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I was so excited to read more about one of my favorite southern families in The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey, and this book delivered! A second book in the series, I absolutely adored digging deeper into this family’s daily life, drama, and emotional battles. While I think this book could be read as a standalone, I don’t’ think you will gain the connection with Ansley and her girls if you skip the first book. Ansley has begun to adjust to her three daughters living with her in Peachtree Bluff and life is beginning to settle in as much as possible. She still has her hands full, as her mother has come to visit and seems to be ill and her daughter Sloane’s military husband is MIA. She is tempted to rekindle a long past relationship, but wonders if she really has time, while juggling her shop and caring for her mother, daughters and grandchildren. Sloane knew her husband being in the military meant she could lose him at any point, but it doesn’t make receiving the terrifying news of him missing any less painful. Holing herself up for many weeks, she struggles to remind herself that her children still need her to be their Mommy. With her mom, grammy and sisters’ support, she pulls herself out of her mourning and fights to regain control of her life. While the first book in the series spent more time focusing on Ansley and her oldest daughter Caroline, this book bounced between Ansley and her middle daughter Sloane, while she struggles to build a new life in light of the devastating news that her husband may not return. It was enjoyable to get a deeper glimpse at Sloane and her husband Adam’s life, and how they came to be together. As in the last book, there is a deeply buried family secret that Ansley fights to keep hidden. Throughout the book, she struggles with the battle within in her as she continues to deceive those she loves the most. Will the girls discover what their mom is determined to keep concealed? If it is discovered will it change the dynamic of their tight-knit family? I absolutely adored this story. It made me feel such a large range of emotions. At one point I literally had chills. It says a lot about a book when it causes a physical reaction in you, and this one did just that. I highly recommend this exquisitely written novel. I am confident that before long The Secret to Southern Charm will no longer be much of a secret! 5 sizzling southern stars! **Review by Amy, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night with Books**
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