Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes (Rose Gardner Mysteries #1) by Denise Grover Swank

Sep 21, 2012 Ian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-favorites

I didn’t know anything about saving anybody. I didn’t even know where to go, let alone have a car to get there. But I did have a gun, even if I’d never shot one before. I unwrapped it, careful to point it away from me. I couldn’t find the round spinny thing for the bullets. Then I remembered, those were the kind of guns they used in prehistoric times. That covered most of the television shows I’d watched pre-cable. I was looking for the thing at the bottom of the gun. After a lot of fumbling an
...more

5 likes · like · see review

Sep 14, 2011 erica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love a great mystery!! And Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes was just that.

Rose was instantly likable. She was quirky, nieve and sheltered - with a crazy mom.

So. What does one do with a character like that? Have her think she's going to die. Brilliant!

Instantly I was pulled into the world. All the characters were unique and had their own quirks. Rose's character grew through the story and was believable. She reminded me a little of Janet Evanovich's character, Stephanie Plum, the way she had c...more

1 like · like · see review

May 16, 2013 S.M. Blooding rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: straight-romance

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of livin...more For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own.
Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.

This book is fantastic! She had me at the first sentence. I thought it was going to be a little slow. I mean, how interesting can working at the DMV be? Right? *nods* Right. I love the fact that Ms. Swank took the exciting (Rose's visions) and made them mundane ("You're dog's going to get out of the fence."). It gave Rose a more grounded, and well-rounded character that easily leaped off the page. She's naive and her reactions are real, not great and sometimes a little embarrassing, but real. Rose is not the type of character I generally sync with, but Ms. Swank did a superb job of creating a truly 3-dimensional character.

The other characters surrounding Rose were equally well-built without wasting a lot of white-space. It didn't feel as though we paused to meet or chat with anyone, the pace moved so quickly. However, at the same time, I felt as though I had the opportunity to meet and get to know almost all of the characters in this book.

The town is truly a character in and of itself. Fabulous!

Joe was a bit of a mystery. I was a little suspicious of hi at first, and rightly so! He comes off the page as being a little too keen and a little too interested. I was beginning to doubt Ms. Swank, but then he did something and I just knew she wouldn't let me down. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but just have faith. Ms. Swank knows what she's doing and did it very well.

The biggest thing for me, though, was that the story struck a little close to home. I came from a background similar to that and I wish I'd done what Rose did; create a list of 28 1/2 wishes and see if I could make them come true. Granted, I did...and one by one, they are coming true. But, boy, wouldn't it be neat if we all did that? Wrote a list of 28 1/2 things we've never done...and then just did them. I think the world would be filled with more than just a few happier people.

Enjoy the read! It's one that once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 02, 2011 Eisley Jacobs rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was one of the few folks who had the opportunity to review this book as an ARC. Not being familiar with Sookie Sackhouse or any of the southern mystery genre I knew it might be a stretch for me to get into this novel and character. However, Denise Grover Swank hooked me right into the story from the first sentence! I think the first time I read it I read the whole thing in one sitting.

The quirky southern heroin has just the right mixture of everything! Seriously, she is funny, heartwarming, a...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenge

"Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes" is the first book that I have read by Denise Grover Swank. It is not the kind of book that I typically would pick up and read and I absolutely cringed when I realized it was written in first person perspective. However, I decided to stick it out and give it a chance because I absolutely adore the person who referred the book to me! I have to say…I think this is the only book I’ve ever read in first person perspective that I got through without throwing it up agai...more "Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes" is the first book that I have read by Denise Grover Swank. It is not the kind of book that I typically would pick up and read and I absolutely cringed when I realized it was written in first person perspective. However, I decided to stick it out and give it a chance because I absolutely adore the person who referred the book to me! I have to say…I think this is the only book I’ve ever read in first person perspective that I got through without throwing it up against the wall in utter frustration.

The voice of this book is a girl named Rose. A spunky southern girl who is a bit naive, okay, a lot naive and a little bit crazy…at least to her neighbors and her mother. Rose’s mother is convinced her daughter is demon possessed. Why? Because, Rose isn’t like everyone else…she has visions about the future. Nothing hugely prophetic, usually the visions are useless information that Rose can’t help but blurt out such as someone locking their keys in their car or some other random slice of life.

When Rose has a vision about dying, she decides that she is going to live her life out in a short amount of time. Whether her momma approves it or not! Unfortunately, her poor momma doesn’t have much time to worry about her new found nerve. Momma takes Rose’s place in her vision and the town suspects that Rose is the one who murdered her! Desperate to live her life before a new vision proves true for her (or before she goes to jail) Rose sets out to accomplish a list of twenty-eight wishes. Her wishes range from opportunities that she miss out on as a child, such as, “dress like a princess” to “find a boyfriend”.

On this journey of self-discovery we get to know Rose’s sister, Violet, and a hunky neighbor named Joe who seems to be the answer to several wish-list criteria to the tune of “find a boyfriend”. Something is suspicious about Joe and honestly, there were times I wanted to scream “RUUUUUUNN! And other times I desperately wanted him to be better than he appeared. I suppose an easy-peasy romance would be a very boring read so of course there had to be drama! And drama there was!!!

I enjoyed this book, so…. I’m not going to spill all the details; you’ll just have to read it for yourself. I did have just a few complaints… Since my own sister uses the term “crappy doodles” I could overlook it...the first few times. I felt it was overused in some places since Rose was “growing up” I thought maybe she would finally choose a new expletive word at some point. And then my second complaint…now I’m not too stuffy when it comes to curse words in books but I felt the f bomb was a little harsh for such a fun loving light read. I understand they were used by persons who would be more likely to use them but it still felt a little…forced.

Overall, the story was well written and I think the author is one of the rare people who can actually write in first person perspective and do it well. The characters had an interesting voice on paper and a personality that kept me turning the pages to find out more!

About the Author:
Denise is a single mom who lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri raising five of her six kids. (The oldest has gone off to live on his own.) She loves to embarrass her children whether it be spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen or making her teens’ friends think she’s funny/cool. *gasp* (Even if its in her own mind.) On rare occasions, she is known to post stories about her crazy life on her family blog There’s Always Room for One More.She keeps her sanity by creating worlds to escape to and characters to hang out with.
(less)

like · see review

Aug 09, 2012 Marissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

First, I want to say, I really, really enjoyed this first book. It absolutely stunned me. There are a few mysterious situations after chapter 1 and from then on, you will just be hooked, like I was. I love a good mystery read and this was wonderful. I have not really read any mytseries that take place in the South, but I now have a deep appreciation for them, especially this one. As I was reading, it’s like I can hear Rose Gardner’s southern accent, and the others that live in Henryetta, Arkansa...more First, I want to say, I really, really enjoyed this first book. It absolutely stunned me. There are a few mysterious situations after chapter 1 and from then on, you will just be hooked, like I was. I love a good mystery read and this was wonderful. I have not really read any mytseries that take place in the South, but I now have a deep appreciation for them, especially this one. As I was reading, it’s like I can hear Rose Gardner’s southern accent, and the others that live in Henryetta, Arkansas.

The story itself is really intriguing. I always like to have an open mind when I read any story, so I was reading chapter 1, and was, okay, already trying to predict what may happen, but was actually shocked what did, and it was very unpredictable. There are a few mysterious discoveries that are in the story; one involving more about the death of Rose’s Mom, and more into Rose’s family.... Every chapter, there is definite humor here, and I could not get enough!

I loved the characters, including twenty-four year old Rose. She has an infectious personality. I like that this is from her POV, as from her voice, I have a better understanding what she went through as a child to her present time, and I felt for her, as it seems like it was no picnic dealing with her Mother. Also, Rose has some sort of vision that is really intriguing to read about, and adds to her character. I like that she finally stands up for herself, makes decisions without anyone caring, and I really saw her grow up into more of an adult, from a sheltered and strict household. Other characters, including Joe were wonderfully written, and I felt that ok there was going to be a romance between these two, there just has to be, but there’s something mysterious about Joe (who happens to live next door to Rose) that has you thinking if he is right for Rose or not. For some reason, I got a Desperate Housewives vibe when I thought about the neighbors, especially Rose living next to Joe situation. Anyways, you just have to read this novel and find out yourself what happens to them! Lastly, I just want to write that this was a creative, and again, wonderfully written story, and I’m so excited to read the next book in Swank’s series. This Novel I definitely recommend! (less)

like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-must-reads, atomr-book-tours, july-2012

First I would like to thank AToMR Blog Tours for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour. I have to say I have never laughed so hard reading a romance slash murder mystery. Denise Grover Swank has such a way of writing that it draws you in and you can't help but laugh and cry.

Rose is not your average girl. She lives with her mother and has never dated or had a boyfriend. She is different from the average person in that she has the sight and sees visions. Her visions are usually silly little t...more

like · see review

Apr 08, 2012 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book refuses to be left alone until you finish reading it. After the first page or two just give up the fight and keep reading. Twenty-eight and a half wishes is a Kindle freebie gem.

This is a great first of a series about a 24 year old Southern woman, Rose, who has had no life experience whatsoever, lives in a small town with and takes care of her incredibly abusive mother, and has no friends due to her ability to see into the future.

This is a story of Rose learning to enjoy life - if she...more

like · see review

Dec 28, 2011 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I was hooked from the first page and had to keep reading to see what would happen next. Our main character Rose was very likable. She’s had a hard life and it was fun to watch her take charge and start living it. The mystery was well written, you’re never quite sure what is going on. You learn things as Rose learns them. I’m kind of glad that I didn’t know what was going on, or who to trust. It kept things interesting. The setting was charming and you get the feel of being in the south. I also l...more

like · see review

Dec 03, 2011 Avery rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rose is by far one of the most interesting characters I have read of in quite some time. I love that she didn't let herself be dragged down by her history, as many characters would had they been in her position, she always had such a positive outlook on life. Also, she is the sort of character you cannot help but root for and want to befriend in the hopes that some of her positivity will rub off on you. Furthermore, I very much appreciated that Denise was able to give us Rose's history in little...more

like · see review

Nov 28, 2011 Chelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's true. I could NOT put this book down. I was hooked from the moment that I opened the book. Rose is hysterical, witty and a woman that I wouldn't mind being.

It starts with Rose working at her every day job working @ the DMV when a man approaches her counter. She has a vision of herself dead on her sofa (well, her mama's sofa due to her living with her mama) and this man that walked up to her counter holds the key to her vision.

Her mama is not an easy woman to live with and has pretty much ra...more

like · see review

Sep 13, 2011 Kathie rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was a fun read and it held my attention. I was looking for an easy read between a couple of heavy books and this fit the bill. It always helps when lighter reads are well-written and have interesting characters. I only wish I could have found the plot more believable.

The problem I had was that everything fit together too well. I had trouble accepting that Rose could change from a passive and easily controlled mouse of a girl to such an intuitive and independent risk taker so quickly. Plus, Jo...more

like · see review

Aug 24, 2011 Dee Avila rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone it is a great Mystery Romance with some Paranormal!!

Recommended to Dee by: Eisley Jacobs

I read this book a few weeks ago and wanted to do a review, only I wasn't sure how. I have wrote and re wrote this review. I still don't think what I have to say gives this book justice but, I want people, readers to know how much I loved in this book. I was warned that I would get anything done. So knowing the reader I am-I get totally lost in my books especially great ones-I cleaned, had laundry caught up, as much as one can, and dinner made early. I even gave the kids their baths and put them...more I read this book a few weeks ago and wanted to do a review, only I wasn't sure how. I have wrote and re wrote this review. I still don't think what I have to say gives this book justice but, I want people, readers to know how much I loved in this book. I was warned that I would get anything done. So knowing the reader I am-I get totally lost in my books especially great ones-I cleaned, had laundry caught up, as much as one can, and dinner made early. I even gave the kids their baths and put them down early. I was prepared to start the book.

Somewhere around 2 or 3 in the morning, when I my husband woke up and realised I wasn't in bed and came to see why I was still up, and several gripping chapters into I went to bed.

I often dream about the characters I read about. I was glad to dream about Rose and Joe.

The next day I woke up early to read and did so until breakfast and continued through lunch. I did stop and feed my kids and then sat right back down with out eating. Later that night I finished Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes. I dreamed about Rose and Joe AGAIN!!! And I thought about them for the next day or week.

About the book. I my opinion it was greatly written and very captivating. The personalities of the characters were intertwined into the story. Everything Rose did you knew was something Rose would do. There were no wavers in their personalities or plot. I never found myself thinking, "now that doesn't seem like Rose or MaMa." Or wondering why we the author lead us in this direction. Everything tied together and plot twist was revealed.

And let me tell you, there where some twist! Denise kept the mystery through out the book and touch of paranormal was perfect.

Rose and her visions were central to the story but not always correct. They sometimes showed her things that made no sense and sometimes showed her things that happened very differently. I don't want to say to much about these visions and give anything away.

Rose and Joe's relationship is a rocky one and has as many twists as the plot its self.

I know I will be picking this book up again soon. Actually I'm needing something to read right now! I think I'll read it again. And if you haven't read it.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 21, 2011 Samantha Robey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Denise Grover Swank is on tour with CLP Blog Tours, and I am sure glad she is! I could not put down Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. I started it at eight in the morning, and by eight that night I was already 67% finished- and I worked a full day! I kept pulling my Kindle out whenever I got a free minute because I couldn’t stand not knowing what would happen next. The main character is Rose Gardner, a twenty-four year old woman who seems more like she is a young teen from her sheltered life she h...more Denise Grover Swank is on tour with CLP Blog Tours, and I am sure glad she is! I could not put down Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. I started it at eight in the morning, and by eight that night I was already 67% finished- and I worked a full day! I kept pulling my Kindle out whenever I got a free minute because I couldn’t stand not knowing what would happen next. The main character is Rose Gardner, a twenty-four year old woman who seems more like she is a young teen from her sheltered life she has been forced to live. Her ‘Momma’ has been a controlling, overbearing, and quite selfish mother, and Rose’s life revolves around keeping Momma happy. Rose also has visions, often pretty mundane things like where someone misplaced their keys, but is shaken one day when she sees a vision of herself- dead. Instead of her vision coming true, her Momma ends up dead, and Rose is considered a suspect. Now, Rose has to figure out how to live life on her own, how to clear her name, and how to figure out the delicious next door neighbor Joe, who always comes to her rescue but seems to be hiding a secret.

Rose’s character is super sweet yet painfully shy and seriously clueless about the world. She makes a bucket list when she sees the vision of herself dead, thinking that she doesn’t have much time left. The things she wants to experience are what many take for granted: play in the rain, get a cell phone, get cable TV, kiss a man. It’s a little heartbreaking to read about such a nice person who has lived her life under such tight constraints. I was friends with Rose from page one. The story only gets better as you read on, full of twists and gasping moments and a sweet love story that I wasn’t sure how was going to turn out until the last chapter. This is the debut from Denise Grover Swank, and I know she has three more in the series in the works, and I absolutely cannot wait to read them. Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes has easily topped my Favorites for 2011, and I highly suggest this Southern mystery for your bookshelf, it will not disappoint!
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Angel rated it 5 of 5 stars

”It all started when I saw myself dead” This one sentence starts you on a ride you don’t want to get off. You never know up to the end, the ending and it surprises you.It leaves you breathlessly waiting for the next in the “Rose Garden Mystery Series”
You cannot help but like Rose, she is funny quirky but at the same time a strong women in her own right. She has the gift of “visions” which had up until this point been minor, but from this point on will change her life. She a Normal everyday DMV...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 20, 2011 Rea Sinfield rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have just finished Twenty Eight and A Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank. This is not the usual kind of book I would pick up but when the book was offered to me to review there was something that intrigued me about the storyline mainly to do with our main character Rose who has visions which has always been of interest to me. The book gets off to a great start and a fast pace with the first line of the book “It all started when I saw myself dead” .I think this line is going to stick in my mind...more I have just finished Twenty Eight and A Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank. This is not the usual kind of book I would pick up but when the book was offered to me to review there was something that intrigued me about the storyline mainly to do with our main character Rose who has visions which has always been of interest to me. The book gets off to a great start and a fast pace with the first line of the book “It all started when I saw myself dead” .I think this line is going to stick in my mind for a long time as I have never read any kind of book which starts in this way and it certainly had me gripped.

Our main character in this book is Rose who I took an instant like to. She seems quirky and innocent in her ways which I think is mainly due to the sheltered life she has lived. I loved the fact that I found her funny without her even trying which only made her character more likeable. There seemed to be so much in life she had missed out on which only left me rooting for her to tackle all the things she wants to do in life.

I also really enjoyed the character of the next door neighbour Joe. We know he is keeping secrets which only make his character more mysterious and intriguing. Even though I couldn’t work out if he was a good guy or a bad guy I still found his character so likeable. I enjoyed the relationship between the two characters.

The storyline to this book is so intense there is just something happening all the time which meant I couldn’t put it down as I needed to know what was going to happen next. What I enjoyed most about this book was the suspense factor. I kept chopping and changing my mind with what I thought was going to happen and all in all I was wrong! Just as I thought the story was starting to wrap up something else would happen so to say I was then on the edge of my seat is a slight understatement!

There is such a mix to this book so there is definitely something for everyone in this book. Action, romance, suspense and even a splash of humour. I truly think this book would make for a great film.
I would recommend this book and I will also be keeping my eyes open for more work by Denise Grover Swank.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rose went to work at the DMV every day and dealt with impossible clients but that was a dream compared to what she dealt with at home. Her overbearing, unloving, demanding mother was a true nightmare. All hell broke loose, however, when she came home late from work one night and found her mother sitting on the sofa - dead. Rose became suspect number one in the death of her mother and all the neigbors knew that she had had a bad fight with her mother that morning.

As Rose and her sister Violet mak...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Becky Fisk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-books

Twenty four year old Rose decides to tke literally plunge herself into adulthood after a lifetime of allowing everyone, especially her Momma, tell her what to do and how to do it. Shoved along by her mother's murder, and unforgiving visions she races ahead for the first time on her own accord to live her life as she never has before.

Rose has a depth to her that I find endearing as such an innocent gal. It was hard not ot like and sympathize with her. Her evolving relationship with her sister was...more

like · see review

May 21, 2013 Care rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranornmal-romance, first-reads-arcs-prizes, contemperary-romance, mysteries

I really liked this book. The writing was good, there was lots of humorous bits, and the plot was fun. But what really sold me was Rose. I loved her. She's 24 years old and has had a horrible childhood and well, adulthood. She cowers and caves to her mean-spirited, demanding mother and well-intended, but managing older sister. Not to mention everyone else in her little nosy town. On top of that she gets mundane visions and blurts them out. Because of that, the nosy little town thinks little of h...more

like · see review

Aug 11, 2012 Addictive rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the start I loved this book, the writing style is so popular with me. Twenty-Eight and a half Wishes was full of snappy dialogue and hilarity with Rose’s Neighbor Miss Mildred chiming in her two cents, Rose herself having sudden visions and no filter on her mouth. I also liked the subplot of her sister Violet and husband Mike which has more substance in book 2.
Although I never understood what the half wish was.
Without giving away too much, Rose has to fight for her life throughout the bo...more

like · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Angieleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, bc11-12

I received a review copy from the author in exchange for my honest review for her book tour.

From the very first page you're hooked on this book. The author's writing style is very Southern, very amusing, and very, very hypnotic. You love nearly all the characters - except for Momma - and are cheering Rose on from the get go.

I love Rose's transformation from dowdy abused daughter to somewhat confident woman. Ask nearly any woman and she'll tell you that a great haircut and some beautiful clothe...more

like · see review

May 12, 2012 Willow Brook rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very enjoyable mystery/romance/coming out of her shell story. Rose is 24 years old, socially isolated, living with her emotionally abusive and completely controlling mother and working in the DMV. Part of her isolation is due to her visions of future events, usually trivial which she blurts out go those around her as soon as she has them. The story starts out with her seeing herself murdered and knowing it is the customer in front of her who will kill her. Unnerved by her experience, she suddenl...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2012 Annette M Guerriero Nishimoto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Today's review is on Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank

Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes is another home run for Swank. This multi award winning author will need more shelves to showcase her success. With the success of her other series; The Chosen, it's no wonder that this well written and easy to read tale has sparked immediate attention.

Swank creates mystery and romance effortlessly, leaving a clear message to the reader. "Life is short so you have to start living it."

Rose Gar...more

like · see review

Dec 18, 2012 Wendy Cantu rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dont-judge-me-guilty-pleasures, favorites, fearless-females, witty-women, tolerable-romance, series, women-authors, cozy-mystery

When I started Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes, the first in the Rose Gardner Mystery series, I had doubts whether I’d like it. Some of the reviews I’d seen criticized the main character, Rose, for being simple minded and that the story was too unbelievable. For me, it was more the simple mindedness that had me worried. Unbelievable? It’s about a girl who has visions and is filed under the “Fiction” label. I think that allows for a little farfetchedness.

The first few pages didn’t do much to dispe...more

like · see review

Sep 05, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Wow what a completly swoon-worthy book!! I haven't read a book that made me swoon as much as this book since Anna and and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Both books kept me up til the wee hours of the morning, simply because I was so enthralled in the story that I couldn't put it down. The main character Rose Gardner is a completly sheltered 24 year old girl, so when her over-bearing mother is mysteriously murdered, she decides that it's time she lives her life, but not until she see's a v...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes was a cute read. I managed to finish the book within a couple of hours of starting it, and I was left wanting for the next book, Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons.This was a good sign.

I was impressed with how spot on Denise was, with the small town southern community and the people living in it. Coming from a small southern town in Alabama, I understand how people gossip and judge, and know (or think they know) everyone's business. You are who your family is, and if y...more Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes was a cute read. I managed to finish the book within a couple of hours of starting it, and I was left wanting for the next book, Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons.This was a good sign.

I was impressed with how spot on Denise was, with the small town southern community and the people living in it. Coming from a small southern town in Alabama, I understand how people gossip and judge, and know (or think they know) everyone's business. You are who your family is, and if your family isn't well known, then you are about 5 rungs lower on the totem pole than the nearly homeless vagabond that is passing through town. People don't respect you as much, and they are less likely to lend a helping hand. Living in that type of town has it's advantages and disadvantages. For Rose, it was allllllll disadvantages. lol That poor girl got shafted by everyone, and they had no qualms with being open about their distaste for her either. If I were her, I would have turned tail and run.

As far as Rose Gardner goes, I found her likeable and detestable all at the same time. She goes from being a shy, timid, inexperienced, people pleaser, to a loud mouthed, confrontational, know it all, who suddenly has a knack for all things fashion, and she does it within a matter of sentences. I can't tell you how badly this chapped my ass. lol I know from personal experience that A) people who grow up shy and timid and basically abused, do NOT just change their entire persona at the flip of a switch (or in her case, someones death). Are we supposed to believe that a person who for 24 years never talked back and never experienced life, would all of a sudden be tech savvy and worldly because she wrote a bucket list on the back of a walmart receipt? I think not! It was like a completely different person and the change was just unrealistic. B) I don't care who or what introduces you to makeup and fashion, you can't be a master beautician and cosmetologist after applying your makeup and doing your hair TWICE. And YES, I would know. haha C) Relationships for people who have never had one, are not as easy as pecan pie. She knew wayyyyyyy too much for someone who knows nothing. Again, it just was very unrealistic. *sigh* I do love Rose though! She was funny and charming and polite. I just didn't buy her big swan transformation.

Joe. Dear, sweet, hunky, and incredibly obvious, Joe. lol He was like the John Wayne of BF nowhere, tiny town, Arkansas. All bedroom eyes and foaming at the mouth with jealousy. I tell ya... if it wasn't obvious enough that he was who he was, then I don't know what would have been. I guess my only complaint about him, is that he was kind of wishy washy about her honesty and believability. Pick a side and stay on it! Don't act like a love sick control freak, and then question her motives. It's not attractive. =/ He was however, very endearing and gentlemanly, and I approve of that.

Violet - Rose's sister - was insufferable. She embodied everything she used to harp about and then some. I was rooting for her through the whole book. Hoping that she would come around by the end, but it just never really happened for me. I wanted to smack her upside the head and tell her to stop being a hypocrite. *Le sigh* Her husband was to be pitied too, and I just wanted to hug the poor guy. lol I suppose that Violet is like most first born children, in the sense that they feel the need to Mother and control and guide their younger siblings. They have a hard time letting go of the fact that they aren't really needed and it makes them worse. I think this is Violet's problem. So let's not judge her. lol

All in all, the book - like I said earlier - was cute. I might pick it up again in the future and re-read it because it's definitely worth the time.(less)

like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Englishrose rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was simply fantastic! The story drags you in from the first line and never lets you go. My adrenaline got going with this one and didn't stop until the very end. The excitement and plot twists are well made so that they are fun and exhilarating. Rose is a fabulous character - a mixture of the innocence of a young girl with the maturity of an adult. She is sweet, naive and determined to break free from her past. Joe is an enigma and you go back and forth with Rose and if you should trus...more

1 like · like · see review

May 24, 2012 Carol Ward rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a terrific book! Though technically it’s a murder mystery, it was also a really fun read. A little too fun ‘cause I found it hard to put down.

It’s hard not to love Rose, the main character. She’s innocent, and quirky, and a lot more savy than she gives herself credit for. I loved her “wish list” and was rooting for her to get as many items checked off her list as she could.

I was glad Rose had it out with her mother before the murder, otherwise she (and we) would never know if she had i...more

like · see review

Dec 10, 2011 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is such a delightful story and it is truly full of Southern charm and humor! I loved reading of Rose's transformation from a timid and beat-down girl into a beautiful and confident young woman, no longer afraid to stand up for herself and no longer willing to stand on the sidelines and watch her life pass her by. She is a character that you cannot help but root for. Also, you cannot help but root for her and Joe's developing relationship- while she may not have been your typical damsel...more

like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 Novareylin rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone that likes a little romance with thier mystery!

Shelves: 2012

Full review: http://myseryniti.wordpress.com/2012/...

My thoughts:

Really good book! Ok, I’ll admit I’m doing a book review for the second book, Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons so I needed to read the first. Mysteries are not my normal type of read but I was going to put my differences with mysteries aside and give this a try. Well, I don’t know about the rest of the mysteries in the world but I can not, CAN NOT wait to read the sequel.

I started reading and I had not read the Goodreads synopsis on...more Full review: http://myseryniti.wordpress.com/2012/...

My thoughts:

Really good book! Ok, I’ll admit I’m doing a book review for the second book, Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons so I needed to read the first. Mysteries are not my normal type of read but I was going to put my differences with mysteries aside and give this a try. Well, I don’t know about the rest of the mysteries in the world but I can not, CAN NOT wait to read the sequel.

I started reading and I had not read the Goodreads synopsis on Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes yet. The first sentence and Rose Gardner is talking about seeing herself being dead. Ok, intriguing. Denise Grove Swank you have got my attention. Forget page 99 I’m fulling committed at line one! But I still had in the back of my head, mystery, don’t get your hopes up. I didn’t have time to think anything else. The characters took control and had me at their mercy the entire day. Yes, I read this in one day. Honestly I didn’t want to put it down.

Now there are some negatives, but not many. The plot was really good there are a couple of things like Rose not knowing anything at all about the real world that kind of got to me. But she is psychic, I can only imagine what that would feel like. So, although I’m giving this book a 4.5 there was just the tiniest stuff that got to me. But really, it was a fun read, the characters drove the story in an amazing way. The mystery was not predictable, for the most part. And on top of that Rose even being in dire situations was able to make light of things. I literally laughed out loud multiple times because she would say something while her life was on the line! But really, wouldn’t we all do that? Try to diffuse a situation when we have no other hope of getting out? Of course we would! And that is exactly why it worked so well in this book.

I am definitely moving on to Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons. Another mystery! Thank you Denise Grover Swank for pulling me out of my comfort zone.

Coming soon! Review of Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons will be posted August 6th!

(less)

like · see review

title link	preview: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
avg rating	preview: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes Goodreads rating: 4.03 (871 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12066944-twenty-eight-and-a-half-wishes?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339609072l/12066944.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12066944-twenty-eight-and-a-half-wishes?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank[/url]

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes (Rose Gardner Mysteries #1)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (4)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Denise Grover Swank

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Twenty-Eight and ...

Quotes from Twenty-Eight and a Hal...