An enjoyable story. It's written in first-person point of view, and skips from one character to the next by chapter. Sometimes it's hard to keep the characters straight in my mind. If you enjoy contemporary fiction set in the U.S. South you might enjoy High Cotton. ( )

This book keeps you on your toes! With five main characters, I was at first wary of keeping them straight. Typically I have a hard time of keeping track of any more than one… But Debby Mayne’s expert characterization and unique tone of voice brings to life her characters in a way that makes this book quite a treat!
Characters are a range of ages from 20’s to 50’s, and in differing states of singleness, marriage, and parenthood, making this book quite relatable to anyone who already understands the culture of Southern women’s fiction. The book doesn’t shy away from different cultural situations, such as life after divorce or choosing a career over relationships. The book is dialogue rich and keeps moving at a comfortable pace to keep you reading. On a side note, I want Debby Mayne to plan the food for all my future family events—the description of her meals is scrumptious!
There were a few times I want to jump inside the book and knock the characters upside the head and say “Just love each other, you idiots!” to more than one character; but overall, I really enjoyed the characterization and depth. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys small town or southern women's fiction. ( )

I was very excited to read this book by a wonderful author. The thought of going to a family reunion when I was younger made me ill to think about. My family was not close and family reunions usually meant fights and overall chaos. This book is nothing like that. I loved how everyone in the book talked about the reunion and seemed to be happy to go. Of course there are always the relatives that feel the need to brag. To me its like being at a class reunion. Everyone trying to out do the other. It does make for some laughs and good times.

The characters were fun to get to know and if I had to pick a favorite it would be Puddin. I love her name and my heart went out to her. She has some self esteem issues and I wanted to hug her and tell her she is perfect just the way she is. I love the twists in the book and secrets that slowly come out . The southern theme in the book is perfect. I'm from the south and we sure love our sweet tea and get together's. It's true we love to celebrate and have a good time. There are a few surprises in the book which were fun to find out. I loved the foods mentioned in the story and best of all this is a new series, so we will get to know this family really well. It's time to grab a glass of sweet tea and settle in for a charming story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The review is my own opinion. ( )

High Cotton is the latest in first in the "Bucklin Family Reunion Series", a Christian contemporary series about a Southern family who is crazy about family reunions. The story is told from the perspective of few different females in the family and alternates between them. From the young, twenty- something wealthy entrepreneurial twins, Sarah and Sally, to Shay, in her 30's and still looking for Mr. Right, to Puddin' and Missy, both been married for a couple decades each and having their own relationship challenges. The story culminates with the family reunion, a local long-standing tradition that is famous in that area for its antics and people who aren't related long to go to, attended by all the nosey busybody Bucklin relations, each trying to outdo the other with the culinary delights they bring and stories of their own successes. I thought the faith message twining through the tale nicely done and shown the Biblical guidelines practiced in a contemporary real-life way. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review-- thank you! ( )

Get ready for some southern sass in Debby Mayne’s novel, High Cotton, the first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion Series. Four women of various ages and life experiences tell their stories and reveal that life in small town Pinewood, Mississippi isn’t that much different than your town or mine. Sure, there may be a different twang in their voice, but women are women all over. If you like women’s fiction with wit and wisdom, then this novel is for you.

High Cotton is told in the first person voice of four Bucklin women — Shay, Puddin’, Missy, and Sally. Alternating chapters follow the days leading up to yet another family reunion. The women have little in common except their family connections. Shay is a successful and single career woman, Puddin’ is a stay at home mom with an oops baby still in the nest, Missy is a discontented housewife, and Sally is a twenty-something with a thriving Etsy business. The women struggle with a variety of issues, but rely on each other and their family for support.

There really is something for everyone in High Cotton, and I wager that you’ll see yourself somewhere in the pages. These women are part sweet, part sassy, and pure Southern in their views. But . . . as they look for independence, love, fulfillment, and connection, they will resonate with those who have never set foot across the Mason-Dixon line. They are also part of a huge and quirky family, a family of definite opinions. I bet you have run across those characters too! 😉 Faith is a big part of the women’s lives and is woven naturally throughout the story.

You’ll laugh (sometimes out loud) at the antics of the Bucklin family as you journey with Shay, Puddin’, Missy, and Sally. And you’ll enjoy every minute!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Gilead Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )