Summer Flambé

The Rachael O'Brien Chronicles #2

by Paisley Ray

Attending college south of the Mason-Dixon line, partying, meeting guys, and avoiding stray shotgun shells can be complicate--if you're Rachael O'Brien.

Besides navigating her way through classes and relationships, she has a knack for uncovering a jambalaya of secrets. A girl from Canton, Ohio must forge friendships that help keep her afloat as she charters the waters of 1980's campus life.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Ebooks

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

The Rachael O'Brien Chronicles are not your typical fiction. A young woman's plan for an art history degree turns into an outrageous series of misadventures in this laugh-out-loud romp about a girl who enrolls in a southern college during the height of the crazy era that was the 1980's. This collection crosses genres of chick lit, mystery, romance, humor, and action with the possibility of a corpse or two.

You can visit Paisley Ray at:

Website: http://www.paisleyray.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heypaisleyray
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/heypaisleyray
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heypaisleyray

Reviews

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the series, and I liked it better than the first one. It takes place during the summer between Rachael's freshman and sophomore years of college, and focuses on her family instead of her friends. I was sad to find out that the next book won't be out until this summer, but I'll be reading it once it's available.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky family fun story

Rachael is a college student that has a missing mother. She heads back home for the summer break right as her fathers girlfriend, Trudy decides that she needs to stay away from home.

Her mother shows up with her friend Betts. Trouble brews between the characters at this point and events lead to suspicion and confusion.

Funny and unusual characters fill this book. It is a fun read.

[e michelle]

first i didn't know there was a second book! got this and read it in an afternoon! can i say im really hooked! can't wait to see what "trouble" rachel attracts in the third book. Was it me or did this read go a lot better, faster than the first book in the series?? She is a great author and everytime rachel go to the bern! i am right there with her!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but it was entertaining. I thought it was going to be weird because how much trouble can one girl get herself into. But then I liked that it tied back into the trouble she got into in the first book.

[Sumer Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun, light hearted read. I like it better than the first, and I'm looking forward to the next.

[Kandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, lighthearted read. Can't wait for the third book!

[Amanda Smith till · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book, but I was under the impression it was going to be about the size of the first book. I am an extremely fast reader and I had it completed in one evening.

[Amber Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed like the author's writing is only getting better with more practice. My only complaint is that it was too short!

[Vivacity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one!

I am on to my 3rd book in this series as soon as I write this review. I don't feel I need to retype the authors summary, just give my opinion. As with book one, I just love the witty, hilarious, and wickedly bright heroine, Rachel. On summer break, this tale of adventure and family drama eggs on more sleuthing by our H. How will she juggle all that, find a thief, deal with estranged relatives and an art thief or two....and make it back to college in one piece for fall semester? What ever happens, be assured that Rachel will humble through it all in her own charming way

[Julie Baswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Rachel O’Brien Chronicles. She seems to get herself into comical and embarrassing situations without even trying. Her sleuthing skills however are top notch. In this episode, Rachel has to contend with her mother’s return, only to discover secrets she would rather have not known.

I like Rachel’s spunkiness. It went well with her personality. I had sympathy for her relationship with her mother. I wish the ending had been resolved more but it makes for a good start to the next chapter in the Rachel O’Brien Chronicles.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I bought this book because of the setting - it's an area I'm familiar with and the novelty amused me. I'm not a 'cozy mystery' type but was pleasantly surprised. However, I'm disappointed that I won't be able to go back and read the first book. By the end of this book, I'm pretty sure I know all of the major plot points because of references. It's unfortunate because book one would have been a fun read, too.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am beginning to think The Rachel O'Brien Chronicles is rapidly turning into my go-to guilty pleasure. Summer Flambe, the second book in the series was as much a joy to read as the first. Its a nice easy novella, full of twists and turns that I didn't foresee coming and could be finished in a couple of evenings. This book could probably be read on its own, I would highly recommend that the reader reads the previous book first.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure

Paisley Ray, you always surprise me! I dislike stories that I know the plot before it's written. I never have that issue with Rachael O'Brien. The characters are nuanced and subtle enough that they are all shades of grey. None are caricatures of archetypes.
Thank you for writing believable characters that don't make me cringe.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, with likable characters who live in a world unfamiliar to me because of my age (senior), but if you are college age or close either side, you will, no doubt, enjoy it more than I did.

[Tomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow....finished this book in the same day as the first one. Enjoyable and funny read with a quirky cast of chatacters. A summer beach read.

[kathy Sausser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern Day Romance and mystery

This novel holds your interest! It keeps you guessing! Moves quickly and reads with ease!!! You will enjoy the antics of Rachel!

[Kimberleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok for a free book, but I don't think I'll be reading any more of this series. Readers should probably read the books in order. I felt I was missing some key information at times.

[Kara Sepulveda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I'm hooked. I can't wait to read the next one. And the next and the next!! I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read

This is the second book in the series and it was a funny as the first. It keeps the antics that are Rachel's life moving along.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

This was a delight to read and I loved everything about this story, even creepy bush hiding, gun toting Doneski.

[Dayreader Reviews]

This is my second book to read in the Rachel O'Brien Chronicles and they just keep getting better and better! Rachel is at is again. She has come home from her first year in college to work in her father's art restoration shop for the summer. During this time she hopes to figure out what is going on with her mother, trying to navigate her dad's new much younger girl friend, and she's still upset over the fact that she's still a virgin. Her summer starts off well enough until her dad's girl friend has a fright at her apartment and moves in with them. Then her mother comes to town with her new life partner for a psychic convention. To top off the craziness in her life she discovers that the woman she has known her whole life as a family acquaintance is actually her grandmother! This book is hilarious and doesn't disappoint. Rachel gets involved in yet another art theft scheme and makes out with a fugitive! I feel like Rachel and I need to be besties! If my life was half as interesting as hers I would be in heaven! ha! These books will make you cry with laughter and seriously who doesn't love a good mystery? This book gives you all that and more! There are psychics, possible aliens, lesbians, and aerobic instructors just to name a few! The only bad thing I can say about this book was that I wish it was longer. I must now buy the next book to see what happens!

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank goodness I took a chance on this, the second book in The Rachel O'Brien Chronicles. After I'd read the first, I swore I wouldn't ever read another. Then, the combination of another few reviews and a second freebie tempted me to try another "serving".

It's "Froshmore", the summer before Rachael's return to school for her second year. She's working for her father and dreaming of Clay, her almost boyfriend, and developing a bit of a roving eye. However, she just can't shake New Elm and stolen/forged art.

She's at least tolerating Dad's girlfriend, and then comes home one afternoon and MOM has returned, along with the woman who got her to leave in the first place. Along with an attempt to find out why she left, Rachel finds out some other things she's not so sure she wants to know.

Good things happen during all this: turning 19 helps her be seen as responsible and more mature to her family and friends. The work she does fir her Dad gives her a bonus in time to go back to school...where the next book begins her Sophmore year.

I have done a 180- I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Tracy Enright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the Rachael O'Brien chronicles and is set in 1987. Nineteen-year-old Rachael is home from college for the summer holiday. Whilst there, she has a few problems to deal with including her father's very young girlfriend, a stolen painting, her absent mother's sudden return and a family revelation.

I wasn't sure I liked this book at first and almost gave up since the author seemed to be trying a little too hard to set the time and the place, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Rachael is likeable, as are many of the other characters, and it was interesting learning a little about furniture restoration and art. There are no great dramas in this book, no shoot outs or grisly murders, but that doesn't matter because you're left with a glimpse of how a dysfunctional family can work with the help of a few friends and a good deal of humour thrown in. There were some references to the previous book and it would have helped to have a little more context for those of us who haven't read it, but that's only a minor point, since that would have made some of the events and actions a little more understandable.

[Cissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel in the series- but it's more of a novella.

Anyway, this covers Rachel's summer between her freshman and sophomore years of college, when she is back at home, working in her family's restoration biz, and her absconding mother returns bringing a girlfriends and a LOT of questions.

Repercussions from the first book do show up, so I'd recommend starting there. And this was very short.

Still, I liked knowing what Rachel was up to in the summer, and immediately started reading #3.

These are really more about growing up than they mysteries... but the mysteries are fun.

Even better, though, are the people and the relationships. These have me totally hooked!

I love Rachel's voice- she is very much her own age, with its charms and flaws. She is not at all generic. I look forward to reading more of her adventures.

[Carlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book the night before our trip home to Colorado from Arizona so only read it in snatches. It was shorter than the first one in the series but only covered the summer between Rachel's freshman and sophomore year in college (the first book covered her entire freshman year).

I adore Rachel. She is such a kid but sophisticated in the world of art history and restoration all at the same time. Her family relationships took front and center since she is home in Ohio for the summer, though the theft of an antique painting from her father's restoration studio plays an important part in the story. I look forward to reading the next book about her sophomore year and her ongoing quest to lose her virginity!

[Jennifer Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel is at it again! This book is hilarity at its finest. Not only is Rachel still holding her v-card but it seems like her mom and dad are getting more action that she is. After her mom left to go explore her psychic abilities and become a possible lesbian, Rachel's dad has found a young aerobics instructor to pass his time with. This book will make you laugh so hard I'm sure tears with come out! Rachel once again gets involved in an art theft and makes out with a fugitive. At least he was hot! Oh and did I mention that she was hit in the face by her moms lover?! Awkward! This book is a must read!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachael O’Brien’s life is certainly never dull and because of that, the Rachael O’Brien Chronicles are interesting and fun to read. Summer Flambè is well-edited with only a handful of mistakes, mostly toward the end. The climax and resolution happened a little too suddenly, but were quite the unexpected twist. I highly recommend this book (it is not necessary to read the first book first, but it does gives background information that would make this one more understandable).

[Nancye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another series that I am falling in love with. Rachel is a Midwest girl who couldn't wait to get away for college. This book takes place in the summer following freshman year when she finds herself at home in Ohio. Trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes. It's fun to read her adventures and see how she solves the mysteries around her.

[Merkathi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the first novel. I missed the other gals and the school life. I also found the replacement characters (Trudy, Sky) sort of meh and found some of the characters (Betts, Mauve) downright annoying. The grandmother thread I did enjoy as well as the Jackson thread. I am hoping the third book takes it back up a notch.

[Regina C. Meeks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fell a bit flat for me

I loved the first book in the series, but not this one. Although I enjoyed some of the new characters, I did not like Rachel's mom or Bette. It was tempting to just skim over the pages about them. For me they were cardboard characters . The plot in this one was less believable. I wish book two had been shorter and combined with book 3.