Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Sweet Vidalia is historical fiction about a widow in the 1960s, Eliza. In the beginning scenes, Eliza loses her husband, Robert, and is shocked to learn that he had another wife and was a bigger mist. Never having been on her own. And her children grown and moved away, She begins to find herself and to make her own way in life. She has a wonderful dog, and they move into a motel called the Vidalia. She meets many offbeat characters, and there are more than meets the eye. She saves her money and gets herself out of a hole that she did not dig herself into. She reminds me of my grandmother, the women of that time who didn’t think to complain, rolled up their sleeves and got things done. Anger isn’t useful for them, but hard work acceptance is. I found myself rooting for her.

Reading Sweet Vidalia was such a life-affirming experience. After Eliza Kratke's world is turned upside down by the knowledge of a husband who betrayed her, she begins a long journey to find the life she wants. Eliza's experiences with poverty, loneliness, and struggle send a strong message about what women were able to achieve even in the sixties, a time when women had few resources to rely upon.

I strongly reacted to how little this character had going for her. Eliza is in her late fifties and has no education beyond high school. She raised two children on a meager household income and then found herself destitute. Eliza's pride kept her going, and so did her sharp mind and strong character. Eliza made friends, did things for herself, and found profound experiences and growth. I was rooting for her on every page. This is a novel for women of all ages. I remember the time and the struggle. I admired Lisa Sandlin's ability to capture life for a character like Eliza.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book, which will be published on December 3, 2024.