4+ stars for this one - my favorite so far. Rhea Jensen, private investigator extraordinaire, has cut off her maybe/maybe not relationship with her old crush Ben, joined the church (LDS/Mormon), picked up and moved to Utah. Now she's doing her best to fit into the Utah lifestyle, which ... isn't such a comfortable fit. Her next-door neighbor Ty, a hot guy who's not active in his religion any more, isn't helping matters.
Rhea is trying to leave behind the sleazy PI field of work and her old boss who thinks he controls her life, but when her best friend Kay tells her about an interesting stalking case, Rhea can't resist getting involved.
Another fast-paced detective story from Sheralyn Pratt with an LDS twist to it, and this one flowed really well for me. The stalking case was very engaging, Rhea's friends Kay and Ty are smart, edgy and witty, and the romantic tension with Ty is great. Pratt does a great job integrating religion and romance without making either sappy. And we get a few answers about what all was going on with Ben.
Welcome to Stalk Lake City, Book 2 in the Rhea Jensen series, was originally published in 2004. Author Sheralyn Pratt has recently revised the Rhea Jensen series. Welcome to Stalk Lake City is being rereleased this week. I loved the first book City of Angels and this sequel did not disappoint.
Welcome to Stalk Lake City had me laughing out loud. I adore snarky Rhea Jensen and couldn't help but laugh at her take on Utah Mormons. Packed with mystery, humor, and romance this book kept me turning pages until the end. I can't wait for Rhea's next adventure in the book City Limits to be released in October.
Sheralyn Pratt writes great LDS literature. I highly recommend her books.
As a side note at some point I think I'll read the books they were originally published just to see what has changed in the revised versions of this series.
Content: This is a clean read.
Rating: 5 Stars - This book is good, clean fun!
Originally Read August 2010 - Reread November 12, 2016
Sheralyn Pratt has done it again! I seriously love this character, Rhea Jensen. She is sooo clever and spunky and fun!! In this story, Rhea was taking a break from private investigator work and is living in Utah. Kay, her good friend from LA, gives her a birthday gift--a new case and Rhea realizes that she's denying herself her true love. Full of mystery, suspense, romance, etc, this was a great read.
I REALLY enjoyed this book! When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about what was happening in it... trying to solve the mystery myself and wondering about Rhea's relationships and how I felt about the questions she presented about the church. First, the mystery itself was a lot of fun because it gives the readers the opportunity to find clues by themselves, not just wait til the main character explains where the clue is and why it is a clue. If it doesn't sound too weird, I liked way in which the stalker chose to stalk... not that I would like to be stalked that way or anything, but it's creative and smart so it's that much more compelling to read. Secondly, I really appreciated the questions Rhea had about the gospel and the role of women in it. I have often wondered about that and the answers I typically got were close to Chad's answer... That men were simply the leader for organization... which doesn't help much because that means women still don't have an incredibly important role on the Earth. But Ty's answer made a lot of sense: first that women already have a load of influence over men and secondly that we have been called to have God's children and care for them... that's a load of responsibility that he has entrusted only to women. So if he were to give the priesthood to women, it would've been a little favorable to women. When Ty explained it like that, it made so much sense. I'm thankful that Sheralyn Pratt used that question in her book, if only so I could understand it better. Then, I love the romance in the book :) In the last 20 pages, I honestly thought it would be over between her and the guy I liked... I started tearing up a bit... but the ending was wonderful and my heart leaped for joy. A great mystery that I have already recommended to friends and family!!
This is the second book in the Rhea Jensen series. While I still loved the book, I don’t know if I liked it as much as the first. I think I want a tad more romance. Other than that, it was great. Pratt writes a fun, engaging mystery. I liked that it was about stalkers (which is what my thesis was on in college). I thought Pratt did a good job in that regard, very realistic. I liked Rhea a lot, she is a great heroine. I didn’t fall for her new love interest right way, but he really grew on me. I would have liked a little more interaction between the two. I’m not sure I bought their ending, there needed to be a little more time spent with the two characters to build up more chemistry, IMO. I want to know more about how they met and what their relationship was like before the story picks up in the book (why was Rhea in a bar if she is a new convert? Why did he kiss her? Why did he decide to stop drinking and sleeping around?). I was just left with too many questions when it came to him.
I'm glad in this book that we find out a lot more about Ben, I like how things were handled, but at the same time would have liked Rhea to be a little more upset about their situation. She was too understanding. I would have been pretty mad and hurt if I had been in her place and I wanted to see more of that. Maybe she wasn’t mad because she wasn’t as in love with him as she thought? Anyway, the story moves along well, the culprit isn’t who I thought it would be. Actually, I wanted a little more explanation where that went. More of a motivation, how they got some of their information, etc.
There are at least two more books in the series and I can’t wait to jump in!
Sept 13, 2022 review - 4 stars Overall, a nice mystery with a side of romance. I don't know what I was going through that made me feel it was written for me before, I'm certainly not feeling that now. Lowered it a star for that reason, still nostalgic and I know how important it once was to me though, so we'll keep it at 4.
Nit picky things: A bit preterbed about the description of bipolar and mental illnesses, but it was a couple minor comments.
Again, as with the first one of this series, I feel the "deep" doctrine conversation was a bit simplified.
Still, Overall, a worthwhile read.
July 30, 2010 review - 5 Stars I didn't realize it was part of a series until I was about half way through. It stands on it's own though. It was really good.
It's funny how authors, though they have never met me, write for me.
Pratt has a gift for writing believable characters who you feel like could walk off the page and into your living room at any moment. I find myself talking about her characters like I know them (kinda like I do with J.K. Rowling's characters, so that's a big tip o' the hat!). Pratt keeps her story fast-paced but leaves enough crumbs of the trail that she doesn't lose you. Rhea Jensen is SO fun to tag along with, that you're rooting her on even as you wince at who or what might be around the next corner. This series (C'mon - you really can't read just one) makes a perfect escape just just about anybody - Get It!
Not enough good can be said about the Rhea Jensen Series. Unlike some series that seem to loose their spark after the first installment, Ms. Pratt has found a way to not only keep the spark, but has fanned it unto a bonfire! Rhea is in Utah, not nearly as thrilling as L.A., but like any true heroine she finds her adventure niche. "Welcome to Stalk Lake City" never calmed down! Going from chapter to chapter was as enjoyable as watching a movie. I honestly can't wait for the next adventure!
I was absolutely captivated by this book! I finished it at 2:30 this morning after "borrowing" the Rhea Jensen books from my Mom yesterday morning. That's dedication! I'm almost done with the third book, but I love the second-it's definitely my favorite! (Must be my grandma's too, because it's the only one that she owns!)
Fun and sassy. But the negatives got in the way of my enjoyment a lot. 1-Needed some editing. 2-This person is so selfish and unkind to those close to her. As long as the boys keep panting at her feet, she's happy. Doesn't open up or be honest or vulnerable with anyone. Maybe that's coming in further books? 3-I nailed the villain right up front, so that kind of ruined the tension for the rest of the book. 4-She really does make stupid errors that could get her killed. I guess that's part of the super-woman persona, but couldn't she duck into a doorway and wait for the police to arrive in 30 seconds once in a while? 5-I found the 2 answers to her "Mormon questions" ineffective--one way too stilted for reality and one too glib for honest reflection. There are much better answers out there. 6-I'm kinda tired of all of the romantic stuff actually taking place off stage. She has fallen in love with 2 guys and flirted seriously with 2 others so far, and in all cases, the reader is just informed that it happened. She's already "in love" at the beginning of each of the books and we just get to wait for her to acknowledge it, which takes a lot of the fun out of the process.
I've really been enjoying the Rhea Jensen books so far! This one has an very interesting mystery to be solved which kept me turning pages, some fun short action scenes, and, of course, a great main character! I really love Rhea! I'm definitely planning on finishing the series!
Someone recommended that we read book #2 before the novella 1.5, but I have to say that I wish I had read it the other way around—it would have made much more sense. But either way, I enjoyed this book.
This book of the series has always been a favorite, but I'm also glad that I have the first version of this story because I like that one better. However, this one still holds most of the charm of the first one.
I LOVE this author and this series. I’m a totally cheapskate but forked out the money for the book 1.5 novella—totally worth it! Loved getting the scoop on Ty. Can’t wait to read the next one
Synopsis from Back Cover "Deciding to go "off grid" for a while, Rhea Jensen can think of no better place to disappear than Utah. She settles into a quiet Mormon lifestyle-unless you count skydiving, race car driving, mountain climbing, and overly obsessive workouts. But when her best friends, Kay, tips her odd to a stalking case, Rhea takes the job out of shear boredom. Only then does she realize two things--first being good is hard; and second, she know way too much to get out of the PI game.
So, I have to admit that when I finished book one on the Rhea Jensen series I really couldn't wait for the mailman to come with my sequel. I was out thrift shopping and lo and behold, stumbled across the old 2004 released book (which was well used by it's previous owner.) This started the debate in my mind..."Should I? Should I not...?"
Give in to temptation, I did... I took it home and started reading, knowing full well the new book would be different. Luckily, I only got a few hours into it when ta da...just like magic, the fresh new package showed up. Have to say, it was worth reading both versions of the book, repeated plot and all. One just can't get enough to Sheralynn Pratt's characters!
In this installment, Rhea Jensen has relocated from her home of Los Angeles to Utah and has found a boyfriend Chad to keep her on the straight and narrow. She is convinced it's time for a fresh start without her shady private investigator antics. Too bad, her old friend Kay has a different idea. Life is bound and determined to show her the spicy side over ordinary "tomato soup." Rhea takes on a new case and life revs up a notch with her hot new next door neighbor Ty in the passenger seat. Buckle up for a fast paced ride, because book two does not disappoint! Sherlaynn Pratt pushes readers to think outside the box while remaining inspiring and fun at the same time. I have a new found love and am hoping book #3 is hot off the press and in my fingers soon. Here's what other readers had to say about the books...
"Clever, witty, sassy... This fast-paced book will keep you reading into the night and leaving you craving for more." --Rachael Renee Anderson, author of Luck of the Draw
"Meaningful, fun and addictive! Once I pick up one of Pratt's books, I can't set it down. The Rhea Jensen novels have mystery, suspense and brilliant plots, with characters that are complicated and real." --Cherie Call, singer/songwriter
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I think I liked this one better than the first in the Rhea Jensen series. The mystery was intriguing, the characters were well developed, the relationships and romance kept me reading late at night. It was fun reading a book set in an area I'm very familiar with (my home turf if you will...) I was prepared for the infusion of Mormon doctrine and discussion this time and it didn't bother me personally at all (and I liked Ty's explanation of Priesthood and Motherhood), but I still think it does a disservice to the general reader who isn't LDS to use such terms as "FHE" and "Relief Society" without any kind of explanation. I guess the author just assumes the only people reading will be LDS readers who enjoy LDS fiction?
I liked the story a lot. It was totally engaging. I would have given the book 5 stars if it weren't for the bombardment of editing errors again! Stupid things like "that" instead of "than" and leaving out words in phrases like "the only she knows" (when it was supposed to be "the only *thing* she knows"...) The absolute worst, though, was the use of "who's" instead of "whose". GAH!!!! So incredibly annoying. I got so frustrated with the errors I started dog-earing the pages with errors. There were 12 pages dog-eared. That's just way too many. Rant over. :) (But Dear Ms. Pratt, if you're looking for a human editor instead of just spell check I'd love to be considered! Hehehe.)
**Edited to add: I'm discovering that the version I read may have been the "early" version of this book. I have the book with the SLC skyline and eyes on the cover. It seems the author switched publishers and re-released the first 3 books in the Rhea Jensen series, and when she did that the books were cleaned up. So if you want to read this, be sure to get your hands on the later published version to avoid the barrage of editing errors... although it seems that story is slightly different with a different ending, too, from what I'm finding! So who knows what I'm recommending here LOL.
After her baptism, a near death experience and the falling apart of her relationship with Ben (the man she has been in love with since Junior High, but until recently never had the guts to say anything), Rhea decides that it is time to take a break from her dangerous lifestyle. She heads to Salt Lake City, intending to flip a house, take a few photos and relax, but she soon finds that the quiet life is not enough. She seeks excitement via skydiving and a fast car, but soon finds herself accepting a stalking case.
Even though she is dating Chad, a good guy who does just about everything right, Rhea is drawn to her hot, bad boy neighbor, Ty. Insisting that they are just friends (Ty is inactive in the church and enjoys girls and parties, Rhea tries cover her feelings. Even when Ty gives up drinking and parties after an accidental kiss between the two of them during one of his drunken weekends, Rhea tries to deny her growing feelings.
Race with Rhea through the streets of Salt Lake City as she tries to catch a stalker who is out to scare a local TV personality. It will be a journey of self discovery as well. Can her friend Kay help her see what she really needs? Will Rhea retreat back to LA when things get a little too hot in Salt Lake? You are going to have to read the book to find out (you didn't think I would tell you everything, did you?)
There are two versions of this book. Both have the same name, one published in 2004, one in 2010. I read both versions, because I love this series so much. I almost prefer the 2004 version, but if you like action the 2010 is better in that regard.
I love this series! Characters are fun and yet mortal, okay I could never compete with Rhea athletic-wise or PI-wise but that is the fantasy part.
Content: very clean.
Continued Note: Sheralyn Pratt published the first three books in this series first under another publisher in 2003, 2004, 2005. When Sheralyn Pratt changed publishers in 2010, and the new publisher wanted to change the name of her books, she rewrote the first three to go along with the new titles. The third book has the most changes to it.
Original Titles: 1-Spies, Lies and a pair of Ties 2-Welcome to Stalk Lake City 3-Idle Playgrounds
New Titles: 1-City of Angels 2-Welcome to Stalk Lake City (same) 3-City Limits
4 & 5 are newly written in 2012 & 2013.
The titles confused me when I was first purchasing used copies of her books. But, I liked the series so much, I have hard copies of her old series and ebooks of her new ones.