Never ceases to amaze me! Every Java Jive mystery has kept me entertained from beginning to end. I was so excited to see Juliet and Ryder get back to a positive relationship/friendship. I will not lie, I was fan-girl giggling at their back and forth banter and witty pet names for each other. I couldn't help but feel at home when they were together. It definitely brought the excitement back for me. Then Caroline went and threw me for a loop dang it! I was disappointed again (relationship wise, not story) at the end but I got started right into the next one in hopes to get back to where I was. Keep up the great work Ms. Fardig, I am not giving up on Juliet and Ryder!!

Super cute cozy mystery! Clues and red herrings are very well done, and I love Juliet's spunk. Character's are very well done, but I think I missed out on a lot coming in on the fourth book first. Her romantic relationships seem very tangled and a little difficult to follow. I'm not a huge of fan of books where the heroine has too many love interests. Pacing and suspense are well done. Characters and setting and fabulous.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley and the publisher.

Juliet Langley is pumped! She has been an amateur sleuth for a while, but now she has worked hard and earned her private investigator license. Pete, her best friend and owner of Java Jive Coffee Shop, is happy for her, but has serious reservations. She has been known to take risks that scare Pete and put her in more hot water than she would like to admit. Besides, they are attracted to each other, but are afraid to jeopardize their friendship by becoming a couple so he is afraid of losing her.

Juliet assures Pete that working for her friend, Maya Huxley, the owner of a private investigation agency, will keep her safe. In fact, she will start out doing the boring part of investigations, like surveillance. The other thing that makes Pete apprehensive is that Julie is the part time manager at Java Jive while he works as an audio engineer for a studio in Nashville. How will she do both jobs without one or the other getting short changed?

The first case seems simple enough. Photographing a cheating husband’s clandestine meeting with his paramour should be a snap. Juliet watches, waits, takes the pictures to prove his infidelity and then abruptly gets mixed up in an attempted murder. Much to her dismay, her boyfriend, cold case Detective John Stafford comes to her rescue. Even worse, her ex-boyfriend Detective Ryder Hamilton finds out about the incident. They had a bad breakup and she has been avoiding him ever since. Now Juliet is back on his radar, and it is making her crazy.

Then Java Jive’s cook has a personal tragedy. His girlfriend is found dead of a suspected overdose, but he is convinced it is murder. Pete begs Juliet to help investigate the case even though the police have ruled it an accidental death, not murder. Juliet agrees, and reluctantly allows Pete to help her. This pulls both of them into a crazy situation full of models, parties and recreational drugs.

Meanwhile, Juliet is assigned to a new case, involving possible money laundering and theft. Again she crosses paths with Hamilton. She is angry and hurt but since it is beneficial to the case, she agrees to work with him as long as he keeps it strictly business. Things are getting tricky in her personal life and new profession. She is on the wrong side of a millionaire and is having trouble keeping her personal feelings out of her investigations. Is she in more danger than she can handle? Which one of the men in her life will help her and which ones will hurt her? The bodies are starting to stack up!

The characters in this series are well developed and interesting. The fact that they have troubles in their personal lives but carry on their jobs makes them easy to relate to and identify with. The relationships between Juliet and the men in her life are amusing and heartbreaking at the same time. She is always getting in too deep, but seems to be able to swim her way out of the situation. Her spunky attitude makes her the perfect star of this cozy mystery series. I really enjoy reading about Juliet and the men in her life, as well as life in the coffee shop with a side of murder served up sprinkled with a side of romance.

Brew or Die is the fourth book in Carolyn Fardig’s Java Jive Mystery Series. Previously I read and enjoyed the second book in the series, Mug Shot. Both of them are solid cozy mysteries with all the elements cozy readers enjoy. I highly recommend this series as well as the others written by Ms. Fardig.

Copyright © 2017 Laura Hartman

This Novell was like Stephanie Plum meets the Hannah Swenson mysteries.

The fourth in the Java Jive mystery series, Brew or Die, is a great read. Juliet has grown on me and I actually liked her more in this book. She has matured and now with her success if the previous mysteries has decided to become a PI. The mystery is twisty, entertaining, and surprising. I really loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series.
I received the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

The thing I liked about this book is that Juliet is learning from the past and making some better decisions while investigating her cases. The investigation of Josie's death was a little boring but the wonder-gen one was really interesting. A little disappointed that john was a crooked cop in the end and really sad that Ryder moved on right when Juliet realized she loved him. Waiting for the will they/won't they between Pete and Juliet to come to a head. They need to either say it's never going to happen or actually give it a shot. Don't think either will be happy until they know for sure

Juliet is a private investigator who also runs a coffee shop with her best friend. Being a newbie p.i.,she gets into some unusual (and sometimes embarrassing) situations. Makes for a nice, light read.

This book is a GREAT way to spend the day! It's a cozy mystery with totally likeable characters. I can't wait to read another by this author!

I best describe this series and the leading lady as a more competent Stephanie Plum. This is the forth book and I have to say, I am still enjoying the series! I love all the characters and the shenanigans. Jules is officially a licensed PI and takes it on as a second job. This one kept me reeled in because Jules teams up with someone you would least expect to work work on a case!! The love tangle between Jules, Stafford, Pete and Ryder had me hooked the whole time but then I ended up getting pissed at the very end of the book and slapping my head. I am hoping there is another installment and Juliet finally moves on in one direction or another. I am team Ryder all the way though. As for the mystery part, I sort of had suspicions early on in both investigation she worked on, but there were a few surprises and twists thrown in.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a cute, cozy mystery or you like the Plum series and Janet Evanovich, then give this a try!

Rating:4/5

**I received a copy of Brew or Die from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

the two mysteries that made up the plot to Brew or Die were nicely woven together and certainly kept me guessing.

I am not new to this series at all, I was fortunate enough to have been introduced right from the start and I have also had the pleasure of reviewing all of the previous books in the series as well. I was once again immediately sucked into this book because of all of the returning star players. The story line was again well written, hilarious and well-plotted. The twists in this book were awesome and can we just say, "action-packed"?! I had a hard time putting this book down, but I didn't want it to end. The characters are continuing to develop and Juliet I feel is finally feeling comfortable in her skin, which makes for a great lead character! The witty banter between Juliet and Pete has made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. I can't say it enough, this series is AWESOME and keeps me on the edge of my seat wanting more...by the way when is the next book set to come out?

Great story, however the heroine's romantic life was just too annoying to read about. She's so weak and wishy washy.

Brew or Die by Caroline Fardig is the fourth book in the Java Jive series. The Previous books were Death Before Decaf, Mug Shot, and A Whole Latte Murder. While newcomers might still enjoy the mystery, I think those that have read the series in order will get much more enjoyment from the read.

Inspired by her past sleuthing successes, Juliet Langley has officially joined the ranks of Nashville’s licensed private investigators. Her best friend, Pete Bennett, doesn’t worry that her detective work might interfere with her full-time job running his coffeehouse, Java Jive. He just wishes she would spend her free time rejoining the local music scene instead of tailing cheating spouses. But when one of Java Jive’s baristas, Shane, asks Juliet to look into the suspicious death of his fiancée, Pete encourages her to plow full steam ahead. Since his fiancée died on the job, Shane suspects that her party-planning colleagues are up to something criminal—and will do anything to keep it quiet. After Juliet recruits Pete to go undercover with her at a wedding showcase, she discovers that white lace and black satin have a way of hiding big, fat secrets. If that weren’t enough to fill her plate, her latest P.I. job has her crossing paths with her ex, Detective Ryder Hamilton. They’re barely on speaking terms, but to solve the case, they might have to cooperate. No matter where Juliet goes, she’s brewing up trouble.

Brew or Die has the same feel, and some of the same troubles as the previous books in the series. I still like Juliet and all of her neurosis. I like her confidence, intelligence, and willingness to help others. I like that she is just as flawed and occasionally insecure as any real person- especially when it comes to her relationships. That being said, I am over the tension between her and Pete, and would love to see that fade away a bit more- especially with Ryder trying to get himself back into the story. I also like that Juliet has enough self awareness to realize that she is not always making the smartest choice, and is willing to own her own choices and mistakes. I liked the level of danger and mystery- and the character interactions, particularly with Juliet and Ryder. A fast, fun read that offered a few surprises along the way.

Brew or Die is a fun continuation of the series, with just as much intrigue, danger, and troubled in relationships as fans have come to expect. The result is a quick, entertaining read.

Two things I really love is coffee and detective work! This was a fun and fast read. I really enjoyed the main characters. I feel like I need to go back and read the series from the beginning to really understand the whole story. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I'm so glad I found the Java Jive series! I really love Ms. Fardig's writing and this series in particular. I'll be looking forward to the next installment in Juliet's adventures!

This one got a little wacky but also did away with a character I didn't love. Juliet being a PI feels a lot like Stephanie being a bounty hunter. Such a terrible idea it works! I really like how Fardig plays with the settings in each book but keeps the coffee shop home.

Fardig has done a great job continuing to develop the characters and sub plots that weave through the different books. I don't love what she's done with some of them, but I see how it's necessary to do so. I'll keep reading this series..

Brew or Die

by Caroline Fardig

Brew or Die is a fast-paced, multi-layered, cozy mystery. I had a blast reading this one. The main character, Jules, has just gotten her PI (Private Investigator) license which means she officially has two jobs now. She is manager of the Java Jive Coffeehouse, owned by her best friend Pete, and she will now work for her friend Maya who owns an investigation agency. In this tale she is attracted to three different men while juggling two investigations. Jules is one busy red-head with an impulsive disposition.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Random House (Alibi) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #4 in the Java Jive Mystery Series—worked well for me as a standalone

Publication: April 25, 2017—Random House (Alibi)

Memorable Lines:

“You, on the other hand, are always tangled up in your investigations, shoulder deep in them most of the time. You have to deal with your feelings and think about how your actions are going to affect everyone around you. And somehow you always manage to come out on top. That’s real strength.”

This time there wasn’t the crippling depression and the overwhelming urge to consume every piece of chocolate within my zip code.

“I didn’t invite you in,” I said, pretty much done with all males and their testosterone for the foreseeable future.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Good grief! Juliette's love life is getting more and more complicated. It's a good thing she now has her investigators license and is on the job. Or is it? Holding down two jobs is bad enough but it seems her former beau, Ryder, is dogging her heels. Then Pete, the one who never was, after denouncing her new career move, has the two of them investigating the death of the fiancé of one of their employees.
Jules' schedule is enough of a downer to the budding romance with her new beau, especially when she is doing surveillance in the wee hours. She learns far more than she wants to know and it sets off all sorts of emotional whistles.
It's a good story and I like the way Jules now has a legitimate reason for investigating and the local cops are impressed with her skills. I like my characters to have reasons to do the things they do. As Juliette tackles her two cases, she has reason to wish she never started.
I do like the characters and must admit I found myself "rooting" for one particular beau. There was enough tension and suspense to keep me turning the page. My only objection, as a cat, is when two characters said they didn't like cats. They brought in a dog but how could anyone not like cats? I will not take it purrsonally.
I am already looking forward to the next outing. It is a great summer read. I give it five purrs and two paws up.

Juliet Langley is one of my favorite amateur sleuths. The secondary characters are great too. So glad to see that Ryder is back, and I love the wizened Gertie. Juliet finally has her P.I. license, so we know she won't be able to stay out of trouble. I enjoy Pete, but I keep hoping he'll grow a pair and get together with Juliet instead of just being friends and her boss. Starting from the beginning of this series is recommended.

This is the fourth book in the Java Jive series, which I love and have been a fan of from the first book and this book is no exception. The characters are great and extremely well developed. It's very interesting to me to learn more and more about their backstories as the series progresses. As always, there was a very solid and fairly complex mystery and then also a few sub plots, which made this a fun and exciting read.

The one thing that I do have to say is that I personally feel as if the romance aspect of these books has now crossed a line where it's threatening to overshadow the mystery, which is something I'd hate to see happen. I don't mind a little romance in my mysteries, but in my opinion, with this book, it gets a little ridiculous with three men essentially fighting for Juliet's affection. My advice would be have her pick one and let her romantic life stabilize and stay focused on the mystery. Do that and this series will continue to be a winner in my eyes.

In this Java Jive mystery, coffee shop manager Juliet Langley has just received her private investigato'r's license and is excited to work part-time for her friend Maya at her agency. Things are looking up in the romance department as well as her relationship with John, a local cop, seems ready to move to the next level.
When Maya goes to England to visit her sister and help with her new baby, she leaves Jules in charge of surveillance on a white collar case. Her friend and boss, Pete, convinces her to team up with him to find evidence that the girlfriend of one of their baristas didn't die of drug overdose. Jules may have gotten in over her head when it becomes evident that all of this is connected..
Good characters that continue to grow on you.