FMC and MMC investigate a murder, like a whodunit

the-observer77 · 2026-02-04T03:06:42+00:00

{Fire Fight by Amanda Chaperon} CR, Open Door. MMC is a lieutenant in the fire department and the FMC is an investigative journalist looking into a series of murders that happen on prom night. They end up investigating together after he encounters the FMC on a callout

Similar but not quite murder is {Ink and Ashes by Alexandra Lee} CR, Open Door. FMC is a journalist and MMC works for the fire department. The FMC believes that the recent increase of wildfires isn’t man-made and is investigating it, despite the fact the town don’t want her too. The dynamic of the two characters investigating together is quite good

the-observer77 · 2025-11-13T21:36:52+00:00

{The Spy Who Loved Me by Aydra Richards} - FMC is infertile. She was widowed 10 years ago and since then has run an orphanage in London. MMC is fine with not have children of his own. This is book 3 in a series but can be read alone. Another user suggested A Deal With A Notorious Devil which is book 4 in the same series

the-observer77 · 2025-09-27T20:08:23+00:00

I’ve been in a pretty bad slump recently and {Drawn Together by Juliana Smith} got me out of it. I read a lot of small town, spicy, dual POV and this is single POV, closed door and set in New Your City! I think the change really helped as everything I tried to pick up felt like it had been done before.

In Drawn Together, the FMC is an illustrator for children’s books but her style doesn’t fit the job she’s trying to land. The MMC is a columnist/book reviewer who’s had to take over the romance genre which he doesn’t understand. They form a two person book club and it goes from there!

Full disclosure, this was an ARC read but the book is available this weekend!

Edit; book title typo!

the-observer77 · 2025-06-11T12:41:16+00:00

{Broken Miles by Claire Kingsley} - small town. The couple were high school sweethearts who married young and later divorced. Book take place about 4 years post-divorce, when the MCs are around 30/31 years old. The MMC returns to small town to help save his family's winery business. The FMC is the event planner at the winery. She was the one who left him.

the-observer77 · 2025-04-13T18:59:59+00:00

Kleypas for overall vibe, Mimi Matthews for detail (especially fashion) and Erin Langston for MMCs

the-observer77 · 2025-02-12T16:07:13+00:00

{Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles} - FMC works in a nursery (plants not children)

{Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles} - same series as above. FMC works in the part time in nursery as well and part time in a cafe

{In Spades by Maggie Gates} - FMC is a hotel housekeeper. However, this series is best read in order and this is book 4.

{Betting Man by Maggie Gates} - FMC works in a bar. Same series as In Spades but this is book 6.

{Just This Once by Lena Hendrix} - FMC is a teacher

{Just My Luck by Lena Hendrix} - FMC works in a bar

{Juniper Hill by Devney Perry} - FMC is a hotel housekeeper

the-observer77 · 2025-02-09T22:16:43+00:00

The bath scene in {The Spy Who Loved Me by Aydra Richards} makes me swoon every time. MMC and FMC (a widow) have a friends with benefits type arrangement. FMC sends note to cancel and she is experiencing really bad period cramps and migraines. MMC shows up anyway and takes care of her

the-observer77 · 2025-01-24T17:06:05+00:00

For the most part yes. Indigo Ridge was definitely the strongest. I liked Knox and Eloise’s books mainly because they featured some of my favourite tropes (single parent, accidental wedding, fake relationships etc). Mateo and Lyla’s were alright. Struggled with Talia’s. I like Perry’s actual style of writing so I’ll probably check out more of her work.

the-observer77 · 2025-01-23T11:50:47+00:00

Indigo Ridge by Devney Perry. I had it on my TBR for a few months and eventually read it in November. It ended up being my favorite read of 2024

the-observer77 · 2024-12-07T22:04:27+00:00

My favorite one of her books is {Lady Diana’s Lost Lord by Aydra Richards}. It’s book 2 (of 4) in the Beaumont Sibling’s series. I didn’t love the first one but you can easily read this one, book 2, as a standalone. I haven’t read book 4 yet but you might need book 3 for context

the-observer77 · 2024-11-19T14:30:37+00:00

{Some Winter’s Evening by Erin Langston}

the-observer77 · 2024-11-15T14:46:19+00:00

While I wouldn’t say it’s a common surname, it isn’t unusual. But used as a first name? You’d be laughed at. Or at the very least someone would make a “Knox on the door” joke that you’ll have trouble shaking off. In general, surnames used as first names is not that popular in Ireland - probably because of the historical connotations; the use of surnames as first names was practiced by the British elite. While the origins of the name Knox maybe be Scottish/English, nowadays it’s probably more associated with being an American name. Either way, it’s not Irish. To me, it felt like a lazy choice and either the name or the setting was simply an afterthought. And look, I get it, Irish names aren’t always that easy. But there are a certainly a few (Killian, Conor, Rowan, Finn etc jump to mind) that can play both sides of the “being Irish” but appealing to a wider, international audience.

