Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Published: June 5, 2012
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 402
Form: Paperback
Series: Stand Alone
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Annajane Hudgens truly believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless.  They’ve been divorced for four years, she’s engaged to a new, terrific guy, and she’s ready to leave the small town where she and Mason had so much history.  She is so over Mason that she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia–the woman everyone in town adores.  Everyone, that is, except for Annajane and her lifelong best friend, Pauline “Pokey” Bayless.

But when fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a halt as the bride is literally walking down the aisle, Annajane begins to realize that maybe she’s been given a second chance.  Maybe everything happens for a reason.  And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back. 

But there are secrets afoot in this small town.  Passcoe, North Carolina, is the home of Quixie Cherry Soda, and the company has been in the Bayless family for generations.  Change is on the horizon, however, and even though anyone born in Passcoe is raised on cherry soda and it’s mascot, Dixie the Quixie Pixie, things are most definitely not going to be the same for long.  Soon, Annajane discovers that change can bring out the worst in people and uncover the family scandals.  And even though there are people determined to keep Annjane from getting what she wants, happiness could be hers for the taking, and the life she once had with Mason could be in her future.  That is, if she can find out what she’s really made of and what really matters most.

My Thoughts

I adored this book.  I love Mary K. Andrews because I know what I’m going to get.  Another story about a small country town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, and small town secrets and scandals abound.

Annajane Hudgens works for the local soda plant called Quixie, which happens to belong to her ex-husband, Mason, and his family.  Planning to make the final push to get over her ex, she plans to relocate to Atlanta and remarry.  But not before attending Mason’s wedding.  When the wedding is unceremoniously interrupted, mayhem and shenanigans ensue.

This is a sweet story about family, friendship, and unrequited love.  Annajane and Mason have had their ups and downs, but working through the plots and schemes of the woman trying to trick and ensnare Mason into marriage, and the schemes of said woman and Mason’s younger brother Davis to sell off the company, they both really grow up and begin to change.  Their perception and understanding of each other and themselves becomes clearer, though their insecurities still threaten to pull them under.

The characters are so colorful, fun, and likable.  And even the ‘villains’ were entertaining and necessary to the story.  I was especially fond of Mason’s daughter Sophie and his younger sister and Annajane’s best friend Pokey.  Both were quirky, hilariously honest, and loyal to a fault.

I love the small town setting and can really get into the coziness of the atmosphere the author created.  There was so much to love about this book.  Once again Ms. Andrews does not disappoint.