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.

This is the perfect relaxation book to read in between books with heavier subjects.
You'll be going through the whole range of emotions with this one including heartbreak,heartwarming,sweet,serious and more.
This one grabs your heart and won't give it back. More than once I said to myself, WOW, did that just happen?
This book is filled with second chances as we follow along with several story lines which makes the book even more engrossing.
I really enjoyed reading about the sweet little girl and the choices that were made in her favor.
She calls her new guardians "Mr and Mrs. Ruby",what could possibly be better? I so much enjoyed reading the maturity this little one showed and the character development as she settles in.
Life isn't always easy for any of us but with people like this in your life it's going to be okay.
Sweet southern contemporary romance that is one of the best feel good books I've read in a while.
This is the last book in this lovely series so I'm looking forward to seeing us what the author will entertain us with next.

Pub Date 26 Apr 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Best of Me by Sharon Sala is the last book in the Blessings, Georgia series. I have never read any books by this author, but I kept noticing that friends had read her book and gave her great reviews. I am so glad I loved the cover so much and fell in love with this book.

There was lots of love, caring, and great stories in this novel. The characters in the novel are the ones you want to sit on the front porch with and drink coffee watching the sunrise. These are the dream neighbors that take care of everyone. I liked how there were a couple of different stories happening which kept moving the reader along. Peanut and Ruby Butterman are my heroes for taking in Carley Jo and putting her needs first. The ‘second chance at love’ story was endearing. The man who found his way but understanding he needed to rearrange his perspective was interesting. The story of Carlie Jo was heartwarming and heartbreaking. I think I cried so much I ran out of tissues.

I know that this book was full of wonderful characters and stories and I can only imagine the ones I missed prior to this. The Best of Me by Sharon Sala is one of the best!

I admit that I’m a sucker for the second-chance romance genre. This book is perfect for that.
Oh but wait, it’s also a women’s lit novel about adoption.
And a lot of other things. That was my only issue with this book: the sun plots didn’t have anything to do with anything else, so it was a little puzzling.
However overall, it’s a very enjoyable book - funny, sweet, sexy, heart-tugging….this novel is just “all the things” in a good way

Another fantastic visit to the little town of Blessing, three very emotional stories in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed each of them. Sorry to see this series come to an end but will definitely be looking out for more from this author.

As grand finales go, this last Blessings, George book left nothing to chance. A second chance romance, a man’s redemption, a little girl experiences grief and loss, and the mainstays of the series get their heart’s desire. Thirteen books in and I am mourning the end of a nostalgic, heartwarming small town series that stayed solid from beginning to end.

The Best of Me is the thirteenth in the Blessings, Georgia series and offers up a new pair second chance romance, but also culminates Ruby’s story with finally getting a child of her own. In some ways, it can be standalone, but I recommend getting it in order to be properly connected in with the world and characters.

The story opens with a grab the tissue box moment and then gradually goes from sorrow to hope and happiness like one can count on with this series. Blessings, Georgia is a dream world of small town southern charm that doesn’t truly exist, but one wishes it did. People have their foibles, but overall, this town comes together when one of their own or a visitor is in need.

The main storyline is two-part. There is the arrival of little Carlie Durvoy whose mother passes away on arrival and leaves her precious girl in Ruby’s capable hands. Ruby and Peanut have found love and happiness, but they are childless and they are more than ready to step up and be what Carlie needs. Carlie’s child grief and fears are there and Ruby and Peanut try hard to help her work through it. Meanwhile, back in Little Rock, AR where Carlie is from a man who thought to get guardianship of Carlie and her life insurance payout has his own storyline going on.

The secondary plot that shares the spotlight with Carlie, Ruby and Peanut’s story is a second chance romance. Ladd and Deborah were teenage sweethearts until Ladd went to college and got the idea that the thing with Deborah was a merely a teen relationship and not meant to last. It’s not until after she is long gone as a big animal vet and he’s working his architectural career that he realizes he’d messed up something good. Fate brings them both back home to Blessings and their neighboring family farms and a dangerous event forces them together and dealing with the past.

Anyone who has followed the series knows that these books often have a few plots going on at the same time and little drop ins around Blessings with the regular cast of characters. I’ve gotten used to and enjoy this way of telling the story on people, relationships, and events that makes the small town element almost a character in its own right.

