THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM by Kristy Woodson Harvey
THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM is the second book in the Peachtree Bluff series of novels by Kristy Woodson Harvey. The first was titled SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE and introduced readers to the world of Peachtree Bluff, a Georgia beach town in which resides a woman named Ansley and her three daughters Caroline, Sloane and Emerson. Ansley’s mother has joined the group and their stories are blended together in a warmly embracing novel about love, loss and the eternal possibility of happiness.
The first book focused primarily on Ansley and her oldest daughter Caroline, who had moved home in order to escape her cheating husband James. Ansley, whose husband was killed in the attack on the twin towers, was rebuilding her life and finding her teenage love for a boy named Jack might be rekindled. These two stories were fully explored and set up the second book perfectly.
In THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM the focus is still on Ansley but also shines a spotlight on second daughter Sloane’s life. Sloane’s world is in chaos as her husband, who is in the Army and deployed to Afghanistan, is missing after a helicopter crash. She and her two sons have come home to live with her mother while she awaits news of his fate.
Ansley’s life is not her own. She is trying to keep Sloane’s spirits up and she has her mother’s health to worry about constantly. She sees signs of possible Alzheimer’s and is panicked of what the future may hold. She still thinks she and Jack might have a relationship in the future but for the present it is all about her mother and the girls.
Most books with a southern theme are centered on family. We have all read books focused on a cheating spouse, a missing relative, or a doomed love. These plot lines are grist for the mill. Harvey piles these scenarios on in her stories. The difference in her using these plot lines and others using them is that Harvey is a very talented writer. She can weave a story about a husband missing in the line of duty and it wrenches the heart out of your chest. She writes about a cheating spouse and it becomes real and heart breaking betrayal. It is not so much the story she tells but the way that she tells it.
Harvey showed sparks of real talent in SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE. In THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM her talent is blazing. You don’t have to have read the first book to enjoy the second but it definitely helps. If you have then you can dive into this second story and immediately become immersed in the lives of these women. It is so compelling you will want to read on and on and on until the last page is finished. Your first thought then is bring on the next one!
Reading Harvey’s first novel was like meeting a talented guest. With this new book she has moved into your consciousness to stay. She has the gift. Watching her use it is a blessing.
THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM is published by Gallery Books. It contains 400 pages and sells for $16.00.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
Jackie! This is BEYOND. Thank you so much for your beautiful review and wonderful words. I am so grateful!!
I write what I see and what I feel.