Our heroine is an artist, which is an interesting career to read about. She’s struggling to achieve her dreams, and I think readers will relate with that. I enjoy story lines that include a character chasing their aspirations, working hard, sacrificing. She’s ashamed of the length of time it’s taking. Perhaps she’s looking for validation in the wrong area—again, relatable for readers.

Our hero hasn’t achieved his goals either. He coaches the elderly in their softball team, which brings him in close proximity to the heroine and her grandmother in a unique way. I liked that we shared time in his POV. He’s just as much a victim of Mimi’s meddling, but that adds to the fun. We get to spend time in Mimi’s POV. She’s eccentric and feisty. So many interesting characters.

The small-town atmosphere is a charming setting. I liked the originality of the artist's career and the yarn shop.

Unfortunately, though, the book plodded along for me. I couldn’t get "hooked" into the story. To be fair, I read the ARC, but I found so many repeated words and phrases needing tightening. The story pacing stalled in redundancy, and I didn’t find rich layers. It’s possible those elements were addressed in the editing phases. As Kathleen was a new-to-me author and since I loved the cover, I had high hopes for this one. But I gave up at 15 percent. Perhaps the plot and setting felt too similar to other series that without an engaging hook, I couldn’t stay with it.

I have another of Kathleen’s books in my wish-list pile, and I look forward to checking out her work again. I received a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wish the author and publisher all the best.

Book 1 in the Maple Falls Romance series, I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to Book 2. Hooked on You is not only heartwarming, but it’s a story of family and forgiveness. Of moving forward even when life throws you a curve or two.

Strong lovable characters, Riley and Hayden learn a lot about life and each other. And Mimi is so much fun and even mischievous. But she loves Riley dearly and only wants the best for her.

The setting of Maple Falls made me nostalgic and I could imagine wandering main street, looking in the shop windows. If you enjoy contemporary stories, then grab a copy and go window shopping with me. You’ll be glad you did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This is a sweet small town romance that was an absolute joy to read. Riley and Haden's story will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.. I loved the small town of Maple Falls and Mimi and the BB's were so much fun. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Thank you Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this delightful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love books set in small towns. It brings back many fond memories. Maple Falls, although outwardly falling apart, has an abundance of wonderful people who are ready to step in and help and support one another. I loved how the BBs did that for Riley and Mimi.

Riley's character was a bit irritating at times. For someone who says she doesn't want to be anything like Tracy, her mother who abandoned her, she sure has taken in and trusted a lot of Tracy's prejudices about church folk, rich people, etc. It is nice to see her grow in trusting others.

Mimi and her cronies stole the show for me. How can you not love a woman in her 70s who still plays softball and breaks her leg sliding into third. These ladies are a hoot.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next one and seeing how the BBs will meddle. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes you need a cute romance to just make you feel good inside. Riley came back to Maple Falls to help her grandmother with her yarn store after her grandmother broke her leg while playing baseball. Riley never wanted to come back to Maple Falls, she wanted to make it big in New York as an artist, but she couldn't turn her grandmother down when she called.
Hayden had big baseball dreams but after an injury he is back working at his father's hardware store in Maple Falls. He's not sure what he wants to do with the rest of his life, but he finally feels like he is home. When Riley's grandmother, Erma, breaks her leg during a game he is coaching, he wants to help her out in any way she needs, and that means he has to go pick Riley up from the airport. Riley is a girl who kept to herself when they were younger, but he always thought there was more to her than meets the eye.
When the two meet again, sparks fly. Riley doesn't want to get involved with Hayden though, because she knows she will be leaving once her grandmother is healed. Hayden has other ideas because he can't get Riley out of his head. He is determined to make her open up to him, but Riley has old wounds that haven't really healed yet.
3.5 Stars. This wa a very light clean romance that was just all around feel good with little to no real angst. There was some family drama, and I liked how it showed us more than just Hayden and Riley's side of the story, we got Erma sprinkled in there too.
Thank you to Kathleen Fuller Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an early copy of this book.

An amazing book. It is about two people who have fears they have to work out before they find love. Riley and Hayden are believable characters.

Maple Falls is a charming little town that is facing a dilemma of dying stores. Riley's grandma has called her home from New York City to help her with her yarn/knitting store because she has broken her leg. Riley is picked up from the airport by her high school crush Hayden. Riley carries baggage from her childhood and needs to work on being acceptable before Hayden can break through to show that he cares.

I enjoyed the little town of Maple Falls and the character of Hayden, but felt that Riley lack of confidence was carried too far and it made me lose interest in the story. I will try the sequel in the series, though, when published as I did enjoy the rest of the story.

Hooked On You by Kathleen Fuller is a romance novel set in a small town named Maple Falls, the first book in the duology. Riley McAllister stays and works in New York with her roommate cum best friend. She visits Maple Falls after 9 years when her grandmother, whom is calls as Mimi, is injured. Riley's mother has left her long back when she was little.

Hayden Price’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected either. He still works in the hardware store his family has owned for several generations after his chance to make it out of Maple Falls ended when he blew out his pitching arm during a minor league game. He takes life as it comes and enjoys the most that his town, Maple Falls has to offer.

Riley and Hayden went to high school together but ran in totally different circles. In fact, it’s safe to say they hated each other. Well, now we know where and how things are going to take place in this book. :P I loved the setting, I liked how the book has turned out to be. It was such as beautiful. A story of Love, Friendship, Forgiveness, Family and so much more.
________

Thank You @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.

Loved it. A sweet romance. Lots of family drama, fun, and past issues providing an emotional journey to the happily ever after. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hooked On You by Kathleen Fuller is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel that will warm your heart. It is the first book in the Maple Falls series.
The novel is about love and family. We are reminded that we are all adopted into God’s family. Within the story there are groups of women who support each other, offering love and care. When they see a need it is met. Sometimes tough love is needed.
The leading lady is vulnerable, still feeling like the abandoned teen. In order to protect herself she erects barriers around her heart, pulling up the drawbridge if anyone gets too close. She thinks she is protecting herself but she is living in isolation and hurt.
There are some huge hearts within the novel, pouring out love and care. Grandmother Mimi has a love that radiates beyond the pages. She is also rather funny in her forthright opinions.
All the characters are charming and endearing. The reader feels caught up in their love and care.
The town of Maple Falls is delightful but it is dying. It needs an injection of light and renovation to bring it to life again. This can be seen as a motif for our lives – we were dying in our old lives until we met Jesus who gave us new life as He breathed His spirit into us.
I adored Hooked On You. It was such a charming read that wrapped me in its love.
I received a free copy of the book from Net Galley as part of a blog tour with Just Read. All opinions are my own.

Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City . . . if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her—while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good.

But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having.

With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home.

This book started out slow but picked up its pace about halfway through. Once I got through the slow part it wasn't a bad book. I would consider this book to be a nice cozy fireplace or beach read.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any.

My first Kathleen Fuller book and woooow! A huge thanks to Thomas Belson for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a sweet heartwarming story about love, family, and a grandmother that plays baseball (how cool is that). This is a story that melts hearts and keeps you reading for more and shows the goodness of God and yes I recommend it

They say you can't go home again, but two previous Maple Falls residents have returned, one permanently, the other to get her Grandmother back on her feet. What they never expected is to find one another.

I love the banter that goes on here, and the love of each other that is given to the other residents of this town, especially Mimi's friends.

Can two rather broken individuals find a way to romance and beyond? Can a dying town be revived, some answers are forthcoming, but others are still waiting for answers.

Loved the title, especially knowing the author's enjoyment of yarn.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

Hooked On You is a sweet contemporary romance that gives the reader the classic trope of the girl from the city returning to her small town. The story reminded me of a Hallmark movie, and I know so many people love watching those. While I did find aspects of the novel a little cheesy, I do see how many readers (especially Hallmark-lovers) will appreciate the feel-good vibe. The writing was a little stilted and simple for my preference, but if you prefer less descriptions and more dialogue, this one might be for you. The character Erma and her friends were a delight.
If you're looking for a Hallmark-ish small town story, this might be just what you're wanting.

*I received a copy of this book free in exchange for participation in a JustReads book tour. All opinions are my own.*

This was a great read. I enjoyed watching the characters get to know each other and themselves. I particularly enjoyed Riley's character arc. I am excited to read more from Kathleen Fuller. She seems to set it up to have other books based off of supporting characters in this story, and I am excited for that. Her supporting cast was great.

A sweet story from Kathleen Fuller! Overall, Hooked On You is entertaining and enjoyable, but there were a few characters I couldn’t connect with very well and I think the ending was a bit rushed. Although the story is quite romantic, I disagree with the rom-com tag; it reads more like general contemporary fiction. If you like small-town stories with threads of romance and friendship, Hooked On You is a great choice. 3.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book started off slow and it was kinda hard to like Riley in the beginning. Don't give up. The story does pick up and as the past is revealed, Riley becomes a strong character that just has stuff to work through. The town of Maple Falls is such a lovely backdrop to this sweet romance. One can't help but root for the revitalization of small town life with this fun cast of characters. I am glad to see there is a 2nd book on the way. I will happily revisit Maple Falls.

HOOKED ON YOU
...Kathleen Fuller
Riley leaving Maple Falls for New York, to prove she was an artist ten years ago. Grandmother wanted her to return now and run the store while she was laid up. Hayden remember this talented, mysterious girl from high school. When asked to pick her up at the airport.
They both have been trying to prove themselves. He is back in town working at his fathers hardware store, while she will be at Knots & Tangles shop. A nice romance of coming back to a good support group of eccentric seniors also matchmakers. Delifghtful small town romance. Well done. Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Riley has not returned to the town of Maple Falls for nine years. Throughout the book, her reasons why became apparent, but her grandmother still longs for her to return. When Erma gets injured during a softball game, she finally has a reason to get her granddaughter to return.

When his plans do not play out as expected, Hayden also returns to his hometown. But he has come to stay. Can he convince Riley that there are some compelling reasons to stay in town, and that one of them is him?

Overall I enjoyed this clean romance. I thought the back stories were compelling. And I loved the emphasis on friendship and finding a supportive community. The "Bosom Buddies" and "The Three Musketeers" definitely added fun to the storyline,

I liked the story. Then there was a pivotal moment when everything clicked. At that point, the story became even more compelling.

Except for one part ... the author used the word "sexy" several times, and I thought that she could have used a different word. The physical part of the relationship was not the emphasis, so I personally thought that word seemed jarring. Obviously that is my personal bias.

I do want to read the rest of this series. This was the first book that I read by Kathleen Fuller, and I enjoyed her writing style. I appreciate the publisher letting me read this book on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3/5 for Hooked on You.

This was a sweet, clean romance novel. Riley fled her small town of Maple Falls, Arkansas, for New York City nearly a decade ago, hoping to make it big as an artist. Still, she has not found the success she hoped for, and when her grandmother, Mimi, breaks her leg, Riley sublets her apartment and returns home for the first time.

Hayden Price has returned to Maple Falls after his baseball career came to a crashing halt in his first Major League baseball game. He now works at his father's hardware store and coaching the church softball team where Mimi broke her leg sliding into third base.

In a small town where most young people have moved away, Hayden and Riley find themselves thrown into the same social circle, partly thanks to Mimi's machinations, partly thanks to their mutual attraction for each other.

For the most part, the book was cute, and I enjoyed seeing Riley come to life as she fixed up the yarn store and Hayden's enthusiasm for main street revitalization. Coming from a small town, not unlike Maple Falls myself, it was lovely to see.

What I despited was the drama with Riley's mother. The author implies that Riley's mother became a drug addict and neglectful teenage mother because she was adopted; that when she was adopted as a baby, she was already "screwed up," so no love or parenting could have saved her.

Also, I didn't particularly appreciate that Mimi's friends ganged up on Riley when Mimi betrayed Riley. Riley walks out after learning that her grandmother paid off her mother to leave the girl behind - the root of Riley's abandonment issues - and they attack Riley for being cruel to Mimi. Mimi also lied to them, implying that Riley was home for good!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for an e-ARC copy.