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Apple Cart County Christmas #2
Crazy Rich Rednecks
Crazy Rich Asians meets Sweet Home Alabama when a big-city film director falls for a small-town guy in this redneck romantic comedy.
Not another Hallmark movie.
I refuse to spend another holiday season in freezing temperatures, directing a small-town baker stuck in a love triangle with a single dad and a corporate executive in a sweater vest.
When I told my agent that, his solution was to send me to the Deep South to direct a reality TV special about a middle-aged woman and her festive cookies.
I expected warmer weather and a slower pace. What I didn’t expect was a coffin store, people betting on cow poop, and feral farm animals at every turn.
And I never imagined falling for a small-town business owner. That would be so cliché . . . if he weren’t also the town’s only Uber driver, my temporary landlord, and the son of our cookie-baking star. But he’s the most genuine, caring man I’ve ever met.
Even if he is out on parole from the county jail.
Not another Hallmark movie.
I refuse to spend another holiday season in freezing temperatures, directing a small-town baker stuck in a love triangle with a single dad and a corporate executive in a sweater vest.
When I told my agent that, his solution was to send me to the Deep South to direct a reality TV special about a middle-aged woman and her festive cookies.
I expected warmer weather and a slower pace. What I didn’t expect was a coffin store, people betting on cow poop, and feral farm animals at every turn.
And I never imagined falling for a small-town business owner. That would be so cliché . . . if he weren’t also the town’s only Uber driver, my temporary landlord, and the son of our cookie-baking star. But he’s the most genuine, caring man I’ve ever met.
Even if he is out on parole from the county jail.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2022
71 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Kaci Lane
26 books269 followersKaci Lane is an Alabama girl whose mission in life is to write stories that relate to real-life issues with a bit of comic relief. While unsuccessfully trying to learn Spanish for a decade, she has become fluent in Sarcasm, Southern Belle and movie quotes. She is married to a true Southern gentleman and has two young children, all of which help keep her humility in check.
With a background and degree in journalism, Kaci has written almost everything about anything. Well, except for topics that would make any good Southern Baptist’s face turn the color of a Crimson Tide football jersey.
If you want to learn more about Kaci and fun, behind the scenes of her writing, sign up for her newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/v3v3p5.
With a background and degree in journalism, Kaci has written almost everything about anything. Well, except for topics that would make any good Southern Baptist’s face turn the color of a Crimson Tide football jersey.
If you want to learn more about Kaci and fun, behind the scenes of her writing, sign up for her newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/v3v3p5.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 7, 2023
This was so different than what I was expecting. And it’s almost entirely due to how amazingly complex and deep Earl Ed really is, as opposed to how we’d seen him through others’ eyes. Even though we don’t have the same kind of shared history with Mack, she’s just as complex and layered a character. I thought these two were utterly precious together. They kept me laughing while sneaking in subtle universal truths about being true to yourself, integrity, and how we relate to one another. My heart has been completely stolen by the citizens of Apple Cart, and I can’t wait to dive into more stories about them.
December 9, 2022
This is such a fun Christmas story!
City meets country as Mackenzie travels to Apple Cart, Alabama, to direct a Christmas special about Carla’s cookies. Mack needed a change of pace from her usual Hallmark movie repetitive scenarios, but she might live her own Hallmark story as she can’t help but fall for Carla’s son, Earl Ed. But they both might be too closed off from their own issues to realize what they could have before it’s gone.
This is a quick read that’s completely engaging. It’s hilarious! Some might think it’s offensive to portray the Southern people as ‘rednecks,’ but the descriptions are spot on and so funny and relatable if you’re from the rural South. The bigger cast of characters is a hoot. I loved reading about every random encounter. The romance aspect is slow and sweet. It’s a fun, wholesome, and entertaining story.
I really loved reading this! Sometimes a fun, sweet, quick read about Christmas cookies and romance is just what is needed to add to Christmas joy.
* Very thankful to have received an ARC from the author. This is my own honest review.
City meets country as Mackenzie travels to Apple Cart, Alabama, to direct a Christmas special about Carla’s cookies. Mack needed a change of pace from her usual Hallmark movie repetitive scenarios, but she might live her own Hallmark story as she can’t help but fall for Carla’s son, Earl Ed. But they both might be too closed off from their own issues to realize what they could have before it’s gone.
This is a quick read that’s completely engaging. It’s hilarious! Some might think it’s offensive to portray the Southern people as ‘rednecks,’ but the descriptions are spot on and so funny and relatable if you’re from the rural South. The bigger cast of characters is a hoot. I loved reading about every random encounter. The romance aspect is slow and sweet. It’s a fun, wholesome, and entertaining story.
I really loved reading this! Sometimes a fun, sweet, quick read about Christmas cookies and romance is just what is needed to add to Christmas joy.
* Very thankful to have received an ARC from the author. This is my own honest review.
April 3, 2023
adorable!
I loved Earl Ed,s personality and how he just fit with Mack. She was just what he needed. Read in one sitting!! Loved it
I loved Earl Ed,s personality and how he just fit with Mack. She was just what he needed. Read in one sitting!! Loved it
January 4, 2025
A fun and different Christmas story. Earl Ed is complex and not what he appeared to be in the first book.
December 4, 2022
This was a clean, sweet romance that I absolutely fell in love with. It literally felt like I was reading about people where I'm from. Earl Ed is someone you can easily fall for just from his mannerisms alone. Everything about his mom, Carla, and his whole family just felt like home to me. The crazy relatives, stubborn fathers, favorite cousin, and outrageous Christmas decorations are the epitome of true southern families. Not to mention all the food. It was refreshing to read a book that I could relate to. Mackenzie needed a change from directing Hallmark movies, but when she signed on to make a reality show about Carla and her cookies, she never thought she would be falling in love herself. Earl Ed was everything she didn't know what was missing in her life, and she fell in love with Apple Creek, too. This book gave me so many good feels, and I hope to read more from Kaci Lane.
December 14, 2022
Ok, you just HAVE to read a book with a title like this! I mean, does that not pique your interest??? And Kaci Lane, "'So, what do ya say? Christmas in Dixie?'" I see what you did there!
I laughed so much while I was reading this. At one point, I literally snorted while laughing, which got my 15 year old laughing. So it's a book that gives back, right?
However, I'm not sure I can eat the good little pieces of ice anymore. Do people really call it that?
I loved Earl Ed in this book. He was sweet and gentlemanly and chivalrous, and I just loved him. He's like a big ol' teddy bear.
I love following this family and Apple Cart county. I can't wait to see what happens next!
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required.*
I laughed so much while I was reading this. At one point, I literally snorted while laughing, which got my 15 year old laughing. So it's a book that gives back, right?
However, I'm not sure I can eat the good little pieces of ice anymore. Do people really call it that?
I loved Earl Ed in this book. He was sweet and gentlemanly and chivalrous, and I just loved him. He's like a big ol' teddy bear.
I love following this family and Apple Cart county. I can't wait to see what happens next!
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required.*
December 17, 2022
What a fun book to read! Definitely not a boring, know what is coming story. As you read it, it's as if someone told you what happened last week in their hometown down south. Very relatable. And what a needed fun story with all the hard stuff going on around us.
Worth the read, and I highly recommend it.
I received a digital copy with no expectation in return. I chose to leave my honest opinion on the book.
Worth the read, and I highly recommend it.
I received a digital copy with no expectation in return. I chose to leave my honest opinion on the book.
December 7, 2022
Such a fun and entertaining story! City meets Redneck and they go together perfectly!
Thanks to the author for providing this book for my honest review!
Thanks to the author for providing this book for my honest review!
April 10, 2023
I loved this book!!
It was so much fun to see all the different Southern things, and how Mackenzie was confused by them. Country people are my favorite type of people, so it was nice to see "rednecks" portrayed in a good way (there were a few crazies, but don't we all have those in our families? lol).
I also think this is the very first novel I've read where the main male character wasn't completely buff and all muscles. It felt very realistic because, to be honest, how often do you actually see a guy that muscular? Mackenzie was cute and I really liked her chemistry with all of the characters, especially Earl Ed and Carla. Plus, I loved that she excepted Earl Ed as he was, which included his big, crazy family.
This was an extremely fun read, and now I want to read the rest of the series!
It was so much fun to see all the different Southern things, and how Mackenzie was confused by them. Country people are my favorite type of people, so it was nice to see "rednecks" portrayed in a good way (there were a few crazies, but don't we all have those in our families? lol).
I also think this is the very first novel I've read where the main male character wasn't completely buff and all muscles. It felt very realistic because, to be honest, how often do you actually see a guy that muscular? Mackenzie was cute and I really liked her chemistry with all of the characters, especially Earl Ed and Carla. Plus, I loved that she excepted Earl Ed as he was, which included his big, crazy family.
This was an extremely fun read, and now I want to read the rest of the series!
December 19, 2022
Finding Her Hero . . .
Unwilling to direct the same kind of love story over and over in freezing cold Canadian weather, Mackenzie begs her agent for something different this time. So she is offered a baking show miniseries about someone who makes custom cookies for Christmas in Alabama! A sort of “Christmas in Dixie” experience and a change of pace. And Arnie swears they don’t have snow there, so she breathes a sigh of relief and signs the contract.
The whole clan seems to be in the Mayberry house for dinner and the big announcement that Carla will be starring in a show highlighting her cookies. Carla designates her son, Earl Ed, to pick up the fancy city-slicker director Mack Magee from the airport, although Earl Ed doesn’t know why the production company doesn’t drive the guy here themselves or get him a rental car. When he realizes he forgot to make a sign for the guy to identify him, he tears up a box lid and rips apart the inside of his truck as he looks for a pen. He finally settles on orange spray paint. He drives her to the Quality Inn where her company reserved a room for her. When a rat ran out the door, Mack screams and jumps into Earl Ed’s arms. His friend Jack has no rooms to rent either, so he decides to take her to stay at his parents’ huge house. She tells him staying with a client is not permitted, so he offers his own home. He showed her to the spare bedroom where the only person who ever stayed there was “my daddy’s sister’s husband’s ex-wife’s brother who was in town to drop off some Chihuahuas.” She couldn’t begin to figure out that sentence.
The next day, Earl Ed cooked her the best breakfast she ever had (and she moaned over the biscuits). He drove her to meet his mom, and the huge expensive home surprised her. Carla gave her cookies to sample and told her all about her baking commitments. Meeting Earl Ed's family and being part of their Christmas celebration made her love both the small town and Earl Ed’s huge family. Earl Ed was the nicest person she had ever met. Would the two of them realize their feelings for each other? Or would this chance to find their HEA pass them by?
This story was wonderful, filled with laughter and crazy relatives many of us can relate to. It is easy to see how “genuine” Earl Ed is. His goodness just radiates from him. He is an extremely likable guy, and knowing Mack sees that too makes her a good partner for him – if the two will admit to it! Grab your copy and see what the future holds for them.
Unwilling to direct the same kind of love story over and over in freezing cold Canadian weather, Mackenzie begs her agent for something different this time. So she is offered a baking show miniseries about someone who makes custom cookies for Christmas in Alabama! A sort of “Christmas in Dixie” experience and a change of pace. And Arnie swears they don’t have snow there, so she breathes a sigh of relief and signs the contract.
The whole clan seems to be in the Mayberry house for dinner and the big announcement that Carla will be starring in a show highlighting her cookies. Carla designates her son, Earl Ed, to pick up the fancy city-slicker director Mack Magee from the airport, although Earl Ed doesn’t know why the production company doesn’t drive the guy here themselves or get him a rental car. When he realizes he forgot to make a sign for the guy to identify him, he tears up a box lid and rips apart the inside of his truck as he looks for a pen. He finally settles on orange spray paint. He drives her to the Quality Inn where her company reserved a room for her. When a rat ran out the door, Mack screams and jumps into Earl Ed’s arms. His friend Jack has no rooms to rent either, so he decides to take her to stay at his parents’ huge house. She tells him staying with a client is not permitted, so he offers his own home. He showed her to the spare bedroom where the only person who ever stayed there was “my daddy’s sister’s husband’s ex-wife’s brother who was in town to drop off some Chihuahuas.” She couldn’t begin to figure out that sentence.
The next day, Earl Ed cooked her the best breakfast she ever had (and she moaned over the biscuits). He drove her to meet his mom, and the huge expensive home surprised her. Carla gave her cookies to sample and told her all about her baking commitments. Meeting Earl Ed's family and being part of their Christmas celebration made her love both the small town and Earl Ed’s huge family. Earl Ed was the nicest person she had ever met. Would the two of them realize their feelings for each other? Or would this chance to find their HEA pass them by?
This story was wonderful, filled with laughter and crazy relatives many of us can relate to. It is easy to see how “genuine” Earl Ed is. His goodness just radiates from him. He is an extremely likable guy, and knowing Mack sees that too makes her a good partner for him – if the two will admit to it! Grab your copy and see what the future holds for them.
February 10, 2023
I love this book! I'm from the deep south, so all of the Traditions are so true! Its so funny, LOL! Our people love Jalapeno Poppers! Waiting for more from this author! You are a fantastic author Kaci Lane!
December 17, 2022
This book was just the best. I loved seeing Earl Ed, an unlikely hero, getting a HEA.
I've been complaining for a while how there are so many books with plus size heroines, but never plus size heros. I loved that the author decided to go that route with this book. It was refreshing to see real people portrayed!
If you read Christmas in Dixie, then you are already familiar with the entire family. It was so fun getting to see them again and from a different perspective.
The only thing I felt was missing was closure with Earl Ed and his dad. I was hoping to see more of their relationship and really, an apology from the dad.
Otherwise, this book is the perfect, clean and hilarious Christmas read!
I've been complaining for a while how there are so many books with plus size heroines, but never plus size heros. I loved that the author decided to go that route with this book. It was refreshing to see real people portrayed!
If you read Christmas in Dixie, then you are already familiar with the entire family. It was so fun getting to see them again and from a different perspective.
The only thing I felt was missing was closure with Earl Ed and his dad. I was hoping to see more of their relationship and really, an apology from the dad.
Otherwise, this book is the perfect, clean and hilarious Christmas read!
December 17, 2022
I must say I absolutely loved this book! It was like Christmas in book form. I had never really read much of Kaci’s work before except for Christmas in Dixie and you best believe right after I finished this I jumped straight into her Bama Boys Series! It reminded me so much of my own hometown. I loveeeeee Earl Ed & Mac. I laughed so much during this book! Earl Ed is sweet and funny and an all around genuine guy! I loved getting to know Ear’s family more! The way everyone raved about his mamas cookies made me wish they were real so I could order some 🤭 I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more of her books! 5 stars!!
December 9, 2022
This was a fast paced, fun filled romance with much Southern charm for the main course and angst on the side!
Loved this feel good story with memorable and eccentric characters who shine in their special ways in Alabama, New York City and Vancouver. Throw in Christmas, a film crew, plenty of food, animal antics and a happily ever after - what more could a reader ask for?!
Loved Mackenzie’s choice of name for her cat and the brilliant Mayberry Christmas traditions!
Many of the lines made this reader smile hugely so this story comes highly recommended - please read!
Received this as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my own opinion.
Loved this feel good story with memorable and eccentric characters who shine in their special ways in Alabama, New York City and Vancouver. Throw in Christmas, a film crew, plenty of food, animal antics and a happily ever after - what more could a reader ask for?!
Loved Mackenzie’s choice of name for her cat and the brilliant Mayberry Christmas traditions!
Many of the lines made this reader smile hugely so this story comes highly recommended - please read!
Received this as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my own opinion.
December 12, 2022
Oh my goodness, I just loved this book! Being introduced to Earl Ed and his family in previous books was just a small taste as this book really showed their personalities and the crazy, loving family they are. Earl Ed is one of my new favorite characters from Kaci as he is so real and relatable. MacKenzie is such a great main character as well and I felt my heart really feeling for her as she seeks to find her place and happiness. The references to Hallmark movies and the southern traditions and quirkiness of this family added so much to the story and is an excellent Christmas book to get in the spirit!
December 17, 2022
I love Kaci Lane's Bama Boys series so I loved getting to spend time in a different part of Apple Cart County and meet another set of characters. I also loved that Mack was a disillusioned Hallmark movie director and I loved Earl Ed and his mom Carla and the whole crazy crew that made up his family. I also loved the references to previous Bama Boys books and to their characters and I liked that it potentially set up more Bama Boys books. I also loved Bradley what a character he is! Overall this is a fun well written sweet romance full of small town antics and crazy family Christmas traditions in full honesty I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review
December 17, 2022
This story is so much fun! I’ve read several books by this author and this my favorite so far. Earl Ed is unlike the typical male lead, but so endearing. Loved him!
I recommend reading Christmas in Dixie first. This is where we first meet these family members and friends. I also recommend the Bama Boys series.
I recommend reading Christmas in Dixie first. This is where we first meet these family members and friends. I also recommend the Bama Boys series.
December 23, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Being from the South and considering myself a bit redneckish I found the story so funny and so relatable. This book was like coming home for me!!
December 20, 2022
Loved it. The books are so fun. The character are fun and the book is very light. Perfect holiday read. Please write more in this series
December 24, 2022
Give us more, please!!!
Earl Ed is perfect in his non-perfection. Mackenzie is one lucky woman! I could read about them all day long...
Earl Ed is perfect in his non-perfection. Mackenzie is one lucky woman! I could read about them all day long...
October 26, 2023
"Crazy Rich Rednecks" by Kaci Lane was such a fun story! Main characters Mackenzie Magee and Earl Ed Mayberry were both incredibly likeable and surprisingly relatable, and even though it didn't seem like they should work as a couple, they fit together perfectly. I particularly liked that Earl Ed wasn't a typical buff hero; he needed to lose a few pounds (or at least he thought so - no judgment from me!), but more importantly, he was genuinely kind, caring, and a true Southern gentleman. I completely understood why Mack was charmed by him, his quirky family, and their holiday traditions. I would have fallen for him too!
Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by Kaci Lane, but it won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by Kaci Lane, but it won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 2, 2023
This was cute and funny, but with everything that’s been going on lately the political stance towards guns that most of the Mayberry family have irritated me to say the least. I also wish that there was more development between some of the family drama that takes place (like Earl Ed’s relationship with his dad) but it was just glossed over.
May 27, 2024
Such a hoot all the way through!
Earl Ed and MacKenzie are so cute throughout the whole book. I love watching them grow together and getting to see all of the family and town traditions, especially the ones that overlap with what I grew up with. The romance is sweet and the characters are amazing! Some of the side characters could be from my hometown. Absolutely loved this book!
Earl Ed and MacKenzie are so cute throughout the whole book. I love watching them grow together and getting to see all of the family and town traditions, especially the ones that overlap with what I grew up with. The romance is sweet and the characters are amazing! Some of the side characters could be from my hometown. Absolutely loved this book!
December 17, 2022
Crazy Rich Reddicks
A very fun and funny story with numerous eccentric and unique characters, and a wonderful relationship that grows into a very real and special love❣️
A very fun and funny story with numerous eccentric and unique characters, and a wonderful relationship that grows into a very real and special love❣️
April 11, 2023
This was a fun and quick little read. Plus size male. Good jokes about Hallmark. It just needed to be stronger in some places.
May 3, 2023
Not my cup of tea.
May 19, 2023
I don’t know what I thought this book was going to be, but I really did enjoy it. I only have it three stars because it was too cheesy at some points.
November 7, 2023
DNF...not my cup of tea at all.
December 29, 2023
Entertaining and engaging
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews