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?

Hometown girl was such an enjoyable read! The characters were great and I love the storyline. This was my first book by Courtney Walsh and I can't wait to read more.

Ms Walsh is on my "auto-read" list. Her novels are a refreshing breath of fresh air in how realistic and authentic her characters are, how they are allowed to be complicated and broken...like we all are.

Beth is a hometown girl, and this "title" is mortificating and suffocating for her, because she feels that her being stuck in her small town and not following the super-charged career everyone had thought she would have by now is her failure. Drew is a soul tortured by a fateful event from his childhood where his friend Jess went missing and he, having amnesia as a result, has been unable to help to solve this mystery.
When Beth's carefree younger sister Molly buys a runfown Fairwind Farm in hopes to relive this beloved childhood place together with her business-prone sister, upright Beth is shocked (and rightly, so to speak). Molly is beyond irresponsible and why should Beth clean her messes, again! But Beth has her own messes to solve, so this might be an (unwanted) gift from above.

And Fairwind Farm is exactly the place from where Drew's childhood friend went missing from...Drew visits the old farm in hopes to finally try to remember something, or at least to be able to move on.

And when these two meet, we are in for a treat. Because there is this something unnameable, yet real...and everyone except these two realizes that immediately. Because ice queen Beth and silent cowboy guy might be exactly the cure for each one's hurting soul.

This novel has everything I love - complicated characters, raw places inside, honest and deep solutions (no easy way out in the way of growth) and the quality storytelling. Romance is both believable and not shallow. Also, there is even a mystery!
Ms Walsh simply can put her finger in the pulse of our days, name our illnesses and raw places and offer a right (not easy!) solutions, while smothering us with hope enabling us to open our hearts. And it works with me.
Recommended read.

“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.”

A lovely small-town romance. I loved it.

A sweet, small-town romance with little bit of mystery--not at ALL what I expected.

I'm a cover junkie. I saw this one and couldn't wait to dive into the story. I was looking for Spring and Summer, fun and flirty, bright and cheerful...but while I wholeheartedly agree that one cannot/should not judge a book by its cover, I'll admit I totally did.

But who cares about the doggone cover anyway, right? I mean, the words are INSIDE. Not outside. And the words inside the cover tell the story of two characters carrying a lot of guilt and shame that find redemption for their life and a love for each other with the same sweet and spirited style I've come to know and love about Courtney Walsh.

Several chapters in, I was HOOKED. I wanted answers to the 20-year-old mystery surrounging Fairwind Farm and I wanted the aforementioned lovebirds (Beth & Drew) to find each other--and pronto. Good news all around--I got the answer I needed and the happily ever after I'd sought out from the second I'd flipped from the cover to page one.

Also worth noting: this book has my favorite first kiss in it. *swoon*

There are so many great characters in this book, I'm hoping they'll each find a story of their own in future novels by Ms. Walsh. I don't care about covers (I mean, I do but I don't), and even heavier stories are good to read every now and then. But what sells me on Walsh's books every time is her attention to detail when it comes to matters of the heart and I would LOVE to see these supporting characters tackle their deepest emotions someday, finding the same hope healing as Beth Drew.

I lost count of how many times someone told me I should read a Courtney Walsh book but I just hadn’t gotten around to it. Then I met Courtney at CFRR and after hearing her talk about one of her heroes I immediately bought one of her novels. Sadly review books took precedence and it just mocked me from my shelf. But then the was an opportunity to be an influencer for this book and I jumped at the chance!
And boy was everyone right about this author! I was totally sucked into the story from the very first sentence and it held me in its grasp until the very last! I hated putting this book down and quite often found myself thinking about it whenever I was forced to return to reality.
Beth was a heroine I could relate to in many ways, her desire to play everything safe, trying to do everything perfect, and her fear of failure. For a lot of her life she has let these things paralyze her and keep her from really living. I loved seeing her blossom as she let go and gave things over to God, finding her true self in the process.
As for Drew, I loved everything about his character! What he'd had to experience as a child, and the horrendous way the adults in his life handled it, broke my heart and it turned him into basically a shell of a man. The past held him captive and kept him from having any meaningful relationships in the present. But despite all that he was still an amazing guy! He was definitely the strong and silent type but he was also incredibly kind, fiercely protective, and the hardest worker you will ever find.
Both of their journeys to reconciliation with their pasts were hard and beautiful at the same time. The author wrote every heart-rending emotion in such vivid detail that you were feeling them with the characters.
I also loved Beth siblings, Molly and Ben, and would love to get more of both of their stories as well as the mysterious Seth we never got to meet! And the whole small town settting with the farm and orchard was charming and perfect for this story!
The beauty of this book honestly stole my breath at times, it was brilliantly crafted from start to finish and I absolutely adored it! This was my first Courtney Walsh book and it definitely won't be my last, she has fast-tracked her way onto my favorite authors list!

I have to admit that the book didn't grab me initially. I did not like Beth, she was very judgemental towards others, bitter and proud. Not qualities that you normally look for in a main character. But as the book progressed I could see her growth, her struggles with her baggage and her eventual acceptance. This is what made the book worthwhile. I loved the scene where she found the prayer journal in the chapel. It made me rethink some things in my own life.

I normally detest characters that wallow in self pity and blame themselves for things that was not even remotely their fault. But I have to say that Drew, even though he never forgave himself for something that wasn't his fault, also found peace and forgiveness. This is why I loved what Birdie told Beth, and I think it is so apt to all of our lives. "....if you do what you were made to do, then you will find the peace you have been looking for. You can't work for it, you know. You just have to rest in it." and "...you can't earn love. Or forgiveness. Or grace. Those things are gifts. You just have to reach out and take them."

So after an initial rocky start I have to say Courtney Walsh, You wrote a great, heartwarming book. I really grew to like all the characters, flaws and all. I loved the community, all jumping in to help rebuild a wonderful institution.

I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a good Christian romance, as well as those who love a life like book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher who gave me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Get ready to meet Beth Whitaker who is prepared to leave her small town for the big city just when her sister goes out on a whim and purchases a run-down farm. Add that to the underlying mystery intertwined in this story, and you have an interesting read in Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh.

Courtney is still a new author to me, but I'm thinking that is going to be changing pretty soon! While Hometown Girl took a little time to build and hook me, it ended up being an enjoyable story.

I'm a sucker for books with small towns, and that was what initially drew me to this book. Willow Grove made for a lovely setting, particularly with the run-down farm. It reminded me of something from a Hallmark movie.

One of my favorite parts of this story was the underlying mystery. I enjoy mystery books and, although this wasn't a mystery book, I enjoyed that element of the story. I also enjoyed the banter between Drew and Beth. They made for some fun scenes.

Although it took some time to get going, this book was an enjoyable read. The hint of mystery was a nice addition to the small town romance.

I thoroughly enjoy this book, and it's the first that I've read from this particular author. There was both heart and humor woven throughout the story, and I also appreciated that faith and wisdom were showcased, which made for several points to ponder. I look forward to digging into more fun and encouraging reads from this talented and creative author.

A truly delightful story set in a small town.
Beth and Drew have their own problems to overcome. I like how their relationship progresses as they learn to trust each other.
The mystery kept me intrigued.
Highly recommend.

Courtney Walsh is an amazing storyteller...I always enjoy her work...and so will you.

Beth is the sensible one in the Whitaker family, a fact she’s reminded of when younger sister Molly shows up announcing she’s bought the derelict Fairwind Farm. Molly wants to restore the apple orchard and Christmas tree farm into the centre of the community it used to be. Beth is convinced she’ll never succeed … but somehow finds herself a partner in the venture.

The solitary Drew Barlow is returning to Willow Grove and Fairwind Farm for the first time in twenty years. He volunteers in a community working bee, and ends up being recruited as the farm’s all-round Mr Fixit. Maybe this will help him remember what happened, help him solve the mystery, help him find closure. Or maybe he’ll just fall for his pretty yet reserved employer …

This is the second Courtney Walsh book I’ve read this year.
The first was Just Look Up, which was a romance novel with a deeply symbolic title that made me think on many levels (click here to read my review). Hometown Girl was a little different—it had plenty of romantic and situational tension, but it also had a suspense thread around Drew’s history with the Fairwind property.

Drew and Beth both had secrets that came out during the story. Drew’s secret was hinted at from his very first scene, with his reluctance to return to Fairwind, and the knowledge that something bad had happened. His reluctance to revisit the past made his secret feel natural. It helped that he had no memory of the actual event, just the knowledge he was there.

Beth’s secret wasn’t so obvious, but it was something recent, something she knew about, and something she didn’t share. It made it feel as though she wasn’t a trustworthy character, yet she was obviously supposed to be the heroine. That annoyed me, as it left me feeling conflicted. Was I supposed to sympathise with her, or not? This was probably the weakest aspect of the novel for me.

But this was more than made up for by the rest.
I especially enjoyed by the underlying suspense thread of the mystery over Jess’s disappearance twenty years ago. Yes, I would have liked for Drew to fess up to his prior knowledge of Fairwind earlier, but I could see why he didn’t. In the end, that aspect of the plot was just plain sad.

It was also good to watch the relationship develop between Beth and Drew, especially the way Beth was able to draw him out. I also enjoyed the minor characters—I do hope this is part of a series, because I’d like to see Ben and Callie together, and I wonder who might be right for the flighty Molly.

Overall, Hometown Girl is an excellent contemporary Christian romance. Recommended for fans of Brandy Bruce, Kara Isaac, Melissa Tagg, and Becky Wade. Thanks to Waterfall Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This is my first Courtney Walsh book and it was a really good read while it is a Christian romance it is not too much and as a non-religious reader I was still able to enjoy it with plenty of twists and turns this will hold your interest all the way through.It had a really good storyline and super characters I am looking forward to reading more.

Courtney Walsh pens a contemporary romance with a mystery set in a small Midwestern hometown.

In Hometown Girl, Beth Whitaker dreamed of leaving her hometown behind and doing big things in the big city. A mistake in judgement causes her to return home. There she makes another mistake that may have contributed her father’s recent death. Beth doesn’t know what to do with her life anymore. Her sister Molly impulsively buys the fallen-down Fairwind Farm, and now Beth feels trapped.

Meanwhile Drew Barlow spent years trying to forget a tragedy that happened at the Farm when he was a young boy. When the farm’s owner dies and the sisters purchase the Farm, Drew decides to make peace with his past there. Can Drew and Beth restore the farm and make it a viable business? Can they solve an old mystery surrounding the tragedy Drew witnessed?

Walsh excels at her character development, creating individuals the reader can sympathize with and cheer on in their endeavors. Beth and Drew get caught up in Molly’s renovation plans for Fairwind. God gives both of them a second chance at letting go of past mistakes, finding healing and forgiveness. Hometown Girl is the story of redemption, second chances, finding love and one’s life work, even in the face of repeated failures. Walsh does a good job of weaving the mystery and unraveling it, layer by layer, as the story unfolds.

This is a story that makes you part of the family, part of the orchard cleanup, part of the surprise (and very well-crafted) suspense thread. The scene with Beth and the chapel, the prayer journal – that particularly touched a note in my heart. Such a special & meaningful addition to the story.

But more than anything, I loved the theme of finding yourself & what you were created to do. Birdie’s character not only added a bit of quirk to the story but she also added a heap of homespun – and true – wisdom.

Hometown Girl is sweet, romantic, witty, and inspirational. A vivid setting, engaging characters, compelling suspense, and a tender theme of purpose and peace. Courtney Walsh has become one of my new favorite authors, and this latest novel reminds me ‘why’ all over again! I really want to read more from these characters and this community. A must-read, no matter the season!

My Thoughts: Hometown Girl carried the cozy, small-town feeling that you would expect based on the title. It was complete with a delightful family and all the dynamics that the close-knit family of various personalities would have. Walsh left some open doors with  Beth's siblings that make me curious to know if we'll revisit this town again in the future. There was a variety of townspeople as well, adding to the cast in every good way.
The one hiccup for me was that I found portions of the story to be repetitive. Certain aspects of the characters backgrounds and feelings seemed to be on an unending loop. Thankfully, there was an intriguing mystery that held my attention the entire time that led to a very satisfying ending.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving Hometown Girl 4 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy small-town settings or Christian Contemporary fiction.

~ I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for my review. All thoughts are my own.

It seems to be common for people, as they are growing up, to wish for what they don't have. Beth dreams of leaving her small town to make it big in the city. And she learns the hard way that plans and dreams don't always work out the way one would hope and expect that they would. She finds herself right back smack dab in the middle of her former life, after a short stint in the city, and just exists. Until her sister, Molly, makes a rash purchase.

Beth and Molly are so different from one another and from what I gathered, they didn't always get along really well because of those differences. Now that they are adults, they are each able to embrace themselves and complement and accept each other in ways they never could have imagined. I love the sibling friendship and camaraderie, as it really felt true to life.

Another element to the book that I loved is Drew. He has a secret and is an enigma for sure. I love how the mystery unraveled, especially since that piece to the story was light and was an invisible force that connected Drew and Beth. It's such a treat to have some depth to their budding attraction.

This is the type of book that really invokes the warm-fuzzy feel goods. The setting is as comforting as a security blanket and the characters are rich, complex, and flawed, with great potential for growth. I was completely drawn into the book and loved it all.

Content: mild romance; mild violence; moderate+ religious elements.

*I received a copy to review, which had no influence on my thoughts and opinions.*

The story of Beth and Drew isn't just a love story. It's a story of two people both struggling to find their purpose and how their lives intertwine into a budding romance. Along with their spark of romantic interest, in the past they were also both touched in different ways by the disappearance of a young girl. Beth who hardly knew her and Drew who knew her better than anyone. How does the mystery of what happen to Jess brings these two people together? Throw in a run down farm, a sister who acts on a whim, a sheep, a few dogs and an elusive quirky artist and you have the mix of a few laughs, a few tears and a story that touches a special place in your heart. The way Courtney Walsh brings these characters to life is brilliant. Your caught cheering for the underdog and hoping that Beth and Drew get together. I loved every chapter of this book and I can't wait for the next novel from Courtney Walsh. A totally enjoyable feel good book! I am so blessed to have been gifted a copy from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

Small town girl longs for bigger things than her hometown. Her spirited sister starts a new business endeavor to rebuild a farm market-orchard. An old abduction leads a cowboy to the town. Sparks fly, community gathers and faith carries them thru.

I really enjoyed Hometown Girl. Beth has always dreamed of living in the city and escaping her hometown. A career disappointment and broken relationship land her back in her hometown, living with her mother who is recovering from illness. Her sister purchases an old farm and the fun begins. Drew is looking for closure from a traumatic event in his past and ends up helping with the old farm renovations. This was such a great story with fun characters and an enjoyable story line.

"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."

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.

The sweetness of the vibrant cover doesn't seem to mesh well with our main character, Beth, but rather her sister, Molly. However, by the end of this emotional storyline, we see the transformation for not just Beth but Drew as well. The inner depth of the story, turning guilt and shame to the redemption, giving way to the joy that can only come from inner peace. And that we can easily sense from the cover.

"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.