If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be 'fun'!

Paraiso comes across as a fun and beautiful place to live. It's teeming with larger-than-life characters who aren't exactly realistic, but they're so amusing that it's easy to suspend your disbelief.

Also, much of the mystery is set in an enormous villa with lots of exotic animals, fake volcanoes, and cauldrons spitting out flames! This is a much different world than the typical cozy mystery and my goodness, did I enjoy immersing myself in it.

I also enjoyed how action-packed this book was. It was a suspenseful page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. It's the kind of book that's begging to be finished in one session.

My only critique is with the way that the mystery was resolved. I did like how there were multiple suspects with good motives to consider and thought that the mystery was fairly complex. However, I felt like the ending of the book wrapped up a little too quickly - at least, in comparison to the pace set by the rest of the novel.

For me, one of the most important elements in a cozy mystery is the mystery itself. Other readers who don't share my preferences may not share the same feelings as me about the book's pacing.

If you're looking for an escapist novel, I'd highly recommend giving this book a try. However, if you're looking for a more traditional cozy mystery or a cozy mystery with very realistic characters, I don't think this cozy is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC. Do note that there is mild foul language and a bit of romance in this book.

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Something’s Guava Give by Carrie Doyle is the second book in the Trouble in Paradise Mysteries and I enjoyed this one even more than the first!

As I mentioned in my review of the first book in the series, It Takes Two to Mango, Plum does take a bit to get use to since she is not your usual cozy mystery main character, and by that I mean, she’s not super sweet… which is a nice change of pace to have the lead be a bit more in charge and knowing exactly what she wants.

This series has a bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum vibe going for it… and even the same name of Plum! Some of the situations are a bit crazy; tigers and other exotic animals, interesting statues and an out of this world estate, and lots of secrets. I even chuckled a few times which is pretty rare for me when I read cozies.

Besides writing interesting characters, Doyle really has a way with words when it comes to describing locations and food. She could make any reader want to hop on a plane for an exotic location with all of her luscious descriptions… hopefully, without a murder.

Another fun and outrageous book in the Trouble in Paradise Mysteries, and I’m looking forward to book three in the series. ( )

island-life, Caribbean, resort-hotel, small-business, murder, murder-investigation, cozy-mystery, situational-humor, verbal-humor, security-staff, snarky, snobs, friendship****

What happens when "influencers" buy into their own hype? They become inhuman and totally self-serving. And these are the very people who populate this interesting cozy mystery. The descriptions of everything and everyone are great, and the caricature characters had me ROFL. A nice fun read.
I requested and received an ebook copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )