I absolutely adored this. It was an absolute joy to read! Once I started, I just didn’t want to stop. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @atriabooks for an early copy of Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder by @bellamyrosebook @amandapanitch. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Release date: March 18th, 2025

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder tells the story of Pomona “Pom” Afton, a spoiled hotel heiress who found her grandmother’s body murdered, and with her death came an ironclad will that locked away her trust fund and assets unless her murder was solved. With the help of Pom’s previous nanny’s son-turned-her-roommate Gabe, they investigate her grandmother’s murder and search for the culprit.

I couldn’t help but imagine Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd (Cher and Josh) from Clueless as Pom and Gabe; I mean their personalities just scream these Clueless characters! Anyway, this book was somewhat a delight to read, though at times I found myself needing to put down the book because of Pom’s character. She was naïve and I can’t help but have some secondhand embarrassment from how she thinks, but her character shined as the book progressed with her learning to cope with what she has after losing her family’s money and support. I also found myself being proud of her character when she found her calling in baking pastries and sweets; she channeled her anger and frustration with learning how to bake and be successful in selling them. The author did a great job with Pom’s character growth with her realizations as well.

Gabe has been a wonderful support system for Pom. Initially, I thought he would make Pom’s life even more difficult with her being naïve and everything, but he was very understanding all throughout the story as they investigated her grandmother’s murder. Their chemistry though, I found lacking in some ways because it felt rushed.

The murder mystery parts of the novel were quite okay as well. Pom and Gabe’s investigation wasn’t as in-depth as I would have liked, though given they have no experience with being detectives at all, I’d let it slide.

Overall, this novel was an enjoyable and light mystery/romance read. It’s a good palette cleanser and if you’re in a reading slump and in need of a change in genre, this might be a good book to pick up.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

I don’t often read mystery books, but I am so glad I read this one!

I was pretty invested in this book. I thought about it even when I wasn’t reading it. Honestly, I didn't want to put the book down. I was very interested to see what happened next and find out who did it.

Pomona irritated me quite a bit at the beginning, but she grew on me. I loved her character transformation and how much she grew as a person. I also really liked Gabe and the relationship growth between Pomona and him.

I definitely recommend this to mystery fans!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just read the most fun murder mystery. Check out Pomona Afton can so solve a murder. I just loved this book.

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder by Bellamy Rose is a delightful mix of romance and mystery. The story follows Pomona Afton, a wealthy heiress who must solve her grandmother’s murder to reclaim her frozen trust fund. Moving in with Gabe, the son of her former nanny, Pomona finds herself out of her element but gains a new perspective on life and love.

Rose’s writing is witty and engaging, with a charming romance between Pomona and Gabe that adds warmth to the narrative. Pomona’s character growth from a pampered socialite to a determined sleuth is well-handled and enjoyable. However, the mystery itself feels somewhat secondary and the resolution might be predictable for some readers.

Overall, it’s a fun and entertaining read with strong character development and a sweet romance.

Murder Mysteries are one of my favor types of books. This one is no different. The Characters are great, the setting and plot is amazing. I highly recommend this book.

4.5⭐

Cute cover, cute title, and very cute story! There is very little to complain about so I won't waste my time. I'm actually shocked that this is a debut novel, everything from the plot, to the dialogue, the characters etc flowed so well. Loved the romance, the mystery, the sweet cat, the length (on the short side!) and the characters (especially Pom and Gabe).
A fun read, can't wait for the next one in the series!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was the perfect Labor Day weekend book. A little fashion, a little romcom, a little mystery. This was a fun and entertaining read. Thank you Bellamy Rose and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Pomona Afton Can So Solve A Murder.

First of all, thank you to Net Galley and Atria publishing for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review!

When I saw the description of this book, a few words stood out: rom-com and murder mystery. As a reader where those are my two favorite genres, I immediately said, “sign me up!!”

Pomona Afton is the granddaughter of an extremely wealthy woman. And I mean, WEALTHY. She owns a series of hotels which generates enough money to provide a more than cushy trust fund for her family. Pomona has lived her entire life in luxury, partying, attending galas, and, let’s face it: spoiled AF. That is until one day she finds her grandmother murdered in her room. Now, on top of the shock from finding a family member killed, Pomona’s life is turned upside down when she is forcibly removed from her home and her trust fund is frozen. Turns out grandma had a feeling someone was going to do her in and froze all of her accounts until her murder was solved.

The story follows Pomona learning to live life like a NORMAL person while also trying to solve the crime she stumbled upon. Oh, and did I mention that her roommate is an attractive man that wants nothing to do with her? Yeah, talk about tension.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun time! I think Pomona’s character was well written and showed tremendous growth over the novel. There were times where I’m like, “girl grow up!!!” But it added to the charm. The murder mystery element was also well thought out. After learning who did it, I can see that pieces of the puzzle were sprinkled throughout the story, something I love in my mystery books.

Overall, this was a great time! Definitely give it a read!

Such fun! As lighthearted as a murder mystery can be. I quite enjoyed Pomona's narration and the way her character is developed and the way the dynamics in her various relationships are portrayed.

Alexis Schitt meets Only Murders in the Building! I ate this book up in two days. It was such a fun and short read. I loved being able to watch a character evolve into a good and kind person. Characters that grow on you are always more fun. Gabe was very cute too!

Such a fun cozy mystery! I really enjoyed this in the midst of so many serious books. Pom doesn’t take herself too seriously and her character arc is so uplifting! She finds herself and finds love in the process of solving her grandmother’s murder. It all starts to get back what she thinks she lost but she never really needed! Loved it!

"Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder" is a light, entertaining read that blends rom-com with murder mystery, featuring a spoiled heiress forced to step up and solve her grandmother’s murder. The main character, Pomona, starts off shallow but grows more likable as she learns to navigate life without her riches, with a dash of romance to keep things interesting. While predictable at times, it’s a fun and quick read for fans of cozy mysteries with a bit of humor and heart.

A quick, fun read. Perfect if you loved The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent. It had the same kind of humor and lightheartedness for such a heavy topic.

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun read and I could not put it down. I loved Pomona’s character and seeing her grow throughout the book into a new person. I have never read Bellamy Rose before but I will be definitely checking out more of her books! Also, I would love to see a sequel!

3.5 ⭐️

This story was like if Alexis Rose from Schitts Creek needed to solve a murder and I loved it!! Pom is fun and the romance that developed between her and Gabe was a nice addition to this cozy mystery!

Thanks NetGalley and Atria for an ARC of this one!!!!!

Even though Pom started out a spoilt, clueless heiress, she was still a likeable character who became even more likeable as she ‘grew’. I received this as an advance copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A pretty easy read. Pomona became more likable as the book went on. It was a bit predictable. However, I didn't exactly think the suspect was actually the one who killed Pomona's grandmother. After we find out about the grandfather's indiscretion, I had a feeling about the culprit. I'm glad Pomona became less pretentious. The baking did seem a bit weird to be added in sometimes, but it makes sense in how Pomona found her passion. I knew she would end up with Gabe. Basically forced proximity. This was a cute and short read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. As I am about as far from a spoiled heiress as I can get, I wasn't sure if I would like this but wanted to give it a go anyways. I was surprised and really ended up liking Pomonas character and her self discovery while trying to find out what happened.

Super cute and kitschy - those really was like Paris Hilton starred in Only Murders in the Building.

Pomona Afton is a hotel heiress who has always led the most charmed life possible. Yes, her parents are assholes and everyone infantilizes her and treats her as if she is stupid - but she’s rich AF dammit!

Until her ice queen grandma and family matriarch is murdered in their flagship hotel and her will states that until a the murderer is caught all the assets are frozen. All of the assets. Meaning Pom and her entire family are kicked out of their familial home at the hotel and have zero money that was tied to the estate. From princess to pauper in 30 minutes, Pom sets out to solve her grandmothers murder - discovering along the way that she is more than a sunglasses model who can dance on tables with the best of them - and maybe finding real friendship and a backbone in the process.