Radd Reader's Reviews > Bluebird Gold

Bluebird Gold had a lot of ingredients I usually enjoy — small-town Montana, a single dad, a mystery twist, and nostalgic 1980s vibes.

That said, for me the romance never really built in a way that felt believable or earned. It kind of came out of nowhere. One moment they barely know each other and we get tiny internal hints they are attracted, and the next there’s a bedroom scene. That shift felt abrupt and didn’t give me a chance to really buy into their connection or understand the depth of their attraction. I wanted a lot more tangible buildup before the passion kicked in.

I also didn’t love how Ilsa’s long-term friendship ended. After what clearly felt like decades of history, the way it was wrapped up felt shallow and undeserving of such a long relationship, which was disappointing. The author didn’t need to write the male character as such a jerk — that friendship deserved a more amicable, respectful resolution. It felt like a missed opportunity to show a healthy parting of ways.

Another thing that didn’t quite work for me was the setting. It’s set in 1983, but apart from a few references to landlines, MTV, and Henley shirts, it didn’t really feel rooted in that era. I was expecting more of that nostalgic 80s atmosphere, and I just didn’t get it.

On the mystery side, I guessed the “bad guy” around 70% — but not because the clues pointed cleanly in that direction. I honestly had no real theory and basically threw out a name that happened to be right. I actually gasped during the reveal, but not in a satisfying way. When a reveal feels out of character for how someone has been written, it makes their actions harder to buy into.

Overall, this was a miss in several areas. It’s not overtly bad, but I did find it lacking