Friday, April 21, 2023

Review & Giveaway - - Return to Hummingbird Way

Return to Hummingbird Way
Holly Grove Island - Book 2
by Reese Ryan
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Reviewed by PJ
 


In this heartwarming small‑town romance, can three months, two planning projects, and a meddling grandmother finally make two high school hate crushes see just how right they are for each other? 


Ambitious real estate agent Sinclair Buchanan is ecstatic to be her best friend’s maid-of-honor—until she discovers the best man is Garrett Davenport. Sin and Rett’s mutual hate crush ignited when they were teens and hasn’t let up since . . . except for that one extremely hot (and extremely regrettable) night they shared five years ago. 

Nothing gets Rett fired up like going toe-to-toe with Sinclair. She’s as infuriatingly stubborn, and as absolutely gorgeous, as when he fell for her back in high school. Working together to plan their best friends’ last-minute wedding is one thing, but when his matchmaking grandmother gets involved Rett knows he’s in deep. Attraction has always simmered between them, but this time, they’re both in danger of losing their hearts.

PJ's Thoughts:

I am thoroughly enjoying Reese Ryan's Holly Grove Island series. She has captured the vibe of a small Outer Banks town that makes that area so popular to visit but it's her characters who really shine. I love the friendships at the center of the stories, both male and female. The family relationships add an extra layer of depth - and conflict - to the main characters' journeys. Even the secondary characters add a richness that only makes the read that much more satisfying. In this book, it's Mama Mae, Rett's irrepressible, matchmaking grandmother who won my heart with her cooking, her humor, her wisdom, and her unconditional love for her grandson. 

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes. Couple that with Rett's and Sin's "hate crush" from their high school years, a secret hook-up five years ago, unwelcome attraction today, and a total misperception about one another's wants and goals and, what can I say, I was hooked. I liked the complexity the author created within both Rett and Sin. These characters had layers, fears, vulnerabilities, and family issues that were not easily overcome. I loved the chemistry between them (yay for sizzle) but I also appreciated the emotional work they put in on themselves and their relationships - both with their families and one another - in order to grow while remaining true to their core values and desires. The evolution they each experienced, both as a couple and individually, over the course of their story was realistic, relatable, and crucial to the viability of their romantic relationship. 

Return to Hummingbird Way stands well on its own but readers should be aware that the main couple (Sin's and Rett's best friends, Dakota and Dexter) from book one, Second Chance on Cypress Lane, are featured prominently in book two. If you're a series purist, you may wish to read the two books in order. For more information about Dakota and Dexter, click to read my review of Second Chance on Cypress Lane


Have you read Reese Ryan yet?

How do you feel about enemies-to-lovers romance?

Have you ever been to the Outer Banks? Do you enjoy beach towns, either in real life or in the books you read? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 23 will receive a print copy of Return to Hummingbird Way

*U.S. only
*Must be 18


12 comments:

  1. I haven't read Reese Ryan but look forward to definitely reading her books. I enjoy enemies to lovers romance for sure. I love beach towns and have vacationed in several. Beach towns are where I feel so good because they remind me of another era when life was simple, beautiful and good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have never visited the outer Banks but have been to many others beaches on the Eastern seaboard and in Ca. I enjoy spending time at the beach and beach towns are my special escape since they are away from the big city and relaxing and conducive to a real holiday. My heart slows down and my mood is better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Book sounds great; love enemies to friends, have not read Reese and we have been to the Outer Banks several times over the years, visiting friends.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a new to me author. Sadly, I have never been to the Outer Banks. If I had my druthers, I would live on the shore and gaze at the water 20 hours out of every day. I have to sleep for at least 4 hours. I am a fan of small town stories which include friends and families who want to be involved in the lives of everyone. I have lived in small towns like that and it is quite educational...not necessarily in a good way.
    Thanks for the review. It is evident that Ms Ryan knows her small towns, her grandmothers and her families in general. That is what small towns are all about.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Patricia Bennett BarberApril 21, 2023 at 12:11 PM

    She would be a new author to me, and she sounds great. I'm from Florida, so I'm next to a big beach. But would love to visit a small one.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I’ve read a couple of her category romances.
    Love beach settings and stories. I live by water year round.
    I’ve never been to the Outer Banks. My son now lives 3 hours away. Hope to visit one day soon. My daughter is going May 6-9th with her old college roommates.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have not read Reese Ryan yet, but your review is telling me I need to. My one trip to the Outer Banks teased me with its beauty, but we had to leave soon after arriving when my then-young son spiked a high fever. This story sounds perfect, and I love the names Sin and Rhett!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have not read Reese's books, yet. I love enemies to lovers. Love beach towns.

    ReplyDelete
  9. No, I have not ready any of Reese Ryan's books yet. I have never been to the Outer Banks but would love to someday. I do enjoy reading about beach towns. I live within driving distance of lovely beaches so I obviously enjoy beaches. I do enjoy enemies to lovers as long as it does not get so over the top ugly that it makes me wonder how the couple could ever get together.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't read her books. I've never been to the Outer Banks. I must say this books looks like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win this one..

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is a new author to me. Book sounds like my cup of tea. I will have to read the first book though. I love reading a book series in order, even if they are stand alones. I've not been to the Outer Banks. I do love the beach though.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I do enjoy a well written enemies-to-lovers story. The emotions are closely related and sometimes denial can confuse which one is really felt. The transition needs to be handled well and realistically, not rushed. I have not yet read Reese Ryan.
    We have been to the Outer Banks a few times. We enjoy the environment of the area, but not the crowds. We tend to go off season so we can enjoy the area and the rhythm of the ocean.
    I do enjoy stories set in beach towns because they are special places with particular cultures. In books you are seeing the people that inhabit these places without having to deal with the surface tourist busyness.

    ReplyDelete