Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
4.25/5⭐️
Sadie Way Scott almost drowned at 18 during the annual water lantern festival in her small Alabama hometown, supposedly saved by the Lady of the Lake. Feeling restless and adrift (no pun intended), she dropped out of college and left town where she began her own social media show A Southern Hankerin’.
Her sister, Leala Clare, has a husband who is a workaholic and a toddler from a very difficult birth. She worries that her marriage may be in trouble, and she feels the need for the social aspect of a job. Not to mention she and her mom are constantly at odds.
This story, told in alternating chapters by Sadie and Leala is all about healing rifts (their mom is quite the character), appreciating life, finding one’s purpose and second chances. While a bit too convenient how everything works out, I didn’t mind it as the story had a lot of wisdom, laughs and feel-goodness along the way.
Recommended, especially if you like a little fantasy thrown in with your southern fiction.
My thanks to #NetGalley and #ForgeBooks for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Sadie Way Scott almost drowned at 18 during the annual water lantern festival in her small Alabama hometown, supposedly saved by the Lady of the Lake. Feeling restless and adrift (no pun intended), she dropped out of college and left town where she began her own social media show A Southern Hankerin’.
Her sister, Leala Clare, has a husband who is a workaholic and a toddler from a very difficult birth. She worries that her marriage may be in trouble, and she feels the need for the social aspect of a job. Not to mention she and her mom are constantly at odds.
This story, told in alternating chapters by Sadie and Leala is all about healing rifts (their mom is quite the character), appreciating life, finding one’s purpose and second chances. While a bit too convenient how everything works out, I didn’t mind it as the story had a lot of wisdom, laughs and feel-goodness along the way.
Recommended, especially if you like a little fantasy thrown in with your southern fiction.
My thanks to #NetGalley and #ForgeBooks for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
2.5 stars rounded up. Leela was the strongest and most interesting character, whose development also was the most realistic and fun to follow. I didn't care about Sadie at all, and she fell very flat for me. The magic definitely felt forced and superior superfluous, the book could have been stronger without Sadies "magical" healing or hair.
The last third of the book was the weakest and felt like everything was just wrapped up too quickly and unrealistically, particularly with the mother's character.
The last third of the book was the weakest and felt like everything was just wrapped up too quickly and unrealistically, particularly with the mother's character.
I have enjoyed all of Webber’s books that I have read so far. It’s always interesting to see how she will intertwine the little bit of magic into the story. There were parts in my opinion that dragged a bit but that again is my opinion. My favorite of the two sisters was definitely Sadie with her easy going personality. Leala, although seeming to be a great older sister in the flashbacks of the story, did not charm me personality wise like Sadie Way. My view of Leala did eventually change towards the end of the story for good reasons. I was NOT anticipating the cry session… no thanks for that Webber
**I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley.**
This was a sweet, poignant story. With it's touch of magic and focus on food and cooking, it reminded me a bit of Sarah Addison Allen's stories. It's a pretty quick read and focuses on relationships and the choices we all make.
I enjoyed this book and will definitely look for more by the author.
This was a sweet, poignant story. With it's touch of magic and focus on food and cooking, it reminded me a bit of Sarah Addison Allen's stories. It's a pretty quick read and focuses on relationships and the choices we all make.
I enjoyed this book and will definitely look for more by the author.
emotional
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
It's a cozy read. Pacing is a little weird; the end felt so rushed. Characters were pretty surface-level, and the dialogue was cringey/cheesy at times. But it's a bit comforting, and the narrators were awesome!
I just really needed to good heartfelt story and it made me cry… perfect between all the darker books!
I just love her stories. Every one I’ve read just makes ya feel good
A decent beach read:
I liked a lot of this book, but it was just a bit too much “live, laugh, love.” While all of Webber’s books have an element of that, this one seemed to overdose a bit on it. I greatly enjoy the world of Southern magical realism that she creates in all of her books.
I liked a lot of this book, but it was just a bit too much “live, laugh, love.” While all of Webber’s books have an element of that, this one seemed to overdose a bit on it. I greatly enjoy the world of Southern magical realism that she creates in all of her books.
Maybe it's because I listened to the audiobook but all the crying and whining got old.
3 and half to 4.
I like Webber's books for some pleasant diversion, and I liked her characterization of the lake's magic, and the surprise twist at the end.
But I am finding her characters a little too predictable and flat. Leala in particular just seemed like a whiny brat to me that I grew increasingly annoyed with. And the denouement of each character as they changed and grew seemed a bit stretched.
Still, though, there were some very imaginative elements and I liked the overall feel of Sugarberry Cove. Enjoyable chick-lit.
ps: I see that Ms. Webber lives in Cincinnati. That explains it.. I kept wondering how there was so much time pleasantly spent outdoors in Alabama in the summertime. Even at a lake, the heat and humidity are BRUTAL. :)
I like Webber's books for some pleasant diversion, and I liked her characterization of the lake's magic, and the surprise twist at the end.
But I am finding her characters a little too predictable and flat. Leala in particular just seemed like a whiny brat to me that I grew increasingly annoyed with. And the denouement of each character as they changed and grew seemed a bit stretched.
Still, though, there were some very imaginative elements and I liked the overall feel of Sugarberry Cove. Enjoyable chick-lit.
ps: I see that Ms. Webber lives in Cincinnati. That explains it.. I kept wondering how there was so much time pleasantly spent outdoors in Alabama in the summertime. Even at a lake, the heat and humidity are BRUTAL. :)