The Dirty South

In the South #1

by Penelope King

*A romantic new-adult novel*

Cady St. Claire is running away from a life that doesn’t want her anymore. Colton Lassiter is trying to put the pieces of his back together again. And the last thing Cady wants is some damaged bad-boy turning her life into even more of a disaster than it already is… especially when both of them have dark secrets they'd like to keep hidden.
Things are about to get dirty..

*****

For Cadence St. Claire, so far her twenties really suck. She’s lost her bff and her fiancé, and those job offers she was counting on after graduating from law school just aren’t coming in. In fact, there’s only been one—a pity offer from her father’s old friend in Sweet Oak, South Carolina…. a world away from privileged life she’s used to.

Cady is running away from a life that doesn’t want her anymore. Colton Lassiter is trying to put the pieces of his back together again the only way he knows how: women, booze, and working on his classic cars. Owner of the local garage and former motorcycle racing champ, he has more scars than tattoos, inside and out.

He’s vowed to never lose himself to another woman ever again. And the last thing he wants…or expects… is some prissy little conservative wanna-be lawyer chick showing up and turning his world upside down. And the last thing Cady wants…or needs… is some damaged bad-boy turning her life into even more of a disaster than it already is… especially when both of them have dark secrets they’d like to keep buried.

But the past has a funny way of showing back up again.

Things are about to get dirty…

Genres: Romance

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2014

About the author

Penelope King is the author of several bestselling Young Adult fantasy-romance novels, including the "Spellbound Trilogy" and the "Demonblood Series."

Penelope graduated from the University of California, Irvine and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina

For more information please visit: authorpenelopeking.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Vega_girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun quick read. Loved the story!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate to some of the main character thoughts, and some of the stuff that happenes to her can happen in real life. It's a little different from the other books I have read, of hers Demonblood A demon made me do it, and Fire with fire the paranormal romance books of hers. This one is just a romance but just as good!
Cady has more loyal friends who are more family than her family. This book makes me think mother's don't always know best. Even thinking you have a Cinderella life doesn't always mean you are, getting that happily ever after. It brings home the lesson, be careful what you say, and who you do what with, cause it may one day change your life, in good or bad ways.
Heartbreak, Betrayal, Love, Drama, Romance. This book has some very amusing parts to that made me smile.
Loved it captured me from beginning to end! Really attached myself to the characters and submerged myself in the book. The pages flow seamlessly keeping you engaged in the book for the entire story. really enjoyed the dialogue and the detailed descriptions. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good drama romance. It was good length to sit down in bed and read, and enjoy my day of relaxation. love. Plus it has a Awesome recipe in the end I am going to try. I am looking forward to reading this book again in the future! It has some really good quotes in it that might use in everyday life that are interesting Lol. You'll have to read it to find out what I am talking about! I thought it had some funny laugh out loud moments to, which david loked at me as he always does when I laugh about something.

[SandyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet romance. Cady St Claire is a couple of months away from her mega-wedding to her high school sweetheart, but she's having some doubts. She wonders if she's missing out since she's only been with Brandon and their relationship isn't what you would call passionate. When she walks in on Brandon with someone else, she calls off the wedding and runs away to a small town in South Carolina. Colton Lassiter is the town hottie, not looking to settle down. He meets Cady when she wraps her car around a tree on the way into town and it turns out she's staying in the cottage next to him at Magnolia Manor. There is definitely a connection between them, but Colton keeps his distance. Cady spends the summer trying to figure out who she really is, as opposed to who other people want her to be. Typical mix of YA cockiness and insecurity in the characters. And although there were sparks between Cady and Colton, the story kept their affair very clean - 3.5 stars.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I really really enjoyed this book. I don't think I can exactly pin point why though. I know that's kinda weird. I know the writing had a lot to do with it. This is really well written. It definitely draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout the entire book. The characters are very relatable too. There were two things that kept me from giving it 5 stars. First was Coltons secret, I just thought it was very anticlimactic. It was sad and horrible, but not what I was expecting. Second was the ending. I thought the story wrapped up too quickly and perfectly. I love an HEA, but I also like it when it's a little bit more challenging for the characters. Overall a great book that I would definitely recommend.

[Annmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Slight spoilers:
Cady is in an eight year relationship with her firsts love and is getting married. She feels like something is off and goes to surprise him to 'turn up the heat' in the relationship. Well SURPRISE, she finds out exactly what is OFF. She runs off to a job in the country and meets Colten, who has issues of his own. He's seen with more than a few women around town but seems to be drawn to Cady. Anyway they start a romance and sometimes he's sweet and then he's cold and ignores her. Then she sees things and misinterprets and leaves to stay with her friend in NY. A tragedy brings her back to the country and she finds out more about this man she has fallen for. Good read, he aggravated me a lot and her mother was horrible. The epilogue was a nice touch. HEA

[Jaclyn Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

this book was amazing. I couldn't put it down can't wait for the next one. just hope it doesn't take too long.

[Mstotleben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read. Liked Cady, loved Colton. Thought it wrapped up a little too quickly to earn 5 stars

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was nothing sexy about this book. It was a sweet coming if age story of 2 people fighting their past demons.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

...about 2 people wanting to leave their past in the past. Easier said then done. It takes a tragedy for them to realize that they must face their past in order to move forward...