Che-Michelle Tales

I have been waiting for this book’s release since I finished Homicide and Halo-Halo. While reading it, I realized it was a Christmas -influenced the story. Meaning it’s set during Christmas but still has all the best parts of the Shady Palms town. So what do we have in this story:

√ The Bruha Crew

√ The Calendar Crew

√ Tita Rosa and Lola Flora

√ Good Food, Good Drinks, and Murder

√ Family  Secrets and Family Drama, ohh la la

I love the Mia P. Manansala mystery series, the world-building is fantastic, and the characters all have depth but still have their own issues outside of the occasional murder in town. Hear me out; having a grandmother and aunt watching Hallmark almost 24-7, this whole series feels like it should be on Hallmark Murder and Mystery and should be given “The Good Witch” Treatment ( no, not Time jumping almost 16 years). Give three movies and then a series! The premise for this book is we get to meet cousin Ronnie. It’s been 17 years since he left home, and now the hijinks and murders start back up in this quaint little town.   I feel like Lila has grown, she still comes off as a bit spoiled, but you can see her growth over the past two books. Looking back at the story and her background, Lila isn’t spoiled; I think she lacks tact with the people she loves.

If you want to read a book with a Christmas vibe but are not soaked in the Christmas vibe, this is the book for you. I love the fact it focuses on the aspect of how small businesses get ready for Christmas. Plans for events and planning for luncheons. But they still have beautiful moments of family togetherness and meeting up with friends. I also fell in love with this book within the first 2 chapters. In addition,  there is mention of wine, a  Cabernet Sauvignon, to be exact. I do not want to give away details but read the book. 

As the book continues, we see the psychological dynamics of emotional abuse and neglect that can occur in families. The emotional abuse/neglect that most people suffer from family is never really talked about cause it is swept under the idea of “Well, their family.” But as your read, you felt the hurt from Lila and her Lola Flora, her Tita Rosa, conflicted with happiness being able to have her son near, but the reader can tell she is still wounded by past events. During the book, the author does a good job illustrating the tense relationships between family members while still showing the love the Macapagal family have for each other. Their close-knit community comes together to protect each other from being accused of a crime.

Also, can we talk about the cookie, bread, and other food created by the Macapagal family? OMG, the food sounds heavenly, but in the same breath, where is the cookbook! Chai Gingerbread cookies give me 20 of them ASAP!

This book was amazing to me. I  got so caught up with the book that I ignored the wine I drank. I would suggest drinking your go-to Cabernet Sauvignon; mine would be Precision Cabernet, it’s nice has a full flavor, and you can typically find this for around $25. (I think I got mine at Costco for $20). Please go read this book. Hallmark Murder Mystery, please bring a Filipino movie series to your network based on the Mia P. Manansala mystery series. If not well, Hulu or Amazon, this series deserves to be on a Streaming Network!

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle