Yes, those were my exact thoughts as I was closing the pages of the book. Enough is enough. I gave it an A-; but as I’m thinking about it today, it’s probably more a B+. Not much of a difference, but a little. I definitely enjoyed the action in the last third of the book. But now that it’s said and done, it reminds me a lot of the song that Peggy Lee made famous in the late ‘60s, “Is That All There Is?” I wanted more and it wasn’t there in “Sweetheart.” To be sure, “HeartSick” was brilliant; maybe it should end with “Sweetheart.” I had compassion for Archie in the first book and lost it in the second one, but only toward the end.

No, Keishon, I have never read Alafair Burke. Maybe I should give her a try? Sounds like you think I should. I’ll look her up. Thanks.

I think the Gretchen relationship could become thin after a while.

There was a scene in there where I was hoping Gretchen would be shot. That’s how ready I am for her to move on. [g] BUT — third book is pivotal (for me) in that we get to see how far across the line Archie goes (in my mind he’s already jumped over it) and where the dynamics of this Gretchen Lowell and Archie Sheridan relationship will go as well. I was somewhat sorry to see him regress.

I think Chelsea Cain is very talented and her two books are compulsively readable but I don’t think I’d continue if it’s only gonna be about their dysfunctional relationship.

I rated it a B because I wanted more of the public official story (yes, I’m selfish that way) and less on Gretchen/Archie but oh well. There was another thing that bothered me — the ending. Weak. Same as the last book. Glad you enjoyed it, Tee.

Have you read Alafair Burke? I plan to review her latest book and have it up for Friday.

Thanks for the review, this sounds like something I may like but I haven’t read Heartsick, do I have to before reading Sweetheart?

Heartsick was pretty good Peggy P, so I’d strongly recommend you start there first only because the dynamics of Gretchen’s relationship with Archie is the focus of this series.

Plus there are loose ends from the first book that carry over into the sequel. But I don’t think you’d be lost if you were to start with Sweetheart first since the author gives a little of the backstory but it’s been awhile since I read this book so I’m not 100% sure.

BTW, I listened to Smokescreen this weekend, it’s the #1 download right now on Audible so I thought — eh, why not? I do find Sandra Brown sort of hit or miss but I did enjoy Smokescreen. Victor Sleazak does a great job with the voices and I thought the mystery & all the secondary characters were well done. Sometimes it’s easier to listen to a book, especially a light story while I clean, do laundry, yard work, etc. than to sit and read it and this one fits that bill for sure.
I’m going see about downloading Play Dirty, Victor reads that also.

On another note and definitely off topic, “Smoke Screen” by Sandra Brown (especially when compared to “Play Dirty”) was a big disappointment for me. I see that it’s one of the books you’ve been reading. How goes it for you?