Author: Ashley Farley
1st Date of Publication: May 3, 2017
ISBN: 9781946229373
1st Date of Publication: May 3, 2017
ISBN: 9781946229373
# of Pages: 306
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Age Rating: 17+ (Language )
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
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?
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.
Other Recommendations:
The Nearness of You by Dorothy Garlock
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
