Beautifully written story about multiple generations. . . I devoured it. Pedersen’s language captures a rich scene of the Deep South. I found myself rooting for Sunshine from beginning till the end.

A beautiful and unique book set in Louisiana that's sure to be a success. The writing is atmospheric, moving, and tender.

The Crocodile Bride by Ashleigh Bell Pedersen is quite a tale, I must say. Unfolding in the summer of 1982, but with ties to the family history, the author will take you on a ride that leaves you worried, uncertain, laughing, and a bit nostalgic. Sunshine Turner is a young girl in 1982, living with her dad Billy and across the road from her Aunt Lou and her cousin JL. The family has a history of abuse through the generations and it hasn't stopped with this one. Sunshine's body is changing, and Billy has noticed. As she tries to navigate the changes and the unexpected issues those changes bring, while trying to understand all that is happening around her, your heart can't help but hurt for her. A deeply moving story, I really enjoyed it. The "crocodile bride" is a reference to a story told by Billy and Lou's mama. The story tells of a young girl who buries a crocodile's heart and builds a house on it. The crocodile loves her and everyone comes to her for healing. The family will discover hope there as well, although it won't be like they expect. I had the pleasure of listening to the narrated version of the story and the narrator did an excellent job. I would love to hear more by her. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Crocodile Bride is the first book in a new series by Ashley Bell Peterson. I thought the title a weird name, because 1. Louisiana doesn’t have crocodiles and 2. I grew up in southern Louisiana with the folk lore and myths of the area and have never heard this one having said that that is why I wanted to read it. I realize now the part of the myth is how in the world did the crocodile get in the lake to begin with. Not only that I am not from that part of Louisiana and we all head by different stories and down here everyone’s Oku and grandpa is a storyteller. I think in this book about sunshine the looming marriage of her only a.m. favorite aunt and cousin which will take her away from the broken down community in the relationship with her dad Billy made sunshine storing one full of sadness with more sadness heaped on. I couldn’t listen to it all the way through because it was just too much depression and melancholy for me not to mention all the bathroom talk on sophomoric references or not my cup of tea. Once you get through all that you still are left with a very sad tale and although at the end she has a slight hopeful occurrence but it’s very slight and doesn’t make up for all the abuse in tear jerking stories throughout. I was given this book by Net Gally but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any grammar or punctuation errors as I am blind to dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.

Ashleigh Bell Pedersen keeps you uncomfortably on the edge of your seat in this debut novel. I listened to this book on audio with narration by Gail Shalan. The reader gave this multi- generational coming of age story set in cajun country a feeling of being real, but bearable. The writer provided strong story telling and imbedded a beautiful literary feel in spite of the loathsome family secrets.. You. will find yourself looking for the predatory father figure to appear after the flip of each page. I recommend this read unless you avoid trauma based plot lines.

Thank you to Tantor Audio via NetGalley.for this ARC.

This is a great and well written coming of age story from Louisiana. Very descriptive and very close attention to details. Reading (listening to the audio) both the writer and the narrator dropped me into the bayou and sadly I became Sunshine! This story make me sad, angry, and made me uncomfortable the entire time. This is a great start for the new series and author debut.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Crocodile Bride by Ashleigh Bell Pedersen is a coming-of-age story set in a small town in the marshy bayous of Louisiana. It is also the author's debut novel. For some, this will not be an easy book to read because it does talk about generations of abuse, especially among those who are poor, with personal histories of prior abuse, alcoholics, and people lacking any sense of self-worth. The story reflects three generations of poverty and hopelessness. There appears to be no way out. Our lead protagonist Sunshine Turner is only 11 years old at a time when the changes in her physical appearance draw interest. Firstly, I compliment the author on catching the steamy atmosphere and character of Louisiana. I’ve lived there, and it remains one of my favorite places to visit, but the heat is oppressive, and generational poverty is mind-blowing. In addition, Ms. Petersen weaves a story utilizing fantastical and lyrical tales of a crocodile that apparently can make magical things happen. To survive in this Godforsaken town, you have to imagine something saving you. Summer sure has to believe something will save her. The writing is first-rate, and the story is well told. I loved it. But it’s a tough subject. I’m pretty impressed with this book and these characters. Wow! #prettycover #sexualabuse #poverty #louisiana #bayou #crocodile #dsyfunctionalfamily #fantasticalfiction #lyrical #mystical #dreams #stories
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, and Hub City Press for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: May 2022.

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Every once in a while you will come across a perfect book. Every word in the right place, the pacing even, the characters interesting, and the setting a character in its own right. This was one of those books.

However, the strengths of this book will not make this an easy story to read. It is basically just a trigger, so beware if you must. The story is rife with generational trauma and justification of bad behavior in the name of love. The women in the Turner family take the blame upon themselves for the abuse the fathers, husbands, and brothers inflict upon them, knowingly or not. The story is told only from the side of the women, and we only get their insights and perceptions. We see their brokenness and how they try to mend themselves. Speaking of triggers, and to stretch my metaphor, this story could be used as a trigger to talk about family dynamics more honestly. Broken people keep breaking other people until the cycle is stopped.

I don't want to spoil the story, but know that some of the supports in these women's lives both give them helpful advice and a way to escape. Not all of the advice given is good; it was especially painful to read the scene of a pastor's wife gently suggesting submission and forgiveness to a women with physical evidence of her husband's beatings. The end of the book especially gives what should be a textbook definition of how to respond to a child who has been abused.

This is one of those books that kind of makes you sad while reading, the story is sad and you feel so sorry for Sunshine and her life. Books like this are hard to review because it is kind of just the story of Sunshine’s sad life but a well written story if quite sad. The sense of place is very well done, with hints of myth and magic in the bayou.

Gail Shalan’s narration was really well done this was my 2nd book from this narrator and I enjoy her voice.

This would make a good book club book, many facets to discuss. Still a tough book that I wish had a bigger ray of hope, but some people don’t get that and this is just their lives. That is what makes this tough to review. Sad book, sad people, sad story, well written.

3 stars

4.5⭐️
This was a realistic fiction about three generations of a family. Told in past and present POV, it left me melancholy.
The story had pain and sadness dripping from its pages. In many ways I could I identify with all of the women. We all have a story, don’t we? Things that left scars. Painful even to think about.
This debut novel by Ashleigh Bell Pedersen was well written. I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrator was Gail Shalan. She was excellent and perfect for the story.
I was glued and teetered on the edge of the metaphorical ledge as I walked on. I was uneasy during most of it. But it wasn’t unbearable. There could be some triggers for some. But overall I highly recommend it. I hope this was helpful.
Thanks Tantor Audio via NetGalley.

The tension of the whole book is waiting for the dad to be awful towards the daughter. It's 3 generations of women blaming themselves for being beaten and abused by drunks. It makes you feel super icky the whole time.

This book is absolutely immersed in magical realism! I will say I don’t think I am a huge fan of this author however I did like some of her characters. I loved the mix of English and French in the novel.

The Crocodile Bride was quite an interesting story. This is a coming of age story set during the 1980s in the swampy southern lands of Louisiana. The story centers around Sunshine, an 11 year old girl who has to come to terms with her family secrets. Magical realism and coming of age meld together to bring to light generational trauma and how it affects future generations. I enjoyed this book. One thing I think would have set it over the edge, at least for the audio version, is if the narrator had more of a southern/Cajun dialect. That would have helped convey the story in a much more authentic way I feel.