I loved the mix of mystery, romance and tropical vibes making this an absolute must read for your summer TBR. This was a cute story and I loved the setting. Anytime a story takes place in Hawaii it’s gonna be an auto read for me.

I adored Louise and Gregory and enjoyed watching both of their characters develop throughout the story. This was a fun and easy read with just enough spice to turn up the heat on this contemporary romance. I would have liked to see more consistency in the pacing as there were moments I did start to get a little bored with the story and the end felt slightly rushed but all in all I really enjoyed, Death At The Luau. I will definitely be recommending it as a summer read. My only regret was not realizing this was actually the second book of its series. I know I would have enjoyed it even more going already feeling a connection to the characters and added anticipation to read their love story. I definitely plan to go back and reread the series as a whole next summer when the third book is out.

I really enjoyed Death at the Luau! After the intense events of the Marda Loop case, it was great to see Louise and Gregory in a completely different setting—Hawaii felt like the perfect breath of fresh air (well, until the murder happened, of course). I loved the mix of sun, suspense, and romance. The author does a great job painting a picture of paradise, from colorful cocktails to the sounds of the waves in the background. I almost felt like I was on vacation with them.

The mystery itself was intriguing—plenty of suspects, secrets, and twists to keep me turning the pages. While I did get a little lost in the middle with all the characters and potential motives, the ending pulled everything together in a satisfying way. And I really appreciated how Louise and Gregory’s relationship was tested in realistic ways. Their dynamic continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series.

It’s not quite a five-star read for me—just a little too much going on at times—but it’s definitely a strong follow-up that kept me engaged from start to finish. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a hint of tropical danger, this one’s worth packing in your beach bag.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

The blurb for this book really reeled me in- destination wedding, Hawaiian beaches, lovers retreat, and MURDER. Color me intrigued! The fun part that isn’t fully mentioned in the book blurb is that the FMC, Louise, works as a law librarian, and the MMC, Gregory, works as a police officer. They actually mingled once before during the investigation that included Louise as a victim (the story told in book 1 of this series). I personally have not yet read Book 1, but I plan to in the near future!

There were moments in this book I felt a tad bored, primarily due to what I felt was an obvious “discovery of information” but overall, I really enjoyed this book! I loved how the MCs worked together to crack the case and also battled through their own relationship issues at the same time. Their "big conflict" was over a hamburger, which led to a pretty dramatic spat- a little bit of an eye-roll moment for me, TBH . The book takes you on quite the ride with your emotions, so if you begin to feel frustrated, hang tight- there is a reason for that frustration that will become clear soon! Will you be able to guess who the murder is before the answer is revealed? The ending was pretty darn adorable and the perfect setup for book 3!

Thank you, @netgalley for sending me an advance reader copy of this book! 3.75 Stars

This is a variation/ combination of my Instagram and Goodreads reviews.

Brief synopsis: Louise and Gregory team up again to solve yet another murder mystery- this time at their friends wedding - in Hawaii. Will they be able to enjoy their romantic holiday and see their friends tie the knot - or will a killer get between them? This book has all the beachy vacation vibes crossed with an episode of Dateline.

TROPES: Sand where sand doesn’t belong, only one bed (but in a funny way), not enough mention of cats, “easy” hikes, and a secret relationship you will have to read the bonus chapter for!

Favorite Quotes:
--> Love made it impossible to always be completely rational. When two hearts call to each other, sometimes the pull is so hard and so irresistible, there is no ignoring it.
--> She liked walks, and was also okay with kid-friendly hikes, because they would be her preferred difficulty level: easy. Even better if they ended with a little treat, a coffee or a cookie or something.

Review: I recommend reading books 1 first. There is quite a lot more spice in book 2 (woot!) and a lot more insight into the character's motivations. I loved the little extras, the clothing descriptions, the variety of drinks consumed, and the side conversations/ actions that make these characters feel like real people and the fact that sweatpants are worn on vacation when in crisis mode.

if you read this, do yourself a favor and read the bonus chapter... you won't be sorry 😉

A another great book written by Canadian author who is located in Calgary Alberta. This is a good twisty romance and mystery novel that I couldn't put down.

This was a cute read. I’m from the author’s hometown and so it was lovely to hear the descriptions of home. The imagery around Hawaii was beautiful and made me feel like I was there. I’ve always wanted to go, so this was the next best thing. I haven’t had a chance to read her first book, yet, but I enjoyed this one so much I’ll definitely be picking it up soon, and look forward to getting her upcoming ones from my favourite bookstore in Marda Loop where her books are showcased.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mimi Gunn for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death at the Luau coming out May 20, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I really love Cozy mysteries and luaus are amazing. So I was thinking it would be super awesome. I wasn’t expecting spice in a cozy mystery. I suppose this isn’t as cozy as I was thinking. I enjoyed parts of the book, but I would’ve liked more focus on the mystery. I would check out other books by this author.