Take it on Faith

Hometown #1

by Jessie Marie

Alicia Jones scored her dream job. But what if it comes with a price?

Everyone thinks I’m making a mistake by marrying upcoming college football star Michael Smith. Everyone, that is, except my parents…and Michael. But I know best. Michael is everything that a girl could dream of - he’s generous, sexy, compassionate, fun-loving, and most of all, stable. I have everything I could ever want.

So when I bump into flaky, free as a bird Andrew Parker, years after the fight that ended our friendship, I think nothing of it. Sure, we can be friends. Sure, let’s have an adventure as I chase my dream job. Of course I will be able to handle being in confined spaces for long periods of time with the man that always believed in me, convinced me to chase my dreams, stole my heart years ago, maybe didn’t give it back, and is looking hotter than ever. Right?

…Right?

A standalone novel, the first in the Hometown series, about the dangers of second chances and unrequited love…especially when it’s had years to burn. Available on Kindle Unlimited.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2020

About the author

Crisis handler by day and writer by night, Jessie often finds herself wrapped up in the tales of humanity. She cultivated an appetite for a good love story from the moment she read her first Sarah Dessen book, and it led to her desire to create some stories of her own.

When she’s not writing or providing resources for students at a small SoCal college, she can be found driving into the sunset while listening to the Foo Fighters, sinking her toes in the sand, or reveling in the beauty of a good meal. She also enjoys hanging out with her better half and her favorite tiny human.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, her website, Goodreads and Amazon.

Reviews

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st in a series, and this is a new author to me so I was not sure what to expect, but I will certainly be looking out for this authors work in the future. Alicia is sure that she has her future all panned out, as she is going to marry up and coming college football star Michael, as well as landing her dream job. Only problem is that this job brings Andrew back into her life. Alicia and Andrew used to be the best of friends until a fight ended it all, and now she is sharing a workspace with the boy who always believed in her and encouraged her to follow her heart. This is a good story which is engaging and is an intriguing tale which had me hooked throughout. I recommend for all readers.

[R.K. Emery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Boy! I love a second chance romance. Sometimes things happen for a reason and the heartbreaks you went through are worth it, all in Gods timing. This was a great example of that.

I loved the past and present. I loved the growth of the characters. I loved how they not only grew up, but grew into themselves.

Great chemistry and steamy moments.

[Genel F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

I really wanted to like this book. It just wasn’t my cup of tea, it moved entirely too slow, and once it picked up it felt incredibly rushed. I expected there to be more of a full circle “Faith” realization but that fell flat.

It was clear that Michael and Ace weren’t meant for one another. I hated how Alicia kept bending to what people expected from her, it took 95% of the book to happen before she used her own brain. I think this book needed more character development and more of a climax, resolve, character maturity etc.

There were portions that need to be edited, they ordered food but then next paragraph somebody cooked.

2.5

[Savannah Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly beautiful!

I have been so excited to read this book & it did NOT disappoint! Andrew & Alicia have been through so much together, overcome so much, and then broken apart. Their journey back to one another is one of adventure, fear, joy, safety, courage, sadness, and ever lasting love! This book will wreck you & fulfill you, simultaneously! All the feels! ❤❤❤❤❤

[Alvina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Love Me

2.5 stars

I didn't like Alicia Jones, like at all. Her character build up was one of pure disappointment. I thought she'd grow and be better much sooner in the book, yet the apple sure didn't fall to far from the tree. I get being blunt, yet it seemed like the one person whom deserved her kindness, (her best friend/the one she loved) Andrew Parker, got the worst from her. I thought given her issues with her parents, mainly her mom, that I'd be able to like her, yet I just couldn't. I loved the bond between Alicia, Catalina (Cat) and Jeremiah, and it was Cat that truly kept me going in this book. I loved her sassy, loyal ways. A true ride or die. The whole situation with Michael, her fiance/husband was a bit much. I actually liked Michael and thought he'd be the one to mess things up, not Alicia.

Andrew Parker was a bit of a mystery to me. I get loving a person so much that even just being their friend is better than nothing, yet I didn't get why he kept pushing for Alicia, or Ace as he called her, to be open and honest with those she loved, when she was so judgemental to him. She basically continued to call him a hoe, and he just brushed that off. They both needed a backbone and I was hoping he'd get one before she did. The whole not believing in "true lasting love" didn't make sense to me, given that he had plenty of examples of it right in his face. Above all, I love that he was there for Alicia, even when it hurt to do it.

I liked the vibes of this being a small hometown book and hope that the rest of the series is much better.

[lacie.reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. It was an easy read and there were moments when I felt engaged but ultimately the story just missed the mark for me. For one thing, the MCs bothered me so much! Despite spending so much time talking about feelings, the MCs spent very little time talking about their feelings toward one another - which became arduous by the halfway mark. I also felt that the author could have chosen a dual POV which would have given the reader deeper insight into the male protagonist. Instead the reader only hears from the female protagonist’s POV until the very end. The epilogue felt rushed and the ending line was gag-worthy.

True rating: ⭐️⭐️.25

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall good

The story was good and I enjoyed it mostly. A few more times than I liked, the story was repetitive. I get tired of aloof parents, and this one was extra, extra with strange parenting. And another thing...A blind man could see that Michael and Alicia had no business marrying one another. Also, Andrew was equally as annoying while he allowed his girl to get away..... Ugggh...He knew they loved one another. Again, I mostly liked this story.

[Kam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

almost stopped reading at the cheating but i saw i was so close to the end and still finished it but… i haaaate cheating. hate even more that it was ALICIA who did it. i thought the pulling away meant it was michael. other than that, i thought the book dragged. there were a few scenes where the same thing as earlier happened but just w different dialogue. also. maybe alicia should’ve really tried therapy

[Nakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all this is not the kindle cover but anyways 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Despite the lowish review I really enjoyed this book but it just touched on a LOT of topics (colorism, infidelity, a sick parent, a strained child-parent relationship, grief+some other stuff). Also the format style was a little ~different~. Not a bad book but sometimes it got overwhelming with everything that was addressed. Also I would have liked a longer epilogue!

[Dani Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow second chance

This book started with a ton of promise, but it didn't take long to see where its going and it was sort of slow getting there. The same themes and scenes kept repeating throughout the story and that made it a bit boring. Not sure ill read the series, but glad I gave this new to me author a chance.

[Ivy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please don't waste your time. I forced myself to finish it and I really hate that I wasted the energy. This is long and drawn out (and not in an overall length way...in a "there's too much time spent on this single matter" way). Also, there's so much flashing back that it's exhausting.

[H (sosheescapes)]

DNFd at 17%

The female MC is annoying and keeps complaining but chooses to wallow instead of changing what’s bothering her. Like girl you a grown woman…PLEASE. Also, I don’t feel any chemistry between any of the characters. Cat was my favorite but I’m not feeling it.

[Dynasty Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh

This was moving wayyy to slow for my liking. And honestly alicia solved her own problems multiple times in the book and still chose to ignore the solutions. I dont even blame andrew for rejecting her that one time bc she was doing it because she was afraid of being lonely

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal

I fell in love with these characters.

This was a book that I didn’t know I needed and I will be devouring this entire series immediately. 100/10 pure perfection as a second chance romance.

[Mell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends plus

This was a good friend to lovers. Yes, there were times when I wanted one or the other to profess their love but I enjoyed getting to know them and how they got there.

I enjoyed the mix of personalities too.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was…..something. I felt like it dragged. I wanted Alicia to go to therapy like LAST YEAR. There was so much going on…yeah 2.5 stars for me.

[Chinadoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75.

[Books Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it

This was an overall cute story but it was slow and there were too many flashbacks. I wish there was more in the epilogue.

[adeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

"So, what if i'm in love with yoo? What then?

[Jessie Marie]

**Take it on Faith is now live!**

Make sure to get your copy today! On Amazon and KU: tinyurl.com/yympnatq

Also check out my website!: https://jessiemarieauthor.com