By Tessa Pulyer Posted on

Book Review | Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister

Click on the graphic for an explanation of my rating system.

Goodreads Rating

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Love Sold Separately is a fun, light cross between a Romantic Comedy and a Cozy Mystery – one that packs a big entertaining punch.

What I Like

I enjoy a mystery that I cannot solve before the conclusion, and this story delivers just that. There are plenty of red herrings and misdirections that kept me guessing the whole way through. And, I wasn’t even close to solving the mystery of who killed Kitty Todd.

I found the romantic journey that Dana undergoes to be a fun adventure due to her defiant spirit, a penchant for breaking the rules, and a taste in men who also break the rules. It is a predictable love story, but I still found it enjoyable.

I loved the relationships between Dana and her dad and sister. They are sophisticated and richly developed to include both the functional and dysfunctional aspects. There is a little bit in there about her mother too, but just enough to know that she isn’t a significant presence in Dana’s life.

I found all the characters to be well-developed and many of them likable. I was not fond of Dana, but only in a way that if she were a real person, we probably wouldn’t be best friends. She makes a lot of bad choices, and I’ll even go so far as to say that she needs a mother figure in her life to help her sort through all of her options and offer advice. However, she is challenging enough not to take that advice. She would forge ahead, making her path and dealing with the consequences of poor choices.

To Read or Not to Read

 If you are in the mood for a lighthearted, fun read, this is a perfect choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About this Book

  • Print Length: 287 pages
  • Publisher: MIRA
  • Publication Date: August 25, 2020

Bright lights, big trouble…

Dana Barry has nothing against rules. She just knows they’re meant to be bent. So it’s no wonder the single, twentysomething, aspiring actress loses her day job. Now her life is a mess… until she hears the Shopping Channel is auditioning. Relying on her knack for knowing what makes people tick, she lands a gig on air. But before she can say office politics, Dana is caught in the biggest drama of her life. The star host—a diva who terrorized the entire staff—is found dead. Dana knows the prime suspect is innocent.

The heat is on, and Dana thinks she’s ready for it…until she tangles with the tall, dark and smoldering detective in charge. It’s more fuel than she needs right now as she’s trying to launch her career. But Dana’s never been afraid to take chances…even when a single spark could ignite everything.

13 Replies to “Book Review | Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister”

  2. Staci Troilo says:

    I’m with you. If I can read a mystery I can’t solve until the end, I’m delighted. (It doesn’t happen often.) Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tessa says:

      Your right, it doesn’t. I always at least guess the ending in my mental list of possible endings but not with this book.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Tessa says:

      Thank you! It was refreshing to be taken by surprise for a change ❤️

      Like

  5. R A I N says:

    “I was not fond of Dana, but only in a way that if she were a real person, we probably wouldn’t be best friends.” As soon as I read this, I immediately thought of Caroline Bingley! 🤣🤣🤣

    But this one does seem like a good one, Tessa! Such light hearted mysteries are exactly what my winter tbr needs!! 😍😍😍😍

    Awesomee review! ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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