Slaying It by Chloe Neill
Chicagoland Vampires, #13.5
Paranormal Romance
July 17, 2018

How are we at book 13 1/2 already? Lordy. I feel old. lol Well, the day has come that fans have been waiting on…Merit and Ethan’s bundle of unexpected joy is about to arrive. However, Merit wouldn’t be Merit unless there was a little drama, mystery, and arse kicking in her journey towards motherhood. As Cadogan House prepares for their princess to arrive, an attempted kidnapping send the house and Ethan into overprotective mode and shows one house member that if she wants a future then she needs to take care of her past.

Bridging the way between the Chicagoland Vampire series and the start to her new series, the Heirs of Chicagoland, this short novella packs a punch with a few laughs and lots of love when the very pregnant Merit is almost kidnapped on her usual walkabout. Drama driven, it’s like coming home as the gang all chip in to discover the culprit while Neill drops hints to what is coming for the House and various friends. A secondary romance comes to fruition as Neill leaves us with assurances that no matter what is in store for these characters, their next adventure is just beginning.  Grade: B

Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li
General Fiction/Asian American Family Saga
July 19, 2018

The Beijing Duck House is a well known local establishment beloved by it’s aging clientele and loyal waitstaff. When disaster strikes, it forces everyone with a connection to the restaurant to face the conflicts that have been simmering for years and decide for once where loyalty begins and ends.

Li writes an interesting and emotionally complex multi generational story that looks deep into the culture of an Asian American family and the conflicts that have ruled their lives as they strive to achieve the American dream promised to them so many years ago. Told from three points of view, we watch as this large family bound by blood and friendship cope with the upheaval caused by one of their own. Darkly humorous and honest, Li showcases her characters in a bright light, taking no pains to cover their flaws as she guides readers through a turbulent sea of family dysfunction, melodrama, parental manipulation, and child rebellion. A little dry and verbose at times, the overall story engaged and I look forward to seeing what Li comes up with next. Grade: C+

Dr. Strange Beard by Penelope Reid
Winston Brothers, #5
Contemporary Romance
July 30, 2018

Roscoe Winston got his heart broke 10 years ago by his best friend, Simone Payton. With the ability to remember every conversation he’s ever heard, he won’t be forgetting her or what she said to him that night anytime soon. But now she’s back in town and everywhere Roscoe goes, there she is.

Simone remembers when her best friend ghosted her for the popular crowd. She’s so over him, it’s not funny. But she needs his help and if that requires getting close to him, so be it. She forgot about him and her feelings for him years ago and she can do it again.

As Simone and Roscoe grow close again, the past becomes clearer to both of them and suddenly what he/she said isn’t as important as what they have to say to one another now.

I adore Reid’s Winston Brother series. This romantic comedy series revolves around the Winston siblings and the trials and tribulations they endure on their road to their HEA. Filled with laughter, heartbreak, and some very tense moments, Reid doesn’t just bring in social issues concerning mental illness, phobias, etc…but in here she also address current events with some hard truths about racism and bigotry. She has an interesting scene that highlights how often good intentions of those seeking to help becomes more about their needs then the person they seek to help. ALWAYS ASK what you can do to help and never assume in your privilege to know what is best for someone else. Roscoe Winston is the youngest and with his story, a long running arc is brought into the forefront and we finally see some much needed movement. I do wish some aspects had been better explained though concerning the case. I got a little lost in that mess. Regardless, Roscoe and Simone are adorakable and I love that Reid injects scenes from their past to help us and them see what happened to lead them to this point. She doesn’t make it easy for then and I appreciated that. As always, Reid writes another winner and I’m more than ready for Billy’s story now.  Grade: B+