Mixed Signals by B K Borison
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
The third book in the Lovelight Series by B K Borison, Mixed Signals is the epitome of a cozy read. There's not a single trigger warning for this book, unless you count references of disappointing your parents. Mixed Signals is on Amazon's Best of Booktok list and returns us to the small town of Inglewild, Maryland for to focus on Layla's story.
Layla Dupree is happy that her best friends have found love, she really is. She just wishes she (and every visitor to Lovelight Farms) would stop rubbing it in her face. Since Lovelight Farms has become THE romantic destination for the surrounding area, Layla can't go a week without seeing another couple get engaged. It's particularly disappointing after a string of horrendous dates that leave Layla wondering how exactly these couples are meeting each other. Can she get on that dating app? Most recently, her date Bryce waited until she went to pay the check before leaving her (without a ride) half an hour away from home. Luckily for Layla, Inglewild's ex-deputy turned Spanish teacher just happened to be celebrating his brother's birthday in the very same restaurant and Caleb has no qualms at all about deserting the party to take Layla home. He offers Layla a proposition: let him take her on a few dates and remind her that dating can be fun if it's with the right person. In return, she can offer him tips on what he's doing wrong that sends all his recent dates running for the hills. No strings, no commitments, no obligations. At least, until Caleb's dates turn a little steamier than Layla expected and she wonders what took her so long to really see him.
The biggest problem with this book is that it referenced desserts so often that it left me perpetually craving something sweet. Please take care if you do not want to be raiding the pantry and left disappointed. Other than that, it was delightful. Was it a great book? No, not really. If you're looking for the next great American novel, look somewhere else. But it was fun and it left me smiling much of the time. The town of Inglewild continues to be lovely, the characters in the series continue to amuse, and we get to meet some new secondary characters to add to our roster including Caleb's grandmother, brother, and a whole slew of cousins (though they only make a brief appearance), and Ms. Beatrice (who has a longstanding rivalry with Layla). However, Mixed Signals was not my favorite in the series, I think that remains Lovelight Farms for now. And I was not a fan of the narration in the audiobook. Layla had a slight southern drawl despite apparently being from Annapolis and they gave Charlie, a character who has already made appearances in the previous two books, an accent. While I eventually got used to Layla's drawl, Charlie's accent irritated me every time he made an appearance. That being said, I was charmed once more by Lovelight Farms and can't wait to read the last book in the series, Business Casual.
I'm giving Mixed Signals by B K Borison 4 stars out of 5 with a spice rating of 2.25. I still enjoyed reading the book although it wasn't my favorite of the series, and I did get a little teary eyed before Layla's interview when she needed some support.
For more from B K Borison, check out her website at https://bkborison.com/
Pairs well with tres leches cake (shoutout to Caleb's grandmother) and taking escape rooms too seriously (guilty).
My favorite quote:
"A smile hooks the corner of his mouth. 'I think everyone hates Jimmy Buffet a little bit.' 'Except Alex.' 'Except Alex, of course.'"
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