Jenna Hart loves the holidays. She's decorating the Cookbook Nook for Crystal Cove's festivities when her older sister makes an unexpected visit. But that's not the only thing on Jenna's plate - her father's good friend Jake shows up on her doorstep with news that his friend has been murdered. Jenna believes that Jake was the intended victim, so she makes a list of suspects and gets busy investigating but before she can come to any conclusions Jake is poisoned and nearly dies. Who wants Jake dead and why?

I was a little hesitant to read this since it's the 7th in a series even though it can be read as a standalone. But that cute cat in a Santa hat won me over! And I love the title of the book. Of course I would miss out on the depth of these character's stories and relationships but it didn't really bother me, it just made me want to pick up the others in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. The writing was good, easy to read, never a dull moment. I liked the characters. The mystery itself was great. Crystal Cove sounds cozy with its charming, quaint decorated shops with their clever names. I'm glad I stumbled across this one and will definitely check out the other six!

Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond the Page for an ARC. ( )

This holiday addition to the Cookbook Nook series is filled with the holiday spirit, good and bad. There are elf-like characters and Grinches too! The mystery of who used strangled Geoffrey with Christmas lights and impaled him with a tree topper, makes one wonder how safe are Christmas decorations. But the characters and story were woven together with the holiday magnificently! ( )

Jenna Hart is worried about her customers at the Cookbook Nook, her employees, and her family. She cares deeply about all of them, but a few seem to bring out the detective in her. This holiday season her sister, brother-in-law, as well as their teenage daughter are in town, and things are not as jolly as they should be. Then her neighbor and fathers’ friend, Jake becomes a possible murder suspect after his friend Geoffrey is killed. Or worse yet, Jake could become a future victim. Jenna can’t keep her nose out of it and jumps into figuring out who killed Geoffrey when they may have really meant to kill Jake.

Read the full review at: http://www.thecozyreview.com/wreath-between-the-lines/ ( )

Another great book by Ms. Gerber. ( )

Wreath Between the Lines by Daryl Wood Gerber takes us to Crystal Cove, California just two weeks before Christmas. Jenna Hart owns the Cookbook Nook, and her shop is filled with customers looking for gifts for the cook, baker, and reader in their life. The Crystal Cove Christmas Festival is taking place and since wreaths are the theme, every shop features a unique wreath. Jenna is surprised to see her sister, Whitney and her family. Jenna’s niece, Lacey and her group are participating in a cappella competition. In addition, Whitney is worried that her husband is cheating on her while Lacey wishes to avoid her critical mother. Late one evening, Jake Chapman knocks on the door needing assistance. Jake found his friend, Geoffrey strangled with Christmas lights and impaled with a tree topper. Jenna is worried it was a case of mistaken identity and the killer might try again. Jenna dons her sleuthing cap once again, makes a list of the suspects and sets out to wrap up the murder before Santa rides into town. Could it be the neighbor angry over Jake’s Christmas decorations or a philatelist after Jake’s rare and valuable Blue Mauritius? Someone has been naughty, and Jenna has no intention of letting them have a merry holiday.

Wreath Between the Lines is a joyful cozy mystery. I like the warm, friendly characters that have grown over the course of the series. Bailey, Katie, Rhett, Jake and Tigger return and are ready to celebrate Christmas. I am hoping that Whitney has seen the error of her ways and we see a change in her in future installments. Crystal Cove is a quaint town with lovely shops and activities year round. I like a cappella competition taking place in town with Lacey’s unusual group. The mystery was multi-faceted with multiple suspects, red herrings, and good clues. While pinpointing the grinch is a cinch, I wanted to keep reading Wreath Between the Lines to see how the various storylines would play out. While Wreath Between the Lines is the seventh book in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, it can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know about Jenna is included for new readers. I could have done without the frequent references to Jenna’s former job working at Taylor & Squibb (you know I am not a fan of repetition). I truly loved the Christmas spirit woven throughout the story. There is a delightful description of the wreath on the front door of the Cookbook Nook along with the Dickensian carolers who are strolling around the village. The narratives of the delectable cuisine will have your mouth watering. Wreath Between the Lines has a heartwarming ending. Wreath Between the Lines combines charming characters, a cozy town, Christmas festivities, romance and murder into one jolly cozy mystery. ( )