Harvest Moon is book 3 in the Riverbend series by Denise Hunter. I could not wait to read Gavin's story when we were introduced to him in the first book in which he played a major part. In the first book he is a divorced man dating Katie. I wasn't too heartbroken that Katie chose Gavin's brother over him because I knew that he just had to get back with his wife. There was so much unresolved in that story. Laurel and Gavin dissolved their marriage after their three year old son died accidentally. In this story Gavin and Laurel must come together after a married couple they both knew died in an airplane crash. The couple has a two-year daughter. In their will the couple had name both Gavin and Laurel to raise their child if something happened to them. I loved how Laurel and Gavin put aside their differences to do what was best for the child. I loved it that they each admitted to their part in the demise of the marriage. Seems they both had daddy issues. Her daddy abandoned her when she was young and his father was just an abusive drunk. And I loved the happy ending! I'm a little sad that this is more than likely the last book in this series. Denise Hunter is my favorite Christian romance writer and I look forward to reading anything she writes in the future.

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

Beginning with a plane crash that leaves a tiny girl orphaned and working through an accident that kills his son, Gavin Robinson is in a dark hole in his soul. When he finds that he and his ex-wife, Laurel, have been named guardians of the little girl, Emma, he has to face his past and fight for his future.

This is the darkest, saddest book I've read in a long while, and I truly can say I only enjoyed the last quarter of the book. The rest of the plot was overwhelmingly too sad for me. I couldn't handle it. The redemption of the book came in the court case very near the end of the book.

After having read the first two books in the series, I was rooting for Gavin and his prospects for love. I knew he was a wounded soul that needed to find his healing and to find the ONE for him.

Denise Hunter used flashbacks as a way to build the chronology of the relationship between Gavin and Laurel. She also dealt with dysfunctional families, the incredible heartbreak of Alzheimer's Disease, and the hopes and dreams we all have for our lives.

One of the more aggravating scenes for me is at a family dinner when Gavin and Laurel plan to announce that they are going to seek to be named co-parents for Emma. Before they can make their announcement, Wes and Avery announce their engagement. After the oohs and ahhs and congratulations are exclaimed, Gavin makes his announcement that turns Wes and Avery's moment to dust. In order to resurrect the light moment, Cooper and Katie announce their pregnancy. Everyone seems to be stepping on the others in order to gain a moment in the spot light of the family. It's like no one has learned the concept of reading the room.

This is a three star book.

Thomas Nelson provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

✨SWEET SECOND-CHANCE ROMANCE✨

This book was super sweet and I loved getting to read more about the characters from previous books! Gavin and Laurel had a relationship that was easy to root for and it was so fun to watch them fall back in love!

Read if you love:
- second chance romance
- small town charm
- lovable side characters
- mountain town setting
- flashbacks
- sweet, clean romance

I love this book so much and I can’t wait for it to come out so I can purchase my own copy! This is a beautiful story about love, tragedy, and forgiveness. Lovely writing by Denise Hunter, and I really appreciated that it was set in the fall season.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

Laurel and Gavin, a death of their son, a divorce, now reconnected because best friends had died. Sharing guardian of Emma, a little toddler girl, could they do it. A purpose to focus on, as their worked through the mistakes and heartache that drove them apart. A beautiful series, showing forgiveness and a love that was still there. Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Harvest Moon, by Denise Hunter, is the final book in her Riverbend Romance series. This tale opens up with a bang. Gavin Robinson receives the news that his best friend and his wife have died in a plane crash. Unfortunately, their two-year-old daughter, Emma, is left alone!

When Gavin and his ex-wife, Laurel, learn that they have been named as Emma’s guardians, they are not exactly sure how to move forward. They not only have baggage from their time together to deal with, but they must help a young child who is missing her parents!

You will get glimpses of Gavin and Laurel’s lives in the days they were dating and then married. Finally, you will learn of a death that would tear them apart!

As you watch Gavin and Laurel help Emma adjust to the absence of her parents, you wonder if they will be able to restore their broken marriage, as well!

Gavin and Laurel are no strangers to heartache. After the death of their son and divorce, they are striving to live life separately. When the call comes that their best friends Mike and Molly have died, they must put their differences aside to take care of 2 yr old Emma. This book gives their backstory and leads us on a journey of healing and forgiveness. What a way to end this series. This book can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed reading it as part of a series.


** I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Harvest Moon is the conclusion to Denise Hunter's Riverbend series. I really enjoyed this trilogy and the third book was my favorite. Laurel is a tough cookie due to her upbringing and Gavin has scars of his own but he truly loves her. The author could've taken the easy way out but she made their journey complicated and meaningful. A book and series you should read!

Harvest Moon is a heartrending story, perhaps the most poignant of Denise Hunter's novels to date. Gavin and Laurel are secondary characters from previous books in the series. They're divorced but the sudden deaths of their dear friends reunite them. Gavin and Laurel are named guardians of Emma, the deceased couple's toddler.
Their complex backstory is revealed in flashbacks, taking us to the genesis of their relationship in high school. Present day circumstances force them to spend time together as they grieve the loss of their friends and try to care for the little girl. Hunter does an excellent job of weaving their love story, their heartache and their shortcomings into a plausible, compelling storyline. In previous books in the series, Laurel wasn't well-regarded by Gavin's family. I learned to like her more as I read Harvest Moon.
Overall, this is a well-written and deeply emotional novel. At times I struggled to stay engaged with the story because of the sad circumstances and juxtaposition of flashbacks. I was starting to wonder if they'd get to their happily ever after.
In my opinion, it would be ideal to read the other two books in the series before reading Harvest Moon. There are several details in this novel that some readers might feel are spoilers for the other stories.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary early copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

Denise Hunter is fast becoming a favorite and this book was proof why. I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Harvest Moon is the third book in the Riverbend book series and follows Lauren and Gavin a divorced couple forced together by the untimely death of their friends. If you are a fan of second chance romances you will love this delightful read that also touches on family, faith, grief, second chances. Denise did a wonderful job of bringing out the goodness of God and why sometimes things happen the way they do. I absolutely loved it and recommend it

Denise Hunter's latest novel, Harvest Moon, is the third book in her Riverbend Romance series. Many times, authors lose steam as the series progress, but that's not the case with Hunter's novels. Harvest Moon picks up the characters from the first two Riverbend books and continues to draw the reader in with the wonderful story and North Carolina setting. Reading a novel by Denise Hunter feels like going home to visit family and friends. The series should be read in order to keep the characters straight, but it is definitely worth it to read each one. Start with Riverbend Gap and get drawn into the wonderful small town in North Carolina. Hunter writes clean fiction that is heart-warming and just plain good. Don't miss this one (or the first two!).

I cannot say enough about this book. I loved everything about it. The characters, the setting, the plot. I loved that the storyline is unique with a couple who overcome past problems for the greater good. I couldn’t stop reading and hated to find it was over. Denise Hunter has a way of writing that brings out all the feels.

I loved this story even though it started out sad with the death of Mike and Mallory, leaving their daughter Emma behind(2 yrs old) They left Laurel and Gavin as her guardian. They are divorced and haven't seen each other in a while. She comes back to be with Emma and she a Gavin have a big decision to make . Read about everything that happens between the time she gets there and the hearing starts because someone else puts in a petiition to the court for guardianship. This is a very beautiful story. This is a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing. The review of this book are my own words and what I think. I am going to purchase these books for myself so that I may share with others.

Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter is the third book in the Riverbend series.

Laurel and Gavin divorced after losing their son. A painful path which tore them both apart. But after being named guardians for the daughter of their dear friends, they forge ahead and decide to work together to care for two year old Emma.

This was such an interesting story. So different than any of the others that I have read recently. Hunter writes such beautiful, some heart breaking stories. Her characters are well rounded and relatable. So many details that wrap up the essence of these relationships. Laurel's and Gavin's growing emotions, first built on the love of little Emma, was endearing as their romance blooms for the second time. I love the court room scene, which was dramatic and ended in a satisfying conclusion.

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

So good! I enjoyed Gavin's story in Harvest Moon. Serious, but hopeful conclusion to the Riverbend series. I enjoy reading about the town and his family from previous books who make appearances. Tragedy has pulled Gavin and his ex-wife apart, and another tragedy forces them to work together for the benefit if their dearest friend's daughter. Author Denise Hunter is a talented author and her fans will enjoy this series.

"Harvest Moon" is the third book in Denise Hunter's "Riverbend" series. This particular book focuses on Gavin and Laurel, who were formerly married before the loss of their son breaks their marriage apart. However, once their friends (another married couple) die in a tragic plane crash, they must work together to take care of the little girl who is left behind. As they love and care for Emma, old feelings start to arise and they must decide if they want to give their marriage a second chance.

I really enjoyed reading the end of this series, and I was happy to see so many former characters that I recognized. However, I felt the romance between Gavin and Laurel was a little rushed, and I wish the author had taken more time to develop that. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Like Riverbend Gap and Mulberry Hollow, Denise Hunter's third book in this series, Harvest Moon is exceptional!
5 stars!

Harvest Moon gives readers the best of both worlds, outstanding women's fiction that explores all the nuances of relationships and a superb heart stirring romance.

Hunter deals with issues of loss and guilt with an expert hand while spinning this riveting second chance romance. I was fascinated by the inner thoughts and feelings of both Gavin and Laurel. Their journey to happy everlasting was a bumpy road, but I was captivated by it all the same. Little Emma was such a sweetheart I fell in love with her and her charming ways.

Harvest Moon is a powerful story full of hope, forgiveness, and what it means to be a family. I loved that the epilogue tied all three of the Robinson sibling's story together bringing the Riverbend trilogy to a gratifying conclusion that brought pure contentment. I appreciate Thomas Nelson making a copy of Harvest Moon available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

A tragedy tore them apart. Another tragedy brought them back together. But will they stay together this time?

After tragically losing their son and a painful divorce, Gavin and Laurel never expected to see each other again, but when their best friends tragically die, they learn that they are the Godparents of their two year old daughter. Will they put aside their painful past and find a way to raise their best friend’s daughter and care for their farm? You’ll just have to read to find out.

I honestly, really loved this book. I’m a sucker for second chance romances; especially ones with painful pasts that bring reconciliation. In the first two books of this series, you get small glimpses of the tragedy that tore these two characters apart, but in this book you finally get to read what happened. In this book, you’ll see tragedy, forgiveness, and maybe not happily ever afters, but beautiful new beginnings.

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

Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter is the third book in the Riverbend Romance Series. This book can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the first two novels in order to get to know the whole Robinson family and their exciting stories.
The story begins with devastating news of a plane crash killing Mike and Mallory, who were the parents of a toddler, named Emma. Laurel and Gavin Robinson were the couple’s best friends and were named guardians for Emma in their will. Problem is…they are divorced and haven’t seen each other in a few years, but they both love Emma and want to protect her from a grandmother that has never even met her.
Denise Hunter is an excellent writer and ties all the details of the story together perfectly. I did not want to stop reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read, review and give my honest opinion.

Hunter Moon is another Denise Hunter book that I couldn’t wait to get back to reading. The author always writes in a way that the story is entertaining, and draws you into the town, the families and main characters’ lives. She uses humor, sassy comments that makes love the characters and identify with them.

This book is about a divorced couple, Laurel and Gavin with a tragic past. They have been divorced for a few years and were successfully pursuing their careers when they received the news that their best friends, Mike and Mallory, had died in a plane crash. During the first few days of mourning and caring for their friend’s daughter, Emma, they find out they were appointed guardians for Emma. They managed to care for her in Emma’s home for a few days but what as they try to find a relative who can take her to raise.

As the story unfolds, you learn about the events of how their marriage failed, but realize the love is still there. Gavin’s family is always close by with support and love and you enjoy the back and forth comments of the family.

I loved the book and would highly recommend it. I was given a copy by Thomas Nelson but the opinion is my own.