The Town that Built Us

by Jesse J. Thoma

Grace Cook left her small hometown after high school with a free ride to college and a pulverized heart. Now, years later her father’s death brings her back to town. As long as she can settle his affairs quickly and avoid interacting with Bonnie Whitlock, maybe she’ll survive the trip.

Bonnie was at Mr. Cook’s bedside the night he died. She knows Grace Cook, the only woman she’s ever loved, will be back in town for the funeral. Since Bonnie was the cause of Grace leaving all those years ago, the least she can do is let Grace mourn her father in peace.

However, distance is impossible when the will is read and the Cook family house is left jointly to Bonnie and Grace. A cruel joke or a second chance at a love that was always meant to be? To find out, Bonnie and Grace must forgive their past selves and embrace the future together in the town that built them.

Genres: Lesbian Romance, Second Chance, LGBT, Romance

232 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

Jesse Thoma splits her professional time between graduate school and work. She is a project manager in a clinical research lab and spends a good amount of time in methadone clinics and prisons collecting data and talking to people. Jesse grew up in Northern California but headed east for college. She never looked back, although her baseball allegiance is still loyally with the San Francisco Giants. She has lived in New England for ten years and has finally learned to leave extra time in the morning to scrape snow off the car. Jesse is blissfully married and is happiest when she is out for a walk with her wife and their dog, pretending she still has the soccer skills she had as an eighteen-year-old, eating anything her wife bakes, or sitting at the computer to write a few lines. (from the publisher's website)

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 3 out of 5]

After high school graduation, Grace leaves her small hometown with a determination to complete her education with a university degree and a successful career. The death of her father brings Grace home after a fifteen year absence. She is back to the town where her high school girlfriend broke her heart into unrecoverable pieces.

I am a huge fan and have enjoyed all of Thoma’s novels. She is an extremely talented writer so it pains me to say that The Town that Built Us does not reach the high standards she has set with her previous works. The word which unfortunately dominates my consciousness is cliché. For me, this novel is riddled with them. So much so that I could not lose myself in the story. On another note, most of the characters are closely the same age, mid thirties, yet act like teenagers and not in an endearing way. This grew tiresome as the story progressed.

There is a range of notable side characters who decidedly brightened this story. Grace’s best friend Madison is a likeable whirlwind. Ninety year old Branch is a delightfully reformed homophobe who shows self growth can occur at any age. Ms Babs is the tender hearted yet wise B&B owner. When any of them are on the page the story is better for it.

Although there are bright spots along the way, this novel just wasn’t for me. I am positive others will find it to be in their sweet spot.

I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[AnnMaree Of Oz]

DNF 33% in. I found it tedious and annoying.

The characters are not very likable and I couldn't see the attraction or chemistry there, just the laments of their history kept getting rehashed without detail. A lot of push pull effect with the not-so hidden secrecy was doing my head in.

Also the "Friend" characters of the macho cis men group was just irritating AF. If I had to read another sex or penis joke, and good ole boy advice - I was gonna hurl.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifteen years ago, Grace moved from the tiny village of Garrison, in Rhode Island, to California, to study at Stanford, thanks to the villagers’ financial help. Her girlfriend Bonnie had just broken up with her and for years, Grace saw Garrison as a hostile place because of that, while she thrived at her marketing job in Los Angeles. In the meantime, Bonnie became very close to Grace’s father, who left his house, Grace’s childhood home, to both of them. Grace comes back to Garrison to find out that neither Bonnie nor she moved on.

The Town That Built Us is a nice second-chance romance. The chemistry between the MCs works well and the secondary characters are endearing. They bring both depth and comic relief, especially Grace’s best friend Madison and Bonnie’s posse of nicknamed guys.

There was a lot of potential in this story but the execution fell a bit short for me. It’s nothing big, a couple of inconsistencies added to writing that doesn’t feel smooth. I enjoyed reading but not as much as some of the author’s other novels (the Serenity Prayer books are my favourites).

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m struggling to keep the back story to name with each character straight in my head. I've found I'm not that bothered by that. The main barrier is laid out and we are not left wondering why the barrier happened. I'm reading it, enjoying it but as a bystander, I'm not all in!
I like how the author references events, sets them up but we don’t get blow by blow detail, in fact often time will pass after the set up as we move to the next chapter. That helps make the time allotted seem real. However, when the mains get together physically, I'm not swept along. There should be tension from the break up arc, but for me, there's not. There should be "feelz" from the make up arc but for me there's not. I think my lack of connection with either main is affecting my enjoyment. Up to a 3. I've not gelled with the mains. It happens.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story, if you can cope with the angst. With great back characters the story flows to it’s inevitable ending.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely second chance/slow burn love story. Grace is a marketing expert in LA, she came to LA 15 yrs ago to start college, sent by the her hometown. But her heart is broken because her high school girlfriend Bonnie, had broken up with her. But Bonnie had a good reason, it was the homophobic undertones she was hearing about her and Grace. Grace comes home because her father has passed away. Not knowing that Bonnie had grown close to him throughout the years. And he left his house to both of them...A fun story to read ! The side characters are wonderful! 5 stars!

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the sweetest

Following the death of her father, Grace returns to the small town she used to call home years ago. Bonnie was there the night Grace’s father died but she is the last person Grace wants to spend time with because she’d the only person she has ever loved. When she learns her father has left the house to her and Bonnie she left wondering what to do for the best, and whether there are any second chances for them.

Adored this heart-warming second chance romance so much. It was just the sweetest story about accepting and understanding, while learning from the past and taking chances. Grace and Bonnie were strained from that first meeting again but quickly they fell back into a more comfortable acceptance than I think either one of them expected. For a while things remained slightly awkward, especially when they were trying to be respectful of one another’s feelings about the situation they found themselves in. A lot of the decisions were on Grace as she had the life elsewhere and had been the one to leave, even though it had been Bonnie’s fault she had.

They both really endeared themselves to me, and like Grace’s dad I hoped they’d find their way with a little gentle encouragement. Bonnie had a great collection of friend’s around her who actually really helped her process everything with Grace and could be that support as she navigated potentially getting hurt again if she took the chance to embrace spending this time with Grace. They had really sweet moments when exploring what had transpired and whether they could put it aside to temporarily to try and work out if they could have something more.

I loved every moment of the story. It was a real feel good romance with a beautiful sentiment and a simple message to follow your heart and believe in happiness, even if you’ve been chasing it tirelessly for years without knowing you’d had it and lost it.

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace left town after getting her heartbroken by her girlfriend Bonnie who thought at the time was the best thing even if it’s was misguided. Grace returns hometown Garrison in Rhode Island after the death of her father. While there she and Bonnie can’t avoid each other because Grace father left them both his house it’s was his way of getting them together because he thinks they deserve a second chance together. Grace and Bonnie have a lot to overcome but with the help of friends they might have a chance. I enjoy the characters are likeable and Bonnie friends group dynamic was fun to read and Grace best friend was sweet and supportive.



I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for second chance, high school exes, romance stories. Something about the redemptive power of love really pulls me in. This story in no exception, but rather a great example of how a writer's effort can make such a story work for the reader. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

[ReadingwithCaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small town second chance romance that is absolutely heartwarming.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Grace returns to her tiny hometown of Garrison to bury her father. She plans to take care of his affairs and fly back to her life in L.A. All the while hoping she’ll survive seeing the woman that broke her heart into a million pieces some 15 years ago. Bonnie is still the woman she measures all others to and no one can compare. What she didn’t expect is for her to be the woman she inherits her fathers house with. How will she survive this epic return to her painful history unscathed?

Bonnie has lost her only father figure when Lionel, Grace’s dad dies. They grew extremely close in the years that Grace left town. Bonnie’s heart is still black and blue after her relationship with Grace ended. But what on earth was Lionel upto leaving his house to them both?

Thoma takes you to the lovely town of Garrison and it’s extraordinary inhabitants. Through the eyes of Grace you get to learn about the painful history she had there and the updated version of the town and its people as they are now. Grace struggles to combine the two different experiences and let go of the past. All the while struggling with the new role Bonnie plays in her life. As a reader you get to see her protecting her heart in the best way she can and eventually breaking down the walls surrounding it and embracing a love of the ages.

Bonnie has made a life for herself in the place that was not so happy to have her back in the days. Being a lesbian in a tiny town was hard to say the least. She has a group of friends that are fiercely protective of each other. When Grace returns she can’t do anything but stand by as her heart starts beating again at full force for the woman she once hurt out of nobility. Feeble attempts to avoid letting her heart soar for Grace again fall flat. She eventually finds out it hasn’t stopped yearning for her in all those years of distance.

The people of Garrison are absolutely wonderful characters and bring so much charm to the story. Bonnie’s close friends are a rambunctious group but one where the love they have for each other is leaping off the page. The support they give her is epic and the way they envelop Grace back into the folds is heartwarming. As for Grace’s best friend Maddison, she is hilarious in her ways but a true rock for Grace to lean on.

The Town That Built Us is a lovely second chance story. One that will have you yelling at the characters to see what’s right in front of them. The story unfolds in exactly the right pace though. So just jump on for the ride!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book. I LOVE Thoma's Serenity, Courage, & Wisdom, series and when I saw that they was doing a second chance romance (one of my favorite tropes), I was over the moon!

This story follows Grace, a marketing expert living in LA who returns to her small (under 400 pop.) town of Garrison in Rhode Island to settle her fathers affairs after he passed away. It was not Grace's intent to spend anytime with her ex-girlfriend who shattered her heart in high school, the local hardware store owner and fixer, Bonnie. But Grace's father, Lionel, has different plans for her and Grace and Bonnie find themselves going down familiar roads.

I like both Grace and Bonnie. There relationship was believable and I was rooting for their successful navigation of their complicated relationship. What really grabbed me about this book was the secondary characters, especially Branch and his relationship with Bonnie. Without going into spoilers, it was really heartwarming to see Bonnie and Branch talk about the past and to acknowledge that can people change.

The only thing that keeps the rating lower is that I had a hard time keeping up with the passing of time. I don't know if it was a format thing, where breaks between scenes were missing or if I just didn't grasp that it was a different day. But scenes would change and it didn't have the fluidity that I am use to in Thoma's other works.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of second chance romances.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley for a honest review.

[Rhia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grace Cook returns to her small hometown that she left 15 years ago after her heart was broken by Bonnie Whitlock. Grace’s father has passed away, and she’s only come back to get his affairs in order.
However, he had other ideas. While Grace was away, Bonnie and Grace’s father developed a strong friendship. In his will, he leaves the house to the two women, basically stating that they need to work
through their issues, because they’re perfect for each other.

I think that this book has a lot of things going for it. The queer representation is pretty good, with both lesbian and gay characters. The characters are mostly likeable, and the friend group dynamic is fun to read. But I felt like I got whiplash from the “will they, wont’ they” that was happening pretty much since page one. I get it, that’s part of the draw to these types of second-chance romances. But in most cases, the majority of the struggle is internal, with the characters going back and forth with themselves. But in this one, it was external. In the same breath, one of them would say “no,” then they would kiss the other, then say “no” again. I found it to be a frustrating read, and I almost DNF’d at 80%. Instead, I just skimmed to the good parts. I am giving this 2 out of 5 stars. I would not re-read this, nor would I recommend it to anyone.

I saw in another review that someone gave this book 4 peppers for spice. I’m not sure what kind of books others are reading, but this is absolutely on the vanilla side! There was one actual spice scene, and I would give it .5-1 peppers, at most. If you’re looking for sapphic spice, you should absolutely look elsewhere!

[queer_aussie_reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who else loves return-to-hometown, first love romances? These stories strike something within me. It’s the deep connection that those lovers share, even as they let it fall apart, then fight the urge to repair it when they are faced with the opportunity.

The Town That Built Us by Jesse J. Thoma has Grace returning to the small town she left to handle the affairs of her deceased father. Her hopes of avoiding the ex who broke her heart are shattered when she learns that the house, she grew up in was left not just to herself, but to Bonnie, her first love.
The attraction the women share isn’t denied which leaves a nice, angst free romance about reconnecting with one’s true love. It has it’s ups and down, but ultimately, love will win out.

The Town that Built Us is an easy read, with some great side characters, and a ending which is sure to please.
Three stars from me.

[Alice M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about second chances. Bonnie gave up the love of her life to give her a chance to get away from the small town they lived in. Grace didn’t know why Bonnie rejected her. Just that she did. Bonnie felt she was doing the right thing, although she probably went about it the wrong way. I do think that when Grace found out the reason she could have been a bit more appreciative. Still, quite an enjoyable book.
I have to say though I do prefer my romances with a bit more action and adventure.

[Rachel Morrison]

I had the pleasure of meeting Jesse at Boston Pride for the People and was excited to grab the latest (unreleased!) book she wrote. If you're looking for a quick read while you're on a vacation to the countryside, this one's for you!

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace and Bonnie are reunited by tragedy. But there’s hope in their tragedy, or at least Grace’s late father thinks so. And he’s giving them a second chance from beyond. It’s a second chance romance with quite a lot of will they won’t they going on and it has frustrated me at points. On the other hand, the supporting characters are very well written into the story, likeable and adding value. 3.5 stars.
Free ARC via NetGalley

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable second chance romance. Grace Cook returns to her hometown in Rhode Island after the death of her father. Her life is on the west coast where she attended college and now works in marketing. The passing of her dad brings on memories and grief. Bonnie Whitlock broke up with Grace in HS. She stayed in town, owns the hardware store and does handyman work. She took special interesting in doing repair work and visiting Grace’s dad. In a surprise, dad left his house to both women. He encourages them to not buy each other out for at least a year. It is his way of giving them another chance.

Grace invites Bonnie to move into the house while she settles her dads affairs. Grace is on leave from work without pay so can’t stay long. But there is time for some flirting and a stolen kiss or two. I don’t think I invested much in their first relationship because there isn’t much about it. You learn that the break up is one sided and devastating but some flashbacks or memory scenes could have been used to bring the original romance to life. Did they date? Do more than kiss? It is vague on how out they were. A lot of time is spent on Bonnie’s friend group, who Grace knows because they all attended school together. They have nicknames and add teasing, advise and a secondary romance to help fill out the story. I like second chances for romances but this fell into the likable but average range for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

bonnie and grace....highschool sweethearts

grace left home with her heart broken but now she is back home after her dad dies hoping that she can avoid bonnie settle everything and get back to her home back in L.A

bonnie is also hoping to avoid grace, but with the funeral and the will reading that wasnt going to happen....

time and distance between bonnie and grace should have helped but it hasnt

loved the camping and the friendships scenes in this book its a book to relax and upwind with and covers quite a few topics that are relevant today with hints of what it was like for gay people back in the day

[Sixella MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “The Town That Built Us" by Jesse J. Thoma

Note: This book was an early copy purchase. I am reading this book as an ARC and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.


 Grace and Bonnie were once considered high school sweethearts in the small town of Garrison.
Years later, Grace is now a marketing consultant in LA, still losing sleep trying to understand why Bonnie broke up with her back in high school. Dying and tired of seeing his daughter and Bonnie unhappy and torn by unresolved conflicts, Lionel sets to work on his will. When Grace later returns to Garrison to attend her father's funeral and get his papers in order, she finds that in his will, he left the house to both her and her ex-girlfriend. Will Grace and Bonnie be able to fulfill Lionel's request and patch things up? It's as they say: When there's a will, there's a way back together!

This book..was absolutely beautiful! It wasn't just a second chance narrative on love, but a second chance narrative on life. Garrison as the central location of the narrative acts as an allegory that connects almost all of the main characters: an allegory on change. From when Bonnie and Grace were in high school to present day, we read of Garrison's gradual transition from an exclusive, overly conservative town to a town that's open to all families, a town that supports each other and builds their community members up rather than break them down.

These changes that are presented in the world-building helped to shape the progression of the main characters: Grace and Bonnie. By Lionel, Grace's father, establishing their arrangements in the will and by being reintroduced to Garrison, Bonnie and Grace are able to overcome the wall they've placed between each other throughout the book and talk things out. Grace was a well developed protagonist as she rediscovered her home and attempted to overcome her issues with Bonnie in order to reflect on and understand what gives her true happiness.

Bonnie was an excellent love interest. You get an understanding of why she made the decisions she did and how much she truly cared about Grace's well being and happiness. While she initially felt like she had to put barriers between her and Grace in order to protect her, she eventually learns to not only stop being too hard on herself, but to not run away from the people she loves, to communicate her needs and feelings with Grace. If you love a Second Chance Romance novel with strong LGBT representation and a wholesome message on love and life, don't miss this read when it hits online shelves on July 1st, 2023!

Spice Meter: 4/5🌶🌶🌶🌶
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Tropes to Expect: Second Chance Romance, Small Town Romance, Forced Proximity, High School Sweethearts, Camping Trip Narrative,
and Self Discovery Narrative. 

- Trigger Warnings: Relationship Anxiety, Death of a Family Member, and Mentions of Bullying and Homophobia (Brief Descriptions). 

[Shimere Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Town That Built Us" by Jesse J. Thoma is an exceptional literary journey that skillfully takes readers through a whirlwind of emotions, from grief and loss to love and acceptance. Thoma's phenomenal storytelling prowess shines through every page, as they effortlessly transport readers into the lives of her characters, making them feel every ounce of their experiences.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is the author's ability to create relatable, genuine situations that tug at the heartstrings. Thoma has masterfully crafted a narrative that resonates deeply with the readers, capturing the essence of human emotions in the face of tragedy, growth, and redemption. Each character's struggles and triumphs are so vividly portrayed that it becomes impossible not to become emotionally invested in their lives.

The rollercoaster of emotions that Thoma takes us on is a testament to their talent as a writer. From the heart-wrenching moments of grief and loss to the heartwarming scenes of love and acceptance, the author's words evoke a range of feelings that linger long after the final page. The rawness and authenticity in which they capture the characters' experiences make the story feel incredibly real and relatable.

I found myself utterly engrossed in the storyline from start to finish. Thoma's impeccable pacing and gripping plot kept me eagerly turning the pages, desperate to uncover the characters' fates and witness their personal journeys unfold. The book's seamless transitions between different perspectives allowed me to intimately connect with each character, understand their motivations, and appreciate the depth of their struggles.

Thoma's character development is nothing short of exceptional. Each character is multifaceted, flawed, and beautifully human, making them easily identifiable and compelling. Their growth and transformation throughout the story are organic and believable, leading to profound moments of self-discovery and enlightenment. The author's ability to make readers truly feel what the characters are going through is a testament to her empathetic writing style.

"The Town That Built Us" is a remarkable achievement in storytelling, blending the depths of grief and loss with the power of love and acceptance. Jesse J. Thoma has created a world so vivid and captivating that it lingers in the reader's mind even after the final chapter. This book is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a profound, heartfelt read.

Note: This review does not contain any spoilers to preserve the readers' experience of the book.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. If you enjoy a well-written cute lesbian romance, then this is the book for you!

Bonnie and Grace were best friends (and girlfriends) in high school. They weren't 'out' due to homophobia in their village. The whole story takes place in Garrison, a small town in Rhode Island.

Grace left after high school to go to college and has built a life for herself in L.A., 15 years later Grace is back in town because her father has died. During the period when Grace was away, Bonnie has gotten close to Grace's father, the town has changed in some ways and not in others.

A lot of the story is spent with Bonnie's group of friends all of whom I adored! All the story is written in Grace's and Bonnies POV. There is a small subplot, which was extra cute, my only complaint is I would have liked to see more of how that story played out, but it was very in keeping with the characters and story arc that we only got to see glimpses. Although, a short chapter written in a different POV at the end would have been everything!

Another aspect of the story I really liked was Bonnie's and Grace's ages. I love reading about characters in their 30s, it definitely feels like the characters are that age, they make decisions in keeping with their ages and even the character descriptions include the odd 'grey hair' but it isn't described in a negative way.

There is a bit of a butch-femme dynamic to the relationship, but I think the author was careful not to lean too heavily on stereotypes, particularly with Grace, she was not written as an overly femme 'damsel in distress' and it could have been easy trope to fall into.

The story is centred around Grace's father's death. This is a storyline that has been used many times but this is an example of it done well. The theme of grief is dealt with well within the story the pacing is good and there were parts that brought tears to my eyes, as you can feel what Grace is going through. Grace and Bonnie's grief at losing Grace's father doesn't take over the story but does feature enough for the reader to build a bond with the characters and to really make the reader wish for a happy ending.

With thanks to Net Gallery, the author and publisher for free access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Town that Built Us by Jesse J. Thoma

Second chances at happily ever sometimes need a nudge from a loving recently deceased parent who just happens to leave a house to two people he believes should be together. Will Grace and Bonnie take advantage of the opportunity they are given or instead guard their hearts and let a life together pass them by?

What I liked:
* Lionel Cook: Grace’s father, loving, kind, wonderful father and husband, good friend to Bonnie, and a wise man with a plan that worked
* Grace Cook: Lionel’s daughter, college scholarship took her to the big city, works in marketing, never really got over her true love, Bonnie, back in town to settle her father’s estate
* Bonnie Whitlock: had a difficult childhood, good friends with Lionel, Grace’s high school love, made a decision at the end of high school that broke both Grace’s and her heart, hardware store owner, part-time handyman
* Mr. Burch: 94, bachelor, an interesting character who grew a lot in his lifetime
* The supporting characters and good friends of Bonnie: Carl – computer website designer; Stumpy/Carl: psychologist; Duck/Ray: married to Candace and father of Avery – friends for life who support and care for one another no matter what
* Maddison: Grace’s best friend, in marketing, wise, outgoing, caring, and there for Grace, loved her decision at the end of the book
* Tanya: in Grace’s pottery class, returned to Garrison to raise her family, wise and a potential good friend to Grace
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing

What I didn’t like:
* Thinking about the time lost by Bonnie and Grace due to the decision made at the end of high school
* Thinking about small-people that treat and speak badly about people who are different from themselves

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Ed Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I don’t want to rate it badly because it’s not a bad book, but I didn’t like it. It wasn’t boring or hard to finish. I wouldn’t say there was something in particular that annoyed me and didn’t let me enjoy the story. I guess it’s just not my kind of story.

The main characters are lovely, but a part of me wishes they had a different story. The whole group of characters was good. The book is sweet, but there wasn’t much of a story. It could work as a short story or novella. There just isn’t enough substance for a novel. In a way, I’m not really giving the book four stars, I’m giving it the characters. The town, the places, the idyllic world the book has.

The book might work for you if you need something safe. If you need a space for a couple of hours where nothing is going to trigger or threaten you. Although I love me a safe sweet book, I still want some plot there. I want some development, something to keep happening keeping me hooked. The story felt flat. We basically get two mains who are in love from the first chapter. And there’s no development. Don’t get me wrong, things happen, events are described, places visited, but emotionally what we have at the beginning is pretty much what we have in the end.

Why 4 stars you ask? The characters were very lovely fictional people, and they don’t deserve less. I don’t recommend it if you’re looking for an interesting story, but if you need a place to hide from reality and need something sweet to keep you safe, this book will do.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story could have been perfectly a short novel, because it has been quite repetitive. And if the secondary characters had been outlined better, perhaps they would have been more interesting, because they appear a lot in the story, but almost as if they were still all the gang of weird kids who got together at school. And the protagonist who returns to town after having left without making it very clear, because although it is perfectly intuited, nobody makes any comment about it, she has an uncertain attitude, too indecisive being a prestigious professional in Los Angeles.

So Grace returns to her hometown due to her father's death, wanting nothing to do with Bonnie, the woman who left her after high school and whom she hasn't forgiven. And Grace's father's will holds surprises, forcing Grace to become involved with Bonnie, much to her dismay. The premise is good, second chances for high school sweethearts, small town, tight-knit and tolerant community, good material.

But the reading has been a bit long for me, very slow in events, little action, repetitive.

Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good small town romance and it's even better when it's a second chance small town romance.

Grace goes back to her hometown to settle the affairs of her father after his death. What makes it even harder is that her ex who broke her heart all those years ago seems to have made a connection to her father so she's around a lot.

Bonnie tries to be respectful for her ex Grace while grieving the man that has been a big part of her life for the last years.

It was so good to see the pacing in this story not be too slow. This is a slow burn but it does not feel like that because the MC's are clear about their still lingering feelings for one another. The communication was good and I liked that there weren't some misguided misunderstandings to create drama.

The friend group of both Bonnie and Grace were also very rich and likeable characters.

An ARC was sent to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

[Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lack of communication can cause so many issues in all aspects of our life. Most of us never know why someone would hold back information that can move an issue forward or open the lines of communication especially in a relationship. Comments like, I did not want to hurt you, I did not think you needed to know, I thought we have moved passed this, etc. Bonnie Whitlock, hardware store owner and the person holding back information. Grace Cook, marketing consultant, lacking information she needs. I thought the read was okay. Although there was some tension between the two, it was not enough to create animosity, therefore flirting. The secondary characters were interesting especially Bonnie's group of friends. In general, this second chance romance just did not have enough going on.

ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Bonnie Whitlock and Grace Cook were teenagers they were together, as in dating but times being what they were in a small town their relationship wouldn’t be accepted. So they kept their romance quiet except for the small group of good friends.
When Grace had the opportunity to go to university the whole town got together to raise the money needed. But before she left Bonnie decided to break up with her. Grace was devastated, as was Bonnie but time passed and both had managed to stay away from the other but now Grace had to go home to deal with her fathers death. Grace and Bonnie had no clue what he had done. It’s his way of getting the two women together.
What Ms Thoma has given us is a really nice romance, all the cast from the mains to the supporting cast are likable. A very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley, Jesse J. Thoma

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable second chance romance where the two lead characters were lovers as youngsters but split up. Grace moves away and when her father dies she comes back to sort out his things assuming she will be his heir as she was his only family. But Grace doesn’t know that her ex, Bonnie, got really close to the dad when he was ill.

There are loads of twists and turns and angst and at times I wanted to knock heads together (in a friendly, helpful way of course) but what kept me reading was the ancillary characters.

There is a whole menagerie of different characters in and out of Grace and Bonnie’s lives and they try to stand back but sometimes can’t help themselves. There are sweet moments and funny moments, and overall a good read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. Grace Cook left her hometown and never looked back. When her father died, she comes back home to settle her affairs while trying to avoid her ex, Grace Cook. When her dad leaves the house to both her and Bonnie, she has no choice but to spend time with her. They both are unsure what to do after not seeing each other for many years.

I thought this book was alright. The main thing I did not like was the drama with why they broke up when they were younger. I really thought this book dragged and that the main characters were fine. I do not really connect with small town books as much as I am not from a small town. I found this book kind of predictable and boring. I did not like how the characters wound up together and how there was very little tension or anything between them.

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple and sweet second chance romance.

When Grace's father passes away, he leaves the house to her and her ex-girlfriend Bonnie. It's been 15 years, but the two are just as enamored as ever. Grace is torn between her life on the other side of the country or the second chance with Bonnie.

I really enjoyed Bonnie's friends and the townspeople. Grace's best friend was sweet too. It seemed like neither of the main characters' personalities really shined through until closer to the end, but the story was well written, and I'm glad the two women got the ending they did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the opportunity to read and review.