Becoming Bella is a good fit for those seeking a heartwarming and humorous romance that explores themes of self-discovery, small-town community, and the power of true love to overcome past hurts and misunderstandings.

As I've learned to expect, a beautifully written and fun read. Hegger writes wonderfully believable stories with flawed but truly good heroes and heroines

I just could not stand anyone in this book. I didn't like Bella or Nate. Nate did the whole "I'm not worthy of you" thing throughout the entire book, which I got tired of very quickly. I didn't like Bella's family at all (especially her grandma), so I was annoyed at her for dealing with them. If I don't like the characters, I usually give up because there's nothing else for me. I pushed through in the hopes that it would get better, but by the end I wished I had DNFed it.

This second installment in the Ghost Town series was even better than the first, Positively Pippa, which I didn't think would be possible. Belle Erikson is a small town girl living under the pressure and expectations of her family and entire town. This trait make Bella completely relatable to anyone who ever struggled with becoming the person they always wanted to be. While her family is celebrating Christmas out of town she decides that she will begin her transformation: the family store (which she now owns) will be brought into this century and more importantly she will convince the entire town that she her childhood crush on Nate Evans is a thing in the past.
Nate Evans loves his home town and being the youngest sheriff, but there are times that he could live without the rumor mill. For years he has known that Belle has been half in love with him, but as he has a no relationship policy, Belle has never been given a second thought. That is until he finally has a real conversation with Belle and realizes that what he has been ignoring for years will no longer be ignored. Only problem is that Belle has convinced herself that she has moved on and is trying to pursue over relationship.
Yet when the man Belle went a few dates with turns into a stalker Nate knows that not only is it his job to protect Belle, but pure instinct cannot let him stand by. As Belle and Nate are thrown together again and again neither will be able to deny the raw chemistry, but will each of them be able to overcome their own insecurities and preconceived expectations?

As long as she can remember, Bella Erikson’s been the unofficial sweetheart of Ghost Falls, Utah. And ever since Nate Evans dipped her braids in purple paint in the first grade, he’s been her dream guy. Not that she minds the attention, but sometimes she wishes people saw more in her than just the girl who still has a crush on Sheriff Evans. She has a life after all, a new dress shop to run, and more mature relationships to pursue. Nate knows he’s not good enough for sweet Bella. But he’s pretty sure the new guy sending her heart emojis and giant bouquets isn’t either. And when Bella’s suitor turns stalker, protecting Bella isn’t just Nate’s instinct—it’s his duty. Crammed together for safety and really talking for the first time in years, Bella and Nate can’t fight the moment their chemistry turns into pyrotechnics. Whether it will burn them out or light up the sky, only time will tell.
The book was good. I liked both main characters as they went through the story. Both characters were well written. I enjoyed the plot. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Loved the story and characters. Childhood friends that slowly fall in love of course it takes a new man in town to push one into looking at the other in a new way.

This is a fun and quirky little story in time for holiday reading. I enjoyed the characters of Bella and Nate, even if Nate's "I'm not good enough" attitude began to wear thin after a while. It was amusing watching the two reconnect and finally get their act together since they had the chemistry. It wasn't always lighthearted as Bella being stalked was deftly woven into the story. I also enjoyed the secondary story of Bella's growing friendship with the divorce next door and judging people without knowing their story which is something everyone is guilty of at some time or another. An enjoyable holiday read!

This is the first book that I have read of Sarah Heggers and the first that I have read in her Ghost Falls series. What first attracted me to reading this book was the cover. After the cover I really liked the synopsis as the storyline had more than just your typical childhood crush story.

The author, Sarah did a great job setting the scene of the book from Bella's house to her store. You really felt like you could visually see all the different scenes in the book by her imagery in her writing. In addition to the setting of the story I think that the way she developed the story line between the two main characters was great. She did it slowly and honestly which is not always what you read in other books. The characters were also well developed too. She gave you enough background to understand them but not too much where it bored you. I also liked that she gave you great supporting characters that really added to the story.

In addition to the storyline, characters and romance in the book I also like how she incorporated the thriller aspect of it with the online dating gone bad. It added an edge to the book that wouldn't have been in there with out it and it really made me want to keep reading to find out what happened.

One of my favorite quotes in the book was when Bella was talking to her neighbor Liz about men and relationships. "None of us are perfect. Nobody can love perfectly. In the end, its always going to be a leap of faith"

All in all this was a great book. I am interested in reading more from this author and more in the series. I recommend this book to readers who like the romance but also a little bit of thriller (not the super scary though).

his is the second book of the Ghost Falls series but the first I have read. It was such a lovely story. Sarah Hegger does a wonderful job with all the characters. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series and will definitely get the first book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Ever have one of those books that just takes you by surprise? Yeah, Becoming Bella did. And I mean that in a good way. I formed some expectations from the blurb and the cover since this was a new to me author and series- cute, light women’s fiction crossed with holiday romance- totally worthy selection to get some jingle into my jangle. But, it morphed into something more and I perked right up and delved deeper as a result.

Becoming Bella tackles a heroine who has reached a crisis point in her life- not a huge epoch type of crisis, but one of those quieter impacts. Bella has been following a rut in the road for a long time and has decided that this Christmas season it is time to break out of it- on her own- because life isn’t just going to do it for her.

So she finds a 10-step action plan for Christmas as a single online. And she goes for it. Suddenly, she’s decorating her home outside and in for the holidays, making friends with the neighbor she’s always shamefully judged and looked down on only to find irascible Liz is a keeper, and also a compatriot in working through the 10-step list.

The one who starts on her radar again that is part of her life purge is her crush, the town sheriff, Nate Evans. She’s able to just keep the temptation of Nate away until she gets a stalker.

And that folks, is the point when this cheery and humorous women’s fiction began digging deeper. The author did a fab job showing this angle of abuse and how a serious, dangerous stalker can affect a person’s life. The attempt to control and hold power over through fear, impotence, and frustration on the side of the victim. The author showed how people around the victim react to the presence of a stalker. The grandmother’s denial almost turned my stomach. First, it was ‘he’s just really into you and you should be flattered’ to thinking, but just stopping short of saying (and only because Bella’s friend stopped her) ‘it’s your own fault for encouraging him and leading him on’.

The romance conflict was also a tough one. Nate definitely needed a knot jerked in him. He has this thing where he was a wild teen and was the black sheep of the family who acted out over his dad’s death. He thinks he can’t stick it out for a relationship and gets the rep of a player. He pushes Bella away so much and then gets angry and jealous when her attempt to come out of her shell and the issue with the stalker brings other men into her life. Does he ever get a clue? Let’s just say, he held onto the stupid past the expiration date and found he had his work cut out for him.

I think the last several pages of a survivor recovering from a dark experience was probably the most enlightening and riveting part of the story for me. Oh no doubt, hands down, the lusty, larger than life Liz and her antics paired with the quirky diva Philomene were a hoot, but I loved that the humor is balanced with this other.

As to the holiday theme. Yes, it is there- and it is obviously the catalyst at the beginning of the story, but it’s more a minor side element running in the background.

I was beguiled by this second of the Ghost Falls stories and I definitely want to go back for Positively Pippa and hope to catch more stories that I saw brewing in this one. Becoming Bella can easily be read out of order or as a standalone. I think the target audience will be a person who doesn’t mind a story taking its time winding out and for a mashing up of women’s fiction and romantic suspense.

Bella and her decades old crush on Nate is so darn cute. And you have to feel for her because it definitely isn’t a secret – the whole town knows and isn’t afraid to point it out. But you have to give her some credit for trying to move on … except she happens to do it with a stalker. Yeah, that didn’t go so well. The good part is that it puts her in close proximity to Nate and finally has him addressing his own feelings. And the bad part is, well, there’s a stalker.

I think that Hegger handles that part really well. There’s danger but she never makes light of the situation. It is a serious issue and they take it as such. I think she also handles everyone’s feelings well too. Now, some may think that with a stalker on the loose that Mr. Alpha Sheriff might want to tone it done a few times but Bella doesn’t seem to mind :)

It’s a slow process for Nate to forgive himself for his past and figure out that he’s good enough for Bella. But lucky for him she’s willing to wait him out. And once he gets his act together, Nate is definitely gold in the SO department.

I'm not sure what it was but something told me to grab Becoming Bella. I'm so glad I did. It's the 2nd book in a series I started when the first one came out. Nate is the bad boy turned county sheriff. He still sees himself as the kid who always caused trouble and doesn't see himself as good enough for Bella. Bella is determined to check off her Christmas bucket list and throughout the story hilarity ensues. There is a touch of darkness to balance out the romance and humor though I felt it was done beautifully.
If you enjoy a unique holiday romance with humor and a bit of suspense I highly recommend checking Becoming Bella off your Christmas bucket list.

This was the first Sarah Hegger book I've read and it will not be the last! I completely enjoyed reading Becoming Bella. A charming story about Bella, who is finally, slowly, taking one small step at a time is taking control of her life, both career-wise and her non-existent love life. I found myself thinking to myself "I've had that same thought" so many times, it was as if Sarah Hegger was a fly on the wall of my life! Wonderful read, I highly recommend for a fun, quick read to help take your mind of those decisions you need to make in your own life!

4.5 stars - Becoming Bella is a charming holiday themed story with great characters, including the side characters. It's a perfect mix of small-town romance and sizzling sexy times . Fans of Jill Shalvis and Rachel Gibson will love this book.

4.5 stars - A real treat of a friends to lovers romance, my favorite! Bella has been crushing on Nate since grade school and he’s never thought he was good enough for her. Their road to romance and HEA is a bit funny, even more sexy and has some white knight thrown in for good measure. I loved it!

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

a very sweet story with very interesting characters. you will love it

Becoming Bella (Ghost Falls #2) by Sarah Hegger is a sweet, funny, suspense filled story that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, will make them laugh at the crazy antics of Phi, Bella, Pippa, and Liz, make you fall in love with the HOT Evans Brothers. This is the remarkable story of Bella and Nate.

Bella Erikson is the Ghost Falls sweetheart. She has also had a not so secret crush on Sheriff Nate Evans ever since he dipped her braids in purple paint when they were in first grade. The entire town knows about her pining away for the good Sheriff and Bella has had enough. It is Christmas after all, time for new beginning, time to get over her crush and show the town and Nate that she is not the pathetic wallflower that the town thinks she is.

Nate Evans has known about Bella crush forever. He may be a little sweet on her too, but he would never do anything about that, see he knows that he has a dark past and that he is nowhere near good enough for Bella. He has a fear of crushing her spirit, hurting her, so he keeps it light, keeps it friendly, but would never cross the line to something more.

When Bella's path to the "New Bella" sets her on a collision course with a stalker, Nate will have to put he fears aside to keep Bella safe. But when Bella is taken, and Nate is in a race against the clock to get her back, he realizes that without her in his life, his heart does not beat, without her light and love, he is nothing.

What I truly loved about this book is that the element of suspense made this story even more amazing. I love these characters and Nate and Bella are the perfect match for each other. Despite all of the feelings of unworthiness that Nate has about himself, he is the perfect person for Bella. And you can see that early on in the story that Nate was beginning to come around and realized that this thing with Bella was bigger than casual. That his feelings for her were bigger than his attempt to push them aside. He was scared. And that makes him an even better hero for this story.

Bella was just so sweet and honest and a real people pleasier, the way that she and her neighbor Liz struck up a friendship, they were the two most polar opposite people in the world, but their friendship and the way that they were both there for each other, was amazing. By the end of this story I was cheering, crying, laughing and sighing. I cannot wait to see which Evans brother falls next, or will it be little sister Jo-Jo. I guess time will only tell.

This is the second book in this series but the first one that I've read. This is the first book by this author that I've read and I really enjoyed it. This is a very sexy home town romance with characters that will capture your heart. This is a well written story which is set at a great pace. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Bella Erikson is well-loved by the people of Ghost Falls, yet she's sick and tired of everyone feeling sorry for her because of the long-time crush she's had on Sheriff Nate Evans. Determined to do whatever it takes to make people see she's so much more, she decides to try and enjoy life, live a little and hopefully find another man to help take her mind off the gorgeous Sheriff. However, when her pursuit for another man leads to trouble in the way of him sending her heart emojis and giant bouquets of flowers, there's only one man to turn to -- Nate Evans. Will Nate finally realize that Bella is the woman for him, or will their relationship crash and burn before it ever really gets started?

There are just some authors that know how to brighten this reader's day when she's feeling down and Ms. Hegger is one of those wonderful authors, especially with heroes like the Evans brothers that are a total triple D threat -- delectable, delightful and dexterous; heroines that are determined to go after what they want like Bella does in this book, even though things go a combination of right and wrong for her; and secondary characters that made me laugh, especially Bella's next door neighbor with her flirting and determination to land her Mr. Right. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time that had me laughing at Bella's predicament. How does she manage to get herself into trouble the way she did?

The dialogue was well-written and a wonderful combination of intense moments and teasing banter that had me adoring the main characters, as Nate is a man determined not to get involved with a sweet woman like Bella, and yet, she's impossible to resist, not only because of what's happening to her, but because it's palpable there's something about her that he can't get enough of. However, in saying that, the trouble Bella faces from someone determined to win her heart had shivers running down my spine at various moments throughout this story, as the man that wanted Bella was an obsessive jerk that kept getting more and more bold in his pursuit. Will Nate be able to protect her?

As for the main characters, both were absolutely enthralling. Bella is determined to prove she's not pining after Nate, even though she's had a crush on him for years and I liked how proactive she was in her pursuit to get over him, even though things don't go according to plan for her. I also liked how resilient and courageous she was in standing up to her grandmother; a woman that didn't know how to let go of something important to her, even though Bella had every right to do what she was planning. While Nate, he is such a fantastic hero that I couldn't get enough of, as he would do anything for family, even if it means dealing with a mother that thinks the world revolves around her. I also liked how much the hero has turned his life around from the juvenile delinquent he once was, how far he's come in being a police officer and how protective he was of the heroine. Then again, Bella needs all the protection she can't get and I could understand why the secondary characters were so determined to help her.

Overall, Ms. Hegger has penned another must read book for this series where this couple's chemistry was wonderful and had me flipping the pages determined to discover how things will work out for this pair; where the romance was wonderfully-crafted and illustrated how good and right Nate and Bella are together; the secondary characters were just as entertaining as the main ones, because of their sound advice and determination to see Nate and Bella happy; and the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat due to what happens to one of the main characters, but left me completely satisfied with how Nate made things right with Bella since there's no way he can let her get away. She means everything to him. I would recommend Becoming Bella by Sarah Hegger, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope, the friends to lovers trope, small town romances; or books by authors Ruthie Knox, Jill Shalvis, Kelly Moran and Samantha Chase.

Bella is the known at the sweet girl. She is tired of it and also tired of being walked all over.
She decides this is the year she will take charge of her life, as well as deciding she will not like Nate Evans any more.
She becomes friends with her neighbor and they decide to do this together.
Nate knows he is not good enough for Bella but he also doesn't want any one else near her. He takes good care of her when she needs it. He feels he can't give her more than that.
Until she starts dating someone else and the suspense is just too much.

This book has romance, humor, and a little suspense. It was an awesome book and I can't wait to see what comes next.

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**