Monday, September 7, 2020

The Book of CarolSue

Title:
The Book of CarolSue
Author: Lynne Hugo
Published: August 25th, 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: eBook, Paperback 224 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

For me, Lynne Hugo's books usually start a bit manic, and either I settle into her rhythm, or she calms down, but eventually, we get to a middle ground. While there are so many aspects of this book that did not make sense, I continued to read and loved every bit of it.

The Book of CarolSue takes place a few months after The Testament of Harold's Wife. The reader met Louisa in the previous book, and now we are introduced to CarolSue, Lousia’s sister and recent widow, who was bullied into moving from her upscale life in Atlanta to the family farm in Indiana. It is hard to believe that two sisters could be any more different, but still love each other deeply. Through thick and thin they are bonded, and when Louisa’s son Gary gets into a mess that threatens his church and standing in the community, Louisa and CarolSue form a plan and a united front that will have readers and local authorities, shaking their heads.

Gary has appeared on Louisa’s doorstep with an abandoned baby and an unlikely story. CarolSue does not care about the child’s background, she has connected to her in a way that will have everyone rethinking what laws they are willing to break while Gary desperately tries to find the child's mother. Yet, this is not Gary’s only mistake. He has once again fallen victim to a traveling charlatan who is threatening Gary with IRS fines and will alert the authorities as to what is going on at Louisa’s farm if money is not paid. But there is a plan, with Louisa, there is always a plan, and with this strength, they are willing to sacrifice everything for the one thing that matters.

When I finished this book, I realized that there are many more characters to explore, and I certainly hope that Lynne Hugo continues to entertain her readers with Louisa, CarolSue, Gary, and the ridiculous goings-on at the little farm in Indiana.

No comments: