Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber (Cookbook Nook Mystery #11) 4 stars

Jenna Hart is in the midst of arranging her wedding with her longtime boyfriend Rhett. Isn't it fate that the Bride's Dream Expo is in town with all things bridal on tap. The Cookbook Nook is taking advantage by selling bridal related cookbooks and kitchen items. However, there are stormy clouds on the horizon when she sees Sarita Strachline, a woman she helped convict of arson and fraud in town. They have a small confrontation and Sarita threatens Jenna. Uneasy, she puts it out of her mind and anticipates the private dinner she will have at her fiance Rhett's restaurant. However, after there is an explosion in the restaurant and Rhett is hurt; her thoughts turn to Sarita as the main suspect. Jenna needs to find the truth fast or her wedding may be delayed indefinitely.

This was a fast read, the mystery was great with several twists and turns and a few red herrings thrown in. The subplot about the upcoming wedding was enjoyable and the end was terrific. I look forward to the next Cookbook Nook Mystery.

Thank you Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC.

Jenna and Rhett are about to get married when their plans blow up in their faces- literally. A bomb in the kitchen of Rhett’s restaurant destroys the kitchen and makes Jenna fear their wedding wasn’t meant to be.

I want to start my review by saying that although I did read the first book in this series, I haven’t read any in between that one and this. Though I really didn’t have any trouble following the story there were a few new characters and some references to previous cases that I didn’t know. That being said, I think one thing Gerber does really well is introducing characters in such a way that they’re fairly easy to keep track of, despite there being so many of them.

There were several separate mysteries going on, one being the explosion at InTime, another explosion, and some thefts happening at the bridal expo. Are they all related? Or are they all separate crimes with different perpetrators? Are they a bad omen for Jenna’s wedding and marriage? There’s a lot for Jenna to do between tracking down her would-be killer and putting the finishing touches on her wedding plans. You’ll be guessing to the end. I can usually solve at least part of the crime but in this book I was wrong on all counts.

One thing I didn’t love about this book was Jenna felt a tad bit selfish, sometimes worrying about the wedding instead of her injured fiancé, seeing another person’s death as an omen about her wedding. But in all fairness most brides would probably feel the same way about their big day. I also didn’t love the dynamics between Jenna and Cinnamon. I felt like Cinnamon should take Jenna more seriously considering their history. At times Cinnamon seemed overly dismissive and somewhat rude. In light of that I felt Jenna should have been a bit more judicious about the information she was sharing with Cinnamon. But altogether it’s a sign of a good book to be this invested in how the characters are living their fictional lives!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

ARC Kindle Copy from Review from Net Galley and Beyond the Page Publishing.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Wedding in the air as Jenna prepares for her own wedding and the bridal expo is in town. All is not so blissful as arsonist she once put in jail is out of prison and looking for revenge.

When there is an explosion at her prenuptial dinner she figures it is their work. Can she find justice before things get deadly?

A fast paced delightful read in the series.

This is the 11th book in this popular cozy mystery series by author Daryl Wood Gerber. I have read the entire series and always enjoy returning to Crystal Cove and the Cookbook store with Jenna and crew. This was a very suspenseful addition to the series and a exciting read from beginning to end.

Jenna and Rhett are getting married and celebrating their impending wedding at a romantic dinner for two when a bomb goes off and Rhett is nearly killed. Jenna is devastated and suspicious that a arsonist she put in jail and now released is responsible. The pieces of the mystery are falling into place as Jenna decides she must solve this crime and put the woman back in jail to protect herself and those she loves. When the suspect is killed in another bombing Jenna is sure foul play was involved and fearful another suspect may be threatening them. Police Chief and friend Cinnamon has her hands full in this complex mystery .

This was such a exciting cozy mystery I read it cover to cover. Jenna is a savvy smart protagnist and a capable investigator. The Cookbook store is charming and the supporting charcters returning all add to the story. I enjoy this series and highly recommend this cozy series for your reading enjoyment.

I have been waiting for this new book in the CookbookNook series since I finished the last one. Jenna is co-owner of the cookbook store, and is planning her wedding when her fiancé is hurt during a homemade bomb blast at his restaurant. Several other incidents lead Jenna to talk about postponing the wedding but Rhett, her fiancé, isn’t in favor. Although Jenna has her mind made up the bomb was the work of a disagreeable woman recently back in town, she finds clues that don’t fit. This is another great book in the series by this author. While this could be read as a stand-alone book, I would suggest reading the series from the beginning.

The co-owner of the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, Jenna Hart, is almost done with planning her wedding to local restaurateur Rhett Baxter. With just a few weeks to go she is instead able to enjoy this year's Bride's Dream Expo at the nearby community college from afar, while concentrating on the related activities and products in the bookstore with her Aunt Vera. All that changes however when a woman she and Rhett helped convict of arson arrives back in town obviously unforgiving towards them both and that's without the threats and explosions!

Local police chief Cinnamon Pritchett is used to having assistance from her book loving friend - whether she wants it or not! This time however, with her wedding plans beginning to crumble, and worries of her own to contend with, Jenna is trying desperately to stay in the background. If locals go out of their way to talk to her though, who is she to stop them as long as she passes everything on, of course?

Although I have read other great books by this author, and this is the eleventh of the Cookbook Nook Mystery Series, it is, regrettably, my first visit to Crystal Cove, but not my last! There is a list of characters at the front but I didn't feel the need to check it as everyone was introduced and described clearly. For a cosy mystery the crimes themselves were quite shocking but the whole case was very well done and I enjoyed trying to work out whodunnit while also visiting the Dream Bride's Expo and learning about Jenna and Rhett’s wedding menu.

My only reservation, as a new reader, was the two main protagonists didn't have as defined an identity in their community as I expected, beyond their respective business owner roles. I may feel differently after reading their previous adventures which I definitely intend to do. I have recommended other cosy crime books with one or two recipes included but here there are fourteen! These range from canapés, through main courses and desserts, to cocktails, all of which sounded very nice indeed.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed it immensely, especially as there is no need to have read the previous books. It provides a very nice place to escape to.

What a great title for this book. It was great hanging out in the Cookbook Nook again with the great folks of Crystal Cove. How much fun would it be to go shop in all these unique stores? I love going to an expo and Crystal Cove knows how to have an awesome one. You never know who you might run into. I loved this storyline and the characters. If you have ever planned a wedding, you might think, yep, I know just how Jenna feels. I really like when I can feel what the characters in the story feels. The relationships between these folks are awesome and I could hang out with them all day long. I can’t wait to be with them again. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Jenna and Rhett are getting married...if they can survive the few weeks leading up to the wedding. When a bridal expo hits town, so does murder. During an evening of celebration for Jenna and Rhett a bomb goes off and Rhett is injured. With Jenna wanting to postpone the wedding, everyone including Rhett are telling her not to change a thing, so Jenn has to find out who tried to kill her and Rhett and then who killed her main suspect. Will Jenn and Rhett make it to the altar to say, “I do” or will one of them be saying “I would have”.

I adore this series! From the characters, to the setting to the animals, and the whodunit. Everything comes together to make this one of the best cozy series out there. Of course I love all of Daryl’s work, but that’s only because she’s an awesome writer. Don’t miss out on a the recipes either…everything about this book is delish!

I have arrived late to the #CookbookNookMysteries, but am glad to have received an advanced copy of #SimmeringwithResentment from #NetGalley.
Author Daryl Wood Gerber does an excellent job of making this book enjoyable for readers who have not read other, earlier books in the series. You are never left wondering what went before and whether you are missing something pertinent from earlier books. The book is well-written and the mystery is complex, with many suspects to choose from as you try to solve the puzzle. The characters are interesting and relatable, and the setting of the cookbook store/café is unique in the cozy mystery world.
I did find, however, that the speculation engaged in by the main characters got a bit repetitive. I also found the book to be much longer than it needed to be, and longer than your typical cozy mystery. Once I hit the 75% read mark, I just wanted it to be over. I'm a relatively fast reader, but the book still seemed to be taking forever to get to the resolution. I admit that just before getting to the big reveal, I was toying with putting it aside. I didn't do so, however, and was happy to finally confirm my suspicions as to who the bomber was.
For foodies, there are a number of recipes included that were part of the story.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Beyond the Page Publishing and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The 11th book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery cozy mystery series was as fast paced and entertaining as the others. Daryl Wood Gerber has a way with the genre and I can’t wait for more.

Overall I enjoyed the book and it was good to see everyone settling into life. The mystery was on; it would have been better for me if Jenna wasn’t so…shrill in this one. In my mind, she was very petulant and shrill this book and it took away from the overall enjoyment of the book and the mystery. I get it was very close to her, but Cinnamon was totally the adult here. Also, I didn’t live the ending; the who, the why, and the how were good, but the part where the murderer confronts her? That seemed kind of sloppy. Loved all the recipes here though!

This is the 11th book in the Cookbook Nook series. Jenna and Rhett are finalizing their wedding plans when nemesis Sarita Strachline returns to town with an axe to grind. Previously Jenna helped to convict Sarita of arson but Sarita gets out of jail on early release. When a rock is thrown through Jenna's front window in her home. Jenna suspects Sarita. Then while having a cozy dinner with Rhett. a homemade bomb explodes in the restaurant. Injuring Rhett who ends up in the hospital. Jenna is sure Sarita is to blame. But when Sarita is murdered in a boat explosion Jenna decides to investigate. This was an enjoyable read with colorful, likeable. characters. Many suspects and lots of red herrings. I look forward to the next book in this series. Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy!

A fabulous cozy mystery!

Jenna and Rhett are busy finalising arrangements for their forthcoming wedding, whilst a wedding expo is taking place in their town of Crystal Cove. When home-made bombs explode and a murder occurs, can the happy couple help solve the mystery in time for their marriage to take place as planned?

A fun read, with lots of interesting characters, plenty of red herrings, and a satisfying conclusion.

A really strong story! Arson, nuptials, and murder! There's plenty of action and great plotting in this entry. I read this in one sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.

This was an entertaining book that found Jenna and her fiance personally involved when they are attacked by a bomb. This is then followed by a murder. Are they connected or separate? There are enough twists and suspects to keep you guessing. The author goes into a lot of detail while telling her story and keeps you involved. And if you are hungry after reading about all the food they eat, there even recipes to try at the end!

I know I'm in for quite a ride when I pick up a cookbook nook mystery.
Jenna is a great character, who has grown so much since the very beginning.
When someone seeks revenge on Jenna and her fiance, Jenna digs in deep and is determined to find the answers.
She isn't going to let anything stand in the way of her wedding, so you know this is going to be an exciting story.
I always look forward to a new release in this series, and I wasn't disappointed when I read Simmering with Resentment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#SimmeringwithResentment #NetGalley.

Arsonist Sarita Strachline, out of prison on early release, returns home to Crystal Cove to start over. But, when an explosion rocks Jenna and Rhett’s prenuptial dinner and puts Rhett in the hospital, Jenna blames Sarita, who she helped convict of setting fire to Grotto.

In the 11th Cookbook Nook Mystery, Daryl Wood Gerber weaves an engaging mystery that combines the wedding plans for Jenna and Rhett with solving Sarita’s murder. Plenty of suspects emerge as Ms. Gerber provides red herrings and intriguing twists in this evenly paced story. Simmering with Resentment offers another strong entry in this series.

Much Ado…
Much ado in the eleventh Cookbook Nook mystery when a killer is using explosives to despatch victims and Nook owner Jenna is in the middle of the pandemonium. Determined to find the perpetrator she has to cook up a delicious plan to get to the bottom of a vicious scheme. Delightfully entertaining with a cast of colourful characters and a pleasant backdrop. Recipes included.

For heaven's sake, why are nosy bodies so annoying?. They get on your nerves all the time. Jenna seems to have a self-district button, the way she gets into everyone’s faces.
One thing for sure, she is persistent, determined, and curiosity-driven. It was intriguingly interesting and amazingly entertaining. A bookshelf addition you cannot miss.

What do you, oh, amateur sleuth, do when your best suspect gets herself blown up?

That is essentially the problem Jenna Hart faces in "Simmering With Resentment". The return of a nemesis and the bombing of your soon to be husband's bistro can't be a coincidence, can it? Or can it? When husband to be Rhett Jackson is injured in the bombing, Jenna is absolutely, positively certain it was Sarita who did it. After all, both Rhett and she had been instrumental in reopening the case that sent Sarita to prison. But then the boat Sarita had rented is blown up, killing Sarita. Suddenly your theory of of whodunit isn't looking as sound. Talk about complications.

Although this is the eleventh book in this series, I have somehow missed it until now. It didn't really matter. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The author does an excellent job of filling in background events and character as needed. In fact, I felt as if I got to know the various characters well and liked them. Now, true, Jenna is a bit relentless, as she's aptly described in the book, at reporting her theories to the police detective in charge, but I liked her, too. With her wedding drawing near, a town full of wedding obsessed tourists in town for the Bride's Dream Expo, and the bombings, it's no wonder she was a bit tightly wound. That said, with an unknown murderer on the loose, I was amazed to see her taking the dog for a walk alone.

With several plausible suspects and red herrings, I had no clue who did it until the very end. In fact, I had the wrong person pegged until nearly the end and had just discarded them when the big reveal happened. In the process, I was salivating with all the food talk. I should note that recipes with excellent instructions are included. I'm not even sure the food talk didn't get more space than the wedding talk although, when I thi9nk about it, the two blended together nicely as wedding plans and menus were discussed and embellished.

Bottom line, an intriguing mystery that will keep you guessing with likeable characters and, oh, yes, not just the previously mentioned dog but cats and oh, so adorable kittens. Thank you #NetGalley and #BeyondThePagePublishing for inviting me to Jenna and Rhett's wedding, not to mention all the excitement beforehand.