Book Review: Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala

May 25, 2024April 23, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Cozy Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Author: Mia P. Manansala
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer….

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She’s tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she’s the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…

Thank you Berkley #BerkleyPartner #Berkley for the gifted copy.

IT WAS FINE.

I thought cozy mysteries were my jam, but maybe not right now? Or after reading the Aunties series I saw many similarities and this hardly felt new. I have no big feelings towards the book, nothing I outright disliked, I just felt even toned about it all. And the plot was repetitive.

I think many would like this as there are some funny comments and also very serious themes that balance off of each other. I thought the sweet romance was cute and I liked the friendships and close family connections too. There’s lot of delicious food that definitely made me hungry while listening.

I don’t have plans to continue the series though.

Overall audience notes:

Cozy Mystery
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, domestic violence mentioned, drug abuse, police intimidation

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Book Review: Unhappening Ever After (Wayfair Witches #16) by A.A. Albright

August 14, 2023August 27, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 177 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a new world, Wanda Wayfair is solving an old mystery …

When a rat called Dudley O’Mara tells Wanda that someone has murdered his witch, Wanda is hit with a strong sense of déjà vu. Déjà vu isn’t unusual for Wanda – she’s experienced it throughout her life, and finally, she is about to discover the reason.

Soon after Dudley’s visit, a second murder occurs, and it is just as eerily familiar as the first – a janitor is killed, and a dangerous magical object is missing from the scene. History seems to be repeating itself, in a most disturbing way. Can Wanda remember the lessons of her past in time to solve the mysteries of her present? And what exactly did she and the Queen do in order to bring Max home?

A GOOD CONCLUSION.

This was a super short read so I won’t have a long winded review either. I enjoyed this conclusion! It wasn’t everything I was hoping for in some aspects though. I thought there would be a bit more exploration of the final relationship (but not naming names because spoilers). I did see that there’s a spinoff series that will focus on that a little bit so I might try to pick those up.

I’ve really enjoyed loving on these characters and allowing these stories to be nice breaks in between my bigger and denser reads. A fun paranormal series that have all my favorite aspects of cozy mysteries.

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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Book Review: Testing Times (Wayfair Witches #15) by A.A. Albright

August 7, 2023August 15, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 157 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wanda is truly in the midst of some testing times. Her boyfriend is still trapped in another world, and her exams are being constantly rescheduled. The latest change of plans, though, was for a very good reason – the examiner has died.

The death seems to have been a natural one – after all, the woman was ill. But her familiar, an owl called Minerva, is convinced it was murder, and Wanda wants to help – even if Minerva seems determined to go it alone.

There are other problems for Wanda to contend with. Her friend Gretel is growing in clumsiness and losing her confidence. As for the new Max, he is becoming dangerously accident prone.

Can Wanda solve all of these problems, catch the killer, and pass her exams? And can she ever bring the real Max home?

ALMOST FINISHED.

I can’t believe I’m a book away from finishing this series!

This installment was (as per usual) a good one. I enjoyed the mystery and that things were still progressing with the larger plot. I do feel like there’s a lot that’s supposed to be wrapped up in the last book which makes me nervous for seeing how it all comes together.

Who does Wanda end up with? Are all the foes vanquished? This is such a fun series that hits all of my cozy mystery love and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something to switch things up.

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Language: none
Romance: flirting
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder

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Book Review: Faking It (Wayfair Witches #14) by A.A. Albright

August 4, 2023August 12, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 222 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 8th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a bat arrives, telling Wanda that he is her familiar, and she is his witch, things get confusing …

Wanda already has a familiar, and he looks exactly like this bat, sounds exactly like this bat, and only eats mangoes – exactly like this bat. Is this new arrival a Doppel-Dizzy, or a sign of something sinister in the air?

As well as finding out why Dizzy now has a double, Wanda must deal with a strangely-behaving Max, and a murdered janitor. The janitor was killed in Wentforth’s College for Wizards, and an important magical object has been stolen from the college, too.

As the body count increases, Wanda and the gang work hard to solve the case. But when they get to the bottom of this mystery, they may not like the answers.

EMOTIONS.

I enjoyed this one much more than the last. Though, WOW, this pulled at the heart! Another good mystery where I didn’t see quite where things would go. I adore this full cast and loved the antics and heart put into every scene.

The ending really left me wondering how this series is supposed to wrap up. I know there’s only two more books and I am concerned how some major plot lines need wrapped up. I look forward to continuing these mysteries and finishing it off!

Overall audience notes: