Edam and Weep by Linda Reilly - 5 stars!

When the local high school hosts a fundraiser, restaurant owner Carly Hale is happy to sign on and enlists her mother’s help selling her grilled cheese sandwiches. When the vendor stationed next to them turns out to be rude and bullies them both, Carly’s mom gives the man a vicious tongue-lashing. Later that day the man is found dead. With her mom a suspect for the murder, Carly has no choice but to find out who killed the man and why.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love Carly and all her friends and family in the series, and her delectable, delicious cheesy recipes. The plot was confounding, and I was surprised by who the culprit was in the end. This series has made me want to visit Vermont to see if I can find Carly's cheesy eatery. Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert - 4 Stars!

Library director Amy Muir has always been suspicious of art dealer Kurt Kendrick. Even though he's a close family friend, his murky past is concerning, especially since he is the godfather to Amy and her husband Richard’s six-year-old twins. When a visitor to their historic Virginia town is found dead after accusing Kurt of committing a decades-old murder, Amy is determined to prove that Kurt didn’t kill anyone, in the past or the present. Amy must fight to uncover the truth before a hidden killer strikes again.

This was a very good cozy mystery filled with unforgettable characters, a vibrant setting, and a plot that kept me guessing until the end of the story. The only problem I really had was with the pacing, I felt that some parts we're just dragged out a little too much. Although I love this series and can't wait for the next installment. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Diva Poaches A Bad Egg by Krista Davis - 5 stars!

While Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson who's afraid someone is following her. The next day Mitzi loses her business partner, Denise. The two were renovating an old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder. Sophie agrees to help Mitzi find the truth. Can Sophie scramble up some clues to the truth behind the murder before another body is found.

I absolutely love reading this series. Sophie is an elegant amateur sleuth who helps her friends and loved ones when needed. The side characters are always fun to read about; it's like visiting a bunch of friends. The way the author describes the setting makes it come alive in my imagination, and I feel like I'm right next to Sophia figuring out whodunit. The plot was confounding enough that I was surprised when the culprit was revealed in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, and I hope there are many more to come. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage - 3 Stars!

Rose is hosting an elaborate wedding full of traditions from her hometown and she's busy getting everything ready. Dorothy decided to find a date for the wedding, so she connected with a gentleman from a dating service and met with him at a local cafe. Dorothy left that meeting thinking that he was very obnoxious. She decided to go to the nuptials alone. But, when Dorothy was placing a cheesecake in a hotel freezer, she found the body of Dorothy's date. Can the Golden Girls find the truth before Dorothy is arrested for murder? 

This was a cute cozy mystery that remind me of watching the television show when I was younger. The author really got their personalities correct, and that made for very funny, endearing scenes. The plot was very interesting with suspects and red herrings that kept me guessing until the very end. I recommend this story to anyone who loved the show. Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss - 5 stars!

It’s been almost two years since Willa Bauer opened Curds & Whey in Yarrow Glen, and both cheesemonger and cheese shop are thriving. Unfortunately, life’s latest curveball is that Willa’s ex-fiancé and ex-best friend are opening a chocolate pop-up shop across the street. By the end of the shop’s first day, the town’s newest reporter is the victim of death by chocolate. Now Willa’s ex wants her to solve the case and save the day. Can she find the culprit?

This cozy mystery series is one of my favorites. I love the sleuth and her gentlemanly handsome cop boyfriend. I love all the side characters, including all of her friends that work with her at the cheese shop. The plot was very thought provoking because of how diabolical the mystery was. I would not want to be dealing with an ex and his girlfriend and trying to solve a mystery. This story had a very satisfying ending, but I didn't want it to end because this is the last book in the series. I don't understand why this series can't be extended. So, even though I will always recommend this series, I'm saddened and annoyed that it's the last one. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

The Chow Maniac by Vivien Chien - 5 Stars!

Private detective Lydia Shephard enlists the help of Lana Lee to solve a rash of unsolved murders and thefts, dealing with the ancient Asian order known as the Eight Immortals. Three of the members have already been murdered, can Lana help Lydia find the culprit before another member dies?

I love Vivien Chien and her Noodle Shop Mysteries. Whenever I open one of her books, I'm transported to the Asian community in Cleveland, Ohio and my mouth starts watering. Lana is such an interesting sleuth, who takes risks when someone she loves gets into trouble. Her friends and family serve as wonderful side characters, and they all show their devotion to Lana in their own way. The plot, in this story, was very interesting. It was the quintessential cozy filled with diabolical red herrings and clues that kept me guessing. I can't wait to read more installments of this series. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Scone Cold Dead by Maddie Day - 3 Stars!

Robbie Jordan is days away from giving birth. While her husband Abe scrambles to get the house ready for their baby’s arrival, Robbie makes last minute arrangements to keep her shop and restaurant, Pans ’N Pancakes, up and running when she’s on maternity leave. When a body is found in the ram field on a relatives' sheep farm, it’s Robbie’s turn to be worried. Robbie has no choice but to knit the clues together and solve this mystery before anything else gets flocked up.
Even though I enjoyed reading this story, I felt really let down because it wasn't really a mystery. The biggest suspense of the novel was if and when Robbie would have her baby. Throughout most of the book, I went on the assumption that there was a murder while reading how Robbie was looking for clues and trying to figure out what happened. But the ending was a letdown, even though the baby arrived safely. I love this series and want to know what happens next and I hope there's going to be more installments. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Promise: John & Zoe by Cindy Kirk - 4 Stars!

Zoe Goodhue came home to Good Hope with a broken heart. Then she finds herself working alongside John Logan, the man who changes her mind about love. But John carries a secret that could shatter the trust growing between them. In a town built on community, Zoe must decide if she can open her heart to a second chance or walk away before it’s broken again.

Every time I read a Cindy Kirk romance, I find teachable moments and themes that touch my life and I hope touch everyone else's. I believe the theme in this story is about believing in yourself and not settling for a love that is not true. This story, like all the others in this series and the Good Hope series, are filled with wonderfully created characters in a town that I would move to if it actually existed. This is a town where everyone knows and respects their neighbor, there are social programs that help families in need and a community that actually cares. If you want to read a clean, and charming romance, look no further! Thank you, Ms. Kirk, for the opportunity to read this romance. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander - 5 stars!

Amidst the rocky beaches of the Oregon coast, Torte’s beloved Sterling and Stephanie have been hired to take over the aging restaurant at the cliffside Whaleshead Resort. Jules and the team from Torte have come out for opening weekend to cheer them on. Despite opening night jitters, the dinner is off with a bang. As guests pile in the front door, Jules and Carlos offer to help in any way they can. As Jules walks a trail leading to the beach, she hears screaming. Erik Morton, the manager of Whaleshead, has taken a fatal fall. Jules quickly realizes this was no accident. Now, Jules will have to juggle the investigation while keeping the restaurant—and Steph and Sterling's new jobs—from crashing like the waves along the cliffs.

I've always loved this series, and this is a wonderful installment. Jules and her family and friends are wonderful characters. The Whaleshead Resort is a fun setting, and I wonder if it's based on a real place. I would love to sit on the beach and watch the waves come in. The plot is entertaining and full of red herrings that had me thinking about the wrong character as the culprit. The ending was a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.