Maybe not the best read ever BUT was still enjoyable! It was slow going at first but got better at the end. It also felt a little all over place at times but it was a quick and fun read, perfect for a low key weekend.

Exactly what I hoped it would be - an easy-to-read small town mystery, with interesting characters. Nothing fancy, but enjoyable. Had me guessing until the end.

Now that I have a moment to write my review I will begin by saying that this isn’t the best cozy mystery book I’ve read. I really enjoy these kinds of books in between the ones that leave me reeling. Or in this case, after the 19 hour audible of Patrick Stewart’s.

The most interesting character for me was the cat. Moishe. I really struggled feeling connected to any of the characters all the way up to the end. Surprising since this is part of a series but perhaps the growth comes from reading each book.

I like the idea of things taking place in a small town and the shop names were cute. Cozy Cow dairy farm. Loved it! I just think it was missing something. Could have used a bit more humor maybe and that might have sold me for a 5 star review.

It’s a quick easy read though if you’re looking to cleanse the palette.

Its ok no impactful moments tho but enjoyable enough for me to finish reading it

It definitely gave me the cozy feelings I wanted, I loved all the recipes!!! However wasn't the biggest fan of the ending, somehow it felt a bit rushed and out of nowhere

Low 3 stars | this was first published in 2000 and it shows.

This book, and especially the SERIES, is one of the best series I have ever read. I am a SUCKER for mystery, romance, and baking and when a book has ALL THREE, I am sold. Joanne Fluke really brings to life the characters and setting and makes you want to dive in and learn more about each person. I usually don't read books that have two different love interests because I feel pressured to choose my favorite just as much as the main character feels the pressure, and it is no different for this series. Both men that Hannah has her eye on both have their good and bad qualities, which makes it so hard for the reader to choose. BUT, the farther into the series, the easier it is to pick a side and hope the main character chooses who you did. THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP READING INTO THE SERIES. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. And the best part is, multiple real life recipes are sprinkled within the book. And I'm not talking one or two, but many; five or six AT LEAST. Some even more. And it's so much fun to make the recipes while you are reading along. this causes you to actually feel like you are in the book with these characters, since the recipes are used in the actual story as well. All in all, a wonderful book, and a wonderful series.

Comic book inane writing with a one dimensional plot. Recipes look good.

so good! great mini story at the end! excited to start the next one soon!

Oh boy. I don't really know if I have processed how much I dislike this book to give it a decent review, but I'll try anyways. First of all, it's pretty well accepted that these books aren't read for literary merit. They're candy books that have mediocre writing and I've come to accept that fact. But there is mediocre, and then there is the mediocre of mediocrity. This book takes the cake for random stereotypes and tropes and throws them all into a mish mosh, with an idiotic protagonist who should have been named Mary Sue. Now, I don't mind that she has a cat named Moishe that she talks to like a person. I talk to my animals and I can see how others personify them in their lives. But wow, is she billed as the frumpy, crazy cookie baking cat lady who convinces herself that she is happy in this pathetic one horse town. Only that all changes when she puts on a good cocktail dress and she turns into a heartthrob. Instantly. And by the end of it she suddenly has two men chasing her when, in the beginning, she has no one. The next confusion I have is her business. Somehow she thrives, in a tiny town, by selling only cookies and coffee, and tea. And every person loves her mediocre cookies so much. She can't even name cookies properly. Black and white cookies are not chocolate crinkles. Making gingersnaps is not regency period at all. The selection of cookies made every day is tiny, unless there are more that she doesn't ever mention. Also people eat cookies for breakfast? Maybe an oatmeal cookie or something. She doesn't even have business cards. Who doesn't have business cards? And I was so mad when she was mocking the tea sandwiches set up with, oh my, tea! That ignorant ranting about how light they were and needing meat, when it was traditional fair for noon tea amongst ladies is obnoxious. She needs to get herself cultured. And make something more than cookies. The mystery wasn't hard to figure out once we actually got the clues needed to piece it together. Bill basically made her do all of the legwork and did the bare minimum in the background if you believe her POV. She basically impersonated legal officers, which is illegal btw, and people just told her everything. Sure Norman wanted to date her, but HIPPA doesn't become null and void when someone realizes a patient of his. And I don't get the whole destroying evidence and protecting people either. It doesn't fit with the vibe of the story. Speaking of vibes, it was obvious that the woman was being abused. If you can't realize that someone who needs to cover for extended absences in the restroom or answering yes or no questions over the phone is in an abusive relationship, maybe investigation isn't for you. I mean come on, the makeup lady mentioned covering black eyes. Finally, I just hated Hannahs character. She basically rips on fat people, idolizes her skinny sister and other females, and hates her mother for no real reason. She literally whines about getting a new pair of real Italian leather shoes because her mom gave her tips about what to buy. This was a weird book in that we got next to no background for charcters, lame dialogue, a grudge against fat people, and an air of superiority that no one but Hannah can have. Ugh. I have the second in this series but it just isn't calling to me. I skimmed the last half of the book because I was over Hannah.

3.5 stars

2.5 stars