Valentine time at “Beach Read” book store, and what is better then inviting the author of a modern-day book about Romeo and Julliet. This is the first in person event since the pandemic and sure to draw a crowd.
Summer Merriweather, who owns the bookstore, is just doing last minute touches when she slips and falls, spraining her ankle. Now what? She is told to keep her weight of her foot …. Her assistant, friends and cousin are taking a charge, while she watches the event online.
All is well until the next day, when the author is found dead at the B&B.
For some reason her effects are forwarded to Summer’s house, and as she is stuck, she might as well go through it, and from there things go in many different directions.
This was my first “Beach Read” and it was fine to read it out of order, but I am going to double back to book 1 and 2

I enjoyed this mystery. I really liked Summer, Mia, Aunt Agatha and Mia. I love that the story is based in a bookstore. I enjoyed the clean romance and the murder mystery. I loved the twist at the end. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This has been a fun series. I like the characters and the town and mysteries set in bookstore/libraries are my favorite. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

This third installment was a disappointment. After book two the series looked like it was on the upswing, but unfortunately this book didn’t continue that trend. Summer came across as whiny and often rude. There was so much unnecessary focus on her ankle injury and there was so much repetition, that the actual mystery got lost. So much potential not realized.

I finished this yesterday [2.10.2024] and decided to wait on the review because I HAD FEELINGS. Woke up today [2.11.2024] and realized I just didn't have the bandwidth to go into all that bugged me about this book [unfortunately, this outweighed ALL the good that did happen at the beginning of the book] and have decided to just write this instead.

Full disclosure - I disliked book 1 for many reasons [judgy much?] and was just going to not read this, but I also know that book 2 and book 3 in a series are often MUCH better than the initial offering, so away we went. I skipped book 2 [and never felt I missed anything in book 3 because of it] and just went into book 3 and was pleasantly surprised at just how good it was, until it just...wasn't [after the murder]. It felt about 50 - 75 pages too long [I may or may not have yelled "JUST GET ON WITH IT ALREADY], there was SO. MUCH. REPETITION [full chapters of rehashing], and it took a really amazing premise and just threw it away so to speak. It had a very anticlimactic ending and the epilogue was just so....and I ended up being so disappointed. This could have been a great read and instead it left me knowing I will not read anymore and will skip the authors alter-ego as well.

I was also granted a audiobook ARC for this book and unfortunately, I was also disappointed by this. I am just not a fan of this narrator reading this book [I have listened to her before and had enjoyed her, hence the requesting of this one]. There were many times I just wanted her to READ THE BOOK instead of getting wrapped up in so many different voices [there were a ton of characters in this book - I cannot even imagine how difficult it was for her to even keep track, much less come up with voices for them all] I am afraid it added to my disappointment over this whole book experience. Like I said, I have listened to her before and enjoyed her, so I will continue to look for her narration, but in this case, the narration just did not work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maggie Blackburn, Christa Lewis - Narrator, Crooked Lane Books, and Dreamscape Media for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review ~ A Killer Romance~

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I came in a little late to this series as this is the third installment but thankfully I didn’t feel like couldn’t follow it. The mystery was fun, plus the sprinkle of romance as well. I enjoyed the fun mystery and I look forward to going back and reading the first two in the series

Features:
*Second Chance Romance
*Fun cozy Mystery

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!

I saw A Killer Romance on NetGalley, and having read the prior two books in the series, I decided to pick it up. Then, the request for a review for a book tour came through, and I knew I was meant to read it.

The last Beach Reads Mystery book by author Maggie Blackburn came out in 2021, so it’s been a couple of years, and I’ll admit that it took me a few chapters into A Killer Romance to refresh my memory of Summer and her bookstore. If I hadn’t read the earlier books, I don’t think I’d have that same bout of confusion as the book does stand on its own. But it was nice to be back on Brigid’s Island, reconnecting with Summer and her friends and family.

Summer’s attitude has much improved since the first book. I almost didn’t recognize her, but it was a change for the better since she was so snobbish, and now she’s embracing the bookstore she inherited and the types of books they sell. She’s also hosting a romance author book signing for Valentine’s Day. But when the author dies following the signing and one of Summer’s friends is arrested, she jumps into investigating the murder.

Within the first chapter or two, Summer sprains her ankle and is primarily homebound for most of the book. This was a nice twist to have her focus and actively work on solving the mystery. I knew pretty early on who the murderer was. I didn’t get the motive immediately but was somewhat disappointed in the reveal. Not so much how the reveal occurred, but more Summer’s role in it.

A Killer Romance has an interesting epilogue, which almost made me feel that this might be the final book in the series. Usually, there’s a teaser that makes the reader think that something is coming, but this one didn’t have one.

A Killer Romance was a commendable read. It was my favorite in this series and stands on its own. It was an enjoyable day’s read, and I’d recommend it to cozy mystery fans.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Killer Romance is the third book in the Beach Reads Mystery series. This time, Summer, the owner of the bookstore, investigates during Valentine's Day celebrations. The mystery is interesting, and Summer's investigation uncovers many secrets. The pace of the book is good, and the storyline is enjoyable.

A Killer Romance is the third book in the Beach Reads series.

St. Brigid Island, North Carolina is the setting for this cozy/beach read. Summer Merriweather owns the Beach Read bookstore after her mother, Hildy died. Before her mother died Summer was a professor at a university teaching about Shakespeare.

Summer has scheduled her first author at the Beach Read. They are hosting is Lana Livingston who wrote a modern-day book on Romero and Juliet. As she is getting ready for the event, she falls and twists her ankle badly needing crutches and help at home as well as the bookstore. Her assistant, Poppy and her mother's old friends Glads and Marilyn. as well as her cousin, Piper rally around her by helping to get the store ready for the Valentine event Summer is very unhappy to be missing the event and the chance to talk to Lana. At the event Lana is poisoned and dies at the B&B she was staying at, which gives people something to talk about making Summer worry about her business.

Circumstantial evidence puts Glads as the suspect and the friends rush to sort out the mystery for themselves. Lana's belongings are sent to Summer's house which allows her to read Lana's journal and search for clues. Summer tries to stay out of it but ends up in danger while supporting her friend.

This was a fun cozy mystery. The characters are a good group of friends that jump at the chance to help each other. I really liked this book. I did not read the prior two books in the series, and I think this could be a stand-alone read.

A Killer Romance is book #3 in the Beach Reads Mystery series by Maggie Blackburn.

I enjoyed this visit to the Beach Reads. I like the characters and setting. This is a fun cozy mystery. The mystery had twists and red herrings that took me down the wrong path. I loved Mr. Darcy, the African gray parrot. There are recipes at the end. With the Epilogue, I’m afraid this may be the last book. I hope not!

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

It’s been a long almost-three years since the second book was published, so it was good to return to Summer and all her friends and family on the island. I always loved Mia as a character and she didn’t disappoint at all and neither did Glads. Summer’s got an awesome family, but she also has friends that’re like family.
Wow this was one tangled case and admittedly at times I thought it went a bit slow, but when something happened, at least they got on with it pretty quickly. There were lots of secrets and I was never sure who to trust except the main players. The whodunit was a big surprise.

Since there was an epilogue with a very sweet ending taking place a year later, I’m assuming this series isn’t continuing, but I’m really satisfied with how the author perfectly wrapped it up.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.

Wow! What a plot! This story will draw you and keep you turning pages late into the night as you try to untwist the mystery of who killed the author. I do highly recommend that you read the series in order as you will get to know the characters and the small town so much better and have a deeper connection to both. Our main character, Summer, has once again been thrust into the middle of the investigation when a dear friend is accused of the murder. The author has woven a twisted path from the murder to the capture of the guilty party and you will be thoroughly entertained and delighted to untwist the mystery as you read further into the story. It seems obvious who the guilty party is, but don't get to set on who you think it is as you just might fall into a red herring trap! This series is one of my favorites and not just because a bookstore is the central location for Summer and her friends, but because the author has graced us with truly unique characters and wonderfully, well-written plots! I definitely would recommend putting this series on you must read or listen list!

The third book in the Beach Reads Mystery series and I have read all of them. Each one has been better than the one before and now the author seems really in her stride.

A Killer Romance begins with Summer tripping and doing serious damage to one of her ankles. Because of this she does not even get to meet the guest speaker for the Valentine's Day Festival before that poor lady is murdered. However despite the pain and the endless medications she seems to take, Summer manages to be involved in the investigation.

The mystery, the characters and the dialogue are all good although the parrot still steals the show! I found the ending unusual with an epilogue which jumps forward in time and lets the reader know some important events in the future. Does this mean the series is over already? If not why does the author gloss over in three pages what should be the focus of the next book? Time will tell.

A Killer Romance is book three in the Beach Read Mystery series by Maggie Blackburn.

It’s Valentine’s Day in St. Brigid, and Summer Merriweather is running the romance bookshop, Beach Reads, that she inherited from her mother. For the annual book event, Romance by the Sea, Summer has invited an author who has visited in the past, not knowing that the woman has been accused of killing her husband. Then the woman is killed and Summer’s friend is accused of the murder, so Summer feels compelled to clear her friend’s name.

Before the event even starts, Summer is sidelined with a sprained ankle and is sharing a room with an African gray parrot named Mr. Darcy. Throw in a mysterious out of town detective, and a cast of loveable characters from town and you have the start of an enjoyable cozy mystery.

Not only is there a murder to solve, but there’s a little romance going on between Summer and her ex fiancé, Cash.

With red herrings, deception, and break-ins, drug rings, and people who aren’t what they seem, there is a lot going on in this little mystery, and it keeps the story moving along nicely.

I enjoyed A Killer Romance and would not hesitate to check out more books by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Summer couldn’t ignore her instincts concerning the death of a friend who wanted to talk to her. She was on the hunt for a murderer, and not even an injured ankle was going to stop her. She was determined to solve the mystery, and with the help of her former fiance, she set about digging up secrets that were dangerous to one's health. It was the perfect opportunity for a second chance at love, and Cash wasted none of it.

I love a good holiday themed cozy, usually they’re about Christmas or Halloween, so this Valentines themed one is very refreshing.

This series is always a pleasant surprise when I come back to it. The mysteries are intricate & connected to the past of characters in some fashion. They’re very unique. I love the Beach Reads bookstore, its locale & staff make it feel so real. Summer is a good lead, she’s not overly cutesy, rather serious & practical. The whole story has a slightly more mature, darker vibe than some cozies…in a good way! I love that she’s a Shakespeare expert running a romance themed book store. What a surprise ending & an even more unexpected epilogue! This is definitely a recommend, for the whole series actually.

Total sidebar, this series has some of the most beautifully drawn covers. The previous books are part of the illustrations!

A Killer Romance is the third installment in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the fast pace and the whole cozy vibes (literature references to Shakespeare, bookshop ambiance, etc.), however, I was rather put off by the many parts that dragged on starting in the middle of the book. Maybe it's just my interest that faded away from there. Anyway, not bad, but not a memorable read for me.

Literary Cozy Mystery that finds a North Carolina bookstore owner who turns sleuth when a visiting romance author under investigation for her husband's murder is found dead.

4/5 stars: This is the third entry in Blackburn's Beach Reads Mystery series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in North Carolina and features a Shakespeare scholar and bookstore owner. With plenty of twists and turns, Blackburn has crafted a mystery that balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I will say I appreciated Blackburn's choice to have Summer injured throughout the bulk of the investigation thus giving giving a bit of a Rear Window-esque vibe to the goings on. Blackburn's characters are not only complex but incredibly likable. It's a fun to catch up with Summer, her family, the eccentric ladies of the Mermaid Pie Book Club and the rest of the folks of Brigid's Island. With their complicated past it's nice to see Summer and Cash's relationship continue to slowly grow. And of course I can't neglect to mention Summer's African gray parrot, Mr Darcy. He's a sweetheart! But wait, one mustn't forget the absolutely yummy recipes that are included. So that you're aware, Blackburn includes COVID in this book and overall tackles some sensitive topics in the series itself, so take care and check CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Little Bookshop of Murder.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Despite my year-long anticipation for the latest installment in the series, I am disappointed to confess that the book didn't live up to my expectations. Falling short of the standards set by its predecessors, the writing proved to be a letdown.

The mystery surrounding the murder in this installment lacked clarity. The narrative feeling like a mere recitation rather than an immersive experience. The characters came across as flat, lacking genuine emotions, and the dialogue felt bland.

The narrative is set post-COVID, providing glimpses into Summer's life after inheriting her mother's bookstore. However, a missing piece in the series' timeline raises questions about the story's consistency from the start.

The suspects and overall plot development felt forced, lacking logical consistency. The revelation of the killer's identity was shocking but not in a satisfying way.

The epilogue, with a one-year jump, suggests a potential series finale, leaving me disappointed with how the third book unfolded. While the initial two installments were enjoyable, this third installment failed to meet expectations, leaving a sense of regret for the overall direction the series has taken.

I feel like I’ve been waiting a long time for this third Beach Reads mystery. Book 2 came out in 2021.
Summer has been running Beach Reads for five years and is preparing for a Valentine author visit.
She injures herself and is out of commission for the event. The next day the author is dead and a strange course of events ensues.
The red herring suspects were convincing, and I was a little surprised by the outcome of this story.
The ending after the murder is solved takes us into the future as the reader gets a peek at Summer’s next steps in life.
I enjoyed reading Killer Romance. I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. I like the narrator.
I think this book could stand alone but I enjoyed it more because I’ve read the first two books.
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book.