Review: The Lord of Lost Causes

The Lord of Lost Causes by Kate Pearce
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Picked this up as a freebie on Kobo and started it because I had terrible insomnia last night. I was pleasantly surprised. Here we have a little "enemies to lovers" dynamic. I do love antagonistic characters who fight and fall in love, which is strange because I hate fighting in real life.

Francis is an ass at the beginning. Caroline is a practical widow with few options. Honestly, the real villain to me is her mom. Seriously, she's terrible and selfish. Weird that she seemed to have a gambling problem and then that whole thing is dropped. Just a plot device to enter the hero into her world. I 100% will read the next one in the series, so recommending at a solid 3 stars.

TW: it's not non-consensual, but it's coerced. She agrees, and initiates it, but still...stay away if that isn't your thing.

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Review: All the Little Liars

All the Little Liars by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We jump back into things with Aurora and Robin married and expecting a baby (not necessarily in that order). And her half brother Phillip is still living with them and has suddenly disappeared with a few other teens from Lawrenceton. What happened? Where are they? Did they run away together or get kidnapped? Well, you know Roe is on the case and she's going to figure it out before the bumbling cops of Lawrenceton do. We get a rare appearance from her shifty father and step-mother, we get a tiny bit about poor old Sally, and at the end they all live happily ever after, of sorts. Or at least as happily as you can after some major trauma.

Barely 3 stars for this one. I feel like Charlaine Harris went back to this half heartedly to meet fan demands. I am just hoping we get another Harper Connelly.

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Review: The Sinister Pig

The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love this series, and even more as Bernie grows into her own as a cop. And finally we get to where I want them all to be by the end.

Joe is keeping his hand in, even in retirement. We get just enough of his amazing brain as he helps guide them to the right answer. He's doing his investigation on the side, and it helps tie everything together, as usual. Jim is still impulsive and does what it takes to solve it all (with help) and finally be honest with Bernie so we can stop this ridiculous dance. Jim, you are so awkward, but we love you. Don't let me down in the next book. And Bernie is trying to settle into her new position with Border Patrol, but you know her heart belongs to the Rez and to Jim, and she will eventually end up where she is meant to be.

Looking forward to the next installment across the Navajo Nation. Rating this one 3.5 happy stars.



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Review: Wolf Pack

Wolf Pack by C.J. Box
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. This was a wild ride. Not a ton of Joe or Nate, as we spend a ton of time with the bad guys.
And all roads lead to Wyoming, as you might expect.
I want to be careful not to spoil too much, but there is a lot of death in this installment of my second favorite Wyoming lawman's life. But stick through to the end, and you will at least get a little satisfaction in how Wyoming justice plays out. Plus what I hope is a happily ever after.

Definitely not my favorite book in the series, but still rounding up to 4 solid stars.

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Review: The Werewolf Dates the Deputy

The Werewolf Dates the Deputy by Kristen Painter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We return to Nocturne Falls earlier than I expected, mainly because I needed to read a book with a star on the cover. Book 12 did not disappoint.
You have the sexy werewolf fire chief. You have the strong Valkyrie sheriff's deputy. They get paired up by the wiley sheriff to coordinate the annual 10k, and boom, enemies to lovers trope commences.
(Ok, not exactly enemies, but you see the annoyed bickering from the jump and you know exactly where this is headed). Dark magic ensues. An old mysterious friend comes to town. And while Jenna tries to fight it, the heart wants what it wants. Girl, he's amazing. What is wrong with you? And his house sounds like a dream spot.

Hang in there for that happily ever after you know you are going to get in Nocturne Falls. 3.5 cheesy stars.


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Review: Fallen

Fallen by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an emotional ride. But Will's life is never predictable.

This case is all about Faith, her mom's law enforcement past, and who wants answers to the past and the present. I really liked how she revealed the truth a little at a time, and it wasn't at all what I expected. Plus, Sara is still around and she's getting drawn into the Scooby gang. I'm here for it, because I love Sara.  Amanda and Faith seem to like her, too.  Also, Amanda is the most frustrating boss ever.  Will and Faith are saints to navigate her nonsense.
Also, we make some forward movement with Will's personal life. I just want him to be happy. Karin Slaughter, if you mess with Will's happiness, we are going to have words. And you had better never, ever, hurt my baby Betty.

One of my favorite series. 4 stars.

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Review: River Marked

River Marked by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lots of things happened in this one. Mercy and Adam tie the knot, and they go on a super camping honeymoon that would be totally up my alley. I liked that they got more time together and you really could feel their connection.

Walkers are everywhere, and we really get a chance to find out a bit more about Mercy's background. Plus Coyote is awesome, and I'm a big fan of Thunderbird as well. I'd like them both to make appearances in future books. Plus, it seems the pack is a bit more accepting of Mercy by the end, and that makes me happy.

I loved the letter from Mercy to Adam at the end. It made me tear up a little, because I am a big marshmallow. 4 stars.

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Review: The Vampire's Priceless Treasure

The Vampire's Priceless Treasure by Kristen Painter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another trip to Nocturne Falls. We get more time with Kora, which makes her a little more tolerable than in the previous book. And we get another appearance from Greyson. Neither are my favorite characters, but they are growing on me. Everything seems to work out fine for the supernaturals of Nocturne Falls. Short and sweet, this is an easy series to read through, and the characters' backgrounds are all interesting.

I still haven't started the Jane Frost series, but I think it's time to visit the North Pole. 3 stars.

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Review: The Governess Affair

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Re-read for 2024. I still love Hugo best.

Very pleasantly surprised by this one. Glad I read it.

Hugo Marshall, will you be my book boyfriend? You are exactly my type. Strong on the outside, soft on the inside. Smart (very important). And a strange mix of safe and dangerous. He's the perfect match for Selena, and she was damn lucky to find him.

Really fast read and hits all of the right historical romance notes for me. I'm quite excited to see how book 1 holds up against the backstory. It's going to be tough to beat Hugo, and I hope he makes an appearance.

Really loved it. 4 gooey stars.

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Review: Matchmaking Can Be Murder

Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First book in a new series for me. It was decent. I'll add it to my Amish cozy list.

Millie is a bit of a busybody who fancies herself a matchmaker. Based on the little evidence in this book, the jury is still out. She's also a master quilter. Jealous! Anyway, this book is a spinoff of the author's Amish Candy Shop series, but you don't need to read it first to read this one. The mystery was decent and I didn't figure it out until the reveal. I'll read the second book eventually. 3 stars.

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