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⭐ Rating: 2.75 (Rounded to 3) out of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan, narrated by the always-talented Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, for an honest review of the audiobook.

We’re back with the Evans women, the fierce, funeral-home-running clan who have one job: keeping things buried—literally and supernaturally. After the loss of Luna’s mother and Lenore’s mother, the last two Evans women are left to carry on the family legacy. This time, they're facing a string of mysterious deaths after a full moon, and with a new sheriff in town, they’ll need to unravel what creature is wreaking havoc before anyone else in their small Texas town ends up six feet under.

While I loved the first book and adore the Southern gothic charm and strong female leads, this one didn’t quite hit the same for me. The multiple points of view and slower pacing made it a bit hard to stay hooked, and the plot felt a little too predictable. If you’re not jumping in straight from book one, some moments may feel disconnected or underdeveloped. That said, the Evans women remain a standout. Their bond, grit, and spooky small-town legacy still make this series worth exploring if you love cozy mysteries with a supernatural twist.

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“Another Fine Mess” by Lindy Ryan is a captivating blend of horror, humor, and mystery, set in a small southeast Texas town plagued by the undead. The narrator’s voice is engaging, and the Southern gothic charm is undeniable. However, the multiple points of view detract from the narrative, making it difficult to delve deeper into the characters. Despite this, the story remains entertaining with its dark humor and eerie tension. Overall, it’s a fun read, though the numerous perspectives might leave some readers feeling a bit disconnected from the characters.

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Another Fine Mess is the second book in Lindy Ryan’s series about the Evans women. I had not read Bless Your Heart, this book’s predecessor, before picking this up. A few things were confusing, but I was still able to get swept up by the story just fine. This narrator is excellent, and did a great job distinguishing between different characters and their accents. I am not the biggest fan of magical realism in my thrillers, but I still enjoyed this one. The mystery aspect was well-done, and the ending did surprise me.

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More blood! More gore! More deaths! More family drama! More undead rising! More monsters! The sequel to Bless Your Heart has more of what I loved in the first book. I savored this one like hard candy. In Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan, the remaining Evans women and the sheriff say that the villain of this story is a ghost wolf but they’re unsure who is responsible for the deaths this time around. Insert Death Becomes Her reference. Read to find out who dies, who rises from the dead and who is the killer. Stephanie Németh-Parker is the audiobook narrator again and slays all the characters voices. I loved the way this story ends with a nod to the direction of a possible third book. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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I liked the first book in this series, but this one wasn't my favorite. I thought the story was a bit slow and I wanted there to be more action in it.

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Taking care of the restless dead is the family business at Evans Funeral Home. After the bloodbath that took place in Bless Your Heart, teenage Luna and her grandmother Lenore are the only Evans women left. Death isn’t done with their rural Texas town though, and although the attacks are initially attributed to a wolf, it soon becomes clear that the murder and mayhem is the work of the undead.

Is cozy horror a thing? Horror with humor and heart? Because that’s what this series is! While there’s definitely some blood and guts and gore, the characters are what really make this series so good. The Evans women are smart, sassy, and strong-willed, and I love how they’re starting to gather a little found family around them. The climactic scene at the high-school dance is Carrie-esque in its gore and horror but also contains some heart-wrenchingly emotional moments.

Just like Bless Your Heart, the audiobook version of Another Fine Mess is fantastic. Narrator Stephanie Nemeth-Parker does such a great job! Her voice is so expressive and she really channels the Evans women. She differentiates the various characters clearly for the listener and her southern accent makes the characters feel so authentic.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

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Book #2 in the Bless Your Heart series finds the Evans women cleaning up another supernatural catastrophe in their Texas hometown. The dead keep rising and its up to the Evans women to keep them down. This time, the horror is more animalistic and closer to home. I would say you absolutely should read Bless Your Heart before diving into this one. It helps for context. Hopefully, this series keeps going for years to come because the Evans family is fascinating, hilarious and badass!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

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The first book in this series was released about a year ago today! This is a series, and you will want to read the first book before the second. I know there are series out there that you can read each book as a stand-alone, but this is not one of those series. This one picks up a little while after the first one. Two of the Evans women are gone, buried in the rose garden, and two are left to carry on. While Luna is still trying to figure out what she is, bodies start turning up again. Plus, the victims' families from book one are left to deal with the loss and find the "wolves" that caused the attacks. Bringing attention from the media and ghost wolf experts into town, the Evans are still covering up secrets while trying to figure out what is tearing apart people (and cows). We do learn that there is a reason the Evans' are special, but we don't know what that is. The ending does promise another book to hopefully answer some of the mysteries that don't even come close to getting answered in this book. The first book in this series was released about a year ago, and it's essential to read it before diving into the second book. Unlike some series where each book can be read as a standalone, this series follows a continuous storyline. The second book picks up some time after the first, with two of the Evans women buried in the rose garden and two remaining to continue their lives.

I don't feel that we have quite the same magic in this story as we did in the first one. The chemistry was off. Yes, we have some sass and some great characters, but I don't know.. It feels like Luna has lost so much, and she just keeps losing in this story. Anyway, it has the same cozy mystery/horror vibes with some Texas sass thrown in. The last book focused on strigori (vampires), but this one has a few more mythical creatures thrown in. All with names that we would not normally call them. I like the idea that the Evanses have this deep family secret, and I can't wait to read more about them. The story is really charming, even with all the death and sadness. You can't help but cheer on the merry band of misfits. The narrator does a wonderful job; her accents were on point, and she brings out the charm that the story holds.

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Thank you, @LindyRyanWrites and @macmillan.audio for my free audiobook. #MacAudio2025 #macmillanaudio

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Another Fine Mess (Bless Your Heart, Book 2) by Lindy Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 299 / Genre: Vampire Fantasy
Audiobook Narrator: Stephanie Németh-Parker
Duration: 10 hours 46 minutes
Release Date: April 15, 2025

Deep in southeast Texas lies a town plagued with an undead problem. But the Evans women have kept them from rising for the last 100 years. Most of the time anyway. But after the chaos that happened in book 1 of this series, there’s less Evans women around to help and now they’re getting out of control.

I would definitely read the first book in this series before starting this one so you get the backstory on key characters in this series. This second book was even more exciting and bloody than the first. And while this is a vampire horror story, it’s also funny and a bit of a cozy mystery. My favorite vampire series for sure.

I listened to the audiobook on this one and Stephanie Németh-Parker does a great job voicing all the characters.

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This is a continuation of the Bless Your Heart series and OMG! I don’t even know how to put my thoughts into words right now so here’s my ramble type review. The dancing in the moonlight scene! The tears I CRIED!! I started this thinking it was more of a fun quirky thriller/horror-ish story in the modern day type book and ended up so attached to the Evan’s women and their HEARTS! AND we must protect Luna at all costs. That’s it. Read it. Seriously. Don’t even question whether or not you should, YOU HAVE TO!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio copy! Hearing their voices brought to life made the story that much better!

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🎧 Audiobook +📗 eBook: Another Fine Mess -Bless Your Heart #2

✍🏾 Author: Lindy Ryan-Read and gave Bless Your Heart 5 ⭐

📃Page Count: 304

📅Publication date: 4-15-25 | Read: 4-7-25

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 10:46

🌎 Setting: Texas

👆🏾POV: 3rd multiple

Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Adult Fic

Tropes: supernatural beings, small town, family drama

⚠️TW: death of loved ones, grief, gruesome killings


🗣️Narrator: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker voices all the characters with standouts from Lenore, Luna, and Ducey. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.


Summary: Grace and Ducey both died saving their daughters, and Luna's boyfriend Andy met his end after killing the townspeople. A new killer starts another murder spree, and people are resurrected with the Evans women running the funeral parlor.


👩🏾 Heroine: Lenore Evans

👩🏾Heroine: Luna Evans


🎭 Side Characters:
*Ethel "Ducey" Evans-Lenore's mother, deceased
*Priscilla "Pie" Evans-Ducey's mother-deceased
*Grace Evans-Luna's mother-deceased
*Sheriff Roger Taylor-newly appointed, was in love w/ Grace
*Deputy Brandon Hinson-dating Kim Cole for 4 yrs
*Crane Campbell-Luna's friend in high school
*Kim Cole-hired at the Evans funeral parlor


🤔 My Thoughts: I love this paranormal series with a slice of life small town living. The surprise resurrections and reveal at the end was awesome. This reminded me of The Southern Vampire Mysteries, which was a classic urban fantasy.


*Spice: 0/5 🌶️
*Rating: 5/5 ⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Lindy Ryan for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

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Thank you Macmillan audio for the review audio and Kaye Publicity for the review copy (via Minotaur books). Lindy Ryan returns with the second installment of the Bless Your Heart series, blending horror, mystery, and southern charm in a story that’s as heartfelt as it is haunting. The Evans women are still reeling from the events of book one, and this time, secrets—old and new—take center stage. Luna’s character arc shines as she grapples with identity, grief, and what it truly means to belong. With themes of found family, self-acceptance, and the weight of buried truths, this book balances eerie atmosphere with emotional depth. Shifting perspectives and smart world-building make the story immersive and layered.

The audiobook is an absolute treat—narration that captures every bit of southern sass, sorrow, and suspense. The performances elevate the already rich storytelling, making it easy to sink back and get fully swept into the world of Hallowell. Whether you’re a fan of small-town urban fantasy, character-driven horror, or just love a good supernatural mystery with heart, this series delivers. I’m already counting the days until the next one drops—and yes, I’ll be waiting for the audio again because it’s that good.

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NOT YET PUBLISHED!! Look for it on 4/15/25!

So let me just start by saying that in order to read this one, you may need to put aside your normal thinking process and just believe in the mystery and magic of the book!
It's a bit out there, but I enjoyed it, just as I did the first one...Bless Your Heart.

We open up with a woman digging a grave and leaving a note... enough said...

And then of course we have the Evans Women...or at least what's left of them! =0

The town's funeral home has been run by the Evans family (women) for centuries, and they are not about to change that now! But... everyone around them seems to be dying!

And, of course, there are those who have died, and keep rising again!!!

This one will make you cringe, bite your tongue, gasp in horror... and then in the next moment, spit out whatever is in your mouth as you crack up laughing hysterically!!! So there's that!

I always love a book where you can take it seriously, or not seriously at all! That's a true charm in my opinion!!

4 Big, Bright, RISING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!!

#AnotherFineMess by #LindyRyan and narrated beautifully by #StephanieNemethParker.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is next week, 4/15/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves soon!! ***

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

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This was a really fun sequel to a fun first book. I really enjoyed Bless Your Heart and I was unsure if this book could hold up to that. This book managed to have the same wit and southern charm as the first book but it also managed to up the horror. I very rarely love a sequel as much as the original but this book was even better than the first.

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Another Fine Mess, is the second book in the Bless Your Heart series by Lindy Ryan, at the end of the first book the Evans women went from four down to two and then this book they go back up to four but not everyone wants to fight on the family’s side. buchanan’s not even cold in the ground yet in the new sheriff Roger has more death on his hands and it looks like it’s being done by a Shapeshifter. One thing is certain whoever is doing it keeps leaving souvenirs for Luna. before it’s over they’ll all learn sometimes family is those you pick and when you can add them to those are related to it makes it that much better. I freaking love these books so much! My favorite is doozy, who totally reminds me of my aunt Mel but even down to eating her butterscotch candies. There is so much more that happens in this book and I mean a lot more I love that Roger is the sheriff I really thank him and Nana Lena have a spark between them but I could be wrong but I don’t think so. If you love gray paranormal mysteries and want to read one about southern women who fight the undead to try and keep one southern Texas town safe the new absolutely love the blessed your heart series I would definitely start with the first book though. This could be read as a standalone as they explain things as it goes but it’s so much better when you know the whole story. I listened to the audio version with narration done by Stephanie Namath Parker, who has such great voice and character distinction whether it’s male female non-binary she’s just so freaking good! I definitely recommend the audio version she said such a great tone with even better comic timing I just can’t say enough about this book and the narrator.!’ #NetGalley,#McMillanAudio, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #StephanieNamathParker, #LindyRyan, #AnotherFineMess,

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Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan is a fun jump back into the work of the Evan’s Women. Fun mystery of a new beast and I loved the inclusion of some of the townspeople with our main ladies. The audiobook was great with the narration.
I am really looking forward to the next in this series and man I wish I could know these kick ass ladies in real life.
Thank you Net Galley, Lindy Ryan and Macmillan Audio for the audio arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Interesting to listen to. I will definitely have to go back and read the first one. Some mystery and some funny moments.

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This was not my favorite. Had to listen at 1.75 speed because the narrator was very slow. The story itself was not what I would typically read but I can see why for those who like the undead and ghoul thing would like it

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While I felt a little disappointed by the story (full review below) I really enjoyed the narrator. She did an excellent job with the accents.

Full review:

Feeling a bit conflicted about this one- I enjoyed the first one but evidently did not remember enough about it and feel that that negatively impacted my reading experience. I felt thrown into the second one

BUT I love Ryan’s writing style, the characters, the quirkiness, that’s all excellent. I will still be promoting it because I see its value and Ryan’s talent.

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As soon as I finished Bless Your Heart, I knew that I was going to be rabid for the second book. And it did not disappoint!

As if the restless dead aren’t enough, there’s a dark and deadly element that is throwing even the most experienced of Evans women for a loop. The evolving mystery of the plot kept me on my toes, in such a satisfying way. We’re thrown into a now-familiar world with a brand new unknown.

Despite loss and heartache, these strong and lovable women keep on keeping on! Every character had such a distinct personality, and I inhaled each POV as it came. I was especially glued to Luna’s growth, who continued blending the poor decisions of youth and the wisdom of a maturing young woman.

This was an absolute delight of an adventure, even when I was upset with the characters or turn of events. Lindy Ryan writes with such imagery and wit, that I’ve added her other books to my TBR! The fast pace kept me eager for each new chapter, so I devoured this book in a day.

I laughed, I cried, and I excitedly told anyone around who would listen “oh, this guy is definitely going to die.”

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