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Liz Danger #3
One in Vermillion
From the NY Times Bestselling duo that wrote Agnes and the Hitman, the third book in a new trilogy.
Liz Danger is stuck in her hometown of Burney, Ohio, because her insane employer has rented a house there for the summer, which means she has three more months of trying to get a copy edit done, babysitting a seven-year-old, and figuring out what to do with three hundred and ninety-two teddy bears. And then there’s her mother. Even the good news that she’s living with a hot cop is tempered by the knowledge that sooner or later, she’s going to have to figure out her future, and she still not sure what she wants that to be.
Vince Cooper is stuck in a town that keeps asking him when he’s going to make an honest woman of Liz Danger and in a job that’s just sunk into anarchy because of local and state politics that are kneecapping the police department, not to mention a biker gang and Liz’s ex-boyfriend who still hasn’t figured out that the ex part is permanent. Good thing he has Liz to come home to . . . until he doesn’t.
As Liz and Vince try to navigate their increasingly complicated relationship, they’re finding out startling new things about themselves and the town they’re trying to protect, and that means dealing with greedy politicians, arson, broken hearts (not theirs), vandalism, questionable real estate, murder, and a lot of soggy bears.
One in That red in the ledger isn’t just the ink.
Liz Danger is stuck in her hometown of Burney, Ohio, because her insane employer has rented a house there for the summer, which means she has three more months of trying to get a copy edit done, babysitting a seven-year-old, and figuring out what to do with three hundred and ninety-two teddy bears. And then there’s her mother. Even the good news that she’s living with a hot cop is tempered by the knowledge that sooner or later, she’s going to have to figure out her future, and she still not sure what she wants that to be.
Vince Cooper is stuck in a town that keeps asking him when he’s going to make an honest woman of Liz Danger and in a job that’s just sunk into anarchy because of local and state politics that are kneecapping the police department, not to mention a biker gang and Liz’s ex-boyfriend who still hasn’t figured out that the ex part is permanent. Good thing he has Liz to come home to . . . until he doesn’t.
As Liz and Vince try to navigate their increasingly complicated relationship, they’re finding out startling new things about themselves and the town they’re trying to protect, and that means dealing with greedy politicians, arson, broken hearts (not theirs), vandalism, questionable real estate, murder, and a lot of soggy bears.
One in That red in the ledger isn’t just the ink.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2023
757 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Crusie
80 books7,792 followersJennifer Crusie is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of twenty-three novels, one book of literary criticism, miscellaneous articles, essays, novellas, and short stories, and the editor of three essay anthologies.
She was born in Wapakoneta, a small town in Ohio, and then went on to live in a succession of other small towns in Ohio and New Jersey until her last move to a small town in Pennsylvania. This may have had an impact on her work.
She has a BS in Art Education, an MA in literature, an MFA in fiction, and was ABD on her PhD when she started reading romances as part of her research into the differences between the ways men and women tell stories. Writing a romance sounded like more fun than writing a dissertation, so she switched to fiction and never looked back. Her collaborations with Bob Mayer have pretty much proved everything she was going to say in her dissertation anyway, so really, no need to finish that.
For more information, see JenniferCrusie.com and her blog, Argh Ink.
She was born in Wapakoneta, a small town in Ohio, and then went on to live in a succession of other small towns in Ohio and New Jersey until her last move to a small town in Pennsylvania. This may have had an impact on her work.
She has a BS in Art Education, an MA in literature, an MFA in fiction, and was ABD on her PhD when she started reading romances as part of her research into the differences between the ways men and women tell stories. Writing a romance sounded like more fun than writing a dissertation, so she switched to fiction and never looked back. Her collaborations with Bob Mayer have pretty much proved everything she was going to say in her dissertation anyway, so really, no need to finish that.
For more information, see JenniferCrusie.com and her blog, Argh Ink.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
June 10, 2024
I don't know about you, but the years without a new Jennifer Crusie book were dark and dreary. I had a lot of life changes this year (self-inflicted) and when I found 3 new Crusie books, I knew it was all going to be ok. They're comfort reads. They're entertaining reads. They're hilarious at times, and engaging all the time.
I'm so happy to see more are coming, and would recommend these books to anyone.
I'm so happy to see more are coming, and would recommend these books to anyone.
October 6, 2024
Naturally, after buying this whole series, it is now free to read if you have Kindle Unlimited!
Well, I can't find out anywhere if this is going to become a series or end as a trilogy (I wish it would become a short series, though). We finally got most of the answers to all of the burning questions we had, but I do think we need a little more explanation and a stronger look into some of the other relationships, like Liz and her mother. We get a brief glimpse into who Liz's father really was, but it just wasn't enough for me.
I want to see what happens to Anemone and George, Raine and Molly, and even what happens to
Cash.
But even if this is the concluding novel, it was a fun and adventurous one -well worth the time it will take to read all three books!
And let's face it, the cost, both from Amazon AND Barnes and Noble, makes these 3 books for the price of one!
Well, I can't find out anywhere if this is going to become a series or end as a trilogy (I wish it would become a short series, though). We finally got most of the answers to all of the burning questions we had, but I do think we need a little more explanation and a stronger look into some of the other relationships, like Liz and her mother. We get a brief glimpse into who Liz's father really was, but it just wasn't enough for me.
I want to see what happens to Anemone and George, Raine and Molly, and even what happens to
Cash.
But even if this is the concluding novel, it was a fun and adventurous one -well worth the time it will take to read all three books!
And let's face it, the cost, both from Amazon AND Barnes and Noble, makes these 3 books for the price of one!
May 4, 2024
Although it has been many years since this the duo of Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer have produced a book, we now have a trilogy and the promise of more to come. They are a terrific writing team with Jennifer writing the Liz chapters and Bob writing the Vince chapters. The arrangement shows the yen and yang of male/female perspectives and make the books stand out. As the final book of the trilogy, you couldn't have asked for a better end. "One in Vermillion" wraps the whole series up with a nice big bow, but not before some major twists and a couple of dead bodies. I loved how both Liz and Vince have developed throughout the series until they became a complete unit. Of course, there were several roadblocks and speed bumps to overcome, but that just made this book unpredictable and a wonderfully entertaining read.
When Liz Danger hit the town limits of Burney, Ohio three months ago her plan was to stay a few days, a week at most. Here she is three months later and her life plan, if you could call it that, is changing. Liz is realizing that maybe having roots isn't such a bad thing. Having hot cop Vince Cooper in her bed and her life definitely isn't a bad thing. She isn't so sure about her mother and all the secrets that woman has kept over the years. Yep, life is good - until it isn't.
With all the upheaval and turmoil the town has experienced, things just get worse when the crooked mayor fires the Chief of Police, tells the police that the new development is off limits, and a motorcycle gang takes over security for the development. Oh, and Vince doesn't want their new bedroom painted blue. And that bed, it's his not hers. Liz decides she needs a space of her own, besides her car, and buys a cabin in the woods.
Vince is trying to figure out how to maneuver around the new Chief, a lackey for the corrupt mayor, keep the town safe and fix whatever he did to cause a fissure in his relationship with Liz. With the new restrictions about the new development, Vince meets the challenge head on and incurs the wrath of a whole lot of powerful people including Liz's ex who just won't take "no" for an answer to his pursuit of Liz.
Lots of changes are afoot in Burney and Liz and Vince are right in the middle along with Liz's celebrity boss, an adorable kid, and a lot of friends who are there when you need them.
When Liz Danger hit the town limits of Burney, Ohio three months ago her plan was to stay a few days, a week at most. Here she is three months later and her life plan, if you could call it that, is changing. Liz is realizing that maybe having roots isn't such a bad thing. Having hot cop Vince Cooper in her bed and her life definitely isn't a bad thing. She isn't so sure about her mother and all the secrets that woman has kept over the years. Yep, life is good - until it isn't.
With all the upheaval and turmoil the town has experienced, things just get worse when the crooked mayor fires the Chief of Police, tells the police that the new development is off limits, and a motorcycle gang takes over security for the development. Oh, and Vince doesn't want their new bedroom painted blue. And that bed, it's his not hers. Liz decides she needs a space of her own, besides her car, and buys a cabin in the woods.
Vince is trying to figure out how to maneuver around the new Chief, a lackey for the corrupt mayor, keep the town safe and fix whatever he did to cause a fissure in his relationship with Liz. With the new restrictions about the new development, Vince meets the challenge head on and incurs the wrath of a whole lot of powerful people including Liz's ex who just won't take "no" for an answer to his pursuit of Liz.
Lots of changes are afoot in Burney and Liz and Vince are right in the middle along with Liz's celebrity boss, an adorable kid, and a lot of friends who are there when you need them.
November 2, 2023
This was just what the doctor subscribed ♡
October 1, 2023
I'm sitting here, metaphorically drumming my fingernails impatiently. I have finished this series and it will be at least three months until the first book in their next outing is published. This is such a good pairing of collaborators. They've got the banter, the attraction, the very odd supporting cast. This is a series that if filmed would create a couple of new action stars.
And because this is the final tale in the trilogy, there's time to flesh out the people of small-town Burney, OH. And by focusing on the town the authors have managed a really neat trick: they have shown a society that isn't polarized. Maybe I need to cut back on my news intake, because it feels amazing that political parties are never mentioned. That feels so refreshing. People are still horrible in all the usual ways, but they're horrible because they do horrible things, not because of their opinions on unrelated topics. It's so refreshing to see a small town that's a seething cauldron of greed, lust, and other nice old-fashioned vices.
Also, for those who love this sort of thing, as I do, this one has quite a bit of real estate interest. I wouldn't be surprised to learn HGTV was trying to acquire the rights.
Personal, pre-ordered copy. Because the authors have been wise to mention that is particularly important, and because getting a new book by favorite authors every month is a dream that has languished since the mainline Nancy Drew's stopped publishing eons ago.
And because this is the final tale in the trilogy, there's time to flesh out the people of small-town Burney, OH. And by focusing on the town the authors have managed a really neat trick: they have shown a society that isn't polarized. Maybe I need to cut back on my news intake, because it feels amazing that political parties are never mentioned. That feels so refreshing. People are still horrible in all the usual ways, but they're horrible because they do horrible things, not because of their opinions on unrelated topics. It's so refreshing to see a small town that's a seething cauldron of greed, lust, and other nice old-fashioned vices.
Also, for those who love this sort of thing, as I do, this one has quite a bit of real estate interest. I wouldn't be surprised to learn HGTV was trying to acquire the rights.
Personal, pre-ordered copy. Because the authors have been wise to mention that is particularly important, and because getting a new book by favorite authors every month is a dream that has languished since the mainline Nancy Drew's stopped publishing eons ago.
November 10, 2024
All I'm going to say is YES to unconventional HEAs. Really appreciated this whole series a lot.
November 29, 2023
This is the final book in a trilogy that I've enjoyed. It's a satisfying conclusion that begins with Liz Danger coming back to Burney, OH for a short visit only to find murderous intrigue, family, and love and decide to stay. I found large segments/scenes repetitive, so I can't rate it higher. Yet, it was enjoyable and worth the time.
March 30, 2024
3.75 stars
Crisp writing, decent plot, Crusie's deadpan humour on point. I think I read that Bob Mayer wrote the chapters in Vince's PoV. They're not awful, but Crusie's writing shines.
Crisp writing, decent plot, Crusie's deadpan humour on point. I think I read that Bob Mayer wrote the chapters in Vince's PoV. They're not awful, but Crusie's writing shines.
September 25, 2023
Recent Reads: One In Vermillion. The third of Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer's Liz Danger novels finally allows her and Vince to clean up their small Ohio town. Bad guys get their comeuppance, and Liz and Vince define their unconventional relationship. Romcom thriller action!
March 23, 2024
4.0 stars. Once again, this book starts off slow. On the romance front, Liz is still trying to figure out who she wants to be, and she and Vince cautiously navigating their relationship. As far as the mystery and intrigue, like book 2, it takes it's time as the continuing suspense builds. But once the action cranks up to intense, it's nail biting and fast page turning, while I'm hearing E.L.O.'s song "Showdown" in my head. The ending is big and satisfying.
Bummed this fun series is over so soon. So many likeable characters here, I'm just not ready to let go.
This author duo are moving on to a new book later this year. Sure wouldn't mind though if a few of my favorite Burney characters showed up. Just sayin'.
Bummed this fun series is over so soon. So many likeable characters here, I'm just not ready to let go.
This author duo are moving on to a new book later this year. Sure wouldn't mind though if a few of my favorite Burney characters showed up. Just sayin'.
December 23, 2024
4.5 Stars!
The best of the bunch, One in a Vermillion, was an entertaining and satisfying conclusion to the series and a huge welcome back to Jennifer Crusie in the romance/mystery genre.
October 10, 2023
The Liz Danger series is one of those arresting trio of books that spoil your free time and cause you to laugh out loud. It starts with Lavenders Blue, continues with Rest in Pink and ends with One in Vermillion. Liz Danger returns to Burney , hoping to quickly come in and twice as quickly leave. Fate in the guise of a square jawed cop named Vince puts her plans on ice and sets the stage for a cast of characters you will not forget. Burney like any town USA has fallen on hard times and the local golden boy Cash Porter has promised the good citizens he has a plan in the form of a very big development which will return this forgotten hamlet into the next Aspen , without the mountains . Liz no longer susceptible to Cash’s charms forms an alliance with Vince. An alliance with great sex and kinky cos play. The series is fun , and just adult enough to keep you guessing where this story is going , with unlikely twists and turns. I have always loved the Crusie, Mayer collaboration, this series completely delivers.
December 17, 2023
All the one-dimensional bad guys get what's coming to them, Vince the cop proves to be a surprisingly good boyfriend, Liz finally lives up to her last name, the found family members are all happily paired off, and I'm relieved/exhausted to have finished this trilogy. Please, Ms. Crusie, ditch your firearm-obsessed Green Beret co-author and go back to writing screwball, sexy romances without him. Maybe your next MMC can be a plumber. Or a social worker. Or an engineer. Anything that doesn't require the regular use of a gun!
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September 29, 2023I love a HEA !!
I came to terms with Liz, but really liked Vince. Anemone was just a fairy godmother, so I had to like her. The storyline was interesting, I enjoyed how it effectively built off the previous books, and wasn't just a standalone with the same characters.
The ending was perfect for them. I am sure that there is enough potential for trouble in Burney to fill a couple of follow-up books. Fushia? Puce???
I came to terms with Liz, but really liked Vince. Anemone was just a fairy godmother, so I had to like her. The storyline was interesting, I enjoyed how it effectively built off the previous books, and wasn't just a standalone with the same characters.
The ending was perfect for them. I am sure that there is enough potential for trouble in Burney to fill a couple of follow-up books. Fushia? Puce???
June 5, 2024
gahhh i loved this series.. this book wrapped up this trilogy so well! not sure if there will be more books in the series (i would love to hear more of liz danger’s story), but if there’s not, i’m content with this ending. such a comfort read, and i know i’ll be rereading in the future to be with these characters i’ve grown to love
April 27, 2024
Everything comes together in this final book. All the secrets are revealed, all the bad guys and gals get theirs and justice is served. The town crazies are still crazy, but the are happy now.
I really loved this series. The writing and dialogue, along with the various, colorful characters, is so clever and smart. The mystery is a puzzle that takes several twists and turns and keeps you guessing through all three books. And, it is funny as hell. I can't wait to read more from this author collaboration.
I really loved this series. The writing and dialogue, along with the various, colorful characters, is so clever and smart. The mystery is a puzzle that takes several twists and turns and keeps you guessing through all three books. And, it is funny as hell. I can't wait to read more from this author collaboration.
January 3, 2024
This series so was so dang cute and fun. Loved it!!
October 29, 2023
thankful
Crusie and Mayer need to write everything. I tried to savor these three books and spread them out but I couldn’t! Love love love!
Crusie and Mayer need to write everything. I tried to savor these three books and spread them out but I couldn’t! Love love love!
July 12, 2025
$2.86 from Audible
This series has been so much fun.
This series has been so much fun.
August 24, 2025
I love this series was sorry it end. The whole series gives new meaning to who’s your daddy. When you leave home at age 18 thinking your the problem, coming home for you is a nightmare. To your surprise some folks welcome you back. You don’t know you’ve been lured back and why. You find out you’re not the crazy one.You’ve been gone for 15 years leaving behind your high school boyfriend who thinks you haven’t gotten over him. CRAZY BEGINS and what fun.enjoy.
September 22, 2023
This is one of the best series’s I’ve read in a long time! So fun and funny. Great writing, great symbolism and character development. And did I mention so much fun?
March 7, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This is the final book in a trilogy. It is both an action adventure/mystery as well as a book about relationships. I recommend reading the first two books before this one.
Some of the characters from previous books show their true colors as a suspicious development project begins to take over the town. The authors do a good job at building the pressure.
The book was told from the point of view of Liz and Vince. It was easy to tell when the POV changed. The secondary characters were well developed. I particularly liked Molly, Liz’s cousin, Peri, a little girl in the story, and Anemone, the woman for whom Liz is ghostwriting her autobiography. I also liked Liz’s boss, Anemone, and her generous heart. The cast of characters was large.
Liz and Vince have a hiccup in their relationship as Liz realizes that Vince is having a small amount of difficulty allowing his space to be their space. When Liz addresses this head on, I admired her ability to keep the relationship positive. Some people would have shut down more than she did, but she focused on the fact that she wanted the relationship to continue and worked to make that happen. I admired her comebacks and handling of some of the situations that happen. She is also kind and caring towards others with an innate sense of decency.
The story is fast paced, funny, and great at expressing the emotions of the different characters. The mystery had a few twists and turns throughout and at the end. The different storylines that have been developing throughout the series come to a satisfying conclusion.
I love Jennifer Crusie’s books and I have enjoyed the books she has written with Bob Mayer. I plan to continue reading their books. The authors have said they may write another book in this world. If so, I would read it.
This is the final book in a trilogy. It is both an action adventure/mystery as well as a book about relationships. I recommend reading the first two books before this one.
Some of the characters from previous books show their true colors as a suspicious development project begins to take over the town. The authors do a good job at building the pressure.
The book was told from the point of view of Liz and Vince. It was easy to tell when the POV changed. The secondary characters were well developed. I particularly liked Molly, Liz’s cousin, Peri, a little girl in the story, and Anemone, the woman for whom Liz is ghostwriting her autobiography. I also liked Liz’s boss, Anemone, and her generous heart. The cast of characters was large.
Liz and Vince have a hiccup in their relationship as Liz realizes that Vince is having a small amount of difficulty allowing his space to be their space. When Liz addresses this head on, I admired her ability to keep the relationship positive. Some people would have shut down more than she did, but she focused on the fact that she wanted the relationship to continue and worked to make that happen. I admired her comebacks and handling of some of the situations that happen. She is also kind and caring towards others with an innate sense of decency.
The story is fast paced, funny, and great at expressing the emotions of the different characters. The mystery had a few twists and turns throughout and at the end. The different storylines that have been developing throughout the series come to a satisfying conclusion.
I love Jennifer Crusie’s books and I have enjoyed the books she has written with Bob Mayer. I plan to continue reading their books. The authors have said they may write another book in this world. If so, I would read it.
September 28, 2023
One in Vermillion is the 3rd book in the Liz Danger series. While it can stand alone, I would highly recommend reading the books in order. The first one is "Lavender's Blue" and the second one is "Rest in Pink." The authors are discussing a second trilogy also set in Burney, OH with our cast of friends and fiends.
As for Vermillion, it was the best one yet! There is a lot of arcing of the characters across the 3 books. I love where Vince and Liz's (Vinz) relationship ends and how it matures through this book.
In book 3, the good guys are left with a development project being sponsored by Cash Porter, who seems to be struggling for cash. He's tapped on everyone he knows and then goes into business with some unsavory characters. He's greedy, self-centered, and clueless. Burney, the town, has other problems too with a notorious motorcycle gang invading Cash's development and JB's bar. The police have challenges with a corrupt mayor and an overly involved senator.
Meanwhile, Peri still has swimming lessons, Veronica (a dog) is nesting amongst the teddy bears, Anemone has a house full of Blues but Marianne is still there making food that will cause cravings as you read about it. Liz has moved in with Vince and remodeling is underway. Plus new characters come to town enabling connections with some of the delightful secondary characters, like Mac and Patsy. You'll get to meet Anemone's daughter and more of her brilliant employees.
A bit of advice, once you're about half way through, make sure you've got time cleared to finish the book. You're not going to want to put it down at that point.
As for Vermillion, it was the best one yet! There is a lot of arcing of the characters across the 3 books. I love where Vince and Liz's (Vinz) relationship ends and how it matures through this book.
In book 3, the good guys are left with a development project being sponsored by Cash Porter, who seems to be struggling for cash. He's tapped on everyone he knows and then goes into business with some unsavory characters. He's greedy, self-centered, and clueless. Burney, the town, has other problems too with a notorious motorcycle gang invading Cash's development and JB's bar. The police have challenges with a corrupt mayor and an overly involved senator.
Meanwhile, Peri still has swimming lessons, Veronica (a dog) is nesting amongst the teddy bears, Anemone has a house full of Blues but Marianne is still there making food that will cause cravings as you read about it. Liz has moved in with Vince and remodeling is underway. Plus new characters come to town enabling connections with some of the delightful secondary characters, like Mac and Patsy. You'll get to meet Anemone's daughter and more of her brilliant employees.
A bit of advice, once you're about half way through, make sure you've got time cleared to finish the book. You're not going to want to put it down at that point.
November 9, 2024
Classic Crusie’s determined damsel with cinnamonroll hero in crime action setting
Liz can’t seem to leave her home town of Burney and now has no reason to as her employer Anemone moved there. Coming to terms with being a Blue, she’s hooked up with an ex Ranger now local cop Cooper and there are still mysteries of past family crimes to be solved, not just books shadow-written and edited.
I was a bit lost for the first 10% of the book, but that’c coz I missed out on reading book 2, so I suggest reading the series in order. I loved the snappy dialogues - classic Crusie (think Bet Me and Faking It) and the interaction and finding their relationship groove of Lizzie and Cooper, loved all the names - Elizabeth Magnolia, Periwinkle and the lot, even loved the crazy villain (shuddery elements from Crazy For You). Anemone was a cross of Bonnie from Bet Me and The FMC from Fast Women - very determined but sunny, come on, the woman wears and builds pink as well as businesses, mayors and towns. Loved the screwup mother (for a change) and the fact that Kitty told Liz she’d disown her son Cash but always welcome her even after they were exes.
It was a fun murder mystery (but yes, there is crime and murder, but not a lot of gore), though most of the stress was on budding relationships and strong friendships. Difficult to put down, even though it’s chonky (400+ pages) and a really good story complete with family secrets, greed, love, small town politics, police embarrassment, Ranger ties and ofc crime.
Recommended for Jenny Crusie fans, lovers of quickwitted dialogue, edge of the seat actioney crime thrillers mixed with a romcom.
Liz can’t seem to leave her home town of Burney and now has no reason to as her employer Anemone moved there. Coming to terms with being a Blue, she’s hooked up with an ex Ranger now local cop Cooper and there are still mysteries of past family crimes to be solved, not just books shadow-written and edited.
I was a bit lost for the first 10% of the book, but that’c coz I missed out on reading book 2, so I suggest reading the series in order. I loved the snappy dialogues - classic Crusie (think Bet Me and Faking It) and the interaction and finding their relationship groove of Lizzie and Cooper, loved all the names - Elizabeth Magnolia, Periwinkle and the lot, even loved the crazy villain (shuddery elements from Crazy For You). Anemone was a cross of Bonnie from Bet Me and The FMC from Fast Women - very determined but sunny, come on, the woman wears and builds pink as well as businesses, mayors and towns. Loved the screwup mother (for a change) and the fact that Kitty told Liz she’d disown her son Cash but always welcome her even after they were exes.
It was a fun murder mystery (but yes, there is crime and murder, but not a lot of gore), though most of the stress was on budding relationships and strong friendships. Difficult to put down, even though it’s chonky (400+ pages) and a really good story complete with family secrets, greed, love, small town politics, police embarrassment, Ranger ties and ofc crime.
Recommended for Jenny Crusie fans, lovers of quickwitted dialogue, edge of the seat actioney crime thrillers mixed with a romcom.
April 7, 2024
a fun, satisfying end to the trilogy.
i found all 3 books could have been tighter; the writing got a bit repetitive at times - but ultimately the storytelling was great. the cast of characters was entertaining, ranging from the one-dimensional bad guys, mean biker gangs, hot firemen&mechanics, murderous aunts, whacky socialites, corrupt mayors and so on. the authors really got the small-town, gossiping, tight-knit dynamic down-pat; burney felt very vivid in my imagination, and i’ll always wish i could eat at the red box diner.
a small niggle was the relationship conflict between our hero&heroine - the actual conflict wasn’t anything major & lasted a few pages at most, but i didn’t like the repercussions of said conflict; liz’s response to disagreement was to immediately move out & buy her own place. given she’s previously been a fount of common sense, this annoyed me.
if they both could have persevered over the cohabitation issue & worked out a compromise, we would get to see them face a domestic issue as a united front, which is surely what a good relationship is all about. basically, it felt like they work well when it comes to sex & being honest with one another, but then they kind of had an all-or-nothing, unnecessarily dramatic response to co-existing as a COUPLE. i get that not every couple needs to live together to be successful: my issue here was with the poor communication - imo, all vince&liz needed to do was divide up some living spaces within the same house. anyway, at least we got some virginia woolf out of the whole palaver.
i found all 3 books could have been tighter; the writing got a bit repetitive at times - but ultimately the storytelling was great. the cast of characters was entertaining, ranging from the one-dimensional bad guys, mean biker gangs, hot firemen&mechanics, murderous aunts, whacky socialites, corrupt mayors and so on. the authors really got the small-town, gossiping, tight-knit dynamic down-pat; burney felt very vivid in my imagination, and i’ll always wish i could eat at the red box diner.
a small niggle was the relationship conflict between our hero&heroine - the actual conflict wasn’t anything major & lasted a few pages at most, but i didn’t like the repercussions of said conflict; liz’s response to disagreement was to immediately move out & buy her own place. given she’s previously been a fount of common sense, this annoyed me.
if they both could have persevered over the cohabitation issue & worked out a compromise, we would get to see them face a domestic issue as a united front, which is surely what a good relationship is all about. basically, it felt like they work well when it comes to sex & being honest with one another, but then they kind of had an all-or-nothing, unnecessarily dramatic response to co-existing as a COUPLE. i get that not every couple needs to live together to be successful: my issue here was with the poor communication - imo, all vince&liz needed to do was divide up some living spaces within the same house. anyway, at least we got some virginia woolf out of the whole palaver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
This is the finale of the Liz Danger trilogy. It has romance, politics, family secrets and family interference. It also has a really cute seven-year-old and lots and lots of stuffed bears.
The arsonist trying to burn down Burney is in prison, but the criminals aren't all caught. The motorcycle gang is still causing problems and Liz's ex is right in the middle of it all. Cash can't accept that Liz has moved on. He's sure that his charm will win her back no matter what he does to alienate her.
With the senator's interference, George is no longer chief of police and the incompetent toady put in the department by the spouse-abusing mayor is the new chief. Vince is almost to the point of resigning and would if he didn't care so much for Burney.
His relationship with Liz is also a point of contention between them. They are in love but are both used to being independent. When Liz buys an old house in the country, she is making a decision. She loves Vince but doesn't want to marry him or live with him.
There are still secrets to be revealed about Liz's family that will make changes in her life. And Anemone looks like she's in Burney to stay which should make making the final copy edits on her biography possible. She also wants Liz to ghostwrite more books which will be handy now that they are both planning to stay in Burney.
This was an excellent story which comes to a very satisfying conclusion after a lot of perilous bumps in the road. I enjoyed what each narrator brought to the story.
The arsonist trying to burn down Burney is in prison, but the criminals aren't all caught. The motorcycle gang is still causing problems and Liz's ex is right in the middle of it all. Cash can't accept that Liz has moved on. He's sure that his charm will win her back no matter what he does to alienate her.
With the senator's interference, George is no longer chief of police and the incompetent toady put in the department by the spouse-abusing mayor is the new chief. Vince is almost to the point of resigning and would if he didn't care so much for Burney.
His relationship with Liz is also a point of contention between them. They are in love but are both used to being independent. When Liz buys an old house in the country, she is making a decision. She loves Vince but doesn't want to marry him or live with him.
There are still secrets to be revealed about Liz's family that will make changes in her life. And Anemone looks like she's in Burney to stay which should make making the final copy edits on her biography possible. She also wants Liz to ghostwrite more books which will be handy now that they are both planning to stay in Burney.
This was an excellent story which comes to a very satisfying conclusion after a lot of perilous bumps in the road. I enjoyed what each narrator brought to the story.
October 21, 2024
I Didn't Want It to be Over
I have been reading Je nnifer Cruisie's books for about 20 years now. Maybe more. Her books are funny and romantic and not the least bit formulaic.
The
. But then I read everything she had had written and the sadness was real. Then books started appearing by Jennife and, and some guy named Bob Mayer and I was skeptical, but after years of side-eying these Faux Crusie books, and realizing my choice was Crusie and Mayer or no Crusie. So, I gave in, and boy am I glad I did.
This is the third book in the trilogy. The chapters alternate between Liz's point of view and Vince's. As this is a romance, there is no doubt they will get together, and the best part is there is no manufactured misunderstanding that leaves them not speaking, so it takes too many pages for them to get back together when it would have taken a paragraph or two if they had just talked. That last bit is why I usually steer clear of romance books. .These writers write about adults, not emotional idiots, so that doesn't cone uo.
One in Vermillion is the third book in the trilogy. Yes, you should read the first two first otherwise, you won't know what is happening. Besides, they are equally fin and exciting to read.
I have been reading Je nnifer Cruisie's books for about 20 years now. Maybe more. Her books are funny and romantic and not the least bit formulaic.
The
. But then I read everything she had had written and the sadness was real. Then books started appearing by Jennife and, and some guy named Bob Mayer and I was skeptical, but after years of side-eying these Faux Crusie books, and realizing my choice was Crusie and Mayer or no Crusie. So, I gave in, and boy am I glad I did.
This is the third book in the trilogy. The chapters alternate between Liz's point of view and Vince's. As this is a romance, there is no doubt they will get together, and the best part is there is no manufactured misunderstanding that leaves them not speaking, so it takes too many pages for them to get back together when it would have taken a paragraph or two if they had just talked. That last bit is why I usually steer clear of romance books. .These writers write about adults, not emotional idiots, so that doesn't cone uo.
One in Vermillion is the third book in the trilogy. Yes, you should read the first two first otherwise, you won't know what is happening. Besides, they are equally fin and exciting to read.
January 28, 2024
We get a satisfying conclusion to the issues in Burney
What I enjoyed:
* Liz and Vince are great together and they have a great friend group that helped them clean up the town.
* The bad guys got what was coming to them
* Anemone's step-daughter, Olivia, comes to town to help Liz update her new house.
What could have been better:
* Day never really talks to Liz
What I enjoyed:
* Liz and Vince are great together and they have a great friend group that helped them clean up the town.
* The bad guys got what was coming to them
* Anemone's step-daughter, Olivia, comes to town to help Liz update her new house.
What could have been better:
* Day never really talks to Liz
August 28, 2024
What a wonderful ending to an amazing trilogy. This book wraps up our duo nicely in pure perfection. I loved every page read in this series and would love to read more by this author.
We learned a whopper of a secret in this last book that will change everything for Liz. Her entire world is about to blow up and she will have to navigate a new world. Vince is determined to fix Burney and won't back down no matter who threatens him. Cash better watch his back because Vince is tired of him bothering his Liz. Yes his Liz. The stakes are high and danger is rising. Will Burney be left standing once it all plays out?
I recommend this trilogy to all those who love Janet Evanovich. They have a similar vibe to her Stephanie Plum series. You will have laugh out loud fun and enjoy them immensely.
We learned a whopper of a secret in this last book that will change everything for Liz. Her entire world is about to blow up and she will have to navigate a new world. Vince is determined to fix Burney and won't back down no matter who threatens him. Cash better watch his back because Vince is tired of him bothering his Liz. Yes his Liz. The stakes are high and danger is rising. Will Burney be left standing once it all plays out?
I recommend this trilogy to all those who love Janet Evanovich. They have a similar vibe to her Stephanie Plum series. You will have laugh out loud fun and enjoy them immensely.
January 27, 2025
On the one hand, there is a lot of reminding the reader about the previous books — which is helpful but a bit repetitive. And I really wanted the women to take center stage in a way that they do not -- the good ones are money and power from the shadows, the evil one is the only one actually in charge.
On the other hand, I love the fantasy about clearing out corruption and having people you can rely on in places of power. Wow, I wish that wasn’t such a fantasy, but I still really enjoyed it.
Other big pluses — it’s great to read a romance where living together isn’t necessarily the right answer for the romantic leads and they figure out what works for them. The general level of inclusivity is excellent, and a nicer reflection of reality than we often see. Still hilarious. Super straightforward about showing toxic people the door. And I just really enjoy books that talk about setting up a house — hard work, so satisfying.
On the other hand, I love the fantasy about clearing out corruption and having people you can rely on in places of power. Wow, I wish that wasn’t such a fantasy, but I still really enjoyed it.
Other big pluses — it’s great to read a romance where living together isn’t necessarily the right answer for the romantic leads and they figure out what works for them. The general level of inclusivity is excellent, and a nicer reflection of reality than we often see. Still hilarious. Super straightforward about showing toxic people the door. And I just really enjoy books that talk about setting up a house — hard work, so satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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