Firefly Hollow

Firefly Hollow #1

by T.L. Haddix

This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B009G8ELXY.

Book One in the Firefly Hollow Series, Women's Fiction Romances set in Appalachia.

In 1960, a tragic death in the family calls young Sarah Browning back from college to her Appalachian homestead. Unable to return to school and finish her degree, she finds herself facing a future that isn’t what she’d planned. Lost and grieving, she wanders onto her reclusive neighbor’s property where she stumbles across the all-too-attractive Owen Campbell, a man hiding secrets she’d only ever thought were legend.

Owen Campbell was raised on the folklore of Eastern Kentucky, tales of men and women with magical abilities from shape-shifting to healing powers. Rejected by those he loves because of his own abilities, he isolates himself from the world. When he meets Sarah, he’s faced with the tough decision of whether to let her in or stay hidden away to keep his heart safe.

Please note - this book is NOT a typical paranormal romance. No rage-beast shifters or alpha dogs here. It is, however, at its heart a romance, with a few intimate scenes between the hero and heroine, as well as adult situations dealing with tragedy.

"Firefly Hollow" is the first book in the Firefly Hollow series. Other titles include "Butterfly Lane," "Dragonfly Creek," "Cattail Ridge," "Cricket Cove," "Stormking Road," "Fern Valley," and "Snapdragon Way."

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Ebooks, Shapeshifters

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2012

About the author

T.L. Haddix is the author of the Firefly Hollow Series, women's fiction romances set in Eastern Kentucky, as well as numerous other projects under various pen names. She's a self-described eccentric, a somewhat reclusive stick in the mud who lives in Eastern Kentucky with her husband and their cat-children. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, reading, genealogy, casual bird-and-critter watching, and being short.

She writes books about characters who are flawed but who somehow still manage to overcome the challenges thrown in their paths and reach for happiness with their soul mates. And while she can't tell a joke in the real world to save her life, she tries to inject her characters' lives with quirky, unintentional humor that surprises readers at just the right moment.

Reviews

[Navessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the many reasons that I love websites like NetGalley. I was just randomly checking out the new releases one day when I stumbled across it.

Intriguing title: check
Beautiful cover: check
Interesting blurb: check

A part of me wondered what I would be getting myself into if I requested it:

“Hmmm, this sounds a little like an adult version of Beauty and the Beast. You’ve had some disappointments after reading books with so few reviews lately, better hold off for a little while. Play it safe, Litchick.”

Another, lesser evolved, part of me shouted back in a horrific imitation of a German accent:

“Who cares?! Hit zee requesht button!!!”

That little Id-gremlin won. And I’m so, so happy she did.

You see, I have a method to reviewing. I take notes. Lots and lots and lots of notes. I write down everything I loved, hated and lol’d at while reading a book. I also go into great detail about the characters, content and writing style. Sometimes (for obvious reasons) these notes can extend well over six Word Document pages, so you can understand that it’s a rare thing when a book can pull me in so completely that I forget about my meticulous (some might say retentive) little habit.

This book made me forget.

This is not just a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking love story. This is not just about a young woman’s coming of age. This is not just a study on the harshness of rural life in a small town. This is not just a book with some paranormal elements. It’s all of those things and so, so much more.

I blame not only the story for my lack of notes but the writing itself. It’s both beautiful and enthralling. Haddix has this simplistically elegant way of describing people and places with just a single sentence. That sentence is all you need to have a detailed and fully formed picture in your mind of what she’s depicted. I could fill an entire page with quotes but I’ll restrain myself. Here is one of my favorite examples instead:

“The fireflies were out in full force, their leisurely movements across the yard looking like nothing less than a twinkling, living blanket crossing the landscape.”

Not only is the writing subtle but unless you pay close attention you might miss the fact that this story is set in the 1950s. Some other readers have expressed annoyance that the time period wasn’t better defined as there weren’t many glaringly obvious descriptions of music, clothing, cars, etc, etc. I wasn’t annoyed. I thought it was really refreshing that Haddix mostly let the lack of modern conveniences speak for themselves. This is rural Kentucky after all and the story takes place in a semi-mountainous farming community. Back then, things like fashion and current music were late to arrive to places that had just recently built their first middle school so it’s more accurate that they wouldn’t be in the forefront of the characters’ minds.

Speaking of the main characters, I loved them. I really, truly loved them.

From the very first page I was on Sarah’s side and I continued to be until the very end. She’s a calm, intelligent, rational young woman with a well-rounded sense of humor and a sort of childlike curiosity. And she can really stand up for herself when she needs to.

She’s just so…likeable.

I know that sounds a little silly but lately so many main characters in the books I’ve been reading have, at one point or another, gotten on my last nerve. Not Sarah. Her sheer likeability was a breath of fresh air.

Then there’s the male lead, Owen. Oh. My. GOD. He is...he’s…he’s pretty much one of my favorite love interests EVER. He calls her mother ma’am, asks to kiss her, looks out for her well-being without being some overbearing hyper-dominant alpha and is just…is just…I mean he’s completely…!!!

*faints*

S-s-sorry, wh-what happened?

Oh right, book review. Owen. Mmmmmm….Owen…nom nom nom nom n-

Ahem!

I immediately found myself intrigued by him. He’s mysterious, reclusive, brilliant, handsome and a shifter to boot. I loved what Haddix did with the shifters in this story. They’re not bound to just one form like the popular theme that runs in most paranormal books. Sometimes they can take multiple forms and the one they choose seems to be related to the mood they’re in. If they’re angry, they become a wolf, calm, a deer. They’re not ruled by instincts or primal urges, they’re not driven to near madness with bloodlust or the need to mate. They’re just a magical and intriguing anomaly.

And then there’s the romance between Owen nom nom nom nom nom and Sarah. It was one of the most realistic I’ve come across. When you first meet them they’re strangers and you’re witness to their first meeting, their first shy smiles and their first kiss (among other things…heh heh). I loved watching them fall in love. It was…GAH! I’ve run out of words. Time for a frigging happy dance!!!



Okay, sorry. The Id took over again.

What’s left to say? Oh the support cast! There were no one dimensional characters here. Even the ones I disliked I found myself at one time or another feeling sorry for. Except for the one that I sincerely hope is burning in the lowest levels of hell while being subjected to the most depraved sorts of torture the devil himself can come up with.

I especially liked Sarah’s mother. She was thoughtful, loving, gave great advice to her children and had a propensity for laughing at inappropriate moments. Sarah’s family dynamic seemed as realistic as her relationship with Owen. At times it was awkward, at times infuriating and yet at others sweet and sentimental.

Really, you should just read this book. It’s incredible. It made me laugh out loud, grin for so long my face hurt, rage out in defense of the characters mistreatment and even craugh. Granted I’d had two rum and cokes when I got to the scene that caused said weepiness mixed with semi-hysterical laughter but I’m pretty sure I would have teared up regardless!

Even though I received a digital book for review I’ll be buying the paperback because I need to see it sitting on my bookshelves. I need to have it in my greedy little hands and re-read it to my heart’s content.

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[Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating : 4.5 stars

Want to know what happens while reading Firefly hollow? Actually, that's pretty simple : this novel takes your expectations and quietly blows them away.

► The story takes place in the 60s. We expect sexism, or at the best case, some infatuated girl. We get an incredibly independent and rational heroine.

"Listen, Tony, I don't mean any offense, but I need this job. I'm not looking for a man to take care of me. I can take care of myself."

I can't express how much I liked Sarah : contrary to many books, we're not only told that she's smart and rational, no. This side of her personality can be seen in each and every one of her actions, and saying that I enjoyed following her would be an understatement. Indeed she never overreacts, knows what she wants and is ready to fight to obtain it - she's courageous, and doesn't need a savior. During my read there were so many times I was proud of her, even if the choices she has to make aren't world saving choices. No, that's life, and that's fucking great as it is, because would I have been able to live in the 60s as a woman? I'm not sure. Okay, she's a virgin, but as I've already said with historical heroines, what annoys me something fierce in New Adult don't bother me at all here. Why? Because what I find completely ridiculous and unbelievable in 2015 was perfectly understandable at this time. So, what, she's a virgin. She's unmarried. She lives in 1960 for Pete's sake. That's pretty believable to me.

"Oh, no! Tony, are you okay? I am so clumsy. This sort of things happens to me all the time," Sarah said, standing over the injured man. To Owen's utter astonishment, and not slight satisfaction, as she bent over the insurance agent, she managed to drop three of the books she'd be carrying... right on Tony's groin."

► This is a romance with paranormal elements. We fear some stalkerish alpha male. We get a protective but adorable male-lead.

Owen Owen Owen. I guess I have to warn you that I'm pretty sure I fell in love with him. He's just so adorable, so gentleman - Damn, he manages to succeed in handling perfectly every situation where others could have been changed to jerks.

Let's have a look at some of them :
- Have women the right to work, even married?
- What about the dishes and other housework?
- What's up with the sexual needs of a woman?

Here's a man who isn't afraid to let the woman he loves live, make her choices.
Here's a man who wants to protect her but never tries to deny her ability to stand for herself.
Here's a man who is so fucking adorable in each and every one of his attentions.
Here's a man so selfless that I wanted to hug him. Damn, I was grinning like a fool even when he was saying "I adore rhubarb."

"Sarah and I haven't discussed marriage yet, thank you, but when and if we get to that point, Sarah's free to make her own place however she sees fit. I don't hold with the tradition that a woman should stay pregnant and barefoot unless that's what she wants."

Congratulations, Owen, you're perfect, and for once I'm not even chastising you for it, because you have your share of mishaps and doubts. Go meet him, all of you romance lovers, you won't be disappointed.

Because OWEN. OWEN. OWEN. Sigh.

► This is a shifter story. We intend to meet a wolf or a coyote. Well, okay, there's a wolf, but there's also a deer. A fucking DEER. And I know, I know, that shouldn't be important but what can I say, I was changing into a giggling child each time we got to see this adorable deer. I don't know what that says about me. Oh, well.

► This is an indie author. Maybe the writing isn't that great. Now, I'm not saying that indie authors don't know how to write a story, of course. But I wanted to stress how much I adored T.L. Haddix's writing : it's beautiful, and above that, it just flows smoothly and I was completely hooked from page one, stars in my eyes and smile on my face. That's all.

► This is a romance. Don't expect to meet great secondary characters. I am in love with this family, especially Sarah's mother.

That's really rare when the mother of a main character pleases me that much, but I must confess that her apparitions were one of my favorite parts in the book : in a nutshell, she raises her daughter in a way that gives her the ability to stand for herself, be independent and never ashamed of what she wants. Plus, she's hilarious - the condoms scene makes me laugh out loud, I must admit. However, if I had a complaint to make, it would have been the way Sarah's sister is portrayed throughout the book - I can't deny that I had a hard time understanding her but in the end, I get it, and well, I hope she'll have her HEA someday.

"A good twenty minutes later, Sarah said, "It helps if you turn the pages. Makes the story much more interesting."
Owen's face heated, and he gave a rueful shake of his head. "I've heard that."

► Again, this a romance. We can brace ourselves for an unbelievable love-story. The relationship between Owen and Sarah is gradual, believable, and all kinds of cute.
From the first time they meet to the sex scene, via the first kiss, I never rolled my eyes. Not once. Because although it was cute, it always stays realistic and believable.

THANKS FOR THAT.

▒ This book made me happy, smiling, laughing and feeling so much that I'm pretty sure it won't be long before I'll grab the sequel. ▒

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It's Kindle freebie romance time again. This one is reasonably well-written, although there are a few missteps (for example, sometimes the writing is more "telling" than "showing" or act in a way that's inconsistent with the way their character's been drawn) that mark it as a self-published novel, and it never really rises above its roots in the romance genre. But if you like romances, this one is still a freebie (as of Dec. 2015), and it's a quick, enjoyable read.

Set in Appalachian country in Kentucky, we first meet Sarah Browning as a 15 or 16 year old teenage girl in 1954, crushed by some cruel gossip she overheard (mean sister alert!). Seeking solitude, she trespasses on her neighbor's property and meets up with an oddly intelligent deer.



Though she doesn't know it, the deer is her neighbor Owen Campbell, who has the ability to shapeshift into both deer and wolf form.

The story follows Sarah and Owen through the years, as they cross paths occasionally, though Owen is in animal form each time. Sarah eventually goes away to college and returns home in 1959 when her father dies. She takes a job as a librarian, and she and Owen finally meet in human form and, after a couple of false starts, begin to develop a relationship. Of course there are complications -- only one of which is that Owen has trouble figuring out how to confess his shapeshifting abilities to Sarah.

The main characters are sympathetic but have some personal shortcomings and baggage that contribute to relationship difficulties and misunderstandings. Sarah's sister Kathy, the aforesaid mean sister, turns out to be a more complex and relatable character than I would have initially guessed. I would have liked the shapeshifting subplot to have played a larger role in the story, but it was reasonably well integrated into the plot.

Although this is the first in a series of related novels, it's a stand-alone book with no loose ends or cliffhangers.

Content advisory: a couple of explicit sex scenes. Not for clean romance only readers.

Art credit: Forest Abode by Michael Leadingham, http://michaelleadingham.com/

[Mada Linx · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful love story.

