Although this is the first book I've read in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed "Five Belles Too Many". Sarah Blair's mother, Maybelle, and her beau, George, are involved in a reality show with a prize of a dream wedding. Never mind they are basically senior citizens. Reality shows like variety and Maybelle and George provide a charming contrast to the younger couples involved. They are also realists and have no expectations of winning but thought it would be fun. Well, maybe for them.

For Sarah? Not so much. She was drafted to serve as chaperone for her mother during the week's filming and, as luck would have it, the show's contestants are being housed at her nemesis' B&B. Sarah and Jane are, to be simplistic, not friends. Sarah can't wait for the week to be over. She's expecting many things but she isn't expecting murder. Nor did she expect to find Jane standing over the victim with bloody hands.

I won't detail the plot as that can be easily found elsewhere, but will say that it moves right along and kept me guessing until the big reveal. In the process, we're given a sneak peek behind the scenes of how the reality show comes together. The cameras are seemingly always going. What happens when someone varies from the plan? Why is one of the bride contestants' mother so invested in her daughter winning? How about the football player potential grooms? Are they rivals or friends? Are those cigars really as nasty and smelly as reported? What drove Cliff and Sarah apart? What connects the other victims? What the heck does a dishwasher have to do with anything? Why are Flynn and Sam so determined to keep the filming going after Alan's death? Heck, will there even be a wedding?

Nope, not telling. You're going to have to read the book to find out. As noted, you'll find out quite a bit about reality television, too, so buckle up. It's an intriguing, relatively quick read with characters you'll like, animal rescue advocates, great friendships, and, hmm, romance and weddings.

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to be an extra, so to speak, at what should be the wedding of the year in Wheaton, Alabama. I enjoyed meeting everyone and hope to see more of Fluffy and RahRah as I catch up reading about Sarah's adventures.

Sarah has been roped into being her mother's chaperone in a reality contest to have the perfect wedding. When the director is murdered, and her arch enemy Jane is under suspicion, Sarah can't help but investigate to find the real killer and learns more than she ever wanted to know about reality TV.

This is the 5th book of a series but works as a standalone. I enjoyed book 1 and picked up book 5. I'll have to go back and catch up.

ARC via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Sarah is playing chaperone to her Mother when she’s chosen to participate in a wedding competition. Too bad things take a turn when Sarah finds out that the production team has put everyone up at her arch rival’s Inn. Could it get any worse? Well, yes, actually it can.

When Jane, the Inn owner, is found with a dead body, she becomes the prime suspect. Good for Jane that Sarah and her sister Emily don’t believe Jane killed anyone. They may not like each other, but the woman is no killer. Can the sisters find out whodunit before any other disasters, or murders, happen?

This is a fun series and I’ve been reading it from the start. Each book can stand alone, so don’t let the fact that this is the fifth book in the series deter you. That just means there are four more books that you can binge on after you read this one…because you will want to after reading it.

I didn’t like this book. I found it confusing in parts and slow. The characters are okay. #FiveBellesTooMany #NetGalley

Cute but slow and rather full. No chai stood out to me
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Kensington e and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I truly appreciate a good cozy mystery, this one didn’t disappoint.

The fifth in a series- they can stand alone- is as delightful as the others. Established characters that have their strengths and quirks to go on a journey with them is always an adventure.

Book 5 but first I’ve read in the series. Not a bad story but would probably appreciate it more if I was 30 years younger. Would recommend if you have read other books in the series and liked them.

A great storyteller, Debra H. Goldstein writes a fantastic cozy mystery with well-crafted characters.

In Five Belles Too Many, the fifth book in the Sarah Blair Mystery series we find Sarah involved in solving a murder after a body is found and her friend Maybelle is the prime suspect.

Follow the clues to find the killer in this charming must-read.