What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
5 days and 21:19:20
25 copies available
U.S. only
A Zoom with a View: A Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
5 days and 21:19:20
25 copies available
U.S. only
A fiction debut filled with heart and humor, A Zoom with a View will make you want to move to Blue Oak—if only the annual Fourth of July festivities didn't end with a dead body.
Leo can't believe she's back in Blue Oak. Her small, quirky Texas hometown feels suffocating after trying to make it big as an English professor in New York—especially due to her strained relationship with her overly hair-sprayed mother, Karina. But with Leo’s career in academia in shambles, at least she's able to work as a photographer for her godmother's real estate business. And her best friend, Emily, is around to help her navigate through the mess—and maybe force her to reconnect with her old high school boyfriend, Mack.
But while at work, Leo makes a grisly discovery at one of her godmother's properties: the dead body of rival real estate agent and social media influencer Chaz. Even worse, Leo and Emily have been secretly running a snarky Reddit page making fun of Chaz’s cringe-inducing advice and duck-faced selfies. When someone she loves is accused of the murder, Leo finds herself flung headfirst into a dangerous investigation, teaming up with a local detective who is a lot more attractive than she remembered when they were both teenagers. Meanwhile, Karina has been acting stranger and stranger, as if all her hair hides a big secret. . . .
Leo can't believe she's back in Blue Oak. Her small, quirky Texas hometown feels suffocating after trying to make it big as an English professor in New York—especially due to her strained relationship with her overly hair-sprayed mother, Karina. But with Leo’s career in academia in shambles, at least she's able to work as a photographer for her godmother's real estate business. And her best friend, Emily, is around to help her navigate through the mess—and maybe force her to reconnect with her old high school boyfriend, Mack.
But while at work, Leo makes a grisly discovery at one of her godmother's properties: the dead body of rival real estate agent and social media influencer Chaz. Even worse, Leo and Emily have been secretly running a snarky Reddit page making fun of Chaz’s cringe-inducing advice and duck-faced selfies. When someone she loves is accused of the murder, Leo finds herself flung headfirst into a dangerous investigation, teaming up with a local detective who is a lot more attractive than she remembered when they were both teenagers. Meanwhile, Karina has been acting stranger and stranger, as if all her hair hides a big secret. . . .
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 5, 2026
5 people are currently reading
5712 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 16, 2025
This was a well-written murder mystery that I’d recommend, but the ending really threw me off. It felt like a cliffhanger, and I’m left wondering if a sequel is planned because so many threads weren’t fully resolved. I appreciated the diverse cast and queer representation, especially in a small-town setting. The subreddit thread was also a fun touch.
That said, some key questions were never answered, which was frustrating for a mystery novel, and I noticed a couple of minor typos. I wish Beth had appeared on the page instead of just being discussed. Overall, the murder was solved yaaaay, but the ending didn’t feel fully satisfying.
Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC copy
That said, some key questions were never answered, which was frustrating for a mystery novel, and I noticed a couple of minor typos. I wish Beth had appeared on the page instead of just being discussed. Overall, the murder was solved yaaaay, but the ending didn’t feel fully satisfying.
Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
With sharp humor, small-town chaos, and a mystery rooted in influencer culture, “A Zoom with a View” is a cozy whodunit that delivers plenty of charm. Cannon’s debut brings the “returning-home-after-life-falls-apart” trope to Texas and gives it a contemporary spin involving Reddit threads, real estate listings, and a corpse inconveniently discovered during a photography gig.
Leo’s academic career has fizzled out, so she’s back in Blue Oak, trying to rebuild her life while dodging small-town gossip and her mother’s aerosol hair products. When Chaz who is the town’s former golden boy turned fitness influencer is found dead in a house Leo is photographing, she finds herself at the center of the investigation. The twist? She and her best friend are moderators of a snarky subreddit dedicated to roasting Chaz. Suddenly, Leo’s internet alter ego, her past relationships, and her complicated family dynamics all become potential motives or liabilities.
Cannon keeps the tone lively with multiple POVs that add texture to the mystery without overwhelming it. The third-person narration is refreshing for a cozy mystery, giving you access to several perspectives instead of being trapped inside one head. This structure also deepens the small-town vibe: everyone’s history with Chaz and with each other feels tangled, messy, and deeply believable. The cast is diverse, with meaningful queer representation that feels especially notable in a rural setting, and supporting character Macy is a standout presence.
Mixed into the mystery is a lightly chaotic love triangle, simmering with tension but never overshadowing the investigation. The romance elements add an extra layer of fun, especially as Leo tries to decide whether the charming detective is a love interest, a threat, or both. Between her misfires with family, her reliance on sarcasm and iced coffee, and her quietly sincere attempts to get her life back on track, Leo makes an easy protagonist to root for.
Where the story falters a bit is in its resolution. While the murder is solved, several key threads feel unresolved, enough that the ending reads like the setup for a sequel rather than a full closing of the case. I was left with several important questions regarding the mystery and all of its components. These lingering questions don’t undo the book’s strengths, but they may leave you craving tighter closure.
Still, Cannon’s playful voice, layered characters, and clever integration of online culture make “A Zoom with a View” a standout contemporary cozy. Even with a few loose threads, the ride is entertaining, heartfelt, and distinctly modern.
Overall, “A Zoom with a View” is a witty and engaging small-town mystery with heart, humor, and a dash of romance. It’s perfect for readers who love messy families, internet drama, and cozy mysteries with a contemporary flair. Just be prepared to reach the end wishing for a second book to tie up the rest.
With sharp humor, small-town chaos, and a mystery rooted in influencer culture, “A Zoom with a View” is a cozy whodunit that delivers plenty of charm. Cannon’s debut brings the “returning-home-after-life-falls-apart” trope to Texas and gives it a contemporary spin involving Reddit threads, real estate listings, and a corpse inconveniently discovered during a photography gig.
Leo’s academic career has fizzled out, so she’s back in Blue Oak, trying to rebuild her life while dodging small-town gossip and her mother’s aerosol hair products. When Chaz who is the town’s former golden boy turned fitness influencer is found dead in a house Leo is photographing, she finds herself at the center of the investigation. The twist? She and her best friend are moderators of a snarky subreddit dedicated to roasting Chaz. Suddenly, Leo’s internet alter ego, her past relationships, and her complicated family dynamics all become potential motives or liabilities.
Cannon keeps the tone lively with multiple POVs that add texture to the mystery without overwhelming it. The third-person narration is refreshing for a cozy mystery, giving you access to several perspectives instead of being trapped inside one head. This structure also deepens the small-town vibe: everyone’s history with Chaz and with each other feels tangled, messy, and deeply believable. The cast is diverse, with meaningful queer representation that feels especially notable in a rural setting, and supporting character Macy is a standout presence.
Mixed into the mystery is a lightly chaotic love triangle, simmering with tension but never overshadowing the investigation. The romance elements add an extra layer of fun, especially as Leo tries to decide whether the charming detective is a love interest, a threat, or both. Between her misfires with family, her reliance on sarcasm and iced coffee, and her quietly sincere attempts to get her life back on track, Leo makes an easy protagonist to root for.
Where the story falters a bit is in its resolution. While the murder is solved, several key threads feel unresolved, enough that the ending reads like the setup for a sequel rather than a full closing of the case. I was left with several important questions regarding the mystery and all of its components. These lingering questions don’t undo the book’s strengths, but they may leave you craving tighter closure.
Still, Cannon’s playful voice, layered characters, and clever integration of online culture make “A Zoom with a View” a standout contemporary cozy. Even with a few loose threads, the ride is entertaining, heartfelt, and distinctly modern.
Overall, “A Zoom with a View” is a witty and engaging small-town mystery with heart, humor, and a dash of romance. It’s perfect for readers who love messy families, internet drama, and cozy mysteries with a contemporary flair. Just be prepared to reach the end wishing for a second book to tie up the rest.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After trying - and failing - to start a career in academia, Leo moves back home for a photography job. Just for the summer, of course, there'll be other opportunities next autumn.. Right? But then the guy, she's now spent years making fun of on social media for being a wannabe influencer, gets murdered.. In the very house Leo is doing her first photography job in. As the local wannabe influencer specialist, Leo of course gets to join the investigation.. Even though her own mother really does not want her anywhere near that.
I'm going to be honest, this book is difficult to get into - you start off by meeting basically all of the characters at the same time without even really knowing the main ones and it's overwhelming. There's Leo and her best friend Emily, Emily's partner and three kids, their mothers, the wannabe influencer, his girlfriend, the ex, the random people in her old town, ... But once you know who is who, this story becomes a lot of fun.
