Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart

ISBN: 9781441242280

Kate Merritt rejoiced for her older sister, but sorrowed for herself.  Evie was marrying the man of Kate’s dreams, Minister Mike Champion of Rosey Corner, Kentucky.  Not only that, but war was brewing in Europe.  Although President Roosevelt had promised to keep America out of the war, suddenly things changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  America declared war on Japan.  The world was full of uncertainty.

And then there was Jay Tanner, her new brother-in-law’s best childhood friend.  He was handsome, charming, and he liked Kate.  But his childhood was tainted with an uncertain past.  Raised by unloving, demanding relatives, Jay had learned to trust no one.  He had migrated from town to town working temporary jobs and making lady friends wherever he went.  But he never stayed long; he was independent of family ties and love.

Despite Kate’s reservations about Jay, she couldn’t help but fall for his charisma.  Her family liked him, especially her sweet little sister, “Birdie”.  But he had so many secrets.  What did he do on the weekends, and why didn’t he go to church with them on Sunday?  And then there was Mike warning the family against Jay’s potentially unscrupulous ways.

Suddenly, just when Kate had decided to give Jay a chance, a family disaster takes place, and Jay seems to be in the center of it.  Remembering Mike’s warnings and considering only Jay’s uncertain past, Kate refuses to listen to Jay and give him a chance to explain.  The next morning Jay is gone.  Within the week he has enlisted to serve in WWII.

Has Kate made the right decision?  Should she have given Jay a chance to explain himself?  Will she ever see him again? 

Ann Gabhart’s book, Small Town Girl, is a fascinating historical novel of romance, love, war, and life’s uncertainties. (reviewed by S.Fincannon)

Read an Excerpt 

 About the author:  Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels--The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted--as well as several other historical novels, including Scent of Lilacs, Orchard of Hope, Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Small Town Girl was provided by BookSneeze in exchange for our honest review on behalf of Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.