This is my first book by Becky Wade and I couldn't wait to start it. Even though I haven't read the books prior to this in the series I had no problem following along and learning who each character was.

Luke and Finley couldn't be more opposite and I loved how this author made the main characters so complimentary despite the huge contrasts. I loved the element of mystery and suspense with the treasure hunt. I was dying to know what the treasure was and where each clue would take them. The romance was sweet and swoony. I was surprised to find a sub plot happening, but actually really enjoyed it.

I would recommend this to a more mature audience because of some of the subject matter (prison, murder, drugs/alcohol, intimacy-only spoken of in past tense, etc.) I am excited to learn more about these characters and the other 'Miracle 5'.

Thanks to the Author & NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

As a longtime fan of Becky Wade's, I definitely have favorite heroes from her previous books...think Ty Porter, Corbin Stewart, and Matt Jarreau, just to name a few. Becky Wade always writes the best heroes who readers will be rooting for! After reading book one of the Misty River series, Luke Dempsey suddenly showed up on my radar, and I couldn't wait to read his story. Well, once again Becky Wade didn't disappoint in the hero department! I loved his dark and brooding character and was eagerly waiting for him to get his happy ending.

The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was that I struggled to connect with the heroine, Finley. She was a bit quirky and I never did feel that Finley was the right heroine to be matched up with Luke. I think I am in the minority though!

Turn to Me is recommended for readers of inspirational contemporary romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Oh my goodness, what a completely wonderful story! I love this Misty River Romance series.
This series centers around the "Miracle Five"—five people who miraculously survived an earthquake while on a mission trip as teenagers. Luke is the last one to have his story told. He has avoided the other four for years. Then again, he has never really recovered from the guilt of losing his younger brother Ethan in that earthquake, and his destructive behavior that followed.

Turn to Me was a perfect wrap up for the series, and I am not at all ready to say goodbye to all the wonderful characters. After major guilt over his brother's death, followed by years of self-destructive behavior and a stint in prison, Luke Dempsey appears to be a lost cause to many, including himself, but it's a good thing Finley Sutherland doesn't see him that way. "Luke Dempsey was a tragic and thorny case. Many would say he was a lost cause. Thing was, she had a soft spot for lost causes. It ran contrary to her nature to abandon any creature to its lostness." Finley truly believes that no animal or person on earth was beyond redemption. Luke made a promise to her father in prison to protect her until she completed the last treasure hunt her Dad had planned for her, and Luke is intent on keeping that promise.

Besides being devastatingly handsome and brooding, Luke is a loner, and much prefers to be left alone rather than let anyone near, including his family and friends. The mostly-in-his-head responses Luke has to other people crack me up. (Luke in his head: Harry was not gorgeous. And Furry Tails was a lame thing to call a shelter.)

Finley is the complete opposite, she is outgoing, friendly, passionate about her causes, and a bit too much for Luke at the beginning. She holds her own with him and it is fun to watch. Finley owns and operates the local animal shelter called Furry Tales. She too has experienced a devastating loss, but has been working through it. She cracks me when she plans to use her five-step program on Luke that has worked well with wounded canines in the past.

The secondary characters are great too: Finley's friends Bridget and Meadow, her misfit co-workers, their extended families, and Luke's friends from the earlier stories make a few cameo appearances.

Author Becky Wade knows just how to pen a pitch perfect story! I love character driven stories and she knows just how to create them. Her characters are authentic and the issues they face resonate with people. She is definitely one of my go-to authors! Fans of fabulous stories with great character development, swoony romance, and with a touch of mystery will LOVE Turn to Me and the entire Misty River Romance Series. I highly recommend them!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars ✨

Luke's story has been my most anticipated of Becky Wade's books yet. We are casually introduced to his backstory in book 1, Stay With Me, and left wanting so much more of him throughout the series until finally we get his story arc and (amazing, I must say) redemption! And Ben finally gets his HEA too!

I have to say, there was something about this story that felt different from Becky's other books. It didn't read like her other ones. And that threw me off for the first half of the book, until I just accepted that the writing style was different and went with it. I think it's partly because I couldn't connect to any of the characters.

While this book wasn't what I expected, I did enjoy Finley and Luke's story. I so appreciated the strong faith thread Becky wove throughout her story. I loved how even though Finley is a strong
christian, she still walks through struggles with doubts, but always turned to God in prayer. Becky's books are so intertwined with the spiritual thread that you just wouldn't have the same story without it present!

I loved the epilogue! It's always bittersweet ending a series that you've grown to love, so I really loved how the Miracle Five ended the series together. Fans of Becky's books will be sure to love this conclusion to the Misty River Romance series.

*********

Some issues that prevented this from being a higher star rating:
- Finley is a Christian who spends a great deal of time considering dating a self-proclaimed non-Christian, with admittedly all the bad boy vibes. There's a mention of her questioning why God would give her feelings for an unbeliever, but who said those feelings came from God? We easily fall prey to these kinds of lies in order to pretend that God will work everything out how we want it to go.
- I know, I know. I harp on this all the time. But the amount of time spent on Luke's physical attraction and 'need' for Finley made it feel to me as though that's all he loved her for. And quite honestly I don't need to be reading about how one character's body physically reacted to another character. Please just no.

Content-wise, I'd say this is for a mature audience (swearing, mentions of Luke's past (view spoiler) that enhance his bad-boy aura, and lots of chemistry).

*I received a copy of this book in ebook form, from the publisher and author for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A great addition to this stunning series! Wade's writing shines in this contemporary romance and I so enjoyed the unique characters she created in this one! In this opposite-attract romance, Finley's trusting, free-spirited, animal lover personality is paired with Luke's secretive, guilt-laden, ex-con past. Sparks fly when the two are sent on a treasure hunt like no other. Luke is determined to keep his promise to her father.... as long as he gets the escape he's planned for in the end. But neither of them can imagine the ending in store for them both.

A tender, beautiful love story with the perfect amount of intrigue, drama, and poignant truths.

I have been waiting for Luke's story since I read, Stay With Me. I knew I would love it and I wasn't wrong! This is the last book of the Misty River series and really needs to be read in order.

Becky Wade is a favorite author of mine and she does a wonderful job of creating unique and vibrant characters and side characters that jump out of the page and stick with you. She's a master at weaving brokeness and redemption throughout her stories.

Luke and Finley are polar opposites in every way. Finley is a hippie Christian, animal activist, and free spirit bent on rescuing Luke from his guilt. Luke is a brooding, one-word sentence, ex-con who turned his back on God when his brother died as a child. The only reason he's working at Finley's non-profit dog center is to honor a promise he made to her father on his deathbed.

This is a fun, opposites-attract story filled with heart and treasure hunts. Luke and the tiny dog may have been my favorite parts of the book. I also loved Ben's side story and HEA.

This was almost a 5-star read for me, but there were a couple of things that made me knock a star off.

1. Christians dating non-Christians. I really don't like it when CF makes it seem like dating a non-Christian is okay. Of course, in books it always ends well and the non-Christians ends up giving their lives to God by the end of the book. But this does not always happen in real life and I think it can be dangerous to let readers think this happens. And that's what happens when Christian characters go into a relationship with someone who is not on the same page about God. This bothers me in CF and I see a lot of it. The character even laments the fact that God gave her feelins for this man. Not all feelings (even if they seem good) are from God and that thinking can lead to disaster.

2. Christians casual dating. Why do we think it's okay for Christians to casually date? This only opens the doors up for you to fall into sexual temptations. Dating for a Chrisitian should be to see if that person is someone you want to spend your life with. If you don't think you would, then why date them and have any level of intimacy with them?

I do appreciate the hope and message of redemption throughout the book. Finley presents the Gospel to Luke and doesn't shy away from it. He's also confronted by others who love him, who show him the truth and love of God.

I'm sad to see the series end, but I thought it was a beautiful ending to such a wonderful series!

Turn to Me is the third novel in the Misty Rover Romance series, that has (along with two novellas) introduced readers to the Miracle Five. In this third book, we finally get Luke Dempsey’s story of redemption and facing the hurt and guilt of his past. Readers will also be happy to see Ben get his own happy ending (though he totally should have got his own book. Why didn’t he get his own book!?!).

Luke has just been released from prison. But, before he is finally and fully free, he must uphold the promise he made to a fellow inmate. When Finley’s receives her father’s will, she is surprised he has left her one final treasure hunt for her to complete. She is also surprised to find that he secured a promise from Luke, the fifth and reclusive member of the Miracle Five, to protect her during the hunt, a search that holds hidden dangers. Finley is happy to give Luke a job at her animal shelter - their website needs a serious overhaul and Luke has impressive IT skills - but she loves a good rehabilitation case and she’s determined to help Luke find a positive future. Luke has other plans. Fulfil his promise to Finley’s father and get out of there. But Finley is not easily deterred and Luke finds himself drawn to her, despite her strange choice in clothing and her passion for strange, small animals.

Turn To Me made me laugh so much. Luke is strong, silent, and jaded. He is equally bemused and horrified by Finley and her life choices. Especially the ones she forces onto him, like babysitting a tiny fluffball of a puppy and mandatory meditation in the workplace. Opposites attract in this story.

The treasure hunt is the perfect way to bring Finley and Luke together, as they work to solve the clues Finley’s father has left behind. It also brings drama and action to the story, as well as a very tense ending.

Readers who have followed the series will also know there was always more to Luke’s story and the grief and guilt he carried from his childhood. Slowly, he begins to work through this, open himself to the other Five and hope for a future. We also get to see the continuation of Ben’s story, and though I do wish he had been given his own book, it was nice to see him given the happy ending he deserved.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I've said it before but it bears repeating: I hate starting Becky Wade books. (This is primarily because once I've started, I don’t wish to put them down, which essentially means they are soon to be finished, and then there won't be anything good to read) :(

But, getting started was worth it in the end. Because this book was GREAT. From the treasure hunt to the messy family relationships to the whodunit mystery to the high level forgiveness skills - there were so many nuggets of wisdom -and fun!- to be found. These characters were very unique and interesting; and when you put together Finley’s eclectic upbringing, take on life, and awakening self awareness with Luke’s big burdens, special skillsets, and strong sense of duty - the combination is electric. As always, the snappy verbal repartee is on point.
I have truly enjoyed this series, and I’m super bummed it’s over. I would give it eleven stars if I could. Please note: if you haven’t read the other books yet, make sure to start with the first (Stay With Me) and go in order!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

#BookReview: TURN TO ME by Becky Wade

“So many times she’d sensed, at the deepest level, that God had entrusted a certain wounded creature to her care.”

I think this one is my favorite in the series. I have been anticipating reading Luke’s story. He was a surly and brooding ex convict but Finley could see right through him. Finley loved her animals and was very passionate about their care. So now, she had her sights in restoring Luke. I admire her positive attitude. Oh, I enjoyed their banter. They had a lot of chemistry though they tried to hide it at first. They worked well together and appreciate each other’s company.

The mystery of the treasure hunt intrigued me. Who is after it? I loved how Luke wanted to keep his promise to Finley’s dad. The suspense and danger kept me on my toes as they continued their search but a lot of things in this book were fun too. Fun but with a heart.

The reunion of the Miracle Five was heartwarming. This can be read as a standalone but it’s better if you have read the first book for more of their background story. I was also delighted that Ben had his own minor story here. It cracked me up every time Cece would say, “He came with a lifetime guarantee.”

I like that Finley was not judgemental of Luke’s brokenness. But she remained faithful in her choices. Luke had to find his way back to his family and friends. For him to open himself up to love and be loved. To acknowledge that God has been faithful to him all this time. Finley also had to face her own fears.

Trust, forgiveness, faith, love of family and friends were the themes in this book. I couldn’t put it down. It has all the elements that I want in a good story. I can reread this again and again.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Series: Misty River Romance, Book 3
Pub date: 03 May 2022

Thank you Bethany House Publishers and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Two people on the quest for one last treasure hunt, but will they find more than what they are looking for?
Becky Wade’s final book in the miracle five stories gives us two people looking to find redemption for past mistakes and regrets.
One of my favorite books ever to read. Luke is officially one of my new favorite characters. His personality is one I can relate to.

I graciously received an advance e-copy from netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

The third novel in the series about the Miracle Five. Luke Dempsey is out of prison and instead of going to Montana as he had planned, he is going back to his hometown of Misty River, GA to help the daughter of his prison buddy who died in prison. Finley is that daughter and she runs a shelter for dogs. Luke is grouchy and crusty due to painful times in his past. Finley is eternally positive. Luke needs to reconcile with his family and with the rest of the Miracle Five. If you aren't familiar with the Miracle Five, you might want to read the first two books in the series first. This is a great series!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

Ever since Luke Dempsey’s mistake on a mission trip in South America, he has lived under a burden of guilt. His quest to bury the guilt eventually landed him in prison, where he befriends Ed Sutherland. During the last moments of Ed’s life, Luke promises to fulfill Ed’s dying request—help and protect Ed’s daughter Finley while she goes on a treasure hunt.

No problem. Even if it requires Luke’s presence in Misty River, the town he couldn’t wait to escape as a teen. No problem. Even if protecting Finley might cause Luke to break the conditions of his parole. No problem. Even if it delays Luke’s dream of moving to Montana and escaping society. No problem? Even if Finley is nothing like Luke expected.

Finley Sutherland and her father had a birthday treasure hunt tradition. So when her father asks her to employ an ex-con at Finley’s animal shelter and asks her to allow the ex-con to assist her on the last treasure hunt, she says yes.

Finley loves rehabilitating abused, abandoned, and misunderstood pets, so hiring an ex-con doesn’t faze her. Free-spirited, self-assured, and content with her life, she never expects a treasure hunt from the grave. Nor the emotions Luke Dempsey brings into her well-ordered life.

Can Finley trust an ex-con with a treasure…and her heart?

What I Loved About This Book

Wade masterfully weaves together a tender love story with elements of danger and intrigue. Some readers will relate to Finley’s close relationship with God and her ethical choices. Others will relate more with Luke as he struggles to overcome old thought patterns and take hold of the grace God so freely offers. Anyone who loves a love story will enjoy Turn to Me. Fans of Irene Hannon and Denise Hunter will love this book.

'He'd never been so alone. Never been so aware he was not enough.'

When I read a Becky Wade book, I am completely transported into the world within its pages. With each book I read, and I've read all her books, some twice, some three times, I am aware that this is a book I want to reread again. They all sit on my shelves. Always will.

Wade has a unique ability to make me totally feel each character, along with their heartache, pain, struggles, and joy. And her spiritual thread is incredibly powerful to watch unfold in her characters' lives.

I've been waiting for Luke Dempsey's story, the last one of the Miracle Five, the one who wanted to totally distance himself from everyone who ever cared about him. And he has done a good job of that until now. He needs to fulfill a promise he made, and he finds himself on Finley Sutherland's doorstep, at her animal rescue. He wants to be there to fulfill the promise he made to her dad in prison, but he doesn't want to be there. He wants to be somewhere else. But God has another plan. Isn't that just like Him? Wade has totally and completely created a powerful character in this man, one of the best book heroes ever. She did the same with Finley's character. I loved her spunk and ability to see the good around her. I just plain loved everything about this book. It most definitely will get read again. And it's going on my top reads list for 2022.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion expressed in this book is entirely my own.

Turn to Me. Oh my stars. All of the stars. This is an easy five stars from me. First book I fully binged from start to finish, read in the car, stayed up late, snuck in between the school and grocery run etc. If the marks of a great book include caring about the characters, wincing and tearing up because you know how they’re going to respond, and feeling transported to another place every time you pick it up, then this is absolutely a great book.

Luke Dempsey is probably the most wounded of the Miracle Five who survived an earthquake while on a missions trip. Sadly Luke’s brother Ben didn’t make it out alive and Luke has always blamed himself. Freshly released from prison, he’s honor bound to accompany free spirited Finlay on a birthday treasure hunt. Luke want’s nothing to do with society but grits his teeth, determined to live up to a promise he made to Finlay’s dying father.

Finlay didn’t want to share her final birthday hunt, set up by her father before his death, but feels compelled to accept Luke after learning of the request to safeguard her. Both need healing after suffering major tragedies. Could they find a very different sort of treasure together?

I couldn’t not put this book down. Easily one of the best I’ve read in 2022.

This is a must read for any lovers of the romance genre. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the views are my own. Becky Wade has been an auto buy since I read her first book.

This is the final book in the Misty Creek/Miracle five series (although there are other characters Becky could write about in Misty Creek). I have been waiting for this story for a while and it doesn't disappoint. Throw in a treasure hunt, mystery and romance and you've got a great read. This could read as a standalone story but you'll miss out on the backstory of the miracle five from the other points of view so I do recommend reading those.

I got this in exchange for an honest review. I've ordered a copy for my library and I read it in one sitting. This was a great read and I recommend it. I like that the characters were challenged to grow over the course of the story and that faith was weaved into the story in an appropriate way.

Can't wait to see what comes next.

Turn to Me is a story of forgiveness and moving on. Finley Sutherland is a dog rescue owner who has vowed never to date again after the passing of her fiance. Luke Dempsey is an ex-con who has never been able to forgive himself after losing his brother in an earthquake years before. Together they are on a treasure hunt designed by Finley's father before he passed away in prison. His dying wish was for Luke to help keep Finley safe on the hunt.

The walls Luke has built around himself make it difficult for him to let anyone in but he soon finds that Finley has crept into his life more than he originally wanted. She helps him see that he must first accept God's forgiveness and then forgive himself for the part he thinks he played in his brother's death.

The treasure hunt adds a layer of suspense to the story as the reader is left to wonder what it is and who else could be after it.

This is a wonderful conclusion to the Misty River Sequel and it was great to see all of the 'Miracle Five' (including Ben!) getting a happy ending.

I wanted to like this book more. I loved the Finley and Luke characters, plus the crazy ladies who work at the animal shelter, Luke's wayward sister, and his forgiving family. The fact that it is a clean romance is great, along with some discussions about Christ and forgiveness. My criticism would be that the book is trying to do too much. The treasure hunt dragged on and felt increasingly tedious. I sped-read the side stories with Ben and Akira and the "Miracle 5." They just distracted and detracted from the main plot and the more important characters. If some superfluous details were edited out, I would've happily given it 4 or even 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the advanced copy.

Wow I just devoured this book and loved it so much. The plot line was pretty interesting and the characters were so fun and relatable. I really enjoyed it. Overall, it’s a 4 stars read for me.

Becky Wade never disappoints! When I see a new book of hers I RUN to read it! This book is the last in her series about the Miracle Five, and just like her other books she writes flawed characters, with struggles and issues and hurts and disappointments just like you and I go through. Her characters are real and I think that's what attaches you to them. You can understand their emotions. I appreciate that she writes swoon worthy Christian romance, but keeps it clean and Christ honoring!

This story was so intriguing from start to finish.
An ex-con.
A hippie lady who rescues dogs.
A treasure hunt that unites them both.
Luke’s character was so very raw and I think we all have a bit of Luke in us that needs rescuing. Finley was quirky and fun, someone you would want to despise for being so perfect but couldn’t help but adore.
The romance was epic.
The mystery of the treasure hunt kept me engrossed to the end.
The redemptive theme was inspiring.
Another wonderful book by Becky Wade.