It feels very much like a small town take on desperate housewives, especially with the way the story is told - while you mainly follow Leo, you also get literally everyone else's point of view as well. And they're all fun! Even if it's the biased old police officer who obviously gets everything wrong, he's fun to follow along because what he does makes sense to him, he's no 2-dimensional character who doesn't think, he's doing what he truly thinks is right. Even if you know he's wrong, he's not just on one side because someone has to be.. And I loved that! Feels so refreshing when even the characters you disagree with aren't just there to force a story along, they are well rounded, thought through characters.
The plot was really fun to read too - I really enjoyed how it was set up and later slowly finding out why things happened and why people thought the way they did and how everything made sense. The one thing I wasn't the biggest fan of is Karina's story. Yes, I know it potentially sets up a part 2 maybe, but.. This kind of thing isn't my favourite. Plus the ending was a little hard to believe.. Everything was set up so well and then the perpetrator goes down like that? I also didn't like the whole romance plot.
One more thing to add though is how well that small town was set up - by the end of the book, it felt like an actually real place. Especially after that step into the book and having to familiarize yourself with all the characters etc, you just get a feeling for the place and everyone is so familiar, their actions just make sense for who they are. I really enjoyed that part, it was so well done!
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book, I really enjoyed the read and while it's currently winter here, I felt like I took a trip to the south and somehow met everyone in this little small town. While I didn't love the ending, I already went checking for more books by this author because this was just such a good time.
Thank you Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I'm going to be honest, this book is difficult to get into - you start off by meeting basically all of the characters at the same time without even really knowing the main ones and it's overwhelming. There's Leo and her best friend Emily, Emily's partner and three kids, their mothers, the wannabe influencer, his girlfriend, the ex, the random people in her old town, ... But once you know who is who, this story becomes a lot of fun.
It feels very much like a small town take on desperate housewives, especially with the way the story is told - while you mainly follow Leo, you also get literally everyone else's point of view as well. And they're all fun! Even if it's the biased old police officer who obviously gets everything wrong, he's fun to follow along because what he does makes sense to him, he's no 2-dimensional character who doesn't think, he's doing what he truly thinks is right. Even if you know he's wrong, he's not just on one side because someone has to be.. And I loved that! Feels so refreshing when even the characters you disagree with aren't just there to force a story along, they are well rounded, thought through characters.
The plot was really fun to read too - I really enjoyed how it was set up and later slowly finding out why things happened and why people thought the way they did and how everything made sense. The one thing I wasn't the biggest fan of is Karina's story. Yes, I know it potentially sets up a part 2 maybe, but.. This kind of thing isn't my favourite. Plus the ending was a little hard to believe.. Everything was set up so well and then the perpetrator goes down like that? I also didn't like the whole romance plot.
One more thing to add though is how well that small town was set up - by the end of the book, it felt like an actually real place. Especially after that step into the book and having to familiarize yourself with all the characters etc, you just get a feeling for the place and everyone is so familiar, their actions just make sense for who they are. I really enjoyed that part, it was so well done!
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book, I really enjoyed the read and while it's currently winter here, I felt like I took a trip to the south and somehow met everyone in this little small town. While I didn't love the ending, I already went checking for more books by this author because this was just such a good time.
Thank you Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly, thank you to netgalley for kindly gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Zoom with a View is a cosy mystery book. I wanted to love this one but unfortunately it fell a little flat for me, however, it did pick up in the second half of the book. The beginning of the book I felt dragged a little with the author trying to set the scene, the family dynamics, explain the town and everyone's relationships which I felt could have been a little shorter. However, the book does have fun and quirky elements as well as the book showcasing messy family dynamics especially after grief.
The book is set in a fictionalized town called Blue Oak. Our main character Leo, can't believe she's back in her small town after failing to make it big as an English professor in New York. Blue Oak is no ordinary town and full of quirkiness. Leo has a strained relationship with her mother Karina especially after the death of her father so that makes the move even harder. With her career in shambles she returns to Blue Oak to help her godmother's real estate business by being a photographer of the homes. While at work Leo makes a haunting discovery, a dead body in one of the homes she's shooting. The dead body is the local influencer, loved by some, hated by others. Together with the cops, Leo helps to uncover the truth.
This book will be right up your street if you enjoy small town cosy mysterys. This small town is also deeply rooted in influencer culture and that element along with a subreddit page about the murdered Chaz made the book quite unique and interesting. I loved the subreddit side of things where the characters are gossiping about Chaz prior to his death and then also trying to figure out why he was murdered. The book also has a great range of diverse characters in this small town setting. There are also multiple POVs to keep the story interesting and a love triangle in the mix. I did enjoy the twists throughout, but a lot remained unsaid by the end and I didn't love the cliffhanger ending. It definitely setup for a sequel book.
Overall, an easy read with humour, romance, messy families and murder at the core.
#AZoomWithAView #NetGalley #bookblogger #bookreview #mysterybook
The book is set in a fictionalized town called Blue Oak. Our main character Leo, can't believe she's back in her small town after failing to make it big as an English professor in New York. Blue Oak is no ordinary town and full of quirkiness. Leo has a strained relationship with her mother Karina especially after the death of her father so that makes the move even harder. With her career in shambles she returns to Blue Oak to help her godmother's real estate business by being a photographer of the homes. While at work Leo makes a haunting discovery, a dead body in one of the homes she's shooting. The dead body is the local influencer, loved by some, hated by others. Together with the cops, Leo helps to uncover the truth.
This book will be right up your street if you enjoy small town cosy mysterys. This small town is also deeply rooted in influencer culture and that element along with a subreddit page about the murdered Chaz made the book quite unique and interesting. I loved the subreddit side of things where the characters are gossiping about Chaz prior to his death and then also trying to figure out why he was murdered. The book also has a great range of diverse characters in this small town setting. There are also multiple POVs to keep the story interesting and a love triangle in the mix. I did enjoy the twists throughout, but a lot remained unsaid by the end and I didn't love the cliffhanger ending. It definitely setup for a sequel book.
Overall, an easy read with humour, romance, messy families and murder at the core.
#AZoomWithAView #NetGalley #bookblogger #bookreview #mysterybook
November 2, 2025
Okay. So this was a well written book and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes murder mysteries. However, what was that END????? Are we getting a sequel?
Was that why the end was drafted like a cliffhanger?
And the author mentions in the acknowledgments that she is aware which character we are rooting for in this love triangle? So....will we get a proper conclusion or....not?
I did like the diversity of the characters.There was queer representation in the book too. And that too, in a small town? Kudos. I liked that aspect. Small town which is not small in their way of thinking.
I do have a few lingering questions and that's never good for a murder mystery. How did Melody know the details of the murder? That was never answered. Karina never got to know why was Leo so important to the police investigation. I also found two slight typos - one where it is typed as "murders Chaz's" instead of "murders Chaz" another where a space between two words is missing. I hope the author rectifies the above before the book is finally available to buy and read for all.
I liked Macy as the best supporting character. And I wish we had met Beth on the pages instead of her only being discussed and talked about. I did like the third person narration. It was a refreshing change from all the first person POVs that we have in many books now. Also, Leo did not narrate every chapter. We got snapshots from every important character and that added to the mystery element. The subreddit thread was super interesting to read about.
I did want a concrete end....the murder was solved but I still felt bereft??
Like....all the ends were not tied neatly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publications for approving my ARC request.
Was that why the end was drafted like a cliffhanger?
And the author mentions in the acknowledgments that she is aware which character we are rooting for in this love triangle? So....will we get a proper conclusion or....not?
I did like the diversity of the characters.There was queer representation in the book too. And that too, in a small town? Kudos. I liked that aspect. Small town which is not small in their way of thinking.
I do have a few lingering questions and that's never good for a murder mystery. How did Melody know the details of the murder? That was never answered. Karina never got to know why was Leo so important to the police investigation. I also found two slight typos - one where it is typed as "murders Chaz's" instead of "murders Chaz" another where a space between two words is missing. I hope the author rectifies the above before the book is finally available to buy and read for all.
I liked Macy as the best supporting character. And I wish we had met Beth on the pages instead of her only being discussed and talked about. I did like the third person narration. It was a refreshing change from all the first person POVs that we have in many books now. Also, Leo did not narrate every chapter. We got snapshots from every important character and that added to the mystery element. The subreddit thread was super interesting to read about.
I did want a concrete end....the murder was solved but I still felt bereft??
Like....all the ends were not tied neatly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publications for approving my ARC request.
October 23, 2025
I love the “going back to your small hometown” trope, and this novel does it so well. Jess Cannon weaves an intriguing mystery with numerous suspects into a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
There’s a subreddit dedicated to mocking Chaz, the irritating former football darling of Leo’s hometown, now a fitness influencer and rival real estate agent to her mom’s best friend. And Leo and her best friend are the moderators, making them key witnesses with lots of potential evidence to share when Chaz shows up dead in a house listed for sale.
