Bubbles in Trouble

Bubbles Yablonsky #2

by Sarah Strohmeyer, Barbara McCulloh

The Barnes & Noble Review

You know you're in for one sexy, hilarious romp in this follow-up to Sarah Strohmeyer's debut mystery, Bubbles Unbound , as soon as you read the opening line: "This is how Steve Stiletto, drop-dead gorgeous, globe-trotting photographer, finally got me, Bubbles Yablonsky, Pennsylvania hairstylist and occasional newspaper reporter, to break my chastity vow...."

The adventure begins when Bubbles -- the valentine red Wonderbra–wearing reporter with a fondness for leopard print and stilettos -- shows up at her friend Janice's wedding only to find that the bride herself is a no-show. Thinking she's to blame (she did drunkenly perform Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" at the bachelorette party the night before), Bubbles tries to find Janice and get her to the church on time. But she discovers only foul play: Janice has disappeared, and her live-in uncle, Elwood, has been murdered. Finding out what happened to the AWOL bride requires Bubbles to go undercover in the unlikely guise of a single Amish woman. Riotous antics naturally ensue.

Like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and the late Lawrence Sanders' Archy McNally, Bubbles Yablonsky may not seem like the sharpest tool in the shed -- but she's crafty and clever enough in her own right to get the job done. Bubbles in Trouble is a must-read for mystery fans who like their whodunits layered with a little bit of romance, a little bit of comedy, and a whole lot of fun. Tanya Chesterfield

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Mystery Thriller

MP3 Book

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Sarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 18 novels for young adults and adults, including the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series, SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT and THE CINDERELLA PACT, which became the Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second outing with Bubbles. It was fun watching her go undercover in the Pennsylvania Amish country. Some good twists along the way including one at the end that had me going for a few pages. Looking forward to reading more in the series. #readforkimberly

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this at first. But Strohmeyer's like Janet Evanovich on steroids. Everything is so over the top and the characters just don't have any depth at all. If Evanovich writes cream puffs (which I love) then Stohmeyer writes cotton candy (which I hate). There were parts that were fun but there were parts where I thought I might just stop reading the book, which I NEVER do. Might try the writer again for beach reading but I will definitely check reviews first. I have a feeling that some of the books in the series may be better than this one.

[Myhotstylist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second installment of the hillarious Bubbles Yablonski mis-happs, titled Bubbles in Trouble. In this episode Bubbles is in Amish Country solving yet another murder crime. Along the way, she cleans a prized cow with VO5, convinces her "new" Amish family that her gold toenail polish is actually a toe fungus, and has a mishap with an exploding barrell of rootbeer all over the kitchen..... The laughs never stop comming with this one. If you loved the first book in this series, you will really enjoy the second as well. I give this one 5 really big stars!

[Karen Brimhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bubbles series is a hoot! OK, it's not exactly Fine Literature, but if you're in the mood for a quick, fast, funny and a little bit mysterious read, with some over-the-top fashion that the bleached-teased-spandex-clad Bubbles sports, well then it'll be well worth the read. It's a fun, easy and fast read that keeps you turning pages!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED the Bubbles series by Sarah Strohmeyer!! Funny, engaging and so well written, with enough anticipation and surprise to keep the pages turning... the characters drew me in and kept me there. As I finished each book, I couldn't wait to open the next one in the series.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn't as good as her first book. I'm familiar with the areas/locations in the book and not impressed with her views of said locations. Her characters are not believable. I would never liken her to Evanovich, no where near.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read Bubbles Unbound, then just close your eyes and imagine Bubbles Yablonsky....in Amish country!!! Oh yes...let the fun begin!

[Ms McG · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[marina · Rating 1 out of 5]

what in the suburbian house wife

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was lovely to re-make Bubbles's acquaintance on a day when pictures of her hometown, Bethlehem, er, Lehigh PA was on the front page of my newspaper. And who knew that Lynyrd Skynyrd could have such an effect!

Only Bubbles, intrepid hairdresser/reporter/crime solver would go undercover as the Amish Sally Hansen from Ohio. As Genevieve, her mother's best friend correctly points out, it's an alias she won't forget. Once in Whoopee (in this case, likely standing in for Blue Balls, which is also near Intercourse and Paradise PA), she tries to find Janice, the runaway bride now pinned as a murder suspect for her very dead uncle. Ostensibly, however, she's actually in Whoopee to find out why two Amish boys on rum springa were held for so long for a joyride, and put in state custody. Meanwhile, her cover story is that she's in town to possibly make a match with her host family's son. Ferhoodled? Well, naturally, it gets better, with Bubbles uncovering a land grab, and a marijuana operation, and a few more murders, plus Stiletto. And yes, only Bubbles, when offered the chance to go anywhere in the world with Stiletto, would pick Scranton.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book. Bubbles’ stories are lighthearted with crime and mystery, but nothing scary or gory. She’s just funny. I love the recipes for facial and hair products she shared in the stories, and the allegiance the beauticians have for their business. I liked that in this book she was in a different location, and the readers got a perspective of Amish life on PA, something I understand well having lived in PA for many years. I appreciate their priorities.
I like that Jane and bubbles mom solve crimes with Bubbles.
And I like hearing about the foods and drinks the people eat. Can’t wait to see what happens next. Also kudos for the author for showing that it’s ok to wait and not give away all we have as women to a guy. He can wait if he loves us.

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first that I've read of this author's books. While I found it entertaining, it took a while to get into it. I received this book for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4* rating. Our heroine is a beauty salon worker but thinks she know all about fashion. But she is slow in filling her dreams. There certainly a lot of twists and turns after she finds a body. There is just so much going on, but everything ties in at the end. Lots of bad guys to point a finger at, but I would never guess this.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! I'd never read anything by Sarah Strohmeyer before, but now I can't wait to read more of her work!
I loved how much heart Bubbles has, her mom's common sense & her daughter's insight & intelligence. I'm from Montgomery county, PA. & spent many a Saturday in Amish country & Ms. Strohmeyer made the setting a real part of the story. I felt like I was back home! I thought she portrayed the Amish with a lot of understanding & compassion.
This book was a pure joy to read, & I highly recommend it!

[Myra Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Bubbles Yablonsky series. Like the first book in this delightful series it is full of wardrobe changes and pitfalls for Bubbles. I enjoyed the author placing such a thoroughly "modern woman" as Bubbles in a situation where she was totally out of her league - living with an Amish family. This book had more plot twists than the first one and I was guessing about who did what up to the end. It is a fun, lighthearted read.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think these are not meant to be read one after another. They are great fun. Bubbles is a woman completely comfortable with who she is…and with her past and hopeful for her future. She knows she dresses like a bimbo and it makers her feel good and comfortable. She is well aware of how others react, including that people underestimate her. As a beautician slash reporter, it works. The Keystone state, cops, militias, the Amish, and success.l

[Warren Gossett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful mystery about a hairdresser turning high heels on the ground undercover newspaper reporter. The heroine's comic name is Bubbles Yablonsky, a daughter of the coal and steel country of Pennsylvania. The author Sarah Strohmeyer spins a sweet story. In the words of Flume's Hottest 100 song, she knows how to "Say It."

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked book 2 better than book 1. The first book felt a little like the author was trying to emulate Janet Evanovich. This one seemed more like a separate story. Bubbles went undercover in Amish country to try to solve a mystery. After many near-death experiences, she finally got the bad guys and also got an "I love you" from Stiletto.

[Marika Chunyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun easy read, as bubbles tries to go undercover as an Amish woman to find out what happened to her friend and who murdered her friend's uncle. Laughable since she is a jersey girl that is far from Amish. I will definitely read the next in the series because it is a light feel good book.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, don't get me wrong: I like Bubbles a lot. I like her character and the cast around her. But something about this entry in the series just wasn't as engaging as the first book. Bubbles hiding in Amish country was a little bit too wacky, and combined with the Amish drug trade... this one was just a little too much for me.

[cindy crocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Trouble!

With Bubbles: what a name. At least these are cheering me up. This was a cute book, but took me longer than the 1st book. I have not figured how tho make 3 1/2 stars. This is tiny less than 4 to me. Still funny!

[Peter Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great diversion. Splittingly funny in places, with tension, mystery and interesting characters thrown in. Bubbles is too intelligent to be that stupid at times, but we will put up with it for the sake of the story and out of sympathy with the character. A bit more than a 3!

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute cozy mystery that’s a bit dated but still fun. Not sure that I’ll read more in this series, so hard to take a main character named Bubbles seriously.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a quirky silly mystery story.

[Mysterygal3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another super book from this author, if you like corky fun series this is a book for you

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute! I love *high* Bubbles. That had me laugh out loud.

[Christy Carlson]

Fun and light read! My 2nd in the collection. Both found in my Little Free Library

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny. I just love this madness.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

B; I do like this series as it's fun. Bubbles is completely opposite me so it's fun to see how Strohmeyer builds her character.

[Nikki McKinney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Cute story, but it didn't keep me captivated.