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Small Town Girl
New York Times bestselling author LaVyrle Spencer, “famous for her heartrending slices of Americana,”* is at her best in this sweet, small-town romance about a country music star discovering the true meaning of love...
Eighteen years ago, Tess McPhail left her tiny hometown of Wintergreen, Missouri for the bright lights of Nashville and never looked back. Now, one of country music’s biggest stars, “Mac” is a hardworking woman with little time for a personal life—until her sister insists she come home to help care for their widowed mother.
The welcome Mac receives is less than warm, especially from her former next-door neighbor Kenny Kronek. With a teenage daughter to raise, the handsome divorcé refuses to give Mac the time of day. But when Mac discovers that Kenny’s daughter is a promising country talent, she begins mentoring the girl in the music of love—and opening her own hardened heart to a man who makes her soul sing.
* Publishers Weekly
Eighteen years ago, Tess McPhail left her tiny hometown of Wintergreen, Missouri for the bright lights of Nashville and never looked back. Now, one of country music’s biggest stars, “Mac” is a hardworking woman with little time for a personal life—until her sister insists she come home to help care for their widowed mother.
The welcome Mac receives is less than warm, especially from her former next-door neighbor Kenny Kronek. With a teenage daughter to raise, the handsome divorcé refuses to give Mac the time of day. But when Mac discovers that Kenny’s daughter is a promising country talent, she begins mentoring the girl in the music of love—and opening her own hardened heart to a man who makes her soul sing.
* Publishers Weekly
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
380 people are currently reading
2186 people want to read
About the author
LaVyrle Spencer
106 books1,603 followersLaVyrle Spencer is an American best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She has successfully published a number of books, with several of them made into movies. Twelve of her books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Spencer was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1988.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than only the relationship between a man and woman. These "ordinary" men and women are warm and vulnerable and are always portrayed sympathetically.[1] Her heroines tend to be a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy and soft–heartedness who must overcome some sort of adversity, such as pregnancy, divorce, a lengthy separation, the loss of a loved one, and then undergo a catharsis. The stories center on themes of abiding love, family ties and strength in difficult times.
In the 1980s and 1990s Spencer wrote 12 New York Times Bestsellers. Her books have been sold to book clubs worldwide, and have been published around the world. Condensed versions of many of her novels have appeared in Reader's Digest and Good Housekeeping.
She retired from writing in 1997.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than only the relationship between a man and woman. These "ordinary" men and women are warm and vulnerable and are always portrayed sympathetically.[1] Her heroines tend to be a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy and soft–heartedness who must overcome some sort of adversity, such as pregnancy, divorce, a lengthy separation, the loss of a loved one, and then undergo a catharsis. The stories center on themes of abiding love, family ties and strength in difficult times.
In the 1980s and 1990s Spencer wrote 12 New York Times Bestsellers. Her books have been sold to book clubs worldwide, and have been published around the world. Condensed versions of many of her novels have appeared in Reader's Digest and Good Housekeeping.
She retired from writing in 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 360 reviews
April 6, 2018
A very mixed feeling about this book. A small town girl Tess McPhail, left her hometown eighteen years ago to follow her dream to become a singer. Now, one of the country music’s brightest star, she came home for a month to take care of her ailing mother. On the surface nothing changed in the small town: people, her mother’s house, stores, sidewalks- they all appeared to be frozen in time. But what Tess didn’t expected is that being in this town, encountering her past would change her, make her realize how lonely she is on the top of the superdome.
Ms. Spencer is a masterful storyteller. She created a very vivid and realistic description of a small town and its inhabitants. Everybody knows everybody, nothing goes unnoticed. I love Tess’s interaction with her stubborn, set in her ways mother. Unfortunately, the romance part of the story left me uneasy.
Kenny Kronek, a next-door neighbor and a former high school geek, always had a crush on Tess but his feelings were never reciprocated. Moreover, Tess was one of his high school tormentors. Now, eighteen years later, Kenny, a handsome divorcee is a respected member of community, raising his daughter. He is also in a comfortable relationship with his longtime girlfriend Faith. So, as you would expect in romance, when Kenny and Tess met again, eighteen years later, sparks flew and their initial antagonism turned into quite opposite feeling. But throughout all of this development he maintains his relationship with Faith.
This was a very big turn off for me. It made me dislike the main characters. I felt so bad for Faith who made a home for Kenny, who was almost a surrogate mother for Kenny’s daughter.
I know from reading of her other books, the author doesn’t shy away from some controversial topics but this was just too much for me.
Ms. Spencer is a masterful storyteller. She created a very vivid and realistic description of a small town and its inhabitants. Everybody knows everybody, nothing goes unnoticed. I love Tess’s interaction with her stubborn, set in her ways mother. Unfortunately, the romance part of the story left me uneasy.
Kenny Kronek, a next-door neighbor and a former high school geek, always had a crush on Tess but his feelings were never reciprocated. Moreover, Tess was one of his high school tormentors. Now, eighteen years later, Kenny, a handsome divorcee is a respected member of community, raising his daughter. He is also in a comfortable relationship with his longtime girlfriend Faith. So, as you would expect in romance, when Kenny and Tess met again, eighteen years later, sparks flew and their initial antagonism turned into quite opposite feeling. But throughout all of this development he maintains his relationship with Faith.
This was a very big turn off for me. It made me dislike the main characters. I felt so bad for Faith who made a home for Kenny, who was almost a surrogate mother for Kenny’s daughter.
I know from reading of her other books, the author doesn’t shy away from some controversial topics but this was just too much for me.
April 13, 2018
3.3 stars
For more comments, quotes, and discussion - Buddy Read Small Town Girl
This leans a little more towards women's fiction with the focus more on the heroine Tess, her career, and how she integrates with her family life. Our hero Kenny doesn't get many povs but when he does appear on the pages, you'll love the heck out of him.
It was super refreshing to have the heroine with the rich glamorous lifestyle and how the dynamics were a bit different because of that. The author does an A+ job of bringing you into the heroine's world. I hate to be all, oldies did it better, but I can't help but compare the obvious research and how fantastic the author flushed out Tess, story, and characters, to how a fair amount of newer publications skimp on this; it does wonders in helping you sink into the story. There were a couple times the details slowed things down but overall, I was fully immersed into this world.
I would definitely read another by this author again, a few are highly recommending Hummingbird. The romance wasn't prevalent enough on the pages for me but when it was, I liked how they sparked off one another. If you're looking for a heroine focused with emotional family dynamics, this was fantastically written.
For more comments, quotes, and discussion - Buddy Read Small Town Girl
This leans a little more towards women's fiction with the focus more on the heroine Tess, her career, and how she integrates with her family life. Our hero Kenny doesn't get many povs but when he does appear on the pages, you'll love the heck out of him.
It was super refreshing to have the heroine with the rich glamorous lifestyle and how the dynamics were a bit different because of that. The author does an A+ job of bringing you into the heroine's world. I hate to be all, oldies did it better, but I can't help but compare the obvious research and how fantastic the author flushed out Tess, story, and characters, to how a fair amount of newer publications skimp on this; it does wonders in helping you sink into the story. There were a couple times the details slowed things down but overall, I was fully immersed into this world.
I would definitely read another by this author again, a few are highly recommending Hummingbird. The romance wasn't prevalent enough on the pages for me but when it was, I liked how they sparked off one another. If you're looking for a heroine focused with emotional family dynamics, this was fantastically written.
January 25, 2021
If you didn’t think I was going to post something like that, then you don’t know me very well.
Small Town Girl is the story of Tess, America’s Queen of Country – and yeah I know I know Tess can go fuck herself because we all know that title has already been assigned eons ago . . . .
But this is fiction so I guess Dolly just doesn’t exist.
Anyway, Tess returns to her small town to take care of her mother for a month after hip surgery. It’s your average “maybe you can go home again” type of tale complete with falling for the boy next door. Definitely not anything that will change anyone’s lives and it does show it’s age a bit, but not a story worth bashing.
I picked this up as part of the . . . .
Because I’m all about that free mug, yo.
January 18, 2015
Not sure why this book did not do it for me. I really enjoyed the last two I read by her. I think it all came together way to easily in the end, nicely packaged with a big red bow.
Loved all the references to music. I do love my Country music, along with other genres but you cannot beat a bit of Willie sometime!
Tess returns home to care for her mother who is having a hip replacement operation. She left home 18 years ago and seldom returns.
I left home 25 years ago. I do return fairly regularly but seriously I really feel as if I regress to being a teenager again when I visit my mother. Like Tess's mom, my mother HAS to have her dinner at one in the afternoon and tea at 6, on the button. It drives me daft.
I remember a friend of mine went to visit her mother in Liverpool for three nights. They were out at the supermarket and my friend picked up a bottle of wine and her mother said, "Have they no smaller bottles? Surely you won't finish that in 3 nights?" This has absolutely nothing to do with the book but reading about Tess and her mother reminded me of this story.
"Mac is unprepared for what awaits her. After almost two decades of public adoration, she is suddenly a nonperson - insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, ignored by Kenny Kronek, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. A handsome divorce who dotes upon his teenage daughter, Casey, Kenny is widely respected in the community. Now he refuses to give Mac even the time of day."
Maybe if I read it 30 years ago I might have a different take on it.
Loved all the references to music. I do love my Country music, along with other genres but you cannot beat a bit of Willie sometime!
Tess returns home to care for her mother who is having a hip replacement operation. She left home 18 years ago and seldom returns.
I left home 25 years ago. I do return fairly regularly but seriously I really feel as if I regress to being a teenager again when I visit my mother. Like Tess's mom, my mother HAS to have her dinner at one in the afternoon and tea at 6, on the button. It drives me daft.
I remember a friend of mine went to visit her mother in Liverpool for three nights. They were out at the supermarket and my friend picked up a bottle of wine and her mother said, "Have they no smaller bottles? Surely you won't finish that in 3 nights?" This has absolutely nothing to do with the book but reading about Tess and her mother reminded me of this story.
There was something to be said for living away from family.
"Mac is unprepared for what awaits her. After almost two decades of public adoration, she is suddenly a nonperson - insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, ignored by Kenny Kronek, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. A handsome divorce who dotes upon his teenage daughter, Casey, Kenny is widely respected in the community. Now he refuses to give Mac even the time of day."
Maybe if I read it 30 years ago I might have a different take on it.
January 24, 2026
First the good:
Characters so finely written they jump off the page and are memorable for years are LaVyrle Spencer's specialty, and Tess McPhail and Kenny Kolnek, as well as many major side characters, are no exception.
The family dysfunction was captured with saddening precision.
The parts of the book which actually feature Tess and Kenny in face-to-face interactions convey perfectly how they slowly progressed from heated antagonism to surprised interest to uncertain longing to joyful acknowledgment.
The scene where Tess and Kenny lost control and ended up rolling in the grass in the dark kissing was very cool. And hot.
The ending was sweet and soulful.
But.
The FMC, Tess McPhail, country music superstar, did not make a good first impression. Or second. Or third. She roared back into her small Missouri hometown in her expensive sports car, resentful that her sisters were forcing her to take care of her mother after her second hip replacement surgery, and finding fault with her mother’s house, her mother’s garden, her mother’s clothes, her mother’s food, her sisters, and the little old lady who drove too slowly around the town square. She kept patting herself on the back for having done better than everybody else, and counted the days until she could get back to her glamorous life. You know what? Kudos to her on her success. She’s talented, hardworking, smart, and driven, and deserves everything she’s got. Now she just needs to take her ego back to Nashville and get the hell out of my romance novel, because I don’t like her or her superior attitude.
She did improve during the book but we’re still never going to be besties.
The MMC, Kenny Kolnek, who was bullied in high school by Tess (another reason to dislike her), was left by his first wife to raise their daughter alone. He moved back in with his now-deceased mother after the divorce to have help raising his daughter, and has been in an exclusive relationship with neighboring Faith FOR EIGHT YEARS when his childhood friend/high school tormentor Tess shows up next door to nurse her mother for a month. Kenny’s radar pings every time he’s within eyesight of Tess, but he clings to Faith and their bizarre lukewarm relationship like she’s his security blanket. An MMC who needs his blankie is never going to make the Romance Hero Hall of Fame, even if he does eventually break free. Does he redeem himself? Mostly, but the bad impression lingered.
Also, thanks to Kenny and Faith, I’ve now been treated to the lamest, saddest, most tepid and sanitary copulation scene in the history of romance novels. No wonder his eyes kept straying to Tess.
As for Faith, I couldn’t even begin to explain her.
The paperback edition of this novel is 368 pages. I would estimate that 225 of those pages dealt with the business of being a country music superstar, not one of which I found interesting, and about 100 pages dealt with Tess and her mother and sisters and the old home place, which might make for compelling women’s fiction but is hardly romance. Interactions between Tess and Kenny didn’t get near enough page space, which was the worst problem of all.
Characters so finely written they jump off the page and are memorable for years are LaVyrle Spencer's specialty, and Tess McPhail and Kenny Kolnek, as well as many major side characters, are no exception.
The family dysfunction was captured with saddening precision.
The parts of the book which actually feature Tess and Kenny in face-to-face interactions convey perfectly how they slowly progressed from heated antagonism to surprised interest to uncertain longing to joyful acknowledgment.
The scene where Tess and Kenny lost control and ended up rolling in the grass in the dark kissing was very cool. And hot.
The ending was sweet and soulful.
But.
The FMC, Tess McPhail, country music superstar, did not make a good first impression. Or second. Or third. She roared back into her small Missouri hometown in her expensive sports car, resentful that her sisters were forcing her to take care of her mother after her second hip replacement surgery, and finding fault with her mother’s house, her mother’s garden, her mother’s clothes, her mother’s food, her sisters, and the little old lady who drove too slowly around the town square. She kept patting herself on the back for having done better than everybody else, and counted the days until she could get back to her glamorous life. You know what? Kudos to her on her success. She’s talented, hardworking, smart, and driven, and deserves everything she’s got. Now she just needs to take her ego back to Nashville and get the hell out of my romance novel, because I don’t like her or her superior attitude.
She did improve during the book but we’re still never going to be besties.
The MMC, Kenny Kolnek, who was bullied in high school by Tess (another reason to dislike her), was left by his first wife to raise their daughter alone. He moved back in with his now-deceased mother after the divorce to have help raising his daughter, and has been in an exclusive relationship with neighboring Faith FOR EIGHT YEARS when his childhood friend/high school tormentor Tess shows up next door to nurse her mother for a month. Kenny’s radar pings every time he’s within eyesight of Tess, but he clings to Faith and their bizarre lukewarm relationship like she’s his security blanket. An MMC who needs his blankie is never going to make the Romance Hero Hall of Fame, even if he does eventually break free. Does he redeem himself? Mostly, but the bad impression lingered.
Also, thanks to Kenny and Faith, I’ve now been treated to the lamest, saddest, most tepid and sanitary copulation scene in the history of romance novels. No wonder his eyes kept straying to Tess.
As for Faith, I couldn’t even begin to explain her.
The paperback edition of this novel is 368 pages. I would estimate that 225 of those pages dealt with the business of being a country music superstar, not one of which I found interesting, and about 100 pages dealt with Tess and her mother and sisters and the old home place, which might make for compelling women’s fiction but is hardly romance. Interactions between Tess and Kenny didn’t get near enough page space, which was the worst problem of all.
April 12, 2018
Lovely story telling. This will not be my last By this author. Hope to write more later!
Buddy Read with Whiskey/Kyraraker over at Romance Book Buddy Reading group!
Buddy Read with Whiskey/Kyraraker over at Romance Book Buddy Reading group!
March 1, 2025
Country Music Superstar Tess McPhail is upset at being ordered home by her two older sisters to care for her mother after a hip replacement operation. Didn't they know she had a career that kept her busy night and day? Assuming she is going to be bored staying in her hometown, Tess isn't prepared when she is insulted by her sister, driven crazy by her mother, and ignored by her neighbor Kenny Kronek. Tess and Kenny went to high school together where he had a crush on her and she called him a geek. Now he acts like she is invisible!
Good grief. Tess was nothing but a B1TCH in the first half of the story. She acted like a child when Kenny would mow her mother's lawn but wouldn't stop to talk to her. Hey honey, you didn't say anything to him either. Of course, when they finally start talking to each other, Tess decides he isn't such a bad guy. And he's a good father. His teenage daughter is a big fan of Tess's music. She has a great voice and wants to be a singer. Tess thinks she could be a star someday.
I started out liking Kenny, but I turned on him when he kept seeing Tess on the side while not telling his current girlfriend that he wanted out of their relationship. I guess he was keeping her around in case it didn't work out with Tess.
I thought this story would never end. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith. She sometimes sounded like an AI voice narration (robotic). When she voiced Tess's mother, she sounded like Granny who took care of Tweety Bird. But I can't blame the narrator for the too wordy descriptions of the heroine's feelings. That came straight from the author and nearly put me to sleep. It was painful. My rating: 1.5 Stars.
Good grief. Tess was nothing but a B1TCH in the first half of the story. She acted like a child when Kenny would mow her mother's lawn but wouldn't stop to talk to her. Hey honey, you didn't say anything to him either. Of course, when they finally start talking to each other, Tess decides he isn't such a bad guy. And he's a good father. His teenage daughter is a big fan of Tess's music. She has a great voice and wants to be a singer. Tess thinks she could be a star someday.
I started out liking Kenny, but I turned on him when he kept seeing Tess on the side while not telling his current girlfriend that he wanted out of their relationship. I guess he was keeping her around in case it didn't work out with Tess.
I thought this story would never end. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith. She sometimes sounded like an AI voice narration (robotic). When she voiced Tess's mother, she sounded like Granny who took care of Tweety Bird. But I can't blame the narrator for the too wordy descriptions of the heroine's feelings. That came straight from the author and nearly put me to sleep. It was painful. My rating: 1.5 Stars.
July 12, 2022
3.5 to 4 stars for this older CR. I had read it before, years ago, but could hardy remember it. I've been rereading a few of LaVyrle Spencer's books in the last few months, and so far they do seem to stand the test of time fairly well. You do have to make allowances in this one for the nineties fashions though 0_0
Tess McPhail is the titular small town girl, who left home at 17 to make her way in the world of country music. Now, eighteen years later, she's a huge megastar (think Reba McIntyre). Tess has now reluctantly come home for a month to the tiny town where she grew up, to care for her elderly mother following an operation.
Tess at first is annoyed by the neighbour, widowed Kenny Kronek, who has been helping her mother out for years. Tess and Kenny went to school together, and he used to have a crush on her, while she found him just a pain. But it's not long before Tess and Kenny find that as adults they are deeply attracted to each other, and a fledgling relationship begins to build.
Spencer does a lovely job of slowly building the love between her MCs. It's complicated by Tess's commitments to life in the fast-paced music industry, and by Faith, Kenny's girlfriend of eight years. It takes quite a while for Kenny to recognise and accept that his and Faith's relationship hasn't been going anywhere - they are together mainly out of convenience. But to the reader it doesn't feel like an awkward triangle. Spencer writes her characters convincingly. From the MCs to the large cast of secondary characters, these seem like real people, some generous, some petty, with the range of typical human weaknesses and human kindnesses. This is part of the joy of Spencer's books. You feel as if you know and understand these people.
In some ways the book is a homage to small town life, although Spencer doesn't shy away from showing the limitations of such a life, especially to characters such as Tess. It's also a fairly clean read - some of her other books are a little saucier than this one. There is very little sex, and it's not really explicitly described. The MCs are pretty much clean-living, decent, church-going people. At the same time they are real people who recognise and feel the pull of sexual attraction. It's not what I would call a typically 'Christian romance', as the element of religion is not a key driver in the book.
However the romance element in the book is strong, and the eventual HEA is lovely. The resolution of the plot was easy to see coming, and was perhaps a little too 'pat', but it was still satisfying and an acceptable way to resolve the MCs' differences. I did like the realistic touch that Tess . That seemed quite in line with her character. The incredible natural singing talent of Kenny's daughter Casey, who lived right next door to Tess's Mom, was a little too neat, although it did add a strong plot element.
But overall, this book for me was still a good read, in spite of the dated fashions etc. I enjoyed the characters and storyline, and it kept my interest all the way through, even though the romance was a little slow-burn. I also enjoyed Ms Spencer's attempt at song-writing - the title song of 'Small Town Girl' was very fitting and played a key role in the book.
Tess McPhail is the titular small town girl, who left home at 17 to make her way in the world of country music. Now, eighteen years later, she's a huge megastar (think Reba McIntyre). Tess has now reluctantly come home for a month to the tiny town where she grew up, to care for her elderly mother following an operation.
Tess at first is annoyed by the neighbour, widowed Kenny Kronek, who has been helping her mother out for years. Tess and Kenny went to school together, and he used to have a crush on her, while she found him just a pain. But it's not long before Tess and Kenny find that as adults they are deeply attracted to each other, and a fledgling relationship begins to build.
Spencer does a lovely job of slowly building the love between her MCs. It's complicated by Tess's commitments to life in the fast-paced music industry, and by Faith, Kenny's girlfriend of eight years. It takes quite a while for Kenny to recognise and accept that his and Faith's relationship hasn't been going anywhere - they are together mainly out of convenience. But to the reader it doesn't feel like an awkward triangle. Spencer writes her characters convincingly. From the MCs to the large cast of secondary characters, these seem like real people, some generous, some petty, with the range of typical human weaknesses and human kindnesses. This is part of the joy of Spencer's books. You feel as if you know and understand these people.
In some ways the book is a homage to small town life, although Spencer doesn't shy away from showing the limitations of such a life, especially to characters such as Tess. It's also a fairly clean read - some of her other books are a little saucier than this one. There is very little sex, and it's not really explicitly described. The MCs are pretty much clean-living, decent, church-going people. At the same time they are real people who recognise and feel the pull of sexual attraction. It's not what I would call a typically 'Christian romance', as the element of religion is not a key driver in the book.
However the romance element in the book is strong, and the eventual HEA is lovely. The resolution of the plot was easy to see coming, and was perhaps a little too 'pat', but it was still satisfying and an acceptable way to resolve the MCs' differences. I did like the realistic touch that Tess . That seemed quite in line with her character. The incredible natural singing talent of Kenny's daughter Casey, who lived right next door to Tess's Mom, was a little too neat, although it did add a strong plot element.
But overall, this book for me was still a good read, in spite of the dated fashions etc. I enjoyed the characters and storyline, and it kept my interest all the way through, even though the romance was a little slow-burn. I also enjoyed Ms Spencer's attempt at song-writing - the title song of 'Small Town Girl' was very fitting and played a key role in the book.
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October 4, 2014
03/09/2014
Overall Rating = 2.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 4 / 5 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 3 / 3.5 = 3 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 3 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 1 Stars -- [$9.99 on Barnes & Noble]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
368 pages
This is one of my all time favorite authors. Saying this, I never would have purchased this eBook if I hadn't received the Barnes and Noble settlement and had book dollars to spend. Ten bucks is a bit much for any book and this one is chock full of mediocrity.
I remember reading this one when it first came out. I wasn't a huge fan then -- but forgot about it. After about 30% or so this time, I remembered it all. Mediocre and mundane. My feelings didn't change this go round. It was a flat story for me. It is a bit dated too - which wouldn't have bothered me, if the story was better.
What did I like about this one?
1 -- The story concept. A girl who loves music and has the "voice of an angel" goes to Nashville and hits it big. She goes home years later to take care of her ill mother and falls for the "one that she never liked." What? Yeah ... a rather droll story, but it could have worked better if we liked the characters more. I liked the concept, but the execution lacked.
2 -- Casey. The daughter of our book Hero. She is 17 and a high school senior. She has grit and gumption and is a really great kid. Seems to have her head on straight and knows what makes her happy. At 17, what a novelty. I enjoyed her.
3 -- The relationship between Tess [book heroine] and her mother / Tess and her sisters could be me. I have two older sisters and one is just a pain in my ass. The other sister is an absolute joy and is the peacekeeper of our bunch. The insight provided on the mothers actions are spot on. My mother annoys the crap out of me and half the time I can't figure it out. She is a true puzzle. Aging parents provide us our best and worst life challenge. No one prepares us. Goes to show that God has a remarkable sense of humor. The love Tess has for her eclectic family is great writing and worth the time to read this book. A small golden nugget in a rather large mess, but is worth it, if you have the patience to wait it out.
4 -- Love the title of this book. Perfect.
A few things that didn't work so well:
1 -- This relationship [Tess & Kenny] didn't make much sense to me. Tess and Kenny were kids together. They were next door neighbors, but not particularly close. Kenny had a crush on Tess from the time they were kids. Tess wouldn't give him the time of day; he was just yucky. Jump ahead 20 years and she's home. They keep running into each other. He's changed. She's changed. Now there's a spark and they fan it to a flame ... It all sounds good, but the reader never feels any of this emotion. As I was reading it, I kept thinking that Tess was a bitch and Kenny deserved better. Maybe.
2 -- Kenny. I liked him, but I really hated what he did to his long time friend and lover [whatever her name is]. Maybe they were both guilty of wasting each others time on a relationship that was only "comfortable." Eight years. I just thought he was a real shit for not ending things when he decided he was going to pursue things with Tess. Or, better yet, when he realized his emotions, outside of friendship, weren't engaged. Cheating is too strong a word for what happens here, but you feel the wrong-ness just the same. It makes for an uncomfortable read at times.
3 -- I thought the damned thing would NEVER END. Gah! Too much mundane detail. The relationship didn't even get it "together" until you are at about 80%.
4 -- The price. This book is years old and Penguin still wants $10. Get this one at the library. I think I can loan it too. Let me know if you want it.
I hate to give bad reviews for an author I love. In my opinion Lavyrle Spencer is a High Queen of romance. She, and others like her, put this genre' on the map [so to speak]. This is not one of her better books. If you need an LS rec, let me know. I'm reading some oldie's right now and have these fresh in my mind.
This is a good book if you are interested in reading Ms. Spencer's complete backlist or if you just like to read anything music related, or found this in a box of books in your garage and had nothing better to do. It isn't great, but if you get it at the library, you should be good.
Happy Reading!
Overall Rating = 2.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 4 / 5 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 3 / 3.5 = 3 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 3 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 1 Stars -- [$9.99 on Barnes & Noble]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
368 pages
This is one of my all time favorite authors. Saying this, I never would have purchased this eBook if I hadn't received the Barnes and Noble settlement and had book dollars to spend. Ten bucks is a bit much for any book and this one is chock full of mediocrity.
I remember reading this one when it first came out. I wasn't a huge fan then -- but forgot about it. After about 30% or so this time, I remembered it all. Mediocre and mundane. My feelings didn't change this go round. It was a flat story for me. It is a bit dated too - which wouldn't have bothered me, if the story was better.
What did I like about this one?
1 -- The story concept. A girl who loves music and has the "voice of an angel" goes to Nashville and hits it big. She goes home years later to take care of her ill mother and falls for the "one that she never liked." What? Yeah ... a rather droll story, but it could have worked better if we liked the characters more. I liked the concept, but the execution lacked.
2 -- Casey. The daughter of our book Hero. She is 17 and a high school senior. She has grit and gumption and is a really great kid. Seems to have her head on straight and knows what makes her happy. At 17, what a novelty. I enjoyed her.
3 -- The relationship between Tess [book heroine] and her mother / Tess and her sisters could be me. I have two older sisters and one is just a pain in my ass. The other sister is an absolute joy and is the peacekeeper of our bunch. The insight provided on the mothers actions are spot on. My mother annoys the crap out of me and half the time I can't figure it out. She is a true puzzle. Aging parents provide us our best and worst life challenge. No one prepares us. Goes to show that God has a remarkable sense of humor. The love Tess has for her eclectic family is great writing and worth the time to read this book. A small golden nugget in a rather large mess, but is worth it, if you have the patience to wait it out.
4 -- Love the title of this book. Perfect.
A few things that didn't work so well:
1 -- This relationship [Tess & Kenny] didn't make much sense to me. Tess and Kenny were kids together. They were next door neighbors, but not particularly close. Kenny had a crush on Tess from the time they were kids. Tess wouldn't give him the time of day; he was just yucky. Jump ahead 20 years and she's home. They keep running into each other. He's changed. She's changed. Now there's a spark and they fan it to a flame ... It all sounds good, but the reader never feels any of this emotion. As I was reading it, I kept thinking that Tess was a bitch and Kenny deserved better. Maybe.
2 -- Kenny. I liked him, but I really hated what he did to his long time friend and lover [whatever her name is]. Maybe they were both guilty of wasting each others time on a relationship that was only "comfortable." Eight years. I just thought he was a real shit for not ending things when he decided he was going to pursue things with Tess. Or, better yet, when he realized his emotions, outside of friendship, weren't engaged. Cheating is too strong a word for what happens here, but you feel the wrong-ness just the same. It makes for an uncomfortable read at times.
3 -- I thought the damned thing would NEVER END. Gah! Too much mundane detail. The relationship didn't even get it "together" until you are at about 80%.
4 -- The price. This book is years old and Penguin still wants $10. Get this one at the library. I think I can loan it too. Let me know if you want it.
I hate to give bad reviews for an author I love. In my opinion Lavyrle Spencer is a High Queen of romance. She, and others like her, put this genre' on the map [so to speak]. This is not one of her better books. If you need an LS rec, let me know. I'm reading some oldie's right now and have these fresh in my mind.
This is a good book if you are interested in reading Ms. Spencer's complete backlist or if you just like to read anything music related, or found this in a box of books in your garage and had nothing better to do. It isn't great, but if you get it at the library, you should be good.
Happy Reading!
August 18, 2010
Tess McPhail is a superstar country singer that has returned to her small town after 18-years of making it to the big time in order to care for her mother, Mary. Mary will be having hip surgery and Tess’ older sisters have decided it is her turn to care for Mary.
Tess secretly resents having to give up her busy career to return to small town living. She is also hurt that her mother doesn’t seem to value the gifts that Tess sends and will not let her build her a new house. She almost finds herself a stranger with her mother after so many years. They don’t really understand one another. Tess dutifully helps her mother through surgery and stays for four weeks to help her get back on her feet, literally.
Tess has two older sisters, Judy and Renee. Judy is a hairstylist and has great resentment for Tess and her fame. It doesn’t help that Tess thinks that Judy has let herself go and could stand to lose a few pounds. Renee and Tess get along great, but Renee is busy helping her daughter prepare for her wedding.
Her first night in town, Mary’s neighbor, Kenny Kronek, stops by with salt for the softener. He walks right in and annoys Tess by ignoring her presence. Kenny remembers Tess as a stuck-up high school girl, and Tess remembers Kenny as a klutzy nerd. The two clash at first, but slowly Tess sees how Kenny is an important part of her family’s life and she also loves Kenny’s daughter Casey. Casey has an amazing voice and Tess is determined to help start her career.
Will Tess be able to change her life to keep her family at the heart while maintaining her high profile career? Will Tess be able to find love . . . with the boy next door?
Truthfully I thought this novel was okay, but not the greatest. I feel bad as it is the September FLICKS book club selection and I know a couple people in my book club love this book. I just didn’t fall in love with the romance in this novel.
SPOILER ALERT
Tess’s hatred for Kenny at the beginning of the novel felt forced and I didn’t really like them together. I really didn’t like how Kenny has had a girlfriend for eight years, Faith, and she seems to be a wonderful woman. But although Kenny and Casey love her and she is an important part of their life, they seem to have no problem throwing her away for Tess. I did like how Kenny was able to put his business on the back burner to be a part of Tess’s life. I guess overall I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two leads that I would expect in a romance novel. I also am not a country music fan, but I don’t think that lessoned my enjoyment of the novel.
SPOILER END
Overall, I thought Small Town Girl was an okay novel. I did enjoy reading it, but didn’t love it. I much preferred Spencer’s Bittersweet to this novel.
Tess secretly resents having to give up her busy career to return to small town living. She is also hurt that her mother doesn’t seem to value the gifts that Tess sends and will not let her build her a new house. She almost finds herself a stranger with her mother after so many years. They don’t really understand one another. Tess dutifully helps her mother through surgery and stays for four weeks to help her get back on her feet, literally.
Tess has two older sisters, Judy and Renee. Judy is a hairstylist and has great resentment for Tess and her fame. It doesn’t help that Tess thinks that Judy has let herself go and could stand to lose a few pounds. Renee and Tess get along great, but Renee is busy helping her daughter prepare for her wedding.
Her first night in town, Mary’s neighbor, Kenny Kronek, stops by with salt for the softener. He walks right in and annoys Tess by ignoring her presence. Kenny remembers Tess as a stuck-up high school girl, and Tess remembers Kenny as a klutzy nerd. The two clash at first, but slowly Tess sees how Kenny is an important part of her family’s life and she also loves Kenny’s daughter Casey. Casey has an amazing voice and Tess is determined to help start her career.
Will Tess be able to change her life to keep her family at the heart while maintaining her high profile career? Will Tess be able to find love . . . with the boy next door?
Truthfully I thought this novel was okay, but not the greatest. I feel bad as it is the September FLICKS book club selection and I know a couple people in my book club love this book. I just didn’t fall in love with the romance in this novel.
SPOILER ALERT
Tess’s hatred for Kenny at the beginning of the novel felt forced and I didn’t really like them together. I really didn’t like how Kenny has had a girlfriend for eight years, Faith, and she seems to be a wonderful woman. But although Kenny and Casey love her and she is an important part of their life, they seem to have no problem throwing her away for Tess. I did like how Kenny was able to put his business on the back burner to be a part of Tess’s life. I guess overall I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two leads that I would expect in a romance novel. I also am not a country music fan, but I don’t think that lessoned my enjoyment of the novel.
SPOILER END
Overall, I thought Small Town Girl was an okay novel. I did enjoy reading it, but didn’t love it. I much preferred Spencer’s Bittersweet to this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2021
This book was so cute. This is about a country music star and her high school rival. Tess goes back to her hometown to take care of her mom and runs into her high school rival, Kenny. His mom is best friends with her mom and he continues to be very involved in the mom's life. He's the church choir director and seems to be the golden boy grown up and its not long before Tess starts to have feelings. There is some cheating in this book because Kenny's in a relationship (albeit a pretty gray one) and he should've probably ended it first. He has a daughter who dreams of being a musician and I loved the relationship between her and Tess. I got so many vibes of when I was a tween and wanted to be a popstar. This was so fun! I'd definitely recommend for a southern, charming, clean book about music and love.
April 29, 2016
Unfortunately, though I hate to say it, this one was not a great read for me. While I usually love LaVyrle Spencer's books, and I somehow seem to recall liking this one well enough when I read it years ago, it's no longer for me, if it ever was. I liked the concept, and I still do. For me, the problem was that the people we are supposed to be rooting for are rather detestable humans.
The main character is all kinds of horrible; shallow, self-absorbed, judgemental, whiny, and just plain awful. Shallow is worth adding twice, really, since she visits her elderly mother and spends 90% of her time musing about the poorness of her house and how shabby her appearance is, and totally misses that her mother is in pain, and is a real person with things going on besides her hair and nails. I mean, the mother is no picnic, but someone as obsessed with possessions and looks as this heroine is just not someone I want to follow through a book. She spends more time thinking about how much everyone weighs than she does engaging with the hero, which is off-putting, and we hear way more about her ridiculously long pink finger nails than we do any sort of compassion for anyone around her. And then she manages to convince herself that everyone who dislikes her does so because they are jealous of her. Ugh, no - they dislike you, because you are awful, Tess.
And the hero, well, he's just someone scheming to have a little bit of the girl of his dreams (and highschool bully, oddly) even though he already has a "lady friend." The romance comes off as just scummy because he's never honest with his girlfriend of eight years. We're clearly supposed to think this is okay, since the girlfriend doesn't want to get married, and doesn't "like sex" (we are treated to him badgering her into a squalid little quasi-consensual quickie, which she gives into just to shut him up - yuck). Faith, the girlfriend, however, acted like a surrogate mother to his daughter, was universally kind to everyone in this book, and seemed like a useful, non-idiotic type of person. In my opinion, she should have been treated better in this book; he certainly had the right to break up with her if he and she didn't want the same things in life, but you don't use her until something better comes along - and you certainly don't slime around behind her back! The hero really is nothing to quicken the heart at all; he's a prematurely middle-aged hypocrite who manages the church choir, appears to be a pillar of the community, and yet who's still okay with guilting sex off one girlfriend while trying to bag another. Not really the guy for me, to be honest.
It's taken me forever to read this thing, and I almost gave up. I managed to force myself to power through the final bits, just to see the back of it. It went on for bloody ever!
As I say, Spenser is a favourite of mine, so I expected to adore this. It's disappointing that I didn't, but I guess you can't win them all.
The main character is all kinds of horrible; shallow, self-absorbed, judgemental, whiny, and just plain awful. Shallow is worth adding twice, really, since she visits her elderly mother and spends 90% of her time musing about the poorness of her house and how shabby her appearance is, and totally misses that her mother is in pain, and is a real person with things going on besides her hair and nails. I mean, the mother is no picnic, but someone as obsessed with possessions and looks as this heroine is just not someone I want to follow through a book. She spends more time thinking about how much everyone weighs than she does engaging with the hero, which is off-putting, and we hear way more about her ridiculously long pink finger nails than we do any sort of compassion for anyone around her. And then she manages to convince herself that everyone who dislikes her does so because they are jealous of her. Ugh, no - they dislike you, because you are awful, Tess.
And the hero, well, he's just someone scheming to have a little bit of the girl of his dreams (and highschool bully, oddly) even though he already has a "lady friend." The romance comes off as just scummy because he's never honest with his girlfriend of eight years. We're clearly supposed to think this is okay, since the girlfriend doesn't want to get married, and doesn't "like sex" (we are treated to him badgering her into a squalid little quasi-consensual quickie, which she gives into just to shut him up - yuck). Faith, the girlfriend, however, acted like a surrogate mother to his daughter, was universally kind to everyone in this book, and seemed like a useful, non-idiotic type of person. In my opinion, she should have been treated better in this book; he certainly had the right to break up with her if he and she didn't want the same things in life, but you don't use her until something better comes along - and you certainly don't slime around behind her back! The hero really is nothing to quicken the heart at all; he's a prematurely middle-aged hypocrite who manages the church choir, appears to be a pillar of the community, and yet who's still okay with guilting sex off one girlfriend while trying to bag another. Not really the guy for me, to be honest.
It's taken me forever to read this thing, and I almost gave up. I managed to force myself to power through the final bits, just to see the back of it. It went on for bloody ever!
As I say, Spenser is a favourite of mine, so I expected to adore this. It's disappointing that I didn't, but I guess you can't win them all.
May 29, 2011
After a lot of internal debate - this would have to be my favourite LaVyrle Spencer book.
I was originally attracted to LaVyrle Spencer's work as a teen, because of how similar our names were - and then, after reading and devouring EVERYTHING ELSE she wrote, I hoped her magic way with words may somehow rub off on me (ahh, the arrogance of youth!).
This lady sure knows how to write and draw such deep emotions from her readers. I had to reach for the tissue box on numerous occasions, but it was so worth the journey.
I've just scanned all of Ms. Spencer's backlist to see if I've missed any, but sadly, I've already read them all. I'll just have to keep re-reading the other gems written by this Queen of Romance and be satisfied with that. I guess Ms. Spencer deserves her retirement, but boy, do I miss her work!
Thank you for so many wonderful years of reading, Ms. Spencer. You're missed greatly, but your talent is never forgotten.
I was originally attracted to LaVyrle Spencer's work as a teen, because of how similar our names were - and then, after reading and devouring EVERYTHING ELSE she wrote, I hoped her magic way with words may somehow rub off on me (ahh, the arrogance of youth!).
This lady sure knows how to write and draw such deep emotions from her readers. I had to reach for the tissue box on numerous occasions, but it was so worth the journey.
I've just scanned all of Ms. Spencer's backlist to see if I've missed any, but sadly, I've already read them all. I'll just have to keep re-reading the other gems written by this Queen of Romance and be satisfied with that. I guess Ms. Spencer deserves her retirement, but boy, do I miss her work!
Thank you for so many wonderful years of reading, Ms. Spencer. You're missed greatly, but your talent is never forgotten.
April 28, 2022
First time some years ago 5 stars, now less than 3 stars...
This author really was one of my favorites one. But this story wasn’t so good like some years ago.
What i liked: the heroine got some really good lesson of humility, on first pages she was like some stiff upper lip b*tch, but then she developed her character.
I like secondary character- Casey, just so good girl.
What i didn’t like: hero wasn’t faithful to his previous partner, he was kissing heroine and wanting to have sex with her being in relationship with other woman (for 8 years, she was caring and good person, but a bit of cold...in bed)
Heroine knew about their relationship and she kissed him first... I didn’t like it either.
They were not trustworthy for me.
Not safe.
April 23, 2024
3.75 stars
This started off so strong! I'm disappointed I have to dock a star because of how a certain relationship ended.
I love a romance featuring a mean heroine / former mean girl who has to grapple with the consequences of her actions and attitude. Tess was certainly not a likeable person - she judges her obese sister for her appearance (although Judy herself is pretty nasty too) and her aging mother for sticking to her old ways and refusing to accept and wear Tess' lavish gifts. On top of that, she's vain and a workaholic (a trait I dislike in my main characters, female or male). The list goes on. That said, there was something about Tess that made me want better for her. She did warm up over time to her mother and the hero, Kenny, who she used to bully/dislike back in high school.
Contrast all that with Mr Glow Up, Kenny, who ends up being Tess' mother's neighbour. He's a divorcée and has a teenage daughter, who's probably the most lovable seventeen-year-old ever. Kenny's a great guy - he's selfless, loves his family and community and has no ego. His only flaw was that he didn't know how to handle (i.e. END) his long-standing relationship with another woman. His EIGHT-YEAR relationship with her. This bothered me the more I got into the story.
By the end, I had mixed feelings towards the couple's HEA. I wish there wasn't the period of separation in the last third - or maybe it could just have been done better I don't know. Sadly, the story lost its spark towards the end.
This started off so strong! I'm disappointed I have to dock a star because of how a certain relationship ended.
I love a romance featuring a mean heroine / former mean girl who has to grapple with the consequences of her actions and attitude. Tess was certainly not a likeable person - she judges her obese sister for her appearance (although Judy herself is pretty nasty too) and her aging mother for sticking to her old ways and refusing to accept and wear Tess' lavish gifts. On top of that, she's vain and a workaholic (a trait I dislike in my main characters, female or male). The list goes on. That said, there was something about Tess that made me want better for her. She did warm up over time to her mother and the hero, Kenny, who she used to bully/dislike back in high school.
Contrast all that with Mr Glow Up, Kenny, who ends up being Tess' mother's neighbour. He's a divorcée and has a teenage daughter, who's probably the most lovable seventeen-year-old ever. Kenny's a great guy - he's selfless, loves his family and community and has no ego. His only flaw was that he didn't know how to handle (i.e. END) his long-standing relationship with another woman. His EIGHT-YEAR relationship with her. This bothered me the more I got into the story.
By the end, I had mixed feelings towards the couple's HEA. I wish there wasn't the period of separation in the last third - or maybe it could just have been done better I don't know. Sadly, the story lost its spark towards the end.
November 3, 2021
So it has begun my journey back in time to reread some of my OG romance authors that I read 25+ years ago!!! Lavyrle Spencer was such a popular author back in my early day - I know I read at least a handful of her books. I can't remember any of them specifically or which ones were my favorites. I am also curious how well these will feel for me now all these years later and my romance tastes have altered a bit.
I think all of her books have newly become available on audio and are free for the borrowing at Hoopla if your library is part of that network. Overall I would say this was an average read. I'm not certain this would have even been a favorite back in the day, maybe a 3 star in 1998?? While the characters were sweet and relatable - they were also pretty boring, at least the ones doing all the romancing. The Mother was the only one with a standout personality!!! There was zero reason to swoon in this book, and I always miss that connection and pull to root for characters and love. 2021 - 2 stars but am excited to choose a few more that could be super stars! I just remember this author having such a warmth to her books!!
I think all of her books have newly become available on audio and are free for the borrowing at Hoopla if your library is part of that network. Overall I would say this was an average read. I'm not certain this would have even been a favorite back in the day, maybe a 3 star in 1998?? While the characters were sweet and relatable - they were also pretty boring, at least the ones doing all the romancing. The Mother was the only one with a standout personality!!! There was zero reason to swoon in this book, and I always miss that connection and pull to root for characters and love. 2021 - 2 stars but am excited to choose a few more that could be super stars! I just remember this author having such a warmth to her books!!
November 28, 2025
Historia de amor entre una super estrella de la canción y su vecino de toda la vida del pueblo.
Superestrella llega al pueblo para cuidar de su madre y se reencuentra con su pasado.
Hay miles de historias con esta premisa pero este en concreto tiene unos protagonistas planos y sin chispa que no trasmiten nada en sus encuentros, no se en qué punto de la narración pasan de odiarse a quererse con locura.
No sé si es la versión que he leído y su traducción no ha sido la acertada pero no me ha llegado.
Por salvar un poco la situación los secundarios como la madre y la hija de él no han estado tan mal y aportan un toque de emocion con los personajes.
Superestrella llega al pueblo para cuidar de su madre y se reencuentra con su pasado.
Hay miles de historias con esta premisa pero este en concreto tiene unos protagonistas planos y sin chispa que no trasmiten nada en sus encuentros, no se en qué punto de la narración pasan de odiarse a quererse con locura.
No sé si es la versión que he leído y su traducción no ha sido la acertada pero no me ha llegado.
Por salvar un poco la situación los secundarios como la madre y la hija de él no han estado tan mal y aportan un toque de emocion con los personajes.
July 30, 2023
La chica de Pueblo de Lavryle Spencer
3/5 ⭐️
2.5/5🌶
Es una novela linda, se lee rápido y es bastante ágil.
Me pareció más liviana que otros libros de la autora. Menos dramática.
Como todos sus libros está muy bien narrada algo que se agradece mucho hoy en día.
Algunos personajes secundarios me parecieron muy planos, (las hermanas).
El romance lindo, nada del otro mundo.
3/5 ⭐️
2.5/5🌶
Es una novela linda, se lee rápido y es bastante ágil.
Me pareció más liviana que otros libros de la autora. Menos dramática.
Como todos sus libros está muy bien narrada algo que se agradece mucho hoy en día.
Algunos personajes secundarios me parecieron muy planos, (las hermanas).
El romance lindo, nada del otro mundo.
November 7, 2014
Eighteen years ago, a young and hopeful Tess McPhail left her tiny hometown of Wintergreen, Missouri, for the bright lights of Nashville and she never once looked back. Now considered to be one of country music's brightest stars, "Mac" McPhail is a millionairess many times over, whose career is her life. At thirty-five years old, Mac has no time for marriage, children, or kinfolk - until her sisters insist that she finally come home to help care for their widowed mother, Mary.
Assuming that staying in Wintergreen for the next month will be merely dreary, Mac is totally unprepared for what awaits her. After almost two decades spent basking in the public's adoration of her, she is suddenly an inconspicuous, almost inconsequential person - insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, and ignored by Kenny Kronek, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. Now a handsome divorcé who dotes upon his teenage daughter, Casey, Kenny is widely respected in the community. And he seems downright indifferent towards Mac, refusing to even give her the time of day.
Once she discovers Casey is a promising country music talent, Mac assumes the role of singing mentor for the girl. She gradually becomes an integral part of life in Wintergreen, and the feigned indifference between Mac and Kenny soon turns from playful bickering to sudden passion. By month's end, Mac McPhail is a completely changed woman; she has not only grown to treasure the priceless solidarity of family and community, but also opened up her heart to love.
Yet what was possible in the small town of Wintergreen, appears to be nothing more than a naive fantasy back in Nashville. Under Nashville's bright and harsh stage lights - in the realm of super stardom - is there room for caring and commitment; or is a woman who is worshipped by millions destined to always be alone?
While I certainly enjoyed reading this book, the story was somewhat predictable to me in places. I appreciated that it was an easy read, and it was definitely well-written. However, I must admit that this wasn't my absolute favorite book by LaVyrle Spencer. I give this book a B+!
Assuming that staying in Wintergreen for the next month will be merely dreary, Mac is totally unprepared for what awaits her. After almost two decades spent basking in the public's adoration of her, she is suddenly an inconspicuous, almost inconsequential person - insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, and ignored by Kenny Kronek, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. Now a handsome divorcé who dotes upon his teenage daughter, Casey, Kenny is widely respected in the community. And he seems downright indifferent towards Mac, refusing to even give her the time of day.
Once she discovers Casey is a promising country music talent, Mac assumes the role of singing mentor for the girl. She gradually becomes an integral part of life in Wintergreen, and the feigned indifference between Mac and Kenny soon turns from playful bickering to sudden passion. By month's end, Mac McPhail is a completely changed woman; she has not only grown to treasure the priceless solidarity of family and community, but also opened up her heart to love.
Yet what was possible in the small town of Wintergreen, appears to be nothing more than a naive fantasy back in Nashville. Under Nashville's bright and harsh stage lights - in the realm of super stardom - is there room for caring and commitment; or is a woman who is worshipped by millions destined to always be alone?
While I certainly enjoyed reading this book, the story was somewhat predictable to me in places. I appreciated that it was an easy read, and it was definitely well-written. However, I must admit that this wasn't my absolute favorite book by LaVyrle Spencer. I give this book a B+!
September 2, 2013
Such a great book. Small town girl who grew up to be a major country singing star. She comes home to take care of her mother who is recovering from hip surgery. She is the youngest of three girls. One sister is very supportive but the other is full of jealousy. Interesting story line there. Boy next door is the nerdy kid who got teased by everyone in high school. But he is older now and raising a teenage daughter who happens to have an amazing voice as well. Sparks fly between them. the complication is that he has an eight year relationship with a local woman who he eventually drops when the truth comes out about his everlasting love for the girl next door. I felt kind of sorry for her, but she took it well.
As much as I enjoyed the book, I think it could have ended about ten pages sooner. The last pages where just fluff and added nothing to the story.
As much as I enjoyed the book, I think it could have ended about ten pages sooner. The last pages where just fluff and added nothing to the story.
June 21, 2013
Home town girl makes good--millionaire good. Fuming the whole way back home--her sisters have forced her into it, because it's her turn to take care of Momma. Before the month ends, she's learned a few things she never would have if she'd not made the journey. The best part of the story is her banter with Kenny Kronek--boy next door she grew up with. Kept me wondering, but in the end boy does get girl. (For the mature reader.)
June 11, 2010
This was my first book I read by Lavyrl. It was at the library and had just been returned. For some reason I was drawn to the title and cover art and so I checked it out.
Since then I've read it twice and I have loved it both times. It's a GREAT summer beach read, or pool read. A sweet story, with of course, a typical happy ending - but don't worry - there are plenty of twists and turns though.
Since then I've read it twice and I have loved it both times. It's a GREAT summer beach read, or pool read. A sweet story, with of course, a typical happy ending - but don't worry - there are plenty of twists and turns though.
July 4, 2018
This is the second time I've read this in the last 20 years. Its a quick read for me because it holds my interest. Its a charming story. Its a chick flick on paper. Everything about the book I could see happening in real life. Not everything works out perfectly and that keeps it real as well. I would love to see Hallmark to take this on as one of their projects.
December 31, 2011
you can tell I am running out of stuff to read since I haven't had time to visit a library here yet! this was one mom gave me! so predictable!
October 10, 2015
I don't finish books that don't hold my attention and I finished this one in a day.
December 27, 2024
Country music star Tess McPhail (Mac) goes home to Minnesota to take care of her mother after surgery. She had no idea that everything she was missing was right there where she started.
I loved this! The setting, the FMC, MMC, the storyline.....I loved it all. The author writes beautifully and the flow was easy. I could hear Tess singing those songs.....It gave feel good energy. Doesn't hurt that I'm a small town girl too!😉
This was the first time reading from this author, but not my last.
I loved this! The setting, the FMC, MMC, the storyline.....I loved it all. The author writes beautifully and the flow was easy. I could hear Tess singing those songs.....It gave feel good energy. Doesn't hurt that I'm a small town girl too!😉
This was the first time reading from this author, but not my last.
November 13, 2019
An enjoyable LaVyrle Spenser that I somehow missed in earlier years. I especially liked the view of a Country Western Superstar--the lifestyle and the recording session.
July 22, 2016
Small Town Girl is by LaVyrle Spencer. It was after reading this that I learned she has written her last book and is retiring. This made this book so much more special for me. I have loved all of her books and this one was no different. It is set in Wintergreen, Missouri and Nashville. The characters are very realistic and the situation is definitely one worth investigating.
Tess McPhail had left her small town and not looked back. She had a desire to sing and with a lot of effort, she had made it in Nashville. She was one of country music’s biggest stars. She had not forgotten where she came from nor how hard it was to break into the music business. She made an effort to support up and coming artists in the music business. She was so involved with her music and her business efforts that she didn’t have time for a home life. She sent her Mother money and gifts but had not been back home. Her sisters ganged up on her and insisted she was the only one who had the time to come home and care for their widowed mother during her hip surgery. Her sister Judy had her beauty shop to run and her sister Renee was preparing for her daughter’s wedding. So, reluctantly, Tess returned home. She finds herself thrown back in time with her Mother. Nothing had been updated in her Mother’s home nor with her Mother’s dress. Mother never wore the clothes Tess sent her nor the jewelry. She never used the money to fix up her house. Mother wants nothing changed, not even her meals or meal time. What had Tess walked into?
Tess meets back up with Kenny Kronek who lives in his late mother’s house behind Tess’ Mother’s place. They had played together as young children and then were classmates in high school. However, while Tess was popular and in the “In crowd”, Kenny was a nerd and the kids were mean to him. Now he was helping her Mother out as he had taken care of his Mother. He had married and was now divorced. He was raising his daughter, Casey. Now, Kenny was ignoring Tess or helping as she made mistakes with her Mother. Then Tess discovers Casey is interested in music and song writing. Tess encourages her even though Kenny doesn’t think it is a good idea.
How will Tess get out of this mess? How will she survive being in this small town until her Mother can stay alone?
Tess McPhail had left her small town and not looked back. She had a desire to sing and with a lot of effort, she had made it in Nashville. She was one of country music’s biggest stars. She had not forgotten where she came from nor how hard it was to break into the music business. She made an effort to support up and coming artists in the music business. She was so involved with her music and her business efforts that she didn’t have time for a home life. She sent her Mother money and gifts but had not been back home. Her sisters ganged up on her and insisted she was the only one who had the time to come home and care for their widowed mother during her hip surgery. Her sister Judy had her beauty shop to run and her sister Renee was preparing for her daughter’s wedding. So, reluctantly, Tess returned home. She finds herself thrown back in time with her Mother. Nothing had been updated in her Mother’s home nor with her Mother’s dress. Mother never wore the clothes Tess sent her nor the jewelry. She never used the money to fix up her house. Mother wants nothing changed, not even her meals or meal time. What had Tess walked into?
Tess meets back up with Kenny Kronek who lives in his late mother’s house behind Tess’ Mother’s place. They had played together as young children and then were classmates in high school. However, while Tess was popular and in the “In crowd”, Kenny was a nerd and the kids were mean to him. Now he was helping her Mother out as he had taken care of his Mother. He had married and was now divorced. He was raising his daughter, Casey. Now, Kenny was ignoring Tess or helping as she made mistakes with her Mother. Then Tess discovers Casey is interested in music and song writing. Tess encourages her even though Kenny doesn’t think it is a good idea.
How will Tess get out of this mess? How will she survive being in this small town until her Mother can stay alone?
March 26, 2014
I don't know when I've disliked a character as much as I disliked
Tess. She's quite perturbed that after 18 years pursuing her very
successful singing career, her sisters expect her to come and take a turn in caring for their mother, Ruth, after knee replacement surgery. When she arrives at her mother's house she greets her mothers casserole and homemade pecan pie not with gratitude, but with disdain for her mothers unhealthy eating habits.
The boy next door, Kenny, had a crush on her back in high school, but she couldn't stand him. He had nose bleeds and acne and embarrassed her by trying to hold her hand. Nothing like holding
someone's physical problems against them. I guess we could excuse
her as a clueless teenager, but when Kenny stops by she's insulted
that he doesn't greet her instead of apologizing for her demeaning
treatment of him. When he brings it up her response is that he's at
fault for holding a grudge.
Kenny has a daughter, Casey, who is just a teenager. However, she's
such a great singer and song writer Tess decides to take her back to
Nashville with her.
I was really hoping that at the end of the book Kenny would dump
Tess and realize that his girlfriend of eight years, Faith, was the
better woman. Sadly, Kenny turns out to be as shallow and selfish
as Tess. This guy who was portrayed as almost a saint who took care
of his dying mother, raised his daughter as a single dad, and took
over the care and upkeep of Ruth's house turns over a new leaf and dumps his long time girl friend by advising her to move her personal belongings out of his house as he leaves to attend Tess's concert. Neither Casey nor Ruth seem to have a problem with the woman
who was a surrogate mother to Casey and a good friend to Ruth being
treated so callously.
Kenny and Tess marry. To add insult to injury or maybe make
the two-timing couple less distasteful, they invite Faith to the wedding. She attends and wishes them well.
Kenny is thrilled to drive Tess's fancy car and eager to live in her Nashville mansion. He will be her business manager. In real life I would give the marriage 16 to 18 months, but luckily they're just a figment of Ms Spencer's imagination.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
I love everything LaVyrle Spencer writes... heartwarming stories about family, friends and just feeling happy when you finish them.
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Eighteen years ago, young Tess McPhail left her tiny hometown of Wintergreen, Missouri, population 1,713. She headed for Nashville—and never looked back. Now one of country music’s brightest lights, “Mac” McPhail is a millionaire many times over. Her career is her life. At thirty-five, Mac has no time for marriage, children, or kinfolk—until her sisters insist she come home to help care for their widowed mother…Mac isn’t thrilled about spending a month in Wintergreen. But her visit home turns out to be far from dull. After almost two decades of public adoration, she is suddenly a nonperson—insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, and ignored by Kenny Kroneck, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. Now a handsome divorce who dotes on his teenage daughter, Kenny is widely respected in the community—and refuses to give Mac the time of day. But once she discovers that Kenny’s daughter is a promising country music talent, Mac assumes the role of mentor—and everything changes…
Gradually, the famous Mac McPhail becomes an integral part of life in Wintergreen. The priceless gifts of family and community open her heart to the sweet rewards of caring and commitment. And as the feigned indifference between Mac and Kenny turns to playful bickering, then passion, the complicated life of a superstar is forever changed—by the simple joys of love…
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Eighteen years ago, young Tess McPhail left her tiny hometown of Wintergreen, Missouri, population 1,713. She headed for Nashville—and never looked back. Now one of country music’s brightest lights, “Mac” McPhail is a millionaire many times over. Her career is her life. At thirty-five, Mac has no time for marriage, children, or kinfolk—until her sisters insist she come home to help care for their widowed mother…Mac isn’t thrilled about spending a month in Wintergreen. But her visit home turns out to be far from dull. After almost two decades of public adoration, she is suddenly a nonperson—insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, and ignored by Kenny Kroneck, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. Now a handsome divorce who dotes on his teenage daughter, Kenny is widely respected in the community—and refuses to give Mac the time of day. But once she discovers that Kenny’s daughter is a promising country music talent, Mac assumes the role of mentor—and everything changes…
Gradually, the famous Mac McPhail becomes an integral part of life in Wintergreen. The priceless gifts of family and community open her heart to the sweet rewards of caring and commitment. And as the feigned indifference between Mac and Kenny turns to playful bickering, then passion, the complicated life of a superstar is forever changed—by the simple joys of love…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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