Review: 'Love Me For Me' by Jenny Hale (2014)

Libby Potter has just lost the perfect job, the perfect apartment and the perfect boyfriend. Moving back to the same home town that she couldn’t wait to escape when she was younger was definitely not on her todo list. Especially as it means running into the man whose heart she broke when she left.
Pete Bennett can still make Libby’s world stop with just the sound of his voice – even ten years on. Only now, she is the last person in the world that he wants to see.
As everyone else welcomes Libby home with open arms, she realizes she’s missed that special closeness that comes from lifelong friendship. And, as Libby tries to make amends with Pete, she begins to wonder whether she made the right choice in leaving all those years ago.
When an amazing career opportunity gives her the chance to leave again, Libby will have to decide what her version of perfect is… and where she really belongs.
Around Christmas time last year, I was lucky enough to have been asked to read and review Jenny Hale's debut novel 'Coming Home for Christmas' (click here to read my review). It was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and I looked forward to Jenny's future work. Thankfully, it wasn't a long wait because today, the 23rd of May, her second novel 'Love Me For Me' is released by Bookouture. Thanks to the lovely Kim I received a review copy of Jenny's new release, and I couldn't wait to get stuck in!
Within a few weeks time, Libby Potter's life has unexpectedly changed completely. She has lost her job, her apartment and her fiance Wade, and it seems like she will have to start all over again. Slightly against her will, Libby returns to her small hometown White Stone to renovate the cottage she and Wade bought together in the hope of selling it with a profit. However, being back in White Stone also means seeing her mother, her old friends and her high school sweetheart Pete, whose heart Libby broke when she left all those years ago. During her stay, Libby is reminded how different her life used to be before she moved to the city, and she will have to decide what she really wants in life and what will make her happy.
I was really excited to read another Jenny Hale novel and felt myself hoping the story inside would fit the absolutely gorgeous cover! Thankfully, the book did not disappoint and I ended up really enjoying it. Libby grew up in a small town, but she felt she needed to get out of there in order to live her life. She has grown to love the busy New York style, but now finds herself back in White Stone after all these years. After losing everything, she has to decide what she wants and what will make her happy. The plotline of the book is a classic one within the world of chick lit, but Jenny Hale managed to give it her own twist. I loved joining Libby on her search; she's clearly torn between doing what she thinks is somehow expected of her and what she really deep down inside wants. 
There's a wonderful cast of supportive characters; I specifically warmed to Pete, Libby's teenage sweetheart, and Pop, Pete's grandfather with whom Libby always used to have a special bond. The truly romantic story of Pete's grandparents is one of many aspects that really add to the warm and amazing atmosphere of this novel. I also loved the setting, the town of White Stone sounds like such a lovely place and I was quite sad when the story ended and I had to leave the town and the characters behind! Overall, 'Love Me For Me' is a delightful read with a wonderful setting and cast of characters at its core; definitely recommended to chick lit fans!
Rating:

8/10

   For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads   Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.