I didn’t find myself rooting for any of these characters, but I didn’t overly dislike them either. It was all very….meh. It took quite awhile to get going, but I was generous with my star rating as the story was decently put together. I think I just wasn’t in the right mood for this particular story, but it may be a great read for someone else.

Fun thriller featuring a duo vying for the number one spot in a reality show.
Do you like home improvement? Strohmeyer drops lots of hints and facts about shows and the home beautifying process as she writes about a reality couple who misuse their assistant as well as everyone else around them. When the couple disappears, the question is whether the show will go on. A bit longer than needed, this is a fun mystery/thriller with lots of reality show drama baked in. #Harper #WELOveToEntertain #SarahStrohmeyer

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of We Love to Entertain, but the actual story was a bit different than I expected. The summary was a little misleading — Kim and Erika didn't team up as a mother-daughter duo as much as they individually tried to solve two different mysteries. That really worked against the plot, as it felt disjointed, like two separate stories. Additionally, there are numerous unresolved plot lines and dropped references. While I like a lot about the story, including the setting and the characters, it feels like an early draft that could benefit from a few more edits.

This is interesting cozy mystery centered on missing power couple of home improvement contest with small town vibes, lots of dirty secrets, scheming, dysfunctional family relations, social media comments.

I honestly have a little hard time to invest in this story because I didn’t really connect with twenty-something assistant, town’s pariah Erika Turnbull, who is hopelessly in love with her boss, also presumed person of interest and the second narrator: town clerk: Kim, mother of Erika, who wants to protect her daughter by solving the mystery behind the missing couple.

The story opens with the introduction of Holly Simmons and Robert Barron: the most popular one of the three couples facing off in most rated competition on To the Manor Build that shows the world their fabulous rehabs.

The star couple plans to tie the knot on a viral wedding event. Their assistant Erika dashes out to finish all the tasks she’s given including gathering the very illegal cigar stash of Robert she’s having long time crush. And her mother/ town clerk Kim is going to officiate the wedding as Erika reluctantly may walk the aisle as bridesmaid even though she fantasizes to be the bride who kisses Robert passionately! Poor love sick girl!

After the wedding, Robert stops by Erika’s house( she’s living in tiny studio at the top of her mother’s garage) for briefing her: Holly and he is going to take a break to drive to Montreal for surprising honeymoon. He borrows her Kia and without giving more explanation he drives away.

Now they’re missing for hours, leaving behind a bloody trail as all eyes turn on Erika: who is accused to kill them fir crime of passion.

Townies didn’t forget Erika’s connection with a traumatic incident she’s involved when she was in high school. A police officer holding grudge has every intention to put her behind bars. She has to team up with her mother to prove her innocence by investigating vengeful former owner of Barrons’ estate, merciless reality show producers who can do anything to get higher ratings.

Overall: I’m not a big fan of cozy mysteries and unfortunately I didn’t connect with both of the narrators. Writing style was smart. Dry humor entertained me. I’m giving my three solid stars. Highly recommended it to the genre lovers, the readers who look for entertaining popcorn reading!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I'm still in shock! I thought I had it all figured out and then the ending was something I never would have thought of! This is a great thriller with so many twist and turns.!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book was endlessly entertaining with lots of twists and turns. I thought the mother/daughter narration was really clever even though I don't always love when the narrators have different POV styles. Anyone who's watched home renovation shows will love this dark, exciting twist on a popular TV concept. I also found the characters fun and entertaining and it was easy to keep flipping the pages (on Kindle) to find out what was really going on. There were so many times I thought I knew what was going to happen and what the twist would be and I'm really happy I still didn't get it right. I would absolutely love to see a movie or Netflix mini-series made out of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

It's been quite a few...decades(?) since I read a Strohmeyer book, namely her Bubbles series. I recall those being cozy and a little silly, and I was surprised that this trend continues in the latest novel. This just isn't my genre. I prefer a bit more meat to my mysteries. This was about an assistant whose rich bosses end up missing after designing a new home build that is going to be on a reality TV competition show. The couple's personalities were grating, and the other main characters should have communicated earlier in the story. The ending wrapped up very quickly.

What happens when the reality TV couple goes missing? And you are the suspect? I've loved Sarah Strohmeyer's books for a long time. They aren't really cozies, but they aren't traumatizing thrillers either: perfect mix of a plucky protagonist and an entertaining crew of other characters to keep the mystery a fun read. This one was delightful with some twists and turns I did not see coming. Definitely recommended.