Her Hometown Hero: A Clean Romance

by Jacquelin Thomas

Can a wounded heroLet go of the past?Wounded marine Trey Rothchild has returned to Polk Island. People call him a hero, but will he ever feel that way after losing his team? Reuniting with high school crush Gia Harris buoys his spirits. Though she’s focused on making her physical therapy clinic a success—and avoiding romance with patients—Gia can’t bear watching the former athlete sit on the sidelines of life. Could helping Trey recover include loving him fearlessly?From Harlequin Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.Polk IslandBook 1: A Family for the FirefighterBook 2: Her Hometown Hero

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2022

About the author

Jacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best selling author with 94 titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.

Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.

Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Clean Romance, and this is the second book in the Polk Island book series. I have not read the first book in this book series. This book took me forever to get pulled into it, and I almost DNFed it. Once, I was into the story I really enjoyed it and I liked the characters. There was parts of this book that I felt moved way to slow, and there was parts that just went over and over the same thing. I loved what this book was bring attention to, and I do think this book did a good job of showing what it is like for returning military that has been hurt. I do think this books pacing was off a little and characters needed to be a little more developed. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Heartwarming) or author (Jacquelin Thomas) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Clean Romance, and this is the second book in the Polk Island book series. I have not read the first book in this book series. This book took me forever to get pulled into it, and I almost DNFed it. Once, I was into the story I really enjoyed it and I liked the characters. There was parts of this book that I felt moved way to slow, and there was parts that just went over and over the same thing. I loved what this book was bring attention to, and I do think this book did a good job of showing what it is like for returning military that has been hurt. I do think this books pacing was off a little and characters needed to be a little more developed. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Heartwarming) or author (Jacquelin Thomas) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Clean Romance, and this is the second book in the Polk Island book series. I have not read the first book in this book series. This book took me forever to get pulled into it, and I almost DNFed it. Once, I was into the story I really enjoyed it and I liked the characters. There was parts of this book that I felt moved way to slow, and there was parts that just went over and over the same thing. I loved what this book was bring attention to, and I do think this book did a good job of showing what it is like for returning military that has been hurt. I do think this books pacing was off a little and characters needed to be a little more developed. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Heartwarming) or author (Jacquelin Thomas) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Hometown Hero is a second chance for Trey in more ways than just reuniting with Gia, and she's got her past spurring her forward. These two couldn't be better suited, and it's a clean romance full of sweetness and hope. I think that's my favorite thing about these Harlequin Heartwarming books. They focus on hope and they're truly uplifting, which is just what I need to relax and destress after a long week. This is my first experience with Jacquelin Thomas, and I thoroughly enjoyed this romance. Trey and Gia are a great couple that I found myself rooting for pretty quickly. The book is well written and easy to fall into, and I'll be looking forward to whatever Thomas does next.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second-chance romance and a wounded hero is the backdrop of this tender story that brings wounded marine Trey Rothchild and Gia Harris together. Former flames when they were in high school and now Trey is physical therapist's patient. There is a sizzle, that is undeniable. However, their broken past and Gia's policy of not getting involved with patients don't give the couple much hope.

However, old feelings come together with strong feelings of care and concern for Gia. It doesn't take long at all for Trey to begin developing a similar attraction. This clean romance was the perfect book for a couple finding love.

Many thanks to Harlequin Heartwarming and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this clean romance. This was a book that I never wanted to end. The story was well written. I felt connected to the characters and I love reading about our hometown heroes. Also, this story hit close to home because I have several family members in the military and I live in a military town. Great job Jacquelin Thomas!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solidly Realistic Jarhead Romance. This is a very grounded, very realistic romance novel featuring two 30s ish adults who grew up together before traveling different paths in their 20s, only to wind up back in their hometown. Both backstories are very grounded with the issues they portray (even as the author combines the location name of the Carolina Panthers with the team name of the New England Patriots to create her in-world NFL team ;) ), and the author treats both tragic backstories with the respect and care they are due. And manages to create a much more realistic romance novel because of it. This one is more for the clean/ sweet crowd, though there are a couple of things here that may have at least some in that crowd "needing the vapors" (including the female lead staying overnight at the male lead's house - though sleeping in separate bedrooms, in keeping with the "clean" mandate). Excellent story of finding romance even after major loss and tragedy, and very much recommended.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Military Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Polk Island (Book #2)

[Kate Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second in the Polk Island series, in which marine Trey Rothchild comes home to a life he never knew after he loses both legs in Afghanistan. He's suffering from PTSD but refuses to seek therapy and even has trouble accepting his need for PT, even after Gia Harris, a girl he always had his eye on in high school, offers to help him. After all, she is now a PT, and has experience with PTSD from her own father's behavior before he got help.

Gradually, Gia sees Trey change as she shows him what he can do and prepares him for the prostheses he at first refuses. But when she agrees to date him, she also has to stop working with him as his PT. After all, she doesn't want to happen what she was accused of in her previous employment. And when that former patient keeps coming on to her, she fears she'll lose not only her new job, but also the partnership she's developing and her help with her mom to manage and B&B on Polk Island.

What's a girl to do? More importantly, when is the man she's come to love going to see that he needs help, that he can't do it all, and that he wasn't responsible for the team members he lost in Afghanistan?

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Polk Island series where it a black founded area which has not been gentrified. In the second book, Trey comes back home from serving his country, but has to deal with several losses. Gia, who is a physical therapist and an old high school crush, convinces Trey that things can get better if he really wants it to and works at it.

Because I made sure to read book 1 before this one, I cried even before I opened up the book, because I knew the change in him between the two books ( he makes a cameo appearance in book 1). This book had me in all the feels from start to finish. Gia was absolutely my favorite character, because she was tender but tough when she needed to. I am super excited for book 3 ( I think I know which characters it will be about since they were introduced in this book)

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trey Rothchild was a Marine who had returned home to Polk Island because of injuries he received during combat. He was the only one who survived an attack by insurgents. A roadside bomb was set up and 2 members of his team died. He was having a hard time adjusting not only from the loss of his team members but the effects of having part of both legs cut off. Gia Harris had moved back home to Polk Island to open her own business. She was a Physical Therapist who eventually convinced Trey he needed PT. Both Trey and Gia had crushes on each other. It was great catching up on characters from the first Polk Island Book. I enjoyed reading their story.

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decided to read this novel to coincide with observing the Veteran’s Day holiday. Thru this fictional account, it helped me to shift perspectives about military scars. When I speak with a friend, he often makes some comment about the wounds of going into Vietnam at 17, and the lack of help he was given after leaving the service. I can imagine that it can be difficult for these men to open up to love and help. Thankfully, the author reintroduced Gia Harris to Trey Rothschild as he was returning home to Polk Island. These two have so much in common, but until Trey can get some physical and emotional healing, he’s not ready for love bec he doesn’t even want to live.

[Kay Edmondson · Rating 5 out of 5]

HomeTown Hero/ Do Losing A Limb Make You Less of A Man?
Hometown Hero was a heartwarming love story filled with compassion and love. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. The storyline is well written and believable. My heart hurt for Trey and his survivor’s guilt. I found myself rooting for Gia and hoping that she would be the one to help Trey before it was to late.
I enjoyed visiting Polk Island and I’m looking forward to reading the cousin’s story next.

[Lee Holden, E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good read, I liked the characters and storyline. Trey was a proud marine, who severely injured on his deployment, who returned home a broken man. Gia was a friend from high school, she moved home due to a smear campaign that ruined her business. Their reunion is a journey to friendship and love.

[Ava Smith-forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Hometown Hero

I highly recommend Polk Island book 2/Trey almost loss the love of his life because he felt like he was man never realizing he had done all he could have done to save his team. But His never gave up on him.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional series

I really enjoy the Island stories, gives me history lessons and an excellent romantic experience. Reading about the problems the heroes tests to live happily. The author made this story real with her detail and description.

[Barbara Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her hometown hero

A very clean story, especially the sad part about war veterans and their struggle to return and plus the injuries that they have to deal with.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Polk Island Series did not disappoint

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many times things just kept being repetitive.

[Chinadoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:4

[Cassandra Haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Rothchild family who founded Polk Island. The storyline is Trey Rothschild who has come home after being injured and the only survivor of his Marine unit that was attacked by a road side car bomb. Trey was left a double leg amputee and now he has come back home to Polk Island to live.
Gia Harris is a Physical Therapist who has come back home to Polk Island after one of her clients tried to seduce her and his wife believed that Gia was the one trying to seduce her husband so she ruined Gia's reputation.
Gia and Trey always had feelings for each other after they shared a kiss in High School but neither one pursued a relationship. Now years later Gia and Trey see each other at his welcome home party and it looks like feelings might still be their for both.
I love how the author implemented into the storyline of what a service veteran goes through after having a traumatic injury, the guilt losing fellow service veterans, dealing with mental stresses and using alcohol to cope. Also when a person is being involved in sexual harassment that they need to speak up and not take the blame.
I really enjoyed reading this book. My attention was held from the beginning until the end. I'm looking forward to reading more about the Rothschilds and people who live on Polk Island.
I highly recommend this book to read and if you haven't read the first book to read that one too. Both books can be read as stand-alones.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received a ARC copy of this book and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her hometown hero by Jacqueline Thomas.
Wounded marine Trey Rothchild has returned to Polk Island. People call him a hero, but will he ever feel that way after losing his team? Reuniting with high school crush Gia Harris buoys his spirits. Though she’s focused on making her physical therapy clinic a success—and avoiding romance with patients—Gia can’t bear watching the former athlete sit on the sidelines of life. Could helping Trey recover include loving him fearlessly?
I enjoyed this book. I do like romance books. Trey was my favourite. 4*.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Her Hometown Hero
Author: Jacquelin Thomas
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.0 out of 5

I enjoyed the family bonds in this novel but found the rest to be mostly a dud. I know Trey experienced something horrific, but he came across as a whiny brat who just wanted to sit around and feel sorry for himself and not actually do anything about his issues. He leaped to wild conclusions with no reason, and then was surprised when Gia got mad. And Gia seemed to be a head-in-the-sand person who was always surprised when her problems followed her. I felt like the characters were just talking heads, too. Maybe this just wasn’t a good fit for me.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.)