Marilee Abernathy feels that her life is out of control. Her husband, Grady, is a minister at the Baptist Church, and has left her for the town floozy. The worst part, is that her son Josh chose to live with Grady and his paramour.

Marilee is shamed, and figures that suicide is the answer. After two comical attempts, She decides to get her life in order and, most importantly, get her son back.

As a teenager, Sam Brewer was popular with the girls; and a bit of a bad boy. As a man he is now a success. Concerned about his mother's health, Sam sells his construction business and moves right next door to Marilee Abernathy, to live with his mother. Sam and Marilee build a steady interest in each other, and it is brought to fruition largely as Sam matures and Marilee gets her act together.

Marilee has no job skills, but wangles a job at a funeral home,and playing piano in the evenings at a supper club. Additionally she boards a pregnant sixteen year old. So much is going on that Chickpea and its cast of zany characters is almost more of the central plot than the relationship between her and Sam.

The best part of the book is the three friends. Marilee's support system inspires her to her new attitude, while providing the reader with endless comedic situations. The most memorable of the characters is Winnie, the pregnat boarder.

While the book could have been 50 pages shorter (its not suspenseful the way Charlotte's Avon books were, the plot and characters are gripping in a more heartwarming way.

I highly reccommend this inspiring, funny, and memorable book, and look forward to Charlotte Hughes' next work.