Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

And Then There's Margaret by Carolyn Clarke is an entertaining story of midlife and mothers-in-law. Alison Montgomery has received the news that her father-in-law has passed away and now her mother-in-law is moving in - temporarily, she says. Alison should be glad to give her grieving mother-in-law, Margaret, a home but the truth is, she doesn’t like her. Margaret is manipulative and controlling and, while Alison tries her best, things come to a head when Margaret takes over her kitchen and her life, even giving Alison's daughter money to get away and throwing tantrums in public. Alison can only get through this with the help of her best friend and a bottle or two of Chardonnay. She has to juggle it all - her marriage, her adult children, midlife, and a meddling mother-in-law - it's enough to drive anyone to drink! Can Alison keep her temper? Will she and Margaret ever get on? Or should Alison just give up and walk away?

And Then There's Margaret by Carolyn Clarke is a hilarious tale that I'm sure many people can relate to. We've all heard the jokes and stories about mothers-in-law and, while some of them are perfectly nice, some are Margaret. This is an entertaining story that will have you in fits of laughter, although there is the bittersweet side of a woman coming to terms with the loss of her husband too. It's a well-written story with crisp, clear dialog that engages you from the start and characters that you can't help but relate to. It deals with real-life issues in a way so that you can understand and empathize with each character but I guarantee you one thing - you will pick sides in this story! With plenty of action and no small amount of humor, this is a great story to while away a few hours on a rainy day or on the beach.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Once Is Never Enough: A James Flynn Escapade by Haris Orkin pokes fun once again at the spy action genre in this second installment. The last time we saw James Flynn, he was under the illusion that he was a British secret service agent with a call sign of Double-O. This time, Flynn is in a mental asylum and is still convinced that he is a secret agent. Goolardo, his nemesis from the first book, has escaped from prison along with his henchman, Mendoza. They attempt to liquidate Flynn, and this triggers Flynn to snap into his British spy mode and be recruited by billionaire Sergei Belenki. Flynn’s mission is to prevent harmful information leaks that are perpetrated by Russia. Unbeknownst to Flynn, Belenki is hiding his own agenda, and it has something to do with a superior intelligence so far beyond our own that we cannot even begin to comprehend it. The world’s fate hangs in the balance, and its salvation is in the hands of a nut job.

Once is Never Enough is relentless both in action and humor. I think of it as Johnny English minus the vacuity. James Flynn appears to be deadpan serious so that he emerges as comedic in a world full of danger and intrigue. Haris Orkin has written a spy novel that makes an elaborate joke of the genre, and perhaps this is what we need right now considering the string of James Bond movies with all the serious bravado that famous British actors have projected into the character. James Flynn becomes a welcome alternative. As the action gets more furious, so does the humor. The story reveals Orkin as a humorous fiction writer as he indulges readers with a heavy-handed satire and such engaging inversions. It’s comedic action at its best, and I look forward to another James Flynn adventure.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Certified by Roger Wilson-Crane is a comedy-drama novel containing three inter-connected stories signifying three significant milestones in a man's life. Inspired by real events, the book follows an unnamed narrator who recounts three momentous events from his life. "One Unexpected Birth" follows the narrator as he finally finds the love of his life after a string of dysfunctional relationships, only to face a blast from the past on the day he becomes a father. In "One Hapless Wedding", the narrator and his bride-to-be plan the wedding of their dreams in the beautiful locale of Puglia, Italy, only to witness Justin Timberlake, of all people, hijack their designated venue. In "One Bizarre Death", the narrator mourns the loss of a loved one and tries to navigate the unexpected circumstances following their death.

Infused with themes of love, loss, heartbreak, and hope, Certified is a humorous yet moving anthology that perfectly demonstrates how life has a way of pulling the rug out from under your feet when you're least expecting it. Author Roger Wilson-Crane's quick-witted dialogue and humor make the narrative a breeze to go through. I actually chuckled out loud quite a few times while reading about the hilarious situations the narrator himself found himself in, more often than not through no fault of his own. Apart from the humor, there is a lot of heart and emotional resonance to the stories. The characters are regular everyday people you will find easy to relate to. I had a wonderful time reading Certified. If you're looking for a grounded comedy-drama novel, I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls is a work of fiction in the mystery, suspense, and adventure subgenres and serves as the first installment in the Ruby Roy Mysteries series. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Rima Ray. The book follows college professor Ruby Roy, an imaginative-if-clumsy woman, who loves a good murder mystery tale. After she finds the dead body of her Chair, she is plunged into a real-life murder mystery as she tries to get to the bottom of who killed him and why, aided ably by her husband, Cleo.

This was a highly engaging and exciting opening installment in what I hope is a long series of mystery novels, with a central web of mystery that grows deeper and more complex as the story unfolds and Ruby pulls at the threads until it perfectly crescendos with one last big twist in the tale. Author Rima Ray wastes no time in establishing her pedigree as a producer of dynamic and clever mysteries, and Ruby is a refreshing vision of a detective to work the case to completion. I loved the balance between the darkness of the crime being investigated and the gentle humor generated by Ruby’s quirky and imaginative approach to investigation. Overall, Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls is a breath of fresh air in a genre that often takes itself too seriously, bringing a likable and fun detective to life without compromising on the grit and drama that makes a mystery thriller exciting.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Death in Paris (Màiri Maguire Cozy Mysteries) by Kate Darroch is a superb Paris-based murder mystery with a swift, captivating plot and a powerful ending. It is 1970 and close friends Màiri and Lianna are on a short holiday in Paris before traveling to Istanbul where Màiri has taken up a prestigious position at a high school. Shortly after their arrival, a dishonest taxman is murdered and Lianna is accused of the crime. Convinced of her friend’s innocence and determined to see Lianna released, Màiri sets out to discover who the killer is. With Major Ellis Peverel’s support and her excellent observation skills, Màiri gets closer to the truth. But a group of criminals is after her and a key suspect is concealing important clues regarding the murder.

I loved how well Màiri’s background in Glasgow is developed. I found the characters compelling and the story-telling humorous. Màiri and Lianna make an amusing pair and I found their conversations entertaining. I got to understand Màiri better as the lead character through her voice which is used to narrate the events. The story’s pace is fast and the surprising revelations kept coming as I turned each page. I also found the action scenes gripping and loved that the tension in the story is maintained from the beginning to the final page. Kate Darroch's stunning cozy mystery, Death in Paris, is a must-read for fans of the genre who will love its entertaining, realistic characters and riveting mystery. I loved the story and will be looking out for more of Darroch’s books. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

The Oh Daddy Chronicles by Barry Robbins is described as “a contemporary political satire” that “takes current events and explains what we thought was unexplainable.” The book, however, thrusts much deeper into the heart of satire and, in reality, is a total lampooning of President Donald J. Trump, the Trump family, and those who back and enable them. Perhaps we have in author Barry Robbins a new and more direct version of Douglas C. Kenney, co-founder of the National Lampoon magazine and the National Lampoon Radio Hour, or even the great writers who collaborated to produce the famous and hilarious British movie, The Life of Brian. Regardless of comparisons, Barry Robbins has written a satirical look into a man who will surely be remembered in history as the absolute worst American president... by far (as he himself often claims)!

The Oh Daddy Chronicles has no plot, per se. It isn’t set up in the three-act format used in stories or novels. Instead, it’s a series of episodes that describe visits and conversations by a variety of people in Trump’s circle of family, friends, and subservient employees/government officials. Readers who have “followed” Trump through love or hate (there seems to be no middle ground with him) will recognize many of the scenes and characters as depicted all across television and social media. At the very least, Trump’s inability to talk in complete sentences, misuse of word definitions, and his psychologically impaired mind is proof positive of the verisimilitude that forms the foundation for this satirical look at “Forty-Five.” I thought some episodes a bit over the top, the inanity far beyond imbecilic, until I realized that the scenes were perfectly aligned with the reality of the man and the situations. For me... no fan of Trump, the book was a refreshing laugh a minute read that helped me overcome my overwhelming desire to strangle the man or throw a vase through the television every time he appeared. This is Saturday Night Live, in written form, on steroids!

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Cooking for Cannibals by Rich Leder is a horror-comedy novel that revolves around an introverted scientist, Carrie Kromer, and a freshly paroled expert meat butcher looking to parlay his skills into a new career as a chef. When Carrie steals the recipe for an age-defying serum, the effects are as miraculous as her late conception and she's able to work her experimental magic on the elderly. Meanwhile, Johnny Fairfax is being extorted by his shady parole officer who pitches an offer that's accepted by Carrie but by a group of young-again nursing home patients? Not so much. When the LAPD comes sniffing around their kitchen, the budding romance almost-couple are able to cook up an answer that might save them from prison, but does little to stop a fixer who is out to take back the miracle capsules Carrie absconded with.

I'm not sure how a story that takes place almost entirely in a nursing home could be cool and funny, but somehow Rich Leder makes it so in Cooking for Cannibals. The entire third-person narrative that moves between Carrie and Johnny brings to life two people who are polar opposites, except for their link to a life of crime. Carrie is new to the felonious world that Johnny has spent most of his adult life in, yet they seem to complement each other in a way that feels authentic. This is no small feat given that Carrie's strait-laced and intelligent upbringing is a wild contrast to Johnny, who is covered neck to toe in tattoos. Leder's writing is clean, tight, and entertaining. It is dripping with wit and just enough sarcasm to keep the story moving with a smile without stepping over the line into trying-too-hard territory. Cooking for Cannibals is the book that would be born if the Santa Clarita Diet and A Cure for Wellness had a child, and I have no doubt it will be well-received by all who are fortunate enough to read it.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Ring On Deli by Eric Giroux is a humorous tale of two brothers who fight against the odds in a town called Pennacook, Massachusetts. Ray moved to this little town five years ago after his parents passed away in a car accident, and he became the legal guardian of Patrick, his younger brother. Working at the deli counter at Bounty Bag wasn’t the best option, but it made money while Patrick got to finish his education at the local school. However, their peaceful existence was shaken when Patrick started to get into trouble, the Bounty Bag decided to prioritize automation, workers started a protest, and Mrs. Chong’s (the local school principal) plans to expand the school’s building went haywire. During all this chaos, the Markham brothers needed to survive, stay together and make it out unscathed. Could they when the whole town was plunged into disorder?

Humorous, intricate, and exceptional, the narrative reminded me of Jamie Loftus (one of the greatest humor writers of modern time). Author Eric Giroux wonderfully balanced humor and fun times with strong characters and fantastic writing. Ring On Deli is compelling and well-written. The plot revolving around the boys read more like a hit movie to me. Poor Ray was put in a tough position after his parents died. While taking care of a teenager was hard, I could tell he tried to be a cool brother and an authority figure in Patrick’s life. Patrick was the quintessential teenager going through teen blues. His connection with Mr. Grant was the perfect antidote for Patrick’s blues and gave him a direction to work on. Surprisingly, the political undertones of the story were just as entertaining as the story of the Markham brothers. What a fantastic way to start a promising writing career. Very entertaining! I loved it!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Catnapped is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, adventure, and romantic drama subgenres, and was penned by author R. J. Blain. The work is intended for the general reading audience and is subtitled ‘A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)’, which sums up the ethos and attitude of the work very well indeed. Our protagonist is the instantly likable Diana, a woman who adores her rescue cat, Mr. Flooferson the Magnificent, and would quite literally go to the ends of the earth for him. So when Diana finds her cat stolen, she makes a deal with demons, angels, and everyone in between in order to rescue him, little knowing that her quest will lead her into a celestial fight the scale of which she could never have imagined.

Author R. J. Blain has crafted an utterly charming work of comedy-drama fiction with plenty of thrills, spills, and laugh-out-loud moments to offer readers. As an avid reader of many of Blain’s works, it is wonderful to see the author hit such a delicate balance of the wacky and the relatable, which is achieved in no small part by her commitment to developing such relatable characters, whom you can believe in despite the bizarre and entertaining events of the plot. The cheeky dialogue and snark within the prose offset the cutesy overtones, making for a wild adventure that readers from teens to any age above can’t fail to enjoy. Overall, I would highly recommend Catnapped to fans of quirky, witty comedies, fantasy adventure novels, and readers of well-penned romantic fiction everywhere.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Five Times Lucky by P. David Temple is the literary version of a rom-com, with a definite philosophical bent. BunnyLee Welles has just returned to Los Angeles for her best friend’s wedding after four years teaching in Thailand and exploring Asia, looking for enlightenment. She plans to spend only a few weeks back in America before returning to her job in Thailand but is shocked to discover that a minor advertisement she did for dentures some years ago has now been resurrected as an advert for teeth-whitening. It has gone viral in this internet age. She is stunned to see her smile plastered all over billboards, busses, and buildings, on the taxi ride in from the airport. Having planned a quiet return to L.A., she now appears to have achieved what every actor dreams of – fame! When BunnyLee agrees to help a friend and fill in as a replacement mixed-doubles partner at the home of famous actor Buck LeGrande, little does she realize how much her life is going to change. Invited by Buck to stay in his guest cabana whilst she is in the U.S., BunnyLee finds herself living the life of the rich and famous while still trying to keep a low profile and fly under the radar of the paparazzi. A tangled, seemingly disparate cast of characters is inexorably headed for a meeting that may convince BunnyLee that she has been looking for self-fulfillment in all the wrong places.

Five Times Lucky is genuinely funny and conforms well to the literary rom-com niche. Author P. David Temple has done a fine job of pulling together many disparate characters and story arcs that initially seem to have no relationship to each other, building them up to a dramatic climax. I particularly liked that the author imbued his main female lead character with intelligence as well as beauty, leaving the typical dumb blonde, movie-star stereotype (obsessed with appearance, looks, and fame) to the male lead. This was a nice role reversal in character that didn’t go unnoticed. The fact that BunnyLee was wont to spout Kierkegaard, Satre, and other philosophical notions was partly what lifted this story out of the realms of farce and made it readable and relatable. Some of the supporting characters were heavily overdrawn caricatures, which was entirely acceptable in order to create such a large differential between the thoughtful, shy, and withdrawn nature of BunnyLee to the over-the-top antics of Buck and his supporting cast. Scattered amongst the antics, the fun, and the farce were some deep and pertinent insights into relationships, the nature of fame, the shallowness of Hollywood, and life in general, which definitely stopped this tale from descending into a “Keystone Cops” version of a rom-com. This was a fun, light, and easy read that definitely had me chuckling and I can recommend it for a lazy afternoon by the fire or pool.