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loribethhall's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
It was fine. Very cheesy. Had immature writing, in my opinion. I didn’t hate it, but I don’t think I’ll read anymore from this author.
yess's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Disfrute mucho de esta lectura, si no le doy las 5 estrellas es solo porque no me gusta los misterios en los que el autor se reserva información para que nunca pienses en el asesino real como sospechoso. Definitivamente seguiré leyendo la serie.
lyrareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
More of 3.5 I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would, and it provided a satisfying blend of humor and genuine red herrings. I was on the fence about the book for the first 1/3-1/2 but I'm glad I stuck with it, and will likely read more from this author.
marzipanwonderland's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
princessleia4life's review against another edition
4.0
I thought it was cute and a good mystery. I had narrowed it down to two suspects, and while I guessed correctly who the real killer was there were several twists and turns which delighted me.
The only thing I didn't like was that the author described every article of clothing that her main character wore, which I thought drew one out of the story.
The only thing I didn't like was that the author described every article of clothing that her main character wore, which I thought drew one out of the story.
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
Laurel McKay’s best friend Liz talks her into joining the Love Club dating service. Against her better judgment, the divorced mother of two is going on her first date in seventeen years. Neither Laurel nor her sixteen-year-old daughter Jenna is sure Laurel is ready to enter the world of dating again, but Laurel is willing to take a chance. When the dreaded day finally comes, Laurel tries to keep an open mind about her date with accountant Garrett Lindstrom. She finds herself listening to her date’s boring lecture on depreciation and fighting to stay awake one minute and fighting off his over-amorous advances the next. Now it seems Laurel’s evening with the lecherous Garrett is just the beginning of her dating nightmares. Laurel expected dating again after so many years would be hard, but she didn’t know if would turn out to be murder.
When Laurel becomes involved in a murder investigation, she decides she has what it takes to do some sleuthing of her own, partially because she seems to be the prime suspect. Laurel has to prove her innocence to her employer and to Detective Tom Hunter, or as Laurel mistakenly blurts out, “Detective Hunk” , the lead investigator and father of her son Ben’s soccer rival. This fun mystery caught my attention and amused me from the very first sentence.
“If I’d known my clothes would be covered in blood by the end of the evening, I probably wouldn’t have agonized over my wardrobe selection.”
From the great opening to the very end, this is an entertaining mystery. The character of Liz, Laurel’s best friend, isn’t fully developed, but she is a good friend, willing to pitch in to help Laurel whenever she needs information or a shoulder to cry on. Laurel’s mother, Barbara Bingham can be overbearing, but her love for Laurel shines through when she and Laurel find themselves in danger. There are several amusing exchanges between Laurel and her ex-husband. I cheered when Laurel shows that although she’s sentimental and has fond memories of the good times with her ex, she’s not a sap and doesn’t allow herself to be taken advantage of.
In between the humor, there are some serious moments dealing with working mothers’ guilt. Just when Laurel feels she may be ready to start dating again, she feels guilty over not spending enough time with her children when she is not working. Of course, Ben’s blunt comment to let her know about her shortcomings, “Jimmy’s mother would never run out of bread” doesn’t help! Even though Laurel has a great relationship with her daughter, Jenna, she realistically voices the stress of worrying about teenaged children. Laurel’s children, Ben and Jenna, both seem real, but not too perfect (or too obnoxious!) and add to my enjoyment of the book.
Fans of Harley Jane Kozak and Elaine Viets will enjoy this humorous look at Laurel’s re-entry into the dating world and her life in the suburbs of Sacramento, California.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
When Laurel becomes involved in a murder investigation, she decides she has what it takes to do some sleuthing of her own, partially because she seems to be the prime suspect. Laurel has to prove her innocence to her employer and to Detective Tom Hunter, or as Laurel mistakenly blurts out, “Detective Hunk” , the lead investigator and father of her son Ben’s soccer rival. This fun mystery caught my attention and amused me from the very first sentence.
“If I’d known my clothes would be covered in blood by the end of the evening, I probably wouldn’t have agonized over my wardrobe selection.”
From the great opening to the very end, this is an entertaining mystery. The character of Liz, Laurel’s best friend, isn’t fully developed, but she is a good friend, willing to pitch in to help Laurel whenever she needs information or a shoulder to cry on. Laurel’s mother, Barbara Bingham can be overbearing, but her love for Laurel shines through when she and Laurel find themselves in danger. There are several amusing exchanges between Laurel and her ex-husband. I cheered when Laurel shows that although she’s sentimental and has fond memories of the good times with her ex, she’s not a sap and doesn’t allow herself to be taken advantage of.
In between the humor, there are some serious moments dealing with working mothers’ guilt. Just when Laurel feels she may be ready to start dating again, she feels guilty over not spending enough time with her children when she is not working. Of course, Ben’s blunt comment to let her know about her shortcomings, “Jimmy’s mother would never run out of bread” doesn’t help! Even though Laurel has a great relationship with her daughter, Jenna, she realistically voices the stress of worrying about teenaged children. Laurel’s children, Ben and Jenna, both seem real, but not too perfect (or too obnoxious!) and add to my enjoyment of the book.
Fans of Harley Jane Kozak and Elaine Viets will enjoy this humorous look at Laurel’s re-entry into the dating world and her life in the suburbs of Sacramento, California.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
tarana's review against another edition
3.0
I would actually give this a 3.5. This is a good paced mystery cozy featuring a divorced Mom of who works as a loan underwriter for a bank. She dates two guys in a row from a dating service and both die the same day she dates them.
I liked this book for several reasons. The characters are realistic in both actions and attitudes. This writer also mostly followed police procedure - for instance, she didn't send her characters into a home still marked with DO NOT ENTER police tape on it. Finally, the solutions made sense. They weren't pulled out of the bottle at the very end.
I used the whispersync version, combining both kindle and audiobook on my HDX. The narrator was very enjoyable. While I probably won't reread this book, I do plan to get more of this series.
I liked this book for several reasons. The characters are realistic in both actions and attitudes. This writer also mostly followed police procedure - for instance, she didn't send her characters into a home still marked with DO NOT ENTER police tape on it. Finally, the solutions made sense. They weren't pulled out of the bottle at the very end.
I used the whispersync version, combining both kindle and audiobook on my HDX. The narrator was very enjoyable. While I probably won't reread this book, I do plan to get more of this series.
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
Laurel is very realistic and relatable. Leaving aside the murders, Cindy has really hit the nail on the head in representing the trials and tribulations of a divorced single mom and the horrors of re-entering the dating game. And as the number 1 suspect she has reason to get involved in trying to find the killer. I liked her band of helpers too.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
4.0
A fun cozy about a single mom dealing with all the things single moms deal with in addition to the small problem of her dates continuing to die.
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