In Bloom

An excellent sequel

I really enjoyed Sweatpea (the first novel) so was slightly on tenderhooks when reading this sequel, however, I need not have worried. I wondered how on earth the cliffhanger would be resolved but found the solution satisfying instead of contrived. This novel explores virgin territory- the mind of a pregnant psychopath.I don't think this has ever been done before? The voice the narrator used for the fetus was hilarious and the dark humor just as entertaining as the first novel, although I was disturbed to have made the kill list- yes, I do pick raisins out of my food!.The only reason I gave the story 4 stars instead of 5, is that I felt the middle slightly meandered. Once again we are left on a cliff hanger and I for one, can't wait for the next installment.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Expectations just too high

Sweet Pea is in my Top 5 books of all time and I've been eagerly anticipating In Bloom for so long! Perhaps my expectations were just too high and therefore it hasn't delivered. I kept waiting for something huge to happen but it never did. I missed the hilarious observations Rhi used to make on her co workers from the first book, and I missed the gory, graphic but wittily written murders. I didn't particularly enjoy the baby/subconscious musings in this sequel. Georgia Maguire is one of the best narrators out there though. I look forward to reading book 3 in the future though I'm not quite as excited about it now, having found myself disappointed by In Bloom.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

An excellent sequel to Sweetpea.

Binge listened to this after thoroughly enjoying Sweet Pea, Rhiannon's character develops a lot and i found the ending good. also is it just me or is Rhiannon's still far too relatable? apart from her sexual stuff, thats the only thing that rly sics me out.
I hope we will get more of Rhiannon's adventures someday or at least something similar.

Serial killer stories in 1st person are such a niche that needs filling and i really really enjoyed this in a way i havent enjoyed fiction for a while.

A nice break in between reading Brave New World and Keri 1.

Dark, disturbing and delicious!

As a sequel, this audiobook is just as good as the first. A spicy, vulgar, dark comedy where the main character has bags of snark coupled with absolutely no conscience. A pregnancy only adds to the freakishness. I have one criticism; I want to dive into book three immediately but it hasn’t been written yet. DAMMIT!

As good as the first

Fantastic story and great narration, as good as the first. Hope part 3 is in the making.

I'm a warped bunny I love these so much!

Love this series whole heartedly . Yes I am a wee bit of a warped bunny but I find them so funny, I'm not quite sure what that says about me but I'm left wanting more!!!!

When's the next one coming?

The character, story and narration is right up my street.

Had the pleasure of chatting to the author in an online book group I belong to and she was lovely with a great sense of humour. Which made me love her books even more. Nothing worse that finding out an author is an arse so it was a delight seeing her reply to everyone's comments and being just as funny as I'd imagined.

Keep up the good work and

Loved the first book, loved the second!

This is such a well written, original story. There’s so much depth to each character, and Rhiannon is terrifying yet vulnerable at the same time. If you haven’t read the first book, Sweetpea, you must before reading this one. Would highly recommend!

LOVED EVERY SECOND

So entertaining, so relatable! The narration was perfect and I just couldn't get enough. Wicked!

Cliff-Hanger!

So, like when is the next book coming out? Seriously?When!!!!!!!!

That ending is a proper cliff-hanger and a chilling one if you were on the end of it! I freaking loved it!

You need to read the first book, there is no way around it this time! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Soooooo if you have not read the first one, and plan to…maybe do not read this review?! Just saying. I will try to keep the spoilers to a minimum from book one.

So, In Bloom, it is told in diary form like Sweetpea, but this time it is the countdown to baby due date! We pick up from where the first book finished and Rhiannon picking up where we left her. There is so much going on in this book, which made it so entertaining! I must admit, I missed some of the sparkle from the first book, but life has changed and so it would make sense that Rhiannon, much to her distaste also changes. With the sparkle, I mean Rhiannon sarcastic carefree attitude. Her thirst for killing but as I said she has had to adapt to someone else laying down the law…the baby! I love seeing the new obstacles in her life, living with Jim and Elaine, trying to reach out to Seren her sister and what I loved the most was her friendship with Marnie. However, as you can imagine life does not run smoothly in Ms Lewis’ world.

Hoping we see more Marnie in the next book, that would be my wish, she completed Rhiannon and it was nice to see Rhiannon functioning as a “normal” person. She cared, she had feelings. Especially with the baby, and if you listen to the audiobook as I did, the narrator did a fab if somewhat gritty voice for the baby, a great Ray Winston impression!

I enjoyed this book, it was still such a deliciously dark comedy, Rhiannon had a few questionable actions that I did not agree with for once, but she also got the short straw a few times! I loved that we lived her entire pregnancy with her, and the chapters that were just “urgh” made me chuckle. She knows how to make me laugh this one!

One thing I have learned do not betray Sweetpea, she is out for your blood if you do, especially if you are on her kill list you will not escape! And the last 10% of the book as a rollercoaster, the previous 80% was the calm before the epic storm. The storm where it is every man for themselves. I was not expecting it, and I am so excited to see where we go with the next book. Plus, I saw on twitter there will be a tv show of Sweetpea! Excited much over there! (see below for said tweet)

I said it before and will say it again, CJ Skuse has created such a refreshing, tantalising story with exciting characters, it leaves you turning the pages, one-minute chuckling and nodding your head in agreement and the next your mouth is wide open with shock. Epic, it is all I have to say!

Just as good as Sweetpea.

What's not to love about a female serial killer whose fetus acts as her Jimminy Cricket?

If you loved Sweetpea you'll love this