Two Light Reads Perfect for a Day of Relaxation

by MK French

As the weather warms, we start planning our summer vacations and weekend getaways. While those plans may still be weeks away, you can still grab a day of relaxation with a light read. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Death At the Highland Loch by Lydia Travers

May 2025; Bookouture; 978-1835258804
audio, ebook, print (316 pages); historical cozy mystery

In 1924, Scotland, a body washed up in a loch during a garden party. While some think it's an accident, Lady Poppy Proudfoot feels it was murder. Inspector MacKenzie dismisses the evidence, and there are too many possible suspects for a theft that also occurred. When a woman resembling Poppy is attacked, it seems that perhaps she wasn't so far off the mark after all.

This is the first book in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series. She's a young widow who recently met the acquaintance of another widow and was invited to the party. With a background in law, nursing soldiers during the Great War, and insatiable curiosity, Poppy can't help but investigate. She's clever and determined, not taking no for an answer. In addition, she uses her title and lady's maid to ask questions of staff and shopkeepers that police would never get. She was fun to follow around the estate and village, and into Edinburgh. She has not only the murder to deal with, but a potential theft and the attack on her friend who had borrowed her coat. Poppy is realistic about some of her skills, a little inflated in others. Her kind heart and good nature meant people were generally willing to speak with her, getting her closer to the truth. 

I enjoyed Poppy as a sleuth. She isn’t too proud to accept help from the Inspector or ignore all his warnings, and it was actually cute to see their interactions. The mutual frustration soon gave way to respect and interest, so it will be fun to see them together again in future volumes of the series. 

Buy Death At the Highland Loch at Amazon

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

May 2025; Berkley; 978-0593639290
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); historical romance

Outside London is an institution specifically created to disrupt the patriarchy. With a politician’s attack on women’s rights, Miss Euphemia Flite is chosen from the Academy's ranks to infiltrate his inner circle and bring him down. If she can do it, she will earn her freedom. That particular man plays into Gabriel Royce's plans for his underworld empire. The two battle each other in ballrooms and rookeries, and desire grows between them. Betraying the Academy shouldn't be possible, but the heart wants what it wants.

This is the first book in the Crinoline Academy series. Effie had been all but purchased out of the poorest neighborhoods of London for the Academy's purposes, and doing this particular job will get her free of debts to Miss Corvus and able to set up a life of her own. Gabriel himself isn't the aristocrat he appears to be, either. He also has an origin of hardship, and is now working on improving the Rookery and becoming respectable. Compton, Lord Solomon, is poised to destroy the laws that might allow married women to keep their own funds, and sees no problem in funding workhouses that separate women from their children in the poorer neighborhoods and are so poorly designed that people tend to die early while working there.

Part of the fun in romance novels is seeing the push and pull of the personalities as they try to ignore each other and reach their goals. One wants to ruin Compton, one wants to use his connections. Their attraction draws them close as they circle each other's orbit, and little kindnesses show they're not the heartless people they want to be. Effie is determined to fight for women's rights in her own way and help her benefactor when she learns more about the past. Gabriel and Effie both must give up something to reach their goals, and Effie comes to realize that working alone doesn't always help. We get our happily ever after on multiple fronts, with the promise of a better future and possibly another romantic meet-cute on the horizon for book two.

Buy Rules for Ruin at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever. 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.