The Southern Charmer: A Heartwarming Southern Romance of Second Chances and Unexpected Love

by Janice Maynard

“I can’t wait for another visit to Blossom Branch!” —RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

Second time’s the charm.

When a guy leaves your best friend at the altar, you should hate him. Avoid him. You definitely shouldn’t fall for him…right? But when Gabby Nolan runs into her BFF’s ex, Jason Brightman, eighteen months after the wedding that wasn’t, one thing is certain: the secret crush she had on him in college—the one Gabby worked hard to bury—is still very much alive and kicking.

What’s worse is that Jason is no longer the immature, privileged boy he once was. The man who stands before Gabby now is thoughtful, self-aware and somehow more handsome than ever. But none of that changes the fact that Gabby shouldn’t be looking in the first place. Unlike Jason, Gabby has worked hard to climb to where she is, something he could never understand. The last thing she wants is to derail everything she’s accomplished for a guy.

Except Gabby isn’t the only one who’s been carrying a torch, and Jason’s efforts to make her smile are working entirely too well. Maybe yesterday’s mistakes can lead to a promising future—as long as the baggage they’re both carrying isn’t too much to bear.

Bonus novella!

Their blind date was amazing. The morning after? Not so much. And Jeff and Marisa have avoided each other ever since, even in a town as small as Blossom Branch. But when they’re trapped together in a cellar during a tornado, the heat between them might be as dangerous as the storm!

Blossom Branch

Book 1: The Runaway Bride of Blossom Branch
Book 2: One Sweet Southern Summer
Book 3: The Southern Charmer

Genres: Ebooks

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2025

About the author

Janice Maynard came to the writing life early! When her third grade short story, “The Princess and the Robbers”, won a red ribbon in a school arts fair, Janice was hooked. She followed up that early success with a more commercial piece in the sixth grade… “Why My Mom Loves To Drink Coke”. No advance for that one, but she won a six-pack of Coke… remember those great little bottles?

In junior high Janice began circulating her work to a wider audience. A dozen or so notebook pages stapled together made the rounds in some particularly boring classes, with the riveting tales carefully hidden behind textbooks.

High school meant the big time… editor of the school newspaper, the Maroon and White. Janice used her insightful editorials to delve into such meaty subjects as “locker room odor” and “why we need two-ply tissue in the student bathrooms”.

College brought lots of writing, but very little of it creative… four years later, Janice stepped into the adult world as a fully certified elementary teacher.

Despite motherhood, full-time employment, and keeping up with an “always into something” husband, Janice never lost her love of writing or the desire to be published. In 1996 she realized her long-time dream when Kensington Publishing bought her first book, Sweetheart. That exciting moment was followed by the sales of two more books in the Precious Gem line.

In the fall of 2002, Janice left the classroom to pursue writing full-time.

Reviews

[Em Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really couldn’t stand the MMC 😭 He was so arrogant and made so many comments that gave me the ick. I liked the plot and the FMC was fun to read, but I just couldn’t handle him.

[Lizardc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worse than a bad hallmark movie. If it’s going to be a Christmas book at least make the cover match.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby Nolan has a very good job working in Atlanta. In college she became good friends with Cate and Leah. They have remained close. It was when Cate and Jason Brightman were to be married that Gabby was secretly sad because she had always had a crush on Jason. But she decided to put those feeling aside and be happy for her friend. However, Jason stood Cate up at the altar breaking her heart. Now, 18 months later, Cate has met and married Harry and they are very happy.

When Gabby is having coffee in a cafe one day, Jason stops in and asks to talk to her. He wants to apologize for what happened and hopes they can be friends. He explains that he and Cate were very good friends but did not want to get married. Gabby is leery of him at first but he asks her out.

When he learns about Gabby’s upbringing from a single mother and being quite poor, he realizes how lucky he is to be from a very wealthy family. He accompanies her home one weekend meeting her mother and charming the woman. Now, Gabby is slowly willing to open herself to letting the man into her life. However, she is reluctant to do so as they are from such different backgrounds, how could she ever feel equal to him?

This story is totally heart-wrenching yet so compelling that I couldn’t put it down. Gabby’s insecurity is something I can understand as my childhood was difficult as well. That feeling of not being equal with others is hard for many to understand. I admired Gabby’s determination to take care of her mother in every way she could. There are some tear-jerking moments in this book, but there are definitely hopeful and rewarding times as well. This is the first book I have read by this author and I now count myself as a huge fan and look forward to reading more of her books.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Moran V · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Southern Charmer is book #3 in the Blossom Branch series and I was surprised to discover that the hero is Jason, the runaway groom from book #1 in the series.

Since I love Janice Maynard's writing I decided to give the book a chance and learn more about Jason before making him the bed guy and I'm glad I did because The Southern Charmer ended up being my favorite in the series!

The book takes place 18 months after the wedding that wasn't and when Gabby meets Jason in a coffee place and all her old feelings for him are back front and center but she isn't willing to admit it and as much as Jason want to spend time with her she is trying to resist.

Gabby is a complex character and the more we learn about her childhood and her mother the easier it's to understand her behavior. I loved reading about her relationship with her mother and how she slowly started seeing her mother in a different light and as a result made some changes in her own life.

Jason was so good for her, he was 100% supportive of her work and independence but at the same time tried showing her that there is more than life than just work and responsibly.
Both Gabby and Jason had to think hard and make decisions if they wanted to have a true and meaningful relationship together.

I loved the fact we got to see characters from previous books, especially seeing Jason have a heart to heart conversation with Cate and Harry and letting go of his guilt about calling off the wedding at the last moment.

I finished reading the book after a surgery and the fact I couldn't stop reading even being in pain shows how much I enjoyed the book !

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you run into the man who left your best friend at the altar? Gabby runs into the only man she ever cared for, Jason. Jason was engaged to her best friend but he called the wedding off. Everyone is so upset with him. Gabby realizes that her best friend has moved on and is now married. Jason hopes that gabby will forgive him. He cares the guilt, embarrassment and has been depressed. Is time to move on. He always found gabby smart and beautiful. Gabby still thinks he's handsome but surely her crush is long gine. Try end up spending time together. What will her best friend think of that? Will she be upset with Gabby? What can Jason so to make Gabby care for him? He did ask her out before he ended up dating her best friend. Maybe now is the right time for them. Can the both move forward and lead the past behind? Its hard for Gabby because she was born on the right side of the tracks, while Jason is very wealthy. Can she let that go? Gabby doesn't think she's worthy? What will everyone think about the two of them dating? Will his family be upset with her? The characters are wonderful. Try both need to learn to forgive, accept that its their turn to be happy and accept love. I was rooting for this couple. They deserve happiness.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabby Nolan was there the day Jason Brightman left her BFF at the alter, and she didn't know whether to sad and heartbroken for BFF or happy because she had a secret crush on Jason. Then by chance she meets up with him a year later while having coffee and all those feelings came rushing back... What is a girl to do, but have a secret affair with him, and tell him why they are no good together going forward as a couple. There backgrounds are so different and Gabby just won't let herself hope for anything else. Even when he is so good to her mother, and wants to help her friends and it's Christmas and he wants to celebrate with her. Can Gabby leave the past behind and find a future with the man of her dreams.

Gabby's story broke my heart. She is a strong character and will wring so many emotions from you while reading her story of her and her mothers. Jason is very sorry for his part in not going through with his marriage to Gabby's best friend and he has tried to atone for that by being a better person and being truthful. The two together make for a wonderful story. It's sweet and spicy and will make you sigh with happiness and having you grabbing for a tissue at the same time. I think of all the three books in this series, this one had a little bit of an edge for my fav, but I did love the other two books too. A solid 4 stars

I was offered a copy of this book for my honest review, which I have given freely.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visit to Blossom Branch is always a delight! Maynard is quick to have her readers invested in the story as we are reminded of Cate's earlier book when she was jilted by Jason but found love with Harry and now Jason is back and her BFF Gabby is finding him hard to resist. The backstory makes this book compelling right from the start even if you haven't been following the series but if you have, you're going to love watching Jason be redeemed right before your eyes. I loved him with Gabby and I really enjoyed their story. The characters are refreshingly down-to-earth and face real life issues with grace and healing. I occasionally wanted to shake Gabby and tell her to get it together when she gave him the run around one too many times, but I loved how they overcame it all in the end. Well developed and heartwarming!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a tight-knit small town where love finds a way no matter what the roadblocks it might face.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Southern Charmer by Janice Maynard is the next installment in her Blossom Branch series and my first book in the series.

Gabby Nolan knows that she shouldn't like Jason Brightman, the man who left her best friend at the altar, but that crush that SHE had on him in college, but when she runs into him a year and a half after the almost wedding, she discovers that she still has those feelings and that he's a changed man from who he was before.

Jason has worked hard to change who he was before and he actually has feelings for Gabby.

They have to overcome the past and embrace who they are now to find a relationship with each other and we are lucky enough to be along for the ride as they do this. It's a sweet book that made me want more! I'm going back to read the first in this series immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished reading the first book in this series, The Runaway Bride of Blossom Branch, I had a strong feeling that Gabby and Jason would one day end up together. As I read One Sweet Southern Summer, Gabby's standoffish behavior to her two best friends made me even more certain that she harbored feelings for her bestie's ex. What I wasn't sure of was whether or not I could abide a story of Jason, who broke Cate's heart (and embarrassed the hell out of her), getting his happily ever after. I can say that Janice Maynard delightfully delivered on that most-difficult of tasks. I'm totally smitten with Jason and Gabby and their opposites-attract story. The Southern Charmer is a great read for a cold day, or any day, really. Gabby and Jason have undeniable chemistry, and they both work incredibly hard for the love the find together. Once again, Janice Maynard delivers with a love story for the ages!

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance with a Twist!!

An interesting setup. Cate was left at the altar by Jason years ago. Best friend Gabby is socially awkward, liked Jason first, but Cate is literally a beauty queen. Gabby tamped down feelings, and now when Jason is trying to
become friends again, keeps her distance due to loyalty, at first.

Cate is happily married, forgives Jason, and agrees they were together for convenience, and she and Jason were not right for each other. Interesting dynamics continue, as Gabby comes from nothing, and Jason’s parents were wealthy, but he had never decorated a Christmas tree (it was “don’t touch”).

Problems with peanut butter, reverse snobbery, trust issues, and family and friends.

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****

[Dawn Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh this book is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy! Gabby and Jason’s story is an enemies-to-lovers delight, with plenty of tension to keep things interesting. I mean, when a guy leaves your best friend at the altar, he’s pretty much public enemy number one, right? But Gabby’s secret crush on Jason complicates things in the best way.

Their chemistry is off the charts, and watching them work through all that history is both steamy and heartfelt. If you love a Southern setting, fiery romance, and some juicy drama, this book is a fun ride!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to receive the ARC.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Southern Charmer is the next book in the Blossom Branch series. At first Gabby and Jason appear to be an unlikely couple. He’s the ex of her friend who was left at the altar. When they do meet again months after that fateful day they discover that the connection is strong. I found that I did not understand why Gabby acted the way she did. Sometimes she was great with Jason then other times she kept thinking of how he left his ex and decided that she wasn’t good enough for him it got to be too much. She needed to leave it in the past 18 months was plenty of time to move on, in fact his ex has married! Jason is very patient and gives Gabby space until she finally trusts their relationship.

[Lynne Reeder · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE SOUTHERN CHARMER
JANICE MAYNARD
ON SALE JANUARY 28, 2025

Gabby grew up in poverty, raised by her single mother after her father died in a motorcycle accident. Now she has a great paying job, but uses most of her pay helping her mother who has her own problems.

Jason grew up an only child to two people in a loveless marriage, but very well off. Fifteen months prior he called off a wedding to a lovely lady whom he loved, but almost as a sister. Gabby happens to have been the bride to be’s best friend.

Now Jason runs into Gabby in a coffee shop and is mesmerized by her. Can Gabby forgive him? Can Jason forgive himself and possibly move on with a life with Gabby?

[Liz Sergent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book - it came in a book box from Reader Service. I never heard of this author and just ordered the other books in this series! I have a new favorite! Gabby the accountant, has a past with Jason. He left her best friend at the altar (note the other books in this series, but you can read standalone) Jason and Gabby run into each other and there is chemistry. He goes home with her to see her Mom in Blossom Branch. There is a side story with her Mom, this is a sweet love story that is wonderful and a take me away from it all. Really enjoyed this book!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was ok. It was the first book I have read by the author. On one hand I thought Gabby was really annoying. At first it seemed like she couldn't pick up her mind until the end. On the other hand, I can understand where her insecurities came from. All in all it had a really good ending. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written story.

Jason left his bride at the alter, that bride was Gabi's best friend. He wasn't the best guy when he did it but he saved both him and Cate future heartache. In the first book, Gabi was starting to be stand offish to her friends. The reason comes up in this book. She has had a crush on Jason since college.

Both needed to grow before things started for them. I enjoyed the book and can't wait to see what Ms. Maynard does next!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth installment of the Blossom Branch series is another hit! I knew that Gabby had a thing for Jason by the way she acted in previous installments. I’m glad that they ran into each other and were able to explore their feelings and get the HEA that they deserved! Life has not always been easy for them (in different ways), which made them relatable. This was an easy read and I didn’t want to put the book down!

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabby spent 27 years with a chip on her shoulder. She succeeded in her job and taking care of her Mother. Hard growing up and survived. Not the only person to grow up in poverty and will not be the last. Lucky to have met a patient person to wait til you woke up and realized you survived or maybe he is not THAT patiently waiting. Maybe he does not want to be your yoyo em0tionally. To have a friend, you need to be a friend.
.

[Denise Schenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabby Nolan runs into her BFF’s ex, Jason Brightman. Eighteen months ago, Jason left her BFF's at the altar. Gabby finds that Jason has really changed in that time. He has grown into a great guy. She doesn't want to let him into her life. In college she had a crush on Jason and put it aside when he started dating her friend.

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby and Jason have a past, he left her best friend at the altar.
Jason and Gabby meet again unexpectedly at coffee shop, he wants to see her later, she doesn't, but finally cave in, and meet him.
They attracted to each other very much, but not sure if they should act on it.
Storyline is wonderful, I laugh, I cried.
Loved this story very much.

[Eris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. The two main characters are Gabby and Jason. They have known each other since elementary school. Gabby works for an accounting firm. Jason is renovating his house. They meet again in a coffee shop. He ask her for a date and she says. They start dating. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

[Nichole Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and spicy all in one!! Loved this book and read it in a couple of days! Gabby is a complicated character who takes you on an emotional journey. Jason’s persistence is super sexy and endearing.

[Sven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jason and Gabby rekindle their acquaintance after Jason walked away from marrying Gabbys best friend. Their crushes are long-standing. Their relationship seems forbidden, but they both need to get over their pasts to create a hea for themselves. Decent read.

#netgalley #TheSouthernCharmer

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful fit for readers who adore sweet, second-chance romance stories with a touch of small-town charm, self-discovery, and the promise of a happily-ever-after, set against the picturesque backdrop of a close-knit community.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read. This is Gabby and Jason’s story. It will make you feel all kinds of emotions. I loved the chemistry and the connection. I enjoyed their journey as they overcome their differences. It’s an entertaining story.

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy. Jason's feelings that he has a lot to overcome. while true, broke my heart. Loved his character. Gabby was a tough nut to crack, for Jason, but reading how they got there? So good. Some great Southern characters in this story, and the series, and I enjoyed.

[HTP Books]

Small Town & Rural Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all three books so far in this Blossom Branch series by Janice Maynard. The story of Jason and Gabby kept my attention and had me rooting for their happily ever after.

[Tina Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Janice's books! This book was heartwarming and a joy to read!