Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
An incredibly useful, easily searchable guide for foragers complete with great photos and detailed information.

About
A field guide to mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest with photos, illustrations, and detailed descriptions of 493 different mushrooms.

Thoughts
I have often found myself staring at a random mushroom I see in the wild and wondering how I'd even go about figuring out what kind it is. If you share the same curiosity I do, then this book is your new friend. Like most guides, it includes details on mushrooms along with information and how to spot them. Illustrations are sparse, with most mushrooms depicted with competent photos taken at the harvest site. But more than being a long list to get lost in, the book includes a "choose your adventure"-style search tree to help you narrow down which chapter you should be looking through - quite a boon for newbies with no idea where to start looking. I also appreciated the chapter at the front packed with advice for foragers on how to get started, techniques for storage and identification, and best ways to protect both nature and self. A great resource for anyone in the PNW who wants to forage, or who's just curious.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A steamy historical romance centered around a love of music with just a splash of danger. Plot is a little thin.

About
Lady Azalais' father is being held for ransom, and her brother seems content to leave him to die. With no other options, she decides to disguise herself as a minstrel and retrieve him herself. But the journey is a dangerous one, and she'll need an escort. Sir William is a knight who prefers music over killing, so when the opportunity arrives for him to escort a minstrel through dangerous territory on a secret mission, he jumps at the chance. The two of them instantly bond over a shared love of music, but as the journey winds on, they might find they have a lot more in common. If their secrets don't separate them first.

Thoughts
Fans of romantic pining and steamy lovemaking scenes rejoice - this book has both of those in spades. The leads spend a lot of the book pining for each other, separated by societal expectations. When they finally decide to eschew said expectations, they dedicate a lot of energy to making up for lost time. Interestingly, the scenes in which they play music together are written with the same sort of intimate language as sex scenes. I was initially surprised, but that choice lends powerful support to their romantic connection and makes their interest in each other a lot more stable. I was also surprised by the thoughtful portrayal of Azalias' emotional experience with disguising herself as a man - specifically her feelings of vulnerability and self-consciousness. The plot itself is fairly straightforward, with very little by way of political intrigue.

Potential readers should be aware that sexual assault is one of the recurring themes of the book. There are two actual events (not between the MCs), a couple threats, and a lot of discussion on the topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A solid fantasy adventure with an immediately likable cast and strong, detailed artwork.

About
The Summoners are dead. All but one, at least. Talli has spent her life hidden away, but enemies have found her, and now she's on the run. Accompanied by the knight Alan, and guided by a strange man and boy with secrets of their own, Talli must escape to a safe place and learn the truth about her powers.

Thoughts
I love a good fantasy adventure, and this is a good fantasy adventure. On the surface, it has all the things you'd expect: a princess-like sheltered girl with a strange power, a too-noble knight, a dangerous old man with a sketchy past, and a young lad with secrets of his own. But it's the familiarity with the genre and expectations that makes this such a good read. Characters are written with pathos rather than as tropes, and the author's love for the genre is clear. The art style lends to the mood very well. It's a delight to see traditional inking in our digital era. Heavy inks and hatching give the story a very lived-in feel, along with a wealth of environment art, and some really clever use of tones for lighting. While not drawn in gory detail, the story does not shy away from violence - with several people losing limbs or heads along the way. Longtime fans of the genre will probably not find many surprises in the plot; but like a favorite meal I keep returning to, sometimes I just want something familiar made with expertise and love. Talli absolutely feeds that hunger, and I look forward to the next volume!

tl;dr
Knife girl and disaster boy find themselves at odds in a beautifully described oceanic setting with some thoughtful LGBT+ rep. Plot loses its way a bit with a lack of distinct villains.

About
Amaya has been living on a debtor's ship for the last seven years, paying off a debt that she's certain her family never owed. When she pulls a stranger aboard, he offers her the chance to enact revenge on the people who put her there. The job seems easy - pose as a fabulously wealthy countess, and lie and cheat her way through town until she finally brings down the family that destroyed hers. But revenge is never so simple.

Thoughts
This is a loose retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, a book I read so long ago that I remember nothing, so I came into this book largely without any expectations. And honestly, the plot did its work. Tasty plot twists, well-timed reveals, and vivid world-building. The two leads were fully fleshed out characters. Amaya is determined, hard-working, but somewhat conflicted. Cayo is a former spoiled child coming to terms with the fallout of his bad decisions, and aiming to be a better person. Their personalities don't exactly blend, but they do complement each other very well. The moment when they go swimming together and manage to be honest and vulnerable is especially well-written, and made me feel for them. The rest, however, didn't land as well for me. There are multiple villains in this book, and none of them get enough page time to be distinct from each other. Boon, in particular, feels somewhat underdeveloped, which dampens his actions in the back end of the book, and makes the climax fall a little flat. In general, it feels more like reading the first half of a book, instead of the first book in a duology. A good read for anyone who likes girls with daggers or starcrossed lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hearts Afire Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
An intriguing central mystery featuring sympathetic characters and a dash of romance.

About
The murder of Lord Wakefield seems like an open and shut case. Lord Newcastle was found holding the murder weapon, and the body was located in a place no one else could get to. But Kitty Worthington doesn't believe him to be a killer, and she'll do whatever it takes to prove it - even if it means going up against the intelligent and upsettingly attractive Detective Inspector Crawford.

Thoughts
This is the third book in the series, so Kitty and her mystery-solving crew already have a few wins under their belt, and it shows. Character interactions feel well-developed, and the efficiency of the group makes for an easy read. The two new characters who join the group are both interesting, with one offering just a hint of love triangle for readers looking for romance. Kitty is a fun lead, smart enough to solve mysteries, and smart enough to know when to seek help. Her attitudes about women and classes reflect the attitudes of the time, and may be off-putting when her naiveté shows through, though. The main mystery is a good one - a murder with seemingly only one solution, and no other threads to pull on. The answers unfold at a good pace, with a few well-placed hints along the way to really stick the landing. Sub mysteries don't get as much time and are wrapped up with a handful of coincidences that might be frustrating to some readers. Romance is present throughout the book, although it largely takes a back seat until the mystery is solved, which I appreciated. No time to feel jealous when there's a dead body around. The ending was very well-timed, and makes a lot of space for future installments in the series.

tl;dr
Beautiful, lively artwork and a fun set of lead characters. Ambitious story moves a little too fast for my tastes.

About
Rose has always wanted to be a baker, but lack of experience and money seem like insurmountable odds. But a chance opportunity to compete in a reality TV baking competition might just be what she needs to make her dreams come true.

Thoughts
I usually start with the story and then talk about the art, but the art is just too good to hold off on. It's very good! Distinct and appealing character designs, expressive characters, and some really solid paneling. The layout when Rose's parents broke the news to her was especially poignant. Art is consistent across the board with bright colors, competent backgrounds, and tantalizing food illustrations. I absolutely loved the energy of the artwork. The story was a fun ride, although albeit a bit too ambitious for the page count. Everyone loves an underdog story, and Rose's dedication to being a good person, even in the face of adversity really warmed me. I think the romance between friends was probably my favorite thread (I love a childhood friend romance!), and the confession while on the London Eye was very romantic. Outside of the two leads though, other characters don't have much time to develop, which is a shame. The main antagonists in particular get very little time to develop as characters. Is Nicole so good she's definitely going to win, or is she a cheat who needs to sabotage others? Does she actually see a kindred spirit in Fred, or is she just trying to make things hard for Rose? And does her partner have any contribution to the story at all? I see the framework of a great story that I enjoy, but I suspect I'd enjoy it more if it had time to breathe over more than one volume. The book also includes recipes, which I appreciate, because after reading all that, I desire baked goods!

Thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
An easily readable adaptation of one of the lesser-known Sherlock Holmes mysteries, including a very adventurous treasure hunt.

About
Watson discovers a collection of souvenirs from some of Holmes' old cases and asks him to recount one of them - in this case, the story of a missing butler and a strange ritual handed down over generations. Conan Doyle's "The Musgrave Ritual" adapted for young readers complete with illustrations.

Thoughts
Reviewing one of the original Sherlock Holmes stories feels weird at this point, as most of them are probably already in the cultural zeitgeist. But since this one is probably a little less well known, I'll give it a quick review: This one bears markers of Edgar Allan Poe's influence, reminiscent of The Gold Bug and the rather famous Cask of Amontillado, to make a thrilling treasure hunt/murder mystery that might be one of the darker tales in the Sherlock Holmes canon. The actual solution to the mystery is much simpler than a real-world version of the same puzzle - which might be a good talking point to discuss with brighter young readers afterwards, as an introduction to some basic astronomy, nature, and math. In terms of adaptation, the writing is very accessible. The story is broken up into short, digestible chapters, that make for easy reading. Illustrations, of which there are many, are cartoony and charming, although the murderer is certainly drawn with a bit more terrifying of a look. Overall, a good starting point for young readers, or a good addition for anyone wanting to read beyond the more famous Holmes adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
An easily readable adaptation, and a great introduction to Sherlock Holmes for kids, especially for someone looking for one of the mysteries that doesn't involve murder.

About
An old friend of Watson's writes, begging for help from the great Sherlock Holmes. An important document has gone missing, one that will have internationally catastrophic consequences if it falls into the wrong hands. Conan Doyle's "The Naval Treaty" adapted for young readers complete with illustrations.

Thoughts
At this point in time, I don't think I have to write much description of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. For anyone not familiar with this particular one, expect the usual - a vexing puzzle, a brilliant deduction, and a touch of drama. This story in particular is one of the several Sherlock Holmes mysteries that does not involve a murder, so anyone looking for an introduction to Holmes without the dead bodies that seem to follow might start here. In terms of adaptation, the writing is very accessible. The story is broken up into short, digestible chapters, that make for easy reading. Illustrations, of which there are many, are cartoony and charming. Overall, a good starting point for young readers, or a good addition for anyone wanting to read beyond the more famous Holmes adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
Romance and mystery are mostly balanced (with romance pulling into the lead just a bit), in a very satisfying story with two likable leads.

About
Eva Caldwell has worked hard to make a name for herself as a photographer, and her skill has not gone unnoticed - she's even called upon to photograph crime scenes when the need arises. The work is good, and the company, a certain Detective Nathan Winston, is even better. So when Detective Winston asks her to pose as his beloved for a week, she's thrilled. But a criminal from one of Nathan's past cases has arrived seeking revenge, and Eva isn't sure what's more difficult - solving the case, or keeping her true affections for Nathan in hiding.

Thoughts
I love a fake romance trope, and I love a romance where the characters are honest with each other. I know these sound like opposing ideas, but Nancy Campbell Allen has somehow managed to make both of these ideas come to the table in an extremely satisfying way. The two leads are very easy to cheer for. Eva is smart, complex, and empathetic. Nathan is thoughtful, clever, and modest. The two of them feel SO very meant for each other, and their chemistry feels very natural.

Supporting cast are all interesting, with Sammy being an easy favorite. I often approach books about "strong female lead" types with trepidation, because they so often fall into the "not like other girls" trope as well. I am pleased that this is not the case here, with several women of varying natures and distinct personalities. There are definitely a couple catty types, but they are presented as an outlier. Nathan's mother, in particular, is a delight.

The mystery unfolds at a quick pace, and I absolutely ate it up. This is definitely more a read-along mystery, rather than a solve-along, but the reveal felt like it was reasonably hinted at, and the twists all made sense.

This book is a spinoff of another one. While the previous book isn't necessary reading, newcomers do have a little bit of catching up to do, and the first few chapters are packed with a lot of information to be learned in a short amount of time. Once you catch up, though, it's very smooth reading from there. I had a great time, and I will definitely be seeking out the author's other works.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A genuinely funny look into the world of idol culture with high energy artwork and a fast-paced story. One of the leads can be frustrating at times.

About
Yuya is the lazier half of idol group Zings, and his extreme laziness is about to get him dropped from the group. But a chance meeting with the ghost of idol singer Asahi Mogami might give them both the solution their problems. If Asahi possesses Yuya for his performances, she can continue the dream she had in life of being an idol, and Yuya won't have to work hard at anything. Surely nothing can go wrong?

What I Liked
Yuya and Asahi are a great odd couple representing the toxic extremes of idol culture: Yuya in it only for money and attention, and Asahi's identity so tied to serving the fans that she cultivates dangerous parasocial relationships. The story treats this with a light touch (so far), allowing the leads' attitudes to play mostly as jokes rather than getting too mired in the darker side of idol culture. The back and forth between the leads is refreshing and fun, as they banter about their differing ideals without devolving into fighting. Although still budding, their friendship feels very stable, and I enjoy it. Typical drama moments about a guy and a ghost girl living together are skipped altogether, with a 4koma in the back of the book even poking fun of the expectation. Yoshino is a great supporting character, and I do hope that he gets his time to shine as well. The best portion of the stories is the fans themselves: sometimes passionate, sometimes despairing, always relatable. Artwork is very high energy and dynamic with a lot of great expressions, and Asahi's design is my favorite. A scene in the middle where Asahi and Yuya attempt to remake Yuya's image is genuinely hilarious.

What Wasn't For Me
The front half of the story moved at a breakneck speed. I wouldn't have minded giving our leads a little more time to figure each other and themselves out through their first few performances before introducing in other characters or plot points. Yuya's attitude can be grating, especially when it comes to how he treats Yoshino. If he were a real idol, his label would've dropped him ages ago, no matter how good his looks. Anatomy in the artwork can sometimes be inconsistent.