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jess_mango's review
4.0
Kristy Woodson Harvey writes that kind of breezy women's fiction that whisks you away to the Carolina coast. This is the 2nd book that I've read by her and both books feature women taking back control of their own lives. In this book, our leading lady is Amelia Saxton, a 30-something who has recently caught her husband cheating and has decided to move on. She is hoping to achieve the next level of success in her journalism career and while working on a story on the fertility industry discovers something about her childhood neighbor's deceased wife. Parker, the childhood neighbor, misses his wife Greer, who was a social media celeb with a ton of followers. She recently passed away of ovarian cancer, leaving behind her journals, a posthumously published memoir, and some frozen embryos.
Parker and Amelia reconnect and commiserate over their shared losses. These 2 clearly have a deep connection from their youth that has widened a bit in their adulthood. Their mother's were best friends so they spent a lot of time together growing up. This is a novel about friendship, love, grieving and moving on. It's a sweet contemporary chick lit novel that will send you to the Carolinas with all of the glorious comfort food and summer memories. The story is told alternately by Parker and Amelia, along with occasional entries from Greer's journal. Their different perspectives help us to see the story from different angles and secrets are slowly revealed. This would be a great beach read.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Parker and Amelia reconnect and commiserate over their shared losses. These 2 clearly have a deep connection from their youth that has widened a bit in their adulthood. Their mother's were best friends so they spent a lot of time together growing up. This is a novel about friendship, love, grieving and moving on. It's a sweet contemporary chick lit novel that will send you to the Carolinas with all of the glorious comfort food and summer memories. The story is told alternately by Parker and Amelia, along with occasional entries from Greer's journal. Their different perspectives help us to see the story from different angles and secrets are slowly revealed. This would be a great beach read.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
alissa417's review
5.0
As a single mother who made “unusual” choices in how I came to parenthood (i.e. local and international adoption), I have a very hard time reading books about characters who’ve made similar choices. Characters in these novels are often cloaked in desperation, with a plot revolving exclusively around their hunger to become “with child.” This was not my experience, and finally I have not just read but devoured a book that gets the fact that people come to be mothers and fathers in a multitude of ways that do not define their individuality, instead adding a new layer of humanity to their fully formed selves.
Under the Southern Sky (400 pp. Gallery Books) is Kristy Woodson Harvey’s seventh novel. Mark my words, this is the book that will land her a screenwriting deal and solidify her presence not just on the Southern literary scene, but on the shelves of women’s fiction lovers across the globe; it is that good.
Amelia Paxton, the novel’s protagonist, knew early in her life that motherhood was not in her DNA, biologically or otherwise. She has created a fabulous, carefree life centered around her career in investigative journalism and built in Palm Beach, Florida, with her husband of many years. Yet when Amelia uncovers her husband’s infidelity, her world instantly collapses, and she slowly comes to understand the lack of depth in her relationships since leaving her childhood home, Cape Carolina.
As Amelia returns to the seaside, there is a great romance to unpack here, along with a “crazy” Aunt Tilley (complete with tragic backstory) and a host of other characters who round out this extremely readable and compelling tale. Most importantly, this novel is centered around strong female voices (along with an incredible male ally, Amelia’s childhood friend, Parker). Each woman in the story makes incredibly painful choices – to raise a child not biologically theirs, to give birth to a child not biologically theirs, to harvest their embryos while deathly ill – yet these choices involving motherhood are not the only ones their characters face in Under the Southern Sky. There is such depth of character development and plot on display and Cape Carolina comes alive in this novel; I hope I get a chance to revisit this charming town in another KWH production very soon.
Come into South Main Book Company on Thursday, April 22, from 4-6pm for Kristy’s book signing – and to tell her how much you adored the world she has created in Cape Carolina. All of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s titles are available at Salisbury’s independent bookstore, South Main Book Company, located at 110 S. Main St. Call 704-630-9788 or email [email protected] to confirm store hours and events. You can also buy this book from our online store here: https://bookshop.org/a/36/9781982117726
Under the Southern Sky (400 pp. Gallery Books) is Kristy Woodson Harvey’s seventh novel. Mark my words, this is the book that will land her a screenwriting deal and solidify her presence not just on the Southern literary scene, but on the shelves of women’s fiction lovers across the globe; it is that good.
Amelia Paxton, the novel’s protagonist, knew early in her life that motherhood was not in her DNA, biologically or otherwise. She has created a fabulous, carefree life centered around her career in investigative journalism and built in Palm Beach, Florida, with her husband of many years. Yet when Amelia uncovers her husband’s infidelity, her world instantly collapses, and she slowly comes to understand the lack of depth in her relationships since leaving her childhood home, Cape Carolina.
As Amelia returns to the seaside, there is a great romance to unpack here, along with a “crazy” Aunt Tilley (complete with tragic backstory) and a host of other characters who round out this extremely readable and compelling tale. Most importantly, this novel is centered around strong female voices (along with an incredible male ally, Amelia’s childhood friend, Parker). Each woman in the story makes incredibly painful choices – to raise a child not biologically theirs, to give birth to a child not biologically theirs, to harvest their embryos while deathly ill – yet these choices involving motherhood are not the only ones their characters face in Under the Southern Sky. There is such depth of character development and plot on display and Cape Carolina comes alive in this novel; I hope I get a chance to revisit this charming town in another KWH production very soon.
Come into South Main Book Company on Thursday, April 22, from 4-6pm for Kristy’s book signing – and to tell her how much you adored the world she has created in Cape Carolina. All of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s titles are available at Salisbury’s independent bookstore, South Main Book Company, located at 110 S. Main St. Call 704-630-9788 or email [email protected] to confirm store hours and events. You can also buy this book from our online store here: https://bookshop.org/a/36/9781982117726
hvarb03's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
mschrock8's review
4.0
Greer keeps a journal (an important part of the story).
Greer makes me miss Morgan.
" . . . licked the red off my candy." Wow.
Greer makes me miss Morgan.
" . . . licked the red off my candy." Wow.
lezapal's review
4.0
If you like romances that are not too sickly sweet this is a good one. It explores the idea of infertility and loss and the characters are generally very likable people.
rmarcin's review
4.0
Under the Southern Sky is a charming novel about love and family. When journalist Amelia’s heart is broken by her husband, she stumbles upon a story line that will change her life. Abandoned eggs at a clinic leads her to reunite with her childhood friend, Parker, who is grieving his wife’s death. Returning home to her roots and finding love again, the support of her family and friends, in addition to thinking about starting a family when she thought all hope was lost, are the main themes of the story.
I really enjoyed this women’s contemporary fiction novel. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I think I will read more as they are comforting reads.
I really enjoyed this women’s contemporary fiction novel. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I think I will read more as they are comforting reads.
judithdcollins's review
5.0
Check out the fun Elevator Ride Q&A with Kristy!
MASTERFUL!! Kristy Woodson Harvey has a trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and women, especially when it comes to life, love, and family while spinning a mesmerizing tale.
A favorite author, the talented southern storyteller, Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with the irresistible new novel and #1 Beach Read of 2021. Her best yet —UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY. Harvey is known for her rich, heartfelt stories—and her new book is no exception.
“And look at this stunning cover!”
Emotionally resonant, a perfect beach read. A poignant story for the modern woman with a little romance, mystery, suspense, and drama with relatable characters and realistic complexities.
The author's writing is lyrical and rich, and the journal entries are spellbinding. Strong in character, this beautifully written tender novel explores the boundaries of friendship, marriage, family, parenthood, and so much more.
The settings are vivid and of course, I adored the Palm Beach setting (my city) and coastal Carolina area. Great job Kristy!!!
UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY is so much more than a beach read and fans of Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, Kristin Hannah, Jodi Picoult, and Mary Kay Andrews are assured to devour this one! Please, this would make for a great TV series or movie!
MASTERFUL!! Kristy Woodson Harvey has a trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and women, especially when it comes to life, love, and family while spinning a mesmerizing tale.
A favorite author, the talented southern storyteller, Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with the irresistible new novel and #1 Beach Read of 2021. Her best yet —UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY. Harvey is known for her rich, heartfelt stories—and her new book is no exception.
“And look at this stunning cover!”
Emotionally resonant, a perfect beach read. A poignant story for the modern woman with a little romance, mystery, suspense, and drama with relatable characters and realistic complexities.
The author's writing is lyrical and rich, and the journal entries are spellbinding. Strong in character, this beautifully written tender novel explores the boundaries of friendship, marriage, family, parenthood, and so much more.
The settings are vivid and of course, I adored the Palm Beach setting (my city) and coastal Carolina area. Great job Kristy!!!
UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY is so much more than a beach read and fans of Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, Kristin Hannah, Jodi Picoult, and Mary Kay Andrews are assured to devour this one! Please, this would make for a great TV series or movie!