Death On The Lanai(Golden Girls,#2)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★  

 Thank you to publisher, Hyperion Avenue for complimentary  Earc via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. 

 

 

07.02.26     

When the Girls accept a very strange invitation to a lavish party on a remote island estate, they find that murder has a way of ruining even the most glamorous of evenings. 

The invite delivered to 6151 Richmond Street was short on details, only promising to celebrate “the greatest artist of the century” and accompanied by a jewel-encrusted brooch—the whole package a brand of mysterious opulence that another Saturday night of gin rummy just can’t match. 

Blanche Devereaux’s passionate dalliances are as plentiful as hot Southern nights, and surely one can’t be expected to remember all of one’s suitors. But when the Girls disembark the party’s ferry at a small Biscayne Bay island and meet their secretive host, the memories come flooding she a Radio City Rockette in her twenties, he the poor artist who could offer her nothing but his love. Fate drove them apart, but Declan, now a famous artist El Toro, professes that Blanche has always been his muse. 

Featured prominently in his artworks and central to El Toro’s return to the apex of the art world, Blanche is thrilled to have been such an inspiring figure to this man. But looking around at a party filled with those who have made their livings off the artist’s fame—his assistant, his art dealer, his greatest critic, and more—Dorothy isn’t so sure they’re welcome on the island after all. 

When a tropical storm knocks power out across the island, an optimistic Blanche proclaims that everyone looks better by candlelight anyway. But when Declan is found dead the next morning, all eyes are on her, his supposed muse of thirty-plus years. Trapped at the estate with the other guests—suspects all—the Girls must band together to find the true killer and get back to pleasant evenings of card games and cheesecake.

  🌷

 
I love Golden Girls! I remember how much fun I had watching this show, and I was sad once it was over. I even got my mom into the show. When the first book, Murder By Cheesecake came out last year, I was so excited. I loved that book, and I loved the way that Rachel portrayed the characters. When I found that there was a second book, I was even more excited and curious to see what awaited Rose, Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia next. I wasn’t disappointed. I enjoyed Death On Lanai even more than the first book; there was more happening in this one. 

As always, I enjoyed the banter between the girls and how they came together when they needed each other. I enjoyed reading more from Blanche’s perspective in this book, and it was so well written. I was suspicious of the invitation from the moment the girls got it, and I had a bad feeling about it. I have always loved cozy mysteries, and adding Golden Girls to the mix makes them even more interesting to read. You could tell how much Blanche cared about Declan, just the way that she acted, which was different from how she acted with the other guys. So, I know she had more personal reasons for finding out what happened to Declan. I found myself trying to solve the mystery alongside Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia. 

Reading this book made me feel as if I was watching Golden Girls again, just with a mystery twist. There was so much I loved about this book, and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. Now, I’m even more curious what adventures await the girls next! I would highly recommend this to any Golden Girls and cozy mystery fans.

The Summer Swap.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cecilia Lapthorne always vowed she’d never go back to Dune Cottage. So no one is more surprised than Cecilia to find herself escaping her seventy-fifth birthday party to return to the remote Cape Cod cottage—a place filled with memories. Some are good—especially memories of the early days with her husband, volatile artist Cameron. But then there are the memories she has revealed to no one. 

After dropping out of medical school, aspiring artist Lily is cleaning houses on the Cape to get by, guilt-ridden for disappointing her parents. Unoccupied for years, Dune Cottage seems the perfect place to hide away and lick her wounds—until Cecilia unexpectedly arrives. Despite an awkward beginning, Lily accepts Cecilia’s invitation to stay on as her guest, and a flicker of kinship ignites. 

Then Todd, Cecilia’s grandson—and Lily’s unrequited crush—shows up, sending a shock wave through their unlikely friendship. Will Lily find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new…

 🌷

 
I love this author. 

The Summer Swap is my third book by the author, and so far, my favorite. I absolutely loved everything about this book! I loved most of the characters, even the ones that I felt I shouldn’t like. I felt a connection to every single character. When I started reading the book, I felt myself getting transformed into Cape Cod, along with Cecilia and Lily. The description in The Summer Swap was phenomenal, I could smell and see the ocean and picture myself in Dune Cottage. Even though I’ve read the author before, I was prepared for how much this book would affect me. 

The Summer Swap was a very character drive story; dealing with relationships, family, marriage. Each character deals with their own uncertainties about life. When I first started reading the book, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Kristen, and I wasn’t fond of how she treated her mother. As the story progressed, I came to understand her and feel for her. I began to wonder whether there was still a chance for Kristen and her mother to repair their strained relationship. Lily, I loved her from the start, and I loved the unlikely relationship that she formed with Cecilia. Considering what she was dealing with, she needed someone like her. 

I loved the way Morgan portrayed each character and how their stories came together. Cecillia, Lily, and Kristen all went through so much, and I hoped that they would find their way. The Summer Swap was an emotional story at times, but it was also heartwarming, which had me smile. You will find yourself going through a range of emotions while reading this book. I didn’t finish it that long ago, and I still cannot get the story out of my mind. I’m so glad that my friend chose this book for our buddy read. I’m even more eager to check out her other books after this one.

Tristan And The Majesteria

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Corwynn Rosewood and Rattle The Stars PR for letting me be part of review team!

