“Hunter’s snappy dialogue and heartwarming prose will appeal to fans of Jan Karon and Mark Simses.” —Booklist review of Sweetbriar Cottage
Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?
Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.
As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
1/5
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Violence - 1/5
1/5
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Language - 0/5
0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
0/5
Summary
Denise Hunter has the ability to create a novel that is hard to put down. I read the book in a day and a half and it is not even a mystery. I enjoyed the book; but once again Denise has created a female character that is hard to like. She whined about everyone accusing her of making bad decisions but she DID make bad decisions.
Zoe returns to Copper Creek for her grandmother’s funeral, five years after leaving. She now has a five year old daughter, a boyfriend and a life on the road as his back up singer.
Cruz is her old flame and her brother’s best friend.
Although the story is predictable I could not put it down.
The faith element is not as strong in this book as some of her other books.
It was nice to see characters from other novels play a cameo in this book. I couldn’t help but smile when she got her hair color redone with Josephine. I am anxiously awaiting Hope’s story which is next.
Bottom line – if you like a mildly Christian romance, with lots of chemistry, some suspense and you don’t mind a female lead that is not likeable I would recommend the book.
sexual content - sex before marriage, unhealthy relationship appears to be sleeping together, child out of wedlock
violence - fire, fighting
drinking - they sing in a bar but I don't recall drinking