Oh be still my heart. I LOVED THIS BOOK! IT was so great. So down home, I was expecting some homemade mac and cheese and a hug. The characters were well developed, the scenery was so great, I thought I was truly at a lake.
The story needed a bit more work, some of the beginning stuff was a jumble, however, OVERALL a wonderfully great book with magic, improbabilities, and learning to start over again.
TWO THUMBS WAY UP!

Webber does it again, I will be thinking about this book for days. The story starts with sisters Leala & Sadie. They both were close as can be growing up leaning on one another for everything while their mama runs the family’s B&B but life & a near tragic accident has them both looking for healing in all the wrong places. That is until, they’re forced back home when their mama needs help with the B&B as she’s mending from her own almost tragic end, at least that’s how she puts it! With a little love, southern home cooking, & the magic of the lake they may find their way back to each other & find their guests are becoming a lot more than just guests.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing to me an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is a charming, delightful story of family, healing, love, and small town Southern charm by USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber.

Sadie Way Scott has been avoiding her family and hometown of Sugarberry Cove, Alabama, since she nearly drowned in the lake just outside her mother’s B&B. Eight years later, Sadie is the host of a much-loved show about southern cooking and family, but despite her success, she wonders why she was saved. What is she supposed to do?

Sadie’s sister, Leala Clare, is still haunted by the guilt she feels over the night her sister almost died. Now, at a crossroads in her marriage, Leala has everything she ever thought she wanted—so why is she so unhappy?

When their mother suffers a minor heart attack just before Sugarberry Cove’s famous water lantern festival, the two sisters come home to run the inn while she recovers. It’s the last place either of them wants to be, but with a little help from the inn’s quirky guests, the sisters may come to terms with their strained relationships, accept the past, and rediscover a little lake magic.
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This is the third of Heather Webber's books I have read, and each one I have loved more and more. She brings us to these small, sort of magical Southern towns, each with their own kind of hook to reel us in, and with a variety of fun and quirky characters that are hard not fall in love with. I loved this story of sisters Leala Claire and Sadie Way, along with their mama Susannah, and the winding path their lives followed as the moved apart and then came back together. Along the way, we get to watch new relationships develop, a couple of mysteries be solved, and an ending that I didn't even know to wish for (and I had an ending that I was already wishing for!) soothe some broken hearts. I recommend having your tissues handy...let's just say my eyes were doing some leaking throughout many different parts of the book. This author can capture the emotions of a moment and punch you in the gut with them (and I mean this in a good way!!) like no one else.

I absolutely loved this book!! It’s a charming story of two sisters(Sadie Way & Leala Clare) returning to stay with their mother( Suzannah), in their childhood home in Sugarberry Cove. The story is centred around Suzannah’s B&B which is set on Sugarberry Lake, which Sadie had almost drowned in a few years ago. The girls relationship with their mother has become strained, over the years and as the night of the Water Lantern Festival draws near, they begin to understand how they have all drifted apart, and how they can be a family again...with the help of a few other characters that run through the book. I love that the book is told from both of the girls point of view, and the descriptions in the book are beautiful...particularly the setting of the lake. A heartwarming drama!

Heather Webber has become one of my favorite authors. She writes stories set in small Southern towns that have a touch of magical realism.
Sadie left Sugarberry Cove eight years ago after an accident that changed the course of her future. She gets a phone call that her mother is in the hospital and she heads home to help her sister Leala care for her. This story alternates between Sadie and her sister Leala Clare's point of view. This book has a great cast of characters and is such a sweet story. I flew through this book and I felt like I had been spending time with friends sitting by the lake.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for review.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to review an early copy of The Lights of Sugarberry Cove.

I enjoyed this book and it fits in well with past books from author Heather Webber; themes on family, identity, reconciling the past, and magical realism are all interwoven in this story of Sadie, and also her sister Leala and their mother and some extended family and close friends.

The strengths in this book come from the author's clear affection for Southern life, for family, and for her relatable characters and from her appreciation that in order to move forward sometimes we must first reconcile, and better understand, the past and work to better listen, and really hear, those we love. Indeed the plot is at first seemingly simple (in a good way) in terms of the focus on Sadie returning home in response to her mother's illness and being forced to deal with her decision to leave and past events and relationships in her life, but when I step back I see some bigger themes on how the characters were only going to grow and change if they were honest with themselves and also with those they love about their past intentions and actions as well as learning to not feel limited by past plans and actions and seeing times of change as opportunities to expand or change pathways. For me there is always value, and joy, in reading about women who find ways to see tenuous or strained relationships and challenges as opportunities to grow, to reconcile who they were and who they are/want to be, and that the past does not have to be their present.

There is also a consistent theme on the value of really talking to family and friends, being honest with wants and needs and fears, and that wishes (a theme in the book) are perhaps better when not kept private. There is for me a thoughtful progression from wishes in the past that seemed self serving or selfish to wishes that are either reconsidered as not as selfish as seemed or an change in understanding that a wish for oneself can also be about improving the lives of family and friends.

I think this book is one to look forward to for book club discussions and summer reading. I will continue to look forward to new work from this author!

This author has quickly become a favorite of mine! I’m a little partial to her writing because she writes about Alabama where I live. But her style just has a way of drawing you in and making you never want to leave the magic she’s weaved with her words! This book is no different than the previous 2 I’ve read in that I loved it! The beginning is a little slow and it’s a little difficult at first to feel Sadie and Leala, but as their story develops we learn about them and want nothing but happiness and everything good for them and those around them! Read this book, you will not be disappointed!!

Looking for some light in your life? Visit Sugarberry Cove, or even just read this book. A family torn by an accident eight years finds the potential to heal after coming back together when the mother has an heart attack. Written with Heather Webber's sure touch of creating characters that we care about and a sprinkling of magical realism.

4 Stars

This novel is written from the perspectives of two sisters, Sadie and Leala. The story begins with Sadie, a youtube creative, visiting Mrs. Iona Teakes to film one of her “A Southern Hankerin’' episodes. Sadie is from Sugarberry Cove, but doesn’t visit often since her accident eight years ago when she nearly drowned in the lake on the night of the Lantern Festival.

That quickly changes when she gets a text from her sister, Leala, that their mother had a heart attack. The two sisters decide to stay the weekend with their mother so that they can help run their mother’s bed and breakfast, while their mother recovers. As they check-in visitors and begin to fix-up the B&B, they soon realize their mother is drowning in debt/bills. But this isn’t all. Sadie has to face the ghosts of her past, Leala has to deal with her marital problems, and their family has a lot of healing to do.

I enjoyed this book, the magic, the mystery, and the dreamy lantern festival. It would be a great summer read.

Thank you netgalley and MacMillan-Tor/Forge for providing me with an ARC in exchanged for a honest review.

Sugarberry Cove is a delightful small town that has a special event once a year where everyone puts a small lighted boat into the water. Each boat is decorated with things that the creator loves as well as a special wish written in invisible ink on the floating device. The Legend is that the Lady of the lake will grant some of the wishes. Eight years ago at this festival, Sadie fell in the water and hit her head. Her friends and family jumped in to save her but she was under water for 10 minutes. The crowd knew she would be dead after that long under water but she came up alive. They all believed that the Lady of the Lake brought her back to life. After this her hair turned to a sparkly silver color that would not hold any dye. This was believed to be a sign that the Lady of the Lake saved her for a special reason. After that time, the lives of Sadie and her family all changed and relationships were strained. Sadie left town and started an internet podcast that was all about Southern cooking. She would visit various individuals and record their story of the family recipe. She was very successful at this. When their Mother had heart issues, Sadie was called home by her sister, Leala. Sadie and Layla ran their Mother’s B & B while their mother recovered. During this time, a lot of emotional talks took place and misunderstandings between the family members came to the surface. This is an excellent book on love, family, relationships and forgiveness. I highly recommend it.

I am a big fan of Heather Webber so I am always happy to see her new books. This one does not disappoint.

A family story set in the south brings two sisters back to their mother's B&B after she has a heart attack.. Family secrets that have been long buried are bought to the surface at the annual Lady of the Lake celebration.. It is a quick read that you can enjoy with your sweet tea and finish with tears in your eyes.

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is a charming story of family, healing, love, and small town Southern charm by USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber. This is my first read of Heather Webber and I am impressed. The book was a delightful read, one that made me smile at the end.

The Plot
‘The Lights of Sugarberry Cove’ is the story of two sisters- Sadie and Leala. A family tragedy forces them back home in Sugerberry Cove. It is here at Sugarberry Cove the sisters along with their friends and family fall under a spell- the spell of the mysterious lake. This spell makes them realize their deepest desires. This magic stems from a local legend of a small town magic and a special lantern festival where wishes can be fulfilled. The family at Sugerberry Cove soon begin to reconnect, work on their relationships, mend their broken hearts and try to work towards living a meaningful life.

The Review
A simple straight from the heart narrative, it takes you back to small towns and homes. It brings to the forefront that finally it is what we make of our lives, working towards happiness, which is important. The book had a perfect blend of realism with magic. Well written narrative that kept the plot crisp and easy to read. The Lights of Sugerberry is touching, and a charming story, one that I couldnt put down until I completed it. With a set of southern characters, ‘The Lights of Sugarberry Cove’ is a heartwarming story with a perfect touch of magic to it, which will remind you of what truly matters in life.

Also read: Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel

The Verdict
So should you pick it up? Of course you should if you have a lazy afternoon at hand and want a book which would delight you. A book as gentle as the breeze it describes, of small towns and magic, it makes for a pleasurable read.

The Rating
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is a mix of family drama and magical realism. I agree with other reviewers that this could certainly make for a good Hallmark movie. Generally recommended and probably a nice summer read.

This was a sweet, poignant story. With it's touch of magic and focus on food and cooking, it reminded me a bit of Sarah Addison Allen's stories. It's a pretty quick read and focuses on relationships and the choices we all make.

I enjoyed this book and will definitely look for more by the author.

The lights of Sugarberry Cove is a wonderful book, Sadie who almost drowned by the Lake near Sugarberry Cove. During a festival that happens every year where your wish will be granted by Lady Laurel. She was saved by theLady laurel. She leaves home and her family B&B for eight years until life calls her back home. She has a successful youtube channel Southern Hankerin.

Her Sister Leala helps run the B&B when Sadie comes back for a family obligations which also happens to be close to the festival time. The idea where your past will catch up with you, love lost and found comes all back together. Where Family can be the strongest thing you have. The rebonding of Sisters and re getting to know old connections when trying to leave your past behind. Its a stunner and very visual descriptive it feels as if your buy Sugar berry Cove. But that's just wishes and magic.

This Arc Was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Comes out July 20 2021

Sadie Way died when she was 18 but was brought back to life. She left her hometown soon after to find her purpose and ultimately ends up making an online video series called A Southern Hankerin'. After 8 years away, she returns home when her mother has a minor heart attack. Full of difficult relationship dynamics, secrets, the power of wishes and magic, Sadie Way learns her real purpose. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen.

When her mother has a heart attack, Sadie Way Scott rushes back to Sugarberry Cove to help, but she dreads the return. Eight years ago, Sadie fell in the lake, hit her head, and should have died, but miraculously survived due to "lake magic," a term you'll see a lot in this book. Because of the accident, Sadie’s hair has turned silver with sparkles in it, making everyone gasp; also, she can’t feel pain, and any injuries heal miraculously. She has resisted coming home because she doesn't want to run into Will, her true love who cut her off without explanation, and the fact of everybody's reaction to her hair.

But that’s just her. In addition, her sister, Leala, is having marital troubles, Mom and Leala are barely speaking to each other, Sadie and Leala have a difficult relationship, Sadie’s sweetheart is in town, Mom's B&B is falling apart and she's in mysterious financial trouble, Mom and the neighbor are true loves but she won’t speak to him, Mom’s old friend arrives in town with a wounded (literally and figuratively) teenager in tow...there is a lot going on in this book. Plus magical realism. And lots of sharing of life strategies from the elders. This is a Hallmark movie in waiting. The characters are fully developed, the descriptions are rich and beautiful, the streets are clean and all the neighbors wave to you. A delightful read. Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity.

A lantern festival, a cottage b & b, and magic; what's not to love about this book? I wasn't sure what I expected when I started this book, but I loved it every step of the way. Heather Webber spoke of the love and difficulties between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and family. This book did not disappoint. Set in a small town in Alabama with a little bit of magic. Two daughters come back home to help their mom after she has a setback. I thought this would read like a Hallmark movie, but it was so much better with more character development than I could ever ask for. Thank you to NetGalley and Heather Webber for the opportunity to review The Lights of Sugarberry Cove.

I am a big fan of Heather Webber's books in the magical realism genre. This book was another great read. The characters are incredibly well developed and the story of a complicated family is relatable. The Alabama setting is comfortable to this Georgia girl and the splashes of magic in the book are not over the top. Loved the story and the writing.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Each year Sugarberry Cove, a small town in Alabama, holds a Festival of Lights on the lake in honor of The Lady of the Lake, Lady Laurel. She is believed to give the lake magical powers due to an accident, along with a miracle, that happened in the distant past.

Sadie Way Scott was born and raised in Sugarberry Cove. She loves her small town, but she moved away and has avoided coming home. Due to recent circumstances, involving her mother’s health, Sadie is drawn back home. She is anxious to return because of what happened eight years ago. During the Festival of Lights, she had fallen into the water and hadn’t resurfaced for nearly ten minutes. She had drowned. Then, the magic happened…

With Sadie’s arrival home, the family is faced with the problems they have been avoiding for years. Bitterness between her mother, her sister, her former boyfriend all come to the surface. Will they work out their problems, or will Sadie continue to run from them?

I rated this book 4/5 stars for being an excellent read. The book is laced with southern charm, and the characters are believable and engaging. The plot moved at a steady pace to keep my interest.

This is the third standalone novel from the author, Heather Webber. She is also known for Midnight at the Blackbird Café.

“The light from all those wishes, those wishes so pure of heart that they sparkled like life itself, was used to bring you back to them.” - The Lights of Sugarberry Cove

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