The lighthearted Stuck in Manistique by Dennis Cuesta will grab your interest and titillate your imagination from the first page to the last.

First, you’ll think it’s a romance, then it slowly turns into a whodunit ala Agatha Christie! There are so many laugh out loud funny moments and so many twists and turns, you won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough.

Sometimes life (God, the universe) sends us into situations we would never have expected, putting us in the path of people we didn’t know were missing from our lives. Mark didn’t expect to be the sole heir to the estate of his Aunt Vivian who he had stopped hearing from years before. As Mark sorts out his aunt’s estate, he gets new insight into the woman she was and the secrets she carried. Enhancing his trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, travelers begin showing up to stay at the bed and breakfast Aunt Vivian was running when she died. Emily Davis who’s witty repartee delights Mark, a confused elderly man and a unique couple trying to circle Lake Michigan in and electric car all complicate what was supposed to be a short simple trip. In his first novel, Dennis Cuesta combines family secrets, stories of friendship and a bit of humorous chaos. Stuck in Manistique is a journey of discovery, healing and building bonds, and reminds us some of the best trips we take are the ones we never planned.

I really enjoyed reading this book. At first I didn't know how I would feel about it, and it took me a while to get into it, but I liked it!

What started off as a fun premise quickly devolved into a book I couldn't muster up the enthusiasm to finish, unfortunately. There was no spark to the characters, as each of them were pretty low-key, kind of bland individuals. I ended up envisioning them as bunch of white people just hanging out in this small town. The writer did a good job of depicting the scenery but as the book went on, those descriptions appeared less and less, doing nothing to ground me in that area. Overall, it fell flat to me.

(On an unrelated note: what was up with Mark constantly mentioning/thinking about how much food Emily was eating and putting on? That made me feel uncomfortable).

Thanks to NetGalley and Celestial Eyes Press for the opportunity to read this novel, though I apologize for not reading it in a more timely manner.

This was a very fast read, but I have to admit, I have not laughed quite so hard while reading a book in a long, long time. Loved the character development of Mark and Emily, the plot that connects everyone together, and the descriptions of the area. Great book. Hope the author writes another book in the not too distant future.

Though the premise of this novel was very intriguing, and I was hooked after the first couple of chapters, I was unable to finish this book because I did not connect with the characters and the plot seemed to drag after the first quarter of the book.

When I began reading Stuck in Manistique, I thought I wouldn't like it. The beginning was slow and a bit repetitive. The story did start to pick up, and I ended up enjoying the novel. It was somewhat predictable, but I really felt I knew most of the characters by the end.

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. For some reason, I assumed it was a sleepy romantic story about a chance encounter. I didn’t expect a light, somewhat comical, and easy read.

I enjoyed this story, and am glad I read this book!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, this was an easy read. The story focuses on two people, Mark and Emily. Mark travels to Manistique to settle his aunt's estate. It turns out that her home is actually a bed and breakfast. Emily had planned on driving to Mackinac Island to meet up with her boyfriend but gets in an accident with a deer on the way there. Emily finds the bed and breakfast and wants to rent a room there while her car is being fixed. Mark really doesn't want to rent rooms but relents since there is no place else to stay.

Mark and Emily hit it off right away. Through all sorts of twists and turns, Mark and Emily host several other people at the B&B, regardless of Mark's desire to run the place. At times, the comings and goings become very farcical. I'm not sure that it plays well with the overall tone of the book. Mark has people going out the back door to avoid people coming in the front door and vice versa. I don't think that added much to the story and it made it a bit confusing.

I am thinking this is the author's first book, perhaps? Or maybe it just needed (and maybe will get) better editing? There were times where it would say someone went back into the house, but they had never left the house. Not a huge deal when reading, but probably something that could have been caught during the editing process. Also, I feel like Mark's character wasn't very "clean". He would be easy going one minute and then walk out upset the next. He could take a joke one time and then get upset the next. It was a little jarring to me.

Overall it was a fun read and it really made me want to explore the UP!

I wasn't sure quite what to expect when I picked this book up from Netgalley, but what I found was a charming book about life and family and the things that connect us. The characters were interesting and quirky and there were a few surprises along the way, including an unexpected comedy of errors sequence. And while I've never been to the UP, I've always been interested in going there, and this book solidified my desire to visit. If it happens, I'd be sure to make it to Manistique - it sounds like a lovely little town. All in all, well done - especially for a first novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Celestial Eyes Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book - for me it started a bit slowly and seemed far-fetched but I found myself invested in the characters and wondering what would happen next. The ending to me was predictable but I did enjoy the journey

I received this one from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Stuck in Manistique is a very original story and unlike anything I've ever read or tend to read. Mark finds out that he has inherited an old Victorian house from an aunt who has vanished from his life when he was a teenager. While his life is in Chicago he is intrigued about the house, why it was left to him, and what to do with it now. The story gets quite interesting and entertainingly funny when he actually makes it to the house where he finds his aunt ran a B&B. Once a new host of characters join the tail you will be outright laughing.

Wonderful story, wonderful writing, and one I think everyone will really enjoy.

I can easily see this book made into a movie. Loved the characters with their strengths and weaknesses. It was very down to earth and real.
It was both funny and serious at times. The many twists and turns of the plot keep you wondering what will happen next.
Loved the new and unique story line as well.

This book was quirky and funny and flowed very well. The characters were well written and likeable. Loved the location and admittedly chose this book because I'm from Michigan and love the beautiful lake Michigan area. The author didn't disappoint me.
This is the type of book you need in between those heavy serious sad books. 4⭐

Charming and quirky, this story immediately pulls you in. I simply wanted to live within the pages of the world this author describes in Manistique. Mark finds himself the accidental owner of a bed and breakfast in Manistique in the UP (Upper Peninsula) when his long lost aunt dies and he travels there to handle her affairs. He didn't know she was running a B&B, and he has no intention of taking over, but one things leads to another, and he suddenly has a few guests. Hilarious events transpire, that make it seem like these guest are never going to leave. The area's residents are just a perfect depiction of Yoopers and are just so funny and lovable. The situations that Mark and Dr. Emily (his first accidental guest) find themselves in are unpredictably delightful. Yeah, there are some not so believable coincidences, but it's easy to overlook with the captivating little tale of being Stuck in Manistique.

Manistique is the type of town that I picture for retirement one day. A small town feel in Michigan with interesting characters that keep the town going. This is what drew me to this book in the first place. The characters are what kept me intrigued throughout the book.

Mark, an attorney from Chicago, shows up to settle his estranged aunt's affairs, only to find out that his aunt left her bed-and-breakfast inn to him. Emily, a surgeon on her way to meet with her married boyfriend, ends up in Manistique by mistake. The two are brought together at the inn, while guests keep showing up for their vacation. The interesting characters kept the story moving. It reminded me a lot of the Maeve Binchy books. This is an easy read that I would recommend.

I give this four out of five starts.

This book was given to me for my honest feedback.

This book was quirky and funny and flowed effortlessly. The characters were well written and the although you think you know which way the story is going to go, it changes course with hilarious results. It keeps you engaged, makes you root for an HEA. Would highly recommend.

Stuck in Manistique by Dennis Cuesta is a based in a small town USA. The story has many likable characters and I will recommend this book to my friends and family.

This is an enjoyable light read of friendship and adventure. Mark arrives in Manistique, Michigan's Upper Peninsula to view an inherited B&B from his aunt. While getting the place ready to sell he rents a room to Emily, a doctor for a few days while her car is being repaired. As more people arrive at the inn Mark and Emily for a friendship and share some family secrets. The characters are great and the story line leads to a twist you don't see coming. The story is fun to read and the town makes me think about a trip to visit this area ( in summer of course). I think there is great potential for a series set in this quirky town. I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ll be honest...I did not finish this book. I would read it for a bit, get bored and start reading another book, then go back to it in hopes that it would pull me in, get bored and the cycle continued. It just didn’t grab me and make me want to finish the story. I hope that one day I will finish it.