Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!



Pub Date: 1-14-25
Adult - Contemporary

Accidentally Amy- Lynn Painter: Isabella Shay is running late to interview for her dream job, so, of course, there's a massive queue for coffee. So when the barista calls out "Amy" multiple times with no answer, Isabella pretends to be her and swipes the forgotten PSL. But you know what they say about karma. The moment Isabella turns around with her stolen goods, she slams right into the chest of the handsomest man she's ever met. The two instantly hit it off, which would be great if he didn't think she was Amy. Pressed for time, Isabella can't stay and remedy the situation but vows to do it the next time she sees him. When that man turns out to be Blake Phillips, Isabella's new boss, he isn't as charmed with Isabella as he was with Amy, but the more time the pair spend together, the more they can't deny their growing attraction.

The one thing I've come to love most about Painter's writing is her banter. It's always quick-witted and entertaining, and that was no exception here. I thought Izzy and Blake were cute together. I liked how they developed a solid friendship first that naturally progressed into something more. Blake was also a little grumpy, and that is a character trait I eat up every time in my MMCs. The pair were immature at times, but you can say that about all of Painter's characters, so it didn't bother me much. I would've liked a little more substance to their relationship, but overall, I enjoyed it and think it's the perfect read to binge in one sitting.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 1-14-25
Adult - Cozy Mystery

Murder in the Dressing Room- Holly Stars: By day, Joe is a shy, thirty-something hotel accountant, but by night, he turns into Misty Divine, a rising star of the London drag scene. Joe lives for the moment when he can don his wig, pull on his tights and padding, and embrace his true self, thanks to his drag mother/mentor, Lady Lady. She saw potential in Joe and didn't hesitate to take Misty under her wing and show her the ins and outs of the scene. When Lady Lady is found dead in her dressing room, Misty and her fellow drag queens find themselves the prime suspects in the police investigation. But their half-hearted attempts frustrate Misty, so she decides to take it upon herself to find out what happened to her beloved mentor before it's too late.

I've been a massive fan of drag queens since watching To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar when I was young, so this immediately caught my eye. I mean, a drag queen investigating a murder? Sign me up. I was expecting a campy time, and while it was, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. The writing was simple, repetitive, and lacked the dazzle I wanted. Nothing about it felt engaging. I did enjoy Misty as a main character, but I just wanted more out of the whole thing. I thought the premise was great, but the execution needed some work.

Rating: 2/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 7-16-24
Adult - Contemporary

Not Another Love Song- Julie Soto: Gwen Jackson has fought hard to get to where she is. She didn't start playing the violin as early as some, but she became a prodigy in her own right. Gwen worked her way from playing for tips in subways to a seat in the renowned Pops Orchestra. Unlike Gwen, Xander Thorne was born into a family considered classical music royalty and has more accolades than Gwen can count. When the pair cross paths at a wedding, Gwen's mortified to learn that despite sitting across from each other at the Pops, Xander has no idea who she is. And when Gwen gets offered the role of First Chair of the orchestra instead of Xander, it amps up their existing animosity. The pair may not see eye to eye on much, but their respect for each other's craft is undeniable, and it doesn't take long for their anger to turn into desire.

Oh, mylanta, this book! The tension! The angst! The chemistry! Everything about it was so palpable. I don't know what Soto puts in her writing, but it's got me hooked. I don't know much about the technical side of music, so I was worried I'd find it hard to connect to the story/characters, but that wasn't the case. I got sucked into this world and all the drama that came with it. I liked learning all the ins and outs of the orchestra and seeing Gwen navigate it all. Watching her and Alex compose and play music together was so intimate and just as hot as the steamy scenes. Their chemistry was off the charts and even had me blushing a few times. The drama leading up to the third act conflict felt a little much, but that's me being nitpicky. Soto has solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me now, and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

Rating: 4.5/5

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