On Magnolia Lane (Blue Ridge #3) by Denise Hunter

Falling in love with Daisy was easy for Jack. But finding the courage to tell her becomes problematic when his secret feelings lead to even bigger complications.

After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.

Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ.

Jack could kill his friend Noah for using his initials and some indistinct photos to set up a profile on the dating app Daisy is using. But when he’s finally afforded the opportunity to show her a different side of himself, he’s sucked into the plan before he has time for second thoughts.

Online, Daisy shares some of her greatest fears with TJ, but in person, Jack and Daisy are spending more time together. When a devastating family secret surfaces, Daisy knows that only her trusted friend and counselor can bring her comfort. Jack wants nothing more than to be both men for Daisy, but revealing his secret will prove to be the ultimate test of Daisy’s grace.

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I love this Blue Ridge series.  The place and the people are all becoming so familiar to me and this book felt a bit like coming home.  

Poor Jack.  You can't help but feel for the guy who has loved Daisy from a distance for so long.  Being her pastor makes that line between confidant and potential boyfriend seem bigger than it needs to be but Jack sure has a tough time crossing it.  Instead he dreams of what could be while Daisy is left clueless.  No wonder he can't help but become TJ when Daisy starts responding to him on the online dating app.  Poor guy.  He really set himself up for a fall later but I couldn't blame him.  Poor, poor Jack.  He just loves Daisy so much!

Meanwhile, Daisy has so much swirling around in her life!  No wonder she only sees Jack as someone to listen to her and to confide in.  She really needs that from him.

I loved watching the transformation as Jack gained more confidence and Daisy became more aware.  It was so sweet.  This book was easy to settle in with and felt good on my heart.

Content:  Christian elements (talk of God, forgiveness, etc.), kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Honeysuckle Dreams (Blue Ridge Romance #2) by Denise Hunter

 

After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.

Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiance.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find. 

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 I love Denise Hunter's books.  I'm always on the lookout for the next book coming from her and I feel like a lucky girl to be able to read and review them. I got a glimpse of Brady and Hope in the previous book in this series so I knew that this was a story I wanted to read.  

Brady and Hope have been great friends for quite awhile.  When circumstances lead them to a marriage of convenience, they decide to do it because they they do love each other in a friendly, respectful sort of way, and they both love Sam.  Of course marriage leads to a new awareness of each other and what better way to start off a romance then with friendship, right?

Hope makes the road a bit bumpy and I'm not sure I completely understood her one-eighty turn around in personality and nature.  There were some valid reasons for reluctance and hesitation but her reactions were so extreme and out of character for what I knew of her up to that point.  I didn't really like Hope in those moments but all's well that ends well, I guess.  :)  There is something to say for facing fears and standing and fighting.  Thankfully there was Brady.  He was the solid, steady one.  I loved him from the very beginning and I loved him all through this book.  How can a girl resist a guy that fights for his son?  Even when he finds out his son isn't his by blood?  A girl cannot resist that.  Honestly.  That is a guy worth keeping.

As always, Denise Hunter knows how to bring her characters to life.  They feel human and challenged like we all are.  Hunter doesn't shy away from the gritty and messy yet always balances it out with the perfect amount of love and hope.  

Content:  mention of intimate relations outside of marriage with no details, depression, death.  Christian fiction.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher at my request.  All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is releasing on May 1st.

 

Blue Ridge Sunrise (Blue Ridge Romance #1) by Denise Hunter

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe--a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

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One thing I love about Denise Hunter is she knows how to write books that get into the gritty parts of life that aren't so pretty.  Her books bring out the not so pretty and the sometimes hopeless parts but she also shows how those not so pretty things can turn into beautiful things through love and faith.  Hunter's books always feel like a journey that end in the best sort of satisfaction for me.

Cruz and Zoe have quite the history.  It unfolds slowly throughout that book as the two try to navigate a new reality of working together after years spent apart.  They parted after some big misunderstandings which provide for some major bumps in the road as they try to come to terms with what happened.  Cruz and Zoe are imperfect people.  Their flaws are obvious but so are their strengths.  It makes them feel human and easy to relate to.

I loved the light suspense and the added tension it brought as I just waited for that "something" to happen that I knew was coming.  

I enjoyed this book a lot!  I read through it quickly and found myself caring about the characters.  The pacing is great.  I really hope Zoe's brother gets his story next!  :)

Content:  mild violence, mentions of sex outside of marriage with no details, kissing.  Light Christian fiction elements.

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  All opinions expressed are my own.