Member Reviews
Though this is only the second All-Day Breakfast Cafe book I've read, I absolutely love it. When I read A Waffle Lot of Murder, I fell in love with the characters, and it's a cozy mystery that stuck with me. As you know, I read lots and lots of books, so there are times when I completely forget a book I've read. That one was a Halloween-themed cozy, and Mistletoe Cake Murder is a Christmas-themed one! I think books revolving around holidays stick with me more....that and food!
In Mistletoe Cake Murder, there's obviously going to be lots of food since what's supposed to be calmly happening is preparations for Savannah's wedding. That means food and cake! And it's Christmas, so that means more food! Then don't forget the restaurant...more food. You get the picture. Prepare to snack while you read this one. Sadly, one of those foods is tied with a murder when another bride to be samples a slice of cake. And, of course, Gia and Savannah happen to be there which means they'll get involved! I mean, they'd get involved anyway, but...
This was a really quick read for me because it kept me turning the pages with interest. I still love the Boggy Creek, Florida setting, though I do think I'd briefly miss snow at Christmas. Trevor, another of Gia and Savannah's friends, makes up for the lack of snow though at his beautiful home where the wedding is held, so I'd just have to have Trevor as a friend too. The family atmosphere in the cafe and among the friends definitely adds to the coziness of this book. You'll love solving the mystery along with the characters, but if you're like me, you'll mostly love the Christmas-y cheer (and regular cheer!).
I am so looking forward to reading more books in this series and trying out the recipes the author includes! I think you cozy mystery lovers will be delighted with Mistletoe Cake Murder.
Gia Morelli just can't stay out of trouble. Much to the exasperation of Boggy Creek Police Chief Hunter Quinn, Gia's boyfriend. Even as Gia is busy helping with preparations for her best friend, Savannah Mills' wedding Gia gets involved in a murder investigation. I really like the characters in this series. They are fun and caring. I particularly enjoy reading the scenes where Gia and Savannah investigate together. Talk about trouble! Mistletoe Cake Murder is a super addition to author Lena Gregory's All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. This has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series to read.
Gia is one of those characters that you smile about. She reminds you of someone you know, maybe a family member. She gets into mischief without even trying but always doe sit out of love. Her best friend, Savannah, much like Gia, makes readers happy. The latest book in the “All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery” series, Mistletoe Cake Murder, is exceptionally enjoyable. It’s time for Savannah’s wedding and Christmas festivities; there should be nothing but joy and happiness. But as readers know, nothing is ever easy with these two friends; the word just isn’t in their vocabulary.
A murder takes a slice out of the girl’s holiday fun. And as usual, neither of them can keep out of the investigation. But they have a good excuse, Savannah’s wedding is just around the corner, and her caterer is a suspect after the victim ate a piece of cake decorated with mistletoe. Gia can’t have anything spoil her BFF’s wedding day. But the Christmas rush at her cafe, not to mention all the work that friends have put into making Savannah’s big day, well… big, is starting to take a toll. It’s up to Gia to make things right for everyone.
Suspects come out of the woodwork, and no one is exempt. Motives range from bad relationships, accidental death, greed, and jealousy to plain old rage. Evidence is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Mistletoe is the cause but no one knows how the victim got a hold of it. Gia and Savannah become incredibly frustrated when their progress stalls, and they call upon the help of friends. Leo, Savannah’s fiance, is investigating; after all, it’s his job, but Gia can’t help involving herself and Hunt, her boyfriend, to bring the investigation to a quick end. Luckily, the All-Day Breakfast Cafe staff hold the fort, giving Gia all the time she needs to help her friend with the wedding and solve the crime before the big day.
The crime is solved just in time, but Gia and Savannah are in for a surprise when the culprit is finally caught. Mistletoe Cake Murder is a delightful Christmas holiday read and a great addition to the series. Characters continue to grow and mature. The cafe keeps me hungry and craving to try the recipes at the end of each book. The wedding venue is described beautifully, and there isn’t a bride out there who won’t be inspired. The ending to this book, in particular, will make readers happy. I am thrilled with this book and hope that the series continues for many years to come.
"Mistletoe Cake Murder" the 6th instalment in the "All Day Breakfast Cafe" Mystery series by Lena Gregory. I love this series!
Tis the season for celebrating when Gia Morelli's holidays include both a wedding and yuletide festivities. Until someone naughty delivers a most unwanted Christmas gift—murder. . .
