Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 20

The Storyteller's Tale by Judith Bouilloc - Book Review

Publication Date: 21st August 2024 

Genre: YA Fantasy 

3 Stars 

One Liner: A light and fluffy read 

Iliad is a young woman who loves books. She is a snatchword, a person who can snatch words from paper/ stories and make them come alive as images (think of historical-style holograph). She is happy in the library where she works but is delighted to get an invite from the Queen of Esmeria to be her personal storyteller. 

However, this commoner also gets a marriage proposal from a mysterious member of the royal family. Iliad goes to the capital to meet the queen and find out who her suitor is. For a girl used to simple life and bookish fantasies, the life and rules of the royals are overwhelming and exhausting. Of course, what’s a trip to the capital without getting involved in some royal coup? 

The story comes in Iliad’s third-person POV with random bits from Lord Tarlyn’s POV (third). 

My Thoughts: 

This is a translation of a French book, L'Arrache-mots, first published in 2019. No idea about the original language but the translation (by Madeline S. White) seems to be decent. The sentence flow is poetic and whimsical where it should be and normal at the other places. 

It’s a short book (200-odd pages), which means the world-building is not elaborate. There’s enough information to imagine the setting but no real explanation of what, why, and how. It didn’t bother me much as I could go with the flow. 

Iliad’s family is large, so they take up some space but have bare minimum roles (except for a couple). I wish there was more character development.  

Iliad is a typical bookish character – wishy-washy, living in a fantasy world, temperamental, naïve, etc. She is not always easy to empathize with due to her random reactions. Also, she is supposed to be 24 but reads more like a 17-18 year old. 

The MMC doesn’t enter until after 30% and is your grumpy, brooding but good guy (think of the Beast) with secrets, et al. His arc could have been great if he got enough space to prove himself. 

Grandma Cassandra (Iliad’s granny) is a fun character initially, though she does feel stereotypical after a point. The same complaint applies to all characters. I did like the King and Virginia more than everyone else. 

Despite having adult-aged characters, the book is aimed at the younger audience. This doesn’t allow for a detailed plot (though some YA books are quite elaborate). While it is good for the pacing, everything remains surface-level. 

There are quite a few snippets from classics that have clear footnotes (I read footnotes together at the end), though skipping the notes shouldn’t make any difference. The chosen snippet does the job well. 

To summarize, The Storyteller's Tale has an interesting premise and string bare bones but needs more development to reach its full potential. Right now, it’s a nice little palate cleanser to pick up between heavy reads. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Rivka Publishing, for eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheStorytellersTale

'Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson - Book Review

Publication Date: 11th Sep 2024

Genre: Christmas Contemporary Fiction 

3.7 stars 

One Liner: A heartwarming read (though some of it could have been better) 

Old friends and women in their forties, Shelley, Pearl, and Lena decide to take a break for three days before Christmas and go to stay at a B&B in the Highlands. When they get snowed in and realize they cannot go back to celebrate the festival with their families, the women have to face the real reasons for their escape and decide what they want to do with their lives when they go back. 

Will they continue with their old lives and same old frustrations or find the courage to break the patterns? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Shelley, Pearl, and Lena, with a few chapters from Joel, Tommy, Michael, and Martha’s POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is a quick yet heartwarming story about three women and how they face the issues in their lives (and come out stronger). Given the premise, I wasn’t looking for romance. There’s a bit of new love but the focus is on how three women deal with different situations. 

It was heartwarming to read about their friendship. They share a deep bond, and it shows in their interactions. 

The Highland setting during Christmas, the snow, and the cozy B&B are beautiful. I enjoyed the descriptions that provide the necessary detail but don’t distract the reader from the plot. 

There’s a cute doggie, Stan, who is adorable. Then, there is a five-year-old guest, Theo, who is NOT cute; a proper brat! 

The side characters are decently done. Not too deep but works for the plot. We hate those we need to hate and feel bad for those who need our sympathy. However, I did want more from Tommy’s character and was disappointed a little. 

It seems that teenagers are given a free pass for certain things. Since a couple of important questions are not answered, I’m left wondering about their intentions. Can’t say I could feel bad for them (in fact, it’s the opposite). 

While the ending is hopeful for all three ladies, I do wish Lena’s track and Brandon’s track were explored a little more. A kind partner is an asset. But a weak person with a kind heart is a headache.

Anyway, the book ends on a positive note and suits the Christmas mood with a bittersweet-cum-hopeful vibes. 

To summarize, 'Tis the Damn Season is a quick read about three women whose time away from their families helps them reevaluate their lives and make some much-needed decisions. You can finish in a single sitting (or two). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TistheDamnSeason

The Start of the Story by Jane Lovering - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 17th Sep 2024

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213583929-the-start-of-the-story

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Needs patience in the first quarter

Book Blurb:

Rowan Thorpe can be forgiven for living with onefoot in the past.

Since having to say goodbye far too young to thefuture she had planned, moving on still feels like a daunting task. So, whenhistorian Connor O’Keefe strides purposefully into her office and life, lookingfar too handsome for his own good and threatening to undermine the locallegends she holds close to her heart, she is more than a little unsettled.

Connor has a past too, and his own reasons to keephis heart under wraps. But when a combination of fate and an unexpectedsnowstorm means that Rowan and Connor have all the time in the world to swapstories, it may finally be time for an end and a new beginning.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Rowan’s first-person POV with afew short chapters from the past.

Firstly, my thanks to a Goodreadsauthor-cum-reviewer friend (Sally) whose review prepared me to give the FMCsome leeway. It helped a lot since the book is from the heroine’s first-personPOV, and she is annoying until we know why.

I wish the reason was revealed sooner at least tothe readers. While there are some subtle hints, none of them lead to a concretepresumption.

I won’t call this romance though it does have someelements. This is more of women’s fiction with a focus on the characterslearning to be something beyond their pasts. The past takes a long time to berevealed and then we wait more for them to start to move on, so the love storyas much occurs only in the last quarter. (closed door/ fade out)

I enjoyed the little random snippets from differenttimelines (though these seem like they don’t impact the plot, there’s a reasonfor their presence). Halfway through, I noticed the pattern and realized thatthe truth is something else (this is revealed towards the end). As someone wholikes folklore and understands the importance of preserving the oral storiesfrom the past, I know why it matters.

Even when I disliked the FMC’s attitude, Iempathized with her determination to not let the past be wiped out. We alreadylost so much (and much of it has been misappropriated by invaders who went onmultiple conversion sprees). We cannot afford to lose more.

For a short book, the repeated arguments about theFairy Stane got a bit boring. I can see both their points and agree to anextent with Rowan. But the way she handled it didn’t make it easy to side withher.

The MMC is easy to like almost throughout. I findhis backstory quite interesting. Not something we often see in this genre, soit does feel refreshing. I also like how it’s tackled with sensitivity.

I was quite surprised by the repeated mention of theMMC’s Catholic upbringing. Somehow, many elements were woven with this piece ofinformation, so it ended okay.

To summarize, The Start of the Story is a book aboutsecond chances, moving on, acceptance, and the importance of protecting ourancient stories. It’s not a heavy read but not super light either.

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 – Jane Lovering

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winningromantic comedy writer who won the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and abonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063775233219

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janelovering

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

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jane-lovering

***

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

The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan - Book Review

Publication Date: 10th September 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Sweet and cozy 

One minute Joy Blackwood was excited about spending the rest of their retirement life with her husband Yves. The next instant, he suffered a heart attack and passed away. However, his dying confession about having a daughter breaks Joy’s heart. Not knowing what to do, Joy decides to take the painting Yves left for Robyn and hand it over personally to the girl in Ballycove (Ireland). 

However, meeting Robyn brings out the protective instincts in Joy. The introverted girl is trying to keep her bookshop afloat and pining after a guy who sees her as a friend. As Joy becomes a part of Robyn’s circle, she wonders what the truth will do to them. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Joy, Robyn, and Fern. 

My Thoughts: 

The blurb and the cover make it clear that this is a heartwarming and uplifting story about women who bond with each other despite the conditions. The book delivers on what it promises. 

The story begins with Yven’s retirement, the reveal, and his death. So, straight away, we get into the main plot. Similarly, we also get the other POVs to tell us about the present and a certain incident in the past that changed everything. I like this approach we can focus on what the characters do from here on. 

Joy, Fern, and Robyn are the three main characters. Robyn is in her early twenties and easily the sweetest girl you’ll find. Her character growth is beautiful to read. From being an introvert in love with a childhood friend to becoming a confident bookseller and learning to set boundaries, I enjoyed reading her arc the most. 

Joy is a kind person, way too kind most of the time because she has a good heart. One character says, ‘You are a class act, Joy’. That sums up her arc. I wouldn’t have minded if she had a bit of a mean streak but she doesn’t. (Also, I love the alternate spelling of Joy used at times)

Fern feels more realistic in her reactions. She is flawed, which I liked, given how the other two are super sweet. She balances out the emotion well. 

Albie is easily my favorite. He is such a wonderful side character who actually plays a vital role without seeming to. This ninety-year-old is full of life, charm, and wonderful nuggets of wisdom he shares with others. And, how can I not mention his old tortoise, Dolly Patron? 

The setting is beautiful with its cloudy weather, spacious bookshop, beach, and cute streets. Typical small-town charm. (Got to mention that I first thought the book was set in Australia based on the cover. For Irish settings, my mind needs looming dark clouds or a moody sky, lol). 

I wish the ages of the characters weren’t so confusing to track. Robyn’s was easy to calculate but the other two were complicated. I’m still not sure if I got it right. 

Though the book is just 304 pages, the pacing is on the slower side, especially in the first half. Once we settle into the plot, the narrative gets better but doesn’t pick up speed. However, this pace works for the plot, so can’t complain. 

I was surprised when a new subplot was introduced so late in the book but must admit that it worked well. It was necessary not just for a certain shift but also to establish the contrast between the two characters. 

The ending is obviously happy and hopeful. Though there is no real romance, there is a wee bit of it to make the ending sweeter. It could feel a bit too sweet for some. 

To summarize, The Bookshop Ladies is a heartwarming story about finding family, forgiveness, moving on, self-worth, and second chances. It’ll make me a nice and cozy read on cold afternoons. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Aria & Aries (Aria), for eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheBookshopLadies  

The Cottage Around the Corner by D.L. Soria - Book Review

Publication Date: 03rd Sep 2024

Genre: Small Town Witchy Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Enjoyed the book but not a fan of the FMC

Charlie Sparrow’s family has owned the Chanterelle Cottage for six generations in the small-town Owl’s Hollow. She and her moms form the trio of witches in the town. The shop is her everything but they are struggling to keep it afloat. Still, her parents don’t want to make Charlie a business partner. 

The arrival of Sterling Fitzgerald aka Fitz complicates things. Fitz is a mage and has opened a magecraft store, Maven Enterprises. He comes from money, which makes him Charlie’s enemy. How will a spell shop survive when mages are around? 

 However, neither can deny the attraction between them. Moreover, someone has been causing trouble with strange supernatural events affecting the whole town. It’s up to Charlie and Fitz to sort out the issue and find a common ground for their businesses and hearts. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Charlie. 

My Thoughts: 

That’s such a cute cover, right? I knew I had to read this one (and lucked out this time). 

A big yay to Charlie’s moms Alice (Mama) and Ruby (Mim). They are the definition of opposites attract and form a beautiful team (with a few parental flaws, of course). 

The side characters like Elinor, Bonnie, and Tandy are well-etched. While they start as stereotypical, we see the characters have more depth to them. The LBGT rep is cool and seamless. I also like how the white characters are mentioned as white (as opposed to assuming that anyone whose skin tone is not described is automatically white). Love this. 

The setting is lovely as it should be in small-town books. Since this one is 400+ pages, there’s enough space for world-building in terms of location and magic. Both are deftly handled with enough explanations woven into the plot. The magical world combines quite a few elements (runes, elemental magic, crystals, spellwork, nature witchcraft, etc.) 

Fitz is actually a sweet person. I admit there were many instances I liked him more than Charlie (more on this next). He is caring, loving, kind, talented, and a good businessman. He knows how to run a business, which is important if one wants to become a business partner. It helps that he also has enough trauma in his past. 

Charlie is not a bad character; just immature and idiotic. Since we get the book from her POV, her voice needs to be good and it is to an extent (I’ll say that I liked the author’s narration more than Charlie’s POV, if it makes sense). The voice is cheeky (which I credit the author and not the character). While it is interesting to have a flawed FMC, there were quite a few instances when she got annoying. The FMC’s actions (some of her interactions with the love interest) don’t make her cute. If Fitz did that, we’d be calling him a red flag and a toxic man. 

Since this is not a mystery book, the characters don’t see what’s right in front of their eyes, nor do they connect the dots until the mess becomes a bigger mess. I expected that, so wasn’t disappointed. 

There is a third-act breakup which comes early in the last quarter and extends until the end. Moreover, there is no epilogue. Why? When I read 400+ pages, why can’t have at least a 2-page epilogue? I need to know some details. Grr! 

Before I forget, I have to applaud the ease with which we have the Celtic cross (Tarot) spread presented in the first 10% of the book. Can I get a free reading too, please? 

To summarize, The Cottage Around the Corner is a cozy witchy romance with an interesting magic system and a good setting. I’d have liked it if the FMC was a little more mature, but I did love the author’s voice and the MMC. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine | Dell), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheCottageAroundTheCorner

Murder at the Matinee by Jamie West - Book Review

Series: Bertie Carroll Mysteries #2

Publication Date: 05th Sep 2024 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, LGBT 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Cozy indeed! Read it if you like theaters

1934, London West End 

Bertie Carroll has no choice but to go when his friendly rival and playwright, Alice, gives him a frantic call. Someone had placed an advert that a murder would take place in the third act of her play. Though Bertie has no idea how or what he should do, he goes to offer moral support to Alice. 

However, a murder indeed occurs, and Alice is determined Bertie should solve it (with her help, of course)! With Inspector Hugh Chapman assigned to the case, Bertie has to navigate the clues as well as his feelings for his friend. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Bertie (mostly), Hugh, and Alice. 

My Thoughts: 

As someone who quite enjoyed the first book, I was excited to read this one. The author’s experience with theater shines even in this book. The detailing of the Gaiety theatre- the seats, the backend, etc., is so good! Also, don’t miss the author’s note at the end. 

While this works as a standalone, reading the first book will be better. That’s because unlike other LGBT+ works, this one is subtle and hush-hush (better than book one, though). It was the same in book one. Though the friction between the lead characters is a bit more apparent, it doesn’t openly highlight anything. 

Bertie is easy to like, which makes this an easy and entertaining read. Alice is a force to reckon with (for the MC and readers, lol). She does bring a lot of lighthearted moments and chuckles, though. Her characterization is steady, and I would be delighted to meet her again in future books. 

Once again, the theater industry, actors, and relevant issues are the primary focus. The 1930s setting adds a lovely charm as well as provides details about how the backgrounds (for plays) were made, the local living conditions (based on income), transportation, etc. Quite a lot of history is packed into it without distracting from the plot. 

The mystery as such is easy to guess. While it should have been a whodunit, it is more of a howdunit and whydunit for me since I guessed the killer early. The repetition of certain details made it even more obvious (toning it down a little should help the plot). 

Bertie’s secretary, the efficient Miss. Gertie (Gertrude) Williams, has a small role in the last quarter. It’s fun meeting her again. Always give me characters that thrive on order and color-coded lists. 

The reveal is not a monologue but comes from more than one character and involves others asking questions and such. This works well as it keeps the reader more invested in the proceedings. 

To summarize, Murder at the Matinee is a light and cozy read set in the world of theater from the 1930s. It reads a lot like a classic mystery with the visible influence of Christie’s works. 

We are told there will be more books in the series, so I’m hoping the next one will not be a long wait. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Brabinger Publishing, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderattheMatinee

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith - Book Review

Series: Wicked Games #1 

Publication Date: 03rd Sep 2024 

Genre: Horror, Romance (Historical) 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Dark but light; an entertainer 

New Orleans 

Ophelia has just taken over the family role as a Necromancer after her mother’s death. Less than a few hours later, she realizes their ancestral home is under debt and at risk of being taken from her. Her younger sister, Genevieve, decides to participate in the dangerous Phantasma challenge by entering the Devil Manor. The one who clears the nine levels gets huge prize money. 

Ophelia follows her sister into the manor intending to take her back home. However, there are rules to follow and deals to make before it can happen. When Blackwell, a long-lasting resident of the manor offers help (for a bargain, of course), Ophelia wonders what it would cost her. With the attraction between them getting stronger, there’s a lot more at stake for Ophelia. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Well, I don’t often take big books (anything over 400 pages is a big book). This one combines horror, gothic house, and romance, so I thought, why not? 

I don’t bother with the tags and comparison, so can’t say if this is like the other books or not. I prefer to read a book for what it is. 

This is historical fiction set sometime when women still wore cumbersome corsets while the mode of transport included horse carriages and automobiles. A mention of the timeline would have helped. 

The premise is highly intriguing. The book starts on a high, establishing that this will be a dark read. Not for the squeamish! The main characters seem interesting too. 

Ophelia takes time to get used to. TBH, it’s a miracle she managed to survive so far. Since this is openly discussed by the characters, I can see it is a deliberate character arc (can’t complain). Let’s just say there is a loooot of blood. 

Blackwell is your typical handsome and quirky hero with enough darkness inside. However, he manages to endear himself (faster than the FMC). 

The banter between the two is fun, despite the deadpanning (more on this next). Though the love story is on a fast track, it doesn’t feel that way due to the page count and the multiple interactions between the couple. 

Now, the steam is high here. 4.5 (or more) and a fully open door. That means we have more than a handful of such scenes, with many in the middle of the book. It messes with the pacing. 

While the beginning is not fast, it is not slow either. The middle, however, drags. The % doesn’t just move between 40 and 70%. After that, it picks up a steady momentum until the end. I wouldn’t mind if a couple of steamy scenes were edited out to tighten the middle. 

I know some dialogue tags have to be reused but some tend to grab my attention more than others and it becomes a nuisance. The characters deadpanned seven times, which even in a 460-page book feels excessive. Unfortunately, the word caught my eye the second time, so I noticed it every damn time after that. The same with insidious which was used seventeen times (yeah, I checked). It’s not a problem if my brain misses the recurring words but it does become an issue when I spot things. Since my book is an uncorrected proof, I hope the final copy is better. 

There’s a bit of mystery but the focus is mainly on steam and the horror house game. Some levels were cool! 

There is an array of characters (other participants and Devils). They do their job to advance the plot and bring a change in the FMC’s arc. 

The FMC’s character development is a bit wobbly but still aligns with the plot. I wish we got to see her in her actual role as a Necromancer. The MMC’s arc doesn’t have much, TBH. Once we feel who he is, nothing really changes (not even the big reveal). 

Anyway, this isn’t a book to read if you want proper character development or an intricate plot. It’s what I call a masala read but with an extra dose of chili. 

Did I enjoy it? Oh, yes! And don’t forget to read the author’s note. 

To summarize, Phantasma is a steamy romance-filled set in a gothic house. It had quite a few triggers and descriptions of gore. However, it is not an intense read or even scary (at least for me). I intend to read the next book in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for a copy of the book.  

#NetGalley #Phantasma

A Murder is Fixed by Madhav Nayak - Book Review

Publication Date: 31st July 2024

Genre: Sports Cozy Mystery (Indian – Cricket)

3.5 Stars

One Liner: A good debut

Shreya Ved, an investigator in the commissionprobing on match-fixing in the MCL (Mega Cricket League) is found dead with herhead bashed. The commission was almost done with the investigation which wouldput many top names in hot water.

With an increasing number of suspects each passinghour, Inspector Vichare and Constable Lobo need to find the killer. RussiBatliwala is a one-eyed retired umpire with years of experience on the cricketfield. Detection is his latest obsession and thankfully, he has the brain forit. Russi offers his help to the police to find the killer.

Soon, it’s a game off the field where the stakes aretoo high and the players are not limited to cricketers. Can the trio ofinvestigators solve the crime?

The story comes in the third-person omnipresent POV.

My Thoughts:

I’m a crazy fan of cozy mysteries, though most ofthe books I read and read (past and present) are set in other countries.Needless to say, I was excited to see this available.

Cricket is a huge thing in India (yet anothercolonial hangover but at least it makes money), so for a mystery set around thegame was bound it to be entertaining.

What I love is the lack of caste and religionnonsense in this one. We have a diverse cast with characters from differentbackgrounds. However, there’s no drama about their identity. The focus is onwhat they do. Such a relief!

The book starts slowly and takes a few pages toestablish the characters and the premise. Then, it picks up a steady pace untilthe end (somehow the last chapter felt a bit stretchy).

Set in Mumbai, it uses the local lingo and a liberaldose of Hindi terms/ phrases/ idioms/ etc. Some of them went over my head sinceI’m not that familiar with it (been a while since I watched CID so lost touchwith the language). No idea if the local details (places and distances) are100% accurate. The author lived in Mumbai for many years, so that’s there.

The mystery offers enough twists to keep the readerengaged. However, it does follow a known template which made it easy to guessthe culprit. Also, the last reveal is typical of the genre (thankfully withdialogues to break the monologue). You will enjoy the book more if you are newto this genre.

The conversations could have been better though. AsI said, the dialogue aims for a quirky and light tone, which is common incozies. However, on the whole, nothing stands out and makes an impact. There’san attempt in the last chapter to give some social commentary which alsodoesn’t make a mark. (Thankfully, it’s a short chapter, so I wasn’t bored)

The main characters – Russi, Vichare, and Lobo werequite entertaining. Each of them has a distinct yet stereotypical personality.Still, it works in a standalone. (Now, if this would become a series, thereneeds to be more character development)

Another plus point is that the police duo is easy tolike. It’s actually refreshing to read about an average but honest overweightpolice officer wanting to do his duty and admitting that he needs help.

To summarize, A Murder is Fixed is a worthy debutmystery blending cricket, politics, drama, murder, and a bunch of suspects whostand to gain from the murder. It’s an easy read though not a memorable one.

Thank you, Blogchatter and HarperCollins India, fora copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book ReviewProgram and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

You can buy the paperback of A Murder is Fixed on Amazon.

Murder on a Country Walk by Katie Gayle - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Julia Bird Mysteries #6 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 11th Sep 2024

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0CY6BCMFNsocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209998731-murder-on-a-country-walk

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: A short and quick mystery

Book Blurb:

Julia Bird loves a walk in thecountryside. There’s nothing quite like the fresh air and green rolling hillsof the Cotswolds to clear your head. Unless you come across a dead body, thatis…

When the local Berrywick vet, Dr Eve Davies,is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, the police believe it’s nothing morethan a tragic accident, but Julia isn’t so sure. Just a few days earlier whenshe took her dog, Jake, to the vet, Dr Eve said she believed something awfulwas about to happen. It turns out she was right…

But who would want the beloved village vet dead? Wasit her mother Kay, a down-and-out gambler who stands to inherit herunwedded daughter’s home? Was it her assistant Olga, who was closeto getting fired? Or was it her cut-throat tennis partner Will,with whom Dr Eve had an argument shortly before she took a tumble? And who isthe stranger skulking around Berrywick peering into people’s windows?

When a second body appears in the exact spot whereDr Eve was found, Julia knows it can’t be a coincidence. Both victims werepushed off the cliff, but why? Should Julia let sleeping dogs lie, orwill she be like a dog with a bone to find the murderer?

A totally gripping and charming cozymystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin, andBetty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries.

***

My Thoughts:

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

My favorite Jake is back again! The book starts withour chocolate lab participating in the dog talent show and winning an award ina category (guess which one?), much to Julia’s delight.

The MC knows the victim and is naturally sad to seeher dead near the cliffs. It is never easy when she is the one to find thebody.

The mystery has quite a few elements, some of whichare solved pretty quickly. However, we don’t know if there’s more to bediscovered! I connected the dots way before our MC did but that’s not neweither.

The book deals with a few themes like conservationvs. development (hot topic), competitive spirit, addiction, shady activities,puppy farms, etc. Each of these gets different weightage based on the plotrequirements.

The MC is, as usual, trying to gather moreinformation. She isn’t the one to let something go when she knows the detailsdon’t add up.

The side characters do their bit to provideinformation and entertainment. Little Sebastian makes an entry early in thebook for a teeny while and manages to get into trouble.

The best thing is that I learned three new things byreading this book:

Do you know there’s something called happy tail syndrome where the dog’s tail sprains from too much wagging? It could even cause a mild fracture if the tail hits hard objects when wagging.

I had no idea cross-breeding dogs was a lucrative (shady) business with loads of income. There’s an increase in demand for customized crossbreeds, and the pups can cost a thousand pounds or two, depending on the breeds. Whoa!

There’s a game called Padel (tennis) which seems to be a cross between tennis, table tennis, and maybe even a little badminton. It’s played in teams of twos (so like doubles in tennis). It is easier than tennis and hence becoming popular (as older people can also play and get good exercise).

To summarize, Murder on a Country Walk is a goodcontinuation of the series and should work well as a standalone. There isenough detail to get an idea about the character’s backstories without weighingdown the plot.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC.This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MurderOnACountryWalk

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About the Authors – Katie Gayle

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership ofbest-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate andGail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but withKatie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gailand Kate live in Johannesburg, with their husbands, children, dogs, andcats. 

Follow the Authors –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieGayleWriter

X: https://twitter.com/KatieGayleBooks

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releasesfrom Katie Gayle here: https://www.bookouture.com/katie-gayle

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This has been a pitstop on the blog tour byBookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

Sign up for all the best Bookouture deals: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo 

Hate Hex by Gina LaManna - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st September 2024 

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

3.5 Stars (rounded up) 

One Liner: A light timepass read 

Trixie Gardens is a taxi driver in the paranormal section of NY. She is twenty-nine and struggling with her finances. She is also determined not to use her magic, which could cause trouble soon. 

Dominic Kent is a multi-billionaire vampire who owns many businesses, including the building Trixie lives in. Their interactions are heated, and Trixie decides to hate-hex him for making her life hard. Soon, there’s more than hate between them as the two cannot seem to avoid each other.

However, they have a lot more to deal with as Dominic’s brother, Sebastian, returns, determined to create a mess. Can Tix and Dom fight Sebastian and have their happy ever after? 

The story comes in the first-person POVs for Trixie and Dominic. 

My Thoughts: 

I wanted a light and easy read and got it. This is a quick paranormal romance with some fun banter. It’s pretty much insta-love but works since the book is short and has a steady pace. There are enemies-to-lovers and fated-mates tropes as well. 

The dual POVs give us both backstories and make it easy to understand the characters. Dom’s first-person POV is quite good. There were times I liked it more in the first half. 

The FMC has a strong reason to suppress her magic. However, we don’t get the reason until the halfway point. By then I was starting to grow weary of her. Maybe the reveal could have come 5-10% earlier and used for further character development afterward. 

Though there is no world-building, it is easy to get into the plot without wondering about what’s and why’s. However, if you are new to this genre, you may need more than what’s provided. Turns out, the book is set in the same world as an established series (Magic & Mixology Mystery) with eight existing books. I got to know only when I read the author’s note. 

I quite like the descriptions of the apartments, though. Emmy’s lab sounds like a fun and explosive place to be. The friendship between the FMC and Emmy is also sweet and cute. 

Grandma Betty, though in a minor role, is charming and delightful. I wish she had more space, though given the book’s length I can’t ask for much. While Vix is almost uni-dimensional, Belinda (a pixie) is a fun character to meet. 

Apart from the Sebastian track, there’s another subplot about the Circle and nominations for the wildcard seat. Though this acts as a catalyst for the plot to move, it could have been better woven into the plot. I wouldn’t mind reading a few pages extra to know more about this. 

There is a third-act breakup of sorts which made me groan. However, the way it was used in the climax surprised me. Such a cool idea! 

To summarize, Hate Hex is a lighthearted and quick romance (pretty clean too!) with interesting themes like forgiveness, healing, acceptance, etc. Since I wanted a fluffy romance and got one, I cannot complain (hence rounding the rating up to 4 stars). 

Thank you, NetGalley, LaManna Books, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #HateHex