 

Tristan Mulberry has a very unusual job. As a Majesteria Handler at Teakley Academy his duties include collecting Starlight, editing magical texts and procuring large amounts of cheese and pastries for the Majesteria, a trio of mice with extraordinary magical powers. 

When the Majesteria are entrusted with a secret mission to bring the Royal Cinderflower to the Queen’s Coronation by pirate ship, Tristan (a passionate fan of pirate romance novels) joins them on a seafaring adventure full of sea shanties, billowing blouses, moonlit kisses, sea serpents and a rather unreasonable amount of cheese.

   🌷

 
Wow. This is the book that I’m never going to forget. 

Tristan and the Majesesteria is one of those stories that will have you smiling, but also on the edge of your seat all the way throughout the book. From the moment I read the summary of this book, I had a feeling that it was going to be a good book. It had exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t put this book down, and on a few occasions, I lost track of time because I was so invested in the story. I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning until the end. There was part of me that wished there were another book, because I wanted to see what happened next with Tristan, Majesteria, and Wren. 

 
The world-building and the magic system in this story were incredible, unlike anything that I have read before. That was one of my favorite parts of the book. The way that Corwynn described everything was so vivid and felt so real. I loved Tristan and Majesteria right from the beginning, and the bond between them. Some of the things Majesteria did and said made me laugh. I also loved the bond that Tristan and Majesteria had with Captain Wren and her crew; they felt as if they were part of the crew. 

I love stories that feature pirates, and I had read couple in the past. This one was one of the best. I also loved the cover and the title; it draws you to the story. I’m so glad that I got chance to read this book. I would highly recommended it for any fantasy and rom com fans!

The Hot Shot((Smash Point Social Club,#3)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    

 

 Thank you to the author,Cynthia Gunderson and BookSirens for E ARC, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

His son chose her first. 

She should’ve known she was playing with fire. 

Rachel never teaches outside of her pickleball club, but when a determined eight-year-old walks in wanting lessons, she makes a mistake. His dad, Jake, won’t commit to their schedule, plus the fitness app she works for is desperate for competitive content. 

Now she’s teaching pickleball at a firehouse court, getting way too attached to this kid, and being dragged into late-night poker games with Jake and the rest of his crew. The worst part? She’s starting to like it. She’s starting to like him.
But Rachel doesn’t play games she can’t win. Unlike Jake, she doesn’t take risks with her life or her heart, and when she finds out the truth about Jake’s last three years? About why he became a firefighter and why he battles for his son?

  🌷

 
What a heartwarming story! 

I’m officially in love with this series. I read the first book, The Big Dink, last year, followed by the second book earlier this year. It seems that I can’t get enough of this series. I didn’t think I could fall more in love with the series until I read Rachel’s story in Hot Shot. The chemistry between Rachel and Jake was instant – even if the two of them tried to deny it. I understood why Jake was the way that he was, considering what happened in his past. However, I hoped that he would realize that it’s okay to move on. 

Rachel, you couldn’t help but love that girl. The way that she was with Jake’s son, Colton. Also, the way she knew how to stand up for herself. I loved the description of pickleball when Rachel was teaching. I felt as if I was there, as if she was teaching me. Since starting this series, I have felt like I learned so much about pickleball, and I have become fascinated by it. 

There were some hard topics in the book, and I liked how the characters handled them. I also enjoyed the bond that Rachel created with the rest of the firefighters. I couldn’t get enough of this book; I couldn’t put it down. I do wish these books were a little longer, only because I get so attached to the characters and don’t want to let go. Highly recommended for sports romance fans.

Road Trip.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

   4.5★ 

  Thank you to publisher, St.Martin's Press for Earc via Netgalley, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

07.02.26    

 

Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters—but the two have been estranged for years. They could not be more Maeve, a rule-follower and Therese, a rebel. But when their mother's death brings the family back together, the two find that they have inherited a painting—one that could be worth millions and could save each of them from their respective wolves at the door. The only issue is, the painting might be a fake and the only way the can solve the problem is to find the original. This means a road trip—to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred years ago. With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. 

Can Maeve and Therese find the real painting, remove a family curse, solve a cold case, and actually survive without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.

 🌷

 
From the moment that I picked up my first Mary Kay Andrews book in 2024, I fell in love with her writing. From the books I have read so far, there wasn’t one I didn’t like. I was excited when I found out that she was writing a new book. What I loved about Road Trip was the book's description, especially when the sisters were in Ireland. I had always wanted to visit Ireland, and after reading this book, I wanted to visit Ireland even more. I felt I was in Ireland, along with Therese and Maeve, while reading the book. I found myself going on adventures with two of them, and, of course, I was curious to see what they would discover about the painting. 

The relationship between Maeve and Therese was strained, and I loved how it grew throughout the book. Even though the two of them would banter, I could tell that they care about each other. What I loved about this book is that there was so much happening; it kept me turning the pages. As a reader, you can’t help but wonder how it would all end, and what it would mean for the sisters. I love reading books about siblings, especially sisters, and Road Trip is one of my favorites. 

The title Road Trip fit the book perfectly, although I felt it was so much more than that. I believe it changed both sisters in ways they didn’t expect. The setting was another one of my favorites about this book; I still can see it so clearly in my mind. I would highly recommend checking this book out! Be prepared to escape to Ireland!