Customer Reviews

The Last of the Honky-Tonk Angels

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marsha Moyer's The Last of the Honkey-tonk Angels is getting the nod as the best 'chick lit' novel of 2003. I'm not sure what makes it 'chick lit,' but I am sure that it's a fine fine book. It's also the sequel to Moyer's first novel, The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch, and I strongly suggest reading that one first.

Lucy Hatch is a strong, sexy, earthy novel about two people finding each other despite, or, perhaps, because of their pasts.

Honkey-tonk Angel is the story of what happens when Lucy wakes up one morning with sexy Ash and realizes that life must go on.

Moyer introduces Denny, Ash's fourteen-year-old daughter, who comes to spend the summer with Ash and Lucy. And Denny becomes a strong voice in the novel. This is not a romance. It is a novel about relationships, and the ties of family and the past, and love, and growing up [whether you're fourteen or thirty-three], and accepting responsibility....

Once again Moyer's characters are full, well-rounded, quirky, wonderful; East Texas has never been more interesting, and the tension between love and sex never more successfully explored.

Can I give this one a 6 out 5?

In fact, if I could give this book more stars, I would. Honky Tonk picks up where "The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch" left off. If you haven't read "Lucy", I recommend that you do that first so that you can fully appreciate the tremendous job that Marsha Moyer does in describing the growth and development of her characters in this sequel. Lucy, Ash, Aunt Dove, Bailey, Geneva are written in such a way that you feel you know them, or at least wish you did. Small town Texas, or small town anywhere is easy to recognize due to Ms. Moyer's ability to paint the picture with her expressive prose. Her writing is lyrical, wise, and oh so quotable - "baggage is how we carry the good stuff." I've waited anxiously for this sequel since last summer, and it was well worth the wait! Treat yourself to "The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch" first, and then "Honky Tonk" - you will not be disappointed.

I highly recommend Marsha Moyer's latest novel, The Last of the Honky-tonk Angels. Ms Moyer's storytelling flows like an effortless conversation between friends. She has a natural talent for showing how life (and people) are not always what they seem. The story transcends physical settings and becomes timeless. Beautifully crafted, this story is a journey of change, discovery, and personal growth for Lucy, Denny, and Ash.

I think that this story is so appealing because many of us know people like Lucy, Ash, and Denny. Because we have all been involved in relationships that change because of misunderstandings or because of circumstances beyond our control, we can identify with these characters and their struggles to cope with change. We can identify with their struggles to express their natural gifts/talents and to grow personally, while trying to find happiness at the same time. During their journey, Lucy, Denny, and Ash learn what it means to love, to be loved, and to be a family. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

WOW This book knocked my socks off. It had such character and drama and love, family all drawn it for a story of a lifetime. I haven't read the first book, but plan on making a stop today!

I do hope to find out what happens. Does Denny stay? What about the baby? What will happen with the racism in their town?

I do have to say this book touched my heart because I know what it is like to have a mom that is jealous of the father/daughter relationship. Her mom made her hate her dad, but in the end you find out the truth. Bravo. This book will have you gasping for more. There is so much going on, I just won't say here. Please go pick up your copy today!

I still can't believe that Ms. Moyer was able to write an even better novel than "The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch". I can't wait to read Ms. Moyer's next novel....please tell me that I will hear from Lucy and Ash again and soon?!

Excellent and if I dare say better then the first (The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch). I am transported into the story, the setting, and the characters.
I love the characters and even the inmaturity discribed in one review adds to the book. I find myself wishing for a relationship like the one Lucy and Ash have, the passion is something to envy.
Denny reveals a more indepth understanding of Lucy and the characters. Also she is written perfectly as a teenager, one who says things without thinking and changes her mind all the time.
This story keeps your attention and rarely offers time to put it down. I found at the end of the book, I read very slow becuase I did not want to leave the world that Marsha had created.
You will finish the book wanting more . . .

I first read "Second Coming of Lucy Hatch" and loved it. This book was even better! Beautifully written; lyrical at times. Denny is such a typical teenager; her thoughts are very real. Just loved all the characters. A really great story. Hope there is another book. What a great movie this would make. Can just picture Julia Roberts as Lucy and maybe George Clooney as Ash. Read both books!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is light reading. Makes you stop and think about how it would be if you were in the same circumstances. Especially if you had a step-daughter.
I would highly recommend this book. Would even consider ordering another book by the same author in the future.

I loved every page. It was funny, quirky, real, sad, glad.. everything. I felt like I knew the characters personally. I didn't realize it was a sequel until after I finished it.. in 2 days! Can't wait to read all about Lucy.
Couldn't have enjoyed it more if had been about me.

In Texas three months have passed since widow Lucy Hatch moved in with carpenter and country blues singer Ash Farrell with the sex remaining as heated as when they first met. However, both are suddenly stunned when Ash's fourteen year old daughter Denny, a stranger he has not seen in almost a decade, is dumped on them by her flitter of a mom. Apparently, Ash's former wife has no room for a daughter when she starts her new job. As the couple struggles to become parents to the brooding angry teen, Lucy also learns that she is pregnant with Ash's second child.

She fears telling Ash because he has ambitions that an infant could thwart. Meanwhile Ash has ambitions to travel Nashville to perform, but he fails to share his plans with Lucy for fear that his ambition will destroy their relationship. While both try to do right by Denny, she has no interest in anything except to emulate her blues playing father.

Fans of the SECOND COMING OF LUCY HATCH will enjoy this sweeter sequel starring the delightful Lucy and her significant other Ash. The tale focuses on the impact of keeping important secrets from a loved one as both lead characters cause relationship problems by doing so. Denny and her mom provide deeper insight into Ash's past. Though a couple of subplots spin away from the prime theme of honesty is the best policy in a relationship, family drama fans will enjoy the continuing saga of Lucy and Ash because they are full blooded characters supported by a powerful secondary team.

Harriet Klausner