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The Sweet Magnolias #9
Catching Fireflies
When bullying threatens to destroy a teen’s life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J.C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to ensure that a promising student’s future isn’t ruined. And to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina.
Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?
Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?
384 pages, Audiobook
First published July 31, 2012
1091 people are currently reading
7655 people want to read
About the author
Sherryl Woods
555 books4,524 followersWith two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
November 15, 2023
Labai graži ir jaudinanti istorija. Tai knyga apie apie žiaurias patyčias tarp paauglių, tai istorija apie draugystę ir pagalba paauglei patiriančiai žiaurias patyčias. Lengvas skaitinys vakarui.
June 23, 2017
Excellent book. A teacher and a pediatrician are brought together in a sweet romance when they combine forces to deal with a case of bullying at the high school. Misty is a junior, smart and hard-working, so when she starts skipping class, Laura is worried. JC is equally worried when Misty comes to him asking for a note that will let her get out of going to school. Since she won't tell him what's happening, he makes her promise to talk to someone, and have that person call him. Though she talks to Laura, the lack of real information has Laura and JC determined to discover the truth.
I really liked Laura and JC. Both are deeply caring people who want the best for those around them. Laura has seen the bad side of love in the past and doesn't do much dating. JC has been burned himself and considers himself too bad at relationships to indulge again. That doesn't stop various people from doing their best to find matches for them (JC's nurse is especially persistent). From the moment they meet, there are sparks between Laura and JC, though they both try to resist and deny. It was fun to see them both try to deny the attraction even as they found reasons to get together. It was hilarious to see the whole town get involved, commenting on sightings of them together. I really loved JC's bewilderment at the way he can't stay away from Laura, and how his feelings are changing. The support they showed for each other during some really tough times was sweet and heartwarming. I loved JC's big moment at the end.
The romance was wonderful, but there is more than that. The case of bullying that brings the two together is an eye-opening look at one of the toughest issues kids today face. When Laura and JC discover what the problem is with Misty, it calls to them in a deeply personal way. Both had had experience with bullies in their own youths, affecting their lives even now. I loved the honesty and depth with which the issue was handled. Misty, who is having other troubles at home, tries to deal with the problem on her own. She gets some support when her best friend gets involved, but swears that friend to secrecy. Fortunately that friend is a daughter of a Sweet Magnolia and finds a way to keep her promise and still help. I hurt for Misty and everything she was going through. As the truth comes out, Laura and JC are assisted by the Magnolias and others as the issue of bullying is brought into the spotlight. I loved seeing Misty come out the other side, not unaffected, but stronger for surviving.
I loved seeing so many of the Sweet Magnolias and their husbands in this book. Their willingness and desire to do whatever necessary (loved Helen!) made resolving the issue even more successful. They were especially critical in support of Laura when the mother of the bully got involved. I also loved seeing the husbands checking out JC and making sure he knows that he's being watched. There are some terrific scenes that had me laughing out loud - margarita nights were especially good at that. Others had me cheering as they banded together. I loved Frances's speech at the rally, while JC's brought me to tears.
I really liked Laura and JC. Both are deeply caring people who want the best for those around them. Laura has seen the bad side of love in the past and doesn't do much dating. JC has been burned himself and considers himself too bad at relationships to indulge again. That doesn't stop various people from doing their best to find matches for them (JC's nurse is especially persistent). From the moment they meet, there are sparks between Laura and JC, though they both try to resist and deny. It was fun to see them both try to deny the attraction even as they found reasons to get together. It was hilarious to see the whole town get involved, commenting on sightings of them together. I really loved JC's bewilderment at the way he can't stay away from Laura, and how his feelings are changing. The support they showed for each other during some really tough times was sweet and heartwarming. I loved JC's big moment at the end.
The romance was wonderful, but there is more than that. The case of bullying that brings the two together is an eye-opening look at one of the toughest issues kids today face. When Laura and JC discover what the problem is with Misty, it calls to them in a deeply personal way. Both had had experience with bullies in their own youths, affecting their lives even now. I loved the honesty and depth with which the issue was handled. Misty, who is having other troubles at home, tries to deal with the problem on her own. She gets some support when her best friend gets involved, but swears that friend to secrecy. Fortunately that friend is a daughter of a Sweet Magnolia and finds a way to keep her promise and still help. I hurt for Misty and everything she was going through. As the truth comes out, Laura and JC are assisted by the Magnolias and others as the issue of bullying is brought into the spotlight. I loved seeing Misty come out the other side, not unaffected, but stronger for surviving.
I loved seeing so many of the Sweet Magnolias and their husbands in this book. Their willingness and desire to do whatever necessary (loved Helen!) made resolving the issue even more successful. They were especially critical in support of Laura when the mother of the bully got involved. I also loved seeing the husbands checking out JC and making sure he knows that he's being watched. There are some terrific scenes that had me laughing out loud - margarita nights were especially good at that. Others had me cheering as they banded together. I loved Frances's speech at the rally, while JC's brought me to tears.
November 18, 2023
Dar viena knyga apie gyvenimus ir meilę Sereničio miestelyje, ir apie Puikiąsias magnolijas. Šioji nustebino kabinamos temos gilumu, kai meilės istorija vystosi žiaurių patyčių mokykloje kontekste. Įdomu ir netikėta buvo, kad gana plačiai ir sudėtingai išvystyta patyčių situacija, bandymai, nebūtinai sėkimingi, jas išaiškinti ir suvaldyti, kitų mokinių ir tėvų reakcijos.
August 1, 2012
Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by Aubrey
Review Copy Provided by Netgalley
Catching Fireflies was an endearing read with a great message. Bullying is a topic that is close to many mother’s hearts because it happens so often. Even as an adult I have felt bullied by others. Serenity, South Carolina is not a town that takes such a serious matter lightly.
Misty Dawson is a 16 year old with a bright future ahead of her who starts skipping classes because of the cyber bullying that is going on. Her name and reputation is being smeared by another student who feels the world owes her. Thanks to her English teacher, Laura, and her pediatrician, JC, and the rest of Serenity they are able to turn a potentially bad situation into one that Misty feels she can return to school.
As always you get to see the dynamics of the rest of the Sweet Magnolias. You get to see a glimpse into how they are doing and how they interact with each other. Laura, is made a Sweet Magnolia during the course of the book.
The love story that comes together between Laura and J.C because they spent so much time together fighting to find out the mystery of why Misty was missing some of her classes, is sweet and the happy ending you want when reading a romance novel.
Both of them are strong characters who are well liked within the community. They both have also been fixed up with many eligible singles since they are so attractive and quite the catch. However, they both like many adults their age have issues they need to get over. Will they be able to get over the issues and be happy together? You will have to read to find out.
Reviewed by Aubrey
Review Copy Provided by Netgalley
Catching Fireflies was an endearing read with a great message. Bullying is a topic that is close to many mother’s hearts because it happens so often. Even as an adult I have felt bullied by others. Serenity, South Carolina is not a town that takes such a serious matter lightly.
Misty Dawson is a 16 year old with a bright future ahead of her who starts skipping classes because of the cyber bullying that is going on. Her name and reputation is being smeared by another student who feels the world owes her. Thanks to her English teacher, Laura, and her pediatrician, JC, and the rest of Serenity they are able to turn a potentially bad situation into one that Misty feels she can return to school.
As always you get to see the dynamics of the rest of the Sweet Magnolias. You get to see a glimpse into how they are doing and how they interact with each other. Laura, is made a Sweet Magnolia during the course of the book.
The love story that comes together between Laura and J.C because they spent so much time together fighting to find out the mystery of why Misty was missing some of her classes, is sweet and the happy ending you want when reading a romance novel.
Both of them are strong characters who are well liked within the community. They both have also been fixed up with many eligible singles since they are so attractive and quite the catch. However, they both like many adults their age have issues they need to get over. Will they be able to get over the issues and be happy together? You will have to read to find out.
August 1, 2012
Fist off I just love Sherryl Woods Sweet Magnolia stories. They are always very uplifting and they also usually are based on something that is happening to real people and is not good. This time the book focuses on bullying. Teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician JC Fullerton are both vey worried about what they see happening to Misty Dawson. Only they really don't know what is happening, because neither Misty or her friends will talk. But Misty is not acting like herself so they know something is going on. And it is Misty is in trouble and really needs help, but she is scared to come forward. So Laura and JC have to get creative to find out what is wrong, and then find a way to really help Misty. I love the fact that Laura and JC care enough to worry and work hard to help Misty. This shows me that even if you think you are alone, you really are not even if you don't know it yet. Of course Laura and JC have to fall for each other during their detective work. It adds a nice touch to the serious story of what is happening to Misty. If you like Sweet Magnolia books you will like this one, if you have a teenager I say read this one. You just might learn some warning signs to watch for problems in your own teens life through this book.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
March 13, 2025
These books got pretty boring quick. Loved the first few but these random characters are just strange
August 25, 2017
Reading this book made my teeth whiter, filled my cavities, made my posture better and magically ironed all my clothes, even my jeans! A very, very wholesome read with the occasional glimpse of a real person or emotion. I tried this book bc I liked Chesapeake Shores the tv series and this was the only book my bookstore had by Sherryl Woods. I think I'll stick to the show after this.
August 2, 2014
I don't understand why this book is overall rated a 4 1/2 stars. I thought the writing style along with the story line was just lame. I found myself reading only a few sentences on each page and still knew what was going on. This book could have been condensed to about 20 pages.
May 17, 2021
This one had a compelling b story (or maybe the romance was the b story) but it was also not very interesting to me sooo I have to give it three stars. Also I think I've been reading these books too long but I'm tired of everyone getting engaged after knowing each other a week and a half.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2022
As predictable as this was, I sort of didn’t like the ending quite as much. I felt like there needed to be some closure for one of the characters, and it didn’t happen. This book also brings up the subject of bullying, which is tough to talk about. But all in all, I did enjoy it.
July 1, 2023
Two-haiku review:
High school girl bullied
Teacher knows something is wrong
But girl won't tell her
Serious subject
Gets into parents' role, too
Well drawn characters
High school girl bullied
Teacher knows something is wrong
But girl won't tell her
Serious subject
Gets into parents' role, too
Well drawn characters
January 17, 2024
Tai 9-oji Puikiųjų Magnolijų dalis. Ši man kažkaip labai stipriai rezonavo, vis su kažkokiu grauduliu skaičiau, atrodo neteko pačiai stipriai asmeniškai patirti patyčių, bet atsižvelgiant į šių dienų aktualijas ir kiek tenka susidurti su vaikų patyčiomis, tai ši knyga labai jautriai palietė. Atrodo apie ką dar galima devintoje dalyje rašyti, bet kiekviena istorija geresnė už kitą ir vis kitas temas paliečia, vis įdomiau įtraukia veikėjus, tad norisi dar ir dar daugiau jos knygų.
Trumpai tariant, šioje dalyje aktualiausia patyčiu tema, kaip susitvarkyti paaugliams, kaip suaugusiems, ne pulti už vaikus aiškintis, o padėti jiems, būti šalia, kaip nebūti akliems tėvams, nes ir mūsų vaikai gali taip elgtis, net jei atrodo mokome ir aiškiname, kad taip neteisinga elgtis. Ir aišku kalbėti apie pasekmes, kad ne visi psichologiškai stiprūs, kad susitvarkyti patys su patyčiomis.
Vienintelis dalykas, tai pavadinimas kažkaip visiškai ne ta tema atrodo ir nesusiję niekaip 🙈
Trumpai tariant, šioje dalyje aktualiausia patyčiu tema, kaip susitvarkyti paaugliams, kaip suaugusiems, ne pulti už vaikus aiškintis, o padėti jiems, būti šalia, kaip nebūti akliems tėvams, nes ir mūsų vaikai gali taip elgtis, net jei atrodo mokome ir aiškiname, kad taip neteisinga elgtis. Ir aišku kalbėti apie pasekmes, kad ne visi psichologiškai stiprūs, kad susitvarkyti patys su patyčiomis.
Vienintelis dalykas, tai pavadinimas kažkaip visiškai ne ta tema atrodo ir nesusiję niekaip 🙈
June 19, 2021
Alle boeken van deze reeks hebben wel een beetje een boodschap. Dit boek heeft een hele grote boodschap. PESTEN. de boodschap kan niet duidelijker zijn als zelfs de schrijfster er een woordje uitleg bij geeft.
Toch is dit boek zoveel meer dan het zoveelste boek over pesten. Ja het pesten komt aan bod, de gevolgen van het pesten komen aan bod, maar ook de andere verhaallijnen zijn mooi uitgewerkt.
Toch is dit boek zoveel meer dan het zoveelste boek over pesten. Ja het pesten komt aan bod, de gevolgen van het pesten komen aan bod, maar ook de andere verhaallijnen zijn mooi uitgewerkt.
Read
July 14, 2019I enjoyed this book very much. It was very enlightening about bullying and how difficult it can be on everyone involved and how long lasting the effects can be. It is also encouraging to know that, even though it can be very scary and difficult, it can be stopped. Thank you for shedding some light on this difficult subject.
April 6, 2021
The bullying was fierce but it wrapped up way to fast!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2021
Bullying happens everywhere, this book definitely got me in all the feelings
November 4, 2025
Check your triggers.
February 17, 2025
Absolutely adored this story
April 2, 2023
first sweet magnolias book back in quite a few months and it was such a good one to jump back in on. the sense of community and belonging these books give make me so happy. and the little romance mixed in there made for a fun read too.
August 3, 2012
4.5 Blue Ribbons Courtesy of Romance Junkies. A teacher and a pediatrician fight fate with hilarious repartee as they try to convince everyone in Serenity, including themselves, that they're not dating. A very serious and often emotional experience with teenage bullying forces the entire town to take sides. Can this budding romance survive the conflict?Serenity High School teacher Laura Reed becomes concerned when one of her straight-A students begins to miss classes. Not all of the student's classes, but Ms. Reed's English class in particular. Hoping to resolve the student’s truancy before the principal becomes aware of the situation, Laura asks for pediatrician J. C. Fullerton’s assistance. Mutually they begin to assess the problem, but can they spend so much time together and not admit their attraction? Better yet, will the town of Serenity believe there's nothing romantic between them?
At first, Laura and J. C. have this appealing animosity toward one another when they can't seem to acknowledge that they're attracted, or even interested in one another. I couldn't stop laughing as the town worked themselves into a frenzy over sightings of this pair together. Even funnier is Laura and J. C.'s reaction to all the attention they receive when they both deny that there's any reason for it. Their banter is so cute and unassuming, yet, you can feel that undeniable spark that they're trying to ignore.
Although the humor surrounding this couple's predicament of sorting out their feelings for one another, while in view of the meddlers of Serenity who are onto their every move, kicks off the story, this novel takes a serious turn when the student being bullied retreats into a world of shame. Can the town offset this terrible situation without striking back and becoming bullies themselves?
CATCHING FIREFLIES has such a wide spectrum of emotion that you can't help but feel like you've lived it. On one hand, this couple's repartee as they get to know one another is amusingly cute. Then you have the much more serious and often emotional part of the plot focused on bullying. The scope in which bullying is brought to the forefront pushes the romance to the background for a while, but it leads this couple to where they need to be emotionally, so that their love might fully develop.
In looking back, it seems as if it would be impossible to blend the light and cute aspect of this couple's growing affection for one another with how serious the bullying situation becomes. But, it does work well and still includes a very satisfying happy ever after.
If you've been following the SWEET MAGNOLIA series, CATCHING FIREFLIES is book nine. The eighth book, MIDNIGHT PROMISES, and CATCHING FIREFLIES are part of a trilogy that includes WHERE AZALEAS BLOOM, book ten, available in September 2012. Knowing the characters from previous books gives the reader a better appreciation in some of the situations, but you won't feel lost if you haven't read any of the series prior to CATCHING FIREFLIES.
I love books that teach lessons, plus provoke thought and discussion, based on the real-life problems that the novel brings to life, and CATCHING FIREFLIES does that beautifully. I must admit that I didn't expect a serious subject to be explored so fully within a book that began with such great humor. But, I think the unexpected often makes a great book. CATCHING FIREFLIES is memorable for more than one reason and brings you full circle from happy to sad to angry to happy again, feeling refreshed and renewed. A rousing good read perfect for a book discussion group, complete with ten questions to get you started.
September 29, 2012
My Review:
This was such an amazing book, partly because it faces head-on a subject that has gotten a lot of press lately, bullying. BUT what this book does is shows the very real consequences of bullying...both with teens, children, and adults. It's a REALLY wonderful book and has such an amazing message.
In this book, J.C. (a pediatrician) and Laura (high school English teacher) are brought together by their concern for Misty, a junior in the high school. Misty is smart and talented and an all-around nice girl, but something's going on with her. She's skipping Laura's English class and went to J.C. hoping to get a note to excuse her from school, but she refuses to explain what's going on. The only person who knows is Katie, her best friend. Katie was in the last book and got in trouble for skipping school. We never did find out why she was doing that, but now it comes out....she's trying to help her friend Misty. Katie is the friend that every mother hopes her kid has...steadfast and true and willing to stand up for what is right. Katie's finally the one who finds help for Misty. It truly is just a great book.
Already with the set-up, you know that J.C. and Laura are going to be amazing characters. They are out to protect this teenager who, at first, doesn't have many allies. But they both have such deeper stories. They both have their own harsh experiences with bullies and the mental scars from those. J.C. also has relationship scars which have put him off relationships forever. He has NO DESIRE to ever get romantically involved again and is very upfront with Laura about that from the very beginning. He's here for Misty and only Misty, but slowly that changes. I really liked the way that their relationship evolved and the morning he called Laura to go running had me cracking up. I love that they are friends first.
Again this is a series with a VERY strong small-town vibe and this whole town rallies around this issue. I've only read the book before this one even though this is #9 in the series. You absolutely don't have to read the others to enjoy any of these novels, but I have a feeling you will find, like I am, that you will want to go back and read other books from the series after starting it. They truly are just good books. I'm a big fan of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and these remind me a lot of that one. Just an amazing cast of characters that you can't help but fall in love with!
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This was such an amazing book, partly because it faces head-on a subject that has gotten a lot of press lately, bullying. BUT what this book does is shows the very real consequences of bullying...both with teens, children, and adults. It's a REALLY wonderful book and has such an amazing message.
In this book, J.C. (a pediatrician) and Laura (high school English teacher) are brought together by their concern for Misty, a junior in the high school. Misty is smart and talented and an all-around nice girl, but something's going on with her. She's skipping Laura's English class and went to J.C. hoping to get a note to excuse her from school, but she refuses to explain what's going on. The only person who knows is Katie, her best friend. Katie was in the last book and got in trouble for skipping school. We never did find out why she was doing that, but now it comes out....she's trying to help her friend Misty. Katie is the friend that every mother hopes her kid has...steadfast and true and willing to stand up for what is right. Katie's finally the one who finds help for Misty. It truly is just a great book.
Already with the set-up, you know that J.C. and Laura are going to be amazing characters. They are out to protect this teenager who, at first, doesn't have many allies. But they both have such deeper stories. They both have their own harsh experiences with bullies and the mental scars from those. J.C. also has relationship scars which have put him off relationships forever. He has NO DESIRE to ever get romantically involved again and is very upfront with Laura about that from the very beginning. He's here for Misty and only Misty, but slowly that changes. I really liked the way that their relationship evolved and the morning he called Laura to go running had me cracking up. I love that they are friends first.
Again this is a series with a VERY strong small-town vibe and this whole town rallies around this issue. I've only read the book before this one even though this is #9 in the series. You absolutely don't have to read the others to enjoy any of these novels, but I have a feeling you will find, like I am, that you will want to go back and read other books from the series after starting it. They truly are just good books. I'm a big fan of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and these remind me a lot of that one. Just an amazing cast of characters that you can't help but fall in love with!
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
September 18, 2012
This book which continues the Sweet Magnolia series wrung every imaginable emotion out of me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, my nose got stuffy, I got a headache, there was some laughter, love and romance but mainly heartache, disbelief, angst and such sorrow. The message about bullying was a powerful one. Showing how a friend tried to do her best to help without getting trusted adults involved was heartwrenching but believable. There was the friendship of the various generation of Sweet Magnolias that we've come to love along with their families and other friends. There was a powerful message that you wouldn't normally see in a romance novel but it is a timely message in this day and age and also how the internet can make the bullying go viral.
Bravo to Woods for tackling this topic and making it so realistic. Can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy and I hope the series continues for many more years since there are so many stories of the townspeople to tell!
Bravo to Woods for tackling this topic and making it so realistic. Can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy and I hope the series continues for many more years since there are so many stories of the townspeople to tell!
April 3, 2024
Probably the most painful in the series for me to read. It felt like an after-school special with teenage bullying. One part teenage problems, one part teacher falling in love with a doctor.
Having the teenage POV in a romance novel really doesn't work for me 99% of the time and this book is no different. It didn't add anything except filler and felt out of place. I'd much rather have read about the adults figuring out what's going on while falling in love.
I think this is my last Sweet Magnolia's book. The audiobooks are a quick listen, but they're really dragging my rating average down! :(
2 Stars because it's not a poorly written book in technique, just really...boring in content. And the dialogue never feels natural in this series of books.
There are plenty of readers who love this series and I'm glad it exists for them. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me.
Having the teenage POV in a romance novel really doesn't work for me 99% of the time and this book is no different. It didn't add anything except filler and felt out of place. I'd much rather have read about the adults figuring out what's going on while falling in love.
I think this is my last Sweet Magnolia's book. The audiobooks are a quick listen, but they're really dragging my rating average down! :(
2 Stars because it's not a poorly written book in technique, just really...boring in content. And the dialogue never feels natural in this series of books.
There are plenty of readers who love this series and I'm glad it exists for them. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me.
July 3, 2021
Book 9 was different than the others. Typically the more main characters or the book are in someway introduced in the previous book. J.C., Laura & Misty were pretty new to the small town story. Not that it makes a big difference, just something I noticed. For the book, I think this was an important topic that is 100% relevant to this time period. Not sure how many more books in the series, but of course I’ll be starting the next one.
Recommend? Yes, again if you’ve come this far with the series, you might as well keep going.
Recommend? Yes, again if you’ve come this far with the series, you might as well keep going.
September 24, 2020
This is my favorite out of the entire series so far. I love how beautifully this book was written. The way bullying was shown. I can’t wait to read the next book. I’m a little sad I’m almost done with this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
September 10, 2012
This book should be on every parent and teenager's reading list. Forget the romance. This book is about bullying and how a town rallies behind the victim of the bully. Excellent read!
September 30, 2012
As a teacher I deal with this issues too often. This book did a good job of showing how teens being bullied feel and react. I despise bullying.
March 10, 2022
A soapy guilty pleasure! 🍸
November 11, 2019
The title seems to allude to a one or two paragraph conversation about kids in times past having no more worries than catching fireflies in the evenings and missing the innocence of those times.
I kind of wish the author had stuck to the bullying story and left romance out of a book of hers for once. It just seems an odd juxtaposition. (Of course, for my tastes, it there was going to be a romance, I would have preferred it to be a clean romance rather than the one depicted here where the teacher and the pediatrician have sex in an undefined relationship--the sex scenes aren't graphic but they are more than hinted at. And then for chapters afterward, they're still trying to define their relationship--are they dating? friends with benefits? serious about each other?) I mean you're trying to help a teen girl keep her life together while she's being bullied and you're groping each other?
The bullying part did clarify some aspects of modern-day bullying for me. They did also talk a bit about bullying of the past and how it differed: there wasn't such a broad audience 24/7 for one--things were said or done, but they often didn't reach beyond the town or the schoolyard. Nowadays, things can be posted online (social media etc.) and be seen by people half a world away. It's easier to doctor photos than it used to be--put someone else's head on another person's body etc. and post those as well.
There's also harrassment going on (which gets lumped into the bullying in this book--I'm not sure whether they should be separate things or if one does fall within the realm of the other.)
Greg, the football star, is hitting on Mindy (and apparently other girls) even though he's going out with Annabelle. Instead of dumping him or blaming him, Annabelle decides to take it out on Mindy--even though Mindy's refused Greg's advances every time he's made them. Annabelle does this by posting items that make it sound like Mindy is promiscuous.
One thing I've never understood is why the bullied don't find a trusted adult to tell. It could be a parent, a friend's parent, another family member, a teacher, a doctor, etc. And tell them soon after you realize it's becoming a pattern--don't wait, hoping it will get better. Yes, it's embarrassing. But being embarrassed is better than the alternative.
I was proud that Mindy's friend found a way around the promises she had made to her friend to let an adult know what was going on. And I was proud that the girl stayed as a true friend to Mindy even when the going got tough.
So--Annabelle's mother practices permissive parenting--but where is her father in all her raising? He's present when her social media bullying is exposed and seems firm. And the mother says he warned her about the results of her parenting in the past--he's the father! If he had concerns, he should have stepped in long before his daughter became a bully and made sure she had to face some consequences for her actions--and that his wife did too.
I was appalled at how the students continue to blame Mindy even after Annabelle's bullying is exposed and Annabelle given punishment by the school. Greg continues harrassing Mindy with unwanted advances and takes up a similar line of posting to what Annabelle had finished up with. They caught her--did he really think they wouldn't find out it was him? Some of the students decide to harrass Mindy during a citywide anti-bullying rally because they blame her for the punishments the school has given Annabelle, Greg and others. That behavior makes me sad.
I kind of wish the author had stuck to the bullying story and left romance out of a book of hers for once. It just seems an odd juxtaposition. (Of course, for my tastes, it there was going to be a romance, I would have preferred it to be a clean romance rather than the one depicted here where the teacher and the pediatrician have sex in an undefined relationship--the sex scenes aren't graphic but they are more than hinted at. And then for chapters afterward, they're still trying to define their relationship--are they dating? friends with benefits? serious about each other?) I mean you're trying to help a teen girl keep her life together while she's being bullied and you're groping each other?
The bullying part did clarify some aspects of modern-day bullying for me. They did also talk a bit about bullying of the past and how it differed: there wasn't such a broad audience 24/7 for one--things were said or done, but they often didn't reach beyond the town or the schoolyard. Nowadays, things can be posted online (social media etc.) and be seen by people half a world away. It's easier to doctor photos than it used to be--put someone else's head on another person's body etc. and post those as well.
There's also harrassment going on (which gets lumped into the bullying in this book--I'm not sure whether they should be separate things or if one does fall within the realm of the other.)
Greg, the football star, is hitting on Mindy (and apparently other girls) even though he's going out with Annabelle. Instead of dumping him or blaming him, Annabelle decides to take it out on Mindy--even though Mindy's refused Greg's advances every time he's made them. Annabelle does this by posting items that make it sound like Mindy is promiscuous.
One thing I've never understood is why the bullied don't find a trusted adult to tell. It could be a parent, a friend's parent, another family member, a teacher, a doctor, etc. And tell them soon after you realize it's becoming a pattern--don't wait, hoping it will get better. Yes, it's embarrassing. But being embarrassed is better than the alternative.
I was proud that Mindy's friend found a way around the promises she had made to her friend to let an adult know what was going on. And I was proud that the girl stayed as a true friend to Mindy even when the going got tough.
So--Annabelle's mother practices permissive parenting--but where is her father in all her raising? He's present when her social media bullying is exposed and seems firm. And the mother says he warned her about the results of her parenting in the past--he's the father! If he had concerns, he should have stepped in long before his daughter became a bully and made sure she had to face some consequences for her actions--and that his wife did too.
I was appalled at how the students continue to blame Mindy even after Annabelle's bullying is exposed and Annabelle given punishment by the school. Greg continues harrassing Mindy with unwanted advances and takes up a similar line of posting to what Annabelle had finished up with. They caught her--did he really think they wouldn't find out it was him? Some of the students decide to harrass Mindy during a citywide anti-bullying rally because they blame her for the punishments the school has given Annabelle, Greg and others. That behavior makes me sad.
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