Just a Kiss (Summer Harbor #3) by Denise Hunter

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

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I have been waiting what feels like forever to read this book.  It really hasn't been that long but there was so much anticipation after the last book that this book just couldn't come soon enough.  I was so happy to finally get to read Riley and Paige's story.

This series is one of my favorites by one of my favorite authors.  I have loved each book.  I think each book could stand on it's own, but you will love them so much better if you read them in order.  Trust me on this.

Poor Riley.  I just loved him.  Even in his most ornery, pig headed moments, I loved him.  The progression of Riley and Paige from friends to more than friends is bumpy and crazy and sometimes ugly but the journey felt real and vulnerable.  These characters were fantastic.

There is a feeling of coming home in this book as all the family is around and active in the plot.  I loved the sub plot with Riley's aunt.  That one has been building through all the books!  Resolution feels so good after struggle.

I can't wait to see what's coming next from Denise Hunter.  I'll be watching.  And waiting.  :)  

Content:  Clean

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Goodbye Bride (Summer Harbor #2) by Denise Hunter

She only remembers loving him. But he can’t forget the way she left.

Following a concussion, Lucy Lovett can’t remember the last seven months of her life. She doesn’t remember leaving her fiancé Zac Callahan weeks before their wedding or moving to Portland, Maine. And she sure doesn’t remember getting engaged to another man. All she remembers is loving Zac more than life itself.

It’s taken Zac months to move on after Lucy left him with no explanation. He’s thrown himself into his family’s farm and his restaurant business in Summer Harbor. Now Lucy’s back, vulnerable, homeless, and still in love with him. She needs his help putting the pieces together, but letting her back into his life is a risk—and the stakes are high. If he follows his heart he’ll win back the love of his life. But if her memory returns he’ll lose her all over again.

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Oh, sigh.  I loved this book.  I wasn't too surprised at this given I love to read Denise Hunter's books.  This book just settled into my heart so nicely.  <sigh>

The whole set up for this book was so good.  The beginning drew me right in- immediately.  My heart was just hurting for both Lucy and Zac.  It was the perfect set up for a romantic journey.  The ending was perfect.  Love.

It was nice to see characters from the first book in this series and now I cannot wait for the next book.  I sense some good stuff coming!

Oh!  I also love the cover for this book.  Perfect!

Content:  Clean, Christian Fiction

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Falling Like Snowflakes ( A Summer Harbor Novel) by Denise Hunter

When the Christmas season finds Eden in Summer Harbor, Maine, she's on the run from trouble. Romance is the last thing on her mind.

Riding in a bus in the thickly falling snow, Eden Davis wonders how it ever came to this--fleeing under cover of night with young Micah sleeping fitfully in the seat beside her. When a winter storm strands them in Summer Harbor, Maine, Eden wonders if what might have been the end could be a new beginning.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem-solver. He's recently left his job with the sheriff's department to take over the family Christmas tree farm to save it from insolvency. But he's flummoxed. During the busiest season of the year, he's shorthanded. Then Eden shows up looking for work, and Beau believes he's been rescued. Competent, smart, and beautiful, Eden's also guarded and quiet. He soon figures out she comes with a boatload of secrets. But Beau can't seem to help himself from falling for her.

As Christmas Eve approaches, Beau discovers he'll do anything to keep Eden safe. But who's going to protect his heart from a woman who can't seem to trust again?

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Denise Hunter is one of my favorite Christian Fiction authors.  I'm always on the lookout for the next new book from her.  I've come to know exactly what I'm going to get from a Denise Hunter book and I am never disappointed.

Eden is on the run.  We get bits and pieces of her story as things go along- in flashbacks mostly.  Meanwhile Eden is trying to find work, hide her secrets and keep her son safe.  It's a big burden to carry.  Eden is a strong woman, afraid of the danger she's in, but not afraid to do what it takes to keep her son and herself safe.  Eden doesn't trust though, understandably, which makes it really hard for the people who are trying to help and love her.

I liked Beau from the very beginning.  He is protective and strong.  He works hard and loves his family.  He is everything a male hero lead should be.  Beau is also a patient man and he works hard to help Eden, even when he doesn't understand.

This book was so easy to settle into.  I read through it quickly and it ended before I was ready.  I loved it and I cannot wait to see what comes next for the Callahan brothers!  Today is release day for "Falling Like Snowflakes" so go pick up your copy today!

This is a clean romance.  Christian Fiction.  No swearing or sexual content.  There is some mild violence.  My thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for providing a copy of this book for review.