peggyemi's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book in a new cozy series by author Laura Jensen Walker. I thought the story was a solid start to the series. Theodora St. James, or Teddie as she is known by friends, is a sympathetic and likable protagonist. She is a breast cancer survivor and is taking nothing for granted as she lives her life. She is surrounded by a secondary cast of characters that includes her two best friends Sharon and Char, and her childhood friend Brady, the town Sherriff, as well as her mother and her cute dog Gracie. I thought the secondary characters were well done and enjoyed the friendship between all of them. Teddie is a bit self-deprecating when it comes to some of the repercussions of her cancer, but there were times when I just wanted to smack her mother. Fortunately, she mellowed by the end.
The mystery involves two killings that occur when a well-known writer comes to town on a book tour. He and Teddy hit it off but things don't go as planned when she circumstances appear that she is the killer. I thought the mystery was the weakest part for me. I'm not really good at always figuring out the whodunit part of a cozy mystery, but this time I did. Early on I suspected that I knew who the culprit was and I was a bit baffled as to why this person was not even on the radar. To me, it seemed obvious. I also thought it was a bit flimsy that Teddie became a suspect on circumstantial evidence.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting and it was fun to see how Teddie tried to clear her name. There is a budding romance with the other author that I think works for the series and characters. I enjoyed this story enough that I will check out the next book in the series. Oh...Teddie is a baker, which helps relieve her stress, so there are some delicious sounding recipes included.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through Netgalley.
The mystery involves two killings that occur when a well-known writer comes to town on a book tour. He and Teddy hit it off but things don't go as planned when she circumstances appear that she is the killer. I thought the mystery was the weakest part for me. I'm not really good at always figuring out the whodunit part of a cozy mystery, but this time I did. Early on I suspected that I knew who the culprit was and I was a bit baffled as to why this person was not even on the radar. To me, it seemed obvious. I also thought it was a bit flimsy that Teddie became a suspect on circumstantial evidence.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting and it was fun to see how Teddie tried to clear her name. There is a budding romance with the other author that I think works for the series and characters. I enjoyed this story enough that I will check out the next book in the series. Oh...Teddie is a baker, which helps relieve her stress, so there are some delicious sounding recipes included.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through Netgalley.
addy1991's review against another edition
3.0
It's refreshing to see an older woman as the main character. Teddie is a delight! She decides to look at the bright side after cancer caused a drastic change to her appearance and I admire her for it. She and her two lifelong friends, dubbed the Three Musketeers, are fun and sure to be the life of any party they attend. The killer was clever and had me wondering if I chose the wrong culprit but the reveal was worth my not knowing everything in advance.
randombookgrl's review against another edition
4.0
At first, I wasn't to sure about this one. I was not a big fan of the opening chapter, but fortunately, a new twist popped up each time I thought that I had it all figured out. Those twists kept me reading & by the end, I was looking forward to a book 2 in the series!
jbrooxd's review against another edition
5.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
5 stars = Excellent!
The voice for this novel is what first grabbed my attention. It had a different vibe to it than other cozy series, and I was sold. Teddie is a fun and engaging protagonist - a cozy writer, a baker, a daughter, a friend, a cancer survivor who chose mastectomy without reconstruction. The cancer pieces - and Teddie's attitude about her journey - were another part of what captivated me here. It felt fresh and different, but not just for the sake of being different. There's an authenticity to it that I adored.
There's a great ensemble in the book of Teddie's friends and family that I loved. Then the book was set in a fictional Wisconsin town in the area where I grew up. And there was KRINGLE (and not that Hallmark movie garbage - the real stuff)! Add to that a terrific mystery with lots of suspects and fantastic pacing that gave Teddie time to dig into them with some significant time. And a believable reason for her sleuthing. This book was the whole package for me. I would read this again, and have book 2 on my radar already. (The author is launching another series at the start of 2021, too. And I KNOW I have read some of her Christian novels from 10-15 years ago before.) Cozy fans should NOT miss this one! (CW: references to the Harry Potter series and its author which may be a trigger for some readers.)
5 stars = Excellent!
The voice for this novel is what first grabbed my attention. It had a different vibe to it than other cozy series, and I was sold. Teddie is a fun and engaging protagonist - a cozy writer, a baker, a daughter, a friend, a cancer survivor who chose mastectomy without reconstruction. The cancer pieces - and Teddie's attitude about her journey - were another part of what captivated me here. It felt fresh and different, but not just for the sake of being different. There's an authenticity to it that I adored.
There's a great ensemble in the book of Teddie's friends and family that I loved. Then the book was set in a fictional Wisconsin town in the area where I grew up. And there was KRINGLE (and not that Hallmark movie garbage - the real stuff)! Add to that a terrific mystery with lots of suspects and fantastic pacing that gave Teddie time to dig into them with some significant time. And a believable reason for her sleuthing. This book was the whole package for me. I would read this again, and have book 2 on my radar already. (The author is launching another series at the start of 2021, too. And I KNOW I have read some of her Christian novels from 10-15 years ago before.) Cozy fans should NOT miss this one! (CW: references to the Harry Potter series and its author which may be a trigger for some readers.)
morticia32's review against another edition
1.0
Book one in a new series.
"I miss my breasts." I really could not get into this one. That first sentence of the book kind of set my mood and I just wasn't inclined to change it. I didn't like Teddie, I didn't like her mother. I didn't have a problem with Teddie being a breast cancer survivor, I just had a problem with her attitude.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
"I miss my breasts." I really could not get into this one. That first sentence of the book kind of set my mood and I just wasn't inclined to change it. I didn't like Teddie, I didn't like her mother. I didn't have a problem with Teddie being a breast cancer survivor, I just had a problem with her attitude.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
4.0
Pay attention to the first chapter! So much happens there. Also in the first chapter, you quickly learn that the main character, Teddie is a breast cancer survivor who has had a double mastectomy (like the author herself). I love having a point of view that is mature and strong, filled with life experiences. I liked this cozy mystery with a little romance and bookish characters. It seemed to have a clever plot that surprised me.
bookwoman37's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rebecca_isreading's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
I'm always up to try a new cozy series set in my home state, and this bookish/foodie cozy was a pleasant treat. There is enough to make this a solid singular story with plenty of character development and community introductions, while still setting up some potential for future entries in the series. It made me crave kringle and I felt it got the region "right". Charming and fun!
I'm always up to try a new cozy series set in my home state, and this bookish/foodie cozy was a pleasant treat. There is enough to make this a solid singular story with plenty of character development and community introductions, while still setting up some potential for future entries in the series. It made me crave kringle and I felt it got the region "right". Charming and fun!