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Book Review: Summer in the South by Cathy Holton
October 19th, 2011
Summer in the South by Cathy Holton was a fantastic summer read for me but it would be great for any time of the year. It’s a novel chock full of old family secrets and down home Southern charm. This is my second novel by Cathy Holton, the first being Beach Trip (my review), and what I love about her novels other than her wonderful writing is her ability to fully pull me into the story she is telling. I finish a book of hers feeling as though I know her characters and their story personally and that to me makes a great author.
Ava is at odds after the death of her mother, her affair with her boss on the rocks, and her career in the dumps. So when her old college pal Will phones and invites her to spend the summer at his family’s place in Woodburn, Tennessee, she quits her job and accepts. He’s asked her before but she’s always refused. This time though he manages to get her with the magic words – she can work full time on her novel while staying with his great-aunts Josephine and Fanny.
Ava has all kinds of preconceived notions of the South so when she arrives she is surprised to find a quaint little town with tree-lined streets. Ava is warmly welcomed into Josephine and Fanny’s home and even better she’s right on time for Toddy Time which in the south is very important. Over drinks Ava begins to learn a little more about the sisters, Will, and the place he grew up in. As time goes on Ava becomes more and more intrigued by the past lives of the sisters and of the secrets that seem to keep popping up especially about one person – Fanny’s first husband who just happened to be the black sheep of the family. Ava decides that this is what she is going to write her novel on and she sets about digging up all the information she can. Now in the south this is never a good idea and everyone keeps telling her to keep her nose out of things but of course she can’t. She has her novel to write and can’t tell anyone about it as they most certainly won’t approve.
Even more than having something to base her novel on, Ava finds herself really becoming fond of the sisters and all the daily rituals that the people in the south adhere to. Everything is at a much slower pace and Ava finds herself really enjoying that. For Ava, having had not the best of childhoods, being here with these people has finally given her the sense of family she has always desired.
Summer in the South was a great read for me and Cathy Holton never fails to keep me enthralled with her storytelling. This book had it all for me – eccentric characters, Southern charm, family drama, and even some ghostly elements which I loved. I also really appreciated the way the author wove the past and present together to bring the full story to light. Very well told and enjoyable novel and definitely one I would recommend!
Be sure to visit Cathy’s website. You can purchase your own copy of Summer in the South here in the US and here in Canada.
This review was previously published here by me on Book Trib. My copy of Summer in the South was received for review from the author.
Filed under 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge | Comments (32)
Thanks for this review. I hadn’t heard of Holton before, but she’s definitely on my radar now–I love anything set in the south!
Stephanie, thanks for popping in. You should give one of Holton’s books a try. I’ve enjoyed both that I’ve read.
Sounds charming – I love books set in the South!
Joanna, I love books that are set in the South as well!
A new to me author. I will keep a look out for her books.
Viv, I was surprised to see that a lot of the authors we have here you don’t have in the UK yet. You miss out on a lot of good books – doesn’t seem fair, does it?
Oooh, I love Southern charm. I love the books where you can almost smell and taste the thick, humid air. I like the cover of this one too. I’m interested in this one.
Sandy, I love the cover on this one as well. I love when books give me a good sense of place as well. I like feeling a part of the story.
Nice review, Dar. If you liked it I’m pretty sure I will too.
Mary, I think you’d probably would like this one.
I love these novels that are full of Southern charm! I love that cover too – it makes you wish you were there!
Jill, some of my favorite books are those filled with that Southern charm. I agree on the cover especially since it’s so darn cold here now.
Lovely review, Dar! I am so glad that this book had all the elements in it that you loved and that it was such a good read for you. It sounds like something I would really enjoy, especially the atmosphere.
Heather, this novel has great atmosphere. If you ever get a chance to read it I think you’ll really like it.
Sounds like a nice summer/early autumn read!
Here’s what I’ve been reading lately: Current reads
Harvee, yes this is a good summer read but would be great at any time really.
Beach Trip was so good…my mom loved it too. I cannot wait to read this one too.
Serena, yes Beach Trip was really good. If you liked that one you’ll likely enjoy this one too.
I am always a pansy for books set in the South. Eccentric characters, Southern charm and a ghost…what more could you want from a book? I will be putting this on my list! Great review!
Beth (bookaholicmom), so many of us love books set in the South. They just seem to have that sweet charm that draws you in.
A lot of transplants to the South say, “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could,” so I can see Ava becoming fond of the South! I’m looking forward to this book.
Kathy, I think I could really love living in the South. I look forward to your thoughts when you get a chance to read it.
I enjoyed this book too!
Nise, I’m glad you liked it too!
Great review! I’ve never read this author, but I love books set in the South! And the main character being an author is an added bonus! This is going on my TBR list!
Vicki, you really should check out this author. I love books set in the South as well. They are always so good!
It sounds lovely
I would not mind being enthralled like you were reading this book
Linda, enthralled in a book is always a great thing, isn’t it.
This sounds great Dar, I do enjoy stories set in the South.
I am all about the southern charm and this one sounds perfect for me!
I love Southern fiction, and this sounds like a wonderful, feel-good type of read! Thanks for the review!
Oh how I love reading Southern books! The people, the scenes, the charm, always puts me in a fab mood. Thanks for the review and recommendation Darlene