The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square by Rosina Lippi

A few weeks ago I won a Valentine's Day giveaway by author Lynn Viehl. She was giving away copies of Rosina Lippi's new book, The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square. I was really excited to read the book based on the blurb:

"For John Dodge, moving to new places and reviving ailing businesses is a way of life. So when he sees an ad for Scriveners, a stationery shop in a small town in South Carolina, he decides to take the plunge.

As soon as he arrives in Lamb's Corner, Dodge falls happily into the whirl of gossip, gifts, and quintessential Southern hospitality. Link Kay, one of his employees, warms up to him after Dodge admires his expertise on pens. Bean Hurt-a feisty and outspoken ten-year-old-becomes a fast friend. And Maude Golden, the mayor, supplies him with indispensable information. But the one person who really catches Dodge's eye is Julia Darrow-the beautiful but aloof pajama-wearing owner of the Cocoon, a popular store specializing in luxury linens. Dodge tries to befriend her, but she remains elusive and mysterious. Everyone knows that she is a widow, but no one seems to know why she came to town or why she never leaves Lambert Square-or does she?

Like Dodge, Chicago-born Julia is fleeing a tumultuous past. But with the help of a hilarious and endearing cast of characters, Julia and Dodge learn that, sometimes, you don't need to go far to find home." - From Amazon.com

This is a really wonderful book. Ever since I read my first Anne Rivers Siddons book set in the Low Country of South Carolina I've had this fantasy of what it might be like to move to the south. This book plays right into that fantasy and I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved these quirky characters and Lippi's writing is so good that it sneaks up and grabs you when you're least expecting it. I'm definitely going to hunt down her backlist, including Tied to the Tracks so I can soak up all the southern goodness. 

Thank you Lynn!