Southern Player was amazing! I loved so much about it. I loved that it was a continuation of Southern Charmer, book #1 of Charleston Heat series, and that Eli and Olivia were featured as well. I loved that it was set in Charleston, a town I have visited many times, and that neighboring hot spots and towns were mentioned including a scene at the beach. I love the friends to lovers and best friend’s sister genre.
But mostly, I loved Gracie and Luke Rogers together! I loved that they were normal people and he wasn’t a cocky billionaire, and how much they truly liked one another and didn’t try to change each other. Even though the title contains the word “player,” Luke only had eyes for Gracie. He was such a good man, a southern gentleman, in public and to her, but when they were alone, oh my! The pages really heated up! A former pro-baseball player, he followed his passion of moving back home and owning a farm. This was really interesting to me as I also live in a farming community and really admire those in this field as it’s not an easy life.
This book has so many southern references and it’s obvious Jessica Peterson knows her stuff or researched it very well. You feel as if you are part of the town and route for this couple the entire time. After reading these two books, it sounds so enticing that I would want to live there and be their friends!
This book hit home for me, because just like Gracie, I love reading romance and am hoping to find someone who is right for me. Ms. Peterson, through her characters, gives great advice, and I highlighted many sections to revisit! Gracie talked about being true to herself, and how she had to not try to be perfect or make it her main focus to please her partner.
Luke was supportive and honest with her right from the beginning. I loved the dual point-of-view and how open he was about his vision of their future vs. hers. This is a bit of a reverse because he wanted the relationship and she wanted more of the benefits at first. This couple had explosive chemistry and many of these scenes were smoking hot! It goes to show you that when you are with the right person and can let down your guard and trust them, good things will happen.
I loved how attentive he was to her every need, especially her bucket list. Luke was patient and creative, always putting her needs first, and in doing so, her joy became his joy.
They complimented each other so beautifully, and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. It’s nice to read about a couple getting along and not always bickering and fighting. I loved how accomplished and educated, yet down-to-earth and humble, Gracie was. I loved how they both appreciated the simple things in life and valued friendship, community, hard work, and family. Loved his two moms and their sense of humor! Loved when he called her his “Gracie Girl” with such adoration.
I loved how supportive and passionate they were of their own careers and each other’s, how they weren’t pretentious, and had the same values and goals. How they confronted their insecurities, gave each other confidence, and made each other better versions of themselves. I especially loved how they could be honest with each other and not play games like couples do in so many other books I read. They weren’t perfect, and after some soul searching could admit when they were wrong, and that they were committed to making it work and building a life together.
I also loved how protective Eli, her big brother was, how close they all were, and how through Olivia’s romance novel, they were able to so cleverly finish the last item on Gracie’s bucket list. Everything in this book comes together so beautifully and all of your questions will be answered.
I know I used the word “love” a lot in my review, but I do honestly feel this way. I read the book in one sitting ignoring every other thing I had to do today because it was that good. It left me feeling inspired and hopeful, and craving book 3!