The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry took a bit of time before I really could sink into this story but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The story was poignant, evocative and the plot with all it's twists and turns kept me glued to my seat eager to see what was happened next.

I was also captivated by Mrs. Terry's beautiful descriptive writing style that truly brought her book to life for me. Her ability to set the stage and weave a descriptive, emotionally engaging story made the story leap off the pages and captivate me. I love when this happens while I'm reading a story and I can't wait to read more of her books!

I highly recommend The Sweet Taste of Muscadines. - Rating: 4.5 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Terry, Ballantine Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Their mother died twice. The second time, she left secrets that were quite literally un-earthed. Three siblings are brought together after the death of their mother only to find that their family’s life in a small southern town is not what it seemed. Delightful characters, nicely paced while still being funny and insightful all at the same time. Good casual read where you enjoy being with the characters. The only problem I had was the ending seemed to come on quickly with plot and character resolutions. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After Lila's father died in the war everything changed, and she couldn't wait to grow up and leave her hometown. Now, she has returned for her mother's funeral and family secrets are revealed which changes everything she thought she knew about her childhood. Although this book starts out a little slow, it gets better as it goes along. No matter how dysfunctional you think your family is, they will probably seem perfectly normal compared to this family. However, their dysfunction makes this a very interesting story that will keep you wanting to read this very compelling family story.

In her debut novel, The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, Pamela Terry puts words in the mouth of her protagonist Lila Bruce Breedlove to set up the premise of the book as she returns home after her mother’s unexpected death. “Secrets are spilled at southern funerals. Death, particularly when its inevitability has been ignored and denied for generations, possesses a power to snap diffidence and dignity right in two, causing those left behind to be overcome with the need to unburden their consciences before they themselves are found sleeping in a slick, shiny coffin in their best Sunday suit.”

Geneva Bruce was found dead in her nightgown with her feet sticking out of the muscadine arbor. Why was she there and what secrets did she take with her to her death?

Lila and her brother Henry have long since fled their roots as preacher’s kids in the Southern town, leaving their sister Abigail with their mother who is a domineering presence as widow of the pastor of Second Avenue Baptist Church. Their revered father, having left his pastorate to serve as chaplain, was killed in the war. Lila and Henry return when Geneva is found dead to find instructions left by their mother that there is to be no funeral when she dies but flowers may be sent to the house. Amidst the sight and sense of floral abundance that overwhelms their childhood home, the three siblings begin to learn that much of their own story has been a lie. Abigail, their mother’s favorite, adds to the chaos as the two older siblings try to find the truth.

In the journey that Lila and Henry take to uncover the realities of the past, Pamela Terry creates a photographic scene for every step. If you like to visualize where you are going in a novel, you will love her work. If you grew up in the South, you will know you are home. I found the book a relaxing read that required consistent page-turning.

Wow. I completely adored this novel. The writing is lovely, the plot is gripping, the characters are believable, and the settings are perfectly defined. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fulfilling, well-written novel.

Thank you for my review copy.
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This book appeared to be right up my alley. Southern. Literary fiction. I however, could not get past 20%. I have tried and tried. I do not feel like this is the right fit for me. I can not put my finger on why it is not working. On paper it should work.
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I am letting it go. I am not going to say this is not a good title. I am going to say this is not a good title for me.

Such a thoughtful, interesting, well developed story wrapped in the most delicious and gorgeous descriptive prose. I fell into this book and relished each page, one perfect analogy after another. Wow, Pamela Terry wherever did you learn to write? She explains that “growing up in the south is not for the faint of heart” and in less than a page she defines the bewildering experience she is about to lead you on. She tells you in the south there is “heart stopping beauty and heartrending ugliness that flourish simultaneously and then please listen carefully to her story and know that her truth comes with a heavy price.

Smart, Witty, sometimes frivolous, sometimes angry and heartbreaking the characters are imbued with the ability to look inward and understand the need to stand firm when the basic instinct is to flinch and turn away - the characters were all real to me. Their behavior in the circumstances believable and identifiable. Defined as chick-lit by some I would argue that it is just a good story with a female protagonist.

I can’t remember being so taken with a book from the first page in a long time. Thank you Random House- Ballantine and NetGalley for a copy.

I just loved this book! If you're wanting a clear picture of Southern society, pick up The Sweet Taste of Muscadines.

After her mother dies unexpectedly, Lila Breedlove and her two siblings return to their hometown. They expect their trip home to consist of funeral and burial arrangements, but what they get is a trip filled with drama and family secrets.

As a lifelong resident of the south, I found this book to be highly relatable. If you like books about dysfunctional families with a cast of quirky characters, this is for you.

Oh my gosh...thank you to Net Galley and Pamela Terry for allowing me to read an ARC of “The Sweet Taste of Muscadines”...what a treat!

Ms. Terry’s beautiful descriptions and easy prose will captivate you from the very first page. Having grown up in the South during the 50’s and 60’s, this story is so relatable and real. Anyone would thoroughly enjoy reading it, even if you were not raised in the South! And the added bonus of the last half of the book being mostly set in the Highlands of Scotland (one of my most favorite places in the world) was incredible.

Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book as soon as you can...you will absolutely LOVE it! I can’t wait to see what Ms. Terry comes out with next!

This is one of those books that you just want to envelop in a big hug after you finish...I loved it! It's just full of southern charm and a family so real that you feel they are next door neighbors. I always love a story that unfolds little by little at just the right pace to keep you hooked. And when it teaches us lessons in forgiveness, love and family, I mean....what could be better! Really looking forward to more books from Pamela Terry in the future!

This debut novel from Pamela Terry is worth reading. Her vivid details bring the story to life whether in the steamy South, along the rugged Maine coast, or the windswept Scottish island: you'll embrace the story.

Lila, Henry, and Abby meet again at the home they grew up in upon their mother's untimely death. Not only was her illness a surprise but letters and photos buried long ago in the Muscadine arbor lead them on a journey they never expected. One of the best books I've read in quite a while: 4.5 stars!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

When I read, I tend to skim right over a lot of the descriptions, scenery, etc. I take in just enough to get a sense of place. I cannot stand audiobooks, because they are interminably slow and NEVER-ENDING when all the fluff is read. HOWEVER, I read every word, every description, everything in this book. The writing was that good. Terry has a real gift for providing just the right amount of information, couched in the some of the most lyrical prose I have read. I almost never do highlights when I read, and yet I have multiple highlights from this book because I wanted to remember a certain turn of phrase. I loved the story, which had enough twists and turns to keep it interesting, enough eccentric characterization (just a touch) to make it fun, and a real sense of the south, with some of our favorite quirks on view as well as our warmth. Terry provided her characters with vibrant personalities without detailing them to death, and the story-line was quite engaging. I can’t believe this is her first book, and I will be anxiously waiting for her next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books/Random House for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry is a very enjoyable read about a family in the south being forced to come together after the death of their mother. Three siblings must come together and try to reconcile their mother's estate, but in doing so they uncover a secret that will completely change the way they feel about their mother, father and themselves as a family unit.

The setting of The Sweet Taste of Muscadines is a small town in Georgia. Lila, Henry and Abigail are the siblings that must come together to bury their mother. They find out after her death that she doesn't wish to have a burial or memorial service which comes as a complete shock to this small Georgia town. In order to appease their mother's traditional southern friends they decide to throw a memorial party in her honor to come together and remember their mother and her friends. In true southern fashion their is food, food and more food, also in true southern fashion it turns into a dramatic disaster.

I loved this book! I loved Pamela Terry's description of a small town in the south when an unfortuante event, such as a death, happens. I am a lifelong southener myself and I could relate so much to how she described everyones' mentality from the older seniors down to children, it was so much like being home. True to southern fashion we all have our differences but in time of crisis we all come together to help each other. The same holds true in The Sweet Taste of Muscadines. Folks put aside their differences and come together for support. This book in a way reminded me of Steel Magnolias. There were so many different personalities in the story and Pamela Terry did an excellent job in describing and honoring each one.

I highly recommend this book, it was a wonderful read with all the emotions. I cannot wait to read more from this author. I can definitely see this book being added to my comfort reads collection.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy for an honest review.

This is the first novel by author Pamela Terry and certainly did not feel like a first novel!! The writing was evocative. You felt like you were in Georgia on a hot summer day. I was a bit suspect regarding the length of the book...but each page went more quickly than the one before as I raced to the end. It was the exact number of pages needed to tell this story ranging over decades.

A number of difficult subjects were discussed, suicide, homosexuality, death, and the 'normal' family and small town secrets. The biggest secret was one I didn't see coming.

I was not anticipating the ending and it was perfect! Read this book. It is just that good!

Thanks to NetGalley for the book.

The cover of The Sweet Taste of Muscadines is what initially drew my interest. I was interested in the description of Lila and her longing for "home" despite the fact that she can't identify a place that she considers "home", As the book continued, it became very predictable, and about 30% in, it was clear the direction the story would take. I didn't enjoy the way the book sterotypically portrayed Southern Christians. The book ended up being nothing like I expected it would be, based on the description. I did finish the book in order to provide a review, but I don't plan to pick up any future books this author might write. Thanks go to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this riveting tale. A family story following events that change the lives of siblings and don't fully come to light for a long time. Many twists and turns as we experience things from each one's perspective. A great story with interesting characters, I highly recommend.

Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father's untimely death when she was a child. Both she and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives and relationships of their own, steeped in art and culture. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain in Georgia to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva.
Geneva has died and the siblings come together to mourn her death. Abigail has never had much of a life as she has always taken care of their mother.
But as Lila and Henry uncover more about Geneva's death, shocking truths are revealed that upend the Bruces' history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives.
I love how the siblings were all there for each other and how close Lila and Henry are. Then they goon a quest, without Abigail, to find out some secrets from their past.
This is a debut novel and I was hooked from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the ARC to review.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

After the sudden death of their mother, three grown siblings reunite in their southern hometown. Why was the mother found holding a spoon in the muscadine arbor? Family secrets, kept for years, are uncovered, both literally and figuratively. The book covers relationships, family angst, love, and forgiveness.

As important as the wonderful story, the writing is very lyrical and descriptive. The reader can really visualize the surroundings and even smell the ripening grapes.

I look forward to future books by Pamela Terry.

Lila grew up in the South, a preachers kid, left for college and never looked back. Now her mother has died and both she and her brother must return home when her sister calls with the news. Dreading the funeral, never in a million years could they have imagined the directions their lives would take as a result of this trip - at last they all 3 find home.

When a spoon is found in their dead mother’s hand as she lies facedown in a grape arbor, her three children have no idea that what they thought was the story of their parents an childhood will be upended. The youngest child, Abby, has fallen apart at her mother’s remembrance celebration. Its up to her brother and sister, Henry and Lila, to figure out what really happened to their father. Their mother has told them he died while a chaplain in the Army serving in Vietnam. He was a Baptist minister and a respected member of the Georgia community, but the real father was someone entirely different. Leaving Abby with an uncle, Henry and Lila head to Scotland to find out what really happened to their father. The central theme of the book is forgiveness and understanding how the strictures of a small southern community led their father to a new life and new identity. The descriptions of Scotland and the small island of weaver is a beautiful setting for the finale of the book.