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Wide Plank Porches
The Parker women of Riverton, North Carolina are known for three things: southern graces, storytelling, and sassiness. The second to some, would be considered outright lying, the last a surprise to those who view them as ladies with a gentle upbringing. But the Parker legacy has never been what it seems and keeping up appearances has trumped the truth every time. Just as Charlotte is about to break the news of her plan to strike out on her own, her daughter, Janie, returns from college to announce she’s pregnant. Her sister, Purdy, becomes desperate to take control and devises a sinister plan to rid the Parker’s of yet another family secret. But Janie’s upbringing has instilled a deeper faith in her than anyone realizes. Compelling and unexpected, Wide Planked Porches is a moving novel that will make you rethink family duty, faith, and fortitude.
For fans of Kathryn Stockett (The Help) and Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees), a must-read for lovers of the South, and eavesdroppers who love to listen in on someone else's family drama.
For fans of Kathryn Stockett (The Help) and Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees), a must-read for lovers of the South, and eavesdroppers who love to listen in on someone else's family drama.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2017
890 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Laura Frances
7 books27 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 27, 2020
This story started off fun and light then it shifted into a fierce mother-daughter battle with pregnancy. Parts were downright preachy and Purdy and Charlotte got on my reserve nerve! Felt like Christian Fiction disguised as general fiction. The tones were too high strung most the time and not enough balance in plot and behavior. Meh.
October 25, 2017
Not that good
This is filled with boring, unlikeable characters. Should be listed as Christian fiction. I would like a warning about that.
Skimmed through the last chapters to get to the end. Obviously this person knows nothing about a family planning clinic. Don't they say not to write about something of which you have no knowledge?
This is filled with boring, unlikeable characters. Should be listed as Christian fiction. I would like a warning about that.
Skimmed through the last chapters to get to the end. Obviously this person knows nothing about a family planning clinic. Don't they say not to write about something of which you have no knowledge?
December 31, 2017
This book was a good idea that somehow missed the mark.
March 25, 2019
It was a good fast read. I thought it would be a lighter more humorous book, but instead it dealt with some heavy issues.
September 22, 2022
TRASH
I'm so disgusted with this book. If I had known it's content and this authors obvious intentional stab at pro choices, I would NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS TRASH.
LAURA FRANCES wrote what she knows as many authors do. She has evil in her heart, she knows hatred, and she has no clue as to the true reality of the mindset of a women facing a lifelong choice that only she can come to terms with. Frances created Purdy purposely, who you will hate right from the beginning. Purdy is a metaphor for this writer's intrusive views on abortion., and oh, yes ,Purdy tries to trick and push an abortion on her niece in the most vicious way and attempts. This is the writers way of proselytizing how she feels how wrong abortion is. At every turn she criminalizes certain characters so the reader will feel disgust in everything related to abortions. She broadly colored the Woman's clinic as rat infested, on the wrong side of town, dark and the people there, screaming at pro life's ppl, that 'I've had seven abortions and will do it again" Oh my GOD how utterly ridiculous this author is.!! This is NOT the normal or truth by any means. This sad sanctimonious writer (she's by far an author in my opinion) has only tried to vilify the right a Women should have, a medical procedure that should be, between the Women and her Doctor. I couldn't read past page 52 because it was so obvious this was just propagating a very blind self-serving view, pure hatred flowing to persuade, in a book, hoping someone without a working brain would like it. You HAVE to be mentally challenged, or uneducated and so very malleable to think this book has any merit. I will never read a thing THIS person, Laura Frances ever has a hand in again. If you've a brain, common sense, perception and decency you will find this book as outrageously abhorrent as I did. And to add, I get so tired of " Mama " being used at every turn. Grown Women calling their Mother or Mom or Ma,,,"Mama" like a little girl, becomes too childish and immature. Give me a break.
I'm so disgusted with this book. If I had known it's content and this authors obvious intentional stab at pro choices, I would NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS TRASH.
