The Sweet Life

by Lynn York

The heartwarming sequel to The Piano Teacher In her eagerly anticipated second novel, The Sweet Life, York catches up with the good people of Swan’s Knob for another poignant, funny, and beautifully realized glimpse of small-town life in the South.

It’s been eight years since Roy Swan successfully won the hand of piano teacher and resident choir director, Miss Wilma and now, their lives have settled into a state of happy predictability. But all that changes with the arrival of Miss Wilma’s teenage granddaughter, whose estranged father, Harper, follows shortly behind. Soon Harper has convinced Roy to let him stage a “small” country and bluegrass concert in his pasture, drawing thousands of screaming fans, not to mention a small forest of Porta Potties. Roy and Wilma weather each new tempest with grace and grit, until a crippling stroke leaves Roy debilitated—and life in Swan’s Knob becomes a lot less simple.

A worthy successor to her memorable debut, Lynn York’s The Sweet Life weaves a story at once whimsical and wise, filled with all the warmth and charm of the South itself.

Genres: Fiction

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters in this book.... enjoyed Wilma, the church choir director, and some of the things she experienced. Very good book. I wondered about finding the earlier book first, to read, The Piano Teacher, but did just fine reading this one and "catching on."

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, I was wondering where it was going. It was kind of relaxing and unique. I felt I could completely relate to Wilma, all her worries and concerns and frustrations. Even though we're decades apart in age. Maybe deep down, women are very much the same from generation to generation. And I felt I could relate to Josh's mom (except when it came to her momentous decision in the hospital). I was halfway through the book before I realized that it was a sequel but I really like that--that it was so clear to understand and dive into even though it was a sequel. It stood on it's own. Of course now I want to read The Piano Teacher but I'm irritated that I know the general outcome. I hate reading books out of order. But I was kinda sleepy when I picked this up and didn't glance at the summary on the back or really more than the title and the pleasant picture on the cover before I opened it up and started reading.

[Linda Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy beach read with well developed characters who tug at your heart (even the less than scrupulous one).
I especially found the stroke victim’s perspectives to be helpful as I have a dear friend who is recovering from a stroke. While everyone’s experiences medical emergencies in his or her own way, and this is in no way meant to be a medical treatise (it is a novel), I feel like a have a better understanding of what a stroke victim may be feeling.

[Elleni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book hard to get into. I put it down a few times until I finally picked it up and finished it. It was a good read and the perspective of a stroke victim was interesting. Not a fan of the ending though.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters. All trying to do good, yet not communicating.

[Rene Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid ending. Rushed and illogical. Made no sense. Didn't care for any of the characters except Wilma.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough and one of the quickest reads I've had for a while. It is written in the third person but from a changing perspective, alternating among 6 of the characters. This style turns out to be a little awkward. It doesn't really enhance the story telling, and the style of writing doesn't change enough from one character to the next to make the change in perspective seamless. This gets worse towards the end of the novel where the switches happen more frequently.

On the whole, though, the story was entertaining to read.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and it's predecessor, The Piano Teacher, in about two weeks. Both books take place in NC and it is fun to read about some local landmarks/institutions, including Green's Supper Club. The characters are likable,it's a bit far fetched, but a pleasant summer read...especially with the Triad connection.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant book. Sequel to The Piano Teacher but stands alone. A pleasant read but not so compelling that you have to stay awake till 4 AM to finish it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book and had likable characters, but it just doesn't have staying power. I finished it yesterday and can't really remember much of it today.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Age Love is as intense as any other. Just Love.

[Donna Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Wish I knew it was a sequel. Now I need to read The Piano Teacher.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow moving in spots... Not the greatest I've ever read, but ok.