Although I loved the book, I hate to see the series End. Charlotte is the third generation running the family ranch. Her mother's death 6 months ago floored her but she's bent in expanding the ranch in her mother's honor. To that end she's hired a horse trainer. He plans on staying 6 months, before taking a job in Kentucky.

There's sparks between Gunner and Charlotte from the moment they meet and they realize being boss and employees doesn't lend itself to a relationship. She starts dating the local vet, who's 10+ years older than her. She's also discovered information in a locked box left by her mother , leading to the identity of her birth father. Gunner helps her to research and confront a local man, all while keeping her secret.

As they grow closer with the expanded work on the ranch they also enter into a committed relationship with the understanding that notice is given if either wants out. She's been left behind in s previous relationship and he's afraid of commitment due to a devastating fire resulting in his parents death when he was 9.

There's mystery and romance along with family angst across many levels. You'll laugh and cry along with the characters as they deal with life, love, and family commitments. Although part of a series this book can be read as a standalone book.

Although I received a free ARC ebook from net galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

#BookRevew: WILDFLOWER FALLS by Denise Hunter

Have you read any of the books in the Riverbend Romance series? I have read book one and I didn’t have any problem reading this book. I love the dreamy covers in this series. Wildflower Falls is a family oriented story with small town romance.

Charlotte and Gunner's first meeting was quirky and unexpected. They both had personal baggage and an employer-employee dynamic, so they tried to suppress their feelings for each other. I think they have good chemistry and Charlotte can talk to Gunner about anything. Gunner especially had to overcome his fears to realize that loving Charlotte was worth it. I love how the Robinsons' family was so welcoming to both of them.

Charlotte loves horses and I admire her determination to make her family's horse farm a success. Charlotte's reaction to learning she has brothers was realistic and relatable. She felt a mixture of emotions, including excitement, confusion, and curiosity. There was a sense of anticipation as she tried to uncover who her biological father was.

This was a heartwarming story about family love, community service, and acceptance. The scene where the characters discussed God and forgiveness was particularly meaningful to me. I thought the characters handled the situation with grace and understanding, even though it was challenging. I'm eager to read more books by this author.

Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 12 Sep 2023

Thank you Thomas Nelson--FICTION and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

The fourth in a series, but could easily be a stand alone. I wasn't sure this Riverbend Gap series would continue after the three Robinson siblings, but along comes Charlotte. I really enjoy these characters and would love to get to have a Sunday night dinner with the Robinsons.

She has inherited a horse farm/training center after her mother's death - and is trying to find out the truth about her father. Is she a Robinson, too? She hires Gavin's construction crew to build her new stables and hopes to learn more about him in the process. She's also hired a new horse trainer, Gunner. He learned after childhood tragedy not to trust himself to fall in love or settle down in one place too long. Can Charlotte change his mind, or will he move on to the next farm as planned. There is also a storyline with Charlotte's half sister, Emerson - she doesn't want to be part of the farm anymore and is upset with Charlotte's decision to look for her father. There is a great family dynamic story with the girls, and with the Robinson family, too.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Charlotte Simpson is trying to restore her mother's ranch to it's former glory. Only one problem. Money. With the death of her mother, she uses the insurance to build a barn to house the horses she hopes to be able to have. Gunner Dawson is an excellent horse trainer. He has a problem too. He doesn't stay in one place very long. Of course there's the spark between Charlotte and Gunner. Charlotte is also hiding a secret that could have major consequences to people she has to come to consider as friends.

This book is a good book to read while sitting on the beach or in front of a fire on a cold wintry day. It was a little bit slow in spots. But I tend towards more of a mystery most of the time. The characters are likeable. They each have their own set of problems that need to be worked out.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

WIldflower Falls by Denise Hunter is the fourth book in a series called Riverbend. The novel does connect to the prior novels, but can be easily read as a stand-alone (as I did). The books in the series are linked by the setting and common characters. This novel focuses on saving a third generational ranch called Stillwater Farms and its part-owner, Charlotte Honeycutt and it recently hired trainer Gunner Dawson.

Charlotte has thrown it all into saving her farm after the death of her mother. She was determined to build a new stable and open the stables for other people to board horses, and to offer lessons and trail rides. Her new hire Gunner Dawson is a trainer who has agreed to work for her for six months to help establish the business. The chemistry between them is hot, but neither are willing to move on it. Meanwhile, Charlotte has discovered the name of her biological father and is determined to find him. She has already discovered her biological brothers but is reluctant to tell them until she finds her father so he can tell them.

The main characters were interesting and multidimensional. I liked Charlotte as a main character. She was stronger than she thought, but was plagued with doubts of her worthiness and making family connections. Charlotte didn’t like to rock the boat, so she has made some decisions that are constantly second guessed and she was full of angst about them. Gunner was also an interesting main character as he was a man of mystery. His background and his roaming was an interesting counterposition to Charlotte’s generational ranch and home.

I enjoyed the novel and actually would like to go back and read the prior novels as I am interested in their stories. Wildflower Falls by Denise Hunter was a good read.

This book is a contemporary novel about a young woman looking for her father and family while trying to save her deceased mother’s ranch. Charlotte Honeycutt never knew who her biological father was until her mother’s death. Her mother left behind clues that point to the Robinson family. While trying to figure out how to handle this new information she is also trying to save her mother’s horse ranch. To help with that she hires Gunner Dawson, a talented horse trainer who never stays in one place for very long. Their attraction to each other is undeniable, but with his lifestyle they know a relationship would not work out.
It is nice to spend some time with the Robinson clan again and to meet some new characters. I liked Charlotte and Gunner and their first kiss was wonderful! I felt for Charlotte how she had so much to deal with. I do think Gunner should have had to grovel some more for her forgiveness after he ran from her and their relationship. I don’t think that’s really a spoiler because it was an obvious outcome with his history. Overall this is a great addition to the Riverbend series.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

I was so glad for another chance to “visit” Riverbend, NC in this new installment of the Riverbend Romance series by Denise Hunter. The book told the story of a man and woman who had suffered the losses of their families and chose to handle their pain in very different ways. They met when Gunner came to work at Charlotte’s farm as a horse trainer for six months and the author wove their two lives together into a romantic tale filled with hope, faith, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I was both touched and inspired as they worked through their fears. Highly recommend! Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. However, I think readers would enjoy and appreciate the story more by starting at the beginning of the series. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

Wildflower Falls by Denise Hunter is the fourth book in her Riverbend Romance series, but in addition to being the first book I've read in this series, it's also the first time I've read a novel by this author, and what a good, well-paced, and well-written read it was, and it worked just fine as a standalone. 4 stars.

Charlotte Honeycutt and her adopted sister, Emerson, have inherited the family ranch after their mother's unexpected and sudden death. Charlottle grew up wondering who her biological father was, and never got an answer from her mother, but when she finds a safety deposit box key among her late mother's possessions, she's ready to find out, and is shocked to learn that she not only has a couple of brothers, she also discovers that not only do they live on a nearby ranch, she knows them, and she just hired one of them, Gavin, to build her a large new stable, as she intends to put this ranch into the black, with trail rides, horse boarding, horse training, pony rides and more. Sadly, her sister would have preferred selling the ranch and splitting the profits, although it's been in the family for 3 generations. Additionally, when Charlotte also discovers who her biological father is, Emerson becomes even more truculent, and absents herself from the ranch as much as possible. But how to introduce herself to her birth father and half-brothers? That is the question, and she's nowhere near ready to do so.

When her new and highly regarded horse whisperer/trainer, Gunnar Dawson, shows up on his motorcycle, he's hired on the spot for just 6 months--he's not one for sticking around, and prefers an itinerant lifestyle, seeing new places, meeting new people, and never forming lasting relationships, which becomes a problem because he and Charlotte have serious chemistry between them from the get-go. But Charlotte is also gun-shy. She's already nursed one broken heart after her significant other, Vince, left her with no warning, so is her growing attraction to Gunnar another chance for yet another broken heart?

Will Charlott'es attempts to find and make contact with her birth father be a good thing or a bad one? What about the half-brothers of hers, living nearby? Will they welcome her as a their half-sister, or resent the fact that their shared father cheated on their mother? Where will her relationship with Gunnar lead? What will she do about mending her relationship with Emerson, who has no intention of sticking around and making the horse ranch a profitable enterprise? Lots of questions, but I don't do spoilers.

What I will tell you is that this novel was one heartwarming, sweet read, with all the feels, all the angst and all the tears you could want in a novel with an HEA ending. My only complaint was that I would have preferred a lot more steam in this novel, but that's just a personal preference. If you'd like to learn the answers to all the aforementioned questions, you'll have to read this novel for yourself, and I'm pleased to recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of th is novel. The opinions stated are my own.

When Charlotte discovers she has two brothers, Gavin and Cooper Robinson, she's eager both to get to know them and to find her father. Getting Gavin to build the new barn on the ranch she inherited from her mother helps with the first part, and Gunner, her new horse trainer, seems eager to help her with the second. A childhood tragedy taught Gunner not to allow himself to get attached to anyone or anything - and he's had a fine life moving around regularly doing what he loves best: training horses. But there's something about Riverbend Gap - and Charlotte - that's making him start to break all his rules. Can Charlotte manage to find her father so she can forge relationships with her brothers on an honest footing? And can Gunner convince himself to really give love - and Charlotte - a chance, or are they both doomed to broken hearts?

This is a delightful, touching and at times heart-wrenching book, but overall a story of hope, family and growth. It was great to see Charlotte gradually finding and developing relationships with her family - and watching Gunner work to overcome his past. The redemption of previous 'bad' characters is also wonderful when done well (as here), so that was an added bonus. I also loved the way the ending beautifully tied up not just the book but the series - though it's definitely sad to have to say farewell to Riverbend Gap. At the same time, this can be read on its own without the previous books (though, fair warning: you're likely to want to read Cooper, Avery and Gavin's stories afterward anyway). All in all, a great book, highly recommended.

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

Oh the bliss of reading a book written by Denise Hunter. She has a enchanting way of writing that will appeal to readers even if they are not romance lovers. She always adds a little air of mystery so that it is not all butterflies and roses. We are back in the charming town of Riverbend Gap, North Carolina. Charlotte Honeycutt is trying to save her mother's beloved ranch, Stillwater Ranch. It was her mother's wish that she and her sister, Emerson, keep the ranch in the family. Money is tight, but she has ideas. One of which is hiring horse trainer Gunner Watts. She gets a little more than she bargained for in Gunner. He is a very talented horse trainer, but he is also kind, compassionate and easy on the eyes.

Charlotte's world was rocked when her mother died suddenly, but she was even more shocked when found an envelope addressed to her giving her information about her biological father. She is shocked to find out that she has brothers in the town she loves so much. Charlotte and Gunner are haunted souls for different reasons. Gunner is a drifter. He carries everything he owns on the back of a motorcycle. His time at the ranch is limited.
Someone broke Charlotte's heart, and she still wears the scars.

This was such a delightful story with wonderful, three dimensional characters. Everything that will make a book come to life happens in this book. Wildflower Falls is a beautiful place where there is, of course, a waterfall. Denise Hunter's description of this place sounded like heaven on earth. Charlotte was my favorite character as she struggled to make sure everyone else was happy. She never thought of herself.

Denise Hunter's books are filled with her signature heart and this comes across the pages as she fills your heart with hope.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 stars

This book helped me get out of a reading slump! I adore the Robinson family, so I was glad to head back to Riverbend and read more about them. Charlotte was a charming character, and I loved her raw emotions. Gunner was so much more reserved, but he was also flawed while still being so genuine and caring.

While I didn't love the "black moment" and could see it coming from a mile away, I was still glad for the ending. And though these books are labeled Christian, I always wish they had more relevancy to faith. The characters only occasionally mention God, and that's usually when they want Him to do what they want Him to do. There's some mention of prayer, but it's generally a last-ditch effort to get their will. Just mentioning God doesn't make it a Christian story, so if you're looking for this to edify you or strengthen your faith, you'll be disappointed.

But if you want a clean, romantic love story between two people who need each other, then check this out. It's quiet but powerful.

I just love getting into a new Denise Hunter book. This one I polished off in one day! Wildflower Falls is such a GOOD story. The once absolutely horse crazy girl I was relished a story set on a horse ranch complete with foals being born and a traumatized gelding learning to trust again. And the grown-up romance reader I am now absolutely fell in love with Charlotte and Gunner. Such a lovely romance that developed organically and beautifully, wrought with internal and external challenges leading to the perfect happily ever after. Denise Hunter always leaves me feeling like I have a front row seat to watch my new friends fall in love. My heart broke and was put back together in all the best ways in the pages of this story. And of course I loved being reunited with the Robinson family. This was the perfect conclusion to the series.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I also purchased this book for my keeper shelf. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

Wildflower Falls, by Denise Hunter, introduces Charlotte Simpson. She is living in Riverbend Gap with her mother and younger sister; however, after her mother’s sudden death, Charlotte must find a way to hold onto the family ranch. This effort is complicated by the fact that she discovers a photo of her birth father in her mother’s paperwork. Now Charlotte must find out where this man is actually living!

When her new ranch hand, Gunner Dawson, shows up Charlotte is pleasantly surprised. Not only is he a great asset about the ranch but he is also a perfect sounding board as she continues to work through thoughts about her birth father. After Charlotte learns she has two half-brothers, who are part of a leading family in town, she is not sure how to approach them. Things get even more complicated when Charlotte learns her brothers have no relationship with their father due to his past alcoholism!

When challenging situations crop up in both Charlotte and Gunner’s lives, you wonder how this tale will ever come to a good conclusion by the final page!

~4.5 stars~
Ok, so this one started out a bit slow for me. Perhaps because I couldn't get enough books about horse ranches some years back and I read so many I tired of them. Not the author's fault, but solely my own.

However, when the combustible kissing scene set my heart aflame, I began to sit up and take notice of the amazing, strong characters and the beautifully written storyline. Typically it doesn't take a kiss for me to do such a quick turnaround—however, this was not just your ordinary lip lock. It was a heart-stopping, what's going to happen next, full of possibilities kiss—followed by plenty of angst and tears—the characters' and my own.

Hunter compassionately touches on some tough issues...including alcoholism resulting from PTSD and infidelity that could possibly tear a family apart. Come join Charlotte, Gunner, and the rest of the clan in Riverbend Gap as they navigate their relationships through rough waters, er, rather—down bumpy horse trails I should say!

*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a favorable review.*

A wonderful series and another heartwarming story, with most of the characters from previous books making their appearances. Gunner a horse trainer has accepted a new job, helping the owner of a small horse ranch launch an expansion program to help save the ranch. A drifter that only makes short term commitments had past thru Riverbend Gap once before and was looking forward to spending more time there. Plus the challenge of the job was interesting for Gunner.
Charlotte has so much on her plate, a sister and co-owner of the ranch who isn’t interested in the day to day operations. Expanding their ranch with hopes that will keep them in the black. Hoping the new horse trainer is as good as his references and will bring in more business, so that eventually she can quit her other job and focus full time on the ranch. But besides all those issues she is determined to find her biological father. A mystery her mother never answered.
A well rounded out story, with a few bumps in the road. Does keep your interest throughout and love that the Robinson’s are apart of the story. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #WildflowerFalls #RiverbendGap

I’ve never really particularly been a horse-lover, or cowboy-themed story fan. Wildflower Falls, by Denise Hunter, may have changed that for me. This story was everything I love in a romance. It was an absolute joy to read and ticked all the boxes for me: clean romance, light faith element, likable characters, clear communication (for the most part and understandably so), found family, recurring characters from previous stories, and a cozy setting.

Wildflower Falls is the fourth book in the Riverbend Gap series and though I have loved all of these stories, this may be my favorite. These stories are all inspiring, feel-good, and heart-warming to read…the perfect pick-me-up in story form. I always love reading series in order so you understand the subtleties and backstories of the extra characters, but these can be read as stand-alones, if you prefer.

Wildflower Falls is set in the country, alongside the mountains of North Carolina, bordered by the Appalachian Trail. Charlotte Simpson is trying to honor her late mother’s wishes to keep her horse ranch alive and thriving, even though it’s an uphill battle. Charlotte loves the ranch and it’s legacy and is willing to dig her heels in and do the work. In order to assist her efforts, she hires Gunnar Dawson, a short term horse trainer who is highly skilled, truly gifted, and not hard on the eyes, but he is also a committed nomad, adverse to settling down.

Gunnar and Charlotte, slowly form a friends-to-something more connection, while struggling to work through their own haunting issues from the past. Simultaneously, Charlotte is facing resistance from her half-sister, Emerson, who wants to create her own life apart from the ranch, and feels threatened by Charlotte’s new search for her birth father. As Charlotte discovers a surprising connection to the Robinson brothers, who are conveniently building a new barn on her property, she is also faced with an impossible dilemma.

This plot has many meaningful facets and subplots. The characters, and the connections and interactions between them make for a captivating story. The themes of moving on from heartache of various kinds, as well as a second chance at love is touching and inspiring. The aspect of found family and community is impactful. This story is a treasure and was a pleasure to read.

I fell in love with this book right from the very beginning. It really hit things off when Charlotte is caught spying (with binoculars) on a handsome guy working on her new barn by the guy she is hoping to hire. She has many more adorably uncomfortable moments in which her blush gives her away.

The characters all seemed like someone I'd want to sit down to dinner with. The story is really well rounded with lots of family, past and present conflicts, hopes for the future and the slow romance between Gunner and Charlotte. Just a really good book all the way around!

Thanks to Thomas-Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Wildflower Falls is the latest in the Riverbend series. Although this title can be read as a stand alone, reading the previous titles in the series will enhance the readers knowledge of the community of Riverbend gap and it’s members. Denise Hunter is a master storyteller and she does not disappoint with Wildflower Falls. She continues to develop the characters of the series while concentrating on a couples love story. A story of second chances and restoration, this reader highly recommends.

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this series had ended with the stories of the three Robinson siblings and was happily surprised to find this continuation of it. I like this series a lot and always enjoy a trip back to Riverbend Gap, North Carolina with wonderful characters and a great setting where the Appalachian Trail runs through the small town. Apparently, there is a fourth sibling that no one knows about. Charlotte Simpson never knew her biological father but when her mother died, she discovered some pictures and newspaper clippings that gave her a hint but nothing definite. Charlotte is in a hard position to find answers and doesn't want to hurt other people in the process. Thankfully, she has a new horse trainer on her horse ranch to help with the ranch and he has a great listening ear and is willing to help her. Gunner Dawson carries his belongings on his Harley and has no roots, no family. He is there at the ranch for six months to help get Charlotte's training program up and running, including training a replacement and then he is off to work a Derby ranch in Kentucky. This book is full of questions, concerns, emotions, good and bad, and also new beginnings, and possibilities of more plus chemistry! Sweet story of forgiveness, grace, and trust.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts and opinions.

My second Denise Hunter book and it won't be my last. I truly love her characters and written style. I lost myself in this book and found the characters to be relatable and believable, which is a make or break point for my enjoyment. The story touched me and I recommended the book to several friends.