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The Yard Sale
A message from the main character, Jennifer Riley:
Ever have a yard sale? I hadn’t. Not until I desperately needed cash. I had lost my really good job due to the recession, and my husband had left me for another woman. That’s not all. The bank foreclosed on my house. Let’s just say I was broke.
I had to make enough money at my yard sale to finance a trip to New Orleans where I hoped a new job and a fresh start awaited me.
What I didn’t know was that my yard sale would become legendary and change my life forever.
People are still talking about it in Clayburn, Mississippi. If you want to know what really happened that unforgettable Saturday, read my story.
By the way, here are a few of my tips for having a memorable yard sale:
•Early Birds do arrive at dawn, so be ready.
•Hire Buddy to fix the karaoke machine and turn your front lawn into Woodstock 2012.
•Have Gail send the pest control man across the street where the competition is having a sale, too.
•Stand up to Tightwads. How can someone ask you if you’ll take less than a quarter? Seriously.
•Let a kid named Bucky Sue wow the customers by singing just like Loretta Lynn.
•Try not to make a fool of yourself when Prince Charming arrives.
•Most importantly, realize some things are worth keeping.
Ever have a yard sale? I hadn’t. Not until I desperately needed cash. I had lost my really good job due to the recession, and my husband had left me for another woman. That’s not all. The bank foreclosed on my house. Let’s just say I was broke.
I had to make enough money at my yard sale to finance a trip to New Orleans where I hoped a new job and a fresh start awaited me.
What I didn’t know was that my yard sale would become legendary and change my life forever.
People are still talking about it in Clayburn, Mississippi. If you want to know what really happened that unforgettable Saturday, read my story.
By the way, here are a few of my tips for having a memorable yard sale:
•Early Birds do arrive at dawn, so be ready.
•Hire Buddy to fix the karaoke machine and turn your front lawn into Woodstock 2012.
•Have Gail send the pest control man across the street where the competition is having a sale, too.
•Stand up to Tightwads. How can someone ask you if you’ll take less than a quarter? Seriously.
•Let a kid named Bucky Sue wow the customers by singing just like Loretta Lynn.
•Try not to make a fool of yourself when Prince Charming arrives.
•Most importantly, realize some things are worth keeping.
30 pages, ebook
First published April 20, 2012
11 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Ann Preston
3 books11 followersPlease note: I have recently updated all my short stories and published them under the name Patricia Preston on Amazon. They have new covers as well. Goodreads has some kind of policy that I can't change the covers and author name, so that is why this page still exists.
Please send me friend requests at Patricia Preston.
For more information about my available titles, go to http://www.patriciapreston.blogspot.com Thanks!
Please send me friend requests at Patricia Preston.
For more information about my available titles, go to http://www.patriciapreston.blogspot.com Thanks!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 21, 2018
Fun
Cute fun read! Would love to go to a yard sale like this one ! The characters are likeable and fun. The moral of the story was great!
Cute fun read! Would love to go to a yard sale like this one ! The characters are likeable and fun. The moral of the story was great!
April 24, 2012
This quick, fun read is full of quirky characters and, as the series title states, down-home humor. I enjoyed snippets of the next book in this series on Preston's blog some time ago, and had been looking forward to reading more of her brand of Southern humor. Yard Sale, while not as laugh-out-loud funny as I'd expected, delivered an enjoyable diversion and an unexpected, touching message. Well worth purchasing if you're a fan of Southern humor (like Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia).
May 4, 2012
This was a delightful, charming, heartwarming slice-of-life story. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, as well as all of the characters who were part of the yard sale.
August 5, 2025
Patricia Preston's The Yard Sale is a delightful, quick read perfect for a pilfered moment of down time. At about 9,000 words, it is the literary equivalent of that perfectly brewed cup of coffee – invigorating and satisfying without taking much time to invest.
The premise is simple: Jennifer Riley, given the double whammy of marital meltdown, foreclosure, and loss of employment, thinks a yard sale is the ticket to a better life. Her quirky Aunt Gail (yard sale guru) and karaoke-loving Uncle Buddy provide instant comedy with their arrival. The chaos that follows, replete with an assortment of wacky customers, forms the basis for the story. From the obsessive "Early Birds" to the frugal "Tightwads," all characters are unique and contribute to the overall humour.
The humour is subtle and well-grounded, provoking laughter from the low-key misadventures expertly exaggerated. Preston doesn't rely on slapstick; rather, the humour is born from witty repartee and the accumulating absurdity of Jennifer's circumstances. Introducing a "Prince Charming" theme adds a touch of romance to the narrative and prevents it from being strictly about the yard sale itself.
Despite the predictability of the tale – it's essentially a tear-jerker of perseverance – the enchantment lies in the presentation. Preston's writing is swift, with a spare prose style that catapults the reader along. The emotional core, which concerns Jennifer's grit and self-discovery, is handled sensitively, finding a satisfying equilibrium with the humour.
Overall, The Yard Sale is a delightful, breezy read. It's not good literature, but it's exactly what it purports to be: a humorous, quick read that will leave you walking away in a sunny mood and maybe even motivated to clean your own home! If you're looking for a short, humorous story to brighten up a dull day, this is a safe bet.
The premise is simple: Jennifer Riley, given the double whammy of marital meltdown, foreclosure, and loss of employment, thinks a yard sale is the ticket to a better life. Her quirky Aunt Gail (yard sale guru) and karaoke-loving Uncle Buddy provide instant comedy with their arrival. The chaos that follows, replete with an assortment of wacky customers, forms the basis for the story. From the obsessive "Early Birds" to the frugal "Tightwads," all characters are unique and contribute to the overall humour.
The humour is subtle and well-grounded, provoking laughter from the low-key misadventures expertly exaggerated. Preston doesn't rely on slapstick; rather, the humour is born from witty repartee and the accumulating absurdity of Jennifer's circumstances. Introducing a "Prince Charming" theme adds a touch of romance to the narrative and prevents it from being strictly about the yard sale itself.
Despite the predictability of the tale – it's essentially a tear-jerker of perseverance – the enchantment lies in the presentation. Preston's writing is swift, with a spare prose style that catapults the reader along. The emotional core, which concerns Jennifer's grit and self-discovery, is handled sensitively, finding a satisfying equilibrium with the humour.
Overall, The Yard Sale is a delightful, breezy read. It's not good literature, but it's exactly what it purports to be: a humorous, quick read that will leave you walking away in a sunny mood and maybe even motivated to clean your own home! If you're looking for a short, humorous story to brighten up a dull day, this is a safe bet.
August 19, 2025
The Yard Sale drew me in quickly and kept me entertained for the whole way through. Jennifer is desperate to raise money after her divorce to avoid living and working with her mother. But despite the dire nature of her situation, watching the quirky characters shop and interact was both relaxing and fun.
Jennifer didn’t seem as worried as I would expect most people to be, which normally I would criticize in a book, but in this case, it worked. It was refreshing to see her shift her focus to narration about her friends, relatives, and neighbors. That’s what made this book so relaxing and comforting. We understood her situation, and yet, the message was clear: there is more to life than struggle, and the author portrayed that beautifully.
Fun characters. Realistic, engaging interactions, and lovely message.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jennifer didn’t seem as worried as I would expect most people to be, which normally I would criticize in a book, but in this case, it worked. It was refreshing to see her shift her focus to narration about her friends, relatives, and neighbors. That’s what made this book so relaxing and comforting. We understood her situation, and yet, the message was clear: there is more to life than struggle, and the author portrayed that beautifully.
Fun characters. Realistic, engaging interactions, and lovely message.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 17, 2025
The Yard Sale by Patricia Preston is a quick, funny, and heartwarming read that turns hardship into entertainment. When Jennifer Riley’s life falls apart, her quirky yard sale—complete with bargains, music, and surprises—becomes the talk of Clayburn, Mississippi. Preston’s sharp writing and well-drawn characters, both main and secondary, make this one-day story lively and engrossing. With humor, charm, and a touch of mystery about Jennifer’s future, this short tale proves that even the toughest times can lead to unexpected joy. A delightful addition to the Humor and Happy Endings Series, perfect for anyone who enjoys light, fast-paced stories with a twist.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2024
Humbling lessons learned at a garage sale.
Jennifer is having a yard sale. Aunt Gail, a yard sale pro, is there to help her. The sale is the funeral for the death of her marriage after her husband, Clint, ran off with the church pianist. She needs every penny she can get so as not to have to work at her mother's beauty shop.
Yard sales have all sorts of attendees. There are the early birds, the tightwads and the hoarders. She's also had singers, thanks to her Uncle Buddy fixing the karaoke machine. But the appraiser might just be the answer to her prayers...
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Jennifer is having a yard sale. Aunt Gail, a yard sale pro, is there to help her. The sale is the funeral for the death of her marriage after her husband, Clint, ran off with the church pianist. She needs every penny she can get so as not to have to work at her mother's beauty shop.
Yard sales have all sorts of attendees. There are the early birds, the tightwads and the hoarders. She's also had singers, thanks to her Uncle Buddy fixing the karaoke machine. But the appraiser might just be the answer to her prayers...
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Read
November 30, 2024This was such a fun, cute read. Jennifer's life took un expected turn, twice back to back. To get back on her feet, she has yard sale for quick cash with her Aunt Gail. What started out as a normal yard sale turned into a block party thanks to her Uncle Buddy. I loved the way the story turned. It Jen's misfortune turned into fortune, possibilities, and opportunities. It's a great reminder to look for the positives in bad sitations, surround yourself with encouraging and positive people, and never give up. You never know when your luck is going to change for the better.
September 20, 2025
A good read with heart and humor - I'm not much of a yard sale junkie but I would definitely stop in on Jen, Gail and Buddy's. Quirky buyers, local gossips and opportunistic neighbors are among the cast of characters who breezed through over the day. Meeting an old friend gave Jen a new perspective on her life's changes and a new acquaintance brings hope for her future. A delightful shorty that has brightened my morning imagining little Bucky Sue singing her heart out and the look of stupefaction on Clint's face if he ever discovers his folly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 29, 2022
Jennifer Riley has a yard sale in Clayburn, Mississippi after her husband left her for another woman, her ex drained their joint bank account and she lost her job at the hotel and is broke. Jennifer meets all kinds of people while having her yard sale selling her ex-husband’s junk. Her Aunt Gail helps her with her yard sale while her Uncle Buddy plays karaoke on the porch. I really enjoyed this comical fiction short read novel.
July 12, 2024
What a great way to end an awful day by reading this fun little story. I got to my share of yard sales and all the customers in the story have faces that I put to them from my experiences. LOL I LOVE Aunt Gail and I full out laughed at her antics. I was rooting for Jennifer, no grown woman wants to move back home! I don't want to give anything away. Read this little story and you will be smiling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am volu lolntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am volu lolntarily leaving a review.
February 2, 2024
Jennifer starts a yard sale and has help from Gail. Jennifer meets various people, learning about her items as she sells. This is an extremely short story, following characters at a yard sale. This is a casual read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2025
I loved this little story. It felt very nostalgic to me as somebody whose nan always took them to yard sales. It warmed my heart right up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2018
This was a very short story but it was a lot of fun. It is full of quirky characters that I really enjoyed. I would love to see the same characters in a full-length novel.
February 17, 2021
Enjoyable Read
This was a fun book. The Yard Sale had wonderful characters who made the book easy to read. I liked it a lot.
This was a fun book. The Yard Sale had wonderful characters who made the book easy to read. I liked it a lot.
March 27, 2024
A short fun read that feels like a true southern Saturday in the spring. Thoroughly enjoyed.
I recieved a ARC of this novel but voluntarily left this review.
I recieved a ARC of this novel but voluntarily left this review.
November 22, 2024
I laughed so hard. This book is fun and heartfelt. It is a quick read and worth every second.
December 31, 2014
Jennifer's husband got all stupid one day.
He let his little head do the thinkin' his big head shoulda been doin' and he up and run off with the piano player from church.
Before he and that tramp (we all knew she was trouble, and she really didn't play the piano all that well, bless her shrunken little heart) hit the Cheatin' Highway for parts unknown, however, the sumbitch drained their joint bank account.
So now Jennifer is not just broken-hearted.
She's broke.
Period.
What to do? What do to?
Why, this bein' America and all, you really got just two choices when you're a woman and something like this happens to you.
You either write you a country song, get all gussied up and go to Nashville where you sing your way into America's boot-scootin' hearts.
Or you hold a yard sale.
Jenny can't sing so she held her a yard sale in Patricia Ann Preston's short story of the same name and it went just fine, thank you very much.
Preston, who is well known for writing sassified Southern humor, tells the story of this yard sale in Clayburn, Mississippi in a free and easy style that puts you on the front porch watching Jenny and her Aunt Gail go about their business while fending off across-the-street competition and dealing with folks who are looking for bargains.
She even takes a little time in this delightful story to update us on local-girl-made-good Darlene Durand (who used to be a Higginbottom before she went to Hollywood, changed her name and became a movie star. Lord that was so many years ago. Didn't she leave town in a hurry? Somethin' about her and the mayor?)
"The Yard Sale" is not long but it's full of characters: Jenny's Uncle Buddy, who sets up a karaoke machine on the porch; little Bucky Sue, who sings a lot like Loretta Lynn; Gossip Queen Theodora Mae Trussler and a few others all drop by either to pick something up for the house or just to see how Jenny's doin' now that she's also lost her hotel job in an economy driven downsize move.
Preston also throws a couple of nice little twists into the story. One involves a painting by the late Thomas Kinkade and the other features a handsome young antique dealer with a sharp eye and sharper looks.
If you like stories about regular folks doin' their best to get by in an uncertain world while still retaining a sense not only of humor but also of decency, take "The Yard Sale" for a test drive.
Go ahead and when you get back, why, kick the tires some and then look under the hood.
If you do, I think you'll like what you see and, if you're like me, you'll go lookin' for some other stuff Miz Preston has written.
He let his little head do the thinkin' his big head shoulda been doin' and he up and run off with the piano player from church.
Before he and that tramp (we all knew she was trouble, and she really didn't play the piano all that well, bless her shrunken little heart) hit the Cheatin' Highway for parts unknown, however, the sumbitch drained their joint bank account.
So now Jennifer is not just broken-hearted.
She's broke.
Period.
What to do? What do to?
Why, this bein' America and all, you really got just two choices when you're a woman and something like this happens to you.
You either write you a country song, get all gussied up and go to Nashville where you sing your way into America's boot-scootin' hearts.
Or you hold a yard sale.
Jenny can't sing so she held her a yard sale in Patricia Ann Preston's short story of the same name and it went just fine, thank you very much.
Preston, who is well known for writing sassified Southern humor, tells the story of this yard sale in Clayburn, Mississippi in a free and easy style that puts you on the front porch watching Jenny and her Aunt Gail go about their business while fending off across-the-street competition and dealing with folks who are looking for bargains.
She even takes a little time in this delightful story to update us on local-girl-made-good Darlene Durand (who used to be a Higginbottom before she went to Hollywood, changed her name and became a movie star. Lord that was so many years ago. Didn't she leave town in a hurry? Somethin' about her and the mayor?)
"The Yard Sale" is not long but it's full of characters: Jenny's Uncle Buddy, who sets up a karaoke machine on the porch; little Bucky Sue, who sings a lot like Loretta Lynn; Gossip Queen Theodora Mae Trussler and a few others all drop by either to pick something up for the house or just to see how Jenny's doin' now that she's also lost her hotel job in an economy driven downsize move.
Preston also throws a couple of nice little twists into the story. One involves a painting by the late Thomas Kinkade and the other features a handsome young antique dealer with a sharp eye and sharper looks.
If you like stories about regular folks doin' their best to get by in an uncertain world while still retaining a sense not only of humor but also of decency, take "The Yard Sale" for a test drive.
Go ahead and when you get back, why, kick the tires some and then look under the hood.
If you do, I think you'll like what you see and, if you're like me, you'll go lookin' for some other stuff Miz Preston has written.
July 25, 2012
"The Yard Sale" was a quick, fast read that takes place in the span of one day! It's hot and sunny and the tables are all set, ready to go. It's Yard Sale time!
I've never been one to do the yard sale thing, so I kind of cringed at the thought of reading about one, but I gave it a go anyway. Glad I did!
Each character has their own fun quirks that makes them unique and I feel like I knew them. Each and every one I could see in my mind so clearly.
You feel for the main character, Jennifer, as she is going through a rough bout in life at the moment and is forced to sell her possessions to survive. Struggling financially is never a good thing, having to sell things you don't want to sell...even worse!
I know this sounds kind of depressing, but it does get better...trust me! I was worried too, but it all works out in the end. And that is all I'll say.
Go pick up your copy now!
I've never been one to do the yard sale thing, so I kind of cringed at the thought of reading about one, but I gave it a go anyway. Glad I did!
Each character has their own fun quirks that makes them unique and I feel like I knew them. Each and every one I could see in my mind so clearly.
You feel for the main character, Jennifer, as she is going through a rough bout in life at the moment and is forced to sell her possessions to survive. Struggling financially is never a good thing, having to sell things you don't want to sell...even worse!
I know this sounds kind of depressing, but it does get better...trust me! I was worried too, but it all works out in the end. And that is all I'll say.
Go pick up your copy now!
November 12, 2025
Fresh Starts and Southern Voices
This story was a quick and easy read. It had some heart, and having grown up in the South I found myself chuckling at how both the dialogue and narration voice conveyed the various accents and idiolects that were familiar to me.
There's no serious threats or conflicts in the story, mostly uncertainty about what the future holds and the unease of having to shift your life around from what you expected. It's also not romance-focused, which was refreshing. Poor Jennifer has had a rough go of it before the start of the Yard Sale, but by the end we start to see a new perspective on her situation and feel her anticipation of the next chapter of her life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story was a quick and easy read. It had some heart, and having grown up in the South I found myself chuckling at how both the dialogue and narration voice conveyed the various accents and idiolects that were familiar to me.
There's no serious threats or conflicts in the story, mostly uncertainty about what the future holds and the unease of having to shift your life around from what you expected. It's also not romance-focused, which was refreshing. Poor Jennifer has had a rough go of it before the start of the Yard Sale, but by the end we start to see a new perspective on her situation and feel her anticipation of the next chapter of her life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2012
What a GREAT character line up! Patricia Ann Preston brought to life a complete cast of characters that everyone can relate to. I laughed until I cried. Truly Classic Southern Humor! I'm trying not to give a spoiler... but I also loved the way the author used the heroines Thomas Kinkade print! A Fun Story!!
May 11, 2012
Patricia Ann Preston builds a hilarious cast of characters in The Yard Sale. I found myself rooting for Jennifer Riley as she puts her life back together after her divorce. I also found myself hoping her husband gets his just reward. And yes, there really are people like Buddy and Gail...they live just down the road from me.
May 28, 2012
The Yard Sale by Patricia Preston was a fabulous read, especially for summer. I devoured the characters and giggled at their highjinks. What happens when your life is turned upside down and you need to sell some old stuff in order to make ends meet and start a new journey in life? Beloved chaos! Brava!!
July 28, 2012
This was a great short story about a great yard sale with some great characters, that had an even greater ending. It proved that even if 'Prince Charming' does show up, he isn't necessarily the only thing that'll make you jump for joy and completely change your life but it sure did help! Patricia Ann Preston is an author that I'll definitely look out for in future and recommend to others.
April 26, 2012
A very cute Southern story. You can feel and picture the characters while reading it. And as someone from the South, I can honestly say that there really are people out there just like the ones in this story. It was a quick, enjoyable read.
May 10, 2012
Cute short story about a woman whose husband has left her. She's selling everything and trying to get enough to fund her new life - but surprises abound. I wound up smiling at the end - would definitely read more by this author.
January 5, 2013
What a fun, quirky read!! I really enjoy Patricia Ann Preston's writing. Her characters are so charming in a country sort of way. They just make you smile :-)
I can't wait to see what else she has in store for me!
I can't wait to see what else she has in store for me!
April 25, 2014
The Yard Sale is a lovely piece of short fiction with thoroughly Southern characters and witty dialogue. It gives an authentic, smile-inducing glimpse small town Mississippi. Highly recommended for a quick read.
September 25, 2012
A short, fun romp with a happy ending. What more can you want, except a yard sale like this one?
April 15, 2017
Fun little story!
A quick, fun, feel-good read with a happy ending! Makes me want to check out more books by this author.
A quick, fun, feel-good read with a happy ending! Makes me want to check out more books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews