Good Girl, Bad Blood

Hey everyone! I just finished “Good Girl, Bad Blood,” the second book in Holly Jackson's “A Good Girl's Guide to Murder” series, and I've got some thoughts to share.

First off, this book picks up right where the first one left off, which is great for continuity. It ties up some loose ends from the first book while introducing a new mystery. I appreciate how Jackson managed to keep the familiar elements that made the first book work while still giving us something fresh.

The writing style remains consistent, which is a big plus. It's still engaging and easy to read, making it perfect for a binge-reading session. The main character and her sidekick continue to have great chemistry, which really helps drive the story forward.

However, I have to say, I liked the first book a bit more. The mystery in this one felt a little less gripping compared to its predecessor. Don't get me wrong, it's still good, but it didn't quite reach the same heights as the first book.

One area where I felt this book fell a bit short was in character development, especially for the new characters introduced. They didn't feel as fleshed out as I would have liked. The pacing is still fast overall, but there were a few spots where it felt like it dragged a bit.

The book still has its share of shocking moments, but I found the clues a bit more obvious this time around. In the first book, the hints were subtle and cleverly hidden. Here, if you're reading carefully, you might find yourself guessing the ending a bit too easily.

On the plus side, the emotional aspects of the story are well-handled, and there's a nice touch of romance woven throughout. The ending was satisfying, and despite my criticisms, the overall story is still very good.

I'd rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's a solid sequel that fans of the first book will likely enjoy. While it may not quite live up to the high bar set by its predecessor, it's still a very enjoyable read with strong characters and an intriguing plot.

If you loved the first book, definitely give this one a shot. It might not blow you away, but it's a worthy continuation of the series that'll keep you entertained from start to finish.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​