Honeysuckle Dreams, book 2 in Denise Hunter’s Blue Ridge Romance series, takes readers into a marriage of convenience that puts the well-being of a baby first.
Single dad, Brady Collins, has been raising his 9-month-old son by himself ever since his ex-wife died in a car accident. Sammy is his life and he would do anything for him. When his sister-in-law brings Sammy home from visitation with his grandparents, she informs him that her parents are planning to sue for custody of the boy, claiming that, biologically, Brady isn’t really Sammy’s father. Blindsided, Brady checks with his lawyer to see what his options are. He doesn’t care what a DNA test says, Sammy is his son.
Popular local DJ Hope Daniels solves problems on the air on her show, “Living with Hope”. She also babysits for Brady several days a week, and has fallen in love with little Sam. When a fluke encounter with Brady’s lawyer makes him believe that she and Brady are engaged, she’s willing to go along with the charade if it means Brady keeps Sam. How far will she take it, though, when the lawyer says marriage would be even better?
Brady and Hope have known each other forever. Hope’s best friend is Brady’s sister, Zoe. They both believe that marriage is sacred. Can these friends keep their hearts intact, if their focus is on what’s best for Sam? Both have been shattered by love before. Will they step out in faith, or barricade themselves away so they can’t be hurt again?
This is the kind of story that has made Denise Hunter one of my favorite authors. It plucks every emotional heartstring to play a melody that is both gentle, and resounding. I snickered. I cried. I ached. I felt triumph. It was a joy to read Brady and Hope’s story. I love how Ms. Hunter brings the past into the story to show why the characters are reacting in the present the way they are. It brings richness to the story that isn’t always present without it. I also loved that she brought back characters from both Sweetbriar Cottage and Blue Ridge Sunrise.
Romance readers will love this one! I highly recommend Honeysuckle Dreams.

I'm always drawn to this type of story and I really loved Brady and Hope. I especially loved the timeline of the book and how deep inside both their relationship and also their own personal lives we got to see. Hunter is a master of backstory for her characters. The more you learn about their individual pasts the more you realize why they are the way they are and it is very enlightening. I love seeing their personalities develop through their experiences past and present. I also really enjoy seeing their growth.

I really related to Hope in this book. First of all, she is an obvious baby lover devoting all of her free time to caring for Sam. I wanted to crawl into the pages of the book to hold him! But I also tend toward some of her same personality traits especially some of her flaws. It was actually a perfect read for me right now as I've been dealing with some fear - just like Hope. I love when a fiction book can point me back to God and give me hope.

It wasn't hard for me to fall for Brady as he is a mechanic and so is my husband. They work on different types of things but so many parts of the story reminded me of my husband! But truly I love what a devoted father he is and how unexpectedly romantic he turned out to be.

It was nice to find just a little bit of suspense in this book to add to its romantic storyline. I enjoyed the twist toward the end as it was completely unexpected. I also enjoyed that it branched out just a little bit into the legal side of custody agreements.

This book really has it all. I found myself with so many emotions throughout. But I especially loved the romance. I'm a sucker for the marriage of convenience trope. I love watching friends become lovers and found Brady and Hope's love story was super special. I loved how deeply they cared for each other as friends and how committed Brady was to making their unconventional marriage work no matter what. I have to admit I loved reading a book that was more about marriage and less about the leading up to marriage and I loved that it wasn't perfect, but that it was truly realistic with problems that couples face. I appreciate relationships that show the work behind a happily ever after.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

This is my second book by Denise Hunter and I do enjoy her writing style and her characters. She's a talented and strong writer and created a sweet relationship between Brady and Hope. Very enjoyable read.

"He was so tired of trying to convince other people he was worthy of their love. Tired of being forced on people who didn't even want him."

I have been a fan of Denise Hunter's a very long time and I've read all her books. She never disappoints. This second in her Blue Ridge Romance series is sure to please all her loyal readers and earn her new ones.

Brady Collins is a full time dad to his baby son Sam since his ex wife died suddenly. He is also running a full time booming specialty car auto repair business. Then he gets news that sends him into a tailspin. Sam is not his biological son. Then he learns that Sam's maternal grandparents want custody of the baby. Brady's lawyer tells him that things will definitely look better for him if he had a wife to help him raise the baby.

Enter local radio talk show celebrity Hope Daniels. She and Brady have known each other forever and like one another, so they make a deal. Marriage to help Brady get custody of Sam. After all, she loves Sam, too, and she and Brady have always gotten along. What could go wrong?

Then Hope gets offered her dream job.....a radio talk show position in Atlanta. But she can commute. It will be just fine. Or will it? They marry and things seem to be working out great until some old fears Hope had seemingly buried rear their ugly head. The job in Atlanta now seems to be an escape route for her. She and Brady have now both realized the love each other, but do they really trust? This one is complicated, but with God's help, will they work it out and allow peace and happiness to rule?

Denise Hunter always has a knack for creating characters that just get down in your heart, staying long after the last page is turned in the book. The reader feels their heartbreak and their happiness, going along with them as they journey through the difficulties of life, because sometimes love is complicated and sometimes it hurts.

Loved this one and now ready for book #3. Keeper shelf is where it will now reside. Highly recommended.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Honeysuckle Dreams is my favorite Denise Hunter book so far! And I think I’ve read every one she’s written. There’s a depth to her characters that pulls you into the story and makes you root for their healing and future, and the romance is just right. Highly recommended.

HONEYSUCKLE DREAMS is a beautiful story written by veteran author Denise Hunter. She is an amazing storyteller. This novel will capture your heart with chapter one....and will not let it go until the final page. Treat yourself!!!

Honeysuckle Dreams, by Denise Hunter is primarily a contemporary romance, which features underlying inspirational themes.

Brady Collins is a single dad to his nine-month old son, after his ex-wife recently died. Their relationship was built on a drunken one-night stand, which led to a baby and then marriage proposal. However, Brady's new wife quickly became his ex-wife, when she decided that she didn't want to stay married to him. Shortly after her death, Brady is devastated to discover that her parents want legal custody of his young son, as well as he might not actually be the biological father.

During the legal proceedings, Brady realized that an engagement (or marriage) would benefit his case towards proper custody of his son. And his first choice for a fake fiance is Hope Daniels. She's is a local radio celebrity, but the radio station closed, which lead to a possible dream job opportunity. During her free time, Hope helps with the daily care of Brady's young son. Plus, she's had a secret crush on Brady for years.

Both Hope and Brady are insecure in their relationship, due to the reality of their fake engagement and their separate difficult tragic pasts. Brady and Hope deal with miscommunication and struggle with their fake (yet real) relationship.

It's the second book in the Blue Ridge Romance series, and it's easily read as a standalone. However, I recommend starting with the first book in the series, which is titled as Blue Ridge Sunrise, to meet the Collins family and additional secondary characters.

Honeysuckle Dreams is geared towards readers who enjoy fictional modern romance stories with a slight inspirational theme.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Honeysuckle Dreams is such a sweet and emotional story that pulls on the heartstrings. We met Brady and Hope in Blue Ridge Sunrise. Brady is Zoe's brother and Hope is her best friend. Brady comes from a sad beginning. His mother is a drug addict and irresponsible. Her sister and husband adopted him as a young boy so he was raised as a brother to Zoe. One night, he had a weak moment after his biological mother was in town and didn't try to get in touch with him. He had too much to drink and spent the night with an acquaintance that she soon let him know that she was pregnant. Brady did the right thing and married her. The marriage didn't last and ended in a divorce. When she is killed in a wreck, Brady wounds up with sole custody of young Sam, six months old. He has lots of help from friends who watch Sam when he needs to work. One such person is Hope Daniels, psychologist and radio host. When the maternal grandparents sue for custody on grounds that Brady is not the baby's father, Brady and Hope unite together to try to make sure that Brady is able to keep Sam. They arrange a marriage in hopes that will sway the judge.
I enjoyed the banter between Brady and Hope who have been friends for years through Zoe. They are really sweet together and have lots of fun. But both are damaged souls from their pasts and have baggage to deal with if they stand a chance for the future. The stress of the trial is weighing heavy on them. We see old friends from Blue Ridge Sunrise and Sweetbriar Cottage as the group gathers together at the local grill. This is another emotional story that Denise Hunter is so great at writing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've enjoyed Denise Hunter's other titles and this one did not disappoint.

Every time I read a Denise Hunter book, I say it is the best yet. Honeysuckle Dreams by far surpasses them all! This book stirs deep within your soul running the gamut at emotions- laughing, crying, grief, & joy. Ms. Hunter does an excellent job tackling the tough issues of marriage, death, drug abuse, and child custody. Each storyline is well developed pulling you inside the story.

Hope and Brady’s stories both individually and as a couple have pieces that will connect with each of us. The reader sees the relationship blossoming before Hope & Brady do and we are able to follow them thru every trial they face. We learn the importance of trust and open communication from them. I look forward to catching up with them in the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love Denise Hunter's books. I'm always on the lookout for the next book coming from her and I feel like a lucky girl to be able to read and review them. I got a glimpse of Brady and Hope in the previous book in this series so I knew that this was a story I wanted to read.

Brady and Hope have been great friends for quite awhile. When circumstances lead them to a marriage of convenience, they decide to do it because they they do love each other in a friendly, respectful sort of way, and they both love Sam. Of course marriage leads to a new awareness of each other and what better way to start off a romance then with friendship, right?

Hope makes the road a bit bumpy and I'm not sure I completely understood her one-eighty turn around in personality and nature. There were some valid reasons for reluctance and hesitation but her reactions were so extreme and out of character for what I knew of her up to that point. I didn't really like Hope in those moments but all's well that ends well, I guess. :) There is something to say for facing fears and standing and fighting. Thankfully there was Brady. He was the solid, steady one. I loved him from the very beginning and I loved him all through this book. How can a girl resist a guy that fights for his son? Even when he finds out his son isn't his by blood? A girl cannot resist that. Honestly. That is a guy worth keeping.

As always, Denise Hunter knows how to bring her characters to life. They feel human and challenged like we all are. Hunter doesn't shy away from the gritty and messy yet always balances it out with the perfect amount of love and hope.

Content: mention of intimate relations outside of marriage with no details, depression, death. Christian fiction.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher at my request. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter, we join Brady as he receives the devastating news that his nine-month-old son Sam isn't his son at all. With his ex-wife dead, he is faced with a hard truth and a custody battle against none other, than his ex-wife's parents.

As with every Denise Hunter book, I was anxiously waiting to get my hands on this book. I found the story to be unique as Brady is in a hard place. His lawyer tells him he would have a better chance at fighting his ex-wife's wealthy family if he was married.

Brady's friend Hope, who helps him with Sam, is willing to step up and help him fight to win custody of Sam. At first, it is just a fake engagement, but then the pressure of marriage comes, and the two have to look at what they are marrying for.

To add to the drama, Hope has a potential offer for her dream job, but it requires her to be out of town. Add that to some other plot twists, and you have an interestingly spun story.

When I first picked up this book, I expected the question of who Sam's father is to be drawn out and more of a mystery, but the story took a totally different spin. It took me a little longer to get into this story than other books by Hunter, but once the story got going, it was an adventure full of love, frustration, hurt, and forgiveness.

Hunter wove together a truly unique story and created tension between the characters. Just when things seemed to be going picture perfect, the plot would change and the weight of the situation would be felt by the characters and reader.

Denise Hunter writes exceptional books that are the perfect amount of romance, intrigue, and lessons that can be applied to my own life. I always finish her books feeling so encouraged and a little starry eyed :)

I just finished reading this one. This is the next book in Denise Hunter's current series, Blue Ridge Romance. Anyways, what a beautiful story this was! It was a contemporary marriage of convenience story between two longtime friends Hope & Brady. Hope is Brady's sister best friend and is a radio host who loved in the past which ended tragically. Brady is a mechanic who lost his ex-wife in an car accident which left him being a single dad to their son. It turns out that their son wasn't biologically his and because of that his ex-wife's parents want full custody of their grandson. And this is how the marriage of convenience came about. The courtroom drama was pretty interesting. I loved how Brady went thru great length to keep his son & protect him. It was really sweet. Hope seem liked a good mama, too. I loved how their romance blossomed throughout their marriage. It was also super sweet despite everything they dealt with. Brady was such a gentleman. Hope was super relatable with the mental issues she faced as well. Brady, too with his issues of abandonment. While I think it's better if to read the 1st two books 1st, this book can still be read as a stand-alone. It was nice to see characters from the previous books in this one, too. Can't wait for the final story in this series!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This was a sweet book that took a little turn away from where I was expecting it to go. It starts off with single-father Brady in a fight with his in-laws to maintain custody of his infant son who, it turns out, isn’t his blood son. He turns to Hope, a friend who has been helping him take care of the baby since his wife died. They decide to get married so he’ll have a better chance of keeping custody. So it seems like a standard plot of a marriage of convenience in which the main characters realize that they’re really in love with each other.

And it keeps up with that plot until about two-thirds the way through when we find out more about Hope and her inner struggles. Suddenly the novel shifts to how she is going to deal with her fears now that everything seems to be coming together for her with a happy marriage and a baby stepson whom she adores as well as a career that she finds fulfilling. Maybe because this plotline was different from the usual, I found it a bit more compelling than the standard marriage of convenience-turns-into-love-match plotline and it helped elevate the story.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Life can turn on a dime which is exactly what happens to Brady Collins in Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter. This Blue Ridge Romance has tragedy that is multiplied by secrets and custody fights then a marriage of convenience with friends. It is a sweet story that you believe that the right will win and love will prevail.

I count on a happily ever after in Denise Hunter’s books. It is the journey to getting there that makes it a winning read. This time Ms. Hunter has given us two engaging characters who are best friends. So it seems easy to think that Hope will help Brady. Just as endearing is a sweet baby boy who is at the center of the conflict in this story. Of course, other issues come into play in which decisions not planned come into play.

Honeysuckle Dreams is a sweet, tender, moving story of friendship, sacrifice and love.

Denise Hunter’s books are like decadent desserts—but they won’t make you fat, so go ahead and indulge! I started reading her books with the Nantucket series, and I would put her books in a to-be-read pile. But these days, her books don’t even make it to the pile. I’m ready to read the next one as soon as it comes out. I adored the Chapel Springs and Summer Harbor books, and I daresay these are even better. I loved Hope’s character in this novel, and I found myself pulling for her to have the family that she’s always wanted. Just as I did with Zoe in the previous book, I got frustrated with her near the end of the novel, but that frustration didn’t take away from enjoying the book. I didn’t want it to end, but I also couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! This book has the perfect mix of wisdom, romance, friendship, humor, and just enough mystery that I couldn’t wait to see how it would all turn out. I’m always surprised when Hunter’s books are called “romance novels” because I think they’re so much more than that, and she seems to get better with every book. I’m also not sure why Sweetbriar Cottage is marketed as a stand-alone novel; other than the fact that it deals with slightly more intense subject matter, it’s the perfect lead-in for Blue Ridge Sunrise. I recommend reading Sweetbriar Cottage before beginning this series, but Hunter always does an excellent job of giving enough information that each novel could stand alone. But the characters mingle enough that reading them in order would be more enjoyable. This book would make the perfect spring break or beach read (and I shot myself in the foot by reading it before our beach trip!) I may just have to read it again!

I have submitted this review to Books a Million, and I will also submit to Amazon (using the name ccgirl), Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and others as I come across opportunities.

Honey suckle dreams is a story of complexities. You have so many feelings you go through. You feel the feelings of the characters just like the characters do, because that is how the author wants it And that is how good she is. This is a story that the characters go through being scared and being brave, being weak and being strong, Finding their 2nd chance and finding their romance again through a bunch of turmoil. There is a bunch of love in this story - 1 for a child one for their past mates 1 for their present mates for it gives them a second chance at it, and thank goodness for it.

I have loved Denise Hunter’s books for several years. She has the ability to make her characters quite relatable. She creates such wonderful communities in her stories that as you read, you feel as if you are part of that circle of friends. Both of these hold true for this book.

Honeysuckle Dreams is the second book in her Blue Ridge Romance series. You can enjoy this book on it’s own without having read the first book. The storyline of a “marriage of convenience” for the sake of creating a home to protect a little boy seems believable. The strong characters of Hope and Brady are the key to this story. They are good people with flaws and fears, seeking to find faith and love enough to overcome both. I was cheering for their”happily ever after” from the first chapter and all through the book. I’m already hoping that we’ll see glimpses of this little family in the next book. I wasn’t quite ready for their story to end.

Just a note to parents of teenage girls: Although it’s dealt with in an appropriate way, there’s some adult situations in this book. Past mistakes in the characters’ lives, of which they have repented, are discussed. You will want to read it first to determine if it’s a good book for your daughter.

A clean, sweet romance with no bad language or or embarrassing scenes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of the book.

I loved this second entry in the Blue Ridge Romance series. Brady and Hope are a sweet couple who are great friends and marry so Brady can keep his son. There weren’t many surprises along the way, just a nice love story along with the expected custody battle. A story about trusting.