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Small Town Rumors  By  cover art

Small Town Rumors

By: Carolyn Brown
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
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Publisher's summary

From New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown comes a funny heartache of a novel about overcoming the past, confronting the future, and defying all expectations.

Everyone is talking about Jennie Sue Baker and the mess she made of her life in New York. The former high school queen bee - and wealthy darling of Bloom, Texas - has returned home after all these years, riding on a common bus and bearing two bounced alimony checks. In a town that thrives on gossip, Jennie’s fall from grace has shamed her mother, set the town buzzing, and caused old, jealous enemies to whisper in delight. They say she’s taken a job as a housekeeper, gotten a garage apartment, and might be crushing on Rick Lawson, a simple farmer with modest dreams.

As romance starts to bud, Jennie relishes what it means to follow her heart, find real new friends, and finally be herself - regardless of all the lying town chatter. But fate has another twist in store. Rumor has it that Jennie now stands to lose what matters most…unless she can convince Rick of one true thing - and that’s love.

©2018 Carolyn Brown (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

What listeners say about Small Town Rumors

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
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If you like Hallmark movies, you'll like this

A formulaic romance of the Spoiled City Girl returns to small hometown and finds love with a Real Man type. Reasonably well done for the genre, but not really my cup of tea.

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116 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book.

I really enjoy this author. Her characters are very believable. They feel like family. I would recommend this for anyone who likes a down home story.

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38 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Small Town Rumors

What a wonderful book! I laughed, cried, and experienced every emotion in between.
I immediately felt a connection to Jennie Sue Baker. After a failed marriage to a controlling husband who left her high and dry, she was down on her luck and came back home, riding the bus. Her mother came to pick her up and was mortified about what everyone would think. Jennie Sue doesn’t really care what anyone thinks. Nothing stops her from doing what she wants to do. Her mother wants her to get back on her feet and prepare herself to find another husband and become the socialite she is. Jennie Sue doesn’t want to ever be in a position of counting on anyone but herself again.
She becomes a housekeeper for the most adorable old ladies in town, and gets a second job as an assistant at the used bookstore. Along with the housekeeping job, she is able to rent the apartment above a garage. She also ends up becoming friends with Rick Lawson, a local farmer and military hero. There are many twists and turns in this book and the pace was quick. I enjoyed every minute of this one. Brittany Pressley’s voice was perfect as narrator.

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33 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

Enjoyed listening to this audio book. Light, no sex and what the title says it all. Funny!

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun, but predictable

Altho a bit predictable I really enjoyed this book for its characters and storyline. Good simple and entertainment as I commute to work. The performance was terrific.

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16 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very enjoyable

I enjoyed the ages depicted in the story. Many novels are written exclusively geared to the young. Carolyn Brown seems to write for the readers of all ages. This book took in the vast spectrum of age, financial status. and all of the essence of a true small town. The characters are well defined and the narration was clear and each character was heard and defined.

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What a great escape into the chaos, healing and peace that can be found in Small Town America.

Just loved this story. Always relaxed me to listen for awhile after a stressful day. Great narrator too.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Glad I Didn't Pay For It

Listened to this as part of Kindle Unlimited. Some good characters, and a fairly strong lead.
The author does not assume the reader is capable of subtlety, and it's very easy to see where this is going from the beginning.
There is some nice character development, but there is also some ridiculously convenient happenings/relationship changes.

It was a good enough listen to keep me company during a cooking marathon, but it's not one I'd come back to, or recommend.

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10 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Maybe it’s me but this story seemed a trifle

I enjoy an easy read and vibrant characters. This story missed. The two elderly sisters were the highlight. Everyone else was flat.

I don’t get the high rating from Amazon but maybe it’s me.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great for the Soul

This book is a beautiful story that just makes you feel good inside. There is still good in the world and happiness for everyone. I really loved this book. The author did a wonderful job with character development. I really felt like I was a part of this community. The audible narrator is spectacular!!

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Bennett
  • 06-24-23

really good

Enjoyed the story from start to finish and the performance by BP brought it to life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Joanna
  • 04-19-23

Light story but surprisingly well written and gripping

Really cared about the characters and binge listened. Well rounded characters and the story line wasn’t too predictable. Made housework a doddle!

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  • Roberta Downey
  • 03-09-19

Fine story

Great story about narrater was just right
Would have liked it to go on longer

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