Under a Southern Sky is the seventh book by talented author Kristy Woodson Harvey. Although Greer McCann Thaysden is more of an idea than a character in this story with her only appearances made through memories and journal entries, it is she upon whom the story actually revolves. The late Greer was the daughter and, perhaps, princess of the McCann Publishing empire. Established author, trendsetter, and champion, the only adversary she couldn’t best was ovarian cancer. Her husband, Parker Thaysden, has been just going through the motions without Greer. Nothing has changed in the three years since her loss-he goes to work at McCann, comes home late, gets up and does it again.

Amelia grew up as Parker’s neighbor in Cape Carolina. Having just had a disastrous end to her marriage, she is pushing herself to continue her investigative reporting career. When she stumbles across information her childhood friend may need to know in what may be the most important story of her career, she reaches out to him.

What Amelia had discovered was that the embryos Parker and Greer had frozen before she began treatment had been classified as “abandoned” and were scheduled for destruction. When she shares this information with Parker it’s a lot for him to take in. Although he can never have his wife back, through surrogacy he may be able to ensure that at least a part of her goes on. What will this mean for Parker and for Amelia, too? As the story unfolds the reader witnesses a beautiful tale of hope and rescue for two lost souls.

This is such a well written story told with heart and emotion. This novel has dynamic characters and wonderful settings in NYC, Palm Beach, and Cape Carolina. The story twists will keep the reader entranced, and at times surprised. I very much enjoyed this book and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

I love this author - Kristy Woodson Harvey has a long road ahead of her filled with those books you just need to read. My heart is still sore over things going on in my own persona life, so this booked touched nerves I didn't think were still there and put me in a good funk for a little bit after reading it. I'm glad I did though...

This is my first Kristy Woodson Harvey book and definitely will not be my last. Harvey's writing pulls you right into the book from page one. Her characters could be your neighbors. The dilemma in the plot......?
Thought provoking as you try to figure out what you would do in the situation and what the characters will do. Fabulous read!!!

I was given an ebook ARC by Netgalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

A successful blend of romance, rebound and remembrance, an unusual combination that works in Kristy Woodson Harvey's skillful hands. The story of former childhood crushes who reconnect after life throws curveballs has a warmth and depth that make it worth your time. The Carolina setting, the hometown traditions and the crumbling decay of the childhood manse make it a super summer read. Well done.

This was a fast, enjoyable read that tugged at the heartstrings. It touched on several emotional situations that I'm sure will resonate with many women. Kristy Woodson Harvey is a talented author that tells a story not soon to be forgotten. I'm looking forward to what is next from her.

Review will be posted on 5/12/21

Amelia Paxton thought her life was all sorted out, that is until she finds out her husband was having an affair. Amelia is a journalist and even writes a column about love, so this is definitely a blow to her ego and her heart. She returns home to her parents' coastal home in North Carolina with the hope of getting away from it all. While at home, Amelia is still working on her story about frozen embryos and while doing some research on it, she stumbles upon her childhood best friend, Parker, and his frozen embryos. It turns out that Parker still has four frozen embryos with his deceased wife, Greer, who froze them prior to her battle with cancer. During her time at Cape Carolina, Amelia reconnects with Parker and mentions how she stumbled across his embryos and how the fertility center considers them "abandoned." All of this drudges up a lot of trauma for Parker as well as Amelia as she is infertile and unable to have any biological children of her own due to an ovarian insufficiency, which has haunted her for years. Both Parker and Amelia find themselves gravitating to one another to help heal their hearts and during this, Parker decides he should find a surrogate for his frozen embryos. Both characters go through a journey of sorts and rely on each other through it all. Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a heart-wrenching beach read about starting over, family bonds, and the ups and downs of love and loss.

Amelia is a character I really enjoyed from the start of Under the Southern Sky. I loved learning more about her childhood on the coast, her friendship with Parker, and her family. Her career as a journalist was also very interesting, especially with how it intertwined into Parker and Greer's life. Amelia has a lot to deal with in this novel and I think Harvey developed her character very well. I could empathize with her fertility struggles and admired her determination to help Parker. Meanwhile in the back of her mind is the ultimate question: Will Parker every get over Greer?

Under the Southern Sky also has excerpts from Greer's journal, which gives us insight into her life prior to her death. This was utterly heartbreaking and may be especially tough for those of you who have lost a loved one to cancer or dealt with a cancer diagnosis of your own. I have my own issues surrounding this and to be honest was afraid to read certain parts, but Harvey captured the ups and downs of the journey so very well. It ended up being rather cathartic for me and I think that's a testament to Harvey's writing as well as her ability to handle such a tough issue delicately, not to mention Greer is one heck of a character.

I was immediately a fan of Greer in Under the Southern Sky, so Amelia's connection with Parker was a tough pill to swallow. However, as Amelia started to spend more time with Parker and Harvey flashed up back to their childhood and teenage years together, I started to root for them even more. If you want romance in your beach read, you won't be disappointed with Amelia and Parker's relationship.

It sounds like a serious beach read, right? Don't worry. There's a very happy ending that has been neatly tied with a bow, so don't fret. There's also a great coastal setting that will make you want to spend the evening looking at the stars from a dock on the bay. In fact, I really enjoyed Under the Southern Sky, because not only did it tackle difficult issues like infertility, cancer, and the death of a spouse, it also offered a message of hope. I'm glad Harvey included such tough topics in her novel, because life isn't always rainbows and unicorns, but like Parker and Amelia we can still hold out hope for our happy ending.

A lot of books within this genre would barely sustain a conversation to last through getting all your book club members in the front door with drinks poured. Under the Southern Sky, however, could lead to some lively discussion with legs. I would have preferred several endings over the one KWH chose, but let’s be real. I’m not sure she and I share similar worldviews. Though I do adore her taste in home decor! Instagram: @kristywharvey

Thank you, NetGalley, for advance access.

Under the Southern Sky is the fifth novel I’ve read from Kristy Woodson Harvey and it’s my favorite yet. It’s a story about love, family and childhood friendships rekindled, and it’s also a story about loss and grief and how to move forward when you think your life has fallen apart.

The story follows journalist Amelia Saxton. Amelia is recently separated from her husband after catching him cheating on her and while licking her wounds, she is also researching the biggest story of her writing career, a story about what couples who have gone through IVF choose to do with any leftover embryos. Amelia discovers that her childhood friend, Parker, and his late wife, Greer, are on the list of those who have abandoned their embryos. After much consideration, Amelia decides she is obligated to reach out to Parker and make sure he is aware of the abandoned embryos and it is then that Amelia’s hunt for a story takes her on a far more personal journey than she ever anticipated.

I loved both Parker and Amelia and enjoyed watching them reconnect. They both have some tough choices to make, particularly Parker with respect to those embryos, and they are both dealing with loss and how to move on. So much of what they go through is heavy and heartbreaking but there are some lighter and more hopeful moments as well. I found myself rooting for them to build a future together almost right away because they just seemed so well suited to one another.

I don’t want to give anything else about the plot away as the story packs an emotional punch and it’s best to let it unfold as spoiler free as possible, but I will say that as someone who has gone through IVF, everything about this story spoke to me and I thought the author handled this sensitive topic with respect and grace. Even though Greer is deceased, we still get some chapters from her perspective so we get a feel for what her and Parker’s dreams for a family were before she got sick.

Filled with wonderfully complex characters and poignant moments, and all framed by gorgeous writing, Under the Southern Sky is a story that is sure to tug at your heartstrings and keep you invested from the first to the very last page. It’s not a light read but it’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read this year.

Y'all. This one is good. This is the story of childhood friends who grew up together on the coast of North Carolina. Their mamas were, and are, best friends. They've grown up to be successful adults with careers they love and satisfying marriages, each living in South Florida. They're thrown back together after their lives implode - Parker's beloved wife died three years ago and he's still grieving and having difficulty moving on in his personal life. Amelia's a journalist - her marriage falls apart the same day her article extolling the joys of her modern marriage appears in the New York Times, and even as she's pulling together information for her most interesting investigative piece to date, she finds that she's lost her job. During her investigations she's found a piece of information she feels that Parker is unaware of and needs to know. Thus starts their adult journey together, during which they need to make some very adult decisions. Kristy Woodson Harvey has a wonderful Southern voice that has yet to disappoint me, and in this book she's given us a cast of perfectly imperfect characters that struggle to figure out the "what's next" in their lives.
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

A wonderful women's fiction story of infertility and a devoted friendship. I loved the charcters and the setting. This is a author not to be missed and is perfect escape reading for all who love women's fiction and heartwarming stories.

Thank you Kristy for my review copy!!!
When Kristy asked me if I wanted a copy, I couldn't resist! I love her writing so much!
.Kristy's Peachtree Bluff series is one that has been on my TBR forever.
Under the Southern Sky held so much heart. I laughed, I cried, I cheered and booed. This to me {Chef's Kiss}...perfection. The characters were absolutely enthralling. The setting brought us a character all on her own. I both couldn't wait to find out how it was going to end and dread the end of my time in Cape Carolina all at the same time.
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I will be recommending this one like nobody's business come April when it releases! Seriously. Don't sleep on this one, go ahead....pre order it.

Amelia Buxton, a dedicated journalist, never expected that uncovering the biggest story of her career would become deeply personal. But when she discovers that a cluster of embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife Greer have been deemed “abandoned,” she’s put in the unenviable position of telling Parker—and dredging up old wounds in the process. Parker hasn’t been able to move forward since losing Greer and he knows if he wants to keep a part of her, he has to do something with those embryos. Each dealing with their own private griefs, Parker and Amelia slowly begin to find solace in one another as they navigate an uncertain future. The journey of self-discovery leads them to an unforgettable and life-changing lesson: Family—the one you’re born into and the one you choose—is always closer than you think. review: As a fellow North Carolinian, I have quickly become a big fan of Kristy Harvey over the last few years! Each spring I look forward to reading her latest book and each one transports me to a spot on the NC coast! Under the Southern Sky has such a great premise with lovable, unique characters. I really adored both Amelia and Parker and found myself rooting for them throughout the entire book. They were so well developed that I felt like I was reading about two friends. This book is a bit more heavy as it deals with IVF and abandoned embryos, but Kristy wrote about the subject with such emotion and care. I really enjoyed this one and it would be the perfect book to pick up this spring or summer. rating: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐️

A reporter researching a story about infertility finds something that impacts her childhood friend, who is grieving the loss of his wife. Kristy Woodson Harvey creates a story that has you rooting for her characters to find happiness, to find themselves and to find each other. In a very engaging novel, she takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions and brings us to the end of the ride thoroughly satisfied!

Under the Southern Sky was such a wonderful story about family, what makes up a family, families we are born into and families we choose.

The story of Amelia and Parker was so sweet. Friends for such a long time, but friends that fell out of touch until Amelia realized that Parker had to decide what to do about embryos that were stored while his wife, Greer, was still alive. What a way to get back in touch, right?

I truly enjoyed the telling of Greer and Parker's story and Parker's eventual reckoning with the fact that maybe life with Greer wasn't as perfect as he painted it in his memories. There is so much love in this book - love of families, love of friends, and the dilemma of what to do when a large part of someone you loved is left behind for you to deal with.

Kristy Woodson Harvey did a fantastic job with this book and I'd highly recommend it for anyone that has enjoyed her work in the past and/or fans of women's fiction.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

A powerful and emotional Southern story of loss, grief, hope, and redemption. Greer freezes embryos before passing away from ovarian cancer. From here the story explodes into a heart-wrenching love story between two adults united in grief. A beautiful story to be read.

