Cozy Mystery to End the Year

 Evil Eclairs by Jessica Beck 

This was a cute, fast paced, cozy mystery. There were enough suspects that it kept you on your toes and it was surprising when the killer was revealed. I was surprised when it ended up being the producer of the radio show that killed him, but I was not surprised that money ended up being the motive. She did a good job of casting suspicion around on other people. Based on how things went, I would not be surprised if we ended up with Frank or mayor Cam as victims in upcoming books. Suzanne's relationship with Jake is progressing nicely. I hope her business bounces back now that the killer is caught.  I love a cozy mystery!  

Not Good

 Lark and Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender 

I waited before writing this review so I would have time to sit with the book and really ruminate on my feelings. But after sleeping on it my feelings haven't changed. Neither Lark nor Kasim resonated with me. I understand that I am not the target audience, but that doesn't change the fact that strong characters will resonate. I am not a tall black teenage girl, but I am when reading Legendborn. I am not a gay prince or a bisexual first son, but I am when reading Red, White, and Royal Blue. i am not Hispanic transgender teenager, but I am when reading Cemetery Boys. Strong characters resonate and neither Lark nor Kasim did. And it's not just that the characters didn't resonate, I didn't like the writing style and the story was flat.  I had many of the same complaints that Lark was getting from the literary agents; the writing wasn't cohesive, the story was all over the place, and there wasn't really any point. The main plot was about how people need to be able to grow and change, and how teenagers need to not be on social media because it's detrimental to their mental health. And the story didn't seem related to the title, which is what intrigued me in the first place. My favorite thing about art is that it's so subjective. If this writers style, which was very frenetic and almost stream of consciousness, works for you then you will enjoy it, but it's not for me.   

Sixth Holiday Book of the Season

 Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot 

This book started out so strong; like smiling and kicking my feet but it fell off in the middle. It came back a bit in the end, but it didn't quite recapture the feelings of the beginning. Most of that has to do with Abby; her character growth wasn't as strong as Seth's. But, I did like how her friendship with Freya developed. I understand that she had a hard time building and believing in a real relationship because her parents were a nightmare. However, she would not have realized Seth was really interested in her had she not overheard that conversation between him and his dad. Seth knew her and understood her better than she knew and understood herself. Yes, she helped him grow and change too, he was able to face conflict because of knowing her, but he got there faster than she did in that regard as well. There were multiple times where I was waiting for Abby to have a heart to heart with Bev and it only happened once, at the salon. Seth was extremely patient with Abby and it paid off in the end. I liked being immersed in the Jewish culture and traditions. It was nice that we had Abby explain the importance of the holiday once and then we got to see her decide what was important about it for her. I don't know of any Hanukkah festivals in my area, but if put on by the Jewish community, I think it could be a beautiful way to learn about the faith.   

First in a Fanstasy Trilogy

 Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 

I like fantasy and everyone says Brandon Sanderson is the GOAT of fantasy and this is where to start with his world, so I decided to jump in. I am not new to the fantasy game, and know that with the first book you have to let the world build, but this was a very slow build. Additionally, I like fantasy, but I do not like sci-fi and there were times that this was very much giving sci-fi. However, once the story finally got going, it was hard to put down. (while it was building, I kept taking breaks) The burning metals thing and the Push vs. Pull, I struggled with and eventually gave up trying to keep straight in my head and just rolled with. I was much more interested in the interactions between the characters than the allomancy. I liked watching Vin grow and learn to trust people. I did not like the age gap between her and Elend; that's gross. I was pissed at Kell. How dare you become a father figure to Vin and then abandon her like everyone else by dying! At least she still has Sazed, Marsh, Ham, and Breeze; and to a lesser extent Clubs. Marsh being alive (sort of) as a Steel Inquisitor and saving the day was a huge surprise! That Elend's father not only plotted to kill him, but then set him up to take the fall when his assassination didn't go as planned and it backfired and he is not King was crazy work. I can't wait to see how that plays out in the next book. That is former fiancee was the would be assassin and that Vin was able to kill her was great! I wish she had more training; stupid Kell dying and not staying alive to help her! This was a great first book to get things started and I am interested as to where the rest of the story is going to go.  

Fifth Holiday Book of the Season

 A Newport Christmess  by Jess Heileman 

I really enjoyed the audiobook narrators for this. Quinn and Landon are both divorced. She has been hired to make the centerpieces for Nikki's wedding. He is the brother of the bride. She is staying in his house, but doesn't realize it's house until he shows up. He is convinced that Nikki is trying to play matchmaker, but Nikki tells them both that she has other people in mind for each of them. When he hears who she has in mind for Quinn, it's an immediate no and he steps in. He proposes that they be each others fake dates to the wedding. But, they start developing real feelings for each other from spending time with each other. He takes her on this hike and while there they run into his ex, and he gets some much needed closure. She is still really struggling. In fact, one day when things are going well, she decides to look at her ex's instagram feed and goes into a tailspin. She posts a photo of her and Landon and then her ex calls. She agrees to talk with him after the holidays because she needs to know why he left. But, then on the day of the rehearsal dinner he shows up. She leaves with him and they end up back at his hotel so they can talk in private. He basically didnt' have a good reason for leaving, but now he's jealous that she's moving on. She has no feelings for him and calls Landon but he doesn't answer. She sees his truck; hes dropping off another girl at the hotel and she gets jealous and hides, then ignores his calls, until she doesn't. She tells him she's staying at a hotel and not going to the wedding with him and ends up in tears in the hotel lobby and said girl comes to her rescue. She finds out that the girl has a boyfriend, that Nikki set her up with. She ends up going to the wedding. She and Landon make up. She spends Christmas with him and his family, and finally stands up to her family about how she doesn't want to be with them for the holiday and that she's stronger than they think she is. The epilogue is several years in the future, with them happily married with kids. She is a successful social media influencer and we can assume he is still a lawyer. I liked that the epilogue was so far in the future; it let us know that things really did work out.   

Crime Series #5

 The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell 

There was a lot going on in this book. First, we have a child victim in a small town that is made to look like the victim from the previous book, the killer is still out there. Then, we have Lucy having an internship at the FBI and her being set up for espionage and terrorism charges, that were eventually proven false and she was able to return to the FBI. Then we have Merino falling for the mom of the dead girl. Then we have Kay having an affair with Wesley, the profiler from the FBI. Then we have the escaped killer from the previous book being seen at the mall by Kay and her running away from him. Then, it turns out that mom was the one that actually killed her daughter and she was in the process of killing Merino, but Kay was able to get to his car, get his shotgun, and kill her and save him. Then there's Dorothy. Kay got Lucy into a treatment center for her alcohol consumption, and Dorothy wouldn't let Kay go with them to drop her off, and Dorothy told Lucy that Kay didn't want to go. Then, Dorothy made it all about her, instead of being concerned about Lucy and her well being, she was just concerned about how this would impact her next book. It was high time Kay finally yelled at her and told her she was a horrible parent. This was a lot. I am disappointed by most of what went on in this book. Lucy is the only character that I'm not mad at; she's still young and can't be faulted for being fooled easily.  

Fourth Holiday Book of the Season

 Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall 

This was a cute read, but the characters were very millennial coded for not being in that age group. For being a lighthearted Christmas book, the characters had some baggage. Nick just gets out of the military and immediately gets broken up with. Then, said ex spends the entire book trying to get back together with him. Noel is an orphan who hasn't processed the death of her parents and because of that can't handle emotionally complex relationships. She starts the book finding out her situationship has moved on to a real relationship. She and Nick decide to make out on the dance floor in front of both of their exes to show how fine they are with the situation. But, this complicates things for their friendship. They decide to pretend to date for the town, but not for his family. They get cock blocked twice, which was hysterical. On their first official date Nick helps his ex change a flat tire and when she tries to come onto him again he firmly puts her in her place, but Noel is done. She leaves. Her guy friends take her home, but when they hear what happens the side with Nick and tell her she needs to get her shit together. She does, by making Nick a playlist because that's how they communicate best. They end up at the Christmas concert. His mic is on and the ex tries, again. He gives his great speech about Noel and the whole town gives him a round of applause. They make up on stage. Also, said ex is a bridesmaid in a wedding with Noel and things aren't going well, until after that moment, then they are able to make a truce. Nick and Noel are finally together. This was a little longer than it needed to be, but it was enjoyable enough that I will read his sister's books.