In this shocking O’Connell family novel, a brother’s secret is exposed, opening up old wounds and creating a scandal that could rock the community.
Big brother Owen O’Connell was only sixteen when his father mysteriously disappeared, forcing him to become a father figure to his five younger siblings. If you were to ask them, they’d say Owen is the perfect older brother with the perfect life: … with the perfect life: He’s single, a plumber, working his own hours in a close-knit community. Owen, though, knows that appearances are often deceiving.
When he is called to a plumbing emergency at the local high school after a grad prank goes wrong, he finds his old rival Tessa Brooks, now a teacher, holding a broken pipe in the middle of the flood, thinking she can fix the problem. However, the two soon make a horrifying discovery: the body of a student tucked away in a closet.
The event brings authorities flocking in, and in the ensuing chaos, Owen realizes that someone knows too much about his family. Having carefully held the family together since his father disappeared, he is determined to keep their secrets right where they are, dead and buried. But sometimes, secrets get revealed in the most scandalous of ways.
more
Great series and great author couldn’t put it down
Really enjoyed the book.
It had an interest family story as well as a warm love story. Not to mention the intriguing murder mystery.
As usual with Ms Eckhart’s books, this story draws you in and holds you glued to the story as it unfolds.
I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Owen is the big brother of the O’Connell family and keeps an eye on all of his family. When he gets called to the local high school because of a plumbing leak, there is Tessa, a woman that he had a huge crush on in high school. But his best friend at the time told him what Tessa had said about him and they separated. What they find in the janitor’s closet has them stunned. Great story once again in the world of the Friessens.
‘Hometown Hero’ is actually the seventh book in ‘The O’Connell Series’ and is Owen’s story. When Owen was sixteen, his mother asked him to help hide a secret in order to protect his family. Owen is the oldest of his siblings and he has stepped into the role of family father figure as well as protector. He has kept his family secret for many years until he is threatened with it. In this book, while the murder of a high school student is being investigated, we learn more about the night Owen’s father disappeared and what part his mother played in the mystery. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this story as the investigation was solved and past mysteries unfolded and more truths were uncovered. I can’t wait to read ‘The Family Secret’ to get the whole story. Even though I enjoyed a!I the intrigue in this book, I would have liked getting more insight into the relationship between Owen and Tessa. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We are back with the O’Connells. A close knit family whose life was turned upside down when their father disappeared 18 years ago.
Owen, the oldest, and the main character in this story, was only the sixteen when the father of six left and Owen took it upon himself to take care of his family.
A plumbing emergency at the high school has him coming face to face with the girl he crushed on in HS. But before he can get his head around that fact, a body is found in a closet. How did it get there? What happened? Add to that the fact that a secret he’s kept for 18 years is about to be divulged, and you know you are in for a roller coaster ride.
This was another engaging story in the series, with a whodunit, secrets, a possible romance and questions left unanswered.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Another exciting chapter in the O’Connell’s lives. This one centers around Owen and his role in the family as surrogate father/protector. It’s also his story with Tessa, a girl he had a huge crush on in high school. A high school student is found dead in the janitor’s closet and Owen & Tessa were there when he was found. They lean on each other after the shock. Owen’s past is called into question from someone involved in the student’s death and he has to deal with it. He also has to deal with his present and his quickly developing relationship with Tessa. Good romance and mystery. Little by little, we continue to learn more about this very loving but complex family.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Since his father’s disappearance, Owen’s always felt responsible for his younger siblings, and he’s also carried a heavy secret to protect his family, which has made him reticent with those who are not close family. When there’s trouble at the high school, it seems Owen’s ghosts may come back to haunt him and his family. In the midst of the drama, he gets a 2nd chance with his HS crush, Tessa, but will he be able to overcome his reticence and be more open with her or will the troubles mean an end to their chance before it really begins?
This O’Connell tale is certainly filled with a lot of drama with some secrets revealed but still questions unresolved. There’s plenty to hold your attention, including a glimpse at the opioid problem among our most vulnerable population. Owen’s always been the stalwart one putting his family’s needs above his own, but finally he may just get his chance to shed some of the mantle of responsibility he’s worn as the eldest O’Connell and start a future with someone I believe is his perfect match, Tessa. It’s an intriguing and captivating story that you will find hard to put down, and just when it seems things may be settling down for the O’Connells and their partners, there’s a hint their story is not over yet. Hmmm…I wonder what’s coming next? Can’t wait!!!
This story is full of secrets, lies mystery, Something that happened a long time ago.
An ongoing investigation at the high school, has the sheriff going in all directions to find the answers.
Owen and Tessa has a second chance of love. The twists in this story had me guessing until the end.
John Mo narration was very good. I enjoyed listening to this story
audiobookObsession
THE HOMETOWN HERO … My introduction to this family was interesting. I was sort of thrown in and wanting to know so much more. I felt as if I was missing something with this first of the series that I began with. There were six other books in the series before this that may or maynot hold answer to questions that I am looking for. Owen was the big brother of a family that lost so much. Then on top of all that this family had been through there was a secret Owen was guarding.
This was not a long listen but it was a key portion of the mystery behind the disappearance of a key figure in Owen’s life. Then he has a rival come back into his life and noses going in places they should not. Mystery surrounds this family and someone knows a bit too much.
Thank you to John Mo. My introduction to your narration style was enjoyable.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Lorhainne Eckhart. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
While investigating a plumbing leak in the local high school, Owen O’Connell stumbles upon the body of a student stuffed into the janitors’ closet.
This story is full of mystery and long hidden secrets and also offers up a little bit of romance that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
A good one.
Never having read any books by this author, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But The Hometown Hero by Lorhainne Eckhart is a solid family drama. Twists and turns to the plot, strong relatable characters, and a reawakened romance all blended well together to keep my interest. Even though part of a series, there is enough background information relayed that I didn’t feel lost, wondering what had gone on before in the lives of the O’Connell family. Although, I do think I should go back and catch up on their story. Secrets abound and the author reveals them layer by layer, and yet, there still remains the question of what happened to the O’Connells’ father. Perhaps that has been left for another book. I look forward to reading more of Eckhart’s works. I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and I was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own. John Mo did a great job narrating Owen’s story, which made for an enjoyable listening experience.
Another short but exciting entry into the O’Connell family, there is always something happening that draws the reader (or in my case, the listener) in. I have only listened to 1 other O’Connell book- #2, so while this is standalone, I do feel like I’m missing something about the progression of the story, especially given the couple of book 2 does make an appearance. However, the arc of the story is standalone.
Owen has a major secret and it is in danger of being revealed, which would have negative implications on his family, who he is really protective of. I really love these characters because they are strong and protective and very family oriented. Tessa was a prior love and she’s caught in a murder investigation. Even though this story is pretty short, it is well written with lots of details and interesting events that keep the reader enthralled.
The audiobook was narrated by John Mo who is new to me. He was really good! I really loved the duet style of book 2 so I have to admit to being a little disappointed but I think he did a great job playing the multiple characters.
AudiobookObsessionReviewer, AudiobookObsession, TheFlock
The Hometown Hero
The O’Connells, Book 7
By: Lorhainne Eckhart
Narrated by: John Mo
Writing the best of both worlds, Lorhainne Eckhart takes us in the world of Owen O’Connell. Called into to fix a plumbing problem at the local high school turns into murder investigation of a student death. Finding his old high school infatuation at the school is just icing on the cake. Tessa is a teacher, and she too is in the thick of things. Small town, lots of gossip and a secret that haunts Owen may all come to surface, putting his family in the middle of it all. Will he be able to keep his family safe? Where will things go with Tessa? And who is out to get him? This is my first of the O’Connell’s that I have had the pleasure to listen to and it just proves to me how much I love small town stories. I love the feeling of community, everyone is in your business and think they all know what is going on. The O’Connells prove how strong a family they are, pulling together in their time of need and the results of the investigation into the school death all too familiar. I now need to go back and hear about the rest of the family!
John Mo is a new narrator to me, and I enjoyed his performance. A great pace and his voice is warm. He easily switches from male to female and adds just enough to create the emotional drama and suspense to keep the story moving. I will definitely be watching for more by him.
https://adbl.co/3rAycD6
Poor writing, unbelievable characters, and it was just boring.
It’s pretty good. I did like Owen and Tessa
It’s a book by itself but you have to read others to get plot finished.
Owen has a lot on his plate. He is a caregiver to his younger siblings including being surrogate father. He is a plumber and that job takes him to the high school where he comes across his high school crush Tessa who is a teacher there. Together they make a gruesome discovery that will bring light back on to Owen’s family. There are secrets he wants to remain covered but with all the drama and chaos going on over the discovered body will he be able to keep them covered and will they keep him and Tessa apart? This story draws you in and holds you glued to the story as it unfolds. I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.