Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

Rose Gardner Mystery, Book 1

By: Denise Grover Swank

Narrated by: Shannon McManus

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling series!

"Though much of the book is light-hearted and occasionally outright hilarious, the author sneaks in a few home truths along the way that will hit you where it counts, like how even someone’s best intentions can box you in." (Everybody Needs a Little Romance blog)

"This was one of those books that I kept telling myself one more page, then I need to put it down. Instead I found myself tearing through the book instead, needing to know the outcome." (Just Jump Book Reviews)

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa, instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted 24 years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: 28 things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number 15 - do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty of secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want, and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry, after all.

©2011 Denise Grover Swank (P)2020 Denise Grover Swank

Great book

This was a great story. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The narrator is great too.

Well, okay.

Well, crappy doodles this book is good and awful at the same time. Either Ms. Swank is a writing mastermind or she is just lucky that Rose is enduring & annoying enough to keep a person interested to find out what happens next in her insane life. Listen to it or don’t either way you will be happy.

I love it

what a great story! so cute and fun with a little suspense. I have the rest of the series on my wish list now. so glad I tried a new book!

I Couldn't Put it Down

I loved the book! It was fun and exciting. I am looking forward to the next book. The narrator did a great job too.

Too much crying and whining

I realize the protagonist found out tragic things, but if I wanted Jodi Picoult I would have gotten it. Very little humor is in this book and I am partial to Jana Deleon and Janet Evanovich. Also, some of the details of the investigation don’t follow any rules. Why is she able to sleep in the murder house? It would be cordoned off until investigation was done. Also, her bail was never set so she goes about her business despite that. Also, her lawyer is not very hands-on and only spoke with her twice. I couldn’t get past chapter 18.

Fun Listen

If you're looking for a low energy but sweet story, this is it. Hard not to really like the characters and the good guys are really good and of course the bad guys are really bad. Throw in a sweet rescue dog and you have it all.

Must read!! (again)

This is my favorite series EVER! I am reading/listening to it for the second time and just like the first time I read it, i find myself having a hard time turning the book off, the whole just one more page would be true if I was actually reading instead of listening. This series has everything, one minute im laughing (out loud), the next sitting on the edge of my seat in fear of what Rose has gotten herself into, and anticipation of how she is going to get herself out of it, the next thing you know your crying with her either tears of joy or heartbreak. Ms. Swank is an awesome writer, but with this series she really pulled out all the stops. I dont know if she ever reads these reviews but in case she does I'd like to say Thank You! I'm an on call hospice nurse and drive (usually at night) to the homes of patients with urgent needs. Your books have gotten me through a lot of rough nights. Im sure you work hard writing books for our entertainment, please know that this hospice nurse appreciates it more than you know.

Great find

Anyone who doesn't enjoy this book obviously doesn't appreciate a great book with an awesome narrator.

Expect to feel all the things with this one

Phew. Can I give more than 5 stars? This meticulously crafted, beautifully written, and expertly delivered story packs quite an emotional punch. The story kept me enthralled until the last word. Along the way, I felt all of Rose’s feelings as she experienced them - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, angry stomping, and cheering. Rose is a 24 year old women living with her emotionally abusive tyrant of a mother in a nosy closed minded small town. Rose experiences visions that she’s compelled to share with the person she has them of. She has a small life dictated by her mother and her experiences of being “weird. Despite this, she is still the kindest soul and never steps a toe out of line. Until the day she sees a vision of her own death and experiences her first small rebellion. When her mother is murdered instead and she’s the prime suspect tilting her world, Rose continues to alternatively smash and tiptoe her way out of her self-imposed prison all the while dealing with danger, mystery, and shocking revelations. This book has a little bit of everything - sweet moments, exciting action, danger, family drama, painful pasts, mystery, evil actors, plot twists, imperfect characters, and even a few chuckles. This is a must read.

Shannon McManus did a good job narrating the story and characters into life with enough change of inflection, tone and cadence to voice multiple characters fairly convincingly.

Maybe it’s me?

I admit that I usually read thrillers mysteries, true crime that are not of the “romantic” variety. But this isn’t my first time with this author either. I read her “Summer” series and enjoyed them. I hoped maybe this would be a fun blend of genres? Reading the reviews I realize that some people truly love this book. There honestly were things I enjoyed about this book. And maybe it’s just the number of police procedurals I’ve read and listen to that made listening to this story so unbelievably hard. The sheer ridiculousness of the lead characters path through the story from her actual capers to her emotional awakening, were to be honest, cringy. YET, there was enough in this to keep me to the end. And while maybe I wouldn’t spend a credit on the 2nd one in the series, if I were to come across it in a sale, I know I would listen to the next one. Not sure what that means but that’s how I feel. I thought the voice talent was very good.