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papaya0w0's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jbarr5's review
5.0
Currant Creek Valley by Raeanne Thayne
Alexandra McKnight's new restaurant was almost ready to open. The book club members met there for lunch one day and showed them around. The man to finish the kitchen, Sam Delgado was
there sizing up the project before 3 other men would work starting the next day. She likes to take control of things and him being an Army Ranger is the one who needs to be in control.
Love the village here and it's fun to catch up with others and their relationships. The village has a bit of everything that makes it well rounded for anybody to live in.
He's got a life where his son is, at present his brother's and he doesn't want to get tangled up with the owner of the place-Alex but he's taking a liking to her...
When they find a dog while she's giving him a tour of the square, she decides to try to find the dogs home and keep him safe at her house. Her mother drops a bomb on her and all the relatives!
Especially love the trails and all the detailed descriptions throughout the book, makes me feel like I'm right there.
Harry has a proposition for him and he will bring his son to listen to what he has to say.
With the death of a neighbor their relationship also dies and although her place had just opened she got an offer that she can't refuse and it's in Deer Valley. She's going to move..
Alexandra McKnight's new restaurant was almost ready to open. The book club members met there for lunch one day and showed them around. The man to finish the kitchen, Sam Delgado was
there sizing up the project before 3 other men would work starting the next day. She likes to take control of things and him being an Army Ranger is the one who needs to be in control.
Love the village here and it's fun to catch up with others and their relationships. The village has a bit of everything that makes it well rounded for anybody to live in.
He's got a life where his son is, at present his brother's and he doesn't want to get tangled up with the owner of the place-Alex but he's taking a liking to her...
When they find a dog while she's giving him a tour of the square, she decides to try to find the dogs home and keep him safe at her house. Her mother drops a bomb on her and all the relatives!
Especially love the trails and all the detailed descriptions throughout the book, makes me feel like I'm right there.
Harry has a proposition for him and he will bring his son to listen to what he has to say.
With the death of a neighbor their relationship also dies and although her place had just opened she got an offer that she can't refuse and it's in Deer Valley. She's going to move..
kylieduncan's review
4.0
This was not my favourite of all the Hope’s Crossing books but I still really enjoyed this story. I would have hoped to get a glimpse into more of Alex and Sam’s life going forward. A bit disappointed that looking at the synopsis of the next book, it looks like the story is moving to others outside of the main character group thus far.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good book. Alex is about to have her dreams come true as the head chef of a new restaurant in town, as long as the construction of the kitchen gets done on time. Sam has been hired to finish the kitchen. There's a heat that's obvious between them from the moment they meet. Alex sees no problem getting involved with Sam. She doesn't do commitments and he's only in town for a short time. Then she discovers that he and his son are moving to town permanently and he's interested in more than short term.
I loved Sam. He's a great dad who wants a fresh start for himself and his son. His wife died a couple years ago and then he discovered that his father-in-law was a crooked contractor. Now he's looking forward to living in a small town where people care for each other and look out for each other. He isn't really interested in a new relationship since he's going to be busy setting up his business and taking care of his son. He's attracted to Alex as soon as he meets her and looks forward to getting to know her better. He likes the way she's direct about what she wants. He enjoys her sense of humor and discovers that under her brash exterior is a very kindhearted woman. It's not too long before he's starting to think of Alex in longer terms, but he can't get her to agree. Every time he thinks he's making some progress she pushes him away. He senses that there is a deep pain that keeps her from accepting the idea of a future with him. I really liked the way that he kept trying to get close to Alex. He knew he was falling for her and he was pretty sure that she felt the same but he was having problems getting past her walls. Even when he tried to stay away from her he was aware of what she was doing. I loved his final attempt to get her to open up to him and share her pain. This expressed his feelings perfectly: "I love you, Alexandra. Nothing you’ve told me tonight changes that. I love you in spite of all the reasons you think I shouldn’t. In part, maybe, because of the those reasons. You’re the person you are today because of everything that has happened to you.”
Alex is a serial dater. She doesn't do more than a few dates with any one man, preferring to keep all her relationships light and casual. Part of her fear of commitment comes from the way her father deserted the family when she was a kid. She doesn't want to open herself up to that kind of pain again. Currently she is way too busy getting the new restaurant up and running to spend time with a man anyway. When she meets Sam she finds him very appealing and thinks it would be fun to be with him for the short time he'll be in town. She doesn't expect the intensity of her attraction to him and tries to pull away from him. She's willing to go for friendship with him, but is afraid what might happen if she goes for more. When she finds out that he has a son and that they are moving to town permanently she takes it as just one more reason to stay away from him. I liked the way that her soft heart doesn't let her stay away for long. She adds him to the people she cooks for, finds herself enjoying being around his son, and occasionally is tempted to let him get closer. But as much as she comes to care for him she has a secret pain that she hasn't even shared with her family and friends, that makes her feel that she doesn't deserve that kind of happiness. She doesn't seem to see the same good person that everyone else sees, the one who cooks for shut-ins, takes care of a friend who is dying of cancer, rescues a lost dog and takes it home with her, and is there for any friend who needs her help. I loved the way that she finally opened up to Sam, expecting him to reject her, and is stunned to find out that he doesn't, that he loves her just the way she is.
I loved Sam. He's a great dad who wants a fresh start for himself and his son. His wife died a couple years ago and then he discovered that his father-in-law was a crooked contractor. Now he's looking forward to living in a small town where people care for each other and look out for each other. He isn't really interested in a new relationship since he's going to be busy setting up his business and taking care of his son. He's attracted to Alex as soon as he meets her and looks forward to getting to know her better. He likes the way she's direct about what she wants. He enjoys her sense of humor and discovers that under her brash exterior is a very kindhearted woman. It's not too long before he's starting to think of Alex in longer terms, but he can't get her to agree. Every time he thinks he's making some progress she pushes him away. He senses that there is a deep pain that keeps her from accepting the idea of a future with him. I really liked the way that he kept trying to get close to Alex. He knew he was falling for her and he was pretty sure that she felt the same but he was having problems getting past her walls. Even when he tried to stay away from her he was aware of what she was doing. I loved his final attempt to get her to open up to him and share her pain. This expressed his feelings perfectly: "I love you, Alexandra. Nothing you’ve told me tonight changes that. I love you in spite of all the reasons you think I shouldn’t. In part, maybe, because of the those reasons. You’re the person you are today because of everything that has happened to you.”
Alex is a serial dater. She doesn't do more than a few dates with any one man, preferring to keep all her relationships light and casual. Part of her fear of commitment comes from the way her father deserted the family when she was a kid. She doesn't want to open herself up to that kind of pain again. Currently she is way too busy getting the new restaurant up and running to spend time with a man anyway. When she meets Sam she finds him very appealing and thinks it would be fun to be with him for the short time he'll be in town. She doesn't expect the intensity of her attraction to him and tries to pull away from him. She's willing to go for friendship with him, but is afraid what might happen if she goes for more. When she finds out that he has a son and that they are moving to town permanently she takes it as just one more reason to stay away from him. I liked the way that her soft heart doesn't let her stay away for long. She adds him to the people she cooks for, finds herself enjoying being around his son, and occasionally is tempted to let him get closer. But as much as she comes to care for him she has a secret pain that she hasn't even shared with her family and friends, that makes her feel that she doesn't deserve that kind of happiness. She doesn't seem to see the same good person that everyone else sees, the one who cooks for shut-ins, takes care of a friend who is dying of cancer, rescues a lost dog and takes it home with her, and is there for any friend who needs her help. I loved the way that she finally opened up to Sam, expecting him to reject her, and is stunned to find out that he doesn't, that he loves her just the way she is.
chartsh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kdf_333's review against another edition
3.0
soooo i read [b:Sugar Pine Trail|32905317|Sugar Pine Trail (Haven Point, #7)|RaeAnne Thayne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491134897s/32905317.jpg|53521775] and thought it was cute and wanted to read the start of the series. turns out the Caine's started in the hope's crossing series and not the haven point series.
ok the entire hope's crossing series was like a hallmark movie with a lil nicholas sparks thrown in. cuz in hallmark there is not as much bad stuff going like folks dying and whatnot, nick sparks likes death or dismemberment or some awful tragedy.
i enjoyed the hope's crossing series for that hallmark feel.
they were cute. they are good lil romances. no graphic sex, a lil bit of violence. a lot of dogs, kids, and family members. and nothing was mysterious. oh she tried, but nope. she tried to be all nicholas sparks and throw in some twists but nope it was hallmark. you saw the "surprises" coming a mile away. i really liked the big family and small picturesque town aspect. so hallmark.
even though i read them all one after another, the stories and characters were sufficiently different that i could enjoy each one.
not so with the haven point series. they have all the same stuff yet the no hallmark feels. except for the first one in the series([b:Snow Angel Cove|20821540|Snow Angel Cove (Haven Point, #1)|RaeAnne Thayne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406525511s/20821540.jpg|40167366])and the last one[b:Sugar Pine Trail|32905317|Sugar Pine Trail (Haven Point, #7)|RaeAnne Thayne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491134897s/32905317.jpg|53521775]). (both of which have Caine's in them- like everyone of the hope crossing series does.) i am almost done with that series and it sucks. it started out very good with adian caine but it went downhill form there. why? cuz every book was VERY similar to the first one. i am literally recognizing entire phrasing. (like i am positive she used some of the exact sentences in all the books!) the lead characters all remind me of the previous leads. and they are so very quick to judge. like how can you be attracted to a person and feel this "hunger" (she uses that word A LOT) when you think they are mean or nasty or uptight or something else very unpleasant? the situations are even similar (crutches for everyone!) also every book is i really NEED help but i don't want your help but i guess i'll take it and try to be grateful and oh now i am in love.
i am saddened by this since i really enjoyed hope's crossing and the first and last book in the haven point series. oh welll...
ok the entire hope's crossing series was like a hallmark movie with a lil nicholas sparks thrown in. cuz in hallmark there is not as much bad stuff going like folks dying and whatnot, nick sparks likes death or dismemberment or some awful tragedy.
i enjoyed the hope's crossing series for that hallmark feel.
they were cute. they are good lil romances. no graphic sex, a lil bit of violence. a lot of dogs, kids, and family members. and nothing was mysterious. oh she tried, but nope. she tried to be all nicholas sparks and throw in some twists but nope it was hallmark. you saw the "surprises" coming a mile away. i really liked the big family and small picturesque town aspect. so hallmark.
even though i read them all one after another, the stories and characters were sufficiently different that i could enjoy each one.
not so with the haven point series. they have all the same stuff yet the no hallmark feels. except for the first one in the series([b:Snow Angel Cove|20821540|Snow Angel Cove (Haven Point, #1)|RaeAnne Thayne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406525511s/20821540.jpg|40167366])and the last one[b:Sugar Pine Trail|32905317|Sugar Pine Trail (Haven Point, #7)|RaeAnne Thayne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491134897s/32905317.jpg|53521775]). (both of which have Caine's in them- like everyone of the hope crossing series does.) i am almost done with that series and it sucks. it started out very good with adian caine but it went downhill form there. why? cuz every book was VERY similar to the first one. i am literally recognizing entire phrasing. (like i am positive she used some of the exact sentences in all the books!) the lead characters all remind me of the previous leads. and they are so very quick to judge. like how can you be attracted to a person and feel this "hunger" (she uses that word A LOT) when you think they are mean or nasty or uptight or something else very unpleasant? the situations are even similar (crutches for everyone!) also every book is i really NEED help but i don't want your help but i guess i'll take it and try to be grateful and oh now i am in love.
i am saddened by this since i really enjoyed hope's crossing and the first and last book in the haven point series. oh welll...
gemmalaszlo's review
4.0
This author is brain candy for me. She writes such nice sweet stories with loveable characters. It sure is refreshing to read contemporary romance with just kissing in it.
allingoodtime's review
4.0
I was so glad to see I was finally getting to Alex's story. And what a wonderful story. Sure, there were a few things I could somewhat predict. Let's face it, we read romance so we get our happy ending. But some of the hidden past that made Alex the way she is just broke my heart. Sometimes I get tears in my eyes when I'm reading my books, I'm a crier by nature. But there were a couple things in this book that had me bawling like a baby. One of them being Caroline's musings, you'll see what I mean.
As usual when it comes to Thayne's books, I got all sorts of warm-fuzzies from this one. And I absolutely adored Sam's son, Ethan. His personality reminds me of my oldest son so I understood that part of Sam that was bursting with pride at the same time hoping his son wasn't offending anyone. Been there!
I'm a read that has many books going at once. I seem to be giving the series more than its fair share of my time while my other books have ended up on the back burner. I'm loving it!
As usual when it comes to Thayne's books, I got all sorts of warm-fuzzies from this one. And I absolutely adored Sam's son, Ethan. His personality reminds me of my oldest son so I understood that part of Sam that was bursting with pride at the same time hoping his son wasn't offending anyone. Been there!
I'm a read that has many books going at once. I seem to be giving the series more than its fair share of my time while my other books have ended up on the back burner. I'm loving it!
beckymmoe's review
3.0
This one wasn't my favorite in the series, but it was a decent read. I loved the character of Sam--strong, patient, great father, fantastic...hands. His son, Ethan, was awesome--reminded me a lot of the boy in Jerry Maguire. (Did you know the human head weighs ten pounds? ;)) The chocolate lab was sweet (though yet another example of a fictional animal who makes me feel inadequate as a non-fictional owner, but I digress.) The character I had problems with was Alex. She just seemed too hung up on her issues, which, when we finally find out what they are, just didn't add up to the hype as far as I was concerned. Of course we got the HEA, and saw many favorite characters from the other books, so in the end all's well that ends well. I'll definitely be looking forward to the next installment--and only partially to see what Ethan's up to :)