This is the forth book in this series by this author and another fantastic addition. This is a contemporary romance with the added bit of suspense to keep you hooked. The characters are really well developed and had fantastic chemistry which will set the pages alight as you read. The banter between the characters was really funny. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

(4.25 stars)
This was by far my favorite installment so far. I was immediately immersed in the story and felt immediately connected with both Savanna and Gavin. RWWB deals with some heavier issues than the previous books and really gave it a notch above the rest.

This is book number 4 in the Silver Springs series. I enjoyed this title. It felt very classic Brenda Novak to me. I really love her storytelling and her cast of characters. I would recommend to romance fans that enjoy series set in a small town.

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me is a novel by Richard Fariña: the title encompasses everything I love about the downtrodden but hopeful heroine trope. Savanna Gray of Brenda Novak's ticks all the boxes when she returns to Silver Springs—she and her two children desperately need a do-over.

Her “perfect” life unraveled when, to her absolute shock, her husband was arrested for attacking three women. With her divorce settled, she takes her two children home to Silver Springs to seek refuge between the walls of the farmhouse where she was born.

The precipitating event that causes Savanna to pack up and flee is when an acquaintance accuses Savanna of knowing about her husband’s assaults: “How could you have missed that your husband was out stalking women at night?” The woman shouts at her in the supermarket, in front of Savanna’s traumatized children, Branson and Alia. Understandably, “the crimes Gordon committed had shaken the small, insular town of Nephi, Utah, to the core,” but Savanna can’t take another day of raw emotion. Of feeling like she never wants to leave her house again.

Fast forward to a truck, bumping down an unmanicured country lane when a man bangs on Savanna’s truck to get her attention:

“You can’t go down that way,” he explained, gesturing at the road ahead. “The bridge is washed out.”

“What bridge?” she asked.

He blinked in surprise. “The bridge that goes over the creek.”

She scowled. “You mean before you reach the house?”

Who’s the good Samaritan? It’s Savanna’s neighbor, Gavin Turner, an employee and former student at the New Horizons Boys Ranch. He sure doesn’t look like Savanna’s clean-cut ex.

Savanna watched Gavin carefully. He wasn’t overly large or imposing. Maybe five-eleven to six feet tall, he had broad shoulders and big hands but a thin frame and wore his dark hair in a man bun with a closely trimmed beard and mustache. To her, he looked like an artist or a musician—or maybe just a vegetarian . . .

What’s so enjoyable about Right Where We Belong is seeing Savanna sort out what she believes, what she feels, and what she wants for her future. She watches Gavin tease her kids and put them at ease, thinking, “Evil people weren’t funny, were they?” But she still gets off to a bad start with Gavin when she recoils when he tells her he once attended a boy’s ranch. Savanna apologizes the next day, acknowledging that she jumped to conclusions about Gavin because he “ran into a spot of trouble” in his teens.

“Your past has nothing to do with anything.”

“Then you’re just not into me.”

He said that with a twinkle in his eye, as if he was man enough to take no, if that was her answer. This had to be the most emotionally brave individual she’d ever met. She couldn’t help admiring his self-confidence. Gordon would never have risked his ego that way. “It’s not you specifically. I’m done with men. All men. I wish I’d never gotten involved with the one I married.”

When Gavin points out that, “Never’s a long time. Won’t you get lonely?” she tells him, “Maybe I’ll become a lesbian.” That’s certainly a 360.

“You can’t judge all men by the actions of one,” he said.

He’d made that point before, but she was too traumatized to be so fair.

“No, but I can take precautions.”

“Like changing your sexuality.”

“Yes.”

“That’s a pretty big deal. Please tell me you’re bi at least.”

“Not yet. But I’m hoping I’ll be able to change. I’m willing to try.”

There is an impediment to her brave new plans—in the person of her helpful new neighbor, currently slapping together a rudimentary bridge so she can cross the stream and get to her family’s farmhouse.

As he carried two of the boards to a staging area near the moorings of the old bridge, she tried not to admire him in those jeans. He had one heck of a nice butt. She had to admit that much, despite her plans for a man-less future.

Not sure anyone should risk their money betting on Savanna’s “man-less future.” More like a hands-full of man future if the romancelandia crystal ball is intact. Gavin tells her fantasy solution may have her “missing out.”

“Okay, but if you get tired of pretending, feel free to give me a call. I like it soft and gentle, and I won’t get in the way of your search for a lesbian partner.”

An embittered yet hopeful woman who has no experience with passion and a gentle, hunky neighbor who’s good with his hands—Right Where We Belong has all the feels and a sweet, sexy couple to boot.

This is book 4 in the Silver Springs series and it features Gavin and Savannah. Most stories are full of peaks and valleys but this one was definitely full of peaks. Something was always happening. There was never a dull moment. This author wrote Gavin’s passive, gentle mannered character perfectly! He’s genuinely a good guy who's always thinking of others before himself. Savanna had been through so much already. I can’t imagine the humiliation she felt with the scene at the beginning of the book. Their attraction grew naturally and was easy to see how strongly their feelings were and then...BAM! It was too late to ignore them. I was definitely hoping love would win over obligation. These two certainly have the odds stacked against them with everything happening in their lives.

Another fantastic story in a fantastic series. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Brenda Novak has a writing ability to make you see a book move like a movie. Her writing POV’s bring you right into the dialogue between the characters but allows for plenty of dissection into the why’s behind the actions of the characters.
Right Where We Belong is the fourth book in the Silver Spring series and it’s all about rebuilding. Savanna Gray desperately needs a do over, her husband was arrest on atrocious, awful charges and the life she was once knew has been completely ruined. Seeking a new life, she moves to Silver Spring for the sake of herself and her two small children. Gavin, her attractive new neighbor, has a past filled with secrets. However, Gavin is the first person to introduce himself and becomes a pillar of support for her. As time moves on they realize their chemistry is more than just a friendship but with outside forces pushing them apart, will they be able to resist?
Savanna is newly single and trying to navigate through some treacherous water with her two small children. Even with all that life was handing her, she never let it get her down. She was always there for her kids and she’s was always willing to do whatever it took to get them to a better tomorrow. Gavin is such a sweet neighbor with some very sexy characteristics. He was the always ready handyman for repairs as well as personal issues. While their romance was fast, their chemistry was felt from the first meeting. Gavin may have been very sweet but he knew exactly how to get dirty with Savanna.
I loved this story. There was an element of suspense to it and I was on the edge of my seat with that ending. I do think that Novak could have given a bigger punch for the ending but it was a sweet note that everyone needed. Savanna and Gavin’s story of redemption is one that is sweet and everlasting. I knew that they would have a tough road getting to a happy ending but it was one that would be well worth it.

The saga continues with Silver Springs and the men of New Horizons Boys Ranch, as love seems to spring in the air giving each of these good men a well-deserved partner and a future.

With her entire life torn apart by her murderous husband, Savannah Gray returns to her hometown of Silver Springs to start fresh and keep her kids away from the shadows of an evil father, renovating her childhood house and making a home, right where she belongs.

Abandoned as a child and with New Horizons giving him a new lease of life, Gavin Turners knows very well the trauma of starting over and finding oneself, to give an identity to self and set some roots with family, and Savannah and her kids kindle in him feelings of desire, family and a future.

Another well crafted story of pain and betrayal, abandonment and loss, love and support, family and friends. Savannah’s character will bring tears to your eyes, and Gavin’s kindness and big heart gives hope that there’s enough good to out weigh the bad. “Right Where We Belong” is a skillful narration of a beautiful story of second chances, happiness, faith and hope.

Received an ARC from Harlequin via NetGalley for an honest review.

I was unable to finish this book. The writing is classic Novak and the characters are all good, I just struggled with the plot line. It doesn't mean this book isn't worth a read - it is. The story just didn't resonate with me.

RIGHT WHERE WE BELONG by Brenda Novak is a wonderful edition to the Silver Springs Series. At this point it is fair to say it is my favorite. We need more heroes like Gavin.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This is a story of a woman learning to trust again. Savanna moved to Silver Springs, Ca when her husband is charged with rape of three women. She and her two small children move into a house her parents had bought with the hope of renovating but died before they could start. Her neighbor, Gavin becomes a friend and helps the family deal with the house and their past. This book is part of the Silver Springs series but you don't need to read the previous books. They are all basically stand alone. Brenda Novak is a prolific author and usually gives a good read.

I usually love Brenda Novak's books especially the ones set in small towns but I had a hard time really liking the characters of Gavin and Savannah. They seemed incomplete somehow and because of that it was difficult to really understand any of their motivations for their behaviour. Gavin, instead of making me believe he was doing this very honorable thing just made me feel most of the time that he was just indecisive. Although he did redeem himself when he acknowledged that he was stringing along both Savanna and Heather and put a stop to it. Savanna's behaviour on the other hand felt a little bit more real, since she did have to contend with an ex and his mother's criminal behaviour. I would still recommend this for fans of the series since the love story was still basically great for this two. But its probably not for readers who prefers having a more in depth character development.

Right Where We Belong is another book in Brenda Novak's Silver Springs series. However it is perfect as a stand alone. Like the previous book I read in this series there is some romance, some crime, a little mystery - all in all, a good mix.

Savannah has had the misfortune to find herself married to someone who has been attacking women. He is in prison awaiting trial and she is suffering trial by public opinion so she decides to leave the small town and travel to California where there is a dilapidated home belonging to herself and her brother. She has two delightful but bewildered children and as well she has a whole lot of gumption.

Gavin is one of the past pupils of New Horizons Boys Ranch, he now works there and is a musician as well. He takes an immediate liking and attraction to Savannah when she arrives, and really helps her out where he can.

This does not please his prior girlfriend who is hoping to wheedle her way back into his life with a bit of blackmail and putting the screws into him where she knows it will count. Will she succeed?

When it looks like the police might not be able to close the case against Savannah's husband - soon to be divorced, Savannah after weighing up things decides to get a little more involved and takes some big risks. I found it a little scary as she did her own investigation!

A fun read, nice and relaxing on the whole, that mixture of romance and sizzle, a heroine making a stand for herself and a hero there to support her while she does it.

Savanna Gray didn't know her husband was a serial rapist. But once the town found out, she became a pariah. So she packed up her two kids and took them to the house she had inherited from her parents. She's never been there, it's barely livable, but she's going to go anyway. Thank goodness the guy next door is willing to help her out.

Gavin Turner just wants to work on his music and live his life. He'd rather his ex-girlfriend were a little farther away but she seems happy in her new relationship. The new neighbor is hot so he doesn't mind helping her out.

The two almost immediately start hooking up which then leads into True Love and Happily Ever After.

Novak does a great job of portraying people in hard circumstances. Savanna isn't the only one with emotional scars. I got a good idea of why she and Gavin got together but couldn't really see them working out longer than that. I didn't see the ties. And I really disliked the "crazy ex-girlfriend" storyline.



Three stars

This book comes out October 31Savanna Gray didn't know her husband was a serial rapist. But once the town found out, she became a pariah. So she packed up her two kids and took them to the house she had inherited from her parents. She's never been there, it's barely livable, but she's going to go anyway. Thank goodness the guy next door is willing to help her out.

Gavin Turner just wants to work on his music and live his life. He'd rather his ex-girlfriend were a little farther away but she seems happy in her new relationship. The new neighbor is hot so he doesn't mind helping her out.

The two almost immediately start hooking up which then leads into True Love and Happily Ever After.

Novak does a great job of portraying people in hard circumstances. Savanna isn't the only one with emotional scars. I got a good idea of why she and Gavin got together but couldn't really see them working out longer than that. I didn't see the ties. And I really disliked the "crazy ex-girlfriend" storyline.



Three stars

This book comes out October 31

When Gordon, Savanna's husband, was arrested as a serial rapist, she stood by him.until the evidence overwhelmingly proved otherwise. Everyone in their small Utah town blamed her for her husband's actions so she moved with her two young children to a broken down house her father had left her in Silver Springs in rural California.

Gavin is Savanna's neighbour. In addition to being a musician, he is works at New Horizons Boys Ranch, a place he spent a lot of his childhood after his father and stepmother had abandoned him. As soon as Savanna and Gavin meet, there is an attraction. But each is dealing with things going on in their lives so are determined to remain friends.

I liked the writing style and thought it was well-paced. It is written in third person perspective with the focus alternating between the various characters including Savanna and Gavin. The story was interesting with lots of twists and turns. Though this is the fourth in the Silver Springs series, it works as a stand alone as there is enough information provided about the first one (I haven't read the first three). As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

I look forward to reading the others in this series.

This is the second time I've tried to read a book by this author and I think it's clear that something about the writing style doesn't connect with me. The story itself seems fascinating - this is exactly the kind of story I can see myself falling into - but the writing style feels like a lot of telling without a lot of showing and I felt like I was on the outside looking in on a romance that I was not connected to at all. Another DNF and a sad realization that this author is just probably not for me.

Despite the fact that this was a swing and a miss for me, I do sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

4th in series
I found first one in series and I felt I would like it by the premise--I LOVED IT,
LOVED the second, LOVED the third, so I was so excited to read this one and I LOVED IT.

Right from the first line- woman confronted in store with her kids witnessing ... I was hooked!!

The descriptions of Silver Springs - I want to go
especially that there are no chain stores; only local businesses.

I truly enjoyed every book in this series!
I highly recommend them all!!

FINAL DECISION: This story was okay, but I thought it was too complicated by other relationships so that the main romance suffered. I liked the suspense aspect, but wanted more between the hero and heroine.

THE STORY: Savanna Gray has come to Silver Springs with her two young children running from her discovery that her husband was actually a rapist. He's in jail claiming he is innocent, her mother in law blames Savanna for failing to support him, and the towns people blame Savanna for not recognizing his criminality sooner. Savanna comes to live in a house owned by her deceased father, but doesn't realize that it needs more work than she expected. When she meets her neighbor, Gavin Turner, Savanna wants to keep her distance, but the sexy helpful man touches her heart. Gavin has his own struggles -- his abandonment as a child, an ex who still wants a claim on him, and his attraction to Savanna despite her conflicts.

OPINION: There was much to like in this book. I really liked the suspense aspect of the story. The characters were good people and they had a nice connection with one another. My problem with the story was that there was just too much going on. Too many complications and side stories. As such, I thought that too much time was spent away from the central relationship and thus this book was just okay for me.

I thought that Gavin was a very nice man who was put in a difficult situation. I really disliked his conflict because it gave an additional level of complication to the relationship that really bothered me. Combined with Savanna still being married and having only months since discovering that her husband was a criminal, I couldn't help but think that these characters really needed to stay apart for a year or so to deal with their own baggage.

I finished this book with no problem and I liked much of the conflict, but it wasn't my favorite of the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: Readers of the series will get to see more of Eli.

CONNECTED BOOKS: RIGHT WHERE WE BELONG is the fourth book in the Silver Springs series. This book, however, can be read as a standalone as while it has some overlapping characters, the story is completely separate.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Review to be published on 10/31

This one really caught me as Savanna Gray and her two children try to do a new start to their lives. Savanna is one very strong woman who is facing more challenges than any one person should. I really admired how she worked to change her life for herself and her children. Gavin Turner was the right person at the right time. Just turns out he has problems of his own. This was a very good addition to the Silver Springs series. Savanna and Gavin are strong characters who are facing their problems head on. Savanna's problem was unique while Gavin's was not the unusual. I loved how everything worked out in the end.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book! All the books in this series have been fantastic, and this continued in this book! I really enjoyed meeting Savanna, and getting to know Gavin more, and watch their relationship bloom!

Both Savanna and Gavin have problems. Savanna was married to a guy who's accused of rape, and she needed a fresh start for her and her kids. Gavin has a lady who is kinda obsessed with him, and plays games with him and another guy when it turns out she's pregnant. Sure, these issues aren't on the same level, but they are both difficulties that they have to face!

There were a lot of cute moments in this book! Gavin with her kids, while they were cleaning up the house...they were really sweet. There were also moments that were really heart-racing, both romance and bad guys! Which was so great to read!

The near ending was so tense! Like, she could've been discovered at any time, and what she found...yeah. I almost had to read with my eyes slightly covered, because I needed to know what would happened, but I had the instinct to protect myself from that!

Yeah, this book was really excellent, and I can't wait for more in this series, because there's so many more characters who need to find happiness!

Right Where We Belong is a suspense contemporary romance by a master of romance writing, Brenda Novak.

After realizing her husband was arrested as a rapist, Savanna takes her children and herself to her unused family land in Silver Springs. Escaping the attacks and gossip mill of the locals in Utah. The home is in extreme disrepair and if it wasn’t for her kind neighbor Gavin her initial trip across the old bridge would have ended them all the creek.

Savanna is caught between believing her husband’s innocence and the overwhelming evidence until she can no longer support his attempts to get out of prison. His dysfunctional mother is abusive to Savanna and the threats begin to accumulate from her soon to be ex-husband, Savanna doesn’t have any interest in finding a man…but she can’t help but notice Gavin.

I did find a few character choices difficult to connect with (ie. police protocol, legal and illegal actions and reactions and sometimes the complete lack of actions).

Right Where We Belong is a lighter romantic suspense. The topic matter is not light and easy, including rape and murder but the romance, suspense and overall air of the storytelling is direct and easily consumed.

I received this ARC copy of Right Where We Belong from Harlequin - MIRA. This is my honest and voluntary review. Right Where We Belong is set for publication October 31, 2017.

My Rating: 3.5 stars
Written by: Brenda Novak
Series: Silver Springs
Sequence in Series: Book 4
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: MIRA
Publication Date: October 31, 2017
ISBN-10: 0778330389
ISBN-13: 978-0778330387
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

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Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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