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Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo #3
Midlife Gumbo
When you think life can’t get worse, the universe says: hold my beer.
Anastasia
This forty-five-year-old honey badger shifter is newly single and ready to mingle.
And freaking tired of playing small.
The fantastic news? I’m no longer alone. I have a sister and an entire birth family in Hoodoo, Texas. But with some new unexplainable powers, I may be too big of a freak for even my vampire aunt to accept.
The bad news? The sadistic honey badger clan I fled twenty-five years ago has found me. Someone else is trying to kill me. And if their threats of kidnapping, forced mating, and death weren’t enough…
I’m going into heat. Of course, the only viable candidate to offer a... helping hand is my escort to Texas–a grumpy werewolf who doesn’t even like me.
Carlos
I’m in San Diego to make the long-lost sister of my former high school sweetheart disappear—by any means possible. Instead, I discover that not only is the sister her identical twin, but my fated mate.
Now, my mission is to get the violent ball of sunshine to Hoodoo, where she’ll become someone else’s problem. That should be easy enough because I’m a wolf with a plane, a plan, and a purpose. What could go wrong?
How about everything?
Midlife Gumbo is the third book in the Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo series. While it’s part of the larger world, this full-length paranormal romance is a stand-alone.
If you love road trips, laughter, and grumpy sunshine stories, then you’ll love Midlife Gumbo. This novel is high in humor and medium in spice and perfect for fans of Darynda Jones, Mandy Roth, and K.F. Breene.
Anastasia
This forty-five-year-old honey badger shifter is newly single and ready to mingle.
And freaking tired of playing small.
The fantastic news? I’m no longer alone. I have a sister and an entire birth family in Hoodoo, Texas. But with some new unexplainable powers, I may be too big of a freak for even my vampire aunt to accept.
The bad news? The sadistic honey badger clan I fled twenty-five years ago has found me. Someone else is trying to kill me. And if their threats of kidnapping, forced mating, and death weren’t enough…
I’m going into heat. Of course, the only viable candidate to offer a... helping hand is my escort to Texas–a grumpy werewolf who doesn’t even like me.
Carlos
I’m in San Diego to make the long-lost sister of my former high school sweetheart disappear—by any means possible. Instead, I discover that not only is the sister her identical twin, but my fated mate.
Now, my mission is to get the violent ball of sunshine to Hoodoo, where she’ll become someone else’s problem. That should be easy enough because I’m a wolf with a plane, a plan, and a purpose. What could go wrong?
How about everything?
Midlife Gumbo is the third book in the Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo series. While it’s part of the larger world, this full-length paranormal romance is a stand-alone.
If you love road trips, laughter, and grumpy sunshine stories, then you’ll love Midlife Gumbo. This novel is high in humor and medium in spice and perfect for fans of Darynda Jones, Mandy Roth, and K.F. Breene.
- GenresRomance
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2024
16 people are currently reading
1397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 8, 2025
2.5 stars.
I really wanted to like this book. The protagonist’s were older (and not white), Anastasia was competent and capable, Carlos was protective and fierce. And it looked like Anastasia was gonna be a big baddie, but in a good way.
But I felt like I got half a story. For starters, every single major event started on screen but finished off screen? Big fight? Twice we saw the first punches thrown only to cut to the next scene where everything was over. Spicy bits? Got some good foreplay before we glossed over the good parts. Conversation about Anastasia’s past? Mere glimpses and no real answers.
We kind of got a fight at the end but even that felt… lackluster.
I feel like the whole book was build up but I got zero resolution. I still don’t totally know what Anastasia is or why she shouldn’t, apparently, exist. I don’t know much about her parentage or her life or the clan she left.
Also, I WANTED A FIGHT! Anastasia was constantly pulling out her knives but oh so rarely employed them.
I feel like there was so much freaking potential in this book and it really just got squandered.
I really wanted to like this book. The protagonist’s were older (and not white), Anastasia was competent and capable, Carlos was protective and fierce. And it looked like Anastasia was gonna be a big baddie, but in a good way.
But I felt like I got half a story. For starters, every single major event started on screen but finished off screen? Big fight? Twice we saw the first punches thrown only to cut to the next scene where everything was over. Spicy bits? Got some good foreplay before we glossed over the good parts. Conversation about Anastasia’s past? Mere glimpses and no real answers.
We kind of got a fight at the end but even that felt… lackluster.
I feel like the whole book was build up but I got zero resolution. I still don’t totally know what Anastasia is or why she shouldn’t, apparently, exist. I don’t know much about her parentage or her life or the clan she left.
Also, I WANTED A FIGHT! Anastasia was constantly pulling out her knives but oh so rarely employed them.
I feel like there was so much freaking potential in this book and it really just got squandered.
June 21, 2024
Ms. Reggi Dupree has once again brought a a whole lot of magic in my life. This woman deserves all the recognition for creating this series.
I honestly didn't know what to expect going into the book, I just saw #3 was out and bought it knowing I'd love it. I love that Carlos got his own story! I absolutely fell in love with Anastasia due to her upbeat but take no shit attitude. She was relatable and funny with the same quirky inner monologue as Gwen. I really enjoyed the expansion of the story and can't wait to see what's stewing next.
I honestly didn't know what to expect going into the book, I just saw #3 was out and bought it knowing I'd love it. I love that Carlos got his own story! I absolutely fell in love with Anastasia due to her upbeat but take no shit attitude. She was relatable and funny with the same quirky inner monologue as Gwen. I really enjoyed the expansion of the story and can't wait to see what's stewing next.
November 24, 2024
This is the nuttiest story I have read in a while. It is funny and totally mixed up in a good way! First time reading books by Reggi Dupree and definitely not the last time either. Anastasia is an over 40 year old woman who has had a rough past and now trying to find peace in her new freedom or so she thought. Then she meets Carlos and things get even more complicated. Someone is trying to kill her and others are trying to steal her. So what to do? Putting up with Carlos is also another complication, sexy one but still. Let’s get started with this wild adventure shall we?
May 1, 2024
Wow! This is probably my favorite book in the series to date! Vampires, shifters, magic and family. Really shows that so much darkness and you can come out in the light. I cannot stop reading about her and Ash and Carlos. The FMC is a true hero no matter how much bad happens she always pulls through and does what’s right for her. With a healthy dose of spice! Would 100% recommend reading this book and this series! -Kerin
It’s so refreshing to have a fantasy book filled with strong, sexy, confident POC as the main characters! There has always been a distinct lack of POC, especially black women, in fantasy and shifter realms so if you’ve been looking for a good one here it is!
With odds stacked against them and a constant edge of internal turmoil, it’s a lovely slow burn with some protective alpha energy and fun loving care free feminine energy.
The main characters have a sexy push and pull and the mystery surrounding them makes it impossible to put this book down. Once I started I finished it within a day and had to go and find more by this author!- Jade
It’s so refreshing to have a fantasy book filled with strong, sexy, confident POC as the main characters! There has always been a distinct lack of POC, especially black women, in fantasy and shifter realms so if you’ve been looking for a good one here it is!
With odds stacked against them and a constant edge of internal turmoil, it’s a lovely slow burn with some protective alpha energy and fun loving care free feminine energy.
The main characters have a sexy push and pull and the mystery surrounding them makes it impossible to put this book down. Once I started I finished it within a day and had to go and find more by this author!- Jade
May 1, 2024
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0
~~~~~~~~~~Julie's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Anastasia and Carlos have a very strong mate bond. I actually love these two together but her past may be the end for them. Great writing.
~~~~~~~~~~Julie's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Anastasia and Carlos have a very strong mate bond. I actually love these two together but her past may be the end for them. Great writing.
February 19, 2025
I only gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel like the ending was rushed. It could have absolutely been expanded on and gone into more detail. But all in all it was a great book that I couldn’t put down.
November 28, 2025
I love a spicy shifter book and this didn't disappoint. I enjoyed the adventure, found family, fated mates and forced proximity elements. There are a lot of unanswered questions about the why of things that left me wanting a little more. It wasn't a bad read overall.
April 30, 2024
Reviewed for SNS
Anastasia and Carlos have a very strong mate bond. I actually love these two together but her past may be the end for them. Great writing.
Anastasia and Carlos have a very strong mate bond. I actually love these two together but her past may be the end for them. Great writing.
Want to read
May 2, 2024May 2, 2024
May 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to the next one because this didn’t complete the series. This series is a cute quick series with shapeshifters and ancient biblical characters.
June 1, 2024
Irresistible
Story grabs you in right away and keeps hold of you until the last page. I had to finish it asap. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Story grabs you in right away and keeps hold of you until the last page. I had to finish it asap. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
August 4, 2024
Read in 2 days!
This series has me in a chokehold. Would like nothing more than the series never ending. I can see the characters as I’m reading.
This series has me in a chokehold. Would like nothing more than the series never ending. I can see the characters as I’m reading.
May 30, 2025
No offense but did not like the FMC
January 1, 2025
Cute supernatural mystery and romance
I was pleasantly surprised by Dupree’s writing. Midlife Gumbo was a cute supernatural mystery and romance. I read it as a stand-alone as I hadn’t read any of Dupree’s other works. The characters were fun and quirky, the banter seemed to flow easily, and the plot was quick.
I was pleasantly surprised by Dupree’s writing. Midlife Gumbo was a cute supernatural mystery and romance. I read it as a stand-alone as I hadn’t read any of Dupree’s other works. The characters were fun and quirky, the banter seemed to flow easily, and the plot was quick.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews