He’s sexy. He’s southern. And he won’t stop showing up at my door half naked. Meet Elijah Jackson, my hot new neighbor…From the outside looking in? I’ve got it all. Prestigious job. Pretty house. And a perfect boyfriend who just proposed with the perfect ring.I should feel ecstatic—but instead, I feel suffocated. So I break up with my boyfriend, hop in my car, and head south.Charleston, South … south.
Charleston, South Carolina: home to stunning architecture, sultry accents, and—oh yeah—my perpetually shirtless neighbor, Elijah Jackson.
As if his abs for days and inked up deliciousness aren’t enticing enough, he also encourages me to chase down my dreams. And the chemistry between us? Hotter than the kitchen at Eli’s restaurant.
But I still have a life a thousand miles away. One I’ve worked really hard to build. And I don’t know if I can just leave it all behind.
I have to choose. A choice Eli doesn’t make any easier by inviting me out to his cabin for a long weekend. Just the two of us. And one bed. I swear to God this southerner is out to charm the panties right off me. Just this once, I might let him…
SOUTHERN CHARMER is a slow burn, standalone romance with no cheating. It’s the first book in the CHARLESTON HEAT series, set in Charleston, South Carolina.
The books in the Charleston Heat series are interconnected standalone romances, and can be read in any order.
SOUTHERN CHARMER: Eli and Olivia’s story
SOUTHERN PLAYER: Luke and Gracie’s story
SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN: Greyson and Julia’s story
SOUTHERN HEARTBREAKER: Ford and Eva’s story
more
OMG! Eli is so yummy! Olivia takes a sabatical from not just her tenured position but from her life up north to come to Charleston and explore her desire to write romance. Little does she expect to meet the sexy shirtless chef next door and not only fall in love with Charleston but him too. And to find herself. To realize being a people pleaser is not making her happy. They are combustible together. But the course of true love is never perfectly smooth. You’ll fall in love with the city, the accent, the food, and Eli & Olivia. It’s fantabulously delicious! I received an advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Southern Charmer shot right up to my #1 Jessica Peterson book. This book seriously had all of the amazing romance trope and while it was set in the South, there was no simpering heroine in this one.
Running from a proposal, Olivia escapes to Charleston to a month long sabbatical to explore her dream of writing a romance novel (which I so want to read!) and falls for the sexy, sensitive chef Eli. There was all of the steam of a lust at first sight moment and just when you thought this was going to be just another romance novel, it isn’t.
This is a book about a sensitive, smoldering Alpha male who acknowledges his own faults and grows and allows the heroine to grow strong on her own with out him. This was real, this had all the feels, this book was simply amazing.
5 “Let Me” Stars
I need to book a flight to Charleston, South Carolina ASAP! Being transported to this quaint and vibrant city with just words alone has me itching to experience it in real life. Jessica does an outstanding job making the reader feel like they’re walking through this picturesque city and feeling everything the heroine of this story is experiencing through her eyes. And oh, the food, my gosh the food. The descriptions alone have me licking my lips imagining what it would be like to taste these dishes, which I’m almost positive would have my tastebuds exploding from all the flavors. Such imagery and attention to detail made this story all that more vivid. I loved it! I loved everything. The story, the characters, the city, and food. All I want to do is go back from the beginning and experience this story all over again.
From the outside looking in it would seem that Olivia has it all. But deep down there’s something missing. Though, Olivia knows what it is and knows deep down in her heart that that’s the path she needs to take, she still has fears. Afraid of letting her family down, but especially fear in failing. But she knows she has to take a leap, and thus her journey begins.
Elijah Jackson is doing what he loves, cooking. He’s a well known chef in Charleston, and a mighty good one at that. And heating up not only the kitchen. Eli is the definition of charming and charismatic. He’s such a down to earth guy. I was smitten and a swoony mess all thanks to chef Elijah Jackson. I was definitely charmed and then-some by the Southern Charmer.
Olivia and Eli were a match made in heaven. These two were smokin’ hot together. Oh my gosh, I honestly couldn’t get enough. The tenderness, the happiness, the love I just wanted more, so much more. Olivia and Eli made me happy, a happy smiley mess.
Southern Charmer was an out-of-this-world glorious read. Not only did it make me want to take a trip to Charleston, it also made me miss it even though I’ve never been. An all around feel good book I couldn’t get enough of. Definitely recommend.
First in her new Charleston Heat series, Peterson certainly kicks it off with a bang. It’s a bit angsty, but not overly so.
The title is incredibly accurate, as Eli, the hero, is totally a “southern charmer”. He’s sexy and swoony and pretty much the perfect guy – minus a little baggage he’s got to deal with before he and Olivia get their HEA. Olivia is a woman who’s trying to find herself and what will truly make her fulfilled rather than just trying to make other people happy.
What I also loved was that the city of Charleston is as much a character in this book as the people. I always find that when an author describes a location so vividly – so much so that I now desperately want to visit – that it just brings the whole story to another level.
I can’t wait to read about Luke and Gracie in the next book, Southern Player!!
PS: I’m totally planning on trying to make a version of that succotash and grits breakfast bowl!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
This book….ahhhhh! I love how diverse Jessica is as we move from books about royals to the south in Charleston. The vivid details were point on. I don’t even like grits but I want some of Eli’s grits!
Eli and Olivia are both at transitions in their life when they meet each other and quickly discover passion that neither knew was missing. Their love blossoms in such a great setting in Charleston, SC. I can just imagine Eli’s house and restaurant and Rainbow Row books. If you have ever been to Charleston you will definitely be taken back to the city and I can guarantee if you have never been, you will be looking into a Charleston vacation!!
I can’t wait for more in this series.
Love this book! The characters are so well written. Great storyline that moves at a nice pace and keeps you interested. Eli is one of my favorite heroes I’ve read. He is a sexy, sometimes foul mouthed, swoony chef! Olivia is a brilliant and strong heroine. Both Eli & Olivia feel like real people. Plus I totally want to visit Charleston now!!! Highly recommend and looking forward to the next book in the series!!!
Eli & Olivia are simply delicious!
Right from the start I adored Olivia and her strength – even when she didn’t give herself credit for it. She was brave enough NOT to say yes to a situation that would seal her forever fate. And then she took time to CHANGE that situation.
Eli…. geez, even as a non-foodie he made me want to taste his savory creations! Jessica Peterson did a phenomenal job with descriptions so delectable I could smell it all. And Eli himself? Well, that’s just a whole other treat! I loved how he treated and listened to Olivia. How he dug deep to know her. But poor fellow… he nearly lost himself. Lucky for him, he has people in his life that recognized and forced him to come clean. And speaking of Luke & Gracie…. Oh I can’t wait for more of them!!
This sweet story is an insta-love situation, but delivered as a slow burn. It takes more than half the book to get “there”, and by doing so there is tremendous character development. We get to know the whole heart and soul of each of the characters so well, that we can feel everything they do – the hurt, confusion, deep deep pain of loss. And the good stuff too – the attraction that is quite immediate, the intelligence behind every conversation, they desire to do right by others, and the bone deep love that develops.
Super excited for the next story in the series!
Writing a good book is no small feature. A book within a book? Not for the weak ones either. The book is a breath of fresh air, a feel-good through and through. Sweet, savory, sassy and sexy. A book that is character-driven, and makes you embrace the romance reader in you in an unabashed way.
Olivia is you and me and each and every modern woman who “had it all” and realized that “all of that” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and one day decided that being herself in a world full of the idea of the perfect life is a hard choice, but the result? It’s beautiful, liberating and so rewarding! You can’t help but feel like you’re a part of Olivia as well.
As far as Eli, I dare you to finish the book and not picture him exactly as the cover model.
Goodness gracious did I love reading Southern Charmer! It’s the story about a college professor and her decision to take a one month break from her life to write a romance book and reflect on some choices that she needs to make about her future. From the outside Olivia Wilson has it all, the perfect boyfriend with the perfect career, a tenured teaching position at the university, an expensive car, house and all the trappings of a perfect life. What if everything isn’t really that perfect? What if Olivia wants something different? How will everyone react? That’s what the premise is for Southern Charmer. Olivia heads to a old friends place in Charleston, SC to get away from everything and reflect on her choices in life. She’s been so busy rushing forward that she’s forgotten where she wants to go. While she writes she learns to slow down and enjoy life and meets new people along the way. One of them is her neighbor, chef Elijah Jackson. Eli is melting butter on a biscuit, garlic on shrimp, a smooth glass of bourbon all in one delectable man! He’s earthy and tatted and everything that she didn’t think would ever interest her but does. Eli is instantly charmed by his Yankee neighbor and wants to do two things, feed her and unearth her secrets. He loves to bring happiness to peoples lives with his cooking and he wants to cook for Oliva and bring a smile to her face. He can see the sadness in Olivia’s eyes and he wants to see her shine. Eli has two restaurants in town. One is doing fantastic and the other is struggling. Eli is struggling with the thought of letting his staff and himself down by a possible failure. Southern Charmer is the story of how these two strangers meet and spend a month together going through what life throws their way. It’s told from dual POV and has lots of light hearted moments, laughs, heat and some angst. Jessica Peterson has done a beautiful job writing this contemporary romance and if you haven’t read her books before you are missing out! I don’t like comparing one author to another but if you are a fan of writers like Emily Giffin and Kristin Higgins then I highly recommend reading Southern Charmer so give yourself a real treat and enjoy the sweet southern heat!
Eli is just always plying his woman with food, “c’mon,” he says, tilting his head toward the kitchen. “Let’s go eat. You’ll feel better with a full belly.” Eli is just so bossy, “don’t keep me waitin’.” He gives my *** a squeeze before he turns toward his house…” I liked this book, I really loved Eli.
Southern Charmer is a sexy read in a new series by author Jessica Peterson. The sweet heroine,Olivia, is escaping her boring life to take a breath and discover what she truly wants in her life and her future. Is it a perfect life with Ted along with a perfect job and a perfect house ?? Olivia ends up moving to Charleston to figure out what she really needs/wants in her life . It’s there that Olivia finds an old world charm; really sweet and kind people where community comes together. And we have sexy Elijah. He is the personification of the ultimate Bad Boy. He is a chef, restaurant owner and full of sex appeal- just one accomplished, sexy male wrapped up in one steamy package. Their first encounter will be the tone for the story. This was the ultimate reading pleasure that i loved and this book will give all the feels. Being a southern gal, makes me want to move to this town for all the family, community , food and sizzle.
My rating: 4.6 stars *****
This was such a great story! Olivia is at a crossroads in her life and Elijah is just the person she’s supposed to meet at just the moment she’s supposed to meet him. He is soooo incredible a guy but still human. They are so great together, they make each other better.
I’ll be completely honest, I just fell in MORE love with Jessica Peterson’s words I mean, I love the Royals, but she completely found her stride in their voices, characters and their city. This book is her best yet.
This book is character driven – I feel like I know Eli and Olivia like friends. Elijah is this hot shot chef in Charleston. He has it made. Olivia needed to escape a life she didn’t want anymore. Eli and Olivia navigate through friendship, inner monologues and the dynamics of other characters that you feel like you know them. Jessica Peterson has created a world around them, I want to go to Eli’s restaurant. I want to be a fly on the wall with Olivia. I love their friends.
Olivia has left every single thing she’s ever known to find herself. She was brave enough to do that. She went through so much growth I was cheering on. I’m so proud of this character and for Eli to be the person she could lean on. They transformed together, the mere essence of this exemplifies what a romance novel can be.
I can’t wait to see what comes next. I have no doubt it’ll be fabulous. A top book!!
Olivia needed a break which I think most of us can relate to at time and she had the perfect getaway far away from her life to recharge. She was wanting to follow her dreams and write book but away from everyone who tried to deter her from this was the best thing she could have done.
Eli is a HOT as hell chef in the south that can conjure us some pretty tasty meals and the way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach, well that is what he thought and lived by. The descriptions had me smelling bacon at time when there was nothing cooking at my house. I just loved how he was hard worker but also laid back.
In a way Eli and Olivia were meant to find one another. Having someone to help you make that leap of faith is huge but sometimes you just need to find out for yourself.
I can’t wait for the next book and have loved all of Jessica’s books I have read.