Muddy Bottom

Palmetto Island #1

by Ashley Farley

Birdie Fuller’s new year is off to a bad start. Her husband has mysteriously disappeared, leaving Birdie to cope with their unmarried daughter’s unplanned pregnancy. Birdie and Hannah disagree about the baby. Birdie urges her daughter to consider abortion, but Hannah is determined to see the pregnancy to term. When Hannah returns for her last semester in college, Birdie must face her demons, the problems in her marriage that drove her husband to clean out their bank accounts and run off with another woman.

While struggling to hide her pregnancy from her roommates and ex-boyfriend, Hannah interviews for jobs that will take her and her baby far away from her mother. After graduation, with months to kill before the start of her new job, she returns to Palmetto Island for the summer to await the birth of her baby. Tension mounts between Hannah and Birdie when they move from their waterfront home to a two-bedroom apartment above a bakery. Can mother and daughter mend their relationship? Or will they be lost to each other forever?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Southern, Romance, Novella, Womens Fiction

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

⭐️USA Today Bestseller⭐️
Ashley Farley writes heartfelt stories about women navigating life’s challenges. Her characters—mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives—face real-life struggles with resilience and grace. Best known for her Sweeney Sisters series, Ashley’s books have touched the hearts of readers far and wide.

A wife and mother of two young adults, for more than two decades, Ashley has split her time between Richmond and the Northern Neck of Virginia. Yet, a piece of her heart will always belong to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she draws inspiration from the moss-draped oaks, coastal cuisine, and the warm, welcoming spirit of its people.

Ashley loves to hear from her readers.
Visit her website @ http://www.ashleyfarley.com
Sign up for her newsletter @ https://ashleyfarley.com/newsletter-s...
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyFarley...

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story. I enjoy reading stories in the low country.

[Jo Leyland · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time and money

This was an incredibly dull book with adolescent content and a poor story line. The characters are not the least bit developed poor believable. I will definitely not be reading the second book in the series!

[☕️Hélène⚜️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prequel to the Palmetto Island series!
What a read! The relationship between a daughter and mother is the center of this book. There’s a lot of layers to be discovered in this series.
I recommend this series.
Now, to the next one.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful beginning to a new series! I love all of the characters and can't wait to learn more about them and their journeys.

This is also a story about women and family and that we can overcome anything that is thrown our way with the help of our friends and family.

[Pernette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddy Bottom by Ashley Farley was one of Ms. Farley's best books so far. Loved the plot, the characters and their ability to make the best of bad situations! Would definitely recommend.

[Mary Jane Wasmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow

I enjoyed this book because it didn't jump around and it stayed exciting. She is a very good author .

[Beatrice Followill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one thing I love most about this author is that she take characters and weaves realistic stories for them. Birdie and Hannah (mom and daughter) are hit with life changing news at New Years! This is a novella setting up their story for future reads , cant wait to read more!

[Judy Christiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great start to a new series by Ashley Farley! She has such great character development. I truly care about all these people that she has created, and I look forward to reading about more of their lives in the coming books.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Five Star winner for Ashley Farley. In Muddy Bottom, the author returns to the low country, to Palmetto Island. This is a prequel to a new and wonderful series. We meet Birdie, whose husband has just left her for another woman and embezzled money from the firm where he is a partner. Bebe has a best friend Max, who tries to help Birdie out of the "Muddy Bottom" of being desperate for money, struggling with alcoholism, and trying to mend a broken relationship with her daughter Hannah, who is going to be a single Mom. I love Ms. Farley's characters because they are real people who struggle with real problems......most who overcome their struggles and go on to thrive! Looking forward to the next installment of the series!

[Patricia Grogan Bugher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Ashley Farley. You’re hooked from the get go. Nobody writes novels for and about women like Ms Farley. Birdie’s year starts off really bad. Her husband of over twenty years disappears and cleans out their financial accounts and her college daughter is pregnant. And it’s only New Years Day!

[Sally Crosiar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to see that after a short time reading, I was already past 75% of this book. So I'd call this a novella. And it leaves much unresolved...leading to the next book (another novella?) in the series. I felt a tad cheated.

[Leane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a series.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is an introduction to the characters in Ashley Farley's next series. Once again, the well-defined personalities of each of the main characters are developed so well that from the beginning they feel like real people, not characters in a book.

Birdie is puzzled that early in the morning on New Years Day, her husband seems to have vanished. He's not in any of the usual places around the house, and all of his personal belongings, wallet, iPad, iPhone are there and his clothes appear to all be in the closet along with his suitcase. His car, bike and boat are at home too. Checking with a few friends they find he's not fishing or hunting - he's just gone.

Hannah, who is home from college for Christmas has always felt closer to her Dad so over the holiday she shared with him some news and fully expected him to be livid, but instead he cautioned her not to spoil Christmas by telling her mother until after New Year's. Hannah suspect perhaps her news was something he didn't want to deal with so he left. As more secrets and truth come to light, both Birdie and Hannah are shocked to learn perhaps they didn't know him at all.

Hannah returns to school but is on track to graduate in the spring at which time she comes back home to Palmetto Island, in South Carolina, to find a for sale sign on their house, and her mother finally facing the truth about her drinking problem. Hannah has also accepted the fact she is facing an unplanned pregnancy.

This heartfelt book was difficult to put down, and as this beautiful story of perseverance, forgiveness and the love of family and friends progressed, I felt much of what Birdie and Hannah were experiencing. However, to find out more of the story, I am now anxiously awaiting for the next book. I believe once again, Ashley has hit it out of the park with this next Palmetto Island series.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to find out that Ashley Farley is writing a new Southern series. Muddy Bottom is a prequel novella for her upcoming Lowcountry series, Palmetto Island.

Birdie's husband has disappeared after embezzling money from his law firm and cleaning out the family accounts. He left behind his wife of 25 years and his daughter, Hannah, who was a Daddy's girl and blames her mother for her father leaving. On top of that, Birdie finds out that Hannah is pregnant and so Birdie deal with her pain with vodka. Her daughter doesn't want to be part of her mother's life and there appears to be minimal chance of reconciliation between them. When Hannah returns to Palmetto Island for the summer after she graduates, there is a good opportunity for mother and daughter to reconcile but can they change attitudes and get beyond past mistakes to become a family?

Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters and wives facing real life issues. I have read and enjoyed all of her books and can't wait to start this new series!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddy Bottom is the novella to introduce us to Ashley Farley’s new series Palmetto Island. Muddy Bottom is an awesome start to this new series. Ms. Farley has written a wonderful story about women for women. I did not want to put this book down and read this in one sitting. This is very well written has well developed characters. I felt like I was right there with the characters. This is a very emotional and enjoyable story full of second chances, love, friendship and wonderful characters. I laughed I cried and I felt all the emotions of this book. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next with the 1st book in the series - Change of Tides – out 2/21.

[Sharma Brenneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book and all I can say is oh my goodness. This is my first but certainly not my last book by this author. I read this in one sitting in a few hours. I loved the flawed characters in the book and sometimes it really hit home the disfunction in all families. I can't wait for the new series.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So much happened in this story and I enjoyed every piece! I'm anxious to see what happens next to Birdie and her daughter, Hannah. Also, I wish books came with snacks because the bakery items sound amazing! A great escape read for a relaxing weekend!

[Nancy Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a much longer book squeezed into a two hour read by taking a lot of shortcuts. Instead of telling the story through the dialogue of the characters, the narrator rushes through the story. It deserves a longer telling.

[Bala s S]

gooh

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect life, then her husband disappears. And her daughter might be pregnant. Loses everything. Drinking. But she has a best friend Max.

[Jennifer Kayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story.

Cute story. Looking forward to the rest of the story. Want to see how Birdie and Hannah get along with a new baby.

[Jasmine's · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about a mother and daughter relationship ❤ its was such a sweet read based near the beach and a quaint town. Made me want to move there and be part of the place. I actually got married on the water not too far from where this book was based. I am keen to read more Ashley Farley books now. Thank you Book Funnel for the opportunity to read this book x x ❤

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful look at the relationship between a mother and daughter whose lives have been turned upside down by the father’s betrayal. I look forward to reading additional books in the series.

[Lisa G. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELCOME TO PALMETTO ISLAND!

This novella is the introduction to the exciting new Palmetto Island Series by Ashley Farley. I am looking forward to this series!

Birdie’s life is falling apart. Her husband has disappeared, with another woman no less, and after embezzling funds from the law firm where he worked with his best friend for over twenty years. To add to that, she’s just found about her unwed daughter’s pregnancy. When her daughter Hannah goes back to finish her last Semester of College, Birdie finds solace in alcohol and a whole lot of it. That is until her cherished friend, Max, stepped in and stood beside Birdie and helped her if she ever wanted to have a relationship with Hannah again.

Hannah returned to College and hid her pregnancy from all of her friends and especially from her baby’s father, because he cheated on her. She buried herself in her studies, staying on track to Graduate with Honors. She met a guy who encouraged her and taught her things about photography that helped her with her skills. She landed her Dream Job but goes back to Palmetto Island for the Summer to have the baby. Birdie has sold their large home and now they will be living in a small apartment over her newly purchased bakery. Will they be able to repair their relationship or will it be torn apart forever?

[Marsha Danzis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this and enjoyed it.Easy reading and and interesting story line.

[Jonann loves book talk❤♥️❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

👏 Very cute prequel to the Palmetto Island Series. This mother-daughter story touches on love, loss, addiction, and finding ways to overcome adversity. 🌴🌺🌴

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[ReadingGirlReviews (Gina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Farley’s writing is absolutely glorious. She has done it again with another moving family life series that is unputdownable. I am anxiously anticipating the third installment which comes out in May.

The series centers around Birdie Fuller, her daughter Hannah, and their life on Palmetto Island. Book 2 - Change of Tides delves into Birdie’s fear of being alone when Hannah and her grandson Gus are planning to move. To preempt the potential loneliness, she finally decides to explore the realm of online dating, but becomes hampered when she experiences an unexpected surprise from her estranged husband. Meanwhile Hannah is dealing with troubles of her own when the father of Gus mysteriously shows up in town and tries to lay claim on his son.

Ashley weaves a captivating and emotional story with this one that is bubbling with intrigue, charm and romance. It’s typical Ashley Farley writing, that has you flying through the book yet hoping it never ends.

Now, you have to know Change of Tides can certainly be read as a stand alone, as can all of Ashley’s “series” books. But there is a prequel to this novel, a novella called Muddy Bottom. Although you don’t HAVE to read it, I highly recommend you do. Not only does it give backstory to Birdie and Hannah’s stories, it’s just as suspenseful and charming as Change of Tides, its an absolute page turner, and it makes reading book 2 even better (if you can actually make any of Ashley’s books better). You can actually download the novella from Amazon for free right now.

Both of these books are superb reading, and I highly recommend them both. If you haven’t read any of Ashley’s books yet, I suggest you give them a try, I feel sure she will become an auto-buy author for you just like she is for me. Both Muddy Bottom and Change of Tides are 5 star reads for me, and when the 3rd installment Lowcountry on my Mind comes out in May, I feel sure it will earn the same praise. I highly recommend these books.

[Norma B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Ashley long hit list books since Nell and Lady, and The Sweeney Sisters series . This Novella was sitting in my library of ebooks and I picked it up and read from chapter 1 to the end ,all in one sitting.
Birdie Fuller ,the main character…a mother and wife who gave up being a nurse so she could raise their daughter Hannah.
This novella stars with a Palmetto Island series. It’s a story you wont want to put down, and cant wait for the 2nd , Change of Tides to come out Feb 9, so I pre-ordered it.
I was so inspired by Birdie’s actions towards those who don’t appreciate her,except her longtime best friend Max.
Birdie’s daughter Hannah is constantly blaming her mother for the disappearance of her father, who suddenly has left without traces and questions..until they realize he has stolen from the law firm . If that wasnt worse, he also stole from his wife Birdie. She didn’t see it coming but thankfully he left her a house with equity to sell.
Birdie has many skills but little confidence in herself…until the anger of hurt picks her up , Max,who lives in Palmetto Island, her best freind encourages her to get away and stay with her for the time being.
This change gives her hope for her future and her only young daughter Hannah who comes home for the summer from college, ,who is also trying to get through a hidden pregnancy and blaming Birdie for all the wrongs in her life.
I love the strength these women surround themselves with, the people who give them that push to find each other in a new beginning of their lives.
I don’t want to give away spoilers, so pick up this series, you will not want to put it down.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5, but I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt because this is really a prequel; a novella, and a series starter. Muddy Bottom gives you just a taste of the struggles Birdie and her daughter, Hannah, are facing when their husband/father disappears on New Year’s Day. They struggle to move on. Hannah blames her mother for her father leaving but has plenty of problems of her own. She is incredibly self-centered and immature. Birdie learned some things about her husband that she would have never thought possible. Birdie has her issues and hasn’t always been the perfect wife/mother, but she has been far from the worst. Will the changes each woman is facing break them or make them stronger? Will their relationship mend or break for good?

Any mother who has grown children will understand the struggles that Birdie and Hannah are going through. It is hard when your adult child decides they no longer need, or want, you to have much to do with their life. How do you go from being a parent to an acquaintance? It seems that Hannah, like some adult children, rewrite their childhood and forget the loving, close relationship they once had with a parent. Instead, they transfer all the good to the other parent who wasn’t really all that active for the day-to-day things, but was there for the big things. The easy things. They forget that one parent only really started to take an active role once they were adults.

Muddy Bottom has a lot of potential but it can become boring. I had to keep telling myself that this is just the prequel to the series and is simply setting the stage. There are some good things going on, they just don’t go anywhere in this book. Again, prequel…

[Kayleigh 2babesandabookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual star rating - 4.5

📚 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 / 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝗪 ⁣📚⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Title: #MuddyBottom
Author: @ashleyfarleyauthor
Publisher: #LeisureTimePress
Pub Date: 10/28/20⁣⁣ ⁣⁣
Type: #Ebook⁣⁣
Genre: #WomensFiction
Must Read Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁣⁣💫

My thoughts:

Ashley Farley NEVER LETS ME DOWN. I know I can count on her writing to bring immense happiness anytime I start a new book. Muddy Bottom was no exception! This is actually a novella, but will be part of the Palmetto Island book series (Book #1 - Change of Tides - will publish in 2/21). While this one may have been shorter than a traditional novel, it packed a lot of punch and set the stage in so many ways for the rest of the series.

I love that her books are filled with so many realistic characters and situations. It makes the reader feel even closer everything that unfolds. Also, she doesn't shy away from taboo topics like alcoholism, unplanned / single parent pregnancy, infidelity, etc. The best part is that she writes characters that you cannot help but fight for and these topics are discussed with tact and heart which can be difficult to pull off. While I was frustrated with the choices that each character made, I was ultimately invested in their growth and happiness. I am very excited to see what happens with Birdie and Hannah!

Thank you, Ashley, for my {gifted} copy. I think the world of you!