3.25/5; 3 stars; BI am not familiar with this author and I must say I will read more of her books even though this one did not bowl me over. This book was well written and well paced but its several books into a series so I wasnt as attached to the characters as I would have been if I had read other books in the series. Honeysuckle summer was a sweet love story slightly overshadowed by small town drama and strong plot lines about teenaged eating disorders and recovery from domestic abuse. I liked this book and i wish i could give it four stars but the audio format was not the best way to read this book. Honestly, i think the narrator did the best she could but there really should have been two narrators. There were so many voices, both male and female, all with southern accents, that i think the narrator was overwhelmed. Some of the women started sounding like "valley girls" and some of the men, especially Carter, sounded a bit like Gomer Pile. If you are too young to know who Gomer Pile is just think "big, dumb, galoot".I know now why this author has so many fans, and I will definitely look for other books by her. I never knew much about agoraphobia until I read this title. I enjoy Sherryl Woods' Sweet Magnolias series about the couples and friendships in a gossipy but welcoming small Southern town.Raylene Hammond's fear of leaving the house is understandable - her ex-husband Paul (the "dream doctor" she thought would take her to a life of wealth and privilege) turns out to be both physically and psychologically abusive. Paul is put in jail after a rant in which he causes Raylene to miscarry their baby. The terrified woman returns home to her best friend Sarah, who welcomes her into the safety of her home.When Sarah's five year old son strikes out through the neighborhood in pursuit of the ice cream truck, Raylene finds herself unable to even leave the porch. Carter Rollins, the new deputy in town who brings Tommy safely home, judges her to be a self-absorbed snob and wishes he could nail her for child neglect. A lecture from Sarah's fiancee Travis straightens Carter out about the situation and he visits Raylene to apologize. While visiting, Carter finds Raylene an attractive, bright and funny woman and he determines to help her overcome her agoraphobia.Carter has difficulties of his own. His parents were killed in a car accident, leaving him to raise his fourteen year old and sixteen year old sisters. Carrie, the older girl, is developing anorexia due to issues about losing her parents and moving to a new town. Annie, another friend from town, has battled anorexia herself and does her best to help Carrie through this issue.The story climaxes with Paul Hammond being released from jail and finding his way to Raylene...despite all the precautions Carter and the other folks in town have put in place to protect her. Since Carter is across the county on another call, Raylene must face down Paul herself...and also protect Mandy, Carter's younger sister who happens to be helping in the garden that day. Raylene's courage in standing up to Paul (and literally knocking him flat in the process!) helps her to realize that she is able to fend for herself and that having friends in small town Serenity is of much more value than social climbing in Charleston. The story ends with a wedding, a Bermuda honeymoon (yes, Raylene finally made it out of her house!) and with Carrie beginning to make friends and overcome her anorexia. Both Carrie and Mandy are thrilled to have a new "big sister" who "really gets how it is to be a teenage girl!"This was one of my favorite Serenity books. In addition to having a police character ( always a plus in my view), the plot deals with issues that many people struggle with today. I'm currently reading "Catching Fireflies"....this sequel of a THIRD generation of "Sweet Magnolias" focuses on cyber-bullying, doctoring photos online, and other cruel pranks that girls (who are FAR WORSE bullies than boys) misuse in today's social networking culture.Sherryl Woods always delivers a winning book!
What do You think about Honeysuckle Summer (2010)?
Sweet Magnolias are there for each other through thick and thin.
—anhelax3
Love Love Love this writter. So true to life stories.
—awesome
Love all these light reading, feel good books.
—Kim
