Review: A Waltz to Remember by Mary Balogh

 

A Waltz to Remember (Ravenswood #6) by Mary Balogh

Publication Date: October 26th 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Lady Stephanie Ware has mostly overcome the insecurities that she’s struggled for years, but facing her longtime crush, her brother’s best friend Bertrand Lamarr, brings some of them back. The last time she saw him, she rejected his invitation to dance in a completely rude way and has regretted it ever since. Now she’ll be seeing him at her brother's wedding.

 

Bertrand, Viscount Watley, hasn't forgotten Stephanie's rejection and plans to keep his distance. However, things don’t go as planned.

 

I’ve been looking forward to Stephanie and Bertrand’s story ever since hints of their feelings appeared in earlier books. Stephanie’s insecurities were easy to relate to, and I appreciated how she came to understand the root of those feelings by reasoning it out with family. As she got to know Bertrand better, Stephanie realized he wasn’t the perfect man she’d imagined but someone with feelings and struggles of his own. Watching them truly see and understand each other was one of my favorite parts of the story. Their relationship felt like a genuine meeting of hearts and minds, and I adored both characters.

 

A Waltz to Remember is another touching addition to the Ravenswood series. I’ve grown to love these characters over the course of the series, and each new release feels like a visit with old friends. I’m already looking forward to the next book!

5 Stars

Book Description:

The youngest Ware daughter, Stephanie, has always harbored secret passion for the best friend of her brother. In her eyes Bertrand Lamarr, Viscount Watley, is perfect. For many years she thought of herself as quite the opposite. When he surprised her by asking her to save a waltz for him, she panicked - and refused him in the unkindest words.

Stephanie's guilt over her behaviour is such that she now dreads seeing him, as she inevitably must, at the Christmas family reunion she is attending. She wants to hide from him, but what she doesn't know is that Bertrand has always admired her from afar and is determined to overcome her apparent dislike of him and win his waltz. For he believes there is magic between them, and they will discover it can conquer all their regrets and fears if they but give themselves a chance.

Audiobook Review: Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

 

Fifty-Fifty (Eddie Flynn #5) by Steve Cavanagh

Publication Date: June 3rd 2025 by Simon & Schuster Audio

Pages: 384

Audio Book Length: 11hrs 44mins

Narrator: Adam Sims

Source: Purchased Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I’ve been loving the Eddie Flynn series since I listened to the prequel last year and then jumped right into Two Kinds of Stranger (book 9) because I had a review copy. After finishing I went back to the beginning and have been listening to the audios.

 

I haven’t read book 3 because you can’t get it here in the US (same with book 7, The Accomplice). My daughter bought a paperback copy of The Liar and The Accomplice from the UK and read them and passed them onto me, but I’m partial to listening to the books because Adam Sims is the perfect Eddie Flynn to me! I just found out book 3, The Liar, and book 7, The Accomplice, are coming out in audio June 2027!

 

At any rate, I haven’t talked about Fifty-Fifty yet, but it was amazing! My husband and I listened to it last week while on vacation and finished it on our car ride back home.

 

Sophia and Alexandra Avellino, two sisters, each claim the other murdered their father. It’s a gruesome scene and the guilty person is definitely unhinged, but which one is telling the truth? Eddie represents Sophia, who he believes is the innocent one and a new defense attorney, Kate, represents the Alexandra in a joint trial. Several murders and twists! I was riveted!

 

If you haven’t tried this series, you are missing out!

5 Stars

Book Description:

Alexandra Avellino has just found her father's mutilated body, and needs the police right away. She believes her sister killed him, and that she is still in the house with a knife.

Sofia Avellino has just found her father's mutilated body and needs the police right away. She believes her sister, Alexandra did it, and that she is still in the house, locked in the bathroom.

Both women are to go on trial at the same time. A joint trial in front of one jury.

But one of these women is lying. One of them is a murderer. Sitting in a jail cell, about to go on trial with her sister for murder, you might think that this is the last place she expected to be.

You'd be wrong.

Sunday Post #359

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

We had a nice time in Mendocino with my sister and her husband. We did a railway bike into the forest, hiking in the redwoods, visited Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and Mendocino Botanical Gardens. We cooked a couple of simple dinners at the house, everyone pitching in and did a bunch of puzzles.

Mendocino Coast

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

Anemone (above) and Marigolds (below) at the Mendocino Botanical Garden

500 Piece Puzzle: National Parks by Pippi Post

Puzzle 57 of 2026

My sister and I worked all these puzzles below:

500 Piece Puzzle Completed: Bookish Cats by Mudpuppy

Puzzle 58 of 2026

500 Piece Puzzle Completed: Home Hobbies by Happy Piece

Puzzle 59 of 2026

1000 Piece Puzzle Completed: Blossom Bliss by IdeaBazar

Puzzle 60 of 2026

We came home from our vacation on Tuesday and I worked the next day. Spent time doing laundry and sorting everything out. 

Read:

A Waltz to Remember by Mary Balogh-5 Stars

Conspiracy Theory by Phillip Margolin-3.5 Stars

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh-5 Stars

A Hard Luck Christmas by Brenda Novak-4 Stars

Received:

Wood You Be Mine by Daphne Elliot

Hate and Other Acts of Fiction by Megan Oliver

Swipe Bite by Alexandra Vasti

Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin

The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos

Thank you to Berkley and Minotaur Books!

How was your week?

Review: A Hard Luck Christmas by Brenda Novak

 

A Hard Luck Christmas by Brenda Novak

Publication Date: October 27th 2026 by Harlequin Special Edition

Pages: 272

Audio Length: 7hrs 43min

Narrator: Em Eldridge

Source: Publisher 
Rating: ★★★★
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Patience, a single mother, is determined to make the town's Christmas festival a success and bring much-needed business to Hard Luck.

 

Kanon is back in Hard Luck, a place that holds bad memories, to turn the motel he’s inherited part of into a success. Luckily for him, his stepsister is more relieved than upset by Kanon now being a co-owner. She needs help and Kanon is ready to make a go of things, which is how he ends up helping Patience with the Christmas festival.

 

Patience had her own personal issues besides trying to save the town: a manipulative ex-best friend and an overbearing, self-righteous father. Boy, did I want to strangle him at times!

 

I rooted for Patience and Kanon in their efforts to revitalize the town, working together as they fell in love. I also cheered as Patience gained confidence, saw things in a different light, and decided to stand up for herself.

 

A Hard Luck Christmas was a feel-good story about second chances, community, and healing from the past. I enjoyed every minute!

 

I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook and can recommend either version. I thought Em Eldridge did a wonderful job with all voices, male and female in a range of ages!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Enjoy small town charm, Christmas cheer and a heartfelt second chances/opposites attract romance from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak!

Single mom Patience Mather is focused on two things—her daughter and planning a Christmas festival that will contribute to the revitalization of Hard Luck, Nevada. She has no time for complications—or sparks with returned bad boy Kanon Kincaid. He’s back to claim an inheritance of half of a failing motel. He'll fix what’s broken…starting with his own reputation.

As a pastor’s daughter, Patience knows better than to fall for someone who might skip town again, and Kanon believes someone steady and safe is what Patience deserves. But in the glow of twinkling lights and holiday magic, their undeniable connection makes every choice harder. Can Christmas in Hard Luck deliver a second chance…or just heartbreak?

For fans Christmas Sparkle Small-Town Romance Opposites Attract Good Girl/Bad boy

Sunday Post #358

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

I didn't post last weekend because I was super busy with work. This week I'm on vacation. We've been on the Pacific Coast in Trinidad and now we're a bit south in Mendocino, California where we've met up with my sister and her husband. It's been beautiful and relaxing. We've seen redwood giants over 2000 years old, whales, pelicans and otters frolicking on the beach!

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park:

Otters Wilson Creek Beach

1000 Piece Puzzle Completed: Autumn Vibes by Elena Essex

Puzzle 55 of 2026

500 Piece Puzzle Completed: Night Camp by Happy Piece

Puzzle 56 of 2026

Read:

Two weeks work of reading

Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley & Agatha Christie-5 Stars

The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi-4 Stars

Takedown by Allison Brennan-4 Stars

Sometimes I Scare Myself by Jeneva Rose-4 Stars

The Best Christmas Every by Sarah Morgan-4 Stars

This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman-5 Stars

Received:

Conspiracy Theory by Phillip Margolin

Bad Company by Sara Paretsky

A Waltz to Remember by Mary Balogh

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Berkley!

How was your week?

Audiobook Review: Takedown by Allison Brennan

 

Takedown by Allison Brennan

Publication Date: October 27th 2026 by Brilliance Publishing/Amazon Original Stories

Pages: 75

Audiobook Length: 1hrs 36min

Narrator: Hillary Huber

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Takedown follows Detective Skye Truman as she pursues Trent Calderone, a serial rapist she knows is guilty but can't arrest without more evidence. Trent is a lawyer in the Governor's office. He’s arrogant and enjoys the fact that Skye can’t touch him.

 

Trent is growing bolder, showing up at crime scenes and taunting Skye. So, when another less experienced cop proposes a risky takedown, Skye is reluctant, but she knows Trent must be stopped before he hurts anyone else.

 

I was hooked from the start and outraged on behalf of both the victims and Skye!

 

Takedown was a short and well-done thriller. The characters were compelling, and I'd love to read more stories featuring Skye and her circle. The ending was a surprising twist, but a satisfying one!

 

Hillary Huber did an amazing job, as always. She brought each character to life with distinct voices and genuine emotion, making the story even more enjoyable!

4 Stars

Book Description:

In this gritty police procedural from New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan, a detective plays a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a charismatic lawyer who’s more than he seems.

Detective Skye Truman’s investigation into a series of sexual assaults has led her to the culprit: Trent Calderon, the most charming, affable lawyer in the governor’s office. The man who has an answer for everything. Skye’s obsession grows with every victim, every escalation, every encounter with Calderon, and every moral compromise she makes to catch him. Because if she doesn’t, she risks losing more than just her badge.

Allison Brennan’s Takedown is part of Pursuit, a gripping collection of short stories that explore what it means to be predator and prey … and what it takes to gain the upper hand. Read or listen to each pulse-pounding story in a single sitting—and an intense adrenaline rush.

 

Audiobook Review: Murder at the Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley

 

Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel (The New Miss Marple Mystery) by Lucy Foley, Agatha Christie

Publication Date: September 22nd 2026 by William Morrow

Pages: 295

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 14min

Narrators: Hayley Atwell, Lucy Boynton, Adeel Akhtar, Mara Wilson, Hugh Kermode

Source: Library

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Loved Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel!  Another adventure/case for Miss Marple, a “continuation” of Agatha Christie’s famous sleuthing elderly lady and I thought Lucy Foley did a brilliant job bringing this iconic character back to life! I’ve read almost every one of Agatha Christie’s mysteries and I feel like Ms. Foley really captured the spirit here! The story felt very true to Christie’s Miss Marple character.

 

Miss Marple, Dolly Bantry and her companion Diana Glass are on vacation at the Grand Alpine Hotel in Switzerland to take in the crisp air and stunning mountain views. What they don’t count on is a murder or to be trapped up on the mountain with a killer!

 

The murder victim was less than sympathetic, so there was no shortage of suspects! As usual Miss Marple uses her years of experience observing human nature in the small village of St. Mary Mead to the new case at hand and gets to the bottom of things.

 

I rooted for some characters and didn’t feel too bad when others met their end. One really had it coming, IMO! One of the fun things about an Agatha Christie mystery is all the clues that make you feel like you’re solving the mystery right along with the characters! I had some suspicions that turned out right and some reveals that were a surprise to me.

 

I hope Lucy Foley will continue writing more Miss Marple stories and maybe include one of the characters here, whom I won’t mention by name to avoid spoilers.

 

The audiobook was excellent with a full cast of characters!

5 Stars

Book Description:

High in the Swiss Alps, accessible only by a single, winding railway, stands the luxurious Grand Alpine Hotel. With glorious mountain views and exclusive access to powdery slopes, it draws guests from far and wide.

The notorious actress.
The high-flying politician.
The society wife.
The reckless friend.
The shrewd doctor.

But not everyone is here for a winter holiday.

Beneath the champagne and furs, dark histories simmer; old grudges emerge like cracks in the ice.

And someone is watching from the shadows. A polite, unassuming woman with an extraordinary mind: Miss Marple.

When a body is found and a blizzard cuts off all escape, only Miss Marple can connect the clues before the killer strikes again. Because it isn’t a question of who has a motive, but who’s next…