Sweet Caroline (Lowcountry)

Caroline is somewhat of a people-pleaser. When there's a need she steps in to help without much thought to her own dreams. Her mother was flighty and ran off when she was younger, and Caroline desperately does not want to be like that. So she goes to the other extreme and becomes ultra-dependable. She has lived in small town South Carolina all her life, but when a friend tells her of a job opportunity in Barcelona she decides to throw caution to the wind and go for it. But when the owner of the cafe where she works dies and leaves the cafe to her, it throws a big kink in her new plans. She feels the weight of responsibility to keep the cafe going and the other employees from loosing their jobs. As if that's not enough, Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand steals her heart and then her first love, Mitch O'Neal comes back to town. Who knew so much could happen in Smalltown, America! Caroline has some big decisions to make and she's going to need some big help. I especially loved Caroline's humor and how her head and her heart would literally talk to each other in the middle of certain situations. I also like that Caroline is grounded and not flighty and helpless. The pain she's lived with because of her mother's abandonment guides all her decisions. It's made her who she is, but does she have to be controlled by it? She never understood the God-thing and I like how he got her attention. I don't want to spoil the ending, but she had to make some really tough decisions and trust that they were all for the best. I think she made the right ones, but someone else may disagree. You'll have to decide for yourself! This book is a wonderful example of "If I'd known what all I'd have to go through, would I still do it?" So many times we just want the answers. We want to know what to expect in life. But then we go through hard times and we have to make hard decisions. Looking back, if we'd known ahead of time would we choose to go through all of that? Or would we back out and miss what God wanted to teach us. The blessings from hardships.

I wish Caroline Sweeney was real so I could be her friend. Rachel Hauck has written a book with such depth of characters that I was literally drawn into their world. It reminded me of Steinbeck's Cannery Row where the characters were so engaging I didn't want the book to end. But it was more than just a story. On the last page Caroline says "My life changed the day a man died." Through Caroline's story we see a life of purpose that extends far beyond what she ever imagined. It continues to inspire me to seek the love that never fails.

When Sweet Caroline arrived in the mail, it leapt to the top of my TBR pile. I have thoroughly enjoyed Rachel Hauck's NashVegas books and wondered if this one would measure up. Let me tell you, I loved every page and did not want to see it end. As I read this book, I felt like I was transported to South Carolina. From the characters to the dialogue to the activities, it all fit that locale. And the secondary characters add a rich layer to this book. No one is thrown in without serving a purpose, and each adds a dimension to the plot and to Caroline's character. I loved this book...and think you will, too.

Sweet Caroline is one of those rare books that I could not put down. I was immediately drawn into Caroline's world, didn't want to leave. The story was full of wonderful surprises that literally took my breath away, and the message was strong, clear, sweet. This book is beautiful, sweet, fun, and powerful. I plan to give this book as gifts throughout the year.

I have read all of Ms. Hauck's books and I LOVE all of them, however I think this is the best one so far. Usually I can guess where the plot is going but she really surprised me, more than once. I chuckled, laughed and cried. She describes the cafe and the setting so well you feel you really know the people and the town.