
Member Reviews

I was really excited to start this book. Even though this is the second book, and I haven't read the first (and I don't think it's necessary), I was pleasantly surprised by how the story started and Pomona as a character. However, her inner monologue started being a bit tedious and I started getting tired by her treatment towards her (poor) boyfriend. Overall, not for me as I was hoping and expecting more character development from her.

I received this ebook as an ARC through NetGalley
Thanks for the ARC! I enjoyed this book a lot! It's kind of right up my alley though. I love a good comedic mystery. It has a bit of everything you could want in a book....humor, romance, mystery, etc. I have not read any of the other books by this author but I quickly caught up and it was still a great read. I would definitely recommend especially with summer coming to an end and spooky season starting soon. I will read more from this author now for sure.

Pomona Afton is a hotel heiress, like a 00s Paris Hilton with a touch less self-awareness. She’s trying to reform her party girl image, but scandal seems to follow her around - lately in the form of murder. This book takes place roughly a year after the first one, and this time her biggest donor is murdered at her very first fundraising gala.
This book is quick, campy, and fun. Pomona is a sleuth in the vein of Stephanie Plum, and neither she nor the author take themselves too seriously.
This was my first introduction to Pomona Afton, and I will definitely be picking up the first book as well to see what I missed. The only thing I didn’t entirely understand was Gabe. He seemed whiny and insecure. I assume he’s better in the first book, though, and I’m looking forward to discovering his appeal.
I got an e-arc of this book from NetGalley, courtesy of the author and publisher, in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. Thanks!

OMG SO CUTE! This was a fun, lighthearted "who did it". Pomona Afton is a reformed party girl turned "serious" socialite hosting her first gala. The night doesn't go as planned and now Pomona is totally solving her second murder.
This is the second book in the Pomona Afton series and I did not read the first book. That wasn't a problem because the author does a great job of catching up readers. The book was a great palate cleanser of a read. Super fun, very light and easy to read. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received this ebook as an ARC through NetGalley
If you love Elle Woods then I’m sure you’ll love this. In this sequel, Pamona’s sleuthing takes a back seat to her self discovery and navigating her relationship. I, unfortunately, could not get invested in Pomona and found her self reflection to be a bit repetitive. However, I can see the main character being someone lots of people love to read about. The witty remarks and posh moments definitely bring lots of personality to the story.
When considering the writing, there are funny moments; however the joke (Pomona is a rich girl that is out of touch with reality) is overdone. I’d say this is better fit for a young reader or as a less intimidating palate cleanser that you finish in one or two days. I found it hard to come back to this when I had more interesting reads.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for access to this ARC

What did it matter? I’d know I was doing my best. I’d know I was doing what mattered.”
First book by netgalley.
I’ll say I was a little confused at the beginning since I had not read book one but I quickly got caught up from the previous book but apart from that it was a good read. It’s was different from other mystery books I’ve read and also it incorporated aspect from the real every day world really well. I really liked the paced of the book it keep me entertained during the solving of the murder and I didn’t expect the ending to happen that way. Also she did get her happy ever after so that is also very important. I also like that we see how people even rich people struggle in every day life even if it’s in there own little bubble if a world but what matters in the end it’s that we are trying our best.

Having read the first book in the Pomona Afton series, I approached the second book with a bit of apprehension. So often, the second book can be a let down. But that was not the case. The second book picked up right where the first one ended, with the dry wit, wonderful character development and biting dialog. Pomona was back in her element.
Although she isn't J. B. Fletcher in Cabot Cove, murder is starting to follow Pomona. At her coming out gala, one of the guests drops dead. And when I say drops dead, I mean drops dead. The problem is (well, I suppose that the main problem is that a guy is dead, but then no one liked him anyway) that Pomona's best friend is suspected of the murder. The cops can't seem to get anything right, so, again, it's up to Pomona to solve the murder.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like a little sarcasm.

