I reviewed the print copy of this book for Mystery Scene Magazine so please buy the August 15th issue to see the full review.
The audio version is a fantastic way to enjoy this super read and the narration is perfect

I have no idea how you would classify this novel. A Good Day for Chardonnay is definitely a comedy, overflowing with witty banter, which often borders into the cheesy and absurd category. It is also a mystery with some weighty material, as well as silly escapades. It clearly has an added romantic suspense angle with some rather graphic scenes which is quite detailed and definitely unexpected.

The most basic outline is that we follow Sunshine Vicram, sheriff in Del Sol, New Mexico, who deals with the absurd, trying to round up an escape-artist raccoon, as well some very serious, local kidnappings that have taken place over decades. She handles the potential murders with more whimsy and calm than she deals with the rascally raccoon, and overlooks vigilantism and law-breaking, if executed by a friend. Her daughter repeatedly gets into trouble in her attempts to solve her own angle of a related crime, though she doesn’t seem to learn from her mistakes, and her grandparents can’t seem to keep track of her, even though it’s their one job.

There is a lot going on in this story. It’s a rather complex plotline with some subplots mixed in, though I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily hard to follow. As such, it’s quite a lengthy book. It has romance, mob ties, characters dealing with disturbing pasts, witty banter, secret alliances, friendships and more.. I do feel that the audio-narration really added to the tone and vibe of the story and definitely enhanced it. The voices were well-done and suited the characters quite nicely..

It is a bit concerning how cavalier some of the crimes are viewed and the lack of accountability, but that’s clearly not the intention of the story. It is a bit of a whirlwind, but it’s also pretty entertaining if you go into it knowing it’s not meant to be taken too seriously and is more akin to a humorous, cozy mystery (with a side of romantic suspense) than anything with realistic leanings. All-in-all, it’s a tongue-in-cheek rom-com that is mystery-light and good choice for a quick beachy type read.

The book has so many layers and goes so many places. It’s a lot to keep track of at times, but this is the type of book that I crave. It keeps my brain so busy, and that’s exactly why I read most of the time! In book 2, Sunshine Vicram is still not totally sure how she ended up elected sheriff of the small New Mexico town she never signed up to run for, but here we are.

In the first part of this story, an out-of-control bar fight kicks things off, and things spiral wildly into chaos from there. The residents all confessing to crimes to protect certain people are pretty funny. Jones has the same kind of knack as one of my favorite authors, Janet Evanovich, for bringing levity to serious situations while still being respectful and thoughtful.

I love the resolution to some scenarios left unresolved in book 1, and look forward to seeing how a few storylines play out in the next book.

Know going in there will be:
Cheesiness, over-the-top shenanigans, steam (yup… wiiiiiide open door!), dead bodies, attempted killings, talk of past abductions and possible sexual assault, teenage trauma and possibly more.

I LOVE Lorelei King (yes, she continues to also nail Stephanie Plum narration!). She just brings so much joy and emotion to the story. She’s perfect for this series. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for an ALC for this title via NetGalley Shelf.

First and foremost, Lorelei King is absolutely fabulous as a narrator. Her ability to change her voice for each character is amazing. She has me spoiled. I tend to pick her books over other narrators because I know they will always be entertaining. This series of books reminds me of the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich but Darynda Jones is more in depth in her descriptions and the investigations are more intense. However, the snarky wit is there which adds an extra layer of entertainment. Sunshine Vicram is the sheriff of a small New Mexico town and she seems to suspect every Ravender in town. There were a lot of Ravenders to try and keep straight while listening to this book. That was a little confusing. Sunshine is tough but is willing to look the other way if it will get her the outcome she is searching for. Her teenage daughter Auri is a handful. She wants to investigate crimes like her mother and "help" but she can't even drive yet. It doesn't stop her or her friend Cruz. She has a habit of sneaking out at night to investigate said crimes much to the chagrin of her trusting grandparents who are in charge of her while Sunshine is on duty. Auri is convinced the owner of the boarding house, a house where multiple people stayed and were never seen again, is a killer and she plans to prove it. Auri gets in over her head and puts both her life and Cruz's in danger along with the life of the elderly owner of the boarding house. This book was entertaining, easy to read and action packed.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Love, love, loved this book! I especially loved listening to it on audiobook. Lorelei King’s narration is just perfect as she brings Sunshine Vicram and all her smart, snarky glory to life.



The story combines romance, humor and mystery in a completely entertaining package.



A Good Day for Chardonnay answers some questions that were left hanging at the end of A Bad Day For Sunshine and then leaves us with a few new ones while we pine for book three!!

-5 Stars!-

Clever and thoroughly entertaining, Really well written even though it was through listening and kept my attention.
I really enjoyed the style of the narrator as well.

I would buy this one for friends as a gift.

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this alc in exchnage for my honeat review.

A Good Day for Chardonnay is the second installment in author Darynda Jones’ Sunshine Vicram mystery series. In this novel Sunshine is tasked with finding the assailants that landed a seasoned veteran who lives off grid in an ICU after an unprovoked knife fight outside Levi Ravinder’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill, also injuring Ravinder as he tried to prevent their escape. At the same time Mayor Donna Lomas has given Sunshine a deadline to discover and report on the group known as the Dangerous Daughters and her teenage daughter has begun an investigation of her own to try to find a cold case serial killer. This would really be a good day for a glass of Chardonnay!

This carefully woven plot has strands from the past pulling on current occurrences and entwining both Sunshine and Levi Ravinder in a fast paced mystery that just might bring about the answers to several past crimes including Sunshine’s abduction when she was a teen. Also enmeshed are the paths of Auri Vicram and her young beau Cruz De Los Santos as they seek their own answers. I cannot say enough good about this series. I have enjoyed these straight talking multidimensional characters as they come together to solve convoluted crimes. I did enjoy this book, I do recommend it, and I so look forward to the next installment!!

This audiobook is narrated by Lorelei King. She does a wonderful job of relaying the story and making the listener feel one with the story!

It's hard to beat Darynda Jones for a great combination of smart and snark. This is another excellent read from her. I was a bit hesitant to move from my beloved Charley Davidson series to Sunshine Vicram, unsure whether poor Sunshine could meet my expectations. But indeed, she did! The first two books have been smart and fun, with an interesting cast of characters surrounding Sunshine at work and at home. I love her relationships with her precocious daughter and her parents. And it's fun to watch her building her team in her new position as Sheriff of a small New Mexico town. Add in a few mysteries to solve, both professionally and personally, and it all makes for a terrific read.
I listened to the audiobook version, and can't recommend it highly enough. Darynda Jones' writing and Lorelei King's narration make for a brilliant combination.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

A Good Day for Chardonnay is the second book in the Sunshine Vicram series. I really enjoyed the story and how it played out. The story does stand alone, but I'd recommend reading the first in the series first. I love the characters and their witty dialogue. Is it the next great American novel, no. Some things are unrealistic, like "are you kidding me?" But will you enjoy the story, absolutely!

Thanks NetGalley, Darynda, and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read!

This book is great! I defiantly recommend reading the first book in the series first. I really like that this book combines a couple of mysteries with a lot of humor to keep the book from getting too dark. It is similar to the Stephanie Plum books but I think the mysteries are a bit more twisty. For me, the only bad part about this book was finishing it and knowing how long I will have to wait for the next installment in the series. This is a fantastic audiobook as Ms. King is probably my favorite narrator and she is perfect for these humorous characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the early listen. What a fun listen this book was. Narrator did a great job with the telling of the story. Will recommend

A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY (Sunshine Vicram #2) by Darynda Jones, narrated by Lorelei King

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio-ARC for my honest review.

This was a nice light-hearted story, even with the crimes that were committed. It is the 2nd book in the series. I hadn't read the first one, but I could still follow without knowing the backstory. There was certainly a lot going on with the intertwined storylines. Seemed to be more of a suspenseful romance with some mysteries being solved.
The narrator was amazing and kept it very entertaining.

#NetGalley #AGoodDayforChardonnay

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.

I listened to the audio book, and the narrator (Lorelei King) is fantastic. If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you’ve heard her work. As always, she does a great job voicing the characters, and provides the right amount of sarcasm and sass that oozes through this book.

Wow, there was a lot going on in this book! 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.

The narrator was easy to listen to and had a good flow. I sometimes struggle to follow audiobooks, but I had no trouble listening and following along to Lorelei King.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cheers 🥂

Oh man, love these characters so much! A Good Day for Chardonnay was even better than the first. between Sunshine and her daughter, the wit and sass is amazing. The story does almost get a.little.confhsknf, but it is a wild ride.
I cannot wait for this series to continue!

This was a fun zany adventure mystery - the audio was highly enjoyable.
Sunshine Vikram is the sheriff of Del Sol, New Mexico. She had a hectic start on the job and the chaos hasn’t stopped! Her daughter, Auri, is trying to hunt a serial killer, there’s a raccoon who’s become real menace, and Sun is trying to solve the mystery of her abduction from years ago and also her very first case that became a cold case … a missing boy, missing for seven years now …

She knows Levi, the town’s reformed bad boy, knows more about her abduction 17 years ago than he’s telling her. She’s trying to get the information from him, but is wildly distracted by their mutual attraction.

A Good Day For Chardonnay by Darynda Jones is the second installment in a series but the first one I read/listened to and since I enjoyed it a lot I’ll go back for A Bad Day for Sunshine - the first installment !

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for a free copy of the audio book, in exchange for my honest review.

The publishing date was July 27, 2021 so the book is out now and it is a lot of fun !

A Good Day for Chardonnay:

Makeup fades. Tacos are forever.

A Good Chardonnay was an absolute treat in the middle of my July slump! The banter was what I expected, we got a lot of answers, and pure entertainment with a little on the steamy side. What else could a gal ask for?

I loved that we got to see Auri and realize she’s just like her mom. They are witty and hilarious in their own right, put them together and I felt like Sunshine’s parents to where I didn’t know if they were joking or not!

There is a lot going on and you have two main storylines the entire time. In the storylines you have 4 or 5 sublines, but honestly, it wasn’t too hard to follow. Lorelei King had me in tears, but also kept me focused on the story in its entirety. I felt like bombshells were dropped left and right and holy moly cliffhanger!

Overall, I enjoyed it! It was snarky and had a little steam! Fans of Finlay Donovan are sure to enjoy A Good Day for Chardonnay. I recommend reading A Bad Day for Sunshine first, as you get to really fall in love with these characters. Thank you so much @smpromance and @macmillan audio for the gifted copy! A Good Day for Chardonnay is out now and I adore this series!

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**

A lighthearted hilarious laugh out loud mystery in the vein of Janet Evanovich. Our main character is the local sheriff - Sunshine. Yes. That is her name. We get into a bit of the underbelly of the local town and we delve into a number of mysteries and other adventures. If you like to laugh and have a bit of a sarcastic side - this book is for you. I’m thrilled to discover this is the second in a series and I will be going back to catch the first as well. Thanks to NetGalley for this little adventure - I really enjoyed it.

Sunshine has a lot on her plate. She is sherriff of a small town, raising a strong willed teenager and trying to keep her parents out of her love life! But, when a bar fight gets out of hand, Sunny knows her day is about to get worse. Will the fight lead her to find out about her past or will it lead her to love…better read this to find out!

I have never read this author….GASP…I KNOW! Where have I been?! I have seen her books in many places, I just have never picked one up. That is about to be remedied! I enjoyed this novel tremendously! I loved the characters, the snarkiness and the twisted story. This definitely took me on a ride I will not soon forget.

This is number two in the Sunshine Vicram series. I have not read the first. I did ok without reading it but, I have some major questions so I am going to get that one soon. I need to know what happened to Sunshine in the first book!

The narrator, Lorelei King, did an excellent job. Perfect inflection…even with the snarky parts…must listen to find out!

Need a great mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.