Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown

From New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown comes a funny heartache of a novel about overcoming the past, confronting the future, and defying all expectations.

Everyone is talking about Jennie Sue Baker and the mess she made of her life in New York. The former high school queen bee—and wealthy darling of Bloom, Texas—has returned home after all these years, riding on a common bus and bearing two bounced alimony checks. In a town that thrives on gossip, Jennie’s fall from grace has shamed her mother, set the town buzzing, and caused old, jealous enemies to whisper in delight. They say she’s taken a job as a housekeeper, gotten a garage apartment, and might be crushing on Rick Lawson, a simple farmer with modest dreams.

As romance starts to bud, Jennie relishes what it means to follow her heart, find real new friends, and finally be herself—regardless of all the lying town chatter. But fate has another twist in store. Rumor has it that Jennie now stands to lose what matters most… unless she can convince Rick of one true thing—and that’s love.

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
I enjoyed this book, but I have to admit that the small town clichés got to be a bit much for me. Growing up and living in a small town, I know how rumors fly, how juicy the fruit on the grapevine can be, but this book put it over the top. Don't get me wrong, a lot of what is written is truth, but I think the rumor mill was overused.

Jennie Sue's relationship with her parents is also something the town likes to gossip about. Her mother, Charlotte, is focused more on what people think of her and the family than the needs of her child. Jennie Sue has a better mother-daughter relationship with Mabel, the housekeeper, than she does with her own mother. Her relationship with her father isn't much better, but at least he appears to accept Jennie Sue for who she is and acknowledges her quest for independence.

Rick Lawson returned home after being injured in an IED explosion two years ago. Rather than coming home as a hero, he limped – literally – into town and back to the farm where he grew up. His sister, Cricket, has a serious hate on for Jennie Sue and all others she perceives to be better than her.

The book explores Jennie Sue's transformation from society wife to a local in a way that everyone can relate to. Her relationship with Rick starts off as friendship and it slowly builds to a romance that everyone can believe in.

I do recommend this book for an easy afternoon read.

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist who has sold more than 3 million books. She presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title, and contemporary series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. For a complete listing of her books (series in order) check out her website.

Connect with Carolyn

Facebook  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown to read and review.