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Twenty-Eight And A Half Wishes (2013)

by Denise Grover Swank(Favorite Author)

3.94 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Bramagioia Enterprises

series

Rose Gardner Mysteries

review 1: This is the first in a series of Rose Gardener novels, and I got it as a free Kindle download. I wouldn't have bought it if it hadn't been free, and to be honest, though I'm a fan of the 'cozy' genre, I won't be reading another of these, it just didn't work for me. Why not? Well, for a start I found the writing style irritating, and once I notice quirks in style I find them really distracting. This was very simplistic, often far too simplistic. Then there was the story. I simply didn't buy the 'bad Momma' thing, and I didn't buy the 'poor Rose' thing, it was far too extreme. Then there was all the emotional angst. I kept thinking, there's a really good story in here, but it was laid on a bit trowel-like and read rather like a YA book than one written for adults (and please... more forgive me if that seems patronising, I'm so sorry, just trying to get my point over about what didn't work for me). Then there was the plot. Sorry, but it was soooo obvious that Joe next door was a cop, and it was soooo obvious that he thought she was in with the bad guys, and given Rose's doormat background, it was then totally unbelievable that she'd act as she did. Maybe I'm simply too old for this book, or maybe too cynical, I don't know. I'm in a minority though, judging from the other reviews, so I don't feel too bad that I didn't like it.
review 2: When I first started reading, I found Rose and her American drawl really quite annoying. It bothered me; I could really feel the accent coming off the page and didn't really get any other vibe from it. But I stuck with it, and after a while, I must have adjusted because whilst the story line is totally out of this world ridiculous, I somehow found myself totally addicted. I just had to keep reading to find out who the new guy living next door is, whether he is a goodie or a baddie, and who the hell is after Rose Gardner and why?Having overcome my initial reservation, I found the book gripping, tense and funny. I will definitely have to delve in to Rose Gardner's next mystery book to see what else could possibly happen to Rose.....and I definitely don't mind paying to do so! less

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