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Smitten (Smitten #1)

by Colleen Coble (Goodreads Author), Kristin Billerbeck (Goodreads Author), Denise Hunter (Goodreads Author), Diann Hunt

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 · rating details · 539 ratings · 145 reviews

Welcome to Smitten, Vermont.

With the help of four friends, it's about to become the most romantic town in America.

The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they've got just the plan to save Smitten. They'll capitalize on its name and tur...more

Paperback, 432 pages

Published December 20th 2011 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

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Best Christian Romance Novel EVER!

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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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Dec 30, 2011 Jen Westpfahl rated it 3 of 5 stars

"Smitten" is a book by four Christian fiction authors (Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter) that makes sense as a whole but each story can stand on its own. Four friends plan to turn Smitten, Vt., a former male-dominated mill town, into a romantic getaway, and along the way each one falls in love with someone they've known for ages.

I'm a sucker for the fall-in-love-with-a-friend (or in one case here, enemy) stories even if they are obvious and the ending is a foregone...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-literature, christian-fiction, christian-teen-fiction, contemporary-fiction, romance-fiction, young-adult-fiction

Take four women who are some of the best authors of Christian Fiction, and have them collaborate and design four unique characters, each with a bit of their own personalities, create a storyline and a place and put it all together and you have the makings of the novel, Smitten. It was written by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter with each of them writing a specific chapter geared around the small town of Smitten, Vermont, who has come under hard economic times. Face...more Take four women who are some of the best authors of Christian Fiction, and have them collaborate and design four unique characters, each with a bit of their own personalities, create a storyline and a place and put it all together and you have the makings of the novel, Smitten. It was written by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter with each of them writing a specific chapter geared around the small town of Smitten, Vermont, who has come under hard economic times. Faced with the mill closing which employs 500 people, the town rallies around the idea of creating a play on the word of their town's name, Smitten, which they believe implies the feeling of love.

Their idea is to create a tourist town that will draw people to it, honeymooners, lovers, people celebrating such milestones as weddings and anniversary's and those simply looking to find love to the town of Smitten. Most of the town is excited about the prospects this could mean for new business opportunities but also a great place to call home. However when Carson Smitten hears about the idea, he is greatly opposed and thinks there is a better way, but he can't quite come up with one that will work fast enough and slowly the town's residents begin to warm his heart up to the idea.

In the first installment of the book, "Natalie: Birthday Wishes" by Colleen Coble takes the story first when the idea is presented to the town council. Natalie Mansfield, is the owner of Mountain Perks, and who is also raising her niece Mia, now 5, since her mother, Lisa abandoned her and left town. Rumors circulate that Carson Smitten is the father, although he denies ever being with Lisa long enough for that to happen, but Natalie can't help but wonder why he won't subject himself to a paternity test to prove it. While working together to find ways to remodel the town for the new look of love, she finds herself working closely with Carson to help renovate his fishing cabins which remain seriously outdated and less than booked for the season. Natalie learns that Carson's brother has a great idea to help kick start the town's new launch and it may boost more love in the town than anyone recognized.

In the second installment of the book, "Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams" by Kristin Billerbeck, the emerging story of the character of Julia we caught a glimpse of earlier in the book continues to grow with her story as one of Natalie's closest friends. Julia Bourne is trying to do her part with the town of Smitten to redefine itself as a romantic destination and desires to open a upscale spa. Since leaving New York, she reaches out to contact Devlin Stovich, a successful New York spa owner and someone who has the money she needs to invest in her idea. When he agrees to come to Smitten, he finds the location of Smitten Grill, a former restaurant geared to the logging industry as the perfect location that now lies abandoned and vacant. However upon closer inspection they both learn that the owner, Zak Grant has ideas of his own on how to renovate the space. Will they be able to work together for the good of the town or will Julia be sent back to New York instead?

