Member Reviews

Good story of second chance love, friendship, and family. Chey and Wyatt have a history. They were rodeo kids at the same time, best friends, along with Chey's brother, Cody, and later, Tory. As they grew older, Wyatt's feelings for Chey changed, but when he expressed those feelings, she shut him down. Wyatt left the rodeo soon after before Chey realized the truth of her own feelings, and they haven't seen each other since.

Years later, grieving the death of her bull-rider brother, Chey became friends with three other grieving women. Putting their pasts behind them, the "fearsome foursome" now runs a lavender farm. Chey also rescues and rehabs horses, and when her friend Tory calls with an urgent rescue, Chey can't resist. She also talks Tory into coming to work at Lavender Blue farm when she finishes her current job. Chey does not expect to see Wyatt arrive with Tory.

I thoroughly enjoyed that first meeting. Tory remained friends with both Wyatt and Chey and is sick of being stuck in the middle. The story of what brought them back together was heartbreaking and explained so much about what drove Wyatt. Things were a bit awkward between them at first, with both of them needing to forgive each other for the past. Though each of them has changed from the kids they knew, the core of their friendship is still there and is quickly augmented by the sparks of attraction. I loved watching them get to know each other as adults and appreciate the changes that time has caused. As they realized the depth of their growing feelings, Wyatt and Chey also knew that their current lives were not exactly compatible. Was there a chance for them that didn't involve one or the other sacrificing everything? I loved that they kept the lines of communication open and were willing to take the time to see what happens. Chey gets some good advice from Vivi, and an unexpected offer helps Wyatt make some decisions.

There is a secondary romance between Vivi and an old flame. She is quite a force of nature, and I enjoyed both her antics and her warmth, intelligence, and love. Her scene with the rowboat was fantastic and gave me a good idea of what to expect from her later in the book. I loved how her romance progressed. Grant was awesome and obviously head-over-heels for her. I also liked the parallels between her situation and Chey's.

There is also some excitement when Vivi discovers the town council plans to sell Firefly Lake to a resort developer. While these plans are portrayed as helping the town, in reality, they are more likely to destroy it. I loved how the Lavender Blue people and their friends pulled together, with a couple of surprise additions, to come up with a viable alternative. Things got a little tense at the end as corruption and threats raised their ugly heads. The resolution of that scene had me glued to the pages until it was resolved. I did have to grin at Chey's strength of will combined with a bit of deviousness, resulting in a very satisfying conclusion.

This was my first trip to Blue Hollow Falls, but it won't be my last. I will go back and read the stories I have missed to learn more about the others. I'm also looking forward to future stories. Hopefully, there will be one for Bailey when she grows up, as she made quite an impression on me.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4.5 stars! I love how this book relates to the Blue Hollow Falls books which is one of my favorite series. The storyline and character development is so well done and I really enjoyed the side stories although some got a bit glossed over. I think the Author does a fabulous job getting the reader pulled into the story and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I appreciate receiving an ARC for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Under a Firefly Moon is a great addition to this series. I have enjoyed each book so far. I look forward to many more. It is nice catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

Was this review helpful?

Under a Firefly Moon is the latest book in Donna Kauffman’s Blue Hollow Falls series. While this book is part of a series this book can easily stand alone. I was drawn in to this story full of laughter, tears, confusion, love, understanding and second chances. Donna Kauffman’s characters are so wonderfully charming and have such depth that you feel like you know them. Each book in the series focuses on a different character in Blue Hollow Falls.

The story is set in Kentucky's Blue Ridge Mountains as is the rest of the series. Blue Hollow Falls is the best of small towns and has a wonderful and beautiful setting thanks to Donna Kauffman’s artistry. Every time I read one of her Blue Hollow Falls novels it is like running into old friends. This particular story highlights being environmentally friendly without destroying the charm of the area and making the world a better place.

I had so eagerly anticipated this next Blue Hollow Falls book and it did not disappoint. It was fun being back in this wonderful escape of Blue Hollow Falls. I can’t wait to see what Donna has up her sleeve next. Well done!

I would like to thank the publisher, Donna Kauffman and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Highly entertaining, fun, emotional and action packed romantic journey filled with engaging charters, witty dialog, intriguing twists and exciting second chance. Really enjoyed this heartwarming journey!

Was this review helpful?

A very touching and heartfelt book! This is the first book I have read from Donna Kauffman and I really enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

This is the story of Chey McCafferty, who is the fourth partner in the Lavender Blue farm, and is part of the Blue Hollow Falls series (or maybe the first in the Firefly Lake series? The ARC didn't have a finished cover).

Chey and Wyatt Reed are longtime friends and companions from being on the rodeo circuit when much younger. They'd split up when they were 17 -- young love and all that. Wyatt disappeared, leaving behind Chey, his horse Buttercup, and his abusive father, for parts unknown. Their other friend Tory discovers Buttercup at an auction and saves him from certain death, then calls Chey to come get him. Tory's job as a stable manager is ending so Chey invites her to Blue Hollow Falls. Tory surprises her a few months later -- with Wyatt in tow.

So now Chey and Wyatt have a second chance at romance. And Vivi, the erstwhile leader of the four, does as well. Wyatt and Vivi's love, Grant, band together to keep a developer from building a huge resort on the lake that would bring lots of money into the town but would destroy it environmentally. They plan to build, but a much more environmental resort. The four women also figure out how they can work at the farm and still have lives outside of the farm.

It was great to see how the four women, all unknown to each other just a short while ago, have used their individual skills to make a real go of the lavender farm, and how they all managed to find love and make it all work out even better.

Was this review helpful?

What would you do if the love of your life that you had left in your past suddenly walked right up in front of you? That's what Chey and Wyatt have to figure out. They have both moved on and have different/separate lives now. The love is still there beneath the anger and so is the desire for each other. Kauffman does an excellent job of displaying their thoughts and emotions as the story unfolds.
This fourth book in the series (also a spin-off) brings the characters of Blue Hallow Falls together to fight for what is right for their small town. I loved having the characters of the previous books show up in solidarity and the introduction of new characters. I'm ready to head back!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This story from one of my favorite authors, Donna Kauffman, is fantastic! I love her other series of books and this is a wonderful addition to her stories.

Was this review helpful?

Under a Firefly Moon is the latest book in Donna Kauffman’s Blue Hollow Falls series. Former rodeo barrel racer Cheyenne McCafferty has found a family of friends brought together by intense grief each endured. Together they have embarked on a new lifestyle and business venture in Lavender Blue farms. In addition, Chey has the stables where she works to rehab horses and offers riding lessons.

Chey invited her girlhood rodeo friend Tory Fuller to come work with her at the farm when Tory located Buttercup on the auction block. This horse had belonged to Chey’s one regret from that time in her life, Wyatt Reed. They had been best friends until the day he professed his love for her. Too immature to know how to react, Chey had rebuffed him. Soon after, he and his abusive father had disappeared.

What Chey did not expect when Tory arrived was that she would be accompanied by the all grown up Wyatt Reed. Wyatt, no longer the shy, lanky boy, was now a full grown man. Now an adventurer that travels worldwide with his film crew bringing light to dark situations, Wyatt has come to try to get his horse back from Chey, but is that the only reason he has returned to the states?

When a proposed resort development poses a huge threat to the ecology and community of Blue Hollow Falls, Wyatt offers to use his methods and following to help find a solution. In the process, it is discovered that even in a small town greed and corruption are found and that the most greedy to not roll over easily.

This is a delightful story with wonderful characters in a beautiful setting. I relished every moment of the storytelling and was sad when it ended, I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

It was nice to get into this one with it also being a second chance too at that good ole romance. Cheyenne is a interesting character with a different background but now a vested interest in the Lavender Blue Farm. Regrets do not have much room but she has them. The Wyatt that comes around now is not like the one from the past with noticeable changes. Now we get to something fuller develop with the simmer of it enough to warm you at night. I also enjoyed finding out about that moon. This author gives a full bodied romance that captures the heart and mends it right. I needed to come here with it filling in all the places. You get a ride with it not just on a horse.

Was this review helpful?

Wonderful Blue Hollow Falls is home to people who love the Blue Ridge Mountains and care about the land is where they are living. Without even knowing it, Wyatt Reed is just what they needed so that is exactly who Donna Kauffman continues to give us in Under a Firefly Moon. Of course, he is also exactly what Cheyenne McCafferty needs too.

Like the other books in the series, Under a Firefly Moon has a strong vivid sense of place with small town life and close friendship bonds. This community has become family to many who live there including the women of Lavender Blue Farms. Former barrel racer Cheyenne McCafferty who now runs a stable and horse rescue meet up with her first love, Wyatt Reed in this story. A beautiful second chance story of love and healing. An amazing storyteller who reminds us that our past does not have to define us.

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.

Was this review helpful?

We finally get former barrel racer Cheyenne McCafferty's story and best of all it's a second chance story! These stories set in Kentucky's Blue Ridge Mountains are just so rich in small town connections and beautiful settings. This story highlights being environmentally enriching without destroying the charm of the area and making the world a better place. I loved how the town got together to fight the deep pocket developers.

Cheyenne's life on the rodeo circuit destructed with the violent death of her brother bull riding and the loss of her two best friends, fellow barrel racer Victoria- Tory Fuller, and Wyatt Reed. They both left the circuit about the same time and she spiralled in her grief. When she met the now Fearsome Four life changed for the better. She found a home with these women. This story starts out with her old friend Tory contacting her that Wyatt's favorite horse Buttercup is in bad shape and on the auction block. Cheyenne comes to bring Buttercup home to her horse rehab at the Lavender Blue Farm. When Tory arrives after her place is sold she comes with Wyatt forcing the two of them to reconcile after so many years. One of the most delicious part of this story is watching Vivienne Baudin in all her Broadway glory deal with rich Paul Hammond, Mr. Deep Pockets. Then there's the revelation of what Wyatt Reed has been up to since he left the circuit and his violent, drunk father. We get to see these two people grow to understand each other once again as adults and see they are both good people trying to help others. I love getting to visit old friends we have come to know in this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I LOVED Chey and Wyatt’s story in Under a Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman, book 1 in her Firefly Lake series, taking place in Blue Hollow Falls, and I really struggled to put it down; visualizing the beauty of this place through its descriptive words. Chey McCafferty is the fourth of the fearsome foursome owning the Lavender Blue farm, rescuing and rehabbing horses. She loves her new life but has only one major regret; letting go of Wyatt Reed back when they were teens on the rodeo circuit. When Reed’s beloved horse turns up, in bad shape, Chey knows she must save the horse, but she gets more than she bargained for. Although believing she was ready to face Wyatt once again, Chey becomes unsure. Wyatt is no longer the quiet, gentle boy she knew. The longer Wyatt stays the more these two realize that the feelings they had as teens has only grown, now that they are adults. Working together to save town land from ruthless town councilmen, they realize that this is the perfect time to make the dreams they shared under a firefly moon come true.

Ms. Kauffman, a talented story teller, wrote a joyful, funny, tender sweet, emotional and heartwarming tale that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and amazing characters giving Chey and Wyatt a chance for happiness, love and a future together. There is another romance in this story featuring secondary characters which adds to excellence of this story. I highly recommend Under a Firefly Moon to other readers and look forward to the next book in this outstanding series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Was this review helpful?

Cheyenne was a barrel racer but left that life behind to make some much needed changes in her life. She became part owner in a horse rehab and rescue farm called Lavender Blue. She loves her new life and has settled in quite nicely only regretting one thing, leaving a certain cowboy behind. She felt like she was to young to make any important decision at that time in her life. He disappeared right after revealing his feelings for her, she turned away from him thinking that was the right decision for her. She gets quite a surprise when she finds his favorite horse on the auction block. She wins the horse and is shocked when Wyatt is there. The young boy she remembered is gone and a man she doesn't recognize is in his place. She soon learns that Wyatt isn't going anywhere and she isn't sure she how she feels about the situation. Neither can forget the past and the passion they shared between them. Follow along as these two dance around their true feelings for each other. Is it the right time to let love in or will they let it pass them by again.

Was this review helpful?

Under a Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman
Blue Hollow Falls #4

Marvelous second chance romance that sees Cheyenne McCafferty and Wyatt Reed come together over a decade after they parted in their teens. They had perhaps been too young to find their HEA back then but by the time they meet in this book they are definitely ready to be together forever – in some ways it is like “coming home” for both of them. It wasn’t all smooth sailing but there definitely was not drama or push-pull and I enjoyed that aspect of this story.

What I liked:
* Wyatt: my oh my...a great book boyfriend and someone I would like to call my friend. He was a man with a purpose and found himself in those years after he left the rodeo behind.
* Cheyenne: a good friend who has found her purpose and a safe haven to call home. She has no blood family left but has created a family of her own
* The Fearsome Foursome: Loved reading the previous books and loved hearing about Vivi and Cheyenne’s romances in this one. The four women central to the lavender farm are wonderful!
* Buttercup & Tory ;)
* The small town characters that have been in the series and added their presence to this book, too.
* The way everyone worked together to find the solution for the town...and thwart the bad guys
* What Wyatt and Cheyenne for a living
* Being able to return to Blue Hollow Falls
* Wondering if Tory will get a story of her own AND wondering if perhaps some of the people working on Wyatt’s live-stream will get stories of their own.

What I did not like:
* The corrupt councilmen
* Having to say goodbye to the group till the next book comes out

Thank you to NetGalley a nd Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Was this review helpful?

Under A Firefly Moon begins the Firefly Lake series which is part of the Blue Hollow Falls universe. If you haven’t discovered Blue Hollow Falls and all of it’s quirky, endearing residents then Chey and Wyatt’s story will most likely have you wanting to sit a spell and visit with their friends once you finish this story. It’s a lovely, addictive world that, if you love this one then you’ll enjoy knowing what went on before.

When they were younger Chey and Wyatt were friends, companions on the circuit and more to each other. Unfortunately, youth isn’t always the wisest age for recognizing what is right in front of you and this couple parted ways when Chey couldn’t offer more. Now they have a chance to see if second chances really do come around again for a reason because those feelings haven’t gone away, and with age, wisdom, and experience they know that what they have now is worth fighting for – if they are willing to take the risk with their hearts once again.

There were so many things about Under A Firefly Moon that drew me into Wyatt and Chey’s romance. The opening of their story did move a bit slower, with repetition of facts I already knew – but if I were a reader coming into this world at this point, I’d want to know that. So I understood it even if I did feel it slowed things down a bit. Aside from that I was drawn in and held tight in this story full of laughter, tears, confusion, understanding and some bad guys you’ll have no choice but to loathe. I loved the horses, their personalities, how they healed and how they interacted with Chey, Wyatt, and others. If there were important secondary characters in this one then some magnificent creatures were certainly involved. And running into old friends was an additional treat that readers of (now) both series will always enjoy. I had fun back in this world and that’s the entire point.

If you love a second chance romance, reconnect with old book friends or making brand new ones then you’d enjoy Under A Firefly Moon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC through Netgalley.

Under a Firefly Moon contains a combination of my two favorite tropes: second chance and friends-to-lovers. Cheyenne and Wyatt grew up together on the rodeo circuit. Wyatt had feelings for Chey, but they weren’t reciprocated. Wyatt left and Chey realized her mistake too late. They haven’t seen each since, until a mutual friend and beloved horse brings them back together. The camaraderie and connection they had growing up is still there, as well as chemistry. Blue Hollow Falls needs helps and Wyatt is in a position to offer assistance, keeping him in town longer that he intended and presenting him an opportunity to reconnect with Chey.

Under a Firefly Moon is well-written, engaging, emotional, and romantic. This book is number four in the Blue Hollow Falls series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is also listed as “Firefly Lake Book #1” on some sites as the publisher, Kensington, is marketing it as a spin-off from Blue Hollow Falls.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 - "If you want me... I'm all in." Stars!

We return to Blue Hollow Falls and Lavender Blue Farm & Tearoom for more adventures with the Fearsome Foursome. Chey McCafferty has been a solid presence in the previous books set around the ladies and their growing business, but she’s been the hardest nut to crack in relation to getting to know anything more about her. Under a Firefly Moon gives us that story, and her a second chance at first love.

"We come from the kind of life that most people could never understand…"

Wyatt Reed, know the Chey of old, working the rodeo circuit together with her and her brother when they were younger, they know and saw the best and worst of each other, both have suffered hardships, losses and have come out the other side the better for it, whereas Wyatt’s thirst for adventure has kept him looking forwards, Chey’s involvement with Lavender Blue and her horses has done the same for her, reconnecting after so many years, brings up a lot of the past that both of them had thought they had moved on from.

"You know the me that no one else does."

I found the first half of this instalment in the series a little slow going, there seemed to be little movement in the plot and a whole bunch of internal monologue, that said Vivi provided some light relief as things progressed, and I loved seeing her get a little romance as well. Wyatt and Chey as a couple were a great match, and the story in general was enjoyable with plenty of inclusion of the rest of the BHF crew.

"You never lost me… You couldn’t lost me if you tried."

Not my favourite book in the series, but still one worth reading as the characters in general and the second half of the story more than made up for the slower start of this one for me.

Was this review helpful?

Donna Kauffman takes us on another wonderful visit to Blue Hollow Falls. Wyatt and Cheyenne began their relationship in the rodeo circuit, but as fate decided they went their separate ways. Chey is on Lavender Farm now overseeing and managing the stables and taking in rescues. When Wyatt shows up unexpectedly at the farm those old feelings begin to stir, but Chey is her own woman now. Wyatt and Chey decide to work together to save Firefly Lake and from there the love continues after the years of being apart. Love never dies and Donna Kauffman has given us another great trip to Blue Hollow Falls and the wonderful people living their dreams. Highly recommend !!!

Was this review helpful?