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Jessica Peterson
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Southern Bombshell: A Second Chance Romance (North Carolina Highlands Series Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Jessica Peterson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,069 ratings

The Wedding Planner’s Rulebook:

  1. Keep the bride happy.
  2. Keep the wedding party out of trouble.
  3. Never let anyone know you’ve been in love with the groom for years.


I lived by these rules. Until Nate Kingsley.

The Capulets and Montagues have nothing on the Beauregards and Kingsleys. Our families have feuded for centuries, and Nate was always forbidden—which made fooling around with him that much more delicious. But then I fell for him, and he fell off the face of the earth, ghosting me without so much as a goodbye.

Fast-forward two years: as an expert in romance, I’m a wedding planner to the rich and famous. I never expected Nate to show up at my office, least of all with a shiny new fiancée on his arm. She’s got money to burn, and she wants me to plan the most extravagant wedding of my career.

I convince myself I can do Nate’s wedding and keep my feelings for him in check, even if he does look good.

Really, really good.

But when the secrets we buried years ago come to light, what kept us apart suddenly binds us together. Even if my heart belongs to Nate, and his belongs to me, he belongs to someone else. And that’s a rule we absolutely cannot break.

SOUTHERN BOMBSHELL is a full length, standalone romance with no cheating.

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  1. Book 5 of 5
    North Carolina Highlands Series
  2. Print length
    330 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 25, 2022
  6. File size
    2.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ "Nate and Milly are 5 alarm hot!" -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "Jessica Peterson​ has supplied us with some of the most sexy, steamy and perfectly flawed characters in this series. I truly feel she has saved the best for last!" -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "This one is a perfect combination of sweet and heat." -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "Once again, Jessica Peterson has knocked it out of the park." -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "Jessica Peterson is one of my all-time favorite authors and she completely nailed this book. Her writing style is graceful, elegant, fun, sassy, sexy...all of the characteristics that I love in a book!" -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "Milly and Nate's story is rollercoaster and I loved every minute of it. I cried people!" -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "Southern Bombshell is gut wrenching in the best possible way. By the time you get to Book 5 in the series, you are in love with this family and want each of them to get their HEA." -Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "This is a second chance romance like no other I have read." -Amazon Reviewer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09FJ5FMZ2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Peterson Paperbacks
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 25, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8986161044
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 5 of 5 ‏ : ‎ North Carolina Highlands Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,069 ratings

About the author

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Jessica Peterson

Jessica Peterson

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Jessica Peterson writes romance with heat, humor, and heart. Heroes with hot accents are her specialty. When she’s not writing, she can be found bellying up to a bar in the south’s best restaurants with her husband Ben, reading books with her adorable daughters Gracie and Madeline, or snuggling up with her 70-pound lap dog, Martha.

A Carolina girl at heart, she fantasizes about splitting her time between Charleston and Asheville, but currently lives in Charlotte, NC.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,069 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance book engaging, particularly enjoying the story about Milly and Nate, and appreciate its steamy content. Moreover, the book receives praise for its writing style, with one customer highlighting its detailed descriptions of places, while another notes its profound declaration of family importance. Additionally, customers praise the ending as a great conclusion to the series with bonus epilogues, and they value the character development, with one review specifically mentioning the supporting characters of both families.

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29 customers mention "Readability"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and enjoyable, particularly appreciating the story about Milly and Nate.

"...Can I tell you I am flipping over this special addition to this amazing and passionate series!" Read more

"...This was a highly anticipated read for me, partially because I always loved Milly and partially because as a former high school English teacher, I'm..." Read more

"...Every book in this series has been a pleasure to read and I feel as if I know this family like my own...." Read more

"I just completed the last book in this series. I enjoyed all five, but the first in the series, Southern Seducer was my favorite...." Read more

27 customers mention "Ending"27 positive0 negative

Customers love the ending of the book, particularly appreciating the bonus epilogues, with one customer specifically mentioning the beautiful conclusion with June and Patrick.

"...you I am flipping over this special addition to this amazing and passionate series!" Read more

"...Southern Bombshell is my first 5 star of 2022! It is a fantastic story about putting yourself out there to take risks, for which the reward is a..." Read more

"...and I haven’t read any of the previous books but I still enjoyed this story a lot...." Read more

"...However, I LOVED this story!..." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"12 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, with one customer highlighting its detailed descriptions of places and another noting its beautiful food and drink scenes.

"...or whisky selection mentioned, Jessica's books are so rich and full of detail that I always feel like I'm reading about real, breathing human beings..." Read more

"...I also like Jessica Peterson’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her books." Read more

"...It can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend you start at the beginning. ALL of these books are fantastic!..." Read more

"...like all the characters Jessica writes, were fully realized and beautifully nuanced...." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with several noting how the characters are deserving of love, and one customer highlighting the supporting cast of both families and how they take care of each other.

"...when you don't know who you want to cheer for, all the characters are deserving of love and loyalty. Oh and the surprise at the end!..." Read more

"...foodie language, and, most importantly, a profound declaration of the importance of family which is not limited to those with whom you share blood...." Read more

"...I love strong loving families, people who take care of each other and of course, all things hot and steamy!..." Read more

"...Of course, I love the entire Beauregard family and getting to see more of them is always a plus. A perfect end to a phenomenal series." Read more

6 customers mention "Depth"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, with one customer noting how the love story pulls readers in deeply, while another describes it as intense.

"...of these characters, like all the characters Jessica writes, were fully realized and beautifully nuanced...." Read more

"...Feuding families, finding true paths in life, hot romance with Mountain alphas, and the Beauregard family serving up all the good times and great..." Read more

"...I love how confident, accomplished, and unapologetic Milly is. Nate is the dream guy next door; nurturing and protective and so darn swoon-worthy...." Read more

"...scenes, a sinister dad who has the power to destroy and couple goals that are swoon worthy. Ready for Silas to have his own redemption story next!!" Read more

6 customers mention "Family bond"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the family dynamics in the book, with one customer particularly noting the protective nature of the relationships.

"...I love strong loving families, people who take care of each other and of course, all things hot and steamy!..." Read more

"...Nate is the dream guy next door; nurturing and protective and so darn swoon-worthy...." Read more

"LOVE this series & family! Milly is the fierce bombshell hired to plan Nate’s wedding...." Read more

"...Milly and Nate...perfect together. A loving, protective family is just what Nate needed to believe in himself...." Read more

6 customers mention "Perfection"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book perfect, with several noting that Nate and Milly are a perfect match.

"...Peterson​ has supplied us with some of the most sexy, steamy and perfectly flawed characters in this series...." Read more

"...Nate and Milly are perfection. Undeniable chemistry that just sizzles on the page, it’s so delightfully steamy...." Read more

"...They are great together and love how he fits in. With the family’s help, they get their HEA. The bonus epilogue was epic." Read more

"...It doesn't get much hotter and sweeter. Milly and Nate...perfect together. A loving, protective family is just..." Read more

6 customers mention "Steamy content"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the steamy content of the book.

"Jessica Peterson​ has supplied us with some of the most sexy, steamy and perfectly flawed characters in this series...." Read more

"...Like all of Jessica's books, this one is a perfect combination of sweet and heat." Read more

"...Undeniable chemistry that just sizzles on the page, it’s so delightfully steamy. I love how confident, accomplished, and unapologetic Milly is...." Read more

"This book was sizzling hot from the start! We finally find out what happens between Milly and Nate. This book was a wonderful ending to the series...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • D. Seymour
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars - One for each the addictive siblings in this series & brought together in this book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Jessica Peterson​ has supplied us with some of the most sexy, steamy and perfectly flawed characters in this series. I truly feel she has saved the best for last & I don't necessarily just mean Millie - LOL This is the final book in the series and I truly believe she may have saved my favorite sibling for last!
    Millie is the Wedding Planner. All work and no play has made poor Millie's life and work all about her clients and family but nothing to make her own life FUN.
    In walks Nate and his fiancee. They need a Mega-Wedding. Now this is Millie's specialty but can she do it when Nate was the one who walked away with her "FUN" and more importantly, her heart.
    Nate can't believe that he is here, in Millie's office asking her to plan his wedding. He had walked away from her two years ago to save her from his secrets but now they are here once again and those secrets are threatening everyone's happiness once again.
    This story has all the feels, emotions, lost love found once again. The angst that is there when you don't know who you want to cheer for, all the characters are deserving of love and loyalty.
    Oh and the surprise at the end! Wait until you read who has a story of their own. Can I tell you I am flipping over this special addition to this amazing and passionate series!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ka Bax
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Series Finale!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I do not want this series to end. Every time Jessica releases a new book in the North Carolina Highlands series I think they can't get better, yet somehow they always seem to! This was a highly anticipated read for me, partially because I always loved Milly and partially because as a former high school English teacher, I'm always a fan of nods to the Montagues and the Capulets. Thankfully this book included much, much less bloodshed (spoiler alert) than the beloved Shakespeare play.

    What surprised me most about this book is Nate Kingsley. He was not at all what I expected, but in all the best ways. When I was 23% of the way into this book, I posted in Jessica's reader group that it "hurt so good" and that's the only way I can explain it...the beginning of the book hurt to read, but only because it was so, so well written. Trust me when I say Jessica fully redeems that pain by the end of the novel.

    Reading a Jessica Peterson novel is an exercise unto itself, and I mean that in the most positive way. With no other author do I find myself stopping to look things up like I do Jessica. Whether it's to listen to song that's referenced, search a recipe for a dish being cooked, or consult a friend about a wine or whisky selection mentioned, Jessica's books are so rich and full of detail that I always feel like I'm reading about real, breathing human beings (who just happen to have great taste in food, booze, and music).

    Not sure what's coming next from this author, but I cannot wait to get my hands on it!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Emily M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great ending to the series
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I knew that I was going love finding out the backstory to Milly and Nate. We’ve gotten snippets of them throughout the series building up to this. The fact that they’re from feuding families added an extra layer.
    I admit that I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out at the beginning. They seemed to have a lot of things against them. Including a fiancé. It’s hard to fight the power of attraction. Especially when your hearts recognize each other.
    It was great getting updates on the rest of the family. I’m glad that Milly and Nate were able to move forward even with their complicated dynamics. Love can overcome all the odds. I throughly enjoyed this book. However, I’m apparently old school because pot is still a big deal to me.
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  • Adanna H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Second Chance for a Modern Day Romeo & Juliet
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Montages and Capulets. Kingsleys and Beauregards. Star crossed lovers.

    Fans of this series have been dying to know Milly and Nate’s story, and it’s finally their turn! And, it’s a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet, with a much better ending.

    In the early books of this series, we saw glimpses of Milly and Nate “before” and Milly’s happiness. Then, they weren’t together anymore.

    “He ripped out my heart and left me for dead.”

    Southern Bombshell opens with how they separated. It is one of the most heartbreaking breakups ever. Fast forward two years later, and Milly’s heartache is still so deep and raw that it is palpable. And, she is now the wedding planner for Nate’s upcoming nuptials.

    Even though Milly and Nate's journey is angsty, messy, painful, and complicated, Southern Bombshell isn't all sadness. Of course, there is the steam — Nate and Milly are 5 alarm hot! When they reunite, everything they have endured is well worth it. In many ways, their happily ever after is like the fine-aged whiskey Nate crafts ... a nuanced, seamless blend of all the emotions connected to all-consuming love.

    For me, the end of this series is bittersweet. Every book in this series has been a pleasure to read and I feel as if I know this family like my own. It was only fitting that this final book would involve the entire family uniting to support Milly and Nate. Also, the epilogue is perfect. The Beauregards will be missed!

    Southern Bombshell is my first 5 star of 2022! It is a fantastic story about putting yourself out there to take risks, for which the reward is a love that shows you the beauty of slowing down and taking needed moments to be.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Mary
    5.0 out of 5 stars North Carolina Highlands Series.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I just completed the last book in this series. I enjoyed all five, but the first in the series, Southern Seducer was my favorite. Beau and Annabel’s story was different from any romance I’ve read so far. I like that each of the characters carry over to the next book so you can see the progression of their lives. I also like Jessica Peterson’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jennifer Millar
    5.0 out of 5 stars “‘Redheaded Romeo.’” And his Juliet.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Milly and Nate’s story is the 5th and final book in Jessica Peterson’s North Carolina Highlands Saga. This book can be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading them all in order. The Beauregard family story arc needs to be enjoyed in its entirety.

    I would say this is a second chance, secret romance, Romeo and Juliet story with a happier ending. We have had hints at Milly and Nate’s story in the previous books but now we finally find out what was happening with them. The feud between Milly and Nate’s families couldn’t keep them apart and they fell in to a steamy secret romance. Nate showed Milly how to slow down and have fun, “he gave her permission to play” and play they did. But ultimately a lack of communication and family issues led to Nate deciding to break up just as Milly was ready for more.

    Fast forward a couple years, wedding planner Milly’s newest clients are Nate and his new fiancé. Milly is trying her best but she is overwhelmed. She needs a break but feels guilty because there is so much to do and she doesn’t want to disappoint anyone. I didn’t want to like Nate and Reese because he broke Milly’s heart and I wanted to find a reason to dislike Reese because of it. Because if I liked them, how can I hope they break up so Nate and Milly can have another shot. But as secrets from the pasts are revealed, Nate, Milly and Reese learn the paths they were on and the choices they made may not have been taking them in the right direction.

    Love the Beauregards. Milly has a very supportive, loving and involved family. The moments we get with Milly and her brothers and Milly with her mom are amazing. Which is a stark contrast to Nate’s family life, a deadbeat dad whose gambling addiction threatens their family business. Nate has been the caretaker/babysitter of his family since his mother died. Watching Nate be accepted into the Beauregard clan finally was a joy. Milly and Nate’s relationship works because they make each other better, they take care of each other and love each other. And as Rhett said, what’s more romantic than that.

    Favorite quote : “There’s the family you’re born into, and then there’s your chosen family. The ones you love not because you have to, but because they’re great. They’re great people, and they’re great to you.” “If your family’s not good to you, you don’t have to stick around. I think you’ve earned the right to walk away after how hard you’ve tried. Because here’s the thing, Nate—you shouldn’t have to try.”
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  • romance_loves_to_read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This series has been brilliant and was perfectly finished with Milly & Nates story.

    I love a good second chance romance and this did not disappoint. This book is full of the love, banter, family, southern charm and steam we've come to love from Jessica's book.

    Nate is hot and loved his back story and his character development and Milly is perfect, strong but vulnerable when needed.

    N
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  • Anna P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect ending to a fantastic series!
    Reviewed in India on January 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t think there are enough words for me to express how much I loved this book. I’ve always loved and admired Milly Beauregard, the only daughter of the family, and after spending four whole books watching her be loved on and teased by her big brothers, it was so great to finally experience her story. And what a story it was! I’ve been so curious about the Kingsley-Beauregard drama and while we got quite a bit of it over the course of the books, there was something special about seeing it all come to head in Southern Bombshell, especially with how deeply Milly and Nate love each other. Gah, this book. It did everything for me and I am so glad that it exists.

    The book kicks off two years ago, to a time when Milly and Nate are sneaking around and having a relationship that they’ve kept from everyone. With an incredibly hot scene to set the ball rolling, you don’t expect Nate to walk away from Milly by breaking her heart. And he rips it to shreds! Fast forward to two years later and Nate is walking into Milly’s office on Blue Mountain Farm for a meeting to plan his upcoming wedding. His fiancée, Reese Noble, has dreamt of having Milly plan her wedding and despite knowing about the history between Nate and Milly (which he says will not affect anything), she’s there with Nate and her father to nail down the important details. Except, for Milly and Nate it’s a tension filled meeting that could have gone worse. But it sets the ball rolling for the rest of the book.

    Guys, Milly is amazing. All the Beauregard’s are amazing, but Milly might be my favourite. She’s tough, hardworking and passionate about her job. She doesn’t take the title of the best wedding planner lightly and she works her butt off to deliver the best weddings known to womankind. But she’s also loving and generous, she’s strong and sensitive, she’s warm and friendly. I loved how despite sitting across from the man she loves and the woman he’s about to marry, Milly holds it together. She’s strong in her resolve to not let that affect her job. I don’t think I could have stared into the eyes of someone I loved while planning their wedding to someone else, but that’s what makes Milly the best and truly so awesome. I felt all of her pain, her struggles and her need to constantly be perfect. There was so much about Milly that I related to and I loved how she worked through her problems one step at a time. But also how her love for Nate was so strong and so deep that moving on became a bit of a hindrance that she had to work through in whatever way she could.

    Nate was pretty great too, complicated and hard headed. We’ve heard about the Kingsley drama over the course of the books, but to really see his struggles and to see how much he’s overcome and what he’s fighting against every single day is quite something. One thing I love about Jessica’s books is when a character has a job in food and beverages, we get a deep dive into that job. And Nate’s love and passion for whiskey, his deep rooted investment and interest in the business comes across so clearly. I’m not a whiskey drinker, but I desperately wanted to drink the whiskey that comes from Nate’s hands. He’s a strong, but damaged character and while he’s got a lot going for him, there’s so much more to Nate than meets the eye and to see that properly really added to his awesomeness.

    Like in all of the NC Highlands books, the steam is off the charts! We start off with a beautifully steamy scene and when Milly and Nate get a second chance at their love, it’s even more explosive. While not as wild and insane as Samuel and Emma (because who can beat them and their incredible banter?), Milly and Nate have a ridiculously hot relationship. There’s so much history between them and that reflects in every kiss, touch and scene of them stripping each other naked. Their scenes are also far more emotional, in my opinion, with so many things to be discussed, so many secrets to be unveiled and so many hurdles to overcome. But that’s really what makes their relationship so incredible. I love it when the characters have lots of dialogue and conversation, because it really builds their relationship more!

    With the Beauregard family, Jessica Peterson has created a group of characters that will stick with me for a long time. Mama June is so special and each of her kids had a story that was filled with love and so many emotions! And with all of the teasing that’s happening in this book….I can’t wait to see what Jessica Peterson has in store for us next!
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a tense book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I loved how milly and nate got their good end . I loved how everything was amicable . This book was a really light hearted read. I did laugh when the brothers came together armed that was a funny paragraph to read .

    I just think the word welp was used far to much in the series . But it didn't effect my rating of review. And I'm glad I read the books. Defo recommend.
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  • Katie Rose
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Hot Bombshell It is!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I always loved Milly’s character through out her brothers books and I was so excited to finally see her side of the mountain.

    This book is fantastic! The story sexy and beautiful and damn spicy. Milly and Nate’s chemistry crackles right from the beginning and seeing their completely changed and different lives unfold was almost painful- I wasn’t sure they would even get there in the end!!

    I’m more than a little bit sad that we won’t get another trip to Blue Mountain! Although I wouldn’t say know to reading about Silas’s story!

    Jessica smashed it out of the park again.!
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