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magnoliapigeonbookblurbs's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing start to a new cozy mystery series! Fresh, new and current. I love how the Ground Rules Mystery Series is blending up the cozy world with real world issues that are happening now. 5/5 ⭐️ and can’t wait to read the next couple books!!
kellerific's review against another edition
Needed to be returned to library. Willing to try again.
starkficktion's review against another edition
2.0
Man, I had such high hopes for this book. A mystery and coffee, what could be better? A lot apparently. I found this book left much to be desired.
It started off pretty good and a solid 4 stars but it went down hill quickly. The last 50 pages or so were terribly difficult to get through and I felt like they were mainly fluff added to hit a word count. Unfortunately I will not be reading any more books in this series.
It started off pretty good and a solid 4 stars but it went down hill quickly. The last 50 pages or so were terribly difficult to get through and I felt like they were mainly fluff added to hit a word count. Unfortunately I will not be reading any more books in this series.
ms_rey's review against another edition
2.0
I think at least 50% of this book was talking about the minutiae of coffee (including how many grams of grounds vs oz of water) or details about the geography of Portland. I don’t read fiction to catch up on coffee news, and even as someone who has lived in Portland the details bogged me down. I guess if either of those aspects sound interesting to you, it could still be an enjoyable read...?
karty_v's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Just kinda bland... loved the coffee food truck vibe, but Sage was boring. Harley (her bff/business partner) was annoying, and the other food truck owners felt very 1-D.
Sage's backstory interesting but we didn't really hear much about it & I don't care to potentially see the storyline furthered with her estranged mom 🤷🏽♀️
Sage's backstory interesting but we didn't really hear much about it & I don't care to potentially see the storyline furthered with her estranged mom 🤷🏽♀️
jlothian's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
majabaur's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
jettreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
megs_s's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mctmama's review against another edition
3.0
Setting is Portland, OR – modern day. This cozy has a very modern vibe.
Main character is Sage Caplin. She and her partner, Harley, own a coffee cart named Ground Rules.
Her uncle Jimmy – owns the land, called “The Railyard” and rents out to several other food carts.
Sage finds a dead body in front of her cart, and the man turns out to be someone her estranged mother was very close to years ago. He was also killed by a box cutter from her coffee cart. Her mom is a criminal, she scams people. And she traveled with Sage all over the world running scams.
Sage’s father is a policeman in Portland.
Her older brother is an attorney who helps at risk youth and runaways in Portland.
Sage was homeless for a few days before finding her family and footing in Portland after her mother abandoned her.
Of course Sage wants to clear her name, find out the link between her mom and the deceased, David Stevens. She also has come across a young runaway named Gabby, who may be a part of the mystery/murder.
The mystery has several themes, including gentrification of Portland (new development raising rents and making locals homeless or struggling financially) the plight of runaways, and generally has a younger, hipster vibe and themes.
Once I became interested in the characters I liked the story and it read pretty quickly. There is a dog, Bentley, that Sage walks/watches sometimes – he belongs to her brother. There is some romance beginning in the book, Sage has two people that appear interested, Zarek, a fellow food cart owner in “The Railyard” and a young entrepreneur named Bax. Maybe she will choose in the upcoming installments. Still light – nothing spicy.
I will continue with the series.
Main character is Sage Caplin. She and her partner, Harley, own a coffee cart named Ground Rules.
Her uncle Jimmy – owns the land, called “The Railyard” and rents out to several other food carts.
Sage finds a dead body in front of her cart, and the man turns out to be someone her estranged mother was very close to years ago. He was also killed by a box cutter from her coffee cart. Her mom is a criminal, she scams people. And she traveled with Sage all over the world running scams.
Sage’s father is a policeman in Portland.
Her older brother is an attorney who helps at risk youth and runaways in Portland.
Sage was homeless for a few days before finding her family and footing in Portland after her mother abandoned her.
Of course Sage wants to clear her name, find out the link between her mom and the deceased, David Stevens. She also has come across a young runaway named Gabby, who may be a part of the mystery/murder.
The mystery has several themes, including gentrification of Portland (new development raising rents and making locals homeless or struggling financially) the plight of runaways, and generally has a younger, hipster vibe and themes.
Once I became interested in the characters I liked the story and it read pretty quickly. There is a dog, Bentley, that Sage walks/watches sometimes – he belongs to her brother. There is some romance beginning in the book, Sage has two people that appear interested, Zarek, a fellow food cart owner in “The Railyard” and a young entrepreneur named Bax. Maybe she will choose in the upcoming installments. Still light – nothing spicy.
I will continue with the series.