Review - At Death’s Dough

Title:   At Death’s Dough

Author:  Mindy Quigley

Series:  Deep Dish Mysteries #5

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:  October 28, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The fifth book in the delectable Deep Dish Mystery series by Mindy Quigley, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

It’s February in the swanky resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air—along with a whiff of danger. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with her hunky police detective boyfriend, Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the legendary Chicago mob boss. But their romance is put on ice when a chilling discovery plunges Delilah and Capone into the heart of a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather. 

As old secrets begin to surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Calvin’s cagey cousin to her own eccentric customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone untangle a web of deceit that could lead them to a priceless treasure... or a heart-stopping finale. Will Delilah and Capone solve the mystery before history repeats itself? Or will they spend their first Valentine’s Day together sleeping with the anchovies?

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Delilah O’Leary, as always, is swamped with work in Mindy Quigley’s fifth book in her Deep Dish Mysteries series. It’s the chilly month of February, and Delilah finds herself entangled in yet another mystery. Nothing would make Valentine’s Day more special for Delilah than spending it with her boyfriend, Calvin Capone. However, Calvin might be the great-grandson of the infamous mobster, but he’s also the police investigator in their town.

This cozy mystery not only keeps Delilah juggling her responsibilities as a boss and a girlfriend but also entertains readers with the town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin’s fascination with all things mob-related. In fact, I discovered an intriguing fact when it clarified the distinction between The Mafia and The Mob, despite their interchangeable use.

Amidst her busy schedule at the pizzeria, Delilah manages to spend time with Calvin and keep her great-aunt happy, which means at least one more ice fishing trip for the season. But in short order, a body is discovered beneath the ice. Our protagonists are in place, the setting is set, and another murder mystery unfolds. Delilah embarks on a quest to find the killer and ensure justice is served.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series. While the pacing may occasionally be slow, the strong connections between the characters and the exciting connection to the town’s mob history keep each installment captivating. 

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Paperbacks and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series: the Deep Dish Mysteries (St. Martin's Press) and the Mount Moriah Mysteries.

Her short stories have won awards, including the 2018 Artemis Journal/Lightbringer Prize. Her non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling. 

She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband, their children, and their idiosyncratic miniature Schnauzer.

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BLOG TOUR - Julia Song is Undateable

DESCRIPTION: 

CEO seeks dating coach

Critically acclaimed and reader-favorite author Susan Lee’s hilarious adult debut is a shimmering and joyful look at the magnificent—and sometimes suffocating—weight of family, the ways we limit ourselves, and the irresistible power of love.

Julia Song, CEO of Starlight Cosmetics, is at the height of her career. Then why does she feel like such a failure? Maybe because she’s thirty and single, with a terrible track record at dating. And in the eyes of her Korean family, that is just unacceptable. It never really bothered her—that is until her beloved grandmother drops the bomb that she is sick and her dying wish is for Julia to get married. Impossible. So in a moment of weakness, Julia asks her family for help. Set her up on three dates to help her find The One. But it will never work—Julia is undateable. If only there was a coach for that…

Tae Kim knows about the weight of familial expectation. He’s currently unemployed, living in his parents’ basement to care for his ill father. Sure, he’s become somewhat of a fix-it man for the Korean community around town, but that’s not a real job. And the pressure to get his life together is getting to be too much. So when the Julia Song—his childhood crush—asks for his help, it may be just the distraction he needs. He’ll do whatever it takes, even coach her for these three dates. Problem is, the more time they spend together and the closer they get, the more Tae wonders if anyone is good enough for Julia…including him.

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/julia-song-is-undateable-susan-lee/a33951623b2be3cf 

B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/julia-song-is-undateable-susan-lee/1146730873 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335402527?tag=harpercollinsus-20 

Title:  Julia Song is Undateable

Author:  Susan Lee

Publisher:  Canary Street Press

Genre:   Romance

Narrator:  Michelle H. Lee

Format:  Audiobook ALC

Length:  10 hrs 8 mins

No. of Pages:   336

Date of Publication:   October 28, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Julia has reached the age of thirty. Professionally she is doing marvelously, but she has not met the expectations of her family. Her Korean family is not happy that she is not yet married. Customs rule their family, and this includes marriage and family. However, Julia hadn’t met anyone that she would find that would be a good life partner. Enter Tae Kim, five years younger and, in fact someone who used to babysit Tae. 

Tae’s life is in crisis, so when asked to become Julia’s dating coach, it gives him time to try and figure out his own life. Thus a contrasting dynamic is built on both characters. Expectations aside, Julia has even more pressure. Her grandmother has told she is dying and  that her dying wish is to see Julia married. Thus, Julia’s pressure grows exponentially. Julia is under her family’s thumb, although they have nothing but good intentions. 

Tae, living at home to care for his ailing father, his standing in the Korean community is excellent, even though he personally feel aimless. He readily agrees to help Julia find the man who will be her future husband. Julia loves her family, so she agrees to allowing Tae to become her dating coach as well as agreeing to going on dates that are planned for her. 

Michelle H. Lee’s narration brings the characters to life, infusing them with distinct voices. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story, especially when exploring another culture and the expectations that shape many lives. Susan Lee is a new author to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review her book. 

Many thanks to Canary Street Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy the following excerpt:

BRIBE BAGS

JULIA SONG HATED being the center of attention. So standing here at the head of the conference table, expect-ant eyes of Very Important People all on her, was pretty much torture.
But Julia was the CEO of Starlight Cosmetics, this company was her baby, these VIPs the executives she hired to help grow the business. And the news she had to share with them was monumental.
She scanned her memory for the advice from her executive coach for this kind of situation. The only thing she could remember was, contrary to everything she’d ever
been told before in her life, never try to picture your audience naked. It would make the nerves even worse. And, of course, now that’s all Julia could think of.
She closed her eyes for a moment to clear her mind of all the unfortunate images fighting to run through her head. What was that one thing her coach told her?
Squeeze your butt cheeks to hold the plank. Wait, no, that was her abs coach.
If the recipe calls for garlic, double it. Wrong again. That was her cooking coach.
Oh, screw it. What was the use of having all these people to help Julia better herself when she couldn’t call upon the advice when needed?
She cleared her throat and decided to wing it.
“I know you’re all busy, so I’ll make this quick. Look, it’s not how I wanted to do this . . .”
Her dream, rather, was to one day point at each of them and tell them an exorbitant dollar amount for a bonus.
Enough money for them to buy new homes in the hills or on the beach, whichever they preferred.
“Wait—are you firing us?” someone cried out from the other end of the table.
Julia’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline. “What? No, of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Always start with something personal and positive to get people excited about what you’re going to say. Oh yeah, that’s the brilliant advice her coach had mentioned.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so ominous.” Julia quickly backtracked. “It’s just that, well, at the risk of get-ting too squishy in a work meeting, I really wanted to thank you all for taking a chance on me way back when all of this was just an idea in my head.”
Julia swallowed the emotion building in her throat as she looked around at the team she’d put together to lead this company. They were the ones who took her idea to merge the best in the Korean skincare market with the high demands of the US consumer and built what was now one of the fastest- growing organic, clean K- beauty brands in America.
“I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your hard work and loyalty. I don’t know that any of us anticipated this kind of success. But honestly, none of it would have happened without each and every one of you and your contribution. And now, I have some really great news. As you know, Starlight’s Lotus Bamboo Essence was selected for Allure’s Best of Beauty awards. Which was a dream come true for us. But it doesn’t end there.”
Julia inserted the dramatic pause her public speaking coach had encouraged her to use. The looks of anticipation around the room fueled her excitement.
“I’m thrilled to share that the same Lotus Bamboo Essence has also been selected as one of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things!”
There was a silent pause of shock, followed by an eruption of applause and cheers, high fives, and hugs shared around the table.
We’ll need to reforecast sales projections. We’re gonna blow up with the exposure . . .”
“We’re gonna have to update a comms plan . . .”
“We have to think of how we add this to the packaging design . . .”
“We need to make sure the supply chain can handle the increased distribution . . .”
“Oprah still has major influence on Gen X consumer spending. It’s a big win for a product . . .”

Yup, that was her team  .  .  . no- nonsense, capable, loyal, honest . . . and the hardest- working, most talented people in the industry. And they were all business, just like her.
Her chest swelled as she watched them leave to get back to work, patting each other on the back as they walked out, taking the noise with them.
Julia started this company at only twenty- six years old. She’d disappointed her parents by changing her major from pre- med to business administration. She lived off ramen and PB&J sandwiches for a good year just to scrape by as she worked tirelessly to research the hadn’t exactly welcomed her with open arms. And she stomached the start- up community’s boys’ club as she tried to secure funding for the company.
And four short years later, they were on the verge of something huge. Hard work and dedication had brought them to this level of success. So yeah, she was proud of them, proud of herself. And at only thirty, she was finally in a position financially to take care of her family without worry.
When the last person left her office, Julia turned to look out the windows, the hustle and bustle of Santa Monica ten floors below. She took a deep breath.
“That’s right, motherfuckers,” she screamed, while pumping her fist. She shook her hips back and forth, adding in some aggressive hair throws and, why the heck not, followed it with a body roll. “Oh yeah, uh- huh . . .”
“Oh dear, that’s something I’m not likely going to forget seeing.”
Record scratch.
Julia halted her celebratory dance and quickly patted down her hair, trying to tuck her I- knew- I’d- regret-these bangs behind her ear as her assistant, Annette, entered the office.
“Unlike what your schedule says on paper, you’ve only actually attended that hot yoga class once. Should you really be try-ing to move your body like that?” Annette asked. “I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“You’re fired.”
Annette passed her the cup of black coffee in the Morning Person mug that she knew was a lie, along with a multivitamin and a probiotic. Breakfast of champions. “Just remember that I know where the bodies are hidden.
Oh, and I have those pictures of you from that one holiday party . . .” 
“Okay, fine, you can stay,” Julia conceded. 
“Is it a good time to ask for a raise?”
Julia tried to shoot Annette a glare but couldn’t keep back the smile. It was a secret to no one that Annette was invaluable to the Starlight team, and most days she was the one bossing Julia around. Julia shook her head and took a seat at her desk. “Can you forward the O magazine email to the team so they know all the details?”
“You betcha,” Annette said. “Have you told your folks yet?” 
“No, not yet. I don’t think they’d even understand what a big deal this is.”
“Make sure to tell them.” Annette wasn’t only her assistant, she was also her work- mother as well. “Oh, and here is the updated short list of investors we might want to approach for global expansion. One bad meeting doesn’t have to halt progress.”
One bad meeting was an understatement. The last time Julia had met with an investment firm for an informational meeting, they kept asking about her significant other, driving home that they were a family- run business built on traditional values. They looked at her as young and inexperienced not because of her age— she knew plenty of male CEOs who were thirty— but because she wasn’t married with children. In their eyes, Julia wasn’t reliable because she wasn’t settled . . . settled down, that is.
Her accomplishments, alone, weren’t enough.
I’ll show them, she thought to herself as she gritted her teeth. Julia grabbed the list from Annette with a little bit more force than necessary and nodded. “Thanks.”
“Hey.” Annette softened her voice like she so rarely ever did. The one word in that tone made Julia surprisingly emotional. “It’s a good day, boss lady. You should be proud.” She patted Julia on the shoulder before walking back to her desk just outside Julia’s office.
Excerpted from JULIA SONG IS UNDATEABLE by Susan Lee. Copyright © 2025 by Susan Lee. Published by Canary Street Press, an imprint of HarperCollins.</ B>

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Lee is the author of the critically acclaimed and reader favorite young adult romantic comedies SEOULMATES and THE NAME DROP. Her work has been featured in national outlets such as Buzzfeed, NPR, and Pop Sugar. Kirkus Reviews calls Susan’s voice “honest, fresh and thoughtful”. A graduate of UC San Diego, Susan built a career as an HR executive at some of today’s hottest companies, until she realized that writing stories was a more impactful and powerful form of resistance and change. 

Now she channels her energy into writing Happily Ever Afters for those historically underrepresented in Romance. When she is not writing (or painfully procrastinating from writing), Susan can be found down the rabbit holes of her many obsessions including listening to Kpop, binge watching K-dramas, collecting sneakers, building mechanical keyboards, and obsessing over her two adorable, but ill-behaved chihuahuas.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://www.susanleewrites.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanleewrites/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanleewrites 

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@susanleewrites 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5001894.Susan_Lee 

BLOG TOUR - My Daughter’s Baby

DESCRIPTION:

As I hold my daughter’s newborn baby to my chest, my heart breaks knowing she didn’t live to meet her son. Someone will need to raise this child, but who will fight the hardest?

When I get the call my estranged daughter Sophie is in labor and that there are complications, I can barely breathe. It’s been months since I spoke to her—I had no idea she was even pregnant. I rush to the hospital, tears streaming down my face. But as I run through the hospital doors and see the nurses’ faces, I realize I am already too late.

I look down at the precious baby she left behind, swaddled in a blanket with perfect rosy cheeks. My husband and I could give him a stable, loving home. It would be a second chance for us. Because we didn’t get it right with Sophie—no matter how hard we tried, I know we failed her. This is our chance to finally make things right.

But then I meet the tear-filled gaze of my son-in-law, Tom, and realize it isn’t going to be that simple. He is the reason we didn’t have a relationship with our daughter. My husband is sure his troubled past will mean we get custody. But now Sophie is gone, is it time to give Tom a second chance? Or is it foolish to trust someone we don’t even know?

My chest aches as I realize I have no idea what Sophie would have wanted, or even what I truly want. Because I have secrets of my own… secrets that Tom doesn’t know and never should. Should I fight to raise my daughter’s baby myself, even if it costs me everything?

An unforgettable, gripping and suspenseful novel that shines a light on what it truly means to be a family. Perfect for readers who enjoy emotional fiction, and for fans of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Diane Chamberlain.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0FHKT8ZM3social

 

Title:   My Daughter’s Baby 

Author:  Kate Hewitt

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Historical Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  316

Date of Publication:  October 23, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

“Every parent’s history is littered with mistakes.”

This emotionally charged and captivating read begins with a tear-jerking scene. Diana rushes to the hospital with her husband, Andrew, after receiving a call that their daughter, Sophie, is in labor.

It had been nearly two years since they had spoken to Sophie, as Andrew had taken an instant strong dislike of her boyfriend Tom. This led to Sophie walking away from her parents. When they arrive at the hospital, they receive devastating news. Sophie didn’t survive the baby’s delivery and all they have time for is an all-too-brief goodbye. 

Andrew decides right on the spot that he intends on filing for custody as he feels that Tom would be an unfit parent. Diana intercedes and they decide to take Tom and the baby in. However, bonding with the baby proves difficult as Diana can’t help but to have feelings of inadequacy around the baby. She had severe postpartum depression when she had Sophie, so taking full custody of the baby terrifies her. 

Kate Hewitt certainly has a way to evoke powerful emotions with her stories. As a grandmother, I could easily relate to Sophie. Also, as a mother with a daughter who has experienced postpartum depression with each of her children, I deeply empathized with Diana’s pain and uncertainty when it came to her grandson. If you’re looking for a captivating read that will keep you hooked from the very first page, My Daughter’s Baby is a must-read.

 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

https://www.kate-hewitt.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KateHewittAuthor/
https://twitter.com/author_kate

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Kate Hewitt here: https://www.bookouture.com/kate-hewitt

Review - What Have You Done?

Title:   What Have You Done?

Author:  Nicole Trope

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  304

Date of Publication:  October 17, 2025

My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

“What have you done, Juliet?”

The neighbours look on in shock as two stretchers are wheeled past gated homes on a quiet suburban street. Handcuffs are clipped on a young woman with fear in her face.

The Cordells were the perfect family. But now, in a beautiful home where happy photos line the walls and flowers adorn the dinner table, it looks like a daughter has killed her loving parents.

Everyone tuts and shakes their heads, saying there was always something strange about Juliet.

And one person watching from the sidelines has triumph in their eyes. Someone who knew this would happen all along.

As what really went on in the Cordell’s once-peaceful home starts to unravel, one thing becomes clear:

This perfect family had a big secret. And not everything is as it seems…

An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you shocked at the twists and turns! Anyone who loves Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglas or Freida McFadden will be addicted.

MY THOUGHTS:

Juliet is plagued by disturbing memories. Are they real? She doubts herself at every turn, but the memories won’t stop. Quite naturally, her worries are overwhelming. This concern and related confusion continues to grow. 

The question of whether or not she has been a victim of her mother’s abuse her entire life did raise concerns with me as a reader. In fact, there were parts to this book that were triggering to me. But, Nicole Trope did a fabulous job of keeping me connected with the story, especially as the drama continued to unfold.

Juliet is broken, with good reason. Her budding career as a ballet dancer came to a screeching halt when another dancer missed catching her. Years of therapy and medications have not brought peace to Juliet. Not sure if it is the medications, but her suppressed memories are starting to be revealed in bits, and this is increases the doubt Juliet has for herself at every turn.

Gaslighting is definitely a factor in this story, but readers, keep reading, as the twists in this story blow by fast. As Juliet begins dating a kind man named Adam, it appears that he will be there for her, regardless of any challenges. However, what about her parents? As a mother, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration and anger. This just highlights the remarkable talent of Nicole Trope in crafting a compelling and thought-provoking story. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- 'It's not meant to be a story.' She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters' degree in Children's Literature.

The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story. She went on to publish a further five novels in Australia before joining Bookouture in 2019. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS and CAN.

She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children.

 

Author social media:

Facebook: @NicoleTrope

Twitter: @nicoletrope

Author email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/nicole-trope

 

Review - The Woman Downstairs

Title:  The Woman Downstairs

Author:  J.D. Kirk  

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   309

Date of Publication:   October 15, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

‘Hi,’ she says, ‘I’m your new neighbour.’ Her smile is bright but her shoulders are tense as she stands on the leafy green Edinburgh street. She seems friendly. But soon I’ll discover her dangerous secret…

On the first day I meet my new neighbour, we share a glass of wine and talk into the night. We swap numbers and I vow to get to know her better. But as I get closer to her, I discover something about her past that changes everything. She isn’t who I thought she was.

Then when I step into her home, my jaw drops. Everything in here is identical to my own flat – every cushion, every picture on the wall.

Except for the knife, covered in blood. My heart pounds in my chest. What has she done? What is she capable of?

I should never have come here. I should never have got close to her. I need to run.

But then I hear a creak outside the door. And I realise, it may be too late…

MY THOUGHTS:

An easy five star read.Diane and Chloe, now neighbors, have an unexpected connection. Chloe’s move into Diane’s building wasn’t accidental; it was by deliberate design, and the reader will soon discover the reason behind it. Revenge serves as the central theme of this story, and the reader will soon understand why. Continue reading to uncover the truth.

The twists. The drama. Two characters with their own stories. Factor in bit of snarky dialogue woven through the pages and what you have is quite an entertaining read. J.D. Kirk pulls the reader into the story by with a developing mystery all while the story pulls the reader in. 

Delivered from both Diane’s and Chloe’s POV, the story holds at a rapidly increasing pace. Their very first conversation, and the drama that ensues, is top-notch. I loved this story and this book definitely puts Kirk on my radar. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: https://jdkirk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdkirkbooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdkirkbooks/

X: https://twitter.com/JDKirkBooks

Bookouture Email Sign-up: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/jd-kirk