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.

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.

I wanted to like this book. I like the idea of this book and it really good have been a great book. Sadly it fell flat for me. It was like she wrote the story and then was told it wasn’t long enough.  So instead of adding depth to the story, she just rehashed the same tired thoughts over and over. If I read one more time how Sloan’s felt Adam was the love of her life and how she knew from the moment they met, it was meant to be, I might have tossed my phone out the window. Or from Ansley how she loved Jack and wanted to tell the girls he was their father but they just couldn’t ..... once was fine. Twice even. But over and over and over was just too much. The other big thing that bothered me was this: I am a Southern lady. We don’t throw name brands around like the breeze blows through the magnolias out back. If a woman starts brand dropping where I live, she’s a fake. And annoying.  I don’t care what kind of lamps or carpet or shoes each person has on. It’s overly pretentious in my opinion.

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.

the secret to southern charm

By
Kristy Woodson Harvey



What it's all about...

This book is the second book in this author’s Peachtree Bluff Series. It literally takes up where slightly south of simple stops. Ansley...still has her three daughters, their children and all of their issues living with her. In this book even more family drama has been added. The nature of Ansley’s first two daughters conception is always just about to be revealed but Ansley never quite manages to tell them the truth. Her relationship with almost boyfriend Jack is in jeopardy even though he lives just next door. Her mother is living with her, too, due to health issues. Thank goodness for big houses, houses down the street and guest houses. I enjoyed this book but I would have been lost without reading the first book. These books are so connected that their true enjoyment would be lost without each other. And be prepared because this book ends in such a manner that you know another book has to be in the works.

Why I wanted to read it...

I wanted to read this book because I really enjoyed the first book and this one just began right where the first one stopped. It’s almost difficult to discuss this book without discussing the first book because they are so connected.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

I loved all of these characters for a myriad of different reasons. Ansley and her daughters Caroline, Sloane and Emerson were entwined in each other’s lives and dramas. There were beautiful as well as sad scenes in this book. While reading it I felt as though I was learning some valuable life lessons. But also while reading it I questioned some of this books issues...everyone but Caroline and Sloane seemed to have some idea of who their sperm donor was...and the way they were conceived just seemed unlikely to me...you will have to read both books and see if you agree with me about this. Seriously!

Why you should read it, too...

If you love lovely Southern books that take place in quaint beachy towns and that have lots of lovely characters mixed in with a few irritating characters...this is a series that will provide you with delicious enjoyment. I know I shall be waiting for the next book...

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.

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