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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.
Adele says
Sounds like a great book. You haven’t steered us wrong yet.
Pamela S says
This sounds like a fascinating story. Thanks.
kathleen yohanna says
I read your review and I would love to have a copy of this book.
Heather C says
Please count me in! Thanks so much!
Kayce C says
I love reading books by debut authors, and this one sounds great.
rajee says
have ur button
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follow u on twitter
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follower
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subscriber
rajee says
Love this book
Nancy says
I would like to read this book.
Kelly Grant says
I’d love to win a copy.
Barbara Rawe says
Now this is a cool concept!I would love to read and then share with my daughters. Thanks!
Charlene Kuser says
I would love to read about Deena and her adventure.Thanks for the guveaway
Brittany Pettry says
I’m looking for a good new book to get sucked into.. would love to check this one out.
Lori Walker says
would love a new read 🙂
susan smoaks says
i would love to read this book!
Lynne says
I’m an avid reader and this sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
Betty Curran says
This sounds like a book I would love. Please enter my name.
clemens says
put my name in the hat please!
Deb says
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.
kathy pease says
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in 🙂
Kim says
I so would love this!
Veronica Garrett says
This sounds like a great story. I would like to win.
Lily Kwan says
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Elizabeth says
The book sounds wonderful. I’m hoping for a happy ending for the main character. I’d love to read it!
Tamara Burks says
This sounds like a great book.
Beth says
I would love to have this book – thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
shawna f says
Sounds like a really great read!
Marianna says
Looks like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Jackie says
This sounds like a fantastic book! Thanks!!
Debbie D says
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
gloria says
Sounds very good! THanks!
Bridget Michelle Combs says
This sounds like an amazing read!
Daniel M says
looks interesting, life’s tough nowadays
Ed Nemmers says
Happy Weekend!
Candie L says
Please enter me. I like the cover. Thanks
Sheila Hickmon says
Sounds like a great book!
Terry H. says
This book sounds interesting and would love to read it. Count me in!!
Staci A says
I would love to read this! Sounds very intriguing!
Erma says
This book looks really interesting.
Carrie Baird says
Please count me in – it looks like a good read. wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com
chastidy says
Id love to have the chance to read this. Thanks 🙂
Alicia says
Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Beth says
This looks great! Please enter me!
Miss Heidi says
Count me in. Thanks.
[email protected]
Tami says
I’ve been wanting to get back to reading. I’d love to win!
Nancye Davis says
This sounds like a great book!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Angie says
I love to read and this would be a great addition to my book collection!
Nancy says
I’d love to win!
Ashley Levy says
I really enjoyed Rain Song and would love to win this book. Thanks!
Marj McClendon says
You bet, I’d like to receive a copy. Thank you for this chance.
Annette W says
This looks great! Thanks again!
Mary says
I’ve read several reviews for How Sweet It Is and it sounds wonderful. Please add me!
Tawnda says
sounds great
Mary Marlatt says
Sounds like a book I would love. Will definitely have to add it to the list.
WInning Readings says
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
CherylS22 says
Thanks for the chance to win this book – please count me in!
karen k says
I would love to add this book to my home library…please count me in…thanks.
karen k
Tarah says
I would love to win this book – it sounds like a great read!
etirv says
I would like to be entered!!!
Karen B says
Sounds like an excellent read!
Angie says
Sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Gail says
I’d like to jump in on this one! Thanks.
LaVonne says
It sounds good. I will have to check out that first novel at the library. 😉
michele anne says
This sounds great….sign me up….
Dawn says
Sounds like a sweet book…I need to get back to reading…
Carol Lawrence says
Sounds like a good one! I’d love to read it. [email protected]
JANICE R says
SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BOOK THANKS
Justin says
This is a great review and the sounds like a good read.
Benita G . says
Looks like a fun read. Count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Linda Chaput says
Looks like an interesting book i’d love to read.
Neas Nuttiness says
Please count me in – thanks!
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
Amber G says
I’d love to win this book – it sounds really good!
Magi says
This sounds really interesting.
Nancy Downs says
Great book!
shelly says
This sounds like a great book! Please enter me.
donnyandshelly (at) (yahoo) (dot) (com)
Renee C says
This sounds great! I would love to win.
Amanda S. says
Ooh, I’d love to win! Thanks!
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
I would love to win this – it looks like a great book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Kim says
This sounds like a good read before I head back to the grind this school year.
Amber says
I won a copy ( so don’t need to be entered, thanks!) from Callapidder Days. I really enjoyed it too!
Tammy says
Would love to win this!!
Mary Ward says
It sounds like a really good read.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
Tonya says
love books count me in please
Sharon Walling says
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.
Thanks
[email protected]
susan varney says
i would love to read this thank-you
[email protected]
Maria D. says
I would LOVE to win!!!!!
Jen says
Count me in!
cris says
I’d love some fiction (it’s been a heavy textbook summer). Thanks for the giveaway!
Jenna says
This looks like a great book, I’d love to win!
Maddy says
It does sound vaguely familiar. I wonder if I’m getting muddled with the song?
Cheers
Elli says
looks like a great read!
Jenn says
Count me in, sounds like a great book!
Wanda Bergman says
I would love to win “How Sweet It Is”!!
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Jenn says
Oh, heavens! I cn’t remember the last time I read a fiction book. I’d love to win and I love to read!
Lisa B. says
Sounds like a good book!
B. Nabors says
I would love to read this, especially since I’m from Georgia 🙂
Carly P says
Sounds like a good book!
Jen N says
I would love to win/read this book-thanks!
Carol says
This sounds like a great book I plan to read it even if I don’t win it.
Buffie says
This sounds like a really good read.
Michele Judd says
This looks like a fabulous read! Count me in.
Jesica says
Sounds like a good one! I’d love to read it
Sandra says
I would love to read a refreshing good book
BusyJulie says
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
julie says
sounds interesting..pick me
Connie Walsh says
Sounds like a really good read. We all need a little bit of child-like faith in our lives.
Barbara H. says
I’d not heard of this book or author. It sounds really interesting — I’d love the chance to win and read it.
Mama Zen says
This sounds like a good read!
Hailey says
I would LOVE to win this book and add it to my book collection!