Sophia Rose is here with a women’s fiction romance that is sure to charm. Check out her thoughts on The Sawmill Book Club by Carolyn Brown. I am sure you’ll want to pack your bags and head to this Texas, small-town and meet its residence.
by Carolyn Brown
Genres: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
A restless woman discovers the comforts of small-town Texas—and more—in a bighearted novel about the next chapters in life by New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown.
Unsure of the future but ready for risks, Libby O’Dell trades big-city life for whatever the back roads hold. In this case it’s the small community of Sawmill, Texas, where Libby’s taken a temporary job putting an antique store in order. Her new boss, Benny Taylor, a handsome charmer with a three-legged dog named Elvis, isn’t a bad change of scenery, either.
Across the street Benny’s surrogate grandmothers—the widows Minilee and Opal—are ready with homemade corn bread, sweet tea, and an invitation for Libby to join their book club. Even if it is mostly a gathering for local gossip and meddling. The ladies’ main agenda: find Benny a wife. Except Benny’s not looking, and Libby’s only passing through until she decides what direction she’s headed next.
Truth is, Sawmill is starting to feel pretty nice. Benny, even nicer. Time will tell if this meantime job in a stopover town is just what Libby’s been looking for—and where she belongs.
Sophia Rose’s Review
After being laid off, a woman decides to look at a job offer at a country antique shop that takes her right back to the past she determinedly left behind. Finding solace, friendship and a little something more was like finding a rare treasure tucked back on the shelf. Carolyn Brown delivers once again with another heart-felt woman’s fiction featuring healing, friendship, and a dollop of romance.
The Sawmill Book Club is a standalone women’s fiction that introduces Libby, who starts out with a hard crust about her and a need to shift for herself. Slowly her dismal childhood is revealed, but at first, one learns she’s averse to anything having to do with antique shops or the region of Texas she once called home. Yet, here she has to contemplate returning to that old part of Texas for a really good job offer that she has a unique skill-set for at an antique shop whose owner also needs someone to keep the books.
The Sawmill Antique shop was once a sawmill and now it’s a small community of three, four if you count Benny’s old police dog with three legs. Libby has been a loner, but she doesn’t resist very hard when Benny, his dog, old widows Minilee and Opal draw her in with friendship and kind interest. They can all see she’s had something in her past to make her reserved, but give her the space to unbend to them slowly.
Meanwhile, meals with the others, book club with four old feisty gals, working the busy weekends selling antiques, straightening up Benny’s disaster of an office, hunting up antiques to sell, and fending off a would-be gold digger after Benny with a nice winding, running path along the river and a private apartment at the back of the old gas station provide the catharsis Libby needs to open up to life’s enjoyments, friendships, and a spot of romance with handsome sweet Benny.
As Libby’s story came out, my heart broke for the little girl who had her basic needs met by the grandmother who raised her, but often was left alone to fend for herself even developing night terrors and never shown an ounce of tender care or love. Her grandmother cared more for gambling with her friends and I was wary of finally finding out why the woman was so cold to her son’s child. Libby had a box that was sent her after her grandmother’s death and she wouldn’t open it for the longest time. Yes, part of me was curious if there would be an explanation, but part of me dreaded what it would be and how it would affect Libby’s new-found joy.
The backdrop elements of a book club with fun discussions and antiquing activities, mentions of the delicious meals, and even a fun farmer’s market were a fun and fascinating addition to the charming characters and the gently-paced plot.
The Sawmill Book Club was another comfy, satisfying read, full of simple life, friendship, down earth humor, and love that is Carolyn Brown’s specialty.
*kindleunlimited🎧
About Carolyn Brown
Author Carolyn BrownNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown was born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma. These days she and her husband make their home in Davis, Oklahoma, a small town of less than three thousand people where everyone knows everyone, knows what they are doing and with whom, and read the weekly newspaper to see who got caught. A plaque hangs on her office wall that says I know the voices are not real but they have such great ideas. That is her motto and muse as she goes through the days with quirky characters in her head, telling their stories, one by one, and loving her job. She has been married almost half a century to a retired English teacher that she calls Mr. B and he does not read her books before they are published because she cannot afford a divorce. They have three grown children.—and enough grandchildren to keep them busy and young. When Carolyn is not writing she likes to sit in the back yard and watch the two tom cats protect the yard from all kinds of wicked varmints like crickets, other cats, spiders and blue jays.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
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
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I’m not much of a women’s fiction reader usually, but this sounds like it might have enough romance and bookish aspects that I could enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
Sophia Rose
Yes, her women’s fic are more like crossovers with contemporary romance. Hope you enjoy it if you get the chance, Lisa!
Lola
I actually got a copy of this one through Netgalley, hopefully I can read it soon. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about it. I hope I’ll enjoy it as well 🙂
Sophia Rose
Did you? Yay! I really hope you like it, Lola. 🙂
Lola
You always have good things to say about her books, so when I saw this one Netgalley I requested it :). Just have to get around to reading it now.
Sophia Rose
LOL, I know the feeling about having to find the time to fit it in.
Katherine
Oh this looks lovely and definitely like a cozy read! Adding this to my TBR. There are several books by her that I want to try at this point.
Sophia Rose
Oh so comfy. I’m so glad you’re planning to try her books, Katherine. 🙂
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
As you know, I love Brown’s romances, but I think she truly shines with her women’s fiction stories! This sounds so good! I’m adding it to my TBR!
Sophia Rose
Absolutely! I think the same. My favorites of her books are a couple of the women’s fics.
Laurel-Rain Snow
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Sophia Rose
Thanks for stopping, Laurel!
Mary Kirkland
Poor Libby, that’s sad.
Sophia Rose
Yeah, that was so sad once she learned the whole truth. Carolyn Brown told me years ago that her own growing up years were not easy, but she was able to use parts of her own family story in her books. Reminds me of your great posts about your past story.
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
Wonderful review, Sophia Rose. I enjoy Carolyn Brown’s books and this one sounds very emotional, but fun as well.
Sophia Rose
Thanks, Carla! This one had some sad moments, but for the most part was heartwarming and humorous. Hope you get a shot at it.
Mary Kirkland
I’ve read this author a few times and really liked her books. I’m glad this was another good one.
My internet is fixed and I’m back to blogging and catching up.
Sophia Rose
Yay for being back up and running with your internet, Mary.
Oh yeah, Carolyn Brown writes some good feel-good stories.
Ethan
The mix of charming characters, a bit of romance, and a cozy setting makes it sound like a delightful read.
Sophia Rose
Yes, it was very relaxing, Ethan.