I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting read and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me reading until the end. I highly recommend.

Such a fan of Lena Gregory and her character, Gia Morelli, and have been since Scone Cold Killer.

Wedding bells are in the summer forecast in Boggy Creek for Savannah, real estate agent, and Leo, local law enforcement officer.

Book Five of the All-Day Breakfast Café really brings the friendship of Savannah and Gia to the forefront especially after Savannah disappears and the murder mystery begins in one of the houses she was showing. I really enjoyed how the author gave Savannah more of the reigns again. I have found her doing more with the characters / friends surrounding Gia through each book; Alfie and Trevor took a few lead roles along the way as well this go around.

Lena Gregory paints a wonderful mystery with twist and turns ensuring the reader is kept guessing.

I read this 7 May 2021, not sure why this is still showing as not having been completed seen as it's on Goodreads...

A fun read that just keeps on giving! Wedding shopping, real estate and murder are the perfect recipe for this book! A must read!

Hold on to your book because this mystery starts fast and gets even faster! It's a book that you won't want to put down so make sure you have time to read! Gia Morrelli is determined to find who kidnapped her realtor best friend, Savannah, who went to show a high value property. Red herrings, twists and turns are all Gia finds but she won't give up because now, she has a target on herself too!

I was hooked after the first page. Gia, a New York transplant to Boggy Creek, Florida has it all - wonderful friends, a successful business, a boyfriend who loves her and a desire to sleuth, when necessary. I wasn't able to guess "whodunit" and I loved it! If you like your mysteries fast-paced , this is the book for you! I hadn't read the previous books but had no problems catching up with the characters.

A perfect summer read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is a quick read at just over 200 pages. It may be enjoyed by those who like cozy mysteries with a likeable heroine and a lack of gore.

Gia Morelli has moved to Florida from New York. It is quite a change. Gia becomes involved in helping her friend, a realtor, to find the perfect wedding dress. However all does not go well. Savannah has disappeared and her client is dead. What happened? Why? Whodunit? Read this one to find out.

Note: This title is part of a series but may be read on its own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Lena Gregory has pulled out all the stops with this book, we start with Savannah worried about planning her wedding (why IS everything so expensive!) and end up working through the equivalent of the Montagues and Capulets along with murder, kidnapping, theft and panic over pets! Gia and Savannah have to put everything else on hold to help sort things out (as Hunt and Leo have been taken off the case) and we just have to hope they can succeed - otherwise Savannah won't have a wedding but a funeral!

I love this series and to have the mystery hit this close to home (for the characters) was very emotional. I feel like I am visiting with old friends when I read one of the All Day Breakfast Cafe books.

Whole Latte Murder and Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory are the fifth and sixth books in the cozy All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. Each book in the series centers around it’s own mystery that will be fully solved within the book so they could be read and enjoyed as a standalone. However, there is some continuing character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.

The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series features Gia Morelli who is a New Yorker at heart but after going through a messy divorce Gia decided to follow her best friend down to central Florida. The small town of Boggy Creek is certainly the exact opposite of what Gia was used to but she was determined to make a success out of her new diner she’d opened, the All-Day Breakfast Café.

Somehow Gia’s life in the small town has been balanced between running her cafe, taking care of her puppy Thor and solving murders. In Whole Latte Murder Gia was waiting for her friend Savannah who is a realtor to show a property and then meet Gia to shop. When Savannah didn’t show Gia went looking only to find a dead body and no Savannah anywhere to be found. Then in Mistletoe Cake Murder Gia again happens to be near when another woman nearby suddenly died after eating at the business so of course Gia looks into the mysterious death.

The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series is another cozy series I have been following from the beginning and really do enjoy. This is one that has that great mix of humor and quirkiness that I enjoy. Of course after six books it’s obvious that I enjoy the characters in the stories and there’s some cute animal action on occasion too. The location is a different more laid back version of Florida than the touristy side one might expect too with a small town charm. I will definitely keep coming back to this series as long as the author continues to expand it.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Whole Latte Murder by Lena Gregory is the fifth book in the All Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. Gia's best friend Savannah is getting married so Gia and she are going in search of the perfect wedding dress. First Savannah has to show a mansion to a wealthy client. Savannah ends up missing, and her client is found dead. Gia and most of the town are frantic to find her. Unfortunately Savannah's sudden return leaves more questions than answers. This is an action packed book with plenty of twists and turns. I love the suprise-ish ending!

this was my first time reading this author and i enjoyed it. this was an entertaining cozy mystery with a fun cast of characters.

just what I need after the last few days , the kind of book you can just get lost in and not think, all you have to do is read .

Princess Fuzzypants here: The book begins with Gia and Savannah making a date to do wedding planning after Savannah shows a house to a client. When Savannah doesn’t meet up with Gia her friends and family start to worry. The dead client they find at the house does not bode well and the search is on for Savannah. This is not, by any means, a simple murder/kidnapping.

The house that is up for sale is owned by a crime family and the would be purchaser is a member of a rival family. By the time Savannah is found, it is clear as mud that the blood feud is deeper and more pervasive than either woman ever imagined. It feels like someone is playing deadly games and the two friends are in the cross-hairs, literally. Even cops Hunt and Leo are shocked and dismayed how dangerous family ties can be. As in the previous books, Gia and especially Savannah are reckless. They do some very silly things that put them in greater danger than they are already. While it makes for some exciting moments, it also comes close to a Darwin Award.

Somehow, the likability of the characters and the complexity of the mystery keep me coming back for more. Four purrs and two paws up.

Gia’s back in the fifth book in the “All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery “ series, Whole Latte Murder (I’m not sure where the Latte part comes in). This time around, Gia’s best friend Savannah is planning her wedding, and Gia is helping. But when Savannah’s client is killed while viewing a house and Savannah disappears, things get serious.

These books have been enjoyable, and this one is not an exception. However, there are times when characters become bogged down in details that make it difficult to enjoy reading about them, or a plot just doesn’t fit. In the case of this book, there are a few issues I could not get past. For instance, even though Gia spends most of her time at the cafe, it doesn’t matter; the setting could have been anywhere. Unlike the other books in this series, the cafe just isn’t the center of attention, and it should be. Savannah’s wedding, although it is supposed to be part of the overall plot, doesn’t play a part other than a couple of mentions about a location for the reception and dress shopping. The “mob” connection is, in my opinion, a subterfuge that just didn’t work. I liked the idea; I just didn’t feel it fit in with the other books in this series.

The suspects, what there are of them, and the killer were easy to figure out immediately; the author more-or-less gave it away as soon as they were introduced, making it hard to enjoy the who-dun-it portion of it the story. The evidence was insignificant and didn’t play a true role in solving the murder. Gia stayed at the cafe all day waiting for what the police said could be a ransom call. But why would a kidnapper call Savannah’s best friend and not her family, who don’t seem to be out hunting for their missing loved one? Even Savannah’s fiance, a cop, isn’t out tearing up the countryside looking for his future bride. Overall, this story didn’t work on many levels, the wedding, cafe, mob, murder, investigation: none of them seemed to play a significant enough role to make an impact.

I enjoyed Whole Latte Murder for the relationship aspects more than anything. The closeness of Gia and Savannah is terrific, the cafe employees and patrons are fun and entertaining, and hopefully, we will get to enjoy Savannah’s wedding in the next installment. There are moments in this book that invoke real emotion and intrigue, but I would recommend that readers who haven’t read any of the other books in this series do not start with this one.

Besties, Gia and Savannah are planning Savannah's wedding and are going to go dress shopping right after Savannah shows a Mansion to a prospective buyer. Gia and her friend Alfie drive out to the Mansion when Savannah doesn't return. They find her client dead and Savannah missing.

This is the start of a great book. I hope to read more in this series.

I love mysteries that involve a food and prepping for a wedding makes it even better!

The book was an easy read that kept my interest until the very end. The characters are likeable and like the relationships as they are continuing to grow. And the recipes included sound very yummy!

I really liked this cozy mystery thriller set in and around a small all-day breakfast cafe. Two great friends, Savannah and Gia, are working on Savannah's wedding plans but are having a hard time finding a place. Savannah has to leave to show a house to someone that others in town say is bad news, but she goes anyway. She's supposed to be back in 3 hrs but she doesn't show up! Who took her and why, and where is she? The man she showed the house to is found dead in the bathtub, apparently murdered. Will this be the end of their friendship, or will Savannah turn up?

I liked the characters and the action in the book. This was my first book in this series, so I might have even liked it more if I had started from the beginning. But if you like cozy mysteries, with a little crime, pets, and passion, then this might just be a good book for you.

I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This was such a great page turner. The plot was very well written and I cannot wait for another book. This was from a new to me and great author. I really enjoyed the book. Will definitely recommend this book.

Whole Latte Murder
All-Day Breakfast Cafe, Book #5
Lena Gregory
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Ex-New Yorker and local diner owner Gia Morelli is still getting used to the sweltering Florida sun. But this summer she'll have to deal with a more dangerous kind of heat--when she's hot on the trail of another murderer . . .

Summer in Boggy Creek has arrived, and Gia's best friend, successful real estate agent Savannah, is getting hitched. Now she's enlisted Gia's sleuthing talents in a desperate search for the perfect wedding dress. But when Savannah mysteriously vanishes after showing a mansion to a bigwig client, Gia investigates the house Savannah was trying to sell. The first clue she finds is Savannah's car in the driveway. Inside the house, they stumble on Savannah's potential buyer--dead. Someone had apparently closed the deal--with a two by four full of nails to the client's head. Soon afterward, a woman's body is fished from the lake near the same house. The townsfolk are now sweating bullets over the murders, and the heat comes down on poor Gia to find her missing friend, and track down the killer . . . (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well round, well developed and three dimensional. The relationship between Gia and Savannah has always been special but when Savannah is kidnapped, their relationship goes to a whole other level. Gia’s pain and concern are palpable and I could not help but feel for her. I was turning pages as quickly as I could to see what was going to happen next. It added more tension that you usually see in a cozy mystery, and that was great. Gia and Savannah will have their work cut out for them trying to solve the murders.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning and took me on a terrifying ride. The mystery was well plotted and had numerous twists and turns and I was actively engaged until the reveal.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I think this book was my favorite in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It’s summer in Boggy Creek and Gia is excited to help her BFF Savannah plan the perfect wedding. They just have to find a venue that meets their needs without breaking the bank. A big commission could really help real estate agent Savannah have the wedding of her dreams. She sets off to meet a wealthy client at the priciest home for sale in the area planning to meet Gia for some dress shopping later.

There were some concerns about her meeting this man by herself and when Savannah fails to pick up Gia and doesn’t answer her phone Gia sets off to find her friend. She arrives at the mansion and finds Savannah’s convertible in the driveaway but no Savannah. She does however find her client, dead, looking like he was hit upside the head with the nearby two by four full of nails. The police arrive and also find a woman’s body in the nearby lake. Thank God, it wasn’t Savannah, but where is she? Friends and family gather at Gia’s cafe while the police start a search. Everyone is frantic with whole latte worry. Will they find Savannah? and will they catch the killer before they strike again? Gia will not rest until they do!

The characters in this series have grown so much over the course of five books. Gia and Savannah are such a great team. When Savannah goes missing you can feel Gia’s pain jump off the pages. Savannah’s fiance Leo and her cousin Hunt along with most of the community search to find the real estate agent. It was heartwarming the way everyone came together.

With Savannah in peril, we get to see her brothers and father in action. They are a close-knit family and have welcomed Gia as one of their own. Trevor also has a larger role in this story and Alfie returns for a little technical support. All the cafe regulars return as well. Ms. Gregory has created a cast of truly genuine characters.

What I really love about the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mysteries is the emphasis on friends and family. The characters really feel like old friends who would open their arms and hearts to anyone in need.

The mystery gets off to a very quick start. Savannah’s client has a shady past and possible mob connections. Gia’s house gets broken into and the treatment of a certain Bernese Mountain Dog had me absolutely livid. Money is missing from several places and there is something hinky going on at Savannah’s real estate office. All these things are tangled together in a way that had the pages flying so fast I think my Kindle was steaming. Again the girls go to some crazy and dangerous lengths that had me holding my breath but I wouldn’t expect any less from this dynamic duo.

Whole Latte Murder is a Whole Latte good! Great characters and a fantastic story full of twists and turns along with just a little humor and romance make this book a Perfect Escape!

I am excited about Savannah and Leo’s wedding and look forward to pulling up a virtual seat for it and whatever murder mystery the author comes up with. I highly recommend every book in this series!

Whole Latte Murder is the 5th book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series.

Gia Morelli runs the 'All-Day Breakfast Café', a diner in Boggy Creek, Florida. Gia is on a mission to help her BFF property and estate agent Savannah Mills find a wedding frock for her upcoming nuptials. Before they go shopping together Savannah has an appointment showing potential buyer Buster Clarke around Oakley Manor House, a large empty property out in the woods. When Savannah doesn't show up for their shopping trip, Gia begins to fret and heads out to Oakley Manor to look for her friend taking Trevor Barnes, the owner of Storm Scoopers, an ice cream parlour, with her. They don't find Savannah, but they do find Buster... dead in the bath.

Whole Latte Murder was my 2nd in this series as I dived in late at book four in A Waffle Lot of Murder. I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Gia and Savannah have a brilliant friendship and protagonist Gia is a great character who I find to be instinctive and keen. Cole Barrister and Willow Broussard, a cook and a waitress at the café work with Gia and are eager to help her out when Gia needs to go and search for clues. The great cast of characters, including the hilarious townsfolk, and strong friendship bonds, help to zhoosh up this summer cozy as does Thor, Gia's Bernese Mountain Dog. I was sold on this summer-themed compulsive story from the very beginning, and Lena Gregory once again really impressed me with her fluid writing. The details of the plot were very well-executed, the story was amusing and easy to follow, and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. The story was scattered with scrumptious food references, and clues were sprinkled throughout. As a lover of a good breakfast myself Lena Gregory's mentions of delectable sounding meals and treats were pure joy and I could almost taste the iced chocolate macadamia nut lattes! The killer's identity eluded me until the very end.

This was an amazingly good cozy and I am looking forward to reading book six, Mistletoe Cake Murder. If you adore a great cozy mystery, don't miss out on Whole Latte Murder!

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, Lena Gregory and Kensington Books for a complimentary copy of Whole Latte Murder at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.