Review: Sweet Talk Me by Kieran Kramer

Harrison Gamble is a famous country singer. He’s in Atlanta and catches a glimpse of his first and only love, True Maybank. She’s there to pick up her wedding dress. Her fiancé, DuBose Waring, was part of the love triangle in high school. True went to the prom with DuBose, but left with Harrison. When True was twelve, her father told her to stop hanging around with Harrison and plan to marry DuBose. The Maybanks and Warings represented old money and the Gambles were no money. Until now. True is desperate for money. Her parents died leaving her with an old house and unpaid bills. DuBose represents stability and carrying out her deceased father’s wishes. True stays in her relationship with DuBose too long. It’s obvious from the beginning there’s no love between them. True wants his money and it’s unclear why DuBose wants to marry her. She’s turned the land back into a farm and sells the produce. DuBose is a hot shot attorney with money and Penn, his mean mom. One joke in the story is Penn insists on calling True, Gertrude. True wonders if she should return the rudeness and call Penn, Pennsylvania.

After True has a panic attack about flying, Harrison ends up driving her home to Biscuit Creek. His older brother, Gage, still lives there in the family trailer. Gage is a successful crossword puzzle designer who has Asperger Syndrome. True’s younger sister, Weezie, does too. She wants to be a talk show host. Gage is living in squalor, but appreciates the sameness. Harrison decides to build Gage a new home. He asks True if he and Gage can live with her during the construction. She agrees. Gage and Weezie build an odd rapport. They bring their siblings closer, giving them an outlet to discuss family matters. And pursue the lingering physical attraction. True’s friend, Carmela, falls in love with Gage. Proof that love knows no illness or boundaries. Penn and DuBose are both out of town and leave the wedding planning to True. The caterer and band bail on her. To calm her nerves, True retreats to the attic to paint. Harrison offers to help. He can have everything she needs flown in. She sees it as a test, courtesy of Penn. There’s a sour history between Penn and True’s late mother. A big surprise is in store for DuBose and Weezie. At long last, True calls off the wedding and hosts an art show of her work. Harrison returns to reunite with True.

The secondary characters make this story worth the read. Gage and Weezie steal this story. They are funnier and more interesting than their siblings. Carmela is a New Yorker trying to make a go of a souvenir shop and restaurant. Her employee, Roger, is the best table busser ever. Vince, the architect, has a unique dress code. All add much to the back drop.

**Copy provided by Author**

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