be it Harriet or Rowan, I like how sweet and affectionatethey are. Kindness matters.

Things come together well at the end. There’s even asurprising twist which I liked a lot. The ending is hopeful and positive with ahint of potential love. It doesn’t overpower the plot at any point.

Wiccan has a dominant role in the book. I didn’texpect that but well, I like all things pagan, so this is good. The definitionis positive and well-presented. I wouldn’t have minded a little more detailinto this element. Also, I’m not sure if the ‘possibly paranormal but mayberational’ events that happen in the book. You either make them supernatural oryou don’t.

WWII is the backdrop for the past timeline but thefocus is on Nita and her life. Of course, the book deals with many themes likegender discrimination, war, working-class troubles, financial concerns, selfishparents, marital trouble, etc. One piece of advice by Rowan was wonderful.Appreciate that.

While the title fits the story in two ways, I stilldon’t think it is that suitable for the overall plotline. But then, I haveenough trouble naming my stories, so don’t listen to me!

To summarize, The Storyteller's Daughter is apoignant and slightly heavier read about love, life, second chances,relationships, and finding oneself.

I liked it a lot more than the author’s previousbook (The House on Water), so I’m looking forward to her next release.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources andBoldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honestopinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Victoria Scott

Victoria Scott has been a journalist for many mediaoutlets including the BBC and TheTelegraph. She is the author of three novelspublished by Head of Zeus. Her first book for Boldwood is a Gothic timeslipnovel, The House in the Water.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @VictoriaScottJournalist

Twitter: @Toryscott

Instagram: @victoriascottauthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/VictoriaScottNews

Bookbub Profile: @toryscott

***

This has been a stop on the #TheStorytellersDaughterblog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!

Head Cases by John McMahon - Book Review

Series: PAR Unit #1

Publication Date: 28th Jan 2025

Genre: Police Procedural, FBI Thriller  

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining but don’t think too much about it 

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius and one of the four super-talented agents at the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit. Of course, this comes at the cost of human emotions, something he fails to achieve even with his seven-year-old daughter. 

When the DNA of a new victim reveals he was recorded dead seven years ago, Gardner is called to investigate the case (along with his team). A second death occurs, starting a pattern they need to break to stop the killer from committing more murders. 

However, things are complicated, and the killer knows a lot more about PAR and its members than they do. Can Gardner and his team solve it before their lives are in danger? 

The story comes in Gardner’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The premise screams high competence coupled with wonder kid-type talent which made me want to read the book. The 4-star reviews by friends sealed my decision. Despite the flaws, I don’t regret reading it. In fact, I want the series to be longer than two books (with the hope that the flaws get addressed). 

The initial 30% is slow despite starting with the murder. We also get details about the team members and teeny backstories. The foundation is laid, so makes sense that the pacing dips. The second half was pretty fast for me. It sustained the momentum with reveals and twists. Is some of it a bit too convenient? Yeah, it is but still fun. 

Each member of the team has a distinct ability and a reason for being in PAR, and the reasons aren’t always good. While this adds some layers to the characters, there isn’t enough to turn them into strong personalities. Gardner gets better profiling since he is the MC and the voice of the book. His personal life is rather interesting, something similar yet different to what we tend to see in the genre. 

The investigative part was cool, especially since we have these competent fellas working on the same. They are still human - make mistakes, miss clues, and even go in circles. But hey, you can notice they are good at what they do. 

The MC likes to share random insights and facts. Since this doesn’t get excessive, I liked how it added to his personality. Don’t bother about connecting with him or others. It’s not likely that we will. Think of it as a TV show (Criminal Minds maybe) in book form. 

The MC’s mother has a short yet important role. I hope she will be featured in the next book too. His daughter is certainly interesting but we don’t see enough to get an idea. Of course, she’s just a sweet seven-year-old. 

Naturally, there are office politics but it doesn’t overpower the central plot. It is woven into the mystery and provides a smooth landing for the ending and maybe a lead for the next book. 

To summarize, Head Cases is an entertaining novel if you like FBI-style police procedurals with highly talented characters. While it has a few issues, there’s no denying that I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one. 

My thanks to Steve Erickson, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for eARC. 

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th Jan 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A slow-paced introspective read

Chryssy Hua Williams, a Chinese American herbalist never believed in the family curse that left all Hua women heartbroken. However, after her ninth breakup, she could no longer ignore it. Deciding that love isn’t for them, Chryssy joins her three aunts to start In Full Bloom an inn where they cure heartbreak using Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Vin Chaos and his brother Leo are famous musicians with a reputation for breaking hearts. Even their band is called Heartbreak. A chance meeting between Vin and Chryssy becomes viral. Vin needs her to be his fake girlfriend for tour promotions. Chryssy decides Vin could help promote her tea brand as well. A beneficial deal for sure!  

Well, love might have other plans but what about the curse? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Chryssy and Vin. 

