*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

((Don't judge this book by its cover!!))

In the eleven months since her mother's untimely death, Dakota Green has been struggling. Underneath the weight of her mother's residual medical debt, the threat of foreclosure on her familial home, the end of her dream to graduate vet school, and the unbearable loss of her beloved mother, Dakota has been drowning. So when she discovers that one of her mom's last wishes was for her to compete in the local (and nationally renowned) beauty pageant, Dakota is suddenly faced with a choice. Does she go through with the plan and swallow her pride, or does she give up on the chance to lose the substantial prize money that could pull herself (and her aunt) out of debt?

Well, there really isn't a choice, is there? 

Thrown into the world of rhinestones and makeup, Dakota has a great support system and surprises herself by making fast friends with her fellow competitors. However, things turn sideways when a crown (and a man) go missing, thrusting Dakota's aunt into the spotlight and not in the good way. Suddenly juggling learning dance choreography and trying to solve several mysteries, this cowgirl may have gotten in way over her head.

Unexpectedly fresh and heartfelt, A BEAUTY QUEEN'S GUIDE TO MURDER AND MAYHEM, placed first for me! Bird did a wonderful job of balancing the rough-and-tumble personality of her heroine with the glitz and glamor of the pageant world. Dakota, while resistant to pageantry in the classic "I'm not like other girls" way, I was pleasantly surprised by her character growth and open to change. The mystery was fun and multilayered-- and it fell together in a satisfying ending.