Bea Reviews On the Corner of Hope and Main by Beverly Jenkins

Series: Blessings #10
Read As A Stand Alone: Yes, but not recommended
Publisher: William Morrow
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review
Release Date: March 3rd, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
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Blurb from goodreads:

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins celebrates her beloved Blessings series with a heartwarming novel set in Henry Adams, Kansas.

Citizens of Henry Adams, Kansas, know there’s never a dull moment in their small town…
Trent July has been the mayor of this historic town for the past four years, but now he’s ready to let someone else take up the mantle. Barrett Payne, a former Marine, decides he wants the job. But when a surprise candidate also enters the ring, the town has opinions on who would be the best candidate.

And of course that’s not the only drama, as Malachi “Mal” July continues to make reparations for the damage he’s caused and to the people he’s betrayed, especially his lady love Bernadine. Is she finally ready to forgive him and let the past go?

As the residents of Henry Adams have learned, life will throw obstacles their way, but it’s how they come together and rise above these challenges that keep the bonds of their close-knit community strong.

My Thoughts:

The Blessing books are small town opera mixed with women's fiction and romance. I've read two so far, and hoo boy, are they soap opera. Divorce, infidelity, jealousy, theft, treachery, teen drama, adult drama, politics, all entertaining for sure, but over the top at times. Did I mention the giant, man-killing hog? No? How about the fact he becomes a Hollywood star? It's sure not anything like the small town I grew up nor the one I live in now. Of course, both of those were/are New England towns whereas Henry Adams is in Kansas. Yes, the state that gave us Dorothy and Toto. And of course, the town of Henry Adams is fictional. Henry Adams is a storybook town where people mostly get along, look out for each other, and help each other out

Bernadine owns and mostly runs the town of Henry Adams, which was founded by freed slaves. While there is a mayor, Bernadine basically runs, and funds, the town. Most of the story is told from her POV, with some from her ex-husband, though none from her ex-boyfriend, and a few other characters. Bernadine's a kind and generous woman but she has a backbone and doesn't put up with crap from anyone. The town has a small population and Bernadine manages to get involved in pretty much everyone's life. Life keeps her busy, but Bernadine is trying to slow down, and enjoy life more. That includes opening herself up to love.

For the most part, I enjoyed "On the Corner on Hope and Main". It was a bit much sometime with everything going, and there is a large cast and multiple POVs going on, and it gets confusing. There were a lot of plot threads, mostly from previous books, some of which get wound up in this one. While you *could* read this as a stand alone, I strongly suggest reading at least one of the earlier books, any one, pick one. While Jenkins provide back story on the different people and situations, some context would be helpful.

"On the Corner of Hope and Main" delivers a sweet, quirky, often crazy story about people who are making the best of their lives and the second chances they've been given. Bernadine has had a hand in those second chances, directly or indirectly, and I liked seeing good things come her way too. The story is full of hope, kindness, generosity, and love. It's ultimately uplifting and it's a good story for when you need a little comfort in your life.

Favorite quote:

"...and two, people online set themselves on fire and eat detergent pods. Why would you take relationship advice from them?"

My review of book 2, A Second Helping.