THIS BOOK. I don't know what to do with myself. I just finished this one and this has been the fastest I read through a book in months. If I could give it a million stars it wouldn't be enough. Granted it was my most anticipated and it didn't disappoint. People, if you have never read a Darynda Jones book, your loss. There is an easy fix though. A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY is the second installment in this author's Sunshine Vicram series. So you can still read the first book before this one releases.

Now to the good stuff. What you need is tissues. Many, many tissues. For the parts you when you're laughing so hard that tears are running down your face and for the parts when you have tears in your eyes because you're overwhelmed with emotions. Yes, that happens too.

Apart from the awesome, fabulous, amazing, wonderful, unbelievable, quirky cast there is an equally awesome, suspenseful storyline that was such a page turner that it was hard for me to tear myself away. I ADORED Sunshine and Levi in this book, just as much as Sun's clever, clever daughter Auri.
“You have no idea what your mother put us through. You couldn’t disappoint us any worse than she did that time she threw a party while we were out of town and invited an entire biker gang called the El Choppos, who used my bras to shoot water balloons at the neighbor’s house.”

And Cruz, Auri's boyfriend, is someone you want for your own daughter, believe me. He is THE BEST. This kid hit me in the feels right where it hurts best. The whole. Forking. Time. Enigmatic and charismatic Levi shows that he is more than the grumpy hot guy and when he shines it's spectacular.
“You’ve bewitched me.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth.
“You bewitched me the first time I saw you and no one else has ever measured up.”

There is also this wonderful friendship between Sunshine and her BFF and Chief Deputy Quincy. These two walk through fire for one another and their conversations were some of the most humorous. And how I loved the our heroine, Sheriff Sunshine Vicram, whose integrity is absolute, who always questions herself. If you don't love her, we can't be friends anymore. #SorryNotSorry
“Do you think, and I know this is asking a lot, but do you think you could possibly keep your granddaughter from getting into any more trouble for the rest of the night?”
Her father shook his head.
“I can’t make any promises, Sheriff. Look who her mother is.”

There is a slew of characters but I never felt that I got lost. The author does an amazing job to make you remember every single personality in this small town in New Mexico.

If you're like me and had thousands of questions after A BAD DAY FOR SUNSHINE you'll get answers but prepare to have even more questions when you're done. That's just how this series works and I don't care. Give me twenty books in this series and all with cliffies and I'll die a happy woman.

Darynda Jones is an exceptional storyteller who has one of the best writing voices I've read in recent years. Her sense of humor, that hilarious sarcasm and the many "oh snap" moments, are what make this story so fast paced and captivating and outstanding, I giggled, laugh-snorted, and downright laughed hysterically throughout most of the book. She also cranks up the heat between Sunshine and Levi. Phew!


Fans of her Charley Davidson series will delight in the easter eggs - have fun finding them! What I said about the cliffies is true but I really hope that we don't have to wait as long for the next book because, boy, this series is my new addiction and I need my fix in a timely manner. For now I predict that this will be my top favorite of 2021.
She loved everything about this man. Not just his physical appearance. It was him. Levi. The noble being she’d been in love with since she was a kid.

A small-town sheriff should have an easy job, but Sheriff Sunshine Vicram seems to be a magnet for trouble, and it looks like her daughter Auri is taking after her mother. Her chief deputy sheriff has a running dispute with Randy, a racoon, her parents keep setting her up on blind dates, her secret crush on Levi Ravinder keeps her off balance, and now her teenage daughter is trying to solve a very old serial killer case. And that is just the start of Sunshine’s problems.

I love Darynda Jones’ sense of humor (lots of sarcasm) and style of writing. Sunshine’s running internal dialogue, her relationship with her daughter (the teasing is hilarious, especially the talk about the Devil’s button), and her wonderful circle of friends makes this book stand out.

What I liked: there was more Levi Ravinder in A Good Day for Chardonnay! Auri’s budding romance with Cruz (it seems to parallel Sunshine and Levi’s early relationship); and the introduction of Levi’s uncle Wynn.

What I liked the least: having to wait for the next book in this series. Seriously, I love this story and the ending only made me eager to read more. Also, one detour with Sunshine and Quincy seemed unnecessary.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing digital advanced reader copy; This is my exchange my honest opinion.

Darynda Jones hits another homerun with this fun and witty second book of the Sunshine Vicram series. This clever story of a small town sheriff is a balance of mystery with laugh-out-loud humor while never losing the tension of the story. This is a angst-filled mystery is everything you want from a Darynda Jones book. It was a true delight.

Not sure which one this is in the series but enjoyed this one a lot. Have read at least one before, but not sure if this is two or three? Doesn't really matter, as once I got started it was hard to put this one down. Love the snarky relationship between Sunshine (yes, that is her name) and her friends and her daughter. Good action, good story, good author and one I highly recommend.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY (Book 2 of the Sunshine Vicram Series) by Darynda Jones in exchange for an honest review. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram revels in the ridiculousness of her life. She’s busy wrangling raccoon banditos when a friend of Levi Ravender’s is attacked by multiple assailants and stabbed repeatedly. Meanwhile, everyone in the Ravinder family, including a long-imprisoned uncle of Levi’s, has confessed to the long-ago killing of Sunshine’s kidnapper. At the same time, the current stabbing case may be related to another cold kidnapping case. Sunshine works to find answers to both stabbing cases as well as both kidnappings while her daughter investigates a third cold case involving a local serial killer. Sunshine will find the most surprising answers to these questions. Will everyone survive the revelation?

I liked both this book and the first in the series, A BAD DAY FOR SUNSHINE. I recommend this book to fans of mysteries featuring murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, serial killers, secrets, and silliness.

It is absolutely A Good Day for Chardonnay, and book #2 is undeniably a 5-star read. Author Darynda Jones has hit it out of the park yet again with the further exploits of Sheriff Sunshine Vicram and the gloriously sexy Levi Ravinder in the mysterious city of Del Sol, New Mexico. If you are looking for a great mystery that includes all the feels, look no further. Darynda writes remarkably colorful characters and makes you fall in love with them, quirks and all. The story delivers a roller coaster of emotions. It has considerable humor mixed well with a bit of steamy sexual tension. What a ride! All this excitement is expertly written with a side of nail-biting suspense. And then she does it all over again. Yes, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this page-turner; the icing on the cake was finding out it would be a trilogy.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this available to me.

This was a great follow-up to the first in the series, with a couple of major outstanding questions answered toward the end of this book. There are also some major plotlines that will be continuing into the next book of this series. Sunshine's daughter is annoyingly teenage-like in her denial of possible consequences to her actions, causing some major damage.

Here's hoping the author keeps bringing us more of those Sunshine books!

It honestly escaped my notice that this was a book 2 in a series. I wish I had known that going in and read book 1 first - A Bad Day for Sunshine. And while A Good Day for Chardonnay could definitely be read as a stand-alone, there may have been helpful backstory in the first. I don’t know.

Argh, what did I think of this book? I hate throwing shade on such an overall creatively astounding work, but I will. First, though, I’ll tell you what I loved. The two central characters of Sunshine and her daughter Auri were wonderful! I fell in love with both of them. And Sunshine’s parents. And Quincy too. But mostly the mother-daughter relationship between Sunshine and Auri and then each of these characters as individuals.

I also loved Darynda Jones’s writing style and her incredible sense of humor. She’s ridiculously clever and made me literally laugh out loud several times. So I had those moments of smiling and thinking the book was great, but there were also lots of moments where I was confused and frustrated too. As much as adored the clever wit, comebacks, absurdity, and hilarious banter, there were times I wanted it to stop. When every character in the story is supremely quick-witted, (not to mention incredibly beautiful), it becomes too much. Levity, stabbing, levity, rape, levity, murder, levity, abduction, levity, danger, levity, kidnapping. Fresh out of surgery? Dying? Just killed someone? On the run for your life? You keep that sense of humor! Everyone is in a good mood. Cue the Indiana Jones theme music and run for the mine.

There may have been an over-abundance of plot lines to follow too. Sometimes the flips from one issue to the next made me shake my head to clear it. I forgot about a couple of them too, and when they would re-appear, I almost wouldn’t care and wanted to stick with the other ten irons in the fire. Also, this was supposed to be set in a small town, but there are times when it seemed big. You can get anywhere in about 3-4 minutes, but they had all kinds of businesses and services and schools. . . and shit tons of crime! The town should be in Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

These next paragraphs are spoilers. . . Why the hell wasn’t it a problem/criminal matter that Mrs. Fairborn killed her husband and buried him in the backyard? It would be if I did that. Instead, they/cops just took sweet Mrs. Fairborn’s word that the guy was a serial killer and held her hands tearfully proud that she had dispatched him. But, hey? You think your husband killed 23 people? That seems like a lot! Did you ask him where the bodies are buried? Any thoughts? Was he a big man? What was his problem? Can we dig up your backyard? And during those decades (?)—where he killed 23 people—you didn’t suspect him and you never told anyone? That’s okay, we love you. We’ll let the teenaged Auri work on the case in the next book.

Hey, Levi. . . why do you insist on never seeking medical treatment? Sighing a bit at the machismo. The superhero thing was a lot. And Cruz, you just got stabbed several times in the gut and you’re fresh out of ICU, are there really so few lingering medical issues you can just walk out of the hospital and grab an Uber? Super smart move with no consequences I’m sure and hey, you left so you could do a noble thing, but where did all the hundreds of people holding candles come from? Who coordinated that when no one was 100% sure where you were? Nice timing for the small town to come out by the hundreds all at the same time in case you were going to go to xxx. Did Levi poke his head up over the hill? How was he involved? And how did Grandma and Grandpa sneak up on that hike?

Also, Sunshine never slept. And I find it super hard to believe that no one looked inside (Mrs. Fairborn, Auri) the necklace. Those old-fashioned cameo types almost always opened. It seems obvious. But also, how big was that piece of paper that was stuck inside with a will? It’s a necklace.

Oh! And maybe I read this wrong, but while Sunshine was taking a shower in the hospital, Levi comes into the bathroom and holds her while she finishes shampooing her hair. . . which would mean she was naked. No mention of this big heart-pounding sexy moment was made. Did I read that wrong? For all the chemistry and yearning between these two characters, this might have been a thing—he saw/held her naked. (Kindle reading issue here—I can’t go back and find it. If I were reading this in paperback I could. Argh.)

I could go on listing my issues, but I won’t. Because I’m mad at myself for even making the list. My inability to look the other way when something isn’t logical is part of my downfall. It prevents me sometimes from just shutting off my mind and enjoying the pleasure of the journey.

Because all in all, it was a nice read.

OMG! I totally hated this book...NOT!!! I loved it, but I did hate the fact that we have to wait more than a year (I hope only that long) to find out the cliff-hanger!

There was so much going on in this book that sometimes I wondered just how everything would get resolved. But never fear, most of the storylines did get resolved, although I can see where some of this resolution will be used in future books.

I'm not even going to hint or try to recap the story for fear that I will give away something important. But rest assured that there will be deaths (bad guys---mostly), blood, heroism, and an 'apple that hasn't fallen far from the tree'!

ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

Amazing!!! 500 stars!! Thank you so much Netgalley for ARC!
To starts off I have to say that ending leaves you BEGGING for more!!!
I sort of guessed in book 1 of this series what I thought would happen, and I have to say I’m sooo glad! Trying to avoid spoilers, sorry for the vague explanation.
I love Sun’s banter and street smarts. But, I have to mention I LOVE everything Darynda Jones writes! Her books just make me so happy.
I can’t wait for my preorder of the audible audiobook to come in! I want to experience this book again with Lorelei narratoring it.

I must say that Auri is VERY MUCH her mother's daughter. She's smart and wily and she's a trouble magnet. Which means Sunshine is kept on her toes when it comes to keeping her kid from diving headfirst into danger. (Seriously, they're two peas in a pod and it's kind of hilarious to watch their convoluted thought process when they don't end up on the receiving end of blunt force head trauma.)

But that's another story for another day. Right now we have a bar fight that ends in a little bloodshed, a homicidal Levi looking to exact revenge on the people who hurt his friend, a missing kid, a PAINFULLY awkward "date night" between two people who are not romantically inclined (so painful. so very, very painful.), and Sunshine following up on the scant clues she has regarding her own abduction years ago. Oh, and then there's Auri on the hunt for a serial killer. Did I not say she was very much her mother's daughter? HA!

As Sunshine slowly remembers more bits and pieces about her abduction, we get a few answers that left me VERY relieved. Total bonus: We got some solid Sunshine and Levi interactions and I really really really like those two when they smolder at one another. Also, they make a pretty darn good team when they give in and start working together.

Things are still weird and quirky in Del Sol and there are a whole lot of bodies that keep popping up. Sunshine might never have expected to end up the sheriff of her hometown (especially since she technically never ran for the position), but she's doing a darn good job getting things done. Sure, things get a little messy, but sometimes you have to break a few eggs or something.

Am I looking forward to the next book? After that ending, YOU BETCHA!

This is such a fun series! I love the quirky characters and town. Some of the mysteries from "A Bad Day for Sunshine" are getting solved in this one, while a few more questions get thrown in. There is a bit of romance (also sex), some crime stopping action, and a bit of heartbreak.

I look forward to the next!

This was a fun, light read.

As usual, the author is quick with both the humor and the feels.

While there were times when the action kind of slowed down for me, I was all in when the author started spilling some town secrets and…um…fulfilling some promises.

This is definitely a really good addition to the series – the reader learns so much!

A beach read to be certain, but a lovely mental palate cleanser from the dark real world out there.

*ARC provided via Net Galley.

I loved this book. It's got twists and turns. I loved the characters, so glad to see the two main characters get together. I wish the book was longer. It's fast paced and a thrill a minute. #AGoodDayforChardonnay #NetGalley

OMG! One of my favorite coolest, sarcastic, witty, coffee addict heroines is back and she’s definitely rising and sun-shining in this novel!

Of course the name of the book is truly calling me: every day is great day for Chardonnay as you keep reading small town police officer’s ultra laugh out, smart, entertaining adventures.

This time her cutie pie daughter is chasing serial killer and of course ongoing investigation about Sunshine’s kidnapping gets an interesting turn by finding accurate evidences : all signs show the notorious bad boy Levi! But Sunshine already knows deep in her guts he never involves into anything may hurt her!

This book is more action packed, more mysterious, more caustic, more powerful and definitely more enjoyable.

As soon as I finished, I checked my ereader and screamed a lot : I thought I skipped some pages: there might have been more! There must have been more! It couldn’t finish so soon! I needed moreeeee!

Especially that awwww amazingly cuteeee ending later, I had every right to expect to read more! That cliffhanger was literally sunshine of my midnight ( I finished the book around 3 a.m in the early morning and after the book pumped too much adrenaline into my veins, I couldn’t expect to sleep!!!)

What do we have on the menu?
Brawl fights- yesss!
More sexy banters- yesss!
Abduction- of course!
Big revelations- hell yeah!
More misunderstandings and fights between love birds Levi and Sunshine- absolutely!

I enjoyed the promising start of the first book but this second installment of the series was so much better than the first book which earned gallons of chilled Chardonnay, more sunshine and accurate paternity test five blazing stars!

I hope we don’t have to wait for the second book! Entire fingers are crossed!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

This is the BEST SERIES!! This is the second book in the series and I recommend reading A Bad Day for Sunshine first.

I am obsessed with Sunshine Vicram and the cast of characters that are in this book. I was waiting very impatiently for this book to come out because I needed to know what happened!! This book does not disappoint! Her daughter is hunting what she believes to be a serial killer, her crush was involved in a knife fight and hit by a car that might be tied to a kidnapping and did I mention that her adorable partner in crime is chasing a raccoon?

This is a fantastic series and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I can’t wait for the next book! Thank you netgalley for this ARC!

Never read Darynda Jones? Think Janet Evanovich but with more laughs!! I love anything she writes and I was excited to continue Sunshine's story. What a novel!!! SOOO thankful to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title.

I didn't read the first Sunshine Vicram novel so I was wondering what I got myself into during the first chapter. Was this going to be one of those cheesy novels where they tried to make everything cutesy and off-the-wall ridiculous? I'm happy to report that while this has a lot of small town quirks and interesting characters, it was well-written and hilarious. There is a lot going on but it's easy to follow what's happening. I think there were a few references to the first novel but not to the point where I felt like I was missing out on something (though I do want to go back now and read the first one). Enjoyable and highly recommended!

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC for an honest review. I love Darynda Jones’ sense of humor, and I love how her mind works! It shows so brilliantly with the Sunshine series. This series...there is no other words but AWESOME to describe it. I love the characters. The whit, the sass, and strength of Sun Vicram pulls you into the story, and you could see her as a real person. I loved how Darynda makes a multi-layered plot flow so smooth. She keeps your interest from the very beginning with many twists and turns,
I don’t like to post spoilers because I don’t want to takeaway the joy of discovering the story. I’m almost speechless with how much I love this series. GAH!!! I just want more! I want to pimp this book to everyone from the street corner and say...”READ THIS!!!!”

This is a fantastic series so far. This one ends in a seriously hawt cliffhanger too which threw me a bit but this one has all the feels.

What did I like? Sunshine is absolutely fabulous! Her main character is able to juggle so much that I’m just astounded. From stabbings, to the mayor’s drama, to figuring out her best friend Quincy... then there is her daughter Auri. Highly entertaining and I read it so slow because I wanted it to last.

Would I recommend or buy? I definitely am getting this series for my shelf. I picked up the first at the library and it’s necessary to read the series in order. I loved it. I’d recommend to people loving small town sheriffs and slow burn romances. The heat between Levi and Sunshine is so hawt! I also love the covers and titles! Five huge stars.

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!