The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams

From New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams comes the first in an intriguing new series set within a quirky small-town club where the key to happiness, friendship—or solving a murder—can all be found within the pages of the right book . . .

Miracle Springs, North Carolina, is a place of healing. Strangers flock here hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain and lighten their heaviest burden.

When a visiting businessman reaches out to Nora for guidance, she knows exactly which novels will help. But before he can keep their appointment at Miracle Books, he’s found dead on the train tracks.

Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to gain trust and earn redemption by helping others. To join the society, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place.

Determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman’s demise, the women meet in Nora’s cramped and cozy bookstore to share stories and trade support. And as they untangle a web of corruption, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge—proving it’s never too late to turn the page and start over . . .

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My Review:     (Thanks to NetGalley) 

Warning: Spoilers

This one was a  major let down compared to the other books I've read in the cosy-mystery genre avalanche. 

I found the character descriptions to be lacking to the point where I couldn't get a mental image of any of the women, which meant I had no connection to any of them. Live, die? Meh, don't care, lol. The actual 'mystery' was very dry and confusing. If the characters don't understand it, how is the reader suppose to? The explanation at the end was too little, too late, I had already given up caring.

Finally, my biggest problem was how there was so many unanswered questions in the end. Examples: 
- She said she bought her house with cash, how did she get it?
- How did she avoid jail time? Being injured seems like a very poor (and illogical) excuse.
- If she just ran away and disappeared, wouldn't she a) still be married b) possibly be a wanted criminal?
- Why the glossary of names at the start? There weren't enough for it to be hard to keep track of. Was it just a red herring?
- How old are all the women? There were lots of vague references but no actual numbers mentioned.
- Why call it the scone and book club? What about representing the other two 'members' of the group?
- How did Jeb know to go the model house to save her?!!

Boring story, with many inconsistencies = not an author I would read again.

Bad Boy Bard (Fae out of Water 3) by E.J. Russell

As far as rock star Gareth Kendrick, the last true bard in Faerie, is concerned, the only good Unseelie is . . . well . . . there’s no such thing. Two centuries ago, an Unseelie lord abducted Gareth’s human lover, Niall, and Gareth has neither forgotten nor forgiven.

Niall O’Tierney, half-human son of the Unseelie King, had never lost a wager until the day he swore to rid the Seelie court of its bard. That bet cost him everything: his freedom, his family—and his heart. When he’s suddenly face-to-face with Gareth at the ceremony to join the Seelie and Unseelie realms, Niall does the only thing inhumanly possible: he fakes amnesia. Not his finest hour, perhaps, but he never revealed his Unseelie heritage, and to tell the truth now would be to risk Gareth’s revulsion—far harder to bear than two hundred years of imprisonment.

Then a new threat to Gareth’s life arises, and he and Niall stage a mad escape into the Outer World, only to discover the fate of all fae resting on their shoulders. But before they can save the realm, they have to tackle something really tough: mending their own broken relationship.

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My Review:     (Thanks to NetGalley) 

I felt like this was better than book 2 but nowhere near as good as book 1. 

The main plot was supported by my main pet peeve, miscommunication, which I think is a cheap and lazy tactic to rely on for a long term plot.

The bad guy for me seemed to come out of nowhere and I can't remember fae mages being mentioned before? I don't know if I missed previous mentions, but if not, it seems a bit strange/silly to add them in book three out of nowhere. 

Finally, what's with giving us all the different names for the different fae and not a damn glossary?! I don't speak Irish/Welsh/whatever, so I have no hope in keeping them or their meanings straight, the two names per character are hard enough. Also mentioning previous non-book-featured-events without background or explanation is annoying, i.e. Govannon and his brother, his nephew who he killed(???!) and the 'Disappeared'. If they are part of the story, make them part of the story, not a please-google-for-explanation tibit. 

The Heart of the Lost Star (Tales of the High Court 3) by Megan Derr

Kamir is on the verge of losing everything. Knowing full well he can't meet the ultimatum his parents have issued, he instead finally puts in motion his plans to live completely independent of them. His plans are interrupted, however, by the unexpected return of his despised ex-husband—and thrown even further into upheaval when he ends up comforting the man he's secretly loved for years.

Jader may not know where he comes from, but he knows where he belongs and what he wants—until he helps rescue some stranded Bentan travelers, one of whom look almost exactly like Jader, throwing his life and everything he thought he knew into tumult. Scared and overwhelmed, Jader flees—and lands unexpectedly in the arms of a man he's always seen, but never really noticed. 

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My Review:     (Thanks to NetGalley) 

This was not one of Megan's better books. 

The main characters were not likable and I just found myself wanting more 'screen time' for the previous two books' characters. Kamir in particular came across as very whiny and pathetic even while he was trying the be 'strong' and 'resourceful' and change things. 

There are suppose to be more books in this series but I feel like they seem to be getting further and further away from the initial book instead of Megan's normal way of writing series (which I like) where each book's characters are connected in some way, sometimes obvious, sometimes only apparent to observant and loyal readers. This is very off putting and turning me off reading this series. 

I think my biggest problem with this book was the genders. I know Megan writes gender fluid characters. That's her thing. However if a seemingly biological female is presented as a male, then he is a male, which means we haven't had an 'on-screen' pregnant male yet and that really threw me off. Kamir was written as a 'male' with so many female characteristics, traits, behaviors, that I almost felt like I was reading a f/m book not a m/m. I don't mind a bit of gender fluidity, but please, establish some rules and stick to them!