Format Read: e-ARC submitted by author for review
Length: 224 Pages
Series: Home to Harbor Town Book #1
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon Canada, Book Depository, Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Powell’s, IndieBound, Chapters, Kindle, Nook
Book Blurb:
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN!
At eighteen, Marianna Itani thought she’d found the man of her dreams in Marc Kavanaugh, the quintessential boy-next-door. That perfect romance flew to pieces when an unspeakable tragedy tore them apart. Yet when Marc appeared in her life fifteen years later, the sparks that flew were as explosive as the day they first met.
Now their reignited passion was changing their lives in more ways than one: Mari was pregnant! She was set on putting the pain of the past behind her—not reopening scars that had never truly healed. And their baby might bring these star-crossed lovers back together—forever!
Excerpt
My Thoughts
Beth Kery has the
Prologue from
The Hometown Hero Returns posted on her website and when reading the opening paragraphs she had me hooked. This is an intense, emotional, compelling and sensual story of reacquainted lovers who were separated as teenagers by a horrific tragedy that affected not just one but three families.
Through stellar characterization Ms. Kery brings to life Marianna “Mari” Itani and Marc Kavanaugh, who as the Prologue indicates meet after a 15 year separation and share a single night of passion in a Chicago hotel room. Mari has no intention of seeing Marc again but weeks later, she returns to Harbor Town to pack up her family’s summer home and make it ready for sale. It is here that she and Marc are reunited again.
The depth of desire and longing Mari and Marc feel for each other is literally palpable. However, due to what happened to their families so long ago, Mari feels there is too much grief and anger for them to be together. Mari is a delicate, beautiful, woman who I felt shouldered incredible sadness for what she had lost so long ago. And, she also feels guilt because she wants Marc Kavanaugh.
Once Marc sees Mari again in Harbor Town, he makes it his mission to win her back. He is a man with incredible strength of character who does his utmost to convince her they should be together. However, this couple does face significant obstacles including the disapproval of Marc’s embittered mother Bridget, and Mari’s angry brother Ryan.
The Hometown Hero Returns is also about lost friendships, heartbreak and lives that were forever changed because of an accident which caused these families untold grief. However, as mentioned in the book synopsis, Mari discovers she is pregnant and she must decide if she can move forward with Marc and leave the past behind.
Ms. Kery has also crafted a strong cast of secondary characters who each play pivotal roles in the storyline including Liam and Colleen, Marc’s brother and sister, and Eric Reyes, a well respected physician in Harbor Town.
I was moved to tears on more then one occasion while reading The Home Town Hero Returns. It’s one of my favorite reads this year, a definite keeper.
Ms. Kery will be here at Book Lovers Inc. on Monday, she will be talking about The Home Town Hero Returns, and there will be a Giveaway.
I give The Hometown Hero Returns 5/5 bookies.
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
About Lea
Lea is an animal loving, tree hugging vegetarian who lives in Toronto, Canada with her family, which includes three dogs. She is a prolific reader and has been blogging and reviewing since 2008. Lea is a contributor at the USA Today HEA Blog and an active member at Goodreads.
Blog RSS Feed
Follow Me on Twitter
My Facebook
Not the sort of cover I'm used to seeing on a Beth Kery book! 😉
You know what, I've never read this 'kind' of Harlequin. Mostly because I never know which one is good and I should try.
I really like your review, now I'm interested in the book. Sounds good to me =)
ps: Also I'm in a phase where I want pregnant heroines. And let me tell you…it's not as easy as it sounds to find one lol
Hey Chris!
Yes, I know, very different from Beth's erotic romances.. But you know for a Harlequin I like it. I've been scouting the Harlequin rack here in Toronto and this is actually a really nice one IMHO. 😉
*Waving At Chris, May & Chaos*
Hey Patte:
Thank you!
You know, I've been a huge fan of Beth's erotic romances and when she asked me to read her new Harlequin, I thought "yikes", a Harlequin?? Boy was I wrong, IMHO this is an excellent story & yes the pregnancy adds conflict and even more depth to the story.
The other book you should consider is "Turn It Up" by Vivian Arend. I reviewed it here a couple of weeks ago I think? Great story with a pregnancy.. 😉
Thanks Again Patte.. 😉
Sounds so very cute 🙂
@Lea Ohhh I will check out your review of Turn It UP!!
=) thanks for the rec!
Wow, this book sounds amazing!
Pattepoilue,
Hi! I think a lot of people don't know what to make of Harlequin categories. They have a legion of loyal followers, but category remains a dark hole to a large segment of the romance reading population. I researched the 'lines' at Harlequin before I submitted, and found Special Edition to have some truly talented authors telling emotionally gripping stories. The covers/blurbs are often styled for the 'line' appeal, but there are some good stories between the pages. Hopefully you'll give it a try!
Thanks very much, Chelsea!
Lea,
Thank you so much for trying something new, reading Hometown Hero, and reviewing it. Sounds like we both were in new territory on this one. 🙂
Hi Beth:
Thanks for stopping by! And, yes reading a Harlequin Special Edition was a new experience for me. But, it was a very positive one. 😉
Thank you for sharing with me..
Best
L