It’s Hometowns on The Bachelorette and we’re starting off in Houston with Devin! Jenn Tran actually did what we think is the first run and jump of the season! He’s excited that he can show her his city as well as to plan their date. They’re participating in his run club that he enjoys every Wed. It’s nice that they have a Love Run where she gets to meet his friends and take in elements of the city as well. She also loves to run so that’s pretty cool that that works with her lifestyle as well.
She also meets his dog Charlie which she’s pretty cute. We didn’t initially have Devin and Jenn as a couple that would make it to Hometowns and although we do feel that there were times he provided drama, it does seem like he could be a great fit and that he is genuine about Jenn - but we’ll just have to see how all of this shakes out.
They make their way to meeting Devin’s family which is his mom, dad, grandfather, grandmother, brother, and his step dad (which Jenn reminds him of). They catch his family up on what they have been through over the past few weeks. His family seems really sweet. Hearing Devin and his dad Temo chat really showed the love between them. In the conversation between Jenn and his mom, it seems like such a loving vibe as well. His mother talks about how it took time to find her love story and that she knows it hasn’t been easy for him. Jenn let her know that she saw similarities between their families.
It seems like the date went well and with the backing of his mom, he tells her that he loves her. It was great that his mom let her know that now is not the time to be coy and to try to wait things out. Jenn tells him that she is also falling in love with him and that she does see a future with him.
We see Jenn in Fairfield, CT which is Jeremy’s Hometown - another energetic hug at a park he enjoys going to. They’re going shopping since they did that in Melbourne as well as in Seattle. They make their way to Stew Leonard’s. There are animatronics, items to sample, costume characters and more. As they enjoy eating hot lobster rolls that they shared, his aunt comes by unplanned. They had a great time with one another as they always do, but she wants to see him have a serious side and to make sure they they are on the same page. She looks forward to seeing more of his family so she can get those answers to see if he is ready for an engagement.
They make their way to his family and it’s interesting to see the dynamics. His mom Karen says in her confessional that what Jenn mentioned in terms of what she looks for in a guy is not her son! Sometimes it’s your own family and friends that share what they know to be true. When his younger sister Emily talks with Jenn she lets her know that his walls are not down and he is guarded. She talks with her brother and asks if he sees a future with her. Emily lets him know that Jenn feels that he is guarded and Jeremy is surprised that that is how she felt. He feels that he has tried to be vulnerable. When he talks with his mom, Karen asks if they have talked about serious things and she wants him to understand that fun is great, but he has to dig deeper to know who Jenn is. She continues to try to to understand the dynamic by sitting down with Jenn to find out more. She asks if they have a bond that goes beyond the fun part of their dynamic. Jenn asks if she thinks that he would be ready. Karen says that if it was the right person he could be ready, but it seems like she’s trying to let her know that she doesn’t think that he is ready.
Even though Jeremy and Jenn recap with one another, it’s quite clear to us that there is no way he goes past Hometowns.
Onto San Diego where she will meet up with Jonathan! Another physical date brings them to playing Lacrosse as they both played. So they have the opportunity to hang out with one another and to keep it easy. After playing on the field, they enjoy some champagne and they talk about the fact that he has some walls up and that they need to be brought down. He lets her know that he does see something there, but it’s hard for him to navigate his feelings, but he feels that there is something there. She is concerned that he is not able to fully get there with her in the time that she would like to see it in.
They continue on to his family and as we got a sneak peek at some of the conversation, we’re looking forward to how this part of the date unfolds. His Sister-in-Law shares how they met on Tinder, said I love you on the 3rd date, moved in together within 2 weeks and they have been married for 4 years and have been together for 7. Jonathan’s brother lets her know that because of his past, he is super protective of him. In speaking with his mother, Jenn is looking to get her feedback and she knows his brother is very hesitant about the process that they have gone through even though he met his wife on Tinder. Jenn explains that she understands that he is holding back, but she wants him to open up so that they can get there and have a stronger relationship ultimately. When Jonathan and his mom sit down to talk, she asks him why he is holding back.He lets her know that he wanted to get reassurance from his family and more importantly, his mom. He asks if she sees her being long terms. His mom said yes and you can see the weight lift off of his shoulders. She tells him that he has to put himself out there and to take that chance in order to go forward.
He lets her know that his family loved her and that he really needed today in order to connect more with her. He let her know that he is falling for her and that he feels it. She lets him know that she is falling for him as well.
It’s the last Hometowns date! We finally get to see Marcus and his family in Tacoma, Washington. Going into Hometowns, we felt that this date would be one that would go well. He lets her know that he will meet his sister, but not his adoptive family. In addition, he has some of his friends who he feels is family who will be there to meet her. He knows that he has struggled to be open to falling in love and having a future with Jenn and he feels stuck so he wants to find out what his support system thinks. Ultimately, he tells her that he is falling for her. She says the same.
All 4 Hometowns have concluded and now it’s about Jenn selecting those that should continue on the journey. The 4 contestants meet up for some beers to catch up on what they have gone through.It’s the last time they will be together before the rose ceremony. Marcus realizes that everyone seems comfortable with their Hometowns and that at any point, they would be ready to propose. Marcus realizes that he feels like he is behind. He realizes he shouldn’t feel the way he is feeling and yet he does - the epitome of conflicted.
All of the guys arrive and wait for the rose ceremony begin. Jenn arrives and connects with Jesse Palmer as they quickly debrief on what he past few days have been like.
She lets the men know how important Hometowns was and how it allowed her to reflect on what she needed. These were hard questions that were necessary for her to know so that she can pick the right men to continue. She sends Jeremy home which is not a surprise if you think about the feedback that Jenn received from his family.
Next week we have Fantasy Suites as well as the Men’s Tell All on back to back days and we hear more from the men on where their heads are at.
JENN GAVE ROSES TO | Devin, Jonathan, and Marcus.
JENN DIDN’T GIVE ROSES TO | Jeremy
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
WHO IS CONTINUING BEYOND HOMETOWNS
PHOTO CREDIT | The Bachelor Contestants/Ricky Middlesworth
THE BACHELORETTE CONTESTANTS
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