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Pecan Pie
Discovering real beauty is understanding the true heart of a person.
In her hometown of Harpersgrove, Bella Southland is considered odd. A homeschooled, early high school graduate, she's not into parties and never had a boyfriend. Besides, boys in books are better. This is a truth that Bella knows universally. She'd rather lose herself in the pages of a classic than in the terrifying universe of teenage dating. With a waistline that leaves much to be desired, she's never considered herself the object of anyone's affections.
When an unexpected opportunity arises, Bella is forced away from her comfort zone, family, and friends. Isolated in a mysterious world where not everyone is as they seem, she must forge onward to find confidence, acceptance, and unconditional love. Most of all, Bella must summon a courageous heart and become the heroine of her own story.
In her hometown of Harpersgrove, Bella Southland is considered odd. A homeschooled, early high school graduate, she's not into parties and never had a boyfriend. Besides, boys in books are better. This is a truth that Bella knows universally. She'd rather lose herself in the pages of a classic than in the terrifying universe of teenage dating. With a waistline that leaves much to be desired, she's never considered herself the object of anyone's affections.
When an unexpected opportunity arises, Bella is forced away from her comfort zone, family, and friends. Isolated in a mysterious world where not everyone is as they seem, she must forge onward to find confidence, acceptance, and unconditional love. Most of all, Bella must summon a courageous heart and become the heroine of her own story.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2022
16 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 3, 2025
Imperfect is perfect
Even better than the first book. Loved every word. 💕 I cannot wait for the rest of the stories. Well done.
Even better than the first book. Loved every word. 💕 I cannot wait for the rest of the stories. Well done.
December 6, 2023
It's pretty good but I have grievances with this book. The ending is not as rushed as some books but it is still too rushed for my tastes, she portrays the main character (Bella southland) as the only obese person in her home town,which is straight up nonsense. I also think it's kind of weird that the local mean girl, Lucy wilcox, makes fun of her, even though Bella is homeschooled. I have been homeschooled all my life and I can tell you anyone who goes to school, doesn't care what you look like, unless you talk to them. If they are a "mean girl", they will never be the first to speak. But that's just my opinion.
I do like the way she writes and the over all story is pretty good.
I do like the way she writes and the over all story is pretty good.
March 12, 2022
Enjoyed this book
I enjoyed this version of a modern-day fairy tale. I follow the author on TicTok and love her overall attitude. With this book, despite the authors wish to write a story with a plus sized main character, that part is secondary to the actual story. Bella is a young woman who doesn't realize her own worth. She discovers her worth and learns the important lesson about standing on her own two feet while accepting the help and love of her friends. The love story is a slight twist to Beauty and the Beast but has its own way to show and explore two people overcoming difficulty to discover what they are willing to risk for each other.
There are some typos and words missing in a few places but for most readers they will easily put in the words needed. I understand the authors brain going so fast that it misses simple words. I have done it myself.
SNARKY MOMMA
I enjoyed this version of a modern-day fairy tale. I follow the author on TicTok and love her overall attitude. With this book, despite the authors wish to write a story with a plus sized main character, that part is secondary to the actual story. Bella is a young woman who doesn't realize her own worth. She discovers her worth and learns the important lesson about standing on her own two feet while accepting the help and love of her friends. The love story is a slight twist to Beauty and the Beast but has its own way to show and explore two people overcoming difficulty to discover what they are willing to risk for each other.
There are some typos and words missing in a few places but for most readers they will easily put in the words needed. I understand the authors brain going so fast that it misses simple words. I have done it myself.
SNARKY MOMMA
September 24, 2023
This was a good modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It’s weirdly refreshing that the “Beast” actually has some beastly physical features rather than just being a jerk. And it’s not like being a jerk is how he’s always been, he has a lot of trauma that he is working through.
Though I hate to say it, Bella is a weak point for me. There are a couple of instances where characters do something for Bella’s best interest and Bella is upset with them that they act without talking to her. But just before the climax Bella does the same thing and is even warned that it won’t be well received and she ignores them. And there isn’t a moment of realization for her that she was being hypocritical. She’s 17, so it’s perfectly believable that she would do something hypocritical, but she doesn’t seem to make the connection.
Though I hate to say it, Bella is a weak point for me. There are a couple of instances where characters do something for Bella’s best interest and Bella is upset with them that they act without talking to her. But just before the climax Bella does the same thing and is even warned that it won’t be well received and she ignores them. And there isn’t a moment of realization for her that she was being hypocritical. She’s 17, so it’s perfectly believable that she would do something hypocritical, but she doesn’t seem to make the connection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
I thought the first one made me emotional.... GIRLLLLLLLLL. I SCREAM CRIED. Full out sobfest. I love the idea around these books, modern fairytale retellings with a revolving girl gang that work at a pie diner. It's a lovely concept. This is a gorgeous story of beauty and the beast, where there are multiple beastly figures. Cute but some of the worst realities of being a woman are faced as well. A talented writer that can blend fairytales with modern struggles, I can't wait for the rest of this series!
August 13, 2022
This was a lot more enjoyable to read than Pumpkin Pie. The also characters felt more real and it was easier to connect with them. That being said, the fatphobia in this book was wild. By the end there was a half-hearted attempt to turn it around but not in a way that actually dealt with the issue. The first half of the book it felt like every other page was a reference to Bella’s body size. Also the breakup came off as super toxic to me and did not leave me rooting for the relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2023
There is beauty and beasts inside all of us.
Pecan pie is a wonderful retelling of the beauty and the beast story. It fantastically shows how we all can be brave no matter how timid we think we are and how it’s not on the outside that counts. This may be my favorite of Katelyn Brawn’s books so far.
Pecan pie is a wonderful retelling of the beauty and the beast story. It fantastically shows how we all can be brave no matter how timid we think we are and how it’s not on the outside that counts. This may be my favorite of Katelyn Brawn’s books so far.
February 12, 2024
A sweet love story
This modern story, heavily inspired by Beauty and the Beast, is sweet in alot of ways. There's still a whisper of the fat shaming in the previous book, and definitely some very unhealthy relationship dynamics, but the story has a much better flow than the first one and shows great potential.
This modern story, heavily inspired by Beauty and the Beast, is sweet in alot of ways. There's still a whisper of the fat shaming in the previous book, and definitely some very unhealthy relationship dynamics, but the story has a much better flow than the first one and shows great potential.
April 29, 2024
That was amazing! I loved a good retelling and beauty, and the beast is an all-time favorite of mine. I loved the characters and saw a lot of myself i, bella. I had a hard time putting this down. I never wanted it to end, but the ending it had was perfect in every way. And yes, bella, stick it to lucy!!!!
March 12, 2022
This book is absolutely phenomenal! Bella's nickname from her father reminds me of my mom, so I think Bella is totally relatable for me in that sense, and everything about this book has made me feel all warm and fuzzy. I loved every minute of reading this.
March 13, 2022
I refuse to give this book a poor rating because I love the author and I love what she did and the writing isn't awful it's just ya and it wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy it but that didn't make it a bad book.
January 8, 2026
I didn't think I'd like a book better then I liked the first book in this series, but I stand correct. This book is so sweet while dealing with some really heavy issues. I cannot wait to read more of the books in this series that's quickly becoming one of my favorites!
April 1, 2022
Loved the story line. Bella's character development was amazing. The confidence. The sass. Just amazing.
March 8, 2023
Simple beautiful written. I’m a plus size lady and man did this book home. I loved the whole thing and can’t wait for the next one!!!
March 12, 2023
Story was super cute! A few typos and errors. But that's not on the author.
April 9, 2023
Really poor editing and I understand that the character is supposed to be plus sized but I DNFD this book after the 7482nd time she reminded us shes fat in less than 30 pages
Read
October 24, 2023DNF about half way through.
June 5, 2024
This book was not super compelling for me to read. It seems like all the MC did was talk about how large she was. And then she was nearly raped. I DNF’d it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2022
a sweet modern fairy tale
This book really got my attention from the beginning, I wasn’t sure where it was headed plot wise but I fell for the characters and squealed when they got a happy ending... I didn’t like that the main character talked about her body constantly bc as a plus size character, some of the self criticism felt too close to home. But please stay for the story! Its for sure about empowerment.
This book really got my attention from the beginning, I wasn’t sure where it was headed plot wise but I fell for the characters and squealed when they got a happy ending... I didn’t like that the main character talked about her body constantly bc as a plus size character, some of the self criticism felt too close to home. But please stay for the story! Its for sure about empowerment.
February 22, 2022
Not one to typically enjoy YA fiction I have been pleasantly surprised by the Hap-Pie-ly ever after series. Like the first of the series, Pecan Pie follows a teenage girl finding her way through a modern retelling of a fairytale, this one being Beauty and the Beast. Although it follows the similar story arc, it is elevated by including challenges modern teen girls face such a peer pressure, bullying and body image issues. I think these stories really bring to light these topics and handle them in delicate but realistic ways. I can't wait for the next in the series!
August 30, 2023
It is so simple and sweet. A very cute take on Beauty and the Beast. As a bigger girl myself, Bella was very relatable. Absolutely hated Gatty. My heart broke for Conrad and I really enjoyed his character.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews