Trailer Trash: Neely Kate (Rose Gardner Exposed Novella Book 1) (Neely Kate Mystery) Paperback – April 18, 2017

After loving the Rose Gardner Mysteries books obsessively, I was not sure if I would enjoy this book. In my eyes Neely Kate was a little annoying at times and so different from Rose. However, I do love Jed and wish there was more to his storyline.So I picked up this book and once again, I devoured another Denise Grover Swank book. Neely Kates story is devestating and I am not sure how she managed to survive. She is definitively one strong woman. Having Jed by her side helps her to relive her past, fall apart, and pick herself back up. I can't wait to see where her story goes from here.To those who are disappointed about Neely Kate not trusting Rose with her deepest, darkest secrets I say this: There are things in life that can destroy the best of friendships. But everybody can deal with all truths equally. Rose keeps secrets from Neely Kate as well (though she was sworn to secrecy) so what's the difference?

I love the whole series and Neely Kate is such a great character I am so happy they spent office series for her. The only problem is trying to keep the books in order. You don’t have to read both series to understand the stories but it certainly makes it better.

Sometimes, our greatest allies, and our strongest support, comes from the most unexpected quarter. And sometimes your past, scary and horrifying as it may be, is what lets us find that person who will hold us up when the world is intent on throwing us to the ground.Neely Kate has, throughout the Rose Gardner series, had some secrets and finally, we learn what they are. When she takes off to either keep those secrets from coming out or to cut her losses and run (again), her main focus is not to lose the love of the people she values in her life: her best friend Rose, her half-brother Joe, and all the other denizens of Henyretta, Arkansas who she's come to rely on and care about. She finds out that you can't outrun your demons without a little help. In this case, it's Jed who accompanies Neely Kate on her journey, protects her, and builds her up while trying to convince her that he not only doesn't care about her past, he's impressed with the woman it's made her into.Here we see Neely Kate as we haven't before and she comes into fruition as a character. We see what drives her and we see what scares her and we see her become someone more than she was a the beginning of the book.Jed - right hand of criminal kingpin Skeeter Malcolm, and a man with his own secrets and demons - decides to accompany Neely Kate when he realizes that whatever she's looking for is a danger to her. He's strong but respectful of her strength, he's protective but not smothering, and he's there for no other reason than... well, he's not entirely sure at first. But his actions have caused Skeeter to fire him and put him in the line of fire right alongside NK, and he's just all in, not matter what it takes.The relationship that develops in this novel is so touching, and so real, it's hard not to get engrossed in it. Jed is not perfect, but he's perfect for Neely Kate; she just needs to resolve her issues with an abusive, traumatic, horrifying past that has left her both frightened, damaged, broken, and wary. Jed's patience, protection, and willingness to let NK fight her own battles and slay her own dragons is exactly what she needs; that he is also willing to step up and kick the occasional ass if needed is also what she needs, since no one has ever stepped up for her like that before.By the end of this novel, you're going to be jonesing for the next one. Not kidding. There are hints at the things to come for these two and the promise of this new series is great. I can't wait for more.If you've never read a Denise Grover Swank book before, I highly recommend them all. Every. Single. One. The Rose Gardner Mysteries are where we met Neely Kate and where she and Rose became best friends. It's where we met Jed and Skeeter and Joe and so many others that figure in this new story. But you don't have to have read the Rose books to love this one. It certainly works as a stand alone and one advantage here is that Swank has really hit her stride as an author and knows how to craft a fully realized novel and a suspenseful, delightful, romantic, adventurous story, a journey of self discovery, and she does it so deftly you may, as I did, read this book on one long sitting. Overnight. Because who needs sleep when Neely Kate is out there discovering who she is and what she needs?Trailer Trash is an excellent book and story, both as an addition to the Rose Gardner world and as the initial entry in a new series that promises to be fun, exciting, romantic, and just as satisfying and addictive as Rose's stories have always been.

As a previous reader stated anyone who has read the Rose Gardner series knows that Neely Kate River-Coulson’s had secrets, how bad, we would learn while Neely Kate tells her story.As we learned in a previous Rose Gardner book J. R. Simmons fathered Neely Kate. While Joe Simmons, Chief Deputy Sheriff of Fenton County, is trying to establish a positive relationship with Neely Kate, his sister Kate Simmons is a horrible evil person and from the psych unit where she is we learn very quickly in the story that she has been sending letters to Neely Kate regarding her Mother and what secrets she has learned.As Neely Kate sets off with Jed Carlise, James "Skeeter" Malcolm right hand man to visit Kate Simmons, the story of Neely Kate's past begins to unfold. You totally understand the hesitation of telling Jed what her life was like with her mother and later with Zelda, aunt of her best friend Stella. While the story brings back the "names" and "references" to those we have meet before, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Neely Kate tells her story with just leaving a note for Rose that she will be away and refuses to answer her cell phone, which I have to tell you I know there are secrets but Rose has done so much for Neely Kate that I feel it’s really a slap in the face to Rose not to answer and at least say I have to do this on my own, I love you and we will talk when I get home. I was glad to see another reviewer saw that also.There is a reference to James "Skeeter" Malcolm, because while Neely Kate doesn’t want Jed Carlise involved she ask him to go with her to see Kate Simmons and he is there when she tries to leave and head for Oklahoma and find Branson Desoto, his brother Beasley, and Stella her previous best friend.There is a small reference to Ronnie Colson (Neely Kate's husband) who has been seen in New Orleans. If you hadn’t read the Rose Gardner series you could probably pick up Neely Kate’s life. This book is very different from Rose’s story, how Neely Kate and she became friends, her working with Rose and Bruce Wayne in the landscaping business and now her story.It was a good story, a little loose ends but that can occur in any story. I think I have an idea of where the story line with Rose, Neely Kate, Jed and Skeeter maybe going, we will just have to wait and see.

I've been looking forward to reading Neely Kate's story about her mysterious past for such a long time and I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I was even more excited when I read the first two chapters a couple of days before publication, and then when I found out it was actually going to be a full book rather than a novella I was like a kid at Christmas!I began the book as soon as possible and was immediately intrigued as soon as I began reading, especially given the history between the characters we've come to know and love through the Rose Gardner series and it soon became clear how much Neely Kate had to lose if Kate had found out about her past. When she decided to keep the latest letter from Kate a secret from Rose, then to confront her past, I just knew it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster of a story.The emerging relationship and chemistry between Neely Kate and Jed has been absolutely beautiful and sometimes downright comical, but seeing them grow together in this, and also seeing the softer side of Jed was definitely a factor in my immense enjoyment of this fantastic book.I may even have enjoyed watching them becoming closer almost as much as discovering the secrets Neely Kate is so desperate to escape, however, finding out how difficult her early life was, and the terrible things she's lived through only endeared her more in my eyes.I don't think it's fair to give away any spoilers and possibly ruin the suspense for anyone who has yet to read this beautiful​ book so I think it's best for me to keep this review short and sweet. However, what I can say, hand on heart, is that if you have read even one of the other brilliant books in the series, then you will already have taken Neely Kate into your heart, and will quite simply adore this fantastic book.

Darker than the usual DGS offering, I found Trailer Trash to be absorbing and a very interesting read. The Neely Kate character is developed substantially and we also learn a great deal more about Jed. If you are a fan of the Rose Gardener Mysteries, I would highly recommend taking the time to read Trailer Trash as it expands upon the whys and the the wherefores of the foreshadowing of NK's background in Family Jewels and the later RG stories. Definitely worth the time.NB The subject matter is adult in this book. Normally, I would have little hesitation to let YAs / young teens to read this series, but I would advise you to read it first to determine if you think your 'young person' would be able to understand / deal with the mature themes. Often the more 'disturbing' scenes are left to your own imagination so although not graphic it makes it's point emphatically.

DGS never fails to deliver a brilliant story. I haven't done a lot of reading for awhile, due family illness, but now my concentration is back and my go to Author to get me back in the habit is Denise. What another great story, kept me engrossed so much I read this in one day. Gripping stuff, exciting, funny, sad scary - every emotion in there. I have since read another book of DGS and am on a third, so will be doing a lot of reviews. This lady has an amazing ability to write different genres and all that I have read of hers are in my opinion first class. Loved NK story and the way in which DGS writes I can actually see the characters in my mind, like it is a film. Cannot thank Denise enough for her wonderful stories - just keep up the good work - keep writing - I will keep reading :)`

I didn't know what to expect with trailer Trash although excited to ready about Neely Kate and Jed I thought I would struggle to read from NKs view.... I was SO WRONGThis book absolutely deserved to be more than a novella and I am so pleased that Denise decided to take NK to another levelYou really learn a lot about NK what she's been through and how she feels about herself and her portrayal of her past. You understand so much more about who she is and connect with her in a way you simply can't from Roses POV. Jed melts my heart and ive always known he was a champion and this book just cements that!Definately recommend this book again Denise has wrote absolutely flawlessly and I cannot wait for more!!

5 🌟Oh my stars and garters! I loved this book. We all knew Neely Kate had a past but that was nothing to what I suspected! Her past is heart breaking but I love how tenacious she is and has never given up; she is one of life's fighters. This really makes us love her more.Jed Carlisle is full of surprises, although it is not a surprise he harbours deep feelings for Neely Kate. I love how Jed is depicted as a super tough guy but he has a soul and a sensitive side. This book allowed us to see him deeper.A very short review as I don't want to repeat the blurb, nor do I want to give away any spoilers.Another smash hit by DSG and I look forward to reading more about Neely Kate and Jed - although we know this will be a tumultuous ride!