This is the story of a family with Susannah Scott and her daughters, Sadie and Leala Clare.
When they were children the Scott sisters lost their father and Susannah took over the bed and breakfast that had been his dream. However, in the process of moving her family forward, she buried her own dreams and became distanced from her daughters.
Years later, a new incident changed the lives of all three women. Sadie fell into a lake and almost drowned, but some sort of mythological being saved her. But this tragedy instead of bringing them together only drove them apart.
Eight years later the Scott sisters return home because Susannah suffered a heart attack.
Yes, death and tragedy always lurk in this story.
I don't remember why I picked up this book from Netgalley, Women's Fiction genre is not something I usually read, but I must say it was an excellent choice.
I loved the author's style, I found it refreshing that the narrators were the two sisters.
I was very touched by the family drama between the girls and their mom.
The magical realism theme was very well handled and the plot twists are spectacular.
If you want to immerse yourself in a magical world full of emotions, don't hesitate to book a ticket to Sugarberry Cove.

I love the name of this book. Just the name alone made me want to read this novel. Two sisters at odds with each other as well as their mother. Make a wish at the yearly lantern festival and the Lady of The Lake just might grant them if you believe enough. Eight years ago Sadie drowned in that lake but magically resurfaced alive unable to feel any pain, an uncanny ability to instantly heal and hair that looked like stardust off the lake. Everyone believes she was saved by the Lady of the Lake. After her near death experience Sadie left town to experience life to the fullest. She had no plans to return until her mother suffered a heart attack. Forced to help her sister run the family bed and breakfast tempers flare and true feelings emerge. Its isn't just Sadie that has regrets. Her sister and mother each come to terms with the part they played in Sadie leaving Sugarberry Cove. But, can the family ever be whole again? There are twists and turns in this story that you don't see coming. Secrets are brought to light and the Lady of The Lake works her magic again. Magical and Unpredictable!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forge Books for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I found this book very hard to engage with and I didn't finish it. The landscape descriptions were rich, but the character development was slow and I couldn't connect with any of the characters.

"Home.The word wound it's way around my heart and squeezed like it was giving me a hug"

I was so excited to receive this book from Net Galley. There's something so special about Heather Webber's writing. It draws you in and makes you feel like you're part of the family. I've read everything I could get my hands on by her since reading Midnight At the Blackbird Cafe a year ago.

At it's heart this book is about hope, love, the power of believing wishes can come true and knowing you can come home. Every year the people of Sugarberry Cove float paper lanterns on the lake with their wishes. This is Sadie's first year back for the festival since a near drowning experience when she was eighteen. She's been traveling, doing a cooking show and trying to find a meaning to why she was saved. After her mother suffers a heart attack Sadie comes home and reconnects with her mother and sister.

I loved everything about this book ❤

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
The first third of this book was a hot mess! The buildup was slow and messy. Two sisters, Sadie and Leala, return home to help their mama run her B&B after suffering a heart attack. I struggled to connect to the main characters Sadie and Leala. Really disappointed because the premise intrigued me. The ending was sweet and satisfying.

3.5 stars. I loved this author’s other book, Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. I had high hopes for this one. It was good but not as good. It was a bit too hokey for me. I’m getting tired of the story of a tragedy in one’s life, then having angst over it for years, fretting through a good part of the book.
I really enjoyed all the characters and I was surprised at the little twist at the end. As expected, it ended all tied up in a neat little bow. Still a nice story and I’d recommend it to others.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Is there anything better than reading a new book from a new favorite author? I think not. Heather Webber won me over with Midnight at The Blackbird Café and sealed the deal with South of the Buttonwood Tree. I LOVE The Lights of Sugarberry Cove.

Sadie left her hometown of Sugarberry Cove years ago. But what is the true “why” behind her departure? Her sister, Leala, has everything she wants, so why is she so unhappy? This story beautifully unfolds the complexities of our decisions, our relationships, our pasts, and our path to the future we truly desire.

After they both return home to help their mother with her B&B, they discover they have closed themselves off from the love, family, and peace they both want. This book is full of well-developed characters in a beautiful setting on a magical lake. The characters work their way into your heart. The story is universal. We all experience worry and loss at some point in our lives, and we all want to find resolution, peace, and joy.

Weaving in the lantern festival, a magical lake, and a double surprise ending makes this book shine. Webber’s use of light magical realism will keep you smiling. There are too many great moments and feels to describe. Just read it!

I have no doubt I’ll read it again this year. It’s that special. I’ve already recommended it to several friends and will continue to recommend not only The Light of Sugarberry Cove but all of Webber’s books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Forge Books with an ARC in exchange for my review.

#thelightsofsugarberrycove
#heatherwebber
#magicalrealism
#macmillan-tor
#forgebooks
#netgalley

This is a Hallmark movie waiting to be developed. I like Hallmark movies and while I found the basic storyline okay the "magical suspend belief" aspects towards the end of the book were a turn-off for me. Sadie and her sister Leala have returned to Sugarberry Cove after their mother suffers a minor heart attack. Susannah is a force to be reckoned with and how she's lived her life has definitely shaped how her two daughters cope in their own lives. Sadie almost drowned eight years earlier in the lake and everyone is dealing with their own trauma about the event...guilt guilt and more guilt. It's a book about love, motherhood, trust, family and friendships.
Good writing and some good quotes about how to live life but not a favourite; the magical stuff really ruined it for me. The description of the lantern festival sounded lovely and is something that would probably be beautiful to witness, but there weren't enough moments that truly grabbed me to make me love this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan/Forge Books for providing the ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

This book is as sweet as the name Sugarberry Cove with characters that are just as sweet and lovable.

Leala and Sadie’s mother, Susannah, still owned Sugarberry Cove Bed and Breakfast but it was falling apart along with their mother.

When Susannah had a heart attack, the girls came back to help but found everything in disrepair even though there were guests staying there.

Wallpaper was peeling off the walls, the windows were filthy, and their mother was getting close to financial troubles.

Both girls who hadn’t been that close in years decided to help spruce up the place. Working together also helped bring them closer, but their mother hadn’t changed from the aloof woman that she was.

You will warm to the things happening and enjoy the stories behind the Festival of Lights that happens each year. The Water Lantern Festival is the big draw for Sugarberry Cove, and it has magical powers.

THE LIGHTS OF SUGARBERRY COVE has lovely characters and a setting you would definitely want to visit.

Anyone who needs a light read that will lift your spirits will enjoy this book.

It will also have you take a look at your life choices and know they can always be changed.

A lovely, sweet read. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is a heartwarming story. Full,of southern charm it’s chock full of varying personalities with a touch of supernatural included. Sadie, Susannah, and Leala all have to face things. The narrative bounces between the two daughters, but everyone has a voice within the chapters. I liked Uncle Campy best and his story is the last to be flushed out. It’s a reminder to enjoy family and remember that life is to be lived for satisfaction, not running away or working into oblivion to avoid things. Take a visit to a little hamlet in Alabama with a very special lake, where wishes do come true.

I read this book in a feverish haze - literally, I had a horrible flu/sore throat thing - which worked out kind of well for me because it gave me an excuse for all the crying. It was also pretty much the perfect book to read while feeling miserable, as this book is like a big old bowl of chicken soup for the soul.

Eight years ago, Sadie died in the lake in her home town, but was gifted a second chance at life. Everyone says it was the Lady of the Lake who saved her - and the fact her hair turned sparkly silver seems to support that. Ever since, Sadie has avoided her home town and her family, travelling around making cooking videos for her YouTube channel, and trying to figure out why she was saved - there has to have been a purpose?? But when she gets a message that her mother has had a heart attack, she races home to her mum and sister, and the BnB by the lake that her mother owns. All three of them are harbouring resentments - their family is fractured. Can a little lake magic give them the healing they need?

This book was just beautiful. It really was like the most comforting comfort food you can imagine. I rarely enjoy contemporary fiction and rarely award 5 stars, so for me to be giving this the full five really says something. The two sisters, Sadie and Leala, were both really relatable for me, and the fractured relationship with their mother also struck a personal chord. Sadie's search for the meaning and purpose of her life after surviving the impossible also resonated - I survived a fatal car accident at 20 and I've always had this feeling like I haven't earned my life yet. A lot of Leala's relationship with motherhood was also familiar for me.

I absolutely loved all the characters at the BnB and I loved that even though this was a story with magical realism, the relationships and healing between the characters felt realistic. Long held resentments aren't let go of easily, and people may change their perspective on life, but they're not going to change their personality completely. I was a bit worried it was just going to be all BOOM happy families, but it played out in a way that felt real and I appreciated that.

The magical realism aspect in this novel was just perfect. One of the best examples of it I've read. It's magical enough to be unmistakeably magic, but real enough that it almost feels like it could be true. Love love loved it.

This is a magical read in every sense, a read with heart and soul, and I honestly wish I could read it for the first time again.

The thing I like about Heather Webber’s books is how uplifting and full of likeable characters they are. She manages to create homely settings that make you want to live there, with characters who you want to be your friends. Her books have a warm, comforting vibe to them and when you finish them you feel contented. This story deals with difficult relationships, secrets, and misunderstood motives. The main characters are sisters Sadie and Leala who have returned home to care for their loved but difficult mother. Sadie and Leala both have their reasons for not wanting to stay at the cottage they grew up with, despite both having a deep and abiding love for both the cottage and the community it sits in. The side characters are delightful and each have their own stories and problems to work through.

I highly recommend this author’s books.

THE LIGHTS OF SUGARBERRY COVE
BY HEATHER WEBBER

What a delightful surprise discovering author, Heather Webber's beautifully written newest novel called "The Lights of Sugarberry Cove." The writing is fluid and the story pulled me in on the first page and never let me go until I finished this magical story in one sitting. It does have some magical realism which I wasn't sure if I would like, but it worked fantastically and was just a feel good and wholesome narrative. I am finding that I enjoy these charming kind of gems like this where all of the characters are lovable more and more lately. It is a contemporary setting and the plot still does have tension in this case two sister's return home to help out their mother for a few days to help her get back on her feet after she suffers a minor heart attack.

The mother's name is Susannah and she has been a widow who has had a boyfriend who was the next door neighbor called Buzzy. Susannah owns a Bed & Breakfast cottage at Sugarberry Cove on a lake in Alabama. She says that she almost had to die to get her two adult daughter's to return which is an exaggeration. Sadie Way and Leala Clare were close as sister's growing up but have been not as close recently. Sadie travels around videotaping people with family stories to tell involving their favorite recipes. Her business is called A Southern Hankerin' and she is the younger sister. Leala is married to her workaholic husband named Connor who is too busy trying to establish himself in his law firm to spend any family time with Leala and their adorable two year old son Tucker. Both sister's are only supposed to help run the family Bed & Breakfast for three days but end up staying longer. Their mother is supposed to rest and stay in bed to recuperate.

Eight year's ago Sadie was dead for ten minutes when she was underwater and here is where you have to suspend belief but it never over powers the healing that these three women need to do.
"History shapes us, molds us, forms us. You're where you are now because of
where you've been and the choices you've made. You have to ask yourself am
I happy? Because if not, every day is a new day to start over."

Uncle Camp is their deceased father's Uncle and is the closest thing to a grandfather who helps Susannah with the upkeep of Sugarberry Cottage. He is warm and kind and taught Sadie when she was twelve how to make chicory coffee. Now she makes the coffee with one part chicory with three parts coffee grounds. Uncle Camp drinks his with sorghum which is a syrup sweetener. He is the one who influenced Sadie into doing the line of work that she does by telling her a funny story about how when her father was a child with chicken pox he scratched his itches with the corn fritters that Uncle Camp made for him. Hearing that her father had laughed and laughed gave Sadie the idea of finding people with uplifting stories and memories of food recipes that were comforting. She has three million followers.

There is healing that needs to take place between mother and her two daughter's. She was emotionally unavailable while her daughter's were growing up. Susannah was always too busy running the bed and breakfast that she ended up being neglectful as a mom. I really loved this book and enjoyed reading something where even the background characters are lovable and nice. I noticed two of her former books already published that I am going to read. I highly recommend this story with just a little bit of magical realism but still a believable plot and wonderful characterization.

Publication Date: July 20, 2021

Thank you to Net Galley, Heather Webber and Macmillan-Tor/Forge Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheLightsofSugarberryCove #HeatherWebber #MacmillanTorForge #NetGalley

Wishes. Choices. Destiny. All of those, or maybe none of those, have led to fragile, cracked relationships in the Scott family of Sugarberry Cove, eight years after the near-drowning of Sadie Way. Sadie left home, closing herself off to her home, her family, and love; her sister, Leala Clare, is near a breaking point in her marriage; but they both return home to their family's B&B after their mother suffers a heart attack. Will their reunion heal the fractures or break them irreparably? The hardest reviews for me to write are for the books that I love the most--it is simply too hard to put all of my feelings about the characters, the story, into words. Each and every page of this book is brimming with love and heart and warmth and laughter and tears and hope and loss and healing. All of the characters, Sadie Way, Leala Clare, Susannah, Connor, Will, Tucker, Uncle Camp, and the other lovely people who are beautifully and honestly brought to life, wedged themselves deep into my heart--I cared very much about what happened to them, and my own wish was that they would all find peace and happiness. The story is universal, one that anyone who is lucky enough to read this book will be able to relate to, because all of us have experienced grief and worry and loss, and we've all longed for ways to solve our problems, wished for things that are sometimes out of our control. But it is the magic that sets this book apart from others, a special kind of lake magic that weaves its spell on everyone who visits Sugarberry Cove, including those of us who only get to read about it. Even now, I can feel the magic that seeped into my imagination and especially into my emotions, and I feel the tingles and smile at all that the memories that will stay in my heart always. I'm going to miss Sadie Way, Leala Clare, and the rest of the amazing people of Sugarberry Cove--even now I'm itching to go back and reread chapters and passages and live through those emotions all over again.

As a teacher who has survived virtual school and as a real estate professional who navigated her own buy/sell in this crazy housing market, I can safely say I am tired. I am looking forward to a simple summer with my kids and a very long break from teaching. I am also looking forward to those summery, fun reads that take you to new places that have that coziness to them.

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove takes us to Alabama and to Sugarberry Cove, a lakefront community that holds a yearly lantern festival. It is a lush and magical backdrop of the story that unfolds for us. Sadie Way Scott, a content creator, almost drowned in the lake years ago and has avoided coming home since, but circumstances push her back to Sugarberry Cove. She has spent the last eight years running from her accident and searching for meaning in her life.

It is a stark contrast from her sister, Leala Clare, who is married to her workaholic husband and a mom to her toddler-son, Tucker. She is the antithesis of her own mother, being a stay-at-home mom to her young son who may even slightly air on the side of over protective. She is questioning her own life choices as she finds herself unfilled and unhappy in her marriage.

Susannah Scott, their mother, is the over of the bed and breakfast where Leala almost drowned years ago. She has put her business before her own daughters constantly and it has caused a divide among the women because of it. However, Susannah has also had a recent heart attack which has left her reviewing her own life and perhaps pushing her to a life lesson: the importance of family over business.

All three women are questioning their life choices and what they want to do to move forward as they face the reality of lost dreams, bitterness among family and the burn of old love. This steamy story is set in a cozy, summer spot that grabs you from the moment you start the book. Just picture a southern lake, the mysterious magic of a humid southern summer and a lantern festival where Lady Laurel of the Lake will grant your wishes if you believe.

Step into the shimmering magic of Sugarberry Cove with Heather Webber’s latest novel.
Book Information

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber will be released on July 20, 2021 from Macmilian/Tor: The Forge Imprint with ISBN 9781250774620. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was supplied by the publisher in exchange for this review.

This story deals with long held family hurts, feelings of abandonment, longings for home and sense of community and just a wee bit of lake magic. Sugarberry Cove, Alabama holds an annual water lantern festival where Lady Laurel of the Lake grants wishes for those who believe in lake magic. Sadie Way Scott, a content creator, is called home eight years after she nearly drowned in the lake. Sadie has been running since the night of her accident, looking to find the purpose in her life and why she was given a second chance? Leala Clare, Sadie’s sister, is a married to Connor, her workaholic husband and mother to Tucker, an adorable toddler. Leala is everything her mother was not for her, she is caring, a stay-at-home mom and a bit overly protective of Tucker. Leala is feeling unsatisfied with her life, her marriage, has she made the right choices in life? Susannah Scott, owns the B&B where Sadie nearly drowned, she devoted her life to running it, leaving both her girls feeling abandoned and lost. Susannah is lost as well, although she covers it with her southern belle act, after a minor heart attack, will she realize how important love and family are and what is really precious? All three Scott women will learn lessons on being part of a community, their relationships with each other and most importantly learn about love in all forms. When I started reading this story, I lost track of time. I was captured right from the beginning. I adored learning about each character; seeing how the storyline would develop. I felt the hurt of being criticized by ones mother, the sting of an old flame, the bitterness of living out someone’s dream. Enchanting is the word I used to describe this story. Do you believe in lake magic? You will by the end of the story.

This book brought me back home to Alabama. While reading this amazing story it brought back to my childhood growing up in the south. The description of places and life in Alabama was great. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family. Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to read it.

We all need a little Sugarberry Cove! What a beautiful, magical place! Heather Webber has done a lovely job of creating a place where family, friends and strangers can gather to rest, regroup and discover what they need in their lives

When their mother ends up in the hospital after a heart attack, Sadie and Leala return home. There they discover the family B and B is in disrepair, with mounting unpaid bills. As their mother heals physically, both girls begin to heal emotionally. The supporting characters are strong and well drawn. The conflict is believable, the dialogue is realistic. Self evaluation, change, redemption, second chances and of course, love- themes running throughout the book. Much of that I anticipated. The ending I did not, and that was the magic that elevated this book to something special.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Forge books for this lovely ARC of The Lights of Sugarberry Cove.

I was unaware that there was a genre known as magical realism until I read the author’s “Midnight at the Blackbird Café” – and I became an instant fan. This original work was followed up with another stellar book, “South of the Buttonwood Tree.” So…I was really looking forward to reading her newest offering and am gratified to say it is wonderful. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day.

This trio of stand-alone novels, all set in different small towns in Alabama, embody Southern charm and reveal the challenges found in multigenerational families. Above all, they demonstrate the power of love and forgiveness to resolve long-standing emotional wounds. These are feel good novels that feature strong female protagonists and address thorny issues in a realistic manner with delightful magical overtones. They are a pleasure to read and re-read for their storylines, the character development and the quality of the prose.

The Lights of Sugarberry illuminates the after effects of a young husband’s accidental death. The new widow, in an effort to cope with her grief and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for her two children, threw herself into fulfilling her deceased husband’s dream of running a Bed and Breakfast Inn. As the two daughters matured, they suffered benign neglect through their mother’s preoccupation with the business. Now adults, each one struggles to connect with their mother, with each other and with their loved ones in meaningful ways. Both discover that their well-developed defenses no longer serve them and are keeping them from rich and fulfilling lives. The resolution for this family is both relatable and satisfying.

I highly recommend all three books and look forward to the author’s next offering.

My thanks to the author, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is the very best book I've read by Heather Webber and that's saying something because I've loved her last two books. I will say I haven't read her cozies because that genre just doesn't do it for me.

The magical realism is a little more strong in this book (YAY!), the characters are fantastic, and the story captivating. The ending, oh my gosh, the ending. It was perfection.

Can you tell I'm in love? If you've read South of the Buttonwood Tree or Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, this book is going to be a winner for you.

If you haven't tried one of Heather Webber's magical realism stories, do yourself a favor and read this today. Today!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for granting my request for an ARC. All thoughts in this review are my own.