I loved this follow up story about heiress turned detective Pomona Afton. Imagine Paris Hilton meets Sherlock Holmes. This book was just as funny as the first and I had such a fun time reading it. I was able to piece together the murder and was proud I was doing in the end! There are quite a few characters in Pomonas world too that add to the story that I was happy to follow up with. I thought this was a wonderful second book in the series and I would love to read another if the author continues them. Thanks to Net Galley, the author, and Atria Books for the ARC! If you like pop culture and crime I’d definitely recommend this one!

Though this was a cute sequel and follow up to Pomona Afton can so solve a murder, It was a little lack luster to me. It had some great things with the FMC being witty but felt like the characters growth wasn’t there.
Overall it was a quick and easy read and a nice storyline

Pomona Afton is back and is ready to re-launch herself into society as a mature and serious adult. After being cut off and forced to share an apartment with her former nanny's son, Gabe, Pomona realized how much kids struggle to receive an education. Thus, The Pomona Afton Foundation was born to create scholarships for underprivileged students in New York to achieve their goals and further their education.
After months of planning, the very first Pomona Afton Foundation gala is finally here and Pomona is determined to make it a perfect night.
The night is anything but perfect. After Pomona's parents suddenly decide to attend the gala and her benefactor, Conrad Phlume, is being his obnoxious, unlikable self, Pomona decides the night can't get much worse. But oh, it sure can...
In the middle of the gala, a horrible incident occurs and someone is left dead!
Pomona, coming off the high of solving her grandmother's murder, jumps back into action and is determined to solve this murder and save The Pomona Afton Foundation. With the help of her boyfriend, Gabe, Pomona goes back down the rabbit hole to find out who committed this heinous act. Will Pomona solve this murder and save her foundation?
I was so thrilled when I heard Pomona Afton would be back! She is such a fun FMC and it's been amazing to see her growth over these two books. I am hoping her stories continue on. This book is a cozy whodunit with some flair. Just like the first book, I flew through this one and loved it so much! I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases next year, and if you haven't read Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder, go do it now.

She’s baaaack! I live a good character arc and Pamona Anton did a 180. Well, sort of. She still lives clubbing, galas, pretty dresses and glamour! When she tries to make a splash back into the social scene, someone ends up dead. And she feels it’s her duty to figure it out again! So many ups and down, but Paloma will always land on her feet!

This was a good follow-up to the first book!
Opposite to the first book, this second book felt more focused on really solving the murder mystery instead of tracking the FMC’s personal development. Over the course of the investigation, a lot of juicy details about previous failed marriages and secret business connections were revealed. I was worried we were closing in on our suspect at a speed that felt too soon but I was pleasantly wrong. Furthermore, I didn’t predict the killer, but after it was revealed, it was really cool to remember the easter eggs that were laid throughout the book. However, I was a little confused by the sequence that played out when the killer was caught — felt drawn out and a little too convenient. Nonetheless, still an interesting reveal.
The really exciting aspect to book one was the romance developing alongside the murder investigation. In this book the FMC & their love interest are in a relationship and actually experiencing issues, so it did not elicit as many giddy feelings. I felt as though the FMC was not making enough effort to consider her partner. While they did make up, it felt as though their conversations were focused on the FMC discovering who she was and less about how that affected her partner.
Overall, weaved throughout is a really lovely message about learning who you are without internalizing the opinions and criticism of others.
Thank you to Atria & NetGalley for providing me with an early copy.

Pomona Afton is back and just as chaotic as ever. Pomona Afton Can Totally Catch A Killer takes everything I loved about the first book (the razor-sharp wit, the unapologetically messy main character, the clever blend of mystery and humor) and dials it up another notch.
The mystery itself is fun and twisty, with enough suspects, clues, and red herrings to keep me guessing. But honestly? The real joy here is Pomona. She’s irreverent, unpredictable, and sometimes completely over the top, but that’s what makes her so endearing. I love that she’s not polished or perfect. She makes mistakes, takes risks, and barrels into danger with her own unique brand of confidence. It feels refreshing to have a character who isn’t trying to be likable all the time, yet you can’t help but root for her.
The pacing is quick and the banter sparkles, so this is the kind of book that’s easy to binge in a single sitting. If you enjoyed the first installment, you’ll be thrilled to see Pomona back in action. And if you’re new to the series, you could start here, but I’d recommend beginning with Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder just to enjoy her evolution.
Overall, this is a hilarious, fast-paced cozy mystery with a heroine who refuses to play by the rules and I’m already excited for whatever chaos Pomona gets herself into next.
Tropes for those who need them:
Slow burn-ish
Will they won’t they?
Found family
Quirky heroine
Big thanks to Net Galley, Bellamy Rose and Atria books for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was so much fun. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was such a fun read!! I read one chapter and then went back, downloaded the first in there series, read that and then read this book. Pomona was a delight as a main character and I liked seeing her evolve as an adult. The perfect beach read!

This book was a little difficult for me to get through. Between the long chapters and struggling to keep up with the characters, it wasn’t the easiest to read. The story line seemed a little dragged out. And it took me 5 chapters before actually understanding that it’s more than just about a gala. I think a big part of it was not reading the first book in this series. I feel like I would have been more connected to the characters and able to keep up better with the plot had I read the first one. All-in-all it was still an interesting read and I would have never guessed the ending.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books publisher for this ARC to review!

This book was such a fun surprise! Pomona Afton Can Totally Catch a Killer blends quirky humor with a genuinely engaging mystery in a way that feels totally fresh. Pomona is an unforgettable protagonist—awkward, witty, and determined, with just the right mix of heart and sarcasm.
The mystery itself isn’t just fluff either; it’s layered enough to keep you guessing, but the charm really comes from how Pomona navigates the investigation (often in hilariously unconventional ways). The writing has a snappy, contemporary feel—like part cozy mystery, part sharp YA voice—and I found myself flying through it in a couple of sittings.
If you like your murder mysteries on the lighter, clever side—think Veronica Mars or A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder—this one’s definitely worth adding to your TBR.

After reading the first Pomona Afton book, I was hoping there would be more to come! In this book she's holding her very first gala to raise money for low-income students. (Unfortunately, she can't have peacocks at the New York Public Library, what a bummer.) Her easy-to-dislike parents are in attendance, along with a lot of rich people who quickly become suspects once Pomona's major donor falls to his death after his speech that night. Even though I guessed the murderer before Pomona revealed it to her guests (and readers) at the end, it was still fun. Bellamy Rose gets the tone just right - another reviewer compares Pom to Cher from Clueless and I completely agree. She means well but she's still figuring out how the real world works - we can't all be riding private jets to private islands all the time. This is definitely not the best plotted mystery but I'd spend time with Pom (and Gabe) anytime. There were a few points that felt fabricated to make things more drawn out (like Vienna insisting on a face to face meeting versus just talking over the phone) but I appreciated that part of the story is Pomona still figuring herself out.

This is a sequel to Pomona Afton can so Solve a Murder- I didn’t read that one going into this ARC so I’m not sure how valid my opinion can be!
3 stars from me, though. While I found Pomona’s character really witty and overall enjoyed Bellamy’s prose, I didn’t find myself chomping at the bit to read this one. In fact, it took me several weeks to get through and it’s not that long of a book!
Based on other reviews from those who have read the prequel to this, there’s not much character growth or plot twists to keep us on our toes.
It’s a nice story overall that boop-bops along though.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the e-arc! All opinions are my own.

Reviewed for NetGalley:
Pomona Afton is back! This time, while fundraising to get her nonprofit off the ground, she is quickly enmeshed in another murder scandal.
In order the clear the name of a close friend and help her boyfriend navigate the elite world of the rich and famous, Pomona brings along all the antics that made the first novel so fun.
I really enjoyed the world Bellamy Rose has creased with these characters, all the while still having Pomona learn and grow as a person.