Hometown Girl Forever (Hometown #3)
Published August 11th 2016 by Augustine Press, Kindle Edition 297 pages
Lizzie gave up her stressful job in Boston to embrace her love of all things country in Smithville PA. Her farm, a new job at the spa, and her pet alpacas are a dream come true, if only her meddling, matchmaking, socialite mother would back off.
Elliot, a successful architect from Washington, DC, designed the new spa, but he certainly hadn't envisioned the exotic bohemian style manager or her intriguing, demanding mother. Small town antics and his interest in Lizzie extend his visit to Smithville, but will the allure of country life draw him in for good?
Once again, Smithville’s folk interfere with plans at every turn, forcing Lizzie and Elliot to face their personal dilemmas and each other, head on.
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
DNF at the start of Chapter 4
I am confused. A B&B that's a spa and also involves a farm with alpacas? Lizzie is running (or does she own the farm) but also helping out at the spa? There are huge numbers of women (only women??) helping out at the spa/B&B/alpaca farm/whatever and I simply couldn't keep things running straight in my mind.
The scene with Tara being nauseous was cut short and let me wondering what the heck was going on. There should have been a follow-on scene to give SOME explanation, not just 'Tara running out' and the next thing is she is merrily discussing curtains with Lizzie.
I liked Elliot though he seemed to have several different personas - the nervous architect ruled by his dad (who he refers to as 'Father' ;) ) the slick businessman wanting to see his latest creation and the rather obnoxious bloke who judges women by what they look like.
When I had to flick back the third time to work out where Lizzie was and who she was talking to, I decided to stop reading.
Not rating.
Rating: really liked it
"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
2.5 stars
A naïve heroine, with a hippie streak, and a conventional hero (an architect) fall for each other against the backdrop of a small town and in the midst of family drama with an overbearing mother.
I thought the romantic relationship developed too quickly and the hero lost his attractive aloofness too soon.
There was a lot going on with the heroine’s family and friends and, in my opinion, Lizzie and her mother’s problematic story was given too much attention.
This story didn’t grab me, but other readers might like it.
I'm grateful to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing a free copy
Rating: really liked it
Reading this book takes me back to those days when there wasn't social media yet, no smartphones to get addicted with, no hours upon hours of eye strain over touch screens and such. Hometown Girl Forever makes me feel younger again, away from the bustle and hustle of the city, and feel at home with nature and experience such tender loving care of country people.
I love how Lizzie decided to leave it all behind her and started something that made her happy, useful, content and fulfilled. I love her eccentricity and affiliation with weird, bizarre things. Having friends like Tara and Julia and the rest of the Spa girls in Smithville was a real treat. But having her intrusive mother around was like a nightmare! I can't believe how much of a meddlesome mother her Mom Beatrice was. I know it's wrong to hate her because I myself am a mom too, always concerned and looking after the well being of my children. But Lizzie's mom, she's a little too much. A little terrible, too much nasty.
Elliot, on the other hand, surprised me with his cool demeanor as time passed by. Sure I was a little taken aback by his aloofness at the beginning, being a city corporate boy as he was. But when he met Lizzie, he yielded and eventually crumbled like a cookie, accepting and enjoying the simple things life had to offer.
This has truly been a fun, fascinating and charming read. Hometown Girl Forever is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone. It was easy to fall in love with all the characters and feel like you'd known them your whole life. From Elliot, to Justine, to Mr. Chatterton and the rambunctious kids on the bus and drama theater group, and yes, even the alpacas had me smiling. Kirsten Fullmer's writing was riveting, she held my interest from beginning to end. This book is definitely something to read and ponder about!
Rating: really liked it
💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/11/2018)! 💝
Blurb:
Lizzie gave up her stressful job in Boston to embrace her love of all things country in Smithville PA. Her farm, a new job at the spa, and her pet alpacas are a dream come true, if only her meddling, matchmaking, socialite mother would back off.
Elliot, a successful architect from Washington, DC, designed the new spa, but he certainly hadn't envisioned the exotic bohemian style manager or her intriguing, demanding mother. Small town antics and his interest in Lizzie extend his visit to Smithville, but will the allure of country life draw him in for good?
Once again, Smithville’s folk interfere with plans at every turn, forcing Lizzie and Elliot to face their personal dilemmas and each other, head on.
Rating: really liked it
So I broke one of my cardinal rules and read this book out of order. It was on my KU, and it sounded cute! It is super cute, and now I want to read the rest of the series! If you love a quirky, small town, this a great book for you!
Rating: really liked it
Hometown Girl Forever ( Hometown Series book 3)This series keeps getting better and better as you go along. I haven't laughed so hard reading a book in a long time. Elliott is so much fun and I can totally related to Lizzie's love of a VW. And the carefree way that she dresses. This is a must read. Enjoy!
Rating: really liked it
On my! Each book just keeps getting better!Loved this book! Elliot was awesome! Loved the alpacas and Lucky too! What a incredibly good storyline with a perfect ending!
Rating: really liked it
ReviewI really like this series. Lizzie left her mother-chosen job, apartment and life in the city and bought a farm. She takes a job as manager at a newly built spa, buys some alpacas and a loom, and embraces her new life. When Elliot, the architect of the spa, comes to town to check out his design, sparks fly. But he's a big-city guy, exactly who her mother would approve of, so Lizzie tries not to fall for him. When her parents show up, there are fireworks, and tears, and confessions. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
Rating: really liked it
Great readLovely story of redemption In a challenging family with a great romance and many funny moments. Read it in one setting.
Rating: really liked it
Is The Country Better?Once again, Ms. Fuller doesn’t fail to write an easy reading book. The cast of characters in Smithville keep growing. Lizzie moved from Boston, away from her helicopter mom’s watchful meddling. She will be working at he Inn’s spa. Elliott designed the spa. He is from Washington D.C. He arrives at the inn just in time to see the finishing touches on the spa & anxiously awaits the grand opening. Can a big city architect get along with Lizzie, who he thinks dresses like a gypsy & lives in a dilapidated farmhouse with her animals? This book is pure pleasure!
Rating: really liked it
Hometown Girl Forever is the third book in the Hometown Girl series, and my favorite so far. I loved Elliot and Lizzy's story. Elliot and Lizzy are attracted to each other right away, and the attraction just kept heating up as the story moved along. But for me, Lizzy's mother and all of the towns people made this book entertaining for me. There are only two more books left in the series, and I'm already hating the series is about to come to an end. So, on to Christmas in Smithville. :-)
Rating: really liked it
DelightfulShe needed to escape from her mother's never-ending interference in her life. High society pleased her mother's snobbish standards but she had Bohemian tastes. Elliot was everything her mother could wish for for her daughter, having come from snobish background himself. He, however, was so impressed with the wayward daughter's individuality. A fun relaxing read.
Rating: really liked it
Love of a MotherThis is a great romance story with all of the joys and sadness of life. The determination of a mother, the strong hand of a father and the desires of adult children trying to find their place in this life. Fascinating characters, great storyline and bits of humor that makes the reader keep turning pages. And still yet there is more to come.
Rating: really liked it
Stay tough,keep following the pathThis story had a few wild turns which all come together with happy results. Most enjoyable read one that had me exploring my life's wild turns. I haven't Bern as lucky as the stars of this story but I guess there is still time to enjoy the fruits of life with perseverance.
Rating: really liked it
I am really enjoying this series. The characters are real and complex. The plot twists and turns as each book - tho fine standalone - weave into the next in the series. I like that it keeps me guessing as to what is going on with the main characters, well into the book.
This is a wonderful series and I highly recommend it.
