This story is told from two points of view: the main character of Sam (Samara) and her mother Clair. It deals with Sam’s struggles with her mother, who is high-functioning autistic (Asperger’s), and the murder mystery. It took me a minute to realize that when the POV switched. But it works. We get the perspective of both Sam and her frustrations with her mom and the events, and Clair and her frustrations and reactions to the events. It’s interesting to see from both sides. And the author pointing out the problems autism creates for both the person and those surrounding them. She also goes into problems others (like the cops) have in understanding the reactions of those with autism.

The mystery was a little disjointed for me at times, though it all worked out in the end. But there were also threads left dangling that bothered me (in Sam and Clair’s past). I’d have liked to have seen that thread settled as well – maybe in a future book? And the “bad cop” needed taken care of as well. Again, maybe a future book? Those two threads left the book unfinished for me.

The romance portion of the book was also a tad fractured. Okay, I get that Sam and Ryan had a past (not a good one) but Sam’s over-the-top guilt concerning his accident and their constant bickering was just a little too much for me. And then to suddenly be in each other’s arms? It just didn’t quite work for me. I’m glad they ended up together, but I’d like to see more there than just arguing with each other.

I absolutely loved the “ISC Convention”! The “Introverts Social Club” where one is a quorum and two is a convention! This was perfect!

Okay, all that being said… this actually wasn’t a bad book. I did enjoy reading it for the most part. It was sweet, intense at times, and interesting to see things from Clair’s point of view. In fact, that addition was what made the book for me. If nothing else, read it for that intriguing difference.

Recommendation: If you’d like to read a cozy with romantic elements that includes a different perspective on things, pick this one up. It’s interesting even if it does have a few (minor) issues.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This is at heart the story of a mother and daughter who through a string of tragedies are given the chance to better know each other. One a secondary level it's a classic whodunnit with an amateur sleuth.

When Clair Hobson, recently divorced and even more recently self-diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, learns that her home has burned down, she must move in with her adult daughter Samara. Samara is none too keen about having her mother under the same roof, particularly as she hasn't come to grips with her mother's diagnosis. As the mother and daughter struggle to live under the same roof, run a bookstore, and decide how best to get Clair an official diangosis, they become involved in a murder investigation.

The victim has many enemies, and the list of suspects is long. If the mother and daughter are to remove suspicion off of themselves, they'll have to find the real culprit.

I like that the story showed Sam's struggle but eventual acceptance of her mother. It did make her unlikable in the first half, however.

Samara McNeer has inherited the sole caregiver role for her mother Clair Hobson, a woman with numerous quirks. When Clair's house goes up in flames, they blame her ex Al. Even though he's just won a significant financial settlement from their divorce, he claims he's innocent. Sam turns to her best friend Mariah and a high school frenemy Ryan to make sense of everything, including her mom. Meanwhile, someone still seems out to get them. Can they solve the mystery and prevent another murder?
I love the awareness this book brings to neurotypical conditions like high-functioning autism. Clair embraces her differences and begins to see them not as annoying quirks but as aspects of her personality that make her unique and special. She's also able to use her power of observation to discover the truth. And she and Sam educate their friends and the police force who don't understand Clair's actions and affect. I wish the author could edit out the many references to "Aspberger's," a now-defunct diagnosis.
As for the mystery, it's a bit choppy. All the pieces fit together in the end, but I didn't quite enjoy the process. I also don't get how frenemies can be lovers in a few short weeks, but I guess that's hormones.
The author uses vivid word pictures and clever word choices that engaged my senses and kept the writing interesting. Humor, a bookstore and a puppy add further pleasure to this reading experience.

I was gifted this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley.

Originally I was not going to give my opinions on this book, because I had some issue with it and because of this I did not finish the book. As a person who has kids on the spectrum and later in life found out that I was on the spectrum too. I cannot in good faith recommend this book. The depiction of ASD also know as Autism Spectrum Disorder is not great in this book, and I would not want others to gauge their beliefs off of this.