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hannahnana73's review against another edition
Rating - 3.5 stars
loved the cooking aspect + cole. also seeing the other couples again was nice. wish mama jo got to know abt keaton tho
loved the cooking aspect + cole. also seeing the other couples again was nice. wish mama jo got to know abt keaton tho
jfraser82's review against another edition
3.0
Probably my least favourite in the Chapel Springs series...it took awhile to get into...but still fun to read at the end of the day.
adventuresofaliterarynature's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved the first two books in this series and so I was extremely excited to get to read PJ's story! The premise was so fun and unique and the author did a fabulous job with it!
Cole and PJ were such a fun hero and heroine and I quickly fell in love with them. I loved how PJ was endearingly chatty and how that paired well with Cole's more quiet nature. The way they bantered with each other often left me with a huge smile on my face. PJ was a bubbly breath of fresh air and it was cool to see her stepping out on her own and making her dream a reality. My heart broke for Cole when we found out what had happened to him as a child but I loved how he turned that into a passion for foster kids like him. I also loved how he was always there for PJ when she needed him even if they weren't on the best of terms at that point, and how he kept calling her Sunshine and teasing her about the way they met.
It was great to catch up with the rest of the McKinleys and I really liked the foster kids that Cole took in.
I literally devoured this book and had it finished in less than 24 hours so I guess you can say that I loved it!
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Cole and PJ were such a fun hero and heroine and I quickly fell in love with them. I loved how PJ was endearingly chatty and how that paired well with Cole's more quiet nature. The way they bantered with each other often left me with a huge smile on my face. PJ was a bubbly breath of fresh air and it was cool to see her stepping out on her own and making her dream a reality. My heart broke for Cole when we found out what had happened to him as a child but I loved how he turned that into a passion for foster kids like him. I also loved how he was always there for PJ when she needed him even if they weren't on the best of terms at that point, and how he kept calling her Sunshine and teasing her about the way they met.
It was great to catch up with the rest of the McKinleys and I really liked the foster kids that Cole took in.
I literally devoured this book and had it finished in less than 24 hours so I guess you can say that I loved it!
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Wishing Season is another heartwarming romance in Denise Hunter's delightful Chapel Springs series. In this installment, PJ McKinley is trying to realize her dream of opening an upscale restaurant and B&B. But Cole Evans's unexpected arrival poses a very surprising complication to her plans. A creative solution to the problem forces the two of them to live together for a year as they compete for ownership of the historic home.
Overprotected by the rest of her loving but well-meaning family, a successful business would prove to everyone that PJ is more than capable of taking care of herself. With a track record of choosing the wrong man, her family doubts her judgment in more than just her love life. PJ knows she has what it takes to run a business, but her family's reservations undermine her self-confidence.
Cole's reason for entering the competition is a little more altruistic than PJ's. A former foster child, Cole wants to run a transitional home for foster kids who age out of the foster care system before high school graduation. Despite his very real desire to help these kids, Cole's tragic history also factors into heavily into his motivation.
The relationship between Cole and PJ is, at first, adversarial as they begin working toward their goals. PJ is determined to realize her dream on her own (albeit with a little help from her family). Since hers will be a for profit business, she has loans to help her build a state of the art kitchen and small dining room. Cole has the funding to run the home, but not enough money to pay for renovations, so most of his remodeling is do-it-yourself. PJ's prickly attitude begins to lessen as they work on their individual projects, but she is also quick to assume the worst of Cole when she has a few setbacks. After their ventures take off, Cole and PJ become friends, but a surprising attraction complicates their friendship.
Cole and PJ's romance is very understated and does not begin until fairly late in the novel. There is no mistaking the chemistry between them, but their interactions are innocent and limited to kisses. Their relationship begins before the rivalry for the house is resolved so the contest's outcome is also cause for concern for both of them. Surprisingly, it is unresolved issues from the past that threaten the couple's future.
The Wishing Season is a very sweet and engaging romance that has depth and substance. Cole's portion of the storyline is poignant and at times, very heartbreaking. PJ's problems with her family are less serious but realistic. Denise Hunter weaves some very important lessons of faith into the novel that will resonate readers who find that faith is sometimes lost in the busy-ness of everyday life.
The Wishing Season is an absolutely outstanding addition to the Chapel Springs series. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the previous installments as well. Intriguing glimpses of Ryan McKinley will leave readers eagerly anticipating the release of Married 'til Monday, which is due to release in June of 2015.
The Wishing Season is another heartwarming romance in Denise Hunter's delightful Chapel Springs series. In this installment, PJ McKinley is trying to realize her dream of opening an upscale restaurant and B&B. But Cole Evans's unexpected arrival poses a very surprising complication to her plans. A creative solution to the problem forces the two of them to live together for a year as they compete for ownership of the historic home.
Overprotected by the rest of her loving but well-meaning family, a successful business would prove to everyone that PJ is more than capable of taking care of herself. With a track record of choosing the wrong man, her family doubts her judgment in more than just her love life. PJ knows she has what it takes to run a business, but her family's reservations undermine her self-confidence.
Cole's reason for entering the competition is a little more altruistic than PJ's. A former foster child, Cole wants to run a transitional home for foster kids who age out of the foster care system before high school graduation. Despite his very real desire to help these kids, Cole's tragic history also factors into heavily into his motivation.
The relationship between Cole and PJ is, at first, adversarial as they begin working toward their goals. PJ is determined to realize her dream on her own (albeit with a little help from her family). Since hers will be a for profit business, she has loans to help her build a state of the art kitchen and small dining room. Cole has the funding to run the home, but not enough money to pay for renovations, so most of his remodeling is do-it-yourself. PJ's prickly attitude begins to lessen as they work on their individual projects, but she is also quick to assume the worst of Cole when she has a few setbacks. After their ventures take off, Cole and PJ become friends, but a surprising attraction complicates their friendship.
Cole and PJ's romance is very understated and does not begin until fairly late in the novel. There is no mistaking the chemistry between them, but their interactions are innocent and limited to kisses. Their relationship begins before the rivalry for the house is resolved so the contest's outcome is also cause for concern for both of them. Surprisingly, it is unresolved issues from the past that threaten the couple's future.
The Wishing Season is a very sweet and engaging romance that has depth and substance. Cole's portion of the storyline is poignant and at times, very heartbreaking. PJ's problems with her family are less serious but realistic. Denise Hunter weaves some very important lessons of faith into the novel that will resonate readers who find that faith is sometimes lost in the busy-ness of everyday life.
The Wishing Season is an absolutely outstanding addition to the Chapel Springs series. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the previous installments as well. Intriguing glimpses of Ryan McKinley will leave readers eagerly anticipating the release of Married 'til Monday, which is due to release in June of 2015.
msethna's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third book in her Chapel Hill series and it continues right where the others left off. Same type of story line, but this time focusing on the youngest sister in the family. If you like sweet family oriented stories, this series is a perfect fit.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
5.0
I so adore Denise Hunter's books & The Wishing Season is no exception! The characters leap off the page straight into your heart. The plot goes beyond a fluffy rom-com (though the sparks sizzle and pop quite nicely!) with depth and feeling and substance. My emotions rose and dipped and twisted and cheered along with the story line! I loved PJ and Cole - their chemistry and their hearts. Both of them were trying to prove that they were worthy, when they just needed to look down (or up) the stairs to find someone who already believed in them :)
bekaaaah's review against another edition
5.0
PJ McKinley’s dream is to open her own restaurant, so when a Chapel Springs woman offers her historic home in a contest to whoever has the best plan for it, PJ jumps at the chance to win. But she has competition, and he comes in a handsome package. Cole Evans has a tragic past and grew up in the foster care system. His dream is to open up a home for transitioning foster kids who need help. After a less than ideal first meeting involving a clay pot and concussion, PJ and Cole have to find a way to work together despite their many differences. With PJ downstairs launching her restaurant and Cole upstairs building a home for kids, they are given a one year trial run to see who will win the house. When the two start to develop feelings for one another, more questions are raised. Whose dream will be fulfilled?
There’s something very special about Chapel Springs and the McKinley family. I don’t know how to explain it exactly, but these books are like a warm, inviting hug that lifts your spirit and leaves you smiling. I simply couldn’t put it down and read it start to finish in one afternoon. The characters feel like real people and rooting for them came naturally. I am really, really hoping for a fourth book feauturing older brother Ryan’s story, because this much-loved series just can’t end yet!
PJ was adorable, her talkative personality and positive attitude made me smile countless times. Hunter did a great job with Cole’s character development, and his back-story played out perfectly. PJ’s restaurant was a nice subplot and, me loving sweets, I especially enjoyed all the baking that went on. Mmm...I would like some baklava and chocolate lava cake now please! ;)
Every time I read one of Denise Hunter’s novels, I become more and more a fan. She sucks you into these beautiful, genuine, and heartfelt stories that will make you both laugh and cry. And that’s exactly what The Wishing Season was- a beautiful story. Now I want to reread Barefoot Summer and Dancing with Fireflies. I strongly recommend checking out this book and series, all you romance lovers! Especially if you’re a fan of Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series, or Susan May Warren’s Deep Haven series.
*I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2015/03/review-the-wishing-season-by-denise-hunter/
There’s something very special about Chapel Springs and the McKinley family. I don’t know how to explain it exactly, but these books are like a warm, inviting hug that lifts your spirit and leaves you smiling. I simply couldn’t put it down and read it start to finish in one afternoon. The characters feel like real people and rooting for them came naturally. I am really, really hoping for a fourth book feauturing older brother Ryan’s story, because this much-loved series just can’t end yet!
