Charlotte MacGregor lost the thrill of conquering mountains five years ago when her sister disappeared on a hiking adventure without her. Still guilt-ridden, Charlotte heads for a vacation to rustic Vermont with a friend–where she’s surrounded by reminders of her devastating loss and plagued with unanswered questions.Matiu Christiansen is an outdoors buff. He works multiple jobs to save for his … his dream of owning an outfitter in New Zealand. He’s never quite felt at home in the United States and he yearns for his Maori roots, but his attraction to Charlotte puts a kink in his plans to move home later this year.Thrown together by coincidence, Charlotte and Matiu form a kindred bond through their shared love of the outdoors. Can Charlotte surmount her demons to assist Matiu on a rescue when a late-season snowstorm hits? And can Matiu help Charlotte heal from the pain of the past?
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My first read form the Deerbourne Inn series, this is book is about Charlotte who find herself “stuck” and unable to move on from her sister’s disappearance. A wonderful read that is well written and easy to get lost in.
Charlotte really didn’t want to go to Vermont but her best friend and new husband talked her into it. Charlotte lost her sister in the mountains of Chile five years ago and has never been found, presumed dead.
Matiu is working at least four jobs so he can go home to New Zealand to open his own business and take care of his cousin and her son, having a relationship he has no time for but something about Charlotte intrigues him.
Charlotte is afraid of her own shadow but something about Matiu brings her slowly out of her terror but is she brave enough to help him when he needs her.
Good story makes you think
Charlotte lost her love of live when she lost her sister. Matiu is doing everything he can for family. They meet and find a bond. Love blossoms. He encorages her to move forward in live despite her past. Through everything they find peace and love
Charlotte is on a trip with her best friend. She is unable to get past a tragedy in her past. She stays to herself only venturing out in the small town to get some coffee and visit the local book store. When She meets Matiu she comes out of her shell slowly. As they become friends they share their love of the outdoors. Matiu is only buying time until he moves back home but when he meets Charlotte he feels drawn to her. When they are forced together for a rescue can Charlotte overcome her fears.
This was an endearing read because you got to see Matiu feel for Charlotte and try to help her overcome the past. As she finally starts to open up she has to decide how to move forward.
An emotional story of hope and love.
Ok I admit at first I was hesitant about reading this book but when i started it i couldn’t put it down. Charolettes pain and loss was at the forefront of this book and Matus energy was just what she needed. They were the perfect compliment to each other and this book was such an easy read. Loved the chemistry and the unknown as I read this book
Regrets
Charlotte goes on vaction with her best friend and her husband to Vermont.Charlotte is stuck in a place with guilt and self pity.She is recently divorced after finding g her controlling husband has cneated.She had a passion at one time for travel and climbing until a moutain accident claimed her sisters life or disappearance . She was suppose to go with her sister and is guilt ridden she didn’t . On this trip she meets Matiu and he brings her out of her she’ll then she learns he is returning to New Zealand to start a business . Feeling like everyone she has loved she has lost will Charlotte see what life has to offer her.
Charlotte and Matiu’s story is one full of loss, heartache, and the longing to be with family. I enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing style on topics I knew nothing about, in an area foreign to me. I also liked the “building blocks,” of their relationship. It’s a good read romance fans looking for a deeper connection will enjoy.
This was a story about a woman who goes to Vermont for spring break at the insistence of her friends. Charlotte has been in a depression for the past five years since her younger sister was lost while hiking and is presumed dead. She blames herself for her sister’s death since she was supposed to go on the hike with her. Since then, she has pulled away from her friends and has avoided serious relationships. But in Vermont she meets Matiu who pushes Charlotte to forgive herself and reopen herself up to love and the love of hiking. I don’t want to give anything away, but the story is very inspiring and likely relatable for so many women. Charlotte is not perfect and struggles with self-doubt like so many people. And there is so much to like in Matiu’s character. It is a beautiful romance in a beautiful setting.
I love this gentle story of a woman with a broken heart finding love in a small mountain town. The characters are beautifully drawn and the love interest is a New Zealander, with his own inner struggles in play. I found myself cheering for both characters, neither of whom want the complications a relationship will bring. Highly recommend!
Soul of the Storm, another Deerbourne Inn book I simply adored. The chemistry of the characters and the depth of the setting and emotion made for an enjoyable trek through Vermont. Ms. Grant did her homework for the speech and customs of the New Zealand Maori, as well as, the procedures of search and rescue (SAR). Her descriptions of the Vermont Mountains made you feel like you were right there with Matiu and Charlotte.
Matiu Christiansen is a free spirit, never really settling down. Charlotte had been hurt and carried a lot of emotional baggage. Both characters fight their way to what they want. An adorable dog was a great addition. Overall, story with a lot of heart. A light, quick, and feel good read I highly recommend!
I really enjoyed Soul of the Storm by Jean M. Grant. It is a touching story of grief and finding your way back to love and life after suffering an unimaginable loss.
The search and rescue aspect was interesting, and impeccably researched, and added an exciting twist to the story.
I loved the New England setting, and fell a little in love with Matiu and his dog, Reka, from the first time we saw them. I didn’t feel as instantly drawn to Charlotte, but I warmed to her as the story progressed, and by the end I was rooting for these two to find their happy-ever-after. I would love to read a story about where they go after Soul of the Storm’s conclusion.
Five years ago Charlotte’s baby sister disappeared on a hiking trip – Charlotte blamed herself because she didn’t go with her. This week she is on spring break with her best friend to try to get away from the memory that always sends her spiraling into depression. And she meets Matiu, a transplanted Kiwi from New Zealand. They should have nothing in common. But they do, and the attraction is undeniable.
A true love story; a real feel good kind of story. Almost everyone has been hurt or has lost someone special to them and almost all of us have sworn we’d never get close enough to be hurt again. Such is the case of Charlotte and her Kiwi.
This is a sweet read. Quick and enjoyable yet with some depth. I always say romance is not my favorite genre, but this was a book of characters you could feel and even be friends with. It’s setting is in New England so if you have any knowledge at all of New Hampshire or Vermont you’ll enjoy the references and the scenery. We all need a book like this every now and then.
Part of the Deerbourne Inn series a short well written story that held my interest throughout. This is Charlotte MacGregor who lost her sister when she went hiking five years ago Charlotte has been looking for closure for that long. Matiu Christiansen of Maori ancestory is an outdoors buff who meets Charlotte and they form a bond. Now they must try and save a couple lost in a late-season snowstorm. Can Charlotte overcome her fear to climb again? Read this book to find out. This is the first book by this Author that I have read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Romance, Healing and Mountain Adventure
This is a touching romance. It has a fairly graphic lovemaking scene that can be skipped over without issue. The story itself is very touching. The end leaves the reader to fill in the blanks as to the couple’s future. That is a nice change from so many authors that want to control all the details of a book. I really enjoyed the realism of the story, especially in the healing of the heart aspects. I would like to read more of this author’s work. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
In book 6 in the Deerbourne Inn series, high school teacher Charlotte MacGregor is in Willow Springs, Vermont for spring break. She used to be adventurous, but now she’s withdrawn after the disappearance of her beloved sister, Julie.
New Zealander Matiu Christiansen has been living in the US for several years, but he’s ready to go home and be with his family. Then he meets Charlotte, and she’s different from most of the tourists he deals with everyday.
Charlotte and Matiu are interesting, wonderful characters. She’s trapped in an endless cycle of grief and pain, and he’s determined to make life better for himself and his family. As they get to know one another, he helps her heal and come to terms with the past, and she presents the “forever” that he’s been searching for. Romance bloomed from friendship, and it was very heartwarming.
Ms. Grant really did her homework when writing this story. She did a wonderfully detailed job describing the mountains, snow, hiking, mud, search and rescue (SAR) procedures, Maori speech and customs, etc. I learned a lot.
I really enjoyed this story and would love to read more books by Ms. Grant.
5 Stars
Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
Loved the characters! Jean Grants writes beautifully and her latest story did not disappoint. This one includes a handsome and intriguing young New Zealander who woos a sad and emotionally scarred New England teacher. I enjoyed the slow and loving efforts that Maitu made in drawing Charlotte out of her shell. Local references are strewn throughout and make this a fun read for those familiar with the area.
Charlotte, a teacher with a survivor’s guilt complex, stays at the Deerbourne Inn in Vermont during spring break in April. Spring break is called mud season when the winter snow thaws and mixes with the Vermont soil. She meets Matiu from New Zealand, a volunteer with Vermont Search and Rescue, and his trained dog Reka. If you like the outdoors, beautiful places like Vermont and New Zealand, and a sweet love story with a bit of suspense, you’ll like this book. I’m definitely reading more from this author.
Soul of the Storm is the first book I have read by Jean M Grant and it will not be the last. I enjoyed Charlotte and Maitiu’s story. I was fascinating from the start and could not put it down until the end. It is not a long read and I had no problem finishing it in a few hours.
Soul of the Storm gets four and a half stars from me. I look forward more by Jean M Grant in the future. I recommend this one.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.