Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

My Review of “Hometown Girl” by Michele Ashman Bell


“Hometown Girl” is the second book in the Butterfly Box Series. In the first book we were introduced to the Butterfly Girls; a group of friends from high school. Every year they get together for a reunion to catch up on each other’s lives. They also remember their friend Ava that was killed in a car accident the night that they graduated from high school. They gather together every year on the anniversary of Ava’s death. They also bring out the Butterfly Box that holds objects that represent each girl personally, then an object that represents the group as a whole. The box would then be passed to one of them to guard and protect. The contents of the box would bring its bearer good luck and keep her safe until the next Butterfly Girls ceremony in exactly one year.

The first book, “A Modest Proposal”, covered the life of Lauryn, a clothes designer that lives in New York City. In “Hometown Girl” we follow the life of Jocelyn Rogers as she sets out with a leap of faith and moves to a new town. Jocelyn is hiding a secret from her friends; something that happened her junior year in high school.

Michele knows how to write a romantic story that fulfills. There is always the right amount of romantic tension to make it realistic. I really like the main character, Jocelyn, not only because she is a teacher, but because she has a dream and sets out to fulfill it. Jocelyn also is very humble and not always sure of herself. She has many of the same concerns that all women have at one time: Am I pretty? Will people like me? Can I really succeed at a new job? I know that readers will like Jocelyn because she is believable. She really is a “Hometown Girl” or “The Girl Next Door”.

I have one suggestion for readers to truly enjoy this book. I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, “A Modest Proposal”. The second book could be a stand- alone book, but there are many places you would be wondering what they were talking about.

The man in this romance is also very likable. Jack is not perfect, but has so many good qualities. Jocelyn and Jack take awhile to get together, but they suit each other very well. I like that they don’t fall for each other in a few days. This also makes the romance seem more genuine. They also have such fun as good friends do.

If you are looking for a good romance, where you can cheer for the underdog, you will enjoy “Hometown Girl”. If you like a story that takes place in a small town, this will appeal to you. Fans of this series are also left with many questions that still need to be answered. We are left wondering about things happening in the other Butterfly Girl's lives. We also are thrown a curve ball, as far as questions about Ava's death many years ago. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.





Michele Ashman Bell




Michele Ashman Bell grew up in St. George, Utah, where she met her husband, Gary, at Dixie College. They are the proud parents of four children: Weston, Kendyl, Andrea, and Rachel.

A favorite pastime of Michele’s is supporting her children in all of their activities, traveling both in and outside the United States with her husband and family, and doing research for her books. She also scuba dives. Aside from being a busy wife and mother, Michele is an aerobics instructor at the Life Centre Athletic Club near her home.
Michele is the best-selling author of several books and a Christmas booklet and has also written children’s stories for the Friend magazine.


You need to go visit Michele at her blog here. She has a wonderful blog with many great interviews with authors.



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