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Ellery #3
Better Get To Livin'
“Don't miss this quirky, fun love story. I couldn't put it down.”--Haywood Smith, New York Times bestselling author
Smart, witty, and delightfully offbeat, this new novel from the author of The Happy Hour Choir and Bittersweet Creek is an uplifting story about following your heart, even when it leads to the last place you'd expect…
Presley Cline has put aside dreams of Hollywood stardom and come back to Ellery, Tennessee, to work in a beauty shop. In truth, the dreams in question were more her mother's than her own. Presley may have the face and body of a movie icon, but she lacks the stomach for it. Yet a loving relationship and normal home life seem almost as unattainable as an Oscar. Being able to see and speak to dead people certainly isn't helping.
Presley's first job, beautifying "clients" at the Anderson Funeral Home, is quite a change from working on a movie set. The place is home to dozens of ghosts all hoping that Presley can help them move on--and also one very-much-alive owner, Declan Anderson. Like Presley, Declan is caught between following family expectations and his own aspirations. But with a little meddling from loved ones and locals--both living and dead--Presley is starting to see that life is too short not to be who you want to be, and the most rewarding journeys involve some unexpected detours…
Praise for Sally Kilpatrick's The Happy Hour Choir
"Kilpatrick mixes loss and devastation with hope and a little bit of Southern charm. She will leave the reader laughing through tears. This is an incredible start from a promising storyteller." — RT Book Reviews , 4.5 Stars
Smart, witty, and delightfully offbeat, this new novel from the author of The Happy Hour Choir and Bittersweet Creek is an uplifting story about following your heart, even when it leads to the last place you'd expect…
Presley Cline has put aside dreams of Hollywood stardom and come back to Ellery, Tennessee, to work in a beauty shop. In truth, the dreams in question were more her mother's than her own. Presley may have the face and body of a movie icon, but she lacks the stomach for it. Yet a loving relationship and normal home life seem almost as unattainable as an Oscar. Being able to see and speak to dead people certainly isn't helping.
Presley's first job, beautifying "clients" at the Anderson Funeral Home, is quite a change from working on a movie set. The place is home to dozens of ghosts all hoping that Presley can help them move on--and also one very-much-alive owner, Declan Anderson. Like Presley, Declan is caught between following family expectations and his own aspirations. But with a little meddling from loved ones and locals--both living and dead--Presley is starting to see that life is too short not to be who you want to be, and the most rewarding journeys involve some unexpected detours…
Praise for Sally Kilpatrick's The Happy Hour Choir
"Kilpatrick mixes loss and devastation with hope and a little bit of Southern charm. She will leave the reader laughing through tears. This is an incredible start from a promising storyteller." — RT Book Reviews , 4.5 Stars
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2016
46 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
Sally Kilpatrick
16 books392 followersSally Kilpatrick writes...stuff. She prefers fiction to biographies, but here we are. When not fretting over her biography, Sally writes southern fiction, mystery, and lots of to do lists. She lives with her dashing husband, two precocious kids, and two persnickety cats in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Visit her author website at sallykilpatrick.com or follow her on BlueSky as @SuperWriterMom.
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September 18, 2024In keeping with tradition, I mark BGTL as read on this, the day I turned in copy edits. By my best estimation, I have read through this book at least 6 times. . . . and I have one more to go.Now, here's hoping you guys like it.
Edit: Just finished another read through for the rerelease in August 2024. I still love this one. This story may be far from perfect and absolutely refuses to be one easy to market genre, but...that's me, I suppose.
Edit: Just finished another read through for the rerelease in August 2024. I still love this one. This story may be far from perfect and absolutely refuses to be one easy to market genre, but...that's me, I suppose.
May 3, 2016
The Happy Hour Choir made me a fan and Bittersweet Creek put Sally Kilpatrick on my "must read" list. With her third novel Better Get to Livin', Kilpatrick has ensured that her books join the likes of Stephen King, Elizabeth George, Laura Lippman and Peter David on my list of "authors I will read their latest offering first no matter what other books are on the to-be-read pile."
Presley Cline left her small hometown in Tennessee for the bright lights of Hollywood. But just as her fortunes are about to take a turn toward that goal, she's caught up in a Hollywood scandal that has her not only embarrassed but headed home to try and hide out with her mother for a while. Those plans quickly go awry when her mother's trailer is destroyed by a tornado and Presley and her mother take refuge at the local funeral home, run by Declan Anderson.
Like Presley, Declan has his own "big dreams in a small town." He's been holding down the fort on the family business for a couple of years now while his brother is off in Atlanta, going to school. The two had an understanding that once school was over, the brother would come back to town, take over the day-to-day funeral home operations and let Declan pursue his own dreams.
The instant chemistry between Declan and Presley leaps off the page. There's been a simmering attraction between the two since high school but it never came to a full boil -- well, at least until now.
Better Get to Livin' adds in another interesting, supernatural layer to this romance. And no, there are no sparkly vampires to be seen. Instead, Presley is able to see and communicate with ghosts who are in limbo -- something that is especially aggravated by living and working in a funeral home (Presley takes over doing the hair and make-up for the deceased to try and fill her steadily empty bank account. And that whole speaking to the deceased comes in handy when she can find out exactly how the recently deceased prefers their hair styled and make-up applied).
With alternating chapters giving us the viewpoints of Declan and Presley, we're treated to not only the quirks of this small town and these characters but also to seeing how our heroes are reacting to each other. Sometimes it will make you laugh, sometimes it will frustrate you and sometimes it will make you cry -- in other words, it's just like life and any relationship. As with her previous two novels, what makes Kilpatrick's work stand out are her realistic characters and the realistic hurdles to their romance. Both Delcan and Presley have wounds and foibles -- many of which throw a monkey wrench into their potential romance. But these things never feel forced or as if Kilpatrick is coming up with reasons to keep the romance simmering.
Throw in some big homages to It's a Wonderful Life and you've got another winner from Kilpatrick. And she even rewards long-time readers with references to her other novels that will please fans (like this one) who've read the previous installments but won't serve as a gate to keep out new readers.
In short, this one is pretty much as close to perfect as a reading experience can get.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was after I received birthday wishes from Kilpatrick (we're old friends) on Facebook and asked her if I could read a copy of her next book as my birthday present. She and her publisher graciously sent me a copy of the novel and I couldn't be more delighted.
Presley Cline left her small hometown in Tennessee for the bright lights of Hollywood. But just as her fortunes are about to take a turn toward that goal, she's caught up in a Hollywood scandal that has her not only embarrassed but headed home to try and hide out with her mother for a while. Those plans quickly go awry when her mother's trailer is destroyed by a tornado and Presley and her mother take refuge at the local funeral home, run by Declan Anderson.
Like Presley, Declan has his own "big dreams in a small town." He's been holding down the fort on the family business for a couple of years now while his brother is off in Atlanta, going to school. The two had an understanding that once school was over, the brother would come back to town, take over the day-to-day funeral home operations and let Declan pursue his own dreams.
The instant chemistry between Declan and Presley leaps off the page. There's been a simmering attraction between the two since high school but it never came to a full boil -- well, at least until now.
Better Get to Livin' adds in another interesting, supernatural layer to this romance. And no, there are no sparkly vampires to be seen. Instead, Presley is able to see and communicate with ghosts who are in limbo -- something that is especially aggravated by living and working in a funeral home (Presley takes over doing the hair and make-up for the deceased to try and fill her steadily empty bank account. And that whole speaking to the deceased comes in handy when she can find out exactly how the recently deceased prefers their hair styled and make-up applied).
With alternating chapters giving us the viewpoints of Declan and Presley, we're treated to not only the quirks of this small town and these characters but also to seeing how our heroes are reacting to each other. Sometimes it will make you laugh, sometimes it will frustrate you and sometimes it will make you cry -- in other words, it's just like life and any relationship. As with her previous two novels, what makes Kilpatrick's work stand out are her realistic characters and the realistic hurdles to their romance. Both Delcan and Presley have wounds and foibles -- many of which throw a monkey wrench into their potential romance. But these things never feel forced or as if Kilpatrick is coming up with reasons to keep the romance simmering.
Throw in some big homages to It's a Wonderful Life and you've got another winner from Kilpatrick. And she even rewards long-time readers with references to her other novels that will please fans (like this one) who've read the previous installments but won't serve as a gate to keep out new readers.
In short, this one is pretty much as close to perfect as a reading experience can get.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was after I received birthday wishes from Kilpatrick (we're old friends) on Facebook and asked her if I could read a copy of her next book as my birthday present. She and her publisher graciously sent me a copy of the novel and I couldn't be more delighted.
June 2, 2016
Better Get to Livin is a new novel by Sally Kilpatrick. Presley Ann Cline is an actress (not even a B actress) in Los Angeles. She is hoping to get the part of a fairy godmother in a new movie titled Secret Lives of Fairy Godmothers. The producer would guarantee her a role if she sleeps with him. Presley Ann is unable to go through with it, but the paparazzi catch her leaving the gentleman’s place with her skirt in her underwear (not a good picture). Her agent advises Presley Ann to leave town until the hoopla dies down. Presley Ann only has one place to go with her limited funds (her last boyfriend cleaned her out and then disappeared) and that is home to Ellery, Tennessee. It will also give Presley Ann a chance to get away from the depressing ghost in the corner of her apartment. Did I mention that Presley Ann can see ghosts (and has the ability to help them cross over)? Presley Ann shows up at her mother’s trailer home in Green Acres Estates Mobile Home Park. It is a good thing that Presley Ann came home because her mother could use some assistance. Presley Ann is given a job by the very reluctant Delilah of Holy Roller (I have a feeling there is a story there), the town’s beauty shop. Her first assignment is to take care of a client at Anderson’s Funeral Home. I think Presley Ann’s ability to see ghosts will come in handy! Declan Anderson works at the funeral home with his stepmother, Caroline. This is not Declan’s dream job, but he would not disappoint family. When tornados strike the town and ruin trailer homes, Declan offers Presley Ann and her mother a place to stay (the funeral home used to be a real home). Presley Ann is less than excited after she discovers the overabundance of ghosts residing above stairs. But she cannot turn down a place to stay (for her or her mother). Then Declan’s Uncle Hollis comes back to the funeral home (people do not understand him and his boisterous ways). Turns out that Uncle Hollis and Presley Ann have a lot in common. Life is never dull in Ellery, Tennessee. Will Presley Ann decide to stay or head back to her life in Hollywood? You will have to read Better Get to Livin to find out.
Better Get to Livin was not as good as it sounds (it does not live up to its potential). Presley Ann is a twenty-five years old virgin. Presley Ann is afraid to have sex and this seems to dominate the book (because her mother warned her about the cow giving the milk away for free). The pace of the novel is extremely sluggish. My favorite part of the book was the Gilmore Girls reference (such a cute show). The story is told (in the first person) from Declan and Presley Ann’s point-of-views (it goes back and forth). This makes it a wee bit confusing at times when it switches. There is mild foul language and sexual references in the book (not explicit but fair warning). There was not enough about the ghosts. I think it would have made for a better story if the ghosts had been integrated more. My favorite character was Uncle Hollis. He was interesting and fun. There is more that goes on in the story. I just told you some of the activity that takes place (it is too much for one book). I give Better Get to Livin 2.75 out of 5 stars. It was okay, but not great. With a little tweaking, it could have been a very good story.
I received a complimentary copy of Better Get to Livin from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Better Get to Livin was not as good as it sounds (it does not live up to its potential). Presley Ann is a twenty-five years old virgin. Presley Ann is afraid to have sex and this seems to dominate the book (because her mother warned her about the cow giving the milk away for free). The pace of the novel is extremely sluggish. My favorite part of the book was the Gilmore Girls reference (such a cute show). The story is told (in the first person) from Declan and Presley Ann’s point-of-views (it goes back and forth). This makes it a wee bit confusing at times when it switches. There is mild foul language and sexual references in the book (not explicit but fair warning). There was not enough about the ghosts. I think it would have made for a better story if the ghosts had been integrated more. My favorite character was Uncle Hollis. He was interesting and fun. There is more that goes on in the story. I just told you some of the activity that takes place (it is too much for one book). I give Better Get to Livin 2.75 out of 5 stars. It was okay, but not great. With a little tweaking, it could have been a very good story.
I received a complimentary copy of Better Get to Livin from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
April 10, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! It was funny, emotional, charming and quirky. It was written in alternate chapters from the two main characters, Declan (funeral director/stuck in family firm when he really wanted to be an architect or renovate homes) and Presley (C-list actress who was pushed into it by her mother/hairdresser/can see ghosts!) and it worked really well from both viewpoints.
Presley ended up back home with her mum, LuEllen (lives in a trailer/smokes/drinks/on oxygen/not good health), and working in a beauty shop after fleeing Hollywood after getting caught by the paparazzi leaving a producer's home with her skirt tucked in her knickers (nothing happened)! So she's lying low in Ellery, her hometown.
She ends up doing the hair and make-up for a few deceased people in the funeral home and on one occasion a tornado hits and she ended up sheltering in a small cupboard with Declan (who has had a crush on her since high school). After the tornado they go to find LuEllen and find her trailer upside down, but she is OK - until she lights a cigarette which catches on the oxygen cylinder and the whole trailer goes up in smoke, so Presley & LuEllen end up living in a bedroom in the funeral home. Presley has always been able to see ghosts and there are loads of spirits stuck there as there is no-one to help them cross over as Uncle Hollis (Declan's uncle/put in a retirement home as they thought he was loopy) was the only one who could also see them and help them cross.
Things progress from there, Uncle Hollis comes home (I love Uncle Hollis!), the ghostly Colonel was a right character and saved the day in the end, and there is a slow-burning romance between Presley and Declan.
This book was an absolute delight and I shall be looking for Sally Kilpatrick's other books now. I hope she continues with more books set here and makes this a series as I for one shall be reading them!
Presley ended up back home with her mum, LuEllen (lives in a trailer/smokes/drinks/on oxygen/not good health), and working in a beauty shop after fleeing Hollywood after getting caught by the paparazzi leaving a producer's home with her skirt tucked in her knickers (nothing happened)! So she's lying low in Ellery, her hometown.
She ends up doing the hair and make-up for a few deceased people in the funeral home and on one occasion a tornado hits and she ended up sheltering in a small cupboard with Declan (who has had a crush on her since high school). After the tornado they go to find LuEllen and find her trailer upside down, but she is OK - until she lights a cigarette which catches on the oxygen cylinder and the whole trailer goes up in smoke, so Presley & LuEllen end up living in a bedroom in the funeral home. Presley has always been able to see ghosts and there are loads of spirits stuck there as there is no-one to help them cross over as Uncle Hollis (Declan's uncle/put in a retirement home as they thought he was loopy) was the only one who could also see them and help them cross.
Things progress from there, Uncle Hollis comes home (I love Uncle Hollis!), the ghostly Colonel was a right character and saved the day in the end, and there is a slow-burning romance between Presley and Declan.
This book was an absolute delight and I shall be looking for Sally Kilpatrick's other books now. I hope she continues with more books set here and makes this a series as I for one shall be reading them!
June 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this third book in the Ellery Series. I like stories that are unique and a bit quirky. The main character in this book can see ghosts, so that qualifies as quirky. Presley has hit a bump in her life that lead her back to her home town, Ellery. In returning, she finds herself more than where she thought she wanted to live. Great story.
I am in the process of reading this series and so far, it is difficult to chose my favorite one, but this book might be my favorite.
I am in the process of reading this series and so far, it is difficult to chose my favorite one, but this book might be my favorite.
August 28, 2018
Thanks to Sally Kilpatrick (Bloom With Tall Poppy Writers on Facebook win).
Southern charm is what this book is about. The characters, the ghosts, the love story, the setting in a funeral home in the small town in Ellery, TN, and the big city of Hollywood. Mystery included close to the end of the book.
Great read all around.
Southern charm is what this book is about. The characters, the ghosts, the love story, the setting in a funeral home in the small town in Ellery, TN, and the big city of Hollywood. Mystery included close to the end of the book.
Great read all around.
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March 12, 2017Such a clever, charming book. I found about Kilpatrick through Goodreads and I am so glad I did. I must read more!!!
August 21, 2016
Sally Kilpatrick returns to the small town of Ellery, Tennessee, in her third novel, Better Get To Livin’, the story of two people who have more in common than might appear at first glance.
Presley Ann Cline (who is grateful that her train wreck of a mother didn’t name her Elvis) has had a very modest success in Hollywood (bit parts and commercials), so modest that she used her spare time to go to cosmetology school. But after a very embarrassing photo of her hits the papers (and the Internet), she’s come home to Ellery for a break, ending up with a job at the Holy Roller beauty salon.
When the owner of the Holy Roller (who seems to hate her for no discernible reason) sends Presley to do the cosmetic work for a recently deceased lady at the Anderson Funeral Home, Presley runs into Declan Anderson, her crush when she was a high school student and he was her tutor. She also runs into a lot of ghosts, whom she can see, hear, and talk to.
Declan wanted to be an architect, but he left his university studies to go to mortuary school and honor his promise to his father to keep the funeral home in the family. Now he runs it with his stepmother Caroline, and dreams about buying and rehabbing an old house when his brother Sean comes back to run the funeral home.
Declan is aware that he’s living his father’s dream, while Presley takes a bit longer to realize that her mother cares more about her Hollywood career than she does. That doesn’t make it any easier for either of them to change their path—or even to decide if they really want to.
This is a wonderful book about two good-hearted people trying to find their destinies, and wondering if that destiny could possibly include each other. Between a tornado, a fire, family promises, meddling ghosts, and that recent widow with her sights set on Declan, their paths seem littered with obstacles, but there just might be a way.
Sweet, touching, and very funny. Full of quirky characters and unexpected turns. Presley and Declan tell their stories in alternating chapters, and each has a distinct and thoroughly likable outlook. Highly recommended, along with Kilpatrick’s previous books, The Happy Hour Choir and Bittersweet Creek.
Presley Ann Cline (who is grateful that her train wreck of a mother didn’t name her Elvis) has had a very modest success in Hollywood (bit parts and commercials), so modest that she used her spare time to go to cosmetology school. But after a very embarrassing photo of her hits the papers (and the Internet), she’s come home to Ellery for a break, ending up with a job at the Holy Roller beauty salon.
When the owner of the Holy Roller (who seems to hate her for no discernible reason) sends Presley to do the cosmetic work for a recently deceased lady at the Anderson Funeral Home, Presley runs into Declan Anderson, her crush when she was a high school student and he was her tutor. She also runs into a lot of ghosts, whom she can see, hear, and talk to.
Declan wanted to be an architect, but he left his university studies to go to mortuary school and honor his promise to his father to keep the funeral home in the family. Now he runs it with his stepmother Caroline, and dreams about buying and rehabbing an old house when his brother Sean comes back to run the funeral home.
Declan is aware that he’s living his father’s dream, while Presley takes a bit longer to realize that her mother cares more about her Hollywood career than she does. That doesn’t make it any easier for either of them to change their path—or even to decide if they really want to.
This is a wonderful book about two good-hearted people trying to find their destinies, and wondering if that destiny could possibly include each other. Between a tornado, a fire, family promises, meddling ghosts, and that recent widow with her sights set on Declan, their paths seem littered with obstacles, but there just might be a way.
Sweet, touching, and very funny. Full of quirky characters and unexpected turns. Presley and Declan tell their stories in alternating chapters, and each has a distinct and thoroughly likable outlook. Highly recommended, along with Kilpatrick’s previous books, The Happy Hour Choir and Bittersweet Creek.
July 31, 2016
Sally Kilpatrick takes readers back to the small Tennessee town of Ellery for her third novel. She knows her small, southern towns well and has a knack for painting both the positive and negative aspects of living within one, especially in regards to perceptions about people that are set early in life. Both Declan and Presley are much more than what the people of Ellery perceive them to be or even what each of them perceives the other to be. When Presley returns home broke after being at the center of a Hollywood scandal and having all her money stolen by her cheating boyfriend, she talks her way into a job at the local beauty salon where she's assigned funeral home detail. Soon after, when a tornado hits Ellery, destroying her ailing mother's trailer, an offer from Declan to take shelter at the funeral home puts them in daily contact and opens the door for their attraction to deepen. It also gives them the opportunity to look beneath the surface (their own and each other's), explore possibilities, and question what they really want. Are they content with the decisions family obligations have nudged them into making or is it time to reassess their dreams and get to livin'?
The pace of this book is relaxed with the building of a relationship between Presley and Declan, gentle and gradual. I was quickly drawn into the story; Kilpatrick's realistic characters and down-home charm making me care about these individuals and the triumphs and tragedies of their lives, with her sense of humor never failing to delight. First person narrative doesn't always work for me but, in this book, with the alternating chapters told from Declan's and Presley's points of view, it gives the reader the necessary insight into each of these characters that's needed to understand their actions and emotions, propelling the story as well as their relationships with their families, and each other, forward. Secondary characters add humor, chaos, and emotional depth to the overall story with Uncle Hollis (who shares Presley's ghost communication skills) being a particular favorite.
Resident ghosts, a reluctant-mortician hero, a down-on-her-luck-actress heroine and a solid supporting cast all wrapped up in Sally Kilpatrick's heart-tugging emotion and quirky, southern humor? Yes, please!
The pace of this book is relaxed with the building of a relationship between Presley and Declan, gentle and gradual. I was quickly drawn into the story; Kilpatrick's realistic characters and down-home charm making me care about these individuals and the triumphs and tragedies of their lives, with her sense of humor never failing to delight. First person narrative doesn't always work for me but, in this book, with the alternating chapters told from Declan's and Presley's points of view, it gives the reader the necessary insight into each of these characters that's needed to understand their actions and emotions, propelling the story as well as their relationships with their families, and each other, forward. Secondary characters add humor, chaos, and emotional depth to the overall story with Uncle Hollis (who shares Presley's ghost communication skills) being a particular favorite.
Resident ghosts, a reluctant-mortician hero, a down-on-her-luck-actress heroine and a solid supporting cast all wrapped up in Sally Kilpatrick's heart-tugging emotion and quirky, southern humor? Yes, please!
April 19, 2016
pub May 31, 2016 Better Get To Livin' by Sally Kilpatrick
Have read some of the author's works and have enjoyed the books. This one starts out with Presley and she's run out of a house with barely anything on as the paparazzi photos her.
Her agent tells her to lay low so she heads to her mothers in TN for the Christmas holiday seeason before she will head back to Hollywood to resume her career. Alternating chapters from Declan who runs the local funeral home and his busy life attending to those in need.
Then the tornado hits and everything is turned upside down in all their lives. The ghosts are around more and she sees and talks to them to lead them on their way.
She finds work to do but it's not what she really wants to do...her mother is very ill, on oxygen and no place to go...there was only one choice to make...Declan has decisions to make also about the growth of his business, or does he want her in his life????
Other life and death emergencies occur and she is able to find out who her real father is=a bit late but better late than never. She knows she has the audition coming up but what to do after that-return to her family life or work for the movies? Like how all the mysteries are solved, didn't see it coming-who had killed them all!
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
Have read some of the author's works and have enjoyed the books. This one starts out with Presley and she's run out of a house with barely anything on as the paparazzi photos her.
Her agent tells her to lay low so she heads to her mothers in TN for the Christmas holiday seeason before she will head back to Hollywood to resume her career. Alternating chapters from Declan who runs the local funeral home and his busy life attending to those in need.
Then the tornado hits and everything is turned upside down in all their lives. The ghosts are around more and she sees and talks to them to lead them on their way.
She finds work to do but it's not what she really wants to do...her mother is very ill, on oxygen and no place to go...there was only one choice to make...Declan has decisions to make also about the growth of his business, or does he want her in his life????
Other life and death emergencies occur and she is able to find out who her real father is=a bit late but better late than never. She knows she has the audition coming up but what to do after that-return to her family life or work for the movies? Like how all the mysteries are solved, didn't see it coming-who had killed them all!
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
April 9, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley.com and to the publisher for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Ghostly Fluff!!! What a cute book and a great little fluffy quick read. I did shed a few tears while binge reading (I couldn’t put it down!) but they were tears of a beautiful moment – kind of like that commercial that makes you tear up. I am crossing my fingers that Ms. Kilpatrick revisits these characters again and I’ll also be looking for her first novel, The Happy Hour Choir, since it also takes place in the adorable town of Ellery, TN.
What I loved: Just about everything about this book but Uncle H and the Colonel were the absolute best. Their conversations as they bickered back and forth were a delight to read but the Colonel’s Come-To-Jesus moment (literally and figuratively) in the end was what really endeared me to him.
What I didn’t love: It’s a toss up between Jessica and the clueless doctor who was too lazy to do his job. Clues were basically handed to him on a plate and he chose to ignore them. Ugh – but it all worked out in the end.
What I learned: I knew there was a language for roses but not for all of the other flowers.
Overall Grade: B+
www.fsam15.wix.com/fluffsmutandmurder
August 19, 2016
I LOVED it!!! Wonderful humorous and heartfelt with a quirky hero and heroine and town and a few assorted ghosts. A friend gave me this. I had never heard of Sally Kirkpatrick. Now I must read her other books and then tromp around impatiently till another comes out.
June 28, 2017
Eh not sure why this has such a high rating. The seeing dead people angle was kind of lame & unoriginal. I really didn't connect to the characters & wasn't invested in the out come of the book. It all just feel somewhat flat for me.
September 11, 2016
Review to come soon.
Quick thoughts:
Sally writes cute and fun characters. The setting is perfect!
Quick thoughts:
Sally writes cute and fun characters. The setting is perfect!
February 15, 2017
Predictable but thoroughly enjoyable.
July 14, 2021
Hometowns, ghosts, and love—I couldn’t have loved Better Get to Livin’ more! This was right up my alley as I’m a huge fan of the show “Ghost Whisperer” and never once thought, “Hey what if this were in the South?” But Sally Kilpatrick’s writing and characters bring it to life in West Tennessee.
In Better Get to Livin’, we meet beautiful “F-List,” as she refers to herself, actress Presley Cline. Yes, just like Elvis & Patsy (can’t get more Southern than that!). Fresh off a Hollywood scandal where she was literally caught with her panties in a twist, Presley returns home to Ellery to lick her wounds and maybe figure out a way to make some money to get her, well anywhere at the moment. Growing up with her mother, LuEllen, in the local trailer park wasn’t easy and coming home to expected disappointment from LuEllen was even harder. But she does and soon finds LuEllen tells her exactly where to find a job to make some cash—the Holy Roller beauty shop with maybe the most unpleasant woman in town (or so the locals say), Delilah.
Presley gets the job and we’re also quickly treated to the most fun part of the plot of Better Get to Livin’—she helps out Delilah’s brother Blake first. The catch? Blake has long since passed away so Presley is helping his ghost. Oh, I forgot to mention that didn’t I? Yep, Presley can see and talk to ghosts. She promises to help him find out how his child he never got to meet is doing by talking to Delilah. She does just that, gets a job working at the Holy Roller, and more as soon as Delilah sends her out on her first job to Anderson’s Funeral Parlor to do Miss Sylvia’s hair. Here we also encounter a much loved character of Ellery who we met and sadly lost in Kilpatrick’s first novel, The Happy Hour Choir, Miss Ginger. Well, her ghost, that is. We are also introduced to Declan Anderson, the funeral director/sort of owner as our other main character.
After Presley does Miss Sylvia’s hair and makeup and just before she gets ready to head out, tragedy strikes Ellery in the form of something we West Tennesseans know all too well—a freak tornado in December. Yes, that part definitely does happen here! She and Declan end up sheltering in a closet and almost kissing—enter the romance part of the story.
But I’ll let you read the rest to find out all the twists and turns offered in Kilpatrick’s third installment in her Ellery novels. There are a few plot twists, some sentiment with our characters and our ghosts, and much more! This is definitely a novel that will keep you wanting more and one for anyone who likes a good book that has a little bit of everything in it.
An indisputable five stars to Better Get to Livin’ by Sally Kilpatrick!
Disclaimer: I personally know Sally so maybe I’m not the most objective but I do know good books and this is one!!
In Better Get to Livin’, we meet beautiful “F-List,” as she refers to herself, actress Presley Cline. Yes, just like Elvis & Patsy (can’t get more Southern than that!). Fresh off a Hollywood scandal where she was literally caught with her panties in a twist, Presley returns home to Ellery to lick her wounds and maybe figure out a way to make some money to get her, well anywhere at the moment. Growing up with her mother, LuEllen, in the local trailer park wasn’t easy and coming home to expected disappointment from LuEllen was even harder. But she does and soon finds LuEllen tells her exactly where to find a job to make some cash—the Holy Roller beauty shop with maybe the most unpleasant woman in town (or so the locals say), Delilah.
Presley gets the job and we’re also quickly treated to the most fun part of the plot of Better Get to Livin’—she helps out Delilah’s brother Blake first. The catch? Blake has long since passed away so Presley is helping his ghost. Oh, I forgot to mention that didn’t I? Yep, Presley can see and talk to ghosts. She promises to help him find out how his child he never got to meet is doing by talking to Delilah. She does just that, gets a job working at the Holy Roller, and more as soon as Delilah sends her out on her first job to Anderson’s Funeral Parlor to do Miss Sylvia’s hair. Here we also encounter a much loved character of Ellery who we met and sadly lost in Kilpatrick’s first novel, The Happy Hour Choir, Miss Ginger. Well, her ghost, that is. We are also introduced to Declan Anderson, the funeral director/sort of owner as our other main character.
After Presley does Miss Sylvia’s hair and makeup and just before she gets ready to head out, tragedy strikes Ellery in the form of something we West Tennesseans know all too well—a freak tornado in December. Yes, that part definitely does happen here! She and Declan end up sheltering in a closet and almost kissing—enter the romance part of the story.
But I’ll let you read the rest to find out all the twists and turns offered in Kilpatrick’s third installment in her Ellery novels. There are a few plot twists, some sentiment with our characters and our ghosts, and much more! This is definitely a novel that will keep you wanting more and one for anyone who likes a good book that has a little bit of everything in it.
An indisputable five stars to Better Get to Livin’ by Sally Kilpatrick!
Disclaimer: I personally know Sally so maybe I’m not the most objective but I do know good books and this is one!!
November 2, 2017
Headed to Ellery
If anyone is looking for me in the next few weeks I will be busy packing for an extended visit to Ellery, Tennessee! Sally Kilpatrick has created a town of lovable, sometimes zany but always entertaining characters. I want to live there among them, but since the only way to get there is through her books I will be reading every last word of her Ellery novels.
After I finished the book I found out I didn’t read the first of her Ellery novels, but the way Ms Kilpatrick wrote the book I didn’t feel I was walking into the middle of a story and trying to catch up. It definitely stands alone on it’s own just fine.
I was introduced to Sally Kilpatrick’s writing through a Facebook group we both belong to. She literally introduced herself and her books in a post and after reading the synopses of her books I posted, “Sally, don't know how I have not read your books before as they look right up my allley! Have them downloaded now but have to complete my goal of ridding my kindle of all my 'orphan books'! I am not going to cheat! I am not going to cheat!! Sorry talking to myself there! Nice to meet you and look forward to reading your 📚!!!” Well, Sally I finished my orphans (finally!) and now I have read the first of yours and it was well worth the wait!
❤️
If anyone is looking for me in the next few weeks I will be busy packing for an extended visit to Ellery, Tennessee! Sally Kilpatrick has created a town of lovable, sometimes zany but always entertaining characters. I want to live there among them, but since the only way to get there is through her books I will be reading every last word of her Ellery novels.
After I finished the book I found out I didn’t read the first of her Ellery novels, but the way Ms Kilpatrick wrote the book I didn’t feel I was walking into the middle of a story and trying to catch up. It definitely stands alone on it’s own just fine.
I was introduced to Sally Kilpatrick’s writing through a Facebook group we both belong to. She literally introduced herself and her books in a post and after reading the synopses of her books I posted, “Sally, don't know how I have not read your books before as they look right up my allley! Have them downloaded now but have to complete my goal of ridding my kindle of all my 'orphan books'! I am not going to cheat! I am not going to cheat!! Sorry talking to myself there! Nice to meet you and look forward to reading your 📚!!!” Well, Sally I finished my orphans (finally!) and now I have read the first of yours and it was well worth the wait!
❤️
January 4, 2018
This book, “Better Get To Livin’,” reminds me of the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, with main character George tending to the needs of others because he wants to. Doing so, he lost himself. His dreams and desires were put on hold and never happened. He also discovered something far greater than himself, the love of friends and family who were there when he had lost everything, including his will to live.
Presley and Declan have spent their lives pleasing their families, clutching at dreams and ambitions not their own. These two characters are mixed with some quirky, some lovable and some zany family members, wanting to please them as the family think they know what’s best for Presley and Declan. In the meantime, Presley and Declan are watching their dream-lives disappear in the void of time.
“Better Get To Livin’” blends romance, sadness, humor, plus ghostly activities into a cute story full of hope and delight. Dive into this book to meet some real Southern people sprinkled with a few ghosts. Thank you, Sally Kilpatrick, for your sweet story full of charm and promise.
Presley and Declan have spent their lives pleasing their families, clutching at dreams and ambitions not their own. These two characters are mixed with some quirky, some lovable and some zany family members, wanting to please them as the family think they know what’s best for Presley and Declan. In the meantime, Presley and Declan are watching their dream-lives disappear in the void of time.
“Better Get To Livin’” blends romance, sadness, humor, plus ghostly activities into a cute story full of hope and delight. Dive into this book to meet some real Southern people sprinkled with a few ghosts. Thank you, Sally Kilpatrick, for your sweet story full of charm and promise.
July 10, 2024
Hate to admit but this one has been on my shelf way too long. I got it at an RWA Conference in Orlando in 2017. I picked it up because of the cover. It looked fun with an old hearse parked at a drive up diner. It is well written. Loved the story and the characters. Told with two points of view. Declan Anderson the undertaker and Presley Cline a young woman who escaped Ellery Tennessee and had hoped to never come back. Presley is an actress who has almost made it when a scandal happens making her return to Ellery sooner rather than later. Declan is stuck in the family business when his true passion was construction and architecture until Presley returns and he discovers another kind of passion. The characters are cute and love the small town atmosphere. I was afraid this would be depressing but it is more fun and hopeful. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves stories told in a small town with a little romance and humor.
December 18, 2018
A unique romance
Although an Ellery novel, this series is made up of freestanding novels. There are fleeting references to people, places and events from previous novels, but almost like insider references than building events.
I don't usually care for supernatural stories, but even though ghosts are an integral part of the story, the ghosts feel "organic". Told from an alternating POV of Declan and Presley, this book is set in a funeral home, filled with death and ghosts. Despite these elements, this book is bursting with life and love, with lots of growth, sadness, and joy along rhe way. Lots of surprises just add to the enjoyment of this amazing book.
Better get to readin' the next Ellery novel.
Although an Ellery novel, this series is made up of freestanding novels. There are fleeting references to people, places and events from previous novels, but almost like insider references than building events.
I don't usually care for supernatural stories, but even though ghosts are an integral part of the story, the ghosts feel "organic". Told from an alternating POV of Declan and Presley, this book is set in a funeral home, filled with death and ghosts. Despite these elements, this book is bursting with life and love, with lots of growth, sadness, and joy along rhe way. Lots of surprises just add to the enjoyment of this amazing book.
Better get to readin' the next Ellery novel.
September 13, 2020
- writing a bit confusing at first in terms of wording and metaphors but you get used to it after a while
- not engaging enough that i kept forgetting minor details and had to go back to reread certain parts again
- a bit of a detachment from the characters but maybe it’s because i didn’t read the first two books so i didn’t have enough background information on them that the author probably assumes i would by the time i read this instalment but they’re likeable after a while
- Declan and Presley’s relationship development was flirty and fun albeit a bit too fast and unrealistic for my liking
- the jokes and puns in the story were pretty funny and i really appreciated it
- overall a bit fast-paced but interesting since i’ve never read a book about funeral homes
- not engaging enough that i kept forgetting minor details and had to go back to reread certain parts again
- a bit of a detachment from the characters but maybe it’s because i didn’t read the first two books so i didn’t have enough background information on them that the author probably assumes i would by the time i read this instalment but they’re likeable after a while
- Declan and Presley’s relationship development was flirty and fun albeit a bit too fast and unrealistic for my liking
- the jokes and puns in the story were pretty funny and i really appreciated it
- overall a bit fast-paced but interesting since i’ve never read a book about funeral homes
October 2, 2017
BETTER GET TO LIVIN' by Sally Kilpatrick was an often quirky but always light and loveable novel. I appreciated the character development and was happily surprised by the mystery and plot twists. Kilpatrick nailed the blossoming feelings between the two narrators and the ease of the storyline makes you feel like you are old friends with all the characters. I found myself smiling as I read it and could have devoured in one sitting if life didn't get in the way this weekend. This book is just enjoyable and I look forward to reading others by this author.
I received this novel from the author during a Readers Coffeehouse giveaway but all opinions are my own.
I received this novel from the author during a Readers Coffeehouse giveaway but all opinions are my own.
September 3, 2018
I loved reading this book because I recognized the characters. Each character is complex, loud, obnoxious (sometimes), and southern as Jack and Coke. The two main protagonists are absolutely lovable and engaging, and it felt like I was another person in their lives. The reader will definitely exclaim many times, both happily and angrily while reading this book. I have not enjoyed reading a book so much in a good five years!
June 23, 2017
There's crazy and there's Southern Crazy!! The people of Ellery TN are Southern Crazy and a fun cast of characters. This is the third book of the series and my favorite so far. Come meet Presley, Declan and the rest of the crew at Anderson's Funeral Home and enjoy the ride.
January 14, 2018
Totally charming! It has a great mix of characters, with ghosts, a serial killer, an I don't know if I really want to be an actress, a funeral director who wants to be an architect, plus other interesting characters who combine together to tell a wonderful story.
March 28, 2021
Pretty good book
I feel like the premise of this book was a little fresh mix Of themes have a bunch of different books.I enjoyed the descriptions of the characters and their interactions with each other.Overall, I really did enjoy this book and it was a quick read
I feel like the premise of this book was a little fresh mix Of themes have a bunch of different books.I enjoyed the descriptions of the characters and their interactions with each other.Overall, I really did enjoy this book and it was a quick read
August 17, 2017
Best book I've read in a long while. A lot of twists in their that I did not see coming.
July 14, 2018
This was my first book that I have read by
Sally Kilpatrick. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried, both happy and sad tears and will definitely be finding more of her books to read.
Sally Kilpatrick. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried, both happy and sad tears and will definitely be finding more of her books to read.
August 26, 2018
This book made my heart happy. I read a lot - every genre - I’m picky - I don’t even leave reviews for most books, but this one was exactly what I needed.
September 25, 2018
This is one of the most engaging, interesting and funny as well as thought provoking books I have ever read. Very entertaining.
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