srivalli's reviews
1563 reviews

Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary deep inside Yukon for those who need a safe place away from the rest of the world. Detective Casey and her husband Eric, along with a few others, do their best to keep the place running smoothly. 

However, when one of the residents is drugged and dragged into the forest on a cold night, Casey realizes they have a potential threat on their hands. As they investigate, a snowstorm hits the place and a dead body turns up. Casey and Eric need to find the killer and end this soon. 

The story comes in Casey’s first-person POV in the present tense. 

So, I read my reviews for the previous three books before I wrote this review. Sadly, I don’t remember much but the inability to connect with Casey continues. 

The premise is cool – an abduction/ assault foiled only for another to happen during a snowstorm. Also, with the FMC being eight months pregnant, there are more limitations to the already restricted setting. 

Sadly, this time around, I didn’t feel the charm of the place. Winter is my favorite season, so I should have loved the setting. A few scenes searching in the woods with Storm were great. For the rest, the charm seems to have worn off. 

Storm is a darling, my constant and only favorite in the series. A wee kid appears for half a page and creates a mini-storm, lol. 

This time around, only the prologue is a different character’s third-person POV. The rest was Casey, which, unfortunately, didn’t do her any favor. Being in her head wasn’t entertaining, TBH. She sounded borderline whiny at times and would overthink issues that didn’t need so much ‘moral dilemma’. 

I know idealism appeals to us. It helps to an extent and encourages discussions. However, letting the main character veer into naïve and stupid territory isn’t a good idea, especially when she has experience in dealing with the worst kind of people. 

The mystery is actually good. I like most of it and the arguments around it. Sebastian turns out to be another favorite character! 

However, what I didn’t want had happened in the climax. I kept an eye on the % and pretty much knew how things would develop. Nope, not happy with that. I can see the appeal. It’ll keep readers on the edge of the seat; all that tension! But… for me, it was unnecessary and made the FMC appear as someone who likes to play a hero irrespective of the cost. I don’t look for realism in thrillers (or even in cozy mysteries) but maybe this one time, a toned-down version might have had a greater appeal. 

At least the ending is good. There’s proper closure and a happy (cute) development with some lighthearted scenes. 

To summarize, Cold as Hell has a great premise and will appeal to a lot of readers, though I’m a bit of an outliner. I recommend reading the books in order as this won’t be good as a standalone (if I say this, then you have to take it seriously). 

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 4 Stars

One Liner: Sweet and hopeful

 Luke has been struggling with just about everything since the death of his wife, Helen. Handling their six-year-old daughter, Amy has been another uphill task. If only, he could have Helen near him again. 

Connie’s relationship with her mum was one of the best. Her mum was her friend, housemate, and a cheerleader. Connie is devastated by the death of her mother and would do anything to speak to her once again. 

Teen twins, Lucy and Alex, miss their dad terribly but cannot express it. 

As their paths cross at a Bereavement Café, a cozy little place in Dublin, they meet a person who might make their dreams come true. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Connie, Luke, and Lucasta. 

Though the book deals with the grief of losing a loved one, it has many lighthearted moments that balance out the heaviness. 

The pacing is steady almost throughout. Moreover, the narrative shifts between the three tracks with ease. The limited third-person POV helps as it is easier to go with the change (compared to first-person POV). 

The impact of losing a loved one comes across clearly in Luke and Connie’s tracks. Little Amy made me sad and happy. Luke’s work-life balance and Connie’s frustration about her job are realistic and thought-provoking. 

Of course, I happily disliked the characters I was supposed to hate. The other characters like Stella, Phoebe, and Will were good and did their bit to support the plotline. 

Since the official blurb mentions Lucy and Alex, I thought their track would be just as detailed as the others. Turns out, that’s not the case. They get some attention but not enough to be mentioned in the blurb. 

Lucasta is a key character – eccentric, straightforward successful, and kindhearted. While I could see her side, I could also feel for her assistant. The resolution of their track is well done. 

Though there are hints of love, there is no romance. The focus firmly stays on the central theme. I appreciate it a lot. Even the epilogue is just right – hopeful for a happy future but at their own pace. After all, we cannot rush through the grieving process.  

To summarize, Remember, I Love You is a story that’ll make you a wee bit sad but also feel happy and hopeful for the characters. The concept of Bereavement Café is beautiful (there are quite a few branches in and around the UK). 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.3 Stars

Andi (Andromeda) Glover has spent her life breathing books. With unconventional parents who live on a bus and travel for a living (successful though), she wants nothing more than a stable home. With no proper education, Andi has trouble finding jobs. 

However, when she gets a chance to catalog books in Templewood Hall’s library, she is determined to turn her life into a bookish story. A gothic house with an eccentric lady owner and her enigmatic son Hugo is sure to give Andi her HEA, isn’t it? 

However, Andi soon realizes that life doesn’t follow bookish tropes. And the odd sounds in the house might turn her life from classic romance to horror. Amidst the confusion, can she trust the gardener who appears and disappears at will? 

The story comes in Andi’s first-person POV. 

Like the author’s previous book, this too is set in Yorkshire. However, most of it takes place in Templewood Hall. 

The descriptions are cool and some metaphors (food-related) were amusing. The overall tone had dry humor which made the book rather a funny read. At no point did I feel scared (I don’t think I was supposed to anyway). 

Andi is a quirky protag and not always easy to like. However, her characterization is true to her arc. She lives bookish dreams and wants to align her life to follow some romantic novel but doesn’t succeed. She can be whiny and repetitive (especially about her sister) but we can see her frustration. She just wants a stable and loving home. 

There is some romance, though the book is mainly about Andi growing up and realizing life cannot be fiction. There’s a bit of ‘searching for a lost object’ which doesn’t go anywhere in the first half. 

The side characters are okay. My favorite is the cat addressed as The Master (no one dares call him by his name which is not revealed). The cat had more personality than most of the characters, followed by Lady Tanith (whose development comes a little too late). However, I appreciate that one of them is partially deaf and it is woven into the narrative. 

The middle feels repetitive and boring. In the last quarter has decent progress. There are two major twists (reveals). Both are handled well and don’t seem odd or unrealistic. The second one was easy to guess due to a random dialogue by a character. 

The ending is HFN with no epilogue. I would have liked a short epilogue set a year later or so. It might have enhanced the storyline. 

To summarize, Happily Ever After is a timepass read with some useful themes but is pretty much a surface-level story. I like it okay, though I did like the author’s previous book better. 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HappilyEverAfter 

 3.8 Stars 

Connie Llewelyn was a successful and ambitious but unhappy Michelin-star chef in London. A random restless drive took her to Starshine Cove and changed her life forever. 

Twenty-five years later, Connie is warm, loving, and the go-to person in the magical town. However, she is trying hard to stay positive after her husband’s death five years ago and her children leaving home for studies. 

A face from the past enters her life unexpectedly and soon steps into her world in the town. Connie is torn about meeting Zack again but can’t deny the attraction. Will she get a second chance at love? 

The story comes in Connie’s first-person POV in the present tense. 

The FMC has played a moderate to crucial role in all the previous books. Now, it’s her turn to find some love. 

As the fourth book in the series, this can work as a standalone but will have spoilers for the couples from previous books. Reading at least one of those will give you a better idea of Connie’s character. 

The book starts in the past, providing us a quick rundown of Connie’s past and how she arrived at Starshine Cove. This gives a comparison between her past and present and shows how she has changed (but retained some of her core traits). 

Set in spring, we get some lovely descriptions of the town’s beauty in the season. As always, the community vibe is strong with people supporting and helping each other. 

The teens and new adults are quirky, silly, fun, and loveable. They add much lightness to the plot and are adorable even when annoying their elders. 

Being a small book (250+ pages), the story moves fast. This is still okay as the couple has a teeny history and spends some time together as friends in the present. 

I like the discussions about mourning spouses, moving on, putting children first, and the changes that happen over time. Also, things are kept a bit realistic about age-related aspects (menopause, weak bladder, body pains, etc.). 

There’s some angst and lack of communication but I like how it’s dealt with. The FMC’s arc pulls it off, and the reveal presents another dilemma. It’s age-appropriate for them (or so I felt). There’s a happy ending, of course. 

To summarize, Starting Over in Starshine Cove is a heartwarming story about finding love again and being hopeful about the uncertain future. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #StartingOverInStarshineCove 

 2.7 Stars

Every time, Maddy thinks she found the one and takes things with them into the bedroom, she blanks out and goes into the future. There, she sees herself with the guy ten years down the lane. Let’s just say, these little glimpses are enough to make her run and not look back. 

However, Maddy meets Oliver and sees a happy and beautiful future with him… but only if she breaks his heart now. Should Maddy destroy her present for a future she sees? 

The story comes in Maddy’s first-person POV in different timelines (neatly marked). 

Well, no way I can resist a premise like this! I’ve read one book by the author and liked it. However, it also made me expect a certain writing style and not finding it here took a while to get used to. 

Since the FMC is twenty-six, she is clearly not mature enough for a heavier writing style. In that sense, the overall vibe fits the characters perfectly. The narration is also fast-paced in the first half. 

The concept of blanking out into the future is well done. There’s no confusion at any point. Moreover, it doesn’t feel awkward or give us too many details. Even the intimate scenes fade out. 

Priya surely added some charm to the book (Priya and Anushka seem be to the most popular Indian names used by Western authors, lol). She is a good friend despite the theatrics (Maddy is an actor but Priya excels in drama). I think her track is much better than the central plot though we don’t get a lot of information. 

The subplot involving the stepbrother’s condition is touching and adds much-needed depth to the plot. I also like that it is kept realistic. I like the kid too. His emotions feel real, making me want to give him a hug. 

The uncertainties and difficulties of being a struggling actor are very well presented. Since both main characters are in the same field, their discussions are meaningful and helpful. Rooting for their career success is easy (even if I couldn’t root for their love life). 

The MMC is pretty decent. However, my major issue is that I couldn’t feel/ connect with their relationship at any point. It’s hard to feel their emotions or the love they have for each other. 

Some of Maddy’s decisions aren’t good/ respectful, considering how much she seems to like the guy. In fact, I don’t like quite a few of her decisions. And to think the guy feels he is lucky to have her. If only he knew the truth! 

My issue is the FMC. While it makes sense for her to act immature, her decisions tend to be stupid as well. There’s no other word for it. Though the premise makes it clear a breakup is necessary, the reasons and the whole thought process around it are… annoying. As much as I understand the need to control whatever we can of our future, the FMC spends almost all her time letting the future dictate her actions rather than trying to change the future by taking control of her present. The concept of free will is important in astrology, tarot reading, etc. There are no guarantees even if some people insist otherwise. 

Even if I let this go, the ending is so dissatisfying! I mean, why would you give it such a strange development and end it like that? It feels like a rushed attempt to conclude the story somehow or a sudden switch to lit-fic style ending when the rest is women’s fic. I wish it was better handled.  

To summarize, The Many Futures of Maddy Hart has an irresistible premise and a few worthy themes but it didn’t work for me. This is more of a me problem, so please check other reviews before you decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheManyFuturesOfMaddyHart 

 3.5 Stars

DI Georgina ‘George’ Lennox is back in action after an accident. Partnering with Richard ‘Richie’ Stewart, she arrives at Eilean Eadar, a tiny remote Scottish island in the Atlantic Ocean, to investigate the death of one of the residents. 

 It’s supposed to be a simple case but George’s instincts tell her there’s more to it than what meets the eye. The islanders are hostile, the priest is too nosy, and strange events seem to occur, straight out of the local legend. Richie just wants to close the case and go home but George is adamant. With dark secrets enveloping them from all sides, can the duo solve the case? 

The story comes in George’s third-person POV in the present tense. 

With a lighthouse on the cover and an atmospheric premise that may or may not have a paranormal touch, I knew I had to read this one. 

Though the book is centered on a police investigation it is not a police procedural. It’s more of a slow-burn suspense where things go in circles in the first half and the action takes place in the last quarter. 

I like that the detective duo doesn’t have a romantic track. In fact, the age gap makes it an almost student-teacher or guardian-ward relationship. NGL, I like Riche a lot more than George. George has a large chip on her shoulder, and with a hazy backstory, it’s hard to see why she is that way. For a standalone, this doesn’t do her any favors. Now, if the book is supposedly the first in a series, it might work. I can’t find any information on this, though. 

The mystery is supposed to be simple. Was the death a suicide or murder? However, the investigation takes place on an island with a close-knit community, so the progress is almost zero until the last quarter when a lot happens. This further affects the pacing. 

The setting is atmospheric – darkish, dangerous, and heavy with rains and storms that add to the pressure. There’s a sort of paranormal thing but it is not either. Such stuff doesn’t work for me. Decide whether or not you want it! 

We also see pagan vs. Christian or pagan plus Christian thingy but that’s not fully there either. I mean, the island has a Catholic church (which is the largest building). As with converted cultures, they continue to follow a few pagan practices and create a strange blend of both religions. This aspect has great potential but it has not been explored fully. 

In a way, the dark side of a small community has been captured well. It may also feel a bit too stereotypical but that’s the plotline. 

The ending is decent and feels a lot like there’s more to come. I wish we knew if there would be another book. The mystery is resolved but the central track with George has unanswered questions. 

To summarize, The Wolf Tree has an intriguing premise and an atmospheric setting. How you like the book depends on how much you like the main character and the slow-burn narration. 

Thank you, NetGalley, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam (G.P. Putnam's Sons), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheWolfTree 

 2.7 Stars 

No one expected Albert Franklynn to die in an accident. His wife Sylvie is shocked. However, nothing prepares her to find the truth of her husband’s life. When two other women come claiming to be his wives (unknown to each other), they can’t help but wonder how Albert managed to lead three lives separately. 

Soon, the police find out his death is likely a murder. Sylvie and her friend-cum-business partner, Liz, along with Albert’s other widow decide to get to the bottom of the issue. What else was Albert hiding? 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

This is the first book in the series and is set in Monksworthy, a (fictional) village in Wye Valley, England. 

We are introduced to the main characters at the beginning through individual chapters. Then, the rest of the book has POVs jumping from one character to another. It’s a mix of omnipresent and limited third-person. 

After the first 15%, I realized I might enjoy this better if I increased the reading pace a bit. That helped. Something about the narration doesn’t make it as enjoyable as it should be. There’s a lot of tell (which doesn’t always bother me), making it hard to feel the vibe of the place and the characters. 

That said, the main characters are easy enough to distinguish from one another. A couple of things feel OTT. Not sure if it is for humor because I didn’t find them funny. 

Things take a turn midway through. A surprising development but it kinda makes sense. While the official police are supposed to do very little in cozy mysteries, they seem to do almost nothing here. 

The climax wasn’t well executed. For all the build-up we get until then, the actual scene is over in a page or so. After that, there’s just one mention of it. This is unsatisfying to a reader who wants to know more about the killer and their backstory (or at least a few other details). 

The title suits the book, though that aspect has also been underexplored. Most of the time, it’s the women trying to sleuth and being successful without any trouble. A bit too easy and a few coincidences dilute the feel. 

Nevertheless, the book ends with a detailed glossary of British words (for US readers) listed in alphabetical order. This is an extensive list! It could be useful elsewhere too. Save a copy of the glossary if you read this book. 

To summarize, Death of a Ghostwriter is the first book in a new cozy mystery series with an intriguing premise. The execution could have been a lot better, though. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #DeathOfAGhostwriter 

It’s the season of grape harvest in Tuscany. Dan and Oscar, the cutest Lab, are surviving the summer heat somehow. Soon, Dan is asked to help the police investigate a dead body they found near a retired American rockstar’s winery. Seems his hotel has some interesting guests, who may or may not have connections to the Italian mafia. 

As more deaths occur, Dan has to connect the dots and find the killer. It doesn’t help that he also has to deal with some personal situations. 

The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts:  

Well, we are back in Tuscany. The September here is brutal with no rain. Naturally, the farmers are worried about the yield (fewer grapes = less wine). The criminals don’t care, of course. They commit crimes no matter how annoying the heat is! 

The tenth book can be a standalone, though it’ll help if you read at least one book (any) in the series. Someone from Dan’s past makes a reentry, and this does create some tension. Poor Dan has to think and overthink everything. He is a good man, so this also complicates things, lol. 

The mystery is very well done. If you are a fan of the genre, you’ll guess the reason much before the MC and the police. The details are provided. How we bring them together depends on us. 

It’s no longer a surprise that Oscar is a terrific judge of character and a competent assistant. He finds clues, identifies unsavory people, and ensures his human is safe. He is the hero! 

We have a new sergeant Dini since Innocenti got a promotion. I like this new addition. She is smart, composed, and brave. Hoping to see her in more books. 

The pace is steady. Since the book is less than 250 pages, you can easily finish it in a couple of hours or so. 

To summarize, Murder in the Tuscan Hills is an entertaining addition to the series and discusses a few important issues that affect the global consumer market. As always, I enjoyed the descriptions of the region. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4 Stars

It took just one second for a three-year-old Rosie Logan to vanish when her mother, Maria, turned the other side. 

PC Lucy Halliday (with police dogs Moss and Iggy) and DCI Jack Ellis are on the case. Jack is determined to save Rose as this reminds him of his childhood best friend who disappeared one day without a trace. 

However, the Logan family is unwilling to share its secrets, hampering the investigation at every point. Can Lucy and Jack little Rose before it’s too late? 

The story comes in Maria, Lucy, and Jack’s third-person POVs in the present tense. 

This is the second book in the series that has a standalone mystery but it will be much better if you read the previous book (if I say this, then you know you can’t ignore it). 

The story is dark like the first book and has more than one case in parallel. Despite the fear and heavy atmosphere, the content is not graphic. It seems like the author took great care to mention only what is necessary for the plot. I appreciate this since the plotline is around a missing child. 

The mystery is layered with many reveals and twists. These happen periodically to keep the reader hooked and the plot moving. It makes the narration steady if not fast-paced. Also, there’s enough internal dialogue to continue with character development for Lucy and Jack. 

Given that the FMC is a dog handler, the police dogs play a vital role in the book. Moss and Iggy take turns doing their jobs and are such adorable cuties. Iggy takes the spotlight this time though Moss is not far behind. 

So far, I like the development between the main characters. They are friends now but still annoy each other often. I am curious to see how things will change as the series continues but no complaints for now. 

Most questions are answered well. The themes are as dark as the plot but handled with care. Revealing them could be spoilers but know that there might be a few triggers. 

There’s a short author’s note about the places mentioned in the book. I understand what she means when she says it is easier to make up new places than to use real ones. That’s how I prefer to write too. 

To summarize, Memorial Park is a fairly intense read but doesn’t get overwhelming. It tackles important themes and makes the reader think. The writing style is really good. Looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Canelo Crime, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MemorialPark 

 4 Stars

One Liner: Pretty entertaining and thoughtful

 

Three women – Anouska, Ellie, and Jess are in different stages but seem to have an issue in their personal/ love lives. Anouska and Zach are happy but can her surprise pregnancy fit into their high-flying careers? Ellie has been with Scott for six years with no progress in her relationship. With a potential promotion on the horizon, she needs to decide what’s best for her. Jess has been in love with Mark forever. They even live like an old couple sans the marriage part. 

When Jess decides to take matters into her own hands and propose to Mark on the leap year day (29th Feb), it inspires Ellie and Anouska to take action about their love. But the road to HEA is filled with doubts and decisions. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Anouska, Ellie, and Jess. 

Based on the premise, you might have guessed correctly that this is more of women’s fiction and less of romance. Though we have three couples, the focus is on the various aspects of a relationship, the intricacies, the missing red flags, the passivity, doubts, fears, etc. There are some lovey-dovey scenes but the steam is 0.5 at the most. Nothing explicit or detailed. 

The three main characters are different in many ways. The age ranges from 24-35, their careers are different, the family dynamics are different, and the relationship troubles are also different despite the common factor. 

Though it may seem like marriage is the ultimate goal, it’s the intention behind this that is emphasized. The characters want worthy, reliable, and loving partners who are not afraid to commit to them (especially after being together for many years).  

The main characters are not friends from first but bond quickly. Their scenes together gradually shift from surface-level friendship to becoming each other’s found families. I really loved this progress. 

Naturally, there is drama in each track but nowhere does it get confusing. The conflicts are different enough to prevent overlap but too dramatic. 

The story takes place in a couple of months, so some aspects are put on a fast track. This may or may not fully work for everyone. I didn’t particularly mind since I guessed that’s how they would proceed. 

We get an epilogue to tie up the loose ends and close the story on a happy and hopeful note. The pacing is a bit slow in the first quarter but gets better in the second half. 

To summarize, The Leap Year Proposal is an entertaining read with some thoughtful themes and ideas about relationships. Though it is about love, the book celebrates female friendships. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and the author, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.