Living on the Gulf Coast where humidity is so high it feels like you’re breathing underwater, What Matters Most is like a cool breeze.
What better way to spend the day then with a glass of chilly iced tea or a mint julep, the sound of gulls calling high above and a really good book.
I had a sense of familiarity while reading this book, like coming home.
Bette Lee has charmed me again.
Just when Louise thinks she has everything she ever wanted, her husband, Clay, throws a wrench in the works.
She has her family, her perfect home, and her circle of quilting friends. Louise would be perfectly happy to spend the rest of her life right where she is.
Clay, on the other hand, is tired of shoveling snow, and his boring job at the bank is draining the life out of him.
When a letter arrives, it looks like he’s saved. His Uncle died and left him a small house in Florida. They’ll move south, enjoy the balmy weather, make new friends, and enjoy the good life.
His nightmares of dropping dead at his desk are gone. Now that he has a chance to change things, he’s like a dog with a bone. Nothing will stop him now.
Louise is at her wit’s end. She doesn’t want anything to change. She wants everything to stay the way it is.
She gets with her best friend and they come up with a Plan A.
She hires the absolute worst realtor out there to list the house with. But, go figure, he gets a bite quickly and they even get the asking price, which she set high to discourage buyers.
Now what can she do?
Clay’s going through a mid-life crisis and Louise is pulling her hair out, trying to stop this run away train.
My thoughts
You know that saying, “Life goes on?”
I look back to that perfect time in my life and wish I could go back. But then real life comes crashing in, reminding me that time stands still for no one. You can never go back and nothing stays the same.
Poor Loiuse was always stable and secure in her life and now she’s ripped out of her happy home and driving to points unknown.
Clay changed from mister predictable to this dreamer. He romanticized the move, seeing a fantasy come true and his sights are set on Florida, believing the move will make him happy.
Poor Louise, you can feel her desperation, her panic. The road trip is insane. Her Plan B fails. I don”t know how she ever thought it would work.
I guess she had nothing left to lose.
I was really hoping for this one thing to happen at the end of this story, and Bette didn’t disappoint me. I had my, “You go girl” moment.
I’ve read several of Bette Lee Crosby’s novels and each time I read a new one I say to myself this is the best one yet. I could never choose a favorite as they have all touched my heart.
Bette’s southern accent sneaks into What Matters Most, subtly charming you, while tickling your funny-bone, and leaving you happy and wiser.
5 Stars
Giveaway
I have an awesome giveaway from Bette!
Alert! This is a Tag Team Event!
Sherry and I, the Tag Team Sisters, are both posting our reviews and having a giveaway.
For a second chance to win visit Sherry at fundinmental
I have one paperback copy to giveaway.
*****Us/Canada Only. Sorry to my International friends.*****
Good news!
I also have one e-book to giveaway.
***Anyone can enter for the e-book!***
To enter, please leave your email address and specify if US (everyone will be entered for the e-book) and answer this question:
“Do you find it hard to except change or do you relish it?”
Giveaway ends June 10th.
Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bette Lee Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. Her novel, Cracks in the Sidewalk, received the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award and then went on to win the 2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. In 2011 Spare Change received the Reviewer’s Choice Awards and it garnered a second Royal Palm Literary Award. Her books have earned numerous five-star ratings with readers acclaiming them as heartwarming and captivating.
Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.
Other Books by Bette Lee Crosby
Spare Change
2010 Royal Palm Literary Award
2011 Reviewer’s Choice Award
2012 FPA President’s Book Award Silver Medal
The Twelfth Child
National League of American Pen Women
Women’s Fiction Award
Cracks in the Sidewalk
2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal
2009 Royal Palm Literary Award
Cupid’s Christmas
A holiday romance.
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You nailed it Laura. I love the car. Makes me think of when Louise…….well, you know. LOL
Yep, I know!
That woman tearing away….!!!
I enjoyed how different our reviews were. Do you think people will believe that we don’t collaborate when writing them? That’s the best part, not knowing what each other has written until we publish the review!
I believe so. Especially if they follow us. They will see that we continually approach things differently. What jumps out at you doesn’t always jump out at me. LOL
lakeyg@gmail.com and US!
I tend to accept change, depending upon what it is. I love the challenge! Change is usually exciting and the thrill really gets me going. I always love learning new things, trying new foods, traveling, etc. Bring it on!
I used to love change. Now I’m older and just love coming home each day to my comfy nest.
I do like a surprise now and then:)
It depends on the situation. I usually like to keep some things the same, but on the the other hand, there are times I relish change. Loved your review. Thanks, Laura, for another great book to put on my TBR list.
We sounds similar:)
You will enjoy all of Bette’s books. She just has this southern magic. I feel right at home when reading them, even when they get dark at times.
I like some change if it helps the situation or it makes me a better person. I am a creature of habit so some change is still hard for me as I am stubborn (I admit it) and need to see the value in it.
Good answer. Sounds like me when I was younger. Well, sounds like me now too! lol
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Change can be intimidating and if there’s a challenge with it, why not relish it.
Amen!!
I love change…makes life an interesting challenge sometimes!
I like change in small increments:)
I find change very difficult to deal with, sometimes it feels crushing.
It can be. I think I relish change when I see no way of causing it and it happens when I’m in a rut and need a nudge.
I love good change, but that is easy right? I think it’s the bad change that is hard to accept and get over! Lots of love, Emily I would love any book and I think you have my email??? LOL!!!
Got ya covered Emily!
I don’t care for hard change but sometimes it’s the only way to get past obstacles.
I have never been a creature of habit. I was not raised with schedules. We also moved a great many times in my lifetime. It may be a contributing factor in my comfort level with change. I also have a bit of an adventurous spirit so I do enjoy trying new things,places,authors,new types of music,cultures etc. But I have found that as I “mature”,(politically correct for ageing) and after experiencing a personal tragedy a few years ago, I am not as comfortable with change at home. I seem to lean more towards familiarity and stability in my home life.
I think most people, maybe without being aware, equate consistency with security and a sense of control over their lives. Change may take one out from under their security blanket. Does that Make sense? ?
umm. I forgot mine too.
donnacarolloftis@gmail.com
Absolutely! Very well said.
thank you. 🙂
Ya know, I think it all depends on what that change encompasses. Then again, I’ve had numerous situations morph into changes that I thought were horrid at the time. So, as long as I can either learn something or know that life is better b/c of the change – I am ALL for it! :o}
4got my email addy: emilymarie070750@gmail.com lol
I know what you mean. I just wish I didn’t have to wait so long to see if the change was for the good.
I know! Some of them I am sitting waiting on… My fingers are tired of twittling! ha
Kariploysa@yahoo.com us
Oh tough one. Yes and no. I like change if I thought of it first. Or if it is explained in pros and cons.
however change just for change can be scarey. I sometimes push back and I’ll tell you why I don’t like the new changes. I’ll give you my own cons without knowing the pros. I am a big picture person, so if I know the overall benefit, I’m easier to accept it.
I like that. You are bold. I used to be. Guess getting a little older, I don’t push or express like I used to.
I am not real good with change…I like routine otherwise I tend to have high anxiety !!
Josiehink122026 at gmail dot com
I can accept most change as long as it isn’t too dramatic. I hate it when a big deal is made out of small things. Sometimes the small changes in life are where the biggest miracles of our life come from 🙂
wolfgang1313@juno.com and US
My first thought was that I’m pretty good with most change, but then the more I thought about it, the more I realized what a creature of habit I am. So maybe I’m not as good with change as I thought. It’s a good question and it gives me something to both ponder and work on.
Shelley
bel_gar_ion@live.com.au
Would love to take a stab at reading your book(s).
forgot my email address: mrsnibbles1@gmail.com
sue-ellen@rogers.com– Canada
I don’t like change and I am fairly certain it’s because I don’t like the unknown. Have been this way for over 50 years not sure if that would change now. Love this contest!!
Laura….I received an email yesterday stating that I won an e-book copy of Bette Lee Crosby’s book ” What Matters Most”. I am suppose to confirm my email address and I’m not sure if that is done in this comment section or not. My email address is..
donnacarolloftis@gmail.com . I am very excited to have a chance to read one of Bette Lee’s books.
I do hope that the book is available for KindlePC as that is all that I have access to.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read a “new to me” author that I have been interested in for some time now.
Hi Donna! Got you covered and I’m sure Bette can get you the format you need!!
Congratulations and happy reading. You should hear from her soon after I turn in the winners, which will be later today!!
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