Category: Top Pick – Highly Recommended

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Thiller / Suspense, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Shop on Hidden LaneThe Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone with Ties to Fogg Lake

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Sophy Harper is a librarian and a psychic with a gift for reading crime scenes and cleaning up residual energy. She is often called in to help the police solve crimes and helps loved ones get answers, but she never expected to have to use her talents to help her own family. But that is exactly what happened when she is paired up with Luke Wells and learns that her aunt Bea and his uncle Deke have been secretly engaged in an affair and have now gone missing. Luke needs her help to find their missing relatives and to uphold the pact that their families made four decades ago before they had a huge falling out.

Sophy and Luke with the help of Luke’s hellhound Bruce, follow the clues left for them and soon realize that something bigger is at play here that just finding Bea and Deke. They will each have to face their own demons and bond together to not only find their relatives, but to save humanity! Falling in love was never part of the plan, but it may be the reward, if they survive.

I loved this well-written, nicely paced book and I was hooked from the very first page! I was captivated by the instant tension and chemistry between Luke and Sophy. This story had a bit of everything; mystery, a family feud, paranormal abilities, witty banter, a bit of steam, a very special dog, murder, psychic energy, multiple villains, more than one twist and great ending with closure and hints of future stories. If you enjoy a paranormal mystery with a bit of steam, you should definitely check out this book!

*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 Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman

On By TracyIn Audiobook, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Charmed LibraryThe Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Stella Parker has not been lucky in love, after an especially painful breakup, she has been suffering in silence, sharing her deepest feelings in a journal. But today, Stella has decided enough is enough, she sneaks down to the furnace in the basement of the Blue Sky Valley Library and burns her journal. Never in a million years could she imagine what she had unleashed by that simple act, but Stella’s life is about to change forever.

Stella has always had a way with words but took the safe road in college and earned a master’s degree in accounting, then moved to Memphis to work at an accounting firm. But when her father passed away, she returned to Blue Sky Valley, NC and took a job at the library. She was content with her life, until the man she loved broke her heart. She burned her journal hoping to get a fresh start, and things do change, but not like she expected when she starts seeing more magical words than ever and even learns to call the words. But it isn’t until her boss and surrogate father, Artie suffers a heart attack that Stella really feels the magic of the library and learns secrets that will change everything she has ever known!

I loved the book; I was hooked from the start and held captivated to the very last word. Jennifer Moorman was a new to me author and I didn’t know what to expect, but this book exceeded any expectations I had. I loved the writing style, and the author was able to turn Stella into a very relatable character, clearly making readers feel the pain of losing mother as a young girl and her need to protect her heart ever since. She also wants to make everyone happy, even if doing so doesn’t make her happy. But I love that she finally took control of her own life and learned to say no. The story is full of emotion, found family, dear friends, magic, some drama, secrets, surprising revelations, a swoon worthy book boyfriend and an unexpected happy ending. I highly recommend this book – I read the print version and listened to the audiobook – if you can, I would suggest the audiobook – the narrator was amazing and gave life and personality to every character and read at a steady pace. I will definitely be checking out Ms. Moorman’s backlist and looking forward to future titles!

*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. *

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