faunasam2018's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- 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
apark1186's review against another edition
4.0
These two have been my favorite so far! They are so cute, and I loved that it kept trying to be a doomed romance, but wouldn't allow itself to be one! I hope there are more from these two.
I also liked how this corresponded with the second Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mystery. I read it first, and I liked following up from the different point of view!
This line was worth the whole book: "He said my name like it tasted of farts and spoiled milk."
I also liked how this corresponded with the second Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mystery. I read it first, and I liked following up from the different point of view!
This line was worth the whole book: "He said my name like it tasted of farts and spoiled milk."
allingoodtime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I was not prepared to love Repo aka Jason so much. I was also not prepared for Diane’s story to break my heart and have me fully in her corner. Let me quickly say that this is not a standalone book. You need to read the Solving For Pie series and you should, at the very least, read Beard Science from this series. This story feels like a gift from the author to the fans of these two series.
That being said, we all know Diane was not a sympathetic character in Beard Science. She wasn’t as awful as her husband, but she wasn’t much better. Getting to know her without her husband and viewing the inner workings of her mind helped me immensely in understanding and even loving this character. We all make mistakes, the reasons for Diane’s mistakes are not an excuse and she doesn’t make them explain her bad judgment away. She knows she was wrong and knows she was weak and wants to make it up to her children any way she can.
Jason and Diane are a couple who seem so wrong but are so right. He’s so aware of how he comes across and uses that to his advantage when needed, yet he also proceeds with kid gloves when the occasion calls for a lighter touch. He’s insightful and loving and also has many dark marks in his past that make him want to live a better life.
I’m so glad I read these “side” stories. In the end, it was worth the setup to get to the love story of Diane and Jason. And now I need Diane’s son (Jennifer’s brother) to get his HEA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
iggyebab's review against another edition
4.0
I am so glad Penny got Diane out of her head.
I cannot say I like Diane any better than I did but I do have a better understanding of who she is.
I did love getting more of Repo/Jason and I really hope he gets to be around Jess a little more moving forward.
I cannot say I like Diane any better than I did but I do have a better understanding of who she is.
I did love getting more of Repo/Jason and I really hope he gets to be around Jess a little more moving forward.
sasha2599's review against another edition
5.0
I did not think I needed a Diane Donner book. Not one bit. After meeting her in Beard Science I had a genuine dislike for her, which I think was well warranted. But she was redeemed somewhat in Engagement & Espionage and Marriage & Murder, so I somewhat hesitantly dove in to see if author Penny Reid could work her magic and completely change my opinion of Diane. Check the box- it's done! I adored her journey with Mr. Repo (and I love that she called him that!) and I LOVED them together. What perfection. It's always fun when books in a series happen simultaneously, and readers are able to learn what happened off-page in other books. I imagine Reid with a giant white board with lots of notes and arrows and exclamation points. Bring on Isaac!
alh18's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75
ashc123's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0