“A little thunder doesn’t bother someone who’s lived in a storm”

 

Charming and full of whimsy yet deeply poignant and healing.  

 

Growing up in Georgia, I haven’t ever given thought to relocating to Alabama.  There’s never been an…ahem…*tide* strong enough to pull me in that direction.  Oh but Heather Webber… if Sweetgrass truly was a place, she might convince me.  

 

{And that, my friends, is one of the strongest endorsements I can give.  Also, #godawgs }   

*All in good fun, my AL friends.  

 

Webber transported me right back to my southern roots, where time passes a bit slower and people almost always have a warm smile to share.  

 

That doesn’t mean life is easy though.  Cora Bee and Emme can attest to that.  

 

Oh but there’s magic at play… Maybe it’s coming from Glory, my favorite character.  Maybe it’s coming from the town itself.  Or rather, it could be that unexpected love (familial, friendship, romantic) found in surprising places wields all the healing that’s needed. 

 

This book was like a warm hug.  Rather than shying away from hardship, Webber lays it bare in a way that deeply resonates.  I found bits of myself in both characters.  That kind of openness allowed me to explore complex emotions leaving my heart full to the brim in the end. 

 

Trust me… you need this dose of book sunshine! 

 

I partnered my physical book with the audio, and it was perfection.  The narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis (and their perfect southern accents) made both characters come alive in a rich way.  

 

Many thanks to @forgebooks and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copy.