3 Stars

Ezra Friedman’s family owned the Friedman Family Memorial Chapel, which made it hard for him as he saw ghosts. The ghosts (dead ones and personal) made him leave his home to make a new life. Being a trans male with unprocessed trauma was hard enough. 

However, Ezra meets a ghost who defies all the rules he has understood about them. It doesn’t help that the ghost is Ben, the dead husband of Jonathan, a part-time volunteer at the Chapel and Ezra’s new neighbor. Ezra needs to face his trauma instead of avoiding it if he wants a chance with Jonathan. Can he do it? 

The story comes in Ezra’s third-person POV. 

So… I fell in love with that wonderful cover. The mention of a funeral home and its ghosts was enough for me to request the book. I went into it hoping for an entertaining paranormal romance. Unfortunately, I got a slow-paced family drama with meandering narration. 

This is a debut book (from what I see on Goodreads) and reads like one. There’s no denying that it deals with some important themes. But it should have been marketed as an intense read, not lighthearted. (You see me use the word trauma twice in my summary. I’d have appreciated it if the official blurb said it at least once) 

The rep is terrific. There are several queer characters in the book. Some of them have been wasted, though. It would have been better with just one or two of them present and well-fleshed out than a blurry of names. 

I love the found family trope and hoped it would be prominent when we were introduced to a bunch of housemates at once. While they do play a small part, I felt the potential has been wasted in too much monologue and heavy exposition. It gets lost in the drama of the existing family. 

This is a book about a sort of dysfunctional family. However, the members clearly love each other. Communication is a big issue, but otherwise, it’s not horrible. The focus is so much on family drama and the MC’s response (or the lack of it) that it doesn’t leave space for anything else. 

Jonathan is a lovely guy, human and flawed obviously, but also someone with a beautiful heart. Ben, despite being a ghost, shines better than some other characters. 

The Jewish rep and the details of the rituals were great to read. I learned a lot about their funeral practices, so that’s well done. 

I really wish the ghostly aspects were more prominent in the story. I wanted to see the MC explore his talents. Without ghosts, the story wouldn’t be much different. Also, it was too easy with Ben being a talking ghost and all. 

The narration is super slow. I zoned out whenever the MC spaced out. Yeah, not assuring! Readers who enjoy such kind of meandering narration will like this book more. IMO, I’d have loved it if it was 30-50 pages shorter. The first half could have benefitted from toning with surgical precision. 

The author calls this a family drama with ghosts, queer rep, romance, and humor in the interview at the end. The book was intended to be a family drama. It should have stuck to that aspect (along with the queer rep, of course). There really isn’t much of the dark humor I was expecting. The whole book is heavy and exhausting, unlike the cover, which is vibrant and cheerful. Anyway, thank you for not finalizing the version with the ‘twist’. 

To summarize, Rules for Ghosting is the story of a family that finally learns to communicate properly and an MC who realizes his self-worth after a lot of monologues. I think the book needed a ruthless editor for the main plot to stand out and shine. Right now, it is, unfortunately, a kitchen sink. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Ramdon House Books (Ballantine | Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #RulesForGhosting 

 3.5 Stars (rounded up) 

Trixie Gardens is a taxi driver in the paranormal section of NY. She is twenty-nine and struggling with her finances. She is also determined not to use her magic, which could cause trouble soon. 

Dominic Kent is a multi-billionaire vampire who owns many businesses, including the building Trixie lives in. Their interactions are heated, and Trixie decides to hate-hex him for making her life hard. Soon, there’s more than hate between them as the two cannot seem to avoid each other. 

However, they have a lot more to deal with as Dominic’s brother, Sebastian, returns, determined to create a mess. Can Tix and Dom fight Sebastian and have their happy ever after? 

The story comes in the first-person POVs for Trixie and Dominic. 

I wanted a light and easy read and got it. This is a quick paranormal romance with some fun banter. It’s pretty much insta-love but works since the book is short and has a steady pace. There are enemies-to-lovers and fated-mates tropes as well. 

The dual POVs give us both backstories and make it easy to understand the characters. Dom’s first-person POV is quite good. There were times I liked it more in the first half. 

The FMC has a strong reason to suppress her magic. However, we don’t get the reason until the halfway point. By then I was starting to grow weary of her. Maybe the reveal could have come 5-10% earlier and used for further character development afterward. 

Though there is no world-building, it is easy to get into the plot without wondering about what’s and why’s. However, if you are new to this genre, you may need more than what’s provided. Turns out, the book is set in the same world as an established series (Magic & Mixology Mystery) with eight existing books. I got to know only when I read the author’s note. 

I quite like the descriptions of the apartments, though. Emmy’s lab sounds like a fun and explosive place to be. The friendship between the FMC and Emmy is also sweet and cute. 

Grandma Betty, though in a minor role, is charming and delightful. I wish she had more space, though given the book’s length I can’t ask for much. While Vix is almost uni-dimensional, Belinda (a pixie) is a fun character to meet. 

Apart from the Sebastian track, there’s another subplot about the Circle and nominations for the wildcard seat. Though this acts as a catalyst for the plot to move, it could have been better woven into the plot. I wouldn’t mind reading a few pages extra to know more about this. 

There is a third-act breakup of sorts which made me groan. However, the way it was used in the climax surprised me. Such a cool idea! 

To summarize, Hate Hex is a lighthearted and quick romance (pretty clean too!) with interesting themes like forgiveness, healing, acceptance, etc. Since I wanted a fluffy romance and got one, I cannot complain (hence rounding the rating up to 4 stars). 

Thank you, NetGalley, LaManna Books, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HateHex 

 3.7 Stars 

Caroline Danvers writes erotic novels under a pen name. She knows she can’t afford to let this secret come out. Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland, needs to remarry for an heir after the death of his wife five years ago. 

Their paths cross more than once but neither can want to get close to the other for obvious reasons. Caroline can’t risk the future of the bookshop or her career. Dorian cannot marry a commoner. But when did love bother with such trivialities? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Caroline and Dorian. 

Firstly, this is a contemporary Regency Romance; meaning it has only a few aspects of the period and the content has a modern flair. If you want something that strictly fits the early 19th century, this book is not for you. If you want a spicy romance with some old-style class conflict and balls, grab this one. 

Caro and Dorian are well-etched. The FMC has a spine and can take a stand. I love how she handled an important scene towards the end. Assured and confident but also heartbroken. 

Dorian starts as a regular Duke (handsome, bored expression, hidden side, blah blah). However, he grows as the story progresses. I loved reading about his vulnerable side and his determination to learn from his mistakes and become a better person. 

Given the FMC’s secret identity, the book is easily 3+ on the spice scale. It’s fun though. There are bits of humor sprinkled here, there, and everywhere. 

Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to two other booksellers early on. Connie and Hattie are the FMC’s cousins, different in temperaments but equally loving and loyal. The trio of cousins makes a formidable team. 

There’s a bit of mystery and a couple of nasty characters. While I like the take on physical appearances, I which subplot was a bit stronger. It doesn’t really satisfy the reader (though you should read this as a romance). 

Though there is a third-act breakup, it is handled in style. I loved one of the FMC’s dialogues. No miscommunication, though. In fact, they ask each to speak what’s on the mind (let me in the pause) which I appreciate. A mature act. 

I like the epilogue but would have liked an extended version of it. A couple of things are told and I want to know about the how and when. 

There are enough clues to guess who would pair up in the next book, and I know I will read it. That girl made me laugh and worry a few times, so I’m in! 

To summarize, Good Duke Gone Wild is an enjoyable read as long as you are not too particular about the historical aspects. I’m used to modern elements in these books so I had a good time with the book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #GoodDukeGoneWild 

 3.5 Stars

When an anonymous letter arrives at the office of Clarendon English Dictionary, the new senior editor, Martha Thornhill, wonders if it is one of those pranks. However, she and her team (fellow editors) decipher the clues in the letter to realize it hints at a case that occurred in 2010. 

Martha’s older sister, Charlie disappeared without a trace never to be found. Unable to handle the aftermath, Martha settled in Berlin and lived there for a decade, creating a new life. However, family issues brought her back to London, and her return seems to have triggered something. 

As more letters arrive, Martha and her colleagues have to unravel the mystery using their talents with words. It is like solving a word puzzle, only far more dangerous. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Martha, Alex, and Zoe. 

As a fan of mysteries, I was excited to read this one. Cases that have puzzles and clues are more interesting than the ones with gun fights. Brain power and all that. ;) 

This is a slow-paced mystery with many heavy-weight words and complex clues. Given the author’s expertise and the chosen professions of the main characters, it’s no surprise that the content reads like a dictionary. Much to show off in this one and it gets excessive sometimes.  

The mystery as such is decent and easy enough to put together in the second half. In fact, you can identify the culprit in the first half if you go by the vibes (even if you don’t know the whats and whys). 

Though the book is set in 2023, it has an old-world feel to it. If not for the talk about messages and stuff, I would have forgotten this is a contemporary read. 

The setting is Oxford (which the author seems to love). As the book progressed, it felt more surreal than tangible. The descriptions should make it atmospheric but for me, it felt a tad overdone. 

In fact, a lot of the book is overdone, making it way too slow than it needed to be. The same goes for characters. I am really glad we get Zoe and Alex’s POVs which balance out Martha’s. As the main character, Martha was infuriating most of the time. She has this ethereal and untouchable vibe which made it hard to connect with her. Also for someone who is in their early 30s, she sounded like a 50-something woman. 

That’s a pity since the character arc deals with important themes – being the shadow sibling, the blurring lines between worshipping and hating the golden child aka the popular sibling, living the ghosts of unresolved past and guilt, wanting to avoid the truth, choosing perceived safety over reality, etc. These should have enriched her character but somehow it doesn’t happen. 

I like that there are subtle hints of romance between the two characters and it never shadows the central plot – the mystery. This is a good decision and has been executed well. 

Each chapter starts with a difficult word and its meaning. I think some align with the chapters but some don’t. Even the complex clues are solved easily but I’m not complaining. The characters have years of experience in the field. They are supposed to be good at what they do to be in their positions. Moreover, the story dragged on enough as it is. Additional delays would have been disastrous! 

The epilogue ties up the loose ends and provides a bittersweet and hopeful ending. I wish the ARC had the author’s notes. Would love to read it. 

To summarize, Guilty by Definition is a debut novel by a celebrity and it shows. The book has worthy elements, which are at the risk of drowning in heavy vocabulary and a hard-to-connect MC. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK (Zaffre), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

4 Stars 
 

The book is a short biography of the famous music composer Joaquin Rodrigo. As someone who hasn’t heard of him, I was curious to know more. I did check the Wiki page (but after reading the book). 

Since the book is aimed at kids, it provides the important details in short snippets – a few lines on each page with a beautiful illustration to accompany it. 

Joaquin Rodrigo had diphtheria when he was three years old and lost his eyesight. This inspired him to take an interest in music. His parents encouraged his passion, and soon he was creating his own pieces and even writing the musical notes in Braille. After his death (due to old age), the musician’s daughter established a foundation to preserve his works and sponsors prizes for certain performances. Some of this data is provided at the end on a single page. 

I appreciate the care taken to break down the details for young readers. The watercolor illustrations are lovely with an old-world charm and deliberately indistinct features for the characters. Only young Joanquin’s face gets good detailing in close-ups, which makes him stand out. 

The concept of switching to black-and-white illustrations after his loss of sight is great. I love that the last illustration is again in color and has significance revealed by the text. 

The author provided additional information at the end. There’s a short example and a sample of how the music notes will look in Braille. Then, there are a few activities for children to explore how our senses help us interact with the world around us and how to enhance the sensory experience. 

To summarize, A Boy Who Made Music is a compact and heartwarming biography of a great musician, Joaquin Rodrigo. It should appeal to children who enjoy music or talk about disabilities and their impact on life. 

My thanks to the author for an electronic copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions. 

One Liner: A quick and easy read
 

Dan Armstrong decides to take a short holiday with his girlfriend Anna and plans a trip to Portofino. The tiny seaport village is quite popular and brimming with tourists. Turns out even the British celebs are holidaying there and enjoying on a luxurious yacht. 

However, all is not well, and soon there is a dead body on the shore. Is it an accident or a murder? Seems Dan will have to get back on the job even during his holidays. 

The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV. 

Who doesn’t live a virtual tour of Italy for free of cost? That’s what I enjoy with this series. And of course, there’s food and murder. We visit the tiny but busy port village of Portofino and meet some British TV celebs with a never-ending supply of alcohol. 

Dan is certainly more mindful about not letting his detective instincts take over his life and affect his relationship with Anna. But then, it is a part of who he is, so how long can he really stay away from solving a crime? 

Oscar (black Labrador) does what he always does – eat, sleep, get pampered by ladies, and help Dan in unlikely ways. Anna has more presence in this one. Her mixed feelings about the cases come across well, and she is quite mature (or so it seems so far). 

The mystery is intriguing. In fact, we have three threads (maybe even four). Two of them connect at a certain point, though you’ll have to read and find out whether they affect the other two or not. 

We meet yet another police officer in this book. They have a different department for crimes in the waters. Dan sure manages to find friendly investigating officers most of the time (with exceptions, of course). It sure makes things easier if not always realistic. However, one can’t help but wonder how much better it would be if this happened often in real life. 

There’s quite a bit of questioning and discussing about motives and secrets. However, the case is straightforward. The reveal is logical but felt a little too easy even for a cozy mystery. But since the entire mystery is solved in less than three days, I’m not complaining. 

To summarize, Murder in Portofino is a quick and light read with beautiful destinations, great food, some sleuthing, and Oscar’s antics. It should work well as a standalone. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.5 Stars

A twelve-year-old Ellie O’Farrell walks into the police station to report a crime that is yet to occur. The police don’t take it seriously until the murder happens, and suddenly Ellie has become a suspect along with her parents. 

Detective Tessa and her team are sent to Cork to take care of Ellie and solve the case but they face a block at every turn. Time is running out, and Ellie’s life is at risk. Even the team is at risk with someone from the past trying to hunt them down. 

What will happen? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Tessa, Danny, Maggie, Ellie, and The Watcher. 

I’ve wanted to try this series after a friend was impressed by the first book. I decided to grab book three since one and two were released together. This worked as a standalone though I’m not sure how much of character development I missed by not yet reading the previous books. 

The premise is intriguing, and the concept of Ellie’s abilities has been handled well. The trope used for the reveal is too common but that’s okay. 

Pavlov is a fab dog. Caring when necessary, alert at all times, and ferocious when he should be. Perfect! (I thought Pavlov was short for Pavlova at first) 

The book starts slowly with different POVs but picks up pace after the first quarter. Then it goes steadily until the end. 

I like Danny and Maggie (yay for the rep) a lot more than Tessa. There lies my biggest issue. The MC is smart and capable but I cannot help but wonder about certain decisions. Also, given her background, I’m surprised she didn’t connect the dots or at least get suspicious about the tattoo. It should have made her act (which would have changed the plot, so maybe she needed to be a little messy for the book to follow its plotline). 

As with most police procedurals we have corruption in the department but I am impressed by Commissioner Dawson. She is the kind of superior one could report to. 

There’s quite a bit of violence in this one. Not an issue as I can handle it. What surprised me was the misplaced sense of right and wrong in some decisions (Tessa again). Does she like to contradict herself? No idea! It will appeal to social media warriors of justice though! 

I’m not sure about the plot progress either. Some of it is a bit too convenient. Not really a fan of criminals sharing the details so easily. Makes one wonder how they even got to that position with such stupidity. Sigh! 

The author’s note is wonderful. I enjoyed it a lot more than some parts of the book. 

To summarize, Her Lonely Soul has good thrills and is decently paced. The reading experience will depend on how much you like the main character (Tessa). I wasn’t a fan, so the result was average. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HerLonelySoul 

 3.7 Stars

December 1975 

Flora Winter and her mother travel to a small seaside town, Helmersbruk, to spend the month of Christmas away from the city. Twelve-year-old Flora is in two minds about this move. Her mother is determined to make the most of this time to write and earn some living to support them. 

Soon, Flora falls in love with their temporary residence and explores the grounds. The massive Helmersbruk Manor has been abandoned for decades and catches Flora's attention. She also hears whispers, sees strange animals, and meets a shy boy some years her senior. 

When Flora realizes a mystery surrounding the Manor, she is determined to dig deeper. But does the house want her to solve it? 

The story comes in Flora’s third-person POV. 

After loving The Raspberry Hill by the author, I was excited about this. Originally, this book was published first in the author’s native native language Finnish. The translations are in the reverse order. (The books are standalone) 

This one blends many genres like mystery, paranormal, family drama, etc. It is almost historical in terms of timeline though not quite. However, the vibes are very much historical. 

The description of the setting – the manor, the extensive lands, the gatekeeper’s cottage, the labyrinth, the orangery, etc., is easy to visualize. The black and white pencil sketches by Elin Sandström (one at the beginning of each chapter) enhance the visual appeal. 

The darkness of the place and the grief in the story align well. Flora and her mother are grieving the death of Flora’s father. The manor is grieving the loss of laughter within its walls. Fridolf is grieving the loss of his family. 

That said, there are a few light moments to bring some smiles. Flora is an enthusiastic and curious girl. Her inner monologues can be fun at times. Of course, she also likes to make up stories. 

However, the mystery and the paranormal elements are not strong enough. They may work for young readers, though I cannot be sure. I wouldn’t have minded a little more spookiness to the atmosphere. The reveals and twists are a bit too convenient, which dilutes the intensity. Still, kids may enjoy it for what it is. There is a treasure hunt to keep them hooked. 

Apart from grief, the book explores bullying, class differences, family secrets, and guilt. These are pretty much surface-level, and some don’t get a resolution. 

The past is presented in the form of a letter. This letter has a grayish tinge to differentiate it from the rest of the contents. However, you can see the color change only on the computer (PDF on the desktop/ laptop). The print version should be much better than Kindle if you want to notice these details. 

The prologue is balanced by an epilogue and both come in the POV of the manor. We get a nice HEA, so everything ends well! 

To summarize, The Secret of Helmersbruck Manor is a cozy paranormal mystery for middle graders. Give it a try if you like old houses and strange events, and a protag is determined to solve the mystery. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press (Pushkin’s Children’s Books), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheSecretofHelmersbruckManor 

 3.8 Stars

Yudhistira loses the game of dice, which leads to gut-wrenching consequences for the Pandavas. Draupadi bears the brunt of the situation more than once. However, she does what needs to be done and spends the thirteen-year exile with her husbands. 

The third book in the series deals with events from the second half of Sabha Parva, Aranyaka (Vana) Parva, and Virata Parva of the Mahabharata.  

The story comes in Draupadi’s first-person POV. 

Like the previous book, this too starts with a note stating that the story is a fanfiction retelling of the Mahabharata and has elements from various versions, including the creativity of the author. 

The book covers a large period by keeping the events brief and maintaining a steady pace. At the same time, we meet new characters and come across scenes that linger with us for a long time afterward. 

I particularly like Ashwinkarni (a ten-year-old tribal girl) and Draupadi’s interaction with Hidimbi (Bhima’s rakshasi wife). I’ve always wanted a scene with these two women meeting and enjoyed how this is handled. 

As someone who is not a fan of Yudhistira, I was happy to see him get a good lashing for his strange (restricted) perspective of dharma. Krishna too has a more serious role given the circumstances, but he manages to bring some lighthearted moments. 

What I like so far about the series is that it doesn’t strip the main characters of their layers and turn them into mouthpieces to shout the author’s words. It balances sensitive topics while retaining the essence of the original. Moreover, some characters like Uttarā get an extra spark, which enhances their presence in the overall narrative. 

I admit I love the portrayal of Draupadi and Arjuna’s relationship. The extra flavor added by the author makes it heartwarming. 

The order of the events has been changed to suit the narrative. Not a major concern since the main ones are covered; some in brief and some in detail. 

While I like the inclusion of specific social themes in each book (and this one deals with a very important topic), it feels a bit preachy the way the dialogues are worded. I’d have liked it more if some of it was a bit subtle and showed us the impact rather than relying on lengthy dialogues. 

There’s heavy foreshadowing about Karna (as it seems to be a thing with the series), which could go either way. I wasn’t a fan of it but those who haven’t read the original might like those hints. 

To summarize, Nadir is the third book in the five-part series that presents a fictional retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s POV. The book is an easy read despite the dark topics it handles and manages to be respectful toward the epic while highlighting the flaws of the characters. 

I hope the next book details the wedding of Abhimanyu and Uttarā. It would be entertaining to read. Also, I’m curious to see how the author will present the war scenes from Draupadi’s first-person POV. 

 2.7 Stars (outliner) 

Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old, knows her mother is different. Why else would she insist Cordelia keep no secret from her and make her obedient for hours? Why else would Cordelia have no friends and live in a house with no doors closed? 

Hester is a fifty-plus spinster living with her brother Samuel, a Squire. However, when deliberate planning brings Cordelia and her mother to Hester’s doorstep, the old woman knows she needs to do something. 

But facing someone like Cordelia’s mother is not easy. Can Hester save her brother and Cordelia from a sorceress? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Cordelia and Hester. 

The book is marketed as the reimagining of The Goose Girl, a dark fairytale by the Grimms brothers. However, due to my lack of familiarity with the original, I read this as a standalone. 

This is my first book by the author. I can see that she writes well. Some scenes are compelling and atmospheric. However, the whole thing needs more work. The book works on the presumption that readers would fill the gaps based on what is provided. While we can do that to an extent, other elements need to be detailed. 

I don’t mind vague settings as I write such stuff myself. But then I write short stories. A full-length novel can do with a little more information. The descriptions could have been a wee bit elaborate. 

The dual POV of Cordelia and Hester (two totally different characters) is a good idea. However, adding 3-4 short bits from the mother’s (Evangeline) POV would have elevated the book. Right now, we get to know her plans because she reveals everything to her daughter. This weakens her characterization. 

The magic elements are interesting but with no detail. The how, what, where, etc., are not answered. Are we supposed to gather this information from those bookish snippets included? No idea! 

The pacing is slow; not because there’s detail but because things don’t seem to happen quickly. I don’t deny that some of it is necessary for the plot. That doesn’t mean all those repeated dinners couldn’t have been helpful in another way too. 

The last quarter is where things happen. I’m in two minds about this. While I like that the haphazard attempts align with the plotline developed until then, I do wish the young girl could have done more. 

There is more talk (monologues and dialogues) and less action, which isn’t a good thing in this genre. It makes the story feel flat and surface-level. 

The ending is nice and works for HEA fans like me. 

To summarize, A Sorceress Comes to Call has a great premise but only seems to skim the surface without delving deep into the dark elements. Can’t help but feel it could have been a lot better. 

I did read Goose Girl after finishing the book. This one is almost nothing like the fairytale. Falada, the horse, and the geese are the only common elements. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group (Tor Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley