3.5⭐️I enjoyed this story for the most part. I kind of wish there had been a little more development of the romance between Gabe and Pom, it felt a little superficial at times and I didn’t see as much connection between them as I would have liked. I would definitely recommend this for a quick easy read. I didn’t anticipate the reveal at the end and so I thought that was good, but like I said, I felt like the romance was missing something! I did really like the character development of Pom throughout!

Thank you Atria and Bellamy Rose for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a quick, fun read! I loved Pamona’s characters arc, watching her learn how to stick up for herself and find things she really loved. And the whole murder mystery thing was FUN! And throw in a real finding yourself and what’s REALLY important in life, and finding some love along the way!! I really enjoyed this one!

Thanks so much to Atria for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you for this arc, Netgalley. This was everything of a cozy mystery that I was looking for. It was cute and funny as well. I would recommend if you like mystery murder books. I rated this 4 stars.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery debut full of rich people behaving badly and humorous inner monologues.

Pomona’s grandmother is murdered, and Pomona and her family are kicked out of their homes and stripped of their inheritance until the killer is caught. Pomona hasn’t worked a day in her life, and to get back to her normal life of glitz and galas, she decides she is the right person to solve the mystery.

Pomona was such a fun main character, an her transformation and development across the story was impressive. She starts as a young woman with zero direction or goals and is a very different character after pushing herself to do the uncomfortable work throughout the book. Her inner dialogue is hilarious and quite self-absorbed, but we quickly learn that Pomona does have a heart and care about others.

The mystery was intriguing and salacious, with plenty of family members in the crosshairs with motivations of their own. Pomona’s mom is particularly unlikable, but all of these characters definitely have their quirks!

I was highly entertained by this one and will look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

I really tried with this one. I loved the concept of Alexis Rose meets murder mystery, but it didn't quite work for me.

There were times when the rich New York socialite angle worked great and other times when it felt the author was trying too hard. It was also hard because sometimes it felt like Pomona had sympathy for those less fortunate than her or understood a bit of their troubles, and then other times where she was woefully oblivious. It was inconsistent, and that drove me crazy.

We had a good cast of characters. Sometimes, they were painfully cliche, but they weren't horrible most of the time.

The pacing was really tough for me. It was way too slow and only focused on progressing forward half of the time.

I hate that I didn't like this one because I was so excited to read it! Alas, maybe next time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Pomona Afton has everything she could ever want and nothing can wrong, even after she finds her murdered grandmother. Until a clause in the will kicks in that if her grandmother is found dead in mysterious circumstances, every asset the Aftons have is frozen until the murder is solved. But Pomona Afton can SO solve a murder, right?

Here’s what I liked:
- Pomona’s interactions with the “real world” are so funny. Her inner dialogue is fresh and humorous
- Squeaky the cat is adorable and I love his existence
- All of the food mentioned sounded so good I am considering learning how to bake

Here’s what I loved:
- This book was more murder mystery than romcom and I enjoyed it so much! Yes, there was some tension and flirting and banter. But the focus wasn’t on that, which made me appreciate it so much more.
- Pomona’s self growth and ability to reflect on her life to create one she liked more is such a good read
- The twist at the end! Maybe if I was smarter and picked up on more things on my own, I would’ve seen it coming but it was such a neat wrap up! I definitely want to reread the book and see what clues I can find

Here’s what I didn’t like:
- Genuinely, I wish the book was longer and dived more into the family relationships.
- I have actual beef with Pomona’s mom!

Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book. Everything about it was well thought out and written wonderfully. There was a lightheartedness that made it a quick and easy read even while dealing with the tension of solving a murder. I think I’ll come back to this book consistently whenever I need a pick me up or just want to feel good.

I loved the premise of this mystery. Ponoma is an heiress to a hotel fortune with few life skills other then spending money and going to events. When her grandmother is murdered and Ponoma's fortune is frozen she has solve the murder to get access to her trust fund again. This was a light and easy read, but I felt like the pacing wasn't the best and I found myself skimming.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced reader copy.

This was a cute and refreshing palate cleanser for me. The main character (whose voice we hear from) can be a bit too much to tolerate in large doses. It’s not exactly a bad thing - we know coming in that out girl Pomona is a little flighty, airheaded Cher-from-Clueless-meets-Paris-Hilton girlie down on her luck and out to solve a murder - but being in her head with the first person POV took a little getting used to. Once that hurdles’s over, we have a pretty lighthearted (murder notwithstanding) and easy read.

I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This was a cute, cozy mystery with a clean rom-com built in. I liked the main character and enjoyed seeing her personal growth throughout the book. However, the mystery element really didn’t do it for me. The resolution was just kind of meh.

I like this book so far and I’m not done yet, but I’m from Queens and all the disregard for my borough is really getting on my nerves 😭. Like the fact that Pomona asks herself how she would even get there is hilarious. You get there just like you get anywhere else in New York City, the MTA! Like literally, the 7 Express train from Queens into Manhattan takes like 20 minutes, amongst many other train lines that go into the city. Honestly, the author should change Queens to Staten Island, since the only way to get there through public transportation is the ferry lol. And SI IS gross. Also, Queens has the most diverse population in the entire world, of course there’s different kinds of food from everywhere. It seems like her attitude was more about being ignorant and listening to what other people said about Queens, than actually experiencing it herself. This is just my very biased opinion lol

Update: I am done reading the book and this was a fun read. I read that it is Bellamy’s debut novel and it showed a lot of promise, with a setup for a sequel and possible series. I am not sure if I am that interested to follow Pomona but if Bellamy can make the writing flow better and make it more dynamic then I would definitely consider it. I really like the cover art as well.

I think the writing didn’t resonate that much with me because, and I hope this makes sense, I feel like this book was written to be an audiobook. I would read the lines in my head and I would think, “This line would be more dynamic if it were being read in an audiobook or script”. It took me out of the story a few times. I liked Pomona and Gabe but I just feel like her character development wasn’t believable. I know some books aren’t meant to be that long, and that is hard to develop a character quickly, so I do appreciate what the author managed to fit in. But Pomona being so oblivious for most of her life and then changing in a month was a bit of a reach. It seems like Pomona was actually not that bad of a person in her former rich, spoiled, white girl life; but she is still very naïve about how the real world works.

All in all, it was a fun read, it didn’t grip me throughout the entire book, but I was kept entertained for the most part. Like I said, the author shows promise and I wouldn’t mind picking up something else from her, hate for Queens aside lol.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Maybe 3.5? This was an overall okay and light read. I was definitely intrigued, and it reminded me of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (though I loved that book, and I didn’t love this one). It had some funny moments, but the writing felt very simplistic. So, it’s not one I’d be going around recommending, but I had an okay, enjoyable time.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!

After Pomona Afton finds her grandmother murdered in bed, her whole world is thrown upside down. She knew no one would miss her grandmother for her cookies and grandmotherly type ways, because she was a tough love business woman through and through. But she didn’t expect a clause in her will stating that if she died an unnatural death that the family’s assets would be frozen, and remain that way until her death was solved. Overnight, Pomona goes from rich socialite who doesn’t have to worry about anything except her next gala to attend to living with her nanny’s son in a small apartment, working at a cafe, and trying to solve her grandmothers murder to get her life back.

I thought the synopsis of this sounded so cute, a good balance to my usual reads of dark fantasy and even darker horror and thrillers. And the synopsis was right! This book was precious. Pomona Afton is very much the rich, clueless socialite you expect from someone who has never had to work, whose family paid to make sure she got a degree, and is just living her best life drinking and partying. The one thing I didn’t except from Pomona was how much heart she had. She might be clueless, and occasionally tactless in what she says to people, but she meant well throughout the book. She wanted to think the best of people, even when she thinks they might be a murderer. There are many missteps, and she puts her foot in her mouth more than half the time, but she grows and learns from it. I think that my favourite part of the book was watching her grow into a well rounded human, discovering herself and her real interests, and making real connections with her family and friends.

The murder itself is very straight forward, and the book is much more about Pomona discovering herself as she searches for the murderer. Her interactions with people she thinks might be guilty end up being more of a learning experience for everyone rather than a tense or suspenseful event where you’re worried for someone’s life. Maybe that is the general trait of a cozy mystery, I am not well acquainted with the genre, but either way I loved that! The whodunnit of the novel was kind of evident early in the book, but there were still some good twists and turns to get to actually solving it.

I also surprisingly enjoyed the touch of romance in the book! It’s not spicy, it’s just cute. It felt fairly real, it felt awkward and unsure, and just really authentic in a lot of ways. I enjoyed the way it grew throughout the story, without feeling forced. While still a main part of the story, it didn’t overshadow the murder mystery, and still allowed Pomona to grow as her own person without being defined by a relationship.

All in all, I just really enjoyed this. It was cute, the characters felt like real people, it had enough of a mystery to keep my mind engaged and curious. If you’re a fan of cozy type mysteries, this is definitely one I would recommend. If you need something different from your violent murder mysteries, maybe this is something other readers like me would end up enjoying just for that switch too.

3.5 stars
Thank you Atria and Bellamy Rose for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I want to stress that Netgalley is no longer offering ARCs supported by my e-reader of choice (Kobo) so this book was read under duress on my phone which was a crappy experience. This might have impacted my views of the book as a result (even though I really tried to remain impartial).

This book mixes romcom with murder mystery in a very fun and compelling way. Whilst it is a lighthearted read, there is not much to point out regarding the pacing, character arcs or even the romance that made this any less interesting for me.

Starting with Pomona, I think it was very smart of the author to introduce us to a character that has it all, which comes with a very specific set of unrelatable concerns, and then immediately loses her fortune, house, and friends, forcing her to re-evaluate her priorities and herself. As Pomona stops having distractions, she starts to stand up for herself and find out things in life that bring her joy (e.g. baking) that she wouldn't have otherwise. In many ways, her journey is a late coming-of-age story which I think can be relatable to many people regardless of age, as we all change over time to a point where we also start wanting different things.

Whilst Pomona's journey is very compelling, the romance and murder mystery aspects were what made the book entertaining and a very fast read. I think the twists were good and the final reveal was unexpected until the very last section of the book. The romance also felt well paced and there was enough tension to make it feel as though the characters had chemistry but also good reasons not to act upon their desires.

Overall, I would recommend this to readers looking for an easy read that makes them laugh but that is also reminiscent of Gossip Girl in many ways (think Serena being destitute and forced to move out of the UES while investigating Cece's murder so she can get her fortune back)!

“Pomona Aston Can So Solve a Murder” is such a fun read! It’s like if Alexis Rose from “Schitt’s Creek” lost all her money, and was evicted from her luxurious apartment until she solved her Grandmother’s murder. Bellamy Rose’s writing style is so charming and funny. Fans of cozy mysteries and contemporary romance will enjoy this book. It was great to see Pomona’s character growth through this book, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book is like the movie Get a Clue starring Lindsey Lohan married the OG Gossip Girl and had an affair with Schitt’s Creek. Alexis Rose and Blair Waldorf merged into woefully naive Pomona, our leading lady who finds herself having to solve her grandmother’s murder to save her family from financial ruin.

This is the most fun and lighthearted murder mystery I’ve ever read. Yes, there’s murder which is innately dark, but there’s also romance, comedy , a hilarious inner voice that is out of touch but still loveable, and baked goods! Yes, I said baked goods!

I’m not sure if there is a plan for a series, but I would absolutely read Pomona solving another mystery, even if it wasn’t murder. Her character growth felt like it was just getting started in a way, and I am so curious to see where she goes!

This cozy mystery serves up a delightful blend of satire and sleuthing that’ll have you chuckling and guessing in equal measure.

Pomona starts off as your typical shallow heiress, and I’ll admit, I wasn’t her biggest fan at first. But hold onto your designer hats, because her transformation is something to behold! When her grandmother’s murder leaves her high and dry, Pomona’s forced to step up her game. It’s like watching a pampered poodle turn into a determined bloodhound – unexpected and totally entertaining.

Enter Gabriel, the nanny’s son and Pomona’s partner in crime-solving. Their dynamic is pure gold! Their amateur sleuthing approach? Let’s just say it’s more “bull in a china shop” than “Sherlock Holmes,” but that’s what makes it so fun. They dive headfirst into questioning suspects, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret – I figured out the whodunit before the big reveal. But you know what? It didn’t dampen my enjoyment one bit. Rose throws in enough red herrings to keep you second-guessing, and the journey is just as fun as the destination.

What really hooked me was how Rose balances the cozy mystery elements with some juicy family drama. Pomona’s growth as she navigates family expectations and her newfound detective skills is both heartwarming and hilarious.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, “Pomona Afton Can So Solve A Murder” is your ticket to a good time.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my free book.

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder by Bellamy Rose is a wonderful book, thanks to #KirstinPerrin for giving such a great review it made me want to read this book and I'm so glad that I did, I could not stop reading this book, read it in just over a day. The wonderful and interesting story was original and could be turned into an awesome movie. This cozy who did it book had me guessing although with the main characters Pom and Gabe about who committed the murder. Thank you #netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Pomona, a pampered heiress is on a mission to solve her grandmother’s murder so she can regain access to her trust fund. Along the way she discovers that she may be more resilient than others have given her credit. This was an entertaining read with an appealing main character. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.

I don’t remember ever hating a character as much as I did Pomona at the beginning of a book… only to do a complete 180 and become obsessed with them. How was a character annoyingly entitled and yet, also completely relatable? This book was as if Alexis or David Rose from Schitts Creek needed to solve a murder; it was fun, surprisingly light hearted, and full of twists. Definitely worth the read!

Pomona Afton’s world has just been turned upside down. The hotel heiress just found her grandmother murdered and per the grandmother’s will all family money and assets are frozen until the murder is solved. Pomona’s parents escape to the Hampton’s to avoid the embarrassment and her brother moves in with his girlfriend. That leaves Pomona with nowhere to go, so she calls the only person who has really cared about her, her former nanny, Andrea. Andrea informs her that her son, Gabe, is looking for a roommate and can help her get a job. Living in an apartment and working in a coffee shop are a world away from what Pomona is used to. She decides someone needs to do something about solving her grandmother’s murder so her family can get back to their old life, why not her? Enlisting the help of Gabe, they try to crack the case of who could have murdered her grandmother that night. Along the way Pomona learns some life lessons and begins to fall for Gabe. But when the time comes to slap the cuffs on, will she go back to her old ways or make a new path for herself?

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick, cozy read. It had everything I enjoy in a book including a “who dun it?,” a little romance, lessons learned and some female empowerment. I really look forward to reading some more work by this author. The only reason I ranked it a 4 star was because I was able to figure out who the murderer was midway through so the ending was not a surprise.