I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review in any way.
Description from
Goodreads:
Life is full of choices; good, bad, and ones you can't control.
Raegan strives to be perfect in every way. Varsity cheerleader, honour student, and proud granddaughter of Dover Lowery. By day, Raegan is an over-achieving high school student, but at three o'clock, her real work begins.
What happens when appearances are not what they seem? Will Raegan be able to hold onto her life as she knows it, or will she be left all alone?
All of these questions are answered with one night, one song, one story and one boy.
Southern Perfection was featured in
First Impression Friday, so check that out
here to find out what I first thought of the book. In that review I had some issues with the actual writing of the book more than the storyline. A lot of the time I felt that the split narrative wasn't really needed as it could get a bit repetitive at times. I said in the first impression review that I hoped that the things that were bugging me would pass, and on the most part they did!
The repetitiveness definitely calmed down about a third into the book, so that was a relief. The split narrative started to work really well, Emmett and Rae both provided different information and outlook. I really started to love Emmett and Rae, the characters developed and matured, and it was lovely to see their relationship blossom.
But as Casey Peeler says in the author notes,
"Southern Perfection isn't just a good ol' country romance. It's a story of family, taking the good with the bad, always being positive in life regardless the situation, and becoming the person you are destined to become while your loved ones look down and smile upon you each day."
And that is so true! Emmett and Rae's relationship was lovely, but the book was about so much more than that!
For me, the star of the show was Rae's Grandaddy. He was an incredible character, loving and hilarious. I loved how protective he was of his Sunshine (Rae), getting out the gun to meet Emmett!
There was some seriously intense emotion in Southern Perfection, I had to take a break midway through the end just so I could calm my emotions and regroup. Southern Perfection didn't induce just a few tears, it was full blown sobbing worthy. Casey Peeler lost her own Grandfather, and honestly you can tell that the emotion in Southern Perfection wasn't crafted by an author, it was honest and truthful. Perhaps why it was so compelling.
Southern Perfection quickly went from average to extraordinary, and I commend Casey Peeler for an outstanding emotional novel.
I'd definitely recommend Southern Perfection, have you read it? Let me know what you thought in the comments!
'Southern Perfection' by Casey Peeler
4 Stars
Labels: 2015, 2015 Contemporary Challenge, 4 Stars, Book, Casey Peeler, Published 2015, Review, Southern Perfection, YA, Young Adult
