Today I’m sharing two books I read toward the end of 2021 (yes, I’m still catching up). These are on opposite ends of the fiction spectrum, but both deserve a splash in the spotlight for keeping me entertained and flipping pages!
THE PERFECT HOUSE
by R.P. Bolton
Ellie and Tom move into what they believe will be the house of their dreams. It’s in a great neighborhood and the price can’t be beat. Sure, the property requires fixing up and the garden is overgrown, but as new parents of a beautiful baby girl, it’s the perfect place for them to raise Trinity and be a family. If only Tom’s job as a police officer weren’t so demanding, often leaving Ellie in isolation with the baby in an empty house. It isn’t long before Ellie learns the property has a history, one that has made it a pariah in the neighborhood.
Ellie starts experiencing strange happenings, hearing things and seeing things, all instances that escape Tom’s notice. Then she begins sleepwalking and begins to question her sanity—especially given she’s never made peace with a tragic incident in her past that left her suffering from PTSD ten years ago.
The book shifts chapters between “Then” and “Now” gradually unfolding the history of the house and the incident from Ellie’s past. If you enjoy a mystery with supernatural elements, this book delivers. It’s easy to read, moves at a fast clip and ties everything together neatly at the end. Ellie and Tom are both good characters and the history of 6 Moss Lane (the house they bought) makes for interesting backstory.
There were times I grew frustrated with Ellie for not speaking up, and some of the “happenings” felt repetitious after a time, but the mystery kept me flipping pages and reading late. An intriguing supernatural mystery.
AMAZON LINK
KITTENS AND KISSES AT THE CAT CAFE
by Kris Bock
#2 Furrever Friends
As someone who has always loved cats and kittens, I was drawn to this book the moment I saw it. Single mother, Marley, is a baker at a cat café—a coffee shop/eatery/bakery that also has a set-up allowing patrons to mingle with cats which are awaiting adoption (real cat cafes exist in a number of cities though I have never had the good fortune to visit one).
One morning, someone leaves a box with five, week-old kittens on the doorstep. Adam, who has carried a flame for Marley since his tween years, when he knew her as the older sister of his best friend, volunteers to take the kittens to the vet. When all is said and done, Adam becomes their caregiver. He recruits Marley, her nine-year-old son, Brian, and other friends to help him in nurturing the kittens. In the process, Adam finds opportunities to reveal his feelings to Marley, and she begins to see him in a new light.
Naturally, there are complications, as the path to true love is never smooth, but the reader knows an HEA awaits at the end. This is a sweet romance in which the kittens have almost as much page time as the characters. There are several secondary threads, involving a restaurant reviewer, a singing contest, and Adam’s passion for writing. The way in which Marley finally reveals her feelings to Adam is flirty and clever, guaranteed to leave the reader with a smile.
This is the second book in a series in which characters cross over, but each story is complete. I had no problem being grounded in this book despite not having read the first book. After finishing it, I immediately bought three more. I could do no less as someone who loves books and cats—a match made in Heaven!
Purchasing other books in a series after finishing one speaks volumes, Mae. Love the title of that series! Thanks for sharing your reviews.
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Those little kittens just stole my heart, Jill. I couldn’t resist buying more. 🐈⬛🐈 I’m glad you enjoyed the reviews!
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Two completely different books and two great reviews, Mae! You know The Perfect House sounds right up my alley even if the book itself isn’t perfect.
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Priscilla, I enjoyed The Perfect House despite some glitches. It’s a definitely a page turner. I think I read it in 2 days.
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Cool reviews Mae! Neither do it for me but l like to know about them!
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I’m always happy to share, Fraggle, even when they aren’t the perfect fit! 😁
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These both sound wonderful. I actually have been to a cat cafe (in Charleston, SC) and it’s such an interesting idea. I have never come across any books set in one until now. It would be a great setting for a cozy mystery series, too. Excellent reviews!
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I would LOVE to visit a cat cafe, Tessa. I’d be camped out there with coffee and my laptop, visiting with all those adoptable felines. A cat cafe would make an awesome setting for a cozy mystery series. I’ll have to do some browsing on Amazon!
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Great reviews, Mae. Both books sound interesting to me. You know my love of cats. 🙂
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Another love of things we share, Joan! 😁🐈🐈⬛
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Great reviews. I’d love to visit a cat cafe!
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Me too, Sharon. I ADORE cats. I’m so glad you enjoyed the reviews!
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Two great reviews, Mae. The Perfect House sounds right up my street (um … apologies for the pun!) 😂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts 💕🙂
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LOL! The Perfect House kept me flipping pages, Harmony. I think you’d enjoy it! 🙂
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That first one really grabs my attention, and you know the second one does, also. If I ever came across a cat cafe, I’m afraid I’d walk out with all of the furry friends, lol.
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I’d have the same problem as you, Teri. I’d want to adopt all of cats and kittens I encountered there, LOL! 🐈⬛🐈
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Excellent reviews, Me. Thanks for sharing them. 😁
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My pleasure, John. Thanks for checking out the reviews!
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Great reviews, Mae. What a story concept – a cat cafe. Thank you for sharing!
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As much as I love cats, I think I may have to use a cat cafe in a story. I’ve been reading about them in my various cat magazines. Thanks for visiting today, Jan!
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Great reviews–of both! Which to pick… A horror story or a furball? Hmm…
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Opposite ends of the spectrum, LOL! 😂
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Nice reviews Mae. The Perfect House sounds more intriguing 😊Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure, Balroop. Thanks for visiting to check out the reviews. I love sharing books!
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Excellent reviews, Mae. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations to both writers. 😊
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Hi, Gwen. So glad you enjoyed the reviews. My pleasure to share!
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What a nice balance–a scare fest and then a sweet romance…with kittens:) Both books sound like good reads.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the reviews, Judi. Reading these so close together made for fun variety!
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Both of your reviews are compelling, Mae. Who can resist kittens – a whole box full! But I was probably more drawn to the paranormal mystery. A fast pace and “flipping pages and reading late” are great selling points. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
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The paranormal mystery is definitely a page-turner, Diana. Despite some small issues, I couldn’t put it down.
And the kittens were so cute, I was smitten within a few pages. Glad you enjoyed the reviews!
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Who doesn’t love a page-turner? 😀
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😁
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Sound like fun stories for different reasons. Thanks for sharing them.
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They both kept me entertained, Craig. Thanks for checking them out!
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The kitten one looks purrr-fect to me 🙂
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And that has me smiling, Jacquie! 🙂
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Great reviews, Mae 🙂 I had to pick up the first book in Cat Cafe. I couldn’t resist the cat and kittens!
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Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Denise. I still have to go back and read that one, but I’ve now got a collection of this series on my Kindle. Happy reading! 🐈 🐈⬛
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🙂
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Thanks for the reviews Mae and certainly Kittens and Kisses sounds perfect to curl up with during this current storm front we are facing… xxx
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I’ve been hearing about your weather. Stay safe over there, Sally. And if you’re looking for a heartwarming read, Kittens and Kisses is as you said, an ideal book to curl up with. Hugs! 💕
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These both sound wonderful. I had no idea cafes existed where you could interact with ready-for-adoption cats. What a fabulous idea.
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Staci, I subscribe to two different cat magazines and cat cafes have been featured in both. I would love to visit one and spend time with adoptable cats.
Glad you enjoyed the reviews!
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Hi Mae, the second book sounds very sweet. The first one sounds right up my street, I love creepy paranormal.
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I think you’d enjoy The Perfect House, Robbie. It definitely has a creep factor going.
And the second is all kinds of sweet!
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“The Perfect House,” sounds interesting. 🙂
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Glad it intrigues you, Mark!
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