It was a delight to go back to the Bluebell Inn and spend time with the Bennett siblings again. This book is about the oldest sibling, Levi. Their parents died in an accident. As his dad was dying, Levi made a promise to take care of his sisters. He gave up some of his own dreams to do just that. Mia was an actress dealing with rejection and scandals. She needed to get away from it all, so she decided to go to Bluebell Inn, which was formerly owned by her grandparents.

The setting was beautiful and peaceful. I became invested in the characters and enjoyed watching them grow through their struggles. I loved the bit of mystery in the story as well. I read this book quickly and cannot wait to read Grace's story. If you enjoy sweet Christian romance, you don't want to miss this one.

After first being introduced to Levi's character in Lake Season, I really couldn't wait to read his story. I knew their was more to Levi than first meets the eye, and I couldn't wait to dive into his backstory, and the true reasons for him being so protective of his younger sisters. After finding out that this particular story was going to invoke one of my favorite tropes-the famous person falling for the regular person-I was even more excited to pick this one up and devour it.

I didn't think it was possible. but I'm starting to love the Bluebell Inn Romance series just as much as Denise's Summer Harbor series, which has always been my favorite. The setting is idyllic, the characters go through so much growth throughout, and I love how both titles have added a historical element that somehow ties to the beloved inn. Levi and Mia's story was just as enjoyable as Molly and Adam's was, and I loved how though neither of them was truly prepared for a romance to grow, they couldn't deny the simmering feelings that kept pushing to the surface.

I respected Levi's character even more after finishing this one, and his story is truly one that will pull at every reader's heartstrings. I knew it was going to take a special gal to steal his heart, and Mia was definitely up for the challenge. Her story was heartbreaking, and truly showcased the notion that no matter your age, the importance of having somewhere to belong is never truly diminished.

Denise Hunter has written another fabulous, swoon worthy romance that will leave readers everywhere waiting anxiously on the third and final title. I truly believe that Denise's stories just keep getting better and better, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us readers when Grace's story releases later this year.

I personally can't recommend this one enough, and I loved the way that the title ends up connecting to the rest of the story. I'm already wanting to go ahead and reread both books in this series now, and I know I'm definitely going to be doing that before the third book releases.

Final Rating: 5/5.


Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to advance read this!



I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: Carolina Breeze
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5

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 is another wonderful read in the Bluebell Inn Romance series! I really like the setting, and the characters are so well-done I just want to hang out with them and chat. Poor Mia has been dealt a pretty raw hand, but she handles it with grace and aplomb, despite her frustrations. She demonstrates the good side of Hollywood.
Levi is kind of overbearing towards his sisters, but he’s able to learn from his mistakes and grow from them. It’s nice to see his self-awareness, as he and Mia learn to trust as they expand their horizons. This is a sweet and easy read.

Denise Hunter is a bestselling author. Carolina Breeze is her newest novel, the second Bluebell Inn Romance.

(Galley courtesy of Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.)

Carolina Breeze started great, it really pulled me into the story. I liked the main characters and the setting. Somewhere in the middle it started to feel like a Hallmark movie, with a misunderstanding between the main characters, resolution and financial security for the inn. It started so promising and was a nice light, breezy story but with a very predictable ending.
I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Carolina Breeze was a wonderful story. I’ve categorized it not only as a romance novel, but as a “comfy read”. Comfy reads are those that guarantee to warm the heart and makes you feel good and cozy about the world. And there’s no better time than now to want to have a better outlook on life when the world is looking a little bleak.

This is my second Denise Hunter book I’ve read, and I became an instant fan after reading her novel, Summer by the Tides last year. Her style of writing is lovely, clean and speaks from the heart, which is emulated within Carolina Breeze.

Carolina Breeze is the second book of the Bluebell Inn series that I haven’t read yet. However, it can read as a standalone book, which is excellent. The story takes on the perspective of rising Hollywood star, Mia Emerson as she escapes to Bluebell Inn in North Carolina where she meets the handsome and responsible, Levi Bennett, who runs the inn with his two sisters.

Coming from a life of abandonment, lack of trust and a fresh scandal, Mia’s trip to Bluebell couldn’t happen anytime sooner. With Levi’s charm and steadfastness, he is able to break down Mia’s barriers that she put up her entire life and help her discover that there are people that are worth trusting, as long as you’re willing to make yourself vulnerable.

The Bennett siblings were also a delightful addition to Mia’s and Levi’s accounts that added another layer of depth within the familial ties in the story and were a nice touch in displaying typical sibling annoyances that made the characters even more authentic.

If you want a positive yet entertaining love story to read, Carolina Breeze is one that won’t disappoint.

3.5 stars
Overall a decent read.
When a married costar kisses her outside their film set and the images are splashed all over the tabloids, actress Mia Emerson needs a place to lie low until the scandal blows over. She comes to Bluebell Inn, the nonrefundable honeymoon destination of her cancelled wedding, and finds herself charmed by Levi Bennett, one of the owners. After his parents died, the responsibility of looking after his sisters and running the family inn has fallen on his shoulders. He’s in way over his head, but finds solace in Mia’s company. When they discover an old heirloom necklace could be hidden somewhere in the inn, they start spending more time together and the lines between host and guest begins to blur. Is this more than a summer romance? Will Levi be able to handle another responsibility? Will Mia be able to open up to Levi after so many failed relationships?
I really felt for Levi. He’s a natural leader, dependable and steady,. I also liked how devoted he was to keeping the deathbed promise he made to his father, promising to look after his sisters. He‘s bossy and bites off more he could chew though, but I like how he learns from his mistakes.
Mia is compassionate, brave, and slightly guarded which is understandable. I like how she finds closure from her past relationships, realizing where the fault truly lay.
While Levi and Mia’s romance was sweet, but it took me getting past the midpoint to really connect with it. The story did keep my interest though. I liked revisiting the picturesque Bluebell and reading about characters from the previous book.
I enjoyed the little subplot we got with Adam and Molly, they’re so cute and I’m so happy for them and their future. I liked seeing Grace too and I’m excited to read her novel.
I have to add, the search for the missing heirloom takes a very small part of this novel, compared to the search of the writer and recipient of the love letter from book 1. It’s mostly used as an plot device to bring Levi and Mia together, and while I’m not complaining, I wished we got to see more of it.
This was a easy, light read, and the romance is very sweet. While I did end up enjoying the novel, I think I liked the first book in the series more. I’ll still be continuing the series though.


Please note: I received an advance digital copy of this book through NetGalley from Thomas Nelson and Denise Hunter in exchange for a honest review. This does not influence my opinions in any way.

This book is the second in the series that centers around the Bluebell Inn and its owners, siblings who inherited the inn after their parents' untimely death. The first book followed the oldest daughter, Molly, and her relationship with Adam. This book follows the brother, Levi, and his struggles as the eldest sibling and his relationship with Mia.

I enjoyed both of these books very much. While there are Christian themes scattered throughout, it isn't "in your face" or "preachy", and I appreciated that. Levi took on a huge responsibility when his parents' died, and he has a hard time balancing those responsibilities with his sisters' maturity. Add into that a famous celebrity guest at the inn who catches his eye and his heart, and you have a wonderfully heartwarming story. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book; but my opinions are my own.

Carolina Breeze is the second installment in Denise Hunter’s Bluebird Inn series. The first book centered around middle sibling Molly Bennett and how she navigated the first season as the siblings reopened the inn that was their late parents’ dream. This novel takes place a year later and features older brother Levi. Levi is a bit rigid about the inn and fulfilling his parents’ dream, as well as his firm belief that it is his duty to watch out for his sisters as he had promised on his father’s dying breath.

Levi had been very critical when Molly became attached to a guest, author Adam Bradford, in the first installment. Levi now finds himself in a similar position when Hollywood starlet Mia Emerson arrives as their lodger. After a scandal places her in a most precarious position, Mia decides to get out of town and take advantage of the nonrefundable booking of the Bluebird Inn her former fiancé had made. With the inn to herself since Wesley had booked the entire inn, and transportation included, Mia finds herself in a perfect situation as the Bennett siblings take offering their lodgers complete anonymity seriously.

As Levi is the designated driver, he and Mia spend a considerable amount of time together, and when she sprains her ankle on a hike, they become even closer. When Mia decides it is time to confront the paparazzi that gathers outside the inn, Levi is thrown into the public eye as the real love of this beauty.

This is a fun story with great characters, a beautiful setting, and a series that makes the reader anxious for the next installment! I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

This book follows on from the first book in the series beautifully and I liked how Molly's story was a part of this book. I loved reading about Mia and how her life was far from perfect despite being successful in many peoples eyes. Levi was a great character and so selfless as he gave up his dreams and ideal life to help his family and you could see him wrestling with those feelings throughout the book. This is a great book if you need something to read to provide an escape that is light and not super intense.

This is the second in the Bluebell Inn Romance series where the story revolves around three siblings fulfilling their parents wish of turning their home into an inn on Bluebell Lake in North Carolina. In the first book, we heard Molly's story and now Carolina Breeze is about Levi. He promised his father on his deathbed to take care of his sisters, a promise that Levi takes very seriously, really too seriously for his own good. Mia Emerson was supposed to be spending her honeymoon at Bluebell Inn, an inn her grandparents once owned, but the engagement is off. She fled Hollywood to avoid a scandal and since the whole inn was booked by her ex, she decided to go to Bluebell Inn. Surely, she could lick her wounds and regroup.
Carolina Breeze is a sweet story of attraction and friendship but so much more. Bluebell Inn has a rich history that continues to be brought forth with a little mystery to solve. The characters are well developed and likable in a great setting of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Faith is an important part of the characters in this feel good story with challenges of paparazzi and running an inn in the black.. Another winner for Denise Hunter!
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

The clean romance is a genre I have little experience with. I just figured that a good story and great characters were always the goal of any good book. I loved Levi and Mia was a darling. the first half getting to know them was just wonderful. Then we hit the dreaded middle. It didn't grow, it didn't change, it basically became a morose stew and the characters, Levi especially, descended into a pit of martyrdom that made the entire middle section of the book something I should have skipped entirely. Reclaiming the book was a hard task, but the author managed to pull a rabbit our of her hat and, as always, love conquers all.

Mia Emerson is a star on the way to the top in Hollywood until her fiancé breaks off their engagement, then the married leading man in a film they just finished makes a passionate pass that had the scandal sheets, well, scandalized. Mia needs a place to hid and fast. The prepaid honeymoon in Bluebell, North Carolina is just to ticket she needs out of this Hollywood nightmare.

Levi Bennett has given up a lot to honor his parents legacy and take care of his two sisters, Molly and Grace. Now he is faced with mounting debt and isn't sure how he is ever going to make the Bluebell Inn profitable enough to be able to sell it. Taking to heart his father's last request, "Take care of your sisters", Levi hasn't shared the dire financial situation with them. But, he has attempted to "take care" of their personal lives and decisions, not really endearing himself in the process. Now he has a Hollywood scandal on his doorstep and the notoriety of being caught kissing Mia, whom he is fast developing feelings for.

God - Levi could sure use a miracle right about now. Or, the rare blue diamond heirloom necklace the original owner might have hidden at the Inn. He would also like to see if falling in love with a Star could lead to a treasure of a different kind. 3 1/2-Stars

Every time I pick up a new book by Denise Hunter, I’m amazed by her ability to create another unique cast of characters that I adore as much as the fictional friends in her previous novels. Now don’t get me wrong I will be #TeamBeauCallahan forever from The Summer Harbor series, but there’s plenty of room in my romance-loving heart for Levi Bennett, his sisters and especially Mia Emerson, the heroine of Carolina Breeze.
There are so many aspects of this novel that I found enjoyable. The pop culture element involving a celebrity in hiding after a public scandal was well-written. The presence of an old journal hinting at the possibility of a valuable family heirloom added another layer of intrigue to the story. Also, the relationships between the Bennett children struggling to make their way in the world without their parents incorporated themes of trust, faith, love and forgiveness that are hallmarks of this inspirational genre.
Of course, the romance between Mia and Levi built slowly and kept the pages turning. Hunter is a master at crafting an emotional story between two characters battling obstacles that keep them apart. No spoilers here, however, let me say that fans of inspirational romance featuring a gorgeous setting will find Carolina Breeze to be a very satisfying, swoon-worthy read.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions stated here are my own.

Set in the relaxing, beautiful, small lake town of Bluebell, NC, we are once again introduced to the owners of the Bluebell Inn...Levi Bennett and his two sisters, Molly and Grace. Levi is the perfect hero—hunky, honorable, and hardworking. However, Mia Emerson is really the star of this story (literally) and her light shines brightly, straight into Levi's heart. What a lovely heroine - both inside and out. As Levi helps to protect Mia will he fear his growing feelings towards her are futile and too big a risk?...as they are from two completely different worlds? What ensues is plenty of angst, misunderstandings, and lotsa kissing in between, of course!

'Carolina Breeze' is a beautifully written story interspersed with humor, secrets, romance aplenty, and rejection issues. Thus my emotions were all over the page and I admit it. I cried. Super ugly cried. I love it when an author can do that to me. I highly recommend this delightful novel and stocking up on tissues before reading. ;-)

"God loved her. He wanted her. He’d never leave her. She wasn’t replaceable in her own life or in God’s story. That was the truth, and that was enough to sustain her. She’d believed a lie for too long." {Favorite quote from Carolina Breeze}

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

This book is the second in the Bluebell Inn series, however it can be read as a standalone.

Mia life is not how she hoped. While she is a new movie start, it's is suppose to be her wedding weekend, but her engagement was called off. Since her ex-fiance never cancelled their honeymoon reservation at the Bluebell Inn in North Carolina. Wanting to learn more about her family history at this inn, Mia decides to take the trip alone. Levi, Molly, and Grace are the owners of the Bluebell inn. Levi finds it strange that Mia checked in alone especially since her "husband" rented the whole inn out for their honeymoon. Molly and Grace let him into the gossip that Mia's engagement ended months ago and now there is a new scandal involving her at play. Mia wants to escape from it all but spending time with Levi is showing that things might be so bad.

This is sweet romance book that was so much fun to read. It shows the struggles of actress, family owned businesses, and the struggles of family relationships. A quick read that you must try.

This is the second book in thee Bluebell Inn series, and I loved it just as much as the first one. I really liked getting to read Levi’s story and I am excited for Grace’s story in the next book. This book was very similar to the first book. There was a famous guest staying at the inn who falls for one of the innkeepers along with a little bit of a mystery aspect as well.

The “mystery” was not as much of a focus in this book as it was in the first one. While I enjoyed that aspect of the last book, I liked that this one focused more on the characters’ pasts and what they were going through. I felt more connected to Levi and Mia and I feel like this is a big part of it. Their chemistry felt a lot more real.

4 stars
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.

If you like a good sweet romance Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter is the book for you. A story of love...romantic love, love for family and love of place. Mia and Levi on the surface seem like direct opposites but as their attraction to each other deepens they fall in love. Levi's sisters, Molly and Grace, are a force to be reckoned with as well....and a lot of fun. These are all multidimensional, believeable, enjoyable characters.
I can heartily recommend this book!!
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mia and Levi are the most unlikely of couples but somehow the author makes their relationship work. I think it's because they start as strangers, but realize a unique goodness in each other. Their friendship develops into love as they learn about each other and realize the support they provide to each other sees them each through challenging situations.

Although part of a series, you can read this book as a standalone and I recommend you do just that.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

I am definitely re-reading this book on May 19th because uhmm it was everything I wanted. I loved the characters Mia and Levi *sigh* and the storyline. I enjoyed the book so much. If you are looking for an escape then you need to grab this book .

The second in a series and although this book centers around a different sibling, I would completely suggest starting at book one. This book focuses on the older brother Levi and an up and coming Hollywood star Mia Emerson. Levi came home to help his sisters renovate their home into an inn and is contemplating returning to Colorado and the life he had before the tragedy and in walks Mia. Mia is escaping some drama that she got wrapped into in California and needs a quiet place to regroup.

As in the first book, this is a romance story with a great plot. As this is by a Christian fiction author, the romance story lacks the sexy times scenes that you can see in most romance books. I like this because then the author can't lean on a sexy scene to move the plot forward, instead there is plot and creative scenes where the characters interact and woo and flirt! Also as in the first book, this one has secrets that when revealed could possibly cause drama and I enjoyed reading to see how the characters were going to react and if they could overcome the situation.

There will be a bit before the third in this series releases and I can finish the trilogy and am assuming that this third book will focus on the youngest sibling, Grace and her story as she is now a high school graduate and must make some big life choices!

This was such a pleasant read. The characters were developed and the descriptions weren't too long. The story had some romance, but it wasn't over the top. Over all, this is a good, clean, Christian romance. The action wasn't quite edge of the seat, but the book did pull you back to it.