Books & Spoons Review: SWEET SOUTHERN NIGHTS by Liz Talley

One kiss can change everything! 

Eva Monroe is always cool under pressure. As a firefighter, it’s part of the job.

But after kissing Jake Beauchamp in a moment of confusion, she’s struggling to keep it together. 
Jake’s her best friend and co-worker — two very good reasons why crossing this line is a bad idea.

Yet something between them must’ve changed because one kiss isn’t nearly enough — for either of them. 

But Jake is haunted by a past tragedy and isn’t the commitment type.

With more than just Eva’s heart on the line, she needs to end things now before this fire burns out of control.

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This story was an emotional roller coaster, not just for me, but also for the characters.
Eva and Jake have been friends for three years, not just friends, best friends, and the also work together at the fire department. Eva has been in love with Jake ever since they met, but hiding her feelings. Little does she know, Jake has been attracted to Eva from the first moment as well, but as co-workers, not taking that step.
But these wild feelings for each other is not the only thing going on in their lives.
Jake is ridden with guilt, of an accident that happen ten years ago. An accident that left his best friend Cliff paralyzed, and killed another friend. Jake is restless, not happy with his life, and not only wanting a change, needed it as well.
Eva's family life has never been easy, and now she unexpectedly finds herself as a single parent to her six year old half-brother. And it is so overwhelming, hard, and difficult, all Eva wants to do is sleep through one night.
There were lots of things I enjoyed about this story. The romance between Jake and Eva is not easy, or straightforward. Eva is afraid to trust the feelings, trust that Jake's feelings are true. Jake lets other people manipulate his feelings about himself, doubting if he is good enough for Eva. I wanted to shake both of them at times during the story.
Cliff, I understand he has had it rough, but some of his behavior was unacceptable. He did redeem himself a little towards the end, but he was not my favorite person.
But I loved Jake's family, they were loud, chaotic, fun, and opinionated, and just a lovely bunch to be around.
This is more than just a touching love story. It was a lesson on how we shouldn't let others define us as a person, but find our own light and fire within ourselves. The story was realistic, lifelike, and easy to relate to. Life can be so tough at times, but still, love wins. It really does.
~ Five Spoons

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