Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter: Book Review

  **I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own. 

Living life to the fullest always requires sacrifice.

Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now at risk of developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. She’s driven to protect her loved ones as a workaholic doctor in the tiny mountain town of Riverbend Gap, North Carolina.

Contractor Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail, in memory of the man who died saving his life, when an illness racks his body. After an agonizing fifteen-mile hike to Avery’s clinic, he collapses on her doorstep. He recovers to find himself in debt again, this time to a beautiful doctor.

When he decides to help her renovate a rundown carriage house, the obstacles to their attraction sprout like weeds—starting with the woman waiting for Wes at the end of the trail. Will he be able to relinquish the debt he owes his best friend? And will Avery find the courage to risk everything for love?

The second book in Denise Hunter’s popular Riverbend Romance series explores what it might be like to live fearlessly and free.

Denise Hunter is the internationally published, bestselling author of more than 40 books, three of which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader's Choice Award, the Carol Award, the Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking chai lattes, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband raised three boys and are now enjoying an empty nest and two beautiful granddaughters. To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: @AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: @deniseahunter.

Mulberry Hollow is the second book in the Riverbend Gap series. While we meet most of the characters in the previous book, and there are references mentioned from that one, I do believe this could stand on its own without having read the first. That said, I do believe you'll get the most out of the story by reading them in order to get a fuller understanding of the back story and family dynamics. 

This story focuses on Avery. Due to her uncertain future, she has decided against love and family for herself... that is until it quite literally lands on her doorstep! Wes has been on a hike honoring his late friend when sickness hits and he finds himself needing Avery's help. This book was truly just a fantastic read, just as the first in the series was. Honestly, anytime I pick up a book by Denise Hunter I know I'm in for a good read--- she offers such fantastic characters with great depth... and oh, the chemistry! The chemistry between Avery and Wes jumped off the pages... and I enjoyed every second of it. 

If you enjoy a good, clean romance, this is certainly one book (and series) not to be missed.