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retrogirlreads's review
5.0
I really adored this small town second chance romance!!! Dustin Wild is a popular country singer, but before his rise to fame, he was a boy named Dustin Wilder, in love with a girl named Kenzie Noble. I thought Dustin and Kenzie’s story was amazing; even though they’d been apart for years, their connection was both obvious and undeniable once they did see each other again. Dustin was the absolute swooniest hero, and I loved watching him get Kenzie to trust him again. And Kenzie!!! She was such a fun character to read about because of her sass, and I loved that she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. I highly recommend!!!
brooklynlowe's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Second Chance
Country Musician
Good Girl
Small Town
I absolutely loved this! Starting this Hickory Hills series starts off strong … the banter, the dual POV, the back of the truck in the rain storm…
6 best friends… 2 fell in love. What happens when Dustin leaves for Nashville? He leaves Kenzie wanting for two years thinking she’s going to get her fairytale.
After 7 years… Dustin is asked to come back and be part of the Rhythm and Blues Festival as part of a special fundraiser.
What happens when Dustin strolls back into town and sees that life has gone on without him? Can Kenzie forgive him?
jessicadurazo's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It is a nice book, and it is easy to read. I liked the fact that the story is simple, with tones of romance, joy and a little sadness. The story develops in a beautiful way with a complicated and resentful love.
Kenzie is a girl who loves being in her library, but who wishes with all her heart that her greatest love would return and be with her. That boy who decided to follow his dream of being a singer and left his high school girlfriend behind.
The plot is beautiful, but in my opinion, it lacked more emotion, even though the protagonists share intimate moments and passion, it lacked a touch of more laughter and more integrated feelings.
That's why I only rated it 3 stars.
Maybe I will continue reading other books by the author to improve my experience.
Kenzie is a girl who loves being in her library, but who wishes with all her heart that her greatest love would return and be with her. That boy who decided to follow his dream of being a singer and left his high school girlfriend behind.
The plot is beautiful, but in my opinion, it lacked more emotion, even though the protagonists share intimate moments and passion, it lacked a touch of more laughter and more integrated feelings.
That's why I only rated it 3 stars.
Maybe I will continue reading other books by the author to improve my experience.
readingwithstrangers62's review against another edition
5.0
I love small town stories and Thinking ‘bout You was a great small town story! Dustin and Kenzie grew up together and when they were old enough to date they took a chance on each other. They had a great teenage love but when Dustin is discovered at a karaoke bar by a music agent everything changes.
Right before their senior year of college, Dustin goes to Nashville to try his hand at becoming a country star. He and Kenzie don’t break up because he is obviously going to go back to their life in September. However, Dustin succeeds. He becomes the next big country star and Kenzie and Dustin’s relationship just sort of fades away.
Fast forward 7 years, Dustin is back in town for the Rhythm and Brews festival to raise money for Kenzie’s dad. To him nothing has changed, he still loves Kenzie and wants the happily ever after they just need to figure out if it will work.
I loved this book but I must say I am dying to find out if we will get Willa and Nash next because I need to know what is going on with them!!
Thank you @clairehastings_author for the ARC!
Release Date: March 23, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Right before their senior year of college, Dustin goes to Nashville to try his hand at becoming a country star. He and Kenzie don’t break up because he is obviously going to go back to their life in September. However, Dustin succeeds. He becomes the next big country star and Kenzie and Dustin’s relationship just sort of fades away.
Fast forward 7 years, Dustin is back in town for the Rhythm and Brews festival to raise money for Kenzie’s dad. To him nothing has changed, he still loves Kenzie and wants the happily ever after they just need to figure out if it will work.
I loved this book but I must say I am dying to find out if we will get Willa and Nash next because I need to know what is going on with them!!
Thank you @clairehastings_author for the ARC!
Release Date: March 23, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
alli0889's review against another edition
5.0
Thinking 'Bout You was my first read of Claire's and it will not be my last. This book was such a sweet down to earth, spicy read. I literally read it in one sitting.
Dustin and Kenzie high school loves, broken apart by life and big dreams. Come face to face again several years later at the town festival. Where Dustin the now famous country singer is the headliner.
I loved that even though Dustin was a famous singer, his down home country boy roots still remained. He was still so sweet to his mama, and how he viewed and talked to Kenzie so many years later just made me swoon. Kenzie the down home girl was so sweet, and how she held on to that love for Dustin was just a real true love story.
Lets not forget the spice between these two, because it is HOTT. I wont give any spoilers, but all I will say is Library. Like that is my dream!! I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did, because it really was a testimony to true love. Enjoy!
Dustin and Kenzie high school loves, broken apart by life and big dreams. Come face to face again several years later at the town festival. Where Dustin the now famous country singer is the headliner.
I loved that even though Dustin was a famous singer, his down home country boy roots still remained. He was still so sweet to his mama, and how he viewed and talked to Kenzie so many years later just made me swoon. Kenzie the down home girl was so sweet, and how she held on to that love for Dustin was just a real true love story.
Lets not forget the spice between these two, because it is HOTT. I wont give any spoilers, but all I will say is Library. Like that is my dream!! I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did, because it really was a testimony to true love. Enjoy!
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
2.0
Thinking ‘Bout You falls into the trap that all second chance romances run the risk of being captured by: the offending party does not grovel enough (or, in this case, at all) to overcome the harm caused. Not to mention the fact that the reason the protagonists are estranged is pretty nonsensical.
When second chance in done right, there is genuine remorse when offense is caused, and the character or characters who have caused the offense work tirelessly to gain back trust. In this case, the MMC gets off so lightly it made my head spin, and the FMC was so spineless it was difficult to root for her. It also felt surprisingly misogynistic. Case in point: after the characters reconnect, the FMC does something to offend the hero (you know, like still having trust issues because he left her without a word for years?!) and she ends up groveling more than he did. It was as infuriating as it was mind boggling.
The bones of the plot had potential, but this book falls into the category of, “If I tell people enough times that these two are meant to be together, they’ll end up buying it” rather than actually putting the work into the explication and character development to make the story arc plausible.
I feel slightly bad that reading this book made me feel so enraged, but it just did not work for me on any level. Nobody messes with second chance on my watch. It’s one of my favorite tropes; and, in my opinion, this book did it a grave disservice.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When second chance in done right, there is genuine remorse when offense is caused, and the character or characters who have caused the offense work tirelessly to gain back trust. In this case, the MMC gets off so lightly it made my head spin, and the FMC was so spineless it was difficult to root for her. It also felt surprisingly misogynistic. Case in point: after the characters reconnect, the FMC does something to offend the hero (you know, like still having trust issues because he left her without a word for years?!) and she ends up groveling more than he did. It was as infuriating as it was mind boggling.
The bones of the plot had potential, but this book falls into the category of, “If I tell people enough times that these two are meant to be together, they’ll end up buying it” rather than actually putting the work into the explication and character development to make the story arc plausible.
I feel slightly bad that reading this book made me feel so enraged, but it just did not work for me on any level. Nobody messes with second chance on my watch. It’s one of my favorite tropes; and, in my opinion, this book did it a grave disservice.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
vbaker13's review
4.0
**ARC Review** Dustin and Kenzie are the kind of couple your rooting for the whole time! The heartbreak they both went through is hard to read but the ending is worth it! I love having dual pov chapters so can you really get into the minds of the characters. I really enjoyed the small town and friend group dynamic and there’s definitely some clues about other potential couples in the group that I can’t wait to read more about! Oh and those spicey scenes.….
books_and_more_books_byt's review against another edition
4.0
“You are every song I sing, and the muse that keeps me inspired beyond measure. No life is perfect, but with you by my side, it’s about as close as it can possibly be.”
Dustin Wilder left his small hometown of Hickory Hills, Georgia, with every intention of returning, but the life of an overnight country star kept him from it. He lost the love of his life when he didn’t keep his promise to Kenzie, but he is finally returning home. Will she give him a second chance?
“Because all I want…is to be back chasing falling stars, with you…”
Kenzie Noble’s heart was broken when Dustin left and forgot about her. He might be coming home to help with the Rhythm and Brews Festival, but she has no intention of letting him break her heart again.
Thinking ‘Bout You is the first book in the Hickory Hills series and a heartbreaking second-chance romance. This author was new to me, but I quickly fell in love with the small town and its people. I cannot wait for the rest of the series.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
read_on_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Dustin and Kenzie’s story was one that consumed me and had my heart soaring yet hurting all at once. The story of that small town couple that everyone knows is absolutely meant to be, but life throws a huge wrench in their plans shredding hopes and dreams is exactly their story. Kenzie’s life isn’t exactly like she thought it would be but she’s ok with where she’s at, but planning her town’s festival that is helping her sick dad has her past coming back into town. It’s been years since Dustin left for Nashville taking off as a country singer and Kenzie thinks she has finally moved past what could have been yet deep down she knows she never truly will be. Dustin is excited and scared to be heading home because he knows he owes it Kenzie to explain and apologize but what he wasn’t expecting was to still feel those strong undying feelings and spark to be there. Kenzie and Dustin’s story was one that was heartbreaking, exciting, and oh so sweet. The love they had never diminished but is Kenzie willing to put her heart back on the line when it comes to Dustin and his career or will she be shredded and left behind again? I loved these two, their friends/community, and the seamless way they fell back into old times.
ajalexanderreadsromance's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5