Tracy Ellen

Had great fun reading this first book!

What an enjoyable ride - family, friends, mystery, romance, and some sexy scenes for spice.

This was the most fun I've had reading a book in quite a while. Getting to know the main and side characters was an adventure, starting with the first chapter (go ahead, read ALL of Chapter One before making any assumptions). Anabel is a feisty, flirty, tell-it-like-it-is chick with a crazy, lovable family. And Luke! Getting to know him is an adventure in puzzle show more solving.

There is also an interesting, serious mystery storyline interwoven which keeps you guessing in the midst of the hilarity. Edge of your seat happenings that do get resolved by the end of this book.

Definitely reading more in this series to see what madcap follies occur!!! show less

Further exciting adventures of Anabel!

Book 2 in the series does not disappoint - Anabel and her gang of friends, family and add-on characters continue their adventures.

Some sex scenes between Anabel and Luke add to the spice and sizzle of relationship development, as they both swim in new waters of caring and commitment.

Of course, there are also the requisite mysteries, with crazy resolutions and new heights of misadventure.

Quickly moving on to Book 3 for more fun!

Trigger warning: feel free to skip the first chapter. Out of context- as Ellen intentional put it- it is first distressing, then confusing. That chapter is put into context later in the book, and you can go back and read it then if you are so inclined. It almost put me off reading the book!

I'm glad I persevered, though, because I found the book a lot of fun. OK, the plot(s) don't make much sense! They are pretty incidental to the strengths of the book, though, which are characters and show more relationships- not to mention great, snappy dialog!

All the characters come vividly to life here, as do their relationships with each other. Anabel is an interesting person- not a generic placeholder for the reader to imagine herself into the story. Her new flame, Luke, is something of an enigma. Her family and friends are all int4eresting individuals in their own rights, and it's always lively when any number of them get together.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the disturbing first chapter; because the 2 mystery/thriller plots have holes we can sail entire cruise vessels through; and some digressions from the ongoing action, which I mostly enjoyed but which did slow down the otherwise frenetic pace.

But all in all, I liked it a lot. It made me giggle several times, and I want to spend more time with the gang. show less

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*

When I first started this box set, I had trouble getting into the story. Book 1 just wasn't holding my attention until I was almost finished with it. I decided to continue on with book 2 and I am glad that I did. I love how sassy and snarky Anabel is. Oh and she is definitely a magnet for trouble with a capital T. I even liked Luke most of the time. I didn't like him so much towards the end of book 3. I seriously think she should have made him show more suffer more after what he did. Books 2 & 3 definitely made up for what was missing in book 1. show less