Book Review: Sweet Southern Hearts

Author: Susan Schild
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: Jan 10, 2017
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: Susan Schild welcomes you back to the offbeat Southern town of Willow Hill, North Carolina, for a humorous, heartwarming story of new beginnings, do-overs, and self-discovery…

When it comes to marriage, third time’s the charm for Linny Taylor. She’s thrilled to be on her honeymoon with Jack Avery, Willow Hill’s handsome veterinarian. But just like the hair-raising white water rafting trip Jack persuades her to take, newlywed life has plenty of dips and bumps.

Jack’s twelve-year-old son is resisting all Linny’s efforts to be the perfect stepmother, while her own mother, Dottie, begs her to tag along on the first week of a free-wheeling RV adventure. Who knew women “of a certain age” could drum up so much trouble? No sooner is Linny sighing with relief at being back home than she’s helping her frazzled sister with a new baby…and dealing with an unexpected legacy from her late ex. Life is fuller—and richer—than she ever imagined, but if there’s one thing Linny’s learned by now, it’s that there’s always room for another sweet surprise…

“This charming and well observed novel about finding the courage to love after loss will make you smile as well as cry more than a few happy tears. Be prepared for a story of true tenderness, humor, and sometimes nail biting tension. Sweet Southern Hearts delivers all this and more.” --Holly Chamberlin, author of Summer with my Sisters

Review: Sweet Southern Hearts follows Linny Taylor and her new husband, Jack as they are on their honeymoon and the first few months of marriage. This is the third Willow Hill book.  While it is a stand alone novel, you'll enjoy it more if you've read Linny's Sweet Dream List and Sweet Carolina Morning.

There are a lot of misadventures for Linny as the story progresses. All the character's you've come to know in the past two books are here and they are still causing trouble Jack's ex-wife Vera is still leaning to heavily on Jack as her current marriage crumbles. Neal is still a brat that you both love and want to shake some sense into. Linny's mother is still a bit nutty.

Vera interrupts their honeymoon and Linny and Neal take in Neal full time, while Vera and Chaz try to work things out. The fun comes when Linny joins on and RV tour of the country, with stops in Dollywood and Nashville, while Jack and Neal are in Tuscon.

There's some drama on the trip as the ladies try to find a man for Rose and the RV is broken into.

Totally nuts, but fun.

When Linny arrives home, there's even more going on. Neal becomes more bratty and a baby is left on her doorstep.

Can we get any more dramatic?

I love the humor in this series and the fact that Linny just tries too hard to be a good wife and step mother. Carol Brady is obviously her idol.  There are times when you want to give her a good shaking to remind her to stand up for herself. There are also times when you want to knock some sense into Jack, because he has a hard time telling his ex to get on with her life. Most women would have probably walked out on him.

This book was really a sweet addition to the series. I hope it continues, especially with the ending of this one.

Rating: 5 flowers