Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Twelve-year-old CeeCee is in trouble. For years she-s been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille- the crown-wearing, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town. Though it-s 1967 and they live in Ohio, Camille believes it-s 1951 and she-s just been crowned the Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia.

The day CeeCee discovers Camille in the front yard wearing a tattered Twelve-year-old CeeCee is in trouble. For years she-s been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille- the crown-wearing, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town. Though it-s 1967 and they live in Ohio, Camille believes it-s 1951 and she-s just been crowned the Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia.

The day CeeCee discovers Camille in the front yard wearing a tattered prom dress and tiara as she blows kisses to passing motorists, she knows her mother has completely flipped. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, a previously unknown great-aunt comes to CeeCee-s rescue and whisks her away to Savannah. Within hours of her arrival, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricities-a world that appears to be run entirely by women.

While Tootie is busy saving Savannah-s endangered historic homes from the wrecking ball, CeeCee encounters a cast of unforgettable, eccentric characters. From the mysterious Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in an outdoor tub under the watchful eyes of a voyeuristic peacock, to Oletta Jones, the all-knowing household cook, to Violene Hobbs, the loud-mouthed widow who entertains a local police officer in her yellow see-through peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer. But CeeCee-s view of the world is challenged in ways she could have never imagined: there are secrets to keep, injustices to face, and loyalties to uphold.

Just as she begins to find her ballast and experiences a sense of belonging, her newfound joy collides with the long-held fear that her mother-s legacy has left her destined for destruction. Laugh-out-loud funny, at times heartbreaking, and written in a pitch-perfect voice, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a spirited Southern tale that explores the intricate frailties and strengths of female relationships while illuminating the journey of a young girl who loses her mother but finds many others.