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cutenanya's review
2.0
Murder at a great beach resort should be a perfect premise for a cozy murder mystery, not to mention a hot guy should be a big plus. Unfortunately, upon finishing this book, I find myself utterly disappointed because the plot is just too thin and with plenty of holes. I listen to the audiobook version so I may misspell the name of some characters.
What bothered me more was that when Aphra's dad was dying and Hisako said she would go out and look for herbs to save her dad, didn't she wonder how Hisako knew what kind of herb to look for without even peeking at her dad's condition? I can understand she may panic at the thought of her dad dying but from a tough strong girl who will go all the way to be the mark to buy time for her dad's surgery, I think it's a bit crazy she didn't notice this.
Still further, I think the reason why Bianca was murdered (and thus the title of this book) was just too crazy. A hitwoman killing a woman just to lure the doctor out into the open so she could kill him? Come on, I thought a hitwoman for the government or CIA or whatever powerful evil organization should know better than to kill an innocent woman for that lame purpose. I mean there might be other doctors or medical professionals on the island and they could have saved Bianca anyway.
With so many problems in the plot, I am really considering hard as to whether I should read the sequel though I like Seth and I think the interactions between Aphra and Seth sweet and cute.
Spoiler
In the beginning, I think Aphra is a strong willed and efficient girl, assisting her dad running the hotel and throughout the book, she has proven herself to be tough and brave. Unfortunately, too many of her actions just don't make sense and totally deviate from her initial character. She tried to keep distance from her guest so that she would not be emotionally damaged when it's time to say farewell, yet, after Bianca's death, the cool headed girl gradually deteriorated, to the extent that toward the end, she just spilled everything to Hisako.What bothered me more was that when Aphra's dad was dying and Hisako said she would go out and look for herbs to save her dad, didn't she wonder how Hisako knew what kind of herb to look for without even peeking at her dad's condition? I can understand she may panic at the thought of her dad dying but from a tough strong girl who will go all the way to be the mark to buy time for her dad's surgery, I think it's a bit crazy she didn't notice this.
Still further, I think the reason why Bianca was murdered (and thus the title of this book) was just too crazy. A hitwoman killing a woman just to lure the doctor out into the open so she could kill him? Come on, I thought a hitwoman for the government or CIA or whatever powerful evil organization should know better than to kill an innocent woman for that lame purpose. I mean there might be other doctors or medical professionals on the island and they could have saved Bianca anyway.
With so many problems in the plot, I am really considering hard as to whether I should read the sequel though I like Seth and I think the interactions between Aphra and Seth sweet and cute.
sammiehinze's review
5.0
I really though that this book was really good! I was expecting it to he some lame so called "funny" book, but it wasn't. It was about a girl who, well you'll have to take my advice and just read it.
parpacifica's review
4.0
I can't be trusted to write a review for this story because I read this at a time when I had some seriously questionable tastes. I remember really loving this story.
But I feel like like this one was genuinely good.
Interesting plot + cool characters + cute romance =perfect for my attention-deficient brain, at the time.
But I feel like like this one was genuinely good.
Interesting plot + cool characters + cute romance =perfect for my attention-deficient brain, at the time.
quietweather's review
3.0
Finally! I finished it!
The book sounded interesting enough but god! It took me until more than halfway through the book to find it the least bit interesting.
The story is about a girl named Aphra who lives in a hotel on a secret island her dad runs. She finds a dead body of someone she knew and when a mysterious family comes along literally the day she died, she can't help but feel suspicious.
I loved the twist at the end! Who knew that that particular person would have been the killer. Although the writing wasn't extraordinary or even that interesting at times, the story pulled through at the end. Aphra was cunning but a bit whiny and always second guessing people. She is still really affected by her mom's absence and I can't believe her dad didn't notice that!
This really didn't seem like the first book in the series. There was too much explaining at the beginning, the author should have made the book start when her mother left her, like a flash back. But the book was okay, Seth was an excellent character, a bit too gushy or predictable at times considering he was supposed to be the tough protective guy.
I'll give it 3 stars for the about last 60 pages, that's the only reason I liked this book.
kelleemoye's review
4.0
The books follow Aphra Connolly who lives at a resort on an island with her father. Her mother left them 4 years ago. Everything is normal until Seth Smith and his family show up. Soon Aphra begins to realize that the "Smith" family isn't everything that they say they are.
The series is filled with mystery, action, and twists and turns that are unexpected.
The series is filled with mystery, action, and twists and turns that are unexpected.
elliotalderson's review
2.0
Aphra Connolly has a life that most teenage girls would kill to have. She lives on a tropical island where lots of famous people go to vacation. However, Aphra doesn't see her life on the island as that amazing. Her mother didn't move with Aphra and her father, and she hasn't seen her in about 4 years. When an unannounced guest arrives and makes her father start acting weird, Aphra is sure something is going on. Then the guarded Seth arrives with his family, and something is going on with them, too. Aphra's drawn to him and wants to know more about him. This is when Aphra finds a body on the beach. She's not sure what's going on all of a sudden on the island, but she's determined to find out.
Death by Bikini was a fast read and it definitely had it's moments where it sucked me in. But in the end, I thought the story could have been developed better. I wasn't really feeling Aphra's attraction to Seth, because I didn't feel it was developed enough.
There is currently one sequel to this book, with another coming out in May. I'm sure I'll be picking them up to read more about Aphra and find out more about Seth.
Death by Bikini was a fast read and it definitely had it's moments where it sucked me in. But in the end, I thought the story could have been developed better. I wasn't really feeling Aphra's attraction to Seth, because I didn't feel it was developed enough.
There is currently one sequel to this book, with another coming out in May. I'm sure I'll be picking them up to read more about Aphra and find out more about Seth.
kristid's review
3.0
Who wouldn’t dream of living on a tropical island, spending their days basking in the sun next the calming ocean. I know I do! Aphra lives on a tropical island but it isn’t all fun in the sun. She works at the only resort on the island that is owned by her father. It is the type of secluded resort that appeals to the rich and famous. Aphra longs for teenage normalcy and it seems she may have her wish when some unexpected guest arrive. Unexpected guests, who happened to bring their son, their very cute son, Seth.
Aphra doesn’t have time to dwell on Seth’s cuteness, when the body of one of the guests is found dead on the beach, strangled in her own bikini strings. Unwilling to accept the death as an accident, Aphra discovers clues that may be pointing the blame at Seth’s family.
Death by Bikini was an entertaining mystery suspense thriller! Just when I though I had everything figured out, there was a new twist to throw me off the trail. I enjoyed Aphra’s character and her fearlessness. I can’t wait to read more about her in Death by Latte! If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable and suspenseful read, look no further! Death by Bikini will be sure to fill your need!
Aphra doesn’t have time to dwell on Seth’s cuteness, when the body of one of the guests is found dead on the beach, strangled in her own bikini strings. Unwilling to accept the death as an accident, Aphra discovers clues that may be pointing the blame at Seth’s family.
Death by Bikini was an entertaining mystery suspense thriller! Just when I though I had everything figured out, there was a new twist to throw me off the trail. I enjoyed Aphra’s character and her fearlessness. I can’t wait to read more about her in Death by Latte! If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable and suspenseful read, look no further! Death by Bikini will be sure to fill your need!
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
what a fun light read full of mystery and fun characters. It's a very quick read with a quirky main character called Alphra.
Adam/Seth was a cute addition to the usual mystery and the tropical setting was just wonderful to read when it's cold where I live right now!
Adam/Seth was a cute addition to the usual mystery and the tropical setting was just wonderful to read when it's cold where I live right now!