Book Review - We Wish You a Messy Christmas: A Holiday Novella by Melody Carlson

My Review

As the holidays near, Olivia Bradshaw is dating her childhood neighbor Malcolm McEntire.  This should be a joyful time of year, but their families are not close because Olivia's mother is a judgmental perfectionist.  Then one thing after another happens that brings their families together, like it or not - and things start to change.  But will they change enough for Olivia and Malcolm to contemplate a life together?

I wanted to read We Wish You a Messy Christmas because I found the Christmas theme appealing.  I enjoy Melody Carlson's Christmas novellas and try to read them each year.  (You will find a number of reviews of her books here at my blog.)

This was a fun read.  There are some sweet rom-com moments, some laugh out loud moments, and some gentle faith moments as well.

I enjoyed the book and wish it had been longer.  I would have enjoyed more time with the Bradshaws and the McEntires.  (Or even a sequel about what happens next!)

I recommend We Wish You a Messy Christmas for readers who enjoy light Christmas fiction with a heartwarming message.

Thanks to Revell and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Book Review - The Cozy Nook Bookshop by Jeannie Chin

My Review

Emma Rogers-Li leaves NYC after her ex-fiance runs off with her money, bankrupting the publishing company she works for.  She takes a job managing a bookstore in Heart's Hope Crossing, Vermont.  On her first day there, she bumps into forest ranger Hunter Hall in the town's famous crosswalk which, according to town legend, means they are fated to be together.  Emma is sunny and sentimental, while Hunter is gruff and reserved.  Despite this, they get closer as Emma settles into small town life.  But their pasts get in the way, so they have to look for a way to move forward.

I wanted to read The Cozy Nook Bookshop because the small town bookshop setting was very appealing.  Big plus that it is set in Autumn - the coziest season!

This is the first book in a new series, Heart's Hope Crossing.  I look forward to the upcoming books!  

I absolutely loved the small town setting of this book, with the bookshop, line dancing night at the community center, hiking trails, and more.  Emma makes friends with two women in the town's crafting group, Hattie, who runs the diner, and Abby, who runs the florist.  I hope their stories continue in the upcoming series.

Emma and Hunter are both wonderful characters and we see both their lives and perspectives in this novel.

The Cozy Nook Bookshop is like a Hallmark movie (okay, a spicier Hallmark movie!) meets Gilmore Girls.  It is such a charming, cozy read.  I recommend it for fans of women's fiction and sweet love stories -- and especially for anyone who loves Fall small town settings and bookshops.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Book Review - Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival (Cider Falls Orchard Mystery) by Traci Hall

My Review

After a bad breakup in Seattle, Macki Smith goes back to her family's apple orchard to help with their Fall business.  When her parents are both injured in a frightening kayaking accident, she takes on business operations at the orchard.  Then, at an apple festival bake-off, one of her competitors is discovered dead ... killed by a knife that looks like Macki's.  Macki juggles the orchard business, concern for her parents, and amateur sleuthing - with the help of Logan, a handsome friend from Seattle who just happens to be a private investigator.

I wanted to read Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival because I love cozy mysteries.  The Fall apple orchard setting sounded very appealing!

This is the first book in a new series, and I am definitely in for the series!  The author did a great job at setting the scene with an apple orchard in small town Washington.  It was so picturesque and charming, and I enjoyed spending some reading hours in this cozy little town.

The first few chapters are leisurely paced, and introduce Macki's very large family.  Then her parents are in an unexpected accident, and after that there is a murder at the town bake off ... and things just take off like a rollercoaster, up and down with lots of turns in quick succession.

The mystery aspect of this book is well done, with some strong suspects.  The murderer took me by surprise!  I enjoyed Macki's sleuthing and the big reveal.

I recommend Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival for other cozy mystery fans, and especially for readers who like an Autumn small town setting.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy of this book.

Book Review - Murder at the Toy Soldier (A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery) by Maddie Day

My Review

Mac Almeda runs a bicycle shop in a small Cape Cod town.  She stops in the local toy store to buy a gift for her daughter's fourth birthday and discovers that the young woman working there, Zia, is dead.  Mac works with her friends, the Cozy Capers Book Group, to solve the mystery ... as she finds herself in danger from the mysterious culprit.

I wanted to read Murder at the Toy Soldier because I love cozy mysteries.  The toy store caught my interest as well.

I have not read the previous books in this series, but had no problem jumping in and enjoying this book as a standalone read.  That said, I would like to continue with future books in the series.

Mac is an interesting amateur detective.  She's relatively newly married and a new adoptive mother (of a 4 year old girl and a 6 month old boy).  She is from the small town and has family and lifelong friends there.  The detecting work by her book group is intriguing;  I love the way they have a text chain and impromptu meetings with action points of what they each should do next to solve the mystery.

I had this case figured out early on, but I enjoyed Mac's detective work.  This is a fast paced read with short chapters and lots of movement with the mystery and the characters.

Murder at the Toy Soldier is a fun read that I recommend for other cozy mystery fans.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy of this book.

Book Review - Death on the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries) - Victoria Gilbert

My Review

Amy Muir is working at the Taylorsford Public Library when a patron falls dead in front of her.  He drops a piece of paper with the words "hen" and "sapphire."  Before long, Amy is busy searching for answers in a twisty cozy mystery that involves a long lost Romanov empire Faberge egg, a mysterious painting by her uncle, and a second death in the Blue Ridge area.  Amy is in danger and those she love may be too.

I wanted to read Death on the Books because I love the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series.  I have read all the books in this series;  it's one of my favorites. 

As always, I love the library setting and the details of day-to-day work of a library director.  I enjoy the small town as well, with Amy's friends, her brother Scott, and her Aunt Lydia.  Amy is married to dancer and choreographer Richard and has two young twins, who are into something constantly ... as are the family cats, Loie and Fosse.  

There were a lot of twists in this series!  The art details were fascinating and pivotal to the plot.  Amy finds herself in danger more than once, and the denouement of this mystery was one, pun intended, for the books.

I recommend Death on the Books - and this series - for other cozy mystery fans.  Readers who enjoy library settings and small town fiction will especially enjoy this one.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for an advanced review copy of this book.