PJ was adorable, her talkative personality and positive attitude made me smile countless times. Hunter did a great job with Cole’s character development, and his back-story played out perfectly. PJ’s restaurant was a nice subplot and, me loving sweets, I especially enjoyed all the baking that went on. Mmm...I would like some baklava and chocolate lava cake now please! ;)
Every time I read one of Denise Hunter’s novels, I become more and more a fan. She sucks you into these beautiful, genuine, and heartfelt stories that will make you both laugh and cry. And that’s exactly what The Wishing Season was- a beautiful story. Now I want to reread Barefoot Summer and Dancing with Fireflies. I strongly recommend checking out this book and series, all you romance lovers! Especially if you’re a fan of Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series, or Susan May Warren’s Deep Haven series.
*I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2015/03/review-the-wishing-season-by-denise-hunter/
danicapage's review against another edition
4.0
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received an e-galley of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
An Overview of the Novel: PJ has always wanted to prove to herself and her family that she was capable. When there is an old mansion up for grabs, she's ready to take it and turn her dreams of owning a B&B into a reality. She's not proud of all the decisions she's made, but she's going to succeed.
The only problem is that she's not the only one interested in the mansion. Cole wants to open a home to help kids transition from foster homes into independence.
But only one of them can get the house. In the end, they get a year trial. A year to see which one has better success. They are both living in the same mansion and neither is sure if it's big enough for the two of them, especially not with all the romantic tension between them.
But in the end somebody's dreams have to be broken and if they're not careful their hearts might just be broken too.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: In one word: adorable! Oh how I love Denise Hunter. This is the first book I've read by her, but I can promise you it will not be the last.
I loved PJ and Cole. PJ was so cute. She just felt so real. She had all these insecurities and all these quirks that I loved. PJ has to be one of my favorite characters ever.
And Cole was another knock-out character for me. I loved getting to know more about him and his past and watching his character develop. One thing is for sure and that is that Hunter is a master at characterization.
The story was cute and I loved the plotline. It tackled some deep issues but did it in a manner without being preachy or overbearing.
Hunter sure knows how to craft a romance that will leave you smiling. If you want to cozy up this Christmas season with a cute read, then The Wishing Season is a perfect read.
So why 4.5 stars? I absolutely adored it. There were a few parts that were slow so it's a 4.5 not a 5, but seriously I loved this one.
Can I read the series out of order? I did. I didn't feel at all lost. I could tell there was probably a backstory with some of the characters, but this one can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I do plan on going back and reading the first two in the series, however.
Warnings/Side-notes: None, perfectly clean.
The Wrap-up: Definitely am going to get my hands on another Hunter novel asap. I think I've fallen in love with her writing style, her characters, and everything about how she writes. Hunter easily has the makings to become a new favorite author for me.
Love,
Danica Page
Disclaimers: I received an e-galley of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
An Overview of the Novel: PJ has always wanted to prove to herself and her family that she was capable. When there is an old mansion up for grabs, she's ready to take it and turn her dreams of owning a B&B into a reality. She's not proud of all the decisions she's made, but she's going to succeed.
The only problem is that she's not the only one interested in the mansion. Cole wants to open a home to help kids transition from foster homes into independence.
But only one of them can get the house. In the end, they get a year trial. A year to see which one has better success. They are both living in the same mansion and neither is sure if it's big enough for the two of them, especially not with all the romantic tension between them.
But in the end somebody's dreams have to be broken and if they're not careful their hearts might just be broken too.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: In one word: adorable! Oh how I love Denise Hunter. This is the first book I've read by her, but I can promise you it will not be the last.
I loved PJ and Cole. PJ was so cute. She just felt so real. She had all these insecurities and all these quirks that I loved. PJ has to be one of my favorite characters ever.
And Cole was another knock-out character for me. I loved getting to know more about him and his past and watching his character develop. One thing is for sure and that is that Hunter is a master at characterization.
The story was cute and I loved the plotline. It tackled some deep issues but did it in a manner without being preachy or overbearing.
Hunter sure knows how to craft a romance that will leave you smiling. If you want to cozy up this Christmas season with a cute read, then The Wishing Season is a perfect read.
So why 4.5 stars? I absolutely adored it. There were a few parts that were slow so it's a 4.5 not a 5, but seriously I loved this one.
Can I read the series out of order? I did. I didn't feel at all lost. I could tell there was probably a backstory with some of the characters, but this one can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I do plan on going back and reading the first two in the series, however.
Warnings/Side-notes: None, perfectly clean.
The Wrap-up: Definitely am going to get my hands on another Hunter novel asap. I think I've fallen in love with her writing style, her characters, and everything about how she writes. Hunter easily has the makings to become a new favorite author for me.
Love,
Danica Page
gretchlins's review against another edition
4.0
I was astonished by this book! I have never read this author and kind of went into this book a little skeptical. I came out in love with the main characters. I loved the development you saw in PJ and Cole throughout this book. I loved the small moments of laughter that I had sitting alone in my room probably looking like a crazy person as I became connected with these characters. I would definitely this commend this book and cannot wait to read more of her books.