The set up for the story was interesting and there was a nice second chance romance and faith elements. However, this ultimately fell a bit flat for me. I didn't connect with either character and I didn't love the secret that Zoe kept, nor for how long she kept it.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the way I could relate to Zoe. Now I know that Hunter obviously didn't know that when she penned this novel, but that's really what appealed most to my heart, and those are the books that stick out in my mind. Hunter did a fantastic job, I think, in writing Zoe's emotions and her story. I just wanted to jump in and give her a hug. I really enjoyed this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I unfortunately forgot to download the e-book on my kindle before it was archived so I wasn’t able to read and review it (on time). Since I Must give a star rating, I’ve given it 3 stars to stay neutral/in the middle. Sorry to the publisher for not having gotten around to actually read it.

I have to tell you Blue Ridge Sunrise is listed as Christian Fiction, I didn't know what to expect and I put it off for years but after I've finished it I can say it was a nice read with a very mild religion presence.

Zoe comes back to Copper Creek for her grandma's burial, she ran away years before with a big secret, now that her grandma left her the orchard in her will it's the time to come back at home and try to redeem herself. Cruz has always loved Zoe, she broke his heart going away and now that she is back he is at war with himself trying to ignore her. Will they get their second chance at love? Or is their relationship forever compromised?

I liked all the ups and downs of the plot, the flow is fluid and I've read it quicly.
I've got attached to the main characters and I've cheered for them to get their happily ever after, even if at times I've found Zoe immature.

Zoe Collins grew up feeling abandoned, first by her mother who just walked out one day, then by her father, who never understood his free-spirited daughter. When her high school boyfriend, Cruz Huntley, also appears to walk away, Zoe takes her secret and the one lifeline she has and runs to Nashville with aspiring rock star, Kyle Jenkins.

Five years later, Zoe is back in Copper Creek, the one place she never expected to return, and attending her Grandmother's funeral. When Zoe learns she has inherited her grandmother's peach orchard, everyone - especially Kyle - expects her to immediately sell the property and head back to Nashville. However, Zoe has not been happy for quite some time, and the peach orchard has always been a haven. Can she bring the orchard back, and make a life for herself and her daughter, while avoiding the one man who can make her life crash around her? What happens when she learns that Cruz is the orchard's general manager?

Cruz Huntley's life was always a step away from abject poverty until he befriended Brady Collins. Spending time with Brady and his family saved him in many ways. When he began dating Zoe, it strained his friendship with her brother, but his love for the sister was strong enough to walk away when her father asked him to. Now that he's older, he should be over those pesky feelings, right? Zoe's return has proven that his feelings are still there, but can he get past the fact that she got involved with Kyle almost the minute they took a "break" from each other? Her daughter is proof of that - or is she?

I kind of read this series in reverse, reading Honeysuckle Dreams and On Magnolia Lane ahead of Blue Ridge Sunrise. That didn't detract from the beauty of this story. Denise Hunter introduces her characters and makes her readers care about them, while giving them back stories that clutch at the heart. Cruz and Zoe's past bleeds into their present in such a way that it's hard not to pull for them.

Romance readers will love this book, and if you're a fan of Denise Hunter's - as I am - you won't want to miss Blue Ridge Sunrise! Now that I've read them all, this one - and Sweetbriar Cottage - rank at the top of the series. I highly recommend!

A clean-ish romance novel that is supposed to be Christian Fiction. Maybe fans of Christian Fiction might not think that is really fits the bill.

Taking over her Grandma's peach farm after her Granny Nel's death is not something that Zoe Collins would have chosen for herself. It is not what she feels unprepared for though it's a setting where she spent a considerable amount of time growing up, learning alongside her Grandmother about farming and peaches.

Zoe is a passionate, spirited young woman living a hard life, raising a daughter on her own with a man who doesn't love her. Kyle is controlling and using her for his own best interests. Zoe is a talented vocalist, and being part of the music scene is something in which she finds great enjoyment.

However, she has never honestly forgotten her first love, Cruz Huntley, even though he broke her heart and is the reason she fled Copper Creek years ago. Unbeknownst to her, Cruz has been dealing with his own broken heart because of Kyles lies.

Grandma Nel's will is that catalyst that brings Cruz and Zoe together again, and it's lovely to see how their story weaves together with surprises along the way.

Denise Hunter is an author I have come to appreciate, having read quite a number of her novels. Her stories are believable, her characters real, and Denise' Christian faith is evident in her writing. I recommend this book!

I received an ARC from NetGalley for this, my honest review.

“Blue Ridge Sunrise” was an enjoyable romantic novel that features two people who had been in love but life came between them. Circumstances unexpectedly bring them back into contact and anyone who has ever read any romance novels has an idea of what happens. Of course there are secrets between them and another man who does everything he can to cause problems. Oh, there is also a cute little girl who will steal your heart.

Characters are well-defined, so much so that many readers have difficulty liking the female lead Zoe, including myself. Eventually, after learning more of her background, I was able to understand Zoe better and maybe even like her a bit. Cruz, on the other hand, was the perfect hero despite having a few flaws of his own. Kyle, the other guy, is a classic jerk who is very easy to dislike intensely.

The plot moves back and forth between present and the past which fills the reader in on what actually happened between Zoe, Cruz, and Kyle and how they reached the present point in their lives. Some drama and action are included but the story very much revolves around the relationship of Zoe and Cruz. As mentioned by other reviewers, the faith thread is not as strong in this book as previous ones but it is still a clean novel with no violence or graphic intimate scenes.

This book was just okay. There were parts that I liked and enjoyed and there were parts where I was annoyed with the main characters. In the end, I was more frustrated then I was actually enjoying the book.

This book is fanatic, It is full of the unexpected.
Zoe returns home with her daughter in tow to attend her beloved grandmothers funeral. She brings along her boyfriend who is not to happy to be in the Podunk town again. Then come to find out Cruz, Zoe's old flame is the manager of the orchard she inherits. Zoe has a secret she needs to share with Cruz.

Read the book you won't be disappointed. Thank you netgalley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read this title for an honest review

I'm not sure about this book. I was thinking it was going to be a love story. And maybe it is. I don't no if it was the not so great storyline or the character Zoe. Zoe is a bit of a pessimism, everything about her life is bad. I wanted to ask her wasn't she the one that cheated. Left town. Not sure if I want to read the second book in this series. Enjoy the read.....

Zoe Collins left her small hometown of Georgia and didn't imagine returning. She has a daughter and a boyfriend and when her grandmother passes away she takes them back to this small town to say goodbye, little does she know that this trip home will change her life completely.

I recently wrote on this blog that I love a story where the character has to go back home and in doing so her life makes a huge change. This one was among the top with the others I have read recently. There are great secrets that will come out and worlds will be turned upside down, I love when a secret a character keeps comes out and affects more than just them.

Just to give a little warning, this is a Christian fiction novel and there are some definite moments when religion takes center stage in this book. It isn't too heavy handed, but I always like to put a warning out there in case that could concern you.

I am excited to review the next book in this series tomorrow and that it will center around Zoe's brother. I hope that in that book, the reader still gets to see Zoe's story move forward.

Oh, no. How hard is it to admit, "Hey, I sinned, and I have consequences for what I did"?? Instead Zoe spends much of the book pitying herself for the raw deal she got in life. She has a live-in boyfriend who's abusive and doesn't "value her as a person"....well, girl, if you toss yourself away on not one but two guys, without even asking for a ring first, he's not going to value you very highly. Easy come easy go in her case. No wonder he scoffs at her faith...and somehow she is supposed to have maintained some sort of faith even as she was touring with a rock band and sleeping with its leader? That somehow being lonely justified her in climbing into bed with a bad dude?

There are bunches of heated kisses that take up almost 10% of the book.

A very lengthy flashback (an entire section of multiple chapters) takes us back to how Zoe got pregnant and left town. Either do it chronologically or don't do it. This was an awkward story device.

God is mentioned a few times and Zoe expresses regret for not asking God about her plans for the day. Not even going to go there about the moral slant that wasn't there.

Then Zoe pulls a huge manipulative trick and plays the fool thereby putting herself and her daughter and her baby daddy in peril.

Um...in what world are these characters worth while? I guess it's nice that they got a HEA, but they sure didn't have to work hard for it.

Okay, so... I like Christian publishers to publish Christian novels. It's okay to publish clean novels...but this one isn't even moral. I wouldn't enjoy a secular novel that had this level of thumbing one's nose at the law of consequences. Combine the two for a massive lose. If a Christian is going to write a secular novel, AT LEAST make it moral. Nuff said.

*Edit: (This is not in any way any sort of admission that I don't have the right to my own opinion and way of expression in my own review spot. This is a continuation of my opinion after my friend Carrie commented on my review and mentioned that her take on the book was different. Here's my response to her comment...)

"While you found a more inspirational message than I did, Carrie, I never felt like they are finished finding faith in the end. We didn't get that payoff of her waking up and going Oh my and changing how she is living her life. It's a slow awakening, and yet at the end of the book she talks to God a little but she never seems to realize she's having a hard time in life because she made all the wrong choices. I can decide that for her because of the filter of my moral compass, but really what is in the story would not decide that for someone who does not have a similar viewpoint of morals and consequences.

"In the end, I found the story arc to be unrealistic and found Zoe to be whiny and immature. I will be reading the next book, but this book is simply one I didn't enjoy."

Added for Marlene: I liked Bella!

*end of edit

Thanks to the publisher for a free review copy.

You know the saying, "life is the messy bits"? That would be the perfect one-liner for Blue Ridge Sunrise. Hunter writes real. Life isn't tied up neatly in a box and don't Cruz and Zoe are proof of that.
While this wasn't one of my favorite Denise Hunter books, it was nice.

I enjoyed this book by one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed the romance and even the thriller aspect of the story. I look forward to the rest of the books in the series.

Blue Ridge Sunrise is the start to Denise Hunter's new series and I have such conflicting thoughts about it. Not the series, just this particular story.

It started off so well and I thought I was going to love the book, but the redemption/forgiveness/repentance part of the story I kept hoping to see never really seemed to happen (or at least I didn't pick up on it). This really just felt like a clean-ish mainstream novel and if it wouldn't have been labeled Christian Fiction I probably would have given it at least 4 stars. I just have different standards when it comes to Christian vs. mainstream fiction.

Putting that aside, the writing was superb and the storyline held my attention. I didn't particularly care for the heroine, as I found her naïve and some of her actions to be very foolish. I loved her daughter, Grace, and I also liked Brady and Hope (I can't wait to read their story - Honeysuckle Dreams!).

All in all, as I said above: I have such mixed feelings about Blue Ridge Sunrise…It was written very well, but the story isn't something I loved. So, I can't recommend this one, but I recommend most of Denise Hunter's other books (seriously, her previous two series are favs of mine!).

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

First love can be powerful. Life can be powerful. Loss can hurt so much and yet set you on the path you were meant to be on.
This book is full of twists and turns. Love and loss. One that will keep you turning the pages. I loved it and can’t wait now to read others by this author. I wish she would write more about these characters. Great book..

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

When Zoe returns to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral, she’s floored when she discovers that she’s inherited her grandma’s peach orchard. Being up dredges up so many good and painful memories. Zoe has never gotten over her high school crush for Cruz, her brother’s best friend. Plus, she’s a mommy and has to care for her four-year-old daughter. She’s been on the road since she’s had her kid and she’s in a terrible relationship with her current boyfriend. Plus, she’s estranged from her dad.

Cruz has never forgotten Zoe. When she turns up back in town, all of those old feelings are reawakened. But, can her family accept him as her equal, or, will they always feel that he’s not good enough for her.

But, Zoe has a secret and when Cruz discovers why she’s left…

Although I enjoyed this book, I felt it was more like a sweet romance than Christian fiction. I felt the message was very light, almost non-existent. However, the story was very good and I was pulled in from the beginning. I just wish the flash back wasn’t so many chapters. I was mesmerized by the first few chapters. But, when I went back to Zoe and Cruz’s relationship from years ago…yeah it was good, but, I’d rather the story had started at the beginning of their romance instead of flashing back.

I recommend this book if you love a good, heartwarming story about second chances. The chemistry between Cruz and Zoe is hotter than grease on an iron skillet – and I mean that in a positive way!

I LOVED this story! Believable story line, wonderful characters , a great blend of love and suspense. A story where love has lots of twists and turns but wins out in the end. I would love to read more stories about the other characters in this book.

Rating 3.5 Stars

The insecurities went core-deep and he wanted nothing more than to assure her of her value.

A good old fashioned love story with misunderstanding as the driving force. Zoe Collins has restless heart. She loves to sing and she is in love with Cruz Huntley. At 19 she runs away from home pregnant and singing with the band all over the country. Her manager and new boyfriend Kyle is now controlling her life. She is called home 5 years later after the death of her grandmother. Her family and Cruz see the difference in her and by the grace of God, her grandmother knew her granddaughter and what she needed. Leaving her the Peach Orchard, she gives Zoe a new path after her death. However, this path causes conflict between Zoe and Kyle and Zoe makes a stand.

Zoe and Cruz still have unfinished feelings for each other that were never resolved and 4 year old daughter that does not know her father. Zoe & Cruz both have insecurities that cause them to make bad decisions and the fear to trust the power of love to make the changes they need to. It is only by trust, they learn to overcome their insecurities.

This is a Christian novel, however, it more for "seekers" and faith is not the driving force. One thing that I take from this is that faith only grows stronger by trust. This is one of the lessons that both Zoe and Cruz learn and as a reader, I can recognize that in myself.

A Special thank You to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.