Edam and Weep by Linda Reilly

Edam and Weep by Linda Reilly

This is truly my coziest of cozy mystery series because I'm a grilled cheese girl to my core. I'm always excited when there's a new book out, and this one snuck up on me! But I added it to my birthday list and devoured it right away.

I've previously reviewed the first four books in the series, and the fifth after I got it for Christmas. I've recommended the series to several people so I genuinely love it.

Which made it hard to start and see the word "garbed" used so excessively! Am I nitpicking? Maybe... But it's a rare word, and when I first saw it, I stopped reading immediately to make sure I was computing it correctly. Then I saw it a few pages later... TWICE on that same page! Overall it's in the book about six times, which might not be too awful because I know there are words and phrases I overuse in my own writing. However, the first three being so close together seems like something an editor should have caught. Plus, with it being such a strange word, I started joking that it was like garbed... sorry, barbed wire to my brain.

Beyond that, though, this is truly cozy and works really well to move the series along. I like that the wedding wasn't a big thing in the plot because I find that really boring. There were a lot of wedding-related mentions and errands throughout the book, but I'd rather read that than an overly long play-by-play of the day, so I was pleased by that. Really looking forward to more in the series.

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

I read the first four books in this series in the fall and had to wait for this one to be released. I got it for Christmas but just read it in February due to my never-ending TBR and library checkouts.

It was good timing because I needed a cozy escape from reality, though, and this did the trick! I think this book progressed the side storyline of Carly and Ari nicely and it felt like that story was happening organically. Too often the romantic storylines of cozy mysteries either feel forced or rushed. While Carly and Ari are pretty innocent overall, I buy the sweetness and their relationship journey overall. I hope the series continues so we get to see their wedding, which should be happening soon!

I also love how the other characters are becoming more dimensional, for he most part. I loved getting to see more of Carly's sister, Norah. I also loved the development of Nina, and hope to see more from her. Suzanne seemed a bit pulled back this book, and I wonder if she's going to go away in the next, or if something's going on in her life she didn't really address... (Yes, I know it's fiction, but c'mon, I'm invested!) It was interesting to have some new players in this mystery, but I have to say I loved Grant coming back for the holidays. I'd read a side series starring him, even if it focused on food and music instead of mystery.

Overall, I think this was a great fifth book in the series. It was cozy, moved the overarching story along, and made me want to read more. I've recommended this series to a lot of people who seem to enjoy it as well, so give it a try!