Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Midnight Duet by Jen Comfort

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Midnight Duet by Jen Comfort

Growing up, I was a massive Phantom of the Opera fan. In fact as I write this review, I am currently listening to the soundtrack. I love the whole forbidden romance set to music. It’s truly one of my favorite soundtracks and stories of all time. So whenever I see something come up that is a Phantom retelling or something similar I have a hard time passing up on it. That’s how this one landed on my TBR and review pile! I couldn’t resist a retelling though as the weeks passed between review acceptance and time to actually read it, I had sort of forgotten it. I had it on my calendar but I was reading other things that got me 100% sidetracked on my normal review schedule.

Lucky for me, I always try and build in time for things like this on my review calendar. Reviews for publishers are a big part of my blog but I also have books that I just want to read so I always make sure I build in time for things like that. The time came to pick this one up and just in time for my vacation! I needed something that was going to hold my interest on a five hour plane ride so I was looking forward to this one immensely since I knew it was a Phantom retelling!

The other thing that drew me to this one was the author is from Portland. I live about an hour south of Portland and I am always excited to read more local authors. I haven’t read anything by this author before but it looks like she has another contempo romance novel that received good rating last year. It would seem she has a flare for quirky romances and I am totally here for that! It basically didn’t take much convincing to get me to review this one, I couldn’t wait to be entertained on my flight with this book!

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Special Feature: Two Wars and a Wedding by Lauren Willig

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You only need to say the name Lauren Willig to get me hooked! I am a huge Lauren Willig fan and have read almost all of her books. She writes such well crafted historical fiction with some romance and I simply cannot pass on any of her books. Though her Pink Carnation series is still my favorite, I have enjoyed may of her standalone books and collaborations as well! Seeing this latest novel from her got me so excited to get back to reading more of her books! Initially I thought this was going to be a WWI historical fiction but I see now that it’s set during the Greece-Turkey conflict and the Spanish-American war and I think that’s going to be a wonderfully untapped period and I cannot WAIT to check this one out!

Willig truly has a gift for historical fiction. She does an incredible amount of research and she always tries to explore untapped history and time periods for her stories rather than sticking to safe time periods like WWI or WWII. She ventures out into other time periods and settings whenever possible. I have loved reading her books and I cannot imagine a world in which I wouldn’t love one of her novels. This book is out now and already receiving rave reviews from early readers so naturally this one is HIGH on my TBR list right now!

I couldn’t fit this one into my reading schedule presently but you better believe I downloaded a copy of this book and will be starting it soon so I will of course share a review here once I am done! If you love well written historical fiction, with excellent characters, a bit of romance and stories that feel ‘sweeping’ then you don’t want to miss anything by Willig. I am eager to start this one based simply of the cover (though I feel like the title needs some work)! How gorgeous is this cover? Historical fiction fans get this one on your TBR!

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Special Feature: How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano

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I love when I see a thriller come out that sounds different from the rest. There is kind of this theme in the thriller genre where many have ‘surprising’ femme fatale or it’s billed as a ‘psychological’ thriller—but I have yet to see where it’s a group of women killers on the hunt for their next mark. This book sounded really interesting, plus it had a strong romance angle which is often unheard of in the thriller genre as a focal point. I thought this book sounded really different and like it would stand out from a crowd. It screamed unconventional to me so naturally I want to get it out on your radars!

This book is out now and is a debut from author Ren DeStefano. Early reviewers are raving about this one and I am inclined to agree and move it up my TBR list! I couldn’t fit this one into my reading/review calendar but I also didn’t want to pass on it all together. Books that allude to unconventional always grab me so I opted for a feature but as I am reading the early reviews that are coming in—I am moving it up my TBR list!

I liked that this book didn’t go with the classic ‘secret’ femme fatale or something like that. The author outright made the three main characters serial killers and I love how bold this one sounds based on that alone. But then to add in the romance that develops out of a marked man sounds even more exciting and unique! If you are looking for your next spring thriller or beach read then this one might just be for you! It’s out today so give it some love and check it out! I know I don’t want to miss out on this one!

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Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore

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So many cozy mysteries are written by women and about women with a woman protagonist, which is why this one caught my eye. It’s written by a man with a male protagonist at the helm! You don’t see that too much in the cozy genre so I was eager to check this one out. This book is billed as a quirky, British style comedy, cozy mystery. There is a lot happening in that description and I think for the right reader, it will garner attention! I love quirky British humor and of course I love cozy mysteries so naturally this one stood out to me. Although that might not be the case for other readers and that’s ok but if you are looking for something a little different within the cozy genre, then this might be a good option for you!

I loved that the main character was going to be this middle aged man—-not exactly what I would have expected but I think it will work in this book. This book kicks off with the murder of one of Richard (the protagonist) chickens! If that doesn’t scream different and quirky then I don’t know what does! This book is one in a series of three books in the Follet Valley Mysteries and I think that readers will enjoy a new, quirky main character to get to know with some interesting murders to solve!

While I couldn’t fit this one into my review schedule, I couldn’t resist sharing this cozy with you guys today. I am eager to check this one out and see how funny and quirky it is! It sounds like a quick and easy murder mystery that will be a pleasure to read on the beach this spring/summer. If you enjoy cozy mysteries but maybe want to try something a little off the beaten path then I think you will find something in this one to enjoy. It promises a light hearted approach with a funny character and mystery to solve, give it a shot and see if this is something that catches your eye!

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Special Feature: The Love Wager (Mr Wrong Number #2) by Lynn Painter

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Who doesn’t love a Phoenix from the ashes story? I thought this new romance sounded interesting with the main character hits rock bottom the come back and reinvent herself as a full blown adult! New hair, new wardrobe, new apartment—-the whole nine yards! This book will no doubt appeal to the mid 20s-mid 30s demographic. When I was that age, I wanted nothing more than to reinvent myself as this sophisticated adult who at least looked like they had their shit together! So I think readers will connect with this main character for that very reason.

But this book isn’t just about a Phoenix rising from the ashes—it’s also has a fake dating romance that I think readers will enjoy. I love the fake dating troupe and I am looking forward to seeing how this one unfolds. It’s already out and getting high marks from readers so if fake dating romances are your thing then you will not want to miss this one! Also the summary mentions that taco dates happen and I am absolutely here for anything with tacos and dating!

While I couldn’t fit this one in for review, I am looking forward to checking it out a little later this year. I love a good contempo romance with a strong heroine at the helm and I think this book promises to do just that. Author Lynn Painter has quite a few rom-coms under her belt and this book is second in the Mr Wrong Number series, though you don’t have to read the books in order to enjoy this one as it takes place in the universe not a continuation of characters. Painter is known for her steam contempo romances so if that is your thing then I think this book will be right up your alley!

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