lindasdarby's review
3.0
I thought this book was sweet and the main character was great. A fun and easy read.
kellyldriver's review against another edition
5.0
This is my "feel good" book of the year. I loved this story. The characters are rich and wonderful. The writing and detail make me want to live in Savannah, GA.
I knew this would become one of my favorites when at the end of chapter eight I read this paragraph:
"I stared at my hands, not knowing how to respond. I'd never heard of a holy man named after a llama, I'd never heard of a great gaping vagina, and I didn't now a thing about the black boomerang of karma. all I knew for sure was this: I had been plunked into a strange, perfumed world that, as far as I could tell, seemed to be run entirely by women."
Read this book!
I knew this would become one of my favorites when at the end of chapter eight I read this paragraph:
"I stared at my hands, not knowing how to respond. I'd never heard of a holy man named after a llama, I'd never heard of a great gaping vagina, and I didn't now a thing about the black boomerang of karma. all I knew for sure was this: I had been plunked into a strange, perfumed world that, as far as I could tell, seemed to be run entirely by women."
Read this book!
lindzieh's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. Some parts I didn't understand: Miz Goodpepper killing the spider in her garden and the guy at the beach who attacked Ceecee's friends. Some of the plot line was kind of random. Otherwise, a good story.
emorine13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A great story about life, loss, moving on, and holding onto the good. You get brought into a bright world with colorful characters and unpredictable situations!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Car accident, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, and Hate crime
pumpkinfreckles's review against another edition
4.0
Loved, loved, loved it. It reminded me of Hope Floats and Steel Magnolias.
hemauers's review against another edition
2.0
Too syrupy and predictable. No real conflict or climax here. Just pages of stereotypical oozing Southern society sweetness, complete with stereotypical gruff but mother-hen housekeeper.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
1.0
I picked this up after the rave review of a library member who compared it to The Secret Life of Bees and Cold Sassy Tree, and while it distinctly fits in the Quirky Southern Fiction genre, it has so little that is unique and such an elementary writing style I got 150 pages in and couldn't finish it. What starts off as a vaguely interesting story about a girl living with a mentally ill mother, it quickly devolves into a Hallmark special. (Might have been something had 50 pages been cut and it been rewritten for preteens).
sjtowry's review against another edition
4.0
Going into this book, I did not have any expectations. I saw mixed reviews on Goodreads and two people I knew said it was just, Eh. I originally picked it out to fit in my reading challenge, and I thought, Why not. Going in with such neutral expectations, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and the feels it gave me. Yes. I understand there are a lot of critics out there hounding it down for its lack of depth in the characters and issues it involved. Some do not think the story line is realistic and say it is too sweet. But I say, put that out of your mind when reading this book. Try to go in with neutral expectations and you'll be greeted with a lovely story filled with lovely characters that make you wish you, too, grew up in Savannah, Georgia in the 60s. Just go in with an open mind and heart and let the narrator tell her story. Simple as that. Because when you do this, you'll be glad you picked up this book and let it sweep you up in its arms full of heartwarming Southern charm and fieriness. It's quirky. It's warm and sweet. It pulls at your heartstrings at times, and you will keep turning pages. The perfect mix for a light and casual read while sipping some tea, whether it be hot or a glass of iced sweet tea like our heroines themselves.
kerstiejo's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I loved the humor! Just a fun light read! It was a page turner so adorable! I will be thinking of this book when I finally visit Savannah!
eh2018's review against another edition
4.0
When I started this book I did not think I was going to like it much. I was focused on it as a cliche I nearly did not give it a chance....but I'm glad I did. It was a quick read, and a sweet story about coming of age and coming to terms with grief and death. The language as the characters are described is sweet in its southern feel.