Tea or Consequences

I won't spell the story, there are plenty who receive gratis copies which provide a good run-down.

I thought the book was entertaining. I enjoyed the suspense, slow kindling romance and surprise ending. Another great KC read!

4 Super Fun and Sleuthy Stars
I didn’t really know what to think about this book from just the blurb, but I was… intrigued. We meet Riley while he’s working as a high-powered executive assistant temp at a cosmetics company. From the beginning, the drama between the various characters at the company was apparent. And suddenly… his boss’s death changes everything. Because who walks in, other than his high school crush, Tad. And from there, things really heat up!

First, I really, really liked both of these characters. Riley was smart and confident (even if he did apologize or “justify” why he was “only a temp” a bit too much) – and he was funny. Even through the drama, he remained true to his character and tried to keep finding the bright side of everything. His almost swoon over seeing his ex-crush walk in as the detective, was perfection. Riley was more than skin-deep – and seeing his evolution with his own self worth, his interaction with his family and of course, Tad – was truly fun to read… especially along-side of the suspense. Tad’s character felt a little less developed – but that was likely due to the POV of the story. He was a tough guy in school… transformed into a cop who just can’t stop his attraction to Riley.

Now, I will say… this wasn’t the most topsy/turvy/twisty/who done it story out there, but there were a few interesting twists. One of my favorite things about this book, was how everything fit and led up to the end of the story. Nothing felt out of place or over-detailed, which is a welcome surprise! This is a great book for anyone who loves the high school boomerang plot line, an interesting murder/mystery and a delightful HEA through a lot of turns.

Review Copy of Tea or Consequences provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel at Alpha Book Club.

Reviewed by Meredith for Diverse Reader

When I read the synopsis for this I was so on board. It sounded majorly intriguing. Murder, mystery, and mayhem. What’s not to love?

This is told entirely in Riley’s POV. That was interesting. He’s a temp working as an executive assistant to Gabriella Gautier, boss lady extraordinaire. It’s no secret that she’s the murder victim in this. We read that in the blurb. I didn’t realize we’d actually get some page time with her. That was awesome.



I paid attention to everything she said and did in the short time she was here and I have to say, when it came to the discovery of the who, what, where, when, and how, she was pretty vital.



Riley, he’s wonderful. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to carry the whole book but he did. The detective on the case is his old high school crush. Riley looks a lot different than when he was in high school but Tadeo doesn't and he still does it for him.



So much of this story is the murder mystery. Yes there’s sweet romance but I didn’t feel like it was the main focus of this story. At one point I wasn’t sure Tad and Riley actually would get together in the end. The chemistry seemed to be there a little, but for a while I just was like, “If it happens it happens.” It just didn’t call to me as something that needed to be. It wasn’t until the last 20% of the book that these two starting clicking for me.



I loved Riley though. His friends, all the adventures he goes through while trying to find a killer and not be their next victim.



If you LOVE whodunits then I really do feel like this is an awesome book for you!

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Riley works as an Executive Assistant through a temporary service. He's working for the head of a family cosmetics' company. During a launch party, Riley finds his boss dead at her desk, and Riley's life becomes crazy. The detective sent to interview him is someone he went to school with, Tad, and who Riley had a crush on. Through the investigation, Riley meets with Tad over dinner to share information he's come across since he's decided he's in the perfect spot to investigate from within the company. Riley is confused by Tad wanting to meet over dinner and paying for dinner. He's attracted to Tad and is unsure if they have a professional relationship or if it's more.

This story was more of a mystery and less of a romance. I thought the mystery was well done, and it kept me guessing throughout the book. There were twists, turns and secret husbands to keep my mind engaged. And you may think you know who the killer is but you'll probably be surprised when everything comes out.

This story is told completely from Riley's POV, and in this story, it felt like a disadvantage. I liked Riley and I think he's really shortchanging himself by being in a relationship with Tad. Because we don't get Tad's POV, I'm not sure what his thoughts are but it really seemed that he was using Riley. He ran hot and cold; his words saying he only wants a professional relationship between them but his actions saying something different. I didn't like Tad and I don't think that opinion ever changed.

It's hard for me to say this is a HFN or HFE when the MC's didn't actually become a couple, or whatever, until 97% into the book. But, again, I really think this is a mystery book that just happened to have two characters come together at the end of this story.

Rating: 4 stars