Back to Blue Holly: A Novel

by Beth Pride

NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS AND READERS’ FAVORITE AWARD WINNER for Women's Fiction

"Witty, wise, and brimming with romance, Back to Blue Holly is a love letter to community and the irresistible pull of finding where you truly belong.—Patti Callahan Henry, NYT bestselling author of The Story She Left Behind

Newly divorced and completely burned out, Dottie heads back to Blue Holly—the charming lake town where her family made their best memories. She's hoping for peace and purpose. Instead, she finds a grown-up mountain town with an identity problem, and her Aunt Lo is packing to leave with a single offer on the table: a crumbling old hardware store with a "fix it up and it's yours" kind of catch.

Dottie doesn’t know a wrench from a whisk, has no capital, and even less confidence. But when she stumbles on a forgotten moonshine still in the garage of the Red Arrow, inspiration (and mischief) strike. Maybe Blue Holly doesn’t need another hardware store. Maybe what it needs is a brewery.

With the help of a ragtag crew of locals and the unwavering, utterly compelling Crawford Woody, Dottie sets out to transform the Red Arrow hardware store into a small-town haven. But as opposition mounts and secrets rise to the surface, she'll have to decide if she's ready to fight for the town—and future—she's only just discovered.

Heartfelt, hopeful, and full of humor, Back to Blue Holly is a feel-good novel about second chances, small-town drama, and the unexpected ways we find our place—and our people.

Genres: Romance

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2025

About the author

Beth Pride is a North Georgia native and award-winning author in Lexington, Kentucky, where she lives on a Thoroughbred breeding farm with her husband plus thirteen other studs. A rewarding career in education and marketing led Beth in 2021 to begin writing full-time. In 2022, she published The Common Wealth of Kentucky Project with artist Kelly Brewer. Beth's debut novel, Back to Blue Holly (2025), has won a National Indie Excellence Award and Reader’s Favorite Award in Women’s Fiction.

Reviews

[Whitney Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the rare book that engages readers on multiple levels, but Beth Pride‘s expertly crafted debut novel, Back to Blue Holly, is riveting from the get-go, with its captivating plot, people, place, and pace. Also? It’s somehow both hilarious but serious, romantic yet action-packed, and simultaneously small-town and universal. In short, Back to Blue Holly is, like its protagonist Dottie Hogan, multi-faceted—a gem readers will savor from every angle as they follow Dottie from heartbreak to breakthrough, and from Kentucky to Georgia, where she undergoes an epic rebuilding of herself, her heart, and a beloved local landmark that ultimately unites not just Dottie and the Quinn family, but also the once-divided community at large.

[Renee Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

You must read this amazing debut novel! Beth Pride has written a heartwarming story filled with strong characters that will make you laugh, cry and cheer them on. I had a very hard timing putting it down once I started reading it. Carve out a few hours and treat yourself to this great read!

[Katie Toffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This past Spring our book club had the honor of hosting a local Kentucky author, Beth Pride, to discuss her debut novel, “Back to Blue Holly”.

"Back to Blue Holly" is a beautifully woven story of love, resilience, and the journey of self-discovery. I was immediately drawn into the vivid world of Blue Holly and the wonderful cast of characters.

Dottie, the main character, has struggles and triumphs that feel very relatable, and Beth’s lyrical prose captures the essence of Dottie’s vulnerability and strength.

The book beautifully addresses themes of love, loss, and the search for belonging with such honesty. The story brings you along on a journey that is both emotional and uplifting. I found myself rooting for all (or most) of the characters throughout the story.

"Back to Blue Holly" is a testament to the power of love and the courage it takes to face one's fears. And as an extra bonus, pick up the audio edition, narrated by Beth herself. It is wonderful to hear the story in her voice.

[Jane Bennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a 2.5 for me. The author came to our book club, and she was sweet so I'll post this as a 3 star review. She was also grateful to all of us as readers. I appreciate that. The book, I did not so much appreciate. It's a hallmark movie any way you slice it. I'll take one good thing away from this novel. She uses the nomenclature CAVE people for Citizens Against Virtually Everything. Imma borrow that one. It is self published, so I know that's a process. But there are a few errors in it that bothered me. Simple, fixable errors. For example this clunky sentence: 'Now I pictured Lake-ri-la without her, with just me in it and my dog.' from pg 82
If you're looking for women centered story lines, zero spice romance, small southern town, totally recognizable cast of characters type of fiction, this might be for you.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Blue Holly by Beth Pride. Thanks to the author for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dottie heads back to a family lake house after her divorce and takes on a challenge of fixing up a condemned store. She decides on a brewery, which some in the evangelical town are not pleased about.

This book is all about community spirit and the characters in the town. It is charming and also inspiring as Beth grows around her fears. It shows small town life, and all those unique characters that come with it.

“I believed him and trusted him, but I did not trust myself, not after a decade of doing it so wrong. To say the wrong things in the wrong way at the wrong time could ruin something I desperately needed - his friendship.

Back to Blue Holly is available now.

[Taylor Milburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up from the library and had no idea the author was from Lexington! Such a sweet book—would be happy to read a sequel one day!

[Chapters of Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this space is that I’ve had a chance to connect with people all over the world. But, it’s equally as exciting when I find a debut author who lives right in my hometown. Thank you, Beth Pride, for providing me with a copy of your beautiful book!

Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 1.2.2025
Pages: 302
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

“ Fear, F-E-A-R can be two very different things: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Rise.”

I love a story that completely sweeps me off my feet and Back to Blue Holly did just that.

Not only is Dottie a character to cheer for — she made me want to crawl into the pages of the book and help her make her dreams come true. She deserve to find happiness after so much years of sacrificing herself for someone else. I loved seeing her character develop with every page and applauding her tenacious spirit.

It never fails that in a small-town, found-family story that I fall in love with the supporting characters. It’s a true testament to a book, if the story leaves me wishing I could live in just that very town. There’s just something irresistible about a community of quirky, loving (and occasionally nosy) people—they’re the kind of folks who will have you smiling from ear to ear, and honestly, they’re the best kind of people to have in your corner.

trigger warning: miscarriage

Read if you enjoy:
🥰 Found family
🫶🏼 Lovable Characters
💪🏼 Starting Over
📖 Debut Authors
🍻 Craft Beer
🏘️ Small Town Charm

Once I started Back to Blue Holly, I couldn’t put it down. And that ending? Perfection. And it let me wondering if there’s the possibility that we’ll have a chance to return to Blue Holly and those quirky characters I grew to know and love.


______



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[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is author Beth Pride's debut novel and she shows that she is worthy of being an author indeed. The book grabs you as soon as the colorful characters she has invented start interacting. For basic background, Dottie has left her marriage and gone back to her family lake house to try and reset her life. She stays with her Aunt Lo, who suddenly surprises her with two things: 1) she's leaving and 2) she is handing her keys to a dilapidated condemned piece of property. Dottie has to face various challenges along the way and in doing so, she is forced to reconcile various emotions, types of people, locals with little room for change OR "new" people at their lakeside community and more.
With great description and even better banter, Beth Pride brings her cast of characters to life right before your eyes. As I read, I found myself wondering where this book was taking me next and often surprised when my anticipated guess was not correct. It's part fun, part real life, part chaos, a tiny bit of romance, and 100% great character development. The book weaves you through ups and downs and wraps it up in a tight little bow that you cannot believe comes together so quickly and well. I had moments when I could not put the book down, just wanting to see what would happen next. Just when I thought I was sure I knew the next part, Back To Blue Holly surprised me with a different path.
Run, don't walk, to grab your copy and share it with your friends. It is an easy novel that reads quickly and keeps you wanting more. When I finished, I was both happy with the ending and sad it was over! I look forward to seeing more from Ms. Pride in her future. She is now being added to my favorite author's list! Welcome to the big time!

[Berry McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gem! From the very first page, it hooks you and doesn’t let go. I was completely captivated by the story and loved getting to know the characters. At its heart, this is a tale of two strong women whose journeys are intertwined in a profound and beautiful way. One woman subtly helps the other uncover her hidden inner strength, while they both ultimately empower each other in surprising ways.

Set in a charming small town steeped in Southern traditions and deeply rooted family connections, the story perfectly captures how relationships and a community’s unique culture shape people’s lives. Even if you’re not familiar with small-town dynamics, you’ll find the universal themes of resilience, self-discovery, and personal growth incredibly relatable.

The protagonist, Dottie, faces a range of challenges—some external, others rooted in her own perceptions. Watching her navigate these hurdles and uncover the inner strength she didn’t realize she possessed is nothing short of inspiring.

This is a wonderfully written book that’s as heartfelt as it is empowering. I can’t recommend it enough!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Lots of interesting people from all over who have juicy stories to unravel.” This is Blue Holly, the lively, unpredictable setting for Beth Pride’s novel about the inimitable Dottie and the cast of characters who show up as she navigates her new single life and her new freedom, both of which terrify her. Her fear is understandable, but in the world of this novel, people, especially women, find that their power and resilience are greater than imagined.

Thanks to Dottie’s wise aunt Lo, who shows her niece some tough love, Blue Holly becomes the stage for Dottie’s new life as long as she can get out of her own way. Readers will come to love this authentic character who pushes through fear and learns to trust herself. Thanks to new friendships, a love interest and great taste in beer, Dottie forges a new path that proves entertaining and inspiring. Pride brings Blue Holly and its cast of characters to life, conveying a love for the place, quirks and all, that will make readers hope for more stories from this gifted writer.

[Jamie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Dottie, a newly divorced woman who wants to escape from her past and find herself, probably for the first time. The story takes you on her journey moving back to her Aunt's house who ends up leaving her to not only fend for herself but to start a new project. Along the way, Dottie finds new friends, loves, and herself. Without giving away too many spoilers, my favorite character relationship was between Dottie and her ex-mother in law. I loved that while she was helping her son, she knew he messed up and still wanted to help Dottie make a new life for herself.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled to get through this book. I won a copy through Goodreads so I pushed myself through it so I could give my review. I think it had so much potential but the errors on the kindle version were annoying and distracting! Did anyone even edit this? Continuity errors on the same page as if someone didn't delete a paragraph after their "editing"

The building of the characters was well done for some, but others were filled with plot holes. Also a lot of plot building but felt anticlimactic. It definitely felt like a debut album.

[Tara Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never written a review of a book so pease bear with me. Back to Blue Holly is a story about strong women. It is about tapping into unknown strength, learning to believe in yourself and trusting yourself and others. Readers of all ages will be drawn to the plot and the funny and charming characters in a small southern town.

[Lynn Bloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely debut novel

This feel good novel will have you falling in love with Blue Holly and its residents. The women in this story are so strong and inspirational. The main character Dottie comes home and has to navigate her past and present to get the future she deserves. This was such a heartwarming read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

I received this book from a #goodreadsgiveaway.

Fantastic story. I loved every step. From when Dottie arrived with her Littles, straight through each step of her transformation.

Step by step, rebuilding herself to a confident person. Meeting me personalities and friends. Well done.

Hope we get more of Blue Holly

[Margie Hidalgo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads, so I feel somewhat obligated to write a brief review. I found some of the dialogue to be amusing, and the crafting of beer was interesting to me. Other than that, this is basically a feel good Hallmark kind of a story, and somewhat formulaic.

[Kelli Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this very well-written book! I’m hoping for a sequel because I fell in love with Blue Holly and the characters and didn’t want the story to end.

[Amy W Hardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book!!! IT IS A MUST READ!!

[Carter Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and easy to read book with a great story! Highly recommend ‼️

[Deborah Bielins-gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this strong woman story

With lots of ups and downs, the main character, Dot, conquered her fears. A really good-feel story with lots of great characters!

[Lisa Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

strong women

I won this from Goodreads, and read and reviewed with pleasure. The characters were believable, quirky and humorous. Enjoyed this.

[Margaret M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to Blue Holly is a heartwarming story of resilience. It will make you laugh out loud and cheer for the main character as she starts a new life in her hometown. A great read!

[Kelly Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and picked it for my bookclub for March.

[Cathy Koerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book loosely based on Fannin county and Blue Ridge. So well written and believable. Including snippets of humor. Will have the author at our August meeting.

[Beth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of overcoming and finding home.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proofread and Edit

Seriously, where are the editors and proofreaders? It spoils the flow of a basically good story when the grammar is poor and the continuity screwed up!

[Tracy Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick read, feel good story

I enjoyed this book but it was a bit “halmark-ish” for me. I still read it in two sittings and enjoyed the characters.

[Elizabeth L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Back to Blue Holly without having read anything else by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The characters felt genuine and easy to connect with, and the storyline kept me engaged from beginning to end. I found myself invested in the emotional journey and appreciating the way the relationships unfolded naturally. This was a really enjoyable read and definitely made me interested in exploring more from this author in the future.