Review: Brandy #4 - Sometimes it's just not possible to stay out of trouble
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 13, 2013
The events of the past year have taken their toll on Brandy, and the people who care about her are starting to voice their concerns.  So Brandy tries her hand at a bit of self-improvement (though in all honesty it's a half-hearted effort at best).  When she encounters a young runaway at the gym, Brandy gets drawn into the ugly world of street kids and the people who harm and exploit them.  Her commitment to leading a less frenetic lifestyle gets left in the dust as Brandy searches for a missing teen and stumbles across a dangerous conspiracy.As this series progresses, the mysteries become more intense and realistic.  The plot was well thought out, and there's still plenty of humor to keep the story from feeling too heavy.  The characterization in this series is terrific, and with each book I feel a little more invested in what happens to these people.  Yes, some of the situations are exaggerated; a bit over-the-top, but the individual characters and their interactions with each other ring true.Brandy's first person narrative showcases her self-deprecating humor, and the dialog has an authentic feel to it.  There's just the right amount of romance, with Brandy trying to figure out where her "ex" fits into her current life and whether or not there's any future with the enigmatic Nick.  This is a terrific series for those who like a light mystery with a good portion of romance and plenty of humor.  I'm so glad someone recommended these books to me - I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters.Series Brief:  Brandy Alexander is a 28 year old "puff piece" reporter that has recently moved back to her native Philadelphia. In between solving mysteries, she tries to figure out what to do about the two men in her life. Mostly she's busy just trying to stay one step ahead of whoever is out to get her this week.Frequent strong language and some sexual content. There are one or two brief love scenes that are not particularly explicit, but they're not "closed door" either.Book One:No Such Thing as a Secret: A Brandy Alexander Mystery (No Such Thing As...A Brandy Alexander Mystery)Book Two:No Such Thing As a Good Blind Date: A Brandy Alexander Mystery (No Such Thing As: A Brandy Alexander Mystery)Book Three:No Such Thing as a Free Lunch (No Such Thing As...: A Brandy Alexander Mystery)Book Four:No Such Thing As A Free Ride...A Brandy Alexander Mystery (No Such Thing As...A Brandy Alexander Mystery)Book Five:No Such Thing As a Lost Cause...A Brandy Alexander Mystery (No Such Thing As...A Brandy Alexander Mystery)