Small Town Girl: Christian fiction book review

About "Small Town Girl":

    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.

    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 to do whatever they can to support the war effort. When Jay decides to stick around Rosey Corner, Kate finds herself drawn to him in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? But even if she is, can she trust him? And can she keep her heart from breaking after he enlists and she wonders if she will ever see him again?

    Small Town Girl is 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 love getting to know Rosey Corner and the Merritt family.

Joy In Our Journey's review:

    Ann Gabhart has written a delightful new book, Small Town Girl. The time is autumn of 1941. The world in Rosey Corner is all that it should be:  peaceful, friendly, and a great place to live. There are, however, a few problems in this early autumn paradise.  Kate’s long time heart’s desire, Mike, is getting married not to her, but to her big sister Evie! Then, Mike has chosen a most unsuitable man, Jay, to be his best man. In Kate’s eyes, things are completely out of control.

    Sad to say, there is also a shadow over this small southern  town: WAR!  But surely it will not affect Rosey Corner, right?  The war is far over the ocean in Europe, and after all, our president promised that the last war was the war to end all wars. 

    Kate is the sister who bears all the burdens of the family.  She worries about Lorena, her little adopted sister, who was introduced in Angel Sister, Ms. Gabhart’s  first book in this series.  Kate also worries about Jay, who has seemed to take a real liking to her little town.  What is this all about?  All in all, this was a fun book to read, taking the reader to a gentler, kinder world where each person is accepted regardless of their personality quirks.

    I strongly recommend this book for the descriptive language, the fascinating story, and for a book that leaves you wanting to read more about the town and its citizens - even Graham, a crusty old bachelor, who seems to be somewhat of a matchmaker.  Ann Gabhart has written a winner of a book in Small Town Girl.

Small Town Girl is available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller - from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  You can also find it available for the Kindle!

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