The multiple POVs allow the reader to get a fuller understanding of what’s happened and who might be responsible, and I loved following the clues dropped along the way (so much I had to stay up to finish the book in one night). There is so much juiciness about influencer and fitness culture, small-town rivalries, former love interests, and the realization that you might not know your hometown and its people as well as you once thought. The author builds a fun romance into the story (actually almost a love triangle) as well, making this an unique and exciting read! Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity!
There’s a subreddit dedicated to mocking Chaz, the irritating former football darling of Leo’s hometown, now a fitness influencer and rival real estate agent to her mom’s best friend. And Leo and her best friend are the moderators, making them key witnesses with lots of potential evidence to share when Chaz shows up dead in a house listed for sale.
The multiple POVs allow the reader to get a fuller understanding of what’s happened and who might be responsible, and I loved following the clues dropped along the way (so much I had to stay up to finish the book in one night). There is so much juiciness about influencer and fitness culture, small-town rivalries, former love interests, and the realization that you might not know your hometown and its people as well as you once thought. The author builds a fun romance into the story (actually almost a love triangle) as well, making this an unique and exciting read! Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity!
Read
December 7, 2025Leo Holloway regresa a Blue Oak con la sensación de haber perdido más que un trabajo. Su carrera académica se desmoronó y ahora vuelve al lugar del que huyó, obligada a aceptar un empleo como fotógrafa para la inmobiliaria más llamativa y problemática del pueblo. Mientras intenta mantener un perfil bajo, descubre que Blue Oak es un imán para el drama, desde las peleas en redes sociales hasta los influencers locales que convierten cada conversación en un espectáculo.
Su primer día en casa termina convertido en un caos cuando una explosión en pleno desfile pone bajo sospecha a la competencia de la agencia para la que trabajará. De pronto, queda atrapada entre amistades que nunca dejaron atrás su intensidad, un ex amor que reaparece con sonrisa desarmante, un detective que la mira con interés y un influencer que siempre aparece cuando menos se le necesita.
__
Estuvo lo suficientemente entretenido para terminarlo, pero no para leer el siguiente.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Su primer día en casa termina convertido en un caos cuando una explosión en pleno desfile pone bajo sospecha a la competencia de la agencia para la que trabajará. De pronto, queda atrapada entre amistades que nunca dejaron atrás su intensidad, un ex amor que reaparece con sonrisa desarmante, un detective que la mira con interés y un influencer que siempre aparece cuando menos se le necesita.
__
Estuvo lo suficientemente entretenido para terminarlo, pero no para leer el siguiente.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Leo returns reluctantly to her small Texas hometown after her New York academic career ends. Her relationship with her image-obsessed mother is not good, but is able to get a job as a real estate photographer, as well as be with her best friend. When she discovers the murdered body of a rival influencer, Leo is drawn into a dangerous investigation. Even worse, she and her friend were running a secret Reddit page snarking on the now-dead influencer. When someone Leo loves accused, she works with a surprisingly charming local detective and get all sorts of answers.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book, and it was fun to be engaged with such great secondary characters. Everything was set up well, the mystery was intriguing, and there was relevancy in representations. I also loved the Reddit snark page! However, I have to assume there will be a sequel with that ending?
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book, and it was fun to be engaged with such great secondary characters. Everything was set up well, the mystery was intriguing, and there was relevancy in representations. I also loved the Reddit snark page! However, I have to assume there will be a sequel with that ending?
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
Leo returns to her hometown of Blue Oak and things quickly take a dark turn when a dead body turns up and her best friend’s mom is accused of murder. She works hard to figure out what happened and what secrets people are hiding in what appears to be a charming small town…
A fun, modern cozy mystery novel!! While the plot is a murder mystery, the book sprinkles in small town drama, a love triangle, and a mysterious death from the main characters’ teen years. Loved this and would definitely recommend for fans of cozy mysteries or fans of YA stories like One of Us is Lying, Truly Devious, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A fun, modern cozy mystery novel!! While the plot is a murder mystery, the book sprinkles in small town drama, a love triangle, and a mysterious death from the main characters’ teen years. Loved this and would definitely recommend for fans of cozy mysteries or fans of YA stories like One of Us is Lying, Truly Devious, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 5, 2025
Returning to your small Texas hometown after your academic career implodes? Awkward…
Finding a dead body during your new real estate photography gig? Extremely awkward…
A Zoom with a View is a hilarious, yet heartfelt cozy mystery set in the quirky town of Blue Oak. The typical small town setting where even the Fourth of July parade isn’t safe from drama (or murder)! 👻
Leo is trying to her sanity, fix her relationship with her mother (who definitely owns too many cans of hairspray), and figure out what’s next for her life. Instead, she ends up juggling small-town secrets, an old flame, a suspiciously charming detective (right?!), and a snarky Reddit page that might just get her arrested (and me confused)!
This debut is sharp and full of personality, which is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and somewhere touching. I think it’s the perfect read for anyone who loves messy families, cozy mysteries, and heroines who cope with caos through sarcasm and iced coffee (I know there’s a bunch of you that could agree).
A special thanks to Jess Cannon, Dutton, and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read and review ‘A Zoom with a View’ before its official publication on May 5th, 2026. All opinions expressed are, of course, my own!
Finding a dead body during your new real estate photography gig? Extremely awkward…
A Zoom with a View is a hilarious, yet heartfelt cozy mystery set in the quirky town of Blue Oak. The typical small town setting where even the Fourth of July parade isn’t safe from drama (or murder)! 👻
Leo is trying to her sanity, fix her relationship with her mother (who definitely owns too many cans of hairspray), and figure out what’s next for her life. Instead, she ends up juggling small-town secrets, an old flame, a suspiciously charming detective (right?!), and a snarky Reddit page that might just get her arrested (and me confused)!
This debut is sharp and full of personality, which is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and somewhere touching. I think it’s the perfect read for anyone who loves messy families, cozy mysteries, and heroines who cope with caos through sarcasm and iced coffee (I know there’s a bunch of you that could agree).
A special thanks to Jess Cannon, Dutton, and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read and review ‘A Zoom with a View’ before its official publication on May 5th, 2026. All opinions expressed are, of course, my own!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you for netgalley for a copy of this arc!
this book was kind of difficult to get into. the first few chapters were quite slow but after that, the book started to pick up. i enjoyed the narrative but to be honest, the reveal at the end felt rushed. the love triangle felt a bit unnecessary, considering who she picks at the end. however, i enjoyed the aspects of mystery dotted throughout the book that were then clarified at the end - there were no plot holes and the ending (other than the reveal) felt satisfying.
this book was kind of difficult to get into. the first few chapters were quite slow but after that, the book started to pick up. i enjoyed the narrative but to be honest, the reveal at the end felt rushed. the love triangle felt a bit unnecessary, considering who she picks at the end. however, i enjoyed the aspects of mystery dotted throughout the book that were then clarified at the end - there were no plot holes and the ending (other than the reveal) felt satisfying.
January 11, 2026
This book was all over the place. There were too many competing plotlines and it jumped around from different character’s perspectives in a confusing way. One major thread revolves around a Reddit community devoted entirely to hating a single person and I find that very weird. The book ultimately ends on a dramatic cliffhanger, strongly suggesting it’s intended to launch a new series.
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
October 23, 2025
A Zoom with a View is the perfect mix of small town charm, laugh out loud humor, and a twisty mystery! I instantly loved Leo as she stumbles back into her quirky Texas hometown after her New York dreams fall apart. I loved the blend of cozy mystery vibes with sharp and witty writing and a little romantic tension too. If you love small towns with big secrets this one’s a must read!
December 10, 2025
I thought that this book was so fun! I love the, "My life in the big city (often New York) didn't work out, so I'm headed back to my small town in a place that seems the complete opposite of a big city (Texas!)" trope in mystery stories! I loved Leo, and would definitely recommend this book! It was such a good balance of cozy mystery but make it contemporary!
January 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ A small town murder mystery - but with a Gen Z twist! This was a fun read, and I enjoyed the modern take involving social media being used to solve a murder! The cliff hanger at the end is giving me hope for a second book! This was an overall very fun read, and I can’t wait to watch this author continue to grow and develop their writing style in this genre.
January 14, 2026
I just did not like this book. This book was advertised for people who like Thursday Murder Club books, which is a series I love. But the characters in TMC are unique and endearing, while the characters in this book were annoying and dramatic. As far as mysteries go, it wasn’t very mysterious.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
November 14, 2025
3.75⭐️ If you’re looking for a cozy hometown vibes with a murder mystery and a love triangle - this is it. It was written well but I thought the pace was kind of slow. The characters were fleshed out well and they had strong relationships with each other. The murder mystery wasn’t difficult to solve but it was still cute and entertaining. She definitely set it up to have a sequel which I would read since I need to know what happened after the somewhat of a cliffhanger ending.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews