How the Wallflower Wins a Duke by Lucy Morris - 3 Stars!

Marina Fletcher believes that she's not destined for love, but she wants a life filled with music. But what happens when she meets the sexy Duke of Framlingham and agrees to a fake engagement with him?

This was an enjoyable historical romance full of characters that you love to hate, and some that you just love. The setting was well described and reminded me of all the times I enjoyed other historical romances set during this time period. It was a good read, but the one problem was that I have read so many fake engagement/fake relationship romances that it bores me now. I would like to read something different. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose - 5 Stars!

Sarah Morgan is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Washington, DC. With a perfect case record and having made named partner before the age of thirty-five, her life is going exactly as she planned. However, the same cannot be said for her husband, Adam, a failed author, who's grown to resent his wife's meteoric success as he feels it's come at the expense of their relationship. For almost two years, Adam has kept his affair with Kelly Summers a secret, but everything changes when her body is discovered at the couple's lake house and Adam is arrested on suspicion of murder. Sarah now finds herself facing her most challenging case yet when she vows to defend her husband--a man accused of murdering his mistress. While Adam is certainly guilty of sleeping with Kelly, is he guilty of killing her too?

This mystery thriller was so good that the first word out of my mouth after I closed the book was, "Wow!" I don't want to say too much because I will give the ending away and I don't want to do that. All of the characters were really well written with flaws and idiosyncrasies that make them disarmingly likable. The settings made me feel like I was standing in the courtroom in Washington DC or at a lake house on the shore observing. The best thing about this book though is the plot. Can't say this enough, Read this book! You won't regret it, especially if you like a good suspenseful mystery!

 

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns - 3 Stars!

Thanks to Maddy Montgomery’s social media savvy, Baby Cakes Bakery is becoming a huge success, so much so that she’s attracted the attention of her nemesis, Brandy Denton. When Brandy blows into New Bison and disrupts a vlog Maddy’s filming, their argument goes viral. After Brandy’s body is found in the freezer at Baby Cakes, Maddy becomes a murder suspect. With the help of her aunt’s friends, Sheriff April Johnson, and her veterinarian boyfriend Michael, Maddy needs to find the truth behind the murder before another body drops.
There are many good things to say about this cozy mystery. The plot was very entertaining, and I couldn't figure out who done it until the big reveal at the end. The side characters were likable, and I wanted to get to know them. This time, though, I felt that the main character was too aggressive in her language. She was threatening people, which made me feel very uncomfortable for her in certain situations. I also missed a lot of the bakery setting because she wasn't really working there much. I do want to read the next installment in this mystery, as I've liked a previous book in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss - 5 Stars!

Cheese lovers from across the Northwest have come to the Sonoma Valley for the Northwest Cheese Invitational. As owner of the local cheese shop, Curds & Whey, Willa Bauer loves it. The event showcases custom cheese creations, and it’s the perfect time to gather with old associates to honor her former boss, the late cheese legend, Max Dumas. He was famous for creating his award-winning Church Bleu. Only Max knew the recipe and location to his beloved cheese, and many are eager to have these revealed at his will reading. Instead, Max stuns everyone with one cryptic clue. When a fellow colleague is murdered everyone falls under suspicion. Is a killer trying to get away with murder, and the cheese?
Put simply I loved this cozy mystery. It has wonderful characters set in a little town with wonderful shops that cater to my every culinary whim. To be honest I think I gained about 5 lbs. reading this book because all I wanted to do was eat cheese. There was also a bookstore which made me happy because that's my other favorite thing. Ms. Moss, you are a wonderfully creative writer. I can't wait to read your next delicious mystery. If you're looking for a wonderful cozy mystery, and don't mind the wonderful cheese, look no further!

 

Secretly Married to a Prince by Ally Blake - 4 Stars!

Matilda Waverly needs a husband to claim her inheritance. But what if she already has one? And what if he just happens to be a prince?
This was a great contemporary romance to fill the needs of any reader out there who wants to read about being wooed by a prince. Honestly, the romantic part of me was ecstatic with the HEA ending. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Peking Duck and Cover by Vivien Chien - 4 Stars!

 

For Chinese New Year, Asia Village is creating a memorable holiday event that will bring positive light to the plaza, and prosperity for all those involved. But during the celebration, a member of the lion dance performance team is found dead backstage with a single bullet hole through the heart and a red envelope in their pocket containing four one-dollar bills, an omen of death. Lana Lee is asked to help find the murderer before someone else dies.

This was a great installment to a wonderful series that always makes me crave Chinese food. All of the characters are wonderful to read about, and the plot is twisty enough to keep me guessing and I never figure out who the culprit is until the big reveal in the end. I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Olive You to Death by Lynn Cahoon - 4 Stars!

Jill Gardner, the owner of Coffee, Books, and More, is happy when she learns antiques dealer Josh Thomas and Mandy Jensen are getting married. That is, until Mandy goes missing. As Greg starts to investigate, he asks Jill to watch over Josh, who becomes a suspect. Josh is working with a professor to find a bank robber's lost treasure. Then, the professor is murdered. Can Jill and Greg unravel these mysteries?
I love to read about Jill and everyone in South Cove. Whenever I read these stories, it feels like I'm visiting old friends. The plot contained two different mysteries which kept Jill guessing as well as the reader. There was a lot of character growth, and it was a delight to see how they changed. For example, in the beginning of the series, Josh was a grouch. In this book, he seems more likeable. I would recommend this to any cozy lover. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.