What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lilac Bouquet
Come hell or high water, Emmy Jo Massey will have a wedding. After three generations of Massey women with children out of wedlock, she wants the whole town of Hickory, Texas, to witness the legitimacy of her union with Logan Grady. But dream weddings aren't cheap. So she accepts a highly lucrative stint as a home health assistant to retired realtor, and town recluse, Seth Thomas—a decision her great-grandmother Tandy is dead-set against.
Seth isn't happy about it, either. The eighty-two-year-old doesn't want a "babysitter"—much less a Massey—something he makes clear when Emmy arrives at his house, an empty mansion built for the woman who broke his heart. But as Emmy stays and the two eventually open up to each other, she learns the reason behind a feud between Seth, Tandy, and Logan's grandfather Jesse Grady that goes back six decades. She also uncovers a secret that forever changes how she sees her past and her future…
Seth isn't happy about it, either. The eighty-two-year-old doesn't want a "babysitter"—much less a Massey—something he makes clear when Emmy arrives at his house, an empty mansion built for the woman who broke his heart. But as Emmy stays and the two eventually open up to each other, she learns the reason behind a feud between Seth, Tandy, and Logan's grandfather Jesse Grady that goes back six decades. She also uncovers a secret that forever changes how she sees her past and her future…
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2017
4,732 people are currently reading
3,269 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
183 books4,025 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 706 reviews
Read
December 10, 2020The Lilac Bouquet by Carolyn Brown is a 2017 Montlake publication.
A sixty-year old feud threatens to come between a young couple in love.
Tandy, Jesse and Seth haven’t spoken to one another in decades, but the reason for their falling out is a huge secret in Hickory, Texas.
Now, Tandy’s great-granddaughter, Emmy Jo, is about to marry Jesse’s grandson, Logan- a situation she is determined to undermine. The friction between their families, sets Emmy Jo on a mission to discover what is behind the feud.
She gets her chance when she accepts a job working as Seth’s assistant to raise money for her wedding. Seth is in his eighties, a recluse, and just a wee bit cantankerous. Despite that, Emmy Jo chips away at his hard, protective veneer little by little, allowing Seth the time and space to tell his story, his way. The tale he weaves certainly puts things in a whole new perspective, but for Emmy Jo and Logan to get the whole story, Tandy and Jesse will have to reveal their part in the feud and neither one them will budge.
If you like uncovering family mysteries, secrets and scandals this book is for you. The small-town setting is charming, and the characters are certainly interesting. The young lovers are wiser and more mature than the older folks in the story, but the big mystery behind the feud is heartbreaking and bittersweet, but I loved the way the author slowly unveiled the historical drama that still affects those in present day.
This is story is a tiny bit old-fashioned, but overall, it's light, gentle, and sweet. A wonderful, heartwarming escape!
3.5 stars
A sixty-year old feud threatens to come between a young couple in love.
Tandy, Jesse and Seth haven’t spoken to one another in decades, but the reason for their falling out is a huge secret in Hickory, Texas.
Now, Tandy’s great-granddaughter, Emmy Jo, is about to marry Jesse’s grandson, Logan- a situation she is determined to undermine. The friction between their families, sets Emmy Jo on a mission to discover what is behind the feud.
She gets her chance when she accepts a job working as Seth’s assistant to raise money for her wedding. Seth is in his eighties, a recluse, and just a wee bit cantankerous. Despite that, Emmy Jo chips away at his hard, protective veneer little by little, allowing Seth the time and space to tell his story, his way. The tale he weaves certainly puts things in a whole new perspective, but for Emmy Jo and Logan to get the whole story, Tandy and Jesse will have to reveal their part in the feud and neither one them will budge.
If you like uncovering family mysteries, secrets and scandals this book is for you. The small-town setting is charming, and the characters are certainly interesting. The young lovers are wiser and more mature than the older folks in the story, but the big mystery behind the feud is heartbreaking and bittersweet, but I loved the way the author slowly unveiled the historical drama that still affects those in present day.
This is story is a tiny bit old-fashioned, but overall, it's light, gentle, and sweet. A wonderful, heartwarming escape!
3.5 stars
March 12, 2017
Every time I start to read a new Carolyn Brown Women's Fiction story I think that there is no way she could ever outdo the previous story. Once again Carolyn Brown has proven me wrong. I just loved this book! I think it is now my absolute favorite! The author's characterization skills are phenomenal. She has the knack of being able to make her characters very realistic. No cookie-cutter characters here. They are not all sweet and full of fluff. No there are some mean ones, some very stubborn ones, some pathetically clueless ones, as well as strong and forthright ones. This just makes the conflict in the story that much more real, which, in turn, makes the resolution of the conflict that much more satisfying. The actions and emotions of the characters are so realistic the reader can't help but love, cringe over and yes even thoroughly dislike some.
The main question in this story is: "What caused the sixty-year-old feud between Seth Thomas, Tandy Massey and Jesse Grady?" Emmy Jo Massey, great-granddaughter of Tandy Massey decides to seek answers when she accepts a two month contract to be the personal assistant to Seth Thomas following his hip surgery. Everyone, including Logan Grady (grandson of Jesse Grady), Granny Tandy and Emmy's best friend, Diana wants Emmy to not accept the job. Emmy Jo though is very determined to do this as the pay is great and she needs the money to have a proper wedding with all the trimmings so the whole town knows for 100% sure that this later generation of Massey women will not be an unwed mother when the time comes to have children with Logan as were her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. So Emmy goes to work for Seth Thomas and starts getting clues to help solve the mystery of the great feud. A parallel story runs along with Emmy's as she unravels this mystery. She learns the true story behind the rumors about Seth's mother, Mary Thomas whose reputation according to town gossip was very tarnished.
This was a very emotional yet extremely satisfying read. Discovering the true story behind the feud and Mary Thomas' sad life experiences which affected her children as well as herself also kept me reading well past my bedtime. I think that everyone who reads this story with an open mind and is not looking for a cookie cutter cutsey story will come away from the experience with a great appreciation of the amazing talent of author Carolyn Brown.
The main question in this story is: "What caused the sixty-year-old feud between Seth Thomas, Tandy Massey and Jesse Grady?" Emmy Jo Massey, great-granddaughter of Tandy Massey decides to seek answers when she accepts a two month contract to be the personal assistant to Seth Thomas following his hip surgery. Everyone, including Logan Grady (grandson of Jesse Grady), Granny Tandy and Emmy's best friend, Diana wants Emmy to not accept the job. Emmy Jo though is very determined to do this as the pay is great and she needs the money to have a proper wedding with all the trimmings so the whole town knows for 100% sure that this later generation of Massey women will not be an unwed mother when the time comes to have children with Logan as were her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. So Emmy goes to work for Seth Thomas and starts getting clues to help solve the mystery of the great feud. A parallel story runs along with Emmy's as she unravels this mystery. She learns the true story behind the rumors about Seth's mother, Mary Thomas whose reputation according to town gossip was very tarnished.
This was a very emotional yet extremely satisfying read. Discovering the true story behind the feud and Mary Thomas' sad life experiences which affected her children as well as herself also kept me reading well past my bedtime. I think that everyone who reads this story with an open mind and is not looking for a cookie cutter cutsey story will come away from the experience with a great appreciation of the amazing talent of author Carolyn Brown.
February 22, 2017
The age-old question of 'where do I come from?' is what drives this tale of a young woman determined to live-down her family heritage even as she seeks to discover it.
It was interesting to discover that this story has the distinction of being both an early work and a later work by the author so there is a feel of her early writing and also the maturity of her latest writing efforts.
I would also like to point out that regular fans of Carolyn Brown might go in expecting her usual light, fun down-home storytelling, but this is something of a different stripe. Oh, there's humor and that down-home comfy atmosphere, but it's laced with a bittersweet flavor caused by the echoes of the past weighing heavily on three families in the present.
This was small town showing both its best and its worse sides because it can be good community or community turning on one of its own. This was also an interesting look at how much we as individuals find our identity through our family history. It's easy to take for granted when it's there and readily available, but for the heroine, half her past was blank for her and she was compelled to go looking.
The Lilac Bouquet is many things including a budding romance in the present and a tragic unrequited romance in the past, but it's also a story of healing and forgiveness and choices for the whole cast of characters.
I did adore Emmy Jo and Logan as characters, but I have to say that Old Seth and his painful past was the one that touched my heart. He truly had a tough row to hoe and really needed to catch a break.
This will be for those who want a small town comfy situation, a family saga type mystery, and a tender young love romance.
I rec'd this book on Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
It was interesting to discover that this story has the distinction of being both an early work and a later work by the author so there is a feel of her early writing and also the maturity of her latest writing efforts.
I would also like to point out that regular fans of Carolyn Brown might go in expecting her usual light, fun down-home storytelling, but this is something of a different stripe. Oh, there's humor and that down-home comfy atmosphere, but it's laced with a bittersweet flavor caused by the echoes of the past weighing heavily on three families in the present.
This was small town showing both its best and its worse sides because it can be good community or community turning on one of its own. This was also an interesting look at how much we as individuals find our identity through our family history. It's easy to take for granted when it's there and readily available, but for the heroine, half her past was blank for her and she was compelled to go looking.
The Lilac Bouquet is many things including a budding romance in the present and a tragic unrequited romance in the past, but it's also a story of healing and forgiveness and choices for the whole cast of characters.
I did adore Emmy Jo and Logan as characters, but I have to say that Old Seth and his painful past was the one that touched my heart. He truly had a tough row to hoe and really needed to catch a break.
This will be for those who want a small town comfy situation, a family saga type mystery, and a tender young love romance.
I rec'd this book on Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2018
A darling cozy with some wonderful, sassy characters. A young woman takes a short term job taking care of a reclusive, elderly man. Everyone she know thinks this is a terrible idea but she does it anyway in order to make enough money for her dream wedding. Little did she know that it would change her life forever. Not high literature but I loved it.
