Buried secrets never stay hidden in the South.OliviaWhen you find out that your fiancé is arrested for swindling over ten million dollars from his clients, you do what any sane woman would do. You escape reality and go undercover, trading in your city-girl Louboutins for country-pumpkin cowboy boots. It wasn’t a forever change—it was temporary. I only had to stay here until things back home got … things back home got straightened out, or so I thought.
Casey
I was riding horses before I was walking, or at least that was what they told me. I always knew I would take over the family farm. It’s in my blood.
Country boy at heart, the minute I saw her dragging her luggage up the gravel driveway I knew she was out of my league.
I shouldn’t have started anything with her, because I knew she was just passing through.
I couldn’t stop it, I fell in love with her. Even though I knew, in the end, she would leave me.
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4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the series. It picks up with quite a bit of action. Buckle up because this is going to be one heck of a ride. It warmed my heart so much that Casey and Kallie’s family took Olivia right in and made her feel like part of the family. I gobbled this book right up. I read it in one day and a book hangover resulted with no regrets. I loved Casey and Olivia. They’re so cute together that they make you swoon. The epilogues are the cherry on top of this book. This book left me one happy and satisfied reader. It has me really anticipating the next book in the series.
Olivia was hiding out after finding out how bad of a person her ex-fiancé was. She was only planning for it to be a temporary thing until everything was straightened out back in LA. That was until she laid eyes on Casey and he made her feel like she was someone. Casey was a cowboy deep down in his bones and when he saw Olivia he knew she was all city girl but that did not stop his heart from skipping a beat. Knowing she was just there temporary he tried to keep his heart guarded but in the end, he fell in love with her even with her departure looming.
OMG!! Natasha Madison has outdone herself with The Southern Series as each book hooks you more than the last. Southern Comfort grabs you in right from page one and keeps you glued to the pages with all of the suspense and angst. Casey and Olivia’s sexual tension and teasing banter, as well as the ability to wholeheartedly trust each other, makes their slow-burn romance angsty and exciting. I can not wait to dive into future books in this series. The Southern Series is a must-read! Southern Comfort is a best friends sibling romantic suspense from the first-person point of view which can be read as a stand-alone or as the second novel in The Southern Series.
*ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review*
OMG I love everything that Natasha Madison writes. I love her story telling and her characters. This book is so amazing. I could not and would not put it down it’s fabulous can’t wait for the next one. Alway one click author for me.
I couldn’t wait to dive into Casey and Olivia’s story after the way they danced around one another in Southern Chance!
Olivia really can’t seem to catch a break as she finds herself on the run and in the crosshairs of her ex and the people he pissed off when he stole more than ten million dollars from his clients. Hoping she’d be safe in the deep south on her best friend’s family farm, Olivia finds herself torn between the life she is unexpectedly living and the life she left behind when she went on the run. And, the biggest draw is her own personal cowboy protector, Casey.
Casey knows that Olivia living on his farm is only temporary, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting more or from vowing to keep her safe no matter who or what comes after her. But there’s more to Casey than he lets others see. But for the first time, he’s willing to let someone in, even though he knows she will walk away from him in the end.
Ok, full disclosure, for the first part of this book, Olivia annoyed me to no end. I found her super whiney and over emotional. That being said, her character really grew on me and I ended up loving her in the end. The more I learned about her back story, the more her emotions made sense. She had a childhood where she never felt loved or good enough and it totally wrecked her self worth. I loved that Casey and the rest of his family see her for who she is and not for her looks or fame. And, Casey . . . he is so much more than your typical cowboy and I loved it! His secret was shocking and I was totally intrigued by his character and double life.
The suspense was great and seeing Olivia finally get what she deserved out of life was wonderful. I loved that Olivia found her place to put down roots and that Casey filled his empty spaces. But, that bombshell dropped leading into book three . . . hold on tight because things are about to get rocky! 4.5 stars.
What a phenomenal read from Natasha Madison.
As you know, if you have been following me for a while, you know that I have become a huge fan of Natasha Madison. I am a fan because of her unique, and captivating writing style, her dynamic, yet, relatable characters and her original and realistic plot lines.
Within Southern Comfort, you receive all of those elements, as well as so many more. Throughout this novel, you are introduced to Olivia and Casey. These two characters will make your heart soar, and your pulse beat. They have this unspeakable connection, that, despite the fact that they have their ups and downs, you know that they will ultimately find a way to overcome them. You can’t help but find yourself rooting for this most unlikely couple. At first, you would never think that they would work out. Yet, by the time you get to the end, you can’t help but think and believe that maybe opposites do truly attract.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. If it is anything like the first two, I know that it will be an instant hit in my lists.
5/5 Stars!
Southern Comfort is book 2 in the Southern Series by Natasha Madison and follows Olivia & Casey who we met in book 1 Southern Chance. Even though this is a series of interconnected standalones I really think to get the full story behind each character and couple you should read these books in order.
At the end of book 1 we got a soft cliffhanger that leads us straight into book 2. I already knew I like Olivia & Casey together and was super excited for their book & I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a quick, easy and fun read full of passion, heat and packed with drama and some added suspense. It was funny one minute & emotional the next.
Casey isn’t just a cowboy he is so much more than meets the eye and I loved him. He was caring, protective, smart, funny, sexy AF and so very Alpha, sometimes a little too alpha that it made me laugh.
Olivia is trying to get away from her past and trying to get her life back to normal whatever that may be. She was kind, funny, sassy, sweet and guarded. I felt bad for her with everything she was dealing with and everything she had gone through growing up but I also found it harder to connect with her. I felt like she always had one foot out the door ready to leave. I understand where she was coming from and why she was this way but I just found her character frustrated me a lot of the times.
I really enjoy this book but I liked book 1 better, personal preferences. This book again ends on a soft cliffhanger that leads us into book 3 and I can’t wait. This series is a must for lovers of Small Town Romances
Poor Olivia is trying to get away from her life in California. Casey is everything. I would love to listen to her talk all day…just to hear that southern accent. Natasha throws a little mystery in Southern Comfort like no other. It’s the perfect amount. But, don’t get me wrong you will get your sass and sexiness!
Natasha has blown this one out of the park. I was thrown for a loop with this book, and I’m most definitely okay with it. Natasha will be pull you in with every word. I cried, you may also. You realize that Olivia is who you want to be when you grow up.
5 Stars
Southern Comfort by Natasha Madison is the second book in the Southern series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I highly suggest reading the first book as well.
I have three words for you-this book was INCREDIBLE! The writing was pure perfection and the characters captured my heart from the very first page. This book had it all-a little bit of suspense, a little bit of heartbreak, and a whole lotta love.
Olivia and Casey were two amazing characters. The tension between the two was palpable-seriously it made the story that much better. Olivia needed a safe place and Casey was the last person she ever expected to become that for her. Casey was so much more than what I expected and I fell head over heels in love with him. The chemistry was HOT as hell and their journey was one I will not be forgetting for a long time to come.
I loved this story so much. I seriously cannot wait for book three. Highly recommend reading this book!
Olivia is hiding away cause of the crimes of her ex and Casey is more then happy to help her pass the time. Both have secrets but when is Olivia is targeted Casey will use all his resources to protect her. This story ticked every single box and I loved every single second literally from the very first page. The slow burn between these two was so agonizingly perfect!!
I need some more stars for this one.
Holly smokes was this an absolutely epic story. I read start to finish without stopping once. It was that good. I was pulled into the story and felt invested in the characters lives. I was hoping for the story to go the way I wanted and the way it got there was nothing short of amazing. Absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait for the next one.
Olivia has been horribly wronged and someone is after her. She retreats to a small, southern town with her best friend, Kallie. (From book 1 in the series) Olivia is hiding out at Casey’s house. Casey is a cowboy at heart. He was big on the rodeo circuit, but he left to expand his family’s horse farming business. Olivia is being hunted and Casey is keeping her safe, but danger lurks around every fence post, it seems. When Casey takes Olivia to the big city for a work conference, she finds out more about the man than she thought she knew. Will they fall for each other before Olivia gets hurt? Will Casey open his heart to her? This was a sweet story with a little bit of a romantic suspense twist. I’d fall for Casey any day and you will, too! Southern Comfort gets 4 super stars!
Whooowee! Natasha Madison has come out strong with her second book in this series. She’s keeping us on our toes with Casey and Olivias book. There’s suspense and some twists & turns that you will enjoy. And don’t forget the feels, there’s lots of those to. Ms. Madison keeps you engaged with this couple from the get go, they are good together but as you read on you know that they are made for each other. Enjoy the suspense, feels, and sizzle you won’t be able to put it down.
3.5 stars
I was expecting a cowboy romance but I got so much more in Southern Comfort. Casey and Olivia’s story is packed with mystery and I wasn’t expecting it. That was definitely my favorite part of this book: the mysterious plot.
Olivia is in a lot of trouble and because of that she’s temporarily living in Casey’s house, her best friend’s brother. Casey is trying to protect her from the drama her ex fiancé dragged her into, when suddenly there’s not only drama… Olivia is in real danger.
I was impressed by the fast pace and the suspense and that definitely won me over. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the relationship between Casey and Olivia. There was something missing in their relationship. Don’t get me wrong, the steamy scenes were amazing and I was rooting for them. I just felt that with everything going on in the story, we didn’t quite get to see the emotional connection between them.
I loved Casey’s family, how Olivia was figuring out Casey’s many layers, the small town setting, their banter and the secondary characters. Southern Comfort is a fast paced, mystery packed with twists and turns, angsty slow burn romance that I enjoyed. I’m curious about what’s going to happen next in Savannah and Beau’s book.
Another great addition to the series, this book had an enjoyable mix of suspense, slow burn angst and drama. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters as well as the interactions with side characters. Looking forward to more of this series.
A suspenseful and swoon-worthy, emotionally charged story.
Southern Comfort is the second book in the ‘Southern Series’ by Natasha Madison. It’s even more amazing than book 1, Southern Chance, Kallie and Jacob’s story. This book features Kallie’s brother Casey, and her best friend Olivia.
We know, from the previous book-(which you really need to read first to understand what’s happening here)-that Olivia is in a heap of trouble, none of which is her fault. With mysterious occurrences abounding, it’s down to Casey, and Jacob to save her.
Casey is one tough, but sweet cowboy. He’s fallen for Oliva without even trying and although she knows she shouldn’t give in to her heart, she can’t help herself.
This was a slow-burning, emotional and dramatic story, but one worth waiting for.
Now we just have to wait for book 3 to get to the bottom of it all.
Like always Natasha brings us a beautiful story.
This is the story of Casey and Olivia. With a little suspense and a mysterious aspect I was hooked from the start.
Olivia didn’t have an easy life growing up. And now with her ex- fiancé in jail she is hiding from everything with the help of her best friend Kalie.
Casey Barnes is hell bent on keeping Olivia safe. And he really knows just how to do it.
This story had many emotions and the suspense was just enough to hold me on and trying to guess what’s gonna happen.
Can’t wait for book three, bc the ending of this one had my jaw in the floor. Bring on Savannah and Beau’s story.
With Southern Comfort, Natasha Madison tops even the superbly done first book in the series…red-hot love scenes and tight plotting…Alternating the protagonists’ points of view, the author crafts a heart-tugging tale. This is an emotionally satisfying series for sure!
With Casey, NM just has the whole alpha hero thing down to a T… she just rocks MAJOR socks when it comes to sexy and panty-melting men. Casey brings all the feels instantly, becoming a favorite of mine in a matter of minutes.
I could not wait to read Olivia and Casey’s story. Their characters intrigued me from the very beginning and I was not disappointed. I love everything about this book – the story, the narration, the characters
The synopsis really says it all. However there is SO MUCH passion and greatness in this book.
Heartfelt, raw emotion, laugh out loud moments and some downright sexy cowboys-Madison at her best!
So saddle up for an emotional and angsty ride
Another story that pulled way more emotion out of me than I expected and I LOVE IT! I would say you can read this book as a standalone, but be warned, there is a lot of interconnection with the characters and the story-line so you might just want to start at the beginning. Do with that information as you will…
Even with all the dramatic angst built into the storyline, it was the chemistry between Casey and Olivia that really glued me to this story. I could not get enough of it! Their journey is fast-paced but burns slow. It made for a really captivating and passionate read! Casey had all kinds of depth to him and Olivia was the perfect match! I love when a story is built with two strong multi-layered, realistic and relatable characters. Honestly, I didn’t even care about the conflict outside of Casey and Olivia. That’s how invested I was in them! I can’t wait to read what’s in store for Savannah and Beau!
I was so excited for Casey and Olivia’s story and it did not disappoint. They had unmatched chemistry to go along with suspense and intrigue. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Overall Grade:
Okay, so I have to preface this review with the acknowledgment that I did not read the first book in the series: Southern Chance. It’s currently sitting in my Kindle Library, and I have every intention of reading it because, while these are a series of standalones, jumping into Natasha Madison’s Southern Comfort found me rushing to catch up. I note this because, if you are like me and picking up Southern Comfort without having read Southern Chance, you might find yourself a bit in the dark about the story. It is possible to quickly understand the background of these characters and their relationships BUT the entire time I was reading my ARC of Southern Comfort I felt as though I had missed out. That I was that person who had just joined a new friend group with a history that I didn’t yet fully know. To Madison’s credit, I easily understand the history. It didn’t take me long into her story, but I was missing an initial dynamic between the hero and heroine of this story: Casey and Olivia.
Now, you should know that you jump right into the action of Casey and Olivia’s story. From its start, this book is a fast-paced romantic suspense best friend’s brother’s story. The action begins right at the beginning, grabbing your attention and pulling you through its adventure. It’s clear that Casey and Olivia have a chemistry that exudes from the page. However, these two self-sabotage to the ultimate degree. Casey, a billionaire cowboy, tells us multiple times that he has no interest in getting married and having children. It’s not in the cards for him, even though he owns a home and farm that is made for a family. Herein lies the biggest issue with Southern Comfort: there are some inconsistencies in the story-telling. Casey’s spurning of a marriage and family when his life is made for that feels like a big leap. Yes, he’s a billionaire. Yes, his life is incredibly busy. Yet, his background and choices indicate a man who will, in fact, marry and have children. That he takes most of the story to realize that truth, especially when his heart screams for Olivia, feels meant to manipulate Madison’s readers. Every story requires tension, some inciting incident that pulls the hero and heroine away from each other. However, that tension should feel organic to their journey. This is where my lack of knowledge from not having read Southern Chance could be undermining my reading of Southern Comfort. I’ll have to read that book to find out. What I do know is that Casey is a persistent, stalwart, masculine, alpha-male. He clearly adores Olivia based on his care for her. He’s the archetypal romantic hero who readers love. He will literally lay down his life for his heroine. His inconsistency in actually choosing her is the issue at hand in Madison’s story.
The other inconsistency is Olivia. Now, this story is, beyond billionaire, best friend’s brother story, a romantic suspense. Someone is trying to kill Olivia. At every turn, this person comes very close to completing his mission. And yet, Olivia tells us that she is bored and wants to go out. She isn’t safe, even on the farm of a security guru such as Casey. I found myself confused. Casey agrees to take her to the local bar where, thankfully, nothing happens to her, but this moment illustrates a glaring issue with the story: how is her attacker able to get to her on Casey’s farm which has the highest levels of security, yet nothing happens at the bar? Even more, why couldn’t Olivia just “suck it up” and stay where it was safest? Additionally, Olivia threatens to leave on multiple occasions because she believes she is taking advantage of Casey’s family and putting them in danger even though they constantly show her their love for her. Madison is careful to develop Olivia’s psychology and background, specifically her mother’s verbal and emotional abuse of her, and this allows us to accept Olivia’s want to run. However, Casey’s family is vastly different from her own, and it felt a bit contrived for her to want to go home. These are really the only issues with Madison’s book.
What is lovely about Southern Comfort is its slow-burn towards romance. It’s clear from the start that Casey and Olivia are suited to each other. Madison carefully teases our emotions pushing these two together and then pulling them apart. In doing so, she builds their chemistry to a degree that requires them to eventually consummate it. When they finally do, it’s explosive. This seeks to underscore the action of the story, as Olivia’s life is regularly in danger. Casey must use his resources and his love for her to protect her from this danger.
There is so much in Natasha Madison’s Southern Comfort, and she leaves her readers with both a magical happy ending and a compelling cliffhanger. While there are aspects of her story that could require more attention, I know that I will be reading the next book of the series, Southern Storm. As a writer, Madison clearly sees her universe, and she’s apt to create it for her readers. As she crafts her world, she draws us into this sultry small town where love is found for anyone who chases it.