amandalorianxo's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was happy to be back in Shady Palms - the continuation of a cozy mystery series centered around a Filipino family & their fictional community aka Shady Palms located in Illinois. We meet the infamous Ronnie in this book and he is back after about fifteen years of no contact. Lila does her best to not get involved but it all seems to be … too coincidental. While I did appreciate the characters and the mystery, sometimes I feel like Lila is talking to me and over explaining when I would rather just be in the moment. I’m also glad to notice her daschaund made more of an appearance. I low key was afraid she was going to be a background prop.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Infidelity
katiecentabar's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
kdailyreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Violence and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
veereadstoomuch's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Murder
jajajanea's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
kshertz's review
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? No
4.0
All of these authors books are really good. I think the first one is still my favorite but you really can’t go wrong. It’s super interesting as a mystery book. I never really can guess the twist. I love these characters and love following them on their journey. I specifically love the dogs in this one. I love their café as well. I always wish there was wrote more romance or really any romance at all but can’t have everything. If you love food and you love drinks and you love mystery books this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, and Death
lindsloveslit's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
QOTD: What's your favorite way to read a book? Inside or outside? Couch or bed? Morning or night? Paperback, hardcover, of ebook?
Blackmail and Babingka is the third book in Tita Rosies six book series. 📚 It was equal parts cozy and messy, and PERFECT for reading in bed, snuggled under big heavy blankets with my fur babies. 🐶🫶🏽🐶 Ebooks through the library are generally my preference, but this was a paperback book; which I regretted because more than ANYTHING, this book made reference to so much delicious Filipino food. 😋👏🏽I just wanted to snack/eat THE ENTIRE TIME. (I ended up getting mandu dipping sauce and tteokbokki on the pages because I couldn't help myself 🙄🫣).
Overall, it was fast paced and predictable, with one specific twist that was unexpected! IMO the food and the main characters were a 10/10 and the highlights of the book. But the new, supporting characters were a 3/10. There were way too many of them, and because there were so many of them we didn't get much character development.
Have y'all read this series? If so, do you plan on reading the next three books, too?!
Blackmail and Babingka is the third book in Tita Rosies six book series. 📚 It was equal parts cozy and messy, and PERFECT for reading in bed, snuggled under big heavy blankets with my fur babies. 🐶🫶🏽🐶 Ebooks through the library are generally my preference, but this was a paperback book; which I regretted because more than ANYTHING, this book made reference to so much delicious Filipino food. 😋👏🏽I just wanted to snack/eat THE ENTIRE TIME. (I ended up getting mandu dipping sauce and tteokbokki on the pages because I couldn't help myself 🙄🫣).
Overall, it was fast paced and predictable, with one specific twist that was unexpected! IMO the food and the main characters were a 10/10 and the highlights of the book. But the new, supporting characters were a 3/10. There were way too many of them, and because there were so many of them we didn't get much character development.
Have y'all read this series? If so, do you plan on reading the next three books, too?!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Murder, Alcoholism, and Death
thereaderfriend's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved the story bc I loved the characters but the mystery wasn't so much a mystery bc the big reveal was what I was expecting from the beginning :/ did really enjoy it tho! Also liked the focus on how greed and jealousy are powerful and dangerous motivators. Gonna buy this series and read the rest of it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Death
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
kirstym25's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Death
mysterymom46's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Murder