After a months long binge into romance and going down some crazy rabbit holes (more on that later), I needed a palate cleanser and One Of Us Is Dead was the perfect choice.
“I always belived there was another option on the table- forgive, forget or ****** never let it go.”
The ladies of Buckhead are absolutely ruthless, and they’re in the middle of a power struggle. As someone who can quote Mean Girls on cue, this books is basically Mean Girls meets Desperate Housewives. And I absolutely devoured it. This was a one day binge read for me.
While this book would be considered a thriller, it was wickedly funny and sassy and keeping me on the edge of my seat while laughing at all the snark.
Join the ladies, grab a glass of bubbly and dive in, I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to the author @jenevaroseauthor @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for the advanced copy of both the ebook and audiobook
Oh wow. I needed a minute after finishing this audiobook to process. It’s a roller coaster my friends. Holy cow. This is another one of those books where everyone is lying, and behind every truth there is another slew of lies. Who can you trust? Who’s intentions are good and who’s are nefarious? There are red herrings abound here, reminiscent of classic whodunnit’s.
Avery gives me major Kinsey Millhone vibes. I just love her and I am going to hold out hope for another book featuring her. Or better yet, a series. This was a binge worthy listen, I started it this morning and basically couldn’t put it down.
I was excited to read this book when I heard it was a BOTM pick, and was even more excited to receive an ALC copy. Thank you so much to the authors @greerhendricks & @sarahpekkanen @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for the advanced copy of this book.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which are no cost to you but do give me a small payout if you choose to purchase via the link on the page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Rundown: Sunshine Vicram is duped by her meddling parents into becoming the sheriff of her small hometown. Her first day on the job is a doozy and leads to revelations about her abduction 15 years ago.
Written by Darynda Jones, Published April 2020
Oh my gawd, stop what you’re reading right this minute, and go order this book. I’m not kidding. So Oh my gawd, stop what you’re reading right this minute, and go order this book. I’m not kidding. So I’ve had Darynda Jones’ other series on my tbr list for, well, forever. Then I got an ARC copy of the 2nd book in her new series, so of course, I had to go back and read the first one before I read that one. Did that make sense? I hope so.
Anyway, if you’re a fan of Stephanie Plum, you’re going to poop your pants over Sunshine Blaze Vicram. Sunshine and her daughter Auri have just moved back to Sun’s hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico after her parent’s somehow managed to get her elected as the new town Sheriff. Even though she left Del Sol in the rearview mirror years ago. Lucky for her, her best friend Quincy is a Sheriff’s Deputy, so it’s old friends back together again.
Her first day on the job brings a missing teenager who has been predicting her death and abduction since she was six. Sybil St. Aubin had made friends with Sunshine’s daughter, Auri, that summer at the lake, and has left behind a series of clues that don’t seem to add up. The day also brings Little Miss Sunshine straight back into the orbit of the only man she’s ever loved. The boy she fell in love with as a teen, and the man she could never forget, Levi Ravinder. Levi has taken his family’s “corn whiskey” aka, moonshine, business legit and is doing well for himself. But he seems to have no use for our heroine, although as long lost memories come back, he seems to be at the center of Sun’s abduction and the aftermath. Oh, and a stolen rooster named Puff Daddy, whose owner seems to be causing more problems than necessary. And there are magic muffins that predict a really bad day.
Things don’t get much better when Levi’s nephew Jimmy goes missing as well. Jimmy happens to be the son of Sunshine’s arch nemesis Hailey. Sun is hopeful that the kids are together and it’s all some sort of misunderstanding. With Levi’s tracking skills, it becomes apparent that Jimmy isn’t with Sybil, however, they do make a shocking discovery on the snowy mountain (did you know it snowed in New Mexico?) that brings Sun’s kidnapping back into the forefront.
This book has an amazing cast of characters from Sunshine’s conniving parents, to her crackerjack police team to the Ravinder clan (who may or may not be all that bad), and the various odd inhabitants of Del Sol.
So, that probably wasn’t the most concise summary of a book. The bottom line, I couldn’t put this book down. If you’re looking for a tough, funny, independent, kick-ass heroine, this book is for you. It’s full of wit and sarcasm and made me laugh out loud. Of note: I listened to the audio version, and it is hard not to compare it to the Stephanie Plum series, especially because it’s the same narrator. But I’ll refrain from doing so since I’m desperately holding out hope that by book 28 (I think?) my girl Steph will finally learn to put some bullets in her gun. But I digress.
I can only hope that this series continues because I can’t get enough Sunshine. Stay tuned for my review on A Good Day For Chardonnay, the 2nd book in the Sunshine Vicram series.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which are no cost to you but do give me a small payout if you choose to purchase via the link on the page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Rundown: Owen Michaels disappears, leaving his wife and daughter questioning everything they thought they knew.
Written by Laura Dave, Published 2021
Owen Michaels and his wife Hannah had it all. Or, almost all. There’s the small fact that Owen’s daughter, Bailey won’t give Hannah the time of day. But in an instant, that all changes. On the day our story starts, Hannah and Bailey both get a note from Owen. Hannah’s simply reads “protect her”. Bailey also finds a cash stash in her locker.
Now, Hannah and Bailey don’t get along. Hannah doesn’t know how much she can or can’t do when it comes to raising Bailey and Bailey doesn’t have faith in Hannah. What follows is a journey of two women, drawn together through extreme circumstances. In an unfamiliar city and unsure of who to trust, Hannah and Bailey must both confront the fact they that have both been lied to. Bailey must question her entire life, and the person she though she was. Hannah questions the man she thought she loved.
My favorite character in this book, beyond a doubt is Grady. He isn’t a major character, but he plays his part so well. I didn’t really know what to make of him at first, and I won’t give too much away on him because it would ruin the story, but you’ll like him too. I also liked that you get to know Owen through Hannah’s flashbacks to happier times. But you doubt him and his motives for about half way through the book.
I loved this book. If I could, I would give it 4.5 stars (but I’ll up it to 5), only because I HATED the ending. I understood it, but I hated it. I think because I’ve been reading a lot of romance novels, where everything is tidied up nice and neat at the end of the book. And don’t get me wrong, the ending fits, and there isn’t any other way it could have ended. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
All and all, a solid book. It’s a page turner for sure, with short, action packed chapters. I finished this book over 2 days, so it’s a quick one.
This book was borrowed from my local library using the Libby App
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which are no cost to you but do give me a small payout if you choose to purchase via the link on the page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Rundown: Chicago police officer Billy Harney is on a mission to clear his name. Too bad he can’t remember what happened.
Written by James Patterson, David Ellis Published 2017
Ah, Mr. Patterson. Bravo. This book is classic James Patterson. The Black Book is packed with quick chapters so the book moves along at quite the clip. The only downside of this is that I didn’t feel a connection with the characters until about half way into the book.
Billy Harney wakes up in the hospital after taking a bullet to the brain. His former twice time lover and his current partner Kate Fenton, is dead, and so is his new girlfriend, state’s attorney Amy Lentini. Sucks for everyone, especially Billy, that he can’t remember a thing that happened that night. In fact, he can’t remember anything in the two weeks leading up to the event. This proves to be pivotal, as the scene appears to be set up. Little do we know, there are higher powers pulling the strings.
In this book, you distrust everyone. Billy, Kate and Amy, not to mention all of the supporting characters, all have ulterior motives. In fact, as unreliable as Billy is due to his memory, he’s the only one I even semi-trusted. But even he does a good job convincing you he may not be as shiny as his star. Billy has a past that pops up here and there, especially when Kate goes bananas. Sorry to spoil anything, but yeah, Kate loses it.
Also, kind of plot hole? There is a part where we hear about Kate getting a make over and showing up in a fancy new sports car, but we never learn where she gets the money for that. Perhaps we’ll get some answers in the sequel that just came out, The Red Book.
In an effort not to spoil too much for anyone, this book is highly recommended if you have a day or so to kill, because you won’t want to put it down. It isn’t because I was overly attached to the characters, but because I just HAD to know who the dirty cop was. I’m excited for a sequel, because I want to see more Billy. Too bad I liked Amy, but she’s dead. That isn’t a spoiler, she dies in the first chapter. But keep a close eye on details, because someone mundane details are important later.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which are no cost to you but do give me a small payout if you choose to purchase via the link on the page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Rundown: Washed up Stephanie Plum needs a job, so she blackmails her cousin Vinny into making her a bounty hunter, and her first case is to track down an accused killer, who also happens to be her old high school flame.
Written by Janet Evanovich Published 1994
Here’s where it all begins. Here, we meet one of my all time favorite heroines, Stephanie Plum. I think I like her so much because she’s such. a. mess. Divorced and on the brink of not being able to pay her rent, Stephanie Blackmails her cousin Vinny (because don’t all Italians have a cousin named Vinny?) into giving her a job as a bounty hunter. Her first job is to bring in her ex, vice cop Joe Morelli. I mean, if we’re betting here, I’m going to give the odds to the cop, not the former lingerie buyer who can’t load a gun. To say she’s unqualified for the position is the understatement of the year. Her first attempt to nab Morelli ends badly. Enter Ranger, badass Cuban bounty hunter tasked with bringing her up to speed. Poor Ranger, he didn’t have a clue what he was getting into. But bounty on Morelli is $10,000, so it’s not like Stephanie can pass it up. Morelli is accused of shooting an unarmed man, but he claims he shot him in self defense. With Joe trying to clear his name, and Stephanie trying to bring him down, hilarity ensures.
I won’t go into too much detail here, because if you’re a plum virgin, I most certainly don’t want to ruin your first time. This one is a little darker than the other books in the series but Evanovich does a great job at balancing some of the darker elements with belly busting laughs.
We meet Stephanie’s extended circle which includes her pervy cousin Vinny who owns the bail bonds agency and his Betty Boopesque office manager Connie. Also in the mix are Stephanie’s mom who irons when she gets stressed, her Grandma Mazur who causes much of the stress, Joe’s grandma Bella who likes to give people “the eye”, and Stephanie’s adorable hamster, Rex. It’s also the beginning of a 27 book long love triangle between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger.
I should also mention that this book was turned into a movie by the same name. I tried to watch is, but it’s so cringy couldn’t get past the first 20 minutes. 10/10 don’t recommend watching it. Read the book instead. You’ll thank me later.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which are no cost to you but do give me a small payout if you choose to purchase via the link on the page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Rundown: Celebrity writes a book about their life.
Written and Narrated by Jessica Simpson. Published 2020.
I’m going to give Mrs. Jessica Simpson a five star rating on this book based on enjoyability alone. Full disclosure, I listened to the audiobook version which she narrated herself. I’ve been a fan since I watched her on The Newlyweds, which seems to be about 100 years ago. And even though she doesn’t sing my preferred kind of music, no one can deny the lady is a power house. Open Book brings us through her life from the very beginning and doesn’t skirt around the dirty details. She speaks openly about her abuse as a child, treats her marriage to Nick with respect, and shows the love she feels for music. As someone who is not religious, I was a bit nervous as anyone who is familiar with the singer knows how strong her faith is. An while it was a prevailing theme in the book, it isn’t pushy or in your face. I was also floored by the dirty details of her relationship with John Mayer and Johnny Knoxville (my teenage crush), and I also completely forgot she dated Tony Romo. I’m a little miffed she didn’t talk about Ashley’s SNL fiasco, but I guess that isn’t her story to tell.
Listening to the audiobook of this was like sitting down for a chat with an old friend. She plows through the tough stuff like abuse, supporting her family, divorce, breakups and addiction with such force and finesse you can’t help but be impressed with her.
I’ll admit, I didn’t go into this book thinking it would be anything of substance, but I was proved wrong over and over again. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m off to watch Dukes of Hazzard (which is on Netfilx at the time of the publication of this review) and drool over Knoxville and Jess’s legs.
This audiobook was borrowed from my local library using the Libby App.
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