Title: Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper
Southern Eclectic Series Book Three
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Woman’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
A young widow returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia to face the ghosts of her past—and decide if she’s ready to take another chance on love—in the third sparkling Southern Eclectic novel that “goes down as easy as honey on a deep-fried Twinkie” (Library Journal, on Sweet Tea and Sympathy).
Lucy Brewer would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck.
Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.
In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town’s meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?
Once again Molly Harper “writes characters you can’t help but fall in love with” (RT Book Reviews) in this charming and entertaining love story.
Review:
Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper is an endearing small town romance. Although this latest installment is the third full length novel in the Southern Eclectic series, it can be read as a standalone.
Lucy Bowman never thought she would return to Lake Sackett. But following the death of her husband, Wayne, she moves back home with four year old Sam. She is preparing to open a dessert shop but her strained relationship with her mother-in-law Evie is delaying her plans. Lucy is pleasantly surprised to reconnect with her best guy pal, Duffy McCready, but their relationship is surprisingly fraught with tension. Best friends growing up, they both had feelings for each other, but afraid of ruining their friendship, neither was willing to speak up. Finally willing to take a chance on a romantic entanglement, will Lucy and Duffy find their happily ever after?
The shine quickly wore off her marriage to Wayne, so Lucy is not the typical grieving widow. She is of course sad but Lucy is mainly concerned about helping Sam work through the loss of his dad. She is very happy about moving back to Lake Sackett but Wayne’s family is a thorn in her side. Lucy is excited about her new venture, but she is frustrated by Evie’s efforts to prevent her from opening her bakery. However, with the McCready family on her side, Lucy unexpectedly finds friendship, support and the possibility of love.
After Lucy left town, Duffy married his high school sweetheart, Lana, but they eventually divorced. Despite their divorce and Lana’s unrepentant man chasing, Duffy has never quite broken free of his ex-wife. He is pretty laidback and such a sweetheart that he is a bit of a pushover. He works in the family owned business with his mom, Donna, and their relationship is a bit strained on occasion. Duffy does not want to push Lucy into a relationship but he also does not want the opportunity to date her slip away.
With their solid friendship as firm foundation for their burgeoning romance, Lucy and Duffy cautiously begin dating. In spite of a few concerns about becoming romantically involved, they easily settle into this new phase in their relationship. They encounter a few hiccups and bumps, but Lucy and Duffy handle these difficulties with ease. So it is all the more shocking when Lucy’s unresolved issues threaten to derail their future together. Is Duffy willing to watch his chance for happiness fade away? Or will he fight for a future with Lucy and Sam?
Gimme Some Sugar is an amusing romance with a zany yet (mostly) lovable cast of characters. Lucy and Duffy are fully rounded characters who are quite appealing. Their relationship is enjoyable to watch unfold, but fears, doubts and outside interference threaten to tear them apart. Through snappy dialogue, offbeat antics and heartfelt interactions, Molly Harper brings this newest addition of the Southern Eclectic series vividly to life. Old and new fans are going to enjoy this latest visit with the somewhat eccentric but lovable McCready family and the rest of the residents in Lake Sackett.
