Sweet Hollow Women by Holly Tierney-Bedord
Narrated by Scott Cluthe
Audible Audio
Published June 1st 2020 by Holly Tierney-Bedord
As part of a family where life happens to you, fifteen-year-old Carasine Busey is devastated but not surprised when her family drops everything in Sweet Hollow, Louisiana to follow her dad’s shaky career as a welder. It’s not especially shocking, either, when he abandons them all shortly after they settle into their new home in the city.
Carasine, her mom Rhonda, and the rest of the Busey clan have adapted to roll with the punches. From Rhonda’s secret broken heart to Great-Great-Grandpa Jimbo’s eccentric failed dreams, Carasine and her family are used to disappointment.
It’s not until Carasine gets a second chance with an unlikely pair of long-lost relatives that she realizes her path in life might be up to her to navigate. Being their flesh and blood convinces her that there may be some hope for her after all.
My thoughts about Sweet Hollow Women ~~
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)
First line—"Margaret Haydel would turn ten years old June 23, 1962. It was a birthday she had long dreamt of celebrating."
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)
First line—"Margaret Haydel would turn ten years old June 23, 1962. It was a birthday she had long dreamt of celebrating."
I love multi-generational stories. And believe me, this one really delves into the generations. Sweet Hollow Women is story about a family of women—women who all struggle with life but at the same time, they are all strong in their own way. As the story is revealed from each person's perspective, we see that strength over and over again. Life was hard for all of these women, and sometimes they didn't make the best decisions, but that's real life, right?
Holly has created very memorable characters and the way this story is told—with alternating voices—the reader learns the back story of each person's life. We come to understand how all the generations are tied together, whether they wanted to be or not.
I loved the slow feel of the southern way of life that is Sweet Hollow and I felt very connected to all of these women. I truly came to care about what happened to each of them. I was sad when I came to the end of this compelling story. I wanted there to be more.
I listened to the audio-book of Sweet Hollow Women and I just have to mention the narrator, Scott Cluthe. This is the first book by him that I have listened to but he was the absolute most perfect voice for this southern story. I enjoyed listening to him immensely.
So between the intriguing story of these women and the wonderful narrator, Sweet Hollow Women was a heartwarming, emotional story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
About the author
Holly Tierney-Bedord is the author of over a dozen novels and novellas, including Sweet Hollow Women, Surviving Valencia, Right Under Your Nose, Bellamy's Redemption, and Murder at Mistletoe Manor.
She is also the creator of mid-century dollhouse flipping blog www.flipthisminihouse.com and the author of several dollhouse and miniature how-to books. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin. ~ Goodreads
She is also the creator of mid-century dollhouse flipping blog www.flipthisminihouse.com and the author of several dollhouse and miniature how-to books. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin. ~ Goodreads
Connect with Holly
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