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A Poppy McAllister Mystery #5
Wine Tastings Are Murder
It's vintage Poppy McAllister when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery . . .
When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood--he's filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he's been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen!
"Fans of Chopped will have fun juggling the complicated set of suspects and following a romantic triangle that has yet to be resolved."
-- Kirkus Reviews on Restaurant Weeks Are Murder
When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood--he's filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he's been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen!
"Fans of Chopped will have fun juggling the complicated set of suspects and following a romantic triangle that has yet to be resolved."
-- Kirkus Reviews on Restaurant Weeks Are Murder
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2020
164 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
Libby Klein
11 books636 followersLibby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School sometime in the '80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that forced her to remove gluten from her kitchen and adopt a Paleo Diet. Now her life revolves around coffee and bacon. When she’s not feeling sorry for herself that she can’t eat bread, she writes from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while travelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
August 6, 2021
This is a cozy mystery, and this is the 5th book in A Poppy McAllister Mystery series. I have to say I loved the characters, and I found myself laughing so many times while reading this book. It was so much I needed right now. The mystery part was fun, but it was second to the characters I felt. The mystery did have suspense and twists with was good. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Libby Klien) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
July 5, 2021
oh holy moly!!
December 2, 2020
This is the fifth of the Poppy McAllister Mystery series but the first of the series that I have read. It probably would have been better for me to read some of the prior books but I felt that I caught up pretty quickly. Poppy McAllister runs her Aunt Ginny's Bed & Breakfast in Cape May, on the Jersey shore with her aunt. She loves to bake and does some baking on the side for both of her possible beaus, Gia and Tim, (she cannot decide which fellow she likes better) at their businesses. They are hosting a few guests who are in town for a local wine tour while others on the tour are staying elsewhere. When a guest is murdered at a local winery, she is asked by the detective to keep her ears open for clues to the murderer and even has Poppy house the whole tour group. She and her best friend Sawyer work together to find answers but they aren't alone as Aunt Ginny and her old lady friends or biddies want to help out. This is a mystery filled with lots of possible persons of interest and the deceased is not a likable person. The answer to the mystery is not at all as I had thought so that was fun. There is a great cast of characters with the biddies, wacky new chambermaid, and even a guest's small Pomeranian Tammy Faye Baker and Poppy's cat Figaro along with an unusual group of tourists. And there is a shocking end that will make folks want to read the next book.
I enjoyed this story and plan to go back and read the previous stories in the series.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts are mine only.
I enjoyed this story and plan to go back and read the previous stories in the series.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts are mine only.
July 1, 2021
Wine Tastings Are Murder by Libby Klein is the fifth installment in the cozy A Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Each book of this series has a new mystery to be solved by the main character so they can be read and understood as a standalone if choosing to do so. Of course as with any continuing series there is some character development that would be missed if not reading from the beginning.
In this series readers were introduced to Poppy McAllister who is a forty something widow who moved back to her hometown of Cape May after the death of her husband. Poppy returned to be near her elderly Aunt Ginny and has made a living for herself baking gluten-free goodies to sell and running the bed and breakfast they opened after converting Aunt Ginny’s home.
Now Poppy is still splitting her time between not one but two suitors as she runs the bed and breakfast and tries to keep her Aunt Ginny out of trouble. Poppy is hosting a few members of a large tour group at the B&B but when the group heads out to a winery for a tasting one of the members has what seems like a heart attack. When the police are called in though Poppy finds out that it may have been murder and promises her old nemesis now police officer that she will help get to the bottom of the murder.
I have followed the A Poppy McAllister Mystery series from the beginning and rank Aunt Ginny up there as one of my favorite cozy characters loving her hilarious antics. Poppy is a favorite too however I’m not a fan of the continuing love triangle in the story but hopefully it’s coming to an end soon as it left off with a bit of a cliffhanger on that part of the character development side of the books. Regardless I will keep coming back each time for the humour and the fun mysteries.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In this series readers were introduced to Poppy McAllister who is a forty something widow who moved back to her hometown of Cape May after the death of her husband. Poppy returned to be near her elderly Aunt Ginny and has made a living for herself baking gluten-free goodies to sell and running the bed and breakfast they opened after converting Aunt Ginny’s home.
Now Poppy is still splitting her time between not one but two suitors as she runs the bed and breakfast and tries to keep her Aunt Ginny out of trouble. Poppy is hosting a few members of a large tour group at the B&B but when the group heads out to a winery for a tasting one of the members has what seems like a heart attack. When the police are called in though Poppy finds out that it may have been murder and promises her old nemesis now police officer that she will help get to the bottom of the murder.
I have followed the A Poppy McAllister Mystery series from the beginning and rank Aunt Ginny up there as one of my favorite cozy characters loving her hilarious antics. Poppy is a favorite too however I’m not a fan of the continuing love triangle in the story but hopefully it’s coming to an end soon as it left off with a bit of a cliffhanger on that part of the character development side of the books. Regardless I will keep coming back each time for the humour and the fun mysteries.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 21, 2020
Mini Review: I adore this series so much! Poppy McAllister and the gang are hilarious and watching them sleuth is so much fun. It's books like this that make me LOVE the cozy genre! I highly recommend this entire series.
September 20, 2020
Author Libby Klein offers up her trademark blend of humor mixed in with a murder mystery in this fifth installment of the popular Poppy McAlister Mystery series. Will Poppy choose between her beau’s Gia and Tim in this book? I’m team Gia all the way!
The South Jersey Wine Tour has filled the rooms at Aunt Ginny’s Butterfly Wings Bed & Breakfast with an eclectic cast of guest characters. Figaro, Poppy’s cat, is not happy with the arrival of the tiny teacup Pomeranian one of the visitors brings along. During the wine tour, a guest dies suspiciously but everyone says they saw nothing unusual happen.
Full of laugh-out loud scenes including the crazy antics of Aunt Ginny and her bawdy group of elderly friends! They remind me of watching old ‘I Love Lucy’ re-runs! There are so many conniving characters it’s like a wild goose chase choosing a suspect. The ending is a wily written masterpiece. Say whatttt, Gia?!?
The author also offers several delicious recipes for readers to try at the end of the story.
I honestly reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
The South Jersey Wine Tour has filled the rooms at Aunt Ginny’s Butterfly Wings Bed & Breakfast with an eclectic cast of guest characters. Figaro, Poppy’s cat, is not happy with the arrival of the tiny teacup Pomeranian one of the visitors brings along. During the wine tour, a guest dies suspiciously but everyone says they saw nothing unusual happen.
Full of laugh-out loud scenes including the crazy antics of Aunt Ginny and her bawdy group of elderly friends! They remind me of watching old ‘I Love Lucy’ re-runs! There are so many conniving characters it’s like a wild goose chase choosing a suspect. The ending is a wily written masterpiece. Say whatttt, Gia?!?
The author also offers several delicious recipes for readers to try at the end of the story.
I honestly reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
December 5, 2020
Wine Tasting are Murder by Libby Klein is the 5th book in A Poppy McAllister Mystery series, and another fun addition. I rated this book five stars because it made me laugh out loud the whole book. Nothing lifts my spirit more than a funny cozy mystery. Ms. Klein I love your sense of humor. Poppy and her Aunt Ginny are hosting a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour at their bed and breakfast. When a guest drops dead on a tour, the mystery begins. Not only is this book funny, it a great mystery too. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love funny cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 6, 2020
Poppy McAllister was back on my blog after missing out the last book in the series. Ah well, this book helped me bridge the gap as Poppy was still undecided about whom to choose. Her love life was like a grandfather’s clock, tick-tocking away with the pendulum swaying between the two guys.
With a B&B to run, Aunt Ginny to manage, and two hunks who wanted her body and her baked goods, she barely had time for her workouts. Add to that, obnoxious guests with their secrets and a handbag pom dog, her cup of woes overfloweth.
One of the guests dropped dead. He was poisoned, and it was up to Poppy and author Libby Klein to pen the most intriguing murder plotline along with some delish pastries. Yes… Recipes included. It wouldn’t be a cozy otherwise.
The story had suspects and red herrings. Poppy was all over it. And it was quite intriguing to see the two loves all over her. Aunt Ginny and her friends were a hoot in this book. They produced the largest of smiles and giggles from me.
Quite a fun murder mystery. It relieved my stress and kept me happy.
I had a EUREKA moment.
I hate love triangles. This had gone on for the past 5 books. I had THE BEST SOLUTION. Since Poppy couldn’t choose between Tim and Gia, why bother? Just change the genre; this book ought to be a COZY REVERSE HAREM where she could keep both the guys and love them equally. Problem solved. No more angst. I am quite a genius, ain’t I? 😂 😂
With a B&B to run, Aunt Ginny to manage, and two hunks who wanted her body and her baked goods, she barely had time for her workouts. Add to that, obnoxious guests with their secrets and a handbag pom dog, her cup of woes overfloweth.
One of the guests dropped dead. He was poisoned, and it was up to Poppy and author Libby Klein to pen the most intriguing murder plotline along with some delish pastries. Yes… Recipes included. It wouldn’t be a cozy otherwise.
The story had suspects and red herrings. Poppy was all over it. And it was quite intriguing to see the two loves all over her. Aunt Ginny and her friends were a hoot in this book. They produced the largest of smiles and giggles from me.
Quite a fun murder mystery. It relieved my stress and kept me happy.
I had a EUREKA moment.
I hate love triangles. This had gone on for the past 5 books. I had THE BEST SOLUTION. Since Poppy couldn’t choose between Tim and Gia, why bother? Just change the genre; this book ought to be a COZY REVERSE HAREM where she could keep both the guys and love them equally. Problem solved. No more angst. I am quite a genius, ain’t I? 😂 😂
November 23, 2020
This series always makes me laugh and drooling over the competition for Poppy's heart by Tim and Gia. I think I have mentioned I am Team Gia all the way, but will he do what it takes to win her heart? We do get to find out at the end of the book which one she chooses, but there is a bit of twist when she informs the lucky guy that he is her love. Let's just say it was a bit of a jaw-dropper for me but that is all I'm going to say and you will need to read the book to learn who she has chosen.
Aunt Ginny and her gaggle of friends are still a hoot and they discover a new interest....but I'm not telling you what that is either because it is quite comical how Poppy learns of this interest. There are some other antics this gang is up to and I like how everything is drawn out over the length of the book and not all at once. I am still quite surprised by what they can come up with to get into a bit of trouble.
The mystery portion was quite intriguing because quite a few potential murderers are discovered and any one of them could have done it. I enjoyed trying to decipher the clues but in the end, I had no idea who killed Vince. There are some very unlikeable characters, Vince included, and I hope that a certain character gets what is coming to him. No hints so as not to spoil anything.
Overall, I have really loved this series and the author leaves me on the hook breathlessly awaiting the next installment for the answer to the twist regarding Poppy's love life, a new adventure, and more delicious recipes to try.
We give this book 5 paws up.
Aunt Ginny and her gaggle of friends are still a hoot and they discover a new interest....but I'm not telling you what that is either because it is quite comical how Poppy learns of this interest. There are some other antics this gang is up to and I like how everything is drawn out over the length of the book and not all at once. I am still quite surprised by what they can come up with to get into a bit of trouble.
The mystery portion was quite intriguing because quite a few potential murderers are discovered and any one of them could have done it. I enjoyed trying to decipher the clues but in the end, I had no idea who killed Vince. There are some very unlikeable characters, Vince included, and I hope that a certain character gets what is coming to him. No hints so as not to spoil anything.
Overall, I have really loved this series and the author leaves me on the hook breathlessly awaiting the next installment for the answer to the twist regarding Poppy's love life, a new adventure, and more delicious recipes to try.
We give this book 5 paws up.
December 1, 2020
This is the 5th installment in the Poppy McAllister series. This was a very clever mystery with lots of twists which made it very hard to find out who the guilty party was. Guests Vince Baker and his trophy wife Sunny are in Cape May to enjoy a romantic getaway and are surprised when his daughter Alyce and her husband Ryan arrive. They are scheduled for their first wine tour the next day at the Laughing Gull Winery where her friend Kim works. When Vince dies at the winery of an apparent heart attack Kim calls Poppy and her friend Sawyer because the police were sent for. Amber (former cheerleader and now detective) is of course aggravated that Poppy is there but later enlists her help as she puts the entire tour group up at Poppy’s and Aunt Ginny’s B&B. A new housemaid, Sunny’s dog Tammy Faye (yep last name Baker..funny) and Aunt Ginny and her friends keep everything humorous. Poppy works with her friends to find out the real culprit but it was not obvious to me as there were clues pointing to everyone at one point or the other. Is Amber thawing towards Poppy? Never sure. There is also the love triangle of Poppy, Gia and Tim and who will she pick. Of course there is always a twist that keeps you hooked for the next installment. Can’t wait.
December 12, 2020
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Poppy McAllister is back along with her Aunt Ginny. Their B&B is open and they are hosting a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group. The members of the group are staying at various B&B’s, one couple is even staying at a campground in their RV. Vince and Sunny Baker along with her Pomeranian, Tammy Faye are staying at Poppy’s Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast. They are later joined by Vince’s daughter and her husband when they unexpectedly crash the party and join the tour. They are not happy with Vince’s new wife and make their displeasure clearly known.
The next day the tour group travels to the Laughing Gull Winery. In the middle of the tasting, Vince keels over dead. At first, everyone thinks he had a heart attack but the man was definitely poisoned and everyone in the room becomes a suspect. With one of her guests dead, Poppy adds catch a killer to her long to-do list. Wait! Could the killer be under her roof as well?
OMG! I laughed so hard several times while reading this book, One time I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. My funny bone was thoroughly tickled time and again.
Victory emerged from Aunt Ginny’s bedroom at the back of the kitchen wearing a low-cut French maid costume with thigh-high stockings.
Sawyer came in just in time to see me choke on my coffee. “Whoa!” Sawyer giggled and had to cover her mouth. “Oh, Poppy. That is so much better than I imagined.”
Aunt Ginny emerged behind Victory with a genuine feather duster in her hand. “Look it fits her. What? Why are you making that face?”
and
“The Bible says: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Aunt Ginny folded her arms across her chest and tried to stare me down.
“That’s not the Bible. That’s Spider-Man.”
Aunt Ginny narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure? I think it’s in the Bible.”
“Not unless there’s a chapter written by Stan Lee.”
Those are just two of my favorite scenes. There are many more.
Beyond the humor, Ms. Klein serves us such wonderful characters. Libby and her Aunt Ginny are two of my favorite cozy personalities. You never know what is going to come out of Ginny’s mouth or the antics she and her friends are going to get into. Think Golden Girls on steroids!
Poppy is still trying to decide between Gia and Tim while baking for each of their restaurants, running the B&B, trying to keep Ginny in line, and now investigating another murder. She gets stronger in each story. Her sleuthing is improving too.
All the supporting characters are developing nicely. The new characters that are introduced are quite a crew. All seem to be hiding something. They were all very well-crafted. The pet characters are great too! Figuro may have met his match!
The mystery to solve was so much fun with a plethora of twists and turns. To avoid spoilers I won’t say more but the big reveal was epic and a total surprise. I loved it!!
This entire series is fantastic. I anxiously await each new book. Wine Tastings Are Murder is stellar, captivating, hilarious, and a must-read. The ending also sets up a huge cliffhanger! So now I am counting down the days until June 29, 2021. The day Beauty Expos Are Murder hits store shelves! 203 days!
Wine Tastings Are Murder is definitely one of the best books I have read this year and receives my Paradise Rating!
Poppy McAllister is back along with her Aunt Ginny. Their B&B is open and they are hosting a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group. The members of the group are staying at various B&B’s, one couple is even staying at a campground in their RV. Vince and Sunny Baker along with her Pomeranian, Tammy Faye are staying at Poppy’s Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast. They are later joined by Vince’s daughter and her husband when they unexpectedly crash the party and join the tour. They are not happy with Vince’s new wife and make their displeasure clearly known.
The next day the tour group travels to the Laughing Gull Winery. In the middle of the tasting, Vince keels over dead. At first, everyone thinks he had a heart attack but the man was definitely poisoned and everyone in the room becomes a suspect. With one of her guests dead, Poppy adds catch a killer to her long to-do list. Wait! Could the killer be under her roof as well?
OMG! I laughed so hard several times while reading this book, One time I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. My funny bone was thoroughly tickled time and again.
Victory emerged from Aunt Ginny’s bedroom at the back of the kitchen wearing a low-cut French maid costume with thigh-high stockings.
Sawyer came in just in time to see me choke on my coffee. “Whoa!” Sawyer giggled and had to cover her mouth. “Oh, Poppy. That is so much better than I imagined.”
Aunt Ginny emerged behind Victory with a genuine feather duster in her hand. “Look it fits her. What? Why are you making that face?”
and
“The Bible says: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Aunt Ginny folded her arms across her chest and tried to stare me down.
“That’s not the Bible. That’s Spider-Man.”
Aunt Ginny narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure? I think it’s in the Bible.”
“Not unless there’s a chapter written by Stan Lee.”
Those are just two of my favorite scenes. There are many more.
Beyond the humor, Ms. Klein serves us such wonderful characters. Libby and her Aunt Ginny are two of my favorite cozy personalities. You never know what is going to come out of Ginny’s mouth or the antics she and her friends are going to get into. Think Golden Girls on steroids!
Poppy is still trying to decide between Gia and Tim while baking for each of their restaurants, running the B&B, trying to keep Ginny in line, and now investigating another murder. She gets stronger in each story. Her sleuthing is improving too.
All the supporting characters are developing nicely. The new characters that are introduced are quite a crew. All seem to be hiding something. They were all very well-crafted. The pet characters are great too! Figuro may have met his match!
The mystery to solve was so much fun with a plethora of twists and turns. To avoid spoilers I won’t say more but the big reveal was epic and a total surprise. I loved it!!
This entire series is fantastic. I anxiously await each new book. Wine Tastings Are Murder is stellar, captivating, hilarious, and a must-read. The ending also sets up a huge cliffhanger! So now I am counting down the days until June 29, 2021. The day Beauty Expos Are Murder hits store shelves! 203 days!
Wine Tastings Are Murder is definitely one of the best books I have read this year and receives my Paradise Rating!
November 15, 2020
The trifecta of entertainment - a well plotted mystery, humor and uncertain romance. I also liked the colorful characters and the fact that the murder did not occur near the beginning of the book. Thus, I spent the first part of the story trying to decide who was going to be killed and then the rest trying to figure out who was guilty. The cliffhanger at the end was great too.
Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 5, 2020
I've been reading this series from the beginning and I love the characters. Aunt Ginny is hilarious. The mysteries are well done with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. In the last few books, however, the love triangle has begun to take over the mystery. I picked up this book and was hoping the relationship issue would be resolved. I was heartened to see that as the book was coming to a close I finally got a resolution to the relationship issue. My relief was short-lived as the author through in a twist that left me very disappointed. I feel like the author has lost the focus on this being a cozy mystery series and this has become more of a romance with a character who happens to solve a mystery. After five books I think I will be reevaluating whether I continue to read the series.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. The opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. The opinions are my own.
July 17, 2022
Immensely enjoyable mystery. Libby Klein keeps me laughing out loud from beginning to end. The main character, Poppy, is great but Aunt Ginny is one of my favorite cozy mystery sidekicks of all time. From her crazy outfits to her hilarious wit, I cannot get enough of her and she should have her own series. Hint, Hint. A girl can dream. Until then, I will continue to enjoy Poppy's sleuthing adventures and her man problems.
August 29, 2021
Omgosh, this book was hilarious! I was laughing out loud throughout most of it. Great storyline and a series of very complex, interesting suspects. And a protagonist that I would want to be best friends with. As a plus-size gal myself, I could very much relate to all the struggles with weight and self-esteem that Poppy was dealing with. She has such a great support system; her Aunt Ginny(who is such a hoot! Love her!)and her two BFFs...Sawyer and Kim. Oh, and I mustn't forget...the biddies! The ending kind of surprised me, but it made sense. This is the first book in the series that I have read and I am looking forward to reading the rest!
November 12, 2022
NO LIBBY KLEIN! YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT LEAVE ME ON THIS CLIFF HANGER!!!!!!!!!!
PREMISE: In this 5th book in the Poppy McAllister series, Poppy has some guests staying at the B&B she runs with her Aunt Ginny who are going on a wine tasting tour. Vince Baker and his younger wife Sunny are on their happy moon and can't wait for the tour to begin! That is, until Vince winds up dead at the first wine tasting! Detective Amber has asked Poppy to be her informant on the case - so Poppy, Aunt Ginny and the Biddies do what they can to crack the case!
THOUGHTS: This is probably the first cozy I've given 4 stars to despite my not enjoying the mystery. I love the cozy side of the series and this book was no exception. Now Im not a fan of love triangles, but for some reason Poppy's love triangle with Gia and Tim doesn't upset me at all. The ending was OMG SO GOOD! (It's one of those books that is worth the slog - in this case for me, the slog of the mystery - to get to the ending) (spoilers below)
Fantastic book despite the mystery,
4 Stars!
xoxo.
PREMISE: In this 5th book in the Poppy McAllister series, Poppy has some guests staying at the B&B she runs with her Aunt Ginny who are going on a wine tasting tour. Vince Baker and his younger wife Sunny are on their happy moon and can't wait for the tour to begin! That is, until Vince winds up dead at the first wine tasting! Detective Amber has asked Poppy to be her informant on the case - so Poppy, Aunt Ginny and the Biddies do what they can to crack the case!
THOUGHTS: This is probably the first cozy I've given 4 stars to despite my not enjoying the mystery. I love the cozy side of the series and this book was no exception. Now Im not a fan of love triangles, but for some reason Poppy's love triangle with Gia and Tim doesn't upset me at all. The ending was OMG SO GOOD! (It's one of those books that is worth the slog - in this case for me, the slog of the mystery - to get to the ending) (spoilers below)
Fantastic book despite the mystery,
4 Stars!
xoxo.
December 31, 2020
Synopsis:
It's vintage Poppy McAllister when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery . . .
When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood--he's filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he's been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen!
"Fans of Chopped will have fun juggling the complicated set of suspects and following a romantic triangle that has yet to be resolved."
-- Kirkus Reviews on Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Aunt Ginny and her friends are so funny and some of the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Figaro is up to his old tricks and made me smile. Poppy is still having trouble deciding between two suitors and I think that detracted from my enjoyment of the book a little bit.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to read about Figoro’s next shenanigans, and the humans too.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
It's vintage Poppy McAllister when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery . . .
When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood--he's filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he's been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen!
"Fans of Chopped will have fun juggling the complicated set of suspects and following a romantic triangle that has yet to be resolved."
-- Kirkus Reviews on Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Aunt Ginny and her friends are so funny and some of the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Figaro is up to his old tricks and made me smile. Poppy is still having trouble deciding between two suitors and I think that detracted from my enjoyment of the book a little bit.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to read about Figoro’s next shenanigans, and the humans too.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
October 19, 2020
WINE TASTINGS ARE MURDER, the fifth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is my new favorite out of them all! That said, I’ll get my one and only criticism out of the way upfront… I hate love triangles and feel like the protagonist, Poppy McAllister, has dragged out her choice 3 books too long. However, the author has used her wicked sense of humor, in the form of supporting characters, to poke fun at and address the love triangle which made it more palatable. And (I’m jumping ahead here) there is a resolution with a jaw-dropping twist. If you’re like me in this regard, hang in there because the ride is well worth it!
Ms. Klein’s knack for hitting the one-liner zingers with impeccable timing had me laughing out loud more times than I could count. While Poppy may be the “serious” character in the bunch, her inner thoughts, along with dialog, is laced with hilarity. And then there are the supporting characters, Poppy’s Aunt Ginny being the chief ringleader. Her zany antics, as she leads her band of biddies in their quest for mischief and mayhem, kept me entertained every step of the way. Thrown in for more laughs are a young Eastern European narcoleptic housemaid, a houseful of wine tasting tourists, and a battle between the resident cat, Figeraro, and the naughty visiting teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
Of course being a cozy mystery book there is a murder. One of the guests at Poppy’s B & B drops dead during a wine tasting event. The author’s attention to detail in setting up the murder and suspects is top notch and the clues and red herrings she plants are cleverly plotted. With plenty of suspects to keep a motivated reader guessing (I was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolded instead of trying to puzzle it out) the final reveal showcased another wickedly clever twist that takes the award for the most creative I’ve ever read!
Running a B & B along with dividing her time between providing gluten-free bakery items for a coffeehouse and desserts for a restaurant, Poppy spends a lot of time in the kitchen. All the mentions of food will leave the reader craving goodies and the author shares some of those recipes at the back of the book.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Klein’s knack for hitting the one-liner zingers with impeccable timing had me laughing out loud more times than I could count. While Poppy may be the “serious” character in the bunch, her inner thoughts, along with dialog, is laced with hilarity. And then there are the supporting characters, Poppy’s Aunt Ginny being the chief ringleader. Her zany antics, as she leads her band of biddies in their quest for mischief and mayhem, kept me entertained every step of the way. Thrown in for more laughs are a young Eastern European narcoleptic housemaid, a houseful of wine tasting tourists, and a battle between the resident cat, Figeraro, and the naughty visiting teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
Of course being a cozy mystery book there is a murder. One of the guests at Poppy’s B & B drops dead during a wine tasting event. The author’s attention to detail in setting up the murder and suspects is top notch and the clues and red herrings she plants are cleverly plotted. With plenty of suspects to keep a motivated reader guessing (I was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolded instead of trying to puzzle it out) the final reveal showcased another wickedly clever twist that takes the award for the most creative I’ve ever read!
Running a B & B along with dividing her time between providing gluten-free bakery items for a coffeehouse and desserts for a restaurant, Poppy spends a lot of time in the kitchen. All the mentions of food will leave the reader craving goodies and the author shares some of those recipes at the back of the book.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 24, 2020
"Wine Tastings Are Murder" the 5th instalment in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein. I love this series and I think this was best one yet.
I love visiting the Jersey Shore and Poppy, Sawyer, Aunt Ginny, and the "Biddies"! Plus we cant forget about her mischievous cat, Figuro! This time around a tiny fluff ball called Tammy Faye joins in the chaos at the B&B not to mention Alexa insert laughing...
I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I can’t wait till the next instalment comes out and finding out what Poppy does next after declaring her love. What a surprise ending didn’t see that coming!
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love visiting the Jersey Shore and Poppy, Sawyer, Aunt Ginny, and the "Biddies"! Plus we cant forget about her mischievous cat, Figuro! This time around a tiny fluff ball called Tammy Faye joins in the chaos at the B&B not to mention Alexa insert laughing...
I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I can’t wait till the next instalment comes out and finding out what Poppy does next after declaring her love. What a surprise ending didn’t see that coming!
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 23, 2021
If I could give Wine Tastings are Murder more than 5 stars, I would! Like a fine wine, this cozy mystery – the fifth in Libby Klein’s Poppy McAllister series – hits all the right notes. It is suspenseful and funny, heartwarming and engaging. And did I mention the humor? Every bit is done to perfection.
In this installment, Poppy has teamed up with a local winery to offer wine tastings to a tour group, some of whom are staying at her B&B. When Vince Baker, one of the tour members, is murdered at the winery, suspicion falls on Sunny, his much-younger wife. As it turns out, Vince is not a nice guy, and there are many, including his own daughter and son-in-law, with motive to kill him. Fearing that the winery will be shut down, Poppy’s friend Kim enlists Poppy’s help in solving the crime, and, in a change of heart, detective Amber uses Poppy as her “confidential informant” to aid the police in its investigation.
This series has quickly become one of my favorites, and Wine Tastings are Murder is my favorite book yet. The mystery is engaging, with interrelated suspects, secret identities, multiple clues, and red herrings at every turn, with a resolution that you might not see coming! The writing is fast-paced, with the intensity cranking at every turning page. And the people . . . the people who populate these stories are so much fun! Poppy is smart and quick-witted, with just a touch of sarcasm. She acts rationally despite the circus that is her life. Her Aunt Ginny is up to her usual capers with the biddies. Aunt Ginny’s antics always illicit a smile (and often a laugh).
Usually, I have little patience with romantic triangles in cozy mysteries. Either they feel forced or it seems the protagonist should easily be able to pick between the two. But here, it is obvious why Poppy has such a dilemma. Tim and Gia are both solid characters. Should she hold onto the past or embrace the future? Just when it seems she has made a decision, we are left with a shocking cliffhanger.
A word of warning to those of you who may listen to audio using your Kindle fire. There is a gag throughout the book about Aunt Ginny’s use (or misuse) of the Alexa app. Hysterical as it is, it became even more so when my real-life Alexa app repeatedly paused the audiobook to respond (which in turn prompted the recording to stop and restart several times prior to continuing with the story). If you do want to listen to audio, be sure your Alexa device is not listening, too.
All in all, Wine Tastings are Murder is a fabulous book. I can hardly wait to read the next book in this delightful series!
In this installment, Poppy has teamed up with a local winery to offer wine tastings to a tour group, some of whom are staying at her B&B. When Vince Baker, one of the tour members, is murdered at the winery, suspicion falls on Sunny, his much-younger wife. As it turns out, Vince is not a nice guy, and there are many, including his own daughter and son-in-law, with motive to kill him. Fearing that the winery will be shut down, Poppy’s friend Kim enlists Poppy’s help in solving the crime, and, in a change of heart, detective Amber uses Poppy as her “confidential informant” to aid the police in its investigation.
This series has quickly become one of my favorites, and Wine Tastings are Murder is my favorite book yet. The mystery is engaging, with interrelated suspects, secret identities, multiple clues, and red herrings at every turn, with a resolution that you might not see coming! The writing is fast-paced, with the intensity cranking at every turning page. And the people . . . the people who populate these stories are so much fun! Poppy is smart and quick-witted, with just a touch of sarcasm. She acts rationally despite the circus that is her life. Her Aunt Ginny is up to her usual capers with the biddies. Aunt Ginny’s antics always illicit a smile (and often a laugh).
Usually, I have little patience with romantic triangles in cozy mysteries. Either they feel forced or it seems the protagonist should easily be able to pick between the two. But here, it is obvious why Poppy has such a dilemma. Tim and Gia are both solid characters. Should she hold onto the past or embrace the future? Just when it seems she has made a decision, we are left with a shocking cliffhanger.
A word of warning to those of you who may listen to audio using your Kindle fire. There is a gag throughout the book about Aunt Ginny’s use (or misuse) of the Alexa app. Hysterical as it is, it became even more so when my real-life Alexa app repeatedly paused the audiobook to respond (which in turn prompted the recording to stop and restart several times prior to continuing with the story). If you do want to listen to audio, be sure your Alexa device is not listening, too.
All in all, Wine Tastings are Murder is a fabulous book. I can hardly wait to read the next book in this delightful series!
November 30, 2020
Wine Tastings Are Murder is Libby Klein’s very enjoyable fifth novel, chock full of madness and mayhem in the ‘Poppy McAllister Mystery’ series. Although I have only read one other book in this series so far, I don’t think this spoilt my enjoyment of this particular one.
Poppy McAllister is a Bed & Breakfast owner and a baker of glorious gluten-free goodies. She and her Aunt Ginny have agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at the Butterfly House Bed & Breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey. Things go badly wrong very quickly when Vince Baker, a rich business tycoon and guest on honeymoon with his wife, Sunny, drops down dead...
Forty-odd-year-old, pastry chef, Poppy, the protagonist, lives with her elderly Aunt Ginny and Figaro, her mischievous cat. I found Poppy and many of the other characters very funny and likeable, so much so that I felt as though I would like to spend some time in their company myself! As someone who has read several cozies, Poppy’s Aunt Ginny has become one of my favourite cozy characters. She provided plenty of humour in this book and I love her zaniness, zest for life and her mischievous antics.
I liked that the opening chapters drew me into the story and captured my attention immediately. Although I had to wait a while before an actual murder took place, there was never a dull moment with such a lot going on. The mystery itself was well thought out with plenty of twists and turns as I puzzled over the clues to discover the perpetrator. With a love triangle and oodles of mouthwatering recipes, some of which contain wine, (the Gluten-Free Moscato Cheesecake Shooters with Drunken Blackberries sound very appealing!) there was plenty to keep the reader entertained.
The book had a natural, steady pace, and even though the murder occurred later than expected in the book, I was kept guessing until the surprising reveal. Delightful and entertaining, Wine Tastings Are Murder is a highly recommended, quick, light read for all cozy mystery fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Poppy McAllister is a Bed & Breakfast owner and a baker of glorious gluten-free goodies. She and her Aunt Ginny have agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at the Butterfly House Bed & Breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey. Things go badly wrong very quickly when Vince Baker, a rich business tycoon and guest on honeymoon with his wife, Sunny, drops down dead...
Forty-odd-year-old, pastry chef, Poppy, the protagonist, lives with her elderly Aunt Ginny and Figaro, her mischievous cat. I found Poppy and many of the other characters very funny and likeable, so much so that I felt as though I would like to spend some time in their company myself! As someone who has read several cozies, Poppy’s Aunt Ginny has become one of my favourite cozy characters. She provided plenty of humour in this book and I love her zaniness, zest for life and her mischievous antics.
I liked that the opening chapters drew me into the story and captured my attention immediately. Although I had to wait a while before an actual murder took place, there was never a dull moment with such a lot going on. The mystery itself was well thought out with plenty of twists and turns as I puzzled over the clues to discover the perpetrator. With a love triangle and oodles of mouthwatering recipes, some of which contain wine, (the Gluten-Free Moscato Cheesecake Shooters with Drunken Blackberries sound very appealing!) there was plenty to keep the reader entertained.
The book had a natural, steady pace, and even though the murder occurred later than expected in the book, I was kept guessing until the surprising reveal. Delightful and entertaining, Wine Tastings Are Murder is a highly recommended, quick, light read for all cozy mystery fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 2, 2020
Book 5 in the Poppy McAllister mystery series is another intriguing, funny, delicious installment.
Okay, let’s get to the juicy murder mystery. Who killed Vince? Well, an easier question would be, who didn’t want Vince dead?! Is it his young, trophy wife? What about his spoilt daughter or her insufferable husband? Wait, other guests in this tour and residents of Cape May knew him too? What? There are suspects, suspects and then more suspects. Maybe a couple of them are connected? Maybe it just seems like they might be? Is everyone who or what they purport to be? While uncovering all these possible suspects, possible motives and trying to figure out just who had the best motive, you’ll also be treated to the investigative shenanigans of Poppy and her friends. Everything comes out in the Miss Marple-esque big reveal towards the end. I loved it!
Whether you want keto, paleo or regular, Poppy has a pastry cooking up to please your palate. I really wouldn’t mind trying some of those cakes and tarts she was busy describing and serving. The food, is certainly featured throughout the story but not in way that detracts from the mystery.
The romance: If you’ve read even one of the books in this series, you’ll know all about the Tim-Gia-Poppy triangle. Ugh! Finally we pretty much come to an end of the drama but there’s a twist. Sigh. I wanted this part of the story properly over and done with and for us to move into Book 6 with a ‘happy’ couple. Ah well, it still makes for some fun stories… for the most part.
Aunt Ginny and her friends are up to their usual antics, even if a bit crazier than usual. Umm, burlesque dancing exercise? My oh my… the visuals. But I dare you to read it and keep a straight face!
Overall Wine Tastings are Murder is another well-plotted, entertaining instalment in this series. I highly recommend it.
Okay, let’s get to the juicy murder mystery. Who killed Vince? Well, an easier question would be, who didn’t want Vince dead?! Is it his young, trophy wife? What about his spoilt daughter or her insufferable husband? Wait, other guests in this tour and residents of Cape May knew him too? What? There are suspects, suspects and then more suspects. Maybe a couple of them are connected? Maybe it just seems like they might be? Is everyone who or what they purport to be? While uncovering all these possible suspects, possible motives and trying to figure out just who had the best motive, you’ll also be treated to the investigative shenanigans of Poppy and her friends. Everything comes out in the Miss Marple-esque big reveal towards the end. I loved it!
Whether you want keto, paleo or regular, Poppy has a pastry cooking up to please your palate. I really wouldn’t mind trying some of those cakes and tarts she was busy describing and serving. The food, is certainly featured throughout the story but not in way that detracts from the mystery.
The romance: If you’ve read even one of the books in this series, you’ll know all about the Tim-Gia-Poppy triangle. Ugh! Finally we pretty much come to an end of the drama but there’s a twist. Sigh. I wanted this part of the story properly over and done with and for us to move into Book 6 with a ‘happy’ couple. Ah well, it still makes for some fun stories… for the most part.
Aunt Ginny and her friends are up to their usual antics, even if a bit crazier than usual. Umm, burlesque dancing exercise? My oh my… the visuals. But I dare you to read it and keep a straight face!
Overall Wine Tastings are Murder is another well-plotted, entertaining instalment in this series. I highly recommend it.
August 12, 2020
This was the fifth book in the series but the first one I’ve read. It was pretty good as a stand-alone but I probably would have appreciated sone of the characters and their relationships a little better if I read the previous books.
In this book Vince, a guest at Poppy’s B&B, is murdered when the group is there for a wine tasting tour. His obnoxious squabbling family members give multiple suspects right off the bat. When Poppy’s friend Kim appears to be a suspect, Poppy does some sleuthing of her own to find out who killed Vince. The whodunit keeps you guessing until almost the end!
I thought Poppy was a wonderful character and Aunt Ginny had me laughing out loud a few times. The only downfall to me was what seemed to be a little bit of excessive drama surrounding Poppy’s romance but that may be my general annoyance about love triangles in general. Along with Aunt Ginny being my favorite character in the book, I loved the cat Figaro and just the general hilarity of some of the antics Poppy and friends got into. I’ll have to go back and read the other books in the series.
In this book Vince, a guest at Poppy’s B&B, is murdered when the group is there for a wine tasting tour. His obnoxious squabbling family members give multiple suspects right off the bat. When Poppy’s friend Kim appears to be a suspect, Poppy does some sleuthing of her own to find out who killed Vince. The whodunit keeps you guessing until almost the end!
I thought Poppy was a wonderful character and Aunt Ginny had me laughing out loud a few times. The only downfall to me was what seemed to be a little bit of excessive drama surrounding Poppy’s romance but that may be my general annoyance about love triangles in general. Along with Aunt Ginny being my favorite character in the book, I loved the cat Figaro and just the general hilarity of some of the antics Poppy and friends got into. I’ll have to go back and read the other books in the series.
December 8, 2020
Often madcap humor pops up in cozy mysteries, but I have never been a fan. However, I absolutely love Poppy McAllister, her Aunt Ginny and all the rest of the characters . The humor is just right and never goes to far. Pilot's B&B is opening for business and her first set of clients would tax the patience of a saint. Then one of them dies on a winery tour and Poppy gets roped into investigating. The series is a winner, as is this book. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2020
Poor Poppy!! She's got her hands full (again)! Not only does one of her guests gets himself murdered (you think she’d be used to this by now), but her cat is still naughty as all get out, Aunt Ginny is loopier than ever, Alexa has caused heaps of trouble (well, that was mostly Aunt Ginny’s fault), and to top it all off she still on that godforsaken gluten free diet!! What could be worse than all of that? You’ll have to read Wine Tastings are Murder to find out!!
Not only does this book contain a well-planned mystery but the author also threw in lots of humor, a love triangle, and oodles of mouthwatering recipes (which ALL contain…you guessed it…WINE)!!
I highly recommend this series if you want to laugh your butt off while reading a fun cozy mystery with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
***NOTE-Do yourself a favor and read the previous books in this series BEFORE reading this one. You won’t want to miss a single morsel of this binge-worthy series!!
Not only does this book contain a well-planned mystery but the author also threw in lots of humor, a love triangle, and oodles of mouthwatering recipes (which ALL contain…you guessed it…WINE)!!
I highly recommend this series if you want to laugh your butt off while reading a fun cozy mystery with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
***NOTE-Do yourself a favor and read the previous books in this series BEFORE reading this one. You won’t want to miss a single morsel of this binge-worthy series!!
October 6, 2024
"Wine Tastings Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery #5)" by Libby Klein got a bit Agatha Christie. I won't say which one since that would give too much away in the ending. This one wasn't quite as funny as previous ones either. There were some funny moments with Aunt Jenny and her Alexa device, got a bit of the Aunt Jenny nighttime antics again. Figaro gets a playmate, of sorts, in a toy Pomeranian. There's also a new chamber maid that doesn't quite understand her job and seems to suffer from narcolepsy.
The mystery comes about when one of Poppy's guests seems to die of heart failure while out on a wine tour. Poppy gets called in because he's one of her guests and also one of the only places in town that the police can house all the suspects while they need them around. Poppy and the Biddies get roped into spying on the guest. For once actually kind of being asked to do it.
The mystery comes about when one of Poppy's guests seems to die of heart failure while out on a wine tour. Poppy gets called in because he's one of her guests and also one of the only places in town that the police can house all the suspects while they need them around. Poppy and the Biddies get roped into spying on the guest. For once actually kind of being asked to do it.
April 27, 2021
Vintage Poppy! Just what I needed, a madcap mystery with plenty of laughs. If you're new to the series, go back and start with book one, because there's a whopper of a plot development at the end of this book. Keep them coming, Libby Klein!
December 7, 2020
Omg...I need the next one..
June 24, 2021
Fantastic! I love this series!
February 23, 2023
Mystery itself was ok. Figaro the cat and Tammy Faye the dog were adorable. The side characters like Aunt Ginny and BFF Sunny were funny. The bit about the curse and the semi-vindictive fortune teller was funny, and I like the workout Sunny signed Poppy up for.
As a character, Poppy was ok. But her whole dilemma between the two men Gia and Tim was just meh. Like she was honest with both of them that she couldn't decide whom she wanted, but my goodness, so much drama with both men, like I don't see the appeal of either.
Minor spoilers on the romance subplots from here on in:
Boh men had subplots where they were trying to make Poppy jealous (or in Tim's case, at least Poppy's jealousy turned out to be unfounded), and then they both keep apologizing to Poppy and promising to make it up to her, which, like, is the rule that SHE'S not exclusive but THEY have to be? Which fine, nice inversion on the trope, but both men were just so meh. Maybe they were more appealing in earlier books? And this subplot just made Poppy a bit meh too coz ugh, you're an adult woman, not a teenage boy, make up your mind or live your life with someone else altogether.
And then she and Sunny were so mean to the potential rivals in the men's lives, like I get that the other Chef with Tim (Jess?) had history with Poppy where she posted a bad review that affected Poppy's business, so okay I get the tension there. But Sierra the young barista who kept flirting with Gia -- like, she's half your age, Poppy! How petty are you that you knock milk onto her and laugh when your BFF orders a stupidly complicated drink? Grow up!
And so at the end of the book, So, you know, the romance drama is amping up yet again, and I'm just so over all of it.
3 stars for the mystery and the fun comedic bits, but the way the love triangle is handled turned me off, and I don't think I'll dip into this series again.
As a character, Poppy was ok. But her whole dilemma between the two men Gia and Tim was just meh. Like she was honest with both of them that she couldn't decide whom she wanted, but my goodness, so much drama with both men, like I don't see the appeal of either.
Minor spoilers on the romance subplots from here on in:
Boh men had subplots where they were trying to make Poppy jealous (or in Tim's case, at least Poppy's jealousy turned out to be unfounded), and then they both keep apologizing to Poppy and promising to make it up to her, which, like, is the rule that SHE'S not exclusive but THEY have to be? Which fine, nice inversion on the trope, but both men were just so meh. Maybe they were more appealing in earlier books? And this subplot just made Poppy a bit meh too coz ugh, you're an adult woman, not a teenage boy, make up your mind or live your life with someone else altogether.
And then she and Sunny were so mean to the potential rivals in the men's lives, like I get that the other Chef with Tim (Jess?) had history with Poppy where she posted a bad review that affected Poppy's business, so okay I get the tension there. But Sierra the young barista who kept flirting with Gia -- like, she's half your age, Poppy! How petty are you that you knock milk onto her and laugh when your BFF orders a stupidly complicated drink? Grow up!
And so at the end of the book, So, you know, the romance drama is amping up yet again, and I'm just so over all of it.
3 stars for the mystery and the fun comedic bits, but the way the love triangle is handled turned me off, and I don't think I'll dip into this series again.
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