4 Stars

 The D-day is here, and Flora and Jack are married (woo hoo!). Jack has accepted the offer to be a part-time teacher at Cleve College. While he doesn’t feel fully comfortable, he is willing to handle it for some extra money. 

The newlywed couple discovers a dead body and soon takes up sleuthing. As new information appears, it seems that the case is connected to Cleve College. There’s no dearth of suspects even though the motives are unclear. 

Can Flora and Jack continue their success rate by solving this case too? 

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs. 

They are married! I’m glad that we get a short scene with the wedding and reception. Given the book’s size, it works well and continues to keep the focus on the mystery. The book should work as a standalone but will be better when you know at least some backstory of the characters. 

Ordinary couples may hate starting their new journey with a dead body, but not Flora and Jack. Jack is understandably a bit reluctant to divert his attention to sleuthing since he is already multi-tasking but Flora is as curious as ever to solve the crime. 

The mystery is intriguing and has many threads. Quite a few suspects too, though I had my target on someone the sleuthing couple didn’t focus on (should I specify I was right?). The case is intricate with enough red herrings and reaches a logical conclusion. 

The pacing felt a little off or maybe it was coz my timetable went for a toss, leaving me with less time to read! Either way, I could finish it as per the plan, so all good. 

Jack has relocated to Flora’s cottage, so it is some time for adjustments for both. They manage to create a schedule that suits their career commitments and gives them some time to spend together. There isn’t any extra lovey-dovey which I like. After all, their character arcs don’t change. 

There are a few more developments in the village, some of which are definitely annoying our dear Alice. I like how even the side characters have meaningful character arcs. Charlie is growing up too fast, and we don’t get enough of him now! 

To summarize, Murder at Cleve College easily sustains the momentum of the series while also keeping it fresh with new changes. The danger levels are a bit high in this one, adding to the intrigue and entertainment. 

Can’t wait for the next book. I guessed where the next case is likely to be. Now, I wait until the blurb is out to confirm. 

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

#NetGalley #MurderAtCleveCollege 

Bella Winter moved to Hope Eaton after quitting her job in London. She starts an antique store, using her expertise to make a living. 

When Bella finds Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, she doesn’t think it is murder. However, her assistant, John, asks her to look into the matter due to his suspicions. Soon, Bella realizes something is going on. When another historian’s life ends, it’s up to her to solve the case and avoid becoming the next target. 

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

As the first book in a new series, this one establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and solves a mystery. That means we have many new side characters (some are related) to track along with the suspects who pop up from time to time. 

The narration is slow-paced, something I did not expect from this book. It feels as if the plot drags, which doesn’t make the story as appealing as it should be. 

The premise is actually good. The case kind of overlaps with the MC’s area of expertise (or is adjacent to it). The writing is good too. I wasn’t bored much since there was some new development or information shared regularly. However, it felt like the % wouldn’t move no matter how much I read. 

Having a 40+ single FMC is nice. She does seem to act her age so far. I do love her fashion sense. She loves wearing smart clothes from the bygone eras, and the descriptions are super cool. She’s got a backstory too. We get snippets here and there to get an idea about her arc. 

The setting is cozy but with a touch of darkness. Suits the season as well! The antique shop adds to the layers. We see the MC in her stores and listen to her observations of customers and how she gets them right most of the time. (It is nice when the sleuth also follows her original profession in cozy mysteries) 

There are more than enough suspects to keep the reader engaged. Each of them seems likely to have a motive. The reveal is logical and brings everything together. Though we get a lengthy explanation, it occurs before the action which leads to a final conclusion. 

John could be Bella’s brainy Watson but needs some personality. Right now, their conversations are bland. I think it was supposed to be dry humor but it didn’t come across that way. I’m willing to give it a chance, so let’s see. 

To summarize, The Antique Store Detective is not a bad cozy mystery. It is a good book with likable characters and a well-planned plot. However, the too-slow pacing and a long list of characters don’t help. Still, I will read the next book to see how it goes. 

This is the author’s genre, so I’m hoping the subsequent books will get better. 

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

#NetGalley #TheAntiqueStoreDetective 

 3.7 Stars

Young boys and best friends, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, disappeared in the Red Crow Forest and were found six months later. One of them knows what happened, while the other wants answers he cannot be given. Fifteen years later, Jeremy is a missing persons investigator and Rafe is a recluse. 

Emilie wants to find her missing sister and contacts Jeremy. He knows where she is but it would mean going back to where they were during those six special months. As the trio embarks on a new adventure, they hope to find more than answers. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Emilie and Rafe with one chapter from Jeremy and occasional snippets from the ‘storyteller’. 

After loving The Wishing Game, I was excited to this book. It is supposed to have a good dose of magic realism, which is my favorite. 

The book started great. I liked the characters though the men seemed they didn’t always act their age. That could be explained by their mysterious disappearance (or so I told myself). Fritz was a cute addition too! 

The bits by the storyteller were cute, though not all readers will enjoy such interruptions to the plot. I liked those, though. 

The pacing is a bit uneven. The blurb reveals 50% of the plot. Or, it would be more accurate to say that the event mentioned in the blurb occurs at the midpoint of the story. Quite a long wait if you ask me. 

The second half of the book is a lot different given the change in the setting. I initially enjoyed the setting despite the weird phrases that popped up from time to time. It sounded like teens wanting to appear cool by using ‘adult’ language (mostly for the guys). The conversation between the girls was good. 

I hoped there wouldn’t be a love triangle, so to see the romance track develop differently made me very happy. While it was sweet, the vibes were off at times (

do not please use the words brother and lover together for the same person

). That said, I can’t deny it was rather sweet in some scenes. 

The last quarter felt like it dragged on a little. I was ready for a HEA when we got a new development. Can see why it had to happen but I wouldn’t have minded a shorter and easier resolution. The ending is hopeful (HFN types). I did wonder if there would be a sequel though I think that won’t be necessary. 

The world-building is patchy but provides enough details for the readers to imagine the setting. Considering the book’s length, I’m okay with what we get. I would have loved more of it (obviously). 

The author’s note is charming, cute, and funny. Don’t miss it. 

To summarize, The Lost Story is a bittersweet tale about second chances, healing, found family, love, and the power of magic (writing). While it didn’t wow me, I can’t deny that it made me smile many times. 

(If you loved The Wishing Game, maybe go into this with lesser expectations). 

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

#NetGalley #TheLostStory 

 

 4.2 Stars

Eleven-year-old Maisie lives with her father who writes boring books like How to Wrestle a Crocodile or How to Diffuse a Bomb. In real life, he is a boring person who makes triangle origami and does basic puzzles. However, with no one to watch Maisie, her father has to take her with him to Antarctica. Soon, Maisie realizes there is a lot she doesn’t know about her father. He has many skills and may be hiding a secret too! 

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

Well, how can I resist a book about a young girl and her dad having an adventure in Antarctica? 

Maisie is a sassy and imaginative narrator, which will work great for the target audience. She is a tween who is bad at school, doesn’t pay attention to most things, and thinks too fast for adults to catch up with. 

The story is fast-paced and combines adventure, danger, intrigue, and superpower. The heady combination is perfect for kids, especially since Maisie messes up a lot and often needs to be rescued by adults. Young readers can see how easy it is to get into trouble. The adults are also capable, which is another plus. 

The freezing landscape of Antarctica comes alive on the pages without any extensive detail. We see what the narrator sees, which are loads of ice and other strange stuff. 

Despite the antics and danger, the story manages to deal with topics like the loss of a parent, the loss of a life partner (for the father), being a loner, the hardships of being a single parent, etc. These aspects shape the character arcs, making them integral to the central plot. 

The blurb calls this the first in the series, and I can see why. Though it works as a standalone, we have only scratched the surface and are yet to delve fully into the main characters’ lives. Naturally, there have to be more adventures. I hope Miss Kumari will feature actively in the coming books. 

The chapter titles are quirky and hint at what’s to come though there aren’t any major reveals. They are all titled ‘How to…’ a nod to the books the dad writes. Since this book is being written by Maisie, it is fitting that she follows her father’s footsteps. 

I would have loved it if the book had some illustrations – Maisie’s flaming red hair, the dad, the caterpillar, etc. Even a sample of handwriting, for that matter, would enhance the appeal. 

To summarize, Maisie vs Antarctica is a terrific start to a new series and I hope we get to see more adventures of Maisie and her father. I enjoyed this fast-paced narrative bubbling with an eleven-year-old’s overactive imagination. 

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

#NetGalley #MaisieVsAntarctica 

 4 Stars

As an Indian, I’m no stranger to reading book about the horrors of Partition. Millions were displaced, murdered, and assaulted. Those who survived tried to rebuild their lives from scratch. This book shares one such story of a Sindhi family who had to flee from Pakistan to live in India. 

Given the age group of the target audience, the details of Partition are highly diluted. The focus is on food, especially the roti which Veena makes. This is a semi-fictionalized version of a real story (the author’s great aunt), which makes it special. 

The illustrations are warm. I love the rich earthy colors and the shades of blue, green, and yellow as dresses. The bindis are missing but okay! The features are rough sketches, a single line or a curve for the nose, lips, etc. The overall feel is cozy and heart-touching. I’m glad to see the Indian map with fully intact Kashmir. 

There’s a glossary at the end, followed by an author’s note about her family’s personal journey, and a brief note about the Partition. The content here too is kid-friendly and only hints at the dark side of what had happened. 

To summarize, Veena and the Red Roti is a good place to start talking about Partition to little kids. The first step is to make them aware of it. Then, slowly reveal the horrors that continue to haunt many families even today (especially the Sindhis who are almost a micro minority). 

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

#NetGalley #VeenaAndTheRedRoti 

 3.25 Stars (Outliner) 

One Liner: Cute in parts; great side characters

 Lilou started Paris Cupid to help her friend find love in the old-fashioned way, by exchanging letters and getting to know one another before meeting face-to-face. However, she didn’t expect it to become so popular and suddenly enter the limelight. The fame seems to be bringing more trouble too! 

That aside, Lilou’s love life is non-existent. After the disaster of her previous relationship, she wants to get it right. When Lilou gets admiring messages as letters, she needs to find out who the sender is. It is the cheerful Felix, the nerdy and handsome Beniot, or the scowling and muscular Pascal? Can one of them be her happy-ever-after? 

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

A cozy book set in Paris dealing with love letters – what’s not to like? It is categorized as General Fiction on NetGalley, an apt tag. Don’t look for romance though there’s a lot of about around it. 

The good things first – 

The setting is lovely! The market reminded me of the bazaars in my city with multiple shops bundled in one region. It is almost always buzzing with activity.  

The side characters are very well crafted. In fact, I liked them more than the main character. They come in different types – flirty, old school, gossipy, friendly, nerdy, etc. 

The cats, Minou and Marmalade, are a treat (even if Minou’s antics can give you grey hair!). They elevated the book when I was losing interest. 

Lilou’s character is decent too. I like how she was great at giving relationship advice to others but too afraid to try it herself (relatable, lol). It is easy to see the bigger picture when we are a few steps away from the situation. Of course, her concerns about public opinions and SM outrage are more than valid! 

If only – 

Based on the cute cover and the premise (it mentions three men!), I expected it to have a lot more romance. While there is some love, most of it occurs off-page and mainly for other characters. 

The first-person POV means we see only what Lilou sees. Though this didn’t affect my opinion of some characters, it definitely distanced me from the MMC. 

Moreover, in an attempt to keep the suspense going for as long as possible, we don’t get Lilou’s ‘real’ feelings. So I found zero chemistry between her and the main guy even though we are supposed to guess it. Enemies-to-lovers is not an easy trope, and without good banter, it feels flatter than a crepe. 

The ending is rushed and wrapped up too quickly. There’s no surprise since that’s the only way it would go. But that doesn’t mean the characters cannot at least have a decent connection. I still don’t know why the MMC fell in love with her. 

At least, there’s a short epilogue which is good. 

