Bubbles Betrothed

Bubbles Yablonsky #5

by Sarah Strohmeyer

Debuting as a full-time reporter, Bubbles lands an interview with a woman accused of murdering a beloved high school principal. When the suspect keels over dead—in mid-revelation—Bubbles’s confidential notes become a life-threatening hot commodity among a romance-obsessed detective, a Polish Mafioso, and a foot fetishist on the lam. If that’s not enough to keep Bubbles on her toes, her ex-husband and her super-stud boyfriend Steve Stiletto are making some unexpected demands of the bleached-blonde sleuth. One comes with the promise of a dazzling Harry Winston rock. The other could be downright dangerous. Lucky for Bubbles she’s equipped—and ready—to handle both…

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

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Sarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 18 novels for young adults and adults, including the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series, SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT and THE CINDERELLA PACT, which became the Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into the story or the characters. Guess it just wasn't for me. I was able to finish it but wouldn't read any more in this series.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I loved this storyline, it was inventive and kept you guessing. I really like the way Strohmeyer takes us along to see all the clues, the phone calls etc. I think she's doing with Janet Evanovich can do, but the stories are less linear. I love Bubbles! She is so much fun to read, and just all around cheerful.

[Michelle Kampmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Bubbles. Why do you open your big mouth?? Honestly. And a lot of this could have been avoided if they just would have went along with a real engagement. What crazy messes these people get into. And poor, poor Jane. It's so sad when the kids get involved! And DAN. I mean CHIP. What the hell is wrong with him? Goodness. I hope no Thanksgiving in my family ends up like this one, that's for sure. And go Bubbles for sticking to her guns. She is so sarcastic and funny sometimes, but she usually does the right thing. She cares so deeply about her little family. Also, I didn't really find as much foreshadowing as I have in the previous books. Either way, I have one more book in this series and I will finish it! :o)

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! It flowed nicely and there was never that moment that made me say...wait, why is that even in this story. And I couldn't figure out the "Who Done-it". 😀

[Sherri F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some Bubbles. I like listening to the Audiobooks b/c the voice really is fitting of a Bubbles and it's a good laugh as well as mystery to solve (which I never do) while driving or doing chores around the house.

Of the 6 Bubbles book, this was probably the 2nd or 3rd best, Bubbles found herself in lockup or holding with the alleged killer (Popeye) of the beloved, longtime Principal of Bubbles high school, who tried to explain that she didn't do it as she died in custody. Bubbles who was fined for not handing over her notes on the matter, went on to look into the matter, along with her daughter, Jane, getting kidnapped. Also, Bubbles and Stiletto pretend to be engaged so her doesn't have to take an assignment overseas until Jane is out of school in 6 months and all this is happening at Thanksgiving and a cast of characters that show up for that. Of course, Bubbles, with the help of her colorful cast of characters, saves the day!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are satisfying mysteries. Bubbles is a bit dim, but with help from her friends and relatives, she does a fair bit of sleuthing and manages to put together things on her own. I like that about this series. A lot of the mystery series with a touch of human and an uncommon "detective" has the main character stumble upon things through no fault of their own. (I'm looking at you Aurora Teagarden.)

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most exciting Bubbles book so far! Ioved it! Bubbles is my hero!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bubbles books are always a treat....a laugh every time!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a person's just got to trust her instincts. An engagement to Steve that's only for show --will she or won't she agree? A keen eye that can spot a wig, and an unshaved leg, at fifty paces --good enough to solve a murder? An ex-husband who's suddenly asking for her to take him back --is he for real? Bubbles isn't about to let her tenure as a rookie reporter (still on probation, we see) deter her from big breaks (only Bubbles would get put in a jail cell with the very person whose arraignment she was there to cover); protecting her daughter from heartbreak, disappointment over college admissions, and kidnapping; and enduring, er, enjoying Thanksgiving with an odd assortment of "family." That everything culminates at the big Lehigh high school rivalry football game? Even better, if not shaming for Jane, who may ruin her record of never having attended a Liberty HS football game.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I just want to finish the series and be done, and sometimes I love the stories. I've been listening to the books, and the narrator is sometimes annoying, but maybe because it is supposed to sound like a ditzy blond, even though Bubbles is not.

I think the reason I don't give up is that I grew up where the story is set, and so I relate to so many of the places, or deer hunting, or funny foods and traditions. It keeps me interested.

I really hope Jane gets into the school she wants. The way it ended, who knows. I'll finish out the series and then give final thoughts.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dangit, Bubbles...there are some things in life that just shouldn't be a question and Dan is one of them. The cliffhanger in this one has me ticked off. I will no doubt read #6 before long, but I think I might need a break. This was a fun entry in the Bubbles saga, but I worry that the question with which it ends will be answered and all of the Bubbles good feels I have had will, well, burst. I'll work on that part later.

[Marika Lenee Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like always this series does not disappoint. She is engaged to be married, or is she? Her daughter gets kidnapped and all is breaking loose because she would not hand over reporter notes. On top of that they are fining her 50,000 dollars for keeping her information. Hairdresser turned reporter makes for some funny writing and easy reading. I will definitely continue with this series.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy the Bubbles books. They're light easy reading with some mystery thrown in to get you thinking. After having just read The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives, I am more sure than ever that I prefer Sarah's more comedic efforts.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying the main characters in these books, but the confusing details and the inappropriate language and "scenes" are not so great. This one had too many characters as suspects, but it was still interesting.

[Cheryl Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it difficult to read about of characters, and it kept bouncing around

[Gail Willis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. All over the place. It was a Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Plum, rip-off book without any real charm or sense of fun.

[Mysterygal3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this book, I hate the author stoped the series. Lots of twiss and turns worth the read

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun continuation of the series.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 for the plot line
3 for the back story

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bubbles Betrothed is the fifth of six books in the Bubbles Yablonsky series of books by Sarah Strohmeyer. The book gives the impression of starting right where the last one must have ended. I haven't actually read any of the other books in the series and having wasted my time on this one I have no desire to try any of the others.

The heroine of the book is Bubbles Yablonsky, a former hair dresser turned reporter. She is trying to get the scoop on the murder trial of Jill "Crazy Popeye" Simon. There's just one problem: Popeye is dead after swearing she was innocent. That could have been the start of a decent mystery except for a completely unlikable main character and an incomprehensible plot that illogically jumps from scene to scene.

Bubbles fails as a main character for me for a number of reasons but the main one is her disrespectful attitude. She acts rude and is constantly introducing characters by her own nit-picky critiques of them. Of course a rude or crude character can make an entertaining lead for the right kind of book (Tommy's Tale comes to mind).

The second mark against Bubbles is the constant reminder of just how stupid she is. Characters will say things to her, simple things, and she'll have an aside about not "getting it." She'll do this two or three times a page. Each time she stops to admit her lack of basic knowledge the plot comes to a screeching halt.

The entire series of books includes:

1. Bubbles Unbound (2001)
2. Bubbles In Trouble (2002)
3. Bubbles Ablaze (2003)
4. Bubbles a Broad (2004)
5. Bubbles Betrothed (2005)
6. Bubbles All The Way (2006)

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I might have liked this book better if I had read it rather than listened to it. I found myself thinking about other things it just didn't hold my attention that great. Besides that I'm pretty sure that Bubbles gives feminism a pretty good knock back at least two decades. Her 'dumb-blond' act which is probably supposed to be funny just got on my nerves. Yes, the author did try to throw in a little "i don't need a man to be happy" at the end but it didn't help much. I've read here that this is not the best book in this series so I shouldn't have picked it to read out of all of them but I don't think I'll read anymore. I'm not that into mystery books anyway but I thought that a good, easy to follow whodunit would keep me entertained during my hour commute. I was wrong about Bubbles. I finished listening to this while baking bread and when I finally got to the end I was just relieved it was over rather than to know whodunit. The bread was more interesting:(

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

When we first selected this as one of the books for the libraries' Just Desserts mystery discussion group to read, it was because the Bubbles series has been favorably compared to the extremely popular Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Not having read any of the Evanovich books, I found Bubbles Betrothed to be a mild, frothy confection of a mystery. The mystery seems fairly simplistic, and is just a framework to showcase Strohmeyer's collection of wacky characters. I think I might have enjoyed meeting Bubbles earlier in the series (this is the 5th of 6 so far), when she was merely a hairstylist. Now, she's an investigative reporter. Actually, Bubbles was far less interesting than many of the supporting characters. If you're suffering from Plum withdrawal, you might enjoy Bubbles as a lightweight fill-in. Otherwise, don't expect much depth to this series. Originally reviewed for my local library's website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts...

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bubbles is in deep this time. She is asked by Stiletto to pretend to be engaged to him in order for him to keep his London job but delay it until Jane has graduated and Bubbles can go with him. Meanwhile, she is with crazy Popeye when she dies and now everyone is after her to get her notes taken during their conversation. Principal Schmidt is murdered by Popeye supposedly, but before she dies she tells Bubbles she was trying to save him and now everyone was out to get her. Enter Karol Smolak who is supposedly a criminal who is dating Dr. May whose office Schmidt was killed in. There are lots of suspects in this murder, but it hits Bubbles hard when she is threatened and then Jane is kidnapped. It is finally solved by Bubbles in the end as usual. Stiletto proposes for real, but Bubbles who has matured is making him wait for an answer.

[Nortina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this would have been a book that I'd love based on the description and despite the name of the main character. However I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I actually misplaced this book midway through for a few weeks and wasn't bothered at all. I've now finished it (and after I read the book next in the series) and my opinion went up slightly. I started off really disliking everything and left it almost liking it.

The author writes well and there seems to be no gaping plot holes or anything, but the characters themselves lack for me. I found it frustrating and annoying to be presented with overly dumb characters and nonsense hijinks.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bubbles lands herself in a jail cell with a murder suspect who dies mid-interview. The crazy woman was accused of killing the long time high school principal and Bubbles notes may lead to a debt of $50,000. Meanwhile, Stiletto proposes a fake engagement in order to keep a great assignment and Bubbles doesn't want to get too attached. Bubbles finds herself caught in a situation where she is wanted by a Polish mobster, Dan wants to reconcile, and her daughter Jane really wants to go to an Ivy league university. Entertaining and enjoyable as all the Bubbles books.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very tense mystery! I admire how Strohmeyer can give us a completely twisted mystery and unravel it completely and logically. I can sometimes guess at the perp but can never fully see the whole picture like Bubbles does, but not for a lack of clue-hinting. Strohmeyer aptly leads us along with scattered breadcrumbs, and yet I can never fully put the picture (loaf?) together until it clicks for Bubbles. Well done!

I do, however, miss the 'recipes' scattered throughout the book rather than just tacked onto the end as they do in the audio version.

[Toni Wulfekuhl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bubbles lands herself in a jail cell with a murder suspect who dies mid-interview. The crazy woman was accused of killing the long time high school principal and Bubbles notes may lead to a debt of $50,000. Meanwhile, Stiletto proposes a fake engagement in order to keep a great assignment and Bubbles doesn't want to get too attached. Bubbles finds herself caught in a situation where she is wanted by a Polish mobster.

Favorite Line .. Polish Mafia .. They make you an offer you can't understand."

Light, easy listening, entertaining.

[Benjamin Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't think it was possible to have a boring Bubbles book, but this one proved to be exactly that. Very little of the charm and fun of the earlier volumes. Listening to the audiobook, I found my attention constantly wandering during the interminable interviews and whodunnit speculation. Even the dumb blondisms which seemed sweet before felt forced and formulaic this time. I love Bubbles and her quirky friends and family, but I gave up on this one about two thirds through. Maybe later.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty quick read for me. The murderer wasn't someone I would've guessed. I wasn't thrilled with the engagement storyline....Bubbles deserves better than that. Not sure where the next installment of this series will take Bubbles, but I will read it. I am from the Lehigh Valley and enjoy reading about places that she includes in her stories. Very funny.

[Mary Newcomb]

Bubbles is now a professional reporter. In this book, she manages to get put into a holding tank with an accused murderer (who dies during their interview),then she hears that boyfriend Steve Stiletto is engaged, then things get interesting. I'm sure I'll take the part about college entrance process much better when I don't have an applicant living at my place...