A Ghostly YA Mystery Perfect of Back-to-School Time

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September is one of the biggest times of transition throughout the year. It not only marks the change for many of us from summer to fall, but also, to a new school year for students. In honor of that I'm focusing this month's reviews on books that highlight the idea of change or transition as one of the themes for the story. This terrific debut by Jo Mallory, Lexi Cherry is Dead, hits the mark on change or transition perfectly. Not only does it feature a ghost who has yet to come to terms with her demise, but it begins at the start of a new school year and features a sweet sapphic, first love story as well. 

As someone who has enjoyed the book series The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson as well as TV shows like Ghostwhisperer, I was excited to read this one.

I was not disappointed! Mallory does a wonderful job of exploring complex family dynamics and friend dynamics for her main character, Casey, while also balancing in a twisty murder mystery, ghostly elements, and a sweet sapphic romance.

Casey's family is already fractured, but when her sister Lexi disappears, things go from bad to worse. Not only that, but Casey blames herself because she wasn't there to walk her sister home the day Lexi vanished. Instead, she was with friends. Now, she can't bring herself to be around those friends. Her guilt at choosing time with them over her sister make it too painful for her to face them. But even isolating herself in her room becomes problematic when she becomes haunted by her little sister's ghost. To distract herself from facing what Lexi's ghostly presence means, Casey decides that she has to get justice for her sister and figure out who killed her.

There are a number of suspects that Casey can choose from. As the mystery unfolds, the storyline goes back and forth between the past and present, offering the readers clues to follow as they, along with Casey, discover what really happened the day Lexi disappeared. The friend dynamics are also complex. Casey has secrets of her own she's been keeping from her friends that she finally realizes she will have to face if she ever hopes to reconcile with them.

In Lexi Cherry Is Dead, Jo Mallory has woven together a complex plot that explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, first love, and sisterhood into a tightly paced young adult romantic suspense. I had no trouble reading through this quickly and was never completely sure until almost the very end who the culprit really was. As a ghost, Lexi was a great secondary character who was a lovely counterpoint to Casey. Their relationship made Casey a very empathetic character it was easy to root for. If you enjoy sapphic young adult mysteries with complex, sympathetic characters, then preorder your copy of this one today! Lexi Cherry is Dead hits shelves this September 22, 2026. 

Other books that I'm excited about releases for this month are two sequels in two different series. One is the conclusion for the YA Weaver Bride duology by Lydia Gregovic. The other is the second in the Harker Academy trilogy by Kate Golden. Checkout the blurbs and book covers for those below, both copied from Goodreads. 

Love will be tested in this high-stakes, spellbinding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Weaver Bride—the perfect read for fans of The Rose Bargain and Thorn Season.

Lovett Tamerlane is engaged.

A silkwitch whose magic can only be harnessed through marriage to a Weaver, Lovett was facing life in the cloisters when Eliot Lear offered the deal of a an invitation to the Vainglory to compete for wealthy Weaver heir Noé Allaire’s hand in marriage, in exchange for her solving his sister’s murder.

While they both got what they wanted, the competition was full of surprises. Lovett never expected to fall in love . . . and Eliot never anticipated that she’d betray him.

Now Lovett has one to take down Bastian Alaire and end his corrupt Weaver reign at any cost. But though the Vainglory may be over, danger still lurks at Fortblanche. And when Bastian presents Lovett with one last challenge—solve a murder that occurred within his walls, before the day of her wedding—she realizes the tests aren’t over. To pass this one, she’ll have to partner with the only person she hates more than her father-in-law his son, Noé.

But as Lovett will learn . . . sometimes love and hate are two sides of the same coin.

Welcome back to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, where the line between hunter and hunted has never been thinner.

Viv Abbot will do whatever it takes to rescue Reid Graveheart, the reformed Brood demon she loves—even if it means teaming up with his violent, unpredictable older brother, Deacon. Her uneasy truce with him offers Viv something Reid never could: the chance to embrace her darkness.

As the search for Reid intensifies, Viv and her friends must maintain appearances on Harker grounds while wading into Astera's seedy underbelly with none other than the White Stag as their guide. But when a bounty on Viv's head puts those she cares about most in danger, Viv will be forced to go to lengths she never dreamed in order to protect them.

With enemies closing in from all sides and a ticking clock on her life, Viv must save the Half City from destruction while surviving a betrayal that strikes at the heart of everything she’s fighting for. Because in a world where monsters wear familiar faces and temptation cuts deeper than any blade, making it through her second semester at Harker will take more than skill—it will take everything Viv has left to give. Who can she really trust in a city that thrives on lies?

My next September book review will be of Whispers of the Pale Witch, a horror suspense novel by S.A. Sizemore. The book cover and blurb for it are both copied from bookshop.org.

"A perfect mix of history, mystery, and magical thriller. Sizemore expertly juxtaposes the horrors of a supernatural murder mystery with something even more terrifying: family relationships."

-Jillian Pagan, Themed Entertainment Writer

Some secrets just can't stay buried.

After the sudden death of her great-aunt, Kylie Beckett lands her dream job as a forensic photographer in the small seaside town where she was born.

But once there, a series of murders and the dark truth about her family's past forces Kylie to harness unconscious powers to protect her newfound family from the murderous Pale Witch of Salem, Massachusetts, and keep a dangerous relic from the unstable witch before she unleashes a demon on Salem once again.

Shall we begin?

A Nonagenarian Caper with Loads of Humor and Heart

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In my continued quest to read caper-style mysteries as inspiration for my current work-in-progress, I stumbled upon this one by C. J. Wray and absolutely loved it. Josephine, Penny and their nephew Archie had me laughing and crying throughout this romp. Each is a lovable character that you can easily follow through whatever adventure they become embroiled in. 

Told in a dual timeline, the story begins with Archie trying to corral his two ninety-year-old aunts from lunch out to a ceremony meant to honor them for their service during WWII. Along the way we realize that the younger of the two sisters, Penny, might be a kleptomaniac. That is just the tip of the iceberg as Archie ponders all the excitements his aunts have brought to his life. From there, we are taken into the past when Josephine and Penny were both teenagers, enjoying a visit with their godparents in Paris, France months before the German invasion and occupation. Josephine is experiencing first love with a young Jewish refugee, while long-suffering younger sister Penny is just trying to keep from dying of boredom now that Josephine is too busy to spend time with.

Switching back and forth between the past and present kept the plot of the story intriguing. I was thoroughly engrossed in figuring out how all of the characters and plot threads would eventually come together. I, along with Penny, also constantly questioned which characters were on the side of right during the war years and what happened to their friends in France and the priceless jewels revealed to Penny and her sister one memorable afternoon before the war began. Just when I thought I'd begun to figure it all out, a new twist in the plot would occur. 

This story truly contains it all, forbidden romance, jewel heists, plot twists, danger, and heartbreak, combined with lovable characters and loads of humor. If you love stories with all of these elements combined or have ever been a fan of Miss Marple, then you should add The Excitements to your must-read list.

For my September reads, I'll be reviewing some great books that feature ghosts and witches to get me ready for spooky season.

 

Smart, Fast-Paced Cozy Mystery

 

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Murder at the Agency was a great cozy mystery to read leading into the end of summer to help get me ready for fall. It features a smart, relatable main character, a clever plot, and small town setting off the coast of Lake Michigan. All things to love in a cozy whodunnit. 

The story opens with Cassidy at her lowest point. She's lost her job after finally standing up for herself, her boyfriend has dumped her, and the building where her apartment is has been sold, meaning she's going to have to move. Fortunately, a kind stranger who overhears some of her woes offers her a chance at an interview for her dream job at a well-respected marketing agency. Things begin to look up once she lands the job. Cassidy even manages to make a new friend in need of a roommate. But then things quickly unravel when her boss is killed and she finds the body. 

As a main character, I found Cassidy someone I could easily root for to solve the mystery and win the day! She is resilient and smart as well as being very good at wheedling information out of people without them even realizing it. This makes her a natural as an amateur sleuth. 

The setting of the small mid-western town and the fast-paced marketing agency where Cassidy works made the world easy for me to imagine and get lost in. I especially liked the way that Forsythe described Cassidy's job and the marketing ideas she comes up with for the variety of companies seeking assistance with promoting their product. I began to suspect near the end of the book who the key players might be in the murder and why, but I was surprised by the twist at the end when the killer is revealed. 

Murder at the Agency by Kylie Forsythe was a smart, quick read, and a fun mystery to try and puzzle out. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with smart, relatable amateur sleuths, well-paced clever plots that also have a lovely small town setting, then grab your copy and settle in for a delightful fall read!

My next book that I'll be reviewing to wrap up my August reads will be The Excitements  by C. J. Wray featuring two incredible WWII veteran nonagenarians intent on pulling off one last grand adventure. I truly loved the humor, mystery, history and heart in this one. The book cover image and blurb for it are both copied from bookshop.org.

A brilliant and witty drama about two brave female World War II veterans who survived the unthinkable without ever losing their killer instinct…or their joie de vivre.

Meet the Williamson sisters, Britain’s most treasured World War II veterans. Now in their late nineties, Josephine and Penny are in huge demand, popping up at commemorative events and history festivals all over the country. Despite their age, they’re still in great form—perfectly put together, sprightly and sparky, and always in search of their next “excitement.”

This time it’s a trip to Paris to receive the Légion d’honneur for their part in the liberation of France. And as always, they will be accompanied by their devoted great-nephew, Archie.

Keen historian Archie has always been given to understand that his great aunts had relatively minor roles in the Women’s Royal Navy and the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, but that’s only half the story. Both sisters are hiding far more than the usual “official secrets”. There’s a reason sweet Auntie Penny can dispatch a would-be mugger with an umbrella.

This trip to Paris is not what it seems either. Scandal and crime have always quietly trailed the Williamson sisters, even in the decades after the war. Now armed with new information about an old adversary, these much decorated (but admittedly ancient) veterans variously intend to settle scores, avenge lost friends, and pull off one last, daring heist before the curtain finally comes down on their illustrious careers.

Ghostly Middle Grade Suspense Set in America's Most Haunted City

image copied from Google Books

This is the first book that I've read by Tiffany Jackson and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fact that this novel is set in Savannah, GA, one of my favorite southern cities to visit, captured my interest right away. Then when I read the blurb and discovered that it also involves a mystery surrounding a haunted mansion, I was hooked. 

Ghost in the Night follows twelve-year-old Harmony who is traveling on tour with her jazz musician father after the loss of the grandmother who raised her. Harmony's recent loss has led to her fascination with ghosts and proving their existence. When she and her dad settle in Savannah, GA for his latest tour stop, Harmony is excited to learn that it is the most haunted city in America. While on a ghost tour, she even believes she might have captured an image of one in the window of an abandoned southern mansion. Intent on investigating further, Harmony soon learns that the ghost she thinks she saw might be linked to the recent death of a beloved member of the community. Delving into what happened and who the apparition might be leads Harmony into more than she could've ever bargained for.

One of the things I loved most about this story was Harmony as the main character. Her voice leapt off the page for me from the very start. She's lively, independent, smart and very brave. Though I did find it a little worrisome that she was given so much independence to wander about strange cities on her own. However, being raised by a single parent who is also a touring musician did lend some credence to this for me. It was enough to suspend my disbelief for the purposes of the story. The other elements I enjoyed about this book were the historical details that were woven into the plot. As someone who has visited Savannah many times, I truly appreciated the Black history woven into the story. Especially, about one of the historic squares and why that particular one is believed to be so haunted. Jackson included this information in a way that made it an integral element of the plot. For instance, we learn right along with Harmony the backstory of the formerly named Calhoun Square and why it's so haunted while she's on her first ghost tour in Savannah. In another part of the story, one of the places Harmony and her friends visit in their search for clues actually offers up interesting bits of history along with further leads for them to follow. It is a clever way to give the reader historical facts about the setting while also moving the plot forward. 

Another important aspect about this book is its portrayal of the different ways people handle grief while also tying it to mysterious paranormal elements. It also reveals the different ways people view the supernatural, as well as questioning whether tragedies of the past should be commercialized for entertainment and profit. Should the spirits, if they're out there, be allowed to rest in peace? I recommend you read Ghost in the Night  to come to your own conclusion about that. 

Stay tuned for my next review of debut cozy mystery Murder at the Agency by Kylie Forsythe. The blurb and book cover are both copied from bookshop.org. I'll also be doing a book spotlight in a couple of days for YA suspense thriller, The Hardest Ones to Fool by Christina Li. The book blurb and cover for it were also copied from bookshop.org.

Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?

Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne's life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She's no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.

But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she's shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.

She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It's clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.

Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.

Amelia Wu is great at relationships. So great, in fact, that she’s in three of them. Why choose between the suave debate team captain, the charming indie filmmaker, and the tennis star when she can be with them all?

The catch? None of them know about each other. It works perfectly. They’re in love with her—or the versions of her that they get. Amy. Ellie. Mia. And she’s in love with the lavish dinners, fancy yacht trips, and expensive gifts. Times three.

But schemes always get complicated, don’t they? When Amelia's best friend ends up dead, her alleged murder shocks their placid beachside city. And soon, Amelia's carefully planned relationships start to dangerously unravel.

In a fit of desperation, Amelia teams up with her academic nemesis Jackie, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and a self-proclaimed true crime junkie, to get to the bottom of this.

After all, Amelia needs to keep her boyfriends close and her enemies closer if she wants to keep her scam—and herself—afloat.

 

Steamy Romance, Mystery and Historic Glamour Du Jour

 

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Today's hot summer reading review focuses on Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life. I've long been a fan of Henry's rom-coms. But this novel marks a bit of a departure for Henry from straight romantic comedy. Instead, Great Big Beautiful Life mixes romance, mystery and historical fiction all into one story.

It all begins with Alice Scott, the main narrator of the novel. She's scored an interview with the former tabloid princess, Margaret Ives. Alice became intrigued with tracking the reclusive celebrity down after getting a tip that Margaret was living in seclusion on a small island off the coast of Georgia. Her persistence pays off and Margaret agrees to meet with her to consider writing Margaret's biography together. The only fly in the ointment is Hayden Anderson. It seems that Margaret is also considering the grumpy, Pulitzer-winning memoirist to do her story as well. In the end, Margaret claims to be unable to decide between the two and instead tells them each that she will do a trial series of interviews with both writers over the course of a month, at the end of which she will select her biographer. 

I found this Henry novel to be refreshing in its divergence from her normal fair. It still contains plenty of romance tropes in the story, such as grumpy/sunshine romantic leads, rivals-to-lovers, and forced proximity to an extent. But it was also full of interesting details about the glamour of the past when tabloids and newspapers hounded celebrities and were fascinated with mogul families and their empires. It was clear that Henry put a good deal of research into this book. She wove in the glitz and glamour of mid-twentieth century public icons into the story in a way that made her characterization of Margaret's life and that of her family very believable. At the same time, I really appreciated how she managed to also connect this with Alice and Hayden's stories as they unfold. Both have secrets of their own they're carrying. Alice is still struggling with grief over the loss of a loved one. While Hayden, who has grown up under public scrutiny of his own on a smaller scale, has learned to be very reserved and careful about who he trusts or confides in. There is also the mystery about why Margaret seems to be giving both different sides of her story and why she is adamant that they both stick around for a month before she can decide who she wants to work with. 

The competition between Alice and Hayden also forces them to put the breaks on any physical relationship while they're together on the tiny island even though they are very attracted to each other. This compels them to find alternative ways to spend time together where they won't be tempted to hook up. It also causes them to develop a much deeper emotional bond over such a short time span, helping them to become friends with the potential to someday become something more. It kept the sexual tension high while allowing me as a reader to get to know each of them as individual characters. Henry is a master of that in many of her novels and she sets up this romance cleverly here as well. I also loved the historical details of Margaret's family history. I found myself drawn in gradually to that the same way Alice was with each encounter she has with Margaret. 

I know that some might find this book to be a disappointment because it is different from Emily Henry's other books. However, if you love stories that mix a bit of mystery with some 20th century historical drama along with a steamy, slow-burn will-they-won't-they romance, then I urge you to give this novel a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

For my next review, I'll be focusing on a middle grade urban fantasy set in one of my favorite cities, Savannah, Georgia and in August, I also hope to review a fun mystery by a debut author. The covers and blurbs for both those books that are releasing in early August are listed below. Both the covers and blurbs were copied from bookshop.org.

Savannah, Georgia, with its mossy trees and ornate old homes, is a place rich in history...and ghosts. Ghosts are what pique Harmony Roundtree's interest. Still reeling from her losses back home, Harmony wants to believe in ghost stories...but isn't sure what's real. When she goes on one of the many ghost tours around town, she takes a photo of what might be a ghost. Or is it a hoax?

With two new friends, Harmony sets out to investigate... and stumbles upon clues leading to an unsolved murder. The deeper she digs, the more Harmony realizes that what she saw on the ghost tour might be connected to a shocking crime. But making connections can be dangerous--even more dangerous than ghosts.

New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another action-packed mystery full of surprises and secrets that will give readers goosebumps.

Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?

Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne's life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She's no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.

But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she's shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.

She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It's clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.

Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.

Heists and Hot Second Chance Romance

image copies from bookshop.org

Jewel Me Twice is the first of many caper-style novels that I anticipate reading as I work on my second Emily Monroe mystery. The glimpse it gave into how the team of thieves is established and how they pull off some of their heists was helpful in offering me tips as to how my own crew might be established. 

This is also the first novel by Charish Reid that I've read and it will not be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed it. It employs some popular romance genre tropes such as second chance love, rivals-to-lovers, and forced proximity romance. 

The story starts right off with both main characters, Celeste (CeCe) and Magnus, stumbling across one another after years apart when they endeavor to steal the same priceless jewel. Cece and Magnus both assume this is a one-off encounter. However, fate or their old mentor in thievery, Doris, have other plans. Each receive notes from Doris after her death asking them to meet at her New York Brownstone. There they are reunited with their old crew and are given a challenge, to carry off the steal of the century. 

What follows is a fun scavenger hunt of clues, leading them to the final job. I loved the way that Doris set all of this up for them and the fact that she included a personal journal for Cece to help her see why Doris chose to mentor her and the others in the first place. It was fun following the crew as they seek out each new clue. There were also some unexpected twists near the end as they plan the final theft. The romance between Celeste and Magnus as their forced alliance heats things up was delightfully steamy. I'd give it a 3 chili pepper rating on the spicy scale. 

All in all this was a fun summer read perfect for the beach or even a staycation at home. I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook while traveling on my sisters' trip to Nova Scotia. I was able to do this on my Hoopla app that is available through many public library systems and is a great one for reading or listening to books. It might be worth looking into with your own local library. As for Jewel Me Twice, if you enjoy steamy, second chance romantic adventure, then give this one a try.

My next blog book review will be an Emily Henry book that is a romance with a bit of mystery incorporated into the story. The cover and book blurb for Great Big Beautiful Life were both copied from bookshop.org.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it.

Sweet and Enchanting Queer YA Fantasy Romance

image copied from bookshop.org

The Boy With the Heart of Sea Glass is a terrific and romantic coming-of-age story with some lovely Cornish folklore woven into it. I was immersed in the narrative right away.

It follows Sam as he runs away to a remote Cornish island to seek refuge with his aunt after a heart-wrenching breakup. There he slowly begins to heal and to develop a found-family of sorts with the other people his age on the island.

As a main character Sam's inner monologue and voice was strong and very relatable. He has had a hard life with a strained relationship with his mom, Nessa. But his Aunt Alva takes him in and offers him the nurturing he never fully got to experience growing up. It's a balm for his wounds that he carries with him onto the island. But this internalization on the part of the character never gets repetitive or adversely affects the pace of the story. Instead, we get bits and pieces of his narrative and clues about the inner demons he's battling a little at a time. We also learn early on that there is a mystery surrounding what happened to Sam's father and why his mother could never return to the island. This and the love story that develops between Sam and Tryste had me turning pages wanting to figure out what was going on and how the past events would impact Sam's journey toward self-discovery and healing.

I loved the secondary characters in this novel as much as I did Sam. Tryste, of course, was one of the best. He's so tender and patient with Sam. Their meet-cute was so sweet and awkward and Sam's reaction to having this hot fisherman who likes to read help him was funny and endearing. I also loved Sam's Aunt Alva and his friend Eowyn.

There are some nice twists and turns as well. The threads of Cornish folklore in the story lead up to some interesting revelations and danger at the end. The sea glass that is in the title and that Sam collects on the beach was lovely in its symbolic elements. Just like Sam, something broken is slowly transformed by the sea and the elements on the island into something new and beautiful.

And while the ending does wrap up the plot for this story, I can't help thinking there is still room for a sequel. I'd love to see how things unfold from here with Nix, Nessa, and Tryste.

If you love slow-burn, tender queer romance with elements of folklore woven into the story, then definitely give this one a try. It will be well worth your time.

Stay tuned for my July reviews as I think I'm going to focus on romantic suspense for the heat of summer. Below are some of the options that I'm considering. All covers and book blurbs were copied from bookshop.org and all titles have clickable links to that bookshop site as well.

Two career thieves reunite for one last job and must put their messy romantic past behind them to pull off the jewel heist of the century in this scorching, action packed romance!

He was her partner--both in crime and between the sheets. It's been five years since professional thief Celeste St. Pierre laid eyes on Magnus Larsson. These days, she runs a Manhattan antique store, but her talent for stealing beautiful, shiny things hasn't faded. And as a chance reunion over a locked safe proves, neither has the heat between her and the gorgeous, ice-cool Magnus.

For Magnus, only one thing beats the thrill of getting away with robbery--and that's the woman he's tried hard to forget. Their last job together ended in disaster. But if they're going to honor their mentor's last wishes to pull off the theft of the century, they'll have to temporarily put their grudges behind them.

Crisscrossing Europe on a real-life treasure hunt, Celeste and Magnus quickly rediscover how well they work together. The higher the stakes, the hotter the sexual tension. But one slipup and it won't be only jewels on the line, but a future that, just maybe, has been the ultimate prize all along...

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it.