Pomona Afton, a spoiled heiress reminiscent of Alexis Schitt, lives a glamourous and leisurely lifestyle which she shares with all of her followers on social media. When she finds her grandmother murdered after an important gala, Pomona's spoiled-girl lifestyle is stripped away overnight and Pomona is locked out of her former life until she solves the murder and thus regain access to her trust fund. Desperate for somewhere to live and out of options, Pomona moves in with Gabe, the handsome son of her former Nanny, who offers to help solve the mystery so his mother can get the retirement money that she is owed from Pomona's family. Reluctantly at first, the two work to solve the mystery and discover that they are a great team with chemistry that cannot be denied.

I loved this book!! The characters were so lovable and Pomona in particular had great character growth from the start of the novel when read as irritatatingly superficial to the end when she gains confidence, a sense of her true self, and a piece of the reader's heart. Bellamy Rose writes a clever and funny cozy mystery that is Schitt's Creek meets Only Murders in the Building meets (insert your favourite rom com here). Bellamy Rose is no stranger to the rom com world as typically she writes under the name Amanda Elliot. After reading Pomona I will be reaching for Elliot's backlist in 2025 and cannot wait for the second installment of Pomona to come out.

Highly recommend if you are a fan of cozy mysteries or want to read a light thriller. I had a fantastic time.

Many thanks to Atria Books, Simon and Schuster, and Bellamy Rose for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars

This was just what I needed! It is giving Only Murders In The Building vibes and I am here for it! I've been on a thriller/mystery kick so when I was given the opportunity to read a cozy thriller/mystery, I jumped on it! It was a great read!

I really enjoyed this and did not want to put it down. I was fully invested in the story and gasped every time the evidence aligned for someone to be the killer. It may be obvious to some, but I didn’t suspect who it would be in the end and I was kept on the edge of my seat.

Even though a murder is described, I did not think the book was scary or gory. This was perfect for me because I often stay away from mystery or thriller books because of the gore aspect. This one is on the cozier side and I am glad that I picked it up!

I also enjoyed the romance sub plot and wish we could have gotten more! Their relationship was cute and I liked how they lifted each other up.

It was also nice to see Pomona’s character growth throughout the book and I enjoyed the epilogue!

I think if you want a light romcom/chic lit, you'll enjoy this more than a reader looking for a mystery (and to be fair, it's billed as a novel on the cover, but was shelved as a mystery/thriller on NetGalley). I liked it when I started it, read about 1/3 of it and then took a couple weeks away from it. It didn't really hold my attention, but I did enjoy it. Bellamy Rose is a great first time author and I loved Pomona's 1st person narration - she's kind of cluelessly hapless but also sweet - and the dialogue felt real between characters.

Pomona is a Paris Hilton-type character, enjoying her family's fortunes when her grandmother is murdered. She then is encouraged to figure out whodunnit so her family's assets can be unfrozen (her grandmother is worried this will happen so upon her mysterious death, Pomona and her family are kicked out of their hotel-house and have no resources. Pomona has to start living in the "real world."

I didn't love that she was immediately good at baking (or believe that she'd like it - it's messy and sweaty and you have to plan ahead) but I did like that she wasn't totally useless and had some skills - and baking was close to her heart because it was something she did with the only person she felt loved her- her former nanny Andrea (and Gabe's mom). Along with baking, she realizes she's good at talking to people/suspects and she starts to see how she could be a better person (like thanking her manicurist or not getting drunk every night and - gasp- rewearing outfits).

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

This is so Only Murders in the Building, and honestly, that’s exactly why it’s right up my alley. Who knew romantic, cozy murder mysteries could blend so perfectly (spoiler alert: they totally do)?

I absolutely adored Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder—so much so, I went ahead and preordered a physical copy just so I can dive back in and experience it all over again!

This was a super cute and easy read. I enjoyed the characters and the cozy thriller vibes to the story. It was a nice weekend read by the fire!

From the very first page, I was utterly enchanted by this delightful gem of a book. A perfect blend of romance, humor, and just the right touch of mystery, it offers a wonderfully light escape that lingers long after you turn the last page. The story centers around Pomona Afton, a privileged young woman who, despite her initial spoiled and clueless demeanor, quickly becomes a character impossible not to love. Her hilarious misadventures and genuine evolution into a more self-aware, grounded individual make her journey of self-discovery both satisfying and heartwarming.

Pomona’s transformation is at the heart of this novel, and it’s beautifully captured. What begins as a tale of a rich girl stumbling through life turns into something much more meaningful—a story about finding one’s purpose beyond the comfort of privilege. Watching Pomona navigate her personal growth, particularly as she begins to form real, heartfelt relationships, is a rewarding experience that left me cheering for her every step of the way.

