The Schoolhouse

Hickory Grove #1

by Elizabeth Bromke

To move forward, she might have to take a step back. Divorced empty-nester Becky Linden wants a fresh start. After two decades away, she returns to her hometown to find herself. What she discovers instead is the long-abandoned schoolhouse where she had her first kiss as a teenager. Others might see an eyesore, but Becky sees the neglected building as a charming business opportunity and…her future. However, she can’t do it on her own. The one man who can help her is the last one she ever thought she’d ever ask—her ex-boyfriend. Zack Durbin works for the school district that owns the run-down building, and he agrees with the schoolhouse is a problem. What’s more? It’s his job to solve the problem. Then Zack's old high school sweetheart shows up with a dream to open a bookshop and reboot her life. Is Zack willing to sacrifice his career for the only woman he’s ever loved? Or will the past haunt him forever? The Schoolhouse is a heartwarming, second-chance romance about a determined forty-something, her high school sweetheart, and the abandoned schoolhouse that just might have a little life left. Order your copy today. Hickory Grove, Indiana is an old-fashioned small town full of big-hearted people with quirky stories. Each book is a sweet, standalone read. The Book One The Christmas Book Two The Book Three

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Books About Books, Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction, Amazon

191 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Elizabeth Bromke writes women's fiction and heartwarming romance. In her stories, she weaves together family dynamics and the triumphs and trials of modern relationships. Echoes of the past flavor her books with nostalgia.

Elizabeth lives in the mountains of Arizona. There, she enjoys walking, reading, and cooking with her husband, son, and their sweet Golden-mix, Winnie.

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bromke is an author who writes such sweet, heartwarming stories that anchor a nostalgic feeling deep into my soul. THE SCHOOLHOUSE takes place in a small town and although Becky has been gone for over 18 years, this town has claimed a piece of her and she fits right in when she goes back. I love the small town feels--the eccentric characters, the charm of the historical schoolhouse, the memories from the past that assault her, and the love that still awaits.

Becky is the type of character who devotes her entire life to her child and I loved watching her discover what she's truly passionate about and the length she goes to in order to fulfill her dreams. I also enjoyed watching her grow into the person she's meant to be, even though she's a little older, and especially as she struggles through hardships and setbacks. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

Zack is a solid character who complements Becky well and he's no puppet. Although she's love to pull some strings, he has his reasons for contradicting her wishes, which makes for some fantastic romantic tension. I love a great, feel-good, second chance romance and this one has all the feels. I'm looking forward to more amazing stories in this series.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy through Booksprout. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky Linden moved away from Hickory Grove, Indiana 18 years ago to attend college in Arizon. She's never been back to visit because of a lack of money due to the fact that she's a single mom who never finished her degree. Her son Theo is going to college and Becky's moving to Hickory Grove to help Memaw and Grandbern. She visits the old schoolhouse where she and her bestfriend Maggie used to hang out when they were kids, and she and boyfriend Zack used to meet. It was abandoned even then, but holds so many fond memories for Becky she can't let the town tear it down. Saving it becomes her mission.

This is not only a girl-moves-back-to-the-small-town-where-she-grew-up-story, it's also a second-chance-at-love-story when Becky runs into her high school boyfriend Zack. Is he going to help make her schoolhouse bookstore a reality or destr.oy her dream? It's also a woman-is-at-a-crossroads-in-life-story because Becky basically put her life on hold to raise Theo. She needs to decide what she wants to do with her life and where she wants to live it.

We meet all kinds of characters in this book that will have their own story down the line.

This is a mild romance. I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout, all opinions expressed in this review are my own and not required.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Becky Linden and her return home to Indiana after her divorce. She drove her son to school on the way and went to stay with her grandparents. The bills piling up she needs to find a job but keeps hitting dead ends...She runs into her high school sweetheart at the store and they bring back their romance. Her grandfather passes away and Becky’s dream is to buy or rent the old schoolhouse in the community. She doesn’t give up and acts like a spoiled brat with her boyfriend Zack. She whines and whines that the schoolhouse is hers, but actually isn’t. I enjoyed this story until Becky starts this nonsense. A good read tho..

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Schoolhouse
Hickory Grove, Book 1
By: Elizabeth Bromke
Narrated by: Cecily White

Elizabeth Bromke's The Schoolhouse grabbed me by the title. I saw the picture, and immediately fell for the Little House on the Prairie view! The story features Becky, coming back to her hometown after her son leaves for college. She has always fancied the Schoolhouse and sees herself using it for sharing her love of books. But coming back has other incentives too! Her old high school boyfriend, Zack is back too and their is still that old chemistry. Will this second chance romance get off the ground? Will she achieve her dream with the old Schoolhouse? While there were times I was frustrated with Becky, I could feel the charm of the town and her desire to create the atmosphere she was looking for. The story is sweet, has some good old town politics, busybodies and gossip. It's a fun listen.

Cecily White is wonderful, and she brings the town to life. A beautiful voice, with an ability to change from male to female with ease, she created a hometown feeling.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet second chance romance and starting over story. Becky returns home to Hickory Grove after 18 years to find her grandfather in ill health. Becky quickly falls in love again with the old school house where she played as a kid and her dream was to turn it into a bookstore. Becky finds out from her old boyfriend, Zack that the old schoolhouse is to be torn down. Will Becky be able to fulfill her dream? Will Becky and Zack renew their love?

Great steady pace, keeps you reading. Author Elizabeth Bromke has another great hit!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet second chance romance set in the town of Hickory Grove, Indiana. A single mom, Becky, heads to her old hometown after seeing her son off to college. She hopes to make a life for herself there but did not expect to have a second chance at romance. This is a charming story with wonderful characters and a well-written storyline. The flashbacks to the one-room schoolhouse are well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read. Becky is divorced and decides to return to her home town after her son starts college. She isn't sure what she wants to do but gradually her old dreams resurface. As a child she loved playing in the old schoolhouse even though it was rundown. Now she wants to open it up as a bookshop but finds out the owner Zack who happens to be an old boyfriend is having it torn down. Will she be able to make hers dreams come true.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book in the A Hickory Grove Novel series. A second chance for single Mom Becky Linden and Zack Durbin, they are now in their forties. A well written sweet story that held my interest throughout, once I started I was not putting this book down. The schoolhouse in their hometown of Hickory Grove is a major part of their story.I see this series has a Christmas story which I have already pre-ordered. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DiAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this novel. Having read the "The Farmhouse" and thoroughly enjoying it, I wanted to go back and pick up the first two books in this series even though they are written so that they can be read as standalones. I found the characters to be weak and unrealistic. Becky didn't seem to be able to make up her mind as to what she wanted in life. Stay or not stay in Hickory Grove. Be with Zack or not be with Zack. Then, what man would leave Hickory Grove for college only to return after getting his law degree to spend the next 18 years waiting on Becky to return, geez. I just did not think it to be realistic. I found it to be an okay read but definitely could have been developed better. I am going to read "The Christmas House" which is the second book in the series.


Divorced empty-nester Becky Linden wants a fresh start. After two decades away, she returns to her hometown to find herself. What she discovers instead is the long-abandoned schoolhouse where she had her first kiss as a teenager.
Others might see an eyesore, but Becky sees the neglected building as a charming business opportunity and…her future. However, she can’t do it on her own. The one man who can help her is the last one she ever thought she’d ever ask—her ex-boyfriend.
Zack Durbin works for the school district that owns the run-down building, and he agrees with locals: the schoolhouse is a problem. What’s more? It’s his job to solve the problem. Then Zack's old high school sweetheart shows up with a dream to open a bookshop and reboot her life. Is Zack willing to sacrifice his career for the only woman he’s ever loved? Or will the past haunt him forever?
The Schoolhouse is a heartwarming, second-chance romance about a determined forty-something, her high school sweetheart, and the abandoned schoolhouse that just might have a little life left.

Hickory Grove, Indiana is an old-fashioned small town full of big-hearted people with quirky stories. Each book is a sweet, standalone read.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend The Schoolhouse to sweet romance listeners who don't mind a lot of miscommunications and like a story that reveals the complete picture through flashbacks throughout the book. I personally found the flashbacks to be distracting and hard to follow, but I know there are people out there that like the slow background reveal. This book is for them. I also think I expected to have more in common with the protagonist and I found myself confused by her actions. There's one point where a character said something like "You need a reality check, Becky". She does. She totally does. I had higher hopes for the results of that conversation.

I listened to the Audible version. The narration was good in that there was good inflection and distinct, consistent voices for the different characters. My personal preference would have been to have a lower pitched voice for Becky as she talks a lot.

#AudiobookObsession

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't love this. The characters went from fine to out of control angry and resentful in less than a sentence. They seemed to get nowhere for so long and then all of a sudden be totally different. The trail of story was all over the place. The only reason it's not one star is that it was kinda cute and interesting at points, enough that I finished, but just barely. I won't be reading the others in the series, or any other from this author, unless something huge changes.

Clean rating - it is clean. No inappropriate that I can remember.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky grew up poor in a small rural town playing in an old one room schoolhouse near her family's farm. Becky wanted to go to college to be a librarian. Her choice was in AZ. But, her boyfriend Zack chose Notre Dame. Fast forward 18 years, a child and a divorce and Becky returns to Hickory Grove.
Zack has also returned to Hickory Grove. Will they rekindle their friendship/relationship? Of course, it's a romance novel. The question is how? What history will they uncover and what obstacles will they encounter and need to overcome?

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town

I love the small town setting of The Schoolhouse. The main characters love of books was another plus. The story between Zach and Becky was a little flat though. I'm some instances Becky's character seems sort of wishy washy when it comes to her feelings. I have read this series out of order and had no problems with it. I do plan on reading the next book in the series. Another good read provided by my local library.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Bad

I made it about three quarters of the way through this book before I had to give up. So many things about this story were just ridiculous. Hand churned butter? What is this the 1800's? Becky gets a little over $2000 dollars so now she can start her own business - on what planet? Then there's her anger with Zack over his decision he made about the schoolhouse when he hadn't seen her in two decades. Just ridiculous.

[Carole Mckee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It Was Okay

I thought it was slow-moving. The only thing that really happened was what was predictable. It was well-known written though. The main character, Becky, is not really all that likable, since she seems to make everything about her. Her grandparents are likable, as is Zack, her love interest. I finished the book, always waiting for something big to happen. I was disappointed.

[Missy Kallenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Elizabeth Bromke book and I am hooked! This story of rekindled love between Becky and Zack is a heartwarming tale, complete with small town charm and lovable characters. The title and cover art drew me to the book. My grandparents bought and similar old school house to remodel for their home when I was a girl. The story drew me in and I only stopped long enough to order the next book in the series so I was have it ready to start after I finished this book!

[CHud · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is not that this book was not well written. Instead, it was over written. There is so much description of details that did not add to the story. It made it difficult to stay with the main plot. In the end I lost interest and was glad it was done.

I listened to this story as an audiobook. I did not appreciate that the narrator gave the main character what sounded like a child's voice, even once the character had become an adult.

[Emilie I. Glanding · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book.

Excellent. Excellent read. But all the rest of the books in this series are $4 each!!! Each book is a stand alone read so don't worry. This first book was really great to read and the story is entirely possible. I could see someone in Rebecca's shoes trying to "go home again" and reuniting with an old flame. Whether the flame is still burning brightly remains to be seen. Ya have to read the book.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams

High school sweethearts, Becky and Zack, went separate ways after graduation. 18 years later, Becky returns to Hickory Grove. Can she save the Schoolhouse? Will her relationship with Zack reignite? Keeping her eye on the future, yet revisiting the past, Becky has life decisions to make.

[Jodi Bodenheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book by this author. There are multiple books in the Hickory Grove series. When I know there is a series I usually read the books in order but this time I stepped out of my comfort zone. Each book introduces new characters in the town. As of right now I don't regret reading them out of order.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being gone for over 20 years, Becky returns to Hickory Grove while her son starts college. Heartwarming and endearing story of rekindled love from her high school boyfriend. Becky is determined to restore and use the old schoolhouse as a business with the surprise help from her ex-boyfriend. Enjoyable read.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Schoolhouse A Hickory Grove bk 1 by Elizabeth Bromke.
The first book in the series and here we have Becky's story. The Schoolhouse is beautifully written and there are flashbacks to help build the story.
Excellent and spellbinding wonderful plot in-depth characters, throughout the book, I highly recommend this book. 5*

[Mandy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet second chance romance. Nice likeable characters. When your young adult son goes off to college it time to start living your life for you. Excellent narration from Cecily.
#audiobookobsessionreviewer

[Kitten Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great find

Wonderful book about the love of home and the obsession of a childhood school house. I loved the characters and the storyline. Tender moments of a high school sweetheart brings this story all together.

[Dawn Kupper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series book 1


I bought the set of books on a whim. I enjoyed The Schoolhouse and am now off to read the 2nd in the series. I am unsure as to where these books are going to take me.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little quick read that is part of a series. The main character has gone through a divorce and moves back home. She turns a beloved abandoned schoolhouse she used to play in as a kid into a bookstore. Of course she becomes reacquainted with a past love.

[Isabella Ghersi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly found this book pretty vague and confusing. It was written almost like a riddle which I enjoyed at first but it got frustrating at about 60% when I still didn't know what was happening. There were just too many storylines and characters!

[Jeanette S. Stracner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book!

Elizabeth Brooke brought the book together. Becky was a poor girl. She fell for Zack. Their paths crossed when she went away to college. She comes back to live with relatives. Jeanette Stracner

[sandy hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

School house

Excellent writing. A very interest story. I read the entire story in one day. It just went very smooth and I love a clean love story. 15th so much for sharing this with the world. Can't wait for the next in the series.

[Jenna Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, this was just not a great read. It is the first book in a series, which may contribute to the plot line being underdeveloped, but after reading this, I have no desire to continue on with the plot line or characters through the series.