Title: Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter
A Riverbend Romance Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Length: 335 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
She came in search of the family she’d always wanted—and found the kind of love she’d never dared imagine.
When Katelyn Loveland’s car veered off a winding Appalachian Mountain road, she thought she was done for. That is until Cooper Robinson, local sheriff’s deputy, came to her rescue. And though Katie narrowly escaped her brush with death, she still fell. Hard.
She wasn’t the only one. But soon Cooper learns that the woman he’s more attracted to than any he’s ever met is his brother’s new girlfriend—and therefore unquestionably off limits. Yet, despite their best efforts, Cooper and Katie can’t seem to avoid running into each other. Or ignore the undeniable chemistry between them.
As they grow closer, Katie shares secrets from her past and the real reason she moved to their small North Carolina town. She also wins over Cooper’s welcoming and bighearted family. But they don’t know that her feelings for Cooper keep growing—all while she’s dating his brother. Soon the stakes of their emotional connection become higher than either could have imagined.
Katie stands to lose the first family she’s ever had, and a scandal could doom Cooper’s campaign for sheriff. Suddenly they find themselves on the edge of another precipice—and they’re forced to make a decision that could change their lives forever.
Review:
Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter is a wonderful inspirational romance with a delightfully unique storyline.
Katelyn Loveland is relocating after accepting a job working in her friend Dr. Avery Robinson’s medical clinic. She is also dating Avery’s brother, Gavin, who has recently gone through a divorce. Katie’s arrival in town gets off to a memorable beginning when she is involved in a frightening accident. Off-duty sheriff’s deputy Cooper Robinson comes to her rescue and there are definite sparks on both sides. However, when they realize she is dating his brother, both are determined to ignore their attraction. But emotions are tricky things to wrangle into submission and everything they both care about is eventually threatened.
Katelyn is longing for family so she is delighted to be welcomed with open arms by Gavin’s mom, Lisa and stepdad, Jeff. She is settling into small town life with ease soshe is a little reluctant to pursue the other reason she moved to town. Katie is also mourning a heartrending loss and she is a bit emotionally fragile at times. She is continually drawn to Cooper but she does not want to hurt Gavin nor does she want to lose the family of the heart she is building.
Cooper has a bit of a reputation with women since he has yet to find “the one”. He is very close to his family and everyone is grateful that Katie has helped bring Gavin out of his depression. Cooper attempts to quash his feelings for Katie and avoids her as much as possible. But it is inevitable they are thrown together and Cooper makes a decision that throws his future in doubt and causes strain between him and his family.
Riverbend Gap is a thought-provoking romance with a gentle undercurrent of faith. Katelyn and Cooper are delightfully appealing characters whose lives are closely intertwined which makes it difficult to ignore their growing feelings. Unexpected conflict from outside sources serves to inadvertently bring them into contact despite their best efforts to maintain their distance from each other. With their future hanging in the balance, Denise Hunter brings this heartwarming romance to a sweet conclusion.
