My Thoughts

Loss, love, joy and sorrow are a few of the emotions this story brings to the table.

Blanche’s niece, Sissy/Martina Ducaine, along with Aunt B’s 2 best friends Ina Mae and Gussie send the dearly departed off in style according to Blanche’s last wishes.

There are those in her home town of Newton Texas who are scandalized by her funeral choice and those who just as equally embrace its spirit.

A new chance for the 2 surviving members of the Sunshine Club to matchmake 1 last time.

The resulting story builds slowly over its course but as I knew it would worked out perfectly for all in the end.

With a few unexpected benefits for some of the side characters as well.

Changes, new beginnings and new relationships are also explored as the story unfolded.

Family of the heart is created and nurtured between these three women as Ina Mae, Gussie as well as Sissy come to terms with the loss of a woman who gave all of them great joy when she was alive.

That joy is found again after her death when least expected and none of the three were looking for it.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

I liked this book. Had a slow start at the beginning, but it really picked up after that. This had a lot of layers in the whole store. Friends pretty much forever they come together to say goodbye basically to one of their own. This had death, small town, best friends and romance.

I received this ARC through #netgalley and I am voluntarily reviewing this book

Reading a Carolyn Brown book is like eating a piece of delicious pie. It begins with anticipation when you see it, savor while demolishing it, and are greatly satisfied after consumption. Brown creates such cute, quirky characters, especially elderly ones. There’s usually a vile viper, in this case Elvira, and humorous animals to round out the cast. It was a perfect way to spend a dreary afternoon, reading the Sunshine Club.

Seriously good! Gussie, Ina Mae, and Blanche have been best friends for more than sixty years. From their humble beginnings of founding the Sunshine Club when they were girls to becoming the matchmaking queens of Newton, Texas, these three were inseparable. When Blanche passes away, Gussie and Ina Mae feel the best way to honor their dearly departed is with a shot of whiskey, some good music, and making a match for Blanche’s niece, Sissy.

Never mind that Sissy’s in town for only six weeks. Is there a better reason for her to stay? And is there a better prospect than handsome, charming, blue-eyed local preacher Luke Beauchamp? No and no. The attraction is already there. Now it’s up to Gussie and Ina Mae to make sure the sparks really get to crackling by Christmas.

The Sunshine Club is back in business. Don’t underestimate two feisty women who have their hearts set on a happy ending.

Sissy’s aunt Blanche has passed away. Sissy is home for her funeral. She has inherited Blanches house and she is trying to decide what to do. Blanche and her friends had a private club for years, just the 3 of them, and they were known for their matchmaking. The 2 remaining members have decided they need to find someone for Sissy so she will stay. This was a fun book. The Sunshine club members, Gussie and Alina Mae are delightful characters. There is quite a bit of humor in the book, Chester and Danny Boy, Blanches birds are hilarious. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Gussie, Ina Mae and Sissy are all distressed at the loss of Sissy's Aunt Bea but give her the send off she wanted even if it surprises people in their small town. The two older women had a pact with Blanche- the Sunshine Club- and now they invite Sissy to join them. And, they cook up a plot to marry her off to Luke, the local preacher. It's a story of friendship in a small town with two mature women with spunk (and a little bourbon) and a young couple who ..... Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Brown's fans will enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read quite a few books by this author, and I have really enjoyed them all. So I had high hopes for this book, and I was not disappointed. This was a great book!

When I think of literary fiction, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and can satisfies just about every reader's heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

I always enjoy reading a Carolyn Brown book. They are sweet romances. This one doesn’t disappoint. When Sissy’s Aunt Bee (Blanche) passes away unexpectedly, Sissy has to deal with the loss. Lucky for her, Aunt Bee had wonderful friends in Gussie and Ina Mae. They called themselves the Sunshine Girls. Sissy also starts a friendship/romance with Luke the local preacher from her Aunt’s church. This book deals with loss, family (even if they aren’t blood) and romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

This was easily one of my favorite books that I read this year. I really loved the stories of the trio of older ladies, and just reading about the simple small town life.

It’s a hoot. You’ll enjoy these ladies who belong to the Sunshine Club. Especially, Ina Mae and Gussie as they console Sissy, the niece of their dearly departed friend Blanche. It’s a sad occasion when you meet them, but you can’t help but laugh. Though you try not to, you just can’t help it. The characters were quirky, fun, interesting and funny. Ina Mae and Gussie really need a back story, if they don’t already have one. You’ll definitely enjoy this, so pick up a copy and enjoy.

A new generation carries on the mischief and mayhem the three ladies and their matchmaking.
The tables are turned as sissy decides to matchmaker for Gussie and Ina Mae.
The local church and its social events are as always central to the story and village life.
Escape in to the story and cheer on your favourite characters.

Another winner from Carolyn Brown! This book started out a little bit on the slow side for me, at a funeral and I struggled to keep some of the characters straight. Once I started to get drawn in, there was no looking back!

Sissy returns to small town Newton, Texas to take care of her Aunt’s affairs after she suddenly passes. Newtown has always been a home to Sissy after an unconventional childhood, and Blanche was the person who grounded her. Sissy is out of sorts, and not quite where she fits in, and Blanche’s friends are trying to work to keep her in Newtown. Sissy takes on counseling for a young couple, and starts building connections to the town, but where does she truly belong?

A story of celebrating life, friends, and family while you have them, and holding on tight to the things that matter, this is another winner for me!

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I grow up I want to be just like one of the ladies of the Sunshine Club. I love their spirit even after their friend dies. They match make between Sissy and Luke. A more deserving couple would be hard to find. The busy bodies of the town try to keep them apart. Their outlook on the whole thing is wonderful.

For me, this book was as much about the wonderful friendship between the older ladies, as it was about the romance between the younger cgar@cters. I found it empowering and uplifting, after a slightly slow start. The small town setting was cosy and comforting and I especially enjoyed the touches of humour throughout the book.

While I usually like a Carolyn brown book, this one I was a bit meh about. The writing was fine, but the dialogue and predictability was too much. Honestly I was a bit bored. I'm not trying to be brutal here, just truthful. It just was missing the pow factor. I think maybe it just isn't for my reading tastes at this time. However if you need a sweet, non complicated, easy read, this is the book for you.

The Sunshine Club by Carolyn Brown is a heartwarming look at small-town life, the power of friendships, and moving forward. This is a comforting book, that is an easy read and will bring a smile to your face.

Sissy returns to Newton, Texas after her only living relative, Aunt Blanche has passed away suddenly from a heart attack. With the help of Blanche’s best friends Gussie and Ina Mae, Sissy has to sort through her aunt’s home and all her possessions. She learns that her aunt, Gussie, and Ina Mae formed a club when they were in school, named the Sunshine Club, and they kept the club going all these years later. Gussie and Ina Mae invite Sissy into their club as they work together to sort through their grief.

Ina Mae and Gussie want Sissy to stay in Newton, instead of going back to Louisiana and her therapist practice. So, they decide to do some matchmaking and they have the new paster, Luke Beauchamp in their sights as the best candidate for their best friend’s niece, Sissy. But, with only a few weeks left before Sissy has to return to her job, can the meddlesome women make a love match?

The Sunshine Club is a comforting story and is exactly what I expect from a Carolyn Brown book. The two older friends are fun and full of sass. Sissy is mourning her aunt, but she also finds herself enjoying her life back in Newton a lot more than she thought she would. The small town side characters are fun, and help the story move along.

If you’re already a fan of Carolyn Brown’s books, reading the Sunshine Club will feel like throwing on that old comfy sweater. You know exactly what to expect and Carolyn Brown delivers with her signature small town gossip and sweet romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A wonderful and sweet story. Sissy comes to town for her aunt’s funeral, and gives and gets support from her aunt’s two best friends. Sexy and single preacher Luke adds another level of possibilities. Rich characters full of sass and love, plus a few gossipy old biddies of course as well makes for a book that was hard to put down. Have enjoyed many books by this author, and this one is no exception. Highly recommend this book and author.

I usually really enjoy reading Carolyn Brown, but this one was not one of my favorites. Too much dialogue back and forth and not enough character development. Didn't understand the double personality of Sissy! Wasn't sure much of the time who was speaking. I could not connect with the book!

Carolyn Brown has done it again. This book grabs you and you can’t put it down till the last page. The two main characters are Sissy and Luke. Sissy comes to Texas for her aunt’s funeral. Luke is her aunt’ preacher. Her aunt has two best friends, that have know each other for all their lives. Sissy helps with the Christmas plans at church. Some people at the church doesn’t think Luke should be seen with Sissy, even kissing her. There are lots of problems for Sissy and Luke. They work through their problems and find love.