The Hometown Hero

The O'Connells, Book 7

By: Lorhainne Eckhart

Narrated by: John Mo

Length: 3 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this shocking O’Connell family novel, a brother’s secret is exposed, opening up old wounds and creating a scandal that could rock the community. 

Big brother Owen O’Connell was only 16 when his father mysteriously disappeared, forcing him to become a father figure to his five younger siblings. If you were to ask them, they’d say Owen is the perfect older brother with the perfect life: He’s single, a plumber, working his own hours in a close-knit community. Owen, though, knows that appearances are often deceiving. 

When he is called to a plumbing emergency at the local high school after a grad prank goes wrong, he finds his old rival Tessa Brooks, now a teacher, holding a broken pipe in the middle of the flood, thinking she can fix the problem. However, the two soon make a horrifying discovery: the body of a student tucked away in a closet. 

The event brings authorities flocking in, and in the ensuing chaos, Owen realizes that someone knows too much about his family. Having carefully held the family together since his father disappeared, he is determined to keep their secrets right where they are, dead and buried. But sometimes, secrets get revealed in the most scandalous of ways.

©2020 Lorhainne Ekelund (P)2021 Lorhainne Ekelund

awesome

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Great Read

The Hometown Hero (The O'Connells #7) was a great read by Lorhainne Eckhart. Owen O’Connell was only sixteen when his father disappeared. It forced him to become a father figure to his five younger siblings. They believe that Owen is the perfect older brother with the perfect life. He is single, a plumber and working his own hours in a close knit community. He is called to a plumbing emergency at the local high school after a grad prank gone wrong. He finds his old rival, Tessa Brooks, holding a broken pipe in the middle of the flood thinking she will be able to fix it. They soon make a horrifying discovery, the body of a student in a closet. Chaos ensues and Owen quickly realizes that someone knows too much about his family. He is determined to keep their secrets dead and buried. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

Solid family drama

Never having read any books by this author, I wasn't sure what to expect. But The Hometown Hero by Lorhainne Eckhart is a solid family drama. Twists and turns to the plot, strong relatable characters, and a reawakened romance all blended well together to keep my interest. Even though part of a series, there is enough background information relayed that I didn't feel lost, wondering what had gone on before in the lives of the O'Connell family. Although, I do think I should go back and catch up on their story. Secrets abound and the author reveals them layer by layer, and yet, there still remains the question of what happened to the O'Connells' father. Perhaps that has been left for another book. I look forward to reading more of Eckhart's works. I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and I was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own. John Mo did a great job narrating Owen's story, which made for an enjoyable listening experience.

check this one out!

Good story, a little slow at first, but that changes by the second chapter. I was hooked and could not wait to figure out all the twist and turns in this story.

It's Okay

Date Started: 4/1/21
Date Finished: 4/4/21
Rating: 3 of 5

Book Title: Hometown Hero
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Pages: 174

Note: Potential triggering issues with death and teenage drug use.

I really feel like this story could have been a lot longer. I enjoyed it. I found it to be a very easy read that I could have listened to all in one sitting had my schedule allowed me to. I just feel like parts were very rushed and that they could have been drawn out more than they were. I also felt parts were a little cheesy. That’s just my opinion though.

I feel like if this book had been drawn out more that I would have felt more drawn into the book. I might have even been on edge through many parts. Sadly, it kind of fell a bit flat for me. The idea behind the story was amazing. It really was. I also need to note that this isn’t the first book in the series. It could be that the main reason I’m not impressed is that I didn’t read it from book one.

I really did enjoy the dialogue in the book. It was very witty. It felt like I was actually observing interactions in a small town. I loved every minute of it. I really love the small town vibes where everybody has known everybody all of their lives. I moved a lot as a kid so I never really got to experience that. It’s something I always kind of wanted.

There wasn’t really a villain in this story. There was an investigation into why a teenage boy died and was shoved in a closet. They were trying to figure out what caused the death and why people went to great links to hide it if it was an accidental death. They were also trying to figure out which of the teenagers were involved and what exactly happened.

I was really intrigued by the fact that there was a back story about a family scandal with the main character. I’m going to assume that because I didn’t read the first several books in the series. Maybe it’s referenced through the book entirely. It seems to be a thing that connects the books together honestly. I may go back and read them all together.

I really enjoyed the ending. I especially enjoyed the nugget that kind of draws you into continuing the series. It’s not exactly a cliffhanger. It doesn’t leave you angry or wondering why they would leave the book off like that. It’s just a little nugget that leaves you curious. Some might even be curious to pick up the next book right away. I am definitely considering going back and reading this series in order. One day.

Captivating Series!

This is the seventh book in The O'Connells Series, a Small Town Romance. This is a series of interconnected stories, with an ongoing plot. I love this Series! Owen and Tessa's second chance to love is beautifully written, intriguing, and captivating. The storyline has intrigue, mystery, and secrets. The supporting characters are great. John Mo did a good job with the narration. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listen to the other books in the Series. #AudiobookObsession

Great Drama

Another solid entry in the O'Connell's saga. This is a nice easy series with a collection of great characters

meh

this was a short story and with the title I was hoping for more than it was. It wasn't focused on the romance at all but on a family secret that didn't seem much like a family secret but more a misunderstanding but by the time it was cleared up, I didn't much care. The whole thing was just meh for me.

Good read but without definite conclusion.

No matter what Lorhainne Eckhart writes about it is worth reading.
Owen kept his mother’s secret for 18 years. Keeping the secrets from his siblings about the night their father left was weighing on Owen. Now he finds out someone knew what he did that night, he will have to come clean, but who will he tell? Tessa was everything he could want in a girlfriend. She is breaking down the walls he built around him as a result of the burden he feels from the secrets. Will she totally reach him?
I wanted to know more of what happened between Owen and Tessa. I am a little disappointed
This was a quick read without a definite conclusion but a good story nonetheless and it was expertly narrated.

I received a free audio copy.

More great suspense in this series!

Wow, this story really packed a punch! More things about the O’Connell’s missing father come to light in this book but there are still many unanswered questions. Owen reconnects with his high school crush, but not under the best of circumstances.

Once again, John Mo did a great job with the audiobook. I’m loving this series so much!

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

It's Okay

Date Started: 4/1/21
Date Finished: 4/4/21
Rating: 3 of 5

Book Title: Hometown Hero
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Pages: 174

Note: Potential triggering issues with death and teenage drug use.

I really feel like this story could have been a lot longer. I enjoyed it. I found it to be a very easy read that I could have listened to all in one sitting had my schedule allowed me to. I just feel like parts were very rushed and that they could have been drawn out more than they were. I also felt parts were a little cheesy. That’s just my opinion though.

I feel like if this book had been drawn out more that I would have felt more drawn into the book. I might have even been on edge through many parts. Sadly, it kind of fell a bit flat for me. The idea behind the story was amazing. It really was. I also need to note that this isn’t the first book in the series. It could be that the main reason I’m not impressed is that I didn’t read it from book one.

I really did enjoy the dialogue in the book. It was very witty. It felt like I was actually observing interactions in a small town. I loved every minute of it. I really love the small town vibes where everybody has known everybody all of their lives. I moved a lot as a kid so I never really got to experience that. It’s something I always kind of wanted.

There wasn’t really a villain in this story. There was an investigation into why a teenage boy died and was shoved in a closet. They were trying to figure out what caused the death and why people went to great links to hide it if it was an accidental death. They were also trying to figure out which of the teenagers were involved and what exactly happened.

I was really intrigued by the fact that there was a back story about a family scandal with the main character. I’m going to assume that because I didn’t read the first several books in the series. Maybe it’s referenced through the book entirely. It seems to be a thing that connects the books together honestly. I may go back and read them all together.

I really enjoyed the ending. I especially enjoyed the nugget that kind of draws you into continuing the series. It’s not exactly a cliffhanger. It doesn’t leave you angry or wondering why they would leave the book off like that. It’s just a little nugget that leaves you curious. Some might even be curious to pick up the next book right away. I am definitely considering going back and reading this series in order. One day.

Owen and Tessa!

One night changed the course of Owen’s life as not only was it the night his father disappeared but it was also the night that he had to step up and be the man that his mother and siblings needed him to be. He had hoped that the remnants of that night would remain buried until a plumbing mishap at the school brings it into the present.

Tessa is a teacher at the school but her attempts to remedy the plumbing mishap leads to the discovery of a deceased student. The aftermath of the discovery allows her and Owen to work through their misunderstandings and realize they belong together but between the mysteries of the past and present they have some challenges to overcome.

The cadence and pacing of this story was perfect and I look forward to listening to more stories by this narrator. 🎧 Audiobook Obsession

A good story

This was the first book by Lorhainne Eckhart that I have listened to and I really enjoyed it. There were mysteries to unravel and bonds to build and it was all written exceptionally well. Owen is called to the local school which has a plumbing issue. It is a task that leads to a devastating discovery and sets into motion a series of events that have far reaching consequences.
I really want to listen to the rest of this series and see the relationships of the characters and how they relate on a wider level than we got to see in this story. While this is a whole tale, there are questions that I want answered and I really want to know more about the O'Connell family and the other inhabitants of the town.
I was engaged right from the outset and right to the last word. The writing really held my attention throughout and had several surprises in store.
John Mo did a great job with the narration and has a really pleasant voice. He injected the right amount of feeling and energy into each and every word and was a treat to the ears. His narration really is a great compliment to Ms Eckhart's writing.
Audiobook Obsession Reviewer.

Exciting and Romantic!

Writing the best of both worlds, Lorhainne Eckhart takes us in the world of Owen O'Connell. Called into to fix a plumbing problem at the local high school turns into murder investigation of a student death. Finding his old high school infatuation at the school is just icing on the cake. Tessa is a teacher, and she too is in the thick of things. Small town, lots of gossip and a secret that haunts Owen may all come to surface, putting his family in the middle of it all. Will he be able to keep his family safe? Where will things go with Tessa? And who is out to get him? This is my first of the O'Connell's that I have had the pleasure to listen to and it just proves to me how much I love small town stories. I love the feeling of community, everyone is in your business and think they all know what is going on. The O'Connells prove how strong a family they are, pulling together in their time of need and the results of the investigation into the school death all too familiar. I now need to go back and hear about the rest of the family!

John Mo is a new narrator to me, and I enjoyed his performance. A great pace and his voice is warm. He easily switches from male to female and adds just enough to create the emotional drama and suspense to keep the story moving. I will definitely be watching for more by him.