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A review by aconitecafe
Pineapple Pack: Pineapple Port Mystery Series Books 1-3 by Amy Vansant
5.0
Book 1
Who knew a retirement community could be so much fun?!
Loved the concept of this world building, a girl being raised by a retirement community, and staying there into her adult years. She def. fit right in with the retirees and their gossip mill.
All of the cast was unique and relatable. From the busy body, to those living in the past of their failed dreams. A great array of retirees, creeps, and friends.
Charlette's personal journey through this book with her life purpose struggles was relatable and I hope it will continue into the next book. Loved all her quirks, and her side hustle. Cute concept throughout the story. The romance felt rushed, would have preferred a slow build over books. Especially for where they were putting Charlette experience wise.
The mystery was a nice convoluted one. It did take the cast a bit longer than I expected to untangle the mess, but it leaned into the armatures aspects of their sleuthing. With how this mystery panned out I am excited to see what the next one is about.
You'll love this book if you love cozy mysteries that involve a retired cast and punny banter.
Note: This book is written in 3rd person with multi POVs. While I do think it added more to the mystery, it was a change from the normal 1st person, single POV cozies. There was also mild profanity & drug use.
Book 2
The characters in these books are so hilarious.
Loved getting more back story to many of the cast members, and seeing Charlotte stumble through learning how to become an investigator. I like that while she is the sleuth, the story doesn't revolve around her, but more revolves around the residents of Pineapple Port.
I did feel like this book dragged in a few places, and was a bit longer than it needed to be. A few strings within each of the various storylines needed more suspension of disbelief than usual but it didn't pull me from the plot. The convoluted multi mystery was unique, and I enjoyed discovering the culprit for each case.
Can't wait to see Charlotte grow as a person and a sleuth.
Book 3
This installment was a bit problematic for me, but I adore the cast, and found the storyline to be unique and thrilling at points so I'm still 5 staring it.
I love that Charlotte is having to work at being a PI. Being observant, finding clues, etc. isn't coming easy to her and it makes the storyline so realistic. She had a crazy career idea and is having to work for it. Each mini case around the port that she gets is simple yet, a learning experience. I excited to watch this skill of her develop as the series goes on.
Now to the problematic stuff.
The entire Stephanie storyline is so hard to buy. I kept thinking "but why" throughout most of her chapters. I am not looking forward to her being a main character. Who just casually lets their crazy cheater ex come over, or speak to them?? I've been puzzling over this since she appeared in the last book, but now it's clear that her being allowed to stay had to happen because she needed to be in the picture to be in this book. After the scare in the last book, any logical person would have ex communicated her, not just giggled off her crazy behavior.
The added POVs to give the reader spoilers were also ugh for me. It's like the book couldn't decide who was the main character and what the main plot line was. Is it adorable Charlotte, hunting down her port mysteries. Or is it Stephanieserial killing it up just like her mom ?!?
While I loved the shocking reveal in Jamie's storyline, the connections revealed between Stephanie and Jamie were over the top for me. Like it was done for pure shock value.
I don't know, this book book left me with thoughts. lol I know I'll continue onto the next because i am curious who is lead, and the cast gives me a good laugh, but this book, and any where Stephanie's over the top storyline dominate won't be favorites of mine.
I'm also now rooting for Charlotte to leave Declan because no one has time for someone who can't push off an ex. She deserves better.
Who knew a retirement community could be so much fun?!
Loved the concept of this world building, a girl being raised by a retirement community, and staying there into her adult years. She def. fit right in with the retirees and their gossip mill.
All of the cast was unique and relatable. From the busy body, to those living in the past of their failed dreams. A great array of retirees, creeps, and friends.
Charlette's personal journey through this book with her life purpose struggles was relatable and I hope it will continue into the next book. Loved all her quirks, and her side hustle. Cute concept throughout the story. The romance felt rushed, would have preferred a slow build over books. Especially for where they were putting Charlette experience wise.
The mystery was a nice convoluted one. It did take the cast a bit longer than I expected to untangle the mess, but it leaned into the armatures aspects of their sleuthing. With how this mystery panned out I am excited to see what the next one is about.
You'll love this book if you love cozy mysteries that involve a retired cast and punny banter.
Note: This book is written in 3rd person with multi POVs. While I do think it added more to the mystery, it was a change from the normal 1st person, single POV cozies. There was also mild profanity & drug use.
Book 2
The characters in these books are so hilarious.
Loved getting more back story to many of the cast members, and seeing Charlotte stumble through learning how to become an investigator. I like that while she is the sleuth, the story doesn't revolve around her, but more revolves around the residents of Pineapple Port.
I did feel like this book dragged in a few places, and was a bit longer than it needed to be. A few strings within each of the various storylines needed more suspension of disbelief than usual but it didn't pull me from the plot. The convoluted multi mystery was unique, and I enjoyed discovering the culprit for each case.
Can't wait to see Charlotte grow as a person and a sleuth.
Book 3
This installment was a bit problematic for me, but I adore the cast, and found the storyline to be unique and thrilling at points so I'm still 5 staring it.
I love that Charlotte is having to work at being a PI. Being observant, finding clues, etc. isn't coming easy to her and it makes the storyline so realistic. She had a crazy career idea and is having to work for it. Each mini case around the port that she gets is simple yet, a learning experience. I excited to watch this skill of her develop as the series goes on.
Now to the problematic stuff.
The entire Stephanie storyline is so hard to buy. I kept thinking "but why" throughout most of her chapters. I am not looking forward to her being a main character. Who just casually lets their crazy cheater ex come over, or speak to them?? I've been puzzling over this since she appeared in the last book, but now it's clear that her being allowed to stay had to happen because she needed to be in the picture to be in this book. After the scare in the last book, any logical person would have ex communicated her, not just giggled off her crazy behavior.
The added POVs to give the reader spoilers were also ugh for me. It's like the book couldn't decide who was the main character and what the main plot line was. Is it adorable Charlotte, hunting down her port mysteries. Or is it Stephanie
While I loved the shocking reveal in Jamie's storyline, the connections revealed between Stephanie and Jamie were over the top for me. Like it was done for pure shock value.
I don't know, this book book left me with thoughts. lol I know I'll continue onto the next because i am curious who is lead, and the cast gives me a good laugh, but this book, and any where Stephanie's over the top storyline dominate won't be favorites of mine.
I'm also now rooting for Charlotte to leave Declan because no one has time for someone who can't push off an ex. She deserves better.