Riverbend Gap

– Denise Hunter –

A Riverbend Romance #1

Thomas Nelson

Published 19 October 2021

♥♥♥♥♥

 

I so enjoy reading Denise Hunter’s books. I know once I pick one up, I’ll just disappear into the world and characters she has crafted and I know that I will love every word. And that’s exactly what I got in Riverbend Gap. This book is the first in a new series (yay) that follows a family (yay, yay) living in a small rural town along the Appalachian Trail (more yay). Honestly, between the amazing romance, stunning scenery so beautifully described, the drama and tension and the great writing, I just loved this book.

Katelyn Loveland has a new job, new last name, new boyfriend and a new house. Moving to Riverbend Gap was her new start. But she’s also determined to get some closure from her past. The first step is scattering the ashes of her beloved younger brother. Then, she needs to find her biological mother and learn why she and her brother spent most of their lives in foster care. Not part of the plan was avoiding a deer and almost plunging to her death over the side of a mountain on the way to meet her new boyfriend’s family. When Cooper Robinson, Deputy Sheriff, comes to her rescue, she is relieved and grateful. The tense moments they share forge a deep connection. The only problem is that he is the brother of her new boyfriend. As circumstances through Cooper and Katelyn together again, it’s hard to ignore the deepening feelings between them.

Sometimes you need a book that just carries you away and Denise Hunter writes those books. This is my not-so-guilty pleasure, my escape. I am so glad there are going to be more books in this series as I can’t wait to see more of our main characters from this book and continue the journey with the Robinson family.

Despite the tension caused by Katelyn falling for her boyfriend’s brother and the scandal caused when someone releases fake statements about Cooper and try to derail his run for Sheriff, this is actually a relaxing read. No, really. It is. There was plenty of drama to keep me hooked, but I mostly enjoyed the times when Katelyn and Cooper connect – as genuine friends – and share their past, their hurts and their dreams for the future. They have such a genuine connection and chemistry it’s hard to deny they are the perfect match.

The book is also a little heartbreaking, as Katelyn takes the blame in the fall out between Cooper and his brother, but it’s also a story about forgiveness.

Beautiful story, I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I just wish these books were not so good, so I could slow down and savour them a little more. Maybe I’ll just need to reread it.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Adult fiction

Genre: Christian Contemporary.

Themes: Romance, relationships, dating, friendships, cheating, grief, family, belonging, foster care

Advisory: Cheating. References to drug and alcohol use and addiction. References to sexual relationships, pregnancy.

Published: 18 October 2021 by Thomas Nelson

Format: Paperback, ebook, audiobook. 336 pages.

ISBN: 9780785240501

Find it on Goodreads