These novellas were just okay for me. I didn't hate them since I continued to read them. But they are not the strongest stories from this author. I much prefer her Addison Holmes or the J.J. Graves series.

I think the issue here is that they were novellas and not novels. If there had been more time to flesh the relationships the one between Agatha and Hank, or the secondary characters it may have been more to my liking. Even with the shortened length, there were numerous continuity issues ranging from a character's features to their personality. Plus the writing pattern just didn't match Hart's others; it didn't even have her humor type. It seems like her co-author did a lot of the writing here and she just filled in some parts.

Maybe the later ones are stronger and, as I do have that set, I will be reading it soon. I am just going to need a break in between them since it just didn't grab me the way her others have.

In my opinion, there are some authors who are either really good at novellas or really good at novels. They can't do both. Talia Hibbert is one of the exceptions to this rule. I have enjoyed *everything* I've ever read by her and I don't imagine that will change any time soon. Her stories always include sexy times, banter, and growth. All the characters are human in the sense that they are flawed. They also know they're flawed and work to grow from it. They're also not afraid to apologize which, let's face, is a big thing with people. And that's why I love them all.

This is a short steamy Halloween novella about two characters who you think wouldn't be each other's HEA. One thing I enjoyed about this is that, rather than stay blind to previous perceptions. all the characters in the story were willing to learn, grow, and change. That's all I'll say on that for fear of spoilers. Just trust me on this and read it. It doesn't even have to be Halloween time. You can read it now when it's hot as Hades since it will help you yearn for the cooler Fall time.

I downloaded this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This was the first book I've read by this author and the first in her new series. And, frankly, it read like it was the first in a series. Which isn't to say it wasn't enjoyable because I still finished it since I wanted to know how it worked out. However if I didn't know going in that this was a spin off from another of the author's series, I would have thought this was her first book.

First I want to just get out how much it was hammered home that the victim was not liked. By golly did that keep getting brought up. And I'm not sure why. Maybe it was because the would be sleuth in this series is a Pastor and one of the primary settings is a church. So the author wanted a balance between the gruesome factor of the murder with that. But my goodness did it grate after a while and it seemed like his evil doings and flaws kept getting doubled down on. At one point I actually exclaimed, "We get it! He's a bad bad person. Now let's move on."

The characters were endearing if stereotypical. There was some inconsistencies with the characteristics of them though so that was hard to adjust to. There were pacing issues, especially towards the end when the mystery was trying to be solved. And speaking of the mystery, I'm not sure how I felt about how that resolved. It seemed....off. And the last section was a bit hokey and seemed to serve only to set up the rest in the series.

Now all that said I did enjoy the book. I really appreciated how attention was called to how some Christians judge on appearance only, such as an elderly church member being judgmental of a youth's sleeve tattoo and thinking that was why she wouldn't make a good secretary. I like how Pastor Hope was willing to listen to everyone in her church and outside of it, as well as not being judgmental herself. I really liked the idea behind the tea in the book since I feel that is something that all denominations should strive to do and get along with each other. If the series continues the characters need to be stronger, the pacing better, and there need to not be as many strings for other mysteries or red herrings since that takes away from it. Also don't keep compounding all the ways the victim was a terrible person. While the victim here was, piling on him was unnecessary all things considered.

This wasn't a terrible book, but it is one of those YA books that is specifically meant for the YA crowd. It's not hard hitting, there isn't any personal growth or realizations that can come from it, and honestly no one really 'learns' anything. It's just a light fluffy romance where the geeky girl gets the jock guy.

One thing that was really tedious is that it read like a 1980's or 1990's teenage movie set in times. So a lot of the plot devices and developments that would work in those movies and those times didn't work here. The whole mentality of the 'popular' kids having to get back when they finally got dished what they had been serving, the animosity between them and the 'geeks', etc; it seemed to unbelievable for the modern world. Even factoring in the small town setting in places it read hokey. Maybe I'm too far removed from high school but I really don't think kids care that much especially seniors.

And then there's the mystery of who put the infamous picture in the slide show which was completely unbelievable. I refuse to believe that a teacher didn't give those submissions one final viewing. Maybe it comes up later who did it, and I have my suspicions. but that alone kind of set this story up with "Okay I'm going to have to take more than the proverbial grain of salt with this story." Also I feel these parents went way overboard with how 'shocked' they were it's like come on. It's a small town where football reigns. Do you really your kids aren't drinking? *rolls eyes* Even if it was the fact that it was the 'good' girls it seemed overblown.

There was a moment where I thought there was going to a whole 'Carrie' spin to it which I am glad didn't pan out. Because that combined with all the other stuff may have made it completely unbearable. Oh and again I'm fairly confident you can decline a Homecoming Nomination. It's high school not a real royal situation.

I clearly cared enough to finish but there were pockets of time it was grudge reading. And I don't care enough to finish the series unless I can borrow it or get it for free like I did this one. I wanted something light since I'm reading and have read heavier stuff and I got it. It was just a little to light and fluffy for my cynical behind which is fair because I'm not the intended audience. Teenage me would have eaten this up with a spoon and asked for more. Middle age me is less impressed.

I have to admit I was expecting more from this book and I think that is because I erroneously thought it was a memoir of sorts. Once I realized it wasn't and read with that mindset it helped a bit. It was cute while bringing up important topics in the Black community such as the idea of light skinned versus dark, the term "Oreo" and what it means, as well as constantly feeling that you have to prove yourself to both sides of the color line.

It even hinted at code-switching without calling it that just in Jordan's mannerisms and the way he carried himself. He felt like an outcast at his school and like one in his neighborhood because of his new school. It also touched on the reality that a lot of Black kids grow up hearing, which is that it's not enough to be as good you have to be better. Daddy Pope said and did a lot of terrible things on "Scandal" but on that he was spot on.

Since it was a graphic novel there were a lot of plot strings that were dangled but never fully pulled. So that was a bit disappointing even if I understood it. It would be nice to have a series and see things from other people's point of views but it serves well as a standalone.

One thing I did not like was Ms. Rawle. I don't think either Drew or Jordan ever told their parents about her. She was a walking stereotype all around between calling the kids by the different names because apparently she's terrible at her job and only saw color. Not to mention she carried over her bad experience with Deandre and took it out on Drew. I understand that was the purpose behind her but sadly there are teachers like that in the world and they're still allowed around children because we have a teacher shortage and it enrages me so much.

Overall a cute short read. I think it can lead to great discussions between parents and their kids, even if you can't pull a lot of actual context from the story and have to rely on other sources. But it is a good jumping off point.