A Little Bit Country

by Debbie Macomber

Rorie Campbell has a pleasant, predictable life in San Francisco, where she's seeing a pleasant, predictable man. When her car breaks down on an Oregon country road while she's on vacation, she meets horse rancher Clay Franklin. Clay is, for the moment, her knight in shining armor, but it doesn't take long for him to become much more to Rorie, who learns that a city girl can fall head over heels for a country guy. The only problem is, Clay has no right to return Rorie's feelings. He's engaged to be married to another woman.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Adult

192 pages, Library Binding

First published January 25, 1990

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Bit Country is the first book in the Country Brides series by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. On vacation and heading for a writer’s festival in Seattle in a borrowed MGB, the last thing librarian, Rorie Campbell needs is for her friend Dan’s fancy car to break down. Her rescuer is Skip Franklin, an enthusiastic teenager who is immediately smitten. It’s his older brother Clay that causes Rorie a problem, though. The man is far too attractive, and it seems he feels that attraction for Rorie too. Trouble is, he’s going to marry his childhood sweetheart, Kate Logan. And Kate is far too lovely a person to hurt by getting involved with Clay. A sweet romance from the queen of feelgood.

[Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars for A Little Bit Country (audiobook) by Debbie Macomber read by Karen White.

A big city lady ends up with a case of instalove when her car breaks down outside of a small town. She finally makes it back to San Francisco after her car gets fixed but her small town guy tracks her down. He gets to meet her fiancée who is planning on marrying her but isn’t really that in love with her. Guy goes back home and then Ladies from the town try and convince her to come back and see does.

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this tale, Macomber takes readers away to enjoy the quirks of small town life and to be caught up in the blossoming of true romance. She brings her scenery to life as vividly as she does her characters and their emotions. Seeing these characters battle right & wrong, what they want vs. what they think they deserve, I found that I got to know them quite well. I loved getting to know them as they found one another.

I will admit that the foaling scene did give me a moment of a shock. If one of my horses were going through such a tough pregnancy I’d have my vet on the way out in a hurry, but beyond that, this novel captured my heart and soul. It was a brilliant, quick read that showcases Macomber’s talent in an enjoyable manner.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Country Affair by Debbie Macomber
Originally published as Country Brides in 1991
[A Little Bit Country and Country Bride]
395-page Paperback story ends on 376

Genre: Romance > Contemporary Romance; Chick Lit, Adult Fiction, Anthologies, Westerns

Featuring: 2-books-in-, Oregon, Horses, City Girl, The Story Continues, Book Preview - One Charmed Christmas by Sheila Roberts Ch. 1

Rating as a movie: PG-13

My ratings:
A Country Affair (2021) ⭐️⭐️¾
A Little Bit Country (1990) ⭐️⭐️½
Country Bride (1990)⭐️⭐️⭐️


My thoughts: 32 of 376/395 A Little Bit Country Ch. 3 - I had to Google MGB. I don't feel bad since now I know it was old and rare in 1990. I've seen them and never knew the name. The plot is ridiculous, very Hallmark.
📖 81 Ch. 7 - This is how I imagined 70s romance novels are; dramatically polite friction. Nevertheless, I didn't see that coming; it's so hackneyed. I don't know if this story puts me to sleep or if I'm willing to sleep to get a break from it. These characters could be in Bedford Falls and fit right in.
📖 201 Country Bride Ch. 1 - A Little Bit Country was a snoozefest. The characters were flat, and the way everyone sat idly by and let others dictate their future was severely outdated and disappointing. I hope the next book is better.
📖 268 Country Bride Ch. 5 - I don't know what trope this is, but it's the opposite of that last one. If I had read one of these books as a standalone, I would have been upset; I see why they were thrown together. I like this one a lot better than the last one, although the plot is unbelievable.

There is so much to unwrap here. Let's start with the publications. A Little Bit Country was first published in January 1990, and its sequel (unclaimed) Country Bride was released in June 1990. The stories are practically one. Country Bride starts at the end of A Little Bit Country and even has multiple recaps of events from the first story, yet there isn't a series or anything connecting the two. In October 1991 a double feature of both books was released titled Country Brides. I just happened to find it because of the similar titles on Goodreads. So A Little Bit Country is just a retitled publication of Country Brides, there is also the 2016 Country Bride with RaeAnne Thayne that features Country Bride by Macomber and Woodrose Mountain by Thayne. I get so annoyed when things like this happen. I once read a series by Shelley Shepard Gray and it was nearly 2 years before I discovered a spinoff series in the same town. Anyway, these stories were just okay. For some reason A Little Bit Country was annoying and although Country Bride had similar delusions the vibe just made it better. To be honest, despite enjoying Country Bride, until the last quarter, Kate got on my nerves in both books. I don't think the plot of either book aged well, I'm surprised it wasn't an issue in 1990 as sexual harassment was alive in the late 80s. Guys refusing to take no for answer, and the "I'll give my all until you want me" trope, isn't romantic.

Recommend to others?: No. This story is a bit disappointing.

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of a Debbie Macomber’s books are fun and romantic. Feel good, clean romance.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first book by this author, I think I’ll pass on others. At times I thought it would pick up so I stuck with it, but beginning to end no such luck.

[Amanda Kae · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two people say 12 words to eachother, help a horse in labor and the remaining 90% of the book is them and everyone else talking about how they fell in love. It's a no for me.

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible read. The story was sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story involved our heroine Rory who was going on a trip to Seattle and wanted to take the scenic route when the car she was travelling started to smoke. She was stranded when she meets the hero’s young brother, Skip, and then met Clay, our hero. The story was short, so I do wish it was longer so that there will be more of a progression in the romance between Clay and Rory. I found their romance very sweet and amazing. I hope we see these characters again. Maybe see Skip fall in love with someone, that would be nice. I can’t wait to read more Debbie Macomber stories. Overall, an amazing read.

[Brittany (Brittinbookland) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could tell this book was written in a different decade from the way it was told. There were a few annoying and problematic things I had to get through. I considered dnf-ing the book a couple of times, but considering it was so short, I stuck with it.

It was very much a 'love at first sight' book. (Don't even get me started on what Clay did.) Felt like a 90s Halmark movie.

3 🌟 stars. 2.5 rounded up.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, although I could have done without the few curse words that were thrown in. I liked the characters and the setting a lot. Can't wait to read Kate's story.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

☺️😢🩷

[Kirby Hunt]

Listened to this one on my mini road trip! Just a classic hallmark movie for your ears!

[Katherine Nally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t love a love triangle, and I didn’t really believe any of the couples. Very simple and short story

[Chioma Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute story. I was mad at first not gonna lie haha. I thought Clay was no good. I wish the story was longer. I feel there was a lot of plot that could’ve been added in but it was good for what it was.

[Cassie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every page. Such a fun, easy love story.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was really cute. 3.5 stars. It read almost like a novella because it is so short and insta-lovey, but in typical Debbie Macomber fashion, I really fell in love with most of the characters and enjoyed the story despite those facts.
The story is about Rorie. Her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and Skip, a young teenaged boy, comes to her rescue. He takes her home where she meets Clay, his big brother. It takes many days to get her car fixed, and in that time, Clay and Rorie fall in love. However, Clay is engaged to Kate, the town's princess.
I was really confused by the character of Clay. He was a hardass with not much sense of humor and an overall standoffish personality, but in private conversation with Rorie he was super sweet and in touch with his emotions. It didn't seem very realistic to me. His relationship with Kate was also a little hard to understand. They were engaged because he was settling, but still there has to be some connection or love there I would think. However, he acts like she's just an insignificant placeholder.
Rorie is also in a relationship with a guy who cares more about work than anything and doesn't seem to be anything more than "good enough". He's too busy to even drive and come get her when she's stranded with no car for multiple days. When her car is finally fixed, she goes back to him and you think her and Clay are going to live their separate lives, but then surprise surprise, he shows up and he's ended the relationship with Kate and they live happily ever after!
Cute story, I'd recommend for a short read.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just don't think I can read another book about a woman who cannot think or act for herself. These characters annoy me. She's stranded in rural Oregon when her boyfriend's MG breaks down. This San Francisco librarian (two college degrees, no less), sits on the country road waiting for someone to come by to help her. When a young man comes to her rescue and brings his hunkier older brother with a vehicle to tow the car into town, Rorie loses the ability to think for herself. Of course, no one in the town is available to fix the car and the part will take several days. Realizing her vacation which includes a writers' workshop in Seattle as well as a restful break on Vancouver Island, BC are in peril, Rorie decides that there is nothing she can do to remedy the situation but stay with the two young men on their stud farm. Hello! Arrange for a rental car? Ask someone to drive you to the nearest city and fly to Seattle? Call your idiot boyfriend with the defective car and get him to bring you your car? No, Rorie has to stay on the stud farm where she learns that country life is far superior to city life and "real men" only live on stud farms in rural Oregon.

Why did I pick this up in the first place? Blame it on the current administration and all the stress that it continually caused. I needed fluff. What I didn't need was another fluff piece with a deferential woman.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another incident where I wish we could give a book 1/2 a star. This wasn't quite up to a three, but a bit more than a 2 (okay). Debbie Macomber's books are quite hit or miss for me, but this one was somewhere in the middle. Also novellas (192 pages) rarely get a high star rating from me. There usually isn't enough character and plot development in so few pages. The story moved too quickly for the characters to really develop the feelings that they did. May be as a full-fledged novel this would have even been a four star book, but as it was it's 2 and a half stars brought up to 3 for Goodreads.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story of this book. Rorie gets stuck on the side of a country road when her boyfriend's car breaks down. To the rescue is Skip, a teenager on horseback. (Rorie is terrified of horses). He gets his older brother Clay to help get Rorie fixed. It takes a few days, and a lot can happen in that time period. A most read for sweet romance lovers.

[Vanina Jepperson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Cute story but over the top cheesy. Just okay. Within 2-3 hrs of the main character meeting her love interest, she could already tell what his thoughts were and foresee his reactions to different situations. Still, it was a pleasant, cute story and an easy read.

[Rachael Kamm · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Fluff.

[Marlys Lien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Romance - Borrowed Car breaks down in rural country, no quick fix, and no hotel leads to neighborly loan of room at ranch, the birth of a fowl and love

[Khristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fluff. Felt like a Lifetime movie

[Audrey Webster · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stars are one for writing it and cause others enjoy, but as far as I concerned it is so much dribble. Audio

[LoveAGoodBook · Rating 2 out of 5]

L, I listened to the audiobook and did not enjoy the reader at all, so that may play a role in my rating, but it was just so predictable and just annoying at times.

[Briann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Little Bit Country was way too fast and immature. Clay says, “I feel like I’ve known you all my life” after knowing Rorie for less than a day. Rorie and Clay fall for each other without any emotional attachment or flirting. They just BOOM are in love. Furthermore, they are their own worst enemies. Both Rorie and Clay fail to tell the other that they are in committed relationships. Clay even kisses Rorie and then refuses to apologize to her when she finds out that he has an informal fiancée.

Also, I did not find Clay to be that dreamy or romantic. He was moody and unfriendly for most of the novel. When Rorie is joking with his younger brother, he gets jealous. He kisses Rorie in places Kate, his girlfriend, could easily see and does not seem to care. And then he makes an offhanded comment about how he dreams of his son someday taking over the farm and breeding program. God forbid he has a daughter. And then, without even asking Rorie, Clay tells his brother they are going to be married as soon as possible. They knew each other for like a week. Actually insane. Clay was just not a winner in my book.

[Elizabeth DeGroate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Bit Country is definitely a standard Hallmark movie kind of love story- City lady meets Country man.

The romance is sweet in the whole love-at-first-sight type of romance, where you just know that the person is "the one".

Rorie Campbell and Clay Franklin fall in love one night on Elk Rance after Rorie is invited to stay while her car is at the mechanics being serviced after a water pump breaks on her drive through Nightengale, Oregon. It is on this fateful night that the two fall in love while witnessing the birth of a filly, Nightson, in the ranch's horse barn.

Complicating things between the two is Clay's alleged fiancee and best friend, Kate (whom I actually like as a character). The title of fiancee is more assumption than fact as the small town of Nightengale assumes the two will be engaged and married by year's end. And through it more is Dan- the man Rorie has been seeing for six months in San Francisco, and whose car it is that she was driving.

If you're looking for a good, clean romance I would recommend this for a lighthearted love story.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series but it can be read as a standalone book.

Rorie is on her way to a children's writer convention in her boyfriend's car when it breaks down. Skip comes up on a horse to see if he can help. His brother, Clay, helps her get her car looked at for repair, but it will be several days for them to get the part to be able to fix it. Clay and Skip offer to let her stay at their horse stud farm's house, where they live. Clay has a girlfriend of many years also. Clay and Rorie find themselves so attracted to each other that they kiss and develop feelings, while neither mentions their other relationships.

The story itself isn't bad, but them both coming from other long term relationships, without ending or at least disclosing them before becoming involved, is a problem for me.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time to read a Debbie Macomber book and it was a delight! The plot involved Rorie and Clay in a love at first sight story with one complication--Clay was unofficially engaged to Kate. As the story unfolds we learn a lot about the characters of each member of the threesome. One of my favorite characters was Clay's younger brother whose youthful enthusiasm brought many moments of humor to the story. Another highlight was the housekeeper whose curmudgeon facade concealed a heart of gold. I would have liked to give this book a 5 but instead I rate it at 4.5 because there were a few curse words thrown in that seemed unnecessary and I'd have preferred they were left out. Overall I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading Kate's story next!

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Librarian Rorie Campbell can't imagine herself on a ranch until she is forced to stay several days with Clay Franklin and ends up helping him when one of his prize standardbred mares gives birth to a beautiful foal. Turns out, he registers the foal as hers, but Rorie can't imagine how she's going to get over Clay, even knowing he's going to be married to a nearby rancher.

Clay, too, is knocked for a loop when Rorie shows up and finally concludes that the woman he thought he would spend his life with isn't the one he loves. But Rorie is a city girl. How could she ever be comfortable on his ranch so far from the sites and sounds of San Francisco?

What will have to happen for each of them to get their hearts in synch again?