Hill Country Home: A Clean and Uplifting Romance

Truly Texas #7

by Kit Hawthorne

Will her deepest secret…

Destroy her chance at happiness?

It’s hard to keep a secret in Limestone Springs, Texas, especially when you work for a trustworthy, unshakable man like Tito Mendoza. But Jenna Hamlin is determined to hide her child’s past no matter the temptation. So when an unwelcome visitor reveals the truth and Jenna needs help to keep her daughter safe, can she finally let down her guard to trust—and love—again?

From Harlequin   Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

Truly Texas

Book 1: Hill Country Secret
Book 2: Coming Home to Texas
Book 3: The Texan's Secret Son
Book 4: Hill Country Promise
Book 5: Snowbound with the Rancher
Book 6: Her Valentine Cowboy
Book 7: Hill Country Home
Book 8: Hill Country Hero

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 26, 2023

About the author

Kit Hawthorne makes her home in south central Texas on her husband’s ancestral farm, where seven generations of his family have lived, worked, and loved. When not writing, she can be found reading, drawing, sewing, quilting, reupholstering furniture, playing Irish pennywhistle, refinishing old wood, cooking huge amounts of food for the pressure canner, or wrangling various dogs, cats, goats, and people.

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Reviews

[Heather Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number seven in Kit Hawthorne's Truly, Texas series, Hill Country Home is "chef's kiss"! Don't be intimidated that it's the seventh in a series, though. You can certainly read it as a stand-alone (though I highly recommend you read books 1-6, too!).
Jenna Hamlin has been in Limestone Springs for quite awhile now with her tween daughter, Halley. But Jenna has a secret...she's actually been on the run, trying to keep Halley hidden and safe from her no-good abusive father. Despite how she's fallen in love with Limestone Springs, she can never really allow herself to fully relax.
Tito Mendoza is her boss' cousin, and owns the bar next to the restaurant where Jenna works. He is kind and intelligent, the very definition of "a good man". The restaurant and bar are linked, and Jenna and Tito often do closing duties together. Tito's gotten pretty good at reading people over the years, and he's sure Jenna is holding back SOMETHING about herself and Halley. But what?
You will want to hunker down and read this sweet and charming story of friendship, trust...and love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good romance and with a little mystery, this book is for you. Jenna Hamlin and her daughter, Halley moved to Limestone Springs because they are running from Jenna’s ex husband. She’s trying to keep Halley from her abusive and dangerous father. They love living there and feel safe so far. No one knows their secret. Jenna is working at a restaurant which she loves. Tito Mendoza is her boss’s cousin and has the bar connected to the restaurant. They work closely together and often does the closing of the restaurant and bar. Tito can read people well and thinks Jenna has a secret. She does. The more time they stay in that town, the more she thinks this could be their forever home. Working with Tito and getting to know him, makes her wish she could fall for this kind, caring and handsome man. Halley really likes and trust him too. Will she tell Tito her secret? He makes her feel like she can. She thinks she can trust him. Will she confide? What will he think? Can he save them from her ex? Will her ex find them? Will she and Halley run again? They deserve to find love, happiness and a place to call home. Will they let go of the past and move toward the future? Love the characters. Worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hill Country Home by Kit Hawthorne is book #7 in her Truly, Texas series. You do not need to read the first 6 books in the series because this is a standalone novel, but they are all so good that I hope you do. Jenna Hamlin with her daughter Halley have moved to Limestone Springs, Texas with a secret in tact. As she works in the restaurant connected to Tito Mendoza’s bar, she’s gotten to know him quite well. She’d love to get to know him more and maybe confide her secret to him. Tito knows something is quite right with the story that Jenna tells him as they work together. He’s developing feelings for her and he thinks she might be maybe having feelings for him. But will Jenna ever confide in him her secret past? And if she does will it change the way Tito sees her?
I really loved this book. I loved the mystery to Jenna’s past and I really enjoyed Tito’s and Jenna’s friendship as it develops from just friends to possibly more. It was a clean heartwarming romance that you will want to spend an afternoon reading especially if you like a dose of mystery with your romance. I was given a copy of this book, but all opinions are my very own.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Truly Texas series, in which Jenna Hamlin learns a hard lesson: that sometimes it requires a village to ensure safety and that trying to do it all on one's own just may not be enough.

Specifically, she comes to Limestone Springs to keep her niece safe from the 12-year-old's father, whose actions had killed Halley's mother. All is going well, especially with Jenna's growing closeness with Tito Mendoza, owner and manager of the local bar where she works.

That is, until the man everyone thought was in prison gets out early, comes to Limestone Springs, and kidnaps Halley. Smart girl, Halley, manages to escape with the information Tito had shared with her, never actually thinking that such information might be necessary or acted upon. But life sometimes takes a weird turn. Trouble is, Jenna now thinks that she should leave Limestone Springs. After all, Halley isn't safe there anymore.

Can Tito or anyone else in town convince her otherwise? Or will it have to fall to Halley to remind Jenna that one person's vigilense isn't enough?

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting book full of romance, family, and suspense, all taking place in the small town of Limestone Springs in Texas.  I found it interesting how Jenna had chosen this town to raise her niece, Halley, who was twelve.  I really liked the characters, especially Tito who was so charismatic, thoughtful, and a perfect match for Jenna if she would ever let her guard down.  I liked that the suspense was always there to keep me turning the pages until I reached the last page.  I want to see what other books this author has written since I enjoyed this book so much.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The seventh book in the Truly Texas series is so, so good. Jenna is hiding her true identity and that of her daughter to keep them safe from their past and yet finds herself drawn to handsome, solid man Tito Mendoza who is such a good guy. Their story had many twists and turns and I loved it all. Tito and Jenna are so well matched and the way they supported each other and defended each other was so special. Although this one is part of a series it can be read as a standalone book but I definitely recommend reading the other books in this series.

[Patricia Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet western romance/ suspense story about Jenna and her daughter on the run. Jenna finds a small town to hide themselves away from her daughter’s father and family. Jenna works with Tito who is a coworker/ friend. Romance starts to sizzle
Between the two. Read this highly recommended story to find out more

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 7 in the Truly Texas series. I think I might have liked it more if I had read any of the previous books in the series. Jenna and her daughter live in Limestone Springs, Texas, and work for Tito Mendoza. She is hiding from her past but when it catches up with her, Tito makes sure that Jenna and her daughter are safe. Can she learn to trust again?

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I want to read more by this author. A sweet romance. Difficult back story. Several tender moments. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

[Harlequin Books]

Small Town & Rural Fiction, Western Romance, Holiday Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Truly Texas (Book #7)

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good romance and with a little mystery, this book is for you. Jenna Hamlin and her daughter, Halley moved to Limestone Springs because they are running from Jenna’s ex husband. She’s trying to keep Halley from her abusive and dangerous father. They love living there and feel safe so far. No one knows their secret. Jenna is working at a restaurant which she loves. Tito Mendoza is her boss’s cousin and has the bar connected to the restaurant. They work closely together and often does the closing of the restaurant and bar. Tito can read people well and thinks Jenna has a secret. She does. The more time they stay in that town, the more she thinks this could be their forever home. Working with Tito and getting to know him, makes her wish she could fall for this kind, caring and handsome man. Halley really likes and trust him too. Will she tell Tito her secret? He makes her feel like she can. She thinks she can trust him. Will she confide? What will he think? Can he save them from her ex? Will her ex find them? Will she and Halley run again? They deserve to find love, happiness and a place to call home. Will they let go of the past and move toward the future? Love the characters. Worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Jenna Hamlin and her daughter, Halley, seek refuge in the town to escape Jenna's abusive ex-husband. Working at a restaurant, Jenna forms a close bond with Tito Mendoza, her boss's cousin who runs the bar. As their friendship deepens, Jenna grapples with whether to confide in Tito about her secret past and her fears for the future. Meanwhile, she and Halley grow attached to the town and its residents, longing for a sense of permanence and safety. With a mix of mystery, heartwarming romance, and endearing characters, this novel is perfect for an afternoon read.