The Lovesick Cure

Tales from Marrying Stone #3

by Pamela Morsi

For Jesse Winsloe, the answer is clear: head into hiding. Single again and laid off from work, Jesse flees to Onery Cabin to lick her wounds with her ancient aunt Will—a Granny woman with the secret to healing the lovelorn.Sure, Onery Cabin may be right out of Hollywood's Lifestyles of the Poor and Hillbilly, but Marrying Stone Mountain has its charm—including the local physician's assistant, Piney Baxley, a past recipient of Aunt Will's pungent "heartbreak poultice."

Between folk remedies and a "no strings attached" romance, Jesse is beginning to think she's found her own brand of lovesick cure—because there's nothing like a pinch of confidence and a dash of attraction to mend a broken heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Historical Romance, Ebooks

406 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Pamela Morsi was an American writer. She was the author of 29 romance novels, beginning in 1991.

Reviews

[KatLynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’ll tell you a secret about the men in this world. They like young pretty girls, but when pretty teams up with smart and resourceful, it’s more than an elixir, it’s nearly a dad-blamed aphrodisiac.” ….words of wisdom from Aunt Will

Without a doubt Pamela Morsi is an author with incredible talent. In The Lovesick Cure those attributes shine. The book flows beautifully and is so well written that as I read Jesse, aka DuJess, and Aunt Will’s story, I felt as if I was there among the locals of Marrying Stone Community, residing in the small, crude cabin of Aunt Will’s childhood and living completely in their somewhat secluded world.

This contemporary romance is different from most I've read. With the unique setting it had more of a past feel than present day. Also, the romance many times took back stage to Aunt Will's story giving it a secondary feel. I'd say it's Women's Fiction at its best along with a beautiful romance as they both vie for center stage.

Piney is the local Physician’s Assistant. He’s strong, handsome and compassionate as well as a great dad. His days are filled with caring for the sick along with being a single parent to his seventeen year old son, Tree.

Having had his own dreams and choices taken from him, one of his biggest concerns is for his son not to end up in the same situation. I think Tree’s remark clearly gives a great testimony about the kind of man his father is as well as the maturity of this young teen.... “You don’t want me to end up like you. I have to tell you, that’s always been kind of weird to me. I hope I end up like you. In fact, that’s the one goal that I’m really sure about. I want to be as much like you as possible.”

While Piney loves his small hometown in the Ozarks, it does have its drawbacks. It’s nearly impossible to have a relationship with any of the local females without everyone knowing what’s going on. He’s been burned in the past and definitely not looking for a long term commitment. Along with other concerns and obligations this has left him needing more intimacy in his life.

Jesse has spent the last eight years teaching and looking forward to her marriage to the Middle School Principal. When all that is lost she sets off for what she thought would be a short visit with her Aunt Will, hoping distance and time could help jumpstart the mend her broken heart needed. It’s not very long before she realizes there’s other aspects lost from not having a partner. She misses the sexual intimacy.

And soon this new friendship between Piney and Jesse blossoms into friends with benefits. They mutually agree their sexual needs could be taken care of without the stress of being in love and there'd be no commitments with the added bonus of safe sex!

The romance between Doc Piney and Jesse is wrapped so beautifully around the narrative of Aunt Will that I found it vying for first place. It is gentle, building itself upon many foundations as these two went about everyday life until it breaks through in all its glory.

Aunt Will takes center stage in this story and I completely fell in love with her. This “granny woman” is full of insightful thoughts and wisdom and is very much loved in her hometown. At eighty-five she’s seen and felt her fair share of heartache along with any happiness to be found. She’s spent her life gathering and dispensing her herbal tonics and folk cures along with healthy doses of advice. She’s very warm and caring and one of the things I liked most was her no nonsense ways.

“It’s a point of wisdom to know that life is always going to feel like an uphill grade, even now when you’re on the downhill slope.”…… “It’s best to live in the here and now, Piney,” she told him. “And wring all the happiness you can find out of what you have.”

And I believe that’s exactly how she lived. There is a mystery surrounding this beautiful lady as well as surprises. One of these is a heart breaker keeping me in a shadow of sadness as I read this book.

The story, the writing, and the characters engaged me from start to finish. We are given a secondary romance between Tree and his girlfriend. Their plight and the decisions they faced had such an unexpected conclusion, but was perfect. The citizens of this town were such a delightful cast and I enjoyed them all. And the big surprise at the end was a shocker for everyone! The only complaint I have is the abrupt ending. I would have loved an epilogue.

This is so much more than a tender love story between Piney and Jesse. Pamela Morsi took me on a journey through the life of these characters and included many of its “twists, turns, detours and unexpected complications.” There are quite a few instances shown of how life happens; where we make plans for the future and then events occur that are out of our control and everything changes. With the realism of this comes both heartache and happiness and that is portrayed very well here.

If you are looking for heart palpitations, sizzling chemistry or intense, detailed love scenes you won’t find it here. What you will find is an absorbing tale of two very real people that find the kind of love that assures pledges, promises and vows along with getting to know the remarkable Aunt Will and gaining bits of her wisdom. This book is filled with lovable, well fleshed characters and dialog. I enjoyed it so very much and now have a huge desire to read more by this author!

A big Thank You to my GR friends Jill and Denise for recommending this author to me! I'm quite anxious to read Marrying Stone and Simple Jess!

4/5 Stars

My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was transported to the deep South, and could easily be sipping sweet tea, sitting on a porch swing, while reading this. It was a sweet tale of family, getting over heartbreak, and finding love in unexpected places. And while there was little in the way of drama, I was totally immersed in this sweet tale.

Jesse has just had her heart broken by what she thought was a fine upstanding man, Greg. The principal of the high school she where she taught earth science. It seems that another caught his eye and he tossed aside a two-year engagement and married someone else. To add insult to injury, right before this switch-up (or switch-down, you decide), Greg picked Jesse to lay-off instead of another teacher because of how it would look if he kept her on instead. So with no job and no fiancée, and no plans Jesse decides to flee Tulsa and visit with her ancient Aunt Will, in the Ozarks of Arkansas.

Aunt Will is a celebrity of sorts in this small, hayseed town. She’s what they call a “granny woman,” someone who dispenses herbs, “yarbs” as they call it, tonics and folk cures. But much more than that, Aunt Will seemed to be the woman the town relied on for cures and advice for all things that ailed them. When Jesse comes to visit, Aunt Will insists that Jesse take “lovesick cure” a putrid smelling poultice that’s applied to the chest every night for six days to cure her heartbreak. This is how she connects to Piney, the town Doc who recognized that horrid smell from his own time with the poultice, much to Jesse’s embarrassment. He’s had experience with heartbreak as well.

This story was told from mainly Jesse and Piney’s POV but other characters also have some time spent on them. Jesse was a likeable main character, someone I sided with from the beginning. How could you not feel for this woman who’s been dumped by her fiancée, so he can up and marry someone else after a two-year engagement? She’s from the big city but is never condescending to her Aunt Will or the others in the small town, and the love and care she shows her old Aunt is touching. Piney is a man every woman would want, responsible, good-looking, and a wonderful father. Every woman, that is, except for his wife who took off long ago. The friendship Jesse strikes up with Piney is innocent enough at first but soon they can’t fight the shared growing attraction.

The Lovesick Cure reeled me in with the promise of romance, but honestly, the history and interactions between all of these characters were just as captivating to me. There was a solid cast of secondary characters, Piney’s teenage son, Tree, and his girlfriend Camryn. And then there’s Aunt Will, and her past life and a couple of intriguing secrets. They all had their own story that you wanted to discover and watch unfold as well. I loved all of Aunt Will’s sage advice handed out with or without tact (mostly without), but hey, sometimes people have to be slapped upside the head to get a point.

This was an engrossing and sweet tale, with a romance that’ll make you say “awww” in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Halequin MIRA for allowing me to read this.

You can find this review and more at The Readers Den.

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that books like The Lovesick Cure are really not my usual fare. I like my drama much more intense, my romance much steamier and the action to be a lot more edgy but they say a change is as good as a rest and I’m happy to report that I really loved this book. It definitely was a change of pace for me and I actually felt myself slowing down, relaxing, savouring every word – normally I do everything at breakneck speed and this book really did calm me. Of course, it made me cry like a baby too!!

So, we have Jesse, a school teacher and fiancé to the principal who suddenly finds herself dumped and fired. She decides to go and stay with Aunt Will her dead father’s relative who lives on a remote subsistence farm in the Ozarks. There Aunt Will subjects her to The Lovesick Cure – a foul smelling poultice that she smears all over her chest which sets hard and practically takes her nipples off when she removes it!!

Jesse meets Piney, a single Dad and physician’s assistant, and the only other recipient of Aunt Will’s Lovesick Cure – this connection makes them laugh, appreciate their attraction for one another and they start a ‘no-strings, definitely-ending, fun while it lasts’ affair. There’s also a beautiful secondary romance between Piney’s teenage basketball hero son, Tree, and a local girl Camryn.

BUT – the heart of the novel is Aunt Will. She’s one of THE most amazing characters I’ve ever read – she made me laugh and she most definitely made me cry. She dispenses ol’ timers wisdom and remedies to just about everyone and the local community hold her in the highest respect. Aunt Will is sick and Jesse decides to stay on longer than she planned and her relationship with Piney intensifies and they both know that heartbreak is just around the corner for them both once more when Jesse goes home.

Piney is also determined that his son doesn’t follow in his footsteps and get his high school girlfriend pregnant and cautions Tree against having sex with his girlfriend, all the time enjoying a passionate sexual relationship with Jesse. I guess this makes him a hypocrite but it’s hard to feel that way about him, he’s such a nice guy. I understand his motivations and I couldn’t help but fall hard for him and think that Jesse was lucky to find someone like him after her traumatic breakup.

So, it’s a beautiful story well told that could so easily have been corny but it just wasn’t. It’s totally character driven and it’s the richness of these characters that grabs you and doesn’t let go until the last word. I felt fully transported to the Ozarks, the reality of life on a subsistence farm, could vividly see all the characters and settings in my mind’s eye and it really did slow me down for a couple of days and took me somewhere I don’t normally go with fiction and I loved every second.

Aunt Will – you’ve been unforgettable.

4 stars contemporary romance

With thanks for the ARC from Harlequin via NetGalley

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 2 out of 5]

10/16/2012 Full Review posted at http://www.2GeekGirlsReviewBooks.com

Some of my favorite books are Pamela Morsi books. So, when I was awarded the ARC for The Lovesick Cure, I was excited. After I read it, I was disappointed. It missed the mark for me on most every category. It isn't the Pamela Morsi I've come to know and if this were the first book I'd read of her, I wouldn't be in any rush to read another.

Overall Rating: 2.9
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 3 / 5 = total of 4
Writer’s Voice = 2.5
Character Development = 3.5
Story Appreciation = 2
Worth the Chili = 2.5 [preorder on Amazon & Barnes and Noble for $6.87]


For some really good Pamela Morsi reads, check out Red's Hot Honky-Tonk Bar or Simple Jess.

+++++++++++++++++++++
ARC on 08/02/2012.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't call this anything other than sweet. It was good to get back to PM's world, as I hadn't been there in awhile. I have always loved her historicals and to me no one does Americana as good as she does. She had moved into the chic-lit genre and left me behind as a reader. That is ok the separation was good. I loved this little romance. There were no sparkling vampires, werewolves or whips and chains. Just a woman and a man trying to find their way back to romance. I could completely identify with the parenting and the teens. It was like they were reading a manuscript of my life currently with my own teen. *sigh* The steam factor was light, but sometimes conversation between Jess and Piney was surprisingly spicy at times. My only niggle was that I wish the love scenes could have been more descriptive and the ending longer. I wanted to know that Jess was happy in her decision in staying put and that her and Piney would never need another Lovesick cure. :-) PS You don't have to read Marrying Stone or Simple Jess first to read this book, but I would read those two, just because they are just such treats.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is not written in what I would call the "traditional romance normally associated with Harlequin.

The maturity and depth of the plot surprised and pleased me, the characters and story-line exceeding my expectations. Well-written - I found no errors - the story of Aunt Will, Jess, Piney, Tree and particularly the growing-up of Camryn is handled sensitively, but without sentimentality. The cultural aspects of life in the Ozarks were interesting and added greatly to my enjoyment.

The love story of Jesse and Piney was excellent and the sex scenes were not too explicit, and all the better for that. The one weak link, in my opinion, is the proposal by Jesse to Piney that they have a no-commitment fling. This smacked of a traditional light romantic plot and had no place in a story of this depth.

I did not expect the twist at the end, which tied up the strands of mystery.

Sadness and good humour abound in this delightful book, encouraging me to invest fully in the lives of the characters.

Highly recommended.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars
This was my first contemporary read by this author, after having loved her historical books. To be honest this one was just not that great for me. The heroine has just had her heart broken and stomped on and to recuperate she goes to her aunt, someone she hasn't seen for a long time. The hero is a single father of a teenager whose heart has also been broken, but that was a long time ago. This book is more about the community than the romance. We have Aunt Will, the hero's son Tree and his girlfriend who is confused and desperate. Then the hero and heroine. They start a casual friends with benefits thing but there is genuine caring between them. I dunno the book just seemed kind of bland to me sometimes.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse Winsloe lost her teaching job and her fiancé and had to go back lives with her mother and stepfather. Her mother propose she takes a vacation. Why not go see her aunt Will in Arkansas ? Jesse hesitate, but when her ex start to talk about her meeting him and his new fiancé for coffee, she knows that it's time to get out of town.

Jesse used to visit the Ozarks when she was younger but her aunt is way older than she remember and now lives in a different home with animals on her property. Her aunt is a former herbalist who became quite kooky in her old days, as proven by the peculiar cure she propose to her niece for her broken heart. Everyone in town is very welcome but it's single dad and doctor's assistant Edwin Baxley, that everyone call Piney, who will be the most helpful for Jesse's self-confidence.

I've always been fascinating (or maybe envious is the word?) with the idea of being home immediately after you clock off work so I love that Piney have an appartment over the clinic. Intrigued by his steampunk bath too! And I love the old-school living of the town. Jesse and Piney have a natural chemistry and I love how the secondary characters allow the readers to see different relationship, like the heroine and her aunt, Piney and his teenage son, and the son and his high school sweetheart (but not a fan of her behavior).

The Lovesick Cure is a sweet story but there's also sad moments along the way but I appreciated the author prepared us to it before it happens.

[willaful · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't been particularly interested in Morsi's contemporary fiction, but when I saw that the main character of this book was named Jesse Winsloe and that it's set in Marrying Stone, of course I had to read it. (Jesse is indeed a descendent of Anthea Winsloe from the wonderful Simple Jess, and Jess's namesake.) Like those books, it's a slightly comic yet warm and intimate depiction of life in the Ozarks.

Jesse sets out to visit her father's Aunt Will in an aimless sort of way; her fiance's marriage to someone else is a great incentive to get out of town, and lack of money from giving up her job doesn't leave many vacation options. Although she doesn't yet realize it, years of molding herself to fit Greg's wishes have left her without a sense of who she is and how she should be living.

Aunt Will is still the local "granny woman" who dispenses yarbs and advice, but she's not as hale as Jesse remembers her -- in fact, she's consulting the local doctor and his physician's assistant, Erwin Baxley, aka Piney. (From a romance reader's point of view, I'm not sure which name is worse. But Piney is what he's called, so get used to it.) Meanwhile, Piney's son, who's known as Tree, is having issues with his long-time girlfriend Camryn -- terrified because Tree will go on to college and she'll be left stuck in Marrying Stone, she's desperately trying to trap him into marriage.

Jesse and Piney are attracted to each other and eventually agree to a no-strings affair. (After Piney catches Jesse taking care of her "needs" in a bathtub.) Since Jesse's just visiting and Piney's had his heart broken twice by the same woman, there's no chance of more. Amusingly, both immediately forget all about the agreement and start acting like they're in a relationship; since they both do it and neither notices, this is cute and sweet rather than angsty.

This isn't a traditional romance, because Jesse and Piney's relationship doesn't get a majority of the page time. Aunt Will's illness is important, and we also spend a lot of time with Tree and with Camryn, who is following a path that helps Jesse recognize her own mistakes. I was a little disappointed in the portrayal of Camryn: she's a really interesting character and could be very sympathetic, despite her behavior but at one point Tree breaks up with her because of manipulative behavior -- go Tree! -- and she doesn't seem at all heartbroken. It made it hard to believe she actually loved him, which we are supposed to believe. Most of the tension of the story comes from worrying about whether Camryn will succeed in her plan; other than that, it's a gentle, thoughtful read. It reminded me of Robyn Carr's books (though I'd say Morsi is the better writer) and I think readers who enjoy those would enjoy this.

(reviewed from e-Arc provided by netGalley)

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I give a 5+ Stars.. I am a big fan of Ms. Morsi's books, but this one was one of my all time favs.

Her characters are always real and relatable. What she created with Aunt Will, make me laugh, cry and feel a warm place in my heart while reading her story.

Is there really a Lovesick cure, well according to Piney Baxley, he was cured and can Jesse Winsloe feel the effect of the 'heartbreak poultice' like Piney did.

Jesse and Piney are attracted to each other in the physical sense, and when Jesse suggests a 'no string attached' relationship, it seemed a good idea, until the heart got involved. With so many 'friends and relative' coming to say their last goodbye's to Aunt Will, it was hard for these two to get some alone time. But time and a little cabin in the Ozark mountains of Alabama, the lovesick cure mends a broken heart and brings a new life to Jesse Winsloe.

[Janga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love Morsi's voice, and I loved going back to Marrying Stone. This is a good book, but it's not the catch-in-the-throat, punch-in-the-heart read that some of her books are.

Full review posted at Just Janga:http://justjanga.blogspot.com/2012/08...

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a broken engagement and being laid off from her job, Jesse Winsloe decides to travel to Arkansas to visit her Aunt Will, a hills woman who is known for her healing abilities. Right away, Aunt Will slaps a smelly heartbreak poultice on Jesse's chest and tells her she has to wear it for six nights. But when Jesse meets Piney Baxley, the local physician's assistant, she begins to feel her heartbreak is just about over.

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be a historical romance like the other books in the series. This book is a contemporary romance set in the Ozark Mountains. But with Aunt Will living in an old cabin, working with roots and herbs to make her medicine, it certainly feels like a historical setting.

The main characters in this story are descendants of characters in the previous books. All of them are engaging, especially Aunt Will. Listening to her tell stories reminds me of listening to my own grandmother. Jesse and Piney are both very likeable. Jesse comes to the Ozarks to get over her broken engagement. She ends up taking care of her elderly aunt with the help of Piney. My rating: 4.5 Stars.

[Nana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesse Winsloe came to Marrying Stone, Ozark, Arkansas with her heart broken. Her fiance dumped her and married another woman. She also lost her job as a teacher (in a school where her ex-fiance was the headmaster). She lived with her old Aunt Will, the former traditional-healer, who tried to help her fixing her broken heart. Funny incident caused by Aunt Will's Lovesick Cure, brought Jesse to meet Piney Baxley, a local physician's assistant, who apparently was the former Aunt Will's Lovesick Cure user too. Piney was a single father whose son, Tree, hooked up with Jesse's relative, Camryn. Jesse, then, had an affair with Piney.

Jesse never expected before that living in a small town could be this interesting. But what would Jesse do next, after she found out that her heart had already cured? Would she stay or go to her real life?

This book is such an entertaining and thoughtful book to read. I didn't expect that this book would be like this when I decided to request it in NetGalley. I thought it would be more romance but it turned out to be focusing more on family matters rather than romance. But not that it's bad. It's actually what makes me love this book more. The story wasn't shallow at all and the characters were lovable and unique. It really brings something new to me.

Aunt Will totally owned the book as everything is centered to her. She's such a quirky and smart old woman and I feel like I want her to be my grandma. If there is a Book Boyfriend List, now I want to make a Book Grandma List and put her name only on the list. It's good to see her relationship with all the other main characters: Jesse, Piney, Tree, and Camryn. Yes, I consider all 5 of them (including Aunt Will) as main characters of this book since all of their stories are the focus of this book. I also like Tree. He might be only 17 but he's so mature and I love him so much for being so responsible to his dad and also his girlfriend, Camryn. And the last basketball match scene.. OMG I can't love him more!!

This book has a great story, but I found that some part of it a bit boring. Sometimes I found so many descriptions that could be made shorter to avoid boredom, like about Jesse's daily activities in Onery Cabin and Camryn's anxiety. I also expected for more romance scene between the main characters, and at least a more romantic ending but I didn't get that in this book.

Also posted on my blog: http://readinginthemorning.blogspot.c...

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

Reading of The Lovesick Cure was very special for me for two major reasons; one, so far, I haven’t read any of PM’s contemporaries. I picked this one because the blurb reminded me so much of Marrying Stone series, which is the reason number two. I have to admit in both regard, I’m very happy. This book was beautiful, both in characterization and in plotting, along with the narratives. But then, I know PM can deliver it all! The Lovesick Cure Cure was a phenomenal read, along with loads of nostalgia.

If you haven’t yet read the series, I highly recommend it! Even though The Lovesick Cure can be read as a standalone, my suggestion would be that you read the first two books before delving into this one. In this story, PM takes us back to the contemporary Marrying Stone of the Ozark Mountains and let us meet the descendents of our favorite characters. WOW but I felt equally sad and happy reading about them as shadows of the past. Every time they were mentioned I couldn’t hold back a squeal of happiness and then, shedding some tears, just knowing that they aren’t here with us anymore. It’s like I traveled back and forth 100 years, looking at the lives that were lived in the same place but in a very different time. Time hadn’t changed much, or at least, the mentions of those places we’ve already visited in Marrying Stone and Simple Jess, to me, remained the same. I say descendants because the main character, Aunt Will, is the granddaughter of Meggie and Roe. Meggie’s elder brother Jesse’s wife Althea’s son from her first marriage, Paisley, married Meggie’s daughter Edith, and their first born is Wilhelmina or Will. She’ll remind you a lot of Granny Piggott. The life in the mountains taught wisdom and experiences that lived on through Will, who became Aunt Will to everyone in time. This book, to me, wasn’t an out and out Romance. This was more of a book of life stories, and the main character definitely was Aunt Will, the last Granny Woman of Yarbing and Healing of this side of the mountains. Comparing the greatness of her personality, other characters only come as secondary. Still, I admired DuJess or Jesse, who was named after our own Jesse. Erwin Jr. or Piney, the doc’s PA and our hero, was an easygoing, charming guy, who took life’s difficulties in stride and made the best out of whatever he has got. Piney is also Eben’s great grandson, so I knew he’d be at least very handsome, if not a lady killer. Well, the poor guy was sort of down on luck on the romance part but overall, he was very sweet.

As the story starts, we find Jesse heartbroken. Her fiancé of 8 yrs. and a veritable jerk, the headmaster of middle school where she was teaching earth science before she got laid off (thanks to the jerk again!), just dumped her, upped and married another woman because he suddenly thought he was ‘in love’ with her. The jerk was selfish, and manipulated Jesse to do things to make his way and reputation smooth in the community, one, was to let Jesse go from her job when the recent job cut was going on. He convinced her that she should start planning on the marriage and the kids rather than working. There are also other craps that I don’t feel like discussing but all in all, the man was a total loser. At times, from Jesse’s narratives or musings, I couldn’t believe she let herself be manipulated by this jerk for such a long time and did nothing at all when he dumped her. This made me think that Jesse was weak willed. I was so mad, I couldn’t believe that she had sex with him. I know, it’s weird and they were in a relationship but still... the man, who was only seen in the beginning for a very short time (thank God!), was just... ugh!! He was very oblivious (as per Jesse’s musing) of the kind of heartbreak he has caused to her. And Jesse thought she was in love? Eye-roll, anyone? So, to hide somewhere from the prying and pitying eyes of the people around her, Jesse was looking for a break. Her mother suggests that she visit Aunt Will in the Mountains.

Now, Jesse remembers Aunt Will but so far, she is a bit clueless about her relationship with the old woman. Once she thought she’s her grandmother’s sister, the other time... it’s just confusing. Then again, the whole mountain can be called her relatives due to the fact that people intermarried many times over the years, as Jesse finds out soon enough. Jesse’s father, McNees or Mac, who was from the mountains, passed away a long time ago when she was young. Mac is also buried in the Marrying Stone. Jesse misses him a lot and remembers visiting Aunt Will a long time ago with him. When she returns this time, things seem different. Aunt Will doesn’t live in her house anymore. It’s taken over by a woman called Marcy and her teenage, punk daughter, Camryn. Marcy, a single mother, runs a health food shop. In this shop is where Jesse begins to realize the extent of relatives she’s got all over the mountains. Everyone is either her this cousin or that. Even Camryn is her cousin. Hallelujah! Marcy then directs Jesse to high up on the mountains, to the Onery Cabin, where Aunt Will has been living for sometimes now. Onery or Henry was Meggie’s father who built this cabin. In the rough hewn cabin, Jesse finally sees Aunt Will. She’s gotten older, frailer and lives with an ugly looking (face distorted by some injury) dog called Lily June. Why she was named Lily June has a hilarious story that Aunt Will tells us in later. Anyway, Jesse is very happy to see this old woman and yet, a bit startled by her frailty. Aunt Will tells her she was expecting her and was worried about her well-being. You’ll get to see more of Aunt Will’s psychic powers all over the book, though she never acknowledged that she had any power of any sort. It remains almost as much a mystery as her own life.

Soon we meet Piney too. He has been burned by love twice, by one woman, his ex-wife. She was an addict and left him twice, just like that. Piney is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. When he’s in love, he shows it unlike many men. His fatherhood came really early in life when he got his ex pregnant at 19. He married her, gave up his dream of being a doctor just to take care of his son when the woman left. Piney was a great father without a doubt and adorable too. Tree, his son, is now 17 (that makes Piney, like 37?). Tree is also build like a tree, at 6’ 6’’ to Piney’s own 6 plus height. He is the star of the local basketball team and hence, the heartthrob of the school he’s in. But Tree is unlike most teenagers. He’s matured for his age, a respectful boy who can amazingly tell the right from the wrong, most of the times anyway. And, OMG, he listens to his father as well. But unfortunately, that can’t be said about Camryn, his girlfriend of 4 yrs. Hmm, don’t ask but they’ve been going out since 8th grade. Eye-roll, anyone? Camryn, in one word, is self-centered. Always thinking about herself. A part of the story heavily revolves around Tree and Camryn’s relationship, alongside Jesse and Piney’s when the time came. But I think, Tree-Camryn’s relationship got the upper hand for me because of all the teenage drama, and my eye rolling with that.

Anyway, Piney wants Tree to get a sport scholarship and go out of the mountains to see more of life. Even though Piney took the PA training somewhere else, he returned to work in Marrying Stone. Going out of the mountains was his choice, as was returning to the community in time. Just like any father, Piney wants a better life for his son. He doesn’t want his dreams to shatter, like his own did. So, Piney isn’t really happy about Camryn. And he doesn’t want Tree to start having sex yet. The father and son scenes were very enjoyable as they were more like friends and talked about almost anything with each-other. But Camryn wants Tree to be bound to her, and to do that, she thinks she needs to have sex with him. There’s also the peer pressure of losing virginity. Oh, the drama! So she creates a lot of trouble for Tree, who understood his father’s points and was trying hard to abide by those, even when Camryn would throw herself at him, trying to seduce his one way or the other. At one point, I felt like slapping her because she knew this is what Piney wants. She saw Tree’s father as a barrier to their happily-ever-after. *eye-roll galore* But, in the end, what saved me was that she, and Tree, both realized that life gives you choices but it’s up to you to utilize those at your best, thanks to Aunt Will.

Yes, everyone in the whole mountain loves and respects that woman to bits. Jesse begins familiarizing herself with her surroundings and the lifestyle of a farm. She is the city bred girl but her mountain genes kicks in as she learns the ways of maintaining a farm soon enough with Aunt Will’s directions. Then there was the lovesick cure, a smelly gooey mix that was one of Aunt Will’s specialty to cure any kind of heartaches. It took me quite a while to get the scheme behind the mix and its application but I laughed when I got it. That woman was something I tell you! This is what, also, brought our H and h together. One day, they hike down the mountains and into the main community to see the doc. There’s this Egyptian doc, Doc Mo, who comes down once a week to check in on the serious cases. But most of the times, it’s Piney who handles everything around here. Aunt Will just only informs Jesse that she has an appointment with the doctor. Jesse doesn’t know what’s wrong. Then, the smell of the lovesick cure, which doesn’t go away for a long time (oh Good Lord, I can’t imagine being smelly like that lol), gets to Piney while he was making introductions. It wasn’t the best kind of introduction mind you, not at all when the woman is very attractive and you just might be interested in her, but Piney bungles through it. Sort of that is. To make it up, Piney tells her exactly why he’s also familiar with this thingy. As her checkups went on, we get to learn that Aunt Will is very ill and dying. It just makes you so sad because there was no cure for her illness. Aunt Will knew it too, but didn’t want to tell Jesse. She asks both Piney and Doc Mo to maintain the secret, citing that she doesn’t want the little time she has with Jesse to be ruined because of this. So far, Jesse was visiting for a little time, a week or two. She gets to know more people and more stories of the past from Aunt Will, where the mentions of Meggie, Jesse and the others come in. My nostalgia kicked in like no other, making me depressed at times.

Everybody around here knows that Aunt Will has been a bit notorious on her own, but because she was headstrong and strong-willed unlike many of her era. There were also mysteries surrounding her life and her work as a healing woman. But Aunt Will smiled and moved on to the next story full of memories that contains a hidden insight behind it. They knew that she’d been married twice, without any children. But she took care of MacNees as a kid. The whole thing was vague to the people of this generation. But that never mattered to the most of them. To those it did, they are all dead and gone by now. We get to see more of Tree and Camryn and their teenage angst. I already mentioned that I really liked Tree but Camryn? Not much. So when the teenager is grounded by her mom, she comes to stay with Jesse and Aunt Will and work with them. A helping hand is always welcomed in a farm.

Soon, Jesse begins to realize that Aunt Will isn’t doing very well. When her treatment of the lovesick cure (finally!) ends, Jesse takes up Piney’s offer of having a thorough bath on his bathtub. Camryn also wanted to go back so she and Camryn hike down to the community and to the doc’s office. This is the same house that Mavis’s (Piney’s great grandmother) family used to live once upon a time and had a store. Piney converted the whole downstairs into the doctor’s chamber, alongside other medical facilities. He and Tree live upstairs. As Tree and Camryn leave together, Jesse gets down to the business. Piney was downstairs working and Tree was supposed to have informed him that Jesse was upstairs bathing, which he didn’t. So typical! What happenes next wasn’t wholly unexpected but crazy nonetheless. Piney happens upon Jesse accidentally and....................... ok, just to tell you I actually enjoyed it until the next scene. Piney tries to be very nice and calm with Jesse about the whole thing. They go to the Marrying Stone (the same stone from where in the past couple’s used to jump to announce their intentions) and talk about it. One thing leads to another, and the talk unavoidably turns to sex. Then, out of the blue, both decide that a f*ck buddy arrangement would be the best for them to ‘get over’ their troubles. They jump into bed just afterwards for an afternoon of sex. I didn’t like this, at all. I was hoping that their interaction would be more passionate, a kiss, a little fondling... a little yearning from both sides and maybe a little impulsiveness. I don’t know, I was hoping for something hot and not this cold, calculating arrangement. For me, this killed the romance part between Jesse and Piney. I didn’t really get over it. I didn’t even feel the romance or love or whatever... Nothing. I just didn’t feel the intensity anywhere.

As Piney escorts Jesse back to Onery Cabin, they find Aunt Will out of the house, completely delusional. She was talking about someone named Granby and that she’s supposed to be meeting him. Ah, I had a heart clench as I knew this must be someone from her past. Jesse is shocked. When she regains her consciousness, Piney asks Aunt Will to confide in Jesse. This time, she concurs. Before taking his leave, Piney explains to Jesse since Aunt Will’s liver isn’t functioning to the max, the leftover ammonia is corrupting her bloodstream. He gives Jesse some instructions as to how to take care of her. Jesse by now knows that Aunt Will is dying. She makes hasty changes in her plan. She’s staying, however long it takes. As the time pass by, Aunt Will also begins to open up about her illness and as the words get out, the whole mountain broke out on her doorstep. Every single soul... some shocked, some saddened, some in utter disbelief. Even the kids like Tree and Camryn couldn’t think that they would have to live without her. But Aunt Will assures them one by one, with her usual grace, that she’s not afraid and ready move onto the afterlife. Instead, she spoke about her own life in hints. She spoke of those dead and gone mountain folks she used to know. So many stories and memories to pass onto the next generation...

After this, the reading becomes quite tough. It becomes hard to carry on without your eyes welling up in tears. It’s not something to enjoy, observing a dying woman making her last goodbyes and juggling along her fatal illness. Aunt Will would lose her awareness more often in time, and sometimes some truths of her past would slip out, making Jesse wonder about their true meaning. I loved how people helped out Jesse and Aunt Will, showing their love and respect together as a community. This is what love means actually. You feel the whole thing in your heart. You observe as Aunt Will, even in her ever worsening condition, would inquire after everyone who stopped by. That whole emotion is just not possible to express unless you read it yourself. I tell you, it was very hard. I didn’t really think about Jesse and Piney’s romance or whatever they could muster in between. You can’t really have a romantic relationship when you’re faced with the harsher truths of life. Their romance was the only one unsatisfactory side for me and it would really bug me if I didn’t love the story itself. But Aunt Will was very hopeful about Piney and Jesse’s relationship. She already knew what was going on, encouraged them even, making both flush in embarrassment. This reminds me, once, Piney got caught by Tree and the scene that ensues was hilarious. The father was now on the offense, after giving numerous lectures on the evil of no strings attached sex. *snorts*

The last day of Aunt Will’s life was the most painful to read. Why, I won’t tell and it’s not only because of the obvious happening. It was heart wrenching for numerous reasons, one was that I was closer to the fact of hers and Jesse’s real relationship. Well, I suspected as much but even then, when her will was read, it shocked everyone including me. Jesse herself had no idea what to think of this. Her musings later on honestly made me sadder. So, I did admire Jesse for everything she did for Aunt Will and Piney for being a steady stream of support and a shoulder for her to lean onto.

When I finished, I kept thinking of the lineage and the old characters because the full truth wasn’t as visible as I’ve mentioned in the beginning of my review but scattered. As if Aunt Will was giving us clues... so typical of her!

I also think our Jesse never had any kids. :(

4.5 stars. This story will be with me for a long time to come.


PS: I asked Pam about Tree and Camryn’s book. She confirmed that she has ideas about their story but they need to grow up a bit. She told me that someday.... Well, I, for one, would never tire of going back to the Marrying Stone, no matter the era.

This ARC was provided to me by Harlequin/MIRA via netgalley which didn’t influence my review and rating in any way.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess plasters a big fake smile on her face as she repeatedly reassures everyone she is so happy for her ex-fiancé and his new wife. The truth is deep inside she is not okay, she is heart sick. How could Greg after eight years abandon her and break their engagement? Jess needs to escape. She was recently laid off from her teaching job, by her ex-fiancé, and with no wedding and no job life is depressing. Quickly, Jess plans to visit her aging Aunt Will in the Ozarks. Some time away will do her good. Aunt Will has a sure fire cure for the lovesick. It is a smelly poultice that must be worn overnight for six days. The stink is unbearable, and worse, Aunt Will lives in a basic cabin with no bath or shower. Before Jess knows it, she is settling into life in the small Arkansas town, and she is slowly forgetting her heartbreak. Piney, the local Physician's Assistant, helps out as the two formulate their own cure for lovesickness. What Jess doesn't expect is for life to deal another heartbreaking blow. Can Jess find a way to cure her broken heart?
What I Liked:
*I am always a fan of sweet, simple stories set in small towns where everyone knows everyone and all their business. It makes for a nice cozy read. Ms. Moris presents us with a secluded settlement in the Ozarks. It is a tight knit community that welcomes Jess with open arms. If you adore books with a small town feel, this is a fun one. Especially since it is a bit different than your normal small town as there is a bit of a rustic, hillybilly type feel, lots of sage advice and a bit of superstition. I could tell that plenty of research went into this book.
*At the heart of this sheltered settlement in the Ozarks is Aunt Will. She is an aging herbalist who is special and adored by all the townsfolk. I absolutely fell in love with Aunt Will. She is funny, intelligent, full of wisdom and just one of those type of people you want to spend an afternoon with drinking tea and learning her history. I would recommend reading this book just to meet Aunt Will as she is awesome! I truly admired her!
*I was expecting this book to have a sweet, charming romance that dominated the plot, but it doesn't. Now don't get me wrong, there is a romance but it is not the main focus. I was happy to discover that this book explored many different story lines and it had a lot to offer. The romance itself, though is fun and different. I liked how Piney and Jess cooked up their own cure for lovesickness and the frank discussions the two have regarding sex, especially after Piney catches Jess in a bit of a compromising position in his bathtub. I was a bit surprised by the candid sex talk the two had, and I loved it. I cannot go into details here as I would spoil it, but it is really funny.
*One of the side stories involves Piney's son, Tree, and his girlfriend, Camryn. the two are seniors in high school with their whole futures ahead. Tree's is bright as he hopes to play college basketball, while Cammi is struggling to find her future outside of the small town. Unfortunately for Cammi, she is feeling trapped and she is absolutely terrified of losing Tree. She endeavors to ensure her place in Tree's future but it ultimately back fires. I liked watching the two teens trying to find their way as they set out on the path to adulthood. I especially liked how maturely Tree handled himself, and laughed when he had to be the adult and confront his dad about the very thing he was always preaching to Tree about. He is wise beyond his years.
*This book has a bit of heart break as well. I was sad as the events unwound, and I dreaded coming to the part where I knew I would shed a tear, it is sad, but it is also a feel good story. I liked that this book was able to elicit a range of emotions. Be prepared to laugh and cry with this one.
*When I picked this up, I had no idea it was the third book in The Marrying Stone Series. I was relieved to find that this is a companion novel in that it takes place in the same small community but the main characters are different from the previous two installments. You can read this as a stand alone and not worry about not having read the other two books in the series.
And The Not So Much:
*The book opens after Jess' heartbreak. I never had a clear understanding of exactly what went down with her breakup. Her fiancé meets someone else and abruptly dumps Jess and marries the new girl, but there is very little detail on how the events played out. I felt a little loss as far as this goes, and I wanted to know a bit more about on the events that led up to the break up.
*I was curious about the other Jess in the community. Jess' nickname amongst the town folk is DuJess which translates as Jess Two. Aunt Will explains that she was given that name as there was a Jess before her, I never found out more about this and I was left scratching my head and wondering.
*At the end, there is a startling revelation regarding Aunt Will, and I felt that it was a bit glossed over. I wanted a bit more explanation and understanding on this angle. I would liked to know more about Jess's dad and his relationship with Aunt Will.

The Lovesick Cure is a nice cozy, contemporary read with genuine characters and small town charm. It is light on the steamy romance aspect and focuses more on real people dealing with normal every day problems which I liked. The star of the book is the sage Aunt Will. Pick this one up if you are looking for a sweet way to while away a winter afternoon.

Favorite Quotations:
"Trouble is what family is all about."
"It's a point of wisdom to know that life is always going to feel like an uphill grade, even when you're on the downhill slope."
"A woman needs to live a single life before she can appreciate a married one. It is no sacrifice to give up freedom you never had."
"Did the girl go after him? That's what I would have done. And when I found him, I'd slap his face and tell him, You don't break up with me, I break up with you!"
"The point of the story is that only the very foolish try to control other people. It's hard enough, with your hands free, to dodge what life throws at you. It's impossible if you're tending to a puppet on a string."
"It's funny the distinction from being 'stuck' in a place and choosing to call it home. It's exactly the same location. The difference is inside yourself."
"I'm an ordinary ham and eggs woman, making my way through life as best as I can."
"I was told that building a lasting foundation for a relationship is like the development of sedimentary rock. Slowly, slowly, layer by layer, in time and under pressure."

I borrowed a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@ Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was like coming home . all the familiar characters from Simple Jess and the Marrying stone came home.. like a wonderful meal that fills you up this book did it for me..

Thank you Thank you

[Gaufre · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some things I didn't like about this book, but I LOVED the teenagers, how they behaved, talked to each other and their relationship with the adults.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse Marie Winsloe was named for her famous ancestor Jesse, is broken hearted and has no fiance and no job. She decides to leave Tulsa to spend some time with her Aunt Will who lives in the Ozarks in Arkansas, whom she hasn't seen in quite some time. Upon her arrival, she finds Aunt Will is older than she remembers and has retreated to living on a mountain in a ramshackle cottage with limited access, and is welcomed with open arms. What she discovers in her time there will change her forever.

Pamela Morsi's first book, a historical romance set in the mountains, was published in 1990, and has had a book or two released every year, except for 2001. She has since segued into writing women's fiction. Having read all of her back list, I was ecstatic when I started this book and found out it most of it took place where many of her historical romances took place, albeit in a modern setting. There were passing references to descendants, events, couples, and places I had read of before It felt like taking a surprise trip to visit old friends. It was great to hear them again as Aunt Will and other people visiting her told Jesse about her family history.

This book had me smiling and laughing, hot and bothered, and emotionally entangled. There was so much going on and I loved it. Besides Aunt Will and Jesse, I loved Piney Baxley, Jr., Tree, and Camryn. Camryn and Tree faced issues that most teenagers face, but I was impressed at how they were guided into making their own choices, and good ones at that. The geographical knowledge and amount of medical information in this book also added another layer of depth. I learned quite a bit, which was surprising. I only wish there had been more about Aunt Will and Granby. I don't recall reading about them in any of Ms. Morsi's books.

Loving Ms. Morsi's books as I do, and having read almost all of her back list, you'd think I'd stop being surprised every time I finished a book by her, I was left wanting more. Her unique writing style makes her books a no brainer choice. Prepare to be moved when you read this book or any other by her!

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon]

I really wanted to love this book. Needless to say, I didn't. It had potential but it didn't really live up to it for me.

The best part about this book was the one liners and the quotes from Aunt Will. I didn't make it past the first line of Chapter 13 so maybe the story developed into something interesting and remarkable but it didn't work for me.

I like my heroines to have feelings. Jess seemed passive, emotionally stunted and too stuck in her own head for me to feel anything for her. She was like Tofu. Easily shaped and formed into what someone else wanted without any flavor of her own. I was pained when I had to read anything from her point of view.

I really liked Piney and his relationship with his son, Tree, and the townspeople. He, though a self-professed "never say love/I do" again kind of guy, is exactly that you want in a man. Thoughtful, intelligent, kind and just plain consistent. He loves his son and wants the best for him and lord knows it hard to be around teens, nevermind raising them, and through his son you get a better glimpse of Piney as a man.

Aunt Will, well she is the star of this book. Old, wizened and just plain ol' clever as hell. She's what the old folk would call a Wise Woman and in the Ozarks she's called a Granny Woman. Either way, if there's a problem emotionally or physically, Aunt Will is the one to call. Through her you see a different side of faith and belief. You also see fortitude and love.

I didn't enjoy the sudden POV switch to Camryn and Tree. While I like Tree and wanted to know about his story, I didn't need to read about it from a POV that was not from the main characters. I skipped over this part and seriously didn't think I missed that much.

Anyway, if you like slow as molasses story building, tofu like heroines and lots of info dumping about rocks and medicine, then you'll love this book.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted to see that this book is tied to some of Morsi's early historicals. It was wonderful to be back in the setting of Marrying Stone, this time in contemporary days. I liked the set up for the story, with Jesse having been jilted for another woman by her fiance and Piney living alone for years after his wife left him. I thought that Jesse and Piney were meant for one another and enjoyed their interactions. I was saddened by the illness of Aunt Will, but really enjoyed the other aspects of the story. Morsi is always able to create characters that I love, and this time Tree was one of my favorites.

Jesse Winsloe has lost her job and been dumped by her fiance, who suddenly married another woman. She goes to her late father's family in the Arkansas Ozark town of Marrying Stone, where she stays with her family's Aunt Will. Jesse hasn't spent time with this part of her family in many years, so it is a very different experience for her. She is dismayed to find that Aunt Will's health is failling, and she tries to help around the cabin and make herself useful. While in Marrying Stone, she meets the local physician's assistant, Piney Baxley, and is very attracted to him. The two believe that they can have a no strings attached relationship, but soon find that their feelings run deeper.

Jesse and Piney were characters that I found very sympathetic and easy to like. I enjoyed the storyline of the book, except for Aunt Will's progressing illness. I loved the references to earlier books, Simple Jess and Marrying Stone. I felt that the residents of Marrying Stone were sometimes portrayed as a little too backwoods for current times, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: The Lovesick Cure - Pamela Morsi-August 2012
Imagine one day having everything you want , a good job teaching a subject you are passionate about e.g for Jessie it's Earth Science and being engaged and planning your wedding to the school Principal. Then a few months later , you have lost not only your job but also your fiancé has replaced you with a new bride and to make matters worse , you live in a small-town.
This was now the prospect of Jessie Winsloe's life , she had no job and no fiancé and living in a small-town where everybody knew everyone's business. Needing to escape from reality, Jessie decides to visit her Aunt Will in Ozark County. Here, her Aunt Will is known as the Yarb Doctor, forever making potions and herbs to heal people. When Jessie arrives with her heart-broken, her Aunt makes her a lovesick potion. Not expecting it to work, Jessie goes along with her Aunt's craziness. Enter the "real" Dr Piney , with his son growing up and starting a new life with girlfriends, he too is feeling a bit lovesick. When Jessie and Dr. Piney meet and things start to go well and in Jessie's eyes a bit too well , is the Lovesick cure actually working or is it real love ? The Lovesick cure is a book that shows readers that with a dash of confidence, sexiness and attraction anyone can land the guy they want. The Lovesick Cure is a nice, light-hearted and fun novel that will have the readers believing that somewhere out there true love does really exist

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book tell the story of Jess whose heartache bought her to Aunt Will. It was at the mountain that Jess begin her journey of recovery with the help from her aunt. Aunt Will is an independent lady who lots aof people admire and some rejected her. Through Aunt will, Jess begin to learn about herself and soon, she begin a relationship with Piney, the local Doctor. However, there were things that Aunt Will is hiding from everyone including Jess which will give a shock to the villagers and to Jess especially.

The main character of the book is Aunt will and Jess. I like Aunt Will very much who is independent and well respected by others although some of the villagers hated her for whatever reason that is only been revealed at the end of the book. I like the fact that Aunt Will gets away from the harsh words that she utters to others and the way others are hanging on to her words. She seems to be the modern version of a witch which is able to know the truth and the future. I was rather surprise with the secret that Aunt Will is but it was nicely done by the author and i m glad to read about it as it somehow sound like a closure for Aunt Will.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from RomanceJunkies and I liked it alot.I have always loved the Ozarks and the way of life that mountain people have.
Jesse,aka DuJess, is unemployed and just dumped by her fiance so her life is Tulsa is not what she needs. So her Mom suggests she go see her Aunt Will,kin from her Dad's family,to get away for awhile and rethink her life. She doesn't realize that she will end up on a mountaintop and have to learn to take care of chickens and hogs and milk a Cow. She finds solace talking to her Aunt Will and getting to know all of the kin she has in Marrying Stone township. Kinfold mean alot in the mountains.
Jess finds a companion in Piney,the town P.A. and decides to have an affair with him. She is getting into her life when she finds out what Aunt Will has been hiding from everyone. That she has liver failure and is not long for this world.
This is a sad and funny and life affirming story that will make you laugh and tear-up and enjoy the revelations of a healer who has lived a good long life.
The ending is sort of what I thought it would be and helps to make everything ok.

[Addicted to Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Pamela Morsi, I think you do a fantastic job of writing old school sweet romances. I can't begin to say how much I loved Simple Jess.

Jesse has been dumped by her fiance and heads off to stay with her Aunt Will. She works hard like a farm girl and eventually will come to take care of Aunt Will. To help her cope with her broken heart, Aunt Will gives her love sick cure.

Piney is the town's physician's assisant who has a nerdy sense of humor and is very responsible and is attracted to Jesse. His ex wife has walked out of him twice and has a son by the nickname of Tree.

Other Story Lines : Tree and Cammy , Tree, Piney's son is at odds about bringing his relationship to the next level with Cammy.

Why I Loved the book : I teared up quite a bit towards last 30% of the book. Aunt Will is a sweet lady and how she binds the whole town together is amazing. She is the local celebrity.

There are a few authors out there who can make a beta hero appealing, add in ingredients and characters to support the story throughout to entertain and warm our hearts . All characters have various dimensions and depth to them.

Well Done, Ms Morsi!

[Quirky Omega · Rating 3 out of 5]

After going through a tough breakup and seeing her ex with a new woman, Jesse decides she needs some time off (not that there's any lack of it, what with she was conveniently let off from her job as a teacher at the school where her ex happily works as the principal) and decides to go and visit her old Aunt Will.

At Marrying Stone mountain, Aunt Will is clearly not well and her advanced age is no consolation. While trying to care for her aunt, Jesse falls into an easy and liberating relationship with Piney. The story also has the romance of Piney's son and his girlfriend (who happens Jesse's niece).

The book has multiple story lines and can't be termed as typical chick lit. We get to be a part of the lives of a community and Jesse's romance is a very small part of the actual book. It is Piney's son's relationship that held my greatest interest.

Its a heartbreaking and simultaneously heartwarming story. If anybody's planning to read it thinking it is an out and out romance, then I'll warn you; pick something else.

[Lori ◡̈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first contemporary romance novel that I have read from start to finish. It was very well done, although it focused a lot of the teenage son and his (rather bitchy, yet realistic) girlfriend. I would have loved to see the two main characters more often. I felt it was awkward when the main hero and heroine would talk so bluntly about being horny. It seemed to have happened so quickly in their relationship too... but maybe it's just because I am used to only reading historical romances and the dirty talk is handled differently I guess. The other part that I thought was odd, was how the old Aunt Willa was left to just pass away at home without any medical help. I can't imagine that that would really happen, she had to have needed pain meds at the very end with all of the symptoms she displayed in her last 24 hours. Other than that, it was a good story, just not very "romantic".

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book through Netgalley and I couldn't have been happier to read it.

Jesse once had it all. A great job, a fiancee, her own independence. After losing her job AND her fiancee, her parents suggest she visit relatives in a backwoods country town. Figuring she needs the time away, and really, she has nothing else to do, she goes.

I Marrying Stone people believe the old tales and still see the little old lady who is known for her homemade remedies. Enter Jesse's aunt.

While working the land, finding herself, and a gentleman friend in the form of the physican's assistant Piney, along the way, Jesse finds out secrets from her family and how sometimes things happen for a reason.

This book is sweet, heavy on the bonds of family and community, and an all around great read!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I would like this book or not, but after the first paragraph I was hooked. It was a smart, funny, sexy, touching book. The characters were complex, interesting, and realistic. I was afraid when the teenaged characters and their relationship showed up in the plot line that it would ruin the story between the main characters, but it did not. It was handled smartly, the younger characters weren't dumbed down or used as plot moppets to move the story itself along.
I could tell that Jesse was more to her Aunt than just a niece, there was a lot of foreshadowing, but not so much that it took away fromt he story itself for me.
All in All, this was a good book. I liked it, I will add it to my keeper shelves and seek out other works by this author.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jesse Winsloe loses her job & her fiancee she wants to run away for a while. She runs to her Aunt Will who as the perfect Lovesick Cure, it doesn't smell to pretty but in six nights suppose to make her forget all about her lost love. In the midst she meets handsome Physician Assist Piney Baxley, who is busy taking care of the mountains sick, and raising a teenage son. Jesse & Piney come up with their own cure for the love sick, will it turn into a love everlasting.
This was a great book full of laughter and tears.

[Laura Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done, Pam Morsi!

The hill people were depicted with love and a soft brush -- dispelling the cliched Hillbilly tag.
The central character, Aunt Will, was a wonderful, powerful character. No spoilers, but I cried at the end!

The love story was well done, yet different. The secondary characters were well-rounded and real.

Forgive me, I don't repeat the plots in my reviews - put pick this one up - you won't be disappointed!