DNF at 42%. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't doing it for me. It took me a few weeks to even make it to 40% and I just found myself not wanting to pick it up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC of Peril in Pink in exchange for my honest review!
I tried, but couldn't finish this, I attempted it many times over a long period of time, but it felt like the story was dragging and going nowhere.

Title: Peril in Pink
Author: Sydney Leigh
Length: 304 pages
Format: ebook arc
Pub Date: March 19, 2024
Genre: Mystery
Rating Out of 5: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice Level: closed door
Summary:
At the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, owner Jess Byrne has arranged a perfect welcome, including a live performance by her ex-boyfriend, reality singing star Lars Armstrong. However, the event takes a dark turn when Lars' stepdad and manager, Bob, is found dead, making Lars the prime suspect. Desperate to save her B&B's reputation, Jess agrees to help Lars prove his innocence. But as she investigates, she grows increasingly uncertain of Lars' innocence, especially after he’s found at another murder scene. With the B&B in the news for all the wrong reasons and a killer on the loose, Jess, with her best friend Kat, must uncover the truth before Lars is jailed and The Pearl's future is ruined.

Thoughts:
This book was a nice, light, and easy-read mystery with plenty of drama and a whodunit scenario. One of the highlights of this book is the abundance of characters, each with their own motives, making it a fun challenge to figure out the real killer. The suspense and information gathering is maintained throughout, and I found myself guessing until right before the big reveal. The small town vibes add an extra layer of charm and intrigue to the story, making it a delightful read. Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable mystery that kept me entertained!

Special thanks to the @netgalley and @CrookedLaneBooks for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

A cute and cosy mystery, which I devoured. Plenty of humour and very well written, with characters that you can easily get attached too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC of Peril in Pink in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this cozy mystery, but I was able to guess the end. Nevertheless, it was a fun, entertaining, quick read that I would recommend to anyone that loves cozy mysteries!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun read! Anything compared to Schitt’s Creek and Only Murderers in the Building is a winner.

Jess and Kat have now opened The Pearl, a B&B, and for their opening weekend, they have a hometown hero booked to play some songs, yet a slight twist of murder disrupts everyone's holiday plans.

The cast of characters from Fletcher Lake, in the Hudson Valley, were vast and not without suspicion. This cozy mystery is described as Schitt's Creek meets Only Murders in the Building, but I would equate the goings-on more akin to Murder She Wrote (JESS? FLETCHER Lake? A coincidence??). While the history of who had beefs with whom was gradually revealed, in the manner of a Jessica Fletcher display, the murderer is disclosed in a convoluted fashion with the most overlooked explanation being the most reasonable as well. Nothing was crazy suspenseful, and nothing was overly thriller-ish, so if a cozy mystery is your jam, this is a good pick.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to Negalley and Crooked Lane Books for e-arc!

This had the most cozy mystery vibes and I love a good locked in mystery where no one can leave. I thought this was a great debut novel, and Jess and Kat were a lot of fun. Can't wait to see what this author does next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

what’s it about? ⬇️

When Jess Byrne moves back to her hometown to open a B&B with her best friend Kat, their plan was to turn The Pearl into a gorgeous, fun, bright pink dream getaway location with tons of Instagram-able photo-ops and activities for guests, and the added bonus of going into business with Jess's brother and his new wife when they open an attached bar only makes things better. And when the grand opening finally rolls around, Jess couldn't be more excited for the performance of a lifetime that her high school ex-boyfriend Lars--a recent singing competition winner who has shot to sudden fame--will be giving poolside opening night. Everything is going perfectly according to plan...right up until Lars flakes out right before showtime and they're forced to scramble for a backup plan. But everything gets handled, and their weekend is back on track to blow even their dreams out of the water. But it all turns out to be an awful nightmare the next morning when a body--Lars' step father and manager--is found on the property and the police are suddenly swarming The Pearl and hunting a murderer. Can Jess and Kat--two self-proclaimed murder aficionados with a love for true crime podcasts--help the police solve the crime before it's too late to save the day--and the reputation of their B&B?

my thoughts? ⬇️

Look…there is so much in this book that should have come together to make it the perfect read for me. It sounded so fun from the description, and I was ready to go on a wild ride. But all in all, it ended up flopping for me in a big way. The writing wasn’t bad by any means, but it was over descriptive in some parts when it wasn’t needed and didn’t explain or describe nearly enough at other times when I was desperate for more information. The plot was really well thought out and would have been awesome down to the twist, but the execution fell flat on most integral points. Most of the characters and relationships were one-dimensional and didn’t experience much or any growth, and the romance…it was just a huge disappointment when every time it felt like something was actually brewing and starting to build, the scene would change or the characters would fumble and fall out of the moment–and not in a fun, quirky way. Also, more of a personal issue, but the cops were horrible at their jobs. I just found myself wanting so, so much more from this book and it broke my heart.

Peril in Pink is not just a mystery; it's a delightful journey through a small town where every resident has a story, and every corner holds a clue. A must read for cozy-mystery lovers! Sydney Leigh has crafted a charming and suspenseful tale that promises to keep readers hooked!

DNF at 30%. Fun, but forgettable cozy mystery with few likable characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in return for a fair and honest review.

I love a good cozy mystery; this one was quick and easy to read. I will say that the plot was a little dramatic and unfortunately a little too predictable, but I did enjoy the book. I enjoyed the ending even if I did guess the plot, Leigh's writing kept me engaged and her characters were unique, also I always love a good pup (or cat, or any animal) as a little sidekick.

Overall, a good start

'Peril in Pink' is a cute and modern cozy mystery with a bit of romance and a lot of humor, even if the plot was a bit all over the place!

The cover for this is absolutely gorgeous, and the story sounded even better! I just wish it had lived up to those hopes and been a bit more streamline. Between the storylines of the murder, Jess and Lars, thrown in with her brother and sister-in-law, her best friend Kat, Nicky and his (ex?) wife and her sister, and Britt, Paula, and George Havers, it was just a lot to keep up with. I lost track a bit through, if I'm being honest. The payoff for the murder made sense, it just felt like it took way too much to get there!

Jess and Kat were so fun to read, and the B&B and it's cast of characters is one that I would definitely continue to read the series, it just probably wouldn't be a priority for my TBR. Jess and James were adorable, so I wish we'd gotten a bit more of that than Jess being so hung up on a high school boyfriend who clearly treats her like trash.

Overall, it was a cute and enjoyable read, but I just wish it hadn't felt so convoluted with all of the twisting plots.

Book Review: Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh

Rating: 4 Stars

Alright, fellow cozy mystery lovers, let me tell you about this gem of a book I just finished called Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh. Picture this: a cozy inn in the Hudson Valley, a murder mystery, and a dash of celebrity drama – that's the recipe for this captivating debut novel.

From the get-go, the author hooks you in with a mix of charm and suspense that's like Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building. As Jess Byrne opens The Pearl B&B to the public, things take a wild turn when her ex, Lars Armstrong, becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. Cue the drama!

I have to give top marks to this author for her writing style – it's smooth, engaging, and keeps you on your toes as Jess races to clear Lars’ name and save her B&B from scandal. The characters are so likable, especially Jess and her partner-in-crime-solving Kat. You can't help but root for them as they unravel the mystery.

And can we talk about that cover? As a pink lover myself, I couldn't help but swoon over it. It sets the tone for the whole story – fun, quirky, and oh-so-intriguing.

Overall, Peril in Pink is a fantastic start to what promises to be an addictive cozy mystery series. It's got all the elements you want in a good whodunit – suspense, humor, and a touch of romance. So, if you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing and leave you wanting more, do yourself a favor and pick up Peril in Pink. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This was a really fun read. I loved the concept and most of the characters. Super cozy and a perfect fall read.

Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh is such a fun debut and it is a great start to a new cozy series! I thought this book was absolutely hilarious as well as being completely engaging and it is an easy read that you can get through in a day. I loved Jess as well as almost all of the rest of the cast of characters, and the mystery was just the right side of twisty and surprising. The B&B setting was great, and I loved Leigh's descriptions of it and the characters themselves. I can't even tell you how many times I laughed out loud while at the same time, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

The audiobook was perfect with Traci Odom as the narrator, and I loved the way she brought Jess and the story to life. She nailed the emotions, pitch, and humor perfectly and I really hope she continues as the narrator for this series. Peril in Pink moves at a very steady pace throughout, and if I didn't know this was a debut, I never would have been able to tell. I enjoyed Leigh's writing immensely and it will be interesting to see where she takes the characters AND the B&B next. If you are in the mood for a light, quick read that will make you laugh and has an adorable dog, this is the perfect choice!

This was a cute, cozy mystery. I originally requested it because of the title and cover.

Jess runs a B&B in upstate New York called The Pearl. It's opening weekend, and Jess's ex-boyfriend, Lars, is the headliner for a live show. When not one but two murders occur, Jess does some sleuthing to see if Lars is guilty or innocent.

This book gives you the small town, Hallmark feel with likable characters, and a hostess who is also a true crime fan.

A sparkling debut mystery series that kept me engaged throughout. I loved the quirky characters and the cozy B &B atmosphere. I look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh is a fun murder mystery. The characters in this novel were interesting and kept the plot moving steadily. I love a cozy mystery with all suspects under the same roof. If you like them too, this book might be for you. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is an entertaining cozy debut. There’s an engaging cast of characters, a fun setting and an interesting mystery. So many people had reason to despise the initial murder victim that it wouldn’t have been a total surprise to believe that someone would snap and kill him, but when another murder occurs, it’s a struggle for our amateur sleuths to figure out who would have wanted both men dead. There were a lot of characters, and it was somewhat difficult to keep them all straight, which did bog down the story a bit. All in all, this was a cute, enjoyable read and a promising introduction to the series.