Weekly Reads: November 11 to 17, 2024

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Fun combination of a romance with a cozy mystery. Maggie and Ethan have been thrown together on a Christmas trip to an old manor that belongs to a famous mystery writer. When the old lady disappears, Maggie thinks it’s a test, but then it seems that someone amongst the holiday guests really is trying to cause harm. Maggie and Ethan then need to team up to solve the mystery and keep each other out of harm. Maggie is basically skeptical of Ethan’s motives and attitude, not realizing that this man clearly has a crush on her. The romance was super sweet and charming while the mystery kept me reading. Super fun book to read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Print copy provided by HarperCollins.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm

Tale of the Heart Queen by Nisha J Tuli (2024)

Fantasy romance. Book 4 of the Artefacts of Ouranos series. Fourth and final book of the series where we see our main characters finally defeat the villain and claim victory. The last book ended on a cliffhanger, so we get to find out what happens in the immediate aftermath. And then there are tons more hoops for Lor and Nadir to jump through before they find their happily ever after. While the action was interesting, it got a bit repetitive after awhile. I did enjoy the side story of Gabriel and his struggles with the aftermath of revealing Atlas’ deception. Overall, a solid conclusion to the series.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

Love in Bloom by Lucy Eden (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Emma is having the worst day ever driving to the will reading of her late grandparents, which also involves an awkward first meeting with farm manager, Dan. It also turns out she inherits her late grandparents’ farm and does not know what to do with it, since she’s been estranged from them for the past twenty five years. When her regular life blows up, she escapes to the farm to learn what she can about the past. She learns a lot about how to rely on others (like the handsome and kind Dan) and how to integrate into small town life. Plus, the farm has a bonus secret that explains the town’s reliance on it. Flirty, steamy, and emotional book. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novella. Super quick short story. Tilly is a soon-to-be divorced vacation rental property associate who is squatting in one of the vacant houses until she can move into her next apartment. And then the owner George shows up, so she hides in the attic. And of course he figures out she’s there. Super quick read and very sweet. It makes me want to read more from this author.

Ebook accessed from Amazon Prime Reading.

Chasing the Duke by Tracy Sumner (2020)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Standalone novella. Classic brother’s best friend type of romance. Camille has had a long-standing crush on Tristan, but moves on when he joins the army. Upon his return, she’s grown into a beautiful woman but also betrothed to someone else. He’s dealing with his own stress from surviving the war, but is willing to make the effort to win Camille. Short and steamy quick read.

Ebook purchased via Amazon.