December 15, 2018
כשקראתי את התקציר של הספר הוא היה נראה עם המון פוטנציאל. הפוטנציאל הזה לא מומש בעיניי.
סיפור מריבה בין 3 משפחות שנמשך 60 שנים. למרות שמקום ההתרחשות של האירועים הוא עיירה קטנה בטקסס, בה כולם יודעים הכל על כולם, לב המריבה חסוי ואינו גלוי לתושבי העיירה היקורי, בטקסס.
עתה כשהנכדים, איימי ג'ו ולוגן עומדים להינשא בכנסיה באופן רישמי (כדי להסיר ספקות בעיניין הלגיטימיות של נישואיהם ולשבור את קללת משפחת מייסי, שבה 3 דורות נשים הביאו ילדים מחוץ לנישואים), מריבות העבר והשינאות עולות לפני השטח ונחשפות.
יש בסיפור המריבה גרעין מאוד מעניין, אבל הביצוע כל כך חלש ומשעמם שברוב הספר פיהקתי. הסופרת מתעסקת באירועים יומיומיים קטנים ומשמימים ופיענוח תעלומת המריבה הגדולה שהובילה לניתוק קשה בין המשפחות, לא מעניין מספיק ואפשר ב10 עמודים לסגור את כל הסיפור.
מעבר לכך מדובר בסיפור על אמריקה הלבנה, השמרנית והדתית ולמרות שאנחנו ב 2018, הדעות הקדומות והשמרנות לא פסו מהעולם. במקום למנף את העובדה הזו, הדמויות הצעירות גם הן לא בדיוק בבואת הליברליזם: איימי ג'ו מתעקשת על חתונה מסורתית עם כומר, לצורך כך היא צריכה לחסוך כסף ולכן היא עוברת לגור עם סת' בן ה 80 שנזקק לעזרה סיעודית.
היא מאוהבת בלוגן מגיל 16 ושאיפת חייה להינשא לו. למרות שהיא לא נפגשת עימו כל יום כי היא חייה אצל סת' בתקופה הזו, המפגשים שלהם מזכירים לי מפגשים של דודות זקנות ולא של זוג צעירים מאוהבים ומלאי תשוקה. כשהסופרת מנסה פה ושם להכניס איזה ניצוץ ליחסים שלהם זה נקרא כל כך מלאכותי- וחס וחלילה אנחנו לא מדברים פה על סצנות סקס פרועות אלא על נשיקה במצח 🙈 (תראו לי זוג צעירים בני 20 מאוהבים בטירוף וחרמנים כמו ארנבים שמתנהגים כך ).
סבתא של איימי ג'ו גם היא סוג של קוץ בתחת. היא לא רוצה להיפגש עם איימי ג'ו כי היא הלכה לעבוד אצל סת' וגם בגלל שהיא מתעקשת להינשא ללוגן. לוגן הוא הנכד של הנמסיס שלה מלפני 60 שנים. כשלוגן ואיימי מנסים להיפגש לבד אחרי מספר ימים שלא התראו, היא מתייצבת בינהם ונדבקת אליהם, שחס וחלילה הנכדה שלה לא תזכה לקצת סקס במיטה. איפוא נשמע כדבר הזה?
גם לא הבנתי כיצד סת' וסבתא של איימי ג'ו יכולים להיות בני 80. סבתא שלי בת 85 ואני בת 46. כשהייתי בת 20 היא היתה סביבות גיל 60. זה לא הגיוני שהם בני 80 במיוחד לנוכח ציר הזמן של האירועים שקרו להם בסוף שנות העשרה שלהם.
ההורים של לוגן וסבו, זה גם משהו מזעזע. הסב הוא כומר שלא מוכן לסלוח ולשכוח. לא ראיתי דבר כזה מימי חיי, הרי הנצרות מטיפה למאמינים להגיש את הלחי השניה.
אחרי שלוגן התנשק עם איימי ג'ו בבית הקברות בזמן שהיא ממתינה לסת' שיסיים את עיסוקיו שם, הם מוציאים אותו מדירת הכנסיה ומהכנסיה עצמה כך שהוא נאלץ לעבור לכנסיה של איימי ג'ו.
בכלל, נראה שכל הדמויות שם חיות חיי צנע והסתפקות במועט. לא ברור לי בעיירות קטנות בטקסס אין עשירים, עניים ומעמד ביניים כזה שלא נמצא צעד מפת לחם? בכל העיירות הקטנות כולם הולכים לכנסיה או משתתפים בפעילויות שלה? כדי להתחתן בכנסיה באופן לא מפואר צריכים לעבוש 8 שבועות יומם וליל?
וכל השמרנות הזו הצליחה בשלב מסויים לעלות לי על העצבים ולשעמם אותי. מבחינתי ביזבוז זמן משווע. תקראו אם אתם אוהבים את הז'אנר (כן, יש סוג ספרות כזה שעוסק בעיירות קטנות שתושביהן לבנים, משועממים, שמרנים ודתיים במידהנכזו או אחרת)
סיפור מריבה בין 3 משפחות שנמשך 60 שנים. למרות שמקום ההתרחשות של האירועים הוא עיירה קטנה בטקסס, בה כולם יודעים הכל על כולם, לב המריבה חסוי ואינו גלוי לתושבי העיירה היקורי, בטקסס.
עתה כשהנכדים, איימי ג'ו ולוגן עומדים להינשא בכנסיה באופן רישמי (כדי להסיר ספקות בעיניין הלגיטימיות של נישואיהם ולשבור את קללת משפחת מייסי, שבה 3 דורות נשים הביאו ילדים מחוץ לנישואים), מריבות העבר והשינאות עולות לפני השטח ונחשפות.
יש בסיפור המריבה גרעין מאוד מעניין, אבל הביצוע כל כך חלש ומשעמם שברוב הספר פיהקתי. הסופרת מתעסקת באירועים יומיומיים קטנים ומשמימים ופיענוח תעלומת המריבה הגדולה שהובילה לניתוק קשה בין המשפחות, לא מעניין מספיק ואפשר ב10 עמודים לסגור את כל הסיפור.
מעבר לכך מדובר בסיפור על אמריקה הלבנה, השמרנית והדתית ולמרות שאנחנו ב 2018, הדעות הקדומות והשמרנות לא פסו מהעולם. במקום למנף את העובדה הזו, הדמויות הצעירות גם הן לא בדיוק בבואת הליברליזם: איימי ג'ו מתעקשת על חתונה מסורתית עם כומר, לצורך כך היא צריכה לחסוך כסף ולכן היא עוברת לגור עם סת' בן ה 80 שנזקק לעזרה סיעודית.
היא מאוהבת בלוגן מגיל 16 ושאיפת חייה להינשא לו. למרות שהיא לא נפגשת עימו כל יום כי היא חייה אצל סת' בתקופה הזו, המפגשים שלהם מזכירים לי מפגשים של דודות זקנות ולא של זוג צעירים מאוהבים ומלאי תשוקה. כשהסופרת מנסה פה ושם להכניס איזה ניצוץ ליחסים שלהם זה נקרא כל כך מלאכותי- וחס וחלילה אנחנו לא מדברים פה על סצנות סקס פרועות אלא על נשיקה במצח 🙈 (תראו לי זוג צעירים בני 20 מאוהבים בטירוף וחרמנים כמו ארנבים שמתנהגים כך ).
סבתא של איימי ג'ו גם היא סוג של קוץ בתחת. היא לא רוצה להיפגש עם איימי ג'ו כי היא הלכה לעבוד אצל סת' וגם בגלל שהיא מתעקשת להינשא ללוגן. לוגן הוא הנכד של הנמסיס שלה מלפני 60 שנים. כשלוגן ואיימי מנסים להיפגש לבד אחרי מספר ימים שלא התראו, היא מתייצבת בינהם ונדבקת אליהם, שחס וחלילה הנכדה שלה לא תזכה לקצת סקס במיטה. איפוא נשמע כדבר הזה?
גם לא הבנתי כיצד סת' וסבתא של איימי ג'ו יכולים להיות בני 80. סבתא שלי בת 85 ואני בת 46. כשהייתי בת 20 היא היתה סביבות גיל 60. זה לא הגיוני שהם בני 80 במיוחד לנוכח ציר הזמן של האירועים שקרו להם בסוף שנות העשרה שלהם.
ההורים של לוגן וסבו, זה גם משהו מזעזע. הסב הוא כומר שלא מוכן לסלוח ולשכוח. לא ראיתי דבר כזה מימי חיי, הרי הנצרות מטיפה למאמינים להגיש את הלחי השניה.
אחרי שלוגן התנשק עם איימי ג'ו בבית הקברות בזמן שהיא ממתינה לסת' שיסיים את עיסוקיו שם, הם מוציאים אותו מדירת הכנסיה ומהכנסיה עצמה כך שהוא נאלץ לעבור לכנסיה של איימי ג'ו.
בכלל, נראה שכל הדמויות שם חיות חיי צנע והסתפקות במועט. לא ברור לי בעיירות קטנות בטקסס אין עשירים, עניים ומעמד ביניים כזה שלא נמצא צעד מפת לחם? בכל העיירות הקטנות כולם הולכים לכנסיה או משתתפים בפעילויות שלה? כדי להתחתן בכנסיה באופן לא מפואר צריכים לעבוש 8 שבועות יומם וליל?
וכל השמרנות הזו הצליחה בשלב מסויים לעלות לי על העצבים ולשעמם אותי. מבחינתי ביזבוז זמן משווע. תקראו אם אתם אוהבים את הז'אנר (כן, יש סוג ספרות כזה שעוסק בעיירות קטנות שתושביהן לבנים, משועממים, שמרנים ודתיים במידהנכזו או אחרת)
October 15, 2018
Having loved Maggie's Mistake by this author, I thought I'd give this one a go. Yet again, this was really good. An enjoyable easy listen with likeable characters.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
September 28, 2020
Rumors and secrets that go back to sixty years in the past and the consequences of those rumors and secrets and the impact they have on the present. Very different from those books I have read by Carolyn Brown, but equally as good. ;)
March 28, 2017
Five stars: An amazing tale of secrets, love, loss and living life to the fullest.