The characters have flaws and work through them, but the majority of the drama is external so the angst remains relatively low. There’s a little spice in the romances and mostly closed door sexual encounters. Sometimes there are big events that have the town members pulling together to help each other. In this case, the event is Carlie’s mother’s passing followed by some serious accidents befalling others like Ladd. There is always the certainty that all will come right in the end which makes this and the others in the series great comfort reads.

All in all, I was emotionally invested not just because it was the last book, but Carlie’s grief, the Buttermans working toward adoption, and the second chance romance. The gentle-paced nostalgic small town sweeter romances make this a book and series I do not hesitate to recommend.

Hit me in the heart from the first page…

I love this author’s take on people. Full stop. She crawls into their minds and their hearts and shares it her lucky readers. They are you and me, even if Blessings is a place where I could only hope to live, a small town filled with quirky, lovable residents. And when Carlie comes to live, everyone is a flutter…

Carlie broke my heart, literally. A little girl who took on so much at such a young age. Had lost so much. Her mom’s last wish was to bring her child to her own hometown, to someone she knew would do right by her. And Ruby did. She and Peanut were facing the unknown, being parents to a heart-broken child, yet she was a wish they had long given up on. And now she was here - feisty, loving and soon to complete their family…

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Each page turn brought another dart to my heart or another smile on my face. I hope this isn’t the last visit to Blessings because I don’t want to leave. Ever.

This might be one of the sweetest books I’ve read. Good kind people, a sweet town and an adorable little girl desperately in need of a family, love and stability and the time to just be a kid. Ruby and Peanut are exactly what she needs and they need her equally. They truly exemplify the meaning of what love, kindness and acceptance is. Carlie unexpectedly pops into their lives and they embrace her with open arms and hearts. Every child should know that depth of love. Then there is Deborah and Ladd, who also after many years apart find themselves together again. This may be the kindest town anywhere. It is a very sweet wrap up to beloved series. If you’re in need of a heartwarming love filled story this is for you. Make sure you have some tissues handy for both sad and happy tears.

This book is truly an emotional journey, the love and sense of family is so special!
I felt that the storyline was a perfect depiction of a close knit community and their interactions.
The main characters are warm and open to the possibilities of a happy future! It’s absolutely wonderful to travel along on this journey of development and togetherness!
A must read for all lovers of feel good family books!

Thank you to the very talented author, Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Copy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Best of Me by Sharon Sala takes place in the small town of Blessings, Georgia. This is the last book in this wonderful series. As with all the other books taking place in this town this one is also heartwarming. This story is all about second chances. We have one love story involving Ruby and Peanut, and another story involving Deborah and Ladd. In addition, there is a little girl named Carlie that lost her mother. Sharon Sala does a terrific job interweaving these stories together. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline and recommend this story for others.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This book takes me back into my beloved world of Blessings Georgia. I loved everything about it except knowing it was the last in this series. Boo hoo. I am not ready to say goodbye. I love all the good people of this town and appreciate when the bad ones have karma come knocking on their door. If you have read any this this series, you know what I mean. Wink.

In this story we get Ruby and Peanut taking the lead. My heart is full just thinking about them and the precious little girl brought into their lives. The people that love our couple rally around them to support them as they become parents. I also fall in love with a side story of a couple who gets a second chance at love.

I experienced the full gamut of emotions in this tale. Loss, love, and finding home is all part of this story. I could talk about this book forever. My only regret is that I won’t know what future tales will happen in Blessings. Maybe I will have to dream up my own. Wink. Wink. Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO

What a beautiful read. The story revolves around two couples and their second chances. Ruby & Peanut Butterman are deeply in love and well loved by everyone in the community. Their lives are about to change for the better. Carlie has just lost her mother and she is now in the care of Ruby & Peanut. They both know that she has had a bad shock by losing her mother and they will do everything to make her feel welcome. Can they make this new arrangement work as they weren't expecting to raise a young child? Will Carlie accept them both as her new parents? A great emotional read.
Deborah & Ladd were in love as teenagers but they lost touch after they both moved away. Now Deborah is back in town and she is looking after Ladd since the bull accident. Can they find their way back to each other? Ladd has always loved Deborah and he is hopeful that they can work everything out? Do they have a chance at life together?

What a great read. Loved both stories. Carlie is as cute as a button and she really wants a place to feel safe and loved. I am so glad that things work out for them all.
Deborah & Ladd really deserve that chance at a life together they both missed out on so much but I feel that they weren't ready when they were both too young to know what they both wanted.
I am sure that everyone who reads this book will go away with a happy feeling.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC Copy. This is my voluntary review

This series is about life in small town Americana with heartwarming characters. What started out with a bang has seemed to fizzle in the recent years. This is the last book in the series which starts out as a heartwarming story of the town's beloved couple who finally complete their family by adopting an eight-year girl who has been left orphaned by circumstances. 
Midway through the author decided that she needed a romantic element, so she threw in a second chance romance for a couple of high school sweethearts who grew in Blessings. The two stories are completely unconnected other than that they happen in Blessings making it very confusing to readers. 
Carlie's experiences of dealing with the grief of losing her mother, her only caregiver for years and being transplanted in a new town, amongst new people, new school and new relationships is really well written and has a strong emotional impact on the reader. 
Deborah and Ladd and their supporting cast of characters are also well fleshed out. Having been high school sweethearts once they drifted apart when they went away to college. Now aging parents have brought them back and given them a second chance to rekindle the chemistry that has never died out. 
I feel that this would have been better as a collection of short stories about Blessings Georgia than trying to make it one story with two totally unconnected plot lines. It's dizzying as we switch from one story to another. I kept waiting for the characters to intersect in some way but that never happens. 
All in all, not one of my favorite stories from the author.

Carlie and her mom show up at the police station in Blessings, GA just moments before Carlie’s mom, Shirley, dies. Shirley had a heart condition and she knew she had to get Carlie taken care of. So, she heads to the best person she knows, Ruby. She knows Ruby will take care of her little girl.

There are quite a few stories happening in this novel. But, I enjoyed Ruby and Carlie the best. Basically because Carlie is so dang cute. Sometimes it is difficult to get the children right in a novel. But Sharon Sala did an excellent job.

I fluctuated between 3 and 4 stars on this one. Basically because it is almost too sweet for me and it is very predictable. But, I gave it 4 stars because it did keep me reading and I enjoyed the characters. Sometimes you just need a sweet story in your life!

This novel is part of a series. I have only read one in this series and it was ages ago. I did not feel lost or anything. So, you can read this as a stand alone.

Need a sweet read…this is it! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

So I had no idea that this was a 13 book (and the last one at that) to an ongoing series. While I could get the just of most of story I do wish I had read all the other books prior to this one. With that being said, this was a very cute small town story and the topic of grief was handled really well.

The Best of Me was such a emotional, heartwarming and heartbreaking read for me. I cried more then a few times. But, I also laughed more then a few times. This book makes you feel all the feels. Like sadness, happiness, loneliness, etc. Each and every character are very likeable in their own way.

The authors view of how relationships should be and my views of relationships differ and things she posed as good to things within relationships made me a little uncomfortable.

But to sum it up, this was an awesome read and I highly recommend it.

This is an almost constant tearjerker. It’s kind of wearing but it is a sweet story centering on Ruby and Peanut and a little girl they take into their lives.
The other story is about a couple who used to be lovers who meet again and start all over with their affair. The sex scenes are mostly a bit cringe worthy. This is not the author’s greatest skill.
This was a good story but not my favorite in the series. I have read that this the end of the series but I hope not.

This is a story that will grab hold of your heart and not let you go!
The Best of Me was such a emotional, heartwarming and heartbreaking read for me. I know I cried more then a few times. But, I also laughed more then a few times.
Each and every character are likeable in their own way.
The Blessings series is one I highly recommend. This is the last book to be written in the series and I am sorry to have it not continue. Sharon Sala continues to be one of my favorite authors.
To sum it up…..this was a awesome read I highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

What a perfect ending to a wonderful series The Best of Me is! Over the past 13 books I have come to love all of the characters in the fictional town of Blessings but none more than Ruby and Peanut Butterman. When a young girl and her severely ill mother return to Blessings in hopes of a lasting home, her mother passes away at the Blessings PD and that is where we learn of her connection to Blessings and Ruby. Being the wonderful couple that they are, they immediately take Carlie into their home. Alongside that story is a second chance at love for neighbors Ladd and Deborah. High school sweethearts who broke apart over time and distance but due to each one having death or illness with their parents have now returned to Blessings. Will their return be temporary or will they use this second chance reunion to be the couple that they were destined to be? Well since this is Blessings my bet is on love! The Best of Me wrapped up this series in the most delightful way. As sad as I am to see it come to an end, I am so grateful that I have all these books that I can reread again and again. As with all of the books in the series, it was told from multiple POV's and was inspirational, sweet, loving and with just a touch of heat.