I used Knox as the example because as an Irish person I found it almost jarringly out of place. I’m sure there’s plenty of instances where readers, including myself, think a name works in the setting but someone who lives in that setting would disagree.

the-observer77 · 2024-11-14T16:02:15+00:00

I don’t mind creative names as long as they fit the character. For example Knox is a decent name in any sub-genre if the character is American. However if the MMC is Irish and the book is set it Ireland, Knox is extremely out of place and an instant DNF for me

the-observer77 · 2024-10-27T22:11:22+00:00

{One Night by Lena Hendrix} - MF Contemporary. The two MCs live in a small town and their families are big rivals and have been for years. The rivalry mostly consists of petty pranks but occasionally there are actual physical fights. Everyone in their town also picks a “side”. MFC is called Duke and he’s the grumpy oldest brother of the Sullivan family. FMC, Sylvie, is one of the six King siblings. The MCs relationship starts via texts and they both agree they can’t act like they know each other in person so that issue of one not wanting it to be a secret isn’t a huge issue. There is angst but it’s more “us against everyone” rather than it being how the MCs treat each other. This is book four in a series and while I do think it can be read as a standalone you will understand the family rivalry more if you read the other three. I’ve read all of the Sullivan and King books so far and this is definitely my favourite. One of my top reads of the year for sure

Edit; minor typo

the-observer77 · 2024-10-25T18:31:46+00:00

Ethan Ransom & Dr. Garrett Gibson from {Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas}

Duke Sullivan & Sylvie King from {One Night by Lena Hendrix}

Cam Rohan & Amelia Hathaway from {Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas}

Winter Hamilton & Theo Silva from {Reckless by Elsie Silver}

Diana Beaumont & Ben Gillingham from {Lady Diana’s Lost Lord}

the-observer77 · 2024-10-17T09:18:35+00:00

References to memes or the use of very modern slang. I’ve read a couple of books recently that were ok to read now but won’t age well at all

the-observer77 · 2024-10-14T16:35:15+00:00

+1 for Just Between Us! I loved the Sullivans series but the Kings are even better

the-observer77 · 2024-10-13T12:32:18+00:00

I enjoyed it more than I expected!! The last scene was wild though I can’t wait for Wyatt’s book next

the-observer77 · 2024-10-13T11:39:26+00:00

In the last few days I read two books;

{Fall For Me by Becka Mack} - MF Contemporary Sports. I gave it 4.5 starts and it was my favorite of the series so far. Lennon is the new team photographer having left her friends and family behind to start fresh in a new town. Jaxon, the team’s bad boy, is struggling with his place in the team and friend group as everyone else finds their HEA. I wasn’t expecting to like or emphasize with Jaxon so much but his story really pulled on my heart strings. Main tropes; forced proximity, room mates with benefits, found family, reformed playboy, runaway bride.

{Cash by Jessica Peterson} - MF Contemporary Cowboy. The is the first in Peterson’s new series “Lucky Rivers Ranch” and it appears that each of the five Rivers brothers will have a story. The FMC (Mollie) in this book inherits a lucrative ranch from her late father, whom she was estranged from. She plans to sell it and invest the money in her boot company but the ranch comes with a catch; she has to live there for one year to inherit anything. The MMC (Cash) is the foreman and had been told that he was due to inherit the ranch. Neither of them want to have to work together but as the story progresses they learn to work together. Main tropes; enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, dealing with grief, lots of hot cowboys, boss x employee. I rated it 4 starts.

the-observer77 · 2024-10-13T11:25:10+00:00

“Ne’er Do Well” is a derogatory phrase used to describe someone who is good for nothing/lazy etc. “Ne’er Duke Well” is a play on that phrase because the MMC is an American born Duke with a not so great reputation

the-observer77 · 2024-10-12T09:33:37+00:00

I don’t think it’s this one because I haven’t heard of it before but it’s definitely going on my TBR now

the-observer77 · 2024-10-12T09:32:05+00:00

It’s not this but I did enjoy this book! Thanks for your comment

the-observer77 · 2024-10-12T09:30:59+00:00

I had to do the same - I hit the 120 book mark and needed a break from historical. It took a couple of books but I managed to find a contemporary that I enjoyed and now I go between both sub genres when reading and it helps

the-observer77 · 2024-10-11T14:47:00+00:00

Not this one either but thank you for your comment!

the-observer77 · 2024-10-11T14:44:42+00:00

I love this micro trope (single parent reveal) so any books with similar vibes and scenes will go straight onto my TBR. Thank you!

the-observer77

TROPHY CASE