Driftwood Creek by Roxanne Snopek. This is Jamie “James” Vaughn and Gideon Low’s story.

Jamie and Gideon are both working at Sanctuary Ranch. The chemistry between them is so strong but Gideon doesn’t feel he can be what Jamie deserves. Jamie and Gideon both have things from their past that they are still dealing with or don’t feel like they deserve good things.

This is a sweet, heartwarming, and emotional read.

FYI, contains mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. Wonderful characters and this one is about the struggles that Jamie and Gideon experience and the friends who help them understand what is needed to be done. Throw in horses, dogs and a grumpy old neighbor and all the excitement begins. This being book two in the series you can read it as a standalone but reading the first gives the background of characters mentioned here.

A story of strays... human and canine who need to be needed and that love might just be right under your nose... Dog lovers as well as just romance readers will love this tender story of a pup, the woman who rescues him, and the man she is crazy about. I really enjoyed reading this one and loved Gideon. A nice book to read by the fireplace!

I’ve read several of Roxanne Snopek’s books and one thing I’ve learned is that she’s going to take readers on an emotional ride. Driftwood Creek proved to be emotional, as well as bring about unexpected emotions towards the characters.

Jamie Vaughn and Gideon Law have both managed to find their way to Sanctuary Ranch and are making the best of their new lives. Gideon is a man who surprised me. He looks like a cowboy. He acts like a cowboy. But until landing at the ranch, he wasn’t a cowboy. Gideon has secrets, and these secrets haunt him. He likes to make himself believe that he’s a monster and isn’t deserving of a second chance or forgiveness, but he is so much more than what he sees himself to be. Jamie is/was a challenge. I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a lead character so much. In fact, 90% of the time I found her to be extremely irritating. Jamie is consistently upset Gideon keeps trying to keep her in the friend zone. She doesn't respect boundaries. She doesn't like to give him space. Jamie is annoyingly pushy and insists on being a part of everything going on with Gideon. Just when I thought I was going to like her, Jamie would do something to get under my skin. I know the way she is and her personality stems from growing up in foster care and her need to help people. But man. This girl. Without question, Jamie does have a good heart and I do see it. She just really needs to find a balance.

The million dollar question is why did I continue to read this story when I obviously disliked the heroine so much….The answer is simple. I knew Roxanne was going to give me a story in the end that I would enjoy. Plus, my curiosity wouldn't allow me to stop reading. I'm definitely happy that I continued. Gideon and Jamie really had to fight hard to be a couple. A part of me likes that this wasn't easy for them. The secondary story of ranch neighbor Roman Byers added to the story, as did Gideon's background and his reason for being at Sanctuary Ranch in the first place.

Driftwood Creek is full of emotional ups and downs. Just when you think things are working out, Roxanne rips the rug out from underneath you. While I’m happy this series is continuing, I’m disappointed the next book isn’t about Sage and Huck. I know their story would be amazing. But the story of Abby and Jonathan definitely has me salivating, wondering what Abby’s story is.

Another terrific book by Roxanne Snopek! Ms. Snopeck is an excellent writer whose talent for developing characters and plots that immediately grab and hold you until the very end is definitely on display here. This is a love story that is filled with interesting characters, ups and downs, surprises and angst all leading to a HEA. I was iven an ARC of the book by NetGalley and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can heartily recommend it.

WOW!!! Words cannot describe how much I loved and was moved by Driftwood Creek by Roxanne Snopek, part of her Sunset Bay series. This story features two people who are struggling with their lives, feelings for one another and secrets from their past that affected their lives, then and now. Jamie aged out of the California foster system and knows how fortunate she was to find a place for herself at Sanctuary Ranch in Sunset Bay. She recognizes that not everyone is lucky in this way so the brash and headstrong twenty-something has made it her mission to rescue those that cross her path. Gideon, head wrangler at the ranch knows that Jamie is all bark and no bite. He is set on protecting her from her too tender heart as well as distance himself from her since Jamie wants to more than friends with him. Secrets from Gideon’s past cause him to believe he can’t have it all. Yet, an injured pup, a crotchety and injured neighbor needing help, a pregnant boss, and working to closely together Gideon might just learn that the love of your life can be right under your nose and you can have it all.

I really loved reading this heart-warming book, it moved me, and brought tears to my eyes. These two characters struggled so much. Gideon a quiet, soft-spoken, and serious man was not ready to open himself to love because he could not forgive himself for past discretions. Jamie wanted to be needed, loved and part of a family, all things she missed out on growing up in foster homes.

Ms. Snopek wrote a wonderful story that drew me into her book and the lives of her characters, makinf me forget the world around me. I had trouble putting this book down, turning page after page, not letting go until I turned the last page, still wanting more. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Two injured souls who find love at Sanctuary Ranch, a working ranch. Jamie, has gone through the foster system, who works at the ranch and wants to rescue everything, humans and animals. She has fallen in love with Gideon, head wrangler who made a mistake in his past and does not want to open his heart up again. His main focus is to to be able to see his son again. Even though Gideon has put up a tough exterior it will be Jamie to be the one to break it down.

Loved these two injured souls, both with pasts that just want to make you cry. Roxanne Snopek shows her love of animals in all of her stories and this is no exception. This is the second story in the series but can be read as a stand alone.

Wow. I thought the first book knocked me for a loop, but this one makes that impact pale in comparison. The anguish Jamie and Gideon feel at denying themselves and each other is palpable and left me with tears streaming down my face. But at the same time, there’s such a lightness of spirit about the book, a sense of humor and hope, that I always knew the situation was going to get better. I adored how much love and attention is lavished on the animals that are part of this journey. Chaos was probably some of the best comic relief I’ve read in a while. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this crazy bunch of misfits that call Sanctuary Ranch home.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

Driftwood Creek can be described in many ways. I choose to look at it as a tale of inspiration trapped in a world that is not always kind. Jamie and Gideon are dreamers learning how to dream. Their pain runs deep inside of battered and bruised souls. Despite the heartache, each needs someone to help heal all their broken parts. The tragedy will be, if they never try. Snopek taps into the still waters of a heart and bleeds them dry, before replenishing the human spirit with her emotional reads.

This is a tough one to review. Generally I love Roxanne Snopek's books but this one took a while for me to really get into. Some of the characters - and there are a lot of characters in this one - drove me crazy. There were many times I wanted to see Jamie stand up for herself. Gideon was in a tough situation but I think he could have taken a firmer stand at times. About midway through the book I thought the story really started to shape up and these two characters seemed to decide to live their lives on their terms and not worry about everyone else. The story got much better from that point and I ended up really enjoying it. So overall while not a favorite it's not a bad read either. I would recommend it.

Driftwood Creek by Roxanne Snopek is the second book in the series called Sunset Bay. I enjoyed the story and the various characters who populated the story. Sanctuary Ranch is a sanctuary that helps animals and people to heal, and not just the guests. Gideon works on the ranch with the horses and cattle. He is learning to restart his life, hoping for a chance with starting a relationship with his son. Jamie is supposed to be a helper to all, but she is desperate to work with training dogs . She is also in love with Gideon. Gideon is afraid to start a relationship while he is struggling with starting a relationship with his son. Gideon and Jamie struggle with moving forward with their relationship and various roadblocks put in their path.

I liked the main two characters of Gideon and Jamie. I liked the idea of Sanctuary Ranch. Jamie seemed quite young with all of her “angsty” behavior so I was surprised when her age was mentioned. I didn’t like the character of Hayley so much, but she was pregnant and obviously uncomfortable, so maybe that was an an extension of her discomfort.

Driftwood Creek by Roxanne Snopek was a good read.

Driftwood Creek is the second book in the Sanctuary Ranch series. There are horses, dogs and kittens but it is the humans who give the dramatics. Roxanne Snopek gives us characters with snarky comments, messy lives, angst, drama, regrets and decisions that I didn’t always agree with. Sounds like life, doesn’t it? The best part is that they find love and acceptance in the mist of all the turmoil.

Gideon and Jamie were supporting characters in the first book. It sure looked even then as if these two would have their story together. Theirs is a second chance at love story at least it is for Gideon. Emotionally, he is a bottled-up silent male who pretends all is well. Jamie, his opposite, let’s everything spill over including her impulsiveness. The story flows but not their relationship so much. It is one of start-up and slow down. At times, I felt as if I was watching these two on reality TV.

Driftwood Creek is an engaging read. I recommend it to fans of real life romance where the characters are trying to live better and make a positive difference in the world. It still reads well as a stand-alone, so don’t hesitate because you have not read the first in the series.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book it was an enjoyable read read and entertaining and I would recommend this book and this author if you haven’t tried either

I throughly enjoyed Driftwood Creek, it is well written with a good plot. I have not read this author’s books before but will be reading more of her work.

Loved this story. Being able to address the stigma of having had a troubled past and needing a second chance is admirable in the way it was addressed. Forgiveness is the hardest thing for people to do.

Roxanne Snopek’s Driftwood Creek is a romance for two well deserving individuals who are getting a second chance at a new life and a first chance at a long and lasting love. Gideon Low is finally ready to meet his 6-year-old son and doesn’t need the romantic entanglements with one of his coworkers. His first priority is his son and will do whatever it takes even if it means skipping out on the love of his life.

Jamie Vaughn has come to Sanctuary Ranch to start over too and hopes to help with the service dog training. She understands the owner’s reluctance to have her assisting and doesn’t like it but she has to learn to be patient and her time will come. In the meantime, she hopes to make some inroad with getting Gideon to see her more than just a friend. When she comes across a stray puppy and ultimately its cantankerous owner, she can’t help herself but to help him out even if he fights her tooth and nail. Jamie can be her own worst enemy but she means well and treats others fairly and with compassion.

There was a lot going on within this story from beginning to end with the introduction of secondary characters and the intertwining of several storylines. It almost felt like the romance took a backseat to the drama unfolding for both the main characters. The custody battle Gideon was going through with his ex and her fiancé along with a reluctant son Blake, while figuring out what is best for everyone, including Jamie, was the main focus for the story. Throughout it all Jamie was just trying to get closer to Gideon. Jamie was struggling with what to do versus what not to do and ended up with a bunch of trouble for doing the right thing. I’m glad she had some guidance from her friends to hang in there and keep pushing for it. It took almost losing Jamie that Gideon realizes that she belongs with him just as much as Blake needs to be in his life. Life altering situations tend to get a person’s priorities in order and Gideon and Jamie both realized that in the end.

This was a well written story and I thought the author did a wonderful job creating an overcoming the odds love story for two likeable and admirable characters. She delved into some real and raw emotions and how individuals deal with them. Gideon and Jamie had a complicated path to finding a happy ending with one another but it was well worth it when they finally got it. Driftwood Creek is a great second book in the series and I look forward to more.

I always enjoy Roxanne's books, so this seemed like a good choice for me. Unfortunately not so much.
I love the setting and the back plot, Sunset Bay and Sanctuary Ranch. But in this book that's where the party ended. It was too everything. I felt like it ran much too long, the flow impeded the reading.
The characters were great. I wasn't crazy about Hayley, she ran hot and cold, pregnant or not she wasn't a character who was supposed to be a friend and treated Jamie liked hired help. Which she was, but she gave the girl no chance. It was enough that Jamie was constantly shut down by Gideon and that story could have been clipped by many pages as well, but Hayley's behavior didn't endear me to her one bit. Good think she disappeared for a while in the book. While continually adding characters, some really added to the story. I liked the old man Roman who's puppy Jamie rescued. Jamie had a great way with people and animals. Too bad she always seemed to end up with the short end of the stick. On to Gideon. Man if this guy could wear a crown with stars for martyrs baby his glow would light up a small city. What a putz he was. That woe is me crap only goes so far and honestly really unbecoming when a man constantly acts like that throughout the whole book until the last two pages and that was a short shove.
This was a 40/60 for me. I struggled to get through it and honestly today was ready to chuck it.
It needs better editing and some smoothing around the edges. I was really looking forward to this one and hopefully the next one will be better. It wasn't for me, but for some readers out there go for it.

**arc from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

i enjoyed reading the story, love the animals , the people are believable if you like romance and suspense with children with a ranch, a beach you have to read the book

Unfortunately I think this may be a case of it’s-not-you-it’s-me and my second outing to Sunset Bay wasn’t as successful as the first and was a DNF at 40%. It all came down to the fact that I struggled with how the characters were depicted in terms of their ages, the pacing of the story and I never became that invested. As such I won’t be posting a review publicly and no ratings will be negatively affected.

overall I enjoyed this book, but at times a little frustrated about how Jamie is treated like a child. She is suppose to be 26, but others around her treat her like she is 18. Gideon is about 10 years older, and at times he acts like he is 20 years older. Other than that though, I enjoyed the story and especially the interaction of Jamie with the cranky old man and the dogs. Good story, and one I highly recommend.