Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Brandy Alexander Mystery #7

No Such Thing as Smooth Sailing

Rate this book
It’s Christmas Eve, and native Philadelphian, world-class friend, and champion of the underdog Brandy Alexander has just been asked by her boyfriend, sexy and street-wise Nick Santiago, to add “wife” to her impressive list of descriptors. But, from the outset, it’s not exactly smooth sailing for the pair.

Brandy loves Nick and wants to build a life with him. However, her issues with change, unresolved feelings for her former flame, police detective Bobby DiCarlo, and Nick’s dangerous and mysterious line of work complicate their lives together. Meanwhile, Brandy and Nick aren't the only ones in choppy waters, as everyone in Brandy’s colorful group of friends and family all seem to be in the process of breaking up, making up, or hooking up. Even with her own relationship to sort out, Brandy dives into helping her friends with their romantic woes, including making sure her uncle Frankie and his fiancé Carla find Carla’s missing cousin “Benny the Gun Runner,” since their nuptials won’t go forward until Benny is home safe and sound. Friendship, love, change, and a little bit of mystery are the driving forces in this funny, sentimental farewell novella which bids ahoy to Brandy and her friends.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2016

19 people are currently reading
83 people want to read

About the author

Shelly Fredman

11 books139 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
163 (59%)
4 stars
69 (25%)
3 stars
33 (12%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
836 reviews10 followers
August 28, 2016
Brandy, the End!

Every once in a while, if you're lucky, you find a book, a series, an author that makes the characters on the flat page come to life. You start reading & all of a sudden you are right there inside the story. The characters, no matter how whacky, become your friends & sometimes your enemies. Shelley Fredman's Brandy Alexander series is one of those! In this, her last book, Brandy has to solve one mystery to allow her cousin Frank & his Carla to get married. But more importantly she has to decide what & who she really wants to be her future - good looking, life long friend & ex BF, or hunky, mysterious current BF Nick. Brandy has to finally make some very life altering decisions. All I can say is I laughed & cried. I really don't want this series to end, but if it had to, this was the perfect ending! And Xenia: Warrior Princess was Brandy to perfection! (Maybe Shelley can be enticed to do a novella showing us Brandy & company, say in about 5 years down the line???)
545 reviews21 followers
April 25, 2023
Beautiful ending to a beautiful series.
Profile Image for Shelley.
177 reviews
February 5, 2018
This novella wasn’t a mystery in any sense of the word. It’s clear the author threw it together in order to tie a bow around the end of the Brandy Alexander series. All the books are not rocket science by any means and is TOTALLY parallel to the Stephanie Plum series in every way (I wonder if she received a “cease and desist” letter.). :)

I’ve been forgetting to read this last little installment for 2 years. Now it is done. ✔️
Profile Image for Elaine Lucky.
1,095 reviews118 followers
January 11, 2023
**SPOILER ALERT**Taking place immediately after Lost Soul. Brandy is freaking out over Nick's proposal, Paul & Janine are still keeping their relationship a secret, & Carla is postponing her wedding. Brandy is on the case to find a missing family member. Keeping busy she avoids the issues between her & Nick and Bobby and their history and feelings. Surprising revelations and loose ends are tied up in this satisfying novella!
Profile Image for Jessica Bennett.
49 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2021
Nice quick read to end the Brandy Alexander series. So happy to have come across these books. Each one kept me laughing while the mystery played out. This was more focused on the life of Nick and Brandy - but I enjoyed it all the same.
7 reviews
July 20, 2018
Great Series

I loved this book series and am so sad to have just read the last book in the series. I will miss her and all her adventure.
4 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2019
Great series

I enjoyed all the Brandy Alexander series and this was a great way to wind it up. The characters are funny and endearing and the stories quirky and entertaining.
5 reviews
April 27, 2021
Brandy Alexander Mysteries

Absolutely great series. Loved the characters and the storyline. Sexual innuendos but not a blow by blow description. Refreshing for a change.
Profile Image for Judith Kristen.
46 reviews
October 20, 2016
A novella...
A wonderful story that wraps up The Brandy Alexander Series.
I want to tell you all about it, but you really need to read it for yourself!
Fans will continue to be lovingly loyal to the end... that's for sure.
Profile Image for Book Lover.
552 reviews43 followers
August 27, 2016
This is the conclusion to the Brandy Alexander series.

Shelly Fredman writes characters with so much depth, you are immediately drawn in. The closeness of the friendships and families is truly felt.

Brandy is quirky, klutzy, fiercely loyal and you never have to wonder what she’s thinking!

Nick….sigh. I fell in love with him from the first book. Nick is dark, introspective, loyal, mouth watering hot and he let’s Brandy be Brandy. Does it get any better?!

Brandy’s circle of friends are tight knit and you can feel their connection. While her mom drives her crazy most of the time, Brandy reaches out to her when she really needs someone to talk to this time. I was so happy to see that!

I loved how this story ended. I hope there is a spin off series where Bobbie, John and Alphonso get their HEAs and we continue to see Nick and Brandy!

This is a series that I have read over and over. Buy the series, you won’t regret it or be able to put them down!
Profile Image for Bookgyrl.
1,343 reviews23 followers
August 27, 2016
Alas, this is the last book (novella actually) in the No Such Thing-series with Brandy Alexander. I once binge-read a couple of the books and was totally worn out afterwards, because they are certainly a rollercoasterride.

Brandy and Nick look forward to their future. There is no big mystery in this concluding novel, just a small one and easily solved. It is more about Brandy struggling with the changes that are needed to commit to Nick. What about her house, what about Bobby DiCarlo.... While New Year's Eve is arriving fast, will Brandy and Nick have their HEA?

I have enjoyed this series and loved this ending. Although we would wish for a series to go on forever, it is very nice to have a conclusion. So thanks to Shelly Fredman for giving us Brandy and her antics!

Profile Image for Kerri.
77 reviews
August 25, 2016
I absolutely love this series!!

I can't tell you how sad I am this series is over. Even before I open the books I smile. It's just how well they're written! Brandy Alexander does these crazy corky things that only make you smile!! This series is for when you just read a book that made you cry or if you've had a bad day...pick up the Brandy Alexander series!! I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss Brandy!! Love!! YOU MUST READ THIS SERIES!!! In fact I'm going to re-read it now!! ❤️
Profile Image for Becky.
260 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2016
I've missed Brandy, and was excited to find her series starting up again. However- this book was apparently the series conclusion. It focused primarily on her personal relationships, the mystery itself was a little dull and anticlimactic. And the personal side focused only on Brandy, and did not further the other characters like it could have. I love her- but was not blown away by the story. And was disappointed that the Epilogue- a page and a half- quickly wrapped up the whole series, especially since I was hopeful for more.
9 reviews
August 30, 2016
This novella did not disappoint!

A few years ago someone recommended Shelly Fredman,s Brandy Alexander series. I was hooked from book 1. And I anxiously awaited each new book. This novella did not disappoint. Brandy is involved in another mystery, finding a lost relative, of sorts. Brandy finds the lost man and finally gains he own man. Is it Bobby or is it Nick? You must read to find out!
66 reviews
September 6, 2016
Nice ending

I thought that Nick's character changed and I guess is should be expected. I was a tad disappointed as I would have loved the series to continue but alas circumstances do change. It is an appropriate conclusion for all the characters and I for one am going to miss them.
Profile Image for Kristin Whitehouse.
1,442 reviews52 followers
August 31, 2016
I loved this book. I wish it wasn't the end of the series though. It wrapped it up for the most part. I would have liked to see what happened to some of the other characters but I think we'll see them in the spin off series. Made me cry a little too.
Profile Image for Tina.
776 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2016
When I bought book 7, I knew it would be the end of the series. I've enjoyed the Brandy Alexander series, but think the decision to wrap things up was a good one and I loved the ending -- thanks, Shelly.

2 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2016
Finally, an author who understands you sometimes have to be cruel to be kind. Brady, loved to watch you grow, glad I still wanted to watch you leave.
1,216 reviews10 followers
September 1, 2016
I will miss Brandy Alexander and the gang. She was amusing while she tried to find herself.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,604 reviews
September 11, 2016
Loved the series finale, all the loose ends got tied up, very satisfying.
46 reviews
September 14, 2016
Love it

What a perfect ending to their story. Although I am sad to see it end. They are a terrific set of characters
1,112 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2017
Great wrap up.

I've really enjoyed this series, and I don't know if this is the final book, but it definitely read as though it was. This book had as like adventure but more emotions and humor. Out sister's returning out in a way that felt settled but not rushed. Brandy and Nick were meant to be, and I was happy with their ending. I hope Bobby will get his own story soon.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.