This first installment in the Firefly Hollow series begins in the 1950s when Sarah Browning is a lonely high school student and a target for her older sister Kathy to pick on. The Browning's property borders the Campbell's who live up on the mountain and are rarely seen. It is understood that one does not cross that border and trespass onto the Campbell's land. However Sarah is unable to resist and begins walking there regularly, which is the first time Owen ever lays eyes on her, though she does not know it at the time. A few years later Sarah is called home from college where she is a year shy of graduating and becoming a teacher. A tragedy has befallen her family and again Sarah finds herself drawn to the Campbell's property. Gradually she and Owen find themselves falling in love, but circumstances seem to conspire to keep the young lovers apart and Owen's secrets may be too big to share. This was a story not just of romance, but family relationships, and heartbreaking tragedy.

I received a complimentary copy for review ( )

I do not recall exactly how I found this book but I am so happy I did! When I opened it I was surprised to find it was set in an area of the country I know well so I was hoping it would be good. The book is set in the 50's in rural southeast Kentucky. In truth I found it reminded me of my childhood memories from the 60's which probably influenced my love of the story. For those who like to know these things before investing in a book, there is sex before marriage, (though there was a commitment to it). Other adult themes include birth control used circa 1950 and domestic violence. I thought the author did a great job with writing the adult themes. Neither the sexual situations nor the domestic violence were too graphic, (though in fair warning the DV is horrific...she wrote it so we would know what happened but didn't give blow by blow or dwell unnecessarily on it.).
I love Owen and Sarah. They are not perfect people but they do make a perfect couple. The characters in were very well written. I feel like they are family. I love when an author can write characters that well. Kathy initially was a character that I disliked. Now that the book has ended she is who I would most like to hear from. I am hoping to hear how she gets on in the next book though I am not sure she will be in it. My understanding is the series continues with the next generation. Back to this book. The author did an amazing job capturing the innocence yet worldly knowledge of the times as well as the place. I read this book a bit slowly because I kept falling into daydreaming mixed with some bittersweet memories. It was emotionally satisfying for me. Though the author made up the home place, mountain and took some liberties with Hazard, it was easy for me to see it all. I was transported through time to Beaver Creek and a holler there where I went looking for haints and first fell in love. I now live in Alaska, so far from there. This book will hold a special place in my heart and I will read it again. I am looking forward to reading not only the rest of this series but also other books by this author.
For my bookies in the club, (you know who you are), let me know if you read this one. Until I read a couple more from the series and am certain of the consistency of the writing I will hold off recommending adding it to the club's series. I do, however, believe it will go in that direction. It has a hot shifter in it. Woot! Woot! ( )

This is a very unusual read--not your traditional contemporary novel--and that's not a bad thing at all! I found it intriguing that this would be set in the 1950's-1960's era, since I'm accustomed to reading books about wizards, shapeshifters, and paranormal activities in a more modern setting.

The primary reason for the three stars is the sexual content. While the story itself keeps your attention, I could have done without the graphic descriptions. Owen and Sarah make a great couple! I was impressed by the unexpected page turners involving Sarah's sister, Kathy, and her terrible losses. I developed a strong dislike for Kathy because she always seemed so snobby and stuck-up and did not really treat her sister with any compassion. But then I felt sorry for her after learning that deep down, this was a woman living a nightmare that she could not escape.

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I don't think this was meant to be a "cute" story, but that was how it felt to me. The 1950s setting is one that you don't see very often in this genre, and I felt that it came through very well. I love reading non-typical period romances!

Owen is adorable, even though he has a few moments where you just want to smack him. Not because he is being an ass, just because he needs to get his head back in the game. The supernatural element was a surprise to me, but it was very well done and not overt in any way (I tend to stay away from "shifter" stories). Sarah fell a bit flat for me because she seemed too close to the girl-next-door caricature. She seemed more like a trope and not a person. The side characters are wonderful, and a few are wonderfully bad. But you feel like you have a version of each of them in your life. There is even one character that I totally changed my mind about from beginning to end. And this was a peripheral character! Yes, I cared that much about a non-lead! I really do love when authors spend time developing the side characters. Makes me make "good book noise".

The only thing that detracted for me was the predictability of the plot (with one notable exception). From the beginning you can see where things are headed and the "road blocks" felt more like pebbles. I would have liked to see them grow with each other a little more, but mostly because I liked Owen and Sarah so damned much! Want to read more from the author and this series!

Copy courtesy of Streetlight Graphics Publishing, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

What a sweet story this was! The characters were rich and compelling, the setting was beautiful, and the story was magical.

Set in the mid 1950s, Sarah lives in Kentucky, a place called Firefly Hollow. As a teenager, she trespasses onto her neighbor’s property and discovers a pond where she likes to be alone and reflect. The owner of the property, Owen, admires her beauty from afar, but doesn’t want her getting too close and learning his secrets. As the years pass, the two find themselves thrown together as young adults and they quickly fall in love. His secrets almost destroy them, but eventually he trusts her enough to let her in on his family heritage. There are adult situations, violence, and sex in this book.

Filled with Appalachian folklore, Firefly Hollow is a magical romance. ( )