Update: I'm upgrading this to 5 stars. I haven't stopped thinking about this book and these characters. This book is even better than Demon Copperhead and deserves to have a huge audience!

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I just finished listening to Kinfolk written and narrated by Sean Dietrich.
I give this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This is a fictional memoir of Jeremiah "Nub" Taylor, set in 1972 in small town Alabama. When we met Nub, he's a middle-aged drunk, without much self-worth and a huge chip on his shoulder. He's divorced, and he is at odds with his adult daughter, Emily. He seems quite accident prone, but much of that seems to correlate to his drinking.

He ends up sharing a hospital room with Minnie Bass, a very large and tall teenager. He runs into her over and over. He sees her being bullied by another kid and steps in to help. He discovers she's the chef at the local Waffle House. They form a friendship, and when her mother dies and Minnie is sent to an orphanage, Nub decides to take her into his home. To do that, he has become sober first. He does it because she needs him. She's not only homeless she's also pregnant at 15 years old.

There is a bit more of a plot. Minnie thinks her father is long dead, but he has just gotten out of jail. Some mobsters are after him and his daughter. This provides a bit more action. Also, Minnie is naturally talented with singing ability, so we see this develop with support.

Great character development and natural dialogue. Narration was very well done by the author.

The end was well-written up until the very end when the great exit was spoiled! That part was too hard to swallow, and the book would have been better without that reversal.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Trigger warnings - alcoholism, car accidents, bullying, cancer, fire, shooter in public area, gunshots

Thanks to Harper Muse & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my kind of book. I don't like books about the South. I don't like books narrated by their own authors. I don't like books where the protagonist (and other characters) have stupid nicknames (that are never explained). I don't like books where the protagonist is a real asshole, but turns his shit around. And yet, I loved this book.

I'm tempted to call this a book a cross between Jean Shepherd and and Mark Twain set in Southern Alabama, but that's maybe not quite right.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this. I checked the ratings from other NetGalley users and they were pretty much all glowing, so I thought I might try it, and was quickly sucked in. The story tugs at your heartstrings, but not in a sappy way. I would say that it could have been more "realistic," but as it was, there was plenty of suicide, crime, murder, beatings, etc. but not in such a way as to be gross or off-putting. In the end, the story is just extremely sweet and uplifting (and I am no fan of glurge; this is not that). I love it so much that I suggested it to my book club. Maybe the stars are misaligned, but I cried a lot listening to this. It really got to me.

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about family, historical fiction, second chances, or hope. It is a heart-wrenching tale of a southern family who, after experiencing tough times, allowed it to define them for a lifetime. The story is a reminder that life can be tough, but it is not our job to let the tough times define us. Instead, we should take a second chance and turn our lives around.
The main character, Nub, is a grumpy old southern drunk with a quick wit, lots of sarcasm, and a tendency to laugh at himself. The author, Sean, does an excellent job of making the characters engaging and the story entertaining, with a great mix of humor and sadness. The book is also relevant to current events, which sets the tone perfectly.

Five Stars!!! What a great book. This book is for you if you like - stories about family, historical fiction, second chances or hope.

This is a story about a family in the south that experienced tough times and let it define them for a lifetime. People that were convinced that nothing good could happen to them because they did not deserve it. Life is tough and our job is not to let the tough times define us. When someone decides to take a second chance and turn their life around, don't hold them back. We think we want them to change, but we are afraid of what it might mean for us. That is what this book is about.

Kinfolk is well written and the characters are engaging. The main character Nub is a grumpy old southern drunk with a quick wit, lots of sarcasm and laughs at himself often. This book made me laugh out loud at times and that is unusual for me. But this book will also make me sad because every family has tough times, this family seemed to have more than enough. The author does a great job of working current events into the book which sets the tone.

I am usually not excited when an author narrates their own audiobook. Writing a story and making a story come to life in an audiobook seem to be two separate skills. So when I heard the author was the narrator I was disappointed. But Sean was perfect making this story come to life for me. He is a great writer as well as narrator.

Sean Dietrich, better known as Sean of the South, is a man of many talents: novelist, columnist, podcaster, musician, storyteller. In all of these ways, he shares commentary on life in the American South. I'm an aspirational reader of his books - I have copies of several on my TBR shelves but I hadn't read one before listening to Kinfolk.

Nub Taylor has made a mess of his life. A lifelong alcoholic, he's ruined his marriage, his relationship with daughter Emily, and his reputation as a law-abiding citizen of his small Southern Alabama town. He's as surprised as anyone when he begins to extend small acts of kindness toward Minnie Bass, a 15-year-old waitress at Waffle House. As their friendship develops, they bond through shared experiences and life's hardships, and ultimately both achieve the most unlikely outcomes.

