This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Southern Side of Paradise

Summary: From internationally bestselling author and “rising star of Southern fiction” (Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author) Kristy Woodson Harvey comes the third novel in her Peachtree Bluff series, in which a secret threatens the tight-knit bond between a trio of sisters and their mother.

With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare.

When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.

With Kristy Woodson Harvey’s signature charm, wit, and heart, The Southern Side of Paradise is another masterful Peachtree Bluff novel that proves she is a “Southern writer with staying power” (Booklist).

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I have MUCH love for Kristy Woodson Harvey and her writing. From her early books, Dear Carolina and Lies and Other Acts of Love, to the Peachtree Bluff series (Slightly South of Simple, The Secret To Southern Charm and now The Southern Side of Paradise), KWH hits the writing sweet spot for me: Sweet, but not sickly sweet, characters that I can root for, romances that are believable, and settings that make me yearn for a plane ticket to spend like a week there.

The Southern Side of Paradise is the final book in the Peachtree Bluff trilogy (psst… KWH- if you decide to write more- I wouldn’t mind 😉 and it had some big shoes to fill and some questions to wrap up. And it did it all. Beautifully.

 

What I liked:

The cover. HELLO, gorgeous 🙂

The relationship between the sisters. I don’t have a sister, so sister books fascinate me- all they know all the secrets and hot buttons to touch during a fight, but are fiercely protective when the chips are down or someone is ganging up on their sister.

The ending. It’s satisfying. I can look back at the Peachtree Bluff series and feel content where KWH took these Murphy women. However, I think there is also room for re-visiting these women down the road. And I love that.

 

Bottom line: For me, this book is the introduction to the summer. It’s like the first snowcone of the summer, the aroma of the Memorial Day BBQ, the feeling of the swimming pool after a long winter without it. Grab your floppy hat, your sunscreen, sweet tea and let summer wash over you.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone. It’s also a May Futuristic Friday pick of mine,*

 

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Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T