Friday, October 27, 2017

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh. I just finished this small-town contemporary romance and really enjoyed it. I'll have my review up for it on Monday, so be sure to come back and check it out. 


Book Beginning

Beth Whitaker hated flowers.

Friday 56 (56% on my Kindle)

She'd been striving to prove that she was more than Jed Whitaker's daughter since the day she'd graduated from college. She'd known she'd never accomplish everything she was meant to if she wasn't able to make these people take her seriously.

About the Book

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?
 

What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment below and let me know.

18 comments:

  1. I can't imagine hating flowers. I like the opener though, because it makes me curious. This sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

    I'm reading Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson.

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    1. I love looking at flowers, but I happen to be super allergic, so that cuts down on my enjoyment of them a little. Thank you for coming by, Bev! :)

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  2. Hi there, Ashley!

    I love flowers,too lol But what a great opening... especially when the cover looks so cute, they both make this really intriguing.

    Here's my entry for #Friday56 and #Bookbeginnings http://bit.ly/2iFfb4z (It's the second book in the 'An Ember in the Ashes' series - 'A Torch Against the Night.

    Have an ab fab weekend!

    Luv from Sassy x

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    1. Hi, Sassy! I was a little shocked when I read that first sentence because the cover is so bright and cheery. It's a really wonderful story, though! Thanks for visiting! :)

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  3. I don't hate flowers but they hate me. Itchy eyes and breathing difficulties make avoiding them the smart choice. Sounds like a good romance. I have a science fiction book this week - The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi. Happy reading!

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    1. I completely understand, Kathy! I love looking at flowers in pictures or from a distance, but up close... ugh... they do not like me, either! Happy reading! :)

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  4. Hating flowers! What! Really? Why? Did something happened? :)

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    1. Hi, Nina! Beth's reasoning for hating flowers was quite unique. I'd never thought about them the way she did, but I could understand her reasoning. Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  5. I'd have to have major allergies to hate flowers. The cover of this one if adorable. Love the boots!I hope you and your readers will check out mine today . . . http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsCF-DotKM

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    1. Flowers bring such joy to a lot of people, so it was interesting to read Beth's reasoning for hating them. Thank you for visiting, Lisa! :)

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  6. I do enjoy books about small town life...this one sounds tempting, and the cover is so cute! Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “UNRAVELING OLIVER”

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    1. I'll admit it was the cover that initially made me want to read this book. When I figured out the setting was in a small town AND featured life on a farm, I couldn't help but love it. Thanks for coming by! :)

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  7. I love the cover and the 56 so much and the beginning makes me wonder just why she hates flowers. I have a feeling there's a reason!

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    1. The reason she hates flowers was not what I expected, but I completely understood her reasoning. Thanks for stopping by! Happy weekend! :)

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  8. Looks like a sweet read! Happy weekend!

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    1. It was a sweet read! Thanks for visiting! Happy weekend! :)

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  9. I love the blue and yellow on the cover! Happy weekend!

    Lauren @ Always Me

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    1. It's such a cute cover! Thanks for coming by! Happy reading! :)

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