C J Skuse rocks!! I thoroughly enjoyed the second instalment to Sweetpea, In Bloom. It was an absolute hoot, certainly not for anyone with a weak constitution or snowflakes who dislike swearing and toilet humour! I do hope there's a third....

This is the sequel to Sweetpea and you would really be doing yourself a favour if you read that one first. It continues pretty much straight after that book ended and as Rhiannon is a bit (understatement) complex and has a very interesting and convoluted backstory, in my opinion, you really would be missing too much if you don't. Be warned however, it is just as sick, twisted and disturbing, and so deliciously, darkly funny!
I blooming loved Sweetpea when I read it last year and have been hankering for more from Rhiannon ever since I turned the final page. In this book, she's back, and pregnant, but, happily for me, still a killer. Yes, I know, murder is bad whoever it is... but first (for me) there was Dexter, who I absolutely loved and now we have Rhiannon, just as dark but also, just as addicted. As in Sweetpea, this book is mega-funny. Yes, I know, murder isn't funny, except when it is. In fact, in this book we have double the fun as we also hear quite a lot from Rhiannon's unborn child!
So, as we pick things up from Rhiannon, she is in the process of disposing of the body of her lover, the father of he unborn child. She has also managed to pin all her previous murders on her duplicitous ex-fiance Craig. But, even though she is now (mostly) free and clear, she still has murderous intentions and continues with her, incredibly amusing, daily kill lists. Now living with her to-be-in-laws who still think Craig is the baby-daddy, and hounded by the press who want their piece of her, not believing it is possible that she couldn't have known about Craig, she is torn between continuing to rid the world of wrong-uns and the voice in her head (tummy) from her unborn child pleading with her to stop.
I'm not sure really what else I can say about this book. I am assuming that by now, if you haven't already read Sweetpea you will not be still reading this review so, if you loved Sweetpea, I think you'll also love this book. If you didn't then please don't think this one is any different. Just move along, nothing more to see here. This book and its themes and its humour is not for everyone. And that's OK. Me, I blooming loved it and am counting the hours until I can hook up with Rhiannon again!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Life is never dull with Rhiannon as the narrator of the story!
I really enjoyed SweetPea but I think I liked this one even more.
At the end of SweetPea we knew Rhiannon was pregnant and in this book the baby continues to speak to her. One thing is clear though - it doesn’t like her killing people!
Rhiannon moves in with Jim and Elaine, Craig’s parents, and feels a bit restricted so soon hatches a plan to give her more space. Neither of them have a clue about what she’s done and are desparate to get their son out of prison.
Rhiannon meets some new ‘friends’ and soon tells them some home truths so obviously is not welcome there anymore.
She does meet one woman though who she genuinely likes and it’s interesting how the friendship develops.
Whilst Rhiannon will never change, it was quite an emotional ending. However, I have a funny feeling we’ve not heard the last of this character quite yet.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I absolutely adored 'Sweet Pea' and even bought copies for friends, so I was really excited to see what Rhiannon would get up to next. Unfortunately, this sequel didn't live up to my expectations. Admittedly I didn't finish the book - I only managed to read a third - but too much of Rhiannon's spikiness, that I loved in the first book, felt forced in the second. I wish C.J. Skis every luck with 'In Bloom' and appreciate the opportunity to read this book.

Great follow up to Sweetpea and In Bloom picks up immediately where Sweetpea ended.

Rhiannon is a serial killer who has successfully framed her fiancé for her murderous spree. What could possibly happen next? Read and see. You’ll laugh and gasp at the same time

I loved Sweetpea and I am so glad CJ Skuse has decided to revisit the story of Rhiannon! This was another laugh-out-loud, "did she really just say that" thriller which had me laughing out loud and even gasping in shock at points! The one thing I would say is that I don't think this would work as a standalone novel - you do need to have read Sweetpea first to understand much of the plot - but it is an absolute riot for fans of that book. I hope there will be more!

This follow up to Sweetpea certainly doesn't disappoint. Witty, clever,hilarious and perfectly paced. Dark humour at its very best. I hope we that we hear more about Rhiannon in the future. Easy 5 stars.

Rhiannon's back, and this time she's got company...a little passenger along for the ride.

The book starts where Sweetpea left off, with Rhiannon plotting to dispose of the remains of her lover.

Her fiance has been successfully framed for the killing spree she's been on, she's living with her in-laws (to be) and she's pregnant. What can possibly happen next?

This is the most entertaining type of dark humour, and Rhiannon is unforgettable. She says the things you think, in your deepest heart, and makes you cringe while sniggering.

I loved this sequel to Sweet Pea, and would strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first instalment of Rhiannon's serial killer adventures. This series is like Dexter with a tongue-in-cheek feminist spin, and if you've ever fantasised about getting your own back on the world and/or enjoy living vicariously through some very dark comedy, this is definitely something you should read. Rhiannon's a bit more reflective in this second version, at least partially because her killing tendencies are somewhat hobbled by her pregnancy, but do not worry - the dark humour is still out in force!

The voice is a particular strength of these novels - Rhiannon's first-person narration allows us clear access to her unfettered thoughts, which is by turns a delight and a horror. Although at times, most readers will agree with her judgments on others' behaviour, sometimes the extremity of her criminal personality is apparent and most of us would not follow her logic. This is particularly fascinating and it's great to see and be able to agree on one page and be repulsed on the next. The wry and dark humour is also delicious. I felt like there was quite a bit more of a thriller plot in this book - while the first was about Rhiannon's murders, this was more about how she was going to stay one step ahead, and we also got to see a lot more of her thinking about the future.

It picks up immediately after the first (very literally - only moments after), so we are straight into the action. and the pace remains pretty quick for most of the novel. I'd definitely recommend this, but would strongly advise reading the series in order, so if you like the sound of this, you need to read Sweet Pea first.

If you loved Sweet Pea then you should love In Bloom. Rhiannon is certainly back with a bang.

Rhiannon isn’t alone this time, her unborn child wants a say in what she does. The diary style shows the battle that she is undergoing between killing and keeping the baby safe. The kill lists are hilarious!

I love that this book is so different to the usually serial killer genre. I’ve always thought a book from the killers perspective would be interesting and C.J. Skuse most certainly nailed it. In Bloom is dark, witty and at points disturbing and definitely worth a read but only if you’ve read Sweet Pea!


Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an absolute marvel of a book - SO dark, SO laugh-out-loud funny, the world through Rhiannon's eyes is perfectly, acutely observed. Possibly my favourite character since Hannibal Lecter. Just Genius!

Ah, this is fantastic! Rhiannon is back with her want-to-kill attitude with the added hilarity of a little voice from her unborn child.

Safe to say, it’s both hilarious and gruesome ... not for the faint-hearted.
The sequel to the utterly brilliant Sweetpea, it certainly won't appeal to everyone.

a full 5* from me, no questions asked.

4.5 stars
If you loved Sweetpea (like me), you will love In Bloom (as I did). It is as brilliant, as funny and as outrageous. Perhaps it doesn't have the same shock factor but only because you are prepared, having read the first book. I liked the witty writing and Rhiannon is one of the best narrators in modern crime fiction. I really hope there will be a third book and can't wait to read it.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Another absolute triumph. I love the character of Rhiannon, and this is such a good sequel, I can't tell you. Hilarious, devilish, dark, gross, modern and at times quite sweet (I did say at times) this book is a total corker. Read them both as soon as you can. Unplug the phone, get some alcohol and goodies stashed, and prepare to lose a weekend to the delicious dark side.

I freaking loved Sweetpea. I thought it was OUTRAGEOUS and CRUDE and INAPPROPRIATE and TASTELESS, but honestly, reading (devouring) In Bloom in a day made me realise that Sweetpea was like Mother Teresa on Valium compared to this brilliant sequel.

Rhiannon is back, but this time she’s not alone! She’s pregnant and she’s a walking, talking hormonal, baby brained psycho with a craving to kill.

Told again through a diary with the fabulous kill lists, Rhiannon is living at her fiancés parents house, whilst he is in prison facing multiple murder charges.

If you are easily offended, squeamish, prudish or have a strong sense of morality then I strongly suggest you avoid these books.

If you have a sick, twisted, disturbing and questionable sense of humour, pick up Sweetpea and then read the fabulous follow up. I laughed, cringed, snorted and practically inhaled this book in a day. This is going into my Top Ten books of 2018 and then I am off to find some suitable medical treatment for the author who really is one messed up and dark bunny.