HSN meets murder mystery in Meister's new novel

     In Ellen Meister’s new novel, Love Sold Separately, forget all preconceived notions about rom-coms or mysteries. This murder mystery set against the backdrop of a shopping television network is quite unique and hilarious to read about, but will also leave you guessing until the end of the novel.
     Dana Barry is a hot mess and known for screwing things up in her life. She’s an aspiring actress who has just gotten fired from Hot Topic and lives to make her father disappointed in her. After her friend and manager books her for an audition to be the Shopping Channel’s new host and she gets the gig, things start to look up for Dana. She dives right in and is stunned when she lands the job. Her keen eye for detail, knack for knowing what makes people tick and sheer bravado make her perfect for the role. Until her first day on the job, when she finds The Shopping Channel’s star host, shot to death in her office. Dana can't help but involve herself in tracking down the killer. Never one to mind her own business, she winds up at the center of every drama. She also knows the prime suspect is innocent--they happened to have been together on the roof for some "alone time" when they heard the gunshot. His record may not be perfect, but she can tell the single father has a heart of gold. He may even be marriage material--something she'd focus on more if only Detective Marks wasn't so handsome and their chemistry so electric. Dana is so close to having it all if, just this once, she doesn't screw up. But trouble usually comes easier and is always a lot more fun.
     This book was a unique mix of romance, drama, mystery, and comedy. Dana is a woman who is trying to catch a break and just keeps getting caught up in drama and trouble, but her sleuthing skills show her grit and determination to defend herself and those she cares about. I loved the development of the characters and, while I wished we got some more closure at the end about some of them, everything wrapped up very nicely! 
     The mystery itself wasn’t overtly obvious either. Everyone seems guilty and the killer was unexpected to me! I found it to be more on the side of mystery than thriller and didn’t find the book scary or creepy at all. There also wasn't much smut either, making this a tamer on both the mystery and romance fronts.
     Without giving too much away, I think this book is definitely one to add to your list when it comes out August 25th! It’s engaging, unique, and will have you questioning everyone’s motives and intentions!

     *I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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