I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter Series: Blue Ridge #2
Published by Thomas Nelson on May 1, 2018
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, Fiction / Small Town & Rural, Fiction / Women
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
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Brady Collins is juggling full-time fatherhood with the booming auto repair business he runs out of his barn. His ex-wife's sudden death has shaken him, but the devastating news that follows leaves him reeling: Sam is not his biological son.
When Sam's wealthy maternal grandparents decide they want custody of the child, Brady knows he's in for the fight of his life. 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: the stability of an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiancée.
Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and she's finally been offered her dream job—in Atlanta. Unfortunately, her arrangement with Brady requires her presence in Copper Creek, and she is faced with missing the chance of a lifetime or standing in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.
Both Hope and Brady would give their lives for beautiful Sam. But can they give their trust to one another? With this new novel in the Blue Ridge Romance series, Honeysuckle Dreams shines light on the complicated and beautiful angles of love.
I knew, coming out of Blue Ridge Sunrise, that Hope and Brady belonged together. Getting them to understand that might be a problem, but it was literally written into their friendship. I’ve also come to realize that human nature irritates me. All (most) of us have an inner dialogue that we don’t usually share outside ourselves. Most of us stammer and spin out (OK, maybe that last one is just me?) when confronted with conversations we aren’t ready to have or just don’t want to have. I mean, it’s human nature, so why does it irritate me so much in reading? But it does and again. . . if Hope and Brady would learn to communicate, that’d be great.
I left the Sunrise feeling like there was a lot of unpacked emotion. I mean, for the sake of cornbread, Brady’s ex-wife died suddenly, but it felt like a blip on the radar. It took more center stage in Honeysuckle, along with his birth Mom and just general life drama. But the thing is, I still don’t feel adequately unpacked. Then there’s Hope. I mean, it’s obvious she’s got her own unpacking to do, but we float over halfway through the book before we learn her motivation, and then it takes over (sorta) the last half, but I think had I known more earlier, I would have maybe understood her better. And possibly liked her more at the end.
I wasn’t sure I would like the marriage of convenience (marriage for deception?), but it really did work for me for all the right reasons. I mean, they were friends, the chemistry was already there, so it was just a catalyst to get them both out of their rut and into realizing that they were truly meant for each other. Overall, though, the story felt rushed, with side quests we picked up but never really finished, and a lot of things left unresolved or, better, not quite unpacked the way they could have been to build a stronger story. But ultimately, still really enjoyed the book. Now, if Jack and Daisy don’t get it together in the last book, I may just come unglued.
About Denise Hunter
Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.
Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who struggle with real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.
In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking good coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband have raised three boys and are currently enjoying an empty nest.
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