I was in the store the other day and what might surprise you is it was Dollar Tree. I saw that because I wanted to ask you a question. Have you ever discovered a television show you absolutely loved, only to find out later that it was based on a series of books? That’s exactly what happened to me with Sweet Magnolias!
I found the Netflix series before I realized there were books, and I had already watched the show before I started reading them. Now I’m enjoying discovering the stories behind the characters all over again. Of course, the recent news that the show has been canceled makes me sad. I was hoping for more time with these ladies!
Today, I’m sharing Honeysuckle Summer by Sherryl Woods, the seventh book in the Sweet Magnolias series. And if you love small-town romances, friendships, and stories about second chances, this one deserves a place on your reading list. The funny part is the cover caught my eye and I didn’t even realize it was a Sweet Magnolia’s book until I got home.
The book’s description promises a sweet Carolina summer, and I can certainly agree that the scent of honeysuckle makes me think of a beautiful summer day. I don’t know about you but I would love to visit Carolina one day but as you know I’m a #armchairtravelor and that is fine with me for now.
In this story, w meet Raylene Hammond who has finally found the courage to leave her abusive husband. Thank God she gets out! Before someone gets hurt. #Domesticabuse is a serious subject, . I don’t know about you but I’m always thankful when someone finds the strength and support to seek safety before the situation becomes even more dangerous.
And I want to remind everyone that abuse doesn’t happen only to women. Men can be victims of abuse, too. Nobody deserves to live in fear, and everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. I just wish men would speak up and not suffere in silence because there embarrassed.
Raylene has the support of her best friends, the Sweet Magnolias, who give her a safe place to begin rebuilding her life. But then a terrible accident occurs, connected in part to the difficulties she’s facing, and she needs help finding her way forward. That’s when she meets Carter Rollins, a sheriff’s deputy who understands why Raylene feels trapped.
He wants to help her discover that there’s a world waiting for her beyond the walls she’s built around herself. Of course, there’s a complication. Carter has two younger sisters to raise, and he has responsibilities of his own. Can he make room in his life for the woman who’s captured his heart?
And can Raylene find the strength to accept the love he’s offering? I’m not going to tell you whether they end up together. Because that would be a #spoileralert! And no, one likes one of them so you need to read the book yourself to find out.
One thing I appreciate about a series like this is getting to spend time with familiar characters and their friendships. The Sweet Magnolias remind us how important it is to have people in our corner when life gets difficult. Although I need to let you know Honeysuckle Summer is book seven, readers can enjoy it as a standalone story.
However, I wanted to start at the beginning of the series so I could get to know the characters and follow their stories in order. And here’s another reason I’m excited about this book: if I discover I already have a copy in my collection, I’ll pass this one along to my best friend Debbie.
She loves the Netflix show just as much as I do, and sharing a good book with a friend is always a lovely thing. Naturally, I’m also going to ask Santa to load up his sleigh with plenty of copies of these books for me and my girlfriends! Then when they finish with the books we can watch the show. Would you want to join us?
My copy has a beautiful orange cover featuring the sky, flowers, and a white picket fence. I’ve always wanted a white picket fence, so that cover certainly caught my attention. Because it would go perfectly with my country house with the wrap around porch I want to have someday.
When I looked online, I discovered that the cover has been updated. The newer design features a darker green background, a watering can, beautiful white flowers, a wicker flower pot, and a piece of wood resting on concrete blocks. It’s a lovely design in its own right.
So here’s my dilemma: if I had to choose between the two covers, I think I’d need one of each! How about you? Which cover would you choose? Now, let’s talk about the price. When I checked Amazon, the Kindle edition was listed as free, while the hardcover was $19.99 and the paperback was $9.38. Prices can change, so be sure to check the current listing before purchasing.
But I have a little secret. I found my copy at Dollar Tree and paid just $1.25. Laughing out loud! You can’t beat a bargain like that. Sometimes the best additions to our reading collections don’t cost nearly as much as we expect. That’s one reason I enjoy keeping my eyes open when I’m shopping.
With 366 pages and 23 chapters, Honeysuckle Summer is a great candidate for our 10-Minute Reading Challenge. You don’t have to finish a whole chapter every time you sit down with a book. You don’t even have to read for an hour. Just set aside ten minutes, open your book, and enjoy a little time for yourself.
Maybe you’ll read before bed, while enjoying your morning coffee, or during a quiet afternoon. Those ten minutes can become a wonderful habit, and before you know it, you’ll have made real progress toward finishing your book. I’m also planning to ask Santa when were loading the Sleigh to bring more copies for all my friends and family. Because a good book is even more fun when you have someone to talk about it with afterward!
I’m looking forward to spending more time with the Sweet Magnolias and discovering how Sherryl Woods tells Raylene’s story. The themes of friendship, healing, courage, and new beginnings make this an interesting choice for readers who enjoy contemporary small-town romance. I also love that the series gives us an opportunity to talk about important subjects, including abusive relationships and the importance of having people who support us when we’re struggling.
If you’ve watched the Netflix series but haven’t tried the books, perhaps this is the perfect time to pick one up. And if you’re already a fan of Sherryl Woods, I’d love to hear which book in the series is your favorite. As for me, I’ll be adding more Sweet Magnolias books to my reading list, keeping an eye out for bargains, and hoping Santa has plenty of room in that sleigh!
Have you read Honeysuckle Summer? And which cover do you like best: my original orange cover or the newer green one? Tell me in the comments!
Greatful Moments — Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
