I'm always very excited when a new Joe Barrett title drops. Managed Care and Unplugged are two of the best books I've read in recent years. However, Daisy in the Doghouse didn't resonate with me, and I couldn't finish. This book unfortunately fell into the same category.

This book may not have been my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to greet Mr. Barrett's next book with enthusiasm.

With four interior painters named Mealy, Beer, Sammy, and Jeff, what could possibly go wrong? Read Joe Barrett's wonderful book Semi-Gloss, which features a missing teenage girl, a dead woman found in bed, Tuesday's competition, and a little bit of wisdom about life  along the way.
Strong characters, easy to read style. Enjoy.
An independent review for NetGalley / Black Rose Writing

Sammy Junior wakes up to find a girl, dead, next to him...you may think this is the start of a thriller...but no, this story had me laughing out loud!
Full of quirky and interesting characters, and its such a quick and easy read. I've not read anything else from the author, but will check out his back catalogue

Semi-Gloss, a novel by Joe Barrett, is a witty and captivating novel written with a sharp sense of humor. The story follows the sarcastic and somewhat jaded life of a house painter in Tampa, Florida, Sammy, who befriends a fifteen-year-old runaway girl from New Jersey, Penny, although she’s pinned with the nickname Canada since that’s where she claims she’s from.

Although his father is extremely wealthy, and Sammy stands to inherit it all, he refuses to work for his father and instead chooses to make his living in a humbler manner, partnering with a fellow-high school grad to form their painting company. While on the job for a week, the reader learns the ins and outs of the painting teams’ lives, the dynamic amongst them all and how Penny fits in with this “misfit” group of guys.

The novel is rich with dialogue and is both humorous and poignant, providing readers with an entertaining and thought-provoking read. The characters are well-developed, and the protagonist's relationship with the young runaway girl is both heartwarming and complex. As the two become closer, they begin to realize that they have more in common than they ever could have imagined.

Throughout the book, the author masterfully creates a sense of place that immerses the reader in the world of Tampa, Florida. The descriptions of the city's neighborhoods and the characters that inhabit them are vivid and engaging, adding depth and realism to the story. The pacing of the novel is perfect, and the story never drags, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, Semi-Gloss is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys a well-written, character-driven novel with a strong sense of humor. The sarcastic tone of the protagonist adds an extra layer of entertainment to the book, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

This was an interesting story, but I don’t think it was my cup of tea. Although I suggest that you read it for yourself because you may like it.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is one of those books that my husband gives the side eye while I'm reading because I keep laughing. And we all need those books now and then. Yes, it's a murder mystery, but the characters are so entertaining that at times you might forget that there was a dead body. This is my first Joe Barrett title but Ive already bought two of his back library and the only question is.....which will I read first?

When the book starts we meet Sammy Davis Junior who is found Janice a girl he sleeps with a couple of times a week dead in his bed detective O’Hara tells him she was pregnant and insinuates he probably wanted to get rid of her for that reason with Amy had no idea she was pregnant and also has no idea how she died. despite the dead woman in his bed his main concern is being late for brunch. Penny is a Runaway and she’s in Tampa Florida she originally thought she would stay at her aunts summer home after an awkward introduction with a guy name Rufus he gives her a ride to her aunts house .when she arrives she learns her aunt has recently put on a security system seeing no other alternative she spends the night in a tree but the next morning when she wakes up she hears a work crew outside of one of One of her it’s neighbors house. This is when she will be reunited with Rufus and mistaken as a day labor she tells everyone she’s from Canada in on a year off she is backpacking through America. She is really a 15-year-old runaway but no one questioned her story. The owners of the paint crew or Sammy Meallie and Beer and their helper “Jeff “who’s real name is Dylan. Sammy is waiting for the toxicology report to come back to prove his innocence because he didn’t kill Janice but in the meantime they have a paint job to do to make the day is more exciting to have brain jobs ask a question and all day the crew comes up with answers to that question and then they vote on the best at the end of the day. This is just a brief summary of this book about how Sammy is in love with a girl name Fiona that will not give him the time of day but when she does what a day she picks. Will Sammy go to jail for killing Janice will Canada find a family she truly is searching for? There’s so many questions in this book including will senior give all of his inheritance away because Sammy wants to be a painter and have nothing to do with the family business? I love Joe Barrett Books from unplugged to managed-care his books are full of lol moments and this one is no exception I haven’t given the best summary but just now this book is hilarious and not only makes you laugh but also makes you think with lots of moments that make you go hmmm. Another five star read from Joe Barrett in Black Rose riding. I received this book from NetGalley and black Road writing but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Semi-Gloss is a very funny book. I thought it was hilariously good fun. It is supposed to be YA, but my old self loved the whole paint crew.

Gigglesnort humor in the same vein as Bill & Ted or Strange Brew. Total adolescent laugh fest! Theoretical plot, but mostly a vehicle for the laughs.
I requested and received an EARC from Black Rose Writing via NetGalley. Thank you! My kids will love it!