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Solve a murder or deal with your Momzilla? Allie, who is (finally) marrying Rex in two weeks, finds herself deeply involved in the hunt for the villain who smashed Velma with a rock. Her mom, on the other hand, wants her to do spa and other wedding things (and she's not happy with the arrangements). Luckily, Aunt Ginny is, as always, willing to help. This latest in the series set on Mackinac Island is a classic cozy (with a classic solution) that can easily be read as a standalone. It's fun, it's light and it's entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next stage of Allie's life.

I always enjoy visiting with Allie and all her friends and pets. This entry in the series didn’t have much focus on the McMurphy and her fudge making business. Allie is so preoccupied with her imminent wedding and the early arrival of her family that she has to let her employees take over. Also, there’s that little distraction of a murder! I enjoyed the book, even though the apprehension of the murderer was pretty far-fetched. Four paws up.

'Fudge and Marriage' is a delightful continuation in Nancy Coco's Mackinac Island series. The addition of more characters in the form of family members attending the marriage festivities for Allie and Rex provided great insights into story backgrounds and the main character's motivations for their actions and life choices. It wasn't fluff, but the charm of the family Fudge shop was still evident in the surprisingly edgy mystery storyline. The person responsible for the crime was a complete surprise to me, and that doesn't often happen. This book is a gift to those who are committed to the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s a very interesting mystery, with lots of twists, especially the one at the end. I also like the intensity of the family relationships. #FudgeandMarriage #NetGalley

Fudge and Marriage is a cozy mystery set around Rex and Allie's wedding plans. Allie battles with her mom trying to rule her and take over the wedding planning. Her mom's ideas are BIG and POMPOUs in Allies eyes. Allie and Rex want just a small community wedding with a potluck afterwards. Meantime, while this is all going on, there is a murder that takes place by the library. Rex is on the police department and Allie loves to play Ms Detective and is actually good at it. She determines she'll find the killer, after all she did find the dead body. I also have to mention that the Fudge theme is in reference to the fact that Allie owns her own fudge shop which is part of the McMurphey, which is an old hotel that she also runs. I loved the fudge tidbits throughout the story. Made me want to dig out my grandma's old Million Dollar fudge recipe!! The book is the 13th in the Candy Coated Mysteries but you won't have any trouble reading it as a stand alone.

Thank you to Netgalley, Nancy Coco and Kensingtons Cozies for allowing me this advanced copy ebook in exchange for my opinion.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nancy Coco for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Fudge and Marriage coming out April 1, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love cozy mysteries! I have a habit of starting books in the middle of the series. It doesn’t really matter to me. I feel like they could be stand alone books at times. Mackinac Island is an idyllic location. I’ve always wanted to visit. I really enjoy food cozy mysteries. It was fun that Allie is planning her wedding. I thought she was a really great character. I enjoyed her relationship with Rex. The other characters in the book were really fun. I would definitely check out more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

I've enjoyed CoCo's other work, but this is my first time delving into this series. It says a lot about the high quality of the writing that I had no problem at all getting immersed in the mystery and characters even though this was #13 in the series.

Allie runs a fudge shop on Mackinac Island. She's preparing to wed Rex, a local police officer, in a wedding that involves a public picnic and her dogs and everyone they know on the island. Complicating matters: Allie finds a local woman dead outside of the library, her long-time rival sobbing nearby with a blood-soaked rock on the ground. Complicating matters even more: Allie's elitist socialite mother shows up 2 weeks before the wedding, with other snobbish family in tow, determined that her only child will have a "proper wedding," meaning designer everything, a fancy venue, and family only. Allie needs to balance her own precarious mental health with a tricky murder investigation as the clock ticks down to her big day.

This book was such incredible fun. I've wanted to go to Mackinac Island since I was a teenager, thanks to the old movie Somewhere in Time, and I really want to try their famous fudge. This book, and this series, is probably providing the island with a tourism boost, as I want to go there even more now. Allie is a great, sympathetic character, and I love Rex and so many other cast members--but not her mother. Good grief, but the scenes with her mother gave me the kind of anxiety that most readers probably get from a horror novel. That helped contribute to a fast and breezy escapist read, which is just what I needed this week!

Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco is the newest book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series. Allie and Rex are about to get married. As with most weddings there is some drama which begins when Alle’s family shows up two weeks early. Her mother and the rest of the family are driving Allie nuts. Then Allie stumbles on a dead body with the murder weapon close by. Will Allie be helping to solve another murder while putting up with her obnoxious family and getting ready for her wedding?

Fudge and Marriage has become one of my favorite books in the series. I had a hard time putting it down. The story was definitely a fun read while introducing us to Allie’s interesting family. Gilmore Girls fans will notice how Allie’s mom is like Emily Gilmore.

FUDGE AND MARRIAGE is the fourteenth book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries by Nancy Coco. With delightful characters on the utterly charming Mackinac Island, this newest release is filled with wedding preparations, a Momzilla trying to derail the nuptials, and a hapless library patron found murdered by the lake. With two weeks until the wedding, protagonist Allie McMurphy has more than enough on her plate to handle, yet the death is tearing the community apart and she feels like she needs to get involved. Plus, it gives her a reason to avoid her mother’s interference. Unfortunately, Allie hasn’t learned to stand up to her mother’s meddling, which becomes irritating, but as the story progresses, she finally becomes stronger and stands up to her... for which I cheer. I liked that Allie’s close friends supported her and gave her encouragement when needed. It gives the book a character-driven quality, and it’s been a joy watching the changes that have occurred to them over the course of the series. While this can be read as a standalone, if you enjoy seeing characters grow and change, I’d recommend reading in order.

Another thing I just love about this series is the sense of community. Allie’s friends and neighbors know how stressed she is, and do everything they can to support her. I especially enjoy the delightful group of senior book club members who pitch in and help her investigate. And Allie’s aunt joining in brought some heartwarming moments. The clues were well-plotted to keep the reader guessing. The read is fast-paced, with Allie being pulled in all directions while trying to track down a killer. As the clues fell into place, I was on the edge of my seat, turning pages faster and faster to find out what happens next. This charming new release is perfect for those who love island settings with a strong sense of friendship and community with some romance and a puzzling mystery to solve!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Allie is getting married to her police officer boyfriend on Mackinac Island in April. She and her best friend have everything planned but then her mother shows up along with her snooty family.. Her mother disagrees with everything she wants. Then to add more stress,she discovers the body of a friend and is asked to help solve her murder.
This book was a light reading mystery that I don't usually go for and the ending was a surprise. I read it in one sitting

“ Fudge and Marriage” book 14 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco. I really love this series and visiting Mackinac Island! Only two things might ruin fudge maker Allie McMurphy’s wedding: murder—and her mother . . .

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in a couple days. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.

I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I did figure out who the villain was shortly before Allie did.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends and can’t wait for the next instalment to come out!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the 14th installment in the Candy-Coated mystery series. Allie McMurphy is just two weeks away from her wedding to Rex and she is checking the library for yet another book or magazine that might make it perfect. Allie overhears Velma and Mrytle arguing and when she leaves the library, she finds Velma dead with Mrytle nearby. This can’t be happening two weeks before her wedding and as she arrives at the McMurphy hotel shocked to find her Mother and her entire family have arrived early. Allie’s Mom and her family act very snobby about everything and it starts to create a lot of drama as her Mom tries to replan her wedding to fit what she wants. Allie has a hard time dealing with her Mom and all the family drama, so she jumps into the investigation to avoid her Mother. I really enjoyed this story and the drama with her family. There is a lot of backstory on both Allie and Rex’s family and how the two of them deal with it is nice. Allie’s Aunt Ginny wants to join the investigation and it does become humorous at times. Good plot and it is always nice to see Allie’s friends rally around her. Looking forward to the next installment.

Allie and Rex are getting married with the wedding of their planning, with all the island friends invited to a casual, outdoor setting. Allie even has her wedding dress and designed and made for her and her friend Jenn is the wedding planner. Then her mom shows up and keeps trying to take over. In the midst of all the wedding craziness, Allie finds a body and keeps finding clues.
Red herrings and terrible relatives combine to make an entertaining read. I did wish Allie would have stood up to her mom a little sooner, as I wanted to tell her to find her backbone! As always, Mackinac Island is a beautiful setting.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This series is so much fun to read! Delightful characters with a cozy mystery set on Mackinac Island. This book centers around Allie, a fudge maker and owner of the McMurphy family hotel (both businesses were started by her family) and her fiancé Rex who is the chief of police. Their wedding is right around the corner but when one of Allie's friends is murdered and another friend finds the body, Allie's sleuthing skills set in and the wedding planning is pushed aside. Throw in Allie's overbearing mother and relatives that show up 2 weeks before the wedding and everything becomes chaotic. Allie and Rex plan for a small wedding with the whole town invited to a potluck reception but her mother has much grander ideas. Read this fun book to see how the mystery is solved and if the wedding goes off without a hitch. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. #netgalley #fudgeandmarriage #kensingtonpublishing

Allie McMurphy and Rex Manning are planning their wedding and counting the days until the big event. Her mother unexpectedly arrives in town two weeks before the wedding and tries to change their wedding plans. But what her mother wants for her daughter’s wedding isn’t what Rex and Allie want. Her mother’s meddling has Allie stressed out and not as happy as a bride to be should feel. Then Allie finds a dead body near the library to add her stress. She begins to get involved with the investigation hoping to help the police clear Myrtle Bautita from being the main suspect for the murder of Velma French. Who would want to kill an old lady and why would they want her dead?
I love these Candy - Coated mysteries. Fudge and Marriage is book 13 of the series. The location for these mysteries is Mackinac Island. I had the privilege of going to Mackinac Island with my husband for our honeymoon 55 years ago. Being familiar with the location makes it easy to visualize what the characters are seeing every day. I think these mysteries are witty and cute. Not the murders but how the characters go about solving who the real killer turns out to be. I was totally shocked by who the whodunnit turned out to be. Didn’t see it coming. I love it when the ending of a cozy mystery surprises me. There are recipes and a sneak peek into the next book in the series. Can’t wait for the next book.
I highly recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery. If you haven’t read the other books in this series you will be able to read this book without feeling like you are missing something. You might want to read the other books in the series because you enjoyed reading this one. This book is scheduled for release on 4/1/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
#FudgeandMarriage #NetGalley

✨ Book Review: Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco ✨

This was such a fun and charming cozy mystery! We’re here to celebrate Allie and Rex’s wedding, but of course, things don’t go as planned. On her way to a dress fitting, Allie stumbles upon a dead body, setting off a whirlwind of mystery, chaos, and family drama. With just weeks until the big day, she has to juggle wedding plans and solve a murder—no big deal, right?

I loved the mix of romance, humor, and suspense, and the wedding mayhem made it even more entertaining. If you love small-town mysteries with quirky characters and a dash of murder, this one’s for you!

💍🔎🍫 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We are back on Mackinac island with Allie and the Hotel McMurphy. Allie and Rex are getting married in two weeks. When Allie is returning bridal magazines she happens upon two older ladies fighting over crafting books. When she leaves the library she finds one of the ladies dead. Allie's family descended on the island two weeks early. Putting a wrench into the investigation and the wedding planning. Allie's mother is pretentious and really annoying. Luckily her Aunt Ginny is wonderful and helps her deal with her mother. This book was so much fun to read and follow the clues. I love this series and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Fudge and Marriage is a strong and delightful addition to the Candy-Coated Mysteries. I love that author Nancy Coco has taken us through shifts on the island as time passes while she keeps the characters and over-all feel consistent. This combined consistency and change adds a element of reality to the cozy mystery genre that naturally stretches reality with a murder in everyone book and an amateur detective solving every crime. I love the genre, but I really need elements to be strong and realistic to balance that statistical anomaly. I adore the regular characters and would love to spend even more time with them. I enjoyed the fact that we saw a little more loving interaction between our favorite couple, not sex, love; sometimes I have wondered when they got enough time to develop a real relationship. That is as close as I come to a criticism of this fun, must-read cozy.
Between having her mother and a handful of snobbish relative arrive early and a murder that friends insist can't be the way it looks, it is a wonder that Allie can function. Her mother wants the debutant style wedding that she has always dreamed of for Allie while Allie and Rex want just the wedding they want planned, and it does not include thousands of dollars of items just to impress her wealthy relatives, nor does it exclude the community that they both love. The interpersonal relationships offer Allie a chance to stand out in a new way. I felt so sorry for how her mother makes her feel less, but I enjoyed watching her develop a strength that she usually can't find when her mom is around. Rex it too involved in the investigation to give her the backup that he would like to, but he provides the kind of support that she needs when he can. I hope we see couples time in future books.
The mystery plot follows the usual pattern for the series until it doesn't. I enjoy that pattern that includes the seniors providing bits that help the investigation come together. They are so fun!
My thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Cozies and allowing me to read an ARC of this delightful book. Fudge and Marriage is just right for the lead up to Allie and Rex's wedding. It is my favorite of the recent books, and I have loved all of them.
#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #NancyCoco #FudgeandMarriage #CandyCoatedMystery

In FUDGE AND MARRIAGE, written by Nancy CoCo, Allie McMurphy, owner of the Mackinac Hotel and Fudge Shop, is getting married in two weeks to Rex Manning of the Mackinac Police. Allie leaves the Mackinac Library and finds Velma French dead on the ground with a rock, the murder weapon, next to her body. Who killed Velma and why?

This cozy mystery is number 13 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. I like that the murder victim appears early in the story, in the first chapter. The addition of recipes within the text is appreciated. I do think there are a lot of characters to keep track of. Allie’s personal problems are accentuated by her mother (a Momzilla) and her extended family arriving two weeks ahead of the wedding. I find the Mackinac setting inviting, perfect for this mystery, and I look forward to reading other books in the series. Thank you, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of FUDGE AND MARRIAGE.