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deanamethyst's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
apple_atcha_reading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I did not like this story. The longer I sit on this story I'm kicking myself for not dnf-ing it instead of pushing to finish.
The main character, Maddy, is insufferable. She reads like an entitled spoiled brat who gets offended when it's pointed out to her. The constant talk of designer clothes, uber eats, her "expectations" for a town; it was too much. It was also impossible to gauge how hold this character was meant to be, because she was supposed to be out of college for some time, but didn't know what a VHS tape was. This was published in 2022, so given that information, I'm very confused why Maddy was written that way. I'm a late 90s baby, and I grew up using VHS tapes, so for this character that I interpreted to be older than myself not understanding what a VHS tape was infuriated me and I genuinely thought about it the rest of the book (this was mentioned within the first 10% of reading). Her pity for the people of New Bison, Michigan was so condescending. Her insistence on making the bakery go viral felt very self-fulfilling and selfish to me. Her aunt's bakery was successful and popular with the townsfolk before Maddy came into the picture. I understand wanting to try new things, but she was there for all of a few hours before she wanted to completely revamp their style and image to fit her personal style and image.
Back to the way Maddy was written. I'm not sure if this is because it would be costly to mention a specific social media site every time Maddy posted (which was often), or because the author is unfamiliar with how people Maddy's age would use social media and talk about it. But constantly saying she posted to social media with the hashtags became annoying to hear (I read this as an audio book). The way Maddy spoke about social media did not feel at all authentic to how myself and even other content creators speak.
On to my biggest gripe with this novel especially knowing it was released in 2022. This book had such a positive opinion of United States military and police. Maddy was a navy brat and traveled with her father due to his service, the sheriff was a central character to the plot, and thelove interest was also former military. I don't think I'm in any position to critique what a Black author chooses to write about in their novel centering Black characters, but having this story, written and released post 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and subsequent civil unrest and protests, glamorize and sympathize with multiple police and military figures just did not sit well with me. I understand that in a murder mystery novel there will be some connection to a police character, but it doesn't have to be positive or try to make police or military figures out to be heroes and necessary.
The reason why this gets one star instead of anything lower is because Baby, the English Mastiff, was so frequently in the story. I have no notes for him.
The main character, Maddy, is insufferable. She reads like an entitled spoiled brat who gets offended when it's pointed out to her. The constant talk of designer clothes, uber eats, her "expectations" for a town; it was too much. It was also impossible to gauge how hold this character was meant to be, because she was supposed to be out of college for some time, but didn't know what a VHS tape was. This was published in 2022, so given that information, I'm very confused why Maddy was written that way. I'm a late 90s baby, and I grew up using VHS tapes, so for this character that I interpreted to be older than myself not understanding what a VHS tape was infuriated me and I genuinely thought about it the rest of the book (this was mentioned within the first 10% of reading). Her pity for the people of New Bison, Michigan was so condescending. Her insistence on making the bakery go viral felt very self-fulfilling and selfish to me. Her aunt's bakery was successful and popular with the townsfolk before Maddy came into the picture. I understand wanting to try new things, but she was there for all of a few hours before she wanted to completely revamp their style and image to fit her personal style and image.
Back to the way Maddy was written. I'm not sure if this is because it would be costly to mention a specific social media site every time Maddy posted (which was often), or because the author is unfamiliar with how people Maddy's age would use social media and talk about it. But constantly saying she posted to social media with the hashtags became annoying to hear (I read this as an audio book). The way Maddy spoke about social media did not feel at all authentic to how myself and even other content creators speak.
On to my biggest gripe with this novel especially knowing it was released in 2022. This book had such a positive opinion of United States military and police. Maddy was a navy brat and traveled with her father due to his service, the sheriff was a central character to the plot, and the
The reason why this gets one star instead of anything lower is because Baby, the English Mastiff, was so frequently in the story. I have no notes for him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Murder
thekissballad's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I struggled with rating this because I enjoyed it well enough as the cozy little murder mystery it's intended to be, but there was so much wrong with it that I just couldn't ignore.
The mystery is so full of plot holes, and the ending felt extremely rushed and completely unfinished.
Hashtags in stories. Once or twice I understand depending on the premise. But every single time Maddy takes and posts a picture? Way too much.
Maddy starts off pretty vapid and shallow, just as spoiled as her great-aunt claimed and even more annoying. Those hashtags didn't help. Nor did her being so mistrusting to suddenly trusting everyone.
And can I please vent about how a grown woman didn't know how to cook eggs and I had to read three kindle pages worth of her struggle & breakdown.
Aside from all of that, I did somehow enjoy it? Once there were finally large chunks of mystery solving & no hashtags in sight I could get into the story. Baby totally stole the show, though.
I'll probably read the next book because I'm trying to be better with completing series, and there's only two right now, but it's not a top priority at the moment.
The mystery is so full of plot holes, and the ending felt extremely rushed and completely unfinished.
Hashtags in stories. Once or twice I understand depending on the premise. But every single time Maddy takes and posts a picture? Way too much.
Maddy starts off pretty vapid and shallow, just as spoiled as her great-aunt claimed and even more annoying. Those hashtags didn't help. Nor did her being so mistrusting to suddenly trusting everyone.
And can I please vent about how a grown woman didn't know how to cook eggs and I had to read three kindle pages worth of her struggle & breakdown.
Aside from all of that, I did somehow enjoy it? Once there were finally large chunks of mystery solving & no hashtags in sight I could get into the story. Baby totally stole the show, though.
I'll probably read the next book because I'm trying to be better with completing series, and there's only two right now, but it's not a top priority at the moment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Fire/Fire injury
mysterymom40's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Dementia
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
amberinpieces's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
deidrelj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
Very enjoyable read, good characters that are easy to get invested in. I’m looking forward to more in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
quiet_reader's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
meganpbennett's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
I picked this one up completely from the title, and the dog on the cover did not hurt. I expected a perfectly decent culinary cozy with a little too much emphasis on the bakery, way too much social media, and not enough focus on the crime. I was mistaken, and in a good way. The book was a very entertaining murder mystery, with a touch of romance, just enough emphasis on the bakery and social media, and a solid friendship between the characters. The last quarter of the book are very much a thriller, and Baby is shot though he turns out to be okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
kwaeisig's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
I think this story was an easy mystery to ease my mind with at the end of a long day (I work a lot so it took me way longer than necessary and the book can be finished in one sitting/day honestly).
I do believe that the book ended ABRUPTLY! I yearn for more insight on the support characters of Leroy, April, Ms. Hannah, etc. even learn what happened to Maddy’s (main character) neighbors, the bakery, Maddy’s relationship with Michael, Baby, & Maddy’s relationship with her father, The Admiral.
Though the mystery was “solved” there still MANY unanswered questions at the end about motive, who did what, and why they did what they did.
I did enjoy Maddy’s development from beginning to end and could see parts of myself in her character. The book definitely takes you on a wild ride and I enjoyed it 100%.
I do believe that the book ended ABRUPTLY! I yearn for more insight on the support characters of Leroy, April, Ms. Hannah, etc. even learn what happened to Maddy’s (main character) neighbors, the bakery, Maddy’s relationship with Michael, Baby, & Maddy’s relationship with her father, The Admiral.
Though the mystery was “solved” there still MANY unanswered questions at the end about motive, who did what, and why they did what they did.
I did enjoy Maddy’s development from beginning to end and could see parts of myself in her character. The book definitely takes you on a wild ride and I enjoyed it 100%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
Minor: Animal cruelty and Alcohol
There are some moments where you’re on the edge of your seat, but nothing too graphic.