by Ashley Farley
Series: Sweeney Sisters #2
Genres: Women's Fiction
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Family Drama, Southern Style.
There's a stranger in town. And it’s no coincidence when she shows up uninvited at a Sweeney family wedding. All eyes are drawn to this urchin who seems to have washed in with the tide. Before the night is over, the doe-eyed waif charms young and old with her street smarts and spunky personality. For better or worse, Annie Dawn is here to stay.The memorable Sweeney sisters from Her Sister’s Shoes have returned with more suspense and family drama to hold you spellbound until the dramatic conclusion. As she approaches the next stage of her life as an empty nester, Jackie is torn between expanding her fledgling design business and spending these last precious months with her boys before they fly the coop. Her own worst enemy, Sam is terrified of making a commitment to Eli Marshall, handsome police officer, true love of her life. Her resolve is tested when a ghost from her past shows up after nearly two decades. Faith nurtures her seven-year-old daughter who is recovering from the trauma of her abusive father. Is the threat in the past, or is there more danger on the horizon? The sisters seek guidance from their mother, Lovie, a true Southern matriarch who shows them how to respond to adversity with grace and dignity.
Things are heating up in the Lowcountry. The Sweeney sisters remind us, once again, that being a part of a family is about more than sharing the same DNA.
Lowcountry Stranger by Ashley Farley is the second novel in the Sweeney Sisters series. Once again we join Faith, Jackie, Sam and their circle of family and friends as they deal with love, family and the daily challenges found in this coastal town. Farley weaved suspense and drama into the tale with the arrival of a stranger in Prospect.
Strong family, small town idioms, faith, trust, love, recovery and commitment are all weaved into a tale that offered a nice dose of suspense. Farley shares the perspectives of the three sisters as they go through their daily struggles and become involved with a young stranger who shows up uninvited to a Sweeney Wedding.
The story opens with one of the sister’s getting married and I was delighted. Farley updates us on goings on since we last visited in Her Sister’s Shoes. About a year has passed and throughout Lowcountry Stranger, we get updates, witness struggles and see growth.
Sam our rock in the previous book took me by surprise as she struggles with some serious issues. It ripped at my heart even if at times I wanted to shake her. I absolutely adored her son and the man whose heart she possesses. It was tough seeing her trials. She has some deep seeded fears that stem from her first marriage and they reared their ugly head.
Jackie, oh how she has changed. If you remember, I was not exactly warm and fuzzy with Jackie. I am more like Faith and Sam and connected more with them. (Aside from Sam’s current issues). I was glad to get updates on her family, the boys, her marriage and the business. This new Jackie is softer, a little more confident and I quite liked her.
Faith has had the most changes since we last visited and I will leave you to discover those for yourself. I enjoyed her thread and it was nice seeing Faith’s strong side. I will warn you Faith experiences somethings in Lowcountry Stranger that had my heart racing. This poor woman cannot seem to catch a break.
The stranger who arrives turns the sister’s lives upside down and presented a bit of a mystery. Between the girls and their mother Lovie, we see this stranger slowly work their way into their hearts and ours.
A lot happens in this southern drama. Maybe it is in the water, but whoever said small towns are boring has not stepped foot into Prospect. Lowcountry Stranger weaved in some heart-stopping suspense as Farley pulled skeletons out of the Sweeney closet. We suffered a loss, ate pie, and most of all we were reminded of the true meaning of family and friends.
Fans of family, southern drama, and heart will enjoy Lowcountry Stranger and the Sweeney Sisters. While I think readers will be able to enjoy Lowcountry Stranger as a standalone the series is best read in order.
Read an Excerpt
Eli squeezed her thigh. “You’re awfully quiet. Is something bothering you?”
“I can’t stop thinking about this Annie Dawn character. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about her gives me the willies.” Shivering, Sam wrapped her pashmina tighter around her shoulders.
“No kidding.” Jamie reached over from the backseat and ruffled his mother’s short hair. “I’d say you already made your feelings about Annie Dawn pretty clear.”
Sam shifted in the passenger seat to face him. “I wasn’t rude to her, if that’s what you’re implying. I just wasn’t as quick to forgive her crimes as the rest of you.”
*Disclosure: I work as a VA for Ashley Farley and was given an ARC of Lowcountry Stranger. All opinions are my own.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Meghan
Looks intersting!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Meghan!
Barbara Blanton
This seems like a great book. Thank you for the chance!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Barbara!
Trish
This sounds like such a great read! I like the Lowcountry southern setting.
Renee Rousseau
My family sibling relationships seemed to have taken on a deeper meaning since we lost both parents. My sisters and I have a girls weekend to honor Mom’s birthday every year. Everyone needs a tattoo that reads “Life Is Short”!
kimbacaffeinate
We lost our father in January, so I understand. I am glad yall have weekends together!
Laura
I would LOVE the chance to read this! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Laura!
Tyler H. Jolley
What a beautiful review, thanks for sharing, Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
Why thank you sir 🙂
Leona
I love stories that includes either sisters or brother, I can’t tell you why. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I do too. I am a sucker for romantic series with brothers…it is like I autoclick without thinking!
LeKeisha
I don’t like family drama in reality, but I love to read it in fiction. Nothing like some good ole Southern family drama.
kimbacaffeinate
Farley takes into the lives of these women and shares their daily struggles, loves, losses etc. Drama with siblings happen but you always know they love each other.
Lorna
I am sure I probably read your review on the first one but of course my memory is horrible. I do like this kind of book occasionally. Sounds a bit like a Debbie Macumber book( I know I spelled that wrong). Glad you enjoyed this installment and I think I will add this series to my Amazon wish list 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Debbie Macomber is a little more focused on the romance, and this is more centered around the family…but yes. These are enjoyable reads 🙂
Lizzy
Hmmmm…I’m not usually a cozy book sort of person, but this one sounds like it could be interesting! Which of course means I need to find the first one.
kimbacaffeinate
This isn’t cozy think more women’s fiction will a little identity mystery.
Mary Preston
I like the sound of this.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try it Mary 🙂
Kristin
I saw Grace’s review for this and I thought, “this is so totally Kim’s cup of coffee”. Ha! And here you are!!
If I ever want to try this genre, this series sounds so fun!! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, yes I love mixing in women’s fiction from time to time Kristin 🙂
blodeuedd
I could read southern drama
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I enjoy weaving it in…so fun 🙂
Mary Kirkland
Thanks for the great review. I have’t read this author before.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Mary. I hope you decide to sample her work
kindlemom1
I’ve seen two reviews for this and both were positive, I’ll have to add it to my pile.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
Trish
I enjoyed book 1 and I’m glad you found this one so entertaining. I love catching up with characters! So I know I’ll want to read this sometime.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad t hear you enjoyed the first. I had fun going back.
dianne casey
I haven’t read any of your books yet, but this looks like my kind of book. Looking forward to reading and adding to my TBR list.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you decide to try Ashley’s series. I have fun visiting this family 🙂
Angela Adams
This would make a great TV mini-series. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Angela. Hope you are having a lovely weekend!
Ashley
Thank you for such a lovely review and for taking the time to read Lowcountry Stranger. I can’t wait for you to see what happens with Sam in the next installment of the Sweeney Sisters Series, my holiday release coming your way in October, Boots and Bedlam.
kimbacaffeinate
Looking forward to it Ashley. 🙂
Katherine
I really enjoyed Her Sister’s Shoes and have been wanting to work this into my reading but somehow it keeps slipping down the list. I need to pick this up soon. It sounds wonderful though maybe a little more emotional than the first book?
kimbacaffeinate
No and yes to you questions. I think this book was stronger 🙂
Sophia Rose
Somehow I missed the first book. I love what you describe of southern setting, the family, and the mysteries. Even the tone of the stories has appeal. Nice review, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
I think you would enjoy these Sophia 🙂
Grace
I really enjoy this series. This one was another fun installment with lots going on. There is something definitely in the water down there!! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha..yes for a small country town it sure has a lot going on!
Lexxie
This sounds like my kind of series, Kim! I love reading about family relationships, and especially those that are a bit complicated, but where there is still loyalty and love as well.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, growing up with two sisters and a brother, I love the dynamics. 🙂