Small City Heart by Erin McLellan

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Patrick Pearl’s career is in shambles, and his love life is in even worse shape. The last place he wants to be is his horrid hometown’s biggest shindig and high school reunion, but he’s decided to stomach it for a chance to see his mom.

After years away, Patrick doesn’t anticipate the longing that hits him the moment he sees his hometown’s hills, the same pull that has him itching for his camera. But Patrick’s biggest shock of all is Charlie North—Small City’s golden boy and resident firefighting hunk.

Charlie has had a crush on Patrick Pearl since they were fifteen, but avoided him like the plague in high school, intimidated by Patrick’s courage to be different. Now that they’re all grown up, Charlie isn’t going to let Patrick slip through his fingers, much to Patrick’s surprise.

If Patrick has to withstand the torture of the Small City Alumni Weekend, then he might as well bang the hottest, most popular guy from his graduating class, right? It’s not like there are hearts involved. What could possibly go wrong?

Warning: This novella contains a lot of blackberry cobbler, a hometown hunk who didn’t have the good grace to peak in high school, a millennial hot mess that does not have his shit together, and super sweet small-town charm.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Small City Heart is a sweet small town novella by Erin McLellan. 

Two men are reunited when Patrick returns home for a high school reunion. Patrick is surprised by the former stud Charlie asking him out, making for a fun read. Their relationship is great in it's development, it's natural and perfectly charming. And of course, the two are steamy together. 

The small town factor is well explored, as Patrick never wanted to live in this small town again. And as with many small town romances, in Charlie, he finds something worth reconsidering this for. 

I appreciate the openness of the two, as things have changed over the years. I enjoy the factors that shape Patrick's development. He isn't just affected by his feelings for Charlie, but also by the other people who have accepted him in town. It's all well done, intriguing, and highly emotional. 

I love the way Charlie has changed, as he went from a closeted high school boy to an out and proud adult man. He crushed on Patrick on high school, but certainly wasn't about to out himself then. 

The writing is great. Written in alternating 3rd person pov, the characters are well developed and fully come to life. Their relationship is one with comfort and ease, as the two men fully complement one another. The author excels in bringing Patrick's photographer skills, his photos and talent to life. 

Small City Heart is a short, fast story that's full of sugary sweetness. This Erin McLellan novella is a story of love, acceptance, and family. It's a perfect quick, sweet read.