e-Audio, 11:10:55
Narrated by: Aure Nash
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Published by: Books on Tape (Berkley)
Read from: May 29-June 1, 2025
Mavis Miller, #2
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a free ALC from the publisher. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Death, Cancer Mention
For Readers Interested In: Audio, Cozy Mystery, Sparkly Covers, LOL, Most Anticipated, Mystery, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black), Realistic Fiction, Romance, WLA clever and hilarious new mystery about a mother who thinks she has to do it all—even solve a murder—from the author of It’s Elementary
After rage quitting her job, Mavis finally has time to get all the rest she’s been putting off. Or she should have the time. Hypothetically. Except she’s taken on a new Supermom. Her hours are filled with chauffeuring her daughter, Pearl, around to her extracurricular activities, somehow ending up class mom, and…investigating another mystery?
When Coach Cole, the director of the kids’ soccer program, drops dead on a sunny Saturday morning, no one suspects foul play. However, the police soon discover something suspicious left on the field, making it clear that someone had it in for the coach. But who? Sure, parents got mad when he made their precious star athletes sit on the bench, but not that mad.
Mavis is determined to find out, even if it takes her into the dark, dangerous underbelly of gentle parents and MLM girlbosses. Plus, it’s an easy distraction from everything else going on. Like the panic attacks she keeps brushing off. Or the fact that she’s unemployed and totally lost as to what her purpose and path in life should be. And then there’s her ex-husband who’s back in town and doing everything she’s ever wanted, just as she’s beginning a new relationship. Mavis knows a murder investigation probably isn’t the self-care she needs right now. But how exactly are you supposed to take care of yourself when you don’t even know who you are anymore?
*MY THOUGHTS*
I saw this available on the app and started it immediately. And now that I’ve finished it, I’m both mad and happy that I did so lol I’m happy because I loved this story just as much as the first. I’m mad because wtf am I supposed to do between now and the wait for the next one? And if there’s no more after the 3rd one, what am I going to do?!
Ok so as some of you may know, I’m still a little new to cozy mysteries. The first book in this series was actually what got me interested in them. And just like the first one, this book possessed some of the same magic. I enjoyed this so much! This time there’s no missing principal, but there IS a dead little league soccer coach. Just like I had a really close connection to the first one, as a sports lover I had a really close connection to this one too. It really feels like these stories are made for me.
The one thing I loved about the first one that I was worried wouldn’t be in this one was the humor. But Idk why I was worried. This one was just as funny as the first. And to think it wasn’t JUST Mavis that was funny. It was also Pearl. Pearl bad ass is a trip lmao I truly hope that book 3 isn’t the end of this. Because I cannot fathom not having Pearl around anymore. With her asking can she say shit to talking about her friend in the play. I loved these characters and the laughs they gave me.
The romance was a rough one. I was glad that Bryant left it where she did. Mavis was going through a lot of things at the end of this book and she was just now finding that she should be doing an extra step to better herself. I think letting her figure her ownself out first was the best option. She will learn exactly what she wants and deserves.
The mystery itself was good. It actually reminded me of a documentary that I just watched. If you don’t want any spoilers, don’t click on this… But they really reminded me of Scamanda. I wonder if Bryant saw that documentary before she wrote this. But its just as terrible as it sounds. But for the most part, we all knew there was something wrong with her from the very beginning. Besides that, I liked the way she just so happened to be in the right place at the right time. And I loved the way she was trying to deny everything that was happening. Like girl you must know how this looks lol It was a wild ride and everything about this made it so much fun!
This book was so much fun! I really can’t believe that something got me to read a cozy mystery. If you know me, you know that I am not exaggerating when I said I like the weird stuff, so me going for these more tame books wasn’t happening. But this series changed me. And I hope that Bryant feels that and keeps giving us more Mavis and Pearl. Even after Book 3.
Overall, I give this
