Mulberry Hollow is the second book in the Riverbend Romance Series by Denise Hunter. You can read this as a stand alone but I enjoyed catching up with the other characters from book one, Riverbend Gap.
Avery Robinson is a hardworking doctor in the small town of Riverbend Gap. She works long hours to keep her mind occupied so that she will not dwell on the fifty percent chance of her having the same horrible disease that her mother had. And, because of these chances, she has made a vow to herself that she will never marry.
Wes Matthews is a contractor who is hiking the Appalachian Trail in honor of his best friend, who died saving his life. Wes is also making his way to Lillian, his friend's sister, whom he promised he would take care of before his friend died. Wes got very sick on the trail and Avery finds him passed out on the porch of her clinic.
A strong friendship bonds between Wes and Avery, with both knowing that it cannot lead to romance, until it does!
Denise is a great story teller and this book is a must read, once you start you do not want to put it down.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and give my own opinion of this book.

I'm loving this series!

I love the setting and the Robinson family and all the people in the small town. Avery is a kind person and compassionate doctor, and when she finds a sick hiker at her clinic's door, she takes him in and lets him stay until he's recovered.

Wes is fulfilling his best friend's wish to hike the Appalachians when he finds himself sick and in the care of Dr. Avery Robinson. Slowly, they form a friendship and when Wes gets better, they strike a deal for him to work on the carriage house to pay off the bill for his care.

As usual, the writing is excellent and the characters are well done and appealing. Avery is scared of what her future might hold if she tests positive for the same disease her mother died of, and Wes is holding himself to a higher standard and assuming too much responsibility for what he things he should do.

Looking forward to the next one in the series!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The second book in Denise Hunter’s Riverbend Romance series brings us the story of the second Robinson sibling – Avery, a workaholic doctor carrying a load of (secret) possible health issues, and Wes, a hiker on the Appalachian Trail trying to pay off a debt of survivor’s guilt. I really enjoyed reading their story and trying to figure out how they were going to overcome the various challenges to their romance. Hunter does a great job on the romance, suspense, Avery’s brothers’ suspicions of Wes, and the spiritual/emotional issues Avery & Wes need to resolve before they’re ready for each other. I recommend reading the first book, Riverbend Gap, first if possible.

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

Mulberry Hollow is the second book in the Riverbend Romance series by Denise Hunter.

Avery Robinson is a young Doctor in the Appalachian Trail town of Riverbend Gap. She owns the medical clinic which serves hikers as well as townspeople. Avery, who suspects she is suffering from a genetic disease, resists relationships and has decided she will remain single, giving all her efforts to her career and practice.

When ill hiker Wes Matthews finds himself at her door step, it begins a friendship that develops into much more. With limited funds, Wes offers to renovate a small apartment in exchange for his medical bill. Avery needs the carriage house renovated to attract another Doctor to the area. But as she gets to know Wes she is attracted to his wit and companionship.

Denise Hunter is a great character writer. Her characters are well rounded and relatable. Although I felt that her first book, Riverbend Gap, had a bit more depth, this story was a sweet romance, an easy read.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

MULBERRY HOLLOW is the second novel in the Riverbend Romance series by DENISE HUNTER, but it can easily be read as a stand alone.
Avery, the only daughter in the Robinson family, suffers from guilt that she was unable to save her mother from dying. She has become a workaholic doctor, looking after all the residents of Riverbend Gap. Her clinic and her family have become her whole world. So afraid of testing positive to the horrible disease that destroyed her mother, she decides to never get married and never have children. It is particularly hard for her to see her best friend Katie and her brother Connor’s loving relationship.
Arriving home after her thirtieth birthday celebrations, she finds a disheveled man passed out on her doorstep. I like her compassion and courage as she helps him inside and treats him for severe dehydeation and a raging temperature.
Wes Garrett suffers from guilt due to the selfless action of his best friend Landon who died saving Wes’s life. This leads him to complete the trail that was on Landon’s bucket list and also to honour his promise to take care of his sister Lillian, who he has never met.
Because of his father’s unscrupulous behaviour, Wes makes it a point to always pay his debts. Being a building contractor, he offers to pay Avery by renovating a cottage on her property.
I found myself hoping that he would realise that you cannot pay someone back for saving your life and that your only responsibility is to live that life to the full.
I really enjoyed the book for the gentle romance, unforgettable characters and subtle Christian message. I highly recommend Mulberry Hollow and am looking forward to the next novel in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A lovely, heartfelt read with very refreshing, relatable and down-to-earth characters, “Mulberry Hollow”, by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson), explores the dimensions of grief, guilt and life-changing situations and issues, showing a romantic couple falling in love in a cozy small-town atmosphere.
Carrying the burden of guilt, but so tender and caring despite a troubled childhood, Wes is the poster boy handyman, oblivious to his sex-appeal.
Avery is a wonderful heroine, a smart and confident doctor, yet with her own difficulties and issues.
I loved both characters, their easy relationship, affection and connection. They really enjoy each other’s company. The flirting is downright cute.
I also liked that they’re both dedicated and competent in their line of work and the fact that their differences aren’t an issue.
I felt Wes’ need to protect Lillian was a bit exaggerated, although the author builds a solid argumentation to explain his actions.
The chemistry between the couple was wonderful, but I felt it could have been more developed.
As usual, I found Denise Hunter’s writing style very pleasant and easy to read and her characters interesting and wholesome. I enjoyed this new installment in the Riverbend series, and I’m curious about Gavin’s story (and hope Lillian will show up too).

Mulberry Hollow is the second book in Denise Hunter based in the small town of Riverbend. Avery is the center of the story with more insight into her life, career and decisions. Wes is the perfect match for her although it does take a while for both of them to realise it. The interactions between Wes and Avery's brother was at times quite amusing. As a cat lover liked that a kitty had a place in the story. Very much enjoyed revisiting Riverbend and looking forward to read more books in the series.

Thank you to the author, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book..

I was so happy to revisit the little town of Riverbend. When I finished reading Dennis Hunter's book one, Riverbend Gap, I didn't want it to end. Ms. Hunter creates such lovable characters like the Robinson family, I just needed to hear more about them. Her families seem very real with real problems. Once I started the book, I did not want to put it down. I appreciate the fact that I can recommend her books to my daughter and granddaughter. They are always sweet and wholesome.
I want to thank Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in the review are my own.

I loved Riverbend Gap which is book one in The Riverbend Series!
But book two is just as amazing as the first.

Mulberry Hollow was a fun, sweet, wonderfully crafted story!
I love the small-town setting. Avery and Wes were intensely relatable characters, an excellent romantic tension between out characters and their story was wonderfully crafted. Extremely likable and believable, I couldn't help but also fall in love with them both. Dealing with personal issues of their own and finding each other was so freaking sweet.
Talk about a swoony romance, and powerful emotions this book had it!
Denise brings us the second book in a beautiful series set in the small town of Riverbend Gap.
Even if it was predictable the storyline is well thought-out. 
She is becoming a big favorite romance author of mine with her master storytelling and entertaining characters.

Thomas Nelson thank you so much for this eARC!
I will post to my platforms closer to pub date!

I think I’ve lost interest in small town romances and family settings with strong protective brothers. This book started great but just failed to grab my attention after that. Don’t get me wrong. The writing is as good as ever. Maybe I would enjoy the story more as a movie or TV show. I’m sure fans of this genre and of the author’s works will just love this though.

I’ve not read the first book in this series but had no problem following the story. But it seems better to read them in the proper order.