Enjoyed the book. I later found out it was apart of a series. Therefore I was kinda lost by the end with the cliffhanger I probably wouldn't continue the series

It's my own book so of course I loved it. I'm happy other readers loved it too. I wished I had been able to write more books in this series.

I requested this several years ago and I don't think it's a book for me anymore. So I will not be reviewing at this time, but if I do read it, I will update this review. Thank you for the opportunity.

I enjoyed this book.
This was my first in the series. There was a good recap in the beginning (brief and to the point), so I felt caught up with the background.
I enjoyed the complex relationship between the cousins (Summer, Dixie and Teddy) and really liked how, although family can be complicated, they were sticking together. I found Summer strong and fun and smart. I also enjoyed the reality show concept.

I both read and listened to the audio (on my commute) and the narrator was excellent.

Darling Investigations has been renewed for a couple of seasons, and Summer finds herself working once again with Lauren, the director who dislikes her for some reason. This season, Lauren has brought in a co-star, another detective who works his own cases, out of his own office. This doesn't sound like a big deal, except it is Lauren's co-star from her Gotcha series, someone who also helped destroy her career, someone she dislikes immensely. Lauren feeds him the "good" cases while giving Summer and Dixie the ridiculous ones, like an alligator eating someone's chickens. Once again, there is family turmoil, Dixie being suspected of arson and murder, Luke and Summer trying to figure out where their relationship is going and one real case that Summer investigates on the side involving drugs, murder, arson and someone who is setting up Dixie due to her past. Will Summer be able to find out what is really going on to exonerate Dixie?

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one. Summer's cousins, Dixie and Teddy, play a large role in this story and I love how the family sticks together. The story starts with a couple of arsons that cause destruction of property, but when a third results in a dead body things get more serious. Summer once again uses her instincts, questioning ability, friendships, and flattery to suss out what is really going on. This small town is rife with suspects, drugs, and sketchy characters. Luke is a smart, honest police chief, but you can't say the same for all of them. When the mayor influences council to hire his son, who is arrogant and power hungry, you know there will be problems. There is more than one jurisdiction involved in the cases, so Luke has to stay out of some of it, but Summer doesn't. With the help of her trusty crew, she is able to get video taped confessions to various crimes. There is a bit more romance in this one and Summer and Luke are officially a couple, which I enjoyed. There is danger, humour, romance, family dramatics and some resolution of Dixie's past, all written into an entertaining and suspenseful murder mystery. I am worried this is the last of the series, but would love to see another Darling Investigations story.

I love the Darling Investigation series! Summer is such a great relatable character. She’s smart and funny but also doesn’t back down. A great example of what young women should aspire to. This novel has twists and turns you don’t expect and is a page turning beach read.

This series is so fun! Summer Baumgartner is back for another book and the second season of her surprise-hit reality show. Sweet Briar, Alabama is filled with mysterious and interesting characters that will keep you entertained and the arsonist who-dun-it will keep you guessing until the end. Between Summer’s dysfunctional family, the co-star who tries to take credit for her hard work, and the rekindled love affair with her ex, Blazing Summer will have you flipping pages until the very end!

I really enjoy a mystery with humour and this doesn't disappoint. We see Summer trying to make a go of her reality show, build bridges with her family and avoid her feelings for a love. All in all a great book series to read

As a massive fan of the Rose Gardner books by Denise Grover Swanks, I was super excited when I heard there would be another mystery series.
And I was not disappointed.
Denise has a flair for funny, sassy, easy to like and strong female leads. Summer was no exception to this.
Even the side characters are well developed and each one brings something different.
I would 100% recommend this series.

I loved this book so much I want to go back and reread the series! Loaded with mystery, romance, action, heart-felt moments. This book has it all! I love the way that Denise leave you in suspense throughout the entire book. I didn’t know who the arsonist was until it was revealed. Summer has become one of my favorite characters. She is genuine and honorable with spunk and sass thrown in for good measure…just like all the Baumgartners do. I loved the entire story. If you haven’t picked up this series yet – do it! You won’t regret it!

This book was okay. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't dying for more at the end either. The mystery was entertaining, and did keep me guessing.

I loved this series! I have been a fan of Denise's books for years! My favorite
was/is The Rose Gardner Series.
I loved Summer Butler and her family in this book. There's romance, mystery,
family values, etc here. Summer and her cousin remind me somewhat of Rose and
Neely Kate in the Rose series. I loved the first book in this series but the second one
is even better! I hope this is not the last of Sweet Briar. This series is a great summer read!

Good grief this series is turning into complete and total escapist fun! There is a little of everything readers could want. A strong mystery, a bit of romance, a good dose of humor and a whole lot of heart!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

This is such a fun read! Summer Butler’s second adventure fully captured my imagination and made me smile. This time around, Summer is investigating a string of arson attacks and her cousin Dixie is the main suspect.

This is a gentle read. I loved the careful and very funny observations of small town Southern life and the slightly satirical take on reality television. The characters in Sweet Briar really come to life in this story. I enjoyed the relationships and the conversations that the author captures – some of the dialogue is absolutely brilliant. There is probably even less romance in this story than there was in the first one but there is more action and excitement as Summer’s investigation heats up.

I like that I didn’t immediately guess the whodunnit. The mystery part of the story feels quite silly at times but there is actually quite a complex plot that Summer unravels. Everyone in town is a suspect at some point in the book and I really enjoyed the building tension.

This was a great read. I didn’t love the first book but this one really made me smile. I’m looking forward to Summer’s next adventure.

3,5 stars, rounded up to 4 for the rating because I'm feeling generous today. Despite having "Blazing" right on the title, there is not a single weed joke in the book. Preposterous.

Jokes aside, this was a lovely book. Not as great as its predecessor Deadly Summer, but still firmly standing strong, on its own two feet. "Sequelitis" is definitely a thing (when the sequel isn't as great as the original), and this book both did and didn't dodge that bullet. The bullet kind of grazed it, but didn't injure it fatally.

What didn't work: some MAJOR suspension of disbelief was needed at times, things were often too convenient (SPOILER! Seriously? Dixie found out WHO KILLED HER PARENTS and set her up all those years ago, and then she just.... chilled at Trent's party? Sure, she must have been in total shock, but seriously?? She didn't freak out, start screaming, call Luke and/ or Teddy, anything?? END SPOILER), I didn't like the way Luke was written at all (he was basically written like female characters usually are; very one-note, unconditionally loving their other half no matter what, with an extra side of "super protective"), and it wasn't as witty/ funny as the first one.

Oh, and Connor was shoe-horned in for basically no reason at all. He barely had any appearances or impact on the plot, he was just there to be a super minor antagonist and an excuse for Summer to fly solo without Lauren on her back.

What worked: everything else. I loved revisiting the setting and characters of this series, and there were some very intense scenes that I really, really enjoyed; the book had a lot of suspense that was very well written. I really did miss the witty banter though, this book made me realise that a big chunk of it in the first book came from Dixie, and she was either absent or not on top of her game in this one, so....

All in all, I think it was a good sequel. Could have been even better, but I'll take it.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, unfortunately I just couldn't finish this one. I just couldn't get past the producer constantly trying to sabotage Summer.

Darling Investigations is Summers business it is now also part of a reality show.Even though Summer wanted out she is stuck doing one more season. The producer brings in an old co star of her which cause a huge conflict, however in the end Summer will have to step above and be the slueth she knows she is in order to be at the top of her game.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Season one was a runaway success with Summer solving a murder and ensuring a smash hit.  Now she returns for Season two and once again she finds herself doing battle with the director who has it in for her.

With the help of the same film crew who had her back in book one, Deadly Summer, she needs to make the series a success, solve a new crime and clear her best friend's name.

The Darling Investigations series is surprisingly good. Honestly the premise just doesn't appeal to me –– I'm not into that whole Hollywood star turns sleuth thing and I find the whole idea of reality TV mind numbing.

But I love this book and I love this series.  I don't even know why but there you have it.

This is the second in a series by Denise Grover Swank which revolves around Summer Baumgartner and her reality show/private detective business. Summer is the perfect heroine for this southern country setting and Swank's writing makes her believable and relatable. While the story can be corny at times, you'll fall in love with Summer and the Sweet Briar residents.

Blazing Summer is my first Denise Grover Swank book. It caught my attention because it's set in my current home state, Alabama. I worried about taking book two in a series since I've struggled with jumping into the middle of a series. Swank writes very well and I enjoyed this first, but definitely not last, story from her. Most of the time, the characters didn't talk like Alabamians but the average reader will probably appreciate that fact as southern dialog is more than just adding a y'all here and there. Swank did use one of my personal favorites perfectly- all y'all (for larger groups). I needn't worry about having missed the first book. Swank did an excellent job of introducing backstory from Deadly Summer (Darling Investigations, #1) without feeling like she was rehashing that book.

A reality show about a former child star, Summer, who's now a private detective is a unique premise. Add in real intrigue very personal to that star, a spoiled rich kid, rebuilding friendships and family relationships, a nasty producer and a Hollywood former co-star/nemesis and one hunky maybe not so "ex" boyfriend and there's plenty here for the reader to enjoy.

Summer is smart, likable and a pretty good investigator. She's not the snotty holier than thou person so many expect her to be. She cares for those around her. She's still mending bridges burned during her Hollywood days, many of which her mother damaged but she gets blamed for, is as much of a concern to her as figuring out who's lighting fires and killing people.

I always enjoy good suspense with some sweet romance and Blazing Summer had the perfect blend.


reviewed by Jem