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therealbel's review against another edition
3.0
Hilarious, kind of predictable but in a good way, this 'romcom' of a book kept me amused on vacation. An easy read, it cleverly portrayed a tiny southern town with its quirks, passions and religious leanings without knocking them at all. I loved the characters, Stella and Agnes in particular, and enjoyed a simple happy read. Fun
jenlynnhill's review
3.0
It was a fun and quick read, although a little too country for me, and I don't feel the need to keep reading the series, but I might if I have nothing else to read around.
balabadia's review against another edition
5.0
Great surprise! I chose this book from a "best picks" list that was emailed to me. I have laughed out loud, cried, and got angry too! Highly recommend, especially if you love Steel Magnolias. It has a similar vibe.
coolcatbookreader's review against another edition
5.0
The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop was another great book in this series. Carolyn Brown has a great talent for making these characters come alive. Stella is the owner of The Yellow Rose Beauty shop. She works with her 2 best friends, Charlotte and Piper. Charlotte is engaged and Piper is divorced and the mother of 6 year old twin boys.
The book starts off with Stella’s mama, Nancy, asking the prayer angels to pray for Stella to get a husband so she can finally have a grandbaby. She feels as if Stella is an old maid at almost 27 years old. Heather, the head of the prayer angels and also in charge of the billboard outside the church, put up a sign about praying for Stella to get a husband. Of course gossip travels like wildfire in the small town of Cadillac, Texas. Poor Stella is put into this whirlwind of rumors and assumptions. She’s so mad at her mama, she won’t even do her hair or go to her parent’s house for dinner. The whole town is gossiping about her and she feels like she can’t even tell anyone about the man she’s been involved with.
Agnes is one of my favorite characters, because she is a fiery red-head and is always very opinionated about everything and always knows everything about everyone in town. She is hilarious. Agnes, Stella, Charlotte, and Piper come up with a plan to sabotage the prayer angels plans at every turn. When the prayer angels decide to hold a ball to get the single ladies and single men together, nothing can stop the ladies from making sure this ball will never be what was expected.
I just love the camaraderie and closeness of this community. I hope there are other books from this town in the future. Laural Merlington was a terrific narrator.
The book starts off with Stella’s mama, Nancy, asking the prayer angels to pray for Stella to get a husband so she can finally have a grandbaby. She feels as if Stella is an old maid at almost 27 years old. Heather, the head of the prayer angels and also in charge of the billboard outside the church, put up a sign about praying for Stella to get a husband. Of course gossip travels like wildfire in the small town of Cadillac, Texas. Poor Stella is put into this whirlwind of rumors and assumptions. She’s so mad at her mama, she won’t even do her hair or go to her parent’s house for dinner. The whole town is gossiping about her and she feels like she can’t even tell anyone about the man she’s been involved with.
Agnes is one of my favorite characters, because she is a fiery red-head and is always very opinionated about everything and always knows everything about everyone in town. She is hilarious. Agnes, Stella, Charlotte, and Piper come up with a plan to sabotage the prayer angels plans at every turn. When the prayer angels decide to hold a ball to get the single ladies and single men together, nothing can stop the ladies from making sure this ball will never be what was expected.
I just love the camaraderie and closeness of this community. I hope there are other books from this town in the future. Laural Merlington was a terrific narrator.
ncouch529's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
This book was funny. It was a little bit of a slow start, but it rapidly picked up pace after that.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Fun book. I loved going back to Cadillac, Texas, with its friends, family, and fun. The story opens as Nancy attends a meeting of the "Prayer Angels" at church. She's frustrated with her daughter Stella's apparent indifference to finding a husband, which had delayed Nancy's chances of being a grandmother. Desperate, she asks to put Stella on the prayer list, not realizing that she is about to create a firestorm. Heather, the head of the Prayer Angels, and niece to self-proclaimed town matriarch Violet, has a bit of a grudge against Stella. She takes the opportunity to both get back at Stella and to make a name for herself in the town hierarchy by planning a husband-finding ball.
Stella is furious at her mother for getting her into this situation, and with Heather for using her to promote her own plans, and she isn't going to take it lying down. Stella already has her man but has reasons for keeping the relationship under wraps for a little while longer. Even her best friends, Piper and Charlotte, don't know about him. But with their help, and that of the eighty-year-old, red-headed spitfire, Agnes, they plan to make sure that it is an event that will never be forgotten.
I love Cadillac and the depth of love and friendship found at the heart of the relationships there. The main focus of this book is Stella, the red-haired, wise-cracking hairdresser with a slightly tarnished reputation. Her relationship with her mother has been a bit strained, with Nancy's constant pressure to find a man. It takes a severe hit when Nancy goes a step too far and puts Stella's name on the prayer list. Stella spends a good part of the book working on forgiving her mother for opening this can of worms. I liked the honesty of feelings here, as Stella admits that while she loves her mom, it's going to take a while to get past the anger. I ached for Stella because she was so worried that her reputation, combined with this new trouble, would be too much for her man to take. I loved the viewpoint that he took, his bone-deep support of her, and his willingness to do whatever it took to make her happy. Their scenes together were sweet and hot, and it was easy to see that they belonged together though I would like to have seen more of how they got together to start with.
I loved Stella's relationships with her two friends, Piper and Charlotte. They've been friends for a long time and can be very frank with each other. It was interesting to see the two weigh in on Stella's rift with her mom, and how each comes at it from her own maternal relationship. I loved their unwavering support for each other, from their having Stella's back during the whole prayer fiasco, to Piper's problems with her ex, and keeping Charlotte on an even keel as her wedding to Boone gets nearer. Stella felt guilty for keeping her secret even from them, and it was hilarious to see the number of times they nearly stumbled over the truth. There were some terrific scenes as their support enabled Piper to stand up to her jerk of an ex, and put him in his place. He got what was coming to him, and I cheered right along with the patrons of the beauty shop. Charlotte's fears as her wedding day grew nearer were real, and I was especially moved by the way that Stella's mother Nancy, was able to help her overcome them.
But the main focus of the story was the Yellow Rose Barbecue Ball and the shenanigans that led up to it. Heather is one of those women that, when she gets the bit between her teeth, is impossible to stop. It didn't take long for Nancy to regret the impulse to put Stella on the prayer list once Heather started coming up with her ideas. Stella knew there was no way to stop it; her only thought was to find a way to minimize the damage. But once Agnes got involved, the defense took on a life of its own. It was great fun to see Agnes, Stella, and the others put their plans into motion. The anticipation built as I watched Agnes mastermind the perfect way to sabotage Heather's plans without damaging the reputations of her friends. I couldn't wait for the revelation of Stella's secret, and I must say that it was everything that I expected from a Carolyn Brown book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes between Stella and her secret man. The chemistry between them was hot. I loved his support of her during the process and his willingness to give up their secret to save her embarrassment. For all of her brashness and bluntness, Stella was also a bit insecure because of her past. I loved her worry over how her past could affect her man's job, and her insistence that keeping their secret until things were secure. There were some adorable scenes between them as they found ways to be together. There were also some hilarious scenes as the frustrations of being apart come home to roost and people would unknowingly interfere with their assignations. They had to do some quick thinking to keep their secret as long as they did.
Stella is furious at her mother for getting her into this situation, and with Heather for using her to promote her own plans, and she isn't going to take it lying down. Stella already has her man but has reasons for keeping the relationship under wraps for a little while longer. Even her best friends, Piper and Charlotte, don't know about him. But with their help, and that of the eighty-year-old, red-headed spitfire, Agnes, they plan to make sure that it is an event that will never be forgotten.
I love Cadillac and the depth of love and friendship found at the heart of the relationships there. The main focus of this book is Stella, the red-haired, wise-cracking hairdresser with a slightly tarnished reputation. Her relationship with her mother has been a bit strained, with Nancy's constant pressure to find a man. It takes a severe hit when Nancy goes a step too far and puts Stella's name on the prayer list. Stella spends a good part of the book working on forgiving her mother for opening this can of worms. I liked the honesty of feelings here, as Stella admits that while she loves her mom, it's going to take a while to get past the anger. I ached for Stella because she was so worried that her reputation, combined with this new trouble, would be too much for her man to take. I loved the viewpoint that he took, his bone-deep support of her, and his willingness to do whatever it took to make her happy. Their scenes together were sweet and hot, and it was easy to see that they belonged together though I would like to have seen more of how they got together to start with.
I loved Stella's relationships with her two friends, Piper and Charlotte. They've been friends for a long time and can be very frank with each other. It was interesting to see the two weigh in on Stella's rift with her mom, and how each comes at it from her own maternal relationship. I loved their unwavering support for each other, from their having Stella's back during the whole prayer fiasco, to Piper's problems with her ex, and keeping Charlotte on an even keel as her wedding to Boone gets nearer. Stella felt guilty for keeping her secret even from them, and it was hilarious to see the number of times they nearly stumbled over the truth. There were some terrific scenes as their support enabled Piper to stand up to her jerk of an ex, and put him in his place. He got what was coming to him, and I cheered right along with the patrons of the beauty shop. Charlotte's fears as her wedding day grew nearer were real, and I was especially moved by the way that Stella's mother Nancy, was able to help her overcome them.
But the main focus of the story was the Yellow Rose Barbecue Ball and the shenanigans that led up to it. Heather is one of those women that, when she gets the bit between her teeth, is impossible to stop. It didn't take long for Nancy to regret the impulse to put Stella on the prayer list once Heather started coming up with her ideas. Stella knew there was no way to stop it; her only thought was to find a way to minimize the damage. But once Agnes got involved, the defense took on a life of its own. It was great fun to see Agnes, Stella, and the others put their plans into motion. The anticipation built as I watched Agnes mastermind the perfect way to sabotage Heather's plans without damaging the reputations of her friends. I couldn't wait for the revelation of Stella's secret, and I must say that it was everything that I expected from a Carolyn Brown book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes between Stella and her secret man. The chemistry between them was hot. I loved his support of her during the process and his willingness to give up their secret to save her embarrassment. For all of her brashness and bluntness, Stella was also a bit insecure because of her past. I loved her worry over how her past could affect her man's job, and her insistence that keeping their secret until things were secure. There were some adorable scenes between them as they found ways to be together. There were also some hilarious scenes as the frustrations of being apart come home to roost and people would unknowingly interfere with their assignations. They had to do some quick thinking to keep their secret as long as they did.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book - it made me smile, laugh and even cry a little. I didn't know this was the 3rd book in a series but I don't think you miss out on anything by not reading the first two other than back story on Charlotte & Boone and maybe a bit on why Agnes and Violet (two matriarchs in town) have such a rivalry going.
I live in Texas and while some of the story is exaggerated for a small town, most of this could happen with the right people.
I also thought it was amusing how they compared themselves to characters from the movie Steel Magnolias. But I could honestly see it in some of the characters. They also likened themselves to characters in other chick lit movies, and I could see that too.
I'm not sure who my favorite character was in this book - Stella, who was the main focus, or Piper (who I hope the next book is about). Both are strong women but have their own battles to deal with in life, but nothing too drastic.
I live in Texas and while some of the story is exaggerated for a small town, most of this could happen with the right people.
I also thought it was amusing how they compared themselves to characters from the movie Steel Magnolias. But I could honestly see it in some of the characters. They also likened themselves to characters in other chick lit movies, and I could see that too.
I'm not sure who my favorite character was in this book - Stella, who was the main focus, or Piper (who I hope the next book is about). Both are strong women but have their own battles to deal with in life, but nothing too drastic.
katewrites's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
caslater83's review against another edition
2.0
Not the best.
There is quite a bit of foul language in this book. While the book has potential, I couldn't bring myself to like it.
There is quite a bit of foul language in this book. While the book has potential, I couldn't bring myself to like it.
lmmiller93's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Carolyn Brown takes us back to Cadillac, Texas for another adventure in small town mayhem. Featuring characters from her previous Cadillac books - The Blue Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee (rereleased as The Sisters’ Cafe) and The Red Hot Chili Cookoff (rereleased as The Shop on Main Street) - The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop is an humorous escapade you don’t want to miss.
Stella‘s mama just wants her daughter happily married… and to have a few grandbabies to spoil. So she add Stella’s name to the prayer list, completely unaware of the horent’s nest she just kicked. Now the leader of the Prayer Angels, Heather, is out to find Stella a husband so she can turn the town of Cadillac into a marriage ministry. There’s just one slight problem with her plan. Stella is already married! She just hasn’t told anyone yet.
While Stella is working to thwart Heather and her gold fingernail, she’s joined by her two best friends and business partners, Piper and Charlotte, and fellow spitfire redhead, Agnes Flynn. Piper is dealing with her dirtbag ex-husband while raising their twin sons on her own. Charlotte is engaged to her high school sweetheart and preparing for their wedding. Agnes is just enjoying all the mischief she can get up to while sabotaging Heather and Heather’s Aunt Violet. And believe me, this 80-year-old redhead with a love for overalls and flip-flops can get up to a LOT of mischief.
Carolyn Brown did such a great job creating these characters that you really feel like part of Cadillac’s community while you read the book. I laughed my way through and couldn’t wait to read the next bit of Cadillac gossip. A wonderful read filled with heart and sass!
Stella‘s mama just wants her daughter happily married… and to have a few grandbabies to spoil. So she add Stella’s name to the prayer list, completely unaware of the horent’s nest she just kicked. Now the leader of the Prayer Angels, Heather, is out to find Stella a husband so she can turn the town of Cadillac into a marriage ministry. There’s just one slight problem with her plan. Stella is already married! She just hasn’t told anyone yet.
While Stella is working to thwart Heather and her gold fingernail, she’s joined by her two best friends and business partners, Piper and Charlotte, and fellow spitfire redhead, Agnes Flynn. Piper is dealing with her dirtbag ex-husband while raising their twin sons on her own. Charlotte is engaged to her high school sweetheart and preparing for their wedding. Agnes is just enjoying all the mischief she can get up to while sabotaging Heather and Heather’s Aunt Violet. And believe me, this 80-year-old redhead with a love for overalls and flip-flops can get up to a LOT of mischief.
Carolyn Brown did such a great job creating these characters that you really feel like part of Cadillac’s community while you read the book. I laughed my way through and couldn’t wait to read the next bit of Cadillac gossip. A wonderful read filled with heart and sass!