Tag: Neely Kate

Monthly Reading

Monthly Reads August 2026

Chapters & lattes

Definitely a 5 Star Month ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

August turned out to be such a satisfying reading month. I didn’t go into it with a theme, but somehow my stack ended up full of emotional journeys, small-town secrets, and the kind of character relationships that make me want to curl up with a latte and keep reading. Here’s a look at everything I read this month—and what I thought about each one.

🩷Piece by Piece — Rachel Hanna ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was the perfect book to start my month. Rachel Hanna consistently delivers gentle, heartfelt Southern charm, and Piece by Piece was no exception. It’s emotional in a quiet way—the kind that truly sneaks up on you. I loved watching the characters rebuild, reconnect, and discover strength in the small moments. It felt like a warm hug in book form.

💛 Working Class Hero — Kay Bratt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kay Bratt writes characters who feel real—flawed, hopeful, and resilient—and Working Class Hero is a beautiful testament to that skill. This story, rich with grit and heart, had me rooting for its characters from the very first chapter. It’s an honest, grounded read that resonates long after the final page.

🛻 Trailer Trash — Denise Grover Swank ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book surprised me with its emotional depth. Trailer Trash finally opens up Neely Kate’s past in a way that allowed me to understand her so much more deeply. While the beginning is a little slow, once it settles in, the story becomes vulnerable, powerful, and full of heart. And Jed’s quiet, steady support? Absolutely perfect. This one was a standout for me.

🌾 In High Cotton — Denise Grover Swank ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this one. It has that perfect mix of mystery and heart that Denise Grover Swank does so well. I adore Jed and Neely Kate together—their dynamic is supportive, gentle, and full of unspoken connection. And Neely Kate’s relationship with her newly discovered half-brother Joe? I loved every bit of it. My only tiny pet peeve: she refers to a gun’s magazine as a clip. It’s a magazine. But even with that little hiccup, this was such a great read.

💵 Dirty Money — Denise Grover Swank ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one kept me turning pages. The stakes feel higher, the tension tighter, and Neely Kate’s growth really shines. I loved seeing her step into her own strength while still holding onto the relationships that matter most. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and a great continuation of her story.

☕ Final Thoughts

August was full of small-town heartfelt moments, emotional growth, and captivating mysteries. From Rachel Hanna’s gentle storytelling to Denise Grover Swank’s character-driven suspense, this month’s reads were exactly what I needed.

I’m already excited for September — hopefully for more cozy nights, more good stories, and maybe a few surprises along the way.

If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts. If not, perhaps one will find its way onto your TBR.

Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Chapters & Lattes

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, Mystery, Fiction, 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, 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.