What do you think?
Rate this book
One Southern Summer
It’s her second chance summer… if she’s ready for it—in this warm and utterly irresistible Southern small-town novel.
When Avery Lansing Crawford left her hometown of Camellia, Alabama, she was the darling of the town. A beauty queen . Now she’s come back a disgraced and divorced mom who’s lost almost everything—her home, her husband, even her design TV show—all while the public watched. And if the humiliation wasn’t bad enough, Avery and her two small children are moving in with her mama…just in time to give everyone in Camellia something to talk about.
And oh, they’re talkin’. Especially when Avery reignites her old friendship with Cole Whitaker, who’s offered Avery the opportunity to do something real : a redesign project that would help survivors of human trafficking. It could kick-start both her career and her confidence—not to mention give her a chance to spend more time with Cole.
With three generations of strong Southern women around the family dinner table, coming home to Camellia could be the perfect fresh start. Even if Avery is the topic of salacious gossip over sweet tea and her grandmother won’t stop interfering in her love life. But the bonds of family and the promise of second chances just might lead to a future that looks nothing like she expected.
When Avery Lansing Crawford left her hometown of Camellia, Alabama, she was the darling of the town. A beauty queen . Now she’s come back a disgraced and divorced mom who’s lost almost everything—her home, her husband, even her design TV show—all while the public watched. And if the humiliation wasn’t bad enough, Avery and her two small children are moving in with her mama…just in time to give everyone in Camellia something to talk about.
And oh, they’re talkin’. Especially when Avery reignites her old friendship with Cole Whitaker, who’s offered Avery the opportunity to do something real : a redesign project that would help survivors of human trafficking. It could kick-start both her career and her confidence—not to mention give her a chance to spend more time with Cole.
With three generations of strong Southern women around the family dinner table, coming home to Camellia could be the perfect fresh start. Even if Avery is the topic of salacious gossip over sweet tea and her grandmother won’t stop interfering in her love life. But the bonds of family and the promise of second chances just might lead to a future that looks nothing like she expected.
352 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2023
7 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Heidi McCahan
45 books500 followersHeidi McCahan writes uplifting inspirational romance novels set in small towns. She is a bestselling author of several books, including Her Alaskan Family and A Baby in Alaska. A perfect day for Heidi includes a huge cup of good coffee, dark chocolate, and reading stories with happy endings. She makes her home in North Carolina with her handsome husband, three amazing boys, and the world’s greatest Goldendoodle. Heidi is represented by Steve Laube of The Steve Laube Agency. A Winter of Sweet Secrets, Heidi’s next novel with Harlequin Love Inspired, releases on September 30, 2025.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 25, 2023
4.5 stars and a FUN Southern summer clean romance 💛
July 1, 2023
Heidi McCahan tells a good story. It's full of character growth, hometown Southern feels, tension, conflict, and drama. It has everything going for it--including romance if that's your favorite part of a book. In fact, for women's fiction, this one has more romance than the family/women's arc.
I really loved the themes of forgiveness and taking responsibility for your mistakes while not taking on the guilt and weight of what others do.
In fact, there were a lot of great lessons to be learned in a situation that couldn't be worse for a mother just trying to do what's best for her children.
But I have a couple of problems with the story. I hate even mentioning them because I have a lot of respect for McCahan tackling difficult things that are real issues in today's world.
Having your husband leave you for another man isn't something you often see in Christian fiction, but it happens. I applaud McCahan for taking the difficult topic and trying to write a realistic look at the fallout.
Would I have loved more faith woven into it? Definitely. But here's the deal. Nowhere in the synopsis did the author or publisher promise more faith than the book delivered. In fact, there's more faith in it than is described in the synopsis.
So why four stars instead of five?
Look, if this hadn't been marketed by a Christian imprint as Christian fiction, I might have gone to five. As it is, four is the most I could do with a good conscience. Because here's the deal. The book deals with relationships that are forbidden in Scripture AND... they felt normalized by how they are approached and treated in the book. The objections are to what it did to Avery rather than what is happening at all. And considering Avery's ex-father-in-law is a pastor... I just can't swallow it.
I came into this book wanting to LOVE it. I really did. There are some great similarities to the movie Hope Floats. It has a lot going for it. But I can't overlook the feeling that everyone is okay with something that goes so much against Scripture.
I really loved the themes of forgiveness and taking responsibility for your mistakes while not taking on the guilt and weight of what others do.
In fact, there were a lot of great lessons to be learned in a situation that couldn't be worse for a mother just trying to do what's best for her children.
But I have a couple of problems with the story. I hate even mentioning them because I have a lot of respect for McCahan tackling difficult things that are real issues in today's world.
Having your husband leave you for another man isn't something you often see in Christian fiction, but it happens. I applaud McCahan for taking the difficult topic and trying to write a realistic look at the fallout.
Would I have loved more faith woven into it? Definitely. But here's the deal. Nowhere in the synopsis did the author or publisher promise more faith than the book delivered. In fact, there's more faith in it than is described in the synopsis.
So why four stars instead of five?
Look, if this hadn't been marketed by a Christian imprint as Christian fiction, I might have gone to five. As it is, four is the most I could do with a good conscience. Because here's the deal. The book deals with relationships that are forbidden in Scripture AND... they felt normalized by how they are approached and treated in the book. The objections are to what it did to Avery rather than what is happening at all. And considering Avery's ex-father-in-law is a pastor... I just can't swallow it.
I came into this book wanting to LOVE it. I really did. There are some great similarities to the movie Hope Floats. It has a lot going for it. But I can't overlook the feeling that everyone is okay with something that goes so much against Scripture.
June 30, 2023
I love a southern fiction book however this book fell flat for me in many areas. I felt like Avery was “stuck” after her divorce, which I completely understand but then she felt “stuck” for most of the rest of the book too. I felt like the book dealt with so many weighty issues…affair, divorce, kidnapping and murder of Coles sister (not told in detail), human trafficking, fame/celebrity/social media… It really just felt like a lot. There was a meddling grandma that I had to keep reminding myself was the mother of Avery’s deadbeat dad. Just so much to keep track of. I spent most of the book trying to keep track of all the complex relationships and situations.
Thank you Net galley and Harlequin for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Net galley and Harlequin for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2023
This is a book with so much potential that was wasted. Avery has been dealt a hard blow and returns home with zero confidence in herself or her abilities. Cole is running a home for women who are survivors of trafficking. Nana manipulates Cole into hiring Avery to help with the home.
This is listed as Christian fiction, but nothing here - other than a couple of prayers at the end - remotely resembles a story of faith. The author makes a choice that smacks of agenda at the beginning of the book. Her husband's parents - a pastor and his wife - never say a word about their son's actions. They - the only people in the story who are definitely supposed to be believers - are portrayed as greedy, snobby, and unfeeling.
The "prison" the trafficked women have been in is mentioned multiple times. Not once - not one single time - is any correlation made between this and the prison that sin traps unbelievers in. Very little is mentioned about the women themselves. While there is a lot of heavy subject matter in this novel, the focus is completely on the romance between Cole and Avery.
This was an okay read that could have been a great read.
Family friendly but note the subject matter stated above.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is listed as Christian fiction, but nothing here - other than a couple of prayers at the end - remotely resembles a story of faith. The author makes a choice that smacks of agenda at the beginning of the book. Her husband's parents - a pastor and his wife - never say a word about their son's actions. They - the only people in the story who are definitely supposed to be believers - are portrayed as greedy, snobby, and unfeeling.
The "prison" the trafficked women have been in is mentioned multiple times. Not once - not one single time - is any correlation made between this and the prison that sin traps unbelievers in. Very little is mentioned about the women themselves. While there is a lot of heavy subject matter in this novel, the focus is completely on the romance between Cole and Avery.
This was an okay read that could have been a great read.
Family friendly but note the subject matter stated above.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 11, 2023
One Southern Summer is a sweet, clean romance that will also make you think twice about the way you handle your online life. It will pull on your heartstrings and make you giggle and it will definitely make you reflect on society as a whole. While it can’t be called a light read, it’s also not super heavy either, and the romance and the family support help to balance out the weighty bits.
Avery is a social media influencer and a tv personality. All is well in her world with her husband and 2 kids. Or so she thinks. She gets the shock of her life and then ends up back living at home with her parents in Camellia, Alabama, trying to sort out what has happened to her life and where she goes from there.
When her feisty Nana goes behind her back and makes a deal with the local nonprofit organization to hire Avery, without Avery knowing anything about it, she takes a job working with Cole, trying to expand Imani’s House. Imani’s house is a safe place for women who have been trafficked or abused and it means a lot to Cole because his sister was a victim. So when Avery breezes back into his life after all this time and he stuck has feelings for her, it complicates things when someone finds the napkin they wrote their pact on that if they were birth single when they were 32 then they would get married. Now a documentary crew is coming to film the work on Imani’s place and now that they’ve heard about the napkin, they want to meet the lovers. I liked that Avery relied on her faith to make her decisions on what to do next.
Super cute, easy to read and nit have to think hard about it
Thank to Harlequin Love Inspired Trade for this ebook in exchange for this review.
Avery is a social media influencer and a tv personality. All is well in her world with her husband and 2 kids. Or so she thinks. She gets the shock of her life and then ends up back living at home with her parents in Camellia, Alabama, trying to sort out what has happened to her life and where she goes from there.
When her feisty Nana goes behind her back and makes a deal with the local nonprofit organization to hire Avery, without Avery knowing anything about it, she takes a job working with Cole, trying to expand Imani’s House. Imani’s house is a safe place for women who have been trafficked or abused and it means a lot to Cole because his sister was a victim. So when Avery breezes back into his life after all this time and he stuck has feelings for her, it complicates things when someone finds the napkin they wrote their pact on that if they were birth single when they were 32 then they would get married. Now a documentary crew is coming to film the work on Imani’s place and now that they’ve heard about the napkin, they want to meet the lovers. I liked that Avery relied on her faith to make her decisions on what to do next.
Super cute, easy to read and nit have to think hard about it
Thank to Harlequin Love Inspired Trade for this ebook in exchange for this review.
April 27, 2023
First of all i want to thank Netgalley, Heidi Mccahan and Harlequin Romance for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Don't know where to start on this book, it was just ok for me. I have one word for this book Boring! I could not get into this book at all, i could not wait to finish it and almost gave up on it. I have never read a book that had to give in detail what everyone was wearing all the time, that was annoying, it was like get on with it. Cole and Avery knew each other in the past and made a pledge one night on a napkin and Cole kept a secret from Avery that should of been told to her from the start with him knowing the deception she had just went through with her husband. I was like would you just tell her already, and the renovations of Imari House for girls who where in human trafficking situations was drawn out. I was hoping to get more of a story about the women who were abducted and human trafficking but no hardly a mention about that. So no i wouldn't recommend this one personally.
Don't know where to start on this book, it was just ok for me. I have one word for this book Boring! I could not get into this book at all, i could not wait to finish it and almost gave up on it. I have never read a book that had to give in detail what everyone was wearing all the time, that was annoying, it was like get on with it. Cole and Avery knew each other in the past and made a pledge one night on a napkin and Cole kept a secret from Avery that should of been told to her from the start with him knowing the deception she had just went through with her husband. I was like would you just tell her already, and the renovations of Imari House for girls who where in human trafficking situations was drawn out. I was hoping to get more of a story about the women who were abducted and human trafficking but no hardly a mention about that. So no i wouldn't recommend this one personally.
July 13, 2023
This book is the perfect beach read. As someone who lives in the South, I found it to be true, delightful, and perfectly perfect! Heartfelt. Emotional, and funny!
July 28, 2023
4/5 stars
This was a feel good book filled with second chances, twists and turns and it tackles tough subjects too. One Southern Summer pulls on your heartstrings and made me think about our culture with Social Media and where I find my personal values.
Avery Landing Crawford, a social media influencer finds her world turned upside down when she catches her husband having an affair. Her life is shattered and she finds herself taking her two small children back to the town she grew up in - Camilla, Alabama.
Unannounced to her, Avery's grandmother gets her a job with a non-profit company in town which is run by her former friend Cole.
Cole and Avery's relationship blossoms as they navigate the non-profit expansion, her relationship with her ex-husband and his partner wanting to see their children and the gossiping southern town that won't leave them alone.
I liked this book but the ending felt a bit rushed. This book kept me entertained and I would read more books set in this town.
This was a feel good book filled with second chances, twists and turns and it tackles tough subjects too. One Southern Summer pulls on your heartstrings and made me think about our culture with Social Media and where I find my personal values.
Avery Landing Crawford, a social media influencer finds her world turned upside down when she catches her husband having an affair. Her life is shattered and she finds herself taking her two small children back to the town she grew up in - Camilla, Alabama.
Unannounced to her, Avery's grandmother gets her a job with a non-profit company in town which is run by her former friend Cole.
Cole and Avery's relationship blossoms as they navigate the non-profit expansion, her relationship with her ex-husband and his partner wanting to see their children and the gossiping southern town that won't leave them alone.
I liked this book but the ending felt a bit rushed. This book kept me entertained and I would read more books set in this town.
April 19, 2023
I think I’ve just found a new fave author!
This book is the perfect comfort, feel good read!
And that is mainly because the author, Heidi McCahan writes with a passion for all things southern, inspired romance, reinvention and second chances!
Satisfying character development, nostalgic location details and witty interactions set the stage for a heartwarming story!
I found myself immediately engaged and immersed and looking forward to the storyline playing out in ways that I hoped it would.
Charming, relatable, modern yet embedded in history, family, past love, it’s hit it all!
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more by this author!
Thankyou to author Heidi McCahan, Netgalley and Love Inspired / Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book!
Charlene 🌸🤗📚 @lastnownext
This book is the perfect comfort, feel good read!
And that is mainly because the author, Heidi McCahan writes with a passion for all things southern, inspired romance, reinvention and second chances!
Satisfying character development, nostalgic location details and witty interactions set the stage for a heartwarming story!
I found myself immediately engaged and immersed and looking forward to the storyline playing out in ways that I hoped it would.
Charming, relatable, modern yet embedded in history, family, past love, it’s hit it all!
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more by this author!
Thankyou to author Heidi McCahan, Netgalley and Love Inspired / Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book!
Charlene 🌸🤗📚 @lastnownext
June 16, 2023
Avery Lansing Crawford left town to attend college and never came back. She is now divorced with two children and returning home. Cole Whitaker has been in love with Avery since he was a teenage and she seemed to never notice.
Avery's grandmother decides to meddle in Avery's life and makes a huge donation to Cole's non-profit organization if he will hire her to decorate the new facility. Cole feels guilty with taking the money and hiring Avery.
I thought the story line was good, but it just seemed to drag sometimes.
Avery's grandmother decides to meddle in Avery's life and makes a huge donation to Cole's non-profit organization if he will hire her to decorate the new facility. Cole feels guilty with taking the money and hiring Avery.
I thought the story line was good, but it just seemed to drag sometimes.
July 8, 2023
This is a very fun summer read!
A story about second chances and forgiveness.
Just a feel good summer read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
A story about second chances and forgiveness.
Just a feel good summer read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 2, 2024
One Southern Summer combines two elements that I greatly enjoy - women's fiction and southern fiction. It reflects a good Gulf Coast feel and families packed with multigenerational, sometimes quirky characters. There's lots of drama to hold the reader's interest - husband's unfaithfulness with another man, divorce, single parenting, reality show stardom, social media issues, abandonment, and human trafficking.
I enjoyed this story overall and would like to see a few secondary characters developed in future books. The theme of forgiving oneself and others is well developed. I was drawn to the human trafficking theme, reflected in the home Cole's foundation was building and homemade products produced by the residents. What I would love to have seen is less reflection and descriptions, with maybe meeting 2-3 girls and learning their stories. Still a good read.
I enjoyed this story overall and would like to see a few secondary characters developed in future books. The theme of forgiving oneself and others is well developed. I was drawn to the human trafficking theme, reflected in the home Cole's foundation was building and homemade products produced by the residents. What I would love to have seen is less reflection and descriptions, with maybe meeting 2-3 girls and learning their stories. Still a good read.
May 28, 2023
One Southern Summer, by Heidi McCahan, pulls on the heartstrings even as it brings laughs and a few tears along the way. This contemporary novel made me think both about our culture in this day and about where we find our personal value.
Avery Lansing Crawford, a media influencer, believes her life is perfect. But when she discovers her husband wants a divorce, that ideal image is shattered. She finds herself back in the town where she grew up—Camellia, Alabama—trying to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move on.
When her feisty grandmother cuts a deal with a local founder of a nonprofit organization, Avery says yes to a job she’s not sure she can do.
Cole Whitaker needs funds to achieve his dream of creating a safe space for young women coming out of trafficking. When the money is offered to make this goal a reality, he is grateful. And somehow, he’ll figure out how to make the one string attached to the funds work out. When he offers Avery the job of consulting on and designing the home, he knows she has the talent, and he hopes to reignite the friendship they once shared.
What he doesn’t expect is for the love he tucked away years ago to rekindle. Or for the media to wreak havoc with the quiet work he wants to do on behalf of women who have no voice. I loved the way Avery and Cole navigated their friendship and learned how to relate. Their relationship felt honest as they each helped the other see their strengths.
Camellia, Alabama, is almost another character. The people in the town, the beauty of the South, and the “Southern” mindsets and manners enriched this story.
This book boasts a host of quirky, fun characters and a lot of mischief, especially from Nana Lansing. I truly enjoyed this story. I could relate to Avery’s struggle with worrying about what other people thought about her, as that’s something I’ve had to work through. I especially loved seeing how Avery’s sisters pulled together to help her, spoke the truth when she needed to hear it, and supported each other.
McCahan deals with some current hot-button issues in a gracious, authentic way. The themes of resiliency and second chances shine throughout this story. Even a character who I wanted to “hate” ended up having redeeming qualities. This book drew me in and kept me reading as fast as I could.
If you enjoy women’s fiction with southern flare and a strong romantic thread along with unexpected fun and authentic characters, you will love One Southern Summer.
***I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to share a review. All opinions are my own.
Avery Lansing Crawford, a media influencer, believes her life is perfect. But when she discovers her husband wants a divorce, that ideal image is shattered. She finds herself back in the town where she grew up—Camellia, Alabama—trying to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move on.
When her feisty grandmother cuts a deal with a local founder of a nonprofit organization, Avery says yes to a job she’s not sure she can do.
Cole Whitaker needs funds to achieve his dream of creating a safe space for young women coming out of trafficking. When the money is offered to make this goal a reality, he is grateful. And somehow, he’ll figure out how to make the one string attached to the funds work out. When he offers Avery the job of consulting on and designing the home, he knows she has the talent, and he hopes to reignite the friendship they once shared.
What he doesn’t expect is for the love he tucked away years ago to rekindle. Or for the media to wreak havoc with the quiet work he wants to do on behalf of women who have no voice. I loved the way Avery and Cole navigated their friendship and learned how to relate. Their relationship felt honest as they each helped the other see their strengths.
Camellia, Alabama, is almost another character. The people in the town, the beauty of the South, and the “Southern” mindsets and manners enriched this story.
This book boasts a host of quirky, fun characters and a lot of mischief, especially from Nana Lansing. I truly enjoyed this story. I could relate to Avery’s struggle with worrying about what other people thought about her, as that’s something I’ve had to work through. I especially loved seeing how Avery’s sisters pulled together to help her, spoke the truth when she needed to hear it, and supported each other.
McCahan deals with some current hot-button issues in a gracious, authentic way. The themes of resiliency and second chances shine throughout this story. Even a character who I wanted to “hate” ended up having redeeming qualities. This book drew me in and kept me reading as fast as I could.
If you enjoy women’s fiction with southern flare and a strong romantic thread along with unexpected fun and authentic characters, you will love One Southern Summer.
***I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to share a review. All opinions are my own.
April 3, 2023
Until the last page was turned, I was caught up in the life of Avery Lansing Crawford and her delightful, lovable, unpredictable, and often humorous family.
Avery and her husband Pax have a successful business, a TV show and in addition, Avery’s popularity as a social media influencer is expanding. Pax and Avery are hosting a gender reveal party to announce the gender of their second child. Their beautiful yard is full of people; drinks and appetizers are being passed by the catering staff Avery hired so everything would be perfect. There is a gigantic trunk in the middle of the yard filled with the appropriate color of balloons, indicating the gender of the new baby. The plan is for Pax and Avery to open the trunk together. The old cliché, “The best laid plans…” is very fitting about now. It is perfect for what happens next.
Fast forward a year later and Avery with her two young children, finds herself back in the small Alabama town she grew up in, living with her mother and stepfather. She needs to find a job, and her childhood best friend Cole, who runs a non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates women from human trafficking, can offer her a job because of a large donation the non-profit recently received. The house the rescued women live in is being enlarged to accommodate more residents. Avery specializes in decorating and Cole feels she will do an excellent job in designing and selecting items for the new addition. The unexpected large donation was given to Cole with a condition attached, that he fails to mention to Avery.
This book is the best combination of family dynamics, forgiveness, reinventing ourselves, second chances and provides many opportunities to pause while reading and simply laugh out loud! I loved this captivating, heartwarming story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harliquin for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Avery and her husband Pax have a successful business, a TV show and in addition, Avery’s popularity as a social media influencer is expanding. Pax and Avery are hosting a gender reveal party to announce the gender of their second child. Their beautiful yard is full of people; drinks and appetizers are being passed by the catering staff Avery hired so everything would be perfect. There is a gigantic trunk in the middle of the yard filled with the appropriate color of balloons, indicating the gender of the new baby. The plan is for Pax and Avery to open the trunk together. The old cliché, “The best laid plans…” is very fitting about now. It is perfect for what happens next.
Fast forward a year later and Avery with her two young children, finds herself back in the small Alabama town she grew up in, living with her mother and stepfather. She needs to find a job, and her childhood best friend Cole, who runs a non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates women from human trafficking, can offer her a job because of a large donation the non-profit recently received. The house the rescued women live in is being enlarged to accommodate more residents. Avery specializes in decorating and Cole feels she will do an excellent job in designing and selecting items for the new addition. The unexpected large donation was given to Cole with a condition attached, that he fails to mention to Avery.
This book is the best combination of family dynamics, forgiveness, reinventing ourselves, second chances and provides many opportunities to pause while reading and simply laugh out loud! I loved this captivating, heartwarming story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harliquin for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 15, 2023
Avery Lansing - former beauty queen, famous social media influencer, has her own design television show, handsome husband, mother of one and a half (she is pregnant now), has been disgraced. Her marriage was a sham, her fans have quit supporting her and her finances are poor. She swore she would never live in her hometown of Camellia, Alabama again. Never say never. She is headed home with her two kids to live with her mom and stepfather. She is literally coming back to town with her tail tucked between her legs. The gossip is hot even before she arrives. The gossip really heats up when she is seen with her former beau, Cole Whitaker.
Cole is a fine man with a fine organization known as Imari's Place. He supports and helps women who have been victims of human trafficking. He has a heart of gold, and he is very obviously still in love with Avery. This man stole my heart with his quest to help others in the memory of his lost sister.
This is a sweet Southern romance with Southern women who are a little quirky, but protective of their own. Avery's grandmother, Maribelle is tenacious in her pursuit to get Cole and Avery together. Matchmaker does not even begin to describe this little old lady who has plenty of tricks up her sleeves. You will find yourself laughing out loud at times with her antics.
I felt so incredibly sorry for Avery. She has been humiliated, but bless her she will rise up above the fray and be the strong woman her mama raised her to be. If you need a good, fresh romance with a Southern touch, look no further. Heidi McCahan has the southern way down pat, and you will finish this book with a smile on your face. This southern girl enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you to Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cole is a fine man with a fine organization known as Imari's Place. He supports and helps women who have been victims of human trafficking. He has a heart of gold, and he is very obviously still in love with Avery. This man stole my heart with his quest to help others in the memory of his lost sister.
This is a sweet Southern romance with Southern women who are a little quirky, but protective of their own. Avery's grandmother, Maribelle is tenacious in her pursuit to get Cole and Avery together. Matchmaker does not even begin to describe this little old lady who has plenty of tricks up her sleeves. You will find yourself laughing out loud at times with her antics.
I felt so incredibly sorry for Avery. She has been humiliated, but bless her she will rise up above the fray and be the strong woman her mama raised her to be. If you need a good, fresh romance with a Southern touch, look no further. Heidi McCahan has the southern way down pat, and you will finish this book with a smile on your face. This southern girl enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you to Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2023
Avery Lansing Crawford has been cheated on by her husband (with a man who worked on their show) while she’s pregnant - they were on a reality home improvement show. She ends up moving with her 4 year old daughter and baby son back home to Camellia, Alabama, which is not something she wanted to do. Her mom and step-Dad welcome her home, as does her very southern proper 90 year old grandmother- Maribelle. Her grandmother is one of those southern ladies who meddles in other people’s business. Avery’s father had left her mother, she and sisters back when she was younger which is one reason she wanted to get out of Camellia to begin with. Even though she was Miss Camellia, she wanted a better life and to leave old wounds behind.
Cole Whitaker is an old friend of Avery’s but they haven’t spoken in years. They grew up together and were the top of their graduating class. They both had some family dramas going on and wanted to get out of Camillia. Cole’s sister was a human trafficking victim and he has dedicated his life recently to helping other victims. He is in charge of building housing for human trafficking victims and Avery’s grandmother “bribes” him to hire Avery to help with the interior design planning.
This book was good and read very much like a Hallmark movie. Sometimes it dragged on a bit/was redundant with each character’s inner dialogue going on and on about what they should do with their situations. I also wish every time it cut to a new person’s point of view it would be a new chapter not just a new paragraph. I did enjoy the strong female characters and bonds in the book. I also enjoyed the slow burn relationship in it. I liked the town it was set it too- reminded me of a Sweet Magnolias vibe.
Cole Whitaker is an old friend of Avery’s but they haven’t spoken in years. They grew up together and were the top of their graduating class. They both had some family dramas going on and wanted to get out of Camillia. Cole’s sister was a human trafficking victim and he has dedicated his life recently to helping other victims. He is in charge of building housing for human trafficking victims and Avery’s grandmother “bribes” him to hire Avery to help with the interior design planning.
This book was good and read very much like a Hallmark movie. Sometimes it dragged on a bit/was redundant with each character’s inner dialogue going on and on about what they should do with their situations. I also wish every time it cut to a new person’s point of view it would be a new chapter not just a new paragraph. I did enjoy the strong female characters and bonds in the book. I also enjoyed the slow burn relationship in it. I liked the town it was set it too- reminded me of a Sweet Magnolias vibe.
June 27, 2023
If you are looking for a book with:
✔️Southern Hospitality
✔️Small town setting (and all the gossip and support of a small community that goes with that)
✔️2nd chance romance
✔️slow burn romance
✔️lots of character development
Then this one is for you!
🎥Avery gets a big (unwelcome) surprise at her gender reveal party that as her moving back home with her momma and Greer. This small town is full of gossip, but also has her sisters and her HS friend Cole. With them by her side, Avery navigates her new life.
🎥What I loved:
💗The bigger messages of:
*Helping others
*The importance of co-parenting and putting kids' needs above your own control issues. This one even goes a step further, and Avery acts happy when her kiddos had a good time with her ex.( So hard to do- being petty and bitter is much easier but definitely bad for the kids)
*Learning to drop your burdens
*forgiveness
💗sister bonds
💗clean romance
💗Greer and Cole
🎥What I didn't love:
-The chapters with the 4yo. I don't escape to the pages of a book to read about other people's kids in that much exhausting detail. 🙃
-At times it was too descriptive and repetitive (but that's how Southern people are... so I guess it makes sense. Being from the Northeast I guess I just like to get to the point faster).
🍹Grab this book, a glass of sweet tea, and a spot on the deck. Overall, I recommend this one. You might find yourself skimming some of the slower parts, but the overall themes are worth it.
✔️Southern Hospitality
✔️Small town setting (and all the gossip and support of a small community that goes with that)
✔️2nd chance romance
✔️slow burn romance
✔️lots of character development
Then this one is for you!
🎥Avery gets a big (unwelcome) surprise at her gender reveal party that as her moving back home with her momma and Greer. This small town is full of gossip, but also has her sisters and her HS friend Cole. With them by her side, Avery navigates her new life.
🎥What I loved:
💗The bigger messages of:
*Helping others
*The importance of co-parenting and putting kids' needs above your own control issues. This one even goes a step further, and Avery acts happy when her kiddos had a good time with her ex.( So hard to do- being petty and bitter is much easier but definitely bad for the kids)
*Learning to drop your burdens
*forgiveness
💗sister bonds
💗clean romance
💗Greer and Cole
🎥What I didn't love:
-The chapters with the 4yo. I don't escape to the pages of a book to read about other people's kids in that much exhausting detail. 🙃
-At times it was too descriptive and repetitive (but that's how Southern people are... so I guess it makes sense. Being from the Northeast I guess I just like to get to the point faster).
🍹Grab this book, a glass of sweet tea, and a spot on the deck. Overall, I recommend this one. You might find yourself skimming some of the slower parts, but the overall themes are worth it.
August 13, 2023
🍋Summary🍋
Avery has moved back to her small town in Alabama after losing her career and husband in a very public situation. She and her two young children are staying with her mom and stepfather. While she is home, she can also reconnect with her two sisters, her grandmother and her old friend, Cole. Her grandmother is meddling as she does best. And Cole is giving her the opportunity to start over with her career, putting her design skills to the test by designing a home for women who have escaped human trafficking. The implosion of her previous life has shaken her confidence in both her career and love.
🍋Review🍋
I signed up for this book and was super excited about it but it left me wanting. It felt like a sweet romance but it also seemed to try to stuff in some really heavy things… The human trafficking storyline, while important, felt like it came from a very different book. I feel like there was a missed opportunity on the situation with Avery’s ex husband and how he left her. He seemed to get off very easy. I don’t know. And he was from the same small town as Avery, where she was best friends with Cole and didn’t have anyone but suddenly at college she ended up with that guy? I enjoyed the second chance of it all and loved Cole but some of the plot points confused me. It felt like there was room for sequels following the grandmother and being interfering with Avery’s sisters.
Avery has moved back to her small town in Alabama after losing her career and husband in a very public situation. She and her two young children are staying with her mom and stepfather. While she is home, she can also reconnect with her two sisters, her grandmother and her old friend, Cole. Her grandmother is meddling as she does best. And Cole is giving her the opportunity to start over with her career, putting her design skills to the test by designing a home for women who have escaped human trafficking. The implosion of her previous life has shaken her confidence in both her career and love.
🍋Review🍋
I signed up for this book and was super excited about it but it left me wanting. It felt like a sweet romance but it also seemed to try to stuff in some really heavy things… The human trafficking storyline, while important, felt like it came from a very different book. I feel like there was a missed opportunity on the situation with Avery’s ex husband and how he left her. He seemed to get off very easy. I don’t know. And he was from the same small town as Avery, where she was best friends with Cole and didn’t have anyone but suddenly at college she ended up with that guy? I enjoyed the second chance of it all and loved Cole but some of the plot points confused me. It felt like there was room for sequels following the grandmother and being interfering with Avery’s sisters.
June 6, 2023
A HUGE thank you to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest review.
This was such a heartwarming story about loss, second chances, and finding yourself along the way. I definitely enjoyed this book and think it would make a perfect addition to a summer TBR.
Avery Lansing Crawford was happy and successful in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and daughter and a son on the way. When she finds her husband in a compromising position with their business partner, she's crushed, and her life is turned upside-down. She has no choice but to go back home to her mom and step-dad in Cameilla, AL. With both children, she returns and tries to make a life for herself with the pieces that have been leftover. Her lifelong friend, Cole Whitaker, offers her a job at his foundation, and things start to look up. But her family, especially her nana, seems to be constantly meddling in her life. They only have the best intentions in mind. But can she find a way to move past the harm that's been done, and will she be able to open her heart again?
Told in the POV of Avery, Cole, and Maribelle (Nana), this was a very sweet southern women's fiction/romance book. I really do love the South as a setting since I lived there for a while. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're looking for a feel-good read.
This was such a heartwarming story about loss, second chances, and finding yourself along the way. I definitely enjoyed this book and think it would make a perfect addition to a summer TBR.
Avery Lansing Crawford was happy and successful in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and daughter and a son on the way. When she finds her husband in a compromising position with their business partner, she's crushed, and her life is turned upside-down. She has no choice but to go back home to her mom and step-dad in Cameilla, AL. With both children, she returns and tries to make a life for herself with the pieces that have been leftover. Her lifelong friend, Cole Whitaker, offers her a job at his foundation, and things start to look up. But her family, especially her nana, seems to be constantly meddling in her life. They only have the best intentions in mind. But can she find a way to move past the harm that's been done, and will she be able to open her heart again?
Told in the POV of Avery, Cole, and Maribelle (Nana), this was a very sweet southern women's fiction/romance book. I really do love the South as a setting since I lived there for a while. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're looking for a feel-good read.
February 3, 2023
One Southern Summer by Heidi McCahan is a story of second chances and forgiveness. The book follows the life of recently divorced single mother Avery Lansing Crawford as she moves back in with her parents and sisters in the southern town of Camellia, Alabama. She’s fallen from the pedestal that society has placed her on and is now trying to find her way back to happiness. The support of her family, friends, and a loving but meddling grandmother helps Avery on her journey to figuring out what she wants in her life, after investing so much into someone else. While doing so, she has to contend with the negatives and instruction of the media in her life. As much as she didn’t want to go back to Camellia, she’s been given an opportunity to help women in a similar situation to hers and even worse, find a home and stability.
This book is filled with emotions as you feel the struggles that Avery goes through from the loss of her marriage to thinking that she is a disappointment to her family. The tidbits of romance scattered throughout this story are filled with heartwarming moments. Yet, family is the best part of Avery’s story. This is a lovely book, filled with hope,faith, and second chance romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an Arc of this book!
This book is filled with emotions as you feel the struggles that Avery goes through from the loss of her marriage to thinking that she is a disappointment to her family. The tidbits of romance scattered throughout this story are filled with heartwarming moments. Yet, family is the best part of Avery’s story. This is a lovely book, filled with hope,faith, and second chance romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an Arc of this book!
May 23, 2023
I don't usually read romance novels, but this is a sweet romance. It's about heartache, family and blessings all wrapped up in a lovely sweet romance.
Avery had it all, then her world imploded. She moves back to her hometown of Camellia, Alabama with her two young children in tow. She just wants to lay low, but she has been on social media, so that's not happening because it's a small town and everyone is wagging there tongue. To make matters worse, there's her friend from childhood, Cole. They end up working together on a project, that just makes the town talk more.
I enjoyed the characters in this book. My favorite was Nana Lansing, though. She's a feisty Nana. This book had me shedding tears and laughing. Of course, it hits home because no one likes to be talked about behind their backs.
There was good character development. The characters were great and I felt like I was saying goodbye when I got to the end of the book. If you enjoy sweet lovely romances, or need an easy sweet read, this book is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the E-ARC. This Published June 27, 2023.
😊 Happy Reading 🙃
#netgalley
#harlequin
#harlequinromance
Avery had it all, then her world imploded. She moves back to her hometown of Camellia, Alabama with her two young children in tow. She just wants to lay low, but she has been on social media, so that's not happening because it's a small town and everyone is wagging there tongue. To make matters worse, there's her friend from childhood, Cole. They end up working together on a project, that just makes the town talk more.
I enjoyed the characters in this book. My favorite was Nana Lansing, though. She's a feisty Nana. This book had me shedding tears and laughing. Of course, it hits home because no one likes to be talked about behind their backs.
There was good character development. The characters were great and I felt like I was saying goodbye when I got to the end of the book. If you enjoy sweet lovely romances, or need an easy sweet read, this book is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the E-ARC. This Published June 27, 2023.
😊 Happy Reading 🙃
#netgalley
#harlequin
#harlequinromance
June 18, 2023
The only way to describe Avery Lansing is a southern belle who got caught up in social media and lost sight of herself. The only way to describe Cole Whittacker is a love sick puppy dog. Both are very likeable character and the story itself has solid bones. I enjoyed seeing how their love story played out.
My main complaint is it felt like whole chapters of the book were missing. There were so many details (like her design choices for the house, the conversations with the women to see what they needed, what actually happened when the in laws watched the kids and things "didn't go well", and what the heck Avery did in the 4 months post "dinner revelation".
My other issue how in the world did Avery forgive her grandma, her dad, her cheating ex husband, but she couldn't forgive Cole for MONTHS. I wanted to pull my hair out when she forgave her father after 3 sentences of an explanation. This girl.
But that being said, I really did love the setting of the book and the focus of the interior design show and charity. I just wish this book was longer or even a series. I needed more of the details throughout.
My main complaint is it felt like whole chapters of the book were missing. There were so many details (like her design choices for the house, the conversations with the women to see what they needed, what actually happened when the in laws watched the kids and things "didn't go well", and what the heck Avery did in the 4 months post "dinner revelation".
My other issue how in the world did Avery forgive her grandma, her dad, her cheating ex husband, but she couldn't forgive Cole for MONTHS. I wanted to pull my hair out when she forgave her father after 3 sentences of an explanation. This girl.
But that being said, I really did love the setting of the book and the focus of the interior design show and charity. I just wish this book was longer or even a series. I needed more of the details throughout.
July 17, 2023
Avery Lansing Crawford is returning to her small town in Alabama with her two young children and her new status of divorcee. She is sure she will be fodder for gossip, especially since she was the designer on a home renovation TV show - which she also lost due to her husband’s cheating.
Avery is surprised when her childhood friend Cole Whitaker offers her a job with his survivors of human trafficking project. It seems like a great opportunity to help out and to jump-start her career, plus she wouldn’t mind spending time with Cole.
Although it touches on divorce, infidelity, and human trafficking, it never really gets very deep or dark. It is more of a breezy story with an air of forgiveness and love. And It definitely has that Southern small-town feel. It’s not just two childhood friends getting a second chance at love that makes this one sweet, but you have Avery’s grandmother who stirs up a hornet's nest by sticking her nose in Avery’s love life.
If you enjoy generational stories and second-chance romance, then 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 will delight you.
Thank you @uplitreads and @heidimccahan.author for a spot on tour and a gifted book.
January 29, 2023
Avery Crawford’s soaring career as a interior designer hosting a TV show with her husband Pax comes to a calamitous end when she discovers her husband has been unfaithful. Although Avery never planned to return home to Camellia, Alabama she now has no choice. With her two small children in tow, she moves in with her mother. She’s worlds away from her “perfectly curated, filtered lie of a life.” Her high school boyfriend Cole Whitaker is still in town, in charge of a non-profit for abused and victimized women. It seems natural that the two would meet but it takes engineering from a well meaning, interfering relative to make that happen. And that will lead to problems, both expected and unexpected.
One Southern Summer is a delightful read, full of romance, forgiveness, love and learning about yourself. I loved seeing Avery rediscover her talent and self assurance. Cole also becomes more confident as he makes plans to enlarge the center. Pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy! 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, HARLEQUIN - Romance and Heidi McCahan for this ARC.
One Southern Summer is a delightful read, full of romance, forgiveness, love and learning about yourself. I loved seeing Avery rediscover her talent and self assurance. Cole also becomes more confident as he makes plans to enlarge the center. Pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy! 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, HARLEQUIN - Romance and Heidi McCahan for this ARC.
June 11, 2023
When Avery's marriage and career publicly fell apart she reluctantly returned home. Feeling her lowest and despite thinking she's not qualified, she accepts a position to work with Cole Whitaker and his non-profit organization hoping it gives her a fresh start and a new purpose. What it does give her is a renewed friendship with Cole and her family who has rallied to help support her - especially her mama, sisters and even meddlesome grandmother! Secrets, hurts and self-doubt affect Avery deeply. Will she discover that life, even if it's not the one she planned, can be filled with love and forgiveness.
A sweetly written southern women's fiction and romance book sprinkled with faith and hope for second chances. As your reading, you'll be transported to that wraparound porch in a small southern town!
Thank you UpLitReads, Heidi McCahan, NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for my gifted book!
A sweetly written southern women's fiction and romance book sprinkled with faith and hope for second chances. As your reading, you'll be transported to that wraparound porch in a small southern town!
Thank you UpLitReads, Heidi McCahan, NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for my gifted book!
June 27, 2023
This one has so much to love about it. A young mother returns home to her parents' home in a small southern town, having lost her marriage and the home improvement show she starred in with her husband. As small towns can be, Avery’s is somewhat gossipy and judgmental. Finding her footing and building a new life present their own challenges.
Cole Whitaker has always had a thing for Avery, and now that she's back in town, he plans to be there for her, hoping to turn their friendship into something more. He sees the girl he once knew and the woman she has become.
This one slowed my reading down with its lengthy and repetitive narrative, but it has a sweet charm and a delightful quirkiness that brought me back into the story. Heartfelt, emotional, and uplifting, this story of second chances and new beginnings should be a hit with lovers of women's fiction and southern small-town romance.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy.
Cole Whitaker has always had a thing for Avery, and now that she's back in town, he plans to be there for her, hoping to turn their friendship into something more. He sees the girl he once knew and the woman she has become.
This one slowed my reading down with its lengthy and repetitive narrative, but it has a sweet charm and a delightful quirkiness that brought me back into the story. Heartfelt, emotional, and uplifting, this story of second chances and new beginnings should be a hit with lovers of women's fiction and southern small-town romance.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy.
July 25, 2023
This is a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness and second chances. Avery returns home after her marriage and career implode. She's living with her mother and stepfather, and accepts a job with her best friend.
What she doesn't know is that Cole's not only a friend, but has loved her since high school. He accepts a sizeable donation from her grandma, with the request to put Avery in charge of product design. He agrees because he believes in her skills and talents. As they grow closer, he struggles with telling her the truth and when it's revealed Avery feels defeated, misled and used. Can she get over the actions her grandma took to push she and Cole together?
You'll want to read this timeless story to find out how everything is resolved and cheer on Avery as she seeks forgiveness and acceptance.
Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
What she doesn't know is that Cole's not only a friend, but has loved her since high school. He accepts a sizeable donation from her grandma, with the request to put Avery in charge of product design. He agrees because he believes in her skills and talents. As they grow closer, he struggles with telling her the truth and when it's revealed Avery feels defeated, misled and used. Can she get over the actions her grandma took to push she and Cole together?
You'll want to read this timeless story to find out how everything is resolved and cheer on Avery as she seeks forgiveness and acceptance.
Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 19, 2023
When one life is ruined, it leaves a chance for a new one to begin. For Avery, a divorced mother of two has a chance to develop a new path with all its pitfalls and successes. She is plagued by the loss of confidence in her abilities due to the machinations of her ex-husband’s lover and partner in the business they all ran.
Avery has no home and has to return to her childhood home. A meddling grandmother gives it her best to reunite Avery with her longtime friend, Cole. Due to Avery’s social media presence and the gossipping town, criticisms of her almost cripple her but she perseveres and continues to move forward with Cole’s assurances of her talent.
A delightful look at family, social media, and a second chance for love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Avery has no home and has to return to her childhood home. A meddling grandmother gives it her best to reunite Avery with her longtime friend, Cole. Due to Avery’s social media presence and the gossipping town, criticisms of her almost cripple her but she perseveres and continues to move forward with Cole’s assurances of her talent.
A delightful look at family, social media, and a second chance for love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 4, 2023
Thank you to Love Inspired Trade & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
One Southern summer is the sweet story of love, loss, family relationships, and so much more. Avery finds herself back in her hometown with a toddler and newborn, after her husband has an affair and leaves her. She has never felt so broken and alone before, struggling to find purpose in her new life. With the help of her family along the way she is thrust back into the spotlight with her oldest friend Cole. Together they mend Avery’s broken heart, build her back up, and address Coles unrequited love for her.
A sweet, tender, wholesome, feel good, and happily ever after story that’s the perfect summer read! This story tugs on your emotions and heartstrings in the best way possible!!
One Southern summer is the sweet story of love, loss, family relationships, and so much more. Avery finds herself back in her hometown with a toddler and newborn, after her husband has an affair and leaves her. She has never felt so broken and alone before, struggling to find purpose in her new life. With the help of her family along the way she is thrust back into the spotlight with her oldest friend Cole. Together they mend Avery’s broken heart, build her back up, and address Coles unrequited love for her.
A sweet, tender, wholesome, feel good, and happily ever after story that’s the perfect summer read! This story tugs on your emotions and heartstrings in the best way possible!!
June 20, 2023
This was a light, refreshing novel with likeable characters and a sweet plot. One of the things I liked the most is how Christians were portrayed so realistically. This is more rare than I’d imagine but typically they are boring and bland and completely pure and innocent. In this novel they are real people who aren’t perfect. I felt Avery’s feelings and growth, along with how the kids at their ages were portrayed, were all very realistic as well. I would say one negative is that it followed closely along with the “real world” except everything was neatly resolved and worked out for every person and that is not exactly accurate for how life works. Overall, this is a cute, clean novel that will make a great summer read for anyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Love Inspired for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Love Inspired for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews