Review: Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

The hardheaded Armstrong brothers are determined to rebuild their tornado-ravaged hometown in the Georgia mountains. They’ve got the means, they’ve got the manpower…what they need are women! So they place an ad in a Northern newspaper and wait for the ladies to arrive…

Sensible yet sexy middle brother Kendall Armstrong penned that ad himself—but there’s just one woman he really wants to answer the call…

Civil engineer Amy Bradshaw—Kendall’s ex-fiancée—fled Sweetness years ago, taking a precious souvenir with her. She’s back now…but only on a professional level. Really. Little does she know that old flames always burn the hottest…

Holly from Book Binge tweeted as she read this book.  So yes, I was spoiled for the big reveal [spoiler] Tony is Amy's and Kendall's son whom Kendall has no idea about [/end spoiler], but I thought Ms. Bond handled it appropriately until time for the serious conversation.

Amy and Kendall grew up in Sweetness, and Amy assumed she and Kendall would get married, then go see the world (aka leave their small town behind).  Kendall, however, joined the armed forces and decided he would see the world, then return to Sweetness to settle down with Amy.   Since their goals for their joined future was different, the couple split apart.

It is obvious that Kendall had never forgotten Amy -- why would he post the advertisement to come to Sweetness in her hometown newspaper if he had? -- but I'm not certain Amy's feelings are as transparent. 

SPOILERS BELOW

I wanted to have a better connection with Amy and Kendall, respectively and as a newly reunited couple, since once Tony arrived on the scene, there was no more keeping him a secret.   While I liked them, I wasn't rooting for their reconciliation, nor did I really agree with the ease at which Kendall and Tony took to one another.  Given Tony's tween attitude toward his mother, it seems he would have been more rebellious around Kendall.  

(A very special thank you to Harlequin, MIRA, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Baby, Come Home.)