The Town That Built Us

Second chances at happily ever sometimes need a nudge from a loving recently deceased parent who just happens to leave a house to two people he believes should be together. Will Grace and Bonnie take advantage of the opportunity they are given or instead guard their hearts and let a life together pass them by?

What I liked:
* Lionel Cook: Grace’s father, loving, kind, wonderful father and husband, good friend to Bonnie, and a wise man with a plan that worked
* Grace Cook: Lionel’s daughter, college scholarship took her to the big city, works in marketing, never really got over her true love, Bonnie, back in town to settle her father’s estate
* Bonnie Whitlock: had a difficult childhood, good friends with Lionel, Grace’s high school love, made a decision at the end of high school that broke both Grace’s and her heart, hardware store owner, part-time handyman
* Mr. Burch: 94, bachelor, an interesting character who grew a lot in his lifetime
* The supporting characters and good friends of Bonnie: Carl – computer website designer; Stumpy/Carl: psychologist; Duck/Ray: married to Candace and father of Avery – friends for life who support and care for one another no matter what
* Maddison: Grace’s best friend, in marketing, wise, outgoing, caring, and there for Grace, loved her decision at the end of the book
* Tanya: in Grace’s pottery class, returned to Garrison to raise her family, wise and a potential good friend to Grace
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing...

Cathy Geha via NetGalley

I had high expectations for this book. I LOVE Thoma's Serenity, Courage, & Wisdom, series and when I saw that they was doing a second chance romance (one of my favorite tropes), I was over the moon!

This story follows Grace, a marketing expert living in LA who returns to her small (under 400 pop.) town of Garrison in Rhode Island to settle her fathers affairs after he passed away. It was not Grace's intent to spend anytime with her ex-girlfriend who shattered her heart in high school, the local hardware store owner and fixer, Bonnie. But Grace's father, Lionel, has different plans for her and Grace and Bonnie find themselves going down familiar roads.

I like both Grace and Bonnie. There relationship was believable and I was rooting for their successful navigation of their complicated relationship. What really grabbed me about this book was the secondary characters, especially Branch and his relationship with Bonnie. Without going into spoilers, it was really heartwarming to see Bonnie and Branch talk about the past and to acknowledge that can people change...All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of second chance romances.

Caitlin Ellerbe via NetGalley

Grace and Bonnie are reunited by tragedy. But there’s hope in their tragedy, or at least Grace’s late father thinks so. And he’s giving them a second chance from beyond. It’s a second chance romance with quite a lot of will they won’t they going on and it has frustrated me at points. On the other hand, the supporting characters are very well written into the story, likeable and adding value...

Silvia Manolache via NetGalley

Really good story. I liked the main characters Grace and Bonnie. It was sad about Graces father, but it allowed these two to come to an understanding about their past relationship and also allowed them to work through some of the old hurt and misconceptions. This story was also hilarious in some spots as well. I loved the relationship between the friends of Bonnie. They were really there for her and Grace and this actually made the story even better. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

Patricia Bryant via NetGalley

"The Town That Built Us" by Jesse J. Thoma is an exceptional literary journey that skillfully takes readers through a whirlwind of emotions, from grief and loss to love and acceptance. Thoma's phenomenal storytelling prowess shines through every page, as they effortlessly transport readers into the lives of her characters, making them feel every ounce of their experiences.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is the author's ability to create relatable, genuine situations that tug at the heartstrings. Thoma has masterfully crafted a narrative that resonates deeply with the readers, capturing the essence of human emotions in the face of tragedy, growth, and redemption. Each character's struggles and triumphs are so vividly portrayed that it becomes impossible not to become emotionally invested in their lives.

The rollercoaster of emotions that Thoma takes us on is a testament to their talent as a writer. From the heart-wrenching moments of grief and loss to the heartwarming scenes of love and acceptance, the author's words evoke a range of feelings that linger long after the final page. The rawness and authenticity in which they capture the characters' experiences make the story feel incredibly real and relatable.

I found myself utterly engrossed in the storyline from start to finish. Thoma's impeccable pacing and gripping plot kept me eagerly turning the pages, desperate to uncover the characters' fates and witness their personal journeys unfold. The book's seamless transitions between different perspectives allowed me to intimately connect with each character, understand their motivations, and appreciate the depth of their struggles.

Thoma's character development is nothing short of exceptional. Each character is multifaceted, flawed, and beautifully human, making them easily identifiable and compelling. Their growth and transformation throughout the story are organic and believable, leading to profound moments of self-discovery and enlightenment. The author's ability to make readers truly feel what the characters are going through is a testament to her empathetic writing style.

"The Town That Built Us" is a remarkable achievement in storytelling, blending the depths of grief and loss with the power of love and acceptance. Jesse J. Thoma has created a world so vivid and captivating that it lingers in the reader's mind even after the final chapter. This book is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a profound, heartfelt read.

Note: This review does not contain any spoilers to preserve the readers' experience of the book.

Shimere Alexander via NetGalley