
There are a few authors that have the art of writing southern women’s fiction down to a science, and Bette Lee Crosby is one of those authors. Her stories blend together real world events, the past and present, and an array of emotions.
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This novel focuses on Margaret, a woman that has just lost her husband and discovers that he had originally searched for her family many years before. We are taken down a path that shares her upbringing at the turn of the century in a small rural town in West Virginia, where most men ended up working (and eventually dying) in the coal mines. Growing up in small quarters and with a large family wasn’t a hardship for Margaret and her siblings, but that is because they do not know any different because the most important thing was the love that they felt from their mother and each other.
The story flips back and forth between the past and the present and we learn more about her life growing up and the secrets that are kept hidden from her and several others. The journey she is on is one that is sad yet fulfilling as she rediscovers her siblings and family. Not every situation results in a happy ending, but Margaret is able to find closure in some situations and new life in others. She is able to do all of this with the help of a private investigator named Tom. There are many humorous situations (remember this is 1968 and morality standards were different) but their adventure brings them together and creates a new friendship.
While the crux of the story is about Margaret, the past focuses on her parents, Eliza and Martin. Martin is not a likable character and the way he treated Eliza and his children is heartbreaking, to say the least. I appreciated the positive light that was shone on Masons (Masonic Lodge) and that they watch out for their brother and his family.
If you are looking for southern women’s fiction that will pull at your heartstrings, then anything by Crosby will fill that bill and I highly recommend this book or any of her others.
This book gives readers an epic tale of heartbreak, hope, disappointment, and love, brilliantly told by Bette Lee Crosby with feeling, understanding, and a beautiful touch of reality.
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It was very easy to be pulled into the lives of Margaret and Eliza and feel their pain, joy, love, and sorrow. When I Last Saw You is a story starting with a woman and going back to her childhood. This book gives readers an epic tale of heartbreak, hope, disappointment, and love, brilliantly told by Bette Lee Crosby with feeling, understanding, and a beautiful touch of reality. When I Last Saw You combines history, family relationships, love, romance and so much more and is based on a true story. This is a must-read book.
“I feel so limited with only 5 stars! When I Last Saw You by Bette Lee Crosby is one of those books that certainly deserves more than a five star rating. There is not one thing I didn’t like about it.
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Crosby’s writing has a cadence that I really enjoy. I never have to re-read a sentence or paragraph. Her story just flows allowing you to immerse yourself in the pain, joy and sorrows of her characters. While we are talking characters, there were eight children in this story I wanted to hug. I can’t imagine the hardships they went through and the love they shared between them. I have to tell you, I couldn’t put this book down. I constantly wanted to know what was happening.
When I finished the book, I had a book hangover. I couldn’t move on. I felt like I closed the book on my past and my friends.
This book had history of a time period from the late 1800’s until 1968. It had a few love stories, family love and love of neighbors. At times it was a hard story to read but in the end it was so worth it. If you haven’t obtained a copy yet, do it now. You won’t regret that decision!”

“Crosby has done it again—she’s written a tender-hearted book filled with wonderful characters that you are instantly drawn to, and a story that will keep you reading long into the night.
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“Anytime you read a Bette Lee Crosby book, you’re guaranteed to make new friends, and her latest novel is no exception.
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“A Million Little Lies” is a beautifully written story, full of family, secrets, and the pursuit of a better life. Embracing readers in warmth, love and family drama, there is no better way to settle into the fall than with this heartwarming drama.
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Suzanna hasn’t had an easy upbringing, or loving family. This story quickly opens with the uprooting of her life to escape an abusive alcoholic and protect her young daughter. Suzanna wanders into a funeral reception in a strange town with hopes of quickly feeding her daughter and continuing to New Jersey. However, despite her attempts at anonymity the widower spots her. From that point forward, the lies that stem from a simple attempt to feed her daughter determine the direction of her life thereon out. But, will she be able to keep it all straight? And what if her past catches up to her?
Suzanna makes for an intricate main character as author Bette Lee Crosby, gives us an inside view of her internal dialogue, insulating readers from the dark past she runs from while providing just enough glimpses of her childhood and love life to make us understand the need to suddenly disappear. Straight out of a movie, this book flows beautifully, breaking between the men she’s escaping and the lies she’s trying to lead. The complexity in Suzanna’s relationships stem from this internal struggle, adding layers to an otherwise fairytale story.
Dropping salacious newcomers and malicious ex-flames, Crosby shows readers that family isn’t always blood and certainly isn’t always easy. “A Million Little Lies” gives us an enjoyably unreliable narrator and several haunting villains from varying backgrounds as Suzanna attempts to settle into her new reality. The days quickly turn to months as Suzanna sinks deeper into the lies she’s woven.
Suspenseful, dramatic, romantic and above all captivating. Readers will fly through the pages in this tale of family in unexpected places and the power of real love, providing the perfect escape from our current realities. A beautiful story of a courageous mother, doing what she thinks is best for her daughter. There is no better tale of family.

This thought-provoking book is one of grief and heartbreak but also of love and hope. Highly recommended for anyone who likes family stories with complex characters. I adored it. Another gem from the talented Bette Lee Crosby.
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Bette Lee Crosby has fast become one of my favourite authors. With consummate ease she is able to draw me into a situation and involve me from the start of the story to the end. Told from more than one point of view it is easy to understand each of the women in this story, their motivations and their anguish. There are moments that brought tears as well as some that brought smiles. I never wanted to have to put this book down and kept snatching it back up whenever I got the chance.
This thought-provoking book is one of grief and heartbreak but also of love and hope. Highly recommended for anyone who likes family stories with complex characters. I adored it. Another gem from the talented Bette Lee Crosby.
This was one of the best books I have ever read! It was emotional, sad, suspenseful, and uplifting, and kept me up reading far into the night because I just couldn’t put it down. The story was so well-written that I could feel the emotions of each character…anger, guilt, heartbreak, hope, forgiveness, exhilaration…you name it, “Emily, Gone” had it! I cried and I laughed and I yelled a time or two.
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Let me tell you that this book had me hook, line, and sinker on page one. A music festival, no one wanted, and a tragedy that changed so many lives. That is the basis of this story. I gave it 5 stars, but it's worth so much more. This is not the first book by Bette I have read, and it will not be my last. This story was one of tragedy. and heartbreak. Also one of hope and forgiveness.
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“I have always enjoyed Ms. Crosby's books, having read so many of them, and this one is no exception. The loving family story behind it, the way she makes her characters fill your heart and soul, has only made me wanting to read more and more of her books.”
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Linda's Book Obsession
“In this wonderful book, we learn and see how Tracy Briggs and her hearing-impaired young son are doing. Tracy is trying to step up to the plate and be the best and responsible Mom. Is there romance in Tracy’s future? What could prevent Tracy from the happiness she deserves? There are some intriguing new characters and some wonderful friends from the first book. Although this could be read as a stand-alone, I thing that reading the first book would enhance the experience.”
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Serendipity Life's Unexpected Treasures
When I first started meeting the delightful characters of A Year of Extraordinary Moments, I was immediately caught up in their lives, with all their flaws, hopes, dreams, and losses.
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The Summer of New Beginnings is a sweet, touching story of the sometimes difficult situations that beset the Briggs family.
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The Book Bag
Bette Lee Crosby continues to amaze me with the words of wisdom that she pens into her stories. And I love the little touches of magic that she seems to inject into each of her books.
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Sal's Reading Nook
The Summer of New beginnings is a sweet soft romance with rows of heartbreak and pain etched in it that makes this wonderful for anyone looking for something soft but meaningful and can be read within one sitting.
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Caffeinated Reviewer
Every once in a while you read a book with characters that touch you. It’s the kind of book you want to share with others. Spare Change is that type of book.
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Laura's Ramblings and Reviews
Bette’s characters are so real, so genuine. They have the same fears and insecurities as you or I. They all have their flaws. They are so real you might think you recognize one as someone you know.
A Belle's Tales
I shed more than one tear in this amazing story, but I laughed and loved even more! I couldn’t put this book down until I knew how it all would come to an end. A thrilling adventure packed with emotion and more than one character to root for and fall for. With perfect pacing, charismatic writing, and one of my favorite epilogues of all time, the Wyattsville series is one I can’t wait to visit again!
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USA Today Bestselling Author – Bette Lee Crosby
Scroll Through Stories by Bette Lee Crosby