New Zealand wilderness paradise can't counterbalance angst and heartburn😨

3-3.5🌟 stars
I chose this story largely thanks to its New Zealand setting and the grumpy vs. sunny romance. It's got deeper emotional issues that come to the surface, loss and grief and despair, but also small-town community and great descriptions of South Island landscapes.

What did not really work for me? Lengthy internal dialogues, mostly in the mind of grieving widower Finn who can't see a reason to let new love in to his life five years after his wife's death to cancer. I think less of this static cogitating and a shorter overall story as a result would have kept my interest more. I expected a one-day read and it took me almost three times that long because I just found Finn too "my way or the highway" "I can never love again" "don't try to get too close" with Beth, a new girl in town who has taken a very different path to handling grief and depression. Taking breaks was necessary to reset my interest in the outcome. I kept thinking there might be some really gigantic reveal of a major reason for his attitude but, no, it never materialized.

This is part of a series but I have not read the first romance involving Finn's brother Chase and Izzy, Beth's business partner and fellow Alaskan transplant. Would I be interested in reading the other books in the series? Yes; the setting's great, the secondary character involvement good and the writing's fine (when it's not stuck in someone's brain for too long).

Thanks to SourceBooks Casablanca and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book takes you through life’s ups and downs but its ride just like real life. I didn’t realize this was book 2 in a series but it worked so well as a standalone as well. I will be going back to read book 1 and can’t wait for book 3. I loved that it was set in New Zealand. I really enjoyed this, but peace check the trigger warning it can deal with a few heavy topics.

Review of All Roads Lead to You by Jackie Ashenden

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All Roads Lead to You comes out November 26th! 💌

This story was cute and I liked the way it dealt with some heavy topics, such as grief and the loss of a loved one (check TW’s on this one). I thought, however, that this was kinda insta-lovey and that made me vibe with the characters a lot less.

It’s a recommendation for people who love very quick romance reads that do deal with some heavy topics. Not suited for those who don’t appreciate an intensely fast enemies-to-lovers trope.

Ready to take a chance again ...

Bethany and Finn are at odds and neither one understands why. Of course, it's because Finn can't accept his attraction to her (or anyone, since his wife died five years ago) so he's rude and dismissive hoping that'll keep her at arms' length. Eventually, though, they realize that their mutual attraction has no hope of a lasting connection (because they each are still dealing with a significant loss) and therefore the only solution is a quick and dirty one night stand.

Do you see where this is going? Of course. Cue the "oops" and now Finn is determined to take charge and force whatever he has to in order to make his family work the way he thinks it should. Beth is trying to hang on for the ride but she's got her own issues to deal with, still, and despite Finn's caveman approach she knows he's still dealing with his own truckload of grief.

What follows is a truly heartwarming story of how each of these two delve deep into their hearts to find the healing they need, and find it together. The beauty of a story like this isn't in the suspense, it's in knowing that it's all going to work out so there's emotional safety in riding along for the journey.

It's a breathtakingly beautiful story of how these two hurting people find the courage and fortitude to choose healing and start a wonderful new life together. It's everything that I read romance for, splendidly written and filled with unforgettable characters and everlasting hope. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Beth moved to New Zealand to create the perfect happy life she craved and to get away from her past trauma.

Finn is a widower, he lost his wife 5 years ago and still feels that pain everyday. So when bright and smily Beth makes it her mission to have Finn be nice to her, they both end up with more than they bargained for.

Redemption, grief, love, new found family and friendship. That’s what you’ll find in All the roads lead to you. I really enjoyed Beth and Finn’s story, I felt for them and really wanted them to resolve both their past so hey can be together.

The writing is good, you could almost feel yourself in New Zealand and the internal dialogue of both MC are giving the readers a first row seat to their fears, expectations and hopes.

This is the second book of the series and can easily be read as a standalone.

I recommend this book to readers who likes:

Second chance at love
Grumpy/Sunshine
Mild spice
Surprised pregnancy

Thank you Netgalley , Sourcebook Casablanca and Jackie Ashenden for the ARC. This is my honest review.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU – Jackie Ashenden
Small Town Dreams, Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 978-1728247342
November 29, 2022
Contemporary Romance

Brightwater Valley, New Zealand – Present Day

After being the subject of vicious gossiping, Bethany Grant jumped at the chance to spend three months in New Zealand with two women she didn’t know well. One of the residents of Brightwater Valley, Finn Kelly, has attracted her interest because he is surly and keeps to himself. Why is he not sociable? Beth soon learns that Finn lost his beloved wife to cancer and is still in mourning. Beth approaches Finn about helping her to contact a local artist to ask if he would be willing to donate some of his paintings to the gallery that she is setting up with the other two women. He reluctantly agrees, and it sets in motion a change in their relationship.

Finn would rather be left alone, though he does communicate with his brother and niece. The three women, especially Beth, annoy him because he isn’t one to be friendly around newcomers. Yet, there is something about Beth that stirs an interest. After he agrees to drive her to the local artist’s cabin, she is like glue sticking to him with her constant questions. Soon, he is unable to resist kissing her, which leads to more. While Finn proclaimed their lovemaking as a one-time thing, there will soon be a little bundle of joy that will likely tie them together for the next eighteen years. Will Finn change his mind about never marrying again?

Finn and Beth’s story in ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU is an emotional one that will tug at a reader’s heart. She had been living in Alaska but had to get away from all the whispers that caused even more pain than she had already endured. The plan was to stay for three months to help set up the gift shop. But after her one time with Finn, she discovers that she’s pregnant. An unplanned pregnancy is not what she wants, but it will be a baby she’ll love. Finn’s reaction at first is that of shock, but then he realizes he can’t let her return to Alaska, even though he has no hold on her. As they spend more time together, she decides she wants to unlock the man she has fallen for. Can she find the key to his heart?

ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU is the second tale in the Small Town Dreams series. The first book was about Isabella and Chase (FIND YOUR WAY HOME). Beth’s traveling companions, Isabella and Indigo, do appear throughout this story, but the main focus is on Beth and Finn. They are adversaries at first, mainly due to his surliness. Yet, his snarly attitude only intrigues Beth even more. She wants to find a smile in him. If only she realized at first that she wanted more than friendship with him! She wants to soothe him, but she also needs a kind hand herself. The two of them can help each other—if only they realize it.

Be prepared for the emotion in ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU, but the charm of the characters is also present. Readers will like Beth and Finn and want them to find love—and happiness. Be sure to grab a copy of this intriguing tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

NOTE: This is book #2 in the Small Town Dreams series.

Bethany Grant left Alaska to start a new life. She needed to get away from the daily reminders of loss she experienced there. So she packed up and moved to her town's sister city - Bridgewater New Zealand.

Finn Kelly, born and raised in Bridgewater, is no stranger to loss. As a widower, he has developed quite a shell around himself. He helps run an outdoor adventure company and loves to be outside. He is not a fan of having to interact with people as much, but he has found a good balance.

When Bethany moves to Bridgewater and turns Finn's world upside down, how long can Finn ignore her and keep her at arms length?

This is the second book in the Brightwater Valley series, focused on Beth and Finn's story.

Beth and Finn have both endured loss in their lives. Finn loses himself in work, giving tours around the New Zealand outback. Beth funneled hers into her handmade, custom jewelry. Beth and her two friends Izzy and Indigo arrived in Brightwater Valley, part of a sister-town program with Deep River, Alaska. Izzy quickly found her forever-after with Chase, Finn's brother. Indigo remains stubbornly not attracted to Levi, their best friend.

I thought this was a wonderful story about the power of love, learning to fight past the fear and open yourself up to possibilities. When you do, beautiful things (and sometimes babies!) happen!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This book was wonderfully intriguing; but it was the emotion in the story and the quality of the writing that sang out to me.

Leave it to Jackie Ashenden to bring some of her Deep River series to her home in New Zealand and to the tiny town of Brightwater Valley, in this second novel in her Small Town Dreams series. Beth, Izzy and Indigo came halfway around the world for a new start, and their arrival and their plan to set up a local gallery featuring their own arts and crafts, as well as those created by the native population was, at first, met with annoyance and scorn by some, but these are 3 feisty ladies, who, when they meet the 3 handsome men who own and operate Pure Adventure NZ, Chase, Finn and Levi, are in for the adventures of their lives. This novel gets off to a rather slow start, which is the only reason for my 4.5- rather than 5-star rating.

This novel is Finn and Beth's story, and it contains some triggers--the loss of a baby, postpartum depression, the end of a relationship, the death of a beloved spouse, and the depth of grief and grieving felt by both characters. Beth wanted out of Deep River because, after the death of her premature baby girl, and its father, she felt like the entire Alaskan town viewed her as "poor, pathetic Beth." She'd decided that by getting a fresh start where no one knew her, she could adopt a ray of sunshine persona and move on from her loss. It's Finn who somehow manages to see past her sunny smiles and chipper attitude to the real woman who's hiding behind them.

Five years earlier, Finn lost his beloved wife, his first and only love, Sophia, and has never stopped grieving her loss--cutting off his emotions, and becoming a stoic, silent, curmudgeon of a man, who is charming to his outdoor adventure clients, but who avoids almost all other contact and conversation--but his attraction to Beth is both immediate and unwanted. Beth's attraction to Finn is also immediate, but trusting another man with her heart is also problematic, but that's about to change for both characters.

I truly enjoyed this novel, and plan to look up every bird and flower mentioned in it, but it was Ms. Ashenden's message about moving on from grief and loss and starting over that really hit home for this reader. It's not an easy subject to center a romance novel around and it was handled with so much grace and understanding that it was impossible not to apply the lessons within it to one's own life and losses. Kudos to Ms. Ashenden for yet another truly heartbreaking and heartwarming read.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

All Roads Lead to You is the second book in the New Zealand series that is the sister series of the Alaska series by Jackie Ashenden. Two wounded souls who have suffered losses in their lives. Finn Kelly handles his losses by refusing to talk about it or engage in any unnecessary conversation for that matter. On the other hand, Alaskan transplant Bethany Grant uses the fake-it-till-you-make-it-sunny-smile to cover her sadness. Both need healing, recovery, and a second chance. This story is such a pleasure to read as they go on their journey to do exactly that.

Finn is definitely grumpy but he is also observant. He sees through Bethany’s fake cheerfulness wanting to know the real person. I liked them both. The landscape setting containing the town is magnificent so it is the perfect place for characters to find a new beginning overcoming their grief, giving themselves a chance to love again. Wonderful romance for all contemporary romance readers.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A huge thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for my complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is my first book by the author and I look forward to reading more books by the author. The book is set in New Zealand . This is a grumpy sunshine romance perfect for fans of second chance romances that follows a wilderness guide and a jewelry designer, It's an incredible romance that shows the beauty of loving after loss, loving after heartbreak and the beauty of new love and the beauty of laughter. I loved the characters, the setting and the pace of the book.

Very well written and enjoyable book. Great character development. Couldn't put it down from the 1st chapter.

The second in.a series but can easily be read as a stand alone. Three friends move to a small town in New Zealand wanting to increase tourism and Beth is hoping to sell her handmade jewelry. Beth Grant wants to leave her sad past in Alaska and puts on a sunny disposition for everyone. Finn Kelly love’s guiding tourists in the wilderness and working with his Brother Chase. (Chase was the romantic lead in the first book.). Finn is grumpy to everyone, especially Beth.

This should be a grumpy vs. sunshine troupe but you don’t get to see it in action only hear that’s how Finn has treats Beth. Instead this is an accidental pregnancy story. After they give into their attraction for one night Beth finds herself pregnant. This is difficult for her because of her past (I won’t spoil it). Finn on the other hand jumps into an alpha male that I didn’t like. Everything all of a sudden has to be his way. It is fine he wants to make sure she is cared for. But they live in a small town, she has a roommate that is a friend but no he insists that she move in with him. Even small things such as he over rides her in like she wants to wait a couple of months to tell people but he insists they tell everyone now. It is ridiculous. Then he has major issues because she is in his house where he had the perfect marriage with the perfect love of his life. He insists on everything his way and then I’m suppose to feel bad for his trauma. Even his small grand gesture at the end with the out door tub felt cringy because he could love her there because his wife didn’t like it.

I’m still giving this three stars as the setting is great and I like Beth. I didn’t realize how much Finn bugged me till I started writing this review. If you like strong alphas that you will enjoy this more than I did. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely, well written romance. I loved the small town setting and feeling of everyone knowing everyone. This would be perfect for readers who love the sunshine/grumpy relationship trope with a bit of depth.
I’ve only given this one three stars as romance is not my fave but I think others would love so would recommend!

Beth moves from Alaska to a small town in Brightwater Valley, New Zealand to try and rebuild her life. Finn has lived in Brightwater all his life, has been married and widowed in this town. He believes he's not meant for love anymore. Will Beth prove him wrong or will their past come between them?

This had the premisce for a cute small town romance. Unfortunately, I wasn't fully convinced. I did really like Beth and Finn, and was rooting for them, but it didn't feel like their relationship was healthy in any way. It all felt a bit too rushed for me, and with a lot of miscommunication, a trope that I am not a fan of.
I do however loved the setting of the story, and the side characters were very much endearing. So I would love to give their story a shot!

* This is the second book in the series, but can be read as a standalone.
* Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and the author for this eARC in exhange for an honest review.

The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me since I didn’t know any of the characters, but Finn and Beth won me over and walloped me in the end. Bring out a few tissues for this heartbreaking tale of loss and learning to love again.

This book really gets into some tough topics including grief and depression.

This book really gets into learning to love again after loss and letting down protective walls. After recently losing my mother, I could really relate to the characters in this book. My heart broke hearing how Fin was struggling getting close to anyone after losing his wife to Cancer and how Beth struggled with post partum depression with lack of family support.

Even through their challenges, I loved how Finn and Beth really saw eachother through the rough exterior and protective cheerfulness. Their connection and obstacles made this book an enthralling romance to read. Plus the New Zealand setting was perfect and the quirky cast of friends gave the tough topics some light relief. I'd love hearing more about the Indigo and Levi saga.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

I had a hard time liking Beth and Finn's characters. Beth acted like she didn't think that she is good enough to have someone fall in love with her so she settles. Finn thinks his dead wife is the best thing that will ever happen to him so he refuses to open his mind to anyone else. It's not until the last chapter that they realize they had made a mistake. Too late in my book, I've already made my mind up by then.

Beth, Izzy, and Indigo moved to New Zealand and now they've settled in to build new lives. Izzy's found love already and now Beth, a jewelry designer, who wasn't really looking, finds it as well with Finn. He's a widower whose back story has him both solitary and closed off. Until he meets Beth. She's a friend to all and that's how their relationship starts. It's trope-y, yes, but it's also delightful, in part thanks to the descriptions of New Zealand. While it is the second in the series, it's perfectly fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Ashenden has a way with storytelling and dialogue- and now, with scenery as well.