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Sweet Tea and Sympathy
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Publisher's Summary
Beloved author Molly Harper launches a brand-new contemporary romance series, Southern Eclectic, with this story of a big-city party planner who finds true love in a small Georgia town.
Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia, is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop. (What, you have a problem with one-stop shopping?) Two McCready brothers started two separate businesses in the same building back in 1928, and now it's become one big family affair. And, true to form in small Southern towns, family business becomes everybody's business.
Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not. As an elite event planner, Margot's rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society and made elegance and glamour her business. She's riding high until one event goes tragically, spectacularly wrong. Now she's blackballed by the gala set and in dire need of a fresh start - and apparently the McCreadys are in need of an event planner with a tarnished reputation.
As Margot finds her footing in a town where everybody knows not only your name but what you had for dinner last Saturday night and what you'll wear to church on Sunday morning, she grudgingly has to admit that there are some things Lake Sackett does better than Chicago - including the dating prospects.
Elementary school principal Kyle Archer is a fellow fish out of water who volunteers to show Margot the picture-postcard side of Southern living. The two of them hit it off, but not everybody is happy to see an outsider snapping up one of the town's most eligible gentleman. Will Margot reel in her handsome fish, or will she have to release her latest catch?
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars22
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4 Stars9
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3 Stars0
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2 Stars1
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1 Stars1
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars29
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4 Stars3
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3 Stars0
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2 Stars0
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1 Stars1
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars20
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4 Stars11
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3 Stars1
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1 Stars1
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Lauren
- 19-10-2018
Such a disappointment
I had high hopes for this book. The premise should have been tried and true but it was just so poorly done.
The lead character reads too much into her so called relationship for most of the story to the point you feel sorry for the poor guy she’s clearly stalking.
Storylines that could have been fleshed our more just aren’t.
Then nearing the end the cousins husband is randomly brought into the story as though the author remembered he hadn’t really been mentioned since being introduced ten chapters earlier and felt guilty about it.
I was tempted to pull the pin with 2 hours to go but hung in there hoping it would redeem itself.... it didn’t.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 27-11-2017
ruined by chipmunks
A big fan of snarky books I had settled in for a fun evening... then it happened, the chipmunk voice.
Was the occasional helium balloon given to the narrator? Did the audio engineers knock a button?
After a while, I was so distracted by the random change of voice to chipmunk that I lost track of the story.
Not your best work...
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-06-2019
Loved this audio book.
This is a light hearted and funny book, I really enjoyed it and didn't want to stop listening to get on with life (boring) so had it playing at every opportunity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jazztyke
- 23-11-2017
How rampaging flamingos gave Margot true love.
Margot is an event planner whose last event in Chicago goes terribly awfully wrong. Flamingos and shrimp were involved and it turned ugly.
Now unemployed and pretty much unemployable in her chosen profession the only choice left to her is with the extended family whom she’s been estranged from since she was a baby.
Margot is about to enter a ‘brave new world’ in Georgia.
....but it turns out to be not so bad.
Loved this book. From Molly Harper’s down home prose and quirky, very loveable characters, to Amanda Ronconi’s fantastic narration it’s a funny, heartwarming way to spend a few hours. Guaranteed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BikeVON
- 03-12-2017
God bless southern hospitality
This is a mature romance story about a family reunion, building old relationships and beginning new ones. We first meet Margot Cary at the height of her career as an elite event planner in Chicago where everything goes spectacularly wrong. Margot loses her job and accepts a job offer from her estranged father’s family, the McCready, to join the businesses of the McCready Funeral Home and Bait Shop.
This is a story of people of Lake Sackett. They are families, neighbors and town folk where high school dreams and embarrassments are still relevant 20 years later. The story speaks about family loyalty, legacy and people with names like Tootie, Grand pap E.J.J. (for Earl Edward McCready III), Sarah Lee, Sarah Jane, Sweet Johnnie, a woman, with female cousins, who were all named after Grandpa John since there were no boys.
In Lake Sackett, the doors of homes are never locked, just come on in; ice tea is as sweet as maple syrup and everything is deep fried from ice cream to twinkies.
Margot, a big city girl, finds herself knee deep in Southern hospitality. Yet, she finds it difficult to build a relationship with a father who she does not remember, who never made an effort to see her, and only remembers that she loved sweet tea as a child. She finds the informality of the south slightly off putting. After pontoon boat rides, organizing the founder day celebration, arranging a funeral package, and hooking up with the single male principal. Margot finds her new path in her life.
If you love small-town tales featuring family, character growth, humor and heart with a dash of romance, then grab a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY. I’ll save a rocking chair for you.
40 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Juliana
- 09-12-2017
Perfect Amount of Sweet in the Tea
Molly Harper has created yet another enjoyable world that I'm glad to spend see time in. It's not as quirky as the Half Moon Hollow series and the humor's not as dark. But it shouldn't be given this world is southern Georgia. That said the book still contains all the hallmarks of a Molly Harper romance- strong female characters, intelligent humor, and a genuine appreciation of small town life. The plot is predictable but that's okay. It's not really about the plot. It's just admit hanging out with some people you like and feeling good as they get their happy ending. And listening to Amanda Ronconi is a joy, as always. I personally can't wait for Frankie's book!
32 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- TMCarlson
- 25-11-2017
I usually want Molly's books to go on forever....
This had a similar writing style as the Half Moon Hollow series (which I adore) minus the humor and loveable main characters. Honestly, I found myself not liking the MC for well over half the book. Margot came off as cold, snobbish and arrogant well into the story. Even when she softened a bit, she lacked qualities that made me want to know her better or cheer her on in anyway.
Molly's books usually leave me laughing and happy as I click replay for a second, third and even fourth time. But for me, this book lacked humor and the usual compelling characters I would love to meet or hang out with in real life if they existed. As one of Molly Harper's longer books, I kept checking to see if it would be over soon even napping for half an hour while it played. I didn't hate the book. But I don't think I will be replaying it either.
129 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- green ice cream garden
- 30-11-2017
Thank you Ms. Harper
Not a book for everyone, but Molly Harper always manages to bring a smile to my face and the occasional LOL. Her writing is sharp, clever and creative. She brings larger than life characters to life, albeit unbelievable, but reality isn't always the point. The point is this book makes a good little escape.
53 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- ❤️ Cyndi Marie ❤️
- 16-06-2018
✫✫ 3.5 Stars ✫✫
I love Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi together. I enjoyed this book, it was a light contemporary romance for sure. The characters were realistic but not as funny as I normally expect from this author. I also thought the "closed" door sex scenes were surprising, I'm not a fan of this type of tease, I'd rather either have the sex scenes or don't have them but that is just a personal opinion. I loved the family dynamic in this book. The small town southern setting was great. I also love a single dad who starts to find his way. I will definitely continue with this series on Audiobook.
The narration was great but that is not a surprise! Amanda Ronconi is a great narrator!
11 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Annie The Audible Addict!!!
- 09-12-2017
DELIGHTFUL AS ALWAYS MH ENTERTAINS!
I thought this was a great story...and I think I am going to really like this new town of people..It does lack the Supernatural twist we normally get with MH but still super cute and humor filled....Molly Harper is a one click for me...I will read anything she writes!!!
45 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rusty
- 02-01-2018
Refreshingly Funny
Molly Harper is just amazingly talented, funny without being silly, with the innate ability to create a wide variety of fascinating and engrossing characters. Not only are her novels entertaining the first time, these fictional masterpieces get better with every listen/read.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lisa
- 30-12-2017
glad I didn't listen to reviews
I went back and forth over getting this book based on previous bad reviews, I'm SOOOO glad I took the plunge and purchased it. I loved all the characters,the story,the narrator, absolutely everything. I totally recommend giving it a try!
37 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JennyReadsBooks
- 18-12-2017
So sweet
So good. So sweet. So snarky. So funny. I love these characters and the world Molly created for them. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. Also, Amanda Ronconi rocks as one of the best narrators there is. Just sayin’.
16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jocelyn
- 06-12-2017
It's Over?!
Well that was fast! I was so engrossed listening to this that I didn't mind long queues and heavy traffic at all. I was surprised the moment I heard, "Audible hopes you've enjoyed this program" because I was not ready to let go of the residents of Lake Sackett yet.
I like that there were no instant forgiveness and immediate understanding (sans Margo's family) to most situations because they reflect how real life relationships work.
Lastly, I love the narrator. How she conveyed the emotions of the characters by whining and grunting if necessary was greatly appreciated. My favorites were June's dialogues to Margo because they made me smile. It was too sweet and adorable to listen to.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Eva
- 03-04-2018
No idea what happened
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
Different book? I normally love Molly Harper books and have been fan for ages, but this is just too bad! I kept on thinking where is the humour gone...
What could Molly Harper have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
I found Margot arrogant, cold and down right nasty at times. I have no idea where did the regular type of heroine go. They used to be smart and snarky and fun. Margot is some version of mean princess. She is contrary in her behaviour to a point where I shouted that she needs therapy for her dual personality and nastiness not because of her unwillingness to allow her father to be human. I just did not cheer for hew at all.
Have you listened to any of Amanda Ronconi’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I love Amanda Ronconi- she is my favourite US narrator! She has such a friendly and engaging tone of voice I'd love her to do car navi voice over.
Any additional comments?
I do appreciate that so many people liked this book a great deal and feel bad for not liking it, but this is not first review I left for Molly Harper's book and all the previous ones were positive as I loved them. This is first time I am unhappy, so do not judge all author's other books by this review. For me it is just one bad book in avalanche of great ones by MH.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S. Lacey
- 18-08-2019
Brilliant!!
Really enjoyed this book, it was so funny! I love the McCready's and I thought Margot and Kyle were great together. I love how she's fitting in with the family she never got to know before this book! I can't wait for the next book!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 15-07-2019
Lovely Story
This book was really good, it had a lovely romance to it and there was parts to it were it was so funny. The main character was easy to like and I like her sarcasm and her quick wit when dealing with her extended family.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Roobarb
- 28-03-2019
Crazy family, great romance
This is the start of a series, you can see the secondary characters jostling for space, you really want to know more about them. The main couple feel real and flawed but people you'd like to know. Great story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jim
- 19-08-2018
Molly Harper is great!
Another book you just don't want to put down.
A simple story line well written.
Amanda Ronconi, as always is a lovely narrator.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- I OFarrell
- 05-03-2018
Sweet and funny
When Margot’s city life comes crashing down around her in spectacular fashion, she doesn’t realise just how far-reaching the effects will be. As she becomes the laughingstock of the internet, she loses heart but a surprise call gives her another option. The family business funeral home isn’t exactly what she’d trained for but the hot teacher Kyle certainly keeps life interesting.
This romance has Harper’s unique blend of humour and a big dash of emotion making it a great read. Margot is a likeable character and when things go wrong for her, it reminds the reader that we all carry embarrassing stories that we’d rather not go viral. The situation between Margot and her father was a particularly sore spot for me personally but by the end of the book, I felt like I’d taken something important from the story.