Great Read

Actual Rating: 3.5

I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read. The story revolves around LilyAnn and her life after the passing of her fiancé. She become depressed and basically gave us on life. Her friend, Mike Dalton, has been with her every step of the way, but now wants to be more than friends. A new guy by the name of T.J. Lachlan comes into town and uses his charm on LilyAnn. She starts to change her appearance more, and Mike feels like he will never be able to be with her. However, as the story progresses, the feelings between LilyAnn and Mike begin to grow and there are misunderstandings. However, I thought their romance was cute and refreshing. Also, I enjoyed the story especially when the suspense aspect came into play with the stalking. LilyAnn really proved herself as a character in that scene. She stood up for herself and fought with everything she had. It was great. The ending was sweet. I am happy for Mike that he was able to make his dream come true and get his happily ever after with LilyAnn. Overall, a great read.

The romance between Lily and Mike forms the main part of the story here and it is often sweet and even humorous at times. It’s hard to admire someone who’s so hesitant and wimpy in the pursuit of the girl he’s always loved but I could still enjoy their story and how the town rallied around them.

However, I found the rape/attempted rape scenes and some of the language extremely jarring. Those factors really spoiled the book for me,

I am loving the Blessings, Georgia series. I read several later in this series, but wanted to go back and read the ones I had missed. These books can be read as standalone stories so it is okay to read them out of order. Mike Dalton and LilyAnn Bronte grew up next door to each other. Both of their parents have moved away and they still live in their family homes. Mike has loved LilyAnn for years, but she sees Mike only as a friend. She has been mourning her high school sweetheart who died in Iraq for years. She has decided it is time to wake up and make changes. She begins to exercise and eat healthy. At the same time, a new man comes to town and Mike mistakenly believes that LilyAnn is after him and decides he has had enough of waiting around for her. Things go from bad to worse and by the time LilyAnn realizes what a great guy Mike is, it might just be too late.

This was another great story in this series. The characters are strong and likable. The town is a character in itself in that everyone knows everyone else and supports them. Throw in a serial adulterer, who has her eyes on Mike, a possible stalker, a lot of well-meaning townspeople and a few hospital visits and you have a very interesting and enjoyable story. This one takes place at Christmas, but besides a dinner at the local shelter and some talk of dinner and gifts, it is not a major part of the story. If you enjoy a good, clean romance, a small town setting, and a friends to lovers trope, then this book is for you. I will continue to read this series as it makes me feel good when I reach the happily ever after.

Set in the small Southern town of Blessings, Georgia, the reader is treated to an eclectic set of townspeople who dole out Southern charm and hospitality with a dash of sass and sweet tea! This story has a great mixture of humor, drama, danger and romance that easily transports the reader smack dab in the middle of Blessings. You can't help but immerse yourself in LilyAnn's emotional journey, and with the help of quirky antics and small town meddling by the lovable townspeople, and humorous Southernisms like "bless your heart". The Curl Up & Dye is an enchanting and cozy romantic story that will pull at your heartstrings while keeping you thoroughly entertained.

Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I love a good small town read and Blessings, Georgia was great. It was a little confusing at first because the author jumps POVs between characters, and not just LilyAnn and Mike. Once I got used to hearing from all the different people I actually really came to enjoy hearing all of the different sides of the story. Also, the synopsis provided is a little misleading.

I liked that LilyAnn was able to realize that she'd been living a half life, and while it may have have been TJ coming to town that got her to wake up, I appreciated that she took control of things. I liked Mike, but he was a little bit of a wet rag. I found it hard to believe that he would have bided his time as long as he did. There was a lot going on, and to be honest, at times it was a bit much.

I'll definitely be coming back to Blessings, Georgia for other reads.

(SPOILER ALERT) The part with Rachel and TJ really did not endear me to this story. It honestly felt like it came out of left field and bothered me... a lot. There should be a rape warning.

The inhabitants of Blessings, GA make you want to live there. They have the small town neighborliness that you don’t always see now but would love to. This is the kind of town I grew up in West Virginia. The entire town helps a family down on their luck after the father blows up their old house and dies. The boy has a hound dog who can track anything and after posting signs that they are for hire helps the police find a patient at a nursing home who wonders off at night when she gets confused with her Alzheimer’s.

Ruby Due who owns the Beauty Shop “The Curl Up and Dye” loves to help others and in this book needs the help from the others residents. After she is taken hostage and later escapes finds out who her secret admirer is, Peanut Butterman an Attorney in town. He wants to help Ruby after she gets out of the hospital after she escapes from her ex and has to be checked out and gets some stitches from her ordeal. Her ex is determined that she most pay after he is arrested and gets aessage to his brother. The small town atmosphere ad Ruby’s neighbors who watch out for each other notice her Brother-in-law and call the police who save the day but Peanut is hurt and can’t remember Ruby but all turns out in the end.

LilyAnne Bronte fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Randy Joe. When he went off to Iraq and was killed, she really let herself go, gaining weight, not worrying about herself or how others saw her, and just living in her own shell. Her next door neighbor, childhood best friend, Mike Dalton harbored feelings for LilyAnne that went all the way back to high school, and still continues to this day. But his feelings are some she is oblivious to. What can he do to wake her up? Or get over her one?

Being from the South, I absolutely loved this book. All the ‘Bless your hearts’ and ‘Sugars’ just made me feel completely at home. I immediately connected and wanted LilyAnne to wake up and smell the coffee. She has a gorgeous man pining for her, and all she can see is the new player in town that looks her way and she swoons. I love the turmoil in this book. The alternating point of views? LOVE! Seeing how each person felt in the moment added that much more depth to the read. The characters evolved and matured and I loved their banter in Blessings. Super excited to see what else is to come in this series!

I read this book as Curl Up and Dye, which I thought was a great title! They should write something in book descriptions about the alternate titles so there's less confusion. I fell in love with the town of Blessings from day number one. I have now read every book after and pre-order them. These are just great small community stories with lovable characters and of course some drama. But the best thing is how the community always manages to come together to help a citizen in need. I wish I could live there!

LilyAnn Bronte has let herself go after her fiancée dies. Mike Dalton has loved LilyAnn for some time. Through the ups and downs of heir relationship and a town who tries to help create a happily ever after. A wonderful story of love and perseverance. Well worth your time? I love Blessings ,Georgia series.