Riverbend Gap

Title: Riverbend Gap

Series: Riverbend #1

Author: Denise Hunter

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: Library

My Review:

Denise Hunter writes lovely romance novels. I have high expectations for her when I pick up a book and I am happy to say that Riverbend Gap did not disappoint.

Riverbend Gap starts with a bang and an edge of suspense. There is quite a bit of tension which makes for a great emotional connection between Katelyn and Cooper. The story line is quite different from your typical romance novel and it was very well-written. It is a love triangle and there are severe consequences for the choices made. I love the family dynamics of Cooper's family, I enjoyed the angst and the resolution.

Strong characters, a slow-burn romance, an engaging story line, and a theme of hope and forgiveness make Riverbend Gap not to be missed by those who love romance stories. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

★★★★/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

She came in search of the family she’d always wanted—and found the kind of love she’d never dared to imagine.

When Katelyn Loveland’s car veered off a winding Appalachian Mountain road, she thought she was done for. That is until Cooper Robinson, local sheriff’s deputy, came to her rescue. And though Katie narrowly escaped her brush with death, she still fell. Hard.

She wasn’t the only one. But soon Cooper learns that the woman he’s more attracted to than any he’s ever met is his brother’s new girlfriend—and therefore unquestionably off limits. Yet, despite his best efforts, Cooper and Katie can’t seem to avoid running into each other. Or ignore the undeniable chemistry between them.

As they grow closer, Katie shares the secrets of her past and the real reason she moved to their small North Carolina town. She also wins over Cooper’s welcoming and bighearted family. But they don’t know that her feelings for Cooper keep growing—all while she’s dating his brother. Soon the stakes of their emotional connection become higher than either of them could have imagined. Katie stands to lose the first family she’s ever had, and a scandal could doom Cooper’s campaign for sheriff’s office. Suddenly they find themselves on the edge of another precipice—and they’re forced to make a decision that could change their lives forever.