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The Banty House
In the fading town of Rooster, Texas, all that’s really left is a service station, a church…and the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel. For more than seventy-five years, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson have called their mama’s house a home. The three eccentric sisters get by just fine with their homemade jams and jellies, a little moonshine on the side, and big hearts always open to strangers. Like Ginger Andrews.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
7097 people are currently reading
4965 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
181 books4,113 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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May 26, 2020
EXCERPT: Change is a good thing.
Kate Carson wished she had the person who had first said that by the throat. She'd choke them until their face turned blue and then slap them for being that colour. She didn't like change.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: In the fading town of Rooster, Texas, all that’s really left is a service station, a church…and the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel. For more than seventy-five years, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson have called their mama’s house a home. The three eccentric sisters get by just fine with their homemade jams and jellies, a little moonshine on the side, and big hearts always open to strangers. Like Ginger Andrews.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
MY THOUGHTS: WARNING: if you are on a diet, DO NOT read this book.
The Banty House is full of comfort food; hot, buttery croissants, muffins, bacon, homemade jams and jellies....
need I go on?
This whole read is just like comfort food. It made me laugh out loud, it choked me up, and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy and with a wide smile on my face and a twinkle in my eyes. Reading The Banty House (how it got its name is a story on its own) is as comforting as a hot bath on a cold winter's night, and as tasty as the first bite into one of those hot buttery croissants Betsy has just placed a plate of onto the breakfast table along with a fresh pot of coffee.
I just loved these three elderly, unconventional women who go to the hairdresser and return with a 19 year old, homeless, pregnant, woman named Ginger. Betsy, Kate and Connie may never have married, may have always lived in the same house, and what a history that house has, in the same town, but they definitely have lived. As I said, unconventional. We learn their interesting back stories during the course of the novel. These women are feisty, sassy and warm hearted with cores of steel. But don't ever get on the wrong side of them. Just wait til you read what they do to Edith!
I loved The Banty House by Carolyn Brown, my first book by this author. It definitely won't be my last.
❤❤❤❤.5
#TheBantyHouse #NetGalley
'...it's just money. That ain't nothing but dirty paper with dead presidents on it.'
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
DISCLOSURE: A huge thank you to Montlake Romance via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Banty House by Carolyn Brown for review and for introducing me to this amazing author. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Kate Carson wished she had the person who had first said that by the throat. She'd choke them until their face turned blue and then slap them for being that colour. She didn't like change.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: In the fading town of Rooster, Texas, all that’s really left is a service station, a church…and the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel. For more than seventy-five years, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson have called their mama’s house a home. The three eccentric sisters get by just fine with their homemade jams and jellies, a little moonshine on the side, and big hearts always open to strangers. Like Ginger Andrews.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
MY THOUGHTS: WARNING: if you are on a diet, DO NOT read this book.
The Banty House is full of comfort food; hot, buttery croissants, muffins, bacon, homemade jams and jellies....
need I go on?
This whole read is just like comfort food. It made me laugh out loud, it choked me up, and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy and with a wide smile on my face and a twinkle in my eyes. Reading The Banty House (how it got its name is a story on its own) is as comforting as a hot bath on a cold winter's night, and as tasty as the first bite into one of those hot buttery croissants Betsy has just placed a plate of onto the breakfast table along with a fresh pot of coffee.
I just loved these three elderly, unconventional women who go to the hairdresser and return with a 19 year old, homeless, pregnant, woman named Ginger. Betsy, Kate and Connie may never have married, may have always lived in the same house, and what a history that house has, in the same town, but they definitely have lived. As I said, unconventional. We learn their interesting back stories during the course of the novel. These women are feisty, sassy and warm hearted with cores of steel. But don't ever get on the wrong side of them. Just wait til you read what they do to Edith!
I loved The Banty House by Carolyn Brown, my first book by this author. It definitely won't be my last.
❤❤❤❤.5
#TheBantyHouse #NetGalley
'...it's just money. That ain't nothing but dirty paper with dead presidents on it.'
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
DISCLOSURE: A huge thank you to Montlake Romance via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Banty House by Carolyn Brown for review and for introducing me to this amazing author. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 24, 2025
This is a romance book. This book teaches you that family is not always people that shares your DNA. I really love the characters in this book. The Banty House girls where so funny, and I would have love to spend a day with those girls. Ginger and Sloan was everything they both needed in each other. I read this book so fast because I could not put it down. I am so glad I decided to request this book. If you love books with funny Grandmother characters and a character drive book then this is the book for you. The romance between Ginger and Sloan is a very small part of the book, but the book is mostly about Ginger and Sloan getting over their past and moving on. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE BANTY HOUSE by Carolyn Brown is a sweet, feel-good, poignant story that drops you into the lives of three elderly sisters in small town Texas who are about to have their lives changed forever.
Ginger Andrews has aged out of the system, has a baby on the way and no where to go. She dreams of seeing the ocean in California, but her bus ticket only goes as far as Hondo, Texas. As she is sitting on the bench outside of the hair salon, an elderly woman sits beside her. She is offered room and board for the weekend, but she is soon to find herself wrapped in the love and lives of the Carson sisters of the Banty house.
The Banty House was a long-ago brothel run by the sister’s mother, Belle. For more than seventy-five years, Kate, Betsy and Connie Carson have lived in and cared for their mama’s home. They have big hearts and each has her own passion.
Ginger is not only a breath of fresh air to the sisters, but she also intrigues their handyman, Sloan Baker. Sloan came home from the Army broken and swore to never get close to anyone ever again. Ginger’s past may not be the same, but it is just as broken. Slowly, the two discover they may just be what the other needs to heal.
The Banty House is once again to be the safe place where healing happens and hopes and dreams never fade.
I felt like I was wrapped in the love and acceptance of the three sisters as I read this story. They are wonderful characters who always lived their lives on their own terms, but also followed the moral upbringing of their mama. They are just what Ginger needed, even as it took awhile for her to accept that. Ginger was just what Sloan needed, but I was disappointed by how often she kept thinking about leaving. The romance that grew between Ginger and Sloan was a cozy romance, but never overshadowed the main themes of love, healing and acceptance overall. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, but it was not my favorite by this author.
You are going to love the Carson sisters of Banty House.
Thanks very much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.
THE BANTY HOUSE by Carolyn Brown is a sweet, feel-good, poignant story that drops you into the lives of three elderly sisters in small town Texas who are about to have their lives changed forever.
Ginger Andrews has aged out of the system, has a baby on the way and no where to go. She dreams of seeing the ocean in California, but her bus ticket only goes as far as Hondo, Texas. As she is sitting on the bench outside of the hair salon, an elderly woman sits beside her. She is offered room and board for the weekend, but she is soon to find herself wrapped in the love and lives of the Carson sisters of the Banty house.
The Banty House was a long-ago brothel run by the sister’s mother, Belle. For more than seventy-five years, Kate, Betsy and Connie Carson have lived in and cared for their mama’s home. They have big hearts and each has her own passion.
Ginger is not only a breath of fresh air to the sisters, but she also intrigues their handyman, Sloan Baker. Sloan came home from the Army broken and swore to never get close to anyone ever again. Ginger’s past may not be the same, but it is just as broken. Slowly, the two discover they may just be what the other needs to heal.
The Banty House is once again to be the safe place where healing happens and hopes and dreams never fade.
I felt like I was wrapped in the love and acceptance of the three sisters as I read this story. They are wonderful characters who always lived their lives on their own terms, but also followed the moral upbringing of their mama. They are just what Ginger needed, even as it took awhile for her to accept that. Ginger was just what Sloan needed, but I was disappointed by how often she kept thinking about leaving. The romance that grew between Ginger and Sloan was a cozy romance, but never overshadowed the main themes of love, healing and acceptance overall. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, but it was not my favorite by this author.
You are going to love the Carson sisters of Banty House.
Thanks very much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.
July 20, 2020
THE BANTY HOUSE is a slow burn contemporary story that I was pulled in to from the very first page. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. Don’t you just want to be laying on that lounge chair with your favorite book? I knew I would read it anyway, because I love Carolyn Brown, but the cover really pulled me in. I loved everything about this beautiful story and I’m excited to recommend it to my reading friends. Carolyn Brown always has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go.
THE BANTY HOUSE really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Sloan or Ginger are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore their growing feelings. Both are learning that what you consider family, doesn’t always share your DNA. So here we have these two crossing paths and each time, there is a pull to see more of each other. This causes all sorts of rumors and gossip. It was cute watching these two dance around their feelings for each other. I just didn’t want to see Ginger get hurt again like she did in the past. She’s had a very rough life and I couldn’t help but cheer her on through out this heart warming story!
THE BANTY HOUSE is filled with twists and turns and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Carolyn Brown was taking us and what would happen to Sloan and Ginger. I really loved how the whole community came to ginger and Sloan’s aid and only wanted them to feel loved and realize that they were home. There is so much heart in Carolyn’s writing that I’m always left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see THE BANTY HOUSE becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with Kate, Connie and Betsy. I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long! I love how Carolyn does that to me each and every time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
THE BANTY HOUSE really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Sloan or Ginger are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore their growing feelings. Both are learning that what you consider family, doesn’t always share your DNA. So here we have these two crossing paths and each time, there is a pull to see more of each other. This causes all sorts of rumors and gossip. It was cute watching these two dance around their feelings for each other. I just didn’t want to see Ginger get hurt again like she did in the past. She’s had a very rough life and I couldn’t help but cheer her on through out this heart warming story!
THE BANTY HOUSE is filled with twists and turns and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Carolyn Brown was taking us and what would happen to Sloan and Ginger. I really loved how the whole community came to ginger and Sloan’s aid and only wanted them to feel loved and realize that they were home. There is so much heart in Carolyn’s writing that I’m always left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see THE BANTY HOUSE becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with Kate, Connie and Betsy. I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long! I love how Carolyn does that to me each and every time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
March 12, 2022
This book feels like a porch swing with a friend, a cold drink, and a summer night with stars above and fireflies out on the lawn. Carolyn Brown stories are full of country charm and down home storytelling. The Banty House is no exception.
The story focuses on three elderly sisters who have lived a full life and still do (Oh lawd, do they!) as they remain one of the chief sources of their small town's gossip. They are the daughters of a former brothel owner and their mama never married. But, their mama gave them a set of rules to live by and the first about caring for strangers and the second about helping others brings a homeless, pregnant young Ginger to them so they can show her what family and home are and she, in turn, can show a former soldier who lost his team that he was meant to survive and live.
The Banty House was heartwarming and gently paced, but those feisty gals can be so unexpected that there was never a dull moment. I love the cross generational cast of characters and how they worked well together.
The history of the Carson sisters, their home, and the town was interesting and set the background. I also felt so touched for Ginger who had a truly tough row to hoe as a foster kid who had no one ever and then got tricked by a slick guy before finding her way to Rooster, Texas and the Banty House and Sloan.
The romance is background for much of the book as the story is mostly about the Carson sisters and Ginger. Plus, Ginger is planning to move on when she gets on her feet and Sloan has stopped living and is even suspicious of Ginger at first. They both have painful pasts that they need to address and then there is the fact that she's pregnant and worried that no man would take on her situation and someone else's child. Sloan was a bit lost himself so caring for Ginger anchored him and he had a huge, generous heart that had room for her, her complications, and a baby.
Karissa Vacker was a stellar match for the tone of this book and she did great voicing a variety of ages and genders along with the Texas drawl in this one.
There were a few exciting moments, but for the most part this was a character-driven comfort read that left me smiling and feeling lighter. Oh, and needing piles of home-cooked food after the descriptions of what Betsy and Ginger made. Those who enjoy women's fiction crossing over with contemporary small town romance should definitely give this one a try.
I rec'd this book from Montlake Publishing via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
The story focuses on three elderly sisters who have lived a full life and still do (Oh lawd, do they!) as they remain one of the chief sources of their small town's gossip. They are the daughters of a former brothel owner and their mama never married. But, their mama gave them a set of rules to live by and the first about caring for strangers and the second about helping others brings a homeless, pregnant young Ginger to them so they can show her what family and home are and she, in turn, can show a former soldier who lost his team that he was meant to survive and live.
The Banty House was heartwarming and gently paced, but those feisty gals can be so unexpected that there was never a dull moment. I love the cross generational cast of characters and how they worked well together.
The history of the Carson sisters, their home, and the town was interesting and set the background. I also felt so touched for Ginger who had a truly tough row to hoe as a foster kid who had no one ever and then got tricked by a slick guy before finding her way to Rooster, Texas and the Banty House and Sloan.
The romance is background for much of the book as the story is mostly about the Carson sisters and Ginger. Plus, Ginger is planning to move on when she gets on her feet and Sloan has stopped living and is even suspicious of Ginger at first. They both have painful pasts that they need to address and then there is the fact that she's pregnant and worried that no man would take on her situation and someone else's child. Sloan was a bit lost himself so caring for Ginger anchored him and he had a huge, generous heart that had room for her, her complications, and a baby.
Karissa Vacker was a stellar match for the tone of this book and she did great voicing a variety of ages and genders along with the Texas drawl in this one.
There were a few exciting moments, but for the most part this was a character-driven comfort read that left me smiling and feeling lighter. Oh, and needing piles of home-cooked food after the descriptions of what Betsy and Ginger made. Those who enjoy women's fiction crossing over with contemporary small town romance should definitely give this one a try.
I rec'd this book from Montlake Publishing via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2020
This was such an adorable book and perfect to take my mind off all the craziness in the world right now. Three sisters in their 80's who live together in their family home that was once a small, exclusive brothel run by their mother before they were born on the outskirts of a tiny town in Texas. As you know, small towns have long memories and the sisters have lived with that "stigma" their entire lives. But, they handle it beautifully. One sister has perfected growing hi-grade pot and it flourishes in her garden among the corn and vegetables for her evening joint (which she learned and experienced in her youth at Woodstock). One experiments with various flavors of moonshine in the basement which has become very popular and she uses to "barter" for free healthcare, groceries and other sundry items. It is a mystery what the third elder sister is up to but, then again, she is known as the "sneaky one." They live by a simple set of certain set of rules and traditions set up by their mother which are compassionate, loving and kind to strays of all kinds. However, don't insult their "mama" or her memory. There will be hell to pay. It is into this environment that a lost, homeless, hurting, pregnant 19 year old stumbles, falling into their loving embrace.
This was a fabulous, warm, many times humorous, story that I happily became lost in and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of. You can't help but fall in love with the three little old ladies and their antics. They are such a treat! Carolyn Brown never fails to leave me with a smile on my face. With this book, she has done it again. ;)
This was a fabulous, warm, many times humorous, story that I happily became lost in and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of. You can't help but fall in love with the three little old ladies and their antics. They are such a treat! Carolyn Brown never fails to leave me with a smile on my face. With this book, she has done it again. ;)
February 2, 2020
Three old maid sisters with little secrets and quirks, a homeless pregnant teenager and a retired military bomb specialist with PTSD make for a fun and interesting visit to Rooster,Texas. Mrs. Brown's descriptions of the town and all her characters put you right there as the proverbial, "fly on the wall". These sisters are more fun than the Golden Girls! The characters and conversations are very realistic and typical of our Southern small town talk. It will make you laugh and cry and laugh so hard you will cry. Just read it and enjoy!
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
August 21, 2020
I loved this heartwarming story about a young homeless girl who stumbles upon a small town and finds herself with a new family. This book had everything that you expect from a Carolyn Brown book! Love this author and all her stories!
May 23, 2020
This was a solid read - it just wasn't a good fit for me. I always see Carolyn Brown's books on the bestseller lists, so it seemed like the right time to check one out. The writing itself is strong, the characters are interesting, and there are little bits of humor thrown into the story. But it was just too sweet and laidback for me, so I got bored with all of the heartwarming moments and slightly preachy tone. There's definitely an audience for it - I just don't think I'm the intended reader.
The story follows Ginger, a young woman who finds herself pregnant and homeless. She's taken in by three elderly ladies who have interesting personalities and a penchant for taking in strays. The ladies have also taken former soldier Sloan under their wing, and it's through them that the two meet. Sloan suffers from PTSD and still battles his own demons, but he finds a connection to Ginger right away. As old wounds are healed and new bonds are made, this unique family comes together.
It's got a nice small town feel and a very descriptive, serious tone with as much focus on family as there is on the romance. Though Ginger and Sloan's relationship is central throughout the book, it's not developed as well as it would be in a more romance-focused novel. And though there are references to a few adult themes and some potentially triggering content, it's a clean romance with just a few kisses. There is a focus on religion and a few references to race that I didn't love but, again, I'm probably not the intended reader for this. All in all, it's certainly not a bad read, but I was definitely bored and skimming at times, so I can't say that it was a total win for me either. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this heartwarming book.
The story follows Ginger, a young woman who finds herself pregnant and homeless. She's taken in by three elderly ladies who have interesting personalities and a penchant for taking in strays. The ladies have also taken former soldier Sloan under their wing, and it's through them that the two meet. Sloan suffers from PTSD and still battles his own demons, but he finds a connection to Ginger right away. As old wounds are healed and new bonds are made, this unique family comes together.
It's got a nice small town feel and a very descriptive, serious tone with as much focus on family as there is on the romance. Though Ginger and Sloan's relationship is central throughout the book, it's not developed as well as it would be in a more romance-focused novel. And though there are references to a few adult themes and some potentially triggering content, it's a clean romance with just a few kisses. There is a focus on religion and a few references to race that I didn't love but, again, I'm probably not the intended reader for this. All in all, it's certainly not a bad read, but I was definitely bored and skimming at times, so I can't say that it was a total win for me either. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this heartwarming book.
June 16, 2020
Loved this one!
May 26, 2020
Very good book about love, family, healing, and acceptance. Three eccentric sisters live in the tiny (population 95) town of Rooster, Texas. They've never married and still live in the house they grew up in. Betsy, Connie, and Kate live their lives according to their mama's rules, the first of which was "Never turn away a stranger."
Nineteen-year-old Ginger arrived in Rooster with no money left and nowhere to go. She's eight months pregnant and trying to escape the bad memories she left behind in Kentucky. A chance encounter with Connie gives her a roof over her head and a chance to get back on her feet.
Sloan is the sisters' handyman. Twenty-four years old, Sloan returned home from the army, discharged with PTSD, and wracked with guilt over the death of his team. He's protective of the sisters, but they are the only ones he's allowed himself to get close to.
I loved the three sisters. They are feisty, independent, loving, and loyal. Each of them has a fascinating past that has made them who they are today. I certainly did not expect to find that Kate makes her own moonshine, bartering it for goods and services the sisters wanted. Betsy does the cooking for the family and grows a little weed on the side, also trading it with friends and neighbors. Connie is in charge of the house, a cleaning whirlwind. They bicker like sisters do, but their support of each other is as solid as the foundation of their home. I laughed out loud as they told Ginger of the house's history as a brothel and their interactions with some of the more judgmental townspeople. The scene with Edith when she disrespected the sisters' mother was a riot. Something about Ginger spoke to their hearts, and it wasn't long before they made her part of the family. It was also fun to see their machinations as they pushed Ginger and Sloan together whenever they could.
Ginger made my heart ache for her. Raised from birth in the foster care system, she had little experience with what family really meant. Her search for love and belonging ended up with her being pregnant and alone. She didn't know quite what to make of the Carson sisters and their open-hearted acceptance of her. She didn't intend to stay in Rooster, but the longer she waited, the harder it became to think about leaving. She was afraid to believe it would last, but couldn't deny the hope that grew daily as she worked with the sisters.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ginger and Sloan. It got off to a bit of a rocky start, as Sloan was suspicious of Ginger. He feared that she was running some sort of scam that would hurt the sisters. Ginger sensed his distrust and tried not to let it bother her. With the sisters' help, it didn't take long for the distrust to evaporate. I liked seeing the friendship between them develop first. Ginger's resilience and ability to overcome her painful past impressed Sloan. He quickly found himself feeling as protective of her as he was of the sisters. He also discovered that she was easy to talk to and shared the events that haunt him with her. Ginger's past made it easy for her to connect with Sloan. I loved seeing her help him face his past. In doing so, he learned some things that completely changed his outlook. Ginger had no experience with a man as good as Sloan, and it took some time for her to believe that he meant the things he said. The love between them grew slowly, and it took a while for them to recognize their feelings, even though others saw it clearly. I loved how they came together at the end. The epilogue was fantastic.
Nineteen-year-old Ginger arrived in Rooster with no money left and nowhere to go. She's eight months pregnant and trying to escape the bad memories she left behind in Kentucky. A chance encounter with Connie gives her a roof over her head and a chance to get back on her feet.
Sloan is the sisters' handyman. Twenty-four years old, Sloan returned home from the army, discharged with PTSD, and wracked with guilt over the death of his team. He's protective of the sisters, but they are the only ones he's allowed himself to get close to.
I loved the three sisters. They are feisty, independent, loving, and loyal. Each of them has a fascinating past that has made them who they are today. I certainly did not expect to find that Kate makes her own moonshine, bartering it for goods and services the sisters wanted. Betsy does the cooking for the family and grows a little weed on the side, also trading it with friends and neighbors. Connie is in charge of the house, a cleaning whirlwind. They bicker like sisters do, but their support of each other is as solid as the foundation of their home. I laughed out loud as they told Ginger of the house's history as a brothel and their interactions with some of the more judgmental townspeople. The scene with Edith when she disrespected the sisters' mother was a riot. Something about Ginger spoke to their hearts, and it wasn't long before they made her part of the family. It was also fun to see their machinations as they pushed Ginger and Sloan together whenever they could.
Ginger made my heart ache for her. Raised from birth in the foster care system, she had little experience with what family really meant. Her search for love and belonging ended up with her being pregnant and alone. She didn't know quite what to make of the Carson sisters and their open-hearted acceptance of her. She didn't intend to stay in Rooster, but the longer she waited, the harder it became to think about leaving. She was afraid to believe it would last, but couldn't deny the hope that grew daily as she worked with the sisters.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ginger and Sloan. It got off to a bit of a rocky start, as Sloan was suspicious of Ginger. He feared that she was running some sort of scam that would hurt the sisters. Ginger sensed his distrust and tried not to let it bother her. With the sisters' help, it didn't take long for the distrust to evaporate. I liked seeing the friendship between them develop first. Ginger's resilience and ability to overcome her painful past impressed Sloan. He quickly found himself feeling as protective of her as he was of the sisters. He also discovered that she was easy to talk to and shared the events that haunt him with her. Ginger's past made it easy for her to connect with Sloan. I loved seeing her help him face his past. In doing so, he learned some things that completely changed his outlook. Ginger had no experience with a man as good as Sloan, and it took some time for her to believe that he meant the things he said. The love between them grew slowly, and it took a while for them to recognize their feelings, even though others saw it clearly. I loved how they came together at the end. The epilogue was fantastic.
May 6, 2020
Book Info
Paperback
Expected publication: May 26th 2020 by Montlake
ISBN 1542018811 (ISBN13: 9781542018814)
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon B&N
In the fading town of Rooster, Texas, all that’s really left is a service station, a church…and the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel. For more than seventy-five years, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson have called their mama’s house a home. The three eccentric sisters get by just fine with their homemade jams and jellies, a little moonshine on the side, and big hearts always open to strangers. Like Ginger Andrews.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
Elderly sisters Kate, Connie and Betsy Carson are the ultimate example of best kind of maiden aunt/grandmother fictional combo characters.
It was hard to say goodbye to these feisty older female characters when book ended.
24 year old Sloan Baker and 19 year old Ginger Andrews are a perfect foil for each other as both romantic interests and friends.
Their beginning was a little rocky but the middle and ending was especially worth the angst the pair experienced.
The backdrop of small town Rooster Texas was reminiscent of where I grew up, as were a few select inhabitants featured in this story.
As with any of the fictional towns, and the eclectic groups of characters that populate them, this time spent reading their story was an excellent escape into a place and people that made it well worth it from start to finish.
To forget mentioning one of the main places, and in it’s own right a major character, The Banty House would be not only a horrid oversight but a mistake as well.
Reading the history of the fictional homes background was one of the highlights interspersed here and there throughout the story as it unfolded.
Book was not long enough as read the story too quickly but these characters demanded my attention from first page to last.
Paperback
Expected publication: May 26th 2020 by Montlake
ISBN 1542018811 (ISBN13: 9781542018814)
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon B&N
BOOK BLURBA homeless young woman finds an unexpected family in beloved New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s novel of healing hearts and new beginnings in a small Texas town.
In the fading town of Rooster, Texas, all that’s really left is a service station, a church…and the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel. For more than seventy-five years, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson have called their mama’s house a home. The three eccentric sisters get by just fine with their homemade jams and jellies, a little moonshine on the side, and big hearts always open to strangers. Like Ginger Andrews.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
My Thoughts
Elderly sisters Kate, Connie and Betsy Carson are the ultimate example of best kind of maiden aunt/grandmother fictional combo characters.
It was hard to say goodbye to these feisty older female characters when book ended.
24 year old Sloan Baker and 19 year old Ginger Andrews are a perfect foil for each other as both romantic interests and friends.
Their beginning was a little rocky but the middle and ending was especially worth the angst the pair experienced.
The backdrop of small town Rooster Texas was reminiscent of where I grew up, as were a few select inhabitants featured in this story.
As with any of the fictional towns, and the eclectic groups of characters that populate them, this time spent reading their story was an excellent escape into a place and people that made it well worth it from start to finish.
To forget mentioning one of the main places, and in it’s own right a major character, The Banty House would be not only a horrid oversight but a mistake as well.
Reading the history of the fictional homes background was one of the highlights interspersed here and there throughout the story as it unfolded.
Book was not long enough as read the story too quickly but these characters demanded my attention from first page to last.
[EArc from Netgalley]
May 2, 2020
Awww, such a sweet story and absolutely loved it!
The four sisters of Banty house and took Ginger under theirs wings..Ginger was pregnant until she first met Sloan until they’re both fell in ,ove with each other and had three kids on their own..it was beautiful writing!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy...
The four sisters of Banty house and took Ginger under theirs wings..Ginger was pregnant until she first met Sloan until they’re both fell in ,ove with each other and had three kids on their own..it was beautiful writing!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy...
July 20, 2020
This book charmed me from the start. I loved the sisters, loved their big hearts and how they lived their lives according to their own set up rules. It made for an unusual life for them, but it worked. I really liked how they would help out people as they needed it and how this brought Ginger into their lives. Ginger was so sweet and very appreciative of what the sisters were offering. The longer that Ginger stayed at Banty house the more that you could see how much everyone was changing. Even the handyman Sloan was in on these changes. By the end of the book I found myself smiling, loved how everyone was still connected and how the family had grown.
May 12, 2020
This book was an entertaining ride for sure. Following 3 widows who take in a young teen with a baby makes for a great second chance story. The widows were all a lot of fun to read from, and the second chance this young woman gets is truly heartwarming.
Though I do prefer Carolyn Brown's cowboy romances to these, I love the sense of community that these books bring across. If you are interested in the concept, I recommend picking it up and giving it a try. The romance is sweet, along with the community taking in someone new.
Though I do prefer Carolyn Brown's cowboy romances to these, I love the sense of community that these books bring across. If you are interested in the concept, I recommend picking it up and giving it a try. The romance is sweet, along with the community taking in someone new.
June 8, 2020
I knew this would be a romance book and that it would be fluffy and cheesy, but I was unprepared for how bad it would be. From clumsy name drops of TV shows to over the top religious preaching to repetitive descriptive passages to events that are both implausible and not really that desirable (spoiler alert: a marriage proposal after knowing someone a month? Come on!), this book was far too much for me. On the plus side, it was a quick read and I did get some laughs quoting some of the ridiculous prose and dialog to my husband. My two star rating is definitely generous! Avoid!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
The Banty House, my first novel by Carolyn Brown is a slow burn contemporary story that had me captivated from the first few chapters.
Nineteen-year-old Ginger Andrews has arrived in Rooster, Texas, penniless and with nowhere to go. She's eight months pregnant, trying to escape the bad memories she hopes to have left behind in Kentucky. Three sisters, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson live in the Banty House, their childhood home and live by the rules of their late mother. Handyman to the Carson sisters, Sloan Baker, also has a troubled past. A chance meeting between Ginger and Connie results in a place to stay for Ginger - at the Banty House. What follows is a lovely story about their lives and histories.
The Banty House was a really enjoyable read. For me the three sisters really made this story sing with their humour and big personalities. Although they occasionally bickered, they still showed immense loyalty to each other. I also loved reading about their jam making and unusual moonshine recipes. However, The Banty House was not all fun and frivolity as some significant topics were explored. The evolvement of Sloan and Ginger's relationship was natural, tender, realistic, and beautifully written and I frequently felt as though I was living in the old brothel myself alongside Carolyn Brown's quirky, fantastic characters. An amazing, heartwarming, and very highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Montlake Romance via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Nineteen-year-old Ginger Andrews has arrived in Rooster, Texas, penniless and with nowhere to go. She's eight months pregnant, trying to escape the bad memories she hopes to have left behind in Kentucky. Three sisters, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson live in the Banty House, their childhood home and live by the rules of their late mother. Handyman to the Carson sisters, Sloan Baker, also has a troubled past. A chance meeting between Ginger and Connie results in a place to stay for Ginger - at the Banty House. What follows is a lovely story about their lives and histories.
The Banty House was a really enjoyable read. For me the three sisters really made this story sing with their humour and big personalities. Although they occasionally bickered, they still showed immense loyalty to each other. I also loved reading about their jam making and unusual moonshine recipes. However, The Banty House was not all fun and frivolity as some significant topics were explored. The evolvement of Sloan and Ginger's relationship was natural, tender, realistic, and beautifully written and I frequently felt as though I was living in the old brothel myself alongside Carolyn Brown's quirky, fantastic characters. An amazing, heartwarming, and very highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Montlake Romance via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 16, 2020
The thing I love about a Carolyn Brown book is the down-to-earth realness of it. She gives us beloved characters who are simple yet complex. Characters with all of their flaws, pain and vulnerability displayed in a way that only endears them more to the reader.
She writes about real life, with all of its struggles and pain, yet leaves our hearts happy and satisfied with an uplifting, joyous ending. To borrow from a cliché, she begins with lemons and then, step by step, takes us through making the sweetest most wonderfully refreshing lemonade, sprinkling humor and sentiment in equal measure along the way.
Rooster, TX, population 95, has small-town charm complete with colorful, quirky characters and meddling neighbors. This small town has changed a lot over the decades that the three Carson sisters have lived there in the Banty House.
The house itself has known a questionable past, but it's been in the family for generations, changing with the times to meet the needs of the community. The first rule of the Banty House, which the Carson sisters' mama set down more than half a century ago, is to never turn away a stranger.
I can’t find the words to explain how deep the emotional hits go and how uplifting, inspiring and satisfying this amazing story is. From tears to laughter, abandonment to unconditional acceptance, and the pain and ghosts of the past that lead to healing and joy, these characters will have your heart beating to their rhythm and leave their permanent mark on your soul.
This unforgettable must-read is just what you need to escape for a few hours and leave your heart full, happy and content. Visit Rooster, TX, right away. You just might want to stay there forever.
She writes about real life, with all of its struggles and pain, yet leaves our hearts happy and satisfied with an uplifting, joyous ending. To borrow from a cliché, she begins with lemons and then, step by step, takes us through making the sweetest most wonderfully refreshing lemonade, sprinkling humor and sentiment in equal measure along the way.
Rooster, TX, population 95, has small-town charm complete with colorful, quirky characters and meddling neighbors. This small town has changed a lot over the decades that the three Carson sisters have lived there in the Banty House.
The house itself has known a questionable past, but it's been in the family for generations, changing with the times to meet the needs of the community. The first rule of the Banty House, which the Carson sisters' mama set down more than half a century ago, is to never turn away a stranger.
I can’t find the words to explain how deep the emotional hits go and how uplifting, inspiring and satisfying this amazing story is. From tears to laughter, abandonment to unconditional acceptance, and the pain and ghosts of the past that lead to healing and joy, these characters will have your heart beating to their rhythm and leave their permanent mark on your soul.
This unforgettable must-read is just what you need to escape for a few hours and leave your heart full, happy and content. Visit Rooster, TX, right away. You just might want to stay there forever.
May 27, 2020
If you never read another book this summer, you must pick up this book and read it. Carolyn Brown has given us another wonderful book about family, friends, love, loyalty and a sense of home.
Three sisters have lived in their home in a small town in Texas for more than 70 odd years, that has almost become a ghost town. But a chance meeting with a young pregnant teenager outside a beauty salon and all of their lives will change for ever.
Kate, Betsy and Connie bring Ginger to their home, that was once a brothel in the depression , and give her a roof over her head. Little did they know that she was also going to meet a man that would become a big part of her life too. Ginger was only going to stay a few days, but fate and the sisters had a different plan for Ginger.
This book was the read of the month for me. I found that as usual with Carolyn Brown's books, I laughed out loud, cried real tears and cheered on these feisty southern gals as they did not let anyone get the better of them. Add in a young gentlemen who looked out for the ladies, who had fine southern manners and a town of quirky lovable characters and you will not want to put down this book. This is a book that will make your forget that we are living in tough times and will make you wish you lived with these ladies too..
Thank you Carolyn Brown for giving us another wonderful story.
Three sisters have lived in their home in a small town in Texas for more than 70 odd years, that has almost become a ghost town. But a chance meeting with a young pregnant teenager outside a beauty salon and all of their lives will change for ever.
Kate, Betsy and Connie bring Ginger to their home, that was once a brothel in the depression , and give her a roof over her head. Little did they know that she was also going to meet a man that would become a big part of her life too. Ginger was only going to stay a few days, but fate and the sisters had a different plan for Ginger.
This book was the read of the month for me. I found that as usual with Carolyn Brown's books, I laughed out loud, cried real tears and cheered on these feisty southern gals as they did not let anyone get the better of them. Add in a young gentlemen who looked out for the ladies, who had fine southern manners and a town of quirky lovable characters and you will not want to put down this book. This is a book that will make your forget that we are living in tough times and will make you wish you lived with these ladies too..
Thank you Carolyn Brown for giving us another wonderful story.
May 26, 2020
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for a honest review
The Banty House by Carolyn Brown was truly a delightful, feel good, story. We first meet the three sister's of the Banty House and they are hilarious, I wish I had aunties like them. We then meet Ginger who is a down on her luck pregnant teen mom, who has been living from foster home to foster home until she is systemed out. Ginger is an old soul who's luck is about to change in a big way after she meets the Banty house sisters. Sloan is someone who has been living with guilt and is about to have a reason to let it all go. This book is about the family we create, the sweetness of love and about the peculiarities of small towns. This story left me feeling good and a little bit sad because I won't be visiting with the the Banty House sisters'.
The Banty House by Carolyn Brown was truly a delightful, feel good, story. We first meet the three sister's of the Banty House and they are hilarious, I wish I had aunties like them. We then meet Ginger who is a down on her luck pregnant teen mom, who has been living from foster home to foster home until she is systemed out. Ginger is an old soul who's luck is about to change in a big way after she meets the Banty house sisters. Sloan is someone who has been living with guilt and is about to have a reason to let it all go. This book is about the family we create, the sweetness of love and about the peculiarities of small towns. This story left me feeling good and a little bit sad because I won't be visiting with the the Banty House sisters'.
May 25, 2020
This is a hopeful, uplifting, satisfying story and I highly recommend it.
The book takes place in the small town of Rooster, Texas and centers mostly around the Banty House. The Banty House is still notorious in the town and surrounding areas because it was operated as a bawdy house in the 1930's. The main characters are the sisters Kate, Connie and Betsy (the youngest is 75) who live in the Banty House, their handyman Sloan, and Ginger, a young woman the sisters happened to meet and persuaded to come home with them to help them out. Sloan also has a great dog named Tinker.
Sloan was discharged from the military due to PTSD. Ginger is heavily pregnant, broke and has no family or friends to call for help. She literally has nowhere to go when she meets Betsy at the bus stop. There is a very slow developing love story between Sloan and Ginger that is not the focus of the book. Rather, the focus is how these five people make a family and it is lovely to read.
The sisters really make the story as they are a hoot. Being sisters, they still squabble but are intensely loyal to each other, and you do not want to get on their bad side. Connie's passion is cleanliness and she keeps the place spotless, Kate makes some very popular moonshine including some unlikely ingredients like strawberries, and Betsy makes and sells jams and jellies. They have some unexpected stories - Betsy, for example, went to Woodstock. The sisters discover that despite living together their entire lives, they still have more to discover about each other. This is a book I won't forget.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book takes place in the small town of Rooster, Texas and centers mostly around the Banty House. The Banty House is still notorious in the town and surrounding areas because it was operated as a bawdy house in the 1930's. The main characters are the sisters Kate, Connie and Betsy (the youngest is 75) who live in the Banty House, their handyman Sloan, and Ginger, a young woman the sisters happened to meet and persuaded to come home with them to help them out. Sloan also has a great dog named Tinker.
Sloan was discharged from the military due to PTSD. Ginger is heavily pregnant, broke and has no family or friends to call for help. She literally has nowhere to go when she meets Betsy at the bus stop. There is a very slow developing love story between Sloan and Ginger that is not the focus of the book. Rather, the focus is how these five people make a family and it is lovely to read.
The sisters really make the story as they are a hoot. Being sisters, they still squabble but are intensely loyal to each other, and you do not want to get on their bad side. Connie's passion is cleanliness and she keeps the place spotless, Kate makes some very popular moonshine including some unlikely ingredients like strawberries, and Betsy makes and sells jams and jellies. They have some unexpected stories - Betsy, for example, went to Woodstock. The sisters discover that despite living together their entire lives, they still have more to discover about each other. This is a book I won't forget.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2020
The basic plot: Ginger, a young pregnant woman passing through a small Texas town is taken in by three older women, sisters, and they develop a strong bond while taking care of Ginger. At the same time, she also starts taking care of them. The sisters reveal long-held secrets and are brought even closer together. In the meantime, a local young man also takes an interest in Ginger and they develop a friendship. I really enjoyed the characters in this book - the sisters are a HOOT, and are what make this book a bit different. It is a fun book about this unusual family, though there are some more weighty topics that are dealt with.
I couldn’t get enough of these characters and enjoyed every minute of the book! 5 stars!
I was provided a free copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t get enough of these characters and enjoyed every minute of the book! 5 stars!
I was provided a free copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2020
I've become a fan of Carolyn Brown's small town romances and The Banty House is no exception. If, during these troubled times of self-isolation, you're looking for a feel-good read, look no further, because this novel is it, and it gets 5 stars from this reader.
As the novel opens we meet 3 of the most charming, funny, quirky, octagenarian, never-been married sisters, Kate, Betsy and Connie Carson, as they're driving their vintage 1958 Lincoln the 3 miles from their hometown of Rooster, Texas to the next town, Hondo, for their standing Thursday hair appointment at the Cut and Curl. In a scene oddly reminiscent of Steel Magnolias, not long after the sisters arrive in Hondo, 19-year-old and 8 months' pregnant, Ginger Andrews, steps off the bus and parks herself on a bench just outside the salon. Hondo was as far as all the money she had in the world would take her.
When Connie steps outside the salon for a cigarette, she sits down next to Ginger and starts a conversation. In a town as small as Rooster, Texas, population 95, strangers are a welcome diversion, and when she learns Ginger's situation--the fact that her baby's abusive father is dead and Ginger is penniless, Connie brings her inside the salon to meet Kate and Betsy, who are firm believers in and followers of their mother's many rules. Rule number one was quite familiar to me in a slightly different form--I've even done it in counted cross-stitch, "Be ever careful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware."
Naturally, the 3 sisters offer Ginger a room for a night or two, which turns into a week, then a month, as they can't possibly turn away someone in such dire need of a roof over her head, especially since their mother's favorite holiday, Easter, is just around the corner, and a special day for the sisters, who have no problem pretty much adopting Ginger, who they learn had no one else. Since the sisters were never married and never had children of their own, they treat Ginger like the granddaughter they never had.
Ginger's mother was in prison when she gave birth to Ginger, and her father was both a drug addict and dealer, so Ginger spent her life in the foster care system, being moved from foster home to foster home, never staying in any one of them for more than a year. She likes the quirky sisters and the way they treat her, and learns that she's not the only person they've "sort of" added to their family.
Sloan Baker has only been back in Rooster for two years, having been medically but honorably discharged from the military after his entire unit of bomb experts was blown to pieces when he wasn't with them on a particular mission, and his guilt over their untimely deaths and the resulting PTSD are what got him discharged and have left him with horrific nightmares. He had wanted the military to be his life, but when that became impossible, he moved back to his hometown in Rooster, and the 3 Carson sisters, kept him occupied with chores they could no longer do, like maintaining and keeping that vintage Lincoln spotless and in good repair, mowing their lawn, caring for their flower beds and more. Since I'm a huge fan of novels featuring wounded warriors, it was hard not to fall in l0ve with Sloan, and he was certainly attracted to Ginger as soon as he met her.
Kate, Betsy and Connie are some of the quirkiest old gals I've ever come across--Connie is the sworn enemy of dust, and is constantly cleaning everything. Betsy is the cook in the family, and likes a little bit of the marijuana she grows in her flower bed out back before bedtime. She even bakes it into some of her brownies. She earns a bit of extra money from the jams and jellies she makes and either sells or barters for, and Kate has a still in the basement, making moonshine in interesting flavors like Apple Pie, which she also barters with among the residents in their small town, and even in nearby Hondo. To add more quirkiness and charm to this already charming story, we also learn that the Banty house was once a brothel, that the sisters were of mixed race, and they don't shy away from a fistfight when some of the snooty town ladies make disparaging remarks about their house, their mama, and their upbringing.
There was so much to love about this novel and its characters that I could ramble on about it endlessly, but I'd hate to spoil it for you. If stories like Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes are among your favorites, I can practically guarantee that you'll fall in love with the town of Rooster, Texas, Ginger, Sloan, and the Carson sisters, the way I did. At its heart, The Banty House is a novel about friendship, love, honesty, caring, the value of family--blood relations or not, kindness and generosity of spirit. Personally, I wouldn't change a word of it if I could, and I think you'll feel the same way I did--that even when it's hard to see goodness in our crazy world, it still exists in a small town in Rooster, Texas. I so hope that Ms. Brown returns to Rooster sometime in the future. I'll be first in line to grab a copy.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
As the novel opens we meet 3 of the most charming, funny, quirky, octagenarian, never-been married sisters, Kate, Betsy and Connie Carson, as they're driving their vintage 1958 Lincoln the 3 miles from their hometown of Rooster, Texas to the next town, Hondo, for their standing Thursday hair appointment at the Cut and Curl. In a scene oddly reminiscent of Steel Magnolias, not long after the sisters arrive in Hondo, 19-year-old and 8 months' pregnant, Ginger Andrews, steps off the bus and parks herself on a bench just outside the salon. Hondo was as far as all the money she had in the world would take her.
When Connie steps outside the salon for a cigarette, she sits down next to Ginger and starts a conversation. In a town as small as Rooster, Texas, population 95, strangers are a welcome diversion, and when she learns Ginger's situation--the fact that her baby's abusive father is dead and Ginger is penniless, Connie brings her inside the salon to meet Kate and Betsy, who are firm believers in and followers of their mother's many rules. Rule number one was quite familiar to me in a slightly different form--I've even done it in counted cross-stitch, "Be ever careful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware."
Naturally, the 3 sisters offer Ginger a room for a night or two, which turns into a week, then a month, as they can't possibly turn away someone in such dire need of a roof over her head, especially since their mother's favorite holiday, Easter, is just around the corner, and a special day for the sisters, who have no problem pretty much adopting Ginger, who they learn had no one else. Since the sisters were never married and never had children of their own, they treat Ginger like the granddaughter they never had.
Ginger's mother was in prison when she gave birth to Ginger, and her father was both a drug addict and dealer, so Ginger spent her life in the foster care system, being moved from foster home to foster home, never staying in any one of them for more than a year. She likes the quirky sisters and the way they treat her, and learns that she's not the only person they've "sort of" added to their family.
Sloan Baker has only been back in Rooster for two years, having been medically but honorably discharged from the military after his entire unit of bomb experts was blown to pieces when he wasn't with them on a particular mission, and his guilt over their untimely deaths and the resulting PTSD are what got him discharged and have left him with horrific nightmares. He had wanted the military to be his life, but when that became impossible, he moved back to his hometown in Rooster, and the 3 Carson sisters, kept him occupied with chores they could no longer do, like maintaining and keeping that vintage Lincoln spotless and in good repair, mowing their lawn, caring for their flower beds and more. Since I'm a huge fan of novels featuring wounded warriors, it was hard not to fall in l0ve with Sloan, and he was certainly attracted to Ginger as soon as he met her.
Kate, Betsy and Connie are some of the quirkiest old gals I've ever come across--Connie is the sworn enemy of dust, and is constantly cleaning everything. Betsy is the cook in the family, and likes a little bit of the marijuana she grows in her flower bed out back before bedtime. She even bakes it into some of her brownies. She earns a bit of extra money from the jams and jellies she makes and either sells or barters for, and Kate has a still in the basement, making moonshine in interesting flavors like Apple Pie, which she also barters with among the residents in their small town, and even in nearby Hondo. To add more quirkiness and charm to this already charming story, we also learn that the Banty house was once a brothel, that the sisters were of mixed race, and they don't shy away from a fistfight when some of the snooty town ladies make disparaging remarks about their house, their mama, and their upbringing.
There was so much to love about this novel and its characters that I could ramble on about it endlessly, but I'd hate to spoil it for you. If stories like Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes are among your favorites, I can practically guarantee that you'll fall in love with the town of Rooster, Texas, Ginger, Sloan, and the Carson sisters, the way I did. At its heart, The Banty House is a novel about friendship, love, honesty, caring, the value of family--blood relations or not, kindness and generosity of spirit. Personally, I wouldn't change a word of it if I could, and I think you'll feel the same way I did--that even when it's hard to see goodness in our crazy world, it still exists in a small town in Rooster, Texas. I so hope that Ms. Brown returns to Rooster sometime in the future. I'll be first in line to grab a copy.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
May 6, 2020
The best feel good book I have read in a long time !!! It will grab you on the first page and not let you go even after you finish. Three old sisters, Kate, Betsy, and Connie, living in an old brothel, making moonshine, raising weed and taking care of every misfit they come across. Throw in a young pregnant unwed mother and a ex-solder and you have a wonderful book. Reading this book is like taking a vacation and it will make you want to live in Rooster Texas and be part of their clan !!
Thank you # Carolyn Brown #TheBantyHouse #NetGalley
Thank you # Carolyn Brown #TheBantyHouse #NetGalley
May 16, 2020
You all have heard of comfort food I'm sure. This here story is comfort words to make your heart happy.
Ginger Andrews didn't realize that stopping after getting off the bus and sitting on the bench in front of a beauty shop in Honcho, Texas would change her whole life. Here she is only nineteen years old, eight months pregnant with no money and no place to live. Until Connie Carson stepped outside the beauty shop for a smoke. Connie sat down beside her and got her talking and Ginger admitted she was just resting a minute before heading to the highway to hitch a ride. Ginger could tell that didn't sit well with Connie. But Ginger had to do what Ginger had to do. Connie wasn't having any of that. She called a Rule Number One and told Ginger she was going home with her and her two sisters, Betsy and Kate to The Banty House. Connie knew Betsy and Kate would agree with her because they all abided by Mama's Rules. Ginger felt safe enough with going along with this. She was wise beyond her years. It felt real good to have a place to go, to have a roof over her head. She would stay for a couple of days, rest up and then move on. Even after learning the history of Banty House Ginger wasn't fazed a bit. Meeting handsome, kind and considerate Banty House handyman Sloane Andrews made this stop quite interesting. No man for her though. She had enough with the dead father of her baby. Hmm... We shall see.
Sloan Andrews mostly keeps to himself except for the time spent doing handyman work for the elderly Carson sisters at Banty House. He had been shipped home from the Army with an honorable discharge. But the guilt he felt after the deaths of his teammates after the bomb explosion hung with him. He didn't know if he could ever forgive himself. He was doing just fine with his deceased grandmother's dog Tinker and the handyman jobs. But then Ginger Andrews arrived at Banty House. There's just something about her. They quickly become friends and find themselves sharing things they never could with anyone else. Yes, Ginger is really special. He and the Carson sisters became quite attached to Ginger very quickly. He hoped she decided to stay in Rooster.
The Banty House by Carolyn Brown is the author's latest gift to readers who love Women's Fiction. One can never go wrong picking up one of Carolyn Brown's books. She always manages to take her readers to wonderful towns with caring characters who usually are good for a few laughs and this book is an excellent example of this. The Carson sisters are elderly but quite feisty. Kate makes moonshine in the basement which she barters for goods and services for herself and her sisters. Betsy grows marijuana in her garden and partakes each night before bed and will even make you some special brownies. Connie is a cleaning whirling dervish. Ginger comes to love these ladies and Sloan too, of course. It ends up being an easy decision to stay in Rooster. I loved this story. I got a calming, feel-good high on this story.
Mama's Rules Rule!
Ginger Andrews didn't realize that stopping after getting off the bus and sitting on the bench in front of a beauty shop in Honcho, Texas would change her whole life. Here she is only nineteen years old, eight months pregnant with no money and no place to live. Until Connie Carson stepped outside the beauty shop for a smoke. Connie sat down beside her and got her talking and Ginger admitted she was just resting a minute before heading to the highway to hitch a ride. Ginger could tell that didn't sit well with Connie. But Ginger had to do what Ginger had to do. Connie wasn't having any of that. She called a Rule Number One and told Ginger she was going home with her and her two sisters, Betsy and Kate to The Banty House. Connie knew Betsy and Kate would agree with her because they all abided by Mama's Rules. Ginger felt safe enough with going along with this. She was wise beyond her years. It felt real good to have a place to go, to have a roof over her head. She would stay for a couple of days, rest up and then move on. Even after learning the history of Banty House Ginger wasn't fazed a bit. Meeting handsome, kind and considerate Banty House handyman Sloane Andrews made this stop quite interesting. No man for her though. She had enough with the dead father of her baby. Hmm... We shall see.
Sloan Andrews mostly keeps to himself except for the time spent doing handyman work for the elderly Carson sisters at Banty House. He had been shipped home from the Army with an honorable discharge. But the guilt he felt after the deaths of his teammates after the bomb explosion hung with him. He didn't know if he could ever forgive himself. He was doing just fine with his deceased grandmother's dog Tinker and the handyman jobs. But then Ginger Andrews arrived at Banty House. There's just something about her. They quickly become friends and find themselves sharing things they never could with anyone else. Yes, Ginger is really special. He and the Carson sisters became quite attached to Ginger very quickly. He hoped she decided to stay in Rooster.
The Banty House by Carolyn Brown is the author's latest gift to readers who love Women's Fiction. One can never go wrong picking up one of Carolyn Brown's books. She always manages to take her readers to wonderful towns with caring characters who usually are good for a few laughs and this book is an excellent example of this. The Carson sisters are elderly but quite feisty. Kate makes moonshine in the basement which she barters for goods and services for herself and her sisters. Betsy grows marijuana in her garden and partakes each night before bed and will even make you some special brownies. Connie is a cleaning whirling dervish. Ginger comes to love these ladies and Sloan too, of course. It ends up being an easy decision to stay in Rooster. I loved this story. I got a calming, feel-good high on this story.
Mama's Rules Rule!
September 27, 2020
Carolyn Brown knows how to write a narrative that is "laugh out loud" hilarious. I want to be a Carson sister when I grow up.
Ginger Andrews used what little monies she had and bought a bus ticket that would take her as far away from Kentucky as she could get. She landed in Rooster, TX with no job prospects, a few dollars to her name, and a very pregnant belly. As she sat on the park bench in front of the hair salon she was considering if she had enough funds for a cheap hotel or if she'd be sleeping on this very bench.
As luck would have it for Ginger, the Carson sisters were having their hair done that morning. Connie, Kate, and Betsy were complete strangers to her, but insisted that she come to the Banty House at least for the night for a good meal, comfortable bed, and a nice hot bath for free. After all, it rule number one to be kind to strangers.
Seeing as they were nearing their eighties, the ladies had a Banty House meeting and decided to offer Ginger a job, at least for a few days to help get on her feet and on her way, if that's what she wanted. It seemed too good to be true, but Ginger didn't see any other job prospects as good on the horizon.
Trouble was...Ginger was determined to move to CA and give her baby a good life with good memories, something she never had...until she met the ladies of the Banty House and their neighbor Sloan Baker in Rooster, TX, maybe staying wasn't such a bad idea.
Ginger Andrews used what little monies she had and bought a bus ticket that would take her as far away from Kentucky as she could get. She landed in Rooster, TX with no job prospects, a few dollars to her name, and a very pregnant belly. As she sat on the park bench in front of the hair salon she was considering if she had enough funds for a cheap hotel or if she'd be sleeping on this very bench.
As luck would have it for Ginger, the Carson sisters were having their hair done that morning. Connie, Kate, and Betsy were complete strangers to her, but insisted that she come to the Banty House at least for the night for a good meal, comfortable bed, and a nice hot bath for free. After all, it rule number one to be kind to strangers.
Seeing as they were nearing their eighties, the ladies had a Banty House meeting and decided to offer Ginger a job, at least for a few days to help get on her feet and on her way, if that's what she wanted. It seemed too good to be true, but Ginger didn't see any other job prospects as good on the horizon.
Trouble was...Ginger was determined to move to CA and give her baby a good life with good memories, something she never had...until she met the ladies of the Banty House and their neighbor Sloan Baker in Rooster, TX, maybe staying wasn't such a bad idea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2020
The Banty House is a heartwarming, entertaining, enchanting story about three elderly sisters who take in a homeless, pregnant teenager and show her that family doesn't have to share blood to love one and other. They have also sort of adopted the young man that lives down the lane who is suffering from guilt and PTSD. Ginger grew up in foster care, never knowing family or love but now she is experiencing the overwhelming emotions that the sisters and Sloan bring out in her. Sloan is afraid to get close to anyone again because he blames himself for the deaths of his platoon but the sisters and Ginger are breaking through the walls he has erected. The antics of the sisters truly brings about laugh out loud moments and this story will have you so entertained that you will not want to put it down. The development and growth of Sloan and Ginger's relationship is realistic, natural and truly a beautiful love story. This is fantastically written story with wonderfully enjoyable characters that will make you feel as if you are a part of the story.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
February 20, 2020
Ginger, a pregnant homeless teenager. Three elderly eccentric spinsters – Kate, Connie, Betsy – living together in the family home, a former brothel. Sloan, their handsome, single but troubled neighbor / friend / handyman. Rooster, Texas, a town of 95 inhabitants, with all the scandals and frictions of a much larger town.
Doesn’t sound like a fun story, but it is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time. I kept finding myself smiling at the antics of the sisters and their friends. The interaction among the sisters and of each sister with Ginger was engaging and true to life. And, then there’s Sloan – PTSD, guilt, loneliness. His ability to overcome his challenges as he faces his past is authentic and gratifying. Proof positive that a family does not necessarily have to be related by blood.
I would recommend this book to any anyone looking for a good read. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. The opinion is my own – read this book so you can smile too!
Doesn’t sound like a fun story, but it is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time. I kept finding myself smiling at the antics of the sisters and their friends. The interaction among the sisters and of each sister with Ginger was engaging and true to life. And, then there’s Sloan – PTSD, guilt, loneliness. His ability to overcome his challenges as he faces his past is authentic and gratifying. Proof positive that a family does not necessarily have to be related by blood.
I would recommend this book to any anyone looking for a good read. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. The opinion is my own – read this book so you can smile too!
February 4, 2020
This is a heartwarming story about family, loss, tragedy and love. Carolyn Brown pulls the reader in and makes them feel as though the are sitting alongside the Carson sisters, rocking on the porch, sipping moonshine or taking in a walk along the lane with Ginger. She pulls at your heart with Sloan's struggles, his PTSD and his pure love for the Carson sisters and Ginger. And then there is Ginger, a young girl failed by the system and everyone she encountered in her short life stumbles upon Kate, Connie and Betsy, and her life will never be the same. Ms. Brown also engages the reader with the history of Rooster, the failings of a community to see the good in Banty House and the damage gossip can do while bringing all the feels and making the reader fall in love with small town life and the characters who live there.
I received an advanced copy of the book.
I received an advanced copy of the book.
May 19, 2020
Need or want a feel good book? Try this one! Set in a small Texas town, it's the tale of how family is what you make and it's full of hope. Mature (ahem) sisters Betsy, Connie, and Kate live together - and they're a hoot. When Ginger, a pregnant 19 year old, shows up, they take her in and thus begins a wonderful tale. The sisters also have their arms around Sloan, a 24 year old veteran with PTSD. Ginger, who had a hard childhood, wants something better for her unborn baby but she needs to move past her own issues. Her relationship with Sloan warms slowly but you know there's going to be a good result - there has to be. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and storytelling as well as a plot that will make you smile makes this a good read, especially in dark times.
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