Book Review | Sweet Southern Heat – Ashley Cade (Magnolia Grove Series, Book Nine)

Sweet Southern Heat
By: Ashley Cade

Series: Magnolia Grove
Book # in Series: 9 of 12
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: September 12th, 2024
My Rating: ✮✮✮✮
My Reading Format: I received an ARC for an honest review

Synopsis:

Kissing your enemy is never a good idea, especially when he’s your ex’s surly older brother. But in my defense, he kissed me first.

Landon Crawford has always blamed me for the accident that stole his brother’s future, but he doesn’t know what really happened that night. I’ve hidden the ugly truth from everyone for six long years, but in a small town like ours, secrets don’t stay buried forever.

When I unexpectedly inherit my grandmother’s bakery, I find myself back in Magnolia Grove and Landon’s orbit. I try to avoid the grumpy mechanic, but fate is hellbent on throwing us together, and the more time I spend with him, the more the line between love and hate starts to blur.

The moment we give into our feelings, tragedy strikes again, leaving Landon with an impossible choice: fully give his heart to me or cling to what’s left of his crumbling family.

*Sweet Southern Heat is a complete standalone set in the Magnolia Grove Series. It’s a small town, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with plenty of steam, lots of tension, and a guaranteed HEA.

honey-script.light

Sweet Southern Heat by Ashley Cade is the ninth standalone romance featured in the Magnolia Grove Series. If you are a fan of the small town trope, drama, and a bit of spice I highly recommend this series, and this novel!

After years of living away from her hometown of Magnolia Grove, Olivia is finding herself driving to the one place she vowed to never return to. It was her grandmother’s final wish for Olivia to take over the family bakery business. But Olivia has goals of her own, and those do not include moving back to the small town that seemingly turned it’s back on her after one tragic night.

Landon is living his life taking care of his diabetic father and his drug abusing brother. Neither is to be blamed for the circumstances they’ve fallen into. No, in Landon’s mind, that blame singlehandedly is placed on his brother’s ex-girlfriend Olivia and the accident that ruined his brother’s dreams of becoming a rising star football player. Thank the lord, she moved away years ago!

But now, Olivia is back and there is no choice but to hash into the truth of what happened that tragic night. There’s only one truth in this situation, and Olivia is about to lay her cards at Landon’s feet. What Landon decides to do with the truth, is entirely up to him…. Even if that means Olivia leaves Magnolia Grove with broken heart inflicted by another Crawford brother….

My Thoughts:

Let me start this section of my review by first saying I’m head over heels in love with this series. I’m loving the small town vibes and the cozy and quaint atmosphere this town of Magnolia Grove brings to each and every novel! I’m also loving the fact that this is an anthological series of sorts, meaning, each and every book in this series is written by a different author. I love the fact that it’s the same town with a different vibe! Plus, this series is introducing me to a few new-to-me authors, Ashley Cade included in that list! Trust me when I say, there is never a dull moment! Some novels have suspense, while others are loaded with swoon! I’m in love!!

Now, let’s talk about Sweet Southern Heat by Ashley Cade! This is the ninth book in the Magnolia Grove Series. The tropes are I’m interested in my ex-boyfriend’s older brother, enemies to lovers, with strong Grumpy/Sunshine vibes. The sexual tension throughout this novel is so thick you can slice it with a butter knife!

First we have Olivia Duprey. My heart hurt for this woman and all she had been through. The one thing I dislike about small towns is the main thing that happened to Olivia. When shit hits the fan, there is always gossip, a hundred different versions of the truth, and picking sides. Olivia lived with the backhanded comments and the blame until she couldn’t take it anymore and moved away from her small town, her family, and most importantly her grandmother. When I tell you, this woman has been put through the emotional wringer, you can take my word for it! My heart broke so many times for her and all she had went through. When it comes to Olivia, I loved her on an emotional scale but, I dropped a ½ star due to the fact, I wanted more of the baking. I loved seeing her in her element, and I wanted more moments of her whipping up recipes and maybe a few more interactions with her customers would have been nice too.

And then we have Landon Crawford. I loved this man’s ambition and his strive to make sure his father and brother have their basic needs met. Basically, I loved his dedication to his family. But, the moment Olivia shared with Landon her truth of what happened that fateful night, I think my love for this character grew a bit more. I don’t know, a man who steps up to take care of his family does something to my heart. But, the moment he stepped up and started to care for and want to take care of Olivia did a number on my already rapidly beating heart. I loved how caring this man was. But I decided to drop a ½ star on him because, it’s nice to take care of others, but I didn’t feel like he was putting himself first. A lot of drama could have been avoided had he done that from the start. And due to spoilers, that is all I’m going to say about that topic.

Speaking of SPOILERS, It does have to be said, there is a trigger warning with this novel. Off Screen mentioning and replaying/not the main character drug abuse and talks of overdosing. There is also an off-screen mentioning and replaying of physical abuse. If you find these subjects to be triggering, I highly recommend you dive into this novel with those expectations in mind.

Overall, I loved Olivia and Landon’s story. Yes, I wanted more, but we can easily chalk that up to spoiled reader syndrome. Let it be known, if you are looking for a series with small town vibes, a hint of drama, and a whole lot of swoon. I would pick up this series if I were you! It is as great as it sounds!

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