The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White | giveaway! + review
The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White
About the book:
(from the publisher) Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. When an anonymous local blog starts dishing about her failed marriage, Merilee finds some measure of peace in town matriarch Sugar Prescott.
Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new friendship with glamorous young mother Heather Blackford.
In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be will shock all three women….
Genre: Fiction/Contemporary/Southern/Women’s Fiction/Book Club
If this were a movie, I’d rate it: PG
About the author:
Karen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and currently writes what she refers to as ‘grit lit’—Southern women’s fiction—and has also expanded her horizons into writing a mystery series set in Charleston, South Carolina. Her 23rd novel, THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, published April 11, 2017, debuted at #15 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list.
Karen hails from a long line of Southerners but spent most of her growing up years in London, England and is a graduate of the American School in London. When not writing, she spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. She currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two children, and two spoiled Havanese dogs.
Connect with the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
My take:
Sometimes a book is exactly what you want exactly when you want it. The Night the Lights Went Out was that for me: a perfectly timed pick.
I guess I was in for something of a romp — and by that, I don’t mean the titillating variety. In fact, this novel is remarkably, blessedly clean in classic Karen White style. But it did tilt just a bit toward melodrama. Some suspension of disbelief required, especially as the story raced toward its electrifying conclusion.
Though a little skeptical at first because of its rather unlikely title, I was immediately drawn into the story. Into the lives of the characters that I quickly learned to care for. I wanted to spend time with them, to learn their secrets and their heartaches. I wanted to come back to see how the relationships among them would develop. Though I felt, especially toward the end, that it lacked White’s typical nuance, the braiding of the several narrative threads was masterfully done.
This novel has a little bit of everything, shades of mystery and drama and romance all rolled into one Southern package. For sure a fun read to tuck into your bag this summer.
Thanks to Berkley Books for providing me this book free of charge. All opinions are mine.
Buy it here.
After words:
What book(s) are you looking forward to this summer?
Giveaway:
To celebrate the paperback release of The Night the Lights Went Out, Berkley Books is offering a paperback copy to one of my fortunate readers. Enter the drawing by April 25th at 11:59 pm. Must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen at random and notified by April 26th. U.S. entries only please. Best of luck!