Denise Hunter has once again written another wonderful book- I especially have enjoyed the RIverbend series- each one more than the last! Harvest Moon is the story of Laurel and Gavin, as they work to heal and move on with their lives after the loss of their son and the demise of their marriage. Then another unthinkable tragedy tosses them back together and forces them to deal with their pain head-on. This book is so well written and grabbed me from page one. This is a story of love, forgiveness, healing, grief, and family. Warning- it's a tearjerker! I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to pick up a good women's fiction novel. You can't go wrong with Denise Hunter!

I loved Harvest Moon! I wasn't a major fan of the first two books in this series, but I thought I'd give the finale a try and I'm so glad I did! Gavin and Laurel are just such realistic characters who have a past history but are mature enough to learn how to put it behind them and move forward in the moment. Often with this type of storyline, I find myself frustrated by the pettiness and immaturity of the characters trying to work out their past romantic history. But Gavin and Laurel handled their issues in a very realistic way and were able to heal. I loved it! I also loved little Emma; she was the perfect addition to the story and drew Gavin and Laurel together in the perfect way! All in all, this one will be a reread for me! Well done, Hunter!

Harvest Moon is the conclusion to Denise Hunter's Riverbend Gap series, and it might be my favourite! I've had a soft spot for Gavin since the first book, so I was excited to finally read his story.

Gavin and Laurel's marriage has been over for years. As a married couple, they struggled to communicate expectations, and their marriage ended when tragedy tore them apart. They're both better off single--or so they think. When their mutual friends are involved in a fatal accident, Gavin and Laurel are brought together to coparent Mike and Mallory's young daughter, Emma. In the process of helping Emma find some normalcy and find a suitable guardian for the toddler, they just might find more than they anticipated when this journey began.

Harvest Moon is a beautiful story of forgiveness, redemption, and what God can do in our lives when we surrender to Him. I loved both Gavin and Laurel's characters. They were flawed and had their struggles, but they were willing and eager to grow. They always had each other's (and Emma's) best interest at heart, and it was obvious how much they loved each other, even when they didn't realize it. I also enjoyed seeing them finally really learn to communicate, especially about the things that drove them apart when they were married. This was the perfect conclusion to the series!

*I received a complimentary copy of Harvest Moon through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

A wonderful ending to a great trilogy. I really enjoyed Gavin's story. I loved the back-and-forth between the present and the past. You could see just how much they had grown as individuals and the potential for them as a couple. Ms Hunter's books are always a good bet and I look forward to reading more from her.

This book is one that will pull at the heartstrings. As Book 3 in the Riverbend Gap series, you learn so much more about Gavin and his previous marriage to Laurel. In the wake of tragedy, they have to come together for the sake of little Emma, their best friends’ daughter. It’s through this reunion that the reader learns about their relationship, friendship and marriage and what ultimately led to resentment, disappointment, feelings of failure and (ultimately) divorce. The emotions are raw and real in this one. But what I think I love most is that the Robinson family will always rally for the ones they love. And that’s expressed so well in this novel. A great read!

The Riverbend story shares the romances of the three Robinson siblings. We met Gavin in earlier books and knew that he has lost a child and was divorced, but in this book, we get to know him, what happened in his past and see if he gets his happily ever after. When a tragedy claims the lives of little Emma's parents, Mike and Mallory, Gavin and his ex-wife Laurel drop everything to make sure she is cared for. They were named guardians if anything ever happened to their best friends, but that was several years earlier, when they were still married. Can they do what is needed to ensure Emma's happiness?

I loved this story. I had been waiting for this story and it was all that I had hoped for. Denise Hunter has a wonderful way with words and gradually introduces us to Laurel's and Gavin's past. I enjoyed reading about their courtship and it broke my heart as we see their marriage disintegrate and the reasons behind it. Little Emma stole my heart. She was so sweet and to lose both her parents at such a young age is heartbreaking. She loved Gavin and Laurel and to think she would lose them as well was inconceivable. Harvest Moon had my emotions all over the place as I held my breath hoping that things would work out for all the involved parties. Will they have a second chance at loving one another again? Will Emma lose more people she has grown to love? If you have not read the previous books in the Riverbend series, I definitely recommend them. If you just want to jump into this one, you can do that without reading the others. I was sad to say goodbye to the Robinson siblings, but I am looking forward to Denise Hunter's next book or series. I highly recommend this one.

In this book 3 we revisit the Robinsons again. Gavin and Laurel have gone through a bitter divorce and of all things they have a child left in their care as in joint custody. Their friends drew this up when they were still married and now the friends have died in an accident. This final book was wholesome and heartwarming, happy and sad with a satisfying ending. Denise Hunter has a true talent for bringing her characters and scenes to life. Especially the lovable golden retriever. Harvest Moon is a book you want to put on your to read pile…..Thank to Thomas Nelson via NetGalley for this great read. I am happy to leave my review.

The old saying "save the best for last" definitely applies to the Riverbend series by Denise Hunter. Harvest Moon is the third and final book in the series. As I have read the rest of the series, I have been a little nervous to see how the author was going to handle Gavin and Laurel's story. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Readers met both of these characters in book one and learned about their divorce after losing their son. I knew this was going to be a tough second chance romance to read, but it was definitely well done and worth it.

What I love about Denise Hunter books is that she draws readers in to the lives of the characters and the reader feels like they are living life right there alongside the characters. This story had so many heart wrenching parts as it took readers through the grieving process of Gavin and Laurel as all the hurt came rushing back when their best friends were killed in a plane crash and they were tasked with taking care of their little girl. I don't want to give any more away, but this was such a beautiful redemption story and one I would highly recommend.

Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the rest of the series so you will appreciate the updates on the couples from the first two books.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Touches your heart and your soul:
This book was just what I needed and I loved every moment I spent with these characters. Gavin and Laurel had been estranged since their divorce but their lives were thrown together again when they were left to care for their friend's young child. I felt like I really got to know these two and felt a strong connection with them.
I must admit I have a soft spot for stories that include children, especially those who are vulnerable. Little Emma was a delight and I really appreciated that the author depicted her accurately with her speech and mannerisms being age appropriate. I also liked that although it dealt with some quite traumatic experiences, this was still filled with hope, redemption and love. It was a wonderful addition to what has been an outstanding series thus far.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

When tragedy strikes divorced couple Gavin and Laurel find themselves guardians of a darling little girl, can they become the family that Emma needs?

A romantic story of love, loss, and second chances. Gavin and Laurel drop everything to be there for the daughter of their deceased friends, the story is told in the present as well as the past as we see the things that brought Laurel and Gavin together and eventually apart. I loved that we finally get to see things through Gavin's perspective after the previous books focused on his siblings. It was fun revisiting the Robinsons, and Emma is just so darn cute.

I liked how the author used a dual timeline to tell their story, and we see how they grew in their time apart as well. I loved Gavin and Laurel's devotion to little Emma, and how they make her a priority from the start.

Overall, a heartwarming romance with strong themes of forgiveness, with a unique twist on second chance romance. A must read for those who read the previous books, but could also stand on its own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

HARVEST MOON is the third book in the Riverbend series by Denise Hunter. Its Gavin’s story and it is sure to pull on the reader’s heart strings. It is the story I have been waiting for the most. It will surely give you all the feels, let me tell you. My emotions were all over the place and I was giggling one minute and tearing up, the next. I really liked the setting of the small town of Riverbend and the connection to the Appalachian Trail and its history. I really got to know the people of this beautiful, small North Carolina town and I also knew I would fall more in love with all of these characters as each book released.

HARVEST MOON is a wonderful story of a suddenly orphaned child that will worm her way into your heart. Hang on to your seats! The twists and turns will keep you flipping the pages long into the night. Gavin and Laurel were married but after a tragic accident and the death of their young son, they divorced. Gavin carries so much guilt about that. Now they find themselves back together trying to figure out who is best to raise Mike and Mallory’s little girl, Emma. Both want to raise her, neither will give an inch. Now what? Not to mention the fact that both Laurel and Gavin are both grieving their best friend’s deaths. Emma is so adorable and she will steal your heart very quickly!

HARVEST MOON is a quick read that you can easily read in one sitting and love every minute of it. It is one heck of a crazy emotional roller coaster ride. Gavin and Laurel will finally confront their feelings of losing their son with each other. Talk about a tissue moment! I was sobbing! I have never met a Denise Hunter book that I didn’t love and once I started reading I knew I was going on one heck of an emotional journey! Whatever you are reading, put it down, and run and get this book! If you’ve never read a Denise Hunter novel (and you know who you are) this would be a perfect one to hook you! I’m very sad that this is the last book in the trilogy and I have to learn to let these caring and beautiful people go.



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

Laurel and Gavin were high school sweethearts with a breakup in college, a reconciliation, marriage and then a divorce after a tragic accident that took the life of their little boy. After not seeing each other for several years, their lives are thrust back together after the tragic accident that took the lives of their best friends, Mike and Mallory. Mike and Mallory left behind their two year old daughter, Emma.
Both Laurel and Gavin dearly love Emma and want to be there for her. They find Mike and Mallory's will which named Laurel and Gavin as the ones to have Emma should anything happen to them. The will was written prior to their divorce, but both want to help Emma through something she's too young to be able to grasp. They feel it's best for her to remain in her home, so they are both staying in the home (in separate bedrooms) caring for Emma.
Mike and Mallory have an apple orchard and the apples will soon need harvesting. Laurel and Gavin can't bear to see their friends' dream come to an end, and are determined to work the harvest.
Things get dicey when Mallory's mother files for guardianship of Emma. She has never seen Emma. Didn't even come to Mallory's funeral. She was a terrible mother to Mallory. Laurel and Gavin cannot allow that woman to to raise sweet Emma.
Amazing well written story with great characters! Loved, loved, loved this story!
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Thomas Nelson through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

Harvest Moon was such a beautiful story! Going into this book, I knew that the subject matter was going to be deep. How could it not be when the two main characters were facing not only the death of their best friends, but also the prior death of their own child years ago and the dissolution of their marriage directly after that?

I loved seeing Laurel and Gavin come together for little Emma. The fact that they were able to set their pasts aside as much as possible in order to help Emma adjust to life without her parents was admirable. It was really touching to see these two love and parent Emma, guiding her as best they could through a very painful time for all of them.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was getting to jump back in time to some of Gavin and Laurel’s high school, college, and early married memories. This helped me understand their relationship as it began, grew, and faltered. These two had really matured a lot since their divorce. Both of them recognized the roles they had played in weakening their marriage. I also enjoyed seeing Gavin’s family members. They were very reluctant to accept Gavin and Laurel working together to help Emma. Gavin’s mom, especially, was so worried that Gavin would get his heart broken again. Their interactions felt so authentic!

These characters went through a lot, yet the author was able to write this story as one of hope. It was very uplifting and I loved it from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Lovely characters with real issues are thrown back together after their divorce when their friends die in an accident and they are to be the guardians of their little girl. Smoothly written, a bit predictable but a wonderful read.

This was such a great story. I really enjoyed how Laurel and Gavin both were willing to put aside their own issues to help out their friends little girl who was left orphaned. The issues presented in the book were well thought out and left the reader with lots to think about!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter is the best novel I’ve read recently. This clean romance is beautifully written with aching hurts that keep the novel from becoming too predictable. Instead, readers will find truly genuine characters that feel like friends. You’ll be rooting for them quickly. Readers of this genre will be thrilled. It’s a favorite for me among this author’s excellent books. Highly recommend! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I am OBSESSED with this series! (I didn’t even realize it was a part of a series until later on…) I was so into the story that I completely forgot that Avery was in another book - in fact I picked up on it about mid way through. All that to say, this book can be read as a stand alone or you can grab the other one and read it along with this one. Just the PERFECT amount of “heat” in the romance department and it’s super clean and fun! A great story to get hooked on.

What a heartbreaking beginning to Harvest Moon! It is so heavy but completely captures your attention. While it is the third book in the Riverbend series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

The story alternates between the present and the past as it relays Laurel and Gavin's story. Younger Laurel gets on my last nerve with her insecurities and assumptions. It was annoying watching her self-destruct. Young Gavin is fine but a bit clueless, giving up easily when things get complicated. I could not believe how long they dated before they got married.

Emma is a darling, and your heart breaks for her. I think she is the star of the story. She is bright and lively, even in the midst of tragedy. The portrayal of her grief is realistic and gut-wrenching.

Don't let Harvest Moon's beautiful cover fool you. Harvest Moon deals with loss, grief, dementia, and more. While this is a heavier read, there is enough other stuff happening to prevent it from being a depressing read.
When Laurel and Gavin are forced to parent Emma, they are both still dealing with their past. It is beautiful how they set aside their differences to care for Emma the way she needs. Harvest Moon is a powerful story dealing with loss, guilt, forgiveness, second chances, and redemption.

The back cover gives a case worker a prominent role, and that is not the case at all. I also didn't feel like the situation with Mallory's mom was completely resolved.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5/5

What a great ending!
I love Gavin...I am so glad his story finally was told.
Laurel is so sweet and amazing. She is an awesome Mom.
I loved little Emma too. I do believe she is a princess.
What a great ending to a great series.
The amount of love and forgiveness in this book is nothing short of amazing. Denise Hunter knows how to share the Gospel in a wonderful way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

For such an emotional and difficult beginning, Harvest Moon turns out to be a stellar read. There was no roller coaster of emotions, it was high with intensity the entire book. Zero dry moments, nothing but hope the whole way through.
I found myself crying for sweet Emma one moment and hoping for love to rise again in the next moment. The elements of second chances, rekindled flames, and forgiveness all played a wonderful role in this amazing story. And Emma was as cute as a button.