I’m looking for a hot hookup with no strings attached. And I want my older brother’s best friend to step up to the plate…My dating history is lame. My experiences in bed? Even lamer. As the owner of a thriving business, I’m used to calling the shots. But one place I don’t always want to be in charge is in the bedroom.Enter Luke Rodgers. My brother’s best friend. Former major league baseball … Former major league baseball player. A guy who now hangs out on his farm, sweaty and shirtless, as he nurses a shoulder injury.
If the rumors are true, he also likes to work up a sweat behind closed doors. A total MVP in the sack.
Just the take charge guy I’m looking for.
With Luke and I, it’s game on. And it’s all good until Luke decides he wants forever, and he wants it with me.
I’m just not convinced I can trust Luke. Will he keep playing the field and break my heart? Or is he really ready to hang up his cleats for good?
SOUTHERN PLAYER is a full length, STANDALONE romance.
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Full disclosure: I’ve never been into country guys, farmers, baseball, or even baseball butts. I don’t like when guys are hairy or have beards. I don’t really listen to country music and have only had grits once. And yet… NONE of this stopped me from falling hard for Luke Rodgers. OMG! The guy is sexy, kind, and honest. The way he lets Grace be herself and accepts her no matter what is so commendable. And he is so vulnerable. He isn’t afraid to put himself out there and admits it when he screws up.
And Grace. Wow! She is my new hero. I love her ambition. But am especially fond of the way she is charming, sweet, and silly all at the same time. And I definitely look up to her for the way she makes the conscious decision to be brave.
The two of them together? Jessica Peterson called them “fire,” and there is no better word. Their story sent me on an emotional roller coaster. One that I never wanted to get off of. And that I plan to experience again and again. I don’t give out 5 stars often. This one was definitely worthy.
I really enjoyed these characters, Gracie is so strong and really goes after what she wants and Luke is doing just what he wants with his farm and grits. I admire this author for showing the venerable side of Luke, the big strong ex MLB player has human feelings just like everyone else. Loved the storyline whole “southern” feeling of the book with humor infused.
I wanted to love this book. I really did. But I didn’t love it. I liked certain parts of it, but I also disliked certain parts of it.
What I liked: Gracie, the heroine. She was ambitious and strong and kind and funny. She also knew what she wanted and was ready to go after it. I liked how her and Luke’s relationship came out of friendship. And I liked how their relationship was in the beginning of the book. It was great that he didn’t just want sex from her, but wanted to date her and be in a real relationship. And that he was willing to be patient while she caught up to him.
What I didn’t like: (this is a little spoilery, so read at your own risk) The anal sex theme. I know that people do this all the time. And that people like to experiment. But I just CANNOT with anal sex scenes. I find it disgusting. And it was the #1 thing on Gracie’s sex list that she wanted to try. They talked about it ALL the time too. It was gross. I skipped the whole scene where he fingered her in the butt. Thank goodness the author just referenced them doing it with his big d in her butt later in the book. The other things that I didn’t like mostly had to do with Luke. He was SO insecure. A man in his mid 30s shouldn’t be so insecure. He owned his own farm/business and was an ex pro baseball player for heaven sake. He loved Gracie because she was strong, ambitious, and independent but all those things also made him insecure about himself. I hated it. A man like that should be confident and proud to have a woman like Gracie on his arm. His reason for breaking up with her was pathetic. The same thing happened in the previous book with that hero. Why can’t Ms. Peterson write books about men who deserve their women? At least Luke’s grovel was better than Eli’s grovel. I felt Luke did a good job at earning Gracie back. There’s also way too much internal dialogue for both characters. The book is written in 1st person, alternating POVs, which I didn’t mind, but she spent a lot of time in with these characters just thinking about their issues in their heads and not dealing with them. It got irritating, especially towards the end and I ended up skimming.
There’s A LOT of sex in this book. The aforementioned anal, oral given to both parties, masterbation/phone sex, and the regular way. It’s all extremely detailed and graphic. Luke is also a very dirty talker, that borders on the edge of demeaning, though some would say he’s just dominant. I guess that’s a personal preference.
This book could of been better. Gracie certainly deserved more. So do the readers.
This book was ok. Not great. I didn’t like Luke much. I found him to be whipped and pathetic. And he was supposed to be this playboy with a reputation as a manwhore but he didn’t really come off that way at all. Grace was a bit of a headcase. And the story dragged a bit at times. But I finished it and I believe it was a freebie so there you go.
I love this series! Each book is wonderful and they keep getting better. And this one specifically is a brother’s best friend story, which I also love. We are back in Charleston, SC where we get Luke and Gracie’s story. Luke and Gracie have always had feelings for each other but never acted on anything until they decide it’s time to move forward. Can they live in each other’s world? Jessica Peterson does such a magnificent job of telling their story and bringing in Eli and Olivia from Southern Charmer that I am determined to become best friends with all of them! And now I can’t wait for the next book so that I can be immersed in their world yet again! Well done!
This book was so good. I don’t think I’ve ever read a sweeter hero and heroine. Luke is Gracie’s brothers best friend and they’ve both crushed on each other for a while. They were both so selfless and loving. Gracie has some insecurities about herself and is afraid to ask for what she really wants. Luke is just a good country boy. He also had some insecurities, but they work through them together. The picture Luke had in his head, with them working the farm and a baby on his hip is the ultimate dream for me. I loved how Luke is caring and so feeling, yet so dominant. They both realize quickly how compatible they are and with a little struggle, accept it and move toward an amazing future. The supporting characters are so, well, supportive. The mamas are a hoot, Eli, Olivia, Dylan, and Julia are caring and just great friends all around. Side note, I’ve lived in South Carolina my entire life and the author wrote the mannerisms, slang, and dialect, or whatever you call it perfectly! This story was really amazing and just what I needed. Looking forward to the next one!
Ms Peterson is a newer to me author- Southern Charmer was my first book of hers and she had me hooked. I was looking forward to Southern Player after meeting Luke and Grace in the first book and they didn’t disappoint!
One of the best parts of the story for me was the message that Grace (and Luke) didn’t have to be anything or anyone other that who they really were to find and be loved.
Mixed in with that message is a sweet and sexy story about friends becoming lovers. All of the characters are easy to like and easy to cheer for. Eli and Olivia (from Southern Charmer) are key secondary characters, so reading their story first would be useful, but not necessary as this is a standalone work. This fun read has me looking forward to Southern Gentleman.
First book by Jessica Peterson … Amazing and won’t be the last! This book had ALL the feels. I was laughing, tearing up at times, ovaries ready to explode, heart dropping in my stomach with all the romance. Just a roller coaster of feeling in this book. I loved it! I loved that Luke and Grace’s backgrounds were so different but they fell in love with each other and they way they just bonded so perfectly. Love unconditional and brought out the best in each other. Loved, Loved, Loved this book and definitely a great read for 2019!! Btw – can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This was my first Jessica Peterson book (I know, I know, I’m late to the party!) and it will not be my last. This book was funny and sweet and feminist and super sexy and I just loved that Luke was a freakin’ farmer. Five stars! Highly recommend! Read this book!
I loved Luke and Gracie and it was really easy to fall in love with them. I really enjoyed the fact that, for once, the Male man character was the one insecure about their role in their relationship. 90% of the time it’s always the Female main character. I also loved that Gracie was so driven, ambitious Ann’s successful on her own. This was my first book in the series, so now I’ve got to go back and read book 1.
This was a feel good book with a LOT of heat! This is the second book in this series, but can be read as a standalone. We met both Luke and Grace in the first book, but this is their story.
Grace has been burned by love and wants a no strings hook up with someone who can teach her things between the sheets. Luke is happy to oblige, but he wants so much more from his best friend’s sister and now he just needs to make her see how good they could be together.
There is a lot of heat in this book and a lot of time spent in the bedroom and other spots LOL. This couple has off the charts chemistry. The characters are loveable and someone who you’d love to be friends with. This is definitely an opposites attract story. Very well written with a good story.
I received a review copy of the book before release for an honest review.
This is book two in the series and it easily stands alone. It stars Grace and Luke. She is the previous books sister and he is the best friend of her brother. I liked how before anything begins for either of them they talk to Eli and get his permission.
Luke has had a thing for Grace for years but it was never a good time as he was a college dropout baseball player. Now he has retired and is back in town starting his own farm and he finds out that Grace is single and he wants a shot at forever with her.
Grace is newly single after a relationship ends with a guy she thought would be her forever guy. She wants a fling and to play out her deepest desires and fantasies and I loved that Luke is honest with her that he wants more with her.
The two together are very HOT! I mostly enjoyed the story. I felt that both characters were a liitle too much in their own heads too much and it detracted from my love of the story. That said I still loved the story and I found this story very romantic and fun.
I also liked how the two were very attracted to the other that they really didn’t know each other and I felt the author did a fantastic job showing how they started to get to know each other. I cannot wait for book 3 which will be about Julia and Greyson.
This is a complete standalone but I 100% recommend reading Southern Charmer first, you will have that much more love and background on Gracie and Luke (plus Eli and Olivia’s story is just as good, won’t be disappointed) they have known each other for 10 years, big brother’s hot best friend, attraction has always been there on both sides but never the right moment. Gracie is a very accomplished and busy woman, and for Luke well this is his best friend’s baby sister and she has been in a relationship. Well now Ms. Gracie is single and ready to explore her true (sexual) self…to be true to herself and needs…….leave it to sexy, southern gentleman, dirty talking, tractor riding farmer Luke Rodgers to make her come out of her shell. And the way he does it, OMG hot as hell sexiness, makes her feel comfortable to open up, and truly wanted!! Ahh you have to read this series!! Absolutely in love and can not wait for the next book in this series, Southern Gentleman! Jessica Peterson is truly a gifted and talented author! You simply want to simultaneously devour and savor each book of hers!!
Sexy with a side of seduction
Southern Player by Jessica Peterson had me all tangled up inside. A romance within another made this an outstanding read. 5 plus stars.
When Gracie goes out on her hunt for ‘the one’, she has no idea what’s in store for her and her list. Then, enter Luke Rodgers in all his perfection.
Gracie and Luke’s relationship throughout this novel made me feel like I was on fire.
Their flirty, yet very dirty, innuendos had me swooning for this duo from the start. Admitting I’m now a fan of tractors! The easiness of these two made it so easy to fall in love with them and fall for their story along the way.
My expectations were thrown out the window, this has blown me away and sucked me in even further than I thought possible.
I highly recommend to any romance reader who adores strong, quirky and dirty personalities.
A must read in my books!!!
Adore Worship Conquer
Luke and Gracie have been friends forever, but what happens if they want more?
Grace has been hurt more than once. Guys that have been jerks, or just maybe a bit too boring. This book she’s reading though, maybe it can show her how to ask for exactly what she wants.
Luke has a reputation as a player. Never one to be in a relationship, and always just a one night type of guy. But is that because he’s waiting for something or someone better to come along?
This book touched my heart and my funny bone! The love apparent in this story is amazingly beautiful. Some of my favourite things: Southern food, regency romance, fun sexy times, and a sense of humour like none other. Jessica Peterson broke the mould with Gracie and Luke’s story, worth way more than 5 ‘s!! I cannot wait to get back to Charleston with Southern Gentleman!
I have wanted to read Jessica Peterson for a while now, so when I had the chance, I jumped at it. Southern Player is the second book in her Charleston Heat series, but the first I read. I loved it and each book can be read individually, though I am excited to go back and read the first book in the series. This was a steamy, sexy and very charming older brother best friend’s romance.
I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Gracie and Luke were great together. Gracie was strong and smart, but also has some vulnerabilities and insecurities. Luke was everything. He was sexy, charming, strong and so damn sweet. I loved their banter, chemistry, friendship and build up so much.
Southern Player by Jessica Peterson had all the very best feels. This was such a great romance. I smiled through the majority of the story and when I was then I felt so content. I really enjoyed this story and am excited to go back and read the first book and more from this author.
Read and review for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
You are the Dream!
Luke and Gracie have a great connection. The banter is easy and flirty. They share friendship and trust. These two things are paramount to the intamacy and intensity that ignites in the bedroom. Jessica Peterson, once again brings the heat to Charleston. The food, the city, and the culture are like secondary characters. They add vibrancy to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the parallels between the Regency romance book that is being read by Gracie and her own romance that builds with Luke. A great read with flawed, fascinating characters and a fevered passion. Southern Player is stirring and hopeful and hot!
Grace and Luke were nothing short of hot combustion waiting to ignite. Grace list that Luke was so down to check off scorched the pages. I freaking adored how it all stemmed from a hot historical romance novel. ahhhhh so cute
Reviewed by: Alex L.
Southern Player by Jessica Peterson is a contemporary, friends to lovers romance told in dual POV. Although it’s the second book in the Charleston Heat series, it can be read as a complete standalone.
Gracie is the owner of a local coffee house, Holy City Roasters, currently in the midst of a big renovation in preparation for a grand re-opening. Her brother’s best friend, former pro baseball player turned farmer, Luke, recently moved back into town after an injury ended his baseball career. Luke and Gracie have known each other for years and have always been attracted to each other but never acted on it. The timing was never right. She spent time studying abroad and always had boyfriends, and he traveled a lot while playing in the majors.
Luke has earned a reputation as a player, but when he learns that Gracie is newly single, he decides to finally make a move. He’s ready for a real relationship and he wants to do things right. But Gracie has something else in mind entirely. After her recent break-up, she wants time to explore her fantasies – no commitment, no strings. Since Luke’s not the settling down type, she thinks he’s the perfect guy for the job.
Will Gracie’s desires ever align with Luke’s? Can a friends-with-benefits relationship evolve into the kind of love that lasts forever? Or are they both too fundamentally different to ever work long term?
This book was so much fun! I loved the chemistry between Gracie and Luke. Full of humor and witty one-liners – this story was the perfect blend of hot and steamy with genuine and sweet. I really enjoyed it!
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It was everything I had hoped for and more. Luke & Grace’s story was one of the best friends to lovers I’ve ever read. I usually read books in one sitting (I easily could have done it with this one), but I wanted to savor it. Keep it going for as long as I could because I honestly didn’t want it to end. Hands down one of my favorite reads so far of 2019.