A nice cozy read full of mystery and a pinch of magic. Felicia is still determined, but means well with her sleuthing. This time she's wanting to save a friend/potential love interest. I could have done without the father storyline, but I get his purpose in the end (although I feel there was another way without involving him). I loved the mother-daughter relationship and how they relate to one another and what traditions they pass down. The food in this book made me jealous - I love baked goods people!
This is definitely a series I can't wait to continue - and I need more of the adorable, magical bunny please!

This is a light, unputdownable, and cosy mystery. Author’s writing is so engaging. The book gripped me from page one . This was such a delightful story filled with murder, friendship, family, mystery, and magic. I felt the characters were warm. The whole setting was warm. Though I suspected 2-3 characters. But my predictions were wrong. The investigation is spot on. Loved the warm and suspenseful vibe of the book. So many unexpected things happens. There are some twists. When one of the groomsmen is found dead, Kevin, the local florist becomes the suspect. The twists were unpredictable.

Thanks to the publisher for giving me access to this book. This was my first ARC from St. Martin’s Press and I loved it. Hoping to read more of the Author’s work.

What a charming and delicious cozy mystery!

This is book two in the Star Crossed Book Tarts series. I just love this cozy mystery series. The books have great characters, situations, and multiple storylines to keep your interest.

Felicity and her mom run a bakery in the small town Pixie, California. There is a touch of magic incorporated into their baked goods including egg tarts and fortune cookies. When someone dies at a wedding near Felicity’s egg tart table, she sets out to investigate.

Felicity has a complicated life with her parents, their bakery business, magic, and a potential love interest. Usually, I’m not one for magic or fantasy, but this is so well done. In this latest installment, I’m glad to see that there is some movement in a few other relationships in this book.

I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Thank you St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books for an advanced reader's copy. I truly do appreciate it.

I am one of those people that did not read the first book, honestly I feel like you don't have to read the first book in order to read this book. They could be standalones. The magic and the premise of this story was cut and I loved Kelvin and Felicity and their friendship that they have the seem really close. I think that they also truly understand each other. I can't wait to see more of their friendship/relationship in the next book hopefully. The detective character might be a bit much for me, she's honestly kind of annoying to be honest.

I did enjoy this book but their wasn't anything exciting or left me on the edge of my seat that happened. This is a very cozy mystery which I do love those types of mysteries but sometimes they can be a bit boring. I also enjoyed the magic in this book, I like how the magic was incorporated into this book through the food.

I do wish that at the end of the books they put a recipe for egg tarts, yes it would be a complicated recipe but you talk about egg tarts the entire book and their no recipe ugh. Unless they were in the first book, then that's a different story and I should probably read the first book. The cover of this book I love, especially the heart shaped egg tarts on the front of the cover. I am interested in reading the 3rd book in the series whenever it does come out. I also would like to see what happens with Kelvin and Felicity

I think that I am going to try and find the first book of this series so I can read it and see what happens in that books, but if you love cozy mysteries, magic, and food then you will enjoy this book.

Jin Bakery gets the opportunity to cater a wedding, what could possibly go wrong?  Besides murder, I suppose.  This is why I love cozy mysteries so much, they put a murder right in the middle of the most unlikely scenario and find a way to make it work.  Star-Crossed Egg Tarts is no exception.  

Felicity is trying to balance being a good daughter with being her authentic self.  I think she does a good job of that in this book by venturing out on her own.  She makes a few choices that probably weren't for the best, but I understood her motivations in making them.  I also love the idea of being able to weave magic into your baking.  It adds to the idea that food is love and that, in love, all things are possible.  Jin Bakery sure does make that idea possible.  

The other character I really enjoyed was Detective Sun.  While she strove to maintain a professional distance from the meddling Felicity and Kelvin were so prone to doing, she also wasn't as stiff or standoffish as a lot of cozy detectives can be. It's almost as if she understood the need to poke around, even if she doesn't approve.  The budding friendship between her and Felicity's mom was also nice to see.  I'm interested to see how it grows in the next book.  

Full of fun characters that feel like friends, Star-Crossed Egg Tarts is an enjoyable look inside the craziness of a wedding.  The aspects of Asian culture sprinkled throughout the story were interesting and gave a realistic note to the characters.  I'm eager to find out where the characters go next and whether Felicity and Kelvin will bit the bullet and admit their obvious feelings for one another.

“Star-Crossed Egg Tarts” is the nicely done second book in Jennifer J. Chow’s Magical Fortune cookie mystery series. The series features Felicity Jin who runs a bakery with her mother (a bakery that uses a touch of magic in everything made there) and her best friend local florist Kelvin. In this book both Felicity and Kelvin have been hired to work at a local wedding – something they both enjoy until a murder victim turns up and Kelvin is one of the suspects. I love this series – the characters, the bakery, and the touches of magic. Felicity continues to grow as a character and especially grows in this book as she deals with some personal issues (which I won’t spoil in this review but they are well done without overtaking the book). The mystery is well done with just the right amount of suspects – I was left guessing until the very end who the killer was.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The young woman who employs Felicity Jin's best friend Kelvin to provide floral displays at her wedding is now at the centre of a murder mystery when Miles, the best man, is found dead near Felicity's tiered egg tarts.

When Miles is discovered to have been stabbed with Kelvin's gardening shears, Detective Rylan Sun immediately zeroes in on Kelvin as her prime suspect. Naturally, Felicity begins sleuthing so she can point Detective Sun to the actual killer.

Then the groom is poisoned, and Felicity realizes that things are even more serious, and it becomes much more urgent to solve the case. Along the way, Felicity begins to slowly reevaluate how she feels about the ever loyal, kind and considerate (and good looking!) Kelvin.

This is another satisfying story from Jennifer J. Chow. Felicity has a better handle on her power to predict, and while this comes in handy this time around, it's her ability to root out truths about the relationships between the friends in the wedding party that really serves her well.

And, as if that wasn't enough, Felicity has a chance to reconnect with her father.

This was both fun and entertaining, with some deeper emotional stakes than the first entry in this cozy mystery series. Felicity is kind and caring, and very nosy, and Kelvin is such a sweetheart. I like how Felicity and her mother interact in this novel, and in general, all the relationships are explored more deeply and well by the author.

The murderer was who I thought it was, but the fun of these stories is watching Felicity get to the truth, while baking delicious treats. (I HAVE to try making the almond cookies recipe the author provides at the back!)

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Felicity Jin has the job of catering the Lum-Wu wedding. She is busy creating the wedding cake of tiered egg tarts when she learns that one of the groomsmen hasn’t arrived and the wedding cannot begin without him. Felicity’s best friend and florist, Kelvin, fills in. The wedding begins. Felicity is shocked to find the groomsmen under her cake table, but he's very much dead.

The deadly deed was done with Kelvin’s pruning shears. The police turn their attention towards Kelvin as the killer. Felicity isn’t about to stand around and let them arrest her best friend for a crime he did not commit.

Felicity has her hands full when her father shows up at the wedding. A man she hasn’t seen since she was a baby. Now he coincidentally shows up at a wedding she is working. She’s more than a little suspicious.

This is the second book in the series. The mystery is wrapped up in this one book so I don’t think readers will be lost if they haven’t read the first one. However, I do think it’s best to start at the beginning to get to know the characters. Readers learn more about Felicity and her family’s history. The characters are portrayed realistically and can easily be the neighbors next door. I enjoyed getting a better look at the Jin family and what makes them tick. I really like the way the family dynamics are written.

The storyline keeps you guessing until the end. There’s even a dash of romance and a cute magical bunny named Whiskers. It’s a fun, engrossing series and I do hope it continues. I’ll be waiting for book #3.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jin Bakery is catering an outdoor wedding and Felicity will be making a tier of egg tarts instead of a traditional cake. The day of the wedding a groomsman fails to show and Felicity's best friend steps in helping the wedding go smoothly. Things go bad.when the groomsman that was missing is found dead under the "cake" having been stabbed with garden shears. The police start looking into her friend who stepped in for the groomsman and Felicity can't let them railroad him. Things get even worse when the groom is poisoned at the send off party leaving him in a coma. Follow along as Felicity digs into the suspects in hopes of figuring out who the responsible party is and why they have gone to such lengths.

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow is a delightful mix of cozy mystery, magical twists, and mouthwatering pastries. In this second book of the Magical Fortune Cookie series, Felicity Jin’s bakery is catering a wedding, but the celebration turns deadly when a groomsman is found murdered—right under her egg tart display! When her best friend Kelvin becomes the prime suspect, Felicity is determined to clear his name, all while struggling with her unpredictable fortune-telling abilities and an emotional surprise visit from her estranged father.

Chow does a great job blending mystery with heartwarming personal struggles, creating an engaging read filled with charming characters and tantalizing food descriptions. Felicity’s sleuthing keeps the plot moving, and the added romance subplot adds a fun dynamic. While the pacing slows in a few spots, the clever twists and magical elements make this a fun and satisfying read.

A must-read for cozy mystery fans who love a sprinkle of the supernatural and a side of delicious pastries!

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery. I like being introduced to a new culture experience and Chow does that here. I found the book very informative on Chinese American culture. While I am not so much into magic, the special powers Felicity had and the positive influences from her baked goods were entertaining. Felicity and her mom freely gave of pastries that brought luck or encouraging feelings, helping and supporting others who needed a boost.

There is a good mystery investigated by likable characters. True to cozy mystery form, Felicity and her good friend Kelvin must work to solve the murder when the police are stymied. There is also a personal side to Felicity as she meets her long absent father. That added to the balance of Felicity's investigation and her personal life. While this is the second in a series, it's the first I've read and feel it reads well on its own.

This is a fun cozy mystery set in an informative Chinese American culture. Added features include a recipe and floral tips. I hope there are more in this series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Jennifer Chow has Jin Bakery catering a chinese American wedding with her Star-Crossed Egg Tarts. A man dies during the wedding. and Felicity finds the body. Her special egg tarts and other magic fortune cookies tell fortunes that come true. Her long absent father turns up. The investigation of the murder keeps showing different suspects. Cozy with magic elements.

Book Review: Star-Crossed Egg Tarts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jennifer J. Chow @jenjchow
Publisher: Minotaur Books @minotaur_books
Thank You @netgalley for my ARC.

As Felicity Jin dives headfirst into a wild adventure to master her family's enchanting tradition of magical baking, she's stoked to harness her novel abilities - culinary or otherwise - to contribute to a joyous wedding celebration. Colton Wu and Leanne Lum are honoring their Chinese heritage with a captivating American twist by exchanging vows at picturesque Pixie Park. The ceremony will take place outdoors, immediately following a traditional tea ceremony. Felicity and her mother are thrilled to provide an assortment of delectable desserts, including a resplendent wedding cake composed of stacked egg tarts, meticulously crafted by Felicity. Felicity is slightly apprehensive about being entrusted with brewing tea for the ceremony, she's determined to excel, or at least not mess it up too badly. Unfortunately, the couple's parents display less-than-enthusiastic attitudes toward participating, which doesn't bode well for the festivities, because nothing says 'fun wedding' like a couple of grumpy parents. As a series of unforeseen events threatens to derail the wedding, Felicity and her loyal best friend, Kelvin Love, must intervene promptly to ensure a seamless celebration, or else they'll have to answer to the bride and groom. When Colton and Leanne finally tie the knot and the wedding banquet commences, Felicity and Kelvin share a deep sigh of relief, but their jubilation is short-lived, as Felicity discovers a blood-soaked rose petal behind the egg tart display, because of course something had to go wrong. Kelvin investigates further and finds the lifeless body of one of the wedding attendants, with Kelvin's pruning shears lodged in the victim's neck! With Kelvin as the prime suspect, Felicity must summon all her resources to clear her best friend's name, because that's what best friends are for. This captivating culinary cozy murder mystery masterfully weaves together the intricate personal lives of all parties involved, as Felicity leverages her extraordinary clairvoyant abilities to unravel the mystery.

Magic, baking, culture, all wrapped up in a cozy mystery- sign me up! This was an engaging and fun read. As it was the second book in the series, it took me a minute to catch up, but not more than the first chapter, and I was good to go. I really enjoyed this and will be grabbing the first in the series and anxiously awaiting the next!

I always enjoy a good story that incorporates magical realism, an amateur sleuth, or multi-cultural characters, and the Magical Fortune series by Jennifer J. Chow delivers all three! In Ill-Fated Fortune, we met Felicity Jin and her mom who run a bakery using their generational family magic to infuse joy and peace into their treats. In this second book, Star-Crossed Egg Tarts, we get to see Felicity come into her own with her recently-discovered abilities, both in the overall inherited family magic and in the new layers to her specific gift. I loved this aspect of the story – it’s creative and well-plotted, and it brims with possibilities for future books. Something else that has me excited for future books? Felicity’s evolving relationship with her bestie Kelvin, including an intriguing twist near the end that’s related to a subplot in this book and could complicate any romantic possibilities between them.

The mystery in Star-Crossed Egg Tarts involves a Chinese-American wedding, a murdered groomsman, and a wedding party full of suspects. I enjoyed the cultural aspects of the wedding (like the tea ceremony) while the complex interpersonal relationships between the attendants and the bride & groom – not to mention the groom’s estranged parents – had me quickly hooked on figuring out whodunit. Chow lays out a delicious spread of false leads, red herrings, and clever distractions, all of which she seamlessly mixes with the legitimate clues, to keep armchair sleuths like me invested in the outcome. I’m pretty sure I suspected each member of the wedding party AND the newlyweds before all was said and done, but still managed to be surprised by the murderer’s identity and motive.

Bottom Line: Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow creatively combines several of my favorite things into one delightful story, and the author’s warm and engaging writing voice is just the icing on the cake. Or, in this case, the chocolate coating on the fortune cookie. The well-plotted mystery, the nuances of the Jin family magic (and Felicity’s ever-developing abilities), and the affectionate relationships between Felicity and her inner circle all kept me engaged to the end. (The first couple of chapters did feel a bit disjointed or rushed or something to me but once the mystery really got going, the rest of the story did too. So if you start reading it and feel the same way at first, stick with it!) Fans of Sarah Addison Allen who loved the magical realism of her Waverley Family series but prefer no curse words or profanity, Jennifer J. Chow’s Magical Fortune series is for you!! I’m delighted to have found these books and look forward to the next.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Jin Bakery has been given the honor to provide a circular display of egg tarts in place of a cake for the Lum-Wu wedding being held at Pixie Park. Felicity is so excited. Her friend Kelvin Love is taking care of all the beautiful flower arrangements and her godmother Alma Paz has made all the candle displays. Felicity is not only setting up the tarts, but she is also helping with the traditional tea ceremonies.

Shortly before the wedding is to start they notice one of the groomsmen, Miles Wu, has disappeared. To proceed with the wedding Kelvin is asked to take the man’s place. The day is going great until it is time to serve the egg tarts. After the bride and groom “smooshed” each other in the face with a tart Felicity moved to the table to put the tarts on serving trays when she thought she stepped on a tart. But it wasn’t a tart, she had stepped in blood. Moving the tablecloth they find the missing groomsman dead – stabbed with Kelvin’s garden shears.

With evidence pointing directly at Kelvin, Felicity immediately slips into sleuth mode to clear him of the crime. All the wedding attendants had issues with Miles Wu and any of them could have killed him. She tries to use her special magical talents to get to the truth but is distracted by one of the guests at the wedding.

Then the groom is poisoned when he and his bride are getting ready to leave on their honeymoon. With Colton Wu in a coma, Felicity knows the killer has to be stopped before anyone else is hurt. She and Kelvin work closely together to find answers. When the killer is found she will have to answer a huge question – Are she and Kelvin becoming more than friends?

Ms. Chow has created characters who feel like friends. Felicity “Lissa” is much stronger and more confident in this story because she has found her place in the Jin family baking hierarchy by discovering her magic recipe – fortune cookies. Her magic also comes with a bonus. Her cookies not only bring happiness but she can also predict future happenings. That extra special bonus can make things complicated. Lissa’s mother is having a stressful time and because of that, she makes a new friend, Detective Sun. The good detective has moved close to the Jins and Lissa’s mom Angela welcomes her to the neighborhood with plenty of oranges while telling her about a problem she is having.

Both Felicity and Kelvin get involved with the wedding party who are stuck in town because of the murder. It gives them the chance to observe and question them in their quest to find the killer, something Detective Sun and Angela warn them against. But with each visit, they learn more. Everyone had a secret they didn’t want to be revealed. Some connections were very strong while others were hanging by a thread. Alibis were iffy and hard to pin down. I enjoyed following along as some clues fell into place and others were discarded. Like Felicity, I didn’t have “all the pieces of the mystery puzzle in place” but was drawn to the same person she was for various reasons. I do applaud Felicity’s smart thinking and clever way of diffusing the tense situation when the killer was revealed.

There is an important subplot within this story that changes things for Felicity and her mom. I know others have mentioned it as does the synopsis but I don’t want to share more because I enjoyed it so much going in fresh. I loved the small part Felicity’s bunny Whiskers had and how Felicity handled the whole situation. While the murder is the main story, this subplot is significant in many ways.

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts was a very enjoyable mystery infused with the perfect amount of magic. The characters are engaging with new friendships and friendships going to the next level. I am looking forward to what Ms. Chow has in mind for her characters next. “New beginnings” can mean so many things. New “enchanting adventures” sound like a wonderful place to start.

Be sure to check out the Floral Tips from Love Blooms and the Auspicious Almond Cookies recipe at the end of the book.

Now that she’s embraced both working in her family’s bakery and her gift for creating magical fortune-filled fortune cookies, Felicity Jin is excited to be catering the wedding between Leanne Lum and Colton Wu. While Felicity is sure that her mother’s equally magical egg tart cake will be delicious and ensure happiness, the battling between the groom’s divorced parents sets an ominous tone that begins with the former Mrs. Wu giving money in a foreboding white envelope instead of an appropriate lucky red one. That dark tone is furthered when the groom’s cousin goes missing, and while he may not have been the most liked he was also supposed to officiate. Felicity’s best friend Kelvin Love instead gets enlisted into taking on the job, as not only is his last name perfect, he also happens to be the wedding florist.

Rather refreshing for a murder mystery taking place during a wedding, the ceremony is actually completed before a body is found. It’s not long though before Felicity is the one to have the bad fortune to discover Miles’s body under the cake table, stabbed to death with what turns out to have been Kelvin’s gardening shears. Having been suspicious of Felicity’s involvement in a previous murder, investigating Detective Raylan Sun now takes a much closer look at Kelvin and why he was the owner of the murder weapon. Felicity’s mother is thrilled to have the Fresno detective now working in their town of Pixie, California, but she probably won’t be as happy with another new arrival in town for the wedding. No one is more startled than Felicity to find among the guests Richard Zhou, her father and whom she hasn’t seen since he abruptly left 28 years ago. Learning why he’s been absent for nearly her entire life is something Felicity needs to know, but even more important is finding a way to stay out of the way of the irritable detective while also solving a murder.

What I love about this second in the series is how it continues to highlight Chinese traditions and cuisines, especially when they are being celebrated by a third generation Chinese American. Felicity learns along with readers the intricacies of the tea ceremony, and she shares the traditions of giving out lucky red envelopes, the bride wearing a qipao (also known as a cheongsam), and the game of mahjong. Felicity’s gift for creating fortunes that come true when the cookies are eaten by their recipients plays out more subtlety than one might expect, as it’s her talent for investigating that ultimately brings them to a solution. What does bring in the more magical element is the reason why Richard Zhou left, indicating that Felicity may have inherited gifts from both sides of her family. As someone who is also a 3rd generation Chinese American on one side and family from Fresno on the other, I have found the rare novel with much I can relate to and truly appreciate Felicity’s experience growing up in a largely white community. Mystery lovers and fans of the paranormal will also enjoy the entertaining characters, who are a diverse cast that includes Felicity’s godmother Alma Paz and some of the shady guests of the wedding party. The simmer of possible romance adds an element that will have readers anticipate the next in the series, which is a charming blend of cozy crafts, recipes, and even a magical bunny.

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow is a fantastic small town mystery.

Will Felicity figure out who killed the Groomsman?
We start this installment with Felicity catering a wedding in Pixie, California. The groom and bride are planning a whimsical wedding with egg tarts instead of cake when the groom's cousin is found dead under the dessert table. Then, her father shows up at the wedding, which confuses Felicity. However, it gives her a chance to possibly get some answers to her questions.

Felicity can't seem to stay out of the investigation, and her curiosity may get the best of her. She tries to be neighborly and helpful but still gets involved, much to the disapproval of her mother and Detective Sun.

Felicity Jin
Felicity is different now that her Jin future has shown itself. She seems more confident and happier. Even her relationship with Kelvin is advancing into more than friendship. Of course, Felicity doesn't have all the answers, but she seems to be in a good place now. I like Felicity and Mrs. Jin. They are hardworking and faithful to their community.

I look forward to seeing how she and Kelvin handle their relationship in the next installment.

Five Stars for Star-Crossed Egg Tarts
My rating for Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow is five stars. I genuinely enjoy returning to Pixie, California, with Felicity and her crew. Ms. Chow does an amazing job showing Felicity's life in small town America, her hardships, and her accomplishments. I highly recommend this series.

The story includes a recipe for Auspicious Almond Cookies, floral tips, instructions for making a simple Rosebud Bouquet, an Easy Wrist Corsage, and instructions for making a Lace Votive Candle Holder.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS by Jennifer J. Chow
The Second Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery

While her mother may be content staying in the Gold Bakery, now that Felicity Jin has come into her own baking magic she'd love to expand their business. So it is that she's providing the egg tarts "cake" for the Lum-Wu wedding accompanied by her best friend, Kelvin, who's providing the flowers. Despite a missing groomsman and divorced parents who can't stand each other the bride and groom happily say, "I do". But as Felicity checks on her pastries she finds the missing man under the table-stabbed with Kelvin's shears. Now Felicity will try to uncover the real killer with the help of her best friend and a little bit of magic.

A volatile wedding party is at the heart of the second Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery. I enjoyed watching Felicity and Kelvin infiltrate this discordant group of friends, continually bringing delicious treats in order to check motives and track suspects. Several subplots are seamlessly tied in to the murder, the appearance of Felicity's father, the development of her powers, and her friendship with Kelvin, each of which add a layer of complexity to this delightfully nuanced story.

So much of STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS had me smiling. The depth of feeling these characters have for each other jumps off of the page and gives me the warm fuzzies. Seeing the interactions between Mama Jin and Detective Sun, the friendship between Felicity and Kelvin, even the love of Felicity and her bunny bring a magic of its own to the book.

Asian pastries, rich characterizations, an intricately plotted mystery, and a hint of magic combine to make STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS a fantastic tale that will have you craving egg tarts and fortune cookies.

I couldn't get involved in the story or the characters. It's well written and the plot is fine. I enjoyed the Asian aspect to the food mentioned. Sometimes the subject doesn't resonate, and this was one of those times.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books.