Category Archives: A Riverbend Romance

April 26, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter

Title: Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter
A Riverbend Romance Book Two
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 333 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When a handsome handyman faces a medical emergency on the Appalachian trail, his sudden appearance in town challenges an ambitious doctor’s plan to remain single for life.

Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now at risk of developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. She’s driven to protect her loved ones as a workaholic doctor in the tiny mountain town of Riverbend Gap, North Carolina.

Contractor Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail, in memory of the man who died saving his life, when an illness racks his body. After an agonizing fifteen-mile hike to Avery’s clinic, he collapses on her doorstep. He recovers to find himself in debt again—but this time to a beautiful doctor.

When he decides to help her renovate a rundown carriage house, the obstacles to their attraction sprout like weeds—starting with the woman waiting for Wes at the end of the trail. Will he be able to relinquish the debt he owes his best friend? And will Avery find the courage to risk everything for love?

This second book in Denise Hunter’s popular Riverbend Romance series explores what it might be like to live fearlessly and free.

Review:

Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter is a thought-provoking, faith-based romance.  

Dr. Avery Robinson returned to Riverbend, NC to set up her practice and be near her family. She has accomplished many of her goals by her thirtieth birthday but she is looking for another doctor to join her clinic. Avery’s single-minded focus on medicine has helped her maintain her no relationship decision. She has also avoided her friends’ attempts to set up her with eligible men. Avery’s family health history is the reason she does not plan to marry or have children but her family has a difficult time respecting her wishes. Will her unexpected patient Wes Matthews change her mind?

Wes is thru hiking the portion of the Appalachian Trail that in honor of his deceased friend, Landon. As soon as he completes the hike, he plans to keep the promise he made to Landon to take care of his sister Lillian. But an unanticipated illness brings him to Avery’s doorstep. Short on money, Wes works off his debt to her by renovating her carriage apartment. Wes is surprised by how much he enjoys Avery’s company, but will he change his plans to move to Lillian’s hometown in order to honor his promise?

Wes and Avery have an immediate connection and their time together is a welcome reprieve for the usual solitary evenings. Wes keeps in touch with Lillian as his time in Riverbend lengthens. Avery continues to remain resolute in her choice to not marry or have children. Underlying their growing friendship is a simmering attraction they work hard to ignore. Avery’s reason for remaining single is understandable but will love make a difference? Wes has a strong desire to repay Landon’s sacrifice by caring for Lillian, but is there another way to fulfill his promise?

Mulberry Hollow is a heartwarming romance with an idyllic setting. Wes is an honorable man whose choices are dictated by guilt. Avery is a caring and compassionate woman but her fears are preventing her from living life to its fullest. The storyline is engaging and easy to relate to. The secondary characters are well-developed and quite appealing. Wes and Avery’s future together is far from certain as Denise Hunter brings this delightfully charming romance to a heartfelt conclusion.  A Riverbend Romance series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend book one as well.

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Filed under A Riverbend Romance, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Mulberry Hollow, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

November 11, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter

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.

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Filed under A Riverbend Romance, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Inspirational, Rated B+, Review, Riverbend Gap, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing