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Heartland
Why is the cat named after Aunt Loretta?
It’s just one of the many questions I never thought I’d ask in my lifetime. I mean, who has to ask why a cat is named after your aunt? It’s not something that normally comes up in dinner conversation. Of course, I never imagined I’d have to move back home to Fairview either. But sometimes you don’t have a choice. Sometimes life chooses for you. Unemployed and nearly broke, home is the only logical decision I could make, especially when my four-year-old son is counting on me.
My name is Jake and, besides being unemployed and nearly broke, I’m keeping a secret. Well, to be honest, I think I’m keeping a secret. I’ve lived in the big city for nearly ten years and the thought of moving back to a small farm town like Fairview feels like punishment. But to my surprise, it’s just the opposite. It turns out to be the best thing that's ever happened to me…
It’s just one of the many questions I never thought I’d ask in my lifetime. I mean, who has to ask why a cat is named after your aunt? It’s not something that normally comes up in dinner conversation. Of course, I never imagined I’d have to move back home to Fairview either. But sometimes you don’t have a choice. Sometimes life chooses for you. Unemployed and nearly broke, home is the only logical decision I could make, especially when my four-year-old son is counting on me.
My name is Jake and, besides being unemployed and nearly broke, I’m keeping a secret. Well, to be honest, I think I’m keeping a secret. I’ve lived in the big city for nearly ten years and the thought of moving back to a small farm town like Fairview feels like punishment. But to my surprise, it’s just the opposite. It turns out to be the best thing that's ever happened to me…
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2017
30 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Allen Renfro
15 books49 followersAllen Renfro is a native of Tennessee and a graduate of Tusculum College. A published poet and artist in the zine culture of the 1990s he considers himself a "fringe" artist who unabashedly tackles controversial subjects. An admitted history buff, horror movie watcher and reader of fiction, he is the author of twelve novels.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 12, 2026
I really loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and read it all today. I love books about single fathers, especially if they have adorable kids like Trent. I enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. Jack’s mom and his Aunt Loretta were so much fun. I’d love to read another book that takes place in Fairview. I just wish such a little town really existed. This was my first book by Allen Renfro and it makes me want to check out some of his other stories.
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March 2, 20203/2/20 Currently FREE via Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
June 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this story which is high in feel- good and low on angst.
Jake returns from the city to the Crosse family farm, and the town he left ten years before, with his four y.o. son Trent. He is a single parent, has lost his job, and is not in a relationship.
We meet his feisty Mum, brother Paul and awful sister-in-law Karen, assorted townspeople, old schoolfriend Regina, Aunt Loretta and, above all, Austin. All the characters are well-drawn and brought to life vividly.
Austin and Jake have some history which unfolds slowly.Their rekindled relationship evolves at a leisurely pace to a happy, if very cliched, ending which was the only downside for me.Please give me a book without a cheesy wedding as the conclusion!
Jake's mother was just wonderful and Trent was a nicely-observed little boy.Overall, the writing was good and the story mostly flowed along and held the reader's interest.
This is not a novel for those interested in lots of steamy sexual content.That side of the relationship is dealt with quite obliquely and in rather flowery terms, although I think I worked out what happened.
It is a gentle story of opportunity missed and happiness gained.It should leave you smiling and with a glow of warmth.
This was downloaded free on Amazon.
Jake returns from the city to the Crosse family farm, and the town he left ten years before, with his four y.o. son Trent. He is a single parent, has lost his job, and is not in a relationship.
We meet his feisty Mum, brother Paul and awful sister-in-law Karen, assorted townspeople, old schoolfriend Regina, Aunt Loretta and, above all, Austin. All the characters are well-drawn and brought to life vividly.
Austin and Jake have some history which unfolds slowly.Their rekindled relationship evolves at a leisurely pace to a happy, if very cliched, ending which was the only downside for me.Please give me a book without a cheesy wedding as the conclusion!
Jake's mother was just wonderful and Trent was a nicely-observed little boy.Overall, the writing was good and the story mostly flowed along and held the reader's interest.
This is not a novel for those interested in lots of steamy sexual content.That side of the relationship is dealt with quite obliquely and in rather flowery terms, although I think I worked out what happened.
It is a gentle story of opportunity missed and happiness gained.It should leave you smiling and with a glow of warmth.
This was downloaded free on Amazon.
June 18, 2019
Well-written story...it's not the author's fault that I'm in about the same spot as Trent, but 21 years older than him. Good for the character, a little depressing for me IRL. Lovely HEA -- hope mine is on the way!
September 2, 2025
3.5 rounded up. This was very sweet but very slow. Events move along like a quiet stroll. The most exciting thing is the showdown between Tiffany and Aunt Loretta. Heck, it takes 15 chapters before anything romantic happens between Jake and Austin. Jake is very much devoted to his young son Trent, who is actually quite delightful and not a story stealer like kids tend to be in romance stories.
The cast of characters is pretty good but I would have liked to see Jake’s brother Paul have more of a presence. The seemed to be mending their relationship but its more off page. I was also rather surprised at the level of acceptance for Jake and Austin (as well as for the two young high school boys). That is, unfortunately, not the norm for the rural South.
The cast of characters is pretty good but I would have liked to see Jake’s brother Paul have more of a presence. The seemed to be mending their relationship but its more off page. I was also rather surprised at the level of acceptance for Jake and Austin (as well as for the two young high school boys). That is, unfortunately, not the norm for the rural South.
June 12, 2017
Well, this was a surprise honestly. I wouldn't actually call it a romance. It's more the story of a man coming home, starting over and coming out. It's a story about life and finding your way through hard times and out the other side to a place you never thought that you'd end up. Yes, it does contain love but not your typical love story. It has parts where you'll laugh your ass off and parts so touching that you'll cry. It's slow paced and I'll admit that there were a few paragraphs that I skimmed through lots of tiny details that I could care less about. However that's the only reason that this isn't rated higher.
June 16, 2017
Heartland was actually pretty pulling story, about a new start and finding happiness. From an emotional point of view, I found Jake's romance with Austin a bit to sweet, nonetheless really warm.
Overall, this is an impressive story.
Overall, this is an impressive story.
June 17, 2017
That was one easy going, slow burn romance with happily ever after ending. Its ideal for reading time before bad so you go to sleep in a good mood.
It was nicely done.
It was nicely done.
June 24, 2017
3.5 Stars fun MM romance.
July 2, 2017
A lovely, sweet story that feels almost like a fairy tale. Nicely written with great secondary characters and a good sense of humor, it may very well become a comfort read for me.
February 25, 2018
A sweet, slow, meandering, lovely written story that ends a bit abruptly.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews