I haven't read anything by Jennifer Probst before but when Get Red PR reached out to me and I read the blurb, there was no way I was going to say no. I haven't read anything by Jennifer Probst before but when Get Red PR reached out to me and I read the blurb, there was no way I was going to say no. I love bookish books, especially those that have the POV of an author, and Book of the Month made for a super fun time. Part romantic comedy and part steamy romance, this was just what I needed right now, and I enjoyed it immensely. Brick balanced Aspen out perfectly with his gruff exterior but cinnamon roll inside, and I think I loved him even more than Aspen.
I listened to the audiobook while I followed along in the book, and I would recommend the audio if you love audio as much as I do. Alexander Cendese and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw perfectly embodied Brick and Aspen, though I would say Cendese's female voice could use a little work. ...more
I will be honest, The Bachelor is one of the few reality shows that I'm not into, but boy did I love the concepBook Rating: 4.5/5 Audiobook Rating: 3/5
I will be honest, The Bachelor is one of the few reality shows that I'm not into, but boy did I love the concept in My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake. This is the second book in the Park Avenue Promise series, and I love the group of female friends the series is based on. Even though I read Start Us Up almost a year ago, I had no problem jumping into this one since the series is based on individual characters. I loved our headstrong and confident but maybe too trusting FMC Anika, and I was glad to see Blake taking on the topic of sexual harassment, especially in a world with songs like Woman's World by Katy Perry and the mess that is Harvey Weinstein.
I listened to the audiobook which is what I did with the first book, and I don’t know if she was having an off day but I was not a fan of Kitty Bang’s narration as much as I was the first time around. She had such long pauses even when I was on 3x speed, and I have no idea if that was actually her issue or an editing issue, but it was not something I was happy with. Her narration was excellent at other times though, and I still loved the book despite this. If you are a fan of reality TV (especially shows like The Bachelor) and want a laugh-out-loud, empowering, and sweet read My Royal Showmance is definitely all of those things and more. I loved the touch of German thrown in and the romance was ...more
I freaking LOVE Sara Goodman Confino and Behind Every Good Man was everything I could have hoped it would be. It might be set in 1962 but Beverly is nI freaking LOVE Sara Goodman Confino and Behind Every Good Man was everything I could have hoped it would be. It might be set in 1962 but Beverly is not letting anyone walk all over her, and that includes her no-good cheating husband. The storyline has politics at its heart, but it is also about making your dreams come true and not taking any crap. There is a dusting of romance that was a lovely addition to the plotline, and it brings up so many issues that we can still see present today. In fact, this would make a fantastic book club selection since there is a lot to talk about.
I oohed and aahed over so many moments, and I probably laughed out loud just as many times if not more. I also have to make a special mention of the audiobook which is narrated by Helen Laser and available on Kindle Unlimited. She truly nails Bev as well as the entire vibe of the book and was such a joy to listen to. Once I started, I couldn't put it down, and I listened to this baby in a single day. SGC always has such emotive and authentic characters, and I felt that to the max in Behind Every Good Man. You will be rooting for Bev and Michael the entire time, and I dare say learn some things along the way. Be sure not to miss the author's note!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have officially found yet another author to love with Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa. This was a jaw-dropper if there ever was one, a4.5/5
I have officially found yet another author to love with Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa. This was a jaw-dropper if there ever was one, and I loved how wonderfully twisty it was! The quick pacing kept me on my toes, and I was thoroughly engrossed in Beth's mission to find her missing sister. There was just a tiny touch of romance to this one as well, though nothing happens on the page, but I loved that, and I wanted these characters to have a happy ending. Family drama and secrets abound, and Beth finds out some shocking revelations as the storyline progresses.
The audiobook for Don't Ask, Don't Follow is a good one, and I was a happy camper with Emily Lawrence as the narrator. She did an excellent job voicing the book and I especially loved her for Beth's character. There is plenty of action to keep the narrative going and I was completely shocked by the twists. And I wouldn't be a very good cat lover if I didn't notice the inclusion of Murphy, Craig's cat. For some reason, I just loved that Keliikoa thought to include this little guy and that Beth went to the lengths she did to keep him with her after her boss's death. This is the perfect beach read if you are in the mood for something quick and twisty!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I always love me an M.J. Rose book and Forgetting to Remember is the epitome of all things I love about her. There is magical realism, time trave4.5/5
I always love me an M.J. Rose book and Forgetting to Remember is the epitome of all things I love about her. There is magical realism, time travel, romance, and a hint of mystery all rolled into one and I loved every minute of it. I did think the beginning moved a little slow (hence my half-star off), but once we got into the time travel bit, I was completely hooked, and it made the story come alive. I enjoyed all of the characters, especially our FMC Jeannine and I loved how the females in her family have certain magical powers.
There is no way I will be able to do this book justice with anything I say, and it is such a beautiful tale of love, art, war, and magic. The audiobook makes the story come alive even further, and Tavia Gilbert did a terrific job as per usual. I love her narration every time I hear it, and she was the perfect person to be the voice of Jeannine. Forgetting to Remember also taught me more about art in general, and I had never heard of a lover's eye in my life. If you enjoy a touch of magic, art, historical fiction, and time travel books I highly recommend picking this up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I read Lyn Liao Butler's previous novel Someone Else’s Life last year and was interested to see what she would Book Rating: 4/5 Audiobook Rating: 2.5/5
I read Lyn Liao Butler's previous novel Someone Else’s Life last year and was interested to see what she would have in store for me in What Is Mine. This book gets almost just as wild and crazy as that one does, and despite a pretty slow start-middle, it really kicks up the pace when we get toward the end. The storyline and its mysterious qualities completely captured me, and my mouth dropped open more than once because of things that happened throughout. Even at the very end, she was still dropping twists, and I was completely immersed.
I am not sure what is going on with Butler's audiobooks, but I didn't like her last book on audio, and I wasn't a huge fan of the audio of What Is Mine either. Nancy Wu was just an ok narrator for me, and while she wasn't the worst, she wasn't the best either. Her pacing was off basically the entire time, and my recommendation would be to read this as opposed to listening to it. There were 2 different viewpoints in the book, and I think I most enjoyed Hope's, but both were tense and held my interest. I would recommend checking out triggers before reading, but if you are in the mood for a slow-burning emotional thriller, I would recommend!
Thank you to the publisher and Get Red PR for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have been meaning to read a book by E.A. Aymar ever since I saw No Home for Killers come out last year, and what better time than now with his new rI have been meaning to read a book by E.A. Aymar ever since I saw No Home for Killers come out last year, and what better time than now with his new release? When She Left is a pulse-pounding and engaging crime fiction novel that is filled with action and, of course, murder! A family of professional assassins is such an interesting dynamic for me and though we only get a small piece of them (with their very precise pronunciation of their last name), I was sold. I will say that I would have loved some more background on the family as well as the characters themselves since the lack of both left me with some questions on motivation among other things.
There are multiple viewpoints and as the story unfolds you see how they all connect. There is one person that I am not sure about in the story, and if there was an actual reveal of who that was, I missed it. I have an idea though and I hope I'm right! The audiobook would have been nice with a full cast, but I thought Janine Granda did a great job by her lonesome and I enjoyed listening to her. I don't think you can go wrong with the book or the audio in this case. When She Left was nonstop action until the very end and I could totally have seen Aymar making this into a series instead of a standalone. The ending had me giving some side-eye ...more
Never Meant to Stay was such a fun read that now I am going to have to make it a priority to read more Trisha Das! This is a new-to-me author, and I lNever Meant to Stay was such a fun read that now I am going to have to make it a priority to read more Trisha Das! This is a new-to-me author, and I loved the way the book made me laugh and gave me all the feels at the same time. The pacing moves pretty quickly, and I listened to the entire book in basically one sitting. Samara is one of my favorite female characters I have had in a novel in quite some time, and I adored her ability to help everyone in surprisingly sneaky but useful ways. I love that I also got to learn more about another culture through reading this, and having there be not one but TWO romances that transpire was adorbs and made my heart happy.
The audiobook for Never Meant to Stay is what I would call a must-listen, and I thought that Ulka Mohanty did just a fantastic job with multiple viewpoints. The POVs jump around in each chapter, but I was never confused about whose viewpoint I was in, and I have to give massive props to the author for that. That doesn't always translate to audio well when there is only one narrator, but it did perfectly in this instance. I would have liked even more focus on the romance in the storyline, but overall, this still had an excellent balance for me, and I love that it made me LOL. There is just a touch of steam, but for the most part, this was just a really funny, dramatic, and endearing romcom that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I am a huge fan of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala and I have to say that I think Murder and Mamon is the best yet! In thiI am a huge fan of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala and I have to say that I think Murder and Mamon is the best yet! In this installment, there is drama/murder at a laundromat instead of the restaurant, and this was another fun but insightful look into Filipino culture. I love this world that Manansala has created, and The Calendar Crew consists of 3 of my favorite characters (Lila's godmothers). You wouldn't necessarily have to read these in order, but I recommend it, so you really get to know who everyone is and see their development as this series goes on. Lila is on a mission to solve the murder along with just a little bit of help, and I ended up being really surprised by the culprit!
Danice Cabanela blew me away yet again with her narration for the audiobook and at this point, this cozy mystery series feels like wrapping myself in a fuzzy blanket I love it so dang much. The pacing is perfect, and the storyline is thought-provoking yet hilarious at the same time. The way Manansala describes the food in this book is absolutely mouth-watering, and despite the food taking more of a backseat this time around, there are still recipes at the back of the book and plenty of talk about Filipino cuisine. Triggers are noted at the beginning of the book/audiobook if you need to know them, and the blend of mystery, humor, and serious topics was top-notch. I highly recommend Murder and Mamon to my cozy fans out there and anyone who loves reading about a different culture along with their murder mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Never have I loved Sara Goodman Confino more than after reading Don’t Forget to Write! I became an instant fan after loving her previous novel, and thNever have I loved Sara Goodman Confino more than after reading Don’t Forget to Write! I became an instant fan after loving her previous novel, and this book both lived up to AND completely exceeded my expectations. I loved how strong-willed and sassy both Marilyn and Ada are despite the generational differences, and I even learned a thing or two from Ada! (How is it possible I have been ordering in a restaurant wrong this entire time?!) The book is told completely from Marilyn's viewpoint which was perfect, and it was a great way to get to know her in depth which we definitely do as the reader. Words cannot describe how much I loved this mix of family drama/romance/coming-of-age amazingness, and it packs so much more than even those things. I loved Ada and her feistiness, but she was so smart as well and I enjoyed seeing how Marilyn grew from having her in her life.
And the ending! I am not kidding when I say that my jaw practically hit the floor at the end, and I immediately had to message @bookmarked.by.becky (on IG) to confirm that what I thought had happened actually DID happen. My mind was blown in the best possible way, and it was such a perfect way to conclude this breathtaking read. I laughed and cried in equal measure, and there is no one who can craft a story like this author can. I will say that I would recommend reading the book over listening to it, and while I loved Helen Laser's voice for Marilyn and her general narration, there were some pauses that were so long even at 3.1x speed that I was worried something had happened to her. Fortunately, that didn't stop me from adoring Don’t Forget to Write and I will be recommending this book as well as the author to everyone I know. ...more
Love on the Byline by Xio Axelrod is a great start to the Plays and Players series as well as a great introductBook Rating: 4.5/5 Audiobook Rating: 3/5
Love on the Byline by Xio Axelrod is a great start to the Plays and Players series as well as a great introduction to the author herself! I loved basically every moment of this book, and I loved how beautifully fleshed out all of the characters are especially Blake and Oliver AKA Ollie. The beginning of the novel hooked me immediately and had me so excited to see how the story was going to play out and what would eventually happen with our two MCs. There is some spiciness in the book, but it fits very well with the storyline and it wasn't too much for a Hallmark-loving person like me.
Axelrod created such a wonderful blend of humor and serious topics, and I ended up going back and forth between having a smile on my face, and at times, tears in my eyes. This is a bit of a lighter read but there was definitely a lot more depth than I had expected from a romance, and it was really just the icing on the cake. There is even a mysterious air to the story and once you find out what the big secret is, you can't help but feel some things.
I will note that I didn't love the audiobook for Love on the Byline as much as I could have, and while I really enjoyed the male narrator, William LeRoy, Lynn Wright was not my favorite. She has a great voice but for some reason, and maybe this is down to editing, she would have weird pauses at the wrong times and it was just strange. Highly recommend reading this one if you love romance with complex characters and lots of substance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I don't tend to read that many books that have a focus on art, but when I saw that M.J. Rose was one of the authors for The Friday Night Club: A NovelI don't tend to read that many books that have a focus on art, but when I saw that M.J. Rose was one of the authors for The Friday Night Club: A Novel of Artist Hilma af Klint and Her Creative Circle I knew I was going to have to read it. I had never heard of the artist Hilma, and it was really interesting learning her story and about the very fascinating group she formed that would hold seances. There are 2 timelines which is basically what I expected going into it, and we have Eben in present-day New York City, as well as Anna's & Cornelia's POVs, set in late 1800 to early 1900s Sweden. The past timeline is where we learn the most about Hilma through the eyes of Anna and Cornelia (2 very different relationships with Hilma), and I honestly wouldn't have minded the entire book to have been that. I don't know that we necessarily needed the present timeline (or Eben for that matter), but I was still intrigued by those parts of the book and how the two periods of time tied together.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook which has Tavia Gilbert voicing Anna (and Cornelia), Pete Cross voicing Eben & Alyson Richman (one of the authors!) reading the authors' note at the end. I am a big fan of Gilbert already and I loved her narration as well as her pacing. Cross's pace was a little bit slower than hers was, but it was perfectly fine, and he was totally believable as Eben. I never got confused despite Gilbert narrating more than one character, so I would definitely recommend the audio if you enjoy them. For being written by 3 different authors during the Covid lockdown no less, the writing felt as though it could have been 1 author, and it felt very seamless to me. I loved all of the mentions of the Guggenheim which I have yet to go to, and I even heard The Cloisters brought up which has a fictional novel of the same name out right now. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially that which focuses on art and artists, I think you will appreciate The Friday Night Club the most, but it was a solid read that I thoroughly enjoyed all the same.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have loved Jane Healey ever since I read The Beantown Girls and once again she completely blew me away with Goodnight From Paris. This historical fiI have loved Jane Healey ever since I read The Beantown Girls and once again she completely blew me away with Goodnight From Paris. This historical fiction novel is based on the life of Drue Leyton, and I honestly hadn't even heard of her prior to reading this. Healey includes some crazy information about her that really surprised me although I shouldn't put anything past the Nazis. I loved her courage and determination, and while this isn't your normal WWII-type story, it is equally as enlightening, and I was really fascinated by everything she ended up doing. There are some tough moments and a couple that I totally saw coming, and I was shocked I didn't end up crying profusely.
Goodnight From Paris is a fairly long book at almost 400 pages but not for one second did it feel long. There is so much information packed in here along with the fictional pieces and I really appreciated the author's note at the end as well. I always say historical fiction HAS to include one just so the readers know what's real and what's not, and Healey always hits the mark. I would also recommend checking out the audiobook which can currently be found on Kindle Unlimited. Kristina Klebe was an excellent choice to narrate this book and I loved every minute of it. I do have to say that I thought her voice for Nadine was a little funny, but if anything, it just provided me with some amusement in the seriousness of the topics touched on. If you are a fan of historical fiction especially related to WWII, I definitely think this needs to be on your TBR.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I adore M.J. Rose and The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is just another book in the long line of them that I have read and loved. She is such a talented wrI adore M.J. Rose and The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is just another book in the long line of them that I have read and loved. She is such a talented writer, and I loved the way she blended magic with her story - through both of our MCs at that! Violine and Suzanne each have their own talents when it comes to being able to read intimate objects, and I really enjoyed having the two viewpoints in different timelines and locations. Violine is basically trying to figure out part of Suzanne’s story while the reader also gets to see that story unfold, and it was an incredible juxtaposition that managed to add an air of mystery as well. There is a touch of romance here, but I wouldn’t call that a focus of the story. Love is definitely a resounding theme though, as well as a very interesting focus on history thanks to Rose’s inspiration being Suzanne Belperron.
