Florida, heat, alligators, petite ladies trapping alligators, a whodunit with a sprinkle of romance gives you Gator Queen by Tara Lush. It was an interesting read
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Netgalley

A fun new cozy mystery set in small town Florida featuring twin gator catching sisters who are trying to open a romance only bookstore but get caught up in a murder investigation featuring their nemesis. Full of corrupt politicians, underhanded land developers, some romance and a cute kitten sidekick. This was a fresh, humorous story perfect for fans of authors like Mia P. Manassala or Jennifer J. Chow. I couldn't resist picking this up after seeing so many rave reviews and I'm not at all sorry I did. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Disability rep: vitiligo

This was a strong start to the Critters & Criminals series, it had everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed about the mystery element. I enjoyed how well the characters were written perfectly and thought the characters worked with this concept. It left me wanting to read more in this series and I enjoyed how good Tara Lush wrote this.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
An engaging, laugh out loud story (set in my home state) that I enjoyed immensely!
A fun, quirky cozy mystery with a side helping of rom-com. Can’t wait to read more about the Gator Queens.

This was my first book by this author and i really liked it. I love the cover!

I found the plot, story and the mystery to be enjoyable and i loved trying to unravel all the clues to the story. The characters were a hoot and just very odd but really kept the story going!

It was a cozy read and the alligators, iguana and that sweet kitten were awesome.

Gator Queen is a perfect summer ready. will read more from the author and recommend this book :)
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Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Gator Queen follows Maggie, a gator wrangler who recently took over the family wrangling business after moving home to Florida from Boston. Her twin sister, Vera, is on the cusp of opening a romance book store in town and they're looking forward to reconnecting and helping with each others' businesses after years in different states. However, all of their grand plans are threatened when a rival wrangler is found murdered - and Vera is a prime suspect. Maggie takes it upon herself to try to clear her sister's name with the help of a handsome stranger who's new in town.

I found the mystery to be satisfying and enjoyed trying to unravel all of the clues alongside Maggie. The small Florida town is full of oddball characters who are enjoyable to experience and keep the story from feeling dry. There is a romance subplot that's very sweet but I wish had moved a little further by the end of the book. On the plus side, this is a fairly clean (1 chili pepper), cozy read. My favorite aspect of this book was all the animals. Alligators, an iguana, the sweetest kitten ever were all shown love and appreciation by the main characters.

Gator Queen would make the perfect beach read and I know I'll be recommending it all summer. Overall I give this book 4 stars and I'm looking forward to reading more from Tara Lush.

Thank you Net Galley and 8th Note Press for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

OMG, guys, I loved this book so much!!! "Gator Queen" is like, the ultimate mash-up of mystery, romance, and small-town drama, and it's seriously sooo addictive!!!

First off, let's talk about Maggie Andrews. She's not your average Southern belle. Nope, she's a gator-trapping, cat-loving dynamo with a heart of gold and a determination that knows no bounds. Watching her navigate the murky waters of family drama and murder investigations is an absolute delight.

And then there's Jack Bianchi, the swoon-worthy criminology professor who finds himself entangled in Maggie's world. Their fake dating scheme had me grinning from ear to ear, and their chemistry practically leaps off the page. Lush has crafted a romance that sizzles and sparkles, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already captivating story.

But amidst all the fake dating shenanigans and swoon-worthy moments, there's a murder mystery afoot. When a rival gator trapper winds up dead and Vera becomes the prime suspect, Maggie and Jack team up to crack the case. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride from start to finish. With twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end, "Gator Queen" is like a puzzle you can't wait to solve.

But it's not just the mystery that'll keep you hooked – it's also the humor. Tara Lush has a knack for witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments that'll have you giggling into the wee hours of the night. It's like she's sprinkled magic dust on every page, turning an already captivating story into an absolute page-turner.

So, if you're in the mood for a book that's equal parts mystery, romance, and laugh-out-loud fun, then "Gator Queen" is the one for you. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!

There's a lot to love in this "Florida Woman Cozy Mystery"!
I personally would have liked the author to amp up the romance, but I will say the current level fit with the vibe. The writing could have been better, but it's a fun story. I grew up in Florida, and one thing I will say is that it's clear the author isn't from there, although she did a ton of research and loves the area. Overall though, I enjoyed it, and will probably pick up the second story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity!

This was a great first book in a series. I love cozy mysteries with my heart and i was so excited to see that this also had romance in it. It was such an enjoyable read, i had so so much fun. It was the perfect book to read in a stressful day.

This is a cute, creative cozy mystery with a touch of romance. It is NOT a romance novel, be aware of that going in.

I loved the strong female characters, catching alligators and starting their own businesses. It was an intriguing mystery and I was engaged the whole time. I learned a lot about gators, which was fun.

The writing isn't strong, which is the biggest downer about this book. But it's decent enough that I will continue with the series.

Gator Queen by Tara Lush made my husband think I was crazy....
I read this book on a road trip, and the random snorts and giggles that escaped me had my husband giving me the side eye. That being said, it was the perfect, quick read with a touch of romance, a pinch of suspense, and a whole lot of humor!

Maggie, a petite but fierce gator trapper (she doesn't kill them), moved home to Wahoo Florida after her dad passed to be closer to her twin sister and start living their dreams. As she settles back into Florida living, she gets her family's gator trapping business back up and running as well as helping her sister as she prepares to open a new bookstore. A sexy college professor shows up on sabbatical so he can write a book, and Maggie's jerk of a rival is murdered on the same day! After her "go bag" with her alligator safety gear, including a gun for protection, is stolen from her car, Maggie's twin sister Vera jumps to the top of the suspect list. With the help of the hot professor, Maggie sets out to prove her sister is innocent!
Thanks you #NetGalley and 8th Note Press for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Gator Queen. I enjoyed it!

I would like to thank Netgalley and 8th Note Press for an advance copy of Gator Queen, the first novel in the Critters and Criminals series featuring Florida gator trapper Maggie Andrews and her twin, Vera.

Maggie has returned to Wahoo, Florida after the death of her father to take over his gator trapping business. She gets called out and instead of a gator she finds her gator trapping rival, Gene Robinson, shot dead, shot apparently by her sister Vera’s stolen gun. She teams up with her sister’s lodger, criminologist Jack Bianchi, to clear Vera’s name.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gator Queen, which is a fun romp through some of the shadier dealings in Florida’s political life. One incident in particular may seem too far fetched to be true to British eyes, but I can assure those readers that it is based on actual events. It seems to me that Florida is the ideal place to situate a zany comedy with outlandish characters and incidents.

The plot is not particularly profound and mixes romance between Maggie and Jack, including all the usual will they/won’t they scenarios and a few amusing and unusual impediments, with an investigation into who shot Gene. The motive for that appears to lie in Gene’s unlikeable personality, so the list is lengthy. Maggie stumbles her way through the investigation, like the amateur she is, and makes some crime solving discoveries along the way by taking time to talk to people. It made me laugh and I found it highly entertaining.

Gator Queen is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This was such a fun read. As a Florida native, the accuracy was fantastic and truly felt like I was home. I love the family dynamic and the small town vibes of gossip, scandal and greed.

I also love that there is a bookstore thrown in the mix, a nice balance.

This book is perfect for a poolside/beach side read. The romance aspect isn’t over the top and the characters go from trusting to the worst.

I defeinitelt recommend this to anyone who needs a fun mystery read that gets straight to the point and no major issues with how the story ends.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC, it was a great read.

Maggie Andrews has recently moved back to her hometown of Wahoo, Florida from Boston. She will takeover her late fathers gator trapping business and opening a romance bookstore with her twin sister Vera. When Maggie is called to gator sighting she finds the dead body of Gator Gene shot dead. Vera's gun was used in the killing so she is the prime suspect. Maggie teams up with their new tenant, Jack. 😍😉

This book has everything mystery, romance and laugh out loud parts. Once I started this book I could not put it down. I loved this book. I'm so excited to see it will be a new series. I can't wait to read more about Maggie and Vera.

In Wahoo, Florida, petite gator trapper Maggie reunites with her twin Vera after their father’s death. Their lives take an unexpected turn when Vera’s gun is linked to a murder. Maggie and charming criminology professor Jack pretend to date while investigating the dangerous truth.

Love this! The writing style is engrossing, the characters fun, and the plot fast-moving and suspenseful. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you to NetGalley and 8th Note Press for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book before the release date in exchange for my true thoughts on the book.
Anyone who knows me knows. I absolutely love alligators. So when I saw I got approved for this book, I screamed. This is the first book in the Critters and Criminals series. This book follows the gator queen, Maggie as she tries to get her twin sister, Vera, cleared for a murder she did not commit with the help of the new tenant, Jack. Jack is a professor who has come to Wahoo to write a book about a serial killer. Maggie and Jack are on the case. If you love cozy mysteries, this one is for you. I gave this book a four star rating!

I have to be honest, I liked the book, but only at times. What I enjoyed the most and what made me finish reading it was the mystery. Although I already had an idea of who was behind everything I did enjoy it, it was fun and exciting. I think Maggie and Jack's detective scenes were my favorites. They had a lot of chemistry.

The book reads quite quickly, it is an enjoyable read and has a bit of suspense so it keeps you hooked a bit. Although I would have preferred that they had developed the romance more, I needed more cute scenes of Jack and Maggie

Lol I've really enjoyed this book!
I've seen words that I haven't seen in a long time used in hilarious scenes and sentences.
This new to me author really does have a sense of humor and I'm loving it
The area mentioned of course isn't far from me. I feel that I'm there and of course I love the gators! I've seen some here in Volusia County on hikes.
They weren't bothering anyone.
The coolest creatures that ever lived!
The cover of this book is just the cutest!
I took my time with this awesome adventure because I wanted to savor it lol.
I had fun with this book. More fun than I've had in a long time with a book.
It brought back the reason why I love to read!
There are some twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages.
Some mild curse words but it's ok. They made me laugh at the way they were used in a sentence. I honestly didn't mind. I'm glad the pages weren't filled with them though.
5 stars for a wonderful adventure! I highly recommend!
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Quirky, cozy and cute. This is a fun murder mystery with a bit of romance and some gators. I really liked this little book and the author does a great job with the characters. I felt like I was in FL with the Gator Queen and it was amazing to follow along with her and Jack while they try to figure out whodunnit.

This is a new to me author and I am so glad I gave this book a shot. Loved it! I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here and I will definitely be following along. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with silly shenanigans I think you will love this one. Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will likely find this one to their liking as well although it does have a bit less spice.

4.5 stars rounded up!

Thank you NetGalley, 8th Note Press and Tara Lush for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a total surprise 5 star for me! I figured I would enjoy it but I’m not the biggest romance reader so I wasn’t sure about the romance aspect of this book. However, I am pleasantly surprised to say i really enjoyed this book! Thank you so much to netgalley and 8th note press for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Margaret and her twin sister have decided to join together and make their own business. Margaret is an alligator trapper and her twin owns a bookstore. They both help each other out and work together to make these two businesses work. When a murder happens in town and the twins are the main suspect, Margaret teams up with her tenant, a criminology professor, in order to clear their names.

Firstly, I feel like Margaret is living my dream life. I love alligators and books so to be an alligator trapper and a book store owner is like a dream for me. I loved the characters and the relationships in this book. We had some sisterly love as well as a romantic relationship blooming as well. The romance was cute and I loved the sisters. This book was very fast paced and I finished it in a day. I had a really fun time reading this book and I would definitely recommend! I can’t wait to read more from this series.