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Teeny Templeton #2
A Teeny Bit of Trouble
In this hilarious follow-up to GONE WITH A HANDSOMER MAN, Charleston pastry chef Teeny Templeton witnesses a murder and discovers that her laywer-boyfriend, Coop O'Malley, has been keeping secrets.
It’s not every day that I bake a dozen Red Velvet cakes, learn my boyfriend may have a love child, and I witness a murder.
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After Charleston pastry chef, Teeny Templeton, witnesses a murder, she discovers that her lawyer-boyfriend, Coop O’Malley, has been keeping secrets: the victim’s ten-year-old daughter may be his child. As more lies explode, Teeny finds herself trapped in Bonaventure, Georgia, a zany“little Savannah,†where she must deal with her commitment phobia, gather DNA from a ten-year old child genius, outwit a stalker, decode an encrypted diary, and fend off advances of an ex-beau, a handsome plastic surgeon who’s crazy-in-love with her.  Teeny’s life gets maddeningly complicated by a series of not-so-teeny troubles: an uneasy love triangle, a gossip-mongering tarantula breeder, an wise-cracking Southern Belle with early Alzheimer’s, Coop’s loveable Chihuahua-toting granny, and clues that point to the illegal trafficking of human organs. But when a suspect is arrested, the bodies keep piling up and Teeny doesn’t know who to trust. As the murderers close in, Teeny unearths a revelation that becomes a game-changer and flips her world upside-down.
330 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
30 people are currently reading
955 people want to read
About the author
Michael Lee West
11 books406 followersMichael Lee West grew up on the Gulf Coast with a wild tribe of Southern cooks. She lives on a farm near Nashville with her family. Michael is the author of Crazy Ladies, Mad Girls in Love, She Flew the Coop, American Pie, Mad Girls in Love, Mermaids in the Basement, Consuming Passions, and Gone With a Handsomer Man. Her new novel, A Teeny Bit of Trouble, is the second installment in the Teeny Templeton series and will be published on April 10, 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 22, 2012
LOVEDLOVEDLOVED it! I don't understand the other reviews for this book. I have read a "Teeny" book before and have always found the characters charming and the plot compelling. I think some of the other reviewers are nitpicking... if this kind of book just isn't your cup of tea that is one thing- but I happen to love murder mysteries! It may have had one or two characters that were just superfluous, but the ending made up for all of that! This kind of book I could read over again. Also I received this book as a part of the AR program from Good reads. Thanks for the book! I love this series! Keep them coming! I will recommend to my friends!
February 14, 2012
I received this book for free as part of the Goodreads First Read giveaway program. I knew I would love this book because I loved Gone with a Handsomer Man sooo much! This book was just as amazing as that one if not better! I really hope that Michael Lee West writes a third book in this series! I want to see what else Teeny and Coop do in the future! I have a few more books left to read by Michael Lee West and I can't wait to read them!
March 15, 2012
You had me at "red velvet cupcakes", but I was even more enamored with "Anything-You-Say-Can-Be-Used-Against-You Quiche". Of course, being an advance reading copy, there were things that hadn't been corrected. Usually, that bothers me. Not in this case! I usually can't stand reading books out of order in a series. Not in this case! It was laugh-out-loud funny, great mystery, characters I adore, and so much more. I hope my library has the first one!
February 25, 2012
" A Teeny Bit of Trouble" by Michael Lee West Is a fun quick read! I loved the Characters! The plot was fun and quirky!Great read with a few good laughs along the way!I highly recommend!I won this book through the Goodreads First-reads giveaway program,"Thank You!"
April 16, 2012
This was the first book that I've read by Michael Lee West. I was pleasantly surprised. She reminds me of across between Mary Kay Andrews and Janet Evonovich. Very Southern and very funny. I felt that the plot was well written, but even more than that her GA southernisms were dead on.
May 14, 2012
I couldn't get past page 130 of this book. It was awful.
The dialogue was horribly written. Some of it was completely unrealistic. Her and Coop's mushy dialogue back and forth was sickening. "Have you ever loved someone so much it hurts?" Really?
Her "oh shit" smile? I'm still not sure what that's supposed to look like. Her friend always referring to her as "homegirl" was a lame attempt at portraying how cool he was.
I think the characters in this book were supposed to depict Southern culture...fail...unless Southern culture is nothing more than gossip and saying certain words differently like "muh-tha."
Teeny is dumb, overly emotional, and obnoxious. Templeton women this...Templeton women that...yeah we get. You came from a long line of strong women.
I also find it totally unrealistic that a child would be allowed to behave the way Emerson does. Especially in the South.
I could go on. I'm sure a lot can be done with the actual plot, but I just couldn't get past the writing.
The dialogue was horribly written. Some of it was completely unrealistic. Her and Coop's mushy dialogue back and forth was sickening. "Have you ever loved someone so much it hurts?" Really?
Her "oh shit" smile? I'm still not sure what that's supposed to look like. Her friend always referring to her as "homegirl" was a lame attempt at portraying how cool he was.
I think the characters in this book were supposed to depict Southern culture...fail...unless Southern culture is nothing more than gossip and saying certain words differently like "muh-tha."
Teeny is dumb, overly emotional, and obnoxious. Templeton women this...Templeton women that...yeah we get. You came from a long line of strong women.
I also find it totally unrealistic that a child would be allowed to behave the way Emerson does. Especially in the South.
I could go on. I'm sure a lot can be done with the actual plot, but I just couldn't get past the writing.
April 19, 2012
This book was very captivating and fun to read!! Loved every page of it!!
Emerson was a riot, although she does have a mouth on her for an almost 11 year old child!! Minnie was also a riot!!
Now I have to go back and read the book written before this one so that I can learn about Teeny's history. Leave it to me to read the second book before reading the first!!
Emerson was a riot, although she does have a mouth on her for an almost 11 year old child!! Minnie was also a riot!!
Now I have to go back and read the book written before this one so that I can learn about Teeny's history. Leave it to me to read the second book before reading the first!!
April 29, 2012
A Teeny Bit of Trouble is the second book in the Teeny Templeton series by Michael Lee West. It's not every day that a lady calls and accuses you of spying on her. Then when you actually do spy on her, you witness her murder. EEK! Then mix in your lawyer-boyfriend's secrets, a ten-year-old that may be his daughter, a flirtatious ex-boyfriend that keeps popping up bearing soul food and desserts, and trying to decode a stolen diary. It's a recipe for trouble. And our favorite freelance baker, Teeny Templeton, has found it.
I just love Teeny. In just two books, she is a well-developed character that will draw any reader's interest. The first thing you notice is Teeny's humor. The first lines of A Teeny Bit of Trouble are an example. But it is the small character details about Teeny that are shown, not told, that make me love Michael Lee West's writing. Quirks like keeping a yearly tally of lies told, owning a colorful wardrobe where the only black outfit is a scuba suit, being too short, and using bad grammar are just a few of the qualities that make Teeny a memorable character. Best of all, she makes recipes that make me wipe drool from my NOOK screen. (Did you see the book cover with red velvet cupcakes?!) Some of the catchy titled recipes in this second installment include "The Right to Remain Silent Salsa" and "I've Already Hired an Attorney Chips."
What I love most about this series are the not-so-easy-to-figure-out mysteries. Just when I think I have the mystery solved, the real culprit comes from left field. Michael Lee West keeps us guessing and hungrily turning the pages.
It's not too late to begin this series. To catch up, read my review of the first book Gone with a Handsomer Man, then order a copy for yourself. Be sure to check out Teeny's blog: http://teenytempleton.blogspot.com/
Literary Marie of Precision Reviews
I just love Teeny. In just two books, she is a well-developed character that will draw any reader's interest. The first thing you notice is Teeny's humor. The first lines of A Teeny Bit of Trouble are an example. But it is the small character details about Teeny that are shown, not told, that make me love Michael Lee West's writing. Quirks like keeping a yearly tally of lies told, owning a colorful wardrobe where the only black outfit is a scuba suit, being too short, and using bad grammar are just a few of the qualities that make Teeny a memorable character. Best of all, she makes recipes that make me wipe drool from my NOOK screen. (Did you see the book cover with red velvet cupcakes?!) Some of the catchy titled recipes in this second installment include "The Right to Remain Silent Salsa" and "I've Already Hired an Attorney Chips."
What I love most about this series are the not-so-easy-to-figure-out mysteries. Just when I think I have the mystery solved, the real culprit comes from left field. Michael Lee West keeps us guessing and hungrily turning the pages.
It's not too late to begin this series. To catch up, read my review of the first book Gone with a Handsomer Man, then order a copy for yourself. Be sure to check out Teeny's blog: http://teenytempleton.blogspot.com/
Literary Marie of Precision Reviews
March 12, 2012
It's been a couple of weeks since I read A Teeny Bit of Trouble, but I was really conflicted after my first read. The premise is great: Teeny, a pastry chef, witnesses a murder and the victim just may be the mother of her boyfriend's love child. It seems more people are dying than usual and signs are pointing to black market organs as the cause. With her name and her life on the line, Teeny searches clues to find the killers.
The mix of mystery, humor, and romance makes for a great read and Teeny is a lovable heroine. Short, frizzy haired and prone to creating recipes (Get-Rid-of-the-Bitch Pie anyone?) in her head to suit her mood. Coop, Teeny's boyfriend, was less enjoyable. There was more chemistry with Son, a plastic surgeon, and I couldn't help but wonder why she was with Coop. Emerson, a just side of bratty ten-year-old, was hilarious, but nothing made me laugh out loud the way I was expecting. That said, this was an enjoyable read. If you're looking for a light, fast paced mystery, pick it up.
Full disclosure: I won this book as a Goodreads First Reads.
The mix of mystery, humor, and romance makes for a great read and Teeny is a lovable heroine. Short, frizzy haired and prone to creating recipes (Get-Rid-of-the-Bitch Pie anyone?) in her head to suit her mood. Coop, Teeny's boyfriend, was less enjoyable. There was more chemistry with Son, a plastic surgeon, and I couldn't help but wonder why she was with Coop. Emerson, a just side of bratty ten-year-old, was hilarious, but nothing made me laugh out loud the way I was expecting. That said, this was an enjoyable read. If you're looking for a light, fast paced mystery, pick it up.
Full disclosure: I won this book as a Goodreads First Reads.
April 11, 2012
It was so good I just didn't want to put it down!!! I suspected Dot the whole time and I couldn't believe Teeny couldn't figure out that Coop was in the hospital. Overall a really good book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2022
3.5, I don't know why but Teeny really grated on my nerves in this book. But still entertaining and a good mystery to boot.
May 28, 2023
This is a rating on the first and second book together. The ideas of these books are okay, but I believe they are executed poorly. Mostly the characters are written sloppily, boring and embarrassing. Can we finally ditch this narrative that women are special by being short, being clumsy and being “honest” when in reality they are being dangerous? Teeny is a character I would want to root for. I just cannot get over her “pick me” attitude. I would have to say I have read around 30 times about her height. Also how all of the antagonists have the same qualities and insults like “dwarf.”
It gets repetitive, and it just feels like the same story is being told. Teeny starts out her life being simple, gets into something she should not (at least not any normal person), and then she goes against professionals (lawyers, investigators, etc.), almost dies, and then lives out life happy again. Her relationship with Coop seems childlike and immature. Even though they are essentially engaged throughout this entire book, they both lack communication skills and act as if they are not even comfortable around each other. Teeny also makes idiotic decisions that definitely do affect other characters. Despite her acting as if she actually feels sorry for this, she usually does something like it again. Also, if the third book ever does release, I can assure you she will end up lured to a location at the end, almost die and then survive. It happened in the last two.
It gets repetitive, and it just feels like the same story is being told. Teeny starts out her life being simple, gets into something she should not (at least not any normal person), and then she goes against professionals (lawyers, investigators, etc.), almost dies, and then lives out life happy again. Her relationship with Coop seems childlike and immature. Even though they are essentially engaged throughout this entire book, they both lack communication skills and act as if they are not even comfortable around each other. Teeny also makes idiotic decisions that definitely do affect other characters. Despite her acting as if she actually feels sorry for this, she usually does something like it again. Also, if the third book ever does release, I can assure you she will end up lured to a location at the end, almost die and then survive. It happened in the last two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2012
Teeny Templeton suspects that her boyfriend, Coop may be hooking up with his ex. A few weeks ago out of the blue a young girl stops by and tells Coop that he is her father. Teeny decides to go on a spy mission. She puts on her black, wet suit. It is the only black outfit that Teeny owns and she does not want to stick out like a sore thumb.
Teeny gets more than she bargains for, when she witnesses Coop’s ex being murdered. The murderer knows that Teeny saw him or her. Now it is just a matter of time before Teeny is next. Unless, she can solve the murder.
A Teeny Bit of Trouble is the first book I have read by author, Michael Lee West. I understand that it is the second Teeny Templeton book. The first being Gone with a Handsomer Man.
Teeny, while she might not be the brightest light in the bunch, she is sweet and one heck of a cook. I love that she always has a recipe for each situation she encounters. For example: Anything-You-Say-Can-Be-Used-Against-You Quiche, You-Have-the-Right-to-Remain-Silent Salsa, You-Have-the-Right-to-an-Attorney Pita Dippers, Orange-You-Sorry-You-Lied Marinade, and Teeny’s Red Velvet Cake.
What I meant before about Teeny nit being the brightest is that she seems to find herself in the middle of trouble and than it takes some help from friends to figure out how to put the fire out. I was not feeling the love interest with Teeny’s boyfriend, Coop. This might have to do with the fact that I had not read the first book, as I did not really get to witness their relationship in true form. There were moments when Teeny had me laughing at her comments. This book is more of a classic who-dun-it read. I do plan to go back and read the first book.
Teeny gets more than she bargains for, when she witnesses Coop’s ex being murdered. The murderer knows that Teeny saw him or her. Now it is just a matter of time before Teeny is next. Unless, she can solve the murder.
A Teeny Bit of Trouble is the first book I have read by author, Michael Lee West. I understand that it is the second Teeny Templeton book. The first being Gone with a Handsomer Man.
Teeny, while she might not be the brightest light in the bunch, she is sweet and one heck of a cook. I love that she always has a recipe for each situation she encounters. For example: Anything-You-Say-Can-Be-Used-Against-You Quiche, You-Have-the-Right-to-Remain-Silent Salsa, You-Have-the-Right-to-an-Attorney Pita Dippers, Orange-You-Sorry-You-Lied Marinade, and Teeny’s Red Velvet Cake.
What I meant before about Teeny nit being the brightest is that she seems to find herself in the middle of trouble and than it takes some help from friends to figure out how to put the fire out. I was not feeling the love interest with Teeny’s boyfriend, Coop. This might have to do with the fact that I had not read the first book, as I did not really get to witness their relationship in true form. There were moments when Teeny had me laughing at her comments. This book is more of a classic who-dun-it read. I do plan to go back and read the first book.
February 27, 2012
So excited I won this book, can't wait to read it. Thanks! This is the first time I have read an advanced copy of a book. With that in mind, I didn't get too upset with the minor typos found. Some reviews were not favorable because of then, but really, it was very minor. Teeny and Coop were likeable characters, with out of the ordinary situations they got involved in. When reading this book you know it is fiction, and will probably never happen, but kept you interested in the plot. Never read Michael Lee West books before, but have purchased two of her others because I liked this one.
February 19, 2012
I have a confession to make: I've always secretly wished I were a Southern woman, one with a hammy accent, who loves grits, and can handle a pistol as well as a pie tin. But I'm not, I don't, and I can't, so novels about sassy Southern women have always been one of my guilty pleasures. Luckily, Michael Lee West writes the perfect books for those of us suffering from a debilitating lack of Southern-ness and her latest is just the ticket - enjoy!
May 6, 2012
This is the second book in this series and I loved it! the author is such a foodie. she brings the same bit of humor to Teeny and now a new character Emerson. Love her name and they way she mixes up everything she says. Good story that had me guessing until the end on whodunit. Can't wait to pass it on to the rest of the family.
February 14, 2014
Ughh I hate when I think there are more books in a series only to find out that the next book won't come out until 2020! Hopefully Amazon has it wrong because I need some more Teeny in my life - fast!
If you're looking for a quick, funny, light-ish, mystery kind of read then this is the book for you.
If you're looking for a quick, funny, light-ish, mystery kind of read then this is the book for you.
May 4, 2012
this is classic chick lit, but i enjoy that every now and then :)
February 13, 2021
Not the best book, not the worst. It definitely has some fun moments, but the dialogue was a bit ridiculous and unrealistic at times. And Teeny's trust issues have a tendency to make you roll your eyes. From the get-go she's a truly neurotic character that's tough to relate to. What the heck is an "oh shit" smile anyway? For some reason most of the male characters are overly horny a-holes; and it doesn't help that the main black character is constantly throwing around "homegirl" like it's the only way he knows how to address people. But hey, enjoy the ride and kill some time.
July 27, 2021
I read a book years ago by this author. I really liked Crazy Ladies and so I bought this book. It sat on my shelf for a long time. I, finally, got around to reading it and it was so not Crazy Ladies.
It was ok. The mystery was fairly good. But Teeny Templeton got on my last nerve! She listened to nothing anyone tried to tell her. Her coming up with recipes for everything was silly, though I know that was her schtick. But it wasn't fun to read.
It was, however, light reading and I finished it quickly. If you want that, then the book is worth it.
It was ok. The mystery was fairly good. But Teeny Templeton got on my last nerve! She listened to nothing anyone tried to tell her. Her coming up with recipes for everything was silly, though I know that was her schtick. But it wasn't fun to read.
It was, however, light reading and I finished it quickly. If you want that, then the book is worth it.
November 1, 2022
This was a library book sale find for me! It was a good book, although it got a bit unrealistic with all the crazy stuff that happened as well as a bit confusing at times. Even with that, the main characters were enjoyable and Teeny was endearing with all her issues. I am going to read the book before and after this one. I recommend this book!
January 18, 2018
This book was funny! I had people looking at me because I would just start laughing as I was reading.
May 24, 2018
Loved this book.
Can't wait to start the next one. It was fun, interesting, and intense. Reminds me of myself always getting into something.
Can't wait to start the next one. It was fun, interesting, and intense. Reminds me of myself always getting into something.
June 7, 2019
It was hard for me to like this lighthearted mystery because the main character was such a colossal ass throughout.
October 20, 2020
Loved this book! This is the second book of a trilogy. It had it all—suspense, humor, the description of the characters and the food. I was looking to find the third book, but am not having any luck. I wish the publisher would release it.
December 26, 2020
I really wanted to love it but the story line was so scattered and really did not set up the drama as well as I would have liked.
September 18, 2022
Mystery with a little bit of funny
December 18, 2022
I found this cross between mystery and chick lit a fun read. Just felt it went on too long. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery itself.
April 23, 2023
I found this cross between mystery and chick lit a fun read. Just felt it went on too long. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery itself.
April 14, 2013
This is the second Teeny Templeton story by author Michael Lee West.
I discovered West when my friend Lori Wilde sent me a copy of the first "Teeny" story,"Gone With a Handsomer Man" I loved that book. I had discovered yet another author I wanted to follow. So when I saw she had a second book out about the petite, Georgia peach-growing, trouble-seems-to-follow-her-everywhere, sweetheart Teeny Templeton I just had to read it.
It's like a "southern foodie" book with quirky, fun and sadly sometimes downright awful characters. Teeny hasn't had the happiest past.
From Amazon:
"It’s not every day that I bake a dozen Red Velvet cakes, learn my boyfriend may have a love child, and I witness a murder."
Michael Lee West
After Charleston pastry chef, Teeny Templeton, witnesses a murder, she discovers that her lawyer-boyfriend, Coop O’Malley, has been keeping secrets: the victim’s ten-year-old daughter may be his child. As more lies explode, Teeny finds herself trapped in Bonaventure, Georgia, a zany“little Savannah,” where she must deal with her commitment phobia, gather DNA from a ten-year old child genius, outwit a stalker, decode an encrypted diary, and fend off advances of an ex-beau, a handsome plastic surgeon who’s crazy-in-love with her. Teeny’s life gets maddeningly complicated by a series of not-so-teeny troubles: an uneasy love triangle, a gossip-mongering tarantula breeder, a wise-cracking Southern Belle with early Alzheimer’s, Coop’s lovable Chihuahua-toting granny, and clues that point to the illegal trafficking of human organs. But when a suspect is arrested, the bodies keep piling up and Teeny doesn't know who to trust. As the murderers close in, Teeny unearths a revelation that becomes a game-changer and flips her world upside-down.
This book did take a less-funny direction when the whole "illegal trafficking of human organs" came into play. I did find that a bit gruesome.
Gone With a Handsomer Man
A Teeny Taste of Scandal
I discovered West when my friend Lori Wilde sent me a copy of the first "Teeny" story,"Gone With a Handsomer Man" I loved that book. I had discovered yet another author I wanted to follow. So when I saw she had a second book out about the petite, Georgia peach-growing, trouble-seems-to-follow-her-everywhere, sweetheart Teeny Templeton I just had to read it.
It's like a "southern foodie" book with quirky, fun and sadly sometimes downright awful characters. Teeny hasn't had the happiest past.
From Amazon:
"It’s not every day that I bake a dozen Red Velvet cakes, learn my boyfriend may have a love child, and I witness a murder."
Michael Lee West
After Charleston pastry chef, Teeny Templeton, witnesses a murder, she discovers that her lawyer-boyfriend, Coop O’Malley, has been keeping secrets: the victim’s ten-year-old daughter may be his child. As more lies explode, Teeny finds herself trapped in Bonaventure, Georgia, a zany“little Savannah,” where she must deal with her commitment phobia, gather DNA from a ten-year old child genius, outwit a stalker, decode an encrypted diary, and fend off advances of an ex-beau, a handsome plastic surgeon who’s crazy-in-love with her. Teeny’s life gets maddeningly complicated by a series of not-so-teeny troubles: an uneasy love triangle, a gossip-mongering tarantula breeder, a wise-cracking Southern Belle with early Alzheimer’s, Coop’s lovable Chihuahua-toting granny, and clues that point to the illegal trafficking of human organs. But when a suspect is arrested, the bodies keep piling up and Teeny doesn't know who to trust. As the murderers close in, Teeny unearths a revelation that becomes a game-changer and flips her world upside-down.
This book did take a less-funny direction when the whole "illegal trafficking of human organs" came into play. I did find that a bit gruesome.
Gone With a Handsomer Man
A Teeny Taste of Scandal
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews