I would never ruin a pair of shoes like that.
Gina LaManna
Secrets and Stilettos
Format:
Audiobook
Note: At the time of this review, the ebook is available in Kindle Unlimited.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Jenna McGovern’s strappy shoes and sundresses are not going to cut it when she makes the move from Hollywood Hills to Blueberry Lake, Minnesota in the stone-cold dead of winter. A former stylist to the stars, Jenna’s determined to bring the latest red-carpet fashions back to the Midwest in an effort to revive her mother’s floundering thrift shop. But when a difficult client is found dead hours after visiting the store from a high heel to the throat, she becomes the chief of police’s #1 suspect. If Jenna doesn’t clear her name quickly, she’ll not only lose the chance to style the biggest winter wedding Blueberry Lake has ever seen, but her mother’s thrift store will go under for good—and Jenna will be stuck flaunting the worst fashion of all time: a neon orange jumpsuit.
Point of view:
1st Person. Entirely from Jenna’s perspective.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
This was such a fun listen. Small town, cozy mystery, spunky heroine, great humor, and an absolutely delightful cast. City mouse returning to her roots in Blueberry Lake full of well meaning but nosy & meddling townsfolk. After an altercation, Jenna becomes the prime suspect in a murder mystery. I enjoyed all her adventures trying uncover whodunnit. A few perilous points as well as the real murderer decides she’s in the way.
There’s a little bit of a love triangle between next door neighbor/firefighter Matt and the Chief of Police Cooper. Though, Jenna is recovering from a breakup and does a good job keeping them both in the friend zone. It’s a cute twist and makes the mystery more of a focus than the romance.
I’d definitely recommend listening to this one because…
Narration:
Kelsey Navarro was perfect. This was a huge cast of characters and personalities, including many Midwest accents. She did a great job of giving them unique voices and bringing the humor through as well. Absolutely loved her performance and am ready to listen to book 2, Lipstick & Lies.
Note: If you have a chance – check out Navarro’s Instagram page where she posts hilarious outtakes from her narrations. She’s a lot of fun to follow.
About the author:
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Gina LaManna has also called Italy and Los Angeles home. At the moment she lives nine blocks from the beach and sometimes runs marathons. After studying numbers and equations in college, she realized multiple choice tests were “just not for her” and began writing books instead. She loves cappuccino foam and whipped cream and would subsist solely on sprinkles if possible. She has one imaginary dog.
You can connect with Gina LaManna here:
About the narrator:
You can connect with Kelsey Navarro here:
My Favorite Quotes
Practical stilettos are an oxymoron – Secrets and Stilettos by @Gina_LaManna #Audiobook narrated by @kelseydnavarro #Romance #CozyMystery #SmallTown #Fashionista
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Do you guys live in a Dr. Seuss book? – Secrets and Stilettos by @Gina_LaManna #Audiobook narrated by @kelseydnavarro #Romance #CozyMystery #SmallTown #Fashionista
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I’m not dating him, either! Even less than you! – Secrets and Stilettos by @Gina_LaManna #Audiobook narrated by @kelseydnavarro #Romance #CozyMystery #SmallTown #Fashionista
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Wonderful. In the span of five minutes, I’d ticked off everyone in town who’d been somewhat of a friend. Fabulous work, Jenna. – Secrets and Stilettos by @Gina_LaManna #Audiobook narrated by @kelseydnavarro #Romance #CozyMystery #SmallTown #Fashionista
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Rellim Reads 