The audiobook is another star of this show as narrated by Tavia Gilbert and Caroline Hewitt. I used a credit on Audible and was very happy I did since I can’t imagine reading this book any other way now. They did a wonderful job of bringing the magic of the story and the characters to life, and I highly recommend giving it a listen. The mystery and intrigue of the plot was a lovely experience and as a reader/listener, you could really feel the emotions coming across as well. Suzanne’s story is heartbreaking at times, and this definitely ended up being a bit of a tear-jerker for me. It was just a beautiful book, and if you love historical fiction and enjoy a dash of magic in your stories, I would tell you to pick up The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
This is a hard one for me, and I'm still a little torn about my feelings surrounding Someone Else’s Life by Lyn LBook Rating: 3/5 Audiobook Rating: 2/5
This is a hard one for me, and I'm still a little torn about my feelings surrounding Someone Else’s Life by Lyn Liao Butler. On one hand, it was (in my eyes) very original and ended with a pretty wild storyline, but then on the other hand it was also totally and completely unbelievable. I don't mind if a storyline is unbelievable, but some of the choices our MC makes just didn't jive with her other decisions in the book and it had me scratching my head. The majority of the book is set on one night during a storm, and through this, we learn more about Annie's past and the horrific accident that her son goes through. I loved the way Butler kept me guessing about what the accident was and how the stranger would come into play in Annie's life.
I think this book would definitely work for a lot of readers, but it is my personal opinion that you should at minimum avoid the audiobook at all costs. The narrator is Angela Lin and it made me nervous to listen to anything else she narrates. I would have loved her except for the fact that it sounded like she had a cold or something and it made her very hard to understand. She sounded very muffled like she was talking around a mouthful of cotton, and that just doesn't work when it comes to audio for me. If you love getting lost in an escapist read and want to read a book based in a gorgeous setting (hello Hawaii), then I would definitely recommend giving Someone Else’s Life a read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I thought that the premise of Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt sounded really interesting and for reading as many books as I have set on tI thought that the premise of Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt sounded really interesting and for reading as many books as I have set on this island, I decided it would be a good time to read a historical fiction novel about it. To show how little I know about the history, I can tell you now that I didn't even KNOW a fire had occurred there, let alone back in 1846, and even though parts are fictional of course, it was still enlightening. It also had a very literary feel to it due to many other topics covered in the story including bigotry and segregation, so in that way, it was a bit reminiscent of a Jodi Picoult or Diane Chamberlain novel.
Daughters of Nantucket seemed incredibly well-researched and while it didn't move me the way that I thought it would, I was definitely invested in the story and there was no doubt I would see it through to the end. There is an author's note in the back that was helpful, and although it wasn't in my ARC (tear), there is a map included at the front of the finished copy. I honestly want to grab one now just to look at it, and I like the idea that the author thought to include one. I would also recommend giving the audiobook a listen because Keylor Leigh did a great job. She didn't really give the different characters any defining voices, but she was pleasant to listen to and I really enjoyed her narration. This was an interesting, informational, and (I thought) realistic read that I would pick up if you are a fan of historical and literary fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I love historical fiction, but I never thought I would be so interested in the history of bourbon! Granted, A Matter of Happiness by Tori Whitaker isnI love historical fiction, but I never thought I would be so interested in the history of bourbon! Granted, A Matter of Happiness by Tori Whitaker isn't actually about the history of the spirit, but there were lots of interesting facts about it thanks to Melanie working for a distillery. I couldn't even tell you which viewpoint I preferred since I loved Melanie and Violet basically equally. They had some similar struggles, but at the same time had some that were quite their own thanks to the time period difference of 2018 vs 1921-23 respectively. Violet was very independent, especially for a young woman growing up in the 20s and I loved her take-charge attitude and refusal to back down from what she wanted for herself. Melanie had some of the same characteristics, but I really liked how through reading Violet's journal she understood that while she didn't NEED a man, there was nothing wrong with wanting to find love too.
There were a couple of times I got a little teary during this one, and I was actually a bit caught off guard by how emotional it was. The blend of historical fiction, women's fiction, and a touch of romance was perfect for the story, and I was completely invested in what happened to the characters. The audiobook for A Matter of Happiness is quite lovely as well, and I would highly recommend it! Kimberley Wong and Megan Tusing were both wonderful to listen to and I adored the accent that was perfected for Violet. I would like to say Wong was the narrator for Violet, but I would be lying if I told you I knew who narrated who. I have even listened to Tusing narrate before! If that's not great voice acting, then I don't know what is. This was a very moving story and as a woman, it was very empowering to read despite the sad things that end up happening. I think it also makes you appreciate family that much more as well. I am very excited that I got to read this book, and I am looking forward to many more from Whitaker! PS, A Matter of Happiness is on Kindle Unlimited and it comes with the audiobook - even more reason to check it out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have had a great time reading the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala, and I think Blackmail and Bibingka is now my favorite insI have had a great time reading the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala, and I think Blackmail and Bibingka is now my favorite installment! This is book 3 of the series, and like the others, it contains recipes at the back and a glossary and pronunciation guide in the front. Since the book is based on a Filipino family, there are a lot of Filipino terms used, so the guide was extremely helpful to me, and I also appreciated the fact that Manansala has an author's note at the front with content warnings. All of these are read in the audiobook as well, so even if you don't have a physical copy, you will at least get all of those things in the audio. The mystery was solid, and I had no idea who it was going to be or what the motivation would be, and I loved that it is set at Christmastime!
I am a big fan of Lila's character, and I have loved watching her grow (and solve murders of course) as this series progresses. I did read them all in order and although there are potential spoilers by not going this route, I think you would be fine reading them out of order as well. Manansala's descriptions of Filipino cuisine will make you hungry, and even though I'm not entirely sure what my palette would think of it, Blackmail and Bibingka definitely made me want to go get some bibingka!
You really can't go wrong with the book OR audiobook, and I have loved that Danice Cabanela has been the narrator for all 3 books thus far. She does an amazing job bringing Lila and all of the other characters to life, but Manansala's fully formed and interesting characters certainly gave her a lot to work with! Even though this is a cozy mystery, it also touches on some triggers so I would be sure to check out the content warning in the book if you are worried. It is mostly on the lighter side though, and a whole lot of fun. I recommend Blackmail and Bibingka and the entire series to cozy readers as well as crime fiction fans!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala is book 2 of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series and follows much of the same structure as the other boHomicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala is book 2 of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series and follows much of the same structure as the other books in this series (there is currently 3 total, and I am anxiously waiting for the 4th). This also happens to be Manansala's sophomore novel, and it was just as solid as her debut! Again, we get those amazing descriptions of Filipino food which are nothing if not mouthwatering, and I especially loved that Lila has to team up with her cousin Bernadette to solve the mystery. There is a decent amount of animosity between the two which makes things really interesting, and I enjoyed watching the two of them try to work things out and work together. And I don't know why I haven't mentioned this yet, but there is also a completely adorable dog owned by Lila, and that little guy is my favorite.
I loved how Lila's story continued from the first book so seamlessly, and Homicide and Halo-Halo takes place just a few months after Arsenic and Adobo ended. Lila's character is dealing with some things from her past as well as the more recent occurrences in book 1, and she ends up being a very relatable character in that respect. She could be anyone dealing with these things, and I love the way Manansala can make the reader feel seen through Lila. I really enjoyed Lila's growth in Homicide and Halo-Halo and it really just makes you want to give that girl a hug. There are recipes at the end, along with a glossary of terms and the TWs at the beginning, and I love that these are things Manansala always includes. I feel like I am getting to know this family thoroughly, and the author's quick wit and personal experiences just add that much more. I was shocked by how the mystery turned out, and it left me wanting the next book right away! I highly recommend reading this series in order to get character development, but it would be fine as a standalone as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ...more
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