RaeAnne keeps her readers wanting more and this story filled the bill. A Solidar’s Return allowed us to catch up with past characters and let us focus Eli’s and Melissa’s story.

This book was great!!! RaeAnne Thayne is still to me, but everything I have read of hers I love! I look forward to reading more of her books!

Melissa is doing well back in her home town with her daughter at the Brambleberry House after dealing with an unreliable ex. While her boss is out of commission getting surgery for his knees his son will take his place as doctor. Eli is an ex-solider who will be helping out his father and it seems both Melissa and Eli can't stop bumping into eachother. Both have an attraction but he has no intentions of sticking around when hes called for duty.

I liked this book it was so sweet watching how things progressed in the book. I enjoyed seeing the attraction between the two. I appreciate that the daughter was very much present in the book. I mean shes clearly mother and it showed. Some times books tends to mention that the main character is a month and the children are m.i.a but the daughter popped up from time to time and it was sweet watching how every was with eachother. I liked getting to know the characters and seeing a brief history of how they knew eachother back then and seeing that romance bloom between the character. Overall pretty good book I really enjoyed myself reading it.

Great heartwarming story. This is the fourth book in the Women of Brambleberry House series. Highly recommended!

Ex-Soldier and doctor, Eli Sanderson, returns to Cannon Beach to help take over his father’s practice while his father is recuperating after double knee replacement surgery. Nurse and single mom Melissa Fielding is living at Cannon Beach, right at Brambleberry House, and the return of the handsome doctor brings new feelings in Melissa, who isn’t sure whether she’s ready for another relationship.

A Soldier’s Return is the latest book on RaeAnne Thayne’s The Women of Brambleberry House series … but you don’t really need to read the first three books. I didn’t, and I didn’t have a problem at all catching up with the story. It’s pretty much a stand-alone, in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t charmed with Melissa and Eli, as I was with the majority of the couples from Thayne’s other series, Haven Point. I didn’t feel like both characters were strong, memorable ones. Yes, Melissa is a single mom, who’s a nurse, who seems to be attracted to Eli. And Eli is a handsome doctor, who is also feeling guilt after this one tragedy he experiences while being a soldier.

Then what?

They’re nice people but that’s about it. I can’t think of one single thing from both characters that can inspire me very much, you know? I also wish that Eli and Melissa’s daughter, Skye, had interacted more considering Melissa’s status as single mother.

There is this one action scene near the end that I think is really, really, good – involving a baby delivery – it is a perfect scene for a visual experience *grin*.

BUT THE EPILOGUE THOUGH!!! Whoa!!! I was already very much intrigued with Luke’s story, with his missing wife, when I read The Cottages on Silver Beach back in July 2018. The epilogue makes me more impatient to read Luke’s book.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.75 Hearts Another sweet romance from Thayne who seems to get better with each story she authors.

In this one it is a sorta second chance at love kind of story but now they are adults and have had to deal with real world problems as well as what Eli has seen is what no one wishes on their worst enemy but now they have a chance at real world love. But can they manage to do it?

The characters of this story really pull at the heart as well as they seem real. Enjoyable.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A SOLDIER’S RETURN, the newest installment of the Brambleberry House series by RaeAnne Thayne, is a pleasing, heartwarming story of two people coping with past hurts and trying to avoid being hurt again.


Melissa Fielding was married to a world-class surfer who was always in search of the perfect wave. Fed up with having an absentee husband, she divorced him, got a nursing degree and moved her daughter and herself back to her hometown where she felt safe. When the well-respected doctor that she worked for needed knee replacement surgery, his military doctor son, Eli Sanderson arrived to take his place in the clinic until he was able to work again. Melissa is very attracted to the new doctor but she knows that there is something still haunting him from the past. Eli had secretly been in love with Melissa since high school but neither wants to be in love with the other because Eli will inevitably leave to return to service in the military. Do they have the power to stop it?


This is a sweet, somewhat predictable story, but still very enjoyable. While the complexity that we’ve come to expect from a RaeAnne Thayne full-length novel is not there, the story is well-written and the characters are well-developed for a novella. While part of a series, A SOLDIER’S RETURN is very easy to read as a standalone book.


A SOLDIER’S RETURN is a solid, delightful story that can be read in one sitting. I highly recommend it and am giving it four stars.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and the views expressed are my honest opinions

RaeAnne Thayne returns to Cannon Beach, Oregon in a delightfully, sweet romance called A Soldier’s Return. Melissa Fielding and her young daughter Skye have made Brambleberry House their home for the past 6 months since her divorce and it feels good to be in one place. She’s made friends with her housemates and loves borrowing her friend’s dog to run on the beach. When she falls over the dog and hurts herself, Eli Sanderson is there to pick her up and examine her sprained wrist. She’s tongue tied to see that he’s turned out to be a very handsome man from the geeky teenager she remembers all those years ago. She hopes she can keep things professional between them but she’s feeling a lot more than friendship the more she’s around him.

Eli is back in town for a few weeks to take over his father’s practice while he recovers from surgery. He’s been in the army for the past several years, taking him in dangerous places, and he’s seen some horrific events. It was fortunate for him to have this break from his job so maybe he can get over the most recent tragedy that happened in his life. He feels a tremendous amount of guilt and obligation to continue his work with the military but another pull is making him wonder if it’s possible at all. Melissa and her daughter are a nice balm to his mood and feelings. He had a crush on her in high school and those feelings are back and feeling stronger than ever. He’s a bit torn on what to do with them because he feels obligated to return to his military duty but she’s making him want home and family.

Eli and Melissa are an adorable couple and found something special with one another when they weren’t even looking. Over the course of the story he was starting to feel more for Melissa and knew it wasn’t good to start something with her. After a crisis he was able to resolve his past issues and see a bright future with Melissa in Cannon Beach. Melissa too can look forward to a new beginning with Eli and have a love she’s always wanted. The author has created a sweet romance for two well deserving individuals with her usual style and warmth. I look forward to reading more from the other two ladies in the Women Brambleberry House series.

Dr. Eli Sanderson is back home to help cover his father’s medical practice while elder Dr. Sanderson recovers from surgery. Eli’s been off serving his country, and he’s determined to get back to it after a tragic event fills him with guilt and a sense of obligation. Working with Melissa Fielding, his high school crush, and now father’s office nurse is a tempting distraction, but since he’s not staying on permanent, he doesn’t want to risk any heartache.

Melissa Fielding is back in Cannon Beach, her childhood home, with her seven-year-old daughter, Skye. After years following her husband (now ex) while he chased the next great surfing spot she’s determined to put down roots and live a stable life with her daughter. Her attraction to Eli, Dr. Sanderson’s sexy son, is hard to ignore, especially working together, but she’s done pining after men who aren’t content to stay put and raise a family. Her daughter needs love and stability, and so does she, but “the Heart wants what it wants” for both Eli and Melissa.

Working medical emergencies together that seem to pop-up afterhours gives Eli a glimpse into doctoring in a small town and makes him fall for Melissa even harder. Melissa’s admiration and respect for Eli only grows seeing him in action, and she hopes that Eli will change his mind not only to stay for her, but for all the good he could do for the town.

Both Eli and Melissa were tender-hearted, relatable characters, trying to do the right thing. Eli was so sweet caring for his father and for Melissa and her daughter, Skye, and I knew he’d be an excellent family man if he’d only allow himself the “luxury” of staying home. He had to figure out that not all good has to be done while in service or in another country. Melissa was also a sweetheart, and a selfless mother trying to provide her daughter the stability she had growing up.

Eli and Melissa had a sweet, slow-burn kind of romance since they were all about putting the breaks on things, but there were a few moments of heated passion! RaeAnne Thayne excels at writing sweet, low-drama romances with a great cast of secondary characters, and a strong family vibe. I loved the setting of Cannon Beach, Oregon as I just visited this past September (I included a couple of pics). It’s a beautiful, quaint coastal town with gorgeous green forests that spill out onto the sea, and I think Ms. Thayne brought it to life through her vivid descriptions!

Rated 3.5 - A SOLDIER’S RETURN by RaeAnne Thayne is a sweet romance between two medical professionals who reconnect in their hometown, wondering if their imagined future apart is inevitable. If only they’re willing to forgive their pasts.

Eli Sanderson lived through aiding victims in war-torn locations so long that small town life may seem ho-hum. That’s before he reconnects with his high school crush, working in his dad’s medical practice. Now divorced, will she find the changes in Eli overwhelming or just right?

Eli isn’t looking for a new life. He’s more than satisfied traveling the world, compassionate about serving those in desperate need of medical care. Still dealing with the tragic loss of two people he cared for, he doesn’t seem like boyfriend material for Melissa Fielding. But Melissa soothes him in a way that he didn’t know he needed.

Dealing with her ex-husband, Cody, and his new wife and future baby isn’t on the top of Melissa’s road to healing. But she has her daughter to think about and knows Skye needs her father, so she is trying to adjust. When Melissa sees Eli for the first time in years, sparks fly and she’s not sure she can handle a short romance, knowing he’ll go back to traveling the world. She lived that life with her surfer ex-husband and is ready for small town familiarity.

I enjoyed watching Eli open up to Melissa about his experiences. Melissa’s daughter is a cute addition to the story, allowing Melissa and the reader to see Eli’s softer side. Eli’s dad is an intriguing character. I’d love to see a second-chance romance written for him.

There’s a bit of excitement when a storm hits their town, but for the most part this is a character driven love story, moved along by dialogue and daily obstacles very easy to relate to. This is very romancy, filled with lots of feelings and thoughts in that direction, pushing the emphasis on the developing love story. Even though it has a lot of the small-town characteristics of a much longer book that’s more like women’s fiction, it is very well suited in category romance due to its focus on the romance.

A SOLDIER’S RETURN is book four of THE WOMEN OF BRAMBLEBERRY HOUSE series, which from what I gather has a mystical presence that aids in the love stories. I haven’t read the first three books, so even though it wasn’t confusing, I felt I had missed something without that series’ knowledge. I’m sure those who have savored them will be thrilled that this book and another continues the series where it supposedly left off.

It’s a cute idea – that Brambleberry House and gardens, or previous tenants, assist in the lives of those who live there. The story easily stands alone without that nuance, but I can see how it might tie all the stories together. Fans of the series will better appreciate those hints.

I’m not a huge medical romance fan, so this isn’t the type of book I’d normally pick, but I love RaeAnne’s small town romance style, so it was natural to request this book for review. I watch every medical drama on television (shall we say addicted?), and I have medical professionals as friends and family, so the medical situations seemed well done and were interesting. I especially related to one experienced mom and her family’s relationship with the main characters.

Sweet romance lovers will like the focus on this couple’s journey to happily-ever-after. I enjoyed the hint at the end for two more books, one in this series and one for HAVEN POINT. The HAVEN POINT story especially has me intrigued with its flare for an uncomfortable reunion. I’m thrilled that RaeAnne Thayne’s future is flowing with a variety of books to tempt all her readers. I appreciated the crossover between series. Nice touch.

Review written by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com.

A delightful return to Brambleberry House! I was quickly intrigued by Melissa's back story and once Eli came into the picture, I was hooked! Great characters, filled with emotional upheavals and lots of feel good moments. Really enjoyed!

Returning to Cannon Beach, Oregon and moving into Brambleberry House with her daughter has been like a breath of fresh air for Melissa Fielding. She loves her neighbors, loves her job and loves the atmosphere of this coastal town. Dealing with the distraction of her ex though is a different story.

Circumstances line up just right to allow Eli Sanderson the opportunity to return to town to fill in for his doctor father for a few weeks. Running into Melissa and realizing she's going to be his nurse while he's in town is unexpected. He crushed on her in high school, but life took them in different directions. Now that they're at different places in their lives, will anything come of their attraction to each other?

A quick, sweet story. While the book is titled as a soldier's return, he is more of a doctor. The two main characters knew each other in high school. Always good for giving a basis for falling in love in a short period. Dogs and a young girl flesh out the tale. It was a pleasant read on a rainy day. Some heartbreak in the back story.

A Soldier's Return is a sweet, heartwarming book to keep you warm during the holidays. It is a clean, gentle romance.

The perfect book to cuddle up by the fire with a glass of wine and just enjoy.

A single mom who has made it on her own as a nurse.

A man reeling from the experiences of war.

Brought together when his father needs him to come home and help with the family practice, because the town doctor needs surgery.

I really enjoyed A Soldier's Return. I'm not a big fan of internal or external, for that matter, dialog that is repetitive or self inflicted (you know the oh, whoa-is-me, I can't be loved or love because I'm guilty, depressed, not good enough, you get the picture). There was a little bit of that in A Soldier's Return and that was the only thing keeping me from loving it. In the end, I found it cute, heartfelt and endearing and I really liked it.

I received this ARC copy of A Soldier's Return from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) - Harlequin Special Edition. This is my honest and voluntary review. A Soldier's Return is set for publication Jan. 15, 2019.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: RaeAnne Thayne
Series: The Women of Brambleberry House
Sequence in Series: Book 4
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition; Original edition
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
ISBN-10: 133557364X
ISBN-13: 978-1335573643
Genre: Contemporary Romance

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I loved returning to Brambleberry House. Melissa and her daughter Skye move back to where Melissa grew up . While working as a nurse at a small town physician’s office she reunited with her former classmate Eli. This is a cute , feel good read .
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for my honest review.

A captivating story of a doctor who has seen more horror than most and the woman who helps him regain a joy for life. Melissa accidentally bumps into Eli on the beach. Eli is filling in at the clinic whee Melissa works while his father recovers from double knee replacement. Sparks fly between the two of them but Eli will not acknowledge his interest causing Melissa to hide her continuing fascination with him. Eventually she gets him to tell her his story and as is often the case in a Thayne book, all turns out well. While this book is part of a series, I was't aware of that as it pretty much can stand on its own.

I loved this title! What a wonderful weekend read! I'm new to the Brambleberry House Series and to jump into the middle, it was easy to do and I didn't feel as if I received too many spoilers from previous titles. The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed the progression of the story. I will be checking into past titles in the series and can't wait for the next!.

What does a child, dogs and two very nice people have in common. In this case it is a nice sweet story that uses each to keep me reading. I loved the way both of the dogs played a part and it was fun to see everyone in Brambleberry House. The house itself has a personality of its own. This was my first time to visit Brambelerry but not the first time for romances take place, For RaeAnne Thayne this is a return to tell new stories in a treasured place. Great story and interesting lead in to the story of another person living Brambleberry House.

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

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book RaeAnne is one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend it to everyone.

When Dr. Sanderson has double knee replacement surgery, his son, Eli, takes leave from his military obligations to act as the fill-in doctor while his father is laid up. Returning to Cannon Beach brings back a lot of memories from long ago, not the least of which is the crush Eli had on a sweet, beautiful cheerleader, Melissa, who now works as his father’s nurse at the clinic. But Eli's time in Cannon Beach is temporary, and he'll return to active duty once his father has recovered. Still, he can’t help be drawn to the woman who somehow manages to settle his wounded soul and bring him peace.

Sweet and wholesome romance readers will love this latest book from Thayne, still with plenty of delicious chemistry between Eli and Melissa and tons of emotion that goes straight to the heart. With a picturesque setting that comes alive, colorful and unique secondary characters and curious, intriguing events that make this an effortless read, this is a delightful, touching, heartfelt book that you won’t want to miss.

*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.