Small Town Girl

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Summary: Read this book!!!!!
Review: My mom came home one day and tossed this book on my bed. "Here," she said, "I heard this book was very good". My first reaction was "oh, great. ANOTHER book to add to the pile". I am SOOO glad I read this before I tossed it. This book was terrific! I mean it!! I have read some good romances before, but this one was just too cool!! I really found myself wanting to actually see Tess and Kenny. I liked how Casey played into the story. The one thing I didn't like was Judy. What was UP with her? Mrs. Spencer needed a little more emphasis on her character. I found myself skimming over the lines in which Judy was talking. But all in all: A great read!! I stongly advise anyone that loves a good book to read this one! You'll love it!!!!

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Summary: Small Town Girl - another wonderful story by LaVyrle Spencer
Review: SMALL TOWN GIRL by LaVyrle Spencer
December 13, 2004

I've read several books by LaVyrle Spencer the past few years and they have all been wonderful reads. This one was no exception. SMALL TOWN GIRL centered on a country music star who comes home to take care of her ailing mother, and after years of avoiding going home, finds herself in the middle of hometown life.

Tess McPhail left home as a teenager to make her way in the world of country music. Eighteen years later, she's returned as a superstar, and is home to take care of her mother who is having hip surgery, promising that she will stay for a month to help out. Her sisters had been the ones to be there for their mother all these years, and now it was Tess's turn to help. She cancels a few concert engagements and puts her music life on hold, while she immerses herself in hometown life, getting reacquainted with all the old neighbors again.

Tess, the reader will notice, hates being home. She has a hard time dealing with her mother, who still treats Tess like a child. Tess is rude and ill mannered in some ways, with an attitude that will make one think she is stuck up. She is shocked to see how "nerdy" Kenny Kronek, now living in the home he grew up in next door to Tess's mother's house, is always over, taking care of her mother. Her attitude towards him is almost one of disdain. She is angry that he feels he belongs in her mother's house, as if he were family. She is also surprised at how the rest of the family (her sister's and in-laws) welcome and accept Kenny as a part of the family, yet he is just the next door neighbor.

She's also battling it out with one sister, Judy. Judy is overweight and very insecure, and despises Tess and her success as a major recording artist. Tess wants to bridge this gap between the two, but cannot figure out how to reach Judy. Her other sister, Renee, on the other hand, is a much more welcoming figure, and the two are close and can confide in each other.

As Tess gets adjusted to life back home, and her mother finally has her hip surgery, Tess's attitude slowly changes. Her relationship with Kenny also changes, as she becomes a good friend and mentor to his daughter, another aspiring country music singer, who Tess finds, is quite good.

Although SMALL TOWN GIRL is not my favorite book by Spencer, I still enjoyed it. I found that it was not as complex as some of her earlier books. However, I am definitely giving this book 4 stars. It was another well-written story coming from the master of romances and women's lit-type books, and it's a shame that Spencer is no longer writing, having gone into retirement after writing the book that came after SMALL TOWN GIRL, THEN CAME HEAVEN. I did find the ending, although expected, a little contrived, and a little bit too "happily ever after", but regardless, I felt this book was well worth the read as a fan of LaVyrle Spencer. For those who did not care for this book, I'd suggest reading one of her better books, BITTER SWEET or HOME SONG.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely refreshing and a delight to read!
Review: Small Town Girl is written with a wonderful story line filled with humor & sweetness. I highly recommend this book to all ages - many valuable messages that only Spencer can express with such finesse!

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Summary: Good reading material to wile away a rainy day.
Review: Sometimes the best things life has to offer are right under your nose

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Summary: Light reading but entertaining
Review: Spencer's books have always been hit or miss for me, and this one was a hit. The story was simple and the characters sometimes veered towards stereotypes, but overall I enjoyed this book quite a bit. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Tess as a friend, and I enjoyed the concert scene with the backstage action going on. I also liked the way Tess handled her fans throughout the book, it gives some perspective of what celebrities are really thinking when they meet fans.

My one small complaint is that I cannot stand the name Kenny, and I just can't believe a grown man still would be going by that name. Maybe it's a Southern thing? I'm from up north, so I really don't know.

Also thought the Judy character could have had a more sympathetic treatment, but there's usually one character in Spencer's books that gets loaded with bad traits and no redeeming characteristics. Another small point though and not that big of a detriment to the overall book.

A good light read, one of her better books.

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Summary: This is a great book about Nashville/the country music scene
Review: Spencer's detailed descriptions about the life and times of a country music star certainly held my interest. I was made aware of this book by a friend because of a reference in the book to the Freer Texas Rattlesnake Round Up. As coordinator of the Freer Rattlesnake Round Up, I was happy to read the comments Mac made to Casey about the event.

I am now anxious to read more of Spencer's works.

But, I am even more anxious to learn the reasons for including the Freer Rattlesnake Round Up in this book.

Our "small town" of 3,000 is proud to be included in the story of "Small Town Girl".

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Summary: Once again, Spencer awes the reader and touches the heart!
Review: Spinning the web of yet another touching story, Spencer casts a spell on her readers and invites them into the world of a country star! This story is one of her best! It portrays the life of a stunning performer and shows the excitement involved in the business. The way she takes her character back to her roots to show the importance of family is outstanding! This story is a must read for all country fans especially those who love the streets of Nashville as I do!

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Summary: This book was great I couldn't put I down for 5mins!
Review: The book keeped you wanted to know what was to become of Tess and Kenny and his daughter. I was greatful for happy ending!

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Summary: Excellent, feel-good read!
Review: this author is not known for her exciting stories but for her heart warming and realistic stories. i have read all of her books and all of her books are good. if not great then good. i ve read some of the reviews here people complaining that it wasnt exciting, well this author is not known for that. this book i felt was an original fresh story. its not the same ol same ol, we get from those author who write EXCITING stories. if you read this story, you wont regret it. its a good book. might not be the best but wont make you regret reading it.

Rating:
Summary: heart warming.....
Review: this author is not known for her exciting stories but for her heart warming and realistic stories. i have read all of her books and all of her books are good. if not great then good. i ve read some of the reviews here people complaining that it wasnt exciting, well this author is not known for that. this book i felt was an original fresh story. its not the same ol same ol, we get from those author who write EXCITING stories. if you read this story, you wont regret it. its a good book. might not be the best but wont make you regret reading it.