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emily_baker224's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Good to fill a cozy mystery box. It's the first in the series so it felt like the author was building the backstories more than she needed to.
ashleem76's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
thatargentinianreader's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
zagecko's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
wife228's review against another edition
5.0
I'm hooked
I like to cook and bake so I knew I'd like this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series
I like to cook and bake so I knew I'd like this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series
kristinaroseee's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, cozy, but some plot inconsistencies/disconnect in story line. I didn’t find this as good as the prequel. I’ll more than likely keep reading the series periodically, I’m hooked on these easy reads.
jinxei's review against another edition
DNF @ 21%
Part of the Yearly Book Exchange with Sie. I don’t even know what the plot was that I read. It felt like even you’re in AP Lit and they give you a book that draws out a scene for 18 chapters and it’s like describing the color of a blanket but it’s an allegory for some deep bs. Except it was a building and I still can’t figure out allegories apparently.
Part of the Yearly Book Exchange with Sie. I don’t even know what the plot was that I read. It felt like even you’re in AP Lit and they give you a book that draws out a scene for 18 chapters and it’s like describing the color of a blanket but it’s an allegory for some deep bs. Except it was a building and I still can’t figure out allegories apparently.
cdouthit's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
caitlinmhill's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kymreads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
This series is billed as books that are light cozy mysteries featuring a cat-loving bakery owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth. They contain “no cliffhangers, swearing, gore or graphic scenes”.
After reading that description, I was intrigued.
Unfortunately, this one did not live up to my expectations.
Mystery? Yes. Amateur sleuth? Yes. Romance? Not really.
Maddie, the main character, is constantly pushing away (“friend zoning”) the other main character, Ethan. While it has been years since they dated, once Maddie returns to Maple Falls her interactions with Ethan are quite stilted, even though in her personal dialogue she clearly is attracted to him. He, on the other hand, tries several times to help Maddie understand that he would like to move on from their past history and get reacquainted with who they are now but she rebuffs his attempts.
Could we have watched them rediscover one another, albeit Ethan being the town sheriff and Maddie being an amateur sleuth (which would put them at odds to begin with) in a natural progression of a relationship which could still be accomplished without “graphic scenes”?
It was that thought that I kept wondering about as the story progressed. Where’s the romance?
If you’re looking for a quick, light “whodunit” type of story, this fits the bill. If you’re looking for romance, not so much.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.
This series is billed as books that are light cozy mysteries featuring a cat-loving bakery owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth. They contain “no cliffhangers, swearing, gore or graphic scenes”.
After reading that description, I was intrigued.
Unfortunately, this one did not live up to my expectations.
Mystery? Yes. Amateur sleuth? Yes. Romance? Not really.
Maddie, the main character, is constantly pushing away (“friend zoning”) the other main character, Ethan. While it has been years since they dated, once Maddie returns to Maple Falls her interactions with Ethan are quite stilted, even though in her personal dialogue she clearly is attracted to him. He, on the other hand, tries several times to help Maddie understand that he would like to move on from their past history and get reacquainted with who they are now but she rebuffs his attempts.
Could we have watched them rediscover one another, albeit Ethan being the town sheriff and Maddie being an amateur sleuth (which would put them at odds to begin with) in a natural progression of a relationship which could still be accomplished without “graphic scenes”?
It was that thought that I kept wondering about as the story progressed. Where’s the romance?
If you’re looking for a quick, light “whodunit” type of story, this fits the bill. If you’re looking for romance, not so much.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.