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penandpages's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Infidelity
station12reads's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A quick and thoroughly enjoyable read -- perfect for my train ride from North Carolina to Philly! I only wish it was longer and I could've gotten to know Veronica and Kaia better!
From shouldering glance across to an awkward AF first meet, I was enamored with the relationship between these two women. Despite their flaws and the quick timeline of events, the story felt authentic and I really enjoyed the murder mystery element. I love crime novels & though my initial interest in this story wasn't based on it, I liked how it all unfolded.
Now I need to go back and read Benna's first book in this series -- Investigating Helen. Thanks so much for the copy of Defending Jessica, Benna Bos!
From shouldering glance across to an awkward AF first meet, I was enamored with the relationship between these two women. Despite their flaws and the quick timeline of events, the story felt authentic and I really enjoyed the murder mystery element. I love crime novels & though my initial interest in this story wasn't based on it, I liked how it all unfolded.
Now I need to go back and read Benna's first book in this series -- Investigating Helen. Thanks so much for the copy of Defending Jessica, Benna Bos!
gillesbianreads's review
2.75
This was a short and easy-to-read romance with a hint of mystery-thriller, but it was lacking overall. The main character Veronica was insufferable at first- rude, bratty and entitled- I wasn't sure if I was ever going to like her. Only about halfway through does it start to turn around. There's definitely a steady revealing of information about Veronica, our bad-bitch lawyer protagonist, and about her client Jessica's case, throughout the book, but I wish Veronica had been more likeable and sooner.
I really liked the love interest Kaia though- she's super sweet and totally my type. I actually found that Kaia and Jessica - the alleged killer - had a lot of chemistry. I wish there was more chemistry and build-up between Veronica and Kaia because it almost felt like a switch was flipped... especially in terms of Kaia's opinions of and feelings about Veronica. It made me feel bad for Kaia, especially after the way Veronica had been treating her.
I definitely wish this book had been longer, and I think in that way we could have got to know both Veronica and Kaia more. Because the book is short, it felt very insta-lovey, and I know some people love that but I like a build-up and a dive into who characters are before the feelings get super deep.
The side characters Agnes and Helen were lovely and probably my favourite- and I really want to read the first Murder by the Bay book now and I'm happy to dive more into their lives. I enjoyed the crime aspect though, because it wasn't too gruesome, and liked the thriller-like twists at the end. I think there was the beginning of something great here, and I just wish it had been built upon more.
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