Ain't She Sweet?
(Libby/OverDrive eAudiobook)

Fifteen years ago, Sugar Beth Carey reigned supreme over the small Mississippi town of Parrish, but now she's returning home a little bit shabby around the edges to claim a valuable painting left to her by her disapproving aunt. Fifteen years ago, Colin Byrne arrived in Parrish from England as a new teacher only to have his career destroyed by a spiteful young Sugar Beth. Fifteen years ago, Sugar Beth had everything Winnie Davis ever wanted, but because Winnie had the one thing Sugar Beth could never have, she turned Winnie's life into a perpetual hell. So now Colin, a best-selling author, and Winnie, Parrish's richest citizen, are determined to exact revenge for Sugar Beth's past sins, but much to their surprise, neither one finds revenge to taste quite as sweet as they expected once they get to know the new Sugar Beth. A hero who wouldn't be out of place in the pages of a Regency romance, a heroine who is equal parts grit and class, and a basset hound with a personality disorder are just a few of the memorable characters in Phillips' sassy, sexy contemporary romance. The simple perfection of her writing in this splendid tale will charm readers. ((Reviewed December 15, 2003)) Copyright 2003 Booklist Reviews

Sugar Beth Carey was the most popular girl in Parrish, MS. She had the hottest boyfriend, Ryan, and the coolest girlfriends, the Seawillows. She was so popular, in fact, that she could get away with tormenting her illegitimate half-sister, shy Winnie Davis, and getting everyone's favorite English teacher, British-born Colin Byrne, fired for sexual misconduct. Sweet? Never. Fifteen years after leaving town, however, the now prodigal and thrice-married Sugar Beth is back, widowed and broke and looking for redemption and forgiveness-along with a painting her aunt left her worth several million dollars. But Parrish has changed. Colin, now a well-respected author, is living in her family home, Frenchman's Bride, while once-awkward Winnie, heir to the Carey Window Factory fortune, has married Ryan. Should we even mention Sugar Beth's sullen basset hound, Gordon? With a nod to Georgette Heyer, Phillips (Breathing Room) has created interesting and quirky characters who are flawed and almost undeserving of sympathy, yet we sympathize. Down on her luck, Sugar Beth keeps her spine straight and her tongue sharp as she tries to make amends while allowing those she's abused some measure of retribution. This saucy novel will delight Phillips's fans, who have been eagerly awaiting her next creation. Recommended for all public libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/03.]-Bette-Lee Fox, "Library Journal" Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Down on her luck, naughty Sugar Beth Carey returns home to discover that everyone she slighted as a youngster has turned out happy. Phillips is a four-time winner of the Romance Writers of America Favorite Book of the Year Award, which explains the one-day laydown. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Read by Anna Fields. (See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/05) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Ain't She Sweet?, a fun-loving, humorous, chitchatty novel, takes place in the small town of Parrish, MS. After a 15-year absence from Parrish, Sugar Beth returns to claim her inheritance, a valuable painting from her deceased Aunt Tallulah. She desperately needs funds to help support her mentally challenged stepdaughter living in a supervised home. Fifteen years prior, in high school, Sugar Beth was known as an appalling girl, breaking hearts, shattering friendships, and ruining reputations. Upon arrival, she rediscovers Colin, her former English teacher who was dismissed from his job after she accused him of sexual misconduct. Now he's rich, influential, and the owner of her childhood home, Frenchman's Bride. Narrated by Kate Fleming, this predictable, light, contemporary, and enjoyable love story is filled with alluring plot lines. Recommended for public libraries and Phillips fans.-Carol Stern, Glen Cove P.L., NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

A small town's prodigal daughter returns to face her past in bestseller Phillips's latest cheeky, diverting fairy tale. Sugar Beth Carey, "the wild child of Parrish, Mississippi," was once the queen of all she surveyed, but after 15 years and three marriages, she's a broken (and broke) husk of her former self. Who's loving the schadenfreude? The Seawillows, for starters-the gaggle of Southern belles Sugar dumped years ago, plus Winnie Davis, the half-sister she treated like dirt. And there's more: not only did Sugar stomp on gorgeous Ryan Galantine's heart (luckily, Winnie caught him on the rebound), she also got Colin Byrne, the sexy British high school teacher, fired for ostensibly coming on to her. Colin now owns her family's manse, and she's inherited the carriage house on his property-along with a highly valuable painting, location unknown (might it be hiding in Colin's attic? Or is it right under her nose?). Phillips keeps the tension high, with Colin (now a successful writer and member of the town's "in" crowd) and all of the rest of Parrish looking to make Sugar pay for past misdeeds. Colin hires her to be his housekeeper, and soon their days are filled with bickering, backstabbing and lots of orgasmic sex. A subplot involving Gigi, Winnie and Ryan's rebellious teenage daughter, who somewhat improbably turns to Sugar Beth for advice, detracts from the primary drama. The novel is at its best when Phillips sticks with what she does best-fast-paced romps featuring two headstrong people who finally realize that they're soul mates. 7-city author tour. (Feb. 3) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.