Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: February 21, 2023

Length: 320 pages

A well-loved member of the Wesleyan, Georgia community has died. After his funeral, an ice storm hits the town causing power outages. His widow, Marietta, shelters two friends and her sister-in-law from the storm’s aftereffects. As they awaken to their ice-covered town, one thing is missing. The problematic statue of Confederate general Henry Benning lies shattered on the ground instead of on its pedestal. An ice storm couldn’t have brought this statue down. As the local police investigate, the town is divided over the destruction. Some people are glad that the statue is gone since it serves as a reminder of an ugly time in American history. Others want a new statue commissioned and don’t understand why there is so much fuss over it.

The grief that Marietta feels is set aside as she is drawn into the difficulties at hand. One of her childhood friends is back in her life and they must make peace with the events that pulled them apart. Will their friendship be like it was before their falling out? Can it be repaired? Marietta has never been close to her sister-in-law. She has always seemed to be wound a little too tight. What would prompt her to leave Marietta’s brother, Macon, and seek shelter at Marietta’s house? Though they were close as children, Marietta hasn’t been close to her brother in a very long time. Marietta sees changes in her life and knows she is moving toward a new future.

The other person joining the women at Marietta’s house is Gordon. He has known Marietta since childhood and has always been a support for her. His house has lost power and there is only one place that he would think of going to – Marietta’s. He is not a friend that demands attention, he recognizes what Marietta needs and does it. He is excellent support and drama-free. We should all have someone in our lives that “gets us” the way that Gordon does.

Pamela Terry captures the re-examinination of their priorities that grief often causes. When a contemporary dies we think about our mortality too. What do we regret? Is it too late to make a change?The people in this story ask themselves those very questions. Her characters are relateable and the friendships between them are delightful. The relaxing dinners, together with the ebb and flow of conversation, are perfectly portrayed. While the book is about friendship and family, don’t forget there is still a mystery – who destroyed the statue? I really enjoyed reading this book and it flowed so smoothly. I had the opportunity to read Pamela Terry’s first novel “The Sweet Taste of Muscadines” and enjoyed it so I was naturally curious as to how her second book would be. This book is Southern fiction. Although we are reading about winter in the South, you can smell the honeysuckle and taste the sweet tea. You want to get a porch swing and some pillows. While I liked the first book, I love this one. Pamela Terry shows that not only is she a Southern fiction author, she is also on her way to becoming a preeminent one.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻/5