I absolutely love the Mira James series! I can relate to the character so much! From her looks to the way she thinks I will reread this series over and over!

I listened to the audio book (the 2024 edition) and it was the perfect cozy mystery that I very much looked forward to after a long work day. This story is set in Battle Lake, a small MN town that has the main character Mira moving to, where she meets the man of her dreams, just to stumble across his dead body. This is the story of her mission to find out who killed him and why, with all the quarks of small town MN.
Light hearted, great for those who love cozy mysteries. Worth the read/listen.

Oh I love Mira so much!! I was quickly immersed into the crazy world of Mira. So much has happened in her past and I can’t believe she’s still experiencing some things and even though I may laugh at her expense it was at much needed times.
The narrator, Jennifer Jill Araya does a wonderful Jone portraying Mira and many of the other characters in the book. I really enjoyed how the new town was portrayed and enjoyed many of the mystery elements and trying to figure out who was behind it all.

This is book 1 in the Murder by Month Romcom Mystery Series.
I loved this entire plot. Mira cannot catch a break and decides maybe its time to move to a small town to figure out her life. She thinks her luck has FINALLY turned around when she falls immediately in love with a super hot Geologist. After a few short weeks and everything was going suspiciously well for Mira…. Her super hot geologist turns up dead.. in the library… where she is the assistant librarian.
The entire book I pictured Mira as Jess from New Girl trying to solve this small town murder, getting herself into the most outrageous and hilarious situations! I can’t wait for book two!!

I received the audio book from NetGalley. The narration was done by Jennifer Jill Araya. She was wonderful and had the perfect happy, positive voice Mira would definitely have!

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an arc of May Day by Less Lourey. Out now and on KU!

Reading Between the Wines book review #34/130 for 2024:
Rating: 3 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: May Day
Author: Jess Lourey
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: I love Jess Lourey’s books. This one was a quick and easy read. It was interesting but didn’t capture me like her other books have. But I am excited about reading the June Bug book in this series.


Cheers and thank you to @BrilliancePublishing and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @MayDay.

#MayDay #JessLourey #BrilliancePublishing #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

A Cozy Mystery with a Heartfelt Hometown Vibe

4.25 out of 5 stars
Diving into May Day by Jess Lourey, narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, felt like returning to a familiar small town, where every corner holds a memory and every face tells a story (and where everyone knows everyone’s business). Known for her more intense, often darker narratives, Lourey’s venture into the cozy mystery genre was both refreshing and delightfully engaging. This book, lighter and less foreboding than her usual fare, wraps you in the comforting embrace of a well-spun yarn.

Lourey’s skill in crafting a plot where “this town won’t solve this but I will” shines brilliantly in May Day. I think that’s sometimes my normal “issue” with cozy mysteries, but that’s also where their charm lies. Mira’s determination to unravel the mystery was portrayed with a plausibility that’s often lacking in similar stories. This believability kept me hooked, turning each page with increased anticipation, eager to see how the cleverly laid clues would unfold. It’s a testament to Lourey’s storytelling prowess that she can keep even seasoned mystery readers guessing.

Some of the scenes (I won’t spoil anything, but one of the houses she “visits” was one of the creepiest things I’ve read in a long time) were just perfect. Lourey knows how to get you wrapped up in a nice little bow and then pull the string until it comes undone. It’s so fascinating to watch her characters go through “aha!” moments only to have them come crashing down.

Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration was nothing short of charming. She captured the essence of the novel’s setting with a warmth that felt genuine, never slipping into caricature. Her voice carried the ‘hometown charm’ that perfectly complemented the story’s atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with her clear, engaging delivery. Araya’s performance was like sitting down to coffee with an old friend who has the most enthralling tales to share.

Overall, May Day left me thoroughly satisfied, yet eager for more adventures in this quaint setting, which her books always do. I always leave them thinking “I want to read more in this world but I would NEVER want to live there”.

Jess Lourey fans will see this lighter side of her fiction but also notice that it does so without sacrificing the compelling storytelling. For newcomers, it’s an inviting gateway into her world without being as dark and gritty as some of her other stories

MAY DAY

Huge thanks to @jesslourey & @amazonpublishing #thomasandmercer for my gifted book & promo box! I had so much fun uncovering the significance of all the goodies as I read! ☺️ And thanks to @netgalley & @brilliancepublishing for my accompanying audiobook.

May Day
Book 1 • Murder by Month series
By Jess Lourey

📖 A waitress turned librarian just wants a new life. What she ends up with is a killer change of pace in a funny, snappy, and suspenseful mystery by Edgar Award–nominated author Jess Lourey. Swipe to read more!

💭 This cozy mashup of romcom and mystery was just the escape I needed! Despite the unalived man at the center of the mystery, it's overall very light, humorous, and entertaining. With great pacing, 90s nostalgia, and oodles of Midwestern charm, May Day was exactly the pallette cleanser I needed to break up some heavier reads. The audiobook is narrated by a long-time fave, seasoned narrator Jennifer Jill Arraya. Araya wonderfully captured the vibe of this witty, playful, cozy mystery!

📌 May Day, the first of this series, was initially published in 2006. Now the whole series is getting a facelift with new covers and editorial revisions. May Day is the first rereleased Murder by Month book, with others to follow!

📌 Available now, and included with Kindle Unlimited subscriptions in ebook & audiobook formats

Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing & especially Jess Lourey for sending me the audio widgets for May Day in exchange for an honest review!

Jess knew I needed this series in my life and generously sent me the widgets for May Day & June Bug and I loved them both and cannot wait for the rest of the series!

In May Day, Mira James moves to Battle Creek, Minnesota for a fresh start for her life. With her English degree, she is hired on the spot as assistant librarian & also a side-gig as a part-time reporter for the local newspaper. Not long after she arrives, Mira has a lovely tryst with Jeff who is in town researching the towns history as it pertains to archeology. She is loving life........until she finds Jeff dead in the library. Mira is determined to find out what happened to Jeff & why.

I was totally getting some Finlay Donovan vibes. This was just a wonderful, cozy mystery that kept me entertained from start to finish. Also, with it being the first of the series, we were introduced to many of the supporting characters who will carry through the series. Battle Creek is for sure a quirky/odd little town and the characters match that quirkiness.

I highly recommend getting started on this series. I've only read the first two so far, but I know I love it already.

Recommended for fans of the Finlay Donovan series & those who love quirky cozy mysteries with a well written cast of characters.

4.5/5 Stars (rounded up)

May Day was a lot of fun to listen to, I don't think I've ever laughed so much in a mystery book before! I really enjoy Jess Lourey's thrillers but they are very dark, May Day is much lighter and funnier than her other stories and it was interesting to see a totally different side of one of my favourite authors. The story begins with Mira moving to Battle Lake, Minnesota for a fresh start. She immediately gets jobs as a librarian and a part time reporter, and start dating a handsome archaeologist, only to discover his dead body between the stacks the next day at work. The rest of the story uncovers so many strange, quirky and entertaining things in this town that it's hard to tell what really happened. Jennifer Jill Araya was fantastic as the audiobook narrator, she was perfect for Mira's voice and personality.
One thing to be aware of is that the 2024 release is an updated version of the book, I was comparing the audio to the original book from 2008 and the chapters and wording have been significantly changed. I haven't read the original version but I thought the new one was very well written and entertaining and can't wait to continue the series.

This was a quick and entertaining listen. While it's billed as a rom com mystery, it is a little short on the romance, but definitely has a mystery to solve.

I think one is better as an audiobook. and I loved Jennifer Jill Araya's energy and narration. She really made the story for me and sounded right for Mira's voice.

With the start of a new series, I never know what to expect and the story was a little uneven at times, but I flew right through it and found I liked Mira and felt for her situation. She had a little spunk and I liked her banter with the other characters. It well represented small town life.

It'll be interesting to see where the series goes.

I really enjoyed this and can't wait to start the rest of the series. The narrator was really good as well. The mystery had some fun surprises; a few made me laugh out loud. Such fun!!

Nicely paced mystery. It was a fun and engaging read. Mira is appropriately flawed and aware of it and equally unwilling to change at times leading her to find trouble. The quirky town of Battle Lake and its cast of characters is entertaining throughout. I enjoyed this a great deal.

I loved this one, perfect debut of a new series. The audiobook had a great narrator and my interest was held throughout. I will happily read all the books in this series as soon as possible!

I listened to the new 2024 version of the audiobook. This is a great start to a new series! Mira James jumpstarts her life by moving to a new town and finding a job as a librarian. This job leads to a part time assignment as reporter for the small town’s newspaper…great cover for asking questions. Mystery and mayhem ensue! Interesting characters, a nice twisty plot and skilled writing make this a fun book. I enjoyed this audiobook and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.