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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
3.5 The story was good and I loved the characters. Beau was swoon worthy throughout the book. There were many great laughable moments as well. The problem I had with this book was the political agenda involving healthcare, childcare, childbirth and maternity leave. These are very important issues but I’m not from USA so therefore these weren’t my country’s issues. Also, I do not feel Beau grovelled enough at the end. Or did Annabel let him off too easy?
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beau and Bel have a special kind of friendship that lasts for years and years even though they both are afraid to act on any underlying feelings they both have, its perfection. The readers can tell that these two characters fates is written in the stars and one that we hope they will finally act on, but things don’t always end up that way. Beau, as an ex-football star, has health issues and it causes him times he just doesn’t know how to cope with them, so he doesn’t want to tie anyone especially Bel down with his problems. I totally understood Bel and the way the author addresses the issues all new mothers go through was on point. The depression, the way we look at ourselves, the way we worry if we are good enough, she explained it perfectly and I loved how she never pointe done way was the right way for everyone and that everyone dealt with things differently and that was ok. Growing up and living in the Smoky Mountains the author nailed it on the head and made me happy to be part of the mountain life. I am excited about this series and can not wait for more.
Another amazing book from Jessica. Beau and Bel are best friends that developed into so much more. I love how real this book is It is emotional and also funny at the same time. This book has all the feels. Virginia Rose and Jason Clarke were so good together in this book. You really felt their emotions when telling the story. I love the start of this series and can’t wait for more.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first book I’ve read from Jessica and it won’t be the last! I loved this book. I loved all of the characters and flew through this book in one sitting. I can’t wait for the next in the series!
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️++
I was only a short way through Jessica Peterson’s Southern Seducer when I realized how much I had missed reading her brand of romance while she was away on maternity leave. If you’ve read any of my reviews for her books, you’ll realize quickly how excited she makes me over her intent in making romance MORE. Yes, the romantic relationships are key elements of her books, but she always gives us MORE to consider, and Southern Seducer is no different. As you read chapter after chapter of this new book, I think what you realize quickly is that Jessica Peterson, more than any of her other books, is bleeding herself onto the pages, and she’s grafted a romance that tackles some of life’s most difficult times.
The romance of Southern Seducer is a combination of sweet, soulful, and seductive. Her hero and heroine, Beau and Annabel “Bel,” inhabit one of my favorite but confusing tropes: best friends to lovers. Peterson has crafted a friendship that can withstand anything. At the core of their journey, though, is the overwhelming nature of expectations when they aren’t balanced with the reality of life. Both Beau and Bel struggle with a sense of expectation that is a creation of their own minds. As such, their lives feel messy as they fail to meet those pristine expectations. Each has their own story which highlights their difficulties. It is their deep abiding friendship that sees them through that mess and leads them into a relationship that truly sits in the divide between expectation and reality. Peterson composes these reverent moments between the two, as they grow deeper in their friendship and love. From Beau’s first words of solace to Bel on her diagnosis of postpartum depression, I wanted more. My favorite moments in this book aren’t the steamy ones. They rarely are. They are the moments where humanity is spoken and it brings a sense of peace for the characters. Each of those moments leads you deeper into Beau and Bel’s exemplification of love. There is a tenderness with this couple, even while there are moments of hilarity and sensuality too. Peterson’s ability to construct these layers for her characters is an additional reason I’ve missed her romances. I’m thankful that Beau and Bel have brought us back to Peterson’s brand of Southern romance.
Life is messy. I think this is the ultimate truth of Jessica Peterson’s Southern Seducer. I think we live in a time when that message is screaming at us. So many people are holding tight to their control when, quite frankly, it feels more important to live in each moment. To be messy. To acknowledge that we aren’t “okay” right now. Even more, that we can ask people to walk us through the difficulties of our lives. This is the truth that both Beau and Bel have to learn in Jessica Peterson’s carefully drawn story of two friends finding a depth of love beyond their imaginations. Reading this truth as it’s revealed in this impassioned story was important, just as I imagine it was important for Jessica Peterson to write it on the page. Beau and Bel are us; they are striving to meet their carefully constructed intentions for their lives. Yet, when their lives don’t meet those ideologies, through their love for each other as friends, they allow themselves to accept the now and to accept their messiness. If we don’t need a book like this right now, then I don’t know what we need. Beau and Bel’s story is perfect in its imperfection. Grab this one fast because it is ALL the stars.
I was only a short way through Jessica Peterson’s Southern Seducer when I realized how much I had missed reading her brand of romance while she was away on maternity leave. If you’ve read any of my reviews for her books, you’ll realize quickly how excited she makes me over her intent in making romance MORE. Yes, the romantic relationships are key elements of her books, but she always gives us MORE to consider, and Southern Seducer is no different. As you read chapter after chapter of this new book, I think what you realize quickly is that Jessica Peterson, more than any of her other books, is bleeding herself onto the pages, and she’s grafted a romance that tackles some of life’s most difficult times.
The romance of Southern Seducer is a combination of sweet, soulful, and seductive. Her hero and heroine, Beau and Annabel “Bel,” inhabit one of my favorite but confusing tropes: best friends to lovers. Peterson has crafted a friendship that can withstand anything. At the core of their journey, though, is the overwhelming nature of expectations when they aren’t balanced with the reality of life. Both Beau and Bel struggle with a sense of expectation that is a creation of their own minds. As such, their lives feel messy as they fail to meet those pristine expectations. Each has their own story which highlights their difficulties. It is their deep abiding friendship that sees them through that mess and leads them into a relationship that truly sits in the divide between expectation and reality. Peterson composes these reverent moments between the two, as they grow deeper in their friendship and love. From Beau’s first words of solace to Bel on her diagnosis of postpartum depression, I wanted more. My favorite moments in this book aren’t the steamy ones. They rarely are. They are the moments where humanity is spoken and it brings a sense of peace for the characters. Each of those moments leads you deeper into Beau and Bel’s exemplification of love. There is a tenderness with this couple, even while there are moments of hilarity and sensuality too. Peterson’s ability to construct these layers for her characters is an additional reason I’ve missed her romances. I’m thankful that Beau and Bel have brought us back to Peterson’s brand of Southern romance.
Life is messy. I think this is the ultimate truth of Jessica Peterson’s Southern Seducer. I think we live in a time when that message is screaming at us. So many people are holding tight to their control when, quite frankly, it feels more important to live in each moment. To be messy. To acknowledge that we aren’t “okay” right now. Even more, that we can ask people to walk us through the difficulties of our lives. This is the truth that both Beau and Bel have to learn in Jessica Peterson’s carefully drawn story of two friends finding a depth of love beyond their imaginations. Reading this truth as it’s revealed in this impassioned story was important, just as I imagine it was important for Jessica Peterson to write it on the page. Beau and Bel are us; they are striving to meet their carefully constructed intentions for their lives. Yet, when their lives don’t meet those ideologies, through their love for each other as friends, they allow themselves to accept the now and to accept their messiness. If we don’t need a book like this right now, then I don’t know what we need. Beau and Bel’s story is perfect in its imperfection. Grab this one fast because it is ALL the stars.
Honest, emotional and full of love!
What I adored about this book is that Jessica Peterson (a new mum herself) had the guts to give the heroine, Anabel, postpartum depression... a condition that is not discussed enough in society yet alone touched upon in romance novels. Anabel is a new mum (her adorable baby Maisie is 4 months old at the start of the book) and she is struggling with it all... and so when her best friend Beau invites Bel, Maisie and Bel's mum to stay at his resort-style farm stay she says yes! These two have been best friends for almost two decades and have never crossed the line to "more" (despite both wanting to at different points but there never was a time when the stars aligned). Beau has a secret of his own that he is dealing with and the reveal is shocking, sad and honest! For me, Beau's amazing family made this book that much sweeter and I can't wait for all of his younger siblings to get their HEAs!
This isn't an easy read but it is definitely worth it! Bel and Beau deserve a happy ending... the question is: can they have it with one another?
What I adored about this book is that Jessica Peterson (a new mum herself) had the guts to give the heroine, Anabel, postpartum depression... a condition that is not discussed enough in society yet alone touched upon in romance novels. Anabel is a new mum (her adorable baby Maisie is 4 months old at the start of the book) and she is struggling with it all... and so when her best friend Beau invites Bel, Maisie and Bel's mum to stay at his resort-style farm stay she says yes! These two have been best friends for almost two decades and have never crossed the line to "more" (despite both wanting to at different points but there never was a time when the stars aligned). Beau has a secret of his own that he is dealing with and the reveal is shocking, sad and honest! For me, Beau's amazing family made this book that much sweeter and I can't wait for all of his younger siblings to get their HEAs!
This isn't an easy read but it is definitely worth it! Bel and Beau deserve a happy ending... the question is: can they have it with one another?