Customer Reviews

Sweet Caroline

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Sweet Caroline arrived in the mail, it leapt to the top of my TBR pile. I have thoroughly enjoyed Rachel Hauck's NashVegas books and wondered if this one would measure up. Let me tell you, I loved every page and did not want to see it end.

As I read this book, I felt like I was transported to South Carolina. From the characters to the dialogue to the activities, it all fit that locale. And the secondary characters add a rich layer to this book. No one is thrown in without serving a purpose, and each adds a dimension to the plot and to Caroline's character.

I loved this book...and think you will, too.

Sweet Caroline is one of those rare books that I could not put down. I was immediately drawn into Caroline's world, didn't want to leave. The story was full of wonderful surprises that literally took my breath away, and the message was strong, clear, sweet. This book is beautiful, sweet, fun, and powerful. I plan to give this book as gifts throughout the year.

I have read all of Ms. Hauck's books and I LOVE all of them, however I think this is the best one so far. Usually I can guess where the plot is going but she really surprised me, more than once. I chuckled, laughed and cried. She describes the cafe and the setting so well you feel you really know the people and the town.

Caroline is somewhat of a people-pleaser. When there's a need she steps in to help without much thought to her own dreams. Her mother was flighty and ran off when she was younger, and Caroline desperately does not want to be like that. So she goes to the other extreme and becomes ultra-dependable.

She has lived in small town South Carolina all her life, but when a friend tells her of a job opportunity in Barcelona she decides to throw caution to the wind and go for it. But when the owner of the cafe where she works dies and leaves the cafe to her, it throws a big kink in her new plans. She feels the weight of responsibility to keep the cafe going and the other employees from loosing their jobs.

As if that's not enough, Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand steals her heart and then her first love, Mitch O'Neal comes back to town. Who knew so much could happen in Smalltown, America! Caroline has some big decisions to make and she's going to need some big help.

I especially loved Caroline's humor and how her head and her heart would literally talk to each other in the middle of certain situations. I also like that Caroline is grounded and not flighty and helpless. The pain she's lived with because of her mother's abandonment guides all her decisions. It's made her who she is, but does she have to be controlled by it? She never understood the God-thing and I like how he got her attention.

I don't want to spoil the ending, but she had to make some really tough decisions and trust that they were all for the best. I think she made the right ones, but someone else may disagree. You'll have to decide for yourself!

This book is a wonderful example of "If I'd known what all I'd have to go through, would I still do it?" So many times we just want the answers. We want to know what to expect in life. But then we go through hard times and we have to make hard decisions. Looking back, if we'd known ahead of time would we choose to go through all of that? Or would we back out and miss what God wanted to teach us. The blessings from hardships.

I wish Caroline Sweeney was real so I could be her friend. Rachel Hauck has written a book with such depth of characters that I was literally drawn into their world. It reminded me of Steinbeck's Cannery Row where the characters were so engaging I didn't want the book to end. But it was more than just a story. On the last page Caroline says "My life changed the day a man died." Through Caroline's story we see a life of purpose that extends far beyond what she ever imagined. It continues to inspire me to seek the love that never fails.

I read a short synopsis about this book, it sounded good, so I bought it. I'll be honest, had I known this was a Christian Fiction book, I absolutely would have skipped right over it...and I would have missed out on an excellent story.

I make a point not to read anything God-related...my own personal reasons, it usually makes me feel uncomfortable since my own beliefs are somewhat...scattered. However, with this book, I didn't mind so much. Don't get me wrong, there was much eye-rolling going on in the beginning, but I was really into the story and wanted to see where it went, so I kept on. The more I read, the more okay I felt with the story, and where it was going, and even the presence of God (no, I'm not gonna start going to church and singing bible hymns, but hey, it's a start).

As for the story itself, COMPLETELY surprised by the ending! I thought this would be your typical, sweet, southern fiction book with the fairly predictable ending...HA! Not at all. I loved how it ended, and I really came to love all the characters. I even teared up a little (ok, a lot) at the end, when Caroline presented Henry (her brother) with his Christmas gift to her. Overall, a GREAT book, and I will absolutely read more from Ms. Hauck. Still slightly uncomfortable with all the God talk, but the way Ms. Hauck writes it, I almost wish I could find what Caroline found...but that's a battle for me and myself to work out. So glad I read this, and can't wait to read more...thanks Ms. Hauck!

This was my first Rachel Hauk book. Love her. Thought she had some funny moments, and I loved how she developed her characters. We get the perfect amount of history so we feel we know them but aren't bored to tears with endless stories.

It stays pretty light hearted through out. I love that too, b/c of all the Christian fiction books I've loved- they've all been extremely emotional. And other Christian "romantic" books I've read? CHEESE.
And here this book was- the perfect combination of beginners faith that encourages you, and yet comedy to keep you laughing, interesting characters to keep you hooked, and no overwhelming sense of doom so this is just some good old brainless reading.... and then BAM. A horrible ending.

I haven't noticed anyone else on here commenting on it, so apparently I'm a rare person affected by that. But when I'm reading a romantic comedy (which is what I googled when I stumbled upon this book) then I want it wrapped in a beautiful bow and ended with contentment. This ended only left me feeling like book 2 is just starting. So there must be another one then, huh? What happens to Caroline?????

All in all I would definitely recommend this author. I really enjoyed 99% of this book. I would just add an appendix or something about how her decisions turned out (sorry to be vague but I don't want to ruin it for others).

Great book with Christian values threaded throughout but not overly done. Well worth the time to read. Caroline is a woman who has helped others throughout her life but has yet to find herself. It's a book that shows the growth of a young woman and how she comes to 'believe in herself' and her affirmation of a loving God.

I just read the book Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck, published by Thomas Nelson. I love it! I am not a huge fan of a 1st person narrative, and I am glad I did not let that stop me from reading this book. The story is refreshing, humourous and digs deep into human emotions before you realize it. Yet it does not intangle you in unnecessary drama. Having not read any books by this author before I have walked away wanting to read more. I will certainly be reading this book again.

Sweet Caroline is the first book I've read of Rachel Hauck. It's about a selfless woman who has to make difficult choices about life and love. I read this book in half a day. I just could not put it down, and it's also very easy to read. The ending is also unexpected. If you're into Christian inspirational books, you won't regret it. I'm looking forward to reading Love Starts With Elle.