Customer Reviews

Bubbles Unbound

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

As the story starts out, the main character, Bubbles Yablonsky, a Barbie look alike, talks about her life, and how she becomes a part time reporter. Bubbles, who also explains her name, works at Sandy's House of Beauty and ends up back at school, which leads her to a story, which leads her to a hunky photographer, who leads her to a body, which starts a dangerous conflict between the rich and the poor of Lehigh, PA. Bubbles sidekicks are her Kool-aid colored hair daughter, Jane; her mother, Lulu, who is a lulu; plus size friend Genevieve; Doris and Sandy from the beauty shop. When Bubbles takes on The Metzgers of Lehigh Steel, she stirs up enough trouble to put her home at risk, but not to worry; Her polish mama is at the ready. Humor and great characters isn't all Sara Strohmeyer has to offer. The mystery is well planned; only straying to the characters' personal lives when it blends in with the story line, whodunit is successfully guarded held until the end, and at the conclusion of each chapter is a beauty recipe.

It's no wonder this book won the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery. It's fun, fast-paced, well written and even has a deeper message that gives the book some depth. I'm looking forward to her next one, Bubbles In Trouble. If you like Grafton and Evanovich, like I do, you'll like Bubbles Yablonsky.

After reading this, I decided that this was a Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum wanna-be book. The similarities between the main character's was uncanny.....

Bubble's mom = Stephanie's grandma
Stiletto = Joe
Bubbles' mom's friend = Lulu
Bubbles' friend = Connie

and I could go on and on.....

While there will never be another Stephanie Plum, this was another enjoyable quick read that had me chuckling at certain times.

Welcome to my keeper shelf, Bubbles! I loved this book from the beginning page. Bubbles is my kind of unconventional girl, and she couldn't care less who doesn't like the person she is. I feel like I know this woman! Big hair, teeny tiny clothes, and big laugh out loud fun. The tension of the mystery is great, the cast of characters delightful, and the writing fluid and easy to read. A perfect beach read! Two thumbs way up for Bubbles Yablonsky.

The book was easy to read and a real page turner, lots of action from one page to the next. The Beauty tips were cute, sort of like the recipes you get from a Diane Mott Davidson book. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the Mother and her friend. It is nice that Bubbles has a daughter as that adds some dimension as well. Bubbles is sort of an Erin Brockovich and a Stephanie Plum all rolled into one person. Now if we could just add a little Anita Blake to her character, that would be a treat. Only problem, I wish that Bubbles would leave her high heels at home when she is chasing the bad guys...I wish she were tougher. I loved the book Barbie Unbound and this is a great start to a new series....

What a disappointment! Strohmeyer is trying to be Evanovich, but she fails in every respect: character, romantic interest, eccentric family member. She would have done better to be herself, instead of being such an obvious copy. Maybe someone who hadn't read any of Janet Evanovich's books could enjoy this, but I doubt any true follower of Stephanie, Morelli and Ranger could.

I really liked this book, was taken by Bubbles "bubbly" (sorry about the pun) personality, and liked her attitude. The story was a wild and wacky romp. Loved the beauty hints!!! This is not a Janet Evanovich clone, although there will be comparisons. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel.

I have a penchant for murder mysteries with strong, quirky characters. I'd already ploughed through all Spenser, Stephanie Plum, Elvis Cole, and Jo Beth Sidden books and was experiencing major withdrawal pains when Bubbles Yablonsky showed up on my bedside table.

I highly recommend this very entertaining, suspenseful read with quite the engaging protagonist. Way-to-go, Strohmeyer, for feeding my addiction and crank out more Bubbles, FAST.

J. Evanovich doesn't write fast enough to quench my book hunger, but hurray, Sarah Strohmeyer's, Bubbles Unbound, has the same style. I love this book and find myself laughing out loud at the antics of the characters. Hurry, please, more, more, more!

Bubbles Unbound is a rare treat - a book you can read in one sitting. The most unlikely of amateur sleuths, Bubbles is a cosmetologist, part-time reporter, and full-time single mom. The novel is full of fun characters, plot twists, outrageous humor, and even some steamy romance (although Bubbles mostly complains of the lack thereof.) The mystery is never too neatly arranged but no so realistic as to be dull. However, the story is really a wonderful window through which you can behold Bubbles and the wacky cast of supporting players. This wonderful character is someone you can laugh with, rather than AT. I only hope Strohmeyer is already at work on a second novel in this series.