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Curtis and Reynolds #3
Zero Chill
Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds, now living together, are more than happy to put the days of their turbulent courtship behind them, trading hospital rooms and jail cells for quiet nights in front of a crackling fire. With the holidays upon them they are looking forward to celebrating with friends and family, intimate moments alone, and festive surprises.
Surprise! Nothing says Christmas like a frozen body and Corey must defrost one in order to close out her next case. The discovery of the deceased’s possible connection to Thayer inflames the still healing wounds of their recent trauma and sends them both reeling back into a world of uncertainty and turmoil.
Their quiet winter turns heated when Thayer makes questionable decisions in an effort to regain her peace of mind and Corey becomes the voice of reason. Despite her misgivings Corey agrees to help Thayer chase the shadows from her rattled confidence by nosing around another investigation which may or may not be connected to the death of a prominent member of the city.
With her best friend in tow and the police not far behind, Corey ends up in the unlikeliest of places—a church. Along the way hate and violence erupt, and corruption abounds, but from the ashes new relationships are kindled and even the darkest moments are no match for Corey and Thayer’s love.
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Editor: Ann Roberts
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
Surprise! Nothing says Christmas like a frozen body and Corey must defrost one in order to close out her next case. The discovery of the deceased’s possible connection to Thayer inflames the still healing wounds of their recent trauma and sends them both reeling back into a world of uncertainty and turmoil.
Their quiet winter turns heated when Thayer makes questionable decisions in an effort to regain her peace of mind and Corey becomes the voice of reason. Despite her misgivings Corey agrees to help Thayer chase the shadows from her rattled confidence by nosing around another investigation which may or may not be connected to the death of a prominent member of the city.
With her best friend in tow and the police not far behind, Corey ends up in the unlikeliest of places—a church. Along the way hate and violence erupt, and corruption abounds, but from the ashes new relationships are kindled and even the darkest moments are no match for Corey and Thayer’s love.
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Editor: Ann Roberts
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
228 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2021
12 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Elizabeth
9 books168 followersCarolyn Elizabeth is an author of Sapphic stories where serious camp meets upbeat macabre. Her sarcasm and love of pop culture are sprinkled throughout her stories and she would love to publish at least one novel in every sub-genre.
Carolyn once bungee jumped in the parking lot of a bar in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. She’s been a bridesmaid five times and a bride once. She’s sailed a tall ship, spent a night in jail, gotten many tattoos, been scuba diving twice, and fired a handgun.
For fun, she used to play winter rugby 7’s in an indoor horse arena in New Hampshire. She’s been to Savannah, Georgia for Saint Patrick’s Day, and been on a medical mission to northern Argentina.
Carolyn is a mom of two rambunctious boys, living in London, Ontario and working in cancer research. She enjoys weaving elements of her colorful and diverse life experiences, including her education in pathology, into her romantic blend fiction.
Carolyn once bungee jumped in the parking lot of a bar in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. She’s been a bridesmaid five times and a bride once. She’s sailed a tall ship, spent a night in jail, gotten many tattoos, been scuba diving twice, and fired a handgun.
For fun, she used to play winter rugby 7’s in an indoor horse arena in New Hampshire. She’s been to Savannah, Georgia for Saint Patrick’s Day, and been on a medical mission to northern Argentina.
Carolyn is a mom of two rambunctious boys, living in London, Ontario and working in cancer research. She enjoys weaving elements of her colorful and diverse life experiences, including her education in pathology, into her romantic blend fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 29, 2022
**'Some writers tells stories about themselves inside their heads but then in print they are totally different..This is why some are natural-born storytellers...'
Average read!
A mediocre 3rd book. Disappointed with how Corey is portrayed -- do not make her so gullible plus the entire plotline or the many that i read were a bit frustrating. Give me Corey from the two previous books.
Average read!
A mediocre 3rd book. Disappointed with how Corey is portrayed -- do not make her so gullible plus the entire plotline or the many that i read were a bit frustrating. Give me Corey from the two previous books.
April 3, 2021
It’s great to be back with Corey and Thayer. I’ve been complaining lately about having trouble connecting to books. I was even worried that I might be on the edge of a book slump if I didn’t get something working very soon. I figured what better knight in shining armor to help me fight off that slump than one of my current favorite authors, Carolyn Elizabeth. Elizabeth, while still early in her career, had an amazing year last year with both Dirt Nap and The Other Side of Forestlands Lake. These two fantastic books were some of the best I’d read all year. While I have to admit I didn’t find this new book to be quite on that same level, I still loved spending more time with Corey and Thayer. This was the very enjoyable read that I sure needed.
This is the third book in the Curtis and Reynolds series. While I personally always recommend reading books in order, I think it is important in this case. If you are new to this series you should really start at book one, Gallows Humor and then Dirt Nap before this. For one, the books are wonderful so trust me you won’t mind starting at the beginning. Secondly, there are events that took place in Dirt Nap that are still affecting the characters in this book. I won’t spoiler anything but one character clearly has some PTSD. If you don’t read about what happened to her, you won’t really understand what she is going through. Plus, the main character’s romantic relationship has really grown and you would miss seeing that growth if you just started reading here. It’s a wonderful series so it is absolutely worth reading all of it.
While this series has little thriller and mystery moments, I would classify this as a medical romance first. If you are not big on thrillers, don’t let that put you off this. The romance and the characters really are the heart of this series. Elizabeth’s characters are not only likeable but you really care about them. Even the secondary characters are so well written that you actual give a damn about what is happening in their lives too. Let’s put it this way, if more authors wrote characters as wonderful as Elizabeth does, I would not be talking about fighting off a reading slump.
I did mention that this was not my favorite book of the series so I want to touch on why. This book felt almost like a rest book. Like Corey and Thayer needed their hijinks to be less crazy and death-defying. They needed a bit of a breather so the mystery was very small and not nearly as exciting as Dirt Nap was. If anything, this book focused on their relationship and a possible new relationship for a secondary character us readers know and like. I completely get why Elizabeth chose this and I think she needed a calmer book after what her characters had been through. As a mystery and thriller fan, it just wasn’t as exciting to me. I also could have used a few more morgue and hospital scenes since the medical parts are always so well done.
In the end I really enjoyed this read. I read this book in one sitting not wanting to put the book down for a minute. While this won’t be the highest rated book of the series, it still held up to my ridiculously high expectations of a favorite series. I needed a good read today and it sure put a smile on my face.
A copy was given to me for a review.
This is the third book in the Curtis and Reynolds series. While I personally always recommend reading books in order, I think it is important in this case. If you are new to this series you should really start at book one, Gallows Humor and then Dirt Nap before this. For one, the books are wonderful so trust me you won’t mind starting at the beginning. Secondly, there are events that took place in Dirt Nap that are still affecting the characters in this book. I won’t spoiler anything but one character clearly has some PTSD. If you don’t read about what happened to her, you won’t really understand what she is going through. Plus, the main character’s romantic relationship has really grown and you would miss seeing that growth if you just started reading here. It’s a wonderful series so it is absolutely worth reading all of it.
While this series has little thriller and mystery moments, I would classify this as a medical romance first. If you are not big on thrillers, don’t let that put you off this. The romance and the characters really are the heart of this series. Elizabeth’s characters are not only likeable but you really care about them. Even the secondary characters are so well written that you actual give a damn about what is happening in their lives too. Let’s put it this way, if more authors wrote characters as wonderful as Elizabeth does, I would not be talking about fighting off a reading slump.
I did mention that this was not my favorite book of the series so I want to touch on why. This book felt almost like a rest book. Like Corey and Thayer needed their hijinks to be less crazy and death-defying. They needed a bit of a breather so the mystery was very small and not nearly as exciting as Dirt Nap was. If anything, this book focused on their relationship and a possible new relationship for a secondary character us readers know and like. I completely get why Elizabeth chose this and I think she needed a calmer book after what her characters had been through. As a mystery and thriller fan, it just wasn’t as exciting to me. I also could have used a few more morgue and hospital scenes since the medical parts are always so well done.
In the end I really enjoyed this read. I read this book in one sitting not wanting to put the book down for a minute. While this won’t be the highest rated book of the series, it still held up to my ridiculously high expectations of a favorite series. I needed a good read today and it sure put a smile on my face.
A copy was given to me for a review.
January 17, 2022
Edit: January, 17th, 2022, audiobook review: 4⭐️
I already reviewed the book so I’ll focus on the narration. This audiobook contains one of my most favourite and one of my least favourite voices by Lori Prince.
I’ll start with the latter so I can end this review on something that brings me joy. Corey’s voice. I didn’t remember Corey sounding so much like a fourteen-year-old boy (not the sweet, uncertain kind, the pushy and puffed up crowd). She’s too clever and strong to sound so nonchalant and obnoxious all the time.
Thayer, on the other hand… All my thoughts on that voice come in hot emojis and fainting gifs. I can’t be articulate about a voice like this one. All I want is to close my eyes and listen to it all day.
Narration isn’t all about voices, however. Once again, Prince nails the pace and general atmosphere. So while I’m not one hundred per cent wowed, I recommend this audiobook wholeheartedly.
------------------------------------------------
A quiet life doesn’t seem to be on the cards for Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds. Even when they’re not looking for trouble, it finds them. This time, trouble comes in the form of a torn prescription on a dead and frozen body. Guess who signed the prescription? And who is waiting for the body to thaw so that she can do the autopsy?
I really don’t recommend reading Zero Chill if you haven’t read (or, even better, listened to Lori Prince’s narration of) Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap. There’s a logical progression to the various relationships and character growth that you’d miss out on.
I liked Zero Chill a lot more by the end than I did at the beginning. I struggled a bit to get into the story, I’m not sure why. It felt slow, even though I was happy to get more Thayer and Corey. What I’m saying is if, like me, you’re not one hundred per cent in from page one, stick with it. In the foreword, the author explains that it’s her “Covid book” and I guess Covid took a toll on everyone.
For that matter, the pandemic isn’t absent from this book, it’s in the background, but it feels a little as if the author had struggled to make up her mind on whether to mention it at all. Thayer recommends wearing masks when going out at one point, and asks a patient about Covid-like symptoms (loss of taste and smell, among others) but beyond that, it’s business as usual with Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, cheek-kissing and hand-shaking. I’m okay with stories set in a parallel Covid-free universe, I’m okay with stories including Covid, I’m okay with whatever choices authors make but this non-choosing confused me.
It’s a minor complaint, however, there’s a lot to love in this book. The best thing about this series is the characters. And while some might regret that the crime arc isn’t the strongest, I feel in return we get even more character development and I’m more than cool with that.
I’ll start with the main characters. I love Thayer and Corey. I love them individually and together. They’re flawed and complex and relatable. I love their banter and I love their difficult times, not only when they get hurt by outsiders, but also what they go through as a couple, how they grow together and with each other. In this instalment, Thayer is suffering from PTSD from the events in Dirt Nap and Corey, who isn’t perfect, is sometimes at a loss as to how to deal with it and support her. There are quite a few heartbreaking moments.
Probably the main reason why I love this couple so much is the chemistry between them. Whether it’s the small, intimate touches of daily life or the passionate ones, the tenderness, this absolute yet fragile knowledge that they are meant for each other, all the interactions between Corey and Thayer are perfect.
Elizabeth really writes excellent characters, which extends to the secondary cast. I would have loved a little more of Thayer’s grandmother Lillian but new characters made up for it. One in particular, Nora Warren, Kelly Warren’s sister (Thayer got to know Kelly when he looked after her in Dirt Nap), a reverend who will turn Rachel (Corey’s best friend) upside down. I enjoyed watching badass Rachel get all flustered and Nora really is a fascinating character. I hope we get to see more of her, and of them together, in a future book.
Another very strong point is the science and how real Corey and Thayer’s professions feel. I’m in no position to judge how accurate Elizabeth’s descriptions of autopsies are, but they feel authentic and never, while reading, do I wonder whether she got a specific fact right or not.
Getting more time with Thayer and Corey is always a treat, Elizabeth writes them so well. I hope we get more of their shenanigans.
ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.
I already reviewed the book so I’ll focus on the narration. This audiobook contains one of my most favourite and one of my least favourite voices by Lori Prince.
I’ll start with the latter so I can end this review on something that brings me joy. Corey’s voice. I didn’t remember Corey sounding so much like a fourteen-year-old boy (not the sweet, uncertain kind, the pushy and puffed up crowd). She’s too clever and strong to sound so nonchalant and obnoxious all the time.
Thayer, on the other hand… All my thoughts on that voice come in hot emojis and fainting gifs. I can’t be articulate about a voice like this one. All I want is to close my eyes and listen to it all day.
Narration isn’t all about voices, however. Once again, Prince nails the pace and general atmosphere. So while I’m not one hundred per cent wowed, I recommend this audiobook wholeheartedly.
------------------------------------------------
A quiet life doesn’t seem to be on the cards for Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds. Even when they’re not looking for trouble, it finds them. This time, trouble comes in the form of a torn prescription on a dead and frozen body. Guess who signed the prescription? And who is waiting for the body to thaw so that she can do the autopsy?
I really don’t recommend reading Zero Chill if you haven’t read (or, even better, listened to Lori Prince’s narration of) Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap. There’s a logical progression to the various relationships and character growth that you’d miss out on.
I liked Zero Chill a lot more by the end than I did at the beginning. I struggled a bit to get into the story, I’m not sure why. It felt slow, even though I was happy to get more Thayer and Corey. What I’m saying is if, like me, you’re not one hundred per cent in from page one, stick with it. In the foreword, the author explains that it’s her “Covid book” and I guess Covid took a toll on everyone.
For that matter, the pandemic isn’t absent from this book, it’s in the background, but it feels a little as if the author had struggled to make up her mind on whether to mention it at all. Thayer recommends wearing masks when going out at one point, and asks a patient about Covid-like symptoms (loss of taste and smell, among others) but beyond that, it’s business as usual with Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, cheek-kissing and hand-shaking. I’m okay with stories set in a parallel Covid-free universe, I’m okay with stories including Covid, I’m okay with whatever choices authors make but this non-choosing confused me.
It’s a minor complaint, however, there’s a lot to love in this book. The best thing about this series is the characters. And while some might regret that the crime arc isn’t the strongest, I feel in return we get even more character development and I’m more than cool with that.
I’ll start with the main characters. I love Thayer and Corey. I love them individually and together. They’re flawed and complex and relatable. I love their banter and I love their difficult times, not only when they get hurt by outsiders, but also what they go through as a couple, how they grow together and with each other. In this instalment, Thayer is suffering from PTSD from the events in Dirt Nap and Corey, who isn’t perfect, is sometimes at a loss as to how to deal with it and support her. There are quite a few heartbreaking moments.
Probably the main reason why I love this couple so much is the chemistry between them. Whether it’s the small, intimate touches of daily life or the passionate ones, the tenderness, this absolute yet fragile knowledge that they are meant for each other, all the interactions between Corey and Thayer are perfect.
Elizabeth really writes excellent characters, which extends to the secondary cast. I would have loved a little more of Thayer’s grandmother Lillian but new characters made up for it. One in particular, Nora Warren, Kelly Warren’s sister (Thayer got to know Kelly when he looked after her in Dirt Nap), a reverend who will turn Rachel (Corey’s best friend) upside down. I enjoyed watching badass Rachel get all flustered and Nora really is a fascinating character. I hope we get to see more of her, and of them together, in a future book.
Another very strong point is the science and how real Corey and Thayer’s professions feel. I’m in no position to judge how accurate Elizabeth’s descriptions of autopsies are, but they feel authentic and never, while reading, do I wonder whether she got a specific fact right or not.
Getting more time with Thayer and Corey is always a treat, Elizabeth writes them so well. I hope we get more of their shenanigans.
ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.
April 6, 2021
4.25 stars. Carolyn Elizabeth never seems to disappoint, she keeps writing these awesome books! Corey and Thayer hold a special place in my heart, so I had to read this new book in the series immediately. This book has a slightly different tone than the previous ones, but it worked perfectly for me.
Besides reading about the life of Corey and Thayer as a couple there is always a mystery in these books and this book has one as well. The mystery is somewhat subdued in comparison with for instance “Dirt Nap”, but it was nicely intertwined and I liked how it unfolded. It was not the most surprising, but that didn’t really matter to me as a large part of the book focuses on Corey and Thayer and their relationship, as well as on a romance of one of the secondary characters.
While “Dirt Nap” is still my favorite book in the series (it will be extremely difficult to top that one) I think Elizabeth made an excellent choice by making this one more introspective than the previous books. As Elizabeth indicates in the acknowledgements, this is fully written during the pandemic, which was not always easy, and you can feel some of the effects. Being cooped up in my house all the time made me retreat more in my head and reevaluate things and I got that feeling with Corey and especially Thayer as well. They were clearly struggling and a bit aimless. Perhaps it’s me, but I could relate to the feeling. It leads to a nice change of pace compared with the previous books, there is more character development and it increases the general believability, and let’s be honest, if every book follows the same formula it becomes dreary. There are some serious topics, but there is also still plenty of banter and medical procedures happening to keep it interesting and fun.
I’m so in line with Corey’s geekiness, I love it, and Thayer still has the biggest heart. The secondary characters (like Rachel, Kelly, Nora and Collier) are also great and while I did not see their POV (it’s in third person with POVs of Corey and Thayer) I was rooting and caring for them, and ….. there is a cute puppy! This is a series and to understand the characters and what they go through you want to read them in order. It appears there is more to come and I can’t wait to read more of their ‘shenanigans’. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Besides reading about the life of Corey and Thayer as a couple there is always a mystery in these books and this book has one as well. The mystery is somewhat subdued in comparison with for instance “Dirt Nap”, but it was nicely intertwined and I liked how it unfolded. It was not the most surprising, but that didn’t really matter to me as a large part of the book focuses on Corey and Thayer and their relationship, as well as on a romance of one of the secondary characters.
While “Dirt Nap” is still my favorite book in the series (it will be extremely difficult to top that one) I think Elizabeth made an excellent choice by making this one more introspective than the previous books. As Elizabeth indicates in the acknowledgements, this is fully written during the pandemic, which was not always easy, and you can feel some of the effects. Being cooped up in my house all the time made me retreat more in my head and reevaluate things and I got that feeling with Corey and especially Thayer as well. They were clearly struggling and a bit aimless. Perhaps it’s me, but I could relate to the feeling. It leads to a nice change of pace compared with the previous books, there is more character development and it increases the general believability, and let’s be honest, if every book follows the same formula it becomes dreary. There are some serious topics, but there is also still plenty of banter and medical procedures happening to keep it interesting and fun.
I’m so in line with Corey’s geekiness, I love it, and Thayer still has the biggest heart. The secondary characters (like Rachel, Kelly, Nora and Collier) are also great and while I did not see their POV (it’s in third person with POVs of Corey and Thayer) I was rooting and caring for them, and ….. there is a cute puppy! This is a series and to understand the characters and what they go through you want to read them in order. It appears there is more to come and I can’t wait to read more of their ‘shenanigans’. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2021
This is book 3 in the Curtis and Reynolds series which follows the lives of autopsy assistant Corey Curtis and emergency physician Dr. Thayer Reynolds who manage to get themselves into trouble with both criminals and police alike. Even though in theory this book could be read as a standalone as the mystery starts and is solved in this novel, I would strongly recommend that you start in book 1, Gallows Humor. They are all excellent books so it’s no hardship to read the whole series and preferably in order.
Thayer and Corey are one of my favourite lesfic couples ever. Having read more than 700 lesfic books (at least, as I lost count of some) that tells a lot. Seriously, they manage to be sweet, hot, funny, imperfect, and vulnerable, and together they have this amazing chemistry that seems to have no end. Kudos to the author to make them so real that I wouldn’t be surprised to meet them one day in person (I wish). It’s hard to maintain the same level of reader’s investment throughout a series and that what makes this one so special.
Ms. Elizabeth says in the acknowledgments that she wrote Zero Chill during the pandemic which affected her writing process. I admit that it made me a bit wary of what I was about to read but I’m happy to say that if the author hadn’t mentioned the struggle I wouldn’t have had a clue. There are some mentions of the pandemic in this story but they are superficial. Don’t expect people wearing masks or keeping social distance or any other of the burdens that humanity had to go through during the Covid crisis. Personally, I prefer it this way at the time of writing this review (April 2021) when the end of the pandemic isn’t in sight just yet. Maybe the book won’t age well, who knows. What I know is that I normally read for escapism and I’m not interested in being reminded of the current reality.
What makes this series even more spectacular is the cast of secondary characters. They all are fleshed out realistically and have mini subplots around them. This book introduces a couple of very exciting new characters that I hope will appear in a future book or books. I assume there is going to be at least one more book as there are some loose ends in the main characters’ relationship which should be addressed in a future book. The intrigue parts of the plot are resolved in this book but they aren’t the strongest aspects of the story. The same goes for the action parts which aren’t as strong as in book 2. However, the mains chemistry and the network of relationships around them make this novel worth a read.
I’ve listened to the audiobooks of books 1 and 2 and I hope that the audio version of this one will be released soon. Note to the publisher (Bella Books): please ask Lori Prince to continue narrating the series, she makes a dreamy voice for Thayer, and any other narrator, no matter how talented, cannot emulate this. Just saying.
Overall, another very entertaining installment in the Curtis and Reynolds series. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Thayer and Corey are one of my favourite lesfic couples ever. Having read more than 700 lesfic books (at least, as I lost count of some) that tells a lot. Seriously, they manage to be sweet, hot, funny, imperfect, and vulnerable, and together they have this amazing chemistry that seems to have no end. Kudos to the author to make them so real that I wouldn’t be surprised to meet them one day in person (I wish). It’s hard to maintain the same level of reader’s investment throughout a series and that what makes this one so special.
Ms. Elizabeth says in the acknowledgments that she wrote Zero Chill during the pandemic which affected her writing process. I admit that it made me a bit wary of what I was about to read but I’m happy to say that if the author hadn’t mentioned the struggle I wouldn’t have had a clue. There are some mentions of the pandemic in this story but they are superficial. Don’t expect people wearing masks or keeping social distance or any other of the burdens that humanity had to go through during the Covid crisis. Personally, I prefer it this way at the time of writing this review (April 2021) when the end of the pandemic isn’t in sight just yet. Maybe the book won’t age well, who knows. What I know is that I normally read for escapism and I’m not interested in being reminded of the current reality.
What makes this series even more spectacular is the cast of secondary characters. They all are fleshed out realistically and have mini subplots around them. This book introduces a couple of very exciting new characters that I hope will appear in a future book or books. I assume there is going to be at least one more book as there are some loose ends in the main characters’ relationship which should be addressed in a future book. The intrigue parts of the plot are resolved in this book but they aren’t the strongest aspects of the story. The same goes for the action parts which aren’t as strong as in book 2. However, the mains chemistry and the network of relationships around them make this novel worth a read.
I’ve listened to the audiobooks of books 1 and 2 and I hope that the audio version of this one will be released soon. Note to the publisher (Bella Books): please ask Lori Prince to continue narrating the series, she makes a dreamy voice for Thayer, and any other narrator, no matter how talented, cannot emulate this. Just saying.
Overall, another very entertaining installment in the Curtis and Reynolds series. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2021
My reading slump from last year resumed after a very good January. I have picked up and dropped several books because they could not hold my attention. Thank you Ms Elizabeth for fixing that!
Life resumes for Autopsy Coordinator Corey Curtis and emergency department fellow Dr. Thayer Reynolds, as they are moving on from their brush with the city’s drug ring. I suppose one does not need to ready the previous books to follow this one, but I would highly recommend it. The story immediately opens up with a frozen body in the morgue that has a connection to Thayer. This jumpstarts their next adventure set around the Christmas holidays with some hateful and violent events. Unfortunately, it also opens some relationship uncertainty for the main characters (I literally gasped at the cusp of their conflict), while some of the others are lucky to find love.
‘Zero Chill’ was like coming home. Okay, perhaps a small exaggeration, but you know what I mean. There are few authors, in my opinion, that can get this level of chemistry between the mains. It is such a pleasure to read Elizabeth’s stories because the connection and feelings she elicits are so palpable. This book was no different, and continues to enhance the close relationship Elizabeth started to build two books ago with ‘Gallows Humor’.
The dry medical sense of humor, along with the even better geek side of the author, shine through the paragraphs in this novel. The initial morgue scene was wonderfully written and drew me in immediately. That said, the weakest part of the book is the actual mystery/crime. This was not a surprise as Elizabeth’s books are great because they are more character driven stories vs plot driven ones. The banter between not only the mains, but every character is great and that alone is what has captivated reviewers and readers alike in the past.
I am not a religious person, but can appreciate the topic and conflict that it presents to different individuals. Faith is lightly explored here for Thayer as the story takes her to a church and to meet a great new character, Reverend Nora Warren. Absolutely loved how Thayer says her relationship with God didn’t have anything to do with anyone else and she didn’t need anyone’s permission to have one. I would love to hear more about this in say, the next series installment? ;)
This was, as Elizabeth said herself, the author’s pandemic book. Now, that just means she wrote it during 2020, but in this case it also means it is set, albeit unclearly, during the pandemic. There are some references like Thayer asking a patient if suffering from loss of sense of taste and smell, or Rachel saying her cafe was well because of the takeout service she started before everything shut down. However, there was nothing else to remind us of the times we are living in. Ultimately, I think this was a good choice as everyone is showing signs of ‘covid fatigue’. Personally, I would have liked to see the author commit to this setting, especially in the morgue (where Elizabeth’s expertise makes her shine) and hospital scenes.
Overall, another great character driven book as we have come to expect from Elizabeth. Flawless banter with the same undeniable chemistry to do the prequels justice. 4.5 stars
ARC provided by the publisher to LezReviewBooks in exchange for an honest review.
Life resumes for Autopsy Coordinator Corey Curtis and emergency department fellow Dr. Thayer Reynolds, as they are moving on from their brush with the city’s drug ring. I suppose one does not need to ready the previous books to follow this one, but I would highly recommend it. The story immediately opens up with a frozen body in the morgue that has a connection to Thayer. This jumpstarts their next adventure set around the Christmas holidays with some hateful and violent events. Unfortunately, it also opens some relationship uncertainty for the main characters (I literally gasped at the cusp of their conflict), while some of the others are lucky to find love.
‘Zero Chill’ was like coming home. Okay, perhaps a small exaggeration, but you know what I mean. There are few authors, in my opinion, that can get this level of chemistry between the mains. It is such a pleasure to read Elizabeth’s stories because the connection and feelings she elicits are so palpable. This book was no different, and continues to enhance the close relationship Elizabeth started to build two books ago with ‘Gallows Humor’.
The dry medical sense of humor, along with the even better geek side of the author, shine through the paragraphs in this novel. The initial morgue scene was wonderfully written and drew me in immediately. That said, the weakest part of the book is the actual mystery/crime. This was not a surprise as Elizabeth’s books are great because they are more character driven stories vs plot driven ones. The banter between not only the mains, but every character is great and that alone is what has captivated reviewers and readers alike in the past.
I am not a religious person, but can appreciate the topic and conflict that it presents to different individuals. Faith is lightly explored here for Thayer as the story takes her to a church and to meet a great new character, Reverend Nora Warren. Absolutely loved how Thayer says her relationship with God didn’t have anything to do with anyone else and she didn’t need anyone’s permission to have one. I would love to hear more about this in say, the next series installment? ;)
This was, as Elizabeth said herself, the author’s pandemic book. Now, that just means she wrote it during 2020, but in this case it also means it is set, albeit unclearly, during the pandemic. There are some references like Thayer asking a patient if suffering from loss of sense of taste and smell, or Rachel saying her cafe was well because of the takeout service she started before everything shut down. However, there was nothing else to remind us of the times we are living in. Ultimately, I think this was a good choice as everyone is showing signs of ‘covid fatigue’. Personally, I would have liked to see the author commit to this setting, especially in the morgue (where Elizabeth’s expertise makes her shine) and hospital scenes.
Overall, another great character driven book as we have come to expect from Elizabeth. Flawless banter with the same undeniable chemistry to do the prequels justice. 4.5 stars
ARC provided by the publisher to LezReviewBooks in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2021
Sound the horns, Thayer and Corey are back, lighting up the pages with their scorching hot chemistry in a new mystery that also sees their relationship evolving into something deeper. One of my favorite aspects of the book is that the couple experiences their first bumps which is expected. Doubts and miscommunication mix with love and commitment into a nice angsty mix.
When a John Doe ends up in the morgue with a slip of paper tying him to Dr. Reynolds, Corey and Thayer resolve to get to the bottom of it. Although pieces gradually fall into place, I wanted more answers. I know for a fact that a handful of roughneck teenagers are not going to be behind the likes of political corruption, strong-arm intimidation, or big money. Hopefully, this is all just a set up with more to come in the next book.
Main characters are the bread and butter of any story but memorable secondary characters means there is never a lull in the flow even if the mc’s are not the focus in the moment. Gruff Sgt. Collier, Thayer’s sharp Nana, sexy new couple Rachel and Nora, and even a cameo from the saucy lawyer upstairs, Carina Mancini, keep the energy high.
I LOVED the detailed autopsy description. Many kudos to the author for not watering down that scene because it was important to show Corey in her element. Both serious and slightly irreverent, it was perfectly fitting for dark healthcare humor.
A solid addition to the series. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Read an ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When a John Doe ends up in the morgue with a slip of paper tying him to Dr. Reynolds, Corey and Thayer resolve to get to the bottom of it. Although pieces gradually fall into place, I wanted more answers. I know for a fact that a handful of roughneck teenagers are not going to be behind the likes of political corruption, strong-arm intimidation, or big money. Hopefully, this is all just a set up with more to come in the next book.
Main characters are the bread and butter of any story but memorable secondary characters means there is never a lull in the flow even if the mc’s are not the focus in the moment. Gruff Sgt. Collier, Thayer’s sharp Nana, sexy new couple Rachel and Nora, and even a cameo from the saucy lawyer upstairs, Carina Mancini, keep the energy high.
I LOVED the detailed autopsy description. Many kudos to the author for not watering down that scene because it was important to show Corey in her element. Both serious and slightly irreverent, it was perfectly fitting for dark healthcare humor.
A solid addition to the series. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Read an ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2022
Some more dead bodies and mysteries.
This is the third book of the Curtis and Reynolds series and the fun continues! Corey still works at the morgue, there are still cases to be solved but she's a lot more level-headed than before. She's a hilarious character and what I enjoyed in this book that I realise I haven't paid much attention to before is her friendship with her best friend, Rachel. They are a funny duo and I really love the "bromance" between them.
The case in this book is a bit less perilous as the other two in the earlier books of the series but in its place is more of Corey and Thayer working on their relationship. They have been a solid couple since the start of the series, having built the relationship on open communication, honesty and trust, and they continue to grow together in this book despite the dynamics appearing to have shifted a little. However, the emotional trauma of the events that took place in the previous book still lingers and this affects Thayer more than she realises but I love the way they work through it together.
There's romantic development for all the side characters and in particular, Rachel, and I'm hoping that we can have more of her and her new love interest in future books.
This is the third book of the Curtis and Reynolds series and the fun continues! Corey still works at the morgue, there are still cases to be solved but she's a lot more level-headed than before. She's a hilarious character and what I enjoyed in this book that I realise I haven't paid much attention to before is her friendship with her best friend, Rachel. They are a funny duo and I really love the "bromance" between them.
The case in this book is a bit less perilous as the other two in the earlier books of the series but in its place is more of Corey and Thayer working on their relationship. They have been a solid couple since the start of the series, having built the relationship on open communication, honesty and trust, and they continue to grow together in this book despite the dynamics appearing to have shifted a little. However, the emotional trauma of the events that took place in the previous book still lingers and this affects Thayer more than she realises but I love the way they work through it together.
There's romantic development for all the side characters and in particular, Rachel, and I'm hoping that we can have more of her and her new love interest in future books.
April 17, 2021
This is the third book in the Curtis & Reynolds series, before reading this one you should have read both Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap. For two reasons actually, these books are amazing and there are events in both books that continue on throughout this one.
This book is written during the pandemic, and I think it shows. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s different from the previous two. In the previous two books Corey and Thayer get caught up in crime and mystery, this one is more about them as people and in their relationship. It’s hard to tell something about the story without spoiling the previous books and spoiling what happens in this one. One of the mains is clearly struggling with PTSD from events in the previous book, she is sort of dealing with it. So this book has our MCs in a lot less trouble, and it’s a welcome change. It’s good to see them on a more personal level. We are introduced to some new people in this book as well. One of them is Nora, amazing secondary character and a great match for Rachel, I can’t wait to see what might develop there. The minor crime story is well done, maybe I would have liked to have a bit more of it. I also would have liked to read a bit more about how our MC is dealing with her PTSD. And there are some side storylines that I think aren’t followed through up to the level of the previous books.
I still loved this book, Elizabeth has written some amazing characters and the writing style is just great and comforting. The dialogue between the mains, but also between the friends, is so funny. I don’t know if there will be a fourth book in this series, but I am going to assume there will be and I will impatiently waiting for it.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
This book is written during the pandemic, and I think it shows. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s different from the previous two. In the previous two books Corey and Thayer get caught up in crime and mystery, this one is more about them as people and in their relationship. It’s hard to tell something about the story without spoiling the previous books and spoiling what happens in this one. One of the mains is clearly struggling with PTSD from events in the previous book, she is sort of dealing with it. So this book has our MCs in a lot less trouble, and it’s a welcome change. It’s good to see them on a more personal level. We are introduced to some new people in this book as well. One of them is Nora, amazing secondary character and a great match for Rachel, I can’t wait to see what might develop there. The minor crime story is well done, maybe I would have liked to have a bit more of it. I also would have liked to read a bit more about how our MC is dealing with her PTSD. And there are some side storylines that I think aren’t followed through up to the level of the previous books.
I still loved this book, Elizabeth has written some amazing characters and the writing style is just great and comforting. The dialogue between the mains, but also between the friends, is so funny. I don’t know if there will be a fourth book in this series, but I am going to assume there will be and I will impatiently waiting for it.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
December 26, 2024
I LOVE COREY AND THAYER SO MUCH! I can't wait for the next book in the series.
April 12, 2021
I had so much fun reading Zero Chill by Carolyn Elizabeth. This is the third book in The Curtis and Reynolds Series which includes the novels Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap. I totally enjoyed the first two books in the series, and this newest story fits in well with the other two.
The third novel begins a little while after the second book ends. Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds are getting ready to celebrate their first holiday season together. They are both still recovering from their very unusual and tumultuous romance in the first two books. For Corey and Thayer, though, Christmas means a frozen body in the morgue and a new mystery to solve.
I fell in love with Corey and Thayer in the first novel, and I really enjoy getting to revisit them with each new book. This story is a little less tumultuous than the first two, but there is still a mystery to be solved that includes more than just the frozen body. We also have a few blips in the romance between Corey and Thayer. Thayer especially has some issues to overcome from trauma she suffered in the past. I liked the way the author showed how she worked through this, and I liked how her character grew in this book. We even get a bonus possible second love story between two of the secondary characters that looks very promising for the future.
Zero Chill is a wonderful mystery and medical romance with beautiful characters, just the right touch of angst, and a fair dash of dark humor that we’ve come to expect in these books. Ms. Elizabeth has written another winner of a novel to add to this series, and I can’t wait for the next one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
The third novel begins a little while after the second book ends. Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds are getting ready to celebrate their first holiday season together. They are both still recovering from their very unusual and tumultuous romance in the first two books. For Corey and Thayer, though, Christmas means a frozen body in the morgue and a new mystery to solve.
I fell in love with Corey and Thayer in the first novel, and I really enjoy getting to revisit them with each new book. This story is a little less tumultuous than the first two, but there is still a mystery to be solved that includes more than just the frozen body. We also have a few blips in the romance between Corey and Thayer. Thayer especially has some issues to overcome from trauma she suffered in the past. I liked the way the author showed how she worked through this, and I liked how her character grew in this book. We even get a bonus possible second love story between two of the secondary characters that looks very promising for the future.
Zero Chill is a wonderful mystery and medical romance with beautiful characters, just the right touch of angst, and a fair dash of dark humor that we’ve come to expect in these books. Ms. Elizabeth has written another winner of a novel to add to this series, and I can’t wait for the next one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
May 23, 2021
4*
Again, I've mistakenly started reading a book without checking first if it was in a series... I liked the cover so I asked Netgalley if I could 'nab' it, without reading the blurb. I'm glad I did get the chance from them to read this book..... I really enjoyed it. The characters, Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds, really hooked me, they work so well together and have really good chemistry. The other characters worked well in the series too. The story kept engaged and I read zero chill in one session, I really enjoyed the storyline, it's a simple read. easy to follow, the only issue I have is it's a bit on the short side. But it's still worth a read. I've added the first two books Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap to my summer reading list! And also again, for the second time this month. I've added a new author to my fav reads.
The couple are now living together, are happy to put their turbulent courtship behind them,, trading hospital rooms and jail cells for a quiet night in. The holidays are fast approaching, they are looking forward to celebrating together with friends and family, spending time alone with the odd festive surprises.
But when a frozen body is found, Corey must defrost in order to close out her next case. The discovery of the deceases possible connection to Thayer inflames the still healing wounds of their recent trauma and sends them both reeling back into a world of uncertainty and turmoil.
The winter nights which were quiet turns heated when Thayer makes questionable decisions in an effort to regain her peace of mind and Corey becomes the voice of reason. Despite her misgivings, Corey agrees to help Thayer chase the shadows from her rattled confidence by nosing around another investigation which may or may not be connected to the death of a prominent member of the city. With her best friend in tow and the police not far behind, Corey ends up in the unlikeliest of places... a church. Along the way hate and violence erupt, and corruption abounds, but from the ashes, new relationships are kindled and even the darkest moments are no match for Corey and Thayers love.
Again, I've mistakenly started reading a book without checking first if it was in a series... I liked the cover so I asked Netgalley if I could 'nab' it, without reading the blurb. I'm glad I did get the chance from them to read this book..... I really enjoyed it. The characters, Corey Curtis and Thayer Reynolds, really hooked me, they work so well together and have really good chemistry. The other characters worked well in the series too. The story kept engaged and I read zero chill in one session, I really enjoyed the storyline, it's a simple read. easy to follow, the only issue I have is it's a bit on the short side. But it's still worth a read. I've added the first two books Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap to my summer reading list! And also again, for the second time this month. I've added a new author to my fav reads.
The couple are now living together, are happy to put their turbulent courtship behind them,, trading hospital rooms and jail cells for a quiet night in. The holidays are fast approaching, they are looking forward to celebrating together with friends and family, spending time alone with the odd festive surprises.
But when a frozen body is found, Corey must defrost in order to close out her next case. The discovery of the deceases possible connection to Thayer inflames the still healing wounds of their recent trauma and sends them both reeling back into a world of uncertainty and turmoil.
The winter nights which were quiet turns heated when Thayer makes questionable decisions in an effort to regain her peace of mind and Corey becomes the voice of reason. Despite her misgivings, Corey agrees to help Thayer chase the shadows from her rattled confidence by nosing around another investigation which may or may not be connected to the death of a prominent member of the city. With her best friend in tow and the police not far behind, Corey ends up in the unlikeliest of places... a church. Along the way hate and violence erupt, and corruption abounds, but from the ashes, new relationships are kindled and even the darkest moments are no match for Corey and Thayers love.
April 24, 2021
Zero Chill read as a light mystery which disappointed me somewhat. Carolyn Elizabeth’s first three novel had more intensity which I craved in this one.
It is a well written and solid novel just not my cup of tea.
3.25 ⭐️
It is a well written and solid novel just not my cup of tea.
3.25 ⭐️
January 7, 2022
Review of Zero Chill by Carolyn Elizabeth, narrated by Lori Prince
This is book 3 in the Curtis and Reynolds series which follows the lives of autopsy assistant Corey Curtis and emergency physician Dr. Thayer Reynolds who manage to get themselves into trouble with both criminals and police alike. Even though in theory this audiobook could be listened to as a standalone as the mystery starts and is solved in this novel, I would strongly recommend that you start in book 1, Gallows Humor. They are all excellent audiobooks so it’s no hardship to listen to the whole series and preferably in order.
Thayer and Corey are one of my favourite lesfic couples ever. Having read more than 700 lesfic books (at least, as I lost count of some) that tells a lot. Seriously, they manage to be sweet, hot, funny, imperfect, and vulnerable, and together they have this amazing chemistry that seems to have no end. Kudos to the author to make them so real that I wouldn’t be surprised to meet them one day in person (I wish). It’s hard to maintain the same level of reader’s investment throughout a series and that is what makes this one so special.
Ms. Elizabeth says in the acknowledgments that she wrote Zero Chill during the pandemic which affected her writing process. I admit that it made me a bit wary of what I was about to read but I’m happy to say that if the author hadn’t mentioned the struggle I wouldn’t have had a clue. There are some mentions of the pandemic in this story but they are superficial. Don’t expect people wearing masks or keeping social distance or any other of the burdens that humanity had to go through during the Covid crisis. Personally, I prefer it this way at the time of writing this review (January 2022) when the end of the pandemic isn’t in sight just yet. Maybe the book won’t age well, who knows. What I know is that I normally read for escapism and I’m not interested in being reminded of the current reality.
What makes this series even more spectacular is the cast of secondary characters. They all are fleshed out realistically and have mini subplots around them. This book introduces a couple of very exciting new characters that I hope will appear in a future book or books. I assume there is going to be at least one more book as there are some loose ends in the main characters’ relationship which should be addressed. The intrigue parts of the plot are resolved in this book but, in my opinion, they aren’t the strongest aspects of the story. The same goes for the action parts. However, the main characters’ chemistry and the network of relationships around them make this novel worth a read.
As in books one and two, the audio version is narrated by Lori Prince who does an outstanding job. Ms. Prince gets the chemistry between the mains just right, she continues to do justice to one of my favourite couples in lesfic. Plus her dreamy voice for Thayer is out of this world. This series has it all, intrigue, action, angst and romance, so if you haven’t tried it yet, I suggest you do. You are in for a treat.
Overall, another very entertaining installment in the Curtis and Reynolds series. 5 stars.
Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
This is book 3 in the Curtis and Reynolds series which follows the lives of autopsy assistant Corey Curtis and emergency physician Dr. Thayer Reynolds who manage to get themselves into trouble with both criminals and police alike. Even though in theory this audiobook could be listened to as a standalone as the mystery starts and is solved in this novel, I would strongly recommend that you start in book 1, Gallows Humor. They are all excellent audiobooks so it’s no hardship to listen to the whole series and preferably in order.
Thayer and Corey are one of my favourite lesfic couples ever. Having read more than 700 lesfic books (at least, as I lost count of some) that tells a lot. Seriously, they manage to be sweet, hot, funny, imperfect, and vulnerable, and together they have this amazing chemistry that seems to have no end. Kudos to the author to make them so real that I wouldn’t be surprised to meet them one day in person (I wish). It’s hard to maintain the same level of reader’s investment throughout a series and that is what makes this one so special.
Ms. Elizabeth says in the acknowledgments that she wrote Zero Chill during the pandemic which affected her writing process. I admit that it made me a bit wary of what I was about to read but I’m happy to say that if the author hadn’t mentioned the struggle I wouldn’t have had a clue. There are some mentions of the pandemic in this story but they are superficial. Don’t expect people wearing masks or keeping social distance or any other of the burdens that humanity had to go through during the Covid crisis. Personally, I prefer it this way at the time of writing this review (January 2022) when the end of the pandemic isn’t in sight just yet. Maybe the book won’t age well, who knows. What I know is that I normally read for escapism and I’m not interested in being reminded of the current reality.
What makes this series even more spectacular is the cast of secondary characters. They all are fleshed out realistically and have mini subplots around them. This book introduces a couple of very exciting new characters that I hope will appear in a future book or books. I assume there is going to be at least one more book as there are some loose ends in the main characters’ relationship which should be addressed. The intrigue parts of the plot are resolved in this book but, in my opinion, they aren’t the strongest aspects of the story. The same goes for the action parts. However, the main characters’ chemistry and the network of relationships around them make this novel worth a read.
As in books one and two, the audio version is narrated by Lori Prince who does an outstanding job. Ms. Prince gets the chemistry between the mains just right, she continues to do justice to one of my favourite couples in lesfic. Plus her dreamy voice for Thayer is out of this world. This series has it all, intrigue, action, angst and romance, so if you haven’t tried it yet, I suggest you do. You are in for a treat.
Overall, another very entertaining installment in the Curtis and Reynolds series. 5 stars.
Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
February 24, 2022
4,5 stars
Just as good as the second book, this series seriously definitely deserves more recognition
Just as good as the second book, this series seriously definitely deserves more recognition
April 5, 2021
Thayer and Corey are still healing after the recent trauma that happen to them. When Corey gets a body on her table things get more complicated because there were a prescription pad with Thayer hand writing.
Thayer feels if she can look into this that maybe she doesn’t feel like she wants run or try get ahold on her life after everything that happens and know it’s not her fault that it did while Corey is there for her she tries to keep them both safe from harm.
I love this read. It was heartwarming while some parts was hilarious love the supporting characters and the mystery was good. I could
totally see Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander playing Thayer and Corey,
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Thayer feels if she can look into this that maybe she doesn’t feel like she wants run or try get ahold on her life after everything that happens and know it’s not her fault that it did while Corey is there for her she tries to keep them both safe from harm.
I love this read. It was heartwarming while some parts was hilarious love the supporting characters and the mystery was good. I could
totally see Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander playing Thayer and Corey,
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
January 23, 2023
Okay, 3rd time's a charm! I feel like this book is where the series really hit its stride, or maybe just where it finally won me over. It's light (for being about a mysterious death and homophobes), but still entertaining, witty, and heartwarming.
Really cute, mildly intriguing, relatively funny, and overall good feels in this series. I definitely recommend it, especially the audio versions narrated by Lori Prince.
Really cute, mildly intriguing, relatively funny, and overall good feels in this series. I definitely recommend it, especially the audio versions narrated by Lori Prince.
Want to read
April 21, 2021I read both Dirt Nap and Zero Chill one after the other, and I have to say it was great to immerse myself in the world of Corey and Thayer for a while.
They’re are now living together in Thayer’s lake house, trying to live a more peaceful life than their first six months together has given them so far. I liked that Elizabeth didn’t choose to move the time forward significantly, that we get to experience them healing and moving on from previous events.
As with all Elizabeth books, the characters are really well written, and the plot moves along at a nice pace. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Thayer’s Nana, but this is true for all three books. The new character additions add humour and richness to the storyline, adding a slightly different but nonetheless interesting focus.
Zero Chill comes with lots of intrigue and mystery, but not as much peril as Dirt Nap - something which works really well for this narrative. Elizabeth mentions that this is her pandemic book in the acknowledgements and I felt like this was deliberately less intense than previous instalments.
It gives lots more time to explore the relationship between Corey and Thayer, and for the quiet moments where they get to really explore what it means to them to still be together after the events of Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap. Reading this made me realise why I love it when we’re gifted with a series about a great couple - it isn’t just about the meet cute and the whirlwind romance, it’s about how they stick with it and grow together.
This wasn’t my favourite of the three books, but I’m genuinely hoping this isn’t it for the series. I want more Corey and Thayer, but I also want to see where things go for Rachel and Nora.
I would highly recommend this, but make sure you read the other two books in the series first.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
They’re are now living together in Thayer’s lake house, trying to live a more peaceful life than their first six months together has given them so far. I liked that Elizabeth didn’t choose to move the time forward significantly, that we get to experience them healing and moving on from previous events.
As with all Elizabeth books, the characters are really well written, and the plot moves along at a nice pace. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Thayer’s Nana, but this is true for all three books. The new character additions add humour and richness to the storyline, adding a slightly different but nonetheless interesting focus.
Zero Chill comes with lots of intrigue and mystery, but not as much peril as Dirt Nap - something which works really well for this narrative. Elizabeth mentions that this is her pandemic book in the acknowledgements and I felt like this was deliberately less intense than previous instalments.
It gives lots more time to explore the relationship between Corey and Thayer, and for the quiet moments where they get to really explore what it means to them to still be together after the events of Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap. Reading this made me realise why I love it when we’re gifted with a series about a great couple - it isn’t just about the meet cute and the whirlwind romance, it’s about how they stick with it and grow together.
This wasn’t my favourite of the three books, but I’m genuinely hoping this isn’t it for the series. I want more Corey and Thayer, but I also want to see where things go for Rachel and Nora.
I would highly recommend this, but make sure you read the other two books in the series first.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2023
3.5 ⭐️.
I really hope there’s more books in the series because seriously I can’t ge enough of Corey and Thayer 🥺🥺.
I will definitely be revisiting the series with the audiobook
And i want book about Nora and Rachel please 😭😭😭😭😭😭
I really hope there’s more books in the series because seriously I can’t ge enough of Corey and Thayer 🥺🥺.
I will definitely be revisiting the series with the audiobook
And i want book about Nora and Rachel please 😭😭😭😭😭😭
June 2, 2021
Carolyn Elizabeth has become one of my favorite and must-read authors. There's just something about her pacing, character development, and storytelling that keeps me enthralled and Zero Chill is no exception. While not as action-packed and on the edge of your seat as her two previous books in this series, Gallows Humor and Dirt Nap, Zero Chill kept my attention and I couldn't put it down until it was finished with its mysteries, the progression of Thayer & Cory's love story, some sweet and funny scenes with Nana Lil, of course the witty banter between their band of friends, and the beginning of a new love story between our favorite coffee connoisseur Rachel and Minister Nora (who totally need their own spin-off, *hint* *hint*). I can't wait for the next installment in the Curtis and Reynolds shenanigans!
April 6, 2021
Yes, yippee, yay! I was so excited to see this third installment of the Reynolds/Curtis series by Elizabeth, and I was not disappointed. Great book. Good action and some fun - and not so fun - surprises for both the main characters and the supporting cast.
As the third in this series, you probably do want to read books 1 (Gallow Humor) and 2 (Dirt Nap) first. You don't have to, but they're great, you'll want to read them anyways and they really set you up for this one. Seriously, read them all; I love this series.
Thayer and Corey continue to get into "shenanigans;" this time dragging Corey's bestie, Rachel, along for the disaster-prone ride. Loved seeing more of Rachel, and her reaction upon meeting Nora Warren is just great, it felt so realistic - like that is definitely how I would likely react upon meeting a reverend who runs a safe house of homeless LGBTQ youths and "looked like Adele and sounded like Brandi Carlile".
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
As the third in this series, you probably do want to read books 1 (Gallow Humor) and 2 (Dirt Nap) first. You don't have to, but they're great, you'll want to read them anyways and they really set you up for this one. Seriously, read them all; I love this series.
Thayer and Corey continue to get into "shenanigans;" this time dragging Corey's bestie, Rachel, along for the disaster-prone ride. Loved seeing more of Rachel, and her reaction upon meeting Nora Warren is just great, it felt so realistic - like that is definitely how I would likely react upon meeting a reverend who runs a safe house of homeless LGBTQ youths and "looked like Adele and sounded like Brandi Carlile".
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
July 14, 2022
Corey and Thayer has become one of my favorite sapphic romance couple. I love this series so freaking much!
April 19, 2021
I loved this book, the third in the series.
There is less physical danger to our main characters this time around, but the threat of it has not totally dissipated. Unfortunately, there are always folks willing to hurt others, and that's no less true this time around. Thayer and Corey have grown as individuals and as a couple, and it was nice to see that they can disagree and yet work things out in a mature way. To me, that's the sign of a healthy relationship. I appreciated that aspect. As always, they each have a unique take on life and humour and their friends.
In Zero Chill, we get to not only catch up with old friends (and BOY, does Collier grow!) but make a new one.
Zero Chill is a mature, satisfying and humourous extension of the series that I've greatly enjoyed, and I can't wait to read the next book!
There is less physical danger to our main characters this time around, but the threat of it has not totally dissipated. Unfortunately, there are always folks willing to hurt others, and that's no less true this time around. Thayer and Corey have grown as individuals and as a couple, and it was nice to see that they can disagree and yet work things out in a mature way. To me, that's the sign of a healthy relationship. I appreciated that aspect. As always, they each have a unique take on life and humour and their friends.
In Zero Chill, we get to not only catch up with old friends (and BOY, does Collier grow!) but make a new one.
Zero Chill is a mature, satisfying and humourous extension of the series that I've greatly enjoyed, and I can't wait to read the next book!
February 21, 2022
For some reason this one was lacking something that the other two had in spades. I found the story and writing to be all over the place, nothing fully gripping me. I like the two mains quite a bit, and was curious as to what other shenanigans they'd get up to, and definitely had some good laugh out loud moments, but overall the story fell flat.
April 25, 2021
I loved this book. I love the characters. Especially Corey and Thayer. This is the 3rd book in a 3 book series.....so far. Hopefully there will be a 4th. Hopefully Carolyn Elizabeth is not done with these two.
I'm happy to say neither Corey or Thayer get hurt this time. But some people do. It starts out with a frozen body showing up in Corey's morgue. All the stuff about frozen bodies and how they handle it, I found it very interesting.
The mystery came on very slowly but very intriguing. And it all came together and made sense.
I loved the amount of time we spent with Corey and Thayer's relationship at home in a safe environment.. In the past it has been one of them taking care of the other after a tragedy of sorts. This time it's home life bliss.
The pace is great, the characters are so likeable and the dialog is so clever and normal. In the first half of the book I laughed a lot over the conversations with Corey and Thayer. The second half got a bit more serious.
And we have a new interesting character, Nora Warren. Who could lead us into book 4. Fingers crossed.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm happy to say neither Corey or Thayer get hurt this time. But some people do. It starts out with a frozen body showing up in Corey's morgue. All the stuff about frozen bodies and how they handle it, I found it very interesting.
The mystery came on very slowly but very intriguing. And it all came together and made sense.
I loved the amount of time we spent with Corey and Thayer's relationship at home in a safe environment.. In the past it has been one of them taking care of the other after a tragedy of sorts. This time it's home life bliss.
The pace is great, the characters are so likeable and the dialog is so clever and normal. In the first half of the book I laughed a lot over the conversations with Corey and Thayer. The second half got a bit more serious.
And we have a new interesting character, Nora Warren. Who could lead us into book 4. Fingers crossed.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2023
Thayer and Corey are back in this book 3 of the series. Although it took me a while before picking this book up, I still enjoyed this as much as the first two books. I really enjoy seeing how the MC'S relationship have evolved. That's really why I like reading books in series.
April 12, 2021
Thayer and Curtis are back for their third book. I did miss them and their witty banter, along with some of the more harrowing aspects of their work. This time, though, Thayer is in the spotlight because a frozen corpse has shown up with a prescription with Thayer's signature in his hand. Thayer and Curtis are still dealing with the fallout from the last traumatizing outing and once again are thrust into a situation that they don't want to be in.
The last book was really about Corey working through recovering from her injuries from the first book. This book kind of explores Thayer's trauma, which is arguably harder to overcome. We see her lose some of that amazing confidence, she doesn't like crowds, and any potential loss of control is not dealt with in a healthy manner. At least for the first half of the book. I think it is still there, but it gets kind of regulated to the background as the ladies with Rachel and newcomer Nora Warren must work out why there are gangs of kids harassing people in a strip mall. With Rachel, Corey's best friend having a more prominent role, we see the focus shifting more towards the activism that Rachel was shown to do in the previous installments. We also get to have another Thayer character in Nora Warren. She's the reverend of a Unitarian Church and the leader of a house of LGBT+ identified boys. She and Thayer are cut from the same cloth, and the way the characters gravitate to her gives her an air of unassuming authority.
I think that this book doesn't focus as much on the mystery aspects of the story, but more on how a violent campaign of intimidation affects everyone in a community. I loved that Rachel got a little more time on page, and I really hope we get a book with her and Nora at the center. I wish it balanced the mystery out better with the other plot elements, but the other elements were so strong that I didn't mind as much as I normally would. Carolyn Elizabeth is now a must read, and this does not disappoint.
*I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The last book was really about Corey working through recovering from her injuries from the first book. This book kind of explores Thayer's trauma, which is arguably harder to overcome. We see her lose some of that amazing confidence, she doesn't like crowds, and any potential loss of control is not dealt with in a healthy manner. At least for the first half of the book. I think it is still there, but it gets kind of regulated to the background as the ladies with Rachel and newcomer Nora Warren must work out why there are gangs of kids harassing people in a strip mall. With Rachel, Corey's best friend having a more prominent role, we see the focus shifting more towards the activism that Rachel was shown to do in the previous installments. We also get to have another Thayer character in Nora Warren. She's the reverend of a Unitarian Church and the leader of a house of LGBT+ identified boys. She and Thayer are cut from the same cloth, and the way the characters gravitate to her gives her an air of unassuming authority.
I think that this book doesn't focus as much on the mystery aspects of the story, but more on how a violent campaign of intimidation affects everyone in a community. I loved that Rachel got a little more time on page, and I really hope we get a book with her and Nora at the center. I wish it balanced the mystery out better with the other plot elements, but the other elements were so strong that I didn't mind as much as I normally would. Carolyn Elizabeth is now a must read, and this does not disappoint.
*I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 18, 2021
I really love this series and I’m grateful there’s a third book. Corey and Thayer are a great pairing, both romantically and in their fight for justice. Although their shenanigans typically put themselves in direct danger, I was glad to see that in this instalment they received a break from any physical injury - I think they had more than enough in the last two books!
The mystery in this book was quite light, so I’d place this in more of a drama/romance category. I enjoyed this book as I liked being back with Thayer and Corey - especially seeing what their life was like post-traumatic events within books 1 and 2. I also really enjoyed the secondary storyline between Rachel and a new love interest. I’m hopeful that we’ll see this play out further in the next instalment to the series.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery in this book was quite light, so I’d place this in more of a drama/romance category. I enjoyed this book as I liked being back with Thayer and Corey - especially seeing what their life was like post-traumatic events within books 1 and 2. I also really enjoyed the secondary storyline between Rachel and a new love interest. I’m hopeful that we’ll see this play out further in the next instalment to the series.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2023
“Wow,” Corey breathed. “I want her to sing at my funeral.”
“I was kind of thinking maybe she could sing at our wedding first.”
3.5 stars. Another great, quiet little mystery/suspense novel with these characters that I'm becoming more and more attached to as the series goes on. Books that follow the same couple over a period of time don't always manage to hold the reader's interest in the relationship and the developments that happen and the hurdles that they have to go through, but I think this author does a great job of it. The plots and the mysteries are very much grounded and real world, and that definitely fits a lot better with these characters than something more over the top or dramatic would have. Their jobs and how the mysteries fit into them are just so interesting. I think I liked this mystery most of all. Even though it wasn't very involved, it was personal and heartfelt from the very beginning. I like the community aspect of it and the side characters that were introduced.
And most of all, of course, I just loved Corey and Thayer together. They're so sweet and funny and their deepening relationship feels organic and wonderful. Thayer especially just feels like a really well realized character, and I love her. I hope the author has more in store for these two.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Lori Prince, and really enjoyed it as always. I really don't like her voice for Collier, or the voices that she does in general for gruff or tough men (they sound like cartoon characters), but otherwise, the narration is great. Her Thayer voice is soooo swoony. Looking forward to the next book, whenever that might be.
November 28, 2021
This one, like the other two in this series, was just okay for me. I don’t find Corey (or Rachel) as charming as the women in their lives do, and the overarching mystery this time initially wasn’t doing it for me. Once the Nora character came onto the scene I found myself a little more invested (I adore the voices Lori Prince used for her, and her Thayer voice, tho unfortunately, her voices for Corey and Rachel, while feel very fitting to the characters, really grate on me and add to my annoyance of them as characters, too, I think). Overall this series isn’t my fav, but I love this narrator, and I always get a solidly okay I mostly enjoyed that out of them.
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