Andrea Ward

Um... what's up with Isaki's sister? Nakami is still the kindest and so hard working. There are still panels that I just stop and stare at for a bit. So pretty!

I gasped, laughed, and commented regularly throughout this book. This is one of the best cozies and one of the best books I have read recently. I was so surprised by the murder as well as a few other secrets that were revealed. I thought I had guessed who the murderer was and I was so glad I was wrong. The storyline with Clarice made me uncomfortable, but I think I see where that is heading and I like that solution.
Overall, this is an awesome book and one of the best cozies I have read in a long long time.

There were great details about gardening, especially community gardening. I had no idea who did it. The investigation was good and focused on finding her friend, so the murderer was a surprise. I liked that it was structured that way and that it kept me guessing. There were a few parts that were sadder than I expected, but it was appropriate for story and made it more realistic.
Overall this was a great beginning to a new cozy series.

I loved imagining Christmasland and all the special stores! I loved the way that Bonnie gained confidence and all the new things she was trying. Debbie was a hoot and a great addition to the story. I liked the Christmasy Magic ending. This was just the kind of cute Christmas story I needed.

This had a great old timey London mystery feeling. Jackaby and Rook are definitely in the vein of Sherlock and Watson, but with a folklore twist that is just exactly what I needed. This also reminds me of the Lockwood & Co series. I guess I'm sucker for folklore and investigations!

I liked Sol and Alice. I liked their slow uncertain descent. The others in the neighborhood were immediately suspicious and often made me angry. So I felt like I was constantly on my guard as I was reading. The conflicting sights and confusing actions kept me guessing about what was going on. I knew what part of the problem was, but I had no clue where the problem came from. I was surprised when I found that part out. I don't know if I love the ending or hate it though. I guess that's the genius of the ending.

I loved the vast cast of supernatural characters! It wasn't explained and it was just there. I'm sure some that will bother some people, but I was just along for the ride.
Alexei and Jerusalem grew on me. At first I wasn't sure if I liked them, as individuals or as couples, but by the end, I enjoyed their complexity and flaws. Sometimes the balance between romance and action was off, but each part was interesting to me.
I love alternate history and mostly I think this was well done. I think it would have enhanced the story if the world was broadened a little and we saw more plantations and more of the South. But that could have also introduced a lot of characters that didn't go anywhere. So I can't really fault the author for keeping a right focus on Jerusalem and Alexei's mission.
Overall I enjoyed it, but it might not be for everyone. If you like stories that drop you in a world and just go, then you will like this one. If you liked Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, you will enjoy this one because the alternate history and strong woman vibes are similar in this one.

I love a horror with a slow creeping monster that stays just out of sight. I always love a good investigation. Salem's Lot definitely had both of those things. There were a ton of characters, but I mostly kept them straight. I appreciated the way that ending played out. There was a logic to it. Some of the harsh and awful town members seemed typical of books written at this time period. I didn't like it, but I did expect it.
Overall enjoyable, but not the most horrifying King I have read.

I love the ghost fighting and teenage recklessness. It made the setting seem more real. The group that we get at the end is not what I expected when I started the book. The ending was quicker than I expected, so I'm not sure how I feel about that. I have to get the next one and read it though.

I liked visiting this world again. I liked how Kianthe and Reyna discover a problem that they need to fix while looking for the dragon eggs. I liked seeing Kianthe stand up to the bad guys as the Arcandor. I liked to see Reyna being able to use her protection and fighting skills. I loved the pirate ship stuff!
My only complaint is that it seemed a little long at times. But maybe I just didn't read it at the right time. If you like pirate ships and making things right for society, pick this one up. You will like it.

McBride has a way of creating a realistic feeling neighborhood full of flawed and complicated people. Some of them make mistakes, but are still trying. Others don't notice the mistakes they are making and don't consider them mistakes. It makes for a heart wrenching story because you feel like you know these people and what they are suffering.

I loved her grandma in this one. I am so glad the conversations turned out the way they did with Grandma and some of the other people. It really made me fall in love with all the characters. This was everything I love in a cozy.

Clementine and Iwan are so cute! I did expect one twist, but didn't expect another one. I loved the way they challenged each other to grow as people. I like some of the questions we are left with because that seems realistic. I was kind of surprised that there was a bit of history that wasn't discussed on page between Iwan and Clementine. It doesn't detract from the book. It just surprised me.

The solution seemed pretty straightforward from the beginning. There are a few details that are surprising, but the overall solution was obvious. So the book was less about who did it and more about are they going to get caught. Rachel meets a bunch of interesting people, so I enjoyed the investigation. I'm glad with how it ended, but it wasn't much of a surprise when we got there.

I love the magical creatures and the dark and scary forest. The romance is sweet and gentle. There isn't a lot that happens, but I like a good vibes book every so often. The ending makes sense. I liked it, but it isn't for everyone.

This book was very atmospheric and I loved that. I disliked many of the characters and I think that was the way it was supposed to be, so that was successful. I didn't love the dual perspective though. I think I need to read this again before I decide what I really think.

I saw the cover and expected a cute little story about daily life. Then I started reading it and it was about postwar Hiroshima. Wow! It was heavier than I expected, but the stories and experiences are important. Hearing what struggles other people had in the aftermath of such a violent time is vital. Knowing what other people suffered makes us more empathetic, compassionate, and willing to compromise. This was a much more important read than I expected.

This one took me longer to read than expected. I loved the ending and I am super excited to read the next book. I totally understand why we had to get through the first part to enjoy the pleasure of the ending. I think I actually enjoy the store parts of the book more now that I know what ending is.

Ooh! I loved the way the gods were built into the war and the world. We get bits and pieces because that is all Iris and Roman know. The twist at the end was disheartening and changed my guess about what book 2 would be about. I think it made me less excited to read it. So maybe I will pick up book 2 in a few months instead of right away.

The house is the best part of this book! The descriptions of the fading glamour was well done. I liked the little glimpses we would get of Dr. Faraday around town and talking with people not associated with the estate. The ending seemed fitting for the family and the estate, but I wanted more from Dr Faraday. I wanted him to interrogate himself and his actions more. So I was left feeling like there could have been a whole different read on the story based on Dr Faraday. I think I would have preferred the story that was happening in my head.

So cute! I loved how the town rallied around Amelia. I love Noah and his sisters. I wanted to see more of the pie shop and more of Rae Rose the star, but that's a minor quibble because their careers weren't really the focus of the book.

I am liking the shadows and the way we are finding out bits of information as Shinpei and the others are trying to fight them. I do not like the way the women are often portrayed. It isn't often, but it is consistent enough to annoy me. I am going to continue to read this series and see if the group can win against the shadows.

I enjoy a good time travel novel, so I was intrigued. Throw in a bit of horror and I am picking this up as soon as I can. The time travel and horror did not disappoint. I liked the note about accents that these characters would have in Japanese. Then the translation reflected that! I loved the language in this one. Some of the portrayal of women was uncomfortable. It wasn't a focus, but it did detract from my enjoyment. I definitely plan to continue reading because I want to know what happens next with Shinpei, the Shadows, and the others on the island.

I am always interested in a cursed movie book, so I picked this one up. We get lots of backstage scenes. We get to see the scene of the death that occurs backstage. But the primary parts of the books are getting to know the people involved. The mother trying to save her child is a trope that I am skeptical of, but it is done well here. I recognized the out of place suspicious character pretty quickly, but didn't know how they fit in with the curse and the movie. So there were still secrets to be uncovered by the end of the book. There were plenty of people to be suspicious of throughout the story and that kept me guessing. The romance with the mom was frustrating and made me roll my eyes more than once. Overall pretty good thriller with lots of questionable characters.

Wonderful Wintery Holiday

Decorating a huge pine tree and celebrating as a town sounds like a lovely winter holiday. But the beautiful special tree was stolen! Vera Vixen is out to find the tree and fix the holiday.
I loved the forest setting and creatures. The solution was a little too obvious and not my favorite trope. But the town coming together to celebrate and Joe making pies was a good ending!