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Southern Eclectic #2
Ain't She a Peach
An Atlanta ex-cop comes to sleepy Lake Sackett, Georgia, seeking peace and quiet—but he hasn’t bargained on falling for Frankie, the cutest coroner he’s ever met.
Frankie McCready talks to dead people. Not like a ghost whisperer or anything—but it seems rude to embalm them and not at least say hello.
Fortunately, at the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie’s eccentricities fit right in. Lake Sackett’s embalmer and county coroner, Frankie’s goth styling and passion for nerd culture mean she’s not your typical Southern girl, but the McCreadys are hardly your typical Southern family. Led by Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family, everyone looks out for one another—which usually means getting up in everyone else’s business.
Maybe that’s why Frankie is so fascinated by new sheriff Eric Linden...a recent transplant from Atlanta, he sees a homicide in every hunting accident or boat crash, which seems a little paranoid for this sleepy tourist town. What’s he so worried about? And what kind of cop can get a job with the Atlanta PD but can’t stand to look at a dead body?
Frankie has other questions that need answering first—namely, who’s behind the recent break-in attempts at the funeral home, and how can she stop them? This one really does seem like a job for the sheriff—and as Frankie and Eric do their best Scooby-Doo impressions to catch their man, they get closer to spilling some secrets they thought were buried forever.
Frankie McCready talks to dead people. Not like a ghost whisperer or anything—but it seems rude to embalm them and not at least say hello.
Fortunately, at the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie’s eccentricities fit right in. Lake Sackett’s embalmer and county coroner, Frankie’s goth styling and passion for nerd culture mean she’s not your typical Southern girl, but the McCreadys are hardly your typical Southern family. Led by Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family, everyone looks out for one another—which usually means getting up in everyone else’s business.
Maybe that’s why Frankie is so fascinated by new sheriff Eric Linden...a recent transplant from Atlanta, he sees a homicide in every hunting accident or boat crash, which seems a little paranoid for this sleepy tourist town. What’s he so worried about? And what kind of cop can get a job with the Atlanta PD but can’t stand to look at a dead body?
Frankie has other questions that need answering first—namely, who’s behind the recent break-in attempts at the funeral home, and how can she stop them? This one really does seem like a job for the sheriff—and as Frankie and Eric do their best Scooby-Doo impressions to catch their man, they get closer to spilling some secrets they thought were buried forever.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2018
313 people are currently reading
4418 people want to read
About the author
Molly Harper
61 books8,166 followersMolly Harper is the author of more than 40 romance titles including the Half-Moon Hollow series, the Mystic Bayou, the Starfall Point series, and her first murder mystery, A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR. She lives in Michigan with her family. For more information, go to www.mollyharper.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews
April 25, 2018
3.5 stars
Molly Harper's Southern Eclectic books are proving to be fast, fun and engaging books! Her characters are eclectic, fun, interesting and likable. Characters from the first book in this series (Sweet tea and Sympathy) are also in this book! This book does work very well as a standalone novel but I do encourage reading both books as they are fun, quirky and light. Perfect for when you need a change of pace, are in a reading slump or just want to read an entertaining book!
Eric Linden is an ex-Atlanta police officer who has moved to Lake Sackett, Georgia to serve as the town Sheriff. He is hoping for a slower paced life and job. He is used to high rate crime and sees murder and foul play in most of his cases. He also learns that Frankie McCready, a woman he has a sort-of past with not only lives in the town, but is employed by McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop as the town coroner and embalmer. Yes, you read correctly - a bait shop and a funeral home. I did warn that this book is quirky.
Frankie McCready is an interesting person. She likes to color her hair interesting colors, has a sarcastic sense of humor and is the family baby. Due to the nature of her job, she and Eric have a lot of interactions which are a little awkward due to their sort-of history in the past. They share barbs and insults which make the dialogue fun and moves the story along.
Frankie and Eric also must work together to determine who has been trying to break into the funeral home after hours. Frankie is determined that she knows the identity of the guilty party and Eric attempts to solve the crime while keeping Frankie from getting herself into trouble as she attempts to solve the crime.
As I previously stated, Harper's books are quirky, light and fun! Perfect reads for those looking for something light and enjoyable. Her books are full of witty and fun characters such as Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family! Her characters deal with real life issues but with a little dash of charisma, southern charm and sarcasm thrown into the mix. This book was well-written, and I read it in one day as I could not put it down. This is not an edge of your seat page turner, but it was so much fun and enjoyable that I could not resist and had to keep reading. I will be reading the next book in the series when it comes out!
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Molly Harper's Southern Eclectic books are proving to be fast, fun and engaging books! Her characters are eclectic, fun, interesting and likable. Characters from the first book in this series (Sweet tea and Sympathy) are also in this book! This book does work very well as a standalone novel but I do encourage reading both books as they are fun, quirky and light. Perfect for when you need a change of pace, are in a reading slump or just want to read an entertaining book!
Eric Linden is an ex-Atlanta police officer who has moved to Lake Sackett, Georgia to serve as the town Sheriff. He is hoping for a slower paced life and job. He is used to high rate crime and sees murder and foul play in most of his cases. He also learns that Frankie McCready, a woman he has a sort-of past with not only lives in the town, but is employed by McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop as the town coroner and embalmer. Yes, you read correctly - a bait shop and a funeral home. I did warn that this book is quirky.
Frankie McCready is an interesting person. She likes to color her hair interesting colors, has a sarcastic sense of humor and is the family baby. Due to the nature of her job, she and Eric have a lot of interactions which are a little awkward due to their sort-of history in the past. They share barbs and insults which make the dialogue fun and moves the story along.
Frankie and Eric also must work together to determine who has been trying to break into the funeral home after hours. Frankie is determined that she knows the identity of the guilty party and Eric attempts to solve the crime while keeping Frankie from getting herself into trouble as she attempts to solve the crime.
As I previously stated, Harper's books are quirky, light and fun! Perfect reads for those looking for something light and enjoyable. Her books are full of witty and fun characters such as Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family! Her characters deal with real life issues but with a little dash of charisma, southern charm and sarcasm thrown into the mix. This book was well-written, and I read it in one day as I could not put it down. This is not an edge of your seat page turner, but it was so much fun and enjoyable that I could not resist and had to keep reading. I will be reading the next book in the series when it comes out!
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
August 29, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Dear Molly Harper:
If you are looking for a little break from reality that doesn’t involve you spending time in either a straightjacket or a padded cell, her books might be right up your alley as well. The first in this series wasn’t a big hit for me because I thought the leading lady was kind of atwat twit, but Harper stepped it up a notch for this one and it earns an extra star. Heck, maybe it should earn even more, because any time you give me a leading lady who pretty much is described as looking like this . . . .
That somehow manages to not fall into the Manic Pixie Dreamgirl category, it’s kind of a miracle.
In addition, the leading male was the local sheriff so no matter how he was described there was only one man he was going to be for me . . . .
I looooooooove how the romance kind of takes a backburner to getting to know the family and townsfolk in this one. Especially when said characters are from the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten, look away look away look away Dixie Land . . . . sorry, got off track for a minute there. But you know what I’m sayin’ – they’re all from a place where people say things like . . . .
And the whole time you’re reading it, you hear Shelby’s voice in your head. That’s a winner right there, kids.
Dear Molly Harper:
If you are looking for a little break from reality that doesn’t involve you spending time in either a straightjacket or a padded cell, her books might be right up your alley as well. The first in this series wasn’t a big hit for me because I thought the leading lady was kind of a
That somehow manages to not fall into the Manic Pixie Dreamgirl category, it’s kind of a miracle.
In addition, the leading male was the local sheriff so no matter how he was described there was only one man he was going to be for me . . . .
I looooooooove how the romance kind of takes a backburner to getting to know the family and townsfolk in this one. Especially when said characters are from the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten, look away look away look away Dixie Land . . . . sorry, got off track for a minute there. But you know what I’m sayin’ – they’re all from a place where people say things like . . . .
And the whole time you’re reading it, you hear Shelby’s voice in your head. That’s a winner right there, kids.
July 21, 2018
Book two in the series and it was fun enough, but not mind-blowing. The focus was on the last girl's crazy cousin with rainbow hair. I approve heartily. I have unicorn hair myself and get comments everywhere I go. I also have a little bit of the crazy going on too. Her family's reaction when she wants to get a gun to scare off a vandal:
"No," Bob said, shaking his head.
Duffy added, "No, no. No guns. We will not arm you. No one wins in a situation where you are armed."
"Sorry, honey, the whole family voted and agreed that you don't get a gun."
Killjoys!
I feel her pain, but I also live in Texas. Everyone's armed. Everyone.
There's a reason these jokes exist.
I just don't want to be left out.
Our girl is named Frankie and she's a goth coroner. She's also quirky. I don't know, but a quirky goth coroner is a little on-the-nose for me. I would rather have a quirky, goth librarian, but okay. Her love interest is the new sheriff in town. They had previously met and had a one-night stand and he's a little bit angry that she didn't want to stay for pancakes the next morning, so he can be pretty prickly.
Her relationship with Eric had suffered several episodes of tragic dickheadery in the short time she'd known him.
And, that sentence alone is why I love the writing of Molly Harper. She always writes in ways that I can relate to. She uses the words that I think, like "dickheadery". It's like reading a book written by my snarky bestie, and I love that.
The only thing lacking in this story was a little bit of excitement. In general, I felt like their romance was just "fine" and the conflict in the story was just "okay". It needed either something bigger in at least one of those areas, or, crazier antics going on. So, even though I enjoyed the writing, I just wished for more umph, ya know?
"No," Bob said, shaking his head.
Duffy added, "No, no. No guns. We will not arm you. No one wins in a situation where you are armed."
"Sorry, honey, the whole family voted and agreed that you don't get a gun."
Killjoys!
I feel her pain, but I also live in Texas. Everyone's armed. Everyone.
There's a reason these jokes exist.
I just don't want to be left out.
Our girl is named Frankie and she's a goth coroner. She's also quirky. I don't know, but a quirky goth coroner is a little on-the-nose for me. I would rather have a quirky, goth librarian, but okay. Her love interest is the new sheriff in town. They had previously met and had a one-night stand and he's a little bit angry that she didn't want to stay for pancakes the next morning, so he can be pretty prickly.
Her relationship with Eric had suffered several episodes of tragic dickheadery in the short time she'd known him.
And, that sentence alone is why I love the writing of Molly Harper. She always writes in ways that I can relate to. She uses the words that I think, like "dickheadery". It's like reading a book written by my snarky bestie, and I love that.
The only thing lacking in this story was a little bit of excitement. In general, I felt like their romance was just "fine" and the conflict in the story was just "okay". It needed either something bigger in at least one of those areas, or, crazier antics going on. So, even though I enjoyed the writing, I just wished for more umph, ya know?
April 15, 2018
Such a humorous read! Love this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frankie is a wild child and in this new book she is the star of the show. Well, along with newly appointed Sheriff Eric, a real hot number.
Frankie is also a mortician, of sorts, and the county coroner AND has an eclectic lifestyle. Which makes any relationship, or non-relationship, difficult, shall we say.
But she’s not the only one who has a crazy lifestyle. Many of her family members seem just a wee bit off. But that what is what makes the story so unique, humorous, and downright enjoyable.
If you want to have fun while enjoying a good book, just pick up a Molly Harper read. There’s a reason why she’s a best-selling author. And there’s a reason why you can get addicted to her stories with just a few turns of the page.
Witty, snarky, and a whole lot of Southern comfort is wrapped up in this sweet read. Not to be missed!
Full Review - http://amidlifewife.com/aint-she-a-pe...
* copy received for review consideration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frankie is a wild child and in this new book she is the star of the show. Well, along with newly appointed Sheriff Eric, a real hot number.
Frankie is also a mortician, of sorts, and the county coroner AND has an eclectic lifestyle. Which makes any relationship, or non-relationship, difficult, shall we say.
But she’s not the only one who has a crazy lifestyle. Many of her family members seem just a wee bit off. But that what is what makes the story so unique, humorous, and downright enjoyable.
If you want to have fun while enjoying a good book, just pick up a Molly Harper read. There’s a reason why she’s a best-selling author. And there’s a reason why you can get addicted to her stories with just a few turns of the page.
Witty, snarky, and a whole lot of Southern comfort is wrapped up in this sweet read. Not to be missed!
Full Review - http://amidlifewife.com/aint-she-a-pe...
* copy received for review consideration
April 1, 2018
When Eric took the job as Lake Sackett's interim sheriff he expected things to be a little quieter. He didn't count on Frankie, Lake Sackett's coroner and funeral director, and he didn't count on small town politics.
But with Frankie on his case to hunt down and arrest the local delinquent teen who has been waging a war on mortuary for years he quickly realises his quiet life was not to be.
The Southern Eclectic series isn't easy to describe. It's closer to Women's Fiction than Romance but with a healthy dose of Molly Harper's trademark snark. It's good fun and close to g-rated. An entertaining and easy read.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Gallery Books for providing me with this review copy
But with Frankie on his case to hunt down and arrest the local delinquent teen who has been waging a war on mortuary for years he quickly realises his quiet life was not to be.
The Southern Eclectic series isn't easy to describe. It's closer to Women's Fiction than Romance but with a healthy dose of Molly Harper's trademark snark. It's good fun and close to g-rated. An entertaining and easy read.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Gallery Books for providing me with this review copy
June 15, 2018
This is second in a series and that shows, I think. A lot of the family dynamics are laid out in better detail with the first book. Worse, though, is that this is functionally the second part of a story started in Peachy Flippin' Keen and I think that each separately they leave a lot to be desired. I have no idea why the story was split this way and I kind of resent it.
This is not up to the Molly Harper standard. I really liked Frankie as a character in the first book and was looking forward to getting to know her better and see what life was like from her perspective. Sadly, it doesn't seem like she's much more than surface when all is said. And I don't mean that Harper gave a surface characterization because that's not it. It's just that Frankie only has a surface maturity and there isn't a lot of depth to her personality beyond her job.
And Eric is only a little better but he, too, has a lot of growing to do before he can make a credible romantic partner. Which is too bad because with as shallow as Frankie turned out to be the story really needed something stronger to anchor it.
So this ends up being enjoyable enough that I don't regret reading it and I'm enough of a Harper fan that I'm willing to give any/all of them a shot and that will continue to be the case. In other words, I'm disappointed that this wasn't better, but not disillusioned because it wasn't actually bad.
A note about Steamy: We get a single explicit sex scene and the narrative pulls back really quick so this is on the lowest of low ends of my steam tolerance. Which makes it yet another aspect of the story that was a bit lightweight.
This is not up to the Molly Harper standard. I really liked Frankie as a character in the first book and was looking forward to getting to know her better and see what life was like from her perspective. Sadly, it doesn't seem like she's much more than surface when all is said. And I don't mean that Harper gave a surface characterization because that's not it. It's just that Frankie only has a surface maturity and there isn't a lot of depth to her personality beyond her job.
And Eric is only a little better but he, too, has a lot of growing to do before he can make a credible romantic partner. Which is too bad because with as shallow as Frankie turned out to be the story really needed something stronger to anchor it.
So this ends up being enjoyable enough that I don't regret reading it and I'm enough of a Harper fan that I'm willing to give any/all of them a shot and that will continue to be the case. In other words, I'm disappointed that this wasn't better, but not disillusioned because it wasn't actually bad.
A note about Steamy: We get a single explicit sex scene and the narrative pulls back really quick so this is on the lowest of low ends of my steam tolerance. Which makes it yet another aspect of the story that was a bit lightweight.
May 28, 2018
Last year Sweet Tea and Sympathy was one of my favorite reads, it had all of the elements I need in fun women’s fiction so I’ve been dying to read the second book in Harper’s Southern Eclectic series for months. The wait was well worth it, the second installment was just as witty and charming as the first and I really hope Harper continues to write about the kooky residents of Lake Sackett for a long time.
One of my favorite things about this series is the fun cast of characters and when I saw that this book would focus on Frankie I was delighted. She’s a quirky chick who doesn’t take crap from anyone and she’s also sarcastic, but charming when needed, a combination that always works well for me. Her budding relationship with Eric was not only adorable, it wasn’t formulaic or predictable. You also get to catch up with the characters from the first book and seeing what Margot was up to was just delightful.
This was a strong follow up to a hilarious series, the ultimate pick me up that I read at just the right time. You can’t read this without smiling, it’s got sassy southern charm by the bucketful and a little romance that will make you swoon, what more could a girl want?!
Ain’t She a Peach in three words: Humorous, Sassy, and Cheeky.
One of my favorite things about this series is the fun cast of characters and when I saw that this book would focus on Frankie I was delighted. She’s a quirky chick who doesn’t take crap from anyone and she’s also sarcastic, but charming when needed, a combination that always works well for me. Her budding relationship with Eric was not only adorable, it wasn’t formulaic or predictable. You also get to catch up with the characters from the first book and seeing what Margot was up to was just delightful.
This was a strong follow up to a hilarious series, the ultimate pick me up that I read at just the right time. You can’t read this without smiling, it’s got sassy southern charm by the bucketful and a little romance that will make you swoon, what more could a girl want?!
Ain’t She a Peach in three words: Humorous, Sassy, and Cheeky.
June 29, 2018
Sometimes I dare to leave my safe place of crime and thriller novels and venture into the world of feel-good and romance. I actually do it gladly if the book's setting is in the American South. I just love small town stories, where everyone knows everyone and they drink sweet tea. I was sold when AIN'T SHE A PEACH was available to read and I read the blurb about a former Atlanta cop who moves to Lake Sackett, Georgia and falls for Frankie McCready, the cute coroner who talks to the dead. She is just polite, they don't answer back or anything.
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
August 8, 2018
I LOVED the first book in this series titled, "Sweet Tea and Sympathy", so I went into this one somewhat critically thinking, 'it's going to be good but can't be as good'. Some would call that pessimistic but I'd rather go into it with low expectations and be surprised, you know?
Luckily, I love this one as well! In fact, I may have loved it equally to the first installment, if not more. Everything about this series speaks to my soul. It's Southern, it's humorous, it's realistic, and it's relatable. Seriously, Frankie's story is so similar to my own that it's quite eerie.
I definitely would recommend this one. My Mom even read this before me and she loved it as well. It's a quick, enjoyable read that is perfect for the summer but could also be read year round.
I'm really hoping for more in this series and wonder who could be the next main character. My Mom suspects Duffy but I don't know. I certainly will be reading more from Molly Harper in the future, whether it be a continuation of this series or beyond that.
Luckily, I love this one as well! In fact, I may have loved it equally to the first installment, if not more. Everything about this series speaks to my soul. It's Southern, it's humorous, it's realistic, and it's relatable. Seriously, Frankie's story is so similar to my own that it's quite eerie.
I definitely would recommend this one. My Mom even read this before me and she loved it as well. It's a quick, enjoyable read that is perfect for the summer but could also be read year round.
I'm really hoping for more in this series and wonder who could be the next main character. My Mom suspects Duffy but I don't know. I certainly will be reading more from Molly Harper in the future, whether it be a continuation of this series or beyond that.
May 24, 2018
This book series is such fun! I have so enjoyed reading this series and getting to know the whole McCready gang along with the inhabitants of Lake Sackett.
This addition focuses mostly on the coroner and embalmer Frankie McCready. Having survived a bout of cancer when younger she has been mostly sheltered by her parents and never ventured out on her own or had a real relationship. That seems about to change when her one night stand and the new sheriff, Eric, comes to town. But something is odd with him and of course Frankie and her family can't just leave well enough alone. Not to mention someone keeps breaking into the funeral home and Frankie is bound and determined to find out who is behind it and put a stop to it.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
This addition focuses mostly on the coroner and embalmer Frankie McCready. Having survived a bout of cancer when younger she has been mostly sheltered by her parents and never ventured out on her own or had a real relationship. That seems about to change when her one night stand and the new sheriff, Eric, comes to town. But something is odd with him and of course Frankie and her family can't just leave well enough alone. Not to mention someone keeps breaking into the funeral home and Frankie is bound and determined to find out who is behind it and put a stop to it.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
September 3, 2024
I wasn't feeling the book before but after 20-30%, I actually started to like the book as the situations got funnier and funnier! Oh, and it's definitely a wild family-centered romance.
June 6, 2018
I liked Frankie in the previous book I read in this series and was eager to see her get her story.
Frankie is fun. She’s snarky and sarcastic and I love all of her fandom things. She’s super loyal and yet yearning to break out on her own. Eric is a good man and has strong convictions. And of course there’s loads of family members
Plot wise it was just okay. This book didn’t seem to focus on the relationship of Frankie and Eric as much as it presented a slice of time and in some scenes, it felt like I was missing something I was expected to know. I didn’t see any of the chemistry between them and would have liked to see more conversation.
Overall, it was a quick read with a fairly satisfying ending. I’m not sure if I’ll be reading any more books in this series.
**Huge thanks to Gallery Books for providing the arc free of charge**
Frankie is fun. She’s snarky and sarcastic and I love all of her fandom things. She’s super loyal and yet yearning to break out on her own. Eric is a good man and has strong convictions. And of course there’s loads of family members
Plot wise it was just okay. This book didn’t seem to focus on the relationship of Frankie and Eric as much as it presented a slice of time and in some scenes, it felt like I was missing something I was expected to know. I didn’t see any of the chemistry between them and would have liked to see more conversation.
Overall, it was a quick read with a fairly satisfying ending. I’m not sure if I’ll be reading any more books in this series.
**Huge thanks to Gallery Books for providing the arc free of charge**
July 25, 2018
Three and a half stars: A quick, simple, fun read for when you need something light and hilarious.
Frankie likes her life for the most part. She is the county coroner in the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. Her big problem is that at twenty eight years old, she is still treated like a child by her overprotective parents due to a bout of cancer when she was young. So when Frankie wants a good time, she heads to Atlanta. Then one day her good time lands right in her lap when she comes face to face with her former one night stand, Sheriff Eric Linden. Eric is now the sheriff of Lake Sackett. Even worse, as the coroner, Frankie must work with Eric on a regular basis. What is a girl to do?
What I Liked:
*Molly Harper is known for her humorous books that are meant to entertain. I love that you can pick up one of her books and giggle your way through. No over the top drama or angst, just down home fun.
*I love that this book is all about the family. The eclectic McCready family was first introduced in Sweet Tea and Sympathy. This latest novel delivers another heaping dose of this hilarious family. I love how quirky and funny they are. How can you not enjoy a family whose business is fishing and funerals, working out of the same building? This family is a bushel of laughs, and better yet, they all love each other and look after one another.
*Gotta love a small town setting, and Lack Sackett delivers. Yes, there are plenty of busy bodies and gossipers and of course, small town drama, but that is what makes it fun. It was easy to immerse right back into this sleepy little town.
*Frankie is a hoot. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed in the first book in this series, mostly because I wasn’t able to connect with Margot, the main character. Margot was way to uptight. Frankie on the other hand is the complete opposite. She dresses in outrageous goth clothes, dyes her hair bright colors and talks to the dead. She is full of sass and spunk. Loved her.
*The romance is simple and sweet. It starts out rocky when the one night stand comes back to bite Frankie in the butt. Over time, a friendship forms and then it roots and unfurls into something else. It was light, easy and without drama and angst.
*The other conflict involving a teenage culprit trying to vandalize the funeral home was entertaining as well. I liked when the vandal got what was coming to him. Snicker.
And The Not So Much:
*Going into this one, I was lost as events that happened such as the one night stand had already occurred. I found out there was a short novella that covered what happened. I went back and read the novella: Peachy Flipping Keen, to catch up on what I missed. The novella was only seventy two pages and it was unnecessary. There was overlap and repetition in both this book and the novella. The novella should have been done away with as it was a waste of time, other than to grasp the one night stand details.
*I didn’t like that certain things kept getting glossed over. I was especially frustrated when Margot’s big situation wasn’t explored on scene. There was all this buildup and then the reader didn’t get to witness her telling Kyle and her dad. Big miss.
*I enjoyed the whole thing with the teen vandal, but it was a little over the top and unrealistic.
Ain’t She a Peach was one of those novels that didn’t completely wow me, but I must admit, I had a great time with the characters. This is one of those novels you pick up when you want something quick, fun and light. There ins’t much to this, which makes it perfect for when you need a palate cleanser or a pick me up. This one has a great cast of characters and it is full of laughs.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Frankie likes her life for the most part. She is the county coroner in the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. Her big problem is that at twenty eight years old, she is still treated like a child by her overprotective parents due to a bout of cancer when she was young. So when Frankie wants a good time, she heads to Atlanta. Then one day her good time lands right in her lap when she comes face to face with her former one night stand, Sheriff Eric Linden. Eric is now the sheriff of Lake Sackett. Even worse, as the coroner, Frankie must work with Eric on a regular basis. What is a girl to do?
What I Liked:
*Molly Harper is known for her humorous books that are meant to entertain. I love that you can pick up one of her books and giggle your way through. No over the top drama or angst, just down home fun.
*I love that this book is all about the family. The eclectic McCready family was first introduced in Sweet Tea and Sympathy. This latest novel delivers another heaping dose of this hilarious family. I love how quirky and funny they are. How can you not enjoy a family whose business is fishing and funerals, working out of the same building? This family is a bushel of laughs, and better yet, they all love each other and look after one another.
*Gotta love a small town setting, and Lack Sackett delivers. Yes, there are plenty of busy bodies and gossipers and of course, small town drama, but that is what makes it fun. It was easy to immerse right back into this sleepy little town.
*Frankie is a hoot. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed in the first book in this series, mostly because I wasn’t able to connect with Margot, the main character. Margot was way to uptight. Frankie on the other hand is the complete opposite. She dresses in outrageous goth clothes, dyes her hair bright colors and talks to the dead. She is full of sass and spunk. Loved her.
*The romance is simple and sweet. It starts out rocky when the one night stand comes back to bite Frankie in the butt. Over time, a friendship forms and then it roots and unfurls into something else. It was light, easy and without drama and angst.
*The other conflict involving a teenage culprit trying to vandalize the funeral home was entertaining as well. I liked when the vandal got what was coming to him. Snicker.
And The Not So Much:
*Going into this one, I was lost as events that happened such as the one night stand had already occurred. I found out there was a short novella that covered what happened. I went back and read the novella: Peachy Flipping Keen, to catch up on what I missed. The novella was only seventy two pages and it was unnecessary. There was overlap and repetition in both this book and the novella. The novella should have been done away with as it was a waste of time, other than to grasp the one night stand details.
*I didn’t like that certain things kept getting glossed over. I was especially frustrated when Margot’s big situation wasn’t explored on scene. There was all this buildup and then the reader didn’t get to witness her telling Kyle and her dad. Big miss.
*I enjoyed the whole thing with the teen vandal, but it was a little over the top and unrealistic.
Ain’t She a Peach was one of those novels that didn’t completely wow me, but I must admit, I had a great time with the characters. This is one of those novels you pick up when you want something quick, fun and light. There ins’t much to this, which makes it perfect for when you need a palate cleanser or a pick me up. This one has a great cast of characters and it is full of laughs.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
May 26, 2018
I've enjoyed the time I've spent in the Southern Eclectic series getting to know the McCready family and following along as they sort out love, life, and family in their small southern lakeside town so I was glad to get Frankie's story.
Ain't She a Peach is book two of the series and could work as a standalone in a pinch if the reader doesn't mind references to two of the cousins already getting their stories and getting a little follow up in the background of Frankie's story. Ain't She a Peach is also preceded by Peachy Freakin' Keen which is a shorter novella introducing Franky and the good sheriff who start off on an acrimonious foot and it continues into this book.
It's fall and Lake Sackett is winding up on the tourist trade and focusing on the Trunk or Treat, Sheriff's election, and small town gossip. Frankie McCready is losing her focus as she juggles the age-old problem of convincing her parents she's a twenty-eight year old who wants to move out and do some adulting. She also is recently discovering some wistfulness when around her cousins who are all starting to settle down in solid relationships and raise families which is odd since she holds fast to her 'hit it and quit it' program and keeps telling herself that she doesn't want all that other stuff and its not for her. Kinda tough though when she can't go anywhere without bumping into the hottie interim sheriff who is not beguiled by her beguiling ways. In the meantime, she has to contact the sheriff and get him involved in the personal vendetta she has with a local teen who antagonizes her and constantly tries to sabotage or break into the family mortuary.
So, I liked it and it was a easy-going, fun read, but... I didn't love it. I have ambivalent feelings about Frankie and the romance with Eric. If I treat this like a crossover women's fiction then the romance isn't so problematic because the focus is on Frankie figuring things out about herself, but if I read it as contemporary romance then I needed a bit of something more.
The broader focus on Frankie's family and life in the town, small town antics, adorable rescue dogs, PTA meetings, and more was my favorite part of the book. I love the emphasis on small town and family particularly this family who run a funeral home and bait shop out of the same property and most of the family live in cabins on the property.
In the earlier novella, I ended it with a wait and see attitude when it came to Frankie. She struck me as full of herself, but in the end, she was starting to suspect that she might be pampered by her family as a result of surviving childhood leukemia and she had bought into this herself in her words and actions. The sheriff, Eric Linden, confronted her about it when she willfully did an end around him when he was just doing his job with due diligence and her cousins told her that he had a point.
But, much of this book goes by with no change. She puts Eric in a hard place a few times with his job and had some immature moments. I don't mean to say that she's mean or can't be kind and loving because she is. It's sweet how she cares for the dead to make them look good and talks to them, determined to do the best for the grieving families.
She's content to let her parents spoil her even while complaining about it and doing nothing to change this so she doesn't hurt their feelings. It's funny, but also a little weird.
Eric challenges her, but unfortunately he has his own issues so she can ignore her issues to point out his. She is still fighting her attraction or the possibility of a regular dating relationship late in the book. So, yes, I was on the fence about her though she does manage to work things through by the end.
This is funny in ways- and its meant to be as they banter back and forth and comedic things happen when they're together, her family does crazy stuff, and the Trunk or Treat event takes on a nightmare life of its own.
So, all in all, I had a good time with the book. It's light and laugh out loud funny in spots. Frankie took a while to figure things out, but she does eventually get there. It ends on a happy for now and I suspect that it will be like the earlier stories that carry on in the background of the next book. Even though this won't be my favorite, I loved quite a bit about the book and hope the series continues. Those looking for some heartwarming family, small town antics, humor, and lightly spiced romantic comedy should give this series a go.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Ain't She a Peach is book two of the series and could work as a standalone in a pinch if the reader doesn't mind references to two of the cousins already getting their stories and getting a little follow up in the background of Frankie's story. Ain't She a Peach is also preceded by Peachy Freakin' Keen which is a shorter novella introducing Franky and the good sheriff who start off on an acrimonious foot and it continues into this book.
It's fall and Lake Sackett is winding up on the tourist trade and focusing on the Trunk or Treat, Sheriff's election, and small town gossip. Frankie McCready is losing her focus as she juggles the age-old problem of convincing her parents she's a twenty-eight year old who wants to move out and do some adulting. She also is recently discovering some wistfulness when around her cousins who are all starting to settle down in solid relationships and raise families which is odd since she holds fast to her 'hit it and quit it' program and keeps telling herself that she doesn't want all that other stuff and its not for her. Kinda tough though when she can't go anywhere without bumping into the hottie interim sheriff who is not beguiled by her beguiling ways. In the meantime, she has to contact the sheriff and get him involved in the personal vendetta she has with a local teen who antagonizes her and constantly tries to sabotage or break into the family mortuary.
So, I liked it and it was a easy-going, fun read, but... I didn't love it. I have ambivalent feelings about Frankie and the romance with Eric. If I treat this like a crossover women's fiction then the romance isn't so problematic because the focus is on Frankie figuring things out about herself, but if I read it as contemporary romance then I needed a bit of something more.
The broader focus on Frankie's family and life in the town, small town antics, adorable rescue dogs, PTA meetings, and more was my favorite part of the book. I love the emphasis on small town and family particularly this family who run a funeral home and bait shop out of the same property and most of the family live in cabins on the property.
In the earlier novella, I ended it with a wait and see attitude when it came to Frankie. She struck me as full of herself, but in the end, she was starting to suspect that she might be pampered by her family as a result of surviving childhood leukemia and she had bought into this herself in her words and actions. The sheriff, Eric Linden, confronted her about it when she willfully did an end around him when he was just doing his job with due diligence and her cousins told her that he had a point.
But, much of this book goes by with no change. She puts Eric in a hard place a few times with his job and had some immature moments. I don't mean to say that she's mean or can't be kind and loving because she is. It's sweet how she cares for the dead to make them look good and talks to them, determined to do the best for the grieving families.
She's content to let her parents spoil her even while complaining about it and doing nothing to change this so she doesn't hurt their feelings. It's funny, but also a little weird.
Eric challenges her, but unfortunately he has his own issues so she can ignore her issues to point out his. She is still fighting her attraction or the possibility of a regular dating relationship late in the book. So, yes, I was on the fence about her though she does manage to work things through by the end.
This is funny in ways- and its meant to be as they banter back and forth and comedic things happen when they're together, her family does crazy stuff, and the Trunk or Treat event takes on a nightmare life of its own.
So, all in all, I had a good time with the book. It's light and laugh out loud funny in spots. Frankie took a while to figure things out, but she does eventually get there. It ends on a happy for now and I suspect that it will be like the earlier stories that carry on in the background of the next book. Even though this won't be my favorite, I loved quite a bit about the book and hope the series continues. Those looking for some heartwarming family, small town antics, humor, and lightly spiced romantic comedy should give this series a go.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2018
4 ½ stars for the series. A nice escape - being in a small town for a while.
This review is for all four books.
I’ve read two Molly Harper books in the past and was not wowed enough to buy more. They were both told in 1st person. But when I saw this new series being told in 3rd person I thought I’d try it. And yes, I really enjoyed it. Why is it that I feel like I can relax and enjoy a 3rd person book, but 1st person seems stressful?
The setting is a small lakeside town in Georgia. There is a romantic relationship in each book, but there is more of an emphasis on the town and things happening to various characters than on romance. I liked the way this was done.
You can read each book as a stand-alone except for Book 1.5. That book is the beginning of Book 2. You will be unhappy if you read 1.5 without continuing on to 2. But you can read Book 2 without 1.5.
In the first three books there were no sex scene details, but maybe a few references to “staying the night.” The fourth book had two sex scenes, briefly described, no body parts named.
Book #0.5 Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck - 3 stars
novella, 136 pages
Carl the auto mechanic and Marianne who recently graduated college with plans to go to law school. Nice story but I wanted more relationship development.
Book #1 Sweet Tea and Sympathy - 4 ½ stars
307 pages
Margot lost her job as an event planner in Chicago. She comes to Lake Sackett for a while at the request of relatives. She meets her biological father Stan and Kyle the elementary school principal.
Book #1.5 Peachy Flippin’ Keen - 3 stars
novella 75 pages
Frankie the female coroner and funeral home director meets Eric the new sheriff, formerly a cop in Atlanta. Someone has been playing mean pranks and vandalizing the family business - funeral home and bait shop. When I read this I was angry at the way the story stopped. But I soon learned this is the first chapter for the next book #2. So plan to read them together.
Book #2 Ain’t She a Peach - 4 ½ stars
304 pages
Continuation of the story about Frankie, Eric, and the vandalizing of the funeral home - and other things going on in town.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Amanda Ronconi narrated all four of these, and she did a fine job. I think she changed the way she does voices, since she was not good in a couple other books that I listened to.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: mild and rarely used. I think the f word was used once. Sexual content: mild. Setting: current day Lake Sackett, Georgia. Copyright: 2017 and 2018. Genre: womens fiction with romance.
This review is for all four books.
I’ve read two Molly Harper books in the past and was not wowed enough to buy more. They were both told in 1st person. But when I saw this new series being told in 3rd person I thought I’d try it. And yes, I really enjoyed it. Why is it that I feel like I can relax and enjoy a 3rd person book, but 1st person seems stressful?
The setting is a small lakeside town in Georgia. There is a romantic relationship in each book, but there is more of an emphasis on the town and things happening to various characters than on romance. I liked the way this was done.
You can read each book as a stand-alone except for Book 1.5. That book is the beginning of Book 2. You will be unhappy if you read 1.5 without continuing on to 2. But you can read Book 2 without 1.5.
In the first three books there were no sex scene details, but maybe a few references to “staying the night.” The fourth book had two sex scenes, briefly described, no body parts named.
Book #0.5 Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck - 3 stars
novella, 136 pages
Carl the auto mechanic and Marianne who recently graduated college with plans to go to law school. Nice story but I wanted more relationship development.
Book #1 Sweet Tea and Sympathy - 4 ½ stars
307 pages
Margot lost her job as an event planner in Chicago. She comes to Lake Sackett for a while at the request of relatives. She meets her biological father Stan and Kyle the elementary school principal.
Book #1.5 Peachy Flippin’ Keen - 3 stars
novella 75 pages
Frankie the female coroner and funeral home director meets Eric the new sheriff, formerly a cop in Atlanta. Someone has been playing mean pranks and vandalizing the family business - funeral home and bait shop. When I read this I was angry at the way the story stopped. But I soon learned this is the first chapter for the next book #2. So plan to read them together.
Book #2 Ain’t She a Peach - 4 ½ stars
304 pages
Continuation of the story about Frankie, Eric, and the vandalizing of the funeral home - and other things going on in town.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Amanda Ronconi narrated all four of these, and she did a fine job. I think she changed the way she does voices, since she was not good in a couple other books that I listened to.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: mild and rarely used. I think the f word was used once. Sexual content: mild. Setting: current day Lake Sackett, Georgia. Copyright: 2017 and 2018. Genre: womens fiction with romance.
May 23, 2018
I really enjoyed Sweet Tea & Sympathy and would still recommend you read that. Alas, I wanted so much more from Frankie’s story.
Frankie was one of my favorite side characters in Sweet Tea and I was really looking forward to learning more about what made her tick, as well as getting the behind the scenes of her work as a coroner.
I didn’t fully understand Frankie’s codependent relationship with her parents, although I could understand how it started. But it still seemed bizarre that she not only lived at home at age 28 but her parents tracked her whereabouts through her cell phone, cooked for her and monitored her junk food intake, and generally babied her. And no one else in the extended family called them out for this! I was glad she wanted to get her own place but it really bothered me how long it took her to take even one small step toward freedom. I mean, she’s such a badass and she was not acting like it when it came to her family.
This was pretty much the pattern for my reading experience. It was fun to read but it kept veering into Over The Top territory and the characters kept doing and saying things that just didn’t make sense. I also couldn’t understand why the town viewed Frankie as a freak. Is that really how they would treat a coroner or was it because she was a female coroner? The funeral home is such a fascinating setting and I didn’t buy that the whole town would be creeped out by its steady presence.
Now it’s possible this is just how small towns can be but the Over The Topness of it all started to get to me. The characters stopped feeling like people and were more like caricatures.
But more than that, there was barely a love story in here for this being a romance novel. Eric was a fascinating character. I loved how he and Frankie sparred with one another and I loved getting to hear more of his backstory. I wanted so much more of this. By the time they got together at all, the book was almost over and that was before the major conflict, which was then wrapped up way too quickly.
This one just didn’t work for me. But I’ll still read the next book in the series because there’s such promise here.
Disclosure: I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Frankie was one of my favorite side characters in Sweet Tea and I was really looking forward to learning more about what made her tick, as well as getting the behind the scenes of her work as a coroner.
I didn’t fully understand Frankie’s codependent relationship with her parents, although I could understand how it started. But it still seemed bizarre that she not only lived at home at age 28 but her parents tracked her whereabouts through her cell phone, cooked for her and monitored her junk food intake, and generally babied her. And no one else in the extended family called them out for this! I was glad she wanted to get her own place but it really bothered me how long it took her to take even one small step toward freedom. I mean, she’s such a badass and she was not acting like it when it came to her family.
This was pretty much the pattern for my reading experience. It was fun to read but it kept veering into Over The Top territory and the characters kept doing and saying things that just didn’t make sense. I also couldn’t understand why the town viewed Frankie as a freak. Is that really how they would treat a coroner or was it because she was a female coroner? The funeral home is such a fascinating setting and I didn’t buy that the whole town would be creeped out by its steady presence.
Now it’s possible this is just how small towns can be but the Over The Topness of it all started to get to me. The characters stopped feeling like people and were more like caricatures.
But more than that, there was barely a love story in here for this being a romance novel. Eric was a fascinating character. I loved how he and Frankie sparred with one another and I loved getting to hear more of his backstory. I wanted so much more of this. By the time they got together at all, the book was almost over and that was before the major conflict, which was then wrapped up way too quickly.
This one just didn’t work for me. But I’ll still read the next book in the series because there’s such promise here.
Disclosure: I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2018
Ain't She a Peach is a lighthearted story that takes readers back to the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. We return to McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop (how's that for convenient one stop shopping?) and follow the story of Frankie, the 28 year old goth/nerd/Southern girl who works as the funeral home embalmer and county coroner.
Frankie is trying her best to be an adult in a close knit family (read: everyone's up in each other's business) while still living at home with her parents, keeping an eye on her arch nemesis (a teenage boy set on breaking into the funeral home on Halloween), and figuring out her attraction to new sheriff Eric Linden.
Those who loved the first book in the series will love to see Margot's story continue alongside Frankie's. Filled with southern charm, funny one-liners, and a cute romance this second installment in Harper's Southern Eclectic series is another cozy read.
Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Frankie is trying her best to be an adult in a close knit family (read: everyone's up in each other's business) while still living at home with her parents, keeping an eye on her arch nemesis (a teenage boy set on breaking into the funeral home on Halloween), and figuring out her attraction to new sheriff Eric Linden.
Those who loved the first book in the series will love to see Margot's story continue alongside Frankie's. Filled with southern charm, funny one-liners, and a cute romance this second installment in Harper's Southern Eclectic series is another cozy read.
Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2019
Recommended! AIN’T SHE A PEACH by Molly Harper continues the snarky fun we had in SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY with the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop as the stage. Bet you can’t read just one!
Read the review in color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.
Frankie McCready loves to talk to her customers and play their favorite music while she does their makeup. Friends are a little weirded out since her customers are deceased, but Frankie thinks it’s normal. After all, she grew up at the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop in Georgia. As the coroner, death is a weekly ritual that she insists is handled with respect for these people she has known her whole life.
A one-night stand with new Sheriff Eric Linden wasn’t exactly the best way to start a working relationship. Not that Frankie knew he was the sheriff when she had sex with the man. Just her luck to love him and leave him and then have him show up in her hometown. If that wasn’t enough, now he feels the need to be Dick Tracy and claim every death in town suspicious.
I highlighted far more passages in this book than normal. Author Molly Harper cracks me up, especially in this series. I find this family to be a hoot and a holler away from crazy, just the way I like them in a romantic comedy. She makes me laugh and laugh – it’s such good therapy. The writing isn’t just funny, it’s extremely clever snark that pokes fun at the ridiculous side of humanity.
So much so that I read this book twice before writing the review. I read it last summer while on vacation, but I didn’t take enough notes to be able to write a worthy review. Thinking I could just skim it the second time to write the review, the story and characters pulled me in. I easily read it cover to cover in 24 hours.
Enemies-to-Lovers is one of my favorite tropes but it’s extra-fun when it’s a reunited pair who thought they were a one-night stand. Frankie’s observations about Eric at the beginning of the novel are hilarious. Even her description of Eric’s looks is laugh-out-loud funny. The coroner vs. sheriff routine reminds me of one of my favorite television shows – NCIS. Frankie is the perfect description of the geeky brainchild and her quirky behavior is addictive. Frankie and Eric together are like Mutt and Jeff or two of the Three Stooges until they finally come to an understanding. Always poking at one another, even in love they’re open in warfare.
Word of warning – situations are sometimes outrageously naughty and the characters often have potty mouths. They have a jar for that, so they’re well aware that swearing costs them money every time. It’s good fun, silly, and entertaining. I’m completely amazed at the comedic material in these books. Molly Harper should be a stand-up comedian. She takes life’s little moments and human characteristics, twists them on their head, making them both corny and believable.
Margot Cary from book one, SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY, gets a lot of page time, so fans will enjoy her continuing story with Kyle and his girls. I was thrilled to get more pages with this couple. The cousins also spend a lot of time counseling Frankie so their hilarity continues as well. I did miss Donna as she doesn’t have any page time, but there’s a good laugh-out-loud moment where she’s mentioned.
I loved the book so much the second time that when I realized there were three novellas that were published in-between the novels, I immediately bought them. If you love a Kindle deal – the price is good. And that would be an easy way to introduce you to why I find this series so addictive.
In the end, the second time I read this book was just as much fun as when I read it on my vacation the first time. It’s not necessary to read the books in order as AIN’T SHE A PEACH reads fine as a standalone, but I don’t recommend it. You’ll miss half the fun if you don’t read SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY first.
Frankie and Eric are perfect for one another. Their love story is filled with outrageous behavior and sentimental sweetness. There’s some crime they need to solve together, so that adds to their conflict and respect for one another. It’s hard to imagine one without the other as they’re a natural fit. I can’t wait to find out more about their happy-for-now in the next book, GIMME SOME SUGAR, releasing in April 2019.
Creative and quirky, full of trash talk, snark and backwoods oddities, Molly Harper once again made me laugh with her entertaining characters in AIN’T SHE A PEACH. I highly recommend the SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series to anyone in need of a really good time. Just be aware that anyone close to you will be reading over your shoulder, curious about why you’re laughing, snorting, or guffawing. Go on now, you know you want to buy it and see why I’m smiling. Happy Reading!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com . Digital copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
Read the review in color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.
Frankie McCready loves to talk to her customers and play their favorite music while she does their makeup. Friends are a little weirded out since her customers are deceased, but Frankie thinks it’s normal. After all, she grew up at the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop in Georgia. As the coroner, death is a weekly ritual that she insists is handled with respect for these people she has known her whole life.
A one-night stand with new Sheriff Eric Linden wasn’t exactly the best way to start a working relationship. Not that Frankie knew he was the sheriff when she had sex with the man. Just her luck to love him and leave him and then have him show up in her hometown. If that wasn’t enough, now he feels the need to be Dick Tracy and claim every death in town suspicious.
I highlighted far more passages in this book than normal. Author Molly Harper cracks me up, especially in this series. I find this family to be a hoot and a holler away from crazy, just the way I like them in a romantic comedy. She makes me laugh and laugh – it’s such good therapy. The writing isn’t just funny, it’s extremely clever snark that pokes fun at the ridiculous side of humanity.
So much so that I read this book twice before writing the review. I read it last summer while on vacation, but I didn’t take enough notes to be able to write a worthy review. Thinking I could just skim it the second time to write the review, the story and characters pulled me in. I easily read it cover to cover in 24 hours.
Enemies-to-Lovers is one of my favorite tropes but it’s extra-fun when it’s a reunited pair who thought they were a one-night stand. Frankie’s observations about Eric at the beginning of the novel are hilarious. Even her description of Eric’s looks is laugh-out-loud funny. The coroner vs. sheriff routine reminds me of one of my favorite television shows – NCIS. Frankie is the perfect description of the geeky brainchild and her quirky behavior is addictive. Frankie and Eric together are like Mutt and Jeff or two of the Three Stooges until they finally come to an understanding. Always poking at one another, even in love they’re open in warfare.
Word of warning – situations are sometimes outrageously naughty and the characters often have potty mouths. They have a jar for that, so they’re well aware that swearing costs them money every time. It’s good fun, silly, and entertaining. I’m completely amazed at the comedic material in these books. Molly Harper should be a stand-up comedian. She takes life’s little moments and human characteristics, twists them on their head, making them both corny and believable.
Margot Cary from book one, SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY, gets a lot of page time, so fans will enjoy her continuing story with Kyle and his girls. I was thrilled to get more pages with this couple. The cousins also spend a lot of time counseling Frankie so their hilarity continues as well. I did miss Donna as she doesn’t have any page time, but there’s a good laugh-out-loud moment where she’s mentioned.
I loved the book so much the second time that when I realized there were three novellas that were published in-between the novels, I immediately bought them. If you love a Kindle deal – the price is good. And that would be an easy way to introduce you to why I find this series so addictive.
In the end, the second time I read this book was just as much fun as when I read it on my vacation the first time. It’s not necessary to read the books in order as AIN’T SHE A PEACH reads fine as a standalone, but I don’t recommend it. You’ll miss half the fun if you don’t read SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY first.
Frankie and Eric are perfect for one another. Their love story is filled with outrageous behavior and sentimental sweetness. There’s some crime they need to solve together, so that adds to their conflict and respect for one another. It’s hard to imagine one without the other as they’re a natural fit. I can’t wait to find out more about their happy-for-now in the next book, GIMME SOME SUGAR, releasing in April 2019.
Creative and quirky, full of trash talk, snark and backwoods oddities, Molly Harper once again made me laugh with her entertaining characters in AIN’T SHE A PEACH. I highly recommend the SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series to anyone in need of a really good time. Just be aware that anyone close to you will be reading over your shoulder, curious about why you’re laughing, snorting, or guffawing. Go on now, you know you want to buy it and see why I’m smiling. Happy Reading!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com . Digital copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
June 13, 2018
Thanks to Gallery Books for this free review copy!
*
Dare I say that I loved this book just as much or even MORE than the first one in this series? SWEET TEA & SYMPATHY was such a fun read, and this next one in the Southern Eclectic series picks right up where that one left off in the little Georgia town of Lake Sackett with the decidedly eccentric McCready family. This time with Frankie, the 20-something town's coroner and embalmer as the main character. Okay, now when I say the family is eccentric, I mean, really eccentric. Like, they own a bait shop connected to a funeral home eccentric! I adore the exaggerated, down-home, Southern sassiness of these books and would be oh so happy to have Frankie be the one taking care of any of my dearly departed family members, that's for sure! Oh, and there's a h-o-t romance between Frankie and the town's new sheriff.......only a 3 on my steam factor, but definitely lots of romantic tension!
*
This can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I would highly recommend reading SWEET TEA first so you don't miss out on that fun!
*
AND, I just discovered that there are also 2 novellas as well ~ SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK (technically first in this series) and PEACHY FLIPPIN' KEEN (comes chronologically between SWEET TEA & AIN'T SHE A PEACH). These appear to only be available digitally, so I just bought them for my Kindle - only $1.99 each!
*
Dare I say that I loved this book just as much or even MORE than the first one in this series? SWEET TEA & SYMPATHY was such a fun read, and this next one in the Southern Eclectic series picks right up where that one left off in the little Georgia town of Lake Sackett with the decidedly eccentric McCready family. This time with Frankie, the 20-something town's coroner and embalmer as the main character. Okay, now when I say the family is eccentric, I mean, really eccentric. Like, they own a bait shop connected to a funeral home eccentric! I adore the exaggerated, down-home, Southern sassiness of these books and would be oh so happy to have Frankie be the one taking care of any of my dearly departed family members, that's for sure! Oh, and there's a h-o-t romance between Frankie and the town's new sheriff.......only a 3 on my steam factor, but definitely lots of romantic tension!
*
This can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I would highly recommend reading SWEET TEA first so you don't miss out on that fun!
*
AND, I just discovered that there are also 2 novellas as well ~ SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK (technically first in this series) and PEACHY FLIPPIN' KEEN (comes chronologically between SWEET TEA & AIN'T SHE A PEACH). These appear to only be available digitally, so I just bought them for my Kindle - only $1.99 each!
June 19, 2018
3.5 stars
First off I really like Molly Harper books. I find her voice very different and her characters and setup eclectic to say the least. Before going into this book I knew it would be different because we had met Frankie in the previous book and she wasn't like the usual heroines. She works in her family's funeral home and embalms the dead bodies and speaks to them. Her parents like to cosset her because of her being sick as a child and she lets them even if it chafes her. She does like men and likes to let loose and go out of town and pick them up! The hero we learn, the new Sheriff was one of her pick-ups an he is not happy about her hit & run! There is a lot of family in the book, Frankie's cousins and extended family and that really gave it a nice small-town feel.
Now this book isn't too heavy on the romance atleast not the hearts & flowers kind. The heroine has a teenage tormentor; the hero had a zombie past (the reason he left the city to work in a small-town)! Seriously the book was hilarious and as the series title says eclectic!
ARC provided by publisher through Edelweiss
First off I really like Molly Harper books. I find her voice very different and her characters and setup eclectic to say the least. Before going into this book I knew it would be different because we had met Frankie in the previous book and she wasn't like the usual heroines. She works in her family's funeral home and embalms the dead bodies and speaks to them. Her parents like to cosset her because of her being sick as a child and she lets them even if it chafes her. She does like men and likes to let loose and go out of town and pick them up! The hero we learn, the new Sheriff was one of her pick-ups an he is not happy about her hit & run! There is a lot of family in the book, Frankie's cousins and extended family and that really gave it a nice small-town feel.
Now this book isn't too heavy on the romance atleast not the hearts & flowers kind. The heroine has a teenage tormentor; the hero had a zombie past (the reason he left the city to work in a small-town)! Seriously the book was hilarious and as the series title says eclectic!
ARC provided by publisher through Edelweiss
January 20, 2019
I haven't read any of the previous books in this series and I found no issue following along. I honestly thought this book was so charming. I loved the big family we were introduced to, loved the small town, thought Frankie was an excellent and relatable heroine, and that she was well matched for Eric, the town sheriff. This was sweet, funny, interesting, delightful, and such an easy way to pass the time. I definitely recommend this to Harper fans.
July 31, 2018
Ain't She a Peach was good... and I'm so glad that I got to have more stories with all the characters I fell in love with in Sweet Tea and Sympathy. But this was not one of her best. I typically LOVE everything Molly Harper writes, and this one was just OK. Beautiful cover at least!
March 31, 2019
Frankie was pretty one note as a personality. I expected to like her more than I did. But her general inertia merely annoyed me and she was much duller than her incarnations in previous books.
She was also a wuss about getting her life started and did not value herself enough I’d say, seeing the bull crap she accepted from the sexist sheriff regarding her professional capabilities and the threat I wouldn’t be shocked if he internally refered to as her ‘female hysteria’.
The male love interest was as usual a flat character in this book. Great family interactions but I really wish Harper would do better fleshing out the partners.
She was also a wuss about getting her life started and did not value herself enough I’d say, seeing the bull crap she accepted from the sexist sheriff regarding her professional capabilities and the threat I wouldn’t be shocked if he internally refered to as her ‘female hysteria’.
The male love interest was as usual a flat character in this book. Great family interactions but I really wish Harper would do better fleshing out the partners.
March 25, 2018
The little novella that came out before this had me all intrigued about Eric and Frankie's story. Eric is not bashful at all, and he knows how to render his woman speechless, "...as he scrambled toward the ladder and leaped out of the water. Her laughter died on her lips as full-frontal Eric came into view..." Eric is willing to try anything to have his woman get frisky with him, “and maybe later, you can try on some of those costume options for me.” I liked this book, I loved Eric and Frankie they tested each other's patience like you wouldn't believe.
May 23, 2019
Fun book. Frankie was one of my favorite characters from the first book Sweet Tea And Sympathy, so I was happy to see her get her own story. Frankie is the wild child of the family. She is impulsive, sassy, snarky, and sarcastic, but also loving and loyal to her family. A survivor of childhood leukemia, Frankie still lives at home with her very overprotective parents. She longs to break out on her own but doesn't want to hurt their feelings. When the pressure gets to be too much, she sneaks off to Atlanta for a "hit it and quit it" night with a random man. One of those encounters comes back to bite her when he shows up in Lake Sackett as the new interim sheriff.
Eric was a cop in Atlanta until a confrontation gone wrong sent him looking for a slower paced life and job. It takes him a while to adjust, and in the meantime, he sees foul play in almost every death. This brings him into frequent contact with town coroner and mortician Frankie, the woman he hasn't been able to forget.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Frankie and Eric. The chemistry between them is strong, though each tries to fight it. It was fun to see her jerk Eric's chain about his tendency to see murder in the most normal of deaths. The barbs and insults that fly between them highlight the emotion that both try to deny. Franke has to dial down the snark when she goes to Eric for help catching the vandal who has targeted the funeral home. Frankie is sure she knows who it is, but Eric believes in law and order and evidence. As they worked together to catch the culprit, they frequently clash over methods, but also grow closer emotionally. But when Frankie goes a little too far with one of her plans, it puts Eric's job in jeopardy and causes a rift between them. Harsh words were spoken, and though they hurt, they also created some serious self-reflection. I ached a bit for Frankie as she saw herself through new eyes, but I also cheered for her and the changes she made. I liked her big moment at the end as she and Eric realized that they belonged together.
As in the previous book, life in Lake Sackett is not dull. Small town life has everyone poking their noses in everyone else's lives, making some go to extreme lengths to get a little privacy. Small town politics also invade every facet of life, from the PTA to the town government. Frankie and her cousin Margot got yet another taste of this when it came time to plan the annual Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween. The planning session was a riot, from deciding on the venue to arguments over costumes allowed. I loved seeing Margot maintain control and give as good as she gets in the process. The other big story is the case of the vandalism at the funeral home. Since Frankie is confident who is behind it, she is ready to have it out with him, but Eric reminds her that without solid evidence, he can't do anything about it. I could feel Frankie's frustration, especially when one attempt goes so badly wrong. I loved that she learned her lesson, and when the opportunity came to set a trap, she was extremely clever about it. I loved how it played out and seeing the punk get what was coming to him. There was also a nice little twist that had a connection to Eric.
I enjoyed seeing more of Frankie's family members. Aunt Tootie is always a hoot with her abundance of rescue dogs and her unfiltered commentary on everything. I liked catching up on what is happening with Margot and Kyle, especially the surprise that Margot is facing. I'm looking forward to seeing how that works out. I saw more of the relationship between Frankie and her parents and completely understood her frustration. Their overprotectiveness was definitely over the top, though it was also understandable. It was difficult for her to break away without feeling guilty about hurting their feelings. Their confrontation over the issue was emotional but productive.
Eric was a cop in Atlanta until a confrontation gone wrong sent him looking for a slower paced life and job. It takes him a while to adjust, and in the meantime, he sees foul play in almost every death. This brings him into frequent contact with town coroner and mortician Frankie, the woman he hasn't been able to forget.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Frankie and Eric. The chemistry between them is strong, though each tries to fight it. It was fun to see her jerk Eric's chain about his tendency to see murder in the most normal of deaths. The barbs and insults that fly between them highlight the emotion that both try to deny. Franke has to dial down the snark when she goes to Eric for help catching the vandal who has targeted the funeral home. Frankie is sure she knows who it is, but Eric believes in law and order and evidence. As they worked together to catch the culprit, they frequently clash over methods, but also grow closer emotionally. But when Frankie goes a little too far with one of her plans, it puts Eric's job in jeopardy and causes a rift between them. Harsh words were spoken, and though they hurt, they also created some serious self-reflection. I ached a bit for Frankie as she saw herself through new eyes, but I also cheered for her and the changes she made. I liked her big moment at the end as she and Eric realized that they belonged together.
As in the previous book, life in Lake Sackett is not dull. Small town life has everyone poking their noses in everyone else's lives, making some go to extreme lengths to get a little privacy. Small town politics also invade every facet of life, from the PTA to the town government. Frankie and her cousin Margot got yet another taste of this when it came time to plan the annual Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween. The planning session was a riot, from deciding on the venue to arguments over costumes allowed. I loved seeing Margot maintain control and give as good as she gets in the process. The other big story is the case of the vandalism at the funeral home. Since Frankie is confident who is behind it, she is ready to have it out with him, but Eric reminds her that without solid evidence, he can't do anything about it. I could feel Frankie's frustration, especially when one attempt goes so badly wrong. I loved that she learned her lesson, and when the opportunity came to set a trap, she was extremely clever about it. I loved how it played out and seeing the punk get what was coming to him. There was also a nice little twist that had a connection to Eric.
I enjoyed seeing more of Frankie's family members. Aunt Tootie is always a hoot with her abundance of rescue dogs and her unfiltered commentary on everything. I liked catching up on what is happening with Margot and Kyle, especially the surprise that Margot is facing. I'm looking forward to seeing how that works out. I saw more of the relationship between Frankie and her parents and completely understood her frustration. Their overprotectiveness was definitely over the top, though it was also understandable. It was difficult for her to break away without feeling guilty about hurting their feelings. Their confrontation over the issue was emotional but productive.
October 5, 2019
Another delightful installment in the Southern Eclectic series, this one giving us the adorable and forthright Frankie McCready, undertaker and coroner extraordinaire, having to deal with the outright rude and ever-suspicious big city cop-turned local sheriff, Eric Linden.
If there is one thing I hate in romance — or in life — it is an alphahole, and Linden’s abrasiveness made me pretty furious for a good long while. Eventually, he softened (and yes, I get the point of the archetype, the whole redeemed-by-a-good-woman thing that has infested all genres of literary pursuit since time immemorial), and eventually, he seemed somewhat worthy of the most excellent Frankie, but it took me longer to warm up to him than it took her, and that kind of affected my enjoyment of their story.
Nevertheless, this was certainly another good time, full of Harper’s signature snark along with some completely lovable secondary characters.
If there is one thing I hate in romance — or in life — it is an alphahole, and Linden’s abrasiveness made me pretty furious for a good long while. Eventually, he softened (and yes, I get the point of the archetype, the whole redeemed-by-a-good-woman thing that has infested all genres of literary pursuit since time immemorial), and eventually, he seemed somewhat worthy of the most excellent Frankie, but it took me longer to warm up to him than it took her, and that kind of affected my enjoyment of their story.
Nevertheless, this was certainly another good time, full of Harper’s signature snark along with some completely lovable secondary characters.
July 28, 2018
This book is just what the doctor order. A cute romance story. I will say the novella promised more than this book delivered, but I still enjoyed it.
I thought the heavier topics were glossed over. If Frankie had gone through chemo, it’s very unlikely she’s fertile and can have children of her own. That wasn’t brought up. In fact, it was suggested that her fertility wouldn’t be an issue. That took me out of the story.
I also thought her family and the sheriff downplayed Jared’s action making it seem like she was a part of the problem and I didn’t see that. I thought she was made more of a bad person than she really was.
Anyway, again a cute story. Not as many lol moments as I hoped, but cute.
I thought the heavier topics were glossed over. If Frankie had gone through chemo, it’s very unlikely she’s fertile and can have children of her own. That wasn’t brought up. In fact, it was suggested that her fertility wouldn’t be an issue. That took me out of the story.
I also thought her family and the sheriff downplayed Jared’s action making it seem like she was a part of the problem and I didn’t see that. I thought she was made more of a bad person than she really was.
Anyway, again a cute story. Not as many lol moments as I hoped, but cute.
July 16, 2018
This was cute. Like seriously cute. Not as much romance as I thought there would be but the characters totally made up for that. It was hilarious and adorable and I really need to read more by this author now.
April 17, 2018
***ARC received for an honest review***
Frankie, her small town's mortician, is unique, mouthy and babied by her entire family. She also has history with the new sheriff in town - Eric. Eric is a little overwhelmed by the entire town and Frankie in particular. The two of them dance around one another - and Frankie makes some very Frankie-centered decisions. She was lovable and wonderful - and the end really brought her home to me.
Molly Harper effervesces. Funny, charming, larger-than-life southern characters who capture the reader without overwhelming them. I'm not sure that I want to read Harper back to back to back. But she is the perfect sorbet to clean my pallet between heavy, tense reads. I found myself smiling for 90% of this read, and I look forward to the next one in the series.
Frankie, her small town's mortician, is unique, mouthy and babied by her entire family. She also has history with the new sheriff in town - Eric. Eric is a little overwhelmed by the entire town and Frankie in particular. The two of them dance around one another - and Frankie makes some very Frankie-centered decisions. She was lovable and wonderful - and the end really brought her home to me.
Molly Harper effervesces. Funny, charming, larger-than-life southern characters who capture the reader without overwhelming them. I'm not sure that I want to read Harper back to back to back. But she is the perfect sorbet to clean my pallet between heavy, tense reads. I found myself smiling for 90% of this read, and I look forward to the next one in the series.
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