Get it on Amazon | Also available on Buqo
First things first: Don’t forget to follow the #TheHometownHazard blog tour, join the giveaway, and get a chance to win a free e-book copy of The Hometown Hazard!
Do rate/review The Hometown Hazard on Goodreads, or give a shout-out to the author on Twitter and Facebook.
Jules Coronado has been away from her hometown for almost a decade but when an intruder breaks in to her childhood home, she finds herself coming back. Changes evidently took place in her small town, including her childhood best friend’s younger brother, Kip – now tall, slightly scruffed, all grown up and caught climbing into their garden wall.
Kip Villamor has a mission and despite Jules’ doubts, they team up: going on fieldtrips, tackling unsuspecting men, and trespassing offices to dig up dirt. But Jules has secrets of her own, one that might be exposed – unless she keeps her walls up. But climbing walls are Kip’s forte, remember?
Will her secrets keep her on his side, or will it force her to disappear again?
It was the cover that got me at first when I saw the blog tour invite. I mean, look at how pretty this is! Obviously, a good cover is a big factor. But I’ve gotten books with nice covers, and ultimately put them down before I could even finish the story. It didn’t happen with The Hometown Hazard. (Though we did get a little “tense” for a bit, right, Dawn? :p)
I expected an in-your-face romance when I signed up for this tour. And I did get romance, definitely! But The Hometown Hazard is a lot more than just romance. It has suspense, and a sense of mystery that reminded me of the crime procedurals I love watching on television–with more sexual tension, of course. ♥
Kip’s eyebrow raised. “I thought you were going to choke me.”
“I could have,” I said coldly.
From the very beginning, I could’ve cut the tension with a knife. Instead I just threw my phone a few times. I think everyone has had that one boy or girl from their childhood, the kid that you’re used to seeing as just a kid, and then they grow up and you feel like a creeper for appreciating how puberty has been kind to them.
But who can resist someone like Kip, really? With that stupid face, reckless confidence, and persistent nature, I would’ve gone crazy if I had someone like him in my life.
Exhibit A:
“Juliana, if you’re going to keep showing up in my house, I would rather know. At least I can put on some pants before you walk in.” His eyes squinted, “Or would you rather have it that way?”
I covered my face with my hands and whined, “Lord.”
Am I right? AM I RIGHT?
With a childhood friend like that, it wasn’t difficult for me to understand Jules’ frustrations. Add to that her desire to be away–be independent–and her uneasiness to return home after so long no matter how much she loved her family . . . I’m like that.
So I thought, okay, I get this. I know this feeling. I see who she is, I see who he is.
But I was oh so wrong.
My eyes rested on that spot, focusing on the beat of his heart against my palm.
“What are you trying to hide anyway?”
A lot of times, I found myself at the edge of my seat or clinging tightly to my pillow. I thumbed through the entire thing so quickly because I just needed to know more, I had to understand. After every last page of every chapter, I couldn’t help but keep going.
Twist, after twist, after twist and I didn’t know what was going on anymore or why I’m feeling what I’m feeling or how Dawn Lanuza managed to even get me there! (In a good way. ♥)
So if you’re looking to be pleasantly surprised, read The Hometown Hazard. Because I think the running theme for this book and the story within it is: there’s more to everything and everyone, and you should always look beyond what your eyes are letting you see.
Also nice, charming doctors with crescent-eye-smiles are hot.
BRB while I move over to that book.
For science.
About the Author
Dawn Lanuza started writing stories when she was just a kid (they weren’t good or even finished). She works for the music industry by day and writes meet cutes and snappy comebacks by night. ‘The Boyfriend Backtrack’ is her first book. She currently lives with her family and an adopted dog.
