Southern Solstice

by Sarah Sadler

As rich and distinctive as the Lowcountry itself, Southern Solstice presents a clever and charismatic journey of love, heartache, adaptation and emotional fortitude as told through a patina of family heritage. When twenty-four-year-old Larken Devereaux is left brokenhearted by her fiancé on the West Coast, she reluctantly returns to her charmed aristocratic roots in Charleston, South Carolina to rebuild her life and gain self-determination in a prominent southern family that offers everything and requires nothing. As her impetuous mother orchestrates a reunion with a first love, Larken becomes entangled in a dilemma where she must choose between an intriguing, passionate plastic surgeon—who is anything but superficial—and the annoyingly irresistible man who has silently loved her forever.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit

412 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

About the author

Sarah Sadler is a cultural omnivore, southern girl, french kisser, lover of the Wild West, drinker of champagne and thrower of far fetched ideas. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and one young son. She rides horses, walks dogs and writes fiction.


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Reviews

[Heena Rathore Rathore-Pardeshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received a copy of this book by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating: 4.5/5

Plot Story:
The plot-line of this book is really impressive considering it's a contemporary-romance story. I enjoyed reading this book and would felt myself pulled into the story from the beginning till the end.
I had a great time reading it and this book will make an excellent summer read. I'd recommend to anyone who loves the genre. I'm not a huge fan of romance novels but this book really stood out. The simplicity of the plot is commendable and so is the rich writing and characterisation.

Characters:
I absolutely loved the characterisation in this book. I was able to feel a strong connection with the lead character- Larken Devereaux. I also loved the male leads - Jackson and Miles.
To be honest, I loved all the other characters as well and felt like I'd known them forever. Each and every character had substance and spoke for itself making the reader feel so comfortable reading the book that you'd want to loose yourself in it.

Romance:
It's a romance fiction... so figures. The sizzling chemistry between Larken and Jackson is to die for. But when Miles comes into the picture, everything gets upside down and that's when the the subtle bond between Larken and Miles starts to shine through. It's amazing how the author not only successfully pulled off a love triangle but also ended it on a brilliant note.
To my surprise, I found myself enjoying the little moments of lovey-dovey stuff without actually cringing away from it. And that's how, at least for me, a romance book should be.

Writing:
The writing is rich, as I already said, with a few new and heavy words sprinkled here and there. I enjoy this type of writing and I'm looking forward to read more books by the author. The book is written in third-person omniscient narration and the imagery created by the author is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed narration. That said, yes, there were times, especially in the second half of the book, when I skimmed over a few lines here and there. But maybe that's because I was so curious to find out how it all comes together in the end.

Beginning:
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from the beginning. The emotional turbulence at the very beginning of the book pulled me right in and instantly connected me with the female lead - Larken. After that as I read further the story got more and more interesting with each and every page. I love books with powerful beginnings as they draw me inside from the start and this book did just that.

Ending:
The book ended on a brilliant note and the ending itself was quite surprising. Generally, in romance novels the ending is pretty predictable but in this book but in this case it came as a pleasant surprise and it beautifully pulled out Larken from the web of a love triangle.

Cover Art:
I absolutely adore the cover art. I think it's pretty classy and goes well with the theme of the book (esp. with Bunny's quote - Jewels anyone crown.)

Blurb:
The blurb seems perfect to me. I accepted the book based on the blurb itself.

You can also read this review at The Reading Bud

[Haley Klicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely brilliant! the plot twists and relatable situations keep you on the edge of your seat; the definition of entertainment. south culture seeps through the pages (I have been craving boiled peanuts ever since finishing!), and strong female personalities hold everything together (we should all have a lil in our lives). larken is so relatable, i've found myself referring to her in conversation, completely forgetting she isn't actually my friend! nothing but praise for this charming, sassy, southern novel.

[Lynzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true gem. I fell in love with Larken, shared in her pain and her happiness...and I laughed to myself at her Southern roots and how doggone spot on they are in this book! I KNOW these women! Sadler's descriptive writing style is poetic and paints a vivid picture of a rich deep Southern culture. I felt like I was riding the streets of Charleston on a Vespa. :) Overall, a great read!

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not understand the high ratings...this book was a hot mess that was all over the pitiful map. I truly tried to like it. It was the most unrealistic romance Ive ever read.

[Marcela (BookaholicCat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Originally posted at The Bookaholic Cat

Larken Devereaux was completely blindsided when her fiancé broke their engagement. Without any reason to stay in Seattle, she returns to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Being back is good and bad. Larken wants to lay low, but being part of Charleston society doesn’t allow her to do it. Especially when her mom is always pushing her to attend social events and to spend time with her first love and family friend, Jackson.
Larken wants to stand on her two feet and not depend of her mother and her connections. She wants to do something for herself and with that in mind she finds a job working at a doctor’s office. Working for Dr. Miles is more than she was expecting, not only her job is satisfying, but also Miles shows her a world she didn’t know exist, a world that makes her want to be better.
Larken needs to decide what she really want to do with her life and whom she really wants in her life. The problem is there are external factors that are controlling her life without her knowing and to add to that, her overbearing mother, trying to do what she thinks is best for Larken, makes everything harder and complicated for her. Luckily for Larken she has the support of her grandmother, Lil, and Brat, their Estate Manager and friend.

Although Larken is a high society woman, born into an aristocratic family, it was easy to identify with her. Her pain, joys, and achievements felt real; this made it easy to connect with her and to see her world through her eyes. I couldn’t help but to cheer for her and wish her to find the happiness she so much deserved.

I can’t say much about her love interests without giving spoilers away. The only thing I can’t say is that they couldn’t be more different from the other and that people sometimes surprises you and not always in a positive way.

I liked all the secondary characters, but Larken’s grandmother, Lil, and Brat, the Estate Manager were my favorites. I loved how supporting and understanding Lil was, not only of Larken, but also of her own daughter, Bunny (Larken’s mother). I loved how she always had a wise word to share or a delicious food to comfort Larken when she needed it most.
Brat is a quiet character, but with a strong presence. He was also very wise and it was clear he loved Larken like a daughter. I couldn’t help but wish Bunny will see him for the man he was, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
Bunny is a difficult character to like because of her overbearing personality. I liked some things about her and others made felt sorry for her. The one thing that was clear it was that everything she did she did for her love for Larken, even though sometimes she was in the wrong.

I really loved everything about Southern Solstice. I love its characters, the flawed and not so flowed ones. I loved the beautiful setting of Charleston, South Carolina and how Sadler brought to life the Southern culture and Southern life with her words. I loved the surprises she wove into the story and the little twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

I love when books surprise me, when they make me get lost in their stories and in their worlds, Southern Solstice by Sarah Sadler was one of those books.

I’m always in the search of the perfect summer read, that book that will transport me to a different place and made me love its characters and its world. I think I found that book. Southern Solstice by Sarah Sadler was everything I was expecting it to be and more. I highly recommend it.

[Sam Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern Solstice is captivating right from the beginning. I immediately felt like I knew the characters in this book on a deep personal level- I laughed with them, envied them and felt their heartaches. To me this is such a hard thing to find in a book- amazing characters that you become attached to and make you sad that the book is over. This book is about a young woman's discovery of herself after her fiancé breaks off their engagement and she moves back to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. It has the perfect balance of love, clever wit and adventure to keep you wanting more and more. I absolutely loved this book for its southern charm and engrossing story. You won't be sad you gave it a chance!

[Farhina ↯↯ The Wanderer Of Inked Adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Southern Solstice Review Original Post
This story is about Larken Devereauxy , who at the start of the story is completely blindsided and taken by surprise when her fiancee decide to break up with her. Brokenhearted she returns to her aristocratic roots in Charleston. While being back she has to tackle her mom, suffer through impending heartbreak and deal with trying to find her own way in live and be independent. While dealing with all this she has to choose between a man that has loved her forever and an intriguing passionate plastic surgeon.

I received this book quite a while ago and due to study and life it went on the back burner of my tbr. So when i decided to pick this up it was a forced decision because i had put it off far too long and i had no expectations by that point. This book hit me with quite a surprise. I was engrossed and into it the whole way through. And kinda enjoyed every minute of it.

I enjoyed Larken as a MC, she was nice and kinda lost about her life and the choices she wants to make. Jackson intrigued me at first but than i got quite bored with him. Mile has this whole persona of mystery around him for quite a long time and i couldn't wait to find out answers. The side characters moms, the grandma and Bart were quite refreshing and i loved them.

This is quite and enjoyable chicklit with the same vibes as some of Nora Roberts stories about Mc's with aristocratic family background. The writing is flowy and easy to follow.

The ending of the book is quite dramatic and has such a plot twist to it. This was such a fun fun book to read. Enjoyed it a lot. The lifestyle and the people of the south portrayed in the story were nice to read and to enjoy their high end part filled lives.

Another favorite part of mine about it is that gorgeous as heck cover so beautiful.

I would recommend this to everyone who is a fan of chick lit. This book was fun fun fun to read.


I received a copy of this book by the author, in exchange for an honest review.All opinions are, of course, honest and completely my own

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was kind of a train wreck. There were some parts I enjoyed. And I'm satisfied with who she ended up with, but this was all over the place.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 rounded up to 2.

I liked the family dynamic, the southern mommas, and the setting. There was potential at about the halfway mark, but the rest fell way flat. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book; the storyline, characters, plot twists were all superb. The thing I couldn't stand was the amount of grammatical and punctuation errors. Did anyone even edit this book? It's hard to believe the publisher would allow it to be printed this way. One or two errors I can understand but there were so many I lost count. I wanted to give this book three stars because of it but the story was simply worth more than that.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the first few pages we get to know a heartbroken Larken. Her fiancé, David, calls off the wedding then walks out of her life leaving her shaken and confused. With no reason to stay in Seattle she is whisked back to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina with the help of her mom. Still depressed and trying to figure out her next move, Larken just wants to lay low, but coming from a socially and economically well to do family, she’s pushed into attending social events and even finds herself back in the arms of her childhood love, Jackson.

A few weeks pass before Larken is back on her feet. She decides that she doesn’t want the help of her mother or to depend on the family name. She wants to make something of herself and on her own terms. She finds herself accepting a position at a doctors office working for Dr. Miles. She not only finds the job rewarding and enjoyable, but it opens her eyes to a world she never knew existed. Between the job and Miles, she finds herself wanting to be a better person. Someone she can finally feel a peace with and proud of and with these two things in her life she knows she’s headed in the right direction. It isn’t easy though with her mother controlling aspects of her life that she had no insight to. Making her life complicated and filled with stress, Larken stands up to her mother with the help of her grandmother, Lil. While things seem to be getting into a rhythm and she’s content with life, she then finds herself in the middle of a love triangle between Jackson and Miles. Being torn, pushed, and confused she is eventually able to find love and happiness and an ending that I was so pleased with. It wasn’t at all what I expected to happen, yet exactly what I wanted to happen. The shock factor of it all was so well done!

Southern Solstice caught my attention right from the start, but then it hit a lull… it was slow for a bit and then just took off leaving me begging for more. I loved the writing! The descriptions painted the South so vividly and really brought it all to life. And the characters… so freaking well done. Even though these characters came from high society, they were relatable and I felt as if I knew them personally. Larkin especially. I connected on every level with her. She was down to earth, honest, raw, and it made it easy to connect and cheer for her throughout. Lil, Larken’s grandmother, was everything! She was understanding, she listened when Larken needed someone to talk to, she guided and supported her, she gave the best advice, and most importantly she was always there! She’s one cool old lady in my book!! Makes me thankful for my grandma who’s such a comfort in my life. Larkin’s mother however, she was over the top. She was controlling, overbearing, excessive, and difficult to say the least. It was clear she was always doing what she thought was right for Larken even if it was wrong. I do question why she was so hard on Larken and we didn’t hear much about her relationship towards the sister… hmm… And lastly, Miles and Jackson. I swooned over the young love between Jackson and Larken, but the older more acquainted love, not so much. He seemed selfish and a little bit of a jerk. He was trying too hard and forcing it wasn’t working for me. I was turned off by his character by the end. Miles though, oh boy! A successful love triangle that you’ll just have to read for yourself!

I’ve always been intrigued by the Southern women and their lifestyles and I swear there is one deep down inside of me begging to be released and with this book watch out y’all! It was charming and witty. It was everything the back promised and more. I can’t wait to read more by Sarah (the spin off Southernmost is almost here!) 5/5 for me! I loved this little gem and highly recommend it. Jewels on your crown!

P.S. I'd LOVE to see this adapted!!

[Stefanie Tawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending had so much more plot than I would have given it credit for in the middle of the book. Worth the read-don't let the (slightly) boring middle deter you!

[DarthVixReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Southern Solstice from the publisher for my honest review! I have literally been DYING to share this book with everyone!

Southern Solstice was just what I needed to read this summer. It is a contemporary romance novel about a girl from Charleston named Larken who has recently been left by her fiancee mere months away from walking down the aisle. It’s about her journey to find herself and love again. That’s really all I will tell you about the plot because this is a book that you are going to want to read for yourself!! Trust me. This is the PERFECT summer read, take it to the beach with you and just lose yourself in it…it is really so easy to just lose yourself in this world.

I ended up absolutely loving this book, it’s definitely one of my top reads of this year. At a little over 400 pages it wasn’t a light read but it actually had the feeling of being a light read. In part because of the fact that once I started it I didn’t want to put it down but also because of the way it was written. And it was beautifully written…the writing was light, melodic and romantic.

I literally loved everything about this book. I loved the setting and the descriptions we are given of the setting, Larken’s hometown and Miles’ home seem so real to me. I felt like this about the setting since page one, it was so absorbing. I also fell in love with Larken as our main character. It was so easy to lose myself in her character and her emotions. I just loved all of the women in this book!! The idea of the southern woman and southern hospitality was just so intriguing and intoxicating to me throughout the book, much like the setting was. The romance(s) in this book were just so intriguing and I felt torn most of the time and it was just perfect. This book also has the most perfectly romantic line in it ever that references one of my most favorite works of literature, Great Expectations.

I think this book is well deserving of a full five star rating. I could not have enjoyed it more and after reading this book I am so wanting to read more books with strong romances and even stronger female leads. I had alot of fun getting to know Larken, her family and her love interests. Thank you to Sarah Sadler for writing a beautiful story that was just heartwarming and just lovely! Do yourself a favor this summer and buy this book! I’m excited that it has been released because I am definitely going to be buying a physical copy for my bookshelf because this is a book that I will want to return to again and again. If you read this book and want to come back and fangirl with me in the comments, please do!

P.S. If this book doesn’t become a movie, I am going to be so disappointed.

[Jenn Belden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern Solstice by Sarah Sadler also starts as a breakup, but that is where the resemblance ends, aside from a driven main character.
When Larken Devereaux is abruptly dumped by her fiancé shortly before their wedding, her very blue-blooded Southern mama Bunny and family friend Priss swoop into Seattle and move her back to Charleston, South Carolina to start over (or, to pick up where she left off). However, Larken, who has taken to her hoodie shirts and yoga pants in misery (much to her mama’s horror and disgust), feels smothered by Bunny’s dilettante lifestyle and longs to finally figure out some purpose to her life. Meanwhile, childhood sweetheart Jackson drops back into the picture, hoping to pick up where they left off years before, and she finds herself searching for the mysterious Dr. Miles who patched her up when she dropped a knife on her designer shoe clad toe.
Oh, yes she did.
Along with Larken’s search for a job and a purpose there is a mystery or two that is revealed that I never saw coming. Sadler has created a book full of characters so charming that you just want to pull up a chair and pour a glass of sweet tea and chat. While I couldn’t quite relate to Larken’s newly refreshed closet of designer clothes or lifestyle, I found myself longing for a shiny red Vespa and (or a jar of Priss’s legendary moonshine.)
Southern Solstice is a book laden with strong, sassy Southern women, their individual ideas of love, some interesting plot twists and a wonderful romance. I can’t wait to see what Sadler will bring to us next!

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Blue French Press in exchange for my honest review of the book.

[Mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of an apparently fabulously wealthy Charleston socialite, Larken Devereaux, who is dumped by her Seattle fiance and returns home to recover. The narrator is both unreliable and un-relatable. She is so wealthy, she doesn't have to work, care about other people's feelings, or do much else besides drink, sleep, and date. Alternately boring and offensive, I would prefer never to hang out with this protagonist again. I was shocked to read the tired, "but, we were really nice slave-owners" section and have the people she was "rescuing" be African-American squatters that were living on her mother's land. The book also displays a remarkable disregard for the Gullah people - characterizing them as dirty, uneducated, and poor. There is little or no discussion of their art, culture, or language. Despite every character in the book having an accent, only the squatters are written in dialect - as if to emphasize the gap between her and them. Their home is written and spoken of as e a third world country. I wouldn't put this on the shelves because of the offensive stereotypes it contains.

[DANIELLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC for review.

Although I hate to admit it, I am a sucker for a poor little, rich girl story set in the south. I also hate to admit that I think that I should have been a southern belle, but alas, since I am from the north, that just isn't possible. Larken is a poor little southern belle whose life is in a shambles. Her fiancee unexpectedly breaks off their engagement so she runs back to her incredibly well-to-do family in Charleston (not surprisingly that family is one of the richest in the city) As far as her mother is concerned Larken's desire to have a career is a joke and she should just marry well and start having babies.

Enter Larken's old flame, Jackson (rich and very handsome) and the also rich and also handsome plastic surgeon with a heart of gold. Southern Solstice is a witty, sassy and charming story with GREAT characters. The ending really threw me for a loop and for this I give this title 5 stars.

[Ashli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could put into words how much I enjoyed reading this book. I love the changes that Larken goes through in order to be the one that makes decisions for her and that she finally figures out what she wants. You don't have to be southern to appreciate this book, but it doesn't hurt. As someone that does live in the south, it was great to read some familiar southern expressions. This gem is so wonderful in describing the low country area. This book will also keep you guessing for some surprising turn of events. You will laugh out loud at some of the side characters (particularly Bunny) and their antics. You will feel like you have gone on the best vacation of your life after you read this book! This is an amazing debut novel. The only thing bad about this book is that I finished it and want to step back into Larken's world!

[Erica]

Sadler knows how to write a great love story! It's a fast-paced book filled with captivating characters, beautiful writing and a plot that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

What I loved about the book the most is how Larken is so relatable -- right down to her "break-up" yoga pants. You'll root for her from the first page until the last.

Playful, sassy and endearing, this book encompasses love, family and what it means to be a strong, southern woman.

Southern Solstice is a book you don't want to pass up!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadler's gift with words is astounding. It's hard to believe Southern Solstice is a debut novel, considering the level of excellence with which Sadler writes. The characters peel off the pages and jump into your heart. The setting is warm, inviting and real; a place you want to linger. And the story draws you in and makes you feel like an Ashby. Truly the perfect summer romance, it's set in Charleston & basked in rich, witty character. This page-turner is filled with irresistible charm you don't want to miss. Find your copy on amazon.com today!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story centers on poor little rich girl, Larkin who returns to the family fold when her fiance calls off the wedding. Set in the Lowcountry with Mama running the family, Larkin learns to stand up for herself. Author Sarah Sadler gives an amazing picture of the many lifestyles in this area from rich to poor. I'm glad to see Larkin grow as a woman.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staying up multiple nights in a row to finish was certainly worth every wink with this captivating, witty, and relatable read. Pick up this book and you will undoubtedly be charmed, entertained, and left wondering what will happen next!

[Natalie Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! I honestly, could not stop reading (and I didn't) it until I finished! The characters are so lovable and I kept thinking of the book long after I read it! Such a great, entertaining book!

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this fun and romantic yet totally relatable story. Can't wait to be in Charleston again in September -- and for another novel by this great author!

[Jeniffer Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Not at all what I was expecting, much better! The twist at the end was perfect. Definitely a great read.

[Morgan Ballengee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I was so torn with this book. After two very heavy reads, I needed the lightness this book had to offer. Truthfully I found the story line captivating, staying up late each night to find out what happened to Larken Devereaux. However, in her quest to capture Charleston’s elite, Sarah Sadler mindlessly name dropped designers that she couldn’t have been bothered to proof read for proper spelling, making the book feel a bit pitiful? To that end, she often used words incorrectly, to the point of having to read sentences 5 and 6 times to understand what she was trying to say. I love Dorothea Benton Frank’s and Mary Kay Andrew’s vibrant and accurate descriptions of Charleston. While I was hoping I could add Sarah Sadler to that club of favorites, that is most definitely not the case, as she misspelled names of Charleston’s beaches, forcing me to wonder if she fact checked this book at all. Finally, when talking about a time one character spent abroad, she used “oversees” instead of “overseas.” Truly cringeworthy. While this plot was in some ways a welcome respite from the year 2020 has been, I can’t believe a publisher let this book go to print as is. While predictable, the book’s ending offered a couple of unexpected twists. In writing this review I discovered that Sarah does in fact have a second book, and it’s a spin-off of this plot. I will read it in the hopes of finding that she’s tempered her obsession with the fashion house preferences of ultra wealthy with actual research and perhaps even a once over of editing.

[Vickie Hedgepeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific read. I found myself falling head first into Charleston and Southern Culture. The characters and situations are so believable. I found myself drawn in and invited to slow down my read, to take in the sights, feel the humidity and be a part of the social settings. I laughed and cried.

I was left wanting more. It was sad to arrive at the last page, but also satisfying.

I need MORE Sarah Sadler! And you have left the door open for more. I can't wait to read what happens next.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

True southern, high society or at least how I imagine it to be.
Larken is planning her wedding and living on the west Coast when her fiance calls off the wedding. Heartbroken, she returns to her Charleston roots to live with her mother, Bunny and grandmother, Lil. Upon her return, she reconnects with her boyfriend, Jackson who abandoned her seven years prior.
While helping her grandmother do charity work at the hospital, Larken drops a knife on her foot and requires stitches which is when she meets Miles.
Through several twists and turns, evidence of betrayal and surprises unfold.
You may be surprised by the final few chapters...I was!

[Katie Garnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This light, fun love story was exactly what I needed to read right now. The writing was surprisingly well done and my favorite part of this book was how I was completely transported to Charleston while reading. While being cooped in the house this spring with the COVID-19 scare this was a much needed escape. Larken was relatable despite being wealthy and had a wonderful character transformation. I really liked this one!

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really rather charming. It's a slow-moving plot and I think it could have probably been a bit shorter, but I did enjoy reading about the traditions of the south, the natives of the Lowlands, and the family ties and dynamics. The characters were very likable and the ending was quite surprising. I really didn't see it coming. Overall an endearing story.

[Jenny- Lee Lee Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what Southern literature is supposed to be.

Love the south? Loathe the south? Either way, This book is for you. Whether you want a mystery to untangle, a sweet and sappy romance, or a coming of age tail, this story will not disappoint. But beware- you won't be able to put it down until you have read the entire saga. It is that good. Enjoy!!!