'The Bachelorette' recap: JoJo Fletcher visits Luke Pell, Robby Hayes, Jordan Rodgers, and Chase McNary's hometowns

The Bachelorette star JoJo Fletcher visited her Final 4 suitors' hometowns during Monday night's broadcast of the series' twelfth season on ABC.


JoJo met the families of Jordan Rodgers, Robby Hayes, Luke Pell and Chase McNary in last night's episode. She walked away from the entire experience thinking each family was incredibly caring and had a lot of love to give, so she'll have a very tough elimination decision to make next week.

The Bachelorette broadcast began with JoJo traveling to Highlands Ranch, CO, for Chase. Chase was nervous and wanted to show JoJo how he was raised considering he comes from a broken home and her parents have been married for over 30 years.

JoJo told the cameras they had a powerful connection right off the bat but he's been slower to open up. Chase then warned JoJo she'd meet his father separately because his parents went through a bad divorce with lawsuits involved. He always had a wall up in relationships because of his past, but he was still trying hard to express himself.

After observing a beautiful mountain view, Chase brought JoJo to his dad's house. His Dad is remarried with stepchildren and Chase admires how great of a husband and father he is now. Chase's dad, however, wasn't around much when he was little because he had been too focused on "climbing the corporate ladder." That's why his marriage didn't work out as well.


Chase's father thought JoJo was smart, beautiful, sweet and had a good head on her shoulders. Chase was ready to dive into love with JoJo, telling his dad that he decided to stop questioning the "what ifs" of everything.

JoJo then headed to his mother Sandy's house, where the Bachelorette also met his brother-in-law Brian, sister Brittany, stepdad Brad and nephew Everett.

JoJo noticed there was so much love in his family and she told his mom that Chase showed affection through his actions but wasn't the best expressing himself verbally. Sandy thought JoJo was darling, had a great laugh, loves dogs and is certainly fond of her son. Chase cried about how he was ready to get engaged at the end of the process.

Chase then opened up his heart to JoJo.

"I'm falling in love with you JoJo," Chase said. "It scares me, but it's real."


Chase was relieved after finally vocalizing his feelings. His confidence level with JoJo after that date was "out of this world."

Jordan's hometown date in Chico, CA, was up next.

Jordan couldn't remember the last time he was so excited. He took her to his high school, madeout in the library, and Jordan couldn't wait to introduce her to his family. JoJo saw a picture of his brother Aaron Rodgers on the wall at school and when she asked Jordan about it, he ignored the subject.

JoJo told the cameras that Aaron hasn't been a part of Jordan's life for a year or two and she wondered why or how things went wrong. She was also afraid his family would be skeptical of their relationship since Jordan is not the type of guy to bring girls home.

JoJo met Jordan's mom Darla, dad Ed, brother Luke and his girlfriend Lindsey. JoJo learned his parents called him the "spicy child" and the "runaway," because he was a handful growing up. JoJo felt immediately comfortable with the family and noted how they have so much character.


Luke then told JoJo that he missed his brother Aaron but it's not something they talk about. Luke said Jordan wouldn't have shared anything about the situation with JoJo if he didn't truly care deeply for her. Luke also said Jordan is a standup guy who would fight to protect his family and loved ones at all cost, adding that Jordan never had anything handed to him although people would often speculate that.

Luke said, if anything, Jordan had to work harder for everything he achieved since he was always trailing behind Aaron's successes, especially in football. Jordan then told his brother Luke that he's ready to get engaged to JoJo.

Ed then talked to JoJo about how Jordan is "strong willed," and JoJo told the father that she really respects him as a person and cares for him more than she ever thought possible in such a short period of time.

JoJo said in a confessional that Jordan is nobody's brother but rather a man she's falling in love with whom she's crazy about. Jordan told his mom that he could see himself building a life with Jordan and that he loved her. His mother was so happy that this could be her son's destiny.

Jordan wanted his family to see, believe and feel his connection with JoJo. The Bachelorette was still scared that if she ended up picking Jordan, he may not be ready to be with one woman forever. Jordan assured her that their relationship was getting stronger every time they spent time together.


JoJo desperately wanted to tell Jordan that she loved him but stopped herself. She was scared because Jordan had told her everything she wanted to hear, but so did Ben Higgins, who dumped her after expressing his love. Jordan's feelings, however, grew exponentially for JoJo, telling the cameras he would never propose with the mindset, "Okay, let's try this out."

"If I'm getting on a knee, it means I want to wake up every day and work on our relationship. I want to get married one time in my life and I want it to be with JoJo, but what can I say other than, 'I'll prove it.'"

JoJo then traveled to St. Augustine, FL, to visit Robby.

They took a horse and carriage ride through town, and JoJo said Robby was the guy she was the "most emotionally connected to" early on, especially because he was the first one to tell her that he loved her.

JoJo had moments when she felt like she was falling in love with Robby, but at times she felt conflicted, mainly due to the story of his ex-girlfriend Hope Higginbotham. JoJo feared that door wasn't shut for good since they dated for almost four years and broke up in late December, shortly before The Bachelorette began filming. 


JoJo didn't want Robby's ex to be a chapter in his life that wasn't over. JoJo explained to her suitor Ben told her that he loved her but his heart was with someone else. Robby promised his ex is "very much a part of my past," adding that "it's never going to be an issue" and he didn't even miss her at all.

JoJo asked Robby if he was trying to fill a void by falling in love with JoJo so quickly after his split, but he assured her that wasn't the case. Robby insisted he hasn't thought about his ex-girlfriend once. 

JoJo then met Robby's mom Holly, dad, younger sisters Grace and Katie, his brother-in-law, and two brothers Michael and Patrick.

Holly said JoJo was adorable and it was evident Robby cared deeply for her. The brothers noted how JoJo fit in with the family perfectly, saying she "can hang." Robby told his brothers that it would be heartbreaking if things didn't work out in the end, but if they did, it would be a fairytale.

JoJo told Holly that Robby wears his emotions on his sleeve and that's what she really liked about him. JoJo also asked if he's ready to get engaged because of his ex-girlfriend -- worrying that Robby was jumping from one serious relationship to the next -- but Holly explained if it's the real deal, Robby would dive in, put his whole heart into the relationship and never look back.

JoJo told Robby's mom that she was falling in love with him. She felt so good after spending the day with Robby and his family because her doubts were conquered.


However, Holly warned Robby about "chatter" online in regards to Hope. Hope's roommate Alex apparently spread the word that Robby dumped Hope to go on The Bachelorette.

Robby's mom said she knew it wasn't true, and then Robby got all upset, wondering if these rumors could put him at a disadvantage and force JoJo to choose another guy. Robby didn't want JoJo to question his honesty because he was in love with her.

As a result, Robby warned JoJo about the rumor, saying there is speculation he did not go on the show for the right reasons. JoJo had trouble trusting Robby, asking him numerous times to tell her the truth. When asked if there was any accuracy to what the roommate said, Robby replied, "No, no, no. Not even close!"

"I will tell you right now that's not true by any means. My relationship with Hope, who is my ex, was over nine months before it actually ended... I didn't have the capacity to end it when I should have because I thought changes were going to be made," Robby told JoJo.

"I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt to see if we could make it work and it never happened. I ended it at the end of December. We had a blowout fight and she slapped me. The relationship is over and I will never talk to her again, period."

JoJo was really nervous, but Robby insisted he was happy with her and loved her. He was excited about their future together because she possessed everything he wanted in a future wife. Robby admitted to the cameras he'd be absolutely heartbroken if he didn't receive JoJo's final rose.


And last but not least, JoJo met Luke's family in Burnet, TX.

Luke acknowledged this was going to be the most important date he's had with JoJo, because if his family loved her, he'd be ready to tell her that she owns his heart. They certainly had chemistry and a physical connection, but JoJo wanted to see more of Luke's depth since she had only seen glimpses thus far.

Luke surprised JoJo with a huge family barbecue in his backyard. But it wasn't just immediate family -- there were about 50 friends in attendance who claimed to be Luke's best friends. JoJo was a little overwhelmed but seemed to fit in wonderfully.

Most importantly, JoJo got to know Luke's mom Susie, dad Bill and sister Abby. It made Luke's heart smile to watch JoJo live in the moment, and although it was a crazy setting, JoJo felt relaxed. Luke's mom could tell JoJo thought highly of her son and really cared for him.

Luke's dad thought JoJo was friendly, engaging and beautiful, but told Luke not to give into pressure or any sort of timeline. Luke, however, was ready to tell JoJo that he was falling in love with her. His parents trusted and respected his decisions, so they were excited for the bachelor.

JoJo and Luke then rode horses and arrived at a little hay stack where they sat together and talked. Luke said he couldn't help but daydream about what their future would look like together and he wanted that with her. His heart was invested in their relationship, and Luke insisted his feelings were real.


"I want this future; I want us," Luke told her, as JoJo kissed him and teared up a little bit.

Luke asked if JoJo's tears were coming from a happy place, and she said "yes" because she didn't want to leave him just yet. She needed more time with him. JoJo explained how she shared "powerful moments" with Luke that were special and overwhelming.

Luke then walked JoJo down a candlelit path with a huge heart set up with flowers in the grass. 

"I want you to know that my heart is yours and my heart is out there for you. All of it," Luke said.

The episode concluded with a Rose Ceremony set up at an airport hangar.

Luke said he hadn't specifically told JoJo he was falling in love with her, so he couldn't wait to tell her. He didn't want to give the Bachelorette too little too late.


Upon her arrival, JoJo told host Chris Harrison she felt sick to her stomach, crying to the cameras about how she had to eliminate a guy who made her view relationships differently. She wondered if the emotion she was feeling meant she was making a mistake.

JoJo then revealed the man she had to eliminate was Luke.

However, as the Bachelorette was about to hand out her first rose, Luke asked to speak with her for a second. Luke had to get something off his chest and wanted JoJo to know where he stood.

Luke then clarified, "I'm in love with you," adding that those three little words had been on his mind since his hometown date. JoJo was glad he told her that because she had apparently been waiting to hear it.

After their conversation, JoJo walked away and began to bawl her eyes out. She said Luke's admission changed things, but she still questioned if it was enough. JoJo never met one great guy, let alone four, that made her feel so happy and so good. She felt out of control.

JoJo got down on her knees and yelled out, "What do I do?!"


The broadcast ended on a cliffhanger.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski