Favoring the Farmer: A Small-Town Clean Romance

by Shanna Hatfield

He’s a weary farmer. She’s a city designer with a rebellious teen in tow. Summer Creek might just be the fresh start they need.Farmer Dane Becker feels like life has left him behind. With his father gone and the woman he loved like a grandmother now laid to rest, Dane is exhausted, lonely, and convinced his best days are buried in the middle of his wheat field. Then one evening, he spots lights in the house next door. His investigation ends with a mop-wielding beauty mistaking him for a burglar—while unexpectedly stealing his heart.

Bellamy Larken is used to designing one-of-a-kind apparel for Hollywood’s elite, not wielding cleaning supplies against handsome strangers. But when her younger sister Elise’s rebellion spirals out of control, Bellamy—as her guardian—knows something has to change. Inheriting her late aunt’s home in Summer Creek, Oregon, feels like the perfect fresh start. Hastily packing without warning her sister, she drags Elise from the city to small-town life, hoping the quiet community will give them both a chance to heal.

But the house is stuck in a disco-era time warp, Bellamy feels overwhelmed, and the rugged farmer next door is equal parts frustrating and irresistible. Dane insists he doesn’t need anyone, yet Bellamy’s determined heart might be exactly what he can’t live without.

Filled with small-town charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and a tender romance that blossoms under beautiful Oregon skies, Favoring the Farmer is a sweet and hopeful love story about finding where you truly belong.

Genres: Romance

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2025

About the author

A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.

In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all of the fictitious towns I have read about the, place that I would pack my bags and drive to would be Summer Creek. That is exactly what our heroine,Bellamy Larken, did! To escape her apartment’s outrageous rent raise, and to remove her rebellious sister, Elise from bad influences, she packed everything up and headed to Oregon. It seems her late aunt Iris has left her a home and some property in the quaint town of Summer Creek. In order to receive the property she must stay in her late aunt’s home for six months. Our hero, Dane Becker, lives right next-door to that very property and is keeping watchful eye on it as Iris was like a grandmother to him. The girls were in the process of cleaning the place up which looked like it had been caught in a 1970s time warp. Our hero comes barging in on the two young ladies who viciously attacked him with mops and brooms, thinking he was a criminal intruder! Poor Dane is a simple farmer, tending his acreage like his father and grandfather before him. All alone in the world, he works from sun up until sundown, tending to his land. Bellamy, the consummate city girl,is immediately attracted to the big strong guy since he is nothing like any of her friends in LA. Bellamy and Dane are clueless about their feelings for each other but the quaint and friendly citizens of Summer Creek can see right through it all. Like putting on an old comfortable sweater, we are treated to their quirks, talents, and good old-fashioned matchmaking skills. As the relationship grows, Dane wonders if Bellamy will return back to Southern California after the six months is over. The romance is a classic mismatch and the author is near genius at putting opposite couples together! This, dear readers, is my very favorite contemporary romance series. Summer Creek stands alone in the incredible variety of personalities and how they work together.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this beautiful love story for Bellamy and Dane in Summer Creek. Bellamy became the legal guardian of her brother and sister when her parents were killed in a car accident. She had finished college and had a successful career as a costume designer for actors on movie sets when she found out. She gave up her job and designed clothing for celebrities and boutiques from her home so she could care for her siblings. Her brother, Lance, joined the Navy after high school graduation to help Bellamy with income since they decided to invest the life insurance money as a college fund for their younger sister, Elise. When Elize became a teenager, she became rebellious. Bellamy didn't know how to help her sister until she received a letter from a lawyer stating that she inherited the home and property of an Aunt she barely knew. Bellamy lived in L.A. and would have to move to Summer Creek, Oregon and stay there for six months to keep her inheritance. Since it was the last day of school before summer, she got friends to help her pack and load a Uhaul in time to arrive at school to pick up Elize when it closed. Her sister was so mad that Bellamy picked her up that she didn't notice the Uhaul or that they were driving away from town until they stopped for gas. Elize tried to get a ride from a trucker when Bellamy went to the restroom. Thankfully, he was the father of teenagers and was telling her the dangers of what she was doing until Bellamy returned. The further they drove, Elize began to enjoy where they were going. The rest of the story is how their first encounter with their neighbor, Dane, happened which made me laugh out loud. It was a new beginning for the sisters and how they could see God's plan in the changes in their lives. The characters are wonderful. I highly recommend this as a clean Christian romance. This is my voluntary and honest review.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellamy is a clothes designer for Hollywood’s elite people. But, she’s raising her niece now, who has suddenly become too hard to handle. Then, she thinks about Summer Creek, OR, where she spent all of her summers with her aunt. She now owns the house and property but knows it is need of repairs. With her niece acting like she is, she hatches a plan to move there without her niece’s knowledge. She just packs everything they need while she’s at school, picks her up, and off they go to Summer Creek! She figured Elise would try to run away, and she did, but she found her and explained the way it was going to be to her! They get there and the electricity is still on, everything is fairly clean, but she wants to sweep, mop, figure out where they’re going to sleep, etc. Well, the farmer/neighbor Dane, who watched over her Aunt and loved her like a grandmother sees the lights on, and figures he needs to go run off some teens or some squatters, but when he unlocks the door he is attacked by a crazy woman wielding a mop!! She wallops him good! Thus, begins the story of Bellamy and Dane-and Elise? She totally turns her ugly ways into a loving, beautiful niece once again after being in this little house in the middle of nowhere and with her Aunt Bellamy letting her choose how she wants to decorate her own bedroom. Seems she has the Interior Designer gene! I cannot say enough good things about this amazing, full of adventure, friends to soul mates book! I’m so thankful to have been on this arc team!! It’s definitely a 5 star book! 📕♥️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Cindy y · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of events bring Bellamy and her sister from LA to the home they inherited from a beloved aunt. A home that is next door to a farm, owned and run by Dane and near the town of Summer Creek. This is a great addition to a favorite series.
This story also brings us up to date on the lives of our favorite Summer Creek families, friends and the town mascot, Ethel. And while it is a standalone, it is helpful to read the other books in the series just so you know their story and why everyone loves sweet little Cricket!
The book does deal with some family trauma through death and abandonment. But it also shows the depth of friendships, friends who have become family, and how they step up to love and protect their own.

