In addition to the great giveaway event going on here at 5 Minutes for Mom, check out all the great contests in the 5 Minutes for Books Back to School Giveaway going on through August 31.
I’ll be honest, I picked up How Sweet It Is from my TWO baskets of books To Be Read because I thought it would be a light, fun chick-lit sort of read (and I needed it). I was wrong.
On the surface, the plot seems a little predictable. Heartbroken young woman leaves her friends and family behind to start a new life. Only in this case, Deena Livingston is nursing a hurt that goes much deeper than the pain inflicted by her cheating former fiance. She’s recovering from an automobile accident that has left her with numerous ugly scars, inside and out.
Deena’s recently deceased grandfather, with whom she had a somewhat sporadic relationship, has left his mountain cabin to her. She decides that a change of scenery from Atlanta will boost her spirits, and help her to open a cake decorating business she’s dreamed of. She doesn’t know that there’s a catch: she must teach at the local children’s center for six months before the cabin will be hers. Since Atlanta offers nothing but terrible memories, she decides to give it a try. But teaching troubled tweens and teens how to cook is more than she bargained for.
As Deena befriends Jonas, the local plumber who has a few mental challenges, she also finds herself attracted to Zack, social worker for many of her students. Jonas’ child-like faith rubs off on her, and Deena begins to trust her heart to love again. However, Zack is still recovering from some deep hurts of his own that may hinder the relationship.
How Sweet It Is isAlice Wisler’s second novel. Her first, Rain Song was a Christy Award Finalist. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book is as well.
If you’d like to win a copy of this book (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses), please leave a comment. The winner will be announced in next week’s column.
5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer Melissa has been captivated by books for as long as she can remember. She resides in Virginia and blogs at Breath of Life.
The winners of last week’s book Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner are #7 Jamie, #143 Theresa Dell, and #64 LaVonne.
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{ 111 comments… read them below or add one }
I would LOVE to win this book and add it to my book collection!
This sounds like a good read!
I’d not heard of this book or author. It sounds really interesting — I’d love the chance to win and read it.
Sounds like a really good read. We all need a little bit of child-like faith in our lives.
sounds interesting..pick me
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I would love to read a refreshing good book
Sounds like a good one! I’d love to read it
This looks like a fabulous read! Count me in.
This sounds like a really good read.
This sounds like a great book I plan to read it even if I don’t win it.
I would love to win/read this book-thanks!
Sounds like a good book!
I would love to read this, especially since I’m from Georgia
Sounds like a good book!
Oh, heavens! I cn’t remember the last time I read a fiction book. I’d love to win and I love to read!
I would love to win “How Sweet It Is”!!
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Count me in, sounds like a great book!
looks like a great read!
It does sound vaguely familiar. I wonder if I’m getting muddled with the song?
Cheers
This looks like a great book, I’d love to win!
I’d love some fiction (it’s been a heavy textbook summer). Thanks for the giveaway!
Count me in!
I would LOVE to win!!!!!
i would love to read this thank-you
mverno@roadrunner.com
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.
Thanks
sharon54220@gmail.com
love books count me in please
It sounds like a really good read.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
Would love to win this!!
I won a copy ( so don’t need to be entered, thanks!) from Callapidder Days. I really enjoyed it too!
This sounds like a good read before I head back to the grind this school year.
I would love to win this – it looks like a great book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Ooh, I’d love to win! Thanks!
This sounds great! I would love to win.
This sounds like a great book! Please enter me.
donnyandshelly (at) (yahoo) (dot) (com)
Great book!
This sounds really interesting.
I’d love to win this book – it sounds really good!
Please count me in – thanks!
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
Looks like an interesting book i’d love to read.
Looks like a fun read. Count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is a great review and the sounds like a good read.
SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BOOK THANKS
Sounds like a good one! I’d love to read it. jelly15301@gmail.com
Sounds like a sweet book…I need to get back to reading…
This sounds great….sign me up….
Twitter: longwait4bella
August 18, 2009 at 12:16 pm
It sounds good. I will have to check out that first novel at the library.
I’d like to jump in on this one! Thanks.
Sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like an excellent read!
I would like to be entered!!!
I would love to win this book – it sounds like a great read!
I would love to add this book to my home library…please count me in…thanks.
karen k
Thanks for the chance to win this book – please count me in!
Not an entry; just a note that I posted about this at Winning Readings:
http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-sweet-it-is.html
Sounds like a book I would love. Will definitely have to add it to the list.
sounds great
I’ve read several reviews for How Sweet It Is and it sounds wonderful. Please add me!
This looks great! Thanks again!
You bet, I’d like to receive a copy. Thank you for this chance.
I really enjoyed Rain Song and would love to win this book. Thanks!
I’d love to win!
I love to read and this would be a great addition to my book collection!
This sounds like a great book!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I’ve been wanting to get back to reading. I’d love to win!
Count me in. Thanks.
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com
This looks great! Please enter me!
Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Id love to have the chance to read this. Thanks
Please count me in – it looks like a good read. wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com
This book looks really interesting.
I would love to read this! Sounds very intriguing!
This book sounds interesting and would love to read it. Count me in!!
Sounds like a great book!
Please enter me. I like the cover. Thanks
Happy Weekend!
looks interesting, life’s tough nowadays
This sounds like an amazing read!
Sounds very good! THanks!
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
This sounds like a fantastic book! Thanks!!
Twitter: I
August 22, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Looks like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a really great read!
I would love to have this book – thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
This sounds like a great book.
The book sounds wonderful. I’m hoping for a happy ending for the main character. I’d love to read it!
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
This sounds like a great story. I would like to win.
I so would love this!
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in
Books! Books! More books! I love to read! Yay!
And I love to pass them on to other readers with my own mini-review/recommendation.
put my name in the hat please!
This sounds like a book I would love. Please enter my name.
I’m an avid reader and this sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
i would love to read this book!
would love a new read
I’m looking for a good new book to get sucked into.. would love to check this one out.
I would love to read about Deena and her adventure.Thanks for the guveaway
Now this is a cool concept!I would love to read and then share with my daughters. Thanks!
I’d love to win a copy.
I would like to read this book.
Love this book
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I love reading books by debut authors, and this one sounds great.
Please count me in! Thanks so much!
I read your review and I would love to have a copy of this book.
This sounds like a fascinating story. Thanks.
Sounds like a great book. You haven’t steered us wrong yet.