On the Corner of Hope and Main: A Blessings Novel

by Beverly Jenkins Narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman

Overview

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

“If you haven't yet gotten your hands on [this] author's work, you should do so immediately.”-Shondaland

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.

This audiobook includes an episode of the Book Club Girl Podcast, featuring an interview Beverly Jenkins about On the Corner of Hope and Main.

This novel by Beverly Jenkins is a heartwarming story set in the small town of Henry Adams, Kansas, that explores themes such as love, forgiveness, and redemption.

With its diverse cast of characters and realistic portrayal of life in a close-knit community, On the Corner of Hope and Main is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction.

HarperCollins 2024

Editorial Reviews

MAY 2020 - AudioFile

Lynnette R. Freeman narrates a soapy saga of life in Henry Adams, Kansas, where the only thing bigger than the drama is the hearts of the townsfolk. Freeman has a large cast of characters to work with, and standouts include her portrayals of Bernadine Brown, Reverend Paula, and Sheila Payne: Freeman reflects the confidence of Bernadine, who is coming into her own as the owner of the town, which she bought on eBay; the equanimity of Reverend Paula, who is at peace with her difficult upbringing; and the seething emotion of Sheila, who is tired of making herself small for the comfort of others. Less successful, however, are Freeman’s portrayals of the numerous male characters, as they can be indistinguishable, which is frustrating because there are so many of them. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

★ 10/28/2019

Jenkins returns to Henry Adams, Kans., for her 10th Blessings novel (after Second Time Sweeter) in this pleasing tale centered on a mayoral election. Trent July is stepping down as mayor, and his predecessor, Riley Curry, is planning to run—despite not being liked by anyone. It is a comfort to everyone in town when Col. Barrett Payne decides to run for mayor, but his plans are complicated when the town reacts enthusiastically to his wife, Sheila, entering the race as well. As everyone claims to have the best interest of the community at heart, tensions rise further when series regular Bernadine Brown’s ex-husband, Leo, returns to become Riley’s campaign manager. Bernadine must also decide whether to forgive Mal July, her former lover, or to let him go. Jenkins’s characters come to vivid life, and the town is as well developed as those who live there. As strife and foibles mount and the town finally chooses the next mayor, Henry Adams remains a place of faith where marriages deepen and relationships are mended. This is the best of the series so far. (Mar.)

From the Publisher

"Jenkins’s characters come to vivid life, and the town is as well developed as those who live there... Henry Adams remains a place of faith where marriages deepen and relationships are mended. This is the best of the series so far."  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This storytelling is uplifting and engaging and proves it really does take a village." — Al Roker on Beverly Jenkins' Blessings series

Al Roker on Beverly Jenkins' Blessings series

"This storytelling is uplifting and engaging and proves it really does take a village."

Library Journal

12/01/2019

In the latest installment of her "Blessings" series (following Second Time Sweeter) Jenkins returns to Henry Adams, KS, a town originally founded by freed slaves. We're told there are no secrets in Henry Adams, and that's the truth. Bernadine Brown remains the owner of the town—she purchased it on eBay—but a wide-open mayoral election has everyone gossiping about the drama of husband and wife Barrett and Sheila Payne both running as candidates. Stepping away from running the town, Bernadine struggles to comprehend why her ex-husband Leo lost his oil company job but now shows up as a campaign manager. Bernadine makes abrupt leaps from kind town leader to hard-driving businesswoman but also finds time to rekindle a romance with Malachi July. This close-knit town seems a dream come true, but the tranquil backdrop cloaks plenty of skullduggery. VERDICT Readers new to the series may grow confused with characters from earlier volumes popping into scenes without backstory. Jenkins's easygoing tale takes time to warm up to its somewhat exciting ending, which promises another addition to the series. [See Prepub Alert, 9/16/19.]—Rollie Welch, Lehigh Acres, FL

MAY 2020 - AudioFile

Lynnette R. Freeman narrates a soapy saga of life in Henry Adams, Kansas, where the only thing bigger than the drama is the hearts of the townsfolk. Freeman has a large cast of characters to work with, and standouts include her portrayals of Bernadine Brown, Reverend Paula, and Sheila Payne: Freeman reflects the confidence of Bernadine, who is coming into her own as the owner of the town, which she bought on eBay; the equanimity of Reverend Paula, who is at peace with her difficult upbringing; and the seething emotion of Sheila, who is tired of making herself small for the comfort of others. Less successful, however, are Freeman’s portrayals of the numerous male characters, as they can be indistinguishable, which is frustrating because there are so many of them. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2019-12-09
The residents of Henry Adams, Kansas, prepare to elect a new mayor.

Town matriarch Bernadine Brown is dealing with problems both personal and professional. Bernadine is struggling to move forward with her lover, Malachi July, after a terrible betrayal, and she sees how the upcoming mayoral election is causing fractures and fault lines in families throughout Henry Adams. The 10th installment of Jenkins' (Rebel, 2019, etc.) Blessings series is filled to the brim with characters and subplots, and if it starts off with perhaps too much exposition about events from past books, the people are still compelling. Women prioritizing their own feelings and needs in order to forgive and move forward is the thematic and emotional core of the book. Of particular note is the focus on longtime married couple Sheila and Barrett Payne. Sheila is still reeling from the devastating discovery of her husband's infidelity despite her years of unwavering support for his military career. Barrett announces his plans to run for mayor and expects Sheila's support, but Sheila has her own plans to run for mayor. Like most of the candidates, Sheila lacks political experience, but she presents a well-researched platform that will benefit all the town's citizens. When Barrett tells her that she "[doesn't] know the first thing about running a town," Sheila stands up for herself and her dreams. As the election continues, Bernadine's ex-husband, Leo, appears in town, hoping to gain revenge for perceived slights in the past. Although the multiple long-running plotlines and extensive backstories might prove to be an impediment to new readers, this is still a charming installment full of warm, interesting characters. The small-town drama is intense, but Jenkins merrily moves the plot forward, always rewarding good people and punishing wrongdoers.

For longtime fans who are looking forward to catching up with beloved characters.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174036505
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Series:	Blessings , #10
Edition description:	Unabridged

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