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Where She Belongs
She never wants to go home again.
For Jess Morgan, Destiny Falls holds too many painful memories. Nine years ago, a logging accident near the remote timber town killed her dad and her high school sweetheart. To make matters worse, her mother quickly sought comfort with another man. That choice tore Jess apart and drove her to seek a life far away. But now fate steps in, and family obligations force her return home. Before long, she’s convinced that persuading her mom to live with her in Toronto will repair their shattered bond. However, she doesn’t count on a long-ago friend re-entering her life and challenging her convictions.
Rugged forester Adam Wright believes in family, roots, and not running from heartache. Now, all he wants is to help Jess break down the walls of the lonely sanctuary she’s built for herself and heal her past hurts. It’s not until she rejects his plans for their future that he realizes his persistence is pushing her away—not at all what he intends.
Has he lost his chance? Or can he convince Jess that where she truly belongs is with him...forever?
For Jess Morgan, Destiny Falls holds too many painful memories. Nine years ago, a logging accident near the remote timber town killed her dad and her high school sweetheart. To make matters worse, her mother quickly sought comfort with another man. That choice tore Jess apart and drove her to seek a life far away. But now fate steps in, and family obligations force her return home. Before long, she’s convinced that persuading her mom to live with her in Toronto will repair their shattered bond. However, she doesn’t count on a long-ago friend re-entering her life and challenging her convictions.
Rugged forester Adam Wright believes in family, roots, and not running from heartache. Now, all he wants is to help Jess break down the walls of the lonely sanctuary she’s built for herself and heal her past hurts. It’s not until she rejects his plans for their future that he realizes his persistence is pushing her away—not at all what he intends.
Has he lost his chance? Or can he convince Jess that where she truly belongs is with him...forever?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2011
145 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Procter-King
19 books69 followersCindy Procter-King writes steamy romcom and contemporary romance bursting with laughter and emotion. Sassy feel-good fiction!
Cindy’s books are available from eBook retailers all over the world, as well as in trade paperback, some library hardcover and large print, and some foreign editions.
Cindy lives in Canada with her family, Ghost’Da Allie McBeagle, and too many grand-dogs to count.
Visit Cindy’s website at http://www.cindyprocter-king.com
Cindy’s books are available from eBook retailers all over the world, as well as in trade paperback, some library hardcover and large print, and some foreign editions.
Cindy lives in Canada with her family, Ghost’Da Allie McBeagle, and too many grand-dogs to count.
Visit Cindy’s website at http://www.cindyprocter-king.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 24, 2011
originally posted at http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
Stuck in a quagmire of heartbreaking experiences in her teens, Jess Morgan’s ability to move on emotionally is stalled even though she functions at top speed in her upscale merchandizing career in Toronto. When she must return to Destiny Falls where she experienced these life-changing hurts, she is swamped with misgivings. Her veneer of big city sophistication gets chipped away little by little. Whether she feels like she has come “home” or not, the people of Destiny Falls believe she has and draw her into the web of small community living.
Adam Wright, whom Jess had a crush on when she was fourteen and he was seventeen, is Jess’s best friend Molly’s cousin and comes to pick Jess up at the airport while Molly stays with Jess’s mother Nora, whose second husband has died.
Adam is comfortable in his own skin. He put his roots down deep in Destiny Falls and has that sense of belonging he needs. He is just as tenacious, steadfast, and persistent as his cousin Molly. He works to make Destiny Falls a better and more prosperous place to live He works hard in his business to obtain contracts that generate jobs and good wages for the local people. However, his attitude that others should like and be happy with what he is happy with has cost him dearly. Crysta and his unborn child are lost to him because of this attitude and now it colors his view of Jess whom he feels abandoned her mother and her hometown. He doesn’t know the circumstances and is too quick to judge.
Nora, Jess’s mother, is not blameless in Jess’s feeling she doesn’t really belong in Destiny Falls or anywhere else for that matter. Caught up in her own needs and loves over the years, Nora lost her connection with her only child. She feels she has no right to make demands on Jess even though grief and regrets have sapped her vitality. Some of her choices have driven Jess away, yet she longs for absolution.
As Jess inches her way toward a decision about where she belongs and about her willingness to risk being hurt again, she tells herself that being alone keeps her safe from hurt. However, as she and Nora open up to each other and Adam eases his way into her life, thoughts, and heart, Jess fears breaking free of her cocoon of isolation and feels a sense of panic about flying out into a world where emotional dangers abound.
Cindy Procter-King weaves together the lives of her characters with a skill that creates a beautiful pattern of love with just enough darkness in the design to highlight the beauty of unconditional friendship, familial love that ebbs and flows but never disappears, and best of all, she weaves in the love of a man and woman who suffered bitter grief and loss but come out of that dark part of life to the glorious light of true love.
Where She Belongs is a gentle story that touches the heart.
Stuck in a quagmire of heartbreaking experiences in her teens, Jess Morgan’s ability to move on emotionally is stalled even though she functions at top speed in her upscale merchandizing career in Toronto. When she must return to Destiny Falls where she experienced these life-changing hurts, she is swamped with misgivings. Her veneer of big city sophistication gets chipped away little by little. Whether she feels like she has come “home” or not, the people of Destiny Falls believe she has and draw her into the web of small community living.
Adam Wright, whom Jess had a crush on when she was fourteen and he was seventeen, is Jess’s best friend Molly’s cousin and comes to pick Jess up at the airport while Molly stays with Jess’s mother Nora, whose second husband has died.
Adam is comfortable in his own skin. He put his roots down deep in Destiny Falls and has that sense of belonging he needs. He is just as tenacious, steadfast, and persistent as his cousin Molly. He works to make Destiny Falls a better and more prosperous place to live He works hard in his business to obtain contracts that generate jobs and good wages for the local people. However, his attitude that others should like and be happy with what he is happy with has cost him dearly. Crysta and his unborn child are lost to him because of this attitude and now it colors his view of Jess whom he feels abandoned her mother and her hometown. He doesn’t know the circumstances and is too quick to judge.
