I really love this series, even only two books in. Darynda Jones has struck the right balance between humor and seriousness of the crimes depicted. I was glad to get some advancement of Sunshine figuring out more about her abduction and the potential biological father of her daughter. I was pretty wrapped up in the plot right away, and some of the sadder parts really affected me. The light tone and quirky small town setting is balanced by some pretty true to life problems for the characters. This is a winner.

I have been eagerly waiting to read this book since the moment I turned the last page of the previous book. A Bad Day for Sunshine was a 6-star, top 2020 read and I honestly think I’ve never been as excited for a book two. The Sunshine Vicram series is my first experience with author Darynda Jones and I give her many thanks for gracing us mere mortals with a non-PNR series. Otherwise, I may never have gotten the chance.

Sunshine and the gang entertained me as much this time around as with the first with it's humor, mystery, and suspense. Yet, it was the romance and poignancy that elevated it even more and hit me square in the solar plexus. The whole book evoked a sweep of emotions. I swooned over the romances, giggled at the quick wit & wacky deadpan humor, and then also shed a few (a lot) of tears.

So much happened in this second book and surprisingly, there were also answers to a number of questions brought up or hinted at in the first book that I thought might carry over a few more books. In fact, I was afraid for a moment that Jones decided this would be a duet. Two and done. Alas, there were still some loose ends (old and new) that promised more to come. Thank goodness, because I'm hoping it lasts as long as Charley Davidson has. I can't get enough of Sun, Levi, Aurora, and Cruz, as well as some of their wacky and/or questionable friends and family.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book.
I like this series as well as the Charlie Davidson series. Darynda Jones does not disappoint me.

It’s always tough for me to write a less than stellar review for a stellar (IMO) author. I felt this book was a bit too “all over the place”, unsure if it was meant to be a mystery or romance, or just a “follow the lines”. This heroine is no Charlie Davidson & that’s fine.... but who is she? And the uncanny description of the “smoldering hot bad boy” sounded a whole lot like another character.
Hoping Ms Jones catches me as usual on the next release.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram is settling into her position in her hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico. She is also enduring bad blind dates her parents set up for her and still fighting her attraction for Levi Ravinder. Then she is called to Levi's bar when he is injured trying to protect a customer who has been stabbed several times. As she and her team work to solve the attack that leads back to a case in her early career in Santa Fe, her daughter Auri and her two friends try to solve a cold case that might involve an eccentric, but well liked long time resident. Sunshine is still trying to remember her kidnapping and a semi-honorable relative of Levi's asks her to come visit him in prison, saying he has information about her kidnapping he will trade, if she helps him reopen his own case. Ms. Jones' stories have a thread of darkness in them, but she adds a balancing humor, especially her chapter headings and writes engaging characters that you care about. She also frustratingly ends frequently with cliffhangers, but many of the questions from the first book in the series get answered in this one. I look forward to book three. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

If you’re looking for a serious police procedural, this isn’t it. No, this is more on the lines of a chuckle a minute romp. This is the second in the series of Sunshine Vicram, sheriff of a small New Mexican town. All she wants is a day off, after four months working nonstop. But things just aren’t going her way.
I love this crazy cast of characters. There’s lots of bad guys, hot guys, smoldering looks (by people of all ages), and unrequited desire. And one mother-daughter talk that had me in stitches. (and would have mortified me if I’d ever had that talk with my mother!) Once again, the signs and police blotters at the start of each chapter always amused.
There are multiple storylines and thus, multiple climaxes. To some degree, none of the endings are believable, but they are satisfying. And given the cliffhanger at the very end, that bodes well for a book #3.
I wouldn’t want a constant diet of this kind of zaniness, but it’s a lovely palate refresher after a lot of dark stories. I recommend this for fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY (Sunshine Vicram Book #2) by Darynda Jones
This second book of Sunshine Vicram has plenty of humor as she does her sheriffing. There’s plenty of mysteries solved, and plenty more left to solve. Auri and her boyfriend are having adventures. Sunshine is such a great character and she has an awesome relationship with Auri and her own parents. I could see this going for a long time, I hope so anyway. This is such an entertaining read, witty banter, great BBF in Quincy, and Levi Ravinder. I consider this a 5 star read.

This book has a perfect blend of charm, humor, and action. The author brings the reader on a journey to discover the facts of Sunshine's cases while giving the experience of knowing her personality. The characters are interesting and likeable. A very good read.

This fast-paced and well-written drama grabbed my attention immediately, quickly becoming a page-turner as I was captivated by what was going on. Nothing is simple with Sunshine and her friends and family and the author does a great job showcasing the activities in her personal and professional life. With visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue and the best cast of quirky characters, I was immersed in all aspects from Sunshine’s search for the truth, her daughter’s search for the answers in a cold case, the relationship between Sunny and Quince, the relationship between Sun and Levi and heck the interactions between Sun, her daughter and her parents. There was so much going on that kept me enthralled with this multi-plot and solid mystery that kept me in the game. There were some revelations that enhanced the telling of this tale and boy the anticipation of what’s yet to come. Overall, this was a terrific story and I can’t wait for the next book in this tantalizing and wickedly delightful series.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story and didn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you into these characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

Another win for the series and Mrs. Jones! Sunshine, with her sarcastic wit and hard working attitude, is solving all sorts of mysteries for Del Sol. From a racoon on the lose, missing kid, or decades old mystery, she solves it all! Maybe even gaining a little insight into her own past mystery... This time we even get more Levi interaction, which is always a plus as well. And following Auri's story is also great. I loved book one, and book two didn't disappoint. I'm only sad that I'll have to wait for a third book! I laughed, I cried, and was left wanting more. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Another wonderful read by Darynda Jones. She has a way of making you fall in love with her characters and wishing you could be in there worlds with them! If someone is looking for a funny, interesting mystery with a touch of romance this is the story for them! Loved it!

I absolutely LOVED A Bad Day for Sunshine and I'm happy to say I equally adored A Good Day For Chardonnay! This was everything you could want for in a sequel. All the things I liked about the first book were not only present in book two but also kinda taken to the next level, which to be honest I didn't even know was possible. It is SO SO RARE that a story can evoke so many powerful emotions from me, even a lot of the ones I love. This book will have you all over the place, much like the characters within in it, you'll laugh out loud, you'll let out some gasps of shock and good luck to you trying not to cry by the end. It was a rollercoaster and I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it. Even the chapter headings are a treat. Please please please let there be at least 10 more books in this series, I need them all.

I love this town! I love Sunshine and all her friends and family. Sun is full of wisdom and sass and good humor, most of which her teenaged daughter Auri has inherited. This second book in the series continues with the mystery of Sun's abduction years ago, her intense feelings for Levi, a series of stabbings in town, Auri's shenanigans, Quincey's interesting suggestion about their personal relationship, and plenty more. I don't know how Sunshine finds time to sheriff and to mother. I cannot wait for the next book!

After devouring the first in this series (A Bad Day for Sunshine) in two days, I couldn't wait to spend more time with Sheriff Sunshine Vicram and her family and friends. The characters are quirky, the mysteries are complex, and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter made me laugh out loud more than once. The YA romance between Auri and Cruz is sweet, and the adult relationship between Sunshine and Levi is definitely steamier in this book. I enjoyed the relationship developments on all fronts and was happy to see some progress and revelations but was also ok with the cliffhanger at the end. I will say that the situations/dialogue seemed maybe a little too over-the-top in this book as compared to the first, but it didn't bother me enough to want to stop reading. Go in knowing that things will be a little outrageous and that you may need to suspend your disbelieve a bit and you'll be fine.

(Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review).

I read the blurb and a few reviews and liked the sound of a female sheriff, Sunshine Vicram, who guzzles coffee and doesn't mind wrestling with a cantankerous little raccoon. All the while, solving crime while navigating life in her small town.

There was just too much going on in this book (IMO), some parts are just goofy, with cheesy banter. There are also quite a few characters to keep track of and they each have their own shenanigans to keep up with.

The behind closed door scenes with Sunshine really threw me for a loop. I wasn't expecting this genre to go there, but it sure did. I don't need those graphic scenes that read like a how-to manual. EWW, the sun shouldn't shine there!
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What does this book want to be? Pick a lane and stay in it

There are many high reviews for this series, so you may want to check those out!

Sometimes an author can create an community where you don’t want the story to stop. This is one of those books. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this funny and suspenseful book. I loved it.

Darynda Jones has a very entertaining writing style. The store signs of various establishments in this town are funny subtitles at the beginning of each chapter. The dialogue between the main characters was witty or made me laugh out loud. The story was intriguing and kept me reading for long stretches of time. Highly recommend this book. Great story!

Sunshine Vicram has returned to her hometown to be the sheriff after many years of law enforcement experience in other cities. She is a single mother of her mini-me teenage daughter Auri and you cannot help but love them and their relationship. Solving crime with her best friend and lusting after her longtime crush while trying to keep her sense of self in good repair is an ongoing challenge. The mystery of who was involved in the kidnapping of Sunshine over a decade ago will keep you guessing. Were multiple people involved? And who is trying to kill Levi Ravinder and his friend now? And what will happen next? I’m hoping there are many more books coming in this series.

A compulsive follow-up to the first book. Couldn’t put it down and stayed up til nearly 4am to finish it. Darynda Jones is a master at balancing humor, sass, depth of character, mystery, romance, and thrills. If you were a fan of A Bad Day for Sunshine then you will love this one. It’s everything you hope it’ll be and more. It’s a satisfying and delightful book. Highly recommend!

Sunshine is the sheriff of a small New Mexico town - but whether she's dealing with criminals or her rebellious daughter Auri, she can't catch a break. Her latest quest is unraveling her abduction years prior - all clues point to town hottie Levi Ravinder, but Sunshine is sure someone else was behind it. Plus, she has a little (ok, a big) crush on Levi - can she find her criminal and a happy ending?

If you love dark comedy and humor, this is the book for you. Coffee guzzler Sunshine comes with a hefty dose of sarcasm, and her one liners will have you cracking up. The secondary characters are hilarious as well, especially Sunshine's right hand man Quincy. Daughter Auri gets her own subplot with love interest Cruz as they investigate a potential killer in the town.

If this sounds like a lot going on, it is. But I was very impressed at how the multiple storylines intertwined and came together at the end. Everything connected well, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Sunshine's adventures (even if this book is very different from my usual cozy mysteries!) 3.5 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review!