MAY COBB has done it again!  A LIKEABLE WOMAN is a page-turner that blends mystery + the complications of female friendships + revisiting family history + finally confronting your past + a powerful overarching look at what it means to be a woman.  

I know that last statement is a bold one, but the commentary on how woman are viewed, particularly if they don’t fit into that perfect little box of looking, acting and dressing a certain way is so spot on.  Ditto if they don’t follow a “prescribed” path.  Add in the backlash if a woman refuses to stay small or play small.  If women (gasp!) dare to follow a passion, to want something different than their peers, to embrace their bodies and their wants and their needs.  It’s how these women are viewed and perceived and how those perceptions impact the actions of others that rang so true for me.

These observations are seamlessly woven into a story about Kira, who left her East Texas town 20 years ago after her mother, Sadie’s, mysterious death.  Kira always believed something more sinister was at play, but her friends and family dismissed Kira, saying it was all in her head. Sadie’s death haunts Kira’s life and impacted every step she’s taken, or not taken, since leaving home.

When an invitation to the vow renewal of her frenemy Genevieve arrives, Kira’s grandmother baits her to make the reluctant return home, telling her that she has something of Sadie’s. Something Kira has longed for all these year that will finally unravel the secrets of Sadie’s death.  

But not everyone is happy about Kira’s return.  Threats.  Suspicious characters. Old friends.  Old rivals.  A lot of bourbon.  A sexy childhood crush.  One weekend for some shiny facades to come crumbling down.  Kira pulls back the curtain on a town and a group of people she thought she knew, only to learn that nothing is what it seems.  

I found a sometimes uncomfortable familiarity in many of Kira and Sadie’s feelings and also found strength and inspiration from these women.  

And also, Xandau. 

Huge thanks to BerkleyPub and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my third MAY COBB read and I'm such a fan!

Happy Pub Day!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

A Likeable Woman is a riveting page-turner that promises to keep you flipping the pages long into the night!!

A steamy domestic thriller that isn’t over the top. It’s a little sexy, a little more twisty and a whole lot of suspenseful. Are you sold yet?! It really is the PERFECT summer thriller read!! Just don’t forget your sunblock because you’re going to lose all sense of time while reading this gem!!

Many BIG thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for this digital reviewer copy in return for my honest review!! I HIGHLY recommend this one! And if May Cobb isn’t already on your radar as an author to keep your eye out for be sure to add her to the list!! She will keep you captivated until that final twist!

Also, Berkley have I told you lately how much I LOVE YOU!!! Thanks again for this unputdownable whodunnit book!! #chefskiss

A Likeable Woman is an enthralling and stimulating story that takes readers on a thrilling journey. This captivating story is brimming with scandal, deceit, and intricate manipulation, making it utterly irresistible and impossible to set aside.A remarkable work of fiction that seamlessly combines elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological depth. May Cobb's writing is both captivating and thought-provoking, ensuring that readers will be thoroughly engrossed from beginning to end.

Call Justin Timberlake because we need to bring sexy back!

May Cobb is really my go-to author for steamy thrillers, but A Likeable Woman is missing the steam and is lackluster as a thriller.

Usually, someone is in their birthday suit by the 10% mark in a May Cobb book but not this time. This didn't feel like a guilty pleasure. In one of the "steamy" scenes, the action is limited to one or two paragraphs.

Also, the narrative voice should have been better, and it took me AGES to finish this book. When I was struggling, someone volunteered to read the book aloud for me. Of course, this volunteer could not stick to the actual words of the text but punched up everything, creating little nicknames like Jack in the Box for Jack, Saddie Sadie, Ethan Hunt, and Michael Jordan for Mike. He had me in stitches, and that was the most enjoyable portion of the book.

Our main character is Kira followed by Sadie, and both of them were very sad and woe-is-me. We needed something a bit more lighthearted and fun. Steamy thrillers aren't supposed to be so dark and heavy.

Sadly, this was a miss for me.

*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.

I adore May Cobb and it's safe to say, if she writes it, I will read it.

However, A Likeable Woman fell a little flat for me after her last two novels which I absolutely adored and couldn't get enough of.

Kira wasn't my favorite character and I struggled to connect with her. I felt confused nearly the entire time about how and why she would be invited back to her hometown for Genevieve's vow renewals. I also guessed in the first few chapters about how things would play out and was disappointed to hit the nail on the head.

But still, Cobb weaves an enthralling tale. She conjures perfect images of the Texas countryside, the fabulous cottages, and the overly made up and 'soused' women! As with her prior novels, people are behaving badly, the women are catty and petty, and there's enough wine to feel a contact buzz.

I did love that this novel told two stories - Kira's current day question to find answers to her mother's alleged suicide and a story written by her mother years ago about her life.

With a cast of shady characters and potentially unreliable narrators, it was easy to question yourself and everyone's motives.

While this wasn't my favorite novel by Cobb, it won't dissuade me from picking up her next book the second it becomes available!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the copy.

2.5 Killing Me Softly Stars


I'm on the fence with this one. I picked it up a couple of times and put it back down because I couldn't get into it, but since it's an ARC and the release date was getting closer, I made a point of really pushing through and finishing it. Don't get me wrong, the writing was good, and so was the storyline I just couldn't connect with the Main Characters, Kira and Jack, for whatever reason.

We start with Kira receiving an invitation to attend a renewal of vows from a friend in her hometown, a town that she left after her mother died twenty-four years ago. She hasn't returned because everyone believes her mother's death was suicide, and Kira always believes she was murdered. Now that Kira has returned to the crime scene, she is receiving threatening messages and does her best to figure out who killed her mother, Sadie.

A few things didn't sit well with me in this book; first off, the depiction of Jack's son and his wife. His sweet boy has Autism, and his wife doesn't cope well with the stress of it all, so she takes "Mommy's little helpers," aka Xanax; I don't understand why we needed to make the wife check out all the time, she was either high on some pills or drunk from parting so much. The author also gives you a LOT of characters to dislike for one reason or another, and it almost seemed like either she wasn't set on who she wanted the killer to be, or it was done to distract you from figuring out who the killer was. Unfortunately, I still figured it out before it was revealed, so I had no big OMG moment.

Would I recommend this book to readers? Yes, I would. This book has many five-star reviews, so there is a good chance you will enjoy it more than I did. If you enjoy Suspenseful reads involving a small group of friends, parents and their kids, then you should check out this book.

Happy Reading!!!

This is exactly the type of domestic suspense I love to read. It’s easy to read. My thoughts on the characters change as I learn more about them. I know there is a twist coming that I can try and predict. It makes my heart happy to come up with both possible and wacky ideas of what is coming. And I was never quite sure if Kira, the narrator, was reliable or paranoid. I did guess the twist pretty early on, but I am not sure if that was normal, or I mixed up a few facts that put me on that path so maybe it was just dumb luck.

I liked the dual timeline where I got to hear directly from the murdered victim and see her perspective on how the events unfolded leading up to her death. The only downside of the book for me was a slew of characters (which allowed my mix up to guess the twist) to keep track of. But on the flip side, it seemed at one moment or another, pretty much every one of the many characters had a reason to strongly dislike her.

This one grabbed me from the start and I wanted to know more about the characters, if Kira’s mother was murdered and if so, who did it. The book also brought up some nostalgia remembering the one that got away and how well you did or didn’t fit in with that old crowd of friends and acquaintances.

I think this is a great summer read, no matter where that is for you. Interesting characters, a potentially unreliable narrator and a mystery to unravel will keep your interest. You’ll definitely want to be in the know as you see this one on summer mysteries to read list.

May Cobb has penned a simmering domestic thriller with her latest novel, A LIKEABLE WOMAN. Was anyone truly likeable in this book? No! But the author’s suspenseful storytelling kept me glued to the pages.

Main character Kira has returned to her hometown in Texas after a 20-year absence. She left not long after her mother’s alleged suicide, though Kira has long thought there was something more to it. Though she has no desire to visit her estranged sister and former friends (who seem to despise her now), Kira’s grandmother has lured her back with possible information on her mother’s death.

I enjoyed the dual POVs/time periods between Kira and her mother Sadie years before. I loved the tidbits of wisdom that Sadie left behind for Kira to discover, wisdom that readers should take to heart as well.

After finishing this book, I’m left with a few pesky questions, like why was Kira invited back for the event if she was so unliked by everyone? Just mean girl spirit? And though I enjoyed the surprising, twisted ending, does it make sense? Maybe.

The story is set in October in East Texas, and I could definitely feel the chill in the air reading this atmospheric mystery. Definitely pick this one up if you enjoy slow-burn suspense with lots of juicy drama!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

May Cobb’s A Likeable Woman is a <I>likeable story</I>. This mystery is told in dual timelines by two narrators, and one of the narrators is dead!

Kira was sent away from her family home after her mother’s suicide. She never believed it was a suicide. She has not been able to let go and move on. When she reluctantly returns home for an acquaintance’s vow renewal, she continues to pursue her belief that her mother did not commit suicide. Kira is made to look like a somewhat unreliable narrator as she sees almost all of her past acquaintances as potential suspects.

The second narration is from Kira’s mother, Sadie, via a memoir she began writing. Once Kira begins reading the memoir, her paranoia ramps up as she questions everything and everyone she has known in her hometown.

I enjoyed this slow burn suspense especially since I did not correctly predict the end. There are a lot of characters that have marginal roles in both the main character's life as well as in the mystery. I was happily surprised but somewhat disappointed by the story’s zenith. The end was satisfying even though it requires a suspension of disbelief.

3 - 3.5 stars

Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the gifted copies!

Happy Pub Day to A Likeable Woman!

I won't lie, there wasn't much likeable about our female MC Kira for me. I believe the kids these days would call her "a tad delulu."

I enjoyed the alternating POV chapters and changing timelines, and while there was one element of the big twist I found somewhat predictable, there was a second mystery I definitely didn't see coming!

I really enjoyed the narrator for this one too, so if audiobooks are your thing, give it a listen!

A Likeable Woman byMay Cobb is a truly fascinating mystery that is sure to entertain any mystery book fans & a perfect escape on a hot summer’s day. This is a story that has it all including a suicide from two decades prior fraught with questions, enough drama to constantly have tea pouring, intrigue, unique family dynamics, the formidable small town vibes & terror all wrapped together to create one likeable mystery. The author also did a great job of unveiling the mystery in such a way that the novel was equipped with a tense & foreboding background that had me reading until 2am to finish.

It had short chapters, which are my favorite & kept such a steady pace in the novel. I also enjoyed the fact that it switched point of view from the main character, Kira to
also her mother who died when Kira was a teenager years ago. The viewpoint of the deceased, possibly murdered, mother adds a potent spookiness that urges the reader to swim further into the story to learn what actually happened. There are more than a handful of characters in the town that provide enough side stories, suspicious & suspects to keep the reader guessing until the end.

As a Texan with family with ties to the area that was the setting, it made quite an interesting experience reading this book.

I loved the sentiment & message about the beauty, freedom & sometimes even the necessity of being an unlikable woman. The author also did an excellent job of showcasing the realities of grief from losing a parent when young & the effects it can have on adulthood, especially when there’s questions surrounding the passing.

If anyone is looking for a small town reunion, family drama riddled cold case-esque mystery, I think A Likeable Woman is a great recommendation for you!


Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

I will post on social media & Amazon this week & add links once they are live.

This was a fun read! While I didn’t find myself constantly wanting to pick it up to find out what happens next, everytime I was in the story, I was fully immersed.

Kira fled home and has been trying to figure out who murdered her mom for years. Except everyone else thinks it was a suicide. Kira has the perfect opportunity to go home when she’s invited to her old frenemy’s vow renewal. But should she? But her Gran also keeps calling with something she wants to give Kira of her moms

I loved the plot of this book! Investigating your parents murder at a frenemy’s vow renewal- count me in!! The mixed media of Sadie’s memoir was an added bonus and so interesting to read. It was a great way for Kira (and the reader) to learn more. Once I got to a certain part of the story, I had a feeling of the twist! Overall this was a really fun summer thriller! 🎉 thank you so much @berkleypub @netgalley @may_cobb for my eARC 💙

This suspenseful story is told from 2 POVs- Kira in real time & Sadie, her mother who died under mysterious circumstances. Kira was exiled from her hometown after her mother passed away, but reluctantly returns to attend a vow renewal for a friend Genevieve. Her grandmother has also promised to reveal truths about her mother’s death. Everyone called it suicide except Kira & nobody believes her.
The story unfolds between Kira’s recollections and revelations and Sadie as a somewhat unreliable narrator. Kira faces all of the old friends and acquaintances as she seeks answers.
This is a solid thriller that had some unexpected twists and turns that I did not see..
Read this if you like:
reading about likeable and unlikeable women
Multiple points of view
Flashback
Unreliable narrator
Twists & turns
Suspenseful murder mysteries
Twisted wealth power dynamics
Second chance romance

I love the authors brand of writing catty Texas women with a side of scandal and drama and the fact that Kira was trying to get to the bottom of her mothers death years ago is like cat nip for me, I’m a sucker for a cold case being resurrected. Not gonna lie, Kira was kind of annoying but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. When she gets the memoir that her mother was writing and doesn’t immediately read the entire thing in one sitting I was like umm no mam that would never happen. BUT I get it was written that way to build suspense and tension so I just went with it even though no one would ever really do that. It truly made me binge read this because I wanted to know what the memoir revealed so well played May, well played. 😉 Overall this was a fun and juicy summer read with a few surprises along the way.

A Likable Woman by May Cobb is a psychological thriller about the main character, Kira, returning to her hometown with the hope of proving her mother was murdered and her quest to figure out who did it.
Bullet Point Review:

I loved Sadie's memoir detailing her marriage and life in the small town. It's written to her daughter Kira. It is a tightly focused story that engaged me when I started reading those particular chapters. It makes up the past timeline in this dual-timeline story.

As much as I loved Sadie's story, I struggled with the current-day story from Kira's eyes. It's just bogged down in unnecessary details that failed to hold my attention.

I did like that the truth behind Sadie's death came out and that the suicide story died. It needed to be cleared up. I don't care for that device in stories. It's been done too many times. There are quite a few literary devices used in the telling of this story that just frustrated me.

Kira reads a bit of the memoir and then goes and runs around asking questions when I just wanted her to sit down and read it from cover to cover because that would feel much more authentic. She was sent threatening texts, but it never dawned on her to block the number.

Everything was happening not now but later. "I need to tell you something, but later." There was no immediacy to the story, which hurt the tension level.

The mystery was, at worst predictable and, at best, just not shocking or developed in a way that created any emotional response behind it.

Kira is a main character that I really wanted to like, but I found that the story got in the way of that. I did, however, appreciate that she is named for Olivia Newton John's character in Xanadu. That was a fun little detail.

Kira tells the current-day story, and her mom tells her own story in a memoir written for Kira. I liked how the memoir was written in almost a letter format. That personal touch makes all the difference.

The pace was medium, but the story needed more focus and borders on overwriting, so it was a very frustrating read for me. I prefer a tightly constructed thriller. It would have been better if the focus had been on the mom's story through her memoir, with the current day dotted in on an as-need basis.

The story is set purposefully in Texas, but, reading the story, it felt like it was used for the stereotypes of small-town life in that state. It made the characters too surface for me, and I only like stereotypes used when it's for comedic relief.

Read if you're in the mood for:
A tense, dark, and mysterious psychological thriller
A dual timeline tale with complicated characters
A medium-paced story that develops slowly

‘This one’s for Liz, my incredible mother, who taught me from a young age that it’s best to aspire to be an unlikable woman’

I loved this dedication, but unfortunately it was all downhill from there. After enjoying The Hunting Wives, I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, it was overwritten, over explained, overly dramatic, and just too obvious.

I hate to give a negative review of an ARC, but this one just really left me wanting more in every regard.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley, and May Cobb for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This has a great concept, but I wasn’t drawn in by it the prose or the execution of the dual POV/two timelines. Not for me.

Read if you like:
⏳ Dual Timelines
2️⃣ Two POV
📝 Journal/Memoir Chapters
🔍 Solving a Mystery
📱 Threatening Texts

This one really keeps the suspense high as we bounce between present day of Kira trying to figure out what happened the night her mom died 20 years ago and the past via her mom, Sadie’s, journal/memoir chapters recounting moments of her life that led up to two weeks prior to when she died.

I loved how each back and forth leaves the reader simultaneously wanting to say in the POV they are in for answers as well as returning to the other POV hoping for clarity and answers there as well not knowing when the answer of what happened to Sadie will come out.

If you love a fast paced read with alternating POV leading you to finally getting answers I highly recommend checking this one out. My one qualm was with how everything slowed with the reveal in the end, but I was still captivated needing to know what would ultimately happen with the ending.

Thanks so much to Berkley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Got to say I don't understand the cover for this novel after reading the book.

Kira is haunted by her mother's death, and still believes something was amiss when she abruptly died years ago. A invitation for a party back in Texas gives Kira the excuse to go home to her small town to find the answers to move forward. She also reunites with her beloved friend Jack. The man she considers her rescuer after losing her mother.

Caddy women behaving badly, old Texas money and small town gossip pour over the pages of this story. This book was highly predictable as I absolutely guessed the bad person early and it played out exactly how I imagined. For the record, I rarely ever figure out plots till the end.

A Likable Woman is enjoyable but I enjoyed the authors other books more. .

Thank you Berkley for the complimentary copy.