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How Dolly Parton Saved My Life
Dolly Parton once said," If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one." In the bustling city of Atlanta, four very different ladies take her advice to heart and open a catering business that will cater to them—successful, independent women who put their families first.
But flouting the traditions and expectations of Southern society turns out to be more complicated than they ever anticipated. Even as the pressure of running a business bonds them together, the realities of managing real life threaten to tear the whole thing apart. As financial woes, personal hurts, and family troubles test the strength of their business and their friendship, they discover that sisterly support and lots of heartfelt prayer just might be the only way to survive.
Full of sass, grit, and good old-fashioned faith, How Dolly Parton Saved My Life is a hilarious and poignant look at friendship with a distinctly Southern flair.
But flouting the traditions and expectations of Southern society turns out to be more complicated than they ever anticipated. Even as the pressure of running a business bonds them together, the realities of managing real life threaten to tear the whole thing apart. As financial woes, personal hurts, and family troubles test the strength of their business and their friendship, they discover that sisterly support and lots of heartfelt prayer just might be the only way to survive.
Full of sass, grit, and good old-fashioned faith, How Dolly Parton Saved My Life is a hilarious and poignant look at friendship with a distinctly Southern flair.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 26, 2009
I got this out of the library because the name and because I have been reading a lot of serious books lately and thought it might be a palate cleanser. However, it ended up being strangely Christian themed and tiresome. Cute concept but I don't really appreciate having a novel with religous overtones that isn't up front about it on the cover. Every character went to church (well, one didn't but thought she should) and talked about it endlessly. I can accept a character being religous but this was over the top and heavy handed.
January 14, 2009
This was a cute book, mostly because it was set in Atlanta. I did find it to somewhat lacking in depth. It's a good quick read that won't require much thinking, maybe something that will entertain you on a rainy day.
January 30, 2009
This was not a great book, but enjoyable enough. The characters were relatable and I always enjoy stories about the important role of women's friendships. I would read a sequel without hesitation.
October 5, 2008
I have yet to find anyone else who is as amazed as I am that there is a Dolly Parton song for my every heartache and triumph. No matter the situation, Dolly has been there and wrote a song about it: new lust that might be love, humiliation by a lover, or fighting off the blues. So, I adored the character who quotes Dolly likes she's Dali Lama.
Other than the Dolly-adoration, I'm not sure I can recommend this book. It likely has a limited audience: southern christian women trying to balance work and family. Nevertheless, if you are in that boat, HDPSML is cheaper than therapy, wine or chocolate.
Other than the Dolly-adoration, I'm not sure I can recommend this book. It likely has a limited audience: southern christian women trying to balance work and family. Nevertheless, if you are in that boat, HDPSML is cheaper than therapy, wine or chocolate.
August 19, 2008
This book was cute and the characters were endearing. It's about 4 women who start up a catering business. Each chapter switches in point of view, which I tend to like. Some of the stuff was a little mushy, and some of the comments made me (a stay at home mom) feel like I wasn't living up to all that God had intended for me, according to one of the characters. But I liked the premise of the book. And I loved all the references to Dolly Parton. It's a fast and enjoyable read that doesn't make you think very much.
May 25, 2009
I would probably give it 3 1/2 stars - cute book about 4 women who start a catering company in Atlanta - interesting because it actually is also a lot about them being Christian women - which they act like is some big coincidence they're all Christian which is ridiculous since about 75% of Americans are Christian - thought that was dumb, but other than that, a cute book
October 26, 2021
This ought to spin my Goodreads algorithm in a frenzy. I spotted it to the left of Pat Conroy's books at the library and thought why not. I didn't have enough info from the trade paperback cover to know it was southern Christian chick-lit. The Daisy character was written well enough to keep my attention.
August 10, 2012
Cute story but not enough about Dolly:)
It was interesting to see the differences in lives of these 4 women. It has some inspirational words and helps working moms feel like "non-failures". However, I was expecting some serious Dolly loving, and that was not the case.
It was interesting to see the differences in lives of these 4 women. It has some inspirational words and helps working moms feel like "non-failures". However, I was expecting some serious Dolly loving, and that was not the case.
July 14, 2024
Even Dolly Parton doesn't talk about religion this much.
January 14, 2009
I would give this book 1 1/2 stars if possible. It's poorly written Christian chick lit (I hadn't realized this was a genre until I accidentally chose this book from the library) about 2 dimensional characters and YET I felt the need to skim the whole thing to find out what happened. Good for a plane ride or vacation, if you're into constant references to God and Christianity. just not my cup of tea. or jelly jar or tea.
July 19, 2009
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it to be a nice departure from the usual chick lit, and I needed something light to polish off after The Count of Monte Cristo. The one thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the Christian undertones, but I suppose that's to be expected when talking about Southern chick lit.
January 24, 2009
This book was an average story, but its charm lies in its setting. It has honest characters stuck like yolky centers in Egg in a Basket breakfast - framed by toasted Christianity and social expectations. I'd recommend it for a beach read.
February 12, 2009
I just finished this book. It was not an action book by any means, but a book about friends and family and priorities. Just an ordinary book about life's struggles, but I liked it. The Dolly Parton quotes scattered throughout were cute also.
June 19, 2009
Challenge #10.1 327 pages
I enjoyed this book very much! Four women from very differernt backgrounds begin a catering company and find they are very much alike.
It must be #1 in a series - The Jelly Jar Sisterhood. I hope the author writes more!
A Christian women's book, but not preachie.
I enjoyed this book very much! Four women from very differernt backgrounds begin a catering company and find they are very much alike.
It must be #1 in a series - The Jelly Jar Sisterhood. I hope the author writes more!
A Christian women's book, but not preachie.
August 10, 2009
This was a good quick read about a diverse group of 4 women who try to start a catering business in Atlanta. I have a feeling that it is the beginning of a series, since it kind of ended with a beginning of sorts. I would probably read the next book when it comes out.
August 6, 2010
Complete and total fluff.
I would have put it down, but I couldn't go to sleep and I kept hoping that reading it would put me to sleep.
Instead, I stayed up and read the whole book in one night.
This is not a sign of it's readability, more a sign of my own insomnia.
I would have put it down, but I couldn't go to sleep and I kept hoping that reading it would put me to sleep.
Instead, I stayed up and read the whole book in one night.
This is not a sign of it's readability, more a sign of my own insomnia.
March 27, 2012
Nice enough easy read but no substance whatsoever- the author isn't sure whether she wants to focus on the importance of working mothers who are trying to create a "family comes first" company or if she wants to focus on the importance of God in one's life.
February 20, 2012
Like I'm NOT going to read a book with that title! I read it in a day... ummm... basically"Designing Women" running a catering company instead of a design firm.
September 13, 2008
This book was cute, about 4 southern women starting a catering business. It was a nice light read. Makes me want to open a catering business though.
November 12, 2008
I loved this book. It's about 4 very different women who become friends & start a business together. I hope there will be more in the series.
December 1, 2008
Pretty ordinary book with some funny character comments
June 19, 2009
loved this book. was clean and nice read. lots of hummor. good chic book
July 18, 2009
This was such a funny book. All because of Daisy and her love for Dolly Parton.
It's southern girls loving Jesus. Cute fast read. Loved it!
It's southern girls loving Jesus. Cute fast read. Loved it!
Read
August 17, 2015good, funny, fast read
July 23, 2022
By accident, I have read two religious propaganda books lately. Perhaps if I had known it was religious propaganda, I wouldn't have picked it up.
And I would have missed a pretty good story, some delightful characters, and what must be the beginning of a series. Or at least was intended to be.
The setting for this story is hot, humid, horrible Atlanta, one of the worst places to drive in these United States. I lived, several times, in Georgia and always tried to go around. Alas, the place is so spread out, there is no room to be able to drive around, so a driver must put up with some of the craziest drivers this side of Italy, including some millions of Yankee tourists every year, usually driving from or to Florida.
Georgia, in fact the whole Southeast, is infested with pollen, roaches, flies, gnats, and churches. The humidity is, for me, unbearable, although lots of Southern ladies -- and maybe a few men -- swear they love that humidity because it keeps their skin soft.
Except for the churches, none of that figures in this mostly enjoyable book.
There are four protagonist characters, and each gets her own sections, although -- again pointing out the desperate need the publishing industry has for capable copy editors -- at least once where a character, in her section, is speaking in first person, the author and that apparently non-existent copy editor suddenly have her mentioned in third person. Confusing.
A far worse problem, even worse than the religion propaganda, is the pro-government propaganda.
Georgia has some of the most incompetent and corrupt governments in these United States. Where all governments are corrupt and/or incompetent, Georgia manages to stand out.
Christianity supposedly believes in "Thou shalt not steal," but when a person uses "government" money, money that's been stolen from the working and producing people, that person is not acting very Christian.
OK, all that's important, and maybe author Charlotte Connors can learn and do better, but for now she has created a charming and entertaining book, one I can recommend for some light reading, partly in preparation for reading the sequels.
And I would have missed a pretty good story, some delightful characters, and what must be the beginning of a series. Or at least was intended to be.
The setting for this story is hot, humid, horrible Atlanta, one of the worst places to drive in these United States. I lived, several times, in Georgia and always tried to go around. Alas, the place is so spread out, there is no room to be able to drive around, so a driver must put up with some of the craziest drivers this side of Italy, including some millions of Yankee tourists every year, usually driving from or to Florida.
Georgia, in fact the whole Southeast, is infested with pollen, roaches, flies, gnats, and churches. The humidity is, for me, unbearable, although lots of Southern ladies -- and maybe a few men -- swear they love that humidity because it keeps their skin soft.
Except for the churches, none of that figures in this mostly enjoyable book.
There are four protagonist characters, and each gets her own sections, although -- again pointing out the desperate need the publishing industry has for capable copy editors -- at least once where a character, in her section, is speaking in first person, the author and that apparently non-existent copy editor suddenly have her mentioned in third person. Confusing.
A far worse problem, even worse than the religion propaganda, is the pro-government propaganda.
Georgia has some of the most incompetent and corrupt governments in these United States. Where all governments are corrupt and/or incompetent, Georgia manages to stand out.
Christianity supposedly believes in "Thou shalt not steal," but when a person uses "government" money, money that's been stolen from the working and producing people, that person is not acting very Christian.
OK, all that's important, and maybe author Charlotte Connors can learn and do better, but for now she has created a charming and entertaining book, one I can recommend for some light reading, partly in preparation for reading the sequels.
January 9, 2021
Jo, Ellie, Cate, and Daisy set out to start a catering business, the Jelly Jar, like non-other. One that is run by women, and family oriented. What could possibly go wrong when four strangers decide to start a business together?
Jo is married to Gerard and the mother of Martha and Agnes, former bank employee.
Ellie is married to Mike and the mother of twins Seth and Sophie. Unbeknownst to Ellie, Mike was once engaged to Jo.
Cate is an interior designer, recently single --after David, the man of her dreams, declared that God didn't want them together. As she watches her friends around her get married and have children, she begins to wonder, if she's destined to be a spinster.
Daisy is a pastry chef, young mother of 14-year old Tiffany, die-hard Dolly Parton fan, and devoted Christian with a funky fashion sense.
The four women have their family challenges, secrets, and business worries. Together, the four-some must learn to rely on each other and God. They soon realize that their relationships extend beyond co-workers.
A delightful read, reminiscent of a modern day Steel Magnolias.
Jo is married to Gerard and the mother of Martha and Agnes, former bank employee.
Ellie is married to Mike and the mother of twins Seth and Sophie. Unbeknownst to Ellie, Mike was once engaged to Jo.
Cate is an interior designer, recently single --after David, the man of her dreams, declared that God didn't want them together. As she watches her friends around her get married and have children, she begins to wonder, if she's destined to be a spinster.
Daisy is a pastry chef, young mother of 14-year old Tiffany, die-hard Dolly Parton fan, and devoted Christian with a funky fashion sense.
The four women have their family challenges, secrets, and business worries. Together, the four-some must learn to rely on each other and God. They soon realize that their relationships extend beyond co-workers.
A delightful read, reminiscent of a modern day Steel Magnolias.
July 11, 2018
Woman power! Family first!
Essentially these are the premises of the whole book. Written from the different perspective of each character, three mothers and a single woman, work together to make something great. In this case,"The Jelly Jar" catering company. More importantly, the four women in this book who come from very different lives, learn to become friends.
One of the women, Daisy, often quotes Dolly Parton who has shaped her life around the singer's words. Daisy manages to interject these thoughts throughout the book at perfect times. I found this to be sweet as sentimental.
The book itself could be considered Christian fiction and read as a more wholesome book but still with caution. There is no sex or language in the book but still adult issues. Overall, I liked the book and found it encouraging.
I still give it three stars as it was okay in my mind but dry in parts.
Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. The review here is based on my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle aka Naila Moon
Essentially these are the premises of the whole book. Written from the different perspective of each character, three mothers and a single woman, work together to make something great. In this case,"The Jelly Jar" catering company. More importantly, the four women in this book who come from very different lives, learn to become friends.
One of the women, Daisy, often quotes Dolly Parton who has shaped her life around the singer's words. Daisy manages to interject these thoughts throughout the book at perfect times. I found this to be sweet as sentimental.
The book itself could be considered Christian fiction and read as a more wholesome book but still with caution. There is no sex or language in the book but still adult issues. Overall, I liked the book and found it encouraging.
I still give it three stars as it was okay in my mind but dry in parts.
Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. The review here is based on my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle aka Naila Moon
August 8, 2017
Good, quick beach read. It's the usual prescription of 4 unlikely characters coming together to start a catering business. It's predictable in places but that's ok. I found myself turning pages impatiently waiting for a showdown between Jo and Ellie. It's a faith based book but not heavy on the topic. Cute read. If there was a sequel, yes, I'd read it.
July 5, 2022
I loved this book!
I was able to relate to each of the characters.
It was funny and touching.
The GOD loving aspect certainly didn't take away from the story, it added to it, I thought.
Please, Please, Ms Connors write a sequel. We need to know more about these ladies and their families.
I was able to relate to each of the characters.
It was funny and touching.
The GOD loving aspect certainly didn't take away from the story, it added to it, I thought.
Please, Please, Ms Connors write a sequel. We need to know more about these ladies and their families.
February 12, 2018
Read it for book club, meh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews