I think I read this one too close to Wendell's other one since this wasn't as enjoyable for me as the last one. A lot of it had to do with feeling like I had read it all before and in a way I had the topics discussed in this were also discussed heavily in her other one. Depite there being chapters it didn't seem like there was a legitmate thread to the novel and the chapters read more like longer blog posts. I really wanted it to expand more on why romance novels were written they way they were and what else contributed to their change and shift in the early 90's. Don't get me wrong they touched on them but I do not think it was as fleshed out as much as it could have been. Plus the banter and witty phrases like "surprise buttseck" became tedious rather quickly for me. Also the "interacive portions of the novel felt more like filler than really having or adding any value to the book.

Overall not terrible but not one I would re-read and if pressed I would recommend her other one (Everything I About Romance...) over this one since it seemed to have more depth. Not a terrible book but not great.

I picked this up as part of one of my library's "Blind Date With a Book" display and am happy to report that I am glad I did as I likely would have passed it up otherwise. It is a short quick read, as it took me less than 24 hours to finish it, and the story itself is short taking place in less than 24 hours. However I felt drawn into Hadley's story and how she came to realize that her family situation wasn't as bad as she thought it was and that there were worse things in the world. To say more would lead to spoiler territory so I won't expand too much on it.

While this story is touted as a love one, from the title alone, it is also a reconcillation story between Hadley and her Dad as well as her Mom. It is her learning to adjust to changes that she may not have wanted but that she can learn to live with. The story of Oliver and her's friendship that moved into a romance developed at a believable pace and left me with a warm feeling. What can I say I am sucker for romances, which isn't to say I love them all but this was a sweet innocent one which are ones I like. I am surprised that this didn't receive more recognition when it was published, as I was surprised to find that it was published in 2012 and this was the first I heard of it. I would recommend this if you are a fan of YA as it is perfect for a quick read on a weekend day, no matter the weather.

This book was different from most cozies in that the heroine didn't have a happy family life or the tight knit family. In most cozies, and in Brun's others that seems to be the case but not here with Carrie and that was refreshing in and of itself. Stastically someone had to have an unhappy family life in one of these so reading about it was different.

I will try not to give too many spoilers about this story but I will say I was surprised at who did it. Maybe not the why but the why was an endless laundry list since the victim was an asshat; it was very sorry to feel sorry for him dying as there was nothing endearing about this guy. But the unfolding of who did it and why was interesting since it was a red herring that ended up not being one. There I said enough about the plot; moving on to the characters.

Carrie had spunk and an optimistic attitude despite her terrible family and boyfriend. She had Broadway dreams even if she didn't have the singing voice to back it up. And she had a backbone. In too many of these cozies the female is too wishy-washy. Don't get me wrong she her moments of /facepalm but others were you were cheering her on. I think the author did well to give us enough information on the background characters without getting us too invested since we were not sure who the killer would be, and now we have something to look forward to in the others. Plus Carrie's new relationship.

I would have gotten to know a bit more about the other characters but again I know why they weren't fleshed out more. That is something I will look forward to. All in all an enjoyable read and one I enjoyed leaps and bounds over the previous one I read. Would recommend.