OVERVIEW
This historical fiction novel was one of the eight choices for Amazon First Reads free Kindle book for June 2025. If you have Amazon Prime, you can also get this short story HERE.
This book's premise intrigued me, as it was written by an author I had not previously read, and it was a dual storyline historical fiction novel.
I loved this sweet, lovely novel. As one of the characters says, "Thank the Lord and pass the gravy"! That sentiment totally ties this book easily!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Catherine writes so beautifully with strong descriptions that allow the reader to easily imagine the setting, characters, and everything else! This novel is set in South Carolina, with the Southern hospitality culture beautifully on display (the author is a South Carolina native).
Character development: 5.0 stars
What strong character development! The primary characters are Winnie (a woman who escaped domestic abuse), Russell (Winnie's life partner), and Bailey Rae (a child left by her mom in Winnie's care).
The secondary characters are Martin (the local game warden and Bailey Rae's friend); June, Libby, and Thea (women who also escaped difficult lives); and Keith (Libby's son).
The tertiary characters are Annette (Russell's grandmother) and the neighbors and townspeople of the fictional Bent Oak. Also, the antagonists are the people and the dark pasts of the escaped women and children.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
This is a story of resilience, starting anew, and chosen family. What an amazing storyline!
The dual timeline is based on the 1970s/1980s and the specific years of 2000/2016/2025. It was done seamlessly.
The plot centers on a secret underground group that assists women and children to escape difficult situations. Of course, many of the characters are escapees themselves who continue to keep the group running. day for Ravi and Billy as they practice tennis together. Then everything changes when they come home, and Ravi must change too.
So much is packed into this story, so I do not want to spoil anything for anyone who might read this beautiful book.
The main location is the fictional Bent Oak, South Carolina.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
This novel vividly demonstrates how the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 helped women find freedom from the financial control of men in their lives.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 5.0 stars
It describes many of the women in this novel!
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads Kindle ebook
Lightening in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann
270 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 6/3/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Abandonment, violence, gun violence, death of a parent, drug use, alcohol, dementia, miscarriage, domestic violence, death
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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