A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
A long, long time ago, I found the author’s Charley Davidson series, thanks to my library, and read the first few books until I lost interest. Yeah it happens. I wasn’t into paranormal fantasy anymore at that point, and found myself neck deep in indie romance instead – that genre has no bottom, and I just recently resurfaced again. BUT as soon as I saw the author’s name pop up on NetGalley I got more than a bit curious.
And after reading the blurb, I just couldn’t help myself requesting it.
Synopsis:
Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, its strong cups of coffee—and a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff–an election her adorably meddlesome parents entered her in–and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of it’s reminding Sunny why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that trouble at her daughter’s new school and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and Sunshine has her hands full.
Enter sexy almost-old-flame Levi Ravinder and a hunky US Marshall, both elevens on a scale of one to blazing inferno, and the normally savvy sheriff is quickly in over her head. Now it’s up to Sunshine to juggle a few good hunky men, a not-so-nice kidnapping miscreant, and Doug the ever-pesky flasher. And they said coming home would be drama-free.
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
My thoughts
I’ll come straight out and admit that I had a hard time getting into this book. I actually tried both, first the eARC and then the audiobook, both gave me trouble, but I persevered. Especially when I saw all these amazing reviews coming in. Because it was clear that I was missing something.
The tide turned when I got to the halfway point. Around 50%, the novel picked up. I started connecting with characters, really caring about the outcome, and enjoying the banter between certain best friends, excitedly expecting the hot sexual tension between the heroine and her love interest, and really loving her daughters own teenage love story – swoon, just saying!
Here are the things that really stood out for me:
- The book was quite funny, thanks to the awesome banter between Sunshine and her long time best friend Quincy. They had history, and a rapport that only comes with a life long friendship.
- Sunshine and her daughter were wonderful together. They had such a great mother/daughter relationship. And Auri, her daughter, had this teenage crush on bad boy Cruz, which was ADORABLE. I can’t wait to read more about them.
- Sunshine and Levy – wowzer! The air sizzled whenever they were in the same room. Their “whatever they had” relationship felt like forbidden fruit to me, an attraction that apparently started in high school – oooooh – and hasn’t diminished at all since then!!! I’m officially hooked, and can’t wait to see where they are going from here – because this is exactly my cup of tea!
I was also surprised by the mystery aspect of the book, and the different subplots that kept me guessing and wanting answers. Some where revealed at the end. Others are still open. But the overall execution of plot, and characters was well done.
This is definitely one of the books that finished stronger than it started for me. I’m super glad I didn’t give up on it, because the way I felt at the end – wanting to read the second book ASAP – that’s just an awesome way to end a book.
Find it on Goodreads
Find A Bad Day for Sunshine on Amazon
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
Great review! I’m glad the end made up for the lack of engagement in the beginning
I was happy that the book eventually pulled me in, because I can see myself looking forward to each new book in this series.
Ah, I’ve just been through your blog and insta (I LOVE your aesthetic and book choices… so I hope that makes this sound a little less weird, ahah) and I’ve just realised WE LOVE so many of the same books. Especially Rock Bottom Girl – no one else I know appreciates the sweetness that is that book. Back on to this review though: I was a bit unsure after reading the synopsis if this book is one I’d be in to but then you mentioned the long-held attraction between Sunshine and Levi. I like stories that have deeper themes, such as the kidnapping in this, but also keep it light with added romance. I’m such a romantic at heart! Fab review summing up this story, Corina 🙂
Hi there – we do have a lot of books in common and I’m a romantic at heart too, that means most of my books have at least a little bit of romance in it. A Bad Day for Sunshine, doesn’t have as much romance, the attraction and history is there, but it’s definitely a slow burn. The author is going to tangle the couple in front of each other for at least a few more books, if I go by her popular Charley Davidson series, and I actually stopped reading the series because the teasing got to me. I wanted a relationship and I didn’t get one fast enough. But I was told it did happen, probably shortly after I stopped reading. So I wouldn’t recommend this one to a regular romance reader, but if you love romantic suspense, with a slow burn hint of a romance – and lots of hilarious moments, then this is the book for you.:D
Glad to hear that the second half picked up for you! My sister-in-law recommended the Charley Davidson series to me quite a while ago. I read the very beginning of the first book and wasn’t sucked right in. I was in a picky mood at the time so I figured I’d pick it back up to try again later, but I never did.
I feel like these books aren’t for everyone. They can be quite crazy at times, and the slow burn stretches over many books, which requires commitment. Since I gave up on Charley Davidson, I want to see if I can do better with this one.