Scan barcode
mickid_booksnbees's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
jessiesreadingcorner's review
5.0
As seen on my blog (Jessie's Reading Corner):
What do you get when you mix comedy with a little mystery and a lot of steam? You get, Fish Out of Water; the debut novel by Josie Watts!
Julia Murray is the youngest resident at Sweet Side Apartments, a retirement community that she accidentally rented a room from when she moved to Florida. Aside from working as an arborist, she spends her days helping the elderly residents find things that have gone missing. When one of the residents asks her to look after his fish and get his mail for him, she thinks nothing of it. Until she ends up in a broom closet with a naked Grant Servantes, the resident's nephew. What follows is a really funny, high heat mystery that involves banana pants, White Claws, and cow slippers.
I really loved Julia and Grant in this book! I loved their snarky and witty conversations. I loved watching them fall for each other. I loved that they couldn't get enough of each other. I loved that Julia showed Grant that people do accept and love you for who you are and that you don't need to change to "fit a mold." The other characters in this book were a hoot (especially Grant's grandmother) and I can't wait to see if we see more of them in future Scandal at Sweet Side books!
All in all a great debut novel by Josie Watts and I can't wait to read more from her!
What do you get when you mix comedy with a little mystery and a lot of steam? You get, Fish Out of Water; the debut novel by Josie Watts!
Julia Murray is the youngest resident at Sweet Side Apartments, a retirement community that she accidentally rented a room from when she moved to Florida. Aside from working as an arborist, she spends her days helping the elderly residents find things that have gone missing. When one of the residents asks her to look after his fish and get his mail for him, she thinks nothing of it. Until she ends up in a broom closet with a naked Grant Servantes, the resident's nephew. What follows is a really funny, high heat mystery that involves banana pants, White Claws, and cow slippers.
I really loved Julia and Grant in this book! I loved their snarky and witty conversations. I loved watching them fall for each other. I loved that they couldn't get enough of each other. I loved that Julia showed Grant that people do accept and love you for who you are and that you don't need to change to "fit a mold." The other characters in this book were a hoot (especially Grant's grandmother) and I can't wait to see if we see more of them in future Scandal at Sweet Side books!
All in all a great debut novel by Josie Watts and I can't wait to read more from her!
readlovereviewblog's review
4.0
This romantic comedy story is fabulous, funny, and very action-packed with a mystery to solve and some intriguing events. Grant and Julia are matches made in heaven, his family is funny and fierce, and I absolutely loved this read. The entire story takes place in Florida. I love the inclusion of the retirement community and small town. This book ends happily, and all the problems are solved; it is a light-hearted read with a bit of steam.
Julia scored an exciting apartment in the middle of a retirement community. Now she gets to deal with the people at all times of the day or night. One of her late-night visitors, Mr. Frazier, seems a little stranger than most and starts the mystery in this book.
She has a penchant for disaster in the most epic ways, and I can just visualize some of this as I am reading. We meet Grant, the great nephew of her neighbor, and things get heated and suspenseful.
The things from Julia's mouth are so witty and fantastic that you can't help but laugh. I love the banter between her and Grant. Can they find his uncle, keep their hands on each other, and stay safe while they figure this out?
Things get hot and dangerous, and some very memorable scenes take place. The actual Grant is impressive when he loses his finely guarded control. I also love how unique and unapologetically weird Juila is; she is refreshing. Grant is screwed when he finally admits Julia is a catch; there is no going back. His grandmother is hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. They do solve the mystery, and the story ending is sweet.
Julia scored an exciting apartment in the middle of a retirement community. Now she gets to deal with the people at all times of the day or night. One of her late-night visitors, Mr. Frazier, seems a little stranger than most and starts the mystery in this book.
She has a penchant for disaster in the most epic ways, and I can just visualize some of this as I am reading. We meet Grant, the great nephew of her neighbor, and things get heated and suspenseful.
The things from Julia's mouth are so witty and fantastic that you can't help but laugh. I love the banter between her and Grant. Can they find his uncle, keep their hands on each other, and stay safe while they figure this out?
Things get hot and dangerous, and some very memorable scenes take place. The actual Grant is impressive when he loses his finely guarded control. I also love how unique and unapologetically weird Juila is; she is refreshing. Grant is screwed when he finally admits Julia is a catch; there is no going back. His grandmother is hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. They do solve the mystery, and the story ending is sweet.
mycatismybookmark's review
4.0
Oh my goodness, I don't remember what author or book newsletter featured Fish out of Water but I'm so glad they did! Laugh-out-loud hilarious, witty, steamy and so much fun! Julia and Gran't story was exactly the kind of romantic comedy I needed, and I am excitedly looking forward to Out on a Limb featuring Collette and Andrew.
talk_wordy_to_me's review
5.0
This was an incredibly refreshing contemporary romance book. Jules lives in a retirement complex and the cast of older, quirky characters around her add so much humor and heart to the story. This book was a delight from start to finish, unexpected at times and consistently funny. Occasionally I read lines out loud to my husband (who did not care) because I was laughing out loud.
Highly recommend if you're looking for a romance with some mystery and a main character who is unabashedly herself, all wrapped up in a fun, sexy, and funny package.
Highly recommend if you're looking for a romance with some mystery and a main character who is unabashedly herself, all wrapped up in a fun, sexy, and funny package.
thewyblib's review
2.0
This book was just not for me and I am not sure why. It took me forever to read. I found myself not wanting to pick it up and rejoiced when it was over. That seems extreme and a little unfair. I was excited to pick up my next read though. I can't believe it took me so long to read. That said..it could have just been me. It probably was. It's got good banter, some drama, sexy times, good community of neighbors, a wonderful spunky grandma. All these really good ingredients for a great recipe but it still didn't come out of the oven five stars for me, which is a bummer. This book was all over the place for me with storylines and quirky details, it felt a bit overwhelming for me at times.
nikiryther's review
5.0
hilarious
1- I need a Sylvia in my life.
2- this story was absolutely hilarious. Bessie and Bertha, the attack swan, the hilarious banter, entertaining side characters… absolutely everything about this story was perfect. Definitely a book any romcom lover would enjoy!
1- I need a Sylvia in my life.
2- this story was absolutely hilarious. Bessie and Bertha, the attack swan, the hilarious banter, entertaining side characters… absolutely everything about this story was perfect. Definitely a book any romcom lover would enjoy!
doc_savage's review
3.0
Well, it was a quick romance read, that’s for sure. Not sure how I feel about the lust-to-love at first sight trope, but the next book seems more promising. I did enjoy the mystery/suspense plot.
edparkerbooks's review
4.0
Fun and not what I was expecting
This was a fun read, definitely not exactly what I expected but it was highly entertaining. Loved Sylvia. My spirit Granny.
This was a fun read, definitely not exactly what I expected but it was highly entertaining. Loved Sylvia. My spirit Granny.