A Wedding in the Lowcountry
by Preslaysa Williams
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 18, 2025
Reviewed by PJ
When Avila's mother passes away, Avila must return to Charleston to get her mother's house ready to put on the market. Returning home means that she'll have to face relationships that were best left behind. Her feelings are complicated, to say the least.
Things get even more complicated when she runs into her childhood friend, Terence, who is now a professor at the local college. Years ago, when Terence left Charleston to attend Hampton University, Avila felt abandoned, but it’s clear that their connection hasn’t faded… and may even be something more than the friendship they once shared.
As Terence supports Avila in the wake of her mother’s passing, they have to deal with the feelings that they have for one another. Avila is wary of trusting others - she’s used to taking care of herself and her daughter alone - but could Terence hold the key to opening her heart?
PJ's Thoughts:
Just like William's first two books, this third novel sets a leisurely pace, much like the city in which it's set. A character-driven story, it centers on reunited childhood friends, Terence and Avila and Avila's twelve-year-old daughter Ebony.
I enjoyed the characters of Ebony and Terence and connected with them fairly quickly. I tried to connect with Avila but, wow, did she make it tough. She is one complicated woman with a whole host of issues to work through. Those issues add emotional depth to the story and to her character growth, which is the most significant of the main characters, but they sure didn't make it easy to root for her during the process.
Anyone who has ever been around a pre-teen girl should appreciate the character of Ebony. Williams checks all the boxes in her crafting of a hormonal girl and her single, stage mama.
I like a friends-to-lovers trope and Terence is a very good friend to Avila, but I was a little put off by how strongly - and quickly - Terence pushes things forward romantically between them. Given that these two haven't seen one another in more than ten years, it felt a bit too "insta-love" for me. He does eventually slow down and I ultimately felt good about their relationship but it's one of the stumbling blocks that kept this book from being rated higher. Please keep in mind that these are my thoughts. Other readers may have a totally different reading experience.
My small issues aside, I did enjoy the overall story as well as the growth of the characters though I did not enjoy it as much as the author's first two books.
Have you read Preslaysa Williams?
Have you ever visited Charleston?
Do you enjoy a slow-burn romance?
One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, April 16 will receive a print copy of A Wedding in the Lowcountry.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
