THE SWEET LIFE

Author: Lynn York ISBN: 0452288223 3/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: PLUME

It’s been eight years since Roy Swan successfully won the hand of piano teacher and resident choir director, Miss Wilma and now, their lives have settled into a state of happy predictability. But all that changes with the arrival of Miss Wilma’s teenage granddaughter, whose estranged father, Harper, follows shortly behind. Soon Harper has convinced Roy to let him stage a “small” country and bluegrass concert in his pasture, drawing thousands of screaming fans, not to mention a small forest of Porta Potties. Roy and Wilma weather each new tempest with grace and grit, until a crippling stroke leaves Roy debilitated—and life in Swan’s Knob becomes a lot less simple.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE SWEET LIFE is a darling tale of the common ups and downs of life and the road our choices lead us down. York weaves an excellent tale of Wilma and Roy Swan. Wilma is an individual who has the same characteristics as a beloved grandma and is playing mentor and temporary guardian to her granddaughter, Star. Meanwhile, Roy, Wilma's husband, is planning a wine festival for their small mountain town. Then, Roy's health begins to fail and it affects both Wilma and Star. Roy pushes his family away and becomes depressed and contemplates suicide. It's not until it's time for the festival that Roy begins to realize the importance of his family and begins to accept their support. As Roy begins the path of healing, he realizes love is the only real cure for what ails you.

York delivers a true gem with this novel. The characters were real and true. The plot was easy to follow, simple, but interesting. The story line flowed together excellently. I truly enjoyed this novel. It's perfect to sit back and read with a glass of iced tea on a rainy day.

Kym Oetting