Reviews

The Saints of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart

kimreadz's review against another edition

3.0

I read this for my book club and it was just an 'OK' read for me. I really wanted to love it because it was a pick for my book club, but... I just didn't. The story got off to a very slow start for me. The book is written in alternate points of view and that just didn't work for me this time. I think I would have been more invested in the story if Del had told his story up to the point of reaching Swallow Hill, and then Rae Lynn would have told her story to the same point. The outcome was predictable, but the book ended leaving some questions and motivations unanswered

Spoiler

why did Eugene give Rae Lynn an envelope of money?

. I didn't hate this story, and I think it may stick with me for a while, but it just isn't going to be ranked as a favorite.

ttyree's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

3.5

lricker's review against another edition

4.0

This was a well told story about another industry the Great Depression had an effect on.

If you love books about the South and in the Depression era, this one is for you. The author keeps you wanting to turn the page for just one more word!!

hballew22's review against another edition

3.0

This was an odd book. I liked it. So many elements seem misplaced or random in the whole scheme of the story. Didn’t love it.

beckhs's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

carolynrice's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.5

amunden's review

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

stacyrenee's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Adult
Historical Fiction

The Saints of Swallow Hill is an adult historical fiction set in Southern Appalachia during the Great Depression, about Rae Lynn Cobb, who ran a turpentine farm with her husband until a tragic accident sends her scrambling to live on her own as a man in a small turpentine camp called Swallow Hill where she meets Delwood Reese and Cornelia Riddle who change Rae’s life even further.

This is perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Delia Owens but I chose it for its turpentine camp content, which reminded me of a nonfiction I read years ago called ‘Dorie: Woman of the Mountains’ (can be found in GSMNP visitor centers!)
It’s also perfect for fans of The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek if you’re not a crawdads or Kristin Hannah fan. It also reminds me of the Vanya+Sissy side-plot in season 2 of The Umbrella Academy.
There’s way less romance despite having plenty of romantic interest (the main focus is on the two MCs, Rae & Del, and the hardships of the time period and setting) but it does have a happy ending!

natattack_11's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bsmith27's review against another edition

2.0

A good storyline but the author doesn't develop the parts she should. She spends a lot of time with the romance when the really interesting part of the story is working trees for turpentine. The last chapters could have been a whole other novel but the author wanted to tie all the ends up in a pretty bow.