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.
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I love reading debut books by an author. It is exciting to see how their writing is and get familiar with their style. In this story we are taken into a small town set in Michigan. The people are friendly and seem to help each other out. Hannah is a nice character that hasn’t had the best life growing up. She has always wanted to belong somewhere and to feel the love of a family.
The author has written a story that is emotional and filled with great characters. We all want to belong somewhere and that is at the heart of this book. Luke is another example of overcoming his upbringing in foster care to a man who desires to have a family. There is some background on each character that is just below the surface which the author explores over the course of the story.
I loved the love triangle and thought it was written with realism. I know who I am rooting for and couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happens. This is the kind of story you can get lost in and forget everything around you. I became invested in the characters and loved how real they seemed. Get ready for a surprise in the story that will make you say, “Oh my”
I am glad that I have a new author to read and look forward to the next book she writes. This book may be her debut but her writing skills far surpass many authors that have been writing for awhile. Get ready for an adventure filled with family, faith and hard decisions.
I received a copy of this book from the Early Reviewers Program from LibraryThing. The review is my own opinion.
Simply amazing. This book has it all—fun characters, a charming town, sizzling (sweet!) romance, and … a brass hippo! What more could you want? Tari created a unique cast of characters that are relatable, loveable, feisty and surprising. An excellent book. I cannot wait to escape back to Heritage. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
A great start to a new series. I was pulled right into the plight of Heritage. I liked Hannah’s determination to save history and her town at the same time. While I disagreed with her methods at times, I could relate to her passion for fixing things. There were a few movie worthy romantic moments between Luke and Hannah. And to see Luke’s unrealized dream come true was the best part of their story. There was a secondary romance for Hannah’s brother that I also found entertaining. I wonder if he and Hannah’s best friend will show up in the next book? Full review is at my website.
I received this book complimentary as a participant in the Revell blog tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
This book should definitely be produced into a motion picture.
The author did justice to the characters.
I love how the different stories tied together. The plot twist were mind-blowing and unexpected. The title of the book was what drew me in and the different narratives of each character did justice to it.
I love reading about Hannah, because she’s like most people if not all, trying to fix things and keep the past from repeating itself. Often forgetting that it’s God’s job to be in control and fix everything not us. I enjoyed reading about how she learnt to let go and let God work out His plans for her. Her love story with Luke was just fantastic. The baggage he came with because of his childhood was very relatable for me. He felt he never belonged anywhere and was an expert at driving people away but from various beautifully written plot twists he learnt he was adopted in the family of God.
Janie, Hannah’s best friend had to learn that God alone was enough. Her’s and Thomas love story was a beautiful mosaic of trust in God, building relationships on truth and on God. I loved how their different challenges brought them closer to God. I loved how in God their identity and worth was realized.
“When we hold the broken pieces of our lives too close, they cut us up inside. Give the pieces to God, see what he can do with them.”
My favorite quote from the book and one of my biggest lessons.
Nothing else touched me like this quote from the book
“All the pieces of life are there, it takes God to arrange them in the right way ”
The title of the book depicts the relationship between the characters, but for me, I belong with Christ no matter what life throws at me. It was meant for evil/pain/hurt/sorrow/tears, but God meant it for good.
I absolutely enjoyed the small town setting of the book.
I highly recommend this to all readers of Christian fiction. You’d find eternal truth that can be applied to your life especially those trying to heal from broken promises and relationships.
I received a copy of the book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine.
You Belong With Me follows the story of siblings Hannah and Thomas Thornton, a sister and brother who struggle in their relationships due to wounds from their childhood. Hannah is a fixer, wanting to fix her struggling town, her friends, but mostly her best friend, Luke, whom she has loved since middle school. Luke, who also has wounds from his childhood, wants to be loved for just who he is, but he struggles to know exactly who he is and where he belongs since he has no family. Thomas is afraid of repeating the mistakes of his parents, but his fear may push Janie, the only girl he’s ever really loved, out of his life forever.
I enjoyed reading You Belong With Me. It was easy to get into the story and easy to like the characters. I thought the over-arching theme that God can take the bad that happens in our lives or our brokenness, and use it for good is something that everyone needs to hear and be reminded of. Overall, it was a good story and an enjoyable read that kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
This is the debut novel by Tari Faris, but I was not able to tell it. The author painted lovely word pictures of a small town in Michigan called Heritage. Hannah, the female protagonist is on a mission to save her hometown and want the help of her longtime friend, Luke. In order to help Hannah, Luke has to face his past, the sad tale of an orphan whom no one seemed to want, not even his foster mother. This is a poignant love story, but it is also the story of the people who live in this small town. There are heroes, heroines and villains. The villains, of course, are the members of the family who want to buy up all of the property in the town and develop it, razing the historical homes and replacing them with the modern buildings that they think will draw new life to the town. This novel is an absolutely clean read, with faith sprinkled throughout. I enjoyed the portrayal of the characters in the diner and the give and take between Thomas and Janie. Thomas broke up with Janie before she went to Europe and now has a new fiancée. But, as we see in the novel, he may be regretting this life choice. In fact, making choices that affect our life as well as the lives of those around us is a central theme of the novel, along with love for history and our “heritage” that is found in our hometown and our background. Fans of Christian romance will enjoy this book and look forward to more from this author.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I really loved this debut novel from Tari Faris! It’s very well written, flows nicely, and pulls you in. I enjoyed the romance between Luke and Hannah as well. It felt very real, natural, and at some points downright swoon worthy! They are likeable characters and their struggles felt real. I also loved the history of Heritage, the town where the story takes place and the very loveable and quirky character of Otis the hippopotamus. This was an all around enjoyable read and I cannot wait for book 2 in the Restoring Heritage series!!
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lots of interesting twists! Hannah tries so hard to overcome what she feels is a family reputation because her mother embezzled city funds and left town when Hannah was in seventh grade. It’s not surprising that she and her brother, Thomas, both have problems with relationships. Luke is a great male protagonist who would do anything for Hannah but he has never felt like he belonged since being put in foster care after his father’s death when he was small. There are several relationships taking place in You Belong with Me! The non-traditional pastor has great advice for all of the people in Heritage as they work to bring new life to their town. I loved the Luke’s surprises near the ending of the book! Tari Faris has done an excellent job in You Belong with Me! I received a complimentary advance copy of You Belong with Me from the author and Revell Books. This is my honest opinion.
“If she hadn’t wanted to slap the smug expression off his face, she might have been tempted to kiss it. Best friends really shouldn’t be allowed to be that good-looking.”
In her debut novel, You Belong with Me, author Tari Faris creates a heartwarming contemporary romance featuring a close-knit group of friends and family members who reside in the beloved small town of Heritage, Michigan. Hannah Thornton and her best friend Luke Johnson call the town of Heritage home, although former foster kid Luke still struggles with a sense of belonging. Readers will be treated to two different love stories in this novel, similar to the style of Susan May Warren’s novels. After breaking Hannah’s heart years earlier, there might still be a future for Hannah and Luke if their secrets and differences don’t destroy their second chance at love. Last year, Hannah’s brother Thomas abruptly ended his relationship with the love of his life Janie, although unanswered questions and unresolved feelings linger.
Readers will fall in love with the town of Heritage and will look forward to the rest of the series. Tari Faris gives readers hope for the future and shares the message of God’s never-ending love for us. I love her writing style and the way she incorporates bits of humor throughout the romance storylines.
You Belong with Me is recommended for fans of contemporary romance and for readers who enjoy novels by authors such as Denise Hunter, Becky Wade, Courtney Walsh, Melissa Tagg, and Susan May Warren. P.S. Goodbye, the prequel novella to her Restoring Heritage series is currently only available to her newsletter subscribers, so readers can sign up for her newsletter at http://www.tarifaris.com and be introduced to many of the characters who will play an important role in her Restoring Heritage series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
You Belong with Me by Tari Faris is the author’s amazing debut novel. This book has it all– romance, past hurts, broken relationships, and a search for faith. Linking it all is an overarching sense of hope and the need for a place to belong. The characters are interesting and have great depth. My favorite character might just be a quirky hippopotamus statue named Otis that appears at the most opportune times! I can’t say enough about this novel. It is a strong debut novel by a clearly talented author who expertly weaves together a plot that ties everything together beautifully. I can’t wait for book 2 in this series because I have grown to care about these characters and can’t wait to hear what happens next in their lives. I highly recommend this novel. You won’t be able to put it down. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
This book gave you all the feels from being frustrated to happy! It was an emotional roll coaster! There were some parts where you wanted to strangle the characters for what they were doing and not talking to each other but the writer did a fabulous job with the plot that I could not put it down! The book is very real world and very relatable and it was a great way to start the summer! If you are looking for a book with a small town feel with romance in the air with problems thrown in this is the book!!! I highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This story is one of my all time faves! It is one that will stick with me. The sweet romance is perfectly woven with relatable characters of a lovably quirky small town and beautiful symbolism that illustrates the soul-deep message. Tari Faris will have you laughing, keep you up reading at night and leave you wanting more, so its a good thing we’ll be able to revisit Heritage in the future books of this series. I loved Grant and Caroline’s story in PS Goodbye and Hannah and Luke’s story is even better!
Grace point! It’s the heart of the story….when God shows up in our lives and we recognize it for what it is or who He is. Luke grew up an orphan in foster care, Hannah grew up with her parents mistakes hanging over her head, both live in the small town of Heritage. Hannah is trying to hold on to the past and Luke is trying forget about the past. Together they discover God’s GP or grace points in their lives and learn to overcome and forgive their pasts and look forward to the future. A beautiful story of God’s love and forgiveness. And then there is Otis, the town hippo.
You Belong With Me by Tari Faris caught my attention immediately with its engaging story and romantic tension. As I traveled through the plot twists and romantic developments, I didn’t want to put the novel down. I was pleasantly surprised by the second love story and enjoyed it just as much as Hannah and Luke’s story.
While the novel was a quick read and sometimes humorous, it also dealt with serious issues. I personally connected with the theme of brokenness. Little nuggets of wisdom drew attention to this theme and I found myself rereading sections to ponder the statements.
You Belong With Me is the first full-length installment in the Restoring Heritage series by Tari Faris. I love stories of restoration whether it’s people, towns, or objects, so I expect to enjoy the restoration of the town being spread out over the series. Four stars for this inspirational contemporary romance!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided an ARC copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This was such a sweet story.
Set in the small town of Heritage, MI where lives intersect and everybody knows everybody’s business.
Hannah Thornton is the town Realtor and is trying to keep the historic buildings and homes of Heritage untouched by a buyer who wants to bulldoze it all and start fresh.
Luke is her long-time friend who is on a journey of his own, trying find where he belongs in the midst of small town life. He grew up in Foster care and has always felt like the odd man out.
This is their story of finding a place to belong amidst struggle and hardship and the unknowns.
I thought the Author also did so well bringing in a character who grew-up in the Foster Care system and was able to really articulate all the feelings and emotions that come with that.
It was cool to read about Hannah’s brother, Thomas too.
This story sucked me in! I couldn’t put it down and am already waiting for the next one to be here! Well done, Tari Faris!
WOW, what an amazing debut novel! After loving the prequel novella, P.S. Goodbye I was so looking forward to this book, and before I finished the first chapter I was totally and completely sucked in and knew I would love this novel! And love it I did! I absolutely adore the town of Heritage, I find myself wishing I could step through the pages and take up residence there! I Otis!
I loved Hannah and Luke so much, I found myself relating to Hannah a lot and some of the things she learned and advice she was given felt like it was written just for me! And I absolutely loved Luke, he is totally book boyfriend material! My heart broke for all Luke had been through and I was cheering him on through the whole story.
Similar to many of Susan May Warren’s books, You Belong With Me actually features four POV characters and two separate love stories, both of which are fully developed and equally enthralling, and I loved Thomas and Janie just as much as Luke and Hannah!
The faith story in this book was incredibly moving and soul-stirring, and it was beautifully woven into the fabric of this book!
In closing, I couldn’t stop reading this book, loved every minute, and it put a huge smile on my face! You Belong With Me has earned a spot on my list of favorite reads of 2019! I loved everything about this book and highly HIGHLY recommend it, this is one you won’t want to miss! Tari Faris has tremendous writing talent and is definitely an author to watch, I cannot wait to read anything and everything she writes next!
I am on the author’s launch team and received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required and all thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
‘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.’
This was wonderful debut novel from Tari Faris! I loved everything about it. She took us to the small Michigan town of Heritage in her prequel novella, P.S. Goodbye, and that made me want to continue to read her work. I’ve just finished this one and now I want another already!
In all seriousness, Tari Faris is a wonderful and talented new voice in Christian fiction! These small town characters have dug deep into my heart and I’m going to let them stay. Her writing is fresh, full and just plain satisfying to this reader. With her heroine, Hannah, who wants to help everyone and is determined to see the town revitalized, and her hero, Luke, desperately wishing he belonged to someone, Faris sets the stage for a fulfilling read. She has crafted a solid romance (with a bonus one thrown in) and a strong spiritual thread that ministered to me. Well done! Highly recommended
*My thanks to the publisher, Revell, for an advance copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
I love the cover of You Belong with Me, it is very eye-catching. It sets the stage to be a beautiful love story.
You Belong with Me is the first book in the Restoring Heritage series. Heritage is a small town in Michigan and I love the small-town feel. Every time I read a story like this I wish I lived in a small town!
I enjoyed this story. I liked the characters, the small-town vibe, the humor, and the eventual romance. I liked that Hannah was determined to restore her small town and didn’t let much stop her. I appreciated her initiative and the way the town supported her. I loved the references to Gilmore Girls as much as the surprise of the reference and the second time it had me giggling.
I appreciated Luke’s story and learning so much about him. I loved that he and Hannah had their differences and were able to become best friends. However, the struggles they had, and the struggles Janie and Thomas had were mostly due to lack of communication, which is so frustrating to me. So much could have been avoided if they just talked things out instead of going their own way.
This story is a story of second chances, friends to more, forgiveness, redemption, finding the good in hard circumstances and so much more. I think Otis is a winner and hope to someday learn the secret to his movements. While there are a lot of characters in this book the author has done a fabulous job of introducing them so the reader is able to keep them straight.
This is the first time I have read this author and look forward to starting the next book immediately, as I have it checked out of the library I would recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary romances, friends to more and small-town charm!
This debut novel had so many great elements. I love when a main character wants to preserve history in a small town.
Hannah loves the historic buildings in her town and wants to save them from being torn down for a strip mall. She has great ideas and friends and family rally behind her. But can she pull off the requirements for a contest from a national magazine and win the prize money to begin to rehab her beloved Heritage, Michigan?
As a former foster child, Luke feels that he has never fit in but there are surprises in store that he could not have imagined.
There are two romances that run into obstacles but with introspection and learning to seek God for the answers, disappointments are averted.
“When we hold the broken pieces of our lives too close, they will cut us up inside.”
“When you’ve got nothing left, that’s when you see how real your faith is. Faithh with everything you want is easy. But faith when everything goes wrong? That’s when God alone has to be enough.”
The characters have a lot to learn but they see that God can take broken pieces and make something beautiful.
A feel good story in my favorite setting, a small historic town.
* I won this book in a Just Reads Tour contest in October, 2020. All opinions are my own.*
Fun small town setting with all it’s quirks. Many “awww that’s so romantic” moments.
Broken characters you love to yell “What are you thinking?!” at but then cheer and cry with as they let God heal those broken places. Wonderful, inspiring God messages, especially “Grace points”. Don’t know what that is, read this book. 😀 If you enjoyed Susan May Warren’s Christiansen/Deep Haven stories, you’ll love this book too. Glad I nabbed the second book.