Mulberry Hollow

 

About the Book: 

Living life to the fullest always requires sacrifice.

Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now at risk of developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. She’s driven to protect her loved ones as a workaholic doctor in the tiny mountain town of Riverbend Gap, North Carolina.

Contractor Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail, in memory of the man who died saving his life, when an illness racks his body. After an agonizing fifteen-mile hike to Avery’s clinic, he collapses on her doorstep. He recovers to find himself in debt again, this time to a beautiful doctor.

When he decides to help her renovate a rundown carriage house, the obstacles to their attraction sprout like weeds—starting with the woman waiting for Wes at the end of the trail. Will he be able to relinquish the debt he owes his best friend? And will Avery find the courage to risk everything for love?

The second book in Denise Hunter’s popular Riverbend Romance series explores what it might be like to live fearlessly and free.

My Review: 

It would be a dream to walk the Appalachian Trail and I was drawn to the idea of Wes Garrett doing this as a fulfillment of a promise to his friend who died saving his life. His commitment in honoring his promise was admirable and showed great strength of character. 

Dr. Avery Robison lives in a small North Caroline town that I found to be a place that I would love to visit. Her dedication to the people of the area highlighted her truly giving heart since she gives all of her time to running the clinic. Could that drive be fear as she knows she has a 50% chance of inheriting a genetic disease from which her mother died? 

Watching the beautiful love story unfold between Wes and Avery made this a wonderful story.  My favorite quote was, ”Love can creep up on you, you know. It can take you by surprise, change all your plans-despite your best intentions.” 

 I recommend reading this book if you like Jan Karon’s Mitford series.  Once you meet the Robinson family and spend time in their part of the Appalachian Mountains, you won’t want to leave.  

This is the second book in the series. It can be read as a standalone because I didn't read the first book and could easily follow the storyline.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.