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177th out of 211 books
—
108 voters
Small Town Girl
Eighteen years ago, young Tess McPhail left tiny Wintergreen, Missouri, for Nashville and never looked back. Now one of country music's brightest lights, "Mac" McPhail is a millionairess many times over, whose career is her life. At thirty-five, Mac has no time for marriage, children, or kinfolk - until her sisters insist she come home to help care for their widowed mother...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
August 5th 2003
by Berkley Trade
(first published January 1st 1997)
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After a lot of internal debate - this would have to be my favourite LaVyrle Spencer book.
I was originally attracted to LaVyrle Spencer's work as a teen, because of how similar our names were - and then, after reading and devouring EVERYTHING ELSE she wrote, I hoped her magic way with words may somehow rub off on me (ahh, the arrogance of youth!).
This lady sure knows how to write and draw such deep emotions from her readers. I had to reach for the tissue box on numerous occasions, but it was so...more
I was originally attracted to LaVyrle Spencer's work as a teen, because of how similar our names were - and then, after reading and devouring EVERYTHING ELSE she wrote, I hoped her magic way with words may somehow rub off on me (ahh, the arrogance of youth!).
This lady sure knows how to write and draw such deep emotions from her readers. I had to reach for the tissue box on numerous occasions, but it was so...more
As far as style goes, Spencer has a beautiful and easy style that seems to seep into her mind like a daydream. It's so easy to read through her works, that you are over before you even realize you have begun. Her characters are solid and real, the type of people you can imagine walking out onto your front porch and seeing no matter where you are from.
I loved the humor and realness that seemed to come naturally to this story. I found myself laugh just as often as I found myself cringing in frustr...more
I loved the humor and realness that seemed to come naturally to this story. I found myself laugh just as often as I found myself cringing in frustr...more
3.5 stars
Although Tess’ life may have changed, nothing in her childhood home has and she quickly becomes frustrated by her mother’s stubbornness. Almost immediately she butts heads with an old schoolmate, Kenny, who had a crush on her in school and now lives next to her mother. Kenny is divorced with a teen-aged daughter and a long time girlfriend, but sparks fly between he and Tess and his adolescent crush threatens to capture his heart again.
This romance is a great down home family drama. Tess...more
Although Tess’ life may have changed, nothing in her childhood home has and she quickly becomes frustrated by her mother’s stubbornness. Almost immediately she butts heads with an old schoolmate, Kenny, who had a crush on her in school and now lives next to her mother. Kenny is divorced with a teen-aged daughter and a long time girlfriend, but sparks fly between he and Tess and his adolescent crush threatens to capture his heart again.
This romance is a great down home family drama. Tess...more
I really liked this book by Lavyrle Spencer, which is about a country star who comes back to her small town to help take care of her elderly mother who is having a hip replacement. The plot covers lots of things that would realistically occur in a situation like this, sibling rivalry, being asked to sing and appear locally as the 'local girl made good', feelings of being out of place in the small town, but also includes some things that wouldn't naturally happen, like the hot romance that develo...more
This is interesting. It's an average book, but I liked a few things about it:
- The nails. The earrings. The nickname.
- The plastic doily. The steps. The beds.
- The small details, like the fact that Mac once has to go around the car.
- The 'I was trying to cop a feel' statement.
- The long-lasting crush.
- The character growing.
- The Nashville bit.
- Casey and Mary.
- Renee.
- Judy, even.
- Kenny's helpfulness.
- "Cattin'"
Otherwise… good! Read other reviews. Mine makes no sense, but if you like this s...more
- The nails. The earrings. The nickname.
- The plastic doily. The steps. The beds.
- The small details, like the fact that Mac once has to go around the car.
- The 'I was trying to cop a feel' statement.
- The long-lasting crush.
- The character growing.
- The Nashville bit.
- Casey and Mary.
- Renee.
- Judy, even.
- Kenny's helpfulness.
- "Cattin'"
Otherwise… good! Read other reviews. Mine makes no sense, but if you like this s...more
This was my first book I read by Lavyrl. It was at the library and had just been returned. For some reason I was drawn to the title and cover art and so I checked it out.
Since then I've read it twice and I have loved it both times. It's a GREAT summer beach read, or pool read. A sweet story, with of course, a typical happy ending - but don't worry - there are plenty of twists and turns though.
Since then I've read it twice and I have loved it both times. It's a GREAT summer beach read, or pool read. A sweet story, with of course, a typical happy ending - but don't worry - there are plenty of twists and turns though.
I liked this and it's one I've re-read. However, it's also as if the author tried too hard to write a country-music themed story. The main character of Tess is simply a veiled attempt at writing a character based on Reba McEntire.
That said, I ultimately liked the story and I do like Tess. I like how she changes and grows throughout the book. She's selfish and jaded at first. Her stardom is important to her and she resents being called home to care for her elderly mother. As the story progresses,...more
That said, I ultimately liked the story and I do like Tess. I like how she changes and grows throughout the book. She's selfish and jaded at first. Her stardom is important to her and she resents being called home to care for her elderly mother. As the story progresses,...more
My fave LaVyrle Spencer book! A country music star, Tess McPhail, returning to the small town she grew up in and seeing the town and her family in a different light. She also reconnects with her childhood neighbor and becomes a mentor to his daughter. Good summer read!
This book has a wonderfully heartwarming story with many complex and compelling layers. It's about going home, discovering your roots and accepting yourself for who you are and in turn learning to accept the people around you, including your family. Thoroughly enjoyable read!
I enjoyed listening to this book on cd. I has the predictability of a chick-book(which I'm cool with) but I really loved how the author described everything. Sometimes I could just picture the looks they were giving each other.
Jul 17, 2009
Dawn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes a good love story.
Recommended to Dawn by:
I enjoy LaVyrle Spencer's books.
Loved this book! Enjoyable story with likable characters. I really enjoyed LaVyrle Spencer's books and hate it that she retired from writing. This one and "Then Came Heaven" were my all time favorites by this author.
Country musician, Tess McFail (sp.?), comes home to take care of her mother after replaclement surgery and falls in love with the boy next door and helps his teenaged daughter, Casey, break into country music.
LaVyrle Spencer continues to be one of my favorite authors. Her premise usually is a love story where the main characters are mis-matched for some reason. But love always wins in the end. My kind of story.
Received as a gift and loved this fun read. Loved the small town charm and Tess coming back home after 18 years and experiencing life. Reads like a movie. Sweet read for lake/beach.
It took me awhile to get through this one. I loved her book That Camden Summer. This one just OK, but have to admit the ending was pretty romantic and teary. Predictable love story that could have been about 50 pages shorter. Tess, the main character is a millionaire country star who returns to her small hometown to take care of her mother, who is undergoing a hip replacement. At first Tess comes across as a rich bitch -- very unlikeable. She goes from hating the guy next door, who was the dork...more
One of my favorite Lavyrle Spencer books. I was not crazy about the main character, Tess, but the others were very believable (and very likable) as small town Southern USA.
This book was Great! This is the first novel I've found that I really like. I had a hard time putting it down. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
I was caught easily by the laidback-ness of the cover and the book itself. True to its word, it was a really satisfying book, great for an overnight read.
Still one of my favorite books. Reading it reminds me of slipping on a pair of comfy Jammie's. just something comfortable that soothes the soul.
you can tell I am running out of stuff to read since I haven't had time to visit a library here yet! this was one mom gave me! so predictable!
A fun look into the Country Music industry. "Mac" Tess McPhail rediscovers an old classmate Kenny Kronek who has definetly changed since high school.
It is a love story, but i really liked it. About searching for yourself and re-evaluating yourself after you have obtained personal goals.
Listened to audio book. Mindless story to pass time in traffic. Not a lot happens. Learned a little about the music industry.
An enjoyable easy read. Stayed up til 2:00 a.m. to finish the book. There were some inconsistencies in the writing, but over all a good read.
I loved this book. This is the first time I have ever read a book by Lavyrle Spencer and I look forward to reading more.
It was hard to warm up to the heroine. She was a bit of a cranky snob at first. She got better as the book progressed.
One of her better books about a famous singer who goes home and falls for the neighbor boy.
Spencer creates such lovable characters.
I don't often do rereads this one rated one!
I don't often do rereads this one rated one!
Good book but rather unlikely....don't want to spoil it but I did enjoy reading it!
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LaVyrle Spencer is an American best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She has successfully published a number of books, with several of them made into movies. Twelve of her books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Spencer was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1988.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focu...more
More about LaVyrle Spencer...
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focu...more
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