Return to Hummingbird Way is the second book in the Holly Grove Island and a great follow-up to Second Chance on Cypress Lane, the first book in the series.

Sinclair "Sin" Buchanan and Garrett "Rett" Davenport are not what you would call friends, more like frenemies. They never have been, but for as long as they can remember, they have been forced to spend time together because Sin's best friend, Dakota, and Rett's cousin, Dexter, are a couple and they wanted to spend time with them, so that meant forced togetherness. There was one time they ran into one another at a work function where they ended up spending one passionate night together, but they've chosen to push that under the proverbial rug and move along as if nothing happened.

Rett is currently back home in Holly Grove Island as Dakota and Dexter have asked he and Sin to help them plan their wedding in a matter of weeks instead of months. For these two people that don't see eye to eye very often, they are forced to put their differences aside and work together to ensure their friends have the wedding they have always dreamed of. Will they be able to do it and will they possibly learn new things about one another in the process?

I really enjoyed how we got to see these characters realize that the people they thought they knew had changed quite a bit since the time they were in high school. Both Sin and Rett had been through difficult and formative events during high school and now that they are adults, things are much different and they aren't the same people they used to be. Those events changed them and shaped them and they are better people for them, as they've learned and grown from them, as hard as they may have been. I appreciated how supportive Rett was of Sin and I also liked how the issues with the families were handled. It felt very realistic to me, which I always appreciate.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series without a doubt. I have no doubt it is going to be as good as these first two have been!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I loved this book! The second chance story presented here was heart-warming and funny. The characters were quirky and interesting. I loved Sin and kept hearing Whitley Gilbert (Different World) every time I read her part. Great set up for two stubborn people both in need of a genuine partner but with their own baggage to shed.

4.5 Stars

Sinclair Buchanan and Garrett Davenport shared one night together five years ago. Neither one of them has forgotten it, but they also don’t acknowledge it, as each one has their reasons for doing so. They are both real estate professionals, but they work a few hours apart from each other. Sinclair loves her hometown of Holly Grove Island and doesn’t want to leave, while Garrett has moved to another part of the state, and has been very successful. However, he is mulling over a possible career change, which will take him farther away from his hometown and his beloved grandmother, Annamae. She raised him, and she needs his help now, since her house is getting older and needs some upkeep. She also sees the interest that Garrett and Sinclair have in each other, but that they think they are hiding. So she decides to meddle a bit. This adds quite a bit of interest as well as an element of fun to this story. The community spirit and family-like atmosphere add even more dimension to this tale.

Rett and Sin have some challenge to face and some communication to tackle. They succeed in this as the story evolves--after a few rough starts--and they get better at it as well. The tension and pacing are appropriate for this story, and Ryan keeps readers interested and engaged in the outcome. Rett and Sin are complex people with flaws, but both remain very likeable throughout this story.

HS frenemies are forced into planning their BFFs wedding

Sinclair (Sin) Buchanan & Garrett (Rett) Davenport were part of a friends circle in HS, but they always put each other down or threw insults back and forth. Fast forward 17 years and Rett and Sin are thrown together to handle a rushed wedding between Rhett’s cousin and best friend, Dexter… and Sin’s best friend, Dakota.

This is a wonderful romance that truly develops over a short period of time between two people who have to overcome what they once were and recognize the individuals they are now, their grown, mature, and sexy selves.

Loved the meddling grandmother, Mama Mae, and Sin’s ability to hear, help and guide those she cared about…. Izzy, Dakota, Rett… but she didn’t let many in to help and guide her until Rett stared breaking down her walls.

A feel good romance with just enough angst to keep the reader engaged but not anxious.

I enjoyed the second book much more than the first. Rett and Sin were typical teens, treating each other with barbs, put down, teasing, and humor when in fact deep down they were attracted to each other. Flash ahead 20 years and they're planning their best friends wedding.

As they work together, they each realize how much they misjudged the other. Since their one night stand five years ago, they've avoided each other
They realize the attraction and both hesitate to reveal their true feelings, but in order to make the relationship work they must reveal their love . Will it bond them together or separate them? You're going to want to read this and find out.

Although I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Return to Hummingbird Way by Reece Ryan
Holly Grove Island #2. Contemporary diverse/own voice romance. Small town, Second chance troupes.
Garrett Davenport returns home for a family event. Sinclair Buchanan has organized the event and seeing Garrett there gets her heart racing. He reciprocates but both have busy lives and aren’t sure anything more is possible, much less advisable. Enter granny, Mama Mae with a rehab decorating project she wants Sin to manage, has Sin and Rett working together on the project. Can their geographic differences be overcome so they can peruse a more permanent relationship?

Sin and Rett clearly have chemistry (steammmy!) but competing careers and where they peruse those careers is a big factor. One or both will have to make changes and compromises. Both seem happy and successful where they are so that typically means something changes over the course of the story. I was thinking that I dislike this conflict, but I guess it’s real life. Your new job / opportunity / love may require some changes.
Sin and Rett work well together on the rehab and in their relationship. Mama Mae adds some wonderful life commentary, and yes, change happens to get our HEA.
Steamy, and charming.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

The hero and the heroine are best friends to a couple who is about to marry in this book. They have mutual hate crushes on each other since they were teenagers and as adults, their relationship changed a bit when they became adults. Their close contact with each other brings the mutual attraction that had simmered ever since they succumbed to a night of pleasure five years ago to burst forth and they enter a relationship that could end due to other factors.

This is the second book in the HOLLY GROVE ISLAND series by Reese Ryan. It has a couple who were definitely made for each other. I enjoyed the exchanges that occurred between the hero and the couple as their relationship changed and they learned more about each other. I liked how the couple were with their families and their friends, with all the ups and downs that they experienced with their loved ones. I also appreciated a decision that the couple made about their future. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this Reese Ryan book and look forward to reading more HOLLY GROVE ISLAND books in the future.


** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, steamy and fun. It kept me reading and I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

This is Sinclair Buchanan and Garrett Davenport journey. They had a mutual hate crush in high school, and now they are working together to create the wedding of their friend's dream.
They bring their baggage with them, and face the things that happened, mistakes were made, but the chemistry they have leaps from the pages.
This is a story of friendship, love, forgiveness, Garrett thought he had really messed things up, when he told Sinclair's parents, how they make Sinclair feel. This is a journey, and they decided to follow it, and see where they end up. Reese Ryan, tells their story, that you can feel all that they are going through. It flowed along, taking me with them.
I received an ARC from Forever through NetGalley.

This is a beautifully written small town romance that was a joy to read. It's full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. Grab this book and settle in a great read.
I received a complimentary copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

If it's one thing about Reese Ryan, she is going to bring a perfect weekend read with a steamy story about two lovers who may or may not realize they NEED to be together. Return to Hummingbird Way is one such story, and I was thrilled to visit Holly Grove Island.
Enemies to Lovers is a hill I will die on, so I dug into this one. I love the plot device of characters that don't get along but *have* to get along for some purpose (I wrote one like this so I was a giggling, feet kicking fool, reading this). Our two lovebirds have to plan a rush, impromptu event for their best friends and that means they have to work together. Not only that but they're in the same profession so there is a smattering of competition, especially when Rett's grandmother presents a project to Sinclair and Rett is not. happy.
This book has the most satisfying ending I've read in a long, long time. A breath of fresh air and the sexy, snippy, swoony romance I needed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Return to Hummingbird Way by Reese Ryan is a small town, enemies to lovers romance and second book to the Holly Grove Island. I personally have not read the first book and had no trouble following the story or the characters, so this book can definitely be read as a standalone. I loved how Sinclair and Garret hated each other but they were still pinning for the other. I thought that their chemistry was really well done and that they were a great couple and perfect for each other. The character growth was well developed and I loved the communication this book gave us, it was refreshing to see. The story made sense and it kept my attention, I loved reading about the small town aspect of this book. The ending was perfect and it left me satisfied with the story. I really recommend this book and can’t wait to see what else this author writes.

Escape to Hummingbird Way is a scintillating small-town tale that will sweep you off your feet. This novel is a perfect blend of fun and romance, with a fast-paced plot, well-crafted characters, and a captivating storyline filled with intriguing drama, irresistible deception, and undeniable passion.

Rett and Sin. I love those derivatives of the two main characters’ names.
They are like two cats hissing and growling at each other.
But as they plan a rush job on their friends’ marriage, their hissing turns to intense kissing.
I love the beachy NC setting and both Sin and Rett grow into their community and each other.
A bonus novella from Jeannie Chin is also included!

A Small Town Romance with A Little Kick!

Return to Hummingbird Way is a small town sweet romance with a lot of spice and a little sass. It is the second installment in the Holly Grove Island series but can be read as a stand-alone. The storyline is realistic and the chemistry between Garrett and Sinclair can be felt throughout the novel.
Add a sassy matchmaking grandmother with a full proof plan to the mix, and you have a story that truly shines! I couldn’t help but become engulfed in the plot to get Rett and Sin together. I found myself being pulled into the story, becoming one of the town’s people, watching and waiting to see whether Garret and Sinclair would get it right.
Return to Hummingbird Way Is A Small To Romance with a Reese Ryan Kick!

I always love a new Reese Ryan book, and Return to Hummingbird Way - the sequel to Second Chance on Cypress Lane, in the Holly Grove Island series - is another beautiful story from a favorite author.

I read both of these books back-to-back… because I’m a procrastinator! I bought Cypress Lane 2 years ago when it was first released but didn’t manage to get it to the top of my reading list until I had the ARC of book 2 in-hand. Reading them together was actually perfect, because after I finished the first, I was desperate to know how Sin’s story was going to play outI would definitely suggest you do the same, to read them straight through together.

Sin and Rett (Sinclair and Garrett) have never been friends - their best friends and cousin were a couple, so they were always together because they had to be, to spend time with Dakota and Dexter. They “accidentally” spent a night together of angry passion a few years ago (when they ran into each other at a work thing), but they have both decided to forget it, and carry on as enemies. Rett doesn’t even live in town anymore. When they end up having to plan a short-notice wedding for Dakota and Dex, all their plans go out the door and they have to be nice again.. which isn’t easy in a town like theirs or a job like theirs.

It was great, like every Reese Ryan book I’ve read! I highly recommend this book, but definitely read book one first. You need the background on the characters, the town and island, and the friends.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest feedback.

This was a book I got from Net Galley. Then I realized it was book two in a series. Funny thing was I already owned book one so I had to go read it first. I guess they could stand alone but it makes much more sense if you read them in order.

Sin and Rett were such a cute couple. They had this hate/crush relationship that started back in high school. I usually don’t like that sort of thing but this was done well. He wasn’t a bully and they gave each other equal amounts of grief.

It was clear that they had feelings for each other. I liked that they also still got on each other’s nerves as well. It wasn’t a smooth ride to happiness. I liked seeing each character grow in who they were and what they wanted.

The ending was perfect in my opinion. The chapters were short and allowed me to quickly breeze through the book. This was a really great read.

Definitely 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’re looking for a book that is going to make you feel all warm and gooey inside, look no further. Return to Hummingbird Way is filled with nostalgia and second chance vibes.

I enjoyed the ways in which author Reese Ryan gives readers light enemies-to-lovers with a dash of “there’s a thin line between love and hate” throughout the story. Both Sin and Rett have to overcome their perceptions of their past selves in order to fully give each other a chance.

The ideas of home and family are wonderfully explored as both main characters navigate through their own issues and then grow from them. I thought the chemistry between Sin and Rett was fantastic, and I love the world that Ryan has built for readers. It will be a place I revisit often.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for generously providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love a great enemies to lovers story! Sinclair and Garrett have no choice but to spend time together planning their best friends’ wedding and its events. They have feelings for each other that prevent them from truly being themselves around each other until they reveal it. Coupled with the wedding planning, Rett’s Mama Mae schemes to have the two spend even more time together renovating her house. The changes in these characters from the start of the story to the end was quite the metamorphosis. From catty and superficial to loving and deep. Underneath all that angst was beautiful love waiting.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Sinclair had a hate crush on Garrett when they were in high school together. Little did they know, both had feelings for each other but they were afraid to express them. Garrett returns to Holly Grove Island due to his best friend marrying Sinclair's best friend. Forced to work together on wedding events and demoing and renovating Garrett's grandmother's house, their feelings rise up again and deeper feelings come into play. I loved Garrett and Sinclair as a couple. They really grew and matured together in the relationship once admitted their true feelings for each other. I loved how they had each other's backs and how supportive they were of each other. I also fell in love with the Mama Mae character. I loved how she manipulated them to spend time together in order to increase their chances of falling in love. 😊 Once again, Ms. Ryan has written a great small-town romance that I highly recommend.