Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 5

Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop by Jaimie Admans - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Ever After Street #5 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 26th May 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218164658-finding-love-at-the-magical-curiosity-shop

Genre: Contemporary Small Town Romance

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Sweet... somewhat!

Book Blurb:

In a shop full of stories, some magic isreal.

Mickey Teasdale loves her quaint curiosity shop,where every item feels magical to her. She loves imagining the past owners ofher knick-knacks and telling her made-up tales to customers, but lately, themagic has dimmed; the shop feels cluttered, and even her stories seem as wornas the items she sells.

Everything changes when the grumpiest customerMickey’s ever met—single dad Ren Montague—walks in with his surly teendaughter, Ava. Ren hates mess and clutter and prefers order and calm, but he'lldo anything to see Ava smile. Yet, something shifts in him when he meetsMickey, who seems like she stepped out of her very own fairy tale.

When Ava discovers a secret diary, hidden from yearslong ago, she and Mickey believe it must have once belonged to a real-lifemermaid! Ever sceptical, Ren tries to protect Ava from disappointment, but asthey unravel the mystery together, something special happens…

Ren learns that happy ever afters still exist ifyou're brave enough to look for them, and Mickey discovers that real life cansometimes be way more magical than anything she could have ever imagined.

***

My Thoughts:

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

This is the fifth book in the standalone Ever AfterStreet Series. Though we see some couples from the previous books, this workswell as a standalone read. Of course, I recommend reading the other booksbecause they are all beautiful.

As a fan of the author's works, I tend to have highexpectations of her. Why not? I know she can write!

Like the other books, this one also deals withimportant topics. Here we have parental death, broken marriage, being a singledad, a young teen’s struggle with the changes in her life, a woman’s desire tosurround herself with material things to avoid reality, etc.

I could empathize with the FMC even when I knew hershop was a high-risk accident zone. No matter how much I de-clutter, theshelves tend to look the same, so yeah, it happens! She is a sweetheart, and Ilove her optimism and hope. Her determination to believe in magic isnoteworthy. I try too, though my cynical side doesn’t stay silent for long!

Naturally, I could easily understand the MMC’sperspective too. Yeah, he was rude and prickly, but he could be just as sweetif he allowed himself to be. Then, he had to go and make a mess of it (more onthis later).

Ava, the MMC’s thirteen-year-old, was a delight mostof the book. She is a teen, through and through, so I could see her outburstmaking sense to her. I didn’t mind it much as it aligned with her arc untilthen.

We get snippets from the diary, which read likeactual diary entries – thoughts, frantic scribbling, raw emotions, and randombits of information. Yay for this! However, the dialogues in this book feltlengthier somehow. Not a big deal, though.

As always, it’s heartwarming to read the lovey-doveyscenes between the main characters. It seems like the author thought much about my friend and fellow reviewer's reactions to the touchy-feely scenes; she used the same term twice inthe book! Haha… :P Of course, I loveeee these scenes the best, and those hugs!Find a partner who hugs you like you are their everything!

Now, we come to the dreaded third-act breakup. Iknew it would happen, but man, if I could punch him, I would have. I was ratherrooting for Lissa to do it for me… didn’t she? Read to find out.

The resolution came a bit too quickly, I think.While it still made me teary-eyed, I wanted a little more groveling. The FMCdoesn’t make it easy, which I appreciate. Still, make him repent more (Ihold grudges for a long time, if you haven’t figured out by now, lol).

I found it surprising that they don’t get muchdragon fruit in the UK. Thanks to social media, it became so famous in Indiathat we find it at the makeshift stalls on the street corners. Farmers havesuccessfully cultivated dragon fruit locally and are getting good results!Though I’m not a fan of it.

The ending is sweet, of course. There’s no epilogue,but there will be another (last… sniffle) book in the series, so we are likelyto get a wee update on them if nothing else.

To summarize, Finding Love at the Magical CuriosityShop is not as magical as the other books in the series, but it still creates a lovely, cozyfeeling in the heart. The romance is clean, comforting, warm, and like a heartycup of hot chocolate with extra sprinkles.

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

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Jaimie Admans

Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of severalromantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane andThe Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. Her series for Boldwood, The Ever AfterStreet Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @JaimieAdmansBooks

Twitter: @be_the_spark

Instagram: @jaimieadmans1

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

Bookbub Profile: @jaimieadmans1

***

This has been a stop on the#FindingLoveAtTheMagicalCuriosityShop blog tour by Rachel's RandomResources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison - Book Review

Publication Date: 03rd June 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming! 

Meg Bryan, aka Lana Lord, is a household name after her hit TV show and her relationship with Hollywood’s latest heartthrob. However, her perfect life comes at a great cost. After a small breakdown on her thirtieth birthday, Meg goes on an impromptu trip to Ireland, that one place she and her best friend Aimee wanted to visit. An accident claimed Aimee’s life a decade ago, and now Meg makes the trip alone. 

However, Meg seemed to have traveled into an alternative universe where she is not a celebrity. The hot bartender is apparently her ex, and her bestie, Aimee, is alive but not talking to her for some reason. Now, Meg has to figure out how and why she broke up with her ex and what happened between her and Aimee. As she navigates through her new life, Meg realizes what she remembers about her past isn’t the complete truth. And soon, she has to decide on her future. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Firstly, I’d tag this women’s fiction or contemporary fiction with a touch of romance. The focal point of the book is Meg’s acceptance of the past and her growth in the present. 

The book starts with a prologue that gives us an insight into the MC’s relationship with her bestie. Then, we jump to the present timeline. 

I like the sliding doors/ alternative setting that occurs pretty soon. No need to wait for it to happen. This gives the MC and us enough time to get used to the shift, dig through the past, and peel her character’s layers. 

The side characters, especially Kiera and Cillian, are terrific. They brighten up the story when it starts to feel repetitive. The bestie, Aimee, is interesting, though I wish to know more about her. 

The first-person POV works for the plot. It has dry humor and a bit of forced humor as well. The first is good, the latter isn’t, but the overall effect is nice. The MC has enough flaws, but is also a nice person, which we can see in her voice. However, it also feels quite YAish, even though she is 30. Maybe because the author is a YA writer, and this is her first adult novel. 

The pacing is uneven thanks to the repetition in the middle. Maybe some of it was necessary, though I feel this could have been used to add some depth to the bestie’s character. 

The ending is more on the line of women’s fiction. It is hopeful and positive, but not fully rounded. Still, it works for the storyline and leaves the reader with a smile (that’s job done right). 

Given the premise, there are many references to Hollywood, celebs, movies, and related drama. Not my jam, exactly. If you enjoy this, you might like the book more. 

The acknowledgments section at the end was fun to read. The author’s natural style did drip a lot into the main character’s voice, but it worked here. 

To summarize, The Other Side of Now is a heartwarming story about grief of losing a loved one, trying to find oneself, making friends (found family), and learning that life goes on. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley

Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen - Book Review

Series: The Kings #1

Publication Date: 20th May 2025

Genre: Contemporary Small Town Romance 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: This was good! 

Ruby, a shy small-town librarian, decided to hire an escort to get over her fear of intimacy without the risk of heartbreak. However, instead of a dating coach, Ruby’s childhood neighbor and pro football player, Griffin King, arrived. He was not the escort, but she didn’t know that! 

As if the embarrassing mix-up wasn’t enough, Ruby stumbles across Griffin everywhere in their little town. He is more than happy to help her, but with their closeness increasing, Ruby has much to think about. 

The story comes in Ruby and Griffin’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is my first book by the author. Turns out, this is also the first in a new series, so I intend to read the others. 

The pacing is slow, but it doesn’t feel boring. We get enough backstory and depth for the characters to be more than their physical appearances, though there are many references to how hot they look. Note that the characters start as clichés but gradually show they can do much better than that. 

The MCs are easy to like. They are smart, sweet, and have their issues to deal with. They inevitably help each other grow, which comes across well as the story progresses. The chemistry is great, too, so it’s not long before we root for them. 

There’s enough humor to make the readers laugh or chuckle. This balances the somber elements, especially the scenes dealing with health issues. 

The side characters need a special mention. I liked Lauren right away. Wasn’t sure about Marcus, but he proved himself. Don’t be tricked by his OTT act. He is a sweet guy. 

My favorite part has to be these hunky football players sighing over classic romances like Pride and Prejudice. How they react to the hand flex by Darcy is adorable! 

The book is spicy, probably 4 or more. There’s some dirty talk, but not a lot. However, the story doesn’t feel rushed. There is enough time for feelings to develop. 

We have not one but two epilogues. I love it when authors do this. A regular epilogue is great, but when it is followed by an extended one, it is a double bonus. 

To summarize, Lessons in Heartbreak is a heartwarming, entertaining, and delightful romance set in a small town. Bring on the next book! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #LessonsInHeartbreak

The Roommate Experiment by Camilla Isley - Book Review

Series: Funny Feelings #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 27th May 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223606076-the-roommate-experiment

Genre: Contemporary Romance

3 Stars

One Liner: Some nice moments

Book Blurb:

Could there be room for attraction?

Hunter has secretly been in love with her bestfriend’s brother, Dylan, for years, despite barely registering as a blip on hisradar. She’s not even in the friend zone—more like the friend zone adjacent.But her luck is about to change: Dylan is taking over her spare room, and she'sbeing promoted to roommate. Could this be the moment Dylan finally notices her?

Not so fast. When Dylan moves in, he carries morethan just boxes—he brings complications. Suddenly, the dream of living underthe same roof turns into a daily struggle. Dylan is off-limits, for reasonsHunter couldn’t have anticipated, and the closer they get, the harder itbecomes to ignore her feelings.

But Hunter’s determined to keep her heart incheck—no matter how difficult the task. She just has to avoid ogling him in atowel. Definitely don’t imagine what’s under the towel. And try not to swoonwhen he bakes cookies.

But after he saves her from a terrible date andthey’re forced to share a sofa bed at his parents’ house, her emotions reach abreaking point. She’ll have to either move on or move out. Will she tell himthe truth—or lose him forever?

The Roommate Experiment is aroommates-to-lovers, forced proximity, STEMinist rom-com perfect for fans ofLynn Painter, Sarah Adams, and Abby Jimenez.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Hunter and Dylan’s first-personPOVs.

Though the book can be a standalone, I wouldrecommend reading book #2 first. Even better if you start at the beginning (Ididn’t). But I read the previous book (If the Ring Fits), and it helped. That’sbecause the events in both books take place at the same time. Seeing Hunter andDylan from Rowena and Adrian’s POVs first makes this book less awkward.

It’s interesting to revisit a few scenes from theprevious book from other POVs. I like such experiments (another reason Irecommend reading book #2 first).

This is my fourth book by the author. While I hadminor issues with the previous three, I happily rounded up the rating to 4stars. Unfortunately, this is the weakest one so far.

Firstly, there’s no denying the touches of humor inthe narration. The writing style is light even when it deals with seriousissues like dyslexia and endometriosis. This prevents the story from feelingtoo heavy or overwhelming.

Hunter’s crush/ obsession with Dylan feelsauthentic. It is painfully embarrassing at times, but that’s exactly the point.It was supposed to be that way, given she harbored feelings and spun fantasies forover a decade. Her reluctance, jealousy, anger, frustration, hopelessness,etc., come out very well.

Dylan started decent but then got on my nerves. Itried to be patient and see things from his perspective, but there’s a thinline between being good and being a coward. Despite his other noteworthyqualities, he didn’t impress me. The break-up scene was crucial for hischaracter arc, and it was messed up big time.

Not really sure how to classify Olivia. Clingy?Dense? Optimistic? No idea!

