rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)

Oh my gosh. What a delight. This book absolutely brightened my mood and got rid of my reading slump.  What a great joy to be back with Georgia and Sid and their amazing friendship and sleuthing ways.  I love reading about Georgia's experiences as an adjunct English professor and this was an even more interesting setting at a small art school.  I loved every second of this mystery and the many different twists and routes the story took. Sid is such a light and I love their banter and how they work together and bounce ideas off each other.  The ending was an adrenaline rush and I was on the edge of my seat to see how it would turn out.

ALL THE STARS. This is one of my favorite series EVER!!

Okay this book is DARK. I hated the ending and I am kind of mad that it couldn't be included as a trigger warning without spoiling the whole book because I never would have read it (it's my ONE trigger that terrifies me).  If you are in for something dark, this is a perfectly crafted story with so many twists and wonderful writing. I loved getting to know both MCs. Usually when a reporter is included in this type of story they are nosey, rude, and annoying and you want to throttle them for getting in the way. This reporter was actually more endearing and lively than the detective and I was was more invested in her story.  This story explores the double standards and dangers of just being a woman, which is perfectly timely as this never seems to get better. It was tough and heartbreaking and dark, but also I love how the women support each other and how everything comes together.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and the dual narration was amazing!

Thanks to the publishers for a free copy of this book; my review and thoughts are my own.

Looooove love love love! This book is like a warm hug that you so desperately need and can just turn your mood up 1000 notches.  This book is full of emotion and I am obsessed with how food can be tied to our most poignant memories and feelings.  The writing is gorgeous with perfect pace and nostalgia and everything that sucks you in.  Also I was STARVING the whole time. I cannot wait for more!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and HIGHLY recommend that route; just gorgeous narration.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts are review are my own.

H-o-l-y WOW. This book. Blew me away! THIS is exactly what I was looking for. Something creepy and mysterious with lots of secrets, an isolated setting, danger seeming to lurk around every corner but not actual reason for a threat. SHOCKING twists - yes I gasped out loud a few times. Perfectly written perfectly timed, amazing ending. I cannot wait to read more of her books!!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it had multinarration and was perfect!

Well I loved this. I have to admit, I stopped reading this series about 10 years ago after book 3 because I didn't like the female vs female fighting and animosity that seemed to be the central theme to this series. BUT my friends convinced me that this was the perfect Halloween cozy and I finally gave in. I am so glad I did! I don't know if it was time or just by design by Natasha is just an eye roll over the top person and there isn't the annoying cattiness going on in this book. Just a very spooky and interesting mystery that kept me on my toes and guessing the entire time.  I LOVED all the twists and the reveal. I actually really loved the advice from both Sophie and Natasha (she really has chilled).

I actually am looking forward to read more of this series! Yay.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it.

Um. Excuse me. I am in awe. This book took my breath away. I am devastated that this series is over after everything we've been through! This book was a perfect finale to everything that worked up to this perilous situation for all my favorite characters. The scenes with Auren and Slade - GOOSEBUMPS.  Did I cry multiple times and sometimes for shocking characters - OF COURSE.  The writing is gorgeous, there is TRIUMPH and magic and spinetingling danger and it was EVERYTHING.

I cannot give one drop away but this was the culmination that we NEEDED.  We got everything loose thread attended to and more. I fell even more in love with this story and these characters and I will need a looooong time to recover.  

Thank you for bringing this live changing series into our lives!

Another really fun and captivate mystery! I love Evelyn Redfern and her dramatic and secret shift into work as a spy. I love spy novels ESPECIALLY female spies and Evelyn is brave, smart, and so much fun to follow. I love how she and David work together but she really leads the investigation and takes risks to uncover the truth. She is not easily fooled or dissuaded from her pursuit. The combination of the time period, setting, and interesting characters - made watching Evelyn transform into spy and detective even more interesting. I was shocked by the reveal, all deceipt involved in the coverup, and love how it all ended. I cannot wait for more!

Audiobook: I listened to and loved the audiobook as I had the first. This is a great narrator for this series.

Thanks to the publisher for a free audiobook copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me around 25%.  This did not feel like a first in a series for me. We are rushed into the story and so many things are thrown at us at once, but there isn't really any scene setting or introduction to what's going on. The character furiously rushes all around town in just the first few scenes and so many characters and their relationships are throw at us quickly all at once.  There is a murder before we even know the character or how we are supposed to feel. I could not get into this one.

Unfortunately this author is just not for me.

Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my review and thoughts are my own.

DNF at 45% because I was bored.  The rich characters had no depth and even the MC who had all these alleged secrets was very dull and one dimensional.  All the twists so far were just not enough to hold my attention.

Welcome to the coziest of cozies. With the most endearing and fun set of older besties turned sleuths, who use their wit, charm, and life experiences to go after a ruthless killer while floating in the middle of the ocean.  But don't worry, they have their share of relaxation aboard this lovely cruise; so much so that the descriptions of their floating hotel have me wanting to go on my own cruise (even though I do NOT like boats! Also minus the murder please!) The book was full of laughs, a splash of romance, nostalgia, and learning that even later in life you can change and open yourself back up despite previous dramas. The author has such a unique, poetic voice that brings the perfect tone to each scene; whether pleasure or peril! I can't wait to see what else these sleuthing mavens get into.

Audiobook note: I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The narrator did a great job of bringing to life these vivacious characters and luxurious setting.