Search - The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

I wanted to like this book, but I eventually grew weary of it. The word "cloying" kept recurring to me as I read it - it was just too syrupy and too stereotypically southern for me. The emotions seemed superficial, contrived and "too precious". I actually remember having the same feelings about Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, although I liked it better, so this will be my last effort at a book by this author.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Sure, it is a sappy read, with characters that are too good to be true, but that was the draw for me. Made me wish I was part of the Ponder family and that I grew up in Louisiana (otherwise probably on my list of least favorite places to live!). So many joyous moments and crushingly sad ones as well, and a very satisfying ending made the story come around full circle. I loved it!

This book is absolutely wonderful. I love all of the Rebecca Wells books but this was truly a gem. It made me laugh and cry. The story is heartwarming from start to finish.

Another absolutely wonderful book! All the reading emotions come thru in this book. Rebecca Wells is a super author. Loved all the Ya-Ya books too.

This is a great read. It is dead on for small towns in the south and for Louisiana in particular. Rebecca Wells captures all the voices in this book even better than the Ya Ya sisterhood!

Author does a nice job of recreating place & time - Louisiana in the 1960-1980's