#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods returns readers to her world of strong friendships and heartfelt emotions in this classic Sweet Magnolias novel
Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity, but there’s been nothing calm or peaceful about her life since her marriage broke up. This stay-at-home mom has no job skills, an out-of-control sixteen-year-old son, a talkative fourteen-year-old who’s suddenly gone silent, a six-year-old daughter whose heart is broken, an ex-husband whose younger girlfriend is expecting their baby and two best friends who think she’s somehow qualified to help them open a fitness spa for women.
But if Maddie is a tad on edge with all that on her plate, it’s nothing compared to the chaos that ensues when she discovers that her son’s baseball coach has feelings for her and the whole town disapproves. Maddie’s faced a lot of challenges lately with strength and resolve, but Cal Maddox may turn out to be more than she can handle.
Then again, he could just be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity.
Title : Stealing Home
Author : Sherryl Woods
Series : The Sweet Magnolias #1
Format : eARC
Page Count : 377
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Publisher : Mills & Boon
Release Date : November 1, 2011
Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★
Micky’s 3 star review
Headlines:
The netflix series is better
Cal and Maddie are sweet
Less sisterhood than I expected.
I’m going to do a pros/cons review here, pitching the book versus the TV series. I know no-one asked for this, but that’s what you’re getting! Let me just say firstly, that I enjoy the TV series immensely, its easy and cheesy but I’m so drawn to the three women who feature.
The book
Maddie is at the helm and she’s an amazing MC but Dana Sue and Helen are not that prominent and I love them hard. I’m hoping the series pans out to include them more. Bill was (shocker) a little more self aware in the book, sometimes contrite but still hella frustrating and annoying. Noreen was similar. I was pleased the dialogue didn’t have the constant God-cheese.
I loved Cal and Maddie’s build until it turned into a sprint and towards the end everything just developed too fast for me, especially that surprise at the end, which was a no-no. Family vibes were strong throughout the book and I do feel all soft-spotted over the kids in this book.
The TV series
In contrast, the TV series decided not to rush Maddie and Cal which was the best decision ever. Bill and Noreen are like splinters all over your body, riling the watcher every moment. I have to say the book found more balance for that aspect.
The sisterhood in the TV series is strong and for me, that’s one of the greatest pulls. I love more detail on Helen and Dana-Sue. The biggest drawback of the TV series is the constant Christian platitudes, they make my teeth hurt.
Overall, this series is worth your time. Whether you want to read first or binge TV is your choice. At the moment the TV series is winning for me, but the book also compliments nicely.
A Take from Two Cities 