Member Reviews
Looking for a laugh out loud mystery than this one is for you. Sunshine and Levi’s romance takes off in this storyline but it doesn’t take away from the happenings in Del Sol.
Although not as fun as Jones' previous series - and definitely more predictable - this is still entertaining. The main issue throughout is the assumed precocity of the daughter; she comes across more as annoying than brilliant.
Thank you for the advanced readers copy Netgalley, but this one ultimately was not a book worth finishing for me.
I love this series!! It was amazing!! I did not want it to end! I hope she rights more if these characters!
Sheriff Sunshine Vicram is in charge, but sometimes would rather not be. Between the missing women, her head-strong daughter Auri, and Levi Ravinder, Sunshine has her hands full. When secrets try to burst the seams of Sunshine's life, will her future be put into question?
Sunshine Vicram is snarky, sassy, and definitely makes those around her stay on their toes. The plot is nothing I have not seen before, but the characterization gives the book life. Having read all of the books in the series, A Hard Day for a Hangover is not my favorite. There is very little character development and the plot is not all that realistic. Overall, the sass is more smoke and mirrors to cover up the lack of actual dialogue. Readers new to the series should start with the first book and familiar ones might enjoy the check-in with their favorite characters.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of A Hard Day for a Hangover by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book rests entirely with me.
This is the last book in a series about a female sheriff Sunshine Vicram. I had never read any other books in this series but since I received an ARC I gave it a try. Initially the book was coming off a bit cheesy to me, but I was going to stick with it. However when I got about 44% into the book the author made a comment that was really offensive. In the book when she talks about white characters hair its always describe in positive adjectives “long, dark and silky”. This type of descripotion was used on all the white characters, however the first Black character she introduces her hair is described as “short locks that were a wile mess like she narrowly escaped a tornado”. To say this is highly offensive is an understatement. First of all they are called “locs”, and they are not unruly or look like you’ve been throug a tornado. Locs can be beautiful and styled in many beautiful hairstyles. To be described as unkempt becuse it’s Black hair is rooted in stereotypical thinking. At that point I realized this author and this book were no longer for me. I will be DNF’ing this book and will not read anything else this author writes. I also really want publishers and editors to look at these types of things and really start encouraging authors to be sensitive to stereotypes and their unconscous biases. If there’s a question as to how I figured the character was Black it was due to the vernacular used and the fact that no one else’s hair was described as “locks”. It’s 2023 lets do better!
I was lucky to receive an advance copy of A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This is the third book in the series and I found it to be a fun, easy read. I think it would have been better for me if I would have read the first two in the series before this one.
Maybe because I didn’t realize this was part of a series nor had read any of the other ones, I just didn’t care for this much. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review
Oh my gosh, this series is ending and I don't know how I'll survive without my regular dose of Del Sol and Sunshine's antics! The last book was a delicious slice of cake that I devoured without any guilt - it was just that good! You never knew where danger was lurking, and secrets were being uncovered left and right. After all these years, something finally feels settled in this zany town.
I mean, seriously, I'm head over heels for all of the nutty characters in this place! They're all so wacky and wonderful, I just can't get enough. It's like saying goodbye to old friends, and I'm not sure my heart can take it. But you know what? I'll always have the memories of the wild rides and laugh-out-loud moments that this series gave me. And who knows, maybe I'll stumble upon another wild and wacky town to call my own!
A Hard Day for a Hangover is the third book in the Sunshine Vicram procedural mystery series by Darynda Jones. Released 6th Dec 2022 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats (paperback due out in 4th quarter 2023). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is such a sarcastic book - honestly more of a slapstick romcom with murder mystery elements. The dialogue is rapid fire and extremely sarcastic throughout even when (in my opinion) it's unwarranted such as discussing murder, abduction, sexual assault, and stabbing. Protagonist Sun, the titular sheriff of her small mountain town, has more inappropriate intrusive sexual thoughts about potential perpetrators and random passersby than would seem possible or entirely healthy. It's all crotches and abs.
There's a persistent Sue Grafton vibe and although it's not derivative, it will definitely resonate with fans of Kinsey Millhone and other wisecracking tough gals.
All that aside, the drawbacks for me personally: the rapid fire funny dialogue, the relentless sexy talk, the bitingly sarcastic writing, and the tough-guy action will be pluses for readers who really enjoy romance mysteries with lots of action and fighting. The plotting is tight and the descriptive writing is competent and readable; the author does know her craft. There are several plot threads which entwine more closely throughout this book, culminating in a satisfying denouement and resolution. Most of the plotlines are resolved in this book so it works well as a standalone, but there's a central background theme which arcs throughout this book and the previous ones. That plot theme includes abduction and sexual assault in Sun's past, so readers should be aware of potential triggers. There is an abundance of sexual banter, alcohol, and strongly implied sexual content.
Four stars, likely higher for readers who enjoy humorous romance.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Outstanding conclusion to this cute series! I’ve read all of the Darynda Jones books and this one is one of my favorites!! Goodbye for now Sunshine!!
In Darynda Jones’ 3rd book in the Sunshine Vicram series many of us have our dreams come true! I won’t tell you what that dream is because I don’t want to spoil the plot. I’ll just say it’s gonna blow your mind!
Ms. Jones has given us a story about Sunshine and her daughter which highlights both of their strengths and weakness which helps the reader be pulled into the story and wondering if we could be both of their friends, of course there are still Sunny’s lovable parents, her quirky townsfolk, best guy friend and that hunky, Levi!!
The writing is one of Darynda’s best, yet, I’m not sure why we needed such graphic details of Sunshine’s sex life. It’s quite the R rated book and I would not recommend this one to younger than 18 even if the reader has been following the series since the beginning.
The intros to each chapter are still some of the funniest things I’ve ever read and I seriously think Ms. Jones should be a comedy writer for sitcoms they are that great! The antics of the townsfolk will keep you in stitches!!
If you have loved reading about Sunshine’s adventures as a sheriff and enjoy her quirky town read this one too. Just make sure you are okay with sex in your readings, I know it’s not for everyone,
The mysteries will keep you reading, because you have no idea where you are going to land up and who is guilty and who is innocent.
A Hard Day for a Hangover is full of twists, turns and drop offs with a deeper look into the lives of its characters. It’s definitely my second favorite of the three stories.
I love the cover art on the final book.
I’m sad to see the trilogy end because I’ve become quite attached to Auri and Sunshine, plus the extended cast.
The backdrop story overshadowed the mystery part for most of the book.
I waited breathlessly to see if Levi and Sun would finally get together; their relationship,has been the main attraction for me.
Does Auri also find out the truth About her paternity? Does Levi? A few surprises await readers in that regard.
An enchanting series from New Mexico!
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* read all the books in this series so far and though it is a bit too much romance for my liking i like the humor and characters enough to read it anyway, good, fun mystery book!
From the publisher:
Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.
Like we said, the new day can take a hike.
A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones was released December 6th, 2022 by St. Martin's Press.
My thoughts: It's a good mystery novel with plenty of snark and humor. It has both serious mysteries and lighter ones. And in addition to Sunshine and her Sheriff's department investigating, her daughter Auri can't keep herself from lending a hand even though she is only in high school.
If you've read the first two books in this series, then this one is a must read. Some plot arcs that have taken place over all three novels are resolved.
If you haven't read the first two books, in theory you could read this one and enjoy it as a stand alone. There are plots and subplots that are only in this novel. But, you would get so much more if you started with book one.
I liked the characters and the setting of small town Del Sol, New Mexico. It's a fast paced book. Pace increases the further you get into the story. And there's a little heat between Sunshine and Levi.
Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It has humor, interesting plots and subplots, good characters, and an interesting setting. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy some humor with their mysteries and don't mind a hot scene or two between characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.
The third book in the "Sunshine Vicram" series, by Darinda Jones is the best yet, and the first two books were great. The crime-solving is some of the best and the humor and sarcasm are like a fine wine getting better as the series progresses. One of the few authors that can mix sleuthing and humor and still make it one of a kind. Think we need more Sunshine....one can only hope.
A hangover is the least of Sun’s problems! I loved the plot and the quirky characters. It was a fun read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sheriff Sunshine Vicram overindulged and has a tequila hangover, which she thinks is going cause her to have a bad day. Little does she know, that will be the least of her problems! A young woman is found injured on the side of a mountain, lucky to be alive. It seems she was assaulted and then pitched over the side of the cliff above. Sheriff Sunshine and her team are on the case, and soon realize this is not an isolated incident. They work to find clues to what is happening in their town. On top of the crime investigation, there is also a threat on Levi Ravinder's life. He comes from a family of shady characters and it seems one of them may want to remove him from the family.
Auri, Sunshine’s teenage daughter, likes to go off and do her own investigating, despite her mother trying to stop her. This often leads to Auri and her friends in sticky situations. On the backburner, there is a hint of romance between Sunshine and Levi, which truly I’d like to have seen more of. A mystery, mixed with humor and some romance, made for an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This is a wonderfully hilarious story. Sunshine is the town sheriff who received her position through dubious ways. This story takes you on a roller coaster of events. This is crime drama, family mystery and town calamity at its finest. This story is great on its own, but is part of a clever series. I would suggest this book and series for anyone..
I am so sad this is the final book in the trilogy. I absolutely love the characters. The cases to be solved are always twisting and turning and keeping you guessing to the end. As with all Darynda Jones books, I love the humor! Definitely worth the read!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC to read and review.