My review of Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck
Posted by:
Michelle Sutton on
March 16, 2008 at
11:55PM EST
When
a Southern waitress inherits the Lowcountry cafe where she works, she
suddenly has to balance more than just her next food order.
Caroline
Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable
thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best
friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona,
Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.
Then, without warning,
ownership of the run-down cafe where she’s been waitressing falls right
into Caroline’s lap. While she’s trying to determine the cafe’s future,
handsome Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline’s heart.
But
when her first love, Mitch O’Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the
heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville,
Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the
sweet life.
Read the first chapter HERE
My review:
I
wasn't sure what to expect with this story. At first I thought it would
be a straight chick lit, and in some ways it was. However, Sweet Caroline
touched me in a deeper place than most lits do. I actually got choked
up a few times. I rarely do these days. There were some very funny
moments, some truly enjoyable girl times, and some romantic interludes
that sizzled and popped. Best of all, though, was a spiritual awakening
and a discovery of one's place in this world that was breathtaking and
yes, sweet.
I loved this story. It was hard to put down once I
got past the first few chapters. I loved the old folks, the lowcountry
charm, and the author's voice. The honesty and self-examination
Caroline had to deal with in order to grow was truly inspirational. She
was strong, yet totally emotionally vulnerable, and for good reason. I
loved how Caroline was so perceptive of other people's needs. She was
also brave and willing to tackle her issues.
When she helped her
brother tackle his bitterness there was a genuine God moment that was
unforgettable. I am rarely as moved as I was during that pivotal point
in the story. Of course I'm being vague so as not to spoil the
surprise. At any rate, this story is probably my favorite story penned
by Hauck. Does it get any better than this??? Seriously.
Sweet Caroline was published by Thomas Nelson and released in February 2008.
