From the New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street series comes a stunning novel about a young single mother who discovers that the nature of friendship is never what it seems…. Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped … beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to fail.
Merilee finds some measure of peace in the cottage she is renting from town matriarch Sugar Prescott. Though stubborn and irascible, Sugar sees something of herself in Merilee—something that allows her to open up about her own colorful past.
Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new friendship with Heather Blackford. Merilee is charmed by the glamorous young mother’s seemingly perfect life and finds herself drawn into Heather’s world.
In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be will shock all three women….
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Emphasizes the value of friendship.
All her books are great
Great book. Loved it@
The coincidences were too contrived and unrealistic for a good mystery story.
This one will steal your heart. This story has so much to give to the reader, it’s a must read.
Karen White’s books are women’s fiction at its finest with wonderful characters and a firm message: no matter how hard you try to hide the past, it will always catch up with you.
Loved this book, especially because I live in the area is takes place. Well written and kept me interested the whole way through!!
Great Southernisms. Love the play between the younger and older generation.
Would give 10 stars if I could!! Love this book!!
In my opinion Karen White has another hit on her hands with The Night the Lights Went Out. The story takes place in Sweet Apple, Georgia and like all small towns there is lots to talk about and secrets that seep though in the telling. The main characters are Merilee Talbot Dunlap, whose husband left her for her daughter’s teacher and Sugar Prescott, the long-time resident of Sweet Apple and Merilee’s landlady. The story is told from both characters perspectives in every other chapters. Both Sugar’s and Merilee’s stories take place through the telling of old memories and the sharing of present thoughts and situations. All is not what it seems as you read chapter after chapter until you are drawn into their present lives. Just who are the other characters playing with cards close to their chests? Heather is the wealthy mom with children in Merilee’s children’s classrooms who takes Merilee under her wing drawing her into her world so different from what Merilee is now experiencing as a single mom. Wade, is Heather’s jilted long ago fiancé who know seems to be interested in Merilee. There are a couple of side characters that help create an even flow to the storyline. How all of them meld together in this story makes it hard to put the book down. Did I mention the blogger? I suggest you sit down with some sweet tea and enjoy the blogger’s southern phrases and this book. Don’t forget to make the tea really sweet!