The Secret Lives of the Kudzu Debutantes

By Cathy Holton

Book Overview

Cotillion: A formal gathering of bright young women on the verge of entering adulthood, the society pages, and prospective high-tax-bracket marriages. Think a Civil War reenactment with crisp, clean white dresses.

Catfight: An impromptu gathering of not-so-young women on the verge of losing their cool. Think a cotillion with hair-pulling.

It's been more than a year since the Kudzu Debutantes exacted sweet, merciless revenge on their cheating husbands, but the repercussions are still palpable throughout Ithaca, Georgia: Nita is anxiously preparing herself for marriage to Jimmy Lee, a man thirteen years her junior; Lavonne, despite having dropped her husband-and eighty pounds-and launched her own business, longs for love; and while Eadie remains married to Trevor, she feels more neglected than ever.

So the occasion of Nita's second wedding seems like just the ticket to cheer up the disconsolate Debs. But they've made a formidable enemy in Virginia Broadwell, first lady of Ithaca and the bride's ex-mother-in-law. Hell-bent on vengeance and determined to restore old-school social mores, Virginia hatches a plan so devious it makes her pedicured toes curl in anticipation.

Soon enough, the women are knocked for a loop-but you can keep a Kudzu Debutante down for only so long. The one thing stronger than Virginia's wrath is the bond between the three friends, who soon learn that one of Virginia's Jimmy Choos contains an irresistible Achilles' heel. With spirit, wit, and down-home gumption, the take-no-prisoners trio decides it's time to ditch their cotillion manners as they rally to save Nita's marriage, Lavone's business, Eadie's sanity . . . and the honor of Kudzu Debs the world over.

Packed with authentic Southern flavor and characters as colorful as an azalea in full bloom, The Secret Lives of the Kudzu Debutantes serves up stinging one-liners and earthy wisdom in equal measure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345479297
• ISBN13: 9780345479297
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Kudzu Debs

Cathy Holton writes a very entertaining book with plenty of laughs. She is southern humor at its best!

Another Winner!!

Ok...just to let you know right off, if you're interested in reading this book, you MUST read 'Revenge of the Kudzu Debutantes' first. There are many references and comments that could seem dead-end if you haven't read the first book. That said...what a FABULOUS sequel! I loved it just as much as the first. Virginia Redmon is out to seek revenge on her ex daughter-in-law Nita for ruining her sons life (deservidly) and causing him to lose his law practice, which happened to be Virginia's main source of income. Virginia is the type of character you just LOVE to hate. While you're always rooting for Nita to stick-it-to-her, you can't help but look forward to whatever evil plan Virginia will come up with next. Now, while there were some things that may have seemed a bit far-fetched (like the whole adoption thing, it was quite a stretch for me to believe how Nita figured everything out) the ending was very satisfying. I just love Nita, Lavonne, and Eadie, and I can't wait for Ms. Holton's next novel. Hopefully it'll center around these three fun, martini-loving women again!

Cathy Holton does it again

The author has done it again with a witty and laugh out loud funny novel! I could not put down her first novel and this one is just as good. If you want a great read and to laugh from cover to cover then read the latest goings on with Nita, Lavonne, and Eadie! Cathy Holton's novels should not be missed.

Even better than her first novel

In Secrets of the Kudzu Debutantes, the triumvirate of Nita, Eadie and Lavonne return in true form with high spirits, scheming minds and great fun. All three women seem lonely and confused with their male relationships: a neglected marriage, a potentially disastrous marriage to a young carpenter and the solo life of a bright workaholic. Despite their men, these three women know how to work together, bond and indulge in shakers of martinis as they once again plot with delight. While on the one hand, they are a sorry lot, on the other they are smart, lovable and laughable. While focused on Ithaca, this novel slips to New Orleans, Amelia Island, New York and more where we get a glimpse of worlds larger, but perhaps no different from their small hometown. Regardless of whether we share these women's lives, we can see glimpses of our ourselves not only in too small Ithaca but also at nursing home,tennis courts, bars and hotels.