This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Dear Carolina

Khaki Mason. Southern. Interior Designer. Does not take “no” for an answer. Besides the death of her first husband, Khaki is the personification of the words “charmed life”.

Jodi, Khaki’s husband’s cousin, is not living the charmed life. She’s the daughter of an alcoholic. Her father has recently died. She’s in love with a man who is content to let her foot his bills and still think it’s ok to talk down to her. And she’s an alcoholic herself.

What do these 2 women have in common?

Carolina.

When Jodi tells Khaki she’s pregnant, Khaki- in her desire for babies- thinks it’s wonderful news. Khaki is firmly convinced that Jodi, with some help, will be able to be a good mom to her child.

But after one particular horrifying incident- both Jodi and Khaki have to consider that baby Carolina might have a better life elsewhere.

Part love story to sweet Carolina, part empowerment for chasing your dreams- Kristy Woodson Harvey’s 2 main characters, Khaki and Jodi are fabulously layered.  On the outside they are different, but you begin to see that both of them have a strength about them that makes you think of the phrase “steel magnolias”.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

DEAR CAROLINA will tug at your heart-strings in so many ways. 2 women who love Carolina decide to do what is best for Carolina- and ultimately show what family really is all about. Jodi, growing up how she did, has not known a real family. Khaki has never not known a real family. But these two women are determined that Carolina will have the best family possible- and have a relationship with both her birth and adoptive mother.

Because, as it’s pointed out in this book: You can never have too much love in your life.

I expected this to be a tear-jerker at times- but it really wasn’t. It was tugging at my heart-strings- but mainly it’s a sweet book.

The characters: Kristy Woodson Harvey nails Jodi’s way of talking. I could hear her accent, her particular phrasing!

Bottom line: A particularly sweet debut that tells the stories of 2 women- 1 who firmly knows she is a steel magnolia and can do anything and the other, who through love and support, finds she’s always had the tools to be a steel magnolia and to chase her dreams, no matter who told her otherwise.

Look for this debut in stores May 5th, 2015!

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

 

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T