CAUTION SPOILERSI enjoyed this book more than the first one. J.J. was, once again, a great character to read. As was Jack. But as with the first book, there was some things that didn't work for me, although less than the previous book.I enjoyed the romantic tension between J.J. and Jack in the first book as well as the beginning of this one. They went from childhood friends to possibly more and their interactions knowing they had feelings was filled with UST. It was wonderful to see the build up. But then all of a sudden, they go from tension to having sex to living together to getting married. All in one book. Way too fast. I know they've known each other for forever. They know each other completely. But they don't know each other in a romantic way. There should be dates and getting to know each other in this new way, and even some conflict, everything new relationships go through. It just feels like we're being cheated out of their romance by going so fast.I wasn't a fan of the ending. Not because of the cliffy right there at the end but because it just seems too impossible. I'll try to explain without giving away the ending. At the end of the first book, we get the killer's confessions about some things he did and saw in regards to her family. But with the things happening here, that whole confession is thrown away because it didn't happen quite like that. It feels like the surprise reveal of the killer that you think: wow, I didn't even remember him how was he killer? Now we're getting the surprise that what we knew happened isn't really true and you're left thinking: why was I told a lie if this is what was gonna happen? Instead of surprised, I felt lied to.I will eventually go on to read the next book but not quite yet. I think I have to get over the "lied to" feeling. And once again, despite the things I didn't like, I enjoyed the book and can't give it a lower rating. I found the mystery in this book to have been much better constructed than in Book 1, Dirty Little Secrets. This was a mystery of many layers and it was written very well, such that the 'right' clues were there, but not obvious to the reader. What I felt was missing, though, was further character building. Jack and Jaye do come to terms with their relationship and where they are heading, and Jaye struggles to get over her past issues from what occurred in the last book as well as what she has learned of her parents and the truth of her upbringing. So, progress was made, but with such a big mystery I felt like much of the personal stuff was left out. Still giving this five stars as I felt the mystery is the hardest part of a book to get right and this is a good one done well. Will be moving on to book 3 soon!
What do You think about A Dirty Shame (2013)?
This book was great. It had romance, a great mystery. The mystery kept me guessing until the end.
—kacrys
The JJ Graves series is a new favorite. Will be looking for the next one in October.
—Zoiks
Great Ending! Can't wait to read the next book!
—sobiyanaaz
