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Small Town Secrets
“Young women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
I should have known it was too good to be true when I first saw the ad. It turns out that Fortune Springs, Colorado isn’t just a one-horse town, it’s a two-woman one, and this is their attempt to keep the community alive. I want to say the scheme is ridiculous, totally outdated, but I’m carrying everything I own in my canvas backpack and the greyhound I stepped off this morning is long gone. If this is my chance at a fresh start, I’d better grab it with both hands.
I know I should feel guilty about pretending to be a lonely heart willing to help repopulate this rural logging town, but all I feel is relief at having escaped the apartment in Savannah. And after all, what’s one more secret to add to the pile? I only hope I’ve hidden my tracks well enough, and that the kind Fortune Springs locals who’ve opened their doors to me will never find out what made me run away in the first place…
An emotional, gripping story full of family drama. Fans of Carolyn Brown, Robyn Carr and Debbie Macomber will be hooked.
I should have known it was too good to be true when I first saw the ad. It turns out that Fortune Springs, Colorado isn’t just a one-horse town, it’s a two-woman one, and this is their attempt to keep the community alive. I want to say the scheme is ridiculous, totally outdated, but I’m carrying everything I own in my canvas backpack and the greyhound I stepped off this morning is long gone. If this is my chance at a fresh start, I’d better grab it with both hands.
I know I should feel guilty about pretending to be a lonely heart willing to help repopulate this rural logging town, but all I feel is relief at having escaped the apartment in Savannah. And after all, what’s one more secret to add to the pile? I only hope I’ve hidden my tracks well enough, and that the kind Fortune Springs locals who’ve opened their doors to me will never find out what made me run away in the first place…
An emotional, gripping story full of family drama. Fans of Carolyn Brown, Robyn Carr and Debbie Macomber will be hooked.
- GenresRomanceContemporaryAdult
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2021
About the author
Alys Murray
15 books197 followersAlys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories!
Her work as an author led to a flourishing career in screenwriting, where she has penned films and shows for Hallmark, ViacomCBS, Lifetime, and British television. An alum of RespectAbility, The Inevitable Foundation, and The Orchard Project, she is a tireless disability advocate.
Alys loves connecting with readers, so if you want to get in touch, you can find her at http://www.alysmurray.com or on twitter and instagram at @writeralys.
Her work as an author led to a flourishing career in screenwriting, where she has penned films and shows for Hallmark, ViacomCBS, Lifetime, and British television. An alum of RespectAbility, The Inevitable Foundation, and The Orchard Project, she is a tireless disability advocate.
Alys loves connecting with readers, so if you want to get in touch, you can find her at http://www.alysmurray.com or on twitter and instagram at @writeralys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 29, 2021
EXCERPT: On the outskirts of Fortune Springs, the houses lined the streets with modern, rustic elegance, but the closer I got to the heart of town, the older those buildings grew. Sure, it had two whole traffic lights and wired electricity and everything else you'd expect from a modern town, but the buildings were constructed in that classic, Western settlement style. Some dark, timber structures soaked up all the light of the street, while some of the brightly coloured shops and hotspots reflected it, nearly blinding in the afternoon sunshine.
It was all so beautiful. So simple. So painfully quaint and so obvious that the entire town had been built by love and determination. It was part real-life fairytale and part Hollywood Old West backlot. The muscle buried in the left side of my cheek tweaked painfully as I tried to school my enthusiasm back into cool indifference.
This place was a means to an end. It couldn't be anything more. I couldn't let it be.
ABOUT 'SMALL TOWN SECRETS': “Young women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
I should have known it was too good to be true when I first saw the ad. It turns out that Fortune Springs, Colorado isn’t just a one-horse town, it’s a two-woman one, and this is their attempt to keep the community alive. I want to say the scheme is ridiculous, totally outdated, but I’m carrying everything I own in my canvas backpack and the greyhound I stepped off this morning is long gone. If this is my chance at a fresh start, I’d better grab it with both hands.
I know I should feel guilty about pretending to be a lonely heart willing to help repopulate this rural logging town, but all I feel is relief at having escaped the apartment in Savannah. And after all, what’s one more secret to add to the pile? I only hope I’ve hidden my tracks well enough, and that the kind Fortune Springs locals who’ve opened their doors to me will never find out what made me run away in the first place…
MY THOUGHTS: Although it was obvious from the outset where Alys Murray was taking us in Small Town Secrets, it was an enjoyable journey that left me with a big smile on my face.
I picked up this book for two reasons. I adored the cover. It is simple, eye catching and enigmatic. And I thought of Middlemarch, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand that, pre-Covid, biennially hosted a singles ball which, inspired by the matchmaking dances of the 1950s, has been bringing together thousands of young, mostly unattached, people every two years since 2001. There is a well known man drought in New Zealand, so 'the event has become especially appealing to single women. That in turn has attracted rural men – shepherds, stock agents and farmers in the high country of the underpopulated South Island. Isolated and time-poor, they are often ignored on dating apps such as Tinder because the GPS pinpoints their location as hundreds of kilometres from the nearest cocktail bar. So for many the singles ball at Middlemarch (normal population 186) is a significant calendar event, a genuine opportunity to meet a partner, a companion, a husband or wife.' (The Guardian)
I guess I was expecting Small Town Secrets to be a little like this. It was, and it wasn't.
While Virginia is looking for sanctuary, she definitely is not looking for love. She just needs somewhere to hide out for a while, to get her life back together, and then she plans to high tail it out of this one horse town the moment her year is up and head for sunny California.
Only she hadn't reckoned on Calla, Willa, Owen and a bunch of Dalmatian puppies.
There are very few characters in this book. Virginia, her ex Porter, and those mentioned above is just about it.....there are, of course, a few on the periphery, but really, that is it.
I loved Calla from the outset, and I would love to know what her story is. She has obviously been through some tough times, but she is warm and generous and big-hearted. Calla's granddaughter Willa, Virginia, and Owen have also been through some bad times. They have all suffered trauma, physical and emotional, and find it difficult to open up and trust people. Although there are very few characters, they are well developed, and their stories captured my heart.
Small Town Secrets is a lovely, if predictable, read. I will be reading more from this author.
⭐⭐⭐.9
#SmallTownSecrets #NetGalley #writeralys #bookouture
@writeralys @bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #romance
THE AUTHOR: Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Small Town Secrets by Alys Murray for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
It was all so beautiful. So simple. So painfully quaint and so obvious that the entire town had been built by love and determination. It was part real-life fairytale and part Hollywood Old West backlot. The muscle buried in the left side of my cheek tweaked painfully as I tried to school my enthusiasm back into cool indifference.
This place was a means to an end. It couldn't be anything more. I couldn't let it be.
ABOUT 'SMALL TOWN SECRETS': “Young women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
I should have known it was too good to be true when I first saw the ad. It turns out that Fortune Springs, Colorado isn’t just a one-horse town, it’s a two-woman one, and this is their attempt to keep the community alive. I want to say the scheme is ridiculous, totally outdated, but I’m carrying everything I own in my canvas backpack and the greyhound I stepped off this morning is long gone. If this is my chance at a fresh start, I’d better grab it with both hands.
I know I should feel guilty about pretending to be a lonely heart willing to help repopulate this rural logging town, but all I feel is relief at having escaped the apartment in Savannah. And after all, what’s one more secret to add to the pile? I only hope I’ve hidden my tracks well enough, and that the kind Fortune Springs locals who’ve opened their doors to me will never find out what made me run away in the first place…
MY THOUGHTS: Although it was obvious from the outset where Alys Murray was taking us in Small Town Secrets, it was an enjoyable journey that left me with a big smile on my face.
I picked up this book for two reasons. I adored the cover. It is simple, eye catching and enigmatic. And I thought of Middlemarch, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand that, pre-Covid, biennially hosted a singles ball which, inspired by the matchmaking dances of the 1950s, has been bringing together thousands of young, mostly unattached, people every two years since 2001. There is a well known man drought in New Zealand, so 'the event has become especially appealing to single women. That in turn has attracted rural men – shepherds, stock agents and farmers in the high country of the underpopulated South Island. Isolated and time-poor, they are often ignored on dating apps such as Tinder because the GPS pinpoints their location as hundreds of kilometres from the nearest cocktail bar. So for many the singles ball at Middlemarch (normal population 186) is a significant calendar event, a genuine opportunity to meet a partner, a companion, a husband or wife.' (The Guardian)
I guess I was expecting Small Town Secrets to be a little like this. It was, and it wasn't.
While Virginia is looking for sanctuary, she definitely is not looking for love. She just needs somewhere to hide out for a while, to get her life back together, and then she plans to high tail it out of this one horse town the moment her year is up and head for sunny California.
Only she hadn't reckoned on Calla, Willa, Owen and a bunch of Dalmatian puppies.
There are very few characters in this book. Virginia, her ex Porter, and those mentioned above is just about it.....there are, of course, a few on the periphery, but really, that is it.
I loved Calla from the outset, and I would love to know what her story is. She has obviously been through some tough times, but she is warm and generous and big-hearted. Calla's granddaughter Willa, Virginia, and Owen have also been through some bad times. They have all suffered trauma, physical and emotional, and find it difficult to open up and trust people. Although there are very few characters, they are well developed, and their stories captured my heart.
Small Town Secrets is a lovely, if predictable, read. I will be reading more from this author.
⭐⭐⭐.9
#SmallTownSecrets #NetGalley #writeralys #bookouture
@writeralys @bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #romance
THE AUTHOR: Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Small Town Secrets by Alys Murray for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 3, 2021
Small Town Secrets by Alys Murray is a new contemporary romance that seems that it may be the beginning to a new series set in Fortune Springs, Colorado. In this book Virginia was looking to escape her life when she hopped on a bus to Colorado after seeing an ad. The line in the ad, “accommodation and employment provided to women willing to relocate to a historic town with a shortage of women” was exactly the push to find her courage and leave that Virginia needed.
After arriving in Fortune Springs Virginia meets Owen, the town fire chief, who doesn’t hide it in the least that he is opposed to the program that brought Virginia to his small town. However, as much as Virginia would have liked to avoid Owen it seemed that their paths were meant to cross at every turn she made as she adjusted to her new small town life.
I have actually read a few books now by Alys Murray and I keep coming back because I have enjoyed several quite a bit. This time around however I did find a few issues that I personally had while reading this one. First, Virginia never felt the right age for me, I kept thinking of her as younger than she is meant to be. It took a while to get to her backstory and there wasn’t much depth given so perhaps that was what I needed to understand her more.
My other thing that held me back from really enjoying this one though was the realistic nature of the event that brought Owen and Virginia closer together. I honestly could not wrap my head around a firefighter reacting the way he did when Virginia found his dog and jumped into helping. To me Owen’s reaction wasn’t realistic in the slightest given his career so it was off putting to me so in the end that all being said this one really just ended up a so-so read but the setting holds promise so I’ll probably return if there is a book two.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
After arriving in Fortune Springs Virginia meets Owen, the town fire chief, who doesn’t hide it in the least that he is opposed to the program that brought Virginia to his small town. However, as much as Virginia would have liked to avoid Owen it seemed that their paths were meant to cross at every turn she made as she adjusted to her new small town life.
I have actually read a few books now by Alys Murray and I keep coming back because I have enjoyed several quite a bit. This time around however I did find a few issues that I personally had while reading this one. First, Virginia never felt the right age for me, I kept thinking of her as younger than she is meant to be. It took a while to get to her backstory and there wasn’t much depth given so perhaps that was what I needed to understand her more.
My other thing that held me back from really enjoying this one though was the realistic nature of the event that brought Owen and Virginia closer together. I honestly could not wrap my head around a firefighter reacting the way he did when Virginia found his dog and jumped into helping. To me Owen’s reaction wasn’t realistic in the slightest given his career so it was off putting to me so in the end that all being said this one really just ended up a so-so read but the setting holds promise so I’ll probably return if there is a book two.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 29, 2021
women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
Any takers? Virginia is desperate to escape her life so when she sees this ad for A small town needing more women she jumped at the chance. Hops on a Greyhound. with everything she owns in her backpack. When she first reaches the town she runs into firefighter Owen who is less than pleased about this ad campaign drawing women to the town. Lucky for Virginia not all the town feels this way and she is welcomed with open arms by Calla Who is in charge of the women during their first year in town. What follows is a sweet occasionally emotional romance with a hint of mystery.
This was such a sweet somewhat predictable story that made me smile. Virginia was a great character and I really wanted her to find her forever home and her happily ever after. Cala was a great character and I loved the relationship that grew between Virginia and her as well as the relationship between Virginia and Willow. Now Owen was quite frustrating at times although just as he did Virginia he grew on me throughout the course of the story. When you’re in the mood for a delightful story to escape into this is the perfect read.
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Any takers? Virginia is desperate to escape her life so when she sees this ad for A small town needing more women she jumped at the chance. Hops on a Greyhound. with everything she owns in her backpack. When she first reaches the town she runs into firefighter Owen who is less than pleased about this ad campaign drawing women to the town. Lucky for Virginia not all the town feels this way and she is welcomed with open arms by Calla Who is in charge of the women during their first year in town. What follows is a sweet occasionally emotional romance with a hint of mystery.
This was such a sweet somewhat predictable story that made me smile. Virginia was a great character and I really wanted her to find her forever home and her happily ever after. Cala was a great character and I loved the relationship that grew between Virginia and her as well as the relationship between Virginia and Willow. Now Owen was quite frustrating at times although just as he did Virginia he grew on me throughout the course of the story. When you’re in the mood for a delightful story to escape into this is the perfect read.
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
March 15, 2021
Small Town Secrets is an absolute charmer. A joy to the heart. A story of healing, redemption and second chances.
This book has all the trademarks of a fantastic romance novel: a love story, secrets in spades and deep friendships with elements of suspense.
A compelling and page-turning saga with elements of mystery and romance, Small Town Secrets grabbed my attention from the first page and held it until the very end. I absolutely loved the world that Alys Murray created with characters that are likeable and easy to root for.
Overall, Small Town Secrets is a heartwarming and uplifting read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Alys Murray for an ARC to review.
This book has all the trademarks of a fantastic romance novel: a love story, secrets in spades and deep friendships with elements of suspense.
A compelling and page-turning saga with elements of mystery and romance, Small Town Secrets grabbed my attention from the first page and held it until the very end. I absolutely loved the world that Alys Murray created with characters that are likeable and easy to root for.
Overall, Small Town Secrets is a heartwarming and uplifting read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Alys Murray for an ARC to review.
March 23, 2021
Small Town Secrets is a unique and captivating drama charting the evolution of a woman from a broken to strong individual, which really, at its heart, is a romance novel, set in the fictional town of Fortune Springs, Colorado. The book opens with an advertisement on WKTV on February 19 about the Fortune Springs Settlement Initiative, which had just launched. After a recent census determined that their female population was well below fifty per cent, they decided to offer jobs, funding and housing to any women interested in moving to their town and bringing gender parity back to their community. But applications would only be open for a week. It manages to attract the attention of 27-year-old Virginia Bessel who although had missed the applications deadline, which was a month ago, was so desperate to get away from her life in Savannah, Georgia, she sets off on a Greyhound bus towards Fortune Springs hoping that her late application would still be accepted. It's an almost three-day journey but she feels it'll be worth it with the beauty, tranquillity and rustic decadence promised by the Settlement Fund brochure. Her ex-boyfriend Porter Zachariah Hampton the Third, who she met and shared a kiss with aged 12 and then ran into again at a fundraiser when she was working as a caterer and in grad school, is who she's running from. The abuse suffered at his hands is one of the reasons she wants to start over so badly; he became controlling, making her drop her Master's degree she had worked so hard for and forcing her to stop eating certain foods so she looked better on his arm. But then it escalated even further and he hit her for the very first time. And it was that evening she found out about The Bride House and the scheme. She had left while he was at work and threw the only thing that he could possibly trace, her mobile phone, in a bin in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Everything she owned was now contained in her backpack. The idea of the initiative was to select a few young women every year to come to their town, live in one of their houses with free full room and board, a job or a small business loan and a living stipend, and get paid to (hopefully) stick around and start businesses or families. Virginia planned to escape to California once the year was up, begin anew with her funds and live her dream life by the coast. Arriving in the centre of town she asks Owen Harris, the tall, handsome guy wearing a too-tight Fortune Springs Fire Department T-shirt wrapped around his muscles, where Harbin House, aka The Bride House, was. She made haste and followed his directions where she meets Calla Holtzman, a lady in her mid-sixties who was the program’s chaperone and in charge of making sure the women who applied were well looked after. Luckily, she is given a room. Virginia and Owen initially aren't fond of one another but soon their chemistry becomes sizzling. And when her past comes back to haunt her, Owen is there to protect her. But how will life turn out for Virginia when she finds true friends and real love in this quaint town? This is a captivating and absorbing love story with both uplifting and heartwarming parts and sad, unsettling parts. It doesn't shy away from addressing serious topics. The characters, in particular Virginia, Owen and Calla, are nicely developed and the surprises along the way as the story progressed were well executed. I must admit, I got this believing it to be more of a thriller or family drama and whilst there is plenty of drama this is much more of a romance novel. It's a testament to the author's skill that I enjoyed it as I don't normally read this genre. Recommended to those look for a quick, easy happy ever after.
Everything she owned was now contained in her backpack. The idea of the initiative was to select a few young women every year to come to their town, live in one of their houses with free full room and board, a job or a small business loan and a living stipend, and get paid to (hopefully) stick around and start businesses or families. Virginia planned to escape to California once the year was up, begin anew with her funds and live her dream life by the coast. Arriving in the centre of town she asks Owen Harris, the tall, handsome guy wearing a too-tight Fortune Springs Fire Department T-shirt wrapped around his muscles, where Harbin House, aka The Bride House, was. She made haste and followed his directions where she meets Calla Holtzman, a lady in her mid-sixties who was the program’s chaperone and in charge of making sure the women who applied were well looked after. Luckily, she is given a room. Virginia and Owen initially aren't fond of one another but soon their chemistry becomes sizzling. And when her past comes back to haunt her, Owen is there to protect her. But how will life turn out for Virginia when she finds true friends and real love in this quaint town? This is a captivating and absorbing love story with both uplifting and heartwarming parts and sad, unsettling parts. It doesn't shy away from addressing serious topics. The characters, in particular Virginia, Owen and Calla, are nicely developed and the surprises along the way as the story progressed were well executed. I must admit, I got this believing it to be more of a thriller or family drama and whilst there is plenty of drama this is much more of a romance novel. It's a testament to the author's skill that I enjoyed it as I don't normally read this genre. Recommended to those look for a quick, easy happy ever after.
February 16, 2022
Alys Murray has written to the romantic in all of us with her newest novel, “Small Town Secrets.”
Fortune Springs, Colorado has too many men.
Fortune Springs, Colorado needs more women.
Luckily, 27-year-old Virginia Bessel is just desperate enough to help them with that problem. She’s run from a life worth escaping and is looking for a chance to start over. When she saw the ad, she dropped everything and left.
“Young women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
Ridiculous, outdated scheme, isn’t it?! She thought so too, but she had run out of options. Her plan was to leave on day 366 and head for California with a fist full of cash. Fortunately, the town she didn’t like, with a scheme she had no plan on upholding, had different plans for her. Fortune Springs was like an oyster; hard to crack but filled with treasure once she managed it. The town had never lost its frontier spirit – the belief that they could make it on their own and they wanted to instill that in Virginia.
The setting and plot are unique, but it’s the characters who stole the show in this novel. There’s a lonely, eccentric widow who orchestrates everything that happens in the town, a shy grand-daughter in need of some love and someone to stick up for her, a hunky fire chief with a past he’d like to forget, and a cute fire station dog. You’ll read about how difficult it is, regardless of age, to start afresh. New roots. Old problems. You’ll come to a conclusion, that the past has to be dealt with in order for one to move forward.
This heartwarming and uplifting story, a quick read, is to be published March 24, 2021.
“Turns out, you can’t escape the truth. No matter how much you might try. The truth doesn’t fit in a box under your bed. It can’t be politely ignored as you pass it down the street. The truth will always find a way to you in the same way the wind seems to do."
Fortune Springs, Colorado has too many men.
Fortune Springs, Colorado needs more women.
Luckily, 27-year-old Virginia Bessel is just desperate enough to help them with that problem. She’s run from a life worth escaping and is looking for a chance to start over. When she saw the ad, she dropped everything and left.
“Young women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
Ridiculous, outdated scheme, isn’t it?! She thought so too, but she had run out of options. Her plan was to leave on day 366 and head for California with a fist full of cash. Fortunately, the town she didn’t like, with a scheme she had no plan on upholding, had different plans for her. Fortune Springs was like an oyster; hard to crack but filled with treasure once she managed it. The town had never lost its frontier spirit – the belief that they could make it on their own and they wanted to instill that in Virginia.
The setting and plot are unique, but it’s the characters who stole the show in this novel. There’s a lonely, eccentric widow who orchestrates everything that happens in the town, a shy grand-daughter in need of some love and someone to stick up for her, a hunky fire chief with a past he’d like to forget, and a cute fire station dog. You’ll read about how difficult it is, regardless of age, to start afresh. New roots. Old problems. You’ll come to a conclusion, that the past has to be dealt with in order for one to move forward.
This heartwarming and uplifting story, a quick read, is to be published March 24, 2021.
“Turns out, you can’t escape the truth. No matter how much you might try. The truth doesn’t fit in a box under your bed. It can’t be politely ignored as you pass it down the street. The truth will always find a way to you in the same way the wind seems to do."
March 25, 2021
A small town is looking for women offering them money jobs and a home for a year. Virginia is running from something or someone so when she finds this add she's on the 3 day greyhound to get there. The town is small and she keeps bumping into the angry fire chief who is completely opposed to the initiative and believes the funds could be spent better somewhere else. Virginia settled into town life living with an old lady and her grand daughter willow.
I must say this is an extremely easy read and take little effort to follow the plot. Is this a predictable chic click, yes! But did I hate it no!
Virginia as the protagonist might had been a bad choice I didn't connect with her like the other characters it would of been great to break up her thoughts by adding Owen or even Willow as an occasional narrator but I see what the author was doing by giving is Virginia.
To begin I found myself what is her big secret and concocted loads of responses, turns out the first guess was correct so the big showdown at the end wasn't a complete surprise.
The relationships that Virginia manages to build throughout the book are so well written esp. her relationship with Willow. I loved to see how she manages to realise that her lack of fight isn't necessary the best advice for a teen who is struggling herself. I really loved the two of them. Almost more than the love interest Owen, although he is a hunky fire chief so I wasn't offended every time he happened to grace us with his presence.
This book handles well the idea of running but having your trauma for company. It also talks about standing up for yourself and remember that your voice matters just as much and this was achieved
Would I recommend this book? Sure as long as you know going on its a predictable in its build up but it plays out well. It's a nice romance book with a great almost coming of age storyline. 3 stars 🌟
Thank you netgalley, the publishers and author for the digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.
I must say this is an extremely easy read and take little effort to follow the plot. Is this a predictable chic click, yes! But did I hate it no!
Virginia as the protagonist might had been a bad choice I didn't connect with her like the other characters it would of been great to break up her thoughts by adding Owen or even Willow as an occasional narrator but I see what the author was doing by giving is Virginia.
To begin I found myself what is her big secret and concocted loads of responses, turns out the first guess was correct so the big showdown at the end wasn't a complete surprise.
The relationships that Virginia manages to build throughout the book are so well written esp. her relationship with Willow. I loved to see how she manages to realise that her lack of fight isn't necessary the best advice for a teen who is struggling herself. I really loved the two of them. Almost more than the love interest Owen, although he is a hunky fire chief so I wasn't offended every time he happened to grace us with his presence.
This book handles well the idea of running but having your trauma for company. It also talks about standing up for yourself and remember that your voice matters just as much and this was achieved
Would I recommend this book? Sure as long as you know going on its a predictable in its build up but it plays out well. It's a nice romance book with a great almost coming of age storyline. 3 stars 🌟
Thank you netgalley, the publishers and author for the digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.
April 2, 2021
Small Town Secrets by Alys Murray
I am smiling contemplating the story I just finished reading. This is a feel-good story that warmed my heart, made me happy, and just made my day a little bit better for having read it. Nothing earth shaking new or different but a pleasure to read.
What I liked:
* The positive vibe
* The writing, plot and location
* The way it made me smile from time to time
* That I cared about the town, the characters, and the outcome
* The growth seen in more than one character
* The slow growing romance between Virginia and Owen
* The backstories of the main characters, how they overcame adversity, and made the effort to move forward to something better
* Calla, as an anchor and positive force like a fairy godmother
* Willa as the youth in the story and the additional generational depth she provided (three women in three generations)
* The Bride House – sounds gorgeous
* Polka and her puppies
* The feel-good moments
* That though somewhat predictable it was perfectly wonderful
* That there was a happy ending
* The small town community
* The possibility that there could be others that will show up at The Bride House and this might be a series.
What I didn’t like:
* Porter – a scumbag of major proportions and worthy of disliking intensely
* Having to say goodbye to characters I grew fond of
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I am smiling contemplating the story I just finished reading. This is a feel-good story that warmed my heart, made me happy, and just made my day a little bit better for having read it. Nothing earth shaking new or different but a pleasure to read.
What I liked:
* The positive vibe
* The writing, plot and location
* The way it made me smile from time to time
* That I cared about the town, the characters, and the outcome
* The growth seen in more than one character
* The slow growing romance between Virginia and Owen
* The backstories of the main characters, how they overcame adversity, and made the effort to move forward to something better
* Calla, as an anchor and positive force like a fairy godmother
* Willa as the youth in the story and the additional generational depth she provided (three women in three generations)
* The Bride House – sounds gorgeous
* Polka and her puppies
* The feel-good moments
* That though somewhat predictable it was perfectly wonderful
* That there was a happy ending
* The small town community
* The possibility that there could be others that will show up at The Bride House and this might be a series.
What I didn’t like:
* Porter – a scumbag of major proportions and worthy of disliking intensely
* Having to say goodbye to characters I grew fond of
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
June 14, 2024
Small Town Secrets by Alys Murray is a standalone contemporary romance which is set in Colorado. This book is my introduction to Ms. Murray's storytelling expertise, and I look forward to reading her other books.
I must mention that I don't write/talk about trigger warnings frequently, nor do I mention them lightly. Small Town Secrets deals quite realistically with the lasting effects of domestic violence on those caught in its grips. We also see a main character whose alcoholism led to almost deadly consequences try to move forward. We see the negative impact of low self esteem/self worth in two characters inability to move beyond trauma to embrace new possibilities/opportunities because of domestic violence, low self esteem, and lack of healthier coping mechanisms.
From the first chapter, readers in the know can recognize that Virginia is running away from a past, as much as she is running towards a future. She is desperate to feel safe, but she is too scarred to ask for help by honestly sharing her past. She is met with love, acceptance, and opportunities to begin the healing process and work towards her dream career.
I must mention that I don't write/talk about trigger warnings frequently, nor do I mention them lightly. Small Town Secrets deals quite realistically with the lasting effects of domestic violence on those caught in its grips. We also see a main character whose alcoholism led to almost deadly consequences try to move forward. We see the negative impact of low self esteem/self worth in two characters inability to move beyond trauma to embrace new possibilities/opportunities because of domestic violence, low self esteem, and lack of healthier coping mechanisms.
From the first chapter, readers in the know can recognize that Virginia is running away from a past, as much as she is running towards a future. She is desperate to feel safe, but she is too scarred to ask for help by honestly sharing her past. She is met with love, acceptance, and opportunities to begin the healing process and work towards her dream career.
March 2, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Alys Murray for this advance review copy of Small Town Secrets.
In Small Town Secrets we meet Virginia - a 27 year old who is quite literally running away to start a new life with everything she owns in a small back pack. When she hears about Fortune Springs Improvement Initiative it sounds like just the break she needs - the town has too many men - so they are offering women a place to live to come and work there for 12 months, in the hope of rebuilding their female population. Virginia has no intention of staying past 12 months, she just needs a clean break from her abusive ex and a chance to start a fresh.
I enjoyed this book and its an 'easy' read (I read it from cover to cover in one evening), although its a little bit Hallmark even for me - I found it quite predictable and it was fairly clear from early on what was going to happen (she meets Owen right at the beginning and they take an instant dislike to one another - you can probably guess where this is going!). The 'secrets' that both Virginia, Owen and even Cara's granddaughter have were only touched upon without any real depth, and I felt that digging a bit of deeper would have given me a bit more satisfaction with the book overall.
3/5 from me.
In Small Town Secrets we meet Virginia - a 27 year old who is quite literally running away to start a new life with everything she owns in a small back pack. When she hears about Fortune Springs Improvement Initiative it sounds like just the break she needs - the town has too many men - so they are offering women a place to live to come and work there for 12 months, in the hope of rebuilding their female population. Virginia has no intention of staying past 12 months, she just needs a clean break from her abusive ex and a chance to start a fresh.
I enjoyed this book and its an 'easy' read (I read it from cover to cover in one evening), although its a little bit Hallmark even for me - I found it quite predictable and it was fairly clear from early on what was going to happen (she meets Owen right at the beginning and they take an instant dislike to one another - you can probably guess where this is going!). The 'secrets' that both Virginia, Owen and even Cara's granddaughter have were only touched upon without any real depth, and I felt that digging a bit of deeper would have given me a bit more satisfaction with the book overall.
3/5 from me.
March 25, 2021
Not read anything by this US author before but the blurb drew me in. This was a quick light read. Not an awful lot of substance to the story - bit too Mills and Boon for me. Despite her background you knew that Virginia was going to find happiness Owen. The whole concept of The Bride House in Fortune Springs didn't ring true - Virginia is told places are going fast although as far as I could work out she was the first and only successful applicant. Maybe this is a start of a series?.
March 1, 2021
This book was basically a Hallmark movie. Girl in a bad place moves to a small town to start over. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
It was a quick, easy read. This is definitely a good book for those looking for a lighter read. There’s a handsome firefighter, an eccentric grandmother handing out unsolicited advice, and there’s puppies.
Overall, it was perfectly average. The climax is too short. The characters are not super well-developed. But, it was cute and sweet.
The book will be released March 24th, 2021. Pre-order this book today!
Shout out to NetGalley, Alys Murray, & Bookouture for the ARC Kindle version of this book.
It was a quick, easy read. This is definitely a good book for those looking for a lighter read. There’s a handsome firefighter, an eccentric grandmother handing out unsolicited advice, and there’s puppies.
Overall, it was perfectly average. The climax is too short. The characters are not super well-developed. But, it was cute and sweet.
The book will be released March 24th, 2021. Pre-order this book today!
Shout out to NetGalley, Alys Murray, & Bookouture for the ARC Kindle version of this book.
February 17, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Small Town Secrets' by Alys Murray.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 24th March 2021.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Perfect Hideaway' and 'Home At Summer's End' which I would also highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I have also previously read 'The Perfect Hideaway' and 'Home At Summer's End' written by Alys Murray and LOVED them so I'm hoping this will be just as good. The synopsis stated that fans of Debbie Macomber and others will be hooked. I am a fan of Debbie's books so am interested to see if it will live up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 27 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium to long in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Colorado, USA 🇺🇸.
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonist being Virginia Bessel. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
This novel is very smoothly written and flowed lovely. The way it was written made me feel like I was right next to Virginia and going through all the emotional turmoil with her. It had me hooked from the first page to the very last. It's a very light hearted and a heartwarming story of finding hope and strength in the most unlikely of places. There was drama, tears, laughter, love, secrets and lies all around, everything that makes the perfect romance.
The characters were all strong and well defined. I loved all their personalities, flaws and quirks and I feel that they all worked together perfectly in this book. It did take me a while to take to Virginia as she blew hot and cold but with her past that is to be expected. I'm very glad her story ended the way it did. I loved Owen and thought he was really sweet, being a dog lover definitely helped his cause!!! Calla is also a fantastic character and reminds me of a somewhat eccentric grandmother type!!! I would love to read more about them all!!!
The descriptions were excellent and the locations beautiful. They made me feel that I was really in the storyline. The ending was perfect and I would love to read more of their story and lives. I am also looking forward to reading more books by Alys Murray.
This book is full of lovely characters, witty dialogue and beautiful surroundings , the kind of place where you’d love to live this story will stay with you long after you've turned the last page and will hopefully give hope to any readers living with abuse and encourage them to get the help and support they need.
Although the story overall is beautiful it definitely highlights the effects of domestic abuse and all the forms that it comes in. I love that Alys encourages readers to donate to a domestic abuse charity at the end.
Overall a perfect light hearted, beautiful summer romance read which highlights that light can come from darkness.
Genres covered in this novel include Fiction, Romance Novel and Contemporary Romance amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Alys Murray's previous books as well as fans of Debbie Macomber.
254 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#SmallTownSecrets #Bookouture #AlysMurray #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@AlysMurray @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'Small Town Secrets' by Alys Murray.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 24th March 2021.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Perfect Hideaway' and 'Home At Summer's End' which I would also highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I have also previously read 'The Perfect Hideaway' and 'Home At Summer's End' written by Alys Murray and LOVED them so I'm hoping this will be just as good. The synopsis stated that fans of Debbie Macomber and others will be hooked. I am a fan of Debbie's books so am interested to see if it will live up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 27 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium to long in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Colorado, USA 🇺🇸.
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonist being Virginia Bessel. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
This novel is very smoothly written and flowed lovely. The way it was written made me feel like I was right next to Virginia and going through all the emotional turmoil with her. It had me hooked from the first page to the very last. It's a very light hearted and a heartwarming story of finding hope and strength in the most unlikely of places. There was drama, tears, laughter, love, secrets and lies all around, everything that makes the perfect romance.
The characters were all strong and well defined. I loved all their personalities, flaws and quirks and I feel that they all worked together perfectly in this book. It did take me a while to take to Virginia as she blew hot and cold but with her past that is to be expected. I'm very glad her story ended the way it did. I loved Owen and thought he was really sweet, being a dog lover definitely helped his cause!!! Calla is also a fantastic character and reminds me of a somewhat eccentric grandmother type!!! I would love to read more about them all!!!
The descriptions were excellent and the locations beautiful. They made me feel that I was really in the storyline. The ending was perfect and I would love to read more of their story and lives. I am also looking forward to reading more books by Alys Murray.
This book is full of lovely characters, witty dialogue and beautiful surroundings , the kind of place where you’d love to live this story will stay with you long after you've turned the last page and will hopefully give hope to any readers living with abuse and encourage them to get the help and support they need.
Although the story overall is beautiful it definitely highlights the effects of domestic abuse and all the forms that it comes in. I love that Alys encourages readers to donate to a domestic abuse charity at the end.
Overall a perfect light hearted, beautiful summer romance read which highlights that light can come from darkness.
Genres covered in this novel include Fiction, Romance Novel and Contemporary Romance amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Alys Murray's previous books as well as fans of Debbie Macomber.
254 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#SmallTownSecrets #Bookouture #AlysMurray #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@AlysMurray @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
February 19, 2021
Virginia has put all her eggs in one basket. She has left her life to travel across the USA to Fortune Springs. Fortune Springs wants to attract new women to its town & Virginia needs a new life.
This book had a lot of potential & started well. Virginia has left her old life behind & taken a big risk in coming to Fortune Springs. She doesn't even know if she'll be accepted on the scheme. There is obviously a back story of trauma which I expected to be examined as the book progressed.
Unfortunately I never felt that the book lived up to its early potential. It was a palatable enough book but very shallow. Virginia does have a back story of trauma and an emotionally abusive relationship. However this was not studied in depth. I applaud the author for creating Virginia but I felt that the author really let her down by not developing the true extent of the difficulties faced by women in an abusive relationship. Yes, Virginia did find relationships a bit difficult but there was little depth to her character & little real examination of how this abusive relationship damaged her. Virginia is actually quite a shallow character - as indeed are all the characters in this book.
Another character is Willa - a young girl with a troubled background. Again this was not dealt with in any depth and a quick chat with Virginia seems to solve the worst of it.
The plot itself is quite basic and predictable. Virginia arrives in town, meets a guy she instantly dislikes so is obviously going to be in a relationship with the. The past catches up but the hero saves the day & all is hunkydory.
The book is basically okay in a shallow sort of way. However there is no real depth to the characters or the plot. Everything is very superficial. So much undeveloped potential.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
This book had a lot of potential & started well. Virginia has left her old life behind & taken a big risk in coming to Fortune Springs. She doesn't even know if she'll be accepted on the scheme. There is obviously a back story of trauma which I expected to be examined as the book progressed.
Unfortunately I never felt that the book lived up to its early potential. It was a palatable enough book but very shallow. Virginia does have a back story of trauma and an emotionally abusive relationship. However this was not studied in depth. I applaud the author for creating Virginia but I felt that the author really let her down by not developing the true extent of the difficulties faced by women in an abusive relationship. Yes, Virginia did find relationships a bit difficult but there was little depth to her character & little real examination of how this abusive relationship damaged her. Virginia is actually quite a shallow character - as indeed are all the characters in this book.
Another character is Willa - a young girl with a troubled background. Again this was not dealt with in any depth and a quick chat with Virginia seems to solve the worst of it.
The plot itself is quite basic and predictable. Virginia arrives in town, meets a guy she instantly dislikes so is obviously going to be in a relationship with the. The past catches up but the hero saves the day & all is hunkydory.
The book is basically okay in a shallow sort of way. However there is no real depth to the characters or the plot. Everything is very superficial. So much undeveloped potential.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
April 9, 2021
Virginia travels for days to answer a small town's call for female inhabitants. She is escaping her past but can she face the future? And will the town of Fortune Springs be part of it?
Small Town Secrets is a stand alone novel from Alys Murray. The book begins with a news report about a town advertising for more women to move there. We then meet a physically and emotionally exhausted Virginia travelling to Fortune Springs. She hasn't filled in the application and sent in advance, instead it is still clutched in her hand. She is hoping she can just turn up at the Bride House and find a home for a year.
The book is written from Virginia's first person perspective. She has obviously escaped a traumatic relationship but the details are only revealed gradually as she softens towards the town's residents. In particular, her heart is nervous of the fire chief Owen who is against the Bride House scheme.
The plot device of the town needing women was an interesting one and Virginia finds friendship and support. The romance with Owen develops gently to allow Virginia's sense of self to heal after the upset of her past relationship. Bride House owner Calla offers a safe place for Virginia to explore her feelings and plan for the future.
The emotional and physical abuse is handled sensitively as we are informed about it gradually. Virginia's behaviour exhibits the aftermath of the abuse: the doubts, fear and a complete breaking down of any sense of self worth.
Small Town Secrets is an emotional romantic novel about self belief and self discovery but also the healing power of love.
Small Town Secrets is a stand alone novel from Alys Murray. The book begins with a news report about a town advertising for more women to move there. We then meet a physically and emotionally exhausted Virginia travelling to Fortune Springs. She hasn't filled in the application and sent in advance, instead it is still clutched in her hand. She is hoping she can just turn up at the Bride House and find a home for a year.
The book is written from Virginia's first person perspective. She has obviously escaped a traumatic relationship but the details are only revealed gradually as she softens towards the town's residents. In particular, her heart is nervous of the fire chief Owen who is against the Bride House scheme.
The plot device of the town needing women was an interesting one and Virginia finds friendship and support. The romance with Owen develops gently to allow Virginia's sense of self to heal after the upset of her past relationship. Bride House owner Calla offers a safe place for Virginia to explore her feelings and plan for the future.
The emotional and physical abuse is handled sensitively as we are informed about it gradually. Virginia's behaviour exhibits the aftermath of the abuse: the doubts, fear and a complete breaking down of any sense of self worth.
Small Town Secrets is an emotional romantic novel about self belief and self discovery but also the healing power of love.
March 25, 2021
What a lovely, contemporary romance this proved to be – I do hope it is the start of a new series set in the fabulous Fortune Springs, Colorado community! This small town is taking steps to attract women to move there as there’s a distinct lack of them. Folks are supposed to apply to go there, but this story of someone who just gets on the bus and goes there with all her worldly goods in her haversack. You need to read it for yourself to discover how she settles in, who she meets and how dreams can come true – with the support of a community and help from new friends.
This is a heartwarming story, an emotional rollercoaster read with some great characters. There’s 27-year-old Virginia Bessel, who has escaped an abusive relationship in the hope of making a fresh start . . . .Calla, an eccentric but caring grandmother who has a habit of giving advice, even when it isn’t wanted . . . . a reticent, handsome firefighter, with secrets of his own . . . a grand daughter who is escaping her home situation . . . . and there are some fabulous puppies, too! It is a story of learning to stand up for yourself, being brave and not letting bullies win. It is a delightful story to escape into, a moving, easy read and I really hope we get to visit here again in future to catch up on how things develop in future.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read, thoroughly enjoyed and honestly reviewed.
This is a heartwarming story, an emotional rollercoaster read with some great characters. There’s 27-year-old Virginia Bessel, who has escaped an abusive relationship in the hope of making a fresh start . . . .Calla, an eccentric but caring grandmother who has a habit of giving advice, even when it isn’t wanted . . . . a reticent, handsome firefighter, with secrets of his own . . . a grand daughter who is escaping her home situation . . . . and there are some fabulous puppies, too! It is a story of learning to stand up for yourself, being brave and not letting bullies win. It is a delightful story to escape into, a moving, easy read and I really hope we get to visit here again in future to catch up on how things develop in future.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read, thoroughly enjoyed and honestly reviewed.
March 14, 2021
Another easy read from this author. The standout character is Calla the owner of the bride house who welcomes Virginia into her home, even though she missed the deadline. There’s also Willa, Calla’s grand daughter who has to be rescued halfway through the book.
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I found it predictable and a bit superficial. There’s no real
Understanding as to why Willa had to leave her mum nor opportunities to help her address this other than a few ‘sisterly’ chats with Virginia.
There was a real opportunity to show the difficulties that people face in abusive relationships and how we can help them both inside and outside of those relationships. The male character Owen also has his demons and while these are explained they are not really dealt with. Everyone has just run away!
Also there’s a big plot hole - apart from one sentence when Virginia first arrives, there’s no mention of any other applicants - or any other ideas to help address the imbalance of the town. After all, wasn’t that the whole point of the scheme?
Ultimately I enjoyed this book and will continue to read more by this author but I feel that more depth could have been explored to help convey how to support people in toxic relationships.
3-3.5*
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I found it predictable and a bit superficial. There’s no real
Understanding as to why Willa had to leave her mum nor opportunities to help her address this other than a few ‘sisterly’ chats with Virginia.
There was a real opportunity to show the difficulties that people face in abusive relationships and how we can help them both inside and outside of those relationships. The male character Owen also has his demons and while these are explained they are not really dealt with. Everyone has just run away!
Also there’s a big plot hole - apart from one sentence when Virginia first arrives, there’s no mention of any other applicants - or any other ideas to help address the imbalance of the town. After all, wasn’t that the whole point of the scheme?
Ultimately I enjoyed this book and will continue to read more by this author but I feel that more depth could have been explored to help convey how to support people in toxic relationships.
3-3.5*
March 15, 2021
“Young women needed for the Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative. One year’s room and board provided.”
That's how the story starts with Virginia Bessel moving into Fortune Springs to start a new life. She befriends Calla and her granddaughter, Willa and lives with them in the Bride House. Then she meets a handsome firefighter, Owen--initially, they first didn't get along and soon sparks start flying between them...
I had enjoyed reading Alys Murray's books and so I was excited to read this one. Like all her books, this story was engaging and also actually easy to read and quick to read as well. The characters to me are all likable, particularly I like little Willa and how Virginia quickly becomes friends with Willa. This was actually more like a Hallmark movie with Virginia leaving behind bad memories and wanting to start a new life in Fortune Springs, Colorado and then meeting a handsome man and falling in love with him.
Overall, to me, this wasn't a bad book--it was good. The story was nothing new but nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book and read in one go. Worth four stars in my opinion!
That's how the story starts with Virginia Bessel moving into Fortune Springs to start a new life. She befriends Calla and her granddaughter, Willa and lives with them in the Bride House. Then she meets a handsome firefighter, Owen--initially, they first didn't get along and soon sparks start flying between them...
I had enjoyed reading Alys Murray's books and so I was excited to read this one. Like all her books, this story was engaging and also actually easy to read and quick to read as well. The characters to me are all likable, particularly I like little Willa and how Virginia quickly becomes friends with Willa. This was actually more like a Hallmark movie with Virginia leaving behind bad memories and wanting to start a new life in Fortune Springs, Colorado and then meeting a handsome man and falling in love with him.
Overall, to me, this wasn't a bad book--it was good. The story was nothing new but nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book and read in one go. Worth four stars in my opinion!
March 22, 2021
I’ve read many novels by this author and I will say that she never disappoints. Alys Murray never wastes time pulling you into her stories, and this book is no different. This rapid page-turner will have you reading well into the night.
Not only does Virginia leave her city behind, but all of the things of her past, for a fresh start. She moves to Fortune Spring, Colorado for a job opportunity and the pay is free room and board for a year. It’s exactly the new beginning she needs. After her year is up, she plans to head out to California. She meets some very “interesting” people, especially eccentric Calla who literally runs the town. But Virginia soon realizes that residents of Fortune Springs, are not that different from her. They too, all have a past that they would rather forget and wish that everyone in the town would forget too. But the truth will always come out. The question is with the truth make you a stronger person? This is a good story with a hopeful outcome.
I really liked this book and I recommend it. Once you begin it you won’t be able to stop until the last page is turned.
Not only does Virginia leave her city behind, but all of the things of her past, for a fresh start. She moves to Fortune Spring, Colorado for a job opportunity and the pay is free room and board for a year. It’s exactly the new beginning she needs. After her year is up, she plans to head out to California. She meets some very “interesting” people, especially eccentric Calla who literally runs the town. But Virginia soon realizes that residents of Fortune Springs, are not that different from her. They too, all have a past that they would rather forget and wish that everyone in the town would forget too. But the truth will always come out. The question is with the truth make you a stronger person? This is a good story with a hopeful outcome.
I really liked this book and I recommend it. Once you begin it you won’t be able to stop until the last page is turned.
March 11, 2021
I love Alys Murray's books and this was no exception,. Virginia is escaping from abusive partner Porter. Headed for Colorado she is hoping to join a settlement initiative in Fortune Springs. It's a town with a dwindling population of women which the Initiative hopes to change. Virginia hopes to join the programme, stay for the required year and then move on to California, with dreams of living a dream life on the coast.
This is yet another wonderful read. A small town sitting on the edge of breath-taking scenery. An array of colourful characters. - Calla, the mother figure who runs the settlement initiative, Willa, her young granddaughter and love interest Fire Chief Owen Harris with his Dalmatian Polka and her puppies.. Meeting Owen, Virginia begins to learn to trust men again. Written from her viewpoint, it digs deep into the damage an abusive partner can create, but also the freedom being with the right man can bring.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC of Small Town Secrets in exchange for an honest review.
This is yet another wonderful read. A small town sitting on the edge of breath-taking scenery. An array of colourful characters. - Calla, the mother figure who runs the settlement initiative, Willa, her young granddaughter and love interest Fire Chief Owen Harris with his Dalmatian Polka and her puppies.. Meeting Owen, Virginia begins to learn to trust men again. Written from her viewpoint, it digs deep into the damage an abusive partner can create, but also the freedom being with the right man can bring.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC of Small Town Secrets in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2021
I have read this author’s previous works (the Full Bloom Farm Series) and really enjoyed them as enjoyable, fast, feel-good reads. Unfortunately this stand-alone novel, “Small Town Secrets,” did not match my previous experience. I was never able to really engage with the storyline or the characters. The slow pace did not hold my interest – so much so I kept putting the book down after a chapter or two.
Despite their “secrets,” the two main characters, Virginia and Owen, felt rather flat and one dimensional. Additionally, the storyline itself was rather predictable and clichéd. A few details were unique, but overall the most interesting aspects, namely their “secrets,” were never developed or explored in any meaningful way. Given the nature of the most telling issues – domestic abuse and violent tempers – I didn’t think the publisher’s cover description of “heartwarming and uplifting” was the best choice of modifiers.
My thanks to the author, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.
Despite their “secrets,” the two main characters, Virginia and Owen, felt rather flat and one dimensional. Additionally, the storyline itself was rather predictable and clichéd. A few details were unique, but overall the most interesting aspects, namely their “secrets,” were never developed or explored in any meaningful way. Given the nature of the most telling issues – domestic abuse and violent tempers – I didn’t think the publisher’s cover description of “heartwarming and uplifting” was the best choice of modifiers.
My thanks to the author, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.
June 7, 2021
I have really enjoyed this author’s Full Bloom Farm series, so I was more than eager to read this stand-alone. We get another feisty heroine in Virginia. I liked her. She was prickly, and we got just enough background to explain why she never took anything that anyone said to her at face value. But the real stars of the book were Calla and Willa. If I could wish for anything from this book it’s for it to be a series with Calla getting a dedicated storyline. The plot itself was hit or miss. There was a lot to like, but there were also some holes. It was fairly apparent why Virginia was headed to the town, but I felt like that motivation was merely a way to get a surprise in towards the end more than a real deep exploration. I was also missing the depth of Willa’s experiences and how that led to her being with Calla. What I like best about this author’s books though is the way she captures small town life. I can only hope it becomes a series. For a detailed review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.
March 13, 2021
A feel good book filled with hope, love, and struggles.
Virginia’s story is one often seen in romance novels, the broken woman who is trying to pick up the pieces. The concept of the Bride House is unique and an interesting concept to base the story on. However, I felt Like I wanted more from it - the house yearned to be filled with women and stories. Although the story showed 3 powerful females, the depiction of Virginia felt inconsistent and unreal. She was broken, yet often spoke and acted like she wasn’t. Her growth was amazing and her story was beautiful, but the journey didn’t quite make sense in a realistic way. While there was some left to be desired, the book left an overall feel good vibe and was an amazing palette cleanser between some heavier books.
Virginia’s story is one often seen in romance novels, the broken woman who is trying to pick up the pieces. The concept of the Bride House is unique and an interesting concept to base the story on. However, I felt Like I wanted more from it - the house yearned to be filled with women and stories. Although the story showed 3 powerful females, the depiction of Virginia felt inconsistent and unreal. She was broken, yet often spoke and acted like she wasn’t. Her growth was amazing and her story was beautiful, but the journey didn’t quite make sense in a realistic way. While there was some left to be desired, the book left an overall feel good vibe and was an amazing palette cleanser between some heavier books.
March 11, 2021
4 stars
Small Town Secrets
by Alys Murray
TW: Book deals with domestic violence
A sweet book that delves into healing and learning to deal with a painful past. Murray wrote a very predictable book but it offers a lot of truths within its pages. I absolutely love the premise of the book, I would think if a real place offered this sort of deal they would be flooded with applicants!
I believe this would be a very good book club book as many people from a variety of backgrounds will be able to read, absorb and love Small Town Secrets.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
Small Town Secrets
by Alys Murray
TW: Book deals with domestic violence
A sweet book that delves into healing and learning to deal with a painful past. Murray wrote a very predictable book but it offers a lot of truths within its pages. I absolutely love the premise of the book, I would think if a real place offered this sort of deal they would be flooded with applicants!
I believe this would be a very good book club book as many people from a variety of backgrounds will be able to read, absorb and love Small Town Secrets.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
March 15, 2021
Virginia probably wouldn't have given a second thought to the Fortune Springs initiative to bring young women to a town that's almost entirely male had she not been looking for a way away from her abusive relationship. She heads there, with her whole life in her backpack, and is surprised by what this small Colorado town holds. Own, the fire chief, is not a fan of hers to start - nor she of him- but they find common ground helping others. And then he comes to her aid when her past comes back. This is light- very light- given the issues faced by Virginia and Willa- but the storytelling is good. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
March 18, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Alys Murray and Bookouture for the ARC of Small Town Secrets. This is my personal review.
Fortune Springs, Colorado was where Virginia had her mind set on going to start her life over. Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative was what she knew would get her life back on track. The Bride House was the place she needed to get to for this to happen.
Once there she found much more than she imagined. She found friends and love to guide her to her second chance in life and away from everything she wanted to lose in her life.
This was an easy read that had characters I liked and enough to give me a few hours of enjoyment.
Fortune Springs, Colorado was where Virginia had her mind set on going to start her life over. Fortune Springs Town Improvement Initiative was what she knew would get her life back on track. The Bride House was the place she needed to get to for this to happen.
Once there she found much more than she imagined. She found friends and love to guide her to her second chance in life and away from everything she wanted to lose in her life.
This was an easy read that had characters I liked and enough to give me a few hours of enjoyment.
April 6, 2021
Fortune Springs is a town of new beginnings and secrets. Secrets have a way of catching up, but are you strong enough to fight for your new life?
Virginia is feeling better since she met Calla the one person who wants to revitalize this old town. However, it seems there are more people in line for that project such as Owen the hunky firefighter with a heart of gold.
But, will Virginia have a life of puppy dogs or is something going to come a snarling to uproot all this goodness?
The author does a great job in developing the characters and having a flow throughout the book.
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
Virginia is feeling better since she met Calla the one person who wants to revitalize this old town. However, it seems there are more people in line for that project such as Owen the hunky firefighter with a heart of gold.
But, will Virginia have a life of puppy dogs or is something going to come a snarling to uproot all this goodness?
The author does a great job in developing the characters and having a flow throughout the book.
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
April 11, 2021
A small town is short of women so there is an ad encouraging women to come there with promises of a job & money. Virginia is desperate to escape & this ad seems an answer to her prayers. This interested me & I loved the cover. I have never read anything else by this author. Perhaps if I had I would have realised that this was not really my genre. The Mills & Boone 'I hate him, but he's gorgeous' I found off putting & it felt like so many I'd read a long while ago. For those who enjoy a romance I'm sure this will be a hit, however it was a miss for me. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- it might teach me not to judge a book by its cover!!
April 15, 2021
Who hasn't thought about running away and starting a brand new life - with zero ties to the past?? Well, Virginia takes advantage of an amazing offer finds herself across the country. As she learns about herself and how to rebuild her faith in herself, she has a run in or two with a handsome firefighter - Owen. I loved to see the metamorphosis to not only Virginia and Owen - but of Willa as well - ALL under the watchful eye of the book's sweetheart, Calla. I loved this sweet book - but seriously wanted to punch out Porter's lights!!! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for tthis ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review <3
February 25, 2021
Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture and Alys Murray for an ARC to review.
A cosy modern day fairytale set in a charming small town.
The writing style is engaging and easily flowing. You could finish it in one sitting.
Uplifting and motivating, narrating clearly the message that it's never too late.
I liked it though I would have loved it better if more profound detailing went through the characters secrets and backgrounds including Willa, her mother and Calla who obviously had a missing storyline here.
Maybe in book 2 :)
A cosy modern day fairytale set in a charming small town.
The writing style is engaging and easily flowing. You could finish it in one sitting.
Uplifting and motivating, narrating clearly the message that it's never too late.
I liked it though I would have loved it better if more profound detailing went through the characters secrets and backgrounds including Willa, her mother and Calla who obviously had a missing storyline here.
Maybe in book 2 :)
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