"It's hard to
break out of the mold everyone else puts you in. Especially when that mold
turns out to be different than you thought."
Title: Hometown GirlAuthor: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Waterfall Press
Audio Release Date: September 19, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Fiction
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Courtney Walsh returns with a hopeful and emotional new book about seizing second chances, finding yourself, and forging your own path.
Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town, and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again.
Drew Barlow hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove, Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago.
Both on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their budding relationship—and the very future of the farm?
Ever read a book that's supposedly a standalone and love the characters and the setting so much you hope for a series out of it? Well, Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh is just that. Set in small town Willow Grove, and a memory induced backdrop of a farm/orchard that the townspeople rally to support, it makes for a great "hometown" for anyone.
"Sometimes you have to live with the mistakes you make. . . there's no getting out of it. You just get through it."
I've come to fall in love with the author's writing style, from her Paper Hearts series to her most recent one, Just Look Up, her light hearted approach that is layered, and I mean layered with substance that readers love to devour. There's romance, lovable characters, interesting plot lines, and most importantly, a message laced with hope. There's the added bonus of a decade-old mystery in Hometown Girl that clutches our hearts until it comes to light.
In all, Hometown Girl is wonderful in its execution of the words and everything in between.
"She saw him even when he didn't want her to, and she hadn't run away. No one had ever loved him like that before - without condition, without permission."
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
Please note, all quotes are taken from ARC (essentially an uncorrected proof). Please do not share quote or if do, please make note that it is taken from an ARC.
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Courtney Walsh is the author of Paper Hearts and the Sweethaven series. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright.
Great review, Annie! You have me wanting to read Courtney's books!
ReplyDeleteLove Courtney's books!
DeleteNice review! I have this on my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to read it soon!
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