Christina reads more series in 2023, part 2

Christina reads more series in 2023, part 2


Albert Aublet, "Reading on the Garden Path"

Hello, and welcome to part 2 of my 2023 category challenge! I'm Christina, and by day I'm an editor at a nonprofit in northern Virginia. Aside from reading, my main hobbies are music (piano, trombone, and singing) and community theater.

I've based most of my categories this year on series. My goal is to read at least 120 books in 2023, and 60 of them will be in the following categories (5 categories, 12 books in each). The other 60 books will be "free" reading -- I love having that flexibility!

1. Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series — I loved this series and bought each new book as it came out, but this is my first time re-reading any of them. So far, I'm enjoying them, but they aren't necessarily keepers for me!

2. Historical mystery series — I’ve already read and enjoyed the Robert Fairfax series by Hannah March, set in Georgian England. I also caught up with Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell series, which is set during World War II. Now I'll begin the Rosalind Thorne series by Darcie Wilde (6 books as of 2023), which is set in the Regency era and looks like it will contain some romance -- always a plus in my book!

3. Fantasy series — So far I've read Sylvia Izzo Hunter’s Noctis Magicae trilogy (Jane Austen + magic!) and Lois McMaster Bujold’s Chalion trilogy. Adored the Bujold, but the Hunter was a mixed bag. Next up is the Carolus Rex duology by Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill (described as an alternate-history romp in which the American Revolution failed), and then Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart quartet (I really enjoyed The Ruby in the Smoke when I read it in 2020).

4. Historical romance series — I finished the Chance Sisters series by Anne Gracie (decent, but only The Winter Bride is a keeper) and read the new Ravenswood book by Mary Balogh. I'm now reading Stella Riley’s Rockliffe series (loving it so far!), and I'll also read the new installment of Evie Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlewomen quartet when it comes out this fall.

5. Books I purchased in 2022 — I always accumulate so many books in a year that I don’t have time to read them all right away; but if I leave them too long, they lose their luster and I’m no longer excited about them. So I'm reading 12 books I bought last year but didn’t get around to, and hopefully they will retain their freshness!

I'm also dipping into the CATs and KITs occasionally, and I've nearly covered my BingoDOG card, but otherwise I'm keeping things loose. Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation Series


Augustus Jules Bouvier, "Lady Holding Flowers in Her Petticoat"

1. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation - COMPLETED 1/4/23
2. The Masque of the Black Tulip - COMPLETED 2/2/23
3. The Deception of the Emerald Ring - COMPLETED 3/2/23
4. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose - COMPLETED 4/4/23
4.5. Ivy and Intrigue - COMPLETED 4/28/23
5. The Temptation of the Night Jasmine - COMPLETED 5/2/23
6. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily - COMPLETED 6/5/23
7. The Mischief of the Mistletoe - COMPLETED 7/3/23
8. The Orchid Affair - COMPLETED 7/30/23
9. The Garden Intrigue - COMPLETED 9/1/23
10. The Passion of the Purple Plumeria - COMPLETED 9/29/23
11. The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
12. The Lure of the Moonflower

Historical Mystery Series


Sidney Paget, Holmes and Watson from "The Adventure of Silver Blaze"

1. Hannah March, The Complaint of the Dove - COMPLETED 1/15/23
2. Hannah March, The Devil’s Highway - COMPLETED 2/16/23
3. Hannah March, A Distinction of Blood - COMPLETED 3/17/23
4. Hannah March, Death Be My Theme - COMPLETED 4/10/23
5. Hannah March, A Necessary Evil - COMPLETED 5/18/23
6. Ashley Weaver, Playing It Safe - COMPLETED 5/24/23
7. Darcie Wilde, A Useful Woman - COMPLETED 7/7/23
8. Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private Matter - COMPLETED 8/10/23
9. Darcie Wilde, And Dangerous to Know - COMPLETED 9/4/23
10. Darcie Wilde, A Lady Compromised
11. Darcie Wilde, A Counterfeit Suitor
12. Darcie Wilde, The Secret of the Lost Pearls

Fantasy Series


Kinuko Y. Craft, "Beauty and the Beast"

1. Sylvia Izzo Hunter, The Midnight Queen - COMPLETED 1/10/23
2. Sylvia Izzo Hunter, Lady of Magick - COMPLETED 2/12/23
3. Sylvia Izzo Hunter, A Season of Spells - COMPLETED 3/10/23
4. Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion - COMPLETED 4/7/23
5. Lois McMaster Bujold, Paladin of Souls - COMPLETED 5/8/23
6. Lois McMaster Bujold, The Hallowed Hunt - COMPLETED 6/13/23
7. Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, The Shadow of Albion - COMPLETED 7/2/23
8. Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, Leopard in Exile - COMPLETED 8/3/23
9. Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke - COMPLETED 9/5/23
10. Philip Pullman, The Shadow in the North
11. Philip Pullman, The Tiger in the Well
12. Philip Pullman, The Tin Princess

Historical Romance Series


Edmund Blair Leighton, "Signing the Register"

1. Anne Gracie, The Autumn Bride - COMPLETED 1/17/23
2. Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride - COMPLETED 2/17/23
3. Anne Gracie, The Spring Bride - COMPLETED 3/23/23
4. Anne Gracie, The Summer Bride - COMPLETED 4/7/23
5. Stella Riley, The Parfit Knight - COMPLETED 5/9/23
6. Stella Riley, The Mésalliance - COMPLETED 6/8/23
7. Mary Balogh, Remember Me - COMPLETED 7/1/23
8. Stella Riley, The Player - COMPLETED 8/12/23
9. Stella Riley, The Wicked Cousin - COMPLETED 9/15/23
10. Stella Riley, Hazard
11. Stella Riley, Cadenza
11.5. Stella Riley, Midwinter Magic
12. Evie Dunmore, The Gentleman's Gambit

Books Acquired in 2022 But Still Unread


Vincent van Gogh, "Piles of French Novels"

1. Manda Collins, A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem
2. Stella Gibbons, The Matchmaker
3. Stuart Turton, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
4. Patricia Wentworth, The Case Is Closed
5. Sarra Manning, London, with Love
6. Baynard Kendrick, The Odor of Violets
7. E.C.R. Lorac, Murder by Matchlight
8. Susanna Craig, Better Off Wed
9. Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love
10. Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp
11. Garth Nix, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
12.

Possibilities:
- Mignon G. Eberhart, Murder by an Aristocrat
- Michael Gilbert, Death in Captivity
- Emily Henry, Beach Read
- Lee Child, One Shot
- India Holton, The League of Gentlewomen Witches
- Aja Gabel, The Ensemble
- W.H. Auden, Lectures on Shakespeare
- John Sutherland and Deirdre Le Faye, So You Think You Know Jane Austen?: A Literary Quizbook
- Christopher Morley, Thunder on the Left
- Roshani Chokshi, Once More upon a Time
- Mimi Matthews, The Lost Letter
- Ainslie Paton, The Love Experiment
- Dianne Freeman, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder
- Annie Darling, Crazy in Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop
- Karen Grey, What I’m Looking For
- Mimi Matthews, The Work of Art
- D.E. Stevenson, Listening Valley
- Emily Larkin, Unmasking Miss Appleby
- E.C. Bentley, Trent Intervenes
- Alwyn Hamilton, Rebel of the Sands
- Martin Edwards, ed., The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories
- Ben Macintyre, Agent Sonya
- John Dickson Carr, The Mad Hatter Mystery
- Francis Spufford, Light Perpetual
- John Julius Norwich, A Short History of Byzantium
- Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods
- C.J. Brightley, The Wraith and the Rose
- M.B. Shaw, Murder at the Castle
- Lisa Lutz, The Spellman Files
- Nancy Campbell Allen, The Lady in the Coppergate Tower

Everything Else: January-June


Ramon Casas, "A Decadent Girl"

1. W. Bolingbroke Johnson, The Widening Stain
2. Lia Louis, The Key to My Heart
3. Sarah Addison Allen, Other Birds
4. Jen DeLuca, Well Traveled
5. Emily Gee, Thief with No Shadow
6. Rachel Bloom, I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are
7. Ellis Peters, The Summer of the Danes
8. Alyssa Everett, Ruined by Rumor
9. D.E. Stevenson, Celia's House
10. Katie Cotugno, Birds of California
11. Meagan Spooner, Hunted
12. Ngaio Marsh, Artists in Crime
13. Robin Stevens, First Class Murder
14. Falon Ballard, Lease on Love
15. J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead
16. Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, The Roughest Draft
17. Kate Clayborn, Georgie, All Along
18. Alyssa Everett, Lord of Secrets
19. Benjamin Stevenson, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
20-21. Mary Balogh, The Temporary Wife / A Promise of Spring
22. Angie Hockman, Dream On
23. Lizzy Dent, The Setup
24. Maggie Stiefvater, Greywaren
25. Lynn Painter, Mr. Wrong Number
26. Jane Dunn, The Marriage Season
27. Eva Ibbotson, A Countess below Stairs
28. Lynn Painter, The Love Wager
29. Kristin Vayden, Fortune Favors the Duke
30. Lucy Gilmore, The Lonely Hearts Book Club
31. Bridget Zinn, Poison
32. Julia Quinn, Romancing Mister Bridgerton
33. Stephanie Burgis, Good Neighbors
34. Margery Sharp, Cluny Brown
35. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Velvet Was the Night
36. Garth Nix, Newt's Emerald
37. Ngaio Marsh, Death in a White Tie
38. Chloe Neill, The Bright and Breaking Sea
39. Rebecca Serle, One Italian Summer
40. Becky Chambers, A Psalm for the Wild-Built
41. Cecilia Grant, A Lady Awakened
42. Emily Henry, Happy Place
43. Chloe Neill, A Swift and Savage Tide
44. Charlie N. Holmberg, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
45. Sarah Adams, When in Rome
46. Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax
47. Robin McKinley, The Hero and the Crown
48. Claudia Gray, The Late Mrs. Willoughby
49. Sarah Adams, The Cheat Sheet
50. Louise Allen, The Duke's Counterfeit Wife
51. John Moore, A Fate Worse Than Dragons
52. Sarah Adams, The Off Limits Rule
53. Ali Hazelwood, Love, Theoretically
54. Mary Balogh, The Gilded Web
55. Erin Beaty, The Traitor's Kiss
56. Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Again
57. B.R. Myers, A Dreadful Splendor

Everything Else: July-December


Frances Bannerman, "The Conservatory"

1. Emma Mills, Something Close to Magic
2. Sarah Adams, The Temporary Roomie
3. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones
4. Lucy Parker, Battle Royal
5. Sophie Irwin, A Lady's Guide to Scandal
6. Sarah Ready, French Holiday
7. Katherine Center, Hello Stranger
8. Mary Balogh, A Masked Deception
9. Connie Willis, The Road to Roswell
10. Nina Kenwood, It Sounded Better in My Head
11. Lacie Waldon, The Only Game in Town
12. Mary Simses, The Wedding Thief
13. Claudia J. Edwards, Eldrie the Healer
14. Diane Farr, Falling for Chloe
15. Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us
16. Lynn Painter, The Do-Over
17. Lish McBride, Curses
18. AJ Pearce, Mrs. Porter Calling
19. Lucy Parker, Codename Charming
20. Diane Farr, The Fortune Hunter
21. Sarah Adams, Practice Makes Perfect
22. T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge
23. Allison Ashley, The Roommate Pact
24. Nnedi Okorafor, Binti: The Complete Trilogy
25. Jayne Denker, The Rom-Com Agenda
26. Julia Seales, A Most Agreeable Murder
27. Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village
28. Elizabeth Bright, The Duke's Wicked Wife
29. Amy Barry, Kit McBride Gets a Wife
30. F.A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom
31. Alison Goodman, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
32. Kristan Higgins, Too Good to Be True
33. Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End
34. Diane Farr, The Nobody
35. Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest
36. Anne Gracie, Marry in Haste
37. Richard Osman, The Last Devil to Die
38. Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked
39. Mary Stewart, Madam, Will You Talk?
40. Beth O'Leary, The Wake-Up Call

CATs


Horatio Henry Couldery, "An Oyster Supper"

January
ClassicsCAT (adventure):
GeoCAT (Central/Eastern Europe):
KiddyCAT (picture books/graphic novels):
SeriesCAT (new to you): Manda Collins, A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem
AlphaKIT (I, S): W. Bolingbroke Johnson, The Widening Stain; Lauren Willig, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation; Sylvia Izzo Hunter, The Midnight Queen; Sarah Addison Allen, Other Birds; Emily Gee, Thief with No Shadow; Rachel Bloom, I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are; Ellis Peters, The Summer of the Danes; D.E. Stevenson, Celia's House; Meagan Spooner, Hunted
MysteryKIT (TV/movie detectives): Ellis Peters, The Summer of the Danes; Ngaio Marsh, Artists in Crime
RandomKIT (hidden gems): Emily Gee, Thief with No Shadow
SFFKIT (cobwebs and dust): Emily Gee, Thief with No Shadow

February
ClassicsCAT (before 1900):
GeoCAT (place you’d like to visit):
KiddyCAT (mystery): Robin Stevens, First Class Murder
SeriesCAT (translation):
AlphaKIT (J, F): Robin Stevens, First Class Murder; Falon Ballard, Lease on Love; J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead
MysteryKIT (classic settings): Robin Stevens, First Class Murder
RandomKIT (second or two): Lauren Willig, The Masque of the Black Tulip; Sylvia Izzo Hunter, Lady of Magick; Hannah March, The Devil's Highway; Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride; Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, The Roughest Draft
SFFKIT (romance): Sylvia Izzo Hunter, Lady of Magick

March
ClassicsCAT (adapted for TV/film):
GeoCAT (Australia, New Zealand): Benjamin Stevenson, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
KiddyCAT (historical fiction):
SeriesCAT (children’s/YA): Maggie Stiefvater, Greywaren
AlphaKIT (G, A): Angie Hockman, Dream On; Maggie Stiefvater, Greywaren; Anne Gracie, The Spring Bride
MysteryKIT (paranormal): Stuart Turton, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
RandomKIT (water, water everywhere): Lizzy Dent, The Setup
SFFKIT (the dark side): Maggie Stiefvater, Greywaren

April
ClassicsCAT (mystery): Ngaio Marsh, Death in a White Tie
GeoCAT (Mexico, Central and South America, Caribbean): Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Velvet Was the Night
KiddyCAT (fantasy): Bridget Zinn, Poison; Garth Nix, Newt's Emerald
SeriesCAT (don’t need to read in order): Anne Gracie, The Summer Bride
AlphaKIT (W, D): Lynn Painter, The Love Wager; Lauren Willig, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose; Kristin Vayden, Fortune Favors the Duke; Hannah March, Death Be My Theme; Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Velvet Was the Night; Ngaio Marsh, Death in a White Tie; Lauren Willig, Ivy and Intrigue; Becky Chambers, A Psalm for the Wild-Built
MysteryKIT (tartan noir):
RandomKIT (seven ages of man): Lynn Painter, The Love Wager; Lauren Willig, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
SFFKIT (historical): Garth Nix, Newt's Emerald; Chloe Neill, The Bright and Breaking Sea

May
ClassicsCAT (children’s): Robin McKinley, The Hero and the Crown
GeoCAT (poles, islands, bodies of water):
KiddyCAT (classics): Robin McKinley, The Hero and the Crown
SeriesCAT (trilogies): Lois McMaster Bujold, Paladin of Souls
AlphaKIT (U, C): Chloe Neill, A Swift and Savage Tide; Charlie N. Holmberg, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms; Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax; Robin McKinley, The Hero and the Crown; Claudia Gray, The Late Mrs. Willoughby; Sarah Adams, The Cheat Sheet; Louise Allen, The Duke's Counterfeit Wife
MysteryKIT (true unsolved mysteries):
RandomKIT (royal names): Charlie N. Holmberg, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms; Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax; Louise Allen, The Duke's Counterfeit Wife
SFFKIT (science fantasy):

June
ClassicsCAT (humor):
GeoCAT (South and Southeast Asia): Lauren Willig, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
KiddyCAT (animal main character):
SeriesCAT (favorite author): Lois McMaster Bujold, The Hallowed Hunt; Mary Balogh, The Gilded Web
AlphaKIT (B, K): Lauren Willig, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily; Lois McMaster Bujold, The Hallowed Hunt; Baynard Kendrick, The Odor of Violets; Mary Balogh, The Gilded Web; Erin Beaty, The Traitor's Kiss; Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Again; B.R. Myers, A Dreadful Splendor
MysteryKIT (vintage): Baynard Kendrick, The Odor of Violets
RandomKIT (walls):
SFFKIT (humorous): John Moore, A Fate Worse Than Dragons

July
ClassicsCAT (you always wanted to read):
GeoCAT (Western Europe): Sarah Ready, French Holiday; Lauren Willig, The Orchid Affair
KiddyCAT (arts and crafts):
SeriesCAT (nonfiction):
AlphaKIT (O, P): Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones; Lucy Parker, Battle Royal; Lacie Waldon, The Only Game in Town; Susanna Craig, Better Off Wed; Lauren Willig, The Orchid Affair
MysteryKIT (police procedural, private detective): E.C.R. Lorac, Murder by Matchlight
RandomKIT (Muppets): Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones
SFFKIT (series): Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, The Shadow of Albion

August
ClassicsCAT (translation):
GeoCAT (Central and Western Asia):
KiddyCAT (series):
SeriesCAT (you’ve been meaning to get back to):
AlphaKIT (M, Q): Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us; Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love; Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private Matter; Lish McBride, Curses; AJ Pearce, Mrs. Porter Calling; Sarah Adams, Practice Makes Perfect; Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp
MysteryKIT (past and future): Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private Matter; Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp
RandomKIT (something good): Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us
SFFKIT (space): Nnedi Okorafor, Binti: The Complete Trilogy

September
ClassicsCAT (nonfiction): F.A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom
GeoCAT (Africa): Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End
KiddyCAT (history/biography):
SeriesCAT (began more than 50 years ago):
AlphaKIT (V, E): Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village; Elizabeth Bright, The Duke's Wicked Wife; Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End
MysteryKIT (college/university setting):
RandomKIT (Wild Wild West): Amy Barry, Kit McBride Gets a Wife
SFFKIT (not written in English):

October
ClassicsCAT (woman author):
GeoCAT (US and Canada):
KiddyCAT (siblings):
SeriesCAT (set in Asia):
AlphaKIT (N, H): Philip Pullman, The Shadow in the North
MysteryKIT (locked room):
RandomKIT (treats, not tricks):
SFFKIT (award winners):

November
ClassicsCAT (ancient world):
GeoCAT (East Asia):
KiddyCAT (fairy tales, myths, legends):
SeriesCAT (historical):
AlphaKIT (T, L):
MysteryKIT (senior or child sleuths):
RandomKIT ():
SFFKIT (GN, novella, short stories):

December
ClassicsCAT (reread):
GeoCAT (book you didn’t get around to earlier this year):
KiddyCAT (holiday stories):
SeriesCAT (set in country/region where you don’t live):
AlphaKIT (R, Y):
MysteryKIT (cozy):
RandomKIT ():
SFFKIT (book you didn’t get around to earlier this year):

Year-Long
AlphaKIT (X, Z): Bridget Zinn, Poison

BingoDOG



1. Topic you don't usually read: Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Velvet Was the Night (noir, Mexican history)
2. Next in a series you've started: Lauren Willig, The Masque of the Black Tulip (Pink Carnation #2)
3. Book that taught you something: W. Bolingbroke Johnson, The Widening Stain (new vocab word "lupanar")
4. Switched/stolen identities: Sarah Addison Allen, Other Birds
5. Book on the cover: Alyssa Everett, Ruined by Rumor
6. 4+ rating on LibraryThing: Hannah March, The Complaint of the Dove (4.06)
7. Set on a plane, train, or ship: Robin Stevens, First Class Murder (train: the Orient Express)
8. Bestseller from 20 years ago: Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love (NYT bestseller list in 2003)
9. STEM topic: Ali Hazelwood, Love, Theoretically (main characters are physicists)
10. Features an inn or hotel: Benjamin Stevenson, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (set at an Australian ski resort)
11. Features a journalist or journalism: Manda Collins, A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (heroine owns and writes for a newspaper)
12. Small town/rural setting: Stella Gibbons, The Matchmaker (Sussex countryside)
13. Read a CAT: Sylvia Izzo Hunter, The Midnight Queen (January AlphaKIT: I, S)
14. Number or quantity in title: J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead
15. Local or regional author: Jen DeLuca, Well Traveled (Virginia)
16. Author shares your zodiac sign: Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax (Leo)
17. Popular author's first book: Mary Balogh, A Masked Deception
18. Art or craft related: Ngaio Marsh, Artists in Crime (most main characters are artists)
19. Author under 30: Lauren Willig, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (published when Willig was 28)
20. Memoir: Rachel Bloom, I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are
21. Features a cat or member of the cat family: Lois McMaster Bujold, The Hallowed Hunt (leopard)
22. Involves an accident: Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride (hero's brother died in a childhood accident)
23. More than 1,000 copies on LibraryThing: Ellis Peters, The Summer of the Danes (1,622)
24. Plant in the title or on the cover: Katie Cotugno, Birds of California
25. Features music or a musician: Lia Louis, The Key to My Heart (protagonist is a pianist/composer)

FIRST HALF RECAP

Welcome to my new thread! Since the second half of the year has begun, I thought I’d look back at the first half and assess my progress. In terms of total books read, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble reaching my goal of 120 books, and I may even smash last year’s total of 150! I’m also doing well with my categories and am on track to complete the series I’ve planned to read this year. The only thing I’m concerned about is buying books — I set a purchase limit of 50 physical books in 2023, and I’m more than halfway there at 29! Maybe I’ll try to visit my favorite used bookstore a little less frequently in the second half of the year! Anyway, here are my 2023 stats so far:

Books read: 88 (2022 = 71, 2021 = 58, 2020 = 71, 2019 = 50, 2018 = 32)

Average books read per month: 14.67 (2022 = 11.83, 2021 = 9.67, 2020 = 11.83, 2019 = 8.33, 2018 = 5.33)

Bingo squares completed: 23 (2022 = 23, 2021 = 24, 2020 = 21, 2019 = 18, 2018 = 17)

Books acquired: 43 total, 29 physical (2022 = 52, 2021 = 43, 2020 = 29, 2019 = 43, 2018 = 39)

Top 10 books of the year so far:
In the order in which I read them…

1. Alyssa Everett, Ruined by Rumor: This historical romance isn’t breaking any new ground, but I enjoyed the writing and the characters so much that I promptly bought another Alyssa Everett book and plan to read her whole backlist eventually.

2. D.E. Stevenson, Celia’s House: I always enjoy Stevenson’s quiet, gentle books about 20th-century British country life, and this is one of my favorites so far — gotta love a Mansfield Park retelling!

3. J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead: Farjeon has been hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this twisty vintage mystery that manages to remain light and funny despite taking some pretty dark turns.

4. Kate Clayborn, Georgie, All Along: Clayborn is one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance, and I enjoy a good black sheep redemption arc.

5. Mary Balogh, The Temporary Wife: I’m a Mary Balogh fan, and this is one of her books that I’ll definitely want to reread. I love the hero’s slow transformation from anger and emotional repression to vulnerability.

6. Patricia Wentworth, The Case Is Closed: Something about Wentworth’s combination of detective thriller and romance really works for me.

7. Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion: I adored Bujold’s Vorkosigan series and am delighted that this fantasy trilogy is just as good. This is book #1, but I loved all three books and can’t decide which is my actual favorite.

8. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Velvet Was the Night: I haven’t read many noir novels or books set in Mexico, but I really enjoyed this one and am excited to read more by Moreno-Garcia!

9. Cecilia Grant, A Lady Awakened: I love historical romance in general, but this book is a standout, from the unusual premise to the unlikable heroine to the (initially) deeply unsexy sex scenes that reveal so much about the characters.

10. Stella Riley, The Mésalliance: As a diehard Georgette Heyer fan, I think Stella Riley might be the next best thing. Loved the characters and dialogue in this book, which felt very Heyer-esque!

Book #89: Mary Balogh, Remember Me
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Lady Philippa Ware is finally making her London society debut at age 22, after delaying it several times due to a family scandal. There she meets Lucas Arden, the Marquess of Routh, whom she once overheard insulting her as "soiled goods." She hates him at first but is soon drawn to him, and he to her. Both their families encourage a match between them, but can they overcome their painful shared past? This isn't a bad book, but I found it a frustrating one. Balogh seems much more interested in family dynamics than in the core romance here; Philippa and Lucas are almost afterthoughts in the huge cast of characters, many of whom were introduced in book #1 and will inevitably have their own books in the series. I also found Lucas's grandparents more overbearing than endearing in their relentless pressure for him to produce an heir. That said, I still want to continue with the series and will hope for stronger romances in subsequent books.

Happy new thread. Excellent progress on the Bingo.
Ahh, that old problem, buying too many books. It's a tough one to tackle.

>13 Helenliz: Thank you! And yes, I think most of us on LT can relate to the book-buying problem! :)

Happy new thread, Christina!

Happy new thread!

Hello! I will continue to follow along!

I see you have only 2 bingo squares left. I am down to 1 myself.

>15 DeltaQueen50: >16 Jackie_K: Thank you!

>17 LibraryCin: Congrats on having just one square to go! I know what I'm going to read for my final two, but I probably won't get to those books till August.

Happy new thread.

Happy new thread. I'm all set to keep following your reading.

>19 lowelibrary: >20 RidgewayGirl: Thank you both for stopping by!

Hello and Happy New Thread! Great reading, and kudos for staying so very, very organized in your reading adventures.

>18 christina_reads: I have also picked out which one I'll read, and I hope to get to it this month. It's also for one you are missing - the bestseller from 20 years ago.

Happy new thread!

Great progress on your series and your bingo card!

>22 threadnsong: Thanks! I like being able to compare my reading stats over the years; I often get useful insights into how my habits and tastes have changed.

>23 LibraryCin: Ooh, what are you planning? For that square, I've got Julia Quinn's To Sir Phillip, with Love on deck. According to Quinn's website: "At the time of its release in 2003, To Sir Phillip, with Love spent four weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, peaking at #6."

>24 MissWatson: >25 rabbitprincess: Thank you both!

Book #90: Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, The Shadow of Albion
CATs: SFF (series = Carolus Rex #1)
Bingo: none

It’s 1805, and Sarah Cunningham has decided to leave her life of drudgery in Baltimore for the promise of good fortune in London. But once she’s in England, her carriage has a terrible accident — and when she wakes up, everyone is calling her the Marchioness of Roxbury. Moreover, the world is strangely different from her own: America never had a revolution and the Stuarts are still on the throne of England. As Sarah struggles to understand her new identity, she also clashes with the Duke of Wessex, Roxbury’s fiancé and a spy for the English king. But Sarah and Wessex must eventually put aside their differences to foil a nefarious French plot. I feel like that summary just barely scratches the surface — suffice to say, this book is a mixture of alternate-history epic, political intrigue, and Regency romance that I really, really loved! It’s a dense read but still somehow a page-turner, and I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction (despite the alternate/fantastical elements). Can’t wait to read the sequel!

>27 christina_reads: That sounds quite inventive and interesting.

>28 RidgewayGirl: It really just ticked all my boxes!

>26 christina_reads: I am planning on reading Prey by Michael Crichton. I think I have the audio on hold, so whenever it gets to me (I'm hoping soon, because my current audio is almost done. Would be perfect timing if it comes in the next couple of days).

I’m a little late, but happy new thread!

>30 LibraryCin: I hope it comes in at the right time! All my library holds tend to come in big clumps.

>31 lsh63: Thank you!

Book #91: Lauren Willig, The Mischief of the Mistletoe
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Arabella Dempsey has been a “poor relation” for years, and now she has no choice but to become a teacher at a young ladies’ academy. There she literally runs into Reginald “Turnip” Fitzhugh, who is visiting his sister, Sally. In the ensuing chaos, Arabella picks up a dropped Christmas pudding and discovers a mysterious French message inside. It might be just a lovers’ assignation — but what if it’s something more sinister? Arabella and Turnip team up to investigate and fall for each other in the process. This is an adorable installment of the Pink Carnation series! Turnip is a big dumb lovable sweetheart, and Arabella is someone who both needs and appreciates his kindness. The spy plot is a mere wisp of a thing, but who cares when the book is so much fun? This is right up there with The Seduction of the Crimson Rose as one of my favorites in the series thus far.

Happy new thread! I envy your bingo card. Mine has a long way to go.

>34 VivienneR: Thanks! I got lucky with the Bingo topics; most of them I was able to fill without really thinking about it.

>33 christina_reads: Both The Mischief of the Mistletoe and The Seduction of the Crimson Rose are my two favorites of the series as well! I've been enjoying your revisit to this fun series!

>11 christina_reads: Seeing A Lady Awakened on your best list reminded me that there was a Blackshear novel I hadn't yet read, so I've started A Gentleman Undone. Usually I avoid courtesans, but will make an exception for Cecilia Grant's.

>36 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, me too! I'm definitely excited to continue with the series, especially since I remember nothing about the next book, The Orchid Affair.

>37 pamelad: I really need to read more Cecilia Grant! But I do agree with you about courtesans in general. :)

Book #92: Emma Mills, Something Close to Magic
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Aurelie is a baker’s apprentice with a magical gift for seeking and a secret thirst for adventure. So when bounty hunter Iliana asks her for help in finding a particularly elusive target, Aurelie agrees, even when the job takes her away from her bakery and into the dangerous Underwood. There they encounter Prince Hapless and his entourage just in time to foil a kidnapping attempt. Aurelie soon finds herself falling for Hapless, but can she give up the stability of her life as an apprentice for the uncertainties of love? I really enjoyed this YA fantasy novel. The plot isn’t particularly original, but the banter between the main characters is delightful, and the romance between Aurelie and Hapless is very sweet. The book cheekily promises a sequel, and I will definitely seek it out once it’s published!

Book #93: Darcie Wilde, A Useful Woman
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Rosalind Thorne was born into high society, but after a family scandal several years ago, she's barely clinging to the fringes. Because ladies seek her help in navigating various social situations, she has a reputation as a "useful woman." When young gentleman Jasper Aimesworth is found dead in the Almack's ballroom, his sister Honoria begs Rosalind to investigate his death. I previously read this book and remember liking it, and I'm happy to say my positive opinion still holds. Obviously I'm going to read any book whose premise is "murder at Almack's," and I really enjoyed the book's portrayal of just how difficult it was to behave properly in Regency society, where a single wrong step could mean disaster. Rosalind is a sympathetic character, and I look forward to seeing how her family drama and romantic life develop in subsequent books!

>40 christina_reads: Adding this to the wishlist.

>41 pamelad: But I should warn you -- I saw "blaggard" in there! Most dismaying.

Book #94: Sarah Adams, The Temporary Roomie
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This sequel to The Off Limits Rule features Lucy’s brother, Drew, and her best friend, Jessie. They’ve never gotten along, but right now Drew needs a fake girlfriend for a fancy work event, and Jessie needs somewhere to live while her house gets treated for mold. They reluctantly agree to help each other out, but they can’t resist arguing and playing increasingly elaborate pranks on each other. But when their “fights” start feeling less hostile and more flirty, neither is quite sure how to redefine their relationship. This book is another cute, undemanding contemporary romance. I liked it more than The Off Limits Rule because the obstacles to the romance are grounded in the characters, particularly Jessie’s fears of abandonment and intimacy due to her past. This book isn’t necessarily a must-read, but if you just want to be entertained for an afternoon, it’s a solid choice.

Book #95: Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones
CATs: Alpha (O = Ones); Random (Muppets = scientist character like Bunsen and Beaker)
Bingo: none

Ten years ago, penniless 19-year-old Hector fell in love with the beautiful but equally penniless Valérie. He left to make his fortune, she promised to wait, but within a year she married a wealthy man. Now Hector has returned, rich and successful, and he’s determined to see Valérie again. She’s acting as chaperone for her husband’s young cousin, Nina, whom Hector decides to court as a way to get closer to Valérie. But as he and Nina spend more time together, his scheme becomes much more complicated. I loved Velvet Was the Night, so I had high hopes for this book, which is much more in my wheelhouse (pseudo-historical romance with magic!). I really liked the complexity of the three main characters; there are chapters from each person’s point of view, so even the villain is three-dimensional. But something about the book’s writing style kept me at a distance and prevented me from getting emotionally invested in the story. It’s still a good book, and I would recommend it, but I didn’t LOVE it like I wanted to.

Book #96: Lucy Parker, Battle Royal
CATs: Alpha (P = Parker)
Bingo: none

Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere are total opposites in terms of personality and taste: “He went in for elegant minimalism. She rarely saw an object that couldn’t be improved with sequins. She was, aesthetically, his worst nightmare.” They’re also rival bakers competing for the chance to make the wedding cake for a member of the British royal family. But when they’re forced to team up as judges on a reality baking show, Sylvie and Dominic find common ground and a surprising attraction. I adore Lucy Parker’s contemporary romances, and this one is no exception. It’s the kind of book you sink into and lose track of time while reading. The romance is a delicious slow burn that more than compensates for the slightly too cluttered plot. Now I’m even more excited for the sequel coming out next month!

Book #97: Sophie Irwin, A Lady’s Guide to Scandal
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Ten years ago, Eliza Courtenay married the wealthy Earl of Somerset out of duty to her family, even though she was in love with Somerset’s nephew at the time. The marriage was restrictive and unhappy, but now the earl has died and left Eliza unexpectedly rich. She decides to take control of her life and set up her own household in Bath. But her newfound independence comes with complications, especially when she’s torn between her old love (who is now the earl) and the charming yet scandalous Lord Melville. I greatly enjoyed Irwin’s debut novel, A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting, so I had high hopes for this one, but it never quite grabbed me. I liked the development of the love triangle, where Eliza's choice of man reflects her choice about what kind of life she really wants. But at the same time, that conflict feels very modern; with historical romance, I want to be transported to a different time, and I didn't feel that here. Overall, I'd call this one good but not great.

>46 christina_reads: Good but not great means I won't have to rush to read it. The book is advertised at $A16.99, so that's fortunate! Modern people and dilemmas in historical settings don't agree with me either.

>47 pamelad: I got it from the library and was happy to read it, but also happy I didn't pay money for it.

Book #98: Sarah Ready, French Holiday
CATs: Geo (Western Europe = set in France)
Bingo: none

After watching her sister marry her best friend, with whom she’s been desperately in love for the past four years, Merry DeLuca needs an escape. Her godmother offers to let her stay in her French chateau, and Merry jumps at the chance. But she’s shocked to discover that Noah Wright, the best man at her sister’s wedding, is also staying at the chateau to work on a travel documentary. Merry and Noah have always disliked each other, but now their close proximity causes them to reevaluate their relationship. I enjoyed this contemporary romance, though it feels a little unpolished (which makes sense, as I believe it’s self-published). At times the prose gets a bit overwrought, and some of the humor veers toward cringey, but the romantic/sexual tension is well done, with excellent use of the “only one bed” trope. Definitely worth a read if the premise interests you!

Book #99: E.C.R. Lorac, Murder by Matchlight
CATs: Mystery (police procedural)
Bingo: none

In the opening chapter of this World War II-era mystery, a young man witnesses a murder—but because of the wartime blackout, he doesn’t actually see anything except a face that’s briefly revealed when the victim lights a match in the seconds before his death. Scotland Yard Inspector Macdonald is on the case and soon learns that the key to the truth lies in the dead man’s mysterious identity and background. This vintage mystery was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved the wartime setting and its subtle but important effects on the plot — for example, one of Macdonald’s suspect interviews is interrupted by an air raid. The cast of characters is interesting, and Macdonald is a likable sleuth. But I think the mystery itself is a bit weak, and the plot is mostly just Macdonald interviewing people, which gets boring. Overall, though, I’d be interested in reading more by Lorac.

E-book deal alert: Lucy Parker's Act Like It, one of my very favorite contemporary romances, is on sale for $2.99 at Amazon US and Barnes & Noble right now!

>51 christina_reads: Thanks, I've snagged a copy.

>52 RidgewayGirl: Hope you like it!

Book #100: Katherine Center, Hello Stranger
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Sadie is a struggling artist, barely eking out a living selling portraits on Etsy. So when she’s selected as a finalist for a prestigious portrait-painting competition, she’s convinced her luck has finally changed. Now all she has to do is paint a new portrait for the final judging, but that task becomes a lot more complicated when a brain injury leaves her with temporary face blindness. I have mixed feelings about this book, mainly because I found Sadie frustrating at times. No question, she goes through some really tough struggles, but she also spends a big portion of the book wallowing in self-pity, which is no fun to read about. She’s also incredibly hostile to her family; it turns out she has good reasons to be, but we don’t learn those reasons until quite late in the book. I also felt like her family issues were too big to be resolved as quickly and neatly as they were. On the plus side, I enjoyed the writing style and the extremely adorable romance, so I did actually like the book overall. But there are definitely significant flaws, so I’m glad I got it from the library instead of buying.

Book #101: Mary Balogh, A Masked Deception
CATs: none
Bingo: Popular author’s first book

Margaret Wells has been in love with Richard Adair, the Earl of Brampton, ever since they shared a dance and a passionate kiss at a masquerade six years ago. Unfortunately, Richard never learned her identity because she left before the unmasking. Now he needs to do his duty and marry, and he chooses Margaret because she is respectable but (he thinks) dull and unlikely to interfere in his life. Margaret, wanting to reawaken the passion they shared at the masquerade, decides to approach Richard incognito in her old costume. But Richard is surprisingly torn between his masked “angel” and his wife. Despite the ridiculous aspects of the plot, I actually did enjoy this book. I liked watching Richard’s indifference toward Margaret slowly transform into love as he gets to know her. There’s a lot of pining and gazing at each other across the room, which I’m always here for. Plus there’s a sweet secondary romance involving Margaret’s sister. So overall, I’m glad I read this one and liked it better than some of her more recent work.

Book #102: Connie Willis, The Road to Roswell
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Francie is on her way to Roswell, New Mexico, for her good friend Serena’s wedding. Unfortunately for her, Roswell is also hosting a huge UFO festival during the wedding weekend. Francie resents the crowds of alien-obsessed weirdos and thinks their beliefs are totally ridiculous — that is, until she gets abducted by an alien herself. But the alien doesn’t seem to want to hurt her; instead, he seems to be desperately looking for something, and he needs Francie’s help. Connie Willis is one of my very favorite authors, so I’m biased, but I really enjoyed this book! It’s part alien abduction saga, part road trip adventure, part Western throwback, part screwball comedy. I loved Indy the alien and his relationship with Francie; I also loved all the references to movie Westerns and how the characters used them to communicate with Indy. I could nitpick a little about pacing — the book has a slow start and a drawn-out ending — but overall I vastly enjoyed the ride.

Book #103: Nina Kenwood, It Sounded Better in My Head
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Eighteen-year-old Natalie is having a rough time: She’s waiting to find out whether she’s been accepted to university. Her best friends, Zach and Lucy, have recently begun dating each other, making her feel like a third wheel. Worst of all, her parents have just told her they’re breaking up, and she never suspected a thing. As she deals with these challenges and her overwhelming feelings about them, she also develops an unexpected crush on Zach’s older brother, Alex. But her insecurities and lack of experience threaten to derail their romance before it begins. This YA novel, told from Natalie’s POV, really captures the big and urgent and sometimes painful feelings of adolescence. It’s also quite funny, and I both liked and related to Natalie. So if you enjoy the occasional young adult book with a bit of romance, I’d recommend this one.

Book #104: Lacie Waldon, The Only Game in Town
CATs: Alpha (O = Only)
Bingo: none

The idyllic town of Redford, Georgia, gets a shake-up when its eccentric benefactor, Jasper Wilhelm, dies. His will leaves $10 million to an unspecified Redford resident, and the townspeople must compete in a series of bizarre challenges to win the fortune. Freelance editor Jess Reid has big plans for that money, but she’s dismayed to be teamed up with her longtime nemesis, Nikki. Meanwhile, Jasper’s grandson, Carter, is visiting from Atlanta and gets roped into the game also. Jess and Carter are drawn to each other, but the competition, plus the fact that Carter will eventually leave town, may prevent their romance. This novel really goes all in on small-town charm and quirky-yet-lovable townspeople. I thought it was cute (caveat, I’ve never lived in a small town), but others may find it too saccharine or too unrealistic. I liked that the book jumps between several points of view, including that of seemingly villainous Nikki. And the Jess/Carter romance is sweet, though a bit sidelined for all the Westing Game-esque hijinks. Overall, I liked this one and may try another book by the author.

Book #105: Susanna Craig, Better Off Wed
CATs: Alpha (O = Off)
Bingo: none

Outraged by men who sexually harass and rape their female servants, Laura Hopkins has decided to fight back. Using the alias Lady Sterling, she infiltrates the lives of these men and learns their blackmail-worthy secrets so that they’ll never repeat their crimes. En route to her latest target, Laura meets British intelligence officer Jeremy Addison — who also happens to be Lord Sterling. His assignment is to find out what she’s up to and possibly offer her a job. As the two work together, they’re forced to pretend to be married, but their fake relationship soon becomes all too real. I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series, and I liked this one too, but nothing about it really stands out to me. Fans of historical romance who want a light, undemanding read they can finish in an afternoon will probably enjoy the book, but I’m not feeling particularly enthusiastic about it.

>59 christina_reads: Agreed. I described it as "tidy and pleasant".

>60 pamelad: Definitely. Not that those are bad qualities! But I'm not particularly motivated to seek out more by Susanna Craig.

Book #106: Mary Simses, The Wedding Thief
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Sara and her younger sister, Mariel, have never really gotten along. They haven’t even spoken for the past year and a half — ever since Mariel stole Sara’s boyfriend, Carter. Now Mariel and Carter are getting married, and when her mom tricks her into coming home for the wedding, Sara seizes the opportunity for a little sabotage. But as she reluctantly reconnects with Mariel, she begins to see her life and relationships in a new light. I liked the premise of this book, but the execution was lacking. Sara is 38 but acts like an immature teenager for most of the book, switching up the seating chart, giving the caterer the wrong order, and so on. But Mariel is even worse, and I didn’t buy the book’s attempts to redeem her in the end. I did like Sara’s new love interest, though I couldn’t quite figure out what he saw in her. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and won’t seek out more by the author.

Book #107: Claudia J. Edwards, Eldrie the Healer
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Eldrie is the illegitimate daughter of a king, but she left home at 16 to get away from her indifferent father, odious half-brothers, and the burdens of royalty. She's much happier traveling alone from place to place, practicing her craft as a healer. When she teams up with Huard, a skilled hunter and loyal companion, Eldrie finds she enjoys his company. But as they meet new people and encounter various perils, she reluctantly realizes that her destiny lies in her home country. This is a book I really enjoyed for about the first half, when Eldrie and Huard are having adventures and getting to know each other better. But the plot (OK, the romance) takes a turn I didn't expect or particularly like. And in the end, almost nothing is resolved; it's clear that this book was intended to be the first in a series, but the author sadly passed away before writing any further installments. So while this book had a lot of promise, it ultimately left me disappointed.

Book #108: Diane Farr, Falling for Chloe
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Chloe and Gil grew up together and are the best of friends, but neither considers the other a romantic prospect. When a chance thunderstorm forces them to take shelter in a cottage together overnight, however, they are forced into an engagement. Though not actually intending to marry Gil, Chloe uses the opportunity to visit his sister, Tish, in London, and help repair her shaky marriage. The biggest problem seems to be Tish's infatuation with the rakish and charming Lord Rival, but Chloe's attempt to divert his attention goes awry when she is drawn to him herself. After a few lackluster reads, this light Regency romance was such a breath of fresh air! I adored Chloe and Gil and found their journey from friends to lovers both believable and satisfying. The bits from Lord Rival's POV made me roll my eyes a little -- clearly he'll have his own book -- but overall, I really enjoyed this one! Definitely recommend, especially for fans of steamless historicals. Thanks to pamelad for putting it on my radar!

>64 christina_reads: Glad you liked it. Lord Rival is the hero of The Fortune Hunter, which I also liked. He's well worth getting to know better.

>65 pamelad: I do want to read The Fortune Hunter as well! Will have to see if I can find a cheap e-book or used copy.

I read The Fortune Hunter on KoboPlus, which has 8 Diane Farr books. I got the Kobo Ereader to borrow Epub books from the library and found that KoboPlus has a really good selection of books. Edith Layton and Sheila Simonson are two KP romance writers worth trying.

>62 christina_reads: It's disappointing that this book didn't work better than it did. I know it's a very well-used premise, but it's usually the basis for a solid story.

>67 pamelad: My e-reader is a Nook, so I don't think I have the same accessibility to KoboPlus, alas! But maybe I can find cheap e-versions for Nook as well. Thanks for the tip on Layton and Simonson -- I've never read either author, but I'll add them to my list!

>68 RidgewayGirl: Yeah, I was hoping for better things from The Wedding Thief! But the comedy was lackluster and the characters' serious issues were all solved way too quickly.

Book #109: Lauren Willig, The Orchid Affair
CATs: Geo (Western Europe = set in Paris); Alpha (O = Orchid)
Bingo: none

After spending the past 16 years as a governess, Laura Grey is eager to be sent on her first mission for the Pink Carnation. To her dismay, she’ll be posing as a governess — but her real job will be to spy on her pupils’ father, André Jaouen, who works for Bonaparte’s ministry of police. André is keeping many secrets, and as Laura discovers where his loyalties truly lie, she also finds herself increasingly drawn to him. This is another enjoyable installment of the Pink Carnation series. I liked seeing how the French Revolution and rise of Napoleon affected the people who were experiencing it firsthand. I also enjoyed the romance between Laura and André, who have both experienced hardship and gained wisdom from it. The book’s pacing is a bit slow, though, and I just didn’t love it quite as much as some others in the series. Still, I’m glad to have revisited this one!

July recap

July felt extra long to me this year — anyone else? Perhaps in my case it’s because most of my “extracurricular” activities are on hiatus for the summer, so I’ve had more free time than usual. My birthday is in July, and I had a lovely celebration with my best friend; we saw the Barbie movie and went out for a nice dinner. I also got some Amazon and Barnes & Noble gift cards from my parents, which I’ve already started spending! Finally, I had a pretty robust reading month, so without further ado, on to the books!

Books read in July:
1. Mary Balogh, Remember Me
2. Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, The Shadow of Albion
3. Lauren Willig, The Mischief of the Mistletoe
4. Emma Mills, Something Close to Magic
5. Darcie Wilde, A Useful Woman
6. Sarah Adams, The Temporary Roomie
7. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones
8. Lucy Parker, Battle Royal
9. Sophie Irwin, A Lady’s Guide to Scandal
10. Sarah Ready, French Holiday
11. E.C.R. Lorac, Murder by Matchlight
12. Katherine Center, Hello Stranger
13. Mary Balogh, A Masked Deception
14. Connie Willis, The Road to Roswell
15. Nina Kenwood, It Sounded Better in My Head
16. Lacie Waldon, The Only Game in Town
17. Susanna Craig, Better Off Wed
18. Mary Simses, The Wedding Thief
19. Claudia J. Edwards, Eldrie the Healer
20. Diane Farr, Falling for Chloe
21. Lauren Willig, The Orchid Affair

Favorite book of the month:
The Shadow of Albion just ticked all my boxes — alt-historical fiction plus political intrigue plus Regency romance. I've already started the sequel!

Dishonorable mention:
The Wedding Thief had a fun premise but poor execution; I disliked all the characters, including the supposed protagonist.

CATs completed:
- GeoCAT (Western Europe): French Holiday and The Orchid Affair are both set in France.
- AlphaKIT (O, P): Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful *Ones; Lucy *Parker, Battle Royal; Lacie Waldon, The *Only Game in Town; Susanna Craig, Better *Off Wed; Lauren Willig, The *Orchid Affair
- MysteryKIT (police procedural, private detective): In Murder by Matchlight, the sleuth is Scotland Yard Inspector Robert Macdonald.
- RandomKIT (Muppets): One of the main characters in The Beautiful Ones is a would-be scientist, much like Bunsen and Beaker.
- SFFKIT (series): The Shadow of Albion is book #1 in the Carolus Rex duology.

Bingo squares completed:
- Popular author’s first book: A Masked Deception is bestselling romance novelist Mary Balogh’s first published novel.

Books acquired in July:
- Mary Balogh, A Masked Deception (e-book) (already read)
- Stella Riley, Midwinter Magic (e-book)
- Ian Mortimer, The Time Traveller’s Guide to Regency Britain
- Mimi Matthews, Return to Satterthwaite Court (e-book)
- Mimi Matthews, Appointment in Bath (e-book)
- Stephanie Burgis, Claws and Contrivances (e-book)
- Alyssa Everett, A Tryst with Trouble (e-book)
- Diane Farr, Falling for Chloe (already read)
- Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us

>71 christina_reads: I went looking for Midwinter Magic and bought this instead: The Shadow Earl, which looks promising. Appointment in Bath is on my list too, but I'm hoping it will appear on Overdrive soon.

>72 pamelad: Hmm, The Shadow Earl does look intriguing! She also has another series set during the English Civil War...I'm not as interested in that time period, but I might have to check it out anyway!

>71 christina_reads: I'm hoping to see the Barbie movie with my spouse soon!

>74 rabbitprincess: I hope you enjoy it! My theatergoing experience was somewhat marred by the fact that the air conditioning was broken, and it was a very hot day.

Book #110: Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, Leopard in Exile
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This sequel to The Shadow of Albion finds most of the principal characters in America, known in this universe as New Albion. Sarah, now the Duchess of Wessex, travels to Baltimore to help her friend Meriel, whose husband Louis (the lost dauphin of France) has gone missing. The Duke of Wessex follows his wife, but he’s also been given a spy mission he may or may not choose to complete. And the evil sorcerer the Marquis de Sade is seeking the Holy Grail, rumored to be in the French colony of Louisianne, which will give him unimaginable demonic power. After I loved the previous book so much, it’s not surprising that this one was a bit of a letdown. While the setting is unique and fascinating, I got weary of all the world-building, especially when it slowed down the narrative. Also, I wanted more character interaction and development; I particularly felt the lack thereof in Sarah and Wessex’s relationship. That said, I’m still glad to have read the book and sorry the series won’t continue.

Book #111: Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us
CATs: Alpha (M = Mhairi, McFarlane); Random (something good = seeing old friends)
Bingo: none

Roisin has been dating Joe, a successful TV writer, for nearly a decade, but lately she’s been thinking about breaking up. The problem is that they’re both part of a tight-knit friend group, and she doesn’t feel like she has a good enough reason to dump him. But things come to a head when the friend group gathers to watch Joe’s new TV show, which contains scenes straight from Roisin’s life, including private details about her dysfunctional family. After this betrayal, Roisin begins to wonder if she ever really knew Joe at all. I’m a McFarlane fan and enjoyed this latest book very much, but those expecting a light contemporary romance will be disappointed. Though there is a very sweet love story, the vast majority of the plot centers around Roisin’s relationship with Joe and her growing knowledge of his true character. McFarlane likes to explore the ways men can abuse and exploit women, so the focus on Joe is not surprising, but I would have liked a little more emphasis on Roisin’s new romance and her complicated family dynamics.

Book #112: Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love
CATs: Alpha (Q = Quinn)
Bingo: Bestseller from 20 years ago (NYT bestseller list in 2003)

This installment of the Bridgerton series features Eloise, a lively and opinionated young woman who has never lacked suitors, but who somehow finds herself still unmarried at 28. She strikes up a correspondence with Sir Phillip Crane, who was married to her distant cousin Marina until the latter’s death, and is intrigued when he asks her to visit and see whether they might be well suited for marriage. But when Eloise meets Sir Phillip, he’s nothing like she imagined — he’s gruff and taciturn and distant, even from his two children, who are clearly desperate for his attention. Can such a man be a good match for the talkative, affectionate Eloise? The Bridgerton books have been hit or miss for me, but I really liked this one. Phillip’s backstory is difficult, and his reactions (especially to the death of his first wife) are not always sympathetic, but they are understandable. I loved him and Eloise together, and I think they bring out the best in each other. I also liked the brief appearance of several of the Bridgerton brothers; it was nice to be reminded of Eloise’s close relationships with her siblings. This is definitely one of my favorites in the series thus far!

Book #113: Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private Matter
CATs: Alpha (M = Matter); Mystery (past or future = set in Regency England)

Rosalind Thorne once again finds herself embroiled in mystery and scandal when Margaretta Seymore appeals to her for help. Her husband is convinced she’s having an affair with the famous actor Fletcher Cavendish — and he’s planning to sue Cavendish to get monetary damages for the harm caused by the alleged adultery. Margaretta denies the affair and wants Rosalind to stop the accusation from causing a public scandal. But things get more complicated when Cavendish is murdered and suspicion inevitably falls on the Seymores. I liked book one in this series, but I think my enthusiasm is already starting to wane a bit. The mystery plot felt too cluttered, and the book needed a better editor — I noticed not only typos but a few significant continuity errors. Still, I like Rosalind and am curious to see how her personal life will unfold, so I’ll continue with the series for now.

>75 christina_reads: We saw the Barbie movie on Sunday and really liked it! Fortunately the AC held up.

>80 rabbitprincess: Excellent!

>79 christina_reads: I've been reading the Rosalind Thorne books out of order as they become available on Overdrive. Not keen on those featuring real historical figures, e.g. Lady Caroline Lamb, so I've put And Dangerous to Know aside, but I liked A Lady Compromised. I'm now reading A Counterfeit Suitor but it's a bit of a plod.

>82 pamelad: Oof, sorry about the plod. I am finding that these books get a bit bogged down in all the plot.

Book #114: Lynn Painter, The Do-Over
CATs: none

Emilie has planned the perfect Valentine’s Day, but things go wrong almost immediately when she gets into a car accident with Nick, her surly chemistry lab partner. Then she gets passed over for an internship she was counting on, and worst of all, she spies her boyfriend kissing his ex. Emilie is relieved when the awful day is done — but when she wakes up the next morning, it’s February 14 again, and she ends up reliving her awful Valentine’s Day over and over. As she tries to escape the time loop, she learns some important things about herself — and about Nick, who always seems to be along for the ride. I’ve enjoyed all of Lynn Painter’s books, and this YA romance is no exception. I especially liked the banter between Emilie and Nick, although he’s a bit too dreamy to be a realistic teenage boy. The book touches on some serious topics like divorce and grief, but the overall tone is upbeat and fun. Recommended if you just want to read something that puts a smile on your face!

Book #115: Stella Riley, The Player
CATs: none

Due to a scandalous tragedy, Adrian Devereux has spent the past 10 years living abroad, working as an actor and gambler. But now his brother, the Earl of Sarre, has died, so he must return to England and assume the title. There he learns that Marcus Sheringham, the man who betrayed him and forced him into exile, has huge gambling debts and must marry an heiress to avoid ruin. As Adrian gets to know Caroline, the heiress in question, he becomes convinced she’s too good for Marcus — and he certainly isn’t averse to a little revenge — so he devises an elaborate plot to marry Caroline himself. I’m so glad I discovered Stella Riley, because I’ve been loving her books — I devoured this one in a single sitting! While the plot is absurdly melodramatic, and I’m not usually a fan of the revenge-seduction trope, I loved Adrian and Caroline so much that I didn’t care. The most important thing for me in a romance is that I believe the main characters are truly right for each other, and I definitely got that with this book. Can’t wait for the next one!

>85 christina_reads: Good to see you enjoyed it so much. The Rockcliffe series is a winner, and The Player was one of my favourites. Now that I've read all of Riley's Georgian series, I'm thinking of checking out the Roundheads and Cavaliers.

>86 pamelad: Same here! I'm not as interested in the English Civil War period, but I'll definitely want to read more by Riley regardless.

Book #116: Lish McBride, Curses
CATs: Alpha (M = McBride)

Lady Merit Cravan has been cursed to take the form of a beast, and she can only break the curse if she marries before her 18th birthday. Though Merit doesn’t expect love, she’s worried about making a bad choice, so she asks Tevin DuMont, a handsome but penniless con artist, for help evaluating her suitors. He’s made his living by charming rich young women, then accepting bribes from their parents to stay away, so he’s the perfect person to help unmask insincere fortune hunters. But as Merit and Tevin get to know each other better, their inconvenient feelings may ruin everything. I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this one is unique in that the genders are flipped. But much as I liked Merit, I was far more interested in Tevin and the rest of his ramshackle family. (Especially his brother, Amaury — fingers crossed for a sequel where he’s the hero!) Instead of following the curse/marriage drama, I’d rather have followed the DuMonts on their adventures! Still, this is a fun read, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the fairy tale. Thanks to lowelibrary for the BB!

>88 christina_reads: You are welcome. I agree that I would love a sequel.

>89 lowelibrary: I am excited to try more by the author. Her adult romance, A Little Too Familiar, looks like fun!

Book #117: AJ Pearce, Mrs. Porter Calling
CATs: Alpha (M = Mrs.)

In the spring of 1943, things are going well for Emmy Lake. Though her husband, Charles, is away at war, she enjoys living with her friends Bunty and Thelma, and she finds fulfillment in her job at Woman’s Friend magazine. That changes, however, when the magazine’s new publisher, a rich socialite named Mrs. Porter, begins suggesting changes that cater to the frivolous concerns of the wealthy rather than the issues the magazine’s readers really care about. As Emmy and her friends fight to save the magazine, another tragedy of war strikes, forcing them to reexamine their priorities. I’m continuing to enjoy this series, which manages to be upbeat and positive without sugarcoating the war’s harsh realities. Emmy and her friends are lovable characters worth rooting for. Her editor, Guy Collins, remains a favorite, and I hope I smell a hint of romance for him in future books! I’d definitely recommend this series to fans of the period, but start with book #1, Dear Mrs. Bird.

Book #118: Lucy Parker, Codename Charming
CATs: none

This sequel to Battle Royal focuses on Pet De Vere, publicist to Johnny Marchmont, the sweet but accident-prone husband of Princess Rosie. After one too many photos is published of Johnny falling atop Pet at a public event, the tabloids insinuate they must be having an affair. This rumor is of course false, yet it could seriously damage Pet’s career, so the royals suggest that Pet fake a relationship with Johnny’s bodyguard, Matthias, to give the tabloids a different story to focus on. Matthias is Pet’s total opposite — grumpy and reserved where she’s bubbly and cheerful — but they’re also powerfully attracted to each other. As their fake relationship intensifies, they must finally deal with their real feelings. Lucy Parker is an auto-buy author for me, and I really enjoyed this book, though I think it suffers a bit in comparison to Battle Royal. Both books center around an emotionally stunted hero and an outgoing heroine who nevertheless craves love, so many of this book’s scenes and beats felt repetitive. Matthias also feels like a second draft of the character Mick from Parker’s first novel, Artistic License (published under a pen name). It’s still a very enjoyable read, but it’s not one of my favorites by this author.

Book #119: Diane Farr, The Fortune Hunter
CATs: none

Lord Rival desperately needs to marry a rich woman, but his options are limited due to his rakish ways and bad reputation. He sets his sights on Lady Olivia Fairfax, an heiress who shuns society to focus on charitable work. But when he first approaches her, he mistakes her for a servant and impulsively confides his entire mercenary plan to her. Olivia has no intention of succumbing to Lord Rival’s considerable charms; she doesn’t want to marry at all, especially not someone who only wants her fortune. But as they continue to tease and flirt with one another, they both develop deeper feelings. I was interested in reading Lord Rival’s story, since he was a compelling antagonist in Falling for Chloe. But while I enjoyed the book overall, it didn’t grab me as much as its predecessor did. Even though Lord Rival has good reasons for needing a fortune, I still felt he was cruel to Olivia and manipulated her into loving him. He also falls in love eventually, and the solution to the love-or-money conundrum is satisfying, but I wanted a stronger apology from him in the end. I did still like the book, though, and will continue to seek out more by Farr.

Book #120: Sarah Adams, Practice Makes Perfect
CATs: Alpha (M = Makes)

Annie Walker, known as “Angel Annie” in her small town of Rome, Kentucky, is looking for love and marriage. But her introversion and social anxiety make her a disaster on dates, so her friends decide she needs some practice. Enter Will Griffin, a tattooed adventure seeker who’s just passing through town and has no interest in any type of commitment. He agrees to be Annie’s dating coach, but their mutual crushes on each other threaten to derail their plans. This is a cute sequel to When in Rome, but I don’t think it particularly works as a romance. Both Annie and Will are smitten from the beginning, so the only question is when they’ll finally admit their feelings. I did like the characters’ individual conflicts, though: Annie realizes that she doesn’t have to let her sisters and her town define her, while Will learns that he’s capable of love despite his dysfunctional upbringing. Overall, I wasn’t wowed by the book, but I’m interested enough to read the next one whenever it comes out.

Book #121: T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge
CATs: none

In this retelling of Sleeping Beauty, the heroine isn’t the princess in the tower. Instead, it’s Toadling, who was born human but kidnapped by fairies shortly after her birth. She’s been raised among the monstrous yet loving greenteeth, and she would have been happy to stay with them forever. But when a goddess summons her to her human parents’ household and says she can prevent great suffering, Toadling answers the call. Now, centuries later, she guards the princess’s tower and tries to keep humans away. She’s mostly successful — until an unconventional knight breaches her physical and metaphorical defenses. I’ve read two full-length novels by T. Kingfisher and loved them; this novella is very good too, but its shorter length didn’t allow me to sink into its world completely. I’d still definitely recommend it to fans of fairytale retellings, but since it’s just over 100 pages long, I’m glad I didn’t pay $20 for the hardcover!

Book #122: Allison Ashley, The Roommate Pact
CATs: none

Graham and Claire have been roommates for about a year, and friends for much longer, but their relationship has always been strictly platonic. Claire wants a serious relationship, and she definitely doesn’t want to be with someone who takes a lot of risks — so thrill-seeking, commitment-phobic Graham is the last person she should date. But when he proposes a friends-with-benefits arrangement, Claire finds herself eager to explore their chemistry. When an injury leaves Graham stranded at home with Claire (a nurse) as caretaker, they get to know each other on a deeper level and are surprised by their growing feelings. I liked this contemporary romance, with its friends-to-lovers plot and opposites-attract vibes, but nothing about it really stands out to me. Claire and Graham are both likable characters with fun banter, and I liked how they were drawn to the “difficult” parts of each other. While this book isn’t an all-time favorite, I’d certainly read more by the author.

>93 christina_reads: It's always good to see a rogue redeemed. Glad you're enjoying Diane Farr.

>97 pamelad: Thanks for that BB!

>91 christina_reads: I think I will try Dear Mrs. Bird. I'm trying to read as many books set during WWII through September as I can!

>99 Tess_W: I hope you like it! The series is pretty "light" given that it's set during WWII, though of course there is also some tragedy.

>100 christina_reads: After the grim ones I've read, this will be a delight!

>76 christina_reads: I'm ashamed that, despite being a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, I've never read any Andre Norton. I'm not quite sure where to start. Any recommendations?

>102 mathgirl40: I can't really advise you, as the Carolus Rex books are the only ones I've read by her! I did really like The Shadow of Albion, though, so I'd certainly recommend that one. :)

Hello Christina! Dropping in today to say hello and catch up on your vast amount of reading over the past 2 months. And what a great variety, too!

>103 christina_reads: Thanks. I’ll make a note of The Shadow of Albion!

>104 threadnsong: Thanks for stopping by! It's hard to keep up with LT sometimes -- we're such an active group, which is a good thing!

>105 mathgirl40: Hope you enjoy it if you decide to check it out.

Book #123: Nnedi Okorafor, Binti: The Complete Trilogy
CATs: SFF (space)

This collection of interrelated novellas blends sci-fi futurism with African cultural elements. The protagonist is Binti, a teenage girl who leaves her family and her tribe on Earth to attend a prestigious university on another planet. On the way, her spaceship is attacked by aliens who kill everyone on board except the pilot and Binti. In an odd twist of fate, she ends up befriending one of the aliens and building bridges between their race and humanity. This book was definitely outside my comfort zone, and I found the world-building fascinating. Binti encounters people from many different cultures, both human and alien, and each feels unique and rooted in reality. But the bulk of the book is about Binti’s struggle to come to terms with her own identity, which I found a little less interesting — she seems to be a typical Super Special SFF heroine. Overall, I’m glad I read this one but don’t plan to keep it; I’d classify it as good, just not my thing.

Book #124: Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp
CATs: Alpha (M = Mary)

Professor William Porter has recently inherited a seaside house from his Uncle Horace. He decides to stay there during his summer vacation, along with his wife Jane, niece Edith, and Edith’s beau Warren Halliday. When they arrive, they immediately learn that the house is reputed to be haunted, and they soon witness strange occurrences themselves, such as a red light shining from the supposedly empty house. Then sheep start dying with their throats cut, and a police deputy goes missing. Are evil spirits responsible for these tragedies, or is human malice at work? This is my first book by Rinehart, and I wasn’t terribly impressed. The novel tries hard to create an atmosphere of eerie suspense, but I never fully felt that; instead, William’s constant musings on possible supernatural explanations just irritated me. In terms of moving the mystery plot forward, not much happens till almost the end of the book. I felt like there weren’t enough clues for readers to grab hold of, and I’m not quite sure the solution all hangs together. Still, Rinehart’s writing is good, and I’m interested to try more of her work; maybe this one is an uncharacteristic dud.

>108 christina_reads: I read all of MRR many years ago and sometimes I think it would be fun to revisit them since I don't really remember them. (Maybe that tells you something.) You might try a Miss Pinkerton story, or perhaps Rinehart's first big hit, The Circular Staircase, which I remember being pretty good (keeping in mind it's a 1908 mystery).

>108 christina_reads:, >109 NinieB: The Case of Jennie Brice, from 1913, is interesting for its descriptions of floods in Pittsburg. They were an annual event, and people rowed down the streets.

I also liked The Yellow Room, which is a convoluted had-I-but-known from the forties. It's interesting for the impact of WWII on people's lives.

You can't beat Mignon G. Eberhart for had-I-but-knowns. Her heroines will make you feel so very intelligent and competent.

>109 NinieB: >110 pamelad: Thank you both for the recommendations! I think I have The Circular Staircase on my e-reader, so that will likely be my next foray into Rinehart. And I also have an Eberhart on my shelves, Murder by an Aristocrat, which I am looking forward to trying!

Book #125: Jayne Denker, The Rom-Com Agenda
CATs: none

Eli has just been dumped by his girlfriend, Victoria, but he’s convinced she’s the one. While she’s on sabbatical in Europe, he and his friends devise a plan to win her back: He’ll give himself a makeover, basing his new look and personality on the heroes of classic romantic comedies. When he meets Leah, a lonely young woman who quickly gets absorbed into his friend group, they immediately hit it off and begin watching the rom-coms together. But as Eli and Leah grow closer, he must decide where his heart truly lies. This contemporary romance is predictable but sweet, and I enjoyed the allusions to some of my favorite movies, like Better Off Dead and The Princess Bride. I liked Leah’s quiet strength and Eli’s exuberant, genuine nature. The book also has a low steam factor with no explicit sex scenes, which is a plus for me. Overall, though, this is a fun read but not a standout, and I don’t feel particularly compelled to seek out more by the author.

August recap

August was a bit of a whirlwind for me! I visited a friend on the Outer Banks, hosted my mom for a week, and saw some extended family members in Ocean City, MD. I had a lot of fun, but I’m also dying for a weekend to myself! I’ve got some more travel coming up in September — including a trip to TX to see my newest nephew, born August 9 — but thankfully I’ll also have a little more down time. Despite all my travels, though, I still got some good reading done and have actually surpassed my goal of 120 books for the year. So without further ado, on to the books!

Book read in August:
1. Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, Leopard in Exile
2. Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us
3. Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love
4. Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private Matter
5. Lynn Painter, The Do-Over
6. Stella Riley, The Player
7. Lish McBride, Curses
8. AJ Pearce, Mrs. Porter Calling
9. Lucy Parker, Codename Charming
10. Diane Farr, The Fortune Hunter
11. Sarah Adams, Practice Makes Perfect
12. T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge
13. Allison Ashley, The Roommate Pact
14. Nnedi Okorafor, Binti: The Complete Trilogy
15. Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp
16. Jayne Denker, The Rom-Com Agenda

Favorite book of the month:
I’m torn! For the pure joy of reading, I’d probably go with The Player, but in terms of finding a new author I’m excited about, it’s Curses all the way.

Dishonorable mention:
I can see the merits of Binti: The Complete Trilogy, but it’s just not my kind of book.

CATs completed:
- AlphaKIT (M, Q): *Mhairi *McFarlane, Between Us; Julia *Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love; Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private *Matter; Lish *McBride, Curses; AJ Pearce, *Mrs. Porter Calling; Sarah Adams, Practice *Makes Perfect; *Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp
- MysteryKIT (past and future): A Purely Private Matter is set in Regency England, and The Red Lamp was both set and published in the 1920s.
- RandomKIT (something good): Between Us begins with a reunion of a friend group, and I was able to reunite with an old friend in person earlier this month.
- SFFKIT (space): Binti: The Complete Trilogy contains multiple space voyages, including travel through the rings of Saturn.

Bingo squares completed:
- Bestseller from 20 years ago: To Sir Phillip, with Love spent time on the 2003 New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. This square completes my Bingo card!

Books acquired in August:
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (Penguin Clothbound Classics) (gift)
- Diana Biller, Hotel of Secrets (e-book)
- Lucy Parker, Codename Charming (already read)
- Jayne Denker, The Rom-Com Agenda (e-book) (already read)
- Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked
- Diane Farr, The Fortune Hunter (already read)
- Sheila Simonson, Lady Elizabeth’s Comet
- Christianna Brand, Green for Danger
- Kate Clayborn, Georgie, All Along (e-book) (already read)

Congratulations on reaching your reading goal! I guess this means you don't have to read anything until January?

