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msreise's review against another edition
2.0
Free download from amazon and for that I am grateful. I did not finish this book. I made to about 20% and just had to walk away. Life is too short to read a bad book. Addison is a high school teacher who appears to suffer from some type of chronic attention deficit disorder. The writing just didn't capture my attention and I instantly disliked the character. She was too...flighty, scatterbrained for my taste.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
Fun and light story perfect for the holiday weekend. A high school teacher moonlighting at a PI agency runs into all kinds of mishaps in her efforts to solve mysteries. Pretty funny book and a quick read.
neridah's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was going to give the book some points for at least not shaming sex workers, but despite our protagonist stripping out of financial desperation, another sex worker is shamed for doing the same in the next chapter.
The romantic interest is a cop who is a jerk all the time?
This woman suffers 5 concussions in as many days, which would cause serious brain damage, but I am not sure that excuses her transphobia
The character would be kind of fun if everything else was a bit more coherent
The romantic interest is a cop who is a jerk all the time?
This woman suffers 5 concussions in as many days, which would cause serious brain damage, but I am not sure that excuses her
The character would be kind of fun if everything else was a bit more coherent
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, Stalking, and Car accident
dananner's review
3.0
I felt like this book couldn't decide if it was a Harlequin bodice-ripper or an introduction to a new detective series character. At first, Addison Holmes seemed hilariously relatable, but I quickly got tired of hearing about her hair, makeup, and outfits when they didn't really further the story. As a reader, I know Murphy's Law exists, but c'mon! The extreme ridiculousness of some of the things that happened to Addison wouldn't be funny in a sitcom with a laugh track.
Her interactions with Nick weren't really believable considering the circumstances under which they met and his entrances and exits were more like dream sequences or wishful thinking. There was, at least, one continuity error/conversation when Addison is with Kate and Nick appears that really made no sense, it was like the scene was cut from something larger and the information to tie the scenes together was sent down the Well of Lost Plots.
There was very little character development and nothing to entice me to pick up the next book in the series, not even the teaser chapter at the end. Where are the strong, competent female detectives? Maybe the series should be more about Kate.
Her interactions with Nick weren't really believable considering the circumstances under which they met and his entrances and exits were more like dream sequences or wishful thinking. There was, at least, one continuity error/conversation when Addison is with Kate and Nick appears that really made no sense, it was like the scene was cut from something larger and the information to tie the scenes together was sent down the Well of Lost Plots.
There was very little character development and nothing to entice me to pick up the next book in the series, not even the teaser chapter at the end. Where are the strong, competent female detectives? Maybe the series should be more about Kate.
evybobevy's review
3.0
This was an extremely quick read. I procured it, as many others apparently have, through free books on my Kindle.
I enjoyed the mystery and the fun (and dirty) twist at the end but I often found the relationship between Addison and Nick a little ridiculous and forced. I get that it was supposed to instant and electric attraction, but really? Laying it on a bit thick there, aren't we?
Addison is a fun character and, in a way, I relate to her. She's a high school history teacher who has bitten off more than she can chew financially. Car payments, student loans, a taste for expensive furnishings, and a nice car mean that she's living in a crappy apartment that's about to be condemed. To make extra money she tries her hand at stripping and acting as a surveillance person for her BFF's PI firm. She's a klutz and can't help but get herself in to trouble. She's got spunk.
The other characters? Very underdeveloped. Hollow shells really.
I enjoyed the mystery and the fun (and dirty) twist at the end but I often found the relationship between Addison and Nick a little ridiculous and forced. I get that it was supposed to instant and electric attraction, but really? Laying it on a bit thick there, aren't we?
Addison is a fun character and, in a way, I relate to her. She's a high school history teacher who has bitten off more than she can chew financially. Car payments, student loans, a taste for expensive furnishings, and a nice car mean that she's living in a crappy apartment that's about to be condemed. To make extra money she tries her hand at stripping and acting as a surveillance person for her BFF's PI firm. She's a klutz and can't help but get herself in to trouble. She's got spunk.
The other characters? Very underdeveloped. Hollow shells really.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (Not part of the overall rating)
WARNING: I use the word "fun" a lot in this review but seriously it was FUN!
First Thought When Finished: That was totally fun! I needed a light, fun mystery and this filled the spot :)
Story Thoughts: This was just downright a delightful mystery with some pretty good twists and turns! It took me a little bit to get totally caught up in the mystery but once I did, I had fun trying to figure it out. Those are my favorite kinds of mysteries--the ones that you want to figure out. This one, I only got partially right but all the clues were there. The story was plotted out well by Liliana and gave you all the clues to play sleuth along with Addison. Darn it all that I couldn't figure it out before the end :)
Character Thoughts: Holy walking disaster and oh-so fun to read: Addison Holmes is all that and more. I mean how often do you meet a high school teacher who can get themselves into so much trouble? Seriously, right out of the gate this girl is pretty much in one jam or another. She is smart and resourceful but I love that she is full of faults. I kind of would love to be her BFF! She is great leading lady for this story and I hope there are many more mysteries to come!
Audio Thoughts:
Connie did a wonderful job with the narration! I thought the pacing, accents, and emotions were delightful. I will probably continue this series on audio if available.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this mystery and think it would appeal to fans of the Stephanie Plum series (no love triangle which makes it even better in my book). FUN FUN FUN!
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (Not part of the overall rating)
WARNING: I use the word "fun" a lot in this review but seriously it was FUN!
First Thought When Finished: That was totally fun! I needed a light, fun mystery and this filled the spot :)
Story Thoughts: This was just downright a delightful mystery with some pretty good twists and turns! It took me a little bit to get totally caught up in the mystery but once I did, I had fun trying to figure it out. Those are my favorite kinds of mysteries--the ones that you want to figure out. This one, I only got partially right but all the clues were there. The story was plotted out well by Liliana and gave you all the clues to play sleuth along with Addison. Darn it all that I couldn't figure it out before the end :)
Character Thoughts: Holy walking disaster and oh-so fun to read: Addison Holmes is all that and more. I mean how often do you meet a high school teacher who can get themselves into so much trouble? Seriously, right out of the gate this girl is pretty much in one jam or another. She is smart and resourceful but I love that she is full of faults. I kind of would love to be her BFF! She is great leading lady for this story and I hope there are many more mysteries to come!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by Connie Ventress / Running Time 7 hrs and 10 mins
Connie did a wonderful job with the narration! I thought the pacing, accents, and emotions were delightful. I will probably continue this series on audio if available.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this mystery and think it would appeal to fans of the Stephanie Plum series (no love triangle which makes it even better in my book). FUN FUN FUN!
brandiwhyte's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0