When Somebody Loves You by Shirley Jump – a Review

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
At heart, Elizabeth Palmer is a practical Jersey girl. And her life reflects that—until everything suddenly falls apart.  In a bid to change her luck, the intrepid reporter accepts a job to write a story on a reclusive quarter horse breeder in Chatham Ridge, Georgia. To her surprise, she finds herself settling into the warm, inviting town—even joining the Southern Belle Book Club—and craving the company of the rancher she’s there to interview….

Hunter McCoy has good reason to keep his distance from the determined reporter. Tragedy has taught him to stick to things that don’t require his heart. But he can’t seem to resist the vulnerability he detects beneath Elizabeth’s tough demeanor.

But when tragedy strikes the ranch again and Hunter shuts her out, Elizabeth will have to prove to Hunter that having somebody love you can heal all wounds…

Review:

When Somebody Loves You by Shirley Jump is the 1^st book in her new The Southern Belle Bookclub series. This was a very nice romance of an unlikely couple that looked like it was destined to fail, as neither of them were interested in any kind of relationship.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Palmer, our heroine, has lived all her life wanting to change her life and do what she always dreamed of doing. She uproots herself, takes a job as a journalist, and leaves New Jersey to go to a small town in Georgia, to interview and write up an article on an reclusive quarter horse breeder.

Hunter McCoy is our hero, and from the start he isn’t very friendly to Elizabeth, when she arrives for the prearranged interview for her magazine. Hunter has closed himself off emotionally, after the tragic death a few years ago of his Fiancee to a tragic accident that he blames himself. Hunter is also over protective of his sister, preventing her from joining him on the ranch to help train and breed horses.

Though Hunter is difficult, Lizzie finds him very attractive, and does all she can to keep her feelings private. She is openly welcomed by Hunter’s aunt and sister, as well as the ladies of the Southern Belle Bookclub. For the first time in her life, she feels comfortable, and happy in this environment, especially with new found friends.  

This was a fun and sweet story, as Hunter slowly falls for Lizzie, allowing his heart to melt. Lizzie already knows she has fallen for Hunter, who begins to act nice, and even romantically. They both have their own issues; Hunter learning to cope with the tragedy, and learning to let go; Lizzie being afraid to give herself a chance in a new town, with friends, and a possible love. Will Hunter and Lizzie find a way to come together? You will need to read this book to find out.

Shirley Jump created some very likeable characters, and I look forward to seeing many of them get their own stories as the Southern Belle Bookclub continues.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher