Book Review: All the Ice Cream in the Land by Emmy Kastner

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All the Ice Cream in the Land  by Emmy Kastner  is about a princess, the kingdom she lives in, and her loyal subjects. Full of twists and turns, children will surely delight in this story about ice cream. When I saw the title and cover art of this kid's book, it made me instantly think of my childhood and how I would've loved a book like this one. A huge shout out and thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. The storyline is very easy to follow, making it especially suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers, particularly children between the ages of two and six. Its straightforward narrative and clear structure make it an excellent choice for read-aloud sessions at home, bedtime stories, or classroom story time. While there is limited character development, which is typical for a picture book format, the princess is still an intere...
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Book Review: Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day

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NetGalley ARC Cozy Mystery Book Review Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day
Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day opens with Robbie and her husband Abe preparing for the birth of their first child in a few weeks. When a stranger comes into Robbie's restaurant, Pans 'N Pancakes, asking about her aunt, Robbie is a bit uneasy about the situation. Then, the stranger is found dead in her aunt's field, and Robbie knows she must clear her aunt's name off the suspect list.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest review. I genuinely enjoy Maddie Day’s writing style, so I was thrilled to receive a free copy. Her cozy mystery storytelling once again delivers a comforting yet suspenseful read that fits perfectly within the Country Store Mystery series.

I really enjoyed this installment and, after finishing it, found myself eager to go back and start the series from the beginning to fully experience each character’s backstory. The characters are largely likable and well-developed, and even without having read many previous books in the series, it wasn’t difficult to follow along. Scone Cold Dead works well as a standalone cozy mystery while still rewarding longtime fans with familiar faces and ongoing relationships.

From early on, I felt completely drawn into the story, as if I were right there alongside the characters. That immersive quality is what makes a book truly enjoyable for me ... those moments when you forget you’re reading and lose track of time. Whenever I finally paused, it took a few minutes to come back to reality, which is always a good sign.

While there were a few slower moments, they never dragged on for long, and the mystery quickly picked up again. I found myself wanting to read faster just to see how everything would unfold. My only minor complaint was how frequently Robbie mentioned having “pregnancy brain,” which became a bit repetitive, though it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day is a fantastic cozy mystery and a perfect escape from reality. With its engaging plot, charming setting, and satisfying mystery, it’s an enjoyable addition to the series. The expected publication date is April 1, 2025, and I’m giving this book four out of five stars.

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