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Silver bells, silver bells...

It's Christmas time in Nashville, and all Savannah wants to unwrap on Christmas morning is Rafe Collier. Unfortunately, things don't look so good. He's back in town, but not alone: on his arm is a stunning brunette, just the kind of woman Savannah always suspected was his type.

When Alexandra Puckett asks her help in figuring out a way to stop Maybelle Driscoll from marrying Alex's father Steven, Savannah jumps on the chance. It'll give her something to think about other than Rafe and the mysterious Carmen, and anyway, she doesn't like Maybelle much herself.

Between investigating Maybelle's past, helping her clients Aislynn and Kylie buy a house, and stalking Carmen and Rafe, Savannah soon has her hands full. And that's before someone starts gunning for her. Suddenly it's not a question of unwrapping anything on Christmas morning anymore; it's a question of whether she'll even survive to see another Christmas.

First published January 1, 2011

81 people are currently reading
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About the author

Jenna Bennett

122 books538 followers
Jenna Bennett writes the USA Today bestselling Cutthroat Business mysteries featuring Southern Belle and new-minted real estate agent Savannah Martin in Nashville, Tennessee.

As Jennie Bentley, she writes the New York Times bestselling Do-It-Yourself Home Renovation mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime, featuring designer and amateur sleuth Avery Baker and her boyfriend, handyman Derek Ellis, who renovate houses in Waterfield, Maine.

She also writes a variety of romance for a change of pace.

aka Jennie Bentley

The DIY series:

FATAL FIXER-UPPER (November 2008)
SPACKLED AND SPOOKED (August 2009)
PLASTER AND POISON (March 2010)
MORTAR AND MURDER (January 2011)
FLIPPED OUT (October 2011)
WALL TO WALL DEAD (September 2012)
HOME FOR THE HOMICIDE (December 2013)

The Cutthroat Business series:

A CUTTHROAT BUSINESS (May 2011)
HOT PROPERTY (June 2011)
CONTRACT PENDING (July 2011)
CLOSE TO HOME (September 2011)
A DONE DEAL (December 2011)
CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL (November 2012)
CHANGE OF HEART (May 2013)
KICKOUT CLAUSE (October 2013)

Soldiers of Fortune series:

FORTUNE'S HERO (December 2012)

Various:

ISLAND GETAWAY (October 2012)
VIRGINIA CREEPER (October 2013)
BEFORE YOU (March 2014)

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5 stars
400 (47%)
4 stars
307 (36%)
3 stars
126 (14%)
2 stars
16 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Patricia Eimer.
Author 9 books129 followers
January 5, 2012
It’s no secret that I have a not-so-secret love for bad boys in romance novels. So when Jenna Bennett gave me the chance to review A Done Deal, the 5th book in her Savannah Martin mysteries-- and to swoon over her hero, Rafe Collier-- I jumped on it like a Southern Belle would a chance to try on the Miss America tiara and wave my hands. Because I can say without reserve that Rafe may be the baddest bad boy I’ve ever enjoyed reading and he’s got five books worth of secrets to share with you.
So why do I adore Rafe so much? Is it the jail time? The tattoo? The Harley? The fact that he may be involved in organized crime? Nope. It’s the fact that between the witty, sexually charged banter and the fact that in between all those lovely tingly moments he provides Rafe Collier—bad boy with a heart of gold—manages to get past all of Savannah Martin’s inherent – and inherited—silliness to make her less of a Southern wannabe society twerp and more of a human being. But I’ve got to tell you the tattoo helps.

The only problem with Jenna Bennett’s series is Savannah Martin herself. Now if you’re not a southerner she probably won’t annoy you. You might find her twerpy and a bit annoying at times but she’s not going to set your teeth on edge. But, if you’re a southerner like I am, dear sweet baby in the manger she is going to drive you up the wall. Not because she isn’t believable, because let me tell you she could have walked out of a charity fundraising lunch for the Nashville Junior League and climbed up onto the page for all the world to see. Savannah Martin is the real deal. She’s small town “hoop skirt” money that actually went to finishing school so she’d be better prepared to find a husband. And I’m a bad enough, modern southern girl to have snickered every time her little world came apart.

Overall, I give these books a 9.5 out of 10. Sure, in the beginning, Savannah Martin reminds me of the twerps I went to high school with. And she has a few moments—even in the 5th book—where I want to smack her and ask “Really? No seriously, really?” but she has a solid character growth arc that will take you from wanting to smack her to just shaking your head at her antics. But beyond Savannah there is a strong story line, a good layering of mystery and humor, razor sharp banter between Savannah and Rafe, and most importantly there is Rafe. Oh there is Rafe. King of the sexually charged one liners with all his bad boy with a heart of gold charm.
So, my recommendation is this: Pick up the whole series. Clear your schedule and cuddle up with some Rafe. And I promise you’ll be in love with him by my favorite line in the whole series. (Book Three – Contract Pending and no I don’t need to tell you the line, this is one of those you’ll know it when you see it lines.)
410 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2018
I’m a Savannah Martin fan! Saying that, I have to admit this was not my favorite of the 5 I’ve read. It was a little slow moving with not quite enough mystery involved. Regarding Savannah, though I like her, there are times she really gets on my nerves. She pulls some really dumb stunts that would never happen in real life. You’d think she’d learn after a while! Also, in an attempt to allow each book to stand on it’s own (at least I assume that’s why) the author repeats a lot of details that are boring if you’ve read the previous books in the series. Many pages you can just skim or skip altogether. That being said, I’m still a Savannah Martin fan and will be moving on to number 6 just a soon as I type this last period.
Profile Image for Short, Sweet and Cozy.
1,504 reviews
July 19, 2018
Love this series! This is book #5. This one starts off a little slower and doesn't get exciting until a few chapters in but it does get exciting! Savannah is more proactive finding & stumbling into trouble whereas in previous books she is just in the wrong place. Quite a few scenarios from previous books are part of the plot in this one. Savannah, a Realtor, is helping a couple find a house and small accidents occur. What is going on? Her friend Alexandria doesn't want her father to remarry and asks Savannah for help. The romantic aspects are intermittent but intriguing. A really addicting series!
Profile Image for Sonia Cristina.
2,279 reviews78 followers
October 22, 2017
Quando o Rafe aparece muito é certo que tudo fica melhor. Este bad boy é irresistível, cativante e delicioso. Também gosto da forma como a autora, de livro para livro, continua com um enredo ou pega em personagens anteriores e trá-los de volta para outro enredo, como aconteceu aqui com Alexandra Puckett e a que-está-para-se-tornar sua madrasta, Maybelle, do primeiro livro.
Mas o melhor mesmo foi
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
March 2, 2024
This ends at the place I’ve kind of been waiting the whole series so far for. And it really is the Happy For Now ending I’ve been hoping to see. I know there are dozens of books yet to come and I realize that there’s going to be all kinds of things to muck with my joy, but I’m so happy with where this book leaves them right now. The mysteries were thoroughly entertaining, but I thought the villain wasn’t a terribly big surprise. Though, I hung in there just to see what it would take for them to finally be unmasked.
510 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2017
Yes! Savannah is finally following her heart and standing up to her Mother.
Profile Image for Naomi Sif.
92 reviews8 followers
January 26, 2018
He11 yes

She. Finally. Grew. A. Set.
Heck freaking yes.
This book was everything I could want it to be. I can't wait to read the .5.
Profile Image for ElaineY.
2,450 reviews68 followers
January 5, 2021
(Posted my review on the wrong installment. Need to correct.)
Profile Image for Leigh Goldian.
301 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2021
Fantastic!

How is it that each book in this series is better than the last?? I’ve finished three books in three days and I just can’t put them down!
Profile Image for bella.
442 reviews28 followers
December 16, 2011
Fresh off the emotional rollercoaster that was CLOSE TO HOME, I picked up A DONE DEAL to read next. Luckily A DONE DEAL was released on December 15th, so I didn't have to wait before I got a chance to pick up Savannah's story again.

A DONE DEAL sees Savannah back in Nashville, licking her wounds after her latest adventure. She quickly becomes immersed in investigating Alexandra Puckett's new step-mom-to-be, and trying to avoid getting killed.

I think Savannah describes it best...
"But here I was, back again, and there was a sense of inevitability about it. A feel of fate, of things coming full circle."
This is exactly how I felt with A DONE DEAL. So much has happened since Savannah's first adventure in A CUTTHROAT BUSINESS, but she has very much come full circle. She has grown and matured (yes even when you're well past your teens you can do that!). She's found someone that she wants to spend the rest of her life with, and yet there are so many things blocking her way to true happiness.

I simply love that Savannah is coming around full circle, and that it is clear that a few of the storylines in previous books are being tied up. A DONE DEAL reads like a final book in a series. I'm not sure if Savannah will have anymore adventures to share, but for me I feel like I have read a completely epic, wonderful series with A DONE DEAL bringing it around full circle and being the best book of the series!

I strongly recommend readers to read the Savannah Martin series. Read them in order from A CUTTHROAT BUSINESS onwards. Prepare yourself by taking at least a week off work, loading up your house with chocolate, ice-cream and all kinds of goodies, and settle in to read one of the best mystery series I've read in a long time. They are on-the-edge-of-your-seat adventure, with lots of thrills and toe-curling moments (seriously if Rafe doesn't curl your toes nothing will!).

After finishing A DONE DEAL I feel so happy to have discovered this series, and a little sad that there is no more Savannah for me to discover. Luckily for me there will be plenty of chances to re-read the series!

A DONE DEAL is a 5-star read. It's full of adventure, romance and a must-add to any mystery readers shelves.
Profile Image for Tammy.
208 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2013

Warning: The following contains major spoilers!!!


I will start by saying I am a big Savannah Martin fan. The previous four books have all been 5 plus stars in my opinion. The thing I like most about Savannah is that she is smart, well educated and polished. She is a true dignified southern belle with the smarts and manners to prove it. In the previous novels Savannah finds herself at the wrong place at the wrong time .She handles herself like a pro however. She doesn’t rush around foolishly putting herself and others in danger. She always tries to work with the police, and is even friends with several by this point in our story.
That said you can imagine my disappointment in this story when “The old Savannah “ seems to have disappeared and been replaced by some idiot who is constantly rushing into danger and not following orders. She claims to love Rafe but consistently puts his life ,as well as her own in danger for NO apparent reason . I mean seriously…!!! Come on!!! She has been almost killed in all four of the previous books but is to stupid suddenly to see that going to a night club run by a criminal (from a previous book mind you) is a bad Idea?!?!?!?!?! She single handedly solved the murders in the last four books but didn’t figure out Heather was setting her up?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
The last I wont spoil for you but if you read it then I am sure you will figure out who is driving the white Toyota. I did the second time it was spotted! The old Savannah I loved would have figured it out too. Then there is the final stupid thing she does when she opens the door. How many times are you reading a mystery and frustrated at the token idiot blonde who opens the door!!
This is the kind of thing that bothers me in Romantic mysteries. We had a smart lovely woman who turned into a brainless idiot over a man. There was just no call for it. The romance in this book only works if she doesn’t turn into a raging moron. Very disappointed. This book wasn’t up to pare in this series. I am hoping for better in the next one.
Profile Image for Evie.
412 reviews200 followers
October 3, 2015
Rafe is that real bad boy no mother wants her girl around. I mean, he does deserve some of the bad rep that precedes him, he's no angel. But, I gotta give him credit because he ain't that "bad". To his defense, he's got reasons for having been bad, and he tries to be good. At least this time, he's on the right side of the court.

Savannah is not a prude, but cares too much about what her family thinks of her choices, especially her mom. Although, now that she recognizes her feelings for Rafe, she really can care less about what anyone thinks, her mom included.

Rafe is involved in an undercover operation, and Savannah is about to blow his cover. Except, she doesn't have a clue about the undercover operation happening right under her nose. To make matters even worst, she happens to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Anyone would think this mess started now, but truth be told, the mess they're in, has been that, a mess, for quite some time now. A dangerous mess at that!

As if trying hard NOT to get killed weren't enough, Rafe and Savannah have to deal with their feelings for each other.

Savannah must choose between what an all too "proper" southern belle would do vs. what a "true" southern belle should do.

Rafe must choose between the excitement of being undercover (well, it's not really like he's ever had a choice in the matter before now) vs. settling down and staying on the good side of the fence.

A Done Deal is an exciting read, with its chasing of clues, erroneous leads, and more. It made me want to grab Carmen by the hair (figuratively speaking of course-- LOL)and scream "THAT MAN IS MINE!". It also made me want to slap Rafe and say, "You can do all the undercover work you want, kill if you must (in self defense- mind you), BUT you CANNOT sleep with other women, all right, darlin!" I guess you may call me selfish because I don't like to share what's mine, HA!

A Done Deal will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
Profile Image for ❂ Murder by Death .
1,071 reviews150 followers
January 15, 2013
I read this whole series back-to-back. Most people don't do that so I'm not going to discuss the very small continuity errors from book to book nor the somewhat-annoying-but-necessary repetition of background that is liberally laced throughout all the books, including this one that had me skipping not only whole paragraphs, but at times, an entire page. They wouldn't be nearly so annoying if I'd read these books spaced apart, say, as they were published.

A Done Deal is a fun read, and the culmination of a lot of angst for the main character, Savannah. As usual, misunderstandings are rife throughout the book, but at least most of them are resolved by the end. The mystery plot was super obvious - I never doubted exactly who it was that was after Savannah, but I was so involved in the story with all it's various elements, I just didn't care. I really like Savanna and Rafe and Tamara and in this book we get to know Savannah's sister better and I like her as well. Hints about a future romance for brother Dix has me looking forward to future books even more as Savannah's circle grows just a little bit tighter.

Looking forward to the next book.

Originally reviewed Jan. 15 - Edited to correct grammatical mistakes.
Profile Image for M.E..
Author 8 books222 followers
April 14, 2012
I saved my review for the last book. This an excellent series. Tight plotting, fast paced action and great characters. It takes Savannah a couple books to lose the "Southern Belle" thing, but when she finally does, it's gratifying. And Rafe Collier is not a nice boy, but as Bennet says, "six foot three of testosterone and trouble" - and worth every inch. I found this series recently and read all five books in less than a month. There are parts of CLOSE TO HOME that are hard to read, but seeing the characters develop is well worth it. The ending was everything I could have hoped for. Highly recommended if you like action, mystery, romance and a little humor along the way.
Profile Image for Linda Andrews.
Author 67 books92 followers
December 21, 2011
Savannah's back and so is Rafe. Unfortunately, no one told her until she stumbled across him and his new girlfriend. She hopes that investigating a rather uncouth bride-to-be will distract her but no such luck. Jealousy lands her in some funny spots. Luckily, Rafe is willing to lend a helping hand.

A Done Deal is a wonderful new addition to the story. I love the dual plot lines and the returning cast of characters. While the bodies aren't fresh in this one, there's plenty of mystery to go around.
Profile Image for Kellie .
19 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2012
It may be a bit past Christmas, but A Done Deal is a great read any time of year. I have read all five in the Savannah Martin Mystery series and have really enjoyed them. Love, romance, and mystery - a great combination. As the series develops Savannah also grows and gains insight, not only in herself, but in her relationships, especially with one person in particular, Rafe Collier. I highly recommend this wonderful series!

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a free copy of this e-book from the author and chose it for review.
Profile Image for Marlene.
31 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2012
I am happy I came across this series. I managed to read the books in the series in a week. I enjoyed the writing style; the way the plots easily moved from one book to the other; the main characters (oh Rafe!!) the twists in the stories and how each book had multiple events/situations happening simultaneously. I thought some things were repetitive but understand that if someone is reading a book separately from the series then it would be necessary to have repetition. I got over that quickly. Great, great read(s).
Profile Image for Morghan.
304 reviews12 followers
January 29, 2016
The only reason that I don't give this one 5 stars was because the action was a little stunted...also the reconcile with Rafe felt a little too easy, particularly after the traumatic event in the last book. That being said, the scene where Savannah is captured by the bad guy is one of my favorites! Also, the ending is perfect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brenda Kirton.
272 reviews27 followers
September 20, 2013
OK I just read the last four of this series in two days. My eyes are going to fall out of my sockets, but I couldn't stop. This was a fun mystery and romance. I just found out there is a sixth one, gotta go.
Profile Image for Bette Stanek.
2,149 reviews3 followers
September 30, 2013
It's about time!!! Finally Savannah is human and not a robotic Southern belle. Stuff it, Margaret Anne. Your daughter is her own person and finally willing to stand up for herself. Rafe has also realized she's willing to finally stand by him. They may get their happily ever after all.
Profile Image for Beth.
794 reviews61 followers
October 18, 2015
Okay I spent the last 5 days reading the 10 current novels of this series and two short stories. Yes it was that good, in fact I didn't stop to update my feed so I'll put this short review on the whole dang set. its a goodread, go for it.
4 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2011
a great book. all mystery and romance readers will love it
Profile Image for Jodie D..
577 reviews13 followers
August 30, 2012
Loved this book. Now that I have finished the series, I'm going to re-read them all. My favorite book of the series. Loved the ending.
Profile Image for MaryBeth.
78 reviews
September 27, 2012
I loved this book. It was the perfect end for this series. Too many authors tend to run good characters into the ground. Jenna Bennett left all her characters at a very good place.
Profile Image for Moira Rivas.
59 reviews
May 15, 2013
I enjoy these books, HOWEVER, carrying the story line forward book to book is tedious. These books could be 20 pages shorter if not for wasted space to rehash it all from beginning.
Profile Image for Jodi K.
55 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2013
The Savannah Martin mysteries are cute with just a touch of steamy romance in them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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