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Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals
In a small town where gossip flows like sweet tea, bedridden Mary Ruth McCready reigns supreme, doling out wisdom and meddling in everyone's business with a fervor that would make a matchmaker blush. When her best friend, Charlotte Harrington, has her world rocked by a scandalous revelation from her dying husband P. B., Mary Ruth kicks into high gear, commandeering the help of her favorite granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth, in tracking down the truth. Finding clues in funeral condolence cards and decades-old gossip dredged up at the Blue Moon Beauty Emporium, the two stir up trouble faster than you can say "pecan pie."
And just when things are starting to look up, in waltzes Camilla "Millie" Holtgrew, a blast from P. B.'s past, with a grown son and an outrageous claim to Charlotte's inheritance. But as Grandma Ruth always says when things get tough, "God is too big." With him, nothing is impossible--even bringing long-held secrets to light. Grandma Ruth and Sarah just might have to ruffle a whole mess of feathers to do it.
And just when things are starting to look up, in waltzes Camilla "Millie" Holtgrew, a blast from P. B.'s past, with a grown son and an outrageous claim to Charlotte's inheritance. But as Grandma Ruth always says when things get tough, "God is too big." With him, nothing is impossible--even bringing long-held secrets to light. Grandma Ruth and Sarah just might have to ruffle a whole mess of feathers to do it.
Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2025
About the author
Sharon J. Mondragón
6 books165 followersSharon Mondragon is not just a nice lady who knits. She's the author of award-winning fiction that takes you to the place where courage and kindness meet.
Like some of the characters in The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady, she was once content to live well within her comfort zone. At the age of 19, however, she realized that she wouldn't have much to show for such a life. She accepted the challenge and recklessly prayed for adventure.
The ensuing years as an Army spouse and the mother of five wildly individual children have been filled with both thrilling and devastating moments, undergirded by the faithful hand of the God who inspired the prayer.
The Army years are over, but the adventure continues in Midlothian, Texas, where Sharon lives with her hero/husband, her laptop, and her yarn stash.
Like some of the characters in The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady, she was once content to live well within her comfort zone. At the age of 19, however, she realized that she wouldn't have much to show for such a life. She accepted the challenge and recklessly prayed for adventure.
The ensuing years as an Army spouse and the mother of five wildly individual children have been filled with both thrilling and devastating moments, undergirded by the faithful hand of the God who inspired the prayer.
The Army years are over, but the adventure continues in Midlothian, Texas, where Sharon lives with her hero/husband, her laptop, and her yarn stash.
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May 18, 2026
1 star ⭐️ Published as Christian Fiction, but I disagree - Cozy Mystery
This was just messy. Being from the south, I understand about small town gossip and the dramatics, but this was just insane. The way Christianity was portrayed by Sarah’s busybody grandmother left a bad taste in my mouth with her justifying gossiping (which she says isn’t gossip but “information” and yet always goes through town quickly—hmm, sounds like gossip to me). This book did not show Christian values at all.
Our main character is judgmental, listening to gossip left and right for the sake of “solving” a mystery about a possible affair, and mad at God for her own stupid actions. This did not feel like a Christian book at all with all the gossip and affairs—and ends with no resolution on Sarah’s anger at God besides a comment as the last line of the book. Sarah had more fear of her grandmother than God. Tons of euphemisms about affairs and sleeping around. It was so ridiculous.
This was not a Christian Fiction book, it was a knock-off a bad ‘Murder, She Wrote’ episode.
Content review-
Spiritual Content- Lamentations 3:22 at the beginning; A couple prayers; Going to church for a funeral and hearing prayers and a benediction; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Sarah wonders why God let something heartbreaking happen to her and hasn’t prayed much since then (feeling like that all her life her prayers do not reach God); Sarah recalls thinking about the Scripture about “God doing exceedingly more than you could ask or think” when a boy asks her out (because he was super cute and older than her so she never thought he would look her way); When sad, Sarah wound think that God was “too big” to care about her and her suffering; Sarah just thinks with a snort that God isn’t going to help her or another lady with their heartbreaks and pain despite the fact they are good women; *Spoiler* The final line of the book is Sarah thinking that God “was indeed too big--too big for [her] to have imagined what he had in store for [her].” (this comes after the start of a possibly successful relationship) *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going (including for funerals), services, priests and deacons, & denominations (Episcopal & Lutheran); A few mentions of Heaven (including referencing the “pearly gates”); A few mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of Scriptures; A mention of swearing on a Bible; A mention of confessions to a priest; A mention of pre-marriage counseling sessions with a priest; A mention of angels; A mention of incense;
*Note: Sarah exclaims “Hallelujah” when something is clean; Religious phrases: a ‘for heaven’s sake’ and two ‘speak of the devil’s; A comment about a man being a “handsome devil” (x3); Mentions of luck & being lucky; A mention of crossing fingers for luck; A mention of the “savior complex” when dating; A mention of the Masters Golf Tournament being a “sacred” week; A mention of it being a cold day in “you-know-where” before something happens; A mention of someone’s voice being a “siren song”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘da—‘ that Sarah cuts off and corrects to ‘darn good’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘shoot’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘sucker’, an unfinished ‘what the—‘, two ‘good grief’s, two forms of ‘heck’, and two ‘idiot’s; A bit of lying (to get answers); Eye rolling; Eavesdropping; Gossiping and listening to gossip (which Sarah’s grandmother says she gathers information, not gossip); Sarah is tempted to gossip about a deceased person, but does not for fear of her grandmother giving her a lecture about gossiping; Viewing a body at a funeral & seeing grief from a wife over her late husband (up to semi-detailed); A misunderstanding on why a woman’s brownies are “very…calming effect” on people (someone thinks that’s implying pot, but it’s not); Sarah orders wine at a restaurant; Many mentions of deaths, seeing loved ones pass away, bodies being viewed at funerals, & grief (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of gossip, rumors & eavesdropping; Mentions of seeing a man throwing a plate at his wife (due to his toast being partially burnt); Mentions of car accidents; Mentions of betting/gambling, poker, & gambling addictions; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of divorces/separations; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & getting drunk/tipsy (including a widow drinking many glasses of wine after a funeral for her husband); Mentions of frat parties (which high school senior Sarah wants to go to, but her parents didn’t let her); A few mentions of drugs/marijuana; A couple mentions of murders & murderers (in books); A couple mentions of smoking & a cigar; A mention of World War II;
*Note: Sarah’s grandmother is bedridden due to a prior broken hip; Sarah is impressed by her grandmother referring to a woman with the “modern title” of “Ms.” instead of fussing over whether the woman was married or not; A poem is partially quoted by Robert Frost; Mentions of car brands; Mention of TV shows, movies, actors, & actresses (Jeopardy!, Beauty and the Beast, Jerry Springer, Audrey Hepburn, Rhett Butler, & Miss America); Mention of brand names (the Energizer Bunny, Crock-Pot, Tupperware, Wrigley’s gum, Kate Spade, Burberry, Maybelline, Rolex, & Scrabble); Mentions of businesses (Home Depot & Dairy Queen); Mentions of Boy Scouts; A few websites (Google & LinkedIn); A couple mentions of vaccinations & receiving one; A mention of global warming; A mention of the Super Bowl.
Sexual Content- a cheek kiss and a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering kisses & “steamy tussles” (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Hand holding, Shivers, & Nearness (including unwanted ones, up to semi-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Sarah’s heart is broken after a previous betrayal and does not dare to trust any man again (being very firm about this and not believing she is missing anything by being single unlike everyone else around her thinks; This is because of the guy who broke her heart and is trying to get her back; *Spoilers* ); *Spoilers, but referring to intimacy before marriage* ; Sarah says that’s just how “men are” when talking about one cheating on his wife (her grandmother firmly rejects this thought); Sarah’s grandmother says that “kissing sometimes leads to—“ and Sarah asks what she means with feigned innocence (her grandmother says there’s no need to spell it out); Sarah’s grandmother comments that a gentleman ought to marry a lady he got in the “family way” and when Sarah comments about the couple not behaving like ladies and gentlemen in the first place, her grandmother reminds her to remember that (which is no fear for Sarah as she isn’t going to date anyone again); Comments about men “fooling around” with women (including married men) & “sleeping around”; A man comments about not knowing that another man “had it in him” to have an affair with a tone of “wondering admiration” and makes a jab at Sarah when she says about failing to see how it is impressive to be unfaithful to a spouse; Many talks about cheating, cheaters, & possible affairs as Sarah is trying to figure out if a deceased man was unfaithful to his wife (*Major Spoilers*); Three ‘hussy’s and a cut-off insult towards a woman; All about & many mentions of exes, cheating, being cheated on, a broken engagement due to cheating, scandals, & a man possibly having affair, mistress, and/or illegitimate children; Many mentions of women throwing themselves at men (including married men), wondering if a man was tempted by them, & one wanting a man to leave his wife for her after she got pregnant; Many mentions of boyfriends, “making moves” on someone, dating, & dates; Many mentions of flirting, flirtatious men and women, & winks; Mentions of a couple rushing to get married due to an out-of-wedlock pregnancy & the groom previously making a hint about not being the only one to enjoy the woman’s “favors”; Mentions of flings, a possible fling, & men “playing the field” and “sowing the wild oats”; Mentions of a couple having “clandestine meetings” at the movies (involving kissing); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & “necking”; Mentions of bad-boys, guys who are very slick, break-ups, & broken hearts; Mentions of crushes & being out of someone’s league; Mentions of a woman making goo-goo eyes at men at her workplace and wearing short skirts to snag a rich husband; Mention of a gold-digger (who also went after married men); A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of men staring at another women (despite being taken); A few mentions of a man always leaving the door open when with a female client or having someone else in the room; A mention of an older man possibly having an affair with a much younger woman; A mention of a woman’s sugar daddies; A mention of a woman taking “a bite or two” out of a man and having a child with him; A mention of getting someone’s mind “out of the gutter”; A mention of a man’s seductive eyes;
*Note: Sarah recalls her appearance changing for the better in her senior year of high school, except for her “ta-tas” which her grandmother dismissed her concerns by saying that “large ones were a decided liability” (Sarah disagrees with her about this as she saw which girls were getting all the attention); Sarah wears a dress that shows a “hint of cleavage” thanks to a push-up bra; Sarah wears a sweater dress that her grandmother says clings “in all the wrong places”; Sarah has no intention of getting married (this is possibly due to a prior broken engagement); Sarah’s grandmother calls men the “weaker sex”; A few mentions of a woman’s “curvaceous figure” and wearing low-cut outfits to get a man’s appearance; A mention of a woman’s low-cut blouse; A mention of a woman’s ample bosom; A mention of a push-up bra; A couple mentions of a man pressuring his daughter-in-law to try for a son after having three daughters.
This was just messy. Being from the south, I understand about small town gossip and the dramatics, but this was just insane. The way Christianity was portrayed by Sarah’s busybody grandmother left a bad taste in my mouth with her justifying gossiping (which she says isn’t gossip but “information” and yet always goes through town quickly—hmm, sounds like gossip to me). This book did not show Christian values at all.
Our main character is judgmental, listening to gossip left and right for the sake of “solving” a mystery about a possible affair, and mad at God for her own stupid actions. This did not feel like a Christian book at all with all the gossip and affairs—and ends with no resolution on Sarah’s anger at God besides a comment as the last line of the book. Sarah had more fear of her grandmother than God. Tons of euphemisms about affairs and sleeping around. It was so ridiculous.
This was not a Christian Fiction book, it was a knock-off a bad ‘Murder, She Wrote’ episode.
Content review-
Spiritual Content- Lamentations 3:22 at the beginning; A couple prayers; Going to church for a funeral and hearing prayers and a benediction; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Sarah wonders why God let something heartbreaking happen to her and hasn’t prayed much since then (feeling like that all her life her prayers do not reach God); Sarah recalls thinking about the Scripture about “God doing exceedingly more than you could ask or think” when a boy asks her out (because he was super cute and older than her so she never thought he would look her way); When sad, Sarah wound think that God was “too big” to care about her and her suffering; Sarah just thinks with a snort that God isn’t going to help her or another lady with their heartbreaks and pain despite the fact they are good women; *Spoiler* The final line of the book is Sarah thinking that God “was indeed too big--too big for [her] to have imagined what he had in store for [her].” (this comes after the start of a possibly successful relationship) *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going (including for funerals), services, priests and deacons, & denominations (Episcopal & Lutheran); A few mentions of Heaven (including referencing the “pearly gates”); A few mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of Scriptures; A mention of swearing on a Bible; A mention of confessions to a priest; A mention of pre-marriage counseling sessions with a priest; A mention of angels; A mention of incense;
*Note: Sarah exclaims “Hallelujah” when something is clean; Religious phrases: a ‘for heaven’s sake’ and two ‘speak of the devil’s; A comment about a man being a “handsome devil” (x3); Mentions of luck & being lucky; A mention of crossing fingers for luck; A mention of the “savior complex” when dating; A mention of the Masters Golf Tournament being a “sacred” week; A mention of it being a cold day in “you-know-where” before something happens; A mention of someone’s voice being a “siren song”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘da—‘ that Sarah cuts off and corrects to ‘darn good’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘shoot’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘sucker’, an unfinished ‘what the—‘, two ‘good grief’s, two forms of ‘heck’, and two ‘idiot’s; A bit of lying (to get answers); Eye rolling; Eavesdropping; Gossiping and listening to gossip (which Sarah’s grandmother says she gathers information, not gossip); Sarah is tempted to gossip about a deceased person, but does not for fear of her grandmother giving her a lecture about gossiping; Viewing a body at a funeral & seeing grief from a wife over her late husband (up to semi-detailed); A misunderstanding on why a woman’s brownies are “very…calming effect” on people (someone thinks that’s implying pot, but it’s not); Sarah orders wine at a restaurant; Many mentions of deaths, seeing loved ones pass away, bodies being viewed at funerals, & grief (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of gossip, rumors & eavesdropping; Mentions of seeing a man throwing a plate at his wife (due to his toast being partially burnt); Mentions of car accidents; Mentions of betting/gambling, poker, & gambling addictions; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of divorces/separations; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & getting drunk/tipsy (including a widow drinking many glasses of wine after a funeral for her husband); Mentions of frat parties (which high school senior Sarah wants to go to, but her parents didn’t let her); A few mentions of drugs/marijuana; A couple mentions of murders & murderers (in books); A couple mentions of smoking & a cigar; A mention of World War II;
*Note: Sarah’s grandmother is bedridden due to a prior broken hip; Sarah is impressed by her grandmother referring to a woman with the “modern title” of “Ms.” instead of fussing over whether the woman was married or not; A poem is partially quoted by Robert Frost; Mentions of car brands; Mention of TV shows, movies, actors, & actresses (Jeopardy!, Beauty and the Beast, Jerry Springer, Audrey Hepburn, Rhett Butler, & Miss America); Mention of brand names (the Energizer Bunny, Crock-Pot, Tupperware, Wrigley’s gum, Kate Spade, Burberry, Maybelline, Rolex, & Scrabble); Mentions of businesses (Home Depot & Dairy Queen); Mentions of Boy Scouts; A few websites (Google & LinkedIn); A couple mentions of vaccinations & receiving one; A mention of global warming; A mention of the Super Bowl.
Sexual Content- a cheek kiss and a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering kisses & “steamy tussles” (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Hand holding, Shivers, & Nearness (including unwanted ones, up to semi-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Sarah’s heart is broken after a previous betrayal and does not dare to trust any man again (being very firm about this and not believing she is missing anything by being single unlike everyone else around her thinks; This is because of the guy who broke her heart and is trying to get her back; *Spoilers* ); *Spoilers, but referring to intimacy before marriage* ; Sarah says that’s just how “men are” when talking about one cheating on his wife (her grandmother firmly rejects this thought); Sarah’s grandmother says that “kissing sometimes leads to—“ and Sarah asks what she means with feigned innocence (her grandmother says there’s no need to spell it out); Sarah’s grandmother comments that a gentleman ought to marry a lady he got in the “family way” and when Sarah comments about the couple not behaving like ladies and gentlemen in the first place, her grandmother reminds her to remember that (which is no fear for Sarah as she isn’t going to date anyone again); Comments about men “fooling around” with women (including married men) & “sleeping around”; A man comments about not knowing that another man “had it in him” to have an affair with a tone of “wondering admiration” and makes a jab at Sarah when she says about failing to see how it is impressive to be unfaithful to a spouse; Many talks about cheating, cheaters, & possible affairs as Sarah is trying to figure out if a deceased man was unfaithful to his wife (*Major Spoilers*); Three ‘hussy’s and a cut-off insult towards a woman; All about & many mentions of exes, cheating, being cheated on, a broken engagement due to cheating, scandals, & a man possibly having affair, mistress, and/or illegitimate children; Many mentions of women throwing themselves at men (including married men), wondering if a man was tempted by them, & one wanting a man to leave his wife for her after she got pregnant; Many mentions of boyfriends, “making moves” on someone, dating, & dates; Many mentions of flirting, flirtatious men and women, & winks; Mentions of a couple rushing to get married due to an out-of-wedlock pregnancy & the groom previously making a hint about not being the only one to enjoy the woman’s “favors”; Mentions of flings, a possible fling, & men “playing the field” and “sowing the wild oats”; Mentions of a couple having “clandestine meetings” at the movies (involving kissing); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & “necking”; Mentions of bad-boys, guys who are very slick, break-ups, & broken hearts; Mentions of crushes & being out of someone’s league; Mentions of a woman making goo-goo eyes at men at her workplace and wearing short skirts to snag a rich husband; Mention of a gold-digger (who also went after married men); A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of men staring at another women (despite being taken); A few mentions of a man always leaving the door open when with a female client or having someone else in the room; A mention of an older man possibly having an affair with a much younger woman; A mention of a woman’s sugar daddies; A mention of a woman taking “a bite or two” out of a man and having a child with him; A mention of getting someone’s mind “out of the gutter”; A mention of a man’s seductive eyes;
*Note: Sarah recalls her appearance changing for the better in her senior year of high school, except for her “ta-tas” which her grandmother dismissed her concerns by saying that “large ones were a decided liability” (Sarah disagrees with her about this as she saw which girls were getting all the attention); Sarah wears a dress that shows a “hint of cleavage” thanks to a push-up bra; Sarah wears a sweater dress that her grandmother says clings “in all the wrong places”; Sarah has no intention of getting married (this is possibly due to a prior broken engagement); Sarah’s grandmother calls men the “weaker sex”; A few mentions of a woman’s “curvaceous figure” and wearing low-cut outfits to get a man’s appearance; A mention of a woman’s low-cut blouse; A mention of a woman’s ample bosom; A mention of a push-up bra; A couple mentions of a man pressuring his daughter-in-law to try for a son after having three daughters.
May 21, 2025
What a cute little story packed with Southern Charm and Hospitality. The story takes place in a small town and it spans over a couple of months (January to March), in Georgia. There were a lot of fun and quirky characters in the story. It brings back old school charm, manners and etiquette which is sorely lacking today. The small town has a lot of drama as well. A little bit of sleuthing happening here. A cute fun read. Go ahead and give it a go!
#sharonjmondragon #kregelpublications
#sharonjmondragon #kregelpublications
February 15, 2025
When Charlotte Harrington is anything but comforted by her husband’s dying words, her best friend, bedridden Mary Ruth McCready, comes to her rescue. Grandma Ruth and her granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth, take on the quest to search for the mysterious person PB Harrington referred to and make sense of the long-held secret. Charlotte is too precious a friend to be grieving and trying to bury a secret…alone.
In addition to a great small-town setting, wonderful Southern charm, and a fantastic amateur sleuth, you’ll get reminders about the importance of communication, of loving yourself, and of finding where you truly belong. By the time the sleuths have the mystery figured out, you’ll be smiling.
This new-to-me author surprised me with her pacy book and her ability to keep me interested in her mystery. I’ll be checking out her two previous books!
I was gifted this copy by Kregel Publications and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
In addition to a great small-town setting, wonderful Southern charm, and a fantastic amateur sleuth, you’ll get reminders about the importance of communication, of loving yourself, and of finding where you truly belong. By the time the sleuths have the mystery figured out, you’ll be smiling.
This new-to-me author surprised me with her pacy book and her ability to keep me interested in her mystery. I’ll be checking out her two previous books!
I was gifted this copy by Kregel Publications and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 17, 2025
I was invested with this story from the very beginning. There is just something about small town gossip...*ahem* I mean 'information' mills that is just so much fun to read about!
Grandma Ruth is the center of the small-town hub, but now she is layed up in bed and having her granddaughter do the dirty work. Like go to every.single.funeral and come back telling every minute detail to her. But when her friend finds out something from her husband before his passing, Ruth and her granddaughter will do everything in their power to help.
The characters in this story were a riot. I loved them so much. The funny lines and the quirky characters just made it into the sweetest story! This was my first book I have read by the author but certainly won't be the last. 6⭐
*Thank you to JustReadTours and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Grandma Ruth is the center of the small-town hub, but now she is layed up in bed and having her granddaughter do the dirty work. Like go to every.single.funeral and come back telling every minute detail to her. But when her friend finds out something from her husband before his passing, Ruth and her granddaughter will do everything in their power to help.
The characters in this story were a riot. I loved them so much. The funny lines and the quirky characters just made it into the sweetest story! This was my first book I have read by the author but certainly won't be the last. 6⭐
*Thank you to JustReadTours and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
February 13, 2025
Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals by Sharon Mondragon is like a warm, buttery biscuit served with a side of Southern sass. This book delivers charm and personality.
From the get-go, we’re introduced to Mary Ruth McCready, a bedridden matriarch with a heart as big as the Georgia sky. She doesn’t just rule the roost—she runs the town, sitting up in her bed like a queen holding court, doling out wisdom, and stirring the pot like nobody’s business. There’s just something about her that you can’t help but love, even when she’s getting herself—along with her ever-patient granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth—knee-deep in scandal, secrets, and just a little bit of trouble.
Mondragon’s writing style is as smooth as a glass of sweet tea, with a perfect balance of humor, heart, and a sprinkle of mystery. Every page is drenched in that Southern charm we all secretly crave—where gossip is as much a part of life as cornbread and collard greens. You’ll find yourself chuckling at the small-town drama, but also feeling like you’ve just sat down for a long chat with your own grandma. It’s that kind of relatable warmth that sticks with you.
I just adored the mix of characters. Grandma Ruth is, of course, the star of the show, but the whole cast—Sarah Elizabeth, Charlotte, P.B., and even the newcomers like Camilla “Millie” Holtgrew—come together in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known them all your life. The beauty of it all is that despite the turmoil, the heart of the story remains steady: Faith, family, and the kind of love that we all appreciate.
I'll be re-reading it for the giggles, the wisdom, and the pure Southern goodness of it all. If you’re looking for a book that’ll wrap you up like a warm quilt and leave you wishing you were part of Grandma Ruth’s world, this is your ticket to that perfect escape.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
From the get-go, we’re introduced to Mary Ruth McCready, a bedridden matriarch with a heart as big as the Georgia sky. She doesn’t just rule the roost—she runs the town, sitting up in her bed like a queen holding court, doling out wisdom, and stirring the pot like nobody’s business. There’s just something about her that you can’t help but love, even when she’s getting herself—along with her ever-patient granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth—knee-deep in scandal, secrets, and just a little bit of trouble.
Mondragon’s writing style is as smooth as a glass of sweet tea, with a perfect balance of humor, heart, and a sprinkle of mystery. Every page is drenched in that Southern charm we all secretly crave—where gossip is as much a part of life as cornbread and collard greens. You’ll find yourself chuckling at the small-town drama, but also feeling like you’ve just sat down for a long chat with your own grandma. It’s that kind of relatable warmth that sticks with you.
I just adored the mix of characters. Grandma Ruth is, of course, the star of the show, but the whole cast—Sarah Elizabeth, Charlotte, P.B., and even the newcomers like Camilla “Millie” Holtgrew—come together in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known them all your life. The beauty of it all is that despite the turmoil, the heart of the story remains steady: Faith, family, and the kind of love that we all appreciate.
I'll be re-reading it for the giggles, the wisdom, and the pure Southern goodness of it all. If you’re looking for a book that’ll wrap you up like a warm quilt and leave you wishing you were part of Grandma Ruth’s world, this is your ticket to that perfect escape.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
July 7, 2025
2.5 Stars, but I cannot choose that on this platform
Completed: July 06/25
Format: audiobook (Audible - owned)
Narrator: Allyson Morgan
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #17 of 50 — “published in 2025”
Book #82 of 2025: new-to-me author
[The narrator is fine but sometimes the FMC voice sounds a little immature for a 24 year-old character.]
This is very awkward for me, and it is likely just personal taste, but I never got into this book. The novel isn’t really what I was expecting from the blurb or what I know of the two-book series that came out before this. I also don’t understand what the overall message is supposed to be.
While parts of it are fun and interesting, it is mainly about gossiping and intruding into the personal business of others. So that was a very off-putting for me. I live in a small community where I find that incredibly frustrating, divisive, and problematic. I can’t even say that I particularly liked or respected Grandma Ruth and her constant, controlling demands. What I got out of the book is that gossiping and being intrusive busybodies is okay as long as you throw in some humour. ???
I didn’t find this novel to really have much of a faith aspect to it, considering the publisher, whose novels I usually love. There were a few little gloss-overs here and there.
Pet peeve: the word, “said” was repeated often in conversations.
As someone not particularly familiar with the ways in the southern states, perhaps I’m missing something.
I wanted to like the story but Preston was the only character I truly enjoyed. I’m sorry but it just was not a fit for me.
Completed: July 06/25
Format: audiobook (Audible - owned)
Narrator: Allyson Morgan
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #17 of 50 — “published in 2025”
Book #82 of 2025: new-to-me author
[The narrator is fine but sometimes the FMC voice sounds a little immature for a 24 year-old character.]
This is very awkward for me, and it is likely just personal taste, but I never got into this book. The novel isn’t really what I was expecting from the blurb or what I know of the two-book series that came out before this. I also don’t understand what the overall message is supposed to be.
While parts of it are fun and interesting, it is mainly about gossiping and intruding into the personal business of others. So that was a very off-putting for me. I live in a small community where I find that incredibly frustrating, divisive, and problematic. I can’t even say that I particularly liked or respected Grandma Ruth and her constant, controlling demands. What I got out of the book is that gossiping and being intrusive busybodies is okay as long as you throw in some humour. ???
I didn’t find this novel to really have much of a faith aspect to it, considering the publisher, whose novels I usually love. There were a few little gloss-overs here and there.
Pet peeve: the word, “said” was repeated often in conversations.
As someone not particularly familiar with the ways in the southern states, perhaps I’m missing something.
I wanted to like the story but Preston was the only character I truly enjoyed. I’m sorry but it just was not a fit for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
4.5 Stars rounded up.
I loved Mondragon's prayer shawl series, so I was eager to grab this book. Just before I started it, someone said she hadn't liked it and she'd also loved the prayer shawl series. Nervous? You betcha. I mean, what if I didn't like it either?
Well, I'm glad she said something because it reminded me to take the book on its own merit, compare it to what the synopsis promised, and helped me look for what the author did well.
If you're looking for another prayer shawl type book, this isn't it. In fact, one could argue that this is a cautionary tale about gossip. Because my goodness, there's great, heaping gobs of it in this book. Kind of like in life. At the hairdresser's, at the funerals, on the phone... you name it, there's a place for it. Whoa.
Sarah and her Grandma set out to explain why a man said he loved his wife more than some other woman--a woman no one seems to know--just before he died. She is, of course, devastated. But here's the deal. There are a couple of powerful lessons in here that I really can't mention without being spoilers. So I'll just say that it's a reminder that:
1. Be sure your sin will find you out
2. Treating others well is never a bad idea but the reverse isn't true.
3. When something goes completely contrary to what everyone knows about someone, maybe it isn't what it seems.
4. You can think you want one thing but it's likely to be because it's how you think you get what you really want.
Grandma Ruth looks at making wise choices, knowing people for who they really are, and showing grace and love and forgiveness even in the hard times. And that makes for a lovely read.
I loved Mondragon's prayer shawl series, so I was eager to grab this book. Just before I started it, someone said she hadn't liked it and she'd also loved the prayer shawl series. Nervous? You betcha. I mean, what if I didn't like it either?
Well, I'm glad she said something because it reminded me to take the book on its own merit, compare it to what the synopsis promised, and helped me look for what the author did well.
If you're looking for another prayer shawl type book, this isn't it. In fact, one could argue that this is a cautionary tale about gossip. Because my goodness, there's great, heaping gobs of it in this book. Kind of like in life. At the hairdresser's, at the funerals, on the phone... you name it, there's a place for it. Whoa.
Sarah and her Grandma set out to explain why a man said he loved his wife more than some other woman--a woman no one seems to know--just before he died. She is, of course, devastated. But here's the deal. There are a couple of powerful lessons in here that I really can't mention without being spoilers. So I'll just say that it's a reminder that:
1. Be sure your sin will find you out
2. Treating others well is never a bad idea but the reverse isn't true.
3. When something goes completely contrary to what everyone knows about someone, maybe it isn't what it seems.
4. You can think you want one thing but it's likely to be because it's how you think you get what you really want.
Grandma Ruth looks at making wise choices, knowing people for who they really are, and showing grace and love and forgiveness even in the hard times. And that makes for a lovely read.
February 20, 2025
While it’s true that Grandma Ruth doesn’t go to funerals, the book is about so much more than that simple fact. It’s actually more about what Grandma Ruth DOES do!
Her granddaughter Sarah is Ruth’s funeral proxy. She attends every funeral and then rushes home to give her grandmother a detailed account of the attendance, what was said, and a full picture of the reception following the service.
It’s the recent funeral for well known P.B. Harrington that sets off a series of heartbreaking and hilarious events that serve to frame the story.
But GRDGTF is mainly about family, tradition, and a love that stands the test of time. It’s rich, multilayered, and flows smoothly and slowly in that perfect Southern style.
I loved every page of this story. I received an advance copy of the book from the publisher. I’m under no obligation whatsoever. Highly recommended!
Her granddaughter Sarah is Ruth’s funeral proxy. She attends every funeral and then rushes home to give her grandmother a detailed account of the attendance, what was said, and a full picture of the reception following the service.
It’s the recent funeral for well known P.B. Harrington that sets off a series of heartbreaking and hilarious events that serve to frame the story.
But GRDGTF is mainly about family, tradition, and a love that stands the test of time. It’s rich, multilayered, and flows smoothly and slowly in that perfect Southern style.
I loved every page of this story. I received an advance copy of the book from the publisher. I’m under no obligation whatsoever. Highly recommended!
March 30, 2025
What a fun, cute book! I am definitely happy to get to have this on my shelves!
Miss Sarah McCready is 24, and still living at home under her parents’ careful guardianship… and her grandma’s bossing around. With Grandma Ruth being bedridden, Sarah’s the substitute funeral attendee—which means she indeed is quite capable of making Grandma Ruth’s macaroni casserole.
I’m not gonna lie—it was strange to my brain for a 24-year-old to call her father “Daddy” still, but all the southern charm was adorable! I loved the close family dynamics (and Daddy’s threats to bring out his horsewhip on any poor behaving young men). There were hilarious moments all throughout this book.
It’s a mystery, but not the kind with any dead bodies—other than Mr. P.B. Harrington who died at a ripe old age. And as the story unfolds, Sarah learns so much about what love is, and that maybe not EVERYONE is like her ex-fiance.
I loved, too, that romance was not anywhere near the center of this story’s plot—yes, there was a bit of dating drama, but it felt very realistic, too. Unfortunately, this also meant that nobody was getting married at the end of the book. Oh, well.
Altogether, this was a fantastic, fun read, and I truly felt I could relate to Sarah. Another great book from Sharon Mondragon!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Miss Sarah McCready is 24, and still living at home under her parents’ careful guardianship… and her grandma’s bossing around. With Grandma Ruth being bedridden, Sarah’s the substitute funeral attendee—which means she indeed is quite capable of making Grandma Ruth’s macaroni casserole.
I’m not gonna lie—it was strange to my brain for a 24-year-old to call her father “Daddy” still, but all the southern charm was adorable! I loved the close family dynamics (and Daddy’s threats to bring out his horsewhip on any poor behaving young men). There were hilarious moments all throughout this book.
It’s a mystery, but not the kind with any dead bodies—other than Mr. P.B. Harrington who died at a ripe old age. And as the story unfolds, Sarah learns so much about what love is, and that maybe not EVERYONE is like her ex-fiance.
I loved, too, that romance was not anywhere near the center of this story’s plot—yes, there was a bit of dating drama, but it felt very realistic, too. Unfortunately, this also meant that nobody was getting married at the end of the book. Oh, well.
Altogether, this was a fantastic, fun read, and I truly felt I could relate to Sarah. Another great book from Sharon Mondragon!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
April 3, 2026
I loved this book. It was an easy four stars for me, and I ended up reading it all in two days.
It’s charming, funny, and the characters were really easy to follow and connect with. I also loved that there wasn’t a murder in this one. It felt like such a refreshing change for a cozy mystery. There was some twist’s and surprises that I didn’t see coming and I just really enjoyed the characters so much.
The Southern charm and lingo really stood out to me too (plus all the sweets eaten 😂). It added so much personality to the story and I was laughing at some of the phrases.
I think we all need a Grandma Ruth in our lives. 😊
Overall, just a really enjoyable, easy read!
It’s charming, funny, and the characters were really easy to follow and connect with. I also loved that there wasn’t a murder in this one. It felt like such a refreshing change for a cozy mystery. There was some twist’s and surprises that I didn’t see coming and I just really enjoyed the characters so much.
The Southern charm and lingo really stood out to me too (plus all the sweets eaten 😂). It added so much personality to the story and I was laughing at some of the phrases.
I think we all need a Grandma Ruth in our lives. 😊
Overall, just a really enjoyable, easy read!
February 11, 2025
Grandma Ruth and Sarah Elizabeth are on the case with this cozy southern family drama, full of faith, family and heart!
Heartwarming with a full cast of characters in this close-knit community, I loved Grandma Ruth and Sarah Elizabeth's close friendship, and how she goes to funerals for her grandmother to keep her in the loop and pay her respects. They have a great relationship, and I enjoyed the humorous situations that they got into in search of the truth.
There is so much going on in this book, brimming with heart, filled with humor, the bonds of love, family, and faith. All throughout this was a fun and upbeat read, heartwarming, but with moments that run deep. A highly enjoyable, feel-good read. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Heartwarming with a full cast of characters in this close-knit community, I loved Grandma Ruth and Sarah Elizabeth's close friendship, and how she goes to funerals for her grandmother to keep her in the loop and pay her respects. They have a great relationship, and I enjoyed the humorous situations that they got into in search of the truth.
There is so much going on in this book, brimming with heart, filled with humor, the bonds of love, family, and faith. All throughout this was a fun and upbeat read, heartwarming, but with moments that run deep. A highly enjoyable, feel-good read. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 6, 2025
I knew I'd love this book and I did! Sharon Mondragon has become one of my very favorite authors and I have been waiting on tiptoes for Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals to be released. I was blessed to be selected to be on the release team for the book so I received an advance copy from the publisher.
The book is an absolute joy! Sharon does such a great job with character development and once again she does not disappoint. I am a Midwesterner, so it was with much amusement and delight that I got to know the very Southern characters in this book. I got such a kick out of Grandma Ruth and the way she reigned from her bed, in full control of every member of her family and the residents of her small town.
Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals pretty much has it all: romance, mystery, humor and scandal. It is a juicy and fun read, yet is totally clean, uplifting and encouraging. I didn't want the story to end and honestly hope there is a sequel. You did it again, Sharon Mondragon!
The book is an absolute joy! Sharon does such a great job with character development and once again she does not disappoint. I am a Midwesterner, so it was with much amusement and delight that I got to know the very Southern characters in this book. I got such a kick out of Grandma Ruth and the way she reigned from her bed, in full control of every member of her family and the residents of her small town.
Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals pretty much has it all: romance, mystery, humor and scandal. It is a juicy and fun read, yet is totally clean, uplifting and encouraging. I didn't want the story to end and honestly hope there is a sequel. You did it again, Sharon Mondragon!
April 8, 2025
I was really disappointed with this read after loving The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady. I bought it as a CF read which was also part of the problem. I don't want to joke about brownies being made with pot, or going on a date to just order expensive things and leave him with the cheque (yes he did the wrong thing previously and wasn't likeable but really). I felt really uncomfortable reading about that date scene. Most CF readers that I know are more conservative and aren't going to enjoy this one. The ending of the mystery was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2025
I just wanted a cozy, happy book. This one was that, but, like the many desserts served, just too sweet. Plus it felt like the author was trying too hard to be “Southern cute,” and I found both Grandma Ruth and Granddaughter Sarah totally unbelievable. This was like a Hallmark movie on sugar-frosted steroids.
April 23, 2026
I loved it! What a delightful story. This is my first story by author Sharon J Mondragon and it will definitely not be my last. Oh my gosh, this charming story grabbed me from the first page. Grandma Ruth (Mary Ruth McCready) is bedridden so she sends her granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth to the funerals she can't go to, then expects her to tell her everything from start to finish. This fun small town story, steeped with tea, cookies, and gossip, involves Grandma Ruth and her granddaughter trying to solve a potential scandal involving Ruth's dear friend Charlotte Harrington's newly deceased husband. I thoroughly enjoyed "Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals" and highly recommend it!!
February 20, 2025
3.5 ⭐️s (rounded up) || Charlotte Harrington’s deceased husband’s last words were “I loved you more than Millie.” And after calling everything she thought she knew about her sweet marriage into question, Grandma Ruth and her granddaughter Sarah decide to get to the bottom of the Millie mystery.
It’s not hard to get an earful of gossip—I mean information—in their small Georgia town, but they have trouble digging to find out just who Millie is. That is, until Millie Holtgrew comes waltzing back to town with her son in tow claiming he’s part heir to the Harrington inheritance.
This book was such a page turner! I felt like I was a member of their little Southern town where secrets ran deep and everyone knew everyone. I was so engrossed in the story unfolding that I wasn’t even trying to figure it out.
This was just a fun read. If you enjoy Southern fiction with intergenerational characters, an element of mystery/suspense, and small town vibes, check this one out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
It’s not hard to get an earful of gossip—I mean information—in their small Georgia town, but they have trouble digging to find out just who Millie is. That is, until Millie Holtgrew comes waltzing back to town with her son in tow claiming he’s part heir to the Harrington inheritance.
This book was such a page turner! I felt like I was a member of their little Southern town where secrets ran deep and everyone knew everyone. I was so engrossed in the story unfolding that I wasn’t even trying to figure it out.
This was just a fun read. If you enjoy Southern fiction with intergenerational characters, an element of mystery/suspense, and small town vibes, check this one out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2025
I really struggled with this book because while the ending had a good message of people just wanting to be loved, it came off as a book version of The Maury show where they try to find out who the father is. So I was really disappointed with this read especially after her last two releases of “dragon lady” and “Woolgathering” (which had beautiful storylines and messages.)
The reasons for my disappointment:
The last words of a dying man sends the whole town in a tizzy, and I was sad to realize this book was essentially about digging up the past secrets of infidelity/possible infidelity by local men (I lost count but there was at least 4 men whose reputation was questioned) and one “gold digger”. All this was courtesy of the local gossip chain with Grandma Ruth at the center of it. Yet, while doing so still trying to portray the upmost southern hospitality. It was very unsettling for a Christian fiction book to have gossiping as front and center as it was in this book.
In addition, there was no redemption per se, no coming to the point of recognizing one’s faults and consequences of one’s actions, other than digging up all those skeletons, wishing a good riddance to the town hussie, and all of a sudden everyone’s “problems” are fixed now that she’s been “taken care of”…only to find out things weren’t as they first seemed.
I felt like the message of reaching out to those who are just longing to be loved was severely overshadowed by all the gossiping and then, towards the end, the attitude towards the “villain”. There was no moment filled with words of grace, but more of an attitude of glad she’s out of the way now. It all just felt off for me, sadly.
The reasons for my disappointment:
The last words of a dying man sends the whole town in a tizzy, and I was sad to realize this book was essentially about digging up the past secrets of infidelity/possible infidelity by local men (I lost count but there was at least 4 men whose reputation was questioned) and one “gold digger”. All this was courtesy of the local gossip chain with Grandma Ruth at the center of it. Yet, while doing so still trying to portray the upmost southern hospitality. It was very unsettling for a Christian fiction book to have gossiping as front and center as it was in this book.
In addition, there was no redemption per se, no coming to the point of recognizing one’s faults and consequences of one’s actions, other than digging up all those skeletons, wishing a good riddance to the town hussie, and all of a sudden everyone’s “problems” are fixed now that she’s been “taken care of”…only to find out things weren’t as they first seemed.
I felt like the message of reaching out to those who are just longing to be loved was severely overshadowed by all the gossiping and then, towards the end, the attitude towards the “villain”. There was no moment filled with words of grace, but more of an attitude of glad she’s out of the way now. It all just felt off for me, sadly.
Read
February 16, 2025there's a little bit of mystery and a whole lot of charm in sharon j. mondragon's grandma ruth doesn't go to funerals!
it all starts when sarah mccready (a cpa—let's go!) goes to a funeral in place of her bedridden grandmother and hears of the man's confounding last words. of course, she must uncover the truth behind his message—and along the way, she discovers a little more about relationships, love, and faith amidst it all.
grandma ruth doesn't go to funerals is a sweet story with meddlesome family, a curious small town, and some definite drama. it's a feelgood, quick read that i enjoyed, and i'm sure other readers of contemporary fiction will have fun with it, too.
(i received a complimentary copy from the publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)
considerations:
—language: none
—spice: none
—faith: mentions of God, prayer, and church
—content: mentions of death and past unfaithfulness
it all starts when sarah mccready (a cpa—let's go!) goes to a funeral in place of her bedridden grandmother and hears of the man's confounding last words. of course, she must uncover the truth behind his message—and along the way, she discovers a little more about relationships, love, and faith amidst it all.
grandma ruth doesn't go to funerals is a sweet story with meddlesome family, a curious small town, and some definite drama. it's a feelgood, quick read that i enjoyed, and i'm sure other readers of contemporary fiction will have fun with it, too.
(i received a complimentary copy from the publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)
considerations:
—language: none
—spice: none
—faith: mentions of God, prayer, and church
—content: mentions of death and past unfaithfulness
January 17, 2026
I don’t understand how so many people loved this book!
February 11, 2025
“…things are not always, or even often, as they seem.” - Father David
Wow! What a fun ride this book, Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals, is! This is my first novel by Sharon Mondragon, but her others just moved way up my TBR. Grandma Ruth is a bed-ridden Southern matriarch whom no one can deny and whose specialty is “meddling love”…though she would call it staying informed about her friends and loved ones. Grandma Ruth has a great understanding of the human psyche and uses that and her respected age to her advantage.
Her twenty-four year old granddaughter, Sarah, our narrator, finds herself Grandma Ruth’s personal *assistant* and co-conspirator, representing the older lady at social events, esp. funerals. Sarah is caught between showing her grandmother proper respect, obeying her grandmother, and proving she can make her own decisions, including who to date.
I had a perma-smile on my face and often broke out in laughter as I read. Grandma Ruth is such a force to be reckoned with. She refuses to allow her granddaughter to listen to gossip, but is quite willing to “gather information“ by listening to others’ opinions of facts. In this novel, Grandma Ruth wants most to comfort her newly widowed best friend and to set up Sarah with her best friend’s grandson. Cookies and brownies are a sleuth’s best friend, in Grandma Ruth’s case! Plied with enough, a visitor to Grandma Ruth’s room would soon be spilling the beans.
I have to insert… the novel takes a good look at eyes. As in eye crinkles, eye rolls, kind eyes, etc. Obviously Mondragon and Grandma Ruth are firm believers that “eyes are the windows to the soul.”
The novel zigs and zags along as it rollicks towards its rather surprising and totally satisfying conclusion. I personally hope Meredith somehow merits her own story.
Get your copy ASAP! You won’t be sorry!
I received a copy of the book from the author through JustRead via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Miss Charlotte had the right idea, I mused. It was better to know the truth, even if it hurt, than to eat your heart out over suspicions and possibilities.”
“God was indeed too big—too big for me ever to have imagined what he had in store for me.”
“It’s about time you learned that meddling upsets the innocent as well as the guilty.”
“It’s better to leave the past in the past and get on with life.”- Grandma Ruth
Wow! What a fun ride this book, Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals, is! This is my first novel by Sharon Mondragon, but her others just moved way up my TBR. Grandma Ruth is a bed-ridden Southern matriarch whom no one can deny and whose specialty is “meddling love”…though she would call it staying informed about her friends and loved ones. Grandma Ruth has a great understanding of the human psyche and uses that and her respected age to her advantage.
Her twenty-four year old granddaughter, Sarah, our narrator, finds herself Grandma Ruth’s personal *assistant* and co-conspirator, representing the older lady at social events, esp. funerals. Sarah is caught between showing her grandmother proper respect, obeying her grandmother, and proving she can make her own decisions, including who to date.
I had a perma-smile on my face and often broke out in laughter as I read. Grandma Ruth is such a force to be reckoned with. She refuses to allow her granddaughter to listen to gossip, but is quite willing to “gather information“ by listening to others’ opinions of facts. In this novel, Grandma Ruth wants most to comfort her newly widowed best friend and to set up Sarah with her best friend’s grandson. Cookies and brownies are a sleuth’s best friend, in Grandma Ruth’s case! Plied with enough, a visitor to Grandma Ruth’s room would soon be spilling the beans.
I have to insert… the novel takes a good look at eyes. As in eye crinkles, eye rolls, kind eyes, etc. Obviously Mondragon and Grandma Ruth are firm believers that “eyes are the windows to the soul.”
The novel zigs and zags along as it rollicks towards its rather surprising and totally satisfying conclusion. I personally hope Meredith somehow merits her own story.
Get your copy ASAP! You won’t be sorry!
I received a copy of the book from the author through JustRead via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Miss Charlotte had the right idea, I mused. It was better to know the truth, even if it hurt, than to eat your heart out over suspicions and possibilities.”
“God was indeed too big—too big for me ever to have imagined what he had in store for me.”
“It’s about time you learned that meddling upsets the innocent as well as the guilty.”
“It’s better to leave the past in the past and get on with life.”- Grandma Ruth
February 19, 2025
I had so much fun reading this story! Following Sarah through all of the drama she has been pushed into the middle of.
Being her grandma Ruth's official stand-in is a lot of work, besides being busy with tax season and other things. Walking with her as she deals with relationship trauma and protective family members.
Life in this small southern town gets very intense when it appears that there's an epic scandal. It's up to Sarah to find the truth, while balancing the on the rules of propriety.
If I had the time, I would have read it cover to cover in one sitting, It kept calling me back, and I'm sad it's over. But I loved the ending!
I received an advance copy of the book from the author and chose to review it here, all thoughts are my own
Being her grandma Ruth's official stand-in is a lot of work, besides being busy with tax season and other things. Walking with her as she deals with relationship trauma and protective family members.
Life in this small southern town gets very intense when it appears that there's an epic scandal. It's up to Sarah to find the truth, while balancing the on the rules of propriety.
If I had the time, I would have read it cover to cover in one sitting, It kept calling me back, and I'm sad it's over. But I loved the ending!
I received an advance copy of the book from the author and chose to review it here, all thoughts are my own
February 13, 2025
If you've not read a Sharon J. Mondragon book, you've missed a light-hearted, joyful read. In Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals we journey into the heart of a vibrant Georgia community replete with gregarious, "news" sharing (think gossipers) ladies. Death has visited the community and granddaughter Sarah is the designated funeral-goer for bedridden Grandma (that's so she can bring back all the tidbits of who, what, when, how, and how much of all the goings on).
Throw into this delightful mishmash, a terse death bed statement and the investigation of a bygone scandal is set in motion.
I thoroughly enjoyed each of the characters and the author captures their personalities beautifully. I can just "feel" the tensions as folks encounter one another in this did-she did-he story. And she even gives the readers a glimpse into the world of Georgia during an ice storm. (Only a Southerner can truly appreciate the fear and tension of a deep-South ice storm!)
I say this is a delightful read and will surely bring joy and chuckles to one's heart.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and freely given.
Throw into this delightful mishmash, a terse death bed statement and the investigation of a bygone scandal is set in motion.
I thoroughly enjoyed each of the characters and the author captures their personalities beautifully. I can just "feel" the tensions as folks encounter one another in this did-she did-he story. And she even gives the readers a glimpse into the world of Georgia during an ice storm. (Only a Southerner can truly appreciate the fear and tension of a deep-South ice storm!)
I say this is a delightful read and will surely bring joy and chuckles to one's heart.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and freely given.
February 19, 2025
This was such an enjoyable read! This is my second book my Sharon J. Mondragon and she didn't disappoint. She writes these characters that are not only fun but relatable. Set in a small Georgia town, where everyone knows everyone and their business, Grandma Ruth despite being bed ridden is in the midst of all the knowings and goings around town thanks to her granddaughter Sarah, who is also our narrator. Grandma Ruth however does have a great understanding on how people are and what their reactions may be and she uses that to her advantage.
These ladies are what I would imagine southern belles to be. Proper etiquette and manners reigns in this town. While attending a funeral, Sarah discovers that something is afoot with Ms. Carrington's deceased husband as she mentions something at the funeral that is interpreted as something that may not be. This causes a series of events throughout the story that you truly don't want to miss out. I think I smiled throughout the entire story and chuckled loudly a few times.
I really enjoyed Sarah's storyline as well because as she is dealing with sleuthing with her grandmother, she is also learns that letting go and letting God is always the best thing for us.
I really enjoyed this book and if you are looking for a feel-good story that will have you smiling and turning the pages then you need to grab this book as soon as you can!
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
These ladies are what I would imagine southern belles to be. Proper etiquette and manners reigns in this town. While attending a funeral, Sarah discovers that something is afoot with Ms. Carrington's deceased husband as she mentions something at the funeral that is interpreted as something that may not be. This causes a series of events throughout the story that you truly don't want to miss out. I think I smiled throughout the entire story and chuckled loudly a few times.
I really enjoyed Sarah's storyline as well because as she is dealing with sleuthing with her grandmother, she is also learns that letting go and letting God is always the best thing for us.
I really enjoyed this book and if you are looking for a feel-good story that will have you smiling and turning the pages then you need to grab this book as soon as you can!
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
May 11, 2025
I did enjoy this book but I guess I wasn’t emotionally invested in it. We heard repeatedly that it was tax season and Sarah Elizabeth was very busy. It wasn’t really relevant to the story. I’m also shocked that a broken hip would cause someone to be bedridden. The recovery is brutal but most people do get some mobility. Grandma Ruth is always in her bed with no mention of ever getting her out of the bed or changing her positioning (bed sores?). She just asks for information, doles out advice and cookies in equal measure. Everyone comes to Grandma Ruth. There is a little cozy mystery involving a very smart Miss Charlotte who loves her dearly departed PB. However, she worries whether she ever really knew him based on his last words. That’s the mystery. Find Millie. Miss Charlotte and Grandma Ruth also seem to want to find a suitable beau for Sarah but the disastrous relationship with Jake has her jaded. Lots of small town characters and gossip. A fun little read.
February 18, 2025
I'm definitely in the minority here, but I just could not get into this book at all. It is the coziest of cozy mysteries with the sweetest family at the center, and it was just too saccharine for my taste. I am from a small southern town, but this did not feel like home to me. There is nothing wrong with this book and if you are the target audience, I'm sure you'll love it, it just focused too much on the cozy and not enough on the mystery for my taste.
Thanks to NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group and Kregel Publications for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group and Kregel Publications for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2025
I appreciated it for its wholesome mystery. However, I did not enjoy the glorification of gossip that really wove the book together. To be marked as a Christian fiction book, it left a bad taste in my mouth because it played into the southern Christian stereotype that all the church members gossip about each other.
March 25, 2025
I loved The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady and The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoff's. This book was very different and I just really didn't enjoy it very much. I didn't connect with the characters. There was not very much of a faith message either.
March 14, 2026
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started listening to Sharon J. Mondragón’s Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals, but what I found was a warm and whimsical contemporary Christian novel. The story unfolds in the equally delightful Southern town of Raeburne’s Ferry where everyone knows everyone else’s business—and where everyone has an opinion on how that business should be handled. From the first page, Mondragón paints this small-town setting with both affectionate humor and keen detail, making Raeburne’s Ferry feel as familiar as any real place you’ve visited.
