Category: Part of a Series

A Betrothed’s Betrayal by Deb Marlowe

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Betrothed's Betrayal (Lockstone Hollow Mystery #1)A Betrothed’s Betrayal by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Lockstone Hollow, #1

Release Date: August 11, 2026

Lady Lisette Birthwhistle, the sister of Adam Brithwhistle, the late Duke of Winbury, has not had an easy year. First, she broke off her betrothal to Alexander Prescott, the Earl of Bealford and then her beloved brother passed away unexpectedly. Alone and unsure of her future as the new duke has yet to be found, she travels to the village of Lockstone Hollow, her brother bequeathed her a cottage and the leases to several buildings in the village, presumably for her to manage. She sets out to make the cottage her own and hopefully to make friends in the community. But on the day she arrives there is a murder and it is none other than her former betrothed, which to the local constable makes her the prime suspect.

But Lisette has allies in the village; Misses Sylvie and Ruby Etwell, the mayor’s daughters, Miss Rosie Curtis, owner of the town tavern, Mr. Royce Logan, a carpenter (and local newcomer) who vow to support her when Mr. Maxwell Sowerby, former Bow Street Runner and now the local constable, sets her in his sites. Lisette is clever and easily gets the locals to talk, suppling her with clues and leads that she passes on the constable. When Mr. Sowerby makes an arrest, Lisette is sure he has the wrong person, but first she will need to find evidence and hopefully survive to deliver the proof!

Set in a quaint English village filled with wonderful characters, this was a great start to a new series. While the mystery is the main focus of the book, there is so much more to the is book! The story has new beginnings, loss, two possible love interests, great friends, small town charm, baby goats, and a bit of tension, female empowerment and finally an ending that ties up this mystery, but leaves the door open for more to come! If you are looking for a well-written, regency-era cozy mystery, this is a book you will want to read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Magic We Made (Witches of West Harbor, #2)The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Witches of West Harbor #2

Release Date: August 11, 2026

Frankie Giovanni is a therapist who relies on logic, science, and research, which makes her resistant to the idea of magic despite living in a town known for witchy tourism. Ash Merit, by contrast, accepts magic as part of his life and uses his ability to find lost people and things. Their relationship begins with misunderstanding and tension, especially because Frankie has formed strong assumptions about Ash before truly knowing him. Emma’s perspective adds another layer to the story, connecting the central romance to the mystery surrounding the missing girls in West Harbor.

This book is a mashup of small-town/witchy romance, and mystery as Frankie and Ash become involved in the search for missing teenage girls. Ash’s work as a finder brings him to West Harbor, while Frankie’s skepticism creates friction as strange events continue to unfold around them. The story moves between the developing connection between Frankie and Ash and the darker mystery tied to Emma and the other missing girls. As the investigation progresses, the book blends magical elements, a coastal town setting, and suspense-driven developments, while also revealing more about West Harbor’s supernatural side.

Overall, I liked the idea of the witchy setting and the missing-girls mystery, but I had a hard time staying connected to the story because I had not read the first book, even though this one is presented as a standalone. I also did not enjoy the multiple first-person POV structure, which made the story feel harder to follow. While there were parts of the premise that interested me, especially the mystery elements, the romance and pacing did not fully work for me, so this ended up being an okay but somewhat frustrating read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *