Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.
🎧: LOVED the narrator, she did a great job!

What a fun read with a fun group of characters! Eleanor is a likable main character and I got Finlay Donovan vibes from her. I had a clue about who the killer might be and was right… kind of. 😉

There was a lot going on with a somewhat large group of people to keep up with, but it wasn’t overwhelming and I was able to follow along pretty easily. I’d read more by this author!

Eleanor’s childhood best friend, Emma, is starring in the film adaptation of her book. And Emma is also marrying the actor who plays Conner, which is …awkward. Add to that, there are anonymous and vague death being sent, and it’s messy.

This book was as fun and chaotic as the first one. Most importantly, there are still footnotes.

Sometimes the book gets too chaotic, particularly with the third act reveals. It’s like Hercule Poirot with low executive functioning. Harper is still terrible, and I actually wish we had more Conner (I know!). But it’s a fun time.

3.5 ⭐️ Advanced Reader Review!

Author Eleanor Dash is having the first book in her best selling series adapted into a movie, starring her best friend Emma Wood. After filming wraps, Emma and her costar Fred Winters, a major movie star, shock everyone when they invite the cast and crew to their surprise wedding on an island off the coast of California. Nothing is going to ruin their perfect weekend, except a major storm. Oh and the possibility of somebody dying at the wedding.

My thoughts: I was SO excited for this release. I’ve had it on my radar for months. So I don’t know why I wasn’t as invested in this story. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Additionally, I thought that some of the connections between characters wasn’t fully explained well enough to make their actions make sense.

Elizabeth Evans knocked it out of the park with the narration! There’s quite a large cast of characters in this book. But she didn’t a fantastic job distinguishing characters and bringing them to life!

Overall, I liked the story. I thought it was entertaining and moved at a good pace. But I could have used more background on the connections between the characters. 3.5 stars.

Sequel to one of my favorite books! I’m sometimes hesitant to read sequels because I worry they won’t live up to the first but this one did not disappoint!!

I received an advance audiobook copy of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack from netgalley.

This is book 2 on a series. To understand the characters and many other references, you definitely need to listen to (or read) book 1.

The narration is well done. Easy to follow.

This story is just as the first. Comedy, romance, and a murder mystery. You don't want to travel with this group, but you definitely want to read a out it.

Highly recommend!

No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding is the second mystery in The Vacation Mystery series. Eleanor Dash, murder mystery writer, is on Catalina Island to attend her best friend’s wedding, but when a murder seems to follow her everywhere Eleanor is putting on her sleuthing hat once again. Filming has just wrapped for the movie based on Eleanor’s book and the whole cast is in attendance at the wedding, but at least one of the wedding guests is up to no good. Will Eleanor be able to unravel the mystery that seems to be following her around before anyone gets hurt or will she end up right in the killers path?

I enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to check this one out. I wasn’t disappointed! This book is filled with the same humor and fun of the last one with a twisty mystery thrown in. I enjoyed seeing a lot of these characters again and thought the new characters were great additions. The mystery pulled me in from the very beginning and had me guessing until the final reveal shocked me. This was a great, funny mystery ride and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series. The semi cliffhanger at the end was great and leaves me wanting so much more.

I really wanted to love No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack. The premise is a total winner: a bestselling mystery author attending her best friend’s glamorous, storm-threatened island wedding, only to discover someone might not make it out alive? Yes, please. Throw in a Hollywood cast, a famous ex, and a setting straight out of a rom-com thriller mash-up? I was sold.

And honestly, the idea is great. I also had a lot of fun spotting all the Taylor Swift references woven throughout the story—they were clever and added a nice layer of personality.

But unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to the setup for me. Eleanor Dash, the narrator and protagonist, just didn’t work for me in the way I hoped. My biggest issue? The constant fourth-wall breaking. Eleanor has a habit of talking directly to the reader, inserting snarky or explanatory asides mid-scene. While I can see how this might be charming to some, I personally found it distracting and a little exhausting. It pulled me out of the moment every time and made it hard to stay immersed in the story.

Here’s the gist: Eleanor Dash is famous for her Vacation Mysteries series, and she’s attending her childhood best friend Emma Wood’s wedding to Fred Winters, a major movie star. Fred just happens to be playing Eleanor’s ex-boyfriend—and her series’ leading man—in the movie adaptation of her first book. After filming wraps, the whole cast and crew are invited to a picture-perfect wedding on Catalina Island. But when a threatening note appears (“Someone is going to die at the wedding”), Eleanor has to spring into detective mode yet again—storm or no storm—before the big day turns deadly.

I loved the bones of this story, but I wish the narrative voice had trusted the reader a little more and let the plot do the heavy lifting. This one just didn’t quite stick the landing for me.

I really enjoyed thee first book of this series so I was excited to read the follow up. You don't need to read the first one but recommend that you do so you get a feeling of all the characters and their backstory.

This is set in Catalina and it's about filming When in Rome and the wedding of Emma and Fred. Emma and Eleanor have been best friends are is there for her wedding.

This was a lock room mystery as there is a hurricane looming and the people on Catalina are stuck there. The mystery of someone dying at the wedding was entertaining.

Like the previous book, we get a lot of Eleanor's personality through her footnotes addressing the reader.

I think this story had a lot going on and lost me in some parts.

I enjoyed the recurring characters as well and Elizabeth Evan's narration.

Thank you @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio for a copy of the book.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

This cozy mystery was such a fun read! It went at the perfect fast-pace and I was hooked almost the whole time!

The perspective of this story is so unique and I was really into it. The main character, Eleanor, talks directly to the reader! She even leaves footnotes full of her witty commentary.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and really enjoyed the narration. I was impressed with how the narrator handled the footnotes, she just included them seamlessly into the text, and it worked really well!

Of course the title is self explanatory, but it’s always a good ride. Eleanor finds herself in the same situation - where people around her are dying. Who is the culprit though??

I love the audio for this series. The narrator makes it hilarious. Footnotes are great as always.

Thanks Netgalley for the advance copy!

Eleanor Dash is back! This book is so funny! I love how she talks directly to the reader and gives us hints about what might (or might not) be coming next. I laughed out loud at all the craziness and can't wait for the next one! I read and listen to this book and when I'm not reading the narrator's voice is in my head because she IS Eleanor Dash. She did a great job!

Book # 2 in the series!

So, this time around, Eleanor’s (Ellie’s) book is being turned into a movie… and she is there. And, she can’t believe that she has NO SAY in what they are doing to her book! 😮😂

But anyway, her best friend Emma (who is playing the female lead) is marrying Fred (the male lead) in real life. And Ellie is the maid of honor!

The wedding is a surprise, and happening just after filming finishes… on a nearby island. Of course, everything is going as planned (Not…At…All!!). And a huge tropical storm is heading right for them. But…. They can’t evacuate. The wedding has been planned! 😮😮😮

And, Emma gets a very suspicious note stating that someone is going to die at the wedding! Oh! What a surprise! 😳

So, Ellie is on it…trying to investigate the murder.
But, this is only just the beginning! There are A LOT of surprises and twists and turns that follow!!

3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4!

#NoOneWasSupposedToDieAtThisWedding by #CatherineMack and narrated nicely by #ElizabethEvans.

*** RELEASE DATE IS COMING SOON….5/13/25! So, look for it then!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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!! 📚⭐️

What a fantastic second installment in the Vacation Murders series! I loved that the author gave a quick recap of book one—it made it so easy to jump back in. Eleanor’s continued habit of breaking the 4th wall is one of my favorite touches; it adds so much charm and humor to the mystery.

This time, we’re swept into a picture-perfect wedding weekend…until everything goes terribly wrong (because of course it does!). The setting is everything you want in a cozy murder mystery—complete with the stereotypical bad weather that seems to signal something sinister is afoot.

What really stood out to me were the twists and turns. I was kept guessing all the way to the very end, and I love when a mystery can surprise me like that.

I’m crossing my fingers that the ending means we’ll get more adventures with Eleanor soon—because I am definitely here for it!

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. The narrator brought Eleanor’s voice and personality to life so well. Highly recommend this one if you’re in the mood for a fun, twisty whodunit!

TY to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!

Another hilarious installment in the Vacation Mysteries series arrives 5/13! I’m seriously kicking myself for not starting the series sooner. Unlike book one, I didn’t guess the culprit this time — and I doubt most readers will. It’s clever, twisty, and keeps you guessing right up to the end.

Perfect for fans of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and the Finlay Donovan series — just make sure you start with book one!

Audio: Elizabeth Evans does a great job with the narration. The author uses footnotes to break the fourth wall, which I wasn’t sure would translate well to audio, but EE nails it.

Another installment of crazy life of author Eleanor Dash. She is a guest / bridesmaid at her BBF wedding on Catalina Island during a pending hurricane. Of course they are stuck and should be sheltering in place. But regardless the wedding must go on! Unfortunately the storm isn’t the only danger, there is a murderer on the island and no help coming. So of course Eleanor is determine to solve it. But with all the guests and so many suspects who did it?
Love that it is written as Eleanor is talking to you aside and then jumps back into the story. She has a snarky attitude and the narrator nails it. A fun cozy that once again will keep you guessing to the end. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up. No One was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack is a fun romcom murder mystery and the second book in The Vacation Mysteries. I had the first book in this series and I really enjoyed both stories. I had the ALC and the narrator, Elizabeth Evans does a good job with all the voices with the exception of Conor. I hear him as a woman. Maybe because she is trying so hard to differentiate between Oliver and Conor, but Conor's voice comes out very feminine. In both stories, our FMC is Eleanor Dash. In this story her first novel is being developed into a film. The film's two stars are getting married on Catalina Island and someone seems to be stalking our lovely bride and sending her death threats. The bride and groom ask the novelist, Eleanor Dash, to investigate. Clearly, they weren't serious about investigating. I love the light touch of the book, the comedic nature, and the complete breaking down of the fourth wall. Overall, enjoyable read. I did not care for the complete lack of character development for Eleanor and even her regression with regards to an emotionally abusive ex. I mean what is that all about? That's not tension or cute. Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Net Galley for my ALC.

Wherever Eleanor Dash goes, murder seems to follow! Filming has just wrapped on “When in Rome”, the adaptation of the first book in Eleanor’s bestselling Vacation Mysteries series. The cast and crew are off to Catalina Island for the wedding of co-stars Fred Winters and Emma Wood (who also happens to be Eleanor’s long-time bestie). Wedded bliss is up ahead, until Emma receives a cryptic note saying “someone is going to die at the wedding.”

This series is so much fun, I’d call it cozy mystery-ish although snarkier and swearier than your typical cozy (which only makes me love it more!). Eleanor is sarcastic and funny, and I love it when she breaks the fourth wall to talk directly with the reader. The writing style is top notch (which is par for the course for this author, who you may also know as talented bestselling Catherine McKenzie), and aside from the witty banter, this is also an expertly-crafted mystery with plenty of suspects and red herrings that kept me guessing! Every time I thought I had everything figured out, it threw me for another loop!

Elizabeth Evans narrates the audiobook, and she’s perfect for the job! She embodies Eleanor’s wry sense of humor, and her engaging style made me feel like I was having a chat with a friend whenever Eleanor broke the fourth wall. The footnotes flow seamlessly into the narrative in the audiobook version, delivered in a hushed voice like a little aside you’d whisper to your bestie. Evans also does a great job differentiating the other characters, giving them their own distinct voices.

I already can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment of this hilarious and zany series! Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This is the second book in the "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" series. And yes, there will be a third!
Emma Wood, Eleanor’s best friend since childhood, is starring in the movie adaptation of When in Rome, Eleanor’s first novel. Emma is also marrying Fred Winters, a major movie star and Emma’s co-star, who just happens to be playing Connor Smith, Eleanor’s ex and leading man of the series. (Confused yet? Start with book #1 so you can keep the characters straight. There are A LOT of them.)
Filming wraps and they invite the whole cast and crew to their wedding at nearby Catalina Island. There may be a storm headed their way—because of course there is—but nothing will stop their nuptials . . . that is until Emma receives a note that says “Someone is going to die at the wedding.”
Eleanor is a professional at this point, and she’ll do everything she can to uncover the murderer so true love can prevail . . . before it’s too late for her and the rest of the storm-trapped wedding party.

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

“No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding” was a reminder of why I love to read. This book was witty, smart, captivating, and just downright fun. It was truly a pleasure to read. This is the second book in the Vacation Mysteries series. The first book was a five-star read for me, but I think I may have liked this one even more. The characters were as charming and hilarious as ever, and the mystery was captivating and full of surprising twists. I loved the fourth-wall breaking and footnotes, and I think that’s what made this book so much fun to read. This series has become one of favorites, and I am so excited for Book #3!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Evans. She was hysterical and is the perfect narrator for this series. Her comedic timing was excellent, and I could not stop laughing out loud. She was amazing at creating distinct voices for each character. There was one part where the characters were all talking to the officer at once, and even without the author telling who was speaking, I could easily tell who was who thanks to Evans’ superb narration. Highly recommend this one on audio!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fun book by Catherine Mack (alias of mystery writer Catherine McKenzie), with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Elizabeth Evans. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Eleanor Dash is back! A film is being made of her last adventure, and her best friend, Emma, is both starring in the movie and getting married. But then Emma gets a note saying that someone is going to die at the wedding. Eleanor will do whatever she can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

I loved the first book in this Vacation Mystery series, and this second installment is a worthy sequel. I love how the main character, Eleanor Dash, “talks” to the reader, even giving clues, but again, if you’re able to figure out this mystery, bravo to you because I wasn’t even close. It’s a locked room mystery on an island with a storm (because of course!), with a film being made and a wedding set to happen. There’s lots of drama, lots of questionable people and motives, and once again, footnotes (so fun). I alternated listening to the audiobook and reading it; it was fun either way but the narration was great!