I loved this author’s previous book, Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice, but this one just didn’t really sing to my peppermint mocha-loving soul. It’s a cute story about a teenage couple who grew up together and eventually… what do the kids say these days? Oh yes, they caught feelings for each other—yet were incapable of saying the words out loud. Ugh. Not to go off on a tangent here, but this might be the main reason I don’t love romance. These reasonably intelligent people are always jumping to conclusions and suffering in silence when all their problems could be solved with a single conversation!
Sorry, I digressed. So yeah, this is a case of “it is what it is.” I can’t get too upset with a book that follows the same old romance tropes: miscommunication, friends-to-lovers, annoying internal tantrums, passive-aggressive behaviors, etcetera, etcetera. I think this book could have been exponentially improved with a subplot outside of the romance. It needs a mystery to solve, or a mom-and-pop store to be saved, or perhaps a big peppermint mocha barista challenge in the town square! I just needed something else to move the story along.
Also, I’m just wondering why these two think they could ever make it work. Our protagonist, Emma, has a zest for travel and adventure. She can’t get out of that small town fast enough and yearns to attend a college as far away as possible. Aiden, on the other hand, loves his life in Briar Glen and has no desire to move—which is TOTALLY FAIR! I don’t know if the moral of the story is to accept change and leave everything that makes you happy just for the sake of progress. But I don’t think these two should be together. As the kids say, that’s my “hot take.”
Maybe I’m just not a big Emma fan. She brought her new boyfriend to her hometown without even giving Aiden a heads-up? I mean… who does that? Rude. It would be best for everyone if she went back to her fancy boarding school and pursued her path so Aiden can live his best life in Briar Glen.
Although I didn’t love the romance, I did enjoy the Christmassy sights of Briar Glen and the little cameos from characters in the previous book. I would love another book about the coffee shop. Just putting that out there, Miss Katie Cicatelli-Kuc!
I have many thoughts on this rom-com/cozy mystery mashup, but let’s start on a positive note. I loved the locale–a creepy mansion with hidden rooms in the San Juan Islands. Sidenote: I highly recommend vacationing there because it is absolutely stunning! Here’s a visual of my REI bike tour of the islands:
Okay, so back to the book. I enjoyed being transported to this gorgeous place, only this time, I’m stuck in a spooky mansion with a murderer on the loose! I loved the Nancy Drew aspect of the mansion’s hidden rooms and spooky corridors. I’ll also give the author snaps for the funny quips and witty banter between our plucky main character and her “Hot-Stralian” love interest. So, if you enjoy a rom com with slapstick humor, you’ve come to the right place.
Alright, now let’s get down to the real talk. While reading this book, I realized that X-rated rom-com/cozy mysteries are NOT my jam. I enjoy a splash of romance in my cozies, but I can do without the explicit sex scenes that happen smack dab in the middle of a suspenseful moment when the killer runs away! I mean, who does that? Maybe it’s just me, but if I just survived a harrowing, life-threatening moment, sex with a hot Australian would be the last thing on my mind.
I hate it when a story gets interrupted, and I have to endure an entire chapter of sexy shenanigans before jumping back into the mystery again. This is why I don’t like musicals. Right when I’m getting into the story, a song and dance breaks out like a prolonged commercial break. It’s just not for me.
As for the mystery, I thought it was pretty well done with red-herrings and a mansion full of shady suspects. None of the characters pulled me in, including the MC who just seemed silly, especially with her ridiculous “sleuthing sweater” that she wears while thinking through her plots. Why anyone insist on wearing a hideously ugly, scratchy sweater on a routine basis is beyond me. I guess this is an attempt to make her seem quirky and cute, but I just found it to be annoying. Maybe that’s my problem. I’m not a fan of the overly quirky, cute characters. It just seems forced an unrealistic to me, especially when gimmicks like the “sleuthing sweater” are involved. Oh, and I would be remiss to not mention the MC’s TSTL (Too Stupid to Live) antics during the climax. I have to be super vague here to avoid spoilers, but I will say that this scene was absolutely ludicrous and highly unnecessary. At this point, I was rooting for the villain because the MC obviously had a death wish.
Overall, I don’t recommend this book to cozy mystery purists, such as myself. However, rom-com fans might enjoy the silly banter and smutty chapters.
GrrrrrRUFF! Merry Christmas to one and all! As you may know, I’m a dog rescue enthusiast (adopt don’t shop, people!), and there’s nothing I love more during this time of year than curling up with a good, Christmassy book with furry sidekicks. Here are just a few of my selections from this year’s holiday reading list:
Up on the Woof Top by Spencer Quinn
The gist: Chet and Bernie are at it again! This time it’s Christmas in the chilly desert, and they are tasked with finding Rudy the missing reindeer for a client who writes a popular cozy Christmas mystery series. Soon they get wrapped up in an unsolved murder cold case! Oh how I love cold cases! Everything about this synapsis was a yes for me when I found this gorgeous hardback in the bookstore.
What I liked: This series always puts me in a good mood. I absolutely love that everything is narrated by Chet the dog (aka Chet the Jet!), who often goes on tangents about table scraps and how much he adores Bernie. I’m just going to say it! Chet is my favorite character in contemporary literature. Bernie comes in at a close second. He’s the best dog dad, and he cares about the environment to boot! Officer Weatherly is a lucky lady.
What irked me: I can’t think of anything to critique here. I just loved every morsel of this book!
Overall: If you love mysteries and dogs, this series is a real double-whammy. Also, I really love the desert setting, especially in the winter. Not many of the books I read are set in the American Southwest, so this is a fun departure from the norm. There’s just something about the wintery desert that sparks my imagination.
Christmas at Corgi Cove by Annie England Noblin
The gist: Small town Texas girl is on a quest to save her aunt and uncle’ s beloved Corgi Cove Inn and falls in love with the big city boy who is working to buy the inn and turn it into a soulless resort for a company that’s taking over the town. Corgis make appearances here and there, and the townsfolk all came out of central casting for a run-of-the-mill Hallmark holiday movie.
What I liked: Being the Texas girl that I am (born, but not bred), I liked this fictional town set outside of Austin that’s full of old Victorian houses and mom-and-pop shops. It made me think of Wimberley, and I adore that town!
What irked me: The destined-to-fail romance was just soooooooo cliched. I’ve seen this time and time again, and it’s getting to be such a bore. Also, I could’ve used more dogs and less humans. The corgis make brief appearances in just a few scenes, so it’s really not a dog story at all.
Overall: This book is waaaaaay too long for what it is. I kept putting it down and not really caring what happened next because the climax was just so glaringly obvious. The romance aspect was a snoozefest, but I did rather enjoy the mother-daughter side plot that was thrown into the mix toward the very end, which added more depth to the formulaic love story. This wasn’t my favorite Christmas read, but I do highly recommend picking up the author’s other book, “Pupcakes,” which was fantastic!
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs
The gist: An unlucky-in-love woman reluctantly accompanies her friend on a road trip to deliver twelve shelter dogs to their new homes (site unseen!!!). How does this fly, exactly? As a shelter volunteer, I can see this going 50 shades of wrong. But I digress…she gets into a wreck on a snowy night and falls for her hunky first-responder. Romance ensues, and I’m sure you can figure out the rest.
What I liked: The dogs, of course! I love a good rescue story, and the idea of dogs being transported to their perfect little homes at Christmastime just warms my heart! Also, I really liked the secondary character who was leading the expedition. She genuinely cares about dogs and goes out of her way every Christmas to transport them to their happy forever families. I think this would’ve been a much more interesting story if she was the main character, but oh well.
What irked me: The main character—and her Christmas-phobia—was annoying from the get-go, and she just kept getting increasingly obnoxious. First, I felt a little salty about her vehement reluctance to help out her friend and be her copilot. I mean, she has nothing going on in her life other than a shallow but hunky boyfriend, so why is this such a problem? And don’t get me started on the boyfriend situation. Did the author forget that she had one? How am I supposed to care about this character when she’s two-timing her big city boyfriend while pursuing a romance with the hunky EMS hero?
Overall: This is my first book by Susan Wiggs, and I’m sad to say it’s my last. Her stories just aren’t for me. I can’t believe I did this, but I DNFed it with only two more chapters to go. I have a feeling the author had to figure out a way to create conflict toward the very end, so she turned the main character into an incessantly whiny brat. She has everything: the perfect man who knows exactly what to say and do, a wonderful new community of friends, the perfect life laid ahead of her….but yet she can’t stop bitching and moaning about her commitment issues and Christmas-phobia. It just got to be a little much. Bah Humbug!
Santa’s Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt
The gist: Lawyer Andy Carpenter is on a quest to exonerate his friend and fellow dog volunteer from murder charges. Murders and kidnapping ensue—and all clues lead to a dangerous mob!
What I liked: Andy is a quirky guy, and I rather enjoyed his snarky humor—especially his jabs at his own job. He can’t wait to retire, and I gotta say, that makes him a relatable character in my book! He’s also passionate about rescuing dogs and putting the bad guys in jail—all commendable qualities. Also, I liked the mystery plot, which had me guessing for quite a while. Andy and his team of crack-shot investigators had to do a LOT of digging to figure out who would want to frame a man for murder—not once but twice! The stakes kept getting higher with mafia threats, but they bravely stayed the course on thier quest for justice. If I’m ever in a pickle, I’m calling this guy!
What irked me: I wanted more dog action! I’m looking at a bundle of puppies underneath a Christmas tree on this glossy book cover, and there were very few puppies involved in this story!!! Also, Christmas ended halfway through the book, so this really wasn’t much of a holiday story. Aside from the false advertising, I got very confused with all the names of people that were dropped on me at the very end. I had to flip back to see who was who because it just go so messy. It would be great if authors could stick with just one name and not flit back and forth from a characters’ first and last name. It’s crazy-making!
Overall: This is a solid series with a lovable main character. He’s kind of a smart-ass, but I’ll let it pass because he rescues dogs and puts the baddies in jail. If you’re looking for a heart-warming dog story, this isn’t it. But if you like a puzzling mystery involving the organized crime and secretive small town cults, give this book a whirl.
From the publisher: Single mom Grace Mason doesn’t believe in miracles, magic, or love at first sight. She likes the quiet life, complete with her eight-year-old son, their tiny house, and her teaching job. For Grace, happiness means that nothing much ever changes in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Then, one thousand miles away, tragedy strikes. A massive heart attack leaves Grace’s estranged father comatose in an Upstate New York hospital. While a team of doctors fight to keep Henry Mason alive, Grace and Evan rush to his bedside to say their final goodbyes. Henry’s passing brings little closure for Grace, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her new surroundings. What begins as a short trip results in an entire summer spent with Henry’s second wife, Kathleen, and her next-door neighbor, Ryan Gordon, the town doctor. When a series of unlikely events lead to Evan’s disappearance, Grace must face her worst fears to find her son and bring him back home. Stardust Summer explores the complexities of forgiveness, what it means to be a family, and the fabulous possibility of falling in love—again
Why I picked it up: I can totally relate to stories about family dysfunction and second chances, so this book looked right up my street. Plus I’m in full spring-fever mode, so I was really looking forward to immersing myself in the gorgeous upstate New York lakefront setting.
What I liked most: The setting is – hands down – my most favorite element of this book. The descriptions of watercolor sunsets amid the Catskill Mountains, the sweet-smelling woods, the outdoor picnics – it all just makes me want to pack up my Hello Kitty suitcase and head out to the Adirondacks. Oh how I wish I could be sipping on a sugary iced tea on Ryan’s porch watching the sun dip under the lake.
Favorite character: I can be a little fickle about main characters, especially in romance novels. Typically the quirky best friend seems far more interesting and likeable. But surprisingly, I found Grace to be the most endearing character in this book. Maybe because I can empathize with her family struggles and trust issues. Sure, she makes some really dumb decisions – especially in the love department – but she eventually comes into her own. I should also mention that I got a big kick out of Kathleen, the estranged stepmother. After her husband’s death, I expected her to fall apart, but she went on living life to the fullest – taking quite a few twists and turns in the process. I’ll stop right here before I give anything away…but I will say that a pink house is involved.
What I want more of: Please, Lauren, tell me that we’re going to see more of Ryan and Grace! I got a nice little taste of their budding romance – and now I want more fireworks, more tension, more hot-and-heavy smooching sessions. I’m not talking 50 Shades of Grey, just maybe a PG-13 bedroom scene would be a fun little bonus for us hopeless romantics.
Final verdict: Overall this is another win for Lauren Clark. What I love about this author is that I know she’s going to strum my heartstrings and make me swoon over a sweet budding romance. If you’re looking for a beach read that will make you wax nostalgic about your childhood summers by the lake, download this book immediately!
Summed up in three words: Sweet, romantic, atmospheric.
Shameless self-promotion: Guess whose name was mentioned in the acknowledgments! That’s right, Jessica Sinn, book blogger extraordinaire! In my humble opinion, Lauren is right up there with top women’s fiction authors like Fern Michaels, Kathy Lamb, and Susan Mallery, so this is a true honor.
For more about this fabulous author, check out my reviews for Dancing Naked in Dixiehere, and Stay Tunedhere. Check out her Q&A here.
In honor of the coolest day of the week, I bring you The Friday Five. Every Friday I will ask the same five questions to myself, or any other willing participant! All my fellow book lovers are welcome to join in on the fun.
Synapsis:Twenty-five year old Charlotte “Charlie” Barrow is caught between her old life, and the one she is beginning to build, when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times. New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams, is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary. Through a coincidence of events, they come to rely on each other for comfort. This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny.
Why did you choose this book? I came across this book at the Texas Book Festival last fall and couldn’t resist picking up a new title by an up-and-coming Texas author. Although I have to admit that I dragged my heels for a while because I’m rarely in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel without sleuths, vampires or ghosties.
Where did the author go right?Or if it’s a turkey, what went wrong? Let me start off by explaining why I’m not a big fan of straight-up romance novels. The leading ladies are typically one-dimensional and painfully neurotic. They jump at the chance to be haughty and angry toward their love interest and it just grates on my nerves. There’s always a miscommunication and stupid squabbles ensue. I guess authors feel they need to do this to keep the romantic tension boiling, but it just annoys the crap out of me. But you know what surprised me about this book? I actually liked Charlie! She’s just your typical girl-next-door who loves to bake cupcakes and watch movies on a Friday night. We could totally hang out! Sure she has some serious emotional baggage, but it didn’t turn her into a complete ninny. The dynamic between her and Charlie (the dude) is very reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally….only the male Charlie is WAY hotter than Billy Crystal!
I also have to give the author props for thinking up the most bizarre first date of all time. I loved how the Charlies forged a bond under such stressful and emotionally-straining circumstances. From that moment on it was clear they were meant to be together.
Did anything bug you about the book? There were quite a few moments when I just wanted to shake Charlie and yell, “Get the hell out of the friend-zone, you idiot! He’s freakin’ perfect!”
Would you read another book by this author? Yes! When it comes to writing romance, S.L. Scott really knows how to hit the sweet spot. Her characters are believable, the dialogue is entertaining, and the grand finale is ultimately satisfying. Although I have to say that I’m a little tired of the Manhattan scene. Hopefully her next story will be set in Austin, or perhaps a small Texas town.
How would you sum up the book in three words?Sweet, romantic, cute.
Nora Bridge had what appeared to be the American dream – a devoted husband, two loving daughters, and a quaint beach house on Summer Island. Yet one day she turned her back on them all and vanished into thin air.
A decade later her youngest daughter Ruby finds herself grappling with the heartbreaking legacy of her mother’s selfishness. Stuck in the spin cycle of financial and emotional debt, Ruby is listless, angry and desperate to make a buck. After Nora, ironically a nationally beloved radio advice show host of “Family First,” becomes the center of a scandal, Ruby decides to write a tell-all roast about her absentee mother for a sleazy tabloid.
Just when life couldn’t get worse for poor Nora, she totals her car in an alcohol-induced haze, rendering herself incapacitated in a wheelchair. Alone and helpless, she’s left to rely on the one person who despises her the most: Ruby.
Guilted into taking care of her down-trodden mother at her childhood home in Summer Island, Ruby decides to maximize her quality time with mother dearest by writing her tell-all. But when her anger ebbs and forgiveness fights its way to the surface, she struggles with the moral dilemma of cashing in on her mother’s scandal or killing the story and letting her mother back in her heart.
Lessons of redemption and second chances are also infused in the two subplots: one a romance between Ruby and Dean, an old boyfriend who she kicked to the curb after her mother split, and another involving Dean’s dying brother who’s struggling to make peace with his broken family. Conveniently they’re all summering on the island and rebuilding their relationships.
Brimming with sentiments of forgiveness and unconditional love, the book reads like a lengthy episode of a Lifetime movie under the influence of “Delilah after Dark.” Get out those boxes of Kleenex ladies, this one is a surefire tearjerker.
BUBBLE BUBBLE BOOKS & TROUBLE 