Set in the charming town of Peachtree Bluff, “a compelling, beautifully drawn tale of love, hope, and small-town secrets” (Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author) following a trio of sisters and their mother as they discover a truth that will change not only the way they see themselves but also how they fit together as a family. Sloane’s world crumbles after receiving the news that … crumbles after receiving the news that her military husband is missing in action.
She can barely climb out of bed, much less summon the strength to be the parent her children deserve.
Her mother, Ansley, provides a much-needed respite as she puts her personal life on hold to help Sloane and her grandchildren wade through their new grief-stricken lives. But between caring for her own aging mother, her daughters, and her grandchildren, Ansley’s private worry is that secrets from her past will come to light.
But when Sloane’s sisters, Caroline and Emerson, remind Sloane that no matter what, she promised her husband she would carry on for their young sons, Sloane finds the support and courage she needs to chase her biggest dreams–and face her deepest fears. Taking a cue from her middle daughter, Ansley takes her own leap of faith and realizes that, after all this time, she might finally be able to have it all.
Lyrical, warm-hearted, and charming, “Kristy Woodson Harvey has delivered another masterpiece with the second book in her beautifully Southern, evocative Peachtree Bluff series” (Kristin Harmel, author of The Winemaker’s Wife).
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I was so excited to read more about one of my favorite southern families in The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey, and this book delivered! A second book in the series, I absolutely adored digging deeper into this family’s daily life, drama, and emotional battles. While I think this book could be read as a standalone, I don’t’ think you will gain the connection with Ansley and her girls if you skip the first book.
Ansley has begun to adjust to her three daughters living with her in Peachtree Bluff and life is beginning to settle in as much as possible. She still has her hands full, as her mother has come to visit and seems to be ill and her daughter Sloane’s military husband is MIA. She is tempted to rekindle a long past relationship, but wonders if she really has time, while juggling her shop and caring for her mother, daughters and grandchildren.
Sloane knew her husband being in the military meant she could lose him at any point, but it doesn’t make receiving the terrifying news of him missing any less painful. Holing herself up for many weeks, she struggles to remind herself that her children still need her to be their Mommy. With her mom, grammy and sisters’ support, she pulls herself out of her mourning and fights to regain control of her life.
While the first book in the series spent more time focusing on Ansley and her oldest daughter Caroline, this book bounced between Ansley and her middle daughter Sloane, while she struggles to build a new life in light of the devastating news that her husband may not return. It was enjoyable to get a deeper glimpse at Sloane and her husband Adam’s life, and how they came to be together.
As in the last book, there is a deeply buried family secret that Ansley fights to keep hidden. Throughout the book, she struggles with the battle within in her as she continues to deceive those she loves the most. Will the girls discover what their mom is determined to keep concealed? If it is discovered will it change the dynamic of their tight-knit family?
I absolutely adored this story. It made me feel such a large range of emotions. At one point I literally had chills. It says a lot about a book when it causes a physical reaction in you, and this one did just that. I highly recommend this exquisitely written novel. I am confident that before long The Secret to Southern Charm will no longer be much of a secret!
5 sizzling southern stars!
**Review by Amy, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night with Books**
A Southern telenovela!
I am hooked on Kristy Woodson Harvey’s southern charm. While reading I was actually hearing the characters with southern accents, picturing them in their houses with wraparound porches, and drinking sweet tea.
The Secret to Southern Charm is the second book in The Peachtree Bluff Series. I think that the books are better read in order. Book two starts off exactly where book one ended. The storyline continues with Ansley, Caroline, Sloane, and Emerson all back in Georgia together.
We learn about Sloane’s life as a military wife and the fears she had when she was first married. I saw Sloane’s strength when dealing with her husband’s MIA status, while she needed a little push to get out of her own head and back into the real world I could see her figuring out how to put one foot in front of the other getting back to living. She took care of her children, she painted again, and she found out what was missing of herself even before the MIA.
While this is mostly Sloane’s story the spotlight is shared with the rest of her family. I loved catching up with Ansley and her long ago love Jack, seeing Emerson and Mark being together, and watching Caroline figure out if James is who she is meant to be with. These are storylines that are not quite done. There is more in store for each of these characters.
I am excited for more of Peachtree Bluff series and the amazing Southern Charm.
This is the third book in a series that Kristy Woodson Harvey has written featuring four women who come to the family home to recover from tragedy and support each other in tough choices they all have to make. I appreciate stories that celebrate strong women, while offering the reader a glimpse into the real challenges we all face. Well done, Kristy. This would make a great beach read.
The Secret to Southern Charm (The Peachtree Bluff Series 2) by author Kristy Woodson Harvey is an awesome summer read for anyone who loves southern family fiction. I LOVED this story! This book is about real life. It is not always easy, and it is not always pleasant, but with enough tough love, sister hugs, and steady support, you can face the hard times. If you are familiar with the Peachtree Bluff Series, you can not miss this second book. It can be read as a stand-alone book and you will still understand what is happening and love the characters.
I won’t post spoilers, but I have sisters, and a very loving mother and I adored my grandmothers. In this book, each of the sisters has a life-changing event to deal with and how better to face trouble than to go back home? Ansley has to shoulder enormous responsibilities and her own personal secrets she struggles to keep in the past. And Grammy, oh how I sobbed for Grammy and Ansley. OK, get this book, make some tea, and grab the tissues. I cried because I could relate to so much of the emotions and feelings in this very beautifully written story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.