Fit to Be Tied

In true southern-fashion, this story is told from the perspective of multiple family members (six, I think). Everybody is wrapped up in everybody else! Admittedly, this made the story confusing at first, as I struggled to match each character with his/her voice, but once that was accomplished, it was much easier to follow. Each family member has their own issues, and everybody is more concerned about everyone else's issues than their own. With a new husband and baby on the way, Sara brought back some the fears and insecurities of some of the early days. Her twin sister, Sally, faces the single life without her other half always there; and their momma is struggling with the empty nest. Throw in the perspectives and issues of a couple of cousins, mix it all together, and add one or two bad apples to the whole mix, and you've got an interesting mess on your hands!

Fit to Be Tied continues the story of the Bucklin family in the second installment from the Bucklin Family Reunion Series. I advise a reader to first read the first book, High Cotton, before starting this one. I loved that book and Fit to Be Tied does not disappoint. That Bucklin family sure is something else. Everyone has their issues and quirks. I feel so connected to the characters that they feel like a part of my own family. This is one book, as well as, the series should not be missed. I would give it one hundred stars if I could.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

This is a story about a large southern family with all their secrets and problems. The story is told from multiple points of view. At first it was hard to keep up with all the different people but by the end you felt like you were part of the family and were planning what dish you were taking to the family reunion. The book culminated in the huge family reunion. And you were waiting just like everyone else to see what mischief the cousins would get into this year. Just like in a real family there are relatives that you like better than others, and some you wish you could spend a lot more time with. I really hope there will be additional books in this series. I can't wait for the next family reunion.

I heard this phrase quite a bit when I was growing up. "How did she react when he told her that?" "Oh, she was fit to be tied." In other words, she was exasperated, aggravated, and irritated all at once. This is the theme of Debby Mayne's newest book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series--Fit to Be Tied.

Most of the main characters have chapters of their own to explain their emotions through the events of the book. I wish I had read the first book of the series. The two together would be a hoot. I may have to go back to read them back to back.

Sometimes the book seems disjointed as it moves from character to character, but at the end of the book, it has all come together.

The one criticism I have is that there are no recipes included for the delicious dishes that are described in the book. Everyone knows that family reunions are all about the food and the relatives' fights.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a family reunion pot luck to tempt your tastebuds.

My thanks goes to Gilead Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Fit to Be Tied is a fabulous book. Loved the plot and the southern characters. The author nails the family dynamics. I always enjoy this author’s books and look forward to reading the next one. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my arc. This is my unbiased review.

Family can be interesting
"Fit to be tied" is the second novel in Debby Mayne's series about the Bucklin family. The first novel is "High Cotton" and it will very likely be followed by "Out of Pocket". It is a long contemporary family novel geared towards women with a little romance thrown in. The sixty-two chapters are short, told from the perspective and experience of various family members (Sally Wright, Sheila Wright, Coralee Bucklin, Brett Henke, and Marybeth Bucklin) which is confusing especially to the reader who has not read the previous novel. The story takes place in Pinewood near Hattiesburg, Mississippi and deals with the events that lead up to one of the regular Bucklin family reunions which is scheduled for Thanksgiving.
The identical twins, Sara and Sally, are the owners of a successful ETSY business. Furthermore, they are living together in a condo from where they are also running their business. Sally is single whereas Sara is married to Justin and expecting a child, a situation which presents some challenges. Sheila, the mother of the twins, tries to marry Sally of to George which dos not impress Sally.
Marybeth, the wife of Bucky, struggles with the approach to money of her husband who is rich through the oil money that he receives. Whereas Marybeth does not believe in her son, Julius, Bucky does not care about the problems that Julius causes. Most often these problems include Brett who is Julius's cousin and one of the children of Digger (the brother of Shay) and Puddin'. Brett also experiences that his parents do not believe in him.
Puddin' and Shay, a single living in Pinewood, run a boutique together where family members get generous discounts on clothes, shoes, and accessories. A good part of the action is taking place in this boutique. The other main actor in the novel is Coralee, Shay's cousin. She is a college student and discovers that relationships with fellow students can be deceiving.

This series is published by Gilead Publishing, a publisher that was previously unknown to me. It is an easy read which can be recommended. In theory it is a stand-alone novel. Nevertheless I like to advise to read "High Cotton" before starting with "Fit to be tied" in order to better understand the "ins" and "outs" of the Bucklin family. The reader who wants to know the continuation of the story will also need to invest in "Out of Pocket".

This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley free of charge. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
#BucklinFamilyReunion #NetGalley

Oh, how I have fallen in love with these books and their family dynamics, they sure don’t disappoint, and now I can’t wait for the next book to come in the spring of 2019.
This story picks up after the last book, I would really recommend you read High Cotton, you will not be sorry it is so good, but this is a read alone, and maybe lost for a second you will soon be wishing to be a member of the Bucklin Family, oh yes!
We see up close how some members of the family are just scraping by financially, while others are filthy rich, but does money buy happiness, we put names on this.
There is also more blossoming of some of the characters we met previously, and there seems to be a lot of romance in the air, can’t wait to find out how all this comes together. Be ready for some chuckles, and some scary happening, and parents having to let go. A don’t miss read.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gilead, and was not required to give a positive review.

Shay Henke can’t believe her eyes when she receives an invitation to another family reunion. She loves her family to death, but it seems like every few months they are having another reunion. Yes, she is excited to see her mother’s family once again but she knows the reunion will be filled with so much drama. I’ve only read one other Debby Mayne novel before, but after reading FIT TO BE TIED I know this one won’t be my last. This heart warming story is filled with laugh out loud moments and so much family drama that the reader will not be able to put it down or stop giggling.



Twin sisters, Sara and Sally play a big part in this story. Shay is living with them but moves out after Sara goes off and gets married. Shay really tries to keep everyone happy and tries to take care of all of her family, but there is only so much she can do. This latest family reunion is going to be the death of her if she doesn’t put on the brakes with trying to keep the peace. Every one of her family members knows there’s going to be family drama and trust me, they are not disappointed. FIT TO BE TIED is so funny but also filled with family, love, faith, and depth.



FIT TO BE TIEDis a quick read and unputdownable! There were quite a few times when reading it that I wanted to reach into the pages and slap a few of these family members. But that’s how families are, you love them and they drive you crazy at the same time. If you love southern women’s fiction and small town stories, FIT TO BE TIED will not disappoint. I found myself laughing one second and then tearing up the next. If you are looking for a beautiful story to pull you out of your book slump, you can’t go wrong with FIT TO BE TIED. I’m so excited to continue with this series. I’d much rather deal with the Bucklin family then my very own. Debby Mayne is now one of my auto buy authors.



FIT TO BE TIED is the second book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series. I received this book from the publisher for review through Netgalley. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Oh my I so much love the southern flair of this book. There is so much to like as the characters jump off the pages. I love how the author has each chapter dedicated to a certain character. This concept gives readers a chance to really know each character better. Some of you may ask who my favorite character was. I have to say all of them, because each character knits the story together. It's like in the bible where there are teachers, prophets etc. They are all needed to make things work as one. We work better when we are surrounded by others. Dare I say we fit together like a family.

The book is focused on the big family reunion coming up. I know when I was growing up if anyone ever mentioned a family reunion no one would show up. The Bucklin family is one I which I had been a part of. The big day is fast approaching and I loved reading about who was going to be invited to the big party.

I enjoyed reading about Sara and Sally; the twins, and their bow business. Little girls love to have pretty bows in their hair and the business is booming with orders. What mom wouldn't want a special bow made just for their daughter? It would drive me crazy to make them, but it seems to keep the twins thriving in their job. I love how close they are, but how long will they continue to share a condo now that one of them is married? It reminds me of the saying, "Twos company, threes a crowd."

The author has a beautiful way of writing that emphasizes the importance of family. I couldn't wait for the big reunion to happen. Every year there is always something that goes wrong at the reunion. The author has written a story that makes you feel right at home with the Bucklin family. I would love to chat with Sara and Sally as their mother fuses over them even though they are grown. As in every family there is always someone who is jealous of another, someone bragging about their life and shenanigans galore as the family gathers for what promises to be an unforgettable reunion. This is a great book with lots of surprises and a reminder that family is important.

I received a copy of this book from Gilead Publishing. The review is my own opinion.

It was great to be back at another Bucklin family reunion! I absolutely love this series by Debbie Mayne. The southern characters are wonderful. The reunion setting is the perfect way to mix in love, laughter, faith, and and some family drama into the storyline. The Bucklins are not a perfect family by any means, but they are a family who exhibits love and faith as they attempt to encourage each other, This book is great fun to read.

I’m hoping Debby Mayne will take us to another family reunion soon. You don’t want to miss this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.