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illusie's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story set in the past and present. I thought this would be a romance, but it is more than that. Both storylines have dramatic events and there are lots of several unexpected twist. This was a page turner for me.
charf47's review against another edition
4.0
I love books with strong female characters who defy social norms to stand up for their principles. Ruby is certainly one of those women. Her granddaughter, Amanda, also displays her strengths in a number of ways. There are wonderful male characters in this book too, as well as a cast of characters who one wouldn't like to meet alone on a dark street. The age-old themes of sexism and particularly racism are heart wrenching while the romance and loving relationships that thread themselves throughout the novel are uplifting and give the story a satisfying cohesion. I enjoyed this book immensely.
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC
kiwikazz's review against another edition
5.0
Another fabulous book by this author. I have loved all of them.
ladyquestion's review against another edition
3.0
The book tells the story of a long lost granddaughter who meets her father's family after her care taker dies. But it also goes back and tells the story of her paternal grandmother. The grandmother's story was WAY more interesting than the granddaughter and I found myself annoyed when the story went back to the granddaughter, since she was the main character. A novel about just the grandmother would've been amazing. The ending was mildly surprising and unrealistic, I wasn't sold on the 'plot twist'.
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
It had been many years since I last read a book by this author, this one was the selection for our book club, so I read it, not with any protestations or fear etc it was fine, it was probably a bit overlong, and the lead up to the final act was too long, whereas once hurricane Katrina hit it was a much better read. The failure of the US government at the time was explored somewhat, but it could have truly been explored and the book could have been better had it focussed more around that era of the timeline. Anyway an average read.
vanessaletier's review against another edition
5.0
OMG!!
Southern Ruby is just beyond amazing. Don't know why I haven't heard much talk on this book. It's so underrated and doesn't get the credit it deserves.
I'm excited to read more of Belinda Alexandra's books. I think I may have found a new favourite author.
Southern Ruby is just beyond amazing. Don't know why I haven't heard much talk on this book. It's so underrated and doesn't get the credit it deserves.
I'm excited to read more of Belinda Alexandra's books. I think I may have found a new favourite author.
sarah_faichney's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox. I chose it because Caroline Lee is my favourite narrator. This is one of her best - mastering various accents authentically - and she breathes life into each character, as always. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am delighted to have discovered a new author in Belinda Alexandra. I feel that the book cover is misleading and doesn't do the contents justice. It really is a great piece of work.
biancarosesmith's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second Belinda Alexandra novel I have read and my favourite so far.
Belinda is a natural storyteller and she has such a talent with telling a sweeping story whilst weaving in historical elements.
In Southern Ruby we travel between New Orleans and Sydney, Australia and a dazzling story unfolds. Amanda, who’s grandmother passes away, finds out she has family still in New Orleans and better yet, family who can fill in the gaps with her regarding her late mother and father who passed away when she was young. In New Orleans she meets her other grandmother Ruby, who tells Amanda her story and the family’s secrets which have been kept under lock and key until now.
Belinda covers a wide array of important issues such as grief, loss and identity in a way that is light and easy to digest. I appreciate her ability to do this in such a skilled way.
I absolutely loved the landscapes and scenes described in New Orleans. I found it incredibly vivid and such an entertaining experience. Belinda describes it in such a way that feels real to the reader and by the end of this novel I did not want to leave New Orleans or the characters I had met.
I look forward to reading Belinda’s other novels.
Belinda is a natural storyteller and she has such a talent with telling a sweeping story whilst weaving in historical elements.
In Southern Ruby we travel between New Orleans and Sydney, Australia and a dazzling story unfolds. Amanda, who’s grandmother passes away, finds out she has family still in New Orleans and better yet, family who can fill in the gaps with her regarding her late mother and father who passed away when she was young. In New Orleans she meets her other grandmother Ruby, who tells Amanda her story and the family’s secrets which have been kept under lock and key until now.
Belinda covers a wide array of important issues such as grief, loss and identity in a way that is light and easy to digest. I appreciate her ability to do this in such a skilled way.
I absolutely loved the landscapes and scenes described in New Orleans. I found it incredibly vivid and such an entertaining experience. Belinda describes it in such a way that feels real to the reader and by the end of this novel I did not want to leave New Orleans or the characters I had met.
I look forward to reading Belinda’s other novels.
camillalice's review against another edition
4.0
At the start of the book, I was bothered by the dual story line, as you get engrossed in a story for it to stop abruptly to move on to something else. The dialogues are also sometimes fake sounding, their sole purpose being to explain things to the reader.
But I found the setting, topics and issues very interesting and the story highly enjoyable.
But I found the setting, topics and issues very interesting and the story highly enjoyable.