Book Review: Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi

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Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi  was published on March 11, 2025 by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Bantam. It opens with Claire finding out that her fiancé, Noah, isn't working where he said he was and is now ghosting her. Claire must find out why. Book Review: Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Bantam for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Claire Darling by Callie Kazumi for free in exchange for my honest review. I was absolutely thrilled when my request for a copy was approved because the synopsis was so good. From the beginning, I absolutely loved the main character of Claire and her work friend named Sukhi. Throughout the novel, we learn about Claire's past and how terrible her mother was towards her. I kept hoping that somehow we would learn who Claire's father was and would eventually connect with him. It's really no wonder Claire had no self confidence as an ad...
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Book Review: Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien

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Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien is a cozy mystery is about Lana, who is officially the manager of her family's restaurant, traveling to Irvine, California for a convention.  Her sister, Anna May, joins her on the trip, and they stay at their Aunt Grace's rental property.  When Lana witnesses an alteration between one of the convention vendors and a journalist, she's upset.  The trip is further soured when that journalist is murdered at an event that Lana, Anna May, and Aunt Grace are attending.  Who killed her?  Lana and Aunt Grace take it upon themselves to investigate.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the digital copy of an Advanced Readers Copy of Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien.  I was happy to be approved to read this book.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

At first, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book as I had never read anything written by Vivien Chien, but I was glad that I did.  The author did a fantastic job of giving the reader a recap of the backstories for the reoccurring characters in such a way that it flowed flawlessly.  Because of this, the novel can be read as stand alone book.  With that being said, I sometimes felt like the conversations between Lanna and Anna May could be stilted at times, especially when Anna May was speaking.  It seemed too proper for a lack of a better word.  I really did like all three of the main characters though, even though I think we're not supposed to like Anna May.

One thing that drove me a bit bonkers was that Lana's mother called her in California at midnight, pacific time.  That would mean it's three o'clock in the morning in Cleveland, Ohio.  It seems a little unrealistic to me that her mother would be up at that time, even working in the restaurant business.

As for the murderer, a lot of the suspicion was thrown on the husband, but I really didn't think it was him.  My guess was that it was either the fortune cookie vendor or Ernest, the editor.  You'll have to read it for yourself to see if I was right or wrong.

However, the story was entertaining enough and held my attention.  Despite it being about murder, it was a lighter read because it doesn't have all the guts and gore that most mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels have. Four out of five stars is what I give Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien.

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