Icy Illusions

Winter Witches of Holiday Haven Series, Book 13

By: J.L. Collins

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Have yourself a very Merry Witchmas in Holiday Haven, where the magic and mystery of Christmas is snow joke!

It's Christmas time once again in Holiday Haven, and Star Clearwater has a choice to make. Her generous fiancé, Everett, won't push her to make it, but she knows it's only a matter of time.

In the middle of dealing with her own relationship woes, Star realizes that her mother's new boyfriend may not be what he appears. A shocking theft from the town's biggest jewelry store points to the new beau being the main suspect, and Star is ready to don her detective cap and investigate the case.

Will her mother's boyfriend check out? Will she find the true culprit? And will Star make the right decision—a decision that will change her life forever?

©2021 J.L. Collins (P)2022 Tantor

Fan

A great story line and the love story of Star and her mom. Love Oz and his banter. Can’t wait for more of all these characters to see what happens with them.
Love the author and narrator.

What is really important

This is a great story and I don’t want to ruin it. So, this will be very general. We follow Star as she learns many valuable lessons. Never judge anyone, even the one who appears the biggest sleaze in the world. Plus the lesson about listening to the love in your life.

Least Favorite from J.L. in this Series 2.5

I am sad to say that as J.L.'s stories have continued in the Winter Witches of Holiday Haven Series the quality seems to keep going down. I know in cozy supernatural mysteries we are asked to have suspension of disbelief but this felt like a literal hand waving of any logic to force the protagonist Star to dive head long into unnecessary danger. This story takes place a year after the last one which is book 8 in the series Jolly Jinxes. The entire conflict is around (as is stated in the book description) Star meeting her mom's new boyfriend Daniel who gives Star's mother jewelry that looks like it was in the newspaper as being stolen. Just totally confused when the author states the jewels are prominently displayed in a newspaper why Star could have just easily snapped a photo of the jewelry to then show to the police. Instead of going to greater and far more dangerous and intrusive lengths to follow this mystery. To double down on this there is even a comment in the story that none of her efforts were needed as this was already under investigation. There is also a continuation of the awkward and uncomfortable relationship between Star and Everett where Everett wants to talk about their future and Star says she is afraid of commitment and avoids the discussion or keeps saying unkind things unintentionally. Again another year has passed in this relationship and I found myself wishing that Everett would break up with Star, I wasn't rooting for them. Also the big blow out fight that seems to occur each story did physical damage that was immediately not followed through on or mentioned so that Star goes from injured to romantic dinner ready in a few hours. Amanda is the saving grace of this entire tale, and although I love the idea of Christmas themed witchery this series is getting lackluster quickly. I have really enjoyed J.L.'s other series Witch Hazel Lane Mysteries and recommend it but can't say I recommend these books which bums me out. I feel like there is lots of potential here but it feels rushed and unpolished and left me just wanting to get to the end and not enjoying the happy wrap up as much as concern about how no matter what anyone does to each other in these books it will always end with people saying it's fine, everything is fine, we are all happy.