This was my first introduction to Lynn Cahoon (I'd read about her on Jungle Red Writers, a blog by several mystery writers who I enjoy reading), and I was eager to dive in. Mother's Day Mayhem is a novella, labeled as #6.5 in the "A Tourist Trap Mystery" series and it took several pages to become acquainted with the characters. I quickly come to the conclusion that this is not a series that you can pick up anywhere, and think I would have enjoyed the story more if I were more familiar with the characters.

As it is, the story was okay (and it took me a while to figure out what the mystery was meant to be). I'm not going to put this in the "do not read" category, but plan to pick up the first entry in the series and then re-visit this story when I know the characters better.

In my opinion, this is worth a read if you follow "A Tourist Trap Mystery", but for fellow newbies, it may make more sense to defer this until its proper place in the chronology.

Jill's finally going to meet Greg's mom. And she's nervous. Mother's Day is full of stress, not only for Jill, but also for Kyle, who owns the antique store next to Jill's shop. He wants to find his birth mother. There's no murder in this quick installment in a series. Rather, Jill and Greg, a police detective, use their investigative skills to help Kyle. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a short, well done, read about family.

Mother's Day Mayhem is a quick novella that was light and warm. This was the first I have read in the series and I will be sure to read more. The characters are wonderful and I enjoyed the plot.

I really liked how this novella is about the relationships between the people and how they care for each other. It's an enjoyable read. MothersDayMayhem #NetGalley

This is yet another enjoyable story by Lynn Cahoon. A good book for when you want something that’s a little shorter, lighter, and entertaining to read. As always, I look forward to reading her next book.

Kindle Copy from Net Galley, Kensington Books and Lyrical Press

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

As Mother’s Day approaches the residents of South Cove are a bit anxious about choosing cards. It will be the first time Jill will be meeting her boyfriend’s mom and she wants to make a good impression. For Kyle the card is for a mom he has not seen in years as she returns from jail.

Each hesitant of the meetings involved. This is a short novella focusing on different mother relationships and how each is unique.

Jill Gardner is getting Coffee, Books and More in South Cove, California ready for Mother’s Day with a large selection of greeting cards from which her customers can choose. One customer in particular is having a hard time picking a card. Kyle Nabor needs a card for a mother he hasn’t seen since he was a child, and Jill goes above and beyond to help him. Jill is also nervous about the upcoming holiday because she will be meeting her boyfriend Greg’s mom for the first time.

Mother’s Day Mayhem is a novella that is part of the Tourist Trap Mystery series. I've read some of the other books in this series, but because of the format of this series, new readers can join right in and not feel like they need to have read the prior books. This story is a little different than most of the books in the series in that it’s not a murder mystery. Jill and her boyfriend Greg try to help Kyle track down his estranged mother. I enjoy seeing them mix sleuthing and pleasure on a weekend getaway before the Mother’s Day meal Jill has begun to dread. Kyle’s story takes an unexpected twist that I wasn’t expecting but really enjoyed.

Jill is a complicated main character. I like her intelligence and business sense and her loyalty to her friends. She has a great match in her boyfriend Greg King, who is a police detective in South Cove. They have great chemistry and get along well. Jill has her reasons, but I am sometimes frustrated by her hesitation to make a commitment to Greg. After the family meal with him, I’m hoping things improve on that front. However, Jill mentions apprehensions about an upcoming gathering with her family that looks like it could cause future complications. This entertaining, fast-paced novella is a great addition to this enjoyable series.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a fan of the Tourist Trap Mysteries series by Lynn Cahoon.

This installment of the series is a novella, and is a little light on the mystery end of things. (It's not a murder, either, which must be a relief for this little coastal town.) What it IS? It's a touching story about Kyle and the mother he grew up not knowing. It's also a nice bit of character development between Greg and Jill, It wrapped up quickly and left me a bit wanting.

All in all, it is a quick, easy read, but I'll really be looking forward to Cahoon's next full length novel.

Thanks to Lyrical Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this story.

I love going to South Cove and Jill is living my dream life! In this story she finds out she will be meeting Greg's mother. In amongst Jill's worry of that, she gets involved helping Kyle to reconnect with his mother.

I just can't say enough how much I love this series! If you haven't had a chance,and you like a nice cozy mystery to loose yourself in, then you really need to read this series.

This is book 10.5 in the Tourist Trap Mystery series. I love this series and I hope Lynn Cahoon is coming out with another full-length book soon. This one is a novella.

Jill and her boyfriend Greg are back to solve another mystery. One of their friends is searching for his "real" mother around Mother's Day and they help identify her. It's nice that it isn't another murder for a change, and I like to see the character growth between Jill and Greg.

Thanks to Lyrical Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mother's Day Mayhem is another part of the Tourist Trap Mysteries by author Lynn Cahoon. Jill Gardner, owner of the Coffee, Books and More shop is the resident sleuth. As the small town of South Cove prepares for Mother's day, Jill is nervous about the meeting of her boyfriend, Greg's mother. Although Jill is not the only one that is nervous about Mother's Day. Kyle, who was raised by his grandmother, is going to meet his mother after so many years of her being absent. Finding out his mother has been in jail all this time, leaves Kyle with a lot of questions that his mother does not want to answer. As Jill tries to reconnect mother and son, she is suspicious as to why Kyle's mother is not showing any motherly affection. Although this mystery is not murder oriented, it is a glimpse into the heart of a few of the South Cove residents.

This book was a total surprise to me, as I'd not read any in the series and did not realize how many had been written in the series prior to this one. That being said, it was not too difficult to pick up the story and make the connections between the characters. Jill is a very relatable character -- likes coffee, reads to excess, seems to struggle with eating habits., and is very involved in the life of the townspeople.

In Mother's Day Mayhem, Jill is caught up in the struggles of Kyle dealing with wanting to be in touch with his mother, yet she not wanting to have any contact with him. She involves her employee Sasha and boyfriend Greg in the dilemma as well. In the midst of all of this, Greg surprises her with a Mother's Day luncheon that includes his mother, whom she has not met. One mystery unsolved for me in the book is the "skeleton" in Jill's family closet, however this could have been revealed in an earlier book, which I've not yet read. I was surprised when the book ended and wished there were more! I will definitely look up the rest of the books in the series to catch up on the story.

It’s nearly Mother’s Day, and Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More, is apprehensive. Her boyfriend, Greg, wants her to meet his mother for the first time. Kyle, a worker from the store next door, wants to meet with the mother who abandoned him when he was a child. Jill and Greg decide to look into the truth behind Kyle’s mother and they may get more than they bargained for.
This was another great little story surrounding the characters created by this gifted author. But, it really isn’t a mystery. It’s a beautiful story about a child’s love for his mother, and the ending made me sad. I really hope that this author releases a full length mystery next. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

It has been awhile since I have read a tourist trap mystery and this novella was just what I needed to kickstart my interest again. Few pages in and all the characters and stories came flooding back and I remember why I liked the series. Jill is a caring, smart, independent protagonist who cares about the small town and people who live there.

I found myself drawn into the story and wanting to know who Kyles mum was and why she was staying away. I read in about 1.5 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this novella

I voluntarily agreed to read a digital copy of this book supplied by NetGalley and Lyrical Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Back in South Cove! This time Mother's Day is coming and so is Greg's mother!

Jill is in a bit of a tizzy with Mother's Day around the corner and Greg's mother is coming for lunch! So instead of fixating on her fears, she is helping Kyle from next door find out where the mother who left him as a child with his grandmother is living and why she doesn't want a relationship with Kyle.

 I am loving these little novellas that Ms. Cahoon is giving us. We no longer have to wait a year for a new mystery! We have wonderful little updates on all of our favorite characters on the holidays. I find this style fresh and a great way to keep us wanting more.

Well Done!

NetGalley/April 2nd 2019 by Lyrical Press

Now that I am adjusted to the format of Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Novellas I thoroughly enjoyed this sparkling addition that will tide me over to a full length offering. 'Mother's Day Mayhem' was about multiple mothers and it was humorous and tender and revealing at the same time. I learned more about some of South Cove's inhabitants and have much to look forward to in the future. I highly recommend this entire series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Mother’s Day Mayhem.

Love the novellas in between the full books by Lynn Cahoon.
Novellas are fun ,especially reading more about Jill and boyfriend Greg .
There was a bit of a Clift hanger left about Greg’s job hopefully it will be solved in the next book.
Looking forward for the next book to read.
Thanks to Kensington Books and Nettgalley for letting me read and review this book.

This series is always a fun read. Jill and Greg are moving forward in their relationship as Greg has asked Jill to meet his mother. However, before they can do that Jill and Greg must help another resident with his relationship to his mother. Loved Jill and Greg working together to solve the mystery of Kyle & his mother.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. - I continue looking forward to what happens in South Cove.

Number 10.5 in the series does not disappoint! I think this series just keeps getting better!
I adore this series and the characters.
For a novella length mystery, it was really well written and kept me engrossed and guessing!
I highly recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Mother’s Day Mayhem
A Tourist Trap Mystery, Book #10.5
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Picturesque South Cove, California, is the perfect place to celebrate Mother’s Day, but not everyone is feeling motherly...

Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More is almost out of Mother’s Day cards. She has a few more in stock, but she’s set them aside because she needs Greg’s help choosing one for his mother. It’ll be Jill’s first time meeting her boyfriend’s mother, and she’s understandably nervous.

Turns out Jill isn’t the only one having feelings about mothers. Kyle, who works at the antiques store next door, needs to find the perfect card for a mother he hasn’t seen since he was five—when she went away to jail. But her arrival in South Cove isn’t exactly celebratory, her behavior toward her son unexpectedly restrained. Piqued, Jill discovers that a mother can never be replaced...

Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries

“I love the author’s style, which was warm and friendly . . . [A] wonderfully appealing series.”—Dru’s Book Musings

“Light, fun, and kept me thoroughly engaged.”—The Young Folks (Goodreads)



Review:

This series is very good and this novella did not disappoint. The characters are friendly, engaging and personable. Their friendships seem genuine and you can tell they are close-knit and care about it each other a lot. They might stick their noses in someone’s else business, but it is done with love!

I enjoyed the fact that Jill did not find a dead body, that was refreshing. But there is still a mystery to solve, finding a resident of South Cove’s mother. It was a little bit more emotional, which is good.

The author creates a great small town setting and her descriptions bring this setting alive in my mind. I would like to spend a holiday in South Cove.

I would highly recommend this novella (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. You cannot go wrong picking up this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.