Small Town Hearts

by Lillie Vale

Rule #1 - Never fall for a summer boy.

Fresh out of high school, Babe Vogel should be thrilled to have the whole summer at her fingertips. She loves living in her lighthouse home in the sleepy Maine beach town of Oar’s Rest and being a barista at the Busy Bean, but she’s totally freaking out about how her life will change when her two best friends go to college in the fall. And when a reckless kiss causes all three of them to break up, she may lose them a lot sooner. On top of that, her ex-girlfriend is back in town, bringing with her a slew of memories, both good and bad.

And then there’s Levi Keller, the cute artist who’s spending all his free time at the coffee shop where she works. Levi’s from out of town, and even though Babe knows better than to fall for a tourist who will leave when summer ends, she can’t stop herself from wanting to know him. Can Babe keep her distance, or will she break the one rule she’s always had - to never fall for a summer boy?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, LGBT, Young Adult Contemporary, Fiction, Queer

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 2019

About the author

Lillie Vale is the author of books for both teens and adults, including Wrapped with a Beau, The Decoy Girlfriend, Beauty and the Besharam, The Shaadi Set-Up and Small Town Hearts, an American Library Association’s 2020 Rainbow Books List selection. She writes about secrets and yearning, complicated and ambitious girls who know what they want, the places we call home and people we find our way back to, and the magic we make. Born in Mumbai, she grew up in Mississippi, Texas, and North Dakota, and now lives in an Indiana college town. Find her on Twitter @LillieLabyrinth and Instagram @labyrinthspine, or visit her website lillielabyrinth.com.

Reviews

[Cece (ProblemsOfaBookNerd) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5/5

A little dramatic at times, but beautifully written and it captures summer time so ridiculously well. This is a great book to pick up next if you loved How To Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake but you want something just a little bit lighter.

[Vicky Again · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve watched Small Town Hearts evolve over quite a few years, and the final product is *chef’s kiss* amazing.

It’s extremely atmospheric, filled with a cast of messy yet endearing characters, and featuring a swoony summer romance that leaves you wishing you had a summer romance too.

I’m so happy to finally be bringing my review your way, and I can’t gush enough about this book and how much I love it.

The character dynamics are complex and meaningful.

This is definitely my favorite part of the whole book, but Babe Vogel is not only such a relatable and enjoyable main character to read about, but her struggles are so so real.

I absolutely adore how Vale explores Babe’s relationship with her two best friends, Penny and Chad, and how their life-long friendship has changed in the summer after graduation. I really needed this, and I actually sent out a tweet looking for this exact friendship examination, and it totally slipped my mind that the after-high school friendship book I was looking for was RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. *facepalm*

Small Town Hearts examines friendship in such a meaningful way. A lot of people think that friendship problems end after high school, but they keep on going. And post-graduation (as well as leading up to graduation) is such a confusing time, because you’ve known these people your whole life and how does one maintain friendships when everything is changing so quickly.

I also really loved how Vale didn’t shy away from the nasty side of things—Penny manipulating Babe in the beginning, the nature between Penny, Chad, and Babe’s friendship when Penny & Chad were dating, and so much more. Things got intense in the way that Babe had to deal with all these things happening to their friendship that used to be very steady and dependable, and this book is so much more friendship-based than you might imagine on first glance.

Plus, even Babe’s budding friendship with her coworker Lucy and Lucy’s boyfriend Lorcan were still very present and contrasted well against what was going on with Chad and Penny, and I just really thought Vale did a good job of fleshing out all of the friendship dynamics.

I get hungry every time I read, and extremely nostalgic about beach towns.

You might think that contemporary novels don’t need strong world-building, but you are oh so wrong.

Small Town Hearts is basically steeped in so many delicious baked goods. I wish that this book had like, a second book coming out at the same time that was just a giant recipe book of all of the delicious foods mentioned—from Maine seafood to all the cookies and cakes and baked goods. I was absolutely drooling the whole way through.

The baked goods weren’t only delicious to read about, they also really added to the overall atmosphere of Oar’s Rest. It’s like another world, and Vale really captures the summer atmosphere really well. I’ve experienced that summer nostalgia on multiple occasions (in Florida, not Maine though) and Vale really shows how it’s almost like a completely different place than everyday life.

Picturesque and full of small town charm, Small Town Hearts really pulls out all the stops in building up a gorgeous world for the reader. I hope we get to read more books in Oar’s Rest one day, because I never want to leave.

Sandcastles and blueberry picking and small towns and lighthouses on hills. It’s like a vacation in a book.

The romance is sweet as sugar.

The other dynamic that Vale does so well after friendship is the romance. Oh, the romance.
I was swooning reading about Levi and Babe, and it was such a sweet journey. You’re left with the question of “What happens after summer?” as you get more and more invested in Babe & Levi’s romance (also, consent is sexy!! even for a kiss!)

It’s got enough tension for it not to be boring, while still sweet enough to keep this book low-stress, and I ship Babe and Levi so hard. Vale does a great job of working not only with just the emotional “do they click?” (spoiler: they do), but also all the physical barriers stopping them.

It might seem bittersweet, but I promise a happily ever after for all of you out there.

(Also, Babe is bi if you didn't know and this is such a happy bi book I loooove.)

Overall, I can happily deem Small Town Hearts a favorite.

It’s great. You should read it.

Anyone who enjoys contemporary romances with really cute, sweet settings, a bunch of delicious baked goods, and a sweet cast of characters with complex dynamics should totally check it out. Hopefully, that means you.

[Romie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was honestly so adorable? I don't think my heart can handle it. this was super soft. but at the same time it dealt with very important subjects, such as coming out and respecting that someone may not be ready yet to share their sexuality with the world, outgrowing friendships and discovering who you can be on your own, understanding what makes you happy and what you want out of life. this book was the perfect summer book, with a bisexual main character I would give my life for. (4.25)

link to my post for the blog tour: https://romiewedeservelove.wordpress....

I received this book as part of a blog tour.

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ * · Rating 1 out of 5]

honestly this book really just pissed me off basically in the book her best friend stop being friends with the mc after making the mc tell HER BOYFRIEND that man that she was breaking up with him instead of telling him herself and then he kissed the mc and they didn’t tell the best friend. the best friend finds out but doesn’t want to be friends with her yet stays with the boyfriend? i get it’s about toxic relationships but it really frustrated me because the mc kept trying to be friends with her like girl she does not deserve you.

[Madalyn (Novel Ink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on Novel Ink.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Small Town Hearts is a sweet, realistic coming-of-age story that’s impossible not to love. We follow our protagonist, Babe Vogel, during a summer that does not go at all as she planned. With both of her childhood best friends preparing to leave for college come fall, Babe is ready to spend the summer making one last batch of memories with them before everything changes. However, things quickly go awry after a reckless kiss, and are complicated even further when Babe’s ex-girlfriend reappears in Oars Rest for the summer. Oh, and then there’s Levi, the summer boy Babe is desperately pretending she’s not falling for. ALL THE SMALL-TOWN DRAMA, BASICALLY.

Small Town Hearts shines in its portrayal of small town life. I’m a sucker for small town settings (bonus points if it’s also a beach!), and Oars Rest can hang with the best of them. The town of Oars Rest, its residents, and its eccentricities jump straight off the pages. It’s the type of town where you can’t walk down the street without seeing a familiar face (or ten), and the residents are always willing to lend a helping hand. I also wanted to visit every single local business mentioned in this book, seriously. ESPECIALLY the food places. Speaking of, a large portion of Small Town Hearts is set in The Busy Bean, the coffee shop where Babe is the manager. As someone who worked for years in a coffee shop, this setting felt so comforting and realistic to me. And I loved that Busy’s kind of served as a microcosm for the town of Oars Rest generally.

I love that Babe is someone who’s content where she is. So often in these small-town books, we follow main characters who want desperately to get out– and, as someone who grew up in a very small town, I can say this was true for me, but it certainly isn’t true for everyone. There’s a misconception that if you stay in the town where you grew up, you’re “settling” in some way or that you lack larger aspirations. But, newsflash! College isn’t for everyone, and leaving also isn’t for everyone. Small Town Hearts challenged this idea in a way that was so refreshing. Babe might choose to stay in Oars Rest and manage Busy’s over going off to college, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have bigger dreams. Her dreams just happen to lie within the place she was born and the place she loves.

I also loved this book’s focus on the way friendships shift and change as we get older. Babe goes through a pretty rough friend breakup with her best friends of 10+ years in this book, and all three of them have to face hard truths about the way they treat each other and the expectations they have of themselves and one another. We also see Babe learn that she can make new friends and widen her circle while still maintaining her lifelong friendships. Overall, I really appreciated the nuanced portrayal of what friendship is like as an adult.

Of course, I can’t talk about Small Town Hearts without talking about the romance. Levi Keller, a city boy in Oars Rest for a summer art program, immediately grabs Babe’s attention when he becomes a regular at Busy’s. The cutest friends-to-lovers romance ensues. I think this book captured the sweetness and the exhilaration of a summer romance PERFECTLY. Having a crush on someone is thrilling, but also terrifying, and Babe definitely went through all of this. I also loved the way Babe’s bisexuality was never used for shock value and never belittled by the people she loves. Speaking of, I appreciated the way Babe respected her ex-girlfriend’s own journey with her sexuality and took care to never out her to other people, even when it would have made things easier. The casual bi rep was refreshing and much-needed. Anyway, Babe and Levi are the cutest. Levi is the definition of a soft boy, and I loved seeing him not only fall in love with Babe, but also fall in love with Oars Rest. I also love that, even in the midst of a whirlwind summer romance, Babe takes time to think about what *she* wants out of her future and whether or not her budding relationship with Levi fits into those plans. Their relationship felt sweet and swoony, while still going through all of the natural ups-and-downs of a real summer romance. It struck the perfect balance between realistic and cinematic.

If you’re looking for the perfect cozy summer book that stills deals with real-world problems, I can’t recommend Small Town Hearts highly enough!

[Fadwa (Word Wonders) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy for the blog tour, this in no way affected my opinion*

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Original review posted on my blog : Word Wonders

CW: Recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse (wuth dubious consent), manipulative friendship.

I have been excited for Small Town Hearts for MONTHS so of course I jumped on the occasion to read and review it when the blog tour was announced. And to no one’s surprise, much less mine, I ended up absolutely loving it. This is the kind of book that sneaks up on you, it sneaks its way into your heart and you only realize how much you love it when it’s too late to go back, when you blink up from the book and realize that you just want more.

The writing style is one of my favourite things about Small Town Hearts, if not my most favourite thing. It sets the summer vibes very early on, but that’s not all it does, it also has this nostalgic, almost melancholic feel to it that takes the story beyond the fluffy territory (yes it’s fluffy, yes it’s adorable) and makes it bittersweet, making you feel this inexplicable sense of longing that you only understand the source of later on in the story. Lillie Vale’s writing is gorgeous and very quotable too, she knows how to put feelings into words, then takes those words and pokes at your heart with them, going “hey, hi, I’m here and I get you”. And ugh, I just, my words are failing me but this book made my heart ache so much, but not because it’s sad (it’s not… not really) but because it’s real.

I went into this story for the romance and came out with so much more. Everything about it felt so real that I hated it sometimes (not really, but you know what I mean) because it hit way too close to home. I loved how heavily it dealt with break-ups, especially friendship break-ups, with how painful and, sometimes, necessary they are. Which is something we so rarely see in books. It talks about how you can outgrow your friends, how they can outgrow you or how sometimes you’re just not good for each other anymore, maybe for a while, maybe forever but you needs space to figure it out. And that is so incredibly important to show teens.

Small Town Hearts is also very introspective in that way. The main character, Babe, tries to sort through her feelings about her best friends, losing them and whether it’s a good or bad thing through most of the book, and while she does so, we can see her grow from “I never want to let go of them and don’t want anything in my life to change, ever” to “Well, maybe this is something that was needed, and maybe now is time for us to discover who we are without each other” which are all sentiments that can resonate with every person who has broken up with a friend before. Or has been broken up with.