Kristy is soon becoming one of my favorite Women's Fiction authors. She writes stories that are addictive.

I really loved chatting with Kristy on the podcast. She was so personable and so fun. Check out the interview.

Thanks to Netgalley, Gallery publishing and Kristy Woodson Harvey for this ARC. I have just recently started reading a more “southern” style of stories, This is my first by this author, and I am extremely happy I chose to start with her. Her story was set in my state of N,C. , so I was anxious to see what she would write about it.. The title of this book first caught my attention, and the cover was beautiful. She wrote a beautiful love story, without it being to mushy, thank goodness ! The ending of this story seemed perfect for the characters and storyline. I gave it 4 stars only because it is my first by this author, if her other books are any indication of ones like this one, I can see them being 5 stars . I’m anxious now to go back and read more of this authors works. My reviews are seen on Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter, and my asst. book clubs and members.

Amelia has it all. Things just don't work out the way you think they will in life, right?

This was a well-written girl/boy next door, second chance, family and friends story. It is sad and sweet and funny. The cover makes me think it will be a hit summer beach read.

4.5 Stars | Harlequin Junkie Recommends!

Kristy Woodson Harvey had a deft hand stirring the pot in her characters' lives in Under the Southern Sky. Secrets, grief, loneliness, new opportunities, and unrequited feelings made this a powerhouse novel absolutely full of *all* the emotions.

I always enjoy a story by Kristy Woodson Harvey so I had a feeling that even though Under the Southern Sky sounded very complicated, I would still be able to connect with the characters. And in true fashion with her work, that was certainly accurate. Although I wasn't expecting just how invested I would be in what ultimately would happen with Amelia and Parker, his decision about his deceased wife's frozen embryos, or what the future held for Amelia's family home.

I must say that KWH sure led her readers on a wild ride. One that ended so much more hopeful and happy than I could have imagined from how things started off for all involved. There were so many intricate connections between the characters that it kept me fully engaged–and also had me trying to piece it all together. Because KWH gave us not only Amelia and Parker's POVs, but journal entries from his deceased wife Greer, and we had a few passages from Amelia's mother Elizabeth. All of which led to some shocking revelations.

It might sound like a lot to take in. But it was laid out in a perfect way to keep the evocative storytelling interesting and to have readers actively thinking things through. It was actually quite fun to uncover all the serendipitous threads that tied Parker, Greer, and Amelia together. Not all of it was tragic or sad. There were thankfully quite a few moments that were entertaining as well as superbly romantic. And I think the scenes with their families interacting back in North Carolina will warm readers' hearts as easily as it will make them chuckle.

Under the Southern Sky explored what family, friendship, and love truly means in a tangled up world filled with seemingly endless issues. What pulled it all together was Kristy Woodson Harvey's charming writing voice, filled with Southern grace and the genuine depth of her characters' feelings during their bittersweet ordeal.

QOTD: Amelia and Parker's small coastal hometown was their safe place to fall back on when anything went wrong. Do you find comfort in small town/rural settings or in a bustling city?

I've wanted to read this book since the Facebook Group, The Friends & Fiction Book Club started during the first lockdown (we are on #3 at the moment). Five authors who get together to chat books with guest authors. I was familiar with some of the authors but those I wasn't, I wanted to read. Which brings me to Kristy Woodson Harvey.

Under the Southern Sky recently released and my big question was was this going to live up to all the hype I've seen on social media. The answer for me is a resounding yes it did. I did a combination read and audiobook. I recommend both. With 2 major POVs and 2 smaller parts, the audio had a different voice for each one - I love that. It sets the tone and gives each character a voice that matched their personality.

The story was unique with characters that were authentic. It had a nice balance between a lighter tone and then more serious for the emotional parts. There are some serious topics - grief and fertility, both of which were handled with respect and heart.

Under the Southern Sky is a story of love and loss, family and friends, and self discovery. Definitely one I recommend.