What a Way to Go (feature)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Feature

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for the #gifted copy of What a Way to Go by Bella Mackie. This one hit shelves on Tuesday. 

Synopsis:

When Anthony Wistern died, he expected his family to make a bit more of a fuss about it. Especially after he’d died in such dramatic fashion: skewered by an exorbitantly expensive party decoration in the private lake of his Cotswold’s manor house at his sixtieth birthday party, surrounded by the people for whom he most loved flaunting his wealth. And now even death has disappointed him; instead of Heaven or Hell or an empty void, Anthony’s soul is stuck in a strange kind of purgatory while he tries to figure out who killed him—before he is finally released from this interminably exasperating waiting room.

Olivia Wistern knows she should probably try to appear at least a little upset about her husband’s death, but she honestly can’t be bothered. As usual, he’s left behind an unbelievable mess—financially, socially, personally—that she’s going to have to clean up. Their four grown children will be of absolutely no help; she shouldn’t have let them become so hopelessly spoiled. And is it just her, or are the police and their “murder investigation” intentionally getting underfoot? There’s no shortage of people who hated Anthony, so can’t they look for a killer somewhere other than her house?

While the Wisterns are more concerned about the fate of their money than the fate of their patriarch, one internet sleuth is highly interested in Anthony Wistern’s death. She isn’t about to let the opportunity to create a sure-to-be smash true crime podcast pass by, not when the murder was committed mere yards away, and not when she has her own history with the victim. She’ll make her name and her own fortune off Anthony’s death one way or another, whatever it takes.

Murder on the Poet’s Walk (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I could not put down Murder on the Poet’s Walk. It is the 8th book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series. Set in the small town of Storyton, Storyton Hall is a book themed resort/hotel and this week it is hosting a greeting card writing competition! Except bodies are dropping and it looks like the competitors are starting to take out their prime competition.

I definitely did not guess the whodunnit, I wasn’t even close! But it was a fun read!

While this is the eighth book in the series, I read it as a stand alone without a problem.

Shield of Sparrows (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

After about 150 pages that were so slow I almost considered DNF-ing Shield of Sparrows. There was a lot of world building and at first it felt like Odessa wasn’t the right character to be following. By about the 200 age mark, though, I was hooked and couldn’t put this down. And the final few chapters had be flipping pages so fast!

There were a lot of monsters described that I almost wish there had been character art included. And the different towns Odessa spend time in, they were so lushly described that I felt like I was there.

I was not swayed by the romance aspect in Shield of Sparrows, I just didn’t believe the enemies to lovers vibes that I think the author was going for.

Shield of Sparrows is book one in a new series, and I am hesitant to say I’ll continue reading this series.

Thank you to Entangled Books/Red Tower Books for the #gifted ARC of Shield of Sparrows.

Boss Witch (Review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

Boss Witch is book 2 in the Fix-It Witches series, and while I did not read the first book I was able to follow along with this one no problem. I appreciated a witchy book set during the summer.

A witch hunter has come to the small town and Clem (short for Clementine) takes it upon herself to distract him from her coven. 

Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of Clem throughout the book. And I guessed the big surprise twist at the end. 

I will add that, the synopsis of this book mentions a bi character (supposedly Clem) but I didn’t get that vibe at all. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casa for the #gifted ebook.  

Beasts of Carnaval

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

If I had to describe Beasts of Carnaval, I would use just one word: Lush. The world building is so decadent that you feel transported into the islands and to the Carnaval party.

I adored the Puerto Rican mythology woven throughout this book. Although there were a few times where I found myself so wrapped up in the beautiful prose that I got lost with the story itself.

I listened to Beasts of Carnaval as an audiobooks, and I think I might have done better if I had read this as a paperback or ebook.

Thank you HTP Hive/Harlequin for #gifted paperback and audiobook.

Romantic Friction (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I expected Romantic Friction to be more of a romcom, but instead, it was a very 2025 book about publishing. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it (because it was an enjoyable read), but it will definitely feel dated in a few years.

The newest Instagram-famous author, Hartley West, is being called the next Sophie Wilde. But at a book signing in Sophie’s hometown, Hartley is called out as having written her debut book with AI and then independently publishing it.

The whole book was an interesting discussion on how much human intervention into gene text needs to happen before you can remove the “created by AI” label. As well as the successes and pitfalls between independent publishing and traditional publishing.

Overall, this was an interesting story. Definitely made me think more about generative AI use in creative fields. Thank you to Book Sparks for the paperback copy and thanks to Harlequin Audio and HTP Hive for the audiobook. I’m glad I listened to this as an audiobook, as I think I might have struggle bussed my way through the paperback.

Psycho Shifters (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I enjoyed the audiobook of Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas, so when I saw Psycho Shifters was available as an audiobook from Harlequin Audio, I jumped on it! This had a similar feel to Blood of Hercules, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all. 

This was spicy, a fast read and – frustratingly – ends in a cliffhanger. (THE WORST!)

I’ve already ordered the next book in the series – Psycho Fae.

Tropical Rebel gets the Dukes (Review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I listened to Tropical Rebel gets the Duke as a audiobook and rather enjoyed this BIPOC regency era romance. 

It was definitely a familiar story arc and tropes to other recent regency romances, with the twist that both MCs are people of color. That said, being brown in England was not the entire plot, nor was it the main trope. (I appreciated this! You don’t need to remind me that the character is (enter descriptor here) every chapter. 🤷‍♀️)

In Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, our FMC is an heiress making her own way in the world, while our MMC is a duke, who believes he is the acknowledged bastard son of his father, the prior duke, and his mother.

Topical Rebel Gets the Duke was super sweet and spicy. It’s also the third book in the Las Leonas series by Adriana Herrera, but I read this as a stand alone without any issues.

Thanks you to Harlequin Books for the review copy.

Tea You at the Alter (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere in Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, and I loved jumping back into this world in Tea You at the Alter.

While this is cozy, Kianthe and Reyna are getting married and overthrowing the ruler of the Queendom. Oh, and there is a missing heir that is coming to the wedding.

Not to mention, there’s baby dragons and baby griffins, and tea and books. Honestly, if you need anything more than that to convince you to read this, I don’t know what more you need in a book.

This is the third book in the Tomes & Tea series. I only read book one and this one, and feel like I didn’t miss too much. I listened to Tea You at the Alter as an audiobook, thanks to Macmillan Audio. I appreciate the narrator, Jessica Threet, has distinct voices for each character.

Shoot Your Shot (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I love sports romances, but Shoot Your Shot fell flat for me. We have a professional hockey player MMC and and FMC whose dream it is to be a tattoo artist. I felt like there wasn’t a lot of growth between our main characters, and the insta-love trope isn’t my favorite. 

I did find the stolen sign scene humorous. And there’s definitely some steamy scenes. But overall, this one won’t stick with me. 

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, The Hive and NetGalley for the review copy!