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Sweeney Sisters #2
Lowcountry Stranger
Family Drama, Southern Style.
There's a stranger in town. And it’s no coincidence when she shows up uninvited at a Sweeney family wedding. All eyes are drawn to this urchin who seems to have washed in with the tide. Before the night is over, the doe-eyed waif charms young and old with her street smarts and spunky personality. For better or worse, Annie Dawn is here to stay.
The memorable Sweeney sisters from Her Sister’s Shoes have returned with more suspense and family drama to hold you spellbound until the dramatic conclusion. As she approaches the next stage of her life as an empty nester, Jackie is torn between expanding her fledgling design business and spending these last precious months with her boys before they fly the coop. Her own worst enemy, Sam is terrified of making a commitment to Eli Marshall, handsome police officer, true love of her life. Her resolve is tested when a ghost from her past shows up after nearly two decades. Faith nurtures her seven-year-old daughter who is recovering from the trauma of her abusive father. Is the threat in the past, or is there more danger on the horizon? The sisters seek guidance from their mother, Lovie, a true Southern matriarch who shows them how to respond to adversity with grace and dignity.
Things are heating up in the Lowcountry. The Sweeney sisters remind us, once again, that being a part of a family is about more than sharing the same DNA.
There's a stranger in town. And it’s no coincidence when she shows up uninvited at a Sweeney family wedding. All eyes are drawn to this urchin who seems to have washed in with the tide. Before the night is over, the doe-eyed waif charms young and old with her street smarts and spunky personality. For better or worse, Annie Dawn is here to stay.
The memorable Sweeney sisters from Her Sister’s Shoes have returned with more suspense and family drama to hold you spellbound until the dramatic conclusion. As she approaches the next stage of her life as an empty nester, Jackie is torn between expanding her fledgling design business and spending these last precious months with her boys before they fly the coop. Her own worst enemy, Sam is terrified of making a commitment to Eli Marshall, handsome police officer, true love of her life. Her resolve is tested when a ghost from her past shows up after nearly two decades. Faith nurtures her seven-year-old daughter who is recovering from the trauma of her abusive father. Is the threat in the past, or is there more danger on the horizon? The sisters seek guidance from their mother, Lovie, a true Southern matriarch who shows them how to respond to adversity with grace and dignity.
Things are heating up in the Lowcountry. The Sweeney sisters remind us, once again, that being a part of a family is about more than sharing the same DNA.
260 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2016
About the author
Ashley Farley
44 books2,256 followers⭐️USA Today Bestseller⭐️
Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many.
Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she's lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 25 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique. For more information, visit www.ashleyfarley.com
Ashley loves to hear from her readers.
Visit her website @ http://www.ashleyfarley.com
Sign up for her newsletter @ https://ashleyfarley.com/newsletter-s...
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyFarley...
Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many.
Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she's lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 25 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique. For more information, visit www.ashleyfarley.com
Ashley loves to hear from her readers.
Visit her website @ http://www.ashleyfarley.com
Sign up for her newsletter @ https://ashleyfarley.com/newsletter-s...
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyFarley...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
July 2, 2016
Strong family, small town idioms, faith, trust, love, recovery and commitment are all weaved into a tale that offered a nice dose of suspense. Farley shares the perspectives of the three sisters as they go through their daily struggles and become involved with a young stranger who shows up uninvited to a Sweeney Wedding.
The story opens with one of the sister's getting married and I was delighted. Farley updates us on goings on since we last visited in Her Sister’s Shoes. About a year has passed and throughout Lowcountry Stranger, we get updates, witness struggles and see growth.
Sam our rock in the previous book took me by surprise as she struggles with some serious issues. It ripped at my heart even if at times I wanted to shake her. I absolutely adored her son and the man whose heart she possesses. It was tough seeing her trials. She has some deep seeded fears that stem from her first marriage and they reared their ugly head.
Jackie, oh how she has changed. If you remember, I was not exactly warm and fuzzy with Jackie. I am more like Faith and Sam and connected more with them. (Aside from Sam's current issues). I was glad to get updates on her family, the boys, her marriage and the business. This new Jackie is softer, a little more confident and I quite liked her.
Faith has had the most changes since we last visited and I will leave you to discover those for yourself. I enjoyed her thread and it was nice seeing Faith’s strong side. I will warn you Faith experiences somethings in Lowcountry Stranger that had my heart racing. This poor woman cannot seem to catch a break.
The stranger who arrives turns the sister’s lives upside down and presented a bit of a mystery. Between the girls and their mother Lovie, we see this stranger slowly work their way into their hearts and ours.
A lot happens in this southern drama. Maybe it is in the water, but whoever said small towns are boring has not stepped foot into Prospect. Lowcountry Stranger weaved in some heart-stopping suspense as Farley pulled skeletons out of the Sweeney closet. We suffered a loss, ate pie, and most of all we were reminded of the true meaning of family and friends.
Copy provided by author. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The story opens with one of the sister's getting married and I was delighted. Farley updates us on goings on since we last visited in Her Sister’s Shoes. About a year has passed and throughout Lowcountry Stranger, we get updates, witness struggles and see growth.
Sam our rock in the previous book took me by surprise as she struggles with some serious issues. It ripped at my heart even if at times I wanted to shake her. I absolutely adored her son and the man whose heart she possesses. It was tough seeing her trials. She has some deep seeded fears that stem from her first marriage and they reared their ugly head.
Jackie, oh how she has changed. If you remember, I was not exactly warm and fuzzy with Jackie. I am more like Faith and Sam and connected more with them. (Aside from Sam's current issues). I was glad to get updates on her family, the boys, her marriage and the business. This new Jackie is softer, a little more confident and I quite liked her.
Faith has had the most changes since we last visited and I will leave you to discover those for yourself. I enjoyed her thread and it was nice seeing Faith’s strong side. I will warn you Faith experiences somethings in Lowcountry Stranger that had my heart racing. This poor woman cannot seem to catch a break.
The stranger who arrives turns the sister’s lives upside down and presented a bit of a mystery. Between the girls and their mother Lovie, we see this stranger slowly work their way into their hearts and ours.
A lot happens in this southern drama. Maybe it is in the water, but whoever said small towns are boring has not stepped foot into Prospect. Lowcountry Stranger weaved in some heart-stopping suspense as Farley pulled skeletons out of the Sweeney closet. We suffered a loss, ate pie, and most of all we were reminded of the true meaning of family and friends.
Copy provided by author. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
July 1, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
Whatever you do, don’t suggest he give up the bourbon and cigars unless you want it to be his first and last visit to the doctor.
I’m a fifty-one-year-old woman, not a disobedient child caught with her hand in the cookie jar five minutes before dinner. Why is it my mother can zap my self-confidence with one cock of her penciled-on eyebrow?
My Review:
I adored this book start to finish and find myself with an unabiding yen for more, as well a strong appetite for shrimp. My Sister’s Shoes was my first experience with Ms. Farley’s work and I was an instant fan, but she has now converted me to the level of total raving fangirl with Lowcountry Stranger. I don’t think I could ever tire of reading her compelling tales about this quirky and fascinating family. The characters were fully fleshed out, complex, realistically flawed, and endearing. The storyline was engaging, intriguing, and relevant. Ms Farley’s writing was emotive, richly detailed, easy to follow, and engrossing. I did not want to put my kindle down and resented any and all interruptions to reading. The story evolved over a busy and eventful week with all three sisters experiencing significant changes and stress. Odd occurrences, relapses, crimes, shocking revelations, devastating losses, new beginnings, tragic endings, old hurts, new pains, bad memories and new aspirations. All these events seemed to have been put in motion with the arrival of a young stranger/wedding crasher. More please!
Whatever you do, don’t suggest he give up the bourbon and cigars unless you want it to be his first and last visit to the doctor.
I’m a fifty-one-year-old woman, not a disobedient child caught with her hand in the cookie jar five minutes before dinner. Why is it my mother can zap my self-confidence with one cock of her penciled-on eyebrow?
My Review:
I adored this book start to finish and find myself with an unabiding yen for more, as well a strong appetite for shrimp. My Sister’s Shoes was my first experience with Ms. Farley’s work and I was an instant fan, but she has now converted me to the level of total raving fangirl with Lowcountry Stranger. I don’t think I could ever tire of reading her compelling tales about this quirky and fascinating family. The characters were fully fleshed out, complex, realistically flawed, and endearing. The storyline was engaging, intriguing, and relevant. Ms Farley’s writing was emotive, richly detailed, easy to follow, and engrossing. I did not want to put my kindle down and resented any and all interruptions to reading. The story evolved over a busy and eventful week with all three sisters experiencing significant changes and stress. Odd occurrences, relapses, crimes, shocking revelations, devastating losses, new beginnings, tragic endings, old hurts, new pains, bad memories and new aspirations. All these events seemed to have been put in motion with the arrival of a young stranger/wedding crasher. More please!
June 11, 2016
This is book number two of the Sweeney sisters, and I received a copy from Kimberly the Caffeinated Book Reviewer in exchange for my honest review. I was a little hesitant to read the second book in a series when I still had book one, Her Sister’s Shoes, on my TBR list. I’m glad I did. This is my first book by Ashley Farley, and I really loved the way she writes. It seems to me that there’s a strong family element of love, bonding, and loyalty between the sisters that truly fascinated me. I’m an only child, so I’m always amazed at stories about sibling love. This is definitely one of those stories. Another great thing about this novel is that as you read the blurb of the story you might get a feel that this is going to be one of those books that are predictable, and what I loved about Lowcountry Stranger is that it is full of twists and surprises. When you think the story is going one way, Farley adds another twist to make it even more interesting.
I absolutely loved some of the characters. I want to go back and read Her Sister’s Shoes to get to know a little more about Faith and her ex-husband. I loved their mother Lovie, the character of Moses, and obviously the sisters Sam, Faith, and Jackie. I really enjoyed meeting the Sweeney sisters, and I’m looking forward to reading her next books in the series.
This book is scheduled to be published July 1, 2016.
I absolutely loved some of the characters. I want to go back and read Her Sister’s Shoes to get to know a little more about Faith and her ex-husband. I loved their mother Lovie, the character of Moses, and obviously the sisters Sam, Faith, and Jackie. I really enjoyed meeting the Sweeney sisters, and I’m looking forward to reading her next books in the series.
This book is scheduled to be published July 1, 2016.
June 11, 2016
I liked this book a lot. I found it to be entertaining and a very enjoyable, fun read. You would think that with all the issues these sisters have that you would be thinking "come on, no one family has that much trauma". However, the author has little clues throughout that kind of prepare you for it. As least it did for me. And, when you really think about it, it could happen.
Anyways, I was pretty engrossed into the story early, was on the verge of slapping Sam a couple of times, but I liked it.
Thanks to the author for giving me heads up that there was a sequel to "In Her Shoes" and to Crushstar Multimedia and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Anyways, I was pretty engrossed into the story early, was on the verge of slapping Sam a couple of times, but I liked it.
Thanks to the author for giving me heads up that there was a sequel to "In Her Shoes" and to Crushstar Multimedia and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2016
I can't believe I missed book one of the Sweeney Sisters series (Her Sister's shoes). and I sincerely hope that there are several more books to come. This family has a lot of drama in their lives but they all handle it well with the help of their friends and relatives. I had no problems with background because the author gave plenty of background for new readers. I adored little Bitsy and Annie and the relationship they form is a blessing. Sam needs someone to give her a kick in the behind but I think her sisters have finally reached her. The Carolina's are a perfect setting for this family saga and I can see why the sisters don't leave the area. Hope to see another Sweeney sister featured soon.
October 9, 2017
Good read
As with the first book, this one was well written. One BIG problem is the portrail of Bitsy. She is six, seven or eight, depending on where you are in the book but the description of how she is treated and acts is more like a three or four year old. It detracted greatly from the rest of the story.
As with the first book, this one was well written. One BIG problem is the portrail of Bitsy. She is six, seven or eight, depending on where you are in the book but the description of how she is treated and acts is more like a three or four year old. It detracted greatly from the rest of the story.
January 4, 2019
3.5
So many things happened in these two first Sweeney Sisters books. But, it all kept the reader engaged and made for a fast read. Very entertaining with a lot of seriousness mixed in. Sam was a hard character to love, her personality and choices are frustrating. But, both books are worth it...
So many things happened in these two first Sweeney Sisters books. But, it all kept the reader engaged and made for a fast read. Very entertaining with a lot of seriousness mixed in. Sam was a hard character to love, her personality and choices are frustrating. But, both books are worth it...
September 14, 2016
Lowcountry Stranger is the first book I’ve read by Ashley Farley but it’s not going to be my last. Her writing immediately engages you and makes you feel a part of the family, and even though I haven’t read the first book in the series I still felt a connection with the characters and the setting. Though … on that note … what I did learn about Her Sister’s Shoes (book one) makes me want to go back and read it!
The third-person narrative switches between the sisters, allowing readers to really get inside the minds of the characters and – combined with another of the subplots – giving the book some “psychological thriller” undertones. And as is typical in psychological thrillers, I often found myself shaking my head at the Sweeneys’ decisions. Because… naturally … when a dirty, disheveled young stranger crashes a family wedding and pickpockets the guests and gives an obviously fake name, any of us would let her stay in our guest house and hire her to babysit our troubled daughter. Right? Yeah, me either. But it is what it is for the Sweeneys and the subplot may or may not play out the way you think it will.
Bottom Line: There are many things to love about Lowcountry Stranger – an engaging style, a cozy setting, a charming family, and enough suspense to keep things interesting. There’s a lot of angst too – perhaps more than the typical family should be called upon to endure in one novel – but the threads of forgiveness and faith and family cover the drama in a blanket of grace and courage. I will definitely keep my eye on the Sweeney clan and on Ashley Farley!
Reviewer’s Note: I appreciated that, while this is admittedly not the “Christian fiction” that I normally read & review, the profanity was not excessive (except for a couple of angry outbursts when the language got a bit more “general market” lol) and the implied intimacies never went beyond the implication as far as details go. There is also a distinct emphasis on values I cherish. The southern charm of the setting, combined with the closeness of the Sweeney clan, gives this novel a healthy dose of grace and family, as well as a couple of subplots that bring the tough kind of forgiveness to the forefront.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
The third-person narrative switches between the sisters, allowing readers to really get inside the minds of the characters and – combined with another of the subplots – giving the book some “psychological thriller” undertones. And as is typical in psychological thrillers, I often found myself shaking my head at the Sweeneys’ decisions. Because… naturally … when a dirty, disheveled young stranger crashes a family wedding and pickpockets the guests and gives an obviously fake name, any of us would let her stay in our guest house and hire her to babysit our troubled daughter. Right? Yeah, me either. But it is what it is for the Sweeneys and the subplot may or may not play out the way you think it will.
Bottom Line: There are many things to love about Lowcountry Stranger – an engaging style, a cozy setting, a charming family, and enough suspense to keep things interesting. There’s a lot of angst too – perhaps more than the typical family should be called upon to endure in one novel – but the threads of forgiveness and faith and family cover the drama in a blanket of grace and courage. I will definitely keep my eye on the Sweeney clan and on Ashley Farley!
Reviewer’s Note: I appreciated that, while this is admittedly not the “Christian fiction” that I normally read & review, the profanity was not excessive (except for a couple of angry outbursts when the language got a bit more “general market” lol) and the implied intimacies never went beyond the implication as far as details go. There is also a distinct emphasis on values I cherish. The southern charm of the setting, combined with the closeness of the Sweeney clan, gives this novel a healthy dose of grace and family, as well as a couple of subplots that bring the tough kind of forgiveness to the forefront.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 29, 2016
Based on the first Sweeney Sisters book, I expected better. I am probably one of the very few who find this book disappointing, especially as the transition between book one and two isn't detailed - and it should have been. It would have given this book more depth.
I didn't find the characters compelling. I didn't find the plot worth mentioning. It was a below average read and, in this genre, there are so much better books out there. Believe me.
What disappointed me, were the sisters, Sam, Faith and Jackie, who despite their counseling haven't really evolved. Their fears and insecurities are so trivial and insignificant, honestly, all a bit boring and very deja-vu.
I didn't find the characters compelling. I didn't find the plot worth mentioning. It was a below average read and, in this genre, there are so much better books out there. Believe me.
What disappointed me, were the sisters, Sam, Faith and Jackie, who despite their counseling haven't really evolved. Their fears and insecurities are so trivial and insignificant, honestly, all a bit boring and very deja-vu.
June 24, 2018
Eh. I could take it or leave it. I think the author tried to make too much happen so the storylines became a little muddled. In addition, too much was terribly unbelievable. I may throw in the towel on this series.
Read
January 9, 2019Such a great series ! So glad there are 5 books in the series about this very interesting family. Just started #4😀
November 29, 2018
Love love love
Can't wait to read the next one in this series. This one was even better then the first one!!!! Ashley Farley is my new fav!!!!
Can't wait to read the next one in this series. This one was even better then the first one!!!! Ashley Farley is my new fav!!!!
February 28, 2018
This is the second book in the Sweeney Sisters saga and I must say that it suffered from the sophomore slump. I felt there was no character development of the three sisters, especially Sam, and there was just a bit too much whining from them. I did like Bitsy and I hope to see more of her in the next books.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
August 8, 2016
Lowcountry Stranger is Ashley Farley's second novel in her Sweeney Sister series, first introduced in Her Sister's Shoes. I didn't read the first novel, and when I started Lowcountry Stranger I feared that I would be lost. I admit it took me a few pages to get adjusted, but once I did, I was hooked by this intriguing family's story.
As the book opens, Faith is celebrating her marriage to Dr. Mike in her hometown of Prospect, South Carolina. This is Faith's second marriage, her first was to an abusive man who is now in prison. Faith's seven-year-old daughter Bitsy hasn't spoken a word since the incident that put her father away.
Faith's oldest sister Jackie spends her week working as a decorator in Charleston, coming home on the weekend to her twin high school senior sons and her doctor husband. Jackie is feeling restless, wanting to further her career, and troubled by her husband's infidelity last year.
Middle sister Sam is a single mom who raised her college-aged son Jamie on her own. Sam manages the family seafood market, a Prospect mainstay. Sam is dating Eli, a town policeman who loves and wants to marry her, but Sam says that marriage is not for her.
When a bedraggled teenage girl Annie shows up at the wedding, the Sweeney sisters reluctantly take her in after she tells them she was traveling with a family she was working for when they abandoned her and took off.
Bitsy takes a shine to Annie and she speaks her first words to Annie. Faith is so moved by this, she asks Annie to care for Bitsy while she works. But although something seems not quite right with Annie, the Sweeneys open their homes to Annie.
Life has it's ups and downs for the Sweeneys. Faith is very protective of Bitsy, and when they all took Annie in so quickly, I thought maybe it was a little too fast. They really knew nothing about her, and let her care for a traumatized young girl. Eventually we find out Annie's true story, and how it affects the entire Sweeney family.
I got caught up in the Sweeney Sisters story very quickly, and loved the setting of the small town in the Lowcountry. And as someone who once owned a small fast food restaurant, the family seafood market business was fascinating to me.
There a lot of characters to follow in the book, but I was fully invested in each of their stories. I loved the sisters' relationships, and the cousins' strong connections to each other. Sometimes in novels of this genre, the male characters tend to be somewhat one-dimensional, but here the men were full partners in the story and fully fleshed out.
After reading Lowcountry Stranger, I am going to read Her Sister's Shoes to see what I missed, and I am waiting not-so-patiently for the next installment. If you like family stories, especially sister stories, you'll love Lowcountry Stran
As the book opens, Faith is celebrating her marriage to Dr. Mike in her hometown of Prospect, South Carolina. This is Faith's second marriage, her first was to an abusive man who is now in prison. Faith's seven-year-old daughter Bitsy hasn't spoken a word since the incident that put her father away.
Faith's oldest sister Jackie spends her week working as a decorator in Charleston, coming home on the weekend to her twin high school senior sons and her doctor husband. Jackie is feeling restless, wanting to further her career, and troubled by her husband's infidelity last year.
Middle sister Sam is a single mom who raised her college-aged son Jamie on her own. Sam manages the family seafood market, a Prospect mainstay. Sam is dating Eli, a town policeman who loves and wants to marry her, but Sam says that marriage is not for her.
When a bedraggled teenage girl Annie shows up at the wedding, the Sweeney sisters reluctantly take her in after she tells them she was traveling with a family she was working for when they abandoned her and took off.
Bitsy takes a shine to Annie and she speaks her first words to Annie. Faith is so moved by this, she asks Annie to care for Bitsy while she works. But although something seems not quite right with Annie, the Sweeneys open their homes to Annie.
Life has it's ups and downs for the Sweeneys. Faith is very protective of Bitsy, and when they all took Annie in so quickly, I thought maybe it was a little too fast. They really knew nothing about her, and let her care for a traumatized young girl. Eventually we find out Annie's true story, and how it affects the entire Sweeney family.
I got caught up in the Sweeney Sisters story very quickly, and loved the setting of the small town in the Lowcountry. And as someone who once owned a small fast food restaurant, the family seafood market business was fascinating to me.
There a lot of characters to follow in the book, but I was fully invested in each of their stories. I loved the sisters' relationships, and the cousins' strong connections to each other. Sometimes in novels of this genre, the male characters tend to be somewhat one-dimensional, but here the men were full partners in the story and fully fleshed out.
After reading Lowcountry Stranger, I am going to read Her Sister's Shoes to see what I missed, and I am waiting not-so-patiently for the next installment. If you like family stories, especially sister stories, you'll love Lowcountry Stran
July 1, 2016
Review
I was so happy to get back to the Sweeney sisters in the second book of the series. Jackie, Sam and Faith are back with even more family drama than before. But now there is new, young stranger who shows up in their lives. But how much of a stranger is she really?
I was so happy to get back to the Sweeney sisters in the second book of the series. Jackie, Sam and Faith are back with even more family drama than before. But now there is new, young stranger who shows up in their lives. But how much of a stranger is she really?
The Lowcountry Highs
Sweeney Family. I love this family so much. The three sisters, their children and significant others and of course their mother Lovie are all relatable on some level and have gone through so much that I wanted everyone to end up with some sort of HEA. I would love to get more on the kids in the family, especially with the addition of Annie (the young stranger). YA spinoff anyone??
Southern Charm. I talk about books in the south needing that southern charm and this one didn't disappoint. Not only was the setting somewhere I wanted to be but the characters all had that charm as well. I wanted to be with them down there, go fishing and hit up the beach.
Great Pacing. This was an easy book to get through and kept me turning the pages until the very end.
The Lowcountry Lows
Too Much Drama. Man, there was a lot that happened in this book. I can't imagine this much happening to one family over such a short amount of time. That was really the only thing that took me out of it a little.
While I think this could be read as a stand alone, as background from the first book is given, I would suggest picking up the first book, Her Sister's Shoes, which I enjoyed as well.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
October 15, 2016
In August of 2015, I read Her Sister’s Shoes and made the acquaintance of three sisters—Faith, Sam and Jackie—and found them to be appealingly normal with their individual stories adding up overall to a strong tale of what family can and should be. At the time, I hoped to see more of these ladies and others in their wider circle and, lo and behold, here they are again.
The lush lowcountry marshland of South Carolina is the setting for the wedding of Faith and Mike, much anticipated by all including Faith’s little girl, Bitsy. Bitsy is still suffering some trauma from her father’s deadly attacks nearly a year earlier and Sam is happy to watch Faith and Bitsy find a safe haven in Mike even as she resists making the same kind of commitment with Eli. Meanwhile, oldest sister Jackie is caught up in her own concerns, as usual, and mother Lovie’s recent peculiar behavior has all her daughters worried and thankful that Captain Mack Bowman is in her life.
When a young woman shows up at the wedding, she’s a stranger yet oddly familiar and her physical appearance is completely inappropriate in both clothing and hygiene. None of the family recognize her or know why she’s at the wedding but they’re astounded at an exchange they see between this teen and Bitsy. Thus begins a story full of drama and twists and turns that will send this extended family’s lives upside down and sideways, always leavened by love and loyalty. Annie Dawn will be the catalyst for change in the family dynamics.
Lowcountry Stranger is essentially Southern fiction or comfort fiction, if you will, but there’s also enough suspense here to appeal to many mystery readers. Over the course of several books, not all involving the Sweeney sisters, I’ve become very comfortable with Ms. Farley‘s work. I always enjoy her storylines and, in particular, I’m drawn to her characters and the ways they interact with each other and cope with day-to-day life as well as various crises. In fact, they’re people I could see myself having as friends and the Sweeneys fall right into that. I really do hope we’ll see much more of this family in the future.
The lush lowcountry marshland of South Carolina is the setting for the wedding of Faith and Mike, much anticipated by all including Faith’s little girl, Bitsy. Bitsy is still suffering some trauma from her father’s deadly attacks nearly a year earlier and Sam is happy to watch Faith and Bitsy find a safe haven in Mike even as she resists making the same kind of commitment with Eli. Meanwhile, oldest sister Jackie is caught up in her own concerns, as usual, and mother Lovie’s recent peculiar behavior has all her daughters worried and thankful that Captain Mack Bowman is in her life.
When a young woman shows up at the wedding, she’s a stranger yet oddly familiar and her physical appearance is completely inappropriate in both clothing and hygiene. None of the family recognize her or know why she’s at the wedding but they’re astounded at an exchange they see between this teen and Bitsy. Thus begins a story full of drama and twists and turns that will send this extended family’s lives upside down and sideways, always leavened by love and loyalty. Annie Dawn will be the catalyst for change in the family dynamics.
Lowcountry Stranger is essentially Southern fiction or comfort fiction, if you will, but there’s also enough suspense here to appeal to many mystery readers. Over the course of several books, not all involving the Sweeney sisters, I’ve become very comfortable with Ms. Farley‘s work. I always enjoy her storylines and, in particular, I’m drawn to her characters and the ways they interact with each other and cope with day-to-day life as well as various crises. In fact, they’re people I could see myself having as friends and the Sweeneys fall right into that. I really do hope we’ll see much more of this family in the future.
June 30, 2016
What a lovely journey back to the town of Prospect (close to Charleston) and a look into what is happening with the Sweeney family. This is the second book, so make sure you read Her Sister's Shoes first.
All of the sisters have come a long ways from the first book. They had worked through issues but don't think that everything is dandy. There are still some problems that need to be addressed for each sister, but it makes them better women for it by the end of the book.
All three sisters have their strengths and weaknesses and I saw myself in several of them. All of the characters were someone that I could relate to either personally or knew people like them. I am wondering about Lovie (the mother) and if a future book will reveal some mental health issues. Jackie is strong but realizes that perhaps not everything has to be about her. Sam has her own demons to fight and does confront a few during the book (can't give away too much!). And Faith has a few scary moments too, but has a new husband to lean on during those times.
I really enjoyed this book, so much that I stayed up way to late to finish the book. There are some nail biting moments, some sad time but many happy times. I loved that the family always manages to come together despite any personal issues.
Need a beach read - then check out this series.
All of the sisters have come a long ways from the first book. They had worked through issues but don't think that everything is dandy. There are still some problems that need to be addressed for each sister, but it makes them better women for it by the end of the book.
All three sisters have their strengths and weaknesses and I saw myself in several of them. All of the characters were someone that I could relate to either personally or knew people like them. I am wondering about Lovie (the mother) and if a future book will reveal some mental health issues. Jackie is strong but realizes that perhaps not everything has to be about her. Sam has her own demons to fight and does confront a few during the book (can't give away too much!). And Faith has a few scary moments too, but has a new husband to lean on during those times.
I really enjoyed this book, so much that I stayed up way to late to finish the book. There are some nail biting moments, some sad time but many happy times. I loved that the family always manages to come together despite any personal issues.
Need a beach read - then check out this series.
July 5, 2016
Lowcountry Stranger is the first book that I have read by Ashley Farley. Although it is book two in The Sweeney Sisters, it can easily be read as a stand alone.
Samantha (Sam), Jackie, Faith and their mother, "Lovie" are a "close knit"family. Eli (Sam's boyfriend), Mike (Faith's new husband) and Bill ( Jackie's husband) and the four children all get along well, care for and look out for each other.
Annie Dawn, a stranger, crashes Faith and Mike's wedding setting the drama, surprises, suspense and action in motion. Who is Annie Dawn? Is that her real name? Where is she from? Why did she crash the wedding?
Having grown up near the ocean with three sisters, it is easy to identify with these well developed characters in this story.
I like Ashley Farley's style of writing with lots of attention to details and description, and plan to read the first book in this series, as well as her other books. Lowcountry Stranger was an enjoyable and fun read; the perfect book for me to read after some heavy and serious ones.
Thank you to Ashley Farley, CrushStar Multimedia LLC and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha (Sam), Jackie, Faith and their mother, "Lovie" are a "close knit"family. Eli (Sam's boyfriend), Mike (Faith's new husband) and Bill ( Jackie's husband) and the four children all get along well, care for and look out for each other.
Annie Dawn, a stranger, crashes Faith and Mike's wedding setting the drama, surprises, suspense and action in motion. Who is Annie Dawn? Is that her real name? Where is she from? Why did she crash the wedding?
Having grown up near the ocean with three sisters, it is easy to identify with these well developed characters in this story.
I like Ashley Farley's style of writing with lots of attention to details and description, and plan to read the first book in this series, as well as her other books. Lowcountry Stranger was an enjoyable and fun read; the perfect book for me to read after some heavy and serious ones.
Thank you to Ashley Farley, CrushStar Multimedia LLC and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2016
CrushStar Multimedia LLC and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Lowcountry Stranger, in exchange for an honest review.
Author Ashley Farley is back with the Sweeney family, in this sequel to Her Sister's Shoes. Lowcountry Stranger begins with a wedding, an uninvited guest, and just goes downhill from there. For a family that was recently terrorized by one of their own, it does not seem plausible that they would allow the antics of the wedding crasher to continue, nor would they believe her ridiculous story. They certainly would not invite her into their homes or in any way allow her unrestricted access to their lives. I hold charity towards others in the highest regard, but being reckless with your family's safety is not to be congratulated. I had high hopes for Lowcountry Stranger, as the author had the opportunity to build upon the foundation she set in Her Sister's Shoes. This book was a miss for me, but readers who are willing to set aside believability might enjoy getting to know more about the Sweeney family.
Author Ashley Farley is back with the Sweeney family, in this sequel to Her Sister's Shoes. Lowcountry Stranger begins with a wedding, an uninvited guest, and just goes downhill from there. For a family that was recently terrorized by one of their own, it does not seem plausible that they would allow the antics of the wedding crasher to continue, nor would they believe her ridiculous story. They certainly would not invite her into their homes or in any way allow her unrestricted access to their lives. I hold charity towards others in the highest regard, but being reckless with your family's safety is not to be congratulated. I had high hopes for Lowcountry Stranger, as the author had the opportunity to build upon the foundation she set in Her Sister's Shoes. This book was a miss for me, but readers who are willing to set aside believability might enjoy getting to know more about the Sweeney family.
July 16, 2016
Lowcountry Stranger continues the story of the Sweeney sisters, who we first met in the book Her Sister's Shoes. This book is a strong, heartfelt family drama about Sam, Jackie, and Faith, and their loved ones. At the beginning of this book we are introduced to Annie Dawn, a young girl who charms them all, despite the fact that she's a stranger and seems not entirely trustworthy. At the heart of this book are the sisters, who are all once again facing turmoil and changes in their lives, but they come together to love and support each other. Although you could read this book without reading the first one, I recommend that you read Her Sister's Shoes before reading Lowcountry Stranger.
June 14, 2016
The Sweeney Sisters are back, and Ashley Farley seamlessly catches us up on the last year (and fills in any one new to the characters). It looks in the beginning as if all of the sister's lives have fallen into place, and then Annie Dawn arrives at a family wedding, and the drama and intrigue begin! Who is this stranger, and why has she arrived in Prospect? The unfolding story is fast paced and kept me riveted. Each of the sisters, their mother, and their loved ones deal with love, loss, fear of commitment, alcoholism, and empty nest fears while dealing with more than the typical twist and turns of life. The characters are well developed, and the plot is wonderful!
April 6, 2017
Bravo...another great book in the series and understand #3 is coming soon. I want the Sweeney family to adopt me. This is a family with three sisters Faith, Jackie and Sam who involve themselves in each others lives - they take care of each other and their families and are always there no matter what the situation. And there is plenty of drama in this family. From dying friends, to long lost husbands, to abducted children, to love lost but found again. If you read the first book in this series, you know what I am talking about...you must read the first book (Her Sisters Shoes) and then continue to this one. You wont be disappointed. Cant wait for the third book in this series.
May 19, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I really loved this book! There was no shortage of drama within this family and it kept my interest throughout! I was truly disappointed to see the story come to an end. I highly recommend this book ahd look forward to reading more by this author!
June 12, 2016
Once I started this book I hated to put it down. I would always rush back to see what happened next. The Sweeney sisters have a lot of drama just like real families. This book will keep your attention and make you not want to put it down. An excellent story of the low country. Loved it.
November 15, 2016
Loved this book. First I read In Her Shoes and this is the sequel about the Sweeney Sisters and their families and problems. Could not put it down. Can't wait for the next book.
February 5, 2020
I've said it before, I love Ashley Farley's books. The Sweeney sisters book series is holding true to her style of writing. I'm starting the next book now!!!
October 23, 2017
Lowcountry Stranger is book two in the Sweeney Sisters series by Ashley Farley. This is the continuing story of three sisters and their mother who run a seafood grocery store and restaurant in South Carolina. Would Samantha ever find love like her sisters?
Faith was getting married to a doctor. When Faith’s first husband beat her up, Mark was the doctor who tended her. Faith had the resolve to leave her abusive situation and Mark became more than her doctor. Now they were getting married . The only flaw was Bitsy. Bitsy was Faith’s daughter and Bitsy hadn’t spoken since she had been abducted by her Father. They were really worried about her. Then at their wedding, she talked a lot with a stranger. Annie had turned up at the wedding simply as a place to go. Annie had also made friends with Jackie’s boys and Sam’s son. But who was Annie and where did she come from? Could she be trusted?
Meanwhile, Sam broke off with Eli. Everyone is against that and even Sam has second thoughts. But, would she get the chance to change her mind before he left town?
Jackie is busy putting her life back together. She separated from her husband and her sons were drawing away from her before going to college. What would she do now?
The book is good and well worth reading.
Faith was getting married to a doctor. When Faith’s first husband beat her up, Mark was the doctor who tended her. Faith had the resolve to leave her abusive situation and Mark became more than her doctor. Now they were getting married . The only flaw was Bitsy. Bitsy was Faith’s daughter and Bitsy hadn’t spoken since she had been abducted by her Father. They were really worried about her. Then at their wedding, she talked a lot with a stranger. Annie had turned up at the wedding simply as a place to go. Annie had also made friends with Jackie’s boys and Sam’s son. But who was Annie and where did she come from? Could she be trusted?
Meanwhile, Sam broke off with Eli. Everyone is against that and even Sam has second thoughts. But, would she get the chance to change her mind before he left town?
Jackie is busy putting her life back together. She separated from her husband and her sons were drawing away from her before going to college. What would she do now?
The book is good and well worth reading.
April 13, 2018
Well done transition from story one to story two.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first story of the Sweeney family. Rather than totally focusing on one family member to the next, Ms. Farley brings each sister into the forefront as we go through the events in the lives of Sweeney clan and those who share it impact their world. It is done in a very smooth manner that highlights emotions and circumstances from the three sisters perspective. It really helps paint the picture of the whole story with an understanding of coping or even struggling to cope you find yourself identifying with three very different women.
I enjoy a well written, intensely edited book. If there were hiccups or blips on tenses, or other grammatical errors, I sure did not catch them. I look forward to the next edition.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first story of the Sweeney family. Rather than totally focusing on one family member to the next, Ms. Farley brings each sister into the forefront as we go through the events in the lives of Sweeney clan and those who share it impact their world. It is done in a very smooth manner that highlights emotions and circumstances from the three sisters perspective. It really helps paint the picture of the whole story with an understanding of coping or even struggling to cope you find yourself identifying with three very different women.
I enjoy a well written, intensely edited book. If there were hiccups or blips on tenses, or other grammatical errors, I sure did not catch them. I look forward to the next edition.
September 30, 2018
I liked the story. It takes place around a year after the first book and things have greatly improved for Faith who is newly wedded, Jackie and her husband Bill are still attempting to get back together, and Sam is still dating Eli. Lovie is still around as well and not quite as confused as she was in the first book. Things have changed for the better for all the main characters from the first book but of course nothing ever stays the same and change hits the family, some good and some bad. We also get some new characters that look to be a permanent addition to the Sweeney family. Annie was unexpected new member to the family group and while I didn't like her for the longest time I did eventually come to like her.
May 28, 2018
Another hit i. The Sweeney Sisters series
What a wonderful addition to this speciAl series. Sisters Jackie, Samantha, and Faith are back.just as enchanting and engaging and true to life as ever. This time there is a wedding, two funerals, a lot of healing and self searching, growth, change and enough drama to overwhelm any one person. But with the support, lpve, and understanding from one sister too another, one significant other to another, and the love of their mother and children, life turns out just as it is supposed to. Oh yes, and hence we forget the lowcountry stranger -- quite a special last she turns out to be.
Rating: 4.8
✳✳✳✳✳
What a wonderful addition to this speciAl series. Sisters Jackie, Samantha, and Faith are back.just as enchanting and engaging and true to life as ever. This time there is a wedding, two funerals, a lot of healing and self searching, growth, change and enough drama to overwhelm any one person. But with the support, lpve, and understanding from one sister too another, one significant other to another, and the love of their mother and children, life turns out just as it is supposed to. Oh yes, and hence we forget the lowcountry stranger -- quite a special last she turns out to be.
Rating: 4.8
✳✳✳✳✳
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