Tandy is furious at her great granddaughter Emmy Jo. Emmy Jo has gone and taken a job working for the reclusive Seth Thomas. There has been bad blood between Seth and Tandy for over sixty years. Emmy won't back down because she is determined to have her dream wedding, even if Tandy doesn't like her fiancé. Emmy will prove to the town once and for all that a Massey woman, after three generations of children born out of wedlock, can get it right. She just has to tame Seth, who doesn't want her in his house babysitting him as he recovers from a broken hip. Once Emmy Jo starts her job, a funny thing happens. Long buried secrets come bubbling forth, and hearts change. Will Emmy Jo uncover the truth behind the long time feud? Can hearts change?
What I Loved:
*The Lilac Bouquet is a book that touched my heart, made me laugh and cry, and was an all around fantastic read. If you are a fan of Carolyn Brown, this book is different from her usual light and fluffy romantic tales. This one had sadness and loss, and it was rich and deep. I loved it! If you are a fan or a new reader, grab this one and settle in for a wonderful read.
*The story centers around Seth Thomas and Emmy Jo Massey. Seth comes across as gruff and eccentric, but once you peel back his layers and learn his secrets, he is a big old teddy bear. My heart hurt for Seth, and I loved him fiercely. I loved seeing him open his heart to Emmy Jo, and I cheered him on as he started his own bucket list. He stole my heart.
*Emmy Jo is a whirlwind. I loved her tenacity and her fierceness. She took on Seth and never backed down. It was so fun watching her get under his skin. I adored the relationship she formed with Seth. It was truly special! I couldn't help giggling as I watched Emmy battle her stubborn great grandma, Tandy. I could see where Emmy Jo got her fire.
*This is a book about long buried secrets and the pain of the past dragging down the living. It was heartbreaking to learn about the hardships Seth's beloved Mother endured. It was also eye opening to see how hard some women had to struggle and the lengths they had to go to take care of their family. Mary Thomas was a fighter, and I loved her bravery and her stubbornness. I only wish that she could have found some happiness.
*I enjoyed the take home message of this book. It is all about letting go of the past and learning to grab hold and live life to its fullest. It's never too late. Make your bucket list, get out and live.
*I can't recommend this book enough. It was a book that touched my heart and soul. I loved the characters, the struggles, the courage and the love. Read it!
And The Not So Much:
*I liked Tandy. She was feisty and funny, but I was disappointed that she remained so stubborn and that she refused to share the truth about the past. I was also frustrated with her because I didn't understand why she carried such hatred toward Seth all those years. She missed out by carrying a grudge for so long.
*I was disappointed in Jesse. I was hoping he would be a bigger man, and treat his great grandson better, but he remained small minded.
The Lilac Bouquet is a book that will land on my best of 2017 list. This was a story with heart and soul. It made me sad and it made me happy. This is a book that reminded me to grab hold of life and live it. I could go on and on, but I am not going to. Just take my word and read this book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Tandy is furious at her great granddaughter Emmy Jo. Emmy Jo has gone and taken a job working for the reclusive Seth Thomas. There has been bad blood between Seth and Tandy for over sixty years. Emmy won't back down because she is determined to have her dream wedding, even if Tandy doesn't like her fiancé. Emmy will prove to the town once and for all that a Massey woman, after three generations of children born out of wedlock, can get it right. She just has to tame Seth, who doesn't want her in his house babysitting him as he recovers from a broken hip. Once Emmy Jo starts her job, a funny thing happens. Long buried secrets come bubbling forth, and hearts change. Will Emmy Jo uncover the truth behind the long time feud? Can hearts change?
What I Loved:
*The Lilac Bouquet is a book that touched my heart, made me laugh and cry, and was an all around fantastic read. If you are a fan of Carolyn Brown, this book is different from her usual light and fluffy romantic tales. This one had sadness and loss, and it was rich and deep. I loved it! If you are a fan or a new reader, grab this one and settle in for a wonderful read.
*The story centers around Seth Thomas and Emmy Jo Massey. Seth comes across as gruff and eccentric, but once you peel back his layers and learn his secrets, he is a big old teddy bear. My heart hurt for Seth, and I loved him fiercely. I loved seeing him open his heart to Emmy Jo, and I cheered him on as he started his own bucket list. He stole my heart.
*Emmy Jo is a whirlwind. I loved her tenacity and her fierceness. She took on Seth and never backed down. It was so fun watching her get under his skin. I adored the relationship she formed with Seth. It was truly special! I couldn't help giggling as I watched Emmy battle her stubborn great grandma, Tandy. I could see where Emmy Jo got her fire.
*This is a book about long buried secrets and the pain of the past dragging down the living. It was heartbreaking to learn about the hardships Seth's beloved Mother endured. It was also eye opening to see how hard some women had to struggle and the lengths they had to go to take care of their family. Mary Thomas was a fighter, and I loved her bravery and her stubbornness. I only wish that she could have found some happiness.
*I enjoyed the take home message of this book. It is all about letting go of the past and learning to grab hold and live life to its fullest. It's never too late. Make your bucket list, get out and live.
*I can't recommend this book enough. It was a book that touched my heart and soul. I loved the characters, the struggles, the courage and the love. Read it!
And The Not So Much:
*I liked Tandy. She was feisty and funny, but I was disappointed that she remained so stubborn and that she refused to share the truth about the past. I was also frustrated with her because I didn't understand why she carried such hatred toward Seth all those years. She missed out by carrying a grudge for so long.
*I was disappointed in Jesse. I was hoping he would be a bigger man, and treat his great grandson better, but he remained small minded.
The Lilac Bouquet is a book that will land on my best of 2017 list. This was a story with heart and soul. It made me sad and it made me happy. This is a book that reminded me to grab hold of life and live it. I could go on and on, but I am not going to. Just take my word and read this book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
November 8, 2019
Emmy Jo is determined to have a real wedding, to break the questionable tradition of three generations of unwed mothers. Therefore she takes the job as health assistant for the recluse Seth Thomas.
Her great-grandma Tandy doesn't approve of this, just like she doesn't approve of the fiance Logan. The whole town knows that Tandy, Seth and Logans grandfather Jesse have history that caused a 60-year feud but no one knows what exactly happened.
Seth doesn't want Emmy Jo around. In fact he doesn't want anyone around. But as they slowly develop a routine, Seth starts to really like Emmy Jo, slowly opens up and tells her his story, between their visits to his mothers grave.
The big questions here is, what started the feud between Seth Thomas, Tandey Massey, Jesse Grady. I got exactly what I expected with the comfy southern atmosphere with some humor and romance but where I expected a little cozy mystery I got a really deep one.
While the true story and Tandys secret were somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed how it enfolds. Emmy Jo and Logan were both adorable, I really enjoyed that she was not intimidated by anything, and their romance was not too cheesy and outmoded. I was shocked that Tandy and Jesse kept it from them, though.
But what really touched my heart was Old Seth and his past, the true Story of his mother Mary and how her sad life affected her children.
I was ashamed for and hated these people, who call themselves christians, are nothing but judgemental and unforgiving. It was quite satisfying that Seth always wanted to come back and make the town pay for what they did to his mama. And also that the one in the one person in town no one likes, is actually the one who is right.
I loved how things developed, how Emmy Jo filled his lonely life and becomes his friend before anything else.
The end is too good, too perfect in a cheesy way. And as interesting it was how the mystery enfolded, it lost the grip and lost me a few times along the way. And it was kind of hard to keep track of who is who.
3,5 Sterne
Her great-grandma Tandy doesn't approve of this, just like she doesn't approve of the fiance Logan. The whole town knows that Tandy, Seth and Logans grandfather Jesse have history that caused a 60-year feud but no one knows what exactly happened.
Seth doesn't want Emmy Jo around. In fact he doesn't want anyone around. But as they slowly develop a routine, Seth starts to really like Emmy Jo, slowly opens up and tells her his story, between their visits to his mothers grave.
The big questions here is, what started the feud between Seth Thomas, Tandey Massey, Jesse Grady. I got exactly what I expected with the comfy southern atmosphere with some humor and romance but where I expected a little cozy mystery I got a really deep one.
While the true story and Tandys secret were somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed how it enfolds. Emmy Jo and Logan were both adorable, I really enjoyed that she was not intimidated by anything, and their romance was not too cheesy and outmoded. I was shocked that Tandy and Jesse kept it from them, though.
But what really touched my heart was Old Seth and his past, the true Story of his mother Mary and how her sad life affected her children.
I was ashamed for and hated these people, who call themselves christians, are nothing but judgemental and unforgiving. It was quite satisfying that Seth always wanted to come back and make the town pay for what they did to his mama. And also that the one in the one person in town no one likes, is actually the one who is right.
I loved how things developed, how Emmy Jo filled his lonely life and becomes his friend before anything else.
The end is too good, too perfect in a cheesy way. And as interesting it was how the mystery enfolded, it lost the grip and lost me a few times along the way. And it was kind of hard to keep track of who is who.
3,5 Sterne
April 11, 2017
The Lilac Bouquet
By Carolyn Brown
The town of Hickory is rife with rumors and secrets that go back more than sixty years. The impact they have on the lives of the people living there, along with a love story, family feud, a new outlook on life and the discovery of long lost family form the basis of this story.
This story grabbed me within the first few pages. Emmy Jo is the central character in this story. She takes a job as an assistant to Seth Thomas, the town recluse to help pay for her wedding. Taking this job changed both their lives. We go through Emmy Jo’s journey to find out what actually happened between Tandy, her great grandmother, Jesse Grady and Seth Thomas and what can be done to try to heal the rift between them.
I couldn’t put this book down. I never read the last chapter of a book, but I was so tempted to because I wanted to see how the story resolved itself. Carolyn Brown is a wonderful storyteller. You feel as if you actually know the people in the story. I laughed, cried, and felt the pain of the characters in this story. I especially loved the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed The Lilac Bouquet and highly recommend it. Looking for a great read? This is your book. Bravo Ms Brown.
By Carolyn Brown
The town of Hickory is rife with rumors and secrets that go back more than sixty years. The impact they have on the lives of the people living there, along with a love story, family feud, a new outlook on life and the discovery of long lost family form the basis of this story.
This story grabbed me within the first few pages. Emmy Jo is the central character in this story. She takes a job as an assistant to Seth Thomas, the town recluse to help pay for her wedding. Taking this job changed both their lives. We go through Emmy Jo’s journey to find out what actually happened between Tandy, her great grandmother, Jesse Grady and Seth Thomas and what can be done to try to heal the rift between them.
I couldn’t put this book down. I never read the last chapter of a book, but I was so tempted to because I wanted to see how the story resolved itself. Carolyn Brown is a wonderful storyteller. You feel as if you actually know the people in the story. I laughed, cried, and felt the pain of the characters in this story. I especially loved the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed The Lilac Bouquet and highly recommend it. Looking for a great read? This is your book. Bravo Ms Brown.
February 4, 2017
I've been reading some real mediocre books lately so I figured it would be better to venture out and read something with a little more substance.
I've read CB before and have enjoyed her books. They're well written with a decent story that I can lose myself in for a few hours after the kids have gone to bed :)
I wanted to rate this more than 3.5 stars but in all honesty, I couldn't get past one of the characters. Tandy (Emmy Jo's great grandmother) was a real bitch 60 odd years ago and she's still one now. I hated that Seth still had any feelings for her (whether they be friendship or more) after what she did to him, so it kind of ruined that part of the story for me.
Lucky, those relationships from long ago weren't what made the story for me.
I loved Seth! His poor mother went through so much and I HATED how she was treated. She didn't get a HEA which sucked because out of everyone even mentioned in this book, she was the one I felt deserved it. By extension, Seth was treated like shit too (yeah, I'm looking at you, Tandy!!) and I only wished he had more in his life than what he had. Still, he strikes up a friendship with the young Emmy Jo and later on with her fiancé, Logan. They were a great, young, much-in-love couple who acted with more maturity than their selfish, judgemental great-grandmother (Emmy Jo's) and grandfather (Logan's).
I would've loved to have seen Tandy and Jessie face some real consequences and be cut off from their family, but that could just be me being vindictive ;) But Seth was still his great self and Logan and Emmy Jo got their happy ending so I was mostly happy by the end.
But I like this author so I'm off to read some of her older stuff :)
*Netgalley ARC*
I've read CB before and have enjoyed her books. They're well written with a decent story that I can lose myself in for a few hours after the kids have gone to bed :)
I wanted to rate this more than 3.5 stars but in all honesty, I couldn't get past one of the characters. Tandy (Emmy Jo's great grandmother) was a real bitch 60 odd years ago and she's still one now. I hated that Seth still had any feelings for her (whether they be friendship or more) after what she did to him, so it kind of ruined that part of the story for me.
Lucky, those relationships from long ago weren't what made the story for me.
I loved Seth! His poor mother went through so much and I HATED how she was treated. She didn't get a HEA which sucked because out of everyone even mentioned in this book, she was the one I felt deserved it. By extension, Seth was treated like shit too (yeah, I'm looking at you, Tandy!!) and I only wished he had more in his life than what he had. Still, he strikes up a friendship with the young Emmy Jo and later on with her fiancé, Logan. They were a great, young, much-in-love couple who acted with more maturity than their selfish, judgemental great-grandmother (Emmy Jo's) and grandfather (Logan's).
I would've loved to have seen Tandy and Jessie face some real consequences and be cut off from their family, but that could just be me being vindictive ;) But Seth was still his great self and Logan and Emmy Jo got their happy ending so I was mostly happy by the end.
But I like this author so I'm off to read some of her older stuff :)
*Netgalley ARC*
November 13, 2018
Audiobook Review
This is the story of Emmy Jo Mason and her wish to not keep the Mason curse going with having children out of wedlock. She's loved only one man in her life and he is Logan Grady. She lives in the small town of Hickory where rumors and gossip are high on everyone's lips ... Not to mention secrets kept that will affect Emmy Jo and Logan's lives in the future.
The story begins with Emmy Jo, who decides to takes a job as an assistant to Seth Thomas, the town recluse to help pay for her wedding. Taking the job creates a wedge between her and her great grandmother, Tandy as well as others who do not wish for her to live with the recluse for two months but more important to dredge up old memories and secrets they believe should stay buried. Upon arriving at the mansion she gradually befriends Seth and uncover the mystery of why there is so much hatred between Tandy, Jesse Grady, Logan's grandfather and Seth Thomas and what can be done to try to heal the rift between them.
As Seth begins to tell his story to Emmy Jo he feels a weight lifted from the hurt and emptiness he had felt for so long. A story filled with heartache and pain. For Emmy Jo she learns the truth that has been kept a secret between three people for 60 years. The secret that she is the great granddaughter of Seth and not Jesse that could have caused a serious problem for her and Logan's upcoming nuptials.
This audiobook by Carolyn Brown was wonderful. I enjoyed this first time read by this author and could not wait to finish. This book grabs your attention straight from the beginning. It has a host of characters that are well developed, plot that contains quite a bit of humor and banter. It has its moments that tug at your heartstrings leaving you teary-eyed. A very delightful and excellent read and the narration was very we'll done. It was nice to see a HEV not only for the main characters but the great-grands also. 🙂
4.5 Stars
This is the story of Emmy Jo Mason and her wish to not keep the Mason curse going with having children out of wedlock. She's loved only one man in her life and he is Logan Grady. She lives in the small town of Hickory where rumors and gossip are high on everyone's lips ... Not to mention secrets kept that will affect Emmy Jo and Logan's lives in the future.
The story begins with Emmy Jo, who decides to takes a job as an assistant to Seth Thomas, the town recluse to help pay for her wedding. Taking the job creates a wedge between her and her great grandmother, Tandy as well as others who do not wish for her to live with the recluse for two months but more important to dredge up old memories and secrets they believe should stay buried. Upon arriving at the mansion she gradually befriends Seth and uncover the mystery of why there is so much hatred between Tandy, Jesse Grady, Logan's grandfather and Seth Thomas and what can be done to try to heal the rift between them.
As Seth begins to tell his story to Emmy Jo he feels a weight lifted from the hurt and emptiness he had felt for so long. A story filled with heartache and pain. For Emmy Jo she learns the truth that has been kept a secret between three people for 60 years. The secret that she is the great granddaughter of Seth and not Jesse that could have caused a serious problem for her and Logan's upcoming nuptials.
This audiobook by Carolyn Brown was wonderful. I enjoyed this first time read by this author and could not wait to finish. This book grabs your attention straight from the beginning. It has a host of characters that are well developed, plot that contains quite a bit of humor and banter. It has its moments that tug at your heartstrings leaving you teary-eyed. A very delightful and excellent read and the narration was very we'll done. It was nice to see a HEV not only for the main characters but the great-grands also. 🙂
4.5 Stars
June 19, 2017
I honestly can’t remember the last time I was so elated to get a book. As Carolyn Brown is one of my favorite authors, I couldn’t believe my luck at getting the opportunity of reviewing an advanced copy of The Lilac Bouquet. Confession time- the first time I read through it, I forgot I was supposed to review it. I was so engrossed in the story, I just didn’t look at from an “I need to do a write-up for this” aspect. So I waited a bit and reread it, and it was still so good, I got even more out of the subplots and the same problem arose. Then, I noticed that I still hadn’t done my review with only days until the release. Again, I found the content so enjoyable, I made sure I had a purchased copy ready for release day so I could share a book I loved so much. TL;DR- I LOVE THIS BOOK!
My normal critiques usually include grammar, foul language, and who’d get my recommendations. Let’s start with the easy stuff. Grammar gets an A; there’s a few typos and some iffy spots, but it’s not glaring, nor are there many. Foul language could potentially be a problem- mostly Biblical terms like hell and damn, no f-bombs or anything major. Recommendations are the easiest part. Anyone who loves a small-town family drama where actions of past generations affect today. There’s love, mystery, history, and enough drama to go around. I’ll be handing this to my mom on release day, and other friends and family can expect to see this book shortly thereafter. I’ll probably even add it to my “read to grandma at the nursing home” pile. It’s an impressive read.
Emmy Jo Massey is planning her wedding to Logan Grady. Not only is her dream wedding a huge affair, it will be the first one in years for her family. Her great-grandmother, Tandy, doesn’t mind that Emmy Jo wants the big wedding; she just doesn’t like the groom. Well, Tandy doesn’t like the groom’s grandfather. When Emmy Jo gets the opportunity to work a two-month stint as town recluse Seth Thomas for the equivalent of six month’s pay, she jumps at the chance to make hers the most memorable wedding in town. Each for their own reasons, Tandy, Logan and even Seth don’t approve of Emmy Jo’s new job. And every time Emmy Jo thinks she’s found the answer to one question, a million more pop up. The truth and the past eventually peel like an onion, but will Emmy Jo like the result? Better yet, how will the rest of the small town react when everything gets revealed?
I can't wait for this to be a movie! Think we could get Sam Elliot to play Seth?
I received a copy of The Lilac Bouquet by Carolyn Brown from Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2020
Another heart felt love story!
June 10, 2017
I always enjoy one of Brown's amazing cowboy romances but this was the first contemporary romance of her's that I've read. She was as fabulous in this as in every other book of hers I've read. The humor and romance that you have come to expect from her stories are here along with a pretty good mystery. While I did miss the handsome cowboys, Logan was pretty darn outstanding. Wow, just goes to show that CB might be getting even better with age.
August 24, 2022
A young woman living in a small Texas town is determined on three things: she will marry her high school sweetheart in a big wedding that the town will witness that she is breaking the Masey women curse and marrying before having a child. She will work for reclusive Seth Thomas and earn the money for that big wedding in the face of everyone's opposition. And, oh yes, she will get to the bottom of the decades' old feud between her great-granny, Seth Thomas, and Jesse Grady.
Along the way, sweet and bright Emmy Jo Masey burrows into an old, lonely man's heart and finds a way to help him make peace with the past and come alive, helps her crusty great-gran accept what will be, and finds just how strong she can be to stand for herself and her chance at happiness.
I adored Emmy Jo and Logan together. He was such a great guy to buck the town gossip and his own family to be with Emmy Jo and support her even when he wasn't sure about Seth or her determination to learn about the past.
But, Seth was my favorite. That old guy's story and his mother's broke my heart. Talk about strong people who somehow made it through with an intact, warm heart waiting to be able to share it.
Oh man, was I flaming mad at the people of Hickory, TX for how they turned on one of their own and chose to believe a lie and ignore a desperate woman and her young family's need. Small Town stories are my jam, but I appreciated how this story showed there can be a darker side to the closeness, too. Fortunately, this is fiction and there was a happy ending for most.
Britany Pressley was a terrific narrator for the story both old guys and young as well as Texas drawl were well done with her good female cast voices. She had a good pace and tone for the reflective nature of this story that dug into past and present.
All in all, a sometimes bittersweet, but ultimately triumphant story. Friendship, romance, family, love and forgiveness fill this well-developed Women's Fiction.
Along the way, sweet and bright Emmy Jo Masey burrows into an old, lonely man's heart and finds a way to help him make peace with the past and come alive, helps her crusty great-gran accept what will be, and finds just how strong she can be to stand for herself and her chance at happiness.
I adored Emmy Jo and Logan together. He was such a great guy to buck the town gossip and his own family to be with Emmy Jo and support her even when he wasn't sure about Seth or her determination to learn about the past.
But, Seth was my favorite. That old guy's story and his mother's broke my heart. Talk about strong people who somehow made it through with an intact, warm heart waiting to be able to share it.
Oh man, was I flaming mad at the people of Hickory, TX for how they turned on one of their own and chose to believe a lie and ignore a desperate woman and her young family's need. Small Town stories are my jam, but I appreciated how this story showed there can be a darker side to the closeness, too. Fortunately, this is fiction and there was a happy ending for most.
Britany Pressley was a terrific narrator for the story both old guys and young as well as Texas drawl were well done with her good female cast voices. She had a good pace and tone for the reflective nature of this story that dug into past and present.
All in all, a sometimes bittersweet, but ultimately triumphant story. Friendship, romance, family, love and forgiveness fill this well-developed Women's Fiction.
April 30, 2024
Proprio il tipo di romanzo che mi piace leggere in questo periodo. Una piccola cittadina, storie familiari e di amicizie, segreti del passato da rivelare, personaggi semplici ma che ti rimangono nel cuore. Ho adorato Seth e lo sviluppo del suo rapporto con Emmy Jo.
A tratti forse un po' troppo prevedibile e di stampo tradizionalista, ma una lettura comunque gradevole e rilassante.
A tratti forse un po' troppo prevedibile e di stampo tradizionalista, ma una lettura comunque gradevole e rilassante.
February 15, 2017
Nobody does Women Fiction better then Carolyn Brown! The Lilac Bouquet just about killed me! I cried buckets! My heart hurt for Seth and Mary, Nora and Matthew went through. Her Women Fiction book especially The Wedding Pearls, The Lavender Sky and now The Lilac Bouquet make me so emotional and cry that I sometimes forget that this is the same author that made me snort ice tea when reading Wild Cowboy Ways, Darn Good Cowboy Christmas and The Red-hot Chili Cook Off. I I finally got smart and now i dont eat or drink anything unless i put the book down first. I loved Seth and Emmy Jo! Tandy reminded me so much like my Grandmom. To see how Emmy Jo was able to slowly cracked the shield around Seth Thomas's heart, slowly letting her in and letting go of the past was what kept me turning the pages. I read The Lilac Bouquet in about 36 hours. It is that good. LOVED IT!
May 21, 2017
What a sweet story! Small towns can be wonderfully supportive while at the same time cruel. The author does a great job showing both sides of Hickory. I also liked the characters: Tandy as a no-nonsense head of the family and her great-granddaughter Emmy Jo. My favorite character was Seth, an octogenarian who made something of himself against all odds.
I look forward to listening to more of Carolyn Brown.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
I look forward to listening to more of Carolyn Brown.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
July 3, 2017
With 77% of reviewers giving this offering 5 stars I was greatly disappointed in what I found. Having read nearly half of the book I simply could not continue. So-called Christian people who are bigoted, judgmental, unforgiving, and condescending seem to make up the bulk of a rather large cast of characters. The heroine, if you can call her that, demonstrates a complete disregard for Christian morality by secluding herself with her fiancé to play bedroom games as often as she can. Thankfully, the author refrained from describing these activities. If you elect to read this book I recommend making lots of side notes to keep track of who is who. I found this book to be boring with a capital B. Giving it two stars is being gracious.
March 5, 2017
Come hell or high water, Emmy Jo Massey will have a wedding. After three generations of Massey women with children out of wedlock, she wants the whole town of Hickory, Texas, to witness the legitimacy of her union with Logan Grady. But dream weddings aren’t cheap. So she accepts a highly lucrative stint as a home health assistant to retired realtor, and town recluse, Seth Thomas—a decision her great-grandmother Tandy is dead-set against.
Seth isn’t happy about it, either. The eighty-two-year-old doesn’t want a “babysitter”—much less a Massey—something he makes clear when Emmy arrives at his house, an empty mansion built for the woman who broke his heart. But as Emmy stays and the two eventually open up to each other, she learns the reason behind a feud between Seth, Tandy, and Logan’s grandfather Jesse Grady that goes back six decades. She also uncovers a secret that forever changes how she sees her past and her future…
I could read anything and everything by Carolyn Brown and be a happy person. I consume every book she comes out with so it’s no surprise that I have 4 books sitting on my ARC shelves right now and I’m putting off everyone else’s to get to hers. I absolutely want to be her best friend, I want to vacation with her and go shopping with her and ask her pointer tips for writing and before you think that’s stalkerish….I’m just writing and a little bit is me being over-the-top! The part about me reading everything she writes, however, is NOT!!
Okay, to get down to business about this book – OH MY GOODNESS!! It was awesome and yes I’m partial because I think she’s an exceptional writer anyway so I wasn’t coming to her work with brand-new eyes. I’ll just say that I fell in love with Seth in this book from the first page he was in it. You wrote his name Carolyn and I loved him. He wasn’t hard to love. Emmy Jo is a little different. She’s a young woman who wants a BIG wedding. Not for the reason that you’d think, though. It’s to show the whole town that she’s really married and not just saying she’s married. You see, people say she’s from the wrong side of the track and her sweetheart Logan is the preacher’s son. The story is about how Emmy Jo is taking care of another man at his mansion after he has surgery…enter Seth. Seth’s a recluse, who’s grumpy and Emmy Jo compares him to Sam Elliott – the actor. Now, I don’t know about all of you but I love Sam Elliott and that just hit all my buttons for swoon-worthiness. I know you’re thinking…Ewww, young girl and old guy who’s like 82 years old. NO, NO, NO!! Emmy Jo’s great grandmother knew him and unbeknownst to Emmy, she hates him so much that she threatens to kick Emmy out of the trailer she lives in if she even goes near the man. However, it’s a lot of money for 2 months of work and she could pay for her dream wedding and she’ll be leaving the trailer anyway. So Emmy packs her bags and heads for Seth’s.
Seth’s sister had arranged for his nurses and Seth not knowing it’s Tandy’s (Emmy GGM) granddaughter has a fit she’s in his house. He’s a little OCD, just as stubborn as mule and endearing. Logan, you’ll also fall in love with. His great granddad, Jesse, went to school with Tandy and Seth. He’s also a preacher like Logan and doesn’t like Tandy or Emmy Jo because he doesn’t approve of the marriage. He is so mad about the impending marriage that he takes it to the board of the church to have Logan kicked out of the upstairs apartment of the garage if he doesn’t break up with Emmy Jo. Logan leaves not only his home but the church that he’s always been in. He resigns his Sunday school class and says he’ll go to Tandy’s church. Only Tandy hates Logan as much as Jesse hates Emmy Jo. ANGST, ANGST, ANGST. Usually, I hate angst….everyone knows that but I am partial to the way that Carolyn writes it so I can’t be impartial in my review of the angst part. Oh, I so loved this book!!
It wasn’t just all drama and angst in this book because anyone that’s ever read Carolyn Brown, knows that she’s a hoot and so are her characters. Emmy Jo is a hilarious and she just made me love her the way she treated Seth. You find out all the reasons behind everything because Emmy Jo goes searching for answers…and BOY DOES SHE FIND ANSWERS Y’ALL!! My heart broke over the way Seth’s mom was treated and how he spoke about her. I found myself crying and snotting all over the place. My family kept looking at me like I had 4 heads. I know my nose was the size of a kiwi by the time I got done rubbing it. I also found myself laughing out loud more times than I could count and wish I could smack Jesse in the same chapter…that is the test of a really good book! I’d love to meet a man like Seth…or Sam Elliott! I really think they should turn this book into a movie because it would be a hit. It kind of reminds me of the old-time movies that I used to watch when I was little. Seriously – Carolyn Brown if you ever read this review…Make this into a movie!! But really nothing is ever better than reading the book and taking the time to sit down and consume what the writer is trying to convey to her readers.
Sit down, get a cup of hot tea, some Kleenex and escape away from your family for a little while. Escape to the world that Carolyn Brown has created especially for you and enjoy it. It’s an awesome place to be.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
Seth isn’t happy about it, either. The eighty-two-year-old doesn’t want a “babysitter”—much less a Massey—something he makes clear when Emmy arrives at his house, an empty mansion built for the woman who broke his heart. But as Emmy stays and the two eventually open up to each other, she learns the reason behind a feud between Seth, Tandy, and Logan’s grandfather Jesse Grady that goes back six decades. She also uncovers a secret that forever changes how she sees her past and her future…
I could read anything and everything by Carolyn Brown and be a happy person. I consume every book she comes out with so it’s no surprise that I have 4 books sitting on my ARC shelves right now and I’m putting off everyone else’s to get to hers. I absolutely want to be her best friend, I want to vacation with her and go shopping with her and ask her pointer tips for writing and before you think that’s stalkerish….I’m just writing and a little bit is me being over-the-top! The part about me reading everything she writes, however, is NOT!!
Okay, to get down to business about this book – OH MY GOODNESS!! It was awesome and yes I’m partial because I think she’s an exceptional writer anyway so I wasn’t coming to her work with brand-new eyes. I’ll just say that I fell in love with Seth in this book from the first page he was in it. You wrote his name Carolyn and I loved him. He wasn’t hard to love. Emmy Jo is a little different. She’s a young woman who wants a BIG wedding. Not for the reason that you’d think, though. It’s to show the whole town that she’s really married and not just saying she’s married. You see, people say she’s from the wrong side of the track and her sweetheart Logan is the preacher’s son. The story is about how Emmy Jo is taking care of another man at his mansion after he has surgery…enter Seth. Seth’s a recluse, who’s grumpy and Emmy Jo compares him to Sam Elliott – the actor. Now, I don’t know about all of you but I love Sam Elliott and that just hit all my buttons for swoon-worthiness. I know you’re thinking…Ewww, young girl and old guy who’s like 82 years old. NO, NO, NO!! Emmy Jo’s great grandmother knew him and unbeknownst to Emmy, she hates him so much that she threatens to kick Emmy out of the trailer she lives in if she even goes near the man. However, it’s a lot of money for 2 months of work and she could pay for her dream wedding and she’ll be leaving the trailer anyway. So Emmy packs her bags and heads for Seth’s.
Seth’s sister had arranged for his nurses and Seth not knowing it’s Tandy’s (Emmy GGM) granddaughter has a fit she’s in his house. He’s a little OCD, just as stubborn as mule and endearing. Logan, you’ll also fall in love with. His great granddad, Jesse, went to school with Tandy and Seth. He’s also a preacher like Logan and doesn’t like Tandy or Emmy Jo because he doesn’t approve of the marriage. He is so mad about the impending marriage that he takes it to the board of the church to have Logan kicked out of the upstairs apartment of the garage if he doesn’t break up with Emmy Jo. Logan leaves not only his home but the church that he’s always been in. He resigns his Sunday school class and says he’ll go to Tandy’s church. Only Tandy hates Logan as much as Jesse hates Emmy Jo. ANGST, ANGST, ANGST. Usually, I hate angst….everyone knows that but I am partial to the way that Carolyn writes it so I can’t be impartial in my review of the angst part. Oh, I so loved this book!!
It wasn’t just all drama and angst in this book because anyone that’s ever read Carolyn Brown, knows that she’s a hoot and so are her characters. Emmy Jo is a hilarious and she just made me love her the way she treated Seth. You find out all the reasons behind everything because Emmy Jo goes searching for answers…and BOY DOES SHE FIND ANSWERS Y’ALL!! My heart broke over the way Seth’s mom was treated and how he spoke about her. I found myself crying and snotting all over the place. My family kept looking at me like I had 4 heads. I know my nose was the size of a kiwi by the time I got done rubbing it. I also found myself laughing out loud more times than I could count and wish I could smack Jesse in the same chapter…that is the test of a really good book! I’d love to meet a man like Seth…or Sam Elliott! I really think they should turn this book into a movie because it would be a hit. It kind of reminds me of the old-time movies that I used to watch when I was little. Seriously – Carolyn Brown if you ever read this review…Make this into a movie!! But really nothing is ever better than reading the book and taking the time to sit down and consume what the writer is trying to convey to her readers.
Sit down, get a cup of hot tea, some Kleenex and escape away from your family for a little while. Escape to the world that Carolyn Brown has created especially for you and enjoy it. It’s an awesome place to be.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
February 27, 2017
I downloaded a copy of this book from NetGalley to review.
First, I hate the cover. Yes, it is nice but I expected more from Montlake Romance. To this reader, it looks like someone went and purchased a stock photo, threw on some text and that was it. The cover is generic and does not show any promise to a good story.
I should have taken my opinion of the cover and not wasted my time reading this book. I found problems with the story very early.
First problem. In location 729 it states the following at Location 729 ."The doctor really wanted him to go to a physical therapy place for six weeks now that the staples were out.". Okay great. The staples were out.
Then at Location 789 readers see the following ."She couldn't possibly support his weight, and if he fell and the staples broke loose, he could wind up back in the hospital.". Then at location 2321 readers see the following .'The doctor nodded. "Why don't you lie on the sofa here and let me take a look at the staples.". So my question is when were the staples removed?
My second problem starts at Chapter 4. Really the first sentence in chapter 4. The first sentence is a total of 46 words. Really?!? 46 words to convey what the authors wanted readers to know. It makes me wonder why this extra, extremely long sentence could not have been written in two or three sentences. Don't take my word for it. Here is the sentence: .‘Emmy Jo paced to the top of the staircase at the top of the wide upstairs hallway, back to her room and to the balcony, only to start all over again several times before she finally plopped down in the wing-back chair out in the hall.’. Little wordiness there?
This was a halfway clean story. No sex scenes and some cussing. At first, I honestly thought the author had intentionally left out all cussing. However, as readers get later into the story the author has characters throwing out lots of cuss words. If I had to give this book a rating it would be PG13.
I halfway liked this story but felt some of the characters got off very easy for the stuff they did. Yes, what happened was in the past but still, each and every one should have realized they screwed up and apologized, atoned and made amends for their sins.
Then I realize how fast everything happened in this story. How easy Seth was able to forgive everyone. After carrying 60+ years of hatred, bitterness, and anger for those who wronged him he just allowed everyone to walk away without anything but knowing his great-granddaughter.
I admit really disliked Jesse. To be someone who calls himself a man of God but cannot forgive others show he is not anything but a piece of scum. He acts like others show follow the ten commandments but he is allowed to pick and choose which ones he wants to follow. He is nothing but a hypocrite.
Then I have a problem with the age of some characters. Seth, Tandy, and Jesse are in their 80's. If Seth and Tandy slept together while in high school and had a child that would make them 17-19 years old. Okay then if that child also had a child early in life (which is implied in the book) these two characters would be in their early 40's. Then if that child (their grandchild) had a child early in life (which is implied also) that would make these two people in their early 60's. NOT in their early 80's unless we skipped a generation and again that is not implied in the book. It is stated often that Emmy Jo is Tandy's great-grandchild. No, it does not state her age but it is stated she is 21. So this reader would like to know why the author made Seth, Tandy, and Jesse so old. To this reader, something is wrong with the age of these characters.
I really wanted to like this story. The description fit the story but the writing did not live up to what I wanted. It just fell flat. Sorry but this book just did not do it for me.
First, I hate the cover. Yes, it is nice but I expected more from Montlake Romance. To this reader, it looks like someone went and purchased a stock photo, threw on some text and that was it. The cover is generic and does not show any promise to a good story.
I should have taken my opinion of the cover and not wasted my time reading this book. I found problems with the story very early.
First problem. In location 729 it states the following at Location 729 ."The doctor really wanted him to go to a physical therapy place for six weeks now that the staples were out.". Okay great. The staples were out.
Then at Location 789 readers see the following ."She couldn't possibly support his weight, and if he fell and the staples broke loose, he could wind up back in the hospital.". Then at location 2321 readers see the following .'The doctor nodded. "Why don't you lie on the sofa here and let me take a look at the staples.". So my question is when were the staples removed?
My second problem starts at Chapter 4. Really the first sentence in chapter 4. The first sentence is a total of 46 words. Really?!? 46 words to convey what the authors wanted readers to know. It makes me wonder why this extra, extremely long sentence could not have been written in two or three sentences. Don't take my word for it. Here is the sentence: .‘Emmy Jo paced to the top of the staircase at the top of the wide upstairs hallway, back to her room and to the balcony, only to start all over again several times before she finally plopped down in the wing-back chair out in the hall.’. Little wordiness there?
This was a halfway clean story. No sex scenes and some cussing. At first, I honestly thought the author had intentionally left out all cussing. However, as readers get later into the story the author has characters throwing out lots of cuss words. If I had to give this book a rating it would be PG13.
I halfway liked this story but felt some of the characters got off very easy for the stuff they did. Yes, what happened was in the past but still, each and every one should have realized they screwed up and apologized, atoned and made amends for their sins.
Then I realize how fast everything happened in this story. How easy Seth was able to forgive everyone. After carrying 60+ years of hatred, bitterness, and anger for those who wronged him he just allowed everyone to walk away without anything but knowing his great-granddaughter.
I admit really disliked Jesse. To be someone who calls himself a man of God but cannot forgive others show he is not anything but a piece of scum. He acts like others show follow the ten commandments but he is allowed to pick and choose which ones he wants to follow. He is nothing but a hypocrite.
Then I have a problem with the age of some characters. Seth, Tandy, and Jesse are in their 80's. If Seth and Tandy slept together while in high school and had a child that would make them 17-19 years old. Okay then if that child also had a child early in life (which is implied in the book) these two characters would be in their early 40's. Then if that child (their grandchild) had a child early in life (which is implied also) that would make these two people in their early 60's. NOT in their early 80's unless we skipped a generation and again that is not implied in the book. It is stated often that Emmy Jo is Tandy's great-grandchild. No, it does not state her age but it is stated she is 21. So this reader would like to know why the author made Seth, Tandy, and Jesse so old. To this reader, something is wrong with the age of these characters.
I really wanted to like this story. The description fit the story but the writing did not live up to what I wanted. It just fell flat. Sorry but this book just did not do it for me.
September 17, 2024
Hichory, Texas , anni cinquanta. Jesse Grady, Seth Thomas e Tandy Massey si sono appena diplomati e la vita si dispiega davanti a loro con tutte le sue infinite potenzialità. Purtroppo, però, succede qualcosa che li dividerà per sempre e che segnerà il loro futuro.
Hichory, giorni nostri. Emmy Jo approda a casa di Seth Thomas ormai ottantenne per fargli da assistente personale e guadagnare quello che le servirà per organizzare il suo grandioso matrimonio. L’obiettivo della giovane, infatti, è quello di spezzare la “maledizione delle Massey” e pur di realizzarlo, sfiderà la furia della bisnonna Tandy che si oppone alla sua decisione. Tandy si oppone, però, anche al matrimonio di Emmy Jo con Logan Grady e si rifiuta di dare spiegazioni. Non che a Logan vada meglio, perché anche lui si trova di fronte alla ferma e irremovibile opposizione di Jesse Grady, suo nonno.
Rancori, bugie e segreti hanno avvelenato la vita di Jesse, Seth e Tandy per sessant’anni e, inevitabilmente, condizionato i loro familiari. Per questo, Emmy Jo intende approfittare del suo incarico per cercare di scoprire il segreto che nasconde Tandy, sicura che a questo sia legata la disapprovazione della nonna al suo matrimonio con Logan. Non sa ancora che quel segreto la porterà a scoprire anche le sue radici.
E se avesse ragione Tandy? Che i segreti è meglio che restino tali?
Emmy Jo è testarda e molto determinata e non ascolterà facilmente i consigli della bisnonna né della sua amica Diana. E, giorno dopo giorno, riesce a scalfire la corazza del vecchio Seth …
L’autrice ci narra una storia romantica e avvincente, con uno stile scorrevole e lineare. Ci si affeziona facilmente ai personaggi, soprattutto agli ottuagenari Seth e Tandy, capaci di passioni profonde e definitive. Seth, burbero ma dal cuore tenero, ha alle spalle una difficile storia familiare, mentre Tandy, ribelle e volitiva, non è riuscita da giovane a fare chiarezza nei propri sentimenti. E’ un romanzo che parla di amore, segreti di famiglia e seconde possibilità e che avvince grazie alla trama ben costruita e ai personaggi attentamente caratterizzati.
Hichory, giorni nostri. Emmy Jo approda a casa di Seth Thomas ormai ottantenne per fargli da assistente personale e guadagnare quello che le servirà per organizzare il suo grandioso matrimonio. L’obiettivo della giovane, infatti, è quello di spezzare la “maledizione delle Massey” e pur di realizzarlo, sfiderà la furia della bisnonna Tandy che si oppone alla sua decisione. Tandy si oppone, però, anche al matrimonio di Emmy Jo con Logan Grady e si rifiuta di dare spiegazioni. Non che a Logan vada meglio, perché anche lui si trova di fronte alla ferma e irremovibile opposizione di Jesse Grady, suo nonno.
Rancori, bugie e segreti hanno avvelenato la vita di Jesse, Seth e Tandy per sessant’anni e, inevitabilmente, condizionato i loro familiari. Per questo, Emmy Jo intende approfittare del suo incarico per cercare di scoprire il segreto che nasconde Tandy, sicura che a questo sia legata la disapprovazione della nonna al suo matrimonio con Logan. Non sa ancora che quel segreto la porterà a scoprire anche le sue radici.
E se avesse ragione Tandy? Che i segreti è meglio che restino tali?
Emmy Jo è testarda e molto determinata e non ascolterà facilmente i consigli della bisnonna né della sua amica Diana. E, giorno dopo giorno, riesce a scalfire la corazza del vecchio Seth …
L’autrice ci narra una storia romantica e avvincente, con uno stile scorrevole e lineare. Ci si affeziona facilmente ai personaggi, soprattutto agli ottuagenari Seth e Tandy, capaci di passioni profonde e definitive. Seth, burbero ma dal cuore tenero, ha alle spalle una difficile storia familiare, mentre Tandy, ribelle e volitiva, non è riuscita da giovane a fare chiarezza nei propri sentimenti. E’ un romanzo che parla di amore, segreti di famiglia e seconde possibilità e che avvince grazie alla trama ben costruita e ai personaggi attentamente caratterizzati.
February 22, 2018
I think I have become a book snob. This is the type of book I loved to read in my free time back in high school. Not very deep or profound. But it was an easy read, fairly predictable and I loved the two main characters. Seth an 82 recluse that lives in a huge mansion by himself and the whole town avoids him. And then Emmy Jo the young girl hired to take care of Seth after he had hip surgery. Emmy Jo is doing it for the money to plan the wedding if her dreams. The whole town thinks she is crazy especially her Granny who has a 60 year old hatred of the man. Another book about how everyone has a story and that sometimes it just takes one person to make a difference and find out that there is a different story to be told.
January 31, 2019
A solid 5 stars from beginning to end. What a wonderful heartfelt family drama this was! I loved the main character, Emmy Jo Massey. She was a sassy little spitfire with a heart of gold. I also loved, Seth Thomas, the old codger she works for and I even loved her cranky ole granny, Tandy. This was my first book by Carolyn Brown but it won't be my last. The story had drama and intrigue and heartwarming interactions. So very good. I highly recommend to anyone who loves family dramas especially those set in the South. This one was set in Texas.
September 2, 2017
Kindle Unlimited e-book
July 11, 2024
Mara Ross -per RFS
.
Buongiorno Fenici, oggi vi parlo di Un bouquet a tutti i costi, una storia che mescola romanticismo, dramma familiare e il fascino delle piccole città. Questo è un libro che ci parla dell’essenza dell’amore, di amicizia e di seconde possibilità.
La penna di Carolyn Brown cattura abilmente l’attenzione del lettore con il suo stile toccante e delizioso. Purtroppo certi passaggi, a mio avviso, sono stati eccessivamente lenti, avrei preferito una narrazione più incalzante, in linea con i miei gusti… ça va sans dire.
La protagonista del romanzo è Emmy Jo Massey, una giovane assistente sanitaria, decisa a celebrare le sue nozze con Logan nonostante la sfortunata tradizione familiare di tre generazioni di donne Massey con figli fuori dal matrimonio.
La ragazza accetta un lavoro ben pagato nella fatiscente dimora dell’ottantaduenne Seth Thomas, un ex agente immobiliare, schivo, riservato e un po’ scorbutico. Saranno due mesi lunghi e impegnativi, ma le permetteranno di acquistare l’abito da sposa dei suoi sogni.
Non si è mai tirata indietro di fronte alle sfide e di sicuro non è disposta a farlo nemmeno ora, nonostante l’opposizione della sua bisnonna Tandy.
Trovo che questo suo lato del carattere sia ammirevole, ha chiaro nella mente il suo obiettivo e non si fa intimorire dalle chiacchiere della cittadina che dipinge la vecchia casa come infestata e il proprietario un vecchietto burbero e bisbetico.
È una persona determinata, ha grinta da vendere e di certo non si arrende di fronte alle avversità, anzi le prende come missione per superarle.
Seth inizialmente non vuole Emmy Jo come assistente, ma con il tempo, i due si avvicinano, acquisiscono fiducia l’un l’altro, diventano amici e confidenti.
Il loro rapporto e l’evoluzione che ne nasce è ciò che più mi ha colpita positivamente di questo libro. I loro battibecchi hanno la capacità di creare un clima semplice e spensierato, con la gusta dose di emozione.
Seth si fida di Emmy, le racconta del suo passato, della famiglia, dell’adorata madre, svelando segreti che potrebbero cambiare il futuro di entrambi, restando tuttavia vago su certe dinamiche. Dopo quasi sessant’anni per lui non è semplice aprirsi, ma la ragazza intuisce presto che queste informazioni sono solo la punta dell’iceberg, un mistero si nasconde, un segreto che ha per protagonisti Seth in persona, Jesse, il nonno del suo fidanzato Logan, e la sua bisnonna Tandy.
Mie care Fenici, ho scelto di non svelarvi nient’altro di questo romanzo, ma vi consiglio di leggerlo se amate le storie a lieto fine che trattano misteri famigliari, perdono e scoperta personale. È un romanzo che si focalizza sulle seconde possibilità e sulla risoluzione di vecchie faide.
.
Buongiorno Fenici, oggi vi parlo di Un bouquet a tutti i costi, una storia che mescola romanticismo, dramma familiare e il fascino delle piccole città. Questo è un libro che ci parla dell’essenza dell’amore, di amicizia e di seconde possibilità.
La penna di Carolyn Brown cattura abilmente l’attenzione del lettore con il suo stile toccante e delizioso. Purtroppo certi passaggi, a mio avviso, sono stati eccessivamente lenti, avrei preferito una narrazione più incalzante, in linea con i miei gusti… ça va sans dire.
La protagonista del romanzo è Emmy Jo Massey, una giovane assistente sanitaria, decisa a celebrare le sue nozze con Logan nonostante la sfortunata tradizione familiare di tre generazioni di donne Massey con figli fuori dal matrimonio.
La ragazza accetta un lavoro ben pagato nella fatiscente dimora dell’ottantaduenne Seth Thomas, un ex agente immobiliare, schivo, riservato e un po’ scorbutico. Saranno due mesi lunghi e impegnativi, ma le permetteranno di acquistare l’abito da sposa dei suoi sogni.
Non si è mai tirata indietro di fronte alle sfide e di sicuro non è disposta a farlo nemmeno ora, nonostante l’opposizione della sua bisnonna Tandy.
Trovo che questo suo lato del carattere sia ammirevole, ha chiaro nella mente il suo obiettivo e non si fa intimorire dalle chiacchiere della cittadina che dipinge la vecchia casa come infestata e il proprietario un vecchietto burbero e bisbetico.
È una persona determinata, ha grinta da vendere e di certo non si arrende di fronte alle avversità, anzi le prende come missione per superarle.
Seth inizialmente non vuole Emmy Jo come assistente, ma con il tempo, i due si avvicinano, acquisiscono fiducia l’un l’altro, diventano amici e confidenti.
Il loro rapporto e l’evoluzione che ne nasce è ciò che più mi ha colpita positivamente di questo libro. I loro battibecchi hanno la capacità di creare un clima semplice e spensierato, con la gusta dose di emozione.
Seth si fida di Emmy, le racconta del suo passato, della famiglia, dell’adorata madre, svelando segreti che potrebbero cambiare il futuro di entrambi, restando tuttavia vago su certe dinamiche. Dopo quasi sessant’anni per lui non è semplice aprirsi, ma la ragazza intuisce presto che queste informazioni sono solo la punta dell’iceberg, un mistero si nasconde, un segreto che ha per protagonisti Seth in persona, Jesse, il nonno del suo fidanzato Logan, e la sua bisnonna Tandy.
Mie care Fenici, ho scelto di non svelarvi nient’altro di questo romanzo, ma vi consiglio di leggerlo se amate le storie a lieto fine che trattano misteri famigliari, perdono e scoperta personale. È un romanzo che si focalizza sulle seconde possibilità e sulla risoluzione di vecchie faide.
October 29, 2017
With a family history that includes three generations of Massey women having children out of wedlock, Emmy Jo Massey is determined to have a big, formal wedding with as much as possible of the town of Hickory, Texas in attendance. Raising the money for the big wedding includes taking a two-month job as a home health aide to town recluse Seth Thomas.
Her great-grandmother, Tandy, is absolutely opposed. She wants the child she raised when her granddaughter died going nowhere near Seth Thomas. Of course, she's also dead set against Emmy Jo marrying Logan Grady, too, and that's not stopping Emmy Jo. But Tandy won't tell her why she's so opposed. The only answer she'll give is that she refuses to talk about the past--an answer that quite reasonably doesn't sway Emmy Jo to her point of view.
Logan's grandfather, Jesse, is equally opposed, and equally close-mouthed on why.
Nor is Seth Thomas any more willing to say why these three octogenarians hate each other so much. He'd refuse to have Emmy Jo in his house because of her kinship to Tandy if he could work out a way to do it, but with his broken hip still healing, his sister Nora has managed to take the decision out of his hands.
Gradually, Seth and Emmy Jo start to talk to each other.
Emmy Jo also starts digging into the town newspapers.
The cause of the feud amongst the three goes back more than sixty years, and the whole truth can't come out until each of the three starts talking. Seth, regarded by the entire town as weird and strange, turns out to be the one most willing to both listen and talk. Jesse, a preacher and most respected of the three in the town, is the least willing.
There were times when I thought, oh, this is just going to get unbearably foolish--but it didn't. This is a gentle but determined look at some interesting and complex characters who have a lot to answer for in their lives. It was a very satisfying read, or rather, listen.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
Her great-grandmother, Tandy, is absolutely opposed. She wants the child she raised when her granddaughter died going nowhere near Seth Thomas. Of course, she's also dead set against Emmy Jo marrying Logan Grady, too, and that's not stopping Emmy Jo. But Tandy won't tell her why she's so opposed. The only answer she'll give is that she refuses to talk about the past--an answer that quite reasonably doesn't sway Emmy Jo to her point of view.
Logan's grandfather, Jesse, is equally opposed, and equally close-mouthed on why.
Nor is Seth Thomas any more willing to say why these three octogenarians hate each other so much. He'd refuse to have Emmy Jo in his house because of her kinship to Tandy if he could work out a way to do it, but with his broken hip still healing, his sister Nora has managed to take the decision out of his hands.
Gradually, Seth and Emmy Jo start to talk to each other.
Emmy Jo also starts digging into the town newspapers.
The cause of the feud amongst the three goes back more than sixty years, and the whole truth can't come out until each of the three starts talking. Seth, regarded by the entire town as weird and strange, turns out to be the one most willing to both listen and talk. Jesse, a preacher and most respected of the three in the town, is the least willing.
There were times when I thought, oh, this is just going to get unbearably foolish--but it didn't. This is a gentle but determined look at some interesting and complex characters who have a lot to answer for in their lives. It was a very satisfying read, or rather, listen.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
June 5, 2018
Emmy Jo wants to invite the whole town to her wedding. She's determined to show everyone who judges her family that a Massey woman can get married. Emmy Jo is Tandy's great-granddaughter and they have a special bond. Her great-grandmother raised her as well as she could. Tandy is a woman who commands respect, but she has enemies in town and one of them is Seth, a local recluse. To pay for her dream wedding Emmy Jo is doing something Tandy doesn't like, she's going to work for Seth. He's just broken his hip and needs an assistant.
Tandy isn't happy with Emmy Jo's plans to marry Logan, family of another man she greatly dislikes, so she's doubly dissatisfied with her great-granddaughter's decisions. She doesn't tell Emmy Jo why, but Emmy Jo is curious enough to dig up information and find out more about her great-grandmother's past. She likes Seth a lot and wants to get married without any feuds overshadowing the wedding. While looking into the past Emmy Jo discovers much more than she bargained for and knowing her family history will drastically change the course of her future, will she be ready for this?
The Lilac Bouquet is a beautiful story about family, true love and secrets. I absolutely loved Emmy Jo. She's a sweet girl with a heart of gold. She can also stand up for herself and knows how to make people like her. She's a wonderful charming main character and I greatly admired her open and disarming personality. With the gentle and handsome Logan she's found true love and is willing to fight for it, which is something I liked a lot. While doing this she uncovers plenty of intriguing secrets that kept me glued to the pages. I read The Lilac Bouquet in one sitting and loved every single sentence.
Carolyn Brown knows how to set a brilliant atmosphere. That's one of the things I love the most about her books. I can easily picture everything she describes and always like what I see. Her detailed and dynamic ways of creating a scene are priceless. She constantly manages to make me smile. Her stories are surprising, entertaining and original and The Lilac Bouquet completely enchanted me. It's a wonderful story that I highly recommend. I'm so happy that I've found another true gem that will stay with me for a very long time.
Tandy isn't happy with Emmy Jo's plans to marry Logan, family of another man she greatly dislikes, so she's doubly dissatisfied with her great-granddaughter's decisions. She doesn't tell Emmy Jo why, but Emmy Jo is curious enough to dig up information and find out more about her great-grandmother's past. She likes Seth a lot and wants to get married without any feuds overshadowing the wedding. While looking into the past Emmy Jo discovers much more than she bargained for and knowing her family history will drastically change the course of her future, will she be ready for this?
The Lilac Bouquet is a beautiful story about family, true love and secrets. I absolutely loved Emmy Jo. She's a sweet girl with a heart of gold. She can also stand up for herself and knows how to make people like her. She's a wonderful charming main character and I greatly admired her open and disarming personality. With the gentle and handsome Logan she's found true love and is willing to fight for it, which is something I liked a lot. While doing this she uncovers plenty of intriguing secrets that kept me glued to the pages. I read The Lilac Bouquet in one sitting and loved every single sentence.
Carolyn Brown knows how to set a brilliant atmosphere. That's one of the things I love the most about her books. I can easily picture everything she describes and always like what I see. Her detailed and dynamic ways of creating a scene are priceless. She constantly manages to make me smile. Her stories are surprising, entertaining and original and The Lilac Bouquet completely enchanted me. It's a wonderful story that I highly recommend. I'm so happy that I've found another true gem that will stay with me for a very long time.
April 11, 2019
Another excellent story from Carolyn Brown
I've only touched the surface of Carolyn Brown's many books, but the ones I've read so far have several things in common. They have all been warm touching stories about family - torn apart and brought together, the power of honesty and forgiveness, and the comfort and security of finally finding home. Having said that, each one is a unique story, each having it's own set of issues, secrets, twists and turns - and each coming to its own unique and satisfying conclusion. And all without the sugary sweetness that other authors seem to lay on a bit too thick to be enjoyable.
The Lilac Bouquet is no exception. When Emmy Jo takes a long term assignment as home health aide to elderly town recluse Seth, her only hope is to make enough money to afford a proper wedding. It's her dream to prove to the town that unlike the last three generations of women in her family, she is doing things right and proper - marriage, then children.
As the grumpy old man she is caring for begins to reveal bits about his family history, her curiosity is peaked and she goes into detective mode. Decades of lies and secrets are uncovered, forcing her employer, great grandma, and fiancee's grandfather to finally face each other and the secrets they've held for so long.
This is a lovely story that had me hooked from page one and left me feeling warm and uplifted.
I've only touched the surface of Carolyn Brown's many books, but the ones I've read so far have several things in common. They have all been warm touching stories about family - torn apart and brought together, the power of honesty and forgiveness, and the comfort and security of finally finding home. Having said that, each one is a unique story, each having it's own set of issues, secrets, twists and turns - and each coming to its own unique and satisfying conclusion. And all without the sugary sweetness that other authors seem to lay on a bit too thick to be enjoyable.
The Lilac Bouquet is no exception. When Emmy Jo takes a long term assignment as home health aide to elderly town recluse Seth, her only hope is to make enough money to afford a proper wedding. It's her dream to prove to the town that unlike the last three generations of women in her family, she is doing things right and proper - marriage, then children.
As the grumpy old man she is caring for begins to reveal bits about his family history, her curiosity is peaked and she goes into detective mode. Decades of lies and secrets are uncovered, forcing her employer, great grandma, and fiancee's grandfather to finally face each other and the secrets they've held for so long.
This is a lovely story that had me hooked from page one and left me feeling warm and uplifted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 706 reviews