Honeysuckle Dreams (#02 in Blue Ridge Romance Series)

This is the second book in Denise Hunter's Blue Ridge Romance series, although it doesn't really matter what order you read them in. It could easily stand alone, except that I think you'll love it so much you'll want to read the other books in the series. Especially if you enjoy reading those historical romances about mail-order brides and other marriage-of-convenience stories, where two people marry for reasons other than being in love, and readers get to watch as feelings grow through shared circumstances. This is one of those, but set in the modern day. Single father Brady is raising his baby son after the death of his ex-wife. When a custody battle ensues with the baby's maternal grandparents, Brady needs a wife to make him look good in court. Long time friend and local radio host, Hope agrees to play the part. Both of them learn a lot about themselves, each other, love and God as they navigate some stressful times in their new life together. I would definitely recommend this book. \\n

You know a book is good when it's all you can think about. Convenience marriage stories are always interesting, seeing how they blossom into a deep, unfailing, wholehearted love that's for better and for worse. You'll find it in this book. It's a beautiful story that transitions rather fragially from friendship to romance. To top it off, you'll continue the story with Cruz and Zoe from Blue Ridge Sunrise. Every relationship has its battles. Although things begin really smoothly, they unwind just as fast. Facing the challenges together requires communication, which becomes a hurdle of Brady and Hope's flourishing and passionate relationship. It's a beautiful story, highly recommended. It's all you'll be wanting to read.

My one issue with Honeysuckle Dreams was that Brady was too perfect. Sure, he had problems: his son, his ex-wife's family, his mother. But they were all external problems. Fixing them relied on other people, not on Brady and his own character journey. \\r\\n\\r\\nHope was a much more interesting character. She's been in love before, in high school. That relationship ended badly. Her boyfriend collapsed and died in right in front of her at a high school basketball game. It took Hope years to recover and she's still not sure she's ready to risk her heart again. And that's not a good way to begin a marriage, even a marriage of convenience. \\r\\n\\r\\nHoneysuckle Dreams is the second book in Denise Hunter's Blue Ridge Romance series, following Blue Ridge Sunrise. She's also written Sweetbriar Cottage. It isn't officially part of the Blue Ridge Romance series, but is set in the same town before the events of Blue Ridge Sunrise, and features some of the same characters. \\r\\n\\r\\nOverall, Honeysuckle Dreams was an excellent contemporary romance, although I didn't think it measured up to the outstanding Sweetbriar Cottage. Mind you, that's a hard act for any author to follow. \\r\\n\\r\\nThanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.