May Mini Musings

The Sheriff's Secret:  This was a short and pretty enjoyable romance.  I liked both main characters.  It's your classic trope of neither one wants a relationship and they fall in love accidentally.  The dog was cute too.  I just wish that it was a little longer, I didn't feel like I got to know the characters well enough to be overly invested in them.

Rancher's Second Chance:  This one was just kind of meh for me.  I felt like the chemistry was forced.  I had a hard time buying into Cole not knowing who Melanie's father was.  It is established that she has been friends with his sister for years, like all through high school and spent weekends at the ranch.  And she never talked about her parents?  The sister never talked about Melanie's family to him?  Just seemed kind of unbelievable to me.

Let's Split Up:  Apparently I read this one very early in the year and never reviewed it.  I guess that is how much I really didn't vibe with it. I started to listen to it again, and realized why it was forgettable.  The kids were annoying.  Naming one of them "Buffy" was annoying.  The msytery was OK and I will admit to not really knowing the killer before the reveal. I also thought the romances were kind of annoying as well.

Be Right Back:  Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I read the sequel to Let's Split up.  It did not improve on the first one.  The minute a certain character came on screen, I pegged them as the killer right away.  So, I spent the rest of the book waiting for the characters to catch up.  There were way too many times I had to suspend my disbelief in this one. At least the romances weren't annoying..

January Mini Musings

Cold Case Tracker:  This one was just OK. While I did enjoy the action and the ultimate romance, there were so many things about it that just didn't sit right with me. I had a hard time buying into Amy not recognizing Jackson. I mean he is her best friend's brother who apparently did something so upsetting that she never forgot it.  I'm not sure I would forget what that person looked like.  And really, the reason for the grudge was over the top. Also, there were way too many coincidences in this one especially with the reveal at the end.  I can suspend my disbelief, but that one was just too much. Finally, what 6 month old says "doggy"?  If you can ignore those issues, then you might enjoy this one.

Standing Watch:  So far, this one is the best out of the Dakota K-9 Unit series.  I really enjoyed watching Zach and Eden realize they should stay together.  Their issues were a clear case of mis-communication and untold past hurts. Especially Zach who finally realized he would be a great father. I also enjoyed the mystery and action in the story.  I do recommend this one.

The Asylum:  I know it's a prequel and a novella, but it was honestly kind of boring. I'm not sure why but I thought it was set in the earlier 1900s, not in modern day.  It just had an old time feel to it.  Maybe I wasn't paying too much attention to be honest. I might try the first full book in the series. 

Never Fall Again:  This was a very sweet romantic suspense.  I love romances where the heart disagrees with the brain and wins in the end.  Landry and Cal's fall into love was very endearing.  I also really enjoyed the other characters in Cal's world.  The mystery was also very solid and had me guessing.  I highly recommend this one.

Last Mini Musings of 2025

Witness to Murder: I started this one 3 times before I could get into it.  I didn't love it, but didn't hate it.  I didn't get the romance at all.  There was little chemistry between the couple. The msytery was just OK.

Chasing a Kidnapper: This was a solid Christian romantic suspense.  I did like the relationship that developed between the couple,  The mystery was also pretty enjoyable as well.

Protector of Talon Mountain:  This one was weird for me.  I felt like I was missing parts of the story.  Especially when it came to what happened to Sadie with her ex-husband.  Also, no back story on Zeke or how he happened to have 2 other Navy SEAL friends nearby.  I think this one needed a better editor and to be more fleshed out. 

Unafraid:  This one was an adorable and very sweet story.  I loved the build up to the romance.  I was really rooting for this couple. I also loved the relationship between Jesse and his siblings. What a great start to the series.  I can't wait to read the next stories.

Four More Mini Musings

 

The Meadowbrook Murders: This was an OK standard YA msytery.  There weren't many surprises. The characters were pretty unlikable.  I probably should have DNF'd this one, but I stuck it out hoping it would wow me.  I didn't.  It might have been better had I liked any of the characters.

Into Their Woods:  It's been so long since I have read any type of shifter romance.  While this one was a bit cheesy, I did enjoy it. Have to admit, I wouldn't  I haven't read a lot of reverse harem books either.   I think I'll probably read the next one.

The Summer She went Missing: Yet another YA that was just OK.  The main characters were annoying.  I think it might have been better without the romance part in the book. It took away from the mystery.  The ending was just meh. 

This Moment:  This was a very adorable romance.  I loved the main characters and how they encouraged each other,  I loved their banter and while it was quick, their fall was believable.  I would highly recommend this one.

Four Mini Musings

Betrayed: I am a fan of this author, but this one was just an OK addition to her writings.  I didn't love it and I didn't hate it.  The mystery was solid, but nothing overly exciting.

No Place Left to Hide:  I thought this was a fairly enjoyable YA.  It was a bit slow at times, but I liked the twist toward the end.  I didn't find the characters annoying.  It's a fairly quick read and one I would recommend.

Moonlight Seduction:  This was a great sequel to the first book.  I still need to read the third one.  I think I liked this one slightly more than the first book.  The romance was messy, but I really enjoyed it. 

I Know Your Secret:  This was a cute middle grade mystery a with a group of kids from different social circles who all have secrets.  They must band together to find out who is trying to blackmail them.  I'm definitely not the target audience for this book.  But I think my middle school self would have devoured this one.  

January & February Mini Musings

Tempting the Best Man: I'll be honest, want a fan of this one.  I thought the lack of communication between the couple was ridiculous and annoying.  I'm not sure how you build a foundation together if you can't even talk things out.  I don't think I'll keep reading the series. At least it was short.

Target Acquired:  I thought this was a great addition to the series.  I didn't love it was much as the first one, but I still enjoyed it.  The msytery part was really good.  I just didn't love the romance part of it.  I didn't really feel the connection between the couple.

Deadly Christmas Inheritance: This one was fine.  I definitely liked the mystery part more than the romance.  The couple had a one night stand that resulted in twins. They meet up again 2 years later and it's almost insta-love. I just didn't buy their romance.  I did like the portrayal of someone in recovery.  It was very realistic. 

You're Dead To Me:  Not sure where they got that this is like Groundhog Day or Happy Death Day.  The main character gets premonitions and  sees creepy things, but there is no doing the same day over and over.  That being said, this one was fine.  I liked it enough to finish what the book.  Some of the characters were a bit annoying. I've read better YA paranormal though. 

Mini Musings: Books 3-6 from the SEAL of Protection series by Susan Stoker

Protecting Fiona: If I thought the second book in the series was emotional, this one was even more intense. What Fiona went through was horrific and I did like the way the character was written. Her fall for Hunter was a bit fast given what she went through though.  I thought her "break" toward the end was realistic.  I loved how the guys on the team banded around her. One other thing I do like about this series the women do get the therapy help when they need it.  I do recommend third one, but it could be a little triggering for some

Protecting Summer: This was is my least favorite of the series so far.  I love Mozart, but the way he and Summer met just kind of gave me the ick.  I can't exactly put my finger on why.  Maybe because he called her his and then just left her for months.  And she just stayed there.  Very weird.  I didn't love Summer much in the beginning.  She grew on me over time.  Again, there were too many coincidences in this one.  Not a bad story, but not my favorite.  

Protecting Cheyenne:  I wasn't sure I would like this one. But Dude ended up being one of my favorite of the crew.  Cheyenne was is perfect match.  I really liked their story. Cheyenne on pain meds was hilarious.   I also liked that they finally realized all of the women need trackers.  

Protecting Jessyka:  I was happy to see Jessyka and Benny finally got a story.  Out of all of the couples, these two have the most history or at least have "known" each other the longest.  They are definitely my favorite couple.  The best part of this whole series is the way the guys rally around the women.  This one does deal with suicide, so let that be a trigger warning. 

March Mini Musings

Crime Scene Conspiracy:  This is the first in the Crime Scene Cleaners series.  For me, it was OK.  I was kind of rolling my eyes at how many things happen to the characters in this book.  It was a bit unrealistic. The romance was cute though.  So that is a win. 

Tracking Stolen Treasures:  This is the 10th book in the K-9 Search and Rescue series.  I wasn't even aware that it was continuing. I feel like book # 9 wrapped up the series nicely.  This is one contains a new set of characters and works well as a stand alone.  I thought it was enjoyable.  I liked the msytery and the romance.  I would recommend.

Christmas Presents:  This was a quick msytery.  I thought it was much better than the last book I read by this author (Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six).  It kept me guessing and I sped through the audiobook.  I loved one of the twists in the end.  It's best to go into the book not knowing a lot.  I highly recommend.

Alaskan Wilderness Rescue:  The 11th book in the K-9 Search and Rescue series also works well as a stand alone.  I enjoyed the action and the mystery.  The romance was sweet as usual.  This is a quick read, I do recommend.

More December Mini Musings

Undercover Mission:  I wish I could say I enjoyed this one.  But it's definitely my lest favorite of the series so far.  It was kind of forgettable.  I hated the couple.  There was zero chemistry. Also, for a cop who is  undercover, the main character had zero awareness and kept getting attacked.  I was annoyed.

Hemlock Island:  This is another one I wish I could say I enjoyed. I love this author, but this book just didn't do it for me.  I hated the ending.  I didn't love the reveal.  It was cheesy and just didn't work for me.  The characters were unlikable.  I probably should have DNF'd this.  The only thing I did like was the kid.

The Last Close Call:  For the most part, I enjoyed this one.  I liked the mystery part of the book more than the romance part.  I didn't really feel the attraction between the main characters.  But I thought the use of DNA and genealogy to track down a serial killer was pretty cool.  

We'll Never Tell: This was just a "meh" YA msytery.  I had a hard time believing that the police would have missed a huge piece of evidence in the house.  It was very far-fetched and required a LOT of suspension of disbelief.  The reveal was obvious and pretty much a let down.  

Midnight Renegade:  My least favorite of the series.  I was annoyed that the fortress that was supposed to be so protected ended up not being so fortified after all. I also didn't love the romance.  It was too insta-lovey for me.

November/December Mini Musings

Quarter to Midnight:  This book was a bit long for my taste.  Even though it's a long book, the romance part was kind of insta-lovey.  I felt like there wasn't enough time to build up their relationship.  Despite all of that, I did ultimately like the msytery.  I enjoyed the characters.  I'll probably continue with the next book in the series.

Scarewaves:  This is a really enjoyable middle school horror book.  It would be a good way for younger readers to dip their toes into the horror genre.  I was sucked right in and thoroughly captivated. The characters were great. I loved how mismatched they were, they could come together to solve what is going on in the town. This is a great debut!

Truth or Dare:  I've had this one in my TBR for a while.  I'm glad I did end up reading it.  I loved how the couple got to be friends first.  I did thin that Tyler was kind of a dumb-ass when it came to the other woman.  How he didn't get that he was being played I will never know. Still the book had fun characters with lots of laugh out loud moments.  Check it out.

Suddenly a Murder:  This was another recent YA mystery that I wasn't a fan of.  A lot of it wasn't believable.  The whole scenario with the cop and her reveal was so far-fetched.  In the end, it was just meh.