Touching story about family and life.
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When it comes to family, it can be complicated. Arguments. Fights. Misunderstandings. When it all comes down to push and shove however, family is usually there to pick you up and brush you off.

This story is about a typical southern family. It is second in the series but I never read the first book. However, I never felt lost about what I may have missed as the author reconstructed back stories as they applied.

Told from a dual point of view, daughter and mother, we get a peek inside of an emotional minefield family who’s husband and soldier was missing in action. It is heartbreaking and emotional, but yet we see how family is there to help with the healing process. The author teaches us that we can move on, existing, and still function even with a broken heart.

And that’s just the daughter story. We also get mom‘s story. Emotional about caring for her mother. Her secrets. Her desires. We see that it’s hard to face the truth without hurting people. But this author took us on a ride of her anguished choices and the effects on her life.

The story had a lot of ups and downs for me. Both women had secrets and lies that they had to deal with that changed their life and those around them. I don’t want to say there was a happy ever after per se, but choices were made that would put a smile on your face in the end.

Delving into this family story will tie you up in their emotions and issues. This author writes a compelling and sometimes painful story that makes us thankful for family, messy or not. And she does it with beautiful southern charm.

Last year I read Slightly South of Simple and fell head over heels in love with not only Peachtree Bluff, but also the characters and Harvey’s smooth, fluid writing. I couldn’t wait to revisit Ansley, Caroline, Sloane and Emerson and now I want to pack my stuff move to Peachtree Bluff! Ok, at least take a vacation there?!

If the cover of STSC doesn’t make you long for warm weather then I don’t know what will, it’s gorgeous and the inside is just as pretty. This time around the story centers more on Sloane and her despair and hopelessness as her husband Adam, is missing in action. It flips between her point of view and Ansley’s and the entire family is in crisis mode for various reasons. This was much more emotional for me than the first book, it played off of some of my own worst fears and Harvey writes with a passion that tugs on the heart, it’s beautiful and insightful.

The characterization in this series is fantastic, this family of women are all relatable on some level and are the kind of people I would want as friends. I loved finding out more about Sloane, many of her chapters began with an old letter from Adam and they simultaneously broke my heart and made me swoon. You do still uncover some more details about the rest of the family, but Sloane is definitely front and center and her thoughts and feelings about motherhood, being a sister, wife and daughter were SO relatable that Harvey could be plucked them right out of my own head.

Once again this had it all, family drama, secrets, romance, humor and charm, I literally cannot wait for the next book. This is one to pick up when you want to be lost in the pages of a book, pack it for your next vacation, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

The Secret to Southern Charm in three words: Endearing, Warm and Wise.

I love all books by Kristy Woodson Harvey. This is my 4th book of hers. I liked this one alright. I preferred her others. This book was given to me free of charge by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I loved this second book in the Peachtree Bluff series. This one had lots of ups and downs...emotional distress, excitement, accomplishments.

I have a bit of trouble with the way Ansley handled her attempt to get pregnant. It was not something I appreciated. And you discover a lot more about that past situation in this sequel. And I think it made it harder to digest.

The sisters are a wonderful group of women who love and support each other, but they also have their typical sibling rivalries. It was endearing to see how they gathered around each other as they each experienced the multitude of emotions.

The author does a great job of making the family relationships real and believable. The story has you cheering them on, jumping up and down for joy, and ready to pinch their heads off when they do something stupid.

I'm a huge fan of Jack. He is an amazing man and I love how he just continues to be the wonderful person he has always been...loving, supportive, caring, independent, charming... He's the kind of person I would love to spend time with on a regular basis.

This book will have you laughing one moment and shedding tears the next. There are so many emotions involved and I love that in a book. Southern women are amazing. And while some of the daughters did most of their "growing up" in New York, their roots are in the south and it is obvious that they grow deep in the "sand."

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Why can't we give books more than 5 stars, you know? UGH! This book is perfection. I loved every single minute of it. I read slowly, not wanting it to end. I actually started re-reading chapters just to make it last longer. The history built into this book, mainly the family involved, and the location made me want to pack up my books and move south. I love the way the author wrote the characters--the sweet grandma, oh be still my heart. This book took my breath away in many parts, and made me cry and laugh out loud. I was not familiar with the first book in the series, but this did not make it hard to read this book AT ALL. I actually ordered the first book just to have more of these characters. I'm anxiously waiting for book number three--it can't come soon enough! Well done!!

I received an Advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I have to admit that I decided to read the first book in the Peachtree Bluff Series, Slightly South of Simple, for a few reasons. I loved both the cover and the title, and I so enjoy Southern fiction. I didn’t even read the blurbs or any reviews before I made my choice. I loved it! When I saw that the follow-up, The Secret to Southern Charm was available on Netgalley, I had to read it right away. I must say that I am so invested in this family of strong women characters. The series revolves around three sisters and their Mom, who are living at the family beach house while they work through personal problems. The chapters alternate between the characters, which make for a refreshing read, in my opinion. This is a story of family love, secrets, joy and pain. It made me laugh and cry, which makes it an amazing read. I can’t wait for the next in this series so I can re-visit this charming town and wonderful family. I highly recommend starting this series at the beginning, it is so worth it!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the pleasure of reading this gem!

I love this series! I enjoy how the chapters are told from Ansley's point of view & whichever daughter's story is being told in that book. This story was Sloane's story. At the end of the last book we found out that her husband, Adam, was MIA in Iraq. This book deals with the aftermath & the wait to see if he is dead or alive. Throughout we also get more of Jack & Ansley, Caroline & her family (she was the first book), & the set up for Emerson's story. I cannot wait to read the next book of this series. Highly recommend getting this book & continuing the Southern saga. You won't be disappointed!

I haven't been this sad for a book to end in quite a while. I truly believe this book needs it's own TV Series. It's would be a mix between This is Us and Chesapeake Shores. These characters are super relatable and full of love. You can relate to the love in their family, even with the huge differences in all of the members. Family is somewhere you always belong.

I couldn't wait to pick it back up after I had to put it down for all the responsibilities in my life. I even found myself reading on my way from my car to my work just so I didn't have to put it down yet. The book also leaves a lot of room for a sequel. I will keep my fingers crossed for that.

The Secret to Southern Charm is book 2 in the Peachtree Bluff series. I liked the first book, Slightly South of Simple, but absolutely adored book 2! I could picture myself with all these wonderful women, laughing, crying and drinking sweet tea. The Secret to Southern Charm is a heartwarming story of hope and second chances. I hope Kristy Woodson Harvey is hard at work on book #3 because I cannot wait to read more of this amazing series!

My Review of “The Secret to Southern Charm” by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Kudos to Author Kristy Woodson Harvey, author of “The Secret to Southern Charm”, the sequel to “Simply South of Simple” for writing such a captivating, heartwarming, emotional, intriguing and enjoyable novel. I spent the weekend having a Kristy Woodson Harvey Marathon,, because I wanted to read both books, and enjoyed them. I loved both books and do want “MORE” as soon as possible. I think this novel can be read as a stand alone, however, I enjoyed the colorful cast of characters and became involved in the family drama and dynamics. The genres for this novel are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for the story is mostly in the present, but going to the past only when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The story takes place mostly in the southern town of Peachtree Bluff.

Kristy Woodson Harvey has written about several generations of mothers, daughters, and sisters, and now there is a new generation,as the grandmother comes back to the home. Ansley owns the house, her daughters, their children and her ailing mom. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated, perhaps due to the circumstances. The daughters,(sisters) each have their own problems, and there are some dark secrets that exist in the family setting, that could possibly change the course of events in the story.

The theme in this story seems to deal with second chances. Do people deserve a second chance? Can things be forgiven? Do you move on, or work at it? I love the way the author discusses the importance of family, support, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this charming, delightful, and intense family drama for readers that enjoy Women’s Fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

This is the second book in the series, the first being "Simply South of Simple." There is something about books in the Southern fictional genre that keeps pulling me to them. This was no different. The cast of characters in this novel are sincere, lovable and warm. Ansley, the mother and her 3 daughters set the stage for the hardships, secrets and love that keeps this a page turner. Sloane, whose husband Adam is MIA, Caroline who is separated from her husband James, and Emerson an actress and her boyfriend Mark bring to life a Southern family in Peachtree Bluff, Georgia. What is the secret to Southern charm? Is it the accent? Is it the way a family comes together in times of need, there to hold each other up? Or is it the sentimental warmth that exudes from each of them or the way they approach the realities of life? It could be all of the above, but one thing for sure, this book took me in and wrapped me in its softness.



While this is a sequel and told from a different perspective from the first, I know I will read the third in the series. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret to Southern Charm is a great beach read. This novel is the second in a series. The series is about three sisters and their mother. All the sisters return to their Mother’s home when they are all going through troubled times. Sloane is the middle sister. She is an Army wife who has just been told that her husband is MIA. She also lost her Father as a child in 9/11. This story is told from Sloane and her Mothers perspective. They have both are dealing with loss and secrets. They both are rediscovering themselves and their passions. I loved Slightly South of Simple the first of the series. I can’t wait for the baby sisters story next year.

It's hard for me to say why this book didn't compel me. I think it's because the characters didn't effect change so much as react mildly to the changing tides of life. One sister's entire arc was being uncertain as to whether she'd let her unfaithful husband back in her life. Another's was to discover she had a health issue, which wasn't resolved by the end of the book. Another suffered as she waited to hear if her MIA husband was alive. The mother existed passively next door to the great love of her life, debating whether to commit. The issue of paternity--the big underlying question of the entire novel--was only partially resolved by the end of the story. This story just didn't hook me, and the ending didn't satisfy. I skimmed some of it in the last fraction of the book.

Being a lover of the South and all things Southern, I was so excited to read this book. It is my first by Kristy Woodson Harvey but definitely won't be my last. I did not realize that it is part of a series and am so bummed I did not read the first one,(Slightly South of Simple) but will go back and do so. It is a lovely story about the lives of a grandmother, mother, and her three daughters. I loved the setting and the relationships between these 5 women and their families. Lots of love , problems, and forgiveness. Already looking forward to the next in the series.

I just finished reading this wonderful book, and I am left full of questions. I really hope there is a third book in this series.

Kristy Woodson Harvey introduced the world of Peachtree Bluff in the first novel of this series, Slightly South of Simple. The second story starts off right after the events of the first one, which I absolutely love.

This new novel brings new adventures for Ansley, Caroline, Sloane, Emerson and Jack - some sad, some funny, but all heartwarming.

I highly recommend escaping into the world of Peachtree Bluff!

A great return to Peachtree Bluff. Middle sister Sloane's husband is missing overseas and she returns back into the loving arms of her mother and two sisters. She faces hers fears and realizes her dreams. A great read! Southern reading at its best

this is a complex story of relationships in 3 generations of family members. It will make you cry and laugh. the characters are very real and the emotions are true.

Kristy did it again - what a great book. This is the second in the series and thankfully answered many of those unanswered questions from the first Peachtree Bluff book. This was such a fun read. There are twists and turns that you would find in most families. The setting is still Peachtree Bluff and you can really get a great idea of the small town and all its characters. I would definitely say - take this to the beach or on vacation for a wonderful read!

The Secret to Southern Charm
Kristy Woodson Harvey


MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Gallery Books
PUBLISHED April 3, 2018

A warm, witty and entertaining book perfect for a sunny day at the beach.

SUMMARY
This is the second novel in the Peachtree Bluff series which features the three Murphy sisters and their mother as they struggle with the hardships life throws at them. Sloane‘s world is turned upside down when she is told that her military-strong husband, Adam is missing in action in Iraq. Finding the strength to climb out of bed or parent her two boys was impossible. Thankfully, her mother and sisters are there to help. Her mother Ansley puts her personal and work life on hold in order to support Sloane and to care for her own aging mother. Sisters, Caroline and Emerson are finally after three weeks able to coax Sloane out of bed. As she was emerging from her funk Sloane’s strategically place painting easel called out to her. She began painting again, and painting helped. But other family issues soon arose. Ansley’s mother health was declining, and Emerson didn’t feel well either. In the midst of all the chaos, a new neighbor moved in next door to Ansley. Actually, it was not a new neighbor but it was Jack, a lifelong friend and love-interest of Ansley’s. Jack holds all the secrets of her past. Jack was the one person she wanted a future with, but just not right now.

REVIEW

This little gem should be devoured on a beautiful day at the beach with wine and special brownies. The Secrets of Southern Charm is three generations of strong women who face life’s major challenges and overcome. It may not be easy, but they do it. The characters are well-developed and the sense of family is beautiful and strong. Even the family friends are delightful. I want Kimmy and Hippie Hal hosting my next birthday party. And Kyle can deliver my coffee everyday...and I don’t even like coffee. Do you think I can get him to bring me a sweet ice tea instead!

Kristy Harvey’s story telling is witty and warm. She creatively uses letters from Adam to Sloane before he was MIA to exhibit their loving relationship and highlight some of their issues. The tension Harvey created by Ansley’s fears of her past coming to light is very palpable and masterfully done.


While I did not read Harvey’s first book in the Peachtree Bluff series it did not stop me from enjoying this one. Never once did I believe I was missing something, but just the same, I have ordered the first one, Slightly South of Simple, which will just have to be read second! I’ll bet it will be just as entertaining as this one. The Secret of Southern Charm is recommended for those who love Southern fiction or anyone who wants to know what the secret is!

Thanks to Netgalley, Gallery Books, and Kristy Harvey for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be trite and pretentious---just not for me. The "southernness" was over the top. There will obviously be a sequel for those who liked it.