👨‍👧 Hometown Hope 👨‍👧 (2019) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Series: Pine Valley (Book #3)

Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired; Original edition (June 18, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335479309

ISBN-13: 978-1335479303

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“He’ll do anything for his daughter…Even fight to regain an old classmate’s broken trust.

In the three years since her mother’s death, widower Hoyt Bradley’s daughter, Jess, hasn’t spoken—until she suddenly begs him to save her favorite bookstore from closing. Hoyt is desperate to hear his daughter’s voice again, but he and the bookstore’s pretty owner, Anna Delaney, share a less-than-friendly past. Working together is complicated enough…but can they avoid falling in love?”

Thank you in advance to the author, Laurel Blount, and JustRead Publicity Tours, for providing a complimentary copy of this wonderful novel. A positive review was not requested. All words and thoughts are my own ... 

[Stylized photo of the book. I thought it was pretty cute! I finally know how to do it]

[The author autographed this when she sent it to me! Thank you so much! ]

“Hometown Hope” is a standard Harlequin “happy-ending romance” book. This one is from the #LoveInspired (heartwarming, inspirational romance) genre, infusing some religious messages. It isn’t preachy, but doesn’t shy away from God and his influence in our lives.

This is Blount’s third book in a connected series of Pine Valley stories. As I hadn’t read the previous two, I was glad to find out this is a standalone title.

At the heart is Hoyt Bradley, a widower and single father. His small daughter Jess (age 5) hasn’t spoken in the three years following her mother’s death. That is until the local bookstore faces being closed.

The owner of the bookstore, Anna Delaney has a complicated past with Hoyt, going back to high school. Anna is battling her own issues, among which is closing the store that was her late father’s. But, hearing Jess speak, despite her history with Hoyt – Anna feels compelled to help.

As Hoyt cautiously watches his daughter’s recovery, he also wants to repay Anna by helping her repair the dilapidated shop, which she has NO money to repair it with and is forced to sell it. She doesn’t like the offer another shop-owner (Trish) gives her, but has little choice.

Hoyt begins to fall for Anna, but his attempts to romance her fail miserably, and he doesn’t want to risk Jess’ recovery with a short-term romance.

Tragedy, love, and miracles abound and lead to a beautiful ending for Hoyt, Anna, and Jess.

This was a delightful read, and I was on page 143 (of 288) after the first day of reading. I finished it the second day. I’d describe it as a perfect rainy day on the couch read or a perfect weekend read.

Definitely looking forward to more of this author’s work and am looking forward to her next book, and I’m definitely going to be looking for the other two "Pine Valley" books.


5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Other Books in the Series: 

Series: Pine Valley (Book #1)

Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired; Original edition (September 20, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373719868

ISBN-13: 978-0373719860

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He has three months to fight for a lifetime with the family he loves.

Maggie Award Winner, Carol Finalist, Holt Medallion Finalist

“When she inherits her grandmother's farm, Emily Elliott must return to the small town she thought she'd permanently escaped. The citified single mom of twins must live on Goosefeather Farm for the summer…or lose it to neighbor and childhood friend Abel Whitlock. It's Abel's chance to own the land he's always wanted, but he won't do it at the expense of the girl he's never forgotten—or her adorable twins. Instead, Abel will show Emily how to take care of the farm and its wayward animals. He has three months to fight for a lifetime with the family he loves.”

Series: Pine Valley (Book #2)

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Larger Print; Original edition (August 21, 2018)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 133542833X

ISBN-13: 978-1335428332

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“A minister with a heart of gold…and a pregnant bride with no groom!

2019 Maggie Award Finalist

“Jilted at the altar, Natalie Davis has no one she can turn to—until Jacob Stone steps in. The single minister’s drawn to the beautiful mommy-to-be and wants to help…even if it goes against his congregation’s wishes and could cost him his job. But when she refuses to accept charity, can he convince her she’s more than a ministry project?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laurel Blount lives on a small farm in middle Georgia with her husband, their four children, and an assortment of very spoiled animals. She divides her time between farm chores, homeschooling, and writing. She’s busy, but she’s never bored!

Laurel writes inspirational contemporary romance, and A Rancher to Trust is her fourth title for Harlequin’s Love Inspired. She’s the recipient of the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence and has been a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the New England Reader’s Choice Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency.

Whenever she’s not working, you can find Laurel with a cup of tea at her elbow, a cat in her lap, and a good book in her hand.

She can be found on the following social media networks:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelblountbooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelblountauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurelblount

 

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