by Liz Talley
Series: Morning Glory #2
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Length: 9 hours and 18 minutes
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4.5
Morning Glory native Jess Culpepper is desperate to get out of town after divorcing the only man she’s ever dated. She takes a temporary nursing job in Florida and, thanks to the bequest of her late friend, Lacy, has the funds to rent a condo right on the beach. She’s not prepared to literally trip over her old high school lab partner—and definitely not prepared for how deliciously hot he is now.
Ryan Reyes, once known as “The Brain,” has worked hard to become more than the skinny nerd that jocks bullied and girls politely tolerated. At twenty-six, he has retired from science to run a charter fishing business in Pensacola and spend his leisure time catching up on the debauchery he missed. But when the unattainable girl of his teenage fantasies moves in down the beach, old feelings come flooding back.
Their scorching attraction soon leads them into bed—but what starts as no-strings-attached fun is complicated by a return to Morning Glory and the shadows of their shared past. Can the head cheerleader and the geek redefine themselves and forge ahead to find their happily ever after?
As you know I am away enjoying a little R&R but have no fear, I’ve left you in good hands. Lorna who some of you may know from Rabid Reads and Delightful Readers is her sharing an audiobook review of Perfectly Charming by Liz Talley. Grab a cup and enjoy as we continue to celebrate Audio Month.
Lorna’s Review
Four young girls grew up in a small town in Mississippi and were BFFs-until one of them, Lacy, dies of cancer. Her legacy to her close friends-now in their late twenties-was a letter and some money for each that encourages them to do something they’ve always wanted to do with their lives. Included was a charm bracelet that each woman must add a charm to that is symbolic of the experience. In book one, Charmingly Yours, one of the friends, Rosemary, found her love story during a visit to New York City. I enjoyed it and wanted to find out what each of the other friend’s journey entailed. So I was more than willing to jump into this book and Jessica Culpepper’s journey.
Jess has just received her divorce papers from her former high school boyfriend, also known as her cheating ex-husband. When a job offer to move to Pensacola in Florida for temporary work as a nurse happens, it’s a godsend. When she meets her new neighbor, Ryan Reyes, on the beach, she has no idea that the super handsome man is actually the brainy nerd from her high school, also known as the “puppy” that followed her around. Known as the “brain” to everyone else, he was the epitome of the boy nobody dated and who lots of people bullied. Now highly educated with multiple degrees, he’s reinvented himself as the guy he had wanted to be back in high school. Now he’s the captain of his own charter fishing boat. He’s also incredibly built, tanned, and still has a huge crush on Jess even after not seeing her for years. On Jess’s part, she’s still incredibly hurt by her divorce.
Both of these characters were incredibly vulnerable. Jess, because of the way her husband left her, and Ryan, because he’s afraid that Jess will still see him as the unattractive boy from high school. His high school life was horrendous and it’s caused him a lot of grief, to say the least. The fun part of this book was simple. We get to see two people that were totally wrong for each other back in high school become totally right for each other as adults.
Every romance features a problem. That’s a given. I guess it would be pretty boring if nothing bad ever happened to cause trouble in paradise and this story was no exception. I was really enjoying the book even though I knew from the first chapter that the ex-husband would try and cause problems. Another given. But when the “trouble in paradise” problem happens, I was a bit thrown. It just didn’t make sense to me and caused me to dislike Jess during this part. Which in turn caused me to change my opinion and consequently my rating. Having said that, it’s only half a star off.
I listened, instead of reading, and I really enjoyed new to me narrator, Brittany Pressley. There really was no need for a male narrator in addition to Brittany because she handled the male voices easily. In addition, she handled the different southern accents quite well. Her pace was excellent and I think she definitely added something to the story. I would happily listen to anything else she narrates. At this writing, if you buy the book, you can get the audiobook for less than two additional dollars. Quite the bargain!
Perfectly Charming started out as a beach read and eventually a small town story. It is perfect for adult romance readers that like a romance set in a charming small town and in the fun and beauty of a beach community, in spite of the “trouble in paradise.” Nevertheless, I do recommend the listen to adult readers due to sensual scenes.
Perfectly Charming by Liz Talley is a perfect listen for adult #romance readers that like a romance set in a charming #small-town beach community.#JIAM #loveaudiobooks 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
Lorna
Sorry I think you need to email or find a request page on Kimberly’s page. This will probably get lost if you don’t. I was just doing a guest post.
LESLIE KOHLER
Hi. I’m following up on a request to have my audio book, Disposable Lives, reviewed. I see you’ve been on vacation and are most likely inundated with requests. My promo for Disposable Lives is Cocktails, Con Men, Conspiracy! Slip inside the private lives of the Travellers, modern day gypsies who stop at nothing to win their deadly con games.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh this sounds like a good romance and I’ve spent a lot of time in Pensacola and I really love when I recognize a setting.
Lorna
Oh I love when a book takes place somewhere I’ve been too. It was a good romance!
Kimberly
Thank you Lorna!
Lorna
You’re welcome anytime Kimberly!
Lorna
Yes, they both definitely needed to find their HEA. Hope you are doing okay Naomi!
Naomi Hop
Wow Lorna. This sounds like a great read. I like that these two have been able to find love again. Especially since her she had invested time in a guy she’d been with forever. I’m glad she finally ‘saw’ Ryan!
Mary Kirkland
I haven’t read this but it does sound like a good story.
lorna
It was a good story. The first book was good too?
Melliane
I like the idea and it looks really touching too
Lorna
It was touching at times. Ryan had quite the horrible time in high school and needed to get over that. And of course, Jess was still devastated about her divorce.
Debbie Haupt
Thanks for sharing Lorna
Lorna
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
Sophia Rose
Oh, I adored the first two of this series and forgot to go back for the last one. I liked the focus on the friends and how their dying friend’s wish got them to go out and find their happy. Brittney is a narrator I’ve come to enjoy for doing some of Carolyn Brown’s books.
Glad you enjoyed this one, too, Lorna!
Lorna
Thanks Sophia. I liked that premise too. I have the next book and the novella as well still to read.
Christy LoveOfBooks
Sometimes the “trouble in paradise” moments ruin books for me, but glad to see this wasn’t *too* bad. It does look good otherwise. Great review, Lorna. 🙂
Lorna
I know exactly what you mean. Some authors do the trouble times well but way more could be handled better I think. Drives me crazy sometimes.