~The Books You Read~: ~Review and Giveaway: The Sweetheart Sham by Danielle Ellison~

The Sweetheart Sham (Southern Charmed #1)

Danielle Ellison

Publication Date: December 4, 2017 by Entangled Teen: Crush

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In a small town like Culler, South Carolina, you guard your secrets like you guard your cobbler recipe: with your life. Georgia Ann Monroe knows a thing or two about secrets: she’s been guarding the truth that her best friend Will is gay for years now. But what happens when a little white lie to protect him gets her into a fake relationship…and then the boy of her dreams shows up?

Enter Beau Montgomery: Georgie’s first love, hotter than ever, and much too much of a southern gentleman to ever pursue someone else’s girl. There’s no way to come clean to Beau while still protecting Will. But bless their hearts, they live in Culler—where secrets always have a way of revealing themselves.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains a hilarious “fakeship,” a scorching-hot impossible relationship, and a heartwarming best-friendship that will make you want to call your best friend right here, right now.

EXCERPT:

“Beau Montgomery, what on earth!” someone, I think it’s Will’s mom, says with a squeal. I can’t single it out because my heart seems to stop beating.

Everyone scoots toward the patio entrance and gathers around. Will drops my hand to move closer.

And then I see him.

He’s standing behind Mrs. M next to his dad, a big smile on his face, and he’s tall. Real tall. His dark hair is longer and nearly falling into his hazel eyes, definitely a length that Orry won’t like much. His jaw is strong, some muscles pressing under his polo. He looks nothing like the boy I remember.

And suddenly I’m a little self-conscious. What am I wearing today? I can’t even remember. I could look down but that would mean looking away from him, and thenmaybe when I look back he won’t be there. I don’t know if he even sees me, but I see him. Clearly. After more than twoyears of nothing.

“Beau, is that you, boy?” Orry calls. Beau steps around the rest of the family toward his grandpa. He’s closer now, and I can get a better look at his face. My eyes explore his features and rest on his lips, which break out into a small smile and—Dang, is it hot out here?

“Hello, Granddad.” Orry pulls him into a hug and Beau has to lean over to reach him properly. Orry looks like a kid in his arms.

Cheese and rice, even his voice is sexy. Deeper but still with a familiar feeling that it stirs up in me, and an accent with a hint of Georgia twang instead of South Carolina

cadence.

I like it. Lord help me, I like it.

Orry holds him out at arm’s length and examines him before giving him a pat on the shoulder. “You look more like your daddy than I expected. How tall are you?”

“Six one, sir,” Beau says.

“You look good, grandson, real good. Atlanta treating you well?”

“Yes, sir, it is.”

I want to move, but I can’t. My feet are stuck to the ground, not that I should move anyway. I don’t reckon I trust myself around him. Especially not right now when I’m not sure if I want to hug him or kick him somewhere that would hurt. I’d do a good job of it too and make darn sure my kick was as painful as him not showing up that night.

“When’s your momma coming?” Mrs. M asks him.

“Not until closer to the wedding,” he says.

I watch as Will hugs him. They’re both smiling, and it reminds me of before when he was here. They were inseparable—we were—and now I’m just standing here like an idiot. Which I am. Will looks in my direction, and then Beau’s eyes are on me, too. It’s even worse when he’s looking at me, especially now with a hidden glimmer in them. It’s not how he said hello to the others; it’s almost like his eyes hadn’t seen me before, and now he’s hyperaware. Just like I’ve been since his dad yelled his name.

He takes a step toward me.

My thoughts and review:

Georgia Ann is a sweet, smart southern belle who would do anything to please her parents and other adults in her small southern town. Her best friend, Will has entrusted in her a secret that he has to hide from his old fashioned family. Will is gay and no one will understand except Georgia. His family, especially his grandfather, has made it known that he doesn't care for people with alternative lifestyles. When Will falls head over hills for a secret guy in town, he hatches the perfect plan. With the help of Georgia Ann, the whole town will believe that he and Georgia are dating while he is free to spend quality time with his crush.

This plan is working perfectly, until, Beau, Will's cousin and Georgia's old flame returns to town. Beau still has feelings for Georgia and was hoping to reconnect until he finds out Georgia and Will are now dating. Georgia wants to tell Beau the truth, that she still loves him and Will is only her fake boyfriend but she would never betray a friend.

What a complicated and sweet story. Being from a small town myself, I love the setting. It reminds me of my hometown childhood. Georgia Ann's problem is that she wants to please everyone and puts everyone else's feelings before her own. Will asks so much from her especially being her best friend. But sweet Georgia Ann finds it hard to tell anyone no. In the end it doesn't really matter what you do, family will always be family and (unusually) they will accept you know matter what.

I absolutely love this book. I want to thank Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for sending me a copy of this book for review. The only think I didn't like is that I want more of the story. I can't wait to read more of this fascinating town and wonderful people.

About the Author

Danielle Ellison

Danielle Ellison is a nomad, always on the lookout for an adventure and the next story. In addition to writing, she’s the founder and coordinator of the NoVa TEEN Book Festival. When she’s not busy with books, she’s probably watching her favorite shows, drinking coffee, or fighting her nomadic urges. She is newly settled in Oklahoma (for now) with her cat, Simon, but you can always find her on twitter @DanielleEWrites.

https://danielleellison.wordpress.com/