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caitkom's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I have read by Emmeline Duncan, and it won't be the last. I was immediately sucked in to the food cart scene and could feel the Portland vibe coming through the pages. The main character, Sage Caplin, is easy to relate to. I love her knowledge of coffee. I am kind of a coffee snob myself, so I relished in her rich description of roasting beans and the deep delicious flavors of freshly brewed java. Sage has an interesting back story, which we learn as the book develops. She and her friend, Harley have opened a coffee cart in downtown Portland. Land in Portland is very valuable, so the food cart owners are understandably nervous when a developer comes around trying to buy their land. When said developer ends up dead in front of her food cart, even Sage's police officer father can't keep the detectives from sniffing around. Things become more complicated when Sage realized there is a family connection to the dead man.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be quick read, mostly because I didn't want to stop reading! I enjoyed how the story line progressed and Sage's relationships and business grew. She and Harley are always looking for new opportunities to spread their love of coffee!
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be quick read, mostly because I didn't want to stop reading! I enjoyed how the story line progressed and Sage's relationships and business grew. She and Harley are always looking for new opportunities to spread their love of coffee!
islahamilton's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readerjenn's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
lauratector's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
This book was disappointing. I wanted so much to like this book. I needed a new cozy mystery series but I will not be continuing this series.
This is a love letter to coffee and Portland but it's not a story.
The plot is basic barely there. Sage doesn't actively do anything to push the story forward. She stumbles- quite literally - across the killer and every other plot point.
Not to mention the characters Sage is annoyingly perfect as in not even a single flaw. She doesn't evolve through the story she's the same beginning, middle and end.
The romance was flat and boring both guys had no connection with Sage but then again there's no way to have a connection with a cardboard cut out.
This is a love letter to coffee and Portland but it's not a story.
The plot is basic barely there. Sage doesn't actively do anything to push the story forward. She stumbles- quite literally - across the killer and every other plot point.
Not to mention the characters Sage is annoyingly perfect as in not even a single flaw. She doesn't evolve through the story she's the same beginning, middle and end.
The romance was flat and boring both guys had no connection with Sage but then again there's no way to have a connection with a cardboard cut out.
nannyofoz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sbrot's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
albyatross's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
For a cozy mystery, the mystery felt a bit like an afterthought (I wouldn't have guessed the murder based on the details given, and the reveal was very sudden near the end), but Sage was a chatty MC and learning about coffee and Portland was fun!
Also it won't let me add Homelessness / Unhoused or similar as a content tag, but one of the side characters is, and the topic comes up.
Also it won't let me add Homelessness / Unhoused or similar as a content tag, but one of the side characters is, and the topic comes up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
cozybooksandgoldenembers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail