I truly enjoyed Dakota's story in "Because of Savannah". We read it for my book club. One of the things I liked was the ease of the story. From the start, the author envelopes you into the lives of her characters. I could picture everything in my head as I was reading (would make a great movie btw) because of the wonderfully descriptive writing. The contemporary time period was very enjoyable as I tend to lean towards historical fiction so this was a refreshing change.

There is something for everyone in this book...plot twists and mystery coupled with romance, loss and family relationships. I found the positive attitude of the protagonist, Dakota, to be so inspiring - especially during these difficult pandemic times. It was nice to get lost in her world. Dakota has a maturity that is admirable, while still being very much her own age. Her brother Luke's plot line is also very heartwarming and he just seems like the kind of person you would like to be neighbors with. Honestly I had to slow down my reading towards the end of the book because I just didn't want it to end.

This book is a wonderful read for such a variety of ages as well. My 16 year old niece as well as my 70ish mother are also reading it for our family book club (along with my two 40-something sisters). We are super excited to discuss it at our next meeting.

I am really looking forward to the sequel which is hopefully coming out this year. Well done Sarah Patt! Thank you for inviting us into the loves of some very special people. ( )

A sweet book of family love and the coming of age of an orphaned teenage girl. A reminder that everything in life happens for a reason.

By the age of sixteen Dakota Buchannan has lost both her mother and father. Now she has only her “Uncle Travis” to rely on. Travis has always been a part of family although there is no blood relation. Dakota literally faints when at her father’s funeral Uncle Travis introduces her to a younger version of her father. Luke Lockwood is the half-brother her family did not know existed.

Just before Luke’s mother recently died of cancer she told him the name of his father. Luke set out to visit his father but unfortunately arrived on the day of his father’s accident, never getting to meet him. Luke now invites Dakota to live with him and his narcissistic wife Janet and their charming four-year-old daughter Savannah. Shortly after Dakota moves in, Janet leaves her husband and daughter to return to New York.

Now settled happily into her new home with her brother and niece, she meets Hubbell who quickly becomes her boyfriend. While most of the story feels like “happily ever after”, there are a few scenes not so rosy – Travis involved in a near fatal car crash and an encounter with a killer who exposes a dark secret.

There are many delightful characters in this book full of Southern charm. At times the people are too charming, too perfect, too nice. But sometimes it is nice to get lost in a fairytale. This was one of those times. ( )