Heather Webber has done it again. If possible, I think The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is even better than Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe and South of the Buttonwood Tree.

The story is told alternately from Sadie’s, and then Leala’s, point of view. There are some unresolved emotions from the death of their father when they were young, on the part of both mother and daughters. Sadie is uncomfortable being back in a town where everyone sees her as some kind of miracle, her survival a wish granted by the lady of the lake. She’s also got to figure out how she feels about Will, the young man she left behind when she unceremoniously bolted from town. Leala has everything she always thought she wanted, but she isn’t happy, and she struggles to figure out why. And then there’s the consternation when Sadie and Leala learn that the bed and breakfast is in desperate need of some remodeling, and their mother’s finances don’t seem to be in a condition to do that.

Her characters are all so wonderfully imagined, they seem like people you could just sit down and talk to. I think Uncle Camp was my favorite, and sometimes I wanted to just smack Connor because he seemed like such a jerk.

As with Webber’s other books, this story is, at its heart, about family. Sadie, Leala, and Susannah all have flaws and quirks. The other characters are family, too – whether actually related or family tht they’ve chosen (or that has chosen them). Like all families, sometimes tensions and tempers flare. And as tends to happen, sometimes secrets are kept that should have been brought to light long ago. But sharing those secrets so often brings healing, and ultimately, joy and relationships restored.

Not gonna lie, the ending made me cry. Let me say it again: I will grab any of Heather Webber’s books off the shelf without even seeing what they’re about. She is one of my favorite authors. If you like your books full of Southern charm and Southern characters, with a touch of magic, she may become one of your favorite authors, too.

I picked this book because I was in the mood for a happy story with a little bit of magic... It delivered exactly what I needed! It was such a sweet story with a gallery of interesting and touching characters! The setting was wonderful and the relationships between each family member felt so real. I only wish we had known Will a little more.

The ending added a welcome touch of magic. Really heartwarming!

It lost a star because of some lenghts (it's not always necessary to explain exactly why the characters feel a certain way... the readers can understand by themselves if the personalities and backgrounds are well-developped).

Fans of Sarah Addison Allen like me would appreciate this book. It has some similarities to Lost Lake.

Many thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for the ARC!

I haven't read a ton of magical realism, and this had a lot of great elements - a good story, small town, secrets, family drama and that hint of magic. Ultimately, it was the story at the heart of the book that I enjoyed the most - not just the magical elements but really about family healing. There were some really lovely moments and a twist I really didn't see coming that I thought was the perfect touch. However, I felt much of the dialogue to be too cheesy for my taste, things got a bit repetitive and moved too slow.

Sadie Way Scott has found success with her internet cooking show that shares stories of family and cherished recipes. She has done everything she can to limit trips back home to Sugarberry Cove, but when she gets a phone call that her mother has suffered a heart attack, Sadie finds herself right back at her family B & B.

Leala Clare haș dedicated herself to her young son and her marriage, but recently her life isn't quite as rosy as she has imagined it. She too returns home after her mother's heart attack to help with the family business.

Leala Clare and Sadie Way both have so much hurt buried along with many secrets. Will this time together help them to uncover those truths and heal those deep wounds?

I enjoyed the Southern setting of the novel and appreciated the multi-generational, multi-layered characters. I loved the cooking show idea and really wished I could tune it to watch a real episode. It was a heartwarming story of forgiveness, healing, growth and the many paths love can take.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can only start this review with what my understanding of Magical Realism in fiction. It is not the industry definition (something I could look up but choose not to do at this stage). It is when the idea of magic or 'otherworldliness is effortlessly woven into our contemporary world. This seems to be something the author does quite well.
I have read another book by the author where a tree knew more about people's lives than they did themselves. Here, it is a lake.
The lake of Sugarberry Cove comes with its own legends. How and what the repercussions are, forms a bulk of the background narrative. We have three main characters, although Sadie and her sister are the only ones whose inner thoughts we are privileged to hear. Sadie is the more prominent voice since she carries the most visible reminder of the power of the lake with and on her. She is torn by conflicting emotions about her feelings for 'home'. On the other hand, her sister, Leala Clare, has more mundane issues, or so it appears on the surface.
The three women (the sisters and their mother) have to tackle both the past and their respective futures. The interactions between everyone, the good and the bad, were so realistic that it was nearly impossible to feel the emotions right along with them.
The writing is evocative and simple, the best kind of combination. It was almost a one-sitting read where I was swept along the undercurrents, always waiting for the next piece of information to be given to us. The idea or picture I formed of them all kept shifting with every conversation they had. At its heart, it is a book about family, the drama that it involves and what it takes to move on and grow. I would highly recommend it to anyone who does not mind a bit of magic and suspension of belief used to elevate a tale about a family.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This book was so good that I didn't want it to end. I fell in love with the characters and they came to feel like friends by the end of the story. Sadie Way Scott has not followed the path that she originally planned after a traumatic event changed her life. Her sister, Leala, wishes that Sadie would move back to their hometown and that they could be close like they were as children. The story alternates between the two sisters' points of view. Sugarberry Cove, Alabama is a town where there's magic in the air and some mystery surrounding the lake and the upcoming, annual, lantern festival where wishes can come true. Ms. Webber has a gift of creating wonderful stories and characters and I can't wait to read what she writes next!

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is a novel full of guilt, love, forgiveness, bits of magic, beautiful surroundings, and southern charm.. A wonderful story of family - even with disfunction - showing love - love that is lost and love that is found - and the idea of second chances. This is the first novel of Heather Webber's' that I have read and I'm enamored. I will definitely go back and read her other two standalones - Midnight at the Blackbird Café and South of the Buttonwood Tree. I love Webb's character development. I feel I knew each character and gladly followed their progress throughout the novel. Each had their own issues and it was heartwarming to see them work through them. Southern Charm and goodness abounds - throw in a small taste of magical realism and this is truly a novel that you can recommend to anyone and everyone!

Although sweet and sappy, this story of two sisters was heartwarming. Using a touch of magical realism, Sadie is believed to be saved from drowning by the Lady Laurel, the lady of the lake in Sugarberry Cove. Sadie left to try to discover why she was saved, leaving her mother and sister, Leala behind. After her mother has a heart attack, Sadie returns and rediscovers what home truly feels like. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the second book I have read by Heather Webber and I just want to say that I love how she uses the magical realism element in her story. Beautiful. Mesmerisingly beautiful and heart touching. She gives a fairy tale like quality to her stories which are set in a small town and are about normal, everyday people and their hopes, dreams, loves, losses and faith. I smiled, laughed and cried with all the characters in this book. The
Lights of Sugarberry Cove was a joy to read ❤️!

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher MacMillan-Tor/Forge and the author for the e-Arc of the book to read and review.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A cute story great for an afternoon at the beach or by the pool. While it does have a magical realism element, I was looking for something a little deeper in that vein, ala The Midnight Library. Yet it does have likable characters, an uplifting message, with a little bit of pixie dust thrown in.

Recommended for those who like books where all the characters learn what they should and everyone has a happy ending.

A big thank you to Heather Webber, Forge Books, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.

To grab a copy of The Lights of Sugarberry Cove for yourself, head on over to www.BookShop.org – the online bookstore that gives 75% of each book’s profit margin back to independent bookshops. Find yours at https://bookshop.org/a/13638/9781250774620.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of Webber’s books. This was another great book with characters that come alive. I didn’t want the book to end and wanted to jump into the same town to live. Thanks to McMillan-Tor/Forge, Heather Webber and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was such an amazing story! Filled with hope and love and kindness! Loved every character. Highly highly recommend reading this wonderful book!

The Lights in Sugarberry Cove is like a sweet kiss in the moonlight. I love the magic, the conflict and all the beautiful writing. Makes you want to live in this little magical hometown!

Another beautifully and heartwarming book by Webber. The Lights of Sugarberry Cove gives readers a captivating tale of family dynamic and a whimsical touch of magic

Sadie Way Scott came close to drowning in the lake outside her mother's B & B 8 years before. She has avoided going home to Sugarberry Cove, Alabama ever since.

Now she hosts a very popular show about Southern cooking, on her YouTube channel, and travels constantly.

After her mother has a minor heart attack, Sadie's needed to help run the inn while her mother rests.

A little lake magic is needed to bring the family back together again and open their hearts -and that's what Webber delivers.

I love Heather Webber's books. They always have a sense of place and great characters. The Lights of Sugar berry Cove contains characters that are striving to mend emotional and physical scars and have hope for the future. I was an uplifting read and look forward to her next book.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I was super excited for this new book by Heather Webber. Last year during the pandemic, I found her book The Blackbird Cafe and I just loved it so much that I have reread it several times. This book was just as whimsical and lovely, Well written, great storyline and people you want to be friends with.

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber is a quintessential southern story full of charm and magical realism. Sadie Way Scott has been avoiding her home town after nearly drowning as a teenager. When her mother suffers an unexpected heart attack, she returns home to help run the family inn along with her sister Leala Claire.

This is the sort of story that keeps you reading yet not wanting the book to end. The characters flawed as they are, are well-developed and so very relatable, creating a heartwarming reading experience. You’ll find yourself holding your breath and hoping that Sadie Way and Leala Claire make the choices that will ensure their happiness. The story captivated me, so much so that I could feel the humidity in the air, visualize the deep dark depths of the lake, and anticipate the magic of the lantern festival. Heather Webber is an amazing storyteller and I am already looking forward to her next publication. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

A heartwarming story about choices, second chances and the power of love. Heather Webber's excellent storytelling will have you reading long into the night.

This was first time reading Heather Webber and I thoroughly enjoyed my magical trip to Sugarberry Cove, Albama.

I constantly wonder how Heather Webber builds the most beautiful stories filled with love, hope and growth. This book is dual perspective between Sadie Way and Leala Clare, as they return home to care for their mother and her bed & breakfast after a health scare. What I found so fascinating was the discussion of Sadie Way and her purpose of storytelling. This is Heather Webber for me. I was transfixed with Midnight and the Blackbird Cafe then South of the Buttonwood Tree and now The Lights of Sugarberry Cove. Please for the love of all things need more to add to this list. One day I cant wait to share these beautiful stories with my children. After I finish I cannot help but reflect on what I can learn after these characters have touched me so much. This story is meant to savor and then turn around and read again.