The Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by nighThe Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by night, she works in a fashionable speakeasy, the Nightingale, where the booze flows freely, dancing lasts all night, and people don't have to hide their true selves. In the first two books, Vivian helped to solve two murders connected to the Nightingale. In the Last Note of Warning, Vivian becomes the main suspect in the murder of a wealthy man. She only has one week to find the true killer before she is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
I have to admit I struggled with this book a little. I didn't love it as much as previous books. Even though the stakes were higher, with Vivian being the suspect, the story was not grabbing my attention. Maybe I was just not in the right mood for a murder mystery. I thought the mystery was compelling, but the pacing was slow. I also was left unimpressed with the romance. Vivian has two love interests, and I found both lacking. I did appreciate queer representation. I would recommend The Note of Warning to readers who enjoyed previous books or those looking for a queer historical mystery/fiction.
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Workplace romance Rivals-to-lovers Angsty slow-burn Found family NYC setting
I fell in love with Julie Soto's writing when I read Forget Me Not last year.Workplace romance Rivals-to-lovers Angsty slow-burn Found family NYC setting
I fell in love with Julie Soto's writing when I read Forget Me Not last year. I was very excited about her new book, Not Another Love Song. In this book, two rival musicians, Xander Thorn and Gwen Jackson, compete for the coveted role of the First Chair of an orchestra while battling their chemistry and growing feelings for each other. I loved Xander and Gwen's slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers romance. They have a sizzling chemistry, the book is steamy, with one particular scene involving a cello is super hot.
However, Not Another Love Song is not just a steamy romance, the book touches on some heavy topics, and Gwen and Xander's relationship has a lot of depth. I loved Gwen's relationship with her music mentor, Mabel, and her best friend, Jacob. And I was excited about the guest appearances by Ama and Elliot, the couple from Forget Me Not.
Not Another Love Song is one of my favorite reads of 2024, and I cannot wait to read another book by Julie Soto.
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In the Hour of Crows is a Southern gothic tale set in the Appalachian region known for mysticism and folk tales. Weatherly is a Death Talker who can tIn the Hour of Crows is a Southern gothic tale set in the Appalachian region known for mysticism and folk tales. Weatherly is a Death Talker who can talk death out of a person, her grandmother is a town witch, and her cousin Adair is a Scryer who can see visions of the future. When Adair dies in a car/bike accident, Weatherly starts to suspect that her cousin was murdered because she discovered a dangerous secret in one of her visions. She decides to investigate Adair's death with the help of her friends.
I love spooky books and gothic mysteries, so I enjoyed the premise very much. The author did a good job delivering on dark and atmospheric feels. I struggled a little with the whimsical writing style, especially in the beginning. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at first. I thought the narration had a dreamy quality to it when things are fuzzy, and you don't quite grasp everything. It only added to the eerie vibes. I did enjoy the murder investigation and how the mystery was solved. The ending was very satisfying. Even though I struggled with the beginning of the book, I ended up enjoying it in the end. If you are a seasonal reader, In the Hour of Crows is a perfect book for the Fall/Halloween season.
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*Jewish rep *WW2/Warsaw Ghetto Uprising *Survival against all odds *Forbidden Love *Multiple timelines *Femme Fatale *Revenge
The Goddess of Warsaw is an ex*Jewish rep *WW2/Warsaw Ghetto Uprising *Survival against all odds *Forbidden Love *Multiple timelines *Femme Fatale *Revenge
The Goddess of Warsaw is an exceptional historical fiction about one of the most horrifying events in recent history that many people are forgetting already or, even worse, denying. It's a poignant and compelling story of survival, featuring an incredible and complex heroine who had to make impossible choices to keep her loved ones and herself alive. And after surviving the Holocaust, she continued making dangerous choices to enact revenge on those who tormented and killed her people.
The Goddess of Warsaw was a difficult read at times. Seeing the parallels between Europe of 1930-1940s and the present time, with the explosion of anti-semitism and the dehumanization of the Jewish people that is so rampant right now, caused me considerable distress. (Lisa Barr also addresses these parallels in her author's note). Regardless, or maybe because of that, The Goddess of Warsaw is a must-read for historical fiction fans. I am glad I had a chance to read this book. It's going straight on my "favorites" shelf.
I will leave you with my favorite quote: "Survival is about secrets, about extraordinary measures taken to stay alive. If you survived, it means others did not. The trauma of a second chance at life, a second act, is at once miraculous and unendurable."
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In Better Left Insent, the main heroine, Millie, discovers that all her draft e-mails, where she vents about other people but doesn't intend 3.5 stars
In Better Left Insent, the main heroine, Millie, discovers that all her draft e-mails, where she vents about other people but doesn't intend to send, get sent out without her knowledge in an apparent system glitch. It causes her many problems and embarrassment with her co-workers, family, and friends.
I enjoyed the premise of the book. The story has a little bit of romance, a coming of age, family dynamics, and friendship drama. I loved the chemistry between Millie and Jack and their office romance. I liked Millie's relationship with her friends. Millie is a hot-mess heroine, which I found irritating occasionally, but I appreciated her character growth throughout the book. Overall, I enjoyed Better Left Unsent but didn't love it as much as Dear Emmie Blue.
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*Second-chance romance *High school sweethearts *Mental health rep (anxiety) *Opposites attract *Grumpy/sunshine *Lots of angst
Molly is a cynical rom-com s*Second-chance romance *High school sweethearts *Mental health rep (anxiety) *Opposites attract *Grumpy/sunshine *Lots of angst
Molly is a cynical rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in love, and Seth is a divorce attorney who believes in soulmates and romance. Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts until Molly broke up with Seth on their graduation and broke Seth's heart. They meet up fifteen years later during their high school reunion. Sparks fly between them, but can they overcome their past hurts and rekindle their relationship?
Second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. I love the angst and the pining that usually accompanies this trope. Molly and Seth had a great chemistry. I enjoyed their banter, and the dialogue was top-notch. I loved the push and pull and how their relationship progressed. Just Some Stupid Love Story has a good mix of humor with more poignant themes. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more books from this author.
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Expiration Dates is a beautifully written, whimsical, and emotional love story with a touch of magical realism. The story alternates between the preseExpiration Dates is a beautifully written, whimsical, and emotional love story with a touch of magical realism. The story alternates between the present and flashbacks to the past, revisiting all of Daphne's romantic relationships. I enjoyed the book very much, but I wouldn't call it a romance because it doesn't have a traditional HEA. It has an ambiguous but hopeful ending. I recommend Expiration Dates to readers who appreciate unique love stories.
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Friends to enemies to lovers Brother's best friend Second chance Opposites attract Mental health and neurodivergent rep
Lady Vesper Lyndhurst aHighlights:
Friends to enemies to lovers Brother's best friend Second chance Opposites attract Mental health and neurodivergent rep
Lady Vesper Lyndhurst and the Duke of Greydon were childhood friends until they had a falling out at Lady Vesper's coming out ball. Years later, Graydon is returning to England from abroad to attend to the business at home that he neglected while traveling. Their paths keep crossing at the numerous balls and social engagements. Greydon considers Vesper spoiled, selfish, and frivolous, but he can't deny his attraction to her. He also needs her help arranging a match for his ward, Judith.
Never Met a Duke Like You is a well-written historical romance. It's fun, sexy, and a little angsty. Vesper and Greydon have great chemistry, but I would call their romance a slow burn. There are many interesting secondary characters, including Vesper's family and friends and a mischievous white kitten who stole the show in several scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed Never Met a Duke Like You and look forward to reading more books featuring other characters that we've met already.
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Fall vibes (obviously) LGBTQ+ rep Gods and mortals Romantic entanglements Secrets and betrayals
Tirne is a human and the Herald of Autumn. Each Highlights:
Fall vibes (obviously) LGBTQ+ rep Gods and mortals Romantic entanglements Secrets and betrayals
Tirne is a human and the Herald of Autumn. Each year, she helps to usher her god, Autumn, into the mortal world through the enchanted mirror. For three months, she and Autumn stay at the Temple, after which they return to the Gods' realm to make way for Winter. Something happens one year when the mirror breaks, trapping her and Autumn in the mortal world. With no season changes, there will be no harvest and no food. Thirne vows to help the Temple priests restore the mirror, but someone is trying to frame her as a culprit for the mirror's breakage and sabotage its repair.
The Longest Autumn is part fantasy, part romance, part mystery, and altogether is a captivating and atmospheric story. I've read a lot of fantasy novels, but I haven't read anything like The Longest Autumn. I found some parts of the book, especially the beginning, a little slow, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I recommend The Longest Autumn to fantasy and romance readers who enjoy unique stories.
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Highlights: Leap year magic Voodoo magic Black Love Fated lovers Harlem history Found family
I loved the setting of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. Two people fHighlights: Leap year magic Voodoo magic Black Love Fated lovers Harlem history Found family
I loved the setting of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. Two people from different centuries magically meet in Harlem and fall in love. But the same magic that allowed them to meet threatens to tear them apart. I enjoyed the book but didn't love it as much as Seven Days in June. I liked reading about the history of Harlem and the Renaissance glamour. But the pacing was slow, and I wasn't very invested in the love story. My favorite character was Ricki's eccentric landlady, Ms. Della. My rating is 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 stars.
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I enjoyed the first two books in the Supernatural Singles series, written by April Asher. I was very excited to read Not Your Crush's Cauldro3.5 stars
I enjoyed the first two books in the Supernatural Singles series, written by April Asher. I was very excited to read Not Your Crush's Cauldron. In this book, we follow the youngest witch-sister, Olive Maxwell. Olive is a quiet and introverted one. Instead of socializing, Olive prefers to spend time with a book or do work research. But when she decides to get out of her comfort zone and take risks, the GAA (Guardian Angel Agency) assigns her a guardian angel, who happens to be her friend and the new roommate, Bax Donovan.
Not Your Crush's Cauldron has some of my favorite tropes: friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, and a tattooed hero. And I enjoyed the book, but not as much as the first two. I didn't feel like there was a lot of relationship growth between Olive and Bax. I did like revisiting other characters from previous books, Olive's sisters, and the whole group of supernatural friends. I recommend Not Your Crush's Cauldron to paranormal romance and romantasy readers.
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I thoroughly enjoyed Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one day. It has everything I love in a h4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one day. It has everything I love in a historical mystery: a plucky heroine, a captivating mystery, quirky secondary characters, and a swoon-worthy romantic interest. I cannot wait to read more of Lady Petra's adventures. I highly recommend Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord to all historical mystery readers.
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I love gothic mysteries with atmospheric, spooky settings, so I had high expectations of The Curse of Penryth Hall. I liked the premise, but the execuI love gothic mysteries with atmospheric, spooky settings, so I had high expectations of The Curse of Penryth Hall. I liked the premise, but the execution left me wanting more. I felt that there were a lot of plot holes and loose threads that remained unresolved by the end of the book. I didn't love Ruby, the main heroine. She was a bit one-dimensional, and I didn't fully understand her relationship with the Pellar. It was neither here nor there. The murder mystery itself was satisfying. The Curse of Penryth Hall is a debut novel, and it might explain its shortfalls.
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