Love Carolyn Brown and this book did not disappoint. I loved the story of these friends coming together after all these years and creating something together. Each friend at a different crossroads in their life but finding solace in one another and the idea to open a bar. With each person having an intricate part in the process. Supporting each other along the way and moving on from the past to find a happy beginning. It is a book about friendship, love, growth and always changing your life and do what makes you happy.

I chose to read this book based on the cover alone. It looked like a fun summer read and it did NOT disappoint! I'm nearing my 20th high school anniversary so i felt like i was able to relate a bit to the characters. And the fact that these best friends were able to get together all of these years later, to make a bar at that! There was some drama in the book that i didnt care much for, but the plot itself was just great and entertaining. Some of the issues other people who lived in that town had was a little confusing for me...but i feel like it was more of what could happen in Texas versus Oregon where i'm from. Overall it was a great read! Will def recommend!

As usual another amazing story by Carolyn Brown. 4 girl friends from high school back together after many years still have love for each other. Add a church and a plan for a bar and the fun begins. Then add all the other crazy characters and a guy and you have a wonderful story.

Four friends from high school find themselves back in their hometown. Each has a personal tragedy that has brought them back and is keeping them there. Because of this, they decide to go into a venture together- turning an old church into a community bar and grill. When an unexpected classmate shows up, they welcome him into the circle. Past friendships and crushes emerge, healing happens and the friends find the love and support they are all in need of. There are certainly hiccups along the way, but ultimately it all works out.

This was an okay read for me. The characters were relatable and the story kept my attention. And you can't beat a happily-ever-after ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Carolyn Brown's books as they always made me smile, works as mood improver, and features great characters.
This one is about life changes and chances, women who met again and what happens.
A small town story that made me smile and kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Four high school besties grew up and scattered, but twenty years later, they have all returned to their hometown looking for home, looking for a second chance, and finding more than they could ever hope for. Carolyn Brown’s country charmer celebrates friendship, feistiness, and family in a small town setting.

Riverbend Reunion is a standalone crossover of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. A little country Texas town is the backdrop and the cast of characters represent two ex-military fighting PTSD and lonely as the last in their families, a divorced woman tossed out by husband and unwanted by her own mother to raise her twin teen girls on her own, a school counselor with family secrets, and a woman who helped her husband get to Nashville only for him to ‘out with the old’ on her, and finally, a feisty old gent who will shoot any of the male varmints who broke these women’s hearts. Carolyn Brown excels at multi-generational characters, relationship building, everyday life with a pinch of spice and humor, and conflicts that make it interesting though the tone stays heartwarming and comfortable. This book has all of that.

The main characters are the four women and the plot focuses on them coming home from various past failures to get back on their feet and heal. Jessica’s romance with Wade Granger is also at the forefront. I loved meeting them all, learning what happened in the intervening years since they left high school and home, and seeing them take a slightly outlandish idea and make a go of it.

I loved all the characters- the four women, Mary Ellen’s widowed dad, quiet Wade, the two bubbly teen girls, and oh yes, Risa’s annoying self-righteous mama. The story is told from the women and Wade’s perspectives and keeps a light and fun tone, even though there is some drama to be dealt with. The pacing is easy-going, and the plot is all about this group taking the abandoned church property and turning it into a bar while helping each other face down and fix their problems. I was engaged from the beginning and wanted to see these gals and Wade get past the pain and troubles to something special. There are a few confrontation moments and I had no doubt they would best their opponents, but I appreciated that the author made them vulnerable, but still strong and capable survivors. Family is where you find it and I loved seeing them figure that out.

All in all, it was a fabulous, touching, and often funny read. Loved being with this group of characters and seeing their dreams come together in the quirky bar. Definitely recommend to those who want something light and heartwarming that will leave one smiling.

This was a change of pace for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a story that at the heart is about chosen family. Friendships and relationships that are just as important as blood family.

It’s got well written characters, great dialogue and a genuine exploration of starting over in life and what it means. A great read.

I was so lucky to receive an advance copy of Riverbend Reunion by Carolyn Brown from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This book pulled me in from the cover and title and I couldn't wait to read this! Needless to say, I was not disappointed and was hooked from the very first page. Such a fun read. Who doesn't love a book about high school days and friendships. Do yourself a favor and read this as soon as you can!

Riverbend Reunion
by Carolyn Brown

Jessica Callaway has just retired from the army and with the death of her parents, in an accident, she returns to her childhood home. To discover her uncle has left her his church building and land that are no longer used. At a life crossroads she meets up with her four high school besties who are also at at a crossroad for different reasons. Follow the journey they are all on and what they choose to do .

A really good well written book and an ideallazy day read

Such a great story that totally encompasses life.

Thanks to the internet, it is easier than ever to stay connected with friends from 5, 10, 20, years ago. But for places like Riverbend, Texas, the setting for Riverbend Reunion, the main characters of this story are living life side-by-side!

Carolyn Brown weaves a remarkable story that encompasses life on so many distinct levels. New Love. Divorce. Death. PTSD. Family Secrets. And… No spoilers from me 😉

The main character, Jessica, is an Army Veteran and she is back in Riverbend to settle her uncle’s estate after he passes. What comes next is as much of a surprise to us as it is to Jessica. Once back in Riverbend, Jessica connects with her three closest friends and these four women truly become a dynamic powerhouse when they are together. The love and respect they have for each other is both envious and realistic. Each one is honest and forthright in ways that you (I at least) agree and disagree with based on the circumstances.

Equally important is the men in this story. Wade, a high school friend of Jessica, and Oscar, the father of Mary Nell, one of Jessica’s closest friends. Wade and Oscar are good ol’ boys in the ways of Riverbend Texas but these two men also show us the love and respect for women, of any age, which should not be forgotten.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

four high school friends reunite and decide to renovate a building, you can't go wrong with a Carolyn Brown book. they never disappoint

Riverbend Reunion, by Caroline Brown, is a perfectly plotted tale of what can happen for a group of friends at crossroads in their lives when they come together in a perfect storm. Jessica Callahan has just retired from her top secret position in the army and is searching for a good place to settle. The recent death of her Uncle Elijah has left her the proud owner of a defunct and deserted church building and grounds along with his estate. She has returned to Riverbend Texas to tend to the estate.

Fellow former cheerleaders and her best high school friends are also in Riverbend for the summer. Risa Jackson has just left her controlling husband and his family in Kentucky and has returned home to her mother, who is just about as bad. Having married early and spent her life raising her girls and keeping her home, Risa has few marketable skills. Mary Nell Wilson has recently returned home from Nashville after devoting so many years to a lazy wannabe musician. She worked up to three jobs at a time to support them, including a full time bookkeeping position. But she is home for good now! Haley Macall has come home to manage her mother’s estate and grieve her loss. As a high school counselor, Haley has the summer before she needs to return to her job in Alabama.

Two years older than the ladies, Wade Granger has been home a couple of years since he retired from the army and came home to mourn the passing of his parents and the loss of his younger brother, Danny, from an IED. He has set up a handyman business and has a small circle of friends, but leads a rather solitary life.

On the night of Jessica’s return in her many-hand RV, she has arranged to meet her friends on the grounds of the dilapidated church. Soon after Jessica arrives, a pickup truck pulls into the old parking lot. Wade Granger has used the old site by the river as a place to think. But with Jessica there, they strike up a conversation and are soon joined by the other ladies. Before the evening of friendly banter and a few beers is over, Wade brings up the idea of turning the old building into a bar and grill. As they talk they decide on positions for them all and have set some rudimentary plans in motion.

As with all Carolyn Brown’s books, this story is told with heart and humor. The reader is taken on a fun ride as the story unfolds. I really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

RIVERBEND REUNION is a slow burn contemporary story that I was pulled in to from the very first page. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because I love Carolyn Brown, but the cover really pulled me in. It made me think of country fairs and summer carnivals. I loved everything about this beautiful story and I’m excited to recommend it to my reading friends. Carolyn Brown always has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go. Four best friends from high school who find themselves all together again, twenty years later, relying on each other once again! What more could you ask for? I can’t forget 16-year-old twins Daisy and Lily, who are Risa’s daughters, and Mary Nell’s dad Oscar who completes this wonderful and unforgettable group. Jessica is back in Riverbend, Texas as she has just learned her uncle left her a church. A church that has been abandoned for years. What will she do with it?

RIVERBEND REUNION really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Wade or Jessica are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore their growing feelings. Both are learning that what you consider family, doesn’t always share your DNA. So here we have these two crossing paths and each time, there is a pull to see more of each other. This causes all sorts of rumors and gossip. It was cute watching these two dance around their feelings for each other. I just didn’t want to see Haley get hurt again like she did in the past. She’s had a very rough life and I couldn’t help but cheer her on through out this heart warming story!

RIVERBEND REUNION is filled with twists and turns and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Carolyn Brown was taking us and what would happen to Jessica and Wade. I really loved how the whole community came to Jessica and Wade’s aid and only wanted them to feel loved and realize that they were home. There is so much heart in Carolyn’s writing that I’m always left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with Jessica, Haley, Risa, and Mary Nell . I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long! I love how Carolyn does that to me each and every time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

This is a Southern Women's Fiction/Romance. Carolyn Brown has become one of my favorite authors, and this book did not let me down. I loved this book from the beginning to the end. I loved all the characters in this book. I love that the beginning of this book starts off with a group of women that was best friends in high school coming together after a hard time in life, and they overcome their challenges together and become closer friends. This book shows sometimes family is not the people you share blood with, but the people that will stand with you and make you better. I really enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Montlake) or author (Carolyn Brown) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Jessica is out of the army, and the new owner of a dilapidated church what a way to start her new life. Coming home to the Texas town she's unsure of her next step but seeing her best friends from high is a good start. But this reunion has more underlying distress than meets the eye, each are bringing heavy baggage with them. Wade stumbles upon the hen party and found the place he was looking for. With humor, made family and good old Texas sayings this s a great summer read!

Riverbend Reunion by Carolyn Brown is a typical feel-good romance from Carolyn Brown, but it is so much more. It is about PTSD brought home from the Middle East by Jessica and Wade, broken hearts brought home from various places by Risa, Mary Nell, and Haley, some more broken that others. Then there were Risa’s almost-sixteen-year old twins, Lily and Daisy, wonderful girls but denied the love of both grandmothers because of small-minded meanness. Jessica had inherited this church out in the middle of nowhere from her uncle Elijah; Wade came home when he retired from the military despite the fact that his family: his brother, Danny, and his folks were all in the local cemetery; Mary Nell, home from Nashville where her “boyfriend” had finally made the big-time and kicked her out after she had spent 20 years working three jobs so he could pursue his dream; Risa, who had been kicked out of her home and her marriage by the matriarch and her girls’ grandmother. Her sin: taking birth control bills and not providing a son to her husband. Haley was home for summer recovering from being used by a man and dumped just in time for her mother’s funeral. What a bunch they were. They sat around drinking beer and talking. At some point, they decided to turn the old church into a bar and grill. It was the perfect location. Jessica and Wade had money and the others needed jobs and lives. What could be better?

This is so small town. It happens in Texas but it could be anywhere. There are those that are better than everyone else: sometimes it money, sometimes religion, and sometimes just their egos. Everyone needs a home and a family and it looks different for different people. When a person has been hurt, he/she needs that home and family even more. This was a tale about everyman (woman) who needed to start life anew, and start life they did. The bar and grill came to be and it was a success. People found love, of many sorts, and acceptance. People found family. Carolyn Brown told the story, and a good one it was. I loved every second. Clapped when they won; cried when times were tough. It was a terrific read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Riverbend Reunion by Montlake, through Netgalley. All t h oughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #montlake #carolynbrown #riverbendreunion

There are certain elements that make a Carolyn Brown novel entertaining reading. First, one or more sanctimonious biddies. Two, a gaggle of friends who are thick with each other. Three, a project that brings them closer together. Four, a delicious setting in Texas.
Riverbend Reunion has all four and much more. The plot is so fun! Converting a church to a bar. The sinning is just beginning. Two of my favorite phrases from the book are “a beer, bait, and bologna shop” and “its hotter than a barbed wire fence in hell.”
A word of warning while reading a CB book— don’t eat or drink because you may choke from laughing so hard.

This book is my favourite type of book to read after an intense read , it has a great storyline, a group of friends reunited, a few handsome men, a love story, a loss, failed relationships, and one or two characters who stir the pot, and a happy outcome all around.
I really enjoyed this read , it was quick and easy to follow along, had all the good feels. When Jessica inherits her uncles old church that has been vacant for years, she returns to decide what to do with it. High school friends drop by along with handsome Wade , also from school , and a plan is drawn up to turn it into a bar and grill……the story follows all their lives as they navigate failed relationships, loss of family, new loves, opening a business that threatens some old southern ideals. It’s a heartwarming story.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own

Wonderful book!
What a engaging storyline!
A beautiful story of 4 friends coming together to help each other overcome what life has dealt them. Childhood friends who are close to turning 40.
Plenty of drama occurs as well as many humorous movements. Romance rounds the story out.
There is NEVER a dull moment in Riverbend!
Perfect summer reading you need to pick up!
Carolyn Brown is one of my favorite authors. Her writing is always so engaging and heartwarming.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.

Carolyn Brown is a gifted storyteller and her books are ones I feel like I can disconnect from the chaos of life and just enjoy the life of friends and love stories. Her ability to write light yet, intriguing dialogue and background stories is one of my favorite things about her writing ability. Carolyn Brown is beginning to be a must read for me.