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Dakota Green #3
A Bride’s Guide to Happiness and Homicide
When Dakota Green’s best friend asks her to be the maid of honor, she expects champagne toasts and bouquet tosses—not a dead priest in the holly bushes of The Rose Palace estate. But in Aubergine, Virginia, something borrowed and something blue might just include a corpse or two.
A winter getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains should be wonderland bliss for pre-wedding festivities. Instead, it’s a blizzard of suspicion as the groom’s Texas relatives arrive with secrets as deep as the falling snow.
Just when Dakota thinks she can’t handle one more wedding disaster, the officiating priest takes a fatal plunge from the fourth floor, with a bullet through his heart and Dakota’s boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong becomes the prime suspect.
With Charlie behind bars and the wedding hours away, Dakota must clear his name while ensuring her best friend gets her perfect day. Between a gun-wielding father of the groom, a scandalous romance and a bride who refuses to postpone, Dakota faces her greatest challenge yet. Can she unmask a killer before the wedding march? Or will this matrimony end in mayhem?
If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths with a flair for finding trouble, this maid-of-honor mystery is your perfect match.
A winter getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains should be wonderland bliss for pre-wedding festivities. Instead, it’s a blizzard of suspicion as the groom’s Texas relatives arrive with secrets as deep as the falling snow.
Just when Dakota thinks she can’t handle one more wedding disaster, the officiating priest takes a fatal plunge from the fourth floor, with a bullet through his heart and Dakota’s boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong becomes the prime suspect.
With Charlie behind bars and the wedding hours away, Dakota must clear his name while ensuring her best friend gets her perfect day. Between a gun-wielding father of the groom, a scandalous romance and a bride who refuses to postpone, Dakota faces her greatest challenge yet. Can she unmask a killer before the wedding march? Or will this matrimony end in mayhem?
If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths with a flair for finding trouble, this maid-of-honor mystery is your perfect match.
- GenresCozy
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2026
11 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Bird
11 books297 followersKristen has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mixes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 24, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
it was great being back with these guys again catching up with their lives and the wedding of the year.. but who knew it would bring so much chaos and murder....
dakota green is back in town for the wedding of her best friend and being the maid of honor for her.... but things start going wrong when the grooms family start showing up a day earlier and also bringing some unexpected guests....
least of all an old girlfriend who wasnt going to be giving up the groom to someone else
chaotic times ahead for a bride and groom and their maid of honor but also dakota also had to decide what she was going to do with her life once she was out of her veterinary training she could have a whole new life in san Diego where she would have hands on training to enhance her role or she could start her own practise in town ...some hard decisions had to be made....
a fun read and its always nice catching up on some of your favourite quirky characters.... cant wait for the next book from this author
it was great being back with these guys again catching up with their lives and the wedding of the year.. but who knew it would bring so much chaos and murder....
dakota green is back in town for the wedding of her best friend and being the maid of honor for her.... but things start going wrong when the grooms family start showing up a day earlier and also bringing some unexpected guests....
least of all an old girlfriend who wasnt going to be giving up the groom to someone else
chaotic times ahead for a bride and groom and their maid of honor but also dakota also had to decide what she was going to do with her life once she was out of her veterinary training she could have a whole new life in san Diego where she would have hands on training to enhance her role or she could start her own practise in town ...some hard decisions had to be made....
a fun read and its always nice catching up on some of your favourite quirky characters.... cant wait for the next book from this author
November 4, 2025
There is so much going on in #ABridesGuidetoHappinessandHomicide #NetGalley,I don't know where to start.
Dakota's best friend Lacy is getting married and the family drama soon starts when both women are beyond shocked when the groom's ex girlfriend invites herself to the festivities.
Bella is not very nice, and when I say that, it's a huge compliment to the author! I love when an author creates a character who can reamake me sputter in frustration and annoyance.
The minister isn't really a minister, or is he, lol? Todd was a snake, making him my second favorite character.
If you add in a bit of art theft, you have yourself the makings of a wonderful cozy mystery, and this is a solid 5 star review.
Dakota's best friend Lacy is getting married and the family drama soon starts when both women are beyond shocked when the groom's ex girlfriend invites herself to the festivities.
Bella is not very nice, and when I say that, it's a huge compliment to the author! I love when an author creates a character who can reamake me sputter in frustration and annoyance.
The minister isn't really a minister, or is he, lol? Todd was a snake, making him my second favorite character.
If you add in a bit of art theft, you have yourself the makings of a wonderful cozy mystery, and this is a solid 5 star review.
November 10, 2025
Arc from NetGalley to be published January 2026
2.5 stars rounded up
This book was well written but to me it dragged, felt like there was a lot of unnecessary knowledge bestowed upon the reader and although the murder happened early getting back to it felt like a sludge.
I’ll admit the premise was good, the characters were well thought out and overall was a great book, just wish the pacing allowed for me to be much more on edge than I was.
Also rated down as I guessed the murderer almost immediately as it was extremely spelled out
2.5 stars rounded up
This book was well written but to me it dragged, felt like there was a lot of unnecessary knowledge bestowed upon the reader and although the murder happened early getting back to it felt like a sludge.
I’ll admit the premise was good, the characters were well thought out and overall was a great book, just wish the pacing allowed for me to be much more on edge than I was.
Also rated down as I guessed the murderer almost immediately as it was extremely spelled out
January 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my review.
Dakota Green cannot catch a break, after inheriting half of a massive fortune from a father she never knew, she’s trying to figure out the next steps in life but people keep dropping dead.
Aubergine is a small town where nothing very exciting happens, but when Dakota's best friends wedding of the century is planned at The Rose Palace, the attendee list brings in some shady questionable characters. When the minister is found dead and Dakotas boyfriend (the towns sheriff) is the most logical suspect, this wedding might have to be cancelled.
Dakota puts her head together with local law enforcement and the bride to set up the wedding to highlight the murderer. Will they figure out who did it and what their reasoning was?
Dakota Green cannot catch a break, after inheriting half of a massive fortune from a father she never knew, she’s trying to figure out the next steps in life but people keep dropping dead.
Aubergine is a small town where nothing very exciting happens, but when Dakota's best friends wedding of the century is planned at The Rose Palace, the attendee list brings in some shady questionable characters. When the minister is found dead and Dakotas boyfriend (the towns sheriff) is the most logical suspect, this wedding might have to be cancelled.
Dakota puts her head together with local law enforcement and the bride to set up the wedding to highlight the murderer. Will they figure out who did it and what their reasoning was?
January 30, 2026
A wedding turns into family drama, theft, murder, betrayal, and so much more, all in a single weekend!
I really enjoyed that the story started out with finding the body and then rewound to show the build up that lead to the death. It got you instantly invested in the tale and you got to enjoy the characters and see all the many strands that wove together to help explain how we reached the point where the book originally started.
Dakota is, by and large, a great MFC. My main complaint with her is she seems really quick to anger, she explodes at the slightest provocation and sometimes in ways that make no sense. But she's a loyal, loving friend, she has common sense (mostly) and she's a fun character to be in the head of. I would want her on my side, that is for sure.
Lacy is perhaps the strongest and most understanding woman in the world. The thing's she has to handle during this story would break almost any woman. And then to agree to what she does in the climax of the story... I have so much respect for her.
It was tightly plotted, and very compelling, I wanted to come back to this book and read it, I made time in what was a very busy weekend, to finish it because I wanted to know what happened next and how right I was in my theories.
The ending was at once utterly ridiculous and very high tension, it was dramatic, over the top, fun and I enjoyed it while shaking my head in disbelief.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I really enjoyed that the story started out with finding the body and then rewound to show the build up that lead to the death. It got you instantly invested in the tale and you got to enjoy the characters and see all the many strands that wove together to help explain how we reached the point where the book originally started.
Dakota is, by and large, a great MFC. My main complaint with her is she seems really quick to anger, she explodes at the slightest provocation and sometimes in ways that make no sense. But she's a loyal, loving friend, she has common sense (mostly) and she's a fun character to be in the head of. I would want her on my side, that is for sure.
Lacy is perhaps the strongest and most understanding woman in the world. The thing's she has to handle during this story would break almost any woman. And then to agree to what she does in the climax of the story... I have so much respect for her.
It was tightly plotted, and very compelling, I wanted to come back to this book and read it, I made time in what was a very busy weekend, to finish it because I wanted to know what happened next and how right I was in my theories.
The ending was at once utterly ridiculous and very high tension, it was dramatic, over the top, fun and I enjoyed it while shaking my head in disbelief.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nothing says “blissful wedding weekend” like a priest face-first in the holly bushes and your boyfriend getting arrested for murder before brunch. Welcome to A Bride’s Guide to Happiness and Homicide, aka the book that made me question every RSVP I’ve ever sent.
This was my first Dakota Green mystery and walking in cold to book three felt like showing up to a family reunion where someone forgot to mention the cult phase, the hidden inheritance, and the part where Grandma faked her own death. Kristen Bird does a decent job catching you up, but fair warning, everyone in Aubergine, Virginia has history, secrets, and a strong chance of being armed.
Our main girl Dakota is a pageant queen turned rich-girl amateur sleuth who is just trying to get through her best friend Lacy’s wedding without having to investigate a homicide. You know, normal maid of honor stuff. But this is a Dakota Green book, so obviously the officiant takes a nosedive from a balcony and lands in a bush with a bullet hole. Even more festive? Her boyfriend Charlie, the town’s sheriff with golden retriever vibes and fists of rage, gets arrested for it.
The wedding is still on, though. Because Lacy, icon, legend, delusional queen, refuses to cancel, and I respect her for that. Meanwhile, Dakota’s in full “I need to find the killer and make sure the centerpieces don’t clash with the blood spatter” mode. And oh yes, the groom’s family is serving Southern Gothic dysfunction on a silver platter. Ex-girlfriends popping up like cursed jack-in-the-boxes. Gun-toting fathers. A priest-slash-boytoy. Possibly stolen art. I honestly lost track of the subplots at one point and just started taking emotional damage like a champ.
And here's the thing. Kristen Bird knows she’s writing a murder mystery wrapped in a soap opera dipped in glitter. This is not about the clues. This is about the vibes. The book is campy, fast, funny, and wildly chaotic, and I respect it for knowing exactly what it is. The banter slaps, the drama is unhinged, and Dakota somehow manages to be both emotionally aware and the kind of person who will break into a suspect’s room in heels and a cocktail dress.
But here’s the slight drag. The murder hits early, but we don’t circle back to the actual investigation until a few detours through family drama, gallery thefts, romantic angst, and the general stress of trying to keep a wedding on track when everyone might be lying about something. It’s not boring. It just occasionally feels like you’re being driven to the killer in a clown car doing donuts in a Walmart parking lot.
Still. Dakota’s voice is what kept me hooked. She’s messy but grounded, sharp but soft. The emotional beats land hard when they need to, especially her protectiveness over Charlie and her ride-or-die loyalty to Lacy. This isn’t just a book about solving a murder. It’s about what happens when your chosen family gets caught in the crossfire and you’re the only one willing to charge into the snowstorm to protect them.
Did I know who the killer was by the halfway point? Yeah. Was I mad about it? Not really. I wasn’t here for the twist. I was here for the bridal brawl, the petty secrets, the snowy showdowns, and Dakota threatening someone with a bottle of expensive champagne. That’s the kind of wedding I do want an invite to.
Final vibe? A cozy murder mystery with big hair, big feelings, and at least three people you’d follow just to watch the drama unfold. 3.5 stars, but emotionally? A full standing ovation.
Whodunity Award: For Most Likely to Commit a Felony in Formalwear
Big thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC and for letting me stumble into this winter murder-fest like a tipsy bridesmaid in the wrong heels. I came for the nuptials, stayed for the neck-stabbing tension, and left emotionally hoarse from yelling “GIRL, NO” at the page every five minutes. What a ride.
This was my first Dakota Green mystery and walking in cold to book three felt like showing up to a family reunion where someone forgot to mention the cult phase, the hidden inheritance, and the part where Grandma faked her own death. Kristen Bird does a decent job catching you up, but fair warning, everyone in Aubergine, Virginia has history, secrets, and a strong chance of being armed.
Our main girl Dakota is a pageant queen turned rich-girl amateur sleuth who is just trying to get through her best friend Lacy’s wedding without having to investigate a homicide. You know, normal maid of honor stuff. But this is a Dakota Green book, so obviously the officiant takes a nosedive from a balcony and lands in a bush with a bullet hole. Even more festive? Her boyfriend Charlie, the town’s sheriff with golden retriever vibes and fists of rage, gets arrested for it.
The wedding is still on, though. Because Lacy, icon, legend, delusional queen, refuses to cancel, and I respect her for that. Meanwhile, Dakota’s in full “I need to find the killer and make sure the centerpieces don’t clash with the blood spatter” mode. And oh yes, the groom’s family is serving Southern Gothic dysfunction on a silver platter. Ex-girlfriends popping up like cursed jack-in-the-boxes. Gun-toting fathers. A priest-slash-boytoy. Possibly stolen art. I honestly lost track of the subplots at one point and just started taking emotional damage like a champ.
And here's the thing. Kristen Bird knows she’s writing a murder mystery wrapped in a soap opera dipped in glitter. This is not about the clues. This is about the vibes. The book is campy, fast, funny, and wildly chaotic, and I respect it for knowing exactly what it is. The banter slaps, the drama is unhinged, and Dakota somehow manages to be both emotionally aware and the kind of person who will break into a suspect’s room in heels and a cocktail dress.
But here’s the slight drag. The murder hits early, but we don’t circle back to the actual investigation until a few detours through family drama, gallery thefts, romantic angst, and the general stress of trying to keep a wedding on track when everyone might be lying about something. It’s not boring. It just occasionally feels like you’re being driven to the killer in a clown car doing donuts in a Walmart parking lot.
Still. Dakota’s voice is what kept me hooked. She’s messy but grounded, sharp but soft. The emotional beats land hard when they need to, especially her protectiveness over Charlie and her ride-or-die loyalty to Lacy. This isn’t just a book about solving a murder. It’s about what happens when your chosen family gets caught in the crossfire and you’re the only one willing to charge into the snowstorm to protect them.
Did I know who the killer was by the halfway point? Yeah. Was I mad about it? Not really. I wasn’t here for the twist. I was here for the bridal brawl, the petty secrets, the snowy showdowns, and Dakota threatening someone with a bottle of expensive champagne. That’s the kind of wedding I do want an invite to.
Final vibe? A cozy murder mystery with big hair, big feelings, and at least three people you’d follow just to watch the drama unfold. 3.5 stars, but emotionally? A full standing ovation.
Whodunity Award: For Most Likely to Commit a Felony in Formalwear
Big thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC and for letting me stumble into this winter murder-fest like a tipsy bridesmaid in the wrong heels. I came for the nuptials, stayed for the neck-stabbing tension, and left emotionally hoarse from yelling “GIRL, NO” at the page every five minutes. What a ride.
November 12, 2025
Title: A Bride’s Guide to Happiness and Homicide
Series: Dakota Green Book #3
Author: Kristen Bird
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: January 23, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 274
A winter getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains should be wonderland bliss for pre-wedding festivities. Instead, it’s a blizzard of suspicion as the groom’s Texas relatives arrive with secrets as deep as the falling snow.
Just when Dakota thinks she can’t handle one more wedding disaster, the Reverent Todd Anderson to will be marring Anton and Lacy is found dead in the snow with a bullet through his heart.
The Reverend is not a typical man of the cloth. He is in his early thirties and dating an older woman who just happens to be the mother of the groom.
It seems Dakota’s boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong got into a bit of disagreeing the day before and actually hit Anderson.
Sure enough the Sheriff becomes a suspect in the murder.
About the author ~ Kristen Bird has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mi
I enjoyed reading Ms. Bird’s “A Letter From the Author’ - It is always fun hearing the author’s personal side in writing a story. She tells us that she and her husband and their three teenagers traveled to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. States it was a fresh experiencing going back to the mansion that inspired her Dakota’s mysteries.
She hopes readers enjoyed spending time with Dakota, Lacy, Savilla and Aunt DeeDee as much as she enjoyed writing about them.
I can say ‘yes’ I enjoyed it and am anxious to find out the next chapter in the lives of Dakota, Charlie and of the other folks in Aubergine.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 23, 2026.
Series: Dakota Green Book #3
Author: Kristen Bird
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: January 23, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 274
A winter getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains should be wonderland bliss for pre-wedding festivities. Instead, it’s a blizzard of suspicion as the groom’s Texas relatives arrive with secrets as deep as the falling snow.
Just when Dakota thinks she can’t handle one more wedding disaster, the Reverent Todd Anderson to will be marring Anton and Lacy is found dead in the snow with a bullet through his heart.
The Reverend is not a typical man of the cloth. He is in his early thirties and dating an older woman who just happens to be the mother of the groom.
It seems Dakota’s boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong got into a bit of disagreeing the day before and actually hit Anderson.
Sure enough the Sheriff becomes a suspect in the murder.
About the author ~ Kristen Bird has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mi
I enjoyed reading Ms. Bird’s “A Letter From the Author’ - It is always fun hearing the author’s personal side in writing a story. She tells us that she and her husband and their three teenagers traveled to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. States it was a fresh experiencing going back to the mansion that inspired her Dakota’s mysteries.
She hopes readers enjoyed spending time with Dakota, Lacy, Savilla and Aunt DeeDee as much as she enjoyed writing about them.
I can say ‘yes’ I enjoyed it and am anxious to find out the next chapter in the lives of Dakota, Charlie and of the other folks in Aubergine.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 23, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars rounded up.
Dakota Green is among other things a trainee vet and recently discovered heiress to an enormous estate and fortune. This weekend though, she has a different role - she's the maid of honour at her best friends wedding. But when a body is found less than 2 days before the big event, she's on a deadline to uncover a killer; and finds so much more in the process...
This was a really enjoyable, compelling read. Unusually for this kind of book, we find the body in the first chapter and then jump the timeline back a couple of days to see the events leading up to the murder. It was an interesting and very clever way to tell the story and it meant that by the time the story has caught up with the murder, you as a reader have gotten to know the characters and see the sequence of events at the same time as the characters do.
Because of this, the characters get to be pretty well developed; you get to genuinely like or dislike them for yourself rather than being told where they should fit. Lacy - the bride - is possibly the most understanding person in the world (WAY more understanding than I would be in the same situation!), and the family of her groom by contrast are just the worst. Dakota is a good main character - goodhearted and generous while being curious and feisty. Main issues for me character wise were Dakota's inexplicably short temper, and Savilla's tendency to make words by combining others - that was cute once or twice but got very annoying afterwards; and really didn't add anything to her character or the story.
The plot was intricate and complex but well told, and the ending was a fantastic climax - satisfying yet over the top, and still threw a surprise or two in there. Not a standard cozy read but very good fun.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me the ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Dakota Green is among other things a trainee vet and recently discovered heiress to an enormous estate and fortune. This weekend though, she has a different role - she's the maid of honour at her best friends wedding. But when a body is found less than 2 days before the big event, she's on a deadline to uncover a killer; and finds so much more in the process...
This was a really enjoyable, compelling read. Unusually for this kind of book, we find the body in the first chapter and then jump the timeline back a couple of days to see the events leading up to the murder. It was an interesting and very clever way to tell the story and it meant that by the time the story has caught up with the murder, you as a reader have gotten to know the characters and see the sequence of events at the same time as the characters do.
Because of this, the characters get to be pretty well developed; you get to genuinely like or dislike them for yourself rather than being told where they should fit. Lacy - the bride - is possibly the most understanding person in the world (WAY more understanding than I would be in the same situation!), and the family of her groom by contrast are just the worst. Dakota is a good main character - goodhearted and generous while being curious and feisty. Main issues for me character wise were Dakota's inexplicably short temper, and Savilla's tendency to make words by combining others - that was cute once or twice but got very annoying afterwards; and really didn't add anything to her character or the story.
The plot was intricate and complex but well told, and the ending was a fantastic climax - satisfying yet over the top, and still threw a surprise or two in there. Not a standard cozy read but very good fun.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me the ARC in exchange for an honest review -
December 7, 2025
A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide by Kristen Bird is the third book in the Dakota Green series. Readers can read this as a standalone, but it might be better to go to the beginning and read A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem and An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds to meet the characters and catch on the backstory of them.
Dakota Green is back home in Aubergine, Virginia for her best friend Lacy’s wedding to Anton at Dakota’s and Savilla’s estate, The Rose. What is supposed to be an intimate event is turned into a three-ring circus by Anton’s mother, Patty, who is dating the much younger priest, Todd. To top things off, Patty invites Bella, Anton’s ex-girlfriend, who wants to renew things with him.
Things are definitely shady with Anton’s family with dropped hints of deliveries and business dealings when they are supposed to be cattle ranchers. Patty tells Anton they expect him to marry Bella and continue the family business. There is so much going on in this book that you almost need a score card. Todd is murdered, paintings are stolen, Charlie is framed for Todd’s murder, and Dakota is wrestling with the decision on where to live now that she has graduated from veterinarian school.
The ending of the story with the wedding and the solving of the mysteries is pretty amazing and such fun. I think this book feels rushed at times to get to a solution, however, it could be because Dakota is racing around to clear Charlie’s name. Regardless, it is a thoroughly enjoyable story with delightful characters, and I look forward to more in this series. Once again, Savilla and her combining of words is so funny!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dakota Green is back home in Aubergine, Virginia for her best friend Lacy’s wedding to Anton at Dakota’s and Savilla’s estate, The Rose. What is supposed to be an intimate event is turned into a three-ring circus by Anton’s mother, Patty, who is dating the much younger priest, Todd. To top things off, Patty invites Bella, Anton’s ex-girlfriend, who wants to renew things with him.
Things are definitely shady with Anton’s family with dropped hints of deliveries and business dealings when they are supposed to be cattle ranchers. Patty tells Anton they expect him to marry Bella and continue the family business. There is so much going on in this book that you almost need a score card. Todd is murdered, paintings are stolen, Charlie is framed for Todd’s murder, and Dakota is wrestling with the decision on where to live now that she has graduated from veterinarian school.
The ending of the story with the wedding and the solving of the mysteries is pretty amazing and such fun. I think this book feels rushed at times to get to a solution, however, it could be because Dakota is racing around to clear Charlie’s name. Regardless, it is a thoroughly enjoyable story with delightful characters, and I look forward to more in this series. Once again, Savilla and her combining of words is so funny!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC Review-
A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide by Kristen Bird is a murder mystery that follows Dakota Green- veterinarian and amateur sleuth. It is the third book of the series, but can be read as a standalone.
Dakota and her Sheriff boyfriend (Charlie) are back in her home town for her best friend's (Lacy's) wedding. After a body is found during the rehearsal dinner, and Charlie is arrested as the suspect, Dakota and Lacy are on a mission to clear Charlie's name and bring down an art thief. Can they find enough evidence to save Charlie? Will Lacy get to marry Anton? Can their relationship survive the secrets and lies of his family?
Things I loved: Dakota's and Lacy's ride or die relationship is so refreshing. It's so nice to see a female friendship that is completely unconditional and supportive. I also loved the little nods to Dakota's and Charlie's romance. Very realistic but not the focus of the story.
Things I didn't love: pacing was a bit slow at times, but seemed necessary for giving backstory and clues. The art thieving ring is a bit fantastical, and I would have liked it better if there were more clues as to who/how the art was stolen.
I didn't read the first two books in the series and didn't have an issue understanding alignment. It makes enough references to the previous novels to provide any information needed. Having said that, it would be nice to have read the series from the beginning so I can see the development of the characters.
Very clever and well written. Even with the slow pace at times the story kept my attention and it was a quick read. 4⭐
Thank you to Kristen Bird, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide by Kristen Bird is a murder mystery that follows Dakota Green- veterinarian and amateur sleuth. It is the third book of the series, but can be read as a standalone.
Dakota and her Sheriff boyfriend (Charlie) are back in her home town for her best friend's (Lacy's) wedding. After a body is found during the rehearsal dinner, and Charlie is arrested as the suspect, Dakota and Lacy are on a mission to clear Charlie's name and bring down an art thief. Can they find enough evidence to save Charlie? Will Lacy get to marry Anton? Can their relationship survive the secrets and lies of his family?
Things I loved: Dakota's and Lacy's ride or die relationship is so refreshing. It's so nice to see a female friendship that is completely unconditional and supportive. I also loved the little nods to Dakota's and Charlie's romance. Very realistic but not the focus of the story.
Things I didn't love: pacing was a bit slow at times, but seemed necessary for giving backstory and clues. The art thieving ring is a bit fantastical, and I would have liked it better if there were more clues as to who/how the art was stolen.
I didn't read the first two books in the series and didn't have an issue understanding alignment. It makes enough references to the previous novels to provide any information needed. Having said that, it would be nice to have read the series from the beginning so I can see the development of the characters.
Very clever and well written. Even with the slow pace at times the story kept my attention and it was a quick read. 4⭐
Thank you to Kristen Bird, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but the moment I saw this one on NetGalley, I was intrigued. While this is the third installment in the Dakota Green series, I actually went and read the first two before diving into this one. It's not strictly necessary to read the previous books to enjoy the mystery here, but I’m so glad I did as seeing the progression of the characters made this installment even more rewarding.
The story unfolds over a single, high-stakes weekend. Dakota’s best friend is finally getting married, but the celebrations are quickly overshadowed when a murder threatens to derail the entire wedding. Unlike a gritty, edge of your seat thriller, this book leans into the classic murder mystery style. It is a clever, well-paced "whodunnit" that kept me guessing. The plot is intricately woven and easy to follow, but Kristen Bird does a great job of hiding the culprit. I didn't figure out the murderer too early, which is always the mark of a good mystery.
I have grown to truly love the character of Dakota Green. She is relatable and sharp, and her evolving relationship with the local sheriff, Charlie, is a highlight of the series for me. Their chemistry adds a lovely layer of heart to the investigative drama.
This is the ultimate lounging by the pool read. If you are lucky enough to be heading off for some winter sun, make sure this is in your carry on! It’s a fun, engaging, and smart mystery that fans of the series, or newcomers, will thoroughly enjoy. I shall be eagerly awaiting the next installment.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
The story unfolds over a single, high-stakes weekend. Dakota’s best friend is finally getting married, but the celebrations are quickly overshadowed when a murder threatens to derail the entire wedding. Unlike a gritty, edge of your seat thriller, this book leans into the classic murder mystery style. It is a clever, well-paced "whodunnit" that kept me guessing. The plot is intricately woven and easy to follow, but Kristen Bird does a great job of hiding the culprit. I didn't figure out the murderer too early, which is always the mark of a good mystery.
I have grown to truly love the character of Dakota Green. She is relatable and sharp, and her evolving relationship with the local sheriff, Charlie, is a highlight of the series for me. Their chemistry adds a lovely layer of heart to the investigative drama.
This is the ultimate lounging by the pool read. If you are lucky enough to be heading off for some winter sun, make sure this is in your carry on! It’s a fun, engaging, and smart mystery that fans of the series, or newcomers, will thoroughly enjoy. I shall be eagerly awaiting the next installment.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A maid-of-honour mystery will small town trouble, amateur detectives, bad decisions and a healthy dose of hilarity. Dakota Green is back and once again in exactly the wrong place at the wrong time. If you've not read any of the other books in the Dakota trilogy and want to pick this up, you can absolutely read this as a standalone without losing the characters or too much context.
Now, before you get into this one - suspend your belief for a minute. This is very larger-than-life and zany with a character that isn't trying to be down-to-earth or real, finding herself in eye-rollingly absurd situations; however it is quite fun so if you're willing to just enjoy the ride you'll have a great time.
We start off in a wintery snowscape with utterly brilliant scene setting and an introduction to our cast including leading lady and main narrator, Dakota before the wedding chaos begins; cue nightmare relatives, meddling, uninvited guests and of course, a dead body..
For me, I found a few of the elements a bit too repetitive; in the beginning there's one 'gag' where Savilla makes new words in a mix of the languages she speaks - it was cute once, then just felt like mocking and a bit overdone a few chapters in. I love absurdity, but in this book, it just didn't land for me and left me not really connecting to anything happening.
It might not be my cup of tea, but this loud, energetic murder mystery is definitely someones shot of espresso.
Now, before you get into this one - suspend your belief for a minute. This is very larger-than-life and zany with a character that isn't trying to be down-to-earth or real, finding herself in eye-rollingly absurd situations; however it is quite fun so if you're willing to just enjoy the ride you'll have a great time.
We start off in a wintery snowscape with utterly brilliant scene setting and an introduction to our cast including leading lady and main narrator, Dakota before the wedding chaos begins; cue nightmare relatives, meddling, uninvited guests and of course, a dead body..
For me, I found a few of the elements a bit too repetitive; in the beginning there's one 'gag' where Savilla makes new words in a mix of the languages she speaks - it was cute once, then just felt like mocking and a bit overdone a few chapters in. I love absurdity, but in this book, it just didn't land for me and left me not really connecting to anything happening.
It might not be my cup of tea, but this loud, energetic murder mystery is definitely someones shot of espresso.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Nothing is going to stand in the way of Lacy and Anton's wedding, not even the murder of the priest and the arrest of the best man, who just happens to be the sheriff. Kristen Bird has created the zaniest set of characters in this well written, if sometimes chaotic, witty story.
Dakota Green is back home in Aubergine, Virginia to be bridesmaid at her best friend Lacy's wedding, the wedding is to be held at The Rose Palace Estate, an estate owned by Dakota and her half sister Savilla.
Lacy had been planning her dream wedding since she was a child, Dakota and Savilla were there to help her achieve her dream, that was until.......
Anton's oddball family arrived from Texas with a load of uninvited guests, including Anton's ex girlfriend, Bella, who was obviously not going to let Anton go without a fight.
Anton's mother was having an affair with the foul mouthed priest, who was young enough to be her son, whilst still living in the same house as her husband. The family were ranchers but the deals being discussed were nothing to do with cows.
Why had all these people really turned up at the wedding ? what was their end game ?
When the body of the priest was found with a bullet in his chest, Dakota's boyfriend, the hunky sheriff was the main suspect.
Could Dakota and Charlie's deputy prove his innocence before the wedding ? you will have to read the book to find out.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
Dakota Green is back home in Aubergine, Virginia to be bridesmaid at her best friend Lacy's wedding, the wedding is to be held at The Rose Palace Estate, an estate owned by Dakota and her half sister Savilla.
Lacy had been planning her dream wedding since she was a child, Dakota and Savilla were there to help her achieve her dream, that was until.......
Anton's oddball family arrived from Texas with a load of uninvited guests, including Anton's ex girlfriend, Bella, who was obviously not going to let Anton go without a fight.
Anton's mother was having an affair with the foul mouthed priest, who was young enough to be her son, whilst still living in the same house as her husband. The family were ranchers but the deals being discussed were nothing to do with cows.
Why had all these people really turned up at the wedding ? what was their end game ?
When the body of the priest was found with a bullet in his chest, Dakota's boyfriend, the hunky sheriff was the main suspect.
Could Dakota and Charlie's deputy prove his innocence before the wedding ? you will have to read the book to find out.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75⭐️ rounded up for Goodreads. Thank you so much to @NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the eARC copy of this book!
Originally when I requested the book I didn’t realize it was the 3rd in an interconnected series but I’m so happy it is! While I haven’t read the first two books I understood the plot completely. I would recommend reading the first two before you read this one however, I don’t feel like I missed out on a ton (but I am going to go back and read the first two now!!).
This books was a super cozy mystery and the perfect book for winter reading! I liked how we start the book with the murder and then go back through the events that led up to it. It did feel like it dragged in some parts and I didn’t love the fact that Savillas character kept combining words, a few times is ok but it kept happening and in the first half of the book it was explained several times that “savilla likes to combine words but I’ve grown to understand what she means” it was said quite a bit and then after a lot of them the author would go on to make Dakota our FMC say the words that Savilla was combing afterwards. It just felt a little clunky and unnecessary since it didn’t add a ton to Savilla’s character. I did love all the family drama and the writing/ things everyone was getting up to at times was really funny.
All in all I think this is a great, quick, cozy winter mystery and all in all it was a good read for me!
Originally when I requested the book I didn’t realize it was the 3rd in an interconnected series but I’m so happy it is! While I haven’t read the first two books I understood the plot completely. I would recommend reading the first two before you read this one however, I don’t feel like I missed out on a ton (but I am going to go back and read the first two now!!).
This books was a super cozy mystery and the perfect book for winter reading! I liked how we start the book with the murder and then go back through the events that led up to it. It did feel like it dragged in some parts and I didn’t love the fact that Savillas character kept combining words, a few times is ok but it kept happening and in the first half of the book it was explained several times that “savilla likes to combine words but I’ve grown to understand what she means” it was said quite a bit and then after a lot of them the author would go on to make Dakota our FMC say the words that Savilla was combing afterwards. It just felt a little clunky and unnecessary since it didn’t add a ton to Savilla’s character. I did love all the family drama and the writing/ things everyone was getting up to at times was really funny.
All in all I think this is a great, quick, cozy winter mystery and all in all it was a good read for me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide is a fun fast read. Dakota Green is to be the maid of honor for her best friend Lacy. One would think a wedding would be a joyous and heartwarming occasion, well not so much when, Anton, the groom's family arrives from Texas and bring his ex-girlfriend. His mom and the officiating are having an affair. Things really get messy when the priest ends up dead, falls from the fourth floor, but it was the bullet to the heart that killed him. Unfortunately, for Dakota, the number one suspect is her boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong. Can Dakota find the real killer before the ceremony?
Kristen Bird moves the plot along at a brisk pace. I love Dakota, she is a bit chaotic, a loyal friend and a pretty good amateur detective. This being the third book in the series, the characters are well developed and we feel like we know them. I really enjoy Aunt Dee-Dee. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend starting with the first, A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem, that introduces the main characters.
If you like humor with your murder mystery, with a dash of stolen art, some unlikeable characters, sit back and enjoy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Storm Publishing, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
Kristen Bird moves the plot along at a brisk pace. I love Dakota, she is a bit chaotic, a loyal friend and a pretty good amateur detective. This being the third book in the series, the characters are well developed and we feel like we know them. I really enjoy Aunt Dee-Dee. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend starting with the first, A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem, that introduces the main characters.
If you like humor with your murder mystery, with a dash of stolen art, some unlikeable characters, sit back and enjoy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Storm Publishing, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
January 30, 2026
A Bride’s Guide to Happiness and Homicide by Kristen Bird was such a fun, cozy read and a great return to Dakota Green and the town of Aubergine. With a dead priest, missing items, suspicious in laws, and a groom’s mother who clearly does not want this wedding to happen, Dakota has a lot on her plate as she tries to get her best friend down the aisle in one piece.
The mystery itself was really well done. There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, and even when I thought I had figured out who was behind everything, the motive still managed to surprise me. I loved how the story balanced wedding chaos with sleuthing, keeping the pace lively without ever feeling overwhelming.
Coming back to Aubergine was a treat. We get to see more of the town in this installment, and it feels even more charming and delightfully quirky than before. The humor is spot on, and one of my favorite parts of the series continues to be Dakota’s relationships with the people around her. The dynamic between her and the townsfolk adds so much warmth and personality to the story.
Overall, this is a genuinely enjoyable cozy mystery that delivers humor, heart, and a satisfying whodunit. This series continues to be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see what chaos and mystery Dakota gets pulled into next.
The mystery itself was really well done. There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, and even when I thought I had figured out who was behind everything, the motive still managed to surprise me. I loved how the story balanced wedding chaos with sleuthing, keeping the pace lively without ever feeling overwhelming.
Coming back to Aubergine was a treat. We get to see more of the town in this installment, and it feels even more charming and delightfully quirky than before. The humor is spot on, and one of my favorite parts of the series continues to be Dakota’s relationships with the people around her. The dynamic between her and the townsfolk adds so much warmth and personality to the story.
Overall, this is a genuinely enjoyable cozy mystery that delivers humor, heart, and a satisfying whodunit. This series continues to be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see what chaos and mystery Dakota gets pulled into next.
November 7, 2025
I got this arc from Storm Publishing on NetGalley. I enjoyed this mystery very much. It was a story you could fall for. I think because you had a love story going on besides the actual mystery part gave it a little depth. I have not read any of the other Dakota Green series so I was a little lost of the mentioning of prior story lines. No matter it could still be a stand alone. What I inferred was Dakota Green has found out who her real father was and was extremely wealthy which left her a heiress of the Rose estate along with a sister she never knew she had. During previous books she must have fallen for Sheriff Charlie Strong. They have been dating long distance for about 6 months. See easy catch up. Dakota has a very suspicious mind. She is in Aubergine, Virginia for her best friend’s wedding. The man she is marrying, Antoine, doesn’t really like his family or they are difficult in a way he can’t bring himself to say. During the rehearsal dinner they find the priest dead. Dakota and Charlie work together to figure out what has happened until Charlie himself is arrested…gasp. This book will keep you wanting more. I have to say I will most likely read the other two books if they are anything like this one.
Pub Date: Jan 23 2026 | Archive Date: Jan 24 2026
Pub Date: Jan 23 2026 | Archive Date: Jan 24 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rounded up to four stars because this is entertaining and kept me reading to find out who is who and what happens to them all. A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide
is a cozy mystery set in a universe that author Kristen has set up in the first two books in the series. Dakota Green has inherited the Rose Estate, alongside her half sister. When they host a wedding, the groom has a lot of awful family who turn up at the worst time with the worst motives to shut it down. It's not long before there is a body in the bushes and Dakota's boyfriend (and the local sheriff) Charlie is circumstantially in the wrong place. There are lots of characters, good and bad, plenty of drama around the Rose Estate, small town meddlers and a tight time frame with only three days until the wedding.
I must admit it's pretty unrealistic, and I didn't love all the overexplaining - trust the reader, please! That aside though, everything rattled along and I was intrigued to know how it would work out for the bride and groom, and Dakota and Charlie.
A light-as-a-feather cosy holiday masters you can read in a day. Thank you Storm Publishing and Kristen Bird for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
is a cozy mystery set in a universe that author Kristen has set up in the first two books in the series. Dakota Green has inherited the Rose Estate, alongside her half sister. When they host a wedding, the groom has a lot of awful family who turn up at the worst time with the worst motives to shut it down. It's not long before there is a body in the bushes and Dakota's boyfriend (and the local sheriff) Charlie is circumstantially in the wrong place. There are lots of characters, good and bad, plenty of drama around the Rose Estate, small town meddlers and a tight time frame with only three days until the wedding.
I must admit it's pretty unrealistic, and I didn't love all the overexplaining - trust the reader, please! That aside though, everything rattled along and I was intrigued to know how it would work out for the bride and groom, and Dakota and Charlie.
A light-as-a-feather cosy holiday masters you can read in a day. Thank you Storm Publishing and Kristen Bird for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
😬 Nothing says “wedding prep” like a blizzard, a dead priest, and your boyfriend in jail. Truly peak bridal chaos.
First Line: If the newly fallen snow wasn’t enough to put me into the holiday spirit, then a dead body in the holly bushes at the base of the Rose Palace certainly wouldn’t help.
Reasons to Read:
💍 Snowy Nuptials – A pre-wedding retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains turns icy when family secrets surface alongside a raging blizzard.
🔫 Prime Suspect – When the officiating priest is murdered, Dakota’s boyfriend is arrested, forcing her to solve the crime before the vows begin.
⏰ Wedding Deadline – With hours until the ceremony, Dakota must juggle suspects, scandals, and stubborn wedding plans to stop the killer in time.
Thoughts: This is the 3rd book in this series and this one takes place just a few months after the 2nd. It’s fun and the mystery is unique. Holland and her friends are good characters, but I want to know them on a deeper level, which is a little bit of an issue. As this series goes on, I feel like I just want to know more about the existing characters rather than bringing in more side characters to fill out the plot. I do like the author’s writing style though so I will be continuing on to the next book.
First Line: If the newly fallen snow wasn’t enough to put me into the holiday spirit, then a dead body in the holly bushes at the base of the Rose Palace certainly wouldn’t help.
Reasons to Read:
💍 Snowy Nuptials – A pre-wedding retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains turns icy when family secrets surface alongside a raging blizzard.
🔫 Prime Suspect – When the officiating priest is murdered, Dakota’s boyfriend is arrested, forcing her to solve the crime before the vows begin.
⏰ Wedding Deadline – With hours until the ceremony, Dakota must juggle suspects, scandals, and stubborn wedding plans to stop the killer in time.
Thoughts: This is the 3rd book in this series and this one takes place just a few months after the 2nd. It’s fun and the mystery is unique. Holland and her friends are good characters, but I want to know them on a deeper level, which is a little bit of an issue. As this series goes on, I feel like I just want to know more about the existing characters rather than bringing in more side characters to fill out the plot. I do like the author’s writing style though so I will be continuing on to the next book.
January 24, 2026
In this, the third book in the series, Dakota's best friend is getting married at the Rose Palace Estate, which Dakota owns with her half sister Savilla. Things take a strange turn when the prospective groom's family turn up, especially when the priest who is due to take the ceremony is found dead and Dakota's boyfriend and local sheriff is implicated.
I have read and enjoyed the second book in the series, although I still haven't found time to read the first which is languishing in my TBR list, but this can be read as a standalone book. It is a slow burn, so not for those who prefer faster paced books, but there are plenty of twists and turns. I was initially slightly confused when, after the dead body was found in the first chapter, that he was suddenly alive and kicking in the second but it soon became clear that the story had gone back a few days to give the circumstances leading up to the murder. It is a cosy mystery, so no blood and gore and also no spicy bits if they're not your thing either. Read whilst sitting in a comfy chair, with a drink of your choice by you and be thankful that you don't (hopefully) have a family like that.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
I have read and enjoyed the second book in the series, although I still haven't found time to read the first which is languishing in my TBR list, but this can be read as a standalone book. It is a slow burn, so not for those who prefer faster paced books, but there are plenty of twists and turns. I was initially slightly confused when, after the dead body was found in the first chapter, that he was suddenly alive and kicking in the second but it soon became clear that the story had gone back a few days to give the circumstances leading up to the murder. It is a cosy mystery, so no blood and gore and also no spicy bits if they're not your thing either. Read whilst sitting in a comfy chair, with a drink of your choice by you and be thankful that you don't (hopefully) have a family like that.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
December 6, 2025
Okay, I've got to be honest folks, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this quite as much as I did. This despite my realising, after reading chapter one, that this is part of a series and I've clearly missed the first few books. I've never let that stop me before, and it didn't stop me this time either. 🥂
There's a lot going on in this book, and the cast of characters is on the large side. In hindsight, reading the earlier books would have given context and fleshed out the main protagonists. I soldiered on though, and found that I was enjoying the story despite these minor setbacks. 🥂
The bride of the title is Lacey, who is soon to marry Anton Swanson. But Anton's family, ranchers from Texas, are not as they seem. What are they really up to? 🥂
A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide has all the ingredients for a great thriller; murder, theft, blackmail, intrigue. Unfortunately the main protagonist, Dakota Green, has a tendency to gush like a character from a V.C. Andrews novel, which can be a tad annoying, but didn't totally spoil my enjoyment. 🥂
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
There's a lot going on in this book, and the cast of characters is on the large side. In hindsight, reading the earlier books would have given context and fleshed out the main protagonists. I soldiered on though, and found that I was enjoying the story despite these minor setbacks. 🥂
The bride of the title is Lacey, who is soon to marry Anton Swanson. But Anton's family, ranchers from Texas, are not as they seem. What are they really up to? 🥂
A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide has all the ingredients for a great thriller; murder, theft, blackmail, intrigue. Unfortunately the main protagonist, Dakota Green, has a tendency to gush like a character from a V.C. Andrews novel, which can be a tad annoying, but didn't totally spoil my enjoyment. 🥂
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Bride’s Guide to Happiness and Homicide is the 3rd book in Kristen Bird’s Dakota Green cozy mystery series and it is a nice addition to the series. The characters are very likable and the mystery was good although I suspected the culprit. Dakota Green’s best friend Lacy is getting married to Anton. Anton’s family arrives early, brings uninvited guests and causes a huge amount of problems. I expected it to get a bit chaotic with everything that is going on but it was fairly easy to follow and the mystery unfolds smoothly. The priest who is supposed to be marrying Lacy and Anton ends up dead and has some secrets. He is dating Anton’s mother and is much younger. There is art theft and wedding activities that end up with unusual outcomes. Dakota’s boyfriend Charlie is Sheriff and ends up as a suspect because he has an altercation with the dead guy. This was an enjoyable cozy mystery with a good pace and plenty going on to keep the reader’s attention! I received an advance copy for free and I voluntarily leave this review.#ABridesGuideToHappinessAndMurder #DakotaGreenMystery #NetGalley #StormPublishing
January 27, 2026
At the start I felt like there was a lot of information provided at once and I felt a bit lost. But then I looked it up and saw it is the third book in a series, so how the information was laid out made more sense. If you have read the first two it would have just been a reintroduction to the history. Once I knew that and read the first few chapters I had more of a feel for the characters and setting and didn't feel lost.
It was an easy read and I was interested enough to want to know how everything was going to somehow come to a conclusion with each new reveal.
There was a whole lot going on in such a short book, from wedding events, to murder, thefts, family tension, hidden identities.
I had some issues with pacing. There were some sections where a person was there but then just excluded from the rest of the chapter, and some characters I though had a big lead up but then faded into the background.
The book starts out with the discovery, and then goes back to the previous day events. I found the progression back to the scene of the crime confusing as it was halfway through a chapter.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
It was an easy read and I was interested enough to want to know how everything was going to somehow come to a conclusion with each new reveal.
There was a whole lot going on in such a short book, from wedding events, to murder, thefts, family tension, hidden identities.
I had some issues with pacing. There were some sections where a person was there but then just excluded from the rest of the chapter, and some characters I though had a big lead up but then faded into the background.
The book starts out with the discovery, and then goes back to the previous day events. I found the progression back to the scene of the crime confusing as it was halfway through a chapter.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
November 11, 2025
Weddings can be dramatic, but this one takes the cake.
Dakota is back in her beloved hometown of Aubergine for her best friend Lacy's wedding. What they didn't expect was the outright hostility and sketchiness of Lacy's soon-to-be in-laws. When the priest officiating their wedding turns up dead, Dakota is on the case to help clear her boyfriend Charlie's name while also making sure that Lacy gets the wedding of her dreams.
I have been a fan of the Dakota Green mysteries from the start, and this latest instalment is no exception. The power of female relationships is at the centre of this whole series, emphasizing the need for us all to be there for each other through thick and thin.
I found myself wishing for the adorable bachelorette party that Dakota put together for Lacy, and couldn't stop reading until the very last page. The characters work so well together to create a community that feels true to real life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
Dakota is back in her beloved hometown of Aubergine for her best friend Lacy's wedding. What they didn't expect was the outright hostility and sketchiness of Lacy's soon-to-be in-laws. When the priest officiating their wedding turns up dead, Dakota is on the case to help clear her boyfriend Charlie's name while also making sure that Lacy gets the wedding of her dreams.
I have been a fan of the Dakota Green mysteries from the start, and this latest instalment is no exception. The power of female relationships is at the centre of this whole series, emphasizing the need for us all to be there for each other through thick and thin.
I found myself wishing for the adorable bachelorette party that Dakota put together for Lacy, and couldn't stop reading until the very last page. The characters work so well together to create a community that feels true to real life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
November 20, 2025
Lacy thought she knew Anton, the man she had lived with for two years and was marrying in a couple of days. Dakota is her very best friend since forever, works as a vet tech, and is still in veterinary school at home in Virginia. Sounds simple enough, but then the groom's mother arrives from Texas with a horde of unfriendly female relatives and his ex-girlfriend whom he is supposed to marry regardless of what he wants. Then Dakota finds the priest (more like Anton's mother's boy toy) dead in the garden even before the wedding day! A very fun read with some characters so realistic you want to use a little pink Glock on them and others so delightful that you wish they were real. A few surprises and twists make this a real winner.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Jan 23, 2026
#ABridesGuidetoHappinessandHomicide by @kristenbirdwrites #DakotaGreenMysteryBk3 @stormbooks_co
#weddingmayhem #cozymystery #toxicfamily #laughyoursoxoff #copboyfriend #friendship
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Jan 23, 2026
#ABridesGuidetoHappinessandHomicide by @kristenbirdwrites #DakotaGreenMysteryBk3 @stormbooks_co
#weddingmayhem #cozymystery #toxicfamily #laughyoursoxoff #copboyfriend #friendship
November 26, 2025
This is a review based on an arc provided by the author and NetGalley.
This is the third book in the Dakota Green Mystery series, and despite not having read the first two, I had no problem knowing what was going on or even background information on the characters. Unfortunately, part of this was due to a lot of infodumping.
The main character, Dakota is the maid of honour in her best friend's wedding when she of finds a murder victim which leads to her boyfriend, the sheriff, being accused of the murder. So, this is meant to be a humourous story centred around an amateur detective, which is a micro genre I've enjoyed in the past and was the reason I requested this ARC.
The humour wasn't really funny. At times the language was very weird and stilted. I am sorry, but I disagree with the reviews claiming this was well written. While it might have been mostly structured competently and didn't have glaring grammatical errors, it didn't feel natural at all. This should have been an enjoyable read for me, but it wasn't. There are better examples of the genre out there.
This is the third book in the Dakota Green Mystery series, and despite not having read the first two, I had no problem knowing what was going on or even background information on the characters. Unfortunately, part of this was due to a lot of infodumping.
The main character, Dakota is the maid of honour in her best friend's wedding when she of finds a murder victim which leads to her boyfriend, the sheriff, being accused of the murder. So, this is meant to be a humourous story centred around an amateur detective, which is a micro genre I've enjoyed in the past and was the reason I requested this ARC.
The humour wasn't really funny. At times the language was very weird and stilted. I am sorry, but I disagree with the reviews claiming this was well written. While it might have been mostly structured competently and didn't have glaring grammatical errors, it didn't feel natural at all. This should have been an enjoyable read for me, but it wasn't. There are better examples of the genre out there.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance copy of A Bride’s Guide to Happiness and Homicide via NetGalley from Storm Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
This was a mixed read for me. The central mystery is good and initially kept me interested, but as more elements were introduced, the plot became overly complicated, and the resolution ultimately felt a bit unbelievable.
One element that didn’t work for me was Savilla’s (Dakota’s sister’s) word quirk, where she combines two words into one. While this was likely meant to be quirky or charming, it felt distracting and led to repetitive exchanges as Dakota and others tried to interpret what she meant. Rather than adding to her character, it frequently pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this was a quick read with an entertaining mystery at its core, but it didn’t fully come together for me. The book is marketed toward fans of Janet Evanovich. While I love her books and characters, this one didn’t quite meet those expectations for me.
Readers who enjoy cozy, light mysteries with an amateur sleuth as the lead character may enjoy this book.
This was a mixed read for me. The central mystery is good and initially kept me interested, but as more elements were introduced, the plot became overly complicated, and the resolution ultimately felt a bit unbelievable.
One element that didn’t work for me was Savilla’s (Dakota’s sister’s) word quirk, where she combines two words into one. While this was likely meant to be quirky or charming, it felt distracting and led to repetitive exchanges as Dakota and others tried to interpret what she meant. Rather than adding to her character, it frequently pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this was a quick read with an entertaining mystery at its core, but it didn’t fully come together for me. The book is marketed toward fans of Janet Evanovich. While I love her books and characters, this one didn’t quite meet those expectations for me.
Readers who enjoy cozy, light mysteries with an amateur sleuth as the lead character may enjoy this book.
November 20, 2025
My rating: 🩵🩵🩵🩵
Thank you so much NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!
My thoughts: Honestly I think I’m becoming a fan of small town cozy mysteries. I was easily swayed to pick this book by the cute cover and the whole drama at a wedding because I live for the drama. But dang, did I get thrown into the drama from the start with a murdered priest to kick it off. I won’t spoil it, but it’s a wild ride for sure.
What I loved:
💒 Dakota and Lacy’s friendship is so amazing! I mean I’d be a mess if a priest was found dead days before my wedding. Lacy had a ride or die bestie with her!
💒 looooved the messy family drama that came from Lacy’s fiancé Anton. It’s like watching trash reality TV. Live for it.
💒 The small town vibes were so amazing. Everyone got involved for the wedding, and it felt so sweet and caring.
💒 Dakota is basically an amateur detective. Finding clues and piecing them together left and right.
Overall, really fun read with nice little twists and surprises.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!
My thoughts: Honestly I think I’m becoming a fan of small town cozy mysteries. I was easily swayed to pick this book by the cute cover and the whole drama at a wedding because I live for the drama. But dang, did I get thrown into the drama from the start with a murdered priest to kick it off. I won’t spoil it, but it’s a wild ride for sure.
What I loved:
💒 Dakota and Lacy’s friendship is so amazing! I mean I’d be a mess if a priest was found dead days before my wedding. Lacy had a ride or die bestie with her!
💒 looooved the messy family drama that came from Lacy’s fiancé Anton. It’s like watching trash reality TV. Live for it.
💒 The small town vibes were so amazing. Everyone got involved for the wedding, and it felt so sweet and caring.
💒 Dakota is basically an amateur detective. Finding clues and piecing them together left and right.
Overall, really fun read with nice little twists and surprises.
December 3, 2025
Thanks to Netgallery and Kristen Bird for this ARC.
Another banger of a read from Kristen Bird in the her Dakota Green series. This time Dakota is maid of honour for her friend Lacy's winter wedding, she is expecting champagne toasts and bouquets tosses not death and Art theft. She thought the least of her troubles was dealing with her friend's future in laws and Anton's former sweetheart trying to cause discord as they don't feel Lacy is right for Anton, but soon she finds the priest dead in the bushes and her beau Charlie Strong is in the frame as prime suspect. Dakota is soon trying to clear Charlie's name and also trying to find who is taking art, she is also pondering whether she should take a fellowship in San Diego or set up a vet practice in Aubergine after she graduates. This was so great and engaging and is just as good as the last two entries, it you like the Stephanie Plum series then you'll love the Dakota Green books and I can't wait to see what is next.
Another banger of a read from Kristen Bird in the her Dakota Green series. This time Dakota is maid of honour for her friend Lacy's winter wedding, she is expecting champagne toasts and bouquets tosses not death and Art theft. She thought the least of her troubles was dealing with her friend's future in laws and Anton's former sweetheart trying to cause discord as they don't feel Lacy is right for Anton, but soon she finds the priest dead in the bushes and her beau Charlie Strong is in the frame as prime suspect. Dakota is soon trying to clear Charlie's name and also trying to find who is taking art, she is also pondering whether she should take a fellowship in San Diego or set up a vet practice in Aubergine after she graduates. This was so great and engaging and is just as good as the last two entries, it you like the Stephanie Plum series then you'll love the Dakota Green books and I can't wait to see what is next.
December 28, 2025
This is the third book in the Dakota Green series, but it reads easily as a stand alone. Dakota has recently found out who her biological father was, which has given her a very large inheritance in her small hometown, which includes a half sister, Savilla. Dakota is dating the local sheriff and they are both serving as attendants at her best friend’s wedding the weekend after Christmas. Savilla is hosting the wedding at the family estate, so it seems like everything will be perfect. Until the groom’s family arrives. Before you know it, there’s a dead priest and things are being stolen from all over town. While the sheriff becomes the suspect, Dakota has to figure out what’s going on in her hometown.
I loved this story, and all the twisted elements and connections that came to light throughout. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two novels. 4.5 ⭐️ This book publishes on January 23, 2026.
I loved this story, and all the twisted elements and connections that came to light throughout. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two novels. 4.5 ⭐️ This book publishes on January 23, 2026.
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