Harmony Island Gazette: Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman, Book 5

Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman #5

by Anne-Marie Meyer, Liz Krane (Narrator)

In this story, Kevin may be the villain, but I am the monster. In the end, I don’t get the happily ever after. In the end, I don’t get the girl.

Juniper

I’m pregnant and I don’t know what to do. I can’t tell my parents. Kevin never wanted a baby. The only person who knows is Boone, and he swore he wouldn’t tell anyone and even though I’ve just met him, I believe he’ll keep my secret. Morning sickness is no joke, so when Mom mentions needing to go out of town to help her sister, and I encourage my parents to go. With them gone, I won’t live in fear that they will discover what I’m trying to keep hidden. Now it’s Boone and I.

At first, I vow to keep to myself. But situations occur and suddenly, we’re thrown together. I thought I knew how a husband was supposed to treat his wife, but Boone is contradicting those thoughts. But, when I discover that he’s connected to my ex, all the trust I had for him crumbles away. I’m not meant for a happily ever after and my knight in shining armor? He doesn’t exist.

Ella

I can’t shake the mystery man’s words. I know I should ignore what he said.

Chalk it up to a crazy person spouting crazy things, but my spidey senses are tingling and I can’t help but think there’s trouble in Proctor paradise. If only Asher could see what I see. He’s too excited to land them as clients for his up-and-coming real estate company to question what’s behind the curtain. And when he asks me to let it go and just be happy for him, I try…

Until I can’t ignore my suspicions any longer. The Proctors may rule this town, but they don’t control me. I’ll discover their secrets and when I do, I just hope my best friend isn’t in the line of fire when I go to take the whole Proctor dynasty down. This story is told through 3 different points of view. Juniper, Boone, and Ella. It's a story of romance and friendships between women. The Harmony Island Gazette is chock full of romance with a protective hero. Please check the warnings before listening.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Smut, Adult

Audible Audio

First published May 30, 2024

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

[Meaghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not know these books could keep getting worse, but they do. My journey with this series end here. This was the most unrealistic portrayal of domestic violence. It almost feels disrespectful to survivors of domestic violence to read this book.

[Lexi Kozlowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really rough. It was cute and had some redeeming qualities at various points in the story which is why I didn’t give it a 1. But I almost DNF. It was just so clunky in the way it was written. One second they’re friends the next second they’re in love. There was really not a whole lot of development of relationships and it was just a little odd. I liked the first couple of books in this series but I’m done after this one. Just lost interest here. It’s an easy and quick read but there’s not a whole lot of substance.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book

I did love the book. It was hard for me to enjoy Juniper. I found her character annoying. Yes I feel for her; but she was also stupid. She was always jumping to conclusions. I just couldn’t connect to her character. I loved Boone tho! He is a patient man to deal with that whole hot mess. I am excited about Ella and Asher story!!

[Alexis Skurdall · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star.

Unfortunately, this will be where I stop reading this series. At first these books were cute, but they are insanely repetitive. This was also one of the worst depictions of domestic violence I have ever seen. No woman is going to find out she’s pregnant leave her abusive husband and instantly jump into loving somebody else while she’s still married to that abusive husband she also ends up cheating on the abusive husband in the end. I will not be continuing the series and I wish I had DNFed this one.

[Terra Clotfelter G · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

After the first book of this series, none of the characters get a concrete ending. It’s like they’re fighting their feelings or whatever for the entire book, then boom, issues are resolved in the moment, but you don’t get much of an after story!

[Rebecca McCurry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of the Harmony Island story and an adventure in figurative language. The continued use of a title that half fits the following novel instead of the current is a frustration but becoming expected.
I may be too far into this series to stop

[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.

[Bookz4Hollz1225 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and by now I realized there is another whole series before this. Juniper leaves her husband Kevin who physically abuses her. I know she is scared but how she handles it when he follows her is crazy. She should have never agreed to meet with him. You have the courage to leave but not keep your distance. I know abuse is hard but the hardest part is leaving. When her father hires a bodyguard to keep her safe and she don’t use him the way he is suppose to be there it drives me nuts. I loved Boone! He is a gentle man who don’t think he is a good enough and is a monster cause he didn’t save his mother. I enjoyed this story but the way Juniper was I had to give it 4 stars

[Ashlea Calhoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has potential to be 4 stars but I can’t overlook the inconsistencies in some of the details. Probably not big things most people would catch but it bugged me.

***editing to say that maybe the inconsistency issues I found are with the publisher?? On my kindle his name is Boone Lewis for most of the book until near the end where he is called Boone grimes out of nowhere. But on the kindle app on my phone in the same scene where he’s called grimes on my kindle he’s called Lewis on my phone???

[Micki Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Facebook newsfeed sticks again. If the person who pitches the great story line and makes the newsfeed ad could help the book be just as good, this one would have been a winner. Instead, I had to DNF this one. It has the best story line that could really go places, but it was so choppy and tiresome to read. It has no flow. I really wanted to fight my way through this one because I actually like the surprised pregnancy trope and unexpected hero trope, but I couldn’t make it through. Sadly, I bought the bundle and know now that I just didn’t get my money’s worth.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juniper & Boone - Similar to the other books in the series, the miscommunication trope is evident, which for me isn't one of my favourite, which I was pleased was short lives. This book does touch on some darker themes and I think it describes them well, talks about the after effects of them.
Overall enjoyed the story

[Amanda Amaral · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a bit more rushed than others in the series, and of course had some trigger warnings. The plot seemed to less detailed, leaving some holes and questions.

Overall, good story, would like to see more connections to Boone and Juniper in future stories, or even an epilogue with an update a few years from now.

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how my heart just breaks for these characters! They were so entwined with lies of their past. The author captured so much hurt in Juniper's & Boone's story. Their redemption story was a roller coaster of emotions as they inevitably found hope in each other. The book had me high with anticipation after each page. I was hooked from the beginning on their discovery of love and hope.

[Mary West · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've liked the other books in the Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman series you'll like this one too. I enjoyed reading Juniper's story. Boone was awesome cinnamon roll although I don't really understand why he kept saying he failed his mom. He was sweet with Juniper and everything a girl needs after being in an abusive relationship. I can't wait to read Ella and Asher's story next!

[Traci McClead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I read each book like I don’t know what was going to happen? 100%. Did I still keep reading rooting for the ending like it might be a different outcome? You better believe it. Think the hallmark channel Christmas movie in book form without all the holiday plot lines. Now I need to reread the first five before I read the 6th.

[Samantha Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay okay this one was probably the best out of the five I’ve read so far but I’m disappointed that I bought a bundle that isn’t complete. Better with the character development but at a certain point it feels like so a slow build and burn, and then all of a sudden everything falls into place within the last 20-50 pages.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the books, I probably enjoyed this one the most. I felt like there was more detail with these characters than previous ones. I don't love how, in every book, the characters have misunderstandings/slowwwww burns and then all of a sudden are in love and happy at the end. Overall, a good palette cleanser series.

[Liz Teater · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept seeing ads on social media for this series saying it had a Gilmore Girls feel. I was pretty disappointed cause it had nothing similar to the show. I didn’t hate the series, they did have a nice small town feel to them. Also, it was a little annoying cause everyone “whispers” everything they say in these books.

[Tessa Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books all have the same tropes… mysterious newcomer, misunderstandings based on assumptions and no communication, love in the last 15% of the book. But for whatever reason, I like them and read them all!

[Kellsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really love Boone!!! I love a protector which is exactly what he is. I definitely thought there’d be more drama from the MFC and her ex but it was quick and almost brushed over. I can’t believe I have to wait nearly a year for the next one.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not what you’d call a masterpiece but it’s what I call a great “pink book”. A fluffy romance when you’re feeling grey or need a palette cleanse.
Although it deal with domestic abuse, which can be triggering for some, it is still overall a fluffy romance with a HEA

[Rina ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! Boone is such a sweetheart with Juniper. He is definitely one of my favorite guys in the series! I'm very intrigued by the shady Proctor family. I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book!

[Autumn LaRock · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series

I love this series. I love getting to know the characters and I love that it’s set in NC. I did make the mistake of not checking that all the books were out. So the groan I made when I went to buy the next book was pretty loud. Can’t wait until it comes out!

[Roxanne Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book about people in love who cannot talk through their issues and many misunderstandings take place. I did like the character of Boone who was broken himself but just really wants to take care in Juniper. Of course the ending sets up the next book in the series.

[Ashley Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, wow did it take on a different role than I was originally thinking it would. I am hoping the last book with wrap up a few endings I didn’t feel were fully finished but absolutely love this!

[Charlie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first couple books of this series, but while sweet stories, each book feels more and more immature. The jumping of emotions and conclusions by each character is annoying and makes it seem written by a teenager. This one was hard to finish.

[Milly Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t purchase this one

Poorly written and developed. I found myself going back to see what I’d missed, but this story is full of gaps. The plot line with Ella and Asher is superfluous to the novel and annoyingly dull.

[Angel H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite out of the five books! Which each book in this series I love it more and more. The ups and down Juniper had my heart going out to her. I just wanted to tell her bless her heart but in a sincere way.

[Shanda Spink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boone and Junipers story is my favorite yet! Another great fast read. I love that all previous characters read about still are shown as well as new being introduced. I feel this whole series would be an amazing Netflix series!!!!

[Macie Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

challenging dark emotional slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0

Too much miscommunication for me. But not bad writing.