Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this charming novella in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, there is a ton packed into this novella. And honestly, if it were longer I would just keep reading because I loved these characters. Poor Caz. My eyes were tearing up right from the beginning, when he was looking for his lost dog. He went through so much and for Rally to be intrinsically connected? They had a great many things to overcome.

The mystery part was very well done for such a quick story. I also felt like we had a good feel for all the characters involved in such a short time, even through several were dead before the story opened.

This story is set at Christmas time and as the author says in the Author’s Note, “if there is ever a time for love and forgiveness, it’s surely Christmas.” It’s not a traditional Christmas story, but it still hit me in the feels.

Josh Lanyon never disappoints. I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing novella.
What would be the most unforgivable thing you could do to one you love? Josh explores this question, and turns it into a riveting mystery that tugs at the heart strings.

Caz is sent to jail for a murder he did not commit. His boyfriend Raleigh is a cop that thought he was guilty. The hurt was unbearable for both men. Caz is finally exonerated, and between his feelings of betrayal and Raleigh's intense guilt they seem stuck.

The book was a classic whodunit with Layon's quick wit and great pacing. My only complaint was I wanted more. Trust assured she packs so much into her stories it felt complete. I am just greedy and didn't want it to end. I highly recommend this tale of the resiliency of the heart.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for my reading pleasure.

Short and quick read that gripped me hard from the beginning.
I didn't care for the mystery line as much as for the drama between the main characters, but hey, I'm a romance reader and the cover is such an eye-catcher.
Back to drama: Caspar is released from prison after spending there almost a year for the crime he hasn't committed. The man who investigated the said crime was his boyfriend. The sense of betrayal, the anguish, the pining is sooo palpable here, and I just ate it up. The best part is the grovelling, loved it. I almost wish that it was a full novel instead of a novella.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

JL is a class act - this had beautiful turns of phrase, decent whodunit/s and the right ending.


I'm not a fan of abbreviated endings, but sometimes you need them for a touch of realism, like here. I mean, about 2 pages before the ending, I'd already gotten what for me as a lover of all things furred and four-legged, was the icing on my (reading) cake, so no complaints.

This wasn't a complicated tale nor one that needs to be read in series like most JL tales and it was quick and easy to get into, without a huge infodump about the leads' pasts. There were enough characters, enough bits that weren't as cut and dried as they seemed, to make this a decent, enjoyable but not taxing tale. Is it one of JL's best? If you like deep and complicated, huge misunderstandings and angst, maybe not, but as a standalone, and a lighter-feeling one, despite the death and prison and break-up/s, this was an entertaining read. Let's hope this is JL back on track for more releases in her Secrets and Scrabble and her Bedknobs and Broomsticks series this year - cos I'm greedy and those are some of her most entertaining tales.

Arc courtesy of NetGalley and JustJoshin Publishing Inc for my reading pleasure.

This is one of the more heart-wrenching relationships by the author, requiring forgiveness that all the readers might not be willing to give. It's a tough one for me too, and I can't say this would be my favourite from Lanyon, but I do enjoy the angst.

Lanyon can write a mean emotional novella. Casper's feelings of injustice, abandonment and revenge makes one ache, and while I think I might have enjoyed to have just a little bit more length to this story for the complex subject, there was enough to make this a fine romantic mystery. It will probably linger a bit on the reader's mind. And that's even such a pretty cover.

My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love the way Lanyon is able to combine mystery and romance in her novels, and this one is no exception. The key is in the author's notes at the end-- the premise is "how can I forgive the man I love for what he did to me."

Casper Bredahl is the heir to a cookie company and in love with the local cop. But when his boss is killed, his boyfriend doesn't believe in his innocence, and contributes to Casper spending nearly a year in jail. When Casper is vindicated, can he love the cop again? And how can he live in his small town again when everyone believes the worst of him?

It's a tough story to pull off, but Lanyon does it well, showing Casper's ache of longing -- to be free, to love, to find a way forward in life.

What a gem. WHAT A GEM.
I think I say this every time I write a review for any of Lanyon's titles, but she's truly one of a kind in the mystery genre. I've loved every single one of her mysteries since I first discovered her "Adrien English" series, and I can honestly say I'll probably love her writing till the day my eyes stop working (and even then, there's still audiobooks right?). She's brilliant, her mysteries are brilliant, her characters are messy AND brilliant, and her romances are just *chef's kiss* brilliantly done.

"The Lemon Drop Kid" is a short, gripping mystery with a dash of second-chance romance (a really complicated, really messy one at that) and a whole lot of betrayal/forgiveness vibes going on that really made me want to simultaneously jump out of the nearest window and jump INTO the book to strangle a certain cop and wrap up Caz in blankets for the horrific hand he's been dealt, and yeah, I was obsessed. I would have totally loved it if the romance has been developed a smidge more, but Josh isn't that kind of writer: the mystery and the MC (usually horrifically unlucky, amateur sleuth-ish, snarky messes a light breeze away from a nervous breakdown; MY kind of protagonist *heart eyes*) are at the front and centre of her books, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Anyway, I loved the mystery to bits. It's gripping and unfair and dark and brillant; and I loved Casper to absolute bits. He's been through a whole lot of pain and trauma, but he still manages to find it in himself to be forgiving and good and, just, absolutely wonderful.
Raleigh on the other hand, is the quintessential Lanyon detective love interest, who has a lot to make up for, with a lot of groveling and a lot of sweet, sweet declarations (will I ever tire of this kind of pairing and love interest? I think not; it scratches my romance brain juuuust right), and again, I even managed to love him by the end. Plus, it's set in a small-town, it's Christmas, and there are dogs: what more could I wish for?

I loved the writing so damn much, and I loved that this novel, despite its Christmas setting and the cute cover and title, was really quite angsty and tough. It gave the story, despite it being quite short, a hefty, complex atmosphere, it gave the characters and their relationship more substance, and it made it seem longer that it actually was. I was completely absorbed.
Again, I loved it.

I can't wait to read what comes next from this author, but in the meantime, I think I might, MIGHT need to do a re-read of a few of her books.

TWS/CWs: suicide/suicidal ideation (mentioned), death, incarceration.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I loved this book! Ahh!! I wish it was longer! I would love a prequel or something. Maybe Caz in high school! Ugh. Also i need all the little desserts mentioned in this book immediately.

I need more Caz and Raleigh.

Nothing makes my day brighter like a new book from Josh Lanyon. The Lemon Drop Kid hits all the right notes with emotional depth, friction, layered characters, and mystery. Caz's story is equal parts heartbreaking and endearing as he struggles with regaining a normal life after wrongfully being in jail. There is a genuine honesty in how his character is written that is driven by trauma, betrayal, and loss. A rawness in the relationship between him and Raleigh is an easy way to be invested in seeing what happens and is written in a way that you can understand both of the characters' positions. The mystery is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes. The ending is uplifting and will have you relieved for one specific find. Mystery lovers need to immediately add The Lemon Drop Kid to their shelves.

This story did not go the way I expected and I mean that in a good way! This is the story of second-chance love with a crime thriller twist. It is perfect for people who like a little mystery mixed in with their romance. Double points for the gay love interest. I fully expected for this to take a few days to read but l finished it in 24 hours. Deff worth the read!

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Boy was this interesting! I was confused in the beginning because I didn't realize it was the prologue, before the bad stuff went down. Then when the after came, it took me a second to catch up and then I was hooked!

I read JL's note at the end about what inspired this writing and that was kind of cool. That it was sparked by a discussion about what could someone do that could be almost unforgiveable. In this case, Casper was (essentially) sent to jail by the man he loved, a man who thought he had killed another, and then when the truth comes out, that Casper is innocent, the question is: can Casper forgive him? I don't know, that's a tough one. Raleigh thought Casper had killed someone, he believed it, thought Casper capable of murder. Yes, there was extenuating circumstances that helped Raleigh come to that conclusion.

One the one hand, Raleigh didn't let his feelings get in the way of a homicide investigation, which is good. Murder is not okay, and if Casper had been guilty, then he wasn't the man Raleigh thought he was. On the other hand, they had known each other for years, years! And Raleigh thought him guilty? My reading of the story says that they didn't talk, that Raleigh didn't even ask Casper if he was guilty. He just "followed the evidence."

The story picks up the day of (or was it 1 day after?) he is released from jail/prison (no idea which), and he is mad, he is traumatized, he is feeling all the emotions. Most especially hatred and bitterness towards Raleigh. Who can blame him?! I was on a roller coaster of emotions because for once I really didn't know what was going to happen with these two. It really could have ended on a sort of cliffhanger where they parted as repaired friends and that was all. Which frankly is what I think really could have been the best option.

But Casper found it within himself to forgive. He deeply loves Raleigh and wasn't going to let a little thing like being sent to jail/prison get his way of a HEA, haha.

I did enjoy this. It's amazing how many times I am surprised by the uniqueness of JLs writings. I do indeed recommend this. There is a murder plot afoot, so it's definitely not boring.

4 stars. Only because there wasn't a super satisfactory answer to why the people were killed.


SPOILER!
[It involves embezzlement of company funds, $20 million! But why? What happened to the money? How could so much go missing? It's a small company. How was the killer going to put it back as they claimed they were trying to do? There are several unanswered questions.]

This story is told in first person by Casper, who has returned to his small town after being exonerated for murder just in time for the holidays. He quickly has a run in with his ex, Raleigh, who arrested him for the murder.

After the first couple of chapters, I gotta say that I was not remotely rooting for this couple to get back together, but this author spun me like a top and by the halfway point, I was all in. Her ability to write such great characters with a side of cozy mystery in such a small package just amazes me every time! This makes 41 for me and I can’t wait to read the next one.

I genuinely felt for Casper and his experiences in county lockup and the anxiety he feels at the thought of being confined again. Just the idea that the one person he trusted to support him didn’t, had me hating Raleigh before he even opened his mouth. Alas, his contrite manner, sweetness, and willingness to jump in and be there regardless of whether Casper granted him forgiveness had me quickly reconsidering given the situation.

This is one of the authors that I preorder books for, and I jumped on the chance to read an early copy even though I had already preordered it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for a copy provided for an honest review.