Nora, Jess’s mother, is not blameless in Jess’s feeling she doesn’t really belong in Destiny Falls or anywhere else for that matter. Caught up in her own needs and loves over the years, Nora lost her connection with her only child. She feels she has no right to make demands on Jess even though grief and regrets have sapped her vitality. Some of her choices have driven Jess away, yet she longs for absolution.
As Jess inches her way toward a decision about where she belongs and about her willingness to risk being hurt again, she tells herself that being alone keeps her safe from hurt. However, as she and Nora open up to each other and Adam eases his way into her life, thoughts, and heart, Jess fears breaking free of her cocoon of isolation and feels a sense of panic about flying out into a world where emotional dangers abound.
Cindy Procter-King weaves together the lives of her characters with a skill that creates a beautiful pattern of love with just enough darkness in the design to highlight the beauty of unconditional friendship, familial love that ebbs and flows but never disappears, and best of all, she weaves in the love of a man and woman who suffered bitter grief and loss but come out of that dark part of life to the glorious light of true love.
Where She Belongs is a gentle story that touches the heart.
April 5, 2014
Where She Belongs I can’t help but think that writing male leads the way this author does in this book as a romantic hero is a disservice to readers. Much like Disney giving young girls the idea that some man is going to come rescue you – at some point we have to admit that women can darn well rescue themselves! The male lead in this book Adam Wright (Mr Right? Cliché anyone?) is a pushy, demanding man. I won’t say dominant but he treads awful near the line of domineering. The ending is sweet, picking up her childhood dream and going into business with her best friend is heartwarming – after all who wouldn’t love to go back and rediscover the passion and joy they had as a teenager for whatever their first love was – sometimes this involves a person, sometime a career goal that they didn’t get to pursue.
The relationships being rebuilt with the women in this book is the one bright point. Jesse and Molly – friends in childhood who time and distance tore away at the core, and Jesse and her mother – who became disconnected when Mom remarried and Jesse moved away. As annoyed as I get with the author in the descriptions of the males, the female relationships are a sweet spot.
Wow, my main thought on the male lead of this book is that he is a pushy SOB. Both of the main characters have issues as all real people do. The writing is pretty good, the characters are well written – enough so I want to get up and stand up for the female lead and tell him to back off. Back off in a real way. He is clearly controlling and not in a dominant positive way. He’s being a controlling jerk. He wants to be more important than her job. Yes, her job is demanding but honestly, whose isn’t busy at work these days? He wants everything with no compromise – Jessie tries to offer compromises and he refuses to back down. Personally, rather than a romantic tryst it begins to sound like a restraining order is in order.
In conclusion, the writing is decent but unless you love the stories of the domineering man who is always right connecting with the female lead and staying together in the end. Now if we could leave the “romance” out of this romance and make it a story about women connecting… then it would be worth the read.
The relationships being rebuilt with the women in this book is the one bright point. Jesse and Molly – friends in childhood who time and distance tore away at the core, and Jesse and her mother – who became disconnected when Mom remarried and Jesse moved away. As annoyed as I get with the author in the descriptions of the males, the female relationships are a sweet spot.
Wow, my main thought on the male lead of this book is that he is a pushy SOB. Both of the main characters have issues as all real people do. The writing is pretty good, the characters are well written – enough so I want to get up and stand up for the female lead and tell him to back off. Back off in a real way. He is clearly controlling and not in a dominant positive way. He’s being a controlling jerk. He wants to be more important than her job. Yes, her job is demanding but honestly, whose isn’t busy at work these days? He wants everything with no compromise – Jessie tries to offer compromises and he refuses to back down. Personally, rather than a romantic tryst it begins to sound like a restraining order is in order.
In conclusion, the writing is decent but unless you love the stories of the domineering man who is always right connecting with the female lead and staying together in the end. Now if we could leave the “romance” out of this romance and make it a story about women connecting… then it would be worth the read.
September 12, 2013
Where She Belongs by Cindy Procter-King is a contemporary romance.
After her stepfather's death, Jess Morgan takes some time off from her shoe buying job and returns to her small hometown in Canada to help out her mother. While in town, she meets Adam Wright. Being back home brings up some bad memories for Jess, including the deaths of her father and high school sweetheart and her strained relationship with her stepfather and mother. But she finds herself opening up to and falling for Adam, who wants to have a real relationship with her. But Jess isn't sure that she's ready to risk her heart again ...
I like small town romances, and I enjoyed the Canadian setting in this one. I also thought there were a lot of interesting issues in the book, including relationships with your parents, how the past influences you, and things like that. It was nice to see Jess reconnect with her mother and old friends and put some of those issues to rest.
However, I just didn't like Adam all that much. He seemed a bit overbearing to me, and he pushes Jess quite a bit about her feelings. I didn't connect with him as a character, especially as the hero.
Overall, though, if you like small town romances, you may want to check this one out.
After her stepfather's death, Jess Morgan takes some time off from her shoe buying job and returns to her small hometown in Canada to help out her mother. While in town, she meets Adam Wright. Being back home brings up some bad memories for Jess, including the deaths of her father and high school sweetheart and her strained relationship with her stepfather and mother. But she finds herself opening up to and falling for Adam, who wants to have a real relationship with her. But Jess isn't sure that she's ready to risk her heart again ...
I like small town romances, and I enjoyed the Canadian setting in this one. I also thought there were a lot of interesting issues in the book, including relationships with your parents, how the past influences you, and things like that. It was nice to see Jess reconnect with her mother and old friends and put some of those issues to rest.
However, I just didn't like Adam all that much. He seemed a bit overbearing to me, and he pushes Jess quite a bit about her feelings. I didn't connect with him as a character, especially as the hero.
Overall, though, if you like small town romances, you may want to check this one out.
August 11, 2016
In Where She Belongs by Cindy Procter King, Jess has come 'home' to Destiny Falls - the last place she really wants to be. When Jess and her mother faced tragedy before, instead of drawing them together, it pushed them apart. Especially when Jess's mother remarried very quickly after the death of Jess's father. Jess and her stepfather never had a good relationship, and she remains full of hurt and resentment. When he dies, she goes back to help her mother. This time, her mother is facing her grief in an entirely different way, one that confuses Jess and digs into her unhealed wounds. Since her father's death, then her fiancee's death, Jess has never felt at home in Destiny Falls. She's never felt at home anywhere, really. Even in Toronto where she lives, she travels a lot for work and has no real ties to the area. Jess really doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere. Her plan? To stay in Destiny Falls long enough to help her mother, then leave. Again.
The last person she expects to meet up with on her return is Adam, her friend's cousin who she had a huge crush on when she was younger. Adam is back in Destiny Falls, living and working there. For him, Destiny Falls is home, for Jess it's just a tragic memory she can't move past. She certainly doesn't want to feel anything for Adam, especially when she can feel him judging her when they first meet. Adam is very attracted to Jess though, and he manages to slowly insert him in her life...at the same time trying to understand and support her. Adam has been betrayed in his past too, but "...he'd conquered his own childhood demons years ago." He's also conquered his adulthood demons and been able to move on. Now he sees something in Jess even she doesn't see, and is falling hard for her.
I felt that the major difference between Adam and Jess is that Adam is comfortable in his own skin, he is happy with his life and who he is. He is very persistent in his pursuit of Jess as well as the achievement of his goals and plans for life. Jess does strike me as a high achiever, but she's not so comfortable in her own skin or with her life. She wants to deal with everything alone. She's loved and lost once, and doesn't want to risk anything again. Being with Adam becomes irresistible though, and as Jess mends her relationship with her mother, she builds one with Adam. Even if it is short term. They both know she's leaving again. It is very sudden for Jess when Adam decides he wants more. Jess will need to decide if she truly wants to be alone or has she found a place she can finally belong again?
Where She Belongs is a small town romance that brings to life the feel of life there without being suffocating. Jess and Adam's characters are a good mix, and I think their traits can compliment each other if they give it a chance. Adam was easier to relate to for me...though I don't know if I'd want to be with someone I had to work so hard to convince as he does with Jess! He is not free of issues, but he doesn't hold them against the world. I found it really hard to connect with Jess's character, so it was fun to watch her character develop in Where She Belongs.
I liked the different relationships we saw in Where She Belongs, it was definitely not just about Adam and Jess. All the secondary characters and stories help round out their story.
Well written and easy to follow, if you like small town romance with a heroine suffering a lot of angst you will enjoy Where She Belongs.
The last person she expects to meet up with on her return is Adam, her friend's cousin who she had a huge crush on when she was younger. Adam is back in Destiny Falls, living and working there. For him, Destiny Falls is home, for Jess it's just a tragic memory she can't move past. She certainly doesn't want to feel anything for Adam, especially when she can feel him judging her when they first meet. Adam is very attracted to Jess though, and he manages to slowly insert him in her life...at the same time trying to understand and support her. Adam has been betrayed in his past too, but "...he'd conquered his own childhood demons years ago." He's also conquered his adulthood demons and been able to move on. Now he sees something in Jess even she doesn't see, and is falling hard for her.
I felt that the major difference between Adam and Jess is that Adam is comfortable in his own skin, he is happy with his life and who he is. He is very persistent in his pursuit of Jess as well as the achievement of his goals and plans for life. Jess does strike me as a high achiever, but she's not so comfortable in her own skin or with her life. She wants to deal with everything alone. She's loved and lost once, and doesn't want to risk anything again. Being with Adam becomes irresistible though, and as Jess mends her relationship with her mother, she builds one with Adam. Even if it is short term. They both know she's leaving again. It is very sudden for Jess when Adam decides he wants more. Jess will need to decide if she truly wants to be alone or has she found a place she can finally belong again?
Where She Belongs is a small town romance that brings to life the feel of life there without being suffocating. Jess and Adam's characters are a good mix, and I think their traits can compliment each other if they give it a chance. Adam was easier to relate to for me...though I don't know if I'd want to be with someone I had to work so hard to convince as he does with Jess! He is not free of issues, but he doesn't hold them against the world. I found it really hard to connect with Jess's character, so it was fun to watch her character develop in Where She Belongs.
I liked the different relationships we saw in Where She Belongs, it was definitely not just about Adam and Jess. All the secondary characters and stories help round out their story.
Well written and easy to follow, if you like small town romance with a heroine suffering a lot of angst you will enjoy Where She Belongs.
February 8, 2016
Great emotional story
Jess went back to the small town she grew up in when her stepfather died. She wanted to take care of her grieving mother. She meets up with Adam when he comes to pick her up at the airport. She has not seen him since she was a young teenager.
Jess lost her fiancée nine years earlier in son accident that also took the life if her father. This was the first time back to see her mother since she left right after the deaths.
Jess and Adam begin to see each other and Jess pretty much insists that they become just friends. The story unfolds during the six week visit. It is a very good story and the writer takes you on this emotional journey with Jess and Adam.
Jess went back to the small town she grew up in when her stepfather died. She wanted to take care of her grieving mother. She meets up with Adam when he comes to pick her up at the airport. She has not seen him since she was a young teenager.
Jess lost her fiancée nine years earlier in son accident that also took the life if her father. This was the first time back to see her mother since she left right after the deaths.
Jess and Adam begin to see each other and Jess pretty much insists that they become just friends. The story unfolds during the six week visit. It is a very good story and the writer takes you on this emotional journey with Jess and Adam.
kindle-i-own-to-read
January 26, 2013Amazon Freebie 01/26/2013
January 27, 2013
cute - light, easy read
April 5, 2020
Where She Belongs is a good basic romance. It is short and sweet and non-threatening. There are no unsolved murders, no real lurking dangers, and the end of the world is not imminent. Kind of a relief amid all the crime and dystopian fiction lately.
While no deaths happen in the course of the book, the story is heavily impacted by several deaths, some recent, some years ago.
The main character, Jess, is back in Destiny Falls where she grew up. Her stepfather has just died, leaving her mother a grief-stricken mess. Jess is particularly hurt because she and her stepfather didn’t get along. And because she thinks her mother never grieved for Jess’s father the way she is grieving for her stepfather.
There is another death in her past that made her father’s death particularly painful for her too.
Now, returning to Destiny Falls, she meets back up with Adam Wright, a guy she’d had a crush on years ago when she was just a teenager. Adam happens to be Jess’s best friend Molly’s cousin. Jess wouldn’t mind hooking up with him again, but the combination of her past griefs with the fact that she has a job in Toronto she needs to go back to in a matter of days makes that a bad idea even if he isn’t otherwise spoken for.
And anyway, Adam has disappointments in his past as well. But he decides he still would like to develop a relationship with Jess.
The course of true love is never straight, of course. And Adam and Jess never quite make it to happily-ever-after wedded bliss, at least not in this book (there is some indication there may be others to follow).
While no deaths happen in the course of the book, the story is heavily impacted by several deaths, some recent, some years ago.
The main character, Jess, is back in Destiny Falls where she grew up. Her stepfather has just died, leaving her mother a grief-stricken mess. Jess is particularly hurt because she and her stepfather didn’t get along. And because she thinks her mother never grieved for Jess’s father the way she is grieving for her stepfather.
There is another death in her past that made her father’s death particularly painful for her too.
Now, returning to Destiny Falls, she meets back up with Adam Wright, a guy she’d had a crush on years ago when she was just a teenager. Adam happens to be Jess’s best friend Molly’s cousin. Jess wouldn’t mind hooking up with him again, but the combination of her past griefs with the fact that she has a job in Toronto she needs to go back to in a matter of days makes that a bad idea even if he isn’t otherwise spoken for.
And anyway, Adam has disappointments in his past as well. But he decides he still would like to develop a relationship with Jess.
The course of true love is never straight, of course. And Adam and Jess never quite make it to happily-ever-after wedded bliss, at least not in this book (there is some indication there may be others to follow).
August 19, 2017
Beach approved
This is a nice, beachy read about a woman who returns to a hometown filled with memories of loss. She was loved, by her father especially, but her mom was weak - always bending to the will of her husbands. As soon as she could, Jessie ran and made a successful life for herself. In this story we see her come back home, improve her relationship with her mother and find love in an unlikely place.
This is a nice, beachy read about a woman who returns to a hometown filled with memories of loss. She was loved, by her father especially, but her mom was weak - always bending to the will of her husbands. As soon as she could, Jessie ran and made a successful life for herself. In this story we see her come back home, improve her relationship with her mother and find love in an unlikely place.
June 23, 2018
Life can be found in a small town
Interesting story. Only near the end did I understand that a person can be pressured too much. The ending did seem a little abrupt, but was satisfying. Trying to understand what grief can do to a person added a special element to this story
Interesting story. Only near the end did I understand that a person can be pressured too much. The ending did seem a little abrupt, but was satisfying. Trying to understand what grief can do to a person added a special element to this story
May 27, 2019
Great book
This is an entertaining book full of pretty much every emotion. They prove that while complicated, love the second time around can be just as strong, if not stronger.
This is an entertaining book full of pretty much every emotion. They prove that while complicated, love the second time around can be just as strong, if not stronger.
July 24, 2023
not my favorite characters
The story was cute but predictable. I had a really hard time with the characters. The male lead was kind of a jerk to the female lead
The story was cute but predictable. I had a really hard time with the characters. The male lead was kind of a jerk to the female lead
August 9, 2024
Second Chance
This book makes you realize there is love out there even after you have lost someone you planned to spend your life with. it does have the roller coaster of a relationship but you know there is a second chance and can dream about tomorrow.
This book makes you realize there is love out there even after you have lost someone you planned to spend your life with. it does have the roller coaster of a relationship but you know there is a second chance and can dream about tomorrow.
June 27, 2014
A light contemporary romance, set in a small town called Destiny Falls (First in the series), in the Canadian area. The main character Jess returns to her home town reluctantly after being away for nine years, to support her mom upon her stepfather, Peter’s death.
Jess is a single, independent, non-committal international shoe buyer and merchandiser, with many unpleasant memories in this small town. Her teenage first love (Danny), the guy she planned on marrying and her dad (Frank), both died due to a logging accident years prior, and her mom, Nora was not there emotionally for her when two of the most important men in her life died. Jess never emotionally recovered and wanted to put the past behind her and escape her bad memories and moved away. Shortly thereafter, her mom turned to her former boyfriend, Peter whom she later married.
Peter and Jess never really got along and put a strain on her relationship with Jess and her mom. Nora was strong with her husband died; however, now she seems to be very emotional. Jess is open to her mother’s attempt at utilizing this time to bond with her daughter as she feels responsible.
The one thing Jess had not anticipated was running into Adam, her former crush, Adam who still resides in this small town and is determined to win her over.
Persistent Adam continues to push Jess into a relationship, and he finally wins her over; however, she expects it to be a short term fling and Adam wants more. She continues to guard her heart - Adam has some baggage of his own, and his sister Molly happens to be Jess’s best friend, so they are always finding themselves together. Molly manages The Clothes Horse, a small boutique in town and a dream of owning when Molly and Jess were teens with aspirations for the town.
Jess does not want to risk her heart again and with the long distance as she plans to return to her safe haven in Toronto (after all, she is a sophisticated city girl and what could she possibly do in this small town)? She continues to extend her trip and even changes her wardrobe for a more casual look, enjoying small town simple life with this seductive hunk of a guy, spending time with her mom, and hanging out with friends.
A heartwarming, light sexy romance in a quaint British Columbia setting with strong likeable characters – a novel of moving on from grief, tragedy and loss—taking chances, making new friends, compromises, second chances, coming home, and opening your heart to love, and endless possibilities.
Where She Belongs is an entertaining read with a touching dedication, I look forward to reading more from this author, and the next book in the series.
A special thanks to Blue Orchard Books and NetGalley for ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jess is a single, independent, non-committal international shoe buyer and merchandiser, with many unpleasant memories in this small town. Her teenage first love (Danny), the guy she planned on marrying and her dad (Frank), both died due to a logging accident years prior, and her mom, Nora was not there emotionally for her when two of the most important men in her life died. Jess never emotionally recovered and wanted to put the past behind her and escape her bad memories and moved away. Shortly thereafter, her mom turned to her former boyfriend, Peter whom she later married.
Peter and Jess never really got along and put a strain on her relationship with Jess and her mom. Nora was strong with her husband died; however, now she seems to be very emotional. Jess is open to her mother’s attempt at utilizing this time to bond with her daughter as she feels responsible.
The one thing Jess had not anticipated was running into Adam, her former crush, Adam who still resides in this small town and is determined to win her over.
Persistent Adam continues to push Jess into a relationship, and he finally wins her over; however, she expects it to be a short term fling and Adam wants more. She continues to guard her heart - Adam has some baggage of his own, and his sister Molly happens to be Jess’s best friend, so they are always finding themselves together. Molly manages The Clothes Horse, a small boutique in town and a dream of owning when Molly and Jess were teens with aspirations for the town.
Jess does not want to risk her heart again and with the long distance as she plans to return to her safe haven in Toronto (after all, she is a sophisticated city girl and what could she possibly do in this small town)? She continues to extend her trip and even changes her wardrobe for a more casual look, enjoying small town simple life with this seductive hunk of a guy, spending time with her mom, and hanging out with friends.
A heartwarming, light sexy romance in a quaint British Columbia setting with strong likeable characters – a novel of moving on from grief, tragedy and loss—taking chances, making new friends, compromises, second chances, coming home, and opening your heart to love, and endless possibilities.
Where She Belongs is an entertaining read with a touching dedication, I look forward to reading more from this author, and the next book in the series.
A special thanks to Blue Orchard Books and NetGalley for ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2013
If there were more than 5 stars, I would definitely use them all to rate this book.
OH MY DEAR GOD!!!! I don't know what's with this one but I haven't been so touched by a book in a long time. I downloaded it totally by chance, and I was so happy I did! I think I will never delete it from my Kindle.
I loved the story. I loved the setting. I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved the descriptions. I couldn't find one single flaw in this book. Not. A. Single. One.
I feel like I've just come back from a trip to Destiny Falls, after a sweet, strong and hot romance with amazingly gorgeous Adam, a romance that's swept me off my feet. HOLY COW, how long has it been since a book has been able to make me fall in love with a fictional character like this? I was almost in tears when I reached the end, because I realized that I would have to go back to reality and I just didn't want to.
Maybe it's just because right now I would love to live in a place like Destiny Falls and meet a man like Adam, or maybe it's just the great ability of the author to describe everything in such a perfect way that it will literally pull you into the story and make you feel as if you were living it - in a sort of magical way, a bit like The Never Ending Story. And boy, didn't I wish I could really jump into the book and into Jessie's body and just be there with Adam and the super cute dog Sheba?
If all the books by this author are like this, I think I've just found a new favourite author and I will definitely be buying all of her books.
But apart from Adam (who will definitely make you fall head-over-heels in love with him) I also loved the female character, Jess. She wants to be a strong, independent woman, to forget her past, her roots, the small town she grew up in but ran away from. Still, deep down, she's wounded, she feels guilty, she wants to let go but she can't, she wants to trust Adam but she's afraid to let him pull down her wall, she wants to make up with her mother for lost time but she's scared to make the first move, to talk about her mother's recently passed away husband (who's the reason why Jess has come back to Destiny Falls in the first place, leaving her hectic Toronto job for a few weeks).
All of her mixed feelings really got to my heart, making me really feel for her, and urging me to read on, chapter after chapter, sometimes screaming at her "Wake up!" or "Get a grip!" or "Are you dumb?", and some other times just wanting to give her a hug and cry by her side as if she was my friend.
Reading this book has been a real emotional journey for me and I absolutely loved it. I only wished the author would write a sequel - I'd love to read more.
OH MY DEAR GOD!!!! I don't know what's with this one but I haven't been so touched by a book in a long time. I downloaded it totally by chance, and I was so happy I did! I think I will never delete it from my Kindle.
I loved the story. I loved the setting. I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved the descriptions. I couldn't find one single flaw in this book. Not. A. Single. One.
I feel like I've just come back from a trip to Destiny Falls, after a sweet, strong and hot romance with amazingly gorgeous Adam, a romance that's swept me off my feet. HOLY COW, how long has it been since a book has been able to make me fall in love with a fictional character like this? I was almost in tears when I reached the end, because I realized that I would have to go back to reality and I just didn't want to.
Maybe it's just because right now I would love to live in a place like Destiny Falls and meet a man like Adam, or maybe it's just the great ability of the author to describe everything in such a perfect way that it will literally pull you into the story and make you feel as if you were living it - in a sort of magical way, a bit like The Never Ending Story. And boy, didn't I wish I could really jump into the book and into Jessie's body and just be there with Adam and the super cute dog Sheba?
If all the books by this author are like this, I think I've just found a new favourite author and I will definitely be buying all of her books.
But apart from Adam (who will definitely make you fall head-over-heels in love with him) I also loved the female character, Jess. She wants to be a strong, independent woman, to forget her past, her roots, the small town she grew up in but ran away from. Still, deep down, she's wounded, she feels guilty, she wants to let go but she can't, she wants to trust Adam but she's afraid to let him pull down her wall, she wants to make up with her mother for lost time but she's scared to make the first move, to talk about her mother's recently passed away husband (who's the reason why Jess has come back to Destiny Falls in the first place, leaving her hectic Toronto job for a few weeks).
All of her mixed feelings really got to my heart, making me really feel for her, and urging me to read on, chapter after chapter, sometimes screaming at her "Wake up!" or "Get a grip!" or "Are you dumb?", and some other times just wanting to give her a hug and cry by her side as if she was my friend.
Reading this book has been a real emotional journey for me and I absolutely loved it. I only wished the author would write a sequel - I'd love to read more.
September 21, 2015
I really liked this book—for the story it wove, but I must confess that I loved it almost as much because it was written in a setting that I know and could relate too. I’ve been in the Kamloops Airport many times, I’ve been to Louis Creek and Clearwater in the beautiful Thompson River Valley. I have never heard of Destiny Falls (I believe is a fictional place because I searched online and didn’t find such a place in the area where the book is written) but it was typical of a small interior logging town, where everyone knows what everyone else is doing.
Jess Morgan is beleaguered by painful memories that she hasn’t dealt with. One of them centers on the relationship that she and her mother do not have—and, as we learn while the story unfolds, they never did have because her father was the type of individual that he was.
Jess had resented her step father, who was the man that had quickly stepped up to support her mother after Jess’s father’s death. Jess and he had never made peace with each other, but when he died, Jess felt obligated to come home for a few days to see her mom. Then she would head back to her life in Toronto.
But in real life (and fiction) things are often not what they appear to be. She found her mother desolate, floundering in the pain of her loss. This shocked Jess, but it further angered her because she felt her mother had never grieved for her father in the same way. Yet her heart reached out to the woman she had never understood. Their struggle to connect and understand each other was a major part of this story.
And then there was Adam Wright, the handsome hero. As an adolescent, Jesse had worn her heart on her sleeve for him, but he hadn’t paid any attention to her. She was far too young then, and now she is far too jaded and defensive.
Adam’s interest peaks immediately, and he pursues her, but she does everything she can to push him away. When she heads back to her job in Toronto he believes he has lost her because he pushed her too hard.
I liked the way the plot developed and how it came to conclusion. This is a light read, but it actually does deal with circumstances that can happen in real life. My husband was a logger, and I know men who work in the same profession Adam does. The descriptions are true to life and all the characters were well developed and relateable.
Don’t miss a great read set in beautiful British Columbia, Canada by an author who lives in the same province!
April 9, 2016
Title: Where She Belongs - Destiny Fall's 1
Author: Cindy Proctor-King
Published: 12-16-12
Publisher: Blue Orchard Books
Pages: 218
Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction
Sub Genre: Romance; Series
ISBN: 9780988088474
ASIN: B00APKGD2E
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
.
Nine years ago a logging accident took the lives of Jess Morgan's father and her high school sweetheart. When her mother quickly found a new man Jeff felt she betrayed her father and left Destiny Falls with no plans of ever returning. Over the years the rift between her and her mother has become a chasm that would rival the Grand Canyon. Then she is pulled back to Destiny Falls to take care of some family matters. She hopes to quickly convince her mother to return with her to Toronto and perhaps finding a way to heal their relationship.
Adam Wright is an old friend of Jess' and he hopes to help her heal from the continued pain she has carried with her for the last nine years. Adam, a forester, values family and nurturing your roots. He wants to show Jess that facing life head on is better than hiding away and letting you pain fester can hold you back from enjoying life to its fullest. What he fails to notice that his persistence in pushing her to face the past is pushing her away from him until she rejects him and walks away. Now Adam must convince Jess he didn't mean to hurt her and that she is important to him as more than a friend. He wants a future with her in his life permanently.
A touching story that pulls a reader into the story quickly. You can sympathize with Jess, Adam and her mother especially anyone who has lost a family member themselves. The characters are very believable. The story is well plotted and flows smoothly scene to scene. This is a definite keep to read again and again. My rating is 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars. I hope you enjoy Where She Belongs as much as I did.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Cindy Proctor-King
Published: 12-16-12
Publisher: Blue Orchard Books
Pages: 218
Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction
Sub Genre: Romance; Series
ISBN: 9780988088474
ASIN: B00APKGD2E
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
.
Nine years ago a logging accident took the lives of Jess Morgan's father and her high school sweetheart. When her mother quickly found a new man Jeff felt she betrayed her father and left Destiny Falls with no plans of ever returning. Over the years the rift between her and her mother has become a chasm that would rival the Grand Canyon. Then she is pulled back to Destiny Falls to take care of some family matters. She hopes to quickly convince her mother to return with her to Toronto and perhaps finding a way to heal their relationship.
Adam Wright is an old friend of Jess' and he hopes to help her heal from the continued pain she has carried with her for the last nine years. Adam, a forester, values family and nurturing your roots. He wants to show Jess that facing life head on is better than hiding away and letting you pain fester can hold you back from enjoying life to its fullest. What he fails to notice that his persistence in pushing her to face the past is pushing her away from him until she rejects him and walks away. Now Adam must convince Jess he didn't mean to hurt her and that she is important to him as more than a friend. He wants a future with her in his life permanently.
A touching story that pulls a reader into the story quickly. You can sympathize with Jess, Adam and her mother especially anyone who has lost a family member themselves. The characters are very believable. The story is well plotted and flows smoothly scene to scene. This is a definite keep to read again and again. My rating is 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars. I hope you enjoy Where She Belongs as much as I did.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
March 20, 2014
Shortly after her step-father’s death, Jess returns home to Destiny Falls to help her mother adjust to life without her husband and to try to resolve some of the issues that came between her and her mother over the years. Jess is an energetic, high achiever and a successful buyer for a shoe company, who really doesn’t want to return but feels she must. Throughout the weeks that pass during her stay in Destiny Falls, she also must cope the chipping away of her tough veneer as she passes her days in Destiny Falls. To make matters worse, her one-time crush (at age 14) Adam looms bigger than ever as he begins a crusade to win her over. Can Jess get through all this and can she finally realize her true heart and what her life means? I won’t go into much more detail, so I will not spoil this for the reader. This is really quite a good story. I loved the way Jess and her mother came to terms with each other and found they could let the past go. The chemistry between Adam and Jess was also well done and fascinating to watch, as they each danced around their developing relationship. I did find Adam difficult to take at some points, as he came across as very smug—which overshadowed his true nature and feeling for Jess. The town of Destiny Falls is a perfect small town, with the small town culture we have come to know and love and a perfect setting for this type story. The interchanges between Jess and her other were very insightful and true to life. This is a book written for chick lit lovers of all ages. It will tug at your heart and making you chuckle at times. I have not read any other books by this author but plan to in the future. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
October 2, 2015
Jess Morgan returns to her hometown under sad circumstances. Her stepfather suddenly dies while she is in Europe and by the time she returns to Canada he is already buried. Her mother is in much need of her support in these trying times and she does her best to comfort her. Jess’s hometown is aptly named Destiny Falls and she finds herself in a situation beyond her control. Duty and a little guilt bound cause her to extend her visit.
Hometowns, especially small hometowns are bound to hold old memories, events and acquaintances. Adam Wright, an old undeveloped flame took an active and tenacious roll in her homecoming. Feelings and answers long not felt and to questions never asked soon enter her life. What is she to do? What does she want? Where is the place in the world and happiness she searched for? Is it in the large city of Toronto she fled to or does her destiny lay in Destiny Falls with Adam where it all began?
This story has some unique features that set it apart from others. Social and emotional aspects are explored, spiced with love and the expected imaginative coitus. Women and the working of their minds never cease to amaze me. This must be an attributing factor to the attractions of men to women. Their erotic fantasies (at least in print) far surpass anything a man could mentally conjure up. After reading this I can assure you that love and lust is alive and well in northern North America; not that I ever doubted it.
Hometowns, especially small hometowns are bound to hold old memories, events and acquaintances. Adam Wright, an old undeveloped flame took an active and tenacious roll in her homecoming. Feelings and answers long not felt and to questions never asked soon enter her life. What is she to do? What does she want? Where is the place in the world and happiness she searched for? Is it in the large city of Toronto she fled to or does her destiny lay in Destiny Falls with Adam where it all began?
This story has some unique features that set it apart from others. Social and emotional aspects are explored, spiced with love and the expected imaginative coitus. Women and the working of their minds never cease to amaze me. This must be an attributing factor to the attractions of men to women. Their erotic fantasies (at least in print) far surpass anything a man could mentally conjure up. After reading this I can assure you that love and lust is alive and well in northern North America; not that I ever doubted it.
February 7, 2013
This was an emotionally challenging book. First, the second husband of a woman dies suddenly from a heart attack & her daughter, Jess, from her first marriage comes to help her mother after she returns from a buying trip in europe. The mother & daughter had a strained relationship because of the second husband & his resentment of the daughter. Contact was very minimal It kind of explains why eventually, but hearing how the daughter was treated by this man, I totally got her resentment.
Then there is Molly (Jess's best friend) & Adam (hot guy who's Molly's cousin). Molly supports & loves Jess. Adam doesn't understand the snide comments & irritation radiating from Jess in the beginning. But he totally wants Jess.
Other reviewers were irritated by Adam, while I thought Jess was very fickle & frigid at times. I kind of wanted to slap her for her rationalle, but whatever.
It was a cute fast read as many contemporary romances are. It was a great change reading a Canadian based book. I wish I got more description of the lay of the land though. At first I pictured all mountains, but later realized it was farmland.
Then there is Molly (Jess's best friend) & Adam (hot guy who's Molly's cousin). Molly supports & loves Jess. Adam doesn't understand the snide comments & irritation radiating from Jess in the beginning. But he totally wants Jess.
Other reviewers were irritated by Adam, while I thought Jess was very fickle & frigid at times. I kind of wanted to slap her for her rationalle, but whatever.
It was a cute fast read as many contemporary romances are. It was a great change reading a Canadian based book. I wish I got more description of the lay of the land though. At first I pictured all mountains, but later realized it was farmland.
February 11, 2013
Jess Morgan is back To Destiny Falls. She has been away for nine years. She is back home to help her mom deal with her grief of loosing her second husband. Jess and her step father were not close. In fact, he was one of the reasons she stayed away for so many years. Some of the blame can be given to Jess's mom who let him get away with it.
Jess didn't want to come back to Destiny Falls since she still has horrible memories of this place. She lost her dad and her boyfriend in a logging accident. But she knows she has to be there for her mom. Her best friend Molly should be waiting for her at the airport but instead Molly's sent her cousin, Adam Wright, who she had a crush on when she was fourteen.
When Adam sees Jess again he makes some wrong assumptions but with time his views change. He wants more from Jess. He wants a commitment. But is Jess ready for it?
2.5/5 Fangs
cross posted at my blog http://mrsleifs.blogspot.com
Jess didn't want to come back to Destiny Falls since she still has horrible memories of this place. She lost her dad and her boyfriend in a logging accident. But she knows she has to be there for her mom. Her best friend Molly should be waiting for her at the airport but instead Molly's sent her cousin, Adam Wright, who she had a crush on when she was fourteen.
When Adam sees Jess again he makes some wrong assumptions but with time his views change. He wants more from Jess. He wants a commitment. But is Jess ready for it?
2.5/5 Fangs
cross posted at my blog http://mrsleifs.blogspot.com
May 3, 2013
I downloaded Where She Belongs from Amazon when I found it for free in January of this year. I’m trying to rotate in and read at least one of the free books I’ve downloaded every other book I read. I liked this book okay. I just couldn’t really get into the heroine. Yes, she lost her dad and her boyfriend/almost fiance at basically the same time when she was younger, but that was 9 years ago. I don’t understand what that has to do with anything in this story. How does that make her not want to come home? I was very frustrated with her throughout most of the book. Only in the last two chapters did I not want to slap the crap out of her. She did make a grand gesture though. It made up for at least some of her stubbornness.
Adam, such a great guy, put up with a lot from Jess. I don’t think I could’ve done it. I would’ve just moved on. He was a very sweet guy and I’m glad he finally got his HEA.
Adam, such a great guy, put up with a lot from Jess. I don’t think I could’ve done it. I would’ve just moved on. He was a very sweet guy and I’m glad he finally got his HEA.
February 26, 2014
I received an ARC of "Where She Belongs" from the publisher and author through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
This is a delightfully fun and light read. The author set the story in Destiny Falls, British Columbia, a small town with well developed characters and lively dialogue. I would enjoy meeting and spending the day with the characters portrayed in this story.
The story centers around Jess Morgan and her return to her hometown, Destiny Falls. She goes home to help her mother. While there she reconnects with Adam Wright and past feelings are rekindled. Jess suddenly finds herself feeling conflicted about convincing her mother to leave Destiny Falls and move to Toronto when she leaves to return to her home.
This is a wonderful that readers of contemporary romance will enjoy.
This is a delightfully fun and light read. The author set the story in Destiny Falls, British Columbia, a small town with well developed characters and lively dialogue. I would enjoy meeting and spending the day with the characters portrayed in this story.
The story centers around Jess Morgan and her return to her hometown, Destiny Falls. She goes home to help her mother. While there she reconnects with Adam Wright and past feelings are rekindled. Jess suddenly finds herself feeling conflicted about convincing her mother to leave Destiny Falls and move to Toronto when she leaves to return to her home.
This is a wonderful that readers of contemporary romance will enjoy.
February 5, 2013
Jess and her Mother became indifferent to each other after Jess's boyfriend and father were killed in a logging accident. After her stepfather dies Jess returns to her home town. She and her Mother bond and grieve together. During this time Jess meets a local and falls in love. She also is more closely connected to her best friend. The personalities and relationship are developed and give the reader a very happy feeling. Jess gives up her city life and moves home. She and her best friend are going to be partners in their dream shop from their teenage years. A wedding is in the future.
This is one of the best free Kindle books I have read.
This is one of the best free Kindle books I have read.
August 27, 2016
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
Jess Morgan returns to the one place she never wanted to see again. Nine years ago she lost her father and boyfriend in a logging accident and her mom didn't wait long before marrying a man who loathed Jess. His death has brought her back to care for her heartbroken mom. Jess uses the time there to reconnect with her best friend, re-establish a relationship with her mother and further her friendship with forester Adam Wright, who wants more than friendship. Can Adam convince Jess that he and Destiny Falls are where she belongs or will the memories be too much for Jess...
Jess Morgan returns to the one place she never wanted to see again. Nine years ago she lost her father and boyfriend in a logging accident and her mom didn't wait long before marrying a man who loathed Jess. His death has brought her back to care for her heartbroken mom. Jess uses the time there to reconnect with her best friend, re-establish a relationship with her mother and further her friendship with forester Adam Wright, who wants more than friendship. Can Adam convince Jess that he and Destiny Falls are where she belongs or will the memories be too much for Jess...
February 20, 2014
Where She Belongs was a light, sexy read. I am a sucker for series set in small towns and Cindy Procter-King has created a beautiful setting in Destiny Falls British Columbia. As usual, the author has given readers a set of extremely likeable characters, quirky and fully faceted - the kind of people we'd all like to encounter in real life. The lead couple's journey to happily ever after is sure to tug at your emotions. This well plotted second chance at love story will probably hook you on the series, that's what's happened to me.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2012
where she belongs by Cindy Procter-King
jess is back home to help her ailing mother. She's comfortable with friends in town and her quiet life.
Adam love and works in Destiny Falls.
Their lives have once again crossed and they renew their friendship and it grows as time goes on.
Jess only planned to stay a month then she would go back to her job in the city but the lure of the logging community and people who live in the area have special appeal to her.
jess is back home to help her ailing mother. She's comfortable with friends in town and her quiet life.
Adam love and works in Destiny Falls.
Their lives have once again crossed and they renew their friendship and it grows as time goes on.
Jess only planned to stay a month then she would go back to her job in the city but the lure of the logging community and people who live in the area have special appeal to her.
June 7, 2013
Really, REALLY, really good romance~~~ Swept me into the story. I couldnt put it down~~~ Very easy to read, some laughs, some challenges, beautiful characters. Fun, energetic read~~~ recommending!!! And talk about Sexy Adam!!! ROWAR~~~~ Great book~~~ Sorry so short, I have a dozen to get through!!! xoxoxoxoxo
April 2, 2014
Jess returns to Destiny Falls to help her mother cope with the death of her husband. She and Jess haven't been close since Jess's dad and and boyfriend were killed in a logging accident. An old friend, Adam, picks her up at the airport and stirs feelings she thought were dead. Set in Canada, the story is fairly predictable. Sweet and spicy.
March 12, 2016
Great summer beach read! This story is a bit predictable, but fun to read anyway. Characters are well developed and true to life in their actions and reactions. I love the flow of the story and really enjoyed it. If you want a fun relaxing story that keeps you turning pages, this is a good one.
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