Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this, and there is promise here - the dual storylines uncover a hidden chapter of women's history, where help was given to escape domestic abuse situations, and I liked how the author interwove the two timelines. However, the story moves veeery slowly and uses quite a few tired stereotypes. There are also loose ends that are never addressed, not to mention a very improbable ending.

This was a wonderful and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

Love books written by Catherine Mann, this is no exception. I did enjoy this book.
Beiley Rea is back to Bent Oak to take care of everything left after her aunt Winnie passing.
She wants to do this fast and move on, but things happen and she discovers secrets her aunt had.
Lovely story, enjoyed it.

Catherine Mann is an author whose romances I have read for years but Lightning in a Mason Jar is the first women’s fiction novel I have read written by her. The prologue set the stage, hooking me into this dual time story. The reader finds out the events in the late Aunt Winnie’s life before her “adoptive” niece does so. This is because we get to hear it from Winnie, when Bailey Rae only learns of the past after Winnie’s death. This is an effective way in writing these two women’s stories.

A Southern story that could have happened anywhere in the country, but the Southern favor is as much of humor as well as the strength of this book. Highlighting the struggles of women in situations of abuse and bias of interracial relationships in the 70’s-80’s, this is a beautiful, enlightening book.

"Lightning In A Mason Jar" by Catherine Mann is an absolute classic that will capture reader’s attention from the first page to the last. This novel weaves an exceptional plot through multiple timelines and narratives, creating a rich tapestry of stories that are both poignant and heartfelt.

The small-town setting is vividly depicted, brimming with charm and authenticity, anchoring the characters' journeys in a place that feels both comforting and real. The romance in the story is tender and beautifully crafted, striking the perfect balance between passion and emotional depth.

What truly sets this book apart are its unforgettable characters. Each one is meticulously developed, their stories resonating deeply as they navigate love, loss, and redemption. Their connections feel genuine, their struggles relatable, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested.

Catherine Mann’s storytelling prowess shines through every chapter, with seamless transitions between timelines that keep the reader engaged and eager to uncover how the past intertwines with the present.

In summary, "Lightning In A Mason Jar" is a poignant, heartfelt masterpiece that will linger in your heart long after you've turned the final page. Highly recommend for anyone who loves deeply moving narratives filled with romance, rich character development, and a touch of small-town magic.

Bailey Rae's Aunt Winnie has passed away, and she has to deal with her aunt's South Carolina estate. She has her aunt's cookbook with her because she wants to purchase a food truck and run it in Myrtle Beach. Bailey Rae's plans go awry when another woman shows up with another copy of the very same cookbook. This causes Bailey Rae to find and figure out a hidden code inside the book. The code reveals a promise of a sanctuary for women on the run, now Bailey Rae has more questions than she does answers about who her aunt really was. This story goes back 50-plus years as we learn about three different women who use their traumas and strength from each other to help other women in the same situation.

This was a profound and emotional novel about friendship, surviving and the strength women have when we need it most. I loved the South Carolina setting as southern fiction is a favourite of mine, and I especially love the timeline in the 70s. The author developed these female characters so well, and I loved her easy-to-read writing style. Aunt Winnie's secrets are heart-wrenching to read about, and it was hard to explore her trauma with Bailey Rae. A true story of the human spirit that was both personal and relatable all at once. I highly recommend this one to readers who enjoy stories of family drama/trauma and the fortitude of women of strength. All. The. Stars.

A story of women helping women, Bailey Rae has inherited (sort of) her Aunt Winnie's things as well as, it turns out, her role in helping women escape domestic violence, This is more Winnie's story than Bailey Rae's. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. There might not be any surprises but it's a generous and heartfelt read.

What a captivating story!
Strong women, dual timelines, and a touch of mystery—this is a powerful novel about survival, healing, and the strength of friendship that I couldn’t put down.
It deals with abuse and trauma, which may be difficult for some readers, but it’s written with such care and grace that I found it ultimately hopeful and deeply moving.

Reviewing this one is an interesting one. I really got into it and enjoyed it looking at domestic violence and what would happen if a secret group of women supported others to escape. But in many ways it seemed so light it almost brushed over the complexities of escaping domestic violence? It definitely had its dark moments. And a core aspect of the story was that of the power of found family. So despite my rating it highly for my enjoyment, it’s not one I’d rate highly for looking at how hard it is to escape domestic violence and if you want recommendations I’d love to give them as it’s a passion topic of mine apparently especially with the love for a certain book that romanticises it. 🙃🙃

Lightning in a Mason Jar is an enticing Southern dual-timelines story that slowly and sweetly develops through the multiple family sagas. This is a dramatic book with poignant memories and difficult scenes of spousal abuse and torture. Fortunately love, passion and justice all prevail by the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Spanning decades, this was an emotional read about found family and helping hands.

After her adoptive Aunt Winnie passes, Bailey Rae goes to settle the estate in Bent Oak, South Carolina. Bailey Rae ends up discovering secrets, long since hidden, about her aunt and her dearest friends, as Bailey Rae herself is approached for help.

Beautifully written, emotionally charged stories of trauma/abuse and those who got away. This book was charged with hope, resilience and the power of connection.

My favorite quote, “I’m sorry it had to take me so long to realize we should be together. You’re worth the wait, he said. You’re my lightning in a bottle, that once in a lifetime event. Difficult. Challenging. And exciting beyond belief. We’re in the south, I reminded him. So that should be lightning in a mason jar.”

Thank you to author, Catherine Mann, Publisher Lake Union Publishing and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Breathe in breathe out, smell the flowers blow out the candles, smell the flowers blow out the candles. I loved this in the book, I'm going to remember it, I wrote it down, I have it on a post it note on my desk at work for when I need to breathe, for when I'm anxious. This book was hard sometimes, I wanted to cry, I wanted to help, I wanted to defend, I wanted to think of ones I knew that had been in this situation and wish I knew where help like this was. This was a story of women that made a difference, that became a family, that kept secrets in order to live, Oh my God read the book, find a piece of your life, someone you know, just read the book.. Maybe it will help you want to make a difference in someone's life.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. A group of chosen family escaping their lives for something better. The challenges and dangers they face are crazy real. This entire book felt so real life that it brought out so many emotions. I was a crying mess, whether the good kind or the bad kind. Bailey Rae inspired me in so many ways. A broken flower turned into a blooming plant. I was rooting for all the survivors. The romance between Bailey Rae and Martin was unexpected, but welcome, but the real story was everyone else. A must read.

This was such an interesting topic, and I still can't decide if all the secrets that Bailey Rae encountered added to the suspense of the book, or made it a frustration for the reader. I had a little bit of a hard time in the beginning keeping all the characters straight and all their connections. I didn't feel satisfied in what I was reading until the last few chapters when it came together - I almost gave up a few times because I felt like I was missing something obvious, and the payoff took a long time to get there.

Really loved this book. Interesting storyline about women escaping abusive situations, and how they were able to move forward. A feel good story, but in a good way. Loved the characters. Great character development. Would highly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley for chance to read this book, prerelease for an honest review.

The characters in this book were so believable it was a joy to read. Many sensitive topics were covered in this book well and without overbearing "here is what you should think or feel about this" attitude. I would have loved to have loved more of the underground railroad aspect added into this book....next drop off/daring pick up, etc. The friendship, loyalty to self and others was a welcome break from our actual community climates right now.

I just finished this one and really loved it. It tackled such a big subject. Domestic violence against women and children has long been a taboo subject and especially in a world that really loves men. Women have endured in silence. But many have escaped. And many women (and men) HELP those women escape this cycle of abuse. This was a heartwarming story of resilience and love and starting over.

Lightning in a Mason Jar is a book about discovering more about those we love. Bailey Rae misses her beloved adopted Aunt Winnie. Yet, she wants to flee from the home she's known for so long. As she prepares to sell everything off and pursue what she thinks is her dream, she begins to learn that her aunt had a secret life.

The story reminds us how we may not know as much about those we love as we think we do. There could be stories from their past that shed a light on how they became the person we knew. In WInnie's case, the fear of being found out kept her from sharing with Bailey Rae all that she had endured.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and will add Catherine Mann to my list of authors to read again. She does a wonderful job telling the story using flashbacks to Winnie's life and the words of people who knew her to unveil more of Winnie's story to Bailey Rae.

Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Mann, and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I adored this book! From the first page to the last page, every single character had me invested!
The back-and-forth chapters between Bailey Ray and her “aunt” Winnie tied the story together so beautifully!
This is one book. You are definitely not going to want to miss!

Rating: 3.25

Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing for the eARC!

I’m honestly a bit dumb-founded as to why this book hasn’t been getting more attention! Especially in the wake of our current political climate (if you know…you know), this book is an important fictional perspective on the danger of domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). As a social worker, I have worked with clients who have experienced DV or IPV within their lives or are struggling to cut off ties with their perpetrator. Even though this is a work of fiction, it still offers a meaningful perspective that is worthy of examining. How can we support agencies and groups in our area that provide services to survivors? And what current policies or laws affect them? Cause the sad and unfortunate truth is that these stories aren’t fictional for some individuals and might be very similar to what they experienced. I really appreciated the dual time lines and I thought it made the book a bit more dynamic. If it weren’t for Winnie’s perspective being told, the book would’ve been a lot less engaging. The main reason as to why this book isn’t getting a higher rating from me is because I found certain parts of the plot and the ending to be quite predictable. I would’ve appreciated maybe a touch more mystery since the organization/program Winnie was a part of was supposed to be a secret. Also, I found the characters to be a bit one note. All I learned from Bailey Rae was that she missed Winnie and wanted to have her own food truck…that’s pretty much it. I think a bit more depth could’ve been created within her character to further enhance the plot. Overall, this was a pretty good book and I’m thankful I got a chance to read it!