Saving Ceecee Honeycutt

A Novel

By: Beth Hoffman

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom.

Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.

In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.

Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, Beth Hoffman's sparkling debut is, as Kristin Hannah says, "packed full of Southern charm, strong women, wacky humor, and good old-fashioned heart." It is a novel that explores the indomitable strengths of female friendship and gives us the story of a young girl who loses one mother and finds many others.

©2010 Beth Hoffman (P)2010 Penguin Audiobooks

Bought the hardcover for my mother

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed this book so much I gave it to my mother to read and share with my aunt. Beautiful story of female relationships - familial and family-like.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the women who save Ceecee - mind, body, and spirit. Together they are the perfect mother.

What does Jenna Lamia bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lamia's performance is true to the dialects and personas of the characters. She doesn't try too hard and thereby is genuine and accessible.

If you could rename Saving Ceecee Honeycutt, what would you call it?

Real Ladies Wear Hats and Swim Nude

Any additional comments?

Heart-warming and heart-rending by turns - miss the characters like absent friends.

Sweet, tender story of love and friendship

I absolutely love Jenna Lamia! What a fantastic reader. The story is sweet and full of hope and friendship.

What can I say? I laughed...I cried. And I really loved the story. Well done!

Great

It is nice to have a book that actually leaves you feeling good. Very tender and insightful writing.

Absolutly Delightful!!

What did you love best about Saving Ceecee Honeycutt?

I really loved all the colorful characters. Ms Jenna Lamia does a wonderful job bring them all to life. Her performance is perfection.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Saving Ceecee Honeycutt?

Omg... When Cece took that bra all over town and snapped those photos I laughted out loud.
There are many highlights though. Cece first trip to the beach, her visit to the old folks home, the "Garden Pary Brawl" and many others.

Any additional comments?

This is a wonderful story about how love can heal past pain and how a family can come together out of an unlikly group of peope. I do recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that is filled with compassion and wisdom for one less fortunate.

An Easy Read (Listen)

If you could sum up Saving Ceecee Honeycutt in three words, what would they be?

Sweet, Predictable, Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

This is what I'd call an easy read. An airplane/beach book. Jenna Lamia was superb. The story line could have been a bit more complex, but all in all, I really enjoyed it.... beginning to end.

Fantastic!!

I laughed, I cried, i didnt want it to be over. The imagery is brilliant:)

Love

What a sweet, feel good book! A perfect summer book that will make you feel happy after reading.

Narrator was perfect

Even a good book can be ruined by a poor narrator…but I found in this instance, a good book can be also be made great with the right narrator. Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt would have, no doubt been enjoyable to simply read, but this narrator took it to new levels.

Lovely story; excellent reader!

This sweet story reminded me of "The Secret Life of Bees"--a girl in need of mothering receiving it from warm Southern women. What elevates this book from good to better is the narrator. She brought every character to vivid life. A friend asked if I would recommend the book and I told her only if she listened to it, otherwise it would be a bit too predictable.

Saving CeeCee Honeycut

This is a delightful, and humerous story about a young girl who goes to live with her great Aunt in the South. CeeCee, the young girl, has had a tragic childhood due to her mother's untreated mental illness. The overall feel of the book is uplifting and happy, but it does touch on some more serious issues. Those readers who appreciate southern hospitality and charm will especially enjoy this book. Highly recommend if you need a "feel good" book with a happy ending.