Book Review Round-Up (#30)

The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

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This book was definitely overhyped for me so I had really high expectations. I wish I hadn’t heard anything about it before walking into it cause I think I would have enjoyed it more for what it was. I also wished I hadn’t gotten the audiobook version and instead the physical copy. It’s not that I didn’t like the narrators but I found myself thinking I would have read Cassie differently and Aiden’s voice was so much hotter in my mind.

So, note to the reader: perhaps pick up the physical copy!

Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles by A.L. Herbert

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I loved this cozy murder mystery. It was funny, witty, and full of recipes! I wanna listen to it all over again. Poor Halia is just trying to run a successful restaurant when her co-investor, Marcus, shows up dead in the kitchen. Along with her cousin, Wavonne, Halia moves the body outside to prevent her business from becoming a crime scene. But, when Marcus’ body turns up down by the river the next day, she’s officially invested in what was going on with Marcus and how everything played out… and honestly, so is the reader!

P.S. The narrator was incredible!

I want to recommend it to a few friends cause this is perfect for an Autumn cabin getaway. This was my only POC this month, next month I’ll do better!

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

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This book was cute but read more like a murder mystery than a standard contemporary romance. That’s not a complaint! More of an observation. I wish I had waited til late September to pick this up because now I’m in an Autumn funk and am wishing for cabin weather.

I also wish I had picked up the physical copy for this one too. I didn’t feel the love connection between the two MC and I’m not sure why but this one just … didn’t do it for me.

Did anyone else feel this way?

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

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This book was an unexpected delight. I loved the hints of magic and the ability to see your life in three different ways. It was a beautiful story and brought me to tears more than a few times. It was emotional, moving, and heartbreaking.

That said, it did read a little slow at times for me. There was a lot of attention to detail that I thought was unnecessary but towards the end I understood why the Author did that and so will the reader.

P.S. I want to BE Aunt Gert. Everyone needs an Aunt Gert!

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda French Gates

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This bio had a lot of great moments. I genuinely enjoyed reading about Melinda French Gates life and how she, herself, was in computer science and made her way up through Microsoft when it was a startup.

The way she covered all of the humanitarian work was incredible and inspiring. She makes me want to be and do better. She touched so much on women in work, women in leadership, and just how much representation matters for the health and safety of future women.

This book is high on my recommendation list for women supporting women.

Intrigue in Istanbul (A Jane Wunderly Mystery #3) by Erica Ruth Neubauer

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I’m still loving this series but unlike the others, I really didn’t feel like I was taken away to the travel destination as much as the others. I do love and appreciate that they rode the Orient Express but I would have loved to be emersed a little bit more in Istanbul.

Truthfully, I’m obsessed with this series because of the travel, murder mystery, and little hints of romance between Jane and Redvers. I love that good ol’ Aunt Milly is constantly joining her on every adventure and I particuarly enjoyed meeting and finding her father in this one. It was a fun cozy mystery and I’m happy I read it.

This one would be perfect in autumn. Cozied up by a fireplace with a lovely glass of red wine (or a gin rickey, as Jane enjoys).

Stitches and Witches (Vampire Knitting Club, #2) by Nancy Warren

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This was the first cozy mystery I guessed who the killer was!! I’m so proud. Haha.

I really liked the second book in the Vampire Knitting Club series. This isn’t my normal genre to pick up, though I do love witchy books, knitting, knitting shops, and England. I would say Vampires aren’t my normal cup of tea but these ones, including Lucy’s grandmother, are a hoot. This book allowed you to meet Lucy’s neighbors and new assistant (who actually knows how to knit, unlike Lucy).

This one screamed Autumn and would be the perfect cabin read or close-to-Halloween novel.

Cold- Hearted Rake (The Ravenels, #1) by Lisa Klypas

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This book was scandal after scandal and, as a Gemini, I approve! What a wild and fun ride this was! A surprise and utter delight from the legendary Lisa Kleypas.

Kathleen finds herself a mourning widow after a mere 3 days of marriage to a man she didn’t love. When Devon Ravenel inherits his late cousin’s title, three sisters, and an estate in debt to his ears he’s already irritated when he finds Kathleen so attractive.

This one was so much sexier than anticipated and I loved the wittiness and chemistry between these two. So much so, I started the second book because the first wasn’t enough!

Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter

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This is the only physical book I read this month and it was my favorite! Solomon and Tess were the ultimate escape from reality. One night stand turned to two pink lines. No names or idea of where each other lives. A recluse widower and a hyper-organized celebrity designer. Mr. Grumpy and Little Miss Sunshine.

It’s the perfect recipe. And, listen… he thinks and says the SWEETEST things to her. I was dying. I definitely teared up and cried a few times. I loved how much they completed one another and made their own kind of family. 💕

I can’t wait to pick up Ava Hunter’s next book!

Marrying Winterbourne (The Ravenels, #2) by Lisa Kleypas

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Okayyyyy, last but not least – this was totally better than I thought it would be am I’m still into the Ravenel women! I cannot wait to start the next book.

I love how much Helen has grown, confidently, since the first book. This one starts out hot, passionate, and so much fun. I listened to this one on the way home from Spokane and it was addicting from their first interaction.