Everybody Says Cheese..... Cake


Wow... I definitely had a sugar rush........ That was so intensive in the regards of cheesecake world.......


Pros
- God damn I missed that book. I miss those characters a lot when i wait for a new book to come out.... The problems with binge reading you may say....
- I like the plot a lot.... It was so elaborate and intertwining with literally all the ne2 characters in the book..
- I like Bernie alot... That's it... That's the comment.



Cons
- I want Wolf and Alex out.... Like out...... Both are tolerable and all but we keep collecting men who failed to make it with Sofie

I really enjoy The Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis & the latest installment, The Diva Says Cheesecake, is equally as delightful as its predecessors.

The midsummer motif and the upcoming Fourth of July festivities provide a mood-setting backdrop as Sophie investigates a murder to give one friend some answers & to save another from prison. She is a terrific protagonist – caring, smart, loyal, and savvy – and her friends are just as well-drawn and engaging. From bestie Nina, quirky Francie, and sweetheart Bernie to even quasi-nemesis Natasha and (because Sophie is the kind of person who stays friends with her exes) Mars & Wolf, they are fun to hang out with on the pages … murder notwithstanding.

Krista Davis always crafts a well-layered mystery that keeps you guessing & holds your interest all the way through. The Diva Says Cheesecake! is no exception. The murder of a local restaurateur (and husband of the Queen of Cheesecake) introduces a bevy of suspects for Sophie & friends to sift through including restaurant staff, his family members & their circles, other restaurateurs, a mysterious stranger, and one of Sophie’s close friends. Just about the time I thought I had it figured out, another plausible suspect came across our radar and I had to rethink the clues I’d isolated.

Bottom Line: Grab a slice of your fave cheesecake and curl up with the latest sleuthing adventures of Sophie and friends in the Domestic Diva series from Krista Davis! A cleverly plotted mystery shares the pages with continued character development and mouth-watering food, as well as a setting that readers will feel a part of. The fact that each chapter opens with a sometimes-related DIY advice question and a corresponding answer from Sophie or Natasha ties in the theme of the series and adds further fun to the story. I’m already looking forward to my next visit with the Domestic Diva and her friends …. and trying to scrounge up some pumpkin cheesecake to assuage my book-indued cravings.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

Such a good mystery with some surprises and a good side story with Natasha. Also liked getting to know Bernie better.

Event planner Sophie Winston is busy planning a couple of different events sure to be a hit in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. One of her clients is the renowned cheesecake baker Bobbie Sue Bodoin. Shortly after Sophie aorganizes a Midsummer Night party for her, Bobbie Sue’s husband, who is a local restauranteer, is murdered and his body is found in his wine cellar. As sad as this is, things get worse when evidence seems to point to one of Sophie’s best friends, Bernie Frei. Bernie insists he’s not guilty and had no reason to kill Tate, so Sophie and the rest of their group of friends are determined to prove his innocence.

This is the fifteenth book in this series, but it’s still perfect for readers who haven’t read any of the prior books. The murder case stands on its own, and there is enough background information given to catch everyone up on the main characters. In this case, there is evidence linking Bernie to the murder, but he’s probably the least likely to have killed Tate. The investigation goes in circles for a while as Sophie, with a lot of help from her best friend Nina, does a lot of digging for evidence that will help Bernie. Tate had many enemies in town, so the hardest part for Sophie isn’t finding other suspects - it’s figuring out which of the many people with a motive actually committed the crime!

This series has it all - an interesting setting, likable characters, and plenty of humor. Sophie and her “frenemy” Natasha write competing domestic advice columns and Sophie’s down-to-earth tips she shares with readers reflects her relatable character as much as Natasha’s shows hers with her impractical, sometimes judgmental advice. I don’t care for Natasha’s character, but she’s meant to provide both a foil to Sophie and some comic relief. There are also recipes at the end of the book, but most are way too complicated for my limited cooking skills to attempt!

The best part of the series to me are the core group of characters - Sophie, Nina, Bernie, and Sophie’s ex-husband and close friend Mars. I love how they are always there for each other in any situation. Every time I read one of the books in this series, I feel like I’m hanging out with old friends. Unfortunately, I’m not able to sample all the delicious foods they share including all the varieties of cheesecake mentioned in this book! 4.5 stars rounded up

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.