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The Oleander Sisters
An emotionally riveting tale of the bonds of family and the power of hope in the sultry Deep South
In 1969, the first footsteps on the moon brighten America with possibilities. But along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a category five storm is brewing, and the Blake sisters of Biloxi are restless for change. Beth "Sis" Blake has always been the caretaker, the dutiful one, with the weight of her family's happiness—and their secrets—on her shoulders. She dreams of taking off to pursue her own destiny, but not before doing whatever it takes to rescue her sister.
Emily Blake, an unwed mother trying to live down her past, wants the security of marriage for the sake of her five-year-old son, Andy. But secure is the last thing she feels with her new husband. Now she must put aside pride, and trust family to help her find the courage to escape.
With Hurricane Camille stirring up havoc, two sisters—each desperate to break free—begin a remarkable journey where they'll discover that in the wake of destruction lies new life, unshakable strength and the chance to begin again. Dreams are reborn and the unforgettable force of friendship is revealed in The Oleander Sisters, an extraordinary story of courage, love and sacrifice.
In 1969, the first footsteps on the moon brighten America with possibilities. But along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a category five storm is brewing, and the Blake sisters of Biloxi are restless for change. Beth "Sis" Blake has always been the caretaker, the dutiful one, with the weight of her family's happiness—and their secrets—on her shoulders. She dreams of taking off to pursue her own destiny, but not before doing whatever it takes to rescue her sister.
Emily Blake, an unwed mother trying to live down her past, wants the security of marriage for the sake of her five-year-old son, Andy. But secure is the last thing she feels with her new husband. Now she must put aside pride, and trust family to help her find the courage to escape.
With Hurricane Camille stirring up havoc, two sisters—each desperate to break free—begin a remarkable journey where they'll discover that in the wake of destruction lies new life, unshakable strength and the chance to begin again. Dreams are reborn and the unforgettable force of friendship is revealed in The Oleander Sisters, an extraordinary story of courage, love and sacrifice.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
1086 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Hussey
10 books27 followersElaine Hussey is a writer, actress and musician who likes to describe herself as “Southern to the bone.” She lives in Mississippi, where her love of blues and admiration for the unsung heroes of her state’s history served as inspiration for The Swe etest Hall elujah . Visit her at www.ElaineHussey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 14, 2015
20/20
Un coup de coeur pour ce roman familial qui nous plonge dans cette ambiance chaleureuse du sud des Etats-Unis. Un merveilleux roman et des merveilleux personnages qui sont liés par l’amour peu importe ce que la vie leur réserve. Un roman feel good dans lequel on ne s’ennuie jamais, qui nous touche, bouleverse et réconforte.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
Un coup de coeur pour ce roman familial qui nous plonge dans cette ambiance chaleureuse du sud des Etats-Unis. Un merveilleux roman et des merveilleux personnages qui sont liés par l’amour peu importe ce que la vie leur réserve. Un roman feel good dans lequel on ne s’ennuie jamais, qui nous touche, bouleverse et réconforte.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
October 13, 2014
Yuck.
This is going to be an extremely unpopular review. I got this book after seeing all of the 4 and 5 star reviews, figuring it had to be good with the ratings it had. So, I vehemently disagree with every other review of this book.
I got 25 pages in and was so ready to quit reading. The insipid metaphors, the unnecessarily flowery language, everything about the writing annoyed me. I went back and read those 4 and 5 star reviews and thought it must get better so I kept reading. I got to page 73 and to this paragraph:
"Emily dug through the flaky crust and into a mixture of peaches and cherries so deep she could see her future. The sweetness of love long denied wafted around her, and the joy of having a real family of her own."
What? This doesn't even make sense. Don't try to make the language so colorful that the reader can't even get what you're trying to say.
I kept reading, torturing myself, hating nearly every word, until I got to page 87.
"If rage were a country, Sis would be China."
Now, I understand what the author is trying to say but that doesn't mean that this makes sense. If the author didn't try so hard, writing such unnecessarily complicated and convoluted prose, I think the book could have been okay, As it is, I gave up. I couldn't make it past China.
I prefer literary fiction, I'm okay with some chic lit, but this is the worst thing I have read in a long, long time.
This is going to be an extremely unpopular review. I got this book after seeing all of the 4 and 5 star reviews, figuring it had to be good with the ratings it had. So, I vehemently disagree with every other review of this book.
I got 25 pages in and was so ready to quit reading. The insipid metaphors, the unnecessarily flowery language, everything about the writing annoyed me. I went back and read those 4 and 5 star reviews and thought it must get better so I kept reading. I got to page 73 and to this paragraph:
"Emily dug through the flaky crust and into a mixture of peaches and cherries so deep she could see her future. The sweetness of love long denied wafted around her, and the joy of having a real family of her own."
What? This doesn't even make sense. Don't try to make the language so colorful that the reader can't even get what you're trying to say.
I kept reading, torturing myself, hating nearly every word, until I got to page 87.
"If rage were a country, Sis would be China."
Now, I understand what the author is trying to say but that doesn't mean that this makes sense. If the author didn't try so hard, writing such unnecessarily complicated and convoluted prose, I think the book could have been okay, As it is, I gave up. I couldn't make it past China.
I prefer literary fiction, I'm okay with some chic lit, but this is the worst thing I have read in a long, long time.
June 15, 2014
I won this book on good reads as a first reads ARC edition. It in no way affects how I rated or reviewed this book.
Wow. This book...just wow.
Honestly originally I think the title and the cover is what attracted me to this book. Usually not a fan of "historical fiction" I was uncertain of enjoying the story line very much.
I was dead wrong. This book is AMAZING!! So deep and riveting. The characters come to life off the page, carrying with them excitement, mystery, romance, secrets and love. Though the story starts off slow it picks up speed with the same voraciousness as Camille!!
The entire time I read this book I had an awful hankering for cobbler and sweet tea. Sweet Mama and Beulah were the epitome of strong-willed and fierce loving southern women and grandmothers. The Blake's are the kind of family you yearn to be a part of. Their bonds are so strong and unyielding.
I'm not going to summarize the story, there's plenty of that, but I will say don't be foolish like me and hesitate to read this wonderful novel. Be prepared for heartache and happiness as you take a journey with the sweet oleander sisters and hurricane Camille!
Elaine Hussey leaves no stone unturned, and no questions unanswered. She even answered questions you don't know you're really wondering.
I would recommend this book to ANYONE who enjoys reading, this is not my usual style of book by any means but I got swept away with the story as if Hurricane Camille came out of the pages and blew me away with it! I will definitely read Elaine Hussey again with open arms and this novel will be read again and again and cherished on my bookshelf for many years!!
Side note: "Beth" and Michael's future as well as the futures of Emily and Andy and the Café would make a wonderful sister novel!! There's still so much juice left to their stories, plus Emily deserves a good man too!! Also, a recipe for Amen Cobbler would be a wonderful attachment to the book, you want some so dang much by the time you're done reading it!!! Although, she does mention some of the ingredients so if you're a good baker you could probably figure it out close enough to make your own (but I am not!)
Wow. This book...just wow.
Honestly originally I think the title and the cover is what attracted me to this book. Usually not a fan of "historical fiction" I was uncertain of enjoying the story line very much.
I was dead wrong. This book is AMAZING!! So deep and riveting. The characters come to life off the page, carrying with them excitement, mystery, romance, secrets and love. Though the story starts off slow it picks up speed with the same voraciousness as Camille!!
The entire time I read this book I had an awful hankering for cobbler and sweet tea. Sweet Mama and Beulah were the epitome of strong-willed and fierce loving southern women and grandmothers. The Blake's are the kind of family you yearn to be a part of. Their bonds are so strong and unyielding.
I'm not going to summarize the story, there's plenty of that, but I will say don't be foolish like me and hesitate to read this wonderful novel. Be prepared for heartache and happiness as you take a journey with the sweet oleander sisters and hurricane Camille!
Elaine Hussey leaves no stone unturned, and no questions unanswered. She even answered questions you don't know you're really wondering.
I would recommend this book to ANYONE who enjoys reading, this is not my usual style of book by any means but I got swept away with the story as if Hurricane Camille came out of the pages and blew me away with it! I will definitely read Elaine Hussey again with open arms and this novel will be read again and again and cherished on my bookshelf for many years!!
Side note: "Beth" and Michael's future as well as the futures of Emily and Andy and the Café would make a wonderful sister novel!! There's still so much juice left to their stories, plus Emily deserves a good man too!! Also, a recipe for Amen Cobbler would be a wonderful attachment to the book, you want some so dang much by the time you're done reading it!!! Although, she does mention some of the ingredients so if you're a good baker you could probably figure it out close enough to make your own (but I am not!)
June 16, 2014
A special thank you to Harlequin MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Elaine Hussey’s THE OLEANDER SISTERS, is a heartfelt story—a book of hope and courage of women, and the strong bonds of sisterhood, set in the Deep South—one of triumph, over tragedy.
The Blake family struggle takes place in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1969, in the midst of two historical events. Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, and the devastating hurricane Camille.
THE OLEANDER SISTERS, a strong group of women Sis, Sweet Mama, Beulah, and Emily. Told in alternating perspectives from Sis, Emily and Sweet Mama.
Emily and Jim, tragically lost their parents in a car accident when Sis was 14 years old. Now Jim is back from the Vietnam, with one leg facing his own demons. Emily is engaged to Larry and wants to provide her 5-yr. old son with a father. She makes poor choices and the sisterhood is there to support her.
Sweet Mama is a colorful woman with a checkered past, eccentric with a strong voice. Sis, the strong one in the family wants to stop the wedding when they begin suspecting Larry’s abuse and violence.
Both Sis and Emily work at their grandmother’s café named “Sweet Mama's Café along with her grandmother’s best friend Beulah handling the baking. As they work together trying to stop this madness, another storm is approaching.
There are metaphors and takeaways from this heartwarming story— from strong family bond to helping one overcome abuse, to finding hope in the midst of heartache; as the town rallies together to help rebuild the town after the hurricane. A story of courage, love, sacrifice.
A story of one small boy who never lost hope—building a ship to take them all to the moon, as everything else was being swept out into the Gulf—a symbol of hope.
If you like southern women’s fiction, sipping tea, sisterhood, strong family bonds, and southern cooking—you will enjoy THE ORLEANDER SISTERS.
Elaine Hussey’s THE OLEANDER SISTERS, is a heartfelt story—a book of hope and courage of women, and the strong bonds of sisterhood, set in the Deep South—one of triumph, over tragedy.
The Blake family struggle takes place in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1969, in the midst of two historical events. Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, and the devastating hurricane Camille.
THE OLEANDER SISTERS, a strong group of women Sis, Sweet Mama, Beulah, and Emily. Told in alternating perspectives from Sis, Emily and Sweet Mama.
Emily and Jim, tragically lost their parents in a car accident when Sis was 14 years old. Now Jim is back from the Vietnam, with one leg facing his own demons. Emily is engaged to Larry and wants to provide her 5-yr. old son with a father. She makes poor choices and the sisterhood is there to support her.
Sweet Mama is a colorful woman with a checkered past, eccentric with a strong voice. Sis, the strong one in the family wants to stop the wedding when they begin suspecting Larry’s abuse and violence.
Both Sis and Emily work at their grandmother’s café named “Sweet Mama's Café along with her grandmother’s best friend Beulah handling the baking. As they work together trying to stop this madness, another storm is approaching.
There are metaphors and takeaways from this heartwarming story— from strong family bond to helping one overcome abuse, to finding hope in the midst of heartache; as the town rallies together to help rebuild the town after the hurricane. A story of courage, love, sacrifice.
A story of one small boy who never lost hope—building a ship to take them all to the moon, as everything else was being swept out into the Gulf—a symbol of hope.
If you like southern women’s fiction, sipping tea, sisterhood, strong family bonds, and southern cooking—you will enjoy THE ORLEANDER SISTERS.
November 18, 2015
Une très jolie lecture mais qui n'est pas allée jusqu'au coup de cœur.. J'attendais sans doute trop de ce roman, qui ne m'a pas totalement comblée au niveau du "Feel good" que j'espérais. Cela dit, l'histoire est belle et les personnages forts et très attachants..
September 30, 2015
Née dans le sud des Etats-Unis, Elaine Hussey a su dès l’adolescence qu’elle deviendrait écrivain ― comme Mark Twain, l’un de ses auteurs préférés. Fan de blues, musicienne, professeur d’anglais et journaliste, Elaine Hussey ajoute avec ce roman sa voix originale, poétique et profonde, à celles des grands auteurs du Sud.
Avec Sweet Mama's Café, Elaine Hussey montre toute l'étendue de son talent de conteuse hors-pair. À la manière d'une Fannie Flagg au meilleur de sa forme, la romancière s'arme de sa plume à l'optimisme contagieux et offre un roman au charme fou, dont l'intrigue tourne autour des liens familiaux, de l'amour et de l'amitié avec des portraits de femmes particulièrement réussis.
Lire Sweet Mama's Café, c'est un peu comme feuilleter l'album photos d'une famille unie et particulièrement aimante. C'est se laisser conter l'histoire ordinaire, mais terriblement sincère, d'une famille du Sud profond des États-Unis, où chacun des membres a su, grâce à des liens uniques, triompher de l'adversité. C'est à la fois tendre et savoureux, un roman d'une incroyable puissance narrative !
Facile à lire, plaisant, Sweet Mama's Café un roman semé d'anecdotes parfois cocasses, de souvenirs teintés de nostalgie et de répliques cinglantes et pleine d'humour. Mais c'est surtout une magnifique leçon de courage, d'amour et d'espoir qu'Elaine Hussey offre à ses lecteurs. On ne peut que s'émouvoir de ce savant mélange d'histoires présentes et passées, de bavardages, de drames et de joies toutes simples ! C'est généreux, chaud et sucré comme l'Amen Cobbler préparé par les femmes du Sweet Mama's Café ! Un vrai baume au cœur qui n'est pas sans rappeler Beignets de tomates vertes, La couleur des sentiments ou encore Bagdad Café !
En marge de l'histoire de la famille Blake et de la vie à Biloxi, Elaine Hussey aborde également les heures les plus sombres de l'Histoire des Etats-Unis. Il est question de la crise de 1929 et de la grande dépression, des exactions commises par le tristement célèbre Ku Klux Klan, de haine raciale, d'inégalités, de la guerre du Vietnam... mais la plume de l'auteure reste toujours légère et les tranches de vie toujours pleines d'émotion et de sensibilité, de solidarité et de convivialité.
En proposant une sorte de radiographie sociale de Biloxi à la fin des années 60, en donnant tour à tour la parole à des personnages attachants et lumineux, l'auteure intensifie son récit et lui apporte cette humanité touchante qui ne peut que piquer la curiosité et capter l'intérêt du lecteur. On ne peut que se laisser emporter par cette histoire pleine d'émotion et de drôlerie !
Sweet Mama's Café est un roman d'un optimisme et d'une joie de vivre qui vous feront tout oublier ! Un magnifique roman sur les femmes, leur générosité et leur solidarité face à la violence de la vie.Un vrai bonheur de lecture qu'on ne saurait que trop vous recommander !
Avec Sweet Mama's Café, Elaine Hussey montre toute l'étendue de son talent de conteuse hors-pair. À la manière d'une Fannie Flagg au meilleur de sa forme, la romancière s'arme de sa plume à l'optimisme contagieux et offre un roman au charme fou, dont l'intrigue tourne autour des liens familiaux, de l'amour et de l'amitié avec des portraits de femmes particulièrement réussis.
Lire Sweet Mama's Café, c'est un peu comme feuilleter l'album photos d'une famille unie et particulièrement aimante. C'est se laisser conter l'histoire ordinaire, mais terriblement sincère, d'une famille du Sud profond des États-Unis, où chacun des membres a su, grâce à des liens uniques, triompher de l'adversité. C'est à la fois tendre et savoureux, un roman d'une incroyable puissance narrative !
Facile à lire, plaisant, Sweet Mama's Café un roman semé d'anecdotes parfois cocasses, de souvenirs teintés de nostalgie et de répliques cinglantes et pleine d'humour. Mais c'est surtout une magnifique leçon de courage, d'amour et d'espoir qu'Elaine Hussey offre à ses lecteurs. On ne peut que s'émouvoir de ce savant mélange d'histoires présentes et passées, de bavardages, de drames et de joies toutes simples ! C'est généreux, chaud et sucré comme l'Amen Cobbler préparé par les femmes du Sweet Mama's Café ! Un vrai baume au cœur qui n'est pas sans rappeler Beignets de tomates vertes, La couleur des sentiments ou encore Bagdad Café !
En marge de l'histoire de la famille Blake et de la vie à Biloxi, Elaine Hussey aborde également les heures les plus sombres de l'Histoire des Etats-Unis. Il est question de la crise de 1929 et de la grande dépression, des exactions commises par le tristement célèbre Ku Klux Klan, de haine raciale, d'inégalités, de la guerre du Vietnam... mais la plume de l'auteure reste toujours légère et les tranches de vie toujours pleines d'émotion et de sensibilité, de solidarité et de convivialité.
En proposant une sorte de radiographie sociale de Biloxi à la fin des années 60, en donnant tour à tour la parole à des personnages attachants et lumineux, l'auteure intensifie son récit et lui apporte cette humanité touchante qui ne peut que piquer la curiosité et capter l'intérêt du lecteur. On ne peut que se laisser emporter par cette histoire pleine d'émotion et de drôlerie !
Sweet Mama's Café est un roman d'un optimisme et d'une joie de vivre qui vous feront tout oublier ! Un magnifique roman sur les femmes, leur générosité et leur solidarité face à la violence de la vie.Un vrai bonheur de lecture qu'on ne saurait que trop vous recommander !
September 2, 2016
1,5/5 pour m'avoir donné envie de tartes aux pêches
August 23, 2014
For Sis family is the most important thing there is. She's even working at the family café where they need her very much, while she is really smart and could have gone to university. When her sister Emily wants to marry a man she doesn't trust she keeps telling her not to take that step, but Emily is blind for his weaknesses and decides to go through with it. Her son Andy doesn't like his future new daddy, he's very afraid of him. The sweet and innocent, happy child doesn't want Larry as his father at all. Sis and Emely's grandmother, Sweet Mama, is slowly losing her memory, but fortunately she has Sis to help her. And of course there's Beulah, who's been with the family forever. When Jim comes back from the war, he's missing a leg and mentally he's damaged as well. They're all there again, but nothing is really right. Sis is trying to keep her family together, but it's taking its toll. She has to face situations from both the past and the present she doesn't want to deal with at all. For her sister she does anything though. Meanwhile a storm is threatening to destroy their village and everything they hold so dear. Will they be able to keep the family together or is the sacrifice they have to make to do that too big?
It's 1969 in this book and I liked reading about that time and the things that were happening. Sis is strong and generous, but she needs to learn to do what her intuition tells her to do instead of what other people are asking of her. She deserves a little happiness and a life of her own. Emily wants a father for her son and because of that she marries the first man that comes along, which is a dreadful decision. White Oleander is intense. The story is gripping and I couldn't put this novel down. I liked the language and the writing style a lot. The bond between Sis and her family is the strongest feature of this book. What I also loved was how beautiful the descriptions were of Sweet Mama who is struggling with dementia. The Oleander Sisters is a great novel, I'm very happy that I had the chance to read it.
It's 1969 in this book and I liked reading about that time and the things that were happening. Sis is strong and generous, but she needs to learn to do what her intuition tells her to do instead of what other people are asking of her. She deserves a little happiness and a life of her own. Emily wants a father for her son and because of that she marries the first man that comes along, which is a dreadful decision. White Oleander is intense. The story is gripping and I couldn't put this novel down. I liked the language and the writing style a lot. The bond between Sis and her family is the strongest feature of this book. What I also loved was how beautiful the descriptions were of Sweet Mama who is struggling with dementia. The Oleander Sisters is a great novel, I'm very happy that I had the chance to read it.
October 29, 2014
It was 1969, and a man had just walked on the moon. In Biloxi, Mississippi, the town is ready to celebrate and ponder the possibilities.
For the Blake sisters, Beth (Sis) and Emily, family and those bonds are everything. Together, along with their grandmother Lucy (Sweet Mama), they run the town café, specializing in down home recipes, including one famous for miles around: the Amen Cobbler. Helping out at home and in the café is Beulah, Sweet Mama's oldest and dearest friend. To round out the family, Emily's twin brother Jim has come home from the war in Vietnam, minus one leg, and his emotional scars are deep. But they all hope that time will heal these wounds.
As they struggle to deal with adversity and death (the girls' parents), and rise above the shame of Emily's illegitimate son Andy, age six, this new era seems to promise only good things.
Like the man Emily is planning to marry, someone she hopes will lend her the respectability she has sought.
But Sis has a bad feeling about Larry, and before long, there is evidence that she was right.
What will Emily have to survive in order to finally put her life back together? How will the Category 5 Hurricane headed their way change everything? And will the turmoil and new problems keep them from their happiness?
"The Oleander Sisters" was filled with wonderful characters that made me smile and root for them, and when they came up against the evil that would stand in their way, their strength would see them through. A story of courage, hope, and sacrifice...not to mention some very deep secrets, kept me reading. Recommended for those who enjoy family drama, and stories set in the South. 5.0 stars.
For the Blake sisters, Beth (Sis) and Emily, family and those bonds are everything. Together, along with their grandmother Lucy (Sweet Mama), they run the town café, specializing in down home recipes, including one famous for miles around: the Amen Cobbler. Helping out at home and in the café is Beulah, Sweet Mama's oldest and dearest friend. To round out the family, Emily's twin brother Jim has come home from the war in Vietnam, minus one leg, and his emotional scars are deep. But they all hope that time will heal these wounds.
As they struggle to deal with adversity and death (the girls' parents), and rise above the shame of Emily's illegitimate son Andy, age six, this new era seems to promise only good things.
Like the man Emily is planning to marry, someone she hopes will lend her the respectability she has sought.
But Sis has a bad feeling about Larry, and before long, there is evidence that she was right.
What will Emily have to survive in order to finally put her life back together? How will the Category 5 Hurricane headed their way change everything? And will the turmoil and new problems keep them from their happiness?
"The Oleander Sisters" was filled with wonderful characters that made me smile and root for them, and when they came up against the evil that would stand in their way, their strength would see them through. A story of courage, hope, and sacrifice...not to mention some very deep secrets, kept me reading. Recommended for those who enjoy family drama, and stories set in the South. 5.0 stars.
May 16, 2014
Set in Biloxi, Mississippi, Beth 'Sis' Blake has always been the strong one in her family, especially when Sis and twin brother and sister, Emily and Jim, tragically lost their parents in a car accident when Sis was 14 years old. Now Jim is back from the Vietnam war with one leg and her sister Emily is engaged to be married to a man she hardly knows. No one in the Blake family care for Larry Chastain, not even Emily's six year old son, Andy. Both Sis and Emily work at their grandmother's café named 'Sweet Mama's Cafe' with Sis looking after the books, etc. and Emily helping out her grandmother and best friend Beulah, with the baking. With the passing of each day coming closer to Emily's wedding date, Sis begins to see disturbing signs of panic in Emily and is learning some unsettling stories of Larry that has Sis even more over protective than ever. Now as the family rally together to ensure the welfare of Emily and Andy, there is a hurricane coming their way. Will the family reach safety before it's too late? Can the family keep Emily and Andy safe and free of harm? Will Sis ever find true love, now in her early 30's, and finally live the life she has always dreamed of?
Author, Elaine Hussey did an 'amazing' job at pulling together an action packed, emotional and heart wrenching story! I truly hope this book will one day be made into a motion picture. It really packs a punch! Amazing from beginning to end!
Author, Elaine Hussey did an 'amazing' job at pulling together an action packed, emotional and heart wrenching story! I truly hope this book will one day be made into a motion picture. It really packs a punch! Amazing from beginning to end!
July 2, 2014
I started reading this book right after lunch and finished before bedtime, it is that good! Talk about a book grabbing you from the first page... I love it when that happens. The characters are amazing, strong Sis who puts everyone else first and is the protector of the family, Jim who comes home from the war suffering PTSD, Sweet Mama who may be losing her mind but she can pull it together when her loved ones are in need, and a sister that wants a father for her young son so badly she ignores warning signs of danger ahead.
There are secrets and plenty of excitement from front to back, the tenderness and fun of family togetherness. This is a heartfelt story of courage, love, and the strength of family. I LOVED it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There are secrets and plenty of excitement from front to back, the tenderness and fun of family togetherness. This is a heartfelt story of courage, love, and the strength of family. I LOVED it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
J'ai apprécié ma lecture même s'il ne vaut pas les 20/20 que j'ai vu comme note pour lui.
Le résumé me faisait penser à une enquête mais pas du tout, c'est peut être pour ça que je suis un peu déçue, car même si Sis fait la découverte d'ossements, c'est plutôt une histoire version "on va le cacher". Et en plus on comprend vite qui c'est.
Une petite lecture mignonne et drôle, des personnages très attachant : la grand-mère (Sweet Mama) est une sacré femme dont on rêve d'avoir comme grand mère, d'ailleurs elle m'a fait penser à la mienne.
Le résumé me faisait penser à une enquête mais pas du tout, c'est peut être pour ça que je suis un peu déçue, car même si Sis fait la découverte d'ossements, c'est plutôt une histoire version "on va le cacher". Et en plus on comprend vite qui c'est.
Une petite lecture mignonne et drôle, des personnages très attachant : la grand-mère (Sweet Mama) est une sacré femme dont on rêve d'avoir comme grand mère, d'ailleurs elle m'a fait penser à la mienne.
August 26, 2014
Nothing special; rather common chick flick southern lit, and I am tired of the spousal abuse so prevalent in the books I have been choosing. Hurricane Camille did play a part in the story, but not until the very end and not much about it even then. Disappointing after rave reviews!
December 29, 2014
Fantastic story! Excellent characters! Great time period!
March 27, 2020
3.5 The Blake sisters are due for a change in their lives. They run a cafe close to Biloxi Ms. Beth is the caretaker of the family and the weight of her aging mother is weighing on her mind as the old lady is getting dementia. Beth (Sis) as she is known has a brother Jim who has come home from the war with an amputated limb and keeps his distance from his loving family who want to help him rehab. Emily the other sister is in the process of getting married but this man is not what he seems. Beth has a five year old son and wants this marriage to work but this man who is a smooth talking salesman on the outside is a wife beater. Emily is trapped and wants out of the marriage but another force is to be on the horizon as hurricane Camille is bearing down fast. During this turmoil Emily is beaten so badly that she is now in a coma and the family has no way to escape the oncoming hurricane - brother and sister make sure this cruel man is taken care of and oray the rest of the family survives.
October 24, 2022
Story set in the South in the 1960’s with a a house full of women and a brother who is recently returned from Vietnam.
When I first began reading this, I thought it was so gagifying with all the references to the Amen cobbler, calling folks sugar pie and sippin sweet tea and I wasn’t sure I would get through it! I pressed on and am thankful I did, as you get into the “meat” of the story it becomes much better! A story about the love of family and those who feel like family, resilience, determination and courage!
The character Larry was despicable and at times I wished I could have reached right into the book and strangled him!
I must also say I appreciated the education on Oleander! I wasn’t aware of its toxic nature, and if you read the book, you will understand the importance of this!
When I first began reading this, I thought it was so gagifying with all the references to the Amen cobbler, calling folks sugar pie and sippin sweet tea and I wasn’t sure I would get through it! I pressed on and am thankful I did, as you get into the “meat” of the story it becomes much better! A story about the love of family and those who feel like family, resilience, determination and courage!
The character Larry was despicable and at times I wished I could have reached right into the book and strangled him!
I must also say I appreciated the education on Oleander! I wasn’t aware of its toxic nature, and if you read the book, you will understand the importance of this!
February 20, 2018
When I picked this book up off a sale table at the book store and read the synopsis, I knew I just had to read it. Set in Biloxi, MS (same place my youngest son was born) in 1969 (Landing on the moon and Hurricane Camille), it is one of those books that speaks of southern charm and mysteries. Told from the perspective of three different women, who each weaves a story of hope and love of family in the midst of hardships. Thoroughly enjoyed it...perfect ending.
October 4, 2023
Fatal car accidents, illegitimate children, abusive marriages, war amputations, hurricanes, dementia, and murder plague one Tennessee family that is fortunately guided through everything by strong women across the generations. What they do isn't always legal, but it is always done because of deep love stepping in to right a wrong. The child Andy is too good to be true, but the other characters feel very real and make the reader appreciate the value of deep bonds.
May 14, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed her debut novel Sweet Hallilujahs and looked forward to her second novel. It wa SO worth the wait. Great story with a great cast of quirky characters.
If you're looking for a good read to get you through some "shelter in place" days, I highly recommend this book, as well as her debut novel.
If you're looking for a good read to get you through some "shelter in place" days, I highly recommend this book, as well as her debut novel.
June 27, 2021
3.5 stars. Love the close knit family feel. However, Emily was infuriating. Drove me nuts that she put up with her jackass boyfriend for even a second considering she had a son to think about. Can't imagine picking "security" over safety when you have a child to protect. I'd say screw saving your reputation when abuse comes with it! But that's just me🤷🏼♀️
March 5, 2022
I may have seen too many Hallmark movies last year to really appreciate this. It was okay, but not the grand read I was hoping it would be. Maybe it's too soon for me to rea a book since I just ended one of the best I've read in a while. Still, it did better than meh. I liked it as much as a repetitive Hallmark film.
May 30, 2018
"She looked like a young woman. She really did. A woman who'd blossomed late and then found out she had a future to look forward to and a lot to laugh about."
I love a book that grabs your heart and makes you feel like you're living the story, not just reading it line by line.
I love a book that grabs your heart and makes you feel like you're living the story, not just reading it line by line.
May 17, 2020
The author did a good job of writing a believable portrayal of the setting, as well as fleshing out the characters to be relatable individuals for whom I was excited to root for. I missed a major clue and the ending took me by great surprise.
December 30, 2017
Why do I get the feeling the author watched Fried Green Tomato’s and thought she’d write about the same exact thing...?
April 21, 2018
Sticky sweet but I finished it. Might be good as a beach read.
June 20, 2018
A tight family must defend itself from bad men. The descriptions are tedious and the narration too verbose. Core story is interesting. Hurricane Camile, Biloxi, moon landing, Viet Nam
September 1, 2018
The story line was good and kept me reading but some names and phrases were over used.
February 9, 2019
This was an ok book. At times it was very dry.
March 30, 2019
This was a good book although I enjoyed The Sweetest Hallelujah much more. If you enjoy reading books about families I would reccomend both these books.
June 23, 2022
I struggled to get into the book but once I did, wow! The love between siblings is powerful. The strength of the women in this book was incredible.
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