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Charleston Heat #1
Southern Charmer
He's sexy. He's southern. And he won't stop showing up at my door half naked. Meet Elijah Jackson, my hot new neighbor...
From the outside looking in? I’ve got it all. Prestigious job. Pretty house. And a perfect boyfriend who just proposed with the perfect ring.
I should feel ecstatic—but instead, I feel suffocated. So I break up with my boyfriend, hop in my car, and head south.
Charleston, South Carolina: home to stunning architecture, sultry accents, and—oh yeah—my perpetually shirtless neighbor, Elijah Jackson.
As if his abs for days and inked up deliciousness aren’t enticing enough, he also encourages me to chase down my dreams. And the chemistry between us? Hotter than the kitchen at Eli’s restaurant.
But I still have a life a thousand miles away. One I’ve worked really hard to build. And I don’t know if I can just leave it all behind.
I have to choose. A choice Eli doesn't make any easier by inviting me out to his cabin for a long weekend. Just the two of us. And one bed. I swear to God this southerner is out to charm the panties right off me. Just this once, I might let him...
SOUTHERN CHARMER is a slow burn, standalone romance with no cheating. It is part of the Charleston Heat Series, which is a series of interconnected standalone novels set in the steamy southern town of Charleston, South Carolina.
SOUTHERN CHARMER: Oliva and Eli’s book
SOUTHERN PLAYER: Gracie and Luke’s book
SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN: Julia and Greyson’s book
SOUTHERN HEARTBREAKER: Eva and Ford’s book
From the outside looking in? I’ve got it all. Prestigious job. Pretty house. And a perfect boyfriend who just proposed with the perfect ring.
I should feel ecstatic—but instead, I feel suffocated. So I break up with my boyfriend, hop in my car, and head south.
Charleston, South Carolina: home to stunning architecture, sultry accents, and—oh yeah—my perpetually shirtless neighbor, Elijah Jackson.
As if his abs for days and inked up deliciousness aren’t enticing enough, he also encourages me to chase down my dreams. And the chemistry between us? Hotter than the kitchen at Eli’s restaurant.
But I still have a life a thousand miles away. One I’ve worked really hard to build. And I don’t know if I can just leave it all behind.
I have to choose. A choice Eli doesn't make any easier by inviting me out to his cabin for a long weekend. Just the two of us. And one bed. I swear to God this southerner is out to charm the panties right off me. Just this once, I might let him...
SOUTHERN CHARMER is a slow burn, standalone romance with no cheating. It is part of the Charleston Heat Series, which is a series of interconnected standalone novels set in the steamy southern town of Charleston, South Carolina.
SOUTHERN CHARMER: Oliva and Eli’s book
SOUTHERN PLAYER: Gracie and Luke’s book
SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN: Julia and Greyson’s book
SOUTHERN HEARTBREAKER: Eva and Ford’s book
304 pages, ebook
First published October 3, 2018
4794 people are currently reading
7666 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Peterson
35 books4,973 followersJessica Peterson writes romance with heat, humor, and heart. Heroes with hot accents are her specialty. When she’s not writing, she can be found bellying up to a bar in the south’s best restaurants with her husband Ben, reading books with her adorable daughters Gracie and Madeline, or snuggling up with her 70-pound lap dog, Martha.
A Carolina girl at heart, she fantasizes about splitting her time between Charleston and Asheville, but currently lives in Charlotte, NC.
A Carolina girl at heart, she fantasizes about splitting her time between Charleston and Asheville, but currently lives in Charlotte, NC.
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September 15, 2019
Southern Charmer is book one in the Charleston Heat series by Jessica Peterson. This can be read as a stand alone. As is my usual, I read the third book in this series first, and fell so in love with it that I had to go back and start at the beginning. This book…books like this is why I read! This book was everything. My heart is so full right now that I hope I can settle enough to find the right words to tell you about it.
Elijah Jackson is a tatted up, sexy as sin chef in Charleston, South Carolina. Elijah who never wears a shirt, loves to read and cooks like nothing you’ve ever seen. Elijah owns two restaurants, the original one, The Pearl, is still doing fantastic. But his newer one, The Jam, not so much.
“A full belly has a way of making things feel a little less heavy. A way of making you feel a little less lost.”
Olivia Wilson lives in Ithaca, New York. She has climbed the ladder in the Ivy League college she teaches at and has earned tenure. Teaching there is cutthroat and stressful. But being the best was what was expected of her. It’s what made her parents and her boyfriend happy. She has what most would perceive as the perfect life, a respected job, a great boyfriend, a nice house. But when that perfect boyfriend presented her with the perfect ring, and proposed, she panicked. She felt suffocated, like she couldn’t breathe. So she broke up with her boyfriend, took a leave of absence at work, and headed for Charleston to try to find her dreams. Because she does have dreams. Dreams her parents and boyfriend told her were silly, ridiculous even. So she’s giving herself a month to figure things out. Then she saw Eli, and everything changed.
“What if I’ve been wanting the wrong things? Things that don’t make me all that happy?”
“Maybe I really can do things differently. That maybe there’s a different way to live.”
As Eli and Olivia grow closer, Olivia begins to find herself. This is largely due to Eli’s encouragement. He helps her to see that she needs to live for her own happiness, to be her truest self, to live her dream. But, she still has a job waiting for her back home, a secure job. Can she really give it all up and take a chance? Is she strong enough?
“I want her to be happy. I want her to be happy with me.”
I would say this is a slow burn, but, when they finally get to the place where they can come together, when it’s truly time, burn they do. They are hotter than hot. But both of them have things that they need to deal with, both separately and together.
This book made me feel so much. I smiled, a lot! I sighed, I swooned. I am so in love with Eli. And don’t even get me started on how much I loved Olivia, especially after she started finding her way in Charleston. Towards the end, my heart was in my throat. Nothing else mattered in my life but finding out how this book was going to end. This is only my second book by Jessica. But if the two books I’ve read are what the rest of them are like, I will need to read them all. For now, I’m ready to pack my bags and move to Charleston. That’s how perfectly this author described this amazing city. So thank you, Jessica Peterson, for taking me on this amazing journey, with these wonderful characters. I’ll see you in Charleston!
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...
Elijah Jackson is a tatted up, sexy as sin chef in Charleston, South Carolina. Elijah who never wears a shirt, loves to read and cooks like nothing you’ve ever seen. Elijah owns two restaurants, the original one, The Pearl, is still doing fantastic. But his newer one, The Jam, not so much.
“A full belly has a way of making things feel a little less heavy. A way of making you feel a little less lost.”
Olivia Wilson lives in Ithaca, New York. She has climbed the ladder in the Ivy League college she teaches at and has earned tenure. Teaching there is cutthroat and stressful. But being the best was what was expected of her. It’s what made her parents and her boyfriend happy. She has what most would perceive as the perfect life, a respected job, a great boyfriend, a nice house. But when that perfect boyfriend presented her with the perfect ring, and proposed, she panicked. She felt suffocated, like she couldn’t breathe. So she broke up with her boyfriend, took a leave of absence at work, and headed for Charleston to try to find her dreams. Because she does have dreams. Dreams her parents and boyfriend told her were silly, ridiculous even. So she’s giving herself a month to figure things out. Then she saw Eli, and everything changed.
“What if I’ve been wanting the wrong things? Things that don’t make me all that happy?”
“Maybe I really can do things differently. That maybe there’s a different way to live.”
As Eli and Olivia grow closer, Olivia begins to find herself. This is largely due to Eli’s encouragement. He helps her to see that she needs to live for her own happiness, to be her truest self, to live her dream. But, she still has a job waiting for her back home, a secure job. Can she really give it all up and take a chance? Is she strong enough?
“I want her to be happy. I want her to be happy with me.”
I would say this is a slow burn, but, when they finally get to the place where they can come together, when it’s truly time, burn they do. They are hotter than hot. But both of them have things that they need to deal with, both separately and together.
This book made me feel so much. I smiled, a lot! I sighed, I swooned. I am so in love with Eli. And don’t even get me started on how much I loved Olivia, especially after she started finding her way in Charleston. Towards the end, my heart was in my throat. Nothing else mattered in my life but finding out how this book was going to end. This is only my second book by Jessica. But if the two books I’ve read are what the rest of them are like, I will need to read them all. For now, I’m ready to pack my bags and move to Charleston. That’s how perfectly this author described this amazing city. So thank you, Jessica Peterson, for taking me on this amazing journey, with these wonderful characters. I’ll see you in Charleston!
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...
March 2, 2021
The premise of this book was good: “A woman who seems to have it all realizes that this is not the life she really wants, refuses the proposal of her boyfriend, breaks up with him and leaves the comfort of her home and perfect life in order to find herself and what makes her happy.”
Despite the potentially good plot, the book loses points in its execution.
*********************************************
Our heroine is a teacher of literature in a university in New York. Now, with a sudden decision, she packs up a suitcase and drives to Charleston, South Carolina to spend a month in her friend’s house where she will take a break and consider her life goals etc. Also, she intends to indulge herself in her passion of writing a romance book. There, she meets a guy who makes her realize what she really wants.
*********************************************
The hero is a chef. He is sexy, sweet and he likes to read romance books and he also does yoga. He might seem like a perfect guy on paper maybe, but he is too beta for my taste ☹
*********************************************
The book is too sweet and too slow for a while and then, the reading experience becomes a torture as it gets too boring and weird. It is awfully repetitive, which made me skip pages after a certain point.
*********************************************
Before DNF’ing a book, I usually wait till the first sex scene to see how it will make me feel - to see if I will feel their connection, chemistry and maybe love. So I continued to read for a while despite being bored. To get there, I had to go through all this stuff first: 10 pages of talk about his business, then 5 pages of what he cooks and how they eat it, 4 pages of a chapter from her book and how he helps her with those pages, 5 pages of her inner monologue during which she tries to decide who to choose, the ex-boyfriend or our hero. Then, another 4-5 pages of the hero’s inner monologue during which he thinks he wants her but he will do it slow not to spook her, blah bla. OK, so you get the idea, right?
*********************************************
The book is the opposite of what I like in a romance book. Instead of dialogues that will help them to get to know each other, there is too much ordinary stuff that happens – yoga, eating, cooking, wine tasting, reading books etc. and then, lots and lots of inner monologue that goes on in their minds. Lots of thoughts, not much real action. Everything is overly descriptive – the house, the restaurant, the food...
*********************************************
Whatever… then comes the first sex scene, which made me sick… literally sick. I still feel the headache.
It is hard for me to describe what happens because this is the first time I've read such absurdity. Let me try, though...
You should know that she is no virgin, she had a boyfriend and a mediocre sexual life.
Well, after the first passionate sex between the hero and the heroine, during which she felt it hurt, he discovers that she is bleeding. There really is blood on the condom.
He is shocked and asks her if she was having her period but she says no and he discovers that HE made her bleed. He is shocked and devastated.
However, she says she wanted it so rough because she wanted to feel something as her life before him was without passion.
So, my dear friends, whenever you want to feel, the answer is here: Make someone bleed you, OK? Then, you will feel all alive!
She feels so sore that they cannot do it for a few days after that day. I really wonder WTF the writer was thinking writing a scene like that.
Here are some excerpts from that scene… some bits and pieces for you to see what I mean.
“Are you on your period?” he asks.
“What?” I ask, stiffening. “No. Why?”
“You’re fucking bleeding, that’s why.” He looks up at me, nostrils flaring with anger. Shit. “Jesus Christ, Olivia, why didn’t you tell me I was hurting you?” He holds up the condom, streaked with blood.
My face goes up in flames again. Oh my God, I actually tore. “Don’t be sorry. This is what I wanted. I loved every minute of it.”
His eyes flicker with something I can’t place when he looks at me. “Why’d you want me do that to you?” he asks softly.
“My life back home—everyone was always telling me how perfect it was. I have it all,” I continue. “But now I’m realizing that none of it makes me very happy. There’s no room for passion or creativity in perfection. It’s bloodless.”
He shoots me a look. All these damn looks of his. Dark and steamy and cutting in all the right ways. All the hard ways. “That why you wanted to bleed?” he says. “To feel somethin’?”
Yes.
I struggle to admit it out loud.
So I tell him with my eyes instead.
Yeah, after that scene, I was totally done with the book but I skimmed and scanned to see what else happened.
*********************************************
My final decision & feelings:
Totally unworthy of my time… Not recommended.
Oh, and never reading from this writer again. She has a wild imagination but a slow pen.
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
Despite the potentially good plot, the book loses points in its execution.
*********************************************
Our heroine is a teacher of literature in a university in New York. Now, with a sudden decision, she packs up a suitcase and drives to Charleston, South Carolina to spend a month in her friend’s house where she will take a break and consider her life goals etc. Also, she intends to indulge herself in her passion of writing a romance book. There, she meets a guy who makes her realize what she really wants.
*********************************************
The hero is a chef. He is sexy, sweet and he likes to read romance books and he also does yoga. He might seem like a perfect guy on paper maybe, but he is too beta for my taste ☹
*********************************************
The book is too sweet and too slow for a while and then, the reading experience becomes a torture as it gets too boring and weird. It is awfully repetitive, which made me skip pages after a certain point.
*********************************************
Before DNF’ing a book, I usually wait till the first sex scene to see how it will make me feel - to see if I will feel their connection, chemistry and maybe love. So I continued to read for a while despite being bored. To get there, I had to go through all this stuff first: 10 pages of talk about his business, then 5 pages of what he cooks and how they eat it, 4 pages of a chapter from her book and how he helps her with those pages, 5 pages of her inner monologue during which she tries to decide who to choose, the ex-boyfriend or our hero. Then, another 4-5 pages of the hero’s inner monologue during which he thinks he wants her but he will do it slow not to spook her, blah bla. OK, so you get the idea, right?
*********************************************
The book is the opposite of what I like in a romance book. Instead of dialogues that will help them to get to know each other, there is too much ordinary stuff that happens – yoga, eating, cooking, wine tasting, reading books etc. and then, lots and lots of inner monologue that goes on in their minds. Lots of thoughts, not much real action. Everything is overly descriptive – the house, the restaurant, the food...
*********************************************
Whatever… then comes the first sex scene, which made me sick… literally sick. I still feel the headache.
It is hard for me to describe what happens because this is the first time I've read such absurdity. Let me try, though...
You should know that she is no virgin, she had a boyfriend and a mediocre sexual life.
Well, after the first passionate sex between the hero and the heroine, during which she felt it hurt, he discovers that she is bleeding. There really is blood on the condom.
He is shocked and asks her if she was having her period but she says no and he discovers that HE made her bleed. He is shocked and devastated.
However, she says she wanted it so rough because she wanted to feel something as her life before him was without passion.
So, my dear friends, whenever you want to feel, the answer is here: Make someone bleed you, OK? Then, you will feel all alive!
She feels so sore that they cannot do it for a few days after that day. I really wonder WTF the writer was thinking writing a scene like that.
Here are some excerpts from that scene… some bits and pieces for you to see what I mean.
“Are you on your period?” he asks.
“What?” I ask, stiffening. “No. Why?”
“You’re fucking bleeding, that’s why.” He looks up at me, nostrils flaring with anger. Shit. “Jesus Christ, Olivia, why didn’t you tell me I was hurting you?” He holds up the condom, streaked with blood.
My face goes up in flames again. Oh my God, I actually tore. “Don’t be sorry. This is what I wanted. I loved every minute of it.”
His eyes flicker with something I can’t place when he looks at me. “Why’d you want me do that to you?” he asks softly.
“My life back home—everyone was always telling me how perfect it was. I have it all,” I continue. “But now I’m realizing that none of it makes me very happy. There’s no room for passion or creativity in perfection. It’s bloodless.”
He shoots me a look. All these damn looks of his. Dark and steamy and cutting in all the right ways. All the hard ways. “That why you wanted to bleed?” he says. “To feel somethin’?”
Yes.
I struggle to admit it out loud.
So I tell him with my eyes instead.
Yeah, after that scene, I was totally done with the book but I skimmed and scanned to see what else happened.
*********************************************
My final decision & feelings:
Totally unworthy of my time… Not recommended.
Oh, and never reading from this writer again. She has a wild imagination but a slow pen.
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
December 22, 2023
Jessica Peterson definitely whipped up one heck of a delicious and sexy story with Southern Charmer!! Once I started, I could not put the story down. I absolutely fell in love with the hot and sexy, tattooed chef who does yoga and reads romance novels. Elijah Jackson is just one heck of a dreamy man. And Olivia.....I adore her. Finally doing something for herself, taking the time to find out who she is again without all the pressures that have been placed upon her. Seriously, going to Charleston couldn't have turned out any better for her. Meeting Eli, seeing how free and open he was, made her stop and think about what she truly wanted out of life. What would truly make her happy. In Eli, she found someone who wholly supported her dreams and wanted to help make them a reality.
I just loved this story so much!! It made me smile and feel good throughout the entire story. Can't wait for the next book in the series as I just enjoy this world of characters that the author has created.
I just loved this story so much!! It made me smile and feel good throughout the entire story. Can't wait for the next book in the series as I just enjoy this world of characters that the author has created.
September 27, 2018
Oh my holy stars!!! Elijah Jackson!!!! What can I say about Eli......I staked my claim to him because he is just perfect!!!
Okay, okay, I’ll say a bit more....Southern Charmer was just that, a true Southern Gentleman. Eli is the charmer and Olivia the Northern Yank. “Watching” these two form a relationship and then that inevitable bond was pure perfection.
Ms. Peterson has worked her magic yet again with a story of two perfect strangers who meet and it seems like kismet....throw in self-doubt, anxiety and a little hiccup.....Southern Charmer is a must read!!!
I’m anxious for Luke and Gracie’s story.......
Okay, okay, I’ll say a bit more....Southern Charmer was just that, a true Southern Gentleman. Eli is the charmer and Olivia the Northern Yank. “Watching” these two form a relationship and then that inevitable bond was pure perfection.
Ms. Peterson has worked her magic yet again with a story of two perfect strangers who meet and it seems like kismet....throw in self-doubt, anxiety and a little hiccup.....Southern Charmer is a must read!!!
I’m anxious for Luke and Gracie’s story.......
September 22, 2018
Southern Charmer, I would love to say it’s totally charming but it’s not. It is so much more. The author didn’t just take me on a journey of two people who find each other, develop a relationship and find there are issues that need to be resolved. She took me on a life experience as well as a Southern tour. Let me tell you Charleston, S.C, is a place I now want to visit, with it’s beautiful scenery, delicious food, great drinks, hospitable people and delectable men. However, this is so much more than all of that. Within this story there are people whose stories I think many people can relate to.
First there is Olivia. She has major decisions to make. She’s lived her whole life being a people pleaser and trying to have it all. Not really sure now that she has it, is it what she really wants? Does she have the courage to do what she really wants with her life? In my opinion, that is more commonplace than most people would acknowledge. It begs the question, how much are you really willing to gamble? How much are you willing to settle for in your life for comfortability or just being scared of the future?
Enter Eli our Southern Charmer, handsome, accomplished in his own right, and looking secure. He’s one of the most patient and gracious persons I’ve ever read. Sexy, put together and confident. Looks like he has it all.
As we come to learn in this story, appearances aren’t always what they seem. This is where the story takes off. Both characters have flaws, both have secrets. Secrets aren’t always sinister or dark but they can be things or issues we don’t face in ourselves. Therefore, we don’t let others completely in and end up many times making our own false assumptions about them.
With all that being said, let me tell you there is sweetness, smiles, laughs, great secondary characters I want to meet again and heat. This story brings all the feels! Bring a fan cause it’s going to get HOT and not because you’re in the South.
I would really love to talk about the story in-depth but that would be unfair to the author. Let me just say I even loved the Guide at the end. The author takes you on a little tour. Not only did I get to read a fabulous story, she brought Charleston to vivid life! I could smell the mint julep, grits, biscuits and bourbon as I read. This story was mouth watering in all ways.
Do yourself a favor, read this book and get caught up in all it’s charms, Southern and otherwise.
I’m so looking forward to what the author brings us next.
First there is Olivia. She has major decisions to make. She’s lived her whole life being a people pleaser and trying to have it all. Not really sure now that she has it, is it what she really wants? Does she have the courage to do what she really wants with her life? In my opinion, that is more commonplace than most people would acknowledge. It begs the question, how much are you really willing to gamble? How much are you willing to settle for in your life for comfortability or just being scared of the future?
Enter Eli our Southern Charmer, handsome, accomplished in his own right, and looking secure. He’s one of the most patient and gracious persons I’ve ever read. Sexy, put together and confident. Looks like he has it all.
As we come to learn in this story, appearances aren’t always what they seem. This is where the story takes off. Both characters have flaws, both have secrets. Secrets aren’t always sinister or dark but they can be things or issues we don’t face in ourselves. Therefore, we don’t let others completely in and end up many times making our own false assumptions about them.
With all that being said, let me tell you there is sweetness, smiles, laughs, great secondary characters I want to meet again and heat. This story brings all the feels! Bring a fan cause it’s going to get HOT and not because you’re in the South.
I would really love to talk about the story in-depth but that would be unfair to the author. Let me just say I even loved the Guide at the end. The author takes you on a little tour. Not only did I get to read a fabulous story, she brought Charleston to vivid life! I could smell the mint julep, grits, biscuits and bourbon as I read. This story was mouth watering in all ways.
Do yourself a favor, read this book and get caught up in all it’s charms, Southern and otherwise.
I’m so looking forward to what the author brings us next.
January 15, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a sweet romance and it has me so looking forward to my Charleston trip this spring! I loved the beginning and the end, but there were some things in the middle I didn’t love. I loved to see Olivia’s growth and Eli was all-around fantastic. I enjoyed this author's writing style and I will be checking more of her books out in the future.
This was a sweet romance and it has me so looking forward to my Charleston trip this spring! I loved the beginning and the end, but there were some things in the middle I didn’t love. I loved to see Olivia’s growth and Eli was all-around fantastic. I enjoyed this author's writing style and I will be checking more of her books out in the future.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Joe Arden & Emma Wilder
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9h 10m
September 30, 2018
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book*
5 "Let Me" Stars
I need to book a flight to Charleston, South Carolina ASAP! Being transported to this quaint and vibrant city with just words alone has me itching to experience it in real life. Jessica does an outstanding job making the reader feel like they're walking through this picturesque city and feeling everything the heroine of this story is experiencing through her eyes. And oh, the food, my gosh the food. The descriptions alone have me licking my lips imagining what it would be like to taste these dishes, which I'm almost positive would have my tastebuds exploding from all the flavors. Such imagery and attention to detail made this story all that more vivid. I loved it! I loved everything. The story, the characters, the city, and food. All I want to do is go back from the beginning and experience this story all over again.
From the outside looking in it would seem that Olivia has it all. But deep down there's something missing. Though, Olivia knows what it is and knows deep down in her heart that that's the path she needs to take, she still has fears. Afraid of letting her family down, but especially fear in failing. But she knows she has to take a leap, and thus her journey begins.
Elijah Jackson is doing what he loves, cooking. He's a well known chef in Charleston, and a mighty good one at that. And heating up not only the kitchen. Eli is the definition of charming and charismatic. He's such a down to earth guy. I was smitten and a swoony mess all thanks to chef Elijah Jackson. I was definitely charmed and then-some by the Southern Charmer.
Olivia and Eli were a match made in heaven. These two were smokin' hot together. Oh my gosh, I honestly couldn't get enough. The tenderness, the happiness, the love I just wanted more, so much more. Olivia and Eli made me happy, a happy smiley mess.
Southern Charmer was an out-of-this-world glorious read. Not only did it make me want to take a trip to Charleston, it also made me miss it even though I've never been. An all around feel good book I couldn't get enough of. Definitely recommend.
5 "Let Me" Stars
I need to book a flight to Charleston, South Carolina ASAP! Being transported to this quaint and vibrant city with just words alone has me itching to experience it in real life. Jessica does an outstanding job making the reader feel like they're walking through this picturesque city and feeling everything the heroine of this story is experiencing through her eyes. And oh, the food, my gosh the food. The descriptions alone have me licking my lips imagining what it would be like to taste these dishes, which I'm almost positive would have my tastebuds exploding from all the flavors. Such imagery and attention to detail made this story all that more vivid. I loved it! I loved everything. The story, the characters, the city, and food. All I want to do is go back from the beginning and experience this story all over again.
From the outside looking in it would seem that Olivia has it all. But deep down there's something missing. Though, Olivia knows what it is and knows deep down in her heart that that's the path she needs to take, she still has fears. Afraid of letting her family down, but especially fear in failing. But she knows she has to take a leap, and thus her journey begins.
Elijah Jackson is doing what he loves, cooking. He's a well known chef in Charleston, and a mighty good one at that. And heating up not only the kitchen. Eli is the definition of charming and charismatic. He's such a down to earth guy. I was smitten and a swoony mess all thanks to chef Elijah Jackson. I was definitely charmed and then-some by the Southern Charmer.
Olivia and Eli were a match made in heaven. These two were smokin' hot together. Oh my gosh, I honestly couldn't get enough. The tenderness, the happiness, the love I just wanted more, so much more. Olivia and Eli made me happy, a happy smiley mess.
Southern Charmer was an out-of-this-world glorious read. Not only did it make me want to take a trip to Charleston, it also made me miss it even though I've never been. An all around feel good book I couldn't get enough of. Definitely recommend.
September 26, 2018
Mrs. Peterson has done it again! She has written a book full of humor, sassiness, wit, angst (oh the agonizing angst) and strength!
Our lovely heroine Olivia is striving for something she’s not even sure is possible! Her whole life she’s done what should be or what others thought was necessary but what about her hopes, dreams and desires? When she can’t see her future clearly she decides she needs change! Enter BILF! A man whose life seems a little on the wild side for Olivia’s liking but also a man she can’t keep away from!
Eli is a man who leads with passion! He pours everything he is into pretty much everything he does! Failure is something that he’s never truly considered and it seems like he has it all figured out but is everything always as it seems!?
These two push each other to be better versions of themselves! They bring out the best in each other but when real life comes knocking will each one be able to face their reality!?
I loved the strength Olivia found within herself to follow her passions and make her dreams a reality! Eli’s belief in her and in himself was something that I found so inspiring myself! The humor laced within the pages also make this book a must read because you’ll find yourself laughing your butt off!
Our lovely heroine Olivia is striving for something she’s not even sure is possible! Her whole life she’s done what should be or what others thought was necessary but what about her hopes, dreams and desires? When she can’t see her future clearly she decides she needs change! Enter BILF! A man whose life seems a little on the wild side for Olivia’s liking but also a man she can’t keep away from!
Eli is a man who leads with passion! He pours everything he is into pretty much everything he does! Failure is something that he’s never truly considered and it seems like he has it all figured out but is everything always as it seems!?
These two push each other to be better versions of themselves! They bring out the best in each other but when real life comes knocking will each one be able to face their reality!?
I loved the strength Olivia found within herself to follow her passions and make her dreams a reality! Eli’s belief in her and in himself was something that I found so inspiring myself! The humor laced within the pages also make this book a must read because you’ll find yourself laughing your butt off!
May 11, 2020
I am torn between 3 and 4 stars for this book. I decided to give it 3 stars.
What I like:
1. Eli. He is hot. A man who can cook is always a go to for me. I fall for him the moment the blurb says he can cook The rest is just added bonus.
2. The cooking scenes itself although it is very limited, its very entertaining.
What I do not like:
1. The plot. It is vert confusing and needs more structure. While listening to this book, I feel like Eli and Olivia are 2 separate characters who are great when they stay separate. When they come together, it becomes confusing.
2. The chemistry between the characters. Even with the descriptive sex scenes, I can not feel the chemistry between Eli and Olivia. The author does not provides insight into Olivia nor Eli development from the past to the present. So everything is jumble.
3. The resolution of each climax is too fast and not convincing.
Overall I still enjoy this book OK.
3 stars
What I like:
1. Eli. He is hot. A man who can cook is always a go to for me. I fall for him the moment the blurb says he can cook The rest is just added bonus.
2. The cooking scenes itself although it is very limited, its very entertaining.
What I do not like:
1. The plot. It is vert confusing and needs more structure. While listening to this book, I feel like Eli and Olivia are 2 separate characters who are great when they stay separate. When they come together, it becomes confusing.
2. The chemistry between the characters. Even with the descriptive sex scenes, I can not feel the chemistry between Eli and Olivia. The author does not provides insight into Olivia nor Eli development from the past to the present. So everything is jumble.
3. The resolution of each climax is too fast and not convincing.
Overall I still enjoy this book OK.
3 stars
September 21, 2018
Omg what can I say. I love Jessica’s writing and this book is one of my favs.
This book is the perfect slow burn. We meet Olivia who has escaped her stuffy life in hopes of finding her passion.
She meets the sexy Eli who at first seems like the perfect man.
We discover that their lust and passion are on fire!
When they combust it is beautiful.
The closer they get to the end of the month the more their insecurities come out.
I loved that because it gave both characters such depth.
I loved how they solved their issues alone and were not dependent on each other.
On to Gracie and Luke!!!
This book is the perfect slow burn. We meet Olivia who has escaped her stuffy life in hopes of finding her passion.
She meets the sexy Eli who at first seems like the perfect man.
We discover that their lust and passion are on fire!
When they combust it is beautiful.
The closer they get to the end of the month the more their insecurities come out.
I loved that because it gave both characters such depth.
I loved how they solved their issues alone and were not dependent on each other.
On to Gracie and Luke!!!
September 24, 2018
Loved, loved this!
Elijah & Olivia's romance is a slow-burning romance. (I was excited when they finally got it on! Dayum!) It's about two individuals who are struggling to find their identities separate from the careers and lives they've chosen.
For Olivia, the struggle is more acute, as she's always followed a script, never having fully known who she is or what she really wants. When she travels to Charleston, she feels free enough to finally be herself, as she interacts with the townsfolk, and one chef in particular.
Elijah is enticed by Olivia's beauty, but her passion draws him in, exciting him.
"She burns.
Damn it, I want to burn with her."
As their relationship grows from a friendship to one of courtship, Elijah passion for his work is gradually rekindled, helping him remember the important things in life.
This first installment introduces us to Charleston, and I'm already in love with this place. I so want to visit! The characters Jessica Peterson introduces us to are full of life & vivacious. Plus all the food! I got hungry multiple times reading this. I honestly cannot wait for book 2!
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
Elijah & Olivia's romance is a slow-burning romance. (I was excited when they finally got it on! Dayum!) It's about two individuals who are struggling to find their identities separate from the careers and lives they've chosen.
For Olivia, the struggle is more acute, as she's always followed a script, never having fully known who she is or what she really wants. When she travels to Charleston, she feels free enough to finally be herself, as she interacts with the townsfolk, and one chef in particular.
Elijah is enticed by Olivia's beauty, but her passion draws him in, exciting him.
"She burns.
Damn it, I want to burn with her."
As their relationship grows from a friendship to one of courtship, Elijah passion for his work is gradually rekindled, helping him remember the important things in life.
This first installment introduces us to Charleston, and I'm already in love with this place. I so want to visit! The characters Jessica Peterson introduces us to are full of life & vivacious. Plus all the food! I got hungry multiple times reading this. I honestly cannot wait for book 2!
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
September 26, 2018
Goodness gracious did I love reading Southern Charmer! It's the story about a college professor and her decision to take a one month break from her life to write a romance book and reflect on some choices that she needs to make about her future. From the outside Olivia Wilson has it all, the perfect boyfriend with the perfect career, a tenured teaching position at the university, an expensive car, house and all the trappings of a perfect life. What if everything isn't really that perfect? What if Olivia wants something different? How will everyone react? That's what the premise is for Southern Charmer. Olivia heads to a old friends place in Charleston, SC to get away from everything and reflect on her choices in life. She's been so busy rushing forward that she's forgotten where she wants to go. While she writes she learns to slow down and enjoy life and meets new people along the way. One of them is her neighbor, chef Elijah Jackson. Eli is melting butter on a biscuit, garlic on shrimp, a smooth glass of bourbon all in one delectable man! He's earthy and tatted and everything that she didn't think would ever interest her but does. Eli is instantly charmed by his Yankee neighbor and wants to do two things, feed her and unearth her secrets. He loves to bring happiness to peoples lives with his cooking and he wants to cook for Oliva and bring a smile to her face. He can see the sadness in Olivia's eyes and he wants to see her shine. Eli has two restaurants in town. One is doing fantastic and the other is struggling. Eli is struggling with the thought of letting his staff and himself down by a possible failure. Southern Charmer is the story of how these two strangers meet and spend a month together going through what life throws their way. It's told from dual POV and has lots of light hearted moments, laughs, heat and some angst. Jessica Peterson has done a beautiful job writing this contemporary romance and if you haven't read her books before you are missing out! I don't like comparing one author to another but if you are a fan of writers like Emily Giffin and Kristin Higgins then I highly recommend reading Southern Charmer so give yourself a real treat and enjoy the sweet southern heat!
October 4, 2018
Hey y'all! SOUTHERN CHARMER IS NOW LIVE and FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Grab your copy here!
This is the first book in my all new Charleston Heat series. It's hot, it's fun, and in many ways it's the book of my heart. I poured so much of my own story into Eli and Olivia. I STILL have a hangover from all their deliciousness months after completing the book. Here are some important facts about CHARMER:
-It's a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance.
-It features an egregious amount of food porn. Also an egregious amount of lowcountry cabin sex.
-It takes place in Charleston, SC, one of my all time favorite cities on the planet.
I sincerely hope you enjoy it!
This is the first book in my all new Charleston Heat series. It's hot, it's fun, and in many ways it's the book of my heart. I poured so much of my own story into Eli and Olivia. I STILL have a hangover from all their deliciousness months after completing the book. Here are some important facts about CHARMER:
-It's a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance.
-It features an egregious amount of food porn. Also an egregious amount of lowcountry cabin sex.
-It takes place in Charleston, SC, one of my all time favorite cities on the planet.
I sincerely hope you enjoy it!
September 30, 2018
Eli, Eli, Eli,.. The sexy Chef that has stolen my heart.
What is it about Southern hospitality that makes you feel so good inside, this is an Amazing story that I relished.
I devoured it like one of Eli's yummy dishes of food.
Olivia is a college professor trying to flee from her life, needing to escape from everything, finding herself in Charleston to pursue her dream of writing a novel. So meeting gorgeous, sweet Elijah Jackson wasn't in the plan. Full of southern charm, beautiful and swoon worthy,he cooks up a storm inside Olivia. They are both going through personal issues,and they have a connection, getting to know eachother the attraction can only be ignored for so long before it explodes. I was so enthralled by this story it was such a delight being transported into Charleston, I actually felt like I was there and reading the Romance between Eli and Olivia was both captivating and magical.
Brilliant Jessica I adored it.
What is it about Southern hospitality that makes you feel so good inside, this is an Amazing story that I relished.
I devoured it like one of Eli's yummy dishes of food.
Olivia is a college professor trying to flee from her life, needing to escape from everything, finding herself in Charleston to pursue her dream of writing a novel. So meeting gorgeous, sweet Elijah Jackson wasn't in the plan. Full of southern charm, beautiful and swoon worthy,he cooks up a storm inside Olivia. They are both going through personal issues,and they have a connection, getting to know eachother the attraction can only be ignored for so long before it explodes. I was so enthralled by this story it was such a delight being transported into Charleston, I actually felt like I was there and reading the Romance between Eli and Olivia was both captivating and magical.
Brilliant Jessica I adored it.
September 25, 2018
Eli & Olivia are simply delicious!
Right from the start I adored Olivia and her strength - even when she didn't give herself credit for it. She was brave enough NOT to say yes to a situation that would seal her forever fate. And then she took time to CHANGE that situation.
Eli.... geez, even as a non-foodie he made me want to taste his savory creations! Jessica Peterson did a phenomenal job with descriptions so delectable I could smell it all. And Eli himself? Well, that's just a whole other treat! I loved how he treated and listened to Olivia. How he dug deep to know her. But poor fellow... he nearly lost himself. Lucky for him, he has people in his life that recognized and forced him to come clean. And speaking of Luke & Gracie.... Oh I can't wait for more of them!!
This sweet story is an insta-love situation, but delivered as a slow burn. It takes more than half the book to get "there", and by doing so there is tremendous character development. We get to know the whole heart and soul of each of the characters so well, that we can feel everything they do - the hurt, confusion, deep deep pain of loss. And the good stuff too - the attraction that is quite immediate, the intelligence behind every conversation, they desire to do right by others, and the bone deep love that develops.
Super excited for the next story in the series!
Right from the start I adored Olivia and her strength - even when she didn't give herself credit for it. She was brave enough NOT to say yes to a situation that would seal her forever fate. And then she took time to CHANGE that situation.
Eli.... geez, even as a non-foodie he made me want to taste his savory creations! Jessica Peterson did a phenomenal job with descriptions so delectable I could smell it all. And Eli himself? Well, that's just a whole other treat! I loved how he treated and listened to Olivia. How he dug deep to know her. But poor fellow... he nearly lost himself. Lucky for him, he has people in his life that recognized and forced him to come clean. And speaking of Luke & Gracie.... Oh I can't wait for more of them!!
This sweet story is an insta-love situation, but delivered as a slow burn. It takes more than half the book to get "there", and by doing so there is tremendous character development. We get to know the whole heart and soul of each of the characters so well, that we can feel everything they do - the hurt, confusion, deep deep pain of loss. And the good stuff too - the attraction that is quite immediate, the intelligence behind every conversation, they desire to do right by others, and the bone deep love that develops.
Super excited for the next story in the series!
September 27, 2018
Gosh, but I loved this book!
We can always count on Jessica Peterson to provide a sexy, swoon-worthy hero with an accent to die for—this time, it’s Chef Eli from South Carolina bringing that heat. Our heroine Olivia is a yankee college professor with the “perfect” life. They’re combustible from the start. Their chemistry is crazy-hot, but even more engaging is the way in which their lives mirror each other: both at turning points, both reassessing what it is they really want, and both discovering that missing piece they never knew they were lacking.
Something else ~really~ fun about Southern Charmer is the glimpses we get inside the life of an indie-published romance author as Olivia tries this new profession on for size. Familiar tropes, issues, and lingo feel like an affectionate love letter to the genre, its authors and readers. Oh, and would that more of the men in our lives loved reading romance as much as Eli does!
Can’t wait to go back to Charleston for the next in this series.
We can always count on Jessica Peterson to provide a sexy, swoon-worthy hero with an accent to die for—this time, it’s Chef Eli from South Carolina bringing that heat. Our heroine Olivia is a yankee college professor with the “perfect” life. They’re combustible from the start. Their chemistry is crazy-hot, but even more engaging is the way in which their lives mirror each other: both at turning points, both reassessing what it is they really want, and both discovering that missing piece they never knew they were lacking.
Something else ~really~ fun about Southern Charmer is the glimpses we get inside the life of an indie-published romance author as Olivia tries this new profession on for size. Familiar tropes, issues, and lingo feel like an affectionate love letter to the genre, its authors and readers. Oh, and would that more of the men in our lives loved reading romance as much as Eli does!
Can’t wait to go back to Charleston for the next in this series.
September 24, 2018
I’ve been hooked since my first Jessica Peterson read, and by this point will gladly read anything she releases. In fact, she’s one of those authors where I find myself obsessing over each upcoming release. It started with my addiction to the Study Abroad series, then we had my obsession with the Flings With Kings series, and now I feel a repeat experience occurring with the Charleston Heat series.
As excited as I was for Southern Charmer, a part of me was a bit disappointed before diving in. Sure, the book sounded amazing. It sounded like another wonderful Jessica Peterson read, one I was sure to adore, yet a part of me was disappointed that we were not being given the final Flings With Kings book first. As soon as I started reading Southern Charmer, though, I quickly forgot about those feelings. I’ll still be diving into the final Flings With Kings book when it is released, but the Charleston Heat series promises to be a new obsession for me.
From the start, this one pulls you in through the usual wonderful combination offered by Jessica Peterson. We’re sucked straight into the lives of our main characters, introduced to a number of elements, and these things have us turning the pages to see how things develop. Add in the fact you quickly fall in love with the characters and you’ll find yourself finishing this book in a single sitting. If that is not enough, Jessica Peterson always offers plenty more to keep you hooked. There is always a deeper element to the story, often related to a sense of self. Not in a preachy way, simply in a feel-good open-your-eyes-and-see-the-sun you’re-worth-it way. There is humour to be had. There is tension to swoon over. There are steamy scenes to enjoy. With this being the tip of the iceberg that is the wonderful story known as Southern Charmer.
If I’m being completely honest, our characters in Southern Charmer were some of my favourite Jessica Peterson creations. They were both so wonderful, so real, and I loved everything that was offered throughout the story. I obsessed a little bit over many of the elements, even the story within the story. In fact, the story within the story has me desperate to finally dive into Jessica Peterson’s Hope Diamond trilogy. With our leading lady writing a historical romance throughout this book, giving us little insights into the story, I found myself falling in love with the story within the story – and through it, I found myself desperate to give Jessica Peterson’s Hope Diamond trilogy a read. If it’s as fun as the story within Southern Charmer, then I’m going to have a lot of fun with it.
Without a doubt, Jessica Peterson has delivered another fabulous read with Southern Charmer. The Charleston Heat series promises to be another wonderful series, and there are plenty of characters I want to see more of in the future books. Already I’m counting down to the promise in place for book two, with the glimpses we were given into the characters ensuring I will dive into it the moment it is ready.
If you’ve enjoyed any of Jessica Peterson’s prior work you need to dive into Southern Charmer, and if you have yet to read a Jessica Peterson book then the Charleston Heat series is the perfect place to start.
As excited as I was for Southern Charmer, a part of me was a bit disappointed before diving in. Sure, the book sounded amazing. It sounded like another wonderful Jessica Peterson read, one I was sure to adore, yet a part of me was disappointed that we were not being given the final Flings With Kings book first. As soon as I started reading Southern Charmer, though, I quickly forgot about those feelings. I’ll still be diving into the final Flings With Kings book when it is released, but the Charleston Heat series promises to be a new obsession for me.
From the start, this one pulls you in through the usual wonderful combination offered by Jessica Peterson. We’re sucked straight into the lives of our main characters, introduced to a number of elements, and these things have us turning the pages to see how things develop. Add in the fact you quickly fall in love with the characters and you’ll find yourself finishing this book in a single sitting. If that is not enough, Jessica Peterson always offers plenty more to keep you hooked. There is always a deeper element to the story, often related to a sense of self. Not in a preachy way, simply in a feel-good open-your-eyes-and-see-the-sun you’re-worth-it way. There is humour to be had. There is tension to swoon over. There are steamy scenes to enjoy. With this being the tip of the iceberg that is the wonderful story known as Southern Charmer.
If I’m being completely honest, our characters in Southern Charmer were some of my favourite Jessica Peterson creations. They were both so wonderful, so real, and I loved everything that was offered throughout the story. I obsessed a little bit over many of the elements, even the story within the story. In fact, the story within the story has me desperate to finally dive into Jessica Peterson’s Hope Diamond trilogy. With our leading lady writing a historical romance throughout this book, giving us little insights into the story, I found myself falling in love with the story within the story – and through it, I found myself desperate to give Jessica Peterson’s Hope Diamond trilogy a read. If it’s as fun as the story within Southern Charmer, then I’m going to have a lot of fun with it.
Without a doubt, Jessica Peterson has delivered another fabulous read with Southern Charmer. The Charleston Heat series promises to be another wonderful series, and there are plenty of characters I want to see more of in the future books. Already I’m counting down to the promise in place for book two, with the glimpses we were given into the characters ensuring I will dive into it the moment it is ready.
If you’ve enjoyed any of Jessica Peterson’s prior work you need to dive into Southern Charmer, and if you have yet to read a Jessica Peterson book then the Charleston Heat series is the perfect place to start.
September 13, 2018
This all started out as innocent curiosity about the beautiful stranger who showed up in my kitchen, hungry and tired and holding something in.
I love it when a book can transport me to a different time or place. This is a knack that Jessica Peterson possesses because this is not the first time that she has made me see and feel the settings to her novels. If there are two main things that have come out of reading Southern Charmer, it's
#1: I love food and want to eat all of the food.
#2: I will visit Charleston, SC before I die.
Olivia Wilson has it all. She has the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend and the perfect engagement ring sitting in her duffel bag as she high tails it out of New York on a mission. Her mission? To figure out if happiness is possible.
So Olivia sets out for Charleston, SC to do the one thing that she's always wanted to do.
Write.
Writing doesn't bring the prestige that her tenure at a well known university does. In fact, no one in her life can understand why Olivia wants to waste her time, talent and intelligence on something as 'demeaning' as writing smutty novels. But before Olivia can commit spending her life living the 'American Dream' that's set out before her, she has to give her novel a true shot.
Elijah Jackson is living his dream. The owner and chef for one of the hottest restaurants in Charleston, Eli has a lot going for him. He hits the jackpot when Olivia ends up being his new neighbor. Before long they are sharing ideas for Olivia's manuscript over Eli's greatest creations every morning for breakfast.
Let me repeat that name one more time...Elijah Jackson. It just rolls off the tongue, right? Just as scrumptious as his name is, Eli is just as tasty as Joanna Gaines' buttermilk biscuits. These two are SEXY. Not only does Eli wet Olivia's appetite with his delicious cuisine, but he invests his time into her latest dream, her book. Before we know it, this tatted up chef is pouring over Olivia's chapters and reading the greatest historical romances.
I've never ate succotash a day in my life. Not once. Why is this important? After reading the first few chapters in this book, I want to eat succotash. It sounds fucking delicious, and I want to eat it. If she can write about food this good, how amazing do you think the really tasty scenes are? *wink wink*
In a word, this book is charming. There's so many elements that I want to touch on but want the readers to discover for themselves.
If you want a book that will stimulate your senses; make your stomach growl, your mouth salivate, and your heart soar, then you need to read Southern Charmer.
I love it when a book can transport me to a different time or place. This is a knack that Jessica Peterson possesses because this is not the first time that she has made me see and feel the settings to her novels. If there are two main things that have come out of reading Southern Charmer, it's
#1: I love food and want to eat all of the food.
#2: I will visit Charleston, SC before I die.
Olivia Wilson has it all. She has the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend and the perfect engagement ring sitting in her duffel bag as she high tails it out of New York on a mission. Her mission? To figure out if happiness is possible.
So Olivia sets out for Charleston, SC to do the one thing that she's always wanted to do.
Write.
Writing doesn't bring the prestige that her tenure at a well known university does. In fact, no one in her life can understand why Olivia wants to waste her time, talent and intelligence on something as 'demeaning' as writing smutty novels. But before Olivia can commit spending her life living the 'American Dream' that's set out before her, she has to give her novel a true shot.
Elijah Jackson is living his dream. The owner and chef for one of the hottest restaurants in Charleston, Eli has a lot going for him. He hits the jackpot when Olivia ends up being his new neighbor. Before long they are sharing ideas for Olivia's manuscript over Eli's greatest creations every morning for breakfast.
Let me repeat that name one more time...Elijah Jackson. It just rolls off the tongue, right? Just as scrumptious as his name is, Eli is just as tasty as Joanna Gaines' buttermilk biscuits. These two are SEXY. Not only does Eli wet Olivia's appetite with his delicious cuisine, but he invests his time into her latest dream, her book. Before we know it, this tatted up chef is pouring over Olivia's chapters and reading the greatest historical romances.
I've never ate succotash a day in my life. Not once. Why is this important? After reading the first few chapters in this book, I want to eat succotash. It sounds fucking delicious, and I want to eat it. If she can write about food this good, how amazing do you think the really tasty scenes are? *wink wink*
In a word, this book is charming. There's so many elements that I want to touch on but want the readers to discover for themselves.
If you want a book that will stimulate your senses; make your stomach growl, your mouth salivate, and your heart soar, then you need to read Southern Charmer.
September 27, 2018
" I've never met a guy like him. A man who cooks for a living, who's tatted up to within an inch of his life, who loves to read and do yoga and talk passionately about big ideas like romance and freedom and purpose. He;s one of a kind." -- I don't think I can seriously tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It made its way on to my top list of best books out there, no joke. I Devoured it.. read and re-read it. Kind of had me thinking about life a lot! I absolutely loved it. The words, the characters dreams and livelihood had me hooked like a fly in honey. It's a curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee and read all day kind of book. Eli and Olivia's story is out of this world. They're chemistry was through the roof. Olivia is such a strong and brave character! I love her. Chef Elijah Jackson is downright hilarious, sweet and sexy! and sounds like my kind of guy. This book had me laughing out loud to myself! what a great read! I'm so excited for the second one!
September 24, 2018
LOVE THIS BOOK! So I admit, Jessica is pretty much a one-click author, her writing style and sense of humor just gel so well with my own, but I'd have totally gotten this book based on the blurb alone. Once again she transported me, this time to Charleston. I've never been there, and its been years since I have been even close to there, but through her writing I was transported. Sights and sounds (and smells) really bring this location alive in my mind. I loved Olivia's journey, I knew just where she was coming from as a former people pleaser myself, so I dug into the story on that level, not to mention my years in Culinary school and in the restaurant industry had me feeling a strong connection to Elijah too. My mouth watered for more than one reason while reading this, Elijah sounded delicious lol. There were a few cute little inside references for fans of the romance writers world that totally had me saying 'Oh, I see what she did there!' It was really just a sweet, hot journey of two people finding out what they wanted and what they needed and how to get both together and it was a great start to the series! I can't wait for Luke and Grace's book and I really hope we get to hear more about Luke's Lady Dagger lol.
September 30, 2018
Marie's Tempting Reads ARC Review:
SOUTHERN CHARMER IS SMOLDERING WITH SOUTHERN CHARM, HEAT AND SEDUCTION AND HAS SOME VERY ENDEARING AND UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS AND A HELLA STORY!
Jessica Peterson might very well have gone up and beyond with this book. Everything felt so alive and the descriptions were phenomenal and I felt like I was right there in the thick of Charleston, South Carolina, seeing everything and feeling the heat and hearing the accents that made me fan myself. The moment I stopped reading I felt wowed by it all. Add in the characters that I effing adored, and a decadent story and I felt like I got it ALL with Southern Charmer! In fact I am LOVING this brand new series so far! I am HOOKED on this new series and I can't wait for the next book!
Southern Charmer will make your ereader steam up folks! Its an absolute DELIGHT! I give this a SULTRY FIVE SHOOTING STARS!
SOUTHERN CHARMER IS SMOLDERING WITH SOUTHERN CHARM, HEAT AND SEDUCTION AND HAS SOME VERY ENDEARING AND UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS AND A HELLA STORY!
Jessica Peterson might very well have gone up and beyond with this book. Everything felt so alive and the descriptions were phenomenal and I felt like I was right there in the thick of Charleston, South Carolina, seeing everything and feeling the heat and hearing the accents that made me fan myself. The moment I stopped reading I felt wowed by it all. Add in the characters that I effing adored, and a decadent story and I felt like I got it ALL with Southern Charmer! In fact I am LOVING this brand new series so far! I am HOOKED on this new series and I can't wait for the next book!
Southern Charmer will make your ereader steam up folks! Its an absolute DELIGHT! I give this a SULTRY FIVE SHOOTING STARS!
October 2, 2018
This book is like a visit in the south. Slow, sexy, warm and exciting. Olivia is escaping her life to take
a breather and decide what she really wants in her future. A perfect life with Ted, a perfect job a perfect house. She moves to Charleston to figure out what she wants . There she finds, old world charm, nice people, a community that comes together and finally Elijah. He is the epitome of the bad boy, chef, restaurant owner and sexiness all in one package. Their first encounter will set the tone to the story. I could not stop reading this book and it makes me want to move down south. Their falling in love story will make you wishfull and captivated by these characters. I can’t wait to read the next story in this series and return to the long slow hot days of the South.
a breather and decide what she really wants in her future. A perfect life with Ted, a perfect job a perfect house. She moves to Charleston to figure out what she wants . There she finds, old world charm, nice people, a community that comes together and finally Elijah. He is the epitome of the bad boy, chef, restaurant owner and sexiness all in one package. Their first encounter will set the tone to the story. I could not stop reading this book and it makes me want to move down south. Their falling in love story will make you wishfull and captivated by these characters. I can’t wait to read the next story in this series and return to the long slow hot days of the South.
October 4, 2018
Olivia needed a break which I think most of us can relate to at time and she had the perfect getaway far away from her life to recharge. She was wanting to follow her dreams and write book but away from everyone who tried to deter her from this was the best thing she could have done.
Eli is a HOT as hell chef in the south that can conjure us some pretty tasty meals and the way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach, well that is what he thought and lived by. The descriptions had me smelling bacon at time when there was nothing cooking at my house. I just loved how he was hard worker but also laid back.
In a way Eli and Olivia were meant to find one another. Having someone to help you make that leap of faith is huge but sometimes you just need to find out for yourself.
I can't wait for the next book and have loved all of Jessica's books I have read.
Eli is a HOT as hell chef in the south that can conjure us some pretty tasty meals and the way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach, well that is what he thought and lived by. The descriptions had me smelling bacon at time when there was nothing cooking at my house. I just loved how he was hard worker but also laid back.
In a way Eli and Olivia were meant to find one another. Having someone to help you make that leap of faith is huge but sometimes you just need to find out for yourself.
I can't wait for the next book and have loved all of Jessica's books I have read.
July 26, 2020
4 STARS
*AUDIOBOOK*
What a sweet story this was! Buckle up and prepare to fall for Eli and Olivia. Eli is a super confident, sexy southern. He goes after want he wants without apology. He owns a restaurant and is passionate about life. Olivia is sweet, loyal and hard working. She is a little lost and doesn’t know what path she is on at the moment. From the moment she steps into Charleston, South Carolina her meeting Eli turns everything she thought she wanted for herself upside down. Her character frustrated me at times. She wanted to hold onto her comfort and safety net a bit too long. There was no doubt that Eli was her future but it took her forever to realize it! I did love how encouraging Eli was in helping her go after her dreams. I also loved all the side characters developed in this story. Jessica has set the scene perfectly for Luke and Gracie’s story next. Can’t wait! Listening to audio was a real treat! Is there anything sexier than Joe Arden doing a southern accent?!
*AUDIOBOOK*
What a sweet story this was! Buckle up and prepare to fall for Eli and Olivia. Eli is a super confident, sexy southern. He goes after want he wants without apology. He owns a restaurant and is passionate about life. Olivia is sweet, loyal and hard working. She is a little lost and doesn’t know what path she is on at the moment. From the moment she steps into Charleston, South Carolina her meeting Eli turns everything she thought she wanted for herself upside down. Her character frustrated me at times. She wanted to hold onto her comfort and safety net a bit too long. There was no doubt that Eli was her future but it took her forever to realize it! I did love how encouraging Eli was in helping her go after her dreams. I also loved all the side characters developed in this story. Jessica has set the scene perfectly for Luke and Gracie’s story next. Can’t wait! Listening to audio was a real treat! Is there anything sexier than Joe Arden doing a southern accent?!
September 29, 2018
I loved this book so much! Jessica Peterson's writing just gets better and better. I can't recommend this book enough. Eli and Olivia are both so real and relatable. Eli is a sexy chef and Olivia is a smart professor looking to change her career. They both are transitioning and their friendship helps them through it all. I love the slow burn between Eli and Olivia and when they finally get together, it was everything I had hoped for. This book makes me want to visit Charleston and try all the food! This is a great start to the new series! I can't wait for the next book.
September 30, 2018
Olivia has always been a people pleaser. She loves teaching, but she's feeling suffocated when her on-paper-perfect boyfriends proposed. She's smart, sexy, passionate, and trying to find herself while taking a much-needed breather in picturesque Charleston. Eli is a well-known chef who stays true to his passion and palate regardless of the critics. He's stubborn, sexy, charming, and struggling to make his new restaurant work.
Eli and Olivia are both facing potential changes and hard decisions. Olivia thought she would focus on writing, but Eli is a tempting neighbor between their chemistry, his passion, and how he feeds her. They quickly become great friends who encourage and challenge each other. Eli is so different and shows her another way of life. The tension and anticipation build as Olivia has to decide which life she wants. Southern Charmer is a sultry slow burn. Jessica Peterson creates plenty of tension and conflict while delivering heat, romance, and change.
Eli and Olivia are both facing potential changes and hard decisions. Olivia thought she would focus on writing, but Eli is a tempting neighbor between their chemistry, his passion, and how he feeds her. They quickly become great friends who encourage and challenge each other. Eli is so different and shows her another way of life. The tension and anticipation build as Olivia has to decide which life she wants. Southern Charmer is a sultry slow burn. Jessica Peterson creates plenty of tension and conflict while delivering heat, romance, and change.
September 29, 2018
All the feels reading this one! Olivia and Eli feel like friends of mine from the beginning. Olivia takes a time out from her life to try to find herself and lands in a charming southern town. Eli is every girls dream....sexy, can cook, passionate and had a southern drawl that is swoon-worthy. I loved their story and hated for it to end. It was just exactly the book I was looking for! Can’t wait to read Luke and Gracie’s story!
September 27, 2018
I’ll be completely honest, I just fell in MORE love with Jessica Peterson’s words I mean, I love the Royals, but she completely found her stride in their voices, characters and their city. This book is her best yet.
This book is character driven - I feel like I know Eli and Olivia like friends. Elijah is this hot shot chef in Charleston. He has it made. Olivia needed to escape a life she didn’t want anymore. Eli and Olivia navigate through friendship, inner monologues and the dynamics of other characters that you feel like you know them. Jessica Peterson has created a world around them, I want to go to Eli’s restaurant. I want to be a fly on the wall with Olivia. I love their friends.
Olivia has left every single thing she’s ever known to find herself. She was brave enough to do that. She went through so much growth I was cheering on. I’m so proud of this character and for Eli to be the person she could lean on. They transformed together, the mere essence of this exemplifies what a romance novel can be.
I can’t wait to see what comes next. I have no doubt it’ll be fabulous. A top book!!
This book is character driven - I feel like I know Eli and Olivia like friends. Elijah is this hot shot chef in Charleston. He has it made. Olivia needed to escape a life she didn’t want anymore. Eli and Olivia navigate through friendship, inner monologues and the dynamics of other characters that you feel like you know them. Jessica Peterson has created a world around them, I want to go to Eli’s restaurant. I want to be a fly on the wall with Olivia. I love their friends.
Olivia has left every single thing she’s ever known to find herself. She was brave enough to do that. She went through so much growth I was cheering on. I’m so proud of this character and for Eli to be the person she could lean on. They transformed together, the mere essence of this exemplifies what a romance novel can be.
I can’t wait to see what comes next. I have no doubt it’ll be fabulous. A top book!!
September 24, 2018
It was a very enjoyable book to read. Eli and Olivia are made for each other, but they just did not realize it at the time. Olivia is coming off of a bad proposal and she's "thinking about it" down in Charleston, SC, which is way far away from Ithaca, NY. The food, the drinks and the atmosphere are wonderful for Olivia to figure things out. Eli is a successful chef with two restaurants but he is having issues with his second restaurant. There's only a short time frame for Olivia to make up her mind about her life back in NY, and Eli pushes her a bit to far and the connection is broken. You could tell that Olivia's book was a reflection on her real life and it was very sweet to go through that process of writing a chapter and leaving it in Eli's mailbox for him to read and critique. I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.
I received this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2018
Writing a good book is no small feature. A book within a book? Not for the weak ones either. The book is a breath of fresh air, a feel-good through and through. Sweet, savory , sassy and sexy. A book that is character-driven, that makes you embrace the romance reader in you in an unabashed way.
Olivia is you and me and each and every modern woman who “had it all” and realized that “all of that” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and one day decided that being herself in a world full of the idea of the perfect life is a hard choice, but the end result? It’s beautiful, liberating and so rewarding! You can’t help but feel like you’re a part of Olivia as well.
Olivia is you and me and each and every modern woman who “had it all” and realized that “all of that” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and one day decided that being herself in a world full of the idea of the perfect life is a hard choice, but the end result? It’s beautiful, liberating and so rewarding! You can’t help but feel like you’re a part of Olivia as well.
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