Step into the charming world of the Cherry Cola Book Club, where a feisty librarian, mouthwatering potlucks, and classic literature blend to create a heartwarming tale of community and resilience! Set in the fictional small town of Cherico, Mississippi, Ashton Lee’s delightful series follows Maura Beth Mayhew as she fights to save her underfunded library through a unique book club that becomes the heartbeat of the town. This cozy, Southern-flavored saga is a love letter to libraries, friendships, and the transformative power of stories.
With its quirky characters and warm, witty prose, the Cherry Cola Book Club series captures the essence of small-town life, making it a perfect escape for readers who adore chick lit, cozy mysteries, or Southern fiction. Ready to sip some cherry cola and join the club? Let’s dive into this literary gem!
How Cherry Cola Book Club Began
Ashton Lee, born in historic Natchez, Mississippi, drew inspiration from his Southern roots and extended family to craft the Cherry Cola Book Club series. A lifelong lover of storytelling, influenced by his father’s work in pulp fiction, Lee created the fictional Cherico to reflect the charm and quirks of real Southern towns. Published in 2013, the first novel emerged from Lee’s experiences as a publisher’s representative for libraries, spotlighting the real-world struggles libraries face against budget cuts and modernization pressures. His goal? To celebrate the vital role of libraries as community hubs through a lighthearted, engaging narrative.
The Heart of Cherry Cola Book Club
The series kicks off with The Cherry Cola Book Club (2013), where librarian Maura Beth Mayhew forms a book club to boost circulation and save her library from the clutches of a scheming city council. Over potluck dinners featuring Southern staples like chicken gumbo and biscuits with green pepper jelly, club members discuss classics by Margaret Mitchell and Harper Lee, sparking friendships, secrets, and even romance. The sequel, The Reading Circle (2014), sees Maura Beth navigating new challenges, including a storm threatening the library’s future, while the club grows with colorful new members.
The Wedding Circle (2015) blends wedding planning drama with Maura Beth’s ongoing library advocacy, as she balances her dream nuptials with her socialite mother’s lavish expectations. In A Cherry Cola Christmas (2015), the club tackles a town crime spree and economic woes with holiday cheer, proving the power of community. Themes of resilience, tolerance, and the enduring value of literature shine through, set against Cherico’s cozy backdrop of corrugated-iron libraries and quirky cafes. Lee’s breezy style and vivid characters make each book a quick, uplifting read.
Why Cherry Cola Book Club Resonates
The Cherry Cola Book Club series strikes a chord with readers who cherish stories of underdogs triumphing through heart and grit. By highlighting the plight of libraries, Lee taps into a universal struggle, making Maura Beth’s battles relatable to anyone who values community spaces. Fans praise the series for its humor, Southern charm, and mouthwatering recipes included in each book, which add a delightful interactive element. Though not a blockbuster, the series has earned a loyal niche following, with endorsements from Deep South Magazine and the Pulpwood Queens book club, cementing its status as a cozy classic.
- Publication Range: 2013–2017
- Number of Books: 6
- Notable Recognition: Deep South Magazine Summer Reading List; Pulpwood Queens selection
Grab The Cherry Cola Book Club and dive into Cherico’s cozy world of books, biscuits, and unbreakable bonds. Your next favorite read is waiting!