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.
Sounds like a great book. You haven’t steered us wrong yet.
This sounds like a fascinating story. Thanks.
I read your review and I would love to have a copy of this book.
Please count me in! Thanks so much!
I love reading books by debut authors, and this one sounds great.
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Love this book
I would like to read this book.
I’d love to win a copy.
Now this is a cool concept!I would love to read and then share with my daughters. Thanks!
I would love to read about Deena and her adventure.Thanks for the guveaway
I’m looking for a good new book to get sucked into.. would love to check this one out.
would love a new read 🙂
i would love to read this book!
I’m an avid reader and this sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
This sounds like a book I would love. Please enter my name.
put my name in the hat please!
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.
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in 🙂
I so would love this!
This sounds like a great story. I would like to win.
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
The book sounds wonderful. I’m hoping for a happy ending for the main character. I’d love to read it!
This sounds like a great book.
I would love to have this book – thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Sounds like a really great read!
Looks like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
This sounds like a fantastic book! Thanks!!
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
Sounds very good! THanks!
This sounds like an amazing read!
looks interesting, life’s tough nowadays
Happy Weekend!
Please enter me. I like the cover. Thanks
Sounds like a great book!
This book sounds interesting and would love to read it. Count me in!!
I would love to read this! Sounds very intriguing!
This book looks really interesting.
Please count me in – it looks like a good read. wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com
Id love to have the chance to read this. Thanks 🙂
Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
This looks great! Please enter me!
Count me in. Thanks.
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com
I’ve been wanting to get back to reading. I’d love to win!
This sounds like a great book!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I love to read and this would be a great addition to my book collection!
I’d love to win!
I really enjoyed Rain Song and would love to win this book. Thanks!
You bet, I’d like to receive a copy. Thank you for this chance.
This looks great! Thanks again!
I’ve read several reviews for How Sweet It Is and it sounds wonderful. Please add me!
sounds great
Sounds like a book I would love. Will definitely have to add it to the list.
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
Thanks for the chance to win this book – please count me in!
I would love to add this book to my home library…please count me in…thanks.
karen k
I would love to win this book – it sounds like a great read!
I would like to be entered!!!
Sounds like an excellent read!
Sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d like to jump in on this one! Thanks.
It sounds good. I will have to check out that first novel at the library. 😉
This sounds great….sign me up….
Sounds like a sweet book…I need to get back to reading…
Sounds like a good one! I’d love to read it. jelly15301@gmail.com
SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BOOK THANKS
This is a great review and the sounds like a good read.
Looks like a fun read. Count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Looks like an interesting book i’d love to read.
Please count me in – thanks!
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
I’d love to win this book – it sounds really good!
This sounds really interesting.
Great book!
This sounds like a great book! Please enter me.
donnyandshelly (at) (yahoo) (dot) (com)
This sounds great! I would love to win.
Ooh, I’d love to win! Thanks!
I would love to win this – it looks like a great book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
This sounds like a good read before I head back to the grind this school year.
I won a copy ( so don’t need to be entered, thanks!) from Callapidder Days. I really enjoyed it too!
Would love to win this!!
It sounds like a really good read.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
love books count me in please
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.
Thanks
sharon54220@gmail.com
i would love to read this thank-you
mverno@roadrunner.com
I would LOVE to win!!!!!
Count me in!
I’d love some fiction (it’s been a heavy textbook summer). Thanks for the giveaway!
This looks like a great book, I’d love to win!
It does sound vaguely familiar. I wonder if I’m getting muddled with the song?
Cheers
looks like a great read!
Count me in, sounds like a great book!
I would love to win “How Sweet It Is”!!
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Oh, heavens! I cn’t remember the last time I read a fiction book. I’d love to win and I love to read!
Sounds like a good book!
I would love to read this, especially since I’m from Georgia 🙂
Sounds like a good book!
I would love to win/read this book-thanks!
This sounds like a great book I plan to read it even if I don’t win it.
This sounds like a really good read.
This looks like a fabulous read! Count me in.
Sounds like a good one! I’d love to read it
I would love to read a refreshing good book
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
sounds interesting..pick me
Sounds like a really good read. We all need a little bit of child-like faith in our lives.
I’d not heard of this book or author. It sounds really interesting — I’d love the chance to win and read it.
This sounds like a good read!
I would LOVE to win this book and add it to my book collection!