Author: deborahkehoe

Hi! I am an avid reader who annoys her husband because I always have my head buried in a book. I was an English major, and have finally decided to do something with the knowledge and skills my parents love and money have given me. Mostly I'm just a chick who reads. A Lot.

This Chick Read: Same Time Next Summer

Sam is taking her fiancé Jake to her family’s summer home at the beach in Long Island to look at a wedding venue, but as soon as she arrives she senses something is off. She hears guitar music playing and realizes that Wyatt, the boy that broke her heart, has returned to his house next door. She hasn’t seen him since she was seventeen and doesn’t want to see him now. Unfortunately he’s everywhere and all of those memories from long ago come flooding back. Sam remembers who she used to be, and as Wyatt reenters her life their connection is as undeniable as it always was. She will have to make a choice.

This was the last of Annabel Monaghan’s books that I hadn’t read and I was excited to get a copy from the library. The weather is turning and I’m in the mood for a summer beach romance and this one looked to be a perfect fit.

I liked Sam a lot. She was conflicted over bringing her fiancé to her summer home because she was a different person at the beach then she was in the city. There she was buttoned up and had closeted all of her feelings behind a safe wall, but at the beach she let her feelings come alive. Her true person came out and because of the heartache she faced when she was young she was afraid to let that person come to the surface. A little unfair to her fiancé because he didn’t know the real her, just the person she wanted to show him. When she was faced with Wyatt again and all of those old feelings surfaced, as well as her connection with Wyatt she was faced with the choice to stay in her safe world or take a chance and face her true self. That was what I loved about this story. She didn’t allow herself to hide away anymore, of course, she needed a good reason and that was the love of a good man. Unfortunately for her fiancé it wasn’t him.

These summer romance novels have such a warm, golden feel to them. I love that easy, relaxed fit that a beach read brings to my heart and this book was no different. Was it my favorite book by this author? Nope. It was probably my least favorite, actually, but it was still enjoyable and I loved the journey it took me on. Now that I’m caught up with her books I’ll need to find another new to me author with a backlist of novels to read and love.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Same Time Next Summer

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This Chicks Audio Review: What the Devil Knows (Sebastian St. Cyr #16) by C. S. Harris

In 1811, two entire families were viciously murdered in their homes. A suspect–a young seaman named John Williams–was arrested. But before he could be brought to trial, Williams hanged himself in his cell. The murders ceased, and London slowly began to breathe easier. But when the lead investigator, Sir Edwin Pym, is killed in the same brutal way three years later and others possibly connected to the original case meet violent ends, the city is paralyzed with terror once more. 

Was the wrong man arrested for the murders? Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy turns to his friend Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for assistance. Pym’s colleagues are convinced his manner of death is a coincidence, but Sebastian has his doubts. The more he looks into the three-year-old murders, the more certain he becomes that the hapless John Williams was not the real killer. Which begs the question–who was and why are they dead set on killing again?

I’ve listened to Davina Porter narrate sixteen novels in this series and I’m nervous about starting number seventeen because she’s retired and I’ll have to hear my favorite characters voiced by another narrator. I’m sure it will be fine, but sixteen books is a commitment! I think I’ve been trying to play catch-up on this series for four or five years- at least! Davina Porter does such an amazing job with accents and portrays men and women equally well. She is truly an artist and will be missed. I do wish her well in her retirement.

What keeps me coming back to these Sebastian St. Cyr stories? Despite the talented Davina Porter, it’s my love for these characters, their development, and especially the mysteries. The Viscount Devlin with his penchant for disguises and ability to not only interrogate his peers, but also the classes beneath him makes his character real allowing the reader to become a part of his thought process. What the Devil Knows was a little slower than some of the previous novels, but not because of a lack of action. I think Devlin survived two or three attempts on his life but never gave up his desire to find out the truth behind the malicious killings of these families. Very honorable!

If you love historical mysteries and are looking for a series to dive into, please give this one a try, but start with the first book! These characters grow and evolve and that has been a large part of why I’ve stuck with them and have continued to enjoy the characters. Enjoy! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* What the Devil Knows

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This Chick Read: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali Morris organizes people lives for a living but when her mother dies and her husband leaves her, her own life starts to spin. She hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in a good long while. One day, she takes a big step, puts on semi-structured overalls and takes her dog to the dog park where her dog pees on a man named Ethan who looks at her like she has her act together. He looks at her like she’s her much younger self. There’s no harm in a little summer romance is there?

I have come to love this authors’ summer romances. The characters are always a bit messy but with the heat and beach humidity a little anxiety and disorganization seems to fit just right. What I liked about this novel was that Ali’s messiness was caused by grief and self discovery while learning how to live through that grief. This story felt very real, especially with how her two children coped with a mother who kind of stopped living for awhile. Ethan brought a little fun and laughter to this woman who hadn’t felt those emotions in quite a long time and you could almost feel that exhalation of grief and inhalation of life in each scene he was in.

An interesting side plot was how Ethan dealt with his own messiness. In this small town they were both from, he had a bit of a crazy reputation that people had trouble seeing past. Everyone but Ali, who saw the man he had become vs. the troubled youth he once was. I liked the dichotomy of his past and current lives and how he needed to overcome his own anxiety. I like when both characters have a bit of work to do to make it to their happily ever after. Their journey felt like the breeze wafting in from the water, whipping around slightly before settling down. Refreshing.

Click this link to purchase this book! *Summer Romance

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This Chick Read: Casket Case by Lauren Evans

Due to an unexpected tragedy, Nora finds herself back in Rabbitown, Alabama running the family’s casket business. There are not many choices for a single woman living in a tiny town, so when a handsome stranger walks into her store and asks for directions, then asks her out, she accepts. Garrett seems like an ideal guy, even though he’s kind of vague about what he does for a living. When a few residents die, and Nora figures out Garrett was with them right before they died, she is worried he’s a serial killer, but never believes he’s a logistics coordinator for Death. Is it weird that they both deal with death for a living? Is that something she can live with?

I picked up this book because of the obvious, of course! It’s a romance about a woman who sells caskets and a man who works for Death! Who wouldn’t be curious about that plot? I wasn’t sure how it was going to work but I knew that I definitely had to see if this debut author could tempt me to read it from start to finish. Yes, I did! Although it definitely was not your normal romance!

We learned a lot about Garrett and his previous relationships, all of which failed because of his job (of course!). His explanation of “logistics” and all of the travel he does for a living wasn’t enough for his past girlfriends, but he thinks Nora, who sells caskets for a living might understand him better than any else could. What he doesn’t take into account is that Nora grew up in a family business that dealt in death. A stigma that she’s always had through grade school, high school, and even as an adult. Death, as a way to make a living just makes people uncomfortable. So when she starts to piece it all together, it’s no wonder that she might have trouble seeing a future with Garrett. It’s how they overcome that big objection that could make or break this story. Right?

I actually enjoyed this book, but found the pacing to be a bit slow. I appreciated the build up and getting to know each character and truthfully probably needed to in order to grow to like where the story was going. The problem was that all of the thoughtfulness really slowed down the story. I almost gave up, but I soldiered on and finished this kind of bizarre but likable novel. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase!* Casket Case

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This Chick Read: Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy #1) by Callie Hart

Saeris Fane has lived in the Queen’s third ward living off ounces of water a day, stealing to survive. When she starts a chain of events by stealing the wrong item she is taken prisoner and the Queen orders her death. Fighting for her life, Saeris uses the powers she has kept secret her whole life and opens a gateway between realms and death comes walking through it’s door. Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior kills her enemy and sweeps her into this other realm filled with ice and snow. Unknowingly Saeris ties herself to Fisher and he uses her magic to achieve his own agenda.

I saw this on a best Fantasy of 2024 list and boy did this one NOT disappoint. I really don’t understand those reviews that gave it one and two stars where those people said they couldn’t finish the novel. What??!!! Despite the page count (615 pages), I thought this story was fast-paced, the characters were really interesting, and the romance riveting. I do love a good romantic fantasy and Quicksilver was all I’d hoped it would be.

Saeris is the type of heroine I just love. She struggles out of love for her family, and when she finds herself in this untenable position she fights to return to them, despite the horrifying way they live and how much better her situation is in this new world. When she meets Fisher, she hate him with a passion. He obviously has an agenda, which she doesn’t really understand, and is pretty awful. However, there are unguarded moments where the reader is given a glimpse into his own horrible past that lead you to believe that if these two got their act together they’d make a pretty amazing team. Despite their immediate sexual chemistry it does take them a while to like each other but I, unlike some other reviewers, reveled in that hate to like and like to hate reality.

The story’s fast pace was driven by a lot of action, fighting, and changes of scenery. I have to say the world building was pretty amazing and very easy to follow. We were left with some question marks at the end of the story so I can’t wait for this author to complete the next novel. I’m ready to jump back in!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Quicksilver

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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This Chick Read: The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Don’t you just love it when an author has the skill set to create a full rounded story in 82 pages? This short story by Abby Jimenez is exactly that- a story with a beginning, middle, and end AND has fully fleshed out characters. When I read a short story as good as this one I do have that moment of “oh I wish” that this author had written their entire story, but you know what? The Fall Risk didn’t leave me hanging. I felt their connection, understood the nuances to their characters, loved their love story. What more can you want, right?

Charlotte and Seth are neighbor’s. They live on the second floor and share a small deck that runs between their apartments, as well as an outside staircase connecting them to the ground below. When some construction workers mistakenly remove their staircase, Charlotte and Seth find themselves grounded, at home, for the weekend- with only each other for company. Charlotte works out of her house and doesn’t let people get too close but this situation calls for her to live her life differently, if only for a weekend. Over the weekend the two of them share food, stories about their lives, and their hopes and dreams for the future. They make a connection that has to live beyond that weekend, doesn’t it?

Trust me guys, this is a short story filled to the brim with content. If you like Abby Jimenez, then you know what you’re getting and I’m sure have already picked this one up. If you don’t know this author this is your chance to try her out and see what her style is like. I think, like me, you’ll become a big fan!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Fall Risk

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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This Chick Read: Fun For The Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith

Endicott siblings, Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude used to be inseparable. Their absentee mother would sweep into town every summer and steal them away for a few weeks of driving around the country with a goal of seeing every state in the United States. Decades later, it’s been a few years since these siblings have seen each other when Jude texts them out of the blue to meet her in North Dakota. Their lives have drawn them away from each other and each of their future seem uncertain, but they can’t resist the chance to reconnect. Jude’s life seems to be the most together but she has been holding onto three secrets and has decided it’s time to share them with her brothers and sisters.

I have read one other book by this author and loved it, so despite my usually avoiding family drama books I decided to give this one a try. I am so glad I did! These characters were unique and each of their stories interesting. I didn’t mind with the point of view changed from character to character. Although I’ll admit having four POV’s AND flashbacks was sometimes frustrating.

Three of the Endicotts were “extraordinary” becoming famous in their chosen profession, but it was Gemma’s point of view – the normal sibling- that was the easiest to identify with as well as who I found the most interesting. Her inner journey as she struggled with in-vitro and her love for her husband Mateo felt the most real and touched my heart the most. All that being said when the family got together it was not boring and in fact touched on all my emotions. They were kind of messed up, but also funny, loving, and well acted like the siblings they were. If you like heartfelt family drama’s this book will be right up your alley. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Fun For the Whole Family

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This Chicks Audio Review: Misdirected by Lucy Parker

Hattie Murton’s journey to acting was the stuff of any actresses dreams. A chance encounter with a casting director leads to her landing a role in what she thought would be a one-off for a show called Leicester Square, a bodice ripping romance. She doesn’t count on the audiences need for romantic dramas and now finds herself a household name. After four seasons of working in this cutthroat industry Hattie is thinking about trying something new but she has to finish out her current season. A season where her character has a mad affair with the shows villain, where she’ll have some very close, revealing scenes with the Anthony Rafe, A-lister, and absolute prat.

Narrated by Nicola Coughlan of Bridgerton fame, and English actor Gwilym Lee, Lucy Parker delivers a story that is reminiscent of her London Celebrities series, which I’ll admit to loving dearly. Our heroine, Hattie, is just out of a high-profile breakup and has had the papps hounding her for weeks. She just wants to finish out her season when she’s given this new storyline. She doesn’t have much to do with Anthony on set as their characters really never cross paths, but her best friend Jake went to school with him and has talked poorly of him to her for years. With those words spinning around in her hear, Hattie is not overjoyed to have been paired up with him for an on-set romance. Their close proximity and amazing chemistry start to make Hattie see through Anthony’s on-stage persona seeing the individual beneath and that is where the story starts to get interesting.

Lucy Parker’s novels typically have a quicker pace and I’m unsure if it was the narration or the pace of the story itself, but this read as more of a slow burn romance than it did a true romance. It took a long while for Hattie to see the man beneath the facade. I’ll admit to being a little impatient that it took so long for the two protagonists to find their feelings for each other, but when they did it was worth the long wait. The release of all that tension was definitely an oh-my moment but it was the personal revelations about their families and their future that really gave that yank on my heart. This wasn’t my favorite of her novels, but I know I’ll go back and read it when the book is released so I can catch those moments I may have missed in the audiobook version. I’m looking forward to it!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this audiobook!* Misdirected

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This Chick Read: The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir

Kat and Silas have a past. As a student in college she taught a class that he took and they did not have a good experience with each other. Flash forward a few years and Kat and Silas now live in the same small town. Silas is liked by everyone and has a lot of friends, but Kat has just moved to town and has only her best friend from college living nearby. Needless to say, they are not excited to be living near each other. When Kat’s ex-boyfriend’s business buys out the company where she works he comes to town to evaluate her office. Their relationship ending badly and Kat wants him to know she’s moved on so she makes up a fake boyfriend, who just happens to be Silas- who also happens to be frenemies with her ex. It’s a circuitous situation fraught with tension but Kat and Silas both want to show up her ex and agree to a one month plan.

I saw this book recommended on social media and as it was a Kindle Unlimited novel I decided to give it a try. It sounded like the plot would be fun if a bit fluffy, but I love the enemies to lovers trope and will always give that kind of plot a try. What I didn’t expect were characters who were much more than their surface and a plot that I actually ended up enjoying tremendously. There were a few funny moments too, but these were not perfect people and I found this story to be more serious than funny as the characters had a lot to work through to find their happily ever afters.

Sometimes it’s totally worth it to try out a new to me author and this was one of those instances. I was sold on the trope and even though I went into the story thinking it was going to be light-hearted, I enjoyed the depth to these characters and their growth with each other. They started out enemies but they found someone they needed in each other and truly became each others better halves. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The One Month Boyfriend

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (The Legacy Series #3) by Melissa K. Roehrich

After how dark the last novel in this series got, I wondered if I’d ever be in the mood to pick up the third book. At 672 pages you not only have to be in the mood, but also be invested in these characters to tackle the story and give it the time it needs to live in your head. The book came out in October and I broke down in February and read it. So, I guess I wasn’t too disturbed by how that last book ended.

I’m going to assume that if you are reading my review for a book #3 in a series that you’ve read the previous novels and not give you a recap, which would be very exhausting. Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance starts off pretty much where the last one left off. Tessa is living in the Achaz Kingdom away from Theon, who despite her conflicted feelings, she believes she’ll one day have to kill. They are still tied together, but now she has given him a mark that makes him bound to her as she is to him. So she has access to his powers and can use them as needed, just like he can with hers. Luka has been sent by Theon to the Achaz Kingdom to guard and train Tessa in the use of her powers. As he lives and resides with her their already close relationship gets even closer. She is haunted by nightmares and he seems to provide her with a peace so she can sleep, so she is now sleeping in his bed. He seems much more conflicted by this than she does, but she trusts him and as he’s also bound to she and Theon they have a triad type of dynamic that adds an interesting diversion to an otherwise pretty dark story. She is still the biggest threat in Devram and everyone seems to either want a piece of her or to kill her. It’s a toss up.

I still love the strength in Tessa’s character, but in this book she seems to be slightly off her rocker. She talks to herself, can’t control her power, and has this depth of hate for pretty much anyone. I’m actually surprised that she hasn’t continued to try to harm herself, but she feels like she’s in this situation for a purpose, even if that purpose is skewed and crazy, she’s going to carry it out. Theon has backed off from the threats to Tessa and has now become a softy. He seems to have come to grip with his feelings, realized he had the wrong approach with her, and has switched to a long game in trying to rebuild trust. I really like that in him and like him much better in this book than in the previous novels. Luka has taken the romantic lead which is conflicting for him, but not really for anyone else. Curious, right? There are all sorts of sub plots, sidebars, and ulterior motives in all the rest of the cast. All of interest and help bring the story together so that by the end the reader is left with the feeling that Tessa, Luka, and Theon are more of a cohesive unit than they’ve been since the beginning. I actually was left with a more positive feeling than the last novel and am curious how the author will move this story forward and am almost looking forward to it!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads