The Sweet Taste of Muscadines: A Novel

Written by Pamela Terry

Narrated by Xe Sands

A woman returns to her small southern hometown in the wake of her mother’s sudden death—only to find the past upended by stunning family secrets—in this intimate debut novel, written with deep compassion and sharp wit.

“A deeply moving work of Southern fiction that will appeal to fans of Where the Crawdads Sing . . . a story to remember long after the last page is turned.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lost and Found Bookshop 

Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father’s untimely demise when she was a child. Both Lila and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives of their own. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain behind to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva. Yet despite their independence, Lila and Henry know deep down that they’ve never quite reckoned with their upbringing.

When their elderly mother dies suddenly and suspiciously in the muscadine arbor behind the family estate, Lila and Henry return to the town that essentially raised them. But as they uncover the facts about Geneva’s death, shocking truths are revealed that overturn the family’s history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines reminds us all that true love never dies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9780593292778

Reviews for The Sweet Taste of Muscadines

[bookofsecrets · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

THE SWEET TASTE OF MUSCADINES is a gorgeously written novel about siblings who uncover shocking family secrets after their mother Geneva Bruce dies unexpectedly.

Lila and Henry have avoided their childhood home in Wesleyan, Georgia, for most of their adult lives. Their relationship with Geneva was strained, yet their younger sister (who never left) was very close to their mother. All three Bruce children are baffled as to why Geneva died under the muscadine arbor in the middle of the night, and they also have no idea about the secrets she kept hidden for decades that will upend their lives.

The prose is lovely and lyrical, and you can pull passages from every page and say “wow!” As someone who grew up in small-town Georgia, I can say that the author perfectly captured the South in her rich descriptions and within her characters. If you enjoy compelling women’s fiction with true Southern flair, move this book to the top of your list.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[mchwest · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great book that has been waiting patiently on my TBR shelf. I was ready for a southern family saga but instead was given a wonderful, lusciously descriptive story of where life leads different people at different times of their lives. I only found this to read as I was ready to order the authors new book, WHEN THE MOON TURNS BLUE, and immediately ordered it also! Read and enjoy!

[melaniehope · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a beautiful southern story written about family, home, and forgiveness. It centers around three siblings, Lila, Henry and Abigail. Lila and Henry both left their small Georgia home as soon as they could. Abigail, the favorite daughter, stayed behind with their mom Geneva. However. when Geneva is found dead in the garden under the muscadine arbor, Lila and Henry return home. Soon after, they discover that there were secret long buried.
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was very descriptive and their was a bit of a mystery involved as well. I definitely would recommend this one

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: The Sweet Taste of Muscadines
Author: Pamela Terry
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Sweet Taste of Muscadines" by Pamela Terry

My Opinion:

'The Sweet Taste of Muscadines' was indeed a delightful, good family mystery read that will keep you turning the pages in this southern drama. I enjoyed how Lia finally found answers that would give her the peace she so needed. The story really turned from an unexpected death that would lead Lila and Henry to Scotland to get all of the answers needed to complete this well-told story. One thing to get out of this story was that one never knows about one's kinfolk and when the secrets come rolling out! I will say that 'The Sweet Taste Of Muscadines' will pull one 'in just like the taste of sweet tea and southern charm.' So be prepared for a read about a 'family, their history, drama, and oh yes, dysfunction' in one way or another.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a thoughtful, interesting, well developed story wrapped in the most delicious and gorgeous descriptive prose. I fell into this book and relished each page, one perfect analogy after another. Wow, Pamela Terry wherever did you learn to write? She explains that “growing up in the south is not for the faint of heart” and in less than a page she defines the bewildering experience she is about to lead you on. She tells you in the south there is “heart stopping beauty and heartrending ugliness that flourish simultaneously and then please listen carefully to her story and know that her truth comes with a heavy price.

Smart, Witty, sometimes frivolous, sometimes angry and heartbreaking the characters are imbued with the ability to look inward and understand the need to stand firm when the basic instinct is to flinch and turn away - the characters were all real to me. Their behavior in the circumstances believable and identifiable. Defined as chick-lit by some I would argue that it is just a good story with a female protagonist.

I can’t remember being so taken with a book from the first page in a long time. Thank you Random House- Ballantine and NetGalley for a copy.

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When a spoon is found in their dead mother’s hand as she lies facedown in a grape arbor, her three children have no idea that what they thought was the story of their parents an childhood will be upended. The youngest child, Abby, has fallen apart at her mother’s remembrance celebration. Its up to her brother and sister, Henry and Lila, to figure out what really happened to their father. Their mother has told them he died while a chaplain in the Army serving in Vietnam. He was a Baptist minister and a respected member of the Georgia community, but the real father was someone entirely different. Leaving Abby with an uncle, Henry and Lila head to Scotland to find out what really happened to their father. The central theme of the book is forgiveness and understanding how the strictures of a small southern community led their father to a new life and new identity. The descriptions of Scotland and the small island of weaver is a beautiful setting for the finale of the book.

[fredreeca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lila and Henry have returned home because of their mother’s death. Not only is this a tragedy itself, but they discover a family secret their mother kept hidden for nearly 30 years. This changes their lives and their sister, Geneva’s life forever.

I loved every single character in this story..heck! I know half of them. They all live in my town. The author nailed the south! I love it when they get it right. And Pamela Terry got it right.

There is also a lot of wisdom in this read. Not only did it have me laughing out loud, it had me thinking about so many misconceptions. The story starts out kind of quirky and funny, then it takes a turn toward seriousness. I am trying to be careful because I do not want to give anything away. But this is a book you do not want to miss!

Need a unique read…this one is it! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The perfect Southern family, beautiful wife, three children, and a husband that is the preacher of the local church. They had it all, or so it seemed, but struggles were hidden along with long held secrets.
This story actually begins with the death of the matriarch, and her body being found under the arbor of the muscadines, a place filled with family memories.
As the three siblings arrive to bury their mother, the facts of their lives begin to unfold, and closely held family secrets begin to unravel, and we embark on a journey that airs all of their laundry.
I loved the gift of weaving as we travel from Maine to Scotland, it will warm your heart. I also loved the ending here, so keep reading, and see how everything works out! Surprise!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Sweet Taste of Muscadines is one of those rare books that you want to read fast to find out how it ends but you also want to read it very slowly so that you don't miss any of the beautiful writing. Believe me when I say that the writing is exquisite. Not only are the characters well written and believable but the scenery is so well described that you feel like you are there -- sweating in the sun in the south and cold on the windswept island in Scotland. This book was my last read of 2020 and will be on my top 12 books of the year (out of the 215 books that I read.)

Lila, her brother Henry and her sister Abagail grew up in Wesleyan, Georgia with their mother. Their beloved father died when they were very young and they were raised by an often-disapproving mother. Both Lila and Henry left home as soon as possible while Abagail stayed home and lived a life as a best friend to her mother. Lila moved to a remote island in Maine and Henry to NYC. When they receive a call from Abagail that their mother has died, they both reluctantly return home. When they find out more about her death - that she died in the muscadine arbor with a digging spoon in her hand, they work to find out answers to the questions around her death. The more they find out, the more confused they become until their search threatens to destroy the foundation that their childhood was built on. As their search takes them to Scotland, they re-discover the importance of love, family and forgiveness.
"Maybe home is more something you carry inside you than the ground on which you stand."


I read this book on Kindle but have a hard copy book on order. I need to read it again and underline all of the beautifully written phrases. The writing was so beautiful that a lot of the book will end up highlighted. This was a debut for this author and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

[jothebookgirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of a family riddled with secrets. It reads like a true family saga.
It really made me hurt for those, especially gays, who just want to be accepted for who they are and live a happy life. But there are too many prejudices out there.

The story centers around, Lila and her brother Henry, who return to their small Southern hometown after learning of their mother’s sudden death. Their mother’s death reveals a host of stunning family secrets. Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in her hometown of Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father's untimely death when she was a child. He died in service. Both she and her brother, Henry, fled to the north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives and relationships of their own. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, decided to live her life in Georgia near her domineering mother Geneva. Now, their elderly mother has died suddenly and strangely. Her body is discovered in the dense vines of the muscadine arbor behind the family estate with a spoon in her hand. The discoveries prompt Henry and Lila to travel back to the town where they were raised. Lila and Henry are very much different from their younger sister Abby... in lots and in manner. The strangeness of Geneva's death, reveals some shocking truths that the Bruces' history as they know it, is not what it seemed. These truths send Henry and Lila on an extraordinary journey to Scotland to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives.
Pamela Terry most certainly knows the culture and expectations of a small Southern town.
Great book!