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Jessica Peterson
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Southern Player: A Brother's Best Friend Romance (Charleston Heat Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Jessica Peterson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,694 ratings
I’m looking for a hot hookup with no strings attached. And I want my older brother’s best friend to step up to the plate...

My dating history is lame. My experiences in bed? Even lamer. As the owner of a thriving business, I’m used to calling the shots. But one place I don’t always want to be in charge is in the bedroom.

Enter Luke Rodgers. My brother’s best friend. Former major league baseball player. A guy who now hangs out on his farm, sweaty and shirtless, as he nurses a shoulder injury.

If the rumors are true, he also likes to work up a sweat behind closed doors. A total MVP in the sack. Just the take charge guy I’m looking for. With Luke and I, it’s game on. And it’s all good until Luke decides he wants forever, and he wants it with me. I’m just not convinced I can trust Luke. Will he keep playing the field and break my heart? Or is he really ready to hang up his cleats for good?

SOUTHERN PLAYER is a full length, STANDALONE romance. The books in the Charleston Heat series are interconnected standalone romances, and can be read 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
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  1. Book 2 of 4
    Charleston Heat
  2. Print length
    362 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 26, 2019
  6. File size
    1.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.

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From the Publisher

"I love the feel of you," she says.
I love you, I want to reply.
"Stay with me," I say instead.

Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ "I don't know how she does it. I swear, each book I read from Jessica Peterson, I always think, 'this is my favorite one.' SOUTHERN PLAYER is no exception. I loved this book SO hard. If I could give this book ten-scorching-hot stars I would, it's that flipping good and I'm still grinning like crazy. So good!!" --Maria Luis, bestselling author

★★★★★ "THIS IS STEAMY AF. Probably the steamiest book I've ever read, and I mean that in a good way. The best way, really. Smart writing, funny one-liners, and all the heat you could possibly want makes an easy one-click read for me." --Kelsey Kingsley, author

★★★★★ "Southern Player has it all--heat, emotion, laughs--and a couple you'll be rooting for from the start. Plus...shirtless guy on a tractor. Picture it...even if farmers aren't your thing." --Sophia Henry, author

★★★★★ "Southern Player by Jessica Peterson is simply perfection. This is a story full of spice, passion, heat, drama, angst, dirty talkin, emotional feels and hot romance. Gracie and Luke's love story is a journey that will have you glued, needing to find out what happens- will the HEA happen? The emotions in this book are amazing and the characters are outstanding. The plot is phenomenal. I can't wait for book 3 in this series." --April Symes, Top 1000 Reviewer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07P6T9JD1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Peterson Paperbacks
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 26, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 362 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Charleston Heat
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 2,694 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

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,694 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance book engaging, with a story that makes them swoon and features amazing chemistry between characters. The book receives positive feedback for its witty dialogue, hot and steamy content, and humorous elements, with one customer noting the authentic mannerisms and colloquialisms. Customers appreciate the book's visual appeal, with one mentioning they can easily picture every setting, and its pacing, with one review highlighting how it tackles real-life issues.

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RomanceReadabilityCharacter developmentDialogue qualitySteamy contentHumorVisual qualityPacing
62 customers mention "Romance"59 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, describing it as an amazing love story with lots of emotion and heat, with one customer highlighting the passionate scenes.

"...As you can probably tell, I love this story so much...." Read more

"...One of the best parts of the story for me was the message that Grace (and Luke) didn’t have to be anything or anyone other that who they really were..." Read more

"...It's hot, sexy, sweet and funny. 🔥😂 I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series...." Read more

"I absolutely love the fact that these books have a sub plot of a historical romance that mimics the situation in the main plot...." Read more

41 customers mention "Readability"37 positive4 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as awesome and definitely rereadable, with one customer noting it's a good summer read.

"...book two in Jessica Peterson’s Charleston Heat series, and can be read as a standalone...." Read more

"This book was amazing!! Loved that we got to see Elijah and Olivia again. Loved how the story was just easy to be sucked into...." Read more

"I absolutely loved reading Southern Player, all about Gracie Jackson the owner of Holy City Roasters & Luke Rodgers a Organic Farmer and her..." Read more

"...She is smart, funny, brave and vulnerable. The book is actually enjoyable when you are reading her POV...." Read more

19 customers mention "Character development"19 positive0 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book, particularly noting the chemistry between characters and their amazing personalities.

"...Luke as well throughout the story so much that it feels like these characters are real people. And as for the sex scenes: talk about steamy!..." Read more

"...All of the characters are easy to like and easy to cheer for...." Read more

"...This is a well written, strong characters and sub characters from behind to end...." Read more

"...These characters were wonderful and I got pretty annoyed with the hero for a bit there. But it all ended well. Just like it should have." Read more

15 customers mention "Dialogue quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the dialogue in the book, praising its wit and great banter, with one customer noting how it's filled with authentic mannerisms and colloquialisms.

"...This is a well written, strong characters and sub characters from behind to end...." Read more

"...who is smart yet vulnerable, a hero who is absolutely smitten, witty banter, lots of emotion, and white-hot attraction...." Read more

"...They were amazing. Loved the inner monologue and the bits and pieces of Olivia’s other book that book really mirrored the issues Grace and Luke..." Read more

"...Great story line, great characters, and great banter." Read more

15 customers mention "Steamy content"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the steamy content of the book, describing it as a hot and fling.

"...It's hot, sexy, sweet and funny. 🔥😂 I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series...." Read more

"...An agreement is made and the duo begin a hot and steamy fling...how long will this last before feelings get real?..." Read more

"...Southern Player is stirring and hopeful and hot!" Read more

"Luke and Gracie's story was amazing. Full of emotion and heat. Charleston is a great backdrop for the series...." Read more

13 customers mention "Humor"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning that Luke's mothers are particularly hilarious.

"...Side note: Luke's mothers are absolutely hilarious, and I wish they were real so I could befriend them!..." Read more

"...This fun read has me looking forward to Southern Gentleman." Read more

"...It's hot, sexy, sweet and funny. 🔥😂 I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series...." Read more

"...She is everything you would want a leading lady to be. She is smart, funny, brave and vulnerable...." Read more

9 customers mention "Visual quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the visual elements of the book beautiful, with one customer noting they can easily picture every setting.

"...him: cultured, educated, has connections all over the city, and beyond beautiful...." Read more

"...They were adorable together. I loved the list and how this book was a little bit more spicy than the previous one...." Read more

"...She also has a huge crush on Luke since she was a kid. Luke is a gorgeous man who was a professional baseball player with the majors until he got..." Read more

"...She is beautiful and brilliant. She has had great experiences in life but not in love. Now she wants a change and she wants it with Luke...." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, finding it smart and full of self-development, with one customer noting how it tackles real-life issues.

"...(from Luke's perspective) is the complete opposite of him: cultured, educated, has connections all over the city, and beyond beautiful...." Read more

"...She is everything you would want a leading lady to be. She is smart, funny, brave and vulnerable...." Read more

"Gracie and Luke are sizzling! Grace is a strong, smart, and ambitious woman. Luke is a retired baseball player turned farmer...." Read more

"...It's full of self-development.. sexually, emotionally...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jenifer Adelhardt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Steamy friends to lovers that will make you cry!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have recently found Jessica Peterson as an author, and over the past month I have completely devoured her books, and I have to say: Luke and Gracie just might be my favorite characters of hers yet! I am a sucker for the best friends little sister trope, and oh man, did this one not disappoint!
    A little back story for you all: Luke is an ex-pro baseball player who now spends his days on his farm, which seems to be his true passion. He runs into Gracie (Eli's little sister!) And the sparks fly instantly! Gracie has always had a thing for Luke, but didn't want to risk their friendship in case it was one sided, and boy let me tell you; one sided it is not. Gracie (from Luke's perspective) is the complete opposite of him: cultured, educated, has connections all over the city, and beyond beautiful. When she asks him to bring out her sexual side, (LOVE this by the way, a lot of romance novels still seem to be stuck in the 1800's. Women have and like sex!) Luke is torn because he wants to date her, but she seems to be all about exploring what she likes in bed, with someone that she completely trusts. As this arrangement goes on, Lukes feelings for Gracie only becomes deeper, as does Grace's, but Luke, being Luke, he doesn't think he's enough for a woman like Grace, and his insecurities get the best of him. However, don't fear, they get their HEA and it is perfect!
    As you can probably tell, I love this story so much. You not only relate to Grace, but to Luke as well throughout the story so much that it feels like these characters are real people. And as for the sex scenes: talk about steamy!
    Side note: Luke's mothers are absolutely hilarious, and I wish they were real so I could befriend them!
    Even if you haven't read Southern Charmer (which you should, it's amazing as well) you won't be disappointed with Southern Player! Five plus stars! :)
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  • eabreese
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good message in a friends to lovers story
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ms Peterson is a newer to me author- Southern Charmer was my first book of hers and she had me hooked. I was looking forward to Southern Player after meeting Luke and Grace in the first book and they didn’t disappoint!

    One of the best parts of the story for me was the message that Grace (and Luke) didn’t have to be anything or anyone other that who they really were to find and be loved.

    Mixed in with that message is a sweet and sexy story about friends becoming lovers. All of the characters are easy to like and easy to cheer for. Eli and Olivia (from Southern Charmer) are key secondary characters, so reading their story first would be useful, but not necessary as this is a standalone work. This fun read has me looking forward to Southern Gentleman.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Luv2Read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gracie and Luke were everything I hoped they would be.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Gracie's a well educated, linguist, world traveler, MBA business major, hot and sexy coffee shop owner. She had a dream of bringing a community together over good coffee and French pastries. She's also has had a major crush on her brother's best friend forever.

    Luke, is a retired baseball player turned hot and sexy, shirtless, tractor ridding farmer, who had a dream of bringing people together over healthy food, and who has been crushing on his best friends little sister forever.

    When Gracie is dumped by her forever boyfriend, she decides that maybe she should try the hookup thing and just have a little fun, marking some sexual things off her bucket list.
    She decides Luke, would be a great person to ask for help with that, because he's known as guy who gets around and doesn't do relationships

    Luke, decides he might like to try the whole settling down thing and his Gracie girl is the one he's been crushing on for a decade and things seemed to have aligned for that to happen.

    They each have their baggage that they must work through, but together they have Elijah's blessing as long as no one gets hurt.

    This is a well written, strong characters and sub characters from behind to end.
    Even the place where it takes place is so accurate, that I felt like I was walking the streets of Charleston myself.
    It's hot, sexy, sweet and funny. 🔥😂
    I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series.
    37 people found this helpful
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  • Danielle Smith
    3.0 out of 5 stars Loved the ending
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I absolutely love the fact that these books have a sub plot of a historical romance that mimics the situation in the main plot. These characters were wonderful and I got pretty annoyed with the hero for a bit there. But it all ended well. Just like it should have.
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  • Dee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sultry Friends-to-Lovers Romance
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Gracie has been so busy trying to be someone else’s idea of forever, she doesn’t even know who she is anymore. When did she become so afraid to be herself, and explore her wants and needs? Well, she’s about to try something she’s never done before; fulfillment with no strings attached. And what better guy to fit the bill than one of her best friends, former baseball player and resident hottie, Luke Rodgers. His reputation as a “player” proceeds him, so she knows going in he’s not looking for forever. He’s her brother’s best friend, and her longtime crush, so it’s a precarious path to navigate and come out the other end with her heart and friendship intact. And why is Luke suddenly sounding like he’s looking for more than just a hook-up?

    Southern Player is book two in Jessica Peterson’s Charleston Heat series, and can be read as a standalone. The author once again brings everything I enjoy in a romance; a heroine who is smart yet vulnerable, a hero who is absolutely smitten, witty banter, lots of emotion, and white-hot attraction. It’s a little bit brother’s best friend, a little bit opposites attract, a little bit friends-to-lovers, and a whole lot of emotion and heat. The weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot and steamy in Charleston!

    Dee
    Words that Sparkle
    43 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Angst
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Gracie is a lovely and successful business woman. Her career progress is right on schedule but, her romance life is not going well. She has been attracted to her brother's best friend for years but, he is a player.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Krissala
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lordy lordy lordy
    Reviewed in Australia on May 1, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Omfg the feels of this book!!
    My heart poured for Luke and Gracie, and I have to say I enjoyed the way Jessica addressed the notion of restless escape that romance novels bring for readers, that feeling that we wish to be the heroine in our own stories, and she provided well!!
    If only Luke was real!!! *Exaggerated sigh*

    If you didn't notice, I loved the book.
    Read it.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Southern Player
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Why do people over think things ? You should listen to your heart ❤. Your heart will lead you to love.Your mind will always make you over think things but this story captivates you throughout and shows you that love always wins.
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  • LisaM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Really enjoyed the story line! It wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be, but really enjoyed it. Couldn't put the book down!
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  • Shaztwirl
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Cute story, funny banter, hot sex, southern charm and sweet romance. You'll find a bit of all that is entertaining in this book.
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  • Jenny Derry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Jessica Peterson's book are some of my favourite in a very long list of favourite books and authors. The second book in the Charleston heat series brings up the heat even more than the first book, something I didn't think would be possible. Highly recommend the books. I can't wait to read more in the series.
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