Review: The Marriage Method by Mimi Matthews

 

The Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy #2)  by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: November 25th 2025 by Berkley

Pages: 416

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

The Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies isn’t your typical school for orphaned girls. Instead of teaching them to be quiet and proper, the Academy trains them to be independent and formidable, something their wealthy backers definitely wouldn’t approve of. When Miles Quincey, editor of the London Courant, starts digging too deep, Nell is sent to handle him. However, while in his office Nell and Miles are caught in a compromising position forcing them into a marriage of convenience.

 

It ends up they have common goals, as Nell was sent to find a young girl, Flora Brent, who went missing on her way to the school and Miles is investigating the disappearance of his gossip columnist. The mysteries end up intersecting, a sinister plot at the heart of both cases. I was very worried about Flora, as London was no place for an unaccompanied, young girl!

 

Nell and Miles’ romance was utter fun with clever banter, gradually deepening into tenderness and trust. Their empathy for one another lends the story real emotional weight, tugging at my heartstrings!

 

They worked well together as they looked for answers. The danger they faced was chilling, but both Nell and Miles were well equipped to handle it!

 

I absolutely loved The Marriage Method! It was a captivating blend of mystery and romance! And can’t forget about the adorable cats! With danger, charm, and emotional depth, this story kept me hooked from the first page to the last! Five stars all the way!

5 Stars

Book Description:

The Academy always comes first . . . which makes marriage to its most formidable adversary an exceedingly inconvenient arrangement.

Well removed from London’s more curious eyes, the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine goal: to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women—by appropriate means, of course.

     When intrepid newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, the Academy appoints Penelope “Nell” Trewlove, one of their brightest graduates, to put this nuisance to rest. An easy enough mission, she supposes. Or it would be, if Miles wasn’t so fascinating—too fascinating to resist—and if Nell’s visit to London didn’t perfectly coincide with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters.  

     When the inexorable claws of fate trap Nell and Miles in a compromising situation, they agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death, as well as the surprising chemistry between them . . .

Photo Credit: Vickie Hahn 2021

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, a miniature poodle, and two Siamese cats. 

Connect with Mimi Matthews:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Goodreads

Review: Maybe One Day by Catherine Bybee

 

Maybe One Day (The D'Angelos #5)  by Catherine Bybee

Publication Date: November 11th 2025 by Montlake

Pages: 351

Source: Author

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Audible |  Goodreads

My Thoughts:

At fifty-five, Mari, the beloved matriarch of the D’Angelo family, leads a full life surrounded by family, love, and the bustling energy of her thriving Italian restaurant. Since losing her husband a decade ago, romance has been the last thing on her mind. But at the gentle urging of her best friend Rosa, Mari agrees to join a Caribbean cruise. There she meets James, a single father coaxed aboard by his daughters, who worry about leaving him behind as they head off to college.

 

The excursions and activities they share, like the unforgettable waterfall hike, are not only fun to imagine but also provide the perfect backdrop for Mari and James to connect. Their relationship blossoms naturally, reminding us that love often finds us when we least expect it.

 

I was delighted to see Mari finally step into the spotlight with her own romance. The challenges she and James face feel authentic, grounded in real life rather than contrived drama, and refreshingly free of the typical “third-act breakup.” I was captivated from start to finish, savoring every moment of their heartfelt journey.

5 Stars

Book Description:

A Caribbean cruise opens a widow’s heart to a love she never expected in a breathtaking novel about second chances by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Mari D’Angelo’s life is complete. Her children are all married. Two grandbabies fill her days, with two more on the way, and her thriving family restaurant is running on autopilot. Not once in the ten years since she’s become a widow has Mari considered another love of her own. Until she sets sail on a singles cruise to placate her recently divorced best friend. Then James comes crashing into Mari’s world.

Charming, witty, and with two daughters of his own, James isn’t looking for love either. But Mari is as irresistible as she is beautiful. As their simmering attraction grows, Mari’s resolve to ignore the spark James has ignited slowly breaks away. She promised her beloved late husband she’d find someone new. Maybe that impossible day has come.

Knowing her protective sons would not approve, Mari chooses to keep the romance a secret. After all, there is no reason for her family to know about James if their relationship doesn’t work out. It’s up to James to prove he can be trusted with the heart of a woman he’s come to cherish. But without her family’s approval, their love doesn’t stand a chance.

Read the first four books in the series–When It Falls Apart, Be Your Everything, Beginning of Forever, and The Whole Time–available now on #kindleunlimited.

About the Author:

Catherine Bybee is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of forty-five novels that have collectively sold more than eleven million copies and have been translated into more than twenty languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, the D’Angelos series, and the First Wives series, among others. For more information, visit www.catherinebybee.com

Connect with Catherine Bybee:

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | TikTok

Sunday Post #316

 

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 got back from Italy late Wednesday night. I'm still dealing with jetlag. The least fun part of the trip, but we had a great time! 

We landed in Milan stayed over night then drove to Lake Como, spent two nights there. The fall colors were stunning! From Como we drove back to Milan, turned our car in and took a high speed train to Venice where we met up with our friends. We stayed there two nights and then drove to Tuscany where we rented an apartment in San Gimignano with them. We stayed there the majority of our trip doing day trips to Florence, Montepulciano, Siena, Volterra and other small towns in the region. We broke our time up there by taking a train to Rome and staying two nights. Then back to Milan for a night and flying home. We crammed in a lot in those two and a half weeks: museums, churches, wine tasting, and tours. I just about walked my legs off! We really made the most of our time there! Here's a few photos:

 

Villa Del Balbianello, Lake Como

Doge's Palace, Venice

Venice

Villa Del Balbianello, Lake Como

Varenna, Lake Como

Siena

San Gimignano, Italy

I'm happy to be home, I missed my kitties terribly and I missed being home! I'm back to real life working this weekend. I still haven't wrapped my head around Thanksgiving being next week. I have to work that day, but have Friday and the weekend off. 

Read:

The Seven Rings (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts-3.5 Stars

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin-4 Stars

A Judgement of Powers (Inheritance of Magic #3) by Benedict Jacka-4.5 Stars

I obviously didn't get a lot read in the 2.5 weeks I was gone. I didn't have much time to read. 

Received:

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

Antihero (Orphan X #11) by Gregg Hurwitz

First Sign of Danger (Haven's Rock #4) by Kelley Armstrong

Inside Man (Head Cases #2) by John McMahon

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books!

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How was your week?

Review: The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts

 

The Mirror (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts

Publication Date: November 18th 2025 by St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 464

Audio Book Length: 15hrs 23min

Narrator: Brittany Pressley 

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★½

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

My Thoughts:

Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen are busy living life while waiting for the remaining bride portraits to show up and trying to figure out a way to break the curse. Hester Dobbs starts escalating her attacks seeming to become more powerful, but so are the other ghosts on Sonya’s side.

 

The Seven Rings wraps up The Lost Bride Trilogy with a satisfying conclusion, but it took a while to get there. There were a lot of dinners, painting, clients, family and events and while it sounded fun, the pace suffered. I think the story would’ve benefited with some editing down and focusing, but it was a fun read. I rooted for Sonya to prevail and break the curse, not only for her sake but for the brides and other ghosts tied up by it. It was an exciting showdown and a wonderful conclusion!

 

I alternately read and listened to The Seven Rings. As with the other installments, Brittany Pressley did a wonderful job bringing all the characters to life! 

3.5 Stars

Book Description: 

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author concludes her compelling Lost Bride trilogy as two women—one dead, one alive—prepare for a terrifying final showdown…

Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house—a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

 

Review: Innocence Road by Laura Griffin

 

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin

Publication Date: November 11th 2025 by Berkley 

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Librofm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Leanne was finding her footing in the department as a newcomer transferring back to her hometown of Madrone, Texas after years away in the Dallas PD. When a young woman is found beaten and murdered, Detective Leanne Everhart is assigned to the case. Unfortunately, her Chief is more interested in managing the fallout of a past high profile murder case where the conviction has just been overturned. Leanne is very familiar with the case as her father was one of the detectives that investigated and the situation is a hot mess.

As Leanne digs into to her case, she discovers there are other unsolved murders in the area with a similar MO and is surprised no one has followed up. Also, she runs into resistance at every turn with her Chief.

I really liked Leanne and was frustrated for her as she was undermined in her efforts to solve the case. She goes about things methodically, adding facts and theories as she uncovers evidence. The past case with her father is troubling. Leanne’s also dealing with family issues and a romantic relationship. Although, the romance is very much in the background. It was a satisfying conclusion and I wonder if this is the start to a series. I’m all in if so!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Detective Leanne Everhart swore she’d never go back to her hometown near Marfa, Texas—but she returns when her brother needs her, only to find a town in need too, still torn apart by a decades-old crime.

Leanne Everhart knows women have something to fear in her artsy hometown, especially so if they’re not rich, white locals. Returning to town after her father’s death, she sees the ugliest sides of an area that draws people for its severe, untamed natural landscape.

While her department faces mounting backlash over a recent wrongful conviction in the long-ago murder case of a popular local teenager—which is now unsolved—Leanne is called to a fresh crime scene at the edge of the desert. A nameless woman was found murdered, with no clues as to her identity. As Leanne digs into the crime scene evidence, she grows convinced this latest murder case is linked with the local teenager’s murder. And to multiple cold cases, all unnamed female victims, that have all been shelved by her department without leads.

Now, with conflicted loyalties and without allies, Leanne must hunt down a serial killer, one who’s been preying on local women for two decades, growing bolder and more ruthless with every strike.

 

Audiobook Review: False Witness by Phillip Margolin

 

False Witness by Phillip Margolin

Publication Date: November 11th 2025 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 304

Audio Book Length: 6hrs 38min

Narrator: Thérèse Plummer

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

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

My Thoughts:

Karen Wyatt was falsely convicted on a manufactured drug charge after exposing corruption in the District Attorney’s Office as well as the police. She served time before having the conviction overturned. She also won a large sum which allows her pick and chose the cases she wants to defend. She’s also still investigating whether there were others in the DA’s office behind her setup.

I really enjoyed my first read by Phillip Margolin! It was a fast-paced crime procedural with a lot at play and several POVs. Karen had a few cases she worked through, up against a lazy, arrogant DA and it was satisfying to see her beat him with her smart thinking and strategy. I really liked Karen and I hope we get more mysteries with her as the star!

Thérèse Plummer is one of my all-time favorite narrators so it was an added pleasure having her narrative the story! A definite recommend!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

A lawyer who was set-up, imprisoned, and disbarred, only to be vindicated and reinstated, is determined to find out who set her up and cover their tracks with a trail of dead bodies

Defense Attorney Karen Wyatt exposed corruption in the police force and the District Attorney's office while getting her client exonerated in court. But in doing so, she put a target on her back and she was set-up on fake drug charge, imprisoned and disbarred until the conspiracy unraveled and her innocence was proven. Now reinstated to the bar, Wyatt is still interested in finding out who ordered her to be set-up - but the key figures were either killed or are in Witness Protection. 

In the meantime, Wyatt is a practicing defense attorney, whose current client is either guilty of a heinous murder, or is a too-trusting patsy for an acquaintance set-up for a crime he didn't commit. It will take all of Wyatt's genius to defend her client successfully but that's just one piece of an increasingly complex puzzle.

With a deadly criminal drug gang, a powerful, corrupt figure hiding in the D.A.'s office, and a Congressman who turned up with an unbelievable story after disappearing for days, Traitor is twisty, breathtaking, and unpredictable thriller.

Review: A Judgement of Powers by Benedict Jacka

 

A Judgement of Powers (Inheritance of Magic #3) by Benedict Jacka

Publication Date: November 4th 2025 by Ace

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

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

My Thoughts:

Stephen Oakwood had been training with his father in the art of drucrafting (sort of magic) until his father went missing. Stephen didn’t know there was a whole world of drucrafters, with a hierarchy, politics, and grabs for more power. He’s learned a lot since the first book and has been settling in more and interacting with his family, the Ashford’s, a lesser family in the hierarchy but still an old and powerful one. Unfortunately, it’s unclear whether he can trust any of them. 

After narrowly escaping with his life in the last book, one of Stephen’s main goals is to gain more abilities and power. He makes a plan to accomplish this with some help from his friend Colin and fellow drucrafter, Ivy. Also, Hobbs, his super-cat, one of my favorite characters!

Stephen is now working with his family of House Ashford a bit more, earning money and gaining a bit more knowledge in the process. Members of the Winged still pressuring him to join, but he’s not sure why and they seem less than savory, but putting them off is becoming increasingly difficult.

In A Judgement of Powers the story picks up from the last book and is an exciting tale from page one! Stephan comes up against nefarious characters, his fighting skills, quick thinking serve him well, but these people are powerful and things were tense! After the way things end I’m eager for the next book!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

In a world where magic is controlled by wealthy families and vast corporations, one young man will need all the help he can get in this riveting contemporary fantasy from the author of the Alex Verus novels.

Stephen Oakwood’s ambitions used to be simple. Pay his bills, track down his father, and take care of his cat. Maybe study a little magic after work, if he had time. 

Now it’s a year later and he’s got everything he wanted. But it’s come with a price. 

The Winged, a mysterious group involved with his father, have noticed Stephen, and they want him to join them or else. His career as a corporate locator has hit a dead end. And his new job as bodyguard to Calhoun Ashford is proving a lot more lethal than expected due to assassination attempts from outside the House, and possibly also from within. 

To survive, Stephen’s going to need allies of his own. And along the way, he’s going to have to figure out the secret of his own gift, and what it means. The cults, Houses, and corporations of the magical world are locked in an endless battle for dominance, and Stephen is beginning to realize that he’s going to have to pick a side . . . before someone else picks it for him.