SMALL TOWN BOY (Hickory Hills #3) by Claire Hastings | Cover & Excerpt Reveal

December 14, 2023

SMALL TOWN BOY

Hickory Hills #3

by Claire Hastings

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: January 11, 2024


Cover Design: Cover Couture
Photo: TGTRN Photography
Models: Luke Matthews & Lizzy Hofweber

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Opposites attract, fish out of water, he falls first, new girl in town, small-town

Synopsis


Landing my dream job was surprisingly easy. Having to relocate to the small town of Hickory Hills, GA?

Not so much. But I’m a woman on a mission, and nothing is going to get in my way.

Until Noel Keller barges into my life.

As a born-and-bred northerner, I have a lot to learn about southern ways. A fact that is on display every time Noel rescues me from some sort of mishap.

It’s hard to ignore the goosebumps when I hear that smooth southern drawl of his. Especially when he calls me honey.

And don’t even get me started on his athletic build. Or that confident smolder that’s enough to overpower the southern summer heat, secretly fueling all my fantasies.

But none of that matters.

I’m here to do a job.

That’s it.

I’ve been hurt before and am not about to go down that road again.

Except plans have a way of changing.

Even when you try your hardest to push them away.

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS LINK

Excerpt


“Truth,” I say, keeping it going. I like this. Just the two us of, no one else to butt in.

“Ummmm…”

“Want to know what the girls always ask?” She nods. “They always want to know the last time I went out with someone.”

“Is that a secret?”

I shrug. Shifting on the stump so that I’m facing her, I scoot forward until our knees are touching. It’s a bold move, but after what she just shared, I feel like a barrier has been broken. That maybe I can push it, just a little.

“I don’t tend to kiss and tell. Which is why none of them know that it’s been awhile.”

“How long is awhile?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Little over a year.”

I lean in more, resting a hand on her knee. When she doesn’t flinch or push me away, I relax, letting it slide to the inside.

“Me too,” she replies, leaning in and closing the gap even more. She licks her lips, eyes glued to mine. “I mean, the while part. It’s been closer to two for me.”

“Then maybe one of us should dare the other to fix that.”

Bronwyn sucks in a gulp of air, holding it. I can see the flicker in her eyes and know that it’s reflecting the full-on fire in mine. My mind is racing, wondering if her lips taste like the honey her hair reminds me of.

There’s only one way to find out.

I don’t wait for the dare. I push in closer, closing the small space between us. My hand is still on her knee, acting as an anchor, tethering us together. Her sweet scent overwhelms me, all of my brain power gone. My whole body is acting on its own, focusing on finding her lips with mine.

“Hey y’all!”

Fuck…

Pre-order Link

AMAZON UNIVERSAL

Giveaway

One of Five eARC's for Small Town Boy
a Rafflecopter Giveaway
ENTER HERE

Other Titles Within this Series

THINKING 'BOUT YOU

Hickory Hills Series #1
PURCHASE

WORKIN' ON YOU

Hickory Hills Series #2
PURCHASE

About the Author

USA Today Best Selling Claire Hastings is a walking, talking awkward moment. She loves Diet Coke, gummi bears, the beach, and books (obvs). When not reading she can usually be found hanging with friends at a soccer match or grabbing food (although she probably still has a book in her purse). She and her husband live in Atlanta.

Connect with Claire

Website: https://www.clairehastingsauthor.com/
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/3XNAlLZ
Facebook Author Page: https://bit.ly/3k9c2KK
Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3IcSn4x
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/3SbG3WR
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Kndjby
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3XOtYrH
TikTok: http://bit.ly/3IjTMGk
Amazon Author Page: https://bit.ly/3lK9Jhn
Bookbub Author Page: http://bit.ly/3lV3d7S

A logo for foreword pr and marketing shows an open book

A spicy, age-gap, tortured hero, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, M/M billionaire romance book.
April 10, 2025
DEVILISH Park Avenue Kings #2 by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine Release Blitz Release Date: April 10, 2025 Model & Discreet Cover Design: Hang Le Photo: Ren Saliba Genre: M/M Billionaire Romance Standalone Trope: Age-gap, tortured hero, playboy falls hard, hurt / comfort, voyeurism, BDSM, size difference, alpha hero, slow burn, forced proximity, touch him and die
A reverse age-gap, why choose, life after divorce, fake marriage, unexpected pregnancy, MMMF romance
April 9, 2025
PUCK ME, BABY San Diego Seals Hockey #2 by Ann Grech Dual Cover & Excerpt Reveal Release Date: May 8, 2025 Model Cover Design: Artscandare Book Cover Design Photo: Emma Jane Photos Model: Florian Discreet Cover Design: The Drawables Genre: MMMF Romance Standalone Trope: Reverse age-gap, why choose, life after divorce, fake marriage, unexpected pregnancy
A rivals to almost lovers to enemies to lovers, MMMMM polycule dark academia romance book.
April 4, 2025
THE VILLAIN'S BEAST by Kate Hawthorne Release Blitz Release Date: April 4, 2025 Genre: MMMMM Polycule Dark Academia Standalone Trope: Rivals to almost lovers to enemies to lovers, morally gray heroes, secret societies, a fairytale retelling (kind of)
A spicy, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia romance standalone book.
April 3, 2025
SINFUL ATTRACTION by Ava Connor Release Blitz Release Date: April 3, 2025 Genre: Mafia Romance Standalone Trope: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, badass female hacker, cocky but competent hero, bratty sibling sabotage, hate s#x / passionate tension, reluctant allies, rivalry romance, morally gray characters, found family
A spicy, friends to lovers, forced proximity, single dad, M/M, MMM, MMF romance book with a HEA.
April 2, 2025
FOREVER REBEL Rebel Kings MC Series #9 by Garrett Leigh Dual Cover Reveal Release Date: April 30, 2025 Model & Discreet Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography Model: Matia Genre: M/M, MMM, & MMF MC Romance Trope: Friends to lovers, forced proximity, bisexual romance, brotherhood, single dad, why choose, hurt/comfort, found family, mild kink, HEA
A spicy, hate to love, second chance, mafia romance book with an overprotective hero.
March 27, 2025
THE HUNTER The Bianchi Brothers - Book Two by LM Fox Release Blitz Release Date: March 27, 2025 Model Cover Design: Hang Le Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography Model: Gianni Militello Discreet Cover Design: Sarah Kil Genre: Mafia Romance Interconnected Standalone Trope: Hate to love, second chance, possessive/overprotective hero, strong and sassy heroine
A spicy, enemies to lovers, bi-awakening, secret relationship, M/M hockey sports romance book.
March 27, 2025
POSSESSIVE PUCKBOY Puckboys - Book Eight by Eden Finley & Saxon James Release Blitz Release Date: March 27, 2025 Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography Model: Landon C. Genre: M/M Sports Romance Standalone Trope: Enemies to lovers, bi-awakening, team owner/player, secret romance
A spicy, secret relationship, single mother, grumpy alpha hero, western contemporary novella.
March 26, 2025
AFTER YOU Beyond the Limit Volume 2: A BRAE Anthology by Tracey Jerald Alternate Cover & Excerpt Reveal Release Date: April 22, 2025 Genre: Western Contemporary Romance Novella Standalone Trope: Secret relationship, single mother, grumpy alpha hero, family secrets
An age-gap, hero falls first, grumpy/sunshine, single mom, doctor, billionaire romance book.
March 26, 2025
THE ARROGANT'S SURRENDER Gods in White #1 by D.A. Lemoyne Cover Reveal Release Date: April 16, 2025 Cover Design: Angela Haddon Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography Model: Christopher L. Genre: Billionaire Romance Standalone Trope: Age-gap, hero falls first, grumpy/sunshine, single mom, doctor, destined to be together, morally gray man, found family, family drama, secrets, HEA
SHOW MORE