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 … 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.
more
What do you get when you have a small town full of busybodies? Rumors and gossip that spread like lightening. And in small-town Bloom, TX, the folks thrive on them. So when Jennie Sue Baker, daughter of wealthy businessman Dill Baker and snooty southern belle Charlotte Baker, is seen getting off of a Greyhound bus looking ratty and carrying a single suitcase, rumors start flying. What happened to her charmed life in NY, and why is she back in Bloom? Opinions vary about Jennie Sue. Some think she’s a spoiled brat who deserves to know what it feels like to suffer adversity. Others see her as a loving, caring individual who’s nothing like her stuck-up, snobbish mother who’s more interested in keeping up appearances than she is of people. Who’s right?
Cricket Lawson, a farmer’s daughter who grew up alongside Jennie Sue, chooses to despise her and doesn’t mind letting her know.
Cricket’s brother, Rick, disagrees with his sister’s assessment of Jennie Sue. In fact, Rick has always had a bit of a crush on her.
There’s one thing that everyone living has in common whether they’re good, bad, rich or poor—unforeseen occurrences that can change our circumstances in an instant. And when that inevitably happens, to Jennie Sue and others, everyone’s true colors come to the fore.
There’s much to love about this book. The small-town setting where everybody knows your name (and situation); the highly developed characters, including my favorites, a pair of feisty, sassy old sisters (octogenarians) who have Jennie Sue’s back; life-altering tragedies and redemption.
I chose this book because of the title, cover and positive reviews. And thanks to Amazon’s offering me a 3-month Kindle Unlimited trial for 0.99¢ a month that I couldn’t pass up, I was able to download both the e-book and audiobook for my reading and listening pleasure. This was a great way for me to discover a new author, Carolyn Brown, and I’m glad I took a chance on her. I see more of her books in my future.
Until just recently I had only read Ms. Brown’s cowboy romances. I absolutely love them, but boy was I missing out! These other books by her focus more on relationships women have together and how they react to each other. There is also tons of humor. Some think the country type humor is a little over the top, but I loved every line.
Jennie Sue is one of those girls that was at the top of the popularity chart in high school and one of those that was always proper in the way that only southern women with uptight mothers can be. However, all of her feelings have changed after a divorce and the seized by the police of all her belongings. Now she’s making friends with the most unlikely people and doing the most unlikely things.
Rick was never in her league in high school and is kind of ashamed that he still has a crush on Jennie Sue. He’s come back from war a damaged man ashamed of his scars. His friendship with Jenny shows him that the scars may not matter as much as he thought. When they stop worrying about the rumor mill in town, they may both find that the present matters more than the past ever could.
I would love to listen to the audio version of this also, because the books of Ms. Brown that are like this are just a delight to listen to. I love all the accents and the twang.
Small towns you want to leave. When you leave there is no place you’d rather be. Carolyn Brown captures the ups and downs of life in a small town. The rumors keep things interesting. Unless you’re the topic of conversation. Her characters are quirky and true to life. The romance is charming and natural. I loved the story from beginning to the end.
This was a delightful book! I would just chuckle with the rumors that ran rampant in the town of Bloom, Texas. The characters were well developed and the older ladies who take Jennie Sue under their wings were a hoot.
This was a fun book and nice to see a female who stood up for herself and wasn’t absorbed with wealth. Jennie Sue allows you to see life through the eyes of someone who has good values and is making a difference in the lives of the people who live in Bloom. She might even change the opinions of those who made up their minds about Jennie Sue when she was in high school.
This is the second book I’ve read by Carolyn Brown and has encouraged me to read more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I liked the spunk of the protagonist in spite of the hard lessons she had to learn and the deception of both parents. Having grown up in a small town I could totally relate to the gossip that everyone revels in – including the fact that they make up what they don’t know. I thought the girl from the diner and brother of her love interest was unreasonable for way too long but other than that it was an enjoyable read.
Brown brings readers a hilarious small town fiction with a little romance and a lot of rumors. Wonderfully written characters and witty dialogue will leave readers with a smile on their face.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the women’s fiction genre.
Carolyn Brown did it again!! Another beautiful story about a young woman who learns how strong she truly is when faced with adversity. It helps to have good friends and neighbors to lean on. Meeting the man of your dreams never hurts either. A very interesting and engaging story. I listened to the audible book and was very entertained for hours!
This was an amazing book. I had to do it all in two days. I couldnt put it down. The characters were real, like your friends or neighbors. You could relate to these characters and you were pulling for these characters to end up happy and find peace with their choices. I will defintely go back and re-read it again this winter. When i was done i tried starting another book, but the story and images of this book lingered and i couldnt get into another book right away. I would recommend this book.
SMALL TOWN RUMORS by Carolyn Brown is a contemporary romance perfect for a summer read in the shade of a big old tree with a glass of lemonade or sweet tea. It is a sweet romance with wonderful characters and a small town setting. This was my first book from this author, but it will definitely not be my last.
Jennie Sue Baker has returned to Bloom, Texas. The minute she steps off the bus, the local café is buzzing with rumors about her return. Jennie Sue was raised to be a society belle and trophy wife, like her mother, but her marriage falls apart. Her mother goes into damage control and wants to get Jennie Sue back on track for another husband, but Jennie Sue has changed and has other plans for her life.
Jennie Sue wants to build her own life with her business degree and never again rely on a man to support her. Her mother does not understand her and her father is not willing to interfere. As Jennie Sue accepts two jobs house cleaning which includes an above garage apartment her mother is scandalized and the rumor mill is working overtime.
Rick Lawson has returned to Bloom after medical discharge from the army. He is working to keep his family’s farm running with the help of his sister, Cricket who waitresses at the local café. Rick does not believe in gossip, but he is interested to learn of Jennie Sue’s return. He sees Jennie Sue for who she is and not her past status, but he also does not believe she could ever be interested in a scarred veteran with simple dreams.
The romance between Jennie Sue and Rick builds slowly throughout the book. Kisses and hand-holding build at a realistic pace to all other eventual sex scenes happening behind closed doors. The elder sisters that help Jennie Sue are very adorable and funny. Cricket is as big a gossip as the old ladies, but is never really malicious. I loved all of the characters in this book and especially Jennie Sue’s spirit and determination. The small town of Bloom is depicted as a typical small town and I hope there are real towns just like it.
A few spoilers so don’t continue if you don’t want to know!! I knew some of them and still read it and loved it!!
Small towns are rife with gossip. It is the oxygen that feeds a fire and rather than put it out the people in this town prefer to fan the flames.
Jenny Sue and Rick are from Bloom, Texas, but from different sides of the track. They are both kind, loving, sweet people who have suffered terribly. Rick is a Veteran who is scarred both physically and emotionally. Jenny Sue grew up with a blue blood cold fish of a mother who never thought her daughter was good enough, pretty enough or smart enough to meet her standards. She even married a man she didn’t truly love because he pleased her cold cold mother. He then left her broke, alone, pregnant feeling lower than anyone ever should.
Jenny returns to Bloom on the bus, to the horror of her mother and finally decides to live the life she wants that does not include being a trophy wife, mean spirited and to forge her own path. Rick is convinced that he isn’t rich enough, good enough, smart enough or deserving enough. The hysterically funny, sweet and very odd towns people help her to find herself and ultimately each other.
I absolutely adored this very sweet book. Order your copy now!
When Jennie Sue Baker stepped off the bus in her hometown of Bloom, Texas, she knew she was getting ready to stir up a hornet’s nest. After her ex-husband, Percy went on the run from the IRS for money laundering, all of Jennie Sue’s assets have been frozen. She is determined to ask her father, Dill, for a job in the family owned oil company, but her mother, Charlotte, refuses to let her entertain the idea of working. Filled with anger and disappointment because her parents won’t see that she wants to find her own way, Jennie moves out and begins working for Lettie and her sister, Nadine, who happoen to be Charlotte Bakers sworn enemies. Jennie soon discovers true happiness working for Lettie and Nadine, running the bookstore for Amos part time and helping Rick work in his farm in the evenings. Will Jennie Sue finally find true happiness or will everything blow up in her face? The true meaning of family is found throughout this wonderful book. A feel good read that will make you feel that anything is possible! Author Carolyn Brown has a magnificent storytelling ability! I look forward to reading all of this beautiful author’s work!
In these times, it is sometimes hard to concentrate or be upbeat. And I am not fond of happily ever after books as some are so sweet and silly. But when I find one with real people with problems dealing with them as best they can, living, laughing and with wit….count me in!
Bloom, Texas is like any small town with the haves and have nots. The rumor mill is in excellent form and more up to date than the local paper. When a woman returns home on a bus, God forbid, with one suitcase, no hubby and looking a bitworn, it’s time for tongues to wag.
Jennie Sue is back to her hometown, divorced, broke and ready to deal with her very rich parents. After all, they pushed her into a bad marriage and she is back but not falling into their lifestyle and demands. It seems Mabel and Frank, the housekeeper and her husband, spent more time raising Jennie Sue than her parents.
She is willing to house clean, pick veggies, help out in a dusty bookstore than bow down to Charlotte and Dill, her parents. She ends up cleaning, living and caring for Lettie and Nadine, two old biddies, sisters, rich but living quietly in their small homes. They have full, large lives in town and people have forgotten their wealth as they shop Wal mart and Elaine’s cafe.
She meets Rick and Cricket, brother and sister. Cricket hates Jennie Sue for her wealth, her parents and what she imagines was a perfect life. Hello, the grass is greener if you had money. Jennie Sue is a realist after a horrible marriage, but she put on her big girl panties and is using humor and patience to move on. She remembers to water her “grass”, takes care of herself, walks away from Charlotte and the verbal abuse.
This town has great characters with Amos and the two sisters, and the Sweetwater Belles are a sight to behold and run from.
Cricket fights against liking Jennie especially when Rick is attracted to her. You get to become part of the town, the good and bad.
Being a friend of Jennie Sue and her gaggle of friends is great with sad moments but also so much laughter and joy. You appreciate the sunsets, hard work and friendship. 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one. It was light and refreshing. Jennie Sue Baker has come home and all she wants is a job and to get on with her life. She has not had it easy and we are taken through her tumultuous life and it was sad but getting the back story shows how much she has to live for. This town though has a way of running with gossip and the stories are told sometimes before they are known. This is a story of redemption and learning to live again. Definitely a great one at this time.
The title Small Town Rumors says it all. You live in a small town, everyone knows your business, and given the dearth of entertainment, gossip is the hottest ticket in town. Whether you’re liked or despised, every step you take becomes the talk of the town.
Jennie Sue Baker, a former debutante from a wealthy family, returns home on a bus instead of her daddy’s private jet. Divorced and penniless, Jennie becomes the talk of the town when she takes a job as a house-cleaner for a pair of elderly sisters. Jennie’s stay in town becomes much more interesting when she is reacquainted with Cricket Lawson–who thinks of Jennie as her arch nemesis–and her older brother, Rick, who has returned from a tour of duty physically wounded and emotionally shattered. All three carry baggage that colors their self-image.
As Jennie muddles through adulating and establishing her independence, she grapples with long-standing family issues and secrets. Meanwhile, her unpresuming, open demeanor, forces Cricket and Rick to see her for who she is rather than accepting Jennie’s rumored reputation. This, in fact, is one of the running theme throughout the book.
I love stories set in small towns, and Carolyn Brown is one of my favorite authors in the Southern, small town romance genre. All the characters are fully developed and very likable; their foibles are mostly silly and forgivable. I enjoyed Jennie’s journey from sad, scandalized divorcee to confident, woman in charge. Likewise, Rick opening up to the idea that someone could love his broken, scarred body was heartwarming. Cricket’s metamorphosis is like enduring high school drama all over again, but in the end, it is apparent that her viscous tongue is all about her feelings of inadequacy. It just took her a long time to emotionally grow-up and lovingly accept herself and her life.
Small Town Rumors is a charming romance that is fantastically narrated by: Brittany Pressley
This book is filled with a variety of “feelings”… funny, sad, happiness, jealousy, friends and family. That being said, I understand why so many of us can’t pass up the purchase of one of this author’s books. Maybe it is loss of parents; perhaps loss of a spouse; could be loss of a special friend; but, if you have had any tragedy in your life (and who hasn’t), you will read this book, get Kleenex, want to finish reading and feel the wonders of life when you reach the end. Jennie Sue had so much loss and unrealized sorrow, I’m amazed she could wake up and move on each day. At some time in all of our lives, we have to take the plunge to stand on our own feet, make decisions and live the challenges that get thrown our way. I loved this story and yes, it resurrected heartbreak, loss and confusion that I’ve suffered. Thanks to Ms. Brown for a wonderful book. It made it’s way to the top of my book pile on my Kindle and I’m smiling.
Carolyn Brown is a gifted writer that can hook a reader and keep them interested throughout a book. She added a few twists in Small Town Rumors to keep you on edge. Rick and Jennie Sue know that the love between them won’t go away but how can they be together when she falls from grace in her rich family? Among Jennie Sue’s dilemmas is how will she support herself and where will she live. Rumor has it she is working for and living in the rival family’s garage. You will enjoy this read if you love rumors and small town romance.
Great read! I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I highly recommend it!
The best part about this book was the humor sprinkled in, the quirky secondary characters, and the story line.
That said, issues with dialogue tags, POV shifts within a scene, and an ending that felt rushed became an issue for me.
Jennie Sue goes back home after her husband left her, and is on the run. She’s not sure how to handle going home, after everything that’s happened. She grew up in a house that things had to be done a certain way. When she’s home she realizes that she cannot live the life her parents want for our. She’s bound and determined to live her life the way she feels,but when you live in a small town you are always going to have rumors floating around.
I loved this story and all the characters Another great book by one of my favorite authors
Rate: 1/2
The word home means something different to everyone. What does the word home mean to you?
This book was a nice change in pace. A good read before I start my 2019 reading challenge. I love that I can switch between audio and my ereader using kindle unlimited.
Once Jennie sue thinks her life can’t get more challenging it does. This book makes you rethink the way you may judge others by their appearance or home life. It gives you a sense of friendship and how everyone grows at their own pace. Happy reading
#dowtimereading #carolynbrown #smalltownrumors #bookinstagram #bookbub #ereader #amazonunlimited #kindlepaperwhite #amazonkindle #read #readingtime #readabook #readinglife #romance #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookish #bookworm #bookaholic #bookobsessed #bookrecommendations #bookreview #booknerd #bookreviewer #booksofinstagram #home #homeiswheretheartis