My Thoughts: 

The premise is quite fun, though my main reason for grabbing the book is TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). It has similarities with Ayurveda (both are ancient and use natural medicine). In that aspect, I enjoyed the information provided – the properties of flowers and herbs, the importance of balancing Qi (possibly equal to prakriti/ prana), and the need for self-discipline to improve our health. 

This is an #ownvoices book, so the cultural aspects are just right without being OTT. The aunts and family members are diverse and quirky, much like our Indian relatives. 

The main characters started out well. I liked Chryssy. She is cool, composed, and independent. A bit too independent maybe but I won’t hold it against her. Vin started out average but gained some depth as the story progressed. I liked his brother as well (and want to know if he’ll have a book of his own). 

The dual POV, though helpful, wasn’t easy to read. I often got confused between their voices and had to check whose POV it was in that chapter. The voices need to be more distinct, especially Vin’s, which didn’t help in understanding his personality. 

Since this is primarily a romance, the chemistry had to be good. Sadly, the graph fell flat here. Their interactions were nice, friendly even but the spark wasn’t there. This dampened things a bit.  There were all the necessary scenes, gestures, and dialogues but somehow I couldn’t feel the vibe. There’s only a little spice, thankfully. 

The pacing is on the slower side, something I did not expect. Maybe it was because of the explanations and internal thoughts. I didn’t mind the detail about TCM (I wanted it), so can’t really complain. 

The curse part was decently handled (no magic realism and all that). I liked the discussion around it, though. The exploration of what a supposed curse did to multiple generations of women and how it shaped their lives, identities, and relationships with themselves and others was portrayed very well. It doesn’t get overwhelming or excessively dramatic. 

There’s a lovely author’s note at the end and a couple of recipes (another surprise). I understand what she says about the stereotyping and distrust in TCM. Despite the various benefits and success rate, Ayurveda faces similar discrimination. 

To summarize, Yin Yang Love Song is a story of not just finding love but also of self-care, breaking generational cycles, taking care of our health (physical, psychological, and emotional), and realizing that our fears don’t have to dictate our actions. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #YinYangLoveSong

Shadow at the Morgue by Cara Devlin - Book Review

Series: Spencer & Reid Mysteries #1

Publication Date: 25th Jan 2025 

Genre: Dark Historical Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Intriguing 

1884

Leonora Spencer, a twenty-five-year-old, has been haunted by the unsolved mystery of her family’s death for years. She is her uncle’s apprentice and helps him perform post-mortems of the dead (police surgeon) and keep the records. What starts as a simple thievery in the morgue leads to a potential gang war. No way, Leonora (Leo) is going to sit idle and let others lead. 

Jasper Reid became the Inspector after his father’s retirement. As someone born and bred on the streets, he is determined to keep his past separate from his present. He would abide by the laws and follow the rules. However, when Leo doesn’t let him handle the investigation alone, Jasper needs to uncover the mystery quickly. After all, both their lives are in danger. 

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

I read the first book of the author’s previous series (Bow Street Duchess) with a grand plan to continue with all the subsequent books. But I couldn’t do it back then, so one day, I’ll binge on those books. Now, I’m again determined to follow this series and read all the books around the release dates. Fingers crossed! 

Since this is the first of the series, it takes time to establish the setting and the backstories of the characters. There’s some repetition as well but considering the steady pace and action, it doesn’t bother me much. 

Leo and Jasper are intriguing characters with dark pasts. They are currently frenemies and likely to become lovers as the series progresses. The tension is easy enough to spot, though I guess it’ll take them a while to make the move. Not gonna deny I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds (I have three theories already). 

Admittedly, I oscillated between liking Leo and Jasper, though both are decent. Jasper’s backstory is bound to be as interesting as Leo’s. Likely that these will form the overarching plot and will be resolved closer to the end of the series. 

The mystery starts out simple but gets complex as new details emerge. Leo does act impulsively and needs to keep her mouth shut sometimes. Hopefully, she’ll learn that some information should be kept secret when an investigation is underway. It’s not like she can’t keep a secret! Jasper scores higher in this area. 

The book ends on the right note. The case has been solved, though a couple of teeny questions don’t get answers. I presume we’ll meet one of those characters again and know more. Let’s see. 

There are too many characters, and some of them will be regular repeats. Makes sense since there are police, and they have a fairly large staff. 

To summarize, Shadow at the Morgue is a solid start to a new historical mystery set in the darker side of London. The next book will be out in March, so I hope to get the ARC in Feb! 

I have to mention that I don’t like this new trend where Indian women seem to fall head over heels in love with the colonizers (Britishers).  There may have been a few cases but let’s be honest. Many women were forcefully kept as mistresses by the white rulers to enjoy in another country while their dainty wives lived in England. I’m sure it’s the same in most countries they plundered. It wasn’t just the natural resources they abused. 

Thank you, BookSirens and the author, for eARC. 

If the Ring Fits by Camilla Isley - Book Review

Series: Funny Feelings #2 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 25th Jan 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Cute! 

Investment banker Adrian is a high-profile CIO with a successful career and no personal life. He is confident in his abilities but finds out he needs to impress his CEO and comes up with a non-existent fiancée.  Where can he find one now? 

Rowena is a software engineer who finds out she is pregnant with her douchebag ex’s child and loses her job on the same day. When her path crosses with Adrain, he offers an agreement that could help her find her feet. 

Will the fake engagement and marriage lead to true love? 

The story comes in Rowena and Adrain’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

The book is standalone. I didn’t read the previous book in the series but it didn’t affect my enjoyment. 

The beginning is quite a hook. The first chapter starts at ‘present’ of sorts and has high tension ending with a cliffhanger. Then, we get the flashback from both POVs. 

The book combines quite a few tropes – fake dating/ marriage, age gap (11 years), one bed, surprise pregnancy, women in STEM, etc. I like that the age gap is not emphasized much after the initial mention. It doesn’t as such have a vital role but kinda makes the MMC appear mature. 

Though the FMC is in STEM, it plays a relatively moderate role in the plot. This one focuses on their fake relationship and her pregnancy most of the time. 

The FMC is cute enough, though I’m not sure the nickname suits her. She doesn’t really come across as Sunshine. Makes sense considering she has enough concerns about her future. She is quirky but even that doesn’t exactly hit right. We are told her ex didn’t like her humor but it wasn’t that weird, IMO. However, I chuckled a few times so the banter was fun to read. 

The side characters are interesting (one couple is from the previous book). Another couple from a different book (I read that one!) also made a guest appearance. It was a nice surprise. Of course, the ex was a huge jerk (pretty stereotypical and has a teeny part). 

Despite the sexual tension, the book ended up being closed door. Strange! Those who want to read the ‘action’ can subscribe to her newsletter. 

The pacing is decent, moderate to fast, and keeps the story moving. Despite being the archetype, the MMC displays good growth. I like that it is steady and aligns with who he appears to be. No immature drama either (from his side). 

To summarize, If the Ring Fits is an entertaining and cute romance if you enjoy the said tropes. It has a few issues but is a satisfactory read overall. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #IfTheRingFits

Death in the Hills by Kate Wells - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Malvern Farm Mystery #4

Publication Date: 07th Jan 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/DeathHills

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214283909-death-in-the-hills

Genre: Small Town Dark Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: Another good mystery

Book Blurb:

This is no peaceful walk in thecountryside…

When Jude Gray and DI Binnie Khatri join a localwalking group, their expectations for a peaceful outing to the Malvern Hillstake a grim turn. Arguments abound, and the hike ends in tragedy when one ofthe walkers is found dead in her car.

Initially ruled as an accident, Jude's instinctstell her there’s more to the story.

As Jude and Binnie dig deeper, they uncover tensionsand secrets within the group. From hidden affairs to longstanding rivalries, itbecomes clear this death was no accident.

With each revelation, the danger grows. Can Jude andBinnie unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again?

A gripping addition to the Malvern FarmMystery series, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, Merryn Allingham, andFaith Martin.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Jude’s third-person POV.

This is the fourth book in the series but themystery works as a standalone. It is a dark cozy, so there might be a couple oftriggers.

It doesn’t take long to notice that things aren’tgreat with the walking group. The characters stand out making it easy to trackwho is who despite being introduced to a bunch of them at once.

Jude and Binnie give everything to investigate thecase(s) as always. Of course, Jude does a lot more since she is the heroine ofthe series. She also has a farm to manage and a neverending list of tasks.

I like that Granny Margot has more presence in thebook. Moreover, she shares vital insights that guide Jude in a new direction.Hoping to read more of her in the coming books.

The reveal comes in stages with a few red herringsand keeps the reader hooked. While the details and the rest make sense, I wishthey weren’t revealed so easily (yeah, there’s some risk involved but still).

Jude seems to be in two minds about her love life orthe lack of it. I can’t understand her thought process here. It’s toomercurial. Since I didn’t particularly like Marco, I don’t care one way or theother.

The family element really shines. Jude’srelationship with her sister, nephew, and Noah is heartwarming. I like theprogress here. An important step for sure.

In the author’s note, the author mentions there willbe eight more books (the series should conclude by the end of 2027). Count mein!  

To summarize, Death in the Hills is steady-paceddark cozy mystery with enough secrets and suspects to keep you reading.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources andBoldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honestopinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Kate Wells

Kate Wells is the author of a number ofwell-reviewed books for children and is now writing a new cozy crime series setin the Malvern Hills, inspired by the farm where she grew up. Boldwood haspublished the first title, Murder at Malvern Farm, in August 2023.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @KateWellsPoels

Twitter: @KatePoels

Instagram: @KatePoelsWrites

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KateWellsNews

Bookbub Profile: @katewellscrime

***

This has been a stop on the #DeathInTheHills blogtour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!

The One Before the One by Emma Cooper - Book Review

Publication Date: 31st Jan 2025

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Got potential but ends up lukewarm 

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappeared. 

Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right to save Kit. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, whom will she choose? 

The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever. 

I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened. 

The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing. 

Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes! 

However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance? 

As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that! 

Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance. 

Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.  

There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it). 

To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne