Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones Series: Sunshine Vicram #3
Published by St. Martin's Press on December 6, 2022
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.
Like we said, the new day can take a hike.
The Sunshine Vicram series is a mix of things. It’s got police procedural and a mysteries to investigate. It’s got a whole YA vibe with so much of Auri’s thoughts and adventures, and also with Sunshine not remembering her teen kidnapping event. The feel is also very cozy mystery because of the really quirky characters and their unique habits. Each chapter starts with a witty wisdom.
“If I’m ever murdered, feel comfort in knowing that I ran my mouth until the bitter end.” — Journal entry: Aurora Vicram
I find I had to suspend disbelief quite a bit with the quirky aspects which the federal or state law enforcement would probably not let slide. Auri’s involvement and interviewing witnesses and sometimes meeting suspects is also not typical. It frightens me a little for her safety also. It’s one thing for her to do tech work blowing up or enhancing a photo so her mom can see more, and another to meet people face to face. She does a good job of ferreting out information, though.
Finally, Sunshine is remembering things and realizing details from her kidnapping and her past with Levi. I was frustrated with their inability to talk to each other and finally they did talk and stop avoiding each other.
“It’s like you said, Sunny. Life’s too short to sit on your ass and be stupid.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I said that.”
“Or wear boring clothes.”
“Nope.”
“Or drink bad coffee.”
“Yeah, I may have said that.”
The series is very fun to read with great humor. I am interested to see where things go forward because many questions were answered and A Hard Day for a Hangover could be a satisfying ending. It also could be a step into new circumstances with the new characters and relationships forged so far.
Sophia’s Review:
Events are driving toward a crisis point in Sheriff Sunshine Vicram’s personal and professional life so a date night with tequila seemed like a good idea at the time… then her day starts early with one thing after another. I have loved this series from page one and got all sorts of squirmy with excitement when I was ready to dive into this latest. Small town police work, a quirky set of family and friends, an even quirkier love life, and loads of wry humor, snappy dialogue, and a delicious twisting plot made this a fast, intense read.
A Hard Day for a Hangover is book three in the Sunshine Vicram series of tightly connected books that definitely work best in order.
With each chapter headed by a hilarious quote, and each moment Sunshine or her daughter Auri think or speak, there is definitely a humorous overlaying tone to the book. But, there are layers showing that while bantering like Olympic pros, the gals are coming to terms with the past, figuring out inter-personal relationships, family, love, and cogitating on their latest cases. Yes, Auri sticks her intuitive nose in once again to be a high school wunderkind of a detective exasperating her mother and others because she gets into some dangerous situations.
I liked seeing more startling details of Sunshine and Levi’s pasts filled in as well as seeing Sunshine and her department working on the latest case. She has the most eclectic law enforcement team and they get the job done. So many threads were going in this book that I wondered if some of it would carry over into another book. I’ve gotten used to all the balls in the air that can happen in Darynda Jones’ books and so was able to keep up with all that was going on just fine.
The case wasn’t that difficult to work out and was not meant to be since the focus was on Levi and Sunshine’s romance- which ‘oh yes’ I was glad to see reach the point of resolution- as well as the big confrontation building that started way in the past with Levi’s family and involving Sunshine, too. Interesting choice for that particular climax moment.
This one wrapped up in a way that could mean the series is finished, but there was also still plenty of material that could lead to more in the series. I am definitely hoping there is more as I enjoy the world and the characters so much. Humor blended with solid romance and suspense elements that romantic suspense fans shouldn’t hesitate to add to their reading pile.
About Darynda Jones
NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
About Sophia
Reviewer at Books of My Heart
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I love this series and am excited to read this one and finally get some answers not to mention that long awaited resolution with Levi and Sunshine!
I’m sure you will enjoy it. I guess it is the end of the series according to something I saw online.
You will not be disappointed on that front. 🙂
Yes I thought there was a definite opening for more books in this one, but I think it may be the end 🙁 I loved this series too
yes, Debbie I saw something online saying it is a trilogy so this is the end. Sad.
I saw it ends, but I am holding out hope that there will be a few 1001 Nights novellas from it like she did with the Charley Davidson series. 🙂
I agree about the case aspects Anne, but the series has been that way from the beginning. Glad both you and Sophia enjoyed it. I was said to see it end.
yes I’m sad to see the series end. It was enjoyable to read.
I’m hoping we get some of those 1001 Nights novellas like she did with Charley Davidson series.
I’ve had this series on my TBR for a while now. I think I need to move this one up!
The humor is excellent.
You sure do. Its a lot of fun to read or listen to.
Just had book 2. Now I need to read it!
I hope you love it.
You’re in for a treat, Melliane. 🙂
You may have seen on social media, but the author posted that this is the last book. I was sadden because there could be more stories to share outside of the drama that has now wrapped up. Oh well. Overall, I really enjoyed this series. Yes, I agree Anne that there were several “loosey-goosey” type moments and one has to just let those go. I was glad that Auri did more share of information with Sunshine this time around. In the end, it is a fun story and a great wrap up of events. I love the author’s sense of humor.
yes I saw that after writing my review so I’m sad it’s the end. I did enjoy reading and I love the humor.
I’m glad Auri was less loose cannon in this one, too. It all still got crazy, but not like last book.
I am holding out for some follow up novellas in the 1001 Nights series. 🙂
Yes, I’ve loved this series as well. This one is on my ereader, I just haven’t gotten to it yet. Hopefully soon.
Role, it’s an enjoyable read with lots of humor and many loose ends are tied up for a satisfying end.
So fun! Hope you get the chance soon, Role’.
I finished it earlier this week. Loved it! So sad it’s over now.
I haven’t read this author before but this sounds fun.
It’s really fun and has great humor. I would read them in order though.
Oh man, you’d get a kick out of these, Mary. 🙂
I had so much fun with this trilogy. The audiobooks were so well done and I just found it to be a great escape. I know that this is supposed to be the end but I will keep my fingers crossed for more.
Yep, I’ve been saying over and over to make it come true that we need some of those 1001 Dark Knights novellas to follow like she did with the Charley Davidson series. 🙂
I really enjoyed them other than the YA aspects. But I love that you had a good time with them. Also I loved the humor.
I had heard this ended the series. Didn’t know there was a possibility of more books to come. Nice to see it was a satisfying conclusion if it is. I’m requesting the first book in the series. Jones always makes me laugh.
This won’t be different Rachel; the humor is great. It’s a fun series.
Oh yeah, this series is a riot, Rachel!
Awww I hope you get more!
We are hoping for at least a novella.
Me, too! More please!
A Hard Day for a Hangover was a wonderful read. Action, adventure, drama both story and relationships. Revelations laced with truth and hopefully understanding add to the romantic aspect of the story. Sunshine, sheriff of the small town of Del Sol finds herself again fighting crime in her small community. Along with her band of LEO, she is made aware of a possible series killer in her area. Her daughter, Auri also aids in the search and follows some leads. Various story lines weave together creating a remarkable story. It is bittersweet, cuz I have grown to love Sunshine, Levi, Auri, Quince and the community of Del Sol and hate to say goodbye. With any luck, maybe they will be resurrected. Great job, Darynda on the entire series.