I don’t know about you, but I’m still struggling with pandemic-related brain fog and difficulty concentrating on books I haven’t already read. One of these days I’ll get back to my usual volume!
Witch Please
Ann Aguirre
Contemporary paranormal romance
Danica, a witch from a long line of witches, wants a light romance to get her back on track after her commitment-phobic ex gets married. Titus, a professional baker, is convinced he’s been cursed because all of his romances fizzle out — to the point where he’s still a virgin. Complications abound: Danica’s grandmother is insisting she only date other witches, and Titus’ father has remarried and wants Titus and his sister to celebrate his new baby-to-be. Worst of all, there’s a witch-hunter on Danica’s trail.
I found this book charming; I loved Danica and Titus and their strong and immediate attraction. Danica’s witch-talent (she can repair technology with her powers) made me laugh, as did her coven under cover of a book group. My one complaint was that a major plot point, the witch-hunter, remained unresolved.
Knot My Type
Evie Mitchell
Contemporary romance
Frankie is a disabled sexologist with a popular podcast and a listener question she can’t answer. Jay is a carpenter and rigger who’s convinced he’s not boyfriend material. When Frankie asks Jay to tie her up so she can answer her listener’s question, what starts as a light flirtation turns intense.
I loved the disability rep in this book, and I appreciated that the things that stood between our leads were deep and compelling, but ultimately something that could be overcome. I also appreciated the BDSM — it’s light but still real.
Storm Season
Pene Henson
Contemporary romance
When music-journalist Lien gets lost in a storm on her way to a music festival, park ranger Claudia has to save her — and it takes days for things to recede enough to leave. Lien is a fish out of water, but comes to value the quieter live; Claudia is pulled back into the city life she left behind with her band after a tragedy.
I loved the contrast between the two women, but it felt like Claudia’s return to the city life was a little too easy. The music journalism was particularly interesting.
Her Perfect Family
Teresa Driscoll
Suspense
When Gemma is shot during graduation and ends up in a coma, her parents and the police have to unravel what happened.
Lots of good red herrings and feints, including a mentally ill ex-wife, a supposedly perfect boyfriend who harbors jealous tendencies, personal secrets, and more.
The Other Passenger
Louise Candlish
Suspense
When Jamie’s friend Kit disappears, he’s interviewed because another passenger saw them arguing. By the time we get to the denouement, we’ve explored everything from financial disparity in relationships, generational privilege, issues around aging, and entitlement.
Rereads
I have a tendency to reread books I particularly love.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
Laurie R. King
Historical Mystery
Teenage bluestocking Mary Russell meets middle-aged Sherlock Holmes and becomes his apprentice.
The Moor
Laurie R. King
Historical Mystery
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes investigate a murder on Dartmoor that has uneasy parallels with the Baskerville Hound case.
O, Jerusalem
Laurie R. King
Historical Mystery
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes decamp to Jerusalem to escape a dangerous situation in London and team up with the Hazr brothers to preserve the uneasy post-war peace.
Justice Hall
Laurie R. King
Historical Mystery
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes investigate the execution of a friend’s nephew during the war.