Yankee Doodle Dixie

Summary (from the publisher): A charmingly funny testament to second chances in life and love from the acclaimed author of Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter .

Lisa Patton won the hearts of readers last year, her book Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter became a sleeper-success. Building on a smashing debut, Lisa’s poised to go to the next level—because whether in Vermont snow or in Memphis heat, Dixie heroine Leelee Satterfield is never too far from misadventure, calamity...and ultimately, love.

Having watched her life turn into a nor’easter, 34-year-old Leelee Satterfield is back home in the South, ready to pick back up where she left off. But that’s a task easier said then done…Leelee’s a single mom, still dreaming of the Vermonter who stole her heart, and accompanied by her three best friends who pepper her with advice, nudging and peach daiquiris, Leelee opens another restaurant and learns she has to prove herself yet again. Filled with heart and humor, women’s fiction fans will delight in this novel.

Review: I won this book as a first reads giveaway on Goodreads. To preface my review, this novel is the sequel to an earlier novel by Lisa Patton, which I have not read, so that may have skewed my perspective somewhat. When I first received this novel, I took a glance at it and automatically assumed that it was just like dozens of other books I've read before - cute and semi-entertaining beach reading material, but nothing too memorable. But what set this novel apart is its quirky characters and humor; I definitely laughed multiple times. This is a feel good novel due to Patton's lovable narrator LeeLee.

My main complaint with Yankee Doodle Dixe was lack of characterization concerning LeeLee's three best friends and her two children, who were all fairly static and just along for LeeLee's ride. If I had been the editor (in my dreams) on this book, I would have recommended nixing the kids from the plotline altogether. LeeLee, as a narrator and character, is adorable, but clearly all about herself, which just makes her come across as a bad and rather absentee mother. But I did love Kissie and Riley (Wiley haha) and the unapologetically southern vibe to this entertaining little novel.

Stars: 3.5