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Falling for Peachtree Bluff ~ Peachtree Bluff #5 (by Kristy Woodson Harvey)
It was a joy to return to Peachtree Bluff and spend time with the Murphy girls. A lot has happened in their lives since the first book. And there is a lot of drama and excitement and life changing moments sprinkled throughout the pages. While the fifth book in the series, you can read this as a standalone. And though there is a lot of important background about this family, the author does a great job of filling in the details. The bond between the three sisters is so heartwa

Ms. Ladybug
10 hours ago1 min read
I Think I Was Murdered (by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker)
I have enjoyed several books by coauthors Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. However, once I opened up this book and started reading, I wondered if they were actually the authors. The AI focus was interesting and a new aspect for a book I have read. There were so many characters and their issues that it took away from the primary characters. There are some trigger situations that the reader should be aware of before deciding to pick this one up ... Parkinson’s Disease, loss of a s

Ms. Ladybug
10 hours ago1 min read
The Trip of a Lifetime (by Kate Galley)
Once again Kate Galley has taken me on a delightful journey through the pages. The characters are well developed and while Martha and her granddaughter, Erin, are the primary characters, there are several more who add to the story. Seeing a group of older adults have an adventure with their younger companions (for the most part) was entertaining. The setting of the various provinces of Canada had me wanting to book a train excursion across the country. There are some flashbac

Ms. Ladybug
10 hours ago1 min read
When Lemons Give You Life (by Anna Johnston)
In reading the synopsis of this book, I thought it would be a fun read. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The characters are so unlikable that it was difficult to get invested in the story. While the book does a good job of covering a lot of social issues ... gay marriage, early onset dementia, domestic violence, etc. ... that is too much to deal with in one book. I actually did not enjoy the author’s earlier book, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, so evidently Anna Jo

Ms. Ladybug
11 hours ago1 min read
Trouble's Turn to Lose ~ Carolina Tales #3 (by Susan M. Boyer)
I have loved the books in the Carolina Tales series by Susan M. Boyer. She has become one of my favorite authors, and I know I will be in for a treat when I open up a book and get lost in the pages. I enjoy spending time with Hadley in the low country of South Carolina. It was a special treat for Hadley and Liz Talbot, from another series by the author, to join forces to solve the mystery. There is relationship conflict, delightful characters, an intriguing mystery, suspense,

Ms. Ladybug
11 hours ago1 min read
If Books Could Kill ~ Tomes & Tea #3 (by Karen Rose Smith)
This is the first book I have read in the Tomes & Tea series by Karen Rose Smith. But I will definitely go back and read the first two books and any future books in the series. I love the setting of Valentine’s Day, and the characters are well developed. Of course, there is a murder, and Jazzi is determined to uncover the killer. The mystery is handled well and left me wondering who was guilty until the final reveal. I look forward to spending more time in Belltower Landing,

Ms. Ladybug
12 hours ago1 min read
Truffle Trouble ~ Amish Candy #10 (by Amanda Flower)
I have enjoyed the books I have read in the Amish Candy Shop series by Amanda Flower. I have grown to love the people who make up the community in Harvest, Ohio. Between Bailey and her wedding day festivities; the wine tasting event; and Jethro, the pig, you know you will be in for an adventure in the pages. As happens frequently with Amanda Flower’s books, I was left guessing who was guilty of murder until the end. This is a great read with lots of twists and subplots that w

Ms. Ladybug
13 hours ago1 min read
The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow (by Leah Weiss)
While I really enjoyed reading If the Creek Don’t Rise, this book did not pull me into the story. I did not realize this was considered part of the fantasy/magical realism genre. If I had known that I probably would not have attempted to read it. I appreciate the setting of the Appalachian Mountains and was anticipating more of a folklore focus. However, the book seemed to focus on witches and feminism with very little plot. Sadly, this is one that did not appeal to me. Thank

Ms. Ladybug
13 hours ago1 min read
Murder from A to Z ~ Mystery Bookshop #11 (by V. M. Burns)
This is only the second book I have read in the Mystery Bookshop series, but I enjoyed them so much that I plan to go back and read the first nine books. The characters will pull you into the story and the murder mysteries ... yes! there are two murders ... will have you flipping through the pages to figure out who is guilty. Of course, Samantha; her sister, Jenna; her grandmother, Nana Jo; and the senior sleuth gang are determined to solve the cases. I love the aspect of a b

Ms. Ladybug
13 hours ago1 min read
Lost Secrets of the Scottish Castle (by Jane Lovering)
I enjoy books that are set in Scotland. And when a castle is part of the setting, I am definitely interested. This was a unique viewpoint to the story. I did not mind the time travel aspect, but this one fell short for me. I never connected with the characters. I struggled to stay invested in the story. It took too long to gain momentum and then the ending felt rushed. There are several positive reviews, so you may want to read this and see if it appeals to you. Thank you to

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 151 min read
A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras ~ Vintage Cookbook #5 (by Ellen Byron)
I have read the fourth and now the fifth book in the Vintage Cookbook series by Ellen. Horn. I have enjoyed them enough that I plan to go back and read the first three books. The author has. Come one of my favorites and I am always excited to get new releases in her different series. The characters are well developed and help pull you into the story. I love the setting of New Orleans. And this book takes place during Mardi Gras which is a bonus. There are twists and turns to

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 121 min read
Tear the City Down (by Andre Hardy)
To be honest, this book did not appeal to me. The characters did not pull me into the story. And the storyline itself was so choppy that I struggled to stay invested. There are plenty of reviews that give it positive remarks, so maybe it was just me. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted! F

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 121 min read
Dating Can be Deadly ~ Amish Matchmaker #5 (by Amanda Flower)
I have read all but the first two books in the Amish Matchmaking series by Amanda Flower. And those are in my Audible library waiting to enjoy. I have enjoyed this series and the witty dialogue that flows on the pages. The main characters, Lois and Millie, are a delight. Very different personalities but that is what makes it such an entertaining read. The murder mystery was intriguing and I was left hanging until the final reveal. And, of course, Millie’s goats add a bit of e

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 81 min read
Stakeouts and Strollers (by Rob Phillips)
The synopsis of this book caught my attention and I looked forward to a fun read. There are quirky characters but that was about all that appealed to me. The dialogue … of which there was A LOT!!! … was off-putting. I know the author was attempting to be funny and serious at the same time. But unfortunately, it fell flat for me. There are several positive reviews, so I would recommend you see if it appeals to you. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced revi

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 81 min read
The First Widows ~ Broken Vows #2 (by S. E. Reed)
This book was difficult to get invested in and it wasn't until about halfway through that it actually became suspenseful. And though I did not read the first book in the Broken Bows series, I do not think it affected me reading this one. It worked well as a standalone. One big negative for me … and almost made it only worth 2 stars … was the foul language. Too much! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 81 min read
The Girl with the List (by Shari J. Ryan)
I typically enjoy reading historical fiction books that are set during WWII. And I have enjoyed other books by the author, Shari J. Ryan. I think I am overloaded with books in the WWII historical fiction genre and they have lost the power to impress me or enlighten me about a new aspect of that time period. This book felt disjointed and the storyline did not flow smoothly. It was an effort for me to continue reading and I found myself putting it down to read something differe

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 41 min read
Easter Egg Murder (by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart)
Easter Egg Murder ~ Lucy Stone # 31.6 A Carole and Poopsie Mystery ~ Easter Egg Murder # 0.5 Death by Another Easter ~ Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails # 18.5 An Eggy Way to Die ~ Knit & Nibble # 12.5 I have loved the books in the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier and the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails series by Lee Hollis. I have never read any of the books in the Knit and Nibbles series by Peggy Ehrhart. However, I enjoyed all three of these mini cozy mysteries. It does h

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 31 min read
Autumn in the Cat Café (by Kathleen Fuller)
I love cozy mysteries and especially those that are set in a bookshop. However, this one just did not appeal to me. The relationship between the two main characters was awkward and had a plain “ick” vibe. I appreciated the small town setting and the premise of the book, but that is as far as the positive aspects went. I hate being so negative in a review. I evidently was not the intended audience for this book. However, this type of book might appeal to you. Thank you to NetG

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 31 min read
The Hidden City ~ Charles Lenox #12 (by Charles Finch)
I typically enjoy reading historical fiction books and am challenging myself to read outside of my typical books in this genre. I also did not realize this was the 12th book in the series before I began reading it. From looking at other reviews, plenty of them comment on how much they love the primary character, Charles Lenox. So by starting so late in the series, I think I have missed a lot of background and it affected my opinion. I did not feel invested in the characters o

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 21 min read
Poison at the Wild Haggis Bookshop ~ Highland Bookshop Murders #2 (by Jackie Baldwin)
I have enjoyed both of the books in the Highland Bookshop series by Jackie Baldwin. I love cozy mysteries ... and especially when they take place in a bakeshop. There are great characters, a delightful location, and an intriguing mystery. You will be pulled into the story and anxious to see what secrets Beth will uncover and what twists and turns the investigation will take. This book makes me want to set off on an adventure in Scotland and find a quaint bookshop in which to

Ms. Ladybug
Sep 21 min read
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