I received an ARC of this book for a review. It is the second in the Sugarhouse series by Mariah Stewart. I did not read the first  book, and did not feel out of step. This book focused on the relationships of  three sisters, Cara, Alli, And Des, who have inherited an old theater and some funds to repair it from their father. The inheritance doesn’t come without strings however. They must stay living in the small Pennsylvania town that was founded by their coal mining ancestors and complete the repairs on the theater before collecting their inheritance. Alli and Des share the same mother and have old issues stemming from a dysfunctional family. Cara has a different mother and the half sisters are just getting to know one another.  I enjoyed the sometimes messy relationships between these women.

This book dragged on too long and I found it hard to get into it. Perhaps if I had read the earlier sequel maybe it would have been better. But it just didn't have enough action to keep me interested. Way too slow.

This book begins with a huge infodump. I'm not invested enough in the characters to be able to read this much backstory this soon.

This is the 2nd book in the series about the Hudson Sisters.  The story picked up from the first easily, but could also have been read as a standalone book.  Whereas the first book focused a lot on the restoration of the old movie theater that the sisters inherited, this story was more focused on various relationships - within the family as well as romantic interests.  There was still some progress on the theater restoration which I found entertaining, and I'm going to be eager to read the next book in the series.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
4.5 Stars 
This the second of The Hudson Sisters series.  Book One introduced us to the three Hudson sisters, Allie, Des and Half-sister Cara.  They met at the reading of their father’s will where they learned he had two wives and families.  In order for them to receive their inheritance, they must all live together and restore the family theatre.  Book one focused on Cara and her budding romance with Joe, the project manager.  Book two focuses on Des and Seth.  Des was a former child star, who has never married and finances a dog shelter in Montana.  She met Seth in book one, but dismissed him as a suitor because he is a tall, bald, cigar smoking Harley rider.  Does eventually learns that there she shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.  What is enjoyable about the book are the development of the characters and all of their relationships.  Allie is the most complex character of the three sisters.  She is really unpleasant in the first book.  As you see more of her, she is more complex and you do see her start to grow.  I am looking forward to her story in book three.  The only minor quibble I had with the book was that since it was a continuation of the prior book, not a stand alone, a lot of rehashing of the prior book was included.  I would definitely recommend this series.

I've been waiting for this book since the 1st one ended, and it didn't disappoint!

It's not every series you read, or even every book, where you just so wholeheartedly connect. You connect to the characters, you connect to the place, you connect to how it feels, how it wants you to feel. This book did all that for me.

It picks up where the last one left off. Long story short, 3 women discovered they shared the same father, but only discovered this after he died. 2 of the women, Des and Allie, shared a superstar mother and grew up together (dad was a Hollywood agent) and then Cara lived on the other side of the country. To receive their father's inheritance, they must renovate an old theater in their father's hometown together. 

Cara and Joe are going strong and she's decided that she'll stay in Hidden Falls after their job is complete. This installment revolves more so around Des and Allie, their lives, their pasts, and their dynamics with each other. 

While this book can easily be read as a stand alone, I want you to read the first one too. Meanwhile, I'll be impatiently awaiting the final book.

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/56664428

I normally love Mariah Stewart's book but this was not one of my favorite books or series.  It just seemed to drag a  lot and I could not get interested in the story line

This was a great addition to the series. It picked up where the first one left off without a problem. It was nice revisiting with the sisters and Barney. Looking forward to the next one.

The Sugarhouse Blues is the second installment to author Mariah Stewart's Hudson Sisters novels. The Sugarhouse Blues takes us immediately back into the lives of Des, Allie, and Cara and their endearing new town. After the shocking but welcoming news that their father had a sister, Bonnie, or "Barney', the girls continue to take on their individual roles in restoring the old Sugarhouse theater. 

In the second book, Mariah slowly reveals more of the sisters' character traits, secrets, and personalities. I still love Allie most though because she seemed to be so misunderstood and so often wrongly judged. She definitely has a big chip on her shoulder but life hadn't always dealt her a fair hand. However, with the acceptance, guidance, and love from aunt Barney, Allie is slowly realizing who she really is - or should be. Then there's Des, who is sort of the main narrator of the story and Allie's sister. She's hiding from a past that she hasn't quite gotten over yet and the reader is given tidbits on what it might be. It isn't until towards the end of this book that we realize why she is so hesitant on a real relationship with men or why she can't trust so willingly. The third sister, who is the half sister, Cara, is still sweet and optimistic and her love story with Joe carries from the first book. Not much is going on with Cara in book two as it seems to focus more on Allie and Des.
When it comes to sequels, I am always impressed at how authors can make them interesting enough to the readers to continue reading the series. I wasn't sure what to expect with The Sugarhouse Blues but was delighted that the story carried on smoothly and kept me interested in reading towards the very last page.
You don't necessarily have to read book one, The Last Chance Matinee as there are good references throughout book two, but it is highly recommended.
The Sugarhouse Blues ended on a good note and I am even more intrigued with the brewing love/hate relationship between the town Sheriff, Ben and Alllie. There is definitely something interesting going on between these two!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariah Stewart for the ARC! Eagerly waiting for book 3!