ASPEN CROSSROADS is the first book in the WHISPER CANYON series, and I’m looking forward to reading more since there seem to be a lot more stories to tell. The premise of the book is built around three women who have gotten away from sex trafficking and sex work. They are painstakingly remaking their lives thanks to Jace and an organization he works for called Secondly, but with difficulty due to the politicians and citizens of the small town of Whisper Canyon. But God and his teachings are often there, even if it doesn’t always seem that others are listening.

They all work hard to open an upscale restaurant on land that has more history than Jace is aware of. When Haven, who has her own burdens to carry, is hired as their counselor, things don’t go as planned. No one wants to open up to her, and no matter what she tries, nothing seems to work. But little by little, she starts to get through to them. Haven and Jace definitely have an attraction when they first meet over a disabled baby chicken, and they come to rely on each other.

The characters in this story are fleshed out. Haven’s family has been in town since its inception and her family has a lot to do with the story. As the story progresses, we get deeper into everyone’s lives and watch secrets begin to unravel. There is wonderful closure and a happily ever after that was almost too good to be true. The epilogue is a wonderful addition to the story. There are hints of what might come in future books, and I’m looking forward to reading them all. I especially liked the cover.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

What a surprise this book was to me.

I wasn't expecting such an emotional story. I love the story of redemption that runs through it all.

Jace and Haven will have you laughing, crying and frustrated - sometimes all in the same few page.

I love the strength of the ladies at Aspen Crossroads, and adore the way they move on from their pasts, especially given the crap that the town Mayor likes to throw their way..

Now, I didn't realise when I requested this book that it was a Christian romance, so all the religious stuff was a bit much for this athiest, but it didn't stop me reading and finishing the book like other books have done, so that it testament to the story

This is not a light read by any means, but Janine still found ways to bring comedic relief into the story. Of course, Aspen Crossroads is an adult read, since it handles human trafficking and so much abuse. So much brokenness. But also so much hope and healing. Rosche’s background teaching university courses in Human Development and Family Relations comes through gently but powerfully in this well-written contemporary romance. Yes, romance.

The love story between Jace and Haven was very moving, both having gone through very difficult childhoods, and adulthoods as well. Both carried unimaginable baggage and hurts. Though Aspen Crossroads is a fictional story, human trafficking is happening and probably in our own cities—I applaud Rosche for taking on such a difficult topic.

There was even some mystery involved as we discovered with Jace the truth about his family. I absolutely love this quote from Jace’s mother (who we don’t meet in the novel), I just have to highlight it: “What you meant for evil, God used for good. If you don’t believe that, look at this child. I will raise him to be the kind of man who protects and doesn’t harm. He will have honor and courage and strength…”

Fans of Karen Kingsbury and Denise Hunter will want to add this heartbreaking, hope-filled story of redemption and new beginnings to their TBR pile.

An inspiring, emotional read from Janine Rosche! Aspen Crossroads isn’t always an easy read, but it is so incredibly worth it. Apart from the tough subject matter, Rosche really knows how to write about family, romance, and faith. This book kept me entranced from beginning to end, and I’m really hoping we see more of these characters in future books! 4.5/5 stars

TRIGGER WARNING: Aspen Crossroads deals with subjects such as sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and rape. It is written in an eloquent yet raw manner (aspects of these matters are spoken about yet not explicitly detailed), so reader discretion is advised.

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

Oh my goodness! No words I can string together will come close to doing this incredible book justice, but I will do my best. I became a forever fan of Janine Rosche's books the day I read her debut novella, Mistletoe Menagerie! I've eagerly anticipated each new relaease and every single one has become a favorite, Aspen Crossroads is no exception! This author has the amazing ability to sweep me away into her stories on page one, and I always hate to leave when I turn the final page! Haven and Jace are both fabulous main characters. I love Haven, and I totally wish she was real because I would love to be friends with her! And, Jace, oh my stars! Total swoon-worthy book boyfriend material, not only is he a protective hero, but he has made it his life's mission to help others start a new life and recognize their immeasurable worth, real life superhero stuff in my book! It was an absolute joy to watch Jace and Haven's journey and see their romance bloom. This small town is not perfect, but nevertheless it didn't take me long to fall head over heels in love with Whisper Canyon, and I was sad to say goodbye to this new favorite small town! I loved Haven's dad and all her siblings, and I am so hoping they each get a story, I am not ready to say farewell to the Haviland family, I love them that much!
One of my favorite scenes in the book is when the characters go spelunking in nearby caverns, but you'll have to read the book to find out why it's my favorite! :)
I absolutely adored every single word of Aspen Crossroads! Reading it was pure bliss! The faith message is beautuful and powerful, but never preachy, and it touched my heart deeply! All the heart-eye emojis in the entire world couldn't come close to adequately illustrating my deep love for this book! I most highly recommend Aspen Crossroads, trust me this is one you do not wanna miss! Aspen Crossroads is one of my favorite reads of 2021, and I'm eagerly anticipating this author's next book!

I received a copy of this book from the author as a member of her launch team. My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

This is a wonderful story. I have read other books by this author, Janine Rosche, an enjoyed them. At the beginning of the book, there is a sensitive topics warning for some groups. That made me stop and think, is this something I want to read about? Some topic’s are child sexual assault, sexual assault, homelessness, sex trafficking. These subjects are hard to read about, but the author did an amazing job at telling the story, that people need to hear.
Haven (that name fit perfectly) is a counselor helping people cope with their trials. But when the time came for her needing a listening ear, she was trampled on.
Jace has been helping people find new ways to survive and concur their trials and fears. But he has skeletons the the closet too. I love the characters, they all had something special to add to the story. They were complex and compelling. I was so invested in all of their lives. Although the story had some disturbing aspects, it is well written, with a beautiful message of hope, trust and faith. The sweet romance that bloomed throughout the story is endearing.

The setting is lovely, Jace is a delightful hero, and there are a few lighthearted moments early in the novel that made me smile. Sadly, this book is not for me. I knew when I read the content warning at the beginning that this might be a challenge to read. I applaud the author and the publisher for tackling difficult subject matter. However, I really struggled to connect with Haven as a character. There are numerous cryptic backstory references that confused me, and I didn't understand her goals or the motivation behind her actions. The scene involving the mayor and Haven in an alley made me very uncomfortable and I had to stop reading. When I pick up an inspirational romance novel, I'm looking for an uplifting, satisfying reading experience. This one is just too gritty and I'm not able to finish.
Thank you for the opportunity.

I loved this book!! It's well written and is full of emotions. This is a book that stays with you long after your read the last page. It's not a light fluffy read, it deals with a tough subject and the author did an excellent job with it. It's a wonderful start to a new series.
I received a complimentary copy from Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley and Janine Rosche via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I did enjoy reading this book. The writing was great. It pulled me in and kept me interested in the story. I will say most of my negative feelings come from the character. There was something about the characters in this book that I didn't mesh well with. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the plot. This is of course all personal preference. I just found that the topics this book discussed was a little to heavy and not what I expected. Overall I did still enjoy my time and would recommend giving it a read.

I enjoyed this book to much!
This author has a way of sucking me in with complex characters and an interesting plot that has me eagerly reading as fast as I can to see how everything works out.
This book centered around a small town and people who were involved in helping survivors of sex trafficking. This book gave a tiny glimpse of some characters stories, but never too much or over detailed. Just enough to make it real, just enough to really make you think about what real people have to face.
The romance was so good! I loved the meet-cute I loved how they had to work together and I loved how they both had shadows in their past that they needed to grow from.
It has some great kisses which is always a win for me.
The chemistry was spot on and the struggle tugged my heart.
Loved!
And this author once again has a villain that I just loved to despise!
And twist that I I didn't see coming!
And, and , and we get a look into some side characters that I can't wait for their story to be told!
Bravo!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally, all opinions in this review are honest and completely my own.

So, so good!! This is a story about redemption and grace, which are both portrayed so beautifully. Some of the characters struggle with trust and shame, and I loved reading about how they worked through and helped one another with these issues. I love the way Ms. Rosche points to Jesus throughout the story, and I love the way she included family relationships (including found family!). The issues tackled in here are serious, but they're well-balanced with moments that made me smile and there is also a very sweet romance. Haven and Jace grew in relationship as they worked together with survivors of sexual assault and trafficking.

Haven is a counselor who has recently had to shut her practice down. In looking for another job that uses her skills, she comes across an ad for a resident counselor for a group of people that have had a difficult life. She of course gets the job, and finds that the people under her care are a small group of women who have left trafficking situations. Her skills are really put to the test as she grapples with earning the trust of these women. Jace has opened a "group home" if you will. He, through the company he works for, has provided housing and job opportunities for these women. He meets Haven when she comes to work with the women, and this is the start of their slow-burn relationship. They both have baggage and have some things to work through, but theirs is a very sweet beginning and I'm looking forward to hearing more from them as the series progresses.

I truly loved every minute I spent reading this story and it really touched my heart. There is one specific quote that was extra special to me: "God can look after us no matter where we are. His eyes search the land for ways to help his people."


Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy for review via NetGalley. I was not required to write a review, but I have, and these thoughts are my own.

Based on other stories I've read by this author, I am sure there was a redeeming message, however, Aspen Crossroads was not a good fit for me.

It was well-written, and I did enjoy the characters. But the subject matter was more intense than I had expected and I just couldn't continue more than a third of the way through. Part of me that really wanted to read the entire book - but I just couldn't.

You could imagine my squeal when I got my greedy little hands on Aspen Crossroads by Janine Rosche! And this book! You guys, it had everything I loved in a novel - great character development, sparky banter, heartwarming romance. And oh my classic-movie-loving soul, there were timely Audrey Hepburn references! Score!

This story also addressed some deeper issues not often touched in Christian fiction. I really admire this author's delicate approach and superb balance of heavy and light moments.

It's just such an amazing start to what's promised to be an awesome series!

**I received a copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own

Aspen Crossroads by Janine Rosche is the first book in her new Whisper Canyon Romance series. Haven Haviland has lived in Whisper Canyon with her family all her life, and until recently she had a counseling practice for town residents who needed help. Haven made a mistake allowing herself to have a one-night affair with a client, who lied to her, and the town turned on her. She learns of the renovating of Aspen Crossroads into a family restaurant, and meets the new owner.

Jace Daring, lived in Whisper Canyon, when he was a child, and returns to fix up Aspen Crossroads. Jace works for a company that gives women a second chance at life, after being rescued from human trafficking. The mayor (who is bad, and also the one who lied to Haven) is determined to stop the renovating of the new restaurant, telling the townspeople, they are prostitutes, and will hurt the town image.

Jace meets Haven and when he finds out she ran a counseling practice, he hires her to work for Aspen Crossroads, to offer help for the ladies who have suffered from their past. Haven has a hard time getting the women to open up to her, but slowly she will earn their respect, but it will take a while to get past their resentments. I did like the ladies who were rescued from the human trafficking, such as Sonny, Rosalie and Jillian (who was the most difficult), and Haven’s Rarity was great (look forward to her story soon). In a short time, Jace and Haven begin to have feelings for each other, with them also having to deal with the nasty rumors that the town gossips, not to mention the evil Mayor.

What follows are some heart-wrenching stories, for the ladies, as well as for Haven, whose family was not respected, due to her mother’s past. But I loved Haven’s sisters and brother, and can’t wait for their future stories. Whisper Canyon is split down the middle, with many townsfolk listening to the mayor, not looking at the true sensitive issues; then there are the Haviland family, their friends, and the church who know the difference between right and wrong. Jace, Haven, the ladies, and the rest of the good guys turn the table to stop the mayor and bring a peaceful solution. Janine Rosche wrote a heartwarming and tense story, that was very well written. I suggest you read Aspen Crossroads.

This is my first book by this author. I had heard a lot of good things about her Madison River Romance so when I saw this on Netgalley, I had to try it. I was not disappointed. This is much more than a contemporary romance. The author tackles a very tough topic-human trafficking.

Jace and Haven both have lived through hard times. They both have a longing to help others. Jace works for an organization that helps set up women who have been rescued from horrible situations with skills and jobs to care for themselves. Jace is a counselor who has also been preyed upon. Not everyone feels the same was as Jace and Haven in the small town they live in, so they must help others see that these women's lives are worth investing in. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

"Aspen Crossroads" is a contemporary romance. Jace passionately cares about rescuing women from human trafficking. He works for organization that helps set these women up with new skills and jobs--in this case, a farm-to-table restaurant. But the women need counseling as well, which would be better from a professional and a woman. Haven closed her counseling practice in shame because she broke her professional standards when a client manipulated her when she was hurting emotionally and needed someone to talk to. Desperate for a new job, she takes on helping these women who have learned not to trust or be vulnerable to anyone. Making an already difficult job even harder, the mayor's determined to get rid of the ex-prostitutes even if it means underhanded dealing.

The main characters were complex, well-developed, and reacted realistically to events. Neither Haven or Jace felt like they deserved or could handle a loving, romantic relationship. However, they were attracted to the kindness and caring that the other showed toward the hurting. They built each other (and others) up and helped them to heal and hope for a better future. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intense novel.

It is not unusual for Janine to take on a lot of heavy stuff in her novels. She packs more issues than most in her books. Just about every character in this story had suffered major damage or loss in their life.
I did have a hard time identifying with Haven and it took me awhile to get into the book. But the characters in this book draw you in and I found watching their recovery to be enlightening and wrenching, But even with all the messy parts of their lives, the resounding theme of this book is hope. And through facing the past we can face the future with hope.
I loved the town and natural setting. And I am anxious to hear ‘the rest of the stories” of the Havilland family.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

As always, Rosche gives us an emotionally satisfying romance! What I love the most about her books is that she doesn’t shy away from serious issues, even in the church. This is a beautiful love story, but it’s also so much more—a reminder of God’s grace and redemption for all of us.

Personally, I found this to be an enjoyable story just not my very favorite book for several reasons.

1: At the core it was good but it wasn't very clean for Christian fiction and didn't focus a lot on being saved it was more like God exists but there wasn't a personal relationship. It was also the way of most characters too and their pasts.

2: It was very full of sexual abuse mentioned in ways that gave too many details for me personally.

Otherwise, it was interesting, hard, and I liked that the author is bringing attention to sinful actions and how no one is perfect not even those in churches or police but not everyone is a monster.

I don't typically look at a book that deals with human trafficking, sexual abuse, and homelessness and say to myself, "Ooh, this sounds like a great romance." But after reading Janine Rosche's previous series and seeing how she manages to balance gut-wrenching topics with moments of lighthearted humor, swoon worthy romance, and an overall message of hope, I couldn't wait to dive into this story too. I loved spending time in the small-town Colorado setting of Whisper Canyon. Though some parts of this book were painful to read because of the terrible wounds these characters had obtained through unimaginable pasts, I appreciate the way this story challenged me to cling to the beauty in this world without turning a blind eye to the ugliness taking place around us as well. Any book that entertains you while also helping you develop empathy for wounded and vulnerable people is well worth the read.