I really enjoyed this story. It has humor, suspense, drama, bullies and mean girls. I really like the interaction between Sun and Auri. I can't wait to see what happens with Levi. When Sunshine wins the election for Sheriff, without ever having entered it, she isn't sure she is happy to be back in her hometown. Her first day started out so promising, but turned into a really bad day for both her and Auri. There is a lot packed into just a couple of days. Will they all survive and will they find the missing girl? Auri has a sharp mind and will try to help her mom any way she can. If her mom will let her.

This is probably a 4 Star but I’m feeling so pumped right now after reading this book that I feel like 4 stars aren’t enough but considering that I wasn’t exactly a fan of all the investigation stuff (which was like <80% of the story) it should be 4 or lower but I loved what little I got from the couple and their mystery so much, what do I do now? — rambling end

4.5 Stars

Great, juuuust great. Another series I can add to my list of ongoing series I’m currently reading; not to mention the ones that are already completed and waiting for me to finish them. Argh! Why am I doing this to myself??

All the (important) characters are awesome, the humor is right up my alley and Sun is definitely my kind of girl. I loved the relationship between Sun and her daughter Auri, I loved the relationship between all the family members, I loved the relationship between Sun and Quincy, I loved the Charley Davidson easter egg. I freaking LOVED the interactions between Sun and Levi.

But here’s the thing about Darynda Jones’ books. The main characters have the most amazing chemistry together but because there’s lots and lots and lots of investigation work, it takes incredibly long until SOMETHING happens between them. They don’t even have that many scenes together, so for a person who’s always “in it for the couple”, this is like my worst nightmare ever. I’m not overly interested in the investigations of the town’s people. There are far too many (investigations) going on at the same time and they take away too much from the actual mystery surrounding the h (and H). BUT, all these seemingly “unnecessary” investigations, are like small stepping stones for the h to get her answers which means that I have NO CHOICE but to read EVERYTHING.

I know this is such a weird problem but seriously if I could, I would spend all my money on the books, skim the investigation parts and only read about the couple but that’s just not possible. The fact that I have to comb through everything is extremely tortuous but at the same time so, so good… I swear, Darynda Jones is a master at coming up with intriguing backstories that involve both h and H, and then making their interactions so confusing that you can’t help but be drawn to them. It’s like she found out that I’m an addict and is constantly holding my vice under my nose and giving me JUST enough to want more. I AM HOOKED AND I’M CRAVING MORE!

This couple, seriously. Their interactions are so confusing but it makes for great chemistry… What happened between them? Is Levi interested or not? Why is Sun saying that they’re not possible even though she has a crush on him since who-knows-when? What is happening? I am SO invested in this couple. I can’t believe Darynda Jones ended it like this. So freaking mean but I should have seen it coming. It took a while in Charley Davidson’s story too… Sigh. I need my theories confirmed!

I could cry, A Bad Day for Sunshine isn’t even out yet and I already want the next book 😂.

Sunshine Vicram never thought she would return to her hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico, after leaving with her infant daughter 14 years earlier. Sunshine was abducted at the age of 17 and barely survived. She had since built a stellar career in law enforcement in Albuquerque and was content with her life. However, after winning the election to be the new sheriff of Del Sol, one that she was not aware of entering and never campaigned for, she decided to return with her daughter, Aurora. No doubt, her loving parents engineered the election somehow. Sunshine wants to find out how they did it, and more importantly, find her abductor and bring him to justice.

Del Sol is usually a tranquil place, and Sunshine only expects to have to arrest the occasional flasher and manage an ongoing feud between two senior citizens over a rooster. She also anticipates having to deal with the Ravinder clan of transplanted Southern Mafia types. The head of the family, Levi Ravinder, has dragged them into respectability (somewhat) with his successful and legal moonshine distillery. Levi is also the only man that Sunshine has ever loved since they were children. Expectations change when a 14-year-old girl is abducted on Sunshine's first day, announced by the girl's distraught mother crashing her Mercedes through the front wall of the police station. This abduction has disturbing echoes of Sunshine's own experience.

A Bad Day for Sunshine is a mix of family drama, crime drama, a touch of paranormal, frequent laugh-out-loud moments, suspense and simmering romance. To say that the village of Del Sol is inhabited by quirky and eccentric characters is a gross understatement. But after all, New Mexico is the home of Roswell. There are more twists and turns in the story than one can count and I was sucked in from the first page. Told from the viewpoints of Sunshine and her scarily smart daughter, Auri, this novel is a true page-turner. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.



RATING-4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

While I wanted to love this book and give it 5 stars, it didn’t quite reach that for me. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a great read, but it did take a little more for me to get into it than all of her previous books. Perhaps it was due to the fact that it’s a first in the series and she had to world build and introduce me to all the new characters. That aside, this was a fun, entertaining, action packed, mystery with a lot of heart thrown in.

The story is told in dual POVs split between Sunshine and Auri. Auri’s story/POV revolves around the challenges of starting a new school, falling in love, as well as helping her mom solve the mystery behind the missing girl. Auri’s character is endearing and made her narrative enjoyable to read. I loved reading about their mother/daughter relationship. They are both quick-witted and intelligent.

Sunshine’s parts of the story revolve around her first day as sheriff, solving an abduction, finding an escaped prisoner, dealing with little issues around town, and dealing with her feelings towards her long time crush (which I so can’t wait to see what happens next with them!).

I also have to say I loved seeing the little head nod to the Charley Davidson series (Dary’s other series). Made me happy!!

All in all, this was a great read and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for Sunshine, Auri, and the town of Del Sol! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this copy. This is my honest review.

The town of Del Sol has become one of my new favourite fictional places! This book was funny, witty and filled with interesting characters.

Sunshine and Auri. Mother daughter duo who move back to Del Sol after Sunshine mysteriously wins the election to be sheriff. We start off on Sunshine’s first day on the job and what a day is it. Working with her best friend Quincy she ends up dealing with, a stolen rooster, a mayor who wants answers, an escaped prisoner and a missing teenage girl. Auri starts off in a new school with her mothers important advice of WWLSD.

I loved the relationships between characters, enjoyed watching Sunshine run into the man she still loves, Levi is definitely a character I want more of..all the while screaming at the two of the them to just have real conversation!

My biggest disappointment is that I’m going to have to wait for the the next book in this “psych ward” of a town

Thank you netgalley and St. Martins press for an arc of the start of this sure to be a favourite new series!

4.5

Sunshine Vicram left Del Sol, New Mexico nearly fifteen years ago and hasn't looked back since. That is, until she mysteriously wins the election for county Sheriff (without even realizing she was running none-the-less). Now, her and her daughter, Aurora, are back for good. If her first day on the job is anything to go by, Sun is going to have her work cut out for her. Not only dealing with a supposed Rooster-napping, a flasher, and an escaped fugitive, but she has a missing girl to find, who seemingly predicted her own kidnapping years ago. Sunshine also has a more self-serving reason for returning to Del Sol. Besides coming face-to-face with unrequited love Liam Ravinder, Sunshine is also still on the hunt for the person who abducted her when she was seventeen years old. Still haunting her to this day, Sunshine is ready to put the past to rest for good.

This is the first new series from Darynda Jones after finishing her Charley Davidson series. I was guaranteed to read this just based on that fact alone. I've loved and enjoyed the Charley Davidson series and I was really excited to see what Darynda Jones would do next.

She stays a bit in the same wheelhouse in that A Bad Day for Sunshine is, by and large, a mystery. While Sun doesn't see dead people she is a Sheriff and they tend to solve mysteries. The multiple cases going on at once seems to work a bit better here because, as Sun herself points out, police are typically handling more than one case at a time. The missing child case does get precedence, however, and typically this is also a good way to incorporate Sunshine's daughter, Auri seeing has how Auri as the same age as the missing girl.

I liked the balancing act of switching perspectives between Sunshine and Auri. Both thrown into new situations: Sun starting a new job and Auri starting at a new school and everything that goes along with both of those scenarios. I got really Glimore Girl vibes from Sun and Auri's relationship. A young, single mother and her daughter. Their relationship is somewhat complicated, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so I won't say more, but at the core it's strong. I liked Auri's perspective and I like how she insinuates herself in the investigation - despite how unlikely that would ever be to really happen - I just how self-assured she is even though she has some hurdles to leap through. By the end she's built up a small contingent of secondary characters of her own and I look forward to seeing her grow. I wish she was slightly older, but fourteen is a good kind of on-the-cusp age I think and I'm very interested to see what Darynda Jones does next with her character.

While Sunshine was certainly not expecting to be named as Sheriff, she does have the credentials to back up the promotion. I really liked the interactions she has with her officers. I think they, so far, make a really good group of secondary characters that I cannot wait to see move throughout the series. Certainly her best friend Quincy is at the top of the list. I loved seeing a male/female friendship that, at least at this point, doesn't seem like it's going to be romantic which I like because I don't think we see enough of that type of dynamic without romance coming in between things. I guess we'll see though.

As of right now, Liam Rivander fulfills the Reyes role that many may be missing. Brooding, surly, mysterious, penetrating gaze. Check, check, check, and check. Liam is part of a newly-legitimized family moonshine business. Legitimized by Liam, but not happily by all of his uncles. Sun has had an interesting relationship with the Ravinder's over the years and it doesn't seem like things are going to become uncomplicated any time soon. I do like the Liam can't really be taken at face value. You know that there's more to his story, and his story with Sunshine, than meets the eye. While I will admit I brazenly thought I had things figured out - and I still might who knows - I like the layers that Darynda Jones has incorporated with Sunshine's backstory.

However, one thing that was a bit unsettling to me while reading was the way that readers were given information. There were oftentimes when Sunshine would know something, and make roundabout inferences about what she knew, but we weren't given the whole picture right out of the gate. I felt like we were almost intentionally mislead by Sunshine herself in certain situations such as her relationship with some of the Ravinder's or Auri's relationship with them for that matter. It was strange and when I would come across something like that it would take me out of the story and make me think that I missed something earlier on, but then I would realize that, no, readers were given to understand one thing when another thing was actually true. As I said, it was strange.

I much more prefer learning with the characters. There are instances where we're right along with Sunshine as she uncovers more about her abduction/abductor. And it all fits, and it pulls me into the story more and makes me very interested to see where the rest of the series goes.

It took a slight adjusting to get in with this new series and these new characters, but once I got there I wished that we already has book 2 to jump right into. I didn't want to let the story go quite yet. I'd say that's a success.

If you loved Charley then you will love Sunshine. Another series filled with humor, satire and wit. Sheriff Sunshine and her daughter Auri sort of remind me of Lorelai & Rory on Gilmore Girls. Their witty banter kept me laughing throughout the entire book. Great characters that I can't wait to read more about. So excited for this series!

Loved reading the engaging and enthralling first book in the Sunshine Vicram series. Sunshine, the new sheriff, in Del Sol, has a teenage daughter, and a kidnapping case to solve. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, full of suspense and action, and a riveting story line from the beginning of the book until the end of the book. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I reviewed a copy of the book by NetGalley.

To say I was thrilled for a new series by Darynda Jones, would be a gross understatement. I loved the Charley Davidson series and couldn't wait to see what Jones had in store for readers. Well it is with a heavy heart that I felt extremely underwhelmed by this title. Sunshine is like Charley 2.0 and Levi was basically Reyes (minus the whole supernatural part). The breath of fresh air came from Sunshine's daughter Auri who also narrates part of the story. Beyond this, I think what I struggled with the most is the story itself, the big reveal of the kidnapping case did not feel all that revelatory in the context of the story. Additionally, the pacing of the story felt off and inconsistent, I found myself skimming pages, which is odd for me with a Darynda Jones book. Don't get me wrong, she still has the same humor that I loved from the Charley Davidson series, but it felt forced here and popped up in the oddest places. Now in terms of the other big mystery - Sunshines's past - I can only hope there's more to that than what is already blindingly obvious to the reader. I understand sometimes big revelations are obvious to the reader for the sole purpose of appreciating the character's response to said big reveal - but in this instance it almost feels too obvious and given that Sunshine is a Sheriff, with a sensational gut instinct, makes it even harder to believe. All of that aside, I also understand that this is also the first book in a series - so clearly there needs to be a pretty substantial set-up for future books. My hope is that these books aren't going in the direction that I think they are and that Darynda Jones is going to surprise us all with the twists and turns she's known for.

I received a free electronic copy of this New Mexico based mystery from Netgalley, Darynda Jones, and St. Martin's Press. I have read this novel of my own volition and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Darynda Jones to friends and family. She writes an interesting police procedural with lots of New Mexico tidbits as chapter headers that are true enough to keep you in stitches and the patter between Sun and her daughter Auri is classic, as are their thoughts, at times. The best part - Darynda Jones has several novels already out there! I will be looking for them, as well.

Sunshine Blaze Vicram and her 14-year-old daughter Aurora - Auri to friends and family - have been for several years living in Santa Fe, where Sun was a policeman and Auri attended private school. Summers Auri spent with her maternal grandparents in Del Sol, south of Santa Fe, so both are familiar with the very small town and its ways.

Which is a good thing, because Sun's parents ran a secret, unauthorized campaign to elect Sunshine for Sheriff of Del Sol County against the current, crooked sheriff, and Sunshine won. Now she will have to come home. Or will she? Everyone in Del Sol knows everyone else's business. Sun has secrets that she plans to keep. But there is a killer on the loose, and she really can't refuse a challenge...


pub date April 7, 2020

Wow this one is a tough one because it was a little of a lot. Take away - definitely reading book two. Sunshine comes back as Sheriff(a position she didn't run for) to her home town with her daughter Auri. Their relationship has the feels, laughter and its own drama.

Auri is a teenager with her own issues, new school, some cruel teenagers and a hunky schoolmate. She's definitely her mom's daughter with her investigative spirit and her choice in men.

Sunshines' first day has a car plowing through the office and a missing teen. That is just the beginning. This book had several mystery, tangled and weaved together. Awesome secondary characters with bff Quincy, and childhood crush, teenage, adult, Levi. There are fantastic characters running throughout the book, I can't wait to know more about them.

The snippits at each chapter made me laugh out loud, the banter between Auri and DeSoto made me smile. The banter between Sunshine and Quincy could be a tad much at times.

This book is told between Sunshine and Auri. At times I was confused as passages appeared to be intermix between the two. I am hoping this was a download issue of the arc, as it definitely interrupted the flow.

I am thrilled NetGalley, St Martin, and Darynda Jones allowed me the opportunity to grab this arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

What a great way to start a new series. Its filled with quirky characters and interesting relationships. It definitely held my interest and kept me entertained. I definitely recommend this book.

You are in Del Sol New Mexico where the new sheriff Sunshine Vicram and her daughter Auri have now moved to. Should be noted Sunshine grew up in this but had moved away. She also does not know how she won the election because she did not file any paperwork to run for sheriff. Oh, she also won a debate that she was not present for also.
When the book begins with mother and daughter having a morning talk before school and work you know right then that the dialogue in this book is going to be different than any book that you have read in a long time. That is a good thing for really that is what makes this story tick, along with all of the little sayings at the beginning of each chapter you get a smile on your face that makes you want to continue with the story. There is also the story of what is happening in town with a missing girl. You also have Sunshine dealing with her past also.
The author has different characters and each one has a place from Sunshine’s parents to the different deputies even Bo (who) you will get it if you read this book. To Levi and his family, each one plays a role. Even Auri makes a friend at her new school and he is her protector when she needs it. This is a story, a journey that is much more than the actual story. It’s about fitting in or trying to or thinking you have to and then dealing with bullies. Overall I really liked this book with all of the little things that went on and the relationship between mother and daughter for one, but there was so much more. A very good read.

Sunshine Vicram and her 14-year-old daughter, Auri, have returned to Sunshine’s home town of Del Sol, New Mexico, where Sunshine has just been elected its new sheriff. Del Sol is a quirky and unusual place, where anything can and probably will happen. But, surely not the first day of her new job. Think again. Besides dealing with a kidnapped rooster, there is a teenage girl missing as well. So much for easing into the new job.

A Bad Day for Sunshine is a hoot. Like the story, the characters are quirky and unforgettable. The dialogue is snappy, the mystery has enough twists and turns to keep things interesting, and the humor is perfectly timed. The story is both heart-tugging and heart-wrenching, but always engaging. While I found some of the emotions that are displayed a bit redundant, because the book is so well-written, I can overlook that. I thoroughly enjoyed the debut of this new series and will definitely be on the lookout for the next installment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Rated 4.5 Stars

A Bad Day For Sunshine is humorous and quirky read. I love the cast of characters and and can't wait to read more of this series. The relationship between Sunshine and her daughter Auri is very reminiscent of the mother/daughter relationship in Gilmore Girls. I loved it and can't wait to get my questions answered. I definitely recommend it.

I want to start my review off by saying I'm a huge fan of Darynda Jones, so I had big expectations for this book, and it didn't disappoint. This book grab me from the first page and didn't let me down. I love how Sunshine Vikcram is a female Sheriff of a town that even the locals refer to as "the psych ward".

Sunshine and her daughter move back to this town for Sunshine's new job as Sheriff. However her daughter, Aurora, is having difficulty adjusting to her new life and new school.

I love the light-hearted humor in this book. Excellent exchanges, gorgeous men and misadventures are all included. I love how the author incorporates accidents at the beginning of each chapter, they're spot-on!

What a perfect book to read especially during the time of the Coronavirus. It's a light-hearted mystery more than a cozy mystery. I love how the emphasis is on family and friends with plenty of love and understanding to go around. This book ended with one heck of a cliffhanger so I'm expecting there to be a second book in the series. I definitely recommend this book!

I would like to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First, this book is lots of fun. There is witty banter galore, suspense and danger abounds and your heart will go out to Sunshine and her teenage daughter Auri. The male characters are all swoon worthy especially Deputy Quincy, bad boy Levi and that hunky US Marshall. Female Deputy Zee is the kind of gorgeous kickass sharpshooter we all want covering our backs.

Second, this is a terrific start to a new series. We are slowly introduced to Sunshine's background and that of side characters without a dreaded info dump. And because it is a series there are still a few unanswered questions at the end. But most questions are tied up nicely.

And last, I cannot wait for the next book. Try this one, you're gonna love it.

Great Read, so fun and serious at the same time. It reminds me a lot of, “The Charley Davidson series,” but more realistic. There are few storylines going on at the same time, but it makes it more exciting. The writing is fast and witty and I found I couldn’t or didn’t want to stop reading the book. But at the end all the stories are wrapped up but there is a little hook at the end for what might be coming.

Darynda has done it again! Just when you think her stories can't get any better..... they do! I don't want to ruin the experience of A Bad Day for Sunshine for anyone... but go read it!! You will not be disappointed! One of my favorite authors!

Ok, the first thing I want to say is that I deeply hope there is a sequel to A Bad Day for Sunshine. I loved all of it. I wanted to be friends with the characters, even one that's still in high school - though I'm way beyond those years. The storyline is sharp and humorous. It was a good read, but not necessarily easy, as some of the things that happened could be slightly triggering. Overall, no complaints for me. It's about as good of a story, with minimal craziness, that you can get.

Jones really nailed it!

A Bad Day for Sunshine publishes 4.7.2020.

4/5 Stars