He was the bad boy I fell for in college. Now he’s a sexy single dad and Charleston’s most successful venture capitalist. Dominant and decisive, Ford Montgomery is used to getting what he wants. And he just set his sights on me…Ford Montgomery was my first everything.First love. First guy I slept with.First heartbreak when he dumped me without explanation.A decade later, it’s just my luck he’s … decade later, it’s just my luck he’s the first guy I run into after moving back to my hometown of Charleston. Three piece suit, tie, and a watch worth more than my car—being a mogul looks good on Ford. So does being a doting dad to his adorable four-year-old daughter.
I tell myself I can resist him. But one impulsive, ill-advised kiss later, and Ford is in hot pursuit. He’s determined to make up for his past mistakes, and convinces me to give him a second chance.
What started as fun between the sheets gets really serious, really fast. Problem is, I swore I’d never give up the dreams I worked so hard for to settle down and do the family thing.
But seeing Ford light up around his daughter—seeing how he’s chasing his ambitions while rocking fatherhood—is making me rethink what I want out of life.
It doesn’t help that behind his corporate veneer is the bad boy I fell in love with. And bad boys aren’t afraid to play dirty…or break hearts.
SOUTHERN HEARTBREAKER is a full-length, STANDALONE romance. It is part of the Charleston Heat Series, which is a series of interconnected standalone novels set in the steamy southern town of Charleston, South Carolina. The books can be read in any order.
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Walking through heartache is a reminder that we’re strong enough to make it through to the other side. Perhaps that’s why I love the Charleston Heat series so much. Peterson and her captivating characters prove that through life’s ups and love’s downs, there is always a reason to smile. Southern Heartbreaker takes past regrets and turns them into present hope. Ford left behind his bad boy ways when he met the love of his life. His little girl, Bryce. When a blast from his past awakens his long dormant heat, Ford discovers what happiness truly means. From cloudy days to tempted hearts, battered egos and fresh starts, Peterson and her cast of heartbreakers, give emotions something to sing about.
Another swoon worthy installment in the Charleston Heat series. While this is book 4, it can absolutely be read as a standalone.
In Southern Heartbreaker we accompany Ford and Eva on their journey back together; after 10 years of living separate lives. Ford and Eva were college sweethearts, however went their separate ways after graduation. Fast forward 10 years and they find themselves back in their hometown and the dormant feelings resurface as they see each other frequently in their friends and family circle. Many things happened in 10 years – Ford is now a single parent, widower, with a 4 year old daughter and Eva has build a career as successful pit-master and food blogger.
There are many competing priorities as they try to reconnect, self doubts, punishing deadlines and vulnerabilities to overcome.
Will they be able to slow down enough to find their way back to each other?
Ford is my favorite Charleston Heat hero so far. His dedication to his little girl, his steadfast leadership in his venture capital firm and the way he bares his soul to the woman he loves…swoon!!!
If you like your romance on the steamy side, you will not want to miss Southern Heartbreaker!
The latest entry in the Charleston Heat series does not disappoint. We get Ford and Eva’s story (which is amazingly hot and emotional), and we also get updates on the other couples in the series. I love how the author has created this universe of people I would love to hang out with daily. Ford is my absolute favorite so far; I love his goofiness with his daughter and his raunchiness with Eva. It was a fun read from beginning to end, and I hope there are more in the series. For a detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.
Eva’s come home. She needs some inspiration to get her second cookbook written and in her editor’s hands. What better place for some inspiration than in her mom’s kitchen, soaking up all the delicious Mexican recipes, and in her father’s barbecue joint? She didn’t count on her ex, Ford, being around, or that he’d be so different than the man who broke her heart the day she graduated from college, by telling her she didn’t fit into his life plan because she didn’t have enough ambition?!
She also didn’t count on her traitorous body having the same reaction to him that it had back in college. But what she really didn’t count on is the fact that he’s now a dad, “A very hot, and apparently very single, dad.” Yep…
Will Eva give them a second chance even though she has never wanted children? Will she give up her own dreams and instead take on co-parenting with Ford?
I will be the first to say that I absolutely loved swoony Ford, and his daughter, Bryce. I had a harder time with Ms. Perfectionist Eva, especially when she made a decision while under the influence of the flu epidemic that was sweeping the area, and she took too long before she woman’d up and apologized. She was such a perfectionist and determined not to end up in the same position as her mother that she took it too far and really hurt Ford and Bryce. I’m not so sure I’d have taken her stupid ass back actually…but Ford’s a better person than I, and was seriously in love so he did the right thing. Aside from Eva, though, I loved Southern Heartbreaker – it’s swoon worthy and sweet, and the chemistry between the two is even hotter in the present during their second time around.
I LOVE single dad books…and I LOVED this one! Eve and Ford and Bryce….man I think Bryce is the most adorable little girl I’ve read about! Too cute! Loved how Ford and Eve were college sweethearts that found their way back together…and man were they HOT HOT HOT! The challenges they needed to overcome to finally get their HEA…I really liked how they worked through the issues. I wish I could give more than five stars to this!! Highly, highly recommend!!
When I saw that this ARC was waiting for me on my Kindle, I swooned y’all… legit swooned! I have been not so patiently waiting for Ford’s book since he was introduced in Southern Gentleman (I’m pretty sure that is the case for more than half of the readers of this series). Second chance romances are my jam, I love them! Add in hot single dad and it’s a recipe for some steamy hot goodness. *yea, I went there, and if you read the book, you know why*
Ford, oh dear sweet Ford, I wanted to slap you upside the head. You sweet, growly alpha male. The way you broke Eva’s heart in college KILLED ME! I was slain. I cried! Tissue box at the ready, I cried. Eva, though, that girl is everything! She took her broken heart and she still fought! She went after everything he put her down for and SHE FREAKING OWNED IT! She is a legitimate bad@$$. I love everything about Eva, from her beautiful giving heart to her tenacity and strength. Then you add in Bryce. That little spitfire had me laughing, she had me crying. SHE IS MY SOUL, at four years old!
This second chance romance gave me ALL the chills! Ford may be in a suit and tie, but underneath that is a swoon-worthy growly filthy mouthed dirty talking…. yea… sorry, got off track there a bit. He legit had me fanning myself. His belief in Eva had me falling deeper in love with him. Everything he did for her was so amazingly sweet and beautiful. It reminds me of my husband and his undying belief in everything that I do. It was just amazing.
When Eva and Ford come together, it’s panty melting. From the boat, to the bedroom, to the SEXTING! It was ALL melt your kindle and have you needing a nice cold drink to cool down. Their chemistry is off the charts.
When it comes to finding happily ever after, the way Jessica does it is like no other. She took these two on a ride that I will never forget. Ford and Eva have easily become my top couple from the series, but who knows… if Alex gets a book, she might have to take the top spot. She had me smiling and laughing as a secondary character and I truly hope she gets her HEA as well.
If I could, I’d give this so many more stars than 5, but since the top rating is 5, it will have to do!
If you haven’t read the series yet, start with Southern Charmer and work your way up, I promise they are worth the reads!
Southern Heartbreaker by Jessica Peterson is the fourth book in her Charleston Heat series and can be read as a standalone. This is a second chance romance with the best kind of feels and steamy chemistry. Ford and Eva dated in college and seemed to be going strong when Ford broke her heart. Now she is back home and not ready to forgive Ford. But now Ford is a sexy and charming single father who takes her breathe away. But a family was not supposed to be in the cards for her right now, especially a ready-made one.
I loved Ford in the previous book. He was a great brother and supporter of Grey. He is an amazing father and very caring. He knows he wants a second chance with Eva, but will she give him another chance? Eva was strong, determined and very likable. But she did not know if she could trust him again. Can she open her heart to Ford and his child and see all the possibilities?
Southern Heartbreaker by Jessica Peterson was a charming and sweet second chance romance. I loved watching Ford and Eva fall and his daughter was just adorable! I am loving this series!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
5 deliciously comforting stars! I have to say Eva and Ford are now my new faves in this hilariously awesome Charleston Heat world! I love how much each one came to life when the other was around! They ignited a spark in one another that couldn’t be ignored nor denied!
Ford and Eva have been dealt some blows but each one has adjusted and kept on! They strives for greatness and sought our perfection like it was nothing! Though their worlds around them were beginning to crumble to they held it all together! Each on the verge of snapping they found themselves together after years apart! One look and both knew they couldn’t stay away much longer! Only one monumental problem; Ford was now a father and Eva had to decide if that fit into her plan! But we all know what happens to even the best laid plans; life can come in and send it all spiraling!
I love this series so much because each secondary character brings out something in our main characters! We don’t just get Ford and Eva but we get a good feel for each person in their lives and how they add to their story! From book 1 in this standalone series we have been introduced to many characters and we see their growth still even in this book! You can feel how close they are to one another and it makes you feel you’re part of it all with them as well and that’s why I love Jessica’s writing because she makes you feel part of the action and apart of the group!
Southern Heartbreaker follows in the tradition of the previous Charleston Heat books – hot, steamy, swoony, melt-your-heart and panties romance that you don’t want to put down.
What I really enjoyed about this book was that it didn’t follow the typical single dad trope. Ford has already dealt with the passing of his first wife. He’s in a healthy headspace. There’s no comparing Eva to his late wife. There’s no wondering if he’s ready. There’s only an honest, open man who is happy his old flame is back, and wants to be with her.
Ford’s honest, up-front, open dialogue is SO swoon-worthy. I just adore him. He may be my new book boyfriend.
Eva. Oh, Eva. It’s always a delight to see how Jessica leads her characters to epiphanies – not immediately or in a cheesy way, but through REAL interactions, true introspection, and time.
This book is especially appealing to my mid-thirties mom self. There’s lots of family dynamics and life balancing going on.
And in true Charleston Heat fashion, I immediately wish I could read it again.
I enjoyed Southern Heartbreaker but it is not your typical romance. Ford and Eva have a very old complicated past. College sweethearts that abruptly end on graduation day and have no contact with each other for a decade. They run into each other because Ford’s brother Greyson (Southern Gentleman) and Eva’s friend (Julia) are now a couple and expecting a child. Ford has been a widower for the last 4 years and is trying to rebuild his personal life after his years of grief. Eva has been chasing her college dreams of becoming a successful bbq pit master, food blogger and cookbook author. They each are living a good life but Ford feels that they would be perfect together after all this time but there is one big obstacle, Eva never planned a life with having children and Ford’s daughter Bryce is the center of his life. As you can guess their story is going to have some ups and downs along with a heavy dose of Ford’s dirty talk! It is told from dual POV and can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading Southern Gentleman so that you really get to know the Montgomery men.
What is it about sexy, single dads? Well, I don’t know but Ford has it in spades. The chemistry between him and Eva is amazing. Add in a super cute kid and you’ve got one heck of a story. This is also a second-chance romance but the angst level sometimes associated with that trope is very low here is angst isn’t your cup of tea. And let’s not forget the underlying food theme that has been present in all the books in this series. As always, I find at least one new dish I want to try making myself.
Southern Heartbreaker
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Overall Rating –
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That’s it, I’m packing up and moving to Charleston, this book was perfection and Ford was divine, I want him!
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I love this series and was so glad to get Fords story and this second chance romance.
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Could Ford and Eva be more perfect for each other? They dated and loved each other in college, however, Ford broke things off and now 10 years later they are seeing each other for the first time. Although Ford married (now a widow) and has a young daughter the chemistry between this pair jumps of the page. I loved their playful, dirty and honest interactions.
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Ford falls fast and hard for Eva and really wants her to be part of his and his daughters life. Eva has some reservations, she’s never wanted kids but what she feels for Ford only makes her want to try. This pair have so much going on in their lives I sometimes wondered if they slept at all. With both of them having such busy lives and deadlines to meet their relationship poses to many what if’s, especially for Eva, who wants to achieve all her personal goals without compromising who she is for life as a mother.
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This book was such a treat to read, I devoured every last word of it. I laughed, I swooned, I got frustrated (in a good way) but mainly I was in awe of the true love of the story and the insane connection between Ford and Eva and is easily my favourite book in the series.
What really struck me while reading this book was how much I could identify with some aspects, and it’s really made me think, why be ‘super mum’ trying to be and do everything. Take a step back and enjoy things while I can with my kids and definitely ask for help when needed, you don’t need to do it all and I really want to thank Peterson who’s words really made me think about the busy life I lead.
Although this book can be read as a standalone, do yourself a favour and read the other couples stories, this is a great easy read series that will have you believing in love and romance, Peterson writes it with ease.
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*An ARC received for an honest review*
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene -57%
POV – Duel
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Angst –
Steam –
Chemistry –
Southern Heartbreaker will touch your heart, mind and soul. This book may make you think about areas of your own life. Although, it’s a romance and in the single dad genre, it is so much more. Yes, you get the romance, you get the smiles, you feel the love, ( boy do you feel the love), you get the heat (woohoo), along with the heart stopping moments good and bad. What you really get is a story that could be so true to life. Both Eva and Ford’s stories, individually and together could be anyone’s real life story. How we have dreams of our own or allow others to influence our dreams. Our lives start to take form from the moment we’re born and evolve. We think we determine our own destiny but do we really? We’ve allowed people to shape us, even without their knowledge or expectation because we’re always watching and listening and determine what they think. Then we decide what is is they want for us without even communicating with them. Many times it’s not accurate. We’ve jumped to wrong conclusions. Here’s the thing we have the ability to stop, change and really decide what we want and change again and again. This book brings that and so much more to the forefront. The story will zing your heart and stay with you long after you’re done reading it. There’s so much memorable dialogue and sweet memories but you need to read the book and check it out for yourself. You don’t need or should want me to give you those details. Experience this for yourself.
It took me a bit to write this review because I had to figure out what the most important part was to me. Let me tell you Ford is swoony, smart, a little bad (in a good way) and is the guy most girls dream about but he’s had his own issues that have shaped him to the man he is today. Eva, of course is pretty, smart, has been through the wringer and is a perfectionist. She has a goal and is determined to get there. I have to admit at first I got just a little annoyed at times. Then I realized, she could be me, different set of issues but the same. Talk about changing your opinion of someone. All of a sudden I really liked her because I identified with her. We also get to meet up with past characters from the series. This is always a good thing. If you haven’t read them don’t worry. This is a standalone but I’d advise you to read the series. Each book brings something new to the table.
Ok I’ve gone on way too long! This is a book that deserves to be read. You may even find a little of yourself within these pages. Meanwhile enjoy Charleston I always do!
P.S.- Please don’t stop at the end read the authors Thank You.
Ford Montgomery is for the faint of heart!u2063
^^insert between each word…because y’all! Ford and Eva are life!
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I wish I could just leave that as my review, but this book inspires so many other words; evokes so many emotions. I feel as if with every book in this Charleston Heat world, the women are more inspiring and the men are so much more swoon worthy.u2063
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I read this knowing how much I loved Greyson and his gruff demeanor, which made him my favorite, but then here comes Ford. He’s sweet, rough and passionate. He exudes this confidence that makes the single dad angle work so well for him. He is beyond capable of <<< and yes that’s a thing, that he is even more delicious!u2063 u2063 The bond between him and Eva stems from a young adult love that should’ve been more, that unfortunately did not pan out that way, because... ! Watching them work their way back to the young vibrant couple they were, with a side of accomplished adult is inspiring. u2063 u2063 And sweet little Bryce...Gah! That girl is the ultimate show stealer! She’s sweet, sassy and spunky. She has this innocence that makes you understand the upside of being a parent. Loved all the moments that involved her and the influence she had on the development of Ford and Eva’s relationship. I enjoyed the way Jessica’s words devoured my soul. The indecent moments, the heartfelt moments, the all consuming ones...all of these things have left me with the biggest hangover and I’m loving every minute of it. u2063 u2063 Unicorns exist and they are present in the form that is Jessica Peterson!
Southern Heartbreaker is book four in the series. I really loved it. Second chance romance is one of my favorites and this book did not disappoint! I loved loved Ford and Eva. Their chemistry and connection was off the charts. They were just so perfect together! Bryce was adorable. Definitely recommend this series!
Southern Heartbreaker is the most heart wrenching, emotional, angsty and sexy romance to date from Jessica Peterson!
I wasn’t expecting such a powerful emotional romance but I am seriously glad I got it with this book because everything just fit beautifully. The characters really captured my attention and were really amazing. The plot is one that captivated and engaged me from start to finish.
I give Southern Heartbreaker a heart aching FIVE ANGSTY STARS!
Eva and Ford’s story is sweet and hot. Ford is 100% DILF with tattoos, a love of poetry and literature, and he is an awesome dad to his little girl, Bryce. Eva is at a turning point in her life where she comes home to regroup. She is smart, driven and successful: a heroine anyone can love. Bryce is a precocious, adorable four-year-old.
I love the undeniable chemistry between Ford and Eva. Their physical relationship is hot, hot, hot. I love that he supports her 100%. I love that she is willing to get out of her comfort zone to give him a chance and to try to be something she had always ruled out. The struggle that Eva has in changing her long-held thoughts on motherhood to something new is well described. I appreciate that they are both overachievers who push too hard and I really love that they find a way to balance in their HEA.
This book is filled with the most awesome food. I am dying to find all the recipes and I am holding out hope that the author will put out a Charleston Heat cookbook with recipes from Eli, Eva, and other Charleston favorites. Like the other books in the series, there is a regency romance written by Olivia interwoven through the story. I love the story of the Marquess and his wife Sophie and would love to read more of that.
I really enjoyed this book. There are so many things to love. Another win in the Charleston Heat series.
I received a review copy before release for an honest review.
This is part of a series but easily stands alone. It is a 2nd chance at romance with a single dad and while its not my favorite in the series, it was a nice addition to the series.
I mostly enjoyed it, though I had some reservations about, Eva the female lead in this story. Ford is the single dad and he is the brother to Grayson who we met in the previous book in the series. Eva is Juliet’s friend from college who ended up having a baby with Grayson.
In this story Eva and Ford meet up 10 years after college and he is a widower now with a 4 year old daughter. He feels very much like he wants to spend time with Eva but he broke her heart ten years before and so she doesn’t want to get attached.
My issues with Eva, was that her growing up life was not very happy. She felt like her mother gave up her dreams for her kids and to try and make her dad happy but that her mother is very unhappy. This has caused her to view children as something she has no interest in and very anti marriage.
So while she is fine with a sexual relationship with Ford, she has no interest in a long term relationship and getting to know his daughter. And liked that she was honest even if I did not agree with her view point and even understand it. Ford is the one I had issues with. Someone tells you that they don’t want kids and you are a single dad, well I would dump them faster than you can say dump. But he doesn’t do that with Eva and I could not understand that at all.
Does Eva change her mind? Does Ford dump her? Well I am not spoiling that.
This was an enjoyable story and I liked seeing characters from other books. But I did not love Ford. Aside from the issues with dating someone who is anti children, when you are a single dad. I did not like how he treated Eva in the past and dumped her and what he blamed it on. I would say he is my least favorite male lead in this entire series. That said I loved Eva, and I loved her sister Alexis and would love a story with her and her grumpy client.
Southern Heartbreaker is book 4 in the Charleston Heat series by Jessica Peterson. This is Ford and Eva’s story.
This is a single dad/2nd chance romance story that will knock your socks off. Ford and Eva knew each other back in college and it was there that Ford broke Eva’s heart. 10 years later, Eva happens to come back into single dad Ford’s life and she happens to turn his world upside down.
Ford is quite a successful business man who is raising his young daughter single handedly and does it all without really romance in his life. Then comes his past right into his present- Eva Lacy. She was quite literally the ONE for him until he broke her heart. Now she’s back in Charleston… Eva is focused on her career- not the man who broke her heart. Yet they keep running into each other.
The chemistry between them is sensational and electric. The emotional push/pull is intense. I enjoyed the characters 2nd slow burn romance that is showcased along with the secondary characters in the book that adds an added flavor to their story. Really good read! As always, love the setting. Ford and Eva make for great main characters.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
This book was everything! Eva and Ford are ! I just loved this sweet and sassy second chance romance! It gave me all the feels!!