I read all three of these books during my vacation, which obviously makes the reading even better. But actually, I was so excited to get as much reading time in as I did during my family vacation because my niece and nephew kept wanting to look at my kindle. Or they wanted to play a game. Or we needed to all be in the pool. But you know, when there’s a minimum hour and half wait for dinner each night, you can squeeze in a lot of reading. Anyway, I read the e-ARC copies I received of Fossil Feud and Just a Highland Fling and then did a mixed e-ARC/ALC read of Yes, Chef. Shout out to the respective publishers for the access to those early copies. Of course, I’m getting these reviews posted after they’re all out, so great news, you can read any of these that catch your eye!
Fossil Feud by Maggie North
Fossil Feud follows Ripley, a paleontologist minus the doctorate because of some academic shenanigans of her ex, who is digging up a dinosaur fossil with her privately funded company. Things are going fine when Professor James Smithson shows up on the scene and asks for her help. Did I mention that the professor is hot? He is. And he needs her help investigating possible fraud from her ex.
What I Liked: Passion for one’s work is always really fun to read about even when that passion is for dinosaurs and I am inexplicably freaked out by dinosaurs. Also, Maggie North’s writing style really works with my brain. Also, also, this emotional journey that Riley goes on to remember that it’s okay to rely on other people/let other people in.
What I Didn’t Like: There’s really nothing that stands out to me as a thing I didn’t like, but I did think occasionally the pacing got a little funky and it would drag for a bit before correcting.
Content Notes: Ripley’s dad is ill (maybe cancer?) and James’s mom died in his childhood (car accident).
Just a Highland Fling
by Naina Kumar
Neelu flies to Scotland for her estranged father’s wedding and runs into a gentleman (Jacob) who she immediately hits it off with. Adamant that they not exchange information and just enjoy their night for what it is, she is startled to see him again at the pre-wedding celebration. Things change (again) when on the day of the wedding, the bride goes AWOL. Neelu, convinced that she’s to blame, winds up teaming up with her dad and Jacob as they go in search of the missing bride. Along the way, Neelu confronts her desire to be emotionally closed off and her preconceived notions of how her relationship with her father became what it is. And, also, obviously, she and Jacob fall in love.
What I Loved: Neelu is in reality tv production and I adored everything about her job that was included. It was so much fun for me as a person who loves reality dating shows. I did like the way Neelu’s relationship with her father was handled. I think too often we see toxic family members and a forgiveness scene, but this wasn’t about her dad being toxic; he just wasn’t very good at being present from an ocean away. I did like Jacob and Neelu’s connection. I loved the scenes where they did something for a stranger (I won’t spoil).
What I Didn’t Like: Once again, I felt like there were times that the pacing just really slowed down and I struggled with that. But mostly, I think reading Fossil Feud and Just a Highland Fling back to back did this one a disservice because the way we get to the HEA was remarkably similar in both books and even while reading it, I felt like I was already getting confused. That is not the fault of the book though!!
Content Notes: Neelu’s dad is in remission, but his wife to be’s son died of cancer.
Yes, Chef by Grace Rilley
Poppy and Jack both have pretty bad days in the public eye and the scene of the crime is Poppy’s dad’s restaurant where Jack was a sous chef. Jack was also about to be given his own restaurant under the Winfield group until his grief ruined everything. Meanwhile, Poppy gets broken up with by an NBA player and the break up goes viral for all the wrong reasons, but during this process she realizes that her family thinks of her as a joke. Jack and Poppy are certainly not friends, but as Jack goes back to Florida to take over the restaurant he inherited from a man he loved like a father, Poppy decides that this is the perfect opportunity to prove herself. And thus, Jack and Poppy are in Florida together, trying to get a restaurant ready to open in a few short months. Meanwhile, Jack’s not-sister is the best and I’m obsessed with her and also there’s a cat named Gator.
What I Loved: Both Jack and Poppy have ADHD and I’m obsessed with that. I also really love Poppy. Just in general. Jack is so grumpy about Poppy’s sunshine ways, but she really tries so hard to just make the best of things. Even when she absolutely should not be. I love the way Jack teaches Poppy how to cook. Poptarts. The way that (most of) the sex scenes were woven into this story. Basically, nearly everything about this book was perfect.
What I Didn’t Like: There’s like ONE more sex scene than what my personal preference would have been. Also, I would have liked EVEN MORE of the decorating of the restaurant. I loved that aspect. Poppy’s dad. Just his existence. This is not a slight on the book, that was the point. But I don’t like him.
Audiobook Specific Thoughts: I liked the narration by Samantha Summers for Poppy. I think Troy Duran was fine, but sometimes when he tried to like put on the sexy voice situation his voice dropped too low and so the volume was aggravating. Not sure if that’s his fault or the fact that I kept listening to this while there were other things happening. But overall, a great audiobook. I would listen to it again.
Closing Thoughts
These are three excellent books that I definitely would recommend if they sound interesting to you! Let me know if you’ve already read one or more and what you thought if so! And if you want to pick one of these up now, I’d love to know that as well.
xx
firewhiskeyreader 