*Return to Hummingbird Way* by Julia Gabriel didn’t resonate with me. Despite its promising premise, I couldn’t connect with the characters, and the pacing felt sluggish. I struggled to stay engaged, ultimately deciding not to finish it. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I attempted to get into this story several times and just could not connect to the story.

Reece Ryan penned a great enemies to lovers romance. This was heartwarming and I love small-town reads. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this!

Thank you to NetGalley, Publishers, and Reece Ryan for sending me a
Return to Hummingbird Way in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5 stars

Ambitious real estate agent Sinclair Buchanan is ecstatic to be her best friend’s maid-of-honor—until she discovers the best man is Garrett Davenport. Sin and Rett’s mutual hate crush ignited when they were teens and hasn’t let up since . . . except for that one extremely hot (and extremely regrettable) night they shared five years ago.

Nothing gets Rett fired up like going toe-to-toe with Sinclair. She’s as infuriatingly stubborn, and as absolutely gorgeous, as when he fell for her back in high school. Working together to plan their best friend’s last-minute wedding is one thing, but when his matchmaking grandmother gets involved Rett knows he’s in deep. Attraction has always simmered between them, but this time, they’re both in danger of losing their hearts.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite troupes and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading how the characters grew and realizing how each of them has changed over the years. I enjoyed how well the characters were written and it felt like they came to life on the pages.

This was a very long book which is why for me it wasn't a full 4 stars, there were multiple parts in this story that the plot dragged on. I had to put it down and come back to it more than a few times.

Though my research stated that this book and the rest in the series were stand alone’s I just personally can’t start a book knowing that there’s another one out there that came before it! I don’t wanna miss a thing! Anyhow, I really enjoyed this one. The enemies to lovers trope, small town romance was perfect! I will definitely be reading book #3!

Appreciated how this romance balanced between sweet and sexy as we explore this frenemies to lovers dynamic.

Lighthearted, charming, enemies-to-lovers book! Idyllic, small town setting. Perfect for the beach or curled up with a blanket on a rainy day.

Another small-town romance with sizzle by Reese Ryan. This charming story set on Holly Grove Island is the perfect blend of heartwarming and engaging with the two leads, Sinclair and Garrett taking the reader on a romantic journey. Having been high school enemies then lovers later on in life, they are forced into each other's orbits at the wedding of their mutual friends. Working together places them in close proximity, and forces them to open their eyes about one another for a second chance at getting things right. Add in some matchmaking and beautiful culinary descriptions and you have an irresistible read. Well done1

In this heartwarming small‑town romance, can three months, two planning projects, and a meddling grandmother finally make two high school hate crushes see just how right they are for each other?

Ambitious real estate agent Sinclair Buchanan is ecstatic to be her best friend’s maid-of-honor—until she discovers the best man is Garrett Davenport. Sin and Rett’s mutual hate crush ignited when they were teens and hasn’t let up since . . . except for that one extremely hot (and extremely regrettable) night they shared five years ago.

Nothing gets Rett fired up like going toe-to-toe with Sinclair. She’s as infuriatingly stubborn, and as absolutely gorgeous, as when he fell for her back in high school. Working together to plan their best friends’ last-minute wedding is one thing, but when his matchmaking grandmother gets involved Rett knows he’s in deep. Attraction has always simmered between them, but this time, they’re both in danger of losing their hearts.

I loved this story. The heat between Sinclair and Garrett was amazing. If you love small towns and enemies to lovers, then this one is for you.

I need more of Mama Mae in my life please!! This whole story was a beautiful enemies to lovers book, filled with a lot of heart and growth. I loved it!!

This is my very first Reese Ryan book and she did not disappoint. She crafted a small town romance that is not only meaningful but also profoundly touching and beautiful.

Her writing style struck a perfect balance between sweetness and authenticity, making the narrative both heartwarming and relatable. The characters, well-rounded and realistic, added depth to the story, creating an immersive reading experience.

If you appreciate small-town romance, please add this book to your TBR.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary copy. All reviews are my own.

Return to Hummingbird Lane was a story that made the characters come to life. Emotional, friendly and heartwarming. Had enough personal turmoil to keep interesting and wanting more. Excellent writing and character made me want to keep reading and for the story to have a sequel! Thank you for allowing me to read this book. Recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such a cute small town enemies to lovers book. This book was so fun to read and was amazing. I loved all of the characters! Will not disappoint.

Thank you netgalley.

The book is amazing. It grips you and keeps you there. Beautifully written; right from the beginning, till the end of the book, especially the last few chapters made me bawl my eyes out. Such splendid characters! Very intrigued by the author now, I want to pick up another one of their books!

This was a cute, enemies-to-lovers, sort of second chance romance. I enjoyed reading all of the family dynamics, especially Mama Mae. The small town was a cute setting. Rhett and Sin broke through each other’s walls and are so good together.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Sinclair and Garrett. They have known each other all their life. Five years ago they had a one night stand. There is an attraction between them. Their best friends are getting married and Sinclair and Garrett are planning their wedding. They each have issues it together they work them out and fall in love.

This was a really cute enemies-to-lovers black small town romance. I definitely recommend it, especially if you’re a fan of The Hookup Plan. I loved how the characters got to know each other again over time and debunked all their former misconceptions based on miscommunications in the past. The story at the end was also really cute. I wish it was its own book.

Thank you, Netgalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing, for this ARC.

Sinclair maid-of-honor to her bestfriend wedding and less then thrilled that means having to deal with her rival Rett who is the best man. While they deal with the upcoming wedding they butt heads alot with many things but one thing that does seem clear is that simmering attraction they have but Rett has no plans on staying in town for long and Sinclair isn't the type to leave her hometown.

I love a good enemies to lovers trope and this book really was that so perfect for me. I enjoyed seeing how they had their little tiffs and worked through things together. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the lives they were building on their own and how it lead to what was going on in this book and seeing how they handled and ups and downs of life that was really getting to them. Overall pretty good book I really enjoyed it.

Garrett Davenport comes home for a special family gathering, organized by Sinclair Buchanan. Seeing Garrett sends Sinclair's heart into a flutter, a feeling he mirrors. Despite their mutual attraction, their hectic lives make them question the possibility of a relationship. However, the intervention of Mama Mae, Garrett's grandmother, brings them together for a home renovation task she wants Sinclair to lead.

Both Sinclair and Rett are intricately crafted characters with unique and commendable traits that shine even brighter together. Sinclair's journey to trust Rett is gradual, and I appreciated how he earnestly earned it. Their profound family connections, even with underlying tensions, are touching. Garrett's bond with his grandmother adds a heartwarming touch, and her character is a joy to read. The story unfolds into a passionate romance, offering a delightful reading journey.

This book is one of the worst I've ever read. The sex takes up more space than plot development and adds nothing to the story. Love isn't all about the sex, it's about finding common ground with your partner, knowing him or her for who that person really is. It's about dreaming together for a future together. Their is so much character development that could have been done if the sex hadn't gotten in the way first. As it was, the plot was clunky and seemed to be moved forcefully from one point to the next.

The second novella included in this galley was some better, but not much.

One star.

Forever (Grand Central Publishing) provided the copy I read for this review.