Tag: Fiction

Chapters & Lattes, Monthly Reading

September Monthly Reads

Chapters & lattes

September was a good reading month. I finished three books, gave all three five stars, and started a fourth that already has me hooked. Grab your latte and let’s get into it.

Books I Finished

The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From page one, I felt like I was right there with Tula Cassidy, carrying the weight of grief, guilt, and unfinished questions. She’s messy in the most relatable way, trying to rebuild her life while still tripping over the pieces of her past. Then there’s the historical storyline with Gertrude Werner, which is so vivid and tense that I kept catching myself holding my breath. Mary Ellen Taylor writes women with such tenderness and grit that you can’t help rooting for them.

What I loved most is how the book handles trauma and healing. It doesn’t rush it, and it doesn’t sugarcoat it. It lets these women find their strength in their own time, in their own way. And the ocean imagery? Gorgeous, haunting, and healing. It becomes a character all its own.

Link to full review: The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor – Chapters & Lattes

Trust No One by Mary Burton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one is all about tension. Mary Burton doesn’t just ask “who did it?” She builds a creeping sense that nobody in the story is who they seem to be. The title is no exaggeration: you truly can’t trust anyone in this book, and that’s exactly what made it so addictive. I kept turning pages long past when I meant to stop.

Link to full review: Trust No One by Mary Burton Book review – Chapters & Lattes

It’s Only Love by Kay Bratt (Hart’s Ridge #17) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kay Bratt delivers another gripping, emotional mystery in the 17th installment of the Hart’s Ridge series. This time the story shifts gears. Taylor  takes a backseat, and her husband, PI Sam, steps into the spotlight during a trip to the Florida Gulf Coast.

When Walker Barrett arrives searching for the truth about his brother Wade’s mysterious disappearance, a case everyone else believes was a simple drowning, Sam and Taylor are pulled into a dangerous web of hidden betrayals, family secrets, and a trail of clues someone is desperate to keep buried. Seventeen books in, and this series still knows how to keep me hooked.

Link to full review: It’s Only Love by Kay Bratt Book Review – Chapters & Lattes

Currently Reading

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

I’ve just started this one, and so far I’m loving it. It caught my attention the moment I read what it was about, because part of the story takes place in the city where I was raised. It’s a fictional account inspired by the real-life Georgia Tann, who ran an illegal adoption operation in Memphis, Tennessee. Reading about a dark chapter of history set in streets I know so well is a little haunting, and I’m anxious to see where it goes. Review coming soon!

September Wrap-Up

Three five-star reads is a pretty great month. The theme of the month seems to be mysteries. I love a good mystery, and these did not disappoint. 

What did you read in September? Drop your recommendations in the comments, because my TBR is never full enough.

Chapters & Lattes, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance

It’s Only Love by Kay Bratt Book Revew

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“You ever find something out you wish you didn’t know”

Kay Bratt consistently delivers the kind of heartfelt, small-town mystery that keeps me returning to Hart’s Ridge. Seventeen books in, she still manages to create stories that feel fresh, emotional, and deeply engaging. Reconnecting with Sam and Taylor always feels like catching up with familiar friends.

Months after Wade Barrett’s unexplained disappearance, his brother Walker remains desperate for answers. Everyone else has accepted the official story of accidental drowning, but Walker can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.

When Sam and Taylor Gray step in to help, their investigation takes them away from Hart’s Ridge to a quiet coastal community where secrets linger beneath calm waters. As they retrace Wade’s final days, hidden truths begin to surface: emotional fractures, buried betrayals, and a trail that leads to a heartbreaking revelation.

This is a story about loyalty, love, and the quiet yet powerful ways grief shapes those left behind.

Kay Bratt never disappoints. I’m continually amazed at how she keeps readers invested after so many installments. In this book, I could truly feel Walker’s grief and determination as he searched for the truth about his brother. Sam takes center stage, and his unwavering commitment to uncovering answers gives the story a strong, steady heartbeat.

The pacing is perfect — never rushed, always rhythmic. The tension builds gradually, making it easy to keep turning the pages. While I found the ending somewhat predictable, I genuinely loved the journey the story took to reach it.

Bratt blends emotional depth with quiet moments, suspense, and a budding romance that adds warmth to the mystery. And as someone who always loves a good story with dogs, this one gives us two — a detail that made my heart happy.

If you enjoy stories filled with heart, emotion, determination, mysterious disappearances, a touch of romance, and loyal dogs, It’s Only Love is a book you’re going to love.

Kay Bratt continues to shine in this series, and this installment is another strong reminder of why Hart’s Ridge feels like home.

Click on the book cover to order the book from Amazon.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Trust No One by Mary Burton Book review

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

“I used to believe . . . 
Cheaters don’t win. 
Honesty is the best policy. 
Karma is real. 
But here’s the truth. 
Cheaters win all the time. 
Lying works. 
And karma? It doesn’t care
Unless you get caught.”

Mary Burton’s Trust No One is a mystery that grips readers from the very first page and never lets go.

The setup immediately hooks you: a family, a sprawling old estate filled with secrets, and a mystery that begins to unravel almost instantly. I thought I had it figured out early on, but I was wrong. Then I developed a new theory, which was also wrong. This book constantly turned corners I didn’t see coming.

What I loved most was the author’s masterful building of tension; it wasn’t just about “who did it,” but rather a creeping sense that nobody in the story was who they seemed to be. The title was no exaggeration—you truly couldn’t trust anyone in this book, and that’s exactly what made it so addictive.

That ending? An actual gasp-out-loud, put-the-book-down-and-stare-at-the-wall moment. I never saw it coming, and I am still thinking about it the next morning.

If you love an impossible-to-put-down mystery that holds you captive until the very last page—with unexpected twists, an atmospheric old house that becomes a character in itself, and a cast of characters you’ll want to dissect with your book club or best friend—and an ending you won’t see coming, then Trust No One belongs on your TBR list.

This is definitely five stars plus! Have you read it? Please let me know in the comments; I need to discuss this book with someone.

“I used to believe . . . 
Some lines could never be crossed. 
But here’s the truth. 
The first time is hard. 
The next time, easier. 
Until finally the line is gone
and you forget it was ever there.”

Click on the book cover to buy the book from Amazon.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Women's Fiction

The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor is a beautifully layered story that surprised me and totally blew me away.

I love a good story that blends the past and present, and this one does so intentionally, emotionally, and with a touch of magic.

In the present day, we have Tula, who is still reeling from her mother’s sudden death seven years prior, which occurred while diving the wreckage of the Oceanus, a ship torpedoed and sunk in 1942 off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Then we jump back to 1942 aboard the Oceanus, where a young, pregnant woman named Gertrude is trying to escape her abusive husband by taking the ship to the United States.

From the first page, I was immersed in Tula’s world, feeling the weight of her grief, guilt, and unresolved questions. Her struggle to rebuild her life while confronting pieces of her past makes her a messy but relatable character. The historical storyline, following Gertrude, is just as captivating as I imagined how difficult it would be to protect her unborn child while escaping her abusive husband.

This is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve read the last page—the kind you finish and sit with for a moment, not quite ready to let go. It’s an emotional and beautifully researched story, with a compelling mystery that will keep you turning pages long past bedtime as you uncover the connection between Tula and Gertrude. The ending ties everything together in a truly satisfying way.

This was a new author for me, but it won’t be the last book I read by her. This was definitely a 5-star read.

If you enjoy books that connect the past with the present day through the stories of strong, determined women, then this is the book for you. It is also about reconnecting with old friends and finding your way to where you are meant to be.

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Click on the book below to buy it on Amazon.

Chapters & Lattes, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Dirty Money by Denise Grover Swank Book Review

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The third book in the Neely Kate Mystery Series, Dirty Money, was such a fast-paced, addictive read. Denise Grover Swank has a way of pulling me right back into Neely Kate’s world, and this book kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s full of tension, danger, and those emotional moments that make the series so special.

Neely Kate continues to grow into her strength here—she’s smart, intuitive, and braver than she realizes. I loved watching her step up, trust her instincts, and prove (again!) that she’s far more capable than people give her credit for. And her dynamic with Jed? Still one of my favorite parts of the series. They work together so naturally, with a quiet trust and steady support that makes every scene between them feel meaningful.

Her relationship with Joe also shines in this book. Their bond feels genuine and hopeful, and I love how he shows up for her in ways she didn’t even know she needed.

This series just keeps getting better. Will Neely Kate ever be free from her half-sister? The mystery itself is gripping without ever feeling confusing, and the stakes feel higher than ever. It’s the perfect blend of suspense, heart, and character growth — exactly what I want from a Neely Kate book.

I still have a pet peeve when they call a gun’s magazine a clip, but it doesn’t distract from the fact that this is a 5-star read! This series just keeps getting better. Unfortunately, this is the last book in this series, and I will miss Neely Kate’s Mysteries. Maybe the author will decide to write another one; I can hope!!

Have you read this series?  Give me your thoughts in the comments.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

In High Cotton by Denise Grover Swank Book Review

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed In High Cotton. Book two in the Neely Kate Mystery Series by Denise Grover Swank consistently draws me back into Neely Kate’s world, and this book was no exception. It offers that perfect blend of mystery, heart, and character moments that always make me want to stay up way too late reading.

A dead body in the basement, another in the trunk of a car—is Neely Kate’s past catching up with her? Joe and Jed will stop at nothing to protect Neely Kate! 

What really made this book shine for me were the relationships. I absolutely loved Jed and Neely Kate together; their dynamic is steady, supportive, and brimming with a quiet emotional pull that makes you root for them. I also love Neely Kate’s growing bond with her newly discovered half-brother, Joe. Their connection felt genuine and hopeful, as if she was finally finding pieces of family she didn’t know she needed.

Now, I do have one tiny pet peeve—something I’ve noticed in a few of this authors books. She refers to a gun’s magazine as a clip. It’s a magazine, not a clip. It’s a small detail, but once you notice it, you can’t unnotice it. Still, it didn’t detract from how much I liked the story.

Overall, In High Cotton is a heartfelt, engaging mystery with characters I care about more and more with each book. Even with my minor terminology gripe, it easily earns five stars from me.

While I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, at least I can dive right into book three.

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Piece by Piece by Rachel Hanna Book Review

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

***This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases  at no extra cost to you.*****

Click on the book cover to purchase the book.

Piece by Piece by Rachel Hanna South Carolina Sunsets, Book 13

“I wish I had known you all my life, so I wouldn’t have wasted so much time without you.”

Piece by Piece is exactly why I fell in love with Rachel Hanna’s storytelling all those books ago. The very first book I ever read from her was The Beach House, and it’s still my favorite — but this newest installment reminds me why this series continues to feel like home.

This book follows Liz and Grant, two complete opposites who somehow fit together perfectly. Liz arrives in Seagrove after a painful experience at work, one she’s not ready to talk about. She slips quietly into town to help Dixie at the bookstore, pouring her energy into the children’s section while trying to rebuild her confidence piece by piece.

Next door is Grant, the quiet, puzzle‑loving shop owner with a secret of his own. He’s reserved, private, and definitely not a “joiner.” Liz, on the other hand, is sunshine and chatter and big ideas — including her plan to combine books and puzzles into a community event she calls Books & Brains. Grant isn’t thrilled, but watching Liz gently nudge him out of his shell is one of the sweetest slow-burn arcs in the series.

And of course, one of my favorite parts: we get to catch up with old friends. Julie and Dawson — the couple who started it all — make an appearance, and it feels like checking in on family. Dixie (who doesn’t love Dixie?), SuAnne, and Janine all bring that familiar Seagrove charm that makes this town feel like somewhere I genuinely want to move to.

This story is warm, comforting, and full of heart. It’s about secrets, healing, unexpected connection, and finding the courage to start again. It’s the kind of book you think about long after you finish it — the characters linger, the town wraps around you, and the romance unfolds in that signature Rachel Hanna slow-burn way that makes you smile.

I’ve loved Seagrove since the very first book, and Piece by Piece feels like catching up with old friends while meeting new ones you can’t help but love. I’m already looking forward to the next book coming out next year.

“Piece by piece. That’s how you build a life.”

This book will be released on August 25th. I received an early copy as a member of her Patio Patreon group. You can preorder it on Amazon and receive it on the release date.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Mystery

Trailer Trash by Denise Grover Swank Book Review

Chapters & lattes

Every now and then, a book comes along that doesn’t just entertain me—it opens up a character I thought I already knew. Trailer Trash did exactly that. I’ll be honest: it started out a little slow for me. But once it found its rhythm, I was completely pulled in. By the end, I felt like I understood Neely Kate on a level I didn’t even realize I’d been missing.

This story is emotional in a quiet, powerful way. We finally get to see the pieces of Neely Kate’s past she’s tried so hard to bury—the parts that shaped her, hardened her, and taught her to survive. Suddenly, all her trust issues make sense. All those walls she keeps around herself? You finally see where they came from, and it hits you right in the heart.

What I loved most is that this isn’t a story about running from the past. It’s facing it head‑on, and choosing to move forward. Watching Neely Kate make that decision—knowing how terrified she is of being judged, especially by Rose—was honestly beautiful. It’s messy, it’s emotional, and it feels real.

And Jed… His presence in this book is steady, grounding, and exactly what Neely Kate needed. He doesn’t try to fix her; he just shows up, stands beside her, and helps her carry the weight when she finally decides she can’t carry it alone. Their dynamic adds such a warm, supportive layer to the story. I fell even more in love with Jed. He really knows how to  up.

By the time I finished, I felt proud of Neely Kate—proud of her courage, her vulnerability, and the way she chose to stop letting her past define her future.

If you love character-driven stories with emotional depth, healing, and a touch of quiet strength, Trailer Trash is absolutely worth the read. Five stars from me.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Working Class Hero by Kay Bratt Book Review

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ll be honest—I went into Working Class Hero expecting the mystery to be the main event, and it wasn’t, not really. The setup is there: a house fire in Hart’s Ridge, a young pregnant woman dead, a case that looks closed until Sheriff Taylor Gray starts pulling at the threads. But if you’re looking for twists and misdirection, this one plays it pretty straight. I kept waiting for a rug-pull moment that never came, and by the end, I realized the mystery wasn’t really the point of this book.

Where Working Class Hero truly excels is in its emotional depth. This is Kay Bratt at her best, delivering the signature “emotional wallop” for which she’s known, and it profoundly affected me. I teared up more than once. The story leans heavily into sentiment, family, and the quiet weight of small-town history, creating a genuinely moving experience that resonated with me long after I finished the book.

No, it’s not the most gripping whodunit in the Hart’s Ridge series. But I didn’t care, because its emotional core is so strong. Sixteen books in, Bratt still knows exactly how to make you feel something.

5/5 stars — not for the mystery, but for the heart. If you love this series for its characters and emotions as much as its cases, you’ll love this one too.

I highly recommend this series. I suggest starting with the first book in the Hart’s Ridge Series to fully grasp the history and emotional journey of Taylor and her family.

Have you read this series? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Monthly Reading, Mystery

Monthly Reads July 2026

Chapters & lattes

Okay, real talk—July was a lot. Between everything going on, my reading time got squeezed down to almost nothing, and I only finished two books this month. If you follow me during the winter, you know that’s basically a slow month for me. But here’s the thing: quality over quantity, right? Because both of these books were easy five-star reads, and I’m still thinking about them.

Both books came from a series that has genuinely become one of my all-time favorites—Rose Gardner Investigations by Denise Grover Swank. Let’s get into it.

It All Falls Down (Rose Gardner Investigations #7) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Trouble Comes in 3s (Rose Gardner Investigations #8) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why I Can’t Quit This Series

Here’s what consistently draws me to Rose: her growth feels genuinely earned. She didn’t begin as a confident, capable woman effortlessly solving mysteries. Instead, she started timid, sheltered, and with almost no real-world experience. This was a direct result of growing up with an overprotective and abusive mother who — as the series masterfully reveals — never truly loved her. The books gradually uncover the complex reasons behind this lack of love, and it’s far from a simple explanation. Rose spends the series slowly understanding her mother more with each installment, but understanding doesn’t equate to forgiveness. She’s still processing that trauma, still struggling with it, and I appreciate that Swank doesn’t rush her through it for a tidy resolution. It feels incredibly real.

However, what truly won me over was watching Rose actively pursue the life she desires. She created a wish list of experiences she craved but never had, and with significant help from the man next door (yes, that man next door, if you know, you know 👀), she’s been checking them off one by one. This specific, hard-won growth is incredibly satisfying to witness. It’s not just about her becoming “braver”; it’s about her reclaiming her life, authentically and specifically.

What You’re Getting Into

If you’re a reader who loves:

  • A protagonist you can’t help but fall in love with
  • A mystery that grips you from start to finish
  • A truly slow-burn romance that actually takes it’s time
  • A love triangle that adds genuine tension, not just drama
  • Forbidden love
  • Deep, loyal friendships
  • A heroine who learns to trust herself and others after a lifetime of reasons not to
  • A character who can’t resist getting involved in a mystery, even when it puts herself and people she loves in danger

…then Rose Gardner is about to become your next obsession.

Books 7 and 8 elevate the stakes in both the mystery and Rose’s personal life. I was completely hooked from beginning to end by both. Five stars!

Where to Start

If this is your first time hearing about Rose, don’t start with book seven. Instead, go back to the very beginning with the Rose Gardner Mystery series. That’s where you’ll meet Rose at her most vulnerable, which makes everything that happens later hit so much harder. Once you finish that series, follow Rose and her best friend right into Rose Gardner Investigations, where these two books live.

Trust me—you’ll want the full journey.

Final Thoughts

A two-book month isn’t my usual pace, but when both books are this good, I really can’t complain. Rose Gardner continues to be one of my favorite characters in cozy mysteries, and this series proves that a slow-burn romance and a genuinely compelling mystery can absolutely coexist without either one getting shortchanged.

Have you read the Rose Gardner series? Where are you in Rose’s story? Let me know in the comments—I love talking about this series with fellow readers. 💛

Catch the quick version of this review on my YouTube Shorts and follow along on Instagram and TikTok @chaptersandlattes for more!

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