Posts Tagged 'small town'

So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

Published December 13, 2025 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Holiday Romance

When Finley decides last minute to go home to her hometown of Christmas, Oklahoma from boarding school she finds that everything has changed and not for the better. Her parents have separated and her mother has been out of town for weeks and her father moved into her grandmother’s inn. Meanwhile her best friend is now dating her ex-boyfriend. It doesn’t help that she doesn’t feel like she has fit in at all in her new school. She has been bullied and struggled to keep up academically. She just doesn’t belong anywhere. Meanwhile, she had spruced up her town’s website so that her classmates wouldn’t realize how run down it has gotten and that led to a classmate and his aunt coming for the Christmas holiday. Arthur was none too pleased when he figured out that much of what she bragged about was unfounded as he is from England and was hoping to show his aunt a traditional American Christmas. Finely promises to do her best to plan some wholesome Christmas activities, but she isn’t sure how she is going to pull it all off. Plus, Arthur doesn’t seem as annoying as he had at school. Is there a chance they have anything in common? Is there any chance she can reconcile her parents? Should she return to school?

This holiday romance is a fun treat for romance lovers. Finley is a very relatable girl just trying to find her place in the world and feels like everything is just going wrong. The characters are all charming and developed, especially Arthur (the love interest), and her grandmother (who runs the inn). Even people who have never been to a small town at Christmas will be enchanted by the adventures they have because it feels right out of a Hallmark movie. The ending is satisfying and realistic, but with a lot of Christmas magic. Recommended for anyone looking for a fun holiday read.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

Published September 13, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Lydia Chass is used to things going her way, she is a Chass after all. So she is stunned when she learns that an error has left her one credit shy of graduating. Determined not to be left behind she concocts a plan to create a true crime podcast about her small town’s “long stretch of bad days” that included a tornado, flash flood, and the town’s only homicide. She learns that another student also needs one credit to graduate and so the school is strongly recommending they work together. Bristal Jamison, however, does not come from a distinguished family and at times her family’s reputation is actually a hindrance in their investigation. Nevertheless, they both bring strengths to the podcast, albeit in their own ways. The town was so preoccupied with the natural disasters all those years ago and the murder victim wasn’t exactly the model citizen so no one ever looked too hard into the crime, but now that they are there is definitely someone out there who wants to stop them at all costs. Was the murder one of convenience due to the natural disasters or was it just lucky timing? Can Lydia and Bristal find a way to work together and maybe even become friends?

This mystery story really hinges on the personalities of the two main characters. Lydia is very domineering, but in a way that the reader comes to find endearing, especially as she becomes more aware of her own privilege. Bristal, meanwhile, is very rough around the edges but often says the thing everyone is thinking and does manage to get some answers from people who do not want to talk. She also has a very open and honest relationship with her mother, which is interesting, because their family is often looked down upon but Lydia quickly sees that just because something does not look as you would expect does not mean it’s wrong or bad. The mystery is interesting, but perhaps more so is the impact this string of bad days had on the characters they encounter and how it still haunts them to this day. Recommended for readers who like mysteries, but also friendship stories.

This is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lapore

Published January 28, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Jenna likes to take photos at sunrise and usually finds the beach peaceful and quiet, but on this particular morning she sees Adam, a boy from the local reform school, struggling to get a body out of the water. Soon, she discovers that the body belongs to a girl she goes to school with. Both Adam and Jenna are pretty shaken that someone their age could be murdered in their sleepy little town. Jenna lives with her aunt, who is a police detective, and even though she never shares details of the case Jenna can definitely tell they are struggling to find who did this. Meanwhile, Jenna’s friends are pretty upset by the loss of their friend. Adam, on the other hand, finds that he and his friends are being questioned over and over again because they are seen as troublemakers due to their pasts. Jenna and Adam decide to start investigating on their own to not only clear their own names, but to save those around them from a similar fate. However, they quickly learn that everyone is hiding something and nothing anyone says can be trusted. Can they get to the truth without finding their way in the crosshairs of the killer?

This fast paced mystery thrilled will be popular with readers who like the April Henry books. There are many characters, which adds a layer of mystery as there are many red herrings, but there aren’t so many characters that it’s impossible to keep them all straight. The conclusion of the story is both exciting and satisfying and there are many plot twists along the way that will keep readers guessing until the end. Recommended for mystery fans.

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