Title: Sweet Mercy
Author: Nina West
First published March 27, 2019
252 pages, ebook
Rating: 3.95
Overview
In the thrilling novel, Sweet Mercy by Nina West, Ava is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s disappearance, even if it means getting dangerously close to the town’s infamous bad boy, Noah. With a reputation for being a troublemaker, Noah has never been one to care about anyone but himself.
But as Ava delves deeper into the mystery, she realizes that Noah may be the only one who can help her uncover the truth. With their lives on the line, Ava must decide if she can trust Noah, even if it means putting her heart in his hands.
Full of suspense and steamy romance, Sweet Mercy will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Editoral Review
Sweet Mercy by Nina West is a stunning debut novel that explores the complexities of motherhood, loss, and the human heart. Published on March 27, 2019, this work of fiction is a hybrid of contemporary and historical fiction, telling the story of a young widow named Evangeline, who moves to the rural town of Sweet Mercy, Mississippi, to start anew.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, providing a rich historical context for the characters and the community they inhabit. Nina West weaves subtle references to the era’s political and societal tensions into the fabric of the story, making it a powerful commentary on race and gender issues that continue to plague our country today.
The novel’s opening chapter introduces us to Evangeline, a grieving widow who has lost her husband in a car accident. The tragic event upends her life and forces her to flee the city to start afresh in the small town of Sweet Mercy, Mississippi.
The town and its inhabitants quickly charm her, and she soon finds herself drawn to the local café, where she meets Gigi, the proprietress, and the enigmatic Birdie who works as a cook. West’s prose is lyrical and evocative, transporting the reader to the rural town of Sweet Mercy, with its dusty roads, sprawling fields, and lush greenery.
Her descriptions of the town and its environs are vivid and atmospheric, transporting the reader to this small corner of the world. Her language is poetic, and her writing is imbued with a sense of nostalgia, evoking the warmth and comfort of a simpler time.
Throughout the novel, West paints a poignant portrait of motherhood, depicting the joys and heartache that come with raising a child. Evangeline is a relatable and empathetic character, whose struggles and doubts will resonate with any reader who has experienced the trials and tribulations of parenting.
West’s novel is not without its flaws, however. The pacing of the story could have been tighter, with certain sections feeling slow and meandering.
Additionally, certain characters’ motivations could have been more clearly defined, adding depth and nuance to their actions. Despite these flaws, Sweet Mercy earns high praise for its strong character development, engaging narrative, and West’s poetic language.
The novel is a powerful exploration of motherhood and loss, set against the backdrop of a small town experiencing the seismic shifts of the Civil Rights Movement. In conclusion, Sweet Mercy is a beautifully crafted novel that will appeal to readers who appreciate strong character development, poetic language, and an evocative sense of time and place.
Historical fiction fans will find much to like in West’s portrayal of small-town Mississippi during the 1960s. This novel earns a solid four out of five star-rating, with its limitations balanced against its many strengths.
