This isn't a review, as I've already reviewed it here, and I feel exactly the same way I did about the book when I wrote that original review.  I'll only add that the book is representative of a growing sub-sub-genre of books about the wackiness that is my home state of Florida.  Viewed from a decade long, 9600 mile remove, the characters are all just a little bit not right in the head.  And reading it felt just like being home.  For better or worse, these are my people, and I admit I miss them just a *little* bit.

 

I read this for the 2019 Booklikes-opoly, square #6, read a book set in your home town/state.  I think it's just under 300 pages, but I'm at work, so I'll update my bank and game board when I get home this afternoon (and roll again).

Yay, back to the Hamptons! Haha, NO…

I honestly was debating between giving this book a 1-star, a 2-star, or a 3-star rating. After a while, it wasn’t that hard for me to decide.

This book is like watching a cat fight and I’m sitting in the middle of it all eating popcorn and watching teenage girls all go down from situations that could’ve been easily preventable.

Out of all the three girls: Eliza, Mara, and Jaqui; I hated Jaqui with a passion in the first book! In this one, I hated everyone.

Besides the fact that a stupid, and unnecessary on-and-off hookup and breakup phase between Eliza, Jeremy, and effing Ryan (out of all effing people that Eliza could choose to sleep with), we also NOW have Mara strutting up in here doing things that seemed completely out of character for her from the first book! Why is as saying that she and Ryan don’t fit into the same world but she’s dating Garrett?

(spoiler show)

Don’t get me started on Ryan. God. Like, this boy needs a nice, tall, refreshing glass of common sense with a side of calm your hormones.

Why am I still continuing on with this series?

Truhart is a small town that dishes out romance, redemption and light-hearted fun. Cynthia Tennent has done a wonderful job in writing a story that is full of all the sweetness of small town living. In Skinny Dipping Season rule follower Elizabeth Lively's life falls apart when she's not looking and leaves her broken in heart, spirit and reputation. Escape proves the only option for her shattered life. She finds that in Truhart, Michigan where she not only starts to heal, but finds herself despite the opposition of one surly mistrustful citizen. The first thing that drew me to this read was that it uses the state of Michigan as a backdrop. As a lifelong citizen it's fun to see the state through the eyes of others. What left a lasting impression was the spirit of the story. JD and Elizabeth may have been the stars but the supporting cast stole the show.

This is definitely a funny book that had me laughing out loud. I liked the characters and the situations, but the mystery wasn't as well-thought out as I would have liked. Having said that, I hope this is a continuing series. Lots of small town local color. I love funny cozy mysteries and this is one of them.

Overall rating: 3.5.5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

3.5*