The final book in the Southern series is now available! I don't know whether to cheer or cry. Cheer because I have been impatiently anticipating Southern Sunshine and it's now available. Cry because Southern Sunshine is the end of the series and I'm not ready to let this cast of characters go. I know, I know, Laura they are just fictional people in a fictional town, BUT I DON'T CARE!
In Southern Sunshine we catch up with Reed, and are re-introduced to Hazel. You may recall at the end of Southern Secrets we had a brief introduction with her character. Anyways...Reed and Hazel have been quietly seeing each other for a couple of months. Reed is getting ready to leave town as he has joined the military, and Hazel has her eyes on college. That is until one night changes how things will work. Hazel tells her Grandpa that she is pregnant, and that the dad doesn't know. Grandpa being the smart man that he is, knows exactly who the father is. Hazel does attempt to reach out to Reed, but he never replies or reaches out. Instead Reed pushes himself harder, and is even more determined to stay away from town. Flash forward almost 6 years, and Reed has been injured in the line of duty. He now has 30 days to determine if he is going to re-up or not. During this time, he has made the difficult choice to return home. All it takes is a phone call to his dad (Casey), and a plane is waiting. Meanwhile back at home, Hazel has just learned that her Grandpa has died. She needs to return to town to get his estate in order. Nervous doesn't begin to describe her feelings. She's stayed away on purpose. So what happens next? Ahh my friends, I think you can imagine...
I love this series. I love these characters. I love the setting. Each and every story I get fully invested into. I can't help it, it's just how it works out. It really wasn't any different for Reed and Hazel's story. I loved how we were able to see their beginning, how Hazel attempted to reach Reed to let him know about the pregnancy, and how they eventually came back to each other. I also loved getting to catch up with all the previous characters, and see the close knit bond that they all share. Then there was Savannah and how she was bringing Hazel into the fold. That warmed my heart. We also were able to learn why Reed desperately wanted to leave town, and why he deactivated all his social medias. Getting that full picture helps to understand him as a character. While I loved everything about the book, Southern Sunshine felt different. It didn't have the suspense, and it didn't really have the big dramatic moment for our couple. It just felt very smooth and seamless. So I can't help but wonder if that is the route that Natasha Madison is going to take the Southern Weddings series. Less romantic suspense, and more just straight romance with little conflict. Regardless I'll read it and probably love it. It's Natasha Madison, how can I not love the books.
Go read Southern Sunshine! You'll get to witness Reed and Hazel's journey toward their HEA, and you'll get to catch up with all the characters you've come to know and love throughout the series. While it's the conclusion to the Southern series, you will also get the setup for Southern Weddings. So that right there will have you anticipating what's to come. Or maybe that's just me.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts, Laura
Reed
I never wanted to be a cowboy, living in a small town was suffocating.
The military was my out.
I saw every place I ever wanted and everything that nightmares are made of.
Until I almost lost my life and then I ended up back home.
Hazel
Finding out that I was pregnant the night before I left for college changed everything. I left that small town and vowed to never return.
When my grandfather died, I had no choice but to go back home.
The plan was just for two weeks.
I thought it would be quick and easy, until he was standing at the back door asking questions.
Secrets never stay secrets for long in this town.
5) Southern Heart
