The Purple Thistles

by Carolyn Brown

A bittersweet inheritance draws three women back to their Texas hometown in a heart-lifting novel about found family, friendship, and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown.

Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria come from three vastly different backgrounds and were never friends in high school. But what they have in common Ula, a beloved nanny to all of them, has left a shared inheritance that reunites them in Applewood, Texas, at a time when each woman feels alone.

Kate was part of Applewood’s elite until bad decisions and a disappointing marriage left her disowned by her wealthy parents. Elizabeth fled her austere family for a new life in Kentucky, only to return under the shadow of a devastating secret. And Gloria, who grew up in poverty with an alcoholic mother, is struggling now with her own demons and divorce.

As they navigate painful pasts, heartbreak, unexpected romance, and the warm bonds of community, Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria discover how much they need each other. And back in Applewood they can bloom again. Just as Ula hoped.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction, Contemporary

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 1, 2026

About the author

Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!

Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.

I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.

I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.

Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!

I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC.**

I don't care what anyone says, apparently Carolyn Brown keeps proving that I *am* part of her target audience. 😂 Every time I think one of her books won't be my thing, she pulls me right into a story and refuses to let go.

This book follows three women whose lives have taken very different paths, but what they all have in common is heartbreak, regret, and a desperate need for healing. Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria each pulled at my heartstrings in completely different ways. None of them had easy lives, and watching them carry the weight of past mistakes, painful family relationships, and personal struggles made their journeys feel authentic.

What I loved most was how much I wanted happiness for all three of them. Kate deserved grace after everything she'd been through. Elizabeth carried burdens that would break a lot of people, and Gloria's story had me rooting for her from the beginning. By the end, seeing each woman find her footing and get the happily-ever-after she deserved was incredibly satisfying.

And can we talk about Brittany Pressley? Because that narrator is the audiobook equivalent of a warm hug. She brings so much heart to every character, and I always feel completely immersed when she's behind the microphone. Her narration made it easy to connect with each woman's struggles and victories.

I also loved the small Southern-town setting. As someone from the South, there's just something comforting about Carolyn Brown's communities. The town felt familiar, welcoming, and like a place where healing could actually happen.

This story isn't about big twists or constant drama. It's about second chances, friendship, forgiveness, and discovering that family isn't always about blood. It's tender, emotional, hopeful, and exactly the kind of story that reminds me why Carolyn Brown keeps ending up on my reading list.

So yes, I'm waving the white flag. Maybe I am Carolyn Brown's target audience after all. 😂💜

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nicki · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

I had higher hopes for this story about three women in Texas who go home after their mutual nanny they had growing up dies. The premise was good but this book was like drinking something that’s way too sweet. It almost goes a step beyond a Hallmark movie and that’s saying a lot. It is an easy palate cleanser and if you enjoy a light, fast-moving read this may be for you.

[Laura Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Cheadle's childhood nanny and family housekeeper, Ula Kelly, dies of pancreatic cancer, and leaves her and two other high school classmates a sizable inheritance and they each got one of her properties.

The young ladies are shocked to learn that Ula wanted them to become close friends, because the truth was, they couldn't stand each other in high school, and by the looks of things, they still couldn't.
Kate was especially confused by everything. The other two women certainly knew of Ula's connection with her family, but what on earth was Ula's connection with them?

As it turned out, those connections were established easily enough, but every step toward friendship between the three of them was hard-won.

How they got there is intertwined with a quintessential view of life in a small country town.

I liked the small town feel, and the fact that I could easily keep track of the characters and their stories. There were plenty of surprises, too, 99% of which I saw coming. I was so engrossed in the story that I finished the book in two days!

The one thing that bothered me about the book is that the ending felt extremely rushed. I understand that no book can go on forever, but I feel like the characters and readers deserve a much more realistically paced ending.

The Purple Thistles fictitiously captures something that I feel that we've lost in real life (except maybe high school cliques) - small town and family values.

The adult characters had cell phones, but they never had them out during a meal or a get-together, and the few kids that could've had them didn't have phones at all. Traditions and looking out for each other meant something to most of the characters, and so did placing value in relationships.

This book reminded me a lot of Ann Hood's The Knitting Circle, both because of its strong emphasis on women's relationships, and the individual stories that the main characters have.

Overall, this book ticks all my boxes for an amazing Women's Fiction read!

I would recommend the book to any woman who's looking for an engrossing story that's true-to-life, focuses on the unique friendship between women, and has a small town feel.

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles by Carolyn Brown

I really enjoyed this book, a heartwarming women's fiction novel centered on friendship, family, and small town life. The story begins when Kate Cheadle's childhood nanny and housekeeper, Ula Kelly, passes away and leaves a substantial inheritance, including properties, to Kate and two other women who were her high school classmates. The twist is that these three women never got along in high school and have no desire to be friends.

As the story unfolds, they slowly uncover Ula's connections to each of them and begin a journey toward understanding, forgiveness, and unexpected friendship. I found the character development engaging, and I liked how each woman had her own personal struggles and growth arc. The small-town setting added warmth and authenticity, making it easy to connect with both the characters and their lives.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was its emphasis on community, family values, and genuine human relationships. In a world that often feels dominated by technology, it was refreshing to read about people who prioritized spending time together, supporting one another, and maintaining meaningful traditions. The themes of found family and female friendship were especially well done.

The story kept me invested throughout, and I found myself eager to keep turning the pages. While there were a few plot twists that felt somewhat predictable, they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. My only criticism is that the ending felt rushed. After spending so much time getting to know the characters, I would have liked a more gradual and satisfying conclusion.

Overall, this is a touching and uplifting novel that beautifully captures the importance of friendship, community, and second chances. If you enjoy character driven stories with strong female relationships, a cozy small-town atmosphere, and plenty of heart, I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley, Carolyn and Montlake for this reader copy

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

While romance is usually my go-to genre, I also enjoy stories about women finding their way after life has not gone according to plan. From the description, I expected this book to have some romance, but I quickly realized that the real focus was Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria. These three women could not have come from more different backgrounds, but I loved watching an unexpected inheritance bring them together at a time when all three desperately needed a fresh start.

Each woman is carrying quite a bit of baggage from her past. Kate has spent years separated from the family and life she once knew, Elizabeth returns to Applewood carrying an especially heartbreaking secret, and Gloria is trying to figure out what she wants her next chapter to look like. Some of their stories were definitely heavier than I expected, particularly Elizabeth's, but I appreciated seeing each woman slowly realize that her past did not have to determine her future.

There are romantic relationships that develop along the way, and I enjoyed those parts of the story, but I was actually more invested in the friendship between the three women. I loved watching them go from women who barely knew one another to becoming the family each of them needed. They supported each other without judgment, and I especially liked seeing them encourage one another to make choices based on what would actually make them happy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There are some difficult subjects throughout the story, but there is also plenty of hope, healing, love, and even some humor along the way. More than anything, I loved the idea that family does not always have to be the people you are related to. Sometimes the people who choose to stand beside you become your sisters in every way that truly matters.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles by Carolyn Brown is a story of three women who recent an inheritance which brings them back to their Texas small town. Kate, Elizabeth and Gloria come from three very different backgrounds and were never friendly in high school. Kate was a part of their town’s elite until she was disowned and shunned by her parents. Elizabeth fled her religiously strict family and returned with a secret. Gloria grew up in poverty with an alcoholic mother and struggles with her own demons. Their only common thread is the love and care from Ula, a beloved nanny and mother figure to them all. When Ula passes away, each woman inherits a portion of Ula’s estate. As they work through their painful pasts, heartbreak and their newfound friendship, Kate, Elizabeth and Gloria see the possibilities of bright futures and unexpected romances.
The Purple Thistles is a bittersweet story of three women who find friendship and a community through their grief and strength to stand up to their families and their pasts. From the very beginning, my heart broke for these women as they came back to town with broken dreams and painful memories. However, through their shared memories of Ula, they find strength with each other and their newfound community and even have second chances at love. There were moments of great laughs and loving moments. I cheered for these women as they each confronted those who would try to keep them down. I also loved the symbolism with the thistle. Overall, I loved this story and was a bit sad to see it end but enjoyed the happily ever after Kate, Elizabeth and Gloria are now living. I highly recommend The Purple Thistles.

The Purple Thistles will be available on December 1, 2026
in paperback, eBook and audiobook

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles is a warm, heartfelt story about three women who never expected to need each other—and certainly never expected to find their way back home. Carolyn Brown has such a gift for writing small towns that feel lived‑in, comforting, and just a little complicated, and Applewood, Texas is no exception.

Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria arrive carrying very different burdens, yet the thread that ties them together—Ula’s bittersweet inheritance—feels tender and genuine. I loved how Brown lets each woman’s past unfold slowly, with just enough ache to make their growth feel earned. Kate’s fall from privilege, Elizabeth’s secret that shadows her return, and Gloria’s fight to break cycles she grew up with all add texture without ever overwhelming the story.

What really shines is the sense of found family. Watching these three women, who barely knew each other in high school, learn to lean in rather than pull away is both uplifting and quietly emotional. There’s romance, heartbreak, and plenty of small‑town charm, but at its core this is a novel about second chances—about blooming again in the very place you once wanted to leave behind.

It’s tender, hopeful, and full of Carolyn Brown’s signature warmth. A lovely read for anyone who enjoys stories where community, friendship, and a little nudge from the past help guide the way forward.

With thanks to Carolyn Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bittersweet story of three women who find friendship while learning to stand up to their families and unhappy pasts. Gloria, Elizabeth, and Kate, were never friends despite having grown up in the same small town and graduating together. Years later they are reunited at the reading of Nanny Ula Kelly's will. Each woman vividly recounts why Ula called her a "purple thistle". You are a not fragile flower, but a purple thistle: If you touch a purple thistle timidly, it pricks you. Grasp it boldly, and its spines crumble. This sage advice helped each one get through the many trials of her life.

One of the conditions of the will is that they get to know each other which is not well-accepted by any of the three initially as they had nothing in common as high schoolers; they were, and are, vastly different. As the trio make small attempts to get along, they realize they have much more in common than being Ula's heirs. As they maneuver through their grief and returning to their hometown Applewood, they deal with standing up for themselves and standing up to the ghosts from their pasts while building relationships with each other.

Carolyn Brown has the ability to make you laugh and cry in the same sentence! Her characters are well-developed, her story lines unique yet not outrageous, and books are addictive. She is the Queen of Southern sass with a gift for pulling vasty different characters together when it was thought an impossible task,

[Melanie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles is the kind of small-town women’s fiction that sneaks up on you emotionally. Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria return to Applewood, Texas, because of an inheritance from Ula, the woman who cared for all three of them at different points in their lives. They were never friends growing up, but grief and Ula’s final wishes keep pushing them together until the idea of family starts to look very different.

I tend to like stories where women form friendships later in life, especially when the relationships are not instantly easy. All three women come back carrying something heavy. Kate has been cut off by her wealthy family, Elizabeth is hiding a painful secret, and Gloria is dealing with divorce and problems she thought she had escaped. Watching them slowly figure out how much they actually need each other was the part I enjoyed most.

There is romance here, but the friendship between the three women feels like the real heart of the book. I also liked the idea that Ula knew each of them well enough to see a connection they could not see themselves. Applewood has that familiar Carolyn Brown mix of small-town warmth, complicated histories, and people getting another chance at a life they thought had already gone off course.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolyn Brown does it again with a wonderfully cozy book.
As the audiobook started I was so excited that it was one of my favorite narrators, Brittany Pressley. She was the perfect narrator and just made the book that much more warm and inviting.

The Purple Thistles are the 3 women that are left a life changing inheritance by a woman who made them feel safe, raised them and influenced their lives, Ula. As they come back to the small town where they grew up (but were never friends) for the funeral and find out about the inheritance, they also find out that they will be together in all they have gained. I appreciated how while they were hesitant at first of each being with these women they didn't know but had preconceived notions of from High school, that they pulled up their big girl pants, were honest about it and delved in to becoming the best of friends. They relied on each other as different issues arose that each was dealing with from the life outside of this town and were excited to make a family of their own from this community that wrapped them in the love from just about the second they returned. I found myself smiling through most of the book. My only issue with the book was that the end felt like it sprinted to wrap up which bummed me out because we'd just spent a whole book getting to know these women and suddenly all the stories were quickly ended. All in all it's a good book. I've already recommended it to a few people and pre ordered it so my mom will get it on release day, 12/1/26.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

[The New · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Audio and Carolyn Brown for approving me to listen to this book for an honest review.

The Purple Thistles by Carolyn Brown tells the story of Kate, Elizabeth and Gloria, 3 women in their 30s who return to their hometown of Applewood, TX after the death of Ula, a Nanny and friend to each of them. This is a story about found family and the support and love that can come from it. Each woman was alone and struggling in the world and with Ula's death found each other.

This was a beautiful book that was well written and intriguing. The plot moved along and each character was thoroughly developed. The way the FMCs interacted and grew together was a delight to experience. Watching two of them fall in love and all of them learn to trust again was inspiring. I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narration was done by Brittany Pressley who was exceptional. This was a difficult book to narrate because there were 3 different POVs. She was able to voice each character so it was easy to discern who was speaking. She has a very soothing voice and the pace was just right. I kept finding things to do so I could keep listening to this book. I will definitely be recommending it!!

[Lindsey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles by Carolyn Brown is a wonderful story that shows us that maybe, despite all our differences, we’re not all that different.

Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria all grew up in the same small town, but their lives couldn’t have been more different. Kate was the popular girl from the affluent side of town. Elizabeth, the eldest of six daughters with uber religious parents. And Gloria grew up in a trailer park with her alcoholic mother. But despite these differences, all three girls had one thing in common — Miz Ula.

Miz Ula was Kate’s nanny, Elizabeth’s Sunday school teacher, and the woman who took care of Gloria when her mother did not. It’s been fifteen years since the girls graduated high school and left little Applewood behind. But now they’re back to honor Miz Ula, the woman who had a profound impact on each of them. And though she may be gone, Miz Ula isn’t finished guiding them just yet.

Carolyn Brown masterfully weaves the story of Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria’s homecoming in a way that sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and maybe cuss out a few bad guys as you dive into the world of Applewood, Texas.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts

Kate Cheadle, Elizabeth Tisdale and Gloria Winters never planned on returning to Applewood because they all wanted the lives they left behind to stay there.

When their beloved Nanny Ula passed away and she left her business assets and her home to them it became a second chance to live the lives each wanted but had almost given up on having.

In the authors tried and true fashion the small town where our three main characters grew up has stayed pretty much unchanged with a few surprises that give Elizabeth, Gloria and Kate a chance to start over both separately and together.

Each chapter is told from a different point of view, alternating between Kate, Elizabeth and Gloria.

As each of their pasts are revealed to one another the women start to form strong bonds with not only each other but also elderly residents of the small trailer park Elizabeth inherited and along the way others from town as well.

A beautifully heartfelt story with more than one twist to keep it flowing.

[EArc from Netgalley]

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is told from the different point of views of Kate, Gloria and Elizabeth. Each one sharing a bit of their past history with Nanny Ula as well as present day with the recent passing of Nanny Ula. Keep in mind that all three have never been friends. Not even well known acquaintances.
Each one had never planned on returning to Applewood. They just wanted the lives they had there to just be forgotten. All three only had unhappy memories of living there. But when circumstances change with their beloved Nanny Ula, all three have their plans changed dramatically.
It was a shock to be told their beloved Nanny Ula passed away and she left her business assets and her homes to them.
Was this a way for Nanny Ula to give them each a second chance?
Will this unexpected chance give Elizabeth, Gloria and Kate a chance to start over both separately and together?
Things come to light and are revealed that the women never knew about.
All the characters are lovable and likable…..

A beautiful heartfelt story with so many unexpected twists to keep it flowing and engaging.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely heart warming story. Three women who in their teens lived totally different lives and had little to do with each other are brought together upon the death of a woman who played a very important part in their lives. The Purple Thistles offers a look at small town life, friendship, picking up the pieces of a past life, life’s dreams, and more. Told in alternating chapters you learn something about Gloria, Elizabeth and Kate, the effect Ula had on them in their youth, the tribulations they faced having left their home town, and how each grows and learns family is much more than traditional family connections. Brown’s character development is so well done in the development of each character from the main three to those around them. You really get to know them and feel for them. The development of the theme around purple thistles is so very effective - will it prick or crumble? How will they pull themselves up together? Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Rachel (storybookcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Brown never disappoints. She writes southern fiction so well in my opinion. All five senses are covered while reading her books. I can vividly see the story come to life as I read it. This story is about three women who are from different worlds yet grew up in the same small town. It's about found family and finding the people who will love you like family for who you are and not judge you. It's about family abandonment & family secrets and how that can shape us into the people we become. It's about what it means to start over when life throws you curve balls and learning to navigate life lessons. I didn't want to leave Kate, Elizabeth, & Gloria. They might have had a little bit of a rough beginning, but once their friendship took root I was hooked.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three women who have little in common beyond originating from the same town in Texas are drawn backed upward thanks to the legacy of the woman they all had in common and loved deeply.

Gloria, Elizabeth, and Kate are - in various different ways - each at a crossroads. Can they find strength or support from each other at this crucial point in their lives?

What was Ula thinking to bring together three such diverse women? Perhaps ultimately what people leave the ones they love is simply the shared gift of having loved them.

This is a tender story by a chronicler of women's lives that will be enjoyed by readers of women's fiction. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jesslyn Zhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really love this one! It wins my heart starts from the first chapter. Every chapter reveals something new that made you open your mouth so wide. I love their witty conversation among the three of them. Always make me laugh!

This book is about the journey of new friendship within three old friends (not neccesarily old friends but they knew each other from before) Love the warmth portrayed until the end.

I would totally recommend this to every woman both single, married, or even divorced. Really worth every minute of my time.

Thank you Carolyn for writing this beautiful novel. Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake too for letting me read.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles by Carolyn Brown is an usual story of three women who had the same beloved person in their lives growing up. This did not lead to the three becoming close. Instead the opposite happened. The beloved Ula died leaving them a shared inheritance. This woman was wise, knowing in life women need friends to share, support and love. Kate, Elizabeth, and Gloria certainly did. Coming from different backgrounds and now in different places in life these women had the need for friendship even more then the inheritance. A story strong on women’s relationships and the need we have as women for connections.

[Sheri Fields · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley! Carolyn Brown's The Purple Thistle, tells the story of three women, Elizabeth, Kate and Gloria that all have different backgrounds, never friends growing up, but have a common bond, Ula, their beloved "nanny" the one person who lived and cared for them.. She brings them all together when she leaves them an inheritance. They all come home to Apple wood Texas, their lives intertwine, even though there is some hard times they still find love, and happiness. Read the book to find out about all the characters that they meet and bring into their lives in TBE town of Applewood.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meeting up again at the reading of ulas will. Kate, Elizabeth and Gloria all went to school together but never associated and never were friends. Ula was special to all 3 girls. A mother figure and support for them. All 3 left town in a hurry but are now back. Left property and funds by ula they make new beginnings together and separately. Finding the past does not have to define the future and friendship.
The purple thistle defines each of the ladies, strong and resilient.
This book will make you smile and cheer the ladies on.

[Sandy Barrera · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Three women of very different backgrounds are heading back to Texas for the funeral of a beloved woman who was a nanny to all three at different times in their lives. She has left an inheritance to each of them that will reunite them in Applewood, Texas. They are also responsible for spreading her ashes within a years time. All three women are so lonely and are in a rough time of their life. Will all three find love and company back in Texas? Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this lovely book. I enjoyed it!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Thistles is an inspirational Carolyn Brown story about friendship, family, overcoming obstacles, prejudices and growing in love. Kate, Gloria, and Elizabeth never were friends in school, but an inheritance from the woman they all considered more of a mother than their own brings a new understanding of family into their lives. This is a book to savor. I voluntarily reviewed a copy from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

[Amanda Hooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Carolyn Brown has done it once again, I started reading her books with my grandmother and haven't skipped a new one since. The Purple Thistles is overflowing with love, found family and good ol' fashioned humor. I was not ready for it to end and now that it has i can't wait for the next new book.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I loved trying to figure out what all these women had in common with each other, and really enjoyed how their connectons came to light in the end. I like Carolyn's style of writing, it's very refreshing and Texan! Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy and a chance to review the book honestly. I always love picking up Ms. Brown's book as they always entertain me.

[Tammi Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a sweet story about 3 women who grew up in the same town but were not friends. The one thing that they all had in common was a sweet lady named Ula. In a way, Ula was a nanny to all three when they were little.
When Ula passed away, Kate,Elizabeth, and Gloria all came back to town. They learn to lean on each other through the good and bad times.

[Dawn Griffith Hansard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always believed that family consists of those you love and those who love you back. This story is an excellent example of that belief. Three women who very different, learn they have much more in common than the woman they were each connected to. A beautiful story of live, friendship, endurance and strength. Thanks #NetGalley

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ula died she brings 3 women together. Little did they know that they were more alike than they thought.
Wonderful story of them finding their way in life. Frienship,family and friends. Such a great story that's for everyone.
Heartwarming womens fiction

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Purple Thistles, by Carolyn Brown, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Elizabeth, Gloria, and Kate. had the same nanny, Ula, she passed on and left an inheritance to them. This was a really good read, Ula was a great character.

[Amy E Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found family, friendship, going home, moving forward and overcoming your past are all themes Carolyn Brown weaves through The Purple Thistles.

A journey through the lives of three women who are unexpectedly brought together after the death of their childhood nanny, Ula, Each enters the story raw, dealing with hurt, loss, and even trauma. They come together and form family, find love, purpose and a future.

This is a sweet and clean romance. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced copy of this book.

//

⚠️ While no topics were graphic or gratuitous, I want to share the following content topics for the sensitive readers: recovery (alcoholism), abuse, religious abuse, violence against women (spousal rape), some language.

Format: e-reader/ARC