The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak

Hello my friends,

Today I am reviewing “The Summer That Changed Everything” by Brenda Novak. I really enjoyed this book!

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She returned to prove her father's innocence, but there's no telling what she'll find…

It's been fifteen years since Lucy Sinclair saw her father. Fifteen long years since she sat in a courtroom and watched him sentenced to life in prison. He murdered three victims—all people she knew—which ruined her life at just seventeen. But now she’s back in Virginia to talk to him, wondering if there’s more to the story of what happened that fateful night.

An old flame, Ford Wagner, makes his own return to North Hampton Beach, fleeing a marriage that seems destined for divorce. He’s wary of Lucy and her digging into the past, but the more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more he finds himself reconsidering the truth behind the death of their mutual friend that summer. Problem is, there are plenty of those in this small coastal town who would prefer things stay quiet…

“The Summer That Changed Everything" by Brenda Novak is a riveting novel packed with mystery, romance, and long-buried secrets. Lucy Sinclair's return to her hometown to clear her father's name after a decades-old triple murder conviction sets off a chain of events that exposes a web of deceit and tension.

The reappearance of Ford Wagner, an old flame with his own demons, adds depth and slow-burning chemistry to the story. Novak masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative, rich in small-town dynamics and unresolved feelings.

The North Hampton Beach comes alive as a vivid and immersive setting, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of secrets and suspicion.

With its intricate plot, emotional complexity, and engaging characters, this book is a must-read for fans of mystery and romance.

I will definitely read other books by this author.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Harlequin and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs, 

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An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder” by Lynn Cahoon book one in A Bainbridge Island Mystery series. I found it to be just as enjoyable and entertaining full of loveable characters as her other series.  Releases June 24th, 2025

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New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon makes her hardcover debut with an irresistible new meta-mystery series about an amateur sleuth who doesn’t just solve crimes, she writes about how to do it . . .

TIP #1: WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU COUNTS AS WORK EXPERIENCE

Meg Gates could use a guidebook for life. Indeed, she’s faced some challenges. She dropped out of college to work for a tech startup that failed—and her fiancé just took her bridesmaid to Italy on what was supposed to be Meg’s honeymoon.

Now, at twenty-six, Meg has taken the ferry ride of shame from Seattle back to Bainbridge Island to live with her family. At least she has her rescue cocker spaniel, Watson, by her side. But it’s Meg who could use a rescue—and she’s hoping it will come in the form of a part-time gig doing research for a bestselling mystery writer.

TIP #2: WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW – OR WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW

That’s when the lightbulb goes on: Meg will write her own guidebook—a manual on criminal investigation. But before she can impress her new boss with her pet project, the author’s manager is found dead on the rocks beneath the author’s Gothic mansion.

Now it’s time to put her guide to the test, as Meg sets out to clear her employer of suspicion and solve the crime. But there’s one important caveat she’ll have to add to her guide—

TIP #3:  BEWARE OF UNKNOWN DANGERS

Lynn Cahoon really knows how to craft a compelling cozy mystery series! The blend of mystery, humor, and character development is perfect for drawing readers in.  Meg Gates, the protagonist, is relatable and endearing, navigating a recent breakup and new job as a writer's assistant. The discovery of a dead body at her workplace sets off a chain of events that draws Meg and her friends, Natasha and Dalton, into an amateur sleuthing adventure.

The characters are well-developed and likable, with natural dialogue that makes their relationships feel authentic. Meg's family, including her aunt and uncle (the police chief), add depth and warmth to the story. The Bainbridge Island setting is vividly described, providing a charming backdrop for the mystery.

The plot is engaging, with plenty of twists and suspects to keep readers guessing. Meg's determination to prove her new employer's innocence is admirable, and her restraint in the face of danger is refreshing. Overall, this is a delightful start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Meg's journey takes her.

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with a strong support system of friends in it.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

 

Too Hard to Resist by Olivia Spring

Hello my book friends,

Today I am reviewing Too Hard to Resist  by Olivia Spring. I like to mix in a rom com or romance between my mysteries and thrillers to add a bit of lightness to my reading but Olivia’s books are my first steamy romances.

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Welcome to the Love Hotel 🏝️🌞💖 Check in for a hilarious and spicy opposites attract summer romance set in a matchmaking hotel in Italy. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez, Meghan Quinn and Sarah Adams!

Tropes:

🏝️ Opposites attract

🏝️ Forbidden romance (staff and hotel guest)

🏝️ Banter to b*nging

🏝️ Forced proximity

🏝️ Grumpy sunshine

🏝️ Matchmaking

🏝️ Spicy !!!!

Sparks Fly…but with the wrong guy?

Sammie Gordon knows of The Love Hotel’s infamous reputation for making happy ever afters a reality. So when she gets her coveted invite to the hotel’s exclusive resort in Italy she’s packed her bags before she’s signed on the dotted line. What could be more perfect than sun, sea, culture and… her perfect match?

Except Sammie doesn’t get the immediate flutters of excitement when she meets her date. He may be perfect on paper, but their connection is more lukewarm than red hot passion! And when he leaves abruptly, Sammie is left alone in paradise. This is a disaster!

But The Love Hotel always goes above and beyond for their guests. And so Love Alchemist Romeo steps into the breach to keep her company on all the planned dates and intimate dinners. In a professional capacity… obviously! When sparks fly instantly, Romeo knows he’s in trouble. With a strict no-dating guests rule, Romeo has to try and keep things professional. But like magnets, Sammie and Romeo are drawn to each other. Their chemistry is forbidden and so they must, at all costs resist the temptation to cross the line…

This time we are following Sammie and Romeo as they try to stay away from each other as it’s  forbidden for Staff and guests to be together .  Sparks Fly…but with the wrong guy?

This romcom had me laughing out loud and cringing in embarrassment for the characters. The author's writing is effortless, and loved the banter and all of the characters in this book . Beyond the humor, the story delivers heartwarming moments and swoon-worthy scenes. The perfect blend of spice, romance, and comedy makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre.

If you're looking for a lighthearted, engaging romance with a dash of spice, this book is for you. With its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, it's a true page-turner.

I look forward to reading all Olivia’s next Love Hotel story set in California and highly recommend to all spicy romance loving friends.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I requested and received an advance reader’s copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander the 6th instalment in the "A Secret Bookcase Mystery" series.   

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In the gripping conclusion to The Secret Bookcase series, Annie Murray races to untangle the ultimate plot twist…

Life is good for Annie: she’s found healing at the Secret Bookcase, her beloved Agatha Christie-themed mystery bookstore in the cozy town of Redwood Grove, and is on the brink of launching her very own detective agency. But she's still haunted by one unsolved case: the murder of her best friend Scarlet ten years ago.

When Annie heads to Santa Clara for their annual book fair, she’s looking forward to meeting fellow booklovers. And she’s also got a secret mission: she’ll be close to Silicon Summit Partners, the powerful investment firm she just knows had a hand in Scarlet’s death. But when an industry colleague is murdered at the book fair, Annie is first on the scene to investigate. The suspect list reads like a book lover’s who’s who: a celebrity author with a suspicious agenda, a rival with a grudge, and even a kindly grandmother pursuing her lifelong dream of owning a bookstore. 

With her fellow bookseller and crime-fighting partner Fletcher playing Watson to her Holmes, can Annie catch the killer before they strike again? And will it distract her from her mission to finally bring her best friend Scarlet’s murderer to justice?

This fun-filled and clean cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, and book lovers everywhere.

I loved returning to the charming town of Redwood Grove and the Secret Bookcase bookstore.  In this instalment Annie and Fletcher head to Santa Clara for their annual book fair, which also happens to be where Silicon Summit Partners is located. With her fellow bookseller and crime-fighting partner Fletcher playing Watson to her Holmes, can Annie catch the killer before they strike again? And will it distract her from her mission to finally bring her best friend Scarlet’s murderer to justice?

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..  

Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in Annie and the Novel Detectives I’m excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters next!

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Storm Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

There'll Be Shell to Pay by Molly MacRae

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing There'll Be Shell to Pay the 2nd instalment in “A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery” series by Molly MacRae set on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. What a great follow up to book one!

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 When she’s not selling seashells by the North Carolina seashore from her shell shop, Maureen Nash is a crime-solving sleuth with a ghost pirate for a supernatural sidekick . . .

Maureen is still getting used to life on Ocracoke Island, learning how to play the “shell game” of her business—and ghost whispering with the spirit of Emrys Lloyd, the eighteenth-century Welsh pirate who haunts her shop, The Moon Shell. The spectral buccaneer has unburied a treasure hidden in the shop’s attic that turns out to be antique shell art stolen from Maureen’s late husband’s family years ago.

Victor “Shelly” Sullivan and his wife Lenrose visit the shop and specifically inquire about these rare items. Not only is it suspicious that this shell collector should arrive around the time Maureen found the art, but Emrys insists that Sullivan’s wife is an imposter because Lenrose is dead. A woman’s corpse the police have been unable to identify was discovered by the Fig Ladies, a group who formed an online fig appreciation society. They’re meeting on Ocracoke for the first time in person and count Lenrose among their number, so the woman can’t possibly be dead.

But Lenrose’s behavior doesn’t quite match the person the Fig Ladies interacted with online. Now, Maureen and Emrys—with assistance from the Fig Ladies—must prove the real Lenrose is dead and unmask her mysterious pretender before a desperate murderer strikes again . . .

I enjoyed visiting Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina again and hanging out with Maureen, Emrys, Burt and Glory.

MacRae's writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. The story is skillfully paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The author's vivid descriptions of the island setting and its quirky inhabitants add to the book's charm.

I eagerly await the next instalment. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, this book is definitely worth checking out."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Cozies and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg” the 18th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis.

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New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis returns with a delicious new Domestic Diva Mystery set in Alexandria, Virginia’s charming Old Town neighborhood and featuring entertaining guru and the quaint town’s own Martha Stewart, Sophie Winston, who is back on the case when an interior designer clashes with a killer.

Stylish brunches are all the rage this autumn in Old Town Alexandria, and everyone’s posting their parties on social media. But while Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson—who is afraid someone is following her. The very next day Mitzi loses her best friend and business partner, Denise. The two were renovating a generations-old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder.

It could just be the shock talking, but Sophie agrees to help Mitzi involve the police. Then she receives a panicked phone call from Mitzi, and when she rushes to the old house, Mitzi is nowhere to be found. Now Sophie’s appetite for investigation is piqued even more than her appetite for eggs Benedict and mimosas.

Could Denise’s death be connected to her viper’s nest of in-laws or the house she was working on which her husband just inherited? What of the self-proclaimed etiquette expert with some improper secrets, or the scheming mistress? Or does the old house harbor secrets of its own? There’s a generous buffet of suspects to keep the Diva scrambling for an answer…

Includes delicious recipes, fabulous decorating tips, and easy entertaining hacks!

I really enjoy this series!   I really like Sophie, she is relatable, interesting and I love her relationship with her BFF Nina and her ex Mars as well as several other residents of Old Town. I liked how the characters were there for each other, no matter what was happening. It’s all about the brunches and something from aunt Faye’s past.

The mystery itself was interesting, full of twists and turns, red herrings all of which completely drew me into the story.   I didn’t want to put the book down and read it till the wee hours.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

Lie In The Tide by Holly Danvers

Hello my book friends,

Today I am reviewing Lie In The Tide by Holly Danvers the first book in the A Little White Lies thriller series. 

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Theirs is a reunion . . . to die for! Four friends are meeting at a beautiful Cape Cod beach house for a long overdue reunion. But before the trip is over, one of them will wind up dead . . . Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.

It’s been twenty years since Mori, Avery, Remi and Calista last saw each other. As they reconnect on Cape Cod to celebrate Calista’s fortieth birthday, each one hides a painful and devastating secret.

Former introvert Mori is now a bestselling erotica author. She’s more successful than she ever dreamed, and yet shamefully on the cusp of divorce number three.

Remi’s a yoga instructor, blissfully married to her high school sweetheart. On this trip, she’s concealing her pregnancy – and the baby’s paternity.

Quiet Avery is a farm wife living in Iowa. Her life doesn’t have the scandals of her friends’. But she does have a house full of kids she fears she’ll never see again . . .

And Calista, the quintessential suburban mom and high school English teacher, is harboring the biggest secret of all.

These four women are about to learn that one little white lie could kill more than just their friendship . . .

Lie in the Tide is an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller that digs deep into those little white lies that have the potential to turn deadly.

I must admit I struggled at first getting into the story but I’m so glad I kept pushing through because once it picked up I couldn’t put it down. There were so many twists and turns that kept me enthralled to know what would happen next.

I cant wait for the second instalment in this series, I highly recommend this to my book lovers friends.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Severn House and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Bodies and Battlements” the first instalment in The Ravensea Castle Mystery series by Elizabeth Penney set in the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. What a great start to a new series!

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The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle’s first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora’s business is not only at risk—she’s a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn’t succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea’s guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival’s tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .

I absolutely loved this story, and it has made me want to visit Yorkshire on my next trip to England. 

I really like Nora, and her sister Tamsyn and I cant forget the furbabys Ruffian – a battered tabby, Rolf – a 200lb English mastiff and new kitten, Primrose..  Makes you wish you were part of their little community.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end.  I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.     

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from St. Martins Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing  "Doggone Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 29th instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series which releases on May 27th.   I absolutely love this series!

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After a dog belonging to local pet activist Tilly Lawson is snatched right out of her backyard in Sunflower County, MS, Sarah Booth and the Delaney Detective Agency are up to their ears in concerned pet owners. Could Tilly's work liberating abused animals have come back to bite her, or was this a random act of dognapping?

Delaney Detective Agency has their work cut out for them, especially as a troublesome online pet detective agency tries nosing their way into the investigation. But as Sarah Booth and Tinkie start to sink their teeth into the mystery, they discover there's much more at play than they thought: neighborhood rivalries, questionable dog breeders, and an illegal dogfighting operation.

As their digging churns up dangerous attention—and with their own beloved dogs, Sweetie Pie and Chablis, possibly next in line to be dognapped—Sarah Booth and Tinkie are in a race against time to track down the thieves and return the missing pets home.

I always enjoy visiting with Sarah and Tinkie it’s like coming home to old friends.  I always learn something, this time Sarah Booth and Tinkie investigate dognapping and illegal dogfighting operations.  Sadly these things are still going on in todays society, I thought Carolyn handled the subject very well as it is a very heart wrenching subject.

There were plenty of twists and turns and lots to keep you intrigued.  I found this book to be a real page-turner, and reading in one day. 

I’m looking forward to the next instalment 

 
I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends. 

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press and NetGalley . All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

Dying to Read Lynn Cahoon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “Dying to Read” by Lynn Cahoon book 5 in the Survivors  Book Club Mystery series. I love this series, it’s entertaining full of loveable characters and a furbaby named Killer. 

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Bookshop owner and cancer survivor Rarity Cole loves her life in Sedona, Arizona—the community of healing she’s found; her adorable Yorkie, Killer; and the friends she’s made in the survivors’ book club. Now one of them needs her help because her husband’s been accused of murder . . .

When her week begins, Rarity expects the biggest mystery she’ll need to solve is how a rare first edition of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland ended up in her bookstore bathroom. But after book club member Shirley tells her that her husband George, who has dementia, is the prime suspect in a nursing home murder, Rarity feels as if she’s stepped through the looking glass.

As someone who’s been given a second chance at life, Rarity wishes her friend Shirley a second chance at love. But Shirley has rebuffed her senior suitor Terrance out of loyalty to George, even though he no longer knows who she is. Except guess who’s the second suspect? Shirley’s caught between two men—and it’s up to Rarity and the survivor sleuths to determine if one of them is capable of cold-blooded murder . . .

Once again the story was engaging, well-written, and I love the setting in the desert town of Sedona Arizona. 

Rarity is someone I would love to be friends with or work at her bookstore, and the friends she made were people I would like to hang out with especially Sam, Shirley, Archer and Drew.  I found myself thoroughly enjoying the story and I found the 2 romance/life situations making me care even more for the characters as these are things that happen to a lot of us.  My mother in law has dementia and I see first hand what it can do to their spouse and the loneliness it can cause.

I devoured this book and can't wait for the next instalment!

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with a strong support system of friends in it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

 

Love Blooms at Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Love Blooms at Hollyhock Farm" by Georgina Troy. What can I say other than I enjoyed it and read in one day.  Who doesn’t want to escape to a small farm on an island in the English Channel…

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Spring has sprung—and so have sparks at Hollyhock Farm!

After an amazing year looking after Hollyhock Farm, on the beautiful island of Jersey, pregnant Lettie needs to step back from farming. The problem is, with her family overseas, there’s no one to take over.

But then help comes from two places at once. Handsome fire-fighter Joe needs to escape his small home since his mother and her new husband came to stay; he offers to help run the farm in exchange for board in one of the spare rooms. Then, adventurous newcomer Skye takes the other room, excited to try her hand at farming in such an amazing place.

But managing the farm together may be more than either of them bargained for, especially as each of them drives the other crazy, in more ways than one. Will the tension get too much for Joe and Skye, or could love bloom with the Jersey flowers this spring?

The setting of a small farm on the Island of Jersey sounded breathtaking.  It had everything you could want in a story love, family, community and second chances.

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional.  You have Skye looking for her father  on the island and then the fireman Joe who all wanted to help Lettie with the farm while her parents were away.  The story was told from  Skye’s perspective as well as Joe’s .

I will definitely read other books by this author.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Boldwood Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs, 

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