If The Dress Fits: Southern social graces, sass and undercover sleuthing

If the Dress Fits is the follow up to Deconstructed by Liz Talley. Cricket Crosby has gotten her private investigator license and is ready to snoop and solve cases! Fresh off her divorce, she is ready to get running with her PI skills. When Juke, a local PI, is hired to solve the case of the theft of luxury items, he hires Cricket to go undercover. She is willing and ready to go; however, in her eagerness, she shines the focus on her employee and new bestie, Ruby Balthazar. Ruby’s past is always right under the surface. She can’t hide it but she certainly wants to rise above it. Her fashion line, Deconstructed, is a finalist in a local fashion competition. She receives an invitation to New York City’s Fashion Week. Ruby can’t believe her luck. But when she is arrested for the thefts, it rocks her to her core and feels everything she has dreamed is unraveling. The only solution now is to catch the thief. But can they before the thief strikes again? 

If the Dress Fits is such a fun book! I laughed at their antics. I cried with them. I sighed at the romantic moments. I even cheered as Cricket and Ruby battled through the theft case, their own insecurities and moving on with their lives with a new sense of purpose. I enjoyed seeing Cricket and Ruby in their new paths. I particularly loved that these women were not going to let their misfortunes dictate their lives. Outside of Cricket and Ruby, my favorite character is Gran, Ruby’s grandmother. She offers so much wisdom, tough love, and humor that she would be someone fun to have around. I also enjoyed that you didn’t necessarily need to read Deconstructed first (although I highly recommend it), in order to enjoy If the Dress Fits. Ms. Talley gives enough background detail that you can follow the relationships and the story without being lost. If the Dress Fits is filled with Southern social graces and sass that will leave you in stitches. I highly recommend If the Dress Fits.   

If the Dress Fits is available in paperback and eBook

Deconstructed is also available in paperback and eBook

Deconstructed: sometimes you need to tear apart to make something better

Deconstructed by Liz Talley is a story of tearing down to rebuild something better. Catherine “Cricket” Crosby is an antique store owner whose seemingly perfect life is about to turn upside down. After overhearing a gossipy conversation, she learns that the rumors about her husband Scott’s affair are true after all. She sets a plan into motion: hire a private investigator, find an attorney and, with the help of her assistant, make her husband pay. Ruby knows all too well how quickly life can change. Trying to leave her dicey past behind her, she is determined to build a better future by working for Cricket and establishing herself as a designer of deconstructed vintage haute couture. Cricket is determined to use her newfound sleuthing to find the truth, no matter how hurtful or dangerous it gets. Can Cricket repair the life she had or will tearing down and rebuilding lead to the life she always wanted? 

Deconstructed caught me by surprise. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like Cricket. She seems like a typical stuffy high society lady who doesn’t want to rock the boat. But as she digs deeper into her husband’s secrets, she dries her tears and feels the anger burn. She’s ready to rock the boat. She goes from uptight lady to the sassy Southern woman I have come to love in movies and books. I loved Ruby who helps Cricket embrace her inner woman scorned and helps her along with her plan as she recruits a couple of less than savory cousins. I laughed with them as they planned and plotted to make sure her husband Scott gets his comeuppance. I cheered alongside Cricket when she finally confronts Scott. Deconstructed is a great book with fun, relatable characters. It’s The First Wives Club (1996) meets Steel Magnolias (1989) with its sassiness, comedic moments and camaraderie between Cricket and Ruby. I highly recommend Deconstructed. 

Deconstructed will be available February 1, 2022 in paperback, eBook and audiobook.