The Shop Around the Corner

Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman #2

by Anne-Marie Meyer

finally got Shelby back into my life and I'll be damned if I lose her again. I'll find a way to make everyone happy...I have to. Shelby I thought I was getting stronger, but now, I'm not so sure. Tamara is back in Miles' life and I want to say that it doesn't affect us--that he loves me and that is all that should matter--but every time I see Belle, I see myself. I would give anything to change the circumstance of my childhood and if there's a chance that Miles and Tamara can make it work, I wouldn't forgive myself if I stood in their way. Miles thinks there's a way for everyone to be happy...but I just don't see it. And I don't think it's a risk I'm willing to take. Abigail I thought I was content with my life. My business is booming. I have a boyfriend. Sabrina is coming out of the darkness that seemed to have taken over her since Samuel's birth. But for some reason, I'm not happy. I blame Bash. I hate that he randomly shows up at the shop as if he's trying to protect me. I hate that he's in their kitchen apartment, shirtless, with a dark, hooded look in his eyes, while Anders in distracted by videos games and beer in his room. But I really hate that when I need someone the most, Bash is the only one that shows up to help me. And when I find out what he did for Sabrina? I hate him even more. This story is told through 4 different points of view. Shelby, Miles, Abigail, and Bash. It's a story of romance and friendships between women. If you liked the Netflix show, Sweet Magnolias, you'll love this series! The Shop Around the Corner is chock full of romance, redemption, and forgiveness. If you're looking for a story full of romance, friendship, and heroes you'll want to gate keep, grab your copy today! It is the second book in the Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman series and ends on a cliff hanger.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Second Chance, Fiction

266 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2023

About the author

Anne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.

When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.

Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com

Reviews

[Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do any of these books feel complete?

No.

Can I stop myself from reading them and obsessing over what happens next? No.

Even with the main character being a complete pain in the ass downer.

But I can not quit! Read the first two almost back to back, has to wait three days for it to come out. I’m honestly surprised we have to wait so long for the next one…but I preordered it as well. With a little disdain, if you catch my drift.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby, Miles, Abigail, and Bash all have a story to tell. While I loved Miles and Shelby's story I found myself yelling at them a time or two. The return of Belle's mom throws a big obstacle - but did it have to? - in their way of falling forever. Loved seeing Shelby continue to heal and finding out that things weren't exactly like she assumed. Abigail - well I wish she would see her worth and kick Anders to the curb. Bash needs so much love and understanding. While hurting he still reached out to and looked out for Abigail. Can't wait for these two to get out of their own ways and find their way to each other. Of course Belle is still adorable. Looking forward to Claire's story and hope Missy can stop being so hateful. Tamara's story had me conflicted but always like seeing people truly change.

[Becky Lyons · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again another story that isn’t finished or even really started at all……

[Nyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear Shelby is one of the stupidest characters on the planet. Miles is not much better. I absolutely hate the miscommunication trope! And these particular characters are the embodiment of it! It is so frustrating!! I never see giving these books higher than a three if it continues.

So why do I care? Why am I torturing myself with this series? Because there are HEA's and they get me every freakin' time!

Thankfully, the two figure their stuff out, and now we get to concentrate on the other three - one of whom is not who everybody thinks he is.

And now, there's Claire. We meet her in the last chapter, so I don't know what to make of her yet. She sounds okay; however, her family sounds entitled and judgmental, but we know her mother, so the attitude is not a big surprise.

I will try book three - please don't disappoint!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept waiting for this to get spicy but it just never happened. It didn’t happen in book 1 and I thought surely book 2, but no. So if you like some spice with your romance look elsewhere.

You finally get the conclusion to Miles and Shelby’s story. It was just such a slow burn… If you didn’t enjoy the slow burn from book one, prepare for disappointment because it just continues in book 2, with some added miscommunication trope thrown in.

I really liked Abigail and Bash but not much happens there either. I feel like all the stories are just too drawn out.

Sabrina seemed like she was turning a corner on her postpartum depression that everyone seemed oblivious to somehow… but then nope. And it was never fully explained what happened to land her in the hospital.

Now for the biggest annoyance… Shelby’s injury at the end of the book, what was with this scene?! She gets knocked unconscious by a tree branch, her head is bleeding, and she’s pinned under the branch for god knows how long in a rain storm. Miles finds her and takes her back to the Inn and then they are just making out??? What?!? He checks her body over for injuries but never looks at her head that was at one point bleeding?? Shouldn’t she be taken to the hospital and assessed for a concussion?? But no, let’s just make out and then go to sleep. Even in the morning Tamara asks if she’s ok and Shelby’s response “am I not ok?” No Shelby. No. You’re not ok! Please take yourself to the hospital! You have a concussion! You probably needed stitches. But you know what let’s just go make out with Miles again, it’s all good.

[Chelsea Girvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series just pissed me off. There are FOUR POV’s in this book and it just felt overwhelming. I’ve read multiple POV books before and this just didn’t do it for me. Miles and Shelby are so WHINEY. FFS. Miscommunication was the main trope and I hated it. For two books I read as they whine about their feelings internally, but barely actually talk to each other about it. The marketing for this book series totally suckered me in. And it was a complete let down. The other two characters aren’t interesting enough for me to continue. Especially since the next book centers around who I would describe as the bitchy town gossip and her daughter.

[Melissa Locke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The miscommunication trope or lack of communication trope is quite possibly the worst trope there is. Shelby plays victim to everything but refuses to talk about anything that might hurt her feelings.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just have to get to resolution to a story, but the character and story arcs in these books are so poor. For less than 250 pages, I’m 2 books into the series, that end in cliff hangers and we are still missing key story pieces. There’s a story art to hiding pieces of a characters history back, but when they are making decisions etc on it and 2 books in the reader still doesn’t actually know want happened, we are passed literary tension & technique and just in poor story boarding.

Reviews calling these swoon worthy, and amazing love stories etc - they have to be written by someone that’s 13 or rumspringer, thinking that ultimate romance and what is described as a lifetime of tension (and not about light topics) is resolved with tied up with a proposal in what, 48 hours? So much is lacking…

Bought these all in a package direct from the author and I am not good at DNF but my goodness I’m ready for these to be done to read something with depth and development. Shows the divide in “silly romance” and quality romance genre….

[Terra Clotfelter G · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Quick, cozy read. The timeline cracks me up when Abigail says things like, “Shelby doesn’t usually do XYZ” when they’ve known each other for about two weeks 😅

[Sam Mears · Rating 2 out of 5]

More trashy reading but this one was better

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terr...UH...bull...

Better stories have been written in middle school ELA class by 14 year old girls with no experience in love and an hour to complete a chalkboard prompt before heading to lunch.

Written with a checklist of character traits:

fmc with childhood trauma / mommy issues who feels unworthy of love and has unresolved grief over the deaths of a baby, both parents, and a grandmother ✔️

mmc who faithfully loves and secretly protects the fmc even though she only wants to whine about her terrible life while doing nothing to fix it ✔️

fsc who overcomes a heroin addiction so cleanly that she never speaks of it again and is so grateful to be able to come home and bake cookies that she goes from wanting to get back with her baby daddy on Tuesday to making a noble sacrifice by Friday to further the cause of true love. ✔️

🤢Titan, all star quarterback and dispenser of therapeutic wisdom

🤢Abigail, muffin (wo)man extraordinaire who wants desperately to smash on Bash but oh well, I met the large blonde drunk idiot first so I guess I'll just watch him play WoW and call it good.

and an author who desperately hopes to sell you book 3 by throwing in a chapter from some random new girl and outing the mysterious dark haired man as the son of a tech billionaire and *gasp* the prime suspect in his brother's murder. dun, dunh, done.

Done is the operative word here.

[AwsmPwsm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my ghaaad! The DRAMA! So stupid.

[Ema · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you think this is a sweet romantic story, please let me know so I may send you a list of therapist who can help you sort out complicated step sibling problems.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second of the series - and it was an easy read with interesting bait for the next book. Small town set with predictable storylines including improbable outlines. A random fake date with a NFL superstar - really?? ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and that is being generous! This was a no thinking required read but I will read the third book.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what an amazing book! This book alone had me angry at some of the characters, it had me in tears,and it had me over joyed!
But the best bit was when Miles said "I want you now and forever. I want you to be a mother to Belle." His voice deepened. "A mother to my children. And wife to me." He held up the ring. "What do you think?" My heart literally melted!

[Amanda Speaks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than book one. I was glad to see more of abi and bash. These books are really simple and uninvolved so they’re good easy reads. I’ll be reading book 3 hopefully it’s the best yet, and maybe a little spice?

[Allie Andersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read

In this book, I fell OUT of love with Shelby. Even if I did still root for her and Miles to finally get together, it was more for Miles’ sake than for Shelby’s. Abi x Bash has me in a chokehold though and I kept reading specifically for their storyline.

[Audry Rea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Step bro and step sis story concluded. Why bring baby mama back into the picture when she is so boring and had little to no complexity to add to the story? Idk. Got more info and tension on mysterious boy Bash. Sebastian and Abi are the only reason I’m moving forward to the next book.

[Summer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m DNFing. I cannot STAND the different POV’s. I get hooked on what’s happening and then it all changes. I literally cannot do it anymore.

[Janaye Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t get enough of this book! I was constantly swooning! These characters just kept giving me everything I wanted!!😍😍

[Chelsea Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Shelby and Milo’s story would have been better told if she combined Book 1 and 2 together.
This one was okay.

[Allison Fahy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is significantly better than the other two that I’ve read but it’s still a very basic and bland storyline 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Claire Jansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was annoyed at the characters more in this book so that's why I rated it lower.

[Sherilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short quick read

[JaMaris Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice level - 2

[Tegan Spatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Love the small town romance, especially when they come with a past. Looking forward to next books to come. thank you

[Courtney D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the first one The Inn on Harmony Island, I couldn’t wait for the Shop Around the Corner to come out. It was there this morning when I got up and already finished. The series gives me full Sweet Magnolias vibes and I’m here for it. I love Miles and Shelby and I love getting some closure to the end of the first book. I can not wait to see what else comes with this series. I need more Bash!

[3dsadventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was enjoyable! Live that american small town vibe...
However, Shelby, darling... took you a bit long darling. But all is forgiven.

[Lindsay Cardona · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

[Victoria Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can’t run from love, no matter how hard you try…

With Miles’ ex and Belle’s mother back in town, Shelby finds herself at a crossroad. As much as she loves Miles and Belle, she doesn’t want to be the person to stop Mile and Tamara being together and the three being a happy little family. And no matter how much Miles tells her that he loves Shelby and he and Tamara are better as co-parents, nothing will change Shelby’s mind. When Shelby briefly returns to New York to help out a friend, she’s not only confronted with her feelings for Miles, but also a message from beyond the grave in the form of her grandmother’s diary. Meanwhile Abigail is juggling her nephew and sister, the bookshop/cafe, her blossoming friendship with Shelby, her new boyfriend Anders, and his mysterious roommate Bash. As she worries about her sister and plays matchmaker to get Miles and Shelby on the same page, she also can’t help but be drawn to Bash, especially when Anders isn’t being the most attentive boyfriend.

After the cliffhanger of book one, I just had to dive into this one right away! Again, I know people aren’t necessarily a fan of cliffhangers in companion novel series, but Anne-Marie has framed each of the character’s stories really well across each book.

There’s lots of really sweet moments as Shelby and Miles continue to reconnect, and Shelby comes to realise how much heartbreak she left behind. You really get hit in all the feels with the rollercoaster of emotions the pair go through. They’re definitely both a little frustrating, especially Shelby, but everything comes together in the end and I can’t wait to see their story take a little more of a backseat in future books.

While it took me a while to get into Abigail’s story in the first book, I throughly enjoyed getting a deeper insight into her life as she juggles family and work commitments. Throw Bash and his perspective into the mix, and I was hooked on their story in no time and how Anne-Marie set everything up for the third installment.

And of course, this book ended on another cliffhanger that I was actually expecting this time. But it was enough to hook me to return for the third book in the near future. Again, the way Anne-Marie has formated and framed this book and series has major soap opera vibes, and while not for everyone, makes for a super enjoyable read.

Definitely one to read once all the books in the series are released because you’re going to want to binge them in one sitting!