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Southern Eclectic #3
Gimme Some Sugar
A young widow returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia to face the ghosts of her past—and decide if she’s ready to take another chance on love—in the third sparkling Southern Eclectic novel that “goes down as easy as honey on a deep-fried Twinkie” (Library Journal, on Sweet Tea and Sympathy). Lucy Bowman would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck. Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something. In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town's meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for? Once again Molly Harper “writes characters you can’t help but fall in love with” (RT Book Reviews) in this charming and entertaining love story.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
250 people are currently reading
3859 people want to read
About the author
Molly Harper
61 books8,139 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 400 reviews
August 13, 2019
Grab a glass of sweet tea and pull up a seat and dig into some Southern Charm, humor, and romance the Molly Harper way. Lucy Brewer and her young son have returned to Lake Sackett, Georgia after the death of her husband. She has plans to start over and open her own pastry shop and to rekindle some old friendships from her high school days. She should be devastated over the death of her husband, but they had fallen out of love long ago and were living an unhappy life together. Seeing Duffy again has rekindled some hidden feelings she has harbored for him over the years.
Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home - think about that one for a moment) has loved Lucy since they were kids but wasn't brave enough to ask her out back in high school. He went on to get married himself and hasn't been able to break the habit of having an on-again-off-again relationship with his ex-wife. But now that Lucy is back, he is ready to put all that nonsense behind him and throw caution to the wind and try and get close to his high school friend once again.
This is a quirky fun and engaging book done as only Harper can. This book can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I highly recommend starting this series from the beginning, as I do think it will make this book even more enjoyable. The characters are lively, quirky and highly entertaining. Occasionally, it is nice to kick your heels up and be entertained. Harper's books are full of her clever humor, snarky sarcasm, and laugh out loud moments.
This book might also make you begin salivating for some sweet baked goods, boat rides and sweet tea!
Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home - think about that one for a moment) has loved Lucy since they were kids but wasn't brave enough to ask her out back in high school. He went on to get married himself and hasn't been able to break the habit of having an on-again-off-again relationship with his ex-wife. But now that Lucy is back, he is ready to put all that nonsense behind him and throw caution to the wind and try and get close to his high school friend once again.
This is a quirky fun and engaging book done as only Harper can. This book can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I highly recommend starting this series from the beginning, as I do think it will make this book even more enjoyable. The characters are lively, quirky and highly entertaining. Occasionally, it is nice to kick your heels up and be entertained. Harper's books are full of her clever humor, snarky sarcasm, and laugh out loud moments.
This book might also make you begin salivating for some sweet baked goods, boat rides and sweet tea!
April 1, 2019
I’ve used this term before- sometimes we need book comfort food, and Gimme Some Sugar and the Southern Eclectic series from Molly Harper are all just that, comfort. 🍰 🍰 🍰 🍰
Lucy Brewer is a young widow when she returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia. Her best friend, Duffy, has been in love with her for a lifetime, and she has had no idea. Duffy watched as Lucy married Wayne, and he’s there when Lucy needs to pick up the pieces after Wayne’s death.
Lucy feels guilty her life is better, simpler even, without Wayne around, but her family and friends insist she needs to grieve longer. No one really knew the inner workings of Lucy and Wayne’s marriage, but Duffy senses something is up with Lucy.
Lucy decides to open a bakery with Duffy’s help and as they work together, a spark between them is kindled.
Oh my, I love Lucy and Duffy and this story! Duffy was due for an offshoot story in this series. He’s a good guy with a big heart. Part of the fun with Southern Eclectic is the quirkiness of the characters. I mean where else can you find Duffy, who owns a bait shop doubling as a funeral parlor? And somehow, the way it’s executed feels so realistic, you don’t even question that zany detail; you just smile.
The humor here also warms my heart. Molly Harper is hilariously clever and funny, and the food! I can never forget the yummy food showcased by the author.
Overall, Gimme Some Sugar and the entire series are books you can fall into, knowing you will reliably receive an engaging and fun story with plenty of laughs and characters you will adore, all in a charming southern setting. I hope we get another installment or three, please, Molly Harper?!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Lucy Brewer is a young widow when she returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia. Her best friend, Duffy, has been in love with her for a lifetime, and she has had no idea. Duffy watched as Lucy married Wayne, and he’s there when Lucy needs to pick up the pieces after Wayne’s death.
Lucy feels guilty her life is better, simpler even, without Wayne around, but her family and friends insist she needs to grieve longer. No one really knew the inner workings of Lucy and Wayne’s marriage, but Duffy senses something is up with Lucy.
Lucy decides to open a bakery with Duffy’s help and as they work together, a spark between them is kindled.
Oh my, I love Lucy and Duffy and this story! Duffy was due for an offshoot story in this series. He’s a good guy with a big heart. Part of the fun with Southern Eclectic is the quirkiness of the characters. I mean where else can you find Duffy, who owns a bait shop doubling as a funeral parlor? And somehow, the way it’s executed feels so realistic, you don’t even question that zany detail; you just smile.
The humor here also warms my heart. Molly Harper is hilariously clever and funny, and the food! I can never forget the yummy food showcased by the author.
Overall, Gimme Some Sugar and the entire series are books you can fall into, knowing you will reliably receive an engaging and fun story with plenty of laughs and characters you will adore, all in a charming southern setting. I hope we get another installment or three, please, Molly Harper?!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
May 6, 2019
A cute little romance set in the South. I like the Southernness of it all, like the little sayings:
"She was ten pounds of mean in a five pound package."
"She was worn thinner than a flour-sack dress."
Along with a lot of sweet tea, barbecue, church ladies, beer-drinking men fixing cars and going fishing, and trucks. Lots of trucks.
They are just so damn useful!
(And, yes, my sons and their friends totally drove around in "Redneck Swimming Pools" when they were teenagers.)
The romance was fine, and there was a cute kid. But, for my taste, it was a little too much sugar. Although, what did I expect from the title? It delivered as promised.
"She was ten pounds of mean in a five pound package."
"She was worn thinner than a flour-sack dress."
Along with a lot of sweet tea, barbecue, church ladies, beer-drinking men fixing cars and going fishing, and trucks. Lots of trucks.
They are just so damn useful!
(And, yes, my sons and their friends totally drove around in "Redneck Swimming Pools" when they were teenagers.)
The romance was fine, and there was a cute kid. But, for my taste, it was a little too much sugar. Although, what did I expect from the title? It delivered as promised.
April 7, 2019
HILARIOUS!!!!
I love this series. The characters are so perfect and unique for this eclectic southern family. While you can read this book independently, it is encouraged that you read all the books of the series to get a flavor of this fun and crazy family.
Lucy moves back home after her husband suddenly dies. She is going to raise her son in the quiet town and open a bakery. She is met with push-back by her in-laws and soon learns why. She is suppressing her own feelings of scorn, disrespect and neglect that arose from her marriage. She feels guilty that her grief is met with relief.
She reconnects with her old friend Duffy and the McCready family and it feels good to be part of a group where she can thrive and be herself. She is encouraged to open her bakery and follow her path to provide for herself and her son. Duffy has loved Lucy since they were kids but was heartbroken when she got married. He is satisfied with their renewed friendship because it gives him an opportunity to be around her, but it is becoming too difficult to be around her and want more. Their relationship becomes hopeful as the two have an honest discussion about the feelings each have for each other.
But.......what would a sweet story about love be without roadblocks, distractions and misunderstandings?
This story delivers and you find yourself laughing, sometimes sadness, but overall that feeling of hopefulness as these characters navigate themselves to where they are supposed to be. The supporting characters are hilarious and add a layer of consideration and attention to help boost the main characters. Duffy is so darned thoughtful and loveable. You are rooting for him throughout the story and he respects all of the women in his life, even when it's hard. Lucy came home stronger than she could imagine and she has courage to match to take on her adversaries, but with the right amount of southern charm. I hope there are more stories to tell with this series, great laugh-out-loud fun!!!!
I love this series. The characters are so perfect and unique for this eclectic southern family. While you can read this book independently, it is encouraged that you read all the books of the series to get a flavor of this fun and crazy family.
Lucy moves back home after her husband suddenly dies. She is going to raise her son in the quiet town and open a bakery. She is met with push-back by her in-laws and soon learns why. She is suppressing her own feelings of scorn, disrespect and neglect that arose from her marriage. She feels guilty that her grief is met with relief.
She reconnects with her old friend Duffy and the McCready family and it feels good to be part of a group where she can thrive and be herself. She is encouraged to open her bakery and follow her path to provide for herself and her son. Duffy has loved Lucy since they were kids but was heartbroken when she got married. He is satisfied with their renewed friendship because it gives him an opportunity to be around her, but it is becoming too difficult to be around her and want more. Their relationship becomes hopeful as the two have an honest discussion about the feelings each have for each other.
But.......what would a sweet story about love be without roadblocks, distractions and misunderstandings?
This story delivers and you find yourself laughing, sometimes sadness, but overall that feeling of hopefulness as these characters navigate themselves to where they are supposed to be. The supporting characters are hilarious and add a layer of consideration and attention to help boost the main characters. Duffy is so darned thoughtful and loveable. You are rooting for him throughout the story and he respects all of the women in his life, even when it's hard. Lucy came home stronger than she could imagine and she has courage to match to take on her adversaries, but with the right amount of southern charm. I hope there are more stories to tell with this series, great laugh-out-loud fun!!!!
June 21, 2019
Super cute and funny... absolutely love all these characters
June 22, 2019
(free review copy) YUM! The entire Southern Eclectic series is just so much fun, but this one (book 3) is my absolute favorite! Quirky as always, a bit steamy at times and there’s a BAKERY - I’m a sucker for a bakery story so I fell hard for this one. I just loved how there wasn’t a ton of angst and drama because the characters actually TALKED to each other! It was fun revisiting the couples and family members from the previous books and I can’t wait to see who Harper pairs up next.
If you’re new to this series, know that it’s set on a lake in a tiny Georgia town and the main family is beyond different- but in the most delightful way. Start with Sweet Tea & Sympathy and then move on to Ain’t She a Peach before diving into this sweet treat ❤️ All of these (plus 3 related novellas!) are out now from @gallerybooks !
If you’re new to this series, know that it’s set on a lake in a tiny Georgia town and the main family is beyond different- but in the most delightful way. Start with Sweet Tea & Sympathy and then move on to Ain’t She a Peach before diving into this sweet treat ❤️ All of these (plus 3 related novellas!) are out now from @gallerybooks !
January 1, 2019
After being widowed Lucy returns to Lake Sackett, GA to raise her young child. All she wants is to open her bakery and make enough money to provide for her family. Unfortunately her departed husband's family have their own ideas about what makes a good mother.
Duffy has loved Lucy since childhood, but she went and married someone else and then moved to Texas. Now she is back and he might have another chance at love. He just needs to stop his ex-wife from interfering and convince Lucy he's worth the effort.
Gimme Some Sugar is everything you expect from Molly Harper. Oddball characters in a quirky world who manage to make you laugh.
Duffy has loved Lucy since childhood, but she went and married someone else and then moved to Texas. Now she is back and he might have another chance at love. He just needs to stop his ex-wife from interfering and convince Lucy he's worth the effort.
Gimme Some Sugar is everything you expect from Molly Harper. Oddball characters in a quirky world who manage to make you laugh.
March 26, 2019
Molly Harper always knows how to deliver with her Southern Eclectic series and book three, Gimme Some Sugar, is as scrumptious as the delicious looking cover!
In this book, Duffy McCready gets his own story, which I was glad to see because he's a sweetie! He's the quintessential nice, southern guy--much too nice for his crazy ex-wife, Lana, who I have thoroughly disliked since book one, Sweet Tea and Sympathy! He's been through enough thanks to Lana, and maybe now is the time he can find someone else and be happy, especially since his high school love, Lucy Brewer, the one who got away is back in town for good!
Lucy and Duffy have been each other's best friend since they were children, but Duffy has always been afraid to ruin that friendship. So he's just stayed Lucy's friend all these years even throughout her marriage to another man, and he definitely doesn't want to mess that up now since she's a newly grieving widow with an adorable young son, Sam.
Besides, he knows that Lucy doesn't have time for romance! She's extremely busy trying to open a new dessert shop in Lake Sackett called Gimme Some Sugar. So Duffy is positive he's always going to just a friend no matter how many well-meaning McCready relatives are at giving advice or at shoving the two of them together since they ALL know he and Lucy belong together even if he is just as sure they're destined to stay friends!
What Duffy just doesn't know is that Lucy isn't grieving her dead husband at all. Honestly, she doesn't miss Wayne, but she can't exactly tell people that because that would just sound awful, right? She's just happy to be home from Texas and back in Lake Sackett where she grew up with all her friends and raising the son who she absolutely adores!
Lucy also knows after running back into Duffy that her feelings go way beyond friendship. In fact, she's been in love with Duffy for just about as long as he has been with her but both were too afraid back in high school to tell the other for different reasons. Now though, she's got her bakery to open if her crazy in-laws will leave her in peace because she knows it will be the fresh start she needs. Can Lucy make time while being a single parent and starting a new business to fall in love? Or will they forever be doomed to be just friends?
Gimme Some Sugar is sweet but sassy, just like Lucy, and I love that! I adore Lucy and her young son Sam as the newest characters in the series! They are just such a sweet, wonderful mother and son duo. I love how protective Lucy is of her little boy and you can tell he means everything to her. Duffy has always been a favorite character of mine, and I love how you see him grow and develop as a character in this book.
There are so many wonderful dynamics in this book, this entire series actually, with characters that are wacky but realistic, the plot threads are amazing, and the writing is on-point, so I love picking up one of these books a little more every time. A major plus is that Harper makes me laugh every time I read one of her books because her brand of humor is just outrageously witty and funny...and want some kind of yummy fried food or in this case, red velvet cake, which happens to be my favorite! I recommend this book highly and hope to visit the cast of characters from Lake Sackett again in the future.
**Thank you, Edelweiss and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
In this book, Duffy McCready gets his own story, which I was glad to see because he's a sweetie! He's the quintessential nice, southern guy--much too nice for his crazy ex-wife, Lana, who I have thoroughly disliked since book one, Sweet Tea and Sympathy! He's been through enough thanks to Lana, and maybe now is the time he can find someone else and be happy, especially since his high school love, Lucy Brewer, the one who got away is back in town for good!
Lucy and Duffy have been each other's best friend since they were children, but Duffy has always been afraid to ruin that friendship. So he's just stayed Lucy's friend all these years even throughout her marriage to another man, and he definitely doesn't want to mess that up now since she's a newly grieving widow with an adorable young son, Sam.
Besides, he knows that Lucy doesn't have time for romance! She's extremely busy trying to open a new dessert shop in Lake Sackett called Gimme Some Sugar. So Duffy is positive he's always going to just a friend no matter how many well-meaning McCready relatives are at giving advice or at shoving the two of them together since they ALL know he and Lucy belong together even if he is just as sure they're destined to stay friends!
What Duffy just doesn't know is that Lucy isn't grieving her dead husband at all. Honestly, she doesn't miss Wayne, but she can't exactly tell people that because that would just sound awful, right? She's just happy to be home from Texas and back in Lake Sackett where she grew up with all her friends and raising the son who she absolutely adores!
Lucy also knows after running back into Duffy that her feelings go way beyond friendship. In fact, she's been in love with Duffy for just about as long as he has been with her but both were too afraid back in high school to tell the other for different reasons. Now though, she's got her bakery to open if her crazy in-laws will leave her in peace because she knows it will be the fresh start she needs. Can Lucy make time while being a single parent and starting a new business to fall in love? Or will they forever be doomed to be just friends?
Gimme Some Sugar is sweet but sassy, just like Lucy, and I love that! I adore Lucy and her young son Sam as the newest characters in the series! They are just such a sweet, wonderful mother and son duo. I love how protective Lucy is of her little boy and you can tell he means everything to her. Duffy has always been a favorite character of mine, and I love how you see him grow and develop as a character in this book.
There are so many wonderful dynamics in this book, this entire series actually, with characters that are wacky but realistic, the plot threads are amazing, and the writing is on-point, so I love picking up one of these books a little more every time. A major plus is that Harper makes me laugh every time I read one of her books because her brand of humor is just outrageously witty and funny...and want some kind of yummy fried food or in this case, red velvet cake, which happens to be my favorite! I recommend this book highly and hope to visit the cast of characters from Lake Sackett again in the future.
**Thank you, Edelweiss and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
December 24, 2018
So entertaining! I just love her writing! Humorous and joyful
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love this quirky series. This is the third story in this series I have been able to read and every time I see her name on the cover I just know that I’m in for a real treat. Gimme Some Sugar is a perfect example.
We’ve met Duffy in past books and now it’s his turn to realize what true love is. With his high school “best friend“ back in town, maybe it’s his turn for a happy ending.
This story is loaded with smart mouth, wisecracking, hilarious characters that you can relate to, probably because you have a few just like them in your own family. They are not without their own trials and tribulations, however. But there’s no way you can read Gimme Some Sugar without a smile on your face. I love it when Lucy goes all Momma Bear! HA!
Harper is a go-to author for books jam packed with humor, wit, intense emotion, and homey characters just waiting to invite you in for a glass of sweet tea.
So grab a glass and cozy up for this partly sweet, partly rocky road read, and get to know the folks in Lake Sackett, Georgia. You can’t help but wish you were a part of this wild, kooky family, if only for the amusement factor! Not to be missed!
* Copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/gimme-some-s...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love this quirky series. This is the third story in this series I have been able to read and every time I see her name on the cover I just know that I’m in for a real treat. Gimme Some Sugar is a perfect example.
We’ve met Duffy in past books and now it’s his turn to realize what true love is. With his high school “best friend“ back in town, maybe it’s his turn for a happy ending.
This story is loaded with smart mouth, wisecracking, hilarious characters that you can relate to, probably because you have a few just like them in your own family. They are not without their own trials and tribulations, however. But there’s no way you can read Gimme Some Sugar without a smile on your face. I love it when Lucy goes all Momma Bear! HA!
Harper is a go-to author for books jam packed with humor, wit, intense emotion, and homey characters just waiting to invite you in for a glass of sweet tea.
So grab a glass and cozy up for this partly sweet, partly rocky road read, and get to know the folks in Lake Sackett, Georgia. You can’t help but wish you were a part of this wild, kooky family, if only for the amusement factor! Not to be missed!
* Copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/gimme-some-s...
March 4, 2019
3.5 stars
I had read a couple of the other books in this series and was pretty much on board with whoever got a story next.
I loved Lucy and Duffy. They’re both such good people, they have a childhood history, and they’ve both been in love with the other since forever. Sam was adorable and stole every scene he was in. Of course the family appearances were fantastic. I loved seeing Frankie and Eric and I think I missed a book, but I need to go back and read it.
Plot wise, it was sweet. It did get repetitive at parts, but I was so invested in these characters, I didn’t care. I would have liked to see more of Lucy and Duffy spending time together. At times it seemed like I was being told they had chemistry and feelings.
Overall, it was a cute and mostly fluffy story. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
**Huge thanks to Gallery Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I had read a couple of the other books in this series and was pretty much on board with whoever got a story next.
I loved Lucy and Duffy. They’re both such good people, they have a childhood history, and they’ve both been in love with the other since forever. Sam was adorable and stole every scene he was in. Of course the family appearances were fantastic. I loved seeing Frankie and Eric and I think I missed a book, but I need to go back and read it.
Plot wise, it was sweet. It did get repetitive at parts, but I was so invested in these characters, I didn’t care. I would have liked to see more of Lucy and Duffy spending time together. At times it seemed like I was being told they had chemistry and feelings.
Overall, it was a cute and mostly fluffy story. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
**Huge thanks to Gallery Books for providing the arc free of charge**
April 10, 2019
Lucy Brewer is a young woman who returns home to Lake Sackett, Georgia after the death of her husband. She has decided to raise her young son in her hometown and transform the local meat shop into a bakery. Her best friend since childhood, Duffy McCready, is now divorced from his harpy of a wife. But what Lucy doesn't know if Duffy has been secretly in love with her for years... Could this return mean a second chance for Lucy?
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
March 17, 2019
Come on back to Lake Sackett, Georgia for some more small town hospitality. Lucy has moved back to her hometown after her husband died suddenly leaving her a widow with a small son to raise alone. She grew up and was best friends with Duffy McCready. But they both went their own separate ways in life and have come face to face again with unresolved feelings between them.
I have loved this series since the first book! If you are looking for a slice of small town southern hospitality look no further!
I was given an advanced eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
I have loved this series since the first book! If you are looking for a slice of small town southern hospitality look no further!
I was given an advanced eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
May 1, 2019
GIMME SOME SUGAR by Molly Harper is an entertaining addition to her SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series. Although I thought the first two books were more laugh-out-loud funny than this one, it’s still a great story with a sweet conclusion that I enjoyed very much.
I look forward to each book in this series, wondering what author Molly Harper will do next to make me laugh. This one started with a great first line that clued me in on how this sweet baker was going to get herself into a pickle. As you can well imagine, baking for a bachelorette party can be a naughty business.
Lucy Brewer moves back to her hometown to start over and raise her young son after her husband’s death. She hopes her meddling mother-in-law will behave herself, but that’s wishful thinking as the woman finds all kinds of ways to test Lucy’s good nature.
The best part about moving back is her former best friend, Duffy McCready. Can they renew their friendship without letting their attraction to one another take over?
This friends-to-lovers trope doesn’t contain a complicated plot to move the story forward, just a lot of fun getting to know our main characters and their past relationships, as well as how they’ll each fall in love again. Lucy married her childhood sweetheart who ended up cheating on her consistently. Duffy married and divorced during that time, but his ex seems to think she can come back into his life anytime she pleases.
The cousins we’ve come to love in the first two books take an active role in this novel. It’s fun to reunite with them, so I highly suggest you read the first two books to get the gist of this one. This isn’t the novel to start if you haven’t read the other two in this series. It’s good. It’s funny. But it’s not the overwhelming awesomeness of the first two. For fans of the series, it’s a great book, but I’d hate to see a new reader be confused without becoming addicted to this series.
The only inconsistency I found was Lucy’s son, Sam, who seemed to speak like an older child. He’s four or five, about to enter kindergarten, and he just seemed more mature in his interactions with others. Not that this is impossible, but it threw me off and I kept thinking of him as an eight-year-old. He’s still a cute kid and adds entertainment to the story.
My favorite parts were the updates on Margot and Kyle. Margot is especially highlighted in this book, so I enjoyed her character development. I would have enjoyed a bit more about Frankie because so far, she’s my favorite character. She’s here as a cameo, but I’m greedy for more on her.
Author Molly Harper is especially good at snark and accentuating backwoods oddities in this loving family. Think of those well-loved TV series like the Beverly Hillbillies, Mayberry RFD, or Sanford and Son. Those classic funny small towns where anything can happen. That’s the kind of fun that you’ll find in these books. In this series, we have a funeral home and bait shop combination owned by this peculiar family, which is funny enough, but even crazier is how normal it seems.
Then there is an aunt who rescues dogs and finds a way to home them with anyone she encounters, even if they never wanted a dog before. Her over-protectiveness for her critters is precious, and witnessing the dogs finding their forever homes is heartwarming.
I’ve enjoyed the SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series so much that I recently downloaded all the novellas that go with the main books: SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK (Book 0.05), PEACHY FLIPPIN’ KEEN (Book 1.5), and A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE (Book 2.5). The main books of the series are highly recommended to be read in order: SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY (Book 1), AIN’T SHE A PEACH (Book 2), and GIMME SOME SUGAR (Book 3).
For fans – GIMME SOME SUGAR is a super easy book to gobble up quickly. I wasn’t bored, smiled a lot, and was enamored by all the McCready clan changes coming up. It makes me anxious to find out where this series will go next. The changes shocked some of the characters, so I’m thinking their adjustments will add hilarity to their future. If you love romantic comedy and down-home characters who are easy to love, then I highly recommend you load up your digital reader today with the SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series, so you can race through these books you’ll crave.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com. Print book provided by the publisher for an honest review.
I look forward to each book in this series, wondering what author Molly Harper will do next to make me laugh. This one started with a great first line that clued me in on how this sweet baker was going to get herself into a pickle. As you can well imagine, baking for a bachelorette party can be a naughty business.
Lucy Brewer moves back to her hometown to start over and raise her young son after her husband’s death. She hopes her meddling mother-in-law will behave herself, but that’s wishful thinking as the woman finds all kinds of ways to test Lucy’s good nature.
The best part about moving back is her former best friend, Duffy McCready. Can they renew their friendship without letting their attraction to one another take over?
This friends-to-lovers trope doesn’t contain a complicated plot to move the story forward, just a lot of fun getting to know our main characters and their past relationships, as well as how they’ll each fall in love again. Lucy married her childhood sweetheart who ended up cheating on her consistently. Duffy married and divorced during that time, but his ex seems to think she can come back into his life anytime she pleases.
The cousins we’ve come to love in the first two books take an active role in this novel. It’s fun to reunite with them, so I highly suggest you read the first two books to get the gist of this one. This isn’t the novel to start if you haven’t read the other two in this series. It’s good. It’s funny. But it’s not the overwhelming awesomeness of the first two. For fans of the series, it’s a great book, but I’d hate to see a new reader be confused without becoming addicted to this series.
The only inconsistency I found was Lucy’s son, Sam, who seemed to speak like an older child. He’s four or five, about to enter kindergarten, and he just seemed more mature in his interactions with others. Not that this is impossible, but it threw me off and I kept thinking of him as an eight-year-old. He’s still a cute kid and adds entertainment to the story.
My favorite parts were the updates on Margot and Kyle. Margot is especially highlighted in this book, so I enjoyed her character development. I would have enjoyed a bit more about Frankie because so far, she’s my favorite character. She’s here as a cameo, but I’m greedy for more on her.
Author Molly Harper is especially good at snark and accentuating backwoods oddities in this loving family. Think of those well-loved TV series like the Beverly Hillbillies, Mayberry RFD, or Sanford and Son. Those classic funny small towns where anything can happen. That’s the kind of fun that you’ll find in these books. In this series, we have a funeral home and bait shop combination owned by this peculiar family, which is funny enough, but even crazier is how normal it seems.
Then there is an aunt who rescues dogs and finds a way to home them with anyone she encounters, even if they never wanted a dog before. Her over-protectiveness for her critters is precious, and witnessing the dogs finding their forever homes is heartwarming.
I’ve enjoyed the SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series so much that I recently downloaded all the novellas that go with the main books: SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK (Book 0.05), PEACHY FLIPPIN’ KEEN (Book 1.5), and A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE (Book 2.5). The main books of the series are highly recommended to be read in order: SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY (Book 1), AIN’T SHE A PEACH (Book 2), and GIMME SOME SUGAR (Book 3).
For fans – GIMME SOME SUGAR is a super easy book to gobble up quickly. I wasn’t bored, smiled a lot, and was enamored by all the McCready clan changes coming up. It makes me anxious to find out where this series will go next. The changes shocked some of the characters, so I’m thinking their adjustments will add hilarity to their future. If you love romantic comedy and down-home characters who are easy to love, then I highly recommend you load up your digital reader today with the SOUTHERN ECLECTIC series, so you can race through these books you’ll crave.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com. Print book provided by the publisher for an honest review.
April 1, 2019
This is the third book in Harper’s Southern Eclectic series and you could easily read it as a standalone as each book focuses on a new couple living in the kooky town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. I will say that this is one of my favorite series when I need a good laugh, I absolutely adore the authors brand of humor and find myself cackling with laughter several times while I read one of these books, so if you have the time and inclination to start at the first book, I highly recommended them for pure fun and entertainment.
This time the focus is on Duffy and Lucy so you get to revisit the wacky members of the McCready family that I’ve personally grown to love. There’s people are bat shit crazy in the best way possible, I swear some of the stuff they do and say makes me hysterical. As usual, the developing relationship between Lucy and Duffy felt realistic and sweet but also steamy and sexy at times. Lucy also has an adorable son who stole the show, I mean romance, humor AND a cute kid?! I couldn’t possibly ask for more, but there’s also cake because Lucy is opening a bakery 😍 Cake is always an added bonus in my book.
I’ll continue to follow this series as long as Harper keeps on writing it, in fact I love it so much I’m even planning on going back to read the novellas that were released between books and I never ever do that but I just can’t get enough of this southern charm and spunk this series provides!
Gimme Some Sugar in three words: Saucy, Sexy and Spirited.
This time the focus is on Duffy and Lucy so you get to revisit the wacky members of the McCready family that I’ve personally grown to love. There’s people are bat shit crazy in the best way possible, I swear some of the stuff they do and say makes me hysterical. As usual, the developing relationship between Lucy and Duffy felt realistic and sweet but also steamy and sexy at times. Lucy also has an adorable son who stole the show, I mean romance, humor AND a cute kid?! I couldn’t possibly ask for more, but there’s also cake because Lucy is opening a bakery 😍 Cake is always an added bonus in my book.
I’ll continue to follow this series as long as Harper keeps on writing it, in fact I love it so much I’m even planning on going back to read the novellas that were released between books and I never ever do that but I just can’t get enough of this southern charm and spunk this series provides!
Gimme Some Sugar in three words: Saucy, Sexy and Spirited.
April 11, 2019
This was the best book in the series for me because it was just so cute and sweet. I loved the heroine she was a great mother and for once in romance-land we had a heroine who took no-nonsense from her dead husband's mother or family and made no apologies for wanting a secure life for her and her son from the money left to her by her dead husband. I also liked how the lines of communication were open between her and the hero and they all acted so mature.
June 13, 2024
What a whole load of annoying this was.
The heroine, Lucy, frustrated me to no end. She's mean to her equally mean ex-mother-in-law and ex-sister-in-law. She reminded me of an awfully controlling harpy. She's in a rough spot coming back to her hometown to restart her life after her husband passed but that's no reason to be so nasty. That said, it seemed like everyone was out to get her. I have no idea why her former in-laws were this awful. It dragged down the entire story for me.
This was also supposed to be a small-town romance, but it was all small town and little romance. The romance took a backseat and I'm not sure what relationship I was supposed to be invested in. I did not buy the relationship at all. I'm supposed to believe these two childhood best friends had always been in love with one another but ended up getting married to other people for no particular reason and then reunited and realised that they've never lost their feelings for each other?
The familial relationships and friendships were also blah.
The heroine, Lucy, frustrated me to no end. She's mean to her equally mean ex-mother-in-law and ex-sister-in-law. She reminded me of an awfully controlling harpy. She's in a rough spot coming back to her hometown to restart her life after her husband passed but that's no reason to be so nasty. That said, it seemed like everyone was out to get her. I have no idea why her former in-laws were this awful. It dragged down the entire story for me.
This was also supposed to be a small-town romance, but it was all small town and little romance. The romance took a backseat and I'm not sure what relationship I was supposed to be invested in. I did not buy the relationship at all. I'm supposed to believe these two childhood best friends had always been in love with one another but ended up getting married to other people for no particular reason and then reunited and realised that they've never lost their feelings for each other?
The familial relationships and friendships were also blah.
March 26, 2019
Recently widowed Lucy Brewer has returned to her hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia, with her young son. Hoping to open her own bakery/sweet shop, she’s frustrated that her mother-in-law’s influence is keeping away workers and the health inspector. But she finds solace with her childhood best friend, Duffy, and the entire McCready clan.
First off, Lucy is just awesome. I loved her soul and attitude. She has a lot to deal with moving back home; while she doesn’t have any family, her deceased husband has a meddling, overbearing one, and then she has to contend with Duffy’s ex-wife Lana, who lives to make others miserable. I love that Lucy is a good, kind person, but she won’t let people like her in laws bully her. She’s a tough cookie!
Lucy always had a crush on Duffy, and we learn he has been in love with her for forever, but the timing was never right, until now. Different from previous books, we actually get part of the story from the male’s, in this case Duffy’s, point-of-view. I like knowing how Duffy feels about Lucy, and that he’s equally nervous, scared, excited, etc. I appreciate that they are open and honest with each other, and when someone like Duffy’s ex tries to cause problems, they talk about it rather than believe untruths or let assumptions fester.
When Lucy feels the weight of the world after one too many run-ins with Lana and Evie, she is overwhelmed and things get messy. Their emotions felt genuine, and my heart broke with Lucy’s actions. But, even when life is messy, everyone still deserves a happy ending, and Ms. Harper provides all the right ingredients.
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gimme Some Sugar. I liked the change from previous books - getting the male POV (because he is the McCready in this story). I loved seeing the adjustments for the McCready clan as the older group is aging. And I love the second chance romance for Lucy and Duffy.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Originally Posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Netgalley
First off, Lucy is just awesome. I loved her soul and attitude. She has a lot to deal with moving back home; while she doesn’t have any family, her deceased husband has a meddling, overbearing one, and then she has to contend with Duffy’s ex-wife Lana, who lives to make others miserable. I love that Lucy is a good, kind person, but she won’t let people like her in laws bully her. She’s a tough cookie!
Lucy always had a crush on Duffy, and we learn he has been in love with her for forever, but the timing was never right, until now. Different from previous books, we actually get part of the story from the male’s, in this case Duffy’s, point-of-view. I like knowing how Duffy feels about Lucy, and that he’s equally nervous, scared, excited, etc. I appreciate that they are open and honest with each other, and when someone like Duffy’s ex tries to cause problems, they talk about it rather than believe untruths or let assumptions fester.
When Lucy feels the weight of the world after one too many run-ins with Lana and Evie, she is overwhelmed and things get messy. Their emotions felt genuine, and my heart broke with Lucy’s actions. But, even when life is messy, everyone still deserves a happy ending, and Ms. Harper provides all the right ingredients.
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gimme Some Sugar. I liked the change from previous books - getting the male POV (because he is the McCready in this story). I loved seeing the adjustments for the McCready clan as the older group is aging. And I love the second chance romance for Lucy and Duffy.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Originally Posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Netgalley
December 26, 2024
I don't think I've ever read Molly Harper before and that's clearly a mistake because her sense of humor is very Jenny Crusie-esque and her drawing of small town is what I personally want in them as portrayed in fiction.
April 4, 2019
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After her husband died, Lucy Brewer is back in her hometown to start anew. Her plan is to bring up her child where she grew up and open her own bake shop. As anyone in her predicament knows, starting a new life even in your hometown is a hard task. From one complication to the next, it’s not a surprise that Lucy takes it like a champ. From the very start, you will see that her character is strong and you get a sense that she will pull through. The journey, however, is a doozy.After binging on the previous books in the series, I couldn’t help getting excited about Gimme Some Sugar. The characters in this series are quirky, funny, and so easy to relate to. They say things that you wouldn’t typically say in RL, but I’m sure they are things you would only say in your head. I love the foodie scenes in this book. Lucy being a baker starting her new shop was exciting to see and it was even more exciting to watch Duffy support her in every way. They were very sweet. I also loved the character building for the other characters. I feel like I got to know them well enough to feel their weight on the protagonists’ story.Just like the previous books, Gimme Some Sugar is filled with Southern charm, light humor, and smalltown love. If you like, rom-com smalltown reads, this book is worth a try.
*ARC provided by publisher
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January 28, 2019
4 stars. Another delicious story from Harper's delightfully quirky Lake Sackett. Fans will fall head over heels for this second chance friends to lovers romance between young widow and her son and the man who always held her heart. Plenty of small town comedy only adds to it's appeal.
March 22, 2019
I have been away from reading Molly Harper for a while now---I was offered this ARC to read and I am so happy I accepted it! It made me realize that I was missing out on some good Southern reading!
You know, the kind that has a lot of "bless her little hearts" in it while the knife is sticking out of your back.
This book is about a widowed mother who is trying to do right by her young son and at the same time trying to build a new life for them...all the while falling back in love with her childhood 'best' friend and keeping from admitting to it.
A lot of humor in this book as well as the aforementioned back-stabbing, some drama and even a little mystery.
BUT! Wait for it. What we really don't have is a set in concrete ending---you know, the HEA! I can only hope that Ms. Harper is going to set us up with another novella to let us know how Lucy and Duffy and Sam are making out. You may wonder why I didn't deduct at least a star because of this; well I didn't think I needed to since this book was as satisfying as...well, as sweet tea and deep-fried Twinkies!!! Plus I love the fact that each of these books leaves us with a good message and a lot of shocking character growth
By the way -after I finished this perfect potato chip/beach read, I went and bought all of the books in this series including the novella's (which you really don't need to buy but I suggest you do!) Also, Sweet Tea and Sympathy is a free read if you have Kindle Unlimited!
*ARC supplied by the publisher.
You know, the kind that has a lot of "bless her little hearts" in it while the knife is sticking out of your back.
This book is about a widowed mother who is trying to do right by her young son and at the same time trying to build a new life for them...all the while falling back in love with her childhood 'best' friend and keeping from admitting to it.
A lot of humor in this book as well as the aforementioned back-stabbing, some drama and even a little mystery.
BUT! Wait for it. What we really don't have is a set in concrete ending---you know, the HEA! I can only hope that Ms. Harper is going to set us up with another novella to let us know how Lucy and Duffy and Sam are making out. You may wonder why I didn't deduct at least a star because of this; well I didn't think I needed to since this book was as satisfying as...well, as sweet tea and deep-fried Twinkies!!! Plus I love the fact that each of these books leaves us with a good message and a lot of shocking character growth
By the way -after I finished this perfect potato chip/beach read, I went and bought all of the books in this series including the novella's (which you really don't need to buy but I suggest you do!) Also, Sweet Tea and Sympathy is a free read if you have Kindle Unlimited!
*ARC supplied by the publisher.
April 17, 2019
LOVED this book. I've loved the entire series but this is one of my favorites.
April 9, 2019
The latest in the Southern Eclectic series, possibly the best of the bunch.
Not without flaws - a lot of the problems keeping them apart seemed borrowed and unnecessary - but this was a solid romance w small town quirk.
Not without flaws - a lot of the problems keeping them apart seemed borrowed and unnecessary - but this was a solid romance w small town quirk.
March 17, 2019
I am not a romance reader at all but the Southern Eclectic series is so charming I can't help but return to the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop.
"Most people had nightmares about mortuaries. They didn't spend Christmas in one. But he was proud that the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop was a Lake Sackett institution. Or the McCready's belonged in an institution. It was a thin line." *
Book one, Sweet Tea and Sympathy, followed the story of Margot and her place within the hilariously dysfunctional McCready family as well as her romance with elementary school principal Kyle Archer.
Book two, Ain't She A Peach?, introduced us to Frankie, the funeral home embalmer/county coroner who fell in love with new sheriff Eric Linden.
In the third installment of the series, Lucy Brewer leaves behind city living in Texas after the sudden death of her husband to return to her hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia with her young son Sam.
Lucy's working hard to open her own bake shop, Gimme Some Sugar, though her overbearing mother-in-law Evie seems to be working against her. Evie seems to think Lucy should be lying in bed grieving instead of starting a business. Not to mention the fact Lucy has put Sam in a preschool instead of letting his grandmother watch him while Lucy works. It's safe to say Lucy and Evie do not see eye to eye on anything, which causes a lot of friction.
It isn't long before Lucy reconnects with Duffy McCready, the boy she fell in love with as a kid. They were best friends through high school until everything changed. Duffy never had the guts to ask out Lucy and after getting his prom date pregnant, he did the honorable thing and married her right after graduation. Lucy decided to marry her high school beau Wayne and follow him to Texas.
No one knows that Lucy's marriage to Wayne essentially ended long before he died unexpectedly and yet she feels guilty at the thought of moving on so quickly.
Duffy offers to help Lucy out by building cabinetry for her bakery but soon their easy friendship is complicated by their history. Their budding romance has Duffy's ex-wife and Lucy's mother-in-law determined to ruin their second chance.
Molly Harper has created such a genuine cast of characters; the Southern charm and humor is so entertaining and I fall back into this quirky small town and laugh out loud with every book.
What I love about this series is that the romance is not lovey dovey and is secondary to the character-driven story that follows the McCready family. Gimme Some Sugar is lighthearted and fun and another cozy read in the series. While I enjoy starting a series from the beginning, each book has enough brief back story that you can pick up anywhere without feeling lost.
Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Gimme Some Sugar is scheduled for release on April 2, 2019.
*Quote included is from a digital advance readers copy and is subject to change upon final publication.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
"Most people had nightmares about mortuaries. They didn't spend Christmas in one. But he was proud that the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop was a Lake Sackett institution. Or the McCready's belonged in an institution. It was a thin line." *
Book one, Sweet Tea and Sympathy, followed the story of Margot and her place within the hilariously dysfunctional McCready family as well as her romance with elementary school principal Kyle Archer.
Book two, Ain't She A Peach?, introduced us to Frankie, the funeral home embalmer/county coroner who fell in love with new sheriff Eric Linden.
In the third installment of the series, Lucy Brewer leaves behind city living in Texas after the sudden death of her husband to return to her hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia with her young son Sam.
Lucy's working hard to open her own bake shop, Gimme Some Sugar, though her overbearing mother-in-law Evie seems to be working against her. Evie seems to think Lucy should be lying in bed grieving instead of starting a business. Not to mention the fact Lucy has put Sam in a preschool instead of letting his grandmother watch him while Lucy works. It's safe to say Lucy and Evie do not see eye to eye on anything, which causes a lot of friction.
It isn't long before Lucy reconnects with Duffy McCready, the boy she fell in love with as a kid. They were best friends through high school until everything changed. Duffy never had the guts to ask out Lucy and after getting his prom date pregnant, he did the honorable thing and married her right after graduation. Lucy decided to marry her high school beau Wayne and follow him to Texas.
No one knows that Lucy's marriage to Wayne essentially ended long before he died unexpectedly and yet she feels guilty at the thought of moving on so quickly.
Duffy offers to help Lucy out by building cabinetry for her bakery but soon their easy friendship is complicated by their history. Their budding romance has Duffy's ex-wife and Lucy's mother-in-law determined to ruin their second chance.
Molly Harper has created such a genuine cast of characters; the Southern charm and humor is so entertaining and I fall back into this quirky small town and laugh out loud with every book.
What I love about this series is that the romance is not lovey dovey and is secondary to the character-driven story that follows the McCready family. Gimme Some Sugar is lighthearted and fun and another cozy read in the series. While I enjoy starting a series from the beginning, each book has enough brief back story that you can pick up anywhere without feeling lost.
Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Gimme Some Sugar is scheduled for release on April 2, 2019.
*Quote included is from a digital advance readers copy and is subject to change upon final publication.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
April 4, 2019
*I received a free copy from the publisher and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!*
I read the first two book in the series and really enjoyed them. Now we finally get Duffy, those following my reviews know that I have been waiting for Duffy’s story and I’m happy to report the wait was worth it.
That being said, it is no secret that I liked Duffy, after reading this book I liked him even more since we get to know him so much better.
I also really liked Lucy and it just made sense for those two to be together. Of course it takes a while for them to see it, and Lucy hesitation as a widow was completely understandable.
Of course the Mc Creedys must meddle as they also can see that Duffy and Lucy belong together. Of course I enjoyed the setting and place that we know and love from previous book but maybe a little bit more since Lucy opens and own and bakery. I must say I got a sweet tooth reading this book, lol. Of course we see some familiar faces and get some much needed updates and it is was fun seeing everyone again.
We also get a lot of humor and silliness that we know from these books that I enjoyed. Overall I really liked this book and loved seeing Duffy and also Lucy get their HEA. There were a few over the top moments but mostly I really loved it.
I hope we get to come back for more in the future to this fun and vibrant world that Molly Harper created here.
I rate it 4★
April 2, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A couple of years ago I moved east and south, which is all new territory for me. It's given me a better appreciation of the southern flavor of the Southern Eclectic series. Gimme Some Sugar is my favorite in this contemporary series. There is a feisty new female to love - Lucy, a child and we get to learn more about Duffy. There are also plenty of characters from previous books and the town.
Lucy has had some tough breaks but she's not taking it anymore. Instead of saying, "Bless her heart" she is telling it like it is to those crazies. But she has a child to protect when others only care about themselves. Plus she is opening a bakery; who doesn't love treats?
Duffy is not exactly what I expected from the other books, but I was happy to know him better. He has some personal growth which is wonderful to see. Overall, the young adults are growing up and making good in their lives.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A couple of years ago I moved east and south, which is all new territory for me. It's given me a better appreciation of the southern flavor of the Southern Eclectic series. Gimme Some Sugar is my favorite in this contemporary series. There is a feisty new female to love - Lucy, a child and we get to learn more about Duffy. There are also plenty of characters from previous books and the town.
Lucy has had some tough breaks but she's not taking it anymore. Instead of saying, "Bless her heart" she is telling it like it is to those crazies. But she has a child to protect when others only care about themselves. Plus she is opening a bakery; who doesn't love treats?
Duffy is not exactly what I expected from the other books, but I was happy to know him better. He has some personal growth which is wonderful to see. Overall, the young adults are growing up and making good in their lives.
October 8, 2020
4.5 Stars
Full of southern delights, this series is a must read for all romance readers. I hope it's not the last book and we get more stories. I want to attend Frankie and Eric's wedding. I need to know if Margot has a boy or girl. I even want the next generation stories of Aiden, Nate, Hazel, June and Sam.
Full of southern delights, this series is a must read for all romance readers. I hope it's not the last book and we get more stories. I want to attend Frankie and Eric's wedding. I need to know if Margot has a boy or girl. I even want the next generation stories of Aiden, Nate, Hazel, June and Sam.
December 15, 2020
Lucy Brewer would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck.
Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.
In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town's meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?
3.5 stars.
This was another fun romantic comedy from Molly Harper. This also ends the Southern Eclectic trilogy. For the most part I liked this book, although there were a few times where I thought certain people needed to speak up more, and others needed to maybe not overreact so much. I liked the characters and it was nice to see Duffy get his life straightened out and find love. This book had me laughing right from the start. The part with the cake for the bachelorette party had me laughing so much. I was reading it in bed one night and was trying to hold back laughter so I wouldn't wake my husband up!
As a whole I've liked this series. I think I liked this book the least out of the three, but it was still good fun. I liked the Southern charm, the wackiness, and of course the romance. These are good comfort reads for when you just want something light and fun. I'm going to miss visiting the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader.
Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.
In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town's meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?
3.5 stars.
This was another fun romantic comedy from Molly Harper. This also ends the Southern Eclectic trilogy. For the most part I liked this book, although there were a few times where I thought certain people needed to speak up more, and others needed to maybe not overreact so much. I liked the characters and it was nice to see Duffy get his life straightened out and find love. This book had me laughing right from the start. The part with the cake for the bachelorette party had me laughing so much. I was reading it in bed one night and was trying to hold back laughter so I wouldn't wake my husband up!
As a whole I've liked this series. I think I liked this book the least out of the three, but it was still good fun. I liked the Southern charm, the wackiness, and of course the romance. These are good comfort reads for when you just want something light and fun. I'm going to miss visiting the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader.
April 11, 2019
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Gimme Some Sugar was a sweet down home treat filled with hysterical locals, rednecky goodness, and tons of hi-jinx between our friends-to-lovers pair, Lucy and Duffy who will win your heart faster than you can say Chattahoochee.
Boy was it great to be back in Molly Harper’s raucous fictional town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. I just adore the cast of characters she’s created for this series and I truly can’t get enough of them. This has become one of my literary comfort places, where I can pick up any of these books and know that I’ll laugh out loud, sigh happily a few times, and get that warm & cozy feeling. And that’s exactly what Gimme Some Sugar did for me. Read More
Gimme Some Sugar was a sweet down home treat filled with hysterical locals, rednecky goodness, and tons of hi-jinx between our friends-to-lovers pair, Lucy and Duffy who will win your heart faster than you can say Chattahoochee.
Boy was it great to be back in Molly Harper’s raucous fictional town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. I just adore the cast of characters she’s created for this series and I truly can’t get enough of them. This has become one of my literary comfort places, where I can pick up any of these books and know that I’ll laugh out loud, sigh happily a few times, and get that warm & cozy feeling. And that’s exactly what Gimme Some Sugar did for me. Read More
April 9, 2019
GIMME SOME SUGAR: Bless Her In-laws’ Creepy Hearts
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
After a week of influenza, I am back. Now, of course my husband is also sick – but with a different bug. Hopefully I won’t get his bug as well as the flu.
I confess that as soon as a publisher sends me a Molly Harper novel, I pretty much drop everything to read it — few authors get to me as much as Harper with her feel-good, small town Southern charm style in either regular romance or in her paranormals.
It was no differnt with Gimme Some Sugar, her most recent book in the Southern Eclectic series. I read this a while ago and what has stuck with me is the sweetness of the love story between Duffy and Lucy, the lost time and bad marriages they both experienced, and are there really people as crazy as Duffy’s ex, and Lucy’s In-laws.
The upshot is this: if you in love with someone from childhood you may regret not telling him or her.
There’s a lot to be said for the kind of growing up that Lucy goes through in her bad and sad marriage without which she would not have her adorable son, but the balance is that she loses years of a good life married to a bad seed.
The relationship to her late-husband’s family is bizarre, well they’re bizarre; like the scariest tale of the very weirdest in-laws ever. And a big part of this is Lucy growing a spine and standing up to them. But, it takes a near tragedy for it to happen. I did feel Lucy was a tiny bit unsympathetic to their loss, for a chapter or so, but then, the crap they pull had me wishing they would all go drown in Lake Sackett.
I really liked how Lucy finds her employee, and what it represents as far as her innate goodness. The reactions of others represent the missing decency in them. She comes into her own sense of strength and personal agency when it was withheld from her for a long time.
The way this small, southern town is portrayed is one part Petticoat Junction, and one part L’il Abner, with a soupçon of The Andy Griffith Show (I date myself rather badly here as these were TV shows in my youth) — the use of a hyperbolic and simplistic convention in representing the American South allows her a little more time and space to develop personality and plot in her main characters, Duffy and Lucy. The town, with it’s community events is a fantasy world, and perhaps that is why it feels like the above-mentioned icons of the 1960s (and earlier).
As always, when I finish one of Molly’s books, I always put it away with a sigh: don’t we all fantasize a lovely town where the adults get together for a dance, your neighbors are a good kind of crazy, and cupcakes don’t make you fat.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
After a week of influenza, I am back. Now, of course my husband is also sick – but with a different bug. Hopefully I won’t get his bug as well as the flu.
I confess that as soon as a publisher sends me a Molly Harper novel, I pretty much drop everything to read it — few authors get to me as much as Harper with her feel-good, small town Southern charm style in either regular romance or in her paranormals.
It was no differnt with Gimme Some Sugar, her most recent book in the Southern Eclectic series. I read this a while ago and what has stuck with me is the sweetness of the love story between Duffy and Lucy, the lost time and bad marriages they both experienced, and are there really people as crazy as Duffy’s ex, and Lucy’s In-laws.
The upshot is this: if you in love with someone from childhood you may regret not telling him or her.
There’s a lot to be said for the kind of growing up that Lucy goes through in her bad and sad marriage without which she would not have her adorable son, but the balance is that she loses years of a good life married to a bad seed.
The relationship to her late-husband’s family is bizarre, well they’re bizarre; like the scariest tale of the very weirdest in-laws ever. And a big part of this is Lucy growing a spine and standing up to them. But, it takes a near tragedy for it to happen. I did feel Lucy was a tiny bit unsympathetic to their loss, for a chapter or so, but then, the crap they pull had me wishing they would all go drown in Lake Sackett.
I really liked how Lucy finds her employee, and what it represents as far as her innate goodness. The reactions of others represent the missing decency in them. She comes into her own sense of strength and personal agency when it was withheld from her for a long time.
The way this small, southern town is portrayed is one part Petticoat Junction, and one part L’il Abner, with a soupçon of The Andy Griffith Show (I date myself rather badly here as these were TV shows in my youth) — the use of a hyperbolic and simplistic convention in representing the American South allows her a little more time and space to develop personality and plot in her main characters, Duffy and Lucy. The town, with it’s community events is a fantasy world, and perhaps that is why it feels like the above-mentioned icons of the 1960s (and earlier).
As always, when I finish one of Molly’s books, I always put it away with a sigh: don’t we all fantasize a lovely town where the adults get together for a dance, your neighbors are a good kind of crazy, and cupcakes don’t make you fat.
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