The first book in the Southern Charmed series by Danelle
Ellison is titled THE SWEETHEART SHAM and it is a young adult
romance novel. This novel is set in the south and has all the
southern charm you desire from such a novel. Ellison has
squeezed several important themes into this adorable read with
the importance of acceptance and forgiving your loved ones
being two of the main focuses. However, forgiveness is not
given right away nor was it expected as the teens in THE
SWEETHEART SHAM are treated like adults.
The characters in THE SWEETHEART SHAM are remarkable and unique
with characteristics that standout. Will is afraid to come out
to his family and friends. The way Ellison writes about this
subject is creative and real, making it feel realistic and
honest. The decision was Will's and he was not forced. Having
the strength to decide to come out is something that Ellison
writes with
a loving touch making Will seem strong, not weak.
Georgie is Will's best friend and biggest cheerleader. She
supports him no matter what and this helps to keep them both
grounded. While Georgie is a true southern belle, she does not
let that define her. She is someone everyone looks up to and
proved that even though she loves dresses she still will go
swimming in her underwear, which does not make her any less
of a
lady.
THE SWEETHEART SHAM is set in the south making it the perfect
background for such a profound read. Ellison's writing really
captures what it is like to live in a small southern town where
everybody knows everybody else's business. Where secrets are
unheard of because gossip spreads like wild fire in a drought
zone.
THE SWEETHEART SHAM is a profound and honest read that is
sure to stay with you long after reading the last page.
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.