I want to be Darcy's best friend...

Let's see...where do I start? I know. GET THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW! Better yet, get them all. Don't take my word for it, take a look at the other reader reviews, too. Everyone loves this snappy series and now I know why. I consider myself the newest superfan. 

The wit, the action, the suspense and the superb (yet quirky) characters are so expertly crafted and intertwined that someone will have to pry this book from your hands if you have something else to do. Or, you could be like me, and not do anything else until you're finished. 

I am obsessed with Darcy and all her shenanigans. She's the best kind of crazy. The kind of crazy we'd all like to be, at times. She's beautiful, but doesn't seem to know. She's smart as a whip, witty with the BEST comebacks, and always finding her way into some kind of trouble. But above all, she's unapologetically herself. (Well, sometimes she seems a little apologetic but unchanging, nevertheless). 

I don't know how author A.J. Lape created this incredibly dynamic character, but I am SO glad she did. The only downfall...was when I finished reading it. But not to worry, I'll grab the others! Bravo to A.J. Lape on a literary triumph!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It is no surprise that I am a huge Darcy Walker fan. When I was given the chance to pre-read this before it came out I had to take it. Just because Darcy is in L.A. and has grown up, she's still the same loveable, goofy, unfortunate gal she was in high school. Pretty much nothing has changed with the exception of her zip code. I was so engrossed I had to tell myself to slow down because I didn't want it to be over too fast. When I came to the end, I was devastated. Cue the mental image of me falling on my knees screaming at the heavens "Why God? Why?!" You'd better believe I pre-ordered all the episodes!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ And she's back!!! After two long years Darcy is back and better than ever so well worth the wait! She's living in LA biding her time until she can officially join the police academy but she wouldn't be Darcy if she didn't stumble into a mystery or two along the way. With the geographic change and a new job delivering pizza comes a new cast of characters that blend into the Darcy-verse seamlessly, don't worry though there are plenty of familiar faces to make you feel right at home. This book starts out with a bang, is fast paced, and action packed. I for one couldn't put it down and felt like I blinked and was at the end. That would be my only "complaint" is that this is part one of three for this season so it's shorter than the previous full length novels and does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. I'm not too upset about that fact though as; one, the author was upfront about the fact that it would be released in episodes and two, all three parts will be released within a month's time frame.
Though this is a new chapter in Darcy's life I would recommend reading this series from the beginning as I think you lose a lot if you don't have all the history that goes with the relationships of the various characters. The author does a great job of providing brief explanations where appropriate but that's not the same as the depth you get if you've been through them from Grade A Stupid till now. One of my favorite series I highly recommend it and will be waiting (im)patiently for the next episode!

Review Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Side Hustle by A. J . Lape is the first book in the Darcy Walker Crime Thrillers series. Darcy Walker is about to enter the Police Academy to join the fight against crime, but in the meantime, she delivers pizza. When she finds a customer dead, she can't help but look for clues while waiting for the police to arrive. When they turn down her offer of help, Darcy takes matters into her own hands and withholds a key piece of evidence. Although she's risking her entire future career on this, she's determined to solve the murder, no matter where it takes her. Can she catch a murderer before the cops come after her?

Side Hustle by A. J. Lape is a great start to a new series. It's an action-packed thriller with a side dose of humor and a fantastic main female lead, perfectly complemented by a whole host of other characters, all well-developed into likable, relatable people. Darcy is a very strong character, a solid example of how a good female lead should be written, and the more you read, the more you admire her. This story has plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading, and the fast-paced action will leave you breathless as you race to the end. This isn't a long book and leaves many unanswered questions, but that's the nature of a series - if you want the answers, get the next book. This is an entertaining story for when you have a couple of hours spare because you won't put it down once you start reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Darcy is back after a bit of a hiatus; and she has brought some new friends with her. Don’t worry loyal Darcy fans, some of your favorites make an appearance also. Side Hustle is filled with the same action and mystery that we have grown to love in the world of Darcy. Darcy has now graduated high school, and is now in L.A. with Lincoln; delivering pizza while waiting to attend the police academy. Going along for the ride and watching Darcy grow through her high school years was an adventure, but there is just something special about seeing her grown so much and reaching for her dreams. This remains one of my all-time favorite series with Darcy, an amazing, strong and brilliant heroine. Put an obstacle in her way, and she will annihilate it. I cant wait for the next episode to see what plays out. Im SOOOOOOO happy we wont have to wait but just a few days. Im already missing Darcy and the gang.