There are some spicy scenes towards the end, thoughit’s a fade-to-black and a closed door. The last quarter rather ups the sexiness,which wasn’t necessary, but okay!

Since this is the last book of the series, we get acombined epilogue. I like it a lot. It has happy developments and leaves oneelement on a hopeful note; the right way to conclude this series.

To summarize, The Roommate Experiment is asteady-paced and lighthearted romance that touches upon a couple of healthissues (lightly). While it is not my favorite (Adrian is still the winner), Iwill continue to enjoy more books by the author.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and BoldwoodBooks, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion aboutthe book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Camilla Isley

Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behindto write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She livesin Italy.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @CamillaIsley

Twitter: @camillaisley

Instagram: @camillaisley

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

Bookbub Profile:@CamillaIsley

***

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

All the Perfect Days by Michael Thompson - Book Review

Publication Date: 20th May 2025

Genre: General Fiction 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Nice! 

Charlie Knight is a family doctor in his late thirties. He has a fixed routine and the same clients he’d been seeing since he was a child. However, Charlie has a secret plan to escape and live the life he wants, even if Genevieve Longstaff, the woman he wanted, has long since left the town.  

However, Genevieve is back. Suddenly, Charlie realizes he has gained a new gift. He can see exactly how many days are left in the lives of his visitors/ patients. Charlie thinks he could use his gift to help his patients, but every gift comes with a price. What if there are things he would rather not know? 

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

My Thoughts: 

Should I tag this general fiction or men’s fiction? Either works, I guess. 

The story starts with the MC gaining his gift unexpectedly and goes on from there. He is an easy guy to like. A friendly, sweet, and dedicated doctor whose life feels too structured and safe. He is also lonely. 

While there is some ‘romance’, it is not a love story or a romcom. So if you go in expecting it to be heavy on this element, you will be disappointed. Moreover, there isn’t much chemistry between Charlie and Gen as such. They’d make good friends, though. 

The book deals with themes like guilt, decisions, wanting a second chance, life, death, etc. Naturally, death is a bigger theme, so it does occur more than once. 

Characters like MaryAnn, Gen, Lorraine, etc., had potential, but it seems to be barely explored. In fact, it’s the same for the entire book. The whole narration has a slow and mellow tone. Quite a few topics are touched upon, but none are given full attention. 

The concept of seeing the numbers is intriguing. We get a probable explanation, which is not perfect since even the characters don’t know. This may not appeal to some readers, but it aligns with the book’s tone. 

The ending is hopeful and a tad bittersweet. I guess I can call it an open-ish ending since some issues are never discussed. Still, the book feels complete, so it is not vague or random.  

To summarize, All the Perfect Days offers quite a bit to think about, but doesn’t delve deep into any of those. The pacing is slow, so plan accordingly. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AllThePerfectDays

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark - Book Review

Publication Date: 03rd June 2025 

Genre: Suspense Thriller 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting! 

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont hid the truth about her father. He was the famous horror author Vincent Taylor, who also happened to be a suspect in his sibling’s brutal death. When Olivia reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite her father’s last book, she doesn’t realize she will have to face her past and the darkness that comes with it. 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Olivia (more %), Poppy, and Vincent. 

My Thoughts: 

Firstly, that cover deserves a special mention. I admit to grabbing the book more for the cover than the premise. Of course, I previously enjoyed one of the author’s books, so that was a factor too. 

The pacing is great in the first-half. There’s a short note about the setting, which should help readers familiar with the region to understand the changes the author made.  

The story starts with a bang. Nothing like murder and secrets to keep people of all ages gossiping for decades! 

Emotions like resentment, frustration, anger, helplessness, caution, worry, etc., freely flow on the pages. It’s easy to feel for the FMC and root for her success. 

The second half has more reveals about the past (naturally), so the pacing dips a little. Also, there are times when the plot seems to go nowhere. I think this is deliberate as the narration is in the first-person and shows how the FMC struggles with the events. 

Some of the side characters are surprisingly good. Jack and Poppy, especially! There isn’t much character development, but that’s not what this genre is about. We get the thrills, though you can guess a few reveals. 

Still, I like that the FMC doesn’t drink herself into oblivion from start to finish. She’s got a brain and does her best to use it. She actually listens to good advice, so that’s even better! Someone else seems to have taken that role, though it is thankfully off-page. 

Another reason I enjoyed the book was the ending. Unlike the current trend of ‘twisty’ last chapters that add carter-sized plot holes to the story, this one has a more balanced ending. It could be a bit tame for thriller fans, but I approve of it. 

This isn’t your edge-of-the-seat thriller or a high-tension suspense novel. It’s got a mystery, some thrills, a bit of drama, many lies and secrets, and a conclusion that manages to bring everything together. Predictable, but no big deal.  

To summarize, The Ghostwriter is an interesting book with a bit of everything to keep your entertained for a while. The writing style is easy and keeps the dark elements contained despite the triggers. 

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheGhostwriter

***

TW: Mentions of animal death, mention of rape, mentions of abortion, mention/ hints of pedophilia, alcoholism, drug abuse, parental abandonment, and chronic illness. 

Death at the Highland Loch by Lydia Travers - Book Review

Series: Lady Poppy Proudfoot #1

Publication Date: 19th May 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: It was fun 

1924, Scotland 

Lady Poppy Proudfoot travels to the Highlands for a midsummer party, where a body turns up beside the loch. When Inspector MacKenzie doesn’t seem to take her seriously, Poppy jumps into action and decides to solve the case. 

Of course, another mystery grabs her attention - Lady Constance Balfour, the host, claims her diamond and emerald bracelet is stolen. Are the two events connected? Without more than enough suspects in the house party, Poppy has work cut out for her. 

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

My Thoughts: 

While I didn’t particularly enjoy the first book of The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency series, I liked this better. 

The FMC is an almost 30-year-old rich widow with a university education and some social service during WWI to her name. This makes her quite entitled, which comes across clearly in her thoughts, actions, and reactions. 

You’ll have to be patient initially to get used to the FMC’s attitude. Yeah, she has quite a few flaws. However, these feel realistic and aligned with how the ladies with titles behaved back then. Makes it hard to like her immediately, but good for the character arc. 

There’s a large cast since a house party is going on, and more people pop up in Edinburgh, but I didn’t find it confusing. The key ones are easy enough to track. Gregor, the 14-year-old lad, is a delight to read. He adds a lot of humor and lightness to the story. 

The lady’s maid is a bit annoying, but I think that’s the intention. We also have two dogs, a chihuahua named Ollie and a Lab named Major. Major is the FMC’s dog, so he’ll be a recurring character. Yay! 

Inspector MacKenzie, the prospective love interest, is actually a decent guy. He shows much patience dealing with the FMC’s antics. He’ll need to be patient in the coming books, too! 

The mystery or mysteries, as such, are decent. I like how they don’t go into the tried and tested path but try something different. The reveal is believable, too. 

The characters from the previous series make an entry as both books are set in the same region, and they have overlapping social circles. 

We get enough descriptions of the highlands to imagine the beautiful place without getting distracted from the main plot. This keeps the pacing moderate and steady. 

To summarize, Death at the Highland Loch is a solid start to a new cozy mystery series with yet another female amateur sleuth. As I look forward to the next book, I hope the FMC’s arc shows some growth. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #DeathAtTheHighlandLoch

 

Sanskari Sweetheart by Ananya Devarajan - Book Review

Series: Book #2 (standalone after Kismat Connection) 

Publication Date: 20th May 2025

Genre: YA Romance, Own Voices 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Depends on your expectations 

Raina wants to win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship to prove that dance is a stable career choice. She also wants to show that she and her boyfriend, Aditya, are still the perfect couple despite the current differences between them. However, Aditya breaks up with her, and the choreography for the event is a mess. 

Raina’s hopes for a do-over put her in a time loop where she repeats the same day again and again. Raina has to figure out what went wrong and fix it to fix the issues in her real life. But perfection may not be the only thing required! 

