You Belong With Me

When I saw this title, I was reminded of this song (originally done by the Lumineres) and it pretty much sums up what the book is about.  Hannah Thornton is a realtor who wants to rejuvenate her town of Heritage, Michigan.  A developer wants to modernize the town with strip malls and apartment complexes. 

Hannah hears about a contest to fund the rejuvenation and decides to ask the council to back the entry.  They put up $10,000 for her to use in starting refurbishing the Manor House--a place that Hannah feels is the history of the town.  As Hannah encounters various roadblocks, she leans on Luke, her neighbor across the street, and a man she's known since she was in grade school. 

Tari Faris has written about three novels in one. There is the story of Hannah and Luke, of Thomas (Hannah's brother) and Janie, of Hannah and the city.  While it's not hard to keep the characters and their stories straight, it seems like a lot to pack into one book.  Hannah has been written as a modern Calamity Jane, all the while trying to overcome her mother's reputation. She feels she has to prove so much of herself, she ends up meddling in everyone's business.

This is a four star book that is an entertaining read for that afternoon where nothing is pressing on the reader's schedule.

My thanks to Revell and NetGalley.com for providing the copy I read for this review.