Carolina Mist

by Mariah Stewart

New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart weaves the enthralling tale of two kindred spirits reunited after years apart.

On the fast track at a Philadelphia consulting firm, Abigail McKenna has put her personal life on hold, content to focus on her professional success. But when she's suddenly laid off, Abby finds herself with a dwindling savings account and no promising job prospects. So when a letter arrives holding the solution to all her financial problems, Abby is relieved but Her dear Aunt Leila has passed away, naming Abby the sole beneficiary of her majestic Victorian estate in North Carolina.

But Abby is in for a few surprises. When she travels to claim her inheritance, instead of finding the elegant mansion of her childhood memories, she discovers her aunt's home in shambles, and her Aunt's best friend, Belle, who appears to be staying as a permanent guest. Although everything about Primrose may have changed, Abby still has her memories—especially those lazy summer days and warm summer nights spent with Alex Kane—a past love she can't forget....

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Southern, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)

After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?

Reviews

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kind of struggling to put into words my thoughts on this book. While it was a good story, I found it lacking in originality which affected my enjoyment of it. I feel like I've read so many books with this plot that I knew exactly what was going to happen throughout the book. I did enjoy it somewhat despite this but I just feel the author could have shaken it up and come up with something more original.

[Jena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

I'm on a "Southern literature" reading spree lately, and I chose this book because the title intrigued me. While "Carolina Mist" is a "nice book with a happy ending" and I enjoyed it, the novel just didn't stand out for me as I had hoped it would.

It's the story of a young woman who has already lost everything that was important to her once, and she's determined never to do so again. When Abbie's parents die in a plane crash, and their debts cost her the home and possessions with which she's grown up, she plunges herself into college and career, hoping never to feel the sting of financial insecurity again. But when unemployment, and the death of a beloved aunt force her to return to a ramshackle Southern home in a small town where she spent her childhood summers, Abbie realizes that what she thought was important to her isn't so valuable after all.

I like all the characters.
The plot is interesting.
There are some good descriptions of Southern life peppered into the prose.
I would recommend this book as a good read.
It just didn't grab my attention the way some others have done.

[Sandie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting

I love all of Mariah Stewart's books. I especially enjoyed this enchanting story. I highly recommend this book and anything by Mariah Stewart.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I like this book... However, I got a little distracted by the hunger games trilogy so it has been put on the back burner along with others. I have to be in a certain mood to read a certain type of book at a certain time. So I will get back to this one at a later date.

This was a nice and easy story. I like the slowish pace of it and the wonderful imagery. I know, slowish doesn't always mean good, but in this case it was. Great Characters!

[JoAnn Schaltenbrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

Great reading about Abbey who inherited her great aunts historical home but as in need of repairs. She is not sure if she will keep it and everything it entailed. Full of family, new friends and romance.

[Kelly Peterson-Cupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf for years and I can't believe it took me this long to read it. I really enjoyed this story. Hidden treasure, secret passages, house restoration, the hint of a ghost, HEA. What more could a romance lover ask for?

[Myra Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised

I struggled through probably 1/3 of the book. Thought it a little boring in the beginning. When it finally picked up the pace, it was oh so good! Could hardly put it down in the last half. I loved it!

[Myrtle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The storyline was excellent and it did have several surprises and twists. Most of the cities and towns that were mentioned or talked about I knew as I from Eastern NC. Highly recommend.

[Elliemae · Rating 2 out of 5]

audibook format

[Gary R Borman · Rating 5 out of 5]

very addicting

The story is so interesting that once you start as with all of Mariah Stewart’s novels you can’t stop.I loved this story and I hope you will too 😊

[Jennifer Schrecengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

This is my second Mariah Stewart's novels and won't be the last. This is a very good contemporary story with lots of surprises. Enjoy!

[Janet Friesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another really good book by Mariah Stewart. Story of an unemployed young woman inheriting a large old house in North Carolina. When she gets there she finds she has inherited a 90 year old friend of her great aunts also. She just wants to fix up the place and sell it and get back into the corporate world in New York but we run into a comedy of errors. Easy reading and some intrigue but a book you don't want to put down. Enjoy.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a slowly unfolding, but also a very sweet story with a likable protagonist. Twenty seven year old career driven, financial analyst Abby McKenna has just been laid off from her consulting firm job in Philadelphia. As the months go by with no job prospects in sight, Abby is not only running out of money, but is also alone in the world with no place to go. Her parents had died nearly ten years ago, and Abby had had little time for romance in her previous fast track life. She then receives a letter notifying her that her beloved great-aunt Leila has recently died and left her huge old home in Primrose, NC to Abby. Although Abby is heartbroken by the news, she is grateful for a place to go. Thus begins a new phase in Abby's life in small town Primrose, and the discovery of what matters most in life, no matter how unexpected or challenging it may be along the way.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

After losing her job and unsuccessfully searching for work, Abigail McKenna is relieved to find her Great Aunt Leila has made her the sole beneficiary of her Victorian home in North Carolina. Packing up everything she owns, Abby heads south. But the beautiful mansion she remembers is in need of major repairs and there is no money to take care of the problems. On top of that, the house is already occupied by her aunt's best friend, Belle, who has nowhere else to go. Abby holds out hope she can contact Belle's Grandson, Alex Kane, in hopes he can help her take care of Belle.

Well, I tried and tried to like this book, but I gave up after 130 pages. There were page after page of descriptions from the state of the mansion to descriptions of the contents of the safe deposit box. I was so bored since nothing was happening. My rating: 1.5 Stars.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed yet another story by Maria Stewart. The author definitely surprised me how it ended. I didn't see that coming. Was just a little dismayed that she teased us with happy endings for 2 secondary characters. I mean it read that these 2 characters would be getting their own story, but has not. Kind of left me in limbo wanting more and knowing I'm not going to get it. :( I do recommend this book.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and easy read from Mariah Stewart. While this one leans more on the romance versus the mystery, it was still a good book. The book takes place in the early 90's so its not incredibly relevant in today's society. Use this to escape for a few hours from modern day life.

[Rebecca Crowley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the narrative dragged and the character of the elderly aunt was almost painfully contrived. There's a sweet romance at the core of this novel and I would've preferred a crisper focus on that with fewer pages of filler.

[Kshydog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a romantic story about Abby learning that there is more to life than just being successful in a career. There is a mystery that really only takes place in the final 50 pages of the book although there were earlier hints that something was amiss.

[Thebestdogmom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. I don't usually read love stories like this but a friend had passed it on to me. Was fun to read something different from my normal book. Nice to see someone get back to their roots.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally like women's fiction but this was a solidly told, heart-warming story.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different from her usual style. Pretty much a straight up romance. But very readable.

[Idell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read in paperback, small grey print which made it hard to read. Very boring and predictable - I only finished it because I finish ALMOST every book I start.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story , enjoyable, light reading

[Joyce O'Neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read. It wasn't anything that I couldn't put down, but it had a nice romantic story.

[Daniele]

It was ok - not really my style. I kept waiting for something exciting, but it was sweet at times.

[Faith Deasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

[Melissa Reczek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book, it kept me involved the whole entire book. I really enjoyed the story!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Stewart's works because they always have interesting twists- this book puts me in mind of her Chesapeake Diaries Series

[Sasha McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked