Review: Jed Had to Die by Tara Sivec

Rating: Five stars
Date published: November 1, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The happiest day of Payton Lambert's life was the day she graduated high school and watched Bald Knob, Kentucky get smaller and smaller in her rearview mirror. She wanted more for her life than a tiny town where everyone knows your business and you can’t find a decent cup of coffee for at least forty miles. Twelve years later, an unexpected phone call in the middle of the night has her packing up her life in Chicago and racing back home to the one person she ever regretted leaving behind.

Wait, one person?? Make that two. When the hell did Leo Hudson become sheriff of Bald Knob and get so hot? The scrawny Future Farmer of America who followed Payton around like a puppy and could recite cow insemination facts in his sleep is long gone. Leo is still hot on her heels, but now he's wearing a badge and dead set on solving a murder that may or may not involve Payton...along with half the town. 

You steal a few wine coolers in high school and make one little comment about cutting off a man's balls when you come home, and suddenly, you're suspected of killing him.

In a town where the biggest crime happened the day Jethro Snell kicked a few of his cows (an honest mistake when you've had a few jars of homemade moonshine), people are pointing fingers, rumors are spreading like wildfire, and Payton swears she's only making out with the sweet-talking, studly sheriff to distract him from the secrets she's keeping. 

When you've been tased, peed on by a yippy dog named Bo Jangles, and can't stop picturing what Sheriff Hudson looks like naked, it will be a tough job making everyone agree that...Jed had to die.

I've loved Tara Sivec since I first read Seduction and Snacks, so it's really no surprise that I loved Jed Had to Die. All her books have great characters, great pacing, and a great plot, not to mention that she has a great sense of humor. I got all of those things from Jed Had to Die.

First of all, the characters are so wonderfully characterized. They felt so real, especially Payton. I loved how nutty she was while also having a good heart. Her narrative was a pleasure to read and I loved all the little moments of humor throughout the book. I also thought her interactions with Leo were very enjoyable. Jed Had to Die is a light, fun read that is guaranteed to make you smile and laugh. Humor, romance, with a side of mystery. How could you go wrong with Jed Had to Die?