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funny
lighthearted
Infuriating yet sympathetic. I had to take a long break in the middle when one of the subplots got too sad for me. Phillips' sense of humor is growing on me and I find I laugh at more of her jokes with each chapter. There's a brief bio of her that says she "touches hearts and funny bones." That's not all she's touching though. I have to admit I am a little too prudish, and find the spicier bits a bit of a shock considering how sweet the rest of the stories and characters are.
Are there really independent bookstores in small town Mississippi?
Are there really independent bookstores in small town Mississippi?
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book sat on my book shelf collecting dust for months, I finally decided to pick it up and give it a try, and I'm so glad I did. It was hilarious! I was totally expecting one of those shallow, annoying, sex-filled chick-lit books...but how wrong was I!! This was a very tastefully done book about a down-and-out former beauty/princess of small-town Mississippi, who finds her true inner strength and pride. I definitely recommend this book to all, it's very funny and will keep you entertained throughout. One of the best books I've read all year!!
no cuz i shed tears for sugar beth
i like this book for its real, cruel people. i'm not so sure about the romance though???
i really love SEP's chicklit style
i like this book for its real, cruel people. i'm not so sure about the romance though???
i really love SEP's chicklit style
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tbh the more I think about this, the lower my rating is going.. suga Beth gets all the stars, but I'm afraid I can't do more than a rounded down 3.5* atp
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Ok, this is the very first book that I have read by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I can promise you it will not be the last. This is a story of anger and past hurt, of finding your inner strength and power, of finding and giving forgiveness, of being comfortable with your choices and finding happiness and love.
Sugar Beth was AWFUL to her half sister Winnie. Reading about the way that Winnie was treated might make you want to hate Sugar Beth, but here is the thing, both women had something that the other wanted. Winnie had the love a father that would not give Sugar Beth the time of day, and Sugar Beth had a inner strength and power that Winnie never thought that she could ever have. The dynamic between these two and they way that their story finally ended, made me cheer, made me cry and made me glad that I kept reading.
The romance between Sugar Beth and Colin was so well done. It was not an instant ~ just add water~ type of romance, it was a slow gradual romance that allowed them to get past the issues and the hurt of the past and come to understand what they did, why they did it. It gave them the chance to really truly understand themselves and each other. I love the ebb and flow of their banter. Their romance made me sigh.
Now onto the Seawillows. I did not care much for them. I understand that they were needed in this story to help us understand the dynamic with Winnie and Sugar Beth, but I think that they were just petty, spiteful, and all out mean at times. Truly people loose touch with each other when they move away. I think that there might have been something else that happened with them, but for them to be so cruel just because Sugar Beth turned her back on them and forgot about them seemed a bit much for me.
Gordon the dog! Every story should have a Gordon in it. He added so much comic relief and added a little levity to a story that could have been heavy.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a real good, feel good, empowerment book about love, life and forgiveness.
Sugar Beth was AWFUL to her half sister Winnie. Reading about the way that Winnie was treated might make you want to hate Sugar Beth, but here is the thing, both women had something that the other wanted. Winnie had the love a father that would not give Sugar Beth the time of day, and Sugar Beth had a inner strength and power that Winnie never thought that she could ever have. The dynamic between these two and they way that their story finally ended, made me cheer, made me cry and made me glad that I kept reading.
The romance between Sugar Beth and Colin was so well done. It was not an instant ~ just add water~ type of romance, it was a slow gradual romance that allowed them to get past the issues and the hurt of the past and come to understand what they did, why they did it. It gave them the chance to really truly understand themselves and each other. I love the ebb and flow of their banter. Their romance made me sigh.
Now onto the Seawillows. I did not care much for them. I understand that they were needed in this story to help us understand the dynamic with Winnie and Sugar Beth, but I think that they were just petty, spiteful, and all out mean at times. Truly people loose touch with each other when they move away. I think that there might have been something else that happened with them, but for them to be so cruel just because Sugar Beth turned her back on them and forgot about them seemed a bit much for me.
Gordon the dog! Every story should have a Gordon in it. He added so much comic relief and added a little levity to a story that could have been heavy.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a real good, feel good, empowerment book about love, life and forgiveness.
This was pretty cute. I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books, but this wasn’t one of my favorites. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main couple, and the backstory behind their relationship made me somewhat uncomfortable. But it was cute in the end. I like a redemption arc.