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review 2020-03-07 23:39
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek by Annie Rains
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek: Includes a bonus novella (Sweetwater Springs) - Annie Rains

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

 

After Brenna's parents were killed in car accident, she gave up college and lost her fiance to take care of her younger sister. Running her mother's bakery has made her a nice living but it is not her dream. After her sister moves out and starts her dream job, Brenna can't help but think it is time for her to get a second chance at her dreams.

Luke is new to Sweetwater Springs but he's already acting fire chief, finding himself in the middle of a sister fight, and falling for his neighbor.

Brenna and Luke think they know what they want in life but they're going to find out what they need.

 

So we agree. Neither of us is kissing the other,” he said.

 

New to the Sweetwater Springs series, others could start comfortably here, like I did, and not feel lost in the series. I enjoyed the easy pace and lead in to this small town and Brenna and Luke's lives. These two have been neighbors for a couple months but Luke has been a bit standoffish because of a relationship that went sour that he had with his previous neighbor in a different town. I thought there could have been more background on this relationship as I didn't really grasp the emotional importance of it and why it made it so Luke didn't want to even become friends with Brenna. His reservations don't last very long though and he finds himself with Brenna pretty soon.

 

They were taking things slow but his racing heart had somehow missed the message.

 

Brenna's character had a quiet composure, even when she snaps a bit and throws banana pieces at her sister. She came off solid as she stepped up to take care of Eve, her sister, even while Eve acts immature and bratty to her. I would have liked to have more scenes with her aunt and friends to draw her character personality out more. Brenna and Luke were pleasant together, this was a kissing but bedroom door closed story, so their friendship on the road to love was highlighted more than their physical relationship. They have some hurdles to get over, Brenna thinking a long distance relationship would never work and Luke not wanting to open up about the burns on his back that he received in a fire that killed his brother, but for some ending quick dramatic fighting, they were a pretty relaxed couple.

 

He leaned toward her, pinning her with his gaze. “So what is it you want in this moment, Brenna?”

You,” she said simply.

 

I thought the story could have benefited from utilizing of the setting, involving the town and townspeople more, the most shown secondary character was Eve and she was more irritating with her immaturity than young growing pains. The fire station scenes didn't provide a lot for Luke's character as most involved Eve and another firefighter who disrespected Luke, to the point that they mouth-off when Luke catches them about to make-out at work, the scenarios lacked a feeling of professionalism, thus realness. The characters also seemed to jump from point A to point B, without a connecting thread between. Brenna was at work then home, Luke was at work then home, the writing flow was fine but substance that makes a story fulfilling was missing for me.

 

The bedroom door closed and more low-key story and couple could be elements others would enjoy. If you're a reader of the Sweetwater Springs series then you'd probably enjoy revisiting the town and residents more than a new to the series reader like me.

 

 

 

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text 2020-03-07 16:16
Reading Update: 50%
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek: Includes a bonus novella (Sweetwater Springs) - Annie Rains

Good morning! Starting the day off with this combo of blueberries.

 

Homemade whip creams melts fast, y'all :/

 

Hope your Saturday is starting off just as fantastic!

 

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek by Annie Rains purchase link

 

Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes recipe

These were delicious, I added the blueberries to stay on theme :)

 

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review 2019-09-30 14:02
CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains

Snowfall on Cedar Trail: Two full books for the price of one (Sweetwater Springs Book 3)Sweetwater Springs #3, Holona and Alex have been dancing around their attraction for years, since they were both young, but because Alex was best friends with her brother he never wanted to cross that line. Holona ended up getting married and having a son, her husband was a big football star who died in a skiing accident shortly after divorcing her. Holona loved her husband but their was a side of him she never wanted anyone to know about unfortunately Alex was witness to that once but Alex still only knows half the story.

Alex thinks that Holona doesn't want anything to do with him because that one time he arrested her husband, but fate keeps putting them together and finally when Alex gets picked to be her son's mentor

they finally give in to the attraction. Holona's son, Theo, stopped talking after his father died. Holona always doing what she thinks is best for her son she enters him the new mentor program hoping he can find a good male role model.

Alex is tormented by the unsolved murder of his father. Ever year he reopens the case and questions the witness again and tries to find who killed his father. This year is different this year he was given a clue, and now he's worried that going after this person might put Holona and Theo in jeopardy.

Overall, this was a really great read. It's just over 300 pages and it goes by so quickly. The cuteness factor is really high with both Theo and Officer Chew the foster puppy Alex takes in. The romantic build up between Alex and Holona doesn't take long and their chemistry is great. Even as book three this works as a stand alone but all three books and the novella are wonderful reads.


 

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review 2019-08-28 14:07
ARC REVIEW Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs by Annie Rains

 

Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs: A Sweetwater Springs short storySweetwater Springs #2.5, Paris moved to Sweetwater Springs looking for a home, he once lived there as a child and was being bounced from different foster homes every couple of months. His foster parents were stern but welcoming and loving it was the only place that felt like home and Paris was looking for that again after his nasty divorce and maybe reconnect with his former foster parents. Lacy was born and raised in Sweetwater Springs and had the worst high school experience. Despite this she still loved her hometown and moved back after college and became the towns librarian. Lacy is determined not to go to her reunion she doesn't want to relive her past but between her family and friends she halfway to changing her mind and if she could claim she was dating someone like Paris then maybe her old classmates might see her differently now. Lacy makes Paris a deal be her date for her reunion and she'll help him connect to the cantankerous old man his foster father became.

Overall, a short and sweet story I very much enjoyed. Both Lacy and Paris deal with past hurts and learn to love each other. They really are good for each other; the tattooed bad boy image Paris puts off riding his motorcycle and the shy bookish Lacy bring out the best in each other. I am glad Paris got his HEA I fell in love with his character from the first book. This can be read as a stand alone told from a third person POV. Annie Rains packs a punch with this novella, humor and romance with plenty of heartfelt emotion.   
 
 
 
 

 

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review 2018-09-22 15:38
Christmas on Mistletoe Lane (Sweetwater Springs #1) by Annie Rains
Christmas on Mistletoe Lane - Annie Rains

 

 

Rains was blessed with an empathetic voice that shines through each character she writes. Christmas on Mistletoe Lane is the latest example of that gift. Kaitlyn and Mitch tackle heartache with an appealing dose of reality and an abundance of heart. That's what makes this journey of false starts and new beginnings relatable. Mistletoe Lane is about rebuilding trust in the people around you and the person we're all meant to become. It's a celebration of the lessons that help a person grow.

Copyright of Night Owl Reviews

 

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