Last Books of March
How is it only Tuesday? Last week was rough. I think it was a mixture of post-vacation blues and things just not going my way but I had a hard time last week. I felt anxious and disorganized and all out of sorts. This week isn't shaping up better tbh, although I still remain hopeful considering it is only Tuesday. For the last few days, I have been working on clearing out and cleaning up my bedroom. My house is really small and so anything I don't know what to do with ends up in my bedroom because then at least it isn't' cluttering up the rest of the house. The problem with that is that eventually my bedroom gets so full of random stuff I can barely use it for its intended purpose. Thinking about trying to do a huge overhaul all at once was too daunting so instead I broke up the room into sections and I have been cleaning one or two sections at a time. So far this seems to be working and it still leaves me time to work on other things as well. Hopefully I will keep up the momentum and get it done by the end of the week. Tonight, I am also going to make ham and cheddar soup recipe that my family has loved before because once again it has gotten cold and rainy here. I guess I can't complain it has been sunny for almost a week now.
This week I read: 1 cozy mystery, 1 contemporary romance, 1 thriller, and 1 historical mystery.
Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox
This was another great addition to the Literary Pub Mystery series. I love the main character Sadie and the life she lives in Shady Creek, Vermont. In this story, Sadie's boyfriend Grayson gets accused of murder when an old acquaintance comes to town and gets killed. One of the things that I most appreciate, other than the fact that this series always has a good mystery, is that the author writes about Sadie's whole life. We actually see Sadie running her pub and working with the employees and waiting on customers. In a lot of cozies, the protagonist is never at their job, and yet they still remain gainfully employed. (I'm always like how you have not been fired yet?!?!? Maybe that is the true mystery. lol)
All in all, I am still really loving this series and can't wait for the next one.
Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone
Another cute story from Cara Bastone. I enjoyed Love at First Psych not only for the adorable storyline but also because of the two main characters, Marigold and Robbie. They were sweethearts who were earnestly trying their best on the group project even if they didn't always agree with each other. This was a quick listen that was low angst which was just what I needed right now.
Faceless by Alexandra Ivy
This was a well-done romantic thriller. I liked both Wynter and Noah. I especially loved that the author employed the best friends-to-lovers trope, one of my favorites. The evolving relationship between them felt believable and fit into the story. The plot was well written. I liked how Wynter slowly unraveled the mystery of her mother's murder and learned more about the people around her. I was able to figure out whodunnit but there was a twist I did not see coming. All in all, a good book and would love to read more in the series.
The Secret of the Lost Pearls by Darcie Wilde
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need-for a modest fee, of course-and her client roster is steadily increasing.
Mrs. Gerald Douglas, née Bethany Hodgeson, presents Rosalind with a particularly delicate predicament. A valuable pearl necklace has gone missing, and Bethany’s husband believes the thief is Nora, Bethany’s disgraced sister. Nora made a scandalous elopement at age sixteen and returned three years later, telling the family that her husband was dead.
But as Rosalind begins her investigations, under cover of helping the daughters of the house prepare for their first London season, she realizes that the family harbors even more secrets than scandals. The intrigue swirling around the Douglases includes fraud, forgery, blackmail, and soon, murder. And it will fall to Rosalind, aided by charming Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, to untangle the shocking truth and discover who is a thief-and who is a killer. ~Goodreads description
This was another awesome entry into the Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. Rosalind is such a great main character. She is smart, pragmatic, and kind. The mysteries are always very well done, and I love the side characters that are introduced in each book. The Secret of the Lost Pearls is no exception. I especially love Rosalind's relationship with Adam in this book, so sweet. The author writes the regency period so well that you can lose yourself in the story. All in all, I highly recommend the series.
Reading Challenges 2023:
Mount TBR: Faceless
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: The Secret of the Lost Pearls, Faceless, Through the Liquor Glass
50 State Challenge: Faceless (Wisconsin)
Read the Quote 2021: The Secret of the Lost Pearls, Faceless, Love at First Psych, Through the Liquor Glass
So how is your week going?
This week I read: 1 cozy mystery, 1 contemporary romance, 1 thriller, and 1 historical mystery.
Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox
This was another great addition to the Literary Pub Mystery series. I love the main character Sadie and the life she lives in Shady Creek, Vermont. In this story, Sadie's boyfriend Grayson gets accused of murder when an old acquaintance comes to town and gets killed. One of the things that I most appreciate, other than the fact that this series always has a good mystery, is that the author writes about Sadie's whole life. We actually see Sadie running her pub and working with the employees and waiting on customers. In a lot of cozies, the protagonist is never at their job, and yet they still remain gainfully employed. (I'm always like how you have not been fired yet?!?!? Maybe that is the true mystery. lol)
All in all, I am still really loving this series and can't wait for the next one.
Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone
Another cute story from Cara Bastone. I enjoyed Love at First Psych not only for the adorable storyline but also because of the two main characters, Marigold and Robbie. They were sweethearts who were earnestly trying their best on the group project even if they didn't always agree with each other. This was a quick listen that was low angst which was just what I needed right now.
Faceless by Alexandra Ivy
This was a well-done romantic thriller. I liked both Wynter and Noah. I especially loved that the author employed the best friends-to-lovers trope, one of my favorites. The evolving relationship between them felt believable and fit into the story. The plot was well written. I liked how Wynter slowly unraveled the mystery of her mother's murder and learned more about the people around her. I was able to figure out whodunnit but there was a twist I did not see coming. All in all, a good book and would love to read more in the series.
The Secret of the Lost Pearls by Darcie Wilde
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need-for a modest fee, of course-and her client roster is steadily increasing.
Mrs. Gerald Douglas, née Bethany Hodgeson, presents Rosalind with a particularly delicate predicament. A valuable pearl necklace has gone missing, and Bethany’s husband believes the thief is Nora, Bethany’s disgraced sister. Nora made a scandalous elopement at age sixteen and returned three years later, telling the family that her husband was dead.
But as Rosalind begins her investigations, under cover of helping the daughters of the house prepare for their first London season, she realizes that the family harbors even more secrets than scandals. The intrigue swirling around the Douglases includes fraud, forgery, blackmail, and soon, murder. And it will fall to Rosalind, aided by charming Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, to untangle the shocking truth and discover who is a thief-and who is a killer. ~Goodreads description
This was another awesome entry into the Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. Rosalind is such a great main character. She is smart, pragmatic, and kind. The mysteries are always very well done, and I love the side characters that are introduced in each book. The Secret of the Lost Pearls is no exception. I especially love Rosalind's relationship with Adam in this book, so sweet. The author writes the regency period so well that you can lose yourself in the story. All in all, I highly recommend the series.
Reading Challenges 2023:
Mount TBR: Faceless
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: The Secret of the Lost Pearls, Faceless, Through the Liquor Glass
50 State Challenge: Faceless (Wisconsin)
Read the Quote 2021: The Secret of the Lost Pearls, Faceless, Love at First Psych, Through the Liquor Glass
So how is your week going?