A redemptive story from multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans.
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for ...
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Jan 22, 2011
Joy
rated it: 
I'm not usually a women's fiction fan, but I am a huge Rachel Hauck fan and her collaboration with Sara Evans did not let me down. Like her other stories, this book was filled with her signature multi-layered characters.
Beryl is an aging hippie trying to reconnect with her estranged daughter Jade. Unfortunately, Jade carries a lot of bitterness and anger toward her mother. As the authors deftly reveal her hurts to us one layer at a time, we ache over her past but cheer her on as she More...
Beryl is an aging hippie trying to reconnect with her estranged daughter Jade. Unfortunately, Jade carries a lot of bitterness and anger toward her mother. As the authors deftly reveal her hurts to us one layer at a time, we ache over her past but cheer her on as she More...
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Jan 07, 2011
Juju
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The Sweet By and By failed to charm me. While I enjoyed the story style (alternating perspectives from Jade to her mother Beryl) this story about communication (or the lack of) and forgiveness never inched its way into my heart. Much like the wounded bird Jade is compared to, it struggled to fly. I am however curious to see how Jade evolves in part two Softly and Tenderly due out this January. Maybe I will try book two in audio.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
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Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
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Jan 05, 2010
Theresa
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Jade Fitzgerald is smart, successful, sweet, and is engaged to the man she loves. They agree on almost everything, especially keeping "the past in the past". As the wedding draws closer, can her past really be kept under wraps, especially when she invites her hippie mother to the wedding and she arrives early? Jade finds out that sometimes we must look back to move forward, as this is where true happiness begins.
A beautiful story about secrets and mistakes, love and forgivene More...
A beautiful story about secrets and mistakes, love and forgivene More...
May 09, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
Jade is about to get married but there's a sticking point--she has to decide whether to invite her mother to the wedding. She's been estranged from her mother (Beryl) for years, and she isn't sure whether it's worth the drama to have her there. Beryl used to be a hippie and spent much of her three kids' childhoods on the road with one musician boyfriend (or husband) or another.
You should know that this is Christian fiction, although that wasn't too noticeable until the end. So if More...
You should know that this is Christian fiction, although that wasn't too noticeable until the end. So if More...
Mar 20, 2010
Michael
rated it:
The Sweet By and By is written by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck is a very good debut by the Multi-platinum Country singer. I actually enjoyed this book way more than I expected. It is definitely a Ladies book but fans of Sara Evans of either gender will enjoy this story.
Jade is getting married as she runs a vintage shop and as she tries to move forward she has to deal with her past. The characters Sarah has created jump off the page. As the story gets going you get pulled in more an More...
Jade is getting married as she runs a vintage shop and as she tries to move forward she has to deal with her past. The characters Sarah has created jump off the page. As the story gets going you get pulled in more an More...
Jan 28, 2010
Milka
rated it: 
Jade has found the perfect man. Max loves Jade more that anything and they are planning their dream wedding. Everything seems to be well but there is a storm inside Jade-- she has a lot of things to go through before she can be completely happy and marry Max. Also Max has his own secrets which he has to reveal before they can be happy and live without secrets.
I really liked this book. The characters are realistic (in some books the perfection of the characters makes me mad). Jade fee More...
I really liked this book. The characters are realistic (in some books the perfection of the characters makes me mad). Jade fee More...
Jan 05, 2010
Katie
rated it:
This delightful novel by country singer and songwriter, Sara Evans, is a story about love, forgiveness, redemption, faith, and relationships. As she approaches her wedding day, the main character, Jade, has to deal with a lot of past pain and regret bubbling up to the surface – or rather, dragged to the surface by her estranged free-spirited mom and the rest of her rag-tag broken family and by her seemingly perfect, polished family-to-be. Through it all, Jade grows and learns that you do not h
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Jan 05, 2010
Linda
rated it:
"The Sweet By and By" is a poignant story of love, dysfunction, wrong choices, anger, abandonment, heartbreak, bitterness, and multiple secrets haunting Jade Freedom Fitzgerald before she gets married to Maxwell (Max) Charles Benson.
Jade was born into the home of hippie parents, who later divorced, setting her up for abandonment issues and bitterness to run her life, and leaving Jade responsible to help raise her siblings, with the help of her grandmother, while her mother More...
Jade was born into the home of hippie parents, who later divorced, setting her up for abandonment issues and bitterness to run her life, and leaving Jade responsible to help raise her siblings, with the help of her grandmother, while her mother More...
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Dec 30, 2009
Cindy
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Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Jade Freedom Fitzgerald is getting married. Marrying a young lawyer, Max Benson from Whisper Hollow TN. A match she feels very unworthy of, although Jade feels unworthy of nearly everything. She has major baggage she is carrying from her childhood. The daughter of a original flower child/hippie lawyer the actions of her parents have left huge scars in Jade. Scars she has tried to bury deep within her to never be dealt with.
As wedding preparat More...
Dec 30, 2009
Mandy
rated it: 
This is the story of a girl named Jade who is getting ready to be married in only weeks while at the same time sorting through her very painful past. Her mother is free spirit, her father has been out of her life since she was 8, and she was forced to grow up way to fast and face heartache after heartache.
I enjoyed the story for the simple pleasure of reading. The story line was believable due to the craziness of today's world. It also has it's touching side of reconciliation and More...
I enjoyed the story for the simple pleasure of reading. The story line was believable due to the craziness of today's world. It also has it's touching side of reconciliation and More...
Dec 29, 2009
Sunflower
rated it:
"The Sweet By and By" is a contemporary Christian fiction/romance set in a fictional, rural Tennessee town called Whisper Hollow.
Centering around Jade Fitzgerald, who finds herself confronting a difficult and conflicted past as she prepares for her upcoming wedding to Max Benson. Jade struggles to come to terms with her past and a mother haunted by her own personal choices.
"The Sweet By and By" shows promise as it follows Jade and her attempts to com More...
Centering around Jade Fitzgerald, who finds herself confronting a difficult and conflicted past as she prepares for her upcoming wedding to Max Benson. Jade struggles to come to terms with her past and a mother haunted by her own personal choices.
"The Sweet By and By" shows promise as it follows Jade and her attempts to com More...
Jan 19, 2010
Patti
rated it:
Book Description:
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love. But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister.
Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past -- the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mothe More...
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love. But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister.
Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past -- the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mothe More...
Dec 25, 2009
Molly
rated it:
An amazing story of forgiveness. Truly AMAZING!!! I was completely captivated from the very beginning. A page turner that made me smile, laugh, and cry a bit, too! The characters fit the plot in a wonderful way and I felt as if I was takend straight into the pages, living the pain with the characters and the love with them and the faith. I could really relate to alot of the things that happened in the pages of the book. God really spoke to me!
From struggles of preparing for a weddin More...
From struggles of preparing for a weddin More...
Jan 22, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
The Sweet by and by is a wholesome Christian story about Jade, a vintage shop owner living in a small town. Jade is getting married and this life changing event has brought up elements from past relationships that Jade has long buried. (Primarily the relationship with her parents but also various other meaningful relationships.) It is a very touching and heartfelt story and accurately displays how vulnerable we can all be at times. This story is about looking within and forgiveness. It is a very
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Feb 18, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
The Sweet By and By is the first novel by recording artist Sara Evans. In collaboration with author Rachel Hauck, this book is a story about finding real love in the midst of dealing with a painful past. Jade Fitzgerald is the owner of a quirky vintage shop, The Blue Umbrella, and she’s engaged to marry the man of her dreams Max Benson. When Jade’s hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in town before the wedding Jade is forced to deal with a strained relationship and hurt feelings she’s tried to k
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Jan 28, 2010
CeeCee
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Jade finally found the man to love her forever. When Jade’s mother is invited to her wedding, her presence dredges up the past Jade worked so hard to keep hidden. Will her secrets stay buried, or is it time for Jade to tell the whole truth?
The Sweet By and By has characters so real you can substitute their names for someone you know. From looking at the cover, you may think this is going to be a warm fuzzy book to read by a fire. Go ahead and read it by the fire, but let me tell you: More...
The Sweet By and By has characters so real you can substitute their names for someone you know. From looking at the cover, you may think this is going to be a warm fuzzy book to read by a fire. Go ahead and read it by the fire, but let me tell you: More...
Jan 05, 2010
Lori
rated it:
From the author/back cover:
"All my songs tell a story. But this one's special. My first novel. A story about Jade. Her search for real love, her one-eyed mutt, hippie mother, and quirky vintage shop. It's about looking backward while moving forward. About chasing dreams, endless country roads, and tender faith. A breath of fresh air that'll take you away and leave your heart humming a song of joy." ~ Sara
Small excerpt ~ Chapter 1:
"The October su More...
"All my songs tell a story. But this one's special. My first novel. A story about Jade. Her search for real love, her one-eyed mutt, hippie mother, and quirky vintage shop. It's about looking backward while moving forward. About chasing dreams, endless country roads, and tender faith. A breath of fresh air that'll take you away and leave your heart humming a song of joy." ~ Sara
Small excerpt ~ Chapter 1:
"The October su More...
Mar 23, 2010
Keri
rated it:
The cover advertising this book being written by a well know country artist really caught my eye in the book store! I love Sara Evans songs and figured the songs she wrote where great why wouldn't the book be?! Much to my surprise I wasn't impressed! The characters and storyline were interesting but at the same time, as another persons review read it did move a little back and forth alot so you have to really pay attention to the dates! The main part that was highly disappointing to me was t
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Nov 06, 2011
Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)
rated it:
A wonderful story that kept me reading until the very end and made me even more excited to know that there is book two already on my nook ready to start! You find yourself wrapped into a story where there are quite a few mysteries that you are trying to figure out throughout the book. I loved how the reader was kept just as much out of the loop as the characters and we learn about the history that makes these characters who they are as they share them with others in the story.
The mo More...
The mo More...
Mar 01, 2011
Diana
rated it:
Have you ever listened to a song and thought that would make a great book to read. Sweet By and By is just that. Evans with Hauck has a unique voice that uses the English language in a delightful way.
Whisper Hollow is the place Jade has come to escape painful memories. She’s building a new life, getting married and loving the way this life is turning out. Then it begins to crumble. Unwelcome surprises from her past show up on her doorstep, prince charming seems to be a bit tarnished and t More...
Whisper Hollow is the place Jade has come to escape painful memories. She’s building a new life, getting married and loving the way this life is turning out. Then it begins to crumble. Unwelcome surprises from her past show up on her doorstep, prince charming seems to be a bit tarnished and t More...
Dec 29, 2009
Heidi
rated it:
The Sweet By And By is a sweet debut novel. A lighthearted read that will leave you longing to spend more time with the characters you have grown to love. Sara Evans has a lyrical touch to her prose that sometimes read like a song—no surprise since she is a country singer and writes her own music! She uses flashbacks like a pro and the plot twists keep coming and coming and coming.
I don't know that I've ever read a character so wounded as Jade Fitzgerald. And Jade comes a long way, emotion More...
I don't know that I've ever read a character so wounded as Jade Fitzgerald. And Jade comes a long way, emotion More...
Apr 15, 2011
Regina
rated it:
Jade runs the Blue Umbrella, a kitschy little antique joint in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee. Jade is on the verge of happily marrying Max and both have agreed to keep the events in their past exactly that - in the past. But Jade's off-the-wall, hippie mother Beryl and sister, Willow, arrive for the wedding weeks early and soon shake up things from Jade's unconventional past. Inspirational and heartwarming in nature, learning forgiveness is at the core of this novel.
Written by Sara Evans, More...
Written by Sara Evans, More...
Jan 02, 2012
Ashley
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 19, 2011
Erin
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Sometimes the past is better left in the past. That's what Jade Fitzgerald is convinced would be best for her, but as the weeks count down before she marries the man of her dreams Jade is haunted by her broken childhood. Should she invite the mother who abandoned her? Just how much heartache is she willing to expose herself to in order to reach out?
Beryl never grew out of being the free-spirited flower child of the '60's. She's lived life on her own terms with little thought of the i More...
Beryl never grew out of being the free-spirited flower child of the '60's. She's lived life on her own terms with little thought of the i More...
Jun 02, 2010
Kaylea
rated it:
When the book arrived in my mailbox, I was ready for an easy read. In a way, this novel fit that bill - the writing style of Evans and Hauck really flows.
While it's an easy read, the book is filled with a variety of meaty topics.
I'll admit, I had trouble putting the book down - and I definitely wasn't ready for the story to end. (Is it really going to be a whole year before I know what happens next?).
I think, if you chose to pick up this book, you'll find a un More...
While it's an easy read, the book is filled with a variety of meaty topics.
I'll admit, I had trouble putting the book down - and I definitely wasn't ready for the story to end. (Is it really going to be a whole year before I know what happens next?).
I think, if you chose to pick up this book, you'll find a un More...
Jan 22, 2012
Deann
rated it:
Thanks to my sister-in-law for letting me borrow this book. It was a really good story. This is the second story I have read lately that comes right out and talks about the saving grace of Jesus. It's nice to see good Christian authors putting it all out there and not holding back. I like the story line and how no matter what you have gone through, Jesus can heal you and make you brand new.
Jul 15, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Good book, if you like a love story. Story takes place in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, and is about Jade and Max who are getting married and have agreed to keep the past in the past. But when the past gets out, problems occur. Telling the one you love your troubles is always best. Good book with interesting characters.
Jun 26, 2010
Justin
rated it:
I'm a huge Sara Evans fan, and Rachel Hauck is one of my favorite authors. Love Starts With Elle is probably probably my favorite book ever, so I couldn't wait to read The Sweet By and By.
The story is heart-warming and at times heart wrenching. Set in the south, the characters are truly southern, but at the same time, there is something about them that everyone could easily relate to. There are struggles in Jade's past, definite tension in her family, and although they sometimes m More...
The story is heart-warming and at times heart wrenching. Set in the south, the characters are truly southern, but at the same time, there is something about them that everyone could easily relate to. There are struggles in Jade's past, definite tension in her family, and although they sometimes m More...
Aug 15, 2011
Laurie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 23, 2011
Beth
rated it:
For her first book and a simple story I thought it was good. It's an easy read and while simple includes some powerful messages about forgiveness and redemption. I felt myself semi-frustrated by it because I wanted it to go deeper, it has the potential to go deeper. But overall I liked it.
