Ain't She Sweet?

Rating:
Summary: Total 180
Review: This is only the second book that I have read by SEP and I liked the first book well enough to look at others. I had just picked this book up on a whim at the book store when I saw it there. I figured it would at least be ok. It started out intreguing. Why did Sugar Beth do this or that? Why does she have to stay? Then you start to meet all the others. The Seawillows, Colin, Ryan and the others. About 1/3 of the way in the book I was mad. Sience when is it ok for people to act like that? Who do they think they are. It was a dicusting display of retubitition. I could not believe what I was reading. And why oh why was Sugar Beth Staying there? Why was she taking what they were dishing? Oh, dont get me wrong, Sugar Beth was a great heroine, and she did not take it without giving some back. She did not exactly take it, but she didnt really dish it how she could have. You will see what I mean. Hard to discribe. Quiet dignity Maybe?
From everyones memories of Sugar Beth you learn that she was not so sweet growing up. But when you compair that Sugar Beth to the one we meet in the book, you see a vast difference in the two. She grown up to be a different person. She is really strong. She is one of the greatest heroines that I have read. Disregard stupid name. She really is not like you would think.
The story progresses to Sugar Beth looking for her painting and life as she is learning to live it at the opposit end from where she started in the town. Everyones roles are reversed. Sugar Beth is now the better poor person, while everyone else turned into the rich-better-then-everyone-that no one can stand. Quite the turn around. Reversed Cinderella story I believe it said in the novel and it was.
I did not like Colin in the begining and almost hated the man after what he did to Sugar Beth at the dinner. Yet the dinner seems to be the start of the turning point of the novel. I almost put the book down after the whole dinner scene. It ws like watching the bad part of the movie peaking through your fingers, you dont want to watch, but you cant help it. You have to know.
Anyway, things really pick up steam and fly after that. Everything starts to turn around, you get to see into the characters more and really understand why you love to hate these people and what makes them loveable at all.
This actually was on the lighter side for the plot, its the emotional value of this book that sets it so far apart. There are no deep issues, no murder. Its the emotion. This story really gets into you and makes you feel. No matter how much I disliked a character or how distasteful a particular scene was I could not put this book down.
From the middle to the end, my whole preception of the book had changed. Once you get to delve into every characters memories, thoughts and feelings it makes everything so much clearer. I felt like I was Sugar Beth going through all that and feeling the way she did. This is definetly an emotional roller coaster and it takes you all over the place.
Once I got to the end I loved everyone. Even Winnie and Colin, the two most hated in the begining. I loved everything about this book. I loved even hating it in the begining. Kudos to SEP for writing such a stunning novel that can pull youin such opposite directions and have you love it the whole time. To come out on the opposite end from where you started.
I read once that you remember things more clearly then others because of the emotion involved. More emotion, the more it sticks out in your memories. I get the feeling I will remember this book for a long time. It is going on my keeper shelf.
I was so worried, I thought I would hate this book from the reviews and once I started to read it I thought I was right. I have never been so glad I was way wrong. Highest recommendations.

Rating:
Summary: Cover to cover in 1 sitting
Review: I loved this novel. I was kicking myself on my way to work this morning because I had to stay up to finish this book, and didn't get to sleep until after 3:00am. I love to read, but I also love to sleep; I'm usually disciplined about bookmarking my spot and going to bed at a decent hour. It takes a great book to keep me up all night. This is my first Phillips novel; I'm going to go buy a few more right now.

Rating:
Summary: A New SEP favorite
Review: I was disappointed with SEP's last offering Breathing Room and thought Ain't She Sweet won't live up to her marvelous books such as Kiss an Angel (my favorite), Nobody's Baby But Mine, This Heart of Mine and others.

Boy was I wrong! After reading the book in 1 night, I now have a new SEP favorite! While some parts are funny, Ain't She Sweet is unbelievably emotional and heart-wrenching.

It's a testament to SEP's writing talent because many less accomplished writers would have made me hate Sugar Beth for the mean things that she did in high school. Instead, I was cheering her from the beginning, hoping that everything would work out for her. The other characters in the story are just as strong and delightful.

This book is definitely a keeper. Read it when you feel like immersing yourself in a good book that will overcome you with its emotional depths.

Rating:
Summary: Ahhh, Take Me Away
Review: Ms. Phillips has created a delightful, heartwarming story of the prodigal daughter. You will be swept away as you entered in the world of these fabulous actresses (and actors). Get your favorite beverage, pull up a comfortable chair and get taken away in Ain't She Sweet. You'll feel all her emotions.

If you're looking for a different and exciting novel, read LUST OF THE FLESH by Beverly Rolyat. A story about district attorney, Nick Allapapalaus, who finds himself caught up in a web of lust, deceit, mystery, suspense, betrayal, murder and sex galore. Is he really the biological father of his ex-wife's promiscuous teenage daughter's infant son? Or has he been set up? A compelling, riveting, engaging, pageturning novel. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Ain't She Sweet?
Review: I just bought this book last night and I just gotta finish it before I go to bed. It's such a great story. I love all of SEP's books. She is such a great write. All her stories are funny and emotional. I can't stop laughing and crying whenever I read her books.

Rating:
Summary: Ain't This Book the Best!!!
Review: I've read quite a few of Phillip's books. They're all wonderful, and she's one of my favorite authors. I found this
story excellent. Her books are just so amazing.

A woman returns to Parrish, Mississippi after some
trouble. At first she isn't welcome, but eventually she finds her place.

Wonderful book!!! I plan to read all of SEP's books.
I think she's of the best writers. I give this book my highest
rating of 5 stars:)

Rating:
Summary: Another Winner
Review: Ms. Susan Elizabeth Phillip scores again. The tale is such so whimsical, unbelievably funny, and improbable that I couldn't help but keep turning the pages long into the night. I loved it! The main characters are multi-faceted, so that one truly gets to know them. I enjoy some lighthearted reading in between some of the deeper tomes I usually indulge in, so this story was truly a breath of clean air which fit that bill. Ms. Phillips is a treasure. She has great insight into understanding human frailty and emotions, thus does a great job of rationalizing and explaining Sugar Beth's self-centered persona in her younger days. Additionally, Ms. Phillips knows exactly how to redeem those same personality flaws in her characters, in this case giving us a great heroine in Ms. Sugar Beth. Kudos to you Ms. Phillips!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding.... one of her best yet
Review: Sugar Beth is sassy and sarcastic and determined not to let her hometown former friends see her down. She is broke and looking for a job and determined to get her life under control again. She has been away for 15 year, had 3 husbands and has learned life the hard way. After being the town princess thru high school, people are looking for the spoiled teenager with the poison tongue and bit by bit find the true person she has become. Colin Byrne the guy she did wrong so many years ago tries to humiliate and humble her but this steel magnolia is stronger than he thinks. A very well written and wonderful read