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megan451128's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tessa3768's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
frankie7toes's review against another edition
I was just aggressively uninterested. Neither the writing nor the story called my interest.
mjai13's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bel017's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Loved the focus on positive female friendship, and the comfort scones sound amazing. Sign me up for both of those.
Didn't like Nora's relationship with Jed. He's the perfect book boyfriend: handsome, considerate, thoughtful, rearranged his life to take care of her, always turns up to save her in the nick of time; you know the type. She thinks he's hot and leads him on to get information out of him. Not cool Nora.
It's a cosy murder mystery. The goodies are good, the baddies are bad, the books are quotable and the scones are still warm.
Didn't like Nora's relationship with Jed. He's the perfect book boyfriend: handsome, considerate, thoughtful, rearranged his life to take care of her, always turns up to save her in the nick of time; you know the type. She thinks he's hot and leads him on to get information out of him. Not cool Nora.
It's a cosy murder mystery. The goodies are good, the baddies are bad, the books are quotable and the scones are still warm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the Secret, Book, & Scone Society, but I didn't love it. It was an interesting read, but I thought it fell flat in a few places. The actual mystery didn't feel all that surprising, and the characters were reserved by design so that they could make a grand reveal of their secrets. They weren't unlikeable, but it just was tough to connect with them right away. The story was more about growth and making friends than the actual mystery. There were many book references, and after a while, it felt like it was just a game to see how many could be put into a conversation.
I enjoyed it but didn't love it.
For my full review, check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2020/12/book-review-secret-book-scone-society.html
I enjoyed it but didn't love it.
For my full review, check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2020/12/book-review-secret-book-scone-society.html
amberj40's review against another edition
5.0
So good! I started reading it and then went and requested the other 3 from the library!
csl4240's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
3.5
The first half was very slow, it felt like nothing was really happening. The 2nd half was a lot faster paced and kept me listening.
jullecomer's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Book on CD read by Cris Dukehart
2.5***
From the book jacket: The first in a new series set within a quirky small-town club where the key to happiness, friendship—or solving a murder—can all be found within the pages of the right book . . . Miracle Springs, North Carolina, is a place of healing. Strangers flock here hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain and lighten their heaviest burden.
My reactions:
I really like Adams’ “Books By the Bay” mystery series and thought I’d give this one a try, though I was skeptical about the “comfort scones” and Nora’s ability to cure someone’s ills by recommending the right book.
Nora and her friends – Hester (who owns the bakery), Estella (owns the beauty salon) and June (who works at the spa pools) – form the society to read and discuss books that will help each of them get over past traumas and move forward with courage and grace. But they are immediately intrigued by the tragic death of a partner in a real estate development, and more so by the sheriff’s quick assessment that it was suicide. So, they decide to investigate.
That decision made little sense to me. They had no vested interest in the development or in this relative stranger to town. Yes, he’d spoken to Nora (who’d given him a book recommendation), and she’d referred him to the bakery so Hester could concoct one of her special comfort scones for him, but that was the extent of their involvement. Of course, once a second murder occurs, and one of their group gets arrested, they have ever reason to continue looking for clues.
By the end of the book we’ve learned each of the women’s terrible secret, and there are a couple of promising romantic relationships. But I just got the feeling that Adams was trying too hard.
Still, I did really love all the book references!
Cris Dukeheart does a good job of narrating the audio book. She has a lot of characters to interpret and she has the vocal range to differentiate them, for the most part. (I had to pay close attention when three or four women were meeting together, to be sure I understood who was speaking.)
2.5***
From the book jacket: The first in a new series set within a quirky small-town club where the key to happiness, friendship—or solving a murder—can all be found within the pages of the right book . . . Miracle Springs, North Carolina, is a place of healing. Strangers flock here hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain and lighten their heaviest burden.
My reactions:
I really like Adams’ “Books By the Bay” mystery series and thought I’d give this one a try, though I was skeptical about the “comfort scones” and Nora’s ability to cure someone’s ills by recommending the right book.
Nora and her friends – Hester (who owns the bakery), Estella (owns the beauty salon) and June (who works at the spa pools) – form the society to read and discuss books that will help each of them get over past traumas and move forward with courage and grace. But they are immediately intrigued by the tragic death of a partner in a real estate development, and more so by the sheriff’s quick assessment that it was suicide. So, they decide to investigate.
That decision made little sense to me. They had no vested interest in the development or in this relative stranger to town. Yes, he’d spoken to Nora (who’d given him a book recommendation), and she’d referred him to the bakery so Hester could concoct one of her special comfort scones for him, but that was the extent of their involvement. Of course, once a second murder occurs, and one of their group gets arrested, they have ever reason to continue looking for clues.
By the end of the book we’ve learned each of the women’s terrible secret, and there are a couple of promising romantic relationships. But I just got the feeling that Adams was trying too hard.
Still, I did really love all the book references!
Cris Dukeheart does a good job of narrating the audio book. She has a lot of characters to interpret and she has the vocal range to differentiate them, for the most part. (I had to pay close attention when three or four women were meeting together, to be sure I understood who was speaking.)