Just add it to their list of other duties as assigned…
High school teacher Elle Dannon is juggling lesson plans, trying to avoid burnout, all while training her new mentee, first year teacher Cohen Sinclair.
Cohen Sinclair is trying to survive his first year of teacherhood. On top of everything else, he convinces Elle to team up with him to solve the case when a parent is murdered at an after school event. The amateur sleuthing duo fumbles their way through the case,
Little do they know, they’re being watched. By a group of teenagers so set on “shipping” them they create a paparazzi style Instagram account to document their interactions. Nosy students aren’t the only ones keeping tabs. A certain killer is hot on their heels. It’s a race to solve the case before the killer strikes again.
Oh my goodness!!! Anyone who is a teacher or just loves Psych or other consultanting buddy crime shows HAS to read this!!! It is soooo cute, and Cohen is definitely my newest book boyfriend! I would love to see Jade and Cohen's sister helping solve some crimes in the upcoming books!
My favorite quote: "Sometimes, the most random spots or mundane things can transform with the right person." Pg. 177
9/16/25 I got the pleasure of meeting this author, and she was so amazing and kind!!! She is definitely one of my auto-buy authors!!! She also has a podcast called: "Where I Left Off." I get a lot of good recs from it!!!
This book is described as a "cozy mystery" and it definitely fills the bill along with a side of "rom com." Elle walks the tightrope of self doubt and confidence that nearly every woman experiences and she does it with wit and intelligent insight. Cohen brings that romance trope boyfriend energy of humor and compassion and the amazing ability to let Elle's strengths shine without being overshadowed. If you're looking for a quick, fun read that also has you trying to figure out who dunnit until the end, give this new author a try. I can't wait to see what books 2 & 3 bring. Bonus: I'm not a teacher but I do have several close friends and relatives who are and the descriptions and humor in this book regarding that career were a definite highlight.
This book was so fun! Things I loved: the mentor/mentee aspect, ALL the teacher things, the chemistry/flirty moments between these two, and the mystery elements. Definitely recommend for cozy mystery/romance lovers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: This book was such a delight from start to finish! It had everything I love — clever references to my favorite TV shows, a corn maze, a haunted house, and even a carriage ride. Add in witty banter, bookish nods, and two incredibly relatable leads, and I was completely hooked. Elle and Cohen are the kind of everyday heroes you can’t help but love. As teachers, they juggle evaluations, expectations, and endless stress — and yet they still show up for their students every day. The way the story captured the realities of teaching felt so genuine and heartfelt. When these two stumble upon a murder, their investigation (and undeniable chemistry) kicks everything into high gear. The murder board and clue-hunting scenes were perfectly paced, and the Instagram account “shipping” them together had me laughing out loud — it’s exactly what high school students would do! This story hit all the right notes: humor, heart, mystery, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance. I’m already counting down the days until book two!