This novel is deeply personal and autobiographical for the author and includes tough topics such as aggressive breast cancer and parental suicide. Sean skillfully narrates the audiobook, and this highlights his distinctive writing style, 'folksy' sense of humor, and earnest singing voice. Themes include found family, fatherhood, redemption, and second chances within a framework of 1970s southern culture. Nub and Minnie are bigger-than-life characters, and I was cheering for them from the first chapter to the last.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for access to the digital audiobook. I'll definitely pick up another of the author's books from my shelf ASAP.

I loved reading this wonderful story about Nub Taylor, aka the town drunk , with a good heart. His ex-wive and daughter Emily both despise him. He's definitely had his fair share of bad decisions resulting in unfortunate results.
Then he meets Minnie Bass at an unfortunate trip to the hospital. She's a teenager that is also going thru some difficult times and is working at Waffle House. He mother just committed suicide so she's really going thru the struggles. He has a soft spot for her and decided he's going to get his life together and help her out. This is just a really good novel about a small town fella in Alabama.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC/ audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and definitely recommend it.

This was a really great read! Something new and different to listen to. I enjoyed the narration and the story was really well written! The characters are interesting and engaging. I highly recommend this book!

1970s, Southern Alabama. Sixty-two-year-old Jeremiah Lewis Taylor, or “Nub,” has spent his whole life listening to those he’s loved telling him he’s no good—first his ex-wife, now his always-disapproving daughter. Sure, his escapades have made him, along with his cousin and perennial sidekick, Benny, just a smidge too familiar with small town law enforcement, but he’s never harmed anyone—except perhaps himself.

Nub never meant to change his ways, but when he and fifteen-year-old Waffle House waitress Minnie form an unlikely friendship, he realizes for the first time that there may be some good in him after all. Six-foot-five Minnie has been dealt a full deck of bad luck—her father is a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, her mother is dead and buried, and she has a Grand Ole Opry–worthy singing voice with no place to perform. Oh, and there’s the small fact that she’s unexpectedly pregnant, courtesy of a no-good high-school boy.

Gradually, Nub realizes the gift he’s been given: a second chance to make a difference.

Beloved Southern writer Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South, once again brings people and places to life in this lyrical song-turned-story about found family, second chances, country music, and the poignant power of love and forgiveness.

Thank you @tlcbooktours and @harpermusebooks for this tour invite.

𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 by @seanofthesouth released November 14, 2023.

Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich was narrated by the author and I was blown away. This 5 star audiobook surpassed all my expectations and I can’t believe I haven’t heard of this author before now.
The novel stole my thoughts and it felt like home. I had a love hate relationship with this book. There was bulling, addiction and heartbreak but lots of special healing moments.
I live in South Carolina and I laughed out loud through most of this incredible story. Simple put, I loved this and highly recommend it. And if you want to hear an incredible narration then picks this up. The author wooed me with his voice and singing and he’s one of the best I’ve ever heard.
Thanks Harper Muse via NetGalley.

Book Title: Kinfolk
Author: Sean Dietrick
Narrator: Author Sean Dietrick
Publisher: Harper Muse
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: November 14, 2023
My Rating: 3.Stars!
Pages 400

I wasn’t sure about this as I am not a fan of authors reading their own books; typically they read and don’t perform the characters a professional audiobook narrator. I didn’t love Sean Dietrick’s narration but I liked that he changed it up a bit with singing songs. In fact, it reminded me a bit of "Angela’s Ashes" which I read years ago. I found it so sad and depressing. When my Book Club selected it, I thought I don't want to read that again. I decided to try the audio book which was read by Frank McCourt. What a difference he made! His Irish personality came through with his Irish songs- through. I changed my mind about the story.

In this story is based in a small rural town in Southern Alabama. Jeremiah "Nub" Taylor is sixty-two years old and known as the town drunk. His hangs out with his cousin Benny. They do odd jobs to pay for all their booze...People around town say Nub's no good. His ex-wife and adult daughter agree.

When young pregnant fourteen year old Minnie Bass is alone after her mother commits suicide. Nub realizes that Minnie is worse off than he is and needs help. Sure enough Nub step up.

Story is about kindness, second chances, love, and family- family you are born into and the family you make.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was November 14, 2023.

Oh my goodness, I am so happy that I came across this wonderful book. I had never heard of Sean Dietrich before, so I jumped in with no preconceptions. I loved the book cover, title and description so thought I’d give it a try. As soon as I heard Sean talk I knew I was listening to something very special. Sean has the perfect voice for audiobooks, I could listen to it all day long. The story is beautiful, I cried and I laughed. It really filled me with emotions and made me feel grateful for my own Kinfolk.

What a wonderful story. The characters were so brilliant. Just so well thought out, yet brilliant. This book was way more than I thought it would be. Thanks Sean of the South for an amazing book.
The narration by Sean was perfection. I could listen to him talk all day. Xoxo Sean thanks for the love to all your readers at the end of the book.

After having loved Sean Dietrich's The Incredible Winston Browne, I was excited to receive this audiobook for review. Admittedly, though, I was worried that I might be disappointed this time because I had high expectations. I'm happy to report that this novel was even better than the other.

Sean Dietrich's wit and the interesting facts shared throughout the book help make this story of redemption, forgiveness, and found family a stand out. Listening to his smooth speaking voice and his soulful singing make the experience even better.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for allowing me early access to the ARC audiobook edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Kinfolk is a poignant, character driven novel that follows multiple generations in a small Southern town. You will fall in love with these dynamic characters with tragic pasts and you'll root for them as they form unlikely and precious connections with each other.

It's 1970s Alabama and Nub is in his sixties and he's always been told he's no good. When he happens to meet a fifteen-year-old Waffle House waitress Minnie, they form an unlikely friendship. Nub starts to realize that maybe he is a good person as he sincerely seeks to help Minnie. Minnie has been dealt a hard hand. Her father is in prison, her mother is dead, and she's working at all hours instead of using her Grand Ole Opry-worthy singing voice. Oh, and she's pregnant.

Voiced by the author, the audiobook is absolutely breathtaking. His singing brings so much more of the story to life and his Southern accent is spot on. I cannot recommend this one enough. It is full of depth, redemption, and love.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I don't really know what I expected, but I got it and so much more. You can't beat family drama, but I think the root of the story was redemption. A very nice piece of literary fiction.

Let me start with…I absolutely love when an author narrates their own book. It just makes it so real! And this book could not have been better! Kudos to Sean Dietrich!

Now on to the good stuff! This story is wonderful! The characters are fantastic. Nub is an old drunk but he has decided to mend his ways and take in Minnie, a young, 16 year old who has lost her family. Needless to say, it is not smooth sailing for the two of them. Minnie is pregnant and Nub realizes he has been given a second chance.

This is a story full of love, heartbreak and forgiveness and you do not want to miss it!

Need an emotional tale you will think about for days to come…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This was my first book by Sean Dietrich and he did not disappoint! I’ve read a lot of books this year, but Kinfolk is definitely my favorite so far!

It’s the 1970s in Southern Alabama, the story follows Nub an alcoholic that is always with his cousin Benny. Nub changes his ways after he meets Minnie, a fifteen year old orphan. Not only does this story follow Nub, but it also follows Emily, nubs daughter, that always felt like she was last in her dad’s life.

Sean Dietrich narrates his own book and no one could have done it better. He may be my new favorite male narrator. Love that sings several times in the audio.

This book has drama, crime, love, and family. It is one that should be on everyone's shelf. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.

What a delightful book! I was laughing out loud in some parts, holding back tears in others. The characters are unique, the descriptions are wonderfully detailed and quirky, giving the book its flavor.

The narration of this book is superb! The author does a masterful job of bringing the book to life and making it real. I definitely recommend the audio version of this book though I'm sure the book version is also excellent.

EXCERPT: Thanksgiving. November 23, 1972. The world was going to pot in more ways than one. Violence and idiocy ruled the culture. The hit movie was 'The Godfather', which featured two hours of sustained gunfire interrupted only by boobs. Don McLean's 'American Pie' governed the radio waves, a two chord song that was approximately the same duration as veterinary school. Nixon was in office, so there was that. The Vietnam War was still in full swing, and everyone was either protesting it, protesting the protesters, or protesting Jane Fonda. Meantime, in Alabama, Governor George Corley Wallace, the same man who once shouted from podiums for "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever," was head honcho. The world was a mess. And now 1973 was on the horizon, and Nub wasn't nearly drunk enough to face it.

ABOUT'KINFOLK': Sometimes it’s the most unlikely meetings that give us life’s greatest gifts. 1970s, Southern Alabama. Sixty-two-year-old Jeremiah Lewis Taylor, or “Nub,” has spent his whole life listening to those he loves tell him he’s no good—first his ex-wife, now his always-disapproving daughter. Sure, his escapades have made him, along with his cousin and perennial sidekick, Benny, just a smidge too familiar with small-town law enforcement, but he’s never harmed anyone—except perhaps himself. Nub never meant to change his ways, but when he and fifteen-year-old Waffle House waitress Minnie form an unlikely friendship, he realizes for the first time that there may be some good in him after all. Six-foot-five Minnie has been dealt a full deck of bad luck—her father is a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, her mother is dead and buried, and she has a Grand Ole Opry–worthy singing voice with no place to perform. Oh, and there’s the small fact that she’s unexpectedly pregnant, courtesy of a no-good high-school boy. Gradually, Nub realizes the gift he’s been a second chance to make a difference.

MY THOUGHTS: Kinfolk - (in anthropological or formal use) a person's blood relations, regarded collectively or singularly. A member of one's own family, one's own flesh and blood, a blood relative, a loved one.

And that's what Kinfolk is about: family, in one form or another.

The dedication had me clutching for tissues before the book proper even started. Kinfolk is the book I wanted when I read an earlier offering from this author - The Incredible Winston Browne. I liked that, but I love Kinfolk.

I felt all the emotions while reading Kinfolk - sorrow, joy, and anger at the absolute stupidity of some of the human race. Make that a lot of the human race. I laughed, and I cried. My heart twisted itself into knots at the way Minnie was treated and at the way Nub changed his life so that he could care for Minnie. I cried for Emily, for her feelings of rejection and her unrecognized love for her father. I cried for Nub, for his youthful stupidity, and for the world wearing him down. I applauded him for the strength he showed when he needed to; for reaching deep down into his reserves and proving everyone wrong about him - even himself.

The characters are richly drawn, the plot intriguing. I was immediately immersed in the 1970s Alabama setting, in the small town of Parke (or PAPKE as it is spelled on the water tower).

I loved every word of this book and now I can see why Sean Dietrich is called Sean of the South. He writes with a raw and poignant lyrical beauty and his warm humour shines through. There is an awful lot of himself in these pages.

Sean Dietrich narrates the audiobook of Kinfolk amazingly well. It would be one of, if not the best narration I have ever listened to. And he can sing beautifully. His voice is rich and has a wonderful range of both tone and inflection. Mr Dietrich, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but if you ever let anyone else narrate your books then you're a danged fool. And I certainly don't think you are that.

Kinfolk would have to be audiobook of the year for me.

The full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#Kinfolk #NetGalley

Kinfolk is due for publication November 14, 2023.

THE AUTHOR: As a child, I liked to write. I filled up notebooks with tales of the high-seas, shameless vixens, and steamy scenarios combining both of the aforementioned. My fifth grade teacher found one of my notebooks and scanned through it. She told me I wrote with too many commas, and encouraged me to pursue a career in construction work.

That, old, woman, never, liked, me.

Years later, I learned my teacher had left the school. She took a job at the Piggly Wiggly as a cashier. I went to visit the old girl, to show her the man I’d grown into.

She seemed genuinely glad to see me. And I was just as glad to find her wearing that red apron for a living. After visiting for a few minutes, I realized something I’d never noticed before. Beneath her hardshell exterior was a regular lady, working from nine to five for pennies. She was doing the best she could with her life. Just like me.

Before I left, she asked me what kind of work I did.

At the time, I worked in construction.

DISCLAIMER: Thank you a thousand times to Harper Muse for providing an audio ARC of Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Y'all! This book! To start, let me just say that I went into listening to this book with a wee bit of trepidation. I had high expectations - fueled by my love for Sean Dietrich's writing, both his novels and his entries on Facebook, and his podcast. I know what this man is capable of and I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed.
Happily, I was not. Not one weensy bit.
This is indeed about kinfolk - the ones we're born with, and the ones we find along the way and incorporate into our life. And it's about second chances, and how it's never to late to get something right. When Nub, a 65-year-old self-professed screwup, comes across Minnie, a 15-year-old dropout and Waffle House cook, he sees a fellow wounded soul who needs help. His help. And while he still doesn't get everything right, bless his heart, his good heart does shine through. Set in Alabama in the 70s, this book is Southern to the bone. It's chock full of eccentrics who anyone from the Deep South (including myself) will recognize. And can Sean Dietrich deliver a wonderful narration? Well, of course he can. Not only that, he sings at appropriate moments, and it's a delight, as is this book. Just read it, y'all.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse for providing a copy for an unbiased review.