Absolutely LOVED this one. Pomona Afton is one of the most influential women out there.. all because of her grandmother's business. But when funny business comes about and Grandma is discovered murdered in her hotel room, Pomona does what she can to ensure she solves the mystery because she NEEDS her money. Or does she? Pomona Afton is, at first, this rich, spoiled rotten, ungrateful woman who has had everything handed to her. When thrust into the life of "the regular people," Pomona realizes she's actually an amazing person overall. Enter Gabe, who shows her that she IS this amazing person despite her past. Gabe is the son of her former nanny, and their chemistry is immediate from the start (even if they don't know it). As roommates, they band together to solve the mystery of her grandmother's death because money, right? Maybe not. Pomona goes through the daily trials and tribulations to find who she really is, as well as who her true friends are when money is no longer an object or permanent expectation in her daily life. She discovers that she's strong, kind, and caring, all things she didn't realize about herself before. Gabe treats her as though she's a regular Joe, which is huge in both of their eyes as their love blossoms right in front of us. Solving this murder together proves that both have the brains and the heart to do what it takes to protect those who you love while finding out who is right and wrong. The ONLY quip I have about the book is the tie up of the story in the end - it was SO fast! But I guess you also can't have a book that goes on forever... I cannot wait for the next installment in Pomona's life!

Quirky and fun, I believe this would fall into the category of a cozy mystery with a dose of romance.

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder is a great blend of murder mystery and romance, and I thought those two elements were balanced well. Romance and cozy mystery are my two favorite genres, and I loved to see them blended. It reminded me a bit of Schitt’s Creek with the fish out of water, riches to rags element. Pomona is likeable despite being spoiled, and her perspective changes as the book develops. Pomona discovers what she is passionate about, what she really values, and how she would like to be treated by others, including her family. I liked the pacing on the mystery, and it wasn’t obvious, while also not being overcomplicated. I especially liked seeing Pomona’s relationships evolve. She falls in love, stands up to her family when they treat her poorly, and repairs past friendships. I also enjoyed the very happy ending. I am greatly looking forward to the next book in the series. Bellamy Rose is becoming a must-read author for me. Thank you Atria Books for providing a review copy via Netgalley. All opinion are my own.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to picking up the sequel.


While the death was the main plot device, this book was less murder-mystery focused and more focused on the character development. A lot of Pomona’s epiphanies and development did feel fast-paced, almost instant for someone who spent all their life, up until now, shelterered, spoiled and privileged. However, I was happy to see her gain perspective and even stand up for herself and others. The romance was entirely predictable but I really enjoyed the anticipation and the gratification that comes with knowing the ending. The mystery reveal was actually kinda surprising, but not super shocking. Definitely recommend. Definitely reading the follow-up.

I liked this more than I thought I would! Pomona was a great character, and watching her grow and change in this was a lot of fun.
I enjoyed the mysterious aspect of this. I enjoyed the romance. It was funny and clever.
I look forward to more of these!

Spoiled heiress must solve her grandmother's death in order to avoid losing her trust fund. Her apartment in the family hotel is frozen, forcing her to find a new place to live. She must also get a real job to support herself. Along the way she discovers her passions, find out who her real friends are, and despite everyone's doubts, solves her grandmother's murder. It was cute, but Pomona is slightly annoying. To be honest the whole family is not redeemable. I'm interested enough to read the next one.

This book was pure joy from start to finish. Think: Legally Blonde meets Only Murders in the Building.

Pomona Afton is the kind of heroine you think you're going to roll your eyes at… and then she totally wins you over. When her glamorous life is thrown into chaos after her grandmother's suspicious death, she’s forced to become an amateur detective and somehow, she’s really good at it. The mystery kept me hooked, but it was Pomona’s growth (and hilarious inner monologue) that truly stole the show.

Also, shoutout to Gabe, the witty, grounded roommate/love interest who brought heart and heat in all the right ways. Their chemistry? So. Much. Fun.

If you’re into smart, funny, fast-paced mysteries with fabulous fashion and unexpected depth, do yourself a favor and read this one. Pomona can so solve a murder, and you’ll have the best time watching her do it.

I enjoyed this one. It was a quick and compelling read, although I would've enjoyed a little more indepth. I plan to start the next one right away!

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder was a fun, quick read. Pomona Afton is like Alexis Rose (Schitt's Creek) meets Nancy Drew with the quest to solve her Grandmother's murder. Leveraging her network of party girl friends and formerly monied reputation, Pomona seeks to find the truth so that she can regain her Trust Fund. Unlocking this mystery would also untangle the mess she found herself with with her former nanny's very cute son.

Using her charm and not money allows for Pomona's true personality to shine through in this adorable NYC based mystery. Another positive note of the story is sub-plot of social media being faux and how truly wild para-social relationships are.

For the Alexis Rose lover - mid-aughts reality tv show watcher - New York obsessed, you will love this book!

Pomona Afton is a lovely blend between Paris Hilton and Alexis Rose. Beautiful, rich, privileged, wildly oblivious, but mostly good hearted. When her grandmother’s murder has the whole family’s assets frozen, Pomona needs to catch the killer to get her life back.

Unsurprisingly, living like the rest of us radically shifts Pomona’s perspective. Much like Alexis Rose, she was still the same person but more mature and aware. Despite some vapid tendencies, Pomona is not stupid.

Her years as a socialite has given her excellent people skills. We see her put this to use reconnecting with estranged family and investigating suspects.

Several times, I noted instances of Chekov’s gun (the custom stilettos) that went off much sooner than expected. Rose built up to the big reveal very nicely, weaving in subtle layers as Pomona grows as a character.

A light, funny mystery with heart and a whiff of romance. An excellent beach read. I look forward to diving in to the sequel soon. 4/5

I went into this one not sure what to expect (I don't love the spoiled rich girl trope), but it was actually pretty fun! Pomona's misadventures were so fun, and I ended up really enjoying the romance. I might just have to read the second one now...

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

I was hooked from the opening chapter! I love Gossip Girl, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and all the vibes the opening chapters gave. I loved the character growth Pomona showed throughout the book. Such a fun read. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

I had such a good time with this book! The narration is super dynamic and fast-paced. I never felt bored for a second. But what really made it stand out for me was the main character. She actually has a personality (finally!) and she’s so easy to love. She’s funny, relatable, and just really fun to follow.

If you’re into mysteries, you know how much better it is when the main character makes you laugh and keeps things entertaining, and that’s exactly what happens here. It was the perfect mix of suspense and fun. Loved it!

A quirky, fun mystery with tons of personality

Pomona Can So Solve a Murder is a delightful, offbeat cozy mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously—and that’s part of the charm. Pomona is a truly unique main character, full of big opinions, big energy, and hilarious one-liners. Her voice carries the story with flair, making it a fun and unpredictable ride.

I loved the book’s originality and how it leaned into the quirky side of mystery storytelling. The humor was fresh and the tone playful throughout. While some parts didn’t quite click for me, I still enjoyed the overall experience and appreciated how different it felt from more traditional cozies.

If you're in the mood for something light, eccentric, and character-driven, this book is a fun pick. It’s a great start to what could be a very entertaining series!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books Publishing for my DRC!

3 stars- this is a perfect beach read! easy reading and kept me hooked chapter to chapter. thank you netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. i look forward to reading more of the author's work!

I got an ARC of "Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder" by Bellamy Rose, and it dives into a fun, if familiar, blend of rom-com and murder mystery. The premise is certainly attention-grabbing: spoiled Upper East Side hotel heiress Pomona Afton stumbles upon her mean, greedy, and paranoid grandmother's murder. Turns out, Grandma was so paranoid she put a clause in her will freezing all family assets if her death was unnatural and unexplained. So, if Pom wants her trust fund back, she needs to solve this murder. This quickly shoves her out of her penthouse and into the cramped apartment of Gabe, her former nanny's irritable (but handsome) son.

The book definitely leans into the fish-out-of-water scenario, with Pom struggling without a doorman or a chef, desperately needing her glamorous life back. Gabe, on the other hand, needs the murder solved so his mother can get her well-deserved retirement money. As Pom's family keeps mum, blocking the police, Pom realizes she has to put on her "big-girl Manolos" and solve it herself, with Gabe's help, of course, as she finds herself falling for him.

What I really enjoyed about this book was watching Pom's character develop. Initially, she's quite a handful—entitled and a bit oblivious. But as the story goes on and she's forced to adapt and actually think for herself, Pom became so much more likable. Her journey from spoiled heiress to someone actually trying to solve a serious crime, while also navigating a new dynamic with Gabe, was genuinely engaging.

However, while Pom's character arc was a highlight and the premise was fun, the mystery itself felt a bit light. The clues and deductions didn't always feel as intricate or surprising as I'd hoped for in a murder mystery, and the romance sometimes overshadowed the actual investigation. It's a charming read, particularly if you enjoy the rom-com elements and character growth, but the "murder" aspect didn't quite deliver the twists and turns that would have pushed it to a higher rating for me.

★★★☆☆

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. Pomona was such a fun FMC. She showed a lot of growth throughout the book. The story was equal parts funny and twisty. It was truly an enjoyable experience!

Thanks to much to Atria Books and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 STARS

This book was definitely not in my typical genres that I read, I truly appreciate the nostalgia this story brought me. It was shared with me as Gossip Girl meets murder mystery, and truly lives up to that hype in the formulaic murder mystery.

Gabe was by far my favorite character, as he was holding Pomona accountable for her actions, but provided the snark and understanding needed for someone who was used to having everything.

I struggled with Pomona being immediately so good at baking, because I know how hard some people work in order to be really good at it. However, I truly think the creativity piece of baking makes sense.

Socialite and heiress Pomona Afton discovers her grandmother dead in her room at the Afton’s New York hotel. On top of discovering her grandmother’s body, Pomona and her family’s funds have been frozen and the Afton’s have been forced to move out of their hotel until her grandmother’s murder has been solved. Desperate, Pomona moves in with her beloved nanny’s son Gabe, and begins working at the coffee shop he manages. When Pomona discovers Gabe’s mother won’t receive the money her grandmother promised her, the two decide to team up to track down the murderer. Pomona begins questioning her family, unearthing family secrets, and reflecting on all the things she never chose to notice until now. Will she and Gabe find her grandmother’s killer and unfreeze the Afton money?

With charm, wit and a variety of kooky characters this was such an enjoyable start to a wonderful new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital arc of this book.

I won't sugar coat it, the beginning of this book had me quite skeptical as to its merit. I HATE the trope of rich misunderstood girl begins to learn about those who are less fortunate when she is cut off from her trust fund with the help of a hot, financially struggling man. That being said, this book really snuck up on me. It is perhaps the only good mystery/romance books I have read thus far. Now that isn't saying much... I am a firm believer that when mysteries involving dead people are mixed with romance it can become quite distasteful. This book wasn't overly lovey-dovey however and the mystery was hardly at the forefront of the plot. It was more so about a woman rediscovering herself without the shadow of her family obstructing her view.

This book was by no means the best book I have ever read but it didn't totally suck either. If you're looking for a lighthearted, somewhat bad murder mystery/romance novel, this could very well be the book to pick up. 3/5 stars.