This is a book with so much potential that was wasted. Avery has been dealt a hard blow and returns home with zero confidence in herself or her abilities. Cole is running a home for women who are survivors of trafficking. Nana manipulates Cole into hiring Avery to help with the home.

This is listed as Christian fiction, but nothing here - other than a couple of prayers at the end - remotely resembles a story of faith. The author makes a choice that smacks of agenda at the beginning of the book. Her husband's parents - a pastor and his wife - never say a word about their son's actions. They - the only people in the story who are definitely supposed to be believers - are portrayed as greedy, snobby, and unfeeling.

The "prison" the trafficked women have been in is mentioned multiple times. Not once - not one single time - is any correlation made between this and the prison that sin traps unbelievers in. Very little is mentioned about the women themselves. While there is a lot of heavy subject matter in this novel, the focus is completely on the romance between Cole and Avery.

This was an okay read that could have been a great read.

Family friendly but note the subject matter stated above.

I just read One Southern Summer by Heidi McCahan. And loved the sweet, clean story of getting your groove back, finding strength in forgiveness and finding a bit of romance exactly where you wished for it to be.#OneSouthernSummer #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I loved One Southern Summer. It sort of reminded me of the movie Hope Floats (if you haven't seen it go watch it). It's a sweet, southern novel about family, coming home, and second chances, For the most part, I found this to be very light read- perfect for those summer beach bags, but the author also adds in a bit of seriousness when it comes to the new job she is working. I thought this was great and made the redemption so much better. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming read then make sure to pick up this one. You won't be disappointed!

So fair warning Avery’s husband has an affair with another man. If that’s something that bothers you this might not be the book for you. However, that isn’t a predominant topic in the book.
Avery and Cole’s story unwinds in a beautifully real manner. With their share of hard times, meddlesome family, and peaceful moments stolen together, their bond builds naturally. Cole helps her regain her confidence after she moves back. The plot and characters are written well and I enjoyed the book.

One Southern Summer by Heidi McCahan. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What a lovely story about families, secrets, forgiveness, broken hearts, And love a whole lot of love.
Avery is left pregnant and a child by a cheating husband can she forgive him, and make a new life for herself? Not only does she have her own negative thoughts she is dealt lots of crap from hateful people on social media. Read this wonder story to find out how Avery changes her life.

Remember as you read this that, there are a lot of hateful people in the world today. Social media can knock you down, don't let it. Think twice before you comment or posts you make. You have no idea how the person reading it will interpret it.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Very cute and contemporary with great descriptions. An emotional, but slow moving journey. I loved the home recitation angle mixed with the tension and urgency of fighting human trafficking.

This was a light, refreshing novel with likeable characters and a sweet plot. One of the things I liked the most is how Christians were portrayed so realistically. This is more rare than I’d imagine but typically they are boring and bland and completely pure and innocent. In this novel they are real people who aren’t perfect. I felt Avery’s feelings and growth, along with how the kids at their ages were portrayed, were all very realistic as well. I would say one negative is that it followed closely along with the “real world” except everything was neatly resolved and worked out for every person and that is not exactly accurate for how life works. Overall, this is a cute, clean novel that will make a great summer read for anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Love Inspired for the ARC.

A heart-breaking and heart-warming sweet second-chance romance. Lots of family drama. Many misty moments, especially near the end. Heidi McCahan was able to draw me into Avery's life and made me want to see her happily ever after. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Avery Lansing - former beauty queen, famous social media influencer, has her own design television show, handsome husband, mother of one and a half (she is pregnant now), has been disgraced. Her marriage was a sham, her fans have quit supporting her and her finances are poor. She swore she would never live in her hometown of Camellia, Alabama again. Never say never. She is headed home with her two kids to live with her mom and stepfather. She is literally coming back to town with her tail tucked between her legs. The gossip is hot even before she arrives. The gossip really heats up when she is seen with her former beau, Cole Whitaker.

Cole is a fine man with a fine organization known as Imari's Place. He supports and helps women who have been victims of human trafficking. He has a heart of gold, and he is very obviously still in love with Avery. This man stole my heart with his quest to help others in the memory of his lost sister.

This is a sweet Southern romance with Southern women who are a little quirky, but protective of their own. Avery's grandmother, Maribelle is tenacious in her pursuit to get Cole and Avery together. Matchmaker does not even begin to describe this little old lady who has plenty of tricks up her sleeves. You will find yourself laughing out loud at times with her antics.

I felt so incredibly sorry for Avery. She has been humiliated, but bless her she will rise up above the fray and be the strong woman her mama raised her to be. If you need a good, fresh romance with a Southern touch, look no further. Heidi McCahan has the southern way down pat, and you will finish this book with a smile on your face. This southern girl enjoyed it immensely.

Thank you to Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Avery Lansing Crawford left town to attend college and never came back. She is now divorced with two children and returning home. Cole Whitaker has been in love with Avery since he was a teenage and she seemed to never notice.
Avery's grandmother decides to meddle in Avery's life and makes a huge donation to Cole's non-profit organization if he will hire her to decorate the new facility. Cole feels guilty with taking the money and hiring Avery.
I thought the story line was good, but it just seemed to drag sometimes.

One Southern Summer
Heidi McCahan
Pub Date: June 27, 2023

Talk about the perfect summer read! One Southern Summer was so delightful that I had a hard time putting it down!

Avery Lansing Crawford was living her best life until her marriage fell apart and she lost her part on her design TV show. Now, back in her hometown of Camellia, Alabama with two children, no husband, and no job, Avery must start over in a town where she has a lot of history. After some strings are pulled to get her a job working on a redesign project that could help survivors of human trafficking, she gets to spend time with her old friend, Cole. Will Avery be able to start fresh in her old hometown, that’s filled with gossip, lots of family, and sweet tea?

I am not joking when I tell you I could not stop reading this one! I literally kept telling myself, “five more minutes and then I need to go to bed.” 3 hours passed by before I forced myself to stop reading for the night, only to wake up and start reading again! This book would be just perfect for the beach or pool and is such a comfort read!

🍋Forgiveness
🍋Family Dynamics/Support
🍋Second Chances
🍋Heartwarming
🍋Feel-Good Summer Read

I highly recommend this one and give it 4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Posted on Instagram on June 12, 2023 (Currently Reading): http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
Posted on Goodreads on June 13, 2023: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram (full review) on June 27, 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Instagram (mini review) early June 21, 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on June 27, 2023
**-will post on designated date

When Avery's marriage and career publicly fell apart she reluctantly returned home. Feeling her lowest and despite thinking she's not qualified, she accepts a position to work with Cole Whitaker and his non-profit organization hoping it gives her a fresh start and a new purpose. What it does give her is a renewed friendship with Cole and her family who has rallied to help support her - especially her mama, sisters and even meddlesome grandmother! Secrets, hurts and self-doubt affect Avery deeply. Will she discover that life, even if it's not the one she planned, can be filled with love and forgiveness.
A sweetly written southern women's fiction and romance book sprinkled with faith and hope for second chances. As your reading, you'll be transported to that wraparound porch in a small southern town!
Thank you UpLitReads, Heidi McCahan, NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for my gifted book!

One Southern Summer is a sweet, clean romance that will also make you think twice about the way you handle your online life. It will pull on your heartstrings and make you giggle and it will definitely make you reflect on society as a whole. While it can’t be called a light read, it’s also not super heavy either, and the romance and the family support help to balance out the weighty bits.
Avery is a social media influencer and a tv personality. All is well in her world with her husband and 2 kids. Or so she thinks. She gets the shock of her life and then ends up back living at home with her parents in Camellia, Alabama, trying to sort out what has happened to her life and where she goes from there.
When her feisty Nana goes behind her back and makes a deal with the local nonprofit organization to hire Avery, without Avery knowing anything about it, she takes a job working with Cole, trying to expand Imani’s House. Imani’s house is a safe place for women who have been trafficked or abused and it means a lot to Cole because his sister was a victim. So when Avery breezes back into his life after all this time and he stuck has feelings for her, it complicates things when someone finds the napkin they wrote their pact on that if they were birth single when they were 32 then they would get married. Now a documentary crew is coming to film the work on Imani’s place and now that they’ve heard about the napkin, they want to meet the lovers. I liked that Avery relied on her faith to make her decisions on what to do next.

Super cute, easy to read and nit have to think hard about it

Thank to Harlequin Love Inspired Trade for this ebook in exchange for this review.

You don't stop your life at the most humiliating time, you move on, learn to live through the gossip, the humiliation, and Avery, finds that with three generations of strong southern women, that bond is the glue that will hold her together.
Life does that sometimes, and the story needs to be told and read. This one kept me reading, for many reasons. One being, having the courage to move beyond what has happened. This was the first book I have read by Heidi McCahan and After reading it, I need to read her other books. It was that good.
I received an ARC from Harlequin through NetGalley.

A HUGE thank you to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest review.

This was such a heartwarming story about loss, second chances, and finding yourself along the way. I definitely enjoyed this book and think it would make a perfect addition to a summer TBR. 

Avery Lansing Crawford was happy and successful in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and daughter and a son on the way.  When she finds her husband in a compromising position with their business partner, she's crushed, and her life is turned upside-down.  She has no choice but to go back home to her mom and step-dad in Cameilla, AL.  With both children, she returns and tries to make a life for herself with the pieces that have been leftover.  Her lifelong friend, Cole Whitaker, offers her a job at his foundation, and things start to look up.  But her family, especially her nana, seems to be constantly meddling in her life.  They only have the best intentions in mind.  But can she find a way to move past the harm that's been done, and will she be able to open her heart again?

Told in the POV of Avery, Cole, and Maribelle (Nana), this was a very sweet southern women's fiction/romance book.  I really do love the South as a setting since I lived there for a while.  I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're looking for a feel-good read.

After Avery walks in on her husband and his partner in a compromising position her life changes dramatically. She moves back to her home town where everyone is eager to help her move on with her life. With so much support what could go wrong? Secrets, social media, gay marriage and betrayal are just some of the topics in this unlikely story.

Thank you to Love Inspired Trade & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

One Southern summer is the sweet story of love, loss, family relationships, and so much more. Avery finds herself back in her hometown with a toddler and newborn, after her husband has an affair and leaves her. She has never felt so broken and alone before, struggling to find purpose in her new life. With the help of her family along the way she is thrust back into the spotlight with her oldest friend Cole. Together they mend Avery’s broken heart, build her back up, and address Coles unrequited love for her.

A sweet, tender, wholesome, feel good, and happily ever after story that’s the perfect summer read! This story tugs on your emotions and heartstrings in the best way possible!!

Thank you NetGalley, Heidi McCahan and HARLEQUIN – Romance for the ARC of One Southern Summer. This is my personal review.
This book held so much promise for me. I wanted a small-town book filled with characters I can connect with and care what happens with them. I enjoy small town stories a lot but for me this one was filled with a lot of stories but did not make me feel much for the characters. It was not one of my favorite books I have read lately.

Avery has come back home with loads of baggage, 2 adorable children, and needing to rely on her family to get back on her feet after a traumatic divorce. This story is full of delightful characters in the town of Camellia, with her own Nana being the ring leader and instigator of her own plots and plans to help her get back on her feet. She finds new personal growth, professional expansion, and learns "love is a powerful force and can drive us to do amazing things in this world!" There is plenty of humor, and a delightfully sweet ending...More please Heidi McCahan!

I don't usually read romance novels, but this is a sweet romance. It's about heartache, family and blessings all wrapped up in a lovely sweet romance.

Avery had it all, then her world imploded. She moves back to her hometown of Camellia, Alabama with her two young children in tow. She just wants to lay low, but she has been on social media, so that's not happening because it's a small town and everyone is wagging there tongue. To make matters worse, there's her friend from childhood, Cole. They end up working together on a project, that just makes the town talk more.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. My favorite was Nana Lansing, though. She's a feisty Nana. This book had me shedding tears and laughing. Of course, it hits home because no one likes to be talked about behind their backs.

There was good character development. The characters were great and I felt like I was saying goodbye when I got to the end of the book. If you enjoy sweet lovely romances, or need an easy sweet read, this book is for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the E-ARC. This Published June 27, 2023.

😊 Happy Reading 🙃

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#harlequin
#harlequinromance