Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
Publisher: Penguin
Rating:   4.75

Spending her entire life on a country farm, Jolie Russell is a total tomboy.  She loves getting down and dirty on the farm, whether it is fishing, working in the barn, or riding in her old pickup truck.  Jolie and her widowed father are use to struggling in a down home country way.  But all that changes the day Cody Dean knocks on their door.  Cody Dean is the oldest son of predominant local family and has recently taken over running daddy’s high end development company.  Cody offers the Russell family an offer they cannot refuse . . . millions of dollars for their farm property and a home in the upscale community Cody Dean plans to build on the farm land.  Cody is not only a man from a rich family, but he is also Jolie’s high school crush.

A year later, Jolie and her father Wyatt find themselves living in a gated, country-club community much to the dismay of the neighbors and the homeowners association.  After an embarrassing incident which involved Jolie in cutoff jeans, her dog, a neighbor’s backyard anniversary celebration, and a large cake, Jolie wonders if she will ever fit in with these rich people.  Jolie finds a worthy ally in Brett Dean, the younger brother of Cody Dean and the son that turned his head on his family’s money and made his own way by becoming a high school teacher and coach.  Brett convinces Jolie to take etiquette classes from another teacher and attend the town’s charity ball.  Jolie is still strongly attracted to Cody and hopes this “make over” will help catch his eye.  In the meantime, Cody becomes jealous of the time Brett is spending with Jolie and decides he can help Jolie too.  Cody can’t help but be attracted to the pretty, down home Jolie.   She is able to slow his life down and help him to enjoy the little pleasures in life.  As the relationship between Cody and Jolie blossoms, Jolie comes to realize that she will never truly fit in with the rich, country-club neighbors.  She wants to stay true to herself and her country roots.  But will Cody choose a girl who would rather wear cowboy boots than designer high heels?

LuAnn McLane has once again created a wonderful story.  She effortlessly throws in a touch of stereotype and reveals to the reader there is so much more.   A redneck girl can be a pretty and classy gal without the prejudice of money.  Classic McLane humor is throughout the book.  In fact, there were several scenes where I was laughing out loud.  One in particular had me crying from laughing so hard.  I could barely get through reading the scene to my husband without laughing every other word. This is one the of things I love most about LuAnn McLane books . . . I am able to escape from my everyday woes and find myself immersed in a world of love and laughter.  I am already looking forward to LuAnn’s next book.  If you are looking for a great feel-good book, I recommend you find Redneck Cinderella quick!