Reviews

Juniper Hill by Devney Perry

robynsbooknook's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

nyquillll's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

A solid 4/5 stars for me. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Indigo Ridge, and I'm continuing to enjoy the series in this second book learning about Memphis and Knox. The characters feel so well developed and fleshed out - I can see the story happening and I can feel what they are experiencing. Yes, some parts of the plot (i.e., the "mystery" near the end) aren't described in as much depth, but the storytelling still feels captivating and convincing. 

I liked the exploration of being a single parent (single mom),

being a father to a child who isn't biologically yours but not finding that out until later - and then having that relationship and connection severed

, learning to be more expressive with your feelings and emotions, being brave enough to let love in again even though a previous attempt ended disastrously, trusting someone to hold your heart and cherish your love, the labor (of love) that is being a mother - and how important building a community around you is to nourish you and your child, the different ways we give and accept love/help, navigating toxic family relationships and

severing ties if need be

, possible bits of postpartum depression (mom guilt, jealousy, inadequacy, etc.), learning to advocate for yourself even if it means losing people, the experience of being a first-time mother, letting your guard down to be a soft landing, and sorting through the voice of insecurity ringing in our heads versus the voice of reason/encouragement. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

Quotes I highlighted:

"He'd never know that being a mother was so damn hard. He'd simply know that I loved him."

"Motherhood, I'd learned in the past two months, was nothing more than a ritual of second-guessing yourself."

"This was the scene of my youth."

"This plan to keep my distance wasn't going to work if it took two trips to deliver every message."

"He chopped and grated until the water boiled, then he dumped in a box of dried pasta."

"'This is really good.' 'I know.' He arched an eyebrow. 'No more blue box.' 'I bought a ten-pack.' 'Ditch it. I always keep the ingredients on hand if you want some.'"

"'Tag, you're it.' She handed her son to his father. 'He wants me during the day but only Griff at night.'"

"Memphis was dealing with it alone. She bore the brunt of his screams. She carried the weight on her slender shoulders."

"Maybe motherhood wasn't always being the person your child leaned on, but finding the person they needed when you weren't enough."

"There were pieces to my tale I loathed. Parts of the story where I'd failed. But mostly, I was beginning to feel...proud."

"What happened, honey?"

"How could she not see how much she settled him? Yeah, maybe they struggled at one in the morning. But that kid needed her like she needed him. Those two were destined to be together."

"Watching them was like intruding on a ritual, a moment that they had each day, coming home and finding peace together."

"Thank you for this. For making me dinner and making me smile."

"Memphis and Drake had brought life to my home. Laughter and noise that I hadn't even realized I'd wanted."

"That was how we were raised. We watched out for each other."

"'Out loud, Memphis.' 'Got it,' she whispered."

"I raged for him."

"Standing on your own doesn't mean you have to be alone. There's a difference."

"All my life, the women in my family had been at the mercy of the men who kept them."

"I held up a finger. 'Tell you in a sec.' The first person I wanted to tell was Memphis."

"'Today was your second-best day.' 'Well...yeah. What's wrong with that?' He shook his head. 'It was just a normal day, honey.'"

"Then here's another truth. I'm going to take them. I'm going to take all of your bests. Every damn one until you can't keep track of the top five anymore because there are so many bests that you'll need a hundred to capture them all." "Promise?" "I swear it.""

"She'd given me her best days. I'd give her mine. Both of them."

"I wanted a day with them. A full day, no distractions. Just another normal day to show her how good normal could be."

"When I looked at him, I didn't see Jadon. I just saw Drake. My tiny boss."

"Fuck Beatrice and Victor."

"He'd leave with my empty laundry basket and return with it overflowing."

"This is not your fault. Trusting someone you care about is not wrong."

"You didn't drag me anywhere. I came willingly. Out my front door, up a staircase and into your loft, remember?"

"'You've never been able to count on anyone, have you?' She blinked, like the reality of her life had just hit her in the face."

"Knox had stepped in and a problem that had been mine was now ours."

"He is my entire world. I just wanted to be his." "You are, honey."

"'So what?' He leaned in again, this time more insistent. 'Go crazy. Be scared. You won't chase me away.'"

"Make yourself at home. I'm not much for house tours so just poke around until you find what you need."

"They all knew how to give a hug that made me want to cry. They hugged without hesitation. They didn't stiffen like my mother. They weren't worried about their makeup rubbing off like my sister. They weren't averse to general human contact like my father and brother."

"This is the third."

"Like I said, honey. I'll take them all."

"...but I ended up exactly where I'd need to be - home in Quincy, waiting for Memphis."

"This was the baby I'd loved before he'd been born. This was the son I'd had for only weeks. The boy who would grow up and look like his real father."

"Until then, I'd cover the gap."

"Her camera's shutter clicked in a steady stream as I made my woman her favorite meal."

"She disappeared, returning to her world. While I sat down beside mine."

"'Yes.' Whatever kept that look on her face."

"I wanted the flexibility to coach Drake's sports teams if he was into sports. Or take him to piano lessons or to the pool. I wanted more kids. I wanted nights at home on Juniper Hill with my wife."

"Finish that sentence and I'll call my sister-in-law, the chief of police, and let her know that your staff is taking children off premises without parental permission."

"Knox was Drake's father. In all of the important parts of the label, Knox was Drake's dad."

"You, me, Drake. We're good honey. We're so fucking good. And we'll add in a bunch of babies to the mix to keep in interesting."

"I want a big chaotic family to fill this house. I want to step on toys in the middle of the night . I want to break apart fights and bandage up skinned knees. I want the mess. I want the passion I want to watch you grow our kids."

"Do you want to do it?" "Well...yeah." I reached overt o shake her hand. 'Then we'll find a way to takeover.'

"Two days later, we'd gone to the courthouse where I need adopted Drake."

emilytlittle's review against another edition

challenging emotional lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

3.0

alli04's review against another edition

funny relaxing medium-paced

4.0

jocelynyvette's review against another edition

5.0

I gobbled this book up in a day y’all, it was amazing.

I loved this book. It was amazing, funny, heartwarming, and fantastic.

Knox Eden, a tattooed chef — he owns my heart. He lives in my head rent free and has been added to my never-ending list of book boyfriends. He’s a grumpy chef that lets Memphis stay next door to him and no matter how hard he tries he can’t ignore her. He helps her navigate single mom life and my heart explodes.

Memphis is such a sweetheart and she’s really out here doing the best she can while juggling single mother-hood. She’s a queen and I need her to always remember that.

This book was a breath of fresh air and I absolutely devoured every second of it. It made my chest hurt in the best way possible.

jmslee0197's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mayawildgoose's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

4.0

retropeaches's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Where do I even BEGIN? I thought this book was the perfect small town romance. Watching Memphis and Knox slowly build a relationship with each other as well as Knox claiming Drake as his own son was so sweet and heartwarming. This has to be one of the most beautiful and sweetest relationships I have read about in a while.

crystalmelody06's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious

5.0

mcmccallum's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0