Disclaimer #1: I was given the Audible version of this book by the narrator Michelle Babb for my honest review.

Disclaimer #2: I’ve not read or heard any of the other books in the series

Ok so I waited a few days to write this review because after I finished the book my first thought was “Thank God that’s over.” Luckily for the book, I was driving and couldn’t immediately rate it. I decided to rate it 3 stars because I could tell there is an audience for this series but I’m not it versus other books that are just plain nonredeemable.

For me, I didn’t really like many of characters and being from a small town in Texas I got a busy-body feel from the two main characters which I know is a pretty standard trait in cozy mystery heroines but it stuck out in the book. I also felt like the author used way too much slang to the point some of the characters were stereotypes and it honestly was very distracting. There were a lot of subplots and the overall mystery was solved fairly early and the rest of the book just dragged on and since I wasn't invested in the characters the last few chapters after the final “bad-guy” showdown were just unnecessary.

The book did have some very funny moments and I liked the two main characters husbands. The book did a good Texas vibe versus Southern because there is a difference. Anyway like I said probably good book for someone but not me.

Now on to the good part, I absolutely loved Michelle Babb’s voice and narration. Her character voices were believable and the transitions between characters were smooth. As a native small-town Texas lady, her characters actually sounded like Texans. I would love for her to have done more cozy mysteries and would most definitely listen to other books she has done. ( )

Sue Jan recently got married and is now waiting for her and Monroe's dream house to be finished. Her friend Lovita is planning her wedding to Hudson. In the meantime, they're running their beauty shop and boutique, the best (and only) one in Wachita.

All this is slightly complicated by the death of the man doing the work on Sue Jan and Monroe's house, Monroe being accused of his murder, the arrival of Sue Jan's trailer dwelling cousins from Paris, Texas, with their trailer, which they park on Lovita's property....

Oh, and Wiley Butz is running for mayor against Monroe, and his girlfriend announces her plans to open a rival beauty shop.

On top of all this, Lovita has a strong feeling that there's something really wrong in Wachita.

Lovita and Sue Jan are smart ladies, of the plus-sized persuasion, and in a nice change from many mysteries, they don't do willfully stupid, dangerous things.

Which is not to say nothing dangerous happens.

The real core of this story, though, is the characters and the relationships among family, friends, and neighbors. Not hugely exciting, but very enjoyable.

Recommended for an entertaining, light read.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator, in exchange for an honest review.

What fun! There's some stuff I just have to accept as what people do; mostly beauty salons and Texas.
Small towns there seem to be little different from the ones I know, especially the speed of the gossip grapevine! The characters certainly are, yet I swear that I've worked with some of them. The mystery is good, and both the situational and verbal humor is marvelous. A really enjoyable read!
I was really lucky to get an audio copy. Michelle Babb is really super. She has the differentiation of characters and play of emotions mastered, and the type of Southern USA accent she uses is nice and clear (no wishing to lip read in order to comprehend). Her talent makes the read even better. ( )