Member Reviews

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I missed the first book in the series but I recently read the 2nd book and when this one came out, I knew I had to read it. I will come back around for the first book. This was a very light, yet thoroughly enjoyable, read for me. I fell in love with the characters and their story during the first book so it was good to see them again. I think Emerson was my favorite sister so I was happy that this one was told from her perspective...well, her and her mother. :) I love that this book is about love and the many ways that it can come to you. You have romantic love, sibling love, parental love, friendly love and so forth. I love the setting for the books and I would really love to move there if it were a real place. I'm sure it is based on at least one real city from her past and maybe even some of the people are real...

I always tell people that they need to take care of their mind, body, and soul...this book was very good for my soul and my honest opinion is that you should read it.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an electronic ARC of this book.

This was the perfect conclusion for the Preachtree Bluff trilogy. I highly recommend reading the books in order. I loved the way each of the sisters` stories were told even though this one focused more on Emerson. I am sad to see the series end.

Was this review helpful?

Readers of Southern fiction will love the delightful setting, the realistic characters and the intricate plot.

SUMMARY
Ansley Murphy should be content, Jack, the man of her dreams is back in her life again and all three of her daughters are happy. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Emerson, the youngest daughter, is recently engaged and has just landed the acting role of lifetime in LA. She seemingly has the world by the tail. Emerson’s sisters Sloane and Caroline are planning the wedding of the year, but not everything goes according to plan.

When Ansley’s secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.


REVIEW
Oh those Murphy women in Peachtree Bluff! They make me laugh, they make me cry and they make me rush to turn the pages of this fun and captivating book. There is never a dull moment in Ansley’s white clapboard house on the waterfront. Everytime her front door opens you may want to brace yourself for another gut-wrenching surprise. Ansley says she doesn’t really like surprises; but her mother has always told her she better get used to them, because life is nothing but one surprise after another.

Harvey’s writing is delightful and she is a great Southern storyteller. She makes me want to pop over to Peachtree Bluff to visit with Ansley, Emerson, Caroline and Sloane. It will be nice to meet Jack, but I have really wanted to meet the handsome Kyle for a long time. Not only does he personally deliver coffee to Ansley’s house, but in this book, he has come up with a new drink—the Starlite Starlet—which just made me fall in love with him all over again. and the drink sounds pretty good too...

Even though this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone, but why would you want to miss all the fun in the previous two books!

Kristy Woodsen Harvey Is a born-and-bred North Carolina girl who loves all four seasons, especially Fall in Chapel Hill, where she attended college, and Summer in Beaufort, where she and her family spend every free moment. Her previous novels include the Secret to Southern Charm, Slightly South of Simple, Dear Carolina, and Lies and Other Acts of Love. Kristy is also the founder of the popular interior design blog, Design Chic.

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

Publisher Gallery Books
Published May 7, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Was this review helpful?

Full disclosure I had no idea this was a series! I truly thought this was a standalone when I opened this book. That being said when I started it, I felt a bit confused but was immediately brought into the world of the Murphy family. This is a book I would bring with me on an airplane ride or to the community pool and just soak up summer in. This book was a delight and a bit of a guilty pleasure. I look forward to reading the earlier books in this series.

Was this review helpful?

This book just grabbed my heart from the start...beginning with that beautiful summer-like photo on the front cover. The Murphy girls/family have such a comfortable way about them that I felt as if we were friends. (And Jack? oh goodness, he is my fav by far!)
I read this book before I knew this was the 3rd installment of the Peachtree Bluff series - I did not read the first two books but I had no issues understanding the plot or characters. The author, Kristy Woodson Harvey, did a wonderful job of describing their individual personalities and their background without overkill for those already familiar with the characters.
This book centers around the youngest daughter Emerson and her impending marriage as well as the ongoing plotline with the girl's mother, Ansley, as she is settling into her new life with her long lost love Jack. The setting may be beautiful, but soon enough secrets come to surface threatening to destroy the family bond and the future of the sisters.
There are plenty of tender and romantic moments as well as a little ending twist that turns everyone's life upside down!
You can read this book as a stand alone but I suggest you check out the first two books (I am!) so you can get more of a deep dive into what makes these characters ticks, their struggles and relationships with one another. A wonderful, brilliant, fun read especially for the summer season! Don't miss this sweet southern read! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Another trip to Peachtree Bluff reunites the reader with all our favorite characters of the previous two books.. As we explore the powerful relationship between sisters and mothers we discover that even the closest family can harbor secrets.. Plenty of Southern charm and drama as we say goodbye to everyone. A definite beach/pool/easy chair read. for all to enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey is the third book in the Peachtree Bluff trilogy.
Ansley Murphy and all three of her daughters are at home in Peach Tree Bluff GA. She is enjoying the time with her family and especially the grandchildren. Her first love is also back. Her design business is booming. Ansley still feels unsettled and is waiting for something negative to happen. Is it all the secrets that might come to life? Will Ansley be able to face all the past holds and finally be at peace?
I enjoyed this book but I did read the first two books which I believe will be quite helpful to the understanding and enjoyment of this one. In books one and two there are many unanswered questions left at the end that are finally answered in this book. All of the loose ends are tied up. I give this book 5 of 5 stars. The characters are mostly realistic though some might do some things slowly or keep secrets that may be better shared right away. The setting is so well described I could imagine myself being there. I believe this book will have a wide appeal to readers.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The following review is scheduled to appear on the link provided on April 22, 2019:

When I had received this galley, I was not aware that I was part of a series. The Southern Side of Paradise is actually the final installment of the Peachtree Bluff Series which focuses on a mother, Ansley and her three daughters: Caroline, Sloane and Emerson as they divide their time between New York City and Georgia. Each are struggling in terms of their relationships: Ansley is engaged to the love of a her, a man that she left when she was young while Caroline has discovered that her husband James has been cheating on her and Sloane is dealing with her injured husband who is back from being captured during the war.

While the first two installments of the Peachtree Bluff Series focused on the stories of the older sisters, The Southern Side of Paradise is narrated by the youngest daughter, Emerson, who is an actress with a flair for the dramatic. This installment is her story. I think her being the youngest of the girls, made the narration seem whiney and immature in parts, but it didn’t take away from the overall feel of the book. It just made for the story to be more believable since this was the story of a young woman who was beginning to find her own way.
Without having read the first two books in the Peachtree Bluff Series, I did find myself somewhat lost in reading the last book. I did not fully understand all of the conflicts and relationships as well as I could have had I had the background of the first two installments. However, The Southern Side of Paradise, was a light read that immediately plunged me into the world of the Murphy girls and their lives and adventures. After reading this installment, it made me want to go back and read the first two books so that I could not only better understand, but more so fully enjoy the lovely Southern town that Kristy Woodson Harvey created for her characters.

This was a quick read that really put me into that summer mindset. I am ready to find my own pool and big hat and enjoy the heat.

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey is scheduled for release on May 7, 2019 from Gallery Books with ISBN 9781982122096. This review was created using a pre-release electronic galley of the book from the publisher.

Was this review helpful?

I'm so sad to see this series come to an end, but what an ending. I loved every minute of The Southern Side of Paradise. Emerson's story had intrigued me from the beginning, so I'm happy to have a whole book devoted to her. I also like that this book picks up immediately where The Secret to Southern Charm left off, and I especially love that the three books in the series take place over the same summer.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks into Emerson's childhood, especially examining the relationship her parents had before her father passed away. I think I felt the most for Emerson because she had the least time with her dad, and now was watching her mom fall in love with a new man. I think Kristy Woodson Harvey wrote this part of the book very well.

Ainsley's character both broke my heart but made me understand and appreciate my mom so much more. This is a perfect book for mothers and daughters to read together, because the bond and love between the two is so well written.

Kristy Woodson Harvey is quickly becoming my new favorite across all genres of writing.

I can't say enough about this book/series. You don't have to read the first two to understand this, as KWH does a great job of incorporating enough details to catch you up, but you'd be crazy not to read the entire series. Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket books for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Ok my heart, its not quite right after reading the final installment of the Peachtree Bluff Series. The Murphy ladies (as I like to call them, because they are my friends) are SO charming. The relationships between the sisters and their mother is like none I have ever read about.

These characters have such depth and soul I do feel like they are my friends. The story is rich with multiple layers of complexity. I love the coastal setting.

This author has a fantastic way of pulling you into the story and not letting you go.

If you have not read the first two books in the series, I highly recommend them. They will not disappoint.

Was this review helpful?

This was a lovely, light read. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting that Kristy Woodson Harvey created, and it made me want to flee to the beach! I have not read the previous books in the series, and did find myself becoming somewhat confused with plot lines and characters but there was enough predictably in the set-up that I was either able to draw inferences or it was later clarified.

Was this review helpful?

This book is the 3rd and final book in the Peachtree Bluff series. I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series. This one was good too. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the book for my honest review. 3 stars.

Was this review helpful?

The final book in a series you love is always bittersweet; I want to revisit the characters I’ve come to love so much but that also means I’ll have to say goodbye. Kudos, Kristy Woodson Harvey for creating a cast of characters that incite these feelings and this is absolutely true of the Peachtree Bluff series and the Murphy girls. In Slightly South of Simple, I rooted for tough sister Caroline, in The Secret to Southern Charm, I felt Sloane’s fear with her husband overseas and now, its youngest sister Emerson’s turn.

Without offering spoilers from the first two in this series, Emerson is faced with a lot of decisions in the final installment and the way Woodson Harvey writes the scenarios between the sisters and the mothers really comes to life off the page. I feel their struggles, I giggle at their quips and I love to see their smiles. Goodbye Murphy girls & Peachtree Bluff, it’s been such a pleasure to join your world the last three years!

Thank you to Gallery books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Thank I loved this series and this book was the perfect ( sob sob , I don’t want it to end ) end to the series .
I loved these ladies , The Murphy Girls are such a wonderful example of family, at its best and worst they are always there for each other.
I will forever read anything by Kristy Woodson Harvey , I loved this town , this family and these ladies.

Was this review helpful?

I loved The Southern Side of Paradise. Maybe because I have read the others in the series, but I do think this book can stand alone. Maybe because I love the idea of this very imperfect family that divides their time between NYC and a Georgia Island living their best lives, forgiving the past and making room for a bright future. But, whatever the reason I really enjoyed catching up with Ansley and her family. I think this is a great beach read, even if you are not at the beach.

Was this review helpful?

I read the first two books in the Peachtree Bluff Series last year, right when the second book in the series came out, and I absolutely loved them both. The characters are written with such heart, and there's plenty of drama to keep you interested, but it all feels grounded in real life. Plus, Peachtree Bluff feels like the kind of place you want to visit. Kristy Woodson Harvey really is a fresh voice in woman's fiction, and I'll read anything she writes.

I still loved The Southern Side of Paradise, but I loved it a little bit less than the first two. Emerson as a narrator just felt a bit too whiny and immature at times. I understand she was the youngest and an actress with a flair for the dramatic, but it crossed into a bit TOO MUCH. Separately her storyline felt rushed. I enjoyed the journey she went on, and understood why she needed to let go of Mark before moving onto Kyle, but her happily ever after with Kyle happened almost instantly. Even with the back story revealed in this book their relationship felt a bit like insta-love. I also don't understand why she needed to have a baby to end up with him. I would have preferred for her to go back to him on her own.

That being said this was still a great read that I would absolutely recommend. I loved seeing Ansley, Caroline and Sloane's stories continue on, and loved the wrap up for Peachtree and the Startlite Sisters. If you enjoyed the first two you'll enjoy this one

Was this review helpful?

Kristy Woodson Harvey, this was the perfect ending to the Peachtree Bluff Series! I’m going to miss the Murphy girls...and Jack (who is my book boyfriend). This book is all about love—first loves, everlasting loves, parental love, sibling love—the all-encompassing love of family that celebrates the good times, and helps us through the bad times. Did I mention there are secrets? The kinds of secrets that threaten even the closest relationships...
Grab some sweet tea, relax in a chaise lounge, and forget everything else so that you can spend time with Ansley, Caroline, Sloane, Emerson, and of course, Jack. If you haven’t read the other books in this series, you can easily catch up with the background the author provides. But I recommend you read them first, because you don’t want to miss a moment with this family.

Was this review helpful?

Kristy Woodson Harvey does it again, bringing you to the world of Peachtree Bluff and just sucking you in. You won’t be disappointed with Emerson’s story in the least.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC of The Southern Side of Paradise from Gallery Books and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved Kristy Woodson Harvey’s first two novels in the Peachtree Bluff series and I was super excited to finally see how the story will end for the Murphy Sisters and their mom Ansley.

This book has all the feels you want in a Southern novel. TSSP focuses mainly on the youngest sister Emerson as she is planning her wedding (well her sister Caroline is really planning it), finally coming to terms with her medical issues, and the anticipation of her move back to LA. Of course, KWH throws some great curves into the story which are well written and appreciated. Have some Kleenex ready as readers find out what happens in the lives of Caroline, Sloan, and Emerson. Throw in Ansley’s story with her true love Jack and readers are left with The Southern Side of Paradise being the perfect ending to the Peachtree Trilogy!

I only wish their stories weren’t over as I have really enjoyed these novels. I’d love to see them made into a movie!! I want more!!!

Was this review helpful?

I have been anticipating  this conclusion to this series. I could't wait to get my hands on it and dive in. I have been reading this author since her beginning, and this series is such a great series.

After the previous book, I was curious where Harvey was going to take with this book. There were things I was looking forward to happening in this one; things that had to happen. I was scared how they would play out though. 

I definitely didn't expect so much in this book. The heartbreak. The healing. The turn of events... I was definitely caught off guard with a few things in this one. They were pleasantly surprising. 

I have already formed such a connection with all of the characters in this series, reading their conclusion felt bittersweet. After all of the ups and downs in the series and in this book, I was left with a content smile on my face. I was left knowing that all is right in Peachtree Bluff.

Was this review helpful?