Sandy S.
A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE by Molly Harper focuses on the continuing relationship between event planner Margot Cary, and her fiancé, elementary school principal/single father and widower Kyle Archer whom we met in book one-SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY. Told from third person perspective (Margot Cary) A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE follows big city girl Margot Cary as the people of small town Lack Sackett try to take over the wedding plans for Margot and Kyle. Pregnant, and struggling with on-going morning sickness, Margot battles between head and heart as it pertains to the small town ideals, versus a quiet wedding alone on a beach, far, far away. When the busy-body ladies of Lake Sackett continue to ‘offer’ their opinions and ideas for Margot and Kyle’s-no date set-wedding, Margot is of the belief that eloping may be the solution to their current dilemma. Not only does Margot have to deal with family and friends, but Kyle’s ex in-laws chime in their opinions, as well as Kyle’s two school-aged daughters who have differing opinions and ideas of their own. A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE is a fast paced, novella length story of family and friendship in small town America where everyone knows your name, your business, and your relationship history. We are witness to the struggling relationship between Margot, and Kyle’s two young daughters; as well as Margot’s battle with morning sickness, her family, and her fiance’s ex in-laws. A sweet, fun and honest look at blended families, grieving parents, and second chances at happiness and love. A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE introduces the heroine in the author’s next instalment- GIMME SOME SUGAR-about a young widow (Lucy Brewer) who returns to Lake Sackett to open a bake shop, and falls in love.
Gaele Hi
If you’ve not read the earlier books in this Southern Eclectic series (there are six volumes out there) and trust me- they are laugh-out-loud, bless her heart sort of fun. Set in a small Georgia town with plenty of colorful characters, many related to Margot through blood or marriage. But it’s Margot’s marriage that is on the docket in this novella – she and Kyle, widowed father of two little girls and Elementary school principal are ‘engaged’ and expecting a child together, after a VERY short time ‘knowing’ one another. Of course, many of the residents are giving her side-eye with the whole pregnant and unmarried thing- something that all of her family, particularly cousin Frankie, tells her will be forgotten and forgiven once married. That’s the problem though: with morning sickness that is happening at all hours, and triggered by many things, worst of all the smell of coconut, her worst moment of public humiliation was an ‘attack’ over funeral flowers as the deceased was being loaded into the hearse. Margot not only feels sick all the time, and only sweet tea makes her feel better, but she’s got aunts who are pushing for ‘inclusion’ in the wedding decisions, not to mention a one-upsmanship game from women in town who want to ‘climb the ladder”. Poor Margot – as an event planner who’s worst disaster was a group of hangry flamingoes that attacked a shrimp tower in the middle of a high-profile event, is thinking fondly of those days. Fortunately for her – two things happened: she found that pecan pie from the newly opened bakery in town with proprietor dating a cousin – AND a sympathetic and wholly wonderful associate at the bridal shop who empathized with the bullying and suggestions about dresses that Margot didn’t find as THE dress With plenty of sage advice from her father and their new relationship, some wonderful moments with Kyle’s girls, and plenty of laughter – everything came together fulfilling her estranged mother’s worst fear… she’d be barefoot and pregnant at her wedding. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.