Fudge and Marriage is book #14 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.

Going to Mackinac Island and eating fudge is a bucket list item for me thanks to this series. It’s wedding time for Allie and Rex. Will they get the wedding they want or will Allie’s mom take over? There’s a murder and Allie wants to find the killer before her big day. Solving a murder is easier than dealing with family drama. There are a few delicious sounding recipes included. After reading the teaser chapter for the next book, I can’t wait for it!

3.5!!!

I don't know what I was expecting inside the story when I saw this cover, but I think it's safe to say I got it.

A Cozy Mystery that to my unwelcome surprise, is volume 13 which follows the life of the intrepid semi-sleuth Allie McMurphy, so you can imagine that there are many things that have already been developed up to this point, such as the relationship with Officer Rex Manning.

I can't tell you if there are spoilers here or not, because I haven't read any of the previous books.

But like all Cozy, there's a mystery to solve and lots of candy, so you'll have a fun afternoon.

I've been craving chocolate and tea to go with this story, because between all the mystery, wedding preparations and a momzilla who has taken over the wedding, it's a good choice for a weekend read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Pd: Now I want to read the previous books.

Another entertaining visit to Mackinac Island. Several surprises. Lots of family issues. The cat and dog add to the tale. A delightful series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco is a great culinary cozy mystery that is the the fourteenth book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series.

I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and I liked this newest one where Allie has to balance investigating a local murder/mystery while counting down the days until her wedding to Rex. Her family is driving her crazy, and I can definitely sympathize with that as wedding plans can be stressful, especially when there are feelings and family involved.

I liked the mystery, the progression, and the early summer vibe. I will definitely continue to read this series.

Here’s to the next installment!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/1/25.

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 an 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

Our favorite fudge maker is FINALLY ready to walk down the aisle in book 13 of A Candy-coated Mystery series! But nothing is ever simple in Allie and Rex's life, so when her mother shows up with family that wasn't invited by Allie, takes over her hotel and tries to upset all the wedding plans Allie has made, she starts wondering if the wedding will even happen. Then she literally trips over a murder victim, and life gets even more complicated as she tries to keep her mind occupied with a homicide rather than her wedding. In typical Allie fashion, she bites off way more than she expected and after typical cozy craziness, we fans finally get the wedding, though it's not quite what Allie envisioned....

Fun read for fans of the series, or those new to it.

There is never a dull moment on Mackinac Island. You can count on fun, sun, fudge and a good mystery. This installment not only has a murder mystery to solve, but Allie and Rex are finally getting married.

Allie wants a simple ceremony with a guest list that includes her island friends, but her mother has other grandiose ideas. After all, appearances mean everything to her mother. Allie's mother is insufferable and a pain in the neck. I have never liked her while reading this series, but my dislike went to a whole other level in this book. The family is even worse. So this one had a little more drama than is usually seen in this series, but the mystery is still fantastic.

When Allie finds a woman dead with another woman (who just so happened to be the dead woman's rival) close by, Allie knows better than to assume anything. She is determined to solve this murder before her wedding. She soon finds investigating a murder more pleasurable than dealing with her overbearing mother. Allie is like a dog with a bone when she is on the trail of a mystery to solve. Fearlessness should be her middle name.

This is another great one in the winner column for the this series. This is one my favorite cozy mystery series. I find myself wanting to eat something chocolate.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Despite being just weeks away from her wedding day, Allie finds herself knee-deep in a murder investigation she simply can't ignore. To complicate matters, her overbearing mother and pretentious relatives arrive early, determined to critique every detail of the wedding and her life. Now, Allie faces the daunting challenge of unraveling the mystery, enduring her family's unsolicited advice, and making it to the altar in one piece.

This series never fails to impress with its gorgeous covers, beautiful setting and excellent mysteries.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read every Candy-Coated Mystery, and they just keep getting better. These are Cozy Mysteries that you visit like old friends.

Allie and Rex's Wedding is finally here, and Everyone's invited. Now Allie just has to survive her relatives, wedding planning, and a Momzilla that has plans of her own.

When leaving the library, Allie finds Myrtle over the body of Velma with a Bloody rock. To Rex and the authorities, this looks pretty open and shut. Only Allie and the Ladies of the Book Club disagree. Now, Allie has to add catching a killer to her list.

This was one of my favorite books in the series. Allie has Grown so much since coming to the island. This feels like her coming into her own with Rex by her side. I hope there will be many more to come.

Thank You to NetGalley and The Publishers for an ARC in Exchange for an Honest Review.

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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