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The Bluebonnet Battle
In Bonnet, Texas, Liddy Latham, the queen of funeral dinners, keeps a southern comfort-food tradition alive—until fancy-schmancy Matilda Monroe moves back to town. She wants room at the table for her own style of consolation and closure: healthy, modern, and vegan. But this is about more than fried chicken versus tofu turkey. Matilda’s return is also stirring up their volatile, unresolved history. And just when they thought it couldn’t get more personal…
Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, have met and the sparks are flying. For Matilda and Liddy, their precious kin’s romance is their worst nightmare. Now, it’s all Nick and Amelia can do to survive a family feud that has the whole town talking.
The battle for the funeral dinner crown is on. As two strong-willed women wrestle for control, making peace with the past may be the only way to serve the star-crossed lovers a happy ending.
Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, have met and the sparks are flying. For Matilda and Liddy, their precious kin’s romance is their worst nightmare. Now, it’s all Nick and Amelia can do to survive a family feud that has the whole town talking.
The battle for the funeral dinner crown is on. As two strong-willed women wrestle for control, making peace with the past may be the only way to serve the star-crossed lovers a happy ending.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2022
2022 people are currently reading
3608 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
181 books4,116 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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March 21, 2022
EXCERPT: While they whispered about forty year old rumours, Liddy let her thoughts go back to the funeral dinner where it was so evident that Nick was flirting with Amelia. She needed to have another talk with Amelia and remind her which side of the feud she had been born into. Nick was every bit as handsome as his grandfather, Floyd Davis had been. Floyd could walk into a room, flash his smile, and women would begin to move toward him as if he were a magnet and they had metal underpants.
Besides being Matilda's son, Nick might have inherited a wandering eye and a penchant for cheating from his grandfather. That meant Liddy didn't want him anywhere near her precious niece.
ABOUT 'THE BLUEBONNET BATTLE': In Bonnet, Texas, Liddy Latham, the queen of funeral dinners, keeps a southern comfort-food tradition alive—until fancy-schmancy Matilda Monroe moves back to town. She wants room at the table for her own style of consolation and closure: healthy, modern, and vegan. But this is about more than fried chicken versus tofu turkey. Matilda’s return is also stirring up their volatile, unresolved history. And just when they thought it couldn’t get more personal…
Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, have met and the sparks are flying. For Matilda and Liddy, their precious kin’s romance is their worst nightmare. Now, it’s all Nick and Amelia can do to survive a family feud that has the whole town talking.
The battle for the funeral dinner crown is on. As two strong-willed women wrestle for control, making peace with the past may be the only way to serve the star-crossed lovers a happy ending.
MY THOUGHTS: Carolyn Brown never disappoints. You might know exactly where the book is headed, but she writes with such warmth and wit that the journey is an absolute delight.
One of the many points in favour of this book is the characters. Although we don't get to know them as well as the characters in some of her books and Matilda is a little too much the archetype of 'queen bitch', the characters all have pasts and life experience and a number of them are in their senior years which, for me, makes it all the more interesting.
There are many laugh out loud moments, mainly due to Liddy's snarkiness, and I loved her conversations with God, especially when Matilda was present.
Nick and Amelia both have the measure of their families and are one step ahead of the attempts to derail their romance all the way through.
There is a lot of dialogue in The Bluebonnet Battle, something that I don't usually enjoy but, with Ms Brown's talent for writing with wit and honesty, I enjoyed it all.
I guess I expected this battle, which was less about the funeral dinners and more to do with a parcel of land that Matilda wanted, believing it to be valuable, to have more teeth. It was humorous, but pretty tame.
WARNING: Do not read The Bluebonnet Battle if you are dieting. It is full of delicious food - lemon chess and lemon meringue pies (personally I prefer lemon chess), and brownies, all baked with secret ingredients. Recipes for the pies are included at the end of the book, but Carolyn can you please also share the brownie recipe?
⭐⭐⭐.7
#TheBluebonnetBattle #NetGalley
I: @carolynbrownbooks #montlake
T: @thecarolynbrown #Montlake
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #romance
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: Thank you to Montlake via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn Brown for review. 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/...
Besides being Matilda's son, Nick might have inherited a wandering eye and a penchant for cheating from his grandfather. That meant Liddy didn't want him anywhere near her precious niece.
ABOUT 'THE BLUEBONNET BATTLE': In Bonnet, Texas, Liddy Latham, the queen of funeral dinners, keeps a southern comfort-food tradition alive—until fancy-schmancy Matilda Monroe moves back to town. She wants room at the table for her own style of consolation and closure: healthy, modern, and vegan. But this is about more than fried chicken versus tofu turkey. Matilda’s return is also stirring up their volatile, unresolved history. And just when they thought it couldn’t get more personal…
Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, have met and the sparks are flying. For Matilda and Liddy, their precious kin’s romance is their worst nightmare. Now, it’s all Nick and Amelia can do to survive a family feud that has the whole town talking.
The battle for the funeral dinner crown is on. As two strong-willed women wrestle for control, making peace with the past may be the only way to serve the star-crossed lovers a happy ending.
MY THOUGHTS: Carolyn Brown never disappoints. You might know exactly where the book is headed, but she writes with such warmth and wit that the journey is an absolute delight.
One of the many points in favour of this book is the characters. Although we don't get to know them as well as the characters in some of her books and Matilda is a little too much the archetype of 'queen bitch', the characters all have pasts and life experience and a number of them are in their senior years which, for me, makes it all the more interesting.
There are many laugh out loud moments, mainly due to Liddy's snarkiness, and I loved her conversations with God, especially when Matilda was present.
Nick and Amelia both have the measure of their families and are one step ahead of the attempts to derail their romance all the way through.
There is a lot of dialogue in The Bluebonnet Battle, something that I don't usually enjoy but, with Ms Brown's talent for writing with wit and honesty, I enjoyed it all.
I guess I expected this battle, which was less about the funeral dinners and more to do with a parcel of land that Matilda wanted, believing it to be valuable, to have more teeth. It was humorous, but pretty tame.
WARNING: Do not read The Bluebonnet Battle if you are dieting. It is full of delicious food - lemon chess and lemon meringue pies (personally I prefer lemon chess), and brownies, all baked with secret ingredients. Recipes for the pies are included at the end of the book, but Carolyn can you please also share the brownie recipe?
⭐⭐⭐.7
#TheBluebonnetBattle #NetGalley
I: @carolynbrownbooks #montlake
T: @thecarolynbrown #Montlake
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #romance
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: Thank you to Montlake via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn Brown for review. 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/...
March 14, 2022
This is a Southern Women's Fiction. This book me me a while to get pulled into it. I think all the funeral talk at the beginning is why it took me so long to get into this book. After, I got into the characters I loved this book. The characters are so Southern, and they kept me laughing. This book is a Southern Romeo and Juliet retelling feel. I love the small town feeling this book has going on. I normally do not like Romeo and Juliet retellings, but this one was really different and cute. The family war was more cute and funny then there was a real family war. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Montlake) or author (Carolyn Brown) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
February 16, 2022
4.2 Stars
One Liner: Lighthearted and enjoyable.
Liddy Latham, a seventy-something woman, belongs to the Taylor family that owns more than half the land in Bonnet, a small town in Texas. She is cheery, determined, loving, and famous for arranging funeral dinners.
Matilda Monroe comes from the Davis family that has a 30-year plus feud with the Taylor family. Matilda arrives back in Bonnet, intent on destroying Liddy’s life and family. While Liddy’s family backs and supports her all the way, Matilda doesn’t seem to find allies in her own family. After all, not everyone is stupid. That doesn’t deter her, though.
As if the feud isn’t enough, Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, get attracted to each other. The relationship is doomed even before it begins. But hey, the heart wants what it wants.
Can the families, especially the women put an end to the feud for their kids’ happiness? Can Nick and Amelia’s relationship survive when the town is busy snooping on them and betting on the result?
• I’ve read books with Southern humor before, and this one fits perfectly. Even though the book deals with some heavy topics, it is still lighthearted and funny.
• There are so many mentions of brownies, lemon pies, lemon meringues, tacos, and other food that I was glad to read it at night after dinner.
• The characters are distinct and have their quirks. In a book with so many people, it gets easier to keep track of characters.
• This is a dialogue-heavy book. People talk… a lot. This can be an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the reader.
• The first 20-25% is a little slow. Characters appear one after another, and the story starts with death. Once you get hang of the characters, the story picks up pace.
• The writing style is casual and easy, but the formatting felt a little odd. More than a few times, I had to reread to understand who spoke a dialogue.
• The story is kind of Romeo and Juliet retelling. Even if we didn’t guess it, the author made sure to use the reference at least a dozen times.
• There are no mandatory twists or misunderstands for the sake of it. No checklist to adhere to. That’s another plus.
• Nick is a great guy (and he loves cats). He is compassionate but knows his mother well. He doesn’t let her walk all over him.
• Amelia is a cheerful and happy character with tiny hints of insecurities from the past. I like how she doesn’t spend hours dwelling on these aspects.
• Liddy’s move at the climax was a surprise I enjoyed the most. The ending, too, is practical and a little mushy.
To sum up, The Bluebonnet Battle is a lighthearted book that deals with some heavy topics without any drama. After all, a family feud is dramatic enough. ;)
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheBluebonnetBattle #NetGalley
One Liner: Lighthearted and enjoyable.
Liddy Latham, a seventy-something woman, belongs to the Taylor family that owns more than half the land in Bonnet, a small town in Texas. She is cheery, determined, loving, and famous for arranging funeral dinners.
Matilda Monroe comes from the Davis family that has a 30-year plus feud with the Taylor family. Matilda arrives back in Bonnet, intent on destroying Liddy’s life and family. While Liddy’s family backs and supports her all the way, Matilda doesn’t seem to find allies in her own family. After all, not everyone is stupid. That doesn’t deter her, though.
As if the feud isn’t enough, Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, get attracted to each other. The relationship is doomed even before it begins. But hey, the heart wants what it wants.
Can the families, especially the women put an end to the feud for their kids’ happiness? Can Nick and Amelia’s relationship survive when the town is busy snooping on them and betting on the result?
• I’ve read books with Southern humor before, and this one fits perfectly. Even though the book deals with some heavy topics, it is still lighthearted and funny.
• There are so many mentions of brownies, lemon pies, lemon meringues, tacos, and other food that I was glad to read it at night after dinner.
• The characters are distinct and have their quirks. In a book with so many people, it gets easier to keep track of characters.
• This is a dialogue-heavy book. People talk… a lot. This can be an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the reader.
• The first 20-25% is a little slow. Characters appear one after another, and the story starts with death. Once you get hang of the characters, the story picks up pace.
• The writing style is casual and easy, but the formatting felt a little odd. More than a few times, I had to reread to understand who spoke a dialogue.
• The story is kind of Romeo and Juliet retelling. Even if we didn’t guess it, the author made sure to use the reference at least a dozen times.
• There are no mandatory twists or misunderstands for the sake of it. No checklist to adhere to. That’s another plus.
• Nick is a great guy (and he loves cats). He is compassionate but knows his mother well. He doesn’t let her walk all over him.
• Amelia is a cheerful and happy character with tiny hints of insecurities from the past. I like how she doesn’t spend hours dwelling on these aspects.
• Liddy’s move at the climax was a surprise I enjoyed the most. The ending, too, is practical and a little mushy.
To sum up, The Bluebonnet Battle is a lighthearted book that deals with some heavy topics without any drama. After all, a family feud is dramatic enough. ;)
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheBluebonnetBattle #NetGalley
November 6, 2021
I don’t think I have ever mulled over the review of a book as I have over “The Bluebonnet Battle” by Carolyn Brown. It was most definitely not that I didn’t like the book because I loved it from the first word. The problem was all the different scenarios, the different relationships, and the interactions of all the characters. Mrs. Brown is a master at character development. She makes her characters so realistic that you put yourself in their places and almost imagine yourself in their shoes.
This book was set in a small Texas town. For any of you raised in the South, you know that the small towns across the lower half of the US are all the same. Probably the ones in the upper half are also the same. Small towns are just that, small towns. Everybody knows your business, your relations, and just about everything about you.
So, there you have the setting. Now, the story, well, it is a little bit of lots of things. A little bit of romance, yes. A little bit of mystery, yes. A little bit about growing up, yes. A little bit about competition, yes. Now, you get the idea. And the interactions of all these elements keep you wondering what could happen next.
One of the nicest parts of this book is the characters aren’t all young and beautiful. There are several Seniors that don’t fail to live up to the idea that Seniors don’t hold back. The dialog is so real and so funny that you forget this book is dealing with many serious subjects. Death is on the very first page, but Mrs. Brown knows how to handle it to not let it overshadow the book.
I could just go on and on, but I don’t want to bore you. Just do yourself a favor and read this book. You won’t be sorry.
And to Mrs. Carolyn Brown, thank you for the ARC copy you sent me but thank you for the exceptional, talented writing. You make the world and my life a much better place with a lot of joy in it. Please keep writing and I hope you keep sending ARCs. Even this review turned out to be very easy. The book was terrific.
This book was set in a small Texas town. For any of you raised in the South, you know that the small towns across the lower half of the US are all the same. Probably the ones in the upper half are also the same. Small towns are just that, small towns. Everybody knows your business, your relations, and just about everything about you.
So, there you have the setting. Now, the story, well, it is a little bit of lots of things. A little bit of romance, yes. A little bit of mystery, yes. A little bit about growing up, yes. A little bit about competition, yes. Now, you get the idea. And the interactions of all these elements keep you wondering what could happen next.
One of the nicest parts of this book is the characters aren’t all young and beautiful. There are several Seniors that don’t fail to live up to the idea that Seniors don’t hold back. The dialog is so real and so funny that you forget this book is dealing with many serious subjects. Death is on the very first page, but Mrs. Brown knows how to handle it to not let it overshadow the book.
I could just go on and on, but I don’t want to bore you. Just do yourself a favor and read this book. You won’t be sorry.
And to Mrs. Carolyn Brown, thank you for the ARC copy you sent me but thank you for the exceptional, talented writing. You make the world and my life a much better place with a lot of joy in it. Please keep writing and I hope you keep sending ARCs. Even this review turned out to be very easy. The book was terrific.
January 23, 2022
The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn Brown is a sweet look at small-town life in Texas. This delightful look into small-town life made me laugh, giggle and smile, and if this story doesn’t make you crave a Lemon pie then nothing will.
Recently retired Laddie Lantham lives to serve the small town of Bonnet, Texas, and her church. She’s been organizing the funeral dinners for years, and she keeps tabs on her brother, Paul, and his wife, Ruth Ann, and her niece Amelia. She also works at the hospital as a volunteer with her sister-in-law, Ruth Ann. But, when her arch-enemy, Matilda, comes back to town with her son, Nick, Laddie’s quiet life is turned upside down. Matilda insists on doing the funeral dinners with healthy, vegan dishes instead of the homestyle fare that is usually served. The years-long feud between Laddie’s family and Matilda’s family is dredged back up, and it’s a full-time battle in the town of Bonnet, Texas.
However, when Laddie’s niece, Amelia, and Matilda’s son Nick start to have feelings for each other, the older generation is not having it. Nick and Amelia know they can’t have a relationship with their families feuding, especially in a town the size of Bonnet. But, they can’t seem to keep away from each other. Can their love finally repair the decades-long feud between their two families?
I enjoyed this fun, sweet story of small-town life in Texas. The main characters were definitely Laddie and Matilda and the book focused on their feud and the years of hurt and miscommunication that fed the feud for decades. The romance between Nick and Ameilia was sweet but secondary to the main story of the feuding families. I did feel like the feud was a bit over the top and dominated the story a bit too much. I enjoyed the small-town feel, and the side characters very much.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about small-town life. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Recently retired Laddie Lantham lives to serve the small town of Bonnet, Texas, and her church. She’s been organizing the funeral dinners for years, and she keeps tabs on her brother, Paul, and his wife, Ruth Ann, and her niece Amelia. She also works at the hospital as a volunteer with her sister-in-law, Ruth Ann. But, when her arch-enemy, Matilda, comes back to town with her son, Nick, Laddie’s quiet life is turned upside down. Matilda insists on doing the funeral dinners with healthy, vegan dishes instead of the homestyle fare that is usually served. The years-long feud between Laddie’s family and Matilda’s family is dredged back up, and it’s a full-time battle in the town of Bonnet, Texas.
However, when Laddie’s niece, Amelia, and Matilda’s son Nick start to have feelings for each other, the older generation is not having it. Nick and Amelia know they can’t have a relationship with their families feuding, especially in a town the size of Bonnet. But, they can’t seem to keep away from each other. Can their love finally repair the decades-long feud between their two families?
I enjoyed this fun, sweet story of small-town life in Texas. The main characters were definitely Laddie and Matilda and the book focused on their feud and the years of hurt and miscommunication that fed the feud for decades. The romance between Nick and Ameilia was sweet but secondary to the main story of the feuding families. I did feel like the feud was a bit over the top and dominated the story a bit too much. I enjoyed the small-town feel, and the side characters very much.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about small-town life. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 5, 2023
Let’s get ready to rumble small-town country style! When Liddy Latham learns her hated enemy is coming back to her town, she’s ready to fight Mathilda Monroe with all she has and the whole town is either taking sides or settling their lawn chairs in for front row seats. With such goings on, what are the chances for their survival when Liddy’s niece and Mathilda’s son feel quite the opposite of enemies when they meet over the dessert table at the latest town funeral? I got comfy and settled in to find out.
The Bluebonnet Battle is quintessential Carolyn Brown. Down home cooking, feuding chicanery, family loving, and a healthy helping of sweet small town romance served up with a generous slice of Libby’s lemon pie. Libby is the spirited head of her family and she is one strong woman going through losses that would take the heart out of most people and the person she blames for the most difficult loss is now strutting in her designer heels and threatening to break up all Libby’s peace.
I enjoyed that there is a little mystery at first as the reader is left wondering about the back history between Libby and Mathilda and between Mathilda and her brother who is nothing like her. Mathilda is a real piece of work and doesn’t seem to come with one redeeming quality. It’s not hard to take Libby’s side and cheer her on to block Mathilda’s antics. Later in the book, some nuances are introduced to explain (not resolve) Mathilda’s behavior. And, Libby isn’t without her need to work through her own pain so she doesn’t end up hurting Amelia who has fallen for good-hearted Nick Monroe. Nick is nothing like his mother, but at first, some aren’t sure so he has to work a little harder to win the town’s respect and especially Libby and her family.
There are several moments of fun antics, but also the slower-paced everyday life events as friends and family get together. The pace lags a little, but not enough to distract. The focus of this book being on funerals many of the time because Libby has the role of funeral supper organizer in the small down, but the tone isn’t sad. Libby and her friends have an important role because they help with that time of deep grief and loss by providing the comfort of food and the memories that come with talking about food. I thought this was a poignant element in the story.
Family is huge so there is the warmth and closeness of Libby and her Taylor family juxtaposed with Nick feeling the difference between them and his mom’s antagonistic and narcissistic approach. Nick was lucky to have his dad even after his dad divorced his mom and moved on and he was particularly close to his mom’s brother who taught him to be the man that Amelia could respect and fall for. Their romance is cute the way they have to sneak it and also sweet because they learn to fall in love even with great opposition and past history with bad relationships. I liked how the romance blended nicely with the women’s fiction aspect of the story.
All in all, it was a relaxing, engaging read that had me laughing and sighing in turn. Definitely another good one from Carolyn Brown that I can recommend to new fans who like country-charmers with lots of small town, family, and romance.
I rec'd an eARC from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
The Bluebonnet Battle is quintessential Carolyn Brown. Down home cooking, feuding chicanery, family loving, and a healthy helping of sweet small town romance served up with a generous slice of Libby’s lemon pie. Libby is the spirited head of her family and she is one strong woman going through losses that would take the heart out of most people and the person she blames for the most difficult loss is now strutting in her designer heels and threatening to break up all Libby’s peace.
I enjoyed that there is a little mystery at first as the reader is left wondering about the back history between Libby and Mathilda and between Mathilda and her brother who is nothing like her. Mathilda is a real piece of work and doesn’t seem to come with one redeeming quality. It’s not hard to take Libby’s side and cheer her on to block Mathilda’s antics. Later in the book, some nuances are introduced to explain (not resolve) Mathilda’s behavior. And, Libby isn’t without her need to work through her own pain so she doesn’t end up hurting Amelia who has fallen for good-hearted Nick Monroe. Nick is nothing like his mother, but at first, some aren’t sure so he has to work a little harder to win the town’s respect and especially Libby and her family.
There are several moments of fun antics, but also the slower-paced everyday life events as friends and family get together. The pace lags a little, but not enough to distract. The focus of this book being on funerals many of the time because Libby has the role of funeral supper organizer in the small down, but the tone isn’t sad. Libby and her friends have an important role because they help with that time of deep grief and loss by providing the comfort of food and the memories that come with talking about food. I thought this was a poignant element in the story.
Family is huge so there is the warmth and closeness of Libby and her Taylor family juxtaposed with Nick feeling the difference between them and his mom’s antagonistic and narcissistic approach. Nick was lucky to have his dad even after his dad divorced his mom and moved on and he was particularly close to his mom’s brother who taught him to be the man that Amelia could respect and fall for. Their romance is cute the way they have to sneak it and also sweet because they learn to fall in love even with great opposition and past history with bad relationships. I liked how the romance blended nicely with the women’s fiction aspect of the story.
All in all, it was a relaxing, engaging read that had me laughing and sighing in turn. Definitely another good one from Carolyn Brown that I can recommend to new fans who like country-charmers with lots of small town, family, and romance.
I rec'd an eARC from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2021
Couldn’t put it down! As usual Carolyn Brown doesn’t disappoint. This book has a great cast of small town characters that I can relate to and a jerky antagonist that I want to smack! Absolutely love this book
October 18, 2021
Loved this book - it came to me at the right time. Carolyns books will remind you of family, good times, memories, and just plain ole good reading. This book was a reminder of me and my husband. Thank you Carolyn.
I recommend her books any day
I recommend her books any day
March 3, 2022
Carolyn Brown writes marvelous Southern small-town stories, and this was no exception. The characters are believable, and the setting is quintessential small-town. The story opens with the traditional Southern reaction to a death - bring food. Liddy Latham, a lifetime resident of Bonnet, is the uncontested queen of funeral dinners. She coordinates the details, supervises the setup, and ensures that all runs smoothly. Liddy has a big heart and loves helping others.
Mathilda Monroe, who grew up in Bonnet but left as soon as she found a rich man to marry, is now divorced and has returned to Bonnet. She has her own ideas of what should be served at the dinners and is determined to have her way. Mathilda is one of those people who believes she is always right, and if something goes wrong, it is someone else's fault. She is opinionated, snobby, and obnoxious.
Liddy and Mathilda have a history that goes back decades, and it isn't pretty. Liddy is determined to protect Bonnet and its way of life, while Mathilda wants to "civilize" it and destroy Liddy in the process. The encounters between these two women are epic as Mathilda tries to steamroller over Liddy and anyone else who gets in her way. Case in point: the Festival. Mathilda swoops into the last meeting with grand ideas on how to "improve" it while eliminating any of the traditional things that everyone looks forward to. I loved seeing Liddy and most other committee members shoot her down with logic. Confrontations continue with Mathilda growing more frustrated each day.
Accompanying Mathilda to Bonnet was her son Nick. His Uncle Harry (Mathilda's older brother) is the local real estate agent and has invited Nick to take over the business as he retires. Nick is good-looking, charming, and nothing like his mother. He avoids her whenever possible, ignores her when he can, and stands up to her when he must. Having witnessed his parents' marriage, Nick intends to remain a bachelor like Harry. Then he spots a woman across the church fellowship hall.
Amelia is Liddy's niece and a schoolteacher. She's sweet, kind-hearted, and helps Liddy whenever she can. She recently ended a relationship that has left her wary of men and distrustful of her judgment. She's grown up on stories of the feud between her family and Mathilda's.
When Nick and Amelia meet, there is no hiding the sparks that light up the air around them. Their relatives make it plain that a relationship is impossible, though Mathilda's attitude is far more vicious. But Nick and Amelia find ways to meet in secret, which is not easy in a small town. There are some creative encounters where they are helped by friends, resulting in strong reactions. I loved seeing them get to know each other and grow closer with every meeting. Amelia worries a little about it being a case of " forbidden fruit," but Nick is sure of his feelings. I loved how Harry stepped in with an invitation to visit him in Florida so they could explore their feelings away from the pressure of their families.
I loved the ending as Amelia and Nick make their decision. The question then becomes one of their families' reactions. I loved seeing Liddy work through her feelings, facing what would happen depending on what she did. I wasn't surprised by her decision and laughed out loud at her phone call with Amelia. Neither was I surprised at Mathilda's reaction. The capper was the conversation between Liddy and Mathilda. The setting was perfect, and the preacher's actions made it even better.
#netgalley
Mathilda Monroe, who grew up in Bonnet but left as soon as she found a rich man to marry, is now divorced and has returned to Bonnet. She has her own ideas of what should be served at the dinners and is determined to have her way. Mathilda is one of those people who believes she is always right, and if something goes wrong, it is someone else's fault. She is opinionated, snobby, and obnoxious.
Liddy and Mathilda have a history that goes back decades, and it isn't pretty. Liddy is determined to protect Bonnet and its way of life, while Mathilda wants to "civilize" it and destroy Liddy in the process. The encounters between these two women are epic as Mathilda tries to steamroller over Liddy and anyone else who gets in her way. Case in point: the Festival. Mathilda swoops into the last meeting with grand ideas on how to "improve" it while eliminating any of the traditional things that everyone looks forward to. I loved seeing Liddy and most other committee members shoot her down with logic. Confrontations continue with Mathilda growing more frustrated each day.
Accompanying Mathilda to Bonnet was her son Nick. His Uncle Harry (Mathilda's older brother) is the local real estate agent and has invited Nick to take over the business as he retires. Nick is good-looking, charming, and nothing like his mother. He avoids her whenever possible, ignores her when he can, and stands up to her when he must. Having witnessed his parents' marriage, Nick intends to remain a bachelor like Harry. Then he spots a woman across the church fellowship hall.
Amelia is Liddy's niece and a schoolteacher. She's sweet, kind-hearted, and helps Liddy whenever she can. She recently ended a relationship that has left her wary of men and distrustful of her judgment. She's grown up on stories of the feud between her family and Mathilda's.
When Nick and Amelia meet, there is no hiding the sparks that light up the air around them. Their relatives make it plain that a relationship is impossible, though Mathilda's attitude is far more vicious. But Nick and Amelia find ways to meet in secret, which is not easy in a small town. There are some creative encounters where they are helped by friends, resulting in strong reactions. I loved seeing them get to know each other and grow closer with every meeting. Amelia worries a little about it being a case of " forbidden fruit," but Nick is sure of his feelings. I loved how Harry stepped in with an invitation to visit him in Florida so they could explore their feelings away from the pressure of their families.
I loved the ending as Amelia and Nick make their decision. The question then becomes one of their families' reactions. I loved seeing Liddy work through her feelings, facing what would happen depending on what she did. I wasn't surprised by her decision and laughed out loud at her phone call with Amelia. Neither was I surprised at Mathilda's reaction. The capper was the conversation between Liddy and Mathilda. The setting was perfect, and the preacher's actions made it even better.
#netgalley
March 11, 2022
Great fun!
March 17, 2022
Meh --- not at all what I was expecting. After reading the blurb, I thought this might be a funny read about the battle for community 'supremacy' between two old rivals. It was that -- but in a much nastier way than I expected. When Matilda Monroe returns to the small town of Bonnet, TX, she rides in with fire in her eyes and a huge stripe of narcissim that hasn't dissipated since she left Bonnet years ago.
Anyway - suffice it to say, that this was not a comfort ready, or a light-hearted venture into a sweet small town in Texas. There were old hurts that no-one could let go of. Did I already mention that Matilda had no redeeming qualities? She really was a send-up of the Wicked Witch of the West. She was just over the top horrible.
My suggestion is to give this one a pass unless you like a big serving of ugly with your small town potlucks.
Anyway - suffice it to say, that this was not a comfort ready, or a light-hearted venture into a sweet small town in Texas. There were old hurts that no-one could let go of. Did I already mention that Matilda had no redeeming qualities? She really was a send-up of the Wicked Witch of the West. She was just over the top horrible.
My suggestion is to give this one a pass unless you like a big serving of ugly with your small town potlucks.
April 21, 2022
I know everytime I pick up a Carolyn Brown book that I am in for a great story, and Bluebonnet Battle was another winner. In Bonnet, Texas, Liddy Latham and Matilda Monroe have had a feud going for years. Matilda married and moved away, but with her recent divorce, she has returned to Bonnet and the feud has heated it. It takes the form of funeral lunches, church socials and festivals and events, but it is heating up with Liddy worried about what Matilda might pull. Matilda’s son, Nick, has also returned to Bonnet as his uncle is retiring and wants Nick to take over his business. When Liddy’s niece, Amelia and Nick meet each other, sparks fly. For Matilda and Liddy, their precious kin’s romance is their worst nightmare. Amelia and Nick want to come up with a plan to end the feud so they can have their happily ever after.
This is definitely a character driven story and these characters were wonderful. As we learned about the past, we find out that the feud started years ago over a piece of land. Although both Liddy and Matilda had issues and carried on the years old feud, Matilda was a B---ch of the first degree. There was not one thing to like about her and it always surprises me when this type of person has a posse agreeing with them. I love the witty banter that is included in this story and with the amount of dialogue, that is necessary. The characters are very southern with their mannerisms and language, which often makes me giggle. There are a lot of times that I laughed out loud, usually with Liddy's quick mouth and snarky comments. Nick and Amelia both know what is going on and want their families to mend their ways. It is an old feud and they need to move on. They are working on their own plans for a Happily Ever After. The blurb makes is sound like the story is about funeral dinners, and although that is part of the story, it is much more. The story is about revenge, forgiveness, moving on, reconciliation, and of course romance. It was a bit of a tame retelling of Romeo and Juliet without the tragic ending. As usual, this is a clean, wholesome story. I enjoyed a read/listen of this book, narrated by Brittany Pressley. I enjoyed her performance especially as she can "Bless Your Heart" with the best of them.
This is definitely a character driven story and these characters were wonderful. As we learned about the past, we find out that the feud started years ago over a piece of land. Although both Liddy and Matilda had issues and carried on the years old feud, Matilda was a B---ch of the first degree. There was not one thing to like about her and it always surprises me when this type of person has a posse agreeing with them. I love the witty banter that is included in this story and with the amount of dialogue, that is necessary. The characters are very southern with their mannerisms and language, which often makes me giggle. There are a lot of times that I laughed out loud, usually with Liddy's quick mouth and snarky comments. Nick and Amelia both know what is going on and want their families to mend their ways. It is an old feud and they need to move on. They are working on their own plans for a Happily Ever After. The blurb makes is sound like the story is about funeral dinners, and although that is part of the story, it is much more. The story is about revenge, forgiveness, moving on, reconciliation, and of course romance. It was a bit of a tame retelling of Romeo and Juliet without the tragic ending. As usual, this is a clean, wholesome story. I enjoyed a read/listen of this book, narrated by Brittany Pressley. I enjoyed her performance especially as she can "Bless Your Heart" with the best of them.
February 27, 2022
Carolyn Brown has written another fantastic book that you will not be able to put down. The Bluebonnet Battle is her latest and one of her greatest. This is a well written story that Brown brings to life. A small town in Texas filled with traditions, family, friendships, love and a feud that goes back decades, are just some of the highlights for this one! Brown’s writings bring the town to life along with the very entertaining characters. This story will make you laugh out loud and warm your heart! It is fun to read and makes you turn those pages to find out what happens next. I love Carolyn Brown’s books and each one I read becomes my favorite. I highly recommend this sweet book or any other book by this very talented author.
Many thanks to Carolyn Brown and Montlake for an advanced copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my unbiased review. I look forward to her next great book.
#thebluebonnetbattle #carolynbrown #montlake
#arc
Many thanks to Carolyn Brown and Montlake for an advanced copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my unbiased review. I look forward to her next great book.
#thebluebonnetbattle #carolynbrown #montlake
#arc
March 8, 2022
In the small town of Bonnet, Tx, Liddy Latham reigns supreme over the funeral suppers, and other social events in town. She loves to feed her friends and neighbors with good old southern cooking that brings comfort for whatever the occasion. But soon, an ill wind blows into town in the form of her very least favorite person in the world, Matilde Monroe and it maybe be pistols at down, as Matilda seems to think she can come into town and take over the funeral dinners and other places situations where Liddy has been the one to be at the forefront. And the whole town just may have to take sides to see whose food will come out on top. And into the mix is Liddy’s niece Amelia and Matilda's son Nick whose eyes met across a crowded room and the sparks nearly set the church on fire... There is no way Liddy is going to let Matilda have reign over her town. Can Nick and Amelia be the ones, as their relationship builds to heal Liddy’s heart and melt Matilda's, and they can each live in harmony in Bonnet, TX.
As always Carolyn Brown has me hooked with in the first page of her book with her strong southern women, who you just want to sit down at the table with your fav beverage have a natter and catch up with your lives. This story really resonated with me because of the conflicts between Liddy and Matilda and as I was reading the story, in some parts were things that have happened in my own family and how they were resolved. It’s done with that southern charm and humor, great characters and a wonderful story that will have you laughing and crying and at the same time cheering for the good guys. Carolyn Brown’s books always leave me with a warm and happy feeling at the finish of her story.
This ARC was kindly provided to me by the author and I gladly give my honest review of this book. Thank you Carolyn Brown with trusting me with your wonderful story's.
As always Carolyn Brown has me hooked with in the first page of her book with her strong southern women, who you just want to sit down at the table with your fav beverage have a natter and catch up with your lives. This story really resonated with me because of the conflicts between Liddy and Matilda and as I was reading the story, in some parts were things that have happened in my own family and how they were resolved. It’s done with that southern charm and humor, great characters and a wonderful story that will have you laughing and crying and at the same time cheering for the good guys. Carolyn Brown’s books always leave me with a warm and happy feeling at the finish of her story.
This ARC was kindly provided to me by the author and I gladly give my honest review of this book. Thank you Carolyn Brown with trusting me with your wonderful story's.
March 31, 2022
I was sucked in by the title and the cover because I do love me some bluebonnets. (Although, upon closer inspection, I am not 100% sure those are even bluebonnets. Gasp!) Sadly, like a lot of this book, the setting was not fully laid out, which was a disappointment because Texas in the springtime is a special thing. That wasn't really its only shortcoming, though.
All in all, it took me a long time to get into. I initially found the characters empty and formulaic, all caricatures without substance. But somewhere about halfway through, I connected with Nick and Amelia, and this book became much more enjoyable. Their struggle to figure out how to have a relationship despite their warring families' silly feud was cute, and while most of the characters continued to be boring and one-dimensional, Nick and Amelia carried the rest of the book. I mean, they didn't carry it far, but they carried me to the finish line.
That said, the dialogue was flat and silly in a lot of places. No, someone you dislike does not give you hives. That is a legitimate medical condition. The constant obsession with making the "evil" Matilda a crusader for health by making her vegan was overdone and under-researched. Not all vegan food is healthy. French fries are (usually) vegan. Oreos are vegan. It was like mindless babble, creating a stereotype that didn't even make sense if you knew what you were talking about. The town was full of small-minded people who held grudges (well-placed or not), and I am not sure that was intentional or the byproduct of an author that was just throwing whatever at the wall. And the drama in this book was pretty feeble, so do not expect any plot twists or juicy subplots. This book is about as juicy as a 3-month old lemon left in the back of your fridge. Probably don't make a pie with that.
All in all, it took me a long time to get into. I initially found the characters empty and formulaic, all caricatures without substance. But somewhere about halfway through, I connected with Nick and Amelia, and this book became much more enjoyable. Their struggle to figure out how to have a relationship despite their warring families' silly feud was cute, and while most of the characters continued to be boring and one-dimensional, Nick and Amelia carried the rest of the book. I mean, they didn't carry it far, but they carried me to the finish line.
That said, the dialogue was flat and silly in a lot of places. No, someone you dislike does not give you hives. That is a legitimate medical condition. The constant obsession with making the "evil" Matilda a crusader for health by making her vegan was overdone and under-researched. Not all vegan food is healthy. French fries are (usually) vegan. Oreos are vegan. It was like mindless babble, creating a stereotype that didn't even make sense if you knew what you were talking about. The town was full of small-minded people who held grudges (well-placed or not), and I am not sure that was intentional or the byproduct of an author that was just throwing whatever at the wall. And the drama in this book was pretty feeble, so do not expect any plot twists or juicy subplots. This book is about as juicy as a 3-month old lemon left in the back of your fridge. Probably don't make a pie with that.
April 12, 2022
I should've quit reading this book after the 15th time it was reiterated that Matilda is a terrible person... The story, which desperately needed narrative exposition instead of endless dialogue about what everyone involved should've already known, centers on two families that are feuding. In case you don't get that, the constant Romeo and Juliet references will pound it into your head. Tilly is the matriarch for her family. She makes pies for funerals - didn't know that was a thing - and she hates Matilda, the matriarch of the other family. In her defense, Matilda is awful; awful as in no redeeming quality whatsoever. Apparently, the author needed an antagonist, and decided nuance was for wimps.
Of course Tilly's insipid niece and Matilda's one-note son fall in love. It's never clear to me why they fall in love, as they spend about ten minutes together making small talk and then, like magic, love happens. Oh wait, Romeo and Juliet. I get it.
I like the occasional book set in the South that focuses on food. But the only food we get is Tilly's lemon pies (recipe included at the back of the book, so that's something), and her entire family's judgmental take on Matilda's veganism. Matilda also sits in vegan judgement about the entire town's eating habits, so there's plenty of stupid grumping to go around.
I simply do not understand all the 5 star ratings this book has received. The characters are insipid, no one has any depth at all, and the plot is boring. How much am I supposed to care about two underwritten characters' love interest, constant Romeo and Juliet references notwithstanding? But then, I'm the one who read every word. I have to stop doing that. This one should've landed in the "did not finish" pile 50 pages in. Ugh.
Of course Tilly's insipid niece and Matilda's one-note son fall in love. It's never clear to me why they fall in love, as they spend about ten minutes together making small talk and then, like magic, love happens. Oh wait, Romeo and Juliet. I get it.
I like the occasional book set in the South that focuses on food. But the only food we get is Tilly's lemon pies (recipe included at the back of the book, so that's something), and her entire family's judgmental take on Matilda's veganism. Matilda also sits in vegan judgement about the entire town's eating habits, so there's plenty of stupid grumping to go around.
I simply do not understand all the 5 star ratings this book has received. The characters are insipid, no one has any depth at all, and the plot is boring. How much am I supposed to care about two underwritten characters' love interest, constant Romeo and Juliet references notwithstanding? But then, I'm the one who read every word. I have to stop doing that. This one should've landed in the "did not finish" pile 50 pages in. Ugh.
October 25, 2021
The Bluebonnet Battle was another masterpiece with a lot of laughter and let's not forget attitude! When Liddy Latham is faced with the return of her longtime arch nemesis, Matilda Monroe, she doesn't think anything could be worse, but when her beloved niece Amelia falls in love with Matilda's son, Nick, the battle is just beginning! Will true love be enough or will old scars tear the young couple apart?
Author Carolyn Brown knows how to lift my spirits! The charming characters are filled with so many funny euphemism's that will have the reader laughing out loud. I can never get enough of one of my favorite authors books! I highly recommend this funny, heartfelt novel! I was given this ARC by the Author, to whom I truly thank, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are truly my own!
Author Carolyn Brown knows how to lift my spirits! The charming characters are filled with so many funny euphemism's that will have the reader laughing out loud. I can never get enough of one of my favorite authors books! I highly recommend this funny, heartfelt novel! I was given this ARC by the Author, to whom I truly thank, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are truly my own!
September 16, 2025
Grab a glass of sweet tea and settle in for another Carolyn Brown fantastic read. The small town life is opened for all to enjoy with characters you know you must have met in the line at the local grocery! No one developed characters as rich , full of sass, brass and class. The younger generation is struggling to live their lives while respecting t their elders. Family dynamics are exposed with unexpected results and as always you don’t want this book to end. Join Liddy and her friends as they deal with Matilda and her vegan assault of the southern tradition of more butter is always good. You will be the big winner with a recipe in the back for the best Lemon Chess Pie I have ever made!!! Will try the Lemon Mergingue next.
October 23, 2021
This was another score for Carolyn Brown. She continues to have the uncanny ability to bring the intricate fabrics of small towns to life. Her respect of the past and the elder generation shows as she brings yet another set of sassy older women to life! She also seems to understand the younger generations struggles to not forget the past while still trying to strive for the direction their future will take. This is a must read if you enjoy real life romance and family trials and bonding.
February 14, 2022
This book was a fun, fast-paced read, with some rollicking good times between the two feuding ladies and their friends and family. Liddy Latham is famous for her lemon pies, baking them for each funeral that occurs in the small town of Bonnet. A widow whose son died young, she could be lonely, but she isn’t because she busies herself with her baking and with her sister Ruth Ann and Ruth Ann’s daughters, Amelia and Bridget. Amelia is a central character in the story, a school teacher who wants to find romance but who has already been burned once so is very wary of the opposite sex. The setting is a typical small town in which everyone knows everything about everybody. Enter Matilda Monroe, a former resident who wants to make her mark on the town and do all she can to take Liddy’s influence over the town away. With Matilda comes her charming son Nick, a man not to be trampled on by his wealthy, better-than-everyone-else mother. Nick and Amelia meet and then all bets are off and the story races to a satisfactory conclusion. Nick and Amelia have to hide their budding relationship from Matilda and from Liddy, neither of whom would approve since they have an ongoing feud. There are a lot of details that I will not go into about the reasons for the enmity between the two woman because I don’t want to spoil the story, but suffice it to say that I am in Liddy’s corner. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the really cute way that Nick went about wooing Amelia, in spite of the fact that she was the niece of his mother’s sworn enemy. I enjoyed the dialogues between the characters as they tried to work out compromises and everyday life issues. The story was realistically portrayed as well as humorous, although there was no humor in the death of Liddy’s son Richie. I found that part of the book to be enlightening, but also very sad. The pace of the book was engaging, keeping me entertained and wanting to read more each time I had to put the book down to go to bed. I tried to figure out a way that the author would be able to work out a relationship between Nick and Amelia without having to kill off either Liddy or Matilda and I just couldn’t do it. The talented author came to a conclusion that I had not thought of and that made the ending as enjoyable as the rest of the book. With characterization an important part of the story, the author did a masterful job of bringing the characters to life and giving each of them a three-dimensional outlook on life and the world in general. Bonus is that there are recipes at the end! A good, light read with some extramarital sex and a few expletives, for which the characters generally apologize to God for using.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
January 15, 2022
Another classic rom-com tale from Carolyn Brown set in small town, America. Neither the Hatfields and the McCoys or Romeo and Juliet have nothing on these folks.
A feud that goes back several generations, the Taylors and the Davis’s have hated each other with a vengeance, or at least most of them have. Liddy is the Queen Bee and a true Southern Genteel Steel Magnolia. A septuagenarian, she is the go-to for all the funeral dinners in Bluebonnet. She is fiercely protective of her family and that includes her niece Amelia, a local school teacher. Upon the dual death of two locals, who returns to town but Matilda, Liddy’s arch nemesis and with good reason. Matilda is a Davis and a true narcisstic character that is a sight to behold. Liddy hates her for her part in the death of her only son. Matilda’s only redeeming quality is that she is mother to Nick gentleman son who will not be run over by his selfish mother. Nick is set to put down roots in Bluebonnet and take over for his uncle Harry while Matilda, newly divorced from Nick’s dad wants to stay and bring a little class to town that likes tradition and bring demise to Liddy. Much to the dismay of both Liddy and Matilda, sparks fly between Nick and Amelia as they strike up a warm friendship. Could this be the end of the feud or will more bloodshed ensue?
I love when Carolyn Brown gives us a tale of good old fashion romance served with down home Southern charm. Liddy has so much spitfire and Matilda is a character to hate. Pure joy! This is a fun read and a good way to lose yourself with a chuckle here and there. I enjoyed being able to forget everything else and visit Bluebonnet and all of its characters who are truly characters worth knowing.
Many thanks to #netgalley #carolynbrown #bluebonnetbattle for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A feud that goes back several generations, the Taylors and the Davis’s have hated each other with a vengeance, or at least most of them have. Liddy is the Queen Bee and a true Southern Genteel Steel Magnolia. A septuagenarian, she is the go-to for all the funeral dinners in Bluebonnet. She is fiercely protective of her family and that includes her niece Amelia, a local school teacher. Upon the dual death of two locals, who returns to town but Matilda, Liddy’s arch nemesis and with good reason. Matilda is a Davis and a true narcisstic character that is a sight to behold. Liddy hates her for her part in the death of her only son. Matilda’s only redeeming quality is that she is mother to Nick gentleman son who will not be run over by his selfish mother. Nick is set to put down roots in Bluebonnet and take over for his uncle Harry while Matilda, newly divorced from Nick’s dad wants to stay and bring a little class to town that likes tradition and bring demise to Liddy. Much to the dismay of both Liddy and Matilda, sparks fly between Nick and Amelia as they strike up a warm friendship. Could this be the end of the feud or will more bloodshed ensue?
I love when Carolyn Brown gives us a tale of good old fashion romance served with down home Southern charm. Liddy has so much spitfire and Matilda is a character to hate. Pure joy! This is a fun read and a good way to lose yourself with a chuckle here and there. I enjoyed being able to forget everything else and visit Bluebonnet and all of its characters who are truly characters worth knowing.
Many thanks to #netgalley #carolynbrown #bluebonnetbattle for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 19, 2022
3.5 stars
This is Southern women’s fiction. Author Carolyn Brown’s inimitable style prevails in this small town story. It’s a Hatfield & McCoy type 30-yr feud that affects the budding romance of two people from each side of the battle lines between Aunt Liddy and nasty Mathilda. Liddy hates Mathilda with good reason, and Mathilda hates Liddy just because she’s a selfish and mean person.
Ms Brown’s characters are numerous and thrown at you right at the get-go, but don’t fear, you’ll get them straightened out in no time. and her southern sense of humor shines. Sit yourself down for a spell in Bluebonnet, TX and get acquainted with this cast of characters. It’s a fast, entertaining read, and oh, there’s lemon pie!… and recipes… my favorite!
My thanks to publishers Montlake, via NetGalley for the e-arc provided for my reading enjoyment and unbiased review. Get your copy March 8, 2022 at your favorite retailer.
This is Southern women’s fiction. Author Carolyn Brown’s inimitable style prevails in this small town story. It’s a Hatfield & McCoy type 30-yr feud that affects the budding romance of two people from each side of the battle lines between Aunt Liddy and nasty Mathilda. Liddy hates Mathilda with good reason, and Mathilda hates Liddy just because she’s a selfish and mean person.
Ms Brown’s characters are numerous and thrown at you right at the get-go, but don’t fear, you’ll get them straightened out in no time. and her southern sense of humor shines. Sit yourself down for a spell in Bluebonnet, TX and get acquainted with this cast of characters. It’s a fast, entertaining read, and oh, there’s lemon pie!… and recipes… my favorite!
My thanks to publishers Montlake, via NetGalley for the e-arc provided for my reading enjoyment and unbiased review. Get your copy March 8, 2022 at your favorite retailer.
November 10, 2022
~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~
Carolyn Brown is one of my go-to favs. For me, her books are what I think of when I hear the term "southern fiction." Brown's books are always chock full of eccentric characters, family drama, and sticky situations. I love the humor within The Bluebonnet Battle's storyline. And I love the characters-Aunt Liddy and Matilda are hilarious! The plot of this book follows Amelia and Nick, who are attracted to each other but both come from warring families (think Romeo and Juliet). This is an entertaining book about family, love, and forgiveness! A fun, light-weight read to add to your list!
Carolyn Brown is one of my go-to favs. For me, her books are what I think of when I hear the term "southern fiction." Brown's books are always chock full of eccentric characters, family drama, and sticky situations. I love the humor within The Bluebonnet Battle's storyline. And I love the characters-Aunt Liddy and Matilda are hilarious! The plot of this book follows Amelia and Nick, who are attracted to each other but both come from warring families (think Romeo and Juliet). This is an entertaining book about family, love, and forgiveness! A fun, light-weight read to add to your list!
March 5, 2022
Bluebonnet Battle is a southern story that started out a bit slow for me. The pace does pick up which did keep me engaged in the storyline.
A long standing feud is the main part of the story. In the mix are major family issues that need to be addressed.
Many laugh out loud, hilarious moments that will have you smiling and giggling.
Engaging characters FULL of personality.
Carolyn Brown is a writer that has you seeing what she is writing about.
Loved the recipes for Liddy’s lemon pies in the back of the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
A long standing feud is the main part of the story. In the mix are major family issues that need to be addressed.
Many laugh out loud, hilarious moments that will have you smiling and giggling.
Engaging characters FULL of personality.
Carolyn Brown is a writer that has you seeing what she is writing about.
Loved the recipes for Liddy’s lemon pies in the back of the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
February 13, 2022
There's lovin' and fightin' in this heartwarming story of a family feud and a couple caught in the middle of it!
It's a fight for the heart and soul and also the funeral dinner rights of the small Texas town, Bonnet. In this corner is Liddy Latham who has lived in Bonnet all her life, has carried on the funeral dinner tradition of her mother and grandmother and wants the small town to stay just as it is, friendly and welcoming.
In the opposite corner is Liddy's bitter rival, Matilda Monroe, who is mean and nasty and who moved away from Bonnet a number of years ago to marry a man for money and a more urbane and sophisticated life. She is back in Bonnet after her divorce and wants to change the friendly town into her fiefdom with sophisticated progress and snobby ways. Also she wants to ruin Liddy financially and queen it over Liddy and the whole town.
During the course of this story there are a number of rounds fought. But in the end... she's down for the count. But who wins, you ask. That's for the author to tell.
So the family feud between the Taylors, Liddy's family and the Monroes spills over to affect Liddy's niece Amelia and Matilda's son Nick. Matilda's return to Bonnet means the two young people are placed right in the middle. Matilda is spitting mad and letting her nastiness explode where the couple is concerned. Liddy's family isn't real happy about the couple getting together either. You'll have to read the book to get the lowdown on the couple and the family feud.
It's a knockdown, drag-out battle but the reader is rewarded with a charming story in author Carolyn Brown's The Bluebonnet Battle. Ms. Brown has woven a tale full of likable characters, well most of them, and threads of family love and a HEA for Amelia and Nick. I love Carolyn Brown's writing style and this latest story has fulfilled my love of a tale well told.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
It's a fight for the heart and soul and also the funeral dinner rights of the small Texas town, Bonnet. In this corner is Liddy Latham who has lived in Bonnet all her life, has carried on the funeral dinner tradition of her mother and grandmother and wants the small town to stay just as it is, friendly and welcoming.
In the opposite corner is Liddy's bitter rival, Matilda Monroe, who is mean and nasty and who moved away from Bonnet a number of years ago to marry a man for money and a more urbane and sophisticated life. She is back in Bonnet after her divorce and wants to change the friendly town into her fiefdom with sophisticated progress and snobby ways. Also she wants to ruin Liddy financially and queen it over Liddy and the whole town.
During the course of this story there are a number of rounds fought. But in the end... she's down for the count. But who wins, you ask. That's for the author to tell.
So the family feud between the Taylors, Liddy's family and the Monroes spills over to affect Liddy's niece Amelia and Matilda's son Nick. Matilda's return to Bonnet means the two young people are placed right in the middle. Matilda is spitting mad and letting her nastiness explode where the couple is concerned. Liddy's family isn't real happy about the couple getting together either. You'll have to read the book to get the lowdown on the couple and the family feud.
It's a knockdown, drag-out battle but the reader is rewarded with a charming story in author Carolyn Brown's The Bluebonnet Battle. Ms. Brown has woven a tale full of likable characters, well most of them, and threads of family love and a HEA for Amelia and Nick. I love Carolyn Brown's writing style and this latest story has fulfilled my love of a tale well told.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Read
October 18, 2021I just love reading a Carolyn Brown novel. I always run the gamut of emotions and The Bluebonnet Battle is no different. So we have the sassy Liddy in the middle of a decades old feud with misery mathilda. The anger and hatred just jump off the pages, on the other side of the coin we have a possible love story between the offspring of the fueding women. I always learn something new from Ms Brown and I am enchanted by the small town funeral meals in this story. I laughed at the shenanigans of the older generation I sighed at the love story beginning and I ground my teeth at the evil words spit out by mathilda. You've going to love this book
March 11, 2022
Good reads
I won this book on Goodreads. Living in a small town myself this book made me laugh. There are few secrets in small town living.
I won this book on Goodreads. Living in a small town myself this book made me laugh. There are few secrets in small town living.
February 15, 2022
The Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle of Bastogne. And then the Battle of Bonnet, Texas. Do not mess with Liddy, the queen of lemon pies and funeral dinners. But Mayhem Miranda is hell bent to take her down, due to a long standing feud and acrimony. So what will happen when Nick and Amelia fall for each other??
Reading this was mirthful Monday. I laughed so hard and out loud so many times while reading, I literally cackled. Brown has such a gift for crafting the most memorable characters. The traded barbs and cattiness in the dialogue are hilarious and made for the most entertaining reading.
Every CB book is my new favorite.
Get your gear and see who wins the battle?
Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the advance read.
Reading this was mirthful Monday. I laughed so hard and out loud so many times while reading, I literally cackled. Brown has such a gift for crafting the most memorable characters. The traded barbs and cattiness in the dialogue are hilarious and made for the most entertaining reading.
Every CB book is my new favorite.
Get your gear and see who wins the battle?
Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the advance read.
January 31, 2022
Honestly, this book just mostly irritated me. There is a long standing feud between small town Liddy and the girl who moved away, Matilda. Liddy is the queen of the town - she hosts the funerals, she runs the festivals, she's used to being in charge. Matilda moved away but is coming back after a divorce - she's trying to horn her way into Liddy's business to mess with her and overtake the town. It's just a bunch of petty back and forth that doesn't stop and ends up drawing in most of the town. Then there is Matilda's son, who moves back to take over his uncle's real estate business -- he falls in love with Liddy's niece and there are so many Romeo/Juliet comparisons it gets tiring.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
December 18, 2021
Another awesome book!! Carolyn Brown writes books that you love to take your time and enjoy. Several times I grabbed my coffee and sat on the porch reading and took my time to get to know this story.
Nick and Amelia and all their family and friends are like being home. Small towns where you walk down the street and pass your neighbors or kin and take the time to visit or apologize for not having time to catch up but make plans to do so.
The story is well written and all of the characters are believable. Several of us have families just like this one or if not you will easily understand after reading this book
Great book Ms. Carolyn and am so looking forward to others. I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC but also purchase her books as they are wonderful.
Nick and Amelia and all their family and friends are like being home. Small towns where you walk down the street and pass your neighbors or kin and take the time to visit or apologize for not having time to catch up but make plans to do so.
The story is well written and all of the characters are believable. Several of us have families just like this one or if not you will easily understand after reading this book
Great book Ms. Carolyn and am so looking forward to others. I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC but also purchase her books as they are wonderful.
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