A jilted bride. A struggling innkeeper. And a romantic mountain getaway that changes everything.

Rising Hollywood star Mia Emerson is looking for a safe place to land in the wake of a public breakup and scandal, and she finds it in the lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina—the location of her canceled honeymoon. She wants nothing more than to hide and wait for the tabloids to die down.

Soon after her arrival at the Bluebell Inn, Mia meets Levi Bennett, who runs the inn along with his two younger sisters. Drawn to one another from the start, Mia trusts Levi to keep her location from the press, and Levi confides in Mia about the financial state of the inn—a secret he’s been keeping from his sisters.

When Mia and Levi discover an old journal that hints at a rare diamond necklace hidden in the inn, they set off on a treasure hunt to find the long-lost heirloom. What they don’t expect to surface are feelings they thought were safely locked away. Mia and Levi must decide if falling in love again is too big a risk—or if it will uncover a treasure of its own instead.

This Bluebell Inn romance takes us to a quiet North Carolina retreat that holds more secrets than it shares.

Review: The scenery is a story within itself. The mystery, the reveal, the characters - it was all very well developed and a great read!

I always enjoy reading books written by Denise Hunter. Bluebell Inn Romance is a series I recommend to my friends.
The setting is perfect….Blue Ridge Mountains are a favorite place for us to visit.
The story is sweet, funny, charming and romantic. Throw in a bit of mystery and you get a great story to delve into.
Though part of a series, you can read this as a standalone.

Due to a personal difference in beliefs (WITH THE PUBLISHER) I will not be finishing or reviewing this book outside of Netgalley nor do I plan to support Thomas Nelson in the future due to their decisions of late and the lack of fiction with good Biblical values.

This is a sweet, heart-warming read. I love the emphasis to Believers in learning to let go of our idea of control and to wholly trust God, and to fall into His arms for comfort, acceptance, and love that is unconditional. I really resonated with the MCs, and enjoyed the story, which is wholesome and a true "comfort read". I look forward to picking up book three in this series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

We are headed back to Bluebell Inn with Carolina Breeze. Denise Hunter continues the series in the quaint lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina. Mia Emerson, a Hollywood star, books a stay at the Bluebell Inn run by Levi Bennett and his two younger sisters. Both are holding secrets and confide in each other. The storyline is sweet and mysterious but ultimately leads to love. If you are looking for a heartfelt romance with a bit of fun and mystery mixed in, don't miss Carolina Breeze!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book was a typical Denise Hunter title with great characters, storyline, and plot. Her books are well-loved and check out a lot at the library.

Denise Hunter is a master storyteller with relatable characters and heartfelt romance. I always enjoy her books.

Denise Hunter always writes a great emotional read. Innkeeper, Levi tries to keep his promise to his father to take care of his sisters, but when he is introduced to world of movie stars and paparazzi, his world is turned upside down. Levi is the type to try to fix things for everybody. When he meets Mia, a famous movie star that is retreating from scandal and heartbreak, he encounters more than he can handle.

I requested this book for review mainly because I had previously requested the first book in the series and I know Hunter's books often need to be read as complete series to get the full story. I didn't really read the back cover copy and thus didn't realize it was going to be about a Hollywood starlet, which is really not my thing.

The romance was sweet, but not spectacular, since I kept being sidetracked by the Hollywood fake drama and then Levi’s grumpy ways and refusal to tell his sisters about the true state of the business. It’s a great story for anyone who doesn’t mind those elements.

Romance: several very steamy kisses.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Another hit from the talented Denise Hunter! Her books are always filled with lovable characters and interesting plot lines. This one is no different. She knows just what to bring to her fans each and every time.

Mia and Levi’s characters were absolutely charming! I loved them both equally. The banter between them, the attraction and sparks really flying off the pages, and the setting being in North Carolina really drew me into the heart of the story. I followed along side these amazing characters as if I was truly right beside them. I loved that!

Hunter has a knack for turning her stories out and making them feel more like watching a movie on the big screen. From start to finish, you’re falling in love with each character, feeling all their emotions as if they are your own. Definitely loved that! Well done, once again, on another amazing story, Hunter. Well done!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

Carolina Breeze (Bluebell Inn Romance #2) by Denise Hunter takes us back to North Carolina and the sunny days of the Bluebell Inn. I enjoyed the first book so much about how they worked on the inn to honor their parents.
Mia Emerson is an actress who needs an escape and fast! She recently was jilted at the altar by her groom, but now embarrassing photos of her have caused a big disturbance. It was a misunderstanding! Mia clearly did not instigate the kiss which has media popping and tongues wagging. She decides to go to the seclusion of the Bluebell Inn where her ill-fated honeymoon was scheduled.
Levi, Molly, and Grace are happy to have Mia staying with them at the inn since every booking means less financial stress. Levi has not told his sisters that the inn has not been as profitable as they had hoped.
Not only is there romance in the air, but the Bluebell Inn also has a little mystery. Mia and Levi find an old journal that Mia wants to read. Within its pages, there is a reference to a rare diamond necklace and It could be hidden somewhere within the inn.
It won't be long until the cool breezes will help stir feelings between Mia and Levi. It was an unexpected romance for both. Read more to find answers which will have the reader smiling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I couldn’t finish. The dialogue was stilted (and not great) and character development lacking. It was too Hallmark, and I’m not opposed to clean, sweet storylines.

Carolina Breeze

by Denise Hunter

When an innkeeper desperate to fulfill his promise to his father to take care of his sisters is introduced to the world of glamorous movie stars and paparazzi, his own world is turned upside down. Levi Bennett tries to fix everything for everybody, but he takes on more than he can handle when he meets the gorgeous Mia Emerson retreating from heartbreak and a scandal.

Beautiful Bluebell, N.C., is the perfect place for Mia to recover with the sympathetic and discreet Bennett siblings taking up her cause. Romance is in the air for Levi and Mia as well as for Levi’s sister Molly who was the focus of the first book in the series. Just when things start to look up, there are realistic twists and turns that shake things up for the characters. But disasters and surprises can be part of God’s plan, and He can bring good out of them as the characters in Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter, a clean romance with a bit of mystery, soon discover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance

Notes: #2 in the Bluebell Inn Series, but works well as a standalone.

Publication: May 19, 2020—Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

Using people is wrong. Using their feelings against them is even worse.

It was time to get serious about her faith again. She was learning to let down her walls with people, but she needed to let God in too. Him, most of all.

The movie had been going on for a while, but her mind was on other things…All of it was tangled up in her head like last year’s Christmas lights.

This series of Denise's is shaping up to be my favorite of hers. Carolina Breeze has romance, humor, and mystery and is such a fun read! Mia and Levi are great characters and their blossoming romance makes for an enjoyable read and a lovely bookish escape. I definitely recommend this series!!

I really enjoyed Denise Hunter’s Lake Season, which introduced three siblings who’ve taken over their deceased parent’s fledgling inn on a picturesque lake in North Carolina. Book one focused on older sister Molly, and the second installment Carolina Breeze features older brother Levi. The setting takes center stage along with the strong family dynamics, and I was entranced from page one.

Mia is hanging by a thread in Hollywood after a scandal hits all of the gossip sites that has her character being called into question. Even though it isn’t true, she flees to her mother’s hometown in North Carolina, seeking refuge at her grandmother’s old inn where Mia was set to honeymoon with her ex-fiancé. As nothing in her professional and personal life seems to be going right, Levi becomes the bright spot in Mia’s life. Even though he was part of the honeymoon package as her chauffeur, tour guide, and now security guard—falling in love wasn’t part of the deal—for either of them.

Levi has been hanging on by a thread trying to keep the inn afloat financially. Working his fingers to the bone and burning the midnight oil, his end goal is to take care of his sisters, which was his father’s dying wish of Levi. But he tends to be controlling and overprotective of Molly and Grace, forcing his will on them and guilting them with what he thinks their parents would want. Levi had to sacrifice a fantastic construction project manager position and girlfriend in Denver to return home and take over the inn with his siblings, but he often forgets that Molly had to make the same sacrifices and Grace hasn’t even began her life after high school graduation yet.

Mia isn’t your typical Hollywood starlet, and she has insecurities just like everyone else. Her childhood isn’t a great one where her parents are concerned, and she’s made the best out of a tenuous situation. She has trouble trusting people, and until Levi comes along, her walls are very high. Mia is very likable and down to earth, and I really enjoyed her journey.

This wouldn’t be a Bluebell Inn Romance novel without a mystery, and this one centers on finding a lost blue diamond necklace. Searching for Mia’s grandmother’s necklace brings her and Levi close together but also pulls them apart. There is a lot of will-they, won’t they between Levi and Mia, as well as both of them thinking they aren’t good enough for each other.

I give Carolina Breeze a 4.5 out of 5. With strong, unique characters who are vulnerable and real, Levi and Mia go through a lot together and come through it all in the end better people. And if you’re hoping for more of Molly and Adam from the first book, you won’t be disappointed. I’m eagerly awaiting the final book in this series. I loved this relatable, fun, emotional, romantic, and clean series.

It is always a good day with a Denise Hunter book! I was really excited to read older brother Levi Bennett's book and see how he'd been carrying the weight of responsibility for past events. And, of course, how he'd react when a rising Hollywood star steps into his life and turns it upside down ;-)

Wow, this was such a great read. What an awesome storyline. This book grabs you at page one and doesn't let you go. I really like her writing style. This is an author I will definitely continue to follow. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.

Another great installment from Denise Hunter! I'm really enjoying getting to know these siblings and see their journey unfold as they go through fulfilling the family dream inn. I had a tough time believing the rapid relationship development, but i enjoyed the escapism reading anyway.

Carolina Breeze continues the Bluebell Inn Romance series with Levi Bennett and Mia Emerson as the main characters. Levi is such a protective hard-working hero, and I liked him immediately, even though he often drove his sisters crazy. Mia is also very likable and engaging. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and develop. It was fun to have more of Molly and Alex’s story and see what was going on in their lives.

Denise Hunter is a fantastic story teller, and I know I’m in for a treat when I read her stories. With a little suspense and inspiration thrown in with a lot of romance, this tale was a very satisfying read. I’m looking forward to what’s in store for Grace in the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a sweet Christian romance. I loved the idea of Mia as a down to earth Christian actress in Hollywood and how that affects who she is. But her escape to the Bluebell Inn is quite timely and meeting Levi and his sisters becomes so important to her life. I loved the mystery of the blue diamond necklace and how Mia and Levi search for that together and how their romance blooms. Overall, a sweet romance!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the eARC!