This book was cute but a bit overwhelming due to the large number of characters to keep track of. While it was a fun whodunit, I found it challenging to finish, as the writing style wasn’t my usual preference.

That said, I enjoyed certain aspects and appreciated its cozy and straightforward murder mystery vibe. The characters were distinct, which is impressive given how many there were.

If you’re a fan of Nancy Drew and enjoy similar mystery stories, this book is definitely worth checking out.

How can you not pick up a novel with a cover this cute that’s listed on Amazon’s “Cozy Animal Mystery” list and not be intrigued?

This book was a quick murder mystery with a vibrant cast of characters. At times, keeping track of the volume of colorful suspects reminded me of a Scooby-Doo chase. The mystery was full of comedic moments and moved steadily through the two week romance book festival the novel is set in.
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Murder mystery🔎
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Thank you Level Best Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!

I enjoyed reading Deadlines and Valentines by Heather Weidner. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Fern Valley, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is ground zero for all things romance. The town has pulled out all the stops for the first Valentine’s Day “Love is in the Air” Book Festival with events like Death by Chocolate, author speed-dating, a character masquerade, and a male cover model fashion show.

Everything is candy and roses until the sparks start to fly. Jules Keene and her team at the glamping resort spend their time trying to tamp down fiery tempers because opposites may not always attract.

When a popular author with a heart of gold is found murdered in the barn at the resort, Jules has to find the culprit before more than just hearts are broken.

Loved it. Will recommend to others

Super adorable Valentines book! I loved the characters and the storyline. My first Valentine's read!

I liked the idea of this book! I just found the characters a bit hard to keep track of as there were quite a few. It definitely had potential with the setting as a cozy mystery but I just didn’t love it as much as I thought I would! Still was a reasonably enjoyable read though!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I had high hopes for this book but there were a lot of people to keep up with. And the book was longer than it needed to be. It started out as cute trying to figure out who killed who but it was mixed with some romance. I just had a hard time staying engaged with the book.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

Welcome to Fern Valley, where romance fills the air... until murder steals the show. In Deadlines and Valentines, Heather Weidner spins a cozy, charming mystery infused with quirky characters, plenty of heart, and just a touch of danger.

The setting? A picturesque glamping resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains, decked out for Valentine’s Day with a "Love is in the Air" Book Festival. Think chocolate fountains, masquerades, and a parade of male cover models strutting their stuff. It’s all as sweet and bubbly as champagne—until a beloved author winds up dead in a barn. (Pro tip: avoid barns at festivals.)

Jules Keene, the spunky owner of the resort, steps up as the reluctant sleuth, juggling murder suspects, romantic entanglements, and the chaos of running a business. She’s smart, relatable, and endlessly resourceful—exactly the kind of protagonist you want leading the charge in a cozy mystery.

Weidner’s writing is engaging, and the plot is layered with just the right amount of twists. That said, some parts felt as overstuffed as a heart-shaped chocolate box. There’s a lot going on, and while it’s all fun, the pace occasionally wobbles. Still, the story delivers on its promise of romance, intrigue, and small-town charm.

Why You’ll Love It:

Cozy mystery vibes that feel like a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa.
A delightful bookish backdrop, with nods to book festivals and author shenanigans.
Jules—an amateur sleuth with both grit and grace.
Why It’s 3.5 Stars:
The mystery is solid, but some of the romantic and comedic elements felt a little too predictable, and the pacing could’ve been tighter. That said, it’s a treat for fans of cozy mysteries who love a good theme and a touch of Valentine’s Day magic.

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a light-hearted whodunit with a side of chocolate-covered chaos, Deadlines and Valentines is the perfect read for a chilly February night. 💕🔍

Would you read this one? Let me know your thoughts—or what book you're cozied up with next! 📚✨

Deadlines and Valentines was not exactly the book I was expecting 😅 I went into it looking for a fun rom-com-esque romance with a twist of mystery, but instead got a full murder-mystery story with barely any romance elements. This wasn't a bad thing by any means, but definitely just wasn't what I was expecting.

The story itself was good, although not one I'm going to rave about with my friends. I'll admit, it was a very unrealistic Nancy Drew style mystery, which left me wondering how law enforcement was okay with Jules mucking about in their investigation. I was also very surprised by some of the "life carrying on as usual" moments (such as working on the treehouse) when they're in the middle of an active murder plot AND running an entire convention.

There were so many characters with wild names and personalities, I found it very difficult to keep them all straight. By 75% of the way through the book, I found myself no longer caring about who the murderer was, and I'll fully admit I ended up skimming a lot of the book to finish it sooner. Ultimately, I think it had a lot of potential but just wasn't the right style of book for me at the moment.

Fern Valley, a charming town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is buzzing with excitement for its inaugural Valentine’s Day "Love is in the Air" Book Festival. The event boasts fun activities like Death by Chocolate, author speed-dating, a character masquerade, and a male cover model fashion show, all designed to celebrate romance.

But the festivities take a chaotic turn when tensions rise and tempers flare, especially as Jules Keene and her team at the local glamping resort work to keep the peace. As passionate personalities clash, Jules finds herself navigating a web of conflict—realizing that while love may be in the air, sometimes opposites don’t attract.

This was a cute cosy mystery. It takes place at a romance book convention - could that be anymore perfect? After one of the authors is attacked , and others injured, things go awry. There were a lot of characters in this book, which was confusing at times, but it was still a really good book.

💜ARC REVIEW💜

Tropes:
Cozy Mystery
Nancy Drew Vibes
Valentine’s Day themed

Favorite Character:
Jules Keene

Overall Review:
If you are a fan of Nancy Drew and want to find some books that are very similar, this one is for you. I loved the cozy aspect of this book and the twists that kept you wondering. The only thing I wish was that I could have started from the beginning of the series just so I could get a better understanding of the individuals of the story and the environment. I loved how the next book was hinted in the end and will definitely be on the look out for when it comes out!

Thank you to Heather Weidner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Really enjoyed this cozy mystery. Jules owns the glamping resort and is the amateur sleuth in this Fern Valley setting in the heart of the Blue RIdge mountains. This week is the Love is in the Air romance writers festival. There are lots of activities and of course a murder, which just happens to be a writer named Cinnamon. The murderer does numerous things to keep the police off of her. This is a GREAT COZY MYSTERY

This book follows the staff of a cute little mountain town hosting its first ever author/reader retreat at a local mountain resort. The event hosts author panels, dinners, costume parties, you name it. It's supposed to be a great opportunity to bring authors and their readers together, but the authors definitely bring their own drama and when one turns up dead, the mystery begins.

This was a cute, cozy mystery. The characters are likeable and the setting sounds amazingly perfect for this type of story. I did find it hard to keep up with the authors (there were quite a few) at times and their drama.

I enjoyed the writing style and would like to read others from this author.

This was a cute winter mystery!
I had a hard time connecting with the large cast of characters and some of the dialogue was a little stiff but overall this was a cute story.

Deadlines and Valentines by Heather Weidner brings the perfect mix of Valentine’s Day charm and cozy mystery vibes. Set in the picturesque Fern Valley glamping resort, Jules Keene finds herself caught up in a murder mystery during the town’s "Love in the Air" book festival. The characters are warm and relatable, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Jules and her friends, who are always ready to get to the bottom of things. The way Heather balances romance, mystery, and small-town charm feels effortless, and there’s just enough humor to keep things lighthearted despite the whodunit vibes. Though the mystery itself wasn’t too surprising, the way everything comes together still makes for a satisfying read.

If you're into cozy mysteries with quirky characters and a festive setting, Deadlines and Valentines has you covered. The mix of romance and suspense keeps the story fun and engaging, making it an easy, enjoyable read for anyone looking for a light mystery.

The premise of the book is so interesting, I enjoyed the set up of the story too. However I do feel like the writing was somewhat lacking, it felt quite simple at times, especially when it came to introducing the authors right at the beginning of the book. It was an enjoyable read for me, it wasn’t too mind scrambling but kept me hooked just enough to finish and give it a 3 star rating.

⭐⭐✨

What I Liked
1) The setting was built perfectly and I found all the different events so interesting. I would love to go to an author speed dating event in real life it sounded so fun!

2) I loved the building of some characters, others I felt were a bit flat and not fully fleshed out. Phoenix was definitely meant to represent a lot of real authors that are being the absolute messiest on social media and I loved the author's representation of that

3) This book felt like a cozy mystery for book lovers and chronically online book lovers

What I Disliked
1) There was some cringey moments (I do expect this going into a cozy mystery though). I hate when cozy mysteries have women that are obsessed with men and the male model fashion show was just not for me.

2) I never really notice when a phrase is repeated but the amount of times a character says something 'with a wink' is excessive and I think it needs to be edited down

3) The mystery and its resolution did not feel very strong to me and the payoff at the end was lackluster

Overall, the vibes of this cozy mystery were perfect and I would recommend it if the romance book festival sounds interesting to you. However, you should know I don't think the mystery is that good.

This was such an enjoyable read. The entertaining array of author characters were a lot of fun to get to know and the plot kept me guessing. I'm new to this series and loved that the book was centered around Valentine's Day. I will definitely go back and read the first three books in this series and look forward to the next Glamping Mystery!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #LevelBestBooks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The book idea was very cute and original. I enjoyed the writing style and the overall plot but occasionally found myself confused on who a character was and had to go back and reread bits. Maybe cutting back on some side characters would help the story flow easier.