Not a fan.... storyline was all over the place, is is mislabeled genre in my opinion & characters just weren't engagable. Loved the cover art though. Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

I truly wanted to like this book. The Golden Girls holds so much nostalgia and joy for me. While I appreciate the dialogue - the author really did do a great job of capturing the original characters - the book itself fell flat. The writing feels more like a tv script that needed a laugh track. The comedic timing was missing. I honestly couldn't finish it.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for this book. Such a good read especially if you like Golden girls! I know a lot of people I have and will continue to recommend this book too.

3.5 ⭐️

As someone who has loved and watched and rewatched The Golden Girls for decades, I was excited to dive into Murder by Cheesecake, a cozy murder mystery starring our favorite girls. There were a number of delightful vignettes and send-ups, and I overall enjoyed this story. But I did find it a bit slow, and as for the characters, a couple of them seemed to be written more faithfully to the original than the others. Still a fun light read, perfect enjoyed with a slice of cheesecake.

Thank you Rachel Ekstrom Courage, Hyperion Avenue, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was excited by the premise of a cozy mystery but unfortunately this wasn’t for me. I guess part of it might be because I’ve never watched Golden Girls, so perhaps this could be more enjoyable for someone who has. The writing itself is enjoyable and the town of the book is lighthearted. It could definitely be a fun mystery read for some!

“It’s just lunch, Ma. What could go wrong?”

Listening to this book was like stepping into a time capsule. I adored The Golden Girls TV show when I was younger, so when I saw this on #netgalley, I requested it as quick as I could. And it’s of course, a cozy mystery, so that was another big draw. My favorite golden girls solving a murder, what could be better than that?

The author does an amazing job of capturing these iconic women. There are so many well timed lines, I was laughing out loud so many times. The audio narrator, Yvonne Newman, nails each women’s voices. While the author’s words were so true to the characters. Even down to Sophia’s snark and Blanche’s southern accent, that were spot on.

At times, I felt the book focused too much on the wedding of Rose’s niece but it didn’t take away my enjoyment of this fun story. The story really picks up when the ladies try to clear Dorothy’s name. The humor and heart reminiscent of the TV show are out in force. With cheesecake and found family the ladies have found in each other is the driving force of the book and the relationships.

I will happily read book two next year! I received a NetGalley approval for the ebook and I purchased the audio from Audible. All views are my own.

If you were raised on The Golden Girls, like I was, then you can't go wrong by reading this book! From page one I felt like I had been transported back to my grandmother's couch, Thursday nights in front of the tube circa 1985 and we would join Sophia, Rose, Blanche and Dorothy in their kitchen in Miami as they solved their problems over delicious slices of cheesecake. Now as I dove into pages of a murder mystery involving my favorite gals, it was as if no time had passed at all. This is a cozy mystery involving the death of one of the girl's dates, nothing earth shattering but enjoyable nonetheless. Imagine the caper that ensues with that group trying to solve a murder!! Bring me more of this series along with nostalgia and a side of cheesecake please!!

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage is a cozy mystery full of charm, humor, and a dash of culinary delight. When a murder occurs at a local bakery, amateur sleuths scramble to solve the case, mixing witty banter with clever clues. It’s a lighthearted, fun read perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and foodie adventures.

I found this book pretty slow to the point where I couldn't finish it. While I love the TV show it didn't translate well to a book for me.

Murder by Cheesecake was so much fun! As someone who grew up watching this series, I enjoyed all the 80s references and felt like I was right there in Miami! The author truly captured the voice of each Golden Girl! The mystery itself wasn't that deep, but if you're reading this for some nostalgia with beloved characters, you won't be disappointed.

This was a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane for a Golden Girls fan such as myself. The spirit of the characters was well captured. I do think if someone wasn’t a fan of the show they would miss some jokes but overall an enjoyable cozy mystery!

A solid 3.5 stars. This is essentially Golden Girls fanfic where they happen to solve a mystery. Because the characters are iconic, it doesn't take long to get into the rhythm and voice of this book. I had no trouble perfectly picturing the setting, clothes, and I could hear the voices of these characters. The mystery was a little clunky but it won't keep me from reading additional books if this becomes a series. If it does - I hope each "Girl" gets to be front and center in one of the books. This one was Rose-focused - and you can't go wrong with that! Thank you for being a cozy mystery.

Picture it… Miami, mid-1980s. Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery reads exactly like a 2-hour TV movie special of our favorite sitcom with a murder mystery twist. It perfectly blends cozy mystery charm with the humor and warmth of the Golden Girls.

If you love the Golden Girls and cozy mysteries, this is an absolute must-read. Highly recommend!

4 stars

Super fun cozy mystery for fans of the Golden Girls.
This had so much nostalgia attached to it but it was also a really fun read even without the tv show tie in knowledge

I honestly didn't even read the blurb for this one, I just instantly requested it because how can you go wrong with the Golden Girls? This was the perfect cozy murder mystery for lovers of the show and those unfamiliar. However, I think you need to be a fan of the show to truly appreciate the dialogue between characters. Being able to picture their faces and act out the scenes was a major positive for this novel! I would recommend to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery that puts you right in the middle of the action.

Murder by Cheesecake was an absolute delight from start to finish. I loved the quirky, cozy mystery vibe paired with humor that felt effortless and genuine. The characters were charming and relatable, and I couldn’t get enough of the clever twists that kept me guessing without ever feeling overdone. It was the perfect blend of lighthearted fun and suspense, making it an utterly enjoyable and unforgettable read.

Love the book. Golden girls lover of over 30 years, all I can say is that I hope more come out and that this becomes a series.
It was extremely hard to put down

This book felt like an immersive script for the Golden Girls. It captured their essence and wit and humor quite easily. I hope this becomes a regular series!

This was such a fun book to read! I've always loved Golden Girls and I'm a big cozy mystery fan, so this was right up my alley! It felt good to be reading about the girls. I liked the wedding and all the St. Olaf traditions too! Cheesecake was basically a a main character, as it should be! Now if you like fast-paced mystery, this cozy mystery is not for you. It's not boring, but not a thriller, but more fun and nostalgic! I look forward to seeing what other adventure the Golden Girls get into next!

If you love the Golden Girls, you will love the touch of nostalgia this books brings. The author does a good job channeling her inner Golden Girl.