At the heart of the story is Mary Ruth McCready, better known simply as Grandma Ruth, a bedridden matriarch whose stubborn determination and sharp wit make her the undisputed social hub of the town. Though her mobility is limited, her influence knows no bounds.
Unable to attend funerals herself due to her frail body, she delegates that task, and all the investigative sleuthing that comes with it, to her favorite granddaughter Sarah. Sarah, a twenty-four-year-old CPA trying to balance her career and a complicated social life, becomes the lens through which most of the novel’s action occurs.
The plot kicks off when P. B. Harrington, a beloved and long-married member of the community, and husband to Grandma Ruth’s dear friend, Charlotte, dies. The fallout from P. B.’s last message, and the whisper of another woman named Millie, sends Grandma Ruth and Sarah on a mission to uncover the truth buried in decades-old gossip, condolence cards, and elusive town history.
The novel’s strength lies in its deep, character-driven charm. Grandma Ruth herself is an unmistakable highlight: audacious yet sincere, meddlesome yet loving. Whether she’s indulging visitors with cookies or issuing orders from her bedside, she brings a rich blend of humor and wisdom to every page. Sarah, on the other hand, offers a grounded counterbalance, a woman learning that honoring family doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing her own path.
Grandma Ruth’s faith, while not presented with a heavy hand, provides a steady anchor for the characters, as they grapple with life’s uncertainties. To those doubting the possibility of hope or resolution, she often insists that God’s ways are larger than any bit of gossip, misunderstanding, or heartache in Raeburne’s Ferry.
At its core, Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals is a story about living well, loving deeply, and finding grace in the messiness of life. Fans of character-rich, feel-good fiction with a touch of Southern hospitality and faith-infused optimism will relish this novel.
At the heart of the story is Mary Ruth McCready, better known simply as Grandma Ruth, a bedridden matriarch whose stubborn determination and sharp wit make her the undisputed social hub of the town. Though her mobility is limited, her influence knows no bounds.
Unable to attend funerals herself due to her frail body, she delegates that task, and all the investigative sleuthing that comes with it, to her favorite granddaughter Sarah. Sarah, a twenty-four-year-old CPA trying to balance her career and a complicated social life, becomes the lens through which most of the novel’s action occurs.
The plot kicks off when P. B. Harrington, a beloved and long-married member of the community, and husband to Grandma Ruth’s dear friend, Charlotte, dies. The fallout from P. B.’s last message, and the whisper of another woman named Millie, sends Grandma Ruth and Sarah on a mission to uncover the truth buried in decades-old gossip, condolence cards, and elusive town history.
The novel’s strength lies in its deep, character-driven charm. Grandma Ruth herself is an unmistakable highlight: audacious yet sincere, meddlesome yet loving. Whether she’s indulging visitors with cookies or issuing orders from her bedside, she brings a rich blend of humor and wisdom to every page. Sarah, on the other hand, offers a grounded counterbalance, a woman learning that honoring family doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing her own path.
Grandma Ruth’s faith, while not presented with a heavy hand, provides a steady anchor for the characters, as they grapple with life’s uncertainties. To those doubting the possibility of hope or resolution, she often insists that God’s ways are larger than any bit of gossip, misunderstanding, or heartache in Raeburne’s Ferry.
At its core, Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals is a story about living well, loving deeply, and finding grace in the messiness of life. Fans of character-rich, feel-good fiction with a touch of Southern hospitality and faith-infused optimism will relish this novel.
February 20, 2025
Loved it!
While not my typical genre, the blurb for this one had me quite intrigued so I knew I wanted to give it a read. Typically you would think a book about a funeral would be a sad affair, but it was apparent there would be humor in this one but I was curious how it could be done especially with the subject at hand. Now, I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but this was rather done superbly well.
The story is told in first person from Grandma Ruth’s granddaughter Sarah. She has the perfect quirky, spunky personality for the role. And hurdles of her own she has to face. But while she’s there for Grandma Ruth when she needs her, Grandma Ruth is there for her too.
I don’t want to say too much on this aspect simply because it’s such a major part and lesson in the story, but I really liked how the author handled the concept of gossip in this one or as Grandma Ruth said “stating facts” lol. But what I loved most about this was that while the circumstances could absolutely have gotten the gossip mill running and simply made matters worse, Grandma Ruth and Sara’s main goal was simply to find answers for their friend for her to find closure and rest… whatever those answers were. And whatever the results were they would still be there for her with a plate of brownies and some other yummy treat that worked better than medicine. It was about the heart behind it. The seeking to help a friend rather than slander them. It’s not to say things didn’t get messy along the way, but ultimately they were there for their friend.
The only aspect that I would have changed is the time period. I couldn’t help but feel like it was out of place. In today’s time I just can’t see someone like Grandma Ruth as spry as she was being bedridden. With all of the technology and medical advancements we have she’d me riding along town in an electric wheelchair. But many of the other aspects including clothing made it feel earlier in time as well. If anything the cell phones felt more out of place. But as a historical fan this didn’t bother me. I just pretended it was since it made more sense to me lol.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to other readers!
*I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
While not my typical genre, the blurb for this one had me quite intrigued so I knew I wanted to give it a read. Typically you would think a book about a funeral would be a sad affair, but it was apparent there would be humor in this one but I was curious how it could be done especially with the subject at hand. Now, I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but this was rather done superbly well.
The story is told in first person from Grandma Ruth’s granddaughter Sarah. She has the perfect quirky, spunky personality for the role. And hurdles of her own she has to face. But while she’s there for Grandma Ruth when she needs her, Grandma Ruth is there for her too.
I don’t want to say too much on this aspect simply because it’s such a major part and lesson in the story, but I really liked how the author handled the concept of gossip in this one or as Grandma Ruth said “stating facts” lol. But what I loved most about this was that while the circumstances could absolutely have gotten the gossip mill running and simply made matters worse, Grandma Ruth and Sara’s main goal was simply to find answers for their friend for her to find closure and rest… whatever those answers were. And whatever the results were they would still be there for her with a plate of brownies and some other yummy treat that worked better than medicine. It was about the heart behind it. The seeking to help a friend rather than slander them. It’s not to say things didn’t get messy along the way, but ultimately they were there for their friend.
The only aspect that I would have changed is the time period. I couldn’t help but feel like it was out of place. In today’s time I just can’t see someone like Grandma Ruth as spry as she was being bedridden. With all of the technology and medical advancements we have she’d me riding along town in an electric wheelchair. But many of the other aspects including clothing made it feel earlier in time as well. If anything the cell phones felt more out of place. But as a historical fan this didn’t bother me. I just pretended it was since it made more sense to me lol.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to other readers!
*I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 7, 2026
A cute story of possible mystery
This story cracked me up while at the same time making my heart sad for Mrs. Harrington who just lost her devoted (so she thought) husband.
The relationship between Grandma Ruth and her granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth made me cringe and smile nearly at the same time. Grandma Ruth was in charge and no one was going to doubt it. Her loyalty also knew no bounds!
The gossip mill was strong with the ladies on this story asks if someone needed to sniff something out, they didn't need to go far!
The story isn't heavy handed with faith, but it does peek it's head out here and there. Overall, and enjoyable story.
This story cracked me up while at the same time making my heart sad for Mrs. Harrington who just lost her devoted (so she thought) husband.
The relationship between Grandma Ruth and her granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth made me cringe and smile nearly at the same time. Grandma Ruth was in charge and no one was going to doubt it. Her loyalty also knew no bounds!
The gossip mill was strong with the ladies on this story asks if someone needed to sniff something out, they didn't need to go far!
The story isn't heavy handed with faith, but it does peek it's head out here and there. Overall, and enjoyable story.
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