I loved everything about this! Sure, of course, you’re supposed to hate Pomona a little in the beginning -she’s the quintessential spoiled, rich girl – but as the book goes on, you learn to appreciate her and root for her as she finds her footing and her place in the world without the fortune. I enjoyed how she quickly, but grudgingly, found a way to support herself and worked to find out what happened to her grandmother, even if she didn’t really like her (or any of her family, it seems). She’s fun, creative, and willing to prove everyone wrong about her. This was perfect the way it was but I wouldn’t be sad if it was a series…

imagine if london tipton tried to solve a murder? yeah i’m sat!!

pom goes on a journey and a half (or really to queens and back) to get her lavish life back but comes back with a deeper understanding of her privilege and relationships with friends and family? all while spilling the best of new york socialites’ tea? say less, i love a book with heart and humor!!

seriously reading this book was such big fun but it was also really sweet and i loved the focus on self-awareness and self-discovery! i just wish gabe’s character had been more involved. even though he had pretty high stakes in the investigation, his whole storyline and persona lacked the same spark that pom had

the mystery plot and pom’s personal growth really take center stage (i mean she is THE pomona afton after all) and the transformation is so gradual but it packs a big meaningful punch

if you like…
🔍comical whodunnits
✍️critiques on high society and class
🏙️being snobby about new york neighborhoods
🤍themes of self discovery
✨the vibes of dcom’s get a clue
…then you’ll love this!

thank you netgalley and @atriabooks for a copy of this arc!

Oh Pomona! I had such a good time getting to know her and watching her solve her grandmother’s murder while also learning who she really wants to be in life. This book is a cozy mystery meets romance meets redemption story.

This story captures all of the common critiques of the wealthy class and those who seem to just be skating by in life thanks to family money. What if they lost it all? Would they crumble or would they thrive? That’s exactly the debacle we watch Pomona struggle with. The story is charming and heartwarming with a side of a really fun caper.

The mystery of having to solve who killed Pomona’s grandmother is what drives the story, but isn’t always the main focus of the story. I certainly walked into this one thinking it would be more center stage, but ultimately I really loved what Rose produced and the ways in which the mystery element did shine through. It’s the propulsive factor behind a lot of Pomona’s actions and motivations without giving off a procedural vibe.

This story is fun and delightful!

This murder mystery by Bellamy Rose Books had me hooked from the start with its perfect blend of suspense, romance, and a rich girl-to-rags story. Pomona Aston, a hotel heiress who’s used to living the high life, must now team up with Gabe, the son of her childhood nanny, to solve her grandmother’s murder before her family’s assets are frozen forever. The twists were unpredictable, the romance was adorable, and Pom’s transformation from a spoiled socialite to a determined sleuth was both entertaining and heartwarming, making this a delightful, fast-paced read.

I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. "Pomona Afton Can Solve a Murder" is precisely what a well-written, light-hearted murder mystery should be.

We meet our protagonist, twenty-eight-year-old Pomona, who embodies a mix between Paris Hilton and modern influencers. Coming from the famous Afton lineage, she was undoubtedly born with a diamond-encrusted platinum spoon in her mouth. Yet, it quickly becomes apparent that she is regarded as the underdog in her family. Her parents never miss an opportunity to remind Pomona of her supposed shortcomings. Constant criticisms from them and their grandmother lead her to believe that she is limited and not enough, and they see her brother Nicholas as a prodigy, who, by the way, is a great side character along with his girlfriend, Jessica. However, when her grandmother—a matriarch and honestly quite possibly the most terrible person—is found murdered, all family assets are frozen ( a clause that the grandmother put in in case of unnatural death). This situation forces Pomona to fend for herself, throwing her out onto the streets unless the culprit is caught. .

The author paints a vivid picture of Pomona, who tends to judge people based on their appearances, clothing, and how they treat her. You will be baffled and honestly annoyed at her sense of entitlement, but that comes from her upbringing and not having enough good influence around her. But you also see she is not a bad seed or malicious but a misguided one.
To be fair, she hasn’t had many positive influences apart from her beloved nanny, Andrea, who sees something in her that her family does not.

At times, I found myself getting frustrated with Pomona's portrayal; I wondered if anyone could be that shallow and oblivious. However, I realized that her behavior reflects the obtuseness we've often seen in reality TV stars ( remember someone screaming about women not working hard enough). Despite this, the author does a commendable job developing Pomona's character. While she starts as somewhat naïve, entitled, vapid, and shallow, she grows on you to the point where you root for her. There’s a side romance that adds to the charm, and you can’t help but cheer for the adorable leads.

One aspect I didn’t particularly enjoy was the persistent focus on the clothing and brands Pomona or others wear. Given her character, this emphasis made sense at the beginning, but as she evolved, it felt excessive.

Overall, this was such a fun and enjoyable read that I highly recommend it as a great beach book!
solid 4 stars

I want to Thank Netgalley and Atria Books for giving me this incredible opportunity and I cannot wait to read from Bellamy Rose

Okay, this was just a blast to read - short and sweet and funny, with lots of great food descriptions (which I should have expected from the author). The author wrote Sadie on a Plate, Best Served Hot, and Love You a Latke, some of my favorite food-related romances, but the name switch is due to the genre switch. Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for early access to the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion. It is now available everywhere, and I definitely recommend it!
Afton Hotels are a big deal, and Pomona is the granddaughter of the founder, who has since passed away. His wife, Pom’s grandmother, currently is in charge - well, for the first few pages of the book before she is murdered! After getting kicked out of her apartment in the hotel due to a recently added stipulation in her grandmother's will, Pom has her eyes opened to the way the majority of people live - working every day for minimal pay and sharing a bathroom with a roommate! She decides she is going to do her part to assist in solving the murder so she can transition back into her usual lifestyle. She also gets into baking, since the baked goods at the cafe where she works are gross. I loved reading about her experimentation in the kitchen! I am NOT a baker, but I love reading about other people making baked goods. Pom is a fashionista, and at one point she mentions how “in” metallic sneakers are right now, and considering I have been wearing my metallic sneakers with everything lately, it made me feel super fashionable.

This was a ton of fun! I anticipated enjoying this but it was so much better than I thought it would be. The romance was done deftly and the characters made mature decisions.

4.5 stars

A murder mystery x romantic comedy crossover? SAY LESS. I loved everything about this book.

This story was reminiscent of Gossip Girl and Carmen San Diego. It had all the Upper East Side vibes, scenery, and snobbery mixed perfectly with a whodunit mystery, also throwing in the friendship & love blooming between Pom and Gabe. YES, a million times yes. This story read like a 2 hour romantic comedy movie that I ate up in one sitting. When I see it in shelves, I'll be sure to add it to my shopping cart as my little trophy.

Thanks NetGalley and Atria for the ARC!

Pomona Afton, a spoiled hotel heiress on the Upper East Side, is living her best life. She doesn't need to worry about work or where she lives, and her trust fund makes worrying about money a nonissue. Then one morning after a little too much partying, Pomona finds her grandmother, the hotel matriarch, dead. And until the murder has been solved and the killer found, Pomona and her family are exiled from their hotel home and have all assets frozen.

Now, Pomona has no choice but to move into a small apartment with her old nanny's (very handsome) son, Gabe, is working part time at the coffee shop he manages, and has no money or belongings other than the 1 bag she was allowed to take with her.

Gabe needs the Afton assets unfrozen in order for his mother to receive her retirement, so they decide to team up to solve her grandmother's murder. This means investigating and interrogating her family and friends. Along the way, Pomona learns a lot about the real world and herself, and might even be falling for Gabe. Can she actually solve this murder and get her old life back? And will she even want it back if it means losing Gabe?

***

I enjoyed this book so much! It's not your typical mystery and that made it a lot of fun. At first, I wasn't so sure I liked Pomona. She's so spoiled and naive to what life looks like for most people, but she has lots of character growth throughout the story. I especially loved her side quest of starting her own baking business. It was fun to see her investigative and interrogation skills at work considering she has no idea what she's doing.

Gabe brings a lot of heart to the story, and the budding relationship between he and Pomona was so sweet. I enjoyed seeing both of them support and help each other. Both of them saw a new side of life, and benefitted from a different perspective.

Highly recommend this one if you are looking for a cozy mystery with Upper East Side vibes and a dash of romance.

I’ll be honest, Pamona Afton Can So Solve a Murder completely surprised me. Sure, Pamona starts off as a privileged, messy heiress more concerned with her social media presence than real life, but her character arc? So satisfying and delightful. Watching her grow, adapt, and prove everyone (including herself) wrong was the heart of this book for me.

Gabe, the cinnamon roll roommate and childhood friend, was the perfect balance to Pamona’s chaos. Their forced proximity had me grinning, and their banter? Top tier. This definitely isn’t the typical type of romance I read, it was more mystery with a side of romance. But their dynamic added warmth and charm without overshadowing the main plot.

While the plot didn’t have the most shocking reveal, the journey to uncovering the truth was so much fun. The story kept me second-guessing just enough, and I loved the family drama, hidden secrets, and light it placed on so ial media and how it can impact multiple facets of life.

Overall some parts dragged a little, and certain plot points felt repetitive—but for me this was such an entertaining read. If you love a book that blends humor, mystery, and character growth without taking itself too seriously, this one’s for you.

Pomona Afton is an heiress to a large hotel chain making her want for nothing. She spends her days posting her adventures and latest outfit on social media and her nights partying with her besties. She wants for nothing, she lives off of her trust fund and lives in a suite in the hotel where her parents, brother and grandmother also reside. Everything changes when Pomona discovers her grandmother has been murdered and if that wasn’t bad enough, she finds herself cut off from her trust fund and kicked out of the hotel until the murderer has been caught. Needless to say she doesn’t have a lot of life skills, or a clue as to where to go. Her former Nanny suggests that she move in with her son, Gabe, as he is in need of a roommate. Gabe is a little grumpy, and has little patience for Pomona. They discover that they will need to work together to solve the murder so Pomona can get her life back and help Gabe get his mother’s retirement money back.

This was a cute story. It was a lot of fun as it blended mystery, humor and romance together and gave you all of the Hallmark movie vibes.

3 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley and atria books for the arc! After starting this one I knew I was going to have a fun time with Pom and Gabe. The story was very readable and flew by. The murder aspect had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I had my suspicions which I don’t if beginning of the book me picked up on it. But I certainly did after.

Pom grew a lot as a characters as someone who was rich and hadn’t done a whole lot with her life by herself, to loving and finding a passion in baking, and learning how to live the life of an average human being. She became resilient and hardworking. She developed a care for Gabe and fixed her past relationships. She solved the murder and became independent of the wealth that surrounded her family.

Gabe was so sweet. He never degraded Pom for anything she did but he still called her out if she needed to fix her view about something. So we love that. He was supportive and pushed Pom to be her best and to break the stigma that went along with being rich. The finding out scene! You couldn’t pay me enough to know what was happening outside the door while his woman was inside. (Iykyk)

Anyway, I had such a blast with this one! It definitely reminded me of Dial A For Aunties which was super fun too.

4/5⭐️

This was a cute, cozy mystery with a little romance thrown in.

Pomona is a party-girl heiress who finds herself broke when her grandmother is murdered. The only way to get her life back is to find the murderer.

Pom sees herself as kind of useless and ends up finding out she has talents and strengths with help from old friends and a new romantic interest. There is family intrigue and not a completely unexpected twist.

A quick, engaging read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Bellamy Rose for the eARC.

Pomona Afton is a hotel heiress mostly drifting through a life of shopping and galas. When her grandmother is murdered, she finds herself homeless, almost broke, and living with the son of her former nanny. Her family has long discounted Pom's abilities and opinions so they never suspect that she is determined to find the killer. No one would expect Pomona to thrive in this situation but she does. She's kind and bright and funny and I was rooting for her all the way.

I'm really hoping this becomes a series because I just adored Pomona and Gabe.

Thank you to Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.

#pomonaaftoncansosolveamurder #netgalley #atriabooks

This book was really fun. It gives “if schitts creek had a murder mystery vibes,” which totally work. Pomona discovering life after money was a nice journey to watch her on, and Gabe was a lovely counterpart to her.

This was a fairly quick book and I feel like there was space to expand on Pomona coming to terms with things, or really dive into her connection with Gabe. Still, it was a fun read that I think most people will enjoy.

This was SO much fun to read! Imagine if Alexis Rose had stayed in NY and in order to get her inheritance back, she had to solve her grandmother's murder! It was like if Alexis was on a season of Only Murders in the Building. It was the perfect cozy mystery with a delicious slow burn, sweet romance subplot. Pomona's journey of finding herself along the way was such a joy to read and I was smiling almost the entire book.

This was a cute read. It was pretty focused on the murder investigation. I was hoping for a little more tension and more relationship development, but it has a series set-up so we may get more in the future.

Pomona Afton, hotel heiress and pampered socialite, loses all of her trust fund access when her grandma is murdered. Until they figure out who killed the matriarch of the family, all money is frozen. Can she make it on her own without her family's support? And when it appears that no one is going to solve the case, can she do it herself?

I really love a fish out of water situation, so I was pretty excited for this book. Think Paris Hilton having to solve a murder or she loses all her money. Pom has no actual life skills and is very oblivious to the world around her, but she has a heart of gold. I enjoyed her journey of growth as she investigates this murder. Where the book lost me was the relationship with Gabe, her former nanny's son. I can appreciate a good slow but this was no burn. I thought they were cute together but wanted some of the scenes to be based on their growing relationship rather than the murder mystery. Overall, this was cute but not stellar.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so fascinating, I really loved it it was like reading Only Murders In a Building and I love that show so much

Going into this I wasn't really sure what I was in for, but this turned into a really cozy murder mystery with a side of romance. I absolutely loved it. Some of it was a little cliche at times, but I think that's what you're signing up for with a book like this. There was definitely some character development and that was refreshing. Pom was a bit annoying at first and I even questioned if I should finish it or not, but I'm glad I did. I didn't really see the ending coming. Overall, it was a cute fun read. Will definitely recommend

Thanks to NetGalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have been loving cozy mysteries lately and this one did not disappoint! The perfect amount of romance, humor, and mystery. Pomona Afton is a spoiled rich heiress whose fortune is suddenly cut off after the murder of her grandmother. There is only one way to get her fortune back... solve the murder. Along the way she will need the help from family, former friends, and an unexpected new love interest. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!