In the third installment of the book, "Shelby: You've Got A Friend" by Diann Hunt, we meet the third in this group of 4 best friends, Shelby Evans who arrives to her home in Smitten and meets the local fire department there to put out a fire in her Victorian Home. Nick Majors, a volunteer fireman stops her from entering along with her Shih-poo, Penelope until it is safe to go inside. Shelby was using the downstairs for Classes for Social Graces, a program to help young girls become ladies while she lived upstairs. She learns through Nick, that she is responsible for leaving a glue gun unattended and apparently there are more that just sparks flying between the two of them. Will romance be fanned into flames or will they simply be smitten with one another but remain friends?

In the final installment of the book, "Reese: All Along" by Denise Hunter, we get the opportunity to meet Reese Mackenzie, the local girl who is your all around sports enthusiast who is trying to launch her own business of opening a sporting goods store and is working with her friend, Griffin Parker. What makes this difficult for Reese is that the whole town is rallying around recreating their town and making it the newest romantic destination to compare with the Poconos but in addition to this is the celebrity wedding to their town's newest country star, Sawyer Smitten, Reese's former boyfriend, who is planning on using the town to host his own wedding. Will Reese be able to define her own feelings for Sawyer or is she about to be smitten with someone from her past instead?

I received Smitten by these amazing and talented authors compliments of Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for my honest review. I really enjoyed these individual but connected mini romances found inside the cover of this book. You truly feel like you're getting 4 books in 1 and this is one of the reasons I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. This novel is geared to the hopeful romantic in all of us. (less)

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Apr 09, 2012 Christie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Smitten is a light read- there is little substance. Each story felt like the same plot and same characters with few variations. It all read like an annoyingly saccharine, sappy, low-budget, drawn out Hallmark movie. Each female protagonist felt like a slight reworking of the last- all were very distrusting and stubborn about silly things. In the first story, Natalie can't trust that Carson is the man he claims to be and seems to be just because she heard differently from her sister, who is notor...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever been through or lived in a small town ? One, that survives on the operation of a particular business and if that business was to go under - the whole town's financial situation would collapse ? It got me thinking ,this book with the recession that for the past years has been on/off and with many smalltown businesses closing around NZ and hearing about others around the world.
Smitten tells the story of four women Natalie , Julia , Shelby and Reese - the four women have settled and...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I liked the premise of the story, and would enjoy a visit to Smitten, Vermont. The four main characters, women whose friendship glues the novellas into a cohesive unit, are all great people I'd love to meet and hang out with. The love stories seemed just a bit trite, but I'm guessing that's largely due to the length constraints; rarely do you have to get 4 couples met and married off in one book, even one on the longish side. I liked their personalities and their quirks. I was a little repelled...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Smitten is a delightful collection of four novellas written by Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter.
The town of Smitten, Vermont, seems doomed when the main employer, a lumber mill, announces it is closing. Smitten tells the story of four friends who won’t let the town die without a fight. They launch a scheme to turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination. Each of the friends agrees to tackle an aspect of the town’s rebirth, with heartwarming results.
I loved the nov...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Eleanor rated it 3 of 5 stars

***Though the publisher provides the free ebook, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Any company going out of business should not bring a town's whole economy to a halt, but the mill is the main employer in the town of SMITTEN, Vermont.

Four women, all friends, endeavor to remake the town's image and revitalize it through tourism, of sorts. They envision their town as a "Smitten is for lovers" destination to play off the town's cute attribute, its name. However, to convince an entire milling town to...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Virginia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, inspirational, romance, womens-fiction

I was completely captivated by "Smitten"--a charming and involving anthology from four talented authors. I am a great fan of hometown reunion romances, and this book offers four such love stories, written with smooth continuity by each of the contributing authors. I thought that I would have a favorite among the quartet, but the flow of one story into another makes it seem like the tale is being told in one voice. Set in the picturesque and close-knit community of Smitten, Vermont, this story br...more I was completely captivated by "Smitten"--a charming and involving anthology from four talented authors. I am a great fan of hometown reunion romances, and this book offers four such love stories, written with smooth continuity by each of the contributing authors. I thought that I would have a favorite among the quartet, but the flow of one story into another makes it seem like the tale is being told in one voice. Set in the picturesque and close-knit community of Smitten, Vermont, this story brings together old friends, just friends, and more than friends. When the local lumber mill closes, and economic disaster looms large over the town, four local women spring into action to save their homes and livelihoods. Each of the women convinces a special man in their life to help them convert the rugged town of Smitten into a lover's resort destination. In "Natalie: Birthday Wishes", by Colleen Coble, Natalie Mansfield, is the owner and operator of a little bake shop. She is also "Mom" to the niece abandoned into her care by her own troublesome sister, Lisa. Natalie has long been in love with Carson Smitten, the man whom Lisa named as the father of her baby daughter, Mia. While Carson has always denied ever being involved with Lisa, Natalie is torn between her love for Carson and the love of family she has for Lisa and Mia. In Kristin Billerbeck's "Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams", Julia Bourne returns to her hometown to care for her ailing mother. A New York city aesthetician with an elite society clientele, Julia decides to convince her famous and influential employer to invest in a spa in the newly remade romance retreat of Smitten. Zak Grant, the lifelong best friend of Julia's brother, has a plan of his own for Julia's future, and he just has to figure out a way to make Julia see what he sees. Diann Hunt brings us the opposites attract buddyship between Shelby Evans and Nick Majors in "Shelby: You've Got a Friend". Shelby Evans has a feminine, frilled style with lots of flash. Nick Majors has an "un-style"--sort of a low-key, stubbled lumberjack look. Despite their many differences, this mismatched duo are the best of friends. When Nick's ex-wife dies and he becomes the sole caretaker of his preteen daughter, he needs a woman's guidance. Nick's daughter Willow soon bonds with Shelby, and memories of long-kept secret from Shelby's past haunt her happy time with the young girl. As Nick and Shelby begin to disagree on how to handle Willow, they also become aware that their friendship has become a deep attraction. In "Reese: All Along", from Denise Hunter, Reese Mackenzie enlists the help of her old friend, Griffen Parker, in remodeling the building in which will open a sporting goods store. Years ago, Griffen, always in love with Reese, had left town when she became engaged to Sawyer Smitten. The engagement didn't last and Sawyer pursued a successful career in country music. Sawyer's very public engagement and wedding plans become part of the Smitten community make-over, and he even writes a song to promote the romantic image of the town as a lover's paradise. When Reese finally faces the fact that Sawyer will never be hers, can Griffen make her see that the friend from her past is the key to her future happiness? When you read these four engagingly intertwined tales of romance, you will be "smitten"--just like me! I look forward to the next book from these four lovely and talented ladies, "Secretly Smitten", which will be released in December, 2012. A personal side note from me: I live in a small Virginia mountain community which is economically dominated by a paper mill. If our mill were to close, it would truly devastate the community. I could only hope that there would be enterprising souls with a true love of home and family who would band together to not just survive, but thrive!

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Dec 28, 2011 Lydia (Overweight Bookshelf) rated it 3 of 5 stars

First reviewed here: http://overweight-bookshelf.blogspot....

I was "smitten" with this quint fictional town in Vermont, I was not smitten with the stories or the characters. The premise of the book is very clever, especially with the accompanying website, but the supporting parts were not strong enough to carry it through to a complete win. While this anthology was cute and a tool for momentary escapism, it was missing the depth and complexity that I need to be drawn into a book.

Usually antholo...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Lilibet King rated it 5 of 5 stars

I’m happy to report that “Smitten” is another jewel in the crown for writers Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter. I enjoy each of these authors separately; together they’ve put together a story that is even better than the sum of its parts.
“Smitten” takes place in the fictional town of Smitten, Vermont. The town’s mill has just closed, leaving the future of the town very much in doubt. Four girlfriends have an idea: what if the town was to capitalize on its name and b...more I’m happy to report that “Smitten” is another jewel in the crown for writers Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter. I enjoy each of these authors separately; together they’ve put together a story that is even better than the sum of its parts.
“Smitten” takes place in the fictional town of Smitten, Vermont. The town’s mill has just closed, leaving the future of the town very much in doubt. Four girlfriends have an idea: what if the town was to capitalize on its name and become the lovers’ destination of New England? The idea meets with mixed reviews from the townspeople. Some are in favor, but several of the men feel as though the women are infringing on their ability to earn a living. Starting with the Smitten brothers whose name the town bears, the girlfriends have to win over the town and come up with a plan to quickly establish the resort.
Technically, “Smitten” is four novellas, each written by one of the authors about the character she most identifies with: Colleen Coble writes Natalie’s story, Kristin Billerbeck provides the details of Julia’s life, Diann Hunt describes Shelby’s conflicts and Denise Hunter wraps up with Reese’s tale. However, “Smitten” reads like one novel rather than four novellas, in part because the authors are close friends and in part because they each took a 3 month period to write about, so that there is no overlapping and the story moves forward through each season but from a different character’s point of view.
The book also includes an interview with the authors, recipes and other treats. A web site, “SmittenVermont.com” is mentioned, but the web site content is not yet available, presumably because it is before the book’s official release date of December 20th (although I have already seen the book in two stores).
This book would be a great last-minute gift for anyone who likes contemporary romantic fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Dec 16, 2011 Kara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter
Review by Kara Grant
Christian Romance

“WELCOME TO SMITTEN, VERMONT. WITH THE HELP OF FOUR FRIENDS, IT’S ABOUT TO BECOME THE MOST ROMANTIC TOWN IN AMERICA.” (back cover)

What happens when a small town’s main employer closes down threatening to shut down all other jobs as well? What can one due to generate tourism in a town called Smitten? This is the dilemma we learn about from the very beginning of the book. The book then d...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had SUCH a fun time reading this book!

The characters reminded a little of Steel Magnolias in that there were so many great women to keep up with. I really enjoyed the creative blend of four best-selling authors writing for the same book.

Smitten is about four friends who join forces to save their beloved town in Vermont. When the local lumbermill announces its plans to close, these four industrious women come up with ideas to save their town. However, not everyone is as excited as they are - s...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese share more than just a really close friendship. The four women are as close as sisters. They pray for each other, support each other in their various adventures, and they each want to find love. When the lumber mill closes and it appears that their little town is going to die, they formulate a plan to turn their small town into the romance capital by capitalizing on the name of the town, Smitten. Along the way, a little girl's faith, a country sensation hometown...more

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Dec 09, 2011 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chic-literature, christian-fiction, from-publisher

Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese are close girlfriends helping each other through the good and the bad times. When their town of Smitten loses its biggest employer, Smitten Lumber, the girls put their heads together and brainstorm a way to keep their town alive. Why not capitalize on the town's name, Smitten, and make it into the premiere honeymoon and romantic getaway?

While creating a new image for the town,
could the girls find romance themselves?

I enjoyed reading about the true bonds of frie...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter and Diann Hunt with their new book "Smitten."
“Smitten” is the first book in the Smitten series by these wonderful authors.

The four authors have joined together to bring us four stories about four friends. These four women try to save the town of Smitten, Vermont by making the town into a romantic destination that plays upon the town's name “Smitten.” The town’s lumber mill has shut down and many people have lost their jobs. The friends fear that...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter and Diann Hunt in their new book “Smitten” Book One in the Smitten series published by Thomas Nelson takes us to Smitten, Vermont.

From the back cover: "Welcome to Smitten, Vermont. With the help of four friends, it's about to become the most romantic town in America.

The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they...more Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter and Diann Hunt in their new book “Smitten” Book One in the Smitten series published by Thomas Nelson takes us to Smitten, Vermont.

From the back cover: "Welcome to Smitten, Vermont. With the help of four friends, it's about to become the most romantic town in America.

The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they've got just the plan to save Smitten. They'll capitalize on its name and turn it into a tourist destination for lovers-complete with sweet shops, a high-end spa, romantic music on the square and cabins outfitted with fireplaces and hot tubs.

But is this manly town ready for an influx of romantically-minded guests?"

The four authors have joined together to bring us four stories about four friends that give us one complete story about one town that stretches over the four seasons. Colleen Coble starts it off with the story about Natalie: Birthday Wishes. Then Kristin Billerbeck picks it up with the focus on Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams. Diann Hunt takes the story over to Shelby: You've Got a Friend. And finally Denise Hunter rounds it out with the spotlight on Reese: All Along.

Technically, "Smitten" is one story that lasts a whole year told through the lives of the four women. So that means we get four tales of romance as we watch the town change and grow. All four authors know how to write characters that come alive off the page. The focus that it is the women that will save the town is extraordinary and well done. The theme of facing your fears and accomplishing more than ever expected is well-played out over all four stories. We fall in love with the town of Smitten and its people and wish there really were such a place to visit. The good news is there will be a sequel coming next year so we can return to the streets of Smitten. I recommend this book highly!

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Dec 07, 2011 Iola rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, contemporary-romance, kindle

The main employer in Smitten, Vermont, is closing down, leaving a town full of peple wondering about their futures in a beauty spot none want to leave. Four friends come up with the idea of trading on the town's name, and turning it into a romantic getaway destination for honeymooners and couples. But the men of the town are not in favour of the idea.

Natalie: Birthday Wishes by Colleen Coble:
Most of the single women in town have a crush on Carson, but not Natalie Mansfield. She knows (or thinks...more The main employer in Smitten, Vermont, is closing down, leaving a town full of peple wondering about their futures in a beauty spot none want to leave. Four friends come up with the idea of trading on the town's name, and turning it into a romantic getaway destination for honeymooners and couples. But the men of the town are not in favour of the idea.

Natalie: Birthday Wishes by Colleen Coble:
Most of the single women in town have a crush on Carson, but not Natalie Mansfield. She knows (or thinks she knows) something uncomplimentary about Carson and her sister…

Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams by Kristin Billerbeck:
Julia Bourne's dream is to open an upscale spa in Smitten, like the one she used to work for in New York before she came home to care for her sick mother. She seeks the assistance of her ex-boss, who immediately sees the potential of the Smitten Grill building. Neither Julia nor the new tenant, Zac Grant, see the vision, so the sparks begin to fly...

Shelby: You’ve Got a Friend by Diann Hunt
Shelby Evans is a seamstress and the owner of Social Graces, where she teaches young girls how to become ladies. A house fire means that she can no longer teach her classes in her home, so close friend Nick Majors steps in to offer her a location and help get her house in order…

Reese: All Along by Denise Hunter
Reese Mackenzie hired old friend Griffen Parker to help renovate what will become her outdoor outfitters shop. But then she realises that her feelings towards him are not exactly friendship…

The stories feature long-time Smitten men who have been in love for years, not saying anything for their own reasons, but waiting for the women to figure it out. They reminded me of us and God, about how He has always loved us with an unfailing love, but He has to wait for us to realise and do something about it. I liked the fact that the couples were all older (by which I mean they are in their thirties). Perhaps this is why I don't really like most Amish stories, because their heroines are typically teenagers.

I especially liked the fact that all of the couples had known each other for some time before the romance bug hit. While I can see the appeal of meeting and falling in love with the new guy (or girl) in town, I do agree that the best marriages are built on a foundation of God and friendship, not just attraction. I also think this is a much better message for young women to be hearing as they search for their future partners (as an aside, I recently enjoyed a blog post on this subject at http://christiancowgals.blogspot.com/...).

I do enjoy these romance novella collections. They are a lighthearted, quick read, great for a change after reading something with a bit more depth, or as an escape from the pressures of life, and Smitten is guaranteed to make you smile. The four authors are close friends and brainstorming partners in real life, and this shows in this collection, in the personalities of the characters and the consistency of the plots. All in all, an excellent read, even though the sequel is not due out until December 2012!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com. (less)

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Dec 04, 2011 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

The setting for this delightful book is picturesque Vermont, in the town of Smitten. When the livelihood of the town is threatened by the local Mills closing, four girlfriends, with business minds and visions, and a true faith of following God decide to change things!
There are four distinct stories woven by four great authors into one, one story starts the book by Colleen Coble. She put Natalie and Carson Smitten on the path to collision and romance. Natalie is raising her niece Mia, who turns o...more The setting for this delightful book is picturesque Vermont, in the town of Smitten. When the livelihood of the town is threatened by the local Mills closing, four girlfriends, with business minds and visions, and a true faith of following God decide to change things!
There are four distinct stories woven by four great authors into one, one story starts the book by Colleen Coble. She put Natalie and Carson Smitten on the path to collision and romance. Natalie is raising her niece Mia, who turns out to be the inspiration for the whole town. Mia has made lavender wreaths and is sharing her faith with all.
The second story is by Kristin Billerbeck and is the story of Julia, a girl in stiletto heels and NYC spa dreams. When her former boss Devlin comes to town to offer her advice and a possible backing, he chooses a site she finds impossible. It is part of Zak Grant's Grill!! You will find several chuckles, and wonder how things can ever turn out in a Grill!
The third story is Shelby's by Diann Hunt. Shelby seems a bit creative and at the same time a bit scatter brained. She ends up having a fire in her home, by leaving a glue gun on and going out. This is a sweet story and one that shows you need to trust God all the way!
Nick Majors is a good friend, but lacks a lot of trust. He unexpectedly has his 12 year old daughter Whitney come and live with him, his ex-wife dies.
Love the interaction between Shelby and Whitney. You will cringe at some of Nick's boo boos and laugh at some of his others.
The fourth story is Reese's by Denise Hunter . Reese Mackenzie was formerly engaged to Sawyer Smitten, who is now famous and is helping the town with its new Romantic Theme. He is getting married here and has written a song to celebrate and help.
Griffin Parker has loved Reese for a long time, even left town when she was engaged to Sawyer. He is now helping with building Reese's Outdoor Store, and finding himself falling all over for Reese. You will wonder if Reese is still in love with Sawyer, or now Griffin.
Love how all these stories melded together and blended into a cohesive book. I could just picture the Lake, the town square, the carriage rides. Enjoy this refreshing look at life in Vermont!
There is also going to be a sequel coming next year!!

I received this book from the Publisher Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze, and was not required to give a positive review. (less)

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Dec 02, 2011 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Smitten by Colleen Cable, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter

Natalie Birthday Wishes by Colleen Cable
Smitten is a town in VT that has to close the mill down. The women talk about how to attract business and agree that it should be a love type business that would enhance the name of the town. Everything catering to the honeymooners and lovers. Their every wish come true. She even has the mayor on board now and is helping him redo his cabins
and they start going on dates. She doesn't...more

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Dec 02, 2011 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Smitten
The residents of Smitten, Vermont just received some very bad news, the mill is closing.
Natalie, Julia, Shelby & Reese are close friends and they brainstorm on what can be done to save the town. Without the mill the town will die. They come up with the idea to use the town name to bring tourism, to create a romantic town.

Natalie: Birthday Wishes – Colleen Coble
Natalie Mansfield was raising her niece, Mia. Natalie had come to live with her three aunts when she was ten after her moth...more

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Dec 01, 2011 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars

With the mill closing, the town of Smitten is out of business. Not all the townspeople are enthusiastic about moving. Four ladies had a vision. The name translates to romance, so turn Smitten into a tourist resort aimed at honeymooners and other lovers. After all, the name fits.

The plot of this book drew me. Having lived in a small town that tried to redefine itself as a tourist destination, I felt a kinship with this book. The idea is interesting, but the four ladies highlighted in the novella...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Michele rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a cute collection of four stories, all of which revolve around a small NE town called Smitten. When the town's main employer (a mill) closes, the town seems destined to shrivel and die. The women of the town decide to take matters into their hands and turn the town into a Honeymoon/Lover's retreat especially since one of descendants of the town's founder, Sawyer Smitten, is now a country music star and decides to lend his help.

Each of the four stories has basically the same theme -- boy...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Publishers' synopsis:

Welcome to Smitten, Vermont.
With the help of four friends, it’s about to become the most romantic town in America.
The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they’ve got just the plan to save Smitten. They’ll capitalize on its name and turn it into a tourist destination for lovers—complete with sweet shops, a high-end spa, romantic music on...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: SMITTEN
Authors: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4016-849405
Genre: Inspirational/novella/contemporary romance

Smitten, Vermont has hit a rough patch. After years of service, the lumber camp—and main source of employment for the men in the town—has declared bankruptcy and closed. The people of Smitten are stunned and shocked. With no job for the men, the town will shrivel up and die.

But four women in the town are d...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Ashley Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

I adored all four of these books. These books are all combined into one adorable and heartwarming storyline. The Lumber mill is closing and that means the town of Smitten won't have any income! Four women, Natalie, Reese, Shelby and Julia decide to save the town by making it the 'romance capitol'! The name is already perfect now they just need the town, mainly the stubborn men, to go along with the idea.
I adored Mia! She is Natalie's daughter and her faith was just so warming. All the romance wa...more

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Dec 28, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Smitten
Coble, Billerbeck, Hunt & Hunter
Who wouldn’t be Smitten when reading that these 4 awesome authors collaborated together to bring us the small town of Smitten, Vermont and 4 heroines much like themselves!
The brainstorm of Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter, this Christian fiction book is romance times four.The four gals of Smitten: Natalie, Julia, Shelby and Reese, devise a plan to save their small town after the lumber company closes down. God may have ev...more

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Dec 06, 2011 Karie Hall rated it 4 of 5 stars

Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter have all come together to create the novel, Smitten. Smitten, VT is a dying town. The lumber mill has closed and with no hope of another industry taking its place, the townspeople are thinking to give up. Four friends come up with a plan to turn Smitten, VT into a honeymoon destination similar to the Poconos. Although, some of the men in town grumble at the thought of turning their manly town into something girly, romance is soon i...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

When the mill in the small town of Smitten closes, the townspeople are nervous that they will lose their beloved city. Four friends, Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese, decide to save their town by making Smitten the go-to spot for honeymooners and couples in love. Now, they just need to convince the men in the town that their idea will work. Will they be able to convince the men in their lives to take a chance on love and on Smitten?

For years, I have been reading the blog that Kristin, Colleen,...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Cheryl Hart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, romance

Smitten, by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, & Diann Hunt
A Christian Romance

When the logging mill shuts down in the Smitten, Vermont, the townsfolk fear their community will never recover, but four women are determined they can change Smitten for the better. With a name like Smitten, why not make the town a romantic, honeymoon getaway?

Some of the local men think turning their mill town into a romance capital is a hair-brained idea. But, not only are they swayed by the women...more

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Dec 03, 2011 Tima rated it 5 of 5 stars

Four best friends hatched a plan to save the town of Smitten when the mill closed down. This is a sweet romantic tale of how love and faith saved a town and it's people.

I really enjoyed reading this novella. Even though each of the four stories were written by different authors, it flowed together very smoothly. I appreciated the way each woman's faith was shown. The authors sort of mirrored the characters after themselves and I loved how they added little details to the story that made it more...more

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About Colleen Coble

Carol Award winner Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print.

More about Colleen Coble...

Books by Colleen Coble

The Lightkeeper's Daughter (Mercy Falls, #1)

Lonestar Sanctuary (Lonestar Series, #1)

Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars #1)

The Lightkeeper's Ball (Mercy Falls, #3)

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