Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper

September 7th, 2017 Kimberly Review 54 Comments

7th Sep
Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper
Sweet Tea and Sympathy
by Molly Harper
Series: Southern Eclectic #1
Genres: Chick-Lit
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

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?

Family Chick-lit ROMANCE Small-town

Molly Harper known for her delightful Naked Werewolf series brings us, SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY the first novel in her new southern chick-lit romance.  With character growth, engaging family members and a budding romance I quickly settled into this small town tale set along Lake Sackett in rural Georgia.

We first meet Margot Cary at the height of her career as an elite event planner in Chicago where everything goes spectacularly wrong. With a tarnished reputation and at the end of her lease Margot accepts an offer of employment from her estranged father’s family the McCready’s.

The McCready family owns a Funeral Home and Bait Shop located on the shore of Lake Sackett. The tale delivered a delightful tale as Margot gets to know the family she and her mother left behind. As her father tries to rebuild their relationship, Margot soon finds herself spending time with her cousins, helping out the elementary school and finding herself attracted to the school principal Kyle Archer.

I had to laugh at the family run business and stories emerging from it. Harper provided its history, and it made perfect sense! I enjoyed the McCready family from the cousins to the dog loving Aunt. Margot has some issues with her Dad, and it takes her a little while to shake off the city in her. In the meantime, Harper welcomed us to the town, introduced us to the locals and shared PTA drama. Harper understands small-town politics and their inner workings making the setting and characters feel genuine.

We are treated to a subtle, realistic romance that is served on the side as Margot comes into her own, makes career decisions and tries to find her slice of happy. Harper allows the reader to experience an array of emotions from laughter at one-line zingers to emotional moments that had me completely caught up in its thread. The characters are unique and we meet a rather large cast of them.  You will adore the McCready family as they open their arms wide and welcome Margot. They were authentic and loved each other flaws and all.

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.

Southern charm, romance, & humor - Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper Share on X
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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. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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54 Responses to “Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper”

  1. Olivia Roach

    The cover instantly caught my eye, and it sounds so sweet and simply enjoyable! I love a nice chick-lit from time to time, and this small town family romance sounds endearing to me. 🙂

  2. Melanie Simmons

    I’m a HUGE Molly Harper fan. I haven’t tried any of her non-paranormal books, but I could see where they would be a lot of fun. I keep saying that I’m going to dive in and I’m sure I will one day. I know that she will make me laugh if nothing else. I will probably grab the audio, because I love Harper paired with Amanda Ronconi (I’m assuming she would do the narration).

  4. Katherine

    I love all the things you mentioned about this book and am really excited to read it! I read one Molly Harper years ago and absolutely adored it and have been meaning to read more. This one sounds perfect and than hopefully I’ll be brave enough to try one of her werewolf books. I’ve heard they’re fantastic.

  6. Fran

    Lol, talk about tea and I’m definitely there! I’ve eyed this a while ago, so I really hope I get the chance to read it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

  7. Lexxie

    I have this one! I just haven gotten around to actually reading it yet 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kim 🙂

  8. Angela

    I’m just getting ready to start this one. I save all Molly Harper books until the weekend so I won’t be disturbed whilst reading. lol

  9. Mallory

    Oh gosh… I’m not sure how I feel about reading a non-vampire Molly Harper book, but you make it sound good! Adding it to the TBR 🙂

  10. Sophia Rose

    Looks like a good set up for aseries. I love that she’s working on relationships with family and I like the city girl adapting to country living angle.

  15. Heidi

    I have this on my review schedule for November. I can’t wait to dive into this one. It sounds wonderful.

  16. Lily B

    I got approved for this yesterday I am beyond excited to here that you enjoyed it so much, looks like a great read 😀

  17. Carole

    I remember seeing this one on netgalley and wanting to request it. I somehow resisted but I wish I hadn’t now. This sounds like my kind of story with the small southern town. Any book that can make me laugh is good thing as well. Great review!

  18. Laurel-Rain Snow

    I was first drawn in by the cover and title…and small town stories intrigue me. I grew up near a small town, and then ran as fast as I could to escape. City life kept me going for years, and then I lived in a small town in the foothills near my current city…for 13 years. And I had to laugh at the bait shop…as there was one there, and they also had groceries. LOL. Now I am happily a city “girl” again.

    Thanks for sharing.

  19. sherry fundin

    Love that cover. Probably won’t read the book, it’s rare I do chick lit, but ya never know. A good book is a good book and on the right day I can enjoy a good chick lit read.

  22. Nick

    I’ve heard good things about this author, Kim, and this sounds like another fantastic read for her, although a little different. The humor sounds like a lot of fun, and I need this slow burn romance in my life.
    Great review!

  23. Geybie's Book Blog

    I’m a big fan of small town stories. They make missing my hometown/parents/family a little bit unbearable. I live far away from my big family so missing them is like a daily thing to me. Anyway, awesome review, Kim. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. ❤️

  24. ShootingStarsMag

    Sounds like a cute read. I really need to get caught up on all Molly’s books – she has so many! I love her though; her Nice Girls series is a favorite.