For the first 200 pages, I thought it was one of the best books I've ever read. Parts made me laugh, and other parts made me literally gasp. Then I thought she jumped the shark and I was so mad at her for ruining such a great book! But in the end, it all worked out...not like I assumed it would, so it held my interest to the very last page. This is the first time in a long time that a book has passed the "I can't pick up another one because I'm still thinking about this one" test for me.

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This was on a "new books just in" shelf at our library---and I loved the title, so I brought it home. Very good writing, interesting characters and a very satisfying read.

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This is a simple, quickly read story of a girl in the South in the 70's trying to make her way in the world. It was not original in its story line, but it was a compassionate story that showed was forgiveness, change and dreams can do and how they all can be interpreted differently for each person. To me it left me somewhat unfulfilled and in my opinion took a girl's dreams and made them invalid. That being said, it was a fictional story and it got me thinking, so a good book all in all.

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Promising new author, it was a quick read. There are parts that are both funny and a lil sad but a very good book over all. I am looking foraward to reading more of her books.

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What a lovely book! Wonderful, endearing characters- especially Catherine Grace and Gloria Jean- funny, emotional Southern women that I have known! Great story with surprising emotions and plot twists. I was thrown for a loop at the end, but still enjoyed the ending. Very enjoyable book!

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Most teenagers want to be independent, to make their own way, and find their own place in the world. Its been that way since time began. In 1970s Georgia it was no different for Catherine Grace Cline.

Catherine Grace and her sister Martha Ann were very young when their mother died. Their father, a Baptist minister, does his best to raise the girls. However, Catherine Grace feels a lot of pressure to be good, and feels she often falls short. Being able to talk to their neighbor, Gloria Jean, who had been a friend of Catherine Graces mother,
is one thing that keeps Catherine Grace going. The other thing is hanging out at the Dairy Queen, plotting her future escape from their small town of Ringgold, Georgia.

Upon graduation, and finally turning 18, Catherine Grace takes her lifes savings, making her long anticipated escape to Atlanta. Settling into life there however, she receives news that draws her back home again. Once back home, to her own surprise, Catherine Grace finds that what she sought may have been right there at home all along. She finds that sometimes not only can you go home again, but in fact sometimes you should, because home really is where the heart is.

Susan Gregg Gilmores debut novel is a sweet treat, full of vivid small town characters with heart. Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen firmly places her in good Southern fiction.

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Reviewed by JodiG. for TeensReadToo.com

It's the 1970's, and Catherine Grace Cline is stuck in the one place she knows she doesn't belong - her hometown of Ringgold, Georgia. It's a town that just doesn't fit her. It's too small and too quiet. She spends every Saturday eating Dilly Bars at the Dairy Queen and plotting her escape.

Catherine Grace is the daughter of a third-generation Baptist minister. Her father leads his flock through the joys and sorrows of their lives, the same way he has led his family through their own troubled times. Catherine Grace is also the daughter of Lena Mae Pierce, and has been haunted by the death of her mother. How could her mother have drowned in the creek and left Catherine Grace and her sister? Why would God let that happen?

The only exciting person Catherine Grace knows is Gloria Jean, who lives next door. Gloria Jean has her hair, nails, and make-up done like no other woman in town. She dresses well and has the sophisticated air of a woman who's been married five times, and isn't ashamed to admit it.

Catherine Grace soon finds that she has the chance to change her world. The chance she has dreamed of. She says goodbye to her family, friends, and her boyfriend and moves to Atlanta, where she lives the life she knew she was destined for.

But it isn't long before tragedy strikes and Catherine returns home again to find that nothing is as she thought. A series of revelations leads Catherine Grace to wonder if Ringgold was the place where she really belonged all along, or is she throwing away her dreams like so many other people in her life have done?

LOOKING FOR SALVATION AT THE DAIRY QUEEN is a very endearing story. Susan Gregg Gilmore writes in a way that immediately brings Catherine Grace to life and gives her a clear, unique voice. The story is surprising and suspenseful; it keeps you turning the pages until you get to the satisfying end.

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