Mini Review: The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Published: July 11, 2023

Publisher: Gallery Books

Format: via publisher

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Synopsis

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

 

My Thoughts

I really liked this story of lifelong friends who were always there for each other and now as adults continue to be there in each other lives. Their friendship isn't the only thing featured in this read but also the camp where it all began, so when it comes in danger they all rally together to help save it. 

I like how we get the background story of each girl and how that has affected how their life is now, What would be a summer read without romance? This book has it in spades with romance that has taken decades to come full circle but definitely comes together at the end. In the end, this story is great and definitely worth the read.

Release Day: The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Hi Everyone! It's release day for one of my favorite authors Kristy Woodson Harvey. 

The Southern Side of Paradise is the final installment in her Peachtree Bluff series. 

Please do yourself a favor and check out this amazing series!

From internationally bestselling author and “rising star of Southern fiction” (Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author) Kristy Woodson Harvey comes the third novel in her Peachtree Bluff series, in which a secret threatens the tight-knit bond between a trio of sisters and their mother.

With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare.

When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.

Links

Amazon / Indiebound / BN / Target / Walmart / BAM 

With Kristy Woodson Harvey’s signature charm, wit, and heart, The Southern Side of Paradise is another masterful Peachtree Bluff novel that proves she is a “Southern writer with staying power” (Booklist).

“One of the hottest new Southern writers.” —Parade.com

"Writers come and writers go, but Kristy Woodson Harvey is here to stay. The warmth, wit, and wisdom of this novel pave her way into the exclusive sisterhood of southern writers.” —The Huffington Post

"The south is known for breeding brilliant storytellers and Kristy Woodson Harvey has proven herself to be one of the South's most heartfelt female-driven authors of our generation.”—Jaime Pressly, star of CBS’s Mom

Advance Praise

"Kristy Woodson Harvey has done it again! Perfectly tying together the stories of Ansley, Caroline, Sloane, and Emerson (and their men!), The Southern Side of Paradise is full of humor, charm, and family. Fans of the Peachtree Bluff series will not be disappointed!"
(Lauren K. Denton, USA Today Bestselling Author of Hurricane Season)

"I devoured The Southern Side of Paradise. Kristy Woodson Harvey spins a deliciously authentic Southern tale of family and the often messy, complex relationships between sisters, mothers, and daughters. This book is the perfect beach read." (Susan Boyer, USA Today Bestselling Author of Lowcountry Boil)

"An author whose carefully crafted paragraphs stir my imagination and touch my heart.” (Leslie C. Moore, Editor, Sasee Magazine)

"Harvey excels at drawing strong, genuine relationships among Emerson and her sisters and mother, able to withstand both small frustrations and big secrets and still find true fondness for one another. Her Peachtree Bluff setting creates the kind of beach town full of colorful characters and big porches that make for the best kind of summer escape." –Booklist

“As the eldest of three sisters, I know you’re not supposed to pick favorites—but The Southern Side of Paradise is Kristy Woodson Harvey’s very best. The heartwarming finale to the Peachtree Buff series, this novel had me laughing, crying, and wanting to hop on a plane and head south. I loved every page.” Camille Pagán, bestselling author of I’m Fine and Neither Are You.

With every installment of the Peachtree Bluff Series, I fall in love all over again with the charming Murphy women and the charismatic men in their lives. The love these three sisters and their devoted mother have for one another binds this family together through thick and thin. And there is plenty of thick in this action-pack drama to hold you spellbound until the last word. One can only hope we’ll see more from this unique cast of characters and their magical Southern coastal town in the future .~Ashley Farley, author of the bestselling Sweet Tea Tuesdays

Accolades

Southern Living’s 25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer

Parade’s 12 Big Fiction Reads Every Book Club Will Love in 2019 

NetGalley’s Must-Read Women's Fiction

Bookbub’s The Most Anticipated Book Club Books of Spring 2019

Get Literary's Best New Reads to Add to Your Summer 2019 TBR

BookBub’s 21 Sunny Books for a Rainy Day

Kristy Woodson Harvey

Design Chic  

Review: The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

[Peachtree Bluff #3]

Expected Publication: May 7, 2019

Publisher: Galley Books

Format: arc via publisher

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare.

When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.

My Thoughts

In Kristy Woodson Harvey’s final installment in her Peachtree Bluff series, we once again visit the Murphy family. In each of the previous books, we get the story of each sister and this one focuses on the youngest sister Emerson. Emerson is an up and coming actress who since she has been back home has had a health scare and has reunited with an old love. She is trying to deal with all of this and is also trying to find her way in life. She loves her sisters and mother but she has doubts about her upcoming marriage, especially when her and her fiance can't decide on where to live, she has to go back for work and he doesn’t want to leave Peachtree, and it doesn't help that a man from her past in L.A. has found his way to Peachtree and her feelings are getting the best of her. I felt that Emerson had so much thrown at her in this novel between her health scare and relationship problems to her career plus finding out the truth about her family but I felt she was the most well-rounded character. She was the one who I felt grew the most in the series. Just as in life, she didn't see any of the things that happened to her coming but they suited her well and made her complete they were her blessings in disguise.

While this story mainly focuses on Emerson we also get a glimpse of her mother’s story and her life with Jack. She is finally at a place where she can feel free to love him like she wants to without worrying how this will affect her daughters but still THAT secret looms over her and she knows that this final secret has to be told in order to be free. She has always put her family first but now she needs to live her own life and that means a future with Jack, however, someone from his past is determined to get him back and Ansley doesn't know if she has it in her to fight this fight. The story of Ansley and Jack was a long time coming and their story was one I was pleased with, it truly showed how true love can endure the test of time.

I fell in love with the Murphy women from book one and this last book is the perfect send-off. I felt that everyone’s stories wrapped up nicely and everyone got their happily ever after. I loved how Kristy Woodson Harvey gave us complex yet strong women who fought for what they wanted and stopped at nothing to get it. What I loved most about this series was that the overall message and theme is family. While they might have fought and disagreed with each other when it came down to it they had each other's backs. Nothing was too hard that together they couldn't conquer. I will miss these women and their stories so much but I am so glad I got to know them and thank you, Kristy Woodson Harvey, for giving us a group of women who showed us that family dynamics can be both entertaining and emotional yet heartwarming all at the same time.

April TBR

Cover Reveal: The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

COVER REVEAL

COMING MAY 2019

From internationally bestselling author and “rising star of Southern fiction” (Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author) Kristy Woodson Harvey comes the third novel in her Peachtree Bluff series, in which a secret threatens the tight-knit bond between a trio of sisters and their mother.

With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare.

When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.

With Kristy Woodson Harvey’s signature charm, wit, and heart, The Southern Side of Paradise is another masterful Peachtree Bluff novel that proves she is a “Southern writer with staying power” (Booklist).

PRE-ORDER

AMAZON / BN / INDIEBOUND

“One of the hottest new Southern writers.” —Parade.com

"Writers come and writers go, but Kristy Woodson Harvey is here to stay. The warmth, wit, and wisdom of this novel pave her way into the exclusive sisterhood of southern writers.” —The Huffington Post 

"The south is known for breeding brilliant storytellers and Kristy Woodson Harvey has proven herself to be one of the south’s most heartfelt female driven authors of our generation.”—Jaime Pressly, star of CBS’s Mom

Release Day Blitz: The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Peachtree Bluff #2

Published: April 3, 2018

Publisher: Gallery Books

Leaving fans “practically [begging] for a sequel” (Bookpage), critically acclaimed author Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with the second novel in her beloved Peachtree Bluff series, featuring a trio of sisters and their mother who discover a truth that will change not only the way they see themselves, but also how they fit together as a family.

After finding out her military husband is missing in action, middle sister Sloane’s world crumbles as her worst nightmare comes true. She can barely climb out of bed, much less summon the strength to be the parent her children deserve.

Her mother, Ansley, provides a much-needed respite as she puts her personal life on hold to help Sloane and her grandchildren wade through their new grief-stricken lives. But between caring for her own aging mother, her daughters, and her grandchildren, Ansley’s private worry is that secrets from her past will come to light.

But when Sloane’s sisters, Caroline and Emerson, remind Sloane that no matter what, she promised her husband she would carry on for their young sons, Sloane finds the support and courage she needs to chase her biggest dreams—and face her deepest fears. Taking a cue from her middle daughter, Ansley takes her own leap of faith and realizes that, after all this time, she might finally be able to have it all.

Harvey’s signature warmth and wit make this a charming and poignant story of first loves, missed opportunities, and second chances and proves that she is "the next major voice in Southern fiction” (Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author).

Praise for Kristy Woodson Harvey and The Secret to Southern Charm:

*One of Southern Living’s “Best Spring Break Reads”*

“Escape to the beach with Southern writer Kristy Woodson Harvey’s newest book, the second in her Peachtree Bluff series. It’s a story about hope and heartache and the unbreakable bonds of family.”–Southern Living

“The Secret to Southern Charm is a compelling, beautifully drawn tale of love, hope, and small town secrets. The richly detailed backdrop of a charming coastal town and the struggles and joys of four generations of women solidifies Kristy Woodson Harvey’s spot as a rising star of Southern fiction.” --Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of Beach House for Rent

“Harvey’s (Slightly South of Simple, 2017) growing fan base will find another great beach read in this second novel in her Peachtree Bluff trilogy… Peachtree Bluff is the quintessential beach town, full of quirky residents and old bungalows, and readers will practically feel the hot sun and the sand between their toes. Harvey is an up-and-coming southern writer with staying power.” --Booklist

“Kristy Woodson Harvey has delivered another masterpiece with the second book in her beautifully Southern, evocative Peachtree Bluff series. Let's just say that this one had better have a sequel too, because I'm not ready to leave these charming ladies behind." --Kristin Harmel, international bestselling author of The Sweetness of Forgetting and When We Meet Again

“What a wonderful sequel to Slightly South of Simple in the Peachtree Bluff series. I couldn't have survived if Ms. Harvey hadn't resolved Sloan and Adam's crisis in this book and I have to admit I'm happy with the outcome. Now you have to wait for book 3 to see how Emerson and Mark turn out. This series is three generations of strong women who are the best support system for each other. This book is a great representation of the strong southern woman who put family first and deal with life as it happens. Great beach/pool read for your summer vacation if you can wait that long. Can read stand alone but strongly recommend you read book 1 first.” --Ann Klausing, Books-a-Million

“One of the hottest new Southern writers.” —Parade.com

 “The ‘it girl’ of Southern fiction.” --Daytime Confidential

“Writers come and writers go, but Kristy Woodson Harvey is here to stay. The warmth, wit, and wisdom of this novel pave her way into the exclusive sisterhood of southern writers.” ―The Huffington Post

About Kristy

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the bestselling author of Dear Carolina (Berkley/Penguin Random House, 2015), Lies and Other Acts of Love (Berkley/Penguin Random House, 2016) and the Peachtree Bluff Series, beginning with Slightly South of Simple (Gallery/Simon & Schuster, 2017). Dear Carolina was long-listed for the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, has been optioned for film and has appeared on numerous “must-read” lists. Lies and Other Acts of Love was a Romantic Times top pick, a Southern Booksellers Okra Pick and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Slightly South of Simple was a Southern Bestseller, a Barnes & Noble Bestseller, one of PopSugar’s picks for “Ultimate Summer Reading” and one of Glitter Guide’s “Must-Reads for April.” The Secret to Southern Charm, the second book in the Peachtree Bluff series, releases April 3, 2018.

She blogs with her mom, Beth Woodson, daily on Design Chic, the inaugural member of the Design Blogger Hall of Fame sponsored by Traditional Home and winner of Amara’s Best Luxury Blog, sponsored by Roberto Cavalli, about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and loves connecting with readers at kristywoodsonharvey.com. Harvey is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and holds a master’s in English from East Carolina University, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Southern Living, Traditional Home, Parade, USA Today, Domino, Our State and O. Henry. She has been seen in Women’s Health, The Washington Post, US News and World Report, The Huffington Post, USA Today’s Happy Every After, Marie Claire’s The Fix, Woman’s World, Readers’ Digest and North Carolina Bookwatch, among others. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and six-year-old son where she is working on her next novel.

The Secret to Southern Charm is available from your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble  Target, Books-a-Million, Indiebound and wherever books are sold! It is being simultaneously released in paperback, hardback, e-book and audio, so check out your favorite version!

Review: The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Secret to Southern Charm [Peachtree Bluff #2] by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Published: April 3, 2018

Publisher: Gallery Books

Format: via author

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis

After finding out her military husband is missing in action, middle sister Sloane’s world crumbles as her worst nightmare comes true. She can barely climb out of bed, much less summon the strength to be the parent her children deserve.

Her mother, Ansley, provides a much-needed respite as she puts her personal life on hold to help Sloane and her grandchildren wade through their new grief-stricken lives. But between caring for her own aging mother, her daughters, and her grandchildren, Ansley’s private worry is that secrets from her past will come to light.

But when Sloane’s sisters, Caroline and Emerson, remind Sloane that no matter what, she promised her husband she would carry on for their young sons, Sloane finds the support and courage she needs to chase her biggest dreams—and face her deepest fears. Taking a cue from her middle daughter, Ansley takes her own leap of faith and realizes that, after all this time, she might finally be able to have it all.

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Peachtree Bluff series and once again Kristy Woodson Harvey gives us a story of family and ties so strong nothing can break them apart. In this book, while we get glimpses of all three sisters and their mother Ansley this one does focus on Sloane and the aftermath she must face when her husband is MIA in the military. We see how the family comes together and try to make Sloane not just wallow and sink into depression but to keep on living for the sake of her children.

Her mother Ansley still hasn’t decided what to do since her first true love has moved into the house next door yet she finds herself jealous when she thinks he has moved on to someone new. She must decide what she wants and do whats best for her and make herself happy for a change and not just worry about others.

As someone who has read all of Kristy’s books the one common thread that I love throughout them all is family. I love how she makes arguments, lies and everyday family things that could be overlooked standout. She writes so flawlessly that you cannot help but be drawn in and mesmerized by her words. With so many characters and storylines other authors might not be up to the job but Kristy never confuses you and every character has their own distinct voice. She gives us another winner with The Secret to Southern Charm so do yourself a favor and devour this one just like I did.

Cover Reveal: The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Hey, everyone! I'm so honored to bring you the cover reveal for The Secret of Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey! This is the second book in her Peachtree Bluff series and below are a few details about this wonderful book. Please, lookout for it out in April 2018 and if you haven't please check out the first book in the series Slightly South of Simple

 [links below].

Also, check out Kristy's amazing $100 Amazon GC Giveaway on her design site in honor of her cover real!

Synopsis

Leaving fans “practically [begging] for a sequel” (Bookpage), critically-acclaimed author Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with the second novel in her beloved Peachtree Bluff series, featuring a trio of sisters and their mother who discover a truth that will change not only the way they see themselves, but also how they fit together as a family.

After finding out her military husband is missing in action, middle sister Sloane’s world crumbles as her worst nightmare comes true. She can barely climb out of bed, much less summon the strength to be the parent her children deserve.

Her mother, Ansley, provides a much-needed respite as she puts her personal life on hold to help Sloane and her grandchildren wade through their new grief-stricken lives. But between caring for her own aging mother, her daughters, and her grandchildren, Ansley’s private worry is that secrets from her past will come to light.

But when Sloane’s sisters, Caroline and Emerson, remind Sloane that no matter what, she promised her husband she would carry on for their young sons, Sloane finds the support and courage she needs to chase her biggest dreams—and face her deepest fears. Taking a cue from her middle daughter, Ansley takes her own leap of faith and realizes that, after all this time, she might finally be able to have it all.

Harvey’s signature warmth and wit make this is a charming and poignant story of first loves, missed opportunities, and second chances that proves why she is the next major voice in Southern fiction” (Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author).

Check Out  

Slightly South of Simple [Amazon]

Pre Order

The Secrets to Southern Charm [Amazon]

Review: Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Published: April 25, 2017

Publisher: Gallery

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

 Caroline Murphy swore she’d never set foot back in the small Southern town of Peachtree Bluff; she was a New York girl born and bred and the worst day of her life was when, in the wake of her father’s death, her mother selfishly forced her to move—during her senior year of high school, no less—back to that hick-infested rat trap where she'd spent her childhood summers. But now that her marriage to a New York high society heir has fallen apart in a very public, very embarrassing fashion, a pregnant Caroline decides to escape the gossipmongers with her nine-year-old daughter and head home to her mother, Ansley.

Ansley has always put her three daughters first, especially when she found out that her late husband, despite what he had always promised, left her with next to nothing. Now the proud owner of a charming waterfront design business and finally standing on her own two feet, Ansley welcomes Caroline and her brood back with open arms. But when her second daughter Sloane, whose military husband is overseas, and youngest daughter and successful actress Emerson join the fray, Ansley begins to feel like the piece of herself she had finally found might be slipping from her grasp. Even more discomfiting, when someone from her past reappears in Ansley's life, the secret she’s harbored from her daughters their entire lives might finally be forced into the open.

Exploring the powerful bonds between sisters and mothers and daughters, this engaging novel is filled with Southern charm, emotional drama, and plenty of heart.

My Thoughts

I love a good Southern read and Kristy Woodson Harvey brings it with each book she writes! In Slightly South of Simply, we Ansley and her three daughters. Just when Ansley has gotten into the groove of things all three of her daughters come back home and someone from her past threatens to mess everything up.

I love how each daughter is so different, which is perfect and interesting seeing how this is a series, and I hope we get to see each sister’s story play out. I found this book light, funny yet heartbreaking at times when we see Ansley’s past come to light. The person from her past is an old flame who has come back into town and Ansley can’t help to think if he will expose all her secrets. As much as she tries to keep him at a distance those old feelings are just too powerful to keep at bay.

While I love the characters and storyline what I enjoy and love the most in the author's books is the one thing that makes any book Southern or otherwise amazing…heart. Kristy Woodson Harvey always gives it her all in her reads and you can always feel that. The way she gives life to her characters and the way she brings the coastal South to life is utterly beautiful. If you want a great new series, one that will leave a little something after the last page as turned than Slightly South of Simple is the read for you.

         About Kristy

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author of Dear Carolina (Berkley/Penguin Random House, 2015), Lies and Other Acts of Love(Berkley/Penguin Random House, 2016) and the Peachtree Bluff Series, beginning with Slightly South of Simple (Gallery/Simon & Schuster, 2017). Dear Carolina was long-listed for the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, has been optioned for film and has appeared on numerous “must-read” lists. Lies and Other Acts of Love was a Romantic Times top pick, a Southern Booksellers Okra Pick and was chosen to be a part of the 2017 Trio display, an integration of story, art and song, which will spend the year traveling the country. Harvey is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and holds a master’s in English from East Carolina University, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Southern Living, Domino, Houzz and Our State. She has been seen featured in Readers’ Digest, The Huffington Post, USA Today’s Happy Every After, North Carolina Bookwatch, PopSugar, Glitter Guide and The Sits Girls. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and five-year-old son where she is working on her next novel.

Review: Lies and Other Acts of Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Lies and Other Acts of Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Published: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Berkley

Format: via author

Rating: 5/5

Buy

Amazon*IndieBound*Walmart*BN*GooglePlay*Kobo*Hudson Booksellers

Synopsis

After sixty years of marriage and five daughters, Lynn “Lovey” White knows that all of us, from time to time, need to use our little white lies.

Her granddaughter, Annabelle, on the other hand, is as truthful as they come. She always does the right thing—that is until she dumps her hedge fund manager fiancé and marries a musician she has known for three days. After all, her grandparents, who fell in love at first sight, have shared a lifetime of happiness, even though her grandfather’s declining health.

But when Annabelle’s world starts to collapse around her, she discovers that nothing about her picture-perfect family is as it seems. And Lovey has to decide whether one more lie will make or break the ones she loves.

My Thoughts

Lies and Other Acts of Love is a multi-generational tale of love, loss and protecting those you love the most. We met Lovey who is trying to maintain the little independence that she has left while caring for her husband who isn’t great health-wise. She loves all her children and grandchildren but she has always had a special place in her heart for Annabelle. Annabelle has always done what is expected of her but when she ditches her fiancée and marries a man she hardly knows all she does is look for acceptance from her Lovey.

Told in alternating storylines by Lovey and Annabelle we see how these two are very much alike. Lovey tells her story of defying her parents when it came to traveling but especially when it came to her love life. She fell in love with her future husband when they were kids and always knew he was meant for her. No matter time nor distance she knew there wasn’t anyone who compared to him. While on the other hand Annabelle has always been the apple of her grandmothers eye, she was the one most like Lovey in more ways than not. We see Annabelle’s story and how she came to the decision to follow her heart and to do what she wanted instead of what the family expected. We see her marriage to a man who she barely knew and what becomes of it.

I’m a believer in everything happens for a reason. While everything might be picture perfect on the surface both Annabelle and Lovey have dealt with heartache and loss, and while Lovey has always wanted Annabelle to have the best she soon finds out that Annabelle has discovered a secret she never wanted anyone to know. We all tell white lies but sometimes they snowball into secrets that once discovered will rock a family to its core. So when Annabelle discovers Loveys lie, she soon thinks her Lovey isn’t who she has always built her up to be. And Lovey being who she is will take the brunt of it all just to maintain the imagine of those she loves the most.

Lies and Other Acts of Love is a touching tale that will linger way after the last page. It’s a story of family and how in the end you will protect the ones you love even if it means sacrificing oneself. Kristy Woodson Harvey continues to bring us wonderfully written Southern fiction that continues to touch the soul with characters that are unforgettable; this is another winner and one that should be read by all.

      ABOUT KRISTY

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author of Dear Carolina and Lies & Other Acts of Love. She blogs at Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and loves connecting with readers at kristywoodonsharvey.com. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's school of journalism and holds a Master's in English from East Carolina University. She is a regular contributor for The Salisbury Post, Domino magazine and Houzz. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three-year-old son.

WoW [141]

Waiting on Wednesday [Wow] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Lies and other Acts of Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Expected Publication: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Berkley

Synopsis

After sixty years of marriage and five daughters, Lynn “Lovey” White knows that all of us, from time to time, need to use our little white lies.

Her granddaughter, Annabelle, on the other hand, is as truthful as they come. She always does the right thing—that is, until she dumps her hedge fund manager fiancé and marries a musician she has known for three days. After all, her grandparents, who fell in love at first sight, have shared a lifetime of happiness, even though her grandfather’s declining health.

But when Annabelle’s world starts to collapse around her, she discovers that nothing about her picture-perfect family is as it seems. And Lovey has to decide whether one more lie will make or break the ones she loves .

Why I Can’t Wait

I was a huge fan of her previous book Dear Carolina and this one sounds just as wonderful. She quickly becoming one of my favorite writers.

Blog Tour & Review: Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey

 Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Published: May 5, 2015

Publisher: Berkley

Add to Goodreads

Buy:

BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND | BOOKS A MILLION | AMAZON | POWELLS | TARGET | iTUNES | GOOGLE PLAY | KOBO

Synopsis

A moving debut novel about two mothers—one biological and one adoptive—from a compelling new voice in Southern women’s fiction.

One baby girl.

Two strong Southern women.

And the most difficult decision they’ll ever make.

Frances “Khaki” Mason has it all: a thriving interior design career, a loving husband and son, homes in North Carolina and Manhattan—everything except the second child she has always wanted. Jodi, her husband’s nineteen-year-old cousin, is fresh out of rehab, pregnant, and alone. Although the two women couldn’t seem more different, they forge a lifelong connection as Khaki reaches out to Jodi, encouraging her to have her baby. But as Jodi struggles to be the mother she knows her daughter deserves, she will ask Khaki the ultimate favor…

Written to baby Carolina, by both her birth mother and her adoptive one, this is a story that proves that life circumstances shape us but don’t define us—and that families aren’t born, they’re made…

“Characters with rich, complicated lives…beautifully shows how a family comes to be.”—New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas

"Dear Carolina is Southern fiction at its best. Lovely and lyrical, with the strong voices of the two female narrators taking us deep into the heart of what being a mother is about. It shows us that love is not without sacrifice, and there’s little in life that doesn’t go down easier with a spoonful of jam. Beautifully written."—New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge

"Dear Carolina is like the Southern women within its pages and those who will love this book, sweet as sweet tea on the outside and strong as steel on the inside. The dialect of the south is so entwined in these pages the reader is transported to a place where women and children are treasured and family rules all. Kristy Harvey is a natural."—Ann Garvin, Author of On Maggie’s Watch and The Dog Year

       About Kristy

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author of Dear Carolina. She blogs at Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and loves connecting with readers at kristywoodsonharvey.com. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's school of journalism and holds a Master's in English from East Carolina University. She is a regular contributor for The Salisbury Post, Domino magazine and Houzz. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three-year-old son.

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My Thoughts

Simply put this is Southern Lit at its best! This is the story of Carolina and how she brought love and joy to two women. First there's Jodi who gave birth to her but who yearned for more for both Carolina and herself. She didn’t want her little girl to go through what she did and knew she deserved more than a broken down trailer and a teen mom who drank too much. The other woman, Khaki who was family and who wanted so desperately to have another child with her husband but no matter how hard she tried couldn’t. Two women polar opposites but whose lives mirrored each other that it was almost meant to be. Each could help each other in more ways than one.

Jodi was left pregnant by her boyfriend and knew from the start that she didn’t want her child to be like she was with an alcoholic mom and no future to speak of. Her father the only person besides her late grandma that truly cared for her passed away and all she had left was her cousin and his wife Khaki to lean on. They loved and cared for her like their own but no matter how much help she had she knew her baby deserved more than she could give.

Khaki and her husband where old sweethearts but broke up when Khaki was in college. She later met and married another man and had a son who later died before she had her child. Always loving Khaki her ex and her married and he raised her child as his own. She always saw them having a ton of kids so when she couldn’t get pregnant she was beyond words. Along came Jodi who needed her help and then decided she wanted them to adopt Carolina. While Jodi thought Khaki was helping her it was quite the opposite. Through Jodi Khaki learned that while she had money and was a successful business woman, family was in fact the most important thing in life.

This is the most heartfelt and amazing book I’ve read in a while. It shows us that families don’t have to be genetic that home and family lie with those who simply love you unconditionally. So if you want an honest to god great read this summer look no further Dear Carolina it will touch your soul like no other.

Rating: 5/5