Denise Hunter is always a win in my book!

More than Fiends by Denise Hunter is another winner - you can never go wrong with her books - maybe that's why movies are often made?? ;) In this one, set in a small town island, Chincoteague, on the Eastern coast of Virginia, Jenna Greene returns home after losing her boyfriend and her job. Ready to find peace and breathe, her mom comes home with a new boyfriend, however, Jenna feels something is off.

Tyson Parker was Jenna's best friend growing up and he's never left the island. He's always loved being there and now he's a firefighter. Tyson's ex-wife broke him, when she cheated on him and now as his friendship rekindles with Jenna, feelings begin to grow. Jenna gets his help to uncover the secrets of her mom's boyfriend and when feelings develop between the two - can they trust to find where this leads?

I have read a few of Denise Hunter's books in the past and I have loved every single one of them. She is one of my favourite writers and ones again this book did not disappoint. I absolutely loved this book.
It’s a book about two friends who find each other again and quickly they catch more feelings. I loved how they grew together again and how they fell in love. They were such a sweet couple.
I would absolutely recommend this book. Its written so well and you fly through the book.
I listened to the audiobook and the production was great. I really liked the narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The last few novels by this author have been particularly great. This is no exception! From the lovely cover, to the educational and unique island setting with the Chincoteague ponies, to the friends-to-more trope, I simply settled in and just enjoyed. Kim Churchill did a fantastic job of narrating as usual.

I really enjoyed all of the characters and their stories. Both of the main characters, Jenna and Ty, had painful wounds from their childhoods. Jenna’s Dad died tragically as a firefighter when she was 12. Ty’s father left them when Ty was a young child. Jenna can’t find a reason to fully commit to a relationship and Ty went through a divorce after his wife had an affair. Their long friendship and loyalty to one another warmed my heart. The closeness with their families is also endearing.

Sometimes the “friends to more” trope can feel very forced and lacklustre. This is one of the best I’ve read with that trope. We got to see how it stared, how it grew, and when it suddenly shifted to something else. It felt natural and honest. Annnnd…. anyone who says a clean romance cannot convey chemistry needs to read chapter 26 in particular. Just sayin’……… ;-)

I appreciate how there are so many other parts to this story than only romance. They are not cheesy and perfect characters. They had painful childhood experiences, personal challenges, hurts, and weaknesses like anyone else. The path to romantic love isn’t without its struggles. Yet their relationship makes so much sense and is enjoyable to journey along with.


*** My thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. My review is voluntary. My rating, opinion, and words are completely my own.

If I could pick one word to describe the book “More Than Friends” by Denise Hunter, it would simply be…..beautiful.

The story is about Jenna Greene, fresh off a breakup and unemployed. She returns home to Chincoteague Island to stay with her mom while she tries to figure out her next step. While there, she reconnects with her childhood best friend Tyson, who lived across the street growing up.

The backdrop of Chincoteague and Assateague Island is absolutely stunning with the descriptive imagery. The author paints a beautiful picture of the island, so much so that if I closed my eyes, I could see it all in front of me. Most especially the horses roaming the island and the crossing of the ponies from the island to the mainland with the Saltwater Cowboys.

Hunter does a brilliant job creating rich characters who are easy to relate to and fall in love with. I could not help but find myself rooting for Jenna and Tyson, wanting them each to find the happy ending they deserved.

For the mystery lover in me, I loved that not only was this a contemporary romance, but it also had a little mystery wrapped up inside of it which both created some adventure but also lent itself to the story and its message.

If you are looking for a wholesome, feel good, story that will melt your heart (and bonus, there are ponies!!), then More Than Friends is the book for you

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction for the ALC of this book. Narrator Kim Churchill was wonderful in the way she brought the characters and story to life. Her voice was so pleasant that it was easy to get lost in the book as she read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC and ALC of More Than Friends by Denise Hunter, narrated by Kim Churchill.

I am forever grateful that I discovered Denise Hunter, as she has become my favorite, feel-good, low-spice contemporary romance author. My first read by the author was The Second Story Bookshop (2025), and I was surprised how much I loved it, as it is a second-chance romance, which usually does not work for me. Denise Hunter can make you feel like the characters are friends of yours, which allows you to connect to the story in a way that makes readers experience the same emotions felt on the page, which is incredibly difficult to achieve. I could rave about her all day long, but I NEED to talk about her latest masterpiece, More Than Friends.

More Than Friends is exactly as it sounds. It is a childhood friends to lovers as adults after both main characters have struggled and faced heartache, both personally and professionally. The setting of this book is Chincoteague Island, Virginia, where the wild ponies roam before/after their time spent on Assateague Island, Maryland. The ponies and the setting are an incredibly important part of the story, and I instantly connected as I grew up visiting Assateague Island, seeing the wild ponies take off for their annual swim. But even if you have never been to or heard of these islands, the author does an incredible job of describing them all in a way that readers will be able to feel the sand between their toes.

The FMC, Jenna Greene, is back home on Chincoteague Island after her life imploded. When you are in a long-term relationship with your boss, and you turn down his VERY public proposal, things don’t generally work out in the professional sphere. She quickly finds out that when all else fails, you can always go home, which is where she runs into her childhood best friend, Tyson Parker. They decide to team up to investigate the man Jenna’s mom has brought home from her cruise and swiftly moved into her home. When someone seems too good to be true, and the red flags are flapping in the sea breeze, Jenna has to do everything she can to help prevent her mom from falling victim to this “romance con man”. Working together with Tyson and being home away from the hustle and bustle of the Washington DC suburbs allows Jenna to open her heart and her eyes to everything and everyone she has missed.

This is another 5-STAR book from Denise Hunter. Laugh out loud moments, feel good, heartwarming (found and genetic) family moments, a bit of mystery, and sweet, low-spice romance between friends turned lovers, this book has everything a romance reader could ask for. The audiobook was absolute perfection as well. Kim Churchill has incredible talent as a narrator, as she is able to make you connect not only to the characters but to her as well. Listening to the audiobook made me feel like I was out with a girlfriend and she was telling me an incredible love story.

Please, please do not miss More Than Friends by Denise Hunter and the audiobook, narrated by Kim Churchill. The cover is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, and the story inside is just as beautiful. I will be pre-ordering a physical copy TODAY and will be rereading this one again and again.

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter (2026)
9h 1m narrated by Kim Churchill, 320 pages

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance, Romantic Comedy, Clean Romance

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult themes and innuendos

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🛶👨‍🚒🏝🌊🐎

I completely fell in love with these characters and setting. The only thing I didn't like is that it's not Book 1 in a series. I didn't want to leave. I will be looking for more books set on Chincoteague starting with the book about Misty. I can't wait for the next Denise Hunter story, Falling Into Us.

Recommend to others?: Yes. Always. Denise knows how to create a world of love and harmony for you to escape to with humor and just the right amount of drama.

More than Friends is my favorite troupe, friends to lovers. Jenna and Tyson are the best of friends and that lays the foundation for the best relationship either of them have ever experienced. The backdrop of the story is Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Now I want to go on vacation there. The narrattion is warm and relaxing, perfect for the tone of the novel. A story filled with love, sacrifice and faith.

I am enchanted by this love story. I loved everything about it. I’m still crying happy tears with the ending.

Kim Churchill, you did an outstanding job with the narration of this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Denise Hunter, && Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC.

Ahhh Denise Hunter, the queen that you are 😭 this book was everything!

Reading More Than Friends felt like being cozied up in an Adirondack chair on the porch of a coastal beach house, listening to the waves roll in. Peaceful, comforting, and completely immersive. It’s clean but oh-so-swoony, with just the right touch of faith woven throughout to make it feel even more meaningful.

I also loved the layer of suspenseful drama woven into the story. It added such a compelling edge and kept the pages turning. Paired with the real, deeper issues the characters faced, this isn’t just a light, cheesy romance. It’s heartfelt, beautiful, and carries so much more depth than you might expect.

And I have to mention the audiobook as well. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life and added even more emotion to an already beautiful read.

Denise truly can’t miss. Once again, she delivered a story that was uplifting, emotional, and easy to fall into from the very first page.

I’m so thankful and grateful to have received both an ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. Huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Uplit Reads for the opportunity!

Wonderful book 💝

Jenna returns home 🏡 after a broken engagement and trying to piece together her life after she also lost her job

Great vibes and wonderful characters

Thank you Denise Hunter and Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Audio for the NetGalley ALC! Kim Churchill did a fantastic job narrating the book; she had great pace, inflections, voice changes and personality. The audio was clear and had no hiccups through the story! Taking place on Chincoteague Island, the story was well written, had a steady pace, there was enough enigma to the storyline I never got bored. Jenna and Tyson grew up best friends, from childhood through adulthood, Jenna leaving the island, holding on through Tyson’s failed marriage and Jenna’s various relationships. As a sweet platonic-to-romantic trope, I found the characters have the suited levels of chemistry. The romance was chaste and though there were implications of the main characters having serious relationships or dating around, it remained modest.

I recommend the More Than Friends for fans of Courtney Walsh and Pepper Basham!

First off, I have to fangirl over the setting! I have been fascinated by Chincoteague Island since reading Marguerite Henry’s ‘Misty’ series when I was a child so to discover that returning home for Jenna means Chincoteague, well, I might have squealed out of sheer bookish glee. And then to discover that our hero, Tyson, is a volunteer saltwater cowboy! I can’t even…happy sigh. Love all the details the author includes about the island, it’s history and the wild ponies. The next best thing to actually being able to go there myself.

This emotional slow-burn friends-to-more romance delivers just the right balance of humour and drama. Jenna and Tyson have always been best friends, and while they haven’t been as close since Jenna moved away from the island, they easily pick up where they left off when she comes back. Hunter writes this classic trope with such skill. Love the way their relationship develops. The dawning realization that their feelings are changing. The fear of risking their friendship for the uncertainty of romance. I agonized with them every step of the way. Thrilled when they got it right and groaned when the inevitable missteps occurred. I was completely invested in their love story!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘More Than Friends’ and really enjoyed Kim Churchill’s narration. She has become a familiar voice in my audiobook listening and I appreciate the way her performances enhance my ‘reading’ pleasure. Always a delight to listen to.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

I had the absolute best reading experience with this one—I received this ARC while on spring break in Chincoteague, which just so happens to be the setting of the book, and it made everything feel that much more immersive. I loved the environmental accuracy and all the little references to local spots. If you know the area, it’s such a fun bonus, and if you don’t, it will make you want to visit ASAP. I recommended this to everyone I spoke to on the island this week.

Jenna and Tyson’s relationship felt incredibly natural from the start. Their dynamic was easy, comfortable, and believable in a way that made me instantly invested. That said, I was a little surprised that Tyson never seemed to have feelings for Jenna in the past—it made the history between them feel slightly one-sided when I wanted just a bit more mutual buildup.

The emotional tension definitely delivers, but the shift from best friends to a full no-contact third act breakup wasn’t my favorite. It felt a bit abrupt compared to how steady and grounded their relationship had been leading up to it.

Overall, this was a sweet, heartfelt friends-to-lovers story with a strong sense of place and emotional pull. Perfect for fans of small-town romance and cozy coastal settings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

More Than Friends is a warm, easy listen that leans into the comfort of a classic friends-to-lovers story. Denise Hunter creates a cozy atmosphere with likable characters and steady emotional development, even if the plot feels a bit predictable at times. The audiobook narration adds an extra layer of charm, making it perfect for a relaxing, low-stakes listen.

I absolutely adore Denise Hunter's writing and this did not disappoint.

Trope: Best Friends to Lovers
We follow best friends, Jenna and Ty on their journey, Jenna always thinking she has chosen the wrong man, and Ty coming out of a marriage.
While sleuthing and investigating Jenna's mothers new love interest, they find each other.

I loved this! There was so much going on between a rejected proposal, past relationship drama, a budding childhood friends-to-lovers relationship, a mystery with the mom’s boyfriend, & more! I appreciated that the characters were multi-layered in a way that was so believable and raw. The throwbacks and the way the two main characters are afraid to ruin something good, but slowly form a connection far too special to miss out on. It was done perfectly in my opinion. I went through this so fast! My first Denise Hunter book & I am now prioritizing her backlist! 😃

- Saltwater Cowboys 🤠
- Firefighter 🔥
- Island setting with a small-town feel 🏝️
- Wild Ponies 🐴
- Childhood Friends-to-Lovers 💞
- Mystery 🕵️
- Light Faith Themes 🤍

The narrator was great too! 🙂

I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley & the publisher.
This is my honest review.

Thank you go Netgalley for the advanced listening copy.


This is my first Netgalley arc, and I enjoyed it so much! I love a good friends to lovers trope, and this one was so sweet. This is my first book by this author, but I enjoyed the writing with just a couple of questions. Like- the mysteries with a couple of side characters were left a little odd, but the main couple were well written. I appreciated the emotional journey of both characters as they navigated to each other - twice.

This book is very sweet, small town, and romantic - even the location is romantic. I’d never even heard of Chincoteague Island, but now I definitely want to visit.

I wish that there had been dual narrators since the story was told in dual pov, but it was still easy to follow, and I very much enjoyed the audiobook.

More Than Friends is a warm, emotionally resonant contemporary romance that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with heartfelt depth. From a librarian’s perspective, Denise Hunter excels at creating relatable characters whose struggles feel authentic and grounded. The progression from friendship to something deeper is handled with care, allowing readers to savor the tension, vulnerability, and quiet moments of realization that define the relationship. The small-town setting adds a comforting familiarity, while the emotional stakes keep the story engaging throughout.

What makes this novel especially recommendable is its balance of romance with themes of trust, healing, and personal growth. It’s an excellent addition to any library collection serving fans of clean romance and uplifting fiction. Readers who appreciate authors like Kristan Higgins or Debbie Macomber will likely find this a satisfying and comforting read. Overall, More Than Friends is a dependable, feel-good selection that I would confidently place on a “staff picks” shelf for patrons seeking a tender and satisfying love story.

If you’re in the mood for a beachy escape with a side of mystery, a sprinkle of romance, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting—this one’s a total win.

Jenna Greene’s life basically implodes in the most dramatic way possible (honestly, dating your boss is bold), and before she can even process it, she’s back on Chincoteague Island, broke, jobless, and sharing a roof with her mom… who now has a very questionable new boyfriend. 🚩

And let me just say: I did NOT trust this man from the start. Sneaky phone calls? Borrowing money? Weird vibes? Absolutely not.

Enter Tyson Parker—childhood best friend turned small-town hero who somehow manages to be both rugged (hello, firefighter + wild pony caretaker 😍) and emotionally available. We love a healed king… or at least one trying to be. The slow-burn shift from “one of the guys” to wait… why is he looking at me like that? is chef’s kiss perfection.

What really makes this story fun is the mix:
• Small-town charm ✔️
• Light mystery ✔️
• Second-chance-at-life energy ✔️
• Friends-to-something-more tension ✔️

Jenna’s inner battle is super relatable too—she’s tough and competitive on the outside, but when it comes to love? Total panic mode. Watching her try to figure out whether to protect her heart or risk it all adds just the right emotional depth without getting too heavy.

Overall, it feels like a Hallmark movie with a little extra sass and a suspicious boyfriend subplot—and honestly, that’s a vibe.

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter

You had me with Salt Water Cowboys and wild ponies!

Seriously!

This was the best kind of story – a friends to lovers, sweet cozy romance with second chances and wild ponies!

Jenna wasn’t ready for marriage. When her boyfriend tried to push, his proposal went south. That calamity landed Jenna back home and jobless. That’s the problem when you date your boss and things don’t work out.

Home is on the beautiful Chincoteague Island where salt water cowboys roam with wild ponies once a year. It really is a slice of heaven.

When Jenna returns home, she finds her mother with a new beau. Her having a beau at all was new but this one really just got off the boat with her. A short cruise and things were moving too fast. Jenna was unnerved.

Her longtime friend from childhood, Tyson is there on the island. He’s all grown up now working full time and volunteering as a salt water cowboy.

Freshly divorced, Tyson is working through his own relationship dilemmas. That doesn’t stop him when Jenna enlists him to help her do a little investigating. She wants to save her mom from heartache, but can she save herself from her fears?

Jenna has decisions to make when she applies for her dream job back on the mainland and may have to leave her heart behind.

This was a wonderful clean story of friends to more. I loved the way the tension was built into their relationship, and the second chance theme that worked through several characters’ roles. The beautiful imagery took me there and I know it’s a beautiful place. This is an awesome book to escape in any time of the year that you want to dip your toes in the sand and dream about cowboys and wild beach ponies! Loved it! 5/5⭐

The audiobook was wonderful. The narration was spot on bringing the story to life and giving definition to the individual characters. It really made the book experience special.

I would like to Thank Netgalley and Denise Hunter for the opportunity to review and ARC of  the audiobook of this title. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I had a chance to listen to an alc of this book i loved the story, the setting and the sweet small town vibes this book gave.

I did a combination of the digital and audio copies of this book. The narration by Kim Churchill was absolutely perfect for this book. It was pleasant to listen to and the warmth of the voices really added to the story.

I love books by Denise Hunter. Jenna and Tyson were friends from way back. When she has a break-up and the dude happens to be her boss, she finds herself headed back home. Things between Jenna and Tyson start to change with a kiss on the cheek here, a touch there, until there are feelings flying all over the place.

Each of them is also dealing with other drama in their lives. Hunter gives enough drama to enhance the romance, but the friends to lovers trope of this book was really where it's at. It is just the perfect romance!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the copies. All thoughts are my own.

More Than Friends is a clean Christian romance, and it was SO good! This story had me kicking my feet in giddy moments one minute and thinking WHAT is happening?! the next. Jenna and Tyson were truly meant for each other, and their journey was both sweet and engaging from start to finish.

Denise Hunter did such a wonderful job bringing this story to life. Her writing is heartfelt, easy to follow, and completely pulls you in. The narration was also fantastic! It added so much personality to the characters and made the listening experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, this was such a cute and satisfying romance, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves clean, faith-based love stories.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, and Denise Hunter for this ALC!

*First off a HUGE thank you to Denise Hunter & Taylor Ward at Thomas Nelson for this ARC!*

Jenna Greene just broke up with her boyfriend (who formerly was her boss) and she just lost her job. So she decides to go back home to visit with her mom who lives on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Jenna’s mom came back from her cruise with fun memories and a boyfriend, which Jenna is a little worried about that since she has only known this man for about a week.

Tyson Parker is Jenna Greene’s best friend and they have known each other since they were little. Tyson helps Jenna get back in the groove of things as she stays with her mom for a little while on the island. Tyson also wears many hats which includes being a volunteer firefighter and one of the well known saltwater-cowboys on Chincoteague Island.

In this story you learn about Chincoteague Island, and the Chincoteague Island wild ponies which live on the island and on Assateague Island. I enjoyed learning about the ponies and I loved the love story in this book. We learn about the relationship between Jenna & Tyson and the situations that are going on in both of their lives. Do Tyson & Jenna end up being more than friends?🤔😉

I truly loved the banter and all the of the side characters throughout this story! Definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a spring/summer read! 🐎🏝️❤️

Denise Hunter has done it again! This was a delightful read from start to finish! The narration was wonderful! The book is full of themes of second chances and redemption. The plot was well-paced and the characters were charming and witty. This is definitely one I'll read again! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

A lovely contemporary best friends to more romance set in the community of Chincoteague, a barrier island along the coast of Virginia. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Kim Churchill, did a superb job with both female and male parts.

There are no swears, no alcohol and level 1 kisses only.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from @Netgalley and @thomasnelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have always cherished Denise Hunter, and this topped all of her books for me. It’s my new absolute favorite! I adored every single page of it. Highly recommend for a great love story!

Looking for the sweetest clean & Christian friends-to-lovers story? Check out ✨More Than Friends✨ by @deniseahunter

I love how Jenna & Tyson are able to talk about anything with each other. They’ve supported each other through thick and thin for years. The way they truly know each other is such a beautiful foundation for their romance. They are really so perfect for each other and it is a delight to read. 💕

Tyson has so many green flags! He is caring, loyal, steady, hard-working, and selfless. He is my new favorite MMC. A firefighter and salt-water cowboy? I’m melting. 🫠

There is also a wonderful cast of side characters that brings a depth and richness to the story. And of course, I loved the mystery. 🔍

This is my first time reading a book by @deniseahunter and I’m hooked! It was genuinely beautiful and incredibly well-written. It was everything you could want in a clean romance read. I want to read all her books now. 📚

If you are looking for a clean and wholesome feel-good read, this book is for you! 💕

💋 Kisses only (epilogue is closed-door)
🚫 No profanity
❤️ Happy ending

Expect:
🩷 friends to more
❤️ investigating together
🩷 MMC is taking a break from dating
❤️ FMC said she would never date a firefighter
🩷 found family
💔 3rd act breakup
🩷 Dual perspective
❤️ Characters are Christian and their faith is naturally woven into their lives. So there are some light Christian themes like prayer.

Themes:
❤️ finding yourself again
🩷 healing past trauma
❤️ therapy rep
🩷 supportive family & friends

⚠️ Content:
- Divorce / infidelity
- death of parent (past, off page)
- parent abandonment (past, off page)
- Injuries due to fire
- PTSD nightmares
- off page death of teen due to driving under the influence

🎧 The narrator was fantastic!

I listened to an advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

More than Friends by Denise Hunter is a lovely, feel-good, friends to lover’s sweet romance. Jenna returns home for all the right reasons, though she makes a bit of a mess of things with her meddling and protective nature, and finds her best friend is still there but brings new feelings. Tyson is there as a great support and partner, and I love the chemistry between these two. I enjoyed the descriptions of his role as a saltwater cowboy. I was not familiar with this concept and loved learning more about it and how it factored into their story. I appreciated their deep connection through friendship, how well they knew each other and their raw openness and honestly with one another. While they both have some past wounds to deal with, they handle them together and blossom into a beautiful relationship as a result. A perfect hallmark style romance that was just a warm, feel-good romance. The narrator did an excellent job of setting the tone and pace and capturing the mood and the voices.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Oh, I loved this story! The lifelong friendship between Jenna and Tyson turning into something more was absolutely beautiful. There’s something so special about a friends-to-lovers romance, and this one captured that slow shift in such a natural, meaningful way.

I really enjoyed how the story wove together multiple layers—each centered around love for family, friendships, and the island itself. It created such a warm, grounded atmosphere that made everything feel connected and real.

I also appreciated how the book handled past trauma. It showed that even when we think we’ve moved on, those experiences can still shape us in ways we don’t always recognize. The story did a great job highlighting the importance of actually working through those things in order to move forward in a healthy way.

Watching Jenna and Tyson’s relationship evolve had me completely hooked—I was giddy seeing their love grow, and I couldn’t wait to see how it all came together, even though I didn’t want it to end.

This was a warm, emotional, and beautifully layered story about love in all its forms. I definitely recommend it.

More Than Friends was my first book by Denise Hunter. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The narrator did great. The story was a good romance story of friends to lovers. I liked the little mystery that was added on Gordon. It kept the story interesting. I love happy endings.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for Denise Hunter’s books! And this is no exception!

We open up with Jenna. She’s in a restaurant with her boyfriend when he drops down to one knee. But this can’t be right! She TOLD him she’s not ready! But, here we are…

Needles today, this quickly escalates… and what follows is NOT good.

Jenna picks up and returns home for a bit.. she needs some time to think, and some space, and some love from her Mother!

But…when she returns home, her Mom has just come home from a cruise…with a guy! And he’s bringing his suitcases to the house! What??? So now Jenna is on high alert. She does not like this one bit!

And, who does she team up with? Her best friend of course! Tyson. The boy she’s always crushed on since HS… The same boy that she will never give a chance to…. Because they are FRIENDS! Always have been…

But, it seems the more time she spends with him, the more she has this little niggling sensation that she can’t shut down…. Why??

She spends a bit of time home, but all the while is looking for a job too… as her ex was also her boss…

When she gets an opportunity to work back where she was originally, she jumps at it! But…this will mean leaving Tyson behind. And they’ve only just started exploring each other… Does she really want to do this?

Additionally, the two of them are looking into the Mom’s boyfriend…as Jenna does not trust him at all!

This is sweet! Sad! Scary! Beautiful! Heart-warming! And, heart-wrenching all at the same time. I love the small town vibes and how they all stand up for each other! And how the reader gets oh so caught up in the weaving of the story!

5 bright, loving, beautiful stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh… and I LOVE the cover too!

#MoreThanFriends by @DeniseHunter and narrated beautifully by @KimChurchill.

*** This one HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! Look 👀 for it starting on 4/14/26!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @ThomasNelson and @ZondervanFictionAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

Review of an advanced copy audiobook:

Denise Hunter has done it again. Her books always bring a smile to my face.

This book showed the true value of a real friendship. Parts of it reminded me so much of my best guy friend and my friendship. That special bond that best friends share.

I loved that throughout this book no matter what the characters were facing, they trusted God to take care of them and help them make decisions.

This book is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.

Thanks NerGalley for the advanced copy.

Super cute, complicated, and romantic. I like reading through and resolving the conflicts with the characters and I like the relationship between mother and daughter! Would be a great beach / summer read!

I loooove Tyson- firefighter who loves horses plus the (childhood) friends-to-lovers trope?? Big yes. As a fan of horses and Misty of Chincoteague books as a kid, this was amazing! I loved reading more about the Chincoteague ponies as a feature in this book! The overall storyline was fantastic and I loved the way the author handled the themes of healing from disillusionment and a broken engagement, and the male main character healing from divorce. It was beautifully done and made for a great story! Highly recommend!
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Denise Hunter is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to get the chance to review her upcoming release, More Than Friends. She has such a gift for writing heartwarming Christian romance...think Hallmark movies. :)
This story is full of sweet moments, genuine characters, and that comforting, feel-good atmosphere she’s known for. If you enjoy clean romance with strong themes of faith, friendship, and second chances, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The audiobook is narrated by Kim Churchill, and she did a wonderful job. Her voice was easy to listen to and fit the tone of the book perfectly.

Publication date- April 14, 2026

I really enjoyed this book I wanted to go back to it every night or whenever I was driving. I thought it was a good read. It was lighthearted and sweet. It was clean and had aspects of forgiveness it wasn't heavy on Christianity or really mentioned it much at all. Just a nice clean story.

More Than Friends
By: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio 🎧
Narration by: Kim Churchill
Publication Date: April 13, 2026
Christian
Humor & Satire
Romance

More Than Friends is a sweet, closed-door contemporary romance set in a charming small town, this story blends second-chance love with a friends-to-lovers dynamic.

After rejecting a proposal and losing her job, Jenna returns to Chincoteague Island and reconnects with her childhood best friend, Tyler—a steady volunteer firefighter and “saltwater cowboy” who looks after Chincoteague’s wild ponies.

Tyler is admired by everyone and has built a strong reputation among those who know him. (Golden retriever vibes!) But will he turn out to be too good to be true, or is he the one person Jenna has always wanted and needed—someone who has been there for her all along?

As they begin to question her mother’s whirlwind cruise romance, Jenna grows suspicious of the new man in her life. He keeps sneaking off to make calls and has started borrowing money from her kind and vulnerable mother, raising red flags.

Old feelings resurface, forcing Jenna to confront her fears about love and commitment.

The strongest element is the heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance, built on shared history and emotional comfort. Jenna’s personal growth feels authentic, and the small-town setting adds warmth. Their story is sweet and believable—but will Jenna get in her own way?

The audiobook narration by Kim Churchill is clear and engaging, with a warm, inviting tone. She brings the characters to life with distinct voices, emotional depth, and charm.

It’s a cozy, wonderful read with appealing tropes:

• Dual POV
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Small town
• Christian romance
• Golden retriever vibes

I loved this story so much! It’s a truly heartfelt love story, full of emotion, fun, and beautiful wild ponies. This is the second book I’ve read by Denise Hunter—the first was The Second Story Bookshop, which I also found wonderful and enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading more from her backlist soon.

Thank you to Denise Denise Hunter and Kim Churchill for such a fun time with More Than Friends, I loved the whole experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio 🎧 and Denise Hunter for the ALC in exchange for a honest review.

#NetGalley, #MoreThanFriends, #DeniseHunter, #ThomasNelsonandZondervanFictionAudio, #KimChurchill, #Christian, #Humor&Satire, #Romance, #DualPOV,
#ChildhoodFriendstoLovers, #SmallTown, #ChristianRomance, #GoldenRetieverVibes

This is my second book by Denise Hunter and just like the first one, I am enamored! I absolutely adored this book. I laughed, I cried, I fell completely in love with the characters in a way that feels like forever. I didnt know anything about the book except it was friends to lovers and I was surprised throughout the entire book. Jenna and Tyson were so sweet and so heartfelt to a point that it was their downfall. They loved each other but Jenna was so scared to lose Ty the same way she lost her dad, and Tyson was afraid of holding her from her dreams by keeping her in their childhood town. In the end, love, peace, therapy, a meddling neighbor helped find their way back together.

If you love closed door romance, friends to lovers, and small coastal towns, This is the book for you!!

I received an ARC of More than Friends thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet best friends-to-lovers romance that had a great climatic scene and perfect resolution. I really enjoyed the characters and watching their relationships (with each other and with others) shift. The book was well written and I definitely recommend it!

Denise Hunter ‘s upcoming release was such a sweet, cozy surprise for me! It’s not my typical romcom style romance, but honestly… that’s what made me love it even more! The whole story has these dreamy outdoor, small town vibes on Chincoteague Island, and I was completely obsessed with the wild horses and that whole “saltwater cowboy” life! It just felt so peaceful and unique. The friends to more storyline was super tender, and I loved how everything unfolded in a way that felt natural and heartfelt!

What really stuck with me though was the deeper emotional side. The firefighter connection and Jenna losing her dad at a young age hit close to home for me, which made parts of the story feel extra personal. There were definitely a few moments where I felt a little frustrated with the characters and their feelings, but like also, I totally got it because it’s so real. Overall, it’s one of those soft, feel good reads that still has depth, a little mystery, and a whole lot of feel good! I finished it with the sweetest smile!

*This book is clean with little to no language and while there is a little steam I would say there is no spice ;)

Thank you SO MUCH to the author for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

More than Friends was a friends to lovers romance that will tug at your heart. With wild ponies, a coastal breeze, and stores I’d love to visit, I adored the small town this story took place in. The characters popped from the pages, and the audiobook was so effortless to listen to! This uplifting story was exactly what I needed in my life!

Jenna and Ty grew up across the street from each other, and I loved their friendship. They cared deeply for one another, but now tension and longing seemed to simmer between them. Along with the nervousness of ruining a great friendship. But they both had their own personal struggles too. Jenna had a lot of soul searching to do. To figure out where she belonged, and what career would bring her joy. And Ty was dealing with some heavy stuff that was haunting him from one of his calls as a firefighter and first responder. Their journey wasn’t always easy, but I was all for it!

This is my second book by Hunter and I am hooked! The characters she creates are easy to connect with, I love the setting, and each story is fun to listen to. I can’t wait to go binge all her other books!

More Than Friends, by Denise Hunter, is the story of Jenna Greene and the summer she returns home to Chincoteague Island after her boyfriend makes the mistake of proposing in a very public setting even though she had told him she wasn’t ready for an engagement. So not only did the fancy dinner result in losing a boyfriend, it also ended up in losing her job because her boyfriend was also her boss.

Returning home to lick her wounds, Jenna also wants to check on the new guy her widowed mother met on a cruise. Why would someone come home with a person they had only known for a week? Why would her mom bring him home anyway? How fortuitous that Jenna is there to find out Gordon’s motives. And Jenna’s best friend Tyson Parker is there to help. In fact, Tyson has been Jenna’s best friend since they were kids, but what would happen if they risked their friendship by crossing a line?

This is another lovely story by Ms. Hunter. Her characters are well drawn and dimensional in a beautiful coastal setting. The storyline weaves together several important strands and delves into some deep themes as Jenna’s story is told. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

If you’re looking for a cozy beach read, this book is for you! It has a well-written friends-to-lovers trope, and it’ll make you want to visit the island yourself after finishing it.

Wow, what a great story! It is a friends to lovers trope, but it felt fresh! I thoroughly enjoyed how the book explored the idea of "rushed relationships," showing two different types through Jenna's story and her mom's. I loved the descriptive language and it gave me such great visualizations. I honestly couldn't put this down and listened to it in one go!

**5 stars**

I loved listening to the audiobook of *More Than Friends* by Denise Hunter.

Denise Hunter has a real talent for crafting warm, emotionally rich stories, and this one is no exception. The narration brought the coastal charm of Chincoteague Island to life so vividly that I felt transported right there with the characters, making the whole listen feel soothing and immersive.

What stood out most was the way the story weaves together family dynamics, personal healing, and the quiet evolution of a lifelong friendship into something deeper. The characters feel wonderfully dimensional and genuine, each carrying their own hopes, fears, and growth in a way that feels honest and relatable. Hunter balances lighter moments with thoughtful themes of trust, courage, and second chances without ever losing the heartwarming tone.

The audiobook format was perfect for this gentle, character-driven romance—it kept me fully engaged from the first chapter to the last. If you’re looking for a comforting contemporary story filled with beautiful coastal vibes, meaningful relationships, and plenty of emotional warmth, this one delivers beautifully.

Another lovely winner from Denise Hunter. I highly recommend the audiobook!

I recently read and really enjoyed More Than Friends by Denise Hunter. Jenna just broke up with her boyfriend which cost her her job so she returns home to Chincoteague Island. There she finds her childhood best friend Tyson and the two quickly reconnect. I really liked the easy way their friendship picked up and how the timing was right for them to fall in love with each other in a romantic way. The sub plots were entertaining and helpful in driving the connection and romance between them along with the character growth and individual character arcs.

Read this for:
*Hallmark vibes
*Friends to more romance
*Second chances
*First responder/firefighter
*Water cowboy and water ponies
*Small town vibes
*Dual POV
*Little bit of intrigue/mystery
*Sweet kisses and a tender happily ever after

I have really enjoyed each of Denise’s books that I have read and this one was another cutie that I recommend. I look forward to reading more of her books. I also listened to the audiobook version from Netgalley and found the narrator to be easy to listen to and the audio a nice way to consume this book if that’s your jam.

Thank you Denise Hunter, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Uplit Reads for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Partner @uplitreads for the gifted copy and audio publisher for the Listen Now audiobook on NetGalley.

This is my second book of Hunter’s and I enjoyed just as much as The Second Story Bookshop. My hubby is a firefighter so I was even more listen to this book. The author’s descriptions of the town of Chincoteague Island sounded so invited and nostalgic. I don’t know if I could take the heat of the summers but the pony swim sounds so fun.

I enjoyed the additions Hunter added in of Jenna’s and Tyson’s backstory. I liked getting to know their younger selves too. They truly were made for each other. The author does a great job with the fire descriptions too and the real life trauma it can cause.

The side stories were also good and made for a great read. I’m excited to listen to another book from this author.

The audio narrator, Kim Churchill, is a favorite. I love her voice and always look forward to books she narrates. Her tone is excellent and adds a lot to the different voices.