Reviews

Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank

brky1144's review against another edition

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5.0

Great second book to the series! I love the new characters that were introduced and thought the unsolved crime/mystery was interesting. I also like how we're learning new information about the current characters and am curious to see where the author takes it. On to book #3!

mbreeggs's review against another edition

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5.0

29..

Every woman needs a Joe McAllister... Again, another book that hooks you in. Great read. Makes you want to keep reading

ktilley99's review against another edition

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5.0

Addicted

Just finished the second book of this series and can't wait to read the rest. Also love that its based in Arkansas.

mbreeggs's review against another edition

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5.0

29..

Every woman needs a Joe McAllister... Again, another book that hooks you in. Great read. Makes you want to keep reading

noelkendy's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the second book to the Rose Gardner Mysteries by Denise Grover Swank. This is the 3rd time I’ve read this book, and this book is essential to the full understanding of the whole series. It introduces 4 new important characters: Neely Kate, Bruce Wayne, Mason, and Skeeter Malcolm. Pay attention to these characters – they are staying for the rest of the series. Rose meets Neely Kate during a jury duty summons, and they quickly become best of friends. Neely Kate loves the idea of Rose having visions, much to Rose’s surprise. Bruce Wayne is a murder suspect, who Rose finds is wrongly accused. Having experiencing a little too much déjà vu concerning her own recent almost incarceration, she tries her best to get him freed. Mason is the district attorney who is prosecuting Bruce Wayne. His character is initially very rough around the edges, but you’ll learn to love Mason. Skeeter Malcolm is someone apparently everyone knows about (except Rose) who owns the pool hall in Henryetta. His character becomes important later. Pay attention to these characters.
In this book, Rose is slowly growing more and more. She started out as a girl who was meek and didn’t think highly of herself, and she’s growing to respect herself. I love how DGS makes them so complex. I absolutely love this series. I cannot stress enough how much you all should read this series, and do not skip this book – lots of building up for the series happens here.

nitzanschwarz's review against another edition

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4.0

Okaaaaay, it's been a while since I read it and I haven't written any review for it. Think it's time to throw in the towel and just collect my notes into here so they won't be forgotten:

*I finally read it! I've been weary of continuing with the series because I know a certain spoiler for the next books and was too anxious to see it play out, but I did it now! :)

*This book kind of made my belief in Joe and Rose's relationship crack. I mean, Joe was just so... needy? I mean, he kept needing reassurances and like... I started feeling like this wasn't entirely healthy, if you know what I mean. But... I also felt like this might have been... intentional? I dunno.

*VIOLET STOP PLEASE.

*Okay, I swooned for Mason. I feel like I'm cheating on Joe by saying this but... yeah, I did.

*Neely Kate is awesome. Glad Rose found a friend! She deserves one.

*The killer was fairly obvious from a certain point on, and it was kind of annoying how everyone ignored key facts like the fact Rose came into contact with him in the courthouse. Meaning, he had some connection to it. Skeeter wouldn't be caught dead there, so...

*Bruce Wynne y'all lol.
 

ekeithley09's review against another edition

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4.0

*Re-read*

Once again, back in Fenton County. I do love the world that Denise Grover Swank is creating. We are introduced to a few new characters - Mason Van de Camp Deveraux III, Newley Kate, and Bruce Wayne (briefly) that all join Rose’s little rat pack for misfits.

Overall, it’s Rose’s usual shenanigans. Sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong, but this time in order to help someone else, not herself. I’m still not entirely sure if Joe is flushed out as a character, but I can start to see his complexities arise.

Gets a solid 4/5 from me. Mainly because it’s a builder of this Southern Arkansas world and I know what’s to come.

kramie's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Continue seeing how Rose develops after the murder of her Mum in the last book. 
Rose has started to find her feet and develop a sense of self. She no longer has to put anyone else before her, although that is something that’s hard to adapt to. 
Rose continues on her path and funds more trouble along the way. Whatever will happen in Henryetta next?

adierose74's review against another edition

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3.0

3 1/2 stars

meg37's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed it. I thought they did a good job making it readable as a stand alone book (I never read book 1).