Babe is a bisexual café manager and baker (ALL!! THE!! FOODS!!!) who is content with the life she has, her little light house, her little town and her café that she hopes to buy one day, and I never knew I needed something like this until I read it. I love how not a big deal it is that she doesn’t plan on going to college, how everything she wants from life is at arms’ reach, right where she is and that she’s happy with it, and this is something else teens need to see. That just because your dreams and the life you want for yourself doesn’t include college, doesn’t make it less good, or less fulfilling, as long as it makes you happy and your heart full, that’s what matters. Her attachement to her small beach town was understandable because it feels like a little family where everyone looks out for everyone and they all care about each other so deeply that it just makes sense.

Babe is a mess of conflicted feelings which, albeit very understandable, got somewhat frustrating, especially since a lot of her internal turmoil could’ve been solved if she voices her worries and communicated better, especially with her love interest. But as someone who tends to internalize a lot as well, I couldn’t blame her for it. But yes you could find me frowning and yell-whispering “JUST COMMUNICATE ALREADY” at my phone a lot while reading this. That being said I loved reading her growth through the book and how, very slowly, she started coming out of her shell, allowing herself to change and doing what scares her the most: Letting someone close enough that they can hurt her. Which is her biggest struggle throughout the book.

I love Levi, her love interest, with my whole heart and then some. He’s an artist and has such a calming energy to him that I couldn’t help but smile every time she was interacting with him. He’s so soft and open about his feelings, hopes, dreams and even his insecurities. He lets Babe in with such ease that you can’t help but root for them. He’s also so thoughtful and I absolutely adored how the author portrayed their relationship, the tentativeness and uncertainty of it at first, and how organic the development was, especially with her including not only *key* moments but also the small day to day things, them doing mundane activities and just talking about life. These especially made my heart melt.

Next character I want to talk about is Penny, and BOI do I have a mouthful to say about her. I disliked her so much that just her breathing in Babe’s vicinity annoyed me, she’s lowkey manipulative and the way she treats Babe, even before the conflict, irked me and she was so self-centered that she never saw when she made Babe uncomfortable, as long as she got her to do whatever it is she wanted. THEN, after the kiss happens (not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis), homegirl completely lashed out, which is understandable on the one hand because she feels hurt and betrayed, but on the other hand, she takes it too far and becomes downright cruel. Which is something that was definitely interesting to read because friendships, especially those that used to be super tight-knit, tend to go VERY south when the break-up happens. One thing I liked is that Babe was *still* there for Penny when she needed her most, even after she rejected her, she never gave up on her, even while letting go of their friendship.

On the other hand, I adored Lucy and how she was just a steady and calming presence in Babe’s life. Her friendship and the way she made that she was there for Babe without ever overwhelming her and allowing her space to hurt and grieve is something that I loved. I also loved her as a character, how honest and funny she is.

The ending made my heart so so full. It was so satisfying in a way where it was sweet and hopeful and still realistic and somewhat open, allowing the reader to ask “What’s next?” and answering that question however they see fit. I HIGHLY recommend Small Town Hearts if you’re looking for a cute summer romance that will leave your heart aching but smiling.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book:

* The small town, where everybody knows your name, that's why neighbours become good friends, Gilmore Girls vibe.
* THE FOOD. I swear, I was hungry 99% of the time whilst reading this.
* The exploration into the complexities of friendships.
* The fact that the MC wasn't going to college and that, not only was totally okay with it, it was her choice!
* The uncomplicated discussions and general acceptance surrounding sexuality (the MC is bi).
* The love interested is understanding and soft and entirely adorable.
* The realistic outlook on relationships and the fact that no one changed their lives around the other.
* IT IS JUST SO FREAKING CUTE.
* The wonderfully descriptive writing style that didn't feel heavy or exhausting to get through, it simply painted a beautiful, picture of summertime.
* Upper YA (the MC was 19, love interested 18 and friends 18-19)
* Did I mention the food?

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable, warm, summertime contemporary and the perfect read to distract me from the painfully cold, rainy British winter.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Swoon Reads/Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book was so adorable! It was so cute and sweet and had be swooning all the way through. I read in January, so the middle of winter, and the whole time this book had be thinking summer summer need summer now.

The setting and premise of this book is basically your perfect summer (or any time of the year) read! Set in a cute little town in Maine, this book includes long languid days on the beach, picturesque sights of the town (Babe lives in a lighthouse!!!), sandcastles and even a sandcastle building competition, a summer clam shell pageant, and food! Honestly, if for no other reason (although there are definitely other reasons) you should read this book for the food alone. Babe works as a barista and adores baking (thus making me adore her), and there are so many mouthwatering descriptions of desserts! I mean, just take a look at the delicious looking pie on the cover and then multiply it by 1000 and you get all the foooooood in this foodtastic book.

In addition to Babe’s amazing trait of being an amazing baker, she’s also just a fantastic character. I love how she has goals and knows what she wants to do with her life, even if it’s not going to college which seems to be unusual for YA contemporary; she knows that she loves to make people happy with food! She has a clear passion for what she loves, be that people like her friends, places like her town, or things like food.

Levi, her love interest, is also absolutely amazing! He’s an artist, sort of confused in what he wants to do in the world at the moment, and just starts to discover what he really wants to do this summer. Of course, he and Babe also have a bit of a forbidden romance since Babe has vowed off dating summer boys who always leave at the end of the summer, and I’m such a sucker for a forbidden romance so that was great too! I will note that I’m not perfectly satisfied with how it was wrapped up at the end, but for the most part I was swooning!

As for the supporting characters: there were a couple of people that I hated, and then a couple that I loved! One prevalent theme in this book was letting go of the past and accepting change, and with that, new friends, and it was so sweet to see Babe grow close to new people after a falling out with her old friends. On the other hand, I was kind of sick of Babe clinging on to terrible, cruel friends, and always justifying and making excuses for them, and I was a bit irked by the way those friendships were wrapped up.

There was fantastic bi rep in this book too! Babe is bi and this is openly discussed. There is talk of her ex girlfriend trying to come to terms with and discover her sexuality, as well as the clash with wanting to be open with relationships and people who aren’t ready to come out yet.

I’m close to Babe and all her friends’ ages right now and this book really resonated with me. It definitely shows how hard it can be to accept change and move on with life, which is what really happens after high school moving on to college or wherever your life takes you. I’d definitely recommend this book for people close to that age who are dealing with change in their lives, as it’s very relatable! Definitely anyone of any age can enjoy it though 🙂 Overall a very sugary sweet read I really enjoyed!

4 stars

[destiny ♡ howling libraries]

set aside @ 10%

I'm definitely going to pick this back up soon, but 1) the weather sucks here and this book's setting is making me grumpy and envious, and 2) I'm so not in the mood for weird melodrama in books right now :(

[tiffany (readbytiffany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Hearts is a book that is easy to love—it fills your heart with warm nostalgia and sweet memories of summer, friendship, and love. Babe, our lovable and refreshing protagonist, is a small-town girl who is facing that melancholy transition period in her life of post-high school graduation. As her childhood best friends, Penny and Chad, prepare for college, this summer is meant to be the perfect one to spend together, but things get thrown off the rails when a messy kiss threatens their plans. Things get even more hectic when Babe’s ex-girlfriend, Eloide, arrives back in town from college, and an artsy summer tourist named Levi decides to spend his summer in Oar’s Rest.

The small-town setting of Oar’s Rest has the same heartwarming feel of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. It’s a place where everyone is family and anywhere you walk, you’ll see a friendly face. Everything about this town speaks to the heart from the friendly strangers who make a short pass in the novel and the local restaurants with delicacies that will make your mouth water to the tight-knit community which inspires daytime boat trips and bonfires under the stars. This is the type of town I’ve always wished I could have grown up in or at least visited. Simply reading about Oar’s Rest makes it feel personal so when Babe and the rest of the characters move throughout various locations in the novel, it feels like you’re there with them.

Lillie Vale’s writing is absolutely gorgeous and beyond exceptional for a debut novel. Vale has a talent for capturing emotions—both the intense and the subtle—and catering to the five senses. You can see the glimmering reflection of the sun against the ocean, and you can smell the savory aroma of grilled seafood. You can feel the fresh summer breeze against your skin as Babe bikes through town, and you can hear the hustle and bustle and friendly chatter at the Busy Bean, the town’s local coffee shop. One moment your stomach will be longing for creamy clam chowder and hand-churned ice cream, but the next, your heart is aching over Babe’s romantic struggles and broken friendships. Even with the most enticing and descriptive scenes, Vale leaves you wondering and slightly tugs at your heart, making this book impossible to stop thinking about even after you’ve put it down.

One of the best aspects of Small Town Hearts is the variety of multi-faceted friendships we encounter. At the forefront, we have the iconic trio of Babe, Penny, and Chad. Childhood best friends but, of course, things get turned awry when Babe and Chad accidentally kiss and Penny finds out. We see the lasting impacts on Babe and Penny’s friendship and how the dedication to the friendship was unequal from the beginning. Although I sometimes got frustrated with how Babe would let Penny walk over her, it’s also very telling of Babe’s character that she never gave up on their friendship. To contrast this messy trio, we have Lucy, one of Babe’s coworkers and a sweet angel. She served as an amazing support system, and I loved her character so much.

If you know me, you know I love fluffy romances, and this book did not disappoint. First, we have Babe’s ex-girlfriend who’s re-entered the picture, but more importantly, we have our favorite summer boy, Levi Keller. He was cute. He was swoon-worthy. He was patient. AND he accepts Babe for who she is and is incredibly supportive. I know in romance we immediately like to think of grand gestures and big moments, but what made Babe and Levi’s relationship so touching was how organically it developed. We see their day-to-day conversations about random topics to introspective long-term life plans.

On top of all the fabulous writing, picture-perfect setting, and characters who I will protect, Small Town Hearts is a book that reflects on thoughtful messages like finding yourself and your passion and the necessity of higher education and whether it’s for everyone. I can’t recommend this book enough whether you’re looking for something to warm your heart or to pull you out of a slump. This book has made my favorites list, and I hope if you read it (and you definitely should) that it’ll make yours too.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars ✨

This was a hard one to rate. For the most part I enjoyed this book. The things I liked about it: 1. I loved Oar's Rest! This was a Maine small town where I would love to live. Lillie Vale wrote a setting that just made you feel good all over. 2. I loved Busy's. I want their baked goods!! 3. I enjoyed Babe and Levi's story, I wish it had gone a little more into their love story. 4. I liked Lucy as a character the best. I wouldn't mind a book centered around her:) What I didn't like: 1. Babe's so-called best friends. They were horrible!! Penny was one of the most toxic people. I would have dumped her a long time ago! Even Chad wasn't that great. 2. How are these people 18/19 years old, right out of high school, doing better financially than me? Hmmm..... 3. I wish there had been more dialogue, less inner "talking". 4. Too many misunderstandings. They needed to talk & listen, instead of running away.

So now I just need a book that centers around Lucy, Busy's, and Oar's Rest:)

[Lillie Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're seeing this, it's because you're reading Small Town Hearts or thinking about reading Small Town Hearts, and that makes me so incredibly happy!

But first and foremost, take care of your mental health <3 Below is a list of content warnings for anyone who might need them.

* manipulative friendship
* mention of casual drug usage (weed, not shown on the page)
* alcohol consumption (on page)
* alcohol abuse (a character drinks and parties to the point of dehydration and sleep-deprivation; two characters get wasted and are too drunk to fully consent to sex with each other)

[laura (bbliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so incredibly cute!!

Also, I made some playlists for this book. You can find them here.

[l.]

I’m finally starting this book, and I can’t wait for all the summery vibes, because I’m currently freezing to death, even bundled up in two sweaters & a blanket. 🌞

Blog | Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter

[kav (xreadingsolacex) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my review.

To everyone who ever needed a second chance

Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale is a contemporary novel about Babe Vogel, our bisexual mc, who has great plans for her first summer after high school, but is more-than disappointed to find out her summer will not as filled with happiness and fun as she had hoped. Babe's friendship with her two best friends, Penny and Chad, quickly falls apart, while her ex-girlfriend, Elodie, returns from college and the two had a less-than-pleasant breakup. At the same time, a new face shows up in Babe's small town, Levi Keller, who leads Babe to consider breaking her most important rule: never fall for a summer boy.

Let's start out with the breathtakingly beautiful writing of this novel. Small Town Hearts is written with such beautiful prose that I would quote the entire novel in this review if I could, because that is the only I could do justice to Vale's obvious talent as a writer.

"I like the romance of lighthouses. The mystery...After almost shipwrecked, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his wife and said he was more likely to build a lighthouse than a church. Because the strength of a lighthouse is from its being alone. From being a beacon of light in the darkness, a finger showing you which way if home."

But outside of the beautiful writing, Small Town Hearts is a novel about a new adult being thrust into the world who is definitely fearful of change. Small Town Hearts is a novel about a girl desperately hanging on to her high school friendships because she doesn't want the change that comes after finishing high school.

Best friends weren't supposed to be like paper kites in the wind. They were supposed to be the people who wouldn't float away, who would always be there.

It is a novel about losing and gaining - about losing old friends and gaining new ones. It is a bittersweet novel about the new love of a future and the heartbreak of the past.

Betrayal twisted in my gut. My pain was not hers to use, hers to display. How many people had seen this?...The music, playing from chameleonlike hidden speakers, was drowned out by the erratic, sharp thumps of my heart.

The story arc of Babe confronting her problematic relationships in the past - with Elodie and with Penny and Chad - and how that taught Babe how to go forward with her new relationships was incredible. The idea of past pain teaching about how to achieve a happier future was beyond beautiful.

The moment had shifted from two friends sitting together to a girl who might, just might, be falling for a boy.

The romance between Babe and Levi was exquisitely done - their journey from friends-to-lovers was one of the best I have ever read. While Babe's past brought about some intense issues that need to be explored and discussed, Babe's romance with Levi was a soft and fluffy overarching storyline that balanced out the serious realities with the beautiful fantasy.

There's a lot I could say about this novel, but nothing that I say will be as good as actually reading this masterpiece for yourself, and I highly, highly recommend that you do.

Here's to the dream. And to the dreamer.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was NOT turning out to be the summer Babe was expecting. She had planned to laze her days away on the beach with her besties eating tacos, but one mistake, and she was ousted from the group. To add to her misery, her ex-girlfriend was back in town after unceremoniously cutting Babe out of her life. All seemed lost, until a silver lining, in the form of a summer boy, appeared.

I am going to tell you right now - I was rooting for the summer boy from the very beginning. Levi was such a sweet little cinnamon roll, and it was easy to see that he made Babe something she hadn't really been in quite a while - happy. He was honest and a straight shooter, and he didn't leave her questioning everything she did or said. Their relationship was delightfully healthy.

It was easy to understand Babe's reluctance to open her heart to Levi, though. She was nursing quite a few wounds due to abandonment. Her mother left, her girlfriend left, and her best friends (kinda, sorta) left. How was she supposed to allow herself to fall for a boy, who was scheduled to leave at the end of the summer?

Alas, my heart didn't care, because these two shared a great friendship and a meaningful connection. And his friendship came without expectations, UNLIKE some of her "friends".

A big part of Babe's story was the conflict with Penny and Chad. I guess it's part of growing up, but it's also sad to see a long friendship run its course. It was definitely hard for Babe, and Vale did a wonderful job capturing those emotions. I felt for Babe and raged against her friends. I suppose I should commend the author for inciting these emotions in me, because I sort of felt like I went through the stages of grief during the demise of this friendship.

Aside from the romance, which was the star of this book for me, I also loved:

• What a fantastic little seaside town Vale brought us to. I loved exploring Oars Rest, and thought the author did a wonderful job pulling me into this local.

• Babe's mom and friends sort of sucked, but she was not without support. There were many fine inhabitants of Oars Rest, who gave their love to Babe. Her boss at Busy's was a sort of surrogate father to her, and she found an honest friendship in Lorcan and Lucy, who were both amazing. Sometimes found-families are just better.

• Sandcastle competitions for the win

• Baked goods. Lots and lots of amazing sounding baked goods. Oh, and seafood too.

• She lived in a lighthouse!

• End of summer traditions

It was a summer of many ups and downs for Babe, where she learned a lot about life and about herself.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[luce (that loser crying on the n° 2 bus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

| | blog | tumblr | ko-fi | |

I had a similar reading experience with The Music of What Happens since there too I found that what could have been a potentially cute love story was overshadowed by a deleterious friendship.
Small Town Hearts started well enough. The main character meets a cute 'summery boy' (a term that become increasingly annoying as the story progresses) at work and they seem to have great chemistry. The meet-cute romance between them is not the sole focus of the story as for much of the narrative the MC is angsty about her best-friend who is an awful—and I do mean awful—human being. She is manipulative and treats the MC badly throughout the novel. At the end, her behaviour isn't challenged but seems to be attributed to a natural 'growing up/apart' sort of thing...which is frankly bullshirt. Why make a toxic friendship okay? !
There were also a lot of things that were so unrealistic as to be difficult to brush aside. Mainly, that all these teenagers were so financially independent. The MC was able to buy a lighthouse and it is hinted that soon she could buy the café where she is currently employed in. Okay....
This unrealism dimmed the more realistic moments and overall this was an okay summer read but definitely not a long-lasting read.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, if I had to sum up this book in a word, it would be: ADORABLE.
I really loved the small town vibes and setting, giving me all the summer feels I was looking for. I adored ALL THE FOOD and cakes in this book (I got hungry while reading... multiple times). The romance was well-built and adorable and I just really really liked them together okay.
Definitely a book I'd recommend for marshmallows/contemporary lovers like me :)

Read my review of Small Town Hearts on the blog.

Thank you to MacMillan International & Swoon reads for the ARC of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.

My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, that was so damn cute! It was the perfect book! I don’t even have any words. It was just that amazing, sweet, sugary, summery, etc (y’all get the point). Please just read this book y’all! 😭💕

5 sugar coated, sand dusted, saltwater dipped stars!

[Fanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wanted a hand to hold, a face to cup, an ear to whisper into."

Small Town Hearts is a sweet, romantic contemporary that lays out the summer of Babe, a townie at heart and lover of everything baking, a true barista. It deals with themes of friendship, love, and finding oneself. It will make you crave all the sugary sweets, slices of cake, and iced coffees while also slowly burning you with all the summer vibes. If you're looking for a light yet intricately woven summer story that focuses majorly on the characters and relationships than plot and would love to know more about how that coffee is made behind the counter at a cafe, this is the book you need to pick up.

Sometimes you think you're only friends because you don't know how to be anything else.

Babe's friendship with her two close friends, who she has been around with since forever, hits a roadblock and the fact that Babe has to now see who she really is without these two vital people in her everyday life made me care about her right from the start. Moving on to the romantic aspect, Levi--the summer boy from New York who is an artistic soul--has officially made it to my book boyfriend list. He's the sweetest, most adorable guy who genuinely understands everything and the only question I kept asking myself was: where do I find someone like him? Babe and his relationship is well paced and does reach the peak points at an understandable rhythm.

I love you, and you're part of that life, but you're not my whole life.

Another aspect that really impressed me was Babe exploring the possibilities of making new friends. The destruction of the notion that your best friends who you've spent the majority of time with are the only ones you can ever grow close to has even made me think about my own views regarding friendship in life. So that's something I found commendable. Not only this, the opinions and discussions in this story regarding the 'town life' have sparked an interest in me. I'm a city person at heart or so I believed but seeing the characters in this book enjoying and genuinely loving the calmness, the peacefulness and everything else that a town offers the best has made me rethink my own views about being a townie.

Because the strength of a lighthouse is from its being alone. From being a beacon of light in darkness, a finger showing you which way is home.

The bisexual representation is not something I can comment upon since I don't belong to the spectrum but I would love to mention that it amazed me to a great extent. It's gracefully incorporated into the character's personality and there are no unnecessary explanations being provided to the readers when Babe mentions her ex-girlfriend and starts falling in love with this summer boy. Also, the main character doesn't take a step back when she needs to let other characters--or the readers--know that coming out is something a person does at their own pace and I appreciated it so much.

Overall, a definitely recommended read that will make you fall in love with the characters, the town, and the coffees and cakes.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this via my participation in the blog tour of this book but that doesn't, in any way, affect my rating and/or review of this. Thank you, Lillie Vale, Lili (USOM), and Swoonreads!

March 2019 - Ten Books To Look Out For This Month

Blog/Website | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest

[- The Polybrary - · Rating 5 out of 5]

~*Review first appeared on The Bent Bookworm!*~

5/5 stars for an adorable, realistic summer romance! I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. But I was intrigued by the synopsis, being a small-town girl at heart myself, and while I’ve only visited Maine once it was gorgeous and picturesque and I would love to go back.

“The cardinal rule of every beach town is that locals do not get involved with tourists. They always leave.”

Babe is a bisexual baking barista (try saying that five times fast) who is struggling to let go and move on as her life – and her best friends – change around her. Her two bests friends are going on to college, and she’s not. Her choice, but she wants everyone she’s grown up with to stay the same right along with her. But is she really staying the same?

I absolutely loved the way Babe stuck to her guns about NOT going to college and staying in her home town. I think sometimes in all the narratives (and real life experiences) of people leaving home and never looking back, that we forget there are people who love their towns and what to stay there, build a life for themselves in the same place they grew up. On the other hand, I was glad that Babe realized she wasn’t entirely staying the same, she was growing and changing as a person too – even if she stayed in the same physical place.

Levi and Babe were adorable together. Even though their relationship is a little insta-y, it wasn’t insta-LOVE and I appreciated that. After all, insta-LIKE is pretty common and has a large variety of endings, haha. They had chemistry, but the author steered away from things like heavenly boy-sweat and sparks flying from the touches of fingertips. Thank you. I also loved that they both knew, pretty much from the start, that their relationship (whatever it was at the time) might not be permanent, and they were okay with that.

Babe’s issues with Elodie, her ex-girlfriend, were difficult to read about. Elodie is not out, and Babe has been for years, so that really threw a painful wrench into their relationship. After their breakup, Babe eventually – after a lot of tears and pain – moves on. When Elodie comes back to town after a year at college, Babe didn’t crumble. She had realized how much Elodie hurt her and how much she was a selfish person, and wasn’t going to let her do it again.

She was deflecting, trying to unload the responsibility of her decisions on me.

Having let people do this to me more times than I can count, I actually teared up that Babe found the strength within herself to call Elodie out on it. YES. Because it is damn difficult.

Also I desperately wanted some of Babe’s baking confections. OMG. I was EXTREMELY disappointed that there were not recipes for these…I mean, come on! That’s just cruel. Maybe someone will be inspired to come up with some? Because I know I’m not that talented…just page me if it happens. Kthx.

Highly recommend for a breezy summer read that still has some substance. I loved it and am very excited to see what debut author Lillie Vale comes out with next!

Many thanks to the publisher and author for a review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram |

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I must say I expected a bit more and I was bored in certain parts of it, but other than that it was a pleasant and cute story to read. I think the main relationship took a lot of time to evolve and it's something that bugged me a little bit.
I really appreciated how the "outgrowing of friendships" theme was dealt with, it's usually something you don't get to find in YAs and here it was well done.
I also really enjoyed all the descriptions of the beautiful little seaside town and also all the baking!

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover


Small Town Hearts is the kind of book that makes you feel warm inside despite the freezing cold weather. It is a cute and summery read set in a picturesque beach town, and the main character is realistic. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson.

❀ REALISTIC PLOT

This book tells the story of Babe, a girl who haas just graduated high school and is spending her summer working and contemplating the changes that will occur in the fall. However, she finds herself falling for a tourist, which she knows will come to an end at the end of the season. The story is filled with adorable summer vibes, and I loved reading about the cozy beach town setting. I mean, the main character lives in a lighthouse and there are annual sandcastle building contests. I found the book to be realistic, and I liked how it shows that there are more pathways than going straight to university after high school.

❀ INTERESTING MAIN CHARACTER

Babe is such an interesting character, and she is very mature. She knows exactly what she wants and sets goals to obtain it. She also works in a coffee shop, which I adored. I’m here for any book with food/cafes. As well, I enjoyed how Babe’s voice is realistic for her age and how her mistakes make her believable. She has a bit of a rough summer, but she doesn’t complain very much, which I appreciated.

Small Town Hearts is a cute and summery read about summer love and the future. I enjoyed the main character, and the beachy setting is well-developed. This is the perfect book to enjoy in the warm weather.

[Sarah {The Clever Reader} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

loved the concept of the small town seaside town where boy falls in love with girl. It gave me some Stars Hollow feels where everyone knows everyone, and everyone helps everyone. I really enjoyed those bits. 

It's the summer after graduation. The summer of change. Babe works at the local coffee shop and lives in the lighthouse on the hill. When her best friend asks her for a favor she finds herself in a situation that tests her friendships. Babe seemed to always get the short end of the stick when it came to her friends. I think they tended to take advantage of her without realizing it until it was too late. When Levi comes into town there's finally some hope for Babe to be happy!

My favorite scenes were between Babe and Levi. He's such a genuine character who really cares for her. Levi is in town for an art program at the local college for the summer and when he meets the cute barista he starts to discover a new found creativity he hasn't had in a while. I found him adorable and such a good love interest!

I did have a few issues when it came to the side characters and the way they treated Babe. I didn't feel like they were very nice to her for being her best friends for years. Chad threw her under the bus for something he did and Penny didn't believe her which was really hard for me. I didn't feel like either of them really deserved Babe's forgiveness for the things they did to her. Elodie, now she's a real treat I tell you what. She hurts babe the worst. 

I was thinking this was going to be a light and fluffy fun spring read but it turned out to have a lot more sad parts in it than happy ones. 

[˗ˋˏ karie ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ this was oh so very cute <3

[Cait Jacobs (Caitsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from the ARC, and all opinions are my own.

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Small Town Hearts is a fantastic read, with something for everyone, from an adorable romance to a great portrayal of the ups and downs of friendships.


"This was the summer that everything had come undone, unspooling our lives like the wickedest of storms. Now there was only the calm, the after."


Blog ||Tumblr || Bookstagram || Twitter|| Reviews

"We get to come back from our mistakes. We have to believe that’s possible.”

- Premise -

Small Town Hearts follows Babe, who lives in the lighthouse of her small town that attracts a fair share of tourists and visitors during the summer months. When she meets Levi, an artist, she must remind herself of a very important rule: never fall for a summer boy. But when she finds her friendship with her two best friends crumbling, and her ex-girlfriend back in town, falling for the wrong boy may just save her summer.

"Oar’s Rest held on to memories. Every first kiss, every last kiss. Every tragedy, every miracle. It was greedy for them.”

- Writing & Setting -

Lillie Vale’s writing style is amazing. Her voice is the perfect blend of the humor and wit that’s now a must for lighthearted contemporary romance, and the elegant prose of heavier, sometimes denser reads. It sets the tone for this fun, adorable, yet grounded story. It also helps to vividly portray the town of Oars Rest, which is probably one of my favorite aspects of this book. I grew up in a small beach town that can get touristy, and the entire time I was reading this book, I kept seeing my hometown. Lillie Vale’s portrayal of Oars Rest made me remember why I love my town so much.

"I could be the captain and get us through these rough waves.”

- Plot -

There are a lot of things going on in this book, but it never feels heavy. There is constant action, angst, and drama stirred by the various relationships (romantic, platonic, and familial) and the unique events of an Oars Rest summer. No moment is dull, there is always something interesting happening, and always something you’re waiting for, dreading, or anticipating.

"Whatever was good about us, we’re choking it to death. Our roots are too tangled. We need to have space to breathe.”

- Characters -

Not only was the setting crazy relatable for me, but also the characters. Babe is such a fascinating protagonist, with flaws that hit home a little too hard, and so many great strengths. Her character growth over the course of this book is amazing! Meanwhile, her best friend, Penny, was equally grounded. I want to go on about her more but I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say she struck a nerve with me. That was one thing I really adored with this book. There were no cliche mean girls in this book, which is something that you see in YA contemporary too often. Instead, you’re given down-to-earth, scarily realistic characters that will remind you of people you know in your life, both for better and worse.
The romance in this book is absolutely adorable, and Levi is such a great love interest. Also, I was so happy to see a bi main character fall in love with someone of the opposite gender and no one calls her straight or minimizes her sexuality! Honestly, everything with the LGBTQ+ rep in this book was amazing. I was so happy with how her ex-girlfriend was handled. She was still in the closet while they dated and broke up, and I loved that she was never blamed for not wanting to come out, and that Babe respected her privacy and protected her secret even if led to more issues for her. It was just really great.

"We were beginnings and middles, but we weren’t endings. They were still up there in the clouds somewhere, waiting for us to catch up.”

- Conclusion -
Pros- Great LGBTQ+ representation, amazing setting, relatable and realistic characters
Cons- ???
Overall- 5/5 stars.
Small Town Hearts should be added to everyone’s TBR. It’s adorable, fun, yet full of heart and depth. This is a book you can’t miss!

"Because the strength of a lighthouse is from its being alone. From being a beacon of light in the darkness, a finger showing you which way is home.”

[Jordyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK.
The setting and atmosphere was fantastic, the romance is so swoon, and the writing?? THE WRITING. I was captivated, entranced, all of it.
Full thoughts can be found on my blog:
https://jordzthebibliophile.wordpress...

[Pragati · Rating 5 out of 5]

For full review - Small Town Hearts on The Inked In Book Blog

*ARC received as a part of the blog tour. The thoughts are entirely my own and in no way biased.*

Small Town Hearts is the journey of one kickass protag, Babe, as she navigates through life after her high school graduation. Things are definitely changing for her and this story shows how she adapts to them, how she takes life as it comes and makes the best of what she has. It is a beautiful coming of age story and I love the simplicity of it all. In many ways, this book is like coming home, like finally doing that one thing your heart desires most and I love that about it.

The writing in this story is absolutely phenomenal. It sucked me right in and I couldn’t stop reading till I had read everything. Vale has a way with words that just keeps you spellbound. It keeps you wanting more, keeps you wanting to read. This is definitely one of the most readable books out there. I mean, you literally cannot stop reading this at any point because it is just so freaking awesome. It’s lyrical and soft and breezy and love. I have no other way of explaining how reading Vale’s words makes me feel. Absolutely amazing. ❤

Coming to the characters, I loved them all. Babe, Penny, Chad, and of course, Levi. Babe’s struggles were handled amazingly. Of course, there was the occasional, JUST TALK IT OUT ALREADY! feeling that I got, but then again, communication is key, but not always easy. So, I can forgive her for that. I mean, she is a teenager after all. I love how she grows throughout the book and becomes the person she can be. I also love how she’s so happy and content in her life, and that she doesn’t find it lacking. She is not going to college, and that’s perfectly okay! I loved how that was highlighted in the story, because college is not for everyone and not going doesn’t ruin your life. What matters is that you’re happy. And Babe was. So, snaps for Babe for not giving into societal norms and pressures!

I also love that she’s bi and that’s just it. It’s just a part of who she is, just like she’s a baker and we don’t see this big production made out of the entire thing, because really, what is the need for it? She’s bi and that’s all there is to it. It was so awesome to read that! 😀

And then there’s my sailor boy, Levi! Words are not enough to express how much I adore him! He’s just this absolutely amazing and thoughtful person and I love him so much! He’s the definition of a soft boy. Sweet and honest and open and there’s just something about him that always makes me smile so wide. He’s supportive and so very easy to talk to. I love that he had no qualms about being honest everytime and he let Babe in and let him see her and that’s just amazing.

I love the growth of their relationship throughout the story. It’s so well fleshed out and organic and wholesome and just a delight to read. There is an abundance of little moments between them, no matter how mundane, and I love that we were treated to those throughout the book, because they were all so important to their relationship. As they say, little things matter most. That was definitely shown when reading about Babe & Levi and I love it. ❤

Then, there’s Penny. I don’t like her as a person, but her character is very well fleshed out and I like that very much. There were times that she annoyed me so freaking much that I just wanted to hit her! She was really selfish and manipulative and didn’t really treat Babe well even though Babe was always there for her and I don’t like that. But, I can see that she was hurting as well, which caused the lash out. So, yeah. Her character was very well written, even if I don’t like her.

All in all, Small Town Hearts is one big ode to friendship and finding yourself and I really love the book with all my heart. Everything about this book is summer – y and calming and beach – y and you’ll fall in love with it the moment you pick it up, I can assure you. So, go forth and read it, because as we like to say, Oar’s Rest really is a place to rest your oars.

[michelle (magical reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

read on my blog

We're still teenagers. So if life was just a plot structure, we'd still be in the rising action stage. Our lives are just beginning.

Small Town Hearts truly took my breath away. This book was such a delight, and I can't wait for everyone to read it and fall in love like I did. Also, I totally recommend reading this while listening to Kacey Musgraves's Golden Hour; it really completes the experience (and I totally did not tear up while doing so).

The thing that made me want to read this book so desperately was the fact that the main character, Babe, is bi, and it's explicit in the text. After reading the book, it remained one of my favorite aspects: that she's bi, but it isn't her defining factor; that she is open about her sexuality in a small town and no one blinks an eye; that she talks about liking boys and girls so easily. Yes, books centered on the protagonist coming to terms with their sexuality are important, but so are books whose main characters just are comfortable with it.

The characters are all so great and realistic. I adored Babe and all her dreams, Levi and his quiet strength, and all the other characters and everything they bring to the table. Also, I love how this book depicts that no singular path to your future is the right one. Babe just graduated high school and is sad to think about her friends leaving to go to college, but she never thinks about herself leaving because she knows what she wants, and that's to stay in Oar's Rest. She helps Levi think about what path he wants to go on, whether that's art or art school or something else completely. It's so important to depict different paths in life, especially for teenagers who are in a very tumultuous time of change. Despite what the world tells you, you don't have to have your entire life figured out by the time you're 18!!

You can't just stick a destination into a map and think there's just the one route that gets you there. and if you wind up right back where you started . . . well, that's okay, too. We get to come back from our mistakes. We have to believe that's possible. We're too young not to.

Setting this book during the summer after senior year is also very . . . real. I honestly had comparable things happen to me, namely trying to decide whether you've outgrown your high school friends or not. It sucks, but it happens because sometimes you're only friends with people because of physical proximity. I'm glad that these characters had the chance to reflect on their friendship and decide whether it was healthy or not. (I will say that I wish we got more of Penny apologizing and less of Babe apologizing, just because I feel like there was at least equal fault among them and Chad.)

The Small Town Feels™ are here and heavily present, and I love it. If you've read my review for Famous in a Small Town, you know I love when the main character wants to stay in her small town, versus the often depicted "I can't wait to leave." I mean, that's also a good choice, but sometimes, you're comfortable where you are, and you like that you're comfortable!! That's a valid choice!!

Not everyone understood what it meant to love something that much. So they tried to make you feel a little embarrassed, downplayed your passion and made it sound silly or nerdy or weird.

Small Town Hearts depicts such different narratives and doesn't apologize for it. No one experience is the same, and it's important to show that in our literature, whether it's to do with your sexuality or your college choices. I definitely recommend this if you're a fan of Emma Mills or if you're looking for a contemporary in general!


original review:

my heart!!!

[Shalini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so adorable 😍 and I loved every bit of it. The story is perfectly set up in a little town in Maine and the descriptions of the beach, lighthouse... everything made me dive right into the book. Don't even get me started on all the glorious foods that are mentioned in the book🤤🤤

In Small Town Hearts, we meet Babe who works as a barista and makes baked goodies😱 I loved Babe because she knows what to do with her life, she is passionate and...I want her to be my friend. As her ex-girlfriend comes back to town, will Babe reconcile or is there a chance to fall in love with a summer boy?

Thanks to the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.