This didn’t wow me. It was so-so. It will probably someone’s favorite it just wasn’t mine. I wanted more in the rom com and the mystery needed a little more detail.

This was a good first book in a series. There were some flaws but that is to be expected with a first book. I look forward to learning more about Mira.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

This story was less thrilling and engaging than I would have liked. The excitement and intrigue levels were on the medium side. It was a mildly entertaining afternoon tea read.

This was an okay book and not horrible by any means. For me it felt like a easy, quick, cozy read that anyone can enjoy. It is felt like it was trying to be like Finley Donovan but missed the mark. Maybe with the rest of the books in the series that might add to it but I have only read this one so far. I thought it was fun at times but didnt capture my attention like I hoped!

This started out so good and then just went down hill. It was cute and quirky.. I love the cozy vibes. Mira was snarky and funny.

This isn’t going to win any literary awards, but it was a fun cozy mystery to read. It got a bit silly at times and the reader had to suspend belief, but I enjoyed the book overall.

Murder-1
Rom com- where?

Mira is the type of person you don’t like. She wasn’t nice, to anyone, she was totally judgemental and she was just the type of person who you wouldn’t want to be her friend.

The man she met last week and hooked up with is found dead in the library she works at and so she decides that the cops in this town she’s been in for a short period of time are obviously useless so she will withhold information from them and try to solve the murder on her own. Why? Who knows.

It’s her fumbling around town, breaking and entering and interviewing people until she suddenly solves it on a whim and it’s over. And like I said, rom, no where to be found, even between her and Jeff, the guy who was murdered, and com, never, not once.

I was excited to find this series as it is being re-released but that was a rough start.

This is a general review of the three novels I read in this series (May Day, June Bug, Knee High).
It's a good series and an entertaining one. The mysteries are solid and I appreciated the plot developement and the characters.
Good storytelling.
It's not amongst my fav as I wasn't a huge fan of the FMC.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Minneapolitan Mira James has been taking it easy since college graduation--too easy. Due to a dead-end job and a cheating boyfriend, the Twin Cities have lost their charm, and Mira decides to begin a new life in rural Battle Lake. Right away she is offered jobs as an assistant librarian and part-time reporter, and falls into an unexpected romance with a guy who seems to be the perfect man until he turns up dead between the reference stacks her tenth day on the job.

Anxious to learn more about the man who had briefly stolen her heart, Mira delves into the hidden mysteries of Battle Lake, including a old land deed with ancient Ojibwe secrets, an obscure octogenarian crowd with freaky social lives, and a handful of thirtysomething high school buddies who hold bitter, decades-old grudges. Mira soon discovers that unknown dangers are concealed under the polite exterior of this quirky small town, and revenge is a tator-tot hotdish best served cold.

A hip, humorous, and gripping account of small-town murder, this novel is the first in a series of cozies featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots.

Loved, loved, loved this story. Cannot wait to read more in this series and from the author. Will recommend to others.

Not a perfect book but a good commute book if your looking for something that’s a quick read and has short chapters.

Mira is having an awful day. Not only does she lose her job but she catches her boyfriend cheating on her. When her friend calls to tell Mira that she's moving away for a bit with her new beau and asks is Mira can stay at her place, Mira jumps at the chance. Battle Lake is a small town, what can possibly happen here? Mira lucks out with a new job as a librarian and meets a handsome stranger who she falls for quickly. Things don't go as planned, though, when he is found dead at the library. What happened to her new love? Perhaps Mira didn't know Jeff as well as she thought....

This book, the first in the murder by month series, is super cute It has mystery, romance, great characters, super funny moments and intense moments too. I absolutely loved the main character, Mira. The way she talked had me laughing out loud more than once. I really loved her outlook on life and how she tried to solve the mystery of who killed her new beau. The book's pace was quick enough that I stayed interested the entire time and there were a few twists that made it a great mystery.

I cannot wait to read the others in this series! I would definitely recommend this book for a quick and quirky mystery that's a lot of fun to read.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this for free. This was my honest review.

This is pure fun- a cozy mystery in a small town at its best with perhaps more sass than others. It does not disappoint and makes a fantastic beach read.

Lourey has a knack for making a cozy mystery/rom com feel different from the usual- and that definitely made me want to read more of the series.

Minneapolitan Mira James has been taking it easy since college graduation--too easy. Due to a dead-end job and a cheating boyfriend, the Twin Cities have lost their charm, and Mira decides to begin a new life in rural Battle Lake. Right away she is offered jobs as an assistant librarian and part-time reporter, and falls into an unexpected romance with a guy who seems to be the perfect man until he turns up dead between the reference stacks her tenth day on the job.

As always, Jess Lourey is generous and adds her books to Netgalley as a read now versus request. While she is known to write across genres, the monthly books are cozy mysteries with a touch of humor and wit. I really enjoyed this one and while simply written, it is the perfect beach or poolside read.

Thank you Jess Lourey and Netgalley for this opportunity to read and provide a review.

I really enjoyed this book! I was nervous because it’s different from her other books, but I liked the mystery. It just wasn’t as dark!

★ 3.75 stars.

"May Day" by Jess Lourey was a delightful discovery for me. As someone who hadn't previously explored Lourey's work, I found this cozy murder mystery to be an easy and enjoyable read. From the moment Mira James lands in rural Battle Lake, Minnesota, the story pulls you in with its quaint setting and quirky characters.

Mira's journey from a thankless waitressing job to a fresh start in Battle Lake, complete with a job as a librarian and a budding romance with archaeologist Jeff Wilson, sets the stage for a charming tale. However, when Jeff's body is discovered in the library, the plot takes an unexpected turn, revealing the darker secrets lurking beneath the town's polite exterior.

What I loved most about "May Day" was its perfect balance of intrigue and light-heartedness. Lourey weaves a web of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The small-town setting with its 1990s backdrop adds to the charm, with its gossip and quirky inhabitants adding depth to the narrative.

Overall, "May Day" is a delightful cozy mystery that offers an engaging plot, memorable characters, and just the right amount of humor. It's a perfect choice for a rainy day read or a cozy night in. I look forward to diving into the next installment in the series and continuing Mira's adventures in Battle Lake.

May Day is an easy read with a relatable main character, Mira, who seeks solace in a small town when her life falls apart in a big city. She will soon discover the small town she is at present is full of secrets and people are the hardest ones to read and the loss of her unexpected lover will also turn her into an investigative reporter. There is a good storyline, humor, and well placed thoughts regarding aging, dating, relationships in general, providing entertainment and food for thought.
I thank Ms. Lourey, her publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

I was hoping for a little more “wow” factor with this one but it was just “meh” for me. I thought it was a really slow build up to the mystery and point of the whole book. I like mystery books to be a bit more fast paced. Once I got there though, I had a great time playing detective and trying to solve the murder right alongside Mira. She was a fun MC and I liked her personality.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest review.

May Day" by Jess LouRey is a pulse-pounding mystery thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Set in a small, tight-knit community in the picturesque town of Battle Lake, Minnesota, this novel plunges readers into a world of secrets, betrayal, and shocking revelations.

At the center of the story is the disappearance of Belinda's husband, Fletcher, on May Day, a day of celebration and renewal. As Belinda struggles to come to terms with her husband's sudden absence, she embarks on a desperate quest for answers, uncovering dark truths about her idyllic hometown and the people she thought she knew.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. From the enigmatic Belinda, whose resilience and determination drive the narrative forward, to the quirky and unforgettable residents of Battle Lake, every character feels authentic and fully realized, adding depth and nuance to the story.

Moreover, "May Day" is distinguished by its masterful plotting and skillful pacing. LouRey expertly weaves together multiple storylines and twists, keeping readers guessing until the very end. With its clever red herrings and unexpected revelations, the novel maintains a relentless sense of suspense that will leave readers breathless with anticipation.

Beyond its gripping plot and compelling characters, "May Day" also explores deeper themes of family, community, and the search for identity. Through Belinda's journey of self-discovery, readers are reminded of the power of resilience and the importance of finding strength in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, "May Day" is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will captivate fans of mystery and suspense. Jess LouRey has crafted a compelling story that combines heart-pounding thrills with poignant moments of insight and reflection. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or simply in search of a gripping read, "May Day" is sure to leave a lasting impression.

May Day is book 1 in the Murder by Month Mystery by Jess Lourey.
What a fun little mystery.
A super fun and exciting story. I was surprised by how quickly I read this one.
The characters are engaging and full of life.
The writing kept me turning the pages and eager to finish this one up.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!