Life can throw you into an unexpected situation. Such is the case for Katelyn and Cooper. At first, I wasn't sure I liked the premise of Riverbend Gap, but as usual, Denise Hunter delivered an excellent story filled with emotion and romance. Cooper Robinson is swoon worthy and Katelyn Loveland is adorable, but even better, they both have kind hearts. Cooper's brother, Gavin, is dating Katelyn and she loves his family. Boy, is she surprised to find out Cooper is her boyfriend's brother. So begins a situation filled with hope, regret, confusion, forgiveness, and family love. This is a lovely story that portrays a family who cares about each other. For Katelyn, that's huge. As a foster child, she's searching for the kind of love she's missed out on, which adds another layer to the story. I loved the setting in a small town on the Appalachian Trail and the tidbits written about hiking. If you enjoy romance, family, and a good story, you'll want to read Riverbend Gap, book one in the Riverbend Romance story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*Actual rating: 4.5*

A huge thanks to Thomas Nelson for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I firmly believe that I am Denise Hunter’s biggest fan from Zimbabwe because this book had me feeling all kinds of mushy. This is the first book in a series set in the small town of Riverbend.

The book follows the sweet but strong, funny, and witty Katelyn Loveland affectionally known as Katie and Cooper the one sibling that can never hold down a relationship (but can he). Katie and Cooper in the most terrifying meet cute when her car veers off the road and ends on hanging on the cliffside. Luckily he happens to be enjoying the sunset drive when he stumbles on her and ends up rescuing her. While waiting for help to arrive they end up bonding but it’s not happy ever after because he then discovers that she’s actually his brother’s new girlfriend, they try to be friends but no one can deny the chemistry between them. Oh mayn, this was such a gooooood book

The beautiful cover and fact it is a Denise Hunter book drew me in, but it is the story between the covers that kept me turning pages long into the night! It is a beautiful story filled with romance, tension, longing, hurt, and hope. It tackles many hard subjects with grace from abandonment to addiction. It is a story that will touch your heart.

This first book proves this series will be fantastic with the lovable Robinson family as the focus. I look forward to seeing what twists and turns awaits them in the next book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Is it just me or does every Densie Hunter get better and better?

I am a big fan of her and this is one of my favorites, right up there with The Convenient Groom and Lake Season. This story takes us to Riverbend to meet the Robinson family.

Katie is in the pickle of her life, dating one Robinsons son but madly in love with the other. Cooper doesn't want betray his brother but can't seem to keep his brother's girlfriend out of his mind. There are definitely sparks between the two of them and demons from their pasts threaten to tear them apart for good.

This was an excellent storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I know you will too.

Denise Hunter's books are a go-to when I am looking for a contemporary romance that tugs the emotions.
This is the beginning of a new series and I really enjoyed the setting and some of these characters that she introduced.
I knew going into this book that there was a bit of a love triangle going on and I had seen this author tackle this trope before and enjoyed it.
For me I didn't appreciate how long the triangle was drawn out. I really couldn't root for the couple that wasn't being honest about what was really going on.
It felt a little too much like unfaithfulness and I didn't like that.
I just couldn't invest myself in the romance.
The writing is still really good and the author did address everything, but it just isn't my favorite from this author.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions in this book are honest and completely my own.

Each and every Denise Hunter book I pick up always works its way straight into my heart. She has the most amazing way of creating utterly relatable characters that leave their mark long after the book is finished. This one is no different. Well worth picking up.

Thank you Netgalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4198364977

This is a heartwarming story about family. I always enjoyed stories of families of the heart and this book delivers. The characters are endearing and easy to fall in love with. Denise Hunter created another great story and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I have been a Denise Hunter fan for many years and never miss one of her books. This was no exception. Written well with a wonderfully crafted story, she brings us the first in a new series set in the small town of Riverbend Gap. I enjoyed every minute. Looking forward to seeing more in the series.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I was not required to leave a positive review. The opinion here is expressly my own.

I love that I can rely on Denise Hunter for a great romance. She's absolutely never failed me! This is the fourth book I've read by her and I've enjoyed them all. I recommend her books for readers who enjoy calm, mid 20s, capable female MC and strong, sweet, heroic males. I just loveee the way she writes relationships! So relaxing and peaceful. Sigh 😍

Katelyn and Cooper are up against some very real trials and make some mistakes along the way, but their hearts are so pure and so eager to do the right thing. Idk how Denise writes such great drama with absolutely zero silliness, but still with a lightheartedness that is uplifting. So good!!!

Riverbend Gap, by Denise Hunter, opens with Katelyn Loveland traveling the steep roads of North Carolina. When her car suddenly veers off the road, Katie is soon teetering on the the edge of a cliff!

When Cooper Robinson comes to her rescue, Katie has no idea that this man is the brother of her new boyfriend, Gavin. As Cooper begins to develop feelings for Katie, he has no idea where this path will lead!

Katie has a deep secret of her own. She has followed her mother to this small town. Her mother, an alcoholic, left Katie as a child and never looked back. Before Katie has a chance to meet her mother, these two brothers have a knock-down-drag-out encounter over Katie!

Hang on to see if Katie and the Robinson family will survive all of this chaos!

A sweet exploration of life in an Appalachian town and a romance that didn't disappoint, even if I guessed the ending. A perfect antidote to my first day of jetlag after a trans-Atlantic flight.

My goodness, this one gave me all the feels! Riverbend Gap is the first book in a new series by prolific romance author Denise Hunter. I can always count on a swoon-worthy romance, a wonderful setting and a tightly paced story when I pick up a book by this author. Riverbend Gap is no exception. Hunter dives deep into the well of heart-wrenching emotion and I am here for it. Cooper and Kate wrestle with grief, false accusations, public shaming, rejection and complex family dynamics as they build a friendship then quickly realize they both long for something more.
Ultimately this is a hopeful, uplifting contemporary romance. Long-time fans of Hunter's novels will find this one quite satisfying.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

I love Denise Hunter's books! This book is another wonderful story! It certainly caught my attention with the first scene! It is a-can't-put-it down book. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other. The guilt that is involved in the story had me feeling the misery of the characters as they navigated through it, trying to keep their consciences clear.

#riverbendgap #denisehunter #netgalley

Thank you to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this amazing read. This was an enchanting love story, full of swoon worthy moments. I loved it!

Beginning of a new series. Very well written, grabs you on the first few pages. Katie finds herself in a life or death situation, rocking in her car at the edge of a cliff with no cell service. Cooper, off duty deputy is on a leisure ride thru the mountains when he sees fresh skid marks. Well of course he needs to investigate!
The characters are realistic, with learning how to forgive, moving on with live, letting go of the past, sacrificing and the true meaning of the love, Amazing how much is packed into the storyline, well done.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

LOVED this story by Denise Hunter. The storyline is somewhat predictable for romantic women’s fiction, but she did such a wonderful job with these characters. Katelyn and Cooper have such a beautiful chemistry and depth, and I appreciated the way the author stuck to her Christian convictions despite the storyline. I don’t want to give anything away here, so I’ll just end with highly recommended.

I have come to love Denise Hunter's books and style of writing and her latest, Riverbend Gap is no exception. In fact, it may be my favorite of hers yet! In this novel, Hunter takes the storyline to the mountains of North Carolina. I especially love that because I'm from NC! She intertwines family, jobs, alcoholism, divorce, and love in a beautiful way that draws the reader in and sets the hook. I loved the characters, plot, and charming town. I'm really hoping this is a start to a new series! If you like Denise Hunter's book or clean fiction, don't miss this one!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Katie and Cooper. Katie has an accident and Cooper comes to her rescue. Katie is dating Cooper’s brother. Katie and Cooper start to have feelings for each other. They try to stay apart and not fall in love. But they do fall in love.

I have read most, if not all of Denise Hunters books. I think she has an ability for making a setting come to life. Also she gives us carefully crafted characters. When I saw on NetGalley that this book was by Denise, I didn't take the time to read it's content, I was sure I would like it. In her first few lines Denise grabs you by the heart-strings. Katie, while driving through the mountains of Riverbend Gap swerves to miss a deer that has darted across the road. After crashing through bushes and a couple of trees her car comes to a stop extended over a huge drop off. While she and her car are teetering over the cliff, along comes our hero Sheriff Deputy Cooper Robinson. There are a few things about the story-line I may not have chosen to read had I known they were included. But Denise Hunter handled these situations like no other could. I loved this sweet story and want to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalleys for allowing me to read and review this great book. The opinions in my review are all my own.

“Sometimes family isn’t the situation you’re born into but the people who’ve chosen to love you along the way.” Kate and Cooper both from bad family situations meet in a small town on the Appalachian trail. The rest of the story is how family can lift up up and be there when you most need them.