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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
2.5/5⭐️
Rae Sutton is a 36-year-old woman with a 14-year-old daughter whose husband left her for a younger woman and who has just lost her mom to cancer. She uproots her life and returns to her hometown and her parents’ old house and begins to remake herself with a new career and possible new love. With God, her Aunt Maxine, and two other elderly friends to lean on (as well as some wise letters left to her from her mom), she must make some difficult decisions about the future.
On paper this sounded like a great plot line, but I had some issues with it. Firstly, I simply wasn’t invested with the characters and at times was frustrated with Rae and her waffling between two men.
Secondly, the writing seemed rather simplistic, and too often I found the vernacular grating and over-the-top (it’s set in AL).
I did like how the characters’ faith and beliefs were woven into the story and how they were used to lead to life decisions.
But overall I just wasn’t engaged enough to make for an enjoyable read, and if I’m being honest, at times I had to push myself to finish.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me the free early arc of Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Rae Sutton is a 36-year-old woman with a 14-year-old daughter whose husband left her for a younger woman and who has just lost her mom to cancer. She uproots her life and returns to her hometown and her parents’ old house and begins to remake herself with a new career and possible new love. With God, her Aunt Maxine, and two other elderly friends to lean on (as well as some wise letters left to her from her mom), she must make some difficult decisions about the future.
On paper this sounded like a great plot line, but I had some issues with it. Firstly, I simply wasn’t invested with the characters and at times was frustrated with Rae and her waffling between two men.
Secondly, the writing seemed rather simplistic, and too often I found the vernacular grating and over-the-top (it’s set in AL).
I did like how the characters’ faith and beliefs were woven into the story and how they were used to lead to life decisions.
But overall I just wasn’t engaged enough to make for an enjoyable read, and if I’m being honest, at times I had to push myself to finish.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me the free early arc of Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
DNF'ing at 54%. Characters are shallow, plotline is boring, Rae is a waffler, the narrator was inconsistent. Honestly, the book lost me when Rae starting talking about "needing" Carter early on after he dumped her. The Christian aspects feel hokey and somewhat out of nowhere. I don't know. This book isn't for me.
I've read a few other southern fiction novels (Sarah Addison Allen!) that were rich and enjoyable so I was hoping that this one would be in the same vein.
I've read a few other southern fiction novels (Sarah Addison Allen!) that were rich and enjoyable so I was hoping that this one would be in the same vein.
I am a sucker for Southern fiction, especially humorous, small-town stories. There is a wealth of colorful characters, with funny sayings. So when I saw this one, I knew I had to request it. And am I glad I did!
This book hit hard because Rae is dealing with the loss of her mother and feels lost. Luckily her mother's group of friends are there to help. They gossip, they pray, they read books, and they laugh and cry together. Thry help Rae pick up the pieces and move forward.
The author nailed it. She captured all the charm and zaniness and emotions of my other favorite Southern authors' characters. I cannot wait to read more of her books.
Get your hands on this book, readers! You'll love it!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All the opinions are mine and freely expressed.
This book hit hard because Rae is dealing with the loss of her mother and feels lost. Luckily her mother's group of friends are there to help. They gossip, they pray, they read books, and they laugh and cry together. Thry help Rae pick up the pieces and move forward.
The author nailed it. She captured all the charm and zaniness and emotions of my other favorite Southern authors' characters. I cannot wait to read more of her books.
Get your hands on this book, readers! You'll love it!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All the opinions are mine and freely expressed.
The story was cute but I didn’t realize it was Christian fiction, and it got a little overly preachy several times. I have nothing against the genre, but I just wasn’t prepared for the proselytizing!
Ohhh, _Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton_. Literally and figuratively. :D
This is such a delightful read. It brought back many a fond memory of the church I was blessed to grow up in, and the plethora of "church ladies" who could cook, bake, pray, and minister like nobody's business. (God, please give Hazel, Doris, Agnes, and the other ladies a heavenly hug for me.)
The book is a timely read as summer approaches (and looks ahead to fall, too--mmmmmm Thanksgiving! I'm ready!), and also reminds me of the power of community. Two years into the pandemic, and I'm again challenged to get (re-)involved at church--and also, again, appreciative of the senior saints among us. I just want to give them all a big hug after reading this!
It's in turns humorous and heartbreaking--sometimes even on the same page. It challenges me in my walk with God, and how I live that out at street level (to borrow a phrase from [a:Paul David Tripp|123576|Paul David Tripp|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399132035p2/123576.jpg]). Deep, encouraging, and convicting, it truly blesses my own heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is such a delightful read. It brought back many a fond memory of the church I was blessed to grow up in, and the plethora of "church ladies" who could cook, bake, pray, and minister like nobody's business. (God, please give Hazel, Doris, Agnes, and the other ladies a heavenly hug for me.)
The book is a timely read as summer approaches (and looks ahead to fall, too--mmmmmm Thanksgiving! I'm ready!), and also reminds me of the power of community. Two years into the pandemic, and I'm again challenged to get (re-)involved at church--and also, again, appreciative of the senior saints among us. I just want to give them all a big hug after reading this!
It's in turns humorous and heartbreaking--sometimes even on the same page. It challenges me in my walk with God, and how I live that out at street level (to borrow a phrase from [a:Paul David Tripp|123576|Paul David Tripp|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399132035p2/123576.jpg]). Deep, encouraging, and convicting, it truly blesses my own heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the first fiction book I have read by Susannah B. Lewis, having read a nonfiction title by her previously. Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton is a book I had seen going around, but I went into it totally blind.
Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton has a sad start as her mother passes, right on the cusp of her divorce. You start wondering how much more can one person take. But, when her ex shows up at the funeral with his girlfriend the sparks start to fly. Oh, my word, the way Rae handles it had me in shock and awe! I loved her grit and determination, spunk and sass.
An unexpected delight. I listened to it all at one time, on a car trip. I loved it. This is a book I want to read again, so I can make notes of things said. Plus, I think we all need a group like the Third-Thursday ladies. Never a dull moment with them around.
Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton felt realistic and authentic, with a wonderful cast of characters; and themes of redemption, healing, and forgiveness.
Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton has a sad start as her mother passes, right on the cusp of her divorce. You start wondering how much more can one person take. But, when her ex shows up at the funeral with his girlfriend the sparks start to fly. Oh, my word, the way Rae handles it had me in shock and awe! I loved her grit and determination, spunk and sass.
An unexpected delight. I listened to it all at one time, on a car trip. I loved it. This is a book I want to read again, so I can make notes of things said. Plus, I think we all need a group like the Third-Thursday ladies. Never a dull moment with them around.
Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton felt realistic and authentic, with a wonderful cast of characters; and themes of redemption, healing, and forgiveness.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very Christian...
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No