Review Wednesday: Sweet Tea Tuesdays by Ashley Farley

Title: Sweet Tea Tuesdays

Author: Ashley Farley
1st Date of Publication: May 3, 2017
ISBN: 9781946229373

# of Pages: 306

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 17+ (Language )

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Three friends met every Tuesday for twenty-six years. And then they stopped. 

When new next-door neighbors Georgia, Midge, and Lula first assembled on Georgia’s porch in Charleston for sweet tea, they couldn’t have known their gathering was the beginning of a treasured tradition. For twenty-six years they have met on Tuesdays at four o’clock, watching the seasons change and their children grow up, supporting each other in good times and in bad. With their ambitions as different as their personalities, these best friends anticipate many more years of tea time. And then, one Tuesday, Georgia shares news that brings their long-standing social hour to an abrupt halt. And that’s only the beginning as unraveling secrets threaten to alter their friendship forever.

Setting: Charleston, NC, in 21st Century
Point of View: 3rd person- Lula Horne, Lizbet Horne, Georgia Murdaugh, and Midge Wilkins

Goodreads Rating: 4.15

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I like the flowers., which are hydrangeas. It seems like three different people are holding that flower in different parts as if they are three different parts of a whole.
View on Title: I guess they drink sweet tea on Tuesdays. But, what do they do while they drink sweet tea?

Pros:

• This novel's structure of the alternating third-person point of view made the novel be a quick read since it was hard to put down.
• The main characters were all very different and complemented each other.
• Lula is married and seems to have a perfect life.  The only thing missing from her perfect world is her eldest daughter, Brooke. Lula is a very social person and truly takes pride in her reputation and herself, but that could be a double-edged sword.
• Georgia is also married and has always been the dutiful wife but never sees her husband who is a doctor. She really wants more out of life since she's home alone most of the time.
• Midge has felt like her life amounted to nothing. She married once but divorced after a struggle for a child and her career hasn't gone very far. She has the ability to make her more exciting but doesn't know if she should go further into her relationship with the scandalous Bennett Calhoun.
• Lizbet is Lula's younger daughter and she feels like she is always following the shadow of her older sister, Brooke, who seems to be Lula's favorite. She feels like she can never make her mother happy but continues to do anything for her. Her life isn't much and she doesn't really know what to do.
• Some issues are discussed in this novel that the main characters struggle with.
• LGBT is discussed in here and becomes a big catalyst in the arcing plot. It drives certain characters to react in certain ways.
• Divorce and cheating are also a primary issue. Are we willing to see the signs of someone cheating or will we just ignore them?
• Death is another issue that is explored. How will we react to those who love us? How will they react to you dying?

Cons:

• Having Lizbet being part of the chapters wasn't really necessary until the very end. It made parts of the novel a little abrupt when it went from the older women to her. Lizbet is half their age. Her problems and life just seemed to be overlooked because hers didn't seem as urgent as Lula, Georgia, and Midge's. In my opinion, Lizbet's chapters were a means to lengthen the book.

Ashely Farley's Website:
http://www.ashleyfarley.net/

Other Recommendations:

The Nearness of You by Dorothy Garlock
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

Review Wednesday: Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

Title: Two by Two

Author: Nicholas Sparks
1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9781455520695
# of Pages: 485

Genre: Adult Romance/Contemporary

Age Rating: 15+

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:

At 32, Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear...and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down. In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter while struggling to adapt to a new and baffling reality. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding—one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he ever imagined.


Setting: Charlotte, NC, in 2015
Point of View: 1st person- Russel Green

Goodreads Rating: 3.90

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I'm going to assume that the girl and the man are father and daughter since the girl seems to like the man enough to dance with her. I absolutely think that it is adorable.
View on Title: Does it mean taking steps in life?

Pros:

•  The characters are extremely relatable and truly make their roles shine.
• Russ is a great representation of a man who is grateful for what he has but struggles to follow his dreams while providing for his family. He is extremely perseverant and strong when his world comes crashing down.
• Vivian is extremely vicious even manipulative. It's easy to tell that she's spoiled and she won't listen to reason unless it gets her what she wants. She really only seemed to be more interested in money than anything else other than seeing London on weekends. I have never been so disgusted by a character until I read this novel.
• London is a prime example of pure innocence. All she cares about is being loved while loving in return. She's adventurous and independent. It was difficult waiting for the moment when she would find out about her parents.
• Emily was obvious the new love interest and she is the complete opposite of Vivian. She understands Russ's situation and becomes the friend he relies on for support. Plus, her son, Bodhi, is really cute and loves his time with London.
• This novel deals with a lot of issues that occur in today's world.
• Cheating, separation, and divorce are the main social problem shown throughout this novel. All three of these are extremely heartbreaking to witness especially after being with someone for a decade and had children. These are things that continue to occur in society more and more. The writer himself recently divorced his wife of 26 years and had 5 children with her.
• The balance between work, family, and following your dreams is another key social issue. It is a big part of the reason why Russ loses his wife while learning how to be a single father. It's something that is becoming even more prevalent in the world today.
• LBGT is seen in this novel, too. Russ's older sister is married and in love with a woman named Liz. Russ's entire family is very loving and accepting of her.
• And, of course, death is an important one. Nicholas Sparks loves to have at least one character in each book who either die or on the verge of death. Cancer is also under this category. It is seen through Russ's mother who has a constant fear that Russ's father is getting the "cancer" even though the "cancer" runs through her genes.
• This novel was really hard to put down. The pacing was perfect and keeps the reader on their toes. Part of this has to do with foreshadowing at the end of each chapter that is vague but makes you want to read until you get to the end.

Cons:

• The separation between Russ and Vivian along with the fight for London seemed to be enough for the storyline. I felt that the other "bomb" that had been dropped in the middle to end of the book was unnecessary. It just seems that Nicholas Sparks takes pleasure in making his readers feel even worse while reading this novel.

Nicholas Sparks's Website:

http://www.nicholassparks.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
My Skylar by Penelope Ward

Review Wednesday: My Skylar by Penelope Ward

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: My Skylar

Author: Penelope Ward
1st Date of Publication: June 2, 2014

ISBN: 9781499764529
# of Pages: 312

Genre: New Adult

Age Rating: 17+ (Language and Sexual Content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Skylar was my best friend, but I secretly pined for her. One thing after another kept us apart, and I’ve spent the last decade in fear of losing her forever.

First, it was the cancer, but she survived only to face the unthinkable at my hands. Because of me, she left town. For years, I thought I’d never see her again.

But now she’s back…and living with him.

I don’t deserve her after everything I’ve put her through, but I can’t live without her. This is my last chance, because she’s about to make the biggest mistake of her life. I can see it her eyes: she doesn’t love him. She still loves me...which is why I have to stop her before it’s too late.

Setting: Several locations on the east coast of the United
Point of View: 1st person- Mitch and Skylar

Goodreads Rating: 4.36

My Rating: 4.50

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Cover

View on the Cover: It looks like a beach read. Why is the woman topless? What are the man's tattoo supposed to mean? Why does the cover show a somber tone?
View on Title: It seems a bit possessive. Why is the woman his?

Pros:

• This is definitely a beach read. I really enjoyed it and I got it free, which made it even better.
• This book had every possible sad story plot twist in it. All I will say is that it starts out with kids with divorced parents and then cancer, I won't spoil the rest of it. It made the book more interesting. Ward really knew how to make each scenario flow throughout the book.
• The character I found really interesting was Charisma. I kind of hate her, but she is a genius.
• The character development is done very well where it made the characters feel real. You can feel the raw emotions of both Mitch and Skylar. You can understand the motives of both characters and it makes you sympathize with them.

Cons:

• I felt that the sad story plot twists became a little much once the Mitch and Skylar meet. It's a double edged sword, but the stakes were high for the both of them. It gave the notion that love can overcome anything, which is hard to believe.
• Charisma was also a double edged sword. I really hated her and thought she was unnecessary.
• Skylar's indecision really bothered me because that caused most of the problems when it came to her relationship with Mitch.

Penelope Ward's Website:
http://www.penelopewardauthor.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L. James
Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay