Reviews

Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

mpr2000's review against another edition

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4.0

Paisley has returned to her home village to take care of her inheritance, a wedding planner business... she just wants to stay there for a couple of months and then sell the business... but when she is the first suspect of one of her clients, all her plans will change!

This is an hilarious book, were all the characters have a sweet and funny part on the plot, even when their life was not easy...
This is one of those books where the case is not the most important part of the book, this doesn't mean that it is not interesting, just that the best of the book are the characters and the neighborhood, it adds a little spice to the story! The crazy aunties with all her CIA ideas, the attractive neighbour and the nice co-workers will make Paisley start healing from her past and start being happy, maybe?
The bridezilla murder is not surprising, she wasn't a trustworthy person and her favourite hobby was to take advantage of the people around her secrets and dreams, so, who wouldn't want to kill her?
This is the first book of this series, but I can't wait to read the next one!
Who would want to kill you?

meezcarrie's review against another edition

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5.0

Fair warning: this will be a long review b/c there is much to love about this fabulous book! If that annoys you, go check out my shorter review on Amazon lol.

First things first: COVER LOVE!!!! Who’s with me?!?

Second – WHOLE BOOK LOVE!!

I adore this book, these characters, and Jenny B. Jones’ style. Hilarity abounds between Paisley’s sassy narrative voice, a small Southern town, and her grandmother’s group of sexy-book-reading-matchmaking former spies. Sylvie (Paisley's grandmother) says completely delightful things like:

“And if we need to, we’ll prove [your innocence] to the whole world
Or surgically alter your face and send you to my friends in Nairobi.”

The mystery is really well-plotted with several potential suspects and just as many opportunities for Grandma Sylvie and her CIA cohort 
 or Beau (more on him in a moment) to help Paisley keep herself out of jail. In typical cozy mystery fashion, of course.

Third – BEAU LOVE!!!

Let’s all take a moment to appreciate Beau
. sexy, next-door-neighbor Beau with a gravelly drawl and a tender spot for Paisley and some awesome ex-military moves. The romantic tension in this book is fabulously swoonlicious but it won’t overpower the story for those readers who prefer more cozy mystery and less cozying up. But 
 I mean
 how can you resist this?

"His eyes 
 reflected his protective nature, his loyalty, and unspoken stories he unwittingly carried like the shrapnel in his leg. On the drive, I kept finding myself asking Beau questions just to hear his voice. It was a voice that could narrate books – and a girl’s fantasies."

Oh be still my book-boyfriend-collecting heart!

FOURTH – JENNY B. JONES LOVE!

This is my first Jenny B. Jones book and it will not be my last! The way she turns a phrase, the perfect comedic timing, the beautiful imagery her words evoke. I’m going to be adding her backlist to my TBR pile post-haste. This quote is perhaps my favorite part of the entire book (and that includes Beau’s scenes! lol):

"This was home.
For most of my life I’d wanted nothing to do with it.
But it welcomed me back all the same, gathered me to its freshly laundered bosom, and said, “Child, I’m gonna love you anyway.”
Home."

Y’all. That’s grace summed up in 4 sentences. Just beautiful.

Bottom Line: Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones is a truly enjoyable read from page 1 until the very end. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, keep-a-fan-handy swoony and Southern-belle sassy – all while weaving a mystery that will keep you guessing! Jenny B. Jones’ way with words and her sense of humor are the icing on the wedding cake in this bridal-salon-turned-crime-scene mystery novel. And while this is not Christian fiction, the author’s faith is clearly – if gently – felt.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is the SuperPower

jus_alli's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense 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

5.0

mclaudia's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

love_bookswillbetheendofme's review against another edition

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5.0

Another amazing read by this lovely author! I love the quirky characters that pepper Jenny B. Jones' works. Sylvie is definitely related to Mad Maxine! Henry was also a hilarious addition to the story. I loved his sass. I can't wait to see what happens with Paisley's and Beau's relationship!

booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition

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1.0

About this book:

“When a washed-up pop star inherits a wedding planning business, it’s all bouquets and bliss until a bride turns up dead.
Paisley Sutton shot to stardom as a teenage rock sensation, but ten years later that star has fizzled out, just like her bank account. When she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s wedding planning business, Paisley leaves the glamour of Los Angeles for a charming small town in Arkansas. Thinking she’ll arrive in Sugar Creek and liquidate the moldly property, Paisley’s shocked to find Enchanted Events has experienced a major makeover and is now the place for brides. She’s got two months to keep Enchanted Events afloat if she wants to sell and rekindle her music career with the profits.
Paisley’s tossed into a world of vows and venues, but her most difficult challenge comes in the form of one demanding bride. When this Bridezilla’s found facedown in her cake, all fingers point to Paisley as the prime murder suspect. And she does not look good in prison orange.
This former pop princess will need the help of her gun-toting, ex-CIA grandmother and her handsome neighbor, Beau Hudson, to unravel the mystery and clear her good name. As she and her unruly posse dig into Bridezilla’s life, she discovers the woman had a long list of enemies. The closer Paisley gets to the truth, the more her own life is in danger.
Love is in the air this wedding season, but before Paisley can help the ladies of Sugar Creek say, “I do,” she’s got to unveil a killer. Or find herself the next target.”



Series: Book #1 in the “Enchanted Events” series.


Spiritual Content- Prayers; Thanking God a few of times; Some ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of chapels, churches, church going, church events, Sunday school classes, Bible studies, sermons, & pastors; A few mentions of prayer meetings; A few mentions of being baptized & a youth group; A few mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of saints; A couple mentions of sin; A mention of being blessed; A mention of a deacon; A mention of spiritual warfare; A mention of holy water; A mention of Hail Mary prayers; A mention of someone crossing;
*Note: A few mentions of angels, dark angels, & demons; A few mentions of zen; A couple mentions of religious extremists & cult leaders; A couple mentions of devilishly handsome men; A couple mentions of miracle working powers; A mention of the witching hour; A mention of an NFL god; A mention of voodoo dolls; A mention of ghosts; A mention of a portal of hell.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘BS’, a ‘darn it’, a ‘heck’, a ‘witch’, two ‘shoot’s, three ‘darn’s, three forms of ‘dumb’, three ‘oh my gosh’s, five ‘geez’s, six ‘gosh’s, six forms of ‘screw up’, eight ‘stupid’s, 9 forms of ‘crap’; Sass, Sarcasm, & Eye rolling; Finding a body, blood, & being accused of murder (up to semi-detailed); Pain, Being attacked, bleeding, fighting, injuries, passing out, & a fire (up to semi-detailed); A break-in (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of a body, blood, the murder, & the killer (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of drinking, champagne, a bottle as a murder weapon, & needing a bottle to drink; Mentions of past wars, fighting wars, deaths, sniper fire, injuries, & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of setting a place on fire, planning to murder someone, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of terrorists, bombs/explosives, & spies; Mentions of criminals, prisons, jails, & being arrested; Mentions of DUI, a car crash, & being arrested; Mentions of threats & blackmail; Mentions of stealing; Mentions of cocaine/crack, drugs & medications/prescriptions; Mentions of drunks, bars, alcohol/booze, moonshine, beers, whiskey, wine, & cocktails; Mentions of gambling & betting; Mentions of loans, loan sharks, debts, beatings & expecting one; Mentions of a break-in, burglar, & torn-up stuff; Mentions of slashed tires; Mentions of nightmares & yelling out; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of roadkill & hunting; A few mentions of a drunk party (that didn’t happen); A couple mentions of serial killers; A couple mentions of suicides; A couple mentions of an internment camp; A couple mentions of spiking drinks; A couple mentions of a liquor store; A couple mentions of divorce; A couple mentions of cigarettes; A couple mentions of tattoos; A couple mentions of diarrhea; A couple mentions of a urine sample; A couple mentions of cheating on a test; A mention of mobsters; A mention of robbing a bank; A mention of poison; A mention of a drunken college rave; A mention of wild parties; A mention of tobacco; A mention of throwing up; A mention of dog pee; A mention of needing to pee; A mention of being gassy;
*Note: Mentions of celebrities/singers (Elvis, Cher, Madonna, BeyoncĂ©, Adele, Lady Gaga, Olivia Newton John, Oprah, the Kardashians, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, George Strait, Idris Elba, Jerry Springer, Richard Simmons, George Clooney, & Wes Craven); Mentions of bands (Rolling Stones & Aerosmith); Mentions of brand-names (Justin, Ray-Bans, Ralph Lauren, BMW, & Mercedes-Benz); A few mentions of Barbie dolls; A couple mentions of serial killer characters (Freddy Krueger & Jason Voorhees); A couple mentions of People magazine; A mention of Starbucks; A mention of Girl Scouts; A mention of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream; A mention of Jeopardy!; A mention of an alien invasion.


Sexual Content- three cheek kisses, an almost (semi-detailed) kiss, and a very-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Heat, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Smelling, & Butterflies (up to semi-detailed); a ‘bimbo’, a ‘hot stuff’, a ‘rake’, two ‘babe’s, nine ‘hot’s, nine ‘sexy’s; Mentions of a ‘Sexy Book Club’ with senior women reading hot romances (barely-above-not-detailed mentions about a man’s pecs & kissing techniques; it’s mentioned about something dirty said, the ladies also fan themselves); Mentions of smutty romance books; Mentions of affairs & infidelity; Mentions of a college girl’s crush on a her married professor (she dressed in a provocative outfit once; they did have an affair at one point, however); Mentions of making out sessions, lip locking, & canoodling; Mentions of an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of kisses & a bad kisser (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of touches & not touching (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a cheating ex-fiancĂ©; Mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, stealing a friend’s boyfriend, dating, dates, breakups, & exes; Mentions of flirting; A few mentions of reputations & compromising a girl; A few mentions of morals & compromising them; A couple mentions of winks; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a man’s voice being “rumpled-sheets sexy’; A mention of an invitation to join someone in bed; A mention of the police being in bed with the Russians; A mention of a man seducing every woman in a town; A mention of a harem; A mention of a girl’s fantasies (nothing said); A mention of wanting to throw yourself to a guy; A mention of a man that women want to devour; A mention of hanky-panky; A mention of a bachelorette party where a man leaps out from a cake in his skivvies (it doesn’t happen); A mention of a Sexy Single Seniors group & a profile picture showing lots of skin; A mention of lingerie for a honeymoon; A mention of a mother running off after having a baby at age seventeen; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: Beau catches Paisley coming out of the bathroom wearing a towel that “barely covered up the goods” (it’s mentioned that he lingers looking at her legs, but nothing else is mentioned sexually); Many mentions of bras, boobs (along with slang for them), & strapless dresses; A few mentions of underwear & unmentionables; A few mentions of skin-tight clothes; A couple mentions of curves & figures; A couple mentions of a butt bow on a dress; A couple mentions of feminine productions; A couple mentions of pole dancing; A couple mentions of a man in a cross-dressing cabaret; A couple mentions of “a well-placed knee to [a man’s] manly bits” (it didn’t happen); A mention of kicking a man in his “squishy parts”; A mention of women thinking a guy isn’t straight (he is, though); A mention of paternity suits; A mention of a drag queen convention; A mention of female wiles; A mention of shooting dynamite at a person’s tochus; A mention of working a butt off; A mention of wearing booty shorts.

-Paisley Sutton, age 28(?)
1st person P.O.V. of Paisley
361 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Jenny B. Jones has always been an author I’ll watch. She has a talent for lots of sass and sarcasm with detailed, zany characters. Unfortunately, there’s always some content that I think could have been left out or comments that didn’t need to be said.
I don’t want to give this book a one-star rating. I never want to give a one-star rating. It’s so disappointing and sad and discouraging when I have to give a low rating because of content. {Especially one with such a great cover. I adore the colors and style of this cover.} But the thing is: I can’t, I just can’t, give a book that accepts smutty romance books as okay—something BFCG is highly against—a rating anything higher than one-star.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2017/05/engaged-in-trouble-by-jenny-b-jones.html


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

sanukipityreads's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

A very lovely cozy mystery with a little unrequited romance mixed in

ashleyraye's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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

4.0

I can't get enough of this author's writing! I love all of the quirky humor mixed in, it makes the characters seem really to me. Maybe because that is my type of humor.

The characters are all interesting. There are some characters from other books in this one, so it was nice to see them again. The main characters in this story had some things they had to work through. They weren't perfect in any way and that showed through. They were themselves, human. They made mistakes and hurt each other's feelings. It was true to life and realistic for those situations. Some might find a few of the characters to be wacky, but you have to love them for it.

The story felt more like chick lot with a twist of mystery. There was some romance thrown in and I hope that continued throughout the series. I liked that it wasn't strictly mystery, I sometimes find those boring. The characters are mostly there to be a means to find a clue, but not in this book!

Ultimately, the book was clean, no sex scenes, there were some jokes that could offend some people who like there books completely clean. I wasn't bothered by it at all. There was a christian element to the story but it was hardly there. It was a great refreshing story, one that kept my attention and made me want to immediately buy the next book.

marylinfurumasu's review against another edition

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5.0

Whenever I read a Jenny B. Jones book I know I’ll enjoy it. I’ll be entertained with humor, quirkiness, bits of suspense, drama, and sweet romance. Her books always have characters who are so unusual and a bit eccentric.
In this story, we find a washed-up music artist who must move back to the town she left years ago. She inherits a wedding event business, one she doesn’t want but must keep it open, for eight weeks until she can sell it, and get back to her life in LA. Unfortunately, things seem to go terribly wrong and her life starts to spin out of control.
This book was a real joy to read and had many twists and turns with lots of humor. I know I will be reading many more of her books.
I recommend you pick it up to read and have the laugh of your life.

jasoncjoyner's review against another edition

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5.0

I have to hand over my man card again.

I read one of Jenny B. Jones' books a few years ago when I ordered it for my wife and got sucked in by her sassy sense of humor and engaging writing (thus the loss of my man card). I've been on a science fiction binge for a while, so it was time to read something a little different.

Engaged in Trouble didn't disappoint. Not only does it showcase Jenny's wicked sense of humor, it is a great mystery that kept me guessing (and guessing wrong) until the end. She's created a fictional Southern town with enough crazy characters to keep me hooked.

If you like witty writing with laugh out loud antics and/or a tricky mystery, this book does the trick on both counts.

And now it's time to find a book with lots of explosions. I want my man card back...
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