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Southern Belle Suspense #1
Can't Let Go
When a woman marries for money… she earns every penny.
Larkin and Graham Hadley are from completely different worlds. She’s from the trailer park… he’s from the yacht club. Inexplicably, they fall in love anyway, and suddenly Larkin has the kind of life she never even dared to dream of.
Yet even as the wife of a man from a prominent Charleston family, Larkin is still an outsider. After all, in Charleston, South Carolina blood line is everything. Larkin feels like she will never be accepted by the old money snobs that Graham’s family pals around with.
And then, one morning, she meets Caroline Beaufain, the Queen Bee of Charleston’s high society. For some unknown reason, Caroline takes a liking to Larkin. With Caroline's stamp of social approval, Larkin feels like she’s finally somebody. She’s suddenly untouchable.
But Larkin soon discovers that Caroline Beaufain's friendship comes with a high price.
One Larkin isn't so sure she's capable of paying.
Especially when someone ends up dead…
Larkin and Graham Hadley are from completely different worlds. She’s from the trailer park… he’s from the yacht club. Inexplicably, they fall in love anyway, and suddenly Larkin has the kind of life she never even dared to dream of.
Yet even as the wife of a man from a prominent Charleston family, Larkin is still an outsider. After all, in Charleston, South Carolina blood line is everything. Larkin feels like she will never be accepted by the old money snobs that Graham’s family pals around with.
And then, one morning, she meets Caroline Beaufain, the Queen Bee of Charleston’s high society. For some unknown reason, Caroline takes a liking to Larkin. With Caroline's stamp of social approval, Larkin feels like she’s finally somebody. She’s suddenly untouchable.
But Larkin soon discovers that Caroline Beaufain's friendship comes with a high price.
One Larkin isn't so sure she's capable of paying.
Especially when someone ends up dead…
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2019
274 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 17, 2019
This is a quick easy read, built around old secrets, friendships, betrayals and lies. The main character, Larkin, marries into one of the most privileged families of Charleston high society. Larkin comes from a poor background and doesn't fit in--until she's befriended by Caroline Beaufain, the queen bee of the social scene. Although the book doesn't really take off until the middle, the beginning is far from draggy. The author has a way of introducing characters and setting scenes that kept me flipping pages, even as I was waiting for the hammer to fall.
This is a psychological thriller, so don't expect explosive action. It's more about figuring out what each character has to gain and what they're willing to do to achieve their goals. When the impact does hit, the fallout is quick and jaw-dropping. I won't say I've never seen this plot done before, but the way Grey handles it is riveting and fresh. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!
This is a psychological thriller, so don't expect explosive action. It's more about figuring out what each character has to gain and what they're willing to do to achieve their goals. When the impact does hit, the fallout is quick and jaw-dropping. I won't say I've never seen this plot done before, but the way Grey handles it is riveting and fresh. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!
February 24, 2019
New to Charleston, South Carolina society, a woman gets involved with a group of high society women only to discover one woman’s desire for revenge is what pulled them together. The plot is relatively uncomplicated and the ending a bit absurd. 2.5 stars
March 17, 2019
I picked this up after seeing that one of my favorite authors was reading it, and I really enjoyed it! My favorite part is that I didn't know where the story was going and enjoyed the twists and turns. Larkin is an interesting character who is easy to relate to, and I appreciate this in a narrator. Her struggle to fit into her husband's high-society world and craving friendship really resonated with me and helped me to understand and sympathize with her. Caroline was an intriguing character and I just couldn't wait to figure out what he end game was. The plot was compelling and kept me engaged. Looking forward to the next book!
March 4, 2019
This intriguing book captivated me from the very beginning with its mysterious Prologue. Larkin, the girl from the wrong side of the track and Graham Hadley, who comes from an old “aristocratic” southern family, meet, fall deeply in love, marry, have a sweet daughter and are truly a very happy family living comfortably in NYC. That all changes abruptly when they move South of the Mason-Dixon Line. Due to family responsibilities Graham is forced into taking his rightful place in the family business and relocates the family to his home town of Charleston- a city haunted by its glorious past of an American aristocratic society. Larkin doesn’t feel any of the famous southern charm, as she doesn’t fit into, nor accepted by the high society community ruled by old money, even though that is the world her husband was born in to and part of now. Larkin is no Southern Bell, and is an outsider until Caroline, the “Queen Bell of Southern Society” befriends her. That friendship comes with a cost, and Larkin finds herself in a world of lies, secrets, betrayal, revenge, cover-up, blackmail, drugs, sex, and even murder. It threatens the very core of Larkin’s life. Who can she trust? What will she do when she discovers the truth? Can she protect her daughter from such evil larking in her own family? Will her love for Graham survive the after-mast of such vengeance? I was totally enthralled in this eccentric story.
May 7, 2019
I really enjoyed the style of this book. While it was a thriller, the easy narration told from Larkin’s point of view was great. It was engaging and conversational and I felt as though I was there in the book with the characters. Very immersive. The story had many twists and turns and I had to read the book in one sitting to find out what happened. I also loved that there wasn’t all kinds of superfluous information flooding the pages that had no relevance to the story. The author stayed on point and delivered a right novel, leaving me waiting for the next one in the series.
May 31, 2019
I thought that this book was fantastic! I have lived in Charleston for a few years and I can see where the mindset that women from Charleston act a certain way, which isn’t helped by modern tv shows (e.g southern charm)! *cough* lol. But I thought that the book was well written and had the ability to draw the reader in. Each time I got closer to going to bed, I kept think, “let’s finish one more chapter!” Until I finished the entire book!
October 26, 2019
From boring to beyond
It seemed to take a long time for me to get hooked by the characters and their story. At first it was, well, boring, just as those RICH women were bored in their marriages. Once the Tuesday meetings happened, the characters began to stand out rather than all versions of the same. I'm glad I kept with it because the surprises and the ending were very satisfying.
It seemed to take a long time for me to get hooked by the characters and their story. At first it was, well, boring, just as those RICH women were bored in their marriages. Once the Tuesday meetings happened, the characters began to stand out rather than all versions of the same. I'm glad I kept with it because the surprises and the ending were very satisfying.
February 3, 2019
Well worth the read!
I enjoyed this story that shows the upper crust art both its best and worst, the entitled and the down to earth... And how how pain from years ago can fester to the ultimate revenge.
Although a psychological thriller, it is not a scary, so do not read at night book... All in all I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed this story that shows the upper crust art both its best and worst, the entitled and the down to earth... And how how pain from years ago can fester to the ultimate revenge.
Although a psychological thriller, it is not a scary, so do not read at night book... All in all I enjoyed this book.
February 26, 2019
The whole idea was just absurd, Carolina wants to be friends with Larkin after making fun of her then Larkin’s husband acts weird and it turns out it was his because of his brother.... I could not take anything from this book and the character’s names, it just felt disjointed. How can you emphasize with someone named Larkin? No did not like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2019
Society, old south, lies and deceit
Easy reading detailing old south society, blood lines and position of families. Lots of deception intrigue and infidelity. Story has well developed characters and believable storylines. Starts with a murder and then begins the back story. Enjoy reading.
Easy reading detailing old south society, blood lines and position of families. Lots of deception intrigue and infidelity. Story has well developed characters and believable storylines. Starts with a murder and then begins the back story. Enjoy reading.
August 10, 2021
Not really sure how I felt about this one. Living near Charleston, I was intrigued because it’s set there. While I wanted to see what happens, I was bored with how long it took to get to the backstories. And it was hard to have a lot of sympathy for the vain, snooty upper crusts. It was readable but not my favorite.
February 1, 2019
Page Turner
This is an amazing story that makes you wonder how much you really know about your friends and those closest to you. Be prepared to not be able to put it down. Great story telling with a great little murder thrown in
This is an amazing story that makes you wonder how much you really know about your friends and those closest to you. Be prepared to not be able to put it down. Great story telling with a great little murder thrown in
February 19, 2019
Good read
I enjoyed the story line and the twists and turns. I felt that the characters weren’t quite “fleshed out” and needed more substance. Also the ending seemed a bit rushed. I do recommend it as it had an intriguing plot.
I enjoyed the story line and the twists and turns. I felt that the characters weren’t quite “fleshed out” and needed more substance. Also the ending seemed a bit rushed. I do recommend it as it had an intriguing plot.
February 21, 2019
Ummm.....how can you form a deep friendship with someone you have only spent time with on three separate occasions? Am I missing something as to Larkin and Caroline's bond? I found this book to be too quick of a read, with not enough substance to support the ending.
April 14, 2019
I like to read books written by local authors, especially when the story is set in my beloved city of Charleston. If you’re a fan of reality shows such as Southern Charm, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, or any of the Real Housewives Shows, then you will enjoy this book.
December 25, 2019
Charleston, SC where secrets and southerners live
Can’t Let Go, is set in Charleston, SC. A place where, secrets and sweet tea are plentiful.
How one woman brought some of Charleston’s old moneyed men down in a long time coming plan.
Can’t Let Go, is set in Charleston, SC. A place where, secrets and sweet tea are plentiful.
How one woman brought some of Charleston’s old moneyed men down in a long time coming plan.
February 16, 2019
Kept me wondering, thinking, and
I was really hooked. This is a hard-to-put-down type of story! The suspense! Oh my goodness! The end is great!
I was really hooked. This is a hard-to-put-down type of story! The suspense! Oh my goodness! The end is great!
February 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this book!!! The story was interesting and flowed super well. Nice job Alison Grey.
March 8, 2019
Fun, quick read. Loved the story, kept me interested and continually guessing.
April 4, 2019
Interesting book with Charleston references. I liked the letting go/not letting go theme. Took a while to figure out what was really happening.
August 8, 2019
Not the most profound book of all time or whatever but so fun!
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June 29, 2020i didn't realize how short this was until it was almost over. i think there was room for this to be a lot longer.
June 6, 2020
Amazing! Sucked me right in and kept me intrigued until the very end!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews