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.

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first book; it got a bit repetitive. But it ended on a cliffhanger and of course I'll have to read the next book in the series!

* Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an egalley in exchange film an honest review!

The Secret to Southern Charm is the second book in Harvey's Peachtree Bluff series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It picks right up where she left off in Slightly South of Simple (aren't these titles the best?) with Ansley and her daughters Caroline, Sloan, and Emerson. Grammy is there too, as well as the kids, the estranged husband, the old flame, and all of the loving members of the community. While the first book focused mostly on Caroline, this book moves over to Sloan and continues with the heartaching drama that ended Slightly South's story. Charm weaves in Emerson as well, and I have a feeling the third installment will add more to her plate than anyone could have imagined. Ansley better gather her strength for this one. In the midst of everyone's stories, Harvey perfectly describes that southern atmosphere (and fantastic design choices) we love to read about and wish we lived in. Gorgeous sunsets, evenings on the porch, and loving neighbors wrap this family up in all the southern charm (see what I did there?). Escape to Peachtree Bluff and spend some time with the gals. Grab some wine while you're at it.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I did not read the previous book in this series before reading the sequel but I will be going back and reading it!! This book is filled with wonderful women all facing difficult times in their lives. This book is filled with love and strength.

Ansley is a truly wonderful southern mother. She is helping her three grown daughters through their difficult times with dealing with her own issues. She is wonderful and funny and loving and not a plain vanilla as her girls think.

Solane is an Army wife raising two sons and doing it well....until her husband is MIA. I don't think we truly understand just how much our military or their families sacrifice for us. Thank you to all the men and women serving our country. I love how much faith Solane has. Once her sisters got her back to living she is an amazingly strong woman.

Caroline and Emerson are fantastic characters and I believe there will be a 3rd book for Ms. Emerson. Caroline was part of the focus of the 1st in this series that I will be reading soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold Books for the ARC of this book.

Another beautifully written book by Kristy Woodson Harvey. It's got love, loss and secrets all rolled into amazing family dynamics. If you haven't read the first book in this series, by all means, start there. Then travel right into this one. The stories are so intricately woven and draw you right in. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this series. My heart is filled. I love these characters!!! Looking forward to Peachtree Bluff #3!

A sweet southern story that's not dripping in "bless you hearts" I really enjoyed this book and the fact that all the main women had their own issues to deal with but it was very easy to follow along and see how the whole storyline connected.

I loved the first book in this series and was excited to see a second book. Now I am hoping and praying for a third book. I liked all of the characters in this story and all of their intertwining stories. The author knows how to write a story where your always wanting more.

Excellent follow-on to Slightly South of Simple. The three sisters and their mother are back! So much to love in this book - family pulling together, the ever-shifting and changing dynamics between the sisters, secrets, second chances and so much love. It all boils down to the love.

I've read everything by Kristy Woodson Harvey and have enjoyed every single book. This was no exception. I was completely pulled in right away and soon lost the entire afternoon to this book.

If you've read Slightly South of Simple, you'll want to pick up The Secret to Southern Charm. It picks up right where the first one left off and it's a seamless transition. As always, the author's descriptions and way with words will leave you feeling like you're right there, ready to sit down with some sweet tea for a good catch up with good friends.

Thanks much to Netgalley, the publishers and author for an ARC of this book!

Another successful visit to Peachtree Bluff. This is book two in the series. Ms. Harvey is definitely a voice in Southern fiction and I enjoyed this book immensely. We have the story of Sloane in this book and her dealing with her military husband missing in action. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about family relationships. It will pull you in quickly and you will be gobbling up pages as you fall deeper in love with all the characters. A great read.

Thank you NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book. This is the second book in the Peachtree Bluff series, and they should be read in order to appreciate I connected even more with each of the characters than I did in the first book.

So many stories within one family make for a delightful read. Strength is found when none was present and decisions are made that seemed impossible. This is the story of the struggles of four women-a mother and her three daughters- as they navigate the rough waters of life. Slone’s husband has been reported missing in action with no information on his whereabouts. Emerson is home to evaluate her career as an actress and has a health issue plaguing her. Caroline is recovering from a cheating husband and coping with making a decision to leave him or try to make things work. Ansley, the mother, is at a crossroad in her relationship with her long term love, Jack, a man she shares a deep history with and who she has always loved.
The women find strength, comfort and wisdom in each other as they deal with the uncertainty they all face.

I have been dying to get my hands on this book since I finished Simply South of Simple! Kristy Woodson Harvey has truly knocked it out of the park with The Peachtree Bluff series!!

The Secret to Southern Charm picks up right where Simply South of Simple left off. I thought Kristy Woodson Harvey did a great job with organically refreshing your memory with who is who and what is what- loved that! Throughout this novel my heart went out to Sloane whose husband is missing in action while serving our country overseas in the army. Her amazing sisters, Caroline and Emerson and her mother, Ansley as well as her grandmother all rally around her and become her rock. As the women try and maneuver major life hurdles, some past secrets resurface sure to complicate an already complicated situation.

I LOVED this book! I felt the storyline was very well thought out, very original and very realistic. Sloane’s situation was the main focus in this book, but I loved the fact that we get snippets of everyones journey/dilemmas. Kristy Woodson Harvey did a great job with pulling at your heartstrings and truly making you feel for the women. I felt the character development was on point, so much so that you truly feel like you know them. There were several things left unanswered, which of course I am sure will be tied up in the next novel. Sooooo of course I am now really looking forward to the third installment, but honestly I wish this series never had to end! The Secret to Southern Charm is a complete 5++++ star novel that I HIGHLY recommend- don’t miss this must read series!

What a fabulous book this turned out to be. Full of surprises too as I expected a light and fluffy read and it turned into this amazing complex story with characters that you will become emotionally invested in. Prepare to loose chunks of time as you become engrossed in this book. Happy reading!

The Secret to Southern Charm, Kristy Harvey's follow up to the ever perfect Slightly South of Simple, delivers exactly what readers were hoping for...and leaves you wanting more!
Harvey picks up where book 1 left off - and we continue to become absorbed into the lives of Sloane, Caroline, and Emerson. Kristy writes with so much detail, that you feel you are right there on the beach with them, on the boat, sharing tears and laughing out loud as well. I also loved that we got to read more about Ansley and her moms relationship and watch that continue to build throughout.
Once again, we are left with unanswered questions - sure to be developed in the last book of the trilogy... now the hard part begins, waiting for next year until we can see how the story ends.
I would love to see these books made into a movie - there is so much to offer the viewers. I would highly recommend this to all of my friends who read fiction. Kristy Harvey is a powerhouse in Southern Fiction and Southern Charm!!Q

The Secret to Southern Charm
Kristy Woodson Harvey
Available: April 3, 2018

Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was extremely pleased to discover the sequel/second in a series to “Slightly South of Simple” just simply for the reason that the first book practically ended in a cliff hanger and we all screamed for more! You can’t have a book about 3 sisters not give each one their own platform to tell their story – and Ainsley hasn’t completed her journey either so I am already eagerly waiting for the 3rd installment.
What I loved: I felt that Ainsley grew as a person by leaps and bounds in this book. Having to face the loss of a 3rd family member – it takes so much love, patience, forgiveness, and strength that a person, albeit a fictional one at that, can come out of the experience completely changed.
What I didn’t love: Am I horrible that I just don’t go gaga over Sloan and Adam as a couple? I read a caveman type attitude from Adam and see major issues for them in the future as he adjusts to a different military life. In face, outside of Jack – most of the men in this series seem to have an off-putting vibe.
What I learned: Children can remember even the smallest detail from the past – even when you think they aren’t paying attention.
Overall Grade: B+

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Harvey returns to Peachtree Bluff to find that Sloane’s soldier husband is missing in action. Sloane, like a Southern heroine from days gone by, takes to her bed, leaving her mother to care for her children while she falls apart. But Ansley, who’s also caring for her own elderly mother, is exhausted and torn between her family members. It’s only when Sloane’s sisters and her own children remind her that she has a life and a duty to fulfill, that she is able to find the strength to face a world that may not include the man she loves. Harvey captures that languid Southern magic that can prove elusive to some writers, and places her readers firmly in a land of sweet tea and gentle breezes