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Lattes and Levitation #1
Caffeine Before Curses
When a movie shoot ends in murder, a caffeine fix might be the star’s only hope.
Skye O’Malley’s grandmother always told her she inherited the Sight. But other than an occasional message from a blob of tea leaves or a vague dream, Skye doesn’t think she’s anything special, since she can’t even predict which of her coffee-shop customers will order hard-core black or fancy frou-frou with extra foam.
The only instinct she can rely on is the jangly feeling that something is about to happen. Like when her best friend (and only employee) Deanne tells her that a film crew is coming to their hometown of Las Vegas, New Mexico. The lead is Hollywood’s hottest action-movie star, Max Sullivan, who just happens to be Skye’s former "boy next door"…and her lifelong, unrequited crush.
Just having him around unbalances Skye's carefully curated existence. But when she starts having disturbing dreams involving Max and a prop gun, she can’t ignore them. Especially when the film’s notoriously unpleasant director turns up dead, and the evidence points to one prime suspect. Max.
Max needs a miracle, not a not-quite witch. But he’s placing all his trust in Skye — and her murky tea leaves — to help him find the real culprit before the actual murderer gets away clean.
Skye O’Malley’s grandmother always told her she inherited the Sight. But other than an occasional message from a blob of tea leaves or a vague dream, Skye doesn’t think she’s anything special, since she can’t even predict which of her coffee-shop customers will order hard-core black or fancy frou-frou with extra foam.
The only instinct she can rely on is the jangly feeling that something is about to happen. Like when her best friend (and only employee) Deanne tells her that a film crew is coming to their hometown of Las Vegas, New Mexico. The lead is Hollywood’s hottest action-movie star, Max Sullivan, who just happens to be Skye’s former "boy next door"…and her lifelong, unrequited crush.
Just having him around unbalances Skye's carefully curated existence. But when she starts having disturbing dreams involving Max and a prop gun, she can’t ignore them. Especially when the film’s notoriously unpleasant director turns up dead, and the evidence points to one prime suspect. Max.
Max needs a miracle, not a not-quite witch. But he’s placing all his trust in Skye — and her murky tea leaves — to help him find the real culprit before the actual murderer gets away clean.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2022
About the author
Christine Pope
225 books1,098 followersA native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.
While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.
After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.
While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.
After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 12, 2024
Well... as some other readers mentioned there are a couple of inconsistencies regarding a Friday becoming a Wednesday and so on.
To be honest... how can you still be in love with someone who's never shown much interest, besides being kind, and who basically has never called or texted back during said time?
To be honest... how can you still be in love with someone who's never shown much interest, besides being kind, and who basically has never called or texted back during said time?
December 2, 2023
This book was a freebie from stuff your kindle day and not something I’d typically pick up. It wasn’t anything special, romanticized small hometown vibes, and was an easy read, but I think that’s why I enjoyed it. It gave me something simple and approachable to escape into during a time where my personal life has been a little too hectic and overstimulating.
December 2, 2022
“Caffeine Before Curses” is a new series by Christine Pope featuring a woman named Skye O’Malley who lives and grew up in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She runs a coffee shop where she employs her one and only employee, her bff,Deanne.
At puberty, Skye developed the ability to read tea leaves and have prophetic dreams. She also developed a crush on her neighbor and now movie star, Max Sullivan. Only Deanne has carried her secret over the years and now it seems that Max is on his way to Las Vegas to film a movie.All of those old feelings Skye has fought to suppress are rearing their ugly little heads.
When Max and Skye see each other for the first time he shares with her that after he left Las Vegas and started working on movies he began receiving letters from his ex girlfriend and now married mom, Raylene. She was the high school mean girl and never got over losing Max. She hounded him until finally his lawyer has to threaten her with a restraining order.
As the movie production begins, the vile director is killed and all clues point to Max. Now Max enlists Skye’s witchy ability to help him find out who has framed him for murder. Unfortunately, that just might put Skye on the wrong side of a bullet.
I enjoyed this read but felt rather ambivalent about Max. He seemed pretty self absorbed and rather unremarkable in in character. I didn’t feel any chemistry between he and Skye. I just hope that if he is going to be her love interest that Ms. Pope makes him more appealing or dumps him for a stronger person. A good romantic lead is very important in a series. It will be interesting to see how this all works out.
At puberty, Skye developed the ability to read tea leaves and have prophetic dreams. She also developed a crush on her neighbor and now movie star, Max Sullivan. Only Deanne has carried her secret over the years and now it seems that Max is on his way to Las Vegas to film a movie.All of those old feelings Skye has fought to suppress are rearing their ugly little heads.
When Max and Skye see each other for the first time he shares with her that after he left Las Vegas and started working on movies he began receiving letters from his ex girlfriend and now married mom, Raylene. She was the high school mean girl and never got over losing Max. She hounded him until finally his lawyer has to threaten her with a restraining order.
As the movie production begins, the vile director is killed and all clues point to Max. Now Max enlists Skye’s witchy ability to help him find out who has framed him for murder. Unfortunately, that just might put Skye on the wrong side of a bullet.
I enjoyed this read but felt rather ambivalent about Max. He seemed pretty self absorbed and rather unremarkable in in character. I didn’t feel any chemistry between he and Skye. I just hope that if he is going to be her love interest that Ms. Pope makes him more appealing or dumps him for a stronger person. A good romantic lead is very important in a series. It will be interesting to see how this all works out.
October 5, 2023
Meh. This has potential to be so cute but the fmc is a little desperate and the "love story" (i.e., infatuation) doesnt even come to fruition in this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2025
En sådan där bok som är så skrämmande dålig att man sitter och kliar sig i huvudet efteråt och undrar vad man har läst.
January 15, 2024
Stuff Your Kindle Day freebie.
I wanted to enjoy this so much, it had potential! But honestly, with how many pages are spent talking about how Skye is just driving around or going to work it feels like not a lot happens. Her witchy powers are underwhelming at best.
I wanted to be invested in her and Max, but it feels painfully one-sided. Skye is a little too desperate to the point it’s pathetic. Max is just… there. Kind of crazy to me at the latter part of the book Skye starts calling Max her best friend when Deanne is right there? Then again she consistently decides against confiding in Deanne so maybe Max is her best friend indeed.
The characters feel pretty flat, I am not feeling any character development from anyone. Skye just does things, no personal realizations. She is Not Like Other Girls because she doesn’t care about her appearance and reads tea leaves. I don’t know anything about Max other than he is a movie star and has decent taste in alcohol.
Two nitpicks:
— A key character’s name went from Shawn to Matt in the next paragraph and then back to Shawn in the next
— TELL ME WHY THEY GAVE AWAY THE TWIST IN THE CHAPTER TITLE. Just seeing “Deus Ex Max” I already knew exactly what would happen. Drove me Insane.
I wanted to enjoy this so much, it had potential! But honestly, with how many pages are spent talking about how Skye is just driving around or going to work it feels like not a lot happens. Her witchy powers are underwhelming at best.
I wanted to be invested in her and Max, but it feels painfully one-sided. Skye is a little too desperate to the point it’s pathetic. Max is just… there. Kind of crazy to me at the latter part of the book Skye starts calling Max her best friend when Deanne is right there? Then again she consistently decides against confiding in Deanne so maybe Max is her best friend indeed.
The characters feel pretty flat, I am not feeling any character development from anyone. Skye just does things, no personal realizations. She is Not Like Other Girls because she doesn’t care about her appearance and reads tea leaves. I don’t know anything about Max other than he is a movie star and has decent taste in alcohol.
Two nitpicks:
— A key character’s name went from Shawn to Matt in the next paragraph and then back to Shawn in the next
— TELL ME WHY THEY GAVE AWAY THE TWIST IN THE CHAPTER TITLE. Just seeing “Deus Ex Max” I already knew exactly what would happen. Drove me Insane.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
The mystery was okay, but the character's relationships (especially the main ones) were pretty weak. No more for me.
August 11, 2022
Skye O’Malley has a quiet life running her coffee shop Levitation Lattes, in Las Vegas, NM. Her best friend Deanne works with her. Skye lives in the home left to her by her grandmother and has the ability to read tea leaves, has prophetic dreams, and her instincts are pretty good too. Her ordered life is turned upside down when a film crew descends on the small town and her childhood friend-turned-movie star Max Sullivan returns to town as the lead actor. Skye was always in love with Max, but they were never more than friends. When the movie’s director turns up murdered and Max is arrested as the prime suspect, Skye uses those witchy talents to try to find the real culprit.
This book was OK. I had hoped for more, because I usually love books by Christine Pope. I just needed more from the characters. Skye is interesting. Her talents and awkwardness as a teen made her the target of bullies that ran in the same popular circle as Max (who was always kind to her), but now she’s blossomed into an attractive young businesswoman. However, she realizes she’s still in love with Max, who she hasn’t seen in 10 years. While he does seek her out, and we’re left with a hint that there will be more interaction with them in subsequent books, there isn’t a whole lot of interaction between them in THIS book. She makes some questionable decisions which put her in danger and seem out of character. Most of her time with Max, she looks to be firmly in the friend zone, helping him clear his name. Well, not helping HIM, because she’s the one doing all the work. I wanted to like Max more, but I couldn’t help feeling like he was using her. Maybe in other books they will do more sleuthing together, as opposed to her doing it all and then reporting back to him.
There is a lot of potential here. Skye is an interesting character. We’ve only actually met a couple of the supporting players in her life; most are just referred to though, like Deanne’s husband and Max’s parents, who are Skye’s next-door-neighbors. More could (should!) develop between Skye and Max. I’ll keep reading to see what happens.
This book was OK. I had hoped for more, because I usually love books by Christine Pope. I just needed more from the characters. Skye is interesting. Her talents and awkwardness as a teen made her the target of bullies that ran in the same popular circle as Max (who was always kind to her), but now she’s blossomed into an attractive young businesswoman. However, she realizes she’s still in love with Max, who she hasn’t seen in 10 years. While he does seek her out, and we’re left with a hint that there will be more interaction with them in subsequent books, there isn’t a whole lot of interaction between them in THIS book. She makes some questionable decisions which put her in danger and seem out of character. Most of her time with Max, she looks to be firmly in the friend zone, helping him clear his name. Well, not helping HIM, because she’s the one doing all the work. I wanted to like Max more, but I couldn’t help feeling like he was using her. Maybe in other books they will do more sleuthing together, as opposed to her doing it all and then reporting back to him.
There is a lot of potential here. Skye is an interesting character. We’ve only actually met a couple of the supporting players in her life; most are just referred to though, like Deanne’s husband and Max’s parents, who are Skye’s next-door-neighbors. More could (should!) develop between Skye and Max. I’ll keep reading to see what happens.
October 26, 2026
This story was mostly okay. I mean, pretty unrealistic, since This just screamed police being completely incompetent and not doing their job correctly, unless the US is so very different from where I live that it's not expected that they really go down EVERY possible route before dragging someone into court. Though to be fair, they also had to deal with people like the protagonist not telling them what they know.
And the story would've been a lot less annoying without both the constant side note of the protagonist's crush, and the need to call every car by its company or even model all the time.
But it was a quick read and actually managed to keep the real culprit hidden until the very end, even though that motif was a bit silly.
And the story would've been a lot less annoying without both the constant side note of the protagonist's crush, and the need to call every car by its company or even model all the time.
But it was a quick read and actually managed to keep the real culprit hidden until the very end, even though that motif was a bit silly.
August 9, 2022
Skye has pretty much loved Max since they were kids. But she was the shy, awkward, "weird" kid and he was the football star. She never quite figured out why they were best friends except for the face that they lived next door to each other. Her crush when unrequited and she moved on with her life. Not quite as much as Max moved on - now he's a Hollywood megastar!
Max's latest movie is filming in Las Vegas, the other one, not Sin City and now Skye is going to be seeing a lot more of Max. But before she can make too much of a mess of her ongoing crush Max is accused of murder. Skye's magic lies on tea leaf reading and a "tingle" when trouble is coming- can that really help get Max off the hook?
This is a great little cosy murder mystery with a hint of magic. There is more of a potential for romance with Max and Skye. There is a grat selection of supporting characters, such as Deanne and her hubby (who we never actually meet just hear about) and Skye's former boyfriend and current deputy, who it would seem wouldn't be averse to wooing Skye again.
There are twists and turns and the pacing is just right. I'm intrigued to find out how the potential romance with Max turns out and if her powers as a "Kitchen Witch" expand.
Max's latest movie is filming in Las Vegas, the other one, not Sin City and now Skye is going to be seeing a lot more of Max. But before she can make too much of a mess of her ongoing crush Max is accused of murder. Skye's magic lies on tea leaf reading and a "tingle" when trouble is coming- can that really help get Max off the hook?
This is a great little cosy murder mystery with a hint of magic. There is more of a potential for romance with Max and Skye. There is a grat selection of supporting characters, such as Deanne and her hubby (who we never actually meet just hear about) and Skye's former boyfriend and current deputy, who it would seem wouldn't be averse to wooing Skye again.
There are twists and turns and the pacing is just right. I'm intrigued to find out how the potential romance with Max turns out and if her powers as a "Kitchen Witch" expand.
August 17, 2022
This review is of Caffeine Before Curses, Book 1 in the Lattes and Levitation series by Christine Pope.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I always enjoy starting a new Christine Pope series. There will be new characters, new locations, new witchy powers. You did see this was a paranormal mystery, didn’t you? This time we are in Las Vegas, New Mexico and our heroine Skye O’Malley has dreams and can read tea leaves. No, not those kinds of dreams! She has Dreams that give her warnings and other information. And when was the last time you saw a heart shape in your tea leaves? Then there’s Max Sullivan, Skye’s long ago high school crush who is back in town to make a movie. Then someone gets killed and some else gets blamed and Skye has to figure it out. That’s all you are getting. You are going to have to read the book to find out who got killed and who did the killing and if Skye figured it out. I don’t want to ruin all of your fun!
So welcome to Las Vegas! The cute, quirky little town where Skye lives, where Max and the movie people are visiting, and where anything can happen.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I always enjoy starting a new Christine Pope series. There will be new characters, new locations, new witchy powers. You did see this was a paranormal mystery, didn’t you? This time we are in Las Vegas, New Mexico and our heroine Skye O’Malley has dreams and can read tea leaves. No, not those kinds of dreams! She has Dreams that give her warnings and other information. And when was the last time you saw a heart shape in your tea leaves? Then there’s Max Sullivan, Skye’s long ago high school crush who is back in town to make a movie. Then someone gets killed and some else gets blamed and Skye has to figure it out. That’s all you are getting. You are going to have to read the book to find out who got killed and who did the killing and if Skye figured it out. I don’t want to ruin all of your fun!
So welcome to Las Vegas! The cute, quirky little town where Skye lives, where Max and the movie people are visiting, and where anything can happen.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
August 9, 2023
⚡Content Warning: Suicide⚡
💖 Rating: ⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery
💕 Positives:
* None.
🚫 Negatives:
* This book is beyond slow. 69 pages and so far nothing has happened other than going to work and back home.
* An assault rifle is a fully automatic machine gun which is incredibly hard/ virtually impossible to own. The rifle that the author was mentioning was a semi-automatic armalite rifle. Two completely different things.
* The scene prompting the trigger warning was completely unnecessary. Cozy mysteries do not have detailed suicide scenes. What the hell was this author thinking?
⚡Content Warning: Suicide in a prophetic dream in detail, using a gun.
🌟 Overall, I DNFed at the suicide scene. I read cozy mysteries because they typically don't show scenes like that. Not to mention, this book was incredibly, painfully slow. Nothing happened until the suicide scene. The characters are all very 2 dimensional. The main character's only personality trait is that she has an unrequited love. That's it. No quirks nor interests, just "I love him". 🙄
I wouldn't recommend this book at all to anyone.
💖 Rating: ⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery
💕 Positives:
* None.
🚫 Negatives:
* This book is beyond slow. 69 pages and so far nothing has happened other than going to work and back home.
* An assault rifle is a fully automatic machine gun which is incredibly hard/ virtually impossible to own. The rifle that the author was mentioning was a semi-automatic armalite rifle. Two completely different things.
* The scene prompting the trigger warning was completely unnecessary. Cozy mysteries do not have detailed suicide scenes. What the hell was this author thinking?
⚡Content Warning: Suicide in a prophetic dream in detail, using a gun.
🌟 Overall, I DNFed at the suicide scene. I read cozy mysteries because they typically don't show scenes like that. Not to mention, this book was incredibly, painfully slow. Nothing happened until the suicide scene. The characters are all very 2 dimensional. The main character's only personality trait is that she has an unrequited love. That's it. No quirks nor interests, just "I love him". 🙄
I wouldn't recommend this book at all to anyone.
August 17, 2022
Skye O’Malley, a resident of Las Vegas (New Mexico, not Nevada) now twenty-eight, has “The Sight” and has dealt with “twinges” and premonitions since she was thirteen. Now, the owner of Levitation Latte, she is dreading the prospect of her secret childhood crush, Max Sullivan, returning to town. Skye is just as much in love with Max Sullivan as she’d ever been. The famous-but-disliked director is killed and the sheriff and DA think Max did it. So begins the dramatic search for the real killer leading to the exciting conclusion. The relationship with Max is still a very one-sided fantasy on Skye’s part, but she has hope for the future.
The story is told from Skye’s Point of View in a very stream-of-consciousness tone, which gives the feeling of being inside Skye's head, listening to her thought process, and experiencing the story unfold from her perspective. It’s very effective in giving a feeling of immediacy and involvement in Skye’s life.
The story is told from Skye’s Point of View in a very stream-of-consciousness tone, which gives the feeling of being inside Skye's head, listening to her thought process, and experiencing the story unfold from her perspective. It’s very effective in giving a feeling of immediacy and involvement in Skye’s life.
November 13, 2023
Max is back in town - Max, the boy next door and Skye's long-held crush. After ten years away, Skye is delighted to see him, but Max is now a movie star and still unobtainable. Skye's life has moved on: she inherited her house and coffee shop from her grandmother and she's more confident in both herself and her tea leaf reading. When Max is falsely accused of murder, it's up to Skye and her tea leaves to save him.
Rather than being (as Skye calls it) woo-woo, this cosy was rational and realistic while still being utterly charming at the same time. Skye is a grand character, and I loved her take on life. As a detective, she's aces! Skye carefully eliminated her suspects without jumping to conclusions or making wild accusations. Her method of gaining knowledge may have been unorthodox, but it got the job done. I did not guess the villain until the reveal.
Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Rather than being (as Skye calls it) woo-woo, this cosy was rational and realistic while still being utterly charming at the same time. Skye is a grand character, and I loved her take on life. As a detective, she's aces! Skye carefully eliminated her suspects without jumping to conclusions or making wild accusations. Her method of gaining knowledge may have been unorthodox, but it got the job done. I did not guess the villain until the reveal.
Looking forward to reading more in this series.
February 18, 2024
A rather good entry in the genre, with sufficient circumstances outside the norm that it doesn't become cliché. Skye's paranormal abilities aren't over-promised (though they are convenient to the solution and not *entirely* uncontrived), her relationship with Max is sufficiently normal, and her responsibilities to the business aren't conveniently ignored.
What kept it from a 5 in my mind has to do with the murder weapon. No way would a real gun be used for shooting if a sufficiently realistic prop gun is available. The prop gun would not be on Max's hip in his trailer, the real gun would not be locked away for use "later", the real gun would not be left in a 3rd party storage unit, and in no case would live ammunition be available anywhere near it. (See: "Rust", which will reinforce best practices). In fact, I would not be surprised to see firing pins removed from prop guns in the future.
What kept it from a 5 in my mind has to do with the murder weapon. No way would a real gun be used for shooting if a sufficiently realistic prop gun is available. The prop gun would not be on Max's hip in his trailer, the real gun would not be locked away for use "later", the real gun would not be left in a 3rd party storage unit, and in no case would live ammunition be available anywhere near it. (See: "Rust", which will reinforce best practices). In fact, I would not be surprised to see firing pins removed from prop guns in the future.
September 19, 2023
A great story. A little craziness, but a lot of fun, even though there is a murder to solve. The main character is a woman who has her own little business, selling coffee, tea, muffins and croissants to the locals. But everything changes when an old friend comes to town because he is now a famous actor and will be the star of a movie that will be shot in this little New Mexico town.
The town has to deal with the arrival of all the actors, support staff and movie crew, and our little cafe proprietor has to deal with feelings she has for the star of the movie that she hasn't seen for years. Their friendship is rekindled, but she actually wants more. I'm afraid to tell more about the story other than to say how detailed it is and you, the reader, begin to feel a part of the community.
It's shocking what happens and a surprise what skills are brought to bear to solve the case.
The town has to deal with the arrival of all the actors, support staff and movie crew, and our little cafe proprietor has to deal with feelings she has for the star of the movie that she hasn't seen for years. Their friendship is rekindled, but she actually wants more. I'm afraid to tell more about the story other than to say how detailed it is and you, the reader, begin to feel a part of the community.
It's shocking what happens and a surprise what skills are brought to bear to solve the case.
November 22, 2023
Skye O’Malley the owner of Lattes and Levitation coffee shop has created a nice little life for herself. She has updated her Grandma’s old house to fit her to a tee. She has her own little coffee and tea shop with amazing bagels, muffins, and treats. She has made her perfect little cozy life. Her friend and employee let her know that a new movie is being filmed in their small little hometown. The only little problem is that Skye’s childhood boy next door friend and crush is coming to town as the star of the movie. That is all great but Skye starts having some of her witchy little feelings and dreams about something bad happening to him. The movie's director is a real jerk and ends up being murdered and Max Skye’s friend is blamed. Now all Skye has to do is figure out the mystery and help her friend. This fast-paced story is a cute cozy mystery.
January 28, 2024
This was really cute! My only issues with it was the pacing.
I realize this was the first in a series, which is busy for an author since the setting, backgrounds, characters, overall story arc developed , etc., need to be created.
That being said, the first 42% of this book was all background. Then came the murder, a halfhearted attempt at an investigation (I didn’t expect Nancy Drew but I expected something more), and the killer was identified at 80%, a quick wrap up and done.
It felt like the author hit her page count and was done, which is sad, because with an extra 20 pages or so, this would have been so much better. Even if the author went back and removed all the “they were not in our class”, “they were too old to be in our class” (this isn’t relevant), and the repeated statements, there was plenty of space to add to the story.
I realize this was the first in a series, which is busy for an author since the setting, backgrounds, characters, overall story arc developed , etc., need to be created.
That being said, the first 42% of this book was all background. Then came the murder, a halfhearted attempt at an investigation (I didn’t expect Nancy Drew but I expected something more), and the killer was identified at 80%, a quick wrap up and done.
It felt like the author hit her page count and was done, which is sad, because with an extra 20 pages or so, this would have been so much better. Even if the author went back and removed all the “they were not in our class”, “they were too old to be in our class” (this isn’t relevant), and the repeated statements, there was plenty of space to add to the story.
August 3, 2022
Christine Pope has done again!!! A new mystery series with a character named Skye O’Malley, a not-quite witch. Skye has the gift of Sight that at times leads to dreaming predictive conditions. Her other gift of tea leaves reading also becomes handy. Especially when her childhood and lifelong friend, famous movie star Max Sullivan, is accused of murder. The twist and turns how Skye puts it all together to solve the mystery of this murder and find the real culprit is just mind-blowing. This is a must read and recommend this book highly. We will see more of Skye and Max again and can’t wait for the next book.
August 11, 2022
There’s a ghost cat. Kind of. This is a good start.
Also a coffee shop owner with an astute best friend/ co-worker who knows everything about everyone.
Coffee shop lady (CSL) reads tea leaves and gets dream premonitions. Very cool. Also blends her own specialty teas and roasts her own coffee. I can smell that wonderful aroma.
A-list movie hunk back in home town, who just happens to be CSL’s high school crush.
A whodunnit with apple spiced muffins.
A well-written cozy with oodles of charm- yes indeedy. The first in a new series that promises to be well worth reading. I’m already jonesing for the next book.
Also a coffee shop owner with an astute best friend/ co-worker who knows everything about everyone.
Coffee shop lady (CSL) reads tea leaves and gets dream premonitions. Very cool. Also blends her own specialty teas and roasts her own coffee. I can smell that wonderful aroma.
A-list movie hunk back in home town, who just happens to be CSL’s high school crush.
A whodunnit with apple spiced muffins.
A well-written cozy with oodles of charm- yes indeedy. The first in a new series that promises to be well worth reading. I’m already jonesing for the next book.
August 17, 2022
This series starter is off to a really good start and is such a good read. We meet Skye who is not quite a witch and is busy running her coffee shop Levitation Lattes with her best friend Deanne. Her whole ordered world is turned upside down when her movie crush former boy next door, Max comes to town to film a movie and ends up being framed for murder. It’s thrilling and exciting and is full of suspense and mystery and had me guessing all along the way. Twists and turns that only Skye can solve to help find the real culprit and a few surprises you won’t see coming leaves me eager for book two.
September 15, 2022
Coffee shop AU, slowburn romance, friends to lovers, magical realism, mystery plot, yes please to some of my favorite tropes all being in one book and heading towards a series. I really really liked this book. Skye and Max having a history of being friends and neighbors with unrequited love, ugh, the feels. The plot is very typical in a coffee shop murder mystery, but I didn't mind. I really loved the characters and the magical elements to this story. I did receive an ARC but this does not affect my thoughts or opinions in anyway. I have read many Christine Pope books over the years, and this one might be my new favorite. I really can't wait to read more.
July 5, 2024
I found this book to be quite boring. I had to force myself to finish it, and the only reason I did was so I could log it as a part of my local library's summer reading program. There were a few irrelevant things in the book that it could have done without. And I really didn't like how the MC kept jumping to conclusions with little to no information. This is the third book that I have read from this author, all book 1 in a different series, and two of them I did not like. I will not be looking for anymore books by this author. I'm sorry.
I received a free digital copy and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free digital copy and this is my honest opinion.
June 30, 2023
Fun and interesting
This story is different, making the read that much better. Movie star, Max, comes back to his home town to shoot a movie, and “shoot” becomes the operative word. His former next door neighbor, Skye, has been holding a crush on him for these 10 years. The books gives good characters and a definite mystery. Skye, somewhat of a mystic, takes it upon herself to try to figure out the killer to free suspicion from Max and does a very good job. The culprit is a surprise, while the reason is not. But by the end, there may be more coming to the relationship….hmmmm
This story is different, making the read that much better. Movie star, Max, comes back to his home town to shoot a movie, and “shoot” becomes the operative word. His former next door neighbor, Skye, has been holding a crush on him for these 10 years. The books gives good characters and a definite mystery. Skye, somewhat of a mystic, takes it upon herself to try to figure out the killer to free suspicion from Max and does a very good job. The culprit is a surprise, while the reason is not. But by the end, there may be more coming to the relationship….hmmmm
January 19, 2024
Okay, I rated this a 3, but I also enjoyed reading it! I'd say it's a high 3 if you go in knowing it's not intricate/high level plot or romance!
I sometimes get in a reading slump because I can't imagine diving into another world of conflicts and craziness. This book, however, is light and minimal conflict (a cozy read).
The romance is cute, but not in depth. Enough to make you want to read the next book to see where it goes. The murder mystery is not too crazy or plot twisty, but also entertained me enough that I finished the book rather quickly!
I sometimes get in a reading slump because I can't imagine diving into another world of conflicts and craziness. This book, however, is light and minimal conflict (a cozy read).
The romance is cute, but not in depth. Enough to make you want to read the next book to see where it goes. The murder mystery is not too crazy or plot twisty, but also entertained me enough that I finished the book rather quickly!
February 6, 2023
This begins a fun series. Skye owns Levitation Latte and has been in love with Max Sullivan since they were childhood neighbors in small town Las Vegas, New Mexico. Now, the boy that became a Hollywood action hero is back in town to film his latest movie. It seems he wants to renew old friendships, but after the director is murdered, he's going to need all the friends he can get to avoid a murder charge.
October 16, 2023
Engrossing read.
With a complex and credible well-written storyline this will hold your interest from the first page, when her high school crush now a top-tier movie star returns to his home town to film his latest movie you know things are going to get interesting. When he's framed for the murder of the film's director she knows that she has to use her powers to prove his innocence, with wonderful characters and a storyline that flows well I'm sure you'll love this book, Baz.
With a complex and credible well-written storyline this will hold your interest from the first page, when her high school crush now a top-tier movie star returns to his home town to film his latest movie you know things are going to get interesting. When he's framed for the murder of the film's director she knows that she has to use her powers to prove his innocence, with wonderful characters and a storyline that flows well I'm sure you'll love this book, Baz.
October 18, 2023
I received this story as a freebie in return for an honest review.
I quite enjoyed the story, though I had hoped that the main characters had become an item by the end of the book, obviously it's hoped I'll keep buying books to find out if it ever happens lol. I'm enjoying books like this, I'm over intense, gory stories these days - it's nice to escape the world sometimes with a bit of light reading while still solving a puzzle before the ending is revealed.
I quite enjoyed the story, though I had hoped that the main characters had become an item by the end of the book, obviously it's hoped I'll keep buying books to find out if it ever happens lol. I'm enjoying books like this, I'm over intense, gory stories these days - it's nice to escape the world sometimes with a bit of light reading while still solving a puzzle before the ending is revealed.
October 9, 2023
Cute cozy book.
Coffee shop owner has a touch of a supernatural gift, and helps her friend figure out who’s framing him for murder.
At about the half way point I figured out who the killer was, and why he was framed for the murder…
The unrequited love she feels for her friend is kinda sad, and every time they are together she is so hopeful… and every time her dreams are crushed.
Coffee shop owner has a touch of a supernatural gift, and helps her friend figure out who’s framing him for murder.
At about the half way point I figured out who the killer was, and why he was framed for the murder…
The unrequited love she feels for her friend is kinda sad, and every time they are together she is so hopeful… and every time her dreams are crushed.
July 27, 2025
This was not a book for me. I feel like the story had a lot of potential, but it just annoys me a bit when I feel I could have written it better myself.
The main character is 30, but the way she is upset with her feelings for here childhood crush (which she hasn’t seen in a lot of years) is making her seem more like she is 16.
The main character is 30, but the way she is upset with her feelings for here childhood crush (which she hasn’t seen in a lot of years) is making her seem more like she is 16.
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