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Peachtree Cove #1
The Secret to a Southern Wedding
An emotional and witty story of love, forgiveness, and second chances as the race to the wedding day begins…
It’s been years since Dr. Imani Kemp has returned home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia. As Tallahassee’s most sought-after OB-GYN, she doesn’t have much time for anything else. But when her mom announces she’s marrying a man she just met on a dating app, Imani knows she has to put a stop to it immediately. Let her mom be hurt again after the disastrous way her last marriage ended? Absolutely not. Always her protector, Imani won’t rest until her mom sees reason. She just never expected sparks to fly with the groom’s son...
After his mother’s tragic death, Cyril Dash and his father relocated to Peachtree Cove to escape the gossip and speculation. Now, in this quirky small town, they’ve made a new life for themselves, and after years of grief, his dad has finally found happiness again. And Cyril refuses to let Imani threaten that. The more determined he is to prove the strength of his dad's love, the more drawn he is to this beautiful, complicated woman who's determined to call off the wedding.
But when Cyril’s heartbreaking past comes to light, destiny won’t be denied. Because the secret to this southern wedding is you never know how far you'll go in the name of love.
It’s been years since Dr. Imani Kemp has returned home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia. As Tallahassee’s most sought-after OB-GYN, she doesn’t have much time for anything else. But when her mom announces she’s marrying a man she just met on a dating app, Imani knows she has to put a stop to it immediately. Let her mom be hurt again after the disastrous way her last marriage ended? Absolutely not. Always her protector, Imani won’t rest until her mom sees reason. She just never expected sparks to fly with the groom’s son...
After his mother’s tragic death, Cyril Dash and his father relocated to Peachtree Cove to escape the gossip and speculation. Now, in this quirky small town, they’ve made a new life for themselves, and after years of grief, his dad has finally found happiness again. And Cyril refuses to let Imani threaten that. The more determined he is to prove the strength of his dad's love, the more drawn he is to this beautiful, complicated woman who's determined to call off the wedding.
But when Cyril’s heartbreaking past comes to light, destiny won’t be denied. Because the secret to this southern wedding is you never know how far you'll go in the name of love.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2023
209 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
August 30, 2023
An absolutely fun (and sometimes tear-jerking) take on healing from trauma and finding love again!
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
THOUGHTS:
- I loved Imani's character. She's exactly the strong #womeninSTEM heroine I love to read about. She's an obstetrician and doctor of the year - which is all I ever want for my heroines in the medical field because they deserve it!
- I feel like even though Cyril is the main love interest - I couldn't help but also love the idea of his dad Preston! Both were such gentlemen, and even though they were from Maryland - I feel like they both truly embodied that Southern gentleman's vibes. I also love their backstory because it sounds so real. I love when people are starting over, and things go well for them in a new place. We'd all like to have that kind of community - so this part of William's story was heartwarming to read.
- I also knew this book was full of Southerners because everyone called everyone Mr. & Ms. So&So. As a Southern gal myself - I don't think I could handle just calling someone their first name!!
**The extra story at the end where Devante and Joanne get their happy ever after!!! I'm ALWAYS here for an age-gap romance situation!! It's forever one of my favorite tropes!!
NOTES:
- LGBTQ+ themes
- Will be a great audiobook as well! Perfect for a romance lover's morning commute!
- LOVED this cover!! It's so pretty, and I want Imani's dress.
**Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
THOUGHTS:
- I loved Imani's character. She's exactly the strong #womeninSTEM heroine I love to read about. She's an obstetrician and doctor of the year - which is all I ever want for my heroines in the medical field because they deserve it!
- I feel like even though Cyril is the main love interest - I couldn't help but also love the idea of his dad Preston! Both were such gentlemen, and even though they were from Maryland - I feel like they both truly embodied that Southern gentleman's vibes. I also love their backstory because it sounds so real. I love when people are starting over, and things go well for them in a new place. We'd all like to have that kind of community - so this part of William's story was heartwarming to read.
- I also knew this book was full of Southerners because everyone called everyone Mr. & Ms. So&So. As a Southern gal myself - I don't think I could handle just calling someone their first name!!
**The extra story at the end where Devante and Joanne get their happy ever after!!! I'm ALWAYS here for an age-gap romance situation!! It's forever one of my favorite tropes!!
NOTES:
- LGBTQ+ themes
- Will be a great audiobook as well! Perfect for a romance lover's morning commute!
- LOVED this cover!! It's so pretty, and I want Imani's dress.
**Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
February 4, 2024
the small town vibes were IMMACULATE! imani kinda got on my nerves she was always judging people for getting married “too fast” whole time she don’t got no man! so let’s calm down before i wake that tea up! anyway this family kinda weird idk chile that’s not my business i guess.
October 10, 2023
This was incredibly sweet! I did not expect it to end as it did, but it was still good. I liked the characters as I felt their personalities and flaws made them all unique and interesting. The small-town setting definitely added to the story since it impacted the events in the story.
I’m glad I read this!
I’m glad I read this!
August 14, 2023
This is another great book from Synithia Williams. We follow Imani who is an OBGYN currently living in Tampa, FL. She's under a lot of stress as the hospital's doctor of the year which is more of a figurehead position when she really wants to make change. At the same time she gets a text from her mother asking her to come home because she's getting married in a month. Imani heads back home to the small town of Peachtree Cove, Georgia where she meets Cyril Dash, a newcomer to town who owns a bar. She discovers he's the son of Preston, the man her mother is about to marry. Cyril is trying to convince her not to stop the wedding. Cyril while trying to be supportive of his father agrees to help get Imani on board with the wedding and they end up bonding after spending so much time together.
The town is cute but Imani has a some trauma associated with the town because of her father very publicly cheating on her mother. But the downtown area has changed recently and a lot of Imani's old friends and classmates have opened businesses. Cyril is a part of the business guild and he tries to show her the ways things have changed. Cyril, himself moved to Peachtree as a way to start over after his mother's death.
The community in this story is great, the relationship between Cyril and Imani has a lot of depth to it, and I also enjoyed the bonus story which is alluded to in the main story.
I received a finished copy through Hear Our Voices and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
The town is cute but Imani has a some trauma associated with the town because of her father very publicly cheating on her mother. But the downtown area has changed recently and a lot of Imani's old friends and classmates have opened businesses. Cyril is a part of the business guild and he tries to show her the ways things have changed. Cyril, himself moved to Peachtree as a way to start over after his mother's death.
The community in this story is great, the relationship between Cyril and Imani has a lot of depth to it, and I also enjoyed the bonus story which is alluded to in the main story.
I received a finished copy through Hear Our Voices and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
January 27, 2024
3.25 stars!
November 11, 2023
3.5 Stars!
The Secret to a Southern Wedding felt like a Black Nora Roberts novel. You get the cozy and quaint small town vibes with a colorful cast of characters. I enjoyed the vibes and I look forward to continuing the series.
That's the good....Now here's the bad.
I didn't enjoy the romances in this book. Our romances are Imani & Cyril and Linda, Imani's mom & Preston, Cyril's dad. Imani comes back home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia to stop her mom Linda from rushing into a marriage with Preston. While back home she falls in love with Cyril and her hometown. All that sounds great...but my problem is Cyril and Preston are keeping a HUGE secret from Imani and Linda. It's the kind of secret that means that you can never be trusted again. If you will lie about something as big as this,then you will lie about anything.
Spoilers******Spoilers******Spoilers *****
Preston was suspected of killing his wife. Another man is later convicted of the crime. That's why Preston and Cyril left Baltimore to move to Peachtree Cove and start over. The author makes it clear he's innocent but I kinda think he had something to do with it. He really slept through her violent abduction...Really. Were the rooms soundproof in that house? I know he didn't do it because the author says he didn't do but I have questions. To keep this information from the woman you plan to marry is in my opinion unforgivable. Even if I believed he didn't do it, I would never be able to trust anything he said or didn't say. Withholding information is the same as lying.
Overall I enjoyed the vibes and I have hope that the love interests in the rest of the series won't be so deceitful. It's a quick and fun read. I do still recommend it.
Also I'm cheating and counting the novella at the end of this book as a separate book...eventhough I finished my reading challenge, every book counts.
The Secret to a Southern Wedding felt like a Black Nora Roberts novel. You get the cozy and quaint small town vibes with a colorful cast of characters. I enjoyed the vibes and I look forward to continuing the series.
That's the good....Now here's the bad.
I didn't enjoy the romances in this book. Our romances are Imani & Cyril and Linda, Imani's mom & Preston, Cyril's dad. Imani comes back home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia to stop her mom Linda from rushing into a marriage with Preston. While back home she falls in love with Cyril and her hometown. All that sounds great...but my problem is Cyril and Preston are keeping a HUGE secret from Imani and Linda. It's the kind of secret that means that you can never be trusted again. If you will lie about something as big as this,then you will lie about anything.
Spoilers******Spoilers******Spoilers *****
Preston was suspected of killing his wife. Another man is later convicted of the crime. That's why Preston and Cyril left Baltimore to move to Peachtree Cove and start over. The author makes it clear he's innocent but I kinda think he had something to do with it. He really slept through her violent abduction...Really. Were the rooms soundproof in that house? I know he didn't do it because the author says he didn't do but I have questions. To keep this information from the woman you plan to marry is in my opinion unforgivable. Even if I believed he didn't do it, I would never be able to trust anything he said or didn't say. Withholding information is the same as lying.
Overall I enjoyed the vibes and I have hope that the love interests in the rest of the series won't be so deceitful. It's a quick and fun read. I do still recommend it.
Also I'm cheating and counting the novella at the end of this book as a separate book...eventhough I finished my reading challenge, every book counts.
October 11, 2023
⭐️: 3/5
Wasn’t bad. & it wasn’t good. It was just aight!
- Y’all, & I say this with love in my heart & sincerity in my tone, but I don’t know what the hell I just read ! 😂😂 I mean it, like what the actual hell! Did I enjoy this book? Parts of it were good, but half the book had me like “🫤 EXCUSE ME!”
- You can’t convince me that most of these characters in this damn book were ages 35 & up in age! Everyone was too damn messy, immature, & stuck on the past. LMAO!!!
- Quick synopsis: Imani’s mom Linda is about to rush marry a man named Preston who’s got a son named Cyril who wears fedoras with every outfit and is supposedly “sexy”. (Like truly—who tf wears fedoras?!) This whole time their attraction is growing and festering and they just can’t help themselves around each other. Their connection is too strong.
- I didn’t like parts of this book because, some stuff was redundant to the story & maybe the author put it in the text because this is about to be a series, but why the hell do I need to know background information of the Cake Shop owner?!
- Also, why was everybody so gung ho on Imani sleeping with her soon to be step brother?! 😳 like baby I know we in the south but cmon!!!
- Small towns get on my nerves sometimes because why is everybody all up in everybody business?! & why was Imani so stuck on the past that she couldn’t move forward with her life?
- Parts I did LOVE about this book was that it was VERY inclusive! Lots of different types of people that I like to see in modern literature. Also, I liked Cyril & his dad’s back story—it was sad and I wished it was explored a little more! A quick flashback chapter would’ve been nice to see. Learn more.
- *Sigh* I can’t even give this book a 2 star rating because I was thoroughly enthralled in the book but I don’t think I like the way this author writes. I don’t know this was…something.
- Would I recommend, probably not.
Wasn’t bad. & it wasn’t good. It was just aight!
- Y’all, & I say this with love in my heart & sincerity in my tone, but I don’t know what the hell I just read ! 😂😂 I mean it, like what the actual hell! Did I enjoy this book? Parts of it were good, but half the book had me like “🫤 EXCUSE ME!”
- You can’t convince me that most of these characters in this damn book were ages 35 & up in age! Everyone was too damn messy, immature, & stuck on the past. LMAO!!!
- Quick synopsis: Imani’s mom Linda is about to rush marry a man named Preston who’s got a son named Cyril who wears fedoras with every outfit and is supposedly “sexy”. (Like truly—who tf wears fedoras?!) This whole time their attraction is growing and festering and they just can’t help themselves around each other. Their connection is too strong.
- I didn’t like parts of this book because, some stuff was redundant to the story & maybe the author put it in the text because this is about to be a series, but why the hell do I need to know background information of the Cake Shop owner?!
- Also, why was everybody so gung ho on Imani sleeping with her soon to be step brother?! 😳 like baby I know we in the south but cmon!!!
- Small towns get on my nerves sometimes because why is everybody all up in everybody business?! & why was Imani so stuck on the past that she couldn’t move forward with her life?
- Parts I did LOVE about this book was that it was VERY inclusive! Lots of different types of people that I like to see in modern literature. Also, I liked Cyril & his dad’s back story—it was sad and I wished it was explored a little more! A quick flashback chapter would’ve been nice to see. Learn more.
- *Sigh* I can’t even give this book a 2 star rating because I was thoroughly enthralled in the book but I don’t think I like the way this author writes. I don’t know this was…something.
- Would I recommend, probably not.
August 27, 2023
Actual rating: 3.25 stars?
A long time ago I saw this STUNNING cover and went "oh that looks like something I want to read", then months later I saw the book on Netgalley and decided to check it out and actually see if it was something I'd be interested in. When I read that the MCs' parents were getting married to each other I had to request the book to see how the author would handle that because... that is a trope with the potential to get weird.
Imani and Cyril are both constantly saying stuff like “I can’t fall in love with the person who’s actively working against me” but this is not some kind of rivals to lovers situation. If their parents marry then they’re going to become step-siblings, yet that is never a worry for them. They finally mentioned it explicitly around the 35% mark, saying that it would be weird if they got together, only to then go “but they’re not married yet so let’s keep going” and then hook up.
And like, I get it, it's no big deal because they're not related by blood, but if they marry they will be legally siblings, and there is not one single characters who brings up how that would be weird. Nope, everyone actually encourages them to be together, even their parents.
In the end the two of them get together seriously and the parents are also dating (not married yet but they tease that they potentially could in the future). If you're okay with it, good for you. To me that was still weird, I'm sorry.
Generally speaking the story was okay. Some conversations felt a little repetitive at times but it was interesting enough to keep me reading.
The pacing was kind of all over the place towards the end. They move out of the small town, then literally in the following chapter they’re going back because something happened, then the following chapter has a sudden time skip of six months. We don’t even see them get back together during that chapter (we just see the parents telling them they can be together if they want) and then in the random time skip of the following chapter they’re saying I love you and proposing marriage.
On a more positive note: I really enjoyed the very brief side trans rep.
A long time ago I saw this STUNNING cover and went "oh that looks like something I want to read", then months later I saw the book on Netgalley and decided to check it out and actually see if it was something I'd be interested in. When I read that the MCs' parents were getting married to each other I had to request the book to see how the author would handle that because... that is a trope with the potential to get weird.
Imani and Cyril are both constantly saying stuff like “I can’t fall in love with the person who’s actively working against me” but this is not some kind of rivals to lovers situation. If their parents marry then they’re going to become step-siblings, yet that is never a worry for them. They finally mentioned it explicitly around the 35% mark, saying that it would be weird if they got together, only to then go “but they’re not married yet so let’s keep going” and then hook up.
And like, I get it, it's no big deal because they're not related by blood, but if they marry they will be legally siblings, and there is not one single characters who brings up how that would be weird. Nope, everyone actually encourages them to be together, even their parents.
In the end the two of them get together seriously and the parents are also dating (not married yet but they tease that they potentially could in the future). If you're okay with it, good for you. To me that was still weird, I'm sorry.
Generally speaking the story was okay. Some conversations felt a little repetitive at times but it was interesting enough to keep me reading.
The pacing was kind of all over the place towards the end. They move out of the small town, then literally in the following chapter they’re going back because something happened, then the following chapter has a sudden time skip of six months. We don’t even see them get back together during that chapter (we just see the parents telling them they can be together if they want) and then in the random time skip of the following chapter they’re saying I love you and proposing marriage.
On a more positive note: I really enjoyed the very brief side trans rep.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2023
It’s giving black love & I’m here for it! ♥️
Read
March 24, 2025This reading experience was a roller coaster. I didn't bother reading the synopsis because I had enjoyed a different book in Williams series and so I thought I could just go in blind.
Imagine my surprise when I find myself reading a pending step sibling romance. True to form Williams delivered on some mess. Not only was this a pending step sibling romance set in small town Georgia, but the parents were each on the receiving end of some foolish shenanigans to put lightly. Imani's mother's first marriage ended when her husband cheated on her and his mistress showed up at Imani's mother's home with a gun. While Cyril's father had been accused of murdering his first wife back in Baltimore before being cleared of all charges.
Both of these secrets eventually come into play as Imani returns home to stop what she feels is a rushed wedding. The chemistry was mostly there. The mess was definitely there. Overall I really appreciated Peachtree Cove as a setting. This wasn't a homerun for me, but something about the way that Synithia Williams crafts a romance narrative is just what I like. There's always a slightly outlandish spin on something that just scratches a part of my brain that keeps me tapped in and turning pages.
Imagine my surprise when I find myself reading a pending step sibling romance. True to form Williams delivered on some mess. Not only was this a pending step sibling romance set in small town Georgia, but the parents were each on the receiving end of some foolish shenanigans to put lightly. Imani's mother's first marriage ended when her husband cheated on her and his mistress showed up at Imani's mother's home with a gun. While Cyril's father had been accused of murdering his first wife back in Baltimore before being cleared of all charges.
Both of these secrets eventually come into play as Imani returns home to stop what she feels is a rushed wedding. The chemistry was mostly there. The mess was definitely there. Overall I really appreciated Peachtree Cove as a setting. This wasn't a homerun for me, but something about the way that Synithia Williams crafts a romance narrative is just what I like. There's always a slightly outlandish spin on something that just scratches a part of my brain that keeps me tapped in and turning pages.
January 30, 2024
This was a fun listen, but I can't for the life of me recommend the audiobook because of the way the narrator did the male voices (most notably Cyril's). She did a good job with the rest, just not that.
It was a little Hallmarky, except I can't recall if Hallmark ever had future step siblings falling in love? Anyway, the slight issue I had here was the pacing (+ the length by extension) and the immaturity of some of the characters.
Imani and Cyril could act like teenagers when they were both 35+, it got old after a while. I much preferred their parents' romance to their own.
One really good thing was the trans side character rep which I totally wasn't expecting, but love that it was included.
By the way, the audiobook is 13h long, but around 10 and a half is actually this book, and the rest a novella. I haven't listened to that yet, but I might as well since it's there right? Who knows, I might even like it better than this.
3.5
It was a little Hallmarky, except I can't recall if Hallmark ever had future step siblings falling in love? Anyway, the slight issue I had here was the pacing (+ the length by extension) and the immaturity of some of the characters.
Imani and Cyril could act like teenagers when they were both 35+, it got old after a while. I much preferred their parents' romance to their own.
One really good thing was the trans side character rep which I totally wasn't expecting, but love that it was included.
By the way, the audiobook is 13h long, but around 10 and a half is actually this book, and the rest a novella. I haven't listened to that yet, but I might as well since it's there right? Who knows, I might even like it better than this.
3.5
August 31, 2023
This was a heartfelt and FUNNY Southern romance full of family drama that sees a successful Black OBGYN's mother getting re-married to a new man with a swoony older son who her daughter can't help falling for.
I REALLY loved that this forbidden, small town romance featured a storyline about a pregnant trans man and his struggles to find an OB who would treat him as a person. Not only do people of color have higher mortality rates giving birth but trans people especially have a hard time finding respectful medical care - even more so in the South! Huge props to the author for writing about this in a romance!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Beverly Jenkins or Preslaysa Williams. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Synithia Williams and I was not disappointed! I will definitely be reading more of what she writes!!
CW: domestic violence/gun violence (off page in the past)
I REALLY loved that this forbidden, small town romance featured a storyline about a pregnant trans man and his struggles to find an OB who would treat him as a person. Not only do people of color have higher mortality rates giving birth but trans people especially have a hard time finding respectful medical care - even more so in the South! Huge props to the author for writing about this in a romance!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Beverly Jenkins or Preslaysa Williams. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Synithia Williams and I was not disappointed! I will definitely be reading more of what she writes!!
CW: domestic violence/gun violence (off page in the past)
September 7, 2023
Imani Kemp has come a long way from her small town roots in Peachtree Cove, Georgia. She is an OB/GYN working at a large hospital in Tampa and was recently named Doctor of Year. Sure she thinks she received the title for optics sake to boost the hospital's image, but it is an honor just the same, right?
After her parents marriage ended in scandal Imani's mother had sworn off men and for years she was just fine with being alone. That is until she connected with newcomer Preston Dash. Preston and his son Cyril moved to Peachtree Cove to start anew after their lives were shattered after the death of his wife.
Somehow despite the odds and their pasts Linda and Preston meet and quickly decide to get married. News of her mother's upcoming wedding is enough to get Imani back to Peachtree Cove; however it's not to help Linda plan as she hopes it's to put a stop to everything,
Once Imani arrives she and Cyril have a meet-cute at the local Dairy Barn. Sparks fly, but Imani is at the Dairy Barn for a corndog and afterwards she has plans to talk some sense into her mother not chat with a handsome stranger. She has a singular goal and it does not involve this handsome man or at least that's what she believes.
Alright so now that we have that part out of the way here goes...
There is a lot missing with this story. It felt like an upside down jigsaw puzzle. Linda and Preston have both experienced some pretty traumatic events before meeting and falling in love, but they have both decided only decided to share with each other bits and pieces of their stories with each other and that's perfectly fine with them.
Imani is 36 years old. She is a successful OB/GYN. She is a caring and compassionate doctor. Yet when she finds out her mother is planning to get remarried after being alone for over 20 years her first thought is that she has to return to her hometown and stop her mother's wedding. While I can understand her being wary at her mother's sudden engagement her reaction/behavior is not one of a mature adult.
The reader is supposed to believe that PC is one of those small towns where everybody knows everybody's business and yet somehow Preston nor Cyril heard anything about the events that lead to Imani's parents' divorce. Cyril says he doesn't listen to gossip so not one person has tried to tell him anything as it relates to his father's fiancée and her past. Things that make you go hmmmm....
Small-ish issues that drove me bananas...
Why was Cyril always wearing a fedora? I feel like I really don't have an idea of what he looks like at all. It's mentioned several times that he's handsome, but other than that I really can't picture him in my mind's eye.
The description of the book says Imani works in Tallahassee, but in the story she says she lives in Tampa... I mean I get it because.....Florida, but these are two very different cities.
Overall this was just ok for me. I am not familiar with the author's other work so I am not sure if this was just a one off or not. I definitely think this one could have been fleshed out a lot more. I feel like so much was time was spent leading up to the big reveal that the plot had quite a few holes that needed to be filled.
After her parents marriage ended in scandal Imani's mother had sworn off men and for years she was just fine with being alone. That is until she connected with newcomer Preston Dash. Preston and his son Cyril moved to Peachtree Cove to start anew after their lives were shattered after the death of his wife.
Somehow despite the odds and their pasts Linda and Preston meet and quickly decide to get married. News of her mother's upcoming wedding is enough to get Imani back to Peachtree Cove; however it's not to help Linda plan as she hopes it's to put a stop to everything,
Once Imani arrives she and Cyril have a meet-cute at the local Dairy Barn. Sparks fly, but Imani is at the Dairy Barn for a corndog and afterwards she has plans to talk some sense into her mother not chat with a handsome stranger. She has a singular goal and it does not involve this handsome man or at least that's what she believes.
Alright so now that we have that part out of the way here goes...
There is a lot missing with this story. It felt like an upside down jigsaw puzzle. Linda and Preston have both experienced some pretty traumatic events before meeting and falling in love, but they have both decided only decided to share with each other bits and pieces of their stories with each other and that's perfectly fine with them.
Imani is 36 years old. She is a successful OB/GYN. She is a caring and compassionate doctor. Yet when she finds out her mother is planning to get remarried after being alone for over 20 years her first thought is that she has to return to her hometown and stop her mother's wedding. While I can understand her being wary at her mother's sudden engagement her reaction/behavior is not one of a mature adult.
The reader is supposed to believe that PC is one of those small towns where everybody knows everybody's business and yet somehow Preston nor Cyril heard anything about the events that lead to Imani's parents' divorce. Cyril says he doesn't listen to gossip so not one person has tried to tell him anything as it relates to his father's fiancée and her past. Things that make you go hmmmm....
Small-ish issues that drove me bananas...
Why was Cyril always wearing a fedora? I feel like I really don't have an idea of what he looks like at all. It's mentioned several times that he's handsome, but other than that I really can't picture him in my mind's eye.
The description of the book says Imani works in Tallahassee, but in the story she says she lives in Tampa... I mean I get it because.....Florida, but these are two very different cities.
Overall this was just ok for me. I am not familiar with the author's other work so I am not sure if this was just a one off or not. I definitely think this one could have been fleshed out a lot more. I feel like so much was time was spent leading up to the big reveal that the plot had quite a few holes that needed to be filled.
August 23, 2023
3.5⭐️I loved the representation of a black OBGYN! The story as a whole was pretty interesting but the pacing was slower than I anticipated. The plot was decent, the FMC returned back to her small town after learning that her mother with a plan to stop the wedding. I liked Imani and Cyril together, and I understood why they were protective of their parents. However, I felt there needed to be more boundaries between the parents and the children. Imani overstepped a few times, albeit for good reason, but it seemed like she didn’t trust her mother. I think the the narrator did a good job bringing the story to life.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc copy / all thoughts are my own.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc copy / all thoughts are my own.
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November 7, 2023Usually I love Synithia Williams and her Soap Opera-ish storylines. Unfortunately, I loathe Imani. I cannot believe this immature woman is in her late 30s.
IDK - maybe I’ll come back to this at some point. Or just start with book 2. But this isn’t working for me right now.
IDK - maybe I’ll come back to this at some point. Or just start with book 2. But this isn’t working for me right now.
September 25, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 — Sweet, messy, and full of Southern spice
Tropes
- 🤷🏾♀️ Protective daughter vs impulsive mama (Imani is not here for this wedding)
- 💘 Enemies-to-lovers with grown-up baggage
- 🏡 Small-town drama where your business is everyone’s business
- 💔 Second chances and grief-fueled growth
- 💬 Slow-burn tension with real emotional stakes
- 💅🏾Adult children trying to parent their parents (and failing spectacularly)
Review:
This book is like showing up to a Southern wedding with a flask in your clutch and a secret agenda in your heart. Dr. Imani Kemp rolls into Peachtree Cove with one goal: stop her mama from marrying a man she met online. But Cyril Dash, the groom’s son, is just as suspicious and just as fine. What follows is a slow-burn, emotionally layered romance wrapped in family mess, generational grief, and the kind of small-town nosiness that makes you want to scream into a monogrammed pillow.
Imani is the kind of heroine who’s got her life together on paper but is emotionally fraying at the edges. Cyril? Quiet, broody, and carrying his own grief like a weighted blanket. Their chemistry simmers under layers of distrust, loyalty, and I can’t believe I’m catching feelings for him. Williams doesn’t rush the romanceshe lets it unfold like a Southern summer: hot, sticky, and full of unexpected storms.
The town itself is a character, and if you’ve ever had your business discussed at church before you even knew it was your business, you’ll feel seen. The emotional beats hit hard, especially around grief, forgiveness, and the complicated ways we try to protect the people we love even when they don’t want protecting.
Perfect for fans of:
- Jasmine Guillory’s emotionally grounded heroines
- Small-town romance with big emotional arcs and messy families
- Stories that balance sass, sweetness, and Southern charm
- Characters who fight for love while dragging their emotional baggage behind them like a rolling suitcase
Tropes
- 🤷🏾♀️ Protective daughter vs impulsive mama (Imani is not here for this wedding)
- 💘 Enemies-to-lovers with grown-up baggage
- 🏡 Small-town drama where your business is everyone’s business
- 💔 Second chances and grief-fueled growth
- 💬 Slow-burn tension with real emotional stakes
- 💅🏾Adult children trying to parent their parents (and failing spectacularly)
Review:
This book is like showing up to a Southern wedding with a flask in your clutch and a secret agenda in your heart. Dr. Imani Kemp rolls into Peachtree Cove with one goal: stop her mama from marrying a man she met online. But Cyril Dash, the groom’s son, is just as suspicious and just as fine. What follows is a slow-burn, emotionally layered romance wrapped in family mess, generational grief, and the kind of small-town nosiness that makes you want to scream into a monogrammed pillow.
Imani is the kind of heroine who’s got her life together on paper but is emotionally fraying at the edges. Cyril? Quiet, broody, and carrying his own grief like a weighted blanket. Their chemistry simmers under layers of distrust, loyalty, and I can’t believe I’m catching feelings for him. Williams doesn’t rush the romanceshe lets it unfold like a Southern summer: hot, sticky, and full of unexpected storms.
The town itself is a character, and if you’ve ever had your business discussed at church before you even knew it was your business, you’ll feel seen. The emotional beats hit hard, especially around grief, forgiveness, and the complicated ways we try to protect the people we love even when they don’t want protecting.
Perfect for fans of:
- Jasmine Guillory’s emotionally grounded heroines
- Small-town romance with big emotional arcs and messy families
- Stories that balance sass, sweetness, and Southern charm
- Characters who fight for love while dragging their emotional baggage behind them like a rolling suitcase
August 15, 2023
"When you have a community in the city, anonymity goes away. Those people can hurt you as much as people in a small town can."
I really enjoy reading the secret to a Southern wedding by Synithia Williams. it's a Black romance story set in a fictional Georgia small-town. It follows a doctor named Imani Kemp who is under a lot of stress as the hospital's doctor of the year. she gets a text from her mother asking her to come home because she's getting married in a month. Imani heads back home to the small town of Peachtree Cove, Georgia where she meets Cyril Dash, a bar owner. She discovers he's the son of Preston, the man her mother is about to marry. Imami has some trauma associated with Peachtree Cove because of her father cheating on her mother.
Along the way they are unable to deny the obvious attraction they have, and the parents notice too, and Imami and Cyril work to plot for a second wedding. Secrets are revealed and love does happen.
I really enjoy reading the secret to a Southern wedding by Synithia Williams. it's a Black romance story set in a fictional Georgia small-town. It follows a doctor named Imani Kemp who is under a lot of stress as the hospital's doctor of the year. she gets a text from her mother asking her to come home because she's getting married in a month. Imani heads back home to the small town of Peachtree Cove, Georgia where she meets Cyril Dash, a bar owner. She discovers he's the son of Preston, the man her mother is about to marry. Imami has some trauma associated with Peachtree Cove because of her father cheating on her mother.
Along the way they are unable to deny the obvious attraction they have, and the parents notice too, and Imami and Cyril work to plot for a second wedding. Secrets are revealed and love does happen.
February 23, 2024
This was a cutesy small-town charming romance! I loved the characters, setting, and the whole plot of mom and daughter finding their love stories.
Imani returns home after she receives an invitation to her mother’s upcoming wedding. She has no clue who the groom to be is, and is on her way to put a stop to the shenanigans!
When I say I was so glad when her mom checked her! Where you been? If you’d been around then you’d know, lil girl! Tuh!! The mom’s romance was so cute; I love that she was getting her groove on and popping.
It took some time for the romance to kick into gear, so it’s more of a slow burn. Which I enjoy! What really got me is the decision Linda and Preston’s mom made to never discuss their rocky pasts and just focus on the “here and now”. They should’ve known that was a recipe for disaster.
I think I loved the parent’s backstories most of all. Great read for the season of love!
Imani returns home after she receives an invitation to her mother’s upcoming wedding. She has no clue who the groom to be is, and is on her way to put a stop to the shenanigans!
When I say I was so glad when her mom checked her! Where you been? If you’d been around then you’d know, lil girl! Tuh!! The mom’s romance was so cute; I love that she was getting her groove on and popping.
It took some time for the romance to kick into gear, so it’s more of a slow burn. Which I enjoy! What really got me is the decision Linda and Preston’s mom made to never discuss their rocky pasts and just focus on the “here and now”. They should’ve known that was a recipe for disaster.
I think I loved the parent’s backstories most of all. Great read for the season of love!
November 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.4 This book was just okay to me! The FMC Imani was very negative most of the time, & she did a lot of overstepping! Cyril, seemed like a nice guy. The relationship between Cyril & Imani gave what it was supposed to give in the beginning, but it fell kind of flat toward the end.
I found myself enjoying the bonus story so much more! “About Last Night,” wheeeeewwww! I wish that would have been a full book.!
I found myself enjoying the bonus story so much more! “About Last Night,” wheeeeewwww! I wish that would have been a full book.!
November 17, 2025
I'm a bit let down by how the story concluded. It almost seemed like two stories were combined into one, which left me feeling a little cheated. I was really enjoying it, but the ending came so suddenly that it caught me off guard.
August 23, 2023
Quick Summary: A down home Southern romance experience
My Review: The Secret to a Southern Wedding by Synithia Williams is associated with the Peachtree Cove series.
Premise of the Story: A mother, a daughter, a father, and a son each find love and happiness after enduring horrible tragedies
About the Book: Family secrets, gentlemen callers, dirty affairs, community gossip, and disgruntled relatives are a part of this novel. Despite all that goes wrong, two couples find out what it means to truly have family, as well as a second chance at life.
About the Characters: The leads in this story had an instant attraction to one another. Even though they initially fought against exploring what they felt for each other, they always ended up being drawn back together. I suppose one could say that their coupling was inevitable. With that said, the intensity and expressed depth of love that was communicated toward the story's end came across as rushed, which made me consider the story in a different light.
The parents of the main characters were often a bit much, in my opinion. I did not care for either of them at the beginning of the story. They came across as pushy, stubborn, and a wee bit selfish. They grew on me later (after the pop up visit situation and post the resultant actions taken) but not by much more.
My Final Say: Readers who enjoy hometown love stories with a bit of busybody mess and a hint of second chance reconciliation should like this novel.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Cover: ⭐
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press), and to NetGalley for making this work available in exchange for an honest review.
My Review: The Secret to a Southern Wedding by Synithia Williams is associated with the Peachtree Cove series.
Premise of the Story: A mother, a daughter, a father, and a son each find love and happiness after enduring horrible tragedies
About the Book: Family secrets, gentlemen callers, dirty affairs, community gossip, and disgruntled relatives are a part of this novel. Despite all that goes wrong, two couples find out what it means to truly have family, as well as a second chance at life.
About the Characters: The leads in this story had an instant attraction to one another. Even though they initially fought against exploring what they felt for each other, they always ended up being drawn back together. I suppose one could say that their coupling was inevitable. With that said, the intensity and expressed depth of love that was communicated toward the story's end came across as rushed, which made me consider the story in a different light.
The parents of the main characters were often a bit much, in my opinion. I did not care for either of them at the beginning of the story. They came across as pushy, stubborn, and a wee bit selfish. They grew on me later (after the pop up visit situation and post the resultant actions taken) but not by much more.
My Final Say: Readers who enjoy hometown love stories with a bit of busybody mess and a hint of second chance reconciliation should like this novel.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Cover: ⭐
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press), and to NetGalley for making this work available in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2023
It was ok. Just very slow pacing and very repetitive. Lots of telling instead of showing. Also, can we talk about the fedoras? Because that's certainly a choice. Idk. Maybe it's just me.
March 27, 2024
The Secret to a Southern Wedding-Book #1 The Peachtree Cove
By Synithia Williams -never read author
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎧Listen time: 12:58
🗣️Narrator: Adenrele Ojo-Read all the characters. Imani, Cyril, and Linda were standouts for me-voices matched what I had in mind. Great flow and pacing-a quick read
🌍Setting: Peachtree Cove, GA
Publication 8-15-23 Read 3-19-24
🤷🏾♀️ What to Expect
✔️Contemporary Romance
✔️Women's Fic
✔️Small Town
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Family Drama
✔️AA Interests
✔️Alternating POVs
📙Summary: Dr. Imani Kemp is back home in Peachtree Cove after her mother Linda tells her she is getting married to Preston Dash- a man she met from an online dating app. They've only known each other for a month and Imani plans to stop them. Preston and Linda have some big secrets shared with Preston's son Cyril. When he and Imani meet they hate each other, but their parents trick them into spending time together.
🎭The characters:
Dr. Imani Kemp-An OB-GYN in FL named the hospital's Dr. of the year.
Linda Kemp-Imani's mother. Was almost killed by husband's girlfriend.
Preston Dash-from Baltimore, his wife Vera was murdered ten years ago
Cyril Dash-moved w/ his father to GA for a new start.
Joshua-Cyril's partner at the bar
Halle-Imani's cousin and BFF
Tracey-Imani's BFF
Aunt Gail-Cyril's aunt
🤔 My Thoughts: At first I thought this was just small town gossip but the secrets and lies added to the mystery. Imani and Cyril were enemies in the beginning because Imani didn't want to see her mother hurt over a man again. Cyril and Preston were disowned and blamed for Vera's death. Two families dealt with trauma, a forbidden romance, and forced proximity-what more could you ask for?
By Synithia Williams -never read author
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎧Listen time: 12:58
🗣️Narrator: Adenrele Ojo-Read all the characters. Imani, Cyril, and Linda were standouts for me-voices matched what I had in mind. Great flow and pacing-a quick read
🌍Setting: Peachtree Cove, GA
Publication 8-15-23 Read 3-19-24
🤷🏾♀️ What to Expect
✔️Contemporary Romance
✔️Women's Fic
✔️Small Town
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Family Drama
✔️AA Interests
✔️Alternating POVs
📙Summary: Dr. Imani Kemp is back home in Peachtree Cove after her mother Linda tells her she is getting married to Preston Dash- a man she met from an online dating app. They've only known each other for a month and Imani plans to stop them. Preston and Linda have some big secrets shared with Preston's son Cyril. When he and Imani meet they hate each other, but their parents trick them into spending time together.
🎭The characters:
Dr. Imani Kemp-An OB-GYN in FL named the hospital's Dr. of the year.
Linda Kemp-Imani's mother. Was almost killed by husband's girlfriend.
Preston Dash-from Baltimore, his wife Vera was murdered ten years ago
Cyril Dash-moved w/ his father to GA for a new start.
Joshua-Cyril's partner at the bar
Halle-Imani's cousin and BFF
Tracey-Imani's BFF
Aunt Gail-Cyril's aunt
🤔 My Thoughts: At first I thought this was just small town gossip but the secrets and lies added to the mystery. Imani and Cyril were enemies in the beginning because Imani didn't want to see her mother hurt over a man again. Cyril and Preston were disowned and blamed for Vera's death. Two families dealt with trauma, a forbidden romance, and forced proximity-what more could you ask for?
September 4, 2023
There’s some shocking backstories for the characters in this book. At first I thought it might be too much drama but the author definitely makes it work.
Imani goes back to her hometown when she hears that her mom is getting married to a guy she’s only just started dating, a guy she’s only just met really. And Imani’s mom always raised her to be suspicious of men so she probably isn’t that surprised that Imani is incredibly concerned.
Imani’s mom and Cyril’s dad seem to think that the way to get their adult children to approve of the wedding is to get them to like each other. But they weren’t really planning on just how much they’d like each other. And it’s complicated by the facts that 1)they’re parents are engaged and 2)Imani doesn’t want the wedding to happen and Cyril does.
Cyril wants his dad to be happy again after the very tragic loss of his mother.
I’ll say that I was never totally sure how this story would end. I liked the characters and the fictional town. This feels like the beginning of a new series. I think I’d check back in. I feel like Tracey is bound to get her own story.
Imani goes back to her hometown when she hears that her mom is getting married to a guy she’s only just started dating, a guy she’s only just met really. And Imani’s mom always raised her to be suspicious of men so she probably isn’t that surprised that Imani is incredibly concerned.
Imani’s mom and Cyril’s dad seem to think that the way to get their adult children to approve of the wedding is to get them to like each other. But they weren’t really planning on just how much they’d like each other. And it’s complicated by the facts that 1)they’re parents are engaged and 2)Imani doesn’t want the wedding to happen and Cyril does.
Cyril wants his dad to be happy again after the very tragic loss of his mother.
I’ll say that I was never totally sure how this story would end. I liked the characters and the fictional town. This feels like the beginning of a new series. I think I’d check back in. I feel like Tracey is bound to get her own story.
January 19, 2026
3.5 -Listened via hoopla and narrated by Adenrele Ojo.
The story was cute in that the small town kind of way that it is but nothing amazing. To be honest the story could’ve been shorten. The small town mess, close community and love with colorful characters helped in making the story entertaining.
Love that Imani is Doctor that actually cares about her patients. She believes everyone deserves fair treatment no matter color if their skin or gender. So i enjoyed that conversations around this topic. Something important between her and Linda, mother, was how a mother’s pain can affect their kids. Now Linda had every right to be upset because what happened to her was so messed up. However, she put all that pain on Imani and it has taken a toll on her dating life. Both parents did a number on Imani. It was nice to see Linda take responsibility for this. I will say i didn’t like Preston being in that house. Let mother and daughter get right.
Cyril was cool and i enjoyed his character. Even down to the reason behind the bar asking with the conversation he had with his cousin. Now Preston and Cyril’s story of how they moved to Peachtree Cove is sad and also understandable. In no way should Preston have kept the full secret to himself. Thankfully the story ended as so because getting married in a month is pretty fast. As well that ends well.
The story was cute in that the small town kind of way that it is but nothing amazing. To be honest the story could’ve been shorten. The small town mess, close community and love with colorful characters helped in making the story entertaining.
Love that Imani is Doctor that actually cares about her patients. She believes everyone deserves fair treatment no matter color if their skin or gender. So i enjoyed that conversations around this topic. Something important between her and Linda, mother, was how a mother’s pain can affect their kids. Now Linda had every right to be upset because what happened to her was so messed up. However, she put all that pain on Imani and it has taken a toll on her dating life. Both parents did a number on Imani. It was nice to see Linda take responsibility for this. I will say i didn’t like Preston being in that house. Let mother and daughter get right.
Cyril was cool and i enjoyed his character. Even down to the reason behind the bar asking with the conversation he had with his cousin. Now Preston and Cyril’s story of how they moved to Peachtree Cove is sad and also understandable. In no way should Preston have kept the full secret to himself. Thankfully the story ended as so because getting married in a month is pretty fast. As well that ends well.
August 16, 2025
This was a cute and fun book to read. The small town life with friends that you missed because you moved away. Finding love and finding a way to trust again gave this novel a lovely, flirty, and engaging feel.
October 2, 2023
3.5 Stars! Going home has never been so sweet!
This is a small town romance where the FMC, Imani, comes home and to stop her mother's rushed wedding. Little did she know that the cute guy she met at the restaurant before she got home is her future step-brother. As she tries to stop this wedding, she must work closely with Cyril and they can't deny their attraction to each other.
The setting for this town made me miss my small town roots. I loved how the author showed that the town was working on revitalization and running for the best small town award. Imani spends her days reconnecting with old friends and remembering why she loved this town and the people in it.
Now I found Imani to be rather annoying in the beginning. She really took off from her job as an obstetrician at a hospital to drive home and stop a wedding. Honestly, who has the time! She is an adult and so is her mother so it should ultimately be her mother's decision. Then when she gets home she start talking bad about someone she don't know and I found it to be really immature. Now, luckily she met Cyril before she found out he was her future step-brother. I still don't know how I feel about their romance but the story was written to where I wasn't creeped out about it.
Ultimately, I loved this story and I can't wait to read more books by this author. Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a small town romance where the FMC, Imani, comes home and to stop her mother's rushed wedding. Little did she know that the cute guy she met at the restaurant before she got home is her future step-brother. As she tries to stop this wedding, she must work closely with Cyril and they can't deny their attraction to each other.
The setting for this town made me miss my small town roots. I loved how the author showed that the town was working on revitalization and running for the best small town award. Imani spends her days reconnecting with old friends and remembering why she loved this town and the people in it.
Now I found Imani to be rather annoying in the beginning. She really took off from her job as an obstetrician at a hospital to drive home and stop a wedding. Honestly, who has the time! She is an adult and so is her mother so it should ultimately be her mother's decision. Then when she gets home she start talking bad about someone she don't know and I found it to be really immature. Now, luckily she met Cyril before she found out he was her future step-brother. I still don't know how I feel about their romance but the story was written to where I wasn't creeped out about it.
Ultimately, I loved this story and I can't wait to read more books by this author. Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
4.5 stars but I’m rounding up because I ate this up in 24 hours.
October 5, 2025
Okay I won’t lie it took me a minute to get through this but something about small town romances always get me!
Add black love in the mix and it was a recipe for me to like. The only reason this was not a five star for me because there were some characters it was hard to read through like Imani’s mom and the Cyril’s aunt but none the less I loved Imani & Cyril’s story,
Add black love in the mix and it was a recipe for me to like. The only reason this was not a five star for me because there were some characters it was hard to read through like Imani’s mom and the Cyril’s aunt but none the less I loved Imani & Cyril’s story,
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