The Best of Me
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4.4 • 115 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
"Sharon Sala is a consummate storyteller. If you can stop reading then you're a better woman than me."—DEBBIE MACOMBER, #1 New York Times bestselling author
There's never a dull moment in Blessings, Georgia:
•An orphaned little girl desperately needs a new home
•An eager couple is ready to welcome her with open arms
•Friendly neighbors are always there for each other
•In this southern small town, good things happen to good people
Ruby Butterman and her husband, Peanut, cannot have children, but they're given a second chance at a family when eight-year-old orphan Carlie is left in their care. It's a challenge for Carlie to adapt to a new town, a new school, and a new family, and when she gets bullied at school, Ruby and Peanut discover how to step up as parents, and how to make a forever family for their beloved little girl.
No summer reading list is complete without a deep, hopeful, and exciting small town romance by Sharon Sala!
"Sharon Sala's Blessings, Georgia series is filled with unforgettable charm and delight!"—ROBYN CARR, #1 New York Times bestselling author
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sala's 13th Blessings, Georgia novel (after The Christmas Wish) offers an emotional, dual-narrative romance. Dying of a heart condition, Shirley Duroy returns to Blessings with her seven-year-old daughter, Carlie, hoping that Ruby Dye, the owner of the salon where Shirley worked as a teenager, will agree to be Carlie's guardian. She barely makes it to the police station before dying, but she leaves a letter for Ruby detailing her request. Ruby and her husband, the improbably named attorney Peanut Butterman, are blindsided, but, unable to have children of their own, they welcome the confused and grieving Carlie into their home and together the trio navigate becoming a family. Meanwhile, veterinarian Deborah Ryman returns to Blessings to help her mother sell the family farm and reconnects with her neighbor and ex-boyfriend Ladd Daltry. When Ladd is severely injured by a stampeding bull, Deborah rushes him to the hospital and their old spark reignites. Sala brings the vibrant, folksy community of Blessings to life with a distinctive Southern charm. Devoted readers and newcomers alike will embrace this heartfelt story of love and family.
Customer Reviews
A moving story
Have tissues in hand! The first chapter is a tearjerker. Once again the story takes place in Blessings, GA and is said to be the final in the series, but what about the next generation? The characters are back from previous books, but can be read as a standalone. The focus is time is on the Butterman’s, Ruby is unaware that she has been made guardian of a sweet little girl. Her former employee, Shirley is dying and with the last of her strength takes her daughter to Blessings to inform Ruby of her guardianship. She makes it into the police station and dies in Carlie’s arms. No 8 year old child should have to go thru that. The story is of Carlie adjusting to her new life, working through her fears, trusting and learning to love total strangers.
As always there are other stories interwoven, growing up and 2nd chance love for high school sweethearts. Well done! Very moving storyline, a real page turner. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheBestofMe
The Best of Me
A heart tugging story simply told. First time reading this author. Really two stories in one. The first about a little girl whose mother dies as soon as they arrive in the mother’s hometown. She leaves instructions who to contact . The second about a couple who had a strong relationship as teenagers, but the boy leaves for college and doesn’t come back home and the girl leaves as well going on with her life.
The Best of Me
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
First just let me say that you will need plenty of tissues on hand for this beautifully written story. If you are like me sinus pills as well as the continued tears and sorrow played havoc. This story was such a roller-coaster of emotional drama. I cried like a big baby right from the beginning. There were ups and downs, twists and turns. There are highs to go with the lows. Sunshine and gray clouds.
I adored the multiple POVs here. There was more than one story line here but the most gripping was the Carlie Jo Duroy being orphaned at the tender age of 7 (almost 8). For the past 2 years, young Carlie took care of her mother. After getting off of a Greyhound bus in Blessings, GA, Shirley and Carlie Duroy make their way across the street to the police station. Cue the tears!!!!
There was another story line about two childhood sweethearts that both eventually return back to town due to sickness and death in both of their families. Read how these two sweethearts find their way back to each other. This story line had just a little sexy to it.
I just adored this story and highly recommend it to anyone. Just remember the full box of tissues will be required!