The Night the Lights Went Out

Genre: Fiction

This is the story of Merilee Dunlap, recently divorced, living in Sweet Apple, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, with her two children. Merilee has recently moved into a picturesque rental cottage owned by Sugar Prescott, a 93 year old spitfire. Merilee and her kids are new to the kids's school, where most of the moms spend their days playing tennis at the country club, ultra wealthy families summer on Tybee Island and moms are heavily involved in fundraising for the school. Merilee is a little nervous about this new school but has nothing to worry about, as she's met the perfect friend, Heather Blackford, who is incredibly kind to her and introduces her to everyone in the school. The two become close friends and work on the school's biggest fundraiser. And then someone is killed and Merilee is accused of the murder. In a slow unveiling, we learn of Merilee's history, we meet a new love-interest and learn how Sugar and Merilee will soon become the best of friends. This is a story of friendship, love and learning to find yourself anew.

I have been reading a lot of non-fiction lately, so I have been craving that can't-put-it-down-good story. But, this book wasn't it. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad, but it felt more like a summer beach read with shallow characters, a cute-sie love story, and fashion makeovers. But, really, without the sun shinning down on me and warming my skin or my toes buried in the sand, this just wasn't right. There's no amazing writing, you won't learn anything new, but it was, nonetheless, entertaining enough, just save it for the summer.