A breezy romance with spirited characters and a gentle story arc.
Ah, small town living. The very notion conjures images of unassuming homes with white picket fences, friendly neighbors watering their prized rose bushes, and the ideal place to put down roots and start a family. But not everyone has such shimmering sentimentality when thinking of their own modest hometown. For Isabel Marshall, Mapleton, Wisconsin has always felt more stifling and stagnant than inspiring or charming. In fact, she’s spent the last four years spreading her creative wings thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, and she’s never looked back. Literally. With barely a phone call to her parents over the years and no contact with old friends, Isabel has fully embraced her high-powered LA life. Hard work has earned her a wildly successful blog, a fun home renovation television show, and a lucrative book deal. Devoted to making her career the success she’s always dreamed of, this driven woman has only a few regrets about what she left behind in Mapleton. With little time for Isabel to prepare mentally for a collision with the past, the producers of her show insist on filming a special segment in her own hometown. How will her family react after years of neglect? What about her old friends? Mostly, what about Daniel, the devoted boyfriend she left behind?
Good To Be Home is a picture of warmth, charm and tenderness. A breezy rom-com with spirited characters and a gentle story arc, this comfortably predictable book showcases an idyllic town you’ll wish you could stop by and visit. A sharp contrast from big-city living, the author deftly captures the laid-back vibe and caring spirit of Mapleton in a way that feels authentic. Isabel is a motivated but moldable protagonist, a woman who makes her own rules but slowly reveals her tender side as she returns to her roots. As selfishness gives way to forgiveness and reconciliation, mutual affections take center stage. In addition to the chemistry between Isabel and Daniel, the supporting characters contribute plenty of straight talk and sage advice to help shape Isabel’s evolution in a natural way. And while it takes Isabel some time to allow herself to admit what she really wants, the change is heartwarming and worth the wait. For a touching reminder of the awe and magic of being in love, read Leah Dobrinska’s delightful novel, Good To Be Home!