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

My Thoughts: 

Before I start the review, I have to confess to laughing at the title. I like alliterations, but this one is so cheesy! Anyhoo! 

Though the book is presented as a standalone, it is the story of Raina, Madhuri’s younger sister, from Kismat Connection, the author’s debut novel. Reading book one might help familiarize oneself with her character arc and the family dynamics. 

In Kismat Connection, Raina and Aditya are the perfect couple (though they are teenagers). Raina was one of my favorite characters (I liked her more than Madhuri). Here, we see the actual Raina, whose zeal for perfection comes with a ton of insecurities and relationship disasters. 

We get straight to the conflict. The time loop starts early, which means there are eight of them before real life resumes. Luckily, the pacing is quite good. However, this is an advantage and a disadvantage. 

You will like the book more if your focus is on the time loop or Groundhog Day trope, where Raina tries to figure out how to fix the situation. However, you are likely to be disappointed if you want more elements about Indian American communities, families, or even the trending Bollywood dancing trope. That’s because the book is laser-focused on Raina’s character growth, and the other elements take a back seat. They are used only when necessary and discarded afterward. 

Raina’s arc is actually good. She learns a lot thanks to the time loop and understands how and where she went wrong. Aditya shows promise, but since he has been made the perfect boyfriend, there isn’t a chance for much growth. He is easy to like, so no complaints. 

I can also see an improvement in the writing style. This book is less clunky and has a smoother flow. Raina is flawed but not a red flag; something that didn’t work as it was supposed to in Kismat Connection. 

Now, my issue is with the rest of the details. Though it’s a dance competition, we don’t see a lot of it except for some formations and a couple of moves. Given how dance is integral to Raina’s life, using it as more than a foundation would have helped. Then, there’s that competitor who never got exposed for what she did. It doesn’t seem right that she gets away. Then, the roles of Raina’s mother and sister are severely limited when their presence could have enhanced the plot and added another layer to it. We still don’t know what’s troubling Madhuri. 

Though we get some typical competition between aunties and the ‘sanskari’ standards Raina has to deal with, they don’t add much to the plot. It feels superficial and stereotypical. 

While there are a few desi emotions and moments, the book doesn’t, as such, stand out among many others that ride the same wave. It’s just another Western book with Indian characters using a few known tropes. It could have been with any characters from a slightly conservative background, and would have read the same. 

To summarize, Sanskari Sweetheart is a decent sophomore novel dealing with YA romance. It has improved upon certain elements from the previous book, but it has a few issues of its own. Of course, I’d read more by the author. She shows promise and is a work in progress, just as she should be at this stage of her writing career. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #SanskariSweetheart

***

PS: While the cover is cute, I don’t think it is accurate. Raina has long black curly hair (to her waist), and Aditya has thick black waves framing his face.

A Most Parisian Murder by Millicent Binks - Book Review

Series: An Opal Laplume Mystery #1 

Publication Date: 13th May 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A decent debut 

1930, Paris 

Opal Luplume is sent to Paris by her mother to spread their milliner business and supply fashionable hats for the most glamorous cabaret in the city. However, the mysterious death of Valentine Beaumanoir, one of the main leads, creates some trouble. While the police conclude it is an accident, Opal thinks otherwise. Wasn’t there a witness who heard the victim cry out her beau’s name and call for help? Where did he vanish from a locked room? 

When another murder occurs on the stage, Opal is even more determined to find the elusive killer. Maybe Valentine’s death had less to do with her personal life. Can she find the murderer without risking her neck? 

The story comes in Opal's third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

Yep, that’s me again, trying a new cozy mystery series. Luckily, this wasn’t too bad. 

The book starts with murder (the best way to begin a mystery), and then we meet the MC. Though the pacing is on the slower side, it doesn’t feel boring. 

The cast is large, but it is to be expected when you have a theatre group of dancers, technicians, and a few others. 

The MC has a black miniature poodle, Napoleon (look at the cutie on the cover). I thought it would be mostly a prop given the size. To an extent, it is, but the teeny doggy can growl! It has a snoopy nose too, so little poodle does sort of help with the sleuthing. Also, who can resist such a squishy dog? 

We get a glimpse into the Parisian life before the Great Depression, as well as touch upon the changing situations in London. Dresses, hats, feathers, dancing, extravagance, etc., are all touched up seamlessly since they are various elements of the plot.  

The mystery is actually good. Just right for the cozy vibe, without being too silly or too dark. The MC is good enough, though I can’t say I like her. Nothing wrong with her, but she has yet to make her mark. Needs time, I guess! 

There’s a potential love interest (it is not the detective, thank you so much for this). I’m curious to see where it would lead. 

To summarize, A Most Parisian Murder is a nice start to a new series. While nothing actually stands out, it is not a boring read either (hence rounding up to 4 stars). I’ll be sure to read the next book or two and hope the MC grows into the character created for her. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AMostParisianMurder

Killer at the County Show by Kate Wells - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Malvern Farm Mystery #5

Publication Date: 13th May 2025

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

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223338724-killer-at-the-county-show

Genre: Contemporary Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars

One Liner: A good mystery

Book Blurb:

Foul play at the sheep show…

Tensions are high at the Three Counties Show whenaccusations of cheating add fuel to a longstanding feud. For Jude Gray, whoseonly hope was to not make a fool of herself showing her Kerry Hill sheep,farming life has never been so dramatic.

When a body is found, belonging to one of thecompetitors, there is no shortage of suspects. Every sheep farmer in thisclose-knit community has a motive and beneath their show-ready smiles, they allhave something to hide.

Experience has taught Jude that when there’s amurderer at large, nobody is truly safe. And with secrets simmering beneath thesurface, this may be her most challenging investigation yet. Can she unearththe truth before it’s too late?

A gripping new installment in theMalvern Farm Mystery series, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, MerrynAllingham, and Faith Martin.

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My Thoughts:

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

This is the fifth book in the series and can be readas a standalone, except for the sad love track (more on this later).

I read this series to learn something new aboutcurrent farming practices and difficulties in other countries, namely the UK.It doesn’t shy away from showing the hard work required to run a farm and keepit at least borderline profitable in today’s times. As always, the book scoreshigh marks in this aspect.

The mystery starts well. The dead man is not someoneyou’d want to be associated with, so it’s no surprise that the list of suspectsis long and includes almost everyone who was around him at that time. Binniemakes a grand entry and is as efficient as ever. I liked her from the firstbook (in fact, I like her more than Jude, the MC).

The topic of discussion here is rewilding – theconcept of letting nature take over fields in an attempt to bring back lostanimal/ insect species and strengthen the ecosystem again. While it soundsidealistic in theory, the practicalities are different. Not every land issuitable for rewilding. A wrong choice could cause more harm than good anddestroy farmlands that are still useful for cultivation.

There are some developments in the personal tracks,and that is where I have a huge issue. I’ve grumbled about Jude’s ‘should I orshould I not’ debate with Marco. Here, it gets even worse with deliberatemiscommunication and immaturity. Please, act your age and have a proper discussionlike adults. I don’t want something like this to put me off a good series. Butif this stretches for more books, I will have to rethink my options.

Of course, as always, Jude rushes into danger tosolve the case, and this time, she might have gone a bit too far! Still, youcan trust her to solve the case. If only she used the same brain to deal withher personal life!

To summarize, Killer at the County Show is a goodmystery set in the countryside and deals with quite a few themes. The pacing ison the slower side, as it often is in this series.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and BoldwoodBooks, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinionabout the book.

#NetGalley

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About the Author – Kate Wells

Kate Wells is the author of a number ofwell-reviewed books for children and is now writing cozy crime set in theMalvern hills, inspired by the farm where she grew up.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @KateWellsPoels

Instagram: @KatePoelsWrites

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

Bookbub Profile: @katewellscrime

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