Victoria Gilbert is a new author to me, and this is the second book in her Booklovers B&B Mysteries collection.
Chapters Bed and Breakfast in Beaufort, North Carolina, is owned by Charlotte Reed. When the author is on a book tour, she decides to host a popular author who is also trying to relax, as well as three of her "mega" fans. However, things go awry when the author's fan club president is discovered dead from blunt force trauma. Now Charlotte and her next-door neighbor Ellen must locate a murderer before the author and her famous book series are targeted.
Reserved For Murder piqued my interest based on the introduction, and I couldn't wait to start reading it! A BnB, and a bookstore sound like the ideal atmosphere for a mystery!! One issue I had with this book was that the plot was mostly told in the voices of the characters. There was a lot more showing that needed to be done. All was being discussed, which irritated me because I like any other reader, can read between the lines and figure out what's going on without being told every step of the way. I really didn't think the spies subplot was necessary. It was intriguing, but it didn't belong in the novel. Overall, I believe this book had a good story/plot, but it was poorly executed.
The subplot concerning spies and a brief love affair decades earlier, on the other hand, seems far-fetched. Also, I didn't like how certain characters implied that a stalker's ex-husband really loved his wife while attempting to discover who murdered her. So, what are your options? That doesn't take away from the fear and threat that stalked people face. They are always on the lookout for the guy, never knowing when they will appear or what they will do. They never get a break. They are the ones who are in pain. I only figured it was a clever way of making stalking and bullying seem a bit less severe.
The book's premise and storyline piqued my interest, but it fell short for me in the end. Much of the plot was told through dialogue, and I believe that further world-building would have helped.
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC of Reserved For Murder!

This is the second in a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone without a problem. Gilbert does a good job of giving enough information from the previous book that any reference to it is easily understood.

The writing is good and the book moves at a steady pace. There are many elements here that are typical of cozy mysteries which readers of cozy series will enjoy. The puzzle presented is a good one, although the information needed to fully solve the mystery isn't provided the reader or the protagonist until almost the end of the book when much of the action starts taking place.

The setting is Beaufort, North Carolina, a quaint coastal town. There is not much information given regarding the area itself, so if the reader is hoping to read for the travel type experience, this may not be the best choice for them. If the reader likes series books and finds these characters engaging, they may want to begin with the first book in the series so they can experience how relationships grow and change throughout the series.

A thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
This was a very entertaining story. I had not read the first instalment in this series but that was not a problem at all.
Charlotte inherited Chapters, a bookish B&B, from her great aunt and this former teacher jumps at the chance of a change after the death of her husband.
Unfortunately, one of the guests staying At the B&B during a booktour, is found murdered.
With her neighbour, former spy Ellen, Charlotte assists the police in discovering what happened but Ellen has some secrets herself that Charlotte is trying to solve.

Although some things were definitely hard to believe in this story, it was the perfect reading escape. A very fun cozy mystery.

Charlotte Reed owns Chapters, a Beaufort, S.C., B&B where best-selling romance author Amanda Noble plans to spend a week around a promotional event for her new book. An inheritance from her Aunt Isabella, the literary-themed Chapters also includes an intriguing neighbor, retired spy Ellen Montgomery, who worked with Isabella, a fellow spy.

The setting for Booklover’s B&B Mysteries is imaginative. A B&B filled with books, some rare and valuable, provides a fascinating backdrop for puzzling adventures.
In Reserved for Murder, the second in this series, a fan of and ghostwriter for Amanda’s latest book turns up dead. Ellen and Charlotte team up to find the killer among numerous suspects attending the local bookstore's promotional event. The sleuthing duo also seeks the reason behind a visit from a fellow agent who is staying with Ellen, pretending to be her cousin.

Victoria Gilbert makes it look easy with this second riveting adventure. Strong characters, plenty of red herrings and twists, all of which she delivers at a suspenseful pace. An observation: she isn’t writing them fast enough.

This is a typical cozy, well written and with excellent characters. Like other cozies, there's little suspense, and that's OK, but it's still a little too slow for me.

Having loved the first book in this series I was eagerly awaiting this one. It did not disappoint. Charlotte schedules bestselling author, Amanda Nobel, for a book tour at Chapters, the B&B and bookstore that she runs. There are plenty of others staying as well and when Lisette, the head of Amanda's fan club, is discovered dead things take a turn for the worst. There are more than a few suspects and of course Charlotte and her neighbor Ellen are more than ready to solve this murder.

There seems to be a lot going on in this one but I didn't think it took away from the main murder plot. I enjoyed the various characters and really got into the story. This was certainly a great follow up to this series.

Charlotte is hosting an event at her B&B. Amanda Noble is a romance author who is staying with Charlotte. Three of her fans will be guests as well. They enjoy a talk by Amanda and other activities. However, all is not well. Soon, one of the fans is dead. So many suspects, plus there is the mystery surrounding her neighbor Ellen's "cousin".

This cozy is great fun. There are several mysteries tied into one. The characters are wonderful and the community sounds enchanting as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cozies.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Book Lover's B & B cozy mystery series. This one is just as delightful as the first.

The owner of Chapters, Charlotte Reed, is hosting a popular romance writer and several of her biggest fans at the B & B and one of the fans is dead.

A great plot and great characters!! I also appreciate that several of the usual "rules" of cozies aren't always present in this series.

All in all, an enjoyable mystery and one I'd highly recommend. Hoping there are many more to come in this terrific series!!

When a reclusive writer visits the B&B for a getaway things go awry. The president of the fan club is found murdered in the harbor. It's up to Charlotte and Ellen to solve this delightful read. Another excellent book by the author! Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. #Crookedlanebooks

The second volume in the Book Lover's B&B Mystery series is as charming as the first. Charlotte Reed is hosting a popular author and three of her biggest fans at Chapters B&B in Beaufort, SC, when one of the fans is found dead. Charlotte and her retired spy neighbor Ellen, along with Ellen's mysterious "cousin" Gavin, help investigate the crime. Fan fiction, ghost writing, and a little romance all play a part in the mystery. In this cozy mystery series, the police actually welcome help from the amateur detectives. Shocker! Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC,

Publish Date: June 8th 2021
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Charlotte is hosting a reclusive romance writer at chapters but somehow the authors location leaks and fans descend on her and the coastal town. When a fan ends up dead, Charlotte and Ellen must help track down a killer before anyone else gets killed

This is the second in the #bookloversbandbmystery series. In the last book we learned all sorts of information about Charlottes aunt and Ellen and it was really nice to pick back up with them. I was a little frustrated far into the story the murder occurs but that’s just me. Overall great book and I look forward to the next one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#bookstagram #netgalleyreads #bookrecommendations #reservedformurder #bookloversb&bmystery

I enjoyed the plotline of this second installment in the Booklovers B&B mystery series. The mystery involving a famous author, a small group of super fans, and a glimpse into the publishing industry was interesting and the many suspects kept me guessing. However, I don't feel that the character development is progressing very much, especially with the main character, and that is going to need to change for this to be a successful series. I don't think I know any of them better now than I did at the end of the first book. I hope that the author spends more time deepening our relationships with the core characters in the upcoming books. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the advance digital copy!

I like mystery series set in B&Bs, and this is one of my favorite series. I like Charlotte, the owner and former teacher. Her neighbor Ellen has a mysterious past. The other recurring characters are equally likable. This murder plot has plenty of suspects and motives to keep you guessing. I like that each book reveals more about Charlotte's past and that of her great aunt's, who owned the B&B originally.
I hope there are more books to be written in the future.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Charlotte Reed, new proprietress of Chapters B&B in Beaufort, North Carolina, is still getting used to running her late aunt's business while also mourning her husband’s recent unexpected death. She is however looking forward to welcoming best-selling romantic fantasy author Amanda Nobel for a week of rest and relaxation part way through her latest nationwide book tour. Her publishers have insisted on one public appearance at the beginning of the stay but its worth it for a little down time.

At the same time Charlotte is distracted by neighbour Ellen's surprise house guest as normally she allows no one to stay overnight and nephew, Gavin Howard, seems to be making himself very much at home. As the week progresses Charlotte is dismayed to find mysteries and gossip sitting uncomfortably alongside literary discussion and Amanda's book signing and then one of her guests is found murdered.

This is the second book in Victoria Gilbert's Book Lovers B&B Mystery series in what sounds like an idyllic setting. There are two storylines running simultaneously both of which were entertaining and well written. I liked the main characters and enjoyed the dialogue throughout; I shall definitely be on the look out for a third outing for Charlotte and her friends.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own.  I enjoyed this easy summer read.

I received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I have been wanting to read this book for a while and I'm so glad that I finally got a chance to a great new series for me the plot was amazing characters were fun and quirky.

Charlotte and Ellen were an exceptional sleuthing duo, challenged with routing out a murderer from within the guests at The Chapters, Charlotte’s bed and breakfast inn. This proved to be a trying and stressful event, one that almost had a fatal outcome but also with a silver lining for Charlotte.

I love books about books, authors, bookshops, libraries-well you get the idea. I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them. However, as much as I liked Chapters B&B, I didn't like any of the characters very much-not even owner Charlotte Reed. The characters seemed stilted, their conversations contrived and often abrupt. The murder was interesting, with several great suspects, and definitely a new twist on motive for the deed! It was nice that Charlotte had a good working relationship with the police detective. Regardless, I was disappointed in the book.

I appreciate Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I enjoyed Reserved for Murder more than the first in the series. Charlotte is becoming more likeable, helped by the addition of the character Gavin. This is a cozy mystery series (I believe) and reading about an unhappy character (Charlotte in book one) was not enjoyable. In the first book she was suspicious of everyone, including the cook/housekeeper (who didn't even have a strong motive for murder) and her best friend. For me, this made Charlotte very unlikable - who wants a best friend like that. But, in this second book, she softens up a bit. I guess the author is going for a character who is going to be more trusting/connecting through the series, but it isn't a load of fun for a cozy mystery. So, the addition of Gavin in this second book was a great help. I hope we see more of him in the future. In Reserved for Murder, the B&B guests were interesting and the main murder plot was good - I couldn't figure out who the murderer was. The author's other series is so good, I'm hanging in there with this series. I like the writer's writing style, it allows me to relax and just enjoy the plot and characters. I look forward to the next in the series. Hopefully, Charlotte can have some real fun.

Not for me. The characters were one-dimensional. The dialogue was totally unnatural, everyone sounded the same, and the sentences went on foreeeeever, like "Jack, Mary's boyfriend, who was a fireman, a job which required him to put out fires, sauntered over to us and smirking, picked up a canape and popped it into his mouth." And everyone is introduced by their full names and says "But please, call me First name." Drove me nuts. DNF at 15%. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Beaufort, North Carolina, is home to Chapters Bed and Breakfast, owned and operated by former schoolteacher Charlotte Reed. This historic 18th-century inn draws in voracious readers from far and wide with its lovingly curated special events celebrating a host of genres and authors. On a July weekend, a visit by one of the biggest names in romantic fantasy attracts admirers to the coastal village. That's not ideal, as the author retreated to Chapters to get away from it all for a while. But she will still appease her fans with a "Tea and Talk" meet-and-greet at the B&B celebrating her bestselling series (starring a devilishly dashing, time-traveling pirate), follow that up with a quick book signing at Bookwaves, the hip indie bookstore across town, and spend the remainder of the weekend in delightful repose. But when the president of the reclusive writer's fan club is found dead in the harbor by the Beaufort docks--by a blunt-force blow to the head--it's up to Charlotte Reed, her neighbor Ellen, and Ellen's trusty Yorkshire terrier to sniff out the killer. Because if they can't, a spectacularly successful book series--and its author--may come to a sudden, lethal conclusion.

This is the second in the new Book Lover's B & B series by Victoria Gilbert. I read the first one last year and really enjoyed it so was excited to be able to get the second book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I have read through the author's Blue Ridge Library series , and enjoyed her writing and character development, and this new series promises to be just as good.