A Good Day for Chardonnay is the second novel in Darynda Jones' Sunshine Vicram series. It's a delightful mystery/thriller series that somehow maintains a sense of humor and confidence despite all of the horrors that go on. I love it.

Sunshine Vicram (yes, that is her real name) is the Sheriff of a small town somewhere in New Mexico. You'd think that running a small town would mean things are quiet for her and her force – but you'd be wrong.

Between Sunny's past, her family, and the never-ending drama of the town, Sunny doesn't have time for much else. It will take a lot of coordination to get to the bottom of everything she's dealing with, but thankfully Sunny's got the required determination.

"Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't beat you to death with a feather duster?"

If you like thriller novels with a whole lot of personality, a dash of humor, and a touch of that cozy mystery vibe, then you're going to love A Good Day for Chardonnay. However, I would recommend checking out the first in the series (A Bad Day for Sunshine) first.

What I love the most about this series and Sunny's character, in particular, is that it deviates from the norm. Calling it a bit of a thriller alongside a cozy mystery really does not do it justice. It's charming and unique and isn't afraid to bounce all over the place between those two borders.

It's more than enough to keep my attention and allow me to have a lot of fun in the process. Yes, there are some darker moments in A Good Day for Chardonnay, but Sunny's personality lives up to her name, and her sense of humor will always work to brighten the mood. It helps keep the story from getting too dark and thus makes it the perfect escape of a read.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the arc of A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones in exchange for my honest review.

I am a huge Jones fan, and Chardonnay did not disappoint. I recommend you read the 1st book in the series, A Bad Day for Sunshine, before you read this one. The backstory from book 1 plays a pivotal role in book 2.

A Good Day for Chardonnay follows small town, New Mexico sheriff, Sunshine Vicram through the drama of her town and life. Sunshine is a young mom to teenage daughter Aurora, who’s as much of a sweet, troublemaker as her mom was as a kid. We start off with Sunshine on a blind date from hell and chaos ensues when a man is brutally attacked at the local bar, the place that just happens to be owned by Sunshine’s dreamy love interest, Levi Ravinder.

A warning, there are a lot of characters in Sunshine’s world, if you’re not up for keeping track of them this one may not be for you. However, the characters are what make this story and it’s worth getting to know each of them. The plot is stuffed with huge questions from book 1 being answered and new questions popping up.

Darynda Jones is great with the snark and the sass, Sunshine and her town are a wonderful source of LOL moments, heart-racing adventures, and belly-warming romance. This genre isn’t for everyone, but for those who enjoy Contemporary Mystery Romance - Jones is worth checking out.

I really liked the characters in this book-- they were fun and believable, and there's an undercurrent of romance that carries through the mystery.

HOWEVER, I strongly suggest reading the first book in the series first. There's just so much that goes on here that is tied to that first book, and quite often I felt lost.

There's also a very serious undercurrent here of what appears to be rape-- Sunny was kidnapped as a teen and everything from that experience is cloudy except for a few details, except nine months later she's delivering a baby girl and has no idea who the father was.

To me, there's an imbalance between the sunny (ha ha) light tempo of the book and the serious and deadly stuff underneath.

It had a little bit of a slow start but then natural wit and banter of this eccentric city came through and I couldn’t stop. The first book should be read first since many themes carry through AND WE GET SOME REALL GOOD ANSWERS. I love The Whodunit aspect of each book since sunshine,our heroine, is the sheriff of the town and does a great job of solving crimes. There’s too many good things that happen that are so funny and heartwarming and also tear inducing. I keep telling myself to check darynda Jones other series because this series is that good

Yup, this is the perfect beach read- a perfect mix of chick-lot, romance, mystery and police procedural. Add in a bit of dysfunction, and you have a book you can pick back up easily for multiple readings, but more than likely will want to read in one sitting! The story picks up where A Bad Day for Sunshine
left off, with everyone trying to get back to normal, if normal can actually occur in this town. Parents have the kids on a bit more of a lockdown, everyone feels restless, and then chaos occurs and Sunny knows why she was getting the weird vibe. As the story spirals, it's an interesting look into all the characters in the book, leading to a final satisfying conclusion, that will leave you wanting to read the next book in the series! So don't miss this one!

** warning- there is an explicit sex scene-but it can be skipped, if that isn't your thing **

A Good Day for Chardonnay is the second book featuring Sherriff Sunshine Vicram. This one picks up a couple of months after the events of the first book. Honestly, I wouldn't read this one if you haven't read A Good Day for Sunshine. That book is kind of spoiled in this one. This time around, Sunny is busy solving why a man was stabbed in a bar fight, dealing with a rogue raccoon, and a daughter who is keeps sneaking out and finding trouble.

I loved this one just as much as the first one. It has the perfect mix of laughs, drama, suspense and romance. I love the relationship that Sunny has with her daughter as well as her parents. I laughed out loud so many times reading this book. In fact, I ran through a range of emotions within the short span of a few chapters. The momma bear in me just wanted to hug Cruz and never let go. Man that one scene toward the end wrecked me. I don't want to spoil anything, but there are so many secrets exposed and questions answered. You won't want to stop reading. I hope the next book comes out very soon. That ending left me craving more. I highly recommend this one. It's definitely going to be in my top 10 for this year!

There are a whole bushel of subplots uncomfortably shoving each other aside in A Good Day for Chardonnay. Despite that issue, the great and unusual characters keep me coming back to this series. That and the zany, laugh-out-loud humor.

“Does your heart say chocolate and wine, but your jeans say, for the love of God, woman, eat a salad? Check out our no-commitment memberships!—Sign at Del Sol Fitness and More“

Small town New Mexican Sheriff Sunshine is still investigating her own kidnapping. The kidnapping that resulted in her amnesia and a charming daughter named Auri nine months later. Fifteen-year-old Auri is investigating an eighty-year-old widow who she suspects is a serial killer. She is also investigating her feelings about her best friend Cruz while trying to avoid touching her “devil’s doorbell” (don’t ask). A local man is almost killed in a bar fight. Sunshine’s love interest Levi is looking for revenge. Levi’s family is confessing to murdering one of their own and plotting to take down one another. The mayor forces Sunshine to uncover the Dangerous Daughters who are rumored to be surreptitiously running the town—since the 1950s. Plus there are at least five other subplots too.

I just love Sunshine, Auri, and the gang! However, A Good Day for Chardonnay feels like four book plots forced between two covers. Also, I hate, really hate, cliffhanger endings, of which this book has a humdinger. I highly recommend this series anyway but for goodness’ sakes, read the first book before beginning this one. 4 stars!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sunshine is back and I’m here for it! A LOT was covered in A Good For Chardonnay and many of my questions from A Bad Day for Sunshine were answered. But, in true Darynda Jones fashion, I now have many more questions.

I can’t get enough of Sunshine’s snarky humor, her daughter’s sassiness and her parent’s humor and support of Sunshine and her daughter are heartwarming. In fact, I love all the characters (and there are a lot!) in this series and cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The second in the Sunshine Vicram series, A Good Day for Chardonnay picks up where the first left off. Sunshine is the Sheriff of Del Sol. Still trying to fill in her memories and figure out who abducted her when she was seventeen. And still lusting after Levi, while trying to determine out if he’s really a hero or a villain in her story. Honestly, I would recommend starting with the first book, A Bad Day for Sunshine before diving into this second outing.

Sunshine has her hands full when a bar fight turns into a much bigger mystery. Not to mention her teenage daughter working on the side to try and solve a possible serial killer cold case found in her grandparent’s attic. As with the first book, the story is full of humor, twists and turns, and romance. Hang on for a wild ride.

Sunshine is back as her hometown's Sheriff. She is still on the investigative trail of what happened to her as a teenager, and some of that comes into play in the present. When a bar fight turn into a murder, missing person and a unsolved case Sunshine's life is all kinds of crazy. Her teenage daughter is sneaking out, sure she is on the trail of a serial killer that puts her life in danger. Trademark humor abounds plenty plus some surprise emotions. Look forward to where these characters are taken in the next installment.

In this second read of the series Sunshine is looking forward to a relaxing day off since she hasn't had one in a while. Before she can even begin to relax she is called in for a bar fight that turned into a stabbing. Meanwhile her daughter has become interested in some cold cases that looks like a serial killer has gotten away with murder. She's also on the verge of giving into Levi, A man she has loved since they were children. With all that has happened in her past she isn't sure where to take her feelings. Sunshine is still dealing with her past and the new memories that are popping up all the time now. Life has become even more hectic. She make time to deal with her job and findingthe men who stabbed the man at the bar. Her daughter seems to be getting in more trouble lately and as much as she loves her parents they don't seem to be able to catch their grandchild before she acts out. Follow along as she maneuvers through everything that keeps happening in her life. This is such a great series with a ton of mystery and a touch of romance, I can't wait to see what happens next!

A Good Day for Chardonnay continues the tale of Sunshine Vicram, sheriff in the small New Mexico town of Del Sol. It is laugh out loud funny and the cast of eccentric characters creates a tight knit community. A place where people could say about their neighbors, “They are all big nuts, but they’re our nuts.” Sunshine’s 14 year old daughter plays a significant role in this book, Some of her antics are a bit over the top but they provide the basis for the suspense and the heartwarming aspects of the plot. Sunshine’s relationship with Levi makes slow progress, adding some sexual tension to the mix.

Though the author tried to provide background from the previous book in this series, readers will enjoy this book more having read the first one. This sequel didn’t seem to hang together quite as well as A Good Day for Sunshine. It felt a little more chaotic somehow. That said, it is a quick, enjoyable read with entertaining dialog. Each chapter begins with quotes from signs found around Del Sol. Read those for a great laugh even if you don’t read the book.

Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum and Nancy Bartholomew’s Sierra Lavotini will want to add Darynda Jones’ Sunshine Vicram to their lists of characters not to be missed.

Wow, there was a lot going on in this book! This was so fast-paced, I think I’m ready for my own glass of Chardonnay now.

I have not read the first book, and that is my mistake; however, I was able to follow all the bizarre and intense story lines in this fast-paced novel. I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cheers 🥂

I really like Jones' writing. She has great dialogue with snappy comments and comebacks. She has great humor that made me laugh. There is a good balance of character thought and development and suspenseful situations. I like Sunshine as a character and was happy to see more about her abduction revealed in this book. The plot is a little complex but that is because there is so much going on in Sheriff Sunshine's life. Her daughter is a pistol and adds lots of fun to the novel. Family relationships plays a big part in this novel, both good, on Sunshine's part, and not so good, on the Ravinder family part. And what an interesting and surprising twist at the end.

The only aspect of this novel I did not like and felt marred an otherwise great novel was the very graphic sex scene near the end. And I mean graphic. While it had a part in Sunshine's character development, I'm of the old school where I find allusion much more interesting and appropriate than graphic description.

Other than the graphic sex scene, this is a very enjoyable and entertaining book. I hope there are more planned for the series as I'll be watching for them.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The story opens with Sunshine Vicram considering all the ways she can kill her parents. Their crime? They fixed her up with a man who works in pest control and he loves to share his work stories. Worst blind date ever. Sunshine has stories of her own as she is the Sheriff of Del Sol, a small New Mexico town. With a Master's degree in criminal justice, ten years on the Santa Fe police force, seven of which she served as a detective she is more than accomplished. However, the population of Del Sol is a bit unusual and since many of them confess to crimes they couldn't possibly have committed things never get dull. When the man she has secretly loved for years is involved in a crime, bad blind dates become the least of Sunshine's problems.
Even though the narrative is filled with major crimes, it is witty and often laugh out loud funny. There are multiple story lines, complex family relationships and twists and turns. Filled with both memorable moments and characters this book is an excellent and entertaining read. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This second book in the series proves that the excellence of the first book was no fluke. This powerfully written story grabs you immediately and doesn’t let go. The writing is very skillful, with multiple story lines and believable, well-developed characters. Highly recommended! I can’t wait to see where she takes these characters in next book. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.

A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY is the second instalment in Darynda Jones’ contemporary, adult SUNSHINE VICRAM mystery, suspense, and of-times humorous series focusing on thirty-three year old, Sheriff Sunshine Blaze Vicram and her fifteen year old daughter Aurora ‘Auri’. A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

Told from dual third person perspective (Sunshine and Auri) A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY follows several paths including Del Sol, New Mexico sheriff Sunshine Vicram in the wake of a vicious stabbing, and hit and run at a local bar that left too many questions for our story line heroine. With the stabbing victim in the hospital, and his injured friend and Sunshine’s love interest Levi Ravinder on the hunt for the people responsible, Sunshine and her team of police investigators begin a search for the truth.

Meanwhile, believing her eighty year old neighbor Mrs. Fairborn is a serial killer, Sunshine’s daughter Auri, along with her friends Cruz and Sybil, begin an investigation of their own, only to place themselves in the direct line of fire. As Sunshine continues to search for Levi Ravinder, and the truth about what happened and why, secrets and lies are revealed pulling Sunshine into the past when her life spiralled out of control. A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder wants to come home but his story begins to contradict everything Sunshine thought to be true.

The world building continues to focus on the abduction, fifteen years earlier, of our story line heroine Sunshine Vicram, and the aftermath that would change her life forever. Without any solid evidence as to the who, how and why, Sunshine’s memories of that fateful time slowly begin to reveal a heart breaking connection, and the possibility that what she believes isn’t even close to the truth.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Levi Ravinder, his sister Hailey, and their uncle Wynn; Sunshine’s parents Cyrus and Elaine Freyr: Sunshine’s best friend and fellow law enforcement officer Chief Deputy Quincy Cooper; fellow law enforcement Poetry Rojas, Deputies Zee and Salazar; Auri’s besties Cruz De los Santos, and Sybil St. Aubin; as well as Keith Seabright, a mercenary for hire. The requisite evil has many faces.

A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY and the SUNSHINE VICRAM series reads similarly to the author’s Charley Davidson series- a best friend, a love interest who remains secretive and aloof, a great team of supporting friends and characters, a couple of teens who begin a series of investigations, and the snark, sarcasm, humor, giggles and laughs that add a little bit of ‘Sunshine’ into your life ;)

A GOOD FOR CHARDONNAY is a detailed and complex story of family, betrayal, secrets, greed, murder and love with spirited characters, a tragic back story, and a heart warming and twisted love affair that has been buried by secrets and lies.


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A second book about Sunshine and Auri Vicram? Yes, please! I hope there are many more!

Sunshine is still adjusting to being elected sheriff and catching her breath from all the action in the first book. Auri is starting to follow in her mother's footsteps by investigating old newspaper clippings about missing people. And of course Sunshine is still lusting after Levi Ravinder.

I enjoyed revisiting these characters. I don't want to give anything away as there are some surprises. If you enjoyed A Bad Day for Sunshine grab this one for a fun summer read.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC!

Sunshine Vicram sure is a busy woman. A sheriff, single mother of a teenage girl who fancies herself a detective, and a woman in love with a man who gives her warm and cold signals. Dealing with her past as a kidnap victim is daily for her andcwhen a teenager goes missing she is determined to find him. What she will find is unexpected help from her love interest, a family hiding secrets and greed. Toss in her daughter getting in to trouble and its no wonder she needs some Chardonnay. I received a copy through Netgalley and my review is voluntary.

We need to have a conversation about HOW FREAKING GOOD THIS SERIES IS. A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY is the second book in Darynda Jones’ Sunshine Vicram series. It’s part romance, part mystery, part comedy, and all freaking delightful!

Sunshine Vicram is a quirky small-town police sheriff and single mom juggling a teenage daughter with a penchant for trouble, unresolved abduction case (her own), and her major attraction to the hot, broody local distiller with ~secrets~

Yes, you need to read this series in order, but dang you will be hooked on this quippy and fun series with loveably imperfect characters. Sunshine and her daughter give me major Gilmore Girl vibes! The New Mexico setting is the perfect backdrop and the secondary characters are absolute perfection – and freaking hilarious! Sunshine’s parents alone had me rolling with laughter!

CHARDONNAY is a ride!! It’s even better than the first book. Each time I thought I knew where the book was heading, the plot took a left turn that kept me flipping pages long, long into the night! The action at the end?? Omg my heart is beating fast just thinking about it.

I adore Darynda’s writing and this is absolutely one of her best books ever. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!

I read and listened to the audiobook at the same time because Lorelei King is one of the best narrators in the business! She brings the book alive!

So, in conclusion, go pick up A BAD DAY FOR SUNSHINE and A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY (it came out this week!!) because you’re going to want to binge them, then please come chat with me so we can mutually fangirl and speculate about where this series will go next!!

**I received a free copy of this audiobook in order to provide an honest review**