In a Nutshell Reviews

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Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
Published by Berkley on August 20, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.

Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.

Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.

As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.

After finally breaking free from a toxic relationship and thrown off his show, Hallie was under the gun to find a new series to produce. While surfing the web, she stumbled upon and was captivated by conspiracy theorist, Hayden. Together, Hallie and Hayden embarked on a new adventure as they searched for The Out There and found love along the way.

Long story short, this book was a lot of fun. The characters endeared themselves to me immediately (except the ex, we hate him!), and I was eager to accompany them on their search for cryptids and other creatures linked to well known conspiracy theories. Those outings were usually quite amusing, but they were also interesting. I cannot say this is a world I know much about, so I enjoyed learning more.

This story also had plenty of substance. Hayden was healing from a great loss, while Hallie still had to face the source of her suffering. It was lovely the way they supported each other as they processed their pain and made steps towards healing.

Packed with plenty of humor, hijinks, and fantastic banter, Love and Other Conspiracies was a hit for me, and I look forward to reading more from Marlowe.

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Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander
Published by Avon on August 20, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction

Goodreads

From the author of The Littlest Library—a heartwarming novel about a widowed children’s book author who moves into a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself face-to-face with the handsome and brooding blacksmith who lives next door.

In her books she can write “happily ever after”— but real life? That’s another matter…

For children’s book author Imogen, an idyllic life in the English countryside seems like the perfect fit for her and her husband. But when tragedy strikes, Imogen is left widowed, and finds herself moving into Storybook Cottage alone with only her monstrously narcissistic cat for company.

After discovering she is pregnant, Imogen grows determined to embrace a new start in Middlemass, with its duckpond, cricket matches and village fêtes. The only thing Imogen can’t seem to shake is her neighbor—a brooding, artisan blacksmith named Gabriel—who she can’t quite decide is friend or foe. That is until she realizes, thanks to an arcane clause in her deeds, that Gabriel— not just an artist, but lord of the local manor house— has the power to take her home and leave her completely broke.

Devastatingly, he seems keen to do exactly that. Yet, Imogen finds herself drawn to him nonetheless. And in her darkest hour, Gabriel may just be the bright spot to save Imogen in more ways than one.

After losing her husband, Imogen follows through with their planned move to the country. Things were off to a rough start, but Imogen began to love life in the village of Middlemass, however, will she be able to make Middlemass her forever home?

I honestly had no idea I was returning to Middlemass. I fell in love with this quaint little town when I read The Littlest Library, and I could not think of a better place for Imogen to heal and rebuild her life. Alexander assembled an all new cast of lovely characters who delighted me. I loved the way they embraced Imogen and offered their support during this time of great change.

I grew especially fond of her brooding neighbor, Gabriel. He was a bit a grump, but he did the sweetest things for Imogen. Imogen had complicated feelings for Gabriel given her personal situation and their business situation, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Gabriel seemed to always come through when she needed him most, and what he did there towards the end was precious.

Great characters, sweet romance, and a lovely setting gave me all the warm fuzzies. It was fantastic to return to Middlemass and witness Imogen's personal journey. It was filled with challenges, self discovery, and some great surprises. Once again, Alexander crafted a feel good story that warmed my heart.

*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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