Denise Hunter is one of my all time favorites, and I always look forward to her new book releases. I have to be honest that the first title in her Riverbend Romance series wasn't my favorite, but I was still looking forward to diving into this one. I'd really enjoyed Avery's character in Riverbend Gap, and I couldn't wait to see how Denise Hunter was going to craft her story.

One thing I really appreciate about this series is the beautiful setting. I'm someone that knows next to nothing about hiking, so I love the vivid descriptions of a community that largely makes their living off the tourist trade from the famous hiking trail. Avery is the local town's doctor, and is overworked and stressed from having to solely handle the entire town's medical needs. She's also living with the stress hanging over her head of a possible medical diagnosis, and has made the decision to stay single. When contractor Wes Matthews stumbles into her clinic after getting sick on the trail, the two form a tentative agreement. He'll stay on and renovate the tenant apartment, in exchange for the treatments she's given him for his illness. As a friendship starts to develop between the two of them that could lead to something more, they both start to question how to go forward when so many circumstances are holding them back.

With beautiful prose, a lovely developing romance, a strong familial bond, and a heavy emphasis on faith and our need for Jesus no matter the circumstances, Mulberry Hollow is a heartwarming story that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. I definitely liked this one more than the first book in the series. I still had issues with a couple of content pieces that I didn't think were necessary in a Christian fiction title, but overall I really did enjoy this one, and thought it was a beautiful read. I loved the healing that takes place in both Avery and Wes' life that is connected to past traumatic events, and these pieces, in my opinion, made a great story even better.

I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a cleanish, faith based contemporary, and I love the fact that Denise's books are usually written in a way that they can be read as stand alones.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was oh so good and had all the feels. I wish I could give it six stars! Wes met Avery when he fell ill during his long distance hike on the Appalachian trail and needed medical care at her clinic. He arranged to pay by bartering his skills to do a renovation project for Avery. They became good friends who wanted more but there were complications and the outcome was unpredictable. It was certainly a page turner! Denise Hunter is one of my go-to authors. I can always count on her to deliver a story that holds my attention, makes me think and feel, and leaves me satisfied and feeling that my time reading was well spent. Such was the case with this book. I highly recommend it! I received an early copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley and this voluntary review contains my honest opinion.

Wes lost his best friend when an explosion occurred in Columbia and Landon threw himself on top of Wes. His last words to Wes were to take care of his sister, Lillian. But first, Wes needed to finish hiking the Appalachian Trail in honor of Landon. He is nearly finished when he becomes very sick. He manages to get himself to the porch of a small clinic run by Dr. Avery Robinson. To pay for her services, he suggests that he fix up her carriage house in the back. The time they spend together fosters a relationship he feels he cannot fulfill since he promised Landon he would take care of his sister.
I really liked this book and enjoyed the blossoming romance. Avery’s close family and their love for each other was a plus. Avery’s brothers were very protective of her and suspicious of Wes, which offered the right amount of tension. The dedication to honor and one’s vocation was admirable. I appreciate receiving a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Mulberry Hollow is the second book in the Riverbend Romance Series and this book featured Avery. She is a doctor in Mulberry Hollow and finds a very sick man on the doorstep of her clinic. There is definite chemistry and attraction between the two. But there are circumstances and misunderstandings that made for a great story. All the characters are so likeable, they feel like family to me. Ms. Hunter knows how to write romance. She is one of my favorites in her genre.
*I was given a copy of thus book by Thomas Nelson Publishers and this is my honest opinion
4.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed my return to Riverbend Gap and the beautiful, heavily wooded Mulberry Hollow—set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains! Besides its charm, I especially love the small town vibes of Riverbend and camaraderie of the residents, always quick to lend a helping hand.

Wes Garrett is a man of honor and quite a hunky one at that! If there is such a thing as a perfect man he definitely fills the bill, although Dr. Avery Robinson tries in vain not to notice that fact. Avery is married to her job and plans on staying single, hiding her terrible secret as to why. I found her strength admirable, but her down-to-earth, vulnerable nature refreshing.

Denise Hunter's books aren't simply a bunch of romantic fluff as she touches on some very real issues—terminal illness, divorce, unwed pregnancy—but ooh, yeah, the romance! So angsty and heartbreakingly delicious. lol Hunter is my "go to" author when I need to get away from it all and 'Mulberry Hollow' definitely accomplished that for me. An excellent read!

"I would’ve trusted Him that much more if I’d been able to see how He would turn my pain into joy.” (Such wisdom! taken from Mulberry Hollow)

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

In Mulberry Hollow, Avery Robinson just turned thirty. She’s a doctor in the small town of Riverbend Gap, running her own medical clinic. She’s got a loving, supportive family, and she’s meeting her career goals in record time, but Avery is lonely, and she’s likely to stay that way. Having a 50/50 chance of carrying the gene for Huntington’s Disease, Avery has decided to stay single, to spare a husband and children from the trauma she went through when she lost her mother from the disease. But she’s never met a man like Wes Garrett. Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian Trail in honor of his friend, Landon, who gave his own life to save Wes while they were doing construction work together in South America. On Landon’s dying breath, he asked Wes to take care of his sister Lillian, so after he finishes the trail, Wes is headed to Albany, New York to settle down and possibly to marry Lillian. Surely, that’s what Landon would have wanted. But along the way, Wes gets sick, and he manages to hike off the trail into the small town of Riverbend Gap where there is a small medical clinic — and a beautiful doctor who may cause Wes to rethink everything he had planned for the future.

We are first introduced to Avery through Katie and Cooper’s story in Riverbend Gap, the first book in this series. One thing I think Denise Hunter does really well is build her characters. We get such a good feel for who Avery and Wes are — for their fears and struggles, the things they’re passionate about, their shyness or awkwardness. Denise Hunter also writes the romance really well — the tension and the emotion. She keeps it clean, but the chemistry is palpable. I really enjoy the different relationships in this book— the relationship built between Avery and Wes; the relationships Avery has with her brothers; the relationships Avery has with her coworkers; and the relationship Avery has with her dad, which I find especially sweet. Overall, this was a really fast read for me. I was hooked from the beginning. I look forward to the next book in this series.

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

Even though I have not read book 1 in this series, it was not necessary. You can read this book without the backstory of book 1. Avery is a such a driven person. She works so hard to make her clinic a success. Helping Wes and having him helping her in return is just what she needs to see that she can relax a little. Her family tries to help, which only adds to the mix of everything. Of course Wes has his own troubles to overcome. This was a great story.

After enjoying the first book in this Riverbend Romance series so much, I couldn’t wait to read book two. And it did not disappoint. I was more than happy to revisit the Robinson family and the small mountain town setting in North Carolina. Especially with its ties to the Appalachian trail, which I always love reading about.

In this book I enjoyed getting to know the Robinson sister, Avery, a workaholic doctor dealing with a very serious and personal health concern as she struggles to find another doctor to help staff her medical clinic—all while attempting to not fall in love with the hunky hiker who showed up at her clinic in need of medical help.

I loved the gentle flow of this sweet romance story. There’s something about Denise Hunter’s writing that I always find very relaxing. Maybe because her characters are just so darn likeable, even when they’re working out their issues. I’m happy for Cooper and Avery, but between you and me, I think I'm even more excited for Gavin to find some love when the next book comes out. At least he better!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A solid, realistic story about two good people with some history that stands in their way. I loved how easily Avery and Wes were together, as friends, and then it developed. It was great! And that kiss! Whoop!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another great story by this author. Each book I read by her is such a delight. I always look forward to the next one.
Thanks for the advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

I enjoyed reading Mulberry Hollow. Denise Hunter digs into the souls of her characters and discovers their needs, personalities, and quirks. Dr. Avery Robinson has thrown herself into her work at the clinic she opened, to keep her mind off of the future she believes is inevitable. Wes Garrett wants to do right by his friend, but has given himself high expectations. The two meet and their adventures begin in the beautiful setting of the Appalachian Mountains. I admire both characters for their integrity and desire to help other people. Hunter has penned a sweet romance that heals and opens doors to freedoms neither Avery nor Ross dreamed possible. Mulberry Hollow is a clean read with undertones of faith and hope. If you enjoy a good romance, you can't go wrong with Denise Hunter's stories. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mulberry Hollow is the second book in the Riverbend series. I'm loving that the setting for this series is the Appalachian Mountains. I can just visualize in my head how beautiful the area is since I have been there several times. The Robinsons are a close knit blended family. Avery's mother died of Huntingtons disease which is a horrible way to die and she has a 50 percent chance of developing the disease. There is a test that would tell her whether or not she carries this disease but she fears what the results would reveal. On the day of her birthday a hiker lands on her doorstep and she nurses him back to help. Not wanting to be indebted to her he volunteers to work on renovating a building for her.. While working for her they develop a deep friendship. What I like about this book is that the romance developed slowly. They didn't instantly fall in love as in the case in some romance novels. He had some issues that he had to deal with. I though her brothers Cooper and Gavin were a little bit too protective of her to the point of annoying but I like it that she put them in their place and stood up for herself. I'm looking forward to reading Gavin's story which will be out in a few months. Gavin's story will involve his ex-wife. That should be a good one.

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

Denise Hunter's books are always so refreshing but this may just be my favorite! With each book, Hunter really seems to grow as a writer with more in-depth stories and characters. Mulberry Hollow is the second book in the Riverbend series and is just wonderful. I love that it is set in North Carolina and the characters are so memorable. I flew through the book and at the same time didn't want it to end. Hunter writes clean fiction and that really appeals to me. Fans of Denise Hunter will love this one!

If you’re looking for a wonderful Christian romance, you’ve found it! It was so much fun returning to Riverbend Gap and visiting with old characters, and delving more deeply into new ones. I especially enjoyed how organic the relationship between Avery and Wes progressed, as well as Avery’s struggles with the possibility of having Huntington’s disease. Denise Hunter always handles difficult topics with such finesse. I especially loved the faith elements, and slow-burn romance that built between the main characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

What a beautiful story about love and sacrifice. I was fully engaged and feeling all of the emotions from the very beginning.

Mulberry Hollow is the second in the Riverbend Romance series and is about the second of three siblings, Avery. The romance between Avery and Wes is wonderful and you are drawn in from the start. Avery starts out not wanting to fall in love due to the possibility of her having inherited an eventually fatal disease that also killed her mother. Slowly, Wes works to make his way into her heart while also dealing with his own issues of guilt. The issues these two characters are dealing with make for a very interesting read. I also enjoyed the setting of a small town on the Appalachian Trail.

If you’ve never read Denise Hunter before, I’d say this is an excellent series to begin with. If you have, then her newest book, Mulberry Hollow in the Riverbend Gap series will not disappoint.
This is a wonderful read with Wes, an Appalachian Trail hiker, who has taken ill and comes to Avery Robinson’s clinic. Avery is a small town doctor with a secret that drives her to succeed. Wes is also driven but by his grief and guilt. Both are skilled and dedicated but not looking for love. They both have lots of heart though. and there are many challenges to overcome for each of them.
I love the unusual meet up and storyline. And the faith element as this quote “What Landon did...it’s not possible to pay that back. And he didn’t sacrifice his life so you’d have some kind of debt hanging over your head. It was a gift. He did it so you could live. Period.” A sweet reminder of what Jesus did for each of us and not to waste our lives.
A beautiful read from a great storyteller.
I recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book The opinions are entirely my own.

I liked this book better than the first in the series, but it still isn’t my favorite Denise hunter series. It just hasn’t connected with me as well as the others. I didn’t feel like I connected with all the characters as much.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Denise Hunter sure knows how to write a page turner! Avery and Wes are wounded characters that learn and step out in faith. Even though it was love (or perhaps strong attraction) at first sight, Wes and Avery keep pushing their feelings away, to the point that I was trying to give them pep talks. The plot is well braided and I felt like I was in the characters head. The setting was described enough that I could see the carriage house and the tiny town of Riverbend Gap in my head. This is a must-read romance!

I loved Avery and Wes's story! Avery and Wes are each starting new chapters of their lives, trying to make the best of situations they inherited. Denise Hunter does a great job of making you care for the characters, and deeply feel their struggles. I love how her characters grow throughout the story.
The backdrop of the North Carolina Appalachian Trail small town is a wonderful setting. Wes was a hiker on the trail and Avery's office is near it and a river. It was so fun to read about this area and to visualize it. It made reading the story a richer experience.
This is the second book in the Riverbend Romance series, but it is standalone. References are made to events in the previous book but you do not need to read it first.