I really enjoyed reading this ARC of Sweet Tea and Secrets. It is a wonderful and enjoyable cozy mystery. Reading about Callie Aspen's decision to change her lifestyle and pace of life is fascinating. All of the characters have great details and quirks that make each relatable to. Joy Avon does a great job of creating intrigue and suspense. You are waiting to find out the final solution. I look forward to reading more from Joy Avon.

Who wouldn’t be inclined to read “Sweet Tea and Secrets” with its alluring and eye-catching cover and attractive premise of drinking hot, sweet tea and setting about solving a decades-0ld disappearance? This is Joy Avon’s very enjoyable second novel in the ‘A Tea and a Read’ mystery series. The first book was ‘In Peppermint Peril.’

I haven’t read the first book in this series yet, however, I don’t think that this spoilt my enjoyment of this novel. That said, it is so exciting, picking up a book which is the first in a new series!

Callie Aspen has left her tour guide job and she now helps out at ‘Book Tea,’ her great-aunt’s vintage tearoom, where each treat has a bookish clue. Though she’s excited to start her new life, Callie is worried that she may regret having burned her bridges. Wanting to solve a celebrity’s disappearance that happened many years ago, she finds immediate distraction in the preparations for a spectacular Fourth of July tea party, which will recreate key moments from the town's rich history.

Intrigued to learn that 1980’s TV star Monica Walker was last seen in Heart's Harbor before she vanished - allegedly to elope - Callie probes the local townsfolk for information. She’s stunned when several of them share contradictory stories about the last day before Monica's disappearance. Did she intend to leave her hit TV series? Was she being stalked by her ex? And why is the newspaper editor who investigated the story at the time so anxious about the cold case heating up?

When one of the locals turns up dead, Callie aims to apprehend the killer. Deputy Falk doesn’t want her meddling, and the locals suddenly know more about the past than they’d been at liberty to admit. But will Callie be able to crack the case?

Set in Heart’s Harbor, Maine, Callie and Daisy the Boston Terrier are slowly settling into her new life, working with her Great-Aunt Iphy in ‘Book Tea.’ I found that I had a good connection with Callie as she had a tendency towards self-doubt and was a little unsure of herself. As someone who has read several cozies, Callie’s Great -Aunt Iphy has become another on the list of my favourite cozy characters. Joy Avon has really worked her magic in creating a character who is wonderfully astute and wise and I couldn’t help but grow very fond of her as the story progressed.

It was clear that there was some chemistry between Callie and Ace but it was a little frustrating that it lingered under the surface throughout the story and they both seemed to have their problems communicating with one another on a personal level.

I liked that the opening chapters drew me into the story and captured my attention immediately. There was never a dull moment with such a lot going on. The mystery itself was well thought out with plenty of twists and turns as I puzzled over the clues to discover the perpetrator. I thought that Joy Avon’s combination of the cold case threads inter-crossing with those of the present day murder was very well done. The book had a natural, steady pace and I was kept guessing until the surprising reveal.

Delightful and entertaining “Sweet Tea and Secrets” is a highly recommended, delectable read for all cozy mystery fans.

{Thank you to #NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}

Callie Aspen has left her job as an international tour guide and returned home to Heart's Harbor, Maine, to help her aunt Iphy run Book Tea, the tearoom her aunt owns. She's having a little trepidation about it, though, especially when she sees the cottage her aunt has rented for her. From the outside, it appears a bit of a disaster, but Iphy assures her that she's put an ad in town for a handyman, and things can be fixed.

They also discover a man outside the home measuring things, and when Callie confronts him, he identifies himself as Quinn Darrow, says he saw the ad and decided to come and look at the place. When he offers a very good estimate, Callie hires him. While still at the cottage, Iphy mentions how Callie needs to help plan the Fourth of July celebration, and adds that Quinn can help her, which he readily agrees to. But when Quinn and Callie go to the town's archives, he steers her toward an old cold case that he thinks will be a hit with the townspeople.

Callie's also having questions about whether she made the right decision to move when Deputy Falk, whom she had (and still does) an attraction to when she was home in December now seems to be aloof to her and keeping his distance. She's wondering if maybe he's regretting her coming back.

In 1989 an actress disappeared into thin air after arriving in Heart's Harbor, and no one knew if she left on her own, with someone else, or was murdered. After Callie and Quinn question a local regarding the case, that person is murdered. Now Callie wonders if Quinn was involved, and so does Deputy Falk. When Quinn's caught in several lies, Callie wants to know what his connection is to the case. But when she starts investigating to find a killer, she sees that things not only aren't always as they seem, but sometimes the truth can be closer than you think...

I read the first in the series and while I felt it was a decent enough beginning, I have to say that I liked this second one so much better. The mystery was done very well, with clues strewn about here and there, yet not overt at all; Callie is having doubts about her move, which is natural, and she's finding her way with Deputy Falk which might not be as difficult as she at first thinks.

Callie shows that she is a strong woman who is willing to compromise, and she's smart, serious, and willing to see all sides of a situation before she acts. She doesn't put herself into untenable situations or do stupid things, and I really like that. She can keep secrets if need be, and that shows integrity - which I have always found important in a person.

When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, I really enjoyed the scene. It was a bit surreal in a way, and that made it all the better. The killer came as a bit of a surprise, even as there were, as I mentioned before, clues aplenty; still it was done nicely and all the ends were woven together well. We are given a clue as to where the next book will go, a bit of a teaser, as it were. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Recommended.

A terrific cozy mystery. Loved the well written plot and quirky characters. This author really has a way with words. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free advance copy of this book via Netgalley in return for an unbiased review - thank you for the opportunity.

This is one of those cosy mysteries - cute little town, friendly female lead who is a good baker, policeman love interest, kindly family and neighbours - you know the drill. And apart from Falk (police guy) being slightly standoffish and not particularly fleshed out as a character, this book pleasantly surprised me. Usually the female lead would pushily force her way into solving the mystery, particularly egged on by her friends (as if the police can't do anything without The Great Baking Sleuth (TM)), only for said sleuth to walk into danger and end up needing the police tor rescue her. But Sweet Tea And Secrets didn't fall into that pattern - which was the pleasant surprise. I ended up really liking it, and although I guessed a few things, there were still some curveballs. The villain and reveal were slightly clunky, veering a little close to predictable (things like "eyes flashed with anger", you know the kind), but overall - a solid 4 stars and I'd look out for Avon's books again.

Goodreads review link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2734786257

Callie and Ace are a couple that I want to get together. The chemistry was just below the surface throughout the story but it was obvious that they were very attracted to each other. I thought the story line, the mystery and the twists that appear in this book were fantastic. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to write about this book.

Callie has left her former job as a tour guide and moved to heart's harbor to assist her great aunt Iphy in running her vintage tea shop, Book Tea. Callie's aunt rents a cottage for her which is greatly in need to repairs. Non-local repairman Quinn Darrow responds to their add and is hired for the job. While researching topics for the upcoming Fourth of July town celebration centering around living history, Quinn and Callie come across a cold case involving the disappearance of an 80's TV star by the name of Monica Walker. The investigation into this cold case turns out to be the beginning of a present day investigation centered around murder. Callie dives head first into both investigations and shares her insight with Deputy Falk along the way.
Sweet Tea and Secrets is the second in the Tea and Read series, though you can enjoy it as a standalone. The small coastal Maine town of Heart's Harbor comes to life bringing with it a cast of unusual characters. Though the mystery was a bit difficult to follow at times, I loved the combination of the cold case intersecting with a present day murder. I am also interested in seeing any future development between Callie and Deputy Falk.

Sweet Tea and Secrets is the second book in Joy Avon’s Book Tea Shop Mystery series. The characters are well developed, and there is sufficient background information to allow this book to be read as a standalone. The writing style flows smoothly, and the book is a clean and easy read. The complex mysteries, a cold case involving a missing person and a current day murder, in this steadily paced book are interesting.

Callie Aspen gave up her apartment and quit her job as a historical location tour guide who traveled the world to move to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to help her Great Aunt Iphy, the owner of a vintage tearoom, the Book Tea. Iphy rented a cute cottage for Callie and Daisy, her sweet Boston terrier, that’s in need of repairs. She placed a notice at the community center asking for a handyman; a non-local, Quinn Darrow, responded to the notice and they hired him on the spot. Deputy Ace Falk and Callie look for and find a lost border collie mix named Biscuit, but his owners who recently adopted him decide they can’t handle him and want to return him. Callie wants to give them a few days and hopefully change their minds and agrees to take him home with her. The town’s preparing for a Fourth of July party at Haywood Hall, and since the theme is Living History, the Historical Society plans to feature life on the coast through the ages. Iphy wants to have something spectacular presented before the fireworks start and asks Callie to come up with an idea. Quinn offers to help Callie and while researching subjects, suggests they look into the thirty-year-old disappearance of a television star, Monica Walker. No one’s sure what happened to the actress; it’s possible she was murdered, but many thought she and a lover might have stolen a boat and vanished together. After talking with Joe Jamison, the editor-in-chief of Heart’s Harbor Herald, he admitted to Callie that he had information about the star’s disappearance, but refuses to share it with her. Before she can talk to him again, he’s murdered. Callie is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to Monica Walker and who murdered Joe Jamison, and begins an investigation of her own and shares her findings with Deputy Falk. In the course of looking into Monica’s disappearance, Callie realizes Quinn hasn’t been forthcoming with her. He admits he purposely led her to the disappearance and has told her lies, and even though he has a good reason, he won’t tell her what it is.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Sweet Tea and Secrets is the second installment in the A Tea and Read Mystery series set in Heart's Harbor, Maine and featuring retired tour guide, Callie Aspen. Callie is slowly settling into her new life working with her Aunt Iphy in her tea shop, Book Tea but is having second thoughts about her decision to relocate especially since the hunky Deputy Falk whom she thought she'd made an earlier connection with is suddenly seeming to avoid her.

Callie decides to throw herself into putting together a series of historical events for the annual Fourth of July celebration. Aunt Iphy has found a cottage for Callie to move into and a mysterious handyman, Quinn Darrow offers to lend a hand fixing it up. Quinn encourages Callie to look into the disappearance of Monica Walker, a TV star who had been vacationing in Heart's Harbor in the 1980's. Speculation about what happened to the actress varies among the townspeople, some think she drowned on a stolen boat and some think she arranged her own disappearance. Callie begins to look into the mystery and soon finds herself the target of a killer.

I once again had a difficult time connecting to the main character, and readers of the series will be disappointed that there is again very little interaction between Callie and Aunt Iphy. Callie doesn't really spend any time at Book Tea and Haywood Hall (which was the center of the previous series installment) only receives minimal mention. The plot was enough to keep me turning the pages and I will give the series one more try when the next addition is released.

I received an advanced copy of Sweet Tea and Secrets from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Callie has a wild way of sleuthing but it’s effective cause she always gets her man or woman. Falk is a careful guy who looks into every detail and is not afraid to ask the woman he is attracted to for a little help, the poor guy knows if he doesn't she is going after the answers herself. They make an ideal investigative couple and a romantic one too, but it’s going to take these two gunshy to acknowledge they might be on to something worth holding on to. Meanwhile, questions about a thirty-year murder have reawakened the killer's instinct and set him on another target. An intriguing and captivating read.

This is a cute cozy mystery andI enjoyed reading it. Some parts were a bit slow andI found myself just trying to get passed them. Once the story got about midway, it picked up the pace and became enjoyable.

A small town becomes the center of attention when a thirty year mystery is investigated by a stranger that shows up in town. A new arrival helps asking questions. Lots of twists that will keep you turning the pages until the end.

Callie Aspen gives up her apartment and high energy job as a world wide travel tour guide. She settles back in her home town of Heart's Harbor, Maine. She is tasked with planning a fourth of July celebration for the town. Different characters come into play in her life, making her wonder if this move was a smart one after all. In her search for material for the celebration, she comes across a thirty year-old murder that was never solved. As she tries to solve the mystery, she is plagued with people lying to her and not being who they seem to be.

At times, the book seemed to me to drag on and on. But it did come to a surprise conclusion.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I rate this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for the following reasons:

Being that this is the second in a series and I have not read the first one, I feel like I am able to connect with the characters. The book is written in such a way that if you don't read the first you can still understand the plot and characters without reading the first book, which I very much love about cozy mysteries. I will however, still be looking for the first book in this series because I really enjoy Joy Avon's writing. This book follows Callie, Falk, and Quinn who are looking into a decades old mysterious disappearance, into virtual thin air, from 1989; of starlet Monica Walker. Callie has come back to Hearts Harbor, Maine to help her great aunt Iphy run her bookshop Book Tea and she is romantically interested in Falk, who she feels is kind of giving her the cold shoulder and has cooled off of their closeness they had in December when they solved another case together. Callie is also trying to plan a big 4th of July celebration for the town to celebrate their history, in which is being hosted by her aunt's tea bookshop. Quinn is a mysterious stranger who has come to Hearts Harbor for the specific purpose to investigate the disappearance of Monica Walker who he believes could be his birth mother. Things start to get much more mysterious around 60% in to the book and while I'm not so shocked that I'm like "Holy Eff what just happened?" I was very confused by the events that took place and where the book was going and who is committing the crimes that are happening. I did suspect that Callie's predictions may be correct but I was not going to be surprised if it actually wasn't the person that she suspected or if a switch and bait happened. The book just kept getting more and more confusing as time went on (I found it a good thing because it kept me on my toes and kept me from actually guessing the conclusion too early in the book), and the second twist that happened was much more of a "Holy Eff" moment than the first one was. I can say I definitely was not expecting the final plot twist and the reveal of who committed the crime. I really loved this book it was perfect mix of excitement and mystery. Although I have to know what happens next between Callie & Falk and I can't wait until the next book in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I will say first off the most disappointing thing about this on is the lack of tea and books, but maybe that's because it is the second in the series and the main character is trying to work out if the big changes she made in he rlife in book one were right or not. Perhaps once she settles we can see more of the new town she lives in. BUT for all of that, I really enjoyed the mystery and guessed at some of it early, but not all of it. I liked that it was an older mystery mixed in with new, but the grand reveal was a little off. Basically this book had good points and bad, and was far from perfect, but it was still enjoyable.

The second in the series, this on probably appeals to lighter romance fans (since it never really gets off the ground) but who still enjoy a good cozy. Four stars.

I really enjoyed the second installment of Joy Avon's series and look forward to Callie's adventures in the third installment.

The mystery in this one was quite different to many cozy mystery books I've read, which I really enjoyed. We didn't however see as much of their shop and it's delicious creations as in the last book.

Avon has done a good job of adding subtle developments to the characters and you can see a definite path for future development in books to come. But the centerpiece mystery was definitely the star of the show.

I look forward to the next mystery.

Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon is the second book of the cozy A Book Tea Shop Mystery series. Each book of the series will have it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be read and understood reading alone or out of order.

Callie Aspen is finally making the permanent move to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to work with her aunt in her bookishly themed business having left her job as a tour guide. Callie’s aunt had found a cottage that was available to rent but needed a bit of fixing up and when the pair went to view the cottage a man was already there offering his assistance with the repairs.

Callie finds that Quinn’s estimate seems to be a bit too good to be true but can’t help hiring him on at the cottage. As the two are talking Callie’s shares the project she’s volunteered for and he suggests visiting the library for ideas. It’s there that Callie and Quinn find in the archives the story of the disappearance of the famous Monica Walker that happened in Heart’s Harbor but who would have thought beginning to look into a decades old cold case would bring about a new murder?

Sweet Tea and Secrets was definitely an improvement over the first book of this series in my opinion. When reading the first I felt dumped into the action without really getting to know Callie at all and thankfully I was able to this go round. I still think the series lacks an overall depth to the books though but perhaps it will continue to improve with each book of the series but for now I would rate this second at 3.5 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Callie has switched her job as a tour guide for a so we're paced life. She meets a strange man and basically uncovers a 30 year old mystery right in time for a 4th of July celebration!

I liked Callie. She seemed a bit on the naive side but overall a good character.

I was able to solve half the mystery *polishes imaginary apple* and the rest played out in a way that absolutely made sense.

I enjoyed this book, set in a small town on Maine's coast. Callie has quit her exciting job leading tours around cities in Europe and moved to Maine to help her great aunt Iphy with her shop, Book Tea. Her aunt tasks her with finding a historical topic of interest for the July 4th celebration. Her cottage is being renovated by Quinn, who also assists her at the library finding a subject of interest. They decide that the disappearance in 1989 of a popular TV actress from the village would be fun to investigate, and meet the newspaper's editor, who interviewed many people in town. The editor believes the actress was murdered. Callie begins to realize this subject would not be a family friendly subject for the celebration, but wants to help Quinn with his investigation.

I found that the later chapters were a little too wordy, and the resolution was too coincidental. Also, it was funny that only once did Callie actually help her aunt with the work at Book Tea. But I liked her character and would read more in this series. Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

Very interesting story. Enjoyed the twists and turns and the characters very much. Was enthralled from the first page. Thank you Joy Avon for a great read. I look forward to reading more from this author.