LAURA FRANCES wrote what she knows as many authors do. She has evil in her heart, she knows hatred, and she has no clue as to the true reality of the mindset of a women facing a lifelong choice that only she can come to terms with. Frances created Purdy purposely, who you will hate right from the beginning. Purdy is a metaphor for this writer's intrusive views on abortion., and oh, yes ,Purdy tries to trick and push an abortion on her niece in the most vicious way and attempts. This is the writers way of proselytizing how she feels how wrong abortion is. At every turn she criminalizes certain characters so the reader will feel disgust in everything related to abortions. She broadly colored the Woman's clinic as rat infested, on the wrong side of town, dark and the people there, screaming at pro life's ppl, that 'I've had seven abortions and will do it again" Oh my GOD how utterly ridiculous this author is.!! This is NOT the normal or truth by any means. This sad sanctimonious writer (she's by far an author in my opinion) has only tried to vilify the right a Women should have, a medical procedure that should be, between the Women and her Doctor. I couldn't read past page 52 because it was so obvious this was just propagating a very blind self-serving view, pure hatred flowing to persuade, in a book, hoping someone without a working brain would like it. You HAVE to be mentally challenged, or uneducated and so very malleable to think this book has any merit. I will never read a thing THIS person, Laura Frances ever has a hand in again. If you've a brain, common sense, perception and decency you will find this book as outrageously abhorrent as I did. And to add, I get so tired of " Mama " being used at every turn. Grown Women calling their Mother or Mom or Ma,,,"Mama" like a little girl, becomes too childish and immature. Give me a break.
June 2, 2017
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
I cried, I laughed, I smiled - I couldn’t put down Wide Plank Porches. I am a southerner, though I was born and lived many years in the north as a Yankee; but in Wide Plank Porches I could see friends and neighbors and God’s messages, and people in my church. It is a very true to life fictional story of the Parker family, Charlotte, Purdy and Janie. Purdy, the bossy sister, believes it is her duty to run the family and make sure everyone is doing the “right thing.” Charlotte is the sister who must toe the line by always doing what Purdy says, whether she likes it or not. Janie is Charlotte’s daughter, who has come home from college, pregnant and unmarried and wanting very much to have her baby. Each chapter is told through the eyes of Purdy, Charlotte and Janie, and we come to understand their feelings, hopes and dreams.
Wide Plank Porches is a family tale about following the rules of southern society; listening to and believing in God and having faith; love of family and true friendships. I would love to see this become a Hallmark movie or a TV show sharing life in Riverton, North Carolina with the Parkers, their family and friends. Laura Frances has written Wide Plank Porches about all of the important elements that make up a family, touching on both the good and the bad things that go on. I highly recommend this to all southerners and those wannabe Scarlet O’Hara ladies, and none will be disappointed.
I cried, I laughed, I smiled - I couldn’t put down Wide Plank Porches. I am a southerner, though I was born and lived many years in the north as a Yankee; but in Wide Plank Porches I could see friends and neighbors and God’s messages, and people in my church. It is a very true to life fictional story of the Parker family, Charlotte, Purdy and Janie. Purdy, the bossy sister, believes it is her duty to run the family and make sure everyone is doing the “right thing.” Charlotte is the sister who must toe the line by always doing what Purdy says, whether she likes it or not. Janie is Charlotte’s daughter, who has come home from college, pregnant and unmarried and wanting very much to have her baby. Each chapter is told through the eyes of Purdy, Charlotte and Janie, and we come to understand their feelings, hopes and dreams.
Wide Plank Porches is a family tale about following the rules of southern society; listening to and believing in God and having faith; love of family and true friendships. I would love to see this become a Hallmark movie or a TV show sharing life in Riverton, North Carolina with the Parkers, their family and friends. Laura Frances has written Wide Plank Porches about all of the important elements that make up a family, touching on both the good and the bad things that go on. I highly recommend this to all southerners and those wannabe Scarlet O’Hara ladies, and none will be disappointed.
June 28, 2017
A story of family, friends and unexpected life happenings. The author gives the characters very unique personalities and shows how each person reacts to a surprising situation. Very interesting story.
March 14, 2020
Big meh
Really didn't like this book. Switched from character to character frequently and really couldn't identify with anyone. Too much drama!
Really didn't like this book. Switched from character to character frequently and really couldn't identify with anyone. Too much drama!
September 15, 2021
The characters in this book were a trainwreck and watching them struggle to straighten out their lives was bth mesmerizing and disturbing. /i can't say I enjoyed this story, or even completely understood the motivations of the three women at its center, but I did keep reading. Purdy was both the least sympathetic and the most obscure of the three. She is the "big sister" of Charlotte, who is in turn the mother of Janie. Purdy is what the polite South used to call a maiden lady. In her chapters, she hints at a mentally unbalanced mother who strongly influenced her youth and her own obsession with keeping family secrets. She bullies Charlotte and Charlotte usually knuckles under to the demands if "the family." That does not mean her husband and daughter; it means her father, aunts and sister. She resents and distrusts her family, but always seems to do their bidding. When her daughter Janie comes home from college for spring break pregnant, Charlotte is quickly convinced by an intrusive Purdy that abortion is the only way to keep the family from being embarrassed. Why anyone listens to Purdy is unclear. Needless to say, Janie's dilemma is the most sympathtic, especially once we meet the baby's father, the son of a local preacher. Each woman takes her turn narrating her part of the story. The small Southern town has some lovely characters as well--Janie's bewildered father, a new friend of her mother, a neighbor. The external forces that make these women tick are not easily understood. I never did understand Purdy's self-justifying mean streak, but by the end, Janie was becoming a strong youg woamn forging her own path.
September 20, 2022
Absolute trash. I never write reviews but this made me angry. I was given the book by my partner’s mother who is reading it for a book club and accidentally ordered two copies. Thought I could read it before bed, a light read. Instead, this thinly disguised anti choice propaganda with racist undertones (clinic is in the “bad” part of town and the only person of color mentioned in the book is a nurse there). Caricatured women characters speak and act hatefully to one another in the name of “sassiness”, overly simplified positions on abortion and pregnancy written in a truly offensive way to anyone who has ever been in a situation to contemplate those choices. Ugh.
January 11, 2024
The Parker women were known for three things: southern graces, storytelling, and sassiness. When Charolette’s young daughter Janie becomes pregnant, Charolette and her sister Purdy are worried about being the towns latest gossip and the tarnish to the family name. However, Janie feels like her baby is a gift from God even though no one else agrees.
In this southern sweet tale, you get a sweet spoonful of Jesus but you also get the messy gossip and Nellie Olsen, mean girl attitude.
I loved this book from beginning to end and felt like it had everything I enjoy in its pages.
In this southern sweet tale, you get a sweet spoonful of Jesus but you also get the messy gossip and Nellie Olsen, mean girl attitude.
I loved this book from beginning to end and felt like it had everything I enjoy in its pages.
May 23, 2021
Oh my! This novel was all the things, leaving me a bit battered and bruised and yet ready to celebrate the gumption and courage of some of the characters when the chips were down and the “right” decision had to be made. I longed for these characters to get it right and some of them did while some remained steadfast in the Southern expectations of the past that haunts so many southern “genteel” families. Worth the read.
August 24, 2018
Oh, please
Too many unbelievables. I understand the author's point, but her characters aren't real.
I grew up with the passive aggressive behavior in full bloom in my southern parents. It's sad, destructive and it's passed down through generations.
God's the only thing that gets those of us not hit with it out of the horror.
Too many unbelievables. I understand the author's point, but her characters aren't real.
I grew up with the passive aggressive behavior in full bloom in my southern parents. It's sad, destructive and it's passed down through generations.
God's the only thing that gets those of us not hit with it out of the horror.
September 20, 2018
Sweet story about making decisions and choosing what/who to put first in your life and your family's life. It was a very fast book too. It kept my interest and I just had to know what happened next. Purdy sounds like some of the members of my family and I felt Charlotte's pain and the struggle as she learned where her place was and how to finally stand up for herself.
May 10, 2019
Sweet story about a hard subject
The author quickly allows you to feel you know the characters or someone like their kind. A huge ordeal quickly pops up and in a Christian faith based way you get to see how each person handles the situation, in their outward person and in their heart.
The author quickly allows you to feel you know the characters or someone like their kind. A huge ordeal quickly pops up and in a Christian faith based way you get to see how each person handles the situation, in their outward person and in their heart.
September 18, 2020
Guessing this book was written to describe what life was like in the south. I found it to be boring and without substance. I would never recommend anyone waste time with this book.by
Found this to be a complete waste of my time. I found it to be boring and without substance . I would never recommend it to anyone.
Found this to be a complete waste of my time. I found it to be boring and without substance . I would never recommend it to anyone.
April 16, 2021
Life....and the importance of true love of family and faith.
I must admit I struggled with the beginning of this book, not because it was bad or uninteresting, but because we recently had a loss of a grand baby. However, today I picked it back up and was so caught up in the reality of it all, that I finished it in a few hours❤️ I cried and I laughed! A great read!
I must admit I struggled with the beginning of this book, not because it was bad or uninteresting, but because we recently had a loss of a grand baby. However, today I picked it back up and was so caught up in the reality of it all, that I finished it in a few hours❤️ I cried and I laughed! A great read!
June 17, 2021
Finding their own path to fulfillment
I loved this book and read it in just a few hours. This is a story of a family's heartbreak over a single college student getting pregnant. The family learned that when they made decisions based on their values not on other's values they found the happiness they deserved.
I loved this book and read it in just a few hours. This is a story of a family's heartbreak over a single college student getting pregnant. The family learned that when they made decisions based on their values not on other's values they found the happiness they deserved.
September 25, 2021
Family relationships are tough...that's the moral of the story. It's a teensy bit preachy, but tries to hold that people have to make their own choices. I wish there had been a bit more exploration in to Aunt Purdy and why she was such a witch. There is a bit of intimation that perhaps she suffered with some mental health issues, but I would have liked more background.
October 25, 2021
Too Toxic for My World
I slogged to the finish, though at 20% I closed it as finished. Experts say to eliminate toxic people from our lives and I believe that also applies to books. There is no place in my life for the hate and malicious intent portrayed in these pages. With an awesome title, I expected better.
I slogged to the finish, though at 20% I closed it as finished. Experts say to eliminate toxic people from our lives and I believe that also applies to books. There is no place in my life for the hate and malicious intent portrayed in these pages. With an awesome title, I expected better.
November 12, 2021
Maturing
This was chosen because, I too, was unplanned. And that causes all involved to mature in many ways. That's all I have to say without giving anything away. This story was easy to follow at first, until family members became involved. It is a fast moving,hold your interest, can't put down book.
It touches every female.
This was chosen because, I too, was unplanned. And that causes all involved to mature in many ways. That's all I have to say without giving anything away. This story was easy to follow at first, until family members became involved. It is a fast moving,hold your interest, can't put down book.
It touches every female.
February 20, 2022
Confusing, no details
Strangest book I've ever read, plot was extremely hard to follow, jumping from character to character with no transition. Even jumping spans of time and leaving you to wonder what happened and how much time had passed. Definitely one of the worst books I've ever read.
Strangest book I've ever read, plot was extremely hard to follow, jumping from character to character with no transition. Even jumping spans of time and leaving you to wonder what happened and how much time had passed. Definitely one of the worst books I've ever read.
May 22, 2022
LOVED!
My goodness gracious! This book grabbed hold of my hand and dragged me out on the front porch and poured me a glass of sweet tea as it told me its story! Oh! Purdy is a mess. Charlotte needed to grow a backbone. Janie. Bless her heart. Just beautiful from start to finish.
My goodness gracious! This book grabbed hold of my hand and dragged me out on the front porch and poured me a glass of sweet tea as it told me its story! Oh! Purdy is a mess. Charlotte needed to grow a backbone. Janie. Bless her heart. Just beautiful from start to finish.
July 3, 2022
Interesting story of two sisters and their very Southern family ways. I thought the older sister was a bit too overbearing, but it worked in this story. The younger sisters’ compassion and understanding for her friend was beautifully presented. An emotional rollercoaster of love, family, friendship and making the right choices.
August 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book! It made me laugh, cringe, and shake my head at times. Families can be difficult and challenging. Through the voices of a mother, daughter, and aunt the reader hears how life changing events affect the family. It is a story of in-your-face characters and controversial subjects. Read it and enjoy - you may recognize some rather obnoxious and narcissistic family members. Or not. No spoilers here, but I enjoyed the ending!
December 13, 2023
Boring, predictable plot
It sounded so interesting. Who does not like a story with gossipy characters. The plot was predictable, the gossip mean spirited, the characters unlikable. The typical cast: the mean girl, the follower, the goody two shoe.
And the story dragged on. I was hoping for some excitement, but ..in vain.
Don't waste your money or time on this book.
It sounded so interesting. Who does not like a story with gossipy characters. The plot was predictable, the gossip mean spirited, the characters unlikable. The typical cast: the mean girl, the follower, the goody two shoe.
And the story dragged on. I was hoping for some excitement, but ..in vain.
Don't waste your money or time on this book.
August 14, 2025
A southern tale
of a family who cared too much about keeping up appearances. Thank goodness some of them came to their senses and [with God's help] began enjoying life just as they are...
In the midst of the tale there are glimpses of mental illness, unresolved grief, and yes, an unplanned pregnancy...
of a family who cared too much about keeping up appearances. Thank goodness some of them came to their senses and [with God's help] began enjoying life just as they are...
In the midst of the tale there are glimpses of mental illness, unresolved grief, and yes, an unplanned pregnancy...
July 5, 2017
I loved this book! It was very true of life in the South and the very matriarchal society that occurs. I wanted to shake the characters more than once but it was that very visceral reaction that made me fall in love with this book all the more! I would definitely read more by this author
January 27, 2018
Wonderful story!
This was especially touching to me because of a similar situation in our family. Well written and great characters. I will be checking on other books Ms. Frances has written.
This was especially touching to me because of a similar situation in our family. Well written and great characters. I will be checking on other books Ms. Frances has written.
June 26, 2019
Sweet Quick Read.
Heart warming tale of love, self forgiveness and keeping an open mind while going thru life. Not a book I would normally read and enjoy, and left me wanting a backstory on the main characters. Will keep the author in mind for future reads
Heart warming tale of love, self forgiveness and keeping an open mind while going thru life. Not a book I would normally read and enjoy, and left me wanting a backstory on the main characters. Will keep the author in mind for future reads
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews