Isn't it punny reviews: Witch Please by Ann Aguirre, Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley, Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien

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Witch Please (Fix-it Witches #1) by Ann Aguirre ~ Goodreads  I'm a longtime fan of Aguirre (and beta reader - although I haven't read any of this series beforehand) and I'm always impressed by her ability to switch genres so I was curious about her new rom-com-esqe PNR series even though I'm not a huge fan witches. 

This was such an adorable read! Light and fun.

I adored Titus, the owner/baker of Sugar Daddy's. He's a cinnamon roll hero, who literally bakes cinnamon rolls (& other delicious goodies) for Danica, to woo the beguiling co-owner of Fix-It-Witches repair shop. And who is an actual witch.

They have a lovely sweet romance that, unfortunately, can't go anywhere thanks to Danica's lineage. She is required to marry within and propagate to continue her line. 

Danica's mom gave up her magic for the love of a mundane and it caused a permanent rift within the coven and between her mother and grandmother. No matter how much Danica is drawn to Titus, she doesn't want to fail her coven or grandmother. 

I had a minor quibble about how some of this magical conflict was revealed - you can see my spoiler review over on goodreads but I still really enjoyed this one. A lot of heart and humor. 

The audio by Ava Lucas was great! She did all the voices and emotions so well. I will definitely be reading book #2 - Boss Witch soon. 👍

Source: Hoopla

Gouda Friends (Ponto Beach Reunion #2) by Cathy Yardley ~ Goodreads Tam and Josh haven't stayed in touch as much as they would have liked to over the years since HS. But they know they only have to use their code word - GOLDFISH - and the other will drop everything and get them out of whatever situation they are in. 

Tam finds her boyfriend with another woman. BUT EVEN WORSE - he ate the last of her specialty cheese! How dare he??!! Desperate to leave and nowhere to go, she contacts Josh and uses the goldfish card. Immediately, he has her on a plane from NYC and back to their seaside hometown in California, with a safe place to land while she works things out. 

I loved that this story was more about Tam finding what works for her instead of doing what was easier or safe or even good for her blossoming relationship with Josh. They've been bff's forever but their romantic feelings are new. Friends to more but at a nice slow pace that focused more in individual growth. 

Gouda Friends really plays up on the title which I loved! Cheese was almost a third starring character here. Have I told you how much I love 🧀?? So this made me very happy lol

                                                     *My cheese binge buy from last weekend 😜

Punny, cute, sweet romance and a woman finding herself while learning to let others in 👍

*Source: Purchased

Death by Dumpling (A Noodle Shop Mystery #1) by Vivien Chien ~ Goodreads After a rough break-up, Lana Lee is (reluctantly) back working for her parents at the Ho-Lee Noodle House. 

When the property manager of the close-knit business community, Mr. Feng, dies after eating the shrimp dumplings Lana delivered - despite the shop knowing he has a life threatening shellfish allergy, suspicions fall on the shop. So, of course, Lana does what any self respecting cozy mystery girl does and investigates the murder herself to clear her friend and family. 

This story follows all the trappings (& comforts) of a cozy mystery with Lana uncovering more than meets the eye from her fellow shop owners, friends and frenemies but she's never *too* clever or *too* oblivious to the facts so you are willing to follow all the red herrings and a few surprising reveals. 

This first in the series also sets up a few bigger arc's - a troubled relationship with her sister, a possible romantic relationship and Lana's own conflicted feelings about coming back to the shop and under her mother's insistent glare.

Fun start, interesting characters, lot of food and culture and more suspensful than usual mystery 👍

Source: Kindle Unlimited