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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Holy Hell!!!! This is one hot book. Luke is the perfect man, Southern Gentleman to the public and sex God in private. I love how he was all in from the beginning and he wanted Gracie so much he agreed to her plan to find herself. This was a beautifully hot friends to lovers, best friends sister love story.
I was intrigued by Luke and amused by Gracie in Southern Charmer, so when Jessica put them together in Southern Player, it was a must read. While it doesn’t have the spark or charm of Southern Charmer, it was a fun read with a sweet ending. Sizzling sex scenes, country boy and city girl, all set around beautiful Charleston. What more could you ask for?
This book was perfection!! So full of suspense. Luke and Gracie are ! One of my tips reads of 2019!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
You can’t go wrong with Jessica Peterson. I loved this followup to Southern Charmer. Luke and Gracie are ever so hot together! Great dialogue, steamy and original sex scenes, emotion, humor – everything you want in a romance novel. Eli and Olivia are back and without spoilers…Luke’s moms are priceless! Southern Player can be read as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read Southern Charmer first to get the complete Charleston Heat experience!
EXCELLENT!!!!!
I would give this book a whole sky of stars if I could.
It has got to be one of the most beautifully written books I have read,its one hell of a scorchingly amazing read and I absolutely Loved every single part of it.
Luke and Gracie totally and unapolgetically consumed me,Jessica’s writing is descriptively brilliant making every scene so real and the characters so believable,I could imagine accurately myself there in each scene watching the whole plot unfold.Jessica draws you into a bubble of intimacy with the whole story wrapping you in its warmth I didnt want to leave.This is very addictive and I am finding it hard to let go.
A friends to lovers/Brothers best friend story I adored Luke and Gracie’s romance,their honesty their chemistry and vunerabilty.There was some very emotional moments between them as well as the steamy ones.
I honestly cannot find anything that I disliked about this book,because I loved EVERY SINGLE THING about it.
For me this was perfection inside 30 plus chapters ,the world Jessica has created ,the lovable characters and the journey I was allowed to travel upon with them.Which is never an easy ride Luke and Gracie’s love being no exception,was all breathtaking and basically it had it all I laughed ,I cried I revelled in this intoxicating and spellbinding Romance I cannot praise this book enough.I highly recommend it.
Love this best friends sister romance. I love Southern player. Didn’t want to stop reading it. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
4.5
Well, I was hooked from page 1. Gracie listening to a historical romance and trying to walk and almost getting fattened by a truck…..sign me up!!!!
I read this book in a day. No joke. I could not put it down. In fact….I JUST FINISHED!!! The chemistry and genuine awesomeness of both Gracie and Luke had me hooked.
Awesome read!
Southern Player hits some classic romance tropes – brother’s best friend, friends-to-lovers, MLB player, etc, etc. But while it hits familiar themes, it is not just another ‘insert name here’ book. It is well written, witty, charming, and you will be engrossed from the first page.
Gracie has lost some of her identity and sense of self, and she’s totally relatable because we’ve all be there at some point. Having a relatable heroine always makes a book better for me. It’s easier to read when it feels real and genuine. She wants to find herself and explore in a safe space, and Luke creates that for her. Luke is witty and charming and real, and the banter is beyond entertaining.
This is the second book in a series, but can be read standalone.
The heart of a cowboy with all the charm of a Prince Charming. Luke may be a little rough around the edges, but the way he put Gracie first made him perfection. Southern Player is my first Jessica Peterson novel, but I am confident it won’t be my last. It’s easy to love a story that doesn’t gloss over the heartache, but makes it the backdrop of a fresh start. Gracie wants her voice to be heard and Luke wants her to know that he was always listening. Southern Player is a sweet temptation that is a welcome asset to any lover of romance. I found a new one click author.
an you fall even more in love with a city than you already are? Luke and Gracie’s story continues my love affair with Charleston and lets us fall in love with 2 new characters.
What happens when you have had a decades long crush on your best friend’s little sister and now she finally wants to move forward with you? This book is hot, hot, hot! The chemistry between Luke and Gracie is combustible and it can be seen in all aspects of their relationship. They are both passionate in their lives and with each other.
I feel like Luke takes a journey in this book. He has been a professional baseball player but sees himself as a simple farmer who has so much to give. Gracie is learning how to love herself and fight for what she wants and deserves.
I love how Olivia’s books play a part in this book. I will be adding some of Jessica’s historical fiction novels to my TBR because girl can write!!
This book was amazing! I loved so much about it. I loved that it was a continuation of Southern Charmer, book #1 of Charleston Heat series, and that Eli and Olivia were featured as well. I loved that it was set in Charleston, a town I have visited many times, and that neighboring hot spots and towns were mentioned including a scene at the beach. I love the friends to lovers and best friend’s sister genre.
But mostly, I loved Gracie and Luke Rogers together! I loved that they were normal people and he wasn’t a cocky billionaire, and how much they truly liked one another and didn’t try to change each other.
Even though the title contains the word “player,” Luke only had eyes for Gracie. He was such a good man, a southern gentleman, in public and to her, but when they were alone, oh my! The pages really heated up! A former pro-baseball player, he followed his passion of moving back home and owning a farm. This was really interesting to me as I also live in a farming community and really admire those in this field as it’s not an easy life.
This book has so many southern references in it and it’s obvious Jessica Peterson knows her stuff or researched it very well. You feel as if you are part of the town and route for this couple the entire time. After reading these two books, it sounds so enticing that I would want to live there and be their friends!
This book hit home for me, because just like Gracie, I love reading romance and am hoping to find someone who is right for me. Ms. Peterson, through her characters, gives great advice, and I highlighted many sections to revisit! Gracie talked about being true to herself, and how she had to not try to be perfect and make it her main focus to please her partner.
Luke was supportive and honest with her right from the beginning. I loved the dual point-of-view and how open he was about his vision of their future vs. hers. This is a bit of a reverse because he wanted the relationship and she wanted more of the benefits at first. This couple had explosive chemistry and many of these scenes were smoking hot! It goes to show you that when you are with the right person and can let down your guard and trust them, good things will happen.
I loved how attentive he was to her every need, especially her bucket list. Luke was patient and creative, always putting her needs first, and in doing so, her joy became his joy.
They complimented each other so beautifully, and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. It’s nice to read about a couple getting along and not always bickering and fighting. I loved how accomplished and educated, yet down-to-earth and humble, Gracie was. I loved how they both appreciated the simple things in life and valued friendship, community, hard work, and family. Loved his two moms and their sense of humor! Loved when he called her his “Gracie Girl” with such adoration.
I loved how supportive and passionate they were of each of their own careers and each other’s, how they weren’t pretentious, and had the same values and goals. How they confronted their insecurities, gave each other confidence, and made each other better versions of themselves. I especially loved how they could be honest with each other and not play games like couples do in so many other books I read. They weren’t perfect, and after some soul searching could admit when they were wrong, and that they were committed to making it work and building a life together.
I also loved how protective Eli, her big brother was, how close they all were, and how through Olivia’s romance novel, they were able to so cleverly finish the last item on Gracie’s bucket list. Everything in this book comes together so beautifully and all of your questions will be answered.
I know I used the word “love” a lot in my review, but I do honestly feel this way. I read the book in one sitting ignoring every other thing I had to do today because it was that good. It left me feeling inspired and hopeful, and craving book 3!
Southern Player brought the heat! Luke and Gracie’s story is definitely sizzling. Luke is everything you want in a retired ballplayer southern man. Gracie’s kindness and strength make them perfect together. Add in the brother’s best friend plot? Sigh. Love. Also? The food porn again in this story is phenomenal. Everything about this book from the flirty witty banter to the sexy moments were perfection. Jessica brings it again.
This isn’t your typical best friend younger sister falls for brothers best friend love story. Luke and Gracie did everything completely backwards, lol. It was funny to me how these two got together. You don’t even have to wait until the middle of the story to read about their adventures. They’ve always had a thing for each other but never made a move. Gracie was in a relationship and thought she wasn’t good enough for Luke. And Luke is an ex baseball player that didn’t think Gracie will want anything with him. Surprisingly her brother gave them his blessings but of course with warnings and ultimatum, lol. Gracie and Luke complimented each other and made a great team.
These two were a dynamic duo that would have you smiling while reading their story.
Holy HOTNESS!!! This book is full of so much steaminess!!!
Grace and Luke have so much chemistry…it’s like off the charts!!!! I admit, there were a few times I needed to just stop and fan myself….
So, Southern Player is getting the flames:
Gracie and Luke are hot from page one. Gracie is a successful independent woman who simply wants to meet a man who will accept and love her for who she is and what she wants. Luke is a sexy hot ex-baseball player turned farmer who is ready to settle down. Southern Player has everything you’ll laugh, cry, get angry and sigh in adoration at everything that is Luke and Gracie. Let’s not forget Luke’s mama’s because they are so funny and refreshing!!
Southern Player is another wonderful story and I can’t wait for the next book!!!!
Southern Player is a steamy read that hits a lot of hot buttons. It’s filled with a wealth of emotions that will have you laughing out loud, wanting to throw something, and squirming in your seat. It’s a must read!
I. Loved. This. Book. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about it. I loved the raw frankness of Gracie and Luke. I loved how the dialect was written so that it made the characters come to life; I could hear them in my head, and it added so much depth to the story. I loved how the author juxtaposed a Regency romance with a contemporary romance and made them dovetail. I appreciated Gracie; her success tempered by her vulnerability were instantly relatable. And I loved the heat and chemistry between Gracie and Luke. This was unlike any “best friend’s sister” romances I’ve ever read; it was thoroughly unique. And the sexy times? Holy combustible pages! Seriously hot, but not in a gratuitous way. The tender romance combined with the off-the-charts chemistry was extremely swoon-worthy and gave me that nice little stomach drop that I love in a romance. I cannot recommend this book enough. A huge thank you to the author and publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ok–first thing–this is book two in Jessica Peterson’s Charleston Heat series. You don’t need to read book one to read this one but I have book order OCD so I always recommend it. Second– I’m pretty sure my kindle is still smoking from Luke and Gracie’s story and I mean SMOKING. Dirty-talk level -OH EM GEE. With all of the witty, sweet, and swoony moments, this is definitely one of my favorite reads for 2019.
Southern Player: I ain’t mad at it.
Ah, Gracie and Luke. First off, when you read Jessica Peterson you know you’re gonna get a blazing hot story, well-developed characters, and a vividly-described setting. Southern Player hits all those points, and deliciously. This second installment in the Charleston Heat series is the brother’s-best-friend story (a trope I love!) of college-educated coffee house entrepreneur Grace and former pro baseball player turned farmer Luke. The premise: Gracie asks Luke for a no-strings, scorching-hot affair. “No strings” turns out to be a problem for Luke. The sex is off the charts, the romance is sweet, and Charleston and the South Carolina low country practically glow from the e-page.
All that is, of course, awesome. But what I think I loved best about this book is the journey of two people with insecurities perhaps not obvious to the observer, and how they find their way to each other. Luke feels “not good enough” and feels he can’t fit in with Gracie’s educated and high-powered friends. Grace doesn’t trust that Luke will give up his legendary playboy ways (or why he would want to) and settle down with relatively naïve and inexperienced her. This is a romance. They both get over their insecurities, find strength and a really great business/lifestyle idea together, and get their HEA. But I appreciate the reminder that everyone has scars you can’t see and worries you can’t fathom—no matter how flawless the exterior.
Looking forward with eager anticipation to the next book in the series!
Southern Player is my first foray into a Jessica Peterson novel. I received an email asking if I’d like to read an ARC of this book for an honest review, and I was intrigued with the friends-to-lovers, my brother’s best friend theme. I know it is a fairly common trope, but sometimes, it’s nice to read a story that feels like a nice warm blanket on a cold day. So I put my name into the proverbial ARC hat and was chosen.
And thankfully, I fell in love with this book. Here are some of the reasons why I think you should read Southern Player:
This book has a social consciousness about it. Gracie is an intelligent, successful, articulate woman. She has worked hard to establish herself as a successful businesswoman in her community. However, she struggles with finding love and asking for what she needs in and out of the bedroom. This book has frank discussions between various characters about the need for a woman to ask for her needs to be met and to feel no shame about the asking. Gracie talks about body shaming and the media’s construction of beauty. There is a strong awareness in this book of women and power and success, and it’s a great example of using your voice to find your happiness with the person who will give you that happiness, no questions asked. Jessica Peterson also gives us different types of relationships: Luke has two moms, and one of Gracie’s business friends is the more successful one in her marriage and her husband is her biggest champion. There is such equity/equality in this book that you cannot help but love its characters.
Ummm…Luke. Don’t get me wrong. Gracie is FANTASTIC as a female h. But Luke….ahhh…Luke is the guy you want. For one, he’s secure enough in his own $e%uality to maturely discuss Gracie’s needs in the bedroom. He does this because he knows he will be fulfilled too. He doesn’t shame her or make her feel guilty for her wants. He listens. And he very spectacularly meets her needs. He is kind, aware, and hard working. As a retired pro-baseball player, he could be mourning his career; instead, he finds a new identity in farming and a different level of success. Even more, he is the first male H I have read who makes it known that he wants to date Gracie, and he meets with her brother, his best friend, to make sure he approves. Usually, the H/h secretly engage in a relationship, and the drama is created when they are caught. Not in this book. Gracie and Luke both take responsibility for their actions. It’s a heady sense of maturity.
Now, I will say that I struggled with Luke’s insecurity relating to Gracie in the latter part of the story. I don’t want to reveal anything more, but given the way I’ve characterized him above, I didn’t believe in his insecurity. I know Peterson needed a moment of angst so Gracie and Luke can reconcile, but Luke’s insecurity didn’t really work for me. That being said, the guy is hot, mature, and one of my new fav book boyfriends.
Overall, I really enjoyed my first read of Jessica Peterson. I see her doing something more with this friends-to-lovers tropes through her social awareness, and it works. Gracie and Luke are everything you want in a romantic book relationship. I can’t wait for the third book in this series. Peterson has set it up well in Southern Player.
Overall:+