How Dolly Parton Saved My Life
Jul 24, 2008
How Dolly Parton Saved My Life
A Novel of the Jelly Jar Sisterhood
Author: Charlotte Connors
Publisher: Broadway Books (Randomhouse, Inc.)
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7679-2656-0
Trade Paperback Original
"Chick-Lit with a mild dose of God" is how I describe this book. Nothing over the top religious, but this author is not afraid to let anyone know she's a Believer.
The story revolves around 4 completely diverse women living in Atlanta, Georgia who come together to form Jelly Jar Catering Company.
We have the flirty single mom, the young girl recently dumped by her boyfriend because "God told him to", the driven businesswoman and the stifled homemaker desperate to have her own career. Together they attempt to create a family friendly, woman based successful business where kids always come first and situations are resolved in an orderly and friendly manner.
These ladies are not friends, or even acquaintances when they start out. Two have the finances and the other two have the skills. The single girl feels out of place, the flighty mom feels that perhaps she's being pressured to tone down her "Dolly Parton" look, and the housewife cannot understand why the business woman seems to dislike her so much, even though they've never met. You do find out fairly early in the story that the business woman, Jo, was actually engaged years ago to the housewife's husband until he unexpectedly dumped her. She can't help but get upset every time she sees the family heirloom engagement ring she used to wear on another woman's hand.
The woman all start to bond as they build their business and at the same time discover they're all firm believers in God and look to him to guide their path in life.
A few realizations come out during the course of this book, such as even though God may lead you, you still have to pay attention and do something once you get to where he wants you to go; that people don't always act as you expect them to - or as they should; and finally, why you should always stand up for yourself.
The title of the book comes from Daisy's belief that years of listening to Dolly Parton's positive songs on life and God have helped her make her way in the world without being beaten down.
This is a nice quick summer read that tells a story, but also puts a little "positive affirmation" in your mind.