>114 RidgewayGirl: I literally LOLed at the idea of not reading anything for four months! What would I even do with myself?

Good for you, traveling, visiting and also meeting your reading goal! Congratulations on your new nephew!

>116 lsh63: Thank you! We are all very excited about him. :)

E-book deal alert: Kate Clayborn's Georgie, All Along is $1.99 on Amazon (US) and Barnes & Noble today. I read it from the library earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so I snapped it up!

Book #126: Lauren Willig, The Garden Intrigue
CATs: none

Augustus Whittlesby is widely regarded as the worst poet in Paris, but he’s also secretly a British agent working with — and infatuated by — the Pink Carnation, a.k.a. Miss Jane Wooliston. Jane’s friend, Emma Delagardie, constantly ridicules Augustus’s terrible poetry but is also maybe a tiny bit attracted to him. When Augustus and Emma are thrown together to write a masque for Bonaparte and his court, they develop a deeper relationship. But Augustus is conflicted, both because of his feelings for Jane and because he’s using Emma to learn more about Bonaparte’s plans for invading England. Augustus has been a frequently recurring character throughout this series, so I’m glad he finally got his own story. I liked that both he and Emma ultimately have the same conflict: they have to choose between guarding their (relatively) safe, self-protective lives and taking a chance on real love. This book isn’t quite as light and fun as earlier installments of the series, and it isn’t one of my favorites, but it’s still an enjoyable read.

E-book deal alert: One of my very favorite books, To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis, is on sale for $1.99 as an e-book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble today! If I didn't already have a much-loved paper copy, I'd definitely jump on this one!

Book #127: Julia Seales, A Most Agreeable Murder
CATs: none

In the English village of Swampshire, everyone is governed by the strict rules of etiquette handed down by its founder. Women are expected to pursue only ladylike occupations such as embroidery, but Beatrice Steele has a secret fascination with crime-solving. She knows she must hide her interest, lest she be stigmatized as a “morbid creep” and rendered unmarriageable. But when an eligible bachelor is murdered at a local ball, Beatrice can’t help enthusiastically pursuing an investigation, with the help of a surly yet handsome detective. This is a fun historical mystery set in a heightened reality: Swampshire is beset by comically terrible weather and infested with “squelch holes,” and Beatrice’s youngest sister might be a werewolf. It’s all very silly, but I enjoyed the book’s colorful characters and its skewering of various historical romance tropes. If there’s ever a sequel, I will definitely seek it out!

Book #128: Darcie Wilde, And Dangerous to Know
CATs: none

The stakes are higher than ever in Rosalind Thorne’s latest case: Lady Melbourne, a leader of London society, has hired her to recover some stolen letters. Lady Melbourne’s daughter-in-law is Lady Caroline Lamb, whose shocking love affair with Lord Byron has led many to believe she’s insane, so it’s especially important that the letters’ potentially scandalous contents are never publicized. Complicating matters is the fact that a woman was murdered at the gates of Melbourne House, and Rosalind suspects that the two incidents are connected. I liked this book a bit more than the previous one in the series; the mystery hangs together pretty well, although it’s almost peripheral to the intrigues swirling around the Melbourne clan. I’m also glad that things seem to be moving forward in Rosalind’s personal life (and in those of her friends as well). While I’m pretty confident that this series won’t be an all-time favorite, I’m looking forward to the next book!

Book #129: Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke
CATs: none

Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father’s tragic death overseas. When she receives an anonymous note telling her to “beware the seven blessings,” it’s the first of many strange mysteries Sally must unravel. For instance: Who burgled her room, and what was he or she looking for? How did her father really meet his end? Where is the priceless Indian ruby that apparently belongs to Sally? And why does the evil Mrs. Holland want Sally dead? This is a compelling YA adventure novel that apes the drama and sensationalism of Victorian penny dreadfuls. Some of the plot machinations feel a bit over the top, and there’s some unpleasant stereotyping of Chinese characters. But the depiction of the seamier side of Victorian London is fascinating, and Sally and her friends are intelligent, courageous, interesting characters. I’m excited to read more of their adventures in subsequent books!

Book #130: Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village
CATs: Alpha (V = Village; E = English)

This charming, humorous little book presents itself as a guidebook for travelers in the English countryside who may unexpectedly find themselves in an English Murder Village. As everyone knows, such villages are fraught with peril, from the sinister antique shop to the overly violent cricket match to the local inn full of mysterious strangers. The book enumerates various people and places to avoid, both in the village itself and at the neighboring manor, such as the pond (“full of the skeletons of Victorian children and, if you are unwise, you”) and the kitchen (“no”). I got a few giggles out of this book, and the Gorey-esque illustrations really enhance the material. It does go on a bit too long for what is essentially a single joke, but I think fans of Agatha Christie novels and British mystery series like Midsomer Murders will enjoy it.

>124 christina_reads: I've seen this on lists and wondered about it, sounds like something fun!

>125 clue: Worth a read if you're in the target audience! Here's the article the book was (I'm assuming) based on: https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-not-getting-murdered-in-a-quaint-english-vi....

Book #131: Elizabeth Bright, The Duke’s Wicked Wife
CATs: Alpha (E = Elizabeth)

After years of rakish living, Sebastian Sinclair, the duke of Wessex, decides it’s time to marry and produce an heir. He plans to invite some marriagable ladies to a house party, and he asks his longtime friend, Eliza Benton, for help with the guest list. However, as the party commences, it’s Eliza herself whom Sebastian can’t stop thinking about. I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy romance heroes whose conflict is basically, “I’m having a feeling and I don’t like it!” I also like characters whose frivolous facades conceal hidden depths. That’s definitely Sebastian here, and he is by far the best part of the book, though Eliza is also a strong heroine and a great match for him. The book is billed as a stand-alone, but I’m not sure it totally works…characters from previous books in the series have prominent roles, and without having read their books, it was hard for me to keep everyone straight. I did enjoy the central romance here, but I don’t find myself particularly tempted to try more by the author.

>123 christina_reads: I don’t know how it came came about; but I ended up with the audiobook version a few years ago. It’s narrated by Anton Lesser and it was my first experience listening to him. I was prepared to quibble with him being cast in a story that might have been better served with a female narrator; but I was absolutely blown away! I greedily snapped the sequels that he narrated (at the time there was one— the last one IIRC— that had not been recorded) and Anton Lesser has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators. He is able to make a story and its cast of characters seem alive without making seem like cheap theatrics. Oddly, though I remember the opium dens and a Chinese crime lord, I don’t recall the Chinese stereotypes per se— which makes me wonder if Lesser handled it in a way that is not so offensive. I should queue it up for a re-listen because admittedly, I may not have been as culturally sensitive then as I am now.

>128 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I'm glad the series has a good narrator! And the stereotypes weren't terribly overt or pervasive, but I remember a reference or two to "Chinese devils." I didn't pick up on it the first time I read the book, though, and that was only in 2020!

Book #132: Amy Barry, Kit McBride Gets a Wife
CATs: Random (Wild Wild West = set in 1880s Montana)

Junebug McBride is tired of doing all the chores for her four older brothers in the tiny town of Buck’s Creek, Montana, so she decides to advertise for a wife for her brother Kit. The woman must “expect neither doting nor compliments” and must be an excellent cook. A widow from St. Louis answers the ad, dragging along her disillusioned Irish servant, Maddy. Complications ensue when Kit has a meet-cute with Maddy and mistakenly thinks she’s his prospective bride. I’m not terribly interested in Westerns or cowboy romances, but I found this book unexpectedly charming! Some of the chapters are from Junebug’s point of view, and I really enjoyed her hilarious perspective on events. The romance between Kit and Maddy is sweet, though not terribly unique, and there aren’t many scenes with just the two of them. So if you like your romance to focus heavily on the central couple, this book might not be for you; but if you like a large cast of quirky characters and a unique setting, I’d recommend this one! I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Book #133: F.A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom
CATs: Classics (nonfiction = political philosophy/economics)

F.A. Hayek was an Austrian economist who moved to England in the 1930s and subsequently taught in both the UK and US. He won the Nobel prize in economics in 1974. In this essay, written during World War II and first published in 1944, he argues that Nazi fascism was not a reaction against socialism but rather a natural progression of socialist ideas. In Hayek’s view, socialism (by which he seems to mean a centrally planned economy) is bad economics because competition, not central planning, is what allows new ideas and wealth-creating innovations to flourish. But it’s also bad politics because under a socialist system, individual freedom will disappear; all power will reside in the hands of the central planners/the state. I broadly agree with Hayek’s ideas here, so my opinion is biased. But I think this essay is worth reading for anyone who is interested in a “liberal” (as opposed to socialist) view of economics or in the history of socialist thought. Hayek doesn’t straw-man his opponents, and his arguments are thoughtful and measured. Maybe I’ll tackle one of his full-length books at some point!

Book #134: Alison Goodman, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
CATs: none

Lady Augusta “Gus” Colbrook and her sister, Lady Julia, are unmarried women in their 40s and thus are basically invisible in society. Instead of dwindling into spinsterish obscurity, they decide to help vulnerable women who are being abused by the men in their lives. Aiding them in their quest is the handsome Lord Evan Belford, whose checkered past doesn’t deter Gus from a more-than-friendly interest. This novel is hard to categorize; it’s not exactly a romance or a mystery, though it has elements of both. But the book mainly depicts the negative aspects of Regency society, particularly the limits placed on women, and offers a sort of revenge fantasy in which the women take charge and triumph over all wrongdoers. For some readers, this will be exactly their cup of tea, but for me, it was too anachronistic and felt a bit preachy. I didn’t dislike the book, though! Goodman is a good writer, the plot adventures are fun, and Gus is (usually) a sympathetic character. I believe a sequel is planned, and I’ll likely read it when it comes out.

Book #135: Stella Riley, The Wicked Cousin
CATs: none

After a too-strict upbringing, Sebastian Audley has spent the past several years behaving as outrageously as possible, first in England and then abroad. Now his scandalous ways are beginning to pall, and he hopes to return to England and lead a quieter life, but his reputation makes that difficult. Meanwhile, Cassandra Delahaye is determined not to be impressed by the rakish Sebastian, but she soon finds herself attracted to his good looks and roguish sense of humor. I’m officially a huge fan of this series and enjoyed this installment as well, but it felt a little too long. The main obstacle to the romance is Sebastian’s obsessed ex-lover, which means there’s a lot of plot to slog through even after Sebastian and Cassie fall in love. (I find that Stella Riley uses the “evil ex” trope pretty often, which I’m not fond of.) I still liked the book a lot, though, and it was nice to catch up with the various recurring characters. Looking forward to the next one!

Book #136: Kristan Higgins, Too Good to Be True
CATs: none

Grace Emerson is in a tough spot: Her ex-fiancé is now dating her perfect younger sister, and everyone in her close-knit but meddlesome family is pitying her. To get them off her back, Grace invents a fake boyfriend, a kind and handsome pediatric surgeon. She also attempts to find love in the real world, but the dating pool in her area is slim until handsome Callahan O’Shea moves in next door. Grace is attracted to Callahan, but he’s nothing like the ideal man she’s imagined. Will she continue to pursue the fantasy or take a chance on a real relationship? I like Kristan Higgins’s romances, but I’m learning that most of them are not keepers for me, and this one is no different. Grace’s judgmental attitude toward Callahan annoyed me, and I couldn’t see why he was interested in her. I felt Grace’s family dynamics were more interesting than the romance, but the “humor” in the family interactions was a bit forced. Overall, I’m glad I reread this one, as now I can remove it from my shelves.

Book #137: Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End
CATs: Geo (Africa = set in Egypt); Alpha (E = End)

In this novel, Agatha Christie puts a unique spin on her usual formula by setting the story in ancient Egypt. Young and beautiful Renisenb has recently been widowed and has returned to her father’s house. There she finds comfort in familiarity among her brothers and their wives and children. But when her father brings home a concubine, Nofret, things change: The family becomes discontented and quarrelsome, and Nofret delights in making them all miserable. When Nofret falls from a cliff and dies, most of the family is happy to accept it as a “tragic” accident, but Renisenb suspects murder — and then more people start to die. I’ve reread this particular Christie novel a few times and always enjoy it. I remembered the killer’s identity, so it was fun to spot the clues throughout the narrative. I also liked the introspective Renisenb and was happy with how her story turned out. If you haven’t tried this Christie book yet, I’d definitely recommend it!

Book #138: Diane Farr, The Nobody
CATs: none

Unconventional Caitlin Campbell is in the midst of her first London Season and feels stifled by some of the rules of propriety. In defiance of social norms, she decides to walk home alone from a ball, where she immediately gets into trouble: A man, fleeing from a gang of ruffians, grabs her and kisses her in order to evade pursuit. Caitlin knows she should be outraged, but the man’s friendly, playful manners disarm her despite herself. She is shocked to encounter the stranger again — he is in fact a viscount, as well as her new friend’s brother. The attraction between them seems to be mutual, but the gentleman is unfortunately already engaged. I’ve been hunting down used copies of Diane Farr’s novels, and this one, her debut, is quite charming. It’s light and frothy, despite the existence of a murder plot, and there are a couple cute secondary romances as well. The character development isn’t particularly deep, and I would have liked more interaction between Caitlin and her hero. Nevertheless, I definitely enjoyed the book and would recommend the author to fans of light historical romance.

>135 christina_reads: It has been so long since I read that Christie, that I don't remember who did it. When I do rereads I tend to focus on the series characters.

>137 NinieB: Interesting! I love both Poirot and Marple, but I reread all Christies indiscriminately. :)

Book #139: Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest
CATs: none

Sorcha has lived an idyllic life with her father and six older brothers at Sevenwaters, a small Irish estate in the heart of a magical forest. But things change when her father marries Lady Oonagh, whose malicious sorcery soon tears Sorcha’s family apart. When Oonagh ensnares her brothers in a dreadful curse, Sorcha must perform an impossible task to save them — and she must remain silent till the task is complete. As she struggles with her task, she suffers many trials, including abduction by Britons and life among a hostile people. This was a reread for me, yet the book still completely sucked me in. The pace is incredibly slow, but I think the languorous plot adds to the dreamy, immersive nature of the world Marillier creates. It also lets readers get to know Sorcha well enough to find her extraordinary endurance believable. I love the book’s romance and its hopeful, yet not entirely happy, ending. I’ve enjoyed a few other books by Marillier, and I’m now inspired to dig deeper into her backlist!

Book #140: Anne Gracie, Marry in Haste
CATs: none

Major Calbourne Rutherford has just returned to England after the Napoleonic wars, only to find that his brother has died and he’s inherited an earldom. Cal intends to discharge his necessary duties quickly and then leave the country, but his plans change when he learns that his teenage half-sisters are getting into mischief. Unable to curb their behavior himself, he seeks out their former teacher, Emmaline Westwood, for help. She refuses his offer of employment, so in desperation he offers her a marriage of convenience instead. This Regency romance isn’t reinventing the wheel; it’s just a solid, fun, formulaic example of the genre, and that’s not a bad thing! Part of the joy of reading romance — and genre fiction in general — is that you know what you’re getting, and there’s comfort in that familiarity. I’m also a fan of the marriage-of-convenience trope, so I am definitely interested in continuing with the series. Recommended for historical romance fans!

>140 christina_reads: It's time to give Anne Gracie another try, so I've borrowed the third book in this series, Marry in Secret. Like you, I'm a fan of the marriage of convenience, and in this book there's also a second chance romance, another favourite.

Diane Farr is a good find- the lack of steam is so refreshing!

>141 pamelad: I hope you enjoy it! Marry in Haste definitely did some place-setting for the sequels, introducing all the rest of the heroines plus one of the heroes.

And yes, Diane Farr is indeed a good find -- I'm so glad I took that BB from you!

Book #141: Richard Osman, The Last Devil to Die
CATs: none

The Thursday Murder Club is back in business when Kuldesh Sharma, an antiques dealer who helped them on their previous case, is shot in what appears to be a drug deal gone wrong. Kuldesh was temporarily in possession of a box of heroin worth £100,000, but now it’s gone missing. Who has the heroin, and did that person also murder Kuldesh? As always, the characters and humor make this series a delight; at one point, Joyce describes the bracelet her daughter’s boyfriend gave her as “a nice thought.” One of my favorite aspects of the series is that every character is portrayed as a real, complex human being — even the drug dealers and other bad guys. This book is a bit heavier than usual because it deals more with Elizabeth’s husband Stephen’s struggles with dementia. But it’s still a very good read, and I’m eagerly awaiting the net book — though the author has announced he’s taking a break and writing about new characters right now, alas!

Book #142: Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked
CATs: none

Michael Stirling is known throughout society as “the Merry Rake,” but despite his myriad sexual conquests, he’s been in love with Francesca Bridgerton since the moment he saw her. Unfortunately, she was betrothed to his cousin John at the time and is now John’s wife. When John dies unexpectedly, Michael can no longer hide his true feelings, but can he pursue a relationship with Francesca without dishonoring his cousin’s memory? I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoy a hero who pines for the heroine, but in this case I didn’t understand why Michael was so obsessed with Francesca. He’s already in love with her when the story begins, so we don’t see what makes her so special to him. Further, he “courts” her exclusively by seducing her, so their romantic relationship is based entirely on sex, which I didn’t find particularly appealing. I’ve really liked some books in the Bridgerton series, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Book #143: Garth Nix, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
CATs: none

Eighteen-year-old Susan Arkshaw has come to London to find the father she’s never met. She tracks down Frank Thringley, an old friend of her mother’s, to see if he knows anything about her father — but she arrives just in time to see him crumble into dust at the prick of a hatpin. The hatpin’s wielder is Merlin, who describes himself as a “left-handed bookseller” and tells Susan she is in grave danger. He explains that the Old World of myths, legends, and ancient powers is real, and it’s starting to intrude dangerously into the ordinary world — unless Susan and the booksellers can stop it. This is a really creative YA adventure novel that seems intended to introduce readers to (or reinforce their love of) British fantasy fiction and mythology. I really liked all the literary allusions and the occasional humorous banter, but the book is a bit too episodic and plot-driven for me — too many action sequences, not enough character development. Overall, I liked but didn’t love it, and I probably won’t read the sequel.

Book #144: Mary Stewart, Madam, Will You Talk?
CATs: none

Charity Selborne is a young Englishwoman on holiday in the South of France. At her hotel in Avignon, she befriends a 13-year-old boy named David and gradually realizes that something is very wrong in his life. She then learns that David’s father, an accused murderer, is at large and has followed David to France. Charity’s decision to help David plunges her into days of suspense and fear, during which she encounters a mystery with its roots in World War II and finds love in an unexpected place. I really enjoy Mary Stewart’s novels of romantic suspense, though they all follow the same basic pattern: beautiful girl in exotic location finds danger and romance. But this is one of her strongest books, in my opinion — the plot is nice and twisty, and there’s a very memorable car chase. Recommended if you like this type of book!

>138 christina_reads: I enjoy rereading Christie books too, even if I remember whodunnit.

>143 christina_reads: I'm far behind in Osman's series - and now he's going to start a new series?? Sometimes I think I'll never catch up.

>147 VivienneR: Keeping up with series certainly is difficult! I'm always reading book #1 of a series and enjoying it, but then never getting around to book #2.

Book #145: Lauren Willig, The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
CATs: none

Gwen Meadows, a "spinster" in her mid-40s, is publicly the chaperone of her young relative, Miss Jane Wooliston -- and privately a principal member of the League of the Pink Carnation. When Jane's younger sister disappears from school, Gwen and Jane immediately suspect spy-related foul play. But another girl is also missing: the daughter of Colonel William Reid, a retired East India Company officer who's only recently come to England. Gwen and William team up to look for the missing girls, finding a legendary Indian treasure -- and love -- in the process. This is another fun installment of the Pink Carnation series, and it's nice that Miss Gwen (usually reduced to comic relief) finally gets her turn in the spotlight. It's refreshing and sadly rare to read about more mature adults finding romance! This isn't one of my favorites in the series, but it's still a good read -- can't believe there are only two more books to go!

September recap

Anyone else feeling like life suddenly got extremely busy, and it won't let up again till after the holidays? I always feel like once I hit mid-September, it's just a mad slide to Christmas. My "extracurriculars" (choir, band, etc.) are all back in full swing, and it's a busy season at work too. Nevertheless, I'm still reading quite a bit, so on to the books!

Books read in September:
1. Lauren Willig, The Garden Intrigue
2. Julia Seales, A Most Agreeable Murder
3. Darcie Wilde, And Dangerous to Know
4. Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke
5. Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village
6. Elizabeth Bright, The Duke’s Wicked Wife
7. Amy Barry, Kit McBride Gets a Wife
8. F.A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom
9. Alison Goodman, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
10. Stella Riley, The Wicked Cousin
11. Kristan Higgins, Too Good to Be True
12. Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End
13. Diane Farr, The Nobody
14. Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest
15. Anne Gracie, Marry in Haste
16. Richard Osman, The Last Devil to Die
17. Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked
18. Garth Nix, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
19. Mary Stewart, Madam, Will You Talk?
20. Lauren Willig, The Passion of the Purple Plumeria

Favorite book of the month:
I was pleasantly surprised by Kit McBride Gets a Wife, primarily for Junebug’s hilarious voice!

Dishonorable mention:
When He Was Wicked had too many sex scenes for me, and I didn’t find the central romance believable.

CATs completed:
- ClassicsCAT (nonfiction): Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom is a classic essay of political philosophy.
- GeoCAT (Africa): Death Comes as the End is set in ancient Egypt.
- AlphaKIT (V, E): Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint *English *Village; *Elizabeth Bright, The Duke's Wicked Wife; Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the *End
- RandomKIT (Wild Wild West): Kit McBride Gets a Wife is a romance set in 1880s Montana.

Books acquired in September:
- R.F. Kuang, Babel
- Elizabeth Bright, The Duke’s Wicked Wife (e-book) (already read)
- Lois McMaster Bujold, Penric’s Travels
- Diane Farr, The Nobody (already read)
- Diane Farr, Once upon a Christmas
- John Dickson Carr, The Red Widow Murders
- P.C. Wren, Beau Geste

>150 christina_reads: September and October are my busiest months of the year at work. So yes!

I'm so impressed that you read 20 books this month!

>151 NinieB: Thank you! To be fair, I mostly read light fiction, and several of the books were rereads. But 20 is definitely on the high end for me!

Book #146: Beth O’Leary, The Wake-Up Call
CATs: none

Izzy and Lucas are colleagues at the Forest Manor Hotel, and they can’t stand each other. Izzy is a sunshiny people-pleaser who always goes above and beyond, whereas Lucas is grumpy, reserved, and blunt to the point of rudeness. Further, Izzy confessed a crush to Lucas about a year ago, and he (seemingly) responded in a particularly cruel and insensitive way. Of course, the truth is more complicated — and now that Izzy and Lucas are being forced to work together to save their beloved hotel, their mutual hatred is turning into something else entirely. I really loved Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, The Flatshare, but her subsequent books have been too angsty and/or gimmicky for me. This book, however, feels like a return to form; it’s just a strong, well-written romantic comedy with some bonus holiday charm thrown in. The conflict between Izzy and Lucas centers around miscommunication, which may be frustrating for some, but to me their misunderstandings made sense given their very different personalities. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope should definitely check this one out!

>153 christina_reads: Taking a BB for this one! I too loved The Flatshare but none since then has attracted me. But this one looks like fun.

>154 VivienneR: It's definitely my favorite since The Flatshare -- hope you enjoy it when you get to it!