USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber’s South of the Buttonwood Tree is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm. Blue Bishop has a knack for finding lost things. While growing up in charming small-town Buttonwood, Alabama, she’s happened across lost wallets, jewelry, pets, her wandering neighbor, and sometimes, trouble. No one is more … sometimes, trouble. No one is more surprised than Blue, however, when she comes across an abandoned newborn baby in the woods, just south of a very special buttonwood tree.
Sarah Grace Landreneau Fulton is at a crossroads. She has always tried so hard to do the right thing, but her own mother would disown her if she ever learned half of Sarah Grace’s secrets.
The unexpected discovery of the newborn baby girl will alter Blue’s and Sarah Grace’s lives forever. Both women must fight for what they truly want in life and for who they love. In doing so, they uncover long-held secrets that reveal exactly who they really are–and what they’re willing to sacrifice in the name of family.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber is a magical Southern tale. I thought the story was well-written with developed characters set in a charming Southern town. I liked the Buttonwood Tree that dispenses advice when asked, but you had better follow it or be prepared to pay the price. The story follows Blue Bishop and Sarah Grace Fulton as they go on a journey. Blue finds a baby near the Buttonwood Tree with a note that the little girl is meant for her. No one is aware that this child will bring change to certain lives and hidden secrets will be brought out in the open. The story is well thought out and I liked how it all came together at the end. The magical elements are interesting and clever. The author’s vivid imagery brought the town, characters, and tree alive for me. I liked that the characters are realistic with their good traits and their foibles. I loved the descriptions of The Rabbit Hole, the children’s bookshop. Romance is in the air for two of our characters if they are willing to open their hearts. The chapters with various town residents talking to the judge were lively. It allowed readers to learn more about Blue and Judge Quimby. Forgiveness and family are the two central themes of the book. South of the Buttonwood Tree is a charming story that will delight those enjoy novels with magical elements. South of the Buttonwood Tree is a mesmerizing tale with an enchanted tree, an abandoned baby, a helpful house, whispering wind, surprising secrets, and a captivating crow.
Charming, unique and fascinating characters. Highly recommend getting a cup of tea (or glass of iced tea), sitting back, and escaping into Heather’s magical, wonderful world.
Finding lost things has always been easy for Blue Bishop. Things would just be there when Blue found herself walking around her hometown of Buttonwood, Alabama. She would come across pets, wallets, jewelry, and even trouble on occasion. The one thing she had never come across was a newborn baby, that was until now. While walking in the woods she happened upon an a newborn but she doesn’t understand who could do such a thing to one so small and precious.
Sarah Grace has secrets and if those were to ever come to light her mom would definitely disown her. She has always done her.best to be a good person and choose do good things over the bad. Now that some of her transgressions are trying to come to light she isn’t sure what direction she should take.
Blue and Sarah are both in for some major changes g their lives. They both must figure out which path to take and make peace with what they have chosen. With secrets making themselves known will either be able to follow the bath they both wish to journey down? This was such a lovely read that rugged at my heartstrings, I couldn’t put it down once I picked it up.
4 1/2 stars
Have you ever read a book that left you feeling peaceful and happy but at the same time angry for the injustice a character received? South of the Buttonwood Tree has left me with those feelings.
There is so much I want to say but I don’t want to ruin a moment of this book by giving too much away. Webber had my attention captivated from the beginning. I made myself slow down in reading so i wouldn’t miss a thing by reading too fast.
The moral of the story is perfect right now. Don’t judge others as you probably don’t know the whole story. Plus a little love and compassion can go a long way in helping someone.
The book is full of magical realism which if you follow my book blog I’m not normally a fan of but when it is done right I love it. This is the second magical realism book this month for me and both have been very good.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Forge Books, through Netgalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
This was such a feel-good read, and exactly what I needed! This was my first book by Heather Weber so I had no idea what to expect, and to be honest, she just blew me away with her writing. I love well-developed characters with good history to them and that’s exactly what I got.
I’m not usually one who typically runs to grab sugar-coated, charmingly sweet southern stories, but I absolutely adored this book and these characters. I was thrilled with the doses of magic thrown in. If you like magical realism, or stories that are set in the south, I think that you’ll really like this one. Or if you just are in the mood for a nice light feel-good book, I recommend this one.
You guys all know I like to give spoiler-free reviews so I’ll do my best here. You pretty much have three main characters in this story. You have Blue who’s a believer in magic, love, and family and she’s a finder of lost things. You have Sarah Grace who’s the town’s Golden Girl. And then you have the Buttonwood Tree, which is a magic tree. One day blue finds a newborn baby along with a button which reads, “give the baby to blue.” And that is where the amazing story starts. It’s got secrets, messy family, love, and hope.
The prose was beautiful, as I mentioned the characters were incredible. I am now a huge fan of Heather Weber and look forward to her next book.
Many thanks to Tor/Forge and Netgalley for the e-galley and opportunity to share my thoughts.
As you guys all know these thoughts are my own.
What a special treat to read this book. South of the Buttonwood Tree was magical while being full of real life secrets and struggles. I loved the characters and how you learned more and more about the Bishop family throughout the book through the reports people were making unsolicited to the judge. Having the three narrators; the judge, Blue and Sarah Grace, was a great way to tell the story from different perspectives. I would definitely recommend this book!
Webber has crafted an exquisite masterpiece sprinkled with magic. Secrets have a way of escaping into the light. Love, jealousy and judge mentalism come together in the perfect storm. I was immediately drawn into the drama. I was engaged in the story until the end. I enjoyed this mesmerizing novel in one sitting.
Recommend to readers who enjoy women’s fiction. Note: mild profanity.
I won a copy. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
Wow, wow, wow! I loved the book Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe so I was looking forward to South of the Buttonwood Tree. It took me a while to get my hands on this book, but finally I did.
The way Heather Webber tells a story that you can’t help but become completely enthralled with it. The magic within the story is so believable and well written that it only enhances the story. I will admit, while reading, there were parts of the story early on that made me mad and I would put the book down until I could talk myself into picking it up again. Am I glad I did! This story ran through a gamut of emotions for me. I got mad, I laughed and in the end cried. This is a story of grudges, anger, secrets, truths, love and family.
The biggest thing I took away from this story is family is not only the ones you are blood related to but also those you choose to make a part of your daily life. The good and the bad. There were twists and turns in this book I never saw coming.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a wonderful read and definitely worth it. I have already purchased The Lights of Sugarcreek Cove and can’t wait to read it.
I first learned the term “Magical Realism” with Heather Webber’s prior book, Midnight At the Blackbird Cafe. I loved every bit of it and was thrilled to hear about this next book. I wasn’t disappointed. Once again the hint of magic plays a big role in the lives of people in a small southern town. This author knows just how to make it work, adding it to a story of normal everyday people just trying to live their lives. The characters she created in this story, just like the last, quickly become dear to your heart. I look forward to her next one!
Didn’t enjoy this one as much as her Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, but still a good read. Magic realism set in the South.
This story is timeless and moving in the most beautiful way possible. Blue Bishop lives in a small Southern Town with a long memory. Her family has had its share of troubles that no one can seem to forget. This town and its people immediately grab you and pull you into its heart and soul. The rich theme of family and forgiveness is woven effortlessly through the plot. The hint of magic is an intriguing layer that keeps you turning the page. This book will stay with me knowing that family is what you make not necessarily what you are given.
This book is amazing!!! I couldn’t put it down. Heather Webber’s writing draws the reader in and doesn’t let go. The characters feel like friends that you would love to have. They feel so real and have real life problems and emotions that you can relate to. The small town of Buttonwood, Alabama sounds delightful. I felt a range of emotions while reading this book and was brought to tears a few times. There were several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and loved the magic of the story. I can’t wait to read the next book by this talented author.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really loved this book. Heather Webber is turning out to be one of my most favorite authors ever. I was excited to read this book based on Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, and I was not disappointed.
This story is about a town that has a buttonwood tree that actually gives a button with advice when asked. Some people believe in it too much, some people completely disbelieve. I love the magic woven into the story and the way the author writes from different points of view. This book is also about a woman named Blue Bishop, who never quite fit in. Blue comes from a family of criminals, and the Bishop name is synonymous with trouble. This story is about family, and finding out what truly makes you happy.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.
Another delightful read by Author Heather Webber. This book is full of southern charm with just a touch of magic. Being an Alabamian myself I feel as if I am reading about friends and neighbors of a nearby community. I’ve known or known of people just like a lot of the characters in this book. The characters and the storyline, are well developed. The story of the Blue and Sarah Grace is a timeless story that you can not judge a person by their family and not all family members are the ones you grew up with. I highly recommend this book.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
I was attracted to the title…..and so glad I was. Lovely characters, full of secrets and charm. Enduring mixture of family and friends. Some magic and fate all wrapped up in Southern charm. I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep. All in all, it was the perfect escape from daily drudge.
Delightful Southern magical realism by the author of Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. But underlying the magic are serious questions of identity, bitterness stemming from misunderstanding, loss, and grief, tempered with joy — how could you resist a buttonwood tree that dispenses wisdom, in the form of buttons, or a main character who writes and illustrates children’s books featuring a blue rabbit? Nicely structured — we alternate two first-person narrators, Blue and Sarah Grace, but in between, we’re given 3d-person snippets in which townspeople find a way to speak their mind to the judge who will have to make a very important decision. Highly recommended!
“This is the South after all, where there’s always a touch of magic in the air.” Such is life in the realm of the Buttonwood tree, located in the midst of an easily accessible forest outside a quaint Southern town.
The tree dispenses its wisdom, only once a year of course, by issuing quaint buttons with fortune cookie-like aphorisms. This is the story of two women finding their ways back to their families and themselves while fighting old town and family prejudices.
A child has been found in the woods and a mother selected by the tree. Turmoil ensues. I love the vignettes of the townsfolks all telling the Judge stories of why he should chose Blue from whom I stole the above quote. This is a lovely tale of forgiveness and growth and love of neighbor, family and friends. Warm and moving.
Find the magic!
I’ve decided Heather Webber has a permanent place on my favorite authors list. This book tugged at the heartstrings with believable characters dealing with tough situations and hard family choices. You feel for everyone and the trials they’ve been through. Yes, I cried again. Ms. Webber knows exactly how to make you feel what the characters feel. What a great book.
I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to like this book but I didn’t give up! After the first few chapters I really got into the story. I loved the two women Blue and Sarah Grace. They were wonderful characters. I also slowly started to enjoy most of the people in the town, which surprised me. Because I thought they were going to be unforgiving. Totally worth reading. The narration was perfect on the Audible version was great also.
Just OK