Ain't She Sweet?

A sassy novel sassily read. In this romantic comedy, Sugar Beth Carey returns, tail between her legs, to her Mississippi hometown, where she has, as a spoiled, rich, wild, and beautiful teen, alienated just about everybody. Now the tables are turned. How the chastened but still impertinent heroine turns her life around, makes amends, and finds love consumes the book's lighthearted pages. The award-winning Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) gives an uneven, albeit always absorbing, reading. She starts out with a dazzling bang before settling into a pleasant but slightly distant interpretation of the narrative. Her impersonation of Sugar Beth's arrogant love interest fails to convince us of his sex appeal. The sex scenes are flat. On the other hand, the dialogue sparkles delightfully. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

January 12, 2004
A small town's prodigal daughter returns to face her past in bestseller Phillips's latest cheeky, diverting fairy tale. Sugar Beth Carey, "the wild child of Parrish, Mississippi," was once the queen of all she surveyed, but after 15 years and three marriages, she's a broken (and broke) husk of her former self. Who's loving the schadenfreude? The Seawillows, for starters—the gaggle of Southern belles Sugar dumped years ago, plus Winnie Davis, the half-sister she treated like dirt. And there's more: not only did Sugar stomp on gorgeous Ryan Galantine's heart (luckily, Winnie caught him on the rebound), she also got Colin Byrne, the sexy British high school teacher, fired for ostensibly coming on to her. Colin now owns her family's manse, and she's inherited the carriage house on his property—along with a highly valuable painting, location unknown (might it be hiding in Colin's attic? Or is it right under her nose?). Phillips keeps the tension high, with Colin (now a successful writer and member of the town's "in" crowd) and all of the rest of Parrish looking to make Sugar pay for past misdeeds. Colin hires her to be his housekeeper, and soon their days are filled with bickering, backstabbing and lots of orgasmic sex. A subplot involving Gigi, Winnie and Ryan's rebellious teenage daughter, who somewhat improbably turns to Sugar Beth for advice, detracts from the primary drama. The novel is at its best when Phillips sticks with what she does best—fast-paced romps featuring two headstrong people who finally realize that they're soul mates. 7-city author tour.

July 1, 2004
Ain't She Sweet?, a fun-loving, humorous, chitchatty novel, takes place in the small town of Parrish, MS. After a 15-year absence from Parrish, Sugar Beth returns to claim her inheritance, a valuable painting from her deceased Aunt Tallulah. She desperately needs funds to help support her mentally challenged stepdaughter living in a supervised home. Fifteen years prior, in high school, Sugar Beth was known as an appalling girl, breaking hearts, shattering friendships, and ruining reputations. Upon arrival, she rediscovers Colin, her former English teacher who was dismissed from his job after she accused him of sexual misconduct. Now he's rich, influential, and the owner of her childhood home, Frenchman's Bride. Narrated by Kate Fleming, this predictable, light, contemporary, and enjoyable love story is filled with alluring plot lines. Recommended for public libraries and Phillips fans.-Carol Stern, Glen Cove P.L., NY

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.