I’ve never read a book that portraits a love story from 1960’s and I’m glad for the change of pace.

I’m so used to insta-love (which I don’t believe in), couples putting accent on physical love (sex), telling “I love yous” that I don’t feel, unnecessary angst and wild nights of drinking and doing stupid things.
But then I read this, and nothing can be more beautiful than innocent love.
This book made me relive what I felt when I discovered boys for the first time. The joy of going on a date, the innocent flirtations, the first kiss and having that person on your mind constantly. It put this silly smile on my face every time they were together and I couldn’t stop it.
I loved it.

[Kathe L · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars!


I can't tell how surprised and amazed I am at this book. I had zero expectations and it blew me away!

What can I start with first? Oh right, this is a book that passes in 1960. And we get a main character, Sarah, that is totally what I didn't expect from a women of that time. There's actually a scene that Sarah drops a book in a man's groin (that was hilarious) because he assumed she was working because she didn't have a husband, and if she had one, she would stop working. Because then, he, her husband to-be, would provide for her. And she said that even if she got married she would still work, even if she didn't need to. And did I say she works in a library because she loves to read?

"There's nothing wrong with wanting knowledge. Don't ever let anyone tell you there is.

And OWEN. I've always had and always will have a crush on guys like on our Owen here. He not only lets Sarah do what she wants, not repressing her, but he is also a sweetheart who lets himself be afraid. He doesn't think emotions are lame *gasp* And his affection towards Sarah was so so so adorable, I loved these two. It wasn't forced at all! They were perfect for each other, and there's been so long since I've seen such a compatible couple. It was so refreshing.

"I wouldn't mind having lunch with you." Sarah said.
"In addiction to the date?"
She moved one shoulder.
"Maybe. Depending on how the lunch goes."
Surprised by her coy response, his jaw dropped.
Sarah laughed. "Oh, your face."

(Didn't I say Sarah is amazing and probably one of the best main females ever?)

Like with this quote, I laughed at lot in this book. Not only with Sarah and Owen, but also with Sarah and her mother! Yes, she was so amazing! Sarah's mother, Eliza, was a fighter, and with a lot of personality as well. It's not a surprise Sarah was the way she was. With a mother like that, who wasn't afraid to speak her mind but wasn't rude doing so, I quickly found myself mesmerized by their relationship. It isn't easy to have such a profound relationship with your mother, like she truly is her best friend. After only two or three scenes of these two, I quickly decided this book was worth it already.

Actually, family is pretty big on this book. Did I expect a lot of things that happened? NO. It's almost impossible to guess. I went in this book expecting a book about love with a bit of paranormal, but got a book with family, friends, hurt, and laughter as well. A complete package!

"Son, I think after this you should call me Eliza. You've earned it.

This book isn't essentially on the paranormal, but more on the romance. But still, what it delivered was one of the best paranormals I've ever read. Owen is a shifter, and he can shift into a wolf and a... DEER. A cute and adorable deer, let me tell you.



The nicest thing was that it showed how being a shifter can not only affect you, but also the people around you. And what I admired in this book was that it showed how people's reactions about it can affect you years to come. They being good, or bad.

What else can I say? I know that when I read this review later I will be "damn, Kathe, you didn't say that other amazing thing about this book." And I know it will be like that because there are tons of things I liked about this book. That I loved about it. Reading this book was like calming down. It was like being trapped in another world, with only me and this wonderful characters. I couldn't put it down, so I highly recommend it for romance lovers out there that are tired of always the same thing. This is remarkably different from everything that I've ever read, and I'm very very happy I read it.

[Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay for impromptu buddy reads. Thanks to my lovely friend, Heather for reading this one with me:)




Read a book your friend recommended (Thanks Anna!).

3 stars.

I am very middle of the road here. I have several friends who loved this one. And I liked it. Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. There are a lot of things to like about this novel. But at least for me, there are also several things to not like about it.

This one is classified as paranormal romance. This is kind of a misnomer. This novel is pure, solid gold romance. Maybe with a little magical realism. The paranormal elements are so light I blinked once and almost missed them. It takes place in rural Kentucky in the 50s and 60s. I enjoyed the setting of Firefly Hollow. The history, the culture, the small-town feel of it, neighbors being neighborly, close-knit families who are always there for each other, a time and place when libraries are still frequented often, a small diner is the central meeting place, and peace and quiet and tranquility of nature is an everyday part of life. The setting itself is one of the things I liked best about this novel. This writer writes well, particularly for a self-pub. She did a tremendous job of setting up the place and the people, especially since I know how many novels in this series there are.

The characters are also fairly dynamic. Sara and Owen are not your typical cliche romantic leads and I enjoyed reading about their romance which was sweet and very beautifully played out. Owen is also a shapeshifter which is where this paranormal element comes into play. He inherited the trait from his mother's side and builds on ancient Appalachian folklore where men shift into animal forms and women are clairvoyant and have heightened senses. I really really enjoyed the paranormal elements and only wished they were explored further. It is a wish that I have for the rest of the series. I particularly enjoyed the folklore that was threaded through the plot and it really added to the mystique of the setting in general. Owen and Sara are both flawed but I really came to enjoy reading about each one individually. Sara is a very strong feminine character who challenged her feminine role, cared about education, and stood up for her beliefs. She loved her family fiercely and never backed down. She strove to work for herself and make her own way in the world instead of getting married in order for a man to do everything for her. I had tremendous respect for her. I also really enjoyed reading about Sara's mother, Eliza, and count her as my favorite character of the bunch.

Owen was also a pleasure to read about. His history growing up different really shone through and his devotion to Sara was very sweet. He had the right about of protective vibe but also valued her independence which was a refreshing touch. I thought their relationship was handled very nicely.

The things I didn't care for were things I think I dislike about the genre in general. The whole thing was just too sweet for me. I enjoyed it, but definitely had quite a few eye-rolling moments. I also thought a lot of the conflicts, particularly those surrounding Sara and Owen's relationship were really really contrived and only served to create conflicts in the first place. There were quite a few things that Sara completely blew out of proportion and if set in real life wouldn't have been as big a deal as it is in this novel. I also hate it when authors change the core of a character in order to create conflict. This is a sloppy and lazy way to solve a problem. This happened towards the end and it almost made me drop another star. Without being spoiler, I will say that Owen behaves in a manner that is very very unlike how his character was written in the first place. I had a hard time believing his motivations for acting this way and found it very hard to forgive this trope. In fact the whole last 30% or so of this novel made it go downhill for me very fast. Something else happens at the end that I thought came out of nowhere and was not believable. Therefore I had a hard time connecting and emoting which is never a good sign.

Ultimately I decided on 3 stars because it was fun and easy to read. And I liked the characters enough to continue on. I hope that the tropes present in this one disappear as I continue. Because I do like these characters and want more from them and find tremendous potential with this series. I hope that more of the folklore and history is presented and that it can rise above and stand out from the romance genre. Fingers crossed for the next one. Buddy reading Butterfly Lane with Casey in February ......the saga continues.

[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free at Amazon 2-9-15!!

The first part of this book started slowly. Building on Owen and Sarah's history and how they became to be the people they were. I didn't really at this point think I was going to love this book. Sarah's sister Kathy came across as a bitter woman who reminded me of Nellie Olsen. At first..she then changed for me.

About halfway through the book I really started to enjoy myself and I became very attached to their characters. By the end I felt like I had been on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I even understood Kathy's character. Owen's character is a shifter in the book and I do wish that the author had given more time to that aspect of the story.

I live in the Appalachian mountains and one part of living here that has always been part of my heart is the folklore and mountain wisdom aspects of these mountains. This book did touch on that for me and I really look forward to the other books in this series hoping the author goes farther into the stories of them.


Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this wonderful book.

[Susana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 70%

I started this on a whim after seeing some good reviews of some friends.

I just wanted something that would make me want to read, so I started this, and I found myself liking it.

I had never read a paranormal romance in which the paranormal element was so toned down. That alone was interesting.

Also for a story that takes place in the fifties, the characters were surprisingly modern. I should know that sooner or later there would be a catch.

Sarah is a feminist, she knows what she wants, and she knows how she'll get it.
She wants an education, and she has the support of her family.

Owen, also wants an education. Unfortunately due to his condition _ the shifter thing that runs in the family _ he won't be able to follow his dream. Also, as a consequence of his different condition, he ends up estranged of great part of his family.

In that moment we believe when he says he will live the rest of his life as a hermit. Too bad the author didn't explore this.

Some years go by, Sarah returns home, due to some events, and I'm afraid that things start happening extremely fast: things that had been properly developed would allow for some real conflict.

But no, instead the romance between those two blossoms in the blink of an eye, and by the middle of the book, I was ready for the thing to end. Really.

We have two characters, extremely likeable, sweet and reasonable who start behaving as idiots. Because by that moment, the book was only about their romance. The shifter part was still extremely undeveloped, and Sarah who up until now had behaved in a logical manner, decides to act all drama queen.

Maybe I'll finish it some other time, but at this moment I just don't have the patience for it.

Too bad, because at the beginning of the story I thought I was reading a four star book.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial reaction: I haven't read a lot of paranormal romances done in the way that T.L. Haddix does "Firefly Hollow" - but it was a rewarding read for me. The biggest critique I would give is that it took a while for this story to get going, but once it did, the payoff was worth it. I really enjoyed the focus on the developing relationship between Sarah and Owen and the familial focus alongside some difficult issues in the mix. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing where the next book goes.

Full review:

I'll admit I was charmed and enchanted by "Firefly Hollow", though it took a bit of a slow burn for me to really immerse in the experience. This novel is set during the 1950s and 60s, and if it were a little more evocative of that period, more immersive with the paranormal elements, and ironed out some problematic elements I probably would've given this a full five stars.

The story depicts the relationship between a reclusive young man (Owen) and the girl (Sarah) and her family that lives next door to him. Owen is a shapeshifter with a troubled past and a rather complex history to him, with a family torn by his inherited abilities. He lives on his own property and has rules about people trespassing there, for fear of them discovering his secrets.

Sarah works as a librarian, has gone to college and is trying to care for her family after her own loss. She meets Owen in a rather awkward first encounter after he catches her trespassing on his property, but in truth, Owen already knows that Sarah's been on the property because he saved her life in the guise of a wolf when they were younger. The story ultimately shows the two falling in love with each other over time. I loved the slow burn of the romance, the bit humor, and the overarching rapport between them. I also loved the focus on their families and how the tough events in their lives shaped them. It gave a nice rounding to their characters and realism that I usually love in stories like this.

There were a few caveats though - I'll admit that the beginning narrative where the two were kids took a little while to hook me completely because it was a slow burn to get to the meat of the narrative. Also because I don't think the period was directly addressed (apart from a few instances) in cases, so it was difficult to picture some of the surroundings and variant social attitudes of the time and place. I followed the narrative well for quite some time, and then hit another block when I realized what the ultimate trial of Owen's relationship with Sarah would be when he didn't communicate with her for quite some time, due to his own issues and secrets (as well as a misunderstanding). I guess for me it was a bit of a rocky conflict that could've been easily prevented/resolved (and Sarah is a little too quick to forgive him), but I think ultimately the coming to terms of their relationship was worth the road taken for me.

This was a romantic read that will stay with me for a while and I usually love these kinds of stories with a careful eye to the histories, personalities of the characters alongside an eye to family and to the unfamiliar. I would certainly recommend "Firefly Hollow" to those who like developed characters and romances with a touch of paranormal. I thought it was well written, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.

Overall score: 4/5

Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Streetlight Graphics Publishing.

[Melissa Baez · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recommend this to anyone who has nothing to do. And I mean ABSOLUTELY Nothing better to do. And maybe not even then.

[Brandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel a little bad putting this my 'can't bear to finish' shelf, but it's not working for me. The writing is too slow, Sarah is too perfect, Kathy wasn't even that bad considering how even her parents didn't like her, Owen is annoying me with his whining, and so on. I don't know if I'm in a slump or what, but I read to 27% over two days, and I have no desire to continue the rest of the story. :/

I can see why this could work for people though, because Sarah says at some point how she wants to work for herself and not be 'taken care of' by a man, so that ticks off the need for feminism, and Owen has a deep love for learning, and reading, so that ticks off the sensitive and learned man need. The writing, though painfully slow and dull for me, had some beautiful descriptive passages, but it wasn't anywhere near able to make up for the rest of it for me.


Here are a few examples of the slow writing:

She was curious, avidly so, but she had resisted the urge to explore. She knew there would be consequences if she broke her parents' rule, and more importantly, they'd be disappointed in her. If nothing else, Sarah was a good girl. As she thought about that, Kathy's words from early came back to haunt her. "Little Miss Priss," she muttered.


"And... and maybe, if that's what he likes, then maybe he's not as special as I thought he was. Let him have his buxom girls. At least I don't look like a milk cow, unlike someone I could name. (I liked that she could move past that boy, but the milk cow reference about Kathy annoyed me.)

She said a prayer for them the whole way. (that's just showing how angelic Sarah is)

Kathy and Randall had moved in when Ira had been diagnosed with cancer and it became apparent that Eliza needed help. Sarah privately thought they'd been so eager to help because Randall had seen a free ride on his horizon, but she keep that thought to herself. (More villainy from her sister, and once more I didn't get the why of it. What kind of free ride would her husband have gotten?! It never said.)

One of the first rules Shirley had explained to her had been to respect the privacy of the patrons who used the library. That included asking them out socially. (I just thought this was stupid)

To her dismay, Sarah was diagnosed with strep throat and wasn't able to return to work until the following Tuesday. When she clocked in that morning, she apologized profusely to Shirley and the library director. Both assured her that she wasn't in trouble, and that they understood.

"At least you didn't get pregnant on purpose so you could quit school early like someone whose name we won't mention." (That was Sarah and Kathy's mom there referring to Kathy. Sarah is an angel and Kathy is the devil)

After the part where Sarah was dismayed about missing work because she was really sick, I skipped ahead and read the end of the story. It didn't make me want to know what I had missed.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah. I didn't not like it but I didn't love it for sure. It was a bit too naive and sweet for my taste.

I didn't really like how Owen went from this mysterious, crusty recluse (at the age of 25 or so?) to this sweet and caring lover. Then to have some alpha characteristics pop out, well, I just didn't buy it.

The conflict between the MCs never seemed all that serious and the side conflict that happened in the gal's family seemed WAY too serious for the rest of the book. I mean there was some serious shit going on that was really just brushed to the side. It was kinda nuts.

Also, it's apparently set in the late 1950s/early 60s. Never got that vibe at all. I'd only remember that when the date was written at the beginning of a chapter or when the mom and daughter were having a sweet/awkward chat about sex and marriage and one would comment on how hard things are for the ladies of the time and how limited their options are. Otherwise, there was really no other descriptives that lent themselves to placing you in a certain time period in history.

Not nearly enough paranormal to even call it that. I've recently learned the term "cozy mystery" and I think I would label this a "cozy romance," if that's a thing.

Oh yeah, can I stop reading these immaculate virgin stories? It's beyond stupid and I just can't with the virgin, multiple orgasms, twu luuuuv. Ugh. This lil sheltered girl from the holler knew about the Kama Sutra (which did add a funny line to the story but still...)!

In the end, it wasn't a waste of time, it didn't offend and it wasn't poorly written but I'm not really interested enough in any of the characters or the storyline to continue with the series.

[Dear Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A digital copy was provided via NG in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.

Like a moth enchanted by the yellow-orange dancing swirls of a flame, the cover of this book hypnotized me. I have to say, it's very well done and absolutely gorgeous, and the blurb was interesting, too, so it's a no wonder that I instantly requested Firefly Hollow on Netgalley. I know there is a surplus of Romance/PR books out there, but honestly, a lot of those are wasted paper and are very subpar, so I've always been on a hunt for one that would give my heart backflips and somersaults. I may love science fiction, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian stories, but like any girl, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. Fortunately, Firefly Hollow does not disappoint, as the content is just as beautiful as the cover.

The enchanting prose took me to an all new world. Haddix's writing has a way of immediately engaging and immersing the reader in the story from the very first page. Even though the pacing is slow, it doesn't feel dragging at all. It was such a delight to read all about Sarah's childhood — her finding a spot by a pool in a mountain where she can spend time by herself, her getting saved by a black and grey wolf from a deadly rattlesnake, etc. — and truly heartbreaking to read Owen's tragic and lonely past, a stage in his life that was full of mistrust and anger. I loved how you get to know the characters deeply and intimately, including their dreams, fears, and insecurities. I felt happy for Sarah when she was able to get a job, felt sad when she lost loved ones; I shared with Owen's sadness and frustrations during his early life, and also shared with his happiness when he found someone to live and die for. Even though these aren't our stories, Haddix made them personal to the reader nonetheless, which only proves how much of an effective writer she is, effortlessly making us fall in love with her characters despite all of their faults and worries.

However, I do lament the fact that the paranormal elements were not as strong as the romance one. Owen is a shifter, you see. He turns into a deer and into a wolf when he is absolutely mentally unstable and full of unwanted emotions. I've always been interested in shapeshifters, especially after reading Written in Red, but its role here is very minimal at best... It was only significant in a few short and early scenes, and then no more. :/...I also felt pretty bummed that after certain characters found out about his true nature, they were very accepting and didn't even question the authenticity, didn't get scared (I mean, I would be afraid, at least at first! That shit is of the fourth dimension, man!)... they just... accepted and then that's it! For a huge chunk of the middle of the book, the paranormal side became almost nonexistent, and then it came back in the end for a few short pages, and then... nothing! No drama out of it, no real astonishment, people just merely accepted it like it was nothing special and a common occurrence in daily life. "Hey, did you know I can shapeshift into a blood-sucking bat?!" "Oh, really? Cool! Now could you pass me the salt, please?" -_- of course it didn't go like that, but it could have well been.

Anyway, I'm well aware the romance was the central part of this book, but I felt that if the PR elements would be this little, then it would have been better if it weren't there in the first place. It's like putting a large scar on a character's face, but the scar is just for decoration; it has really no significance or any value to the character, and for me, that's, well, bullshit. Of course, this is subjective... I loved the story — the characters were well done, the sex scenes were very sensual and romantic (not aggressive at all, very realistic portrayal) — but the shapeshifting thing could have well been dropped and it wouldn't have affected the story either way. Maybe that's just me, but I believe if something is not truly vital and it's just there merely for the heck of it, then it's best to get rid of the thing. There is no need to add something unnecessary.

But overall, 4 stars to the beautiful, poetic writing and the character development of the two main characters. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I merely wish the PR stuff had more weight and role, but otherwise, it's a strong 4/5.

[Lizet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating : 4.5 stars

Perfect song for this book: Falling Fast by Avril Lavigne

First of all, I want to say that I’m in love with the cover, and the story, and the characters, and with everything this author has created.

Let��s start this review talking about the characters, and I’m going to start with the guy that has become my #1 book boyfriend: Owen Campbell .

The word that best describes him is PERFECTION. Well, he has his flaws and obviously he makes mistakes, but aside from that, he’s perfect. He’s a gentleman, sweet, selfless and completely honest. He really cares for Sarah and lets her have the independence she wants. And he even asks her to kiss her! I mean, what guy on this earth does that today? Owen, you deserve a huge applause, and I mean it.



Oh, and did I mention that he likes reading, writing and drawing? And that he doesn’t think doing the household chores is only women’s work?



Seriously, this guy makes my heart jump. Every time he did and said something sweet (most of the time), I was like this:



He’s lucky it doesn’t yet exist a machine to bring characters to real life, because I would abduct him and lock him up in my apartment. I’m a calm person, but as you can see, he manages to drive me crazy and makes me think about things I’ve never thought before.

Ok, now that I’ve expressed my eternal love for him, it’s time to get serious and talk about something I consider important and personal. I’ve never been that kind of person who talks openly about the good and bad things they feel, neither with people I know nor obviously with people I don’t know well. But these years I’ve learned how important it is to express my feelings and not hold them back, so here we go:
While I was reading this book I could relate to Owen because I know what it’s like to be away from your father and feel that his bitter words still affect you. So I understood why he shut away from everyone and let nobody in, because I’ve done that most of my life. There are people who don’t understand why you act that way, who judge without knowing what you’ve gone through and there are only few people who are patient enough to try to help you break the shield you’ve created. So I liked that Owen gradually let people in; how his uncle, aunt and cousins were patient with him, and how Sarah didn't give up on him when he made mistakes.

Speaking of Sarah, what I liked about her is that she’s a good person and she wants to be independent as her mother, she doesn’t want to have a husband who works while she’s bored in the house. She tries to do both things, follow her dreams and at the same time be with her family when they most need her, and she doesn’t complain about that. She lives in the moment and she never thinks about what could have been if certain things had not happened. No, she just accepts the present without questioning it, and I truly admire her attitude.

And the other thing I loved about this book is Sarah’s family. I liked reading about them because they are really close to each other; they are always there to help if one of them has a problem.

I was going to give this book 5 stars, and I was really happy that I had finally found a book I was completely enjoying, but then certain things happened and I was a bit disappointed. The issues I had were two: One of them were Sarah’s insecurities about Owen. And the other issue is that I felt all the drama was thrown at my face without warning; it felt like I was flying in the sky with all the romantic moments and suddenly BAM, I was hit by a big mountain of drama and I felt a bit overwhelmed because one thing happened after another.

But aside from those negative facts, I loved this book and I ended it with a huge smile on my face. And I must admit my face was aching because I couldn't stop grinning while I was reading most of the book. So, if you like reading romance books I don’t know what you are waiting to start this beautiful story.

[Tandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cheesy. Like, Nicholas Sparks cheesy. I did some serious eye rolling. I'm not gonna lie, I'm slightly ashamed of having given it 4 stars. Maybe I was in just the right mood, maybe I'm losing my edge.

There was a lot more going on besides a slow burn romance that oozed Velveeta. I loved the mother daughter relationship and the other family ties. I liked that the uber bitchy sister actually had hidden depths. The paranormal element wasn't actually a large part of the story.

Total Gary Stu/Mary Sue thing going on as well. As much as it pains me, I've got to be truthful and rate it on how much I enjoyed it. It should be a 3, but help me, it's a 4.

[♛Tash]

Look at these rave reviews and the book is free for Kindle atm.

[Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot to like about this book. It was well-written, the characters were nice people who always did the right thing, and it was set in Appalachia in the late 50s/early 60s.



Unfortunately, this wasn't the book for me.

For me, the characters were too nice. That seems a weird complaint to have, but it's one I've had with other books too. I just don't like reading about perfect, goody-goody people who are so considerate of each other. I guess it's better than the other end of the spectrum, but I find it incredibly boring.

I tend not to like books that are so heavily centered around the characters' romance. I do like romance, a lot, but I need there to be a suggestion of a plot, at least. The events in this book were just things that happened during the romance, giving them excuses to struggle, and the romance itself was the plot. Since I didn't like romance, I couldn't get into the book.

Lots of other people gave this more favorable reviews, so you might check it out anyway. It's free !

[KaleidoscopicCasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

UPDATE: 06/01/15 -
If you were interested in trying out this series Firefly Hollow is currently available for free on amazon. And if you are even remotely interested I highly recommend you get it. Thanks go to Jessica for the heads up.

I want to live in this world.


I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately... this is not my usual type of book. My reading tastes have been all over the place the last couple of months, but you know what, I have found some fantastic books because I have gone so far out of my comfort zone.

This happens to be one of those books.

I loved these characters. Sarah is awesome. If I can't be her then I want to be friends with her because she is not just a book character. She is a fully developed interesting person. She felt so real to me and I loved her.

The author set this book in the 1950s which is a really complicated time. I love the simplicity, comfort, and stability (and the 50s were where it was AT for style), but the 50s were not exactly the greatest in terms of choices for women which is super frustrating. Sarah could have easily been a walking stereotype of the time, but she isn't.

Sarah is strong, independent, and smart... she went off to school to become a teacher but has to come home for reasons. She could have moped and brooded but instead she he gets a job she enjoys and stands up for herself. She acknowledges her responsibilities and circumstance but she doesn't let them make her bitter. I totally have a crush on her.

Then there is the love interest...
Owen = YES


He is smart, interesting, handsome, shy, devoted to those he cares about, creative,... OMG, just ALL THE THINGS okay?

Their love story is one of the sweetest things I have ever read but it's this great slow burn that builds over the course of the entire story. Sarah and Owen have to overcome some tricky situations to find their way to their HEA. In fact, this book had some of the most heartbreaking moments that I have read in a long time. And the reactions of the characters seem so real and so thought out. Seriously, great character development.

Even the secondary characters have their relationships on display in this book. Sarah's brother is dating her best friend but he has been away fighting the war, Sarah's sister... you know what, I just can't on that one...
Sarah's mother shows such sweet vulnerability in her grief, GAH! I love them all.

And the setting... it is the description of my own personal heaven.
WHY CAN'T I LIVE IN FIREFLY HOLLOW!!!

This would have easily been a five star read for me but there was one thing that bothered me...

The miscommunication that was easily avoided that creates drama in the relationship. STAHP. The conflict needed between them could have just as easily been caused by the other situation that was going on at the same time Owen wasn't there for Sarah when her family was attacked. They could have been in contact the whole time and there never would have been the whole does he or doesn't he thing but if he had remained with his uncle's family instead of going to Sarah she would have been just as hurt even while understanding that his commitment had to be to the man that helped raise him.

Even with that issue, I still really really liked this book. You go on the emotional journey and the ending is so satisfying that when I finished all I could do was happy sigh. I definitely plan on reading more in the series.

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first installment in the Firefly Hollow series begins in the 1950s when Sarah Browning is a lonely high school student and a target for her older sister Kathy to pick on. The Browning's property borders the Campbell's who live up on the mountain and are rarely seen. It is understood that one does not cross that border and trespass onto the Campbell's land. However Sarah is unable to resist and begins walking there regularly, which is the first time Owen ever lays eyes on her, though she does not know it at the time. A few years later Sarah is called home from college where she is a year shy of graduating and becoming a teacher. A tragedy has befallen her family and again Sarah finds herself drawn to the Campbell's property. Gradually she and Owen find themselves falling in love, but circumstances seem to conspire to keep the young lovers apart and Owen's secrets may be too big to share. This was a story not just of romance, but family relationships, and heartbreaking tragedy.

I received a complimentary copy for review

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm not sure why but when I picked up Firefly Hollow I was expecting to read a contemporary romance so I was quite surprised to find that it was set in the 1950s - 1960s and also contained characters who were shapeshifters. That isn't a complaint, I'm just mentioning it so that people know what they're getting when they pick up the story. As much as I'd classify this as paranormal romance because of the shapeshifters it actually reads more like one of those historical sagas that follows a family for several generations which was something I really liked about it. The story has a lazy feel to it, it kind of meanders through the lives of the main characters and allows us to really get to know them both as we see them in their best and worst moments. It also places a lot of focus on the rural setting and I felt it captured the innocence of the time period really well. I think because of the way it is written it will appeal not just to paranormal fans but also to lovers of historical or contemporary romance.

Owen has spent years isolating himself from the community, he doesn't believe that he is worthy of love or that anyone would be able to accept him for who he really is so he pushes the outside world away and remains secluded on his family's land. I really loved Owen, he was so sweet and protective, not just of Sarah but also towards his family, and he knows how to write the most beautiful love letters! He is a shy man but when you break through his shell you'll find someone who is kind, polite and who has a lot of love to share. There was a certain point in the story where I was annoyed at the way he treated Sarah, not because he was mean to her but because he didn't think about how things would look from her point of view and I was disappointed that she was such a low priority for him at that moment. I could understand how it happened but it did upset me a bit so I was pleased that when he realised his mistake he was man enough to admit it and to go out of his way to make things up to her.

I found Sarah a really likeable heroine, she was smart and funny and she was determined to live life on her own terms. She didn't want a man to look after her, she preferred to earn her own money and be able to stand on her own two feet. I liked the fact that she was so intelligent and that she wanted to learn and grow. I also enjoyed the relationship she had with her mother and some of the conversations the two of them had were hilarious. One thing I really appreciated was that even though she didn't get on particularly well with her sister Kathy they still stuck by each other when they really needed help. There was a point where my heart absolutely broke for the whole family and I'm still shocked with the way certain events played out. Another thing I really enjoyed though was Sarah's friendship with Gilly and the side romance between Gilly and Jack.

As much as I enjoyed the slow pace of the book there were times when I found myself starting to get a little bored at the lack of action, the writing is beautifully descriptive but I did feel it could have been trimmed back a bit to make the story just a little faster paced. At times it felt that obstacles were being deliberately thrown in between Sarah and Owen and I'd have liked things to be a little easier on them. I still enjoyed the story and will definitely be continuing the series in the future though. Firefly Hollow isn't your standard paranormal romance, the paranormal side of the story is subtle and this book is much more focused on the lives of Sarah and Owen and the love that slowly develops between them.

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't had much luck with paranormal reads lately other than the staple series that I follow (JR Ward's BDB, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters). I wanted to give this book a chance because I thought I've never really given this genre any attention lately.

Unfortunately, the paranormal element that this book alluded to was subtle. It was predominantly a romance novel highlighting the life in the Appalachians. This was also a - I guess you can call it a period piece since it took place in the fifties.

Hardly anything ever happened aside from the culmination of a once burgeoning relationship between Owen and Sarah. And even if I really enjoyed the easy and calm atmosphere of the novel, I still found myself waiting for something to speed up the pace. The shifting aspect to the book felt more like an after-thought or just an addendum. The plot didn't hinge on the secret that Owen was keeping but rather on whether Owen and Sarah could the sustain the storm of their fairly new relationship.

I mentioned this was set in the fifties; but aside from the conservative, careful language the characters used, and the date that author have mentioned at the beginning of a couple of chapters, you wouldn't know it was set in that era. There was nothing distinct about the characters' wardrobes that would indicate the sign of the times. I should mention though, that I had to Google a couple of items for fact-checking purposes: one, when condom was invented (a long, long time ago) and two, whether women were allowed to wear denim cut-offs back then (apparently yes). The best one was how condom, sponge and vinegar were used as contraception...yeah.

The beginning of their relationship actually reminded me of Belle and Beast. Sarah, the bookish beauty and Owen, the brash recluse who did all he can to intimidate anyone who trespass on his land And for a minute there, this gave me hope. I thought that the romance would be full of fireworks at least. Sadly, that didn't happen as well. He has the ability to shift into a wolf and a deer. But due to the gentility of his manners, my guess is, the deer was the dominant animal.

Romance readers would definitely enjoy the tranquil dynamics between Owen and Sarah. But if paranormal romance is more your thing, this might not satisfy.

[Errin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow-building romance with paranormal elements that takes place late 1950s, early 1960s Kentucky. While the story took awhile to get rolling, I didn't mind. The writing was lovely, the characters so sweet, and the aura of a quiet rural mountainside county rather refreshing. The Kindle version is free so if you love love stories, I say go for it!.

Sarah and Owen were PRECIOUS. Sarah is so nice and gives off a naïve vibe but she's actually strong minded and can take care of herself. Despite his animalistic nature, Owen is such a gentleman. He's sweet, respectful and protective yet not in the controlling stalker way. And he's a writer and illustrator of childrens books! Sighhh.

I loved the slow progression of their relationship. I found him adorable when he was so nervous she wouldn't like the books he reccomended to her. I cannot tell you how wonderful these two are!

I really appreciated the emphasis on family as well. I don't come across many books with strong mother-daughter relationships often. Eliza was a sweetheart and could be quite funny. The secondary characters definitely did not fall flat. Even Sarah's sister, Kathy, was not just the bitch I assumed she was at the start. I was really surprised by how dark things turned for a while...

All in all, I really liked Firefly Hollow. There's plenty of books in the series and I will be checking them out for sure!

[Rose]

Did not finish, read up until 33%.

It's been over 4 months since I've started this book and even though I really planned to finish it, it is taking me ages to only just read a few pages once I sit down to read it and I don't feel like reading this book until the rest of the year just to get to the finish line.

I've been so excited to finally read Firefly Hollow because I've heard such great things about it but what I've read is quite disappointing. Maybe it's a case of being let down because of having too high expectations, I don't know, but it's really frustrating to look forward to reading a book and then once you are reading it, you are trying really hard to see what everyone else is loving about it but you just don't see it.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate Firefly Hollow. It's just that the characters fell completely flat for me and I didn't particularly care about neither the story nor what would happen to the characters. So I didn't have strong feelings of any kind for the book, just felt really "meh" about it.

Even though Firefly Hollow didn't do it for me because the characters and story fell flat for me, many other readers loved this one and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to paranormal romance lovers.

An eArc was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75/5

the only thing that i would say sets this apart from any other paranormal romance is the fact that it is set in the 1950s, but then again maybe not as the narrative and diaologue are much too modern to make this believable and thus work in the hands of another author. other than that... the only other positive things i can think of are that there is no love triangle and the hero does not follow the current trend of being a brooding asshat. even the heroine's sister who's painted as vain, useless 'bitch' for most of the book gets some shades of grey fairly at the end of the book - alas, color me surprised by that as i did not really see that coming, thinking the author would let her be a black and white caricature till the last page.

[Kristin (KC)]

*AMAZON FREEBIE!*
http://www.amazon.com/Firefly-Hollow-...

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Firefly Hollow series by T.L. Haddix. Teenager Sarah Browning wanders over to the forbidden Campbell property and finds solace near a stream. It was 1955 and she overheard her sister plotting against her regarding a boy. Then over the years she finds herself coming back frequently. Owen Campbell watches the girl and protects her through the years, until Sarah leaves for the university. But Owen has a secret and cannot reveal himself to Sarah.

I don't read a lot of books set during this time (50s/60s). But I was born in the sixties and I guess it stayed true to the era. This story starts when Sarah is in high school. There are a few flashbacks concerning Owen that go back a little further.

The story moves rather slowly with the two main characters getting to know each other. I'm not a huge fan of this style of romance. I normally like my characters to get to know each fairly early in the story so we can get the romance started. I also am not a big fan of the shapeshifting/paranormal genre. But it was a good read. It kept my attention and entertained me so I will give it 3 & 1/2 stars for that.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5**

What iiiissss this?



Ohhhh :)

This is not something I would have ordinarily picked up if not for this review, but boy am I glad I did!

It did start off a little slow for me. It set the scene, starting when Sarah was fifteen and giving Owen's back story (which is vital to the story), but took some time to set up.

But what the beginning lacked in pace, it made up for in beautiful language.
"Craggy, folded hollows peppered the landscape, looking like nothing more than a green blanket that had been crumpled by God himself."
I love this imagery!

So anyway, once it picked up, what was so great about this story? It was realistic and felt genuine! (Aside from the whole shapeshifting thing, of course.)

There was no insta-love. They didn't magically find their way to each other. It wasn't circumstances that kept them apart or caused problems, but their human feelings and insecurities. And it felt REAL!

The primary impetus of the book is Owen's fear to reveal who he is to another person, having been rejected by others throughout his life. A person learning to open up and trust another person is a very human experience. And it doesn't happen overnight like many romances would have you believe. Like the entire relationship between Owen and Sarah, it happens gradually over time as they get to know each other and slowly fall in love. And this process it not without fears, doubts, insecurities, etc as Sarah and Owen show us.

And then there is Owen himself. I'll just treat you to a little taste.
"I care about you, deeply. More than I've ever cared about anyone. And I am terrified by how much you mean to me. At the same time, I keep coming back to you, knowing that you could crush me if you wished. I can't stay away. I don't want to stay away."



*swoon*

Its wonderful!!!

Now, for the caveats.
The whole paranormal/shapeshifting aspect was set up really well, but then really didn't have much to do with the second half of the story, besides Owen needing to tell Sarah about that part of himself. I thought it would have been interesting to have played that bit up a little more.

Also, I think a little more could have been done to set the time period. Except for some somewhat old fashioned views on women's roles, there wasn't much else that let me know that the book was set in 1960. I think a little more could have been done to make me feel like I was in this period.

But all in all, this was a great book that I really enjoyed. It will likely end of being one of my regular re-reads due to all the great moments between Owen and Sarah.

[Sharon L · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more reviews visit my blog The Accidental Reader

There are many reasons to love this book- the effortless beautiful writing, the paranormal side that really is just there without making a big deal out of it, the small town setting, even the time period that is mostly felt through things that are missing than being shoved down you throat.

And still, I can't explain how annoyed I was at this book. You see, both Owen and Sara are really good together. I really loved their interactions when it was just the two of them, but whenever someone else joined to the party I felt the rage coming through.

Why?
Sara and Owen are just so good…they are smart, kind, funny, the care for others, they are selfless they are Mary & Gary Sue.

On their own they are OK. They can even be funny. And Sara can take care of herself. If not for one person in this story I probably wouldn't have felt it all that much.

Sara's sister. I just hated the way she was treated. As if Sara is everything that's good and kind in the world and her sister is not.

Even their parents acted like that and I was so angry with that. Especially with what happned to her later on. The poor girl was just not the favorite child, and was ignored, neglected and judged for it and her choices in each and every moment of her life.

I do recommend this book, and I will read the next one. However, I warn you from the Sue syndrome here, and I really hope the next book will be without that problem.

A review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you!

[Elise-Pinterest+Goodreads=The Perfect Book Boyfriend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my. I was suppose to be reading another book and accidentally opened this one on my Kindle instead. Well, after reading the first couple of pages, I thought, might as well. I was so pleasantly surprised. This book is very well written. It is set in the 1960's (I was not expecting that) in the Appalachian hills. It's the story of Sarah Jane and Owen. Sarah Jane is a typical 1960's girl dealing with her budding awareness about womanhood and life, all the while still hanging on to her traditional values. Owen is a shifter who has been hurt by his father and brother because of his abilities. Unlike most shifter books, this book is not focus on his shifter side. In fact, you almost forget it has a supernatural side to it, but in a very good way. The story itself is a sweet love story with some twist, some turns, some really great moments, and some sad points. The storyline is just the right pace to keep you interested. This is a great story without being sappy, over the top mystical and it does not give you erotinumb (my word for all the erotic books that have desensitized you to the sex by the 2nd chapter). Overall, this story is just lovely by itself and becomes wonderful with the supernatural aspect. You can read it, feel the love and sexual tension and you don't feel like you need to take a shower when you're done. If you need to clean your erotic palette, this will do the trick. I would definitely loan this book and I encourage anyone in love with shifters and love stories to read. It is a beautifully written convergence of both genres. TTFN-Sandy

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and touching story about love.

This book is a paranormal romance set in 1960 and it's focused on acceptance and the strength of a relationship. There isn't a big evil to beat or a crazy quest to make. Firefly Hollow is the tale of a young man in love with a girl, and he happens to be a shifter.

There are some secrets and surprises and I loved this book. I usually like the bad boy or the billionaire but my real weakness is the sweet gentleman. I got the feeling that this was a believable love story in the 60's

If you liked Archer's voice by Mia Sheridan or Shiver but Maggie Stiefvater you might enjoy this book. I couldn't stop thinking about them while reading. They all are sweet.