leandrathetbrzero's Reviews (412)

 When two former classmates walk into Carly’s restaurant, she finds herself roped into catering a bridal shower by the time they leave. On the day of the party, Carly’s food is a major hit, but the mood turns sinister when the groom is discovered dead after tumbling down the stairs.

This cozy mystery features many traditional tropes and themes for which the cozy subgenre is known: a hobby or career that is heavily infused into the storyline, small-town setting, amateur sleuth as opposed to a professional detective, and very clean dialogue and conflicts (without strong language, sexual content, or topical society issues). This book is certainly aimed at those who like their mysteries to match the vibes of afterschool specials. It was cutesy, and I was vaguely interested in the world in which Carly navigates. A very easy to read cozy, for sure.

With that said, I felt that there was a missed opportunity for the author to provide a Sapphic coupling between characters Gretel and Megan. I was especially disappointed with Megan’s characterization as the sad, lonely older woman who must live vicariously through her sister, who did get married and have a child that Megan dotes upon. This “sad” lifestyle seems to lead Megan to mental instability which is a bit insulting for me to read as someone who is a part of the happily child-free and single community. This reminded me of the archaic depiction of the lonely, spinster woman. 

 A Dissatisfying Haunted House

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What would you do if you inherited a haunted house?

Maggie Holt has been haunted by experiences in her childhood that she struggles to remember. Twenty-five years ago, her parents moved into Baneberry Hall, a rambling Victorian estate in the Vermont woods. Three weeks later, the family fled in the dead of night, and Maggie’s father wrote a best-selling book called House of Horrors. Maggie learns upon her father’s death that he never actually sold the house, and she now owns Baneberry Hall. Not long after arriving at its gates does she begin to wonder just how much of what her father wrote is true.

As compelling as the premise was, I finished the novel disappointed. Don’t get me wrong: the spooky atmosphere was fantastic and I loved how the narrative progressed with a dual-timeline narration, juggling Maggie’s present-day POV with her father’s POV from twenty-five years earlier. As the puzzle pieces were coming together, and Maggie clearly became more and more in danger, I was heavily invested. I was even ready to forgive some odd, unrealistic behaviors from Maggie et al. One of many includes how Maggie is upset when she learns that another character has been to prison and hadn’t informed her of this. Yet these two characters also didn’t know each other for very long…we’re talking a couple weeks? And I feel like that sets a discriminatory precedent that reformed individuals are required to list their prior offenses immediately after giving their name to a stranger. Maggie then proceeds to compare this person’s “lie” to the lies told to her by her father, and she says she doesn’t need any more liars in her life…okay, Maggie, sounds good.

My biggest issue with this book is the solution that Riley Sager settled on, out of the many offered. In the last third of the story, we are provided with a ridiculous number of “reveals” or answers. Each time one was properly laid out, tying up all loose ends, it was then replaced with another. I swear every person, ghost, and the like was at one point or another blamed for the various events going on. And, then, when Sager settled on the final one, I found that to be the most disappointing and dissatisfying option. I even saw it coming at one point. In one particular scene, Maggie felt to me as if she were over-acting, so my brain told me to pay more attention to the importance of what she was saying and doing. 

As an introduction into Riley Sager’s work, this certainly wasn’t a great start. However, because I did enjoy the atmosphere and the paranormal elements, I wouldn’t be against trying another novel by him in the hopes that I get a more satisfying ending. I’m not in a hurry to put those hopes to the test any time soon though. 

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Always a matchmaker, never a match…

When Olivia takes over her grandmother’s matchmaking business, her mission is to help everyone but herself find love. Both running the business and avoiding love become difficult when she learns that a new dating app has loosely borrowed her Pó Po’s traditional Chinese zodiac. What’s worse is L.A.’s most-eligible bachelor Bennett O’Brien is behind the app, and he’s confident that he can make Olivia fall in love.

This was such a lovely read in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Olivia and Bennett had great chemistry starting from their first interaction, and I rooted for the couple every step of the way. This is a sweet read for those who enjoy romances that focus heavily on the emotional connection between protagonists. I had so much fun learning about Chinese zodiac and other Chinese traditions, and living vicariously through these characters as they enjoy so much delicious food! A major theme that Laurn Kung Jessen includes is how it feels to be mixed race and struggle to affirm one’s identity. I appreciated that this was something for Olivia and Bennett to bond over, both being Chinese American. 

As I am an amateur in this genre, I’m still getting acquainted with what avid romance readers coined “the third-act breakup.” I think that was one of the areas in this book that I found it difficult to believe. There was a huge dependency on Lunar Love’s tradition for only matching compatible signs, but inconsistencies kept cropping up throughout the book so that, when Olivia finally pushed Bennett away, this compatibility conflict didn’t seem very realistic. Most romances I have read thus far seem to fall victim to unrealistic, over-the-top breakups though, so this one was par for the course!

Lunar Love will be a sweet read for anyone who enjoys the opposites-attract trope, themes of family and tradition, and a clean/closed door romance dynamic. 

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CONTENT WARNING: sexual assault, rapist-sympathizing, and substance abuse

Upon receiving a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school, Jamie Watson finally meets classmate Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s great-great-great-granddaughter, after years of admiring her from afar. Their relationship has a rocky start, but when one of their classmates is murdered and the two find themselves being framed for the crime, Jamie must place all of his trust in Charlotte to save them both.

This modern reimagining of Sherlock Holmes was fascinating as Cavallaro maintained certain classic elements while uprooting and replacing others. The major changes include a modern-day American setting with teenage sleuths, and the brilliant Holmes has been given a gender switch. Holmes and Watson are British expats in this world, and both are descendants of the original investigating duo. One aspect that hardcore Sherlockians will appreciate is that each crime in this book is a copy-cat recreation from the story collection Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It was so much fun watching the characters connect the dots and rehash past classic mysteries. 

As enjoyable as the mystery plot was for me, I really struggled to accept certain character flaws and narrative subplots. At the beginning of the story, Jamie battles with keeping his temper in check as not to lash out violently. This internal conflict kind of gets forgotten after the single time he has an outburst, publicly fighting with the novel’s first victim. Meanwhile, his father and step-mother act in a way that makes them more immature than the book’s teen protagonists. And, finally, Charlotte has inherited Sherlock’s drug dependency which I would have been fine with if it were written in a more sensitive manner. Charlotte’s substance abuse makes her vulnerable and the target of sexual assault prior to the book’s events. I was disappointed by how this was addressed, especially in how it tied Charlotte not only to the murder victim who was also her attacker but the book’s overall villain. There was a moment of sympathy for murdered character/assaulter at the end of the narrative, after all had been revealed, and I found the sentiment uncomfortable and concerning. While 2016 may seem quite close to modern day, I do attribute the poor handling of Charlotte’s trauma to the fact that this book was published 7 years ago. Much progress has been made regarding sexual assault awareness and advocacy in the last decade, and hopefully this progress will continue. 

As this review does discuss sexual assault, I would like to take the opportunity to provide resources in case someone reading this is in need of assistance:

More resources: rainn.org/resources 

 I am OBSESSED with this YA Fantasy series!

Publication Date: February 7, 2023

↓ Read this if you liked these! ↓

Treasure-hunting duo Fi and Shane continue their mission of defeating the Spindle Witch and awakening the sleeping kingdom of Andar. In this gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty retelling, alliances are tested, buried secrets rise to the surface, and some nightmares threaten to become a reality. Be sure to DEVOUR book 1, The Bone Spindle, before diving into this brilliant second installment!

As a reader who tends to treat most firsts in a series as standalones, let’s appreciate the fact that I have been (im)patiently waiting for this sequel since last February! It was so satisfying to sink back into this magical kingdom of curses and guarded treasures. The storyline immediately picks up where The Bone Spindle left off, and dangerous foes are lurking around every corner. This series is perfect for those who love epic adventures, Fairytale retellings, and themes of found friendship and family. 

Beyond the gripping storyline and numerous intricately-woven fairytale elements, my favorite features within this book (and the series, in general) includes the LGBT+ representation–particularly the enemies-to-lovers romance plot between Shane and Red– and the great group dynamic among the growing cast of main characters. It is filled with sharp dialogue exchanges and an impressive variety of personalities. 

My favorite character in the series has not changed, and no other character can compete in my opinion. I adore the axe-wielding huntsman Shane with all of my heart. She has such a pure heart and an unyielding determination to do what is right. More so, she is ridiculously loyal to those she cares about. If I were ever in trouble or need of a friend, I would be looking for the Shane in my life. There is one scene in particular between her and her partner, Fi, that I wouldn’t have wanted written in any other way. Not only is she a bad ass, but she is a great friend to boot.

Hey, Leslie Vedder, when can we be expecting the next installment?? 

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Melbourne, 1960: A model’s body is discovered during the grand finale of a bridal fashion show, and it’s up to the niece of Phryne Fisher to solve the case before the police arrest the wrong person.
 
As someone who thoroughly enjoys historical fiction mysteries, I realized upon starting this book that there aren’t a huge number set during the 1960s, nor many set in Australia. The setting was so refreshing with so many pops of color and flair. Plus, I am now even more eager to learn about and visit Australia.
 
Peregrine Fisher has such a lively, determined personality. She and the members of the Adventuresses’ Club are consistently underestimated by the men around them. The dialogue was sharp, the sixties fashion and culture of Melbourne felt vibrant, and the mystery grew more complex with every chapter. I appreciated how well Kovacic balances serious topics – such as gender inequality and police corruption – with thrilling, humorous moments of adventure and cheek. Never did I feel that an issue was made light of, nor did I find this cozy mystery ever became too dark. The perfect combination of historical realism, an inspiring heroine, and…naturally, a good murder or two.
 
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC of Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic in exchange for this honest review! I am really looking forward to seeing where this series goes next and, eventually, checking out the TV series it’s based on. 

Highly Recommended for Lovers of Workplace Satire, Surrealism, and Literary Fiction 

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Thank you, Partner Bibliolifestyle and William Morrow Books for this gifted copy of THE THING IN THE SNOW. 

Hart supervises a small team at the Northern Institute, a defunded research facility located on a frozen, barren landscape. Each week they are provided tasks designed to maintain the building’s integrity until research can begin again. The mundanity of life at the Northern Institute suddenly becomes very interesting when one member of the team notices a thing in the snow. The appearance of this unknown object leads the inhabitants at the institute to search for answers: What were the scientists studying in this desolate place? How much coldness - in its various forms - can a human endure? And, is the thing in the snow dangerous?
 
Adams combines humorous, satirical moments with an eerie, isolated, and very cold setting. I was concerned for these characters while simultaneously laughing at their oddities and absurd conversational styles. The narrator reminds me of Michael Scott from The Office and, more so, Lemuel Gulliver - history's most hilariously incompetent explorer. This narrative gave me a lot to think about when it comes to the traditional ingredients of a thriller, and how often parody and satire arise from a particular genre becoming oversaturated. A classic example of this is the Western film. I enjoyed the commentary on the modern workplace, the humorous and touching insecurities of Hart as he reads his Leadership fiction series and struggles to maintain control over his subordinates.
 
While this novel is advertised as equal parts satire and psychological thriller, I would personally categorize it under the genre of literary fiction. It was a narrative that I wanted to read with a critical eye, and one that I think I would have enjoyed even more if I read it in either an academic setting or a book club. To put simply, I think this book requires an audience not only to engage with it but also with each other about it. 

I’m giving The Thing in the Snow three stars, but it was on the cusp of a four-star rating, because the monotony of Hart’s weeks made this a slow-paced read for me. I fully understand that this was very much the point of the blurred, muddled weekends and the unsatisfying weekly tasks. However, it nevertheless stunted my own reading experience. With that said, I could definitely see myself picking up a book by this author again.

 A Household full of Liars, a Thief, and a Murderer

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1. A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde
2. Murder in Westminster by Vanessa Riley
3. The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

SYNOPSIS
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need—for a modest fee, of course—and her client roster is steadily increasing…

This title was my introduction to the Useful Woman mystery series, and I am grateful to Kensington Publishing for the gifted copy. I cannot wait to do a deep dive into the books that came before and those to be published in the future because I am hooked! The series is perfect for lovers of historical fiction mysteries, Jane Austen, and authentic depictions of the Regency era. And the mystery was one in which I found myself fully invested up to the final pages!

After Golden Age detective fiction, my second favorite mystery subgenre is historical fiction. And Darcie Wilde’s writing is just brilliant. I am most impressed by Wilde’s ability to present strong, wilful women characters and feminist themes while presenting a very believable Regency-era society where gender inequality restricts the freedom and agency of women. And this novel has a great cast of characters. I loved following Rosalind as our capable, level-headed sleuth. Others may disagree, but she reminded me of Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility or Juliet Tilney, one of the young amateur detectives in The Murder of Mr. Wickham. None of this is surprising as this series is inspired by Jane Austen and includes some great quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

I am genuinely so excited for whatever adventures Rosalind comes across in the future, and I will cherish both the ARC and the finished copy I now own. 

I was looking forward to this book because cli-fi is one of my favorite subgenres. I love when ecological elements and climate change are included in novels, especially storylines following Dystopian structures. However, I elected to stop reading this book at about 40%. The opening chapters following the family's preparations for Hurricane Wanda was interesting, but I was immediately turned off by the father completely disregarding and belittling his wife's fears and requests to evacuate. I also felt uncomfortable with their dominant "fixing" man meets vulnerable traumatized woman backstory. It was all extremely depressing from the beginning. Not to mention that the only two characters I felt any kind of investment in ended up not surviving the storm. 

Brooks-Dalton dips into magical realism with the character of Wanda, but her abilities seemed vague up to the point I stopped reading. The author is clearly a gifted writer; she writes beautifully and characterizes thoroughly. With that said, I don't think her skills as a writer outweigh the issues and disenchantment I had with this book.