Never Sit Down in a Hoop Skirt

Crickett Rumley's Never Sit Down in a Hoop Skirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Bell Hell is one of the debut books that caught my attention from the first time I heard about it. It was a fun read to enjoy on the last days of summer break before getting back on a more regular schedule.

From the first pages we get a sense of Jane's spunk and humor as she is experiencing her first days as a Bienville Magnolia Maid. Though many girls in the community dream of the day they will have a chance to participate in the court, an "honor", Jane is dismayed that she was selected. Having just moved back into town to live with her grandmother after being kicked out of 16 boarding schools, Jane applied to be a maid to appease her grandma but never imagined they would actually choose her.

Layer by layer different aspects are unveiled about Jane's past, giving insights into why she is the way she is, as well as the path her life will take based on current circumstances. The book encompasses friendships, romance, and making bad decisions and living with the consequences.

I enjoyed getting to know the different maids and seeing how the dynamics of their relationships with each other, as well as others in their lives emerged throughout the book.

*Review copy provided - 2011 Debut Author Challenge 13/12