River’s Sigh B&B: Vol. 1–4

Light reading series

Leaves you wanting to go on with following their futures

I bought these separately, so I have read each of these books and am in love with River’s Sigh.
Wedding Bands – I love a good second chance romance, and this one is such a sweet story full of frustrating misunderstandings. These two lovers, Jo and Callum, are ready to get married when his father comes between them. Callum goes on to college, and Jo doesn’t return to town until 15 years later when she inherits her uncle’s property which she shares with her sister Samantha.

Of Course, the two can’t avoid each other in this small town, but they have to work through the past pain in order to find a future together. There’s a communication problem that causes most of the frustration I had with the story, and it seems to be a hard one to overcome for the two of them. It doesn’t help that there are background characters – mostly Dave and Nina who are simply the troublemakers of the story – who try to come between them at every turn. There’s not question that the story ends in an HEA, but it takes a lot of work to get there.

Hooked – I absolutely loved this story. It was filled with conflict and misunderstandings, anger and a search for something the characters didn’t know they wanted.

Samantha has not been a nice person or very supportive of her sister Jo. She avoids relationships because she doesn’t want to be hurt. And the last thing she wants is to live a small town life. But when Aisha shows up looking for her biological mother, Sam, she has to decide what she has to give to this daughter she gave up for adoption. As if that isn’t enough, Aisha is pregnant and is staying at the River’s Side B & B on the off chance her mother might show up and at the invitation of Sam’s sister, Jo. Sam doesn’t want to be involved in her daughter’s life, and when Charles, Aisha’s adoptive father, enters the picture, sparks fly in more ways than one. Each thinks the other is a threat to their relationship with Aisha, and the harder they push against each other, the more they find an attraction brewing.

This was actually the first of the River’s Sigh B & B stories I read, but I truly don’t think it matters if they’re read out of order. The love story in contrast with the quarreling and the need to face maturity were heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It drew me in and made me wish I could be a part of it. I loved it and went on to buy the first book.

Spoons – I love all of the River’s Sigh B & B books, and this one was one of my favorites. I actually read this one some time ago and never got around to leaving a review. So I decided to re-read it and loved it just as much the second time around. It’s heartbreaking to watch Noelle and Cade’s marriage falling apart around them, especially when they have two little girls to raise. But a stay at River’s Sigh for his parents’ anniversary teaches them both to look not only at each other but inwardly to see that the problems with their marriage are much more than one thing, and the blame can’t be taken by just one person.

All of the River’s Sigh B & B stories have a wonderful and heartwarming HEA, and I especially love the ending to this one. The background characters are colorful and hold important parts in the reigniting of the couple’s marriage and their realization that love is a jumping board that can lead to so many more beautiful things in their future. Every time I read one of the author’s books, I want to move to River’s Sigh and make my home there. I look forward to reading whatever she has in store next.

Hook, Line and Sinker – There is nothing more fun than going back to River’s Sigh Bed & Breakfast, even if the characters taking us there are in trouble, either emotionally or physically. Something about returning to River’s Sigh always makes me feel like everything is going to be okay in the end.

That’s just what happens when Brian Archer returns to Greenridge to find that he has nowhere else to go but to his brother’s vacation haven, River’s Sigh. Of course, the moment wouldn’t be as poignant if it weren’t for the beautiful single mom, Katelyn Kellerman. And it couldn’t be easy, because though she travels light, she comes with heavy baggage in the form of two children and a possessive ex.

From the moment Brian rescues her from a difficult situation, he finds an attraction he knows better than to pursue. He’s a no-strings-attached playboy, and she has more strings than he knows what to do with. But it doesn’t take long for them to become fast friends and wonder if there is room for more. Hanging in the balance are her two brilliant children, whom she’d do anything for. Parenthood was never something Brian considered, and he needs to decide if fighting Katelyn’s ex and his burgeoning feelings for her are worth the broken heart he may end up carrying away. And Katelyn has spent the better part of her separation from her husband wondering if she will ever truly be able to make a break from him that will allow her to grow on her own. Or will he loom over her every decision for the rest of her life?

Another beautiful love story in the picturesque venue, set against a mountainous backdrop, complete with fresh air, forests and of course, the river that runs through it. It would be the first time a happily ever after was found at River’s Sigh B&B, but every story finds us on a different path to that joyful end. This one is fraught with danger and second guessing. Ms Bishop handles the difficult topic of domestic abuse in a way that helps us to see the strength that it takes to work through it and the very real idea that there can be some happiness in the end. I loved this story from the first page. The characters are full of life and color, and the area is quickly becoming a place I wish I could take a break and visit myself. Every book she writes feels like it takes me home, and makes me look forward to the next.

1. Book 1: Wedding Bands:4 stars
I purchased a copy of Wedding Bands: River’s Sigh B & B: Book 1 by Ev Bishop on February 8, 2017 and this review was given freely.
This clean romance is filled with a lot of drama! The manipulation by Dave, Nina and Callum’s father; the multiple misunderstandings between Jo and Callum; Jo losing her family home; and the return of Sam’s birth daughter result in conflict, some intrigue, the beginning Of River Sigh Bed and Breakfast, and ultimately a happy ending for both Jo and Callum.
2. Book 2: Hooked: 5 stars
I received a free copy of Hooked: River’s Sigh: Book 2 by Ev Bishop and this review was given freely.
Irony, sarcastic dry humor, a stray dog, denying attraction, teen pregnancy, the love of two sisters, a serious accident, a romance author and, some mildly steamy scenes can be found in this sweet full length River Sigh sequel. This is another well written and drama packed novel which is filled with conflicting emotions but ends happily.

3. Book 3: Spoons: 4 stars
I received a free copy of Spoons: River’s Sigh B & B: Book 3 by Ev Bishop and this review was given freely.
The third in the series of second chance romances gives us a story of complacency, drifting apart, cheating and divorce but also of renewal of self, renewal of love and, reinforcement of family bonds. The women of River Sigh welcome Noelle into their close knit group. Cade opens up to his brother Callum, and another stray dog bring chaos before becoming a permanent member of the Archer family. This in another emotional quest with a happy ending.
4. Book 4 : Hook, Line and Sinker: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel Hook, Line and Sinker: River’s Sigh B & B: Book 4 by Ev Bishop and this review was given freely.
This is a rise from the ashes; second chance at love romance. Ev Bishop’s portrayal of Katelyn’s strong character as she struggles with spousal abuse and accepting friendship which turns to love with Brian is heartwarming and inspiring. The transformation in Brian from cautious and self protecting to sharing his feelings and willing to take a risk on both love and family was a joy to read.

A fantastic boxed set; wonderful stories!

I read and reviewed all of the books in this boxed set as they were published individually. Below are my reviews as written back then with slight modifications.

**Wedding Bands – 5 stars**
I love reading about alpha heroes – you know, books where you kind of have to suspend reality a bit but enjoy them for what they are – but Wedding Bands doesn’t have an alpha hero. What it does have are believable, realistic, “normal” characters and a good “second chance” story. This is a type of romance that I love and a nice change from all of the billionaire, CEO, alpha male type books (which I also enjoy).

Jo and Callum were in love when they were young but family issues kept them apart and their own insecurities also kept them apart. They meet again many years later but things don’t really go well. There is a lot of back and forth, with major insecurities still for both of them. My only very minor criticism of the book is that I think there was maybe just a touch too much back and forth with their situation – but just a little too much. This is still a wonderful story about second chances with an element of surprise that I didn’t see coming.

Ev Bishop does a great job of enticing you to read the next book while at the same time giving you a complete story without a cliffhanger for the main characters. If you are like me, though, you will want to read the next story to find out what happens to Jo’s sister.

*****

**Hooked – 5 stars**
As the book opens, Samantha (Sam) is struggling to come to terms with meeting the daughter given up for adoption 17 years ago so that she could have a better life than Sam was in a position to provide. Now Aisha is in the same boat that Sam was, pregnant with the baby’s father nowhere around. And Aisha has questions that she wants Sam to answer.

Charles (Charlie) is Aisha’s adoptive father; his wife, Maureen (Mo), died a few years ago. He’s a writer who has lost his muse and hasn’t written anything new since his wife died. He’s been given one final extension on his publishing contract; he must finish a new book within 6 months.

More of Sam and Charlie’s backstory unfolds throughout the book. Their first meeting isn’t really a good one. This is definitely not a case of love at first sight. Both Sam and Charlie have demons that haunt them. Charlie is afraid that Sam is trying to take his only remaining family from him. Sam just doesn’t want to get involved with anyone; the daughter she gave birth to or a man.

Ev Bishop weaves a moving and complex story. Her writing is wonderfully descriptive; you can see and feel what the characters see and feel. The path to Sam and Charlie’s HEA is a rocky one and the relationship that both of them have with Aisha encounters rough water.

Once again, Ev has written a book that contains a minimal amount of strong language. In real life there is cursing; a book completely free of it would be a bit unrealistic to me. She also manages to tell a wonderful love story without any graphic love scenes. I don’t mention these things because I object to them in books, but because I know some readers do. I love alpha males, billionaire stories, military heroes and erotic romance. Still, it’s a nice change to read a book that doesn’t need any of that to tell a great story. Ev’s characters seem like REAL people to me and I loved getting lost in in her writing.

*****

**Spoons – 5 stars**
Spoons took me on an emotional ride that I won’t soon forget; I didn’t want to put it down and it’s my absolute favorite so far.

Spoons is a bit of a departure from the “normal” romance story (the author also lists the genre as Women’s Fiction). Spoons is about a married couple who’ve been together for a while but are now being torn apart. I think this story spoke to me so much because it’s about an established couple rather than young love. Don’t get me wrong, I love stories about new love, too, but they seem to be a bit more plentiful in my experience.

Noelle and Cade are married – and they have two beautiful little girls – but things aren’t good between them. They are attending a celebration for the 35th wedding anniversary of Cade’s parents but everyone knows that Cade’s father has been unfaithful to his wife many times. Noelle doesn’t see the point of celebrating a farce of a marriage. Cade’s brother, Callum, and his wife, Jo, own River’s Sigh B&B and the celebration will be held there.

The story centers on Noelle and Cade’s relationship and we slowly learn why things have gone bad between them. The scenario seems so plausible to me: Cade has buttoned himself up and doesn’t talk to Noelle anymore and she has become withdrawn from him. Because she thinks Cade had an affair, Noelle’s self-confidence is at an all-time low and she’s become the type of woman she never wanted to be: a b i t c h. Communication is key to any relationship but Noelle and Cade don’t seem to know how to communicate anymore.

I love how this story unfolds and, thanks to the descriptive and captivating writing of Ev Bishop, River’s Sigh is a place I wish was real so that I could go there. The strong cast of secondary characters – some of which were main characters in earlier books – help to enrich this story but you never lose sight of the fact that this book is about Noelle and Cade.

I shed many tears while reading this story, both sad and happy, and that’s part of the reason I loved it. Books that touch on my emotions are the best kind and this one fired on all cylinders.

*****

**Hook, Line & Sinker – 5 stars**
Brian and Katelyn’s story is an inspiring one in a lot of ways. She’s trying her best to get out of a bad relationship and protect her children. He has always been the consummate footloose bachelor and then he meets Katelyn, his home burns down and he discovers that he’s tired of his old life and wants to settle down.

Ev Bishop’s never-varying, wonderfully descriptive writing style is as captivating as ever in this story. I’ve said it before in reviews of her other books, I wish that River’s Sigh B & B was a real place that I could visit.

Hook, Line & Sinker is a wonderful romance. The story unfolds slowly, the romance builds gently and the characters were totally captivating. It’s light on the cursing and sexual desire is only alluded to. While I usually read stories with a bit more spice I found it totally refreshing to read such an intense love story that didn’t need to resort to coarse language and heavy sex scenes to keep me interested.

I absolutely recommend this book and series to anyone who wants to read a highly entertaining, intense story with very realistic and complex characters. I am eagerly awaiting my next trip to River’s Sigh B & B.

Bravo Ms. Bishop and well done!

Didn’t like it. Only read the first one— too many twists and turns and immature c haracters.