Reading with Mrs. Leaf

  Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult publishes tomorrow, 11/30/2021.  It’s March 2020 and Diana and her boyfriend Finn are set to take a trip to the Galapagos. Unfortunately Covid has hit the US and Finn, a physician in a NYC hospital, needs to stay and work so Diana goes on the trip alone. Once in the Galapagos though everything is closing due to the virus & she can’t make it home. She is taken in by a local family and begins a journey of self discovery. Or so it seems.  I loved the descriptions of the Galapagos, the story of self discovery & second chances. I was not expecting the twist in the second half of this book and am still not sure how I felt about it.  Personally, it’s still a little too soon to be reading about COVID, especially as we are still in the midst of it. I listened to this book on audiobook and really enjoyed the narration by Marin Ireland. Thank you Penguin Random House Audio for an advanced listener copy of this book through the Volume...

Title: Lake Mistletoe Author: Amber Kelly Publication: Today! 11/29/21 Genre: Romance  My Rating: Loved it! In short : Willa has inherited her grandmother’s Inn located in Lake Mistletoe, Idaho. She intends to fix it up & sell it after the holidays. Once getting to Idaho she re-connects with a childhood friend Keller who helps her fix up the place as they grow close.  From the publisher : Life in the fast lane is what I’ve been working toward for the last six years. My career was all planned out running one of the hottest hotels in Miami’s South Beach. That was until our playboy owner broke a few rules, and my perfect opportunity crumbled underneath my feet.   So here I am, headed to Lake Mistletoe, a quaint little valley town in Idaho of all places. My grandmother, and namesake, left her Inn to me, and I am now sentenced to the task of getting it prepared to sell at the end of this year's holiday season. My memories of this Christmas oasis have long since faded, but ...

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @berkleypub for the #gifted copy of this new cozy mystery!  Title: Mimi Lee Cracks the Code Author: Jennifer Chow Publication: 11/30/2021 Genre: Cozy Mystery  My Rating:  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Series Background: This is book 3 in the Sassy Cat Mystery series featuring pet groomer Mimi Lee and her cat Marshmallow.  In short: Mimi Lee, owner of Hollywoof, has been offered a getaway on Catalina Island for herself, Marshmallow and her boyfriend Josh. All sounds great until the vacation rentals last guest ends up dead with the owner, and Mimi Lee’s friend being a prime suspect.  What to expect: 🔎 A telepathic cat 🔎 Mimi Lee investigates the Murder on her own, convinced her friend is being wrongfully accused.  🔎 Great setting around LA and Catalina Island My thoughts: This was a great cozy mystery! I haven’t read the 1st two books but definitely plan to now that I’ve met these quirky, inviting characters. When you get down to the myst...

  ✨ Series Spotlight ✨ Bellamy Creek Series by Melanie Harlow Small town romances revolving around 4 swoon worth best friends and the women they fall in love with.  What to expect: ❤️ Each book is a standalone, however the characters intersect with each other throughout the series.  ❤️ Lots of steam and dirty talk.  ❤️ Wonderful world building from book to book with glimpses of people and settings from her Cloverleigh Farms series as well.  ❤️ Different trope for each book from opposites attract to brothers best friend to marriage of convenience to second chances.  ❤️ Tight friendships and old man baseball   I could go on and on about this series. This is a series you need to read and trust me, you will fall in love with this town and characters.  Have you read these books? What did you think? Which is your favorite? 

  “I’m helping. Collecting clues. Gathering evidence. It makes your job easier. You just said you liked that.” Title: Beating the Wrap Author: Julie Anne Lindsey Publication: 11/15/2021 Genre: Cozy Mystery My Rating: Really enjoyed it   Series background: Book 3 in the Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries featuring boutique owner, and amateur sleuth, Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde.   In short: Bonnie is one of the main suspects in the murder of Joe Fryer, a neighboring shop owner. They recently had a very public confrontation about Joe’s negative comments left in the Gift of Gratitude box and the missing hand carved wood pieces that Clyde seems to be stealing.   What to expect: *Heroine in her late 30s. *Fall and Thanksgiving setting *Great sleuthing & progressions with the plot including several red herrings to keep you guessing *Start of a romance with the Sheriff   My thoughts: This was the first book in this series that I have read and I am in love with th...

  📚 Book Review 📚 Title: The Moonshine Shack Murder Author: Diane Kelly Publication: 7/6/2021 Genre: Cozy Mystery  My Thoughts: Loved it!  My cousin has been raving about this book for months so I finally took her recommendation and read it. So glad I did too as it was a fantastic start to a new series.  In short: Hattie Hayes is getting ready for the grand opening of the Moonshine Shack. The day after a public disagreement with the owner of the bar across the street he is found dead in front of Hattie’s shop.  What to expect: 🔎  Chattanooga, TB setting 🔍  Strong family history in the moonshine business  🔎 Great characters including Hattie’s grandfather & mounted police officer Marlon Landers 🔍  Amateur sleuthing, multiple suspects and an interesting motive.  My thoughts: I am so glad I listened to my cousin and read this book, it was so good! It had everything I love in a cozy mystery: great characters & setting, a hint of...