Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. Although intended to be a bit of a caricature, Pomona was multi-dimensional and likeable. The amount of romance was just right and added to the story. I look forward to future books by the author.

3.75/5 rounded up

Thank you Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced reading copy!

I really enjoyed this book! Expected a cozy mystery and definitely got some of thurs vibes, plus some romance and a coming of age story!!

Pomona could have easily been an insufferable main character — spoiled and ignorant and conceited. However, I really loved her. While she did definitely have some flaws, she grew so much throughout the book and had more insight than I would have expected from this character.

Gabe was so sweet and a great counter to Pomona’s chaos. He was steady and supportive and their dynamic was so cute!

The mystery itself was intriguing, too! I really wasn’t sure where things were going and the author did a great job of creating red herrings that were believable enough to add some twists and turns throughout. This one might not totally blow your mind but I do think most readers will be surprised by the way things turned out!

Overall had lots of fun with this one and kinda got the vibe they’re setting up for a sequel/series?! I would definitely be down for that!

This was my first time reading Bellamy Rose. It was relatively well written, and the book was an easy read. The plot was never too "graphic" and was a simply sweet ending. The "Heiress/Social Media Queen" plot didn't really resonate with me. Would recommend for a light read with nothing too intense.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this story and give my unbiased opinion.

Schitt’s Creek is 100% my comfort sitcom, so when I saw a new mystery novel centered on a spoiled heiress who must solve her grandmother’s death to gain back her trust fund, I was all in!

Pomona Afton finds herself evicted, credit cards, frozen, and nowhere to go after her grandmother’s murder freezes the family assets until the crime is solved. She is rescued by her former nanny’s son, Gabe, who needs a roommate in his tiny apartment and who offers Pomona a barista at the local coffee shop he manages. She convinces him to assist her in solving the murder so she can get back her life and get out of his hair ASAP!

I adored Pomona’s ‘fish out of water’ experience as she rides the subway, works for tips with disgruntled customers, and is forced to cook her own food. The plot is also packed with plenty of rich people behaving badly, back-stabbing, drama, and twists! The more time Pomona and Gabe spend together however, their chemistry escalates to something they both must determine if it is ‘real’ or could be something worth pursuing.

With a great balance of humor and heart, tons of character growth, and a satisfying reveal, I had a great time with this story. My only complaint is that is read more YA or NA to me, as Ponoma had a naivety that made her act younger than other mid-20 something characters.

Thank you to Atria books for my gifted digital ARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book is about a spoiled heiress getting a reality check when her grandma is murdered and she's disinherited from the family. Unless.... she can find the murderer before the deadline and her money is permanently gone.

This was a really interesting premise that I enjoyed reading. Very short and sweet book. Pomona was a little annoying but that was how she was designed and it was nice to see her character develop throughout the book as she realizes how much work it actually is to survive in NYC. The murder investigation also felt very straightforward as we were led through the story. 3.75/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A fun, lighthearted murder mystery!

I really enjoyed this, it had everything I like in a story: murder, amateur sleuthing, romance, a cute cat, and a nice helping of self discovery and finding some self-confidence.

When her grandmother, matriarch of the family (and the family's lavish hotel chain) is murdered and Pomona is thrown out into the real world with almost nothing to her name, she has to scramble - for a roof over her head, to get her first job, to figure out if she's actually even good at anything (her family would say no). Despite growing up spoiled materially, Pomona Afton doesn't have much love or support in her life. But during the journey of trying to solve her grandmother's murder, she finds support, she finds love, and she finds out that she might be good at much more that she gives herself credit for.

Yes, the 'heiress who gets suddenly stripped of everything and has to start over' trop is a touch overused (personally its not a favorite of mine); but this book used it pretty well. Pomona has moments of realization about how privileged her life really was, but we thankfully aren't beaten over the head with it too much.

The romance with Gabe was straightforward and cute, and I really appreciated that they didn't let their arguments drag on - they both confronted their issues pretty immediately.

As for the mystery of it all, it was solid, with a couple of red herrings thrown in here and there and a pretty believable villian/motive - and a real unique murder weapon. It didn't feel like a brain burner - longtime mystery readers will probably pick up on who did it real quick, but the journey of investigating the murder felt almost more fun than the actual solving of it.

Highly reccomend for fans of Only Murders in the Buildings, or for someone looking for a less spicy version of It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey (with murder).

I really like stories with a murder mystery or romantic suspense, but I don’t know many and need to read more. So, when I heard that Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder by Bellamy Rose is a rom-com meets murder mystery, I had to read it.
 
The story is about Pomona who comes from the prestigious Afton family. The family business is all about hotels and even though Pomona tries, she doesn’t really fit into that and is rather the wild party child. Pomona had a great character development, and she went from being a spoiled, naive, and privileged heiress to being a sympathetic woman with a good heart.
 
Everything changes when Pomona‘s grandmother is murdered and every trust fund is locked down. This provides a unique opportunity for her, and she must face the real world. By her side is the son of her childhood nanny and Gabe is such a sweetheart. He manages a coffee shop and is studying to become a teacher and he has a heart of gold. It was also so wholesome to see them being roommates and living together with a cute cat. They became a perfect team and I loved how they started working together on solving the murder mystery. They are so cute together and I loved the dash of romance in this book.
 
There are family secrets and drama, and it was really entertaining. It definitely had Only Murders in the Building vibes. Even though I had a suspicion from the start that later on turned out to be correct, I still liked following along the story in narrowing down suspects and uncovering some truths. Ultimately the family gets closer together after this tragedy and I really liked that.
 
Even though this is not my typical read, I was invested in the plot, and it surprised me in a good way, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

This is such a fun cozy mystery, with a bit of romance thrown in. A spoiled socialite is forced to grow up after her grandmother is murdered and the only way she can get her old life (and money) back is to solve who murdered her. Along the way she learns what actually gives her life meaning and what makes her happy. It was engaging with some twists and moved at a quick pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the ARC for my honest review!

Pomona Afron is your typical hotel heiress socialite with everything available at the stap of a finger and not a worry in the world until her grandmother is murdered and she is left with nothing until her murder is solved!

This was such a fun popcorn mystery type read. Pomona was a hard sale at first, but throughout the book she redeems herself by becoming more relatable. That forced proximity romance always gets to me in the best way possible. The fun banter between her and Gabe will put a smile on your face. Pomona's self discovery was so heartwarming to watch especially seeing how her family treated her like she couldn't do or become anything. She was capable of a lot more then she realized, which was one of my favorite parts about her journey.

It was easy to figure out who the killer ended up being, but there were times that I questioned myself. Some parts were a bit repetitive, but overall the story did flow nicely.

I overall enjoyed this book and lot! If you like murder mysteries and a character like London Tipton from Suite Life you will definitely enjoy this book!

Cute, cozy murder mystery

Think London Tipton solving a murder to gain access to her inheritance again

Read this in one sitting

Rags to riches and a murder mystery? What more could you ask for. Romance? Oh yeah, there's that too!

Pomona Afton is an heiress who is used to having everything and never having to work a day in her life. But when that is all abruptly ripped away from her, she is left homeless with no friends and no money! Luckily, her former nanny suggests she lives with her son Gabe. Moving in with Gabe seems like a bad idea, he is somewhat hostile towards her and she doesn't understand why. They come to a mutual agreement - he helps her find the murderer and gives her a job in order to get her out of his apartment. Once that's settled, she sets about with a plan to solve her grandmothers murder in order to get her life back! Feeling underestimated by those in her life, it further pushes her to try new things (baking) and getting better at her job. Her investigation leads her to those nearest and dearest to her family, but who could've possibly done it? If it turns out to be someone in her family, does she really want to know who did it? Is Gabe becoming a true friend and possibly more as time goes on?

This book was like Schitts Creek and gossip girl with Knives Out all rolled together. At first I was annoyed with spoiled Pomona but she redeemed herself in the end. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a fun escape from reality.

⭐️ 4/5 | 🌶️ 2/5
First person narrative | Single Narrative
Pomona is a New York City socialite who lives a spoiled life in her family’s luxurious hotels. That all comes to a a halt when the heiress stumbles across her grandmother’s death. She may not miss the mean hag, but a recent update to her will means that Pomona must take matters into her own hands and solve the murder herself if she wants her luxurious lifestyle and trust fund.
Along the way of her investigation she does some major soul searching and discovers her own persona. No one’s ever had high expectations for her and she’s never been taken seriously. Not only does she find something she’s passionate about and GOOD at, she also learns the strength of standing up for herself, being genuine and humble, and showing gratitude and humility. She realizes too who she wants to keep closest to her and who she needs to set firm boundaries with.

It took just a little bit for me to really get into because I wasn’t sure how much more of the ditzy, self absorbed, obnoxious rich girl charade I could handle. At times the details seemed a little excessive in getting the point across. The toxic relationships she has with her family were disheartening but really played a role with her character development.
It would’ve been nice to get more of a personality from Gabe’s character, and more SWOON. I was also really missing the SPICE and wanted more steamy chemistry and tension.

My favorite genre mashup is Mystery RomComs so I was SO excited to read this book and I look forward to reading more from Bellamy Rose.

Many thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me this advanced reader copy of the book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Pomona’s character arc is where this book shines. She starts off hilariously oblivious, but watching her navigate the real world—learning how to budget, discovering a love for baking, and slowly piecing together her grandmother’s secrets—makes her transformation so satisfying. And while the romance with Gabe is more of a slow simmer than a fiery burn, their dynamic is full of sharp banter, reluctant teamwork, and just the right amount of tension.

The mystery itself is engaging, with twists and turns that keep the story moving at a quick pace. The mix of complicated family drama and high-society scandal adds plenty of intrigue, making it impossible to put down. My only minor complaint? I would have loved a bit more romance, but honestly, the murder-solving hijinks and Pomona’s hilarious inner monologue more than make up for it.

(Review will be posted on my blog a week prior to release, March 11th, 2025)

This is a cozy mystery with a touch of romance and character growth. The story follows Pomona Afton, a spoiled heiress whose life is turned upside down when her wealthy grandmother is murdered. A clause in her grandmother's will freezes all family assets until the murderer is found, forcing Pomona to leave her luxurious lifestyle behind.

Pomona moves in her former nanny’s son, Gabe, and begins to navigate the real world for the first time. As she struggles to adapt, she discovers a passion for baking and starts to grow as a person. Determined to solve the mystery, Pomona investigates her grandmother's death, uncovering secrets and unexpected twists along the way. The story blends humor, heart, and suspense, with Pomona's transformation and her budding romance with Gabe adding depth to the narrative.

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder seamlessly weaves romance into its cozy mystery, creating a narrative that flows effortlessly. The chemistry between Pomona and Gabe adds depth to the story without overshadowing the suspenseful plot. Watching Pomona grow from a sheltered heiress into a determined sleuth is both heartwarming and inspiring. Her journey through challenges feels authentic, and you find yourself rooting for her every step of the way.

The book’s quick pace and engaging style make it a delightful read, perfect for cozy mystery lovers looking for a touch of romance and character development. Highly recommend it as an entertaining and satisfying escape!

I enjoyed this book! It was a light-hearted mystery that I didn't know I needed at the time. Despite being a wealthy heiress, Pomona's character is relatable, and her transformation was great to watch.

The (some) secondary characters were also lovable. And the author wasn't afraid to show complicated family dynamics. I honestly didn't think I'd like this book as much as I did! I only wish we got more romance.

Bellamy Rose’ debut novel is a fun read with quirky characters, back stories, laughs and romance. Rose gives us a peek into NYC high society and the psyche of a “poor” little rich girl forced to find her way.

Afton Hotel heiress, Pomona Afton, is an overly indulged twenty-something until her grandmother is brutally murdered and her family loses access to their privileged lifestyle. With hopes of solving the murder and resuming her fairy tale life Pomona jumps into sleuthing and the story takes off!

This is a welcome rom-com read that you will definitely enjoy. I hope Bellamy Rose is working on her next story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was absolutely adorable! The note inside side by the editor described it as Paris Hilton if she was starring in “Only Murders in the Building” and that is it exactly! Pomona is an “Afton” and lives in the Afton Hotel in NYC. Her grandmother is the matriarch of the family and real POS. She winds up murdered and her will freezes the families assets since she passed in a “unnatural” way until her killer can be brought to justice.

Pomona has always been somewhat mistreated and neglected by her family so she has virtually no confidence in her street smarts, but she decides to take it upon herself to solve the murder to get her lifestyle back. Along the way, she grows up a lot and even starts to fall in love with her old nanny’s son.

I loved this journey and Pom’s inner dialogue was hilarious and heartfelt. The murderer was a surprise and I loved watching her gain confidence in herself and navigating the “real world”. My only complaint was she seemed to become an expert baker overnight which seemed a bit unrealistic lol.

Overall though I would recommend this if you’re looking for a no spice murder mystery rom-com!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Hotel heiress Pomona Afton has exactly one thing to do in life: whatever the hell makes her happy. After nearly thirty years of sucking on that silver spoon, Pom (yes, Pom) fills her days with brunching, shopping, gala-attending, and not much else. While her older brother is poised to take over the family empire, Pom (and her family) gave up any hope of her pulling her own weight long ago (not that she hasn't tried, and failed). But when granny is brutally murdered, and the funds are frozen until the crime is solved, the most unlikely candidate to get her designer shoes dirty investigating is... well... Pom.

This book was so much fun! The murder mystery was full of twists, and it never felt <I>completely</I> unrealistic. But really the best part of this story for me was Pom's development. Rose did a fantastic job of making a spoiled, lazy, self-centered character actually lovable (which is no small feat), and her growth believable. At her core, Pom had always been a kind and generous individual, but, much like any of us would we continually tore down by family and propped by up with money, she had some serious issues to start working through.

A great addition to any modern cozy mystery fan's library, I'll be waiting with bated to breath to find out if Pomona Afton will return in another story!

enchanting. Pomona was an awesome main character. Very Elle Woods-ish in general vibes! Gabe was a cool LI, and the others were definitely distinct and cool. I'm hyped for the next one!! 5 stars. tysm for the arc.