I was so excited when I saw this book offered on Netgalley because I knew I was going to love it. Maryjanice Davidson has a sense of humor that I love. I know not everyone does, but it’s not worth talking to people like that. There were silly things like the Crisp and Gross Funeral Home. I mean, who thinks of a name like that? Some of the character descriptions were awesome. Pat Monahan, family patriarch, is described as “Methuselah. Or one of his close relatives.” And the family matriarch is described like this: “...who when she wasn’t wringing her bird-like hand, was cracking her bird-like knuckles. Wait. Do birds have knuckles?” And the idea of a sushi place combined with a comedy club called Konishi-ha? That, right there, is comedy gold. I also laughed when the narrator said that Ava “carpe’d the diem.”

Ava is a wonderful character and I found everything she did amusing, whether it was saying absurd things over the speaker to the passengers on the plane or pretending to be a blind pilot. Tom made for a great foil to her antics, taking most things literally, but thankfully, recognizing when she was joking.

I’m not one to recap the plot of a book, but there were some things that I highlighted because I found them particularly clever or they made me laugh out loud. Ava’s friend Dennis had too much to drink and was lying in the back seat of the car with an emesis basin. “Dennis was using the hell out of the thing. Or he was being devoured by dinosaurs.” At another point, Ava describes her skin as being so dry, she “felt like an animated piece of bark.” And when surprised by something: “She gaped—she’d almost used up her gape allowance for the month, but it was definitely warranted.” And when a group of people accused her of something she hadn’t done, she briefly wondered whether she’d “stumbled into Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Lottery.’”

Tom is clearly on the autism spectrum so when he was faced with a circumstance for which he had not prepared a response, this is what happened: “Tom opened his mouth, and then locked up. Just stood there. You could almost see 01010101 does not compute 01010101 behind his eyes.” Naturally, Ava surrounds herself with wise-asses so it’s no surprise when her friend G.B. accuses her of having,“The mind of a poet, the speech of a concussed cheerleader.”

Tom’s niece Hannah, for whom he is the guardian, is a child genius. Ava considers herself “Outclassed, outgunned, outsmarted by a kid younger than my favorite bra.” But I loved this exchange between Tom and Hannah after she used his phone without his permission and then defended herself by saying his password was too easy:

“My password this week is follicle,” he protested.
“See? Easy. You shaved your head earlier this week, you’ve been reminding me I’m overdue for a trim, and you’ve mentioned Ava’s curly hair twice. I can only assume you wanted me to hack your phone.”

This is a murder-mystery-romance so when Ava is inevitably faced with the murdered, she’s her typical smart-ass self. She refers to herself as a teenager saying she was “‘...Resentful and prissy, as only teenagers can be.’ Well, teenagers and cats.” But the best part is when she starts explaining the killer’s motivations to the killer and he says, “Why are you narrating?”

I really had only one problem with the book, and it’s something that may not even be noticed by most readers. Unfortunately, having a degree in gerontology and working in so many nursing home-type settings, it immediately struck me. Ava and Danielle volunteered in a nursing home and Ava hated it. “The third time she’d had to wipe shit off Mr. Wilkin’s ass, she’d decided enough was enough and told her folks she was quitting.” I realize it wasn’t a good nursing home and they eventually were shut down, but even the worst place wouldn’t have a volunteer doing something like that. Incidentally, my very first paid job was in a nursing home working in the kitchen, the only place teenagers my age were allowed to work. And the thought that we might have anything at all to do with patient meds is ridiculous. Other than that, the book was great.

TLDR: This book is awesome, it’s funny, and you should read it.

I sort of like the "is it a romance or is it a mystery" blend, but then there are things I like a lot less about it. I wanted to read this because I really loved MaryJanice Davidson's Fred the Mermaid books, but this straight contemporary just fell totally flat for me.

This is my 2nd book by this author and I really enjoyed the writing and Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review. 

If you have a sense of humor you absolutely must read this book, it is filled with some romance, mystery, murder, and characters that make you laugh out loud. 

This is a definitely fun read, of course, you can picture it when you leave home town and have to return, will you regret it, will this is a sure win to find out!    Read the book, you will enjoy it!

Initial Thoughts

I downloaded this book a while ago but didn’t get a chance to read it until closer to release date. I really liked the idea of a pilot as a main character. Also, I was excited to see some enemies to lovers-esque vibes from our main character and her love interest.

Some Things I Liked

Veronica Mars vibes. This story is basically Veronica Mars if Veronica was a pilot instead of a lawyer. And, I was so here for that. It’s one of my favorite CW shows from back in the day.
Murder mystery. The synopsis didn’t really do this part justice. Ava isn’t just living with trauma in her past. It’s an unsolved murder and I was so excited that the plot revolved around her not only seeking closure, but also solving the crime.
Big Bang Theory vibes. Not to compare it to anther TV show, but I loved that Tom and Ava reminded me of Sheldon and Amy in their business-like approach to romance. I liked how they really seemed to understand each other.

Some Things I Wasn’t Crazy About

Ava and Tom were both so no-nonsense. Honestly, it made them almost robotic. Their dialogue was a bit chaotic and hard to follow because of that. Now, that could be a knock to the writing style, but overall, I felt I had a hard time understanding some of their conversations as well as their conversations with other characters. Sometimes the sarcasm didn’t translate well.
The romance. I liked it, but at times, I didn’t understand how Ava went from zero attachments, hating relationships, to what she ended up with. It just felt rushed.

Series Value

I didn’t love this book, but I think there’s value in a series here. Captain Ava and Dr. Tom solving crimes together could be a fun dynamic that I’d revisit.

Final Thoughts

I liked this book. I didn’t love it. I wouldn’t reread it. But, I also wouldn’t stop myself from continuing it if it became a series. There are a lot of good bones here but some portions fell flat for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – if you enjoyed the enemies to lovers vibes in this story, try this standalone by Sally Thorne.
Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister – if you liked the idea of a snarky and sassy heroine solving a murder with an unlikely ally from the police force, try this standalone.

Fun, quirky and simply delightful. I enjoyed it, Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Captain Ava Capp is a pilot with the Northeastern Southwest airline. She would prefer to stay out of Minnesota as her dear friend, Danielle, was murdered there ten years ago, a murder that has never been solved. When a faulty drug test puts her on a 72-hour delay from flying and an act of vandalism involving her friends’ ashes makes her a suspect, she needs to find out who would do such a thing…and why. She is pleased when her initial meeting with Dr. Tom Baker, a member of the Ramsay County medical examiner’s office, leads to a chance at romance. He is helping raise his very intelligent niece Heather along with Heather’s grandfather Abe. What will happen when Danielle’s killer finally makes a move to eliminate Ava as well? I have always enjoyed Ms. Davidson’s writing style as her story is laced with humor and friendly sarcasm that makes the words speed by. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Ava is an airline pilot, a very good one at that! She is actually famous. (you will need to read this to find out why.) She has to fly into her hometown and she is not happy about it. Then her past comes back to bite her in the butt…

This story is a little spastic in places. I could not decide if it was a mystery or a romcom. I basically think the author changed her mind in the middle of this book and made it a romcom. And some of the conversations were confusing. I am not sure if it was the format of the early ebook or if it was just the way it was written.

I know it sound like I did not enjoy this book. But, I did enjoy it to a degree. I loved Ava. She is strong and funny, hilarious, as a matter of fact. Then there is Tom. These two together really make the whole story worth reading.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

When Ava goes back to her hometown, which she doesn’t really want to do, she meets Tom. Tom is the medical examiner looking into the murder of her best friend. Neither one knows how much their life will change and be impacted by the other. 
  They have great chemistry, and the witty banter is great, to a point. By the end of the book, it seemed that there was too much banter and not enough substance to the rest of the book. The chapters were short and the topic, even though it is a murder mystery, wasn’t too deep. 
  Overall, I liked the tropey book, I just wish there would have been a little more depth to some of the story. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

This was an entertaining book. Captain Ava Capp has been avoiding her past, but finds herself back in Minnesota and reminded of everything she ran from. M.E. Dr. Tom Baker wants to help solve the cold case from Ava's past. The book held my interest and was hard to put down. I enjoyed this story and would read other books by this author.

I was so excited about this book, but I didn’t realize it was the second book in the series. I honestly feel like that affected the way I read the book. 
There seemed to be information I was missing that kept me from really enjoying the book. I do plan to go back and read the first because I had really high hopes for this one.

I loved the story about Captain Ava Capp and her life. Not many ladies can fly one of those big airplanes. Thank goodness most ladies have not lost their best friend in a horrible murder. Would you be able to attend a memorial for her? Join Ava and Dr. Tom Baker, Medical Examiner, as they work through the hints and obstacles to solve whatever problems are thrown their way. I enjoyed both the story and the characters. Hannah, Sherry, G.B. and India add some humor into the story. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

This was a pleasant goody for me. The characters in this one are just that quite the characters. Ava and Tom each have their careers but now they are faced with each other once again. The chemistry is also still there. The banter is needed that also has these guys coming to life. I did not miss the humor that is laced in this in between the mystery suspense. This is so very well rounded. If wanting a cozy mystery you got it right here.

Truth, Lies and Second Dates was a light hearted read. It was full of funny, quirky and laugh out loud moments. The intriguing storyline pulled me in and kept my attention until the end.

This is the first time I’ve read MaryJanice Davidson and I’m sure it won’t be the last time. You have an airline pilot that avoids commitments, and a teenage past she really doesn’t want to face so she avoids going back to her hometown. To say that’s all that happens is a lie, but you have to read it to find out the craziness this girl gets into! Thank you for writing such a great book!

Truth, Lies, and Second Dates is the third book in the Danger series by MaryJanice Davidson. I have not read the first two books, which did create some confusion. Some context would've been helpful, so I definitely suggest reading the first two books. I think this technically can be a standalone, but that's my suggestion.

Instead of a typical romance book, TLaSD added a mystery into the equation, which did pique my interest. Also, I found the airplane setting to be very interesting, with our MC being a pilot. LOVE that it is a female pilot, where that field can be very male dominated. I appreciate the author for including that into this book. The MC was also very strong and confident, and then has her love affair with the ME investigating her best friend's murder (cue mystery).

However, this book just didn't entirely hit the mark for me. The writing felt very disjointed, it did flow particularly well. Generally with romances I can be sucked in pretty immediately and find it hard to stop reading, but I had no problem putting this book down and coming back to it. 

I don't believe what didn't please me about this book was entirely due to not reading the first two. I think I just don't relate well to the author's writing style, which is entirely for me. There is definitely an audience for this book, if you do love romance mysteries I recommend it. I'm not sure if the whole series is in that conjoined genre, but worth it to check out!

**Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

I am a big fan of the author so I was looking forward to this new book and I wasn't disappointed. Lots of quirky characters and back and forth dialogue so it made for an enjoyable read.

There is lots of action in this story so don’t expect to sit down for a light read.  I found that I had to read and re-read or miss some of the pertinent connections from place to place and person to person. Overall, a good story but certainly not exactly what I expected to find.

It’s a mystery, romance, thriller all rolled into one story. 

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Truth, Lies, and Second Dates was the first book I’ve read by author MaryJanice Davidson.  I had no idea what to expect other than this author’s website is a little unconventional so I was hoping for something fresh and new.  I was not disappointed.  What a treat this story was!  Yes, it felt fresh and new, and In some ways so unique as to almost defy description, but at heart it’s a sweet, sexy, funny and totally satisfying contemporary romance.  

Airline pilot Captain Capp – yep, that’s her name – is bold, brash, bossy – and brilliant.  Also brilliant – if just a bit to the side of normal - is Medical Examiner Dr. Tom Baker.  Competent, sweet, intense . . . and odd.  The attraction between them is steamy hot, but there’s something else going on there, some kind of softness and care each feels for the other.

This is not a conventional mystery with a trail of clues, but reading it is like peeling the proverbial onion.  I don’t want to give away any spoilers, because it was just so much fun to take the ride as details are revealed a little at a time.  The story is well developed, a terrific mix of dealing with the past while figuring out the future, with murder, intrigue, danger, suspense and lots and lots of humor and a captivating cast of supporting characters thrown in.  I would think I knew where the story was going and then something totally unexpected that actually made perfect sense would pop up.  

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of this delightful story via NetGalley.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation.  All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love it but I kinda got lost a few time reading it. I love the idea of the book. A really awesome totally gutsy female pilot. A very hot medical examiner and a cold case from her past. All the different romance tropes thrown in and it was good for some laughs. What didn't work for me was I felt even tho I did laugh some it just wasn't that funny to me. But you may love it. Also the plot was hard to follow.

Ava our heroine is a pilot and has herself a fun crew who are now her friends. They keep her laughing and taking life as it comes. Now she finds herself back in her hometown right in time for the ten year memorial for her best friends death. When she tries to skip the memorial, her life takes an interesting twist. Will this be the moment when everything changes and makes her face her life once and for all?

This was a story filled with quirky adorable fun-loving characters that make you laugh throughout the book. It had a mystery, a romance, and some fun facts about flying which I did enjoy. I will be honest and say that this was not one of my favourite books, and I did end up putting it down more than picking it up to read. I just could not connect well with the characters, so for me, this was a three star review. Thank you so much to the author MaryJanice Davidson, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own