Molly Harper brings her signature “clever humor, snark, silliness, and endearing protagonists” (Booklist) to the charming small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia with the new Southern Eclectic series. Carl and Marianne were high school sweethearts, loving the way only teenagers can–with no thought to logic or pride, just a bone-headed, optimistic frenzy of unicorns and hormones. That was all they … That was all they needed. Or so Carl thought.
Scared of being stuck in Lake Sackett, Georgia, like so many of her friends–without a real shot at a future or achieving her own dreams–Marianne panicked and bolted to college after stomping Carl’s heart into the high grass. But when she returns to Lake Sackett for the summer with her family after years away, she and Carl are drawn together like moths to a flame. As they rekindle their old romance and remember what it was like to be in love, they have to wonder: is this, finally, their real chance at happiness?
Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Amy E. Reichert, this warmhearted and witty love story introduces Molly Harper’s new Southern Eclectic series set in the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This story about second chances proves that “Molly Harper never lets the reader down with her delightfully entertaining stories. Humor, emotions, and romance are cleverly matched, and her likable characters are most appealing” (SingleTitles).more
I really enjoyed this series. Laughed out loud quite a bit. Hopefully she will write more.
Sweet second chance story. Carl and Marianne were high school sweethearts until Marianne panicked at the idea of being stuck in Lake Sackett before she had a chance to fulfill her dreams. She broke off her relationship with Carl with no explanation and high-tailed it off to college and the big city. After four years away and infrequent visits home, Marianne is back in town for the summer before starting law school. She isn’t thrilled with the plan, but family pressure finally won out. The last thing she expected was for a close encounter with a deer to lead to seeing Carl again so soon.
The first meeting between Carl and Marianne was awkward at best. Marianne still feels guilty about the way she ended the relationship. Carl is still a little bitter about how it happened. But one thing was always clear – the sparks between them were still there. With Lake Sackett being a very small town, and Carl being best friends with her brother Duff, frequent encounters were a given. Some meetings were contentious, as they worked through the issues that broke them apart. I liked the way that Marianne owned up to her mistakes and sincerely apologized. Other meetings were far friendlier, as the sparks between them continued to snap and grow. But having been burned once, Carl wasn’t in any hurry to risk his heart again when Marianne would leave again at the end of the summer.
Meanwhile, Marianne is at a crossroads in her life. She is well on the way to fulfilling the plans she had since she was a little girl. Law school, city life, and all the amenities are within reach. But she has discovered that those same plans don’t excite her the way they used to. Plus, life, family, and friends don’t irritate her nearly as much as they used to. I loved seeing her reconnect with her family and friends in some pretty funny scenes. I loved the whole kidnapping scene with her cousin Frankie and her brother Duff, which had me laughing out loud. While home for the summer, Marianne was also roped into helping with the family funeral business, where she used her stellar negotiating skills to solve an unusual issue. All of which have her rethinking her plans. A long talk with her dad and some devastating news gave her the motivation to reconfigure those plans. I loved the ending, as Marianne’s plans came together. Her big moment with Carl was sweet.
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck by Molly Harper (Audiobook)
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Southern Eclectic #0.5
2.5 Stars – I wish I had read this book before Sweet Tea and Sympathy as it spends a while going over the family dynamics and town relations, which was information I already had. Also, I am someone who likes to read books in order. Marianne and Carl’s story is a second chance one. Again I wish there was more romance to it. It was an ok quick read.
The narration was done well.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck is a super cute novella. It is sort of a prequel to the Southern Eclectic series, but can be read as a standalone. It is a second chance small town RomCom.
“He’s a mythical, perfect man, difficult to find. Impossible to capture. A unicorn.”
I listened to the audiobook and it was really entertaining on my commute. I love the narrator’s quirky style and voice that is the perfect highlight to this author’s storytelling.
-4 Stars-
Carl is just a really sexy man when he’s all fired up, “Carl whipped off his baseball cap. “You are the most frustratin’ woman I have ever met.” I loved this little novella Marianne’s family is just crazy and her brother Duffy was just funny, “Carl! Do not take my sister to Deer Tick Bay! It’s indecent! It’s against the Bro Code! Manny! Resist his charms! Do not defile my boat!” I can’t wait for more in this series
:DIES: I loved this little novella so much. Molly Harper is a new personal favorite author. She is so CLEARLY legitimately Southern (which, as a Southerner, I appreciate greatly). She put The Great Cornbread Debate in chapter 2 (and came down on the right side of it)! Two thumbs up and I’m plowing through the rest of this delightful series.
Guarantee to smile and swoon in Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck by Molly Harper! A story of reconnections and two souls rejoining with different backgrounds who find their niche with one another in a small town. But the question remains, can forgiveness be earned?
Molly Harper lyrically delivers a wonderful prequel novella to her Southern Eclectic series with many characters whom I would love to get to know on a more personal level. I would assume since this is the prequel, then the next book, Sweet Tea & Sympathy, we will get to see more of these wonderful characters and the amazing town she describes to be realistic and down to earth.
Believing that life was better outside of Lake Sackett, GA, Marianne decides to uproot her life, even leaving her long time lover/boyfriend, Carl behind. Now, 4 years later, she returns home before attending law school and the warm welcome she thinks she will obtain is lost when she locks eyes with her ex.
Carl believes Marianne’s leaving was due to the differences in upbringings. Poor vs. wealthy. He has made something of himself since she left and with her back in town, her be dam if she brings back all the emotions and memories he’s worked so hard to forget. But can the past truly stay in the past? Of the days they spend rekindling their friendship, Marianne must decide if life is better outside the small coastal town or has she always known deep down that her roots are firmly planted with Carl?
Molly Harper is an original author bringing joy and life to her pages. Her storyline, characters and dialogue are real, true and uplifting. I felt all the emotions from both Marianne and especially Carl. Hurt, pain, anger, joy, laughter and love… all floating on the surface making you feel what Molly felt when writing these developed characters and scenarios.
I encourage all to read this fresh, new, second chance romance from Molly Harper, a solid 4 Stars from me!
3.5 stars–SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is the first instalment (and novella) in Molly Harper’s contemporary, adult SOUTHERN ECLECTIC sweet, romance series focusing on the men and women of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This is law student Marianne McCready, and auto mechanic Carl Dawson’s story line.
Told from third person perspective (Marianne ) SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is a second chance story line between high school sweethearts and lovers Marianne McCready and Carl Dawson. Marianne had big plans after graduating high school with law school in mind, and Carl was willing to wait for the woman he had always loved but something spooked Marianne just days before leaving Lake Sackett, Georgia, and our heroine ran without looking back. Broken hearted Carl moved on with his life hoping one day that Marianne would acknowledge the love they once had. Fast forward four years, and our heroine, at the insistence of her mother, returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia to discover that old feelings burned deeply but a broken heart was harder to mend. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Carl and Marianne, as Marianne reconsiders her plans for the future.
SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is a story of family and friendship; second chances and happily ever after. The world building looks at the usual assortment of townsfolk including the local gossip and busybody still intent on destroying people’s lives. There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Marianne’s extended family who own and operate the local funeral parlour. Be prepared with a spreadsheet to keep all of the characters organized and connected. The romance looks follows the rebuilding relationship between our leading couple. There are no $ex scenes-implied or otherwise. A majority of the story line follows Marianne as she reconnects with family and considers the next step in her life. SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is a cute, clean story of second chances with an odd collection of eccentric family members, towns people, southern charm and figures of speech.