⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 stars

Winner Takes It All was such a fun, chaotic, and entertaining read! The rivals-to-lovers dynamic between Eleanor and Adam was definitely a highlight, and I loved watching their disastrous Vegas night unfold as they tried to fix their drunken marriage while still competing for the same band.

There were plenty of funny moments, but the story also had some surprisingly sweet and heartfelt ones that gave the romance a little more depth. It kept me engaged from start to finish, and I especially enjoyed the music-industry setting. Not quite a 5-star read for me, but definitely a book I had a great time reading and would recommend for anyone looking for a light, funny, and sexy rom-com.

Thank you to the publisher and author for giving the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed returning to Capri Sanzio’s world in A Tour to Die For. This series has such a unique premise, and I love how Michelle Chouinard incorporates true crime history into a cozy mystery setting without losing the lighter feel of the genre.

The mystery grabbed my attention early, and I had a great time following Capri as she dug deeper into what initially seemed like an impossible situation. There were plenty of twists, red herrings, and suspects to keep me guessing, and I appreciated how everything came together by the end.

One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the San Francisco setting and the serial killer tour itself. The historical details add so much personality to the story and make it stand out from other cozy mysteries.

I also listened to the audiobook and thought it was a great way to experience the story. The narration kept me engaged and made it easy to stay invested in both the mystery and the characters.

Overall, this was another fun installment in the series. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a unique true crime twist, an engaging amateur sleuth, and plenty of secrets to unravel, I’d definitely recommend giving this series a try. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve really enjoyed Sarah Adams’ books in the past, so I was excited to pick up The Rule Book. While I still had a good time overall, this ended up being my least favorite of hers so far.

The premise was fun, and I appreciated the second-chance romance and the banter between the main characters. Sarah Adams always writes relationships that are easy to root for, and there were definitely moments that made me smile.

That said, this one just didn’t pull me in the same way her other books have. I had a harder time connecting with the characters, and parts of the story felt slower than I expected. I kept waiting for that emotional spark that I’ve come to expect from her books, but it never fully clicked for me.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was well done. It kept me engaged even during the slower sections and made for an enjoyable listening experience.

Overall, while this wasn’t a favorite, it certainly won’t stop me from picking up Sarah Adams’ future releases. If you’re already a fan of her writing or enjoy closed-door second-chance romances with sports elements, this one may still work better for you than it did for me.

When the ‘Monsters’ Aren’t the Monsters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Lily Crozier for the opportunity to read an advance copy. I received the NetGalley edition and was also gifted a finished copy by Entangled Publishing.🥹 All opinions are my own.

I’m such a sucker for a misunderstood MMC, and Raleigh absolutely HIT for me. He has that perfect “bad boy who everyone thinks is a monster, but there’s so much more underneath” energy, and I ate it up.

The undeniable pull between Raleigh and Clara had me hooked. Their relationship has that delicious tension where you know they shouldn’t be falling for each other, but neither of them seems capable of fighting it. The Beauty and the Beast meets Dracula setup was such a fun combination, too, especially with the darker paranormal atmosphere and slow-burn romance.

Raleigh was definitely the highlight for me, but I also loved watching Clara navigate everything she thought she knew about him versus the person she actually came to know. Their chemistry made this one so easy to get invested in.

A lush, atmospheric paranormal romance with a misunderstood vampire prince, a slow-burn romance, and exactly the kind of tension I’m here for.

One of my favorite things about this series is the atmosphere. Essie's Soul Food Café feels so warm and inviting that I genuinely enjoy returning to it with each book. The food descriptions, the sense of community, and the familiar cast of characters make this a cozy mystery that's easy to settle into.

The mystery itself kept me engaged, and I was pleasantly surprised by the reveal. There were enough twists, workplace drama, and red herrings to keep me guessing without feeling overly complicated. I also liked seeing Savvy step outside of her comfort zone while catering a Creole-inspired luncheon, which added something fresh to the story.

I read the ebook alongside the audiobook and thought Karen Chilton did a wonderful job bringing the story to life. Her narration added so much warmth and personality to the characters, making the café and its community feel even more immersive.

While this wasn't an all-time favorite or a book I couldn't stop thinking about after I finished, it was an enjoyable installment that reminded me why I like this series. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with a memorable setting, delicious food, and a likable amateur sleuth, this is definitely worth picking up. I'm looking forward to seeing what mystery Savvy finds herself solving next.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️.75/5

This one just wasn’t for me.

I loved the premise, and I kept waiting for the story to pull me in, but it never really happened. The audiobook narration was solid, but I found myself listening more passively than actually feeling invested in the mystery. At some point it became background noise instead of a story I was excited to get back to.

I also struggled to connect with the characters, which made it hard to care about where the plot was going. There were definitely moments that had potential, but they never came together in a way that kept me engaged.

I don’t think this is a bad book, I just think it wasn’t the right fit for me. If you enjoy slower, character-driven mysteries, you may end up liking this one more than I did. I was just hoping for a mystery that would keep me guessing and make it impossible to stop listening.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

Rewrite the Stars was an enjoyable second-chance romance with plenty of chemistry and some genuinely sweet moments. I liked that the main characters had a shared history, and I appreciated seeing them reconnect years later as adults. Their banter and emotional moments kept me invested, and the dual narration added personality to the story overall. I also appreciated the autism representation, which added another layer to the story and felt like a meaningful part of the characters rather than an afterthought.

That said, this one didn't completely work for me. Some of the romantic and spicy scenes felt a little over the top, and a few choices pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. While I understand the chemistry between the characters, there were moments where I found myself questioning the timing and setting more than swooning over the romance.

Even so, I still enjoyed the overall story and thought the relationship had a solid emotional foundation. It just never quite reached the point where I was completely swept away. If you enjoy second-chance romances with plenty of steam and don't mind a little over-the-top romance, I think you'll have a good time with this one.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!