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    Catching Fireflies
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    Catching Fireflies
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    Catching Fireflies
    Audiobook10 hours

    Catching Fireflies

    Written by Sherryl Woods

    Narrated by Janet Metzger

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    When bullying threatens to destroy a teen's life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J. C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to ensure that a promising student's future isn't ruined. And to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina.

    Both J.C.'s and Laura's passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?

    "Woods always thrills with her wonderful characters, witty dialogue and warm and loving family interactions." - RT Book Reviews
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateJul 31, 2012
    ISBN9781455863013
    Unavailable
    Catching Fireflies
    Author

    Sherryl Woods

    With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than 100 books in that distinctive setting, whether in her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much-adored South Carolina. Sherryl is best known for her ability to creating endearing small town communities and families. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition.

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    Reviews for Catching Fireflies

    4.5/5

    19 ratings10 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Excellent book. A teacher and a pediatrician are brought together in a sweet romance when they combine forces to deal with a case of bullying at the high school. Misty is a junior, smart and hard-working, so when she starts skipping class, Laura is worried. JC is equally worried when Misty comes to him asking for a note that will let her get out of going to school. Since she won't tell him what's happening, he makes her promise to talk to someone, and have that person call him. Though she talks to Laura, the lack of real information has Laura and JC determined to discover the truth.I really liked Laura and JC. Both are deeply caring people who want the best for those around them. Laura has seen the bad side of love in the past and doesn't do much dating. JC has been burned himself and considers himself too bad at relationships to indulge again. That doesn't stop various people from doing their best to find matches for them (JC's nurse is especially persistent). From the moment they meet, there are sparks between Laura and JC, though they both try to resist and deny. It was fun to see them both try to deny the attraction even as they found reasons to get together. It was hilarious to see the whole town get involved, commenting on sightings of them together. I really loved JC's bewilderment at the way he can't stay away from Laura, and how his feelings are changing. The support they showed for each other during some really tough times was sweet and heartwarming. I loved JC's big moment at the end.The romance was wonderful, but there is more than that. The case of bullying that brings the two together is an eye-opening look at one of the toughest issues kids today face. When Laura and JC discover what the problem is with Misty, it calls to them in a deeply personal way. Both had had experience with bullies in their own youths, affecting their lives even now. I loved the honesty and depth with which the issue was handled. Misty, who is having other troubles at home, tries to deal with the problem on her own. She gets some support when her best friend gets involved, but swears that friend to secrecy. Fortunately that friend is a daughter of a Sweet Magnolia and finds a way to keep her promise and still help. I hurt for Misty and everything she was going through. As the truth comes out, Laura and JC are assisted by the Magnolias and others as the issue of bullying is brought into the spotlight. I loved seeing Misty come out the other side, not unaffected, but stronger for surviving.I loved seeing so many of the Sweet Magnolias and their husbands in this book. Their willingness and desire to do whatever necessary (loved Helen!) made resolving the issue even more successful. They were especially critical in support of Laura when the mother of the bully got involved. I also loved seeing the husbands checking out JC and making sure he knows that he's being watched. There are some terrific scenes that had me laughing out loud - margarita nights were especially good at that. Others had me cheering as they banded together. I loved Frances's speech at the rally, while JC's brought me to tears.
    • 4/5
      I liked how different this book was from the rest of the sweet magnolias books. It had the same characters but centered around a theme that wasn't heartbreak.
    • 3/5
      The title seems to allude to a one or two paragraph conversation about kids in times past having no more worries than catching fireflies in the evenings and missing the innocence of those times. I kind of wish the author had stuck to the bullying story and left romance out of a book of hers for once. It just seems an odd juxtaposition. (Of course, for my tastes, it there was going to be a romance, I would have preferred it to be a clean romance rather than the one depicted here where the teacher and the pediatrician have sex in an undefined relationship--the sex scenes aren't graphic but they are more than hinted at. And then for chapters afterward, they're still trying to define their relationship--are they dating? friends with benefits? serious about each other?) I mean you're trying to help a teen girl keep her life together while she's being bullied and you're groping each other?The bullying part did clarify some aspects of modern-day bullying for me. They did also talk a bit about bullying of the past and how it differed: there wasn't such a broad audience 24/7 for one--things were said or done, but they often didn't reach beyond the town or the schoolyard. Nowadays, things can be posted online (social media etc.) and be seen by people half a world away. It's easier to doctor photos than it used to be--put someone else's head on another person's body etc. and post those as well.There's also harrassment going on (which gets lumped into the bullying in this book--I'm not sure whether they should be separate things or if one does fall within the realm of the other.)Greg, the football star, is hitting on Mindy (and apparently other girls) even though he's going out with Annabelle. Instead of dumping him or blaming him, Annabelle decides to take it out on Mindy--even though Mindy's refused Greg's advances every time he's made them. Annabelle does this by posting items that make it sound like Mindy is promiscuous. One thing I've never understood is why the bullied don't find a trusted adult to tell. It could be a parent, a friend's parent, another family member, a teacher, a doctor, etc. And tell them soon after you realize it's becoming a pattern--don't wait, hoping it will get better. Yes, it's embarrassing. But being embarrassed is better than the alternative. I was proud that Mindy's friend found a way around the promises she had made to her friend to let an adult know what was going on. And I was proud that the girl stayed as a true friend to Mindy even when the going got tough.So--Annabelle's mother practices permissive parenting--but where is her father in all her raising? He's present when her social media bullying is exposed and seems firm. And the mother says he warned her about the results of her parenting in the past--he's the father! If he had concerns, he should have stepped in long before his daughter became a bully and made sure she had to face some consequences for her actions--and that his wife did too. I was appalled at how the students continue to blame Mindy even after Annabelle's bullying is exposed and Annabelle given punishment by the school. Greg continues harrassing Mindy with unwanted advances and takes up a similar line of posting to what Annabelle had finished up with. They caught her--did he really think they wouldn't find out it was him? Some of the students decide to harrass Mindy during a citywide anti-bullying rally because they blame her for the punishments the school has given Annabelle, Greg and others. That behavior makes me sad.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this. Good strong messages about bullying, nice story line. Nice touch with the silver lining. Good strong characters. Good job.
    • 4/5

      Another great Sweet Magnolia book.

      This one is the story of the doctor, who doesn't want to date and the school teacher. In my mind this really is secondary to the bullying that is happening at the high school. It is crazy how everyone reacts and how sides are drawn. It seems like such a easy thing to say no tolerance too but we all know better now a days.

      There are still a few margarita parties and the love of the town. I so wish I could live in a town like Serenity.
    • 3/5
      I liked this one, and it also dealt with a serious subject. And that had me racing towards the end.

      Laura is a teacher, she is sweet and nice and does not date much. J.C. is a doctor, who never dates, and he is considered a catch. These two do not get out much due to ..things. They end up together cos of a case at the school where she works. One part is about their budding romance, and them trying to keep it quiet and deny everything (oh how those small town gossip, I love it!).

      The second part is the serious part. A girl is being bullied and it gets worse and worse. It was horrible, kids (and grownups) can be so cruel and they do not see the error of their way. But this is one small town that does not approve of bullying. But it takes a lot for it all to calm down. And Woods handles the whole situation well.

      Conclusion:
      A good romance, and a good story. I enjoyed the book, it was easy to read, even with the subject in hand.
    • 3/5
      Have read a number of Sherryl Woods’ books and in Catching Fireflies the sweet magnolias come together to address the issue to bullying. You will hear different perspectives of bullying from a number of different characters. Misty experiences shame and fear which causes the victim of bullying to become silent. This is a great book for parents and teens as parents often are involved in their own drama and overlook what children and teens experience in their own world which can be very serious and effect their lives.

      As in today’s world with social media, people can be so cruel which only escalates the bullying and attacks. With technology and photo editing programs are also a means to ruin the lives of those who cannot protect themselves and their reputation.

      In addition to the bullying, there is a romance budding between Laura and JC. They gather together to help Misty and at the same time their relationship grows. If you are a fan of the Sweet Magnolias you can catch up with those friends and characters you met in previous books. You will also find a new generation of Sweet Magnolias as now they are mothers.

      Catching Fireflies provides insightful information and insights about bullying and always fun to visit Serenity!
    • 4/5
      Posted on Romancing the Books blogReviewed by AubreyReview Copy Provided by NetgalleyCatching Fireflies was an endearing read with a great message. Bullying is a topic that is close to many mother’s hearts because it happens so often. Even as an adult I have felt bullied by others. Serenity, South Carolina is not a town that takes such a serious matter lightly. Misty Dawson is a 16 year old with a bright future ahead of her who starts skipping classes because of the cyber bullying that is going on. Her name and reputation is being smeared by another student who feels the world owes her. Thanks to her English teacher, Laura, and her pediatrician, JC, and the rest of Serenity they are able to turn a potentially bad situation into one that Misty feels she can return to school. As always you get to see the dynamics of the rest of the Sweet Magnolias. You get to see a glimpse into how they are doing and how they interact with each other. Laura, is made a Sweet Magnolia during the course of the book. The love story that comes together between Laura and J.C because they spent so much time together fighting to find out the mystery of why Misty was missing some of her classes, is sweet and the happy ending you want when reading a romance novel. Both of them are strong characters who are well liked within the community. They both have also been fixed up with many eligible singles since they are so attractive and quite the catch. However, they both like many adults their age have issues they need to get over. Will they be able to get over the issues and be happy together? You will have to read to find out.
    • 5/5
      Catching Fireflies (The Sweet Magnolias) by Sherryl Woods 5 STARS This is the first Sweet Magnolias book that I have read. Wow what a hard and important subject to cover. Their was some information I did not realize. I could have done better at parenting. I like how the members of Sweet Magnolias are thier for each other. But I don't like the message that to be thier you have to drink. Laura Reed is worried about one of her students is missing only her class. She knows that Misty knows her subject and thats not why she is sluffing. Laura warns after trying to get Misty to tell her that if she is not thier monday she will have to go to the princable about it. Misty is a junior and is being bullied at school and on the internet by one of the cheerleaders. Telling lies about her and name calling. Misty is afraid of her parents thinking its true. Plus her mom is in a depression over her father wanting a divorce. Misty makes her friend promise not to tell her mom and stepfather or thier teacher the problems. Misty gets the idea to go to her doctor and ask for a note excusing her from school period. Dr. J.C. Fullerton tries to understand why Misty does not want to go to school. When she won't tell he tells her okay but you have to talk to another adult about it and have them call him by certain time or he would go talk to her parents. J.C. is single and does not date. He is always telling his nurse that to stop trying to fix him up. JC and Laura try and figure out how to find out what is going on with Misty. They team up for Misty and start dating. The whole school and town start taking sides. Lots of good information is brought up about bulling. This novel was rivoting and I cant wait to read more about the Sweet Magnolias. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. Harlequin MIRA (July 31, 2012)PUB 384 pages
    • 4/5
      Most children by the time they are 12 years old have experienced some type of bullying. Often times it is carried out by peers in school or by neighborhood children. It is usually cruel and cuts to the core of the person. This book is about a woman named Laura who discovers that one of her English students is being severely bullied by another child. In fact it is so bad that the girl has stopped coming to her classes and has been dramatically changing her behavior both in and out of her educational environment. The story brings together an entire community that works to end bullying and educate parents. At the same time it tells the story of Laura's blossoming romance with the local pediatrician. Both her personal life and career stay busy as she becomes the subject of local gossip. Laura uses the local gossip queens to assist her in her mission to stop bullying in schools. She convinces the police, legal system, and school board to bring much needed change as well. Eventually her relationship with the local pediatrician turns into a serious romance and gossip queens are placing bets on a summer wedding. Although it seems impossible both Laura and her student resolve her desperate situation. The first thing I want to say is that this story is both wholesome and warm. It describes a community that magically comes together to battle an evil that has entered their tiny town. It has a lot of detail on the different methods that are used by bullies to torment their victims. Everything tends to fall into place rather well with little to no problem, which left me completely bored in several places. I appreciate the author is trying to promote peace and harmony amongst the school system, but in reality it is totally bogus. Most times parents ignore what there kids are doing and usually the bullying is ignored. It is often considered a passage of right that forces the victim to endure years of torment until they move away. I found this book to be very slow at times and I had a hard time staying interested in it. I enjoyed the detail, but it was just a little too much for me when it came to the perfect harmony of the community. I would recommend this book to a person that was looking for inspiration or wholesome type stories. If you are a fan of this type of genre than you will not be disappointed.