Not only did I read new-to-me books this, month, I even read some new releases!

What was particularly good this month? Let me tell you!

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun! THIS WAS DELIGHTFUL! First, I think it’s a decent comp for Alexis Hall’s Boyfriend Material (which I ADORE — and every time I mention it I want to reread it). Second, one of the characters is on the ace spectrum! Thirdly, despite the fact it is about being on a reality dating show, it isn’t really about being on a reality dating show. I mean, it is, but, still. Fourthly, this is AMAZING mental health rep. Both Dev and Charlie have issues that they have to come to term with, and… GAH! It’s just so lovely!

C.S. Poe has a new series that starts with Madison Square Murders and one of the main characters works on cold cases and (like most of her characters) had an issue that he has to deal with. In this case, a TBI caused him to have perfect recall of events. Which is not as good as it sounds, since he also has perfect recall of the emotions associated with those events.

I discovered a new historical mystery series. Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood. I am looking forward to the next book.

And then, Network Effect by Martha Wells. Because: MURDERBOT.

Fantasy

Paladin’s Hope (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel) 8.5/10
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Thief of Time (2001) 7.5/10, Going Postal (2004) 8.5/10

Supernatural Fantasy

Trailer Park Trickster (2021) David R. Slayton (Adam Binder)
Bodyguard (2021) Dassy Bernhard (The Bodyguards) 6.5/10
“Asil and the Not-date” (2020) Patricia Briggs 4/10

Romance

The Charm Offensive (2021) Alison Cochrun 9/10
Riven (2018) Roan Parrish (Riven) 8.5/10
After the Scrum (2016) Dahlia Donovan 8/10
The Sin Bin by Dahlia Donovan
The Wanderer (2017) 8.5/10, The Caretaker (2017) 8/10, The Botanist (2017) 8/10, The Royal Marine (2017) 7/10, The Unexpected Santa (2017) 7/10, The Lion Tamer (2018) 8.5/10
Not So Cookie Cutter (2019) Aidan Wayne 7.5/10
Let Me Show You (2019) Becca Seymour (True-Blue) 7/10
Open Hearts (2020) K. Evan Coles (Stealing Hearts) 6.5/10
The Love Study (2020) Kris Ripper 6.5/10

Historical Romance

A Gathering Storm (2017) Joanna Chambers (Porthkennack) 7/10

Mystery

Madison Square Murders (2021) C.S. Poe (Memento Mori) 8.5/10
Death of a Hollow Man (1989) Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby) 7/10
Murder in the Cookbook Nook (2021) Ellery Adams (Book Retreat Mysteries) 6/10

Historical Romance

Fortune Favors the Dead (2020) Stephen Spotswood (Pentecost and Parker) 7.5/10

Science Fiction

Network Effect (2000) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) 9/10

Audio Books

Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam: Raven Cursed (2012) 8/10, Death’s Rival (2012) 7/10
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent, Audio Book (2013) Marie Brennan narrated by Kate Reading 8/10