Review: Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger

Series: Laurel Cove # 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Good Day Publishing
Released: May 30, 2017
358 pages

About the Book:

Artist Livy Johnson needs a fresh start. That's what a broken heart and forgotten dreams can do to a person. On little more than a whim, she reclaims her grandmother’s old home in quaint Laurel Cove, North Carolina and vows to restore its original charm. When she literally collides with childhood friend, Jack Bowdon, Livy wonders if she’s back for an entirely different reason.

Jack can’t believe his childhood crush is back. As the owner of Bowdon's Supplies, and once again the town's most eligible bachelor, he offers to help Livy with repairs. Together they embark on the project—and an undeniable whirlwind romance.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they survive the destructive pain of their pasts to discover God’s grace waiting to renovate their hearts?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my second time reading and I loved it just as much as when I read it the first time. Can I come to Laurel Cove and spend time with these characters and visit the coffee shop, inn and hardware store?

This story encompasses a few themes – learning to forgive, healing from hurts, and new beginnings all found by trusting God. Livy has arrived in Laurel Cove after buying her grandmother’s old home. During the renovation process she hopes to be able to find a fresh start and rediscover her dreams after experiencing a bad relationship in New York City. Until the house is liveable, she is staying at the local inn which is run by Jack’s aunt. Jack grew up in Laurel Cove, runs the family’s hardware store with his brother and volunteers at the inn as a handyman for his aunt. He is recovering from having gone through a divorce he never imagined and is struggling to find peace. I fell in love with Jack, Livy and the community around them very quickly. Experiences in their pasts have left them both broken and with no interest in getting involved with anyone else, however from the moment they run into each other at the inn (literally) they feel a connection. It turns out that they once played together for a summer when they were young kids. I loved that Jack’s friends welcomed Livy into their group just because she was a friend of Jack’s, but they were not just friendly to her they fully accepted her as part of their group. Through the girls Livy found friendships she had never experienced with others. Each time the girls were together I felt like I was right there with them sharing in the fun and entertainment. Jack’s ex, Claire, was determined to ruin any possibility of Jack & Livy’s relationship succeeding but by being honest and open with one another they were able to overcome her attacks. I found myself cheering for these two to be able to overcome their past trust issues and was delighted with the way the story ended. I was really touched by how Livy was able to forgive Claire and even reached out to her to try to help her through her struggles. 

Favourite Quote: 

“When you feel peaceful about something you would usually fear or doubt, it is God giving you a budge to walk along the path He has set out for you.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

   

Originally reviewed on blog March 4, 2018