Thank you immensely to author Kim McCollum and WOW! for letting me join in the book blog tour for Harriet Hates Lemonade! It's perfect for readers who have loved similar books like A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Before we get to my 5 star review, here's more about the book:
Meet Harriet. But don’t be surprised if she isn’t interested in meeting you.
Harriet has life all figured out, and she doesn’t hesitate to inform others of their shortcomings. Though her attempts to become president of the homeowner’s association failed, that doesn’t stop her from berating “off-leash-dog-man” or reporting the neighbor who had the audacity to leave their easter decorations up an entire week past the holiday. The problem is, unbeknownst to her, Harriet’s rigid rules and judgmental opinions are not her own.
Her ordered life plunges into chaos when a twelve-year-old neighbor knocks on Harriet's door seeking help because the girl’s father is physically abusing her mother. Reluctantly, Harriet comes to her neighbor’s aid and, in the process, recognizes her own insidious abuse which has unwittingly shaped her isolated, rigid existence. To escape her crushing loneliness, she must learn to break free from the patterns of control and isolation that have defined her life and learn to connect with people she previously viewed as heathens.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ASIN: B0G2YPGWHV
ISBN-10: 1685137059
ISBN-13: 978-1685137052
Print Length: 312 pages
You can purchase a copy of Harriet Hates Lemonade on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. Make sure you also add it to your GoodReads reading list.
Advanced Praise for Harriet Hates Lemonade
"McCollum delivers a touching and subtly powerful story about self-discovery and unexpected connection. When Harriet’s carefully ordered life is disrupted by a neighbor in need, she’s drawn into a journey that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. What begins as a small act of kindness becomes a turning point, awakening Harriet to new roles, relationships, and possibilities. Here's what McCollum has done—she’s shown how even the most unlikely people can find renewal and purpose when they’re willing to break their own rules." - Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn mystery/suspense series.
"Harriet Hates Lemonade is a deeply important and captivating story that will have you questioning your own preconceived notions of unhealthy relationships. The theme of abuse is explored like never before with both overt and subtle plot lines weaving together to facilitate emotion, compassion and understanding. McCollum's voice is steady and impactful, hooking the reader into Harriet's regimented and quirky life. At first, Harriet presents with neurodivergent tendencies, her opinions and actions questionable and insensitive, but as the novel progresses, a deep understanding and compassion for her character forms, shifting your perspective. I laughed, I cried, and I learned. Although exploring difficult themes, the story is refreshing, realistic, and heartwarming." - Megan Jamieson, Author of The Ties That Bind Us
"Kim McCollum tackles the difficult subject of domestic abuse with sensitivity and unflinching honesty in HARRIET HATES LEMONADE. I rooted for quirky Harriet as she summons the strength to confront the past she’s kept so carefully buried, and learns to find joy in the messiness of life. A beautiful story set in breathtaking Montana with flesh and blood characters that kept me turning the page to the very end." - Linda Avellar, Author of Cassie Linden Finds Her Sweet Spot
"In Harriet Hates Lemonade, Audrey—a modern-day version of the orphaned “Anne with an E”—meets Harriet, a cranky and opinionated Olive Kitteridge-type stuck in a self-imposed existence of isolation and rigid rules. When the two are thrown together by tragic circumstances, Harriet must re-examine all her firmly held values and beliefs of the last 30 years. Can she free herself from the past? Can she come to accept that abuse takes many forms? And can she learn to embrace the joys of “found family’?
"Author McCollum serves up a flavorful brew of tension, humor, uncertainty, and high emotion. Keep a box of issues handy! You’ll need it for this engaging and ultimately heartwarming story." -Ruth F. Stevens, award-winning author of My Year of Casual Acquaintances
About the Author, Kim McCollum
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Kim McCollum graduated from Barnard College with a major in Japanese and was soon navigating the hustle and bustle of Wall Street. When her first child was born, she stayed home to raise her children. Once they headed off to school, Kim finally found time to pursue her passion for writing. Her award-winning debut novel, WHAT HAPPENS IN MONTANA, was published in January 2024, and her short stories have appeared in several publications. She lived in Bozeman, Montana, with her supportive husband, Brian, and their blended menagerie of five kids and three spoiled pets.
You can find her online at:
Her website: https://kim-mccollum.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/KFMcCollum
--- 5 Star Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
I'm not sure how you buy books - but using whatever method you prefer, stop whatever you're doing, put Harriet Hates Lemonade in your cart, click the buy button, and thank me later! No really, I'll wait here until you've done that.
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Ok - hopefully it's on it's way to your house and shipping doesn't take too long. While you wait, let me tell you why I think everyone needs to read this book:
I wanted to read this book because the cover of the book is just too perfect to pass by. Yes, that's the first thing that drew me in but once I started reading, I carried this book with me EVERYWHERE! Now, my 5th grade daughter is reading it and then my next door neighbor wants to be next. And of course, there's you...because you ordered it, right?
Harriet Hates Lemonade sucked me in. We all know a Harriet or can be a bit of a Harriet. She's the gal who says whatever is on her mind and doesn't seem to notice when it is not well received. Harriet is blunt and to the point. Harriet reminds me of some older women I know and love - they've got really big hearts but their filters are faulty. Harriet will tell you that your yard is a mess, that you put on a few pounds, or that your car is filthy and she won't apologize if she hurt your feelings. And yet you absolutely love her. She's like lemonade - sometimes it hits a little bitter and sometimes it hits a little sweet. I can't tell you much more because the twists and turns of this story are what makes it so fabulous - like life, it's absolutely unexpected! And like lemonade, sometimes the unexpected makes you pucker...
McCollum's writing style is incredibly engaging and she's a fabulous story teller! Harriet Hates Lemonade has given me so many things to think about in my own life and my relationships and I'll remember this book always! I hope your copy arrives soon so you can thank me and while you're waiting for that, I'm going to see if I can get my hands on a few other titles by this talented author!
Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Crystal Casavant writes.
Everything...
If you follow her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had as well as most of the recipes she's tried. She's a lot and she's not for everyone.
Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Was It? is still a work in progress and shall be fully worthy sometime in 2026...or maybe 2027 since now she's working on a psychological thriller titled High Mountain. She has written for WOW! Women on Writing, Bring on Lemons, and has been featured in several magazines and ezines relating to credit and collections as well as religious collections for confessional Lutherans. She runs a busy household full of intelligent, recalcitrant, and delightful humans who give her breath and keep her heart beating day after day.
Crystal wears many hats (and not just the one in this photo) including college student, mom, musician, singer, administrator, writer, teacher, author, and friend. She fully believes in being in the moment and doing everything she can to improve the lives of those around her! The world may never know her name, but she prays that because of her, someone may smile a little brighter. She prides herself on doing nice things - yes, even for strangers! PS - she is not good at remodeling or yard work though prides herself on cooking and baking!
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