Small Town Girl

One of my favorite books by my favorite author.

LaVyrle Spencer always delivers. Her contemporary novels are head and shoulders above the standard romance genre. While most romance fiction is pretty predictable with its central casting characters and cookie cutter story lines, Ms. Spencer's work is fresh and unique with each tale. Her characters are the kind of genuine people that you've met in your own everyday life. Ditto for her locations and story lines. Something special, heartwarming and wonderful with each story. Small Town Girl continues this run of excellence. In addition to Ms. Spencer's absolutely true to life stories and cast, she takes the time and effort to research the topics around which her stories are built. As a practicing musician, I can tell you that her depiction of a recording studio and the musicians who ply their art therein is dead on, as is her portrayal of the music business in general. Delightful stuff even if you're not looking for the romance angle!

I also liked "Then Came Heaven", but the "hero" in that was a janitor, which I found to be a turn-off. I don't mean to sound like a snob, it's just the way I feel. Anyway, though romance novels have never been my thing (I like romance in my books, I just don't care for it to be the sole focus--I only read romances with the frequency that I do now because I want to learn how to write them as they sell five times more than all other genres combined), I loved this one, and since the last time I've read this, I've developed an appreciation for the romance novel, if not a great love for them. Though I don't care for the new country music, I do like some of the old stuff, and I was excited when Poplar Bluff, Missouri (my birthplace and where I spent many summers as a little girl with my grandparents and other extended family), was mentioned. But, those aren't the only reasons. I thought Ms. Spencer did a good job with character development, for though the story wasn't anything new, I grew to love the people (or dislike them). Though I understand Faith's (Kenny's girlfriend's) dilemma, being a Catholic and not being able to marry a divorced man (so it's better to just shack up with him???), I can't feel that sorry for her when she loses Kenny to Tess, because, as Kenny says, "Don't you realize how ridiculous it sounds that I've been dating you for half my life?" (This is not an exact quote, but something like it.) I was a little annoyed that Kenny and Tess couldn't wait until they got married to have sex--not a very good example to set in front of Casey, even if they were engaged, because engagements can be broken more easily than a marriage can be dissolved. I really didn't see anything wrong with Tess not wanting to have children. I think it's wonderful that she loves Casey as her own. Not every woman needs a bear a child (nor a man) to feel fulfilled and if she does, then that isn't healthy, because her happiness is dependent upon someone else. Whether childless (not by choice) or childfree (by choice). We can all contribute to the world in a myriad of other ways--not just as a mother, but as a daughter, a sister, a wife, a granddaughter, an aunt, a niece, a good friend, or just a very good person. Tess is a strong woman (weak women make boring heroines), and Kenny is a good man (though one can understand Faith feeling duped, even if they were just "dating"--they weren't even living together). I really believe Faith's pride was hurt more than her heart was broken, and I think Kenny felt this, too. I am also glad Ms. Spencer made Tess a size 10 instead of something ridiculous (not to mention unattainable for some), like a size 2.

I'm so glad I found, "That Camden Summer" at Goodwill. I thought I read all of Laverly Spencer's lovely and beloved books. It's been 30 years, so now I'm able to purchase and download these beautifully written books and read them again. Enjoy😇

Lovely story, small town girl makes big then comes home to realize just how much home really did mean. Throw in a love story and country music scene and you have a good book.

I read this book as a child growing up. It was published the year I was born so my grandparents gifted it to me as my “birth” present. Over the last 23 years, I misplaced the copy and finally ordered it online. This is an amazing read! The story just draws you in and you fall more and more in love with the characters, especially Tess and her momma. A must read!

GREAT story, page turner, easy read. Spencer never disappoints!! (I am sorry she retired)

I absolutely adore this story, but there's one element that always rubs me the wrong way. Faith's reasoning for not marrying Kenny is that she wouldn't be able to receive the sacraments in her Catholic church if she married a divorced man. However, that doesn't make sense. She's having premarital sex with him, which would also prohibit her from receiving the sacraments (or should). If it was that she really wanted to get married in the Catholic Church, that would be one thing, but even so that obstacle could be overcome if Kenny petitioned for an annulment of his first marriage (yes, non-Catholics can do this if they wish to marry in the Church). I understand that the whole point was that the excuse was a flimsy one because neither of them really wanted to get married anyway, but still. Faith, as an allegedly practicing Catholic, should have known better even if Kenny didn't.

My all time favourite book!