~*Krissys Bookshelf Reviews*~

Something to Prove (Magnolia Beach #1)by Kimberly Lang

Former wild child Helena Wheeler was happy to leave behind her hometown—and her sordid past—for Atlanta twelve years ago. But when her grandmother suffers an injury, Helena has no choice but to return, even if it means facing down all the people who have shunned her.
Ryan Tanner went from being a football legend in high school to Magnolia Beach’s young, hot bachelor mayor. As a teenager, he never wanted anything to do with a girl like Helena. But when she hires Ryan to do some construction in her grandmother’s house, he finds that she’s grown up into a different person—one he quite likes.
For Helena, confronting her past has its share of surprises—and falling for the resident golden boy was definitely not on her to-do list. But will her reformed ways be enough to get her back in the town’s good graces, or will her reputation keep Helena and Ryan apart for good?


My Review:
There's more that takes place on both points of view even for the people involved. Its a lesson for people that judge others and are judged by others. Its funny when you're raised in a place that as a child is your whole world and you live under the scrutiny of others yet that scrutiny isn't always what you thought it was. All the time in small towns there's always one person that utters the words "I can't wait to get out of here." That's Helena. Already the book is closed. You've assessed the men chilling on the bench outside the barbers, you've judged the lady that eats alone at the diner every night, or the guy that sits on the tail gate of his truck at the football field telling stories to all the highschoolers about his glory days. You leave town and the world spins yet the town remains ageless in your mind an impending doom and everyone in it you assume thought of you and everything you did as a child is waiting there.
That's where Ryan comes in. He's the stabilizer, he's the one that stayed home and saw things from a different point of view. He's also the one who wakes Helen up.
I'm glad that Kimberly gave us both points of view and someone that the reader can rely on to ensure that both our rebel and the town are redeemed.
Although Helen is a bit immature Ryan provides just enough balance and maturity to keep the readers interest. Something to Prove is a nice story about growing up, letting go of the past and moving on. It connected to me personally and I like that about a book. I'm sure it will touch many in different ways but for me it proved to be just a little bit more.


My Rating:
4 Stars


Reviewed By:
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/

Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.