All I wanted to do was run away, I never expected to crash into his arms…
After leaving the city life behind to escape my loveless marriage, I moved to small town Havenbarrow for a fresh start.
What I didn’t expect was to find myself drawn to the town’s black sheep.
They called him troubled. Cold. A man with a dark past.
What everyone seemed to miss about Jax was the splashes of light in … was the splashes of light in his eyes. The random acts of kindness he performed when no one was watching. The way he made me smile and laugh.
Jax helped unpack the baggage I’d been carrying around with me. He was patient with my pain and gentle with my scars. He was the stillness during my hurricane.
Yet when both of our pasts came back to haunt our present days, we realized quickly that sometimes love stories didn’t end the way we’d hoped.
Sometimes you were left with only the damage from the storm.
*Book One in New Compass Series of Standalone Novels.
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Jax and Kennedy met at summer camp as children and became best friends. They lost touch after Jax’s father didn’t allow him to go back. Year’s later and an all grown up Kennedy moved to the town her sister lives in after her husband threw her out of the house. His reason because she could not get over their daughter’s death. Jax also lives in the town and has been through a lot of heartbreak as well but together they try to help each other heal.
This is such a beautiful story of a lost love, of healing and moving on from the past. Jax and Kennedy did not have an easy path to love and the pain they suffered along the way created two remarkable people. There is so much love and emotion written on these pages. A truly beautiful story in the end.
3.5 Stars
In true Brittainy Cherry fashion, Southern Storms is a heartbreakingly beautiful story, filled with her incredible words that will pull at every one of your emotions.
Kennedy & Jax are both broken spirits, filled with painful pasts and shaky presents. A renewed childhood friendship is the one thing that can save them both, and as they both lift each other up it’s undeniable how strong bonds can be even years later.
I loved how different relationship dynamics were explored, proving that blood doesn’t make family and love comes in all shapes and sizes. The small-town vibe lent a much-needed dose of humor, but the angst level is definitely off the charts.
There are some great secondary characters and fun little scenes that definitely brought a smile to my face. I did enjoy this story, but unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite of hers.
I can’t even tell you in words how much I loved this book. I am truly an emotional mess right now. This book was everything and more. The story of Kennedy and Jax will forever be ingrained into my heart. Kennedy has had tragedy in her life and her sister decides its time for her to move on. But when she meets the town “black sheep”, there is just something about him that pulls her to him. But he has many issues of his own. He is clearly troubled and doesn’t want to be friends with anyone. Can Kennedy be his salvation? Can the tragedies in their pasts bring them together? The connection these two have is unreal, so much so, that you just know in your heart that they belong together. This story takes you on a journey of healing, of potential friendship and even possibly love. The way this author wrote this story, melted my heart, made me cry, made me laugh and made me believe in hope. I am in awe of this author right now. This book is true brilliance.
Quand vous ouvrez un livre de Brittainy C Cherry , vous savez que vous allez vivre des émotions très intenses et ce fut de nouveau le cas avec Southern Storms, le 1er tome de la saga Compass. Avec ces nouveaux personnages , nous allons souvent avoir les larmes aux yeux, elles vont couler évidemment , on a le sourire aux lèvres ou ou rit pleinement et on aura aussi envie de baffer certaines personnes . C’est un coup de coeur pour ce roman qui vous touchera en plein coeur.
Kennedy Lost est une jeune femme qui a vécu un drame profond qui l’a touchée profondément. Aujourd’hui encore , elle est en proie à des crises d’angoisse qui la paralysent et l’handicapent. Et ce n’est pas l’attitude de son mari Penn qui va lui permettre d’aller mieux. Cet homme est odieux , froid et arrogant. Il ne conçoit pas qu’elle n’ait pas pu faire son deuil et tourner la page. Lui ne pense qu’à son travail et a toujours dénigré celui de notre héroïne. Le geste horrible qu’il fera au début du roman est en fait un mal pour un bien car ainsi elle partira pour la petite ville de Havenbarrow et sa soeur Yoana pourra prendre soin d’elle. Sa nouvelle vie ne sera pourtant pas synonyme de quiétude car comme dans toutes petites villes du Sud des Etats Unis, on cache sous des airs de bienvenue une habitude maladive de s’immiscer dans la vie des gens. On parle , on radote, on brode et on prend un malin plaisir à parler en mal des voisins. Dès le début Louise et Kate ont formé un comité d’accueil qui m’a énervé au plus haut point. La médisance coule dans leur sang et elles seront dans le jugement constant. Il est vrai que pour ces femmes là , il est tellement plus important de combler la vacuité de leur vie en se moquant des problèmes ou des épreuves vécues par les autres.
Heureusement tout le monde ne sera pas de cet acabit même si les premiers pas avec notre héros seront plus que fastidieux. Jax ne tolère pas qu’on entre sur son terrain privé, qui se trouve juste derrière la maison de Kennedy. Pourtant ces deux là ne sont pas des inconnus et leur passé mettra du temps à revenir à la surface. Elle pourra tout de même compter sur lui quand les crises de panique referont des apparitions. Kennedy est une femme forte qui va devoir apprendre à se libérer des entraves de son passé pour tenter d’aller de l’avant et pour vaincre le blocage dont elle est victime. Elle a déjà écrit de nombreux romans mais reprendre la plume lui est actuellement impossible. Elle va devoir mener ce combat contre elle même seule même si elle trouvera sur son chemin des alliés aussi inattendus qu’adorables, elle saura se remonter les manches et tenter de vaincre ce mal qui la ronge. J’ai aimé l’évolution de ce personnage car elle va se surpasser et vivre aussi des événements qui en auraient abattus plus d’un. Kennedy est sans conteste une personne unique et solaire comme nous le verrons dans les flashbacks lors de ses colonies de vacances où j’ai ri de ses répliques et de ses actes. Espérons juste que la culpabilité qui la ronge ne la décime pas complètement.
Que dire de Jaxton Killer si ce n’est que j’ai commencé à être très émue dès le premier chapitre ! Ce personnage m’a pris aux tripes et jamais ce sentiment ne m’a quitté. Ce qu’il a vécu est juste … je n’ai pas de mots pour en parler. J’ai fini ce roman et il a fallu que j’attende le lendemain pour écrire mon avis, chose que je fais rarement. Jax est un homme qui vit dans cette petite ville où il est perçu comme le mouton noir, l’homme à ne surtout pas croiser et avec qui il ne faut pas parler. Il est vrai que lors de ses premières rencontres avec notre héroïne , il est très vindicatif et peu ouvert au dialogue. C’est son système de défense et il met des barrières avec les gens qu’il ne connaît pas ou qu’il n’a pas envie de connaître. Mais quand on va le découvrir un peu plus amplement, on va voir à quel point c’est un homme au grand coeur. L’exemple même est son lien avec Joy Jones que les autres surnomment Crazy Joy. C’est une femme que j’ai adoré découvrir , qui elle aussi a subi une perte qui l’a marqué mais elle sera une présence importante dans la vie de Jax mais pas que… Qu’est ce que j’ai aussi pu rire avec Connor qui est l’employé de Jax , qui se prend pour son partenaire mais qui apportera une réelle légèreté à l’intrigue. J’ai ri de ses réparties , des ses paroles et de ses gestes. Pourtant , il pourrait lui aussi avoir un nuage noir au dessus de sa tête mais il n’en est rien.
Quand Jax va comprendre (grâce à Joy entre autres) que Kennedy a aussi souffert et qu’elle porte comme lui un poids lourd de culpabilité sur ses épaules, il va un peu s’ouvrir à elle. Des souvenirs pourraient aussi remonter à la surface et complexifier encore plus les choses. Cole sera aussi un personnage déterminant dans ce roman . Je ne vous dirai pas qui il est et quel impact il a eu sur l’intrigue mais il est évident qu’il a forgé ce qu’est devenu Jax. Il sera constamment dans sa vie et la souffrance sera très souvent lié à ce personnage. Jax n’a connu que cette petite ville donc autant vous dire que les habitants connaissent tout de son histoire. Nous , nous allons en apprendre plus au fil des pages et je peux vous dire que j’ai été soufflée jusqu’à la dernière minute. Jax est clairement un personnage qu’on a envie de prendre dans ses bras. Il se fait passer pour celui qu’il n’est pas car il ne pense pas mériter de belles personnes dans sa vie. Il porte encore d’énormes stigmates du passé en lui et il ne parvient pas à entrevoir une éclaircie dans la tempête qu’est sa vie. Nos deux héros parviendront ils à surpasser leur douleur pour aller de l’avant?
Bref, une fois de plus je suis sortie de cette lecture ébranlée , pleine d’émotions mais toujours aussi sensible à la plume de l’auteur. Brittainy C Cherry signe une romance pleine de messages et de symboles, avec des thématiques fortes qui ne peuvent pas nous laisser indifférent et ses personnages nous ébranleront au plus profond de nous même. Un coup de coeur à ne pas manquer
I was lucky enough to be part of Brittainy C. Cherry’s ARC team and was able to read it before release. I am a bit of a BCC fan – I’ve read all of her books and her Elements series and few other standalones are my favorites. She has a way of writing that just pulls you in. Her stories about heartbroken and hurt people coming together and finding a way to move on are always my favorite. The despair and struggle and ultimately love just pours off the page. Coming off 5 stars reads in the Landon & Shay duo, I had high hopes for Southern Storms, especially because it is the start of a new standalone series. And this book started off STRONG – I had tears by the end of the first chapter when you see how far Kennedy has really fallen and the trauma that she experienced. Her husband Penn is the worst and after a particularly debilitating argument, Kennedy heads to Havenbarrow to be with her sister, Yoana. When she arrives, Kennedy meets all the town’s wild characters, including Jax Kilter, the town grumpy dude. What Jax and Kennedy don’t realize is that they know each other from summer camp when they were 11 and 12 and were best friends who disconnected after a horrific incident happened to Jax. Jax has had a rough life and although I didn’t love the chapters when they were younger (12 year old Jax’s voice just didn’t come through for me – he felt older and like a 2 dimensional character), the abuse he faced from his father was heartbreaking. As Jax and Kennedy reconnect, their friendship starts to re-grow and their love begins to really bloom. I think the first 60% or so was the BCC sweet spot, unfortunately there wasn’t a huge climax in this book that made me really feel.
I love that Kennedy is biracial – it’s rare in romance and being able to be represented is such a joy. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it isn’t my favorite BCC. I still have high hopes for the future of the series though!
Another beautiful story by Brittany C Cherry. I really loved the connection between Jax and Kennedy. From the moment they met as kids to their reunion decades later, there was a spark. They have both been through horrific tragedies and have broken hearts. I loved how they began to heal, just by being there for each other. It so incredibly beautiful and heartwarming. I loved every word
***4 “Kismet!!!” stars***
“Storms can feel like they last forever, but from my experience, I’d learned that no matter what, they always pass.”
For once again, Brittainy C. Cherry delivered a heartbreakingly beautiful and very sweet story that grabbed me from the very first moment…
As always, her characters were mesmerizing… and i don’t mean only the main couple but also the secondary characters…
This was a beautiful story about second chances and healing… Of accepting the broken parts of yourself and continue breathing and living…
It’s about finding love in the most unexpected places and that fate can actually exist in a place full of daisies!!!!
“It turned out you didn’t need words to bring you comfort. Sometimes all you needed was for someone to sit beside you in the middle of your panicked storms.”
My heart was breaking for Kennedy from the first chapter…
She had lived a big trauma that she couldn’t forget no matter what and her husband was belittling her for that reason, even when he had to be the one to hold her and soothe her pain…
Thank God that he asked for a divorce and Kennedy reached out to her sister and her husband who embrassed her from the first moment…
And just like that a new life started for her in the small town of Havenbarrow, with its very welcoming, but also extremely noisy residents…
“When someone makes you feel weak, do something to make yourself feel strong.”
Of course, she had to be drown to the asshole of the town…. and their first encounter was very intriguing at least… In a way, she was trespassing and of course, Jax Kilton had to step up on his role and he started to bark all over her…
But the damage was already done… She was intrigued by this big, broody man and she wasn’t missing that in moments that noone was looking Jax was the sweetest and most generous guy out there…
“What it seemed more like was that he was the broken hero, the one who’d fallen apart so much he’d retreated toward the darkness over the light.
Very much like I had after tragedy found me.”
“I wished for a miracle, and around the corner was Jax Kilter.”
Jax was broken and he was preffering the solitude than to have to interact with the noisy human beings of Havenbarrow… His best friends were so different of what you could have expected and i loved each one of them…
And then one day, Kennedy Lost stepped into his precious garden and everything changed for him…
“After the proof of who she was came… my frozen heart tried to do the stupidest thing in the world -it tried to beat, but the stone-cold crystal sitting in my chest couldn’t perform the task. It didn’t know how.”
“She was the sweetest part of my past, and I couldn’t believe I was having her in my present.”
Well, this wasn’t an easy story with rainbows and unicorns…
Both our heroes had ugly scars and they needed help to overcome their traumas and even though they didn’t seem to be the right person for each other, there was a connection between them…
My heart was crying for both of them and i loved the friendship that was forming between them… They needed each other in their lives and i loved how they were fighting for each other…
How patient they were to help each other and be there for the other…
“You’re everything I wanted and everything I never knew I could have.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Anything.”
“The day I realized it was you, it turned back on.”
“What turned back on?”
“My heart.”
But i don’t want you to think that this story was only heavy and sad…
God, i laughed so much in here….
Connor was one person that i loved very much and made me laugh like crazy…
Marie and Eddie together and a certain incident had me laughing also really hard….
All the barks and the sweet moments, and the dancing in the rain brought a smile upon my lips…
Also I loved Joy very much, even though she was sooo misunderstood from the rest of the mass…
God, i just loved everything in here!!!
Ms. Cherry knows very well how to find the way into my heart!!!
“Maybe that’s what it’s all about. Maybe it isn’t about getting to the sunlight, but being able to weather the storm with those you love most.”
“I was thankful for all the rainstorms that brought me back to him.”
***I received an ARC in the exchange of an honest review***
This has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2020! I could not contain my excitement when it landed on my kindle! I loved this story!
5 Sun and Moon Stars. Absolutely loved this one! A tragically beautiful story about weathering the storm and getting to the other side. Jax and Kennedy’s story grabs you from the prologue and their journey will hold you until the last word. I highly recommend this must read!
“Maybe it isn’t about getting to the sunlight, but being able to weather the storm with those you love most.”
A new series by Brittainy C Cherry, yes please! Southern Storms is the first book in the new Compass series and boy does it ever deliver. Jax and Kennedy are two characters that are very relatable and lovable even though they are both not perfect. Without giving too much away, or not much at all, just know that these two beautifully broken individuals have weathered severe storms in their lives and are working to make their way to calmer waters. And yes I had to use the weather description. Be ready for an emotionally charged read that will take you up high and then down low but all in the best of ways. Ms. Cherry has created a new world of very endearing characters that I cannot wait to revisit.
I have found another favorite book from author Brittainy C. Cherry. Jax and Kennedy are two broken souls that found each other as kids and somehow made their way back to each other as adults. And it is what each other needed to heal the other’s heart.
This story is filled with pain and heartache that will make you cry but you wouldn’t expect anything else from this author. You will also find yourself laughing too. This story has all the feels to make you want to read it over and over again.
So if you haven’t read a Brittainy C. Cherry story before or if you love her stories as much as I do, then you will love this one. Just have a tissue or a box handy because you will need them and enjoy it.
**I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.**
I feel like every time I read a new book by Brittainy C Cherry it becomes my favorite, but this one is without a doubt my new favorite because, wow, Southern Storms just blew me away, no pun intended. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with both, Jax and Kennedy, and their beautifully broken selfs. Neither of their life’s have been sunshine and rainbows, they are broken and flawed, but who they are and their struggles are portrayed so realistically. I related to them both for different reasons, and my heart hurt for them at different times. But overall, love and support shined throughout the story.
Brittainy C Cherry doesn’t just write romance stories, she create worlds that consume me. Her writing is so incredible, and I know that once I dive into a book I will lose track of time, and won’t come out until the last word. Which is exactly what happened, I got lost in the world of Southern Storms, and what a great way to lose myself, especially at a time like this when the world around us is so turbulent. Brittainy C Cherry writes real, uncomfortable, heartbreaking stories that manage to still lift you up, inspire you, and bring a smile to your face. I aspire to be as good at anything as she is at telling stories.
Five stars for this incredible story! I cannot recommend this book enough!
Once again, Brittainy Cherry has managed to capture my heart and soul with Southern Storms. This small town, southern romance has all the emotions and is so special with the most incredible characters. It’s beyond well written with an engaging storyline that I couldn’t help but devour.
Jax and Kennedy are complete opposites yet possess similarities as they are broken due to experiencing tragedy and devastating loss. Jax is emotionally unavailable, ornery and a brooding hero with a frozen heart and the town’s black sheep. My heart seriously wept for him in so many ways. And although Kennedy is broken and struggling there’s light within her and I LOVE her carefree spirit, kind soul and tender heart. At times, she made my heart hurt as well. The build up and growth of this storyline is absolute perfection. Both of them were stronger than they realized, they needed each other more than they ever knew and definitely brought out the best in each other. And Joy (my favorite) Connor, Yoana, Nathan, Eddie and Maria were excellent supporting characters and additions to the story. Although Southern Storms is a tear jerker, it’s also filled with love, friendship and hope and I love that Ms. Cherry added in a little humor as well.
Ms. Cherry created a beautiful and amazing romance that will linger in your mind and soul for a while. It’s without a doubt, a definite must read.
(Arc provided by author)
Wow! This story was amazing. It definitely pulled at my heart strings. It had me crying before I finished the second chapter.
Every time I read a Brittainy C. Cherry book I’m left feeling all the feels. Right from the start I was consumed by this story and by Jax and Kennedy. My emotions were set on overdrive and there was no question my heart would be in for one emotional ride.
Kennedy was such a kind, strong, caring soul who was completely lost. She was utterly broken and deserved support and warmth instead of being brought down for the way she was dealing with her grief. She deserved happiness and the to have the light that dimmed within her to shine once again.
Jax captured my heart. All I wanted was to hold him and never let him go. He was cold, grumpy, and distant at times and also a little stubborn, but he was so compassionate, understanding and patient. He was such a broken soul who was so worthy of love if only he’d let it in.
Jax and Kennedy were two characters dealing with trauma and guilt. They are both broken, but once they find their way back to each other and they’re both given a second chance to renew their friendship, they slowly start opening up to each other. They both struggle with an abundance of baggage and with grief and heartbreak, but fate wants to show them that after the darkest of storms, in the end the light does break through. Hope was ever-present and felt between Jax and Kennedy and once they started working through their traumas and guilt, they truly started living again. Jax and Kennedy put me through the wringer, they broke my heart with what they both went through, but in the end I was left with this overflowing happiness.
Southern Storms will have you feeling everything. Your heart will break, but it’ll heal and be filled with an immense amount of hope. Brittainy C. Cherry delivers a heartfelt, beautiful, poignant, and captivating story. The love I have for Jax and Kennedy is beyond, these two will forever hold a piece of my heart.
This first story in the Compass series is everything phenomenal, and I can’t wait for more of this series and where the next stories will take me.
**4.5 Stars**
I am a huge fan of Brittainy Cherry. She hasn’t written a book yet that I haven’t loved with every fiber of my being, and Southern Storms was no exception. She has a beautiful gift in creating characters that are imperfect, but real and unique and special. She creates story lines that draw you in and keep you immersed so deeply where you never want the book to end.
Kennedy has suffered a heartbreaking loss and been through a horrible trauma, and instead of her husband supporting her, he basically turns his back on her. In need of help and support, she turns to her sister and finds herself also in the same town as her childhood best friend, who she lost contact with, who has been through his own set of difficult and traumatic experiences.
Jax was a beautifully complex character. I loved that he was so sweet and caring and fiercely loyal to certain people, yet he didn’t openly show that side of himself unless you earned it. I loved that despite his own tragedies in life, he wanted so much to help Kennedy to feel safe and to feel loved and to be able to overcome the obstacles preventing her from moving forward. And I love, love, loved Jax’s relationship with Connor. The sweetest of bonds in the unlikeliest of places.
Brittainy Cherry has a true gift with words. Her books have the ability to seriously bring about ALL THE FEELS!!! If I ever want to truly feel deep down to my very core kind of feel, and then be left with just an overall sense of happiness and peace, I know her books are going to do it.
Soulful and highly emotional story of second chances and healing.
This is Book 1 in the Compass Series and it’s off to a great start. From Chapter 1 I was captivated by this intense and heartbreaking story.
Told in dual POV I was swept into the lives of Kennedy and Jax.
Well written and insightful, the story flowed nicely as I felt I was sitting in a corner watching this story unfold.
Grad your favorite snack and some tissues cause this book will pull you in and won’t let go until the end.
“Mama said the best people are the imperfect ones, because the best adventures in life don’t come from perfect things.”
This is one of the most beautiful, touching stories ever! My heart! It is bursting from my chest.
Brittainy Cherry is such an amazing storyteller that draws out every emotion within you. Southern Storms is filled with so many feelings, characters that you will fall in love with, and a story line that will melt your heart.
Jax and Kennedy’s journey is filled with pain, they’ve both been through so much, but through each other they withstand the storms. This isn’t just a journey of pain and heartache though, it’s a journey of finding oneself, of forgiveness, of truth, of hope, and of immense love.
“If you need to run away, run away to me.”
The chapters of the past were absolutely perfect. I loved seeing Jax and Kennedy as kids, the blossom of their friendship, their connection, how they filled each other with so much peace and happiness. As the present takes root, the way their story unfolds is breathtaking!
“It turned out you didn’t need words to bring you comfort. Sometimes all you needed was for someone to sit beside you in the middle of your panicked storms.”
The writing is flawless and filled with emotion. It’s filled with heart and passion and I loved the humor mixed in with the pain. The light that always shone through the darkness. My heart was being torn one moment and I was laughing the next. It’s a perfect beat to a beautiful melody.
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Anything.”
“The day I realized it was you, it turned back on.”
“What turned back on?”
“My heart.”
The friendships and bonds fill your heart with so much happiness. Connor, Joy, Eddie, Yoana, they brought so many smiles, laughs and warm moments.
“You can be afraid and brave all at the same time. Now, come on. The wine is chilled, and the company is good. Even if you have to hold your breath and dash over here, do it. Then, we can breathe together.”
There’s a lot of inspiration within this story and many beautiful moments. Southern Storms captured my heart from the start and still hasn’t let it go. It’s a stunning, heartwarming story that will stay with you. It’s absolutely beautiful and a story not to be missed!
“I’ve never been in love, have never known how it works, but I’m trying to understand it more. I’m trying to learn all I can about it. What I’ve learned so far is when I think about love, I think about you.”
We all know that life is not perfect, love is not always a beautiful experience. There is always gonna be something there to make it hard for you and you have to options: fight or surrender. I think this book summaries that.
Jax and Kennedy haven’t had it easy. They were drowning in sorrow and guilt, and we accompany them in their journey of healing and yet self-discovering because once you find yourself lost, it’s a struggle to find yourself.
Brittainy’s books always leave you with something. They are more than simply stories, they mark your soul because even though you may not have experienced what the characters have, you can relate to them and feel their pain and joy. Her writing is marvelous.
I truly love every part of the story, every character was relevant, every event was meaningful, and overall it’s an amazing book. So, how can two broken souls heal each other? They don’t, they help each other to weather the storm, and eventually, the sun will come up.
It’s incredible how every Brittainy’s book is different, yet you can easily tell it’s hers. With her, you can’t go wrong.