Scan barcode
marieintheraw's review
4.0
The title is very misleading for this one, but we get some backstory into a couple that exists in the first novel of this series. Carl and Marianne were fun to read about; however, their ending is a little too convenient feeling, but it makes sense at the same time. It was nice to get some backstory on these characters.
trudyd's review
5.0
The title alone had me intrigued. So catchy!! Take me to the rednecks. They say location is what matters. Let me tell you the location of this story is a smorgasbord of future books. This preview (novella) was one of the best teasers for future books I have read in quite some time.
So what was so good about it you may ask. First off all this is a second chance romance, one of the most fun genres that I read. It was also a second chance homecoming for Marianne who had fled Lake Sackett four years earlier. She has been avoiding the return home, avoiding her past, avoiding regret. But she can't avoid the guilt laid on by her momma.
The family dynamics are so unique, so special. I want to search all of Georgia for the funeral home that has a bait shop connected on one side and a snack shop on the other. Talk about one stop shopping. Really, who thinks up this stuff??? The amazing Molly Harper, that's who.
Marianne's family is quite the eclectic group. The holidays must be an absolute blast. And her ex-boyfriend, Carl had me dreaming of ways to breakdown needing a tow truck. I think of Carl and the strong silent type. With him sometimes actions speak louder than words. But his words can cut deep, having me turning the pages for more, more, more.
Listened to the audio today. So much fun!!!
So what was so good about it you may ask. First off all this is a second chance romance, one of the most fun genres that I read. It was also a second chance homecoming for Marianne who had fled Lake Sackett four years earlier. She has been avoiding the return home, avoiding her past, avoiding regret. But she can't avoid the guilt laid on by her momma.
The family dynamics are so unique, so special. I want to search all of Georgia for the funeral home that has a bait shop connected on one side and a snack shop on the other. Talk about one stop shopping. Really, who thinks up this stuff??? The amazing Molly Harper, that's who.
Marianne's family is quite the eclectic group. The holidays must be an absolute blast. And her ex-boyfriend, Carl had me dreaming of ways to breakdown needing a tow truck. I think of Carl and the strong silent type. With him sometimes actions speak louder than words. But his words can cut deep, having me turning the pages for more, more, more.
Listened to the audio today. So much fun!!!
tessisreading2's review
3.0
Fun but definitely shorter and more conflict-free than I expected; this is a prequel that feels very much like a prequel.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
5.0
Sweet, funny southern romance nobody writes like Molly Harper. I laughed and loved and laughed some more. Molly Harper can make you giggle at the most unlikely events. Carl is just like the guys in the Georgian town I live in and I think we have all met a girl like Marianne. Grab a glass of sweet tea and enjoy.
pilotwaifu's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Sweet second chance story. Carl and Marianne were high school sweethearts until Marianne panicked at the idea of being stuck in Lake Sackett before she had a chance to fulfill her dreams. She broke off her relationship with Carl with no explanation and high-tailed it off to college and the big city. After four years away and infrequent visits home, Marianne is back in town for the summer before starting law school. She isn't thrilled with the plan, but family pressure finally won out. The last thing she expected was for a close encounter with a deer to lead to seeing Carl again so soon.
The first meeting between Carl and Marianne was awkward at best. Marianne still feels guilty about the way she ended the relationship. Carl is still a little bitter about how it happened. But one thing was always clear - the sparks between them were still there. With Lake Sackett being a very small town, and Carl being best friends with her brother Duff, frequent encounters were a given. Some meetings were contentious, as they worked through the issues that broke them apart. I liked the way that Marianne owned up to her mistakes and sincerely apologized. Other meetings were far friendlier, as the sparks between them continued to snap and grow. But having been burned once, Carl wasn't in any hurry to risk his heart again when Marianne would leave again at the end of the summer.
Meanwhile, Marianne is at a crossroads in her life. She is well on the way to fulfilling the plans she had since she was a little girl. Law school, city life, and all the amenities are within reach. But she has discovered that those same plans don't excite her the way they used to. Plus, life, family, and friends don't irritate her nearly as much as they used to. I loved seeing her reconnect with her family and friends in some pretty funny scenes. I loved the whole kidnapping scene with her cousin Frankie and her brother Duff, which had me laughing out loud. While home for the summer, Marianne was also roped into helping with the family funeral business, where she used her stellar negotiating skills to solve an unusual issue. All of which have her rethinking her plans. A long talk with her dad and some devastating news gave her the motivation to reconfigure those plans. I loved the ending, as Marianne's plans came together. Her big moment with Carl was sweet.
The first meeting between Carl and Marianne was awkward at best. Marianne still feels guilty about the way she ended the relationship. Carl is still a little bitter about how it happened. But one thing was always clear - the sparks between them were still there. With Lake Sackett being a very small town, and Carl being best friends with her brother Duff, frequent encounters were a given. Some meetings were contentious, as they worked through the issues that broke them apart. I liked the way that Marianne owned up to her mistakes and sincerely apologized. Other meetings were far friendlier, as the sparks between them continued to snap and grow. But having been burned once, Carl wasn't in any hurry to risk his heart again when Marianne would leave again at the end of the summer.
Meanwhile, Marianne is at a crossroads in her life. She is well on the way to fulfilling the plans she had since she was a little girl. Law school, city life, and all the amenities are within reach. But she has discovered that those same plans don't excite her the way they used to. Plus, life, family, and friends don't irritate her nearly as much as they used to. I loved seeing her reconnect with her family and friends in some pretty funny scenes. I loved the whole kidnapping scene with her cousin Frankie and her brother Duff, which had me laughing out loud. While home for the summer, Marianne was also roped into helping with the family funeral business, where she used her stellar negotiating skills to solve an unusual issue. All of which have her rethinking her plans. A long talk with her dad and some devastating news gave her the motivation to reconfigure those plans. I loved the ending, as Marianne's plans came together. Her big moment with Carl was sweet.
angie_stl's review
5.0
Always a 1-click!!
Up until this series, which I'm woefully behind on, I've read everything Molly Harper has published except for one, though the name escapes me at the moment. So to say I loved this one is just repeating myself!! Carl made me lose my breath from laughing, and Marianne's family was a close second on hilarity! I'm looking forward to the next book, having read the excerpt in Save a Truck.
(To show my confidence in Molly Harper's writing, I've purchased all 5 or 7 books in this series, most in ebook AND audio, when I had no idea when is be able to read them. I'm glad I'm getting that chance now!!)
Up until this series, which I'm woefully behind on, I've read everything Molly Harper has published except for one, though the name escapes me at the moment. So to say I loved this one is just repeating myself!! Carl made me lose my breath from laughing, and Marianne's family was a close second on hilarity! I'm looking forward to the next book, having read the excerpt in Save a Truck.
(To show my confidence in Molly Harper's writing, I've purchased all 5 or 7 books in this series, most in ebook AND audio, when I had no idea when is be able to read them. I'm glad I'm getting that chance now!!)
what_alice_saw's review
3.0
Kindle
A story that doesn’t pull any punches. It’s just a short novella, but you love & hate Marianne. And I really related to Marianne’s decision to cut off communication with one of her family members.
A story that doesn’t pull any punches. It’s just a short novella, but you love & hate Marianne. And I really related to Marianne’s decision to cut off communication with one of her family members.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Read for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 3.75
Quick Thoughts: This was fun and while Carl and Marianne had some moments that made me go "OH MY GOSH JUST TALK"--they were a fun couple. Had the humor, romance, and moments we love in Molly Harper books.
Overall Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 3.75
Quick Thoughts: This was fun and while Carl and Marianne had some moments that made me go "OH MY GOSH JUST TALK"--they were a fun couple. Had the humor, romance, and moments we love in Molly Harper books.