This book is full of all the interesting things that Frankie McCready does, such as talk to her clients in the county morgue, spend time locked up in a jail cell, and thinking of ways to catch a prankster in the act. The new sheriff cannot help himself from falling for Frankie but Frankie wonders why he would transfer to little sleepy Lake Sackett from Atlanta. She learns about the incident that causes his move away from Atlanta and it's a wild and interesting story. Frankie finally takes the steps to leaving home and convinces her parents to treat her more like an adult than a child. What a fun and easy read!

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Personal Manifest Observation: I enjoyed only the first and last chapter of Molly Harper’s Ain’t She a Peach. These bookend chapters contained discernible dialogue and improvement of character.

As I gamboled through every chapter following Chapter One I became increasingly frustrated and annoyed. Main characters Frankie McCready and Sheriff Eric Linden contributed directly to this full-blooded combination of frustration and annoyance. The amount of virulent dialogue exchanged between these two so fervently came across as pressing hatred, not sexual chemistry, as Frankie’s cousin Margot emphasized on multiple occasions.

Sheriff Eric Linden did not view Frankie as a mature professional who took her job seriously, even though she put her entire self into her work. Eric was narrow-minded and never put himself in Frankie’s shoes as a lone female coroner who respects her deceased clientele-- townsfolk who she knew her whole life. He did not see Frankie as serious, and therefore blundered integral situations in which a Sheriff should take his own job seriously. Instead, Eric threw Frankie under the bus and never fully came across as being on Team Frankie.

More frustration ensued: Frankie did not deal with issues as they arose, instead fomenting in her resentment towards her parents until the end of the book. This device is what people in the book industry call Combustible Drama. This is when authors who do not have a dedicated story arc create an issue that could be dealt with during dialogue when the issue was created, but instead save it for a blow-out argument for the very end of the book.
I.e. Combustible Drama.

There were also bizarrely random moments of cancer bashing, occupation bashing, and appearance bashing to mellow out the already discordant storyline.

In essence, Eric was a stilted, mean, one-dimensional character who Frankie seemed to be practicing having a barely-casual sexual relationship with, but should now try finding someone who actually likes her.

Ain’t She a Peach was meant to be an amalgam of light-hearted comedy, romance, and family centered; however it came across as rambling, confused and anti-romance. While it may not be my cuppa peach tea, it may wet someone else’s whistle.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If the title is a question, then the answer is a resounding, "yes."

Frankie McCready may look, and sometimes act like a cartoon character come to life, but she knows what she's doing. Just because she's the only person qualified to be a corner in a fifty-mile radius, doesn't mean she isn't doing a damn fine job--if she doesn't say so herself.

Eric Linden is attracted to Frankie, but he's not prepared for her to break his heart again, and he can't afford to mess up his Lake Sackett's position as "Interim Sherriff." Frankie's obsession with the illicit activities of a spoiled teen isn't helping the situation either.

For me, Molly Harper is one of the reigning queens of humor and wit, and "Ain't She a Peach" is yet another jewel in her crown (or maybe her scepter at this point; she is prolific). The Lake Sackett cast of characters is tangible, breathing people I honestly believe are my neighbors. Frankie is probably my favorite character of the lot, but Eric definitely rivals because the man is genuinely my dream boyfriend. Their relationship is entertaining and progresses in a way that feels authentic and satisfying.

"Ain't She a Peach" does follow up with characters from the previous stories in the series and continues to develop each in heartwarming ways. The relationships continue to grow and blossom as well, and all combined the result is a little like a mix between a sitcom and a soap opera but in the best possible ways.

The only thing that would make me happier was if there were queer characters more in the forefront. There was mention of a queer character in the first book, but that's pretty much it. Lots of writers are finding ways to integrate queer characters alongside a predominantly cishet ensemble, and I think Molly Harper is the kind of writer who could do that well. Of course, I'd love to see her try her hand at writing a novel with a queer romance at the center, but I'm willing to be flexible.

All in all, "Ain't She a Peach" is a fantastically fun romance, family drama, and comedy rolled into one. So yes, she's definitely a peach.

Dear Molly Harper,

I am a born again reader of your work. Years ago I read your Jane Jameson series, which I fell in love with. In a time when vampires were rocking, you  wrote vampires with snarky humor. And then other books came between me and your work.

Last year I was lucky enough to stumble on the first novella in your Southern Eclectic series and now I am devoted.

I didn't think you could surpass Marianne and Carl, but you've given me Frankie and Eric, and truthfully I could read another book about them and not be bored.

Ain't She a Peach is just what the doctor ordered. I needed some renewal. I needed some laughs. I needed some introspection, and you gave them all to me.

Thanks. A devoted, born again fan.

Sascha

Folks, I loved this book. Frankie is such a wonderful heroine, embodying vulnerable and stubborn and fierce in such a way that the reader falls in love with her. She's prickly so that is no easy task, but she's understandably prickly and, therefore, lovable.

I would suggest that Ain't She a Peach is more women's fiction than romance for the mere reason that the romance doesn't really stand at the forefront. No bodice ripping here, folks. In fact, while Frankie and Eric sizzle, there is also respect and gentleness that I love.

Sometimes I feel like I echo myself, but one thing that makes this novel work is that it has heart. Besides the laugh-out-loud humor, the steamy romance, there's Frankie looking inside herself at who she is, knowing that because she had leukemia as a child, she's been coddled and spoiled.

Molly Harper knows how to balance things so that we have all of the feels. We feel the love, the family, the life, the death, and a huge amount of loving tenderness that makes this novel just rise so far above the field of her contemporaries. Harper looks as these people with love and therefore so does her reader.

I hope there's many more novels in the Southern Eclectic series because I think we're in a time when we really need this humorous, snarky, loving touch. It gives us hope and laughs and moments when we don't have to think about anything except a lake town where the funeral home is also a bait shop and a family of loving eccentrics runs it.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ain't She a Peach is a lighthearted story that takes readers back to the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. We return to McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop (how's that for convenient one stop shopping?) and follow the story of Frankie, the 28 year old goth/nerd/Southern girl who works as the funeral home embalmer and county coroner.
Frankie is trying her best to be an adult in a close knit family (read: everyone's up in each other's business) while still living at home with her parents, keeping an eye on her arch nemesis (a teenage boy set on breaking into the funeral home on Halloween), and figuring out her attraction to new sheriff Eric Linden.
Those who loved the first book in the series will love to see Margot's story continue alongside Frankie's. Filled with southern charm, funny one-liners, and a cute romance this second installment in Harper's Southern Eclectic series is another cozy read.

Molly Harper hasn't lost an ounce of her trademark snark! Love this slow southern series. Frankie and her family are a force to be reckoned with. Can't wait to read more entries in this series.

This is my first Southern Eclectic series book I have read. It was so delightful and a great escape from my day that I will be reading the ones I have missed.
The struggle and guilt that Frankie deals with a lot of young adults deal with. How to break the apron strings when your parents have stuck with you through some really hard times. By the end of the book thanks to a strong cousinly bond and a hunky sheriff Frankie can finally figure out how to move forward in her life.

Southern Eclectic is quickly becoming one of my favorite series. This is book 2 and a great follow up to Sweet Tea and Sympathy and novella, Peachy flippin' keen. It's original, how many books have you read with a Mortician as the lead character that has her office in the mortuary attached to the family bait shop? Lake Sackett is a delighful small town in the south that is a wonderful setting for the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop. Frankie is still wary of the new sheriff but they're warming up and the ongoing mischief of local bully Jared is escalating. This is a fantastic story of family love and small town living. Can't wait for Molly Harper to get book 3 into our hands. I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Molly Harper is one of the most hilarious romance novelists I know — only she could create a character as funny and charming as Frankie. I enjoyed this book the most out of her newest series (so far... I hear Duffy’s book is in the works). The little town is just so wacky and fully realized, the characters pop (but never seem totally unrealistic), and the dialogue! The dialogue is SMART.

I would recommend this entire darn series.

I love this author so much, and this book just makes me love her more. Full of humor that her stories are known for, a paranormal twist, and a good solid mystery and this book had me hooked from the first page. I would read anything this author put out, and this story is a great example of why.

3.5 stars

Molly Harper's Southern Eclectic books are proving to be fast, fun and engaging books! Her characters are eclectic, fun, interesting and likable. Characters from the first book in this series (Sweet tea and Sympathy) are also in this book! This book does work very well as a standalone novel but I do encourage reading both books as they are fun, quirky and light. Perfect for when you need a change of pace, are in a reading slump or just want to read an entertaining book!

Eric Linden is an ex-Atlanta police officer who has moved to Lake Sackett, Georgia to serve as the town Sheriff. He is hoping for a slower paced life and job. He is used to high rate crime and sees murder and foul play in most of his cases. He also learns that Frankie McCready, a woman he has a sort-of past with not only lives in the town, but is employed by McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop as the town coroner and embalmer. Yes, you read correctly - a bait shop and a funeral home. I did warn that this book is quirky.

Frankie McCready is an interesting person. She likes to color her hair interesting colors, has a sarcastic sense of humor and is the family baby. Due to the nature of her job, she and Eric have a lot of interactions which are a little awkward due to their sort-of history in the past. They share barbs and insults which make the dialogue fun and moves the story along.

Frankie and Eric also must work together to determine who has been trying to break into the funeral home after hours. Frankie is determined that she knows the identity of the guilty party and Eric attempts to solve the crime while keeping Frankie from getting herself into trouble as she attempts to solve the crime.

As I previously stated, Harper's books are quirky, light and fun! Perfect reads for those looking for something light and enjoyable. Her books are full of witty and fun characters such as Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family! Her characters deal with real life issues but with a little dash of charisma, southern charm and sarcasm thrown into the mix. This book was well-written, and I read it in one day as I could not put it down. This is not an edge of your seat page turner, but it was so much fun and enjoyable that I could not resist and had to keep reading. I will be reading the next book in the series when it comes out!


Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Molly Harper! When you are in the mood for laugh-out-loud funny, she will not let you down and this book is no exception.
Eccentric small town coroner Frankie McCready has a couple issues including over protective parents (that she still lives with) and string of odd pranks that keep happening around the family funeral home/bait shop. Yep-funeral home and bait shop. If you are from the south, so many of the far fetched and quite hilarious bits that make up the Lake Sackett and McCready family universe don't seem that impossible. Anyway, Frankie also to contend with the new, hot sheriff, Eric Linden, who thinks every routine death is a potential murder scene. Of course, sparks fly and hijinks ensue.
I appreciate the snarky sarcasm woven into each of Molly Harper's books along with a healthy dose of complex human interaction and realistic dialogue. Although I read this one on my kindle, Audible with narration by Amanda Ronconi is my favorite method of consumption as she makes all the characters and wry humor come alive.

Available June 12: Ain't She a Peach by Molly Harper

*** 3/5: Liked it, through and through: A good escapist read that takes you down South with some quirky characters.



Recommended readers:

If you like a strong, sexy man in your romance
If you love small town settings and drama
If you need a quick-reading, escapist read
Here's my Rankings:

3/5 for characters
2.5/5 for plot
3/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Frankie McCready is one-of-a-kind. She's a small town, part-time coroner who embalms bodies for her family's funeral home. Since childhood she's had a crazy reputation in the town - and when break-ins start happening at her family's funeral home, she gets thrown together with the new town sheriff. 

Ain't She a Peach is a super fun, fast reading romance - set in one of the most charming Southern towns you could imagine. You'll fall in love with quirky characters and the Southern life.

Available June 12: Ain't She a Peach by Molly Harper

This is the second full-length installment in Molly Harper's Southern Eclectic series, but could be read as a stand-alone. There have also been two novellas, but again, those don't need to be read to understand and enjoy the story. Harper does a good job of catching the reader up on any important information from the other stories, although that comes off as a little repetitive if you've read the novellas.

I've read all of Harper's other books, and was a little skeptical about picking this series up, since I didn't like her complementary novels nearly as much as I've enjoyed her paranormal books, and was starting to wonder if her style only worked for me in a paranormal setting. I am pleasantly surprised to say that that appears to not be the case, as I've enjoyed this entire series.

Ain't She a Peach is full of quirky characters, funny story-lines, and at it's heart, a family that truly loves each other. It is billed as a romance, and that element is there, but I felt the more compelling relationship was between Frankie, the heroine, and her parents, and how they've all dealt with her childhood illness.

This was a a fairly quick and easy read, but extremely entertaining. I hope that Harper will write at least one more novel in the series, because I'd love to see Duffy settled. If you like a lighthearted story filled with quirky characters, be sure to pick this one up when it's released 6/12/2018.

Thank you to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.

If you felt you were left haning with Peachy Flippin' Keen, worry no longer.

I so enjoyed this addition to the series. Frankie is just so great! And it is only fitting that she end up with a sheriff. This is definitely a fun, well written, snarky readh.

This book is pretty PG13 when it comes to sexy times, and I am totally OK with that.

***ARC received for an honest review***

Frankie, her small town's mortician, is unique, mouthy and babied by her entire family. She also has history with the new sheriff in town - Eric. Eric is a little overwhelmed by the entire town and Frankie in particular. The two of them dance around one another - and Frankie makes some very Frankie-centered decisions. She was lovable and wonderful - and the end really brought her home to me.

Molly Harper effervesces. Funny, charming, larger-than-life southern characters who capture the reader without overwhelming them. I'm not sure that I want to read Harper back to back to back. But she is the perfect sorbet to clean my pallet between heavy, tense reads. I found myself smiling for 90% of this read, and I look forward to the next one in the series.

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This is series is adorable. I love the characters and the strength in family Harper conveys. The first book was about Margot and this book was about Frankie. it was fun to get into Frankie’s head since she is such a different character than the other southern belles in the story. That McCreedy blood thrice over makes her a unique person, and I love her perspective to live life as if it were he last moment. Harper creates special enthralling characters and makes the reader part of the Mc Creedy family.

Thoroughly enjoyable bit of brain candy! I loved it,Frankie is a very likeable character, one of many in this series. It's an easy read and will be a good "vacation read" recommend( so is Sweet Tea and Sympathy). I can't wait to hand sell this title!

I love this series so much. I love the humor and the entire McCready family. The first book in this series made me so happy I was smiling for days. I had really high expectations going into this one and I really enjoyed every second of reading it but even as a huge fan I can admit that it is not as strong as the first book. Frankie was a character that I was really drawn to from the first novella so I was looking forward to her story. She is quirky, strong and endearing but there were a lot of moments where I was ready to throttle her. Her main conflicts in the book with Eric, her parents and even her teenage nemesis were wrapped up way too easily in the end. My favorite part of this book were honestly all of the bits about the other McCreadys and their family interactions. Still this is a series that has become one of my favorites and I cannot wait for the next book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love all things Molly Harper. Her snarky characters and unique settings create wonderful reading every time.