Della and Darby: A Novel of Sisters

by Susannah B. Lewis

Overview

In this small Mississippi town, everyone has long memories and loud opinions.

Twins Della and Darby Redd may be identical in appearance, but they couldn’t be more different. Della is outspoken, obsessed with purple, and desperate to be accepted by her peers. Darby is introverted, creative, and sees no need to speak to anyone besides her sister and grandmother, Birdie. Due to a tragedy from their past, all three women’s lives have been blanketed in judgment, scandal, and rumor, preventing them from experiencing true peace and contentment in their small town of Clay Station, Mississippi.

When the sisters enter the final year of their twenties, Birdie and Della begin planning an elaborate thirtieth birthday bash. Della believes the party will finally win her acceptance with the in-crowd and dreams of bringing her boss, Dr. Brian Faulkner, as her date. But when Darby begins to form an unexpected friendship with her goofy coworker, Cliff, she learns through him about a scandalous secret involving Dr. Faulkner that is sure to end in disaster. Telling her sister the truth will force them both to face the reality of who they have become—and whether they still have a place in each other’s future.

In her latest novel, beloved Southern author Susannah B. Lewis explores the burden and blessing of family legacies and the moments along the way for which to give thanks and celebrate.

• Southern contemporary women’s fiction
• Stand-alone novel
• Book length: approximately 73,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780785248293
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	02/07/2023
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	250,731
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Susannah B. Lewis is a humorist, blogger for Whoa! Susannah, and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications. The author of Can't Make This Stuff Up! and Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton, Lewis studied creative writing at Jackson State Community College and earned her bachelor's degree in business management from Bethel College. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Jason, their three children, and three dogs. Visit her online at whoasusannah.com; Facebook: @whoasusannah; Instagram: @whoasusannahblog; TikTok: @whoasusannah.

Editorial Reviews

11/28/2022

Lewis’s heartwarming latest (Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton) follows twin sisters as they attempt to find themselves and overcome the past in their stiflingly small Mississippi hometown. Since their childhood, Della and Darby Redd have been polar opposites: Della’s outspoken and eager to win acceptance from her peers, while reserved, even-keeled Darby prefers writing and keeping her own company. Both are haunted by the legacy of their alcoholic mother, who killed herself and four others in a drunk driving accident during their childhood, marking them as town outcasts. Now on the cusp of turning 30, Della works in a medical office alongside several of her childhood tormentors—whose acceptance she still desperately craves—while Darby works at a plastic factory and struggles to return the affections of a coworker. As their birthday approaches and other complications arise (including a subplot involving Della’s boss), the sisters lean on their faith as they reevaluate their childhood, their late mother, and one another. Though Della’s is the meatier story (Darby often plays a supporting role), Lewis captures the vulnerability and humor of their relationship. This light jaunt has surprising emotional depth. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly