Y’all, I was so lucky to receive ARCs of three of the books I’m most excited about and, of course, I’m late getting the reviews to you, but still within the week so honestly, I think that’s a win. Especially since I currently have the flu (?) and feel like I’m dying. So, quick PSA to get your flu shot if you haven’t because this sucks so much. I did test negative for the flu, but the doctor says that’s been a thing lately and so she still thinks that’s what I have. Anyway, you’re actually here to hear about the books, so let’s get down to business (to defeat the Huns…).
Each of these three books came out on March 4th, so you can pick up any of the books that you’re interested in already! I first read (listened) to my ALC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano, courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley, and spoiler alert, I loved it. I’m truly obsessed with this series. I just find it such a delight. Then I read Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone on March 4th actually, before my brain kind of really started to slow down. I also really loved it! Then finally I read The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley via a finished copy I had pre-ordered on March 5th, which took me all day because my brain did start slowing down significantly. But I had received an e-ARC of each of these books thanks to their respective publishers via Netgalley. So shout out to them.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
In the first four books of Finlay Donovan, there is an overarching plot/mystery that wraps up in book four before the hook of this particular book is delivered in the very last chapter. That hook being that there’s a dead body found in Mrs. Haggerty’s flower beds. Finlay, unsurprisingly, gets dragged into this situation and is trying to figure out what happened, while also dealing with Nick and how complicated it is to be committing crimes left and right while dating a detective. Especially when said detective is pretty ethical.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. For a while it was stressing me out significantly less than the first four books in the series because Finlay was keeping her crimes to misdemeanors, but, as always, she eventually levels up into felony land so I was stressed out for her. But the thing is, even when I’m stressed, with these books Cosimano perfectly manages to keep the humor and lightness present so that I’m always having a good time. I just kept texting one of my friends who has read the series like, “Finlay’s doing it again.” In all honesty, this book was probably one of my favorite installments in the series because of the forward progress in the romance department. I’m a big fan of Finlay and Nick and so I am hoping nothing really comes between them in the future. We’ll see how that goes though, yeah? Because there will absolutely be a sixth book and I cannot wait for it either!
Promise Me Sunshine
by Cara Bastone
Lenny is grieving her best friend, Lou, who passed away from cancer fairly recently. She’s a nanny who used to do long term gigs, but is now just doing short term ones because she doesn’t feel capable of faking being okay for an extended period of time. She refuses to return to the apartment she and Lou shared, instead spending her nights in places in NYC that are open for 24 hours. She meets Miles, aunt to Ainsley, pretty immediately in the book and the two of them do not make the best first impression on one another. But Miles figures out what’s going on with Lenny and he’s determined to help her through it, in return for helping him figure out how to get along better with Ainsley.
Bastone pairs the deep emotions of grief with the overall lightheartedness of this romance with deft skill, as this book had me alternatively tearing up and then laughing. I have always loved her writing and felt like it shined even more than usual in this particular novel. In this novel, Bastone not only introduced us to a cast of characters that already had background with one of the characters, but also let us watch Lenny and Miles meet and befriend individuals throughout the course of the novel in a way that felt so very NYC for me. I liked it because I often think about how hard it can be to make friends as an adult and to build community, but in this book, Miles and Lenny demonstrate that sometimes it requires simply putting yourself out there and having new experiences and inviting others in. I really liked the discussion of complex family dynamics and the ways in which we got to know our characters and their struggles. Basically, I think Bastone shined in the ways that she always does with the creation of her characters and the dynamics between them. I loved this book a lot and am sure it’s going to be one that sticks with me for a long time to come.
The King’s Messenger
by Susanna Kearsley
Can we just start with the way that Kearsley is always teaching me history I didn’t know? I was AGHAST to learn about King James in here and how he treated his children and his wife. I remain mad. I also had to make sure that he wasn’t the same King James who became exiled, because, honestly, I was going to have a much more difficult time feeling bad for him if so. I was relieved to find out that he wasn’t. Anyway, as always, if you find yourself compelled by the book, Kearsley’s Author’s Note about the history of the times is always a fantastic read.
Anyway, in terms of the actual story, essentially, Andrew Logan is sent after Sir David Moray and Phoebe Westaway and her father go off with him because Phoebe’s dad is a scribe. Phoebe and Andrew dislike one another (mostly Phoebe) at the beginning and so there is a super slow build of their romantic relationship that I, of course, adored. Kearsley is big on showing rather than telling and so this book requires attention in a way that was admittedly a struggle for me at the time that I was reading it, but overall, I loved it despite the amount of energy it took for me to focus. As always, I cannot wait for more from Kearsley because I just have so much fun with her works. She is so talented and I love learning as much as I do from her. The romance and the adventure in this book is really satisfying. It also has me wanting to reread The Shadowy Horses and The Firebird because Andrew has the Second Sight. Honestly, just what a good time.
Closing Thoughts
The relief in finding all three of these highly anticipated books to be fantastic… Y’all. It’s a joy. I’ve actually been off to such a good start this reading year so here’s to continuing that energy into the rest of 2025. Because if everything else is going to be on fire, I might as well be enjoying my reads, right? Have you read any of these yet? Are you going to? Let me know!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 