⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book series holds a special place in my heart because I read it with my grandma. I will say that the last few books fell a little flat for me. Allie seemed a little immature in them and not the strong twenty-eight-year-old woman who investigates crime and runs her own business that we all fell in love with. Fudge and Marriage changed that. Allie seems much more confident and able to stand up for herself, which I really appreciated.

I also loved that Allie settled down and finally picked one man. Rex was a great choice for her. Although we do get to see a few of her past lovers in this book.

Allie's family descends on Mackinac Island like a hurricane. They think they are better than everyone else and disrespect the people that live there year-round. They even have the nerve to disrespect the Inn that Allie pours her heart and soul into. I absolutely can't stand Allies mother. She is constantly meddling in Ally's life trying to hijack her wedding plans.

We met one of my new favorite characters in this installment of the series, Aunt Ginny. She was such a fun character. I would love to see her more... Maybe even in a series of her own. She said that she has done some sleuthing in her past.

Overall the mystery had me guessing until the very end. I thought I knew what was going on but I was completely blindsided.

HUGE thanks to Kensington Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nancy Coco enthralls with another Candy Coated mystery in Fudge and Marriage. Allie is finally marrying Rex Manning, police of Mackinac Island. . Her family are snooty and look down on the islanders and her mother is driving her crazy with the interference. Then an older curmudgeon Velma is found dead and Myrtle, her rival, is found close by. Whodunit? And will Allie survive Bridezilla her mother. Cozy with fudge underpinnings.

It is always such fun to read books of this genre especially when it is a cosy murder mystery that involves a food theme. This one was as much fun as I would have expected and I read it in one sitting. I loved Allie McMurphy and love that there is a mother that is annoying, a murder that has happened and of course Allie who has to sort it all out before her wedding day.

So much fun reading this book, I enjoyed the writing, the mystery, the Mother! And of course the setting. A good cosy read always has a great location to transport you to. Another great book in an already great series.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fudge And Marriage
A Candy-Coated Mystery, Book #13
Nancy Coco
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Only two things might ruin fudge maker Allie McMurphy’s wedding: murder—and her mother . . .

June is always beautiful on Mackinac Island, which is why Allie chose this month for her wedding to police officer Rex Manning—definitely Mackinac Island’s finest in more ways than one. But if her mother has her way, that’s the last choice Allie will get to make. Allie’s the furthest thing from a Bridezilla—but it looks like she has a Momzilla on her hands. Why else have her mother and extended family shown up a full two weeks before the nuptials to drive Allie to dizzying distraction?

Honestly, a murder investigation is far less stressful—and as it happens, Allie just found Velma French dead on the ground beside the rock that killed her, with her rival Myrtle sobbing nearby. Things don’t look good for Myrtle, but all may not be what it seems. Allie vows to solve the crime before she walks down the aisle. But a killer has other ideas—and they seem to be focused on Allie herself . . .

Praise for Nancy Coco and the Candy-Coated Mysteries

“An enjoyable character-driven whodunit that mixes murder with a touch of romance and the requisite sweet treats.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Exciting, compelling . . . intriguing . . . one of my favorite places to visit, especially when Allie makes fudge!” —Open Book Society

Includes mouth-watering recipes!

Help support pet adoption—see details inside. (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Allie is just two weeks away from her wedding to Rex Manning and she should be very excited. But her mother has stolen her excitement. Her mother wants to change all her wedding plans and make the wedding that her mother wants. And if that was not enough, another murder has occurred. Now Allie has to find another killer and get her mother under control. She does not know which is worse.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by the actions and words. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved. I was not sure who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I really enjoy this series and I am looking forward to reading more.

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

Thirteen books in, and I’ve reached my breaking point with the Candy-Coated Mysteries. What was once a promising cozy mystery series set on Mackinaw Island—a place brimming with charm, quirky characters, and the perfect setting for locked-room-style mysteries—has devolved into a recipe for frustration.

Let me be clear: cozy mysteries are supposed to focus on, well, the mystery. A dash of subplot and a sprinkle of character development? Sure, that’s all part of the recipe. But when the main course is hijacked by bridal drama and endless wedding dress shopping, I’m ready to shove this book under a rock and find something else to read. If I wanted to dive into family squabbles, I’d scroll through social media—not pick up a mystery novel.

Initially, I was hooked by Mackinaw Island’s allure—no cars, a tight-knit community, and a setting that seemed tailor-made for suspense. But this series has taken its charm and drowned it in whipped cream fluff. Now it’s all anthropomorphic dogs (can we just not?), police officers arriving last on the scene, forensic investigators whose good looks are inversely proportional to their intellect, and senior center ladies who seem to think murder boards are a competitive sport. At this point, the mystery itself feels like an afterthought.

As much as I tried to hold on, my patience was gone. Nancy Coco’s writing still has its moments, but this book feels like it lost sight of the genre entirely. I’m officially done with the Candy-Coated Mysteries. Unless Figg (OverKill by JA Jance) or Vera Wong (Jesse Q. Sutanto) decide to vacation to Mackinaw and solve a proper mystery, my suitcase is packed—I’m out.

Candy maker and hotelier Allie McMurphy has fought for so long to prove to the other inhabitants of Mackinac Island that she’s truly one of them. With her upcoming wedding to local police officer Rex Manning, she’s hoping to finally cement her insider status by holding a potluck reception open to all the islanders – never mind the fact that the only voice stating that she doesn’t belong is the one inside her head. After all, she’s picked up the McMurphy family mantle of running their hotel and fudge shop after her grandfather retired. Her community ties have only been further solidified by the murder investigations she’s assisted with.

So it’s a double blow when her interfering, disapproving mother arrives on the island two weeks early and insists not only on taking over wedding prep but also belittling Mackinac and its citizens in the process. While Allie’s best friend and wedding planner Jenn Carpenter attempts to run interference, Allie finds herself becoming more and more distraught as her wedding approaches, despite the many friends on her side.

Some of those friends attempt to distract her from her family woes by having her focus on the latest murder to rock Mackinac Island instead. Allie had been in the library, checking out wedding books, when she’d witnessed the latest squabble between long-time rivals Velma French and Myrtle Bautita over, of all things, crafts books. The senior citizens had been frenemies since before the term was invented, so no one really took heed of their latest argument… until Allie walked out of the library to find Myrtle weeping broken-heartedly over Velma’s bludgeoned corpse, a bloodstained rock at her feet.

While Allie is a talented – some might say inveterate – amateur sleuth, she’d ordinarily have no interest in getting involved, not with her wedding nuptials impending. But with the majority of her mother’s side of the family behaving in appalling fashion, going face to face with a murderer seems like an almost appealing alternative. Until, that is, a cunning killer threatens to derail Allie’s wedding plans altogether with yet another slaying…

I was quite impressed with the whodunnit reveal, though the murder mystery does understandably take a back seat to poor Allie’s family drama. Murder isn’t the only thing that threatens to call off the wedding, as the incessant meddling of Allie’s mom crosses one line after another. But more than one mystery is solved as the wedding draws closer. Allie comes to grips with more than one troublemaker, for a very satisfying conclusion.

There were four recipes included here, all for sweets, and I decided to try out this one:

QUOTE
Easy Dark-Chocolate Slow-Cooker Lava Cake

1 box of dark-chocolate cake mix
½ cup of oil
3 eggs
1 4-ounce serving-size box of instant dark-chocolate pudding and pie filling
2 cups of cold milk
2 cups of dark-chocolate chips

Grease the interior of a 6-quart slow cooker. In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, oil, and eggs for 2 minutes and pour into the slow cooker. In a medium bowl, beat the pudding mix and cold milk until thick. Pour the mixture over the cake batter, being careful not to mix the two. Cover with the dark-chocolate chips.

Put the slow cooker on low heat, and cook for 3 to 3 ½ hours until the cake is set but still soft in the center. Take the ceramic center out of the slow cooker, taking care not to burn yourself, and set it on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. Serve. The remaining cake can be refrigerated.
END QUOTE

I’ve never made a lava cake before, much less any cake in my slow cooker, so was highly impressed with how well this turned out! The cake was moist and springy, and the pudding on top was a deliciously decadent addition. The only less than easy part of putting all this together was beating the cake ingredients: box mixes usually request some water or non-oil liquid, which this recipe does not, making the cake mixture a little tougher to beat than anticipated. It all comes out amazingly in the slow cooker though, especially when freshly baked.

The lava cake isn’t quite as good after being refrigerated, in my opinion. While the pudding is amazing at any temperature, and the cake holds up well too, the layer of chocolate chips on top gets pretty hard. I’m not a fan of contrasting textures in desserts, though people less bothered by that than I am may well enjoy this cake as leftovers more than I did.

Next week, we head to the West Coast to make some tasty savory treats while investigating the death of a reporter. Do join me!

All does not go as planned as Allie finally gets set to marry her boyfriend Rex. First her mother and family show up two weeks early and all have their own ideas about what they want the wedding to be. As if that weren't enough, Allie herself finds a dead body and sets out to find the killer, but nothing seems to go as planned. This is a cozy mystery that keeps you guessing right up until the bride and groom finally get to say "I do."

"Murder, wedding, secrets, and fudge—what a thrilling combination for an unforgettable adventure! I absolutely love this series and have even gone as far as planning a trip to the island myself. It’s been such a joy to watch Allie and Rex's relationship develop, and now, with their wedding on the horizon, the stakes feel even higher. In fact, I think Allie finds the wedding preparations almost more stressful than the murder she’s investigating!

I’ve been following this series from the start, and it’s been incredible to see Allie’s transformation over time. Her growing confidence and determination really add a new layer to the mysteries she unravels. It's clear she’s becoming more comfortable with herself and her investigative skills. I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds in the next installment!"

#FudgeandMarriage #NetGalley

A fun addition to the series! We finally find out more about Allie’s fiancé/husband, Rex, and his family. The mystery was interesting and I was surprised by the guilty party (I usually am) and I enjoyed investigating with Allie while dealing with her family’s unexpected arrival and wedding preparations. As usual, the seniors help with the snooping and I loved the introduction of her Aunt Ginny to the mix. Overall, an enjoyable read and a great addition to the series.

Allie and Rex are getting married, and her whole family signs upon the island island. Way earlier than anticipated. Allie’s team pushes her out of work and tells her to focus on her family and wedding. Just when it seems that Allie can focus on her nuptials, she finds the body of a woman who had just been arguing with another in the library a few minutes before. Now Allie finds herself not only dealing with her family, but also trying to figure out who killed the woman and why. Well, I’ll be able to solve the murder, or will the pastor be giving her last rights instead of marrying her and Rex?

I absolutely adore this series. I look forward to each and every entry and love how the characters lives have progressed over the course of the series. Allie is relatable and who done it. It was always well crafted with plenty of red herrings, leaving you guessing until the end. Each one reads fine as a standalone and allows you to go back and have the previous books to binge on if this is your first in the series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

This is the thirteenth book in the candy-coated series. Allie is preparing for her wedding and her family coming to the island. A murder occurs outside of the library involving members of the senior center the Allie frequents. Allie has to balance wedding planning, family visits, and solving a murder.

I really love this series. It was great that we finally get to see Allie get marries. I did not like the things her mother was doing to change what Allie wanted for the wedding. I am glad her had her best friend, Jen, there to mediate. I love all the side characters and the setting of Mackinac Island. I can't wait to continue this series.

Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco takes place om Mackinac Island where Allie runs a fudge shop and hotel, the McMurphy, inherited from her family. She was also planning for her wedding to Rex, the love of her life and the local policeman. This part of the novel turned into a comedy of errors, mostly caused by her mother, over the question of Allie’s wedding. Her mother wanted one thing and didn’t really care what Allie and Rex wanted. She had Allie all trussed up in vintage designer clothing and plasticized hair. Thankfully she had Jenn, her best friend, maid of honor, and wedding planner, and Rex, to keep her grounded. Meanwhile, an old lady was murdered right outside the library and nearly in front of Allie’s eyes. Everyone begged Allie to let it go because of the wedding, and she almost did. Just a little investigating.

Allie is stubborn. It is an endearing trait. She is quite a good character, well written and imbued with a plethora of interesting personality traits, far beyond what one thinks of as a fudge maker. A fact that her mother believed, but for quite different reasons. She had worked hard to become a member of the community and she felt her stadning was in danger, based on her mother’s behavior. It is a small community and the fact that there are so many murders there belies its calm. Rex loves working here and loves Allie and is looking forward to their life together. The mystery was a good one and ended just as we would have it end. Good characters, excellent setting, plenty of interesting side characters. What more could one want?

I was invited to read Fudge and Marriage by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #NancyCoco #FudgeAndMarriage

Allie and Rex are getting married. It’s two weeks from the wedding and Allie finds a dead body near the library. Then her mom and family show up. The book had all the makings of a fiasco because Allie’s mom and family are pretty overbearing. A large part of the book details the goings on with Allie’s mom and what she is getting up to.
Allie has an ally in Aunt Ginny, her mom’s sister. Ginny is interested in sleuthing and works with Allie to see what they can find out about the murder.
Allie, rightly, is pretty distracted; she is getting married soon.
The book is eye opening in a number of ways. The reader learns about Allie’s very large family and traditions, about Rex’s past and family, and gets a new view of island history and relationships.
I was surprised by the culprit. I thought there was a pretty good picture of the person from previous books in the series. It’s another reason I called the story eye opening.
The wedding was sweet. I like the devotion Allie and Rex have for each other.
I recommend reading this book after getting to know the characters through other books in the series. This is a culmination of growth that has occurred as the series progressed
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.

It is always a pleasure to return to Mackinac Island and renew my friendship with Allie McMurphy and all the gang at the fudge shop. The characters, who have grown along with the series, feel so life-like. In this addition to the Candy - Coated Mystery series I was excited to try and solve a twisted, well thought out mystery. The storyline is equally entertaining as Allie's mother is in town to "help" her plan the wedding. She does not come alone, but with a mean spirited group of relatives. Poor Allie has a lot on her plate before she can marry the man of her dreams. Will she succeed? Or, cave-in to her mother's demands?

I tried the Carmel No-Bake Cookies recipe and it was fabulous. There are several more included in the book.

Nancy Coco's writing pulls the reader into the story and makes them emphasize with the characters. I love everything about this series ---the setting, the characters, storylines, and the good mysteries. I would recommend this book and series to other cozy and light mystery readers. To benefit the most from the characters interaction and growth, I do recommend starting with book one. You won't regret it.

Thank you NetGally for an advanced reader e-copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#NetGally #KensingtonCozies #FudgeandMarriage #NancyCoco

After 6 months of planning, Allie McMurphy is eagerly anticipating her upcoming wedding to Mackinac Island lead police officer Rex Manning. What Allie didn’t plan on was her mother arriving two weeks early, fully intending to implement her own vision for her daughter’s wedding. Allie’s plans for a casual ceremony and potluck reception seem to be going out the window, despite her best friend being an event planner who promised to fulfill Allie’s dreams. This is the last stress the completely non-bridezilla needs, as she had only recently stumbled across the body of Velma French, with her decades-long nemesis Myrtle Bautita sobbing over the body. On one of Allie’s many ventures to the library to return and borrow wedding planning books she had seen the latest scuffle between the two women, an act that places Myrtle high on the suspect list.

While the library’s bookclub/social club/amateur detectives begin their own investigation in the case, Allie finds herself struggling to maintain civil to her mother and her disapproving relatives. While her Mom has no hesitation about their all staying for free in Allie’s historical McMurphy Hotel (and booting out any guests who had already made reservations), her aunts and uncles refuse to lower themselves and book another resort where they are equally critical. Ironically, Allie’s mother had herself eloped and received an overwhelming amount of disapproval from the family, which does perhaps explain why she is so adamant about making this the respectable, upper-class wedding they expect. Even when her Mom’s intentions are good they go disastrously for the engaged couple, resulting in a fight that has Allie wondering if Rex will bother attending the wedding at all.

This 13th installment serves as a possible wind-up for the series while still leaving avenues open for new adventures. The actual mystery plays out rather low-key in the background, with the focus falling more on Allie and the challenges she faces dealing with her family. It’s not easy watching Allie be bulldozed over by her mother and judgmental relatives, so it’s so rewarding to see Allie learn to stand up for herself and demand the respect and wedding she deserves. A number of past characters from the series appear throughout and grant loyal readers the opportunity to have closure with them as well, with some venturing off on promising personal and professional futures. This is a compelling novel that will have readers glued to the page as they become fully invested in Allie’s complex relationship with her mother and how the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge shop owner finds happiness and balance in her life. Recipes, Allie’s adorable bichonpoo Marshmallow and cat Carmella ensure add the perfect cozy topping to this satisfying family drama and murder mystery.

When Allie’s mom and relatives showed up too early for Allie and Rex’s wedding, I was ready to have a word with the woman myself, lol. But Jenn as bestie and wedding planner went to bat for Allie more than once, and I was proud of Allie herself for finally standing up to the ridiculousness her mom insisted on with some things.

And of course it wouldn’t be our Allie without her getting involved in a murder investigation. I’ve been to the Mackinac Library and thought it was really cool that some of the scenes were in there—such an awesome place! Unfortunately outside was where the murder scene ended up and this time I hadn’t guessed whodunit at all.

Allie and Rex are always gonna always remember their wedding day, that’s for sure! What a crazy showdown and Allie had a cool sleuthing buddy in the form of the only non-uppity aunt she had. I’d love to see Aunt Ginny visit again sometime, she was pretty awesome. Thanks to her good island friends and sweet Rex, Allie and he got their happily ever after as planned. I didn’t want this book to end but as always, the excerpt of the next book at the end kinda serves as a little bridge to make the Mackinac magic last just a little longer. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Fudge and Marriage is book #14 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.

Going to Mackinac Island and eating fudge is a bucket list item for me thanks to this series. It’s wedding time for Allie and Rex. Will they get the wedding they want or will Allie’s mom take over? There’s a murder and Allie wants to find the killer before her big day. Solving a murder is easier than dealing with family drama. There are a few delicious sounding recipes included. After reading the teaser chapter for the next book, I can’t wait for it!

3.5!!!

I don't know what I was expecting inside the story when I saw this cover, but I think it's safe to say I got it.

A Cozy Mystery that to my unwelcome surprise, is volume 13 which follows the life of the intrepid semi-sleuth Allie McMurphy, so you can imagine that there are many things that have already been developed up to this point, such as the relationship with Officer Rex Manning.

I can't tell you if there are spoilers here or not, because I haven't read any of the previous books.

But like all Cozy, there's a mystery to solve and lots of candy, so you'll have a fun afternoon.

I've been craving chocolate and tea to go with this story, because between all the mystery, wedding preparations and a momzilla who has taken over the wedding, it's a good choice for a weekend read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Pd: Now I want to read the previous books.

Another entertaining visit to Mackinac Island. Several surprises. Lots of family issues. The cat and dog add to the tale. A delightful series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco is a great culinary cozy mystery that is the the fourteenth book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series.

I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and I liked this newest one where Allie has to balance investigating a local murder/mystery while counting down the days until her wedding to Rex. Her family is driving her crazy, and I can definitely sympathize with that as wedding plans can be stressful, especially when there are feelings and family involved.

I liked the mystery, the progression, and the early summer vibe. I will definitely continue to read this series.

Here’s to the next installment!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/1/25.