Godwin's Grocery

Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman #4

by Anne-Marie Meyer

I never moved on. I tried, but I couldn’t. I will spend my entire life loving her even if she’s determined to leave me.

She’s Juliet and I’m Romeo.

Claire

Just when things between mom and I seem to be getting better, Rose has a scare that lands her in the hospital. Mom discovers that I’ve been keeping Carmel a secret from her and tells me that we’re not welcome at Apple Blossom B&B.

So I pack up my bags and head to the only place I can think of that will take in me and a pregnant dog…Jax.

Of course, he answers the door in just a towel with his hair damp and his chest glistening from water droplets. Thankfully, I regain my senses and ask him for a place to stay while I sort out my life. He’s hesitant, but agrees.

His only I work my room and board off at his pub.

Which seemed easy enough. Until I see just how popular with the ladies he is and I hate that those pesky twinges of jealousy rise up in my chest when I see him enjoy the attention just a little too much.

I’m angry at my mom and I’m angry with Jax. One drunken night, I do the unthinkable. I ask Jax if his lips feel the same as they did when we were dating as teens.

His gaze turns dark as he stares at me and asks, “Do you want me to kiss you, Claire?”

I know I should have said no, but I didn’t. Now everything has changed but I’m still the same Claire with all the issues I had before. And I know how our story ends. I’ve lived it before. Fate doesn’t want us together. Ever.

Juniper

I’m determined to put my life with Steve behind me. He was my past and I’m ready to focus on my future. Mom and dad? They aren’t so convinced.

Sure, they offer to let me work at Godwin’s Grocery. It’s a simple job that lets me get out of the house and focus on healing. But I wonder if it’s just a way for mom and dad to keep tabs on me.

I haven’t told them what happened with Steve. The bruise on my eye speaks volumes on its own. I know they want to know. Especially since he’s a the wealthiest family in town. But that’s a road I don’t want to go down…

Until Steve calls me. He’s sorry for what he did and he wants to talk. We’d been together for so long, I agree. It’s the least I can do.

Mom and dad don’t want me to go, but I’m an adult, I can make decisions on my own. Until mom suggests that I take the new hire with me. His name is Boone and he looks like he belongs on the battlefield, not stocking shelves.

Not wanting to start a fight, I agree. But when Boone doesn’t leave my side, my parents plan starts to unfold. In the small town of Harmony Island, they found me a bone fide bodyguard.

I’m annoyed and I let Boone know it. I’ll be fine. My future doesn’t include Steve until…it does.This story is told through 3 different points of view. Claire, Jax, and Juniper. It's a story of romance and friendships between women. If you liked the Netflix show, Sweet Magnolias, you'll love this series!Fall in love with the town of Harmony Island with this fourth installment of the Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman series. There's intrigue, forgiveness, and romance that will make your toes curl and you heart swoon.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Abuse, Fiction, Slow Burn

260 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2023

About the author

Anne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.

When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.

Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com

Reviews

[Carolyn A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the plots on this series were laid out better, and expanded upon more. The general plot and storylines are good, there's just room for much more depth in the characters.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good, but like the rest of the series, it was too fast-paced. Fortunately, in this case, it wasn't too bad as the main characters had a past and only needed to communicate better to resolve their issues. However, the entire story was set over no more than a month.

Jax's character is the perfect man, and he's my favorite lead in the series because of how well he treats Claire and everyone else around him. Claire, on the other hand, is very annoying and immature in every sense. She only thinks about herself and has terrible communication skills. Her problems could have been avoided if she stopped playing games and talked to people honestly. So, her perspective made it hard for me to read.

I don't know how things work in this place, but it's incredible how all the couples can get engaged in less than a month or two of knowing each other.

[Miasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne-Marie Meyer books always serve as a palette cleanser for me, and I thoroughly them.

This one was Jax and Claire and they finally got their HEA.

[Marielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing. Will attempt to wait patiently for the next book on Libby.

[Hannah Testas · Rating 2 out of 5]

not enough character development

Why every female in this series has to be a runner is beyond me. Just talk about your feelings. Jax’s friend was correct when he said he just allowed her to do whatever she wanted in the pub. She knew she was repaying him for staying with him and she was always doing anything but her job. Jax was an extreme push over too. two stars was deserved for this one

[Lindsay Cardona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second series read by this author. I would like to take "padded" out of her vocabulary. Can't anyone just walk? But also I feel like we spend so much time in someone's story and then they pretty much disappear. I'd like the characters to continue threw a bit more. They are very fast reads, and I like them but I want more.

[Terra Clotfelter G · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve never worked in animal rescue or been close to someone who has worked in animal rescue, don’t write about people who work in animal rescue 🫠🫠🫠 they would NEVER not have a rescue dog fixed posthaste, ESPECIALLY after a possible impregnation 🙄 they wouldn’t chill around for a month to see what happens 🙃 that’s really all I took away from this story, so three stars.

[Daniele Heiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid romance book. Claire and Jax could’ve resolved everything a lot sooner had they just communicated properly. I found it quite annoying that they never said what they actually meant, even at the end. I love how she intertwines the characters and sets them up for the next book. I can’t wait to read Juniper and Boone’s story (minus Kevin 😂).

[Denise Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like these books, to me they feel like hallmark movies in writing. A lot of the time I feel like if the protagonist would JUST talk to each other instead of rambling on in their minds about everything, things would be much easier for these characters but also what fun is that! Lol can't wait to see what happens next!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never disappoints. Claire and Jax remind me a lot of Shelby and Miles from the first book. Such a sweet small town romance. Always ending in a cliff hanger! I can't believe I have to wait 2 whole months for the next book to be released.

[Alesandra: banter_or_bust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire and Jax - I found Jax slightly more appealing than Claire. Claire is an animal person so dogs play a big role in this one.
Claire’s mom is hard to be around, even when she’s words on a page.

[Tatiana 🌷 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNF’d this book after about an hour of the audio, and the main reason is the writing. It feels extremely childish—closer to a middle school assignment than a polished adult novel. The dialogue, pacing, and overall tone lack any real depth or maturity, and nothing in the first hour suggested it would improve.

After reading the first three books in this series, I can honestly say this entire collection proves that anybody can write a book—even myself. Book 2 was the only one that kept me even mildly engaged, yet even then, I kept thinking about how weak and simplistic the dialogue was and how little “writer’s gift” there was behind the scenes. It’s disappointing, because as much as I wanted to support this author—especially being new and self-published—the writing is simply too poor for my taste.

I was certainly not expecting Kristin Hannah–level prose, but I was hoping for plots that weren’t so predictable and characters that weren’t unrealistically perfect and detached from reality. After pushing through three books, I need to take a break from this series. I might come back in a few months, but honestly, it’s hard to imagine continuing when it seems the same weak writing carries through every book. I tried though. Very disappointing.

[Ebony Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Series Review 📓⛓️SWEET TEA AND SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN BY ANNE-MARIE MEYRE

⭐️/3. 🌶️/ 0

1 The Inn on Harmony Island
2 The Shop Around The Corner
3 Apple Blossom B&B
4 Goodwins Grocery
5 Harmony Island Gazette

These books where my first by this author and honestly I was hoping for more the stories them selves were good but I was hoping for a bit of a different writing style the reason for the 3 ⭐️ well it’s for the whole series!

I couldn’t bring myself to read book 6 it just wasn’t there for me

I felt like if the author wrote a full book with more detail to the background of the characters from start to finish with a bit more of a happy ending in stead of jumping right into the next couple the books would have come across better for me.

None the less the stories were good but I was hoping for at least a little spicy but unfortunately as it states it is a sweet romance and very gentlemanly with not much talk of spice there more like a bulb around it in the books

My fav from the series would have to be the first book as it had more to the couple more details more of a back story.

It just feels a bit incomplete for every couple and their story.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I state this with each books, but this series is written in way that each book connects to the next, so you really do need to read them in order to get each couples complete story. In this book, Claire and Jax finally get their HEA and we meet Juniper (whose story doesn't end here.) She goes back to her hometown after leaving her husband, who had abused her, to basically hide out.. though it's his hometown too, so keeping hidden won't be easy. She's helping at her mom and dad's grocery store while in town, but her parents are worried for her and never did like the man their daughter married and essentially hired a bodyguard to help watch out for her... which she resists. This book has that darker element (the abuse) that the previous books didn't have, but it still has the sweetness about it. Again, no sexual content. Alternating between several POVs.

[Sara Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really fallen in love with the Sweet Tea and Southern Gentleman series; however, I am finding my having to wait for the books to come out is difficult. I of course have been waiting for Godwin’s Grocery which is book 4. This story we meet Claire whose mom has been known to be very difficult in the previous stories. She is home for a little bit and when not welcomed at home, finds herself at the one place she did not expect. We also meet Juniper, whose parents run Godwin’s Grocery store. She is back home and not giving the details why to her parents, but as a reader you know why. This book was an easy read and kept you intrigued. I was very sad when the book ended and there was so much left unsaid!! I know there is a book #5, so I will impatiently wait for that as well. Highly recommend this book series!!

[Bookz4Hollz1225 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this series! I love Claire and Jax. How Jax is so in love with Claire all his life just like Miles with Shelby! The only thing different is Claire’s mother is so miserable and I hope sooner or later she fixes her relationship with her daughter. Claire’s return and Jax always loving her, neither forgetting their love for each other! When Claire’s mother freaks out about the dog and kicks her out she goes to Jax for help. Jax will take care of her forever. He is just a sweet kind hearted person. He makes Claire work with him at Harmony Pub for
Living with him. When she out looking for a place with a guy she met there Carmel the dog goes into labor! The ring Jax wears around his neck she finally finds out whose it was and they get a HEA!!! At the end we meet Juniper who worked for the Gazette! I can’t wait for her story! These books are so cute! I can’t stop! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Allie IG: alliesannotation · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman SERIES REVIEW:
⭐️: 3.5/5
🌶️: 2/5
🎧

I read this series on audiobook after listening to the first two on a long road trip. I was just coming out of a reading slump, and these were the perfect easily-digestable books to jump-start me getting back into reading. My favorites were The Shop Around the Corner and Godwin's Grocery. I found that the cast had a lot of different personalities, so I could always find someone I could relate to, and while technically these stories could be interconnected standalones, the way Meyer wrote them was really unique, usually focusing on two couples each book, so each couple, while they got a main feature, was heavily present in at least one other book. It made the transition between books really smooth!

Definitely recommend if you're looking for something easy and light to get through!

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the stories have an intriguing plot they are not well written. The characters have no depth or development through the story.

Claire is super annoying and the love hate between her and Jax grates on your nerves. They have no communication which causes all their problems. Then there was the whole vet scene where “Brett” supposedly pays the bill that was so stupid because Claire never even texted him to say they left Jax’s house and was at the vet…. Yet she believes he paid the bill 🤦‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ how would he have known she was there???? Also they Clair and Jax decide to be together and there is no closure with Claire and Brett who she was “dating”…. Such terrible writing.

The second storyline with Juniper is intriguing but I am not getting my hopes up for the next book in the series it will probably be another waste of time.

[Gabrielle Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest..... I hated this book.


I wish these people would communicate!!!! I realize if everyone, the book would be boring, but seriously? 6 hours of, oh I love him but he hates me... Oh I love her but she hates me.... here's an idea guys, talk, LIKE ADULTS!!!!!!!!!

I like each "main" character of this story individually, but there was too much nonsense and drama for my liking.

I really like Juniper, but I HATE her story... Guy beats wife, wife finally gets away and tries to move on, wife finds out she's pregnant.... UGH!

I do like that the next book characters are introduced at the end of the book, so of course l will keep reading. Books 1-2 were not great, book 3 was pretty good, book 4 was a disaster! Here's to hoping book 5 is a good one

[MLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fluff; 5/10
Heartfelt; 10/10
Inspiriting; 8/10
Love; 6/10
Humor; 6/10
No Predictability
No Spice
No suspension

This book is a cute and short pg read. I love how the story keeps on going from the 1st book to now. I love how we really get to see how a narcissist act in this book and how they try to get their spouse back after hitting them. Luckily she smarter than that and doesn’t fall for his tricks. You would think missy daughter a bitch like her but she not. She doesn’t even like her mom. Missy really is just awful person. I love how rose care for Claire, missy daughter like her own.

[bobbi barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many "pearl clutching" moments

I love a good small town romance series, the stories are interesting enough and I'm enjoying the characters.
My only complaint is all the purse shouldering comments, to the point I'm rolling my eyes everytime a purse strap is being put on. They seem unnecessary and tend to make the women sound prudish. With the lack of 18+ material, the pearl clutching isn't needed. Women don't need to be written in an uptight manor. It's my reason for only giving 4 stars.
Sorry for the complaint because aside from that I really am liking the series, it's very sweet.

[Macie Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

emotional hopeful fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5 ⭐️

I liked this book sorta. I liked it but it seemed both too fast and annoyingly slow at the same time. It was a good read but not my favorite of the series. The miscommunication trope is one of my least favorite but I enjoy second chance romance and friends to lovers. They were both annoyingly dense most of the time.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I enjoy the second chance romance, and wanting happy endings for all those living in Harmony Island, I find the major theme of these books is the "let's not share our real feelings until it's almost too late and just assume the opposite to what's actually going on". I'll likely still read on, as they are easy to read and I don't like to leave a series unfinished. it's nice to have the option of the spicy scenes on kindle however they're not ones I'll likely be rereading.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have mentioned in previous reviews, the story is rushed at the end. I would have liked to hear about other peoples’ reactions to the news of Claire and Jax engagement behind a Hodges and Robinson.

One thing I did not like, is at the end, I requested the extended version of the book, and Claire’s last name was incorrect. In the whole book, she was a Hodges, in the extended chapter she was a Willis.

Poor editing on that front

[Karlien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Claire and Jax's romance take off where it left off all that many years ago. I found it difficult at first to get going with this one, compared to the previous books, but once it started getting interesting and their relationship went on, I was immediately intrigued. Very curious to start the next book to see what happens between Juniper and Boone. I liked Boones character as soon as he appeared in the book!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Past Revisited

This is an interesting series. Book 1 gave the reader tantalizing clues of several of our upcoming stories and laid the foundation for upcoming books. This book was powerful in the ability for who to trust and what to trust. I kept reaching for one more chapter and then another. One book turned into 4 books (and I am in the process of purchasing the remaining 2 books.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW this time we get the continuation of Jax and Claire. Can they overcome past hurt and let an age old family feud finally be out to rest? They are brought together by their dogs. Will the forced proximity bring them together or push them away for good? We also get a glimpse into Juniper and her story. I found this book to be very charming. I loved Jax and Claire’s story but am very much looking forward to Juniper’s story as well as Ella’s.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Book

If you think you want to read this book you need to read the Red Stileto Book Club Series. It is the series that leads into this one.

The books introduce you to three characters and their story. The ne,t one finishes the unfinished stories and introduce ed a new character. Eva h character's story is unique and each story, so far, has a HEA.

You will get invested in each character that you will fell as if they live in your neighborhood.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven’t read this series expecting great literature. I expected all these books to be cheesy to some degree, and I haven’t been wrong about that. This one, however, was down right insipid. Both the main character and her enemy-to-lover interest were intolerable. If there were real people they’d be the kind of legal adults who are merely large-sized children playing big people by wearing adult clothing.

[Haley Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved seeing Claire and Jax's love story unfold more. Juniper reminds me too much of what I have seen recently in two separate friends' lives so I am looking forward to seeing how she might get out of it in the next book. Still not my favorite narrator, but I try not to let that reflect how I feel about the book.