Blog Tour: Small Town Girl

Small Town Girl: A Novel

About the Book:

In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates in anticipation, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest.

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything. Kate's friends are rushing to get married before the boys go off to war. The newspapers talk of women making airplanes and bombs. Everyone in town begins rolling bandages, planting victory gardens, collecting scrap metal. Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways, and when he enlists she can hardly breathe worrying about him getting killed. Could she truly be in love with him? And if she is, will she ever see him again?

In her gentle and textured style, Ann Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip the heart and stir the spirit. Fans of Angel Sister will be thrilled to see Kate Merritt all grown up. New readers will find that Ann Gabhart weaves in Small Town Girl a beautiful story that will touch their hearts and win their loyalty.

My Comments:

None of us want to get hurt.  All of us do things to avoid pain--it's normal, it is in our best interest.  If we purposely choose pain we are called masochists, and considered to be at least a little off, if not mentally ill.  However, never risking pain can end up hurting us too, and in this book Kate is one who seeks to avoid pain rather than to embrace life.  Jay has that in common with her and it is only when they learn to accept the risk of pain that they are able to live happily ever after.

Ann Gabhart did a good job of bringing in historical details of life in the early 1940's.

Kate's brother-in-law is a minister and his attempt to covert Jay and others in the congregation is integral to the story but I wouldn't call the book preachy.  

I'd like to thank the folks at Litfuse for providing a review copy of this book.  Grade:  B+.