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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If there are a few things I love in life it's reality TV, funny books, and mysteries. So I was excited to read this one. Even though it had the Love Island vibe, I really just thought the book was mediocre, sadly. The parts that were supposed to be funny fell flat. The contestants didn't have any redeeming qualities, and the mystery solving aspect was just juvenile. A different reader may find this funny, but it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Bantam Books for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Bantam Books for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately this book fell a little flat for me. It wanted to be a murder mystery with comedy elements, and I felt like it did both mediocre.
The concept of Luella getting brought into a game show to solve a murder was really intriguing, but I wish we got more time and goofiness with her as a contestant. There was also such a large cast of characters it was difficult to follow who did what, even with the character descriptions at the start of the book.
A lot of the plot was spent analyzing every single person as a murder suspect, and it became repetitive and really ruined the pace of the book for me.
Unfortunately this book fell a little flat for me. It wanted to be a murder mystery with comedy elements, and I felt like it did both mediocre.
The concept of Luella getting brought into a game show to solve a murder was really intriguing, but I wish we got more time and goofiness with her as a contestant. There was also such a large cast of characters it was difficult to follow who did what, even with the character descriptions at the start of the book.
A lot of the plot was spent analyzing every single person as a murder suspect, and it became repetitive and really ruined the pace of the book for me.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t really read murder mysteries and I don't really read sex comedies so I couldn't figure out if the stuff I didn’t like was because I didn’t like the writing / story or if I'm just totally out of my depth with the tropes. Could never tell if it was lampooning things I'm not familiar with or if it was lampooning anything at all. But at the same time it was a breezy read so no love lost, Jo!
⭐️ 2/5
Pub Date: June 24, 2025
First person POV, single narrative
Linear timeline
FMC: Luella van Horn
Setting: Remote, Tropical Island
Murder on Sex Island is narrated by the main character Luella van Horn (Marie Jones). The intimate POV gives the novel a strong comedic voice with her internal monologues, self-deprecating humor, and firsthand reactions as she navigates the ridiculous reality tv show setting.
The book has a unique, absurd premise; an amateur PI posing as a contestant on a raunchy reality dating show to solve a murder. However, I didn’t think that the execution fully lived up to the setup. The humor is quirky and the satire of reality TV is spot-on in parts, with plenty of zany characters and over-the-top situations.
Additionally, there’s just too much going on. Between the endless cast of contestants, behind-the-scenes drama, flashbacks, and fake identities, the story starts to feel chaotic. Despite all the moving parts, it lacks real depth and just felt shallow and immature. Character development is shallow, and many subplots are introduced only to fizzle out. The actual mystery takes a backseat, and the reason for the murder, when it’s finally revealed felt weak and super underwhelming.
It’s a silly, campy read that might work if you’re in the mood for something ridiculous and not too serious. But if you’re looking for a clever, tightly plotted mystery, this one might leave you wanting more.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Bantam for providing a copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Pub Date: June 24, 2025
First person POV, single narrative
Linear timeline
FMC: Luella van Horn
Setting: Remote, Tropical Island
Murder on Sex Island is narrated by the main character Luella van Horn (Marie Jones). The intimate POV gives the novel a strong comedic voice with her internal monologues, self-deprecating humor, and firsthand reactions as she navigates the ridiculous reality tv show setting.
The book has a unique, absurd premise; an amateur PI posing as a contestant on a raunchy reality dating show to solve a murder. However, I didn’t think that the execution fully lived up to the setup. The humor is quirky and the satire of reality TV is spot-on in parts, with plenty of zany characters and over-the-top situations.
Additionally, there’s just too much going on. Between the endless cast of contestants, behind-the-scenes drama, flashbacks, and fake identities, the story starts to feel chaotic. Despite all the moving parts, it lacks real depth and just felt shallow and immature. Character development is shallow, and many subplots are introduced only to fizzle out. The actual mystery takes a backseat, and the reason for the murder, when it’s finally revealed felt weak and super underwhelming.
It’s a silly, campy read that might work if you’re in the mood for something ridiculous and not too serious. But if you’re looking for a clever, tightly plotted mystery, this one might leave you wanting more.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Bantam for providing a copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Entertaining and well narrated by the author. I'd read a book by her again