Blazing Summer by Denise Grover SwankI am really liking this series about a teen star turned reality star/private investigator. Summer Butler's first season of "Darling Investigations" was a surprise hit and she's back for the second season. Too bad she still has the same sadistic producer, the one who doesn't seem like her very much. In fact, Lauren has hired Summer's arch-nemesis, the boy who convinced her to fake a scandal that led to her downfall. Then, there's the fact that mysterious fires are starting all over town and everyone seems to be looking at Summer's cousin, Dixie. And then there are those pesky murders, also happening.



This book comes out June 5

Four stars

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Follows Deadly Summer

In this second book in the Darling Investigations series, Summer has just returned to Sweet Briar after a visit to California. The first season of her P.I. Investigations reality tv show went well. So they have been signed on for more seasons. But she’s hit with a big surprise on day one of filming- She’s got a little competition. Her snooty producer, Lauren has decided the two opponents will each get a number of specific cases and they will see who the fans like best.

But of course Lauren gave Summer all the dull. cases. So Summer decides she needs to come up with a big case on her own. She had no idea how much it would involve those closest to her.

I am a huge fan of swank’s mystery series. In fact, i was curious, so i just checked my stats. This is the 17th mystery i've read by her. You would think i would get bored, but i haven't. She manages to make you connect to the characters. She makes family a priority. It's only the second in the series, but i already need more Summer, Daisy, Luke, & Bill.

thanks to netgalley & montlake for the ARC

I really wanted to like this book. I really enjoyed the first one in this series but for some reason I just couldn’t get into it.

Edge of my seat suspense...

This book picks up a few months after the previous and continues Summer's journey as a P.I. in her hometown. I felt like the beginning was a bit slower and summarized a lot of the previous book but it did hook me. I am pretty certain I held my breath for an entire chapter as I cursed DGS in my head for the directions the book could have taken. From that point on, I could not wait to see what happened and was please that I was completely surprised and thrown off by how everything turned out. I am excited for more of Summer and absolutely love Luke.


* ARC received from NetGalley

Wow, what a ride! Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC copy of this amazing sequel to one of my favorite reads from January! After reading the first Darling Investigations book, Deadly Summer, I was stalking Goodreads, NetGalley, and the author's website for information about the next book, especially after Denise Grover Swank tweeted at me and said Dixie's story was revealed in this book!

One of the things I had mentioned in my review for Deadly Summer was that I had wanted to learn more about Dixie's past and I got my wish! Blazing Summer answers every question I had in the first book, as well as supplies me with a few new questions that I'm sure will be answered in the following book, provided there is a book three.

The overarching mystery in this book was actually crazy. Every time I thought I had a theory as to what was going on and who was doing it, I was given new information that completely shattered my ideas. There's nothing better than a mystery book where the reader has no clue who the culprit it, and this book delivered that. Not to mention the fact that there were probably three or so mysteries that you were trying to get answers to that all come together in such an explosive way. We learn so much about Dixie and what happened to her all those years ago, as well as learning how those events changed her life in almost every way. It was very a much a book where past mysteries and present dangers collide and I loved every minute of it!

Houses aren't the only thing burning up in this book! The romance between Luke and Summer heats up to epic proportions in this novel, which is another thing I had wanted for the second book. We get to see them officially become a couple but also learn how to work together and respect one another's dangerous jobs. Not only that, but Summer isn't used to having someone want to protect her and help her, and she isn't ready to give up her job to just be Luke's girlfriend. At the same time, Luke just wants to keep Summer safe and is trying to get her to leave the arson case alone. We get to see them evolve in their new relationship and as well as evolve as individuals. It was quite an interesting relationship dynamic, and I really enjoy them together.

Basically this book has it all; kooky small town characters, pet alligators, a possible drug ring, steamy romance, a mysterious arsonist, naked men drawings, hilarious banter, a dead body, and a washed up child star. It's safe to say that I love this series and I'm already (im)patiently waiting for the next installment! I'll be back to cyber stalking the publisher's website, the author's website, and Goodreads once again until I can get news on book three. Wish me luck!

Side note: this book, once it's released next month, and it's predecessor are available to read on Kindle Unlimited, so if you haven't read the first book yet now is the time!

I loved this book.

It is very interesting and has an awesome plot with turn and twist. The flow of the story and the character development are great. I loved the protagonist, Summer Butler and her "Darling Investigation" team. The way they go on solving real-life crime in her town, their family and her love life are all fascinating.

I enjoyed this book very much.

This series has me hooked! I love a good investigative story and Summer keeps me on my toes for the whole book. At times I was trying to guess who did it, but then I relaxed and revelled in this mind-boggling twister. You can't help but think there are similarities to DGS other mystery series, Rose Gardner, but I feel it is more because of the way the characters are written. This author has a knack for giving us rich, strong and sassy female leads that it is just a joy to read. The male characters are brilliant as well, especially Luke who is so supportive and protective but lets Summer be her own person. He is very swoon worthy to boot! I am also addicted to this family's dynamic, the cousins have a bond that goes deep due to their upbringing or circumstances. They have a gusty role model with their grandmother, who is softening a little with them, so sweet to see. And the camaraderie of the supportive cast give this series a well rounded feel.

This is the second book in the series, and technically you could read it as a standalone. Although I recommend you read the first one, as it will set everything up nicely and it has its own mystery to solve as well. Bring on book 3!

Summer Butler is back in her hometown of Sweet Briar, Alabama after her failed attempt at being the "Darling" of Hollywood. She is down on her luck and broke, with no choice but to take a humiliating job as a private investigator in a reality tv show set in her hometown. Her gig quickly becomes all to real when her cousin Dixie becomes the prime suspect in a string of arson and murder cases, leaving both Dixie and herself in grave danger. There are many crimes to solve if only Summer can figure them out and do it without getting herself or Dixie killed. This is a wonderful story full of mystery, intrigue, funny moments and sexual angst. I highly recommend reading Blazing Summer.

This is the first time I have ever read a book by Denise Grover Swank but I LOVED it! So much so that I purchased the first book in the Darling Investigation series. (to read next) What a hoot! The title says it all, a blazing sizzling, mystery and hottie Luke (does it get any better) ???

This was a quick fun read and I enjoyed every turn of the crime solving pages. The characters seemed to pop right off the pages and it was a delightful twist and turn of events. Hold on for the ride!!

Now I will go back and read the first book in this series, and hopefully DGS will continue on this journey to bring us more actioned packed entertainment!

Would recommend to buy for a gift for someone special, a real treat!

Keep up the good work Denise and will also post 5 stars on Goodreads. YEAH!!

Absolutely brilliant! I loved it. The ambiance of the South, the superb mystery and the fabulous characters are all wonderful. I'd give it more stars if I could and can't wait for more.

Blazing Summer by Denise Grover Swank a five-star read that will set you on fire. This is the second book in the Darling Investigations series and I will be honest and say I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first book Deadly Summer. But that being said It’s still a series I know I will love and read as soon as I am able. Denise Grover Swank is one of those authors you just can’t help but love, she writes multiple genres and I love them all. Summer Butler is back for the next instalment of her reality television show Darling Investigations, little was she expecting it to be such a huge success. All Summer wants is to be able to help her family and have a life, as far away from her old one as possible. Summer will fight for everything including her cousin Dixie no matter how bad things look, and how badly it will risk the blossoming romance with Brooding ex-flame police chief Luke Montgomery, he put Dixie away once and has the power to do it again? What would you do in Summers shoes? Throw in some amazing characters in the form of cousin Teddy and Meemaw and the craziness that is Living the Connor Life: Connor Blake’s guide to Spiritual, Physical and Emotional wholeness in less than thirty days, (A book within a book that I’m sure would be so funny, you can only dream) then you have a great story all round. There is something for everyone in the book.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way has affected my thoughts on the book.

I feel like I repeat myself in every review I write on Denise Grover Swanks books. I just can't help it though. I love everything about this book, just as I do all the others. Summer is back and ready to get down to business on her second season of her reality show. But what is a reality show without a few kinks. Lauren has brought on some competition from Summers past that she is not happy about. Not only that, Dixies troubled past is also appearing in the future,and it's not good. Summer is determined to make sure that she not only gets a better show than her competition, but to save Dixie as well. Definitely a book worth reading if you like a good Cozy mystery.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I love Summer and her story. I’ve been thinking about this book since I read the last Summer Butler book. I hope it isn’t the last one in the series.

Summer is back in Sweet Briar and so is everyone else from the first book, plus we met a few new characters. The big mystery in this book was clearing Dixie’s name and it was a great one. I always thought there had to be more to the story, and I’m glad we learned everything in this book.

I couldn’t tell who the arsonist was for most of the book. I kept trying to guess, but really wasn’t sure. I will say the book started a little slow, but picked up soon. I can’t wait to reread and I really hope we get another book.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

I cannot tell you how much I love this story! DGS knocked it out of the park again! Summer works the case of Daisy's arson case, and it sure is hot!

Blazing Summer is the second book in the Darling Investigations series. I enjoyed the first book enough to jump at the chance to read and review an ARC via NetGalley. This time, Summer is back in Sweet Briar after liquidating her life in California. She's about to start production of the second season of her reality show, which was renewed at the end of the first book. I was happy that this time around, Lauren (the evil producer) was sidelined a bit, so the main conflicts arose from the central crime/mystery Summer investigated, instead of from Lauren mean-girling all over the place for no good reason. I'm not a fan of bitchy lady conflict with no motivation and lose patience with that trope in books marketed to women, so I was happy about this change. Like last time, Summer has help from Dixie and Bill, but the inner circle is widened to include her other cameraman and sound engineer, plus Luke. Summer is more sure of herself this time around, which made the story more interesting to me.

The main mystery is a series of arsons in Sweet Briar. As in Deadly Summer, Lauren has given Summer fake crimes to investigate, but Summer decides to secretly look into the big story and put herself at odds with local law enforcement. We get to see Summer handle herself well in difficult situations--she doesn't always need a rescue--and while her relationship with Luke is part of the story, I would characterize this more as a light mystery/crime novel than a real romance. We also get plenty of Baumgartner family interaction and learn more backstory on Dixie's arrest and time in juvie, which still affects her relationships with Teddy, Meemaw, and Luke. While you have to suspend your disbelief at the level of crime happening in this small Alabama town, the dialogue and interactions between characters are natural enough and the plot unfolds at a rapid clip. We meet a few new characters and I suspect at least one of them will figure in the next book in the series (and I can't wait). This is a really quick, fun read that I would happily devour on a summer afternoon.

Loved Blazing Summer. Although I could do without Lauren, a little to close to local politics for me, love all the characters. Hope Summer moves on to her own business next. Denise always keeps you guessing whodunnit and who didn't. Denise captures small town politics well. Couldn't put it down. Left me wanting more.

Full review to be published online in mid June.

BLAZING SUMMER is the second book in Denise Grover Swank's new "Darling Investigations" series. Here we have back with her camera crew and her cousin Dixie. Dealing. With an arsonist on the loose, belligerent cops, and an awful producer is not a piece of cake. But if anyone can handle it Summer can, with a little help from her crew and her maybe boyfriend. She never backs down and she will do whatever it takes to help her family. Summer is such a strong woman. Even when she’s looking danger in the face she finds the courage to be strong and do what needs to be done. It’s no different when someone close to her is in trouble and Summer needs to find out the truth to save them. All this while trying to balance her show, the family farm, and the relationships she’s trying to patch back together. Looking forward to more in this series.

I loved the first book in the series and I was very eagerly looking forward to the second one!

Boy, was I happy when I saw this was available for request. I had so much fun reading this and could not wait to get into it when it became available to me. I highly recommend this!

As always, Denise Grover Swank does a phenomenal job of crime/romance! Really cute series!

It was sizzling!! I absolutely love this series!!!
It was muy caliente 🔥🔥(thinking of Luke) and it had me guessing who was behind the whole thing. It was like I was watching a show and it had me on the edge of my seat reading the story!! It was filled with some “gotcha”, laughter, and tears. Loved it.❤️❤️