Southern Storms

4.5 STARS!

“If you need to run away, run away to me.”

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Brittainy C. Cherry. Southern Storms is a second chance romance you don’t want to miss, packed with such an emotional and heartbreaking punch to the gut!

After being kicked out and abandoned by her husband, Kennedy finds herself at her sister’s doorstep in Havenbarrow, Kentucky seeking shelter and forgiveness. Kennedy has gone through unimaginable loss which she blames herself for. Havenbarrow becomes her safe haven to heal and to find herself again. What she doesn’t realize is that her past is close by.

“He smelled like cedar and my favorite memories.”

Jax is the pirah of the small town. He’s dark, brooding, grouchy, and keeps to himself. He literally growls at Kennedy when she wonders onto his property the first time. And from that moment on he’s known as Mr. Personality. Both characters were broken and they brought out the better in each other. It doesn’t take long before Jax realizes Kennedy is the girl who was his best friend when they were just kids.

I truly loved Kennedy and Jax together. From light to dark, they balanced each other out perfectly. They were able to really heal after finding each other again.

This book was heavy at times but there were also lighthearted and funny moments shared with some of the secondary characters. Especially Connor’s relationship with Jax. Overall, this story was a bit dark and tragic with tender and sweet moments. Lots of grieving, healing, and learning forgiveness. I was blown away by the heart of this story! You’ll feel it in your soul. Such a beautiful story of old friends coming together and finding love in their most darkest moments. I’m looking forward to the rest of the books in this new series!

“There’s no straight path. Healing isn’t a linear. Healing comes with curves, bumps in the road, and potholes.”

Brittainy C. Cherry never ceases to amaze me. Her books are always so well written. Southern Storms is the emotional, friends to lovers romance that I needed right now. This story is about Jax and Kennedy. Both are emotionally broken and, holding onto a lot of guilt. Their backgrounds were different, but they could easily relate to each other. I couldn’t have loved these characters more. I hurt for them, healed with them, and laughed with them. There’s a reference to the Netflix show YOU that cracked me up. I also fell head over heels in love with the small Kentucky town. The secondary characters were some of my absolute favorites. Like Connor, he is truly something special. I hope we get his story.

Brittainy Cherry is a master of her craft. She is able to beautifully expose the imperfections of her characters in such a way that they become strengths. Southern Storms tells the story of a love that is meant to be. It speaks of being lost and finding the way, of remembering childhood dreams and that, despite the curveballs thrown by life, they can still be reached even as a grownup. But mostly, it tells of finding yourself in the eyes of another person and that opportunities lie even when tragedy strikes. You just need to be willing to move forward.

” , . ’ . ,
. , ’ .”

This was yet another breathtaking story by Brittainy C. Cherry.

After losing her little daughter and parents in a horrific car accident, Kennedy can’t get over the fact that she is to blame for what happened. A year later she still has panic attacks, meanwhile her husband seems to be doing well. with her not moving on, her husband decides to divorce her. now she has no where to go but to her sister who lives in a small town.
But what Kennedy did not expect was for the town’s asshole to be her long lost friend.

Jax had a trauma when he was young, and his life was forever changed. He has always been a soft kid growing up, and his father did not like that about him. Since he was young, all what he wanted to do was please his father.
I hated his father sooo much, he was an ugly person he didn’t even deserve the privilege of being a father. The way he hurt Jax and treated him was despicable.

This book was painful and beautiful all at once. I loved watching both Kennedy and Jax heal, how they pieced back their broken pieces. How they weathered the storm together.

” , , , ’ .”

I can’t tell you how much i hated Kennedy’s husband, he and Jax’s father were the real assholes in this story. He had no right to treat her the way he did, we all deal with traumas differently and we all heal at our own pace.
Jax’s brother almost fooled me there, but surprise! he was an asshole too!! None of this would’ve happened if he was man enough and said the truth. What is it with the people who are supposed to protect us? why are they the ones who stab us in the back??

I loved Connor and Crazy Joy soo much. That boy made laugh so hard.
And i love seeing Jax and Kennedy as kids, they were meant for each other.

” .”

I ended reading this book with a deeply felt sigh. What a remarkable story! And how heartfelt! I enjoyed every word and every emotion that this story made me feel. What I loved most in this book was that although it has very strong emotional scenes, there are also lighthearted scenes that alleviate the angst and make it a truly enjoyable read. The characters are very human, flawed, a little broken, but with such a huge heart, a kindness of the soul, that when they get together, they heal each other. Or at least, they succor each other on their way to healing. It’s a tale of hope, of walking through the darkness and finding their way to the light. Very inspiring and very hopeful.

Kennedy arrives at the town of Havenbarrow, after the wreckage of her marriage, broken and in despair. She had suffered a tragic loss and her husband couldn’t deal with her depression and what he called her “too emotional” scenes. Her sister takes her in and helps her find a house to live. When she meets the guy termed the “town’s asshole”, there’s something in his eyes that calls to her. He’s horribly rude every time they meet, until he suddenly sees her car. Kennedy’s sister gave her the car that their parents used for family trips when they were younger. They call it the Lost mobile and it has drawings of all their travels. It’s a priceless antique, and Kennedy spent the first days in her new house, sleeping in the car. When Jax saw the car, he realized that Kennedy was his childhood friend from many years ago…. No wonder Kennedy’s rare golden eyes seemed familiar to him!

There are many details I loved in this book. The long words that Jax loved to learn and share with Kennedy when they were kids, like basorexia, which means a strong desire to kiss. There was a lot of that in the story! Also, when they finally connected and re-started their friendship again, they would sit in the convertible for their long conversations, instead of the porch or inside. It was like they were cocooned by their memories of better times.

Like Kennedy, Jax was also having a hard time, dealing with his father failing health. His father was a horrible, evil person who abused Jax most of his life. And yet, Jax never stopped wanting to make him proud of him. His feelings of worthlessness were enhanced by the town’s treatment of him, with the exception of a close knit of friends who were gold.

I loved the nurturing and support they would give each other when a dramatic event would occur. I loved when Joy and Eddie, the neighbors, would butt in with advice, with support and with friendly love. There’s a young guy called Connor, Jax’s assistant at his plumbing business. The guy is a hoot, a young hustler trying to win a buck at any opportunity, but when things get dicey, he was the best friend to have.

I was impressed and touched by Jax’s devotion to a father who didn’t love him and abused him. He remained in the house, assisted him with his ailing health and took him to hospice care, then visited daily to read to him. The level of devotion was in a way his atonement for past sins but it was so hurtful. His road to redemption was fraught with feeling and when united with Kennedy’s it was an explosive mix of feelings, regrets and love. I loved the angst and these wonderful characters!

Southern Storms
Brittany Cherry

Brittany Cherry surely didn’t leave me disappointed!! Love the new characters! Very well written with an excellent story line!! I couldn’t put it down!

Can not wait for the next book in the series!

This was a beautiful story of love, friendship, second chances, tragedy, loss, triumph, forgiveness in a small-town setting. Brittainy C. Cherry writes such beautiful and emotional stories. She knows how to dig deep into your heart and soul and pull out every emotion. She makes you feel. I laughed. My heart broke. I cried. There is even an unexpected twist that I didn’t see coming. I fell in love with these broken characters. I loved the flashbacks of when they first met. It was so endearing and sweet. It shows the innocence of young love and friendship. The things that they both go through is so heartbreaking. The secondary characters were lovable as well. Connor and Joy were everything!

This was a quick, sweet read. For the most part, this was a beautiful story and I really liked it. My only issues are that I felt like some things were missing and, at times, it felt rushed. Also, it didn’t have the usual spark, pull, and depth that most of her stories have. With that being said, it is still a good, world-building story with a HEA. I love Brittainy’s books and look forward to seeing what she has in store next.

****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****

Tragic and hopeful Brittainy Cherry brings broken pieces together for a beautiful effect in Southern Storms.

This story reached to a past in search of answers for the shattered hearts of the present. Both Jax and Kennedy were each other’s missing pieces, a set torn apart that floundered to find their places without each other. Jax hid his goodness well with the scars that covered his soul. Crippled with guilt and pain this hero was incredibly sad, complex and seemingly defeated. Kennedy was beaten-down emotionally and struggled with a loss that seemed incomprehensible. When fate brings Jax and Kennedy back into each other’s lives the arduous path of confronting their individual past and allowing themselves to reconnect and begin the process of healing was as heartbreaking as it was touching. This couples love was well devised even as they doubted their worth. The love and attraction they felt for each other was ever present struggling with their guilt but always ultimately stronger than it.

Brittainy Cherry is so in tune with her characters that her writing feels like an extension of their souls. Her powerful empathy gives raw portrayals that are intensely emotional. Filled with depth and caring Southern Storms brings tears and optimism out of the ruins of two people’s hearts for a thoughtful read.

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*

I am a huge fan author Brittainy C Cherry, as expected I fell in love with this one immediately! Her books always make me feel a roller coaster of emotions and this one’s another one of them.

Kennedy and Jax, both of them are emotionally broken – they’ve gone through so much and carry those baggages.

No more words can describe this book. Just know this one is worth the read and highly highly recommended!

„If you need to run away, run away to me.”

Southern Storms is another emotionally charged book from Brittainy C. Cherry, that leaves the reader completely breathless. Her talent lies in transforming the most sorrowful and gruesome situations into the most beautiful and uplifting love stories. She shows how powerful love can be and how the right person can change your life. I live for stories that would drag my heart through the emotional grinder to finally leave me with the biggest smile on my face. And that’s exactly what you can expect from Southern Storms.

This book is a beautiful example of how kismet works and how some promises remain valid forever. Jax and Kennedy were given a second chance not only to renew their friendship, but also to start a new life without guilt and everpresent sadness. These two struggle with an overwhelming baggage, with grief and heartbreak, but fate wants to show them that even after the biggest storm the sun comes out and that even two broken people can make a whole.

I loved both characters with my whole heart. Even though Jax hid his pain behind the mask of town’s jerk it was clearly noticeable that he’s a caring and loving guy. In his own way he showed compassion even to people who deserved it least. I was completely overwhelmed with basorexia when it comes to this man.

My heart was hurting for Kennedy and I couldn’t even fully comprehend in how much pain she was. But I was full of admiration for her determination to get better. And when I got glimpses of her old quirky self, I adored her even more.

These two enchanted me when they were younger, and they made me fall in love with them when they were older. Their bond was exceptional and their mutual understanding was the connection they both needed to finally heal. They made me cry and smile. Their experiences broke my heart and then filled it to the brim with happiness. Jax and Kennedy’s journey to happily ever after gave me all the feels.

Brittainy C. Cherry created a heartfelt and captivating story that gives hope and warms the heart. Southern Storms includes everything I love in romance- engaging storyline, flawed but wonderful characters and the whole spectrum of emotions. All of this is so beautifully written that I wasn’t able to put this book down even for a second. Fully recommended read!