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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4.5 Stars
Southern Heartbreaker is book four in the Charleston Heat series. It can be read as a stand-alone but has recurring characters, so if you’re like me, you’ll probably want to start at the beginning.
This is the story of Ford and Eva. Ford is a single dad to Bryce and a widower of 4 years. Eva is a pit master, blogger and cookbook author who has returned home hoping that getting back to her roots will inspire her next book. Ford and Eva were very much in love in college until graduation when Ford broke her heart. They meet up again after 10 years and find that the spark is still there.
I really enjoyed this book. First of all, single dad stories are my jam. Ford was swoon-worthy. I loved how sweet he was with his daughter, whom he affectionately referred to as “Bun.” I really felt that he was truly sorry about hurting Eva in the past–it didn’t feel made up. And Eva was just a really strong independent woman who was killing it in her professional life. I loved that she wasn’t the typical heroine–she wasn’t really concerned about a husband and babies, so when Ford and Bryce wormed their way into her heart, it totally threw her off-balance. It was wonderful watching her become closer with Bryce. The chemistry between Ford and Eva was OFF THE CHARTS. These two together were like fire. It’s a hard thing to take two lives (three really, with Bryce) that are already established and try to fit everything together in a way that works and I thought the author did a great job at not just throwing them together, but really making them work for it. There was just a whole lot of real here–all the worry, stress, expectations, and fears that come from being a parent. I feel like the theme of this book can really be summed up by this quote from Eva’s mother.
“You don’t have to be perfect to deserve anyone’s love. You just have to be there.”
I adore this series–the setting, the characters, and all the southern food (these books always make me hungry) and I’ll be anxiously waiting for more!
Oh Jessica! What. Have. You. Done. To. Me? I was blessed to beta read the 4th installment in the hot and steamy Charleston Heat series and I have two words: Ford Montgomery. I mean this man is delicious to the core. I have loved each series that Jessica has done, but the Charleston Heat series has completely stolen my heart. Each book in this series has tackled sensitive topics with both maturity and grace. Southern Heartbreaker is no exception. Ford Montgomery is a single dad (trope catnip for me) raising his spirited, young daughter Bryce. If being a single dad wasn’t a full time job, throw in running a wildly successful venture capitalist firm too. Balancing the two, while also making time for himself has been the ultimate juggling act which has left little time for romance. Then, Eva Lacy, THE ONE, walks back into his life. She was his everything. His friend, his lover, his world. Until, he broke her heart. Now its ten years later, and that sexy, independent girl that loved 90’s R & B and kissing him senseless is back in Charleston and turns his world on its head. Their chemistry is just as intense as it always has been; their draw undeniable. But they are not the same young, carefree kids they were in college. Ford is focused on raising his daughter and Eva on continuing to build her career. Will the fates be kind to these star-crossed lovers and will they have their happily ever after? As always, Jessica brings lots of laughs, lots of love and lots of heart to this book. She has a knack for world building and character development that draws you in and makes you want to grab a drink and hang out for a while. And in case you were wondering, some familiar characters from the series make an appearance to catch us up a bit on their lives. 5 stars!
I have loved every minute of this series! Jessica has done it again with the final installment of the Charleston Heat series with Southern Heartbreaker!
Ford Montgomery & Eva Lacey are such a relatable couple who are just trying to be successful in all areas of their lives, except romance!
Ford Montgomery is a busy single Dad who is trying to pick up the pieces after years of grief have kept him buried in heartache. Now that he’s working overtime to pick up his slack he’s too busy for any woman but his 4 year old daughter!
Feisty Eva Lacey has come home to Charleston for some inspiration. She needs to prove to herself that she can create another successful cookbook and not just be a one hit wonder. She has the weight of her family’s happiness on her shoulders.
When the college sweethearts, Ford & Eva reconnect at a baby shower sparks fly again. Does Ford have any room in his heart to make room for Eva? Can Eva put her happiness first and try again with Ford?
RATING 4.5 STARS
Southern Heartbreaker is book four in the Charleston Heat series by Jessica Peterson. This is a second chance romance that definitely can be read as a stand alone. The characters from the previous books do recur though and if you haven’t already, you really need to check out their stories in the first three books.
Eva Lacy is a thirty two year old self employed pit master, which means she is a master of the barbecue pit. She wrote her first cook book which turned out to be a best seller and is now fast approaching a deadline on her second book but just can’t seem to settle on a concept for it. So Eva decided to move back home to Charleston. She is hoping living closer to her family and friends will help to inspire her.
Ford Montgomery is Grey’s brother from book three. Ford is a widowed single father of a four year old, completely adorable little girl. Ford took a lengthy absence from the company he shares with his brother to grieve and take care of his daughter. But now with Grey about to become a father himself, Ford is back to work full time while still trying to juggle being a full time dad.
It was Grey and Julia’s baby shower when Ford and Eva ran into each other. They knew it was inevitable with Eva being back in town. Ford and Eva had been madly in love back in college and were together for three years. But then Ford broke Eva’s heart. One look at Eva and he knew he needed to get to know her again, spend time with her. The spark they shared a decade ago is still as strong as ever and Ford wants to see where it takes them.
Eva never thought she would be able to forgive Ford for hurting her back in college. But clearly he’s a different man, a better man. He’s a suit wearing business man, and he’s a father. Eva watched the sacrifices her mother made while raising her two daughters. Eva’s career, her dreams are everything to her. She doesn’t want to give up on any of it. So being a parent is not something she wants for herself. But as soon as Ford came back into her life, it makes her question everything.
“His steadiness, his quiet confidence, is a much needed reminder of the steadiness I have inside myself.”
Together Ford and Eva find something in each other that they both needed and wanted. They inspire one another. They balance one another. And, they are as hot as fire! The chemistry they shared all those years ago has only intensified with time. But both of their lives are insane. Is it even possible to fit in a relationship with everything else?
This was so good. Ford was so swoony. Not just his overall hotness and let me tell you, he had plenty of that. But also just the man he was, how he was with his little girl, how he was with Eva. And I loved the way he inspired Eva with her cookbook!
Eva’s struggles were real. Her struggles with wanting to achieve her own dreams, but also wanting more, wanting love, family. She is a perfectionist which makes everything even more complicated. Eva, as so many women, wants everything and struggles to figure out how to make it all fit.
This was fun, sexy, and made me hungry with all the talk of Eva’s recipes. That is one of the things I love about this series, all the focus on fabulous food. But it’s also a very real book with the struggles both Ford and Eva face while trying to find their way together. As always, I also loved revisiting all the characters from the previous books. I enjoyed this so much just as I did the other books in the series. If you haven’t yet, I hope you will check this series out!
Absolutely SUPERB !!!!
Oh how I loved this book.
This is the 4th book in the Charleston Heat series and is Ford and Eva’s story which is just as wonderful and impeccably written as it predecessors..I Adore these characters and this world Jessica Peterson has created,I love the way they all support eachother..and just like Eva’s food I always feel a kind of comfort when I read them.
A second chance/single Dad trope Ford Montgomery and Eva Lacey ignite their passion after 10 years of being apart,they get Hot and heavy pretty quickly and fall for one another all over again.But there is a catch Ford is a Single Dad to a delightful 4 year old girl named Bryce and Eva is not entirely sure she wants to have children..
It was so refreshing and realistic to read about both Fords and Evas conflicts within themselves with wanting to be together but being afraid of being Heartbroken,of failing, of giving up your dreams .
Ford Montgomery is a Dreamboat and I would very much Love to sail on his boat ,an adorable Father and a great human being he is perfect and I just LOVED him.
Eva was strong and independent a free spirit, an author of a cookbook and blog she chased her dreams and was winning..until Ford…could Ford actually make her realise dreams can change and thats ok.I completely relished the relationship between Eva and Ford,the Love and respect they had for one another was such a joy to read.
Southern Heartbreaker is just one big WOW For me,it just leaves me in Awe how Jessica can write such Fantastic addictive stories,She is The Master of Romance.
They give me such a warm buzz and I devour them happily every time .
Just simply Sensational,I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Southern Heartbreaker is the fourth book in the Charleston Heat series. I absolutely without question loved this book! Ford, Eva and especially Bryce were everything I didn’t know I needed. These three captured my heart—and I don’t want it back.
Eva is a strong independent woman with goals and dreams. She’s accomplished, but there’s much more she wants to strive for. Her sole focus is her career, but that just might be changing after spending time with Ford, the one man who meant so much.
Ford is a single dad and a successful venture capitalist. He has a lot on his plate and at times it’s hard to juggle everything. And even though it’s a struggle, there’s nothing he would change. But when he sees Eva for the first time in ten years it has him wanting to make room in his life for her as well.
Eva and Ford’s chemistry is undeniable. Even after ten years that pull and attraction is still there. Their reunion had me grinning like a fool. I wanted nothing more than for them to have their second chance. It wasn’t easy—they had to work things out, but everything they went through was worth it. I loved Eva and Ford’s friendship as much as their romance. I loved how supportive Ford was of Eva and how he was there to help her in any way she needed it. And the love Ford has for his daughter Bryce is everything. Their relationship is so adorable and it was cuteness overload. I just loved everything about Eva, Ford and Bryce. They definitely made the perfect little family.
Southern Heartbreaker brought all the warm and fuzzy feelings. And it most definitely pulled at my heartstrings. It was heartfelt, beautiful, empowering and just downright enjoyable. With every book that Jessica writes in this series it’s evident how much my heart yearns to travel to Charleston. The imagery and the vividness she paints just makes me want to book a flight ASAP. I honestly can’t get enough of this series and its characters—I never want it to end.
Let me start off by saying that I swear I gained 10 pounds reading this series. The food, oh my gosh, Charleston has become a Bucket List city for me because of these books.
Now on to Eva and Ford. These two were college sweethearts until Ford decided to take the corporate route and leave behind Eva and her dream of being a Pit Master. Fast forward several years and they are reunited when Eva’s best friend and Ford’s brother are having a baby together. Their attraction is instantaneous and the chemistry is still as strong as ever. But now Ford is a widower with a young daughter looking for forever and Eva never planned on having a kids. Is their second change doomed because of this huge issue? Can they learn to balance love, work and parenting?
Eva’s struggle broke my heart. Her reasons for not wanting kids was totally understandable, but it hurt to see how much she loved Ford and Bryce yet scared of committing to them.
I really enjoyed this book and while it can be read as a stand-alone, I suggest you read the other books in the series as the characters all make an appearance in here.
I love this series, the southern geography, southern manners, southern food and southern love. Eva and Ford went to college together and he broke up with her on graduation day! Fast forward 10 years later, they’ve both matured, gone in different directions but when they meet the sparks are still there. “Is sex on the first date too much, too soon? Asking for a friend.” Hilarious!
Ms. Peterson’s books get down to the nitty gritty of what the character is feeling and you as the reader can feel those feelings as well, that is what makes her a great writer, “you are” the character. It’s not an easy path that they both choose to tackle and it’s a very heartwarming story and Bryce is adorable and the thoughts that Ford has every time Bryce says what a four year old would say are hilarious … “aaaannd we’re off”. Chapter thirty-one, the paragraph where he is in the car driving home, thinking of all the 1,000 things that need to be done as a single dad, tonight, not tomorrow, its realistic and funny at the same time. Been there, done that! I highly recommend this book as well as the series.
I received this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved this book! Eva and Ford’s story is more than just a love story. It’s a story about how to live your best life. I’ve been a mom for 12 years now, and I still learned something from Eva’s approach to parenthood, and life.
This is the 4th book in the series but each can be read as a stand alone. However, I highly recommend starting with Southern Charmer and reading them all.
Southern Heartbreaker is… wow. Just wow. Ford and Eva reuniting after living their own lives for 10 years is tricky. But oh so good! I love that Jessica Peterson has written Ford as a single dad and that he’s not perfect. He is so very real! Eva is amazing! She is a strong, independent woman that has choices. I love love love that this book is so empowering. That it makes it ok to make whatever decisions are right for you in the life you want to live. Jessica Peterson, you’ve done it again! Thank you
Wowzers!!!!! This book is such an amazing read with a side of steaminess going on. I always love a single parent book but this one Ford is a straight up DILF. He is all man/dad he does everything for his daughter. I love that he does everything to keep his wife’s memory alive for his daughter to embrace and remember her mom. His daughter Bryce had so many funny zingers and she was such a sweet girl. Eva was a great character she was a strong driven woman who was determine to move past her writers block and finish her cook book. It was fun to read all of her hesitations being in a relationship and step mom figure. I love the connection that not only Eva and Ford has but Eva and Bryce. I love all the other characters how they are written in. It’s overall a great read. It’s well written and an amazing storyline. I defiantly would recommend this book!!!
Cute, fun, tugging your heartstrings, the latest Charleston Heat book has everything to make you feel the warm fuzzies on a cool Fall night! I love this author’s unique brand of humor she injects into every story. Life isn’t just meet, fall in love, live happy ever after, and Ms. Peterson’s books reflect that. The days in between, the moments when if you don’t laugh you’ll cry, those are what reach inside a reader and make them FEEL, and thats what makes these stories next level great. Eva and Ford are adorable, have awesome taste in music, and when they get together they have FUN! The heat between them is intense, but in the best way! I loved Bryce too! Great story!
Some writers are good at fantasy. Others, for instance, in whipping up the tension. Jessica writes about real people. Real lives. People you want to meet. I have half a mind of asking her where she met those people she writes about because I seriously want to befriend them.
She writes about real life. But not the depressing drab real. She does it in the “let me show you how awesome your daily life is”. Their problems are my problems. Their struggle, your average struggle. And yet she weaves magic and brightness into it, making you feel good about your own life.
The Charleston Heat series is the perfect example of that. Each book has a couple who is struggling with the same things we are, and yet they are able to see the magic in the ordinary. Southern Heartbreaker is no different than the others in that sense. It feels good to read about a single parent, about the difficulties of having time for yourself while adulting. Don’t worry about the steam. It’s there, oh in spades! Ford is one of the ‘realest’ heroes I’ve read so far and Eva is yet another strong, empowered female role model for so many women out there.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Southern Heartbreaker is a great addition to Jessica Peterson’s Charleston Heat series. The story between Ford & Eve is believable and relatable on so many levels.
Ford is a single-dad (widowed) trying to give his daughter, Bryce, 100% everyday while still maintaining work and a social life. Eva is an entrepreneur and pit master who is struggling to work through her second cookbook and make all her dreams come true.
Their journey together takes you on an emotional ride while they navigate their struggles – everyday, career, family & relationships. It’s funny, heartwarming and definitely full of steamy scenes.
Good gracious this is one heck of a book. This book has my favorites….a hot, sexy single dad and a second chance at a HEA. The chemistry between Ford and Eva is off the charts! There are so many things I loved about this book including the most adorable lil 4 year old girl! This book has a lot of great life advice sprinkled throughout but probably my favorite is that spending quality time with family isn’t about being perfect it’s about being present.
I just can’t get enough of these southern men and ladies, of course. I can’t wait for another book. In this book Ford is a single dad meeting Eva again after 10 years. Their lives are in totally different places as anyone can imagine. She’s not up for all he has going on let alone facing her heartbreak from him again. What they don’t know is how good they can be for each other if they both try. The problem is they are both perfectionists. Being a parent is about showing up and being involved. It’s not about being perfect. This quote hit home for me. “You don’t have to be perfect to be a good parent.” The romance is hot, as usual! As a parent, that time is a little different than just dating. The holiday is one of my favorite movies because of that hot single dad! What a perfect movie to mention. And now I’m googling some of the recipes she wrote in her cookbook. So this book will make you a little hot and hungry!
Southern Heartbreaker is a sweet and sexy second chance romance. Jessica Peterson has delivered once again, with a story that a lot of women can relate to. This was a fantastic read filled with an entertaining cast of characters, strong friendships, family, romance, and a whole lot of heart and heat.
Eva and Ford’s chemistry is undeniable. Even after ten years that pull and attraction is still there and I wanted nothing more than for them to get their second chance. And I loved Eva and Ford’s friendship as much as their romance. Jessica’s writing in this story was so impeccable that I felt every bit of the intense love Eva and Ford shared. I was fully immersed and hooked in their story. All of the emotions throughout felt real and raw.
Southern Heartbreaker was yet another wonderful read from Jessica Peterson. It’s easily my favourite of the Charleston Heat series, and it has me eager for more from this world.
Southern Heartbreaker is just as good as the other 3 in this Charleston Heat Series. They can be read separately, but I liked reading them all at once. Strong male and female characters set in beautiful Charleston. I’ve been there and can picture the locale. GREAT JOB
Southern Heartbreaker
(Charleston Heat #4)
Written by: Jessica Peterson
Oh I so love returning to Charleston with this series. These characters have become friends.
In college Ford Montgomery and Eva Lacy spent two years as a couple. They were into movie watching, going to concerts and lets just say they made a whole new play list for their dirty dancing! Ford started changing as a person in the last year and well, he dumped Eva right after graduation.
Eva moved further south to Atlanta and learned everything she needed to know about grilling! Yes, you heard me grilling, which led to blogging, which led to writing her first cookbook, which led to her moving back to Charleston when she ran right into a wall and was stuck on what her second cookbook should be.
These two shared a lot of friends…a lot! So when Eva runs into Ford at the co-ed baby shower for his brother Grey and his baby momma Julia, Eva was kinda sorta maybe ready for him. What she wasn’t ready for was a four year old named Bryce. Ford has a daughter! Now Eva’s inner self is you don’t really want children, good reason to stay away from Ford, don’t get involved because breaking a 4 year olds heart was just not right! However, they have history, they live in the same city, there is still something between them, there is the Dave Matthews Band!
Now we all know Charleston is hot, humid, and sunny, but the heat that is just rolling off these two Mmm Mmm Mmm. Remember that playlist I mentioned and that dirty dancing while horizontal it’s still there and they are getting closer by the day.
These two make the best lovers who broke up, then become lovers again and they do it all while juggling cookbook writing, Ford’s investment job, a 4 year old, being a dad, and the days when the flu bug and fear almost ruins the life that you finally realize you want.
This was the perfect end to this series. Can’t wait to move into the next one.
Ford and Eva’s story is a great second chance love story! Ford has grown so much since he was the college guy that dropped Eva for a bad reason. He was endearing as this single father who had been through so much and was ready to give a relationship a shot even though he didn’t have any time for one. Eva comes back to town and a relationship is the last thing on her list. These two has some HOT scenes! WOW! They literally melted the pages. Ford’s daughter always stole the show and I loved how Eva fell in love with her as well as with Ford. Another good story in this series.