Karen White and Berkeley have done it again - provided one of the best books of the year!!!! Once I start one of White's books, I can hardly put it down, and this one is true to form. As one of Georgia's best authors, White shines as she writes about her state and where she lives. One of the things I love most about her books is that they all include some kind of mystery, and this one has that in spades. It also does an excellent job of balancing the lives of the two main characters - a woman in her thirties and another who's a nonagenarian. Unlike her Tradd Street series, this is a stand alone, but I wish it debuted a new series because I'd like to see what happens next to the residents of Sweet Apple, GA!!!! Thanks to Berkeley and NetGalley for providing access to the e version before publication.

Friendship, love and loyalty collide in this novel of the South. Merilee is trying to rebuild her life for her children after a devastating divorce when the Queen Bee of the children's new school, Heather, befriends her. Merilee also has her new landlord, the irrepressible Sugar, and her handy man, Wade, looking out for her. But with so many secrets who is trustworthy and who is out to destroy Merilee? A novel that will grab you from the first page as you recognize people in your life, especially if you live in a small Southern town.

Another great Karen White book. Two women form an unlikely friendship and bond that help each other heal from their past, and the secrets they've kept. Suspenseful, haunting and wonderful. I highly recommend.

Karen White is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw she had a new book out I couldn't wait to read it! This book did not disappoint. This is a book about past mistakes and revenge, but set in a nice, polite southern town with the charm the south is known for. I figured out who the villain was about half way through, but still enjoyed the book because great characters like Sugar.

I just finished reading Karen White’s new novel, The Night The Lights Went Out and wow, another great book!

This author can do no wrong, I love each book she writes and will eagerly await her next novel. In this story, set in the south of course (all of her books are set in the south), about to be divorced Merilee and her children move into Sugar Prescott’s guest house. Sugar is an old woman with a lot of secrets, equally feared and respected around town. Merilee is new to the area and is drawn to the beautiful and perfect Heather Blackford who is more than willing to help Merilee.

Merilee is new to the area and is drawn to the beautiful and perfect Heather Blackford who is more than willing to help Merilee with whatever she needs. There’s something strangely familiar about Heather but Merilee can’t put her finger on it. As Merilee is pulled into Heather’s world, Sugar relives old memories that keep surfacing and little by little, she tells Merilee about her own troubled past, freeing Merilee to also confront some old demons.

The second part of the book is like a fast turning suspense, with Merilee and Heather;s friendship evolving, Sugar’s secrets and memories spilling out, a romance….I was sad to see this one end. Due out in April.

I always look forward to a new book by Karen White as I was with this one. However, this one was a slow build up and even once it took off not quite up for to Karen White's usual pace. Merilee is newly divorced with 2 children. She is trying to fit into her new life when she is befriended by the queen bee of the school moms. Heather takes Merrilee under her wing and makes her her "project." Should have been a glaring sign to get out, but she doesn't. Even after Merilee is under suspicion for the murder of Heather's husband. Merrilee is still convinced they are friends.

Friendships, secrets old and new, love and heartbreak, revenge and murder, Ms White draws you and doesn't let you go until the lights go out.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

A mixture of old and new, an older Southern woman, Sugar, with secrets and stories from her past, befriends a young mother, Marilee, recently separated and looking to start over. Each slowly share stories and experiences which strengthen their resolve, which they will need as an unexpected death threatens to disrupt all Marilee has been able to accomplish. The addition of an anonymous blogger adds a touch of fun to an otherwise serious story of friendship, revenge and redemption. Recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. I so enjoy reading Southern authors' works. Karen White's writing reminds me of Anne River Siddons, perhaps because this book is about Georgia and has mythical elements and great writing. This book is definitely a page turner. I look forward to reading more of White's books.

I would give this a solid 3.75. I had never read anything by this author before, but based on the cover art and the first few chapters, I thought I was in for a light romance. Yes, there's romance, but it sure isn't light!

The story alternates between two characters, one young and in the present and the other is elderly and in the past. While these two women are very different, they are also more similar that you would think. In addition to experiencing love and heartbreak, they both also have gone through tragedies that they would rather not talk about.

The book is very character driven with intricate intertwining plots, but it all comes together with an unexpected twist.

It reminded me a bit of Fried Green Tomatoes. I didn't read that book, but like the movie, so that is a compliment to this book.

Karen White just has a way of weaving her story telling around you and pulling you in the story. The Night The Lights Went Out was no exception. I loved the characters the old and the young, the new friends and the old. A wonderful read. I highly recommend it and can't say enough good things about it.

Karen White is a master storyteller. Her newest marvel borrows themes from some of her past works. It opens with broken people learning to trust and love again. However, the similarities end there. White crafts a cunning tale of karma and true friendship. The pages are seasoned with clues and hints, culminating in a suspenseful storm of a conclusion. My heart pounded and I could swear I heard rain pounding my windows as I hurried through the final pages. The Night the Lights Went Out will keep you up late into the night.

"The Night the Lights Went Out" was an excellent book to enjoy, and I can't wait to share it with my friends this spring when it's published. This one is definitely going on the "Beach Reading" display we've planned for our library this summer! Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this terrific book!

Loved this book..mystery, romance, laughter and tears...Karen White put it all in this book. I loved the characters especially Sugar Prescott...I want to meet her

Not my favorite from Karen White, pretty predictable. I lost interest after a couple of chapters.
Thanks for the ARC

Sweet tea, southern sayings and secrets: what is there not to love? The characterizations of a small southern town and its inhabitants are spot-on. Throw in social media (Facebook and a mysterious blog) and you have a "can't put down" book. There is a lot of fore-shadowing, but there is still the twists and turns of a psychological mystery. The three main characters are very well drawn.

The Night the Lights Went Out is the latest story by Karen White. Ms White has the unique ability of bringing her characters alive and leaving the reader wishing they knew some of them in real life. The Night the Lights Went Out is no exception. Some laugh out loud moments and some edge of your seat make this story an interesting read. I was given an early copy to review.

This book was wonderful! Didn't want to put it down.

Blog intro will hook you.
Move to Sweet Apple, GA
A single mother makes a move to a home of an elderly lady. As we meet the elderly lady, we fall in love...when she can't sleep she reads the Bible or Harlan Coben (another fave author of mine), she has a free membership to Country Club because her family sold them the land it is built on. She won't waste anything free so she goes to Yoga 3 times a week. She is a southern lady who likes to cook and helps her neighbor.
This relationship grows- they become closer and closer.
I became more involved and more closer to then. I could not stop reading.
Women who have close friendships live longer than those who don't --but the quality of the friendship matters and makes the difference.

Drama, suspense, and storms build to a conclusion that will keep you reading.
I could not stop reading this once I started, reading the entire book in 1 day.

Not as good as her other books, But that said, it reminded me so much of the new "Atlanta". After living there for 30 years, I recall how the suburbs took over all the farm lands and the traffic congestion. Glad I live in the northeast now!.