rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)

I jumped into this series with this book after reading that it could be read as a standalone and I don't full agree.  Yes, the mystery itself does not connect to others.  But the way that characters are just thrown at you, and at the beginning in particular it jumps around POVs so much, it's very hard to keep track or understand how it all connects.  Also the MC goes by a ton of different names which is very confusing especially when listening.  Overall, the story was interesting, but it didn't captivate me.  I wanted answers, but in a very light way, I wasn't hooked or dying to keep reading.  I almost DNF at about 50%, but kept going because I was curious about the ending.

Note: I actually do not recommend the audiobook for this one, and think it would be less confusion to read in print.

Phew. That ending was wild and this whole book honestly was wild.  My expectation for what this book was when I started and at the end were completely different and now I kind of feel like I should re-read it with my eyes open.  It felt like a slow burn at first and then it really ramped up at the end with the tension. I'll be honest I could not understand what the hype was about at first; it seemed like just a party girl novel but with a vampire twist.  But it was gory and a creepy and the second half got it's hooks in me.  

What a fun spin on a thriller (because vampires always are a winner right?!) that I enjoyed!

Also, I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook version!

Oooh a good book for scary season!  I will admit, I jumped into this series blind with this book.  However, it was instantly cozy and the characters was so easy to connect with that I had no problem diving right in like I was part of the crew. I am a sucker for any home reno books and shows so the combo here was great and so well written.  Plus the haunted house vibes walked a perfect line of believable, but leaving room for skepticism.  I love that the MCs were pragmatic without being totally dismissive of the possibility of a ghost.  Also the handled Fiona with so much care as they investigated her mother's death and reveal many buried secrets.  Plus they have the most adorable pooches as companions in this book and I enjoyed the side stories with their family and their doggos.  However, at times it felt like there were too many storylines and I was missing a lot of the home renovation aspects that I was excited for.  Also some of the dialogue I personally didn't like (way too many "bros" used). Overall this was a fun and cozy story with a shocking ending!

This book is SO GOOD! I am in awe of the bravery of early pilots jumping into these OPEN AIR cockpits?!  I looked up some of these planes and they're like canoes with wings! This book is beautifully written and it is fascinating the way Bessie achieved her dream of being a pilot.  Not only was she fighting segregation, racism, and sexism on the ground and at home, but she was fighting the forces of gravity! Truly inspiring, I will never forget what I learned in this book and these awe-inspiring, vivid characters.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend that format!

This book really surprised me.  I am torn about the rating, but overall I really liked it. At first, I thought it was going to be pretty predictable, as I guessed some of the twists up front and there were some random side plots that kind of felt out of place. However, I enjoyed the creepy vibes of the Harold building and loved how there was this scared reverence surrounding Francis's office. I also loved the compassion that both Alex and Francis encompassed when reading people's letters.  The last 3rd actually shocked me and that's when I started yelling out loud at the book and characters.  YES, this is exactly what I look for in a thriller and even though it was a low burn, the ending was electric.

Also, I read the first half and listened to the second half. I liked that format because it got me oriented to the letters between chapters.  The audiobook definitely ramped up the creep factor (some of the characters were truly AWFUL and their voices matched perfectly).

What a fun book! I was instantly hooked and didn't want to stop reading. There is something about this author's writing that is just so captivating; the banter, the characters, the drama (in this case GHOSTS) in the perfect pace.  I LOVED this ghost town and all the stories and how the characters treated them with respect.  There is something about a romance couple that respects the ghosts they share space with that is just so extra special.  The romance was lovely, nothing overly dramatic, but also keeping space for each other's past and current hurts. I adored the couple both as separate characters and together.  And the ending had many sweet tearful moments.

I am hoping there will be more books in this town (SOPHIE?!)

Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it!

This book is even better than the first! Now that I have rid the expectation of this being super cozy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and feel like the author has hit her stride with this series.  I love the unlikely and unique sleuthing duo of Caroline and her employer Mrs Frogerton.  The historical setting is well explained and the eerie atmosphere for this mystery was really well done.  I was shocked by the ending and really enjoyed all the twists the sleuthing took. I am hoping for a bit of romance for Caroline, but love how she really has come into her own and feeling more comfortable and confident in her skin.

Note: I LOVED the audiobook!

This was unhinged! I love this author's ability to write the most over the top, ridiculous, devious, self-important characters.  They are all on the path for destruction (their own or others) and it was like watching a wonderfully written car wreck.  These characters are so unlikeable and yet you still somehow pick a side a root for one of them?! I don't know how the author does it, but she is a mastermind.  I am fascinated by mom-fluencers so this just struck the perfect note for me of what I image the real stories are.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and that's the way to go!

I really enjoyed Miss Morton! She is strong and determined in her new role, breaking away from her (frankly terrible) family to strike out on her own no matter what society thinks.  She has a singular goal to establish herself and work hard so that she can support her younger sister and break her free from that same awful family.

I have to say though - this did NOT feel like a cozy.  Once I told myself it was more traditional mystery and not waiting for the cozy, I enjoyed it a lot more.

I enjoyed the setting; even though it was a house party celebrating a birthday, it had a very morose atmosphere which really added to the mysterious setting.  Though a lot of the characters were intentionally horrible, I so loved Miss Morton and Mrs Frogerton and I hope we see them work together more. There were a few different storylines going on and I enjoyed seeing them explored and coming together.  There are some very difficult moments and reveals (very not cozy) and tough scenes.  I was SHOCKED by the ending and how everything turned out and I am so curious to see how this series will continue.

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

Ghosts and food?! How fun! What a great concept for a start to a new cozy series.  I really loved the idea of Bunny traveling to a fancy manor house, cooking a great feast and presenting it to a ghost - I would definitely watch that show! However, I don't know if it's just me, but I couldn't really get into the story.  It seemed quite obvious how the story was going and it was very slow; I think it could be a bit shorter and more to the point.  The cozy vibes were definitely there which I enjoyed.  I also didn't love the characters, other than Granny Mac.  I just couldn't really get a read on Bunny - she says shes all sweet and bubbly, but never actually acted like that so I was torn.  And I didn't love any of the other ghost hunter / sleuthing partners.  Maybe this series just takes a little bit to warm up and get to know the characters; I will be curious to see where this series goes from here (can they really have someone die on every set?)