Southern Charmer

Charleston Heat, Book 1

By: Jessica Peterson

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Emma Wilder

He's sexy. He's southern. And he won't stop showing up at my door half naked. Meet Elijah Jackson, my hot new neighbor...

From the outside looking in? I’ve got it all. Prestigious job. Pretty house. And a perfect boyfriend who just proposed with the perfect ring. I should feel ecstatic—but instead, I feel suffocated. So I break up with my boyfriend, hop in my car, and head south.

Charleston, South Carolina: home to stunning architecture, sultry accents, and—oh yeah—my perpetually shirtless neighbor, Elijah Jackson. As if his abs for days and inked up deliciousness aren’t enticing enough, he also encourages me to chase down my dreams. And the chemistry between us? Hotter than the kitchen at Eli’s restaurant. But I still have a life a thousand miles away. One I’ve worked really hard to build. And I don’t know if I can just leave it all behind.

I have to choose. A choice Eli doesn't make any easier by inviting me out to his cabin for a long weekend. Just the two of us. And one bed. I swear to God this southerner is out to charm the panties right off me. Just this once, I might let him...

SOUTHERN CHARMER is a slow burn, standalone romance with no cheating. It’s the first book in the CHARLESTON HEAT series, set in Charleston, South Carolina.

The books in the Charleston Heat series are interconnected standalone romances, and can be listened to in any order.

SOUTHERN CHARMER: Eli and Olivia's story

SOUTHERN PLAYER: Luke and Gracie's story

SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN: Greyson and Julia's story

SOUTHERN HEARTBREAKER: Ford and Eva's story

©2018 Peterson Paperbacks, LLC (P)2023 Peterson Paperbacks, LLC

Joe Arden with a sexy southern accent?! Yes please!!

4 STARS

What a sweet story this was! Buckle up and prepare to fall for Eli and Olivia. Eli is a super confident, sexy southerner. He goes after want he wants without apology. He owns a restaurant and is passionate about life. Olivia is sweet, loyal and hard working. She is a little lost and doesn’t know what path she is on at the moment. From the moment she steps into Charleston, South Carolina her meeting Eli turns everything she thought she wanted for herself upside down. Her character frustrated me at times. She wanted to hold onto her comfort and safety net a bit too long. There was no doubt that Eli was her future but it took her forever to realize it! I did love how encouraging Eli was in helping her go after her dreams. I also loved all the side characters developed in this story. Jessica has set the scene perfectly for Luke and Gracie’s story next. Can’t wait! Listening to audio was a real treat! Is there anything sexier than Joe Arden doing a southern accent?!

So worth the credit

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book but I immediately got wrapped up in the characters and the charming-ness of Charleston. I loved the premise of Olivia wanting to pursue her dreams of being a romance writer and falling in love with the sexy next door neighbor in the process.

An utter delight from start to finish

This was my first book by Jessica Peterson, but it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely adored this first installment to the Charleston Heat series. It is food porn at its finest (you WILL be hungry the whole time you're reading) with all the concoctions of Chef Eli Jackson being described in exquisite, mouthwatering detail. Eli's not bad either. ;) Everything about this book was delightful, and as a former academic myself, who also left to write romance novels, Olivia's story definitely resonated on a deep level. Add in Joe Arden and Emma Wilder's stupendous performances in the audio version and this one's going on my re-listen shelf. Don't miss it!

Prepare to eat up this story and bring a fan!

I have to admit I already read in book form this beautiful story of Olivia and Eli. However, let me just say, Joe Arden and Emma Wilder, brought the book to life. Hearing the smooth southern accent of Joe Arden added another dimension and layer to the story. When you’re reading I always try to read in the accent of the story, if that makes any sense. Being a Yankee girl myself, Emma nailed it!

As for the story itself it made me hungry, not just for the food but for the story and to see where and how it was going to play out.
The author didn’t just take me on a book journey. Whether she knows it or not she took me on a total life experience.

Southern Charmer, I would love to say it’s totally charming but it’s not. It is so much more. The author didn’t just take me on a journey of two people who find each other, develop a relationship and find there are issues that need to be resolved. She took me on a life experience as well as a Southern tour. Let me tell you Charleston, S.C, is a place I now want to visit, with it’s beautiful scenery, delicious food, great drinks, hospitable people and delectable men. However, this is so much more than all of that. Within this story there are people whose stories I think many people can relate to.

First there is Olivia. She has major decisions to make. She’s lived her whole life being a people pleaser and trying to have it all. Not really sure now that she has it, is it what she really wants? Does she have the courage to do what she really wants with her life? In my opinion, that is more commonplace than most people would acknowledge. It begs the question, how much are you really willing to gamble? How much are you willing to settle for in your life for comfortability or just being scared of the future?
Enter Eli our Southern Charmer, handsome, accomplished in his own right, and looking secure. He’s one of the most patient and gracious persons I’ve ever read. Sexy, put together and confident. Looks like he has it all.

As we come to learn in this story, appearances aren’t always what they seem. This is where the story takes off. Both characters have flaws, both have secrets. Secrets aren’t always sinister or dark but they can be things or issues we don’t face in ourselves. Therefore, we don’t let others completely in and end up many times making our own false assumptions about them.

With all that being said, let me tell you there is sweetness, smiles, laughs, great secondary characters I want to meet again and heat. This story brings all the feels! Bring a fan cause it’s going to get HOT and not because you’re in the South.

I would really love to talk about the story in-depth but that would be unfair to the author. Not only did I get to read a fabulous story, she brought Charleston to vivid life! I could smell the mint julep, grits, biscuits and bourbon as I read. This story was mouth watering in all ways.

Loved It!

This is my first book by Jessica Peterson! This was woohoo good! Used to live in Charleston....and don't miss it...but she did capture it perfectly! And loved the characters. There is a BIG difference between New York and South Carolina! And Joe and Emma are ALWAYS wonderful! They know how to bring the characters/story to life!!! A must listen!!!

Southern Charmer indeed

Emma Wilder and Joe Arden are perfect as Olivia and Eli! Jessica Peterson wrote a great book and I can't wait to start the next book in the series.

A Beautiful Story, Love It 💘

I enjoyed Eli Jackson, as much as I enjoyed Joe Arden, he's terrific with his southern accent. Eli is such a gentleman, love how he's so careful with Olivia. Loved this book, and how the writer actually teases the characters in the same manner she teases the readers by the foreplay between Eli and Olivia. This is my first time reading a book by Jessica Peterson and I am loving how she writes. She writes so roar and realistic scenes. The characters are put to the test, along with the narrators. Eli acted childish in a scene, yet I found it cute, love this character. Of course Emma Wilder and Joe Arden were great!

Great details about the south and culture!

The narrators were perfect for this story! I was drawn into the story right away even with the self-absorbed Olivia, who was that way throughout the book and did not even give thought or concern when Eli was going through a hard time. My reason for only 4 stars in story. The hero is what really made the story and kept me wanted to know more. This was a new author to me and I did like the way she describes food and the south it was very visual. I would recommend this book for this reason, and I will listen to more from this author.

So. Good.

This story of self discovery grabbed me when I first read it. It was even better in audio! The narrators are perfect for Eli and Olivia. They truly brought the story to life!

Sultry Southern Perfection

The narration from Joe & Emma is perfect. The story excellent. Officially a new favorite audiobook (already a favorite author!)