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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I mean, I love this cozy series but this one seemed to drag a bit and I guessed the ending in the first third of the book.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Another good mystery from McKinlay. So sad that I have to wait for the next book to be published! Great characters and a decent mystery. A good read.
#netgalleysrc Another great addition to one of my fave series. I love that the books of this series are similar but not always the same story. Love the characters, love the author, another great read.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
slow-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
I think this was a fun read. The backgrund and setting was the higlight but the mystery was a tad predictble but it was quick listen!!
What a holiday treat. I love spending time with Mel, Angie, and their amazing crew of friends and family. I love how they can count of any of them in a pinch and especially when they call in "the brothers". This book was filled with holiday cheer, but also murder and a LOT of Mel's plate (but what's new right?!) I have to say I figured out the murderer pretty early on (and am proud of it hehe), but it didn't take anything away from the book because I was able to "keep an eye" on them and Jenn McKinlay did so well with the red herrings that I doubted myself quite a few times. I love how fiercely Angie and Mel will protect someone they care about and it shows in this book especially. I also love how Joe and Mel work together and how he trusts her even when she is in danger. I enjoyed this book so much and already can't wait for more!
Despite an incredibly busy holiday season, Mel and Angie can't pass up the opportunity to provide cupcakes for the VIP lounge when Angie's old friend Shelby comes to town for a Christmas showcase. On the first night of the show, Mel finds Shelby's overbearing manager dead in her dressing room. Despite having literally one million things to do, Mel feels compelled to have exonerate Shelby. After all, this is her second manager that has mysteriously died. Weird...
The mystery was good even though I guessed the culprit and the story was fun. But what the hell is with Mel and her family? Her mom: "Oh, honey, I know you are busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest, but can you host us, your brother and a total of 8 people for Christmas? And if the house could look like a Hallmark-movie, that's mandatory." (Not quite a direct quote, but close.) Then Joe: "Well, since your family is already coming, plus Shelby and her stylist, then we should also invite my parents, brothers, their partners, and children. Because why not?! It's not like you're busy." (Again not quite direct quote, but close.) And who helped prepare the celebration meal with Mel? Oz. That's it. And he didn't even stay to eat! The only other help she got was entrusting Joe's brothers to decorate for her, which naturally turned out to be a mess. That whole storyline irritated the shit out of me. They dumped a TON of work on her, and nobody popped in with help, offered to bring a dish (except for the eternally annoying Olivia), or anything. Just pushed their menus of what MUST be made toward her and gave her their dietary restrictions. I'm still pissed off on her behalf.
Overall, I enjoyed it. But Mel needs to grow a backbone.
The mystery was good even though I guessed the culprit and the story was fun. But what the hell is with Mel and her family? Her mom: "Oh, honey, I know you are busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest, but can you host us, your brother and a total of 8 people for Christmas? And if the house could look like a Hallmark-movie, that's mandatory." (Not quite a direct quote, but close.) Then Joe: "Well, since your family is already coming, plus Shelby and her stylist, then we should also invite my parents, brothers, their partners, and children. Because why not?! It's not like you're busy." (Again not quite direct quote, but close.) And who helped prepare the celebration meal with Mel? Oz. That's it. And he didn't even stay to eat! The only other help she got was entrusting Joe's brothers to decorate for her, which naturally turned out to be a mess. That whole storyline irritated the shit out of me. They dumped a TON of work on her, and nobody popped in with help, offered to bring a dish (except for the eternally annoying Olivia), or anything. Just pushed their menus of what MUST be made toward her and gave her their dietary restrictions. I'm still pissed off on her behalf.
Overall, I enjoyed it. But Mel needs to grow a backbone.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
I must be feeling in a very generous mood (it must be the Christmas spirit) but this was really sweet & cute. The audiobook was fun, & even though I didn't love the narrator's accent for Shelby, she did a really great job! & the accent wasn't a huge turn-off, just made me laugh a bit. The ending, specifically the concluding sentence, made me cackle because why are you saying this is the best Christmas ever when 3 people have died, somebody attempted to murder you 2x, your close friend was framed for murder (& also taken advantage of & lowkey emotionally abused by her employer), & also your 2 closest friends then accused each other of murder?! If that has thus far been your favorite Christmas ever, I feel like you should probably reevaluate what the holiday season is all about anyways I'm ending this review before I change my mind sleigh
PS this is extremely unrelated but also semi-related bc I love cozy murder mysteries but the most unrealistic part of every single one is that the cops are great & are genuinely there to help. #fuckthepolice #stoptheprisonindustrialcomplex
PS this is extremely unrelated but also semi-related bc I love cozy murder mysteries but the most unrealistic part of every single one is that the cops are great & are genuinely there to help. #fuckthepolice #stoptheprisonindustrialcomplex
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Murder