Tag: 20th century

Mini-Reviews: Speak, Canticle, Ghosts

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McKelle George, Speak Easy, Speak Love

A young adult retelling of Much Ado About Nothing set in 1920s New York should be a terrible idea. At best, it should be fun but insubstantial; at worst, an utter disaster. So this novel really has no business being this good, but I loved it when I first read it in 2019 and was not disappointed upon rereading! The denizens of Hey Nonny Nonny, a speakeasy on Long Island, are characters after my own heart, particularly doctor-in-training Beatrice and aspiring writer Benedick, whose incessant bickering conceals very different feelings. There are multiple romances in this novel, and at least two of the three really work, depicting the awkward, tentative nature of first love, plus some really excellent yearning. The plot is a big strangely paced, with large saggy stretches of nothing, but I was happy simply to immerse myself in the book’s vivid setting. Admittedly, I’m biased because Much Ado is my favorite Shakespeare play, but I’m just so happy and relieved that this novel really is as good as I remember!

Walter M. Miller Jr., A Canticle for Leibowitz

Nuclear war has devastated Earth, leading to a new Dark Age and a widespread distrust of knowledge and learning. The Albertian Order of Blessed Leibowitz, a Catholic monastery in what was once the American Southwest, is one of the few places that still clings to the remnants of knowledge from the preapocalyptic “ancients.” But as humanity experiences a new renaissance and once again develops nuclear weapons, is the world doomed to repeat its mistakes? This is a weird, niche book that is definitely not for everyone, but if the premise of “post-apocalypse, but make it Catholic” appeals to you, you’ll probably enjoy it! I liked the world of the novel, especially spending time with the various inhabitants of the monastery throughout the centuries. As a Catholic myself, I felt like I was in on all the jokes and enjoyed dusting off my Latin (my foreign language all through high school…yes, I was a nerd). I wouldn’t recommend this book to a broad audience, but if the premise appeals to you, it’s definitely worth a read.

Sarah Addison Allen, Paper Ghosts

Hen Town, North Carolina, is the kind of place where an hour is a little bit longer than a normal hour, and everyone knows the rich Wester women are witches. In 1976, Willamena Wester is a high school senior whose life is planned: She’ll stay in Hen Town, marry the suitable man her grandmother picked for her, and become the unofficial queen of the town. But when Wills falls in love with another man, the ensuing tragedy affects not only her life, but the lives of her son and her granddaughter, Bailey. Is history doomed to repeat itself, or can Bailey break her family’s cycle of trauma? I’m a big Sarah Addison Allen fan, but this book didn’t resonate with me. I didn’t particularly like Wills or Bailey, nor did I sympathize with their decisions for most of the book. Allen’s novels usually have a warm core of female solidarity, and while that theme is present here, it’s a darker, more twisted version. I’ve finished her previous books feeling comforted, but this one just made me sad. Definitely glad I got it from the library instead of buying.

Mini-Reviews: Gods, Spell, Finger

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C.S. Harris, When Gods Die

A beautiful young woman is found dead in the arms of the Prince Regent, and Sebastian St. Cyr is called upon to investigate—and hopefully divert suspicion away from the prince. At first Sebastian wants nothing to do with the case, but he changes his mind when he sees the corpse wearing a rare and ancient necklace that once belonged to Sebastian’s mother—who was supposedly wearing it the day she died in a boating accident. How did the dead woman obtain the necklace, and was she involved in a conspiracy against the House of Hanover? This is a solid second installment of the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Once again his investigation takes him through the darkest, most sordid parts of London as he uncovers both personal and political motives for the murder. The book feels quite similar to the first in the series, which isn’t a bad thing, as I liked the first book a lot! But I will probably need to space out my reading of this series so that I don’t get bored with the formula. Still looking forward to book three, though!

Laura Wood, Under Your Spell

Clementine Moore is having a rough time; she’s recently become both single and unemployed. Her sister, who works for a music label, gets her a job as an assistant/housekeeper to rock star Theo Eliott, who’s having trouble writing his new album and needs supervision. But Clemmie has no interest in Theo or his world due to her rocky relationship with her father, also a famous musician. Nevertheless, she takes the job out of desperation—and is chagrined to discover that she finds Theo wildly attractive. Even worse, she actually likes him. But can romance blossom between two people from such different worlds? I really enjoyed this contemporary romance, which delivers the best-case scenario of the “dating a rock star” fantasy. Theo is dreamy and almost too good to be true, but a few genuine flaws save him from being too perfect. The book also made me laugh several times, and Clemmie’s narrative voice is a lot of fun. I’ve already read the sequel, Let’s Make a Scene, and liked it a lot also, so I will definitely keep an eye out for Laura Wood’s next book!

Agatha Christie, The Moving Finger

After being injured in a plane crash, Jerry Burton moves with his sister Joanna to the quiet village of Lymstock to recover. But instead of the sleepy, tranquil interlude they expect, they soon become embroiled in a “poison pen” mystery that results in suicide and murder. This is one of my favorite Agatha Christies, combining a solid mystery with excellent characterization and a perfect village setting. There’s also a bit of romance and a fair amount of social comedy, which I always enjoy! Earlier this year I discovered that my edition of this book, based on the original American edition, is shorter than the British version, which has several additional chapters! So of course I had to read the British version this time. I think most of the “extra” material is near the beginning; more time is spent on Jerry’s backstory and on introducing Lymstock. It was fun to reread a novel I enjoy while also in a sense reading it for the first time!

Mini-Reviews: Angels, Adversary, Cufflinks

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C.S. Harris, What Angels Fear

Rachel York, a beautiful young actress and prostitute, is brutally raped and murdered in a London church. Evidence at the scene points to Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, as the killer. Sebastian is innocent, but higher-ups within the British government would be happy to see blame for the crime fall on him. So Sebastian has no choice but to search for the real killer himself, interviewing Rachel’s friends and associates while evading the Bow Street Runners. I vaguely recall reading this book many years ago and not liking it enough to continue with the series. Perhaps it was too dark and gritty for me at the time—this is definitely not Georgette Heyer’s Regency London—but this time I liked the book a lot and am eager to read the next one. Sebastian is a compelling hero with the requisite tortured past, and I’m intrigued to see how his relationships with his family and with Kat, another actress who was his first love and has now reentered his life, will develop.

Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Adversary to the Villain

Evie Sage is struggling with her newfound villainous identity and having trouble controlling her magic. Though she and Trystan are in love, she’s afraid of pursuing their relationship because, according to the Rennedawn Prophecy, they’re doomed to be adversaries. Nevertheless, the entire villainous gang is intent on fulfilling the prophecy to preserve the kingdom’s magic—but evil King Benedict is hot on their tail, and some of Evie and Trystan’s friends are still keeping secrets. I don’t think this series is good, yet something compels me to keep reading it! The emotional back-and-forth of Evie and Trystan’s relationship is silly and makes no sense, and I have absolutely zero idea what’s going on with the plot. But I guess I’m enjoying the cozy fantasy vibes and the fact that literally every “good” character in this series is going to fall in love. Also, this book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I definitely need to read the next one to find out what happens. But I’m not happy about it!

James Anderson, The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks

This final book in Anderson’s trilogy involves yet another murder at the stately home of Alderley. Ninety-six-year-old Florrie, a distant relative of the Earl and Countess of Burford, has just died, and all her relatives have converged on Alderley for the funeral and the reading of the will. Almost everyone is hoping for a significant monetary inheritance, but most are doomed to disappointment—particularly Florrie’s spiteful daughter-in-law, Clara, who angrily declares that she knows secrets about all the guests that could ruin their reputations. So it’s no surprise that Clara is murdered that very night, and one of the relatives must have done it. The stage is set for Inspector Wilkins’s final case. As with the two previous books in the trilogy, this is a well-executed pastiche of Golden Age mysteries with an intricate puzzle plot and a vivid cast of characters. Highly recommended for fans of the genre, and I’m sorry there are no more books in the series!

Mini-Reviews: Sweet, Duke, Briar

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Cara Bastone, Sweet Talk

When chronic insomniac Jessie gets a 2 a.m. text from Eliot, she’s confused but excited—she knows him slightly and has a bit of a crush on him. But Eliot has accidentally texted the wrong person, and due to a mishap while saving her contact info, he has no idea who Jessie is. Nevertheless, they start chatting and hit it off surprisingly well. Soon they’re texting and calling each other every day and sharing personal details about their lives. But Jessie still hasn’t revealed her identity; she’s convinced that she could never have a future with Eliot and that he’d reject her if he knew who she truly was. My winning streak with Cara Bastone continues—this novella is such a delight! Both Jessie and Eliot are somewhat unconventional protagonists: He’s an exuberant puppy dog who’s timid but kind, while she’s a tough, muscular, tattooed woman with a traditionally masculine job. Jessie’s identity and her reasons for keeping it a secret are pretty easy to guess, but that in no way diminished my pleasure in this adorable story!

Eloisa James, Not That Duke

Lady Stella Corsham considers herself a loser in London society. With her unfashionable red hair, spectacles, and tendency to clumsiness, Stella doesn’t see herself as lovable and assumes she’ll never marry. Still, she can’t help her attraction to Silvester, the duke of Huntington, who is far above her reach. Silverster enjoys Stella’s company and her original mind, but he’s courting the lovely Yasmin Régnier (heroine of The Reluctant Countess). Will he ever see Stella as more than a friend? My struggle to love an Eloisa James novel persists. This one has some good points: Despite her unoriginal portrayal as a “strong heroine,” complete with red hair and bookishness, Stella is a fun character to spend time with. I found her more believable than Silvester, whose infatuation with Yasmin doesn’t really make sense, nor does his subsequent pursuit of Stella. I never quite figured out why he suddenly fell for her. Also, this book overlaps quite a bit with The Reluctant Countess, which I didn’t particularly enjoy, so I found the whole Yasmin conflict tedious. I still have a few more James novels on my e-reader, so I’m hoping another series will work better for me!

Kate Quinn, The Briar Club

This novel, set in the early 1950s, focuses on the inhabitants of a women’s boardinghouse in Washington, DC. Nora is from a poor Irish family but hopes to work her way up to a prestigious position at the National Archives. Reka is a former art professor who fled Hungary during World War II. Fliss is trying to be the perfect mother while her husband works as a military doctor overseas. Bea is at loose ends since an injury ended her career with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Claire is a survivor, but her sense of self-preservation falters when she falls in love. Arlene works for HUAC and is a firm supporter of McCarthyism. And newcomer Grace draws this disparate group together—but what secrets is she hiding? Kate Quinn is a talented writer, and she made me care about all these characters, even the obnoxious ones. Much of the plot was predictable, and she really threw in the entire kitchen sink of the ’50s, which I occasionally found tedious. But a twist near the end surprised me, and there were also a few romantic storylines I enjoyed. Overall, I’m glad I read this one, but it’s not a keeper for me.

Mini-Reviews: Dukes, Paddington, Auburn

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Loretta Chase, Dukes Prefer Blondes

Beautiful Lady Clara Fairfax has been raised to do nothing beyond marrying a nobleman, but she’d rather be useful than ornamental. When her charitable work leads her to search for a missing boy who’s likely been absorbed into a London gang, she seeks out barrister Oliver Radford for help. Radford has a reputation for prosecuting gang leaders, fighting injustice—and being one of the rudest men in London. He has no time for Clara’s interference, yet he’s reluctantly intrigued by her determination. As the two work together, they fall in love, but will their very different social stations keep them apart? Every time I read a Loretta Chase novel, I’m surprised by just how good she is; this book was an absolute delight! I especially loved Oliver as a hero. He’s blunt, emotionally detached, and proud of his lack of charm, yet Clara utterly demolishes his defenses. Sure, the plot is silly and implausible, but I was having far too good a time to care! I really need to keep exploring Chase’s backlist, and I hope we’ll see more from her in the future!

Agatha Christie, 4.50 from Paddington

This novel opens on an exciting note, when elderly Elspeth McGillicuddy witnesses a murder in a train. She immediately reports the murder to a railway official, who thinks she imagined it but nevertheless informs the police. Yet the body isn’t discovered, either in the train or along the line. Luckily, Mrs. McGillicuddy’s good friend Jane Marple is on the case. Too old and frail to investigate herself, Miss Marple enlists the help of housekeeper extraordinaire Lucy Eylesbarrow, who hunts for the corpse while working at an estate that abuts the railway line. But can Lucy find the body and unmask the murderer before more people are killed? Much as I love Agatha Christie, I think this plot is a little weak; the murderer’s motive and plan are quite farfetched, and there’s no reason why that person should be the killer rather than any of the other suspects. I also think the characters aren’t particularly well drawn—except for Lucy, who is far too good for any of the men in this book! This is still an entertaining read, but not one of Christie’s best.

Sharon Shinn, Summers at Castle Auburn

As the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, Corie occupies an uncertain place in the world. For most of the year, she lives and works with her grandmother, a village herbalist and wise woman. But every summer, she visits the royal court at Castle Auburn, where her beloved half-sister is betrothed to the crown prince. At the start of the novel, 14-year-old Corie is infatuated with the dashing Prince Bryan and entranced by the beautiful aliora, fairylike creatures who serve in the palace. But as Corie grows up, she begins to recognize the problems and injustices around her, and she grows concerned for her sister’s—and the kingdom’s—welfare. But her quest to right those wrongs may cost her her own place at court. I’ve read this book a few times and always enjoyed it, and something different strikes me on each reread. Last time I saw the story primarily as a romance, but this time I focused more on Corie’s coming of age. Though she’s initially quite naive, she matures into an admirable heroine who’s determined to forge her own path. The novel is slow-paced and short on plot, but I enjoyed spending time again in Corie’s world.

Mini-Reviews: Bride, Mink, Undercutting

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Anne Gracie, Bride by Mistake

Eight years ago, young soldier Luke Ripton was fighting Napoleon’s forces in Spain when he stumbled across a girl, Bella, being attacked by bandits. He rescued her and learned that she was running away from her vicious cousin, who planned to marry her and steal her fortune. Luke’s only course of action was to marry Bella himself, bring her to a convent for safekeeping, and have the marriage annulled later. In the present, Luke learns the annulment didn’t go through, so he has no choice but to retrieve his Spanish wife. But Bella is far from the demure, obedient bride he expected. Despite the implausibility of the plot, which veers into soap opera territory near the end, I had a lot of fun with this book! Bella is a strong heroine who’s determined to do the right thing, and Luke is unwillingly charmed by her. I also liked the book’s unique setting, focusing on Spain during and after the Napoleonic Wars. Overall, though it’s probably not a keeper for me, I found this an enjoyable historical romance.

James Anderson, The Affair of the Mutilated Mink

Another house party goes wrong at the English stately home of Alderley. This time the earl, who has recently become a film enthusiast, invites an American movie producer who’s thinking of using Alderley as the setting for his new project. The writer and leading man also attend, as well as an Italian actress who may become the leading lady. Then the earl’s wife invites her cousin and cousin’s husband, while the earl’s daughter, Gerry, asks two of her boyfriends so she can make up her mind between them. The stage is set for another murder, and while all the evidence initially points to one of Gerry’s suitors, the case soon becomes more complicated. This Golden Age pastiche is just as enjoyable as The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy and has a lot of fun with the genre’s tropes, including a Great Detective who comes in to “assist” the local police with the investigation. I especially enjoyed the references to fictional detectives such as Peter Wimsey and Roderick Alleyn, who are real people in this universe. Looking forward to reading the third and final book next month!

Megan Bannen, The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam

Tanrian marshal Rosie Fox doesn’t mind taking on the most difficult and dangerous jobs. As an immortal demigod, she can’t die, so her motto is “Act first, think never.” But she may be in over her head when the portals between Tanria and Bushong start malfunctioning, threatening the lives of everyone inside Tanria. Her boss calls in Adam Lee, the inventor of the portals, to see if he can repair them; instead, he and Rosie end up stuck in Tanria. As they search for a way out, they also grow closer, but Adam is keeping some pretty big secrets about his past. I love the creative fantasy world of this series, with its complex theology and quasi-Western vibes. But this book, I think, relies a little too much on the world-building and not enough on characterization or plot. Not a lot happens in the book till the last hundred pages or so, and the romance between Rosie and Adam also feels a bit forced. There’s a mismatch between the darker subject matter (the weight of immortality, the meaning of death, complicated family dynamics) and the light, breezy tone. I did still enjoy the book, and it certainly gives some good closure to the series, but I don’t ever need to read it again.

Mini-Reviews: Bloodstained, Famous, Bellwether

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James Anderson, The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy

This historical mystery novel has all the trappings of a Golden Age detective story: a country house party, hidden identities, political machinations, a secret passage, a famous jewel thief, a staged car accident, and multiple suspicious deaths. Based on the title, I was expecting the book to be humorous, but it isn’t particularly, though occasionally a character will toss off a witty line. Overall I think this is a great read for Golden Age mystery lovers. All the tropes are present in abundance (sometimes superabundance), yet the book still manages to subvert reader expectations in interesting ways. I don’t want to say too much more about the plot because it’s more fun to experience it as it unfolds. Suffice it to say that I liked this one quite a bit and am looking forward to the other two books in the Inspector Wilkins series (I have an omnibus edition that contains all three). Apparently they’re all set at the same country house, so I’m interested to see which characters will recur!

Mary Balogh, The Famous Heroine

The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Cora Downes would normally have no reason to mingle with London society’s upper crust. But when she (sort of) rescues from drowning a relative of the Duchess of Bridgwater, the duchess is so grateful that she decides to sponsor Cora for a Season and help her find a husband. The unconventional Cora is nervous and awkward in this new environment, so Lord Francis Kneller (a friend of the Bridgwater family) takes her under his wing. They soon become friends, but when Francis inadvertently “compromises” her, neither one expects the ensuing marriage to bring true love. This book was a reread for me, and I enjoyed revisiting these characters. Cora is a lovable klutz, and Francis is a kind hero with a sense of humor. Some aspects of the plot don’t quite work; for example, Cora’s mistaken assumption that Francis is gay, based on his colorful attire, persists for far too long. There are also plentiful references to the previous books in the series, Dark Angel and Lord Carew’s Bride, which I found slightly tiresome. But overall, I enjoyed my reread—Mary Balogh is reliably entertaining!

Connie Willis, Bellwether

Dr. Sandra Foster, a researcher at HiTek Corp., is studying the origin of fads, and it’s not going well. As she sorts through articles on hair bobbing and crossword puzzles and the Hula Hoop, she’s forced to deal with out-of-touch management, “sensitivity exercises,” and the world’s least competent assistant. As her world grows increasingly more illogical and frustrating, Sandra meets Dr. Bennett O’Reilly, a fellow HiTek scientist who seems strangely resistant to fads, if his terrible clothes are any indication. Could he somehow be the key to her research? I adore Connie Willis, especially her lighter and more comedic novels, of which this is one. It’s actually a bit stressful to read at times, because Sandra’s work frustrations are entirely too realistic! The satire of life in a corporate environment is spot-on, though, and I really liked the progression of the story and the romance. The book came out in 1996, so some aspects of it are dated now (no one researches anything on the computer), but overall I think it holds up quite well. Highly recommended if the premise interests you!

Mini-Reviews: Something, Captivity, Reluctant

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Julie James, Something About You

Assistant US attorney Cameron Lynde just wants a peaceful night in a posh hotel while her floors are being refinished. Instead, she’s kept awake by a late-night sex marathon in the room next door—followed by a murder. And unfortunately, because the case has federal implications, the person in charge of the investigation is FBI agent Jack Pallas, with whom Cameron has a contentious professional past. Since Cameron is a key witness with a high-profile job, she’s put in protective custody, which forces her and Jack into much closer proximity than they’d prefer—that is, until their mutual attraction complicates things even further. Julie James was one of the first romance novelists I ever read, and her books were a great gateway into the genre for me. This one is a fun read with likable leads; both Cameron and Jack are smart and good at their jobs, and they have great chemistry. The book isn’t destined to be a new favorite, but it was definitely an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

Michael Gilbert, Death in Captivity

This mystery has the unique setting of an Italian prisoner-of-war camp. An unpopular prisoner is found dead in a tunnel that some of the POWs had been digging to escape. But was his death an accident or murder? And how did he get into the tunnel, whose entrance is disguised by a heavy slab that takes four men to lift? One of the British prisoners, Henry “Cuckoo” Goyles, is tasked with solving the case, but his investigation is complicated by a potential informer within the camp, as well as by the eventual necessity for a prison break. This is a fascinating variation on the “impossible crime” mystery, where the circle of suspects is limited to camp guards and prisoners. Gilbert himself was a POW who escaped from an Italian camp during World War II, and his experience undoubtedly informed many details of the novel. The murder mystery is interesting—and several aspects of the solution surprised me—but it’s secondary to the vivid, personal depiction of this specific time and place. Recommended, but more for those interested in WWII history than for mystery lovers.

Eloisa James, The Reluctant Countess

Giles Renwick, the earl of Lilford, always does the proper thing. He needs an appropriate countess to uphold his social position, so it’s too bad that he’s continually lusting after Lady Yasmin Régnier, whose gowns and reputation are equally scandalous. Yasmin is attracted to Giles also, though she’s reluctant to admit it, as they seem to argue every time they’re together. Eventually they surrender to their mutual passion, but when Giles wants to marry Yasmin, she hesitates, unsure that they are truly well matched. I have really liked some works by Eloisa James, but this book was not one of them. I didn’t really believe in either of these characters or in the conflicts that kept them apart. Giles’s younger sister, who throws some obstacles in their way, also doesn’t seem to have a very clear or consistent motivation for her actions. I’ll try a few more of James’s books in hopes of finding one I really like, but this one was not it.

Mini-Reviews: New York, Unicorn, Daughter

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Kate Spencer, In a New York Minute

Franny’s day goes from bad to worse when, on her way home from being laid off, her dress gets caught in the subway doors and rips apart. A handsome stranger gives her his suit jacket so that she can cover up. And that would have been the end of the story, except that a bystander caught the whole thing on camera. Now Franny and the subway guy, Hayes, have been dubbed #SubwayQTs, and the local news is doing a story on their supposed romance. It’s not true, of course; but as Franny and Hayes continue to bump into each other, it feels like fate may be nudging them together after all. This was a pleasant enough rom-com that really wants to be described as “a love letter to New York City,” and maybe I’m just a grumpy old lady now, but that type of narrative does nothing for me. I wasn’t particularly invested in the romance, which didn’t have any obstacles beyond the characters’ general obtuseness. There were some cute moments, and I can see a version of this plot working as a movie, but overall there’s just nothing substantial about this book.

Katherine Arden, The Unicorn Hunters

Anne, duchess of Brittany, is facing a crisis. The king of France is pressing for her hand in marriage so that he can absorb the duchy into his own kingdom—and if she refuses, he’ll take it by force. Her only hope is to marry another powerful ruler who can help her fight the French, but in return, she’ll have to leave Brittany and give up her role as its leader. She plans to marry secretly in the forest of Brocéliande, organizing a unicorn hunt as a cover story. But Brocéliande is an uncanny place, on the boundary between the mortal world and the Lost Lands, and Anne soon learns she has more powerful enemies than France to contend with. I absolutely loved this book, which combines so many of my favorite things. Give me medieval Brittany, fantasy elements, and a romance, and I’m sold! Arden’s writing is vivid and magical, and Anne is a wonderfully drawn character based on a real historical person. I’ve loved every book by Arden I’ve read so far, but this one just may be my favorite. It will definitely be one of my top books of the year!

D.E. Stevenson, The Baker’s Daughter

Sue Pringle has lived in the small town of Beilford, Scotland, all her life. Her father is the baker, and her grandfather owns a prosperous shop. But she’s somewhat bored with her life and eager to try something new. The perfect opportunity arises when a painter from London, John Darnay, moves to town needing a housekeeper. Sue takes the job and soon finds her world expanding. She also develops strong feelings for Darnay, but his social station is far above hers, and he happens to be married already. I enjoy Stevenson’s quiet, romantic, character-driven books, and this one is no exception. I liked getting both Sue’s and Darnay’s perspectives throughout the novel, and the secondary characters are very well drawn. But readers should beware of some distasteful racism that is typical of the period. I don’t remember other Stevenson novels being this egregious, so if you haven’t read the author before, I wouldn’t recommend starting here. But as someone who likes Stevenson’s general vibe, I still found a lot to enjoy in this book.

Mini-Reviews: Shippers, Corpse, Brides

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Katherine Center, The Shippers

JoJo Burton’s love life is a train wreck—a fact that becomes abundantly clear when she leaves her rich, “perfect” fiancé at the altar. JoJo thinks her problem may be rooted in unresolved feelings for her childhood crush, Finn Turner. Fortunately, her sister’s about to get married on a cruise ship, and newly divorced Finn is one of the guests. With several days of forced proximity and her sister’s help, JoJo is determined to attract Finn and thus fulfill her romantic destiny. The only problem is JoJo’s best friend, Cooper, who thinks her plan is ridiculous. As her attempts to lure Finn meet with disaster, JoJo eventually begins to question where her romantic destiny truly lies. This is a fun, fast-paced read with some cute banter, but I have to say that the romance drove me crazy! JoJo is implausibly blind to what’s right in front of her, and I don’t buy that Cooper would have kept his feelings a secret for so long. I also found the ending a bit anticlimactic after all the buildup. The book is still a fun, breezy summer read if you like this premise, but for me it’s not one of Center’s best.

Delano Ames, Corpse Diplomatique

Jane and Dagobert Brown are traveling through France when they encounter a violent death, about which Dagobert immediately suggests Jane write another mystery novel. While staying in Nice, they meet a diplomat from “Santa Rica” who is terrified of being assassinated. His fears seem justified when a bullet whizzes by his head, narrowly missing him but killing Major Hugh Arkwright instead. Who was the true intended victim, and who among the Browns’ new acquaintances at their French hotel is the killer? This series is enjoyable mainly for Jane’s snarky running commentary on the various people and events she’s writing about. The characters are largely well drawn, and I enjoyed the touches of humor, but the mystery itself is a bit lackluster; it kind of plods along without any real forward motion until the very end. Overall I liked this book fine, and I’d read more in the series if I came across them, but I don’t feel compelled to seek them out.

Amy Barry, Seven Brides for Beau McBride

After Junebug McBride found wives for two of her four older brothers, she’s been strictly forbidden from advertising for any more mail-order brides. But the third McBride brother, Beau, thinks Junebug had the right idea and places his own ad for a bride. Naturally, Junebug has to be involved and bets Beau that she can find a better wife than he can. But when she writes to six women instead of one, and they all come out West hoping to marry Beau, she has a problem on her hands. Especially when one of her brides, Ellie Neale, turns out to be best friends with Beau’s own pick, Diana—and Ellie soon falls for Beau herself! I enjoyed this fun Western romance, with its nonsensical yet enjoyable plot and over-the-top characters. Junebug is a lot and would be insufferable in real life, but she’s a lot of fun to read about. I liked that the seven potential brides were all decent and kind women, rather than being catty rivals. Beau and Ellie’s romance was sweet and had some funny moments due to Ellie’s melodramatic nature. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!