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Grove Hills #1
This Little Town
Outer Banks meets Pretty Little Liars in this must-read mystery thriller from Nora Blake.
When did you learn to lie like you do, Jorja?
A mysterious text turns Jorja's perfect world upside down, throwing her into the dangerous reality of her family's criminal activities and the overwhelming expectations that creep up with them. Desperate to escape her small town's dark secrets when she graduates next year, she finds herself drowning in truths revealed that threaten to shatter everything.
The arrival of Rush True, twin brother of Tobias True, in the aftermath of his mother's murder, pushes Jorja even deeper into a whirlwind of deceit, betrayal, love triangles, and violence. Mysterious threats weave a connection to the dark histories of both families that no one is ready for.
Will Jorja navigate these treacherous waters, or will the weight of the past drown her in the sea of her family’s lies?
This is the first book in the Grove Hills series where the truth is the deadliest game of all.
When did you learn to lie like you do, Jorja?
A mysterious text turns Jorja's perfect world upside down, throwing her into the dangerous reality of her family's criminal activities and the overwhelming expectations that creep up with them. Desperate to escape her small town's dark secrets when she graduates next year, she finds herself drowning in truths revealed that threaten to shatter everything.
The arrival of Rush True, twin brother of Tobias True, in the aftermath of his mother's murder, pushes Jorja even deeper into a whirlwind of deceit, betrayal, love triangles, and violence. Mysterious threats weave a connection to the dark histories of both families that no one is ready for.
Will Jorja navigate these treacherous waters, or will the weight of the past drown her in the sea of her family’s lies?
This is the first book in the Grove Hills series where the truth is the deadliest game of all.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2023
154 people are currently reading
991 people want to read
About the author
Nora Blake
5 books38 followersNora Blake is an author passionate about crafting stories that blend mystery, drama, and unforgettable characters. Known for the Grove Hills Series and the highly anticipated Merritt Bay Series, Nora captivates readers with intricate relationships and gripping plot twists. She enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling, drawing inspiration from her adventures and the people she meets. Nora lives in Arkansas with her husband, kids, and their hobby farm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 20, 2024
I kept seeing ads for this book on facebook & it sounded good. I ended up loving it. The FMC family is basically like a cartel family & some of the plot points seemed a little far fetched & I don’t even care- I ate this up!!
The friend group- Loved! The love triangle- Loved! I am not even sure who I want her to end up with! She has feelings for 2 twin brothers. Nothing spicy happens with either of them & in the end (since there will be a sequel) we still don’t know who she will end up with.
The ending was wild & I am excited to see the repercussions of what they did.
This book was described on facebook as Pretty Little Liars meets Outer Banks. There is some mystery and weird messages that resembles Pretty Little Liars. I wouldn’t say this is like Outer Banks as there is no treasure, but I can see the comparison being made for her father being a way, way worse version of Ward Cameron. And the friendship vibes too.
I will def be reading the next one!
The friend group- Loved! The love triangle- Loved! I am not even sure who I want her to end up with! She has feelings for 2 twin brothers. Nothing spicy happens with either of them & in the end (since there will be a sequel) we still don’t know who she will end up with.
The ending was wild & I am excited to see the repercussions of what they did.
This book was described on facebook as Pretty Little Liars meets Outer Banks. There is some mystery and weird messages that resembles Pretty Little Liars. I wouldn’t say this is like Outer Banks as there is no treasure, but I can see the comparison being made for her father being a way, way worse version of Ward Cameron. And the friendship vibes too.
I will def be reading the next one!
April 16, 2024
WOW! This book was so good. The twists and turns, the constantly questioning who can be trusted! Definitely didn’t see the ending coming! Loved this book and I can’t wait for the second book to come out!
April 15, 2024
If you like the shows Ozark and Pretty Little Liars, PICK UP THIS BOOK! I’m obsessed. Can’t wait for book 2. Thank you times a million to Nora Blake for sending my book club copies otherwise I never would have picked up this fun read!
April 18, 2024
LOVED this book! It was the perfect balance of mystery, suspense, and romance. I fell in love with both True brothers and can’t wait to see what comes about their individual relationships with Jorja in book 2! Thank you to Nora Blake for sending my book club this amazing read!
December 1, 2023
Team Rush!
September 2, 2025
This was not my cup of tea - read VERY YA to me. Unlikeable protagonist and some additional icky stuff going on.
March 20, 2024
I thought was a pretty good young adult mystery novel. A lot of issues I have with mystery novels is I can see the surprise coming, but I was shocked the whole time. Nora did an amazing job at hiding the truth in plain sight. Personally, I didn’t like the ending because I feel like it just abruptly ended. I know there is a book 2 coming out, but I would have liked more of a cliff hanger or a major resolution. Overall, I thought this was a pretty good book and definitely would recommend for a young adult
March 21, 2024
This was my first mystery/thriller/suspense book I have read since Nancy Drew. I was not entirely sure how I was going to like it when I began, but eventually I could not put it down. I could not decide which twin I loved more. I was constantly turn between Rush and Toby and curious to know who Jorja will end up and if it will be revealed in book 2. If you have a young adult who loves mystery or even if you love mysteries yourself, I would highly recommend this book!
August 21, 2023
A Suspenseful journey through This Little town
Star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to Nora Blake, the author, for generously providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This review is entirely voluntary, and I want to emphasize that it truly reflects my genuine emotions and thoughts about the story.
I’ve never read anything by the author previously, so it was indeed an honor to receive approval for an advanced reader copy of her book right before its official release date.I truly relished the experience and found the direction of the story to be quite captivating. Her writing was easy to follow and I devoured the book. Initially, I held reservations since I wasn't aware that the main characters were teenagers, let alone that the setting was in a high school. I harbored concerns that the characters might come across as immature or aggravating, but the author skillfully crafted them with depth. All in all, I found immense enjoyment in the narrative and eagerly anticipate delving into its sequel.
In the initial stages, there was a rather abrupt introduction of numerous characters, which might have been better served by a gradual dispersal throughout the course of the book. Additionally, I can't help but find it a tad unrealistic for the author to have portrayed the Bonovich family as both rich and menacing as she did, while affording them only minimal security measures, confined to a mere gatekeeper. This oversight made it relatively simple for "Rtrue360" to infiltrate and carry out his intentions.
Both of the main male characters, Tobias and Rush as well as the female main character, Jorja and their circle of friends grew on me. However, I did perceive a lack of chemistry between Rush and Jorja; it seemed that she shared a more compelling connection with Tobias. Though there is enough anticipation for their romance to blossom in the upcoming book and I’m looking forward to it. Once again, thank you for the opportunity.
Star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to Nora Blake, the author, for generously providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This review is entirely voluntary, and I want to emphasize that it truly reflects my genuine emotions and thoughts about the story.
I’ve never read anything by the author previously, so it was indeed an honor to receive approval for an advanced reader copy of her book right before its official release date.I truly relished the experience and found the direction of the story to be quite captivating. Her writing was easy to follow and I devoured the book. Initially, I held reservations since I wasn't aware that the main characters were teenagers, let alone that the setting was in a high school. I harbored concerns that the characters might come across as immature or aggravating, but the author skillfully crafted them with depth. All in all, I found immense enjoyment in the narrative and eagerly anticipate delving into its sequel.
In the initial stages, there was a rather abrupt introduction of numerous characters, which might have been better served by a gradual dispersal throughout the course of the book. Additionally, I can't help but find it a tad unrealistic for the author to have portrayed the Bonovich family as both rich and menacing as she did, while affording them only minimal security measures, confined to a mere gatekeeper. This oversight made it relatively simple for "Rtrue360" to infiltrate and carry out his intentions.
Both of the main male characters, Tobias and Rush as well as the female main character, Jorja and their circle of friends grew on me. However, I did perceive a lack of chemistry between Rush and Jorja; it seemed that she shared a more compelling connection with Tobias. Though there is enough anticipation for their romance to blossom in the upcoming book and I’m looking forward to it. Once again, thank you for the opportunity.
July 23, 2023
Initially, it took me a chapter or two to get into this book as I became familiar with the author’s writing style. But, once something made me laugh, I became invested and continued to read.
Our female main character, Jorja, gives me the same vibes that Veronica from Riverdale puts off. A girl from a privileged family, full of secrets, that has walls up to protect herself and the ones she loves- even though if you take the time to get to know her, she’s so much more than what you see.
Our male main character, Rush, is positively swoon worthy and takes you right back, dreamily thinking of that boy that every girl wished she had for a high school romance.
This was a sweet, slow burning, romance that was suspenseful. It kept me guessing and wanting to know how the story would end so much, that I finished it in a single day.
I was given an ARC of this book to read and review.
Our female main character, Jorja, gives me the same vibes that Veronica from Riverdale puts off. A girl from a privileged family, full of secrets, that has walls up to protect herself and the ones she loves- even though if you take the time to get to know her, she’s so much more than what you see.
Our male main character, Rush, is positively swoon worthy and takes you right back, dreamily thinking of that boy that every girl wished she had for a high school romance.
This was a sweet, slow burning, romance that was suspenseful. It kept me guessing and wanting to know how the story would end so much, that I finished it in a single day.
I was given an ARC of this book to read and review.
November 17, 2023
Read the book in a day, it was sooo good. I could not put it down. There were so many shocking turns. I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 18, 2023
Loved this book and can’t wait for the next one! Great story line, it was very easy to follow and stay interested!
April 22, 2024
BOOK REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emojis: 🤑💊📱🏔️🕵️♀️
First and foremost, thank you Nora Blake for a copy (signed!!!) of this book and for having a mini meet with my book club, Memphis Girls Book Club. Authors like you are the reason reading is so fun and I can’t wait to continue to support you.
#thislittletown follows teens through their rich lifestyles, family secrets, and incredible drama with a hint of cartel and murder. This book is for you if you enjoy Gossip Girl, Queen of the South, and angst driven storylines.
What I liked about the book: it was a quick read for me, I was able to keep up with characters and it really does transport you into the mindset of an angsty teen as the majority of the story is from Jorja’s POV. She seems self aware enough to know she’s not a great character and is okay with her actions despite that which I can respect. Also, the plot twist at the end had me floored.
What I’m looking forward to: I think this is obvious when I say WHAT HAPPENS NEXT??? I’ll admit, there were times where I thought hm this is repetitive or immature. But I had to remind myself “these are teenagers with money and vengeance, so it’s plausible”.
Book 2 comes out this summer! Give #NoraBlake a follow and pick this book up asap🖤🩵 #boldsbooks #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #indieauthor
Emojis: 🤑💊📱🏔️🕵️♀️
First and foremost, thank you Nora Blake for a copy (signed!!!) of this book and for having a mini meet with my book club, Memphis Girls Book Club. Authors like you are the reason reading is so fun and I can’t wait to continue to support you.
#thislittletown follows teens through their rich lifestyles, family secrets, and incredible drama with a hint of cartel and murder. This book is for you if you enjoy Gossip Girl, Queen of the South, and angst driven storylines.
What I liked about the book: it was a quick read for me, I was able to keep up with characters and it really does transport you into the mindset of an angsty teen as the majority of the story is from Jorja’s POV. She seems self aware enough to know she’s not a great character and is okay with her actions despite that which I can respect. Also, the plot twist at the end had me floored.
What I’m looking forward to: I think this is obvious when I say WHAT HAPPENS NEXT??? I’ll admit, there were times where I thought hm this is repetitive or immature. But I had to remind myself “these are teenagers with money and vengeance, so it’s plausible”.
Book 2 comes out this summer! Give #NoraBlake a follow and pick this book up asap🖤🩵 #boldsbooks #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #indieauthor
October 16, 2023
Sometimes a book just gets to you at the right time, this book and me right now are the perfect match.
This book has a lot of my favourite topics to read about - organised crime, small town drama and romance. Tick, tick, tick. All the elements tied in really nicely together and none of them really took over. High stakes but not stressful high stakes if that makes sense? Enough to keep the pages turning but without being overly tense - exactly what I wanted this week having just finished my exams. Some exciting, page turning fun was exactly what I wanted and this book fit the bill perfectly.
My only gripe is that it's part of a series. I knew that going in but forgot while I was reading. I was happily reading and then it ended suddenly with loose ends all over the place. Alright, you got me. I'm hooked. Can we have the second book now?!
This book has a lot of my favourite topics to read about - organised crime, small town drama and romance. Tick, tick, tick. All the elements tied in really nicely together and none of them really took over. High stakes but not stressful high stakes if that makes sense? Enough to keep the pages turning but without being overly tense - exactly what I wanted this week having just finished my exams. Some exciting, page turning fun was exactly what I wanted and this book fit the bill perfectly.
My only gripe is that it's part of a series. I knew that going in but forgot while I was reading. I was happily reading and then it ended suddenly with loose ends all over the place. Alright, you got me. I'm hooked. Can we have the second book now?!
April 17, 2024
What secrets does the town of Grove Hills keep? Specifically what secrets does Jorja Bonovich doesn’t want anyone to know?
Jorja’s family secrets are threatened to be exposed and the new boy Rush True is at the center of her suspicions. Handsome, tall, blue eyed, and making himself comfortable in friend group is everything she doesn’t want. It doesn’t help that his twin brother Tobias True is just as tempting.
The story was wonderfully written and kept me wondering how long Jorja could keep everything together and how accurate her suspicions were. The closer I got to the end the clearer the picture became. Book one was a great opener for the Grove Hill series and I can’t wait to read book 2.
Jorja’s family secrets are threatened to be exposed and the new boy Rush True is at the center of her suspicions. Handsome, tall, blue eyed, and making himself comfortable in friend group is everything she doesn’t want. It doesn’t help that his twin brother Tobias True is just as tempting.
The story was wonderfully written and kept me wondering how long Jorja could keep everything together and how accurate her suspicions were. The closer I got to the end the clearer the picture became. Book one was a great opener for the Grove Hill series and I can’t wait to read book 2.
April 4, 2025
I think I set my standards a little too high for this book. I picked it up because I saw it compared to Outer Banks and Pretty Little Liars, which I loved both shows. I got no reminders of Outer Banks and not really a PLL vibe. There is a character named Toby and that’s about it. Main characters are in High School which doesn’t bother me in the shows. I didn’t hate the book at all, and also didn’t love it. But, again I went in with the expectation that it compared to PLL and Outer Banks. This is def a YA novel, in my opinion.
April 9, 2024
I did not realize this was a YA book when I picked it up, so that was a little disappointing. The thriller aspects of the book were pretty good! I never knew what to expect and the twists were exciting. I did not like that there was such an emphasis on the romance. I found it a bit annoying and trivial with all the other dangerous stuff going on in the story.
January 2, 2025
I wanted something different to read to get away from thrillers for a minute. My favorite show like 15 years ago was pretty little liars, I just loved the twists and turns in that show and this reminded me of it all. The twists were surprisingly fun and the ending shocked me. Excited to read book 2!
May 15, 2025
This is not at all like Outer Banks or Pretty Little Liars, it was a juvenile mess with awkward dialogue. The repetitive thoughts and over explanations of certain things were annoying and then the things that should’ve been explained in more detail I felt were skipped right over. Jorja was possibly the worst part of this book- she needed to be slapped into reality.
March 19, 2024
WOW WOW WOW!! First of all, thank you to Nora Blake for my copy of this book!! I loved this story and can’t wait to read the second one. It has twists and turns I never saw coming and left me wanting more! Excellent read!
April 7, 2024
I always love a good thriller! I am a slow reader but I couldn’t put this book down. I did not expect a lot of the twists this book had. I can’t wait to see what happens in the second book!
January 25, 2025
This is an amazing series
January 31, 2025
Definitely kept me on my toes! Can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
February 14, 2025
AMAZING!!! Already half way through the second one
February 25, 2025
Fast paced mystery with some YA romance mixed in! Loved the characters, story sucks you in from the first book! Highly recommend!
March 26, 2025
Great series.
This is the 1st of the series. It is a book that you won't be able to put down and once you finish this one you will have to read the rest of the story.
This is the 1st of the series. It is a book that you won't be able to put down and once you finish this one you will have to read the rest of the story.
July 1, 2025
I ate this up, yall! Very Pretty Little Liars as others reviews have stated!
December 23, 2024
PLL meets Outerbanks
I literally could not put this book down. Jorja just seems like a beautiful soul. There are so many twists and turns in this book, it had me second-guessing EVERYONE.
Give it a chance, 100% you will love it.
I literally could not put this book down. Jorja just seems like a beautiful soul. There are so many twists and turns in this book, it had me second-guessing EVERYONE.
Give it a chance, 100% you will love it.
June 30, 2025
This Little Town by Nora Blake
Reviewed by Emma Montenegro
“In a town where secrets bury themselves deeper than the roots of its trees, Nora Blake reminds us: not everything that disappears stays gone.”
I devoured this book.
Set in a town that feels both claustrophobic and comforting, This Little Town is a hauntingly emotional suspense/ mystery novel that blends heartbreak, love, and danger in just the right amounts. Im not gonna write any spoilers but, if you like books like A Good Girls Guide To Murder, The Inheritance Games, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, I would 100% recommend this book!
Reviewed by Emma Montenegro
“In a town where secrets bury themselves deeper than the roots of its trees, Nora Blake reminds us: not everything that disappears stays gone.”
I devoured this book.
Set in a town that feels both claustrophobic and comforting, This Little Town is a hauntingly emotional suspense/ mystery novel that blends heartbreak, love, and danger in just the right amounts. Im not gonna write any spoilers but, if you like books like A Good Girls Guide To Murder, The Inheritance Games, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, I would 100% recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews