We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer (Review by Jessica Heatherly)

Do you enjoy watching home improvement shows? Have you ever wanted to see more of what happens behind the scenes? Centered around a couple who is participating in a televised renovation competition, this book shows just how ugly things can get when tension is high and tempers are hot! Fast-paced, gritty, and full of secrets, We Love to Entertain certainly lives up to its title! The prologue sets the tone as dark and mysterious and from that point on, you’re locked into this wildly entertaining story of love, lust, and greed. Holly and Robert Barron are contestants on a popular home renovation show, To the Manor Build. Robert found the perfect cabin in a small Vermont town and got it for a steal! That’s usually the case when you buy properties at a tax sale. What isn’t normal is that the previous owner was still living in the cabin and had to be forcibly evicted, which Robert quietly took care of before applying to be on the show. The producers hire a local girl, Erika, to be Holly and Robert’s assistant during production. Erika does everything from picking up coffee to organizing contractors. She is even tasked with ensuring the on-air wedding of Holly and Robert goes off without a hitch, which she does! Until the next morning when no one can locate Holly or Robert. The situation becomes more sinister as each day passes. An unanswered phone call turns into a missing persons case which eventually turns into possible homicide. Bodies are found, fingers are pointed, but the show must go on…right? I was completely consumed by this book! All of the characters have their own secrets which are revealed over time in just the perfect way. Sarah Strohmeyer is clearly a seasoned mystery writer and has pulled out all the stops for her newest novel. The narrative structure certainly serves the theme, including Reddit threads and blog posts throughout. Tense, thrilling, and full of suspense, We Love to Entertain is definitely one to add to your list!