While Return To Hope Creek is technically an Australian small town romance, it is also about two former athletes who retired at the top of their respective games and about second chances for them both. Stella Simpson has achieved all she could have ever hoped as the world number one women’s tennis player and was ready to retire after winning the French Open when a car crash just after the match left her with one foot amputated. Mitchell Scott was regarded as the world’s best American NFL quarterback when he retired to raise his ten year-old son, the product of a one-night-stand he has no recollection of. Despite marrying Kade’s mother when she turned up pregnant, that relationship never worked and they are divorced when the story opens. Mitch and Stella are both back in Hope Creek to get their lives in order but neither counted on the sparks that keep flying beteen them. Both thought they’d left their attraction behind when they broke up ten years earlier. I loved the small town vibe of this story with the community and family rallying round to protect and nurture Stella and Mitch. The characters are all well drawn and relateable and I particularly liked Mitch’s Aunt Liz, a meddling romance writer determined to ensure a real-life happy ever after for him and Stella, his first love. This story exudes warmth but there are also sexual undertones aplenty. I enjoyed reading it.

Return to Hope Creek by Alyssa J Montgomery is a romance taking place in Australia between two world class athletes: Mitchell Scott, an American football star, and Stella Simpson, former world number-one tennis star. Stella had had a very bad day, one that ended in a car chase and crash precipitated by the driver’s attempt to get ahead of paparazzi. Her injuries included the loss of an ovary and the loss of one foot, amputated below the knee. She had now returned to her home town in hopes of, not only recovery, but of opening a tennis facility aimed at under privileged youth. A family friend, Liz, had visited her when she was in rehab and offered to sell her half of her property. Stella jumped at the chance and was thrilled until she returned to Hope Creek to discover that the other half had been sold to her high school/college boyfriend. Things had not ended well with them and she was disconcerted to discover Liz’s hoax, allowing her to believe that she (Liz) would be keeping the other half. To make things worse, Mitch was there with his son, Kade, whose conception was what had broken them apart years before.

This was a complicated romance with both carrying so much baggage to work through before they could even be friends. She and Mitch had come to an agreement and Stella moved into the cottage on the property as planned. He first visitor was Kade and he was a charming little boy. They quickly became friends, which surprised her but she went with it. Stella was a former foster child and her “parents” lived here in Hope Creek and were thrilled to have her home. Mitch’s parents were politicians and probably only had him for appearance’ sake. He had lived here with his aunt Liz summers and most of high school. The story of their breakup was convoluted but it became clearer they had been manipulated as they talked to one another. Mitch was a good guy and he loved his son. How much was to be proven as the story progressed. This was a good book with sympathetic characters and a decent storyline. Thanks Ms Montgomery, for writing a compelling romance.

I was invited to read Return to Hope Creek by Escape Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EscapePublishing #AlyssaJMontgomery #ReturnToHopeCreek

I do love a good rural romance and this one ticks all of the boxes, fabulous setting, wonderful characters, a fabulous caring community and lots of emotion as we get to know Stella Simpson and Mitchell Scott, can returning to Hope Creek give them a second chance at the love and happiness they deserve?

Stella has been at the top of her career in tennis for a while now but a terrible accident has seen her have to retire and she makes a decision to go back home, home to her foster parents and sisters, when she is offered a share in ownership of the neighbour farm, Hope Farm she jumps at the chance, it is time to heal and start her new life but she soon learns that her partner will be none other than the man who broke her heart years before.

Mitchell has been playing NFL in The States for years and is the best quarterback in the game, but as time goes by he realises that it is time to make a new life for him and his ten year old son Kade, his life was turned upside down ten years ago and when his aunt Liz offers him a share in the family farm he of course takes it but soon finds out who his partner is in the venture, Stella the woman who has always owned his heart.

Will Stella and Mitchell settle on a truce in their joint ownership, how are they going to ignore the chemistry and spark that ignites whenever they are together, their lives had been torn apart ten years before but for them to even think about a future they must first open up about the truth from the past to find a future.

This is a beautiful story, I loved it and it is so well written I felt all the pain and happiness that Stella and Mitchell had gone through as MS. Montgomery bought them to life on the pages, this is one that I highly recommend and I am looking forward to at least a couple more stories from Hope Creek.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

This is a fantastic read with characters who are giving the right amount of emotion needed in the book.

Stella is a past tennis champ who suffered more than she deserved. Mitch has suffered his own share of problems also. When both of them see each other again, they are unsure of what the past and future could mean to them both.

I loved the characters and how they needed to be portrayed in the story.

Thanks to #netgalley, the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Return to Hope Creek, published by Escape Publishing

I loved this book, a wonderful contemporary romance. It's a real feel good, down home, honest people kind of book. Great characters that are well described, and likeable. I enjoyed the setting. The story moved along at a good pace. I liked the plot.
I love when an author has me so engaged with the characters that I can cry with them, laugh with them and hurt with them
This is the first novel I've read by Alyssa J. Montgomery, but not the last.

Return to Hope Creek - Alyssa J Montgomery

“Return to Hope Creek” is an original take on an Australian Romance based in Victoria. Alyssa used thoughtful and emotive back stories to provide you with a genuine connection to the characters involved. This narrative depicts the lives of two childhood friends, navigating sporting triumphs, personal struggles, healing, and the pursuit of new beginnings..


Alyssa crafted the main characters, Stella and Mitch, with palpable chemistry and deep bond, showcasing the complexities of honesty and trust—qualities that are both earned and tested throughout their journey. It was a pleasure to delve into a story centred around second chances.


While the ending may have felt slightly rushed, it does not overshadow the overall quality of the story and storyline maintains a well-paced rhythm, providing just enough background information to enrich the plot without overwhelming readers. Overall, "Return to Hope Creek" delivers a satisfying tale of resilience and love in the picturesque Australian countryside.

Forced Proximity ∘ Second Chance ∘ Miscommunication ∘ Single Father ∘ Small Town∘ Australian Romance ∘ Friends to Lovers


Happy Reading,

Alie

Rating: 💜💜💜💜
Aesthetic: 🎾🏈🦿💔❤️‍🩹🇦🇺🐐👦🏻💕
Spice: 🌶

There is such a pleasure for me to read a book about second chances. Return to Hope Creek had everything in it to fulfill what I like in second chance book.
Stella was a world-class tennis player. One day her life changed that day and going back to Hope Creek was where she decided to restart her life.
Mitchell was a top-notch football player but for him there were circumstances that happened, and he returned to Hope Creek for a change in his life.
Stella and Mitchell had a past and being in Hope Creek brough back a lot of feelings, hopes, dreams and a way to begin a life they both wanted.
The chemistry between them was so deep and true that I was able to feel it as I was reading.
The author made everything so real, and this made me like all – well almost all the characters in the book.
Thank you NetGalley, Alyssa J. Montgomery and Escape Publishing for the copy of Return to Hope Creek. This is my personal review.

I enjoyed my visit to Hope Creek. Two former lovers and athletes reunite in this small town in Australia. The word differences are amusing. Sweet and sad back stories. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary. There are two more sisters. I wonder if we will be getting their searches for a significant other eventually.

3.5 stars.
A story about second chances, pain, healing, and life after the limelight and success, “Return to Hope Creek”, by Alyssa J. Montgomery, features characters that have gone through a lot and are seeking for the warmth of a welcoming community.
I loved how Mitch’s and Stella passion, connection and chemistry were still so strong after ten years of separation and all the hurt.
I also appreciated that they were honest with each other while they tried to rebuild trust, even if some misunderstandings lingered perhaps for too long.
Mitch is a great hero, a strong man not afraid of showing vulnerability and emotion. Mitch’s and adorable Kade relationship is wonderful. His drive to make a home in Hope Creek, Australia, for his son is compelling.
I liked Stella as a heroine who doesn’t want to be a role model for anyone and doesn’t want to act according to other people rules or expectations; and it was refreshing that perhaps all she wants now is to have a family of her own…
“I don’t want to be held up as an example and I don’t want people to think that if I’m not achieving something, I’m not happy”, Stella confesses.
I also liked how Stella’s issues and disability were depicted, the problems and obstacles shown realistically.
I loved that despite their achievements and success they both are grounded, down-to-earth people.
I enjoyed that their projects and co-ownership evolved from apparently irreconcilable, conflicting interests to some giving in from both and harmony with fairness.
The supporting characters are great and the community atmosphere too.
Liz meddling was fun in general but sometimes it was annoying.
I liked the story, plot and characters and their interactions, although I think the story was too long.
I found some parts were too idyllic and some characters, like the ex-wife, too caricatured.

Return to Hope Creek, is a second chance romance with two strong and determined lead characters and a bevy of side characters too. A story filled with angst, history, misconception, and deception; this book certainly has plenty to keep the reader intrigued.

The storyline is well paced and doesn’t overwhelm readers with in-depth background but does provide enough information to complement the plot. I did feel the ending was a hurried, but overall, this was a good story.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Stella and Mitch are back in Hope Creek, while not realizing each of them are there initially. We follow them along their journey of being back home, dealing with their hurt and learning how to work together again. It's a beautiful story of second chances and moving forward.

Thank you net galley for an arc of Return to Hope Creek by Alyssa J. Montgomery

You know a book is good when you have tears in your eyes as early in as Chapter 2! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

The storyline was fast paced and gave just enough background for context without going into full detail causing the story to lose its momentum. I must admit that I don't normally enjoy a miscommunication trope but given the miscommunication occurred through deception, lies and manipulation by other parties, I appreciated how it was weaved into the storyline in this instance.

I love that Stella and Mitch have both made their way back to Hope Creek after their success internationally and that forced proximity has them reflecting on their past relationship. They are both wishing for a future together but insecurities, especially from Stella, make them doubt that getting back together would work and neither wants to be hurt again. I enjoyed the focus on parents not fitting the normal parent mode for Stella and her sisters and I also felt Kade's background story, while very sad was well written. This book certainly brings out all the feels for the reader and makes the characters very relatable.

I just felt the ending was a little rushed. I would have like just a little bit more to unfold around Mitch and Stella and maybe just a little bit more of a grand gesture around their future. But otherwise, this story was very well written, and I would certainly purchase a copy and recommend it to others as a great holiday read.