A Killer Romance is the 3rd book in the Beach Reads Mystery series. As is often my habit, I jumped in with this book and have not yet read the first two. I enjoyed this book, and feel that it is fine to read as a standalone, but I will go back and either read or listen to the first two in the series to get everyone's history and full stories. It is almost Valentine's Day and the Beach Reads bookshop is hosting “Romance by the Sea.” Owner of the shop, Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband’s murder. Summer is also laid up with a severely injured ankle, so has to send messages to her staff when she finds out. Shortly after the event, the author is found dead at the bed and breakfast where she is staying. It is determined that she was poisoned and one of Summer's friends and loved community member is arrested for her death. Can Summer and her friends find the real killer and help Glads to be released?

This was an intriguing and twisty case that Summer and company had to sort out. It wasn't all it appeared to be. There was no shortage of suspects, including the victim's step-daughter, who seemed to be trying to cause Summer grief. She threatened her more than once, yet she was the main suspect in many eyes. The police seemed to taking Glads as the culprit seriously and weren't do a lot of investigating, but once Summer seemed to be in danger, they stepped it up. As the investigation proceeded, secrets were revealed and another death occurs. Can they find the culprit before Summer ends up dead as well? I was changing my mind constantly while reading this one and was totally surprised by the reveal. There is a good mix of mystery and personal stories and you've got to love Summer's bird, who she seems to love more than anyone else. Set in sleepy, beachside Brigid's Island, North Carolina, I love the feel of the community and the various characters that are part of Summer's friends and book club members.

I love Summer and the fun cast of characters in the Beach Read Mystery series. The narrator did a great job. I hope Maggie continues this series.

I really loved this cozy mystery. I liked the slightly prickly heroine. I liked the small town. Love the book store. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. The dialogue felt very real and natural. I didn’t like the epilogue. But Christa Lewis is one of my favorite narrators!

This is my first book in this series, but I didn't have any trouble keeping up. The bookstore hosts a writer that has a past that is unexpected. and then that person turns up dead. As they try to find out what happened they find out there is more to the story than expected. They want to get it settled before it hurts the reputation of the store and before someone they know gets arrested for the murder. I am thinking of going back and reading the first two.

This cozy mystery had all the vibes and sleuthing that you could want. We have a bookstore owner who is trying to solve a murder that happened in her store to a visiting author who was also under investigation for a murder. The small town comes together to aid in trying to solve this before investigators do. While the premise was intriguing I felt the pacing was a bit slow for my liking and some of the twists were predictable.

This is book 3 in the series however I have not read the other two and was able to keep up just fine. If you’re looking for a quick escape read with medium pacing and a couple twists this ones for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC

This is the first book in this series that I've read, but it was a great one! Cozy mysteries are my love language. I basically want to be Summer and own a cool bookshop and be an amateur sleuth.

I adored the narrator of this book, she kept me hooked throughout the story. My only complaint is that the recipes at the end of the book don’t translate well to audio but I do like that they are read anyway.

This is a small town cozy mystery novel with a single point of view. There is a bit of a romance subplot that adds some nice depth. I kept trying to guess the murderer and striking out left and right. The twists and turns were fun and kept me excited to keep listening.

I really enjoyed this world and can’t wait to dive into other books of the series.

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to review this audiobook. I'm by no means an audiobook expert, but I really, really enjoyed the story.
One aspect that particularly stood out to me was the unexpected reveal of the killer. I expected to be someone else entirely. The author's ability to keep me guessing until the very end is a testament to their skillful storytelling.
Additionally, I must commend the narrator for their exceptional performance. Their voice and tone were perfectly suited to the atmosphere of the book, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. I found myself drawn further into the story with each word they spoke, making for an incredibly immersive listening experience.
Thank you again for this opportunity.

Maggie Blackburn's "A Killer Romance" offers readers a delightful foray into the world of cozy mysteries, filled with intriguing characters, unexpected twists, and a touch of romance! Set on a quaint island in North Carolina, this novel follows protagonist Summer Merriweather as she navigates the challenges of running a bookshop while unraveling the mysteries that unfold around her.

As someone who dove into this audiobook as a standalone, I found Blackburn's storytelling to be engaging and accessible, despite not having read the first two novels in the series. While I suspect that reading the previous books might have enriched my experience, Blackburn skilfully provides enough background information to allow readers to follow along seamlessly.

The premise of the story, centred around a Valentine's Day event gone awry and suspicions surrounding a bestselling author, immediately drew me in. Blackburn's attention to detail and her exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships add depth to the narrative, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

One standout aspect of the audiobook version was the narrator's performance, particularly her skill in bringing the characters to life through distinct voices and expressions. However, there were moments where the multitude of characters and voices became overwhelming, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, "A Killer Romance" is a charming addition to Maggie Blackburn's Beach Read's Mystery series, offering readers a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and small-town charm. While the novel may have its flaws, it ultimately delivers an entertaining and engaging read that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and amateur sleuths alike.

Despite my reservations about certain aspects of the book, I remain optimistic about Blackburn's future works and look forward to exploring more of her writing in the future.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #AKillerRomance #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

Summer Merriweather is the owner of a bookshop she inherited from her mother. It's called Beach Reads and running a bookshop wasn't her #1 choice of career. Yet there's been something comforting about making her mother's bookshop her own. At least, there was until a famous author is killed after giving a presentation at Beach Reads.

When a dear older friend of Summer's is accused, there's no way she can just stand by without seeing justice served. So she starts trying to unravel the mystery herself, even though she's currently laid up with an injured ankle.

With many moving pieces, none of which seem to be related, Summer has quite the puzzle to figure out.

While I enjoyed the story and characters, this is the third book in a series, and I hadn't read the earlier two books beforehand. So there are references to things that happened previously that I'm sure readers who are familiar with the earlier stories would have gotten more out of.

I have to admit too that I figured out the means of death very early on in the story, although not the motive. But I found it entertaining to read all the same.

Thank you to Maggie Blackburn, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

"A Killer Romance" by Maggie Blackburn, narrated by Christa Lewis, is a delightful cozy mystery that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. Set against the backdrop of a charming beach town and a bookshop event, the story unfolds with intrigue and suspense.

Blackburn's writing is witty and clever, filled with quirky characters and unexpected twists. The Valentine's Day event at Beach Reads bookshop sets the stage for a murder mystery that is as entertaining as it is captivating. From the moment the guest author is revealed to be under investigation for her husband's murder, the plot takes off at a brisk pace, keeping listeners guessing until the very end.

Christa Lewis's narration brings the characters to life with distinct voices and lively performances. Her delivery enhances the humor and suspense of the story, making it a joy to listen to.

What sets "A Killer Romance" apart is its blend of humor, romance, and suspense. While the murder investigation drives the plot forward, the relationships between the characters add depth and heart to the story. Summer Merriweather's determination to uncover the truth, despite the risks involved, makes her a compelling protagonist.

Overall, "A Killer Romance" is a charming and engaging mystery that will appeal to fans of the genre. With its well-crafted plot, lovable characters, and clever narration, it's a must-listen for anyone looking for a cozy whodunit with a twist.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook copy to review via NetGalley.

A Killer Romance is the third book in Maggie Blackburn's A Beach Read's Mystery. A fun cozy mystery, the story is quite entertaining. I read this one as a standalone, which is fine, but I would have enjoyed it more had I read the first two novels. Nevertheless, Blackburn does a fine job of explaining the history and I caught up quick.

There are a number of twists and turns in the story, and the author keeps up a lively pace.

I listened to the audio version of A Killer Romance which is nicely performed by Christa Lewis.

I really enjoy this series and I have loved watching Summer grow into herself and be happier and much less brittle and judgemental. I can't wait for the next installment in the series! The ladies of the Mermaid Bookclub are hilarious and amazing!

#AKillerRomance
#NetGalley

I finished the audiobook version of this book and I was certainly surprised by the ending, totally not expected as the character wasn't involved much in the story line so I would suspect. Some of the story was a little drawn out. Too much focus on Summer's injury. The talking bird was unbelievable as the story made it sound like he could carry on a conversation. I didn't read the first two books and maybe it would have made the story a bit better? Maybe not. I think it could be read out of order and the reader would be fine.

Thank you Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen and review.

I enjoyed this book; loved how it flowed and the story flowed.. I became invested in what the characters were up to. It had just enough twists to keep the story smooth and I was surprised by the killer. And loved the happy ending.

This is the 3rd book in the Beach Reads series. It is the first book that I have listened to in the series.

Summer Merriweather inherited not only a house, but a book shop from her deceased mom. Once a professor of Shakespearean literature, she has now uprooted her life to run Beach Reads on a small island in North Carolina. Against her better judgement, Summer hosts Lana Livingstone for the Valentine's Day event "Romance by The Sea". Summer feels that Lana's latest book does not fully understand Romeo and Juliet. And talking to Lana, she quickly realizes that Lana has the misunderstanding that "Romeo and Juliet" is a romance and not a tragedy.

It soon becomes apparent that Lana is a suspect in her husband's murder. And when she is found dead at the local B&B, the Beach Read employees are under suspicion.

There were a few things in the story that did bother me a little bit. I was able to look past them though. Once such item was that a detective from Pittsburgh came to North Carolina to investigate Lana. I can understand that he might come to question her about her husband's death, but then to stay for the investigation into her own death is a little beyond comprehension. That is outside of his jurisdiction. And since none of the employees would have known her husband, it would have no effect on his own case. Wouldn't he have to get back to the case he was working on?

I loved the worked that the narrator did on the voices. She did especially a great job on Mr. Darcy (the parrot).

Overall, I did enjoy the book even though there were a few details that bothered me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an open and honest review.

A Killer Romance is the third book in the Beach Read series, but the first I’ve read. Summer Merriweather owns the Beach Reads bookstore which she inherited along with her cottage from her mother, Hildy. A Killer Romance begins with Summer tripping and twisting her ankle. Because of this, she does not even get to meet the guest speaker for the Valentine’s Day Festival before the woman is murdered.

The mystery, the characters, and the dialogue are all good. Summer’s parrot is adorable. For me though, there was just too much talk about the covid pandemic and how life on the island was changed. Also, I understand that Summer was in pain from her ankle, but there was too much emphasis on pain relief pills for me. I just got annoyed. And there were several characters’ reactions just didn’t feel realistic. And I felt like the whodunnit relied too much on stereotypes.

Overall, I was disappointed. I listened to the audio. The narrator did a good job. It was easy to tell characters apart and she conveyed their emotions well. Listening to it did make its repetitions more noticeable, whereas in print I probably would have skimmed sections.

This book was just awful. It felt like a boomer that is acceptable of all the changed in the world yet criticize them at every corner. Example, she’s okay with people smelling pot cause it’s legal now but ew people who smoke pot.

Killer Romance was an acceptable read. It didn’t leave me wanting more form the author. Characters were just okay. Plot wrapped up awful quick.

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.