To summarize, A Love Letter to Paris is more of a story about a woman realizing she needs to follow the relationship advice she gives others through the matchmaking website. Would have enjoyed it more if I saw the FMC fall in love. 

I’m an outliner here, so check other reviews before you decide. 

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

#NetGalley 

 3.2 Stars

Mark Ablett had a spacious estate in the quaint English countryside. He had been hosting some guests when the news of his estranged brother, Robert, arrived. Robert was shipped to Australia and was arriving for a visit after fifteen years. However, things turn bad when Robert is found dead in a locked room and Mark is nowhere to be seen. 

Enter Anthony Gillingham, a friend of Bill Beverly (one of the guests) at the crime scene. Anthony does this and that, and decides that he could very well start a new profession and become a detective. Bill is too happy to help him. 

Now, it’s up to Anthony and Bill to solve the mystery. Can they do it?  

The story comes from an omnipresent third-person narrator (with frequent breaking of the fourth wall). 

The book starts with a quirky author’s note (added in 1926) and sets the stage for the story. We know what kind of mystery to expect (after all, the author is very particular about it). 

Given what Milne is known for, it is no surprise that the narrative is sprinkled with a liberal dose of humor, irony, and chuckle-worthy observations. The narrative style may not work for everyone but once I realized how it would be, I could go with the flow and enjoy it. 

I knew what the case was at around 20% or less. For a contemporary cozy mystery lover, it is familiar and tackled by hundreds of books. However, remember that the book was first published in 1922. This will also help in understanding that some of the content (comments) will be outdated. That’s bound to happen, so no big deal. 

The book will work well if you don’t think (at all) and read it for the sake of some light chuckles. Start thinking, and you will dislike many elements. Another way to enjoy the book is to consider it a satirical take on mysteries. It is like a farce, be it the characters, the dialogue, or the actions. The repeated references to Sherlocky and Watsony can go either way and will sound funny only when this book is read as a farce. 

I can see why this is the only mystery by the author. A smart decision! It was fun while it lasted, though. 

I was still willing to rate it high but the method of reveal ruined it for me. Why, oh, why did it have to be that way? I would rather read the amateur detective spell it out in a monologue than this. Sigh! 

To summarize, The Red House Mystery is indeed a fun read if you go with the right expectations (as a farcical take on mysteries) and do not look too closely at the details. Read it on a cozy noon with some hot chocolate. 

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

#NetGalley #TheRedHouseMystery 

 

 4 stars

Cats are a symbol of good luck in Japan and might even help a person figure out their lives! The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a celestial enterprise with no fixed location. It finds people who need help and appears with food and advice. 

In this book, a school teacher-turned-screenwriter, an ambitious manager, an actress, and a shy young man find guidance from an unexpected source. How do the cats of the coffee shop help their beloved customers? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Mizuki Serikawa and Akari Nayakama and the third-person POV of Takashi, each divided into neat sections. 

Firstly, thanks to Lady Clem and Jayme for their reviews. I requested the book knowing what to expect. It has cats, astrology, and magic realism. My favorites! 

This is a set of interconnected stories where each character gets the limelight in each section (but also has a teeny role in others). It's a short book too. I finished it in a single sitting. 

The narrative is mellow and soothing almost throughout. The first-person POV makes this more of ‘telling’ than ‘showing’ but I still enjoyed it. 

The descriptions of the food (not your regular kind) are magical. I would love to taste those teas, coffees, and desserts. 

Astrology is the core element of the book (even the section titles are based on it). A bit strange that the book uses Western astrology when the setting and characters are Japanese. Maybe it was done to make it easier for readers to understand the concepts. 

What I love the most is how various threads were connected as the story progressed. The stakes are low, so you won’t find any angst here. But what you will find is enough food for thought to introspect about ourselves, perspectives, actions, and decisions. Quite a few takeaways from the book if we want to. 

Classical music is another theme in the book. But my lack of familiarity with it meant I couldn’t fully benefit from how cleverly the songs were selected for different situations. 

The epilogue neatly ties up the loose ends and manages to surprise with another little story. I wish there was an author’s note. 

The bits with mercury retrograde got me chuckling. Guess what, we are in the shadow phase for another one now after starting the year with it. Haha… though it’s Mercury who will be laughing! 

To summarize, The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a sweet, heartwarming, and lovely read about second chances, understanding ourselves, and hoping for a better and happier future. This is the first book in the series, so I’ll be waiting for the next ones to be translated! 

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

#NetGalley #TheFullMoonCoffeeShop 

 

This is a short and cute little story about an adorable Husky named Diesel. The doggie loves to explore and finds a magic crystal that gives it superpowers. 

Let me specify that this is a picture book and not an illustrated one. It has photos (not art). I’m not sure if real images have been edited (the author couple has huskies and one of them is Diesel) or if some are AI-generated. A couple of the images do look AI-ish. If you go into the book expecting ‘illustrations’, you will be disappointed. The cover is the right indicator of what to expect.  

The story is straightforward and is written in two to three lines under each image. This makes it easy for younger ones to read. There’s a moral lesson too, which parents can discuss with their kiddos. 

The book is set up to be the first in the series. Diesel the Husky will go on to have many more adventures. I hope the plots for the next books become a little more intricate as it adds to the fun element. Right now, the story is a bit too simple. 

The author has dyslexia, and his wife helps him improve his reading and writing abilities. I applaud the author duo for pursuing what they love and sharing their work with the public. Best wishes to them. 

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

 4.2 stars

The Briarwood House is a boarding house for women and holds many secrets. When a widow, Grace March, moves into the attic, it leads to new friendships with diverse people. Soon, Grace is hosting weekly dinners and finding solace in her new life. However, the secrets of her past continue to haunt her. When a murder occurs in the boarding house, it’s time for the women to make some tough decisions. Lives will change forever. What will happen to Grace and her friends? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Pete, Nora, Reka, Fliss, Bea, Grace, Arlene, and a special character). 

This is my first book by the author. I’ve seen many friends praise her works and know she writes lengthy yet well-crafted historical novels (turns out this is not like her previous works). The Briar Club is 444 pages (my NG copy) and feels like a 500-page book. 

However, soon I was immersed in the setting and the characters. The prologue is set in 1954 (crime scene). The story begins in 1950 when Grace enters Briarwood House. The narrative comes from different characters who share their backstory as well as carry the plot forward. This serves a dual purpose to make us understand the people who live in the boarding house while minimizing repetition. 

Each woman is different and clearly defined. The main male characters are also given enough depth (depending on their purpose in the plot). 

Since food plays one of the major roles in the book, we get recipes between chapters. However, these are not your standard recipes and act only as small interludes in those never-ending chapters. Why each POV had to be a single chapter beats me, but each one is 50-70 pages long (I think). Only one POV is short (thankfully). 

The narrative is slow and steady. You cannot increase the speed. But that’s okay since things happen, and we don’t want to miss any of it. I was also ticking the characters to see if I could guess who was killed. 

I like that the first POV belongs to the young Pete (some reviews hated this) as it gives us an overview of the main characters and establishes the plot. 

There is a lot of talk about politics, the US welcoming every immigrant, communists vs. republicans, and blah blah. As you can guess, it gets boring after a while, though some of it is necessary for the plot. Considering the events that occurred when I was reading this one, let’s say, the big brother needs to stop bothering about democracy in other countries and focus on its own mess. Glass houses and all that (IYKYK). 

While the mystery is dangled as a carrot, this should not be read as a mystery book. It is a character-driven historical fiction that can also be read as a series of interconnected stories). The epilogue ends the story with the right blend of HEA and reality. 

My favorite is, of course, the detailed Author’s Note where she talks about the idea, how it grew, and what influenced the arcs of each main character. Wonderful! Don’t skip this even if you are not into the habit of reading author notes. 

To summarize, The Briar Club is an interesting read dealing with many themes and subplots. I enjoyed it, despite the few issues, and can see why the author is popular though readers say this is not her usual style. It worked for me, and that’s all I need! 

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

#NetGalley #TheBriarClub