It is such a sweet love story. A couple of my favorite quotes in the book:

“You’re really gonna do it?” Jace asked quietly. Dane nodded. “I am. It feels right, and I need to know either way. I’ve played out every bad scenario you could imagine.” Jace squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t think of all the things that could go wrong, Dane. I dare you to think of all the things that could go right.

“It’s yours, Bellamy. To keep, just like my heart. It’s yours to keep or do whatever you wish with, but just know I’ve never given it away before and I don’t plan to give it away again.”

I received an ARC from the author, but this review is my own opinion and voluntary.

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

While living in LA, Bellamy had the walls of her life start crashing down. The place where she worked part-time just to pay rent, food, and transportation to work laid her off, and then the landlord raised the rent 60%. The building she lived in was falling apart, considering elevators hadn't worked for over a year, and you couldn't tell the difference between hall carpet and dirty cement. As if things couldn't get any worse as she starts to leave the apartment for the day, a woman in a suit hands her a sealed envelope from a law firm, all before she can have a cup of coffee and eight AM. Dane, working his fingers to the bone on the farm, repairing equipment and fighting breakdowns of every kind, finds the lights on at Iris's house next door. There have been truant kids, thieves, bums, and just plain nosy people trying to see what she had in her home after she died, so Duane decides to find out who it is. When he walks in and shouts, "HEY!What are you doing Here?" he is attacked with pepper spray and beaten senseless with a dirty mop. He is introduced to his newest neighbors. From here on out it is one thing after another with both Duane and Bellamy falling for each other. A marvelous book and worth every minute spent reading it unquestionably deserving five stars.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story from Summer Creek, Oregon! Bellamy is struggling to raise her teenage sister in LA especially when Elise becomes friends with the wrong crowd. When she inherits her Great Aunt’s farm in Summer Creek it seems like an answered prayer. As they are working to clean the house that seems stuck in the 70’s an intruder storms in the back door yelling. Well—those LA girls have had self-defense classes and they about beat the poor guy to a pulp! It’s the farmer next door and believe it or not you will laugh until you cry! This begins the love story between Bellamy and Dane. Shanna Hatfield writes in a style that will have you right there—seeing the wheat fields and smelling the pies that are baking. This is a standalone story but if you have read others in this series you will love that Cricket is still up to match making, the blue hairs are still terrorizing the single men, and Ethel still makes her approval or disapproval known! That should make you want to go back and read the series from the beginning. If you love clean, funny, inspirational romance with wonderful characters and animals don’t miss Favoring the Farmer!

[Elaine Kiefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another sweet love story in Summer Creek. When Bellamy inherits a house in Summer Creek, she sees it as the opportunity to remove her sister from the bad influences she has fallen in with. When the farmer next door barges in thinking someone has broken in to his neighbor's house, something is set in motion that blossoms into an unusual relationship. With the love and support of the townspeople, and all Dane's friends, both Bellamly and Dane discover healing and hope for the future. I always enjoy seeing the characters from all the previous books, and seeing how they are all connected. There is a surprising twist when Bellamy's best friend and Dane's mother arrive to bring a little chaos and confusion. This is another great story from the author who creates such charming, believable characters.


I received a copy of this book from the author, but this is a voluntary, honest revies.

[Catherine Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting - it was addictive and an easy read that flowed along nicely and kept me totally engrossed.

This is book 8 in the Summer Creek series and sees us reuniting with previous characters as well as getting to know local farmer Dane and his new neighbours Bellamy and Elisa. I loved the first meet, which was totally unexpected and had me laughing away and wincing in sympathy.
Bellamy needs a fresh start as city living has taken its toll on her finances and her teenage sister - will Summer Creek be the answer? I loved the way the community welcomes Bellamy & Elisa and how they quickly are part of the town. The way they are supported and the gentle encouragement that Bellamy and Dane get towards their sweet love story is what I feel makes this town so special.

A 5 star read you will not regret picking up. Best read after the other stories in the series but it could be read as a standalone book.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to go back to Summer Creek and to get Dane's story. Bellamy is at her wit's end with her little sister. Elise is not the sweet little girl she used to be. She is hanging out with the wrong people, and the cops have brought her home a few times. If she continues on this course, she will end up in jail. When an unexpected opportunity comes up, Bellamy grabs on to it with both hands. She packs up their home and moves them to Summer Creek. At first, Elise is livid and is sure she will be miserable, but Summer Creek has a way of helping people and making them feel welcome. As Bellamy and Elise fix up their new home, something miraculous happens to them. It doesn't hurt that a wonderful neighbor is helping them. Dane is always so busy, and he isn't even thinking about romance. But there is something about Bellamy and her sweet sister that just draws him in. Is Dane ready to settle down like all of his friends? Will Bellamy stay in town, or will she go back to LA?

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellamy has spent several years raising her siblings, mostly her sister Elise, since her brother Lance,had left when he turned 18 to join the Navy.
Elise, has fallen into the wrong crowd at her High School in Los Angeles, CA. The struggle to keep her in line, falls to Bellamy, who is just about at her wits end. Until she receives a blessing in disguise, her Aunt left her the home in Summer Creek, OR and all money she has.
Getting out of Los Angeles and starting new is what she needs and she feels her sister needs a well.
Dane Becker, is the farmer who is the closest neighbor to her Aunt's house. Dane becomes very helpful and protective over the new ladies living so close to him. When sparks fly between Dane and Bellamy, can they make a life together with a teenager who might just be changing for the better? Another amazing book that you'll love.

[Linda R · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Bellamy Larken receives word that her great-aunt, Iris, has died and left Bellamy her home, she decides this is just the fresh start she and her sixteen-year-old sister, Elise, need.

Living next door is Dane Becker, a wheat and hay farmer. Dane thought of Iris as a grandmother. Upon arriving in Summer Creek, Bellamy and Elise soon learn that Dane is very protective of the place.

Favoring The Farmer is the eighth book in the Summer Creek series by Shanna Hatfield. This contemporary story is a fun and sweet romance. I love how everyone is treated like family in this charming small town. It's always great to have the people from the previous stories included.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a book I couldn’t put down. I loved everything, the small town feel, the characters and the story itself, I felt like I was there in Summer Creek watching it unfold. Bellamy Larken became guardian to her younger siblings after the loss of her parents. After the passing of her aunt, Bellamy decides to follow the will moving herself and troubled younger sister to Summer Creek. Dane Becker knew someone shouldn’t be in his neighbors old place after her passing so when he goes to investigate he finds himself smack dab in the middle of 2 ladies who know how to defend themselves. This is a true when country meets city, small town, sweet and inspirational romance you’re sure to love!

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellamy is the single guardian of her troubled teen sister. When Bellamy receives news of an inheritance that includes a home in a distant state, she accepts this as an answer to the question of what to do with Elise for the summer to keep her away from the wild friends she has been spending time with.
Dane is a single farmer, working the land that has been in his family for four generations. Can this unlikely pair fall in love?

This is a very enjoyable book with wonderful characters, lots of humor, a fun story line, and Christian elements. I love all the town characters, including the town goat. All the stories in this series are well-worth reading.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how inheriting a house from their aunt Iris changed the lives of so many people and not just Bellamy and her sister, Elise.  It was also nice to see God's hand in their move and the outcome that brought as Bellamy and Elise left Los Angeles behind for Summer Creek, Oregon.
I especially enjoyed how well I got to know the characters and their true feelings, as well as their fears.  The bond between Bellamy and her siblings was so strong after they had lost their parents.  
This book was full of hope, faith, family, and starting over.  There were surprises too and fun animals.  I loved how Bellamy and Elise met their neighbor, Dane.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Mitchy Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer Creek series is my favorite from Shanna so far, and Favoring the Farmer is another wonderful addition! I absolutely fell in love with Dane right away — he’s such a sweet and genuine character. Bellamy is a strong, determined woman running her own business while caring for her younger sister, Elise, who’s on the verge of getting into serious trouble.
I really enjoyed watching Elise’s transformation after moving out of the city and discovering something she truly loves. As always, it was such a treat to catch up with familiar faces from previous Summer Creek stories — it feels like coming home to old friends.
Shanna’s writing continues to shine with warmth, faith, and small-town charm. I can’t wait to visit Summer Creek again in future books!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favoring the Farmer

Bellamy and Dane have a wonderful, sweet, and fun story. Bellamy designs and creates clothes for the stars and wealthy. She is the guardian of her younger sister who tends to find herself in trouble since their parents died. When she inherits her late aunt’s home in Summer Creek, she made the decision she felt best for them. Dane has lost his father and the woman he thought of as his grandmother recently. His friends have all married and settled down but all he seems to do is work all the time. Then he notices his neighbors lights on but there no one should be there. When he tries to confront the burglars, he gets a surprise that will most likely change his life. I recommend you read their story.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dane and Bellamy make a great couple; they both needed a break in life and someone to love them completely. They face their share of difficult times, but I like that they didn’t really fight against their feelings for each other. They let it grow, got some sound advice from good people, and went for it.

Their story was an easy read and gave all the feel-good moments. There is humor, good friends, family, some heartache, and love scattered throughout. I enjoyed the book.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Soleil Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story in Summer Creek series! As usual, the characters are well described and you feel like you spent time with real people when you close the book. A beautiful support to the farmers who struggle out there to feed us and are so often criticized. The romance was moving and realistic. I was sad for Raider but it gives authenticity to Bellamy's love story.
It was also fun to watch all the previous characters get involved in the story. Still, as any of Shanna Hatfield's book, it can be read as a standalone.
I really want to watch what happens to the next generation: Elise, Chris, Logan, Cricket, etc...

I was given an Arc copy but all opinions are mine and the rating is fair.

[Roni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Packed with love, humor, and letting go of what is familiar and reaching out to unfamiliar territory. Farmer Dane and Bellamy get off to a hilarious start when they meet for the first time. He thought she was an intruder at his next- door neighbor’s house and Bellamy reacted with beating him with a mop when Dane came through the back door ready to oust the trespassers. Bellamy, her younger sister Elise, and Dane go through a lot of changes that lead them to each other and their happy ever after. This is a great story about boy meets girl, opposites attract, novel.
R. Fody
Oct 30, 2025

[Laura Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet story! I could definitely relate to Bellamy, trying hard to take care of her sister, Elise, who is a typical snarky teen while also trying to keep a roof over their heads, pay bills and still tuck away a few dollars. Dane was an amazing character that is solid, dependable, even at times a grouch but still sweet and kind, especially after their disastrous first meeting. It was fun seeing old familiar characters from previous books. I loved how their romance progressed from neighbors, friends and then love.

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the grand finale of the series and I really enjoyed it! It sent me back to re-reading the entire series. The book can stand alone but it does help to have the background of the previous books, and it’s just fun to read them all again!
I loved the way that Bellamy and Dane first met - memorable to say the least! So much humor, and very believable characters even if Elise’s transformation is an overnight miracle!
All in all, this book is the kind of good light hearted romance that we have come to expect from this author!

[Nita Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farmer Boy

Great story of city girl trying to take care of her rebellious sister. After a talk with principal of her sister, Bell did not know what to do beside the rent in their apartment doubled. Unfortunately Bell reds letter from her aunt's lawyer about her aunt passed away and leaving her house and land with the stipulation that she lives in the house for six months. Dane, her farmer neighbor comes in their house that startled them and beat him with mop stick and window spray for a beginning of a love story. Another great book from Shanna.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a wonderful story . it has an overworked farmer and two sisters that move into their late aunts house. Bellamy is guardian to her younger sister and is having trouble with her and the gang she is hanging out with. now they have moved to a small town . the story will keep you reading and sometimes laughing. it was good to visit with everyone form the past books . looking forward to the next one. i was given a copy of the book but this is an honest review

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. Shanna Hatfield weaves together a story of losses, heartache, rebellion, relocation, self improvement, renovation, new friendships, self doubt, abandonment, and love beautifully. Let’s not forget Ethel. I want to see a picture of the flower tile mural on the wall above the bathtub. Is it as bad as I imagined it to be? I received a complimentary copy of Favoring The Farmer. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Marnie Paque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Shanna Hatfield. I did not want this story to end. It has humor, romance, kindness, redemption and so much more. Dane and Bellamy’s relationship is sweet and the relationship Dane and Bellamy each have with Elise is wonderful—it truly is a happily ever after. It’s a story of finding something so much better in the most unexpected places. That change can be good and positive. I highly recommend this book!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Summer Creek and all the people who live there, I feel like I know them.
Bellamy and Dane have a great story. I laughed out loud when they met, with Bellamy and Elise causing him so much injury in their self-defense. I laughed, I smiled, I felt all the emotions. It was good fun. I just feel like they were 2 people who were great people who just didn't really have the support they needed in life and they somehow managed to find each other and that is always a beautiful thing.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Summer Creek series by Shanna Hatfield.
Bellamy is guardian for her two younger siblings and works as a seamstress for the wealthy in LA. She used to be a costume designer before her parents died and she became a guardian.
Dane is the single farmer next door that thinks they are trespassing the first time they meet. Won’t ruin the scene for you.
Such a sweet story of love in many forms.
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Vickie Raynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading at the beginning, I thought, oh no my emotions are going to go crazy with sadness. But what happened next had me laughing so much. Bellamy, Elise and Dane took the direction of this book with a vengeance. I was thrown into the story with so much feeling, I couldn’t put it down. The love story and the challenges of all involved, felt so real and makes you count your blessings. I have found a clean love story like this to feel more real than other books I’ve read. A true joy to read.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

The characters were realistic. Neither main character was looking for love, but they find each other. Their friends and family help by playing matchmakers to hurry them along.

There are a few surprises thrown in for each, but they get through it all to find their HEA.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story of a very talented woman who inherits a home and finds her neighbor intriguing while running from attachments. You will enjoy every minute of this book, while they each fight their own challenges and some road blocks.
Don't miss this continuing saga of Summer Creek. A wonderful and entertaining read.