I  received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This book has a slow start but once it started building speed it was quite enjoyable! I enjoyed the characters and how relatable they are.

What an interesting whodunit cozy mystery this author has written. This is my first time reading anything by her, and I'm glad I picked this book up and chose it to read. The author did such a wonderful job of bringing the small town of Hearts Harbor alive right down to the cottage Callie's aunt Iphy had rented for her for. I could just imagine myself seeing everything and being right there. The story flowed so well, from describing the beautiful flower gardens and sounds of the ocean, and it's the lighthouse on the ocean next to Callie's little cottage. I love the fact that this book did not flow like other mysteries I have read before do. In other words it's not the same old who done it that you read in some mysteries. I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Joy Avon for the opportunity to read this book.

#SweetTeaAndSecrets #NetGalley

I really enjoyed the first book (In Peppermint Peril) in this series so when I found out the 2nd book was available as an Advanced Readers Copy on NetGalley I was excited. Sweet Tea and Secrets had a slightly different feel to me than the first. In this book, Callie is a little unsure of herself and her decision of moving to Heart’s Harbor. This doubt make’s Callie character more realistic since most people in this situation would probably second guess themselves too. Deputy Falk seemed to be a little distance with Callie which caused more stress for and tension with Callie. While this distance makes sense in the end, I enjoyed their easier give and take in the first book, having said that I am happy how their relationship is at the end of the book. I enjoyed how Author Joy Avon entwines the mystery from the past and the current mystery flawlessly. Although there are parts of the story-line that I did figure out early on there were enough red-herrings to keep me guessing whodunit until the big reveal. This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone or part of the series.


I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Callie Aspen’s move to Heart’s Harbor is official and upon her arrival Aunt Iphy unveils the cottage she found for Callie to live in. it needs a little work, but Iphy has already posted a want ad for a handyman to help Callie spruce things up. Quinn, a transient, responds to the ad and Callie hires him so she can focus on the first big event for the Fourth of July.

Wanting to highlight the history of the town at the Fourth of July festivities, Callie begins to dig into the town’s history and Quinn draws her attention to a thirty year old cold case where a famous actress seems to have disappeared from town without a trace. Was it murder or did the woman run off with the love of her life? Quinn seems to be more invested in solving this case than he lets on, but Callie takes it on and soon the Editor of the local paper is murdered. Is it tied to the case? Will Callie and Falk solve the case before the murderer stops them front getting to close?

From a story perspective, I had determined the fate of the startled within the first few chapters, though I did not determine who had done it or why until it was revealed towards the end. I enjoy this series and look forward to seeing the relationship between Callie and Ace blossom.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC. I should start by saying that this is the second book in Joy Avon's series, but I did not read the first one, In Peppermint Peril.

Callie Aspen has decided used to move to Heart's Harbor and work at her Aunt Iphy's shop, Book Tea. As with all major changes, Callie worries and begins to second-guess herself. To help distract her, Iphy suggests Callie find a spectacular display for the Fourth of July party, and distraction she finds. A television star, who disappeared from the local hotel back in 1989. The theories run wild throughout Heart's Harbor. Some say to escape the television show, and others say it was to elope. Just as Callie starts her investigation, a murder is committed. Now Callie and Deputy Falk must solve the murder before another can be committed.

I wish Book Tea was a real place in my current hometown. The treats mentioned sound absolutely delicious and, as a hardcore bookworm, really cunning. I also wish Iphy was a real person, as she appears very wise. She sees Callie's struggle, and she finds a perfect solution Iphy also sees the attraction between Deputy Falk and Callie. That part, for me, was why I had to take away a star. I cannot stand when the characters in a book do not communicate to each other. Callie doesn't ask Falk about his change in attitude, and Falk doesn't ask about her move to Heart's Harbor. The book would have surged forward more smoothly if they had communicate.

I did predict one of the two major revelations, but anyone who has read a mystery book or watched a crime show would have figured it out as well. The identity of the killer, however, eluded me until the very end. It was so simple, and yet Joy Avon did a brilliant job of revealing it.

I did like this novel, and after finishing this one I feel I should go back and read the first one. However, these books can be read as a standalone. There are references but they are more like memories than actually having anything to do with the character development or the plot.

This book had a little bit of a slow start, but was worth having in there for. The character progression is great, little details added without being overwhelmed. I really enjoyed the way an old mystery tied in with a new one. Overall an enjoyable read.

After solving a murder case in In Peppermint Peril, Callie is back again! This time, she decides to solve a missing person's case. Missing or did someone kill Monica Walkers?

Callie is her usual self. By usual self I mean, indecisive (in the beginning of the story). Initially, she doesn't like Quinn for some mysterious reason, then she likes him and when she learns that Falk has Quinn on a watch, she doesn't trust him again.

Iphy's baked delicacies are no doubt the best in town. From marzipan to pancakes and blueberry jams, the book is full of yummy stuff that makes you drool.

Then there's Dave and Elvira Riggs, the couple who live in the lighthouse and run treasure hunt for families. Quinn did not stumble upon Monica Walker's case by chance. He had some agenda in mind and he wanted Callie to help him out. This was pretty obvious but Callie somehow failed to recognize this. Even Dave and Elvira had something fishy going on, Callie. How did you not notice that either?

The characters are pretty likable. Callie is someone whom you would love and hate at the same time. When I first read In Peppermint Peril, I was thinking as to why is the main character portrayed differently? But after reading the second book, I am convinced that the author has portrayed Callie as so for a reason. Callie has her tiny issues. After having quite her tour guide job to help Iphy run the cafe, she isn't quite sure if this is the right thing to do. Her relationship with Falk is complicated. And to add to her woes, she comes across people who lie to her or take advantage of her friendliness. This is pretty okay given that Callie learns her lesson and improves later on in the story.

In this story, there's not just one but two dogs. Daisy is at her all time cute and best, and there's another cutie pie - Biscuit. Isn't the name juts cute? Hey Biscuit, here boy. *Whistles*

The identity of the perp was unexpected. I like stories in which the suspects' list is long and you are almost certain that XYZ is the murderer and them... Bam! The author proves you wrong! Vivian Conroy is a master storyteller. After having read Cornish Castle mysteries, I must say that I am a fan of her writing. I haven't come across authors who change their writing styles according to the series that they write. At least not until I came across Conroy's works. If Cornish Castle series were written in a different style, then so was A Tea and a Read series. Both are equally appreciable.

The only issue I had with the story was me finding out Quinn's and the Riggs' connection to the missing celebrity before Callie. I might found out a juicy piece before Callie but it was Callie who identified the killer before me.

I liked the second installment of A Tea and a Read Mystery better than the first one. These books can be read as a standalone and there are no cliffhangers. But I would recommend you to read it in order so that you know what to expect from each character.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Callie finds herself preparing for a Fourth of July tea party at her great aunt’s vintage tearoom. As she wants to recreate the past, as she dives into an old missing case. Unfortunately the town residents either contradict their stories of what happened before the disappearance. Who really wanted her dead and why? And why does Deputy Falk warn her not to meddle into things?

Can she solve the case with the aid of the Book Tea crew before they become the next victims? An exciting read.

Loved the cover. But didnt find that the book lived up to the sparkiness and fun of the said cover.
There have obviously been other books in the series and unless one has read them it is difficult to pick up on some of the references made in the story. I did find that irritating.
The relationship, if one could call it that, between Callie and Ace, never seemed to amount to anything much, and they circled round each other to not much avail.
I had picked up the murderer well into the book, and also realised who Elvira was, so there wasn't much surprise. The story did seem very repetitive. However, I actually did enjoy the whole book, and have tried not to be too picky in the review.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience

A review of Joy Avon’s Sweet Tea and Secrets
Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book I received in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Really cute cover, isn’t it?

I was really excited when I saw Joy Avon had written the next book in her Book Tea Shop series. I really did enjoy In Peppermint Peril and I assumed Sweet Tea and Secrets would be no different.

I’m going to sum up my experience with this book in a really concise way and it’s going to feel a little cold, but here it is: you won’t regret reading this book because it is enjoyable, but if you don’t read it, you will miss nothing you couldn’t get from a million other books (and honestly, done much more expertly).

As much as I really did find this to be a quick, easy, light read, there were some things that just ruined the experience for me.

I couldn’t stand to read Joy Avon’s attempts at dialogue. It was so awkward! She uses dialogue for things that could be shown in exposition, to over explain things to lead a reader, to do anything but develop character: all the characters talk exactly the same! They all constantly answer questions with the phrase “of course,” for example. They all deliver frequent monologues. I suspect they all talk like Joy Avon, to be honest. While the characters are charming and nice, their dialogue is uncomfortable and dull. The big reveal goes on for pages because the person who reveals the secret repeats what has already been said over and over. It’s really, really hard to read because it’s just bad writing.

There were two major reveals in this books. The first reveal was no shocker. I knew the answer at about 18% into the book. The first time I met the character who solves the whole thing (trying not to give spoilers), I was like, “yep.” The second was a little more surprising, especially because as a reader you kind of get the sense that the first reveal will make sense of the whole plot, but even with that going for it, Avon spoon-feeds the reader too much. There are too many blatant clues so that even though you’re surprised that there’s another twist, by the time you get the answer you are already prepared and it’s a pretty big let down (not to mention it comes with even more of that painful dialogue).

The last thing that really bugged me about this book was the dynamic between Falk and Callie. As I wrote about in my review of book one, Falk and Callie don’t seem to have much chemistry to start with and, once again, she seems to annoy the fire out of him about 90% of the time. I can kind of forgive that because if I’m being honest, I annoy my husband about that much out of every day and we’ve been married a decade. At the end of the first book, I was willing to buy that something happens between them even though it’s left open and we don’t see what.

The whole. Second. Book. Callie is pining over Falk and wondering why he’s ignoring her emails when we find out that nothing happens after their flirtation at Christmas and it been six freaking months since she saw him. Seriously, Callie? What did you think: that a forty something year old man is gonna just wait around for six months for a girl he flirted with for two weeks?

Yes. Apparently the answer is yes. This is a spoiler, but one that you are going to expect if you’ve, like, ever read a book. He is feeling insecure, but still likes her and they end the book together in a completely bizarre and sudden coupling that feels jarring and inauthentic, but somehow sweet.

Honestly, that’s the whole book. It never feels like it could be real, it’s not well written, but I just kept reading it and actually found it super pleasant. I have no idea how to rate it, but like I said, if you read it, you’ll probably be glad you did, but you aren’t missing anything incredible if you don’t.

https://bibwithblog.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-review-of-joy-avons-sweet-tea-and.html?m=1

Callie Aspen is back in Heart’s Harbor, this time for real. She will help her aunt at Book tea, her tearoom and prepare for the 4th of July tea party which will recreate important incidents from the town‘s deep history. When she is told about the disappearance of Monica walker, an 80s TV star from heart’s harbor. She does a call for information and finds out things which don’t add up at all.

It‘s been time since I have read a mystery novel and I remembered why. I couldn’t put the book down! The whole novel was filled with what ifs and coulds. My brain was working overtime trying to figure out who the murderer was. I was glad when it ended, I couldn’t take the pressure anymore. The cover is eye-catching and daisy is looking adorable in it. My favorite character was biscuit. He gave more energy to the scenes. I liked the book.

Now firmly settled into life in small town Maine, Callie Aspen is enjoying her job at her aunt’s tea room, but she’s decide to liven things up by solving a long unsolved mystery. Back in the “80’s TV star Monica Walker vanished from Heart’s Harbor, Maine and was never seen again. As Callie interviews town residents, she gets a lot of different accounts of the actresses last days in town, and when one of her “sources” turn up dead, Callie realizes that someone is willing to do anything to keep the truth about Monica from surfacing. A fun, spunky heroine adds wit and charm to this cosy mystery