Slashing Mona Lisa

by D.M. Barr

THIS BOOK HAS BEEN RE-RELEASED AS "MURDER WORTH THE WEIGHT."

Most people are dying to lose a few pounds. Not so in Slashing Mona Lisa, were it's the weight-loss advocates who are losing their lives...

Whenever Terry Mangel's body acceptance revival meeting rolls into town, local diet execs and "fat shamers" turn up dead, often in grotesque, ironic ways. All single murders in small suburbs, no one's noticed a pattern--until rookie journalist Camarin Torres takes a closer look. Torres is a crusader against discrimination, partially to assuage the guilt she feels over her involvement in the suicide of her obese, bullied twin sister. She reluctantly accepts a job offered by handsome publisher Lyle Fletcher, a widower with a vendetta, who sees the recent college grad as salvation for Trend, his fledgling fashion magazine. Torres, however, detests everything the publication stands for, and joins solely to transform its judgmental, objectifying content. As an unexpected romance blossoms, the overconfident, justice-hungry reporter defies orders and infiltrates Mangel's world--only to find herself in the crosshairs of a vigilante group targeting the $60 billion diet industry. Unmasking the killer may save her life but shatter her heart: every clue seems to implicate Fletcher, her mercurial mentor and lover, as the group's mastermind.

Slashing Mona Lisa explores body shaming and its victims: the disenfranchised who don't conform to society's arbitrary norms, and the lengths they will go to for love and acceptance.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction

340 pages, Paperback

Published July 14, 2018

About the author

WHO IS D.M. BARR?


By day, a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of suspense, satire, and sweet romance.

My background includes stints in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations and real estate. I was, for a long and happy time, an award-winning magazine writer and editor. Then kids happened. And I needed to actually make money. Now they're off doing whatever it is they do (of which I have no idea since they won't friend me on Facebook) and I can spend my spare time weaving tales of debauchery and whatever else tickles my fancy.

The main thing to remember about my work is that I am NOT one of my characters. For example, as a real estate broker, I've never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed one of my problem clients.

But that's not to say I haven't wanted to...

Reviews

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Book Siren I got to read and review this book free for my honest opinion of this read.

This is the first book that I have read of Ms. Barr, and I will be going to sign up to read her second one!
I feel that the title is a little misleading... yes, you will once understand the title after you read the book... but I think a better title would’ve been Blubber Be Gone!
I am a lady in my 60’s and have struggled with my weight since I was a teen, so I can absolutely relate to this book.
If you are someone who has struggled or are struggling with that darn scale, than this is a fun read for you... you know it is ok to laugh and cry with yourself and others over this struggle.

Great women’s sleuth book which is also a very hot and steamy one! There is a warning on this book about the sexual content... and it certainly is that... whew!

The author takes the extra time at the end of the book to give a list of books that you can read if you are interested in reading more of the craziness we call the weight loss industry! Happy Reading.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camarin Torres is weeks away from graduating NYU and it seems like she is the only one in her graduating class that does not have a job lined up upon graduation. While taking the train, she meets a handsome stranger, Lyle Fletcher. Lyle is the new publisher of Trend, a fluff magazine that publishes pieces that go against everything Camarin stands for, but Lyle offers her a job as an investigative reporter. Lyle wants to turn Trend from a fluff magazine to something more serious.

Camarin is a crusader against discrimination especially since her overweight sister committed suicide and now, Camarin wants to make a difference against bullying and discrimination. She decides to take Lyle up on his offer hoping she could make a difference. Her first order of business is investigating the recent murder of Leticia Reagan, owner of Blubber Be Gone. When Camarin starts recognizing a pattern of weight loss advocate deaths, will her life soon be on the line as well?

Slashing Mona Lisa starts off with a bang. The opening scene where Letitia Reagan is murdered is reminiscent of the early 80’s slasher movies (My fave!). So, right off the bat I am hooked. What also really grabbed my attention is the premise around Slashing Mona Lisa is all about fat shaming and discrimination. Yes, it is a difficult subject matter, but D.M Barr shows the compassionate side of it as well as the fat shamers who like to bring people down. Although, I think for the most part a lot is changing in society especially around body acceptance and the body positivity movement. Fat shaming is still all too real though and it is a shame in this day and age people still put others down without a thought about the person’s feelings.

The murder mystery surrounding weight loss advocates is another aspect of the story that is done really well. Instead of it being done in a serious, gory way (which it kinda is) its mostly done in a satirical kind of way. Want to lose twenty pounds, well let me chop of your head! All the murders are centered around Terry Mangel’s body revivals. Every time one of his revivals comes to town someone winds up dead and up till now, no one has made any connection until Camarin starts investigating.

There are a lot of secrets in this story and one secret surrounding Lyle which plays our ratherly nicely and kept me in the dark pretty much until the end. The suspense over all was not an easy one for me to figure out and I like when I can’t figure out what is going on right up until the end.

Camarin is a really good character and I found myself really drawn to her and liking her because she stood up for what she believed in. She does have a past with her sister and she feels guilty over her suicide and in a way it has shaped her into the person she is today. The romance between Camarin and Lyle is a slow build and I liked that it was a younger/older scenario which I find very rare. My favorite though has to be Rachel, Trend’s secretary. She was funny and snarky and quick with the comebacks.

Slashing Mona Lisa was a fun mystery that was part serious, part mystery, with a lot of funny moment thrown in between to lighten the subject matter. It was a quick read that I really enjoyed.

[Kayla Krantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very powerful idea behind this book, and I loved the way the author went about expressing it by having a strong lead character, Camarin. From the moment she was introduced to the story, I loved her. Her background was fascinating, and when she came into conflict, she was not afraid to speak her mind, and did what she wanted to do, even when other people tried to tell her differently. This story is studded with mystery and suspense with a powerful hook right at the beginning to draw readers in. The murders in the story take an interesting angle compared to other stories that I’ve read in a similar genre. Definitely worth the read!

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camarin Torres, investigative journalist. Or at least that was the dream. She wanted to make a difference, be a champion for the underdog, and yet with university just a few weeks from over, she was the only person without a job lined up. That was until fate intervened with an unexpected encounter. But still, she had a vision of her future, and Trend, the guilt pumping, judgemental, you are how you look, magazine was so far from who she was and what she stood for. But it was a job, and the new owner seemed intent on remaking the image into something she could align herself with. In her own time she works on her story, the Blubber Be Gone murder, determined to expose the killer and give them a voice, little does she know how dangerous a path she walks.

Slashing Mona Lisa is a well conceived, well constructed, murder mystery by D.M. Barr. Be prepared to be taken on an emotional journey of haters, shamers, and murder. You meet Camarin, and soon are rewarded with a deep insight into her character and motivations, the characters are as vivid as they are unique, from the cockney speaking Rachel, to the sassy room mates struggling to make rent. There is no end to the thrills in this book. The investigation is beautifully scripted, creating tension, danger and, with more and more bodies being discovered the deeper Camarin digs, urgency. This is one book you will not want to put down, you will find yourself wanting to see what happens next. Romance, love, danger, suspicions, murder, and mystery, all combined in one hell of a tale that also serves to make you more aware of the intolerances this world displays, and maybe, just maybe, realise the extent to which your own actions can affect others. A clear message in a gripping story.

[Rosario Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! I enjoyed the thriller aspect, and the journalism references, because my dad was a journalist. Fat shaming is big business, and who would have thought it would be a great book? Loved it!

[Elf Ahearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The heroine is not typical--she's Chamoru (meaning a native of Guam), and she's haunted by the memory of her sister who experienced so much fat-shaming that... Well, read the book and find out. As a journalist, she goes after a weight loss guru, and action ensues. Read it. It's exciting, it's different, and the dialogue is so snappy you'll embarrass yourself by laughing out loud.

[Susan Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Camarin Torres is a month away from graduating and is desperately looking for work. On her way back from her last job interview, she met the handsome widower, Lyle Fletcher. Smitten with the young aspiring journalist, he hires her on the spot. Camarin reluctantly accepts his offer because his magazine Trend publishes everything she despises. But the money is good, and she needs to pay her rent.

Lyle is on a vendetta of his own. After his wife, Margaret, got fired by Lehming Brothers and lost the lawsuit for age discrimination, Margaret becomes increasingly depressed and commit suicide. Lyle is determined to avenge her death.

Terry Mangel is a “love and yourself” evangelist. The opposite of all the diet brands making a fortune out of overweight people, Terry does the same by preaching acceptance of your body. The only problem is, in every city where he holds one of his body acceptance revivals, people from the dieting industry ends up dead.

Camarin discovers this link and set out to find the killer. She attends Mangel’s weekend conference and finds out about the Invisible Women, recruiting people to help her vendetta against the dieting industry.

When she went to interview Mangel in his trailer, he tries to come unto her. Horrified, she grabs a letter opener, and when he backs off, she threw it on the carpet and ran away as fast as she could.

The Invisible Women use footage from the trailer and Photoshopped photos to blackmail Camarin into killer her friend, DeAndre. But Camarin goes into hiding, and DeAndre and his parents hire bodyguards for protection.

Camarin’s mother arrives in town and contacts Lyle to help her find Camarin. Using a burner phone, DeAndre left a message for Camarin that her mother is in town. Concerned for her safety, she called her mother at her hotel and arranged to meet with her.

When Camarin arrived in her mother’s hotel room, she is surprised to find that her mother is not alone. What are all these other people doing there? The ensuing conversation reveals the killer. But will Camarin escape with her life?

What did I love?
Slashing Mona Lisa explores the feelings of women judged by their weight. Camarin struggles with weight issues and her sense of letting her “twin sister” Monaeka down. It exposes how these women are exploited by the dieting industry and Terry Mangel’s Body Acceptance meetings. Both sides are making billions prying on these unsuspecting victims.

I also love how Camarin’s friends all work together to help and protect her from the Invisible Women’s threats.

And not so much?
I cannot find anything negative to say about the book. I find it sad that society finds people’s appearance more critical than their talents. And use physical appearance to deny people valuable opportunities.

Should you read it?
The book explores how women are judged by their looks and the impact it has on their self-esteem. It shows the desperate lengths women are prepared to go to for acceptance. And the enormous amounts of money that evil people are making from them.

Word of warning: the book does have many sexual innuendos and includes actual sex scenes.

Conclusion
Slashing Mona Lisa is an enjoyable read with a solid premise. The way Camarin discover (and discard) potential suspects makes sense and the plot contains enough red herrings to keep the reader engrossed.

Camarin is a well-developed character, showing her internal struggles and guilt and clearly explaining why she is so against everything Trend magazine stands for. The revelation about her twin, Monaeka, is believable due to hints we encounter earlier in the book.

I recommend this book to readers who like Women’s Fiction and Suspense Romance if you do not have an aversion to sexual innuendo and sex scenes in a story.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Sex, Profanity, Suicide, Violence, and Death

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This makes for an interesting read. Those who help people to lose weight vs those who are haters vs those who tell people to love themselves as they are. The main character is Cam (Camarin) Torres who is just about to finish her journalism degree, when she meets an older man, Lyle Fletcher, on a train and is offered a job for his magazine, Trend. She knows what that magazine posts and it is nothing like what she wants to write. Because of what she suffered during her childhood with her obese twin sister being discriminated against constantly, which finally lead to her suicide and the constant comments about her weight from her mother. Cam wants her writing to be used to fight against discrimination of all kinds.

She has the word of Lyle, that he is changing the direction of Trend magazine and she will be able to write the stories she wants to. She hears about the strange murder of a weight loss expert nearby and wants to start to investigate that as an investigative reporter starting point. She is told not to and given an interview with a pop star instead. She continues researching the murder and finds a link to lots of other murders – all of local diet experts and those who use fat shaming tactics to herd people to their company’s products. Cam finds a link to the locations visited by Terry Mangel’s almost evangelical body acceptance revival meetings, to those of the murder locations.

As she steps up to investigate Mangel’s company, she ends up planning a visit there, but keeps matters secret from her boss Lyle. She has just started up in a new romantic relationship and is getting teased mercilessly by her roommates and work friend Rachel. It seems like there may actually be a vigilante group committing the murders rather than just one serial killer, as she first thought. Her intrusion into Mangel’s revival and her arranged interview, all put her and those she loves into danger. But, it might also break her heart, as she begins to think her new love and boss, could be the killer. His background and what happened to his wife, all point to him wanting vengeance.

There is lots in this book about what we all see in social media and in print these days. Ultra-thin models and lots of talk of diet plan, exercise and what we should all look like! How we are all being blasted with information from many sources and having our minds subliminally focused on what these companies want us to think. How people you pass in the street can be so judgemental, not thinking about how their off-hand comment might hurt the person they direct it to. How some have to fight so much just for simple love and acceptance, in our modern world, has just gone so wrong.

A great story looking at what I consider to be the huge opposing issues of love and hate between basic human beings. Whether that be from race, religion, skin colour, size, disability, or whatever other issue people can think of. We, as a whole race, do not seem able to love all mankind, without rhyme nor reason. I loved reading this book and it gives you a good bit of a twist right at the end, to make you rethink who is behind the murders. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**

I had never heard of the book Slashing Mona Lisa, or its author D.M. Barr but if you’ve learned anything from me, you know I’m a sucker for books with mysteries. Add in vigilantes, murders, and body shaming issues and I was all in with this book! I was a fan of the main character Camarin from the minute she confronted the woman who thought it was her job to monitor any food that goes into an overweight person’s mouth. How can you not be a fan of someone willing to put herself out for a stranger like that? I was suspicious of Lyle the minute he was introduced into the story. I felt like I was on edge throughout this book just waiting for the shoe to drop! But, Lyle was a good guy suffering from the loss of his wife and everything that brought her to the end of her life.

There were some parts of the story that felt a little tedious, but I think that was more because I wanted to get to the “good stuff”, lol. Reading through this book had me constantly feeling that something was about to happen. The suspense was so well done! But, it feels that way because there’s a lot of different storylines running in the background that you’re not aware of until later in the book. I had guessed the secrets behind Camarin and Lyle, but until it was confirmed, it was just my suspicions. I felt like the reveal of the truth behind Camarin’s most painful memories was a part many will be surprised by, whereas I was like, Yes, I knew it!

The body shaming versus the love yourself conversations in this book were fantastically well done! I thought the love yourself movement was pretty interesting, though Terry, the guy running it was a creep of the first order. I was suspicious of him from the beginning and was not surprised by anything that happened when he was involved. Despite my suspicions being proven right over and over again with this book, I still enjoyed it! Something that did annoy me, Rachel. I liked her and her friendship with Camarin but the ridiculousness of her "slang" annoyed me.

I loved this book! It was full of interesting characters and storylines. I just could not put this book down once I started reading it. Some of it seemed too good to be true, like Camarin and Lyle’s relationship and Lyle’s reaction to the hidden parts of Camarin. But, who wants to read fiction that doesn’t have a HEA element and is depressing? I mean, sure people want to read that, but not me! In mystery/suspense/murder books you don’t always get a HEA but I thought this book had a great ending that gave that ending to readers.

Rating: 4.5 stars

[Energy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! There are multiple threads of suspense, some romance, and a great body positive message. It's quite the perfect package.

Camarin has a new job at a magazine, and in her own time, she's found a lead she wants to investigate. There are some murders that have sprung up that no one has been able to tie together. She thinks she needs to check out this guy Mangel, who's all about body positivity because everywhere he goes, there's a murder.

Her new job is good, except for the copy-editing that Wynan keeps throwing her way. He's the bosses closest friend, and she reports to him in a way. Speaking of boss, she's got a great one in Lyle, who she totally digs, and to say he's easy on the eyes would be an understatement. Then there's the receptionist Rachel who has a unique way of speaking in code that even I have yet to totally figure out. It's super fun and something I do with my sisters, so I can completely relate.
So while she's buried in copy-editing, she really wants to follow this lead, even if Lyle thinks it's too dangerous.

But once she meets Mangel, she's moved by his message. It seems as if he really does just want people to feel good about themselves. Maybe he isn't involved with what Camarin has been investigating, but he's definitely up to something.

Barr has done a superb job with getting the body positive message across while weaving it in with some serious on the edge of your seat suspense. Then there are those moments of heat between Camarin and Lyle that are *hot*. Slashing Mona Lisa was such a fun read, and I found myself unable to put the book down as I wanted to get through all the stressfulness of finding out what was going to happen. Such a well-done book, I'm so glad I read it.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fat Shaming, Suspense, and Romance

This book starts with a pretty intense and gruesome-sounding murder scene. The author left us hanging on the hook for quite a bit about this as we're introduced to the main characters in a fantastic scene on a subway platform. You can't help but like the heroine of this book when you first meet her. Camerin is quick to leap to the defense of a complete stranger as that poor young woman is fat-shamed in front of a crowd by a skinny woman. The heroine’s sister committed suicide when they were much younger because she was fat-shamed. This leads to public support for the young woman from other people on the platform and ultimately to a job interview for Camerin. She is torn about the job, though she's in desperate need of one, because she has absolutely no respect for the magazine as she believes it promotes precisely what she is against. But the new publisher that she met on the train states that he wants to reform the publication.

As a woman of size myself, I was curious to see how fat-shaming was going to be handled in this book. I really liked the way the author approached it, and I appreciated the resources she had at the end of the book. She also had several elements going on here, which I enjoyed. There's both a mystery/suspense element as well as a romance element. And despite the weighty topic, pun intended, she is able to provide quite a few moments of humor. If you're interested in a well-written novel about this often hidden topic that has elements of mystery and romance (and you don't mind a younger woman/older man love story), you may very well enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[untiredreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slashing Mona Lisa is a psychological thriller that encompasses many difficult topics like fat shaming, mental health and the societal pressure.
Cameron Torres, a young journalist, who have known the implications of fat shaming from her past, is determined to protect and stand for the people who have been neglected and bullied in the society. But when she finds that people preaching weight-loss, the same people she despise, are dying in a routine at the same time as a body revival meeting in town, she jumps into action. Will she be able to find the perpetrator and put them behind bars? Or what if she knows the Psycho behind all this?
......
There are two parts of the society, one part where people trying self-acceptance and the other living by the standards of the society. The story moves in parallel, focussing on these two parts and the people preaching them, in the midst of a thriller plot. There is romance, friendship, and much needed plot twists in the story.
......
I really loved Cameron's character where she is affected by the things of the past, but continues to move on and stand up for herself and the others. The romance between her and her boss is refreshing amidst all the murder and thrills. The character development is remarkable and the language is lucid. Though the ending is somewhat predictable and lacks the shock that is expected, it makes up for the detailing of Cameron's character in another angle. Overall, I really enjoyed this Psychothriller, and would recommend to all.

[Brooke Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camarin Torres is a soon to be graduate yet to find a job after graduation. Camarin strives to be an investigative journalist, but has only had offers from seemingly shallow magazines, one from her best friends parents at a fashion magazine. She meets a handsome man at the train station, who works for a competitor, Trend magazine. He offers her a position with an impressive salary and a promise that the magazine is going in a new direction.

After the murder of a woman who owns her own weight loss program, Blubber Be Gone, Camarin begins investigating a string of murders around the country that seem to follow a body confidence seminar. Camarin takes the opportunity of an interview with a popular music star to attend the body confidence seminar to find out more and find a connection to the murders.

Camarin quickly finds herself in a crazy situation involving her best friend and his family. Though this book was a little far fetched at times, I really enjoyed the creativity and surprise throughout the novel. There were a few twists and turns and I was actually a bit surprised with the ending. This was a nice, quick read. It was lacking in the romance scenes, but a good mystery overall.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for review.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slashing Mona Lisa is a fun psychological romance with a different premise than most. It begins on a train with Camarin, a fledgling investigative reporter, who comes to the aid of a fellow traveler who's being bullied. She has a chance meeting with Lyle Fletcher, who is also there and offers her an interview at a magazine he just acquired, called The Trend. This magazine is known for objectifying women, which Lyle hopes to change. A few dead bodies, a steamy romance, and several twists and turns lead you to the killer of those in the diet industry who have been out to fat shame those who don't live up to their standards. I enjoyed the humor and loved Camrin's strong and gutsy character. I would recommend this novel.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance!🐧🐧&#x1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

SLASHING MONA LISA is a hardhitting and heartwrenching mystery focusing on themes of self-esteem and self-acceptance in a contemporary society celebrating youth, falseness, and cookie-cutter appearance, bullying by fat-shaming.


Intrepid protagonist Camarin lost her epileptic twin to that shaming, and her burning purpose is to expose fat-shaming and convince those who don't match society's ideal that they are fine as they are.

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This book hit me kind of hard. I have been on the side where people have teased me about my weight. So I could relate to what was going on this book and there were a few moments where I did not want to finish the book, but that would have been a mistake. This book shows both side and things that kind of need to be changed. There were parts that hand me holding my breath. It was intense and I might have to read it again. 

[Katie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow. There is so much going on in this book. You’ve got an incredibly well written heroine in Camarin, an interesting love interest that is actually more than just the love interest, fantastic characters, and a solid plot and subplot. The backstories of these fabulous characters play out magnificently, and the mystery is just fantastic. It’s nearly impossible to put down.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audible. Highly entertaining! Barr combines elements of romance and mystery in this very sexy, very funny novel. Plus, I appreciated the protagonist's quest for social justice, and the overall message of acceptance that weaves throughout the book. I'll certainly be on the lookout for more from D.M.Barr.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great main character, very real and likeable with a very relatable agenda, a tight plot and a fun, light-hearted mystery, this is a book that will keep you laughing until the end... and then, make you think.

A great story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice romantic mystery. It took a little bit to actually get into the story, but once I did I really enjoyed it. I didn't find it very thrillerish, more of a cute mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read. The characters were complex and the story kept me guessing. I was not bored and I do recommend this book.

[Carol Hammock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great opening - caught my interest from the first. Complex and interesting mystery with a satisfying resolution .

[Joanna E.Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll stand by you.I’ll let nobody hurt you. Review of Slashing Mona Lisa.

3and 4/5ths really.Camerin Torres is a crusader against injustice. Her crusade is our fat-shaming society who look down on women who are not a size 10. They shame women to starve themselves with diets to fit in society or they are outcasts. That is how we meet Camerin Torres defending an obese woman who is ridiculed in public by another (skinny) women after the obese women gets a candy bar from the vending machine at the West Plains train station Cameron lets her have it in front of everybody and becomes the hero of the day when she is backed up by other good citizens. Camerin then leaves to get on the train only to meet Lyle Flecther. Impressed by her standing up for discrimination and what's right, he offers Camerin a job to write for his fashion magazine ”Trend.” Camerin Declines not wanting to write for a magazine that is totally against her beliefs. Lyle assures her he wants to change ”Trend” into a more serious, socially conscious magazine. Camerin agrees and takes the job only to find the many characters that work ”Trend” magazine as well as learning it is a low salary beginning business. Camerin asks to investigate the vigilante group that is targeting the diet industry led by Mangel. A guru who celebrates and promotes obesity and feeling good about yourself. Meanwhile, Camerin is guilt-ridden by her betrayal of her obese twin sister Monaka who
committed suicide when they were young. I really liked this book. It was funny and sexy. It was fast-paced and riveting. It kept my interest all weekend. (I finished it last night) lol. I loved the characters and how diverse they were. Rose (the secretary) was my favorite. I loved learning about her rhyming cockney speech and how she taught it to Camerin. As well as Camerin getting the hang of it after awhile. Lol. I loved the slow- burn romance between Camerin and Lyle. I'm really a sucker for an older man/younger women romance. I've read them all I think. Lol. The mystery was great however it did leave me feeling lukewarm. I liked the reveal of who the murderers were. It was understandable and possible. But I guess I wanted it to someone else instead. Lol. And the reveal concerning Camerin and Monaka also was lackluster for me when it should have been a blockbuster. All in all I did like the book and will definitely read more by this author. Also, thank you for taking me back to New York. I am a native New Yorker and you took me back there with your wonderful descriptions of the city. I received this book as an ARC from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review.,

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

2+* - ARC Review – Interesting message, poor messengers
The ARC of this book was provided by Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review. If not for Hidden Gems, I do not think I would have found this book or author. The book has a lot going on and was a little different than many romantic suspense books I have read. It starts with the mystery of who is killing fat shamers or others in the industry that tries to “fix” women and make them “fit” into a certain mold.

Although it does an interesting job about talking about this industry that pressures woman to change so that they fit into what is accepted by society, I was not a fan of the messengers. Carmarin is a Charmorro (ethically from Guam), new graduate with a journalism degree and interviewing for jobs, but she has a lot of judgement for the magazines she is meeting with to find her first job. She meets Lyle, who is running a glossy women’s magazine but wants to change the direction of their focus. This appeals to her crusade, and from there she tries to investigate the deaths of these fat shamers.

The book has an intriguing premise, but I did not enjoy the characters and many of their actions did not make any sense to me. First, this new graduate’s attitude towards both finding a job and actually doing the work that she is paid for was frustrating. She was constantly working on her own projects and sneaking around to do them. Also, she is constantly on her high horse about other people’s attitude towards weight, but does not seem to recognize her own issues. The book takes an interesting turn just before the conclusion and I feel that got swept under the rug. Also, not so keen on the older man using his position to seduce the girl. Not completely #ME TOO, but had hints of that.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea behind this mystery/ romance was good, but the execution was wanting. The romance failed to interest me and the mystery was unrealistic, to say the least. Not my cup of tea.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC ebook in return for a review.

[Annarella · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's potential but it somehow fails to deliver. Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The over broad humor here was not my cup of tea. DNF after two chapters.