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Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter

About the Book

Title: Mulberry Hollow
Series: Riverbend Romance #2
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Publishing: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: April 19, 2022

Living life to the fullest always requires sacrifice.

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, 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?

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

Grab your copy here!

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

Connect with Denise: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Review

Mulberry Hollow
by Denise Hunter
Book 2 in the Riverbend Romance series
Rating: 4.5/5

Yay for sequels! After loving Riverbend Gap from Denise Hunter, I was excited to read the next book Mulberry Hollow and discover Avery’s story. However, this story can be read as a standalone but where’s the fun in that? 😉

First, the book cover is stunning. I did not think they could outdo the first book’s cover, but the design team did an amazing job and it looks like a place that I would love to visit.
Second, the premise got me because I am a soon-to-be doctor (I graduate in May) and was very interested to see how the author portrayed a small-town rural doc. Let’s just say I feel like she did a great job. I also liked how the author was not afraid to address Avery’s fears regarding her mother’s illness and how it affected her. And since I’ve never read Wild or seen the movie – only seen that special Gilmore’s Girl episode), it was interesting to address some of the conditions with Wes’ character. Wes’ background was also very interesting with his work overseas and with his PTSD. The author gave a brief glance at what living with PTSD was like for Wes.
Third, the chemistry between the two main characters was swoon worthy and so romantic. I loved them together and felt the bond between them.
Fourth, I always love when the author can weave their faith into the story and bring a message of hope and healing.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romance with humor, small-town charm and second chances.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More in the Series

Read my review of Riverbend Gap here.

April 19, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews

Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter

About the Book

Title: Riverbend Gap
Series: Riverbend Romance #1
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: October 19, 2021

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.

“A perfect blend of romance and women’s fiction.” —SHERRYL WOODS, #1 New York Times bestselling author for Summer by the Tides

“I have never read a romance by Denise Hunter that didn’t sweep me away into a happily ever after. Treat yourself!” —Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author

“If you like Robyn Carr, you’ll love Denise Hunter.” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of One Little Lie

Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
First in the new Riverbend Romance series
Book length: approximately 82,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

Connect with Denise: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Review

Riverbend Gap
by Denise Hunter
Book 1 in the Riverbend series
Rating: 4/5

“All her life she’d been searching for a place to belong, a person to belong to, and she’d finally found him. But she couldn’t have him.”

As someone who enjoys Denise Hunter’s books, I was excited to read the first book in a new series. As dramatic as the beginning of the novel was, the rest of the story was all about the aftermath of what happened. I was immediately drawn into the story at the start – talk about an engaging hook.

The chemistry between the two main characters was palpable. I especially loved the hiking trip part. This new family, the Robinsons, was a lovely family that had its faults but still knew how to come together. I’m hoping that the other books will involve the other siblings. The setting of Riverbend sounds amazing – just look at that gorgeous cover! I’m always excited to visit new places through books and I can’t wait to read more. I also enjoyed how the author was still able to weave her faith into the story in a nonthreatening way.

“Sometimes family isn’t the situation you’re born into but the people who’ve chosen to love you along the way.”

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian contemporary romance with small town charm and lots of heart.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

November 10, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Bookshop by the Sea
By Denise Hunter
Rating: 4.5/5

Another winner from Denise Hunter! If you’re looking for a good beach read, this is the book for you. It has some serious moments but also some lighthearted ones too. The chemistry between the two main characters is electric but their personal issues are also real and relatable.

Sophia Lawson dreads seeing her ex-boyfriend, Aiden Maddox, when he shows up for the wedding of her little sister, Jenna, and his friend, Grant. It’s been years but when she sees him, she still gets butterflies. After the wedding, Sophia has plans to renovate and open her bookshop in a short amount of time in order to have a grand opening with a book signing of Nathaniel Quinn’s newest release. When Aiden isn’t able to leave right away due to a hurricane, he must stay at the same house as Sophia until he get home. Stuck in the same house with Aiden doesn’t help her feelings but Sophia is determined to go through with the plans for her bookshop. When an accident occurs, Aiden decides to stick around and help Sophia get her shop ready for the grand opening event. Can Sophia trust that Aiden won’t leave again? Can Aiden face his fears that he’s not good enough for Sophia?

Denise Hunter is such a talented writer and I always love to read what she writes. She never disappoints and her characters are alway interesting and authentic. Despite his struggles in school, Aiden was still able to be successful with the encouragement of Sophia and the right partnership. Not everyone can go to college or finish college but Aiden didn’t let that deter him from pursuing his dreams. I did get so frustrated with Sophia’s twin brother, sister and father and the way they treated her. I was so glad that part got resolved – although, it resolved rather quickly.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian fiction with romance and second chances.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.