Not one of my favorites because of some irksome minor issues (superficial and stereotypical white suburban Southern culture), but the basic plot and writing was interesting enough to hold my attention to the end.

The Review for this book will go live on it's release date at http://dewonthekudzu.com.

My review can be seen on rtbookreviews.com

I loved this story. Divorced, Merilee and her two children move to a new Atlanta suburb and is renting a coach house apartment from her landlord, Sugar Prescott. Sugar lives in the big house at the front of the property. Sugar is 97 and her family used to own most of the property around the county. It all having been sold off and developed over the years. So you might say that Sugar is pretty well known. Merilee is divorced because her husband decided that just having an affair with his daughter's third grade math teacher wasn't enough, he wanted more. At least that's what the town blog says. A blog that has just recently started up and keeps everyone informed as to what's going on much to the chagrin of everyone who's mentioned, including Merilee.

Merilee has put the children into a private school where most of the mother's are your typical tennis moms with their outfits, expensive cars, homes, etc. and their leader is named Heather. She makes sure all the mom's sign up for all the committees, etc. She latches onto Merilee on day one and says she's her private project and because Merilee is a working mom, she's going to help her.

Yes, you can tell that Heather is up to something, but your not sure exactly what she's up to. Just that it's something. Yes, I caught onto who Heather really was, but did that kill the ending for me? Not in the least.

Now Sugar is one of those women who like to play it up mean and not show her nice side. However, she just can't help herself with Merilee and her kids. She tells them stories about her life, bakes them sweets, babysits and becomes like their grandma. Merilee tells her stories and they are all like a little family looking out for each other. Sugar reminds me of my granny. Of course, it doesn't start out like that. Sugar is very gruff to begin with, always correcting, never smiling and actually kind of funny in her old ways.

I can't say anymore without spoilers. However, the ending - oh my. The suspense, it felt like my heart was going to come right out of my chest.

This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be looking to read more by Karen White. This book was amazing.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. Karen White knows how to weave a story filled with interesting characters, a distinct setting, and a web of secrets and lies. A fantastic story of second chances, secrets, friendship, love, and a reminder that things aren't always what they seem.

I actually moved to Fulton County for a time because I was so influenced by the complexity of
personality in the writings of Carson McCullers and Flannery OConnor-southern fiction is truly the
best of regional writing.. The Night the Lights Went Out provided some much needed deja vu except
that I can't say I ever an enduring connection to the social mores, clay swamp and insects that makes he regig. What it is.
perfect character development esp Sugar and Lily- and I could easily read an entire book of blog
posts-I did find the plot melodrama around Meriilee/Heather a bit too much-in this otherwise fun read-the Sugar like characters in the South are amazing-Thanks to the publisher

This story was not what I expected from reading the introduction. The cliquishness of the school mothers was perfectly normal, the way Heather went out of her way to befriend Marilee was unusual but did not arouse suspicions right away. The story pulled me in right from the beginning and built gradually to a totally unexpected blowout ending. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

I am a fan of Karen White but she has out done herself with this book. From the New York Times bestselling author of Flight Patterns comes a stunning new novel about a young single mother who discovers that the nature of friendship is never what it seems....

Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to fail.

Merilee finds some measure of peace in the cottage she is renting from town matriarch Sugar Prescott. Though stubborn and irascible, Sugar sees something of herself in Merilee—something that allows her to open up about her own colorful past.

Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new friendship with Heather Blackford. Merilee is charmed by the glamorous young mother’s seemingly perfect life and finds herself drawn into Heather's world.

In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be will shock all three women....
I thought I had it all figured out several times just to be thrown off the trail. I enjoyed this book so much and can't wait for the next book. This was a home run!!

Yet another great read from Karen White! Perfect to curl up with and "live" in for awhile. Characters that you'll soon feel like you know and love and an engaging story!

Simply my favorite Karen White book to date and...I've read them all!

Karen White and Berkeley have done it again - provided one of the best books of the year!!!! Once I start one of White's books, I can hardly put it down, and this one is true to form. As one of Georgia's best authors, White shines as she writes about her state and where she lives. One of the things I love most about her books is that they all include some kind of mystery, and this one has that in spades. It also does an excellent job of balancing the lives of the two main characters - a woman in her thirties and another who's a nonagenarian. Unlike her Tradd Street series, this is a stand alone, but I wish it debuted a new series because I'd like to see what happens next to the residents of Sweet Apple, GA!!!! Thanks to Berkeley and NetGalley for providing access to the e version before publication.

Friendship, love and loyalty collide in this novel of the South. Merilee is trying to rebuild her life for her children after a devastating divorce when the Queen Bee of the children's new school, Heather, befriends her. Merilee also has her new landlord, the irrepressible Sugar, and her handy man, Wade, looking out for her. But with so many secrets who is trustworthy and who is out to destroy Merilee? A novel that will grab you from the first page as you recognize people in your life, especially if you live in a small Southern town.

Another great Karen White book. Two women form an unlikely friendship and bond that help each other heal from their past, and the secrets they've kept. Suspenseful, haunting and wonderful. I highly recommend.

Karen White is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw she had a new book out I couldn't wait to read it! This book did not disappoint. This is a book about past mistakes and revenge, but set in a nice, polite southern town with the charm the south is known for. I figured out who the villain was about half way through, but still enjoyed the book because great characters like Sugar.

I just finished reading Karen White’s new novel, The Night The Lights Went Out and wow, another great book!

This author can do no wrong, I love each book she writes and will eagerly await her next novel. In this story, set in the south of course (all of her books are set in the south), about to be divorced Merilee and her children move into Sugar Prescott’s guest house. Sugar is an old woman with a lot of secrets, equally feared and respected around town. Merilee is new to the area and is drawn to the beautiful and perfect Heather Blackford who is more than willing to help Merilee.

Merilee is new to the area and is drawn to the beautiful and perfect Heather Blackford who is more than willing to help Merilee with whatever she needs. There’s something strangely familiar about Heather but Merilee can’t put her finger on it. As Merilee is pulled into Heather’s world, Sugar relives old memories that keep surfacing and little by little, she tells Merilee about her own troubled past, freeing Merilee to also confront some old demons.

The second part of the book is like a fast turning suspense, with Merilee and Heather;s friendship evolving, Sugar’s secrets and memories spilling out, a romance….I was sad to see this one end. Due out in April.

I always look forward to a new book by Karen White as I was with this one. However, this one was a slow build up and even once it took off not quite up for to Karen White's usual pace. Merilee is newly divorced with 2 children. She is trying to fit into her new life when she is befriended by the queen bee of the school moms. Heather takes Merrilee under her wing and makes her her "project." Should have been a glaring sign to get out, but she doesn't. Even after Merilee is under suspicion for the murder of Heather's husband. Merrilee is still convinced they are friends.

Friendships, secrets old and new, love and heartbreak, revenge and murder, Ms White draws you and doesn't let you go until the lights go out.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

A mixture of old and new, an older Southern woman, Sugar, with secrets and stories from her past, befriends a young mother, Marilee, recently separated and looking to start over. Each slowly share stories and experiences which strengthen their resolve, which they will need as an unexpected death threatens to disrupt all Marilee has been able to accomplish. The addition of an anonymous blogger adds a touch of fun to an otherwise serious story of friendship, revenge and redemption. Recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. I so enjoy reading Southern authors' works. Karen White's writing reminds me of Anne River Siddons, perhaps because this book is about Georgia and has mythical elements and great writing. This book is definitely a page turner. I look forward to reading more of White's books.

I would give this a solid 3.75. I had never read anything by this author before, but based on the cover art and the first few chapters, I thought I was in for a light romance. Yes, there's romance, but it sure isn't light!

The story alternates between two characters, one young and in the present and the other is elderly and in the past. While these two women are very different, they are also more similar that you would think. In addition to experiencing love and heartbreak, they both also have gone through tragedies that they would rather not talk about.

The book is very character driven with intricate intertwining plots, but it all comes together with an unexpected twist.

It reminded me a bit of Fried Green Tomatoes. I didn't read that book, but like the movie, so that is a compliment to this book.