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Rocky Start #3
The Honey Pot Plot
Somebody is killing the women of Rocky Start, which probably seems fair since they’re all retired assassins. Well, not all. There’s Rose Malone who’s trying to start her life over with herself at the center this time, once she stops her daughter, Poppy, from taking their secondhand shop online since Rose is still hiding out from the cops (nineteen years and still not in jail). She’d also like to have her lover back from the Appalachian Trail, but first, there’s this attempted assassination she has to foil. Rose is sure of only two nobody’s going to die on her watch, and Max Reddy is going to be back in time to carve the turkey on Christmas Day.
Max is walking the Appalachian Trail, which has taken him longer than he’d planned due to the fact that someone is trying to kill him. And that’s not even his biggest problem. That would be the thoughts of the woman he left behind distracting him from things like surviving a snowstorm and ducking a Russian from somebody else’s past who thinks Max knows the whereabouts of a treasure Max is pretty sure doesn’t exist.
But he's been wrong before.
Then Rose gets serious about death prevention and Max gets back to town to find out there are new people in town, Rose’s daughter Poppy is still dealing with PTSD with a side of romance, his buddy Luke really doesn’t want to be the law in Rocky Start, and Rose’s kitchen, Rose’s smile, and Rose’s arms are home to him now, a realization that’s more terrifying than the killers in the shadows.
Max is walking the Appalachian Trail, which has taken him longer than he’d planned due to the fact that someone is trying to kill him. And that’s not even his biggest problem. That would be the thoughts of the woman he left behind distracting him from things like surviving a snowstorm and ducking a Russian from somebody else’s past who thinks Max knows the whereabouts of a treasure Max is pretty sure doesn’t exist.
But he's been wrong before.
Then Rose gets serious about death prevention and Max gets back to town to find out there are new people in town, Rose’s daughter Poppy is still dealing with PTSD with a side of romance, his buddy Luke really doesn’t want to be the law in Rocky Start, and Rose’s kitchen, Rose’s smile, and Rose’s arms are home to him now, a realization that’s more terrifying than the killers in the shadows.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2025
244 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Crusie
93 books7,767 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 153 reviews
April 29, 2025
As the final book in the Rocky Start Trilogy "The Honey Pot Plot" was wonderful. It skillfully pulls together the loose ends from the previous books and was not predictable in any way. I've greatly enjoyed this author collaboration, and this series where Cruise speaks with a female voice and Mayers speaks with a guy voice, I love it. Great characters, action and emotion. Can't wait for the next trilogy and to see what fantastic stories these two authors can come up with next.
Max Reddy left Rocky Start two weeks ago as winter was settling in to complete his trek along the Appalachian Trail and is regretting it every single day he has been gone. Now he has two shadows following him and is pretty sure they mean him harm. Before he has a chance to take them out someone else does it for him. Now he owes the Russian, Alexei Dimitri, and Max isn't sure he can repay him the way he wants.
In Rocky Start, Rose Malone is holding it all together, barely. She misses Max like crazy, her daughter, Poppy, is having PTSD nightmares and someone is attacking her friends. Rose is over her head and sends a desperate plea to Max to come back. That's good, Max was heading back anyway, but he is thrilled Rose wants him back too. He just has to figure out how to get a treasure he is pretty sure doesn't exist for Dimitri and make sure nobody he cares about dies. He is also pretty sure that the entity that controls his life doesn't have his best interests in mind right now. He's right.
Max Reddy left Rocky Start two weeks ago as winter was settling in to complete his trek along the Appalachian Trail and is regretting it every single day he has been gone. Now he has two shadows following him and is pretty sure they mean him harm. Before he has a chance to take them out someone else does it for him. Now he owes the Russian, Alexei Dimitri, and Max isn't sure he can repay him the way he wants.
In Rocky Start, Rose Malone is holding it all together, barely. She misses Max like crazy, her daughter, Poppy, is having PTSD nightmares and someone is attacking her friends. Rose is over her head and sends a desperate plea to Max to come back. That's good, Max was heading back anyway, but he is thrilled Rose wants him back too. He just has to figure out how to get a treasure he is pretty sure doesn't exist for Dimitri and make sure nobody he cares about dies. He is also pretty sure that the entity that controls his life doesn't have his best interests in mind right now. He's right.
July 19, 2025
The Honey Pot Plot is the third book in the Rocky Start series by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. The audio version is narrated by Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove. Max Reddy, to the puzzlement of everyone in Rocky Start, has returned to the AT to complete his walk, so it’s Rose Malone who is dispensing advice, and sorting most of the townsfolk’s problems, passing some on to Luke Granger and Pike Bernard.
But when someone tries to kill Coral Schmidt in her café, and puts a rattlesnake in Rose’s oven, an urgent text summons Max back. Probably a good thing, what with it being early December, the middle of a blizzard, and a couple of assassins on his trail. Max isn’t expecting that situation to be dealt with by a big friendly Russian who knows his name.
Alexei Dimitri wants Max alive because he feels certain that Max will be able to find the treasure that Pike and Ozzie stole from him some three decades earlier. But first, they need to find out who is targeting the women of Rocky Start. The would-be assassin’s body is efficiently dealt with by Luke, whose looks and physique have a jaw-dropping effect on Dr Jacqueline Quill, who has inherited Sid Quill’s Pharmacy. Rocky Start could use a doctor: Rose wonders if Luke might be sufficient reason for Jacqui to stay…
Meanwhile, almost nineteen-year-old Poppy Malone breaks up with her boyfriend when he can’t accept her decision not to go to college: making something of Oddities holds much more interest. And apprentice mechanic, Marley Bernard supports her choice, helps realise ideas for the shop, and seems to be an antidote to the PTSD plaguing her since her kidnap.
When another of the town’s women faces an attack, saving Poppy’s life at the same time, it’s up to Rose to mobilise the town’s honeypots to work out who is after them and why, because Rose is the only one who was never a player, the only one that everyone trusts. One theory is that someone is trying to unsettle them all.
Before matters are resolved, there are more deaths, some residents leave for their own safety, there’s a car bomb, a building is blown up, treasure is sought, someone is poisoned, and a bunch of people who don’t trust one another team up to save the town. All this against the background of a free-loading kleptomaniac who, to everyone’s irritation, wants to pipe Christmas songs through Rocky Start.
Again three narratives (Rose, Max and Poppy) tell the story, and their internal monologues are often hilarious; Max’s, in particular, is truly amusing, as he continues to refer to the warped sense of humour of “the entity that runs the simulation controlling my life” whenever some mishap occurs. There’s a hefty body count by the end, but a very satisfactory resolution, and fans will be sad to bid farewell to this cast and setting.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing.
But when someone tries to kill Coral Schmidt in her café, and puts a rattlesnake in Rose’s oven, an urgent text summons Max back. Probably a good thing, what with it being early December, the middle of a blizzard, and a couple of assassins on his trail. Max isn’t expecting that situation to be dealt with by a big friendly Russian who knows his name.
Alexei Dimitri wants Max alive because he feels certain that Max will be able to find the treasure that Pike and Ozzie stole from him some three decades earlier. But first, they need to find out who is targeting the women of Rocky Start. The would-be assassin’s body is efficiently dealt with by Luke, whose looks and physique have a jaw-dropping effect on Dr Jacqueline Quill, who has inherited Sid Quill’s Pharmacy. Rocky Start could use a doctor: Rose wonders if Luke might be sufficient reason for Jacqui to stay…
Meanwhile, almost nineteen-year-old Poppy Malone breaks up with her boyfriend when he can’t accept her decision not to go to college: making something of Oddities holds much more interest. And apprentice mechanic, Marley Bernard supports her choice, helps realise ideas for the shop, and seems to be an antidote to the PTSD plaguing her since her kidnap.
When another of the town’s women faces an attack, saving Poppy’s life at the same time, it’s up to Rose to mobilise the town’s honeypots to work out who is after them and why, because Rose is the only one who was never a player, the only one that everyone trusts. One theory is that someone is trying to unsettle them all.
Before matters are resolved, there are more deaths, some residents leave for their own safety, there’s a car bomb, a building is blown up, treasure is sought, someone is poisoned, and a bunch of people who don’t trust one another team up to save the town. All this against the background of a free-loading kleptomaniac who, to everyone’s irritation, wants to pipe Christmas songs through Rocky Start.
Again three narratives (Rose, Max and Poppy) tell the story, and their internal monologues are often hilarious; Max’s, in particular, is truly amusing, as he continues to refer to the warped sense of humour of “the entity that runs the simulation controlling my life” whenever some mishap occurs. There’s a hefty body count by the end, but a very satisfactory resolution, and fans will be sad to bid farewell to this cast and setting.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing.
March 25, 2025
Cute end to a fun trilogy! I'll miss Rocky Start, but maybe we'll get more with the new generation.
I will read anything Jennifer Crusie writes! Can't wait to see what comes next!
I will read anything Jennifer Crusie writes! Can't wait to see what comes next!
July 29, 2025
Got a few romances and mysteries wrapping up in this one. Sad that the series is over
March 23, 2025
4.5 stars. Loved it! The big showdown is coming to the town of Rocky Start. Someone's trying to kill off the locals. Max and Rose hope to have it figured out and shut it down before the body count gets higher. (Nice Funerals only has so much space). It's the conclusion of this fun, suspenseful series. I'm sad it's over, but what a fun ride it was. Whatever series is next from this author duo, count me in.
June 23, 2025
The perfect ending to the series, though I hate to see it end! All loose ends are tied up and everything is as it should be in Rocky Start. I loved getting to know all of these characters and they all feel so familiar now, possibly because I read them all pretty much in a row. There’s no shortage of action in this series and there are plenty of laughs, too. Hoping that a spinoff series is released with the younger generation.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BrilliancePublishing for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BrilliancePublishing for an honest review.
August 17, 2025
some serious plot... divots, if not holes but overall, a super fun series with excellent narration. I binged the entire series one after the other and now I'm sad there's no more Crusie/Mayer, Dukeheart/Dove for me to listen to.
March 31, 2025
Less Than Stellar Third
The thing about continuations of a book using the same characters etc, is that sometimes the author feels the need to re-tell everything from the first book or two. That’s the case here. Same scenes different book. The first book, “Rocky Start” was fun and engaging and different. The second progressed a little, but still overdid it with the recaps. This book was mostly recap and same jokes, same phrases, same old same thing. Did Jennifer not have anything to do with the writing here? Bob Mayer is a fun author, but not a Jennifer Crusie. In previous collaborations between them the later “episodes” have not had her name attached. So I was fine with that. I didn’t expect her voice so I was prepared. I know the authors are under pressure to produce. But please! Don’t do this! Don’t hurry the process. Come up with a plot that works and is different and live up to our expectations. We don’t need a recap. If someone is going to read a book 3, surely they have read books 1 & 2.
The thing about continuations of a book using the same characters etc, is that sometimes the author feels the need to re-tell everything from the first book or two. That’s the case here. Same scenes different book. The first book, “Rocky Start” was fun and engaging and different. The second progressed a little, but still overdid it with the recaps. This book was mostly recap and same jokes, same phrases, same old same thing. Did Jennifer not have anything to do with the writing here? Bob Mayer is a fun author, but not a Jennifer Crusie. In previous collaborations between them the later “episodes” have not had her name attached. So I was fine with that. I didn’t expect her voice so I was prepared. I know the authors are under pressure to produce. But please! Don’t do this! Don’t hurry the process. Come up with a plot that works and is different and live up to our expectations. We don’t need a recap. If someone is going to read a book 3, surely they have read books 1 & 2.
August 3, 2025
After finishing Very Nice Funerals, book 2 in this very entertaining trilogy, I had the urge to jump straight into the next one. Whenever that happens, I know I’ve been hooked and just want more of the story. I’m already looking forward to their next endeavour together.
I actually love series that follow the same couple—it lets me get to know them and the other characters so much more deeply than a standalone ever could. With each book, I get pulled further into their relationship, watching them grow closer, support each other, and form an even deeper connection.
Every time I pick up a trilogy by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer, this is exactly what I get—and I’m so here for it. I'm already looking forward to their next endeavor together.
I actually love series that follow the same couple—it lets me get to know them and the other characters so much more deeply than a standalone ever could. With each book, I get pulled further into their relationship, watching them grow closer, support each other, and form an even deeper connection.
Every time I pick up a trilogy by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer, this is exactly what I get—and I’m so here for it. I'm already looking forward to their next endeavor together.
June 18, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up! The final book of the Rocky Start series was witty and chaotic like the other two books of the series. Like the second book, I felt there was a bit too much going on. I didn’t really like the pressure put on the young adults in this book. With that being said, I still really enjoyed the series. It had a nice, clean ending for those that like things tied up neatly. The first book was my favorite, but I’m glad I read the whole series. If you like witty banter in a town full of assassins with a bit of romance thrown in, this is your series! This was a nice break from the books with heavier topics that I tend to read. Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 20, 2025
This is book 3 in the Rocky Start trilogy, and I loved it every bit as much as the first two, and the other trilogies Crusie/Mayer have written. All of the characters from the first two books are here, and although there is yet another mystery, and mayhem, that needs attention, it was a fun ride!! If you enjoy any kind of romance/action/adventure (think the movie Red with Bruce WIllis and Helen Mirren), give these books a shot, You'll be glad you did!!
August 27, 2025
The perfect ending to another fun series from one of my favorite duos!
July 31, 2025
This time with even more llamas!
March 23, 2025
It started out kind of shaky, and you really need to read the first two books, but! But!
A really good sequel/end of series. So many secrets revealed, plots plotted, and people killed.
A really good sequel/end of series. So many secrets revealed, plots plotted, and people killed.
March 27, 2025
The Salted Caramel of contemporary romantic suspense
Difficult to review this book without committing spoilers. It is a very satisfying third volume and conclusion to the Rocky Start trilogy.
I’ll just say that I really enjoyed the unique combination of lots of death and explosions, character development, relationships built, plot twists and quirky humor. And llamas, of course.
Crusie and Mayer are the salted caramel of writer pairings - first you think «well that sounds weird» and then you get addicted.
Difficult to review this book without committing spoilers. It is a very satisfying third volume and conclusion to the Rocky Start trilogy.
I’ll just say that I really enjoyed the unique combination of lots of death and explosions, character development, relationships built, plot twists and quirky humor. And llamas, of course.
Crusie and Mayer are the salted caramel of writer pairings - first you think «well that sounds weird» and then you get addicted.
March 27, 2025
I am loving these new Crusie/Mayer series collabs! More please!
June 26, 2025
The Honey Pot Plot closes out the Rocky Start series exactly how it lived: absolute chaos, a body count, and retired spies casually dodging murder attempts while swapping recipes and insults. If this is really the end, I am tragically unwell about it, but I will also drop everything if they ever decide to write more.
We pick back up with Max still out on the Appalachian Trail, living his best emotionally-repressed wilderness man fantasy, except people keep trying to kill him. You know, casual. Meanwhile, back in Rocky Start, Rose is juggling pretty much everything. Her daughter Poppy is still fighting her way through PTSD while also figuring out romance, Rose is dodging various men trying to scam their way into her inheritance, and someone just tried to murder one of her friends. Again. This town really needs a new realtor, not another funeral home.
The mystery this time around is a fun mix of assassination attempts, Russian mercenaries, multiple double-crosses, and a treasure that may or may not exist. Everyone’s scheming, nobody’s being fully honest, and the entire town operates on vibes, threats, and some extremely polite murder competence. The fact that any of them trust each other at all is kind of impressive, honestly.
Max and Rose continue to be a fantastic pair. Max is the emotionally-stunted but highly competent man we all adore, and Rose is still the badass middle-aged heroine we deserve. She’s messy, fiercely protective, and one minor inconvenience away from stabbing someone with a salad fork at any given moment. We love her for it. And Max? Sir. You are not fooling anyone. You’ve been in love since chapter one. Please sit down and unpack that.
Special shoutouts to Betty (forever iconic), Maggs the dog (still the smartest one here), Poppy’s surprisingly endearing romance subplot, and of course Fernanda and Dolly the llamas, who deserve their own novella immediately. Honestly, the entire town of Rocky Start feels like an unhinged extended found family you don’t entirely trust but would absolutely die for.
Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove once again absolutely nail the audiobook. Their narration is pitch perfect for this series, balancing the humor, tension, and unspoken emotions so well that I’m fully convinced these books were written to be heard.
This landed solidly at 4 stars for me. Some of the plot got a little tangled with all the moving parts, but that’s also part of the charm of this world. I was never bored. If this is truly the end of the series, it’s a satisfying, ridiculous, slightly unhinged conclusion. But if they ever decide to pull a surprise book four? I’m ride or die.
Whodunity Award: For Turning Midlife Romance Into A Full-Blown Spy Thriller With Bonus Llamas
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook and for letting me return to Rocky Start one more time. And extra love to Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove for making this madcap spy town even more addictive.
We pick back up with Max still out on the Appalachian Trail, living his best emotionally-repressed wilderness man fantasy, except people keep trying to kill him. You know, casual. Meanwhile, back in Rocky Start, Rose is juggling pretty much everything. Her daughter Poppy is still fighting her way through PTSD while also figuring out romance, Rose is dodging various men trying to scam their way into her inheritance, and someone just tried to murder one of her friends. Again. This town really needs a new realtor, not another funeral home.
The mystery this time around is a fun mix of assassination attempts, Russian mercenaries, multiple double-crosses, and a treasure that may or may not exist. Everyone’s scheming, nobody’s being fully honest, and the entire town operates on vibes, threats, and some extremely polite murder competence. The fact that any of them trust each other at all is kind of impressive, honestly.
Max and Rose continue to be a fantastic pair. Max is the emotionally-stunted but highly competent man we all adore, and Rose is still the badass middle-aged heroine we deserve. She’s messy, fiercely protective, and one minor inconvenience away from stabbing someone with a salad fork at any given moment. We love her for it. And Max? Sir. You are not fooling anyone. You’ve been in love since chapter one. Please sit down and unpack that.
Special shoutouts to Betty (forever iconic), Maggs the dog (still the smartest one here), Poppy’s surprisingly endearing romance subplot, and of course Fernanda and Dolly the llamas, who deserve their own novella immediately. Honestly, the entire town of Rocky Start feels like an unhinged extended found family you don’t entirely trust but would absolutely die for.
Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove once again absolutely nail the audiobook. Their narration is pitch perfect for this series, balancing the humor, tension, and unspoken emotions so well that I’m fully convinced these books were written to be heard.
This landed solidly at 4 stars for me. Some of the plot got a little tangled with all the moving parts, but that’s also part of the charm of this world. I was never bored. If this is truly the end of the series, it’s a satisfying, ridiculous, slightly unhinged conclusion. But if they ever decide to pull a surprise book four? I’m ride or die.
Whodunity Award: For Turning Midlife Romance Into A Full-Blown Spy Thriller With Bonus Llamas
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook and for letting me return to Rocky Start one more time. And extra love to Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove for making this madcap spy town even more addictive.
June 18, 2025
I don't know if this is the last book in the series (and I will be sad if it is) but it was a great way to wrap the series up. This is the third book in the series and I think as the stories continue from each other it is better if you treat the series like one big book. I don't normally read or listen to three books from the same series straight after each other but I was hooked and once one was finished I was onto the next. That way the story was fresh in my mind, the action was continuous, the bodies dropped like flies and the romance bloomed. There was a lot going on throughout the series, as the characters learnt who they could trust and tried to uncover why the puppet master brought them all together. I really enjoyed how the characters grew throughout the series, from the first time we meet Rose and Poppy who were just trying to learn to live after to the death of there benefactor, to how everybody in town turns to Rose to fix there problems and Poppy faces her demons head on, in this book. Much has changed and it's been an entertaining journey.
With Max finally off on his trails, the town of Rocky Start finds its self turning to Rose to fix there problems but living in a town of ex operatives the problems don't stay simple for long and it seems like once again the residents have targets on there backs. Even Max out in the wilderness isn't alone and when two hit man make there move he finds himself once again returning to Rocky Start to protect the ones he loves. Can Rose, Poppy and Max find out who wants to take the residents out and stop them once and for all.
With two narrators reading the story it is easy to follow as the story jumps around to the different perspectives of Rose, Poppy and Max. Just like the characters the narrators work together to make it an enjoyable and entertaining listen.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
With Max finally off on his trails, the town of Rocky Start finds its self turning to Rose to fix there problems but living in a town of ex operatives the problems don't stay simple for long and it seems like once again the residents have targets on there backs. Even Max out in the wilderness isn't alone and when two hit man make there move he finds himself once again returning to Rocky Start to protect the ones he loves. Can Rose, Poppy and Max find out who wants to take the residents out and stop them once and for all.
With two narrators reading the story it is easy to follow as the story jumps around to the different perspectives of Rose, Poppy and Max. Just like the characters the narrators work together to make it an enjoyable and entertaining listen.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
June 21, 2025
Mercenaries keep targeting the town's matriarchs (and Max), young and not-so-young love flourishes, and friends are lost in this final installment of the Rocky Start Trilogy.
Not quite as great as the previous book, but the final showdown was worth waiting for. I enjoyed the addition of the doctor to the cast, her refreshing presence almost made up for the Witch sister still being annoyingly around. Max finally became human and had personal growth! Meanwhile Rose explores what the people of Rocky Start see in her which completes her arc of self-discovery pretty well as she decides to live her fourth act for herself instead of others. Poppy's PTSD is present without being her only personality trait, thankfully. She continues to be one of the most realistic teenagers in fiction, with complicated relationships that move maybe a bit too fast but show real potential. Her optimism after all she's seen is incredible.
Overall, this book (and series) is some good cheesy fun and I've loved it.
A touch of negative, while it makes sense that some characters would choose to leave Rocky Start, the way it's handled here feels rushed. I would have liked to see more anxiety from these characters before they decided to flee. Additionally, the resolution and wrap-up chapters were rather repetitive, like somebody rewrote them and forgot to remove parts.
The narration isn't quite as good as the second book but it's miles above the first book in this trilogy. I feel I could easily recommend reading this one on audio.
I received this audiobook through NetGalley as an ARC/ALC. Opinions are my own; many thanks to BrillianceAudio for the read.
Not quite as great as the previous book, but the final showdown was worth waiting for. I enjoyed the addition of the doctor to the cast, her refreshing presence almost made up for the Witch sister still being annoyingly around. Max finally became human and had personal growth! Meanwhile Rose explores what the people of Rocky Start see in her which completes her arc of self-discovery pretty well as she decides to live her fourth act for herself instead of others. Poppy's PTSD is present without being her only personality trait, thankfully. She continues to be one of the most realistic teenagers in fiction, with complicated relationships that move maybe a bit too fast but show real potential. Her optimism after all she's seen is incredible.
Overall, this book (and series) is some good cheesy fun and I've loved it.
A touch of negative, while it makes sense that some characters would choose to leave Rocky Start, the way it's handled here feels rushed. I would have liked to see more anxiety from these characters before they decided to flee. Additionally, the resolution and wrap-up chapters were rather repetitive, like somebody rewrote them and forgot to remove parts.
The narration isn't quite as good as the second book but it's miles above the first book in this trilogy. I feel I could easily recommend reading this one on audio.
I received this audiobook through NetGalley as an ARC/ALC. Opinions are my own; many thanks to BrillianceAudio for the read.
March 27, 2025
4.5 stars. What a delightful, fun series. The book was the same. I was worried I’d get confused about the plot after waiting for this book to release, but it really was written so consistently with the previous two that I enjoyed diving back into the unique town of Rocky Start. Rose interrupts an attack on the lethal Coral, Max is interrupted by two mercenaries and two Russians on his hike through the Appalachian Trail and both are tasked with saving Rocky Start. Poppy also has a POV and her chapters in the beginning we’re confusing (why am I reading about Poppy?), but in the end it was really endearing.
What worked for me: 1) Just about everything. The voice of POVs were well done, the plot & storyline were well done, the llamas Fernanda llama and Dolly llama were a great addition. I liked the town coming together to help each other even while some were stabbing each other in the back. The double & triple crossing made everything more interesting and believable.
What didn’t work for me: 1) I wish there was a list of names of people at the beginning of this book. I was getting confused as to who was who (especially the dead people).
All in all a fun, light read. Will definitely check out these authors again.
What worked for me: 1) Just about everything. The voice of POVs were well done, the plot & storyline were well done, the llamas Fernanda llama and Dolly llama were a great addition. I liked the town coming together to help each other even while some were stabbing each other in the back. The double & triple crossing made everything more interesting and believable.
What didn’t work for me: 1) I wish there was a list of names of people at the beginning of this book. I was getting confused as to who was who (especially the dead people).
All in all a fun, light read. Will definitely check out these authors again.
May 15, 2025
FANTASTIC BOOK & SERIES!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍
Each book in this series was sooooo good. It had everything a reader could want. It was mesmerizing in it's cleverness, humor, characters and unique and riveting storyline!!!! I loved every word....the twists and turns, the suspense, the mysterious happenings..... the red herrings. The intelligent way the book handled all the different plots going on all at the same time made it a book and series way above the average. There never was a dull moment...there never was a time when I wasn't totally caught up in these wonderfully entertaining books as I read them. Once I started the first one I read all three in the series within three days....I had to see what happened to Rose and Max......no chores done... Just me immersed in Rocky Start!!!! The romances were lovely and the relationships and friendships were heartwarming and realistic! The characters were lovingly and beautifully described, warts and all, whom I will remember for a long time. These books are the perfect way a book in this genre should be written!! I highly recommend them all....I guarantee you won't be able to put them down once you read the first page.😇
Each book in this series was sooooo good. It had everything a reader could want. It was mesmerizing in it's cleverness, humor, characters and unique and riveting storyline!!!! I loved every word....the twists and turns, the suspense, the mysterious happenings..... the red herrings. The intelligent way the book handled all the different plots going on all at the same time made it a book and series way above the average. There never was a dull moment...there never was a time when I wasn't totally caught up in these wonderfully entertaining books as I read them. Once I started the first one I read all three in the series within three days....I had to see what happened to Rose and Max......no chores done... Just me immersed in Rocky Start!!!! The romances were lovely and the relationships and friendships were heartwarming and realistic! The characters were lovingly and beautifully described, warts and all, whom I will remember for a long time. These books are the perfect way a book in this genre should be written!! I highly recommend them all....I guarantee you won't be able to put them down once you read the first page.😇
June 26, 2025
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Final book in the Rocky Start series! Rose is back on murder duty when someone starts targeting the former female hit women. Max is hiking the Appalachian Trail and stumbles into a conspiracy. They reunite to take down the real villain and finally wrap things up.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
By now, these audiobooks feel like hanging ma besties. Same fab narrators, a few new faces, and plenty of familiar ones (minus the murdered few). I jumped in right after book 2, and honestly, it works best that way - feels like one big story told in three parts.
I loved seeing Max complete his true journey and come back into Rose’s world. It was a bit predictable but lots of action packed fun like always, though this time the end leans more into romance which felt exactly right.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Rocky Start is a fantasy mountain town. The whole series is a joy - cozy, funny, and packed with heart. I loved the mix of middle-aged characters and how inclusive the cast was. And Hermione totally brought the lolz and Christmas vibes!
Thanks to @BrilliancePublishing and @Netgalley for access to this advance listening copy
Final book in the Rocky Start series! Rose is back on murder duty when someone starts targeting the former female hit women. Max is hiking the Appalachian Trail and stumbles into a conspiracy. They reunite to take down the real villain and finally wrap things up.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
By now, these audiobooks feel like hanging ma besties. Same fab narrators, a few new faces, and plenty of familiar ones (minus the murdered few). I jumped in right after book 2, and honestly, it works best that way - feels like one big story told in three parts.
I loved seeing Max complete his true journey and come back into Rose’s world. It was a bit predictable but lots of action packed fun like always, though this time the end leans more into romance which felt exactly right.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Rocky Start is a fantasy mountain town. The whole series is a joy - cozy, funny, and packed with heart. I loved the mix of middle-aged characters and how inclusive the cast was. And Hermione totally brought the lolz and Christmas vibes!
Thanks to @BrilliancePublishing and @Netgalley for access to this advance listening copy
May 19, 2025
Spectacular series!
Jennifer Crusie has been my favorite author for years. When she teamed up with Bob Mayer, the books got even better. There is a certain feeling when you start a book by a favorite author or authors, that feels like a wonderful coming home. Especially with a series. You already love the characters, and you can't wait to spend more time with them. That's exactly what I felt when I started this latest book. There is a familiar flavor and voice, and you just snuggle up for another adventure. So happy to be back in Rocky Start with all these interesting, quirky people. This book grabbed me on page one. The story was enthralling and funny, and a satisfying ending to this remarkable series - although I'd be happy if there were more episodes in Rocky Start. All this to say I Highly Highly recommend this series and anything else these incredibly talented writers have written together. Thanks for so much fun! Now I think it's time for me to reread Agnes and the Hitman - for the 5th or maybe 6th time!
Jennifer Crusie has been my favorite author for years. When she teamed up with Bob Mayer, the books got even better. There is a certain feeling when you start a book by a favorite author or authors, that feels like a wonderful coming home. Especially with a series. You already love the characters, and you can't wait to spend more time with them. That's exactly what I felt when I started this latest book. There is a familiar flavor and voice, and you just snuggle up for another adventure. So happy to be back in Rocky Start with all these interesting, quirky people. This book grabbed me on page one. The story was enthralling and funny, and a satisfying ending to this remarkable series - although I'd be happy if there were more episodes in Rocky Start. All this to say I Highly Highly recommend this series and anything else these incredibly talented writers have written together. Thanks for so much fun! Now I think it's time for me to reread Agnes and the Hitman - for the 5th or maybe 6th time!
June 24, 2025
Great Plot.
It was good going back to Rocky Start and catching up with this mixed matched group. Max and Rose have a lot on their hands in this addition, and things come to a final conclusion. I think on the whole, I was happy with the outcome and how things ended. I’m not a believer in guns or violence, nor vengeance but this is a universe about spies and spooks and dogs, not the canine ones, therefore I have to be realistic that it was going to get rough and messy.
This series has a great mystery, or a few to follow along with that’s intriguing but it’s also about finding yourself, which can happen at any age. There are some interesting characters who help Rose and Max keep their little town safe and it’s all told with a good dash of humor and fun banter. My reading preference is heading back into mysteries but I still need a dash of romance and this series has it all. I will be looking into more books from these two authors as I love their style of storytelling.
It was good going back to Rocky Start and catching up with this mixed matched group. Max and Rose have a lot on their hands in this addition, and things come to a final conclusion. I think on the whole, I was happy with the outcome and how things ended. I’m not a believer in guns or violence, nor vengeance but this is a universe about spies and spooks and dogs, not the canine ones, therefore I have to be realistic that it was going to get rough and messy.
This series has a great mystery, or a few to follow along with that’s intriguing but it’s also about finding yourself, which can happen at any age. There are some interesting characters who help Rose and Max keep their little town safe and it’s all told with a good dash of humor and fun banter. My reading preference is heading back into mysteries but I still need a dash of romance and this series has it all. I will be looking into more books from these two authors as I love their style of storytelling.
April 5, 2025
As I mentioned in my review of the first two books for this series, I've been a fan of Jennifer Crusie for years and anything written by her solo or with Bob Mayer is an instant purchases for me. I've yet to read something by the duo that I haven't enjoyed and read multiple times.
The third book in the series starts shortly after the second book ends and people think all of the issues are behind them. Unfortunately, that isn't the case and things start to move quickly after that. Rose starts to be a bit more forceful and takes more of an active leadership role in the town while Max has a couple of realizations about his past and what he wants for his future. There are Russians, more Llamas, and a solid resolution to the overarching story.
I really enjoyed my time in Rocky Start and this series will absolutely be one I read again in the future. I'll miss the quirky town of retired spies and assassins next to the Little Melvin river.
The third book in the series starts shortly after the second book ends and people think all of the issues are behind them. Unfortunately, that isn't the case and things start to move quickly after that. Rose starts to be a bit more forceful and takes more of an active leadership role in the town while Max has a couple of realizations about his past and what he wants for his future. There are Russians, more Llamas, and a solid resolution to the overarching story.
I really enjoyed my time in Rocky Start and this series will absolutely be one I read again in the future. I'll miss the quirky town of retired spies and assassins next to the Little Melvin river.
May 21, 2025
I have to start by saying I ADORE Jennifer Crusie. I read her hilarious FB posts. I have gifted Bet Me to every reluctant romance reader in my life. I have read everything she has ever written solo and nearly everything she has co-written.
So, this is on me. I knew what I was getting into when I first saw a gun on a book cover. I do not like violence. I don’t like bad guys. I loathe tales of revenge. I can handle some suspense and mind tricks, and I love comedy. I am a romance junkie. (Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to read this trilogy at all.)
This series is simply not a Kar pick. So. Much. Death. and so little remorse. Not to sound like too much of a Debby Downer, but today’s world has enough genuine fear and violence for me to choose to read about the fictional kind. As it is, I have to force myself to read the news every day.
Apologies to the authors. You are terrific storytellers. The fault was in the reader this time.
So, this is on me. I knew what I was getting into when I first saw a gun on a book cover. I do not like violence. I don’t like bad guys. I loathe tales of revenge. I can handle some suspense and mind tricks, and I love comedy. I am a romance junkie. (Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to read this trilogy at all.)
This series is simply not a Kar pick. So. Much. Death. and so little remorse. Not to sound like too much of a Debby Downer, but today’s world has enough genuine fear and violence for me to choose to read about the fictional kind. As it is, I have to force myself to read the news every day.
Apologies to the authors. You are terrific storytellers. The fault was in the reader this time.
July 16, 2025
So sad this is over, I loved this series! I read the first two on kindle then bought all 3 on audible. The narration is perfect on the characters so re-listened to the first 2 before starting this last #3 book. I love the collaboration books with Bob Mayer (Lavender Blue series and this one).
The story is so entertaining revolves around a strange town of former spies, assassins and covert agents that are retired... mostly. Rose is the main female character, along with her daughter Poppy. They are "normal" people that ended up in this town. They didn't know for 18 yrs what was really going on and about her neighbors scary past lives till her landlord Oz died in book 1. Then the world changed for the whole town.
Just love this town and all the assassins and covert spies. The ending was perfect and I sure hope there will be more collaboration books with Crusie and Mayer as they are delightful, witty and SO GOOD!
The story is so entertaining revolves around a strange town of former spies, assassins and covert agents that are retired... mostly. Rose is the main female character, along with her daughter Poppy. They are "normal" people that ended up in this town. They didn't know for 18 yrs what was really going on and about her neighbors scary past lives till her landlord Oz died in book 1. Then the world changed for the whole town.
Just love this town and all the assassins and covert spies. The ending was perfect and I sure hope there will be more collaboration books with Crusie and Mayer as they are delightful, witty and SO GOOD!
May 29, 2025
Former special forces op Max Reddy was waiting for the two assassins following him through the blizzard-ridden Appalachian Trail when a whistling Russian snowplowed up the trail and addressed him by name--not a good start. Meanwhile, back in Rocky Start, Rose heard a scream from her next door neighbor, and wished Max was still around. Someone has decided that the women of Rocky Start are expendable (after all, many of them are former assassins themselves), but didn’t realize how far they’d go to protect themselves.
If you’ve read the previous two books in the Rocky Start series, you’ll know what a rollicking, action-packed treat you’re in for. (If not, definitely start at the beginning.) A marvelous series.
If you’ve read the previous two books in the Rocky Start series, you’ll know what a rollicking, action-packed treat you’re in for. (If not, definitely start at the beginning.) A marvelous series.
April 2, 2025
Satisfying wrap up
Just when it seemed Rocky Start was settling back into something approaching normal, a fresh spate of weirdness breaks out: assassinations both successful and attempted, an influx of outsiders including an extremely phlegmatic doctor and her teenage daughter, a scapegrace Russian and his mute sidekick, and the final boss. Oh, and treasure hunting.
THERE ARE ALSO MORE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT LLAMAS
It might be best to consider all this a community building exercise. Don't mind the blood or bullets. Have some crab rangoon.
Just when it seemed Rocky Start was settling back into something approaching normal, a fresh spate of weirdness breaks out: assassinations both successful and attempted, an influx of outsiders including an extremely phlegmatic doctor and her teenage daughter, a scapegrace Russian and his mute sidekick, and the final boss. Oh, and treasure hunting.
THERE ARE ALSO MORE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT LLAMAS
It might be best to consider all this a community building exercise. Don't mind the blood or bullets. Have some crab rangoon.
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