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Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom
Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago … an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.
In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah’s perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie’s all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.
Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, Beth Hoffman’s sparkling debut is, as Kristin Hannah says, “packed full of Southern charm, strong women, wacky humor, and good old-fashioned heart.” It is a novel that explores the indomitable strengths of female friendship and gives us the story of a young girl who loses one mother and finds many others.
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I loved this book, very relatable characters. I have read both books by this author and hope there is another book soon.
A very sweet feel good book.
Really enjoyed the love and southern charm that lifts a young girl out of sorrow into a happier life.
loved the characters and how they connected with each other.
highly recommend this book.
I really liked this book. Love southern hometown stories.
I wanted something not depressing to read and most of this book was happy but sad beginning. So easy read, but lacked something for me and I couldn’t tell you why—-maybe too much description of flowers and decor…and just too many characters in it that I didn’t care about. But liked the main characters.
Laugh out loud funny with a deep inner meaning as well. Strong women holding together in clever ways.,
I recommend it highly!
I loved this book. I thought the story progressed well, and I was invested in the characters. Would love to see a sequel to see how CeeCee grows In her new life and circumstances.
Loved it!
One of my favourite books- a real keeper. Loved the quotes and the wisdom throughout the book.
i just loved it!
Turns out I actually read ( and have) this book- years ago. But I was delighted to read it again. Lovely story. A peaceful and delightful read
During Covid 19 seclusion I have read a lot! I found this book to be very well written. The story grabs at your heart and yet isn’t depressing. It is a window into the human condition of the glass half empty and also have full and the grayness in-between. I loved it and read it in a few days. You won’t be disappointed!
Love this book. Can’t count how many times I’ve read it.
Being from the south I could identify each character as a personality I’ve known in years gone by. Furniture and uplifting read.
A fun read
Not my usually read, but I’m glad it was recommended to me. I loved the characters, the southern voices.
Delightful coming-of-age story with a precocious twelve-year-old protagonist.
I loved it and recommend it!