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lauriereadsrom1's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Otto Thayer had a crush on Fallon Jones throughout high school, so when they finally hooked up during his freshman year of college, he thought all his dreams were coming true. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be; she broke his heart when she ghosted him afterwards, and he's been a player ever since - or at least pretending to be. Years later, a recently divorced Fallon has decided to move back to their hometown of Clementine Creek with her 5-year-old son, Briggs. It doesn't take long for her to reconnect with her old friends Marlee and Cheyenne, who convince her to go out with them one night. She runs into Otto and impulsively invites him to spend the night together; against his better judgment, he agrees. Even though he swears it will only happen one time, it quickly turns into a not-quite-friends with benefits arrangement. The problem is that Otto has never really gotten over Fallon, and he fears that he's destined to get hurt - especially after he meets her adorable son. With everything that's already on her plate, Fallon is sure that she can't handle a serious relationship, but maybe there's a way for Otto to show her that he can help carry her burdens, not add to them.
I'm not sure I have the words to express how happy this story made me. Otto is one of the best book boyfriends I've come across in quite some time, and the way he cared for Fallon and Briggs made me melt over and over again. I loved that he was so good at anticipating Fallon's needs and was ready when she finally admitted that she was overwhelmed. He was so sweet and thoughtful, and I appreciated that he wasn't shy about telling her what he wanted from the relationship. It would have been easy for him to just jump back into bed with her, but instead he asked for what he wanted and waited until she was ready.
Otto's relationship with Fallon's son Briggs was also super cute. I especially appreciated Otto's efforts to be a part of Briggs's life without overstepping or trying to replace his father, Tanner, who was actually a great guy. The bromance that developed between Otto and Tanner was fantastic for many reasons, not least of which was that it seemed like Tanner really needed a friend. I'd love for him to get a story of his own in the future (and not just because I want more of Tanner and Otto's hilarious antics).
I highly recommend "Home in the Country" for all contemporary romance fans and can't wait for the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
I'm not sure I have the words to express how happy this story made me. Otto is one of the best book boyfriends I've come across in quite some time, and the way he cared for Fallon and Briggs made me melt over and over again. I loved that he was so good at anticipating Fallon's needs and was ready when she finally admitted that she was overwhelmed. He was so sweet and thoughtful, and I appreciated that he wasn't shy about telling her what he wanted from the relationship. It would have been easy for him to just jump back into bed with her, but instead he asked for what he wanted and waited until she was ready.
Otto's relationship with Fallon's son Briggs was also super cute. I especially appreciated Otto's efforts to be a part of Briggs's life without overstepping or trying to replace his father, Tanner, who was actually a great guy. The bromance that developed between Otto and Tanner was fantastic for many reasons, not least of which was that it seemed like Tanner really needed a friend. I'd love for him to get a story of his own in the future (and not just because I want more of Tanner and Otto's hilarious antics).
I highly recommend "Home in the Country" for all contemporary romance fans and can't wait for the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
itsabbynormal's review
4.5
Home in the Country by Alexandra Hale
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Release date: Out now!
I admire Alexandra so much. She’s one of the kindest and most generous indie authors on Instagram. So when she picked me for her ARC team for this book, I was so excited!
Home in the Country is the third book in the Clementine Creek series. They’re based in a tiny town in Tennessee and are full of heart and family.
I did not get a chance to read the first two in the series before jumping into this one — and that’s totally on me, because they’ve been on my TBR for literally forever — so although they’re interconnected standalones, I think reading the first two would have been really helpful. There are a lot of characters and they’re all connected in multiple ways, so it was a little confusing for me at times. However, I didn’t deduct from my rating for that because, again, that’s on me lol.
Otto and Fallon are perfect for you if you like:
• Small town
• Second chance
• He falls first
• Single mom
• Found family
Thank you Alexandra for the chance to read and review your book, and congratulations on publishing Home in the Country!! Love you, my friend! ❤️
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Release date: Out now!
I admire Alexandra so much. She’s one of the kindest and most generous indie authors on Instagram. So when she picked me for her ARC team for this book, I was so excited!
Home in the Country is the third book in the Clementine Creek series. They’re based in a tiny town in Tennessee and are full of heart and family.
I did not get a chance to read the first two in the series before jumping into this one — and that’s totally on me, because they’ve been on my TBR for literally forever — so although they’re interconnected standalones, I think reading the first two would have been really helpful. There are a lot of characters and they’re all connected in multiple ways, so it was a little confusing for me at times. However, I didn’t deduct from my rating for that because, again, that’s on me lol.
Otto and Fallon are perfect for you if you like:
• Small town
• Second chance
• He falls first
• Single mom
• Found family
Thank you Alexandra for the chance to read and review your book, and congratulations on publishing Home in the Country!! Love you, my friend! ❤️
rosmelie's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What happens when old flames reignite? A LOT. Fallon and Otto were once head over heels in love, but Fallon moved away quickly leaving Otto behind. He never thought he’d see her again. When circumstances change that bring Fallon back to town, with a son, how will Otto possibly feel? This was a slow-burn second chance romance. I enjoyed how patient Otto was, and how self-aware Fallon became over the course of the book. Truly a wonderful read.
bookedwithmel's review
5.0
Otto!!!!! What can I say about Otto?! The perfect, lovable, golden retriever MMC. He’s desperate for a second chance with Fallon, the woman he’s loved his whole life, even though she left him in college and never contacted him after that.
Fallon returns home to Clementine Creek with her young son in tow, looking to restart her life. Otto can’t stay away from her, even though he’s hurt and probably should. He’s determined to win her heart, and the heart of her son. His family’s support and their love for him and Fallon, help him work on convincing her that they are meant to be together.
I love the Thayer family. They’re a big, kind of crazy family, a mix of blood and not, but that doesn’t matter. They love each other no matter how they became connected to each other. I can’t get enough of their stories and I’m already impatiently waiting for the next book. Thank you so much Alexandra and Wordsmith Publicity for my ARC of this book.
readwithgigi's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wordstowhitness's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Welcome back to the small town with quite possibly the best family around; Clementine Creek.
Book three in the Clementine Creek series packs some heat y’all.
I knew I was going to love it from the first page, where Otto and Fallon begin their journey as just a couple of young kids in a field.
When Fallon returns home as a single, divorced woman, Otto does everything he can to not fall back into the charms of the one that got away.
Obviously it doesn’t work, and hot damn there’s some MAJOR spice in this one. Spice that even I wasn’t expecting but had me begging for more. Totally binged this one!
Welcome back, and enjoy the ride.
Book three in the Clementine Creek series packs some heat y’all.
I knew I was going to love it from the first page, where Otto and Fallon begin their journey as just a couple of young kids in a field.
When Fallon returns home as a single, divorced woman, Otto does everything he can to not fall back into the charms of the one that got away.
Obviously it doesn’t work, and hot damn there’s some MAJOR spice in this one. Spice that even I wasn’t expecting but had me begging for more. Totally binged this one!
Welcome back, and enjoy the ride.
jennyreads_2022's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was my favorite book of this series so far. I could not put it down. Otto was the perfect dirty talking golden retriever. And Fallon was the one that got away. But I think it was Otto’s instant acceptance and love for Briggs that really sold me on this story. He was willing to give up the love of his life for a chance to continue his relationship with her son.
There wasn’t a whole lot of angst in this story because Otto knew how to communicate. He was brutally honest when Fallon came back to town and he never stopped telling her how things made him feel. The thing I thought would turn into a huge deal, turned into a lesson for Fallon to have a little more faith in Otto.
There was a little mystery surrounding Fallon, first with the reasons for her disappearing act, and then with the reasons for her divorce. I loved how each revelation made me love Fallon a little more. She was such a strong woman who was learning how to ask for help and not feel guilty about it.
There was nothing I didn’t love about this story. Except maybe that I never wanted it to end. There was so much love and Otto was at the center of it all. He had amazing relationships with his family and I loved the deep conversations he had with each of them. The end was perfect and I thought it really showed the significance of the start of the new chapter for Fallon and Otto and their family.
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