And then there’s Gabe. He is the perfect foil to Pomona’s whirlwind of chaos—gentle, kind, and quietly encouraging in a way that makes him impossible not to adore. His quiet strength and support are a beautiful contrast to Pomona’s initial naivety, and I absolutely loved how he introduced her to the joys of baking. What begins as a simple shared activity between them transforms into a passion that helps reshape Pomona’s world and her sense of self. Their romance felt like a classic romcom dream—sweet, tender, and crackling with chemistry. Each scene between them made me smile, and their connection felt both inevitable and incredibly special.

The relationships in this book are truly enchanting. Not just the romance, but also the way Pomona forges meaningful bonds with those around her. Watching her evolve from a self-centered young woman into someone who embraces her own flaws and strengths is beautifully rendered. It’s a journey of self-discovery that feels genuine, and one I was privileged to follow.

While the murder mystery at the core of the plot may not be the most intricate, it provides an entertaining backdrop to the characters’ development. The unconventional detective work adds a charming layer of humor to the narrative, and while the focus is less on the whodunit, the journey itself is thoroughly engaging. The killer's reveal wasn't much of a shock—it was pretty easy to guess halfway through—but I still had a fantastic time watching it all unfold.

☆꧁𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙮; 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬, 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮.💌꧂☆

This author has now secured a permanent place on my must-read list. I find myself eagerly anticipating her next work, already consumed with excitement to explore the other gems she has crafted!

𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢/𝘌𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!

ARC provided by Atria Books and NetGalley (read via ebook)

Pomona Afton has it all. Youth, beauty, money and a posh apartment in one of her family’s high end hotels. She’s a party girl without a care in the world until her grandmother is found (brutally) murdered in her penthouse suite.

This unnatural death triggers a clause in her grandmother’s will. No one receives any inheritance or assets from her estate until the murder is solved.

Pom and her family are unceremoniously evicted from the hotel and only she seems determined to solve the murder and claim the huge inheritance. But the list of suspects is long and they are all related to Pom. How can she solve the murder, keep her family intact and reclaim her affluent lifestyle…and does she even want to.

Pom is compared to the character Cher from Clueless, and as I kind of see this towards the end of the story, the first 3/4 of the story she reminds me much more of how Paris Hilton was portrayed in the tabloids during the late 1990s-2000s. Just more self-centered, entitled and vapid than I attribute to the Cher character. But, definitely same category of rich, pretty party girl.

Regardless, Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder is a fun, quick read that kept me interested in both the whodunnit and in the character growth of Pomona during the process. It would be a great vacation/beach read.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc for my honest review!

This was my first read of 2025 and I truly enjoyed it. It was definitely wanted I needed after the holidays to have such an easy ready to start my new year

I really wanted to love Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder, but it missed the mark for me. The concept—a spoiled heiress turned amateur sleuth who learns to fend for herself while solving her grandmother's murder—is undeniably fun. However, the execution left a lot to be desired.

Pomona is a character who could have been endearingly flawed, but her over-the-top entitlement felt grating rather than charming. While there are glimpses of her growth, the transformation felt rushed and unearned. Gabe, her grumpy-but-hot roommate, had potential as a love interest, but their romance lacked chemistry and depth, leaving the rom-com aspect of the story feeling undercooked.

As for the murder mystery, it felt predictable, with obvious clues and a resolution that wrapped up too conveniently. The stakes, which should have been high given the frozen assets and family drama, didn’t carry the tension I was hoping for. Instead, much of the plot relied on repetitive banter and forced comedic moments.

That said, Bellamy Rose’s writing does have a certain charm, and I can see this being enjoyable for readers looking for a lighthearted, low-stakes read. Unfortunately, for me, it just didn’t live up to its intriguing premise.

The perfect cozy mystery meets rom-com. Perfect light read that had just the perfect amount of romance, mystery, humor to make you want to keep reading. Pomona is like Cher from Culeless. This is a debut book for Bellamy Rose however this is the pen name for Amanda Elliott who wrote Sadie on a Plate and Best Served Hot. I haven’t read either of these rom-coms but definitely will after readying this.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a super cute mystery (I wouldn’t categorize it under cozy) with fun characters trying to solve a murder in NYC. This book had a few twists and turns that kept you guessing the whole time who the murderer was. I loved Pom, the main character, even though she slightly drove me crazy in the beginning but I grew to love her. I do love a flawed main character. Highly recommend if you need an entertaining, silly, and well written mystery!

This rom-com-meets-murder-mystery offers an entertaining premise with Pomona Afton—a spoiled heiress forced to step out of her comfort zone to solve her grandmother’s murder and reclaim her trust fund. Pom’s journey from privileged socialite to amateur detective has its share of humorous and heartfelt moments, especially as she navigates life without luxury and grows closer to Gabe, her grumpy yet endearing roommate. While the quirky premise is fun, the plot occasionally feels predictable, and the mystery's resolution lacks the punch needed for a stronger impact. Still, Pom’s character growth and her budding romance with Gabe make it an enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, read. A light, breezy story for fans of comedic whodunits.

OMG, this book is so fun! I literally loved everything about it. A little Clueless, a little Gossip Girl, a smidge of Legally Blonde, and a whole lot of heart. I want to read more about Pom and Gabe, baking treats and solving crimes. Thanks to Emily Bestler Books/Atria for the ARC.

We love a murder mystery - rom com combo! While I like a rom com, I prefer a little more intrigue than will they or won’t they (or more, when will they). The main character has a sweet growth arc and who can resist the drama of the uber-rich set in NYC? I hope the author writes more like this one!

Pomona Afton CAN So Solve A Murder!!
This was short and so much fun! After a fall from grace due to her grandmothers death, Pomona takes on the task of solving her murder to gain her inheritance back.
I had so much fun with this book!
- Pomonas effort to get her life back on track, and even improve in her life
- Her journey to being a better person and finding things she loved in baking
- Watching her grow as a better person as she learned to be a good roommate, friend, and cousin
- I loved their detective skills, how they pieced things together through out, and how they eventually solved the murder

I really had no complaints about Pomona! I am looking forward to her next shenanigans.

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder by Bellamy Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🚫

Two books in one week with no spice? I'm clearly losing my edge. Going to have find something with Carolina Reaper level spice for my next read- any recommendations???


This was a cozy mystery that @netgalley and @atriabooks were nice enough to let me have a digital ARC of.

Pom is the wealthy socialite with no idea how good she has it until her grandmother is suddenly murdered and her trust fund is frozen until the murderer is caught. Turns out grandma suspected someone close to her might do her in and changed her will. When it seems like no one else is going to step up, Pom decides that she is going to solve the murder along with the help of Gabe- her former nanny's son and now roommate.

The mystery side of this novel was fun, but nothing in depth or sophisticated. I did like how there were several legitimate suspects, and that the final reveal wasn't super obvious from the beginning. The romance was PG, but sweet. The thing I really enjoyed was Pom's character development and her sense of humor. Even when she was just making fun of herself, it was entertaining and made the book fly by.

I absolutely loved Pomona Afton Can So Solve A Murder! From the start Pom is giving all of the Alexis Rose vibes you can imagine. We see a once absurdly wealthy NYC socialite fall from grace when she loses her inheritance after her grandmother’s untimely death and are privy to her at times infuriating, almost always hilarious, inner monologue as she starts to learn how to make it in the real world, all while attempting to solve the mystery of the murder. Pom and Gabe make a fantastic duo and it was great to see their relationship and really all of Pom’s relationships grow and develop as she comes to realize her rich and famous lifestyle may not have been all it was cracked up to be. If you’re looking for a lighthearted and minimally gruesome murder-mystery this is the book for you!

My first 2025 book! Imagine Only Murders in the Building, but with Paris Hilton as its lead detective. The first novel by Bellamy Rose (a pen name for a romance writer) does indeed blend the Rom Com and Cozy Mystery genres for a fully enjoyable, wholly engrossing read. Pomona is a heroine you want to root for, as she leaves the clouds of her privilege and takes to the (she thinks) mean streets (they're fine) of Manhattan (and, much to her dismay, Queens). This mystery is fun to watch unfold, is breezy, and will make you never want to leave a pair of high heels in your home ever again. Add into the mix an enemies-to-lovers romance, plenty of hilarious hi-jinxes, and dysfunctional family dynamics, and you have the great start to what could be a rather exciting new series.

This is a comedic mystery that will certainly find its audience amongst lovers of cozy mysteries with heartfelt stories and laugh out loud humor at the heart of the story. We follow Pomona as she aims to uncover the mystery behind her grandmother's death, which also triggered her trust fund being frozen as well. In order to access her money, this spoiled heiress must unravel the clues to find her grandmother's killer.

While the humor didn't land with me most of the time, I know this will definitely be a hit with someone that appreciates the Schitt's Creek rich-girl-coping-without-her-money vibes.