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wanderinglynn's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
It started off okay although I didn't totally engage because I couldn't connect to the MC.
The MC is a spoiled, twenty-something with an addiction to social media, which we see on the first page. On top of that, she's supposed to have graduated Stanford and speak six languages, but yet is shown to be completely incompetent. It just didn't jibe. I mean, I get not being able to cook if you've never done it. But she's clearly adept at social media, so why would she not google it? And I can accept a mishap or two, but how in the world does the first two eggs she cracks onto the floor? Or get all over herself? Shells in the bowl I can understand, but beyond that, how incompetent can she be? But then she turns around and bakes an award winning chocolate cake? Um, no, not buying it.
Then her lack of tack was a bit much. I mean she posted a picture of the bakery that was set on fire right after someone was murdered in it. I also found the bold hashtags throughout the book to be distracting. And the romance set up between her and Michael had no real spark. Of course, I didn't think any of the characters were well developed.
Despite that I was turned off by the MC from the first page, I stuck with it because it was an easy read. But after the half-way point, I started skimming because the story started to drag. Several of the chapters are super short, only a page or two, mostly regurgitating what had already been discussed or discovered.
I also thought the execution of the "investigation" was bit too easy. She just happens to find another hidden tape from her Aunt just when she needs another clue. It was obvious from the first who the bad guy is and I thought Maddy was wicked oblivious especially since one of her Aunt's tapes practically tells her. But the story continues to drag out with fragments of reasons and loose threads for the murders floating about. And yet, the ending was resolved within the last 5% of the book with several loose threads remaining and those fragments become a couple big holes.
For one, Brad makes a bit deal several times early in the story about being allergic to peanuts/nuts, even showing Maddy his epi-pen once. Then after the big reveal, Brad "went into some type of shock" and died. And yet, no one even thinks of mentioning his allergy? Um, hello? Won't an autopsy prove his cause of death?
And within a page of the crime resolution, pretty much the entire cast is wiping their hands and going back to their business. This is a pan for me and I won't be reading any more of the series.
The MC is a spoiled, twenty-something with an addiction to social media, which we see on the first page. On top of that, she's supposed to have graduated Stanford and speak six languages, but yet is shown to be completely incompetent. It just didn't jibe. I mean, I get not being able to cook if you've never done it. But she's clearly adept at social media, so why would she not google it? And I can accept a mishap or two, but how in the world does the first two eggs she cracks onto the floor? Or get all over herself? Shells in the bowl I can understand, but beyond that, how incompetent can she be? But then she turns around and bakes an award winning chocolate cake? Um, no, not buying it.
Then her lack of tack was a bit much. I mean she posted a picture of the bakery that was set on fire right after someone was murdered in it. I also found the bold hashtags throughout the book to be distracting. And the romance set up between her and Michael had no real spark. Of course, I didn't think any of the characters were well developed.
Despite that I was turned off by the MC from the first page, I stuck with it because it was an easy read. But after the half-way point, I started skimming because the story started to drag. Several of the chapters are super short, only a page or two, mostly regurgitating what had already been discussed or discovered.
I also thought the execution of the "investigation" was bit too easy. She just happens to find another hidden tape from her Aunt just when she needs another clue. It was obvious from the first who the bad guy is and I thought Maddy was wicked oblivious especially since one of her Aunt's tapes practically tells her. But the story continues to drag out with fragments of reasons and loose threads for the murders floating about. And yet, the ending was resolved within the last 5% of the book with several loose threads remaining and those fragments become a couple big holes.
And within a page of the crime resolution, pretty much the entire cast is wiping their hands and going back to their business. This is a pan for me and I won't be reading any more of the series.
bookjunkie1975's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
chenreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ronnieeee7's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.75
*Kind of a spoiler alert*
OMG it was such a cute little mystery. It kept me engaged the entire book, like I could've easily read it in one night. The ending still has me questioning a couple things like: who actually killed auntie if it wasn't you know who? did someone kill you know who? Dun dun duuun.
I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
OMG it was such a cute little mystery. It kept me engaged the entire book, like I could've easily read it in one night. The ending still has me questioning a couple things like: who actually killed auntie if it wasn't you know who? did someone kill you know who? Dun dun duuun.
I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
prettypious's review against another edition
4.0
A cute little cozy mystery starring a Black woman whose doctor fiance left her at the alter and that has inherited her dead aunt's bakery, home, and dog. Once someone is murdered everyone is trying to figure out who dun it! The main character was likeable though the social media hastag stuff was a bit much for me, I know that it is consistent with the times.
princesscinna's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sprklngglassslipper's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
revoli's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kelsmurr's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0