53366A41-D0B0-4D93-8FA2-8CF42B6DC4D0Today I have a review of Gimme Some Sugar, the third in the Summer Eclectic series by Molly Harper, available from Gallery Books on April 2, 2019!

My Thoughts:

I’ve used this term before- sometimes we need book comfort food, and Gimme Some Sugar and the Southern Eclectic series from Molly Harper are all just that, comfort. 

Lucy Brewer is a young widow when she returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia. Her best friend, Duffy, has been in love with her for a lifetime, and she has had no idea. Duffy watched as Lucy married Wayne, and he’s there when Lucy needs to pick up the pieces after Wayne’s death. 

Lucy feels guilty her life is better, simpler even, without Wayne around, but her family and friends insist she needs to grieve longer. No one really knew the inner workings of Lucy and Wayne’s marriage, but Duffy senses something is up with Lucy. 

Lucy decides to open a bakery with Duffy’s help and as they work together, a spark between them is kindled. 

Oh my, I love Lucy and Duffy and this story! Duffy was due for an offshoot story in this series. He’s a good guy with a big heart. Part of the fun with Southern Eclectic is the quirkiness of the characters. I mean where else can you find Duffy, who owns a bait shop doubling as a funeral parlor? And somehow, the way it’s executed feels so realistic, you don’t even question that zany detail; you just smile. 

The humor here also warms my heart. Molly Harper is hilariously clever and funny, and the food! I can never forget the yummy food showcased by the author. 

Overall, Gimme Some Sugar and the entire series are books you can fall into, knowing you will reliably receive an engaging and fun story with plenty of laughs and characters you will adore, all in a charming southern setting. I hope we get another installment or three, please, Molly Harper?! 

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. 

Synopsis:

A young widow returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia to face the ghosts of her past—and decide if she’s ready to take another chance on love—in the third sparkling Southern Eclectic novel that “goes down as easy as honey on a deep-fried Twinkie” (Library Journal, on Sweet Tea and Sympathy).

Lucy Brewer would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck.

Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.

In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town’s meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?

Once again Molly Harper “writes characters you can’t help but fall in love with” (RT Book Reviews) in this charming and entertaining love story.

Have you read Gimme Some Sugar, or is it on your TBR? Have you read any of Molly Harper’s books? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR