Book Description:
Who knew that returning home after a broken engagement could be the best decision you ever made? Denise Hunter is back with another heartwarming contemporary romance with a sweet friends-to-more story, featuring a saltwater cowboy. Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Hallmark movies.
Jenna Greene just ended things with her boyfriend . . . which also ended her career. (That’s the risk a girl takes when her boyfriend doubles as her boss.) With no income and no job prospects in sight, Jenna is forced to return to her mother’s house on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to figure out what’s next. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Jenna’s widowed mother has just returned from a cruise–with a brand-new boyfriend in tow. But there’s something off about the guy. His story doesn’t quite add up, and he keeps sneaking off to make suspicious phone calls and borrowing money from her too-trusting mother.
In search of some investigative help, Jenna turns to her childhood BFF, Tyson Parker, who lives and works in town. Still reeling from his wife’s infidelity, Tyson is doing his best to heal from the pain of divorce. He’s made a name for himself on the island as a volunteer firefighter and one of the much-admired saltwater cowboys who looks after Chincoteague’s wild ponies. Oh, and he turned out to be more than a tiny bit attractive–besides being almost-too-good-to-be-true sweet and caring.
Growing up, the uber-competitive Jenna was always accepted as one of the guys. But things have changed between her and Tyson, and he’s now looking at her through new eyes. Jenna suddenly feels like a leading lady on a movie set–only with way less composure.
But Jenna also has old wounds that make these new feelings seem fraught with peril. Is she willing to open her heart and see where love might lead? Or will she let her hesitant heart hold her back?
More Than Friends is a charming, can’t-put-it-down romance, full of laugh-out-loud moments, tender emotion, and the kind of small-town warmth Denise Hunter does best. With its beloved friends-to-more arc, swoony yet grounded hero, and gentle thread of healing and hope, this story will have readers rooting for love on every page. If you’re longing for a feel-good romance that blends heart, humor, and just enough mystery to keep you reading past your bedtime, More Than Friends is the perfect escape to Chincoteague Island.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading More Than Friends, a charming contemporary romance set in Virginia. Jenna returns to her barrier island hometown after her former boss sets up a disastrous Valentine’s Day grand gesture wedding proposal that ends their personal and professional relationship.
Jenna is concerned about her mother being besotted with a new boyfriend who’s secretive and might be a con artist. This inspires Jenna to stay with her mother and pick up summer tour guide work on the island while continuing to apply for management positions in Washington Metro Area.
Tyson is Jenna’s childhood friend who’s working at his family’s B&B and recovering from a messy divorce. He lives across the road from Jenna’s mother, works as a volunteer firefighter, and is one of the saltwater cowboys who care for the wild ponies on the island.
Jenna and Tyson’s romance is fun and sweet. They have emotional baggage and obstacles to overcome as they move out of the friends zone and put their friendship at risk if their romance doesn’t work out.
I loved the delightful small town cast of quirky characters who add many lighthearted moments to the story. The characters are dealing with trust issues and working on overcoming their fears. Forgiveness themes and the importance of honesty and truth in relationships are explored in the story.
I recommend More Than Friends to contemporary romance readers who like friends-to-more romances with small town charm, a firefighter hero, family drama, and relevant faith elements in the story.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
