The Right Swipe

This was an enjoyable novel by Alisha Rai that I picked up off the popular picks shelf in the library.   I didn't really know what to expect other than it was probably related to a dating app in some manner.  I ended up enjoying the book and look forward to reading the next book in the Modern Love series,

Rai created a very strong  female character that has been successful in her professional life but not so much in her personal life.  Her vulnerability is uncovered  as we pregress therough the movel but it is also a wonderful development in her personality as well. 

The book covers some intense topics but in a way that it's too in your face.  They are central to the plot but are not the focus, rather they explain the reasons  Rhiannon and Samson both are the way they are in life and relationships. 

There are some very explicit sexual scenes so if this isn't your cup of tea you may want to skip over them or pass on this novel



The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A juicy book that addresses some serious topics. I thought Riad did a great job of addressing sexual harassment and dating woes in a manner that was fitting for a fiction novel. It wasn't too in your face about the issue but did leave you thinking about it and the courage it can take to stand up to improper and immoral behavior. Ra left her character Rhiannon as a strong and successful leader but still had her address the acceptability of being vulnerable and asking for help and support.

The are some very detailed bedroom scenes so this is definavoiitely and adult novel and not for those who prefer to avoid this detail in their reading choices


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book  #79

Midnight Snacks are Murder

This is the 2nd installment in teh Pappy McAllister series by Libby Klein.  This book was another engaging cozy mystery.  We find ourselves drawn further into the lives of Poppy and her Aunt Ginny.   We also get a bit more glimpses at the competitive attempts to win Poppy's attention by Tim and Gia.   This book felt like it had more comedic moments and we met a few new characters. while getting visits from most of the characters in the Class Reunions are Mulder book. 

if you  are looking for a fun and light cozy mystery with a bit of a romantic flair this is a great series to read.   I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Restaurant Weeks are Murder.


Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good follow up to the first book in the series. Poppy is still in Cape May and is living with Aunt Ginny. Trouble continues to find them at every turn. At least this time Poppy isn't the one accused of murder. The book continues to develop the characters and their relationships as introduced in the first mystery. This book has more comical scenes and sheds a bit more light on Poppy's past.

The book is able to be read independently of the first book in the series but the relationships are better understood if you read hte first installment prior to this book.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #78
2. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book #61 
3. Cruising through cozies -  Free choice
4. Medical Examiner-  1 Toe Tag 
5. Six Shooter- 2nd shot 
6.  20 in 20:  #Read20in2020 #4 a book with day/night in title

Christmas Shopaholic

I always enjoy reading a book by Sophie Kinsella.   This is the 2nd book I have read by her this year.  She my review of Undomestic Goddess for my previous read this year.

This book brought me back in touch with Becky, the shopaholic, that was my oringinal introduction to Kinsellla's fun and lighthearted style.  I have missed a few books int eh series but that really didn't impact the enjoyment of the book.

Becky, is up to her usual shopping self, only she is no longer living in a major metropolitan area.  The book is full of comedic moments and misunderstandings.  We get to see Becky's quirky personality and witness her evolving relationship with her husband.

As expected Christmas is a time of stress and shopping.   Kinsella lets us in on the confusion that surrounds Becky and hre universe.  It wasn't terrible to read the books out of order but it would probably be a bit more enjoyable to have read all the previous books in the series as there are references to the other book s and life events.

All in all a fun lighthearted read.




Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

another fun installment in the life of Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood. This is a fun book if you are looking for a distracting read from all the serious news around us. It is not imperative to read the other books first but it does help to know what the story references and to experience life events in order.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #77
2. Monthly Motif   #MonthlyMotifGXO- around  this world  - country different from your own

Such a Fun Age

This debut novel by Kiley Reid has been getting lots of attention on book groups and boards, and rightfully so.  The book is written with a great pace and strong storytelling while also providing thought provoking material that is very timely given today's race and social justice discussions.

 I think the points that really hit home for me in the book is that often times people think they are doing the right thing and inadvertently cause harm instead.   I also think the book pointed out people approach the same situation with different perspectives based on their backgrounds and past experiences and this can often influence how they see a situation.  Reid does a very good job at highlighting this in her story. 

I did feel that there are times when things are judged as being a race difference but could also be perceived as a socio economic difference.   This is alluded to in Reid's story when she discusses Emira's friends and their financial standing versus her own.   They are Black and Hispanic but seem to be doing better financially than her at the beginning of the book,  most of them have found their calling in life and have started down that path whereas Emira still seems to be searching for her calling. 

Reid's story definitely highlights the fact that word choices can greatly impact how a comment is received.   Tasking the time to ensure our statements aren't judgmental can go a long way toward inadvertently insulting or hurting someone. 

If you are looking for a thought provoking, well written story then be sure to read this book.  Reid delivers a fast pace book without being too judgmental or preachy.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable and thought provoking book. It has an interesting and forthright approach to the topic of race. I did see some aspects of the situations where you could understand how something that is seen as being helpful can actually be perceived as a derogatory move. The phrase the best laid intentions kept running through my head at different points in the book. I think besides race disparities/perspectives this book also highlighted the disparities in socio-economic views to different situations.

All in all this is a very thought provoking book which leaves you thinking about it long after you finish.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #76
2. Wizarding World Tour  possible categories
• Beauxbatons: blue on the cover

Cabs, Cakes, and Corpses

I stumbled upon this cozy mystery through one of the emails I receive with deals and freebies each day.   I am so happy I found it as Jennifer Joy does a wonderful job of combining a cozy mystery with a travel novel.

Her descriptions of Banos, Ecuador make me want to hop on a plane and travel there right now.  Her prose describes the waterfalls and cane fields with such detail you cannot help but see yourself right there along with the protagonist, Jessica James. 

She also does a wonderful job of setting the stage for a cross between excitement and fear for a first time international traveler.  It is a realistic representation of how someone not accustomed to travel overseas could find themselves with a certain amount of trepidation and homesickness. 

All this is intermingled with a charming and believable cozy mystery.  Plus throw in some humor and Latin hunks and you have a quirky and fun book.   I cannot wait to catch up with this series and see where Jessica's adventures take her going forward.

This is a great easy escape read if you are looking for a fun book to take your mind off things.



Cabs, Cakes, and Corpses by Jennifer Joy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable read with wonderful scenic descriptions

This book is set in Ecuador and the author does a fabulous job of describing the scenery, culture and characters in the book. You can absolutely feel Jessica's emotions about being in a foreign country and experiencing international travel for the first time. The characters are endearing and I cannot wait to read more about their adventures


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Literary Escapes-  Ecuador
2. Around the Year in 52 Books- #7 set in Southern Hemisphere
3. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  60
4. Cruising through cozies -  Travel #2
5. Medical Examiner-  2 Toe Tag 
6. Six Shooter- new target
7. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #16 S. America
8. Monthly Motif   #MonthlyMotifGXO-  around or out of this world-  set in Ecuador 

Class Reunions are Murder

This is the first installment in the Poppy McAllister series by Libby Klein.  Poppy is a recently widowed woman who travels home to Cape May, NJ to attend her 25th HS reunion.  Like many, she was dreading the event and only attended to support her friend.  Little did she know that her arch nemesis from back in school would be murdered after having a very public fight with her in front of many witnesses.

Klein does a wonderful job of creating a relatable character in Poppy.  Her anxiety and uncertainty of returning to High School and facing the group of mean girls who tormented her and her friends was something many readers can probably relate with.  Klein also does a wonderful job of showing Poppy recovering from the death of her husband of 20 years and how she struggles to move forward in her life.   Poppy's relationship with her Aunt Ginny is a wonderful show of the strength of family and how willing people can be to help those they love.  Aunt Ginny and her senior friends and neighbors provide a bit of comedic relief as well.


Anyone who attended high school in the 1980s will really appreciate this book and the flashbacks it provides to that era.  The book made me think of the movie Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and was an enjoyable read.

I look forward to finishing the rest of the books in the series as soon as I am able.


Class Reunions Are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable New cozy series. Fun to watch Poppy McAllister reconnect with her friends and neighbors in Cape May NJ

Poppy is a lovable character struggling to find her way after being widowed. Anyone who remembers HS with some measure of trepidation will enjoy the flashbacks and anxiety associated with class reunions. Cannot wait to read about more of Poppy and her Aunt Ginnys adventures


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #75
2. Literary Escapes-  New Jersey
3. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book #59
4. Cruising through cozies -  Free choice 16
5. Medical Examiner-  1 Toe Tag 
6. Six Shooter- 1st shot on Target 21
7. Mystery Bingo: 
   • Clues:  perfume; life insurance
8. 52 Books in 52 weeks   #5 A character who is a senior
9. TBR Book #39  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Cobblered to Death

This Rosemarie Ross' first book in a cozy series about Courtney Archer, a TV chef.  This book is based at a resort in the Poconos while Courtney is involved in filming a Baking Challenge on location.  There are several side mysteries that occurred during this story that keep the reader guessing as to the motive for the crime and the guilty party.  Courtney is faced with some personal dilemmas during the story,  making her character very relatable and endearing.

I look forward to reading more of the series as it is published.  The next installment is due out in Dec 2020.



Cobblered to Death by Rosemarie Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very enjoyable debut in a series. The book centers around Courtney Archer, who is the host of a cooking program based upon a persona of a Farmer's Daughter. Problem is this isn't really who she is and this public persona is becoming a challenge to keep up. Add to it a murder while hosting a baking challenge in the Poconos and there are lots of suspicions being cast her direction. She is a very relatable character who is struggling to do what she feels is the right thing without jeopardizing her career. The reader cannot help but root for her to get her way and to solve the mystery. I look forward to reading more in the series.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #74
2. Literary Escapes-  PA
3. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #58
4. Cruising through cozies -  Free choice 15
5. Medical Examiner-  1 Toe Tag 
6. Mystery Bingo: 
   • Red Herring :  Gloves