Becki Willis

Although I was excited to read this book, it feel short of my expectations for a variety of reasons.
 
This book is not a mystery/thriller. It is a romance. It may be a romance with mystery/thriller elements, yes, but while the blurb led me to believe that there would be a romantic subplot to this, the story revolved around the romance far too much for a book selling itself as a mystery.
 
Let's start with my biggest issue. This book perpetuates the idea that suicide is a bad thing. Charity's uncle is thought to have committed suicide, and Charity wants to "clear his name." One should not be ashamed of someone who had committed suicide; depression and mental illnesses that lead to suicide are REAL illnesses, and I was extremely bothered by the complete disregard Charity had towards this. Okay, her uncle didn't commit suicide, but why would it have been a problem if he had? Suicide is a terrible, terrible action that takes many lives and this book completely disrespects that. And I'm not okay with that.
 
Charity is taking care of her deceased aunt's cottage... but it takes 13% of the book before Charity mentions that her aunt's cottage is in Vermont. She makes such a big deal about the small town vibe, but I'm not sure if we're in Texas, where the author is from, or somewhere more South, or where, and then all of a sudden we're in Vermont. After that, we don't forget it. But I literally had to go back through and skim reread because I was so confused as to where the setting was. And then, the setting becomes entirely about maple syrup. I do believe there is more to Vermont than maple syrup, as Charity should know, as she could list of about ten random facts about it.
 
My biggest issue with this book was the instalove. Charity and Tarn both claim that they've had very few previous relationships, yet during their first encounter they're both attempting to flirt in a way that feels completely unnatural and formulaic. They kiss (no spoiler alert because it's obvious that it'll happen) when they just barely know each others' names. I just don't get it. For someone who is supposedly so pragmatic, why does Charity go crazy so fast for him? Do they ever talk? Why do they like each other? There is absolutely zero substance other than lust and physical attraction.
 
And I haven't even started on the premise. I like the premise. I was really excited about the premise and greedy to read this. But it's not believable. There are several plot holes where I wondered how it got to the point that Charity was even involved. The timing of it all is far too coincidental, and I'm really not sure why the case wasn't resolved thirty years ago and why the bad guys didn't just get away with it.
 
I also couldn't enjoy the way that this was written. There is a dream scene in this book, which is a completely tired trope when, as in this case, it contributes nothing to the book. That scene could have been deleted completely. Charity talks to herself often, until one time she seems to realise just how much she talks to herself. Yes, Charity, I was judging you. Or at least, I was judging you as a character for needing to convey information in that manner.
 
There are also flashbacks in the past that could have been useful, but they are too infrequent and random that they instead just distract. If all relevant scenes had been in the past this might have worked, but instead I feel like I know information that Charity doesn't until the end when she magically figures things out. Even the one character that could shed light couldn't have known everything that happened in flashbacks.
 
Finally, this girl puts her entire self worth on the one guy's attraction. She runs her own business as a graphic designer (though I don't know how she was working during this book??) and is pretty darn self sufficient. Yet she is a total damsel in distress, and it takes a man getting an erection in response to her for her to finally gain some confidence. I would have loved to have seen her being validated in some other way--maybe an award for her business or something that she showed pride in. But the only time she shows confidence is when a man is attracted to her.
 
Also, I wish she received more affirmation for her weight. She talks about being "big" because she is 5'7". Well, I am 5'6", and now I feel like I, too, am a whale. Maybe I'm not petite as she desires to be, but I generally feel pretty confident until this book tells me that unless I find a giant mountain man, I will be big, and the only way I'll get affirmation is in his attentions. Great. Thanks.
 
I'm sorry, but there are just too many issues with this book for me to recommend it at all.
 
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
 … (mehr)

Charity Gannon is not exactly an unhappy woman, though she feels her life is in a rut. When she arrives at her Aunt Nell's cottage to clear it out after her death she intends to get it over with and head back home. She thinks maybe she will use it as a rental property but finds it too unsettling to consider staying there herself. After finding a man's suit with bullet holes hanging in the closet and an intriguing talk with her aunt's neighbor Charity finds herself in the middle of a mystery that began before she was even born. Filled with suspense and a bit of romance this fast paced story kept me glued to the pages.

I received a complimentary copy for review.… (mehr)

As someone who had not read any other books in the series, I found the book opened with a lot of characters, and no background knowledge of these folks was provided. There were also many references to events in prior books, that had no meaning to me. So it wasn’t great as a stand-alone. The writing itself is dialogue heavy, but acceptable; it flowed fine. The big issue I have is with the ridiculous plot, which depended on absurd premises.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.… (mehr)

Sitting on a Fortune is the first I've read by this author! I don't know how this is, given how much I love a good cozy mystery. It definitely won't be my last, however. While the story is part of a series, it's meant to work as a stand-alone. Willis does an excellent job of scattering details to provide enough backstory to bring a new reader up to speed. Be warned: she does it in a way that will have you itching to pick up the first book and read the whole series

This is a light and easy read! The story leans harder into cozy mystery than romance, although the loving relationships between Madison (Maddy) and her husband is sweetly expressed. The clues dropped are quite subtle in some areas, so while I thought I knew what was going on (and nearly patting myself on the back because I thought I had things figured out), alas, I had not!

Growing up in a small town myself, I appreciate the details of small-town life. On the one hand, everyone is up in your business. On the other hand, those same people notice when you're not yourself, or out sick. The neighborhood always has eyes, for better or worse, and Willis depicts this well in Genny's information-finding ploy with her cookies!

Small towns also hold their share of grudges, and this one has one that goes back a long time. The grudge itself could be considered a character, it plays such a strong part in the story! Of course, like any good cozy, Sitting on a Fortune has its share of fun and quirky characters: Granny Bert seems like she is a hoot, Mr. Pruett fills the role of the quirky townsperson, and Madison's job running In A Pinch Professional Services is the perfect job for a wannabe sleuth. She's also kind-hearted, a bit stubborn, maybe a bit too curious for her own good, and loyal - all the parts needed for a cozy mystery amateur sleuth who tends to get herself into predicaments. (Being married to the police chief doesn't hurt, either.)

There were a few elements introduced into the plot that were (in my opinions) left unanswered for me (but no spoilers). Also, while the plot sped along, the ending seemed to wrap up rather quickly. And while I wanted to know MORE about some of the characters, I had to remind myself that this is the ninth book in the series - the author has had plenty of time for the backstory on everyone in the first eight books.

I guess I'd better get reading!… (mehr)