My Review - Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins

MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING was good, but moved a little slow at times.

Rani Martin is a proud product of Cades Cove, a valley in the Smoky Mountains.  She loves everything about life in the Cove.  Being with her family and doing the pottery she so enjoys gives her peace.  Though someday she hopes to marry, she knows she won’t settle for anything less than true love.  So, when Matthew Jackson returns to the Cove, her heart and mind begin a tug-o-war.  When she and Matthew are together, it seems like all their time is spent arguing.  But, when their not together, Rani can think of no one else.  He isn’t at all what she fantasized her future husband would be.  But she is sure the feelings she has for him are love.

Matthew Jackson has returned to his childhood home, a childhood stained with haunting memories.  He wants to start fresh in the town of his boyhood, but isn’t sure if the people of Cades Cove will allow him to do that.  The Martin family welcomes him with open arms.  And when he meets Rani, he feels an immediate spark.  Though they bicker more than they talk, his heart immediately claims her for its own.  But Matthew isn’t convinced they should be together.  He’s almost ten years her senior and has a background that shames him.  He wants only the best for Rani, and is convinced he is not the man for her.  He pushes her away, and by doing so hurts her deeply.  But he convinces himself that it is better if he breaks her heart now instead of somewhere down the line.

Rani and Matthew struggle with where they belong in the world.  Is it together?  Or are they both better off apart?  When the perfect man enters Rani’s life, the answer to her future seems crystal clear.  Now, if only she can convince her heart to let go of Matthew.

MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING has all the ingredients for the perfect love story–a hero and heroine to pull for, a beautiful setting, and rich secondary characters.  But the timing was a little too slow for my liking.  Some keys phrases seemed to be repeated way too many times, and I found myself skimming towards the middle of the book.  It is a good read for those her are looking for simplicity, but because of the pacing, it lacked the Wow factor I look for in a romance novel.

Book provided for review purposes.