Each book seems better than the last, I enjoy the relationship between Trevor, Gia and Savannah they are almost like siblings. It’s great to see how everyone cares for each other and pulls together to make sure Savannah’s wedding is pulled off without a hitch. I’m also happy that Gia is starting to open up to the idea of love again.
The story pulled me in straight away and held my attention till the very end. There were plenty of twists and turns, and enough intrigue to keep you reading throughout and per usual with this series I read in one sitting. Plus the surprise ending! I can’t wait for the next instalment to arrive.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory. Savannah and Leo are finally going to have their dream wedding in just over a week. She and Gia had moved in to Trevor's mansion, where the wedding was to be held, to help with the final touches. They had an itinerary, thank you, Trevor, and first on the list was Rinaldi Catering, Alyssa and Carlos, although the menu was set. As Alyssa brought them samples of a new cake, they heard yelling from the inside of the building. Alyssa explained that was why she was outside. It had been that way all morning: aggressive customers, Jeremy and Robyn. Just moments later, Robyn was on the floor and Gia was doing CPR. The people in her party were just gaping. By then Savannah had called 9-1-1 but on route to the hospital, Robyn died. What in the world was going on?
Gia's boyfriend was Hunter Quinn, a police captain, so of course he arrived along with the ambulance, as well as Leo, his partner. After being warned to stay out of it and stay safe, Savannah and Gia left to go to work at Gia's cafe, All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Hunter was strong and brace and intelligent and he loved Gia, despite the fact she wasn't sure she could commit (based on her past experiences). Gia was clever, but not always as careful as she could be. The murderer turned out to be the logical one, but not necessarily the obvious one. It was a well-crafted mystery with lots of personal details added to make it a very entertaining book, one well worth the read.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Mistletoes Cake Murder by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #mistletoecakemurder #lenagregory
I loved the continuation of the An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. Savannah is getting married on Christmas eve, and of course an unexplained death at the caterer's tasting table throws a stress into the plan. I really like all of these characters in the series and the situations are all believable. I was completely surprised by the resolution of the mystery, I certainly didn't see that coming. There is just so much to like and I look forward to more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I really wanted to like this book and although it had plenty of seasonal touches, I was confused right from the beginning about who was who and what was what and it didn't get any more clear.
Another delightful cozy series that has never disappointed me. #6 is another winner and it's an invitation to the Christmas Even wedding of Gia and Leo but homicide was not part of the planned festivities. While Savannah and Gia are taking care of the finishing touches with their caterer, another bride to be dies after her cake testing session. Not only a tragic event but the prime suspects are the caterers and if they are hauled away to jail, there go Gia's wedding plans. What's a bride to do? Team up with her BFF (Savannah) and track down the killer. With a list of suspects longer than her arm, Savannah sets out to solve the crime, run her diner, etc. etc. but will she have enough energy to get it all done in time for Gia and Leo to say their "I do's".
The motives are abundant, the main characters are in fine form and the mystery is top notch. It's the sign of a good series when the reader wants a friend like Savannah, can't wait to pack their bags and head for a long vacation in Boggy Creek, Florida and reads each mystery like reading a catching up letter from friends. It also can work as a stand alone if you are new to the series but make sure to catch up so you'll be ready for the next missive from Savannah and the rest.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Gia and Savannah are best friends and would do anything for each other. Savanna is getting married and Gia and Trevor were helping her with the wedding plans and they are going to have the wedding at Trevor's mansion. While making plans for the wedding coming up they are getting ready for a tasting at the caterers. While they are waiting for their turn, the group ahead of them screamed and a lady fell over.
As you read this book and it starts to unfold in front of you, you begin to fall for Gia and Savanna. Those two seem to be around when trouble starts and they get caught in the middle. It is a really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. While the sixth book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. Gia Morelli’s best friend, Savannah, is getting married and at Christmastime, so there’s so much to celebrate! But, when they arrive at the caterer’s for Savannah’s final tasting decisions, they overhear and see a heated argument between a woman and her son about the woman’s fiancée. Sadly, they soon overhear a scream and discover the woman lying on the floor. Working overtime to ensure Savannah’s wedding isn’t marred by a lack of caterers or her fiancé’s investigation as the local police detective, Gia & Savannah use all their skills to solve the mistletoe mystery before it’s too late. This is a fun cozy and a great entry in this series. Perfect for the holiday mystery season!
Gia’s best friend Savannah is getting married. The bride is happily enjoying all the moments until a murder happens. Turns out the woman murdered was poisoned at the caterer that Savannah had hired. Overall a fun fast paced cozy.
#MistletoeCakeMurder #NetGalley
Christmas in Florida is about as different from New York as can be but Gia is adapting.
Her focus this year is more on the upcoming wedding of her best friend Savannah.
When a final cake tasting becomes a deadly event, everyone becomes a suspect, or at least a person of interest. The future groom and the best man are officially on the case, but Gia and Savannah are smack in the middle of everything.
Was the deceased even the intended victim? Everyone is keeping secrets and telling lies.
What about the caterers? Will they be able to handle the rehearsal diner and wedding?
Gia will let nothing spoil Savannah and Leo's big day.
You will best enjoy this book if you are familiar with the continuing storyline, but it can be read as an edge of your seat stand alone. The focus is on family and friendships. Every time Gia leaves the cafe she finds herself in danger, and sometimes it even tracks her down. I love the relationship between Gia and Savannah. Also how Hunt, Gia's boyfriend, describes the relationship. It made me smile.
This is a story about trust and moving forward despite obstacles.
Just what a cozy should be! A fun enjoyable read with characters and situations that are lifelike. Curl up, get comfy and try to quess whodunit. Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
Gia's best friend Savannah is getting married, but the wedding may be derailed by a death at a cake tasting. Gia's determined to sort out the mystery in time to keep the wedding on track.
This installment in the mystery feels like a review of the story of Gia and Savannah and their friends and family. We hear about Gia's and Savannah's adventures in New York, Gia's move to Florida, the evolution of Gia's relationship with the handsome detective Hunt, and a tidy tie-up of all the emotional loose ends from previous stories.
It's fun read with a Christmas setting and a happy ending. Enjoy it by the fire!
I really believe Kennsington always publishes the very best cozy mystery mystery book.s, and this book was no exception. The plot was original and there were several suspicious characters who behaved in ways that definitely made it difficult to pick one. I thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the two main characters, Gia and Savanna, who are besties and are up for a bit of sneakily trying to figure out who killed the bride to be.
This was a book well worth reading.
This book was sent to me by Netgalley on Kindle for review…it is a mystery with some red herrings…the characters are actually fun to read about while trying to discern who did the deed. A wedding…a murder…friendship…faithful dog…a restaurant…cooking…it has all of this…much to determine…much to wonder and much to guess…
I loved this cozy mystery. It had it all: great characters, some action, some twists and turns, and of course a sprinkle of romance. What's not to love!
Savannah is getting ready to marry the love of her life, Leo. While her and Gia, her best friend, are at the cake tasting, someone screams, and another bride to be collapses, only to die a few minutes later. With a lot of suspects circling around and a lot of people pointing fingers in many directions, Leo and Hunt may actually need Savannah and Gia's meddling to help solve the murder in time for the wedding!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
When I think of a good lazy day cozy to read I think of books like this, with likable relatable characters habitually getting catch up in one mystery after another, even on their wedding day! Savannah and Gia are good characters and I look forward to seeing what hot water mystery they'll get into next.
This is a fun, fast paced series that gets better with each book.
Gia and Savanah are good characters that always make me chuckle.
Christmas cozy mysteries are one of my favorite to read and this one hit all the marks I look for.
What an enjoyable read. This is the sixth book in the series but the first I've read and there are no problems reading it as a stand alone.
Our protagonist Gia Morelli's best friend Savannah is getting married on Christmas Eve and Gia accompanies Savannah to the caterers to finalize details for the rehearsal dinner and wedding. Before entering, they witness an argument between a woman Robyn and her son Isaac, and it appears that the son is objecting to his mother's remarriage to someone he believes is just marrying her for her money. They are also there to decide on a wedding cake.
Gia and Samantha enter the caterers and hear a scream. Alyssa, the caterer, tells her the group have been arguing and screaming since they got there and to ignore it. When a second scream rings out and someone yells to call 911, Gia and Samantha rush in and try CPR on Robyn after calling 911.
They later find out that Robyn didn't make it and that the police suspect she was poisoned by the cake.
Gia's a nosy sort so she asks questions and does some snooping. Her beau and Samantha's fiancée are both in law enforcement but it's not an adversarial relationship. Hunt, her beau just cautions her to be careful.
The mystery is very well plotted and has multiple red herrings and twists and turns and I was surprised at the murderer.
Throw in a wedding and Christmas and you have a wholly enjoyable read.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Net Galley but the opinion expressed is my own.