Helpful Score: 5
This book was a bit of a slow starter, but a great picture of a marriage. I really enjoyed and how honest and realistic the plot was. The characters were, of course, amazingly developed.
Helpful Score: 5
The sequel to "Big Stone Gap", this book does not disappoint those who fell in love with the characters of the first book. All of the wonderful people are back: Ave Maria, Jack Mac, Fleeta, Pearl Grimes, etc.
This book takes place eight years after Ave and Jack's wedding. They have a daughter, Etta, and the reader finds out that they also had a son who died of leukemia. It is Joe's death that haunts Ave throughout this book.
The writing in this novel is beautiful and a great read for all.
This book takes place eight years after Ave and Jack's wedding. They have a daughter, Etta, and the reader finds out that they also had a son who died of leukemia. It is Joe's death that haunts Ave throughout this book.
The writing in this novel is beautiful and a great read for all.
Helpful Score: 5
Wonderful story of "letting go"
Helpful Score: 4
It took me a couple of tries to get into this one, but when I finally buckled down and read the first 50 pages, I was completely hooked. This is a wonderful follow-up to Big Stone Gap; I would recommend reading them in order. There are laugh-out-loud places, cry-with-Ave Maria places, and just plain "Awwww" places. Can't wait to read the third book, "Milk Glass Moon." Highly recommended.
Theresa H. (mom2threekiddos) reviewed Big Cherry Holler (Big Stone Gap, Bk 2) on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This 3 book series is really good. It takes in a small rinky dink town and is just a good easy read. You've got to make sure you get the set though.
Helpful Score: 2
This one had me hooked from page one till the end. I love how everyone in the book grew into themselves and it was packed full of surprises.
Helpful Score: 2
#2 of the Big Stone Gap novels follows Ave Maria Mulligan into the hills, but the world won't let her hide. A romance with an unusual cast of characters, great develoment, solid plot, pulls at your heart.
Helpful Score: 1
I've read a couple of the books in this series. She's a very good writer...I always get caught up in both the personalities and the great place descriptions from West Virginia to Italy.
Helpful Score: 1
A heartwarming tale. Humorous, romantic, and wise.
Helpful Score: 1
This is an excellent book. One that I wished would never end.
Helpful Score: 1
Very funny book...the whole series is great Southern humor.
Helpful Score: 1
Eight years have passed since Ave Maria Mulligan married Jack Mac, moved up into the hills, and dug in her roots even deeper. But Ave Maria soon discovers that the mountains cannot shelter her from the painful lessons of the heart. As her life reaches a crossroads, almost everybody in town has advice to offer---including the Bookmobile's self-appointed secpert Iva Lou Wade, savvy pharmacy owner Pearl Grimes("a very mature twenty-four"), a crusty chain-smoking cashier Fleeta, and of course, the always-wise band director Theodore Tipton, now unofficially "out" and about. But when Ave Maria takes her daughter to Italy for the summer, her passion for a seductive stranger will test her marriage---and push her to choose the man who is truly her destiny.
Helpful Score: 1
From Library Journal:
"In this sequel to Big Stone Gap, Ave Maria and Jack MacChesney have been married 11 years. They have a ten-year-old daughter, Etta, but lost their younger child, Joe, a few years earlier. This loss and other marital stresses have tested their relationship, but the summer brings on the biggest trial yet. As Jack tries to launch a new construction business in Big Stone Gap, VA, Ave Maria and Etta take off for Italy. While many of the same humorous characters of the first novel reappear here, the tragedy of the death of a child and the chill it can cast on any marriage make this work more somber than its predecessor. Nonetheless, this novel of love and forgiveness delivers its story in a believable manner. Ave Maria remains someone readers would like to know, and Iva Lou, her librarian friend, still has her finger on the pulse of Mars/Venus relationships in this neck of the woods."
"In this sequel to Big Stone Gap, Ave Maria and Jack MacChesney have been married 11 years. They have a ten-year-old daughter, Etta, but lost their younger child, Joe, a few years earlier. This loss and other marital stresses have tested their relationship, but the summer brings on the biggest trial yet. As Jack tries to launch a new construction business in Big Stone Gap, VA, Ave Maria and Etta take off for Italy. While many of the same humorous characters of the first novel reappear here, the tragedy of the death of a child and the chill it can cast on any marriage make this work more somber than its predecessor. Nonetheless, this novel of love and forgiveness delivers its story in a believable manner. Ave Maria remains someone readers would like to know, and Iva Lou, her librarian friend, still has her finger on the pulse of Mars/Venus relationships in this neck of the woods."
Yvette Irene S. (yvetteirene) reviewed Big Cherry Holler (Big Stone Gap, Bk 2) on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As with all Trigiani books, this was is as good as the next. Her description of Italy makes you want to jump on a plane and go! Her tales of family life are endearing. It is a delicious read.
Helpful Score: 1
WOW! I thought Big Stone Gap was impossible to put down, and this sequel was no different. Trigiani was able to keep the story alive and fresh from one book to the next. Great read! I'm going to pick up the third and fourth books to see if she can keep it going.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great series, highly recommended. I didn't want to put the book down, you feel like you are in Big Stone Gap.
Second in the trilogy of Big Stone Gap and the MacChesney family. Very entertaining.
Trigiani really gets to your heart - yet another gripping, emotional and evocative tale from her.
Adriana Trigiani's books are always fun, and this is no exception. Full of life and life's lessons.
I loved this series and this author. Hope she turns out more books soon.
A good southern fiction read.
I loved the continuation of Ave Marie's life in Big Stone Gap. Makes me want to visit Italy and Virginia. She's very introspective.
enjoyable read
Great book, loved the first one in the series (Big Stone Gap) and this one was just as entertaining. Reading Milk Glass Moon now and enjoying it just as much! Especially good summer reads.
Great book--especially if you read Big Stone Gap.
Big Stone Gap continues the life exploration of a small town mountain woman. She discoveres her family in Italy. And events cause her to recomitt herself to her marriage.
Another great one from Adriana Trigiani...real, and really funny. Grazie, bella!
ENJOYABLE.
2nd book in a series and the best. Life and marriage continues with ups and downs. Sooner than later Ave Maria had to come to grips with cracks in her marriage. A trip to Italy brought temptation very close..........
the real story is coming to grips with personal flaws and trying to mend a marriage.
I loved this book - hated for it to end. Loved the characters and the writing. Felt as if I wanted to live there and be friends.
I hope you won't pass this book up.
the real story is coming to grips with personal flaws and trying to mend a marriage.
I loved this book - hated for it to end. Loved the characters and the writing. Felt as if I wanted to live there and be friends.
I hope you won't pass this book up.
Good book second in the Big Stone Gap series.I enjoy Trigiani's books.
Author of "Big Stone Gap"!
very good series.I loved the quirky down to earth characters
This author and series is great! Big Stone Gap and Milk Glass Moon start and conclude the series. This is the middle book. GREAT!!!
I loved Big Cherry Holler, I'm looking for more books by this author.
An enjoyable read.
outstanding!
This is an amazing series. I love the easy read and the loveable characters. Be sure you started with Big Stone Gap so you know the entire story.
i like this series (trilogy?) i like reading about a woman who also only has one child/daughter and their relationship.
This is the second book in the Big Stone Gap series
Its a great read------------
Its a great read------------
A sequel to her previous novel, this one was enjoyable largely because I liked the first one so much. This one is also very engaging, although it was much more dramatic because of the haunting that the main character obviously possesses from the death of her young son. Still a good read.
A good book with great elements. I liked it a lot.
I really enjoyed this book!
Great sequel to Big stone gap
well written, good story
A novel of love and forgiveness. Ava Maria married Jack Mac and discovers the mountains can not shelter her from the painful lessons of the heart.
This was the first time that I read one of her books. I enjoyed it and will read more of her books.
Excellent sequel in this series of books. Just as engaging as the first!
Wonderful story!
heartwarming everything that really matters is here: humor, romance, wisdom, and drama.
Romance, humor,wisdom, heartwarming.
great follow-up to an excellent story
Loved this entire series.
A wonderful read. 2nd book in the series.
The second book in Adriana Trigiani's 'Big Stone Gap' Series. Ave Maria Mulligan has settled into marriage and motherhood, but feels there is something missing, driving her to explore her family's roots in Italy.
Beverly B. (ChristianBookWorm) reviewed Big Cherry Holler (Big Stone Gap, Bk 2) on + 3 more book reviews
2nd book in the series. She's a great writer. The story will touch your heart.
Gail P. (TinkerPirate) -
Stone Gap was better, but it's still a good read.
Great book second in the Big Stone Gap series the story of the Blue Ridge mountain people and their lives. Fummy and sad at times. One of those books you can't put down.
Linda K. (readingyoga-fan) reviewed Big Cherry Holler (Big Stone Gap, Bk 2) on + 143 more book reviews
This is an extra copy I picked up at the library to have for trade. I have not read it but hear it's a great read. From Publishers Weekly: "(This) big-hearted novel ...is populated with many of the same characters readers found endearing the first time around: and the story of a mother grappling with grief over the loss of a child is genuinely moving."
Absolutely loved this 2nd book in the series about Ave Maria and family and the people of Big Stone Gap. Truly wonderful characters and even more wonderful descriptions of the scenery, both in the US and in Italy. A must read.
The 1st book of a series by this author,great book set in the mountains in a small town.
