What do you think?
Rate this book
Dana Barry #1
Love Sold Separately
She might just make it after all…
Starting out single in the big city as an actor in her twenties, Dana Barry was sure she was on her way to success. But now, newly unemployed, her life is a mess…that is, until she hears The Shopping Channel is auditioning. Relying on her keen eye for detail, sheer bravado and knack for knowing what makes people tick, she lands the host job. While navigating tricky office politics, Dana is caught in the drama when the star host who hired her is found dead. She knows the prime suspect, a male colleague, is innocent—they were sharing some “alone time” together on the rooftop when they both heard the gunshot. Complicating things for Dana is the electric chemistry she feels with the handsome detective in charge. She is so close to having it all if, just this once, she doesn’t screw up. But trouble seems to come easier to Dana, and, she finds, it’s often a lot more fun.
Starting out single in the big city as an actor in her twenties, Dana Barry was sure she was on her way to success. But now, newly unemployed, her life is a mess…that is, until she hears The Shopping Channel is auditioning. Relying on her keen eye for detail, sheer bravado and knack for knowing what makes people tick, she lands the host job. While navigating tricky office politics, Dana is caught in the drama when the star host who hired her is found dead. She knows the prime suspect, a male colleague, is innocent—they were sharing some “alone time” together on the rooftop when they both heard the gunshot. Complicating things for Dana is the electric chemistry she feels with the handsome detective in charge. She is so close to having it all if, just this once, she doesn’t screw up. But trouble seems to come easier to Dana, and, she finds, it’s often a lot more fun.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2020
143 people are currently reading
5215 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Meister
17 books542 followersThank you for visiting my Goodreads page. I'm proud to announce that my newest novel, JOYRIDE, was selected by Zibby Owens as one of the most anticipated books of 2025. DIVORCE TOWERS, which was featured in People Magazine, won an award for Best Escapist Novel, and was selected for Zibby's Ultimate Summer Reading List as well as Newsday's Summer Reads. My other books include TAKE MY HUSBAND which received a starred review from Booklist, THE ROOFTOP PARTY, which was called "wickedly entertaining" by BookReporter and was selected by Long Island Woman Magazine as Summer Pick of the year, as well as LOVE SOLD SEPARATELY, DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE, FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, THE OTHER LIFE, THE SMART ONE, and SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA. In addition to being a novelist, I'm an editor, screenwriter, book coach, creative writing instructor, and ghostwriter. For more information visit ellenmeister.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
July 10, 2020
This is not so bad murder mystery ( when you look at the cover, you’re expecting romance or romantic suspense but mystery and crime investigation parts overshadowed the romantic parts of the book), but in the middle I started to lose my interest and felt like the story lost its direction, turned to the darker sides with so many drug use and sex tapes. But the ending was deliciously entertaining so let’s give three solid Switzerland stars. (Yes, I think I’m gonna move there at the end after reading so many books: which I didn’t love but also I didn’t hate as well.)
Let’s take a quick look to the plot: Struggling young actress Dana is having real hard time, jobless, her life turns into a real mess but then her lucky stars give her a new opportunity, a shopping channel hosting job which could help her start over and focus on her career. But she finds herself trapped in a murder mystery because star host of the channel is dead. And yes, side romance part starts as she meets with the charming detective investigates the murder. So this is promising start but as I mentioned before, the progression is not quiet satisfying for me and Dana is not likable heroine. She annoyed the hell off me at the most parts of the book.
But the twist that got of my spider senses radars gave me a quite satisfying ending. It was really good and I even thought to give four stars but unfortunately heroine’s irritating characteristics made me stick with solid 3!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin/Mira for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
Let’s take a quick look to the plot: Struggling young actress Dana is having real hard time, jobless, her life turns into a real mess but then her lucky stars give her a new opportunity, a shopping channel hosting job which could help her start over and focus on her career. But she finds herself trapped in a murder mystery because star host of the channel is dead. And yes, side romance part starts as she meets with the charming detective investigates the murder. So this is promising start but as I mentioned before, the progression is not quiet satisfying for me and Dana is not likable heroine. She annoyed the hell off me at the most parts of the book.
But the twist that got of my spider senses radars gave me a quite satisfying ending. It was really good and I even thought to give four stars but unfortunately heroine’s irritating characteristics made me stick with solid 3!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin/Mira for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
August 21, 2020
Fun fun fun! This was an entertaining edgy cozy mystery with a splash of romance. Dana has hit rock bottom after being fired from Hot Topic. Lucky for her her bestie/manager has just landed her an audition for a host on the shopping network. Dana seems to be born for this job. Not only does she have the gift of gab, but she also has a real attention to detail. Things seem to be looking up for Dana, that is until the diva of the shopping network is killed. Not only is Dana one of the first to find the body, but she is also the alibi for the number one suspect. Determined to prove his innocence Dana dons her detective hat and starts sussing out the clues.
This was a lot of fun, but I think the cover and blurb are a little misleading. This was definitely more of a mystery then romance. There is romance, a sort of love triangle not really kind of thing. Dana has an attraction with both the sound guy and the detective on the case, both of these relationships having their complications. Dana was likable although occasionally a bit annoying. Although it made more sense when I met her father, yikes! This was an entertaining easy breezy story, the perfect way to spend a hot summer afternoon.
This book in emojis 💁🏻♀️ 👜 💍 🕶 🐊 🛍 ☕️ 🎭 🎬
*** Big thank you to Harlequin/Mira for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
This was a lot of fun, but I think the cover and blurb are a little misleading. This was definitely more of a mystery then romance. There is romance, a sort of love triangle not really kind of thing. Dana has an attraction with both the sound guy and the detective on the case, both of these relationships having their complications. Dana was likable although occasionally a bit annoying. Although it made more sense when I met her father, yikes! This was an entertaining easy breezy story, the perfect way to spend a hot summer afternoon.
This book in emojis 💁🏻♀️ 👜 💍 🕶 🐊 🛍 ☕️ 🎭 🎬
*** Big thank you to Harlequin/Mira for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
December 14, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Dana may be close to hitting rock-bottom—if you consider getting fired from Hot Topic because of your attitude to be a bad thing. But the twenty-something aspiring actress is still hoping she'll hit it big. And when her best friend-turned-manager convinces her to audition to be a host for the Shopping Channel, that could be the chance she's looking for.
After she aces the audition and lands the job, she proves on her first day that she's a natural when it comes to selling clothing, jewelry, and accessories on television. But her first day is a bit turbulent, because the star host—a total diva who terrorized everyone—is found dead at her desk. And Dana is the alibi for one of the prime suspects.
Dana tries to settle in to her new job and be a success, but she can't seem to keep her nose out of the murder investigation, especially when she catches a glimpse of the handsome cop in charge. But even though their attraction is mutual, he thinks she's lying to protect a colleague (or is it a romantic interest), while she is determined to uncover the true killer.
In the midst of impressive sales records, Dana has to contend with a ruthless studio executive who doesn't seem to like her, an overly emotional assistant, and colleagues who seem to be sabotaging her while on air. All the while she's juggling her job with a secret acting gig, trying to earn her snobby father's approval, and hoping the detective will fall for her—if only she can keep herself and her friend out of trouble! It's a lot to handle, especially when she's determined not to fail again like everyone expects.
Love Sold Separately is an enjoyable romp through the world of home shopping. It's a little more of a mystery than the rom-com I was expecting from the title, but that didn't bother me. Of course, I'm always a little bit dubious when a person who was getting stoned on the roof of her office building on her first day of work can suddenly investigate a murder, but of course, you have to suspend your disbelief a bit.
I will admit that I've been a fan of QVC for a long time, although I don't watch much anymore. I definitely found this amusing, and it was pretty respectful of the whole home-shopping genre. Dana is a fascinating, flawed character, but it was good to see her come into her own.
Love Sold Separately was a light read, a fun mystery/rom-com combo that was never boring.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Dana may be close to hitting rock-bottom—if you consider getting fired from Hot Topic because of your attitude to be a bad thing. But the twenty-something aspiring actress is still hoping she'll hit it big. And when her best friend-turned-manager convinces her to audition to be a host for the Shopping Channel, that could be the chance she's looking for.
After she aces the audition and lands the job, she proves on her first day that she's a natural when it comes to selling clothing, jewelry, and accessories on television. But her first day is a bit turbulent, because the star host—a total diva who terrorized everyone—is found dead at her desk. And Dana is the alibi for one of the prime suspects.
Dana tries to settle in to her new job and be a success, but she can't seem to keep her nose out of the murder investigation, especially when she catches a glimpse of the handsome cop in charge. But even though their attraction is mutual, he thinks she's lying to protect a colleague (or is it a romantic interest), while she is determined to uncover the true killer.
In the midst of impressive sales records, Dana has to contend with a ruthless studio executive who doesn't seem to like her, an overly emotional assistant, and colleagues who seem to be sabotaging her while on air. All the while she's juggling her job with a secret acting gig, trying to earn her snobby father's approval, and hoping the detective will fall for her—if only she can keep herself and her friend out of trouble! It's a lot to handle, especially when she's determined not to fail again like everyone expects.
Love Sold Separately is an enjoyable romp through the world of home shopping. It's a little more of a mystery than the rom-com I was expecting from the title, but that didn't bother me. Of course, I'm always a little bit dubious when a person who was getting stoned on the roof of her office building on her first day of work can suddenly investigate a murder, but of course, you have to suspend your disbelief a bit.
I will admit that I've been a fan of QVC for a long time, although I don't watch much anymore. I definitely found this amusing, and it was pretty respectful of the whole home-shopping genre. Dana is a fascinating, flawed character, but it was good to see her come into her own.
Love Sold Separately was a light read, a fun mystery/rom-com combo that was never boring.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
August 28, 2020
Misleading covers can lead to fun surprises. 😄
I won my copy of Love Sold Separately in a Goodreads Giveaway and didn't entirely recall what to expect when it arrived, so I dived into the book blind, an approach I love taking when I can. Judging by the cover, I guessed I was in for a light romance. So when I came to the murder scene I was downright shocked! A true "WTH just happened???" reading moment. It was fantastic! That wasn't intended as a twist, but it sure is a shame most won't likely get that same experience, unless they, like me, forget significant details between selecting and starting their books, rely too much on cover art, and also lazily ignore back covers. 😄
Now if you are looking for a swoony sort of romance, you'll likely be left wanting. I personally didn't find the love interests to be all that great. There wasn't much to be said for their character development and neither had a compelling connection to Dana. The romance felt secondary and more of a device to add interest and complexity to the mystery. And that worked for me. I loved everything else too. The home shopping elements, Dana's character when she wasn't behaving like an idiot, and all the smart details and surprises. I usually figure out whodunits disappointingly early, but not this time, at least not everything. Definitely give Love Sold Separately a go if you are looking for a fun, contemporary cozy murder mystery.
I won my copy of Love Sold Separately in a Goodreads Giveaway and didn't entirely recall what to expect when it arrived, so I dived into the book blind, an approach I love taking when I can. Judging by the cover, I guessed I was in for a light romance. So when I came to the murder scene I was downright shocked! A true "WTH just happened???" reading moment. It was fantastic! That wasn't intended as a twist, but it sure is a shame most won't likely get that same experience, unless they, like me, forget significant details between selecting and starting their books, rely too much on cover art, and also lazily ignore back covers. 😄
Now if you are looking for a swoony sort of romance, you'll likely be left wanting. I personally didn't find the love interests to be all that great. There wasn't much to be said for their character development and neither had a compelling connection to Dana. The romance felt secondary and more of a device to add interest and complexity to the mystery. And that worked for me. I loved everything else too. The home shopping elements, Dana's character when she wasn't behaving like an idiot, and all the smart details and surprises. I usually figure out whodunits disappointingly early, but not this time, at least not everything. Definitely give Love Sold Separately a go if you are looking for a fun, contemporary cozy murder mystery.
June 26, 2022
3.5 Stars
It looks like a romance or maybe a rom-com, but it’s a cozy mystery with romantic elements. It also has the dueling romantic interests that you find in many cozies.
I went in knowing all this, so I wasn’t surprised or disappointed. In fact, I was pretty entertained. I did think there could have been a bit more development of the romantic elements only because the heroine’s interest felt overly fickle and easily influenced. I also wanted to feel more of a romantic connection with more build-up. Other than that, the premise, setting, and the heroine’s occupation were interesting and a nice set-up. It's a nice lead-in to a possible ongoing series. I know that there’s a sequel, but I’m not sure if the author is planning any more stories involving the 20-something actress, Dana Barry.
April 11, 2020
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5. The writing is decent and the drama is fun and soapy in parts, but I couldn't connect to the characters at all. In fact, I probably connected the least to the main character, Dana, who is an immature woman who can't seem to keep a job and reacts in ignorant and/or cruel ways to the people around her; it's tough to root for someone who got fired from a Hot Topic for telling "emo" kids that "they generally wound up on hospital beds at some point." Also, she has little-to-no chemistry with her love interests, straight-laced, brooding detective Ari and bad-bound sound engineer Lorenzo. Additionally, there's some sketchy stuff going on with how Meister writes about race and mental illness that didn't help how I felt about Dana...
2.5. The writing is decent and the drama is fun and soapy in parts, but I couldn't connect to the characters at all. In fact, I probably connected the least to the main character, Dana, who is an immature woman who can't seem to keep a job and reacts in ignorant and/or cruel ways to the people around her; it's tough to root for someone who got fired from a Hot Topic for telling "emo" kids that "they generally wound up on hospital beds at some point." Also, she has little-to-no chemistry with her love interests, straight-laced, brooding detective Ari and bad-bound sound engineer Lorenzo. Additionally, there's some sketchy stuff going on with how Meister writes about race and mental illness that didn't help how I felt about Dana...
February 22, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of Love Sold Separately!
I really loved this book. It was like a cross between a romance and cozy mystery with out the baking and pet detectives.
Dana and Ari are my favorite couple that I’ve read about. The playing hard to get even if it didn’t say that’s what they were doing. You can tell Ari was playing it. The murder/suicide twist was shocking and well.. twisted.
If you’ve ever seen the movie sucker punch with Emily Browning, where a young girl copes by retreating to an alternative reality when she gets on stage to dance. That how I envisioned Dana as soon as she stepped on set. That seems like a weird comparison but I loved the movie and I love this book so it makes since to me. 😝
I really loved this book. It was like a cross between a romance and cozy mystery with out the baking and pet detectives.
Dana and Ari are my favorite couple that I’ve read about. The playing hard to get even if it didn’t say that’s what they were doing. You can tell Ari was playing it. The murder/suicide twist was shocking and well.. twisted.
If you’ve ever seen the movie sucker punch with Emily Browning, where a young girl copes by retreating to an alternative reality when she gets on stage to dance. That how I envisioned Dana as soon as she stepped on set. That seems like a weird comparison but I loved the movie and I love this book so it makes since to me. 😝
September 10, 2020
I had no idea what to expect with this one. I just saw an available audiobook and gave it a go. From sentence one or thereabouts, you certainly get the screwed up heroine and I knew it wasn't what I was expecting. I almost gave up on it just because it wasn't even remotely what I'd planned for. But I'm sort of glad I hung with it. The narration was good and it kept my braining occupied during some major cleaning. So there's that.
January 23, 2020
This title kept me going at just the right pace with great characters! As a main character I really enjoyed Dana's self awareness and involvement in the story, and the supporting characters were all very well done. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more from the author in the future!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy.
July 17, 2020
3.5 stars
Thank you Goodreads and Mirabooks for the Giveaway.
Much appreciated!
Thank you Goodreads and Mirabooks for the Giveaway.
Much appreciated!
May 30, 2024
Oops I was pleasantly surprised to learn this was a cozy mystery only after the murder happened. Very misleading title!!
February 15, 2020
I truly, truly hate doing it but I have to DNF this at approx. 40%.
I really have nothing against this book and don’t really have anything specific to criticize, I just don’t think it’s for me. The 40% I read, I pretty much binged in one fell swoop, took a break to talk to a friend, went to start reading again and just felt like I couldn’t remember anything that had happened. I didn’t connect with the main character and while the synopsis is what originally had me interested, it just fell flat for me. It was fast paced and an easy read, so I can definitely see the appeal and would recommend others try it. Unfortunately it’s just not for me.
I really have nothing against this book and don’t really have anything specific to criticize, I just don’t think it’s for me. The 40% I read, I pretty much binged in one fell swoop, took a break to talk to a friend, went to start reading again and just felt like I couldn’t remember anything that had happened. I didn’t connect with the main character and while the synopsis is what originally had me interested, it just fell flat for me. It was fast paced and an easy read, so I can definitely see the appeal and would recommend others try it. Unfortunately it’s just not for me.
September 1, 2020
This book unfortunately missed the mark for me. I am not sure what I was expecting, but it felt like the description and what the book actually turned out to be was different.
This was definitely a quick and easy read, and I did appreciate the "cozy mystery" aspect, but I had a really hard time connecting with the main character, Dana. I liked her in the beginning, but became very annoyed with her as the book progressed. The love triangle also fell flat for me and I found myself skipping over pages just to get to the end of the story. I definitely wanted to know who killed Kitty, but that is where my investment in the novel ended.
Thank you, Harlequin and Netgalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was definitely a quick and easy read, and I did appreciate the "cozy mystery" aspect, but I had a really hard time connecting with the main character, Dana. I liked her in the beginning, but became very annoyed with her as the book progressed. The love triangle also fell flat for me and I found myself skipping over pages just to get to the end of the story. I definitely wanted to know who killed Kitty, but that is where my investment in the novel ended.
Thank you, Harlequin and Netgalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2020
3.75 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister is an entertaining mystery that will have you guessing and changing your mind over and over again. The book tells the story Dana Barry, an actress who gets her break as an on-air personality for The Shopping Channel. Dana finds herself knee deep in a mystery when the main star of The Shopping Channel is found dead.
With this story we get a behind the scenes look at what working at a shopping channel might look like. Honestly this was probably my favorite part of the book. In addition you get the mystery of who killed the Channel's shining star. There is even a little bit of a love triangle thrown in.
The main character Dana is a complicated person who is not without her flaws. She definitely makes some choices that will make you shake your head but overall she was a heroine who kept things interesting.
So overall this is a story I enjoyed. I liked being behind the scenes of both the shopping channel and also at a local community theater. Dana annoyed me for a good part of the book but by the end I really started to enjoy her as she shed her insecurities and came into herself.
If there was a part of the book that didn't quite work for me it was the romance portion. It definitely felt like almost an after thought and I was never quite sure why anyone connected.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister is an entertaining mystery that will have you guessing and changing your mind over and over again. The book tells the story Dana Barry, an actress who gets her break as an on-air personality for The Shopping Channel. Dana finds herself knee deep in a mystery when the main star of The Shopping Channel is found dead.
With this story we get a behind the scenes look at what working at a shopping channel might look like. Honestly this was probably my favorite part of the book. In addition you get the mystery of who killed the Channel's shining star. There is even a little bit of a love triangle thrown in.
The main character Dana is a complicated person who is not without her flaws. She definitely makes some choices that will make you shake your head but overall she was a heroine who kept things interesting.
So overall this is a story I enjoyed. I liked being behind the scenes of both the shopping channel and also at a local community theater. Dana annoyed me for a good part of the book but by the end I really started to enjoy her as she shed her insecurities and came into herself.
If there was a part of the book that didn't quite work for me it was the romance portion. It definitely felt like almost an after thought and I was never quite sure why anyone connected.
August 13, 2020
The state of the world may be bleak but this book is an absolute bright and beautiful delight! Sure to please both fans of Meister's previous work and those picking her up for the first time, this book starts with a bang (literally!) and doesn't let up until the extremely satisfying conclusion. One part whodunit, one part love story, and one part family comedy, I felt like I was reading something that should already be in production for a show. Since the setting is a television shopping channel, I immediately thought of Lisa Rinna in one of the roles. Someone quick and make that happen! The only thing I didn't love about this book was that it ended. I want more.
February 7, 2020
Received this book as an ARC from #netgalley for an honest review and opinion. First time reading a book by this author and must say it was a great book. Dana is an aspiring actress who finally lands a great job on a tv shopping channel show, unfortunately on the same day another tv host is mudered or is it suicide??? If that doesn't make for a crazy and eventful first day the hot audio engineer and police detective surely will...
October 12, 2020
I absolutely adore Ellen. Love Sold Separately is just an example of her awesomeness.
This book has it all- murder, mystery, romance and laugh out loud moments. Page 277- the text messages. I was in tears!
The best way to describe this book is going back to my favorite whodunnit shows of the 80s. It’s Jake and the fat man, without the fat man and Jake is Dana!
Dana is the Jennifer Hart (Hart to Hart) of the shopping network.
Kudos to Ellen! 5 stars!
This book has it all- murder, mystery, romance and laugh out loud moments. Page 277- the text messages. I was in tears!
The best way to describe this book is going back to my favorite whodunnit shows of the 80s. It’s Jake and the fat man, without the fat man and Jake is Dana!
Dana is the Jennifer Hart (Hart to Hart) of the shopping network.
Kudos to Ellen! 5 stars!
November 9, 2020
Such a great read! I loved the crazy story line and couldn’t get enough!
September 21, 2020
Copy provided gratis in exchange for honest feedback.
So this was cuter than I thought it was going to be, but I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't recommend it. (My bar for NetGalley reviews is way low, y'all. This did not dig under that bar, but it had some serious issues.)
First and not-most annoyingly: Having read the novel, this title is the actual worst. It's really not indicative of what the story is, given what reader is expecting from the title. The death/investigation is the central plot, not the romance. Would have been better as "Murder Sold Separately" or something along those lines.
Dana Barry is a struggling "slash-actor" in New York who gets fired from Hot Topic for being "ironically" rude to customers. This makes her super edgy. This is reinforced by her inability to dress like an adult. She's also The Best Actress Ever and just needs to be given a chance to shine. Her manager/best friend is also The Best Manager Ever, despite no education or experience in this arena. These are Important Facts and thus will be beaten into your head. Ad. Fucking. Nauseum.
Dana has an amazing visual recall -- this is actually the most believable part of her character sketch, because I can do something similar, though not at all to this level. Dana also has an amazing ability to BS on all clothing and jewelry items and (apparently?) memorize tons of stuff about products and recognize materials, brands, etc. on a moment's notice. .......I mean, sure, whatever.
She uses these skills to get a job as a presenter on the Shopping Channel. Her interview is The Best Interview Ever and she ad libs an amazing description of a comb, in defiance of The Man and His Rules who told her to describe an ugly ring, which she apparently found too challenging, because every product sold on the Shopping Channel is beautiful so she'll never need to describe an ugly thing. Definitely not. She talks for ten minutes and then the casting people stop her and everyone claps and gives her a trophy. Okay, fine, the Big Star just tells the others to "Hire that one" before swanning off in that classic Big Star Making an Exit way.
They do, because Dana is The Best Actor Ever and the Big Star told them to!
Then the Big Star is found shot in her office - *gasp* - except Dana figures out it's not a suicide because Reasons and Observations and Super Smarts, and the detective in charge of the case tells her... well, all kinds of shit that a detective would never disclose because it's part of an ongoing investigation and at this point in the story/investigation, literally everyone is a suspect.
"Ma'am, we investigate all suicides as homicides until the ME completes the autopsy." <-All he would have actually said.
And after that, it's kind of cookie-cutter murder mystery.
There's a romance with Handsome Ex Con Lorenzo DiSantes who has Secrets Plural that he didn't tell Dana because she's someone he's known for about 8.5 minutes. This causes Strife. Dana does Snooping and uses her Super Sleuthing Skills to Investigate the Crime. *awe*
We are led to believe some characters are shadier/more wholesome/smarter/dumber/more/less innocent than they actually are. *gasp*
In the midst of all of this, there is conflict because Dana wants to do A Selfless Thing because she is a Good Person and therefore endangers a potentially multi-million dollar contract for Wholly Selfless Reasons, because she is a Good Person -- but also for Artistic Reasons because she is also The Best Actor Ever. Points are clumsily made about #diversity and #feminism. Points are obtusely missed because #racism.
Additional conflicts ensue.
Not a spoiler, but griping about a plot point, so sort of a spoiler:
The murderer is [mild] *clever* (Okay, I actually did like the crime solve part.)
So this was cuter than I thought it was going to be, but I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't recommend it. (My bar for NetGalley reviews is way low, y'all. This did not dig under that bar, but it had some serious issues.)
First and not-most annoyingly: Having read the novel, this title is the actual worst. It's really not indicative of what the story is, given what reader is expecting from the title. The death/investigation is the central plot, not the romance. Would have been better as "Murder Sold Separately" or something along those lines.
Dana Barry is a struggling "slash-actor" in New York who gets fired from Hot Topic for being "ironically" rude to customers. This makes her super edgy. This is reinforced by her inability to dress like an adult. She's also The Best Actress Ever and just needs to be given a chance to shine. Her manager/best friend is also The Best Manager Ever, despite no education or experience in this arena. These are Important Facts and thus will be beaten into your head. Ad. Fucking. Nauseum.
Dana has an amazing visual recall -- this is actually the most believable part of her character sketch, because I can do something similar, though not at all to this level. Dana also has an amazing ability to BS on all clothing and jewelry items and (apparently?) memorize tons of stuff about products and recognize materials, brands, etc. on a moment's notice. .......I mean, sure, whatever.
She uses these skills to get a job as a presenter on the Shopping Channel. Her interview is The Best Interview Ever and she ad libs an amazing description of a comb, in defiance of The Man and His Rules who told her to describe an ugly ring, which she apparently found too challenging, because every product sold on the Shopping Channel is beautiful so she'll never need to describe an ugly thing. Definitely not. She talks for ten minutes and then the casting people stop her and everyone claps and gives her a trophy. Okay, fine, the Big Star just tells the others to "Hire that one" before swanning off in that classic Big Star Making an Exit way.
They do, because Dana is The Best Actor Ever and the Big Star told them to!
Then the Big Star is found shot in her office - *gasp* - except Dana figures out it's not a suicide because Reasons and Observations and Super Smarts, and the detective in charge of the case tells her... well, all kinds of shit that a detective would never disclose because it's part of an ongoing investigation and at this point in the story/investigation, literally everyone is a suspect.
"Ma'am, we investigate all suicides as homicides until the ME completes the autopsy." <-All he would have actually said.
And after that, it's kind of cookie-cutter murder mystery.
There's a romance with Handsome Ex Con Lorenzo DiSantes who has Secrets Plural that he didn't tell Dana because she's someone he's known for about 8.5 minutes. This causes Strife. Dana does Snooping and uses her Super Sleuthing Skills to Investigate the Crime. *awe*
We are led to believe some characters are shadier/more wholesome/smarter/dumber/more/less innocent than they actually are. *gasp*
In the midst of all of this, there is conflict because Dana wants to do A Selfless Thing because she is a Good Person and therefore endangers a potentially multi-million dollar contract for Wholly Selfless Reasons, because she is a Good Person -- but also for Artistic Reasons because she is also The Best Actor Ever. Points are clumsily made about #diversity and #feminism. Points are obtusely missed because #racism.
Additional conflicts ensue.
Not a spoiler, but griping about a plot point, so sort of a spoiler:
The murderer is [mild] *clever* (Okay, I actually did like the crime solve part.)
November 20, 2021
1.5 stars
If it wasn’t for the murder mystery, I would’ve given up on this book. I found characters annoying. I understand it’s fiction, but it also seems super far fetched. Too many you’d-never-believe-it/coincidences. I mean, on the day of her accepting a contract, a murder takes place? And she’s there? And one of the first people to see the crime scene? Dana was all over the place and incredibly annoying and often entitled.
There was also SO MUCH going on. Very detailed scenes from the shopping network, a murder mystery, a love triangle, an unsupportive father, a shopaholic sister, a love interest who’s on parole, the other love interest is a detective on the murder case, a serial thief, a secret theatre production, an expected engagement and wedding, getting over love interest #1 in record time (even though she had devoted herself to helping defend his innocence) and immediately falling in love with love interest #2? And that’s not even everything! For the love.
What I liked:
• I found Dana’s job, working as an actor/model in such a niche industry interesting (although I also hate the idea of shopping networks selling stuff you don’t need!).
• The murder mystery.* It’s the only thing that kept me going. I had multiple theories at different points in the story and definitely never figured it out.
*But I also have a big problem with finding out it was a suicide-murder-suicide situation. 1) What in the world? 2) More concerning, is the fact the author had a chance to share about mental health, and essentially made mental health out to look like someone was “just” spoiled, slutty, mean, selfish, etc. Can those things be true if someone battling mental illness? Yes. She made the readers hate Kitty, so when we found out it was death by suicide, it’s like she wanted us to laugh or think that was a good thing.
Bleh. Just bleh, bleh, bleh!
If it wasn’t for the murder mystery, I would’ve given up on this book. I found characters annoying. I understand it’s fiction, but it also seems super far fetched. Too many you’d-never-believe-it/coincidences. I mean, on the day of her accepting a contract, a murder takes place? And she’s there? And one of the first people to see the crime scene? Dana was all over the place and incredibly annoying and often entitled.
There was also SO MUCH going on. Very detailed scenes from the shopping network, a murder mystery, a love triangle, an unsupportive father, a shopaholic sister, a love interest who’s on parole, the other love interest is a detective on the murder case, a serial thief, a secret theatre production, an expected engagement and wedding, getting over love interest #1 in record time (even though she had devoted herself to helping defend his innocence) and immediately falling in love with love interest #2? And that’s not even everything! For the love.
What I liked:
• I found Dana’s job, working as an actor/model in such a niche industry interesting (although I also hate the idea of shopping networks selling stuff you don’t need!).
• The murder mystery.* It’s the only thing that kept me going. I had multiple theories at different points in the story and definitely never figured it out.
*But I also have a big problem with finding out it was a suicide-murder-suicide situation. 1) What in the world? 2) More concerning, is the fact the author had a chance to share about mental health, and essentially made mental health out to look like someone was “just” spoiled, slutty, mean, selfish, etc. Can those things be true if someone battling mental illness? Yes. She made the readers hate Kitty, so when we found out it was death by suicide, it’s like she wanted us to laugh or think that was a good thing.
Bleh. Just bleh, bleh, bleh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2020
This book was so much fun to read! Dana made me laugh so hard I had to make sure no one was looking at me all weird, but thank goodness for these face masks, lol. So, Love Sold Separately, is a book about a young unemployed actress, who with the help pf her manager best friend, she got hired to work for a shopping network. I didn’t know that there was so much going on in that type of TV shopping industry, and I didn’t realize that most of these people are literally actors, trying to convince the audience to buy these products.
Anyway, on Dana’s first day, someone gets murdered, and she just threw herself into this case. She finally gets her break in life, and starts her new life and then POW someone is murdered, she is a huge success but then she starts to play detective with some of the employees in the company, and she starts to find out and piece together a story the story of what really happened to Kitty Todd. And let me tell you, Kitty Todd was a hot mess, and she dragged a few people down with her craziness.
The cover tells me it’s a romance novel, but then there is this mystery going on, and Dana finding herself, and finally finding real love. Its a lot, but its a lot of GOOD! Don’t let the title fool you, its more Romance, a little murder mystery, some family drama, and a lot of self-awareness.
Did I mention how much I love Dana?? Well if I didn’t imma say it again, I LOVE HER!
Thanks, Netgalley and the Publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
Anyway, on Dana’s first day, someone gets murdered, and she just threw herself into this case. She finally gets her break in life, and starts her new life and then POW someone is murdered, she is a huge success but then she starts to play detective with some of the employees in the company, and she starts to find out and piece together a story the story of what really happened to Kitty Todd. And let me tell you, Kitty Todd was a hot mess, and she dragged a few people down with her craziness.
The cover tells me it’s a romance novel, but then there is this mystery going on, and Dana finding herself, and finally finding real love. Its a lot, but its a lot of GOOD! Don’t let the title fool you, its more Romance, a little murder mystery, some family drama, and a lot of self-awareness.
Did I mention how much I love Dana?? Well if I didn’t imma say it again, I LOVE HER!
Thanks, Netgalley and the Publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
April 28, 2020
Love Sold Separately is an adorable rom-com about an actress who gets a job on a television shopping channel where she self-involves in a murder investigation.
Dana Barry is a struggling actor living in New York City and barely making ends meet. She gets an opportunity to host a show on The Shopping Channel and takes it even though it has a stipulation that she can’t act in any productions without management sign off, which she is assured she will never get. This is a bit of an issue because she’s been cast it an off-off Broadway play.
Dana manages to break records on the job, selling merch like she was born to do it. However, before her job has even started, she manages to smoke a joint on the roof of the the building where she works and kiss a coworker. Oops. And while they are kissing, they hear a gun shot. Oops. The star of the network has committed suicide except it looks like it’s actually a murder.
Dana’s kissable coworker is under suspicion so she decides to investigate on her own, battling with Detective Marks who is leading the official inquiry for the NYPD.
I mean, I think we can all relate to the impulse to interfere in a police investigation and lie to police.
There is romance, there is mystery, there is tension. Will Dana start a new career as a PI? While there are plenty of unrealistic elements to the plot, spoiler alert: Dana does not try to join the police force.
This was a really cute book.
Dana Barry is a struggling actor living in New York City and barely making ends meet. She gets an opportunity to host a show on The Shopping Channel and takes it even though it has a stipulation that she can’t act in any productions without management sign off, which she is assured she will never get. This is a bit of an issue because she’s been cast it an off-off Broadway play.
Dana manages to break records on the job, selling merch like she was born to do it. However, before her job has even started, she manages to smoke a joint on the roof of the the building where she works and kiss a coworker. Oops. And while they are kissing, they hear a gun shot. Oops. The star of the network has committed suicide except it looks like it’s actually a murder.
Dana’s kissable coworker is under suspicion so she decides to investigate on her own, battling with Detective Marks who is leading the official inquiry for the NYPD.
I mean, I think we can all relate to the impulse to interfere in a police investigation and lie to police.
There is romance, there is mystery, there is tension. Will Dana start a new career as a PI? While there are plenty of unrealistic elements to the plot, spoiler alert: Dana does not try to join the police force.
This was a really cute book.
May 14, 2020
Actual Rating 3.5
Somehow I thought that this was a romance. Probably because of the word 'love' in the title; however, this reads more as a cozy mystery, and I'm not mad at it.
Our main character, Dana, is an out of work actor and has a knack for seeing the details all around her. When she hears that there is an open audition for the Shopping Channel, she uses this to the best of her abilities and nails the audition. But on her first day of work, another host is found shot to death in her office, and Dana takes it upon herself to figure out who the killer is.
I was drawn into the story right away, even though the genre was not what I was expecting (it had been a while since I had read the synopsis). The writing was quick paced and I loved getting to see the behind the scenes at the Shopping Channel and it merging with Dana's life as an actor.
However, I didn't quite find her investigations into the death necessarily believable. She was not discreet and was always bringing new people (who were often suspects) into her investigation.
I guessed part of the plot right away, and even though the ending was a bit surprising, I also felt that it was abrupt and I wished there was more explanation.
Overall, it was a very interesting premise, and I'm glad I read it.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Somehow I thought that this was a romance. Probably because of the word 'love' in the title; however, this reads more as a cozy mystery, and I'm not mad at it.
Our main character, Dana, is an out of work actor and has a knack for seeing the details all around her. When she hears that there is an open audition for the Shopping Channel, she uses this to the best of her abilities and nails the audition. But on her first day of work, another host is found shot to death in her office, and Dana takes it upon herself to figure out who the killer is.
I was drawn into the story right away, even though the genre was not what I was expecting (it had been a while since I had read the synopsis). The writing was quick paced and I loved getting to see the behind the scenes at the Shopping Channel and it merging with Dana's life as an actor.
However, I didn't quite find her investigations into the death necessarily believable. She was not discreet and was always bringing new people (who were often suspects) into her investigation.
I guessed part of the plot right away, and even though the ending was a bit surprising, I also felt that it was abrupt and I wished there was more explanation.
Overall, it was a very interesting premise, and I'm glad I read it.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Love Sold Separately.
I feel as if I am striking out left and right with NetGalley books. Are my expectations too high? Maybe so but I want to keep things real with my reviews so here it goes:
The writing is great, however, that's about it for me. I wasn't really able to enjoy and love this novel. You would think the book was a romance based on the title alone but that was the case. It's more murder mystery with a bit of love thrown in.
The main character, Dana? I didn't connect with at all. I tried to, but failed time and time again. I was to the point of DNFing multiple times but thought, just finish it. I chugged along, even though this novel was going to be a disappointment. Then I realized how dang long the book is! Which... really, no romance needs to be that long. Not a good one anyway.
I had big hopes for this novel but really... it just wasn't for me. At all.
I feel as if I am striking out left and right with NetGalley books. Are my expectations too high? Maybe so but I want to keep things real with my reviews so here it goes:
The writing is great, however, that's about it for me. I wasn't really able to enjoy and love this novel. You would think the book was a romance based on the title alone but that was the case. It's more murder mystery with a bit of love thrown in.
The main character, Dana? I didn't connect with at all. I tried to, but failed time and time again. I was to the point of DNFing multiple times but thought, just finish it. I chugged along, even though this novel was going to be a disappointment. Then I realized how dang long the book is! Which... really, no romance needs to be that long. Not a good one anyway.
I had big hopes for this novel but really... it just wasn't for me. At all.
September 1, 2020
While I enjoyed the overall premise, I just had some issues with the book that ultimately brought it's overall rating down.
Cons:
- I didn't connect with one single character in this entire book. Dana, the main character, was an annoying, nosey human who was so unlikable it was insane.
- The romance in this story was bleh. She fell quickly for the sound guy, Lorenzo, but then a week later fell for the police officer?? It was a roller-coaster even for me. I didn't believe for a second that Dana had a connection with either of them, and that made the romance unbearable to read about.
Pros:
- The murder mystery was the only thing that kept me invested until the end. I did want to know who killed Kitty and that's the only reason I didn't DNF this story.
- The writing is technically very good; it's just the story that fell flat for me.
Cons:
- I didn't connect with one single character in this entire book. Dana, the main character, was an annoying, nosey human who was so unlikable it was insane.
- The romance in this story was bleh. She fell quickly for the sound guy, Lorenzo, but then a week later fell for the police officer?? It was a roller-coaster even for me. I didn't believe for a second that Dana had a connection with either of them, and that made the romance unbearable to read about.
Pros:
- The murder mystery was the only thing that kept me invested until the end. I did want to know who killed Kitty and that's the only reason I didn't DNF this story.
- The writing is technically very good; it's just the story that fell flat for me.
September 28, 2020
4.25 Stars / 1.5 Steam Fans
A book friend saved the rating for Love Sold Separately! Had I not talked to a book friend to find out that this book was a cozy mystery more than romantic suspense, I would have been disappointed. Dana is trying to find her way in the entertainment business as an actress when she receives an opportunity on a Shopping Network show. While Dana is debating on taking the job, she hears a gunshot from the roof. As the story evolves, Dana is left trying to figure out what occurred. There is a bit of a love triangle that happens, but the romance is not the main point of the book, so do not be afraid to read this book. Just know that romance is not at the forefront.
Video review available in Week 38: Sep 13 – Sep 19 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
A book friend saved the rating for Love Sold Separately! Had I not talked to a book friend to find out that this book was a cozy mystery more than romantic suspense, I would have been disappointed. Dana is trying to find her way in the entertainment business as an actress when she receives an opportunity on a Shopping Network show. While Dana is debating on taking the job, she hears a gunshot from the roof. As the story evolves, Dana is left trying to figure out what occurred. There is a bit of a love triangle that happens, but the romance is not the main point of the book, so do not be afraid to read this book. Just know that romance is not at the forefront.
Video review available in Week 38: Sep 13 – Sep 19 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
August 17, 2020
This book is an example of the cover and the title not matching the description or the book itself. The cover is a romantic city-scape. The title features "love". Yet, this book is a murder mystery. I liked this book, and I give it 3 stars because it was a likeable book, but nothing that I would be desperate to tell my friends to read. Dana is not a likeable protagonist. She makes stupid, wreckless decisions, and then cries the blues because she doesn't like her position in life. She gets a dream job and then does drugs? I can't read along with someone like this. She hops into bed with a coworker? Has she ever heard of not crapping where you eat? This is a dream career: steady pay, recognition, easy work schedule
August 4, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
2/5 stars.
I felt like this book had a lot of promise based off of the synopsis, but the execution fell flat for me.
First of all, I didn’t connect with Dana, the main character, at all. I found her annoying, self-centered, and incredibly childish. The other characters weren’t much better for me. I found them shallow and one-dimensional.
Secondly, I found that the two plot lines that book was following were boring and unnecessary. The romance felt incredibly forced and I didn’t believe for a second hat there was a spark between Dana and Lorenzo or Dana and Ari. The murder mystery aspect also felt underwhelming. It was fairly predictable and I didn’t believe in Dana’s need to be there and try to help.
The third, and biggest thing, that bothered me was that the book had a ton of typos. I know that this was an ARC, but it was so frustrating. The book really hated any combination of “fl” because they were always written like this:
“f lat” f lirting” “ref lection” “butterf lies”
It drove me crazy because it interrupted the flow of reading.
This book wasn’t for me in the end, and I don’t think I’d recommend it to anyone else to read.
2/5 stars.
I felt like this book had a lot of promise based off of the synopsis, but the execution fell flat for me.
First of all, I didn’t connect with Dana, the main character, at all. I found her annoying, self-centered, and incredibly childish. The other characters weren’t much better for me. I found them shallow and one-dimensional.
Secondly, I found that the two plot lines that book was following were boring and unnecessary. The romance felt incredibly forced and I didn’t believe for a second hat there was a spark between Dana and Lorenzo or Dana and Ari. The murder mystery aspect also felt underwhelming. It was fairly predictable and I didn’t believe in Dana’s need to be there and try to help.
The third, and biggest thing, that bothered me was that the book had a ton of typos. I know that this was an ARC, but it was so frustrating. The book really hated any combination of “fl” because they were always written like this:
“f lat” f lirting” “ref lection” “butterf lies”
It drove me crazy because it interrupted the flow of reading.
This book wasn’t for me in the end, and I don’t think I’d recommend it to anyone else to read.
September 25, 2021
Love Sold Separately took me by surprise. The cover doesn't exactly reflect the story. At first glance, I thought it would be your typical rom com. I decided to read it almost solely based on the cover, versus the synopsis.
I was pleasantly surprised. The book kept my attention, and I liked the main character. I didn't find it particularly memorable, and I imagine by this time next year, I will probably have forgotten the majority of the book. Despite this, it was still a decent read, and I'm interested in reading the sequel as well.
Thank you to Netgalley for the free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised. The book kept my attention, and I liked the main character. I didn't find it particularly memorable, and I imagine by this time next year, I will probably have forgotten the majority of the book. Despite this, it was still a decent read, and I'm interested in reading the sequel as well.
Thank you to Netgalley for the free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2020
This story was pretty good!
I was very interested in the mystery. It was a fun twist in what I've been reading lately.
I did not find it particularly realistic, but that doesn't bother me very much. There was also quite a bit of recreational drug use. Casually mentioning that she smoked a joint doesn't bother me, but I felt it was a bit over the top.
The characters were fun and well developed. I enjoyed reading this story. I recommend it for anyone looking for a good way to spend an evening.
I was very interested in the mystery. It was a fun twist in what I've been reading lately.
I did not find it particularly realistic, but that doesn't bother me very much. There was also quite a bit of recreational drug use. Casually mentioning that she smoked a joint doesn't bother me, but I felt it was a bit over the top.
The characters were fun and well developed. I enjoyed reading this story. I recommend it for anyone looking for a good way to spend an evening.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews