Review & Giveaway - - Tangled Up With The Highlander

Tangled Up With The Highlander

by Julie Johnstone

Return of the Highlanders - Book 2

Publisher: Darbyshire Publishing

Release Date: August 30, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

He thought he would never love again… Then he fell for the lass he must give up to save his clan.

Desperate to keep his children and clan from starving, Laird Alasdair MacLachlan joins the ranks of mercenaries searching for the missing lass of a powerful clan. The mission seems simple—find the lass, return her to her family, and claim the hefty reward. But when fate throws bow and arrow wielding Sorcha MacGregor in his path, he’s about to discover how complicated one mule-headed, beguiling beauty can make things. For a man who has lost and loved and has no interest in doing either ever again, he’s confounded by the desire the opinionated woman awakens in him, and he’s shocked to discover his heart might not be permanently frozen after all. But his duty to his family and clan must come before all else, and that means sticking to the plan. Or is that just an excuse to avoid burying his painful past and taking a risk on a new future? One thing is certain—if he doesn’t figure it out soon, Sorcha will be lost to him forever.


Life has taught Sorcha MacGregor that only a harebrained fool would wish to wed and become a man’s chattel to control. So when she’s kidnapped by a Highlander who intends to deliver her like a trussed pig to a family she’s never known, she instantly decides he’s a selfish barbarian like all other men. Her opinion becomes harder to maintain, though, when the devilishly handsome warrior risks his life for hers. Still, she has no intention of lowering her well-placed guard and making herself vulnerable. But with each act of kindness Alasdair shows her, every moving interaction between him and his children, and the simmering way he looks at her, not to mention the toe-curling kisses, she comes to see the gentle, brokenhearted man behind the hardened exterior, and she does the one thing she swore she’d never do: falls in love. When the time comes for Alasdair to make the ultimate sacrifice for her, for love, will he prove he’s really the man of her dreams or just a fantasy that is too good to be true?

PJ's Thoughts:

Julie Johnstone is my favorite author writing Medieval romance today. Her stories are exciting, adventurous, heart-tugging, and immersive. It's always a bit of a jolt when I look up from my Kindle while reading one of her books and realize that I'm in present time and not the Medieval Scottish Highlands. The web she weaves is that realistic.

Alasdair and Sorcha both claimed my affection in this book while Alasdair's young children outright captured my heart. As they did Sorcha's. It was so endearing to watch their relationship grow but, mostly, I enjoyed watching Sorcha help Alasdair bridge the emotional gap between him and his children that had been erected since the death of his beloved wife as well as find new, unexpected love with Sorcha. But not without some monumental challenges to overcome along the way. I love strong warriors, hardened by loss, who gradually rediscover the joy of both familial and romantic love.

Tangled Up With The Highlander is book two of Johnstone's Return of the Highlanders trilogy but can be read as a standalone, however if you're like me you'll want to read all three. Book one, Secrets of a Highlander's Heart, was released earlier this year. I haven't read it yet though I plan to rectify that soon. Both books are available to purchase in print, digital, or audiobook as well as through Kindle Unlimited. 

Readers, do you enjoy Medieval romance?

Have you read Julie Johnstone yet?

What's your favorite romance time period? Do you read books set in multiple periods? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 1 will receive an e-book copy of Tangled Up With The Highlander.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Winner - - A Novel Love Story

 

The randomly chosen winner 

of a print copy of

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston is

Cherie J

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Magical Meet Cute

Magical Meet Cute

by Jean Meltzer

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

Faye Kaplan used to be engaged. She also used to have a successful legal practice. But she much prefers her new life as a potter in Woodstock, New York. The only thing missing is the perfect guy. 

Not that she needs one. She’s definitely happy alone. 

That is, until she finds her town papered with anti-Semitic flyers after yet another failed singles event at the synagogue. Desperate for comfort, Faye drunkenly turns to the only thing guaranteed to soothe her—pottery. A golem protector is just what her town needs…and adding all the little details to make him her ideal man can’t hurt, right? 

When a seriously hot stranger mysteriously turns up the next day, Greg seems too good to be true—if you ignore the fact that Faye hit him with her bike. And that he subsequently lost his memory… 

But otherwise, the man checks Every. Single. Box. Causing Faye to wonder if Greg’s sudden and spicy appearance might be anything but a coincidence.

Hellie’s Heeds: 

So say you had really bad luck in the dating territory and had taken yourself off the market; and say you practiced witchcraft; and say after a really harrowing event where you felt you needed a protector…and you’d had some wine, you decided to try your hand at summoning a guardian, a golem, if you will–so far, it was sounding a lot like an average pre-husband Friday night to me, where I honestly believed the perfect man did not exist and I would have to make him up. But Jean Meltzer takes it one step further: Faye Kaplan actually summoned the perfect man…or golem. Faye can’t quite pinpoint which. Greg–well, that’s what she’s calling him, she’s not sure since she’s the reason for his amnesia and she had to call him something–is definitely a man, but he also looks like her wet-dream in real life and his characteristics are alarmingly checking every single box she created in the little clay golem she buried in her backyard just last night.  

The premise is a hoot and a treat–and I thirstily read this book down like the cool drink of lemonade, sweet and tart and refreshing, that it is. The secondary characters, particularly Nelly, are hysterical and add to the antics. But besides being fun, flirty, and all the best of rom-coms, it also pulled in real emotion from real issues: like parental neglect and child abuse, anti-semitism and the escalading violence we continuously see in our communities, and the pain and trauma in always feeling like one is either too much or not enough in our relationships–that we’re inherently unlovable. ANGST! (It’s one of my favorite things about a Jean Meltzer book: the angst and emotion! Recall: it was her Mr. Perfect on Paper which had both me and my husband sobbing from a scene I read to him.) 

Representation matters–and I think these books definitely add perspective to the lived experiences of those who are treated as Other in our communities. I’m always honored and thrilled to read these review books that touch on these issues that affect all of us in one way or another and to learn new perspectives–and maybe also how to be a better ally to those around me. But don’t worry–if that’s not what you’re looking for in a book–I think the straight up rom-com feel of this story will keep you laughing and proclaiming this the perfect beach read.  

I would start offering scenes you definitely need to read, but then I’d need to add a subsequent one…and soon you’d have the whole story told to you and it wouldn’t do it justice. Just know the pacing, the emotion and pacing are well-done, and you will be rooting for Greg and Faye on every page. Apparently you can create the perfect man…and he will find you. Top Dish!

Review - - Marriage & Masti

Marriage & Masti

by Nisha Sharma

If Shakespeare Were an Auntie - Book 3

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at sea: a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.

Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.

After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.

As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they met: will love ruin everything?

With her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling, Nisha Sharma writes a messy, spicy romance about identity, family honor, and love. In Marriage & Masti, readers are sure to love the highly anticipated finale of this beloved trilogy.

PJ's Thoughts:

Nisha Sharma hits it out of the park with this final installment in her If Shakespeare Were an Auntie series. I've enjoyed all three books but this one is my favorite. I loved the humor, the heart, the spice, the Indian-American representation, and the generational - and gender - conflicts. Sharma knows of what she writes and conveys the obstacles many first generation Indian-Americans, especially women, face with humor, wit, and clear-eyed truth. It makes this book fun to read while also being thought provoking.

Friendship is a strong thread in this series and it's been enjoyable to watch the six main characters (three women/three men) evolve over the course of the three books as well as their interwoven relationships. It's a relatable reflection of what we all face as friendships transition due to growth, marriage, and other factors in our lives, occasionally leaving some of us on the outside looking in. 

As stated in the book's blurb, the relationship between Veera and Deepak is messy and spicy. It's also funny and endearing. I'm a huge fan of fake relationships in fiction and this one had me laughing, sighing, cringing, and cheering. 

As with the first two books in the series, family and community played huge roles in Deepak's and Veera's journeys. Particular favorites were Deepak's mother and, of course, the Aunties. We should all be so fortunate to have such a group of Aunties in our lives. 

For more information about Dating Dr. Dill (book one) and Tastes Like Shakkar (book two), click on the book titles to read my reviews. While each book stands well on its own, I'm glad I read them order to appreciate the full effect of the evolution of the six main characters, their friendships, and their romantic relationships. I enthusiastically recommend all three books. 

Review - - You're the Problem, It's You

You're the Problem, It's You

by Emma R. Alban

The Mischief & Matchmaking Series - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Reviewed by Santa

“That man is, without a doubt, the absolute most obnoxious…

Bobby Mason is sick of being second best: born the spare, never trusted with family responsibility, never expected to amount to much. He’s hungry to contribute something that matters, while all around him his peers are squandering their political and financial power, coasting through life. Which is exactly why he can’t stand the new Viscount Demeroven.

…insufferable…

James Demeroven, just come of age and into the Viscountcy, knows that he’s a disappointment. Keeping his head down and never raising anyone’s expectations is how he’s survived life with his stepfather. To quiet, careful James, Bobby Mason is a blazing comet in his endless night, even more alive than he was at Oxford when James crushed on him from afar. But Mason is also brash and recklessly unapologetic, destined to shatter the fragile safety of James’s world. Worst of all, he keeps rubbing James’s failures in his face.

…hottest man to ever walk the ton.”

They can barely get through a single conversation without tensions boiling over. Neither Bobby nor James has ever met a more intriguing, infuriating, infatuating man.

If only they could avoid each other entirely. Bad enough their (wonderful but determined) cousins Beth and Gwen keep conveniently setting up group outings. But when an extortionist starts targeting their families, threatening their reputations, Bobby and James must find a way to work together, without pushing each other’s buttons (or tearing them off) in the process… 

Santa Says:

You’re The Problem, It’s You by Emma R. Alban is the second book of the Mischief & Matchmaking series. In the first one we meet Beth and Gwen who fall in love. Bobby Mason and James Demeroven were secondary characters who were like chalk and cheese.  

It’s never easy to get along with someone who grates on your every nerve. However, needs must when your cousin, whom you love dearly, asks you to do your best to get along with them. Bobby Mason can not refuse this one thing from his cousin Gwen. The perfect gentleman Viscount James Demeroven can’t help that he’s gorgeous and that Bobby Mason, a second son with no prospects, must fight that attraction while spending time with him.  

James Demeroven has recently inherited a viscountcy who must contend with his new responsibilities, a vapid mother and a drunkard imposing step-father. To top off his mountain of troubles he is forced to play nice with Bobby Mason to appease his friend Beth who happens to be in a loving relationship with Gwen. Bobby Mason’s laissez faire attitude grates on James’ nerves. Truthfully, the problem is that he has always been attracted to Bobby since he was an underclassman at Oxford. 

These two lead one another on a merry chase and when they do act on their feelings they are nearly caught out. James runs off and a frustrated Bobby complicates matters more with another rogue who tries to blackmail him. The cousins come up with a plan to stave off the rumors by publicly courting. James and Gwen become a couple while Beth and Bobby do the pretty for the ton and blackmailer’s benefit. And the merry chase is on! 

The book really had me cheering this beautiful family with all their quirks and insecurities to find their one true loves. Bobby and James, Beth and Gwen are fortunate to have other family and friends around them who are loving and accepting of the family they create. I really enjoyed this book and hope to see more from the author.

Review - - Her Missing Pieces

Her Missing Pieces

by Susan Sands

Moonshine - Book 1

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Showing up from the dead is best done in person…

Thirteen years ago, teenager Sadie Brubaker disappeared from her small Georgia town without a trace. Sheriff Chase Blackburn was a young deputy who worked the case diligently, refusing to give up even when others did. Her disappearance haunts him still, making him question the town and his law enforcement skills. Then one afternoon, astonishingly, Sadie, still heart-breakingly beautiful, arrives with no memory and a suitcase full of questions.

When her mother dies, Sadie discovers her entire life is a lie. Her “mother” found her traumatized and injured at a bus stop—a teen with no memory and created an instant family. Sadie knew she had amnesia but never why, so she sets out for the town she doesn’t remember, determined to dig up the answers.

Sadie and the sheriff work together to solve the puzzle pieces of her life so she can understand who she was, decide who she wants to be, and if they can have a future together.

PJ's Thoughts:

I enjoy Susan Sands' small southern towns, well-developed characters, closed-door romances, and complex family dynamics. Her Missing Pieces gave me all that and more. The two-page Prologue teed it up and then Sands aimed for the fences. By the time I got to page three - three! - I was well and truly hooked. I already knew I would not be putting this book down until all my questions - and Randi/Sadie's - had been answered. 

I enjoy the immersive quality of Sands' writing. Her stories so easily pull me into her characters' lives and Sadie's is more compelling than most. Sands does a good job of unveiling complicated, and traumatic, family dynamics as Sadie's memory begins to return. There are so many layers to be explored, within the family, the community, and within Sadie herself. 

And then there's Chase, a man who has a few layers of his own. I love his honor, his goodness, and his determination to keep Sadie safe as he helps her navigate the challenges her returning memory brings into her life while also tentatively exploring feelings that begin to blossom between them.

Sadie's amnesia is resolved in the first half of the book which then opens her character to other issues which surface in the wake of the revelations of her first sixteen years of life. Sands takes her time with Sadie as she explores the multitude of emotions that flood in when she begins to realize the ramifications of the actions - and inactions - of the people in her life who were supposed to protect her. There's emotional healing, forgiveness, growth, acceptance, love, and new beginnings, many of which are not quick or easy. I appreciated the realistic nature of Sadie's evolution.

This is the first book of a new series from Susan Sands. I'm eager to discover what she has planned for the residents of Moonshine, Georgia and looking forward to hopefully learning more about some unexpected revelations at the end of Her Missing Pieces. 

Content warning: domestic abuse, child abuse, amnesia

Review - - Hot Earl Summer

Hot Earl Summer

by Erica Ridley

The Wild Wynchesters - Book 5

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Bold, curvy Elizabeth Wynchester loves cuddling hedgehogs almost as much as she adores vanquishing villains with the sharp blade concealed inside her cane. Despite others’ opinions about her body and gender, nothing will stop her from seeing justice done. When her next mission drops her at the dastardly Earl of Densmore’s castle, she’s prepared to duel like gentlemen—only to be locked inside! Her trusty sword cannot defeat the castle’s hidden traps… or protect her heart from the devilishly handsome rogue guarding the keep.

When reclusive inventor Stephen Lenox agreed to impersonate his cousin for a few days, he didn’t expect the earl to vanish altogether. Nor could Stephen predict mounting death threats… or the arrival of a beguiling, blade-wielding spinster who declares herself his new bodyguard. As the earl’s enemies lay siege to the castle, Stephen fights his way past Elizabeth’s defenses. She’ll share his bed, but when the adventure concludes, she vows to sever their affair. Unless he can somehow convince a swashbuckling siren to surrender her heart…

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun book! If you're looking for a story that will have you grinning from beginning to end, the adventures of berserker Beth and nerdy Stephen are what you need. My favorite Wild Wynchesters story so far. And that's saying something. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from Elizabeth in this book. We've always known that she's a bold warrior who leads with her sword but we discover in this story that there's much more to her than her battle skills and bloodthirsty nature. She's actually a very complex woman who lives with chronic pain and the challenges that can bring in both activities and relationships. I loved getting to know her better through her interactions with Stephen, the last man she would have chosen for herself but the very best match possible. I loved these two together. The banter. The battle of wits. The attraction. The care, respect, and admiration that Stephen holds for Elizabeth exactly as she is. 

When a neighbor with delusions of grandeur lays siege to the castle, requiring Elizabeth and Stephen to merge their skill sets, that's when the fun really begins. So many laugh-out-loud moments. So many hilarious scenes and lines of dialogue. Ridley really outdid herself with the humor in this one. But with all the fun and humor of this adventurous romp, there is also a satisfying balance of emotional depth and tender feelings. Along with, of course, the feel-good bonds of chosen family that come with the Wynchester siblings, romantic partners, and unique pets, all dedicated to delivering justice for the underdogs of the time. 

There's so much more I could say about this book but all the deliciously delightful bits really deserve to be discovered by each reader as they navigate the journey of a Hot Earl Summer. This one is going straight to my comfort read keeper shelf where I will no doubt revisit it whenever I feel the need for a mood boost. 

For those of you who have not yet discovered Erica Ridley's Wild Wynchesters, Hot Earl Summer is the fifth book in the series. It's fun to catch up with all of the siblings in each book but you can absolutely jump in at any place in the series and not feel lost or confused. Having said that, I enthusiastically recommend all five of the titles for a rollicking good reading time. 

Review - - Good Duke Gone Wild

Good Duke Gone Wild

by Bethany Bennett

Bluestocking Booksellers - Book 1

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland, needs an heir after his so-called “fairytale marriage” ended in disaster. When the intriguing bookseller he’s hired to liquidate his late wife’s library finds love letters revealing an affair, he is drawn into a mystery alongside a lady whose sharp intellect dazzles him and dares him to imagine a new adventure outside the gilded cage of the Ton.

If anyone found out Caroline Danvers writes erotic novels under a pen name, she’d face utter ruin. Except her latest hero inspiration is none other than the Duke of Holland—a man with the power to destroy her family’s bookshop. And yet the real man proves to be so much more than the character she created. Even as they expose the dark secrets of his past, she knows he can never discover her own. But the more time they spend together, the more tempting it is to rewrite their ending and turn fantasy into reality.

PJ's Thoughts:

She had me at bluestocking booksellers. But then she upped the ante with a complex hero who reads, enjoys, and encourages his friends to purchase the erotic novels secretly written by the bookseller heroine (before he knows she's the author). A smitten duke who openly reads erotic novels - don't call them dirty - written by the woman with whom he's smitten. I mean, come on, does it get any better than that? 

Bethany Bennett is fast becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her storytelling abilities fully immerse me within her books while her flawed, relatable, fully-explored characters engage both my mind and my affections. I love that both Caro and Dorian have life experience. It gives them depth; makes them more interesting. I especially appreciate the fact that Caro knows her own value and I love that Dorian falls for her exactly how she is without wanting to change her. I fell hard for both of them. They are such a genuinely likable couple I couldn't help but root for them to overcome the obstacles in their path and find their happily ever after.

The supporting cast surrounding them shines. Caro's cousins are an absolute delight. The wit. The humor. The heart. I couldn't get enough of them. The ride-or-die, tell-it-like-it-is love and support among these three women is everything. I'm eager to discover what happened in Hattie's past and I can't be the only one who noticed the chemistry between Constance and Dorian's best friend, Oliver, Earl of Southwyn. Keeping my fingers crossed for that possibility!

There's a mystery here too that helps bring Dorian and Caro together, giving them a common goal and allowing their relationship to deepen as they work together to search out clues and uncover duplicity. The cousins also get involved and without getting into spoiler territory, let me just agree with Dorian that yes, booksellers can indeed be dangerous creatures. ;-) There may have been both laughter and cheers while reading that particular scene. Also, huzzah for epilogues that deliver gleefully horrific karma to deserving villains. 

Review - - Treasure Coast Discovery

Treasure Coast Discovery

by Leigh Duncan

Emerald Bay - Book 5

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: August 23, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Could a secret lost in the past be the key to saving the Dane Crown Inn?

Preparations for the last family reunion at the Dane Crown Inn are nearly complete. Fresh paint covers the exterior of the sixty-year-old beachside bed-and-breakfast. The overgrown gardens have once again been tamed. Inside, the suites and rooms stand ready to receive both new and returning guests. Best of all, the women of the family — Belle and Margaret, Kim and Jen, Amy and Diane — have grown closer while they worked to restore the inn that was once known as “the jewel of Florida’s Treasure Coast.” So close, in fact, that some of the cousins privately wonder if it might be possible to keep the inn open, after all. But Diane knows the truth. Even with all the improvements they’ve made, keeping the inn afloat is financially impossible.

Diane wonders if there's another way, something in the family's history that could save the inn. Or could her quest destroy it forever?

PJ's Thoughts:

I've become completely invested in this family, to the point where at times it takes me a minute to remember they aren't real people. Part of the emotional attachment might be attributed to the setting of this series. Duncan's fictional Dane Crown Inn is located a short drive from where I live, giving everything a feeling of warmth and familiarity. But, mostly, it's these characters who continue to engage my emotions as they navigate the ups and downs of life. 

In this fifth installment of Duncan's six-book series, the Dane family women are moving closer to the conclusion of their individual journeys as well as the sale of the family's inn. There's a lot of emotion, relationships continue to evolve, some characters are discovering new skills and others, new directions, an upcoming event is celebrated, and a bucket-list item gets crossed off...with surprising results. Through it all, I'm reminded of the strength of family bonds, the joys and sorrows of relationships, the magic of romance, and the importance of women supporting women. 

I don't want to say goodbye to these characters but after that stunning final scene in Treasure Coast Discovery, all I can say is "Bring on Book Six. I have to know what happens next!" 

This is a series where I strongly encourage readers to read the books in order. 

Review - - The Heiress Masquerade

The Heiress Masquerade

by Maddison Michaels

Dollar Princess - Book 2

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

New York heiress Aimee Thornton-Jones knows her mother’s plans precisely—to ship Aimee to England, and marry her off to an eligible, titled lord. Only Aimee has no interest in becoming another “dollar princess.” Instead, she concocts a daring plan: to swap places with her fair (but poor) cousin for six weeks as a trainee at her father’s company, and prove she’s just as valuable as any son. There’s just the small matter of her father’s too perfect protégé who she’s certain is endangering the entire business…

Harrison Stone doesn’t know what to make of the determined young woman in his employ. She’s vexingly irksome, reckless with her safety, and riles him at every turn. Each day, he’s torn between shipping her home…or thoroughly kissing her pert mouth. But Harrison—who loathes a charlatan—is certain she’s hiding something. And with the company under threat of sabotage, he’s resolved to find out exactly who this young lady truly is.

But in this masquerade of secrets, all it will take is one illicit kiss to ignite the spark…and bring them—unknowingly—to the edge of disaster...

PJ's Thoughts:

If you read The Heiress Swap (read my review), the first book in Maddison Michaels' Dollar Princess series, you've already met Aimee Thornton-Jones, the wealthy cousin of orphaned Evie, heroine of book one. The Heiress Masquerade tells the story of what happens to Aimee after she and Evie switch places upon arriving in London. Both books take place during the same six-week period.

If you enjoy historical romance romps with enemies-to-lovers romance, fish-out-of-water heroines, exasperated heroes, a mystery to solve, and plenty of steam, this is the book for you. If you enjoy underestimated heroines with something to prove, you'll probably love Aimee. I did. I was cheering her on the entire way as she went toe to toe with Harrison in her quest to prove something very important to her father. I loved her indomitable spirit but my heart also ached for her when her heart was broken. Never fear, this is a romance and with a little help from an unexpected ally, Harrison finally realizes the error of his ways which leads him to a grand gesture that had me sighing happily even as I kept trying to nudge them back to safety. 

The mystery in this one was well crafted with more than a few surprises I wasn't expecting. There was a thread left dangling regarding one character that I would have liked seeing addressed on the page but other than that, good job on a mystery I didn't solve before the reveal. I do enjoy when an author accomplishes that.

The end of this book leads me to think there may be more books in the Dollar Princess series. I hope so.