I met Tari Farris at a Susan May Warren Deep Thinker’s retreat way back in 2012 (I think, could’ve been 2013). Even then, I knew she’d be published one day. You Belong With Me is her debut novel and it’s a good one! Amazon says it releases September 3, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t already released it! Here’s the back cover copy:
Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn’t one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map–and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah’s mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts–not even her best friend, Luke.
Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah’s restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is–and who he was.
My take:
Tari Farris did a great job of drawing me in right away in YOU BELONG TO ME. I so identified with Hannah. And Luke was truly swoon-worthy. Not only that, Farris has such good secondary characters—Pastor Nate, Thomas and Janie. In fact, all of Farris’ characters are well-drawn in this debut novel—she has a great talent for creating memorable characters.
This story was poignant, often funny, and yet serious at times. I got caught up in Hannah’s journey of learning that she couldn’t “fix” everything. And Luke’s realization that he was part of the community. It’s hard to believe this is Farris’ debut novel! But I’m sure there will be many more to follow.
You can buy You Belong With Me here.
Leave a comment below and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book in my library or a Christian coloring book. Tell me if you think you can fix everything. 🙂
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Comments 38
To be honest, sometimes it feels more like I can’t fix anything! And then one of my little sisters will bring her necklace to me to untangle…! Or her violin for me to tune 🙂
Author
Monique, I think there are things we are good at and can fix, and then there are things we shouldn’t even attempt. The key is to know the difference. 🙂
Hmm, yes. Like a broken violin string versus a broken piano string!
Author
Lol, Monique! 😉
I WANT to fix everything even when I can’t. I think the hard part is realizing what I’m not supposed to fix.
Author
Absolutely, Melissa. Sometimes we step in and fix things that God is using to teach someone else a lesson.
My daughters seem to think I can fix every toy they destroy. There are some things hot glue can’t fix. Example a popped Ballon ♂️.
Author
But it’s great that your kids think you can fix everything! Savor these times because the teen years aren’t far away. lol
I know, Time flies by so quick.
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I can’t believe it’s the first of September, Jessica!!!
No way can I fix everything or a whole lot of anything.
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Amen, Lisa, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. lol
There have been times when I thought I could fix anything, and then reality hit me in the face. I couldn’t really fix anything. The more I tried to fix, the worse things got. I’ve seen people fix things with super glue. I can’t even do that. I have managed an occasional fix with duct tape.
Author
Edward, duct tape will fix ANYTHING! And WD-40. lol. I think God drove home to me that there were some things I couldn’t fix. Like the time I was visiting someone and was supposed to leave the next morning to get home in time for Christmas. But a snowstorm was approaching. With ice. It was then that I realized there wasn’t a thing I could do. I also realized the ice storm wasn’t the only thing I couldn’t “fix”.
I sure tend to try to fix everything! It’s not long before I’m reminding myself of the futility of that attitude. I think it’s the whole control mindset and realizing I need to release it to the Lord.
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Absolutely, Maureen! Sometimes we have to get to the end of ourselves. 🙂
I can’t fix everything but I usually can fix a few things. Fortunately, Imlive in a household of men who usually can fix anything.
Author
And sometimes when we can fix a few things, we usually think we can fix all things, Perrianne. lol
I know my limits, LOL.
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I wish I did, Perrianne! lol
No way! Of course there are small things that I can fix, but so many times we just have to take our hands off & leave it to God!
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That is so true, Mary. But somehow that’s a hard thing to do!
I am able to fix some things but I am like a lot of the others in that I wish/want to fix everything, especially when it concerns my family. I get to a point where I talk to God and admit my shortcomings and ask Him for His will to be done. I just started You Belong With Me so I skimmed over your thoughts. I signed up for her newsletter and received her novella, P.S. Goodbye, and loved it! She has a great future ahead I think.
Author
I think so, too, Gloria. I attended a writer’s retreat back in 2012 (I think) with Tari. She is so talented, and has some beautiful photography!
Times have changed. I used to be able to fix a lot of things: radio, tv, car… Not any more. Most items don’t have serviceable parts now. Cars generally need a computer to diagnose trouble, and are too low to the ground to get under to even change the oil. The good thing is that most stuff last much longer, too. I have a 20 year old Sony Trinitron TV that works as well as when we bought it. Never needed service.
Relationships are a different matter. Fixing problems there takes God, love and patience. Sometimes you can, and sometimes you can’t. Not much has changed there.
Author
You are so right about items not having servicable parts, Tim! There was a time I could change out a universal joint on a car, but I’m not even certain they have universal joints any more! And remember how we used to open up the butterfly on a carburetor to get the car to start? And we definitely can’t fix relationships–only God can do that.
Some simple things maybe. Other bigger things I get help for.
Author
It’s always wise to get help on big things, Erika!!
I definitely cannot fix everything. I can try but you will end up spending more money to fix my mistakes.
Author
I know what you mean, Sonnetta! I want to repair my washing machine myself, but what if I get it all apart and can’t put it back together? lol
I was a single parent mom of 4 kids; and for some reason, they thought I could fix anything! 🙂 I do try to live a simple life; and I did a lot of “fixing” when my kids were little! 🙂
Author
That’s great, MS Barb! A simple life is the best!!
Hi, first of all this book sounds like a very good read, and I love the cover! I can fix some things but I cannot fix everything, I might try to , but some things aren’t fixable or it depends on what or who needs fixing, if it is a person, well, it has to really come from them to be fixed. I enjoyed reading this blog. Thank you so much. Have a Great weekend. God Bless you.
Author
I’m so glad you enjoy my blog, Alicia! And I agree, some things are unfixable! Thanks for always reading my blog!
I would love to be able to fix everything but I have to let go and let God.
Author
Me, too, Lucy. It’s hard, though to turn loose and let God take care of it.
I seem to think I can fix myself. The Lord is teaching me to submit to Holy Spirit instead.
Me, too, Caryl!