The Wedding Circle

Cherry Cola Book Club #3

by Ashton Lee

In the charming small town of Cherico, Mississippi, the Cherry Cola Book Club meets to discuss classic Southern literature, sample favorite dishes-and share their unique stories... Two wonderful new chapters are unfolding for Maura Beth Mayhew, Cherico's librarian. Thanks to her persistence, a new, cutting-edge library is being built on the shores of beautiful Lake Cherico. And come September, Maura Beth will marry Jeremy McShay at his aunt and uncle's stunning home. Yet in life, as in fiction, happy endings are hard-won... A local politician is trying to divert library funds, while Maura Beth's socialite parents insist on a lavish New Orleans wedding. Maura Beth invites them to Cherico to experience the town's laidback appeal-and the book club's delicious potluck fare. Sadly, not even Voncille Nettle's famous biscuits can placate Mrs. Mayhew once the discussion turns from Eudora Welty's The Robber Bridegroom to real-life marriage. To get the wedding and the library of her dreams, Maura Beth will have to harness the indomitable spirit of her favorite Southern heroines-and the sage advice of the Cherry Cola Book Club... "The challenges of keeping any library anywhere open and effectively serving its patrons is a problem facing most communities. Lee brings these salient topics to light in an unpredictably entertaining series." --Booklist

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Cozy, Romance

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2015

About the author

Ashton Lee was born in historic Natchez, Mississippi, into a large, extended Southern family which gave him much fodder for his fiction later in life. His father, who wrote under the pen name of R. Keene Lee right after WWII, was an editor and writer in New York of what is now called pulp fiction. As a result, Ashton inherited a love of reading and writing early on and did all the things aspiring authors are supposed to do, including majoring in English when he attended The University of the South, affectionately known as Sewanee. While there, he studied Creative Writing under Andrew Lytle, then editor of the Sewanee Review, and a member of the Southern Agrarians in the 1920s.
Ashton lives in Oxford, MS, enjoying the amenities of a university town that many writers have called home.

Reviews

[Nancy Roessner]

fter having read the first two books in the Cherry Cola Book Club series I eagerly anticipated this novel, The Wedding Circle. The usual characters return, along with a couple of new ones, Cudd'n M'Dear being the most interesting, to me. She's off-the-wall eccentric in a completely believable way. Read this to find out how a car can magical appear to cause a fender-bender, which you know is the latest fad and enjoy the hilarity that ensues. I hope that Cudd'n M'Dear makes returns in future Cherry Cola books. In this one she becomes Maura Beth Mayhew's secret weapon against Councilman Durden Sparks.

It's hard to chose my favorite aspects of the series and this books, since I enjoy all of it, but after the character development it would have to be the book club discussion and adventures at the library and the recipes at the end of the book, though so far I haven't made any of the dishes. I don't do as much cooking or baking these days, but I sure do enjoy reading the recipes. As for the book club, the meetings never go as smoothly as Maura would wish, but that's like real life, so completely relatable. This time around the talk centers around the great Southern author, Eudora Welty and her book, The Robber Bridegroom, before it goes completely off the rails. Miss Voncille had a hand in that, but who could blame her with the strain her relationship with Locke is under because of his children. You'll have to read all about it in The Wedding Circle I recommend it!

I may make Periwinkle's Chicken Salad as it sounds fantastic, with the lemon juice to brighten the usual flavor. I think I'd substitute chicken breast for the chicken fryer, but it does look like an easy, yet delicious recipe. They all do!

[Elizabeth Meadows]

Very enjoyable installment of the series. It was good to get acquainted with more of Maura Beth's and Jeremy's family members. Cudd'n M'Dear is definitely a favorite. I really hope that she appears in future books.
This book also deals some with racism vs. interracial relationships, and also attempted suicide. Considering the fact that this book and series is basically very light. I thought that both subjects were handled well without losing the overall "feel good" nature of the book.

[Call Me Marme]

I’m trying to put my finger on why I didn’t love this book when I usually enjoy a cozy small town Hallmark story. I’m a huge Jan Karen Mitford fan.
Some parts were predictable and maybe the fact that u started in the middle of the series didn’t help. I just felt the main character talked about being so independent, but let her mom walk all over her and it just didn’t make sense to me.

[Donna]

I absolutely love visiting with my friends in Cherico. I feel as if I know all of these characters. This is the third installment in the series and I can't wait to read the fourth already. I know it shall be a long wait, but I will definitely be reading it. I can't wait to see how life unfolds for Maura Beth and Jeremy. I'm also interested in learning what ultimately becomes of Harlan. During the first book, I strongly disliked Councilman Sparks. Now I'm wondering if perhaps he isn't such a villain after all. In this one, we also met a new character in Theodoria Agnes Montaigne Mayhew. She seems a little eccentric, but I definitely am interested in learning more about her. Very well written, these characters always incorporate some humor and suspense in their endeavors and I simply can't wait for book four. I also enjoy the recipes in the back of the book. I will absolutely try Periwinkle's Super Crazy Caprese. What more could one ask for from a book, we have interesting characters, suspense, humor, and food all centered around a library. I feel as if I'm in heaven when I'm back in Cherico with these characters.

[Teri]

The Cherry Cola Book Club gathers again in Ashton Lee's third novel The Wedding Circle. Maura Beth Mayhew is the local librarian in the small southern town of Cherico, Mississippi. Beside constantly battling the city council on a new library, Maura Beth is planning her wedding very differently than her mother would like. Her betrothed is also battling his own family issues with his estranged sister. It seems like everyone in town has some tough choices and comprises to make. The message that shines through is one of tolerance and understanding, and the love of family and friends can weather any storm.

Another enjoyable read about this little southern town. I am enjoying the series and see Lee's writing mature with each new book in the series. Looking forward to the next in the series this fall.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs]

When wedding bells are ringing, you can guarantee there will be mama drama, family drama and the general chaos of wedding planning! The Wedding Circle does not disappoint. You will find yourself laughing hysterically and then frustrated to pieces for both Maura Beth and Locke when each work their way to the respective alters of love.

I enjoyed the introduction of new characters especially Cudd'n M'Dear. While I would like to see more of her I hope she does not overtake the already perfect cast of characters.

As always I am anxiously awaiting the next book, A Cherry Cola Christmas, available this September.

Don't forget to support your favorite local library!

[Aimee]

Cherico's residents are at it again, this time making sure nothing spoils the plans for their new library or Maura Beth and Jeremy's wedding. A small town's love for their library and each other means that happy endings are almost guaranteed, even if they don't look the way you thought they would or the path to them isn't always free of obstacles.

[Tiffany Collins-Haight]

As a Library Director in a small town, I can relate to Maura Beth and the hoops she has to jump for her library! Delightful read--I love the characters and their little quirks, and I can't wait for the next book!

[Ann Bergeron]

The third book in the highly-enjoyable Cherry Cola Book Club series does not disappoint! All the wedding drama and romance you could ask for, with the added plus of the wonderful small-town eccentrics we've grown to love in Cherico!

[Katherine]

I had a warm fuzzy feeling come over me when I finished this book! I love this series!

[Lisa]

The most I can say is a chick-lit book. A rather boring story of wedding planning in a small Southern town for an unconventional wedding.

[Patricia]

I enjoyed the Wedding Circle by Ashton Lee. He is a fantastic writer. This whole series has called to me personally as I am a librarian. I just love how he puts our real struggles on the pages.

[Janet Miller]

I loved this book as much as the other two. I hope there will be more from this author, either in this series or other books.

[Marci Wheeler]

Quite possibly the best book of the series. I can't wait until the next one comes out in September.

[Lisa of Hopewell]

Sweet.

[MJ]

Third time was certainly a charm for me and the Cherry Cola Book Club series. A wonderfully charming story that makes you believe in true love at any age. I love the truly unique and quirky characters that populate the pages of this book. I was not sure that I would be back in Cherico after feeling a bit lackluster when I read The Reading Circle but Ms. Lee has pulled me back into the wonderfully welcoming fold. I'll be back when I need a lighthearted reminder of how life in a small southern town can be.

[Victorian Vickie]

The Cherry Cola Book club has wedding bells ringing! This is the third book in Cherry Cola series. Maura Beth, the town librarian, is planning her dream wedding to Jeremy at his family' cabin. Her mother is having a melt-down because she wants her to have a Society Wedding in New Orleans. So many great southern characters and the food described makes your mouth water! Always a great time getting to visit Cherico, Mississippi.

[Donna]

Challenge: LizzyFaye's Cozy Reads of the Cherry Cola Book Club series for this month. Things proceed along in the lives of the characters and the fate of the Cherico library. Humorous handling of serious relationships and events with the book club members at the center of the narrative activity.

[Merrill Medansky]

Don't give up!
This is book 3 of a 6-volume series, and the series does get better.
Book 3 builds on the characters we've previously met, and this (and future volumes) start introducing issues that are relevant to readers today.
I actually listened to the audio book which enhanced the experience with those southern accents.

[Kimberly Whitaker]

A fun read! Maura Beth and Jeremy were funny and sometimes exasperating. Most of this cast of characters was funny and sweet. Three characters behaved badly at times, but at least two of them redeemed themselves at some point. My only concern was Perwinkle's ex-husband. His outcome was left kinda up in the air.(Or maybe I just missed it). But all in all, it was a good read!

[Cris]

Enjoyed this telling of a young women having to stand up to get the Wedding she and her groom wanted. they had met and fallen in love in the quaint town of Cherico, Mississippi. The Groom's Aunt & Uncle own a Lodge in Cherico where they can be married at Sunset. The Brides Mom thinks the wedding should be in New Orleans.

[Rebekah]

4.5 stars

Very heartwarming third book in the series. I really enjoyed it. There was even some suspense thrown it that I liked. The suspense elements were different, but in a good way. Looking forward to the next book!

[Virma]

Although weddings are exciting this one fell short of expectations. Or maybe I’m getting tired of the same types of issues arising for the characters in the series in each of the books. I hope the next book is better and has developed some new story lines.

[Alicia]

Just seemed way too cheesy. Maybe because I haven’t read the others in this series but I didn’t feel any connection to any of the main characters so the whole story had a hard time keeping my attention.

[Soc Page]

Periwinkle's Chicken Salad
Periwinkle's artichoke party dip
mr parker place's creme de menthe cake
periwinkle's crazy caprese salad
perwinkle's super crazy caprese
mr parker place's frozen key lime pie

[Sally Andrews]

Meh. It was ok for very light reading, but nothing spectacular. I've been reading some pretty highbrow stuff lately, so I guess this one just felt a tad lame.

[Kelly Brower lukas]

I did not realize this was a series at the time of purchase. Now I'm hooked and have to locate the rest. Enjoyable reading! Fun and lighthearted.

[Alaina Thomson]

:}

[Kathie]

Found this book to be boring. Mother and daughter fighting over wedding plans just didn’t appeal to me.

[Sharon Helfrich]

Listening to this series is a joy. Great narrator and such a peaceful, small town feel with great characters from all generations.