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
Dreams and Determination!
Southern Charmer is a beautifully written love story! Eli and Olivia are definitely at the center of this love story. However, it is also a love story written to the city of Charleston, to writing (romance in particular), and to following your passion in life. Ms. Peterson does an amazing job of bringing the characters and story to life. The details are lucid. They penetrate the senses and immerse the reader into the characters points of view. You can almost see and smell the atmosphere.
Elijah Jackson is a passionate, creative, charming man. He is a highly regarded chef and restaurateur. Cooking food with love and simplicity is what he’s meant to do. He doesn’t put on pretenses or play games. Eli knows who he is and revels in that knowledge. At least until he experiences something that shakes a bit of his confidence….failure.
Olivia Gates (Wilson) is a hard working, accomplished, and brilliant woman. She is a tenured professor with seemingly everything a woman could possibly hope to attain. Yet, she yearns for something more. Something like…happiness. After a life changing moment, she puts a pause to the life she has always known. She heads to Charleston in hopes of fulfilling a dream that she has subconsciously stifled.
The chemistry between Eli and Olivia is flirty, fun, and endearing. Theirs is a slow burn stoked by patience and friendship. As their connection deepens, the heat between them intensifies. These characters have impassioned and honest conversations. They grow and blossom together. The support and encouragement in this story is truly uplifting. Eli and Olivia encounter setbacks and conflict through their journey to happily ever after. This makes them work harder to become the best version of themselves. And to fight for a partnership that empowers them. Their determination and dreams pave a discerning path of devotion and love.
Another Freaking amazing book from Jessica Peterson!!! I love the southern atmosphere, accents, phrases, and events that happen in Southern Charmer!
Tatted and swoon-worthy chef, Elijah (Eli), will make you melt! He is such a Southern Gentleman and lives life to the fullest.
Olivia is such a strong willed woman, trying to figure out where she wants to be in her life. Trying to see if she can reach her goal of becoming a romance writer, even though her family and potential fiancé thinks it is a waste of time.
Put them both together and…WOW! I literally couldn’t put this down! LOVED IT!!! Jessica does such a fantastic job making the story flow…her words, her descriptions…it is all so wonderful!
Very very good book.
I loved reading a book that the town was as huge of a part of the story as the characters.
Set in Charleston, the book describes things so well you feel as if you are there with them.
Eli and Olivia are an amazing couple. It is sweet how they met and sweet how they are friends which eventually develops into more.
A first book for me by Jessica Peterson and I will absolutely be reading more.
This book was a solid 4.5 stars for me! Olivia needs a change of pace – to try to make herself happy. After being in a relationship that was just ok for years, she decides she wanted something more. And that more was not a different man – more of a different life. Eli is a smokin’ hot chef who’s living the good life…. almost. When one of his restaurants doesn’t do well, he has to rethink how to handle things. Olivia and Eli bring out the best in each other – how to be real, how to let loose, how to be okay with having a life different than what you expected. I adored the secondary characters in this book and can’t wait to read more about them in the rest of the series. This is the 4th book of Jessica’s that I’ve read and I love this one just as much as the others!
Kinda feel like I need to go on a diet just from reading about the food in this book.
If you haven’t been to Charleston, sign up for the author’s newsletter so you can see the pix that inspired the story. I’m dying to go now. I liked how Olivia went from being a fish out of water in Charleston to a native. I loved her courage to throw aside what everyone thought was best for her and in favor of what SHE thought was. I liked the insight into Olivia as a budding author and wonder if it mirrors some of the author’s own story of how she began. Eli. Well. First, he cooks and has a cool dog AND does yoga? I liked him, his confidence, his willingness to work on himself in order to get Olivia back. His flaws were not as readily apparent but thanks to good dialogue and an insightful h, the author certainly brought them out. Definitely will read the next in the series, bc hello! Baseball player!
I loved this book… but I have loved everything written by Jessica Peterson so far… She has a way of taking a story and making me feel like I’m apart of the whole process.. I absolutely love Eli and Olivia’s story.. Two people just trying to figure out who they are and finding it together is always better.
Southern Charmer is a well-crafted story set in beautiful Charleston, SC. Jessica Peterson takes the popular runaway bride story and gives us a side of sexy chef. I enjoyed the setting and food in this book almost as much as the chemistry between Eli and Olivia.
Our main characters are opposites in many ways, but they both are in at a point of self-reflection in their lives. Weaved throughout the food and the drink and the banter and the sparks and the friendships is tons of character development for both Eli and Olivia. They are both strong characters, and they bring out the best in each other.
Charleston “Heat” is a totally appropriate name for this steamy series, and I cannot wait to see what’s in store next.
I have been a huge fan of Jessica Peterson, since reading her Flings With Kings series. Needless to say, I was beyond excited for Book 1 of this new series!
WOW!! I absolutely and truly loved this. This was a wonderfully slow burn love story, with sizzling chemistry between the lead characters. I loved the interplay between these two, and the obstacles they both learn to overcome before eventually coming together in a gorgeous and beautiful romance. True love is never easy, and Eli and Olivia’s journey to love was raw, honest and genuine.
I especially enjoyed how Jessica Peterson gives the readers a vivid insight into the delights of Charleston. Her descriptions of the sights, sounds, the vibe as well as the quaintness, charm and vitality of this beautiful city, really made the city come alive and unfold in my mind which made the story very authentic.
This is one of those stories that leaves you sighing happily and with a big smile on your face. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and the wonderful world of characters Jessica has created
A sweet and steamy read from this wonderful author! This is my first read fro. her and let me tell you – I am a fangirl for LIFE!
I thoroughly enjoyed the lightness of the story. It did have it’s sad parts, but it was handled BEAUTIFULLY. I was smiling almost the entire time I was reading!
I loved how the writer made you feel what the characters were feeling. When they smiled, I smiled… When they teared up, I teared up.
I highly recommend this amazing story!!
I reserve 5 star reviews for books that make me feel something. Maybe they make me laugh, or cry, or get angry or break my heart or make my pulse race. Sometimes they do all of these or just a few, but all of them pull me in and envelope me in a feeling. Southern Charmer by Jessica Peterson did just that. I’m a huge fan of this author and she’s a one click for me. I love her series as I am transported. In the Study Abroad series I was transported to Spain and submerged in the culture; the sights and sounds. In Flings with Kings, I got lost in the fairy tale of marrying a prince or being part of the royal family. In Southern Charmer, I was transported to the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. I was immediately transported to this charming city that blends the old and the new. The historic and the modern. From cobblestone streets and gas lamps to guinea fowl and a vibrant foodie scene I was hooked. We are introduced to Olivia Wilson, a women who needs a time out from her “perfectly” constructed NY life. When her long time boyfriend, Ted, asks her to marry him, yes, does not tumble from her lips. She needs a minute to process. She should say yes; at least that what her friends, family an even Ted expect. But underneath the veneer of this perfect life (perfect job, perfect man), she’s not happy. Her true hearts desire is to write romance novels, but fear of disappointing those in her life has kept her from pursuing this dream, until now. She and Ted agree to a 1 month sabbatical from her life and having to make a decision on getting married. She heads down to Charleston to work on her novel and that is where she meets Elijah “Eli” Jackson, her sexy as sin neighbor who happens to be a hot, prominent chef. Olivia soon finds her world tilted on its access. Eli, is delicious…. sexy, Southern and all MAN. Let’s face it a sexy, man who wants to feed me, yes please! Eli is charming, kind, patient…plus did I mention he is HOT! But he is fighting his own personal demons. Being a chef and owning one of the most sought after restaurants in Charleston is a dream come true. Because feeding people is truly what brings him joy. “We’re not just filling people bellies. We’re filling their eyes, their heads, their souls, too. There’s and exquisite kind of beauty in sitting down to eat good food with good friend. Connecting over cocktails, forgetting worries while savoring a cup of perfect peach ice cream.” However, when his second restaurant, The Jam, is met with less success and harsh criticism, Eli finds himself doubting himself and the prospect of potentially having to close it weighs heavy on his heart. When he sees Olivia, he is a goner. She is beautiful, but he also sees a sadness that he wants to fix though the one thing that he knows best, cooking. Southern Charmer is all the things I want a book to be. Wonderfully thought out characters and secondary characters that are engaging, make me greedy for the next in the series. Jessica Peterson has written a story that is special and made my heart sing…plus there was food porn and I certainly won’t complain about that. 5 deliciously, heartfelt stars!
Southern Charmer is a delicious read. It will make you hungry- for the amazing food cooked up by our hero Eli, and for more of this world that Jessica Peterson has created. She describes Charleston with a level of detail that made me want to go there (I’ve never been) while also making me feel like I was actually there while I was reading. The people who populate the Charleston Heat world are compelling, adult characters with a lot of facets to them. Olivia is a very relatable heroine, a woman who has always done what was expected of her and is finding that her current life of academic prestige and social acceptance feel hollow for her. She has always dreamed of writing romance novels, and escapes to Charleston to do just that (among other things). What she finds is a hot chef neighbor who feeds her stomach, her mind, and her soul. I devoured this book and can’t wait for the rest in the series. Southern Charmer is sweet, swoony, hot, delicious, big-hearted, and above all smart.
Mrs. Peterson has done it again! She has written a book full of humor, sassiness, wit, angst (oh the agonizing angst) and strength!
Our lovely heroine Olivia is striving for something she’s not even sure is possible! Her whole life she’s done what should be or what others thought was necessary but what about her hopes, dreams and desires? When she can’t see her future clearly she decides she needs change! Enter BILF! A man whose life seems a oklittle on the wild side for Olivia’s liking but also a man she can’t keep away from!
Eli is a man who leads with passion! He pours everything he is into pretty much everything he does! Failure is something that he’s never truly considered and it seems like he has it all figured out but is everything always as it seems!?
These two push each other to be better versions of themselves! They bring out the best in each other but when real life comes knocking will each one be able to face their reality!?
I loved the strength Olivia found within herself to follow her passions and make her dreams a reality! Eli’s belief in her and in himself was something that I found so inspiring myself! The humor laced within the pages also make this book a must read because you’ll find yourself laughing your butt off!
He’s sexy, he’s southern, he’s a beta male. No thanks. Also the level of CONSENT AWARENESS in this book was over the top. Now, there is nothing wrong with consent but when your character’s thoughts beat me over the head with it all the time then I stop rooting for him. In fact, I wish she’d told him no because his internal dialogue was so very repetitive and annoying.
Southern Charmer, I would love to say it’s totally charming but it’s not. It is so much more. The author didn’t just take me on a journey of two people who find each other, develop a relationship and find there are issues that need to be resolved. She took me on a life experience as well as a Southern tour. Let me tell you Charleston, S.C, is a place I now want to visit, with it’s beautiful scenery, delicious food, great drinks, hospitable people and delectable men. However, this is so much more than all of that. Within this story there are people whose stories I think many people can relate to.
First there is Olivia. She has major decisions to make. She’s lived her whole life being a people pleaser and trying to have it all. Not really sure now that she has it, is it what she really wants? Does she have the courage to do what she really wants with her life? In my opinion, that is more commonplace than most people would acknowledge. It begs the question, how much are you really willing to gamble? How much are you willing to settle for in your life for comfortability or just being scared of the future?
Enter Eli our Southern Charmer, handsome, accomplished in his own right, and looking secure. He’s one of the most patient and gracious persons I’ve ever read. Sexy, put together and confident. Looks like he has it all.
As we come to learn in this story, appearances aren’t always what they seem. This is where the story takes off. Both characters have flaws, both have secrets. Secrets aren’t always sinister or dark but they can be things or issues we don’t face in ourselves. Therefore, we don’t let others completely in and end up many times making our own false assumptions about them.
With all that being said, let me tell you there is sweetness, smiles, laughs, great secondary characters I want to meet again and heat. This story brings all the feels! Bring a fan cause it’s going to get HOT and not because you’re in the South.
I would really love to talk about the story in-depth but that would be unfair to the author. Let me just say I even loved the Guide at the end. The author takes you on a little tour. Not only did I get to read a fabulous story, she brought Charleston to vivid life! I could smell the mint julep, grits, biscuits and bourbon as I read. This story was mouth watering in all ways.
Do yourself a favor, read this book and get caught up in all it’s charms, Southern and otherwise.
I’m so looking forward to what the author brings us next.
Oh my gosh I absolutely adored this one.
The title fits the story perfectly – he’s a true Southern Charmer. I loved the banter between these characters, the genuine kindness/support he shows her and the raw/honest failures of the characters & their willingness to learn from them – it made the story feel very genuine.
And as for their slow burn chemistry – it was just perfection!!! Definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for heartfelt with plenty of heat.
Loved every second. Couldn’t put it down. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Southern Charmer lives up to its title. It has one hot hunk of a southern man in it. He’s a chef, he’s hot (and tattooed), charming and HE READS ROMANCE BOOKS!!! ***all the swooning***
Olivia was lost. She needed a break. Honestly, what she needs is to not settle for anything less than what she wants or deserves. She wants to write a romance book? Then she should do it!!! She doesn’t want to marry someone that everyone says she should even though she has reservations? Then she shouldn’t. So….off she goes to Charleston to write her romance book. But what she didn’t know about or plan for was the hot southern charmer…Eli Jackson.
I absolutely loved everything about this book. Eli was everything I wanted him to be. Olivia was her beautiful but lost yankee self and I adored her for finding the courage to step back from everything to take care of herself. To pursue her dreams and not worry about pleasing everyone else.
Southern Charmer charmed its way into my heart. Great start to a new series!
Five hundred billion stars because Jessica Peterson!!!
Olivia ran from her life in the city to find peace and rearrange the mess that has become her life. She knew if she just took a break in the small town of Charleston everything would sort itself out and finally finish the novel she’s been vying to finish. But nothing is going according to her plans. Her novels is not falling into place, she’s loving Charleston more than she anticipated and she might be falling for her hotter than sin neighbour. It doesn’t help that he feeds her delicious food, is always shirtless and love to talk about romance books. She’s in deep trouble but maybe she doesn’t want out just yet.
One of Elijah’s restaurants is burning and crashing. He dreads everything that comes with this failure; disappointed workers, hurt pride and self – doubt. Then he sees his beautiful neighbour and all of that vanishes if only for a while. He sees the pain in her eyes but he also sees how freely she smiles when she’s eating his food or talking about her romance novels. He basks in her every chance he gets trying to forget his own problems. He’s in deep and almost happy about it.
If someone ever asks me about a book that defines ” slow burn ” Southern Charmer would be one of the first books I’d recommend. This book defines great, addictive slow bur. I crave books like this and I’m such a happy bird after reading this story.
Olivia is my queen. She’s the kind of women I want to see more of in romance novels. Sure she started unsure and a bit compliant but she grew so much so spectacularly. I adore her character development. I adore the way she stood up to everyone who tried hurting her. I adore the way she went after her dreams and actually made them happen. WHAT A QUEEN! She’s one of my all time characters.
Elijah has all the permission in the World to ruin my life but he’d be too polite to do it and feed me food and tell me I’m pretty. He’s such a good pure soul but he was also lost and hurting. I couldn’t help fall more in love with him throughout the story. I don’t need my men perfect, I need them to know when they messed up and duly fucking apologise. His character needed to grow and IT DID.
Jessica Peterson has really become my new favourite author/ person. I actually feel her books down to my bones. She’s such a brilliant writer and her stories are so real so important. I wish I could read this story all over again because once wasn’t enough.
“Romance is feminist. The reply was on the tip of my tongue. Romance is one of the few genres that explicitly puts a woman’s dreams and desires, sexual and otherwise, front and center. It’s one of the many reasons I love reading it.”
Olivia and Elijah are perfect together, except that they both may be running from something.
Olivia escapes to Charleston after her boyfriend asked her to marry him and she realizes how trapped she feels. During one conversation with her friend Julia she explains that she feels like a glutton. She already has so much, why does she think she has a right to reach for her own happiness? And Julia explains that happiness is a human right.
“I was raised in the temple of simple southern cooking. My faith in a nutshell: all good things start with bacon fat, butter, or bourbon.”
Eli was taught at his mothers hand all the special things about southern cooking. About how you need the best ingredients, the best staff, but if you’re not cooking with love and passion what is the point?
Olivia and Eli meet at the best time, but also the worst time. Olivia is having to make huge decisions, and Eli’s decisions are now completely out of his hands. Just when you think they are going to get their happily ever after Eli makes a complete cake of it.
It’s over, and each of them must learn to live as they can. But is it ever really over?
This book brought together my love for the South and food all meshed in with a sassy heroine who does find her own happiness, and a hero who learns he needs to make some big changes to find himself again.
Thank you Ms. Peterson for an amazing book! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.
This book has me wanting to book a visit to Charleston. And eat all the food. Eli and Olivia are both really likable and Eli is the ultimate dream Book boyfriend, no, really, he’s a total dream. Eli’s a chef, prefers to wear no shirt when he’s relaxing, supports Olivia’s budding romance writer career, and HE READS HER WORK….you read that right, he reads her romance work. This is a must read for romance lovers, foodies and travelers alike, you won’t be disappointed. PS, I want comfort food on the regular, prefer