by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Series: Peachtree Bluff #1
Genres: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Caroline Murphy swore she’d never set foot back in the small Southern town of Peachtree Bluff; she was a New York girl born and bred and the worst day of her life was when, in the wake of her father’s death, her mother selfishly forced her to move—during her senior year of high school, no less—back to that hick-infested rat trap where she'd spent her childhood summers. But now that her marriage to a New York high society heir has fallen apart in a very public, very embarrassing fashion, a pregnant Caroline decides to escape the gossipmongers with her nine-year-old daughter and head home to her mother, Ansley.
Ansley has always put her three daughters first, especially when she found out that her late husband, despite what he had always promised, left her with next to nothing. Now the proud owner of a charming waterfront design business and finally standing on her own two feet, Ansley welcomes Caroline and her brood back with open arms. But when her second daughter Sloane, whose military husband is overseas, and youngest daughter and successful actress Emerson join the fray, Ansley begins to feel like the piece of herself she had finally found might be slipping from her grasp. Even more discomfiting, when someone from her past reappears in Ansley's life, the secret she’s harbored from her daughters their entire lives might finally be forced into the open.
Exploring the powerful bonds between sisters and mothers and daughters, this engaging novel is filled with Southern charm, emotional drama, and plenty of heart
SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE by Kristy Woodson Harvey is the perfect book to take to the beach this summer.
The first in the Peachtree Bluff series, this women’s fiction novel takes you to the seaside town of Peachtree Bluff as Ansley finds her beachfront home filled to the brim. Her oldest daughter Caroline has a crisis, Sloane her second daughter’s husband is deployed and free spirit Emerson, her youngest, lands an acting job locally. Harvey delivers a heartfelt novel about sisters, family, love and loss. You’ll want to pack your bags and spend the summer with them.
The tale unfolds in alternating chapters between Caroline Murphy the eldest daughter of Ansley and Ansley herself as she reflects on her life, deals with a full house, and has a second chance at love. Life is messy, hard and never perfect but as Harvey shares the hardships in this families lives, she also shares the wonderful blessing and moments along the way.
Caroline fled Peachtree Bluff and headed back to her roots of New York. She had a plan and until a week ago the perfect life. Very pregnant with her second child, she is shocked when her husband James announces he is in love with someone else. A someone else who just happens to be a successful young model. Unable to deal, she packs her bags and heads home. I wasn’t sure of Caroline at first, she values things that don’t hold as much meaning to me, but as Harvey peeled back her layers she exposed a delightfully strong, level-headed woman I could relate to.
Ansley is a strong woman who lost her husband during 9-11 and I couldn’t help but admire her strength. I loved learning her history as she shared her marriage, her relationship with Jack and the children. The more Harvey shared the more I felt for and respected her. I loved the feud she has with the next door neighbor and her dealings with the community. The book offered a sense of community and welcomes readers with open arms.
We get to know the other sisters, but this was Caroline’s story. Sloane the middle child is married to a serviceman who is deployed. With her two children in tow, she heads home at Caroline’s urging. On the outside, Caroline seems like this perfectly calm military, mini-van, yoga pants loving, homeschooling Mom. But is it all an act? Emerson is a free-spirited actress whose career drives her. I am anxious to learn more about both of them.
SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF PERFECT delivers a compelling southern tale filled with secrets, love, and family all wrapped into a charming tale with humor and heart. Harvey captures the complexities of siblings, marriage, and family beautifully. I slipped into the tale and was completely at home. I loved the southern charm, the beachside setting and Ansley’s secrets.
The next book, THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM, will share Sloane’s story and continues Ansley’s. I cannot wait!!
Make Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey your next beach read. Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
lisa thomson
Oh, I definitely want to read this for a summer beach read. Thanks for the review, Kim. I adore the cover! It drew me in. If I saw it in a bookstore I would likely pick it up for that very reason. Now, you excellent review is the cherry on top.
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed my visit with this book, and hope you do as well.
Angie
This book looks so good, and I loved this line of your review: The book offered a sense of community and welcomes readers with open arms.
What a great description! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Angie 🙂
Lily B
I love books like these that follow sisters in different stages of their lives. It does sound like a great Beach read. Or for a gloomy day if you want to add some sunshine into your life. I am so ready for summer
kimbacaffeinate
Nice rainy day read for sure!
The Bibliophile Babe
That does sound perfectly beachy!
kimbacaffeinate
Just need a beach chair 🙂
Katherine
I LOVE the sound of this! I love books that focus on family relationships and re-figuring out what you want. All the women sound like interesting and likable characters. This is definitely going on my TBR!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Katherine!
Sophia Rose
Yes, that does have appeal with the sisters and mom relations plus their individual stories.
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed my visit.
Angela Adams
Yep! Great beach read!! Thanks for the post!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Perfect beach read Angela 🙂
Rita
Ah, perfect beach read for me, as we are moving to NC this summer for our retirement location! I’ve been eyeing books by Ms. Harvey for awhile now, and this is the perfect one to start with, as book #1 in a new series. Sounds really good to me!- Rita (back with a new blog)
kimbacaffeinate
*waves* Hello Rita!! Glad to see you back. I have family in Moorehead City and Beaufort.
Kristy W. Harvey
THANK YOU so much for this lovely review! Made my day- you are TOO sweet! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
You are very welcome. It was delightful
Debbie Haupt
Lets see, reasons to buy this book;
you gave it a 4.5
the cover is to die for
And I LOVE sisters/family women’s fiction
ding, ding, ding its a winner!
Thanks Kim 😉
kimbacaffeinate
you are awesome.
Heidi
I love books set in the South, don’t know why. I am a Southern girl at heart even though I have never been to the South. I am totally in a chick lit phase and on the hunt for lighter books for summer. I will see if I can track down a copy of this.
kimbacaffeinate
I am the same, Heidi.
Melissa (Books and Things)
This sounds like one of those chick lit books I’m not sure I’ll like but end up enjoying a lot! I’m going to have to check it out. I’ve been in need of a book like this lately.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly what happen to me.
Mary Kirkland
I think I might like this one. Thanks for the review.
kimbacaffeinate
I go through moods where I enjoy this genre, and this was wonderful.
Nadene
I like the sound of this one. I was offered the opportunity to read this book, but I declined. Now I wish I had accepted.
kimbacaffeinate
I was a tad unsure, but in the mood for this genre. I am so glad that I did.
Genesis
Aww this sounds like a cute beach read! I remember seeing this one but passed it up, thinking I wouldn’t enjoy it. Definitely wrong. Your review shows that I would enjoy it. I feel bad for Caroline and having to deal with her husband loving someone else when she’s pregnant. So I’d love to read how she develops throughout the story. Plus, neighborly feud? Give it to me! I love that!
Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
I was delighted it showed up on my doorstep Genesis.
Tyler H. Jolley
Thanks for the review, Kimba. I’ll have to tell my wife about this. She’d love this book. I hope it’s available on audible.
kimbacaffeinate
Nice Mother’s Day gift perhaps?
Laurel-Rain Snow
Great review! I loved this one, too, and I’m eager to read the next one in the series…whenever it is released. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Hopefully by next summer! 🙂
cindy
I am so happy that you enjoyed this. I plan on reading this as well. It sounds like my type of book! Thanks for your great review and bringing my attention to this book and author.
kimbacaffeinate
Happy reading Cindy. I look forward to your thoughts
Geybie's Book Blog
Glad that you enjoyed this book, Kim. This book is perfect for a friend of mine. She wants a non-romance books. A book about family. This is perfect for her.
Thanks for recommending this book to me, Kim. Awesome review.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope she picks it up 🙂
Melliane
It’s great to see you had a great time with this one! I hope it will continue with the sequel now too
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane
blodeuedd
I think this could be a good one for me
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try it, Linda.