You Belong with Me

A good Christian read. Imperfect people, small town, you’ll fall in love with Luke & Hannah’s story.

The town of Heritage is not going to fall apart with Hannah Thronton around. She is determined to make sure that the historic buildings remain intact and the town’s deteriorating locations are restored. This quest does not always work well with her job as a realtor since she often stops clients from selling to others who may not have the same vision.
All Luke wants is to feel a part of the town. Ever since he grew up in the foster care system, he has been fighting to find his place. He knows he belongs near Hannah, his best friend for forever. But what happens if their dreams seem to have points of conflict?
This is a book about family as well as learning to hold on and learning to let go. While the romance matters, so does the friendship. I am going to avoid spoilers, but I will say that I loved all of the directions that this book went.
I loved returning to the quirky town of Heritage. The supporting cast of characters are so fun. And how can you not enjoy looking out for Otis’ next location?
I did listen to this book. I think next time I would read it. Whichever way you choose to enjoy the book, I do recommend it!

Really enjoyed the comfy romance set in Michigan. I loved the authors way of writing – reminscent of Rachel Hauck, Melissa Tagg and Becky Wade. Glad to be hooked on another author who can write a Christian romance with honesty, humor and a message that isn’t too preachy but gets the point across. Can’t wait to read more of Tari Faris!

“When you’ve got nothing left, that’s when you see how real your faith is. Faith with everything you want is easy. But faith when everything goes wrong? That’s when God alone has to be enough.”

Childhood sweethearts (for just one kiss) Luke Johnson and Hannah Thornton have managed to bury their baggage and zone in on friendship, that is until Hannah’s plans for restoring Heritage’s idyllic down town go up in smoke, setting the stage for some rather dramatic relational fireworks . . .since Hannah is a fixer, and Luke doesn’t want to be fixed.

Meanwhile Hannah’s brother Thomas has entangled himself in a relational conundrum of his own making; a hasty engagement to one woman has a way of dampening his reunion with another; when Thomas’ “first love” returns home from a French culinary school she finds her dreams for the future broken into a gazillion pieces. Never mind that Thomas and Janie are hired to work together in the same restaurant, leaving plenty of room for sparks to fly behind the grill.

When life “zigs” rather than “zags”, can these four lift their eyes to the One who graciously offers them “grace points”; over and over again?

Lovely inspirational truth invades nearly every page of this endearing story; while the story flow and conversational technique are indicative of a budding author. Yet, there is so much potential, and readers will have no trouble assuming that the best is yet to come.

In anticipation of receiving the second book in this series – “Until I Met You” (UIMY), and since I am currently on the launch team, I decided to order this novel to get familiar with this series.

The series covers are the same design – a sweet, loving couple on the cover; so it draws you in. The titles are very interesting and will likely play into the theme of the novel. This one “You Belong With Me” (YBWM) is explained near the end of the book with regards to Hannah and Luke’s relationship, and his “place” in Heritage.

This is the first of the series, so it is a standalone read, obviously. However, I am sure the novels would be best read together when they’re all done.

Right off I LOVED and adored Luke, he was my hero! I really liked Hannah. And, I understood the Thomas/Janie disconnect. Interesting note – I actually knew a married couple by the name of Janie and Tom. And, does it go without saying how much I despised Madison? I hope she doesn’t return in the second book …

Derek, from the description on page 53, reminded me of a particular character on a TV show that ran from 2003-2010, especially with the “harem” comment. What’s sad? I could ONLY envision Derek like that character. I found that funny since I am re-watching the show again. No spoilers or hints.

Moving on …

The writing style was near perfection and I got drawn in by chapter one; it was hard to put down, but also a bit intimidating as I didn’t know where this novel was going. The plot was absolutely darling – saving a small town and the two-for-one romances.

I had mixed feelings on the Janie/Thomas deal – I thought it was cute, praying for them; but at the same time thought it was being forced and unnatural. I am a sucker for happy endings though. His reasoning was explained in chapter six (6) which was heart-breaking for me.

There are so many “sweet” moments in this book …

* Hannah trying to save Heritage from Kensington

* Her off/on/off romance with Luke

* Luke trying to find a sense of belonging

* Hannah trying to win the grant to save town and her mom being a criminal

* Hannah always trying to fix things

* Taking a long, hard look at life

There was LOADS of good advice here – no good could be found digging in the past, sometimes stuff is just stuff – things like that. It was like a walk through the garden on a light, breezy, misty day.

In chapter three, not only do we learn that the woman watching Luke threw away his adoption papers, we learn more about who he is and why his and Hannah’s relationship is complicated.

Hannah and Luke start to reconnect again, even making up for a lost prom. His issue is one that is complicated. It is rooted in miscommunication and assumption. Where someone sees they’re doing a good deed, someone else might feel inferior or less than as a result of the deed. Faris definitely had a great idea with the multiple viewpoint on that matter.

Where this has a happy ending, it takes its time getting there with a few scandals, mysteries, and even Luke finding his family.

As this is distributed by Revell which is a Christian/Faith themed publisher, there are strong themes of faith, trust, and hope in God, but they are not central to the story until chapter 15. So this definitely fits its genre without bearing overwhelming or overbearing.

Told in third person from Luke and Hannah’s POV, they weren’t often front and center – Tom and Janie were featured as well, if not equally.

One plot hole, or rather something where I wished the author would’ve expanded – Kensington’s motives for the town. I also wanted to know what Derek’s position was in this. I’m also wondering if they’re going to be back in UIMY.

I definitely recommend this debut author for those who enjoy clean romance reads with Christian/Faith themes; which is the audience this book is written for. Especially, if the reader loves small town romances; “restoration” and hopeful types of reads.

For a debut author, Tari Faris knows how to tug at the heart-strings and tells a beautiful story of loss, gains, faith in God when we have nothing, that we’re building beauty from ashes, and how we are perceived when we try to fix things in others’ lives.

I’ve got another book I’m reading and then? “Until I Met You” is up next.

Having grown up in the area where this book was set, I was immediately interested in whether or not this book would accurately describe the area. It wasn’t too far off as far as the setting. It was a bit predictable and stereotypical though.

Having grown up in a small town (and having lived in small towns my whole life) I’m a tough critic. It seems like every small-town book I read has that rich/privileged guy who hasn’t changed since high school. There’s also always some flirty bimbo who also hasn’t changed since high school. Both of those characters make an appearance, and they behave exactly how you’d expect them to. There was one nice twist in the book, but overall everyone sort of acted like you’d expect and the story played out how I thought it would.

I generally prefer stories with a little more conflict and more dynamic characters; however, I realize there’s a place for easy reads that provide a happy ending without too many hiccups along the way. If that’s what you’re looking for, this might be the book for you!

Whenever you pick up a book by a new author, it can be a little nerve wracking. Thoughts such as: will the book be worth my time? will it take too much effort to get into? will I hate it? raise debate in my mind. But in this case, let’s just say that after a few chapters I was searching Google to see what else author Tari Faris had written.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. I loved plot that moved swiftly and kept my turning page after page. I loved the characters and how they played off each other. I loved the message of new beginnings, forgiveness, and identity. My only regret was that the book ended way too soon, and I am itching for a sequel.

I encourage you to give this book a chance. Settle in for a read that touches your heart.

I received this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I normally enjoy stories like this, but I was stressed out reading this one. I think the situations the four main characters were in seemed hopeless and they were unhappy, full of angst, and didn’t have a sense of humor. Hannah and Luke’s stalled romance was blamed on each other, and I was confused for much of the book why their dynamic was the way it was. Thomas and Janie were the same way- there is tons of past history alluded to but the reader is kept in the dark for much of it and I was just frustrated with them all. I wanted to sit them all down and tell them to just open their eyes and communicate. Although, that wouldn’t make for much of a story then. I just think they were all wound too tightly for me to truly enjoy. A good dose of humor would have gone a long way for me in balancing the vibe of the book.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn’t one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map–and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah’s mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts–not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah’s restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is–and who he was.

Hannah is trying everything she can to make up to the town for what her mother did. In the process she is fighting a battle to save the historical district of the town from demolition in the name of progress. Luke has never felt like he has belonged anywhere. He grew up as a foster child. His foster mother wasn’t mean, she just wasn’t very motherly. His best friend was Hannah and they had each others back. This book is Luke and Hannah’s journey to finding out that God cares for them for who they are and not that Hannah’s mother was an embezzler or that Luke was a foster child.

I recommend this book.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.