Reading about a place can never match experiencing a place, but after sinking into Southern Charmed by Melanie Jacobson, I feel like I've spent a week being romanced by my daughter's hometown, with all its many enchantments.  Although there is plenty to love about Jacobson's newest, it's the setting that makes it stand out.  A native of Baton Rouge, the author has penned a passionate and persuasive love letter to the city of her birth.  And it's lovely.  

The story revolves around Lila Mae Guidry, a 24-year-old high school teacher who loves her life in Baton Rouge.  Although eligible LDS men of a certain age are a rare species in the city, she's prepared to remain single forever if that's what it takes to avoid yanking up her deep, deep Louisiana roots.  What Lila's not prepared for is the return of Max Archer, the boy who humiliated her at her first Stake dance.  At 26, her teenage tormentor is smart, successful, and full of the good graces he lacked as a kid.  Not everything about him has changed, though—Max still thinks Baton Rouge is a redneck, backwater town where he would never consider settling on any kind of permanent basis.  Lila can forgive him for most things, but not for that.  Trouble is, she's falling for him.  Hard.  When push comes to shove, can she abandon the city she adores for the man she loves?  Or will her Louisiana-love be the thing that tears the couple apart forever?

*Sept. 12th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 13th: http://thethingsilovemost.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 14th: http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://iamareader.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 15th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/ 

*Sept. 16th:http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/ 

Enter to win your own copy of Southern Charmed as well as a $25 Amazon gift card:

*Sept. 5th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/ 

*Sept. 6th: https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, https://atransparentmom.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 7th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 8th: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/

*Sept. 9th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/ 

Running a beachside taco stand gives Sophie Newton a front-row seat from which to view other people's happiness.  From the newlyweds who coo at each other over carne asada to the exuberant families sampling homemade salsa to sun-kissed teenagers flirting over fish tacos—it gets a little nauseating for a 28-year-old woman who hasn't quite gotten over a bitter break-up nine months ago.  The accusation her ex-fiancé flung at her ("You're already married to your taco stand!") might be true, but that doesn't mean The Sandy Tortilla is all Sophie wants out of life.

When her teenage employees flake on her at the worst possible time, Sophie finds herself desperate for an extra set of hands at the taco stand.  She ropes in a gorgeous stranger, offering Montgomery "Mont" Winters more money than she can afford to if he'll promise to help out for a few weeks.  Intrigued by both the cash and his pretty new boss, Mont agrees.  

It soon becomes obvious that the jalapeños aren't the only thing that's hot at The Sandy Tortilla.  But as the relationship between Sophie and Mont heats up, both began to doubt it can really work.  Mont's an up-and-coming movie star with an unpredictable schedule and, as one man has already pointed out, Sophie's more than a little tied to her booming beachside business.  Mont's a spontaneous free-wheeler who follows his heart; Sophie's a planner who lives by her lists.  Can two such opposite people make a lasting relationship out of their sizzling summer romance?  Or will it endure only until summer ends?

Perhaps best known for her YA books, Elana Johnson also pens romance novels for an older crowd.  Until Summer Ends, an easy, breezy story of sun and surf and unexpected love, is her newest.  It's a fun read with a warm, enchanting setting populated by characters who are engaging, though not terribly complex.  The plot's as predictable as the sunrise, but it's still fun to see Sophie and Mont fight for their Happily Ever After.  Yeah, they're both kind of shallow, yeah Mont's "passion" for being an actor doesn't feel very authentic, and yeah, the whole book's pretty cliché.  Still.  Bottom line?  I enjoyed this one, even if I wasn't blown away by it.  If you're looking for a light, sexy summer sizzler, definitely give it a go.

Bonus:  To celebrate the release of Until Summer Ends, the author is giving away a Kindle Paperwhite.  Click here to enter.

(Readalikes:  Reminded me of The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen and The Distance Between Us by Kasie West)

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