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manal_osmally's review against another edition
3.0
I have been trying to put the whole review thing till I go through all the books, it was quite unfair to review them one by one, while there's 14 books sitting there in my TBR…
so here's the whole thing from book 1 to book 14…. Any further books I will review them invaluably since I went through all the series already
Pros
- Sophie is not the usual type of woman that is usually promoted as a heroine, she is pretty much a multi dimension person while insucurites (lack of fear -GOD) and problem. and also, casual answers to everything
- I Like Bernie, let me rephrase that, I adore Bernie....... (SWOON SWOON)
- All in all, I grew to love the gang quite a lot to be honest, I mean 14 books stuck with the same set of people, you are bond to like them or stop reading there's not in between here
- the mysteries are brilliant ... like really so unconventional in more than one way.
- NATASHA...... just that, I won't say more.
- I found the advice Colum is pretty smart idea and it held through and through, from advices swinging between domestic issues to god knows what
- general length of the books is very nice, it doesn't drag the mystery to boredom, and it leaves a room for things to cook just right.
the build up to the reveal is admirable as well...
- I was beginning to like the other cop in the series but pooofff
- I like the chemistry, but for me it felt a little restricted like everything has to remain in the same place all the time no matter what.
- giving Natasha a sister was a brilliant move to shift here dynamics.
let's jump to the stuff that got on my nerves
Cons
- MEN... MEN... MEN, like why why why...... because to be honest I had my doubts with every man in this story coming with their own pandora box in advance, but I am really struggling here...
WOLF.... like that was super weird.... and she brough his wife back, so why everything has to be sooooo weird... and why just hide other proper cops while having weird wolf....
& ALEX (GOD) what was that.... I was sold on the story till ALEX got injured - EX Military Guy got beaten to a pulp by a woman, really!! - and then the breakup........... god lord, that was SOOO downplayed and then POOF again…. And then a kiss on the cheek and oh he is not angry … like what!
- BOOK 13, I have no words for you……. You are truly 13 …….
- I don't like MARS .... here I said it... he is too attached... I keep thinking we are being kept on our toes but noooo….
- THE YEARSSS... I lost count but considering the beginning of the series and since I really don't look at the publish date anymore... the years of the story since the Beginning are what nine, ten!! – I generally have no problem with that but I felt like everything was set in stone in a way. and maybe I have binge reading but if we started the story with 30 something Sophie doesn't that mean that she is 40 something ……
- where's the sister and the parents ??!!!!! where's Natasha Father !! where's Wolf's wife??
I would have loved for those to pop up and go every now and then but after the whole failed wedding the sister didn't appear again.
- NINA'S HASBAND ... why for real why (not 1 appearance GAHHHHH) that was a pandora box I would have loved to open, the guy travel all around the galaxy ... and GAHHHHH
- I would have loved to see a crime involving Bernie (SWOON AGAIN) like please please
- Being Objective here, why does that as we go in the story the advices Natasha gives keeps getting more on the rude side, I have been wondering... like they are not exactly good... but they are rather.... insulting!!
I will wrap it up by saying, that I would definitely read it again… and I would keep reading the new mysteries in this series don't get me wrong.. it was a fine binge series
so here's the whole thing from book 1 to book 14…. Any further books I will review them invaluably since I went through all the series already
Pros
- Sophie is not the usual type of woman that is usually promoted as a heroine, she is pretty much a multi dimension person while insucurites (lack of fear -GOD) and problem. and also, casual answers to everything
- I Like Bernie, let me rephrase that, I adore Bernie....... (SWOON SWOON)
- All in all, I grew to love the gang quite a lot to be honest, I mean 14 books stuck with the same set of people, you are bond to like them or stop reading there's not in between here
- the mysteries are brilliant ... like really so unconventional in more than one way.
- NATASHA...... just that, I won't say more.
- I found the advice Colum is pretty smart idea and it held through and through, from advices swinging between domestic issues to god knows what
- general length of the books is very nice, it doesn't drag the mystery to boredom, and it leaves a room for things to cook just right.
the build up to the reveal is admirable as well...
- I was beginning to like the other cop in the series but pooofff
- I like the chemistry, but for me it felt a little restricted like everything has to remain in the same place all the time no matter what.
- giving Natasha a sister was a brilliant move to shift here dynamics.
let's jump to the stuff that got on my nerves
Cons
- MEN... MEN... MEN, like why why why...... because to be honest I had my doubts with every man in this story coming with their own pandora box in advance, but I am really struggling here...
WOLF.... like that was super weird.... and she brough his wife back, so why everything has to be sooooo weird... and why just hide other proper cops while having weird wolf....
& ALEX (GOD) what was that.... I was sold on the story till ALEX got injured - EX Military Guy got beaten to a pulp by a woman, really!! - and then the breakup........... god lord, that was SOOO downplayed and then POOF again…. And then a kiss on the cheek and oh he is not angry … like what!
- BOOK 13, I have no words for you……. You are truly 13 …….
- I don't like MARS .... here I said it... he is too attached... I keep thinking we are being kept on our toes but noooo….
- THE YEARSSS... I lost count but considering the beginning of the series and since I really don't look at the publish date anymore... the years of the story since the Beginning are what nine, ten!! – I generally have no problem with that but I felt like everything was set in stone in a way. and maybe I have binge reading but if we started the story with 30 something Sophie doesn't that mean that she is 40 something ……
- where's the sister and the parents ??!!!!! where's Natasha Father !! where's Wolf's wife??
I would have loved for those to pop up and go every now and then but after the whole failed wedding the sister didn't appear again.
- NINA'S HASBAND ... why for real why (not 1 appearance GAHHHHH) that was a pandora box I would have loved to open, the guy travel all around the galaxy ... and GAHHHHH
- I would have loved to see a crime involving Bernie (SWOON AGAIN) like please please
- Being Objective here, why does that as we go in the story the advices Natasha gives keeps getting more on the rude side, I have been wondering... like they are not exactly good... but they are rather.... insulting!!
I will wrap it up by saying, that I would definitely read it again… and I would keep reading the new mysteries in this series don't get me wrong.. it was a fine binge series
peggyemi's review
4.0
The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit is the 14th book in the long-running Diva series. I was late to the party with this series but was able to binge-read it last year to be caught up for this release. This is a very entertaining series and fans will not be disappointed. Once again, Ms. Davis provides her fans with a well-plotted mystery that will leave her readers guessing until the end. One of my favorite parts of this series is the friendship between the characters. Ms. Davis has created a diverse group of characters that are well-rounded, mature, while at the same time leaving plenty of room for these characters to continue to grow and evolve. All of the regular cast of characters make appearances in this book as they are called on to help keep Nina safe and help Sophie solve two murders.
The author starts out the book with a great hook that just keeps leading from one incident to another, including two murders. Sophie and friends must determine if the events are all connected and if so how and why. This plot has a lot of layers and as each one is peeled back something else rises to the surface that adds to the mystery. I will say, about 3/4 of the way through the book I got overconfident and was positive I had solved the mystery. That should have been my first clue at how wrong I was. There are plenty of clues to sift through and a number of misdirections that if followed will lead readers to where I ended up - wrong. The mystery is wrapped up nicely and the reader will be satisfied at the conclusion.
This is a terrific series and the author just keeps delivering one entertaining read after another. I look forward to each new book knowing that I am going to be taken on a delightful journey with an engaging mystery solved by characters that by now feel like old friends. Fans of this series are sure to be delighted.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The author starts out the book with a great hook that just keeps leading from one incident to another, including two murders. Sophie and friends must determine if the events are all connected and if so how and why. This plot has a lot of layers and as each one is peeled back something else rises to the surface that adds to the mystery. I will say, about 3/4 of the way through the book I got overconfident and was positive I had solved the mystery. That should have been my first clue at how wrong I was. There are plenty of clues to sift through and a number of misdirections that if followed will lead readers to where I ended up - wrong. The mystery is wrapped up nicely and the reader will be satisfied at the conclusion.
This is a terrific series and the author just keeps delivering one entertaining read after another. I look forward to each new book knowing that I am going to be taken on a delightful journey with an engaging mystery solved by characters that by now feel like old friends. Fans of this series are sure to be delighted.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
candacemss's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
asanford's review against another edition
5.0
Krista Davis continues to bring the Domestic Diva crew to life. The jewels and the multiple deaths and potential romance - it just continues to be a fun escape from every day life.
sheska_meroba's review against another edition
3.5
I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I think I found a new cozy mystery series! This was a lot of fun, I enjoyed the characters and emphasis on food. The only problem I had is that the main character felt a little flat to me, but perhaps if I go back and start this series from the beginning I would get a better feel for her.
I think I found a new cozy mystery series! This was a lot of fun, I enjoyed the characters and emphasis on food. The only problem I had is that the main character felt a little flat to me, but perhaps if I go back and start this series from the beginning I would get a better feel for her.
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
This is one of my favorite mystery series because I love the main character, event planner Sophie Winston. The friendships portrayed between her and her best friends make these books a pleasure to read. I would love to have a friend like Sophie. In between planning and running events and making treats for friends, she is able to solve crimes that her ex-boyfriend, Wolf, isn't able to, at least now without Sophie’s help. I also really like the Old Town Alexandria, Virginia setting and the descriptions of the wonderful homes and events in the area.
The murder mystery in this book is a little confusing but it did keep me guessing. Even though the book is part of a series, it reads as a standalone. I've enjoyed others in this series more, but still really liked the book. The books in the Domestic Diva series are always entertaining, although I’m continually baffled how people tolerate the rudeness of Natasha, Sophie’s frenemy. I’m sure many consider her funny, but I find her very annoying. When Natasha isn’t in the mix, I love the camaraderie between Sophie and her friends Nina, Bernie, and her ex-husband Mars. As much as I enjoy the friendship between Sophie and her ex, I admit to holding out hope for Sophie and Mars to get back together as a couple.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
The murder mystery in this book is a little confusing but it did keep me guessing. Even though the book is part of a series, it reads as a standalone. I've enjoyed others in this series more, but still really liked the book. The books in the Domestic Diva series are always entertaining, although I’m continually baffled how people tolerate the rudeness of Natasha, Sophie’s frenemy. I’m sure many consider her funny, but I find her very annoying. When Natasha isn’t in the mix, I love the camaraderie between Sophie and her friends Nina, Bernie, and her ex-husband Mars. As much as I enjoy the friendship between Sophie and her ex, I admit to holding out hope for Sophie and Mars to get back together as a couple.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
melmo2610's review
3.0
Interesting mystery although there were elements I didn't care for like who discovered the first victim. Good read.
xkay_readsx's review
3.0
Sorry, but have to give this one a three-star rating even though I love this cozy series! Set in Old Town Alexandria, VA, book #14 has a DIY Home Decorating Festival theme. What I love about this series are the helpful tips at the beginning of the chapters, from cooking, baking, organizing, hosting, or restoring furniture - love the variety! The mystery was okayish and I have little interest in the investigation.
hannah_monson's review
I always love the Diva books. This one was just as intriguing and full of our favorite cast of characters. While it was certainly a mystery, I found that there were too many moving parts and webs weaved. In the end, the storylines are all resolved but some were rushed or a bit confusing. Overall, still one of my favorite cozy series but not the strongest plot of the series.