The Language of Cherries by Jen Marie Hawkins

Coming of Age with bonus slow burn romance and miscommunication problems

Evie doesn't want to spend the summer with her father in Iceland. She would rather be in Florida with her best friend, her almost-boyfriend, and her beloved abuela. Instead, she's up where the sun won't stop shining, her estranged mom won't stop calling, and the wi-fi keeps cutting out. Bored and alone, she finds painting inspiration in the cherry orchard over the hill. She also finds Oskar.

Oskar is too embarrassed by his stutter to talk to Evie, so he lets her believe he doesn't speak English. Still grieving the loss of his family and hiding from the world, he intially resents her intrusion into his family's legacy. Then, as Evie responds to his feigned ignorance by pouring out her heart, he begins to look forward to their one-sided interactions.

I can't say that I approved of Oskar's deception, but I could understand why it happened and how it grew into a larger problem as feelings got involved. What kept me reading was how the author captured the uncertainties of late teenagerhood, as Evie and Oskar had to make decisions on their futures, balancing past hurts with family obligations, and understanding the world isn't as black and white as childhood would have you believe.

I also liked how the narration switched from Evie to Oskar on a chapter by chapter basis, with very different writing styles used to differentiate their voices.

For an intricate, interesting, and sometimes painfully accurate look at growing up, four stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley

Much Ado about a Widow by Jenna Jaxon

More like much ado about nothing, really.

Lady Georgiana Kirkpatrick is on her way to an unwanted second marriage when she is kidnapped, along with her maid Clara and cocker spaniel Lulu. She finds rescue in the person of Robin, Lord St Just, a friend of her brother who whisks her away to his estate on board his ship. From there, her brother, father, and betrothed converge on Cornwell to create a lot of conflict and get in the way of their undying love.

I'm not a fan of insta-lust, especially when it is consummated in such a short space of time and accompanied by a lot of hand-wringing about her reputation. Georgie is deathly precious about her reputation (which as a widow who eloped with a vicar's son years before, probably isn't in the best of shape already) right until twu wuv with a man she despised about a week ago for reasons not well articulated. If Rob was any sort of gentleman, he'd keep his hands off , but no.

I found the characterisation sloppy - I couldn't get a handle on Georgie despite her being main POV, I found Rob ignoble and juvenile, Clara showed incredible loyalty for a maid of two months who barely knew Georgie at the start of the book. I couldn't even enjoy Lulu the dog as she seemed more a plot device and a relationship barometer than a character.

Also, the side-effect of the insta-love was that more and more ridiculous complications had to become involved to keep the two apart. Potential treason, attempted sexual assault, and an honest to goodness duel crop up, none of which make sense or are brought to a satisfying conclusion.

I was glad to be done with this book. Two stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

I have no idea how to describe this book in order to do it justice. This is a story about alchemy and choices and stories - but it's also about what it means to be a person, even if one was created to be the incarnation of an intangible concept.

This book is simultaneously confusing and exhilarating as it masterfully plays with evocative and beautiful prose. I could only sit back and read in awe as the story unfolded and timelines intersected - immediately after finishing, I dived back in to see how everything fit together like an intricate puzzle box.

If you want a dark fantasy that draws you in and breaks your heart even as it lifts you up, or you're simply interested in reading something new, something incredible - please, PLEASE pick up Middlegame

A Necessary Murder by MJ Tjia

A uniquely atmospheric murder mystery

I am a great fan of the classic whodunnit and am always willing to give historical murder mysteries a try. Although interesting, I found this one a little uneven and don't think I will hunt down the preceding or subsequent in the series.

Plot: there are two plots intertwined here - murder and missing person - and I won't spoil how they are tied together. They seemed to take a while to kick in, so after the climax, I had to reread the beginning just to see how what clues were scattered from the start. Both played out satisfactorily, to my mind, though seemed to go over-long with the red herrings.

Characters: the main character, Heloise Chancey, is a bit of an odd duck. She is the main POV but I can't say I really liked or got to know her. Perhaps this is stems from starting at book 2 of a series, but the overall impression I got of Heloise was of a vain, selfish woman who sees the detective thing as a bit of a lark and something to do while her married lover is tending to his pregnant wife. Far more interesting is her mother and maid (yeah, that made me raise an eyebrow), whose POV carried the B plot and whose perspective on Victorian London was altogether unique and compelling.

Setting; I haven't read much in Victorian England, but I liked how in addition to the parlours and parks, we get to see the docks and the immigrant quarters, where immigrant sailors mingle with the outcasts of society. I loved the diversity shown and the writing here is evocative and rich as it draws the reader into a London that I've rarely seen.

Verdict: an interesting mystery with a fascinating and well-written setting, but let down by a main character I couldn't get behind

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own

Headliners by Lucy Parker

Quick note: I would say that unlike the previous novels in the London Celebrities series, this book is not completely stand-alone. I highly recommend reading The Austen Playbook prior to reading this book, and not just because I absolutely adored TAP (Austen murder mystery show, grouch with a heart of gold, absolute ray of sunshine who coaxes him into actually smiling? SIGN ME UP)

Having said the above, let's cut to the chase. Headliners is a great book and an excellent addition to the London Celebrities series. It had drama, banter, and hilarity in SPADES. It had me laughing out loud when I was supposed to be sleeping as I desperately tried to fit in just one more chapter.

The main characters will be familiar to readers of The Austen Playbook as both made their debut there, and much of the initial friction between the two stems from events in the closing chapters of that book. However, after some honest communication, they get past that particular point of difference with admirable grace. Goodness, I do love it when characters actually talk to each other.

There are a few fun cameos from previous books - nothing jarring - and the best scene in this book had me telling absolutely everyone around me. It's this beautiful moment of vindication that is all the more satisfying for being delayed (no spoilers, but you'll know it when you see it). I also loved that there were enough interesting side characters that the author has a wealth of future stories to tell.

Five fabulous stars for a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own

This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

An interesting premise but busy execution

While the idea of a marriage of convenience to a criminal is certainly a new one, and enough for me to take a second look, I found the execution a little convoluted and full of holes. What use is a marriage of convenience if one keeps it secret - and if her cousin is willing to force scandal to gain her hand, what makes Georgiana think this would work? The hero also has PTSD, but I felt this was a bit tacked on.

On the other hand, there are some genuinely touching and entertaining moments. Thea is delightful and likeable, even if some of her plans belie her cleverness. I also really liked how Wylde appreciated her for who she was - but would've loved it more if he'd managed to communicate her worth to her in a way which shut down those silly comparisons to her sister.

Wanted to love this book, found it a bit messy.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions are my own

The Gentleman's Deception by Karen Tuft

Lavinia needs to escape her past. Lucas prefers to face his past with a fiancee by his side. A chance meeting provides each with salvation in the form of each other - but how can a relationship built on lies and deception turn into something real?

Well, with great ease, apparently. With many shenanigans and drama along the way, this is a fun fake relationship romance. I enjoyed how they got to know each other and helped each other out. I also appreciate the family reconciliation and difficult conversations that resulted. A touching and genuine romance.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions are my own