I have been to Blessings before so I am not unfamiliar with the author or the town. However, I found this particular installment to be a little overblown and long winded. There were so many details and side stories that I grew bored or would skim the content. It often felt repetitive and tiresome. It wasn't a bad story, but it could have benefited from some additional purpose and editing.

Book wasn't meant for me. Hopefully someone will enjoy it more. I will look into renting it in the future

I wasn’t familiar with the Blessings series and maybe if I had this book would’ve been better for me. I didn’t really care for the main characters or their story and it was a bit slow moving for me. It was more family drama then romance, which is fine.

Thanks for the opportunity.

A highly entertaining and emotionally thrilling romantic journey that is filled with so much longing and heartwarming bonds.... Was a great read and I am looking forward to reading more from this talented storyteller.

The finale of the epic Blessings, Georgia was possibly the best of the bunch. Sala is one of my favorite authors. She had the perfect
Knack to make you feel like you know the characters and the bad guy always gets what’s coming. I loved and cried with little Carli and loved reading her story of becoming a Butterman. The other story was of the second love found with Ladd and Deborah. Such a wonderful story. Thank you netgalley

This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4.5 stars read for me

There are multiple stories in this book from Blessings, Georgia. Sometimes the stories were hard to keep up with since there were so many tangents and not all of them wove together, except for the fact that they revolved around Blessings, Georgia. Bart Carlson's story was one of those that didn't really seem to have a place in this story. For the most part, the stories were enjoyable to read, even though they kept jumping in and out of other stories.

One of the main stories is about a little girl whose mother wants desperately to make it back to Blessings, which she does and dies in her seven year old daughter's arms in the police station. Now, this little girl is an orphan who is given, at the mother's request, to Ruby and Peanut so they can be her guardians.

This story is about death, grief, second chances, love and friendship and so much more. I am not a fan of the few descriptive sex scenes in this book but otherwise enjoyed the stories very much.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

The Best Of Me is the thirteenth and last book in the Blessings series from the author Sharon Sala and it looks like I have a lot of catching up to do!

About the book....it was simply wholesome. I can't think of a better word to describe the book. It felt- how eight year old Carlie Duroy must have felt in the book- like coming home.

I received a widget from the author and publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley and I would like to thank them for it. Now, hopefully, I will in time get around to reading all the previous books in the series.

This is according to the author, the last of the Blessings series and it did not disappoint. Grab a box of tissues to get you through, as the author just hits your heartstrings.

The story of Carlie Duroy intertwines with Ruby and Peanut Butterman's lives at its best. It a lovely heartwarming tale and is a showcase for the author.

ARC provided by NetGalley

This is the 13th and final book in the Blessings, Georgia series. I am sorry to say goodbye to the characters I have gotten to know and care about. Blessings is a small town where troubles souls end up, and are welcomed with open arms. In The Best of Me, 8 year old Carlie is brought to Blessings to meet up with Ruby Butterman. Carlie's mother lived in Blessings years earlier and worked for Ruby. Knowing that her days are numbered and there is no other family, she has papers drawn up for Ruby to be Carlie's guardian when she dies. Shortly after arriving in town, she dies in the Sheriff's office. Ruby and Peanut are called by the Sheriff and are surprised to hear what awaits them. Not being able to have children of their own, they agree quickly and happily to be Carlie's guardians. How will Blessings and the community help Carlie get over the loss of her mother and feel part of a family?

I loved this final book in the series. Ruby has been there since the first book and although she was happily married, it was awesome to see her complete her family. Carlie is such a sweetheart. She knows her mama is gone, and that she made arrangements for Carlie to be cared for, but she is constantly trying to "earn" her place in the Butterman family. I really enjoyed seeing the interactions between Carlie and Peanut, it was adorable, especially as Carlie never had a father. As with all the books in the series, the community rallied around Ruby to support her in this new chapter of her life. There is always more than one storyline in these stories and this one was interesting. A co-worker of Carlie's mother wanted custody of her, and was willing to go to court to challenge Ruby's guardianship. He has an interesting past and motive, which added a bit of intrigue to the story, but for me, it could have been left out. This was a sweet, enjoyable story that ended happily and brought the series some closure. I am sad to say goodbye to all these characters, but am looking forward to seeing what Sharon Sala comes up with next.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

I am a long time reader of Sharon Sala's books. I love the whole Blessings GA series. It is truly a representation of a community that encompasses the tears and laughter that occurs every in rural/small town America. My preference is reading a series in order so that when the author gifts a glimpse of characters who were featured in previous books it gives The reader a sense of homecoming. The focus of The Best of Me is coming home in every sense possible. Shirley, Ladd and Deborah like many young people had left their hometown to find their way in the world. And as sometimes happens they felt the need to return. Shirley to entrust her child's care to Ruby who showed her kindness in hope that her girl will have a new home once she is gone. Ladd and Deborah were high school sweethearts that drifted apart as college and life happen. First Ladd then Deborah returned home due to parental failing health issues. Out of tragedy comes hope and love lost can be recovered. Out of lost one can rebuild something new. When one door closes another door opens for Ruby and Peanut.

Great book. I’m sorry I haven’t had the chance to read this series in full to see the characters come full circle. This story warmed my heart and made me want to be a part of such a loving town. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

I don't even have to read the blurb when I see Sharon Sala and Blessings, Georgia on the cover. I know it will be a heartwarming family oriented story. I was not wrong with book 13 from the Blessings, Georgia series. Ruby and Peanut have appeared in all the books but this is their story. Childless but with love to spare, a young girl, Carlie is left in their care when her mother dies. A tear jerker for sure but so much love and co-operation between Ruby and the town to make sure Carlie has a happy life. All the previous couples add something to the book. Wonderful read that can be read as a stand alone that will have you hunting all the previous books. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sharon Sala is one of my favorite authors and the Blessings series is one of the reasons why. This books tugs on your heartstrings and wraps you in a warm hug by the end.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest and personal review.

Even though this is the last book in the series I'm so glad I found it. What a wonderful, heart wrenching, life affirming, story. I'm now going to go back and read the twelve other books in the series. Thank you Sharon Sala.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

First just let me say that you will need plenty of tissues on hand for this beautifully written story. If you are like me sinus pills as well as the continued tears and sorrow played havoc. This story was such a roller-coaster of emotional drama. I cried like a big baby right from the beginning. There were ups and downs, twists and turns. There are highs to go with the lows. Sunshine and gray clouds.

I adored the multiple POVs here. There was more than one story line here but the most gripping was the Carlie Jo Duroy being orphaned at the tender age of 7 (almost 8). For the past 2 years, young Carlie took care of her mother. After getting off of a Greyhound bus in Blessings, GA, Shirley and Carlie Duroy make their way across the street to the police station. Cue the tears!!!!

There was another story line about two childhood sweethearts that both eventually return back to town due to sickness and death in both of their families. Read how these two sweethearts find their way back to each other. This story line had just a little sexy to it.

I just adored this story and highly recommend it to anyone. Just remember the full box of tissues will be required!

Reading this book was bittersweet for me. On one hand, we have another story featuring Blessing’s favorite couple, Ruby and Peanut. But they have a new addition to their lives that came to them in very sad circumstances. I cried and laughed my way through this book, and before I knew it, it was over. And our time in Blessings was over as well. It was beautifully written, and I’m so glad I can go revisit this town with these characters whenever I want. I absolutely recommend this book and this whole series.

Carlie Duroy’s entrance into Blessing Georgia has the town talking. Ruby & Peanut Butterman’s are about to change when the Chief of Police calls with an urgent message to come into the station. When Ruby, Peanut and Carlie meet, it’s a sorrowful and heartbreaking situation. Meanwhile in rural Blessings, Ladd Daltry is debating whether to sell the family farm. Deborah “Deb” Ryman has come back to her family farm to help her mother move to Blessings to be closer to her husband in the nursing home. These people individually will find that love of different types just may bring out The Best of Me.

Sharon Sala brings her Blessings, Georgia series to an end with the story The Best of Me. Old familiar characters just may get their most wished for hope as a young woman and her eight-year-old daughter come to town and break the citizens heart with what transpires. Two much beloved characters find that they just may get the child they never thought to have. The Best of Me brings new and old characters together to grieve, support and do what Blessings, Georgia always does pull together to support one of their own when needed. Two new characters who grew up as neighbors and more are reunited when family issues bring them back home. They’ll find that old feelings are still there. Sharon Sala’s Blessings Georgia series last book The Best of Me is emotional with heartbreak, a little danger and some humor, that just may lead to a future budding romance. This reader cried from beginning to end not because of it being the last story in the series, but because of the emotions that the story invoked. Ms. Sala brings a wonderful ending to her popular Blessings, Georgia series by making wishes come true. Showing the reader that life in the small time is where it’s citizens rely on each other and welcome newcomers like they already live there. Maybe Sharon Sala will at some future date will return to this ideal town to bring fans up to date on Blessings citizens or a new series on the next generation of citizens like Carlie and Melvin Lee. Would love to read their story.

This is part of a series and I imagine to really enjoy the book you have to read the entire series.
There were two main stories going on and they were both heartfelt and well written.I especially enjoyed Ruby and Carlie. There were also other off-shoots that felt less connected to the story. I teared up several times because the stories within the book were good, they simply felt unrelated to each other. I’m guessing those who read the others in series will love this one.