Search

Search only in certain items:

Please Don't Push Up the Daisies
Please Don't Push Up the Daisies
Diane Vallere | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tex’s Family Brings Murder to Town
In the time that Madison Night has dated Tex Allen, she hasn’t met his sister. Until now. Lily and her four sons are moving to Dallas now that her husband is finally granting her a divorce. However, when Madison goes with Lily to pick up the papers, they find him dead in his office. With Tex out of commission thanks to his nephews, can Madison figure out what really happened?

This is another great mystery that jumps right in and keeps us guessing until the end. I did find a couple of things that could have been a little clearer, but nothing that truly impacted the plot. What I really loved is the character growth we got for Tex and another series regular. But Madison really shines in her moment; it was my favorite part of the book. There are some funny moments as well, and fans of Doris Day’s movie will find some fun nods. If you’ve been enjoying this series, you’ll be glad you picked up the latest in the series.
  
40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Hang the Moon in Books

May 27, 2021  
Hang the Moon
Hang the Moon
Alexandria Bellefleur | 2021 | Erotica, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A hopeful and winning romance
This companion to WRITTEN IN THE STARS focuses on Darcy's brother Brendon, creator of the dating app OTP and a hopeless romantic. Brendon feels stressed out when the latest research numbers show that perhaps not everyone using dating apps believes as deeply in true love as he does. This includes, Annie, Darcy's best friend and Brendon's long ago crush. Annie arrives in Seattle to surprise Darcy, who just happens to be on a little getaway with her girlfriend, Elle. So Brendon steps up, delivering the keys to Darcy's place and... a series of dates designed to show Annie romance still exists. As for Annie, well she doesn't protest too much. After all, despite swearing off love, she discovers that Darcy's brother has grown up into a pretty handsome and funny guy. She's enjoying their time together. But she's only in Seattle for a few weeks, so Brendon has his work cut out for him.

"You couldn't be disappointed when someone stopped caring if you never expected them to in the first place."

I really enjoyed WRITTEN IN THE STARS and Darcy and Elle's story, so I was excited to read the next book in the series. I liked Brendon's tale, but not quite as much as Darcy and Elle's, mostly because I'm from the LGBTQIA community, and it was so refreshing to have a f/f story in Darcy and Elle. Still, Brendon is such a cutie, and his unyielding faith in love is pretty sweet.

Annie is a good addition to the group--she shows up a bit in book one. She is, of course, the complete opposite of Brendon: completely apathetic about love. But when she arrives in Seattle for a two-week vacation, with some life-changing news for Darcy, and her best friend isn't there, she can't help but enjoy her time with Brendon. Brendon resolves to use his favorite romantic films as a blueprint to woo Annie, but it turns into a comedy of errors, with nothing really turning out the way he planned.

"'Let's say that I needed to prove to someone that romance isn't dead.'"

Many of their interactions are humorous and the banter witty and funny, though I felt the "optimist" versus "pessimist," "will she stay or will she go" storyline was rehashed a bit much, as the plot gets hung up and stagnates for a bit until things pick up again. But, Brendon's sweet personality and Annie's willingness to give new things a try carry the book, along with its overall humor. It's nice to get some appearances from Darcy and Elle, though it severely lacks enough Margo (thank goodness she's the focus of book three).

Overall, this is a cute romance featuring winning leads. It's repetitive in places, but also flirty and fun. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.