Helpful Score: 4
This is one of those OMG you have to read it books! Stella is a 50-something woman and she has 2 jobs. By day (Mondays and Wednesday thru Saturday), she runs a sewing machine repair and notions shop. But on Sundays, Tuesdays and at night she has a much darker but more important job. She attends to her parolees - only she's NOT working on the side of the law. Stella is standing up against men that beat their wives & girlfriends. She's rehabilitating them. Rumors fly around her small Missouri hometown regarding her activities but Stella doesn't mind. They help insure that these losers stay on the straight and narrow.
The only problem - Stella has the hots for the local Sheriff - Goat. Oy Vey! When a parolee disappears with the baby of a client, Stella is on the job and won't stop until baby Tucker is back with his mama.
VERY GOOD book. I loved the darkness and humor that Ms. Littlefield brought to the pages. I hope this will continue on to another installment.
The only problem - Stella has the hots for the local Sheriff - Goat. Oy Vey! When a parolee disappears with the baby of a client, Stella is on the job and won't stop until baby Tucker is back with his mama.
VERY GOOD book. I loved the darkness and humor that Ms. Littlefield brought to the pages. I hope this will continue on to another installment.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 3
First Line: Stella knew from experience that Roy Dean Shaw wasn't a particularly brave young buck.
Just before her fiftieth birthday, Stella couldn't take it anymore. When her abusive husband laid into her, she dispatched him with a wrench. Now a few years later, she's so busy helping other women deal with their own abusive husbands and handing out her own brand of justice, there's scarcely any time left for her to run her sewing shop.
Stella works outside the law, so she's free to do whatever it takes to convince these violent men to stop what they've been doing. All she has to do is keep her distance from Goat Jones, the handsome local sheriff. When young mother Chrissy Shaw asks for Stella's help with her abusive husband, Roy Dean, it looks like just another day in Stella's office. But when Chrissy's two-year-old son is taken from her, Stella finds that she's got a lot more to worry about than skinny old Roy Dean.
A Bad Day for Sorry has to have one of the most memorable prologues I've read in years. Stella is an original; she endured an abusive husband for years, and as a result she tends to view things differently from those of us who haven't. Her own homegrown brand of justice must appeal to any woman who's found our existing legal system less than ideal for dealing with a man who believes beating the crap out of a woman is a divine right.
Unfortunately for Stella, word of mouth has spread, and she's now got so much business that, not only is her real business-- the sewing shop-- suffering, she can't even have a day off:
"Stella picked off the sons-of-bitches one by one, leaving their women free to breathe easy, to live without dread as their constant companion. And now this sideline threatened to overtake her real job, the shop she'd inherited from Ollie, supplying the women of Prosper with sewing notions and keeping their sewing machines in good working order. Every time she thought she'd earned some time off, a new woman would show up, terrified or battered or both, but finally ready to make it stop. And Stella knew what kind of courage that took-- and she never turned a client away."
I liked the character of Stella and her voice, and although I did enjoy the book as a whole, I did have a couple of problems with it. For a woman in her mid-fifties, Stella has a tendency to behave as though she's ten feet tall and bullet-proof-- for example going alone to a deserted area after dark to meet someone when she knows something's not right. Chrissy Shaw, the young mother whose son is taken from her, begins her characterization as the complete blond bimbo-- totally cowed by an abusive husband, unable to think or talk above a slow stumble. Less than twenty-four hours after losing her son, Chrissy goes from Bimbo to Rambo in the blink of an eye. I just find it difficult to believe that someone who's been so completely under her husband's thumb could make such a stunning transformation that quickly.
But, as I said, I did enjoy this book. Stella is feisty and funny, and as long as she's not being beaten up on a regular basis, I can see myself reading this series for a long time to come. A word of caution, however: the language can be salty at times and there is violence. Both fell well within my parameters, but your mileage may vary.
Just before her fiftieth birthday, Stella couldn't take it anymore. When her abusive husband laid into her, she dispatched him with a wrench. Now a few years later, she's so busy helping other women deal with their own abusive husbands and handing out her own brand of justice, there's scarcely any time left for her to run her sewing shop.
Stella works outside the law, so she's free to do whatever it takes to convince these violent men to stop what they've been doing. All she has to do is keep her distance from Goat Jones, the handsome local sheriff. When young mother Chrissy Shaw asks for Stella's help with her abusive husband, Roy Dean, it looks like just another day in Stella's office. But when Chrissy's two-year-old son is taken from her, Stella finds that she's got a lot more to worry about than skinny old Roy Dean.
A Bad Day for Sorry has to have one of the most memorable prologues I've read in years. Stella is an original; she endured an abusive husband for years, and as a result she tends to view things differently from those of us who haven't. Her own homegrown brand of justice must appeal to any woman who's found our existing legal system less than ideal for dealing with a man who believes beating the crap out of a woman is a divine right.
Unfortunately for Stella, word of mouth has spread, and she's now got so much business that, not only is her real business-- the sewing shop-- suffering, she can't even have a day off:
"Stella picked off the sons-of-bitches one by one, leaving their women free to breathe easy, to live without dread as their constant companion. And now this sideline threatened to overtake her real job, the shop she'd inherited from Ollie, supplying the women of Prosper with sewing notions and keeping their sewing machines in good working order. Every time she thought she'd earned some time off, a new woman would show up, terrified or battered or both, but finally ready to make it stop. And Stella knew what kind of courage that took-- and she never turned a client away."
I liked the character of Stella and her voice, and although I did enjoy the book as a whole, I did have a couple of problems with it. For a woman in her mid-fifties, Stella has a tendency to behave as though she's ten feet tall and bullet-proof-- for example going alone to a deserted area after dark to meet someone when she knows something's not right. Chrissy Shaw, the young mother whose son is taken from her, begins her characterization as the complete blond bimbo-- totally cowed by an abusive husband, unable to think or talk above a slow stumble. Less than twenty-four hours after losing her son, Chrissy goes from Bimbo to Rambo in the blink of an eye. I just find it difficult to believe that someone who's been so completely under her husband's thumb could make such a stunning transformation that quickly.
But, as I said, I did enjoy this book. Stella is feisty and funny, and as long as she's not being beaten up on a regular basis, I can see myself reading this series for a long time to come. A word of caution, however: the language can be salty at times and there is violence. Both fell well within my parameters, but your mileage may vary.
Helpful Score: 2
I am not really one for crime novels but I found the main character VERY believable and likable. Easy to read.
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
Helpful Score: 1
To me this book is tired. The subject was not unique and overall the book itself was not interesting. To me the author was trying to create a Stephanie PLum from Janet Evanovich's series, but failed miserably. Well at least this is a series I need not read.
Just before her fiftieth birthday, Stella couldn't take it anymore. When her abusive husband laid into her, she dispatched him with a wrench. Now a few years later, she's so busy helping other women deal with their own abusive husbands and handing out her own brand of justice, there's scarcely any time left for her to run her sewing shop. Recommended this to my book club and it was a winner. By the way - this comes up as hardcover but it is a paperback.
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
I did not want this read to end, it soooo goood! Funny and i really did like the idea for the plot, different then the regular read, put a smile on my face. I found this hard to put down and hard to give up--get in line for the next one as soon as you can because there will be a long waiting list after this gets around. Wonderful author.
Susan R. (Sue-in-AZ) -
Middle aged woman turns vigilante. How can you not love that!
The main character is busy righting the wrongs in her corner of the world. Especially the wrongs committed by abusive husbands/boyfriends.
Throw in a little budding romance with the local sherrif and this is a fun read.
The main character is busy righting the wrongs in her corner of the world. Especially the wrongs committed by abusive husbands/boyfriends.
Throw in a little budding romance with the local sherrif and this is a fun read.
Anna M. (annerszz101) reviewed A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1) on + 31 more book reviews
amazing, hands down.
one of the most interesting books i have read lately.
I honestly loved this book because it showed me how powerful women are becoming regardless of how their husband or boyfriends treat them or make them feel. It made me proud to read it and feel how confident these two women, Chrissy and Stella, really are. I think that this books purpose is to speak out to women of any age who have been abused verbally or physically by a man and to give them reassurance that they do not have to live like that. I think it also helps women realize how badly they are being treated and no man is worth that pain. I personally have never been THAT physically abused by a boyfriend, but by reading this book and sitting there thinking about what the author is trying to tell me, it makes me want to reach out to any female who is currently going through something like this. After reading this book, I became more aware of how strong us women are, regardless of how men sometimes portray us.
one of the most interesting books i have read lately.
I honestly loved this book because it showed me how powerful women are becoming regardless of how their husband or boyfriends treat them or make them feel. It made me proud to read it and feel how confident these two women, Chrissy and Stella, really are. I think that this books purpose is to speak out to women of any age who have been abused verbally or physically by a man and to give them reassurance that they do not have to live like that. I think it also helps women realize how badly they are being treated and no man is worth that pain. I personally have never been THAT physically abused by a boyfriend, but by reading this book and sitting there thinking about what the author is trying to tell me, it makes me want to reach out to any female who is currently going through something like this. After reading this book, I became more aware of how strong us women are, regardless of how men sometimes portray us.
Carol M. (Tunerlady) reviewed A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1) on + 581 more book reviews
I loved this book - humorous, yet serious too...moves along quickly. I will now want to read the next in this series.
Cheryl C. (moondance120) reviewed A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
A former abused wife who now helps others by making their abusers "parolees". A kick ass heroine with a need to help those less fortunate. Stella almost bites off more than she can chew when a kidnapped 2 year old is involved. 3.5 stars
Lynn M. (officerripley) reviewed A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1) on + 258 more book reviews
I loved this book! Loved all the characters--especially the heroine, Stella; now her I can identify with--loved the plot, the action, everything! Can't wait to read the next in the series!
Bree G. (paisleywings) reviewed A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1) on + 232 more book reviews
First time reading this author and I enjoyed it very much. Stella is in her fifties. Her no good husband is dead, and now she helps other abused women to find peace. Lots of humor and drama.
Kathy N. (addicated-to-reading) reviewed A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1) on + 152 more book reviews
Was some disappointed in this book. Had put the next two in my Wish List but after reading the first one, deleted the other two from that list. Ok but not something I want to read any more about.
Debbie B. (orchid7) -
Hmm... I'll admit that I found this book to be somewhat entertaining, but I don't think I found it to be as "laugh-out-loud" funny as some of the other reviewers did. It definitely isn't a lighthearted book.
What I found was a rather gritty, hard heroine who dishes out her homespun-style justice in interesting ways. The mystery was not that difficult to figure out, but I thought that the story was interesting in the way the events unfolded. I wasn't sure if I really liked Stella or not at the beginning of the book, but there is some good character development, and by the end, I found myself rooting for both her and Chrissy. The author had a way of making the story seem so believable that I felt I was there watching.
I'll read book 2 (A Bad Day for Pretty), because I want to see what that Stella and Chrissy will do next.
What I found was a rather gritty, hard heroine who dishes out her homespun-style justice in interesting ways. The mystery was not that difficult to figure out, but I thought that the story was interesting in the way the events unfolded. I wasn't sure if I really liked Stella or not at the beginning of the book, but there is some good character development, and by the end, I found myself rooting for both her and Chrissy. The author had a way of making the story seem so believable that I felt I was there watching.
I'll read book 2 (A Bad Day for Pretty), because I want to see what that Stella and Chrissy will do next.
Just before her fiftieth birthday, Stella couldn't take it anymore. When her abusive husband laid into her, she dispatched him with a wrench. Now a few years later, she's so busy helping other women deal with their own abusive husbands and handing out her own brand of justice, there's scarcely any time left for her